When Does the 2022 NFL Free Agency Begin?
The 2022 NFL free agency period is set to begin on March 9th. This is when teams will be able to begin negotiations with players who are set to become free agents.
2022 NFL Free Agency
The date for the 2022 NFL Free Agency has not been announced yet. However, it is typically held in early March. Free agency is when NFL players who have completed their contracts are able to sign with any team that they choose. This can be a time of great excitement for football fans as their favorite team may sign some great players.
When does the 2022 NFL free agency begin?
The 2022 NFL free agency period is set to begin on March 9th. This is the same date as the 2021 NFL free agency period. Teams will have until May 11th to sign their restricted and exclusive rights free agents.
What are the main storylines for the 2022 NFL free agency?
The main storylines for the 2022 NFL free agency are which players will be released or traded, who will sign contract extensions, and who will be franchise tagged. The most notable players whose contracts are up are J.J. Watt, Dak Prescott, Julius Peppers, and Cam Newton.
Top NFL Free Agents
Who are the top NFL free agents for the 2022 season?
The 2022 NFL free agency period is scheduled to begin on March 9th. Teams will have until July 15th to sign their franchise or transition players. Unrestricted free agents will be able to sign with any team, while restricted and exclusive rights free agents are only allowed to negotiate with their current teams.
Here is a look at some of the top NFL free agents for the 2022 season:
QB Kirk Cousins: After back-to-back seasons with over 4,000 yards and 30 touchdown passes, Cousins is in line for a big pay day. He will be one of the most sought-after quarterbacks in free agency.
RB Le’Veon Bell: Bell sat out the 2020 season due to a contract dispute with the Steelers, but he should still be one of the top running backs on the market. He’s a three-time Pro Bowler and was named first-team All-Pro in 2014.
WR A.J. Green: Green missed all of 2020 with a torn Achilles tendon, but he’s still one of the best receivers in the game when healthy. He’s a six-time Pro Bowler and has over 10,000 career receiving yards.
OLB Jadeveon Clowney: Clowney was traded from Seattle to Houston midseason last year, but he struggled to make an impact with his new team. He’s still one of the best edge rushers in the league when healthy and will be looking for a long-term deal in free agency.
CB Xavier Rhodes: Rhodes was released by Indianapolis after struggling through an injury-plagued 2020 season. He’s still just 31 years old and should have plenty of good football left in him.
What are their contract situations?
The NFL free agent class of 2022 is loaded with talent at the quarterback position. Here are the five best quarterbacks who could be hitting the open market next offseason.
Deshaun Watson, Texans
Watson is in the final year of his rookie contract and is set to make $15.9 million in base salary in 2021. He has one more year left on his deal, but the Texans have a fifth-year option for 2023 that they can exercise. If they don’t pick up the option, Watson will become an unrestricted free agent next offseason.
Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers
Garoppolo is also in the final year of his contract and is set to make $24.1 million in base salary in 2021. He has a player option for 2022 that he can exercised, but it’s highly unlikely that he will do so given that he would be owed $43 million in fully guaranteed money if he picks it up. If Garoppolo doesn’t opt-in to his contract for next season, he will become a free agent next offseason.
Matthew Stafford, Lions
Stafford is signed through 2022 and is scheduled to make $20 million in base salary in 2021 and $22 million in base salary in 2022. He also has a $10 million roster bonus that is due on the third day of the 2022 league year. If Stafford is still on the Lions’ roster at that time, his contract will void and he will become an unrestricted free agent. Given how poorly the Lions have been playing as of late, it’s very possible that Stafford could be hitting the open market next offseason.
Philip Rivers, Colts
Rivers is signed through 2021 and is scheduled to make $25 million in base salary this season with a $5 million roster bonus due on March 17th. He also has a player option for 2022 that he can exercised, but it’s highly unlikely that he will do so given that he would be owed $45 million in fully guaranteed money if he picks it up. If Rivers doesn’t opt-in to his contract for next season, he will become a free agent next offseason.
Jameis Winston, Buccaneers
Winston is signed through 2021 and is scheduled to make $22 million in base salary this season with a $2 million roster bonus due on March 17th. He also has a player option for 2022 that he can exercised, but it’s highly unlikely that he will do so given that he would be owed $24 million in fully guaranteed money if he picks it up. If Winston doesn’t opt-in to his contract for next season, he will become a free agent next offseason.
2022 NFL Free Agency Predictions
The 2022 NFL free agency period is set to begin on March 9th. Many big name players are set to hit the open market and there are a lot of teams with a lot of cap space. The quarterback market is going to be particularly interesting. Here are some predictions for what will happen during the 2022 NFL free agency period.
Who will be the biggest winners and losers in the 2022 NFL free agency?
The biggest winners of the 2022 NFL free agency will be the teams that are able to fill needs with low-cost, high-upside signings. The Los Angeles Rams and New England Patriots are two teams that could potentially benefit from this approach. The Rams currently have over $50 million in cap space, while the Patriots have over $60 million.
The biggest loser of the 2022 NFL free agency will be the team that signs the most expensive free agent. This team will likely be forced to make difficult decisions regarding their roster and may have to make significant cuts in order to stay under the salary cap.
