The 2023 NFL free agency is in full swing, and teams and players are setting their loyalties aside as they negotiate new contracts. This season, early player-friendly and team-friendly deals seem to be dominating the market. In this article, we will analyze some of the most notable signings across the league and assess how they set the tone for the upcoming season.
Atlanta Falcons Sign QB Taylor Heinicke
One of the most discussed early signings of this year’s free agency was that of quarterback Taylor Heinicke to the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons signed Heinicke for two years, $14 million ($7 million per year), and $6.32 million total guaranteed. This deal is considered player-friendly, as Heinicke had a poor performance in Washington and could have been signed for cheaper by Atlanta.
Carolina Panthers Sign WR Adam Thielen
Another noteworthy signing that caught many people off guard was that of wide receiver Adam Thielen by the Carolina Panthers. Thielen joined the Panthers on a three-year deal worth $25 million ($8.33 million per year) with $14 million guaranteed. This contract is also player-friendly since Thielen’s performance last season was not impressive, but Carolina needed pass catchers badly.
Minnesota Vikings Sign TE Josh Oliver
On the other hand, tight end Josh Oliver’s signing with the Minnesota Vikings showcases a team-friendly deal. The Vikings signed Oliver for three years, $21 million ($7 million per year), with $10.75 million guaranteed. This is considered team-friendly since Oliver has a low number of receptions in his NFL career and is signed primarily for blocking purposes.
Grading the NFC North Teams Going into April 2023 NFL Offseason
As we get closer to April draft, experts are starting to evaluate the offseason moves of various teams. One of the most intriguing divisions this year is NFC North, consisting of the Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, and Minnesota Vikings. Each team has made significant changes to their rosters during free agency with varying degrees of success.
The Bears have made a substantial effort to improve Justin Fields’ supporting cast, but there are still concerns about his readiness to lead the team. Similarly, the Lions have modeled an economical approach to free agency, spending selectively in areas of need. The Packers find themselves in a flux as they await Aaron Rodgers’ decision on his future with the team. Meanwhile, the Vikings have tried to shed some veteran names like Thielen and Kendricks in the name of longer-term improvement.
Football Outsiders’ Assessment on Tampa Bay Buccaneers Free Agency Season
Despite winning the Super Bowl last year, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers found themselves limited in terms of free agency funds. Football Outsiders gave them an overall grade of C indicating that they are unlikely to be Super Bowl contenders next season due to their limited resources. However, many experts predict that they will return to form in 2024.
Despite being tight on funds, they were able to resign star corner Jamel Dean and make a low-risk signing in Baker Mayfield. They have allocated a large portion of their available cap space ($74,566,702) to players who won’t be on their roster next season. However, key defensive players were unable to be retained due to limited funds. While the Bucs reminisce about their 2020 win, they need a long-term plan for their quarterback position since Tom Brady is not getting any younger
In conclusion, early player-friendly and team-friendly deals have set the tone for this year’s NFL free agency season. Some teams chose to allocate most of their resources towards improving specific positions while others opted for an economical approach. Moving forward, it will be exciting to see how these roster changes shape the upcoming 2023 NFL season.
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