NFL teams make big money moves to prepare for free agency

• NFL teams are making moves to clear salary cap space ahead of the free agent signing period which officially begins Friday, March 12. Players like Joey Bosa, Devante Adams and Tyler Lockett were released.
• The Las Vegas Raiders signed Maxx Crosby to a record contract extension.
• Seahawks star receiver DK Metcalf has reportedly requested a trade.

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NFL teams are making big money moves to prepare for the leagues free agent frenzy which officially begins on March 12. Teams released several star players to clear salary cap space while others signed big contract extensions.

Who did the Eagles re-sign?

Tuesday, March 4, the Philadelphia Eagles signed running back Saquon Barkley to a record contract extension worth a reported $41 million over two seasons making him the highest paid back in the history of the league. Barkley helped lead the Eagles to a Super Bowl victory and rushed for over 2,500 yards this season.

On the defensive side, linebacker Zack Baun was a standout in his first year with the team. The free agent is staying put signing a 3-year, $51 million dollar deal Wednesday, March 5. General Manger Howie Roseman has now locked up key players on both sides of the ball and talked about Baun at the scouting combine in Indianapolis on Feb. 25.

“You gotta look at the tremendous amount of credit to Zack for the work he put in playing a new position for the first time in the NFL, our coaching staff to put him in a great position to make plays and obviously really proud of all those people,” Roseman said.

Who got paid in Las Vegas?

In Las Vegas on Wednesday, another defensive standout signed a massive deal. Four-time Pro Bowl defensive end Maxx Crosby signed a three-year, $106.5 million extension that makes him the highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history.

“It’s an honor to be held to that high of a standard, so I take it very seriously, like [General Manager] John Spytek says it’s not about what I’ve done it’s about what I’m going to do and that’s where my focus is now,” Crosby said.

A record salary cap increase to $279 million for each team announced on Feb. 27 is a major catalyst for the spending spree. While teams can re-sign their own players right now, they can’t sign outside free agents until March 12.

Which big name players were released?

However, not every team is handing out mega-deals. The Los Angeles Chargers cut ties with pro bowl linebacker Joey Bosa Wednesday after nine great seasons with the team.

The Jets said goodbye to Aaron Rodgers on Feb. 13. On Tuesday, his favorite receiver, Devante Adams, was given his walking papers and is now free agent available to sign with any team.

The same can be said for the longest tenured Seahawk, receiver Tyler Lockett scheduled to make $17 million in 2025, he was let go after 10 seasons in Seattle.

That move, however, was overshadowed by even bigger news in the Pacific Northwest. On Wednesday, multiple outlets reported star receiver DK Metcalf requested a trade. The Seahawks are now talking to potential partners to make that happen. If that move happens, it could hinder the Seahawks offense and change the landscape in the NFC West.