On March 13, 2024, NFL Free Agency opened and one of the most important and hectic times of the NFL offseason began. Almost immediately, countless NFL fans were shocked as their favorite player was traded away, or, conversely, their team acquired a player who could potentially change the course of their franchise completely by next season. Amongst the top trades, many Pro Bowl players were either re-signed or released, adding to the chaos that naturally comes with this time of year. Regardless of whether or not your favorite team made a top tier move this offseason (sorry Cowboys fans), it is without a doubt that every team in the league will be affected by the most major pickups. That being said, here are the top five moves of NFL Free Agency, and what it means for the league moving forward.
#5- Brian Burns to the New York Giants
One of the NFL’s most efficient pass rushers and two time Pro Bowler, Brian Burns, was traded to the New York Giants from the Carolina Panthers for a 2024 second round pick and 2025 fifth round pick. Burns is the perfect addition to a struggling Giants defense, which had the fourth lowest sack total last season. Burns is almost guaranteed to bring the total up, as he has never finished a season with less than 7.5 sacks, and made up 30% of Carolina’s sacks last season. Additionally, Burns alongside the fifth overall pick from the 2022 draft and Giant’s top pass rusher, Kayvon Thibodeaux, is sure to spark fear in quarterbacks around the league, as the Giant’s now have one of the most formidable pass-rushing duos in football. It is certainly worth keeping an eye on this team as they seek to improve from their last season record of 6-11, and perhaps even utilize their new defensive dominance to make a push for the postseason.
#4- Russel Wilson to the Pittsburgh Steelers
The first blockbuster signing of the season and one that is sure to significantly impact the league next year. nine-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion, Russell Wilson, was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers after being released by the Denver Broncos earlier in the week. The Steelers were in desperate need of a quarterback after trading their previous starter, Kenny Pickett, to the Eagles for draft picks. Wilson is coming off a short, albeit mediocre, stretch with the Denver Broncos where he did not see much success, having been unable to take the team to the playoffs, or even lead them to a winning record. However, a change in environment may be just what Russell Wilson needs, as he will now be under veteran coach Mike Tomlin, who has never had a losing season throughout his coaching career, and Wilson’s experience will compliment him nicely. The Steelers have also set themselves for future success, as their addition of young quarterback Justin Fields from Chicago will allow for Wilson to pass off his knowledge in order to develop Fields enough to lead the team for years to come.
#3- Saquon Barkley to the Philadelphia Eagles
A trade that felt as though it was a long time coming and one that certainly was sure to leave bad blood was the acquisition of star running back Saquon Barkley to the Philadelphia Eagles from the division rival New York Giants. The two-time Pro Bowler and the 2018 Offensive Rookie of the Year, remains one of the league’s most elite running backs in both the pass and run game. Coming off an almost 1,000 yard rushing season, Barkely is receiving a three-year, $37.75 million contract which solidifies him as the franchise running back the Eagles need and will certainly restore them to being one of the league’s top threats after their unexpected fall off at the end of last season. Despite facing minor backlash from the Giants community, most notably Giant’s former All-Pro running back Tiki Barber, Barkely is only looking forward, and he is undoubtedly ready to become a major piece in the Eagle’s offensive scheme and help them return to next season as Super Bowl contenders.
#2- Derrick Henry to the Baltimore Ravens
Another big question that was to be expected to be addressed this offseason was, “Where will Tennessee Titan’s All-Pro running back Derrick Henry end up?” This question was answered when the Ravens signed the two-time rushing leader to a two-year, $16 million deal that left fans excited at what this will mean for the team now that two-time MVP Lamar Jackson has one of the top running backs in the league as an option in the backfield. Standing at six feet, three inches and 247 lbs, Derrick Henry is a formidable force, and he will surely add the strength and power that Raven’s need to dominate their opponents. Henry is coming off a 1200 yard season with 12 touchdowns, and he will look to maintain that momentum going into the 2024 season. With a star-studded cast around him, Derrick Henry will likely be a key piece in taking the Ravens deep into the postseason next year.
#1- Kirk Cousins to the Atlanta Falcons
One of the largest in terms of money, and arguably one of the most essential, was the four-year, $180 million signing of veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, ending his six year stint with the Vikings, where he was selected to three Pro Bowl games and led the team to three playoff appearances. Cousins is a talented quarterback who can efficiently get the ball to where it needs to be, and his knowledge and experience of the game will surely help out the young cast that has been built around him in Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts. The Falcons have struggled recently with establishing a franchise quarterback, and by constructing a four-year deal with Cousins, it looks as though they are looking to keep him around for the long haul, and hopefully turn their regular season performance around, even placing themselves in the position to compete for the division title and make their way to the playoffs for the first time since 2018. Kirk Cousins has proven himself to be one of the league’s most reliable players and an established leader, and the Falcons will be looking to capitalize on these traits in order to be a top team in the league come the 2024 season.
