NFL free agency and the 2024-25 league year officially began at 3 p.m. CT on Wednesday.
While teams had come to agreements with players on contracts or with other teams on trades over recent days, they could only make them official once the league year started.
Much of the activity on Wednesday involved the completion of trades. For not retaining wide receiver Calvin Ridley, the Jacksonville Jaguars had to send a third-round draft pick to the Atlanta Falcons due to the trade terms from their 2022 trade deadline deal.
Ridley has since signed a four-year, $92 million deal with the Tennessee Titans, who have struggled with their passing attack in recent seasons.
The Houston Texans remained active, trading defensive tackle Maliek Collins to the San Francisco 49ers, while the New York Jets traded for veteran offensive tackle Morgan Moses from the Baltimore Ravens.
Several veteran players were also officially released, including Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, wide receiver Hunter Renfrow, Miami Dolphins cornerback and former Baylor standout Xavien Howard, and Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams.
After a quiet start during the open negotiating period, the Dallas Cowboys are finally on the board — signing veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks, who spent much of his career in Minnesota under new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.
It’s important to note that this is just the beginning of the league year and the offseason, and teams will continue tinkering with their rosters until the start of the season and beyond.
Here are some other notable moves that have been made since the free agency period officially opened.
— The San Francisco 49ers released defensive tackle Arik Armstead. Armstead will be designated as a June 1 cut, meaning the 49ers can split up his dead cap hit.
— The Philadelphia Eagles have extended the contract of Pro Bowl kicker Jake Elliott for four years.
— Safety Vonn Bell has signed a one-year deal to return to the Cincinnati Bengals after spending the last three seasons in Carolina.
— The Indianapolis Colts have signed quarterback Joe Flacco. The veteran created a great story last season as he took over for injured starter Deshaun Watson, helped lead the Cleveland Browns to the playoffs, and was named Comeback Player of the Year.
