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 wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, and free agent Odell Beckham Jr.
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.
Latest NFL Free Agency Rumors and News
Dalvin Cook Drawing Trade Interest
In addition to moving on from wide receiver Adam Thielen, the Minnesota Vikings could be making a major change at running back. Darren Wolfson of SKOR North reported Cook isn’t interested in a pay cut from his $14.1 million cap hit in 2023, and the Vikings have received a trade offer for Cook. He’ll turn 28 this summer and has four consecutive seasons with at least 1,135 rushing yards.
Trading Cook would open almost $8 million of his cap hit this season, then $27 million over 2024 and 2025. It’s hard to find many serious suitors since Cook’s $10.4 million base salary would be inherited by his new team. Chicago, Atlanta, and Arizona stand out as teams with a need for a back and the cap space to trade for Cook.
Adam Thielen, Vikings Headed Toward Split
The Vikings and Thielen “will part ways” before free agency barring a last-minute contract resolution, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Thielen turns 33 this summer but was still productive last year, hauling in 70 receptions for 716 yards and six scores. Minnesota can release him with a June 1 designation to open more than $13 million in cap space this offseason.
Braxton Berrios Hits Free Agency
The Jets continue to make moves, this time releasing slot receiver Braxton Berrios as they look to cut cap commitments. Berrios had an $8.2 million cap hit but releasing him opens $5 million for the Jets to get under the cap limit. He caught only 18 passes for 145 yards in 2022 after enjoying solid seasons in 2020 and 2021.
Jets Acquire Safety Chuck Clark From Ravens
While the New York Jets wait for Rodgers’ decision on where to play, they wasted no time in bolstering their defense in the meantime. With a hole at safety emerging and the Ravens looking to clear more playing time and a bigger role for 2022 first-rounder Kyle Hamilton, the Jets acquired safety Chuck Clark for “late-round draft pick compensation“, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Clark is a solid player entering the final year of a three-year, $15.3 million deal. He carries a $6.76 million cap hit in 2023 after producing 101 tackles last year.
Jets And Aaron Rodgers Continue Trade Talks
The Jets are sold on making Rodgers their quarterback and are open to the draft compensation it’ll take to land him, according to ESPN’s Tom Pelissero. At this point, all that is left is for Rodgers to tell the Packers that he wants to be traded to the Jets. Since Rodgers effectively has veto power in a trade due to the looming $58 million bonus in his contract, he can dictate his landing spot.
The Jets’ ownership flew to Rodgers in California on Wednesday, and ESPN’s Dianna Russini reported the team is “excited and satisfied” about Rodgers’ fit with the franchise. Considering Rodgers hasn’t been linked to another franchise outside of speculation, it appears as though it’s New York or Green Bay for Rodgers, and the Packers are ready for Jordan Love to take over.
DeAndre Hopkins Hears the Trade Rumors
The Arizona 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 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 season 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.
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.
Odell Beckham Jr. Posts Hype Video
After flirting with multiple teams late in the 2022 season as he recovered from a torn ACL, Beckham sat out the entire year as a deal never materialized to his liking. The Dallas Cowboys were the most prominent team to recruit him, with owner Jerry Jones even saying there was a good chance “Odell’s going to join us.” But Beckham’s desired $20 million a year deal may have been an issue.
Beckham is gearing up to be the best free agent receiver on the market next week, posting a hype video of him catching a deep pass on his Instagram. It’s hard to imagine Beckham would get $20 million a year without massive incentives attached to a reasonable base salary. This is especially the case if Beckham is wanting to play for a contender and not just the highest salary.