Legal tampering — or the “negotiation period” as the NFL calls it — is officially here.
From now through the start of the new league year at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, teams are allowed to negotiate with representatives of free agents and work out new contracts.
Sam Darnold, who is No. 1 on Frank Schwab’s top 25 overall free agents list, is reportedly signing a three-year, $100.5 million deal with the Seattle Seahawks, per ESPN and NFL Network.
That’s not all for high-profile QB movement: The New York Jets are reportedly signing Justin Fields to a two-year, $40 million deal with $30 million guaranteed.
Earlier in the day, Tampa Bay opened the negotiation period with a bang, reportedly agreeing to re-sign wide receiver Chris Godwin to a three-year, $66 million deal and adding pass rusher Haason Reddick on a one-year, $14 million deal.
Defensive tackle Milton Williams, who’s No. 2 on Schwab’s top 25 list, is reportedly headed to the New England Patriots after helping the Philadelphia Eagles and their dominant defense win the Super Bowl.
Also from Monday:
And here’s a rundown of an eventful Sunday:
Stay updated with all the latest news and analysis right here.
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Sam Darnold to Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks have their new quarterback. After trading Geno Smith to the Raiders, the Seahawks have agreed to a 3-year contract with former Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold valued at $100.5M with $55 million guaranteed, NFL Network reports.
A former first-round pick of the Jets who flamed out in New York, Darnold revived his career in Minnesota with a career campaign last season that resulted in his first Pro Bowl berth. Darnold led the Vikings to a 14-3 record, but raised concerns with poor performances in Minnesota’s season finale loss to the Lions and a wild-card loss to the Rams.
The Vikings ultimately let Darnold walk and will presumably move forward with second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who missed his rookie season with a knee injury. The Seahawks, meanwhile, will retool around Darnold.
Sam Darnold is joining the Seahawks. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear, File)
Free agent S Camryn Bynum signs a four-year, $60 million deal with the Colts
As a flurry of other NFL news hits, the Indianapolis Colts are locking a defensive back for the long term. Safety Camryn Bynum has agreed to a four-year, $60 million deal to join the Colts, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
Drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 2021, Bynum has spent the past four seasons with the Vikings. Last season, he recorded 54 solo tackles and three interceptions while starting all 17 games.
Jets adding QB Justin Fields on 2-year, $40 million deal: Reports
The Jets are set to sign quarterback Justin Fields on a 2-year, $40 million deal with $30 million guaranteed, according to multiplereports. Fields spent the 2024 season with the Steelers, starting six games and throwing for 1,106 yards and five touchdowns.
The Jets moved on from Aaron Rodgers after two seasons with him at the helm.
Read more on the Jets’ big move here.
Swerve! Milton Williams reportedly headed to Patriots
After reports earlier that former Eagles DT Milton Williams was finalizing a deal with the Panthers, now comes news that he’s signing with the Patriots, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo.
He’s reportedly getting $26 million a year as New England revamps its defense under new head coach Mike Vrabel.
Stay frosty!
Milton Williams is reportedly headed to the Patriots, not the Panthers. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Panthers signing ex-Raiders S Tre’von Moehrig to $51M deal
The Carolina Panthers and former Raiders safety Tre’von Moehrig have agreed to a three-year, $51 million contract, Fox Sports reports. Moehrig, 25, was a four-year starter with the Raiders since they selected him in the second round of the 2021 draft and one of the top safeties available in free agency.
Former Jets CB D.J. Reed joining Lions
The Detroit Lions have reached a deal with former Jets starting cornerback D.J. Reed.
Reed, 28, announced the deal on social media before deleting his post. Per Fox Sports, the deal is for three years and $48 million with $32 million guaranteed. Reed joins the Lions to play opposite Terrion Arnold after cornerback Carlton Davis left to sign with the Patriots.
Ex-Eagles CB Isaiah Rodgers joins Vikings on $15M deal
The Minnesota Vikings have reached a two-year, $15 million deal with former Eagles cornerback Isaiah Rodgers, ESPN reports. The contract includes $8 million in guaranteed money. Rodgers played in 15 games primarily as a backup Philadelphia last season.
Patriots, former Jets T Morgan Moses agree to $24M contract
The New England Patriots and offensive tackle Morgan Moses have agreed to a three-year, $24 million contract with escalators that can increase its value to $28.5 million, NFL Network reports. Moses, 34, played right tackle for the Jets last season and will now protect second-year quarterback Drake Maye.
Morgan Moses is leaving the Jets for the rival Patriots. (Brooke Sutton/Getty Images)
Texans signing special teamer Tremon Smith to $7.5M deal
The Texans are signing special teamer/defensive back Tremon Smith to a two-year deal worth up to $7.5 million, NFL Network reports. The deal is the richest in the NFL for a core special teamer, according to the report.
Derek Barnett returning to Texans
Defensive end Derek Barnett is returning to the Houston Texans on a one-year, $5 million deal, NFL Network reports. Barnett, 28, recorded five sacks, seven quarterback hits and 26 combined tackles for the Texans last season.
Titans reportedly sign LT Dan Moore to 4-year, $82M deal
Former Steelers left tackle Dan Moore is getting paid.
Moore and the Tennessee Titans reportedly agreed to a four-year, $82 million deal with $50 million guaranteed and $30 million this upcoming season, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Moore started 66 games the past four years for Pittsburgh, though Broderick Jones has been expected to slide over to left tackle full-time, which helped usher Moore onto the open market.
Is Dan Moore one of the Titans’ answers along the offensive line? (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
CB Carlton Davis reportedly signing with Patriots
Carlton Davis is reportedly signing a three-year, $60 million deal with the New England Patriots, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Davis is also getting a reported $34.5 million guaranteed.
After spending the first six years of his career in Tampa Bay, which included a Super Bowl title, Davis was traded to the Detroit Lions last spring. Now he cashes in as part of the Patriots’ defensive revamp and will team with Christian Gonzalez to instantly form one of the NFL’s better cornerback duos.
Panthers reportedly nearing deal with DT Milton Williams, one of the top free agents on the market
Former Eagles DT Milton Williams, who was instrumental on their dominant defense en route to a Super Bowl title this past postseason, is close to signing with the Carolina Panthers, per The Athletic’s Dianna Russini. NFL Media reports that the Cardinals and one other team are also trying to make a late play at the start defender.
Williams is ranked No. 2 on Frank Schwab’s top 25 overall free agents list, and should help bolster Carolina’s defense. The Panthers signed cornerback Jaycee Horn to a blockbuster extension earlier Monday.
Giants reportedly adding CB Paulson Adebo
No terms disclosed yet on the deal, but New York is strengthening its secondary with the former Saints cornerback, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo.
Report: Patriots signing LB Robert Spillane
New head coach Mike Vrabel is adding a linebacker — he should know a thing or two about them — to his defense in the form of Robert Spillane, the former Steeler and Raider.
The deal was reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, but terms were not disclosed.
Report: Jaguars make Jourdan Lewis NFL’s highest-paid nickel back
After spending his entire eight-year career with the Dallas Cowboys, cornerback Jourdan Lewis is signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars, per NFL Network and Peter Schrager.
He will reportedly be the NFL’s highest-paid nickel defensive back, with a deal for three years and $30 million with $20 million guaranteed, as well as $12.5 million this year.
Report: QB Jimmy Garoppolo staying with Rams on 1-year deal
Jimmy Garoppolo will remain Matthew Stafford’s backup with the Los Angeles Rams, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. It’s reportedly a one-year deal.
Report: Former 49ers RB Elijah Mitchell signing with Chiefs
Kansas City is adding Elijah Mitchell to its backfield, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
Report: Commanders beefing up DL with Javon Kinlaw
The Washington Commanders made a surprise run to the NFC championship game on the back of their offense. Now they’re setting about improving their defense.
The Commanders are signing defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw to a three-year, $45 million deal with $30 million guaranteed, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Kinlaw cashes in after signing a one-year deal with the New York Jets last season following a four-year stint with the San Francisco 49ers, who drafted him in the first round in 2020 out of South Carolina.
Report: Chiefs add left tackle Jaylon Moore
Kansas City is signing offensive tackle Jaylon Moore to a two-year, $30 million deal, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.
Moore has been a rotational lineman since being drafted in the fifth round by the San Francisco 49ers in 2021. But Chiefs head coach Andy Reid and offensive line coach Andy Heck clearly see potential there.
#Chiefs agreed to a 2-year, $30-million deal with former #49ers OT Jaylon Moore, sources say. New blindside protector for Patrick Mahomes. Big deal done by Jon Perzley and Brian Mackler of @sportstarsnyc despite not being a full-time starter to this point.
