The first week of free agency is officially in the books, so where do things stand in the NFL today? We saw Milton Williams sign the biggest deal in free agency with a $104 million contract from the New England Patriots, the quarterback carousel took an aggressive spin with Geno Smith being traded to the Las Vegas Raiders while Sam Darnold took his spot with the Seattle Seahawks and DeAndre Hopkins teamed up with Lamar Jackson in Baltimore.

How would you rank the AFC if the 2025 season began today? Are the Kansas City Chiefs still the top dog, or did another contender like the Buffalo Bills overtake them? Let’s rank the AFC from 16-1 after the first wave of free agency.

16. Cleveland Browns
    Key additions: DT Maliek Collins, QB Kenny Pickett
    Key losses: DT Dalvin Tomlinson

The Browns went 3-14 last year and may be without Deshaun Watson for the 2025 season. Watson clearly has struggled since leaving H-Town, but Pickett probably isn’t the long-term answer in Cleveland, either. The Browns finding a way to keep Myles Garrett was the headline of their offseason thus far, but he doesn’t make the Browns a Super Bowl contender by himself. The big question for Cleveland is who will play quarterback this year? Is it Russell Wilson, or Shedeur Sanders? Kirk Cousins?!

15. Tennessee Titans
    Key additions: LT Dan Moore Jr., LB Cody Barton, S Xavier Woods, OG Kevin Zeitler
    Key losses: EDGE Harold Landry, WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, LB Kenneth Murray

The Titans weren’t expected to be active in free agency after their 2024 spending spree landed them the No. 1 overall pick in this upcoming draft. Tennessee made the interesting decision to sign Moore away from Pittsburgh, and push former No. 7 overall pick JC Latham over to right tackle. Even if you hate the Moore contract, landing veteran Zeitler should make Titans fans feel better about the offensive line as a whole. Tennessee also lost Westbrook-Ikhine to the Miami Dolphins, who caught nine touchdowns last season, and released veteran cornerback Chidobe Awuzie. The Titans still have plenty of needs to address, starting with quarterback. Maybe that comes in the form of Cam Ward, which is why I’ll put Tennessee above Cleveland … for now.

14. Jacksonville Jaguars
    Key additions: OL Patrick Mekari, CB Jourdan Lewis, WR Dyami Brown, S Eric Murray
    Key losses: TE Evan Engram, S Andre Cisco, WR Christian Kirk

The Jaguars have made some nice moves in free agency, landing Mekari to boost Trevor Lawrence’s protection, while Lewis and Murray will be immediate contributors in the secondary. The Brown contract was pretty surprising to me, but Jacksonville had to do something to help that wide receiving corps. The Jags aren’t expected to be contenders in Year 1 of the James Gladstone era, but what I want to see in 2025 is Liam Coen establish a rapport with Lawrence, and get him back to playing at a high level.

13. New York Jets
    Key additions: QB Justin Fields, CB Brandon Stephens, S Andre Cisco
    Key losses: CB D.J. Reed, DT Javon Kinlaw, WR Davante Adams, RT Morgan Moses, EDGE Haason Reddick

It probably goes without saying, but the Jets’ 2025 season may hinge on if Justin Fields is a good quarterback or not. He was an intriguing signal-caller on the market given his dual-threat ability and the fact that he would come much cheaper than someone like Darnold. Fields played the most efficient football of his career last season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but is he a full-time starter? Maybe with Garrett Wilson he is. Or maybe Jaxson Dart comes in and finds success. Defensively, New York scored an interesting young player in Andre Cisco, who is just 25 years old, but losing D.J. Reed is tough for new head coach Aaron Glenn.

12. New England Patriots
    Key additions: DT Milton Williams, CB Carlton Davis, EDGE Harold Landry, LB Robert Spillane, RT Morgan Moses
    Key losses: DT Davon Godchaux, DB Jonathan Jones

The Patriots are already going to be one of the most interesting teams to follow this upcoming season, for three reasons: how much they really improved in free agency, the impact Mike Vrabel will have in Year 1 and what Drake Maye is capable of with a better support system — which is still a work in progress. Moses was a good signing, but the Patriots need more than just him when it comes to the offensive line. New England also needs a legitimate wide receiver, because signing Mack Hollins isn’t enough. Williams signed the biggest contract in free agency thus far, as Vrabel targeted his “Jeffery Simmons” to captain the middle, if you will.

11. Indianapolis Colts
    Key additions: S Camryn Bynum, CB Charvarius Ward, QB Daniel Jones
    Key losses: OG Will Fries, EDGE Dayo Odeyingbo, C Ryan Kelly

The Colts have been one of the most intriguing teams in free agency to me. Addressing the secondary was an important item on the to-do list, and Camryn Bynum at safety plus Charvarius Ward at corner are great adds. The Colts also want to host a quarterback competition, so they added Daniel Jones to battle Anthony Richardson. After seeing Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield find success after leaving bad situations, I’m reserving judgement on Jones. While Indy made some notable adds, it also lost some big names — especially on the offensive line with Will Fries and Ryan Kelly. The offensive line is something to watch for in the draft, but at least the Colts defense should be better.

2025 NFL free agency tracker: Updates on top 100 free agents; Amari Cooper, Stefon Diggs among best available
Cody Benjamin
2025 NFL free agency tracker: Updates on top 100 free agents; Amari Cooper, Stefon Diggs among best available

10. Las Vegas Raiders
    Key additions: S Jeremy Chinn, OG Alex Cappa, QB Geno Smith, RB Raheem Mostert
    Key losses: S Trevon Moehrig, CB Nate Hobbs, LB Robert Spillane, LB Divine Deablo

The Raiders got better at the quarterback position, but how much better? Smith knows head coach Pete Carroll, but how will this soon-to-be 35-year-old fit in Chip Kelly’s scheme when he doesn’t have DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett or Jaxon Smith-Njigba to throw to? Maybe Lockett is on the way to Vegas, but the Raiders will need to add more than just him at wide receiver. I do trust coach Carroll, though.

9. Miami Dolphins
   Key additions: OG James Daniels, DB Ifeatu Melifonwu, QB Zach Wilson, WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
   Key losses: S Jevon Holland, OG Robert Jones

Miami hasn’t been very active in free agency, but the headline thus far is losing safety Jevon Holland to the New York Giants. Melifonwu is certainly an intriguing replacement if he can stay healthy. Adding Daniels was good for the offensive line, but Miami shouldn’t be done adding talent in the trenches. Ultimately, the Dolphins haven’t done anything yet to move themselves off the line of “borderline playoff team,” but I still don’t view them as a “bad team.” We’ll see what GM Chris Grier does in the draft.

8. Pittsburgh Steelers
   Key additions: CB Darius Slay, WR DK Metcalf
   Key losses: LT Dan Moore Jr., QB Justin Fields, OL James Daniels, CB Donte Jackson, RB Najee Harris

It’s difficult to judge the Steelers since we don’t know who will be playing quarterback. Could it be Aaron Rodgers? Or maybe Russell Wilson comes back. Regardless, Metcalf is the best wide receiver Pittsburgh has had since Antonio Brown. This rushing attack is going to look different with the loss of Harris, and then the offensive line will need some extra help without Daniels and Moore on roster. Even if those two players weren’t high-level starters, Pittsburgh needs depth in the trenches given what happened last year with all of the injuries.

7. Los Angeles Chargers
   Key additions: OG Mekhi Becton, CB Donte Jackson, WR Mike Williams, RB Najee Harris
   Key losses: WR Josh Palmer, DT Poona Ford, CB Kristian Fulton, EDGE Joey Bosa

Re-signing Khalil Mack was important, and signing former Steelers running back Najee Harris intrigues me. However, losing Ford and Bosa makes you a worse team. L.A. can still be a playoff squad, but it won’t go very far without a physical outside wide receiver. Ladd McConkey can’t do everything by himself, and I wonder how effective Mike Williams will be in his return to the Chargers.

6. Houston Texans
   Key additions: WR Christian Kirk, OG Laken Tomlinson, S C.J. Gardner-Johnson, DT Sheldon Rankins, OG Ed Ingram
   Key losses: LT Laremy Tunsil, S Eric Murray, OG Kenyon Green

The Texans made one of the most shocking moves of free agency when they traded star left tackle Laremy Tunsil to the Washington Commanders for a package of picks. Houston’s offensive line struggled mightily last season, so Nick Caserio is opting for a rebuild at that position — which included trading Kenyon Green to the Philadelphia Eagles for CJGJ. While no one in Houston is crying foul over losing Green, Gardner-Johnson is an addition worth getting excited about. The Texans still look like the best team in the AFC South, but as for if they are legitimate contenders, we’ll see. Apart from the offensive line, maybe OC Nick Caley is key for Houston getting over the hump.

2025 NFL free agency team-by-team grades: Vikings, Patriots, Commanders among top marks after first few days
Tyler Sullivan
2025 NFL free agency team-by-team grades: Vikings, Patriots, Commanders among top marks after first few days

5. Cincinnati Bengals
   Key additions: DT Tedarrell Slaton, LB Oren Burks
   Key losses: OG Alex Cappa, LB Akeem Davis-Gaither

Maybe the vibes are high in Cincinnati because the Bengals found a way to keep both Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins long term, but the future of reigning sack leader Trey Hendrickson remains up in the air, and the Bengals still have to upgrade the defense that kept this team out of the playoffs last year.

4. Denver Broncos
   Key additions: S Talanoa Hufanga, LB Dre Greenlaw, TE Evan Engram
   Key losses: LB Cody Barton, RB Javonte Williams

Did Sean Payton finally find his “joker” in Engram? Adding more weaponry for Bo Nix was a key goal this offseason, and Denver isn’t done either. Defensively, Hufanga and Greenlaw make the Broncos better. Remember, this unit was incredibly aggressive last year, ranking top five in sacks (63), pressure percentage (40%) and blitz percentage (37%). Plenty of reason to be excited about Denver moving forward.

3. Baltimore Ravens
   Key additions: WR DeAndre Hopkins
   Key losses: OL Patrick Mekari, CB Brandon Stephens

The Ravens haven’t had a very exciting free agency. Keeping Ronnie Stanley is huge, but losing Mekari is notable, too. Surely there are people out there that think the Hopkins addition is something that will get Baltimore over the hump, but I don’t know. Hopkins turns 33 in June, and is probably more of a move-the-chains possession guy than someone who averages 70-80 receiving yards per game.

The Ravens will once again be one of the best teams in the NFL, but will have to prove they are better than the Bills or Chiefs.

Welcome to Week 2 of Aaron Rodgers watch, as we await the 2025 decision from one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. Maybe Rodgers hasn’t looked like a star quarterback since 2021, but there’s still a market for him this offseason. Will he join the New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers or retire? Or maybe there’s another option.

According to The Athletic, Rodgers is waiting to hear back from the Minnesota Vikings concerning their potential interest in him. This was reported late last week, so it’s anyone’s guess when the Vikings will get back to Rodgers — or when he will make his final decision. Then again, after we saw Rodgers walking the sand in his backward hat, donning a blanket with his headphones in, maybe retirement is very much in play.

Rodgers is now 41 years old, and he’s a very accomplished player. The Green Bay Packers legend is a Super Bowl champion (XLV), Super Bowl MVP, four-time NFL MVP, 10-time Pro Bowler, two-time NFL passing touchdowns leader and currently No. 7 on the all-time passing yards list with 62,952 yards. Rodgers has also made the most money in NFL history. Did you know that?

Some point to Kirk Cousins as the legendary money master since he’s been franchise-tagged so many times. Others would imagine it’s the GOAT, Tom Brady. Nope. It’s actually Rodgers.

Check out the top 10 highest earners in NFL history, via Over The Cap.

Rank Player Years active Career earnings
1
QB Aaron Rodgers

2005‑present

$381,692,206

2
QB Matthew Stafford

2009‑present

$364,000,000

3
QB Tom Brady

2000‑2022

$317,619,794

4
QB Matt Ryan

2008‑2022

$306,205,882

5
QB Russell Wilson

2012‑present

$305,340,123

6
QB Kirk Cousins

2012‑present

$293,969,288

7
QB Drew Brees

2001‑2020

$273,933,000

8
QB Ben Roethlisberger

2004‑2021

$266,724,382

9
QB Peyton Manning

1998‑2015

$247,714,000

10
QB Dak Prescott

2016-present

$247,687,392

So, Rodgers doesn’t exactly need the money in 2025. He’s done pretty well for himself! But money still could be something that drags this process out even more.

We’re now more than a week into NFL free agency, which means we have more to look back on than we do to look forward to. Most of the most impactful signings happen during that first week, which is obviously in the rearview mirror at this point.

This season, it seems like most of the true impact players changing teams in free agency were on defense. Among the top 20 highest-paid non-quarterbacks who changed teams so far this offseason, 15 of them were defensive players, according to Spotrac.

With that in mind, we want to take a look at some of the most interesting signings that happened on the less glamorous side of the ball. The key word to keep in mind there is interesting, and that can be on a schematic level or some other level, but it doesn’t necessarily mean it has to include the most expensive or noteworthy players. (Although the list below obviously does include some of those players.) In the space below, we’re touching on 11 different signings, though a few of them come in pairs because there were several teams that double dipped in defensive free agency.

Without further ado …

Minnesota Vikings
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Jonathan Allen
MIN • DT
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Javon Hargrave
MIN • DT
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Minnesota already had one of the NFL’s best and most fascinating defenses in 2024, with Brian Flores scheming things up and a host of fast, athletic, versatile players stacking each level of the unit. But the weakness of that unit was on the defensive interior.

On runs up the middle, according to Tru Media, the Vikings allowed 1.73 yards before contact per attempt — a mark that ranked 26th in the NFL. Their interior defensive linemen combined for only 75 pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. Neither Allen nor Hargrave was fully healthy in 2024, but when they were in 2023, Allen had 49 pressures on his own and Hargrave had 52. If these two can stay on the field, it will be a massive upgrade.

New England Patriots
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Milton Williams
NE • DT • #93
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Carlton Davis
NE • CB • #23
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Do you know how much fun it’s going to be to have Davis and Christian Gonzalez playing across from each other at cornerback? Whooooo boy. These are two big, physical corners who will beat you up and make sure you remember the next day that you played against them. That’s already an interesting enough look for a defense these days, where a true elite cornerback duo is kind of a rarity.

But then you drop Williams into the middle of the defensive line and things get even more interesting. If Christian Barmore is able to return from his blood-clot issue, then the Pats will have a star duo on the defensive interior, as well. With those guys both pushing the pocket and knifing through blocks in the run game, guys like Robert Spillane, Harold Landry, Ja’Whaun Bentley and more should be put in position to succeed.

Arizona Cardinals
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Josh Sweat
ARI • DE
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Sweat is reuniting with his former defensive coordinator in Philadelphia, as Jonathan Gannon is now entering his third year as the Cardinals head coach. Sweat had the best years of his career playing for Gannon, notching a combined 18.5 sacks, 36 quarterback hits and 22 tackles for loss across two seasons. His 89 combined pressures were 38th in the NFL during that span, but his 40 combined sacks, tackle for loss, forced fumbles, pass breakups and interceptions ranked 17th. Arizona desperately needed a high-level player coming off the edge, and we know Sweat can succeed in this system.

Seattle Seahawks
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DeMarcus Lawrence
SEA • DE • #90
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Lawrence has his health issues (he barely played last season due to another foot injury), but he is a dynamite two-way edge whenever he’s on the field, and it’s hard to think of a better fit for Mike Macdonald’s defense. Lawrence is so, so good against the run and the way he wins as a pass rusher (with power and by pushing the pocket rather than always screaming around the end of the line) makes sense for what Macdonald wants to do with his defensive ends. If he can stay on the field, this is a terrific fit.

Los Angeles Rams
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Poona Ford
LAR • DT • #95
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As we wrote last week when naming him one of our best value signings, Ford is coming off a really solid year with the Chargers during which he picked up 21 run stops and 23 pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. He’s a really good run stopper and he’s flashed some more pass-rush usefulness in recent seasons. Placing him on the defensive line with Jared Verse, Braden Fiske, Kobie Turner and Byron Young should make for a really fun, flexible group.

Indianapolis Colts
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Camryn Bynum
IND • CB • #24
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Charvarius Ward
IND • CB
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New defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo’s defense in Cincinnati was at its best when he had a bunch of solid veterans in the secondary who simply knew what they were doing. Bynum and Ward fit that description, but they’re also much more than that. Bynum is more than the guy who came up with the cool celebrations for the Vikings defense. He can play up high, in the box and in the slot. He can cover and he can blitz. Ward is a true No. 1 cornerback coming off a very trying season on a personal level, and clearly the hope is a fresh start in a new situation will allow him to get back to being the player he was in previous years.

Denver Broncos
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Talanoa Hufanga
DEN • SAF • #29
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Dre Greenlaw
DEN • LB • #57
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Both of these guys have injury issues. Greenlaw returned last season after suffering an Achilles tear in the Super Bowl two seasons ago, while Hufanga missed a combined 17 games over the last two seasons due to various ailments. But if they can stay healthy … Well, then the fit in Vance Joseph’s defense is excellent. Denver needed some second-level help, especially up the middle, and got it with two of the top players on the market at their respective positions.

Bleacher Report Taylyn Hadley made a list of three possible options for Elliott and had the Cincinnati Bengals at No. 1.

“Joe Burrow and the Bengals are 8-8 after a thrilling 30-24 overtime win over the Denver Broncos on Saturday kept their playoff hopes alive,” Hadley said. “Bengals starting running back Chase Brown had 67 yards on 20 carries with zero touchdowns but suffered what is believed to be a mild right high-ankle sprain late in Saturday’s victory. As the Bengals prepare to face Pittsburgh in a must-win game on Saturday, they could be without their star running back, who was not available for Tuesday’s walk-through practice, according to NBC Sports’ Myles Simmons.

“This would clear the way for Elliott to potentially join the playoff-hopeful team, taking over at the running back position in place of Brown.”

If Elliott is trying to make the postseason, the Bengals would be a gamble. They have a chance still and could be a contender if they get in, but they need a lot to go right. Cincinnati needs to win and both the Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins need to lose for the Bengals.

Elliott would get a solid role on the Bengals, but there is a chance it would be just for one game.

When the Philadelphia Eagles hit their bye week with a 2-2 record, rumors of head coach Nick Sirianni being replaced either midseason or in 2025 dominated national headlines. Even Philadelphia’s Week 6 win over the Cleveland Browns, a game that ended with Sirianni jawing with Eagles fans at the Linc, did little to help his cause.

Sirianni deserves credit, though, for what the Eagles have accomplished since that point: 11 wins in 12 games, including a run of 10 straight, and some superb locker room management that’s helped stem the tide. From A.J. Brown’s cryptic post-game comments in Week 14, to Jalen Hurts’ concussion two weeks later, to the decision to rest Saquon Barkley with the star running back just 101 yards shy of NFL history, Sirianni has kept the team together and pointed in the same direction — gearing up for a Super Bowl run.

Despite Philly’s dominance over the second half of the season, NFL insider Jeremy Fowler isn’t convinced Sirianni’s job is safe in 2025 and beyond.

MORE: NFL Pro Bowl 2025: 3 Philadelphia Eagles who were snubbed despite team’s 6 total selections

In a Thursday morning report for ESPN, Fowler wrote that “people around the league” are wondering whether Sirianni could survive a second first-round playoff exit in as many years. Here was Fowler’s take on the situation:

Sirianni’s 47-20 record is impressive. Yet his standing was a talking point coming off a tumultuous 2023 campaign, and he doesn’t have a contract extension in place. The sideline and on-field spats are sort of hard to ignore. Any firing here would be a sizable upset, but if we’re talking surprises, this would be one to list because his status was a regular debate four months ago.

Sirianni’s contract reportedly runs through the 2025 season, so the note about a potential extension is interesting. Could team brass be waiting until after the season to make a call on Sirianni? It’s possible, especially after the Eagles had to bring in offensive coordinator Kellen Moore to help bridge the divide between Hurts and Sirianni after an ugly finish to 2023. It’s probably more likely than not that Sirianni sticks around in 2025. Whether he’s asked to coach on an expiring contract, a la Mike McCarthy in Dallas this year, is another story.

With Hurts and tight end Dallas Goedert expected to be back to 100 percent for the playoffs, rejoining a loaded roster with no major weaknesses, the Eagles will be a trendy pick to come out of the NFC and win the Super Bowl this year.

This is also the NFL, and Philly’s two potential opponents for Wild-Card Weekend, the Washington Commanders and Green Bay Packers, are more than capable of pulling off an upset. If that happens, expect another offseason full of rumors about Sirianni’s job status.

Center Ben Brown (concussion), cornerback Christian Gonzalez (concussion) and wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk (shoulder) were listed as non-participants.

Limited participants included quarterback Drake Maye (right hand), safety Kyle Dugger (ankle/quad), tight end Hunter Henry (foot), linebacker Anfernee Jennings (knee), linebacker Titus Leo (ankle), safety Jabrill Peppers (hamstring), safety Brenden Schooler (abdomen), linebacker Sione Takitaki (knee), linebacker Jahlani Tavai (groin) and offensive tackle Caedan Wallace (ankle).

Two players were injured but practiced fully – linebacker Curtis Jacobs (concussion) and wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (illness).

Boutte returned to the practice fields after missing Wednesday’s session completely.

All five of these players were absolutely deserving of a spot but there is another player who could’ve made sense too. Star quarterback Patrick Mahomes is a six-time Pro Bowler and hasn’t missed the Pro Bowl since 2017.

The three quarterbacks from the AFC who were named to the Pro Bowl are Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, and Lamar Jackson. Mahomes had a somewhat down year stats-wise, but the Chiefs are 15-1 on the season and have the No. 1 seed in the AFC.

Although Mahomes’ numbers may not be great, he’s the biggest reason why the Chiefs have been the best team in the AFC. It’s somewhat surprising that he didn’t earn one of the spots. Allen, Jackson, and Burrow are all absolutely deserving and even have better numbers than Mahomes. But, the Chiefs are 15-1 and there’s an argument to be made that he should be in the Pro Bowl as well.

Should the Chiefs star gotten a little more recognition or did the league get the picks right?

After it passes, the Cowboys will be able to put the season behind it and turn its full attention to the offseason. The Cowboys are going to need to be busy and make a handful of additions if they want to turn things around in 2025.

Cooper Rush has been solid for the team with Dak Prescott injured, but it could make sense to upgrade the backup quarterback spot. Because of this, CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin predicted that Dallas will end up signing Pro Bowler Gardner Minshew to back up Prescott.

“Gardner Minshew signs with the Cowboys as Dak Prescott’s new backup,” Benjamin said,

Minshew signed a two-year, $25 million deal with the Las Vegas Raiders but the 2024 season has been a roller coaster. There’s an out in his contract at the end of this season and it seems like a near guarantee that Minshew will be available once again.

The 28-year-old has been a great backup throughout his career so far. He’s filled in as a starter on multiple occasions and is capable. If the Cowboys want to upgrade the backup quarterback spot, Minshew will be one of the better options this upcoming offseason.

The Chiefs have Carson Wentz as the current backup for Mahomes. He’s a solid backup option with a Super Bowl ring under his belt from his time with the Philadelphia Eagles. It’s unclear if he will be back in 2025, though.

Wentz is going to be a free agent at the end of the season. CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin predicted that the Chiefs will end up signing Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans veteran quarterback Mason Rudolph.

“Mason Rudolph signs with the Chiefs as Patrick Mahomes’ new backup,” Benjamin said.

Rudolph landed a one-year, $2.8 million deal with the Titans ahead of the 2024 season. He has appeared in seven games and has 1,490 passing yards to go along with nine touchdown passes and nine interceptions.

He’s 29 years old and wouldn’t be as solid of a backup option as Wentz, but that doesn’t mean he couldn’t be a solid fit. This is just a hypothetical prediction, but there does seem to be some pretty sound logic behind it.