The NFL’s legal intervention period began at noon on Monday, and it didn’t take long for players to start “negotiating terms” with other teams. The first big move of the day was the defending AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals as they agreed former Tampa Bay Buccaneers shooting guard Alex Kappa to a four-year contract. Shortly thereafter, the Miami Dolphins reportedly stole running back Chase Edmonds from the Arizona Cardinals, signing a two-year contract. Then the Jacksonville Jaguars took over and started spending like there was no tomorrow.
It was definitely a wild first day, so let’s take a look at some of the winners and losers.
Winner: Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars hit the ground running on the first day, and they could afford it with the money they had at their disposal. They broke the bank for wide receiver Christian Kirk, who could become the third highest paid wide receiver in the NFL if he gets the entire $84 million deal he signed, and also reportedly got all-rounders Evan Angram and Zai Jones. The Jags also reportedly spent a total of $75 million on two defensemen Foye Oluokun and Foley Fatukashi.
Oluokun, the star linebacker and former Atlanta Falcons player, has signed a three-year, $45 million contract. according to Jan Rapoport of NFL Media. He led the NFL last season with 192 tackles, the seventh most in a single season. Fatukashi, a quarterback who spent his career with the New York Jets, has reportedly received a three-year, $30 million contract with $20 million guaranteed. according to Mike Garafolo. Last season, he recorded 46 combined tackles in 15 games.
Another player reportedly taken by the Jags was former Washington Commanders star shooting guard Brandon Scherff, who won five Pro Bowls in seven seasons. He was one of the best offensive inside linemen available in this class of free agent and was reportedly paid the same way. With the Jaguars placing the franchise tag on Cam Robinson and signing Sherff, it’s possible they’ll walk past with the No. 1 overall pick.
The Jaguars shelled out a ton of money on the first day of legal intervention, but they also got legitimate starters. All six players are guys with immediate impact who will help Doug Pederson change this franchise.
Loser: Indianapolis Colts
The Colts are looking for a new starting quarterback after trading Carson Wentz to the Commanders, but some options were taken away from him on Monday. Teddy Bridgewater reportedly moved to the Dolphins and Mitchell Trubisky to the Pittsburgh Steelers. To make matters worse, the Houston Texans rebuffed an attempt by the Colts to talk to Deshawn Watson. according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. This was not surprising given that Indy was a division contender, but it was remarkable nonetheless.
It doesn’t break the heart that the Colts didn’t sign Bridgewater or Trubisky, but what is Indianapolis going to do as a quarterback? The trade for Jimmy Garoppolo probably won’t ignite the fanbase and they don’t have a first round pick in the upcoming draft. If I were the general manager, I would now target Marcus Mariota or Jameis Winston. However, Winston could be set to re-sign with the New Orleans Saints if the Watson deal falls through. It seems more and more likely that the Colts could be the last team in the NFL to deal with their quarterback.
Winner: WR Christian Kirk
Kirk was certainly seen as a free agent with better football days ahead, but few saw him as a player worthy of a deal that could potentially turn him into the top three highest-paid receivers in the NFL.
The Jaguars agreed with Kirk on a four-year contract worth up to $84 million. according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. According to Jan Rapoport of NFL Media, the deal is reportedly worth $72 million ($18 million annually) with a maximum of $84 million. That means Kirk is now in the top 10 highest paid wide receivers when it comes to AAV, but if he can squeeze the full $84 million out of the Jags, that would make Kirk the third highest paid wide receiver in the NFL. for a cap. That $21 million a year ranks third behind DeAndre Hopkins and Julio Jones.
The Jaguars must really like Kirk because they made him a rich man this week.
Loser: Seattle Seahawks
On Monday, the Seahawks agreed to a new deal with guard Couandre Diggs to keep him in Seattle, but even that small win couldn’t be celebrated as fans were still mulling Russell Wilson’s trade. Along with five picks, including two in the first round, the Seahawks received three Denver Broncos players in quarterback Drew Lock, defenseman Shelby Harris and tight end Noah Fant. It’s Fant who is probably the player to be most admired as he is a versatile tight end who can wear different hats offensively if you want to show him off. Well then why the Seahawks reportedly re-sign tight end for Will Dissley on a three-year, $24 million deal?
Dissley is a young, talented blocking tight end who hasn’t surpassed 262 receiving yards in a single season in four years, but certainly deserves an extension. Still, giving him $8 million a year – an AAV higher than Darren Waller’s – is pretty amazing. Dissly will get a lot of game time as TE2, but it’s an overpayment.
Winner: Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers are having an offseason as impressive as anyone else, finding a way to keep wide receiver Mike Williams and trading for pass rusher Khalil Mak. We only have one day, but it’s safe to say that success has come to free will. The Chargers received best-in-class defenseman JC Jackson, who reportedly agreed to a five-year, $82.5 million contract with $40 million guaranteed.
Los Angeles had the third-worst defense in the NFL last season and the Chargers were also trying to fix that problem, reportedly dropping Austin Johnson after a career year (two-year deal up to $14 million), and stealing Sebastian Joseph-Day’s defensive tackle from rival Rams (three-year deal, $24 million, $15 million guaranteed). This fan base is excited.
Winner: Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals did what was the first recorded move during the period of legal intervention, taking Kappa from Tom Brady and the pirates. Soon after, they reportedly negotiated terms with Ted Karras of the New England Patriots. That was what the Bengals had to deal with this offseason as Sinsi’s offensive line allowed 19 sacks in the postseason to break the record. Joe Burrow was fired a total of 70 times last year, the third most in a single season since the merger.
On Monday, Cincinnati lost to Larry Ogunjobi to the Chicago Bears, but the Bengals kept BJ Hill.