The third day of NFL free agency, which marked the fifth day overall, continued to witness significant player movement, although it might have been challenging for fans to keep track amidst the whirlwind. The most notable news of Friday didn’t directly relate to free agency itself.
Early on Friday, the Houston Texans and Minnesota Vikings dropped a bombshell by announcing a trade that would grant Minnesota an additional first-round selection (23rd overall). This development caught attention until, a few hours later, Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle and future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald declared his retirement.
These unexpected events are poised to have a substantial impact on the Rams, Texans, and Vikings, diverting fans’ focus from the ongoing free-agent frenzy.
Let’s delve into some of the recent signings, trades, and buzz stemming from Friday’s activities.
It’s long been anticipated that Donald would exit the game on his own terms while still performing at an elite level. And he did just that on Friday by sharing a statement on social media.
“Not many individuals get drafted, win a World Championship, and retire with the same team. I do not, and will not, take that for granted,” Donald expressed.
What’s surprising about Donald’s retirement is its timing, considering the Rams’ resurgence in contention. Los Angeles made it to the playoffs in 2023 and has bolstered its roster with intriguing additions this offseason, such as cornerback Darious Williams and guard Jonah Jackson.
With Donald’s departure, the Rams might need to seek additional defensive line support to complement emerging star Kobie Turner, who now assumes a pivotal role in L.A.’s defensive lineup. While the defensive tackle market has been active, notable names like Jonathan Hankins, Adam Butler, and Taven Bryan are still available.
For Donald, who earned Pro Bowl honors in each of his 10 NFL seasons, the next stop is likely the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The Vikings suffered a blow earlier in free agency when quarterback Kirk Cousins departed for the Atlanta Falcons, and newly acquired Sam Darnold isn’t seen as a long-term QB1 solution. Friday’s trade, which involved Minnesota surrendering its second-round pick, a sixth-round pick, and a 2025 second-rounder to Houston, hints at the team’s potential focus on acquiring a new quarterback in the draft.
With the 11th and 23rd overall selections now in hand, the Vikings might be considering bundling these picks to move up in the draft for a quarterback prospect. While targeting top prospects like Drake Maye, Caleb Williams, or Jayden Daniels in the top three might be challenging, prospects like Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy might not fall to the 11th spot.
“The national championship-winning quarterback possesses the traits and mentality to warrant a top 10 selection for any interested team,” noted Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski.
Although this doesn’t guarantee Minnesota will trade up, the move suggests a shift in focus from free agency to the draft.
The Vikings move closer to resolving their quarterback situation, while the Texans secure a future second-round pick, allowing them to tap into a deep talent pool in the 2024 middle draft tier.
Before the onset of free agency, there were speculations that the Philadelphia Eagles might part ways with some of their pass-rushing talent.
“The Eagles are fielding trade calls for DE Josh Sweat, and edge Haason Reddick has been granted permission to seek a trade,” reported NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport on X, less than a week ago.
Despite the signing of pass-rusher Bryce Huff, trade rumors surrounding Sweat persisted. However, it seems Sweat is set to remain in Philadelphia’s immediate plans.
“Sweat will stay with the Eagles under a restructured deal, including $10 million guaranteed plus incentives (up to $13 million). Previously, he had no guarantees, providing Sweat with security entering the final year of his contract,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler revealed on X.
Sweat, 26, has established himself as a reliable component of the pass-rushing rotation, amassing 25 sacks over the last three seasons. He is poised to make significant contributions in 2024, though Reddick’s future with the team remains uncertain.
The Eagles struck a deal for former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett, as reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
This move follows Pittsburgh’s signing of Russell Wilson to a league-minimum deal. According to Rapoport, Pittsburgh assured Wilson of the starting role, prompting the trade involving the 2022 first-round pick.
As per Rapoport, the Steelers traded Pickett and a 2024 fourth-round pick to Philadelphia for a 2023 third-round compensatory selection and two 2025 seventh-rounders.
Pickett will provide depth behind starting quarterback Jalen Hurts in Philadelphia while embarking on a fresh start. Meanwhile, for Pittsburgh, it’s now a bet on Wilson or bust in 2024, although the door is open for the Steelers to pursue another young quarterback in the draft.
The free-agent activity over the past two days hasn’t matched the excitement of the legal-contact period, nor has it involved as many extravagant contracts. Nevertheless, teams continue to secure quality players, often at a reasonable cost.
On Friday, the Rams secured their new starting safety by signing former Washington Commanders standout Kamren Curl to a two-year, $13 million deal, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
Curl, an up-and-coming talent with significant playmaking ability, recently turned 25.
The San Francisco 49ers bolstered their linebacker corps by signing De’Vondre Campbell to a one-year deal, as reported by Rapoport. While Campbell faced challenges in 2023, he was a Pro Bowler in 2021 and proved solid for the Green Bay Packers in 2022.
Campbell’s addition is a significant late acquisition for the 49ers, who lost Dre Greenlaw to a torn Achilles in Super Bowl LVIII. The 49ers had initially looked to secure linebacker insurance with Eric Kendricks before he opted to join the Dallas Cowboys.
Furthermore, the 49ers re-signed guard Jon Feliciano, adding veteran depth to their offensive line.
Another noteworthy signing on Friday involved the Cincinnati Bengals re-signing receiver Trent Irwin. Despite being 29 years old, Irwin had career-best numbers in receptions (25) and receiving yards (316) last season, providing valuable depth to Cincinnati’s receiving unit.
Meanwhile, the Carolina Panthers addressed their pass-rushing needs by signing K’Lavon Chaaisson to a one-year, $5 million deal, as reported by Rapoport. Carolina sought an edge defender after trading Brian Burns to the New York Giants.
While these moves may not rival the early free-agent deals, such as the Falcons signing Cousins or the Eagles acquiring Saquon Barkley from the Giants, they underscore how late free agency can still yield valuable additions.
Notable players still available include offensive lineman Trent Brown, pass-rusher Chase Young, and safety Justin Simmons—the remaining players from Bleacher Report’s initial top 50 free-agent big board.
