Sam Darnold is, once again, on the move. The former New York Jets, Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers and Minnesota Vikings quarterback is now taking his talents to the Seattle Seahawks. Darnold has agreed to a three-year, $100.5 million deal with the Seahawks, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The deal features $55 million guaranteed.
The well-traveled journeyman quarterback appeared to find a home with the Minnesota Vikings last season, but the marriage between Darnold and the AFC North appeared to be short-lived. J.J. McCarthy was drafted to be the quarterback of the future, leaving Darnold as the fallback option when the former Michigan player suffered injury. This shift, coupled with little competition now for the starting position, sets Darnold up for what could be breakout success.
Darnold's deal signals the Seahawks' commitment to solidify their quarterback position after trading Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders, which opened the door for his signing. It became clear Seattle needed to fill the gap left by Smith, and Darnold—considered the top free-agent quarterback—was able to cash in on his performance from the previous season. Now, he has the opportunity to lead the Seahawks as he continues to build on his success from 2024.
Meanwhile, the Houston Texans have reached agreements with multiple free agents to bolster their roster. The Texans have signed defensive back Tremon Smith to a two-year deal worth $7.5 million, which includes $4.5 million guaranteed. Smith, who spent the last two seasons as a core special teams player with the Denver Broncos, is back with Houston, where he had previously played the first two years of his career.
Despite being considered primarily for special teams, Smith demonstrated defensive capabilities last season with nine tackles and a fumble recovery. Over his entire career, he boasts 62 tackles, two interceptions, three forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries, making him a valuable asset for the Texans.
Similarly, the Arizona Cardinals have made headlines by signing veteran edge rusher Josh Sweat to a significant four-year deal worth up to $76.4 million. Sweat showcased his talent and versatility during the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl LIX win against the Kansas City Chiefs, impressively sacking quarterback Patrick Mahomes 2.5 times, along with recording six tackles and forcing one interception. 2024 marked Sweat's fourth consecutive year accumulating over 40 tackles, as he also racked up eight sacks—his second-highest total to date.
“Sweat showcased his prowess at the Super Bowl, making him a top free agent,” various sports outlets cited, highlighting the shift with his new team.
Meanwhile, the Carolina Panthers didn’t waste any time addressing their defensive needs after acquiring safety Tre'von Moehrig from the Las Vegas Raiders. Moehrig, currently at the age of 25, signed on March 10, 2025, to extend his career with the Panthers. He made 104 tackles last season and possesses six interceptions throughout four seasons with the Raiders, including two interceptions last year alone. His experience provides the Panthers with the safety help they urgently needed.
“Moehrig’s interceptions and tackles demonstrate his skill, which the Panthers need,” reported by NFL Network, indicating the importance of his addition.
Lastly, the Minnesota Vikings have secured punter Ryan Wright for his fourth season with the team. Wright joined the Vikings as an undrafted free agent and played all 17 regular-season games last year. He impressively averaged 46.5 yards per punt, hitting 56 successful attempts throughout the season. Wright showed career progress by increasing his touchback percentage and dropping 27 punts inside the 20-yard line, making him integral to the Vikings' special teams strategy.
“Wright’s consistent improvement positions him as key to the Vikings’ special teams,” team sources reported, emphasizing the value of retaining him for another season.
The NFL free agency post-market buzz has all the energy as teams across the league test the waters to assemble power rosters, and March 10, 2025, is surely one day to note. The dynamic moves show the teams are ready to build toward success, with players like Darnold, Smith, Sweat, Moehrig, and Wright all set to make their mark as their careers transition to new environments. Each signing serves not just as acquisitions but as pivotal statements to the players’ aspirations and the teams’ goals moving forward.