NFL 2024 free agency: Sam Howell reportedly being traded to Seahawks, and more news, updates
Sam Howell #SamHowell
NFL free agency is here! Stay updated with Yahoo Sports and learn everything you need to know right here.
Fantasy reaction to NFL free agency
What do all the moves mean from a fantasy perspective? Find out from Yahoo Sports’ fantasy experts with their live reactions right here.
When does the ‘legal tampering’ period begin?
The NFL’s “legal tampering” period started Monday at noon ET and ended at 4 p.m. ET Wednesday. During that 52-hour window, teams were allowed to contact and negotiate contracts with the certified agents of players who will become unrestricted free agents in the new league year.
Players not represented by an NFLPA certified contract adviser are permitted to communicate with teams’ front-office officials regarding contract negotiations, but not the head coach or other members of the coaching staff.
When did NFL free agency begin?
NFL free agency started Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET, which is also the start of the NFL’s new league year.
No contracts are allowed to be signed until after free agency officially begins.
Who are the top free agents?
Check out Yahoo Sports NFL writer Frank Schwab’s top 25 NFL free agents here.
Check out Schwab’s top five free agents at each position here.
What is the NFL salary cap this season?
The salary cap is $255.4 million, a $30 million increase from 2023. Here’s Yahoo Sports’ Jori Epstein with an overarching look at the jump.
How much salary-cap space does each team have, and what are their needs?
Check out our team-by-team NFL offseason primers, which hits on every franchise’s cap situation and where they need to spend the money.
Live278 updates
Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Devin White is joining the Philadelphia Eagles on a one-year, $7.5 million deal, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. That ends a five-year tenure in Tampa Bay, which saw him win a Super Bowl ring.
Former Washington Commanders wide receiver Curtis Samuel will sign a three-year, $30 million deal with the Buffalo Bills with $15 million guaranteed, his agency announced Thursday. The move will reunite him with Bill offensive coordinator Joe Brady, for whom he played with the Carolina Panthers.
Two days after the Cincinnati Bengals traded Mixon to Houston, the 27-year-old is making money moves with his new team.
New Texans RB Joe Mixon now has signed a three-year, $27 million contract extension that includes $13 million guaranteed from Houston, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 14, 2024
Big move in the QB market
Another QB trade: Commanders are sending last year’s starter Sam Howell to the Seahawks in a pick swap, per sources.
Trade:🏈Seahawks receive Howell, a fourth-round pick (No. 102), a sixth (No. 179).
🏈Commanders receive a third (No. 78) and a fifth (No. 152). pic.twitter.com/jCEivnjg9D
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 14, 2024
Veteran WR Corey Davis, who stepped away from football in August, has applied for reinstatement to the NFL.
The Jets are expected to release Davis from the Reserve/Retired list today, although a return to New York on a new contract is in play. pic.twitter.com/iiEx1abvlw
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 14, 2024
Something to keep an eye on amid the NFL investigating the Eagles and Falcons for tampering
Saquon Barkley says James Franklin misinterpreted a conversation they had. Also said that only his agent had conversations with the Eagles during negotiations.
— Jimmy Kempski (@JimmyKempski) March 14, 2024
Fuller will be a solid addition to Miami’s defense opposite Jalen Ramsey.
The #Cowboys are re-signing veteran CB Jourdan Lewis to a one-year, fully-guaranteed deal, keeping him in Dallas for an eighth season, per source.
Lewis has appeared in 99 games for Dallas and started eight games last season. @netsportsmgmt pic.twitter.com/NQEQrsQpsY
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 14, 2024
Pro Bowl DE Joey Bosa restructured his contract to remain with the Los Angeles Chargers, per sources. So Bosa and Khalil Mack both agree to restructure and both stay in LA. pic.twitter.com/8Bcq8bcbDz
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 14, 2024
The NFL’s “legal tampering” period has long drawn chuckles for its paradoxical name. Now, it has also spurred an investigation into two franchises, a source confirmed to Yahoo Sports on Thursday afternoon.
The league will look into two of the biggest headline acquisitions of this free agency cycle: the Philadelphia Eagles’ recruitment of running back Saquon Barkley and the Atlanta Falcons’ recruitment of quarterback Kirk Cousins.
The investigation of the Eagles stems from comments made by James Franklin, the head football coach at Barkley’s alma mater Penn State.
Keep reading
Before last season, there was excitement about Desmond Ridder as the Atlanta Falcons’ quarterback. That was cited as a reason the team didn’t pursue Lamar Jackson when he was on the non-exclusive franchise tag.
Things move fast in the NFL. Ridder got his chance to start, was benched multiple times due to ineffective play, heard his new coach Raheem Morris say “If we had better quarterback play, I’m probably not standing here at this podium,” watched the Falcons spend $180 million on new quarterback Kirk Cousins and then was traded.
Ridder’s wild ride with the Falcons ended Thursday when the team traded him to the Arizona Cardinals for receiver Rondale Moore, according to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero.
Keep reading