National Football League

NFL Free Agency Tracker: Patrick Peterson to Minnesota; Godwin signs franchise tag

Updated Mar. 19, 2021 3:53 p.m. ET

Last offseason, football fans saw arguably the biggest free-agent move in the history of the NFL when Tom Brady went South.

What's in store this year? There are plenty of incoming and outgoing players, particularly in New England.

Stay up to date with all of the biggest franchise-changing moves in NFL free agency, which officially kicked off on Wednesday, following the "legal tampering period" that began Monday.

JuJu stays put in Pittsburgh

In the end, home is where the heart is.

The one-year deal that JuJu Smith-Schuster is receiving from the lone franchise he's played for is for $8 million, and in order to take the deal, he had to spurn one rival suitor.

Peterson to Minnesota on one-year deal

Patrick Peterson's legendary tenure as a member of the Arizona Cardinals came to an end on Thursday.

Peterson spent 10 years in the Arizona organization and started 154 of a possible 160 games. As a Cardinal, he was an eight-time Pro Bowler, three-time first-team All-Pro selection and was named to the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team.

Now, he'll continue his career in the purple and gold of the Minnesota Vikings.

Godwin back on franchise tag

Chris Godwin will spend at least one more season in Tampa Bay, as the Buccaneers decided to franchise tag the 25-year-old receiver on Thursday morning.

Godwin racked up 65 receptions, 840 yards and seven touchdowns in just 12 games last season, and during the Bucs' four-game playoff run, he caught 16 passes for 232 yards and a score.

Trubisky headed to Buffalo

Call it "The Old Mitch Switch."

Mitchell Trubisky was the No. 2 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, and since then, has become best known as the quarterback that the Bears took over Deshaun Watson and Patrick Mahomes, both of whom went later in the same draft.

He put together an overall record of 29-21 in 50 starts, but lost his starting job in Week 3 of this past season to Nick Foles, before regaining it in Week 12.

Now, he will go to Buffalo on a one-year deal to serve as the backup to emerging superstar QB, Josh Allen.

Simmons remains in Denver

The Denver Broncos locked up free safety Justin Simmons on a four-year deal.

Miami makes move for Fuller

After narrowly missing out on the 2020 playoffs, the Miami Dolphins are adding to their offensive arsenal with Will Fuller joining the team on a one-year deal.

A wideout with speed to burn, Fuller will test young quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's arm strength — assuming the second-year QB hangs onto the starting job.

Browns add Hill

Cleveland's raid on the defensive backfield of the Los Angeles Rams continued on Thursday, with cornerback Troy Hill joining safety John Johnson ⁠— who agreed to a deal on Tuesday ⁠— among the crop of free-agent signings for the Browns.

Hill had two pick-sixes for the Rams this past season and started all 16 of Los Angeles' regular-season games.

Trent Williams gets broke off

It pays to protect the quarterback.

The San Francisco 49ers made Trent Williams the highest-paid offensive lineman in league history on Wednesday.

According to reports, Williams flirted with bolting to Kansas City or Chicago, but eventually, the Niners broke the bank for the eight-time Pro Bowler.

The Niners also reportedly added another piece to their offensive line in Alex Mack, former center for the Atlanta Falcons.

Green's new deal

Kyler Murray and Kliff Kingsbury have another weapon on offense, adding A.J. Green Wednesday to an Arizona Cardinals receiving corps headlined by DeAndre Hopkins.

For Green, a seven-time Pro Bowl selection, it's a one-year deal worth up to $8.5 million.

Arizona also added some protection for Murray, agreeing to send a third-round pick to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for center Rodney Hudson and a seventh-round pick.

Although not a free-agent transaction, Hudson reportedly had been set to be released prior to the Cardinals' and Raiders' striking a deal.

Dalton bound for Chicago

Former Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Andy Dalton is headed to the Windy City, joining the Chicago Bears on a one-year, $10 million contract.

This appears to spell the end of Chicago's pursuit of displeased Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, who listed the Bears as an acceptable trade destination.

Tyrod to Texans

Speaking of unhappy quarterbacks, the Houston Texans seemingly added insurance in the event of a Deshaun Watson departure or holdout, agreeing to a deal with QB Tyrod Taylor.

The 31-year-old Taylor played sparingly in 2020 after an early injury opened the door for Los Angeles Chargers rookie Justin Herbert to seize the role with a historic debut season.

Patriots reel in another tight end

After a flurry of moves by the New England Patriots ⁠on Monday — more on that here and below ⁠— the Pats splashed additional cash Tuesday.

New England added tight end Hunter Henry, cornering the market on the top available free-agent tight ends.

Drake to Raiders

Running back Kenyan Drake is signing a two-year deal with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Jacksonville seals deals for Griffin, Jones

The Jacksonville Jaguars made their first big free-agent splash under Urban Meyer, prying cornerback Shaquill Griffin from the Seattle Seahawks on Tuesday.

Over the course of the three-year deal, Griffin will make $40 million, with the opportunity to bump that up to $45 million.

The holders of the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft brought in a quality wide receiver on Tuesday, too, with Marvin Jones Jr. leaving Detroit to join Duval.

The 31-year-old wideout is set to join the Jaguars on a two-year, $14.5 million deal.

The Jags also added on the offensive side of the ball Monday, tying down Carlos Hyde with a two-year, $6 million contract.

Hyde played for Meyer at Ohio State from 2012 to 2013.

Bucs re-sign Barrett, Gronk

Tampa Bay shook up the world by bringing in a big name before the 2020 season.

Now, the Buccaneers are keeping a big name ahead of the 2021 campaign.

Re-signing Shaq Barrett was near the top of Tampa Bay's priority list this offseason, and on Monday, the Bucs got it done, locking up Barrett via a four-year deal.

During Tampa Bay's run to a win in Super Bowl LV, Barrett was dominant, racking up four sacks, four tackles for loss and eight quarterback hits in four games.

In 15 regular-season games, he tallied eight sacks, 11 tackles for loss and 16 QB hits.

The defending champs also kept a favored target of Brady, locking up tight end Rob Gronkowski with a one-year deal worth $10 million.

Patriots sign pass-catchers

After re-signing quarterback Cam Newton last week, New England made its first relatively big splash of the offseason, signing tight end Jonnu Smith, who spent the first four years of his career in Tennessee.

In 11 starts last season, Smith caught 32 passes for 358 yards and seven touchdowns. Later Monday, news broke that the Patriots were adding Nelson Agholor to the fold on a two-year, $26 million deal, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

A true deep threat, Agholor finished second in the NFL with an average of 18.7 yards per reception in his lone season with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2020. Prior to suiting up for Las Vegas, Agholor had five up-and-down seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Bill Belichick broke out the checkbook for another wideout in Kendrick Bourne, who reeled in $22.5 million over three years.

More on the Pats' frenzy

In addition to weapons, Newton will get some protection, as New England acquired OT Trent Brown in a trade with the Raiders (including a 2022 seventh-round pick) for a 2022 fifth-round pick.

Brown returns to New England after being a key piece for the Patriots in 2018, playing every game en route to a Super Bowl title.

The Patriots also boosted their defense, signing a two-year deal with DT Davon Godchaux, a four-year contract with LB Matt Judon, a three-year deal with CB Justin Bethel and a four-year contract with S Jalen Mills.

Titans grab Bud Dupree

Bud Dupree's six years with the Pittsburgh Steelers have come to an end, as the pass-rusher signed a multiyear deal with the Tennessee Titans on Monday.

Dupree made 11 starts with the Steelers last season before tearing his ACL in Week 12. He racked up eight sacks, eight tackles for loss, 15 QB hits and two forced fumbles on the season.

K.C. seals offensive line hole with Thuney

The Kansas City Chiefs' O-line could look completely different at the start of the 2021 season, as the club recently released tackles Mitch Schwartz and Eric Fisher. Guards Kelechi Osemele and Andrew Wylie, along with center Austin Reiter, are free agents.

However, Joe Thuney is joining the team for five years and $80 million, per Adam Schefter. Thuney previously dominated the line with the Patriots, and K.C. needs the boost after a Super Bowl loss to Tampa Bay.

Thuney played every game in his five seasons in New England, becoming the first player in league history to open his career by starting in three straight Super Bowls.

Patrick Mahomes sure seemed pleased with the news.

Raiders reach deal with DE Yannick Ngakoue

Pass-rushers were flying off the market Monday, as the Raiders scooped up Yannick Ngakoue with a two-year, $26 million contract.

In joining the Raiders, Ngakoue will be on his fourth team since August. Drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2016, he was traded to the Minnesota Vikings in August 2020 and shipped from Minnesota to the Baltimore Ravens in October of the same year.

Floyd remains in Los Angeles

Leonard Floyd's 10.5-sack season with the Los Angeles Rams in 2020 paid dividends, as the team rewarded him with a four-year, $64 million deal to stay in L.A.

Detroit Lions keep DE Romeo Okwara

The Lions re-signed the team's best pass-rusher, Okwara, to a three-year contract after a season in which he recorded a career-best 10 sacks.

Winston staying in New Orleans

It's unclear if Jameis Winston will replace Drew Brees as the starter in New Orleans, but he'll have the opportunity to do so, having re-upped with a one-year deal.

San Francisco re-signs CB Jason Verrett

With the 49ers losing depth at the cornerback position, the Niners will keep Verrett for one more season.

Following an injury-riddled first four seasons, Verrett became one of the most productive cornerbacks last season, playing in 13 games. He totaled two interceptions, seven pass breakups and a career-high 60 tackles.

Carolina solidifies the offensive line

The Panthers still have quarterback questions, but in free agency, the club has shored up its offensive line. Carolina signed G Pat Elflein to a three-year deal and is reportedly zeroing in on OT Cameron Erving.

Jets land receiver Davis, defensive end Lawson

The New York Jets hit wide receiver Corey Davis with a big payday Monday, securing his services in "The Big Apple" for three seasons.

Defensive end Carl Lawson, formerly of the Bengals, also signed with the Jets on a lucrative contract.

Ravens find their starting guard

Juggernaut guard Marshal Yanda retired ahead of the 2020 season, leaving a rotating cast of players at the position last season. To provide stability, Baltimore signed former New York Giants guard Kevin Zeitler.

Houston makes moves on all ends

The Texans added special-teams player Andre Roberts, who averaged 30.0 yards per kickoff return last season with the Buffalo Bills. Roberts is two years removed from his best season in 2018, in which he finished second in the league in kickoff and punt return average.

In an effort to find stability on defense, the Texans continued to add at linebacker with Kamu Grugier-Hill. With the Miami Dolphins, Grugier-Hill recorded 28 tackles and a sack last season. Houston also snapped up defensive tackle Maliek Collins and safety Terrence Brooks on one-year contracts.

Arizona supports Watt with LB Markus Golden

Golden will come in likely as a backup for J.J. Watt and Chandler Jones. Golden posted 4.5 sacks in his time with the Cardinals and the New York Giants in 2020.

The Cards, who drafted Golden in the second round in 2015, reacquired the linebacker from New York in October 2020 for a 2021 sixth-round pick.

Now, Arizona is ensuring he stays in the desert with a two-year contract.

Chargers pony up for Corey Linsley and Matt Feiler

Following a record-breaking rookie season by QB Herbert, the Chargers found their young star a new pairing at center.

Linsley joins the Chargers after starting 99 games in seven seasons with the Green Bay Packers. A first-team All-Pro in 2020, Linsley's contract will make him the NFL's highest-paid center.

The team didn't stop there, signing guard Matt Feiler to a three-year deal worth $21 million.

Broncos go heavy on D

Shelby Harris is staying in Denver with a three-year, $27 million deal. According to Pro Football Focus, Harris finished the 2020 season as the sixth-best interior defender in the NFL, with a grade of 88.3.

The Broncos also went shopping outside of the confines of Empower Field at Mile High, bringing in former Washington Football Team cornerback Ronald Darby with a three-year pact.

Fitzmagic takes the show to D.C.

Washington lined up a veteran presence for the quarterback room, agreeing on a one-year, $10-million deal with 38-year-old Ryan Fitzpatrick.

In joining WFT, Fitzpatrick will be part of his ninth franchise since he entered the league in 2005.

Cleveland adds top-flight safety

After ending a lengthy playoff drought in 2020, the Browns are hoping to build on that success and bolster the team in free agency.

Adding former Rams safety John Johnson on a three-year deal worth $33.75 million helps shore up the defense, to start.

Interestingly, the 25-year-old turned down a more lucrative offer in order to ride with the Browns, according to Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot.

Cincy gets edge-rusher

Trey Hendrickson parlayed a breakout 2020 season into a big-money contract with the Bengals, agreeing to a four-year, $60-million contract.

The defensive end racked up 13.5 sacks in 15 games as a full-time starter with the Saints this past season after amassing just 6.5 sacks in his first three seasons in the league.

This is a developing story.