NFL free agency tracker 2022: Latest news on players, teams as tampering window opens
The NFL’s annual spending spree is almost here.
Free agency is set to officially kick off Wednesday with the beginning of the new league year, but the tampering window – in which teams can make contact with players’ representatives – opens Monday at noon ET. The market could quickly take shape with players coming to unofficial agreements with their suitors. And if the past week of eye-opening trades was any indicator, a flurry of moves could be forthcoming sooner rather than later.
Check back with USA TODAY Spots often throughout Monday and the entire week for all the latest news and buzz on the free-agent market and what deals could be materializing:
TOM BRADY:Winners, losers of QB’s decision to return to NFL
NFL FREE AGENCY:9 bold predictions as action is set to begin
BUYER BEWARE:10 NFL free agents who could be vastly overpriced
– Tom Silverstein, PackersNews
– Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press
Reports: Falcons extend Jake Matthews
Amid the franchise’s continued rebuild, the Atlanta Falcons are keeping a key figure in the fold.
Left tackle Jake Matthews agreed to a three-year, $52.5 million extension Monday, according to multiple reports.
The mainstay of the Falcons’ offensive line, Matthews has not missed a start since his rookie season in 2014. His extension affords Atlanta some much-needed cap relief in the short term.
– Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
Which NFL free agents will get overpaid?
Free agency tends to produce some eye-popping deals … some of which becomes regrettable in short order.
The NFL’s franchise tags already thinned out the ranks of the available players. With several teams flush with cap space, we could see some surprising figures start to roll in soon.
Which players could get overpaid in the coming days? Check out our list of candidates.
– Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
Packers keep pass rusher Preston Smith
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Preston Smith is signing a contract extension.
The deal is for four years and $53.5 million in new money, a person with knowledge of the deal told USA TODAY Network. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to disclose financial terms.
He can make $75 million total. By signing the deal, the Packers will save $8 million in salary-cap money. He’ll make $14 million in the first year and $27 million over two years. He gets a signing bonus of $12 million.
Smith, who has one year left on his contract, has a salary cap number of $19.73 million and the Packers needed to get it down significantly. Their choice was to restructure the deal, sign him to an extension or release him.
– Tom Silverstein, PackersNews
NFL free agency bold predictions
Before the deals start flying in, it’s time to make some bold predictions.
USA TODAY Sports’ Mike Jones takes a look ahead to the action and sees a few big developments brewing. Among them: The Los Angeles Chargers look to be big spenders, with New England Patriots star cornerback J.C. Jackson and former Seattle Seahawks great Bobby Wagner among their possible targets.
Check out the full story for the rundown of what could happen.
– Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have their star quarterback back in the saddle. Now, it’s time to get their potential free agents back.
After Brady announced Sunday that he would reverse course on retirement and rejoin the Buccaneers for the 2022 NFL season, Tampa Bay turned its focus to a rash of free agents set to hit the open market.
– Bob McManaman, AZcentral