Day 1 of NFL free agency didn’t disappoint.
Once the legal tampering period began at noon ET on Monday, it didn’t take long for reports of free agent agreements to start flying in. Some players did well; others, not so much.
With the dust somewhat settled, let’s look at the top winners and losers after one day of NFL free agency.
MORE FREE AGENCY: Day 2 Winners | Day 2 Losers
NFL Free Agency Day 1 Winners
Kirk Cousins
Kirk Cousins owes his agent a drink. Lots of them.
Mike McCartney somehow landed Cousins a reported four-year, $180 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons. The deal includes a whopping $100 million guaranteed, all of which will be paid in the first two years.
That’s a lot of money to pay for a 35-year-old quarterback who’s coming off a torn Achilles. But that’s fine with Cousins, who earned one of the richest contracts in NFL history.
Drake London
London should be doing cartwheels.
Following two somewhat productive seasons with bad quarterbacks, the 22-year-old receiver learned he now will catch passes from Cousins. That could lead to a major uptick in production from the 2022 first-rounder, which in turn could set the stage for a major payday.
Christian Wilkins
Two days after the Kansas City Chiefs re-signed Chris Jones for $95 million guaranteed, Wilkins reportedly left the Miami Dolphins to join the Raiders for $110 million.
Not bad!
The two contracts should reset the market for pass-rushing defensive tackles, who are as important as any non-quarterbacks in the NFL. Christian Barmore, an ascending lineman for the New England Patriots, just saw his extension pricetag go way up.
Is Wilkins worth that much money? It’s debatable. But credit to him for racking up nine sacks in a career-best campaign ahead of free agency.
NFL Free Agency Day 1 Losers
Austin Ekeler
Overall, Monday was a great day for running backs, as Saquon Barkley, D’Andre Swift, and Tony Pollard all saw decent paydays. But the same can’t be said for Ekeler.
Once one of the most dynamic running backs in the league, Ekeler tried to force his way into a new contract or trade last offseason. He didn’t get it, and now he reportedly is joining the Washington Commanders on a two-year, $11.4 million deal — with just roughly half of it guaranteed.
Currently 28 years old, Ekeler likely won’t get another chance to cash in with a big salary.
Mike Onwenu
Arguably New England’s top internal free agent, Onwenu reportedly agreed to re-sign with the Patriots on a three-year, $57 million deal with $38 million guaranteed. That’s good money, but many expected him to receive much more.
Onwenu is an excellent guard. You could argue he’s better than Robert Hunt, who received $100 million from the Carolina Panthers, who also gave $53 million to guard Damien Lewis. It was a banner day for interior linemen across the NFL.
However, Onwenu also has proven himself as an excellent right tackle, which probably is where he’ll play for the Patriots. That his talent and versatility didn’t translate into a mammoth contract is a bit surprising.
Perhaps he shot himself in the foot by firing his agents and choosing to represent himself in free agency.
Justin Fields
It’s looking more and more like Fields will be a backup next season.
Gardner Minshew and Jacoby Brissett joined the Las Vegas Raiders and Patriots, respectively, as likely bridge starters. Sam Darnold joined the Minnesota Vikings potentially to serve in a similar role, and the Falcons, of course, landed Kirk Cousins.
The Washington Commanders probably will take a quarterback with the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and the New York Giants also could be in position to take a QB.
KEEP READING: 2024 NFL Top 100 Free Agent Rankings
So, which teams still could be looking to trade for Fields? The Denver Broncos? Maybe?
The Chicago Bears ultimately might decide to release Fields. Either way, his hopes of being a starting QB in 2024 are rapidly vanishing.
Every move. Every team. Don’t miss a thing with PFN’s NFL Free Agency Tracker.
