NFL free agency updates 2023: Signings, trades, rumors, news
ESPN staff6 minutes read
Stephen A. isn’t impressed with the Saints’ signing of Derek Carr
Stephen A. Smith says Derek Carr, who has agreed to a deal with the New Orleans Saints, has yet to show he’s worth the hype.
2023 NFL Free Agency officially begins March 15 at 4:00 p.m. ET, coinciding with the start of the new league year. However, teams and free agents may begin agreeing terms on new contracts before officially signing them. The negotiation window begins March 13 at 12:00 p.m. ET. We follow all the action including free agent signings, notable trades, cap saving releases and more.
Free agency this offseason will feature a handful of top-notch quarterbacks, including Lamar Jackson, Geno Smith and Daniel Jones — although some of them may be franchise-tagged before the deadline (Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET) and Derek Carr already has a new home found. The free agent class is also packed with game-changing running backs (Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs and Tony Pollard) and defensive playmakers (Javon Hargrave, Jordan Poyer and James Bradberry).
How much excitement can you expect for the deadline? Which teams will be the most active? Who will be the next star to sign with a new team? And which open market player will be next to break the bank with a huge new contract? Follow it here throughout March, with the latest updates at the top.
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Monday, March 6th
The Jacksonville Jaguars officially placed their franchise tag on tight end Evan Engram, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. He led the team’s tight ends in yards (766), touchdowns (four), and receptions (73).
The Kansas City Chiefs will not be a franchise marker for Orlando Brown Jr., a source told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. He will be a free agent on March 13th.
The former Atlanta Falcons wide receiver, now with the Jacksonville Jaguars, is back in the NFL a year after his suspension.
The Cowboys will use the second-round tender for RFA right tackle Terence Steele ($4.3 million), others have reported, and will not tender RB Rico Dowdle. Cowboys would like to sign Steele, who Stephen Jones says is in long-term rehab after an ACL/MCL injury.
The Dallas Cowboys put their franchise tag on running back Tony Pollard. On the day he is guaranteed $10.09 million for 2023. Pollard suffered a severe ankle sprain and underwent surgery in January but is expected to be 100% fit ahead of training camp.
Former Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr is signing with the New Orleans Saints, sources told ESPN’s Dianna Russini on Monday. The Saints, who finished 7-10 last season, were among three teams, including the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers, who had been stalking Carr for several weeks after the Raiders allowed the veteran quarterback to speak with teams for potentially one to enable trade.
The Rams are expected to release outside linebacker Leonard Floyd if they can’t trade him first, league sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Floyd has capped at $22 million in 2023. If the Rams cut him before June 1, they would be making $19 million in dead money in 2023, saving just $3 million in salary caps.
The Minnesota Vikings fired veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks on Monday as they work to get below the salary cap. Kendricks, 31, has spent all eight seasons of his NFL career with the Vikings, who selected him in the second round of the 2015 draft. Last season, he started all 17 games and finished with 137 tackles to lead the team.
Sunday March 5th
We asked ESPN NFL insiders Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler to clear out their notebooks from their week in Indianapolis. You hit the quarterback market — including the latest on Derek Carr, Daniel Jones, Geno Smith, Lamar Jackson, and Aaron Rodgers — free-agent sleepers and a few draft risers.
New York Jets left tackle Duane Brown, 37, a five-time Pro Bowl pick who recently underwent surgery to repair a torn left rotator cuff, has decided to return for his 17th season, his agent Kennard McGuire told ESPN on Sunday.
Top news of the last week
The New England Patriots informed veteran quarterback Brian Hoyer of their intention to release him before free agency begins, league sources confirmed to ESPN on Saturday.
The Las Vegas Raiders plan to use reigning NFL rushing champion Josh Jacobs’ franchise tag for the 2023 season, sources confirmed to ESPN on Friday. The running backs franchise tag for the 2023 season will cost $10.09 million.
At the end of the season, Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said “it takes two to tango” when asked about the chances of landing a deal with quarterback Lamar Jackson this year. Raven’s defensive end Calais Campbell said this week that Jackson is a willing dance partner.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are expected to put the franchise tag on tight end Evan Engram, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter Thursday. The tight end franchise tag is $11.345 million.
Los Angeles Chargers general manager Tom Telesco on Wednesday ended speculation that the organization could trade from 10-year veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen this offseason.
“Keenan Allen is going nowhere,” Telesco told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
The Cincinnati Bengals are emphatically letting the rest of the NFL know wide receiver Tee Higgins isn’t on the trading block.
During his annual meeting at the NFL Scouting Combine, team leader Duke Tobin refuted any notion that the team might be interested in buying the standout receiver this offseason. The team’s longtime director of player staff said the teams had not submitted any offers and if they had, there had been no thought of trading Higgins.
The New York Giants are “cautiously optimistic” that they can secure long-term deals with quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Saquon Barkley, both of whom are slated to become free agents and are also franchise-tag candidates. Barkley’s future remains uncertain, but Giants general manager Joe Schoen reiterated Tuesday that Jones will return in any capacity — whether as part of a new deal or the tag.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers plan to release running back Leonard Fournette, a key factor in their Super Bowl LV win. The move will take place ahead of the start of the new league year on March 15, a source told ESPN.
The Atlanta Falcons fired quarterback Marcus Mariota on Tuesday to make room for the salary cap and exit a player who lost his starting position.
The Washington Commanders have fired long-awaited quarterback Carson Wentz. The move saves Washington $26.176 million in salary cap this offseason. Wentz still had two years of contract but no guaranteed money.