Running backs take center stage as NFL Free Agency heats up

The GIST: It may be the offseason, but the NFL’s free agency is giving more drama than this season of The Bachelor. Free agency is a period where players with expiring contracts can freely negotiate and sign with other teams, and teams can officially trade players and draft picks to other squads.

• Though free agency doesn’t officially open until the NFL’s “new year” begins today at 4 p.m. ET, that hasn’t stopped teams from brokering blockbuster deals.

Running back (RB) moves: After years of less lucrative and shorter contracts for RBs compared to other skilled positions, many top backs — including longtime (and now former) NY Giant Saquon Barkley — considered sitting out last year unless they received a fair deal. Despite fears that the position has been devalued, the 2024 season is shaping up to be the year of the RBs.

• Headlining the signings is former Tennessee Titan Derrick Henry, who agreed to a two-year, $16M deal with the Baltimore Ravens yesterday. One of the best RBs in the league lining up beside the league’s reigning MVP quarterback (QB) Lamar Jackson? It’s almost unfair.

• Meanwhile, the aforementioned Barkley is flying to a new home, agreeing to a three-year, $37.75M contract with the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday. If Barkley hits his incentives (aka performance bonuses), the deal could be the second richest for an RB in NFL history.

QB signings: Not to be outdone, the QB market is red-hot, too. On Monday, former Minnesota Viking Kirk “you like that” Cousins agreed to a massive four-year, $180M deal with the Atlanta Falcons. The 35-year-old signal caller had one of his best statistical seasons last year before tearing his Achilles in October.

• And there’s plenty of QB cash to go around: Netflix star Marcus Mariota’s en route to the Washington Commanders, perennial backup Sam Darnold bagged a cool $10M to lead the Minnesota Vikings, and Gardner Minshew’s headed to the Las Vegas Raiders on a two-year, $25M deal.

What’s next: With the free agency frenzy just getting started, stay in the loop as teams continue to wheel and deal heading into the fall campaign. September’s looking a whole lot different already.