7 thoughts after the first day of NFL free agency negotiations
Allen Park — The first day of the NFL’s free-agency negotiations, also known as the legal tampering window, was as active as we’ve come to expect, with dozens of players reaching agreements with new teams across the league. Those deals can become official starting Wednesday at 4 p.m.
Here are some thoughts on Monday’s wave of moves, particularly how they impact the Detroit Lions. At the bottom of this post is a full list of the day’s agreements, with reported contract figures in parentheses.
Slow-playing the scorching-hot edge market
There was an early run on the top available edge rushers, with the Chargers getting a head start on the frenzy by locking up Khalil Mack for another year, reportedly for a guaranteed $18 million.
By the end of the day, Josh Sweat, Dayo Odeyingbo and Chase Young had massive multi-year deals in place, while Hasaan Reddick and Malcolm Koonce settled for one-year contracts worth double-digit millions.
Of course, those pacts pale in comparison to Maxx Crosby and Myles Garrett going back-to-back with market-resetting extensions this weekend. Garrett's four new years will reportedly average $40 million.
That's relevant to Detroit because they're looking to get an extension done with Aidan Hutchinson sooner rather than later to counter inevitable inflation. Even though he doesn't have the track record of Crosby or Garrett, when it comes to NFL contracts, the player who signs last often signs for the most.
Whether Hutchinson is able to top Garrett's deal isn't a lock. However, the chances increase if the sides don't come together on an extension this offseason, and the Detroit defender can benefit from another 10% increase with the cap next year.
Considering that context, it makes more sense why the team trimmed some of their spending at the position this week, cutting Za'Darius Smith instead of paying the veteran $11 million spread across the next two seasons, opting instead to run it back with Marcus Davenport. As noted in an evaluation of Davenport's contract, even if he hits every incentive attached to his one-year deal, he'll cost less than half what Smith would have run the Lions.
The Lions may still add another veteran edge, assuming they can find a bargain on the market. That said, the draft continues to look like the best place to go shopping for a long-term, cost-controlled complement to Hutchinson.
Settling a debate
Speaking of Davenport, I asked the returning defensive end if he felt the play he suffered a season-ending triceps injury last season was dirty. On the snap, he had his arm chopped by Cardinals offensive tackle Paris Johnson.