Thursday, September 3, 2026

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

School Officials, Georgia AG Threaten LSU Over Playing NFL Players

Georgia’s attorney general has joined the LSU-SEC fray.

Netflix Secures Commercial Distribution for Expanded NFL Slate

The streaming giant’s full NFL slate will be shown in commercial establishments.
The OG Football Show
Exclusive

Trey Wingo Reuniting With Former ESPN Colleagues for New NFL Show

The show will air on YouTube and audio platforms every Monday.
First at FOS

Massachusetts Reviewing Bill Simmons’s Proxy Betting Admission

Simmons said he had his daughter’s boyfriend place bets for him.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

9/3/26 – Clippers-Kawhi Penalized, Tiger’s DUI Plea, Schrager’s ESPN Show

0:00

Featured Today

Teams Are Spending Millions to Build Luxury Locker Rooms

It’s a recruiting pitch, a retention tool, and a seven-figure line item.
September 1, 2026

High School Football Sidelines Are Clogged With Content Creators

Administrators call these amateur newcomers the “pajama paparazzi.”
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
August 30, 2026

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.

Premier League Clubs Spend Record $4.7B on Player Transfers

The Premier League’s transfer spending dwarfed the rest of Europe’s Big Five.
September 1, 2026

PGA of America CEO Talks Record Frisco Sales, Ryder Cup Future

Momentum is building for the 2027 PGA Championship in Frisco.
Aug 8, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Los Angeles Angels hats and gloves sit in the dugout against the Miami Marlins during the fifth inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-Imagn Images
September 2, 2026

Kroenke Inherits Uncertain Angels TV Network, Stadium Fight

The incoming owner is also inheriting the recently rebranded RSN.
Sponsored

Kerri Walsh Jennings’s Playbook for the Future of Volleyball

The former gold medalist talks NCAA, the Olympics, & investing in volleyball.
Aug 23, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) calls out a foul ball at the bottom of the fourth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Navarro-Imagn Images
September 1, 2026

MLB Season Attendance Set for Fourth Consecutive Increase

The league eyes its first four-year run of growth since 2004–07.
September 1, 2026

LIV Golf’s Next Steps: Bankruptcy, Investor Talks, Contract Buyouts

Many players still have years left on their contracts.
August 31, 2026

PGA Tour Revamping Fan Code of Conduct Amid Betting Concerns

Several players have raised concerns about sports betting’s impact on the game.
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.