By Benjamin Rodriguez
On Wednesday March 14 the NFL’s new league year began, which meant free agency officially started. Free agency is the period in which players who are not under contract with a team can sign with the team of their choice.
Coming into this class, the quarterbacks were highly sought after because many teams were in need of a quarterback. The first off the market was Case Keenum coming after a season in which he lead the Vikings to the NFC Championship. Keenum signed with the Broncos on a two year deal worth $36 million. Kirk Cousins was the next quarterback off the board; he signed with the Vikings for three years and $84 million fully guaranteed. The next big name quarterback was Sam Bradford, who signed with the Arizona Cardinals on a two year deal worth $40 million. Former Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater also found a new home with the New York Jets on a one year deal that will pay him $5 million.
The defensive side of the ball market was filled with playmakers at all positions. The first major signing was former Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman, who signed with the San Francisco 49ers for three years and $39 million. After being cut by the Arizona Cardinals, free safety Tyrann Mathieu signed with the Houston Texans on a one year $7 million deal. Another player who was cut, defensive end Vinny Curry, formerly of the Philadelphia Eagles, signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for $27 million over 3 years.
Check out other notable free agent signings below!
| Player | New Team | Position | Contract |
| Sam Bradford | Arizona Cardinals | QB | 2 years $40 million |
| Kirk Cousins | Minnesota Vikings | QB | 3 years $84 million |
| Case Keenum | Denver Broncos | QB | 2 years $36 million |
| Teddy Bridgewater | New York Jets | QB | 1 year $5 million |
| A.J McCarron | Buffalo Bills | QB | 2 years $10 million |
| Mike Glennon | Arizona Cardinals | QB | 2 years $8 million |
| Allen Robinson | Chicago Bears | WR | 3 years $42million |
| Taylor Gabriel | Chicago Bears | WR | 4 years $26 million |
| Donte Moncrief | Jacksonville Jaguars | WR | 1 year $7 million |
| Danny Amendola | Miami Dolphins | WR | 2 years $12 million |
| Jerick McKinnon | San Francisco 49ers | RB | 4 years $30 million |
| Dion Lewis | Tennessee Titans | RB | 4 years $20 million |
| Carlos Hyde | Cleveland Browns | RB | 3 years $15 million |
| LeGarette Blount | Detroit Lions | RB | 1 year $4.5 million |
| Richard Sherman | San Francisco 49ers | CB | 3 years $21.15 million |
| Trumaine Johnson | New York Jets | CB | 5 years $72.5 million |
| Malcolm Butler | Tenessee Titans | CB | 5 years $61.25 million |
| Tyrann Mathieu | Houston Texans | DB | 1 year $7 million |
| Morgan Burnett | Pittsburgh Steelers | DB | 3 years $14.5 million |
| Tahir Whitehead | Oakland Raiders | LB | 3 years $18 million |
| Jeremiah Attaochu | San Francisco 49ers | LB | 1 year $ 3million |
| Avery Williamson | New York Jets | LB | 3 years $22.5 million |
| Anthony Hitchens | Kansas City Chiefs | LB | 5 years $45 million |
| Muhammad Wilkerson | Green Bay Packers | DL | 1 year $5 million |
| Star Loutlelei | Buffalo Bills | DL | 5 years $50 million |
| Sheldon Richardson | Minnesota Vikings | DL | 1 year $8 million |
| Adrian Clayborn | New England Patriots | DL | 2 years $12 million |
| Dontari Poe | Carolina Panthers | DL | 3 years $27 million |