Best, Worst and Biggest Head-Scratching Deals from Early 2025 NFL Free Agency


The Good1 of 3

Super Bowl LIX: Kansas City Chiefs v Philadelphia Eagles

Arizona Cardinals sign edge Josh Sweat to a four-year, $76.4 million contract with $41 million guaranteed 

The Cardinals entered free agency with money to burn and the need to add an impact player on defense. They did so with Sweat, who comes from a championship culture, has put up six-plus sacks in five straight seasons and is still just 27 years old. 

By all indications, Sweat’s just hitting his prime. He isn’t yet elite, and there’s a chance he never reaches that status, but they’re getting him for less than $20 million per year. That only makes him the 13th-highest-paid edge defender in the league. 

That’s great value for a high-floor veteran with upside at a key position of need, and a step in the right direction for a franchise on the rise. 

Baltimore Ravens sign OT Ronnie Stanley to a three-year, $60 million contract with $44 million guaranteed 

Sure, Stanley has a spotty injury history, and he’s on the wrong side of 30 now. But the 2024 Pro Bowler has been relatively healthy the last two years and he’s integral to the Ravens’ operation. 

This team remains a contender in the AFC, but it is being chased down by the Bengals and Steelers within the division and the competition is fierce beyond that. If they’re finally going to get over the top with this core, Lamar Jackson has to remain healthy and free, and re-signing Stanley is critical there. 

That they secured him for just $20 million a year (which is not even a top-10 average annual salary at the tackle position) is the cherry on top for a veteran team with limited cap room.

Washington Commanders acquire OT Laremy Tunsil from Houston Texans 

The Commanders were one of the surprise stories of 2024 thanks primarily to tremendous play from Offensive Rookie of the Year quarterback Jayden Daniels, but they’re smartly not resting on their laurels. 

Upgrading to a perennial Pro Bowler on Daniels’ blind side is exactly what was necessary if they want to keep the 2024 No. 2 overall pick on the right track. Bringing in 30-year-old star Laremy Tunsil does exactly that, and the net cost is a reasonable second-rounder next year along with a third and a seventh this year. 

What’s more, Tunsil’s $21.4 million 2025 salary-cap hit is beyond reasonable for a team that had plenty of cap wiggle room to begin with. It’s hard not to love this move, regardless of whether he signs an extension beyond 2026. 

Chicago Bears acquire G Joe Thuney and G Jonah Jackson from Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Rams, respectively 

Like the Commanders, the Bears seemed to know they had to do more to support and protect their high-profile second-year quarterback. And in this case, they completely remade the interior offensive line by trading for the two aforementioned respected veteran guards while also signing superb center Drew Dalman away from the Falcons. 

The new trio will count just over $47 million against the cap in 2025, but they can get out of Jackson’s deal at no cost next offseason if need be, Thuney is entering a contract year, and Dalman is only guaranteed $28 million on his three-year contract. 

All three posted 70-plus Pro Football Focus grades in 2024, although Jackson and Dalman are coming off campaigns marred by injuries. Still, the Bears merely gave up a pair of Day 3 draft picks in the trades, and now they’ve got a reigning first-team All-Pro guard, another guard with a Pro Bowl on his resume and a center with plenty of upside at 26. 

It’s great news for Caleb Williams.  

See the full Housing Inventory article, or, read more Arizona real estate investing news. Up to you! Either way, you’re on your game!