- PREMIUM
- HOME
- NFL
Popular Pages
Transactions
Trending Players
AFC East
AFC North
AFC South
NFC East
NFC North
NFC South
- NBA
Popular Pages
Transactions
Trending Players
Southeast
Atlantic
Southwest
Northwest
- MLB
Popular Pages
Transactions
Trending Players
AL East
AL Central
NL West
NL East
- NHL
Popular Pages
Transactions
Trending Players
Atlantic
Pacific
- WNBA
Popular Pages
Transactions
Trending Players
Eastern
- EPL
Popular Pages
Transactions
Trending Players
- MLS
Transactions
Trending Players
Eastern
ATL Atlanta UnitedAtlanta United FC
MTL MontrealCF Montreal
CLT CharlotteCharlotte FC
CHI FireChicago Fire
CLB Columbus CrewColumbus Crew
DC UnitedD.C. United
CIN CincinnatiFC Cincinnati
MIA Inter MiamiInter Miami FC
NSH NashvilleNashville SC
NE RevolutionNew England Revolution
NYC New York CityNew York City FC
RBNY Red BullsNew York Red Bulls
ORL Orlando CityOrlando City
PHI UnionPhiladelphia Union
TOR TorontoToronto FC
Western
ATX AustinAustin FC
COL RapidsColorado Rapids
DAL DallasFC Dallas
HOU DynamoHouston Dynamo
LA GalaxyLA Galaxy
LAFC Los AngelesLos Angeles FC
MIN MinnesotaMinnesota United FC
POR TimbersPortland Timbers
RSL Real Salt LakeReal Salt Lake
SJ EarthquakesSan Jose Earthquakes
SEA SoundersSeattle Sounders FC
SKC Kansas CitySporting Kansas City
STL St. Louis CITYSt. Louis CITY SC
VAN WhitecapsVancouver Whitecaps FC
- NWSL
Popular Pages
Transactions
Trending Players
ACFC Angel City FCAngel City FC
BFC Bay FCBay FC
CHI Chicago Red StarsChicago Red Stars
HOU Houston DashHouston Dash
KC Kansas City CurrentKansas City Current
NJNY NJ/NY Gotham FCNJ/NY Gotham FC
NC North Carolina CourageNorth Carolina Courage
ORL Orlando PrideOrlando Pride
POR Portland Thorns FCPortland Thorns FC
LOU Racing Louisville FCRacing Louisville FC
SD San Diego Wave FCSan Diego Wave FC
SEA Seattle Reign FCSeattle Reign FC
UTA Utah Royals FCUtah Royals FC
WAS Washington SpiritWashington Spirit
- GOLF
Popular Pages
Trending Players
- TENNIS
ATP
WTA
- RACING
NASCAR CUP
FORMULA 1
- PVF
- OLYMPICS
An NFL Free Agency Reality Check
![](https://d1dglpr230r57l.cloudfront.net/images/xlarge/USATSI_19796565_168390303_lowres1.jpg)
The first 24-48 hours of the NFL Free Agent Frenzy is always a whirlwind, and with it come a flurry of contract reports. Now that the dust has settled a bit, we’ll dive into every free agent contract with a total value of at least $30M, detailing the guaranteed portion of the deal, and a more practical set of terms for each.
Kirk Cousins (QB, Falcons)
4 years, $180,000,000
The largest total value contract in free agent history comes with $100M guaranteed, $90M at signing, and $62.5M cash in 2024. It’s a 2 year, $100M contract out of the gate, with 3 years, $135M in place for practical purposes. Early $10M roster bonuses in 2026 & 2027 offer early payment or team decision making at the back end of this contract. At $45M per year, Cousins is now the 8th highest average paid QB, while his $100M guaranteed ranks 12th.
Christian Wilkins (DT, Raiders
4 years, $110,000,000
Wilkins joins the Raiders on $57.5M fully guaranteed at signing (2nd among DTs), with another $25.25M set to lock in next March. This is a 3 year, $84.25M contract for practical purposes, with no early vesting guarantee or roster bonus in the final 1 year, $25.75M. The deal makes Wilkins the 3rd highest average paid interior defender.
Robert Hunt (G, Panthers)
5 years, $100,000,000
Carolina spent big to bolster their offensive line this week, handing Hunt $44M fully guaranteed at signing, with another $10M set to lock in next March. Technically the Panthers could walk away from this contract after 2 years, $54M, but a 3 year, $63M outcome is much more practical. The final 2 years, $37M are extremely fluffy, offering no early vesting guarantee or roster bonus. Hunt is now tied as the 3rd highest average paid guard in football, while his $63M of practical guarantee is most all-time at the position.
Calvin Ridley (WR, Titans)
4 years, $92,000,000
Ridley secures $46.9M fully guaranteed at signing through the 2025 season, and $3M of his 2026 compensation locks in next March. In this regard, there's a world where Tennessee buys him out in March of 2026 at 2 years, $50M, but it's more practical that Ridley sees 3 years, $69.75M on this deal. This becomes far & away the largest free agent WR contract to post this offseason.
Jonathan Greenard (DE, Vikings)
4 years, $76,000,000
Following an outstanding walk season in Houston, Greenard attempts to fill the shoes vacated by Danielle Hunter in Minnesota. Early reports tag a $42M full guarantee on this contract, but the full structure has not yet been announced. The $19M per year average currently ranks 16th among edge defenders.
Xavier McKinney (S, Packers)
4 years, $67,000,000
As with nearly all Packers’ contracts, McKinney’s only upfront guarantee stems from a $23 million signing bonus. The 24-year-old gets over $25M cash in 2024, but the remaining 3 years, $42M becomes a year-to-year decision for Green Bay. $8.5M March roster bonuses in each of 2025 & 2026 offer a little stability in the next few offseasons. At $16.75M per year, McKinney’s contract makes him the 5th highest average paid safety in football.
Leonard Williams (DE, Seahawks)
3 years, $64,500,000
Williams returns to Seattle at a reported $43.85M guarantee, though just $26.15M of that is fully guaranteed at signing. While it’s highly likely that the 30-year-old sees at least 2 years, $47.85M out of this new deal, it’s possible for Seattle to walk away after just 1 year, $27M.
Mike Onwenu (G, Patriots)
3 years, $57,000,000
The Patriots retained their 2020 6th round pick for at least another 2 years, $39.5M. $36.5M of that is fully guaranteed at signing, leaving 1 year, $17.5M of “fluff” on the back end of this contract. At $19M per year, Onwenu is now the 5th highest average paid guard in football, while his $36.5M of full guarantee chimes in at 8th overall.
Damien Lewis (G, Panthers)
4 years, $53,000,000
Lewis joins Carolina on a $26.2M full guarantee through the 2025 season, making the final 2 years, $26M of this contract completely up in the air. At $13.25M per year, the Panthers now have two of the Top 16 average paid & guaranteed guards in football.
Bryce Huff (OLB, Eagles)
3 years, $51,100,000
The Eagles made Huff a Top 20 paid edge defender on this 3 year contract that reportedly includes $34M fully guaranteed. Full details aren’t yet available, but a double bonus structure 2 year guarantee seems to fit the Philly bill here.
Jonah Jackson (G, Rams)
3 years, $51,000,000
Jackson secures $25M fully guaranteed at signing, which includes half of his 2025 compensation. The other half locks in next March, setting him up for 2 years, $34M for practical purposes. The final $17M on this deal is up in the air, though an $8M March 2026 roster bonus helps push things along. At $17M per year, Jackson is the 10th highest average paid guard in football.
Arik Armstead (DE, Jaguars)
3 years, $51,000,000
Armstead was designated a Post June 1st release by San Francisco this week, but wasted no time locking in a healthy deal elsewhere. Full details are still TBD, but it’s safe to assume there’s a near $35M guarantee on this contract.
Lloyd Cushenberry (C, Titans)
4 years, $50,000,000
Cushenberry represents a solid upgrade to the middle of Will Levis’ line, securing $26M fully guaranteed at signing, with another $4M locking in next March. It's a 2 year, $30M contract from the onset, with 2 years, $20M up in the air thereafter. Cushenberry now ties for the 4th largest average salary among centers, while his $30M practically guaranteed ranks 2nd.
Danielle Hunter (ED, Texans)
2 years, $49,000,000
One of the strongest deals to hit the books this week, Hunter secured $48M fully guaranteed over the next 2 seasons. Only a pair of annual $500,000 per game active bonuses set him apart from a fully guaranteed contract here. The 30-year-old will see $29.5M cash this year, & $19.5M in 2025.
Josh Jacobs (RB, Packers)
4 years, $48,000,000
Aaron Jones out, Josh Jacobs in, and in true Packers fashion, it’s a 1 year guarantee, plus three years of we’ll see. Jacobs secures a $12.5M signing bonus, and $14.8M total in 2024. The remaining 3 years, $33.2M of this contract go year-to-year, though an early March roster bonus ($5.9M) likely secures this deal as 2 years, $23M - but it doesn’t have to. The $12M APY on this contract makes Jacobs the 6th highest average paid running back.
Patrick Queen (LB, Steelers)
3 years, $41,000,000
The first real head-scratcher on the list. Queen was the top off-ball linebacker on the open market, putting up a huge season alongside Roquan Smith in Baltimore. He joins linebacker U on essentially a 1 year, $13.84M contract (as the Steelers do not guarantee future salary in their contracts). The remaining 2 years, $27.16M of this contract will be year-to-year. Queen chimes in as the 6th highest average paid off-ball linebacker with this deal.
Darnell Mooney (WR, Falcons)
3 years, $39,000,000
Mooney leaves Chicago for Atlanta to begin the Kirk Cousins regime. The former 5th round pick secures $26M fully guaranteed at signing on this contract, making the next 2 years, $27M a virtual lock. The remaining 1 year, $11.98M for 2026 is up in the air. Mooney ties Gabe Davis as the 22nd highest average paid WR with this deal.
Gabriel Davis (WR, Jaguars)
3 years, $39,000,000
Despite identical terms, Davis secured $2M less guaranteed, & $1M less to be earned through 2025 than Darnell Mooney signed for in Atlanta. Still, the Jags may have scored a value signing here, as Davis will step into that WR1B role recently vacated by Calvin Ridley - who just secured $50M guaranteed in Tennessee. Davis’ contract is a 2 for $26M deal, with $13M of fluff.
Grover Stewart (DT, Colts)
3 years, $39,000,000
Stewart returns to the Colts on a $25.7M guarantee, though only $17.9M of that is fully guaranteed at the time of signing. Still, with ? of his 2025 compensation locked in right now, we’ll consider this a 2 year, $26.75M contract for practical purposes, with the remaining $12.25M up in the air. A $13M APY for Stewart ranks him 18th among interior defenders.
Saquon Barkley (RB, Eagles)
3 years, $37,750,000
Barkley secured good money from a good team - a rare win for the running back position on the open market. All of the $24.5M due across the next two seasons is fully guaranteed, and $1.5M of his 2026 salary is locked in at the time of signing as well. It’s a 2 year, $26M fully guaranteed contract for one the higher ceiling playmakers in all of football. The $12.5M APY makes Barkley the 4th highest average paid running back in football.
Chidobe Awuzie (CB, Titans)
3 years, $36,000,000
Awuzie joins a Tennessee team that has been as aggressive as any to start the new league year. He slots in as the projected starting LCB for 2024, scoring $19M fully guaranteed on his new contract. It’s a 2 year, $24M deal for practical purposes, with the remaining $12M (his age 31 season), a veritable option for now. Awuzie’s near $23M practical guarantee ranks 15th among signed cornerbacks.
Azeez Al-Shaair (LB, Texans)
3 years, $34,000,000
The Texans’ new middle linebacker comes in at $21.5M fully guaranteed at signing, including $13M for the upcoming season. It’s a 2 years, $22.5M contract for practical purposes, with the final $11.5M up in the air.
Dorance Armstrong (DE, Commanders)
3 years, $33,000,000
Armstrong & also newly signed Dante Fowler Jr. project to start on the edge of the Commander’s line. The 26-year-old secured $16.1M fully guaranteed at signing, all in 2024, making this a glorified 1 year, $16.8M contract until further notice. Armstrong’s $6M salary for 2025 becomes fully guaranteed next March, so there will be an early decision to be made at that point.
Justin Jones (DT, Cardinals)
3 years, $31,165,000
Jones leaves the Bears for the Cardinals, who hand out an extremely aggressive 79% guarantee at signing on this contract. All of Jones’ 2024 & 2025 salaries are fully guaranteed, as well as $5M of his 2026 salary. If Arizona wants to walk away after 2025, they’ll owe him that $5M as a buyout, securing at the very least, $26.8M of this contract.
Frankie Luvu (LB, Commanders)
3 years, $31,000,000
Luvu & Bobby Wagner should help redefine this Commander’s linebacking core for the upcoming season, with new Head Coach Dan Quinn clearly making it a focal point of the offseason. Washington could make this a 1 year, $15M contract and nothing more if they need, but for practical purposes this should work out to 2 years, $22M at the bare minimum. The remaining $9M on this contract is up for grabs, though $1M of it comes in the form of a March 2026 roster bonus.
Jonah Williams (OT, Cardinals)
2 years, $30,000,000
The Cardinals released longtime OT D.J. Humphries in correspondence with this move, putting Williams and youngster Paris Johnson in line to bookend the O-Line in 2024. Williams secures $19M fully guaranteed at signing, and while Arizona could technically make this a 1 year, $19.61M contract, it's highly likely that he either sees both years of this deal, or is extended out of it after the 2024 season.
Kenny Moore (CB, Colts)
3 years, $30,000,000
The powers that be made it clear that Moore had signed the “largest ever contract for a nickel”, yet still haven’t disclosed the guaranteed figure for the deal. Generally speaking this isn’t a great sign, but crazier things have happened.
Jon Runyan (G, Giants)
3 years, $30,00,000
Runyan leaves Green Bay on a $17M guarantee with the Giants, including more than half of his 2025 salary. The projected starting right guard for NY should see 2 years, $20.75M out of this contract, with $9.25M up in the air thereafter.
CATEGORIES
- NBA 102
- NFL 72
- GOLF 47
- NWSL 35
- MLB 22
- NHL 1
AUTHORS
- Michael Ginnitti NFL, MLB
- Keith Smith NBA
- Scott Allen Contributor
- Taylor Vincent NWSL
![](https://d1dglpr230r57l.cloudfront.net/images/crop/4512_USATSI_21628660_168390303_lowres1.jpg)
Breaking Down Brandon Aiyuk's $120M Extension
After a 6-month standoff that may not have gotten anyone anywhere in the long run, the San Francisco 49ers & WR Brandon Aiyuk agreed to a 4 year, $120M contract extension this week, keeping the 26-year-old on the books through the 2028 season. READ MORE
![](https://d1dglpr230r57l.cloudfront.net/images/crop/4511_USATSI_22005779_168390303_lowres.jpg)
Breaking Down CeeDee Lamb's $136M Extension
The Cowboys checked off one of their three big contract extension boxes, signing WR CeeDee Lamb to a 4 year, $136M extension. We dive into the facts, figures, rankings & future outlook here. READ MORE
![](https://d1dglpr230r57l.cloudfront.net/images/crop/4509_USATSI_23205994_168390303_lowres.jpg)
NWSL Secondary Window Signings/Trade Tracker
Tracking all of the NWSL Secondary Window signings and trades per team.
![](https://d1dglpr230r57l.cloudfront.net/images/crop/4507_USATSI_24068850_168390303_lowres.jpg)
Starting QB Future Contract Outlooks
With Week 1 of the 2024 regular season nearly upon us, it’s a good time to take one last offseason look at the practical contract outlook for every starting QB based on guarantee structure.
![](https://d1dglpr230r57l.cloudfront.net/images/crop/4508_USATSI_21543697_168390303_lowres.jpg)
NWSL 2025 Pending Free Agency
Taking a look at how the initial 2025 NWSL free agency list breaks down.
TRENDING PLAYERS
- 1 Johnny Gaudreau (LW, CBJ)
- 2 Ja'Marr Chase (WR, CIN)
- 3 Mohamed Salah (F, LIV)
- 4 Ricky Pearsall (WR, SF)
- 5 Scottie Scheffler (G, )
TRENDING PAGES
- 1 NFL Transactions
- 2 NFL Free Agents
- 3 MLB Free Agents
- 4 Manchester United F.C. Cap
- 5 NFL Contracts