NFL Free Agency

Quick Thoughts on NFL Free Agency Before It Ends Tomorrow at 4 PM

DK Metcalf to the Steelers

Not a free-agent signing, but DK Metcalf was traded by the Seattle Seahawks to the Pittsburgh Steelers after demanding a trade a couple of days prior. Clearly, the Seahawks want to go in a much different direction than they were before. They also traded away QB Geno Smith (a trade I’ll discuss in just a bit) to the Las Vegas Raiders.

As for the DK trade, I think this was a great move by the Steelers. They now have an insanely fast and strong WR in Metcalf, and his pairing with Steelers WR George Pickens could be deadly. The only problem? The Steelers aren’t in the greatest QB situation.

When your QB room consists of an aging Russell Wilson and the potential signing of Aaron Rodgers, that doesn’t exactly scream “winning football.” Yes, Russell Wilson had a much better season last year compared to his time in Denver, but he’s also 36 years old. Based on what we’ve seen from him over the past couple of years, it might be time for the Steelers to find a younger QB.

Another issue is that the Steelers just spent a lot of money on DK Metcalf, and George Pickens is not going to like being pushed to the side while he waits for his payday. This could become a difficult situation, especially when you have someone as hot-headed as Pickens.

For now, though, I think this trade was a good move by the Steelers.

Geno Smith to the Raiders

Once again, this was a trade, not a free-agent signing—my bad on that. I do think this is a notable move, though, especially considering how sorry the Las Vegas Raiders are.

They could still draft Shedeur Sanders in this year’s draft. Yes, Geno is a reliable quarterback, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a QB battle between him and Shedeur this fall. It could be that the Raiders brought in Geno to let Shedeur develop behind him before eventually taking over as the starter.

Just something to think about.

Myles Garrett Re-Signing and the Kenny Pickett Trade

A little over a month ago, Myles Garrett requested a trade from the Cleveland Browns. The Browns refused, making it clear they would not move him. Garrett, of course, was not happy about this, and it seemed like the situation was about to get ugly—potentially leading to a messy breakup between Garrett and the Browns.

Welp, forget about that breakup happening.

Two days ago, the former 2023 DPOY (Defensive Player of the Year) signed a contract that made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league. Garrett is set to average $40 million a year for the next three years; $122.8 million of the total $204.8 million is guaranteed.

Holy shit.

Myles Garrett took Shannon Sharpe’s words of “for $50 million, I’ll go to hell” quite literally. I don’t blame him—everyone in the world would have taken that deal. Sure, Garrett got paid, but he’s still stuck in Cleveland for the next few years, and the Browns still aren’t going to win any games. At some point, he’ll probably demand another trade, and instead of getting a new contract, he’ll just get a blatant “no.”

That’s Garrett’s situation, but the Browns also signed Kenny Pickett. The only reason I bring this up is that maybe—just maybe—the Browns won’t draft a quarterback this year and will instead take cornerback Travis Hunter.

Kenny Pickett is not a star QB by any means, but maybe he can win some games in Cleveland. Take that “maybe” lightly, though, because it probably won’t happen.

Justin Fields to the Jets

Jets fans, you got what you wanted.

No, not a Super Bowl—you guys are still far from that—but you did get a quarterback who isn’t old-ass Aaron Rodgers, and that might feel just as good as winning a Super Bowl in your hearts.

Fields is a good quarterback. At his best in Chicago and Pittsburgh, he looked like he could lead teams to the playoffs. To be fair, I don’t know much about the Jets’ needs because I’m a Giants fan, and why the hell would I care about the Jets? But this is a step in the right direction for y’all.

You now have a younger quarterback who can run and throw, and you paired him with a great WR he played with in college. Now all you have to do is win some games, and then you’ll be worth talking about some more.

For now, just be glad you no longer have Rodgers.

A Final Note

I was going to add a section about Davante Adams, but it’s not really worth much.

Also, to any Jets fans—I don’t know what your team needs and doesn’t need. You could still suck because of variables I didn’t mention. That would suck, but like I said, I don’t really care about the Jets.