By Sunday 
NFL free agency in 2025 has been nothing short of a soap opera — complete with dramatic comebacks, eyebrow-raising contracts, and a few “wait… they signed who?” moments. Gregg Rosenthal’s updated Top 101 Free Agents list has been reshuffled with new deals, retirements, and surprise market drops. Let’s break it all down position by position and see which players are riding high — and which ones are walking a tightrope.
Quarterbacks: Million-Dollar Gambles
Quarterback movement is usually the headline act in free agency, and this year did not disappoint.
- Sam Darnold went from a question mark to a three-year, $100.5 million payday with Seattle. Will they get the revived 2024 version or the one who froze in crunch time?
- Justin Fields is heading to the Jets for two years and $40 million, still carrying the “upside” label.
- Aaron Rodgers will bridge Pittsburgh’s QB room for one year, bringing accuracy… and the inevitable drama.
- Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston are settling into high-quality backup territory, while Daniel Jones is still trying to prove he can stay healthy.
The real question? Which of these QBs will still be starting by Week 10.
Running Backs: Effort vs. Explosion
This year’s RB market was a mix of grit and “what if” scenarios.
- Najee Harris’s workhorse style landed him with the Chargers, though his lack of big-play speed remains a talking point.
- J.K. Dobbins, two years removed from an Achilles tear, is betting on a bounce-back year in Denver.
- Rico Dowdle earned his payday after finally becoming Dallas’ go-to guy in 2024.
- Nick Chubb is trying to prove the knee injury hasn’t taken away his instincts or willpower.
It’s less about superstar production this year and more about reliability in the backfield.
Wide Receivers: Savvy Vets and Buy-Low Bets
Receivers were a fascinating group in 2025 — a mix of decorated names, injury gambles, and speed merchants.
- Chris Godwin stayed put in Tampa, while Davante Adams joined the Rams to be a savvy No. 2 option.
- Amari Cooper remains a one-year-on, one-year-off enigma, but teams are willing to bet on a healthy season.
- Stefon Diggs made his way to New England, and Marquise “Hollywood” Brown stuck with the Chiefs for another year of deep-threat duties.
- Don’t sleep on Dyami Brown — his brief playoff magic with Washington earned him a $10M shot in Jacksonville.
The market lacked true WR1 options, so savvy role players got plenty of love.
Tight Ends & O-Line: Quiet but Crucial Moves
The TE market saw Evan Engram, Mike Gesicki, and Juwan Johnson all cash in with multi-year deals. None are flashy signings, but all have the potential to swing an offense.
On the offensive line, Ronnie Stanley stayed with Baltimore, Cam Robinson joined the Texans, and Dan Moore Jr. earned a whopping $82 million from Pittsburgh. Protecting the quarterback still comes at a premium.
Defense: Aging Stars, Role Specialists
Defensive signings weren’t short on personality.
- Harold Landry landed in New England, while Za’Darius Smith continues to be a pressure specialist.
- In the secondary, Asante Samuel Jr. and Paulson Adebo are young enough to build around, while veterans like Stephon Gilmore are proving age is just a number.
Teams seem to be leaning on proven playmakers rather than chasing unknown upside this year.
Final Whistle: The 2025 Free Agency Vibe
If there’s one takeaway from this year’s free-agent frenzy, it’s this: teams are paying for certainty — even if that means signing familiar faces who might not have their best years ahead. The biggest contracts went to players with known ceilings, and the real “steals” might end up being the mid-tier signings.
One thing’s for sure — the NFL’s 2025 free agency was a wild ride, and the real drama begins when these signings hit the field.