The 2025 NFL league year is only a week old, but the vast majority of the big moves have already been made. Among CBS Sports senior NFL writer Pete Prisco’s top 100 free agents, only 19 remain available as of this writing.
Let’s go through just some of the major moves that did go down:
Quarterback Sam Darnold signed with Seattle Seahawks (3 years, $100.5M with $55M guaranteed)
Wide receiver Tee Higgins re-signed with Cincinnati Bengals (4 years, $115M)
Right guard Trey Smith got franchise-tagged by Kansas City Chiefs
Left tackle Ronnie Stanley re-signed with Baltimore Ravens (3 years, $60M with $44M guaranteed)
Defensive lineman Milton Williams signed with New England Patriots (4 years, $104M with $63M guaranteed)
Center Drew Dalman signed with Chicago Bears (3 years, $42M with $28M guaranteed)
Cornerback D.J. Reed signed with Detroit Lions (3 years, $48M with $32M guaranteed)
Safety Jevon Holland signed with New York Giants (3 years, $45.3M with $30.3M guaranteed)
Linebacker Zack Baun re-signed with Philadelphia Eagles (3 years, $51M with $34M guaranteed)
Despite the early flurry of activity, many teams with multiple and/or major needs like the New England Patriots ($73.8 million in effective cap space, most in the NFL) and the Arizona Cardinals ($63.99 million in effective cap space, second most in the NFL) still have plenty of holes to fill. Yes, there’s still the 2025 NFL Draft, but it’s also never too early to look ahead at what could be in free agency next NFL offseason.
2025 NFL free agency tracker: Updates on top 100 free agents; Amari Cooper, Stefon Diggs among best available
Cody Benjamin
2025 NFL free agency tracker: Updates on top 100 free agents; Amari Cooper, Stefon Diggs among best available
Let’s take at some of the notable, potential NFL free agents next offseason, but keep in mind that some of these guys who are still on the rookie contracts could have their fifth-year option picked up or could be extended well before next offseason.
Quarterbacks
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Brock Purdy
SF • QB • #13
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Geno Smith
LV • QB • #7
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Daniel Jones
IND • QB • #8
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Zach Wilson
MIA • QB • #4
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Kenny Pickett
CLE • QB • #7
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It would seem like new Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith would get an extension in the near future this offseason since a disagreement on financials is why Smith became available in the first place. New Raiders head coach Pete Carroll certainly doesn’t want to enter his first season with his quarterback already disgruntled.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy is entering the final year of his rookie deal, and his second contract is a polarizing topic. On the one hand, he has the highest yards per pass attempt (8.9) and passer rating (104.9) in NFL history among those with at least 1,000 career pass attempts. On the other hand, San Francisco is 10-11 including the playoffs in Purdy’s starts when even one of running back Christian McCaffrey, left tackle Trent Williams, wide receiver Deebo Samuel (now on the Washington Commanders), wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and tight George Kittle don’t play.
Purdy also has nine career touchdown passes to 15 career interceptions including the postseason when tied or trailing in the second half of a game. Will he hit the open market? Unlikely, but after the 49ers signed former first-round pick quarterback Mac Jones to a two-year, $7 million contract, they at least banked themselves some Purdy insurance.
Running backs
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Derrick Henry
BAL • RB • #22
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James Cook
BUF • RB • #4
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Breece Hall
NYJ • RB • #20
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Kenneth Walker III
SEA • RB • #9
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Kyren Williams
LAR • RB • #23
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Rico Dowdle
CAR • RB • #23
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Rachaad White
TB • RB • #1
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Najee Harris
LAC • RB • #22
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Travis Etienne
JAC • RB • #1
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This potential running back class could be incredible given the high-end depth. Derrick Henry just totaled the most rushing yards ever in a season (1,921) by a player aged 30 or older in 2024. James Cook co-led the NFL in rushing touchdowns with Henry and Jahmyr Gibbs last season. Kyren WIlliams is tied with Gibbs for the most touchdowns from scrimmage the last two seasons with 31. The 2025 NFL Draft has one of the deeper running back draft classes in recent memory, and the 2026 offseason could have one of the deepest free agency running back classes in recent memory.
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