NFL free agency grades: Do Cowboys, 49ers, Falcons warrant getting an F?

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NFL free agency grades: Do Cowboys, 49ers, Falcons warrant getting an F?

Nate Davis, USA TODAY · USA TODAY Sports

Wed, Mar 19, 2025 ·

23 min read

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Wednesday marks exactly one week since the start of the NFL's 2025 league year – and the official start of free agency and go-ahead point for teams to execute trades . It's already been an eventful month, several players re-signing, getting cut or being conditionally dealt ahead of the football new year. And while the fates of some notable ones remain in limbo – free agent QBs Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson and Bengals All-Pro DE Trey Hendrickson among them – this seemed like a (fairly) fair point to grade every club's approach to free agency in 2025 … or, at least, 30 of the 32 teams (which are listed below alphabetically):

Arizona Cardinals : B-

Their main move was signing de facto Super Bowl MVP Josh Sweat (4 years, $76.1 million) to bolster a 21st-ranked defense, which also imports DT Dalvin Tomlinson (2 years, $29 million) and retains OLB Baron Browning (2 years, $15 million). Jacoby Brissett (2 years, $12.5 million) solidifies the quarterback depth behind Kyler Murray . And with so much salary cap space remaining, GM Monti Ossenfort can get busy rewarding core Cards like TE Trey McBride soon enough.

Atlanta Falcons : D-

The newest reason to pan last year's bizarre decision to sign QB Kirk Cousins and then draft QB Michael Penix Jr. in the first round is the level of rigidity Cousins' contract brings to cap management. Longtime LT Jake Matthews' extension (2 years, $45 million) brought relief, but GM Terry Fontenot hasn't been able to do much beyond adding OLB Leonard Floyd (1 year, $10 million) and LB Divine Deablo (2 years, $14 million) while retaining CB Mike Hughes (3 years, $18 million). Meanwhile, former defensive mainstay Grady Jarrett and promising C Drew Dalman defected to Chicago. And now Fontenot is still basically stuck with Cousins and his no-trade clause given the alternative is a $75 million dead cap hit to cut him.

Baltimore Ravens : A

GM Eric DeCosta didn't have a ton of cap room but managed to check off his top priority – re-signing Pro Bowl LT Ronnie Stanley (3 years, $60 million) – while keeping All-Pro FB Patrick Ricard and adding WR3 DeAndre Hopkins and highly capable QB2 Cooper Rush on team-friendly deals. Baltimore didn't lose anyone who wasn't eminently replaceable, is well positioned to make another Super Bowl run and can start mulling extensions for players like All-Pro S Kyle Hamilton and TE Isaiah Likely and perhaps an eventual adjustment for QB Lamar Jackson . It is notable that there's no contingency plan in place for embattled Justin Tucker , but his status can be readily addressed once the NFL completes its investigation of the sordid complaints against one of the league's all-time greatest kickers.

Buffalo Bills : A-

QB Josh Allen set them up nicely by replacing his existing contract with a six-year, $330 million extension (with a record $250 million guaranteed) – which, yes, was a favor to the Bills given the reigning MVP could have demanded something topping the $60 million annually that Cowboys Dak Prescott pulls down. DE Greg Rousseau became the centerpiece on the defensive side with a four-year, $80 million extension of his own. WR Khalil Shakir , Allen's security blanket, was also deservedly rewarded (4 years, $53.1 million), however LB Terrel Bernard's deal (4 years, $42.1 million) might be a slight overpay (but the defense has been caught short at his position before).

Despite taking care of so many of his own, GM Brandon Beane also brought in reinforcements. A defense that faded in the second half of last season added DEs Joey Bosa (1 year, $12.6 million) and Michael Hoecht (3 years, $21 million), providing juice and depth to the pass rush that Von Miller (released) no longer could. WR Mack Hollins will be missed – especially in the locker room – but Josh Palmer (3 years, $29 million) brings a field-stretching option that was lacking. About all that's left for Beane to do is lock up RB James Cook and CB Christian Benford , who can be free agents in 2026. All things considered, the Mafia can definitively expect another AFC East crown in 2025 … and maybe a whole lot more.

Carolina Panthers : C+

You'd be forgiven for missing the news, but their secondary got a lot of attention CB Jaycee Horn (4 years, $100 million) handsomely rewarded while S Tre'von Moehrig (3 years, $51 million was lured to Charlotte with a very strong deal relative to his position. GM Dan Morgan just missed out on DT Milton Williams but the fallback plan produced DTs Tershawn Wharton (3 years, $45.1 million) and Bobby Brown (3 years, $21 million) plus OLB Patrick Jones (2 years, $15 million). And while QB Bryce Young might have to wait on the draft for help, RB Rico Dowdle should make a nice splash as the new third-down back.

Chicago Bears : A

Though it might not have been readily apparent a year ago, GM Ryan Poles and the organization didn't put enough around QB Caleb Williams to precipitate a truly successful rookie campaign. The hiring of rookie HC Ben Johnson was the first step toward remedying that, and then Poles began proactively progressing toward what Johnson enjoyed in Detroit – namely fortifying the offensive line by trading for Gs Joe Thuney , an All-Pro, and Jonah Jackson before signing highly regarded Dalman (3 years, $42 million). Poles didn't stop there, leveling up the other line with two-time Pro Bowler Jarrett (3 years, $42.8 million) and an up-and-coming pass rusher, Dayo Odeyingbo (3 years, $48 million) to play opposite Montez Sweat . Williams will get additional help from the draft, but the supporting cast should already be at a point where there are no more excuses for the young passer … or Poles, for that matter.

Cincinnati Bengals : B-

Their stars are (mostly) locked up, the team's usually spendthrift ownership heeding the "advice" of QB Joe Burrow to secure the futures of WRs Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins in recent days. That means – in terms of average annual salary – Cincy has the second-highest-paid quarterback in Burrow ($55 million per year), the top-paid non-QB in Chase ($40.3 million per year) and the No. 9 wideout in Higgins ($28.8 million per year). However compensating that trio at or near the top of their respective markets – not to mention three years and $25.5 million to keep TE Mike Gesicki – doesn't leave much for the rest of the roster, including vastly underpaid Hendrickson, who's been permitted to seek a trade the Bengals don't seem all that interested in consummating.

An otherwise suspect defense that lost Hendrickson's wingman, Sam Hubbard, to retirement has paid DTs B.J. Hill (3 years, $33 million) and T.J. Slaton (2 years, $14.1 million) among minor deals not likely to lead to much impact. Big picture, good on the Bengals for paying their superstars. Bigger picture, by waiting so long to do that, a team that failed to make the playoffs in 2024 is more or less running it back with the same nucleus – assuming Hendrickson stays – and hoping to fill the gaps on defense and elsewhere on cheap deals, unproven players and rookies. Might be good enough to win 10 or 11 games … but seems like a stretch to hope for much more, especially in this conference.

Cleveland Browns: C-

They solved their second-most pressing problem, mollifying All-Pro DE Myles Garrett with a four-year, $160 million extension that negated his desire for a trade. (And Garrett doubtless appreciates the arrival of DT Maliek Collins on a two-year, $20 million pact.) But their most pressing problem – quarterback – remains, recently obtained Kenny Pickett currently the nominal starter. Otherwise, little of note. So … yeah, hope will have to wait for a team that went 3-14 in 2024.

Dallas Cowboys : D

They got off to a nice start, extending DT Osa Odighizuwa for four years and $80 million without having to franchise him … and then Jerry Jones and Co. reverted to form. DE DeMarcus Lawrence and DB Jourdan Lewis left in frustration. Dallas downgraded from DE Chauncey Golston to bring back Dante Fowler Jr. and let promising (and fresh) Dowdle go, opting instead for a dubious RB tandem of Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders . Trades for former first-round LB Kenneth Murray and CB Kaiir Elam were borderline bizarre if not all that costly for players who likely otherwise would've been cut. And after letting Rush, who'd bailed this team out more than once when Prescott was shelved, get to Baltimore, the QB2 post currently belongs to … Will Grier, who hasn't played in the regular season since 2019. And while KR/WR KaVontae Turpin (3 years, $18 million) is now the league's top-paid special teamer, LB Micah Parsons seems destined to wait for his second contract … until Jones is likely obligated to pay him more than what Chase just got from Cincinnati.

Denver Broncos : B-

If a trio of players with significant injury histories – TE Evan Engram (2 years, $23 million), LB Dre Greenlaw (3 years, $31.5 million contract) and S Talanoa Hufanga (3 years, $45 million) – can remain on the field, this team could be even scarier, especially with a seventh-ranked defense that also kept DT D.J. Jones (3 years, $39 million). Though Engram is effectively a wideout, still a good chance HC Sean Payton continues to target his coveted offensive "Joker" in the draft.

Detroit Lions : B

They haven't been especially active, their most prominent move the signing of CB D.J. Reed (3 years, $48 million), who's arguably an upgrade over departed Carlton Davis III. Otherwise, GM Brad Holmes mostly focused on re-signing his own (lower-level) guys – LB Derrick Barnes (3 years, $24 million), DT Levi Onwuzurike , WR Tim Patrick , swing OT Dan Skipper and DE Marcus Davenport , among others – rather than hunting white whales like Garrett. Holmes also stabilized the depth behind QB Jared Goff by adding Kyle Allen , a seasoned backup. Last season's No. 1 NFC playoff seed simply needs to stay healthy in 2025 while adapting to its new coordinators, but the roster is in perfectly shine shape to make another run at the franchise's first Super Bowl appearance.

Green Bay Packers : B

A year after scoring big with RB Josh Jacobs and S Xavier McKinney , GM Brian Gutekunst made another pair of targeted free agency forays by signing G Aaron Banks (4 years, $77 million) and CB Nate Hobbs (4 years, $48 million) – a move that could influence the future of former Pro Bowl CB Jaire Alexander . Gutekunst also retained a key pickup during the 2024 campaign by locking up K Brandon McManus (3 years, $15.3 million) and, just Tuesday, brought in former Chiefs Super Bowl hero Mecole Hardman for receiving depth and special teams help. Not necessarily headline-grabbing signings, but certainly the types that have helped this organization run and perform so smoothly for so long. And if the Pack doesn't care about No. 1 receiver types like DK Metcalf , then why should we?

Houston Texans : C-

GM Nick Caserio has a plan … just not fully clear what it is to the outside world. A team changing its offense offloaded its best blocker, Pro Bowl LT Laremy Tunsil – and after QB C.J. Stroud was sacked 52 times in his second NFL season. And it's not like the two-time-defending AFC South champs have done nothing, trading for WR Christian Kirk and S C.J. Gardner-Johnson while locking CB Derek Stingley into a market-setting, three-year, $90 million extension. But a year after loading up around Stroud, seems Caserio has mostly pivoted to fleshing out the depth chart and hoping the draft brings needed answers in the trenches.

Indianapolis Colts : C-

Big gains in the secondary with CB Charvarius Ward (3 years, $54 million) and S Cam Bynum (4 years, $60 million). Big losses in the trenches with Odeyingbo and OL Will Fries and Ryan Kelly departing. But the most notable development is the arrival of Daniel Jones into the quarterback room and what that might mean for him and incumbent Anthony Richardson – or if either actually provides any measure of stability .

Jacksonville Jaguars : B

They've largely flown under the radar, rookie GM James Gladstone's most notable moves perhaps the trade of Kirk and release of Engram. But the Jags did upgrade the secondary with Lewis (3 years, $30 million) and S Eric Murray (3 years, $19.5 million). Gladstone also gave QB Trevor Lawrence another deep threat in WR Dyami Brown (1 year, $10 million), improved his protection with the arrivals of G Patrick Mekari (3 years, $37.5 million) and C Robert Hainsey (3 years, $21 million). Lawrence even got him a new sounding board in veteran QB2 Nick Mullens . Certainly seems more shrewd than sexy, which is just fine.

Kansas City Chiefs : B-

So they owe QB Patrick Mahomes (another) debt of gratitude, his latest restructure saving the AFC champions about $50 million. Yet despite that breathing room, the left side of an O-line that got overrun in the Super Bowl exported Thuney and couldn't do better – for now anyway – than a two-year, $30 million gamble on new LT Jaylon Moore , who's started 12 times in four NFL seasons. CB Kristian Fulton (2 years, $20 million) addresses an area of need, and Mahomes will surely be glad to see franchised G Trey Smith , WRs Hollywood Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster plus RB Kareem Hunt return. And re-signing LB Nick Bolton (3 years, $45 million) softens the departures of Wharton and S Justin Reid . Still, even with TE Travis Kelce and WR Rashee Rice also returning, K.C. seems to have a major issue with blockers coming off a season when Mahomes was sacked a career-high 36 times, which doesn't include six more in Super Bowl 59 (the most he'd ever absorbed in an NFL game). Worrisome development.

Las Vegas Raiders: B-

Their most consequential move was a Garrett-lite extension (3 years, $106.5 million) for DE Maxx Crosby, who's been and will remain the face of this franchise for the foreseeable future. The second-most consequential move was the trade for QB Geno Smith . After that? They hung on to DE Malcolm Koonce (1 year, $12 million) and added DB Jeremy Chinn (2 years, $16.3 million) … which hardly offsets the losses of Moehrig, Hobbs and others. Will the Raiders be more competitive in 2025? Probably. Will they get out of last place in the AFC West? Almost certainly not.

Los Angeles Chargers : D+

They brought back OLB Khalil Mack for $18 million in 2025, yet let Bosa go. That began something of a pattern for the Bolts, who also lost quality players like Fulton and Palmer and instead spent on the likes of OL Mekhi Becton (2 years, $20 million) and CB Donte Jackson (2 years, $13 million) while doing even cheaper one-year flyers on RB Najee Harris and WR Mike Williams , who was cut by this team a year ago. There's still no bona fide No. 1 wideout here, and outside corner is suddenly an area of concern despite the arrival of Jackson.

Los Angeles Rams : A-

Difficult as the Cooper Kupp divorce was for all parties, hard to argue the reigning NFC West champions didn't upgrade at the position with the arrival of three-time All-Pro Davante Adams (2 years, $44 million). He and DT Poona Ford (3 years, $27.6 million) were the main imports after GM Les Snead sorted out the business of keeping WR3 Tutu Atwell (1 year, $10 million) and LT Alaric Jackson (3 years, $56.3 million) … which all paled to figuring out a 2025 arrangement that worked for QB Matthew Stafford .

Miami Dolphins : D+

A team so heavily invested in its passing game and pass rush – understandable priorities, though OLBs Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips must return to their pre-injury form in 2025 – continues to let other young stars get away, budding S Jevón Holland leaving a year after DT Christian Wilkins bolted. G James Daniels (3 years, $24 million), who tore his Achilles last season, should contribute. However hoping QB Zach Wilson (1 year, $6 million) can save the day if Tua Tagovailoa goes down again is a pipe dream for a boom-or-bust team that already needs a lot of breaks to go its way.

Minnesota Vikings : B+

GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and reigning Coach of the Year Kevin O'Connell made the very intentional decision to move on from Pro Bowl QB Sam Darnold in order to turn this high-performing operation over to 2024 first-round QB J.J. McCarthy and use the money saved to supercharge the roster around him. Offensively, that's meant the addition of interior beef by signing ex-Colts Fries (5 years, $87.7 million) and Kelly (2 years, $18 million). Aaron Jones (2 years, $20 million) returns, while Jordan Mason comes via a nifty trade with the Niners as tailback insurance.

But most of the Vikes' money was poured into their defense. DTs Jonathan Allen (3 years, $51 million) and Javon Hargrave (2 years, $30 million) will provide more pocket push for Brian Flores' blitz-heavy scheme. On the back end, longtime S Harrison Smith remains, emergent CB Byron Murphy (3 years, $54 million) re-signs, and CB Isaiah Rodgers arrives.

An NFL Network report issued Wednesday morning poured water on the speculative smoke that McCarthy could be joined by four-time league MVP Aaron Rodgers in the quarterback room. Still, with Darnold and Daniel Jones relocating, more depth is still needed here behind center.

New England Patriots : B

They entered free agency with more available funds (by far) than any other team – OverTheCap projecting the Pats to have more than $125 million. But just because you have stacks of cash, doesn't mean you can convince discerning veterans to take it – and executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf and new HC Mike Vrabel must now turn to the draft, where the team is also very well resourced, to bolster the protection of and weapons for second-year QB Drake Maye … though C Garrett Bradbury , just jettisoned by Minnesota, took a two-year deal Tuesday to replace David Andrews .

Matters turned out better defensively, Milton Williams – considered perhaps the crown jewel of a thin free agent crop – lured by a four-year, $104 million offer ($63 million guaranteed). He was joined by LB Robert Spillane , OLB Harold Landry and Davis, who all got three-year deals worth more than $130 million in sum – decidedly handsome paydays for a trio with all of one Pro Bowl nod on their collective résumés.

Did a talent-deficient club spend exorbitantly to improve modestly? Probably. But that's basically the name of the free agency game at the moment … and the Patriots still have nearly $100 million in the cap bank – though, in retrospect, that leaves the question as to whether Wolf and Vrabel should have thrown more loot at the offensive players they coveted.

New Orleans Saints: B

First off, like anyone who relentlessly manages credit card debt, they once again managed to kick their bills into the high-yield salary cap future, thanks in part to a restructure with QB Derek Carr. That allowed longtime GM Mickey Loomis to actually add Reid (3 years, $31.5 million), a Louisiana guy to his core, while keeping DE Chase Young (3 years, $51 million) and TE Juwan Johnson (3 years, $30.8 million) while bringing in DT Davon Godchaux via trade with New England. Given the cap gymnastics involved, not a bad result – even if CB Paulson Adebo got away.

New York Giants : I (incomplete)

In a word – strange. They heavily reinvested in an eighth-ranked pass defense, securing Golston (3 years, $19.5 million), Holland for three years and $45.3 million (after letting Xavier McKinney go last year) and Adebo for even more (3 years, $54 million). WR Darius Slayton re-upped for three years, too ($36 million) … which seems like a lot for a guy who's never had more than 50 catches or as many as 800 yards in a season. But nothing is more mysterious than the quarterback position, Tommy DeVito the only one on the roster. The Giants will almost certainly add a big-name veteran (Rodgers? Wilson? Jameis Winston?) and could take a passer very early in the draft. But given the position's importance and the dominos yet to fall, we'll withhold a final grade … for now.

New York Jets: C+

Quite an exodus of talent and experience – Rodgers, Adams and Reed included – but that shouldn't be surprising for an organization resetting its culture under rookie HC Aaron Glenn. Justin Fields, the new QB1, is the kind of boom-or-bust signing who can expedite this rebuild either by performing spectacularly – which he's shown capable of – or failing spectacularly and setting this team at or near the top of the 2026 draft board, which should have more blue-chip quarterback options than this year's. LB Jamien Sherwood, 25, got quite a commitment to stay (3 years, $45 million), but first-year GM Darren Mougey might have overspent on CB Brandon Stephens (3 years, $36 million) and S Andre Cisco (1 year, $10 million).

Philadelphia Eagles: B+

EVP/GM Howie Roseman's abbreviated offseason began by voluntarily sweetening RB Saquon Barkley's contract, something he later did for RT Lane Johnson – those are also nice recruiting pitches to players everywhere – before he did an un-Roseman thing and broke the bank for an off-ball linebacker, Defensive Player of the Year finalist Zack Baun (3 years, $51 million). His presence became even more key following Nakobe Dean's serious playoff knee injury. Otherwise? Roseman had to let several guys go – Milton Williams, Sweat, Becton, CBs Darius Slay and Isaiah Rodgers, DE Brandon Graham (retirement) and Gardner-Johnson, who was traded.

Meanwhile, Philly added players with fairly proven NFL track records – LBs Azeez Ojulari and Josh Uche, CB Adoree' Jackson, TE Harrison Bryant and RB AJ Dillon – at minimal cost and swung a nice trade, getting QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson, perhaps a better fit as Jalen Hurts' backup than Pickett was. And who knows what else might happen with TE Dallas Goedert and DE Bryce Huff available, per reports. Never count Roseman out for something more – even though he already has plenty.

Pittsburgh Steelers: I-

After they royally screwed up with Fields , who's the quarterback now? Best case … Rodgers? Apparently? Worst case … Ole Miss' Jaxson Dart? (Mason Rudolph … seriously??) And how big is the relative delta regardless when you factor in immediate expenditures and future availability with these varying options? Despite that backdrop, GM Omar Khan and HC Mike Tomlin forked over a second-round pick and massive contract (4 years, $132 million) for the volatile Metcalf before paying 34-year-old Slay $10 million for a season of service. Huh? Also, OLB T.J. Watt has yet to be extended beyond 2025. Obviously, more to come – even though this unfinished plan seems nonsensical so far. Even if it all coalesces, does this ultimately project as a team capable of more than another nine- or 10-win season with nary a playoff victory?

San Francisco 49ers: D

The exodus has been profound: Banks, Collins, Floyd, Greenlaw, Hargrave, Hufanga, Moore, Deebo Samuel and Ward. They couldn't get Bosa to team up with little bro. They did sign a promising backup in QB Mac Jones (2 years, $7 million) … yet he's still making more money, despite all of the departures, than yet-to-be-paid QB1 Brock Purdy. There's still a lot of talent here , but the Niners will be counting heavily on their youngsters and cheaper depth … maybe too much.

Seattle Seahawks: A-

This year's team will be largely unrecognizable from the one that won 10 games last season, losing the NFC West (and a playoff bid) on a tiebreaker. The biggest change is swapping in Darnold (3 years, $100.5 million) for Geno Smith , who was dealt along with Metcalf. Signing on Darnold's heels were Kupp (3 years, $45 million) and DeMarcus Lawrence (3 years, $32.5 million), while LB Ernest Jones IV ($28.5 million) and DT Jarran Reed ($22 million) also stuck around on three-year pacts. Those deals followed a purge that included, in addition to Smith and Metcalf, WR Tyler Lockett, S Rayshawn Jenkins, DL Dre'Mont Jones and several others. GM John Schneider's wheeling and dealing has netted extra draft picks in Rounds 2 and 3, meaning this roster will be increasingly tailored to second-year HC Mike Macdonald's vision – which is decidedly different from what he saw in 2024.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers : B+

It says a lot about the culture GM Jason Licht has built that players consistently re-sign here – WR Chris Godwin (3 years, $66 million) the latest to do so when he could've taken a much bigger bag elsewhere . LB Lavonte David (1 year, $9 million) and G Ben Bredeson (3 years, $22 million) also stayed. And there was still room to bring in a player the caliber of OLB Haason Reddick on a $14 million bid for the upcoming season.

Tennessee Titans: C

A defense that ranked second overall last season but was repeatedly put in bad spots by turnovers got help in the form of Dre'Mont Jones (1 year, $10 million), LB Cody Barton (3 years, $21 million) and DE Sebastian Joseph-Day (1 year, $6.5 million). But rookie GM Mike Borgonzi's most noteworthy move was to sign graybeard G Kevin Zeitler (1 year, $9 million), 35, and (over?)paying LT Dan Moore (4 years, $82 million). Given career backup Brandon Allen is the only quarterback to join Will Levis on the depth chart, sure seems like the Titans might be positioning themselves to draft a QB1.

Washington Commanders: B+

Rather than overextend himself in a seller's market, GM Adam Peters got creative to address his primary needs – trading for Tunsil and Samuel, the latter costing a mere fifth-rounder . The NFC runners-up brought back key players and locker room leaders like LB Bobby Wagner, TE Zach Ertz and QB2 Marcus Mariota – though Peters did raise some eyes by shelling out $45 million over three years for DT Javon Kinlaw, whom he knew from San Francisco and clearly thinks can replace departed Jonathan Allen. Is it enough to get over the Super Bowl hump for the first time in 34 years? Stay tuned, but the possibilities currently seem pretty endless for a franchise helmed by blossoming superstar QB Jayden Daniels.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL free agency grades 2025: Cowboys, 49ers among teams close to an F

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