NFL Free Agency Begins: Ranking Biggest Splashes From Legal Tampering

Happy new league year!

The NFL free agency period officially kicks off when the league’s 2025 year does at 4 p.m. Eastern today.

Just like those neighbors who set off fireworks in the wee hours of Dec. 29, though, there’s always a set who likes to celebrate early. And unlike the precariousness of firework laws in multiple states, the NFL has a 48-hour legal tampering period in which teams can make signings before the proverbial confetti drops.

Let’s look at some early splashes and surprises as official NFL free agency awaits.

LOS ANGELES RAMS

Wait, wasn’t Davante Adams supposed to follow Aaron Rodgers to his next destination — unless, of course, that wound up as retirement?

With Matthew Stafford back in the fold under center and the Rams openly shopping Cooper Kupp to avoid a potential cap headache, bringing in a receiver who’s six months older than Kupp wouldn’t seem to add up.

Adams’ production with the plummeting New York Jets after a midseason trade spoke volumes, though, and his continued ability to create distance from defensive backs can help soften the blow of moving on from a franchise stalwart.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

“Run the ball and stop the run” is a tried-and-true formula from the grittier days of the NFL, but the Colts know things have changed in this pass-happy league.

While that explains the early signings of solid starters Charvarius Ward and safety Camryn Bynum to shore up a shaky pass D, it doesn’t exactly vouch for inking journeyman quarterback Daniel Jones.

Jones faced ultimately undue pressure to perform with the New York Giants, who cut him loose down the stretch in 2024. Is that the kind of player you want pushing an inconsistent Anthony Richardson during training camp and looming on the sideline if Richardson faces early struggles?

CHICAGO BEARS

Should we be surprised the Bears shored up their offensive front five after an unexpected debacle in 2024? Hmm … yes and no. While quarterback protection has been an issue for Chicago through multiple regimes, the front office last spring figured signing or trading for a bevy of skill position players would mask any issues for then-No. 1 pick-in-waiting Caleb Williams.

Signing former Atlanta Falcons center Drew Dalman to a three-year, $42 million contract continues an O-line overhaul under new coach Ben Johnson. Chicago traded for standout guards Joe Thuney and Joe Jackson earlier in the offseason in a bid to significantly lower the 68 sacks it allowed last season.

BUFFALO BILLS

Come and play with Josh Allen and watch your production soar. That pitch, or some variation thereof, must be popular with the Buffalo front office. It hooked Curtis Samuel and Marquez Valdes-Scantling last offseason and now has intrigued former Los Angeles Charger Joshua Palmer.

Palmer’s three-year, $36 million deal comes with the hope he can emerge as a consistent downfield option — something Allen surely could have used in a nail-biting AFC championship game loss in Kansas City. The Bills would love for one of these investments to hit sooner rather than later, and are banking on Palmer to exceed his output of one touchdown reception from last season.