Well, the first day of the 2021 NFL Free Agency sure got off to an interesting start! The Titan’s splashed out on a shiny new linebacker – who was tagged by Pittsburgh last year and ended the season on injured reserve. Bud Dupree is a great player but whether he is worth $82.5m remains to be seen. He could be the best or worst free agent transaction of 2021.
However, this was overshadowed by New England’s spending spree which took us by surprise. There were a few other interesting transactions which we will come on to but let’s start with Bill Belichick’s blow out…
2021 NFL Free Agency New England Go For Broke?
Oh, how it must have stung – watching Tom Brady lifting the Superbowl the year after he was deemed replaceable in Foxboro. Finishing 7-9 was not great, and with the Dolphins & Bills on the up it was a case of pay up or shut up and boy did they pay. Six free agents inked contracts with them, the most intriguing of which is TE Jonnu Smith.
Smith had a great season with the Titans in 2020 recording 8 TDs including a rare rushing one, and at 25 looks set to be a key part of the Patriots offense for the next few years. They added a second quality tight end in Hunter Henry and two serviceable wide receivers so Cam Newton will have no excuse weapons wise this time.
Add in a quality Linebacker and a decent Defensive Back and suddenly the Patriots look like playoff candidates. This assumes that Cam gets somewhere near his old best of course or their rookie QB shines. We are 100% certain they will draft at least 1 QB in 2021.
Green Bays Loss Is Justin Herberts Gain!
The Packers had cap issues and someone had to go. Sadly for their Offensive line, it was 2020 All-Pro Centre Corey Linsley who was let go. The Chargers deal makes him the highest-paid Centre in the NFL, and despite missing three games with an injury we think he is worth it. Second-year QB Justin Herbert must be a very happy young man after this signing.
The Chiefs Get Patrick Mahomes Some Protection
Our enduring memory of last years Super Bowl was not so much seeing Tom Brady lift his 7th Super Bowl but more watching poor Patrick Mahomes running for his life behind a depleted OL. To add insult to injury they also jettisoned their two best (if injury-prone) lineman to save cap space. The signing of two time Super Bowl winner Joe Thuney will have helped ease his woes a little. They will no doubt be adding more help in the draft though.
Other Transactions We Like.
Washington has made a shrewd move picking up Ryan Fitzpatrick. He is not the long term answer but he is good enough to get them to the playoffs again and buys them a year. This means they can fill another roster hole in the 1st round of the draft and then look at one of the prospect QBs in the later rounds. We are thinking Trask, Mond or possibly even Book here. You can check out Fitmagic’s career stats here
2021 NFL Free Agency Opening Day Transactions
Tennessee Titans sign OLB Bud Dupree to a 5-year, $82.5 million contract.
Kansas City Chiefs sign G Joe Thuney to a 5-year, $80 million contract.
The LA Chargers signed C Corey Linsley to a 5-year, $62.5 million contract.
Cincinnati Bengals sign DE Trey Hendrickson to a 4-year, $60 million contract.
New England Patriots sign OLB Matt Judon to a 4-year, $56 million contract.
TE Jonnu Smith and the New England Patriots have agreed to a 4-year, $50 million contract.
DE Carl Lawson and the New York Jets have agreed to a 3-year, $45 million contract.
TE Hunter Henry and the New England Patriots have agreed to a 3-year, $37.5 million contract.
WR Corey Davis and the New York Jets have agreed to a 3-year, $37.5 million contract.
S John Johnson and the Cleveland Browns have agreed to a 3-year, $33.75 million contract.
DE Yannick Ngakoue and the Oakland Raiders have agreed to a 2-year, $26 million contract.
WR Nelson Agholor and the New England Patriots have agreed to a 2-year, $26 million contract.
DB Jalen Mills and the New England Patriots have agreed to a 4-year, $24 million contract.
WR Kendrick Bourne and the New England Patriots have agreed to a 3-year, $22.5 million contract.
QB Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Washington Football Team have agreed to a 1-year, $10 million contract.