• Loading stock data...
Friday, November 21, 2025
Want a chance to win $250 and free FOS gear? Take our quick reader survey. Take the survey here

NFL Free Agency Hits Record Pace After Billion-Dollar Weekend

NFL free-agent spending started quickly Monday afternoon, led by a major deal for Sam Darnold and a surprising one for Justin Fields.

Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

The NFL’s free agency frenzy is off to a fast start, with multiple NFL franchises already handing out new deals worth more than $100 million each.

Following a billion-dollar weekend of extensions, trades, and new signings, that eye-popping 10-figure total was quickly surpassed Monday afternoon after the league’s “legal tampering” period opened at noon ET. Free agent contracts and trades can’t be officially completed until Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET, but parties can now come to terms on any deals they want.

Here are the most expensive—and most surprising—NFL free-agent deals so far:

  • The Seahawks won the Sam Darnold sweepstakes with a $100.5 million deal.
  • Former Bears and Steelers quarterback Justin Fields is signing with the Jets for $40 million over two years.
  • The Panthers made Jaycee Horn the league’s highest-paid defensive back with a $100 million extension averaging $25 million per season.

Two of the most active teams Monday were the Buccaneers and Patriots. 

New England landed defensive tackle Milton Williams with a four-year, $104 million deal, cornerback Carlton Davis (three years, $60 million), and several other players. Tampa Bay spent more than $100 million bringing back receiver Chris Godwin and guard Ben Bredeson, and adding pass rusher Hasaan Reddick.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Caitlin Clark
exclusive

The WNBA’s Million-Dollar Offer Isn’t What it Seems

The league’s most recent offer still includes a six-figure maximum base salary.
Nov 12, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams (8), center Chet Holmgren (7), and guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) talk while sitting on the bench during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Paycom Center.

Jalen Williams’s Wrist Injury Could Save the Thunder Millions

The Thunder are 15–1 despite Williams being injured all season.
Oct 11, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon (6) takes the ball on a kickoff return in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

UC Investments Head: ‘Do a Little Prayer’ for Our Big Ten Deal

He confirmed “there is no deal on the table” currently.

Featured Today

Trinity Rodman

NWSL Regular-Season Ratings See Big Surge, Playoffs Up 5%

Regular-season viewership grew by over 20%, averaging more than 200,000.
Jul 13, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; FIFA president Gianni Infantino and President Donald Trump carry the FIFA Club World Cup trophy during the presentation after the final of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium.
November 19, 2025

Trump-MBS White House Dinner Showcases Saudi Sports Influence 

Attendees included Ronaldo, Bryson DeChambeau, and the owner of the 76ers.
November 19, 2025

ABC, ESPN Bounce Back With Big CFB Ratings After YouTube TV Deal

Oklahoma-Alabama and Texas-Georgia drew more than 10 million viewers.
Jan 28, 2025; Washington, DC, USA; Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, begins a hearing to examine the Panama Canal and its impact on U.S. trade and national security, focusing on fees and foreign influence on Tuesday, January 28, 2025.
November 18, 2025

Congress Turns Up Heat on Sports Leagues Over Betting Integrity Issues

MLB, the NBA, and the NCAA are all in lawmakers’ crosshairs.
Oct 27, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred before game three of the 2025 MLB World Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.

Manfred Defends MLB Prop-Bet Rules As Congress Turns Up Heat

The commissioner said recent rules changes “strike the right balance.”
November 19, 2025

New WNBA Offer to Players Includes Max Salary Over $1 Million

The CBA expires Sunday, Nov. 30.
Steve Kerr
November 19, 2025

Steve Kerr Lobbies for Shorter Season Again As NBA Injuries Pile Up

Kerr has been banging this drum for years.
Sponsored

NFL QB Christian Ponder Is Preparing Athletes for Business

Former NFL quarterback Christian Ponder discusses the transition from field to boardroom.
Jun 14, 2025; Oakmont, Pennsylvania, USA; Laurie Canter plays his shot from the tenth tee during the third round of the U.S. Open golf tournament.
November 18, 2025

Ex-LIV Golfer Finds Path to PGA Tour, but Divide Still Looms

Laurie Canter, who made $4.41 million on LIV, earned a 2026 PGA Tour card.
November 18, 2025

NBA’s Anti-Tanking Push Hasn’t Stopped a Historically Bad Start

Four NBA teams are on pace to win 13 games or fewer.
November 18, 2025

No More Tape Delays: LPGA to Air Every Tournament Live in 2026

The women’s golf tour has previously dealt with tape-delayed coverage.
Oct 3, 2025; Tempe, AZ, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions forward Gavin McKenna (72) warms up before the game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mullett Arena
November 18, 2025

NCAA-CHL Rule Change Has Already Shaken Up Hockey

Inside how leagues feel a year since the announcement.