A new league year

By Trevor Speetzen March 12, 2025 01:00

A new league year has begun in the NFL and that means a lot of NFL teams will be changing faces for the upcoming 2025 regular season. The new league year began on March 9 and for the first two days there have been a litany of free agency signings.

The Denver Broncos made a couple big splashes in the beginning of free agency after stealing a couple players from the San Francisco 49ers.

Linebacker Dre Greenlaw and safety Talanoa Hufanga each agreed to three-year deals with the Broncos, with Greenlaw getting $45 million and Hufanga getting $35 million. These signings boost an already dominant Broncos defense that could make them elite in 2025.

The Seattle Seahawks came out victorious in the Sam Darnold sweepstakes. After trading away Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders, the Seahawks signed Darnold to a three-year $100.5 million deal to be the team’s new QB.

It’s unclear whether Darnold is a franchise or bridge quarterback, as Seattle has already let go of Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf. If Seattle is beginning a rebuild, then why sign a quarterback to franchise-calibar money if he’s only a bridge player?

Questions like that are always brought up during the free agency frenzy. Teams will make decisions that fans will question, but those same fans don’t have the same perspective as the people who run their favorite teams.

The Los Angeles Rams have recently let go of veteran wide receiver Cooper Kupp and they got Davante Adams to replace him. A questionable move because Adams is considered “past his prime” just like Kupp.

However, teams are looking at this through a different lens: Adams can still provide deep threat and scoring ability, while Kupp no longer has the explosiveness that he was once famous for.

Some other big acquisitions that have happened through free agency include Justin Fields leaving the Pittsburgh Steelers after signing a two-year $40 million deal with the New York Jets, Najee Harris signing a one year with the Los Angeles Chargers and Alex Cappa leaving the Cincinnati Bengals for the Raiders.

Some other big name players are heading to new teams this year, but this time it’s through trades. Trades are year-around, but they don’t become official until the new league year begins.

Deebo Samuel was traded away from the 49ers to pair with Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders, DK Metcalf was acquired by the Steelers after being traded by the Seahawks and Kenny Pickett was traded to Cleveland Browns to replace an injured Deshaun Watson.

While a lot of players will be changing uniforms this offseason, there are also players who will be staying put. After initially demanding a trade, Browns star player Myles Garrett will be staying in Cleveland after signing a four-year extension.

Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby will be staying in Las Vegas after signing a three-year extension, Khalil Mack will be returning to the Charges after he was given a one-year extension and Rams QB Matthew Stafford recently restructured his contract after threatening to retire.

Free agency is a fun time of year as it symbolizes the beginning of a new NFL season, but also gives teams the blueprint to be successful for the upcoming regular season.