The NFL’s free agency period for the 2021 offseason officially kicked off at 4 p.m. ET on March 17 – the point when players with expiring contracts could sign with new teams and also the juncture at which all 32 of the league’s teams must comply with this year’s $182.5 million salary cap.
Prior to March 17, only players who had been released from their previous contracts were eligible to join new clubs, new Arizona Cardinal J.J. Watt being an example.
Other pending free agents could begin negotiating (and agreeing to) new deals Monday, like the mega-pact outgoing Patriots guard Joe Thuney is getting from the Chiefs or Yannick Ngakoue’s agreement with Las Vegas. Players were also eligible to re-sign with their current club, as Buccaneers Shaq Barrett and Rob Gronkowski did Monday.
Meanwhile, in a year when the cap falls by nearly $16 million due to revenue losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, several name players suddenly find themselves looking for work as teams slash salaries to get under the cap – Casey Hayward and Eric Fisher among that group.
Below is a list of the most prominent players on the move in 2021 … and a few who will not be going anywhere.
AFC
Baltimore Ravens
Lost: LS Morgan Cox, OLB Matt Judon, WR Chris Moore, DE Yannick Ngakoue, C Matt Skura, DL Jihad Ward
Released: RB Mark Ingram
Re-signed: OLB Tyus Bowser (4 years, $22M), NT Justin Ellis, OLB Pernell McPhee, TE Eric Tomlinson, DE Derek Wolfe (3 years, $12M)
Signed: G Kevin Zeitler (3 years, $22M)
Traded for: TE Josh Oliver (from Jaguars)
Buffalo Bills
Lost: TE Tyler Kroft, OT Ty Nsekhe, KR/WR Andre Roberts, OL Brian Winters
Released: WR John Brown, DT Quinton Jefferson
Re-signed: G Jon Feliciano (3 years, $17M), RB Taiwan Jones, LB Tyler Matakevich (1 year), LB Matt Milano (4 years, $44M, $24M guaranteed), CB Levi Wallace (1 year), OT Daryl Williams (3 years, $28.2M, per NFL Network)
Signed: P Matt Haack, TE Jacob Hollister (1 year), WR Emmanuel Sanders (1 year, $6M), QB Mitchell Trubisky (1 year, $2.5M)
Traded: TE Lee Smith (to Falcons)
WEDNESDAY IN FREE AGENCY: 49ers give Trent Williams record deal; Panthers add LBs
TUESDAY IN FREE AGENCY: Patriots strike again, sign TE Hunter Henry; Jaguars add Pro Bowl CB
MONDAY IN FREE AGENCY: Buccaneers re-sign Shaq Barrett, Patriots make big moves
Cincinnati Bengals
Lost: K Randy Bullock, TE Cethan Carter, WR Alex Erickson, WR A.J. Green, CB William Jackson III, DE Carl Lawson, WR John Ross
Released: DT Geno Atkins, C B.J. Finney, OT Bobby Hart
Re-signed: QB Brandon Allen, CB Tony Brown, P Kevin Huber (1 year), RB Samaje Perine (2 years), WR Mike Thomas, S Brandon Wilson (2 years)
Signed: CB Chidobe Awuzie (3 years), DE Trey Hendrickson, 4 years, $60M), CB Mike Hilton (4 years), DT Larry Ogunjobi (1 year), OT Riley Reiff (1 year, $7.5M)
Traded: QB Ryan Finley (to Texans)
Cleveland Browns
Lost: LB Tae Davis, CB Kevin Johnson, OT Kendall Lamm, CB Terrance Mitchell, DT Larry Ogunjobi, DT Vincent Taylor, DB Tavierre Thomas
Released: DE Adrian Clayborn
Re-signed: WR Rashard Higgins (1 year, $2.4M, per ESPN), LB Elijah, WR JoJo Natson (1 year), K Cody Parkey (1 year), LB Malcolm Smith
Signed: CB Troy Hill (4 years, $24M, per NFL Network), DT Malik Jackson, S John Johnson (3 years, $33.75M, $24M guaranteed, per NFL Network), DE Takk McKinley (1 year, max $4M), OT Greg Senat, LB Anthony Walker (1 year, $3.5M)
Denver Broncos
Club option activated: OLB Von Miller
Club option declined: FS Kareem Jackson (free agent)
Franchise tag/re-signed: S Justin Simmons (4 years, $61M, $35M guaranteed, per NFL Network)
Lost: LB Jeremiah Attaochu, RB Phillip Lindsay
Released: CB A.J. Bouye, DT Jurrell Casey, NT Kyle Peko
Re-signed: DL Shelby Harris (3 years, $27M)
Signed: RB Mike Boone (2 years, $2.6M), CB Ronald Darby (3 years, $30M), CB Kyle Fuller (1 year, $9.5M)
Houston Texans
Lost: DT Andrew Brown, WR Will Fuller V, LB Brennan Scarlett, DL Carlos Watkins
Released: P Bryan Anger, TE Darren Fells, G Zach Fulton, RB Duke Johnson, G Senio Kelemete, C Nick Martin, QB Josh McCown, DE J.J. Watt
Re-signed: TE Pharaoh Brown (1 year), CB Vernon Hargreaves
Signed: OL Justin Britt (1 year, $3.2M), S Terrence Brooks (1 year, $2M), DL Maliek Collins (1 year, $6M), WR Chris Conley (1 year), LB Tae Davis, WR Alex Erickson (1 year), LB Kamu Grugier-Hill (1 year, $3.25M), RB Mark Ingram (1 year, max $3M, per ESPN), OLB Jordan Jenkins (2 years, $6M), P Cam Johnston (3 years, $8M), CB/KR Desmond King (1 year), LB Christian Kirksey (1 year, max $4.5M), RB Phillip Lindsay (1 year, $3.25M), G Justin McCray (2 years, $4M), CB Terrance Mitchell (2 years), WR Donte Moncrief, WR Chris Moore (1 year, $2M), LB Kevin Pierre-Louis (2 years), DE Derek Rivers, KR/WR Andre Roberts (2 years, $6M), QB Tyrod Taylor, (1 year, max $12M), DT Vincent Taylor (1 year, $2M), DB Tavierre Thomas, LB Joe Thomas (1 year, $2M), T Cole Toner (1 year)
Traded: LB Benardrick McKinney (to Dolphins)
Traded for: OT Marcus Cannon (from Patriots), QB Ryan Finley (from Bengals), TE Ryan Izzo (from Patriots), DE Shaq Lawson (from Dolphins)
Indianapolis Colts
Claimed: DT Andrew Brown
Lost: DL Denico Autry, QB Jacoby Brissett, LB Anthony Walker, CB Tavon Wilson
Re-signed: RB Marlon Mack (1 year, $2M), CB Xavier Rhodes (1 year, $6.5M)
Signed: DL Isaac Rochell (1 year, $2.5M)
Traded for: QB Carson Wentz (from Eagles)
Jacksonville Jaguars
Franchise tag: OT Cam Robinson (signed tender)
Lost: Keelan Cole, WR Chris Conley, QB Mike Glennon
Released: OLB Kamalei Correa, TE Tyler Eifert, CB Rashaan Melvin
Re-signed: K Aldrick Rosas, CB Sidney Jones, TE James O’Shaughnessy, G Tyler Shatley, DE Dawuane Smoot (2 years, $14M)
Signed: WR/KR Jamal Agnew (3 years), DT Tyson Alualu (2 years, $6M), WR Phillip Dorsett, S Rudy Ford (2 years, $4.2M), RB Carlos Hyde (2 years, $6M), CB Shaquill Griffin (3 years, max $45M, per NFL Network), S Rayshawn Jenkins (4 years), WR Marvin Jones (2 years, $14.5M), TE Chris Manhertz (2 years, $7.25M), DT Roy Robertson-Harris (3 years, $24.4M), DL Jihad Ward
Traded: TE Josh Oliver (to Ravens)
Traded for: DL Malcom Brown (from Saints)
Kansas City Chiefs
Released: OT Eric Fisher, OT Mitchell Schwartz, RB Damien Williams
Re-signed: DE Taco Charlton, RB Elijah McGuire (1 year), OT Mike Remmers (1 year), RB Darrel Williams (1 year)
Retired: FB Anthony Sherman
Signed: TE Blake Bell (1 year), G Kyle Long (1 year, max $5M, per ESPN), G Joe Thuney (5 years, $80M)
Las Vegas Raiders
Lost: WR Nelson Agholor, RB Devontae Booker, DL Maliek Collins, S Erik Harris, S Lamarcus Joyner, LB Raekwon McMillan
Released: G Gabe Jackson, DB Lamarcus Joyner, WR Tyrell Williams
Re-signed: TE Derek Carrier (1 year), OL Denzelle Good (2 years), DT Johnathan Hankins (1 year), G Richie Incognito, DL David Irving, C Andre James (3 years, $12.5M), WR Zay Jones, CB Nevin Lawson (1 year), LB Nicholas Morrow, RB Theo Riddick
Signed: WR John Brown (1 year), RB Kenyan Drake (2 years, $11M), DT Quinton Jefferson, C Nick Martin, DE Yannick Ngakoue (2 years, $26M), DT Darius Philon, DL Solomon Thomas (1 year)
Traded: OT Trent Brown (to Patriots), C Rodney Hudson (to Cardinals), G Gabe Jackson (to Seahawks)
Los Angeles Chargers
Lost: G Dan Feeney, TE Hunter Henry, S Rayshawn Jenkins, LB Denzel Perryman, DL Isaac Rochell, QB Tyrod Taylor, T Cole Toner, LB Nick Vigil
Released: CB Casey Hayward, G Trai Turner
Re-signed: TE Stephen Anderson, K Mike Badgley (1 year), CB Michael Davis (3 years)
Retired: C Mike Pouncey
Signed: OL Oday Aboushi (1 year, $1.75M), TE Jared Cook (1 year, max $6M), OL Matt Feiler (3 years, $21M, per ESPN), C Corey Linsley (5 years, $62.5M)
Miami Dolphins
Lost: QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, DT Davon Godchaux, LB Kamu Grugier-Hill, C Ted Karras
Released: OLB Kyle Van Noy
Re-signed: LB Vince Biegel (1 year), OT Adam Pankey
Signed: RB Malcolm Brown, QB Jacoby Brissett (1 year), DL Adam Butler (2 years, max $9.5M, per NFL Network), TE Cethan Carter (3 years, $7.8M), CB Justin Coleman (1 year, $2.75M), WR Robert Foster, WR Will Fuller V (1 year), P Michael Palardy, LB Duke Riley (1 year), LB Brennan Scarlett, C Matt Skura (1 year)
Traded: DE Shaq Lawson (to Texans)
Traded for: LB Benardrick McKinney (from Texans), OT Isaiah Wilson (from Titans, later waived)
New England Patriots
Lost: S Terrence Brooks, DL Adam Butler, LB Brandon Copeland, WR Donte Moncrief, G Joe Thuney
Released: DT Beau Allen, WR Marqise Lee
Re-signed: C David Andrews (4 years), DB/ST Justin Bethel (3 years, $6M), DL Carl Davis, S Cody Davis (2 years), K Nick Folk (1 year, $1.2M), QB Cam Newton (1 year, $5M, max $14M, per reports), DL Deatrich Wise (4 years, $30 million)
Retired: S Patrick Chung
Signed: DL Montravius Adams (1 year, $2.5M), WR Nelson Agholor, DL Henry Anderson (2 years), WR Kendrick Bourne (3 years, $22.5M), DT Davon Godchaux (2 years), TE Hunter Henry (3 years, $37.5M, per ESPN), OLB Matt Judon (4 years, $56M), OL Ted Karras (1 year, $4M), LB Raekwon McMillan (1 year), DB Jalen Mills (4 years, $24M), TE Jonnu Smith (4 years, $50M, $31.3M guaranteed), OLB Kyle Van Noy
Traded: OT Marcus Cannon (to Texans), TE Ryan Izzo (to Texans)
Traded for: OT Trent Brown (from Raiders)
JARRETT BELL: Patriots spending big, and Bill Belichick’s competitive juice is still hot
MIKE JONES: Starting-caliber QBs the hottest commodities in free agency
New York Jets
Franchise tag: S Marcus Maye (signed tender)
Lost: G Pat Elflein, OLB Jordan Jenkins, WR Breshad Perriman
Released: DL Henry Anderson
Signed: WR Keelan Cole (1 year, $5.5M, per NFL Network), WR Corey Davis (3 years, $37.5M, per ESPN), LB Jarrad Davis (1 year, $7M), G Dan Feeney (1 year), CB Justin Hardee (3 years), S Lamarcus Joyner (1 year, $4.5M), TE Tyler Kroft (1 year), DE Carl Lawson (3 years, $45M, per NFL Network), DT Sheldon Rankins (2 years, $17M, per NFL Network)
Pittsburgh Steelers
Lost: OLB Ola Adeniyi, DT Tyson Alualu, LB Bud Dupree, OL Matt Feiler, CB Mike Hilton
Released: LB Vince Williams
Re-signed: OT Zach Banner, WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (1 year, $8M), CB Cameron Sutton (2 years, $9M), DE Chris Wormley (2 years)
Retired: C Maurkice Pouncey
Signed: C B.J. Finney, OT Joe Haeg, S Miles Killebrew (1 year)
Tennessee Titans
Lost: WR Corey Davis, CB/KR Desmond King, TE Jonnu Smith
Released: CB Malcolm Butler, WR Adam Humphries, CB Adoree’ Jackson, OT Dennis Kelly, S Kenny Vaccaro
Re-signed: LB Jayon Brown (1 year, $5.25M, per NFL Network), TE Anthony Firkser (1 year), WR Marcus Johnson, OL Ty Sambrailo, TE Geoff Swaim (1 year)
Signed: OLB Ola Adeniyi, DL Denico Autry (3 years, $21.5M), LS Morgan Cox, LB Bud Dupree (5 years, max $85M), CB Janoris Jenkins, CB Kevin Johnson (1 year), OT Kendall Lamm (2 years, $8.5M, per NFL Network), WR Josh Reynolds
Traded: OT Isaiah Wilson (to Dolphins)
WINNERS AND LOSERS: From NFL’s 2021 franchise tag deadline
MIKE JONES: Salary cap crunch means teams must get creative as free agency looms
WINNERS AND LOSERS: From Dak Prescott’s new contract with Dallas
NFC
Arizona Cardinals
Lost: TE Dan Arnold, DT Angelo Blackson, RB Kenyan Drake, CB Patrick Peterson, OLB Haason Reddick
Released: K Zane Gonzalez
Re-signed: CB Robert Alford, OT Kelvin Beachum (2 years), OL Max Garcia (1 year,) OLB Markus Golden (2 years, $9M), P Andy Lee, LB Tanner Vallejo (2 years, $4.1M)
Signed: WR A.J. Green (1 year, max $8M, per NFL Network), K Matt Prater (2 years), DE J.J. Watt (2 years, $28M, $23M guaranteed), OL Brian Winters (1 year)
Traded for: C Rodney Hudson (from Raiders)
Atlanta Falcons
Lost: DE Charles Harris, C Alex Mack, G Justin McCray, S Keanu Neal
Released: CB Ricardo Allen, DE Allen Bailey, G James Carpenter
Re-signed: K Younghoe Koo
Signed: LB Brandon Copeland (1 year), S Erik Harris
Traded for: TE Lee Smith (from Bills)
Carolina Panthers
Franchise tag: OT Taylor Moton (signed tender)
Lost: FB Alex Armah, OL Tyler Larsen, TE Chris Manhertz, WR Curtis Samuel
Released: S Tre Boston, DT Zach Kerr, P Michael Palardy, DT Kawann Short, DL Stephen Weatherly
Re-signed: LS J.J. Jansen, WR Keith Kirkwood,
Signed: TE Dan Arnold (2 years, $6M), G Pat Elflein (3 years, $13.5M), OL Cameron Erving (2 years, $10M), DL Morgan Fox (2 years, $8.1M), CB Rashaan Melvin (1 year), WR David Moore (2 years), LB Denzel Perryman (2 years), OLB Haason Reddick (1 year, $6M)
Chicago Bears
Franchise tag: WR Allen Robinson (signed tender)
Lost: DT Roy Robertson-Harris, QB Mitchell Trubisky, DL Brent Urban
Released: CB Kyle Fuller, CB Buster Skrine
Re-signed: S Deon Bush (1 year), DE Mario Edwards (3 years, $11.55M), G Germain Ifedi (1 year), P Pat O’Donnell, K Cairo Santos (3 years, $11M)
Signed: OLB Jeremiah Attaochu (2 years), DT Angelo Blackson (2 years), QB Andy Dalton (1 year, $10 million), CB Desmond Trufant (1 year)
Dallas Cowboys
Lost: CB Chidobe Awuzie, TE Blake Bell, QB Andy Dalton, OL Cameron Erving, OT Greg Senat, LB Joe Thomas
Franchise tag/re-signed: QB Dak Prescott (4 years, $160M, $126M guaranteed)
Released: P Chris Jones, FB Jamize Olawale
Re-signed: WR Noah Brown (1 year), CB C.J. Goodwin (2 years, $3.5M), CB Jourdan Lewis (3 years)
Signed: LS Jake McQuaide (1 year), S Keanu Neal (1 year, $5M), OT Ty Nsekhe (1 year), DL Brent Urban, DL Carlos Watkins (1 year)
Detroit Lions
Lost: OL Oday Aboushi, WR/KR Jamal Agnew, CB Justin Coleman, LB Jarrad Davis, WR Kenny Golladay, WR Marvin Jones, S Miles Killebrew, K Matt Prater, LB Reggie Ragland
Released: C Russell Bodine, CB Justin Coleman, G Joe Dahl, TE Jesse James, LB Christian Jones, DT Danny Shelton, CB Desmond Trufant
Re-signed: LS Don Muhlbach, DE Romeo Okwara (3 years, $39M)
Signed: QB Tim Boyle (1 year, $2.5M, per NFL Network), K Randy Bullock, DE Charles Harris, TE Josh Hill, WR Breshad Perriman (1 year, $3M), RB Jamaal Williams (2 years, $7.5M, per NFL Network), WR Tyrell Williams (1 year, $4M)
Traded: QB Matthew Stafford (to Rams)
Traded for: DL Michael Brockers (from Rams), QB Jared Goff (from Rams)
Green Bay Packers
Lost: DL Montravius Adams, QB Tim Boyle, C Corey Linsley, RB Jamaal Williams
Released: LB Christian Kirksey, FB John Lovett, RT Rick Wagner
Re-signed: RB Aaron Jones (4 years, $48M, $13M signing bonus)
Retired: CB Tramon Williams
Los Angeles Rams
Lost: RB Malcolm Brown, OLB Samson Ebukam, TE Gerald Everett, DL Morgan Fox, CB Troy Hill, S John Johnson, LS Jake McQuaide, WR Josh Reynolds, DE Derek Rivers
Re-signed: OLB Leonard Floyd (4 years, $64M, per NFL Network)
Signed: WR DeSean Jackson (1 year)
Traded: DL Michael Brockers (to Lions), QB Jared Goff (to Lions)
Traded for: QB Matthew Stafford (from Lions)
Minnesota Vikings
Lost: RB Mike Boone, S Anthony Harris, DE Ifeadi Odenigbo
Released: K Dan Bailey, CB Tae Hayes, OT Riley Reiff, TE Kyle Rudolph, DT Shamar Stephen, CB Cordrea Tankersley
Re-signed: WR Chad Beebe (1 year), OT Rashod Hill (1 year)
Signed: K Greg Joseph, CB Patrick Peterson (1 year, $10M, per NFL Network), DT Dalvin Tomlinson (2 years, $22M), DL Stephen Weatherly (1 year, $2.5M), LB Nick Vigil (1 year, $1.35M)
New Orleans Saints
Lost: CB Justin Hardee, DE Trey Hendrickson, DT Sheldon Rankins
Franchise tag: S Marcus Williams (signed tender)
Released: LB Kwon Alexander, TE Jared Cook, OL Nick Easton, TE Josh Hill, CB Janoris Jenkins, P Thomas Morstead, WR Emmanuel Sanders
Re-signed: OL James Hurst (3 years, $9M), DL Noah Spence, RB Dwayne Washington, CB P.J. Williams (1 year, $2.3M), QB Jameis Winston (1 year, max $12M)
Retired: QB Drew Brees
Signed: FB Alex Armah
Traded: DL Malcom Brown (to Jaguars)
New York Giants
Franchise tag/re-signed: DL Leonard Williams (3 years, $63M, $45M guaranteed, per reports)
Lost: DT Dalvin Tomlinson
Released: WR Cody Core, G Kevin Zeitler, LB David Mayo, WR Golden Tate
Re-signed: DT Austin Johnson
Signed: RB Devontae Booker (2 years, $6M), WR Kenny Golladay (4 years, $72M, $40M guaranteed), QB Mike Glennon, CB Adoree’ Jackson (3 years, $39M, per ESPN), DE Ifeadi Odenigbo, LB Reggie Ragland (1 year), WR John Ross (1 year, $2.5M, per NFL Network), TE Kyle Rudolph (2 years, $14M)
Philadelphia Eagles
Lost: S Rudy Ford, P Cam Johnston, DB Jalen Mills, LB Duke Riley
Released: WR DeSean Jackson, DT Malik Jackson, WR Alshon Jeffery
Re-signed: DT Hassan Ridgeway (1 year)
Reverted trade: WR Marquise Goodwin (back to 49ers)
Signed: S Andrew Adams, S Anthony Harris (1 year, $5M)
Traded: QB Carson Wentz (to Colts)
San Francisco 49ers
Lost: WR Kendrick Bourne, DL Solomon Thomas, CB Ahkello Witherspoon
Released: DL Ronald Blair, LB Mark Nzeocha
Re-signed: CB Briean Boddy-Calhoun (1 year), TE Daniel Helm (1 year), CB Dontae Johnson (1 year), DT D.J. Jones (1 year), FB Kyle Juszczyk (5 years, $27M, per NFL Network), CB Emmanuel Moseley (2 years, $10.1M, per ESPN), S Jaquiski Tartt (1 year), CB Jason Verrett (1 year, $5.5M), LT Trent Williams (6 years, $138M)
Reverted trade/released: WR Marquise Goodwin (returned from Eagles)
Signed: OLB Samson Ebukam (2 years, $12M), C Alex Mack (3 years), CB Tavon Wilson (1 year)
Seattle Seahawks
Lost: WR Phillip Dorsett, LB Shaquem Griffin, CB Shaquill Griffin, TE Jacob Hollister, RB Carlos Hyde, WR David Moore
Released: DE Carlos Dunlap, WR Josh Gordon, G Chance Warmack
Re-signed: FB Nick Bellore (2 years), RB Chris Carson (2 years, $14.6M), C Ethan Pocic (1 year, $3M)
Retired: G Mike Iupati, TE Greg Olsen
Signed: TE Gerald Everett (1 year, $6M), CB Ahkello Witherspoon (1 year)
Traded for: G Gabe Jackson (from Raiders)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Extended: QB Tom Brady
Franchise tag: WR Chris Godwin (signed tender)
Lost: S Andrew Adams, OT Joe Haeg
Re-signed: OLB Shaq Barrett (4 years, max $72M, $36M guaranteed, per NFL Network), LB Lavonte David (2 years, $25M), TE Rob Gronkowski (1 year, max $10M), LB Kevin Minter, DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches (2 years, $5M), G Aaron Stinnie (1 year), K Ryan Succop (3 years, $12M)
Washington Football Team
Franchise tag: G Brandon Scherff
Lost: CB Ronald Darby, WR Robert Foster, LB Kevin Pierre-Louis
Released: QB Alex Smith
Re-signed: K Dustin Hopkins, RB Lamar Miller (1 year)
Retired: OLB Thomas Davis
Signed: WR Curtis Samuel (3 years, $34.5M, per ESPN), QB Ryan Fitzpatrick (1 year, $10M, per reports), CB William Jackson III (3 years, $42M, per NFL Network), OL Tyler Larsen, LB David Mayo
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL free agency tracker: Updates on the 2021 offseason’s major moves
Read more: https://sports.yahoo.com/2021-nfl-free-agent-tracker-144303813.html?src=rss
