Top 13 other notable NFL free agent signings
Yesterday, we looked at five quarterbacks who switched teams in NFL free agency and 14 of the other significant deals that were signed. Now let’s take a look at 13 other very notable free agent deals.
Allen Lazard-New York Jets
The Des Moines, Iowa wide receiver signed a four-year, $44 million contract with the Jets. Last season with the Green Bay Packers, Lazard had 60 catches for 788 yards and six touchdowns. Lazard’s signing could pave the way for New York to sign four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers.
JuJu Smith-Schuster – New England Patriots
The Long Beach, California wide receiver signed a three-year, $33 million contract with the Patriots. Last season with the Kansas City Chiefs, Smith-Schuster had 78 catches for 933 yards and three touchdowns and was his first Super Bowl champion last season. The Patriots are Smith-Schuster’s third NFL team after five seasons with the Steelers and one with the Chiefs. In 2018, he was selected to the Pro Bowl for having career-best catches (111) and receiving yards (1426).
Jakobi Meyers – Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders needed some depth after selling Darren Waller to the New York Giants. The Lithonia, Georgia wide receiver had 67 catches for 804 yards and six touchdowns with the New England Patriots in 2022. Meyers signed a three-year deal worth $33 million.
David Montgomery-Detroit Lions
The running back from Cincinnati, Ohio, signed a three-year deal worth $18 million. Montgomery had 201 rushes for 801 yards and five touchdowns, along with 34 catches for 316 yards and another big result last season with the Chicago Bears.
Robert Woods-Houston Texans
The Gardena, California wide receiver signed a two-year deal worth $15.25 million. Woods is joining his fourth NFL franchise after playing four seasons with the Buffalo Bills (2013-2016), five seasons with the Los Angeles Rams (2017-2021), and one season with the Tennessee Titans (2022). Last season, Woods had 53 catches for 527 yards and two touchdowns. Woods became the 2022 Super Bowl champion with the Rams.
Taylor Heinicke-Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta quarterback got an early 30th birthday present when he signed a two-year, $14 million deal with his hometown team. Heinicke is playing for his fourth NFL franchise after the Houston Texans, Carolina Panthers and Washington. He completed 161 passes in 259 attempts for 12 touchdowns and six interceptions, along with 28 rushes for 96 yards and another big result with the Commanders in 2022.
Patrick Peterson- Pittsburgh Steelers
The Fort Lauderdale, Fla., cornerback signed a two-year, $14 million contract. The Steelers are Peterson’s third NFL franchise after 10 seasons with the Arizona Cardinals (2011-2020) and the last two seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. In 2022, Peterson had 66 combined tackles (56 solo tackles and 10 assists), three tackles for a loss, five interceptions for 91 yards, and 15 pass deflections. Peterson was selected to the Pro Bowl by the Cardinals for eight straight seasons from 2011 to 2018. In 2012, Peterson led the NFL with five fumble recoveries.
Marcus Davenport-Minnesota Vikings
The San Antonio, Texas defensive end signed a one-year deal worth $13 million. He played the last five seasons with the New Orleans Saints. Last season, Davenport had 29 combined tackles (16 solo tackles and 13 assisted tackles), two tackles for a loss, eight quarterback hits and a half-sack. The two tackles for a loss came on Oct. 30 in the Saints’ 24-0 shutout win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
Andy Dalton – Carolina Panthers
The quarterback from Katy, Texas signed a two-year, $10 million contract. Dalton is joining his fifth NFL franchise after playing nine seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals and one season with the Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints. Last season with the Saints, Dalton completed 252 passes in 378 attempts for 2,871 yards and had 18 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He was a pro bowler with the Bengals in 2011, 2014 and 2016.
Travis Homer – Chicago Bears
The Bears needed a running back when they lost Montgomery to Detroit. They settled on Travis Homer of West Palm Beach, Fla., who signed a two-year, $4.5 million deal. Last season, Homer had 19 rushes for 74 yards and 16 catches for 157 yards and one touchdown with the Seattle Seahawks.
Baker Mayfield-Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers needed a quarterback since Tom Brady retired. They chose Baker Mayfield, who signed a one-year deal worth $4 million. The Buccaneers are the fourth team he has played for, after the Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams. In 2022, with the Panthers and Rams, Mayfield completed 201 passes in 335 attempts, with 10 touchdown passes and eight interceptions. He had 31 rushes for 89 yards and one touchdown. Mayfield was the first overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft.
Mike Boone-Houston Texans
The Texans are the third team Boone has played for, after the Minnesota Vikings and Denver Broncos. He signed a two-year deal worth $3.1 million. In 2022, Boone had 24 rushes for 102 yards and nine catches for 96 yards with the Broncos.
Rashaad Penny-Philadelphia Eagles
Penny signed a one-year deal worth $1.35 million. He played the last five seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. In 2022, Penny had 57 rushes for 346 yards and two touchdowns and four catches for 16 yards.
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