In 2023, the NFL free agency period saw some big winners and losers as teams battled to secure top talent. The free agent market is always unpredictable, and this year was no exception. Many high-profile players changed teams, leaving some franchises scrambling to fill gaps in their rosters, while others reaped the rewards of shrewd signings. This article will examine the biggest winners and losers of the 2023 NFL free agency period.
NFL Free Agency 2023 Winners and Losers
The 2023 NFL Free Agency period officially opened on March 15th, and teams around the league wasted no time in making moves to improve their rosters. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest winners and losers from this year’s free agency period.
Winners:
1. Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys made a splash early in free agency by signing wide receiver Amari Cooper to a 5-year, $100 million contract. They also beefed up their defensive line by signing edge rusher Carlos Dunlap to a 3-year deal. These moves give Dallas a potent offense and a dangerous pass rush.
2. New York Giants
The Giants landed one of the biggest names on the free agent market in defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, signing him to a 4-year, $80 million contract. This move gives New York an elite pass rusher to pair with rising star linebacker Blake Martinez.
3. Cleveland Browns
The Browns addressed their biggest need in free agency by signing cornerback William Jackson III to a 3-year, $45 million contract. Jackson brings shutdown coverage ability to Cleveland’s secondary and will make life difficult for opposing quarterbacks.
Losers:
1. Houston Texans
The Texans had a rough free agency period, losing star defensive end J.J. Watt to the Arizona Cardinals and failing to make any significant signings to address their many needs. It’s another blow to a franchise that has had a tumultuous offseason.
2. Chicago Bears
The Bears made headlines by signing quarterback Mitch Trubisky to a 1-year deal, but their biggest need remains at the position. They missed out on the top free agent quarterbacks and failed to make any significant moves to improve their offense.
3. Arizona Cardinals
While the Cardinals did land J.J. Watt in free agency, they overpaid for his services with a 4-year, $90 million contract. Watt is still a dominant force when healthy, but he’s struggled with injuries in recent years and Arizona may regret this signing in the long run.
Overall Takeaways:
Free agency is always an exciting time for NFL fans, as teams look to add talent to their rosters and improve their chances of winning. This year’s winners made significant moves to address their needs and put themselves in a position to compete for championships. The losers, on the other hand, failed to make the necessary improvements and could struggle next season.
It’s important to remember, however, that free agency is just one piece of the puzzle. The NFL Draft is also a crucial event that can make or break a team’s season. Only time will tell which teams truly came out on top in 2023.