The 2023 NFL free agency period will bring a ton of rumors and news that will affect every team across the league. Some of the biggest stars we know could change teams via trade or free agency. That includes Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Arizona Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins, and Cincinnati Bengals safety Jessie Bates III.
We’re covering the latest NFL free agency rumors and news throughout the next few weeks. Bookmark this page, as we’ll be adding everything you need to know as news and rumors unfold as the legal tampering period has arrived.
Latest NFL Free Agency Rumors and News
Rodgers To The Jets “Done”
PFN Senior Analyst Trey Wingo reported he heard that “Rodgers to the Jets is done” on Monday afternoon, while NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said “nothing has happened” yet. We’ll know more soon enough but it’s just a matter of time before we get more information on where Rodgers stands.
Bengals Keep LB Germaine Pratt
The Bengals were able to keep linebacker Germaine Pratt on a three-year, $21 million deal, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Pratt was one of the top linebackers available but the $15.15 million he’ll receive in his first two seasons helped keep him in Cincinnati.
Chiefs Make Change At Tackle
The Chiefs opted to replace free-agent left tackle Orlando Brown with former Jaguars’ right tackle Jawaan Taylor. They had been linked to Laremy Tunsil, per KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson, but instead paid $80 million for Taylor to switch from the right side to the left. Taylor is a better pass blocker than a run blocker, making him a better fit than Brown was for the Chiefs’ offense.
Kansas City did lose right tackle Andrew Wylie to the Washington Commanders, reuniting him with new Commanders offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. He received a very reasonable $24 million over three years, per Pelissero.
Broncos Bolster Offensive Line
The Broncos committed $87.5 million to right tackle Mike McGlinchey and $52 million to left guard Ben Powers on Monday. It appears Broncos head coach Sean Payton is replicating the high-cost offensive line approach he had in New Orleans. Protecting and helping quarterback Russell Wilson is understandably the plan.
Jimmy G Goes To Vegas
The writing was on the wall that if the Raiders weren’t going to land Aaron Rodgers, they’d certainly be in on Jimmy Garoppolo. Garoppolo previously played under Josh McDaniels in New England and had only a few real suitors this offseason. The Raiders signed Garoppolo to a three-year, $67.5 million deal.
While Garoppolo isn’t an upgrade on Derek Carr, he cost less per year and offers a new voice for the locker room to follow. Sometimes, change is good.
49ers Make Massive Signing With Javon Hargrave
Three years after trading DeForest Buckner because they didn’t want to pay him, the 49ers signed Javon Hargrave to the exact same four-year, $84 million deal despite being five years older. Putting Hargrave in the middle of this defense creates a hellacious unit that could easily become the best in the league in 2023. Hargrave became one of the best pass-rushers at his position over the last two years in Philadelphia.
Buccaneers Show Interest in Baker Mayfield, Jacoby Brissett
So much for the Buccaneers having faith in third-year quarterback Kyle Trask. The former second-rounder was praised by new offensive coordinator Dave Canales as having “point guard” potential in their scheme but that’s not stopping them from looking for a veteran. According to ESPN’s Dianna Russini, the Buccaneers have “shown interest” in both Baker Mayfield and Jacoby Brissett.
Both of the former Cleveland Browns passers play different styles. Brissett was better in 2022 than Mayfield was over the last two years but neither is more than a short-term starter. There may be some upside left in Mayfield worth trying to squeeze out before he’s relegated to a career backup but that also goes back to pre-draft evaluations.
Cowboys Eyeing Familiar Names
Dallas has infamously chased big names over the years but often to little avail when it came to squeezing production from them. Despite this, Jane Slater of NFL Network reported the team has contacted both linebacker Bobby Wagner and wide receiver Adam Thielen. However, she notes, the financials of each deal has to make sense.
This comes off as Dallas appeasing fans by dropping some big names but staying smart by not paying them at the back end of their careers. Wagner is still an impressive run defender but no longer a stud in coverage. Thielen is at best a third receiver in a healthy offense.
Aaron Rodgers To Make Decision Soon
The ball is in Rodgers’ court as far as whether he’ll remain in Green Bay, be a New York Jet, or possibly shock the world another way. According to Rodgers via Brandon Marshall’s “I AM ATHLETE” podcast, Rodgers said, “it won’t be long. There’s a time limit for all this.”
SNY’s Connor Hughes reported the Jets, Packers, and Rodgers have everything in place if he decides to follow in Brett Favre’s footsteps, saying, “if Rodgers wants to be a Jet, he will be a Jet.”
That insinuates that trade compensation has been agreed to and Rodgers’ contract will be addressed if he’s dealt to New York. Rodgers is owed a $58 million bonus this offseason that will likely be spread over multiple years to make a deal more palatable for any team that acquires him.
Center Market Heats Up
There’s an unusual number of quality starting centers available in free agency. That would typically predicate smaller deals since there’s not a lot of demand for the supply of talent on the board. It’s also not a position that has seen significant spending historically, with only seven centers averaging $10 million or more.
Despite this, Aaron Wilson of KRPC 2 reported the “high end” of the top-six free agent centers are looking for $8 to $11 million per year. This list includes Connor McGovern (Jets), Ethan Pocic (Browns), Garrett Bradbury (Vikings), Bradley Bozeman (Panthers), Jake Brendel (49ers), and Evan Brown (Lions).
It’s hard to imagine a few of those names cashing in, considering they’re less-heralded talents at a low-cost position. McGovern averaged $9 million on his last deal, but Bozeman had to settle for $2.8 million last year. My prediction is that McGovern, Pocic, and Bradbury get into that range but not the others.
DeAndre Hopkins Hears the Trade Rumors
The Cardinals are in a tough spot. They have a terrible roster that needs to be overhauled with more talent in the trenches, but a quarterback in Kyler Murray who is on a massive contract. Trying to balance winning when Murray returns from a torn ACL and building a deeper roster will be difficult.
The best asset the Cardinals can trade this offseason is Hopkins. The star receiver will be 31 this year and has a massive $30 million cap hit in 2023. He told the Pat McAfee Show that he’s “been hearing a lot of trade talks,” but all he can do is keep his head down and work.
The Cardinals are looking for a second-round pick and a player or another pick, per Mike Jurecki of the Arizona Football Daily Podcast. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Hopkins is flexible when it comes to the last two years of his deal, which likely means he’d extend his contract to help lower his cap hits.
Jessie Bates III to Atlanta?
The top safety on the market is undoubtedly Bates. The versatile playmaker was a key reason why the Bengals’ defense overachieved over the last two seasons. Bates played on the franchise tag last year but is sure to land elsewhere on a big-money deal.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Atlanta Falcons have been said to want a big-time safety. Bates would be an excellent building block for Atlanta to feature, considering he’s only 26 and is great in coverage. Pairing him with A.J. Terrell isn’t enough to make the defense good, but it’d be an effective usage of the second-most cap space available in the NFL.
Raiders Chasing Veterans?
The Las Vegas Raiders are being linked to veteran quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and safety Jordan Poyer, per Fowler. With the Raiders allowing Derek Carr to walk for nothing and at risk of losing out on the top rookie quarterbacks because they’re picking seventh overall, the team would be wise to add a known quantity for 2023.
Garoppolo previously worked with head coach Josh McDaniels in New England. Poyer would be an excellent short-term fit for the Raiders as well. Though it’s concerning he turns 32 this offseason, Poyer has been a great player since landing in Buffalo in 2017. He’s a rangy tackler and solid in coverage. He’d fit well into Patrick Graham’s defensive unit with his ball-hawk talent.