Jimmy Garoppolo is finally ready to leave San Francisco and start the next phase of his career in a silver and black uniform for the Raiders. Sam Darnold will head west to replace Garoppolo with Trey Lance and Brock Purdy and his 49ers. Mike White, Case Keenum and Jarrett Stidham are also new to the team.
DeShawn Watson remains in Cleveland, but his contract with the Browns is being restructured.
As for Aaron Rodgers, who is not a free agent but whose name has been widely circulated in trade rumors, his future remains unknown because he is Aaron Rodgers.
The quarterback made headlines Monday as the NFL’s free agency began with teams allowed to negotiate and agree to contracts with unrestricted free agents. It was confirmed to the Associated Press by people.
Garoppolo was the highest-profile QB to change teams.
He agreed to a three-year, $67.5 million deal with Las Vegas to replace Derek Carr, who signed with the New Orleans Saints earlier this offseason after being cut by the Raiders. Garoppolo’s contract includes a security deposit of US$34 million.
White will stay in the AFC East and leave the New York Jets for the Miami Dolphins to back up Tua Tagovailoa. Stidham is going to Denver to back up Russell Wilson.
The Browns restructured Watson’s record-breaking $230 million contract to create salary cap space.
But the day wasn’t just for quarterbacks. Several other high-profile players have agreed to join the new franchise.
The Broncos on Monday sought to address the offensive line by agreeing a five-year, $87.5 million control deal with 49ers tackle Mike McGlinchey and a four-year, $52 million deal with Baltimore Ravens guard Ben Powers. spent a lot of money on Denver then agreed with former Arizona Cardinals defensive end Zach Allen on his three-year contract for $45.75 million.
But the Broncos couldn’t keep everyone.
The Seattle Seahawks have signed former Broncos defensive lineman Dremont Jones to a deal reportedly worth $51 million over three years.
As usual, the first day of free agency talks meant some players cashed in.
Defensive tackle Javon Hargrave signed a four-year, $84 million deal from the 49ers, adding even more talent to what was already considered one of the best defenses in the league. Four-year, $80 million deal with Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.
Former Cincinnati Bengals safety Jesse Bates has signed a four-year, $64 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons. Bates, a 2020 All-Pro, said he started 79 games in five of his seasons with the Bengals, recording 14 interceptions, three fumbles and two recoveries.
Another Bengals free agent, Bom Bell, has signed with the Panthers.
The Chicago Bears made two big additions at linebacker, agreeing to sign two-time Pro Bowler Tremaine Edmonds with the Buffalo Bills and former Philadelphia Eagle TJ Edwards. Edmunds’ contract is worth $72 million over four years, with $50 million guaranteed.
The New York Giants have agreed to a four-year, $40 million deal with linebacker Bobby Okereke. Okereke spent the first four of his season at Indianapolis, starting in his 49 games last season and recording his career-high 151 tackles, with six tackles and five break-ups. In the 8th, he recorded two fumbles and two recoveries.
The Pittsburgh Steelers acquired cornerback Patrick Peterson.
Even some kickers got paid as Greg Zuerlein agreed to re-sign with the New York Jets.
Wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr., Jacobi Myers, Juju Smith-Schuster, offensive tackle Orlando Brown, cornerback James Bradbury, linebackers Bobby Wagner and Labonte David, among many others. A quality unlimited free agent remains unsigned.
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AP Pro Football Writers Rob Murdy, Josh DuBow and Dennis Wasak Jr. and AP Sports Writers Mark Anderson, Alanis Thames, Tom Withers, Dave Skretta and Andrew Seligman contributed to this report.
