With the dust settling on Day 2 of NFL free agency, it’s time to talk winners and losers.
You can click here to view our stories on which players, like Derrick Henry, won the second day of free agency. Now, let’s get to the other side.
NFL Free Agency Day 2 Losers
EDGE Josh Uche
What happened here?
Uche, 25, reportedly agreed to return to the New England Patriots on a one-year, $3 million deal worth as much as $8 million. He allegedly had offers for “much more” on the table but preferred to stay with the team that selected him in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Perhaps that’s true. But it’s hard to believe Uche gladly accepted a $3 million contract after seeing his playing time dip in 2023.
Uche broke out in 2022 when he racked up a career-high 11.5 sacks. His production dipped to just three sacks in 2023, but part of that can be blamed on nagging injuries and opposing offenses focusing on him with Matthew Judon sidelined. Then-head coach Bill Belichick also preferred to play edge players more stout against the run.
Uche’s talent and recent track record seemingly forecasted a decent payday in free agency. Instead, he’ll play on a one-year prove-it deal with hopes of cashing in next offseason.
DE Chase Young
The 2020 first-overall pick reportedly plans to visit the Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, and Tennessee Titans in the near future. Some will try to make the case that Young is trying to be patient in free agency while waiting for the best option to present itself.
Don’t buy it. The reality is a player who has the talent to be one of the highest-paid defensive ends in football clearly isn’t generating much interest. And that’s not surprising, as Young has a troubling injury history and still hasn’t delivered on his immense promise.
He posted 7.5 sacks as a rookie in 2020 but has just nine in the last three seasons, 7.5 of which came in 2023. He played reasonably well for the San Francisco 49ers after a midseason trade from the Washington Commanders, but he wasn’t a true difference-maker.
Perhaps he, too, is heading for a prove-it deal at a modest salary.
WR Diontae Johnson
Johnson created headaches in Pittsburgh, and now he finds himself on the worst team in the NFL.
The Steelers reportedly agreed to trade Johnson and a seventh-round pick to the Carolina Panthers for defensive back Donte Jackson and a sixth-round pick on Tuesday. Jackson likely was headed for a release, so Johnson effectively was traded for a pick swap.
Johnson, 27, has a ton of talent and should’ve been in a position to earn a lucrative contract that would’ve kept him in Pittsburgh long-term. Instead, he’ll be forced to play with a project quarterback in a bad offense as he looks toward free agency in 2025.
DB Jalen Mills
Mills signed a four-year, $24 million contract with the Patriots in 2021. After a so-so debut season, he enjoyed an excellent training camp in 2022 and seemed prime for a big role in New England’s secondary.
However, injuries limited Mills to just 10 games and 469 defensive snaps. In 2023, he was active for every game but saw his playing time dip to 459 snaps, good for 40%.
That brings us to Tuesday when Mills reportedly agreed to a one-year contract with the New York Giants. Still just 29 years old, Mills and his impressive versatility should’ve been set up for a multi-year deal. Instead, he enters 2024 with something to prove.
QB Justin Fields
We listed Fields as one of our losers after Day 1, and he’s on the Day 2 list as well.
With each passing moment, it’s becoming more likely that Fields will serve as a backup next season. The Chicago Bears reportedly hoped to trade Fields to a team interested in making him the starter, but they’re nearly out of options.
KEEP READING: Free Agency Grades Day 1
Moreover, the New England Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders, and New York Giants all reportedly have landed new backups/bridge starters. At this point, it’s hard to imagine Fields going anywhere that gives him an opportunity to earn a significant payday next offseason.
A trade remains the most likely outcome for Fields and the Bears. But an outright release now feels more possible than ever before.
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