The Winners, Losers, & Surprises of NFL Free Agency

·57 min·5 clips

Tyler Linderbaum's $81 million deal is like a quarterback getting $90 million—why it's a game-changer.

This episode of The MMQB NFL Podcast analyzes the winners, losers, and surprises from the first wave of NFL free agency. Hosts Conor Orr and Albert Breer break down the major moves and their implications for the upcoming season. The undisputed winner is center Tyler Linderbaum, who left the Baltimore Ravens to sign a massive three-year, $81 million deal with the Las Vegas Raiders. Linderbaum's contract features $60 million fully guaranteed, with the remaining $21 million becoming guaranteed in 2027, making it functionally a fully guaranteed deal. His average annual value of $27 million shatters the previous top of the center market, held by Creed Humphrey at $18 million per year. The hosts explain this deal was possible because the Ravens couldn't use the franchise tag, as its value is based on tackle salaries. Linderbaum is a three-time Pro Bowler and a perfect scheme fit for new Raiders offensive coordinator Luke Getsy's system, which relies on a center who can pull and make protection calls. This signing is also framed as a direct investment in supporting rookie quarterback Aidan O'Connell by alleviating his pre-snap responsibilities. Conor Orr's personal winner is wide receiver Mike Evans, who joined the San Francisco 49ers on a three-year deal. The hosts theorize Evans was signed primarily to draw double teams and pull safeties out of the box, which should improve Christian McCaffrey's rushing efficiency. They predict Evans' presence as a true "X" receiver will fundamentally change the structure of Kyle Shanahan's offense, which has recently utilized more condensed formations. Albert Breer highlights the Kansas City Chiefs signing running back Kenneth Walker to a deal worth just over $14 million per year, which he views as strong value compared to other positions. Walker's consistent ability to break tackles behind poor offensive lines in Seattle suggests he will thrive behind Kansas City's superior run-blocking unit. The Chiefs also made savvy additions in defensive lineman Keondre Coburn and safety Alohi Gilman. A major loser is veteran edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, who remained unsigned after the first day despite consecutive 17.5-sack seasons. The hosts trace his situation back to signing a team-friendly extension during the COVID-affected 2021 free agency period, which he later tried to renegotiate multiple times with the Cincinnati Bengals. His decision to sign a one-year extension in 2023 prevented him from hitting the open market after his most productive seasons, and teams now may be wary of his age and perceived frustration. The hosts also critique the Dallas Cowboys' strategy, suggesting their reported interest in players like Maxx Crosby often involves lowball offers not meant to be accepted. They note the Baltimore Ravens' possession of the 14th overall pick was a key asset that allowed them to outbid other teams, like the Buffalo Bills, for premium talent. The tone is highly conversational and analytical, blending specific contract details with strategic football philosophy and occasional personal anecdotes. The style is informal and opinionated, with hosts frequently building on each other's points and playfully debating nuances. This episode is ideal for dedicated NFL fans who enjoy deep dives into roster construction, contract mechanics, and scheme fit. Listeners who prefer pure game analysis or are uninterested in offseason transactional details might want to skip it.

As heard by us

A loose free-agency hangout that turns into a practical talk about veteran risk.

This episode sits in the fog of NFL free agency, when everyone sounds certain and nobody really is. The hosts keep it loose, which helps. Jokes, travel gripes, and a steady back-and-forth about veteran value and injury risk give the football talk some room to breathe, and the…

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Free agency talk that starts with seaweed popcorn and lands on roster risk.

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