RADIO
2024 NFL free agency will begin on March 13 at 4:00 p.m. EDT. Teams around the league will ramp up the process to target the top free agents to improve their roster. Notable free agents this offseason include the likes of Mike Evans, Baker Mayfield, Kirk Cousins, Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, etc.
Last season, Mayfield signed a one-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and led them to a division title as well as one playoff win. He was arguably the best free-agent signing last year, but which players have been the best since 2020? Let's take a look at the best free-agent signings since 2020, considering their impact and cost to the team.
Honorable Mentions
- Justin Reid - Kansas City Chiefs - 2022: Three-year, $31.5 million deal
- Chauncey Gardner-Johnson - Detroit Lions - 2023: One-year, $6.5 million deal
- Raheem Mostert - Miami Dolphins - 2022: One-year, $2.125 million deal
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#7. Drue Tranquill - Kansas City Chiefs - 2023
Contract Details: One-year, $3 million deal
After a surprising exit from the Los Angeles Chargers, linebacker Drue Tranquill signed a one-year, $3 million deal with the Kansas City Chiefs last year. Tranquill played a huge role in the Chiefs' Super Bowl run this past season and is likely to get paid well in this year's free agency.
The 28-year-old stepped up when Nick Bolton and Willie Gay Jr. suffered injuries and made numerous big plays both in the regular season and postseason. The Chiefs had one of the best defenses in the NFL last season, and Tranquill showed everyone why he deserves to get paid.
In 16 regular-season games, Tranquill had 54 solo tackles, 25 assisted tackles, and 4.5 sacks. He also had 16 solo tackles and five assisted tackles in the four playoff games for the Super Bowl champions. Chiefs general manager Brett Veach struck gold with Tranquill in last year's free agency, and it will be interesting to see if he returns to the franchise.
Drue tranquill likes KC more than LA https://t.co/hppR0iaHxw pic.twitter.com/aIHv84FFQl
— JMSA🦧 (Xavier Worthy season) (@SlidesMc) February 25, 2024
#6. Baker Mayfield - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 2023
Contract Details: One-year, $4 million deal
As mentioned earlier, Baker Mayfield's one-year, $4 million deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last year proved to be a great one for both the player and the franchise. Mayfield redeemed himself and proved to the league that he deserves to be a starting quarterback.
He is one of the best free agents this offseason, and he is likely to attract multiple teams. While it is expected that he will return to the Buccaneers, the Falcons will also pursue him if they fail to land Justin Fields or Kirk Cousins.
In 17 games last season, Mayfield threw for 4,044 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions with a passer rating of 94.6. He also led the franchise to a win against the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild Card round and exceeded all expectations.
"It's an extremely high priority, obviously."
Bucs HC Todd Bowles wants to see Baker Mayfield back with the team next season @GMFB pic.twitter.com/4NQ8dqHfXW
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) February 27, 2024
#5. Jessie Bates III - Atlanta Falcons- 2023
Contract Details: Four-year, $64.02 million deal
After five stellar seasons to start his NFL career with the Cincinnati Bengals, Jessie Bates III signed a four-year, $64.02 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons last year. He has emerged as arguably the best safety in football and has been a great addition to the Falcons.
In 17 games last season, Bates had 89 solo tackles, 43 assisted tackles, and six interceptions. The Falcons gave up just 202.9 passing yards per game last season, while the Bengals, in their first season without the 27-year-old star, gave up 248.4 passing yards per game to their opponents. The Bengals felt Bates' absence a lot last season, which demonstrates why the Falcons were wise to spend a lot of money on the Wake Forest product in 2023 free agency.
Pick six birthday gift ✌️https://t.co/8tGnbNnWW3 pic.twitter.com/7RVKaS9NGM
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) February 26, 2024
#4. Matthew Judon - New England Patriots- 2021
Contract Details: Four-year, $54.5 million deal
Matthew Judon started his NFL career with the Baltimore Ravens and spent five seasons with the AFC North franchise before signing with the New England Patriots in 2021. After signing a four-year, $54.5 million deal with the Patriots, Judon quickly became the leader the team needed after Tom Brady's departure.
Despite struggles on the offensive end, the Patriots defense has been stellar every season, and Judon has been a big part of it. Although Bill Belichick is no longer in New England, Judon is likely to stay with the franchise for more years and help Jerod Mayo. In his Patriots career, the 31-year-old linebacker has recorded 84 solo tackles, 49 assisted tackles, 32.0 sacks, and two fumble recoveries in 38 games.
#3. Trey Hendrickson - Cincinnati Bengals - 2021
Contract Details: Four-year, $60 million deal
Trey Hendrickson, a third-round pick from the 2017 NFL Draft, started his career with the New Orleans Saints. He played four years for the Saints before signing a four-year, $60 million contract with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2021.
Ever since he arrived in Cincinnati, Hendrickson has been one of the best players in his position and is arguably the second-most important player on his team behind Joe Burrow. While Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase frequently receive credit for the Bengals' success in recent years, it is the defense under Hendrickson's direction that has made the big plays in crucial games for the Bengals.
The 29-year-old defensive end has always been available throughout his time in Cincinnati and has recorded 71 solo tackles, 38 assisted tackles, and 39.5 sacks in 48 games.
TREY HENDRICKSON INCREDIBLY UNDERRATED DOMINANT STAPLE AND BALLER! Thank you, @gmfb ‼️ ‼️‼️@Bengals #WhoDey pic.twitter.com/4GCyEk92Ks
— Jeff Wagner (@bengalbannerboy) February 28, 2024
#2. Joe Thuney - Kansas City Chiefs - 2021
Contract Details: Five-year, $80 million deal
After Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV, the franchise was quick to improve its offensive line. They signed former Patriots left guard Joe Thuney in 2021 free agency to a five-year, $80 million deal.
Thuney has arguably been the best left guard in football over the last few years and has been a huge part of the Chiefs' back-to-back Super Bowl wins. Although Thuney didn't play against the San Francisco 49ers in the Super Bowl last month, he is one of the most important players on the team.
Alongside Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith, Thuney forms one of the best interior lines in the NFL. Having these three players has been critical to Mahomes' success, and Thuney's signing in free agency is one of the best ones in recent history.
#1. Tom Brady - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 2020
Contract Details: Two-year, $50 million deal
Not many teams were interested in Tom Brady after the legendary quarterback left the New England Patriots. However, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers went after Brady in free agency, and the quarterback signed a two-year, $50 million contract with the franchise.
In his first season with the Buccaneers, Brady led them to a Super Bowl title. He became a seven-time Super Bowl champion in Tampa Bay and proved to everyone that he didn't need Bill Belichick to be successful.
Brady officially played three seasons with the Buccaneers before retiring in 2023. In 50 games for the franchise, he threw for 14,643 yards, 108 touchdowns, and 33 interceptions with a passer rating of 98.1. The Buccaneers signing Brady in free agency four years ago remains the best signing since then, as the future Hall of Famer had an immediate impact on the franchise and brought it back into relevancy.
TOM BRADY CLUTCH 🐐
The Goat does it to the Jets again
(via @Buccaneers)pic.twitter.com/f3JZNNrSOR
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 2, 2022
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