Free agent winners
Through the first official day of 2021 NFL free agency, a look at five winners around the league:
New England: After posting a losing record for the first time since 2000, Bill Belichick went on a spending spree. New England re-signed QB Cam Newton to a deal that includes $8.5 million in incentives, plus signed TEs Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith, WR Nelson Agholor, LB Matt Judon and S Jalen Mills, among others.
Tampa Bay: The Bucs began by locking down QB Tom Brady through 2022 with another contract extension. The defending Super Bowl champs also resigned dynamic pass-rusher Shaquil Barrett to a four-year, $68 million deal and brought back TE Rob Gronkowski (one year, $8M) and LB Lavonte David (two years for $25M).
Trent Williams: The 49ers made other significant splashes with the resignings of FB Kyle Juszczyk and CB Jason Verrett, but Williams, 32, made history. San Francisco re-signed the eight-time Pro Bowl left tackle to a sixyear, $138 million contract to make him the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history. The deal includes $55.1 million in guaranteed money.
Aaron Jones: Who says running backs don’t get paid? Green Bay’s Jones resigned via a four-year deal worth $48 million, including a $13 million signing bonus. Jones, 26, led the NFL with 16 rushing touchdowns in 2019 and then posted a second straight 1,000-yard season last year while averaging 5.5 yards/carry.
Dak Prescott: The Cowboys QB signed a four-year, $160 million contract (max value of $164 million), a deal that includes $126 million guaranteed. Prescott, who saw his 2020 season end after five games due to a compound fracture and dislocation of his right ankle, started all 16 games each of his first four years, and has a 42-27 record.