The Riverside Press-Enterprise
Wilson goes to Steelers, Cousins to Falcons
The NFL’S free agency frenzy kicked off Monday with a 52-hour legal tampering period ahead of the official start of the new league year on Wednesday.
Several star players, including Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins and Giants running back Saquon Barkley, began the day free to sign a contract with a new team, and both, among many others, agreed to deals.
Players can’t officially sign with new teams until the league year officially begins on Wedneday at 1 p.m. The two-day negotiating period applies only to players who will be unrestricted free agents.
Monday was certainly a frenzy of player movement across the league as reported by The Associated Press citing sources familiar with the details, but speaking on condition of anonymity because all terms were not finalized. Here are highlights from those reports:
RUSSELL WILSON HEADED TO PITTSBURGH >> Nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson agreed to sign a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The AP source said Wilson will receive the veteran’s minimum of $1.21 million while the Denver Broncos pay the remainder of his $39 million salary.
Wilson, 35, was 11-19 in two seasons with the Broncos after being acquired in a trade from Seattle.
The Steelers lost a wild-card playoff game with Mason Rudolph as their starting quarterback. Rudolph went 3-0 after replacing Kenny Pickett, who was
7-5 before going down with an injury. Mitch Trubisky started the other two games and went 0-2. He’s now back in Buffalo.
Last week, the Broncos informed Wilson they’d release him when the new league year begins — but gave him permission to speak to other teams.
COUSINS LEAVES VIKINGS FOR FALCONS >> Quarterback Kirk Cousins is leaving Minnesota after six seasons to sign with the Atlanta Falcons. Cousins, coming off an Achilles injury, agreed to a fouryear, $180 million deal with $100 million guaranteed deal with the Falcons, his agent Mike Mccartney announced on social media. Atlanta had a glaring need at quarterback after cycling through Tyler Heinicke and Desmond Ridder last season, and Cousins’ wife, Julie, grew up in the metro area. MAYFIELD RE-SIGNS IN TAMPA BAY >> Baker Mayfield is staying with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after agreeing to a three-year contract
worth up to $115 million. Mayfield, 28, will receive $30 million in 2024 and $30 million in 2025, with $20 million guaranteed in the second year of the deal . ... The Bucs also traded cornerback Carlton Davis to Detroit in an exchange of draft picks, according to multiple reports. ELSEWHERE AROUND THE NFL >> Running back Gus Edwards, who spent the previous six years playing for coach John Harbaugh in Baltimore, agreed to join coach Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers on a two-year deal.
• Philadelphia agreed to contracts with former New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley and former New York Jets defensive end Bryce Huff. Barkley is set to sign a three-year deal for $26 million guaranteed and $37.75 million overall, while Huff is getting a three-year deal for $51 million.
• The Giants bolstered their offensive line by agreeing to terms
with former Green Bay Packers guard Jon Runyan Jr.
• Las Vegas received a major boost to its interior defensive line when tackle Christian Wilkins agreed to a four-year, $110 contract. Wilkins played his first five seasons in Miami, developing into one of the NFL’S top run stoppers. He set a league record in 2022 for his position with 98 tackles. ... The Raiders also agreed to a two-year deal with former Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew, The Athletic reported.
• The Rams agreed to terms with tight end Colby Parkinson and guard Jonah Jackson. Parkinson got a three-year, $22.5 million contract to leave Seattle. Jackson will leave Detroit to sign a three-year contract potentially worth $51 million with $34 million guaranteed.
• Carolina agreed on a five-year, $100 million contract with former Miami guard Robert Hunt.
• The first forays into agency for Washington are players new coach Dan Quinn is familiar with: Former Cowboys center Tyler Biadasz and defensive lineman Dorance Armstrong. Quinn, hired last month, spent the past three seasons as defensive coordinator in Dallas.
• Jacksonville agreed with former Buffalo pass-catcher Gabe Davis on a three-year, $39 million contract, and former Buffalo center Mitch Morse on a two-year, $10.5 million contract.
• Chicago and former Eagles Pro Bowl running back D’andre Swift agreed to a three-year contract. The Bears also re-signed Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson and signed former Tennessee safety Kevin Byard to a two-year contract.
• Tennessee is replacing fourtime Pro Bowl running back Derrick Henry with former Cowboys back Tony Pollard.
• Kansas City finalized a fiveyear, $158.75 million contract with Chris Jones, keeping the Allpro in the middle of their defensive line as they chase a recordsetting third consecutive Super Bowl title. Jones will make $95 million guaranteed over the first three years of the deal.
• San Francisco added needed help at pass rusher, agreeing to a two-year, $20 million contract with Leonard Floyd, while also planning to release their longest tenured player, defensive tackle Arik Armstead, in a salary cap move.
• Buffalo reached an agreement with left tackle Dion Dawkins on a three-year contract extension that locks up the starter through 2027.