The new NFL league year commenced on Wednesday, spotlighting the availability of two previous Super Bowl MVPs as free agents. The Los Angeles Rams bid farewell to receiver Cooper Kupp shortly after introducing Davante Adams as his successor. Simultaneously, the New York Jets released quarterback Aaron Rodgers after an unproductive two-year run.
Kupp, once the 2021 AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year, found himself released by the Rams after they were unable to secure a trading partner. Though he expressed his wish to stay, no team was prepared to commit to his $20 million contract for the upcoming season. During the 2021 season, Kupp captured the receiving triple crown, amassing 145 receptions for 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns, and earning the Super Bowl MVP title. His postseason feats included 33 passes for 478 yards and six touchdowns, featured by clinching the game-winning TD against Cincinnati in the Super Bowl at home. However, his performances in the recent three seasons dwindled due to injuries, not surpassing 12 game appearances yearly or reaching 900 receiving yards.
The Jets, having inked a deal with Justin Fields earlier, informed Rodgers last month of their shift in quarterback strategy for 2025, leading to his release finalized on Thursday. The Jets secured Rodgers from Green Bay in an April 2023 trade, targeting a Super Bowl victory they hadn’t tasted since 1968. His initial season ended abruptly with a left Achilles tendon tear just four snaps into his debut. Despite bouncing back, his return saw inconsistencies, culminating in a 5-12 season for the Jets, marred by his reduced mobility although he managed to throw 28 touchdown passes for 3,897 yards. Astros also released linebacker C.J. Mosley.
In other NFL moves, safety Damar Hamlin plans to stay with Buffalo, while the Bills bolster their defense, engaging defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi in talks for a one-year, $8 million guaranteed deal. Across Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Steelers are poised to sign Darius Slay, a six-time Pro Bowl cornerback, formerly with Philadelphia. Seattle Seahawks addressed roster gaps by signing Marquez Valdes-Scantling and former Dallas pass rusher DeMarcus Lawrence. They had released Tyler Lockett and agreed to send D.K. Metcalf to Pittsburgh, needing reinforcement in receivers and defense after letting go Dre’Mont Jones and Roy Robertson-Harris.
The Minnesota Vikings also made headlines by signing Javon Hargrave to a two-year, $30 million contract following his release from San Francisco. Hargrave participated only in three games in 2024 due to a severe triceps injury. The Cleveland Browns reached a $20 million, two-year contract with defensive tackle Maliek Collins. The Denver Broncos added Evan Engram with a $23 million, two-year deal while Tennessee secured guard Kevin Zeitler for a one-year, $9 million term.
Additionally, the Detroit Lions signed Roy Lopez on a $4.65 million, one-year deal to strengthen their run defense. The San Francisco 49ers welcomed quarterback Mac Jones with a $7 million, two-year contract after he was nearly drafted by them four years ago. For the Washington Commanders, Marcus Mariota returns to back up Jayden Daniels under a renewed contract finalized on Wednesday.
In trading activities, the Dallas Cowboys conducted two trades, acquiring linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. from Tennessee and boosting their cornerback squad by securing Kaiir Elam from Buffalo in exchange for draft picks. The Cowboys worked out swapping a 2025 draft selection and a seventh-rounder in 2026 for Elam’s addition, enhancing their defensive line-up ahead of the new NFL season.
