Monday, August 31, 2026
The FOS App Launches September 1 Pre-save on the App Store Today

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.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

First at FOS

Runners-Up Offered Seahawks Stake After Losing Out on Team

The deal is closing “very soon,” a source says.

Aaron Donald Return Supercharges Rams’ Status as 2026 ‘It’ Team

His return raised expectations and shortened betting odds. 

Grass Is Latest Issue With Bills’ New Stadium

The field will be re-sodded ahead of Buffalo’s Week 2 home opener.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

8/31/26 – US Open Pay Fight, NFL’s Olympic Push, Aaron Donald Returns

0:00

Featured Today

Aug 3, 2026; Washington, D.C., USA; Alexandra Eala (PHI) kisses the championship trophy during the trophy ceremony after her match against Jessica Pegula (USA) (not pictured) in the women's singles final of the 2026 Mubadala DC Open at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

How Alex Eala Turned the Philippines Into a Tennis Nation

A December homecoming match could break tennis’s attendance record.
August 26, 2026

Deshaun Watson Has Done the Impossible: Unite Browns Fans

Watson was named the starter after complaining boos were “personal.”
August 23, 2026

Dan Snyder ‘Invisible’ in NFL Three Years After Commanders Sale

Snyder has had little to no contact with former NFL associates.
Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Burnley - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - May 18, 2026 Arsenal's Kai Havertz scores their first goal past Burnley's Max Weiss
August 21, 2026

Why the Premier League’s Star-Power Shortage Doesn’t Matter

The world’s richest soccer league doesn’t rely on big stars to dominate.
August 12, 2026

Trendy Golf Hat Divide Is More Than a Fashion Fight

As golf has gotten trendier, so has the sport’s style.

PGA Tour Revamping Fan Code of Conduct Amid Betting Concerns

Several players have raised concerns about sports betting’s impact on the game.
August 30, 2026

Scheffler Breaks Tiger’s PGA Tour Earnings Record, Wins FedEx Cup

Scheffler has led the Tour in prize money for five consecutive seasons.
August 31, 2026

US Open Ticket Prices Surge for Alex Eala’s Night Session

USTA’s CEO acknowledged the tournament’s rising prices in a press conference Saturday.
Sponsored

Kerri Walsh Jennings’s Playbook for the Future of Volleyball

The former gold medalist talks NCAA, the Olympics, & investing in volleyball.
Mar 21, 2026; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Wildcats FFC quarterback Joe Burrow throws the ball during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
First at FOS
August 29, 2026

NFL, NFLPA Negotiating Terms for Olympic Flag Football Participation

The 2028 Games’ flag football is scheduled for July 15–22.
Tennis - Australian Open - Men's Singles Final - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 29, 2023 Craig Tiley, CEO of Tennis Australia is pictured in the stands during the final match between Serbia's Novak Djokovic and Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas REUTERS/Loren Elliott
August 29, 2026

US Open Unveils Record Player Pay but Resists Revenue Share

Revenue sharing is a key topic for the players.
Aug 12, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud (9) sets the play against the Golden State Valkyries during the first quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images
August 29, 2026

Natasha Cloud Calls WNBA Culture War an ‘Intentional Distraction’ 

Cloud wants the WNBA to ban Enes Kanter Freedom league-wide.
August 28, 2026

Makar’s Contract Is Fourth Record NHL Deal in 11 Months

The Colorado defenseman’s $20.4 million AAV smashes Celebrini’s record from July.