NFL training camps are less than a month away, signaling the unofficial start to the 2021 season. And for the most part, all 32 teams' rosters are set at this point. Nearly every notable free agent has found a home, Trevor Lawrence and his fellow rookies of the 2021 draft class are settling in with their new squads, and a handful of trades involving big-name players have reshaped depth charts.
But there is still work to be done. After all, roster management in the NFL is a 365-days-per-year exercise. There are still some players on the open market who can help teams, lineup holes across the league and plenty of contract talks to complete to keep franchise cornerstones in uniform for years to come.
With that in mind, let's take a look at one last move every NFL team ought to consider -- free-agent signings, trades, contract extensions and more -- between now and the start of the season. The clock is ticking. Let's begin in the AFC East.
Jump to:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WSH
AFC EAST
Buffalo Bills
Acquire tight end Zach Ertz from the Eagles
We'll start with a move that has been speculated about extensively this offseason. While Buffalo's offense is already loaded, an opportunistic add of Ertz would be the icing on the cake. He is due $8.5 million in base salary for 2021, the final year of a five-year extension. Buffalo might view this number as a bit steep after Ertz's quiet 2020 season, but if a world exists in which that number can be reduced via an extension, Buffalo could make the deal more palatable.
It won't be easy, as Buffalo must maintain an eye on the future with a looming Josh Allen megadeal, but it's a stone worth turning over.
Miami Dolphins
Resolve cornerback Xavien Howard's contract situation
Among the players to bypass his team's mandatory minicamp was the All-Pro Howard, who is currently in the second season of a five-year extension. Howard is coming off of a remarkable campaign that included 10 interceptions and is not even the highest-paid cornerback on his own team (Byron Jones), which could be a logical root of why he's seeking a raise.
This could come down to principle and precedent: Miami likely believes that if it reworks Howard's deal just a year into the extension, it would open the door for others to follow the same pattern once they outperform their deals. It's a tricky one, but something has to be figured out one way or another.
New England Patriots
Sort out cornerback Stephon Gilmore's contract
Just prior to last season, the Patriots and Gilmore agreed to a raise for 2020 by moving money forward from the 2021 year of his deal. That means he's now slated to make $7 million this season, a bargain for a star of his caliber. And he is set to be a free agent in 2022 if not extended.
Gilmore was another star to skip out on mandatory minicamp due to contract desires, though reporting from ESPN's Mike Reiss has indicated this isn't a situation involving acrimony. Gilmore enjoys New England and has been a massive part of the team's success during his time there. Both sides must figure out the sweet spot on an extension.
New York Jets
Address the backup QB spot behind Zach Wilson
A really good bar trivia question would be, "Who is the Jets' backup quarterback right now?" The team has the youngest depth chart in the league, with 2020 draft pick James Morgan serving as the No. 2 behind a rookie in Wilson. While the Jets have noted that signing a more experienced QB earlier in the offseason would take away valuable reps for Wilson, a veteran presence would be useful to help navigate the rookie through his first season. The Jets previously met with Brian Hoyer, but he ultimately re-signed with the Patriots.
AFC NORTH
Baltimore Ravens
Sign edge rusher Justin Houston
The Ravens are among the teams to check in on the veteran pass-rusher who finished with 8.0 sacks in Indianapolis last season. Matt Judon and Yannick Ngakoue landed lucrative deals elsewhere in free agency, leaving Baltimore to reshape its pass rush with the draft selection of Odafe Oweh in the first round as the primary catalyst. Some experience and juice in the form of Houston would help round the group out a bit more.
Cincinnati Bengals
Extend safety Jessie Bates III
To me, Bates is the most underrated player in the NFL. He is extension eligible and fits right in line with what the Bengals love to do most: draft and develop before reinvesting in homegrown players. The price tag will not be cheap for Bates -- the top of the market is just north of $15 million per year for safeties right now -- but what more can you ask for than what he has given Cincinnati so far? He is currently scheduled to be a free agent after this season.
Cleveland Browns
Extend guard Wyatt Teller
One of the NFL's breakout stars of 2020 is now just one season away from being an unrestricted free agent and has emerged as a foundational piece of Cleveland's future. Pricing out an extension for Teller won't be a thrifty investment by the Browns, but this franchise has learned the value of paying big along the offensive line. There's a case for Cleveland's starting five as the best in football.
Teller isn't the only free-agent to-be the Browns have this season, though. Running back Nick Chubb is also on the last year of his deal. Getting a deal done with one of Teller or Chubb leaves the franchise tag available for the other.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Extend edge rusher T.J. Watt
The Steelers are set to enter 2022 with a boatload of cap space, quite the difference from the tightrope they had to walk this offseason. One way or another, Watt will be a Steeler next year, but extending him now is in line with how the organization has gone about its ways.
Watt is one of the five or so best defensive players in football and worth whatever contract he is paid. He's that good. Pittsburgh has other notable free agents next year, including wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, and it's never too early to get to work on key business.
AFC SOUTH
Houston Texans
Figure out who will play right tackle
The Texans have been incredibly active under new GM Nick Caserio, including making a trade for former Patriots standout lineman Marcus Cannon. He's at his best at right tackle, a position currently manned by Tytus Howard, a first-round pick back in 2019. Having two good players at the same position on the offensive line isn't a bad thing, but it takes time to sort out.
Indianapolis Colts
Extend linebacker Darius Leonard and/or offensive tackle Braden Smith
The Colts are eventually going to have to break the bank for guard Quenton Nelson, but Leonard and Smith are already extension eligible. The Colts have been meticulous about spending because they know extensions for these players are coming and won't be cheap. The best money spent is frequently on the players you know best.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Sign tight end Trey Burton
The Jaguars made headlines when they signed former QB Tim Tebow to play tight end, but it reminded that their need for a pass-catching player at the position is significant. Burton -- who actually was a quarterback for coach Urban Meyer at Florida for a season -- offers that and plenty of experience with versatility. It's a sensible pairing. The Jags' current starter at the position is Chris Manhertz.
Tennessee Titans
Sign cornerback Steven Nelson
The Titans are simply loaded on offense, so their best defense in this year could just be scoring 30-plus points per game and winning that way. But there are still players who can help them on defense, with specific needs to build more depth in the secondary and within the edge-rushing group.
Nelson might be looking for a bigger deal than he has been offered to this point, but Tennessee would present him a chance to play a useful role. While the Titans aren't concerned about the availability of first-round pick Caleb Farley (back) for the season, Nelson is a good veteran option to pad cornerback depth.
AFC WEST
Denver Broncos
Offer the moon to the Packers for quarterback Aaron Rodgers
The Broncos have shades of the pre-Tom Brady Buccaneers in their situation right now: a roster that has many players in place to be an immediate contender with a quarterback upgrade. (Yes, Tampa Bay's roster is superior to Denver's, but the Broncos' is still really, really good.)
Look, it might cost three first-round picks. It might even cost a little more. I don't care. It's Aaron Rodgers. Green Bay might say "no" 50 times. But Denver has to be relentless and keep offering. The Broncos are the most logical fit for Rodgers if the Packers do trade him.
Kansas City Chiefs
Sign wide receiver Golden Tate
The Chiefs are a little thin at wide receiver, though it might not matter much given their star pass-catching duo of Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill. That said, Tate would provide something a little different than what Kansas City's receiving group is largely constructed of (ample speed): a compact wideout who excels in the short passing game with run-after-the-catch skills. And for Tate, the chance to win should be enticing.
Las Vegas Raiders
Sign linebacker K.J. Wright
While a return to Seattle seems at least plausible, a reunion with new Raiders defensive coordinator Gus Bradley is also appealing. Wright has system familiarity but would also bring toughness, leadership and production to a defense that needs it all. Coach Jon Gruden has always had an affinity for veterans, and the always-reliable Wright would make this defense better.
Los Angeles Chargers
Re-sign edge rusher Melvin Ingram III
You don't frequently see a high-profile player last three months (or longer) on the open market and return to his incumbent team, but perhaps Ingram is the exception. The career-long Charger was limited by injuries in 2020 and didn't record a sack, but edge-rush depth remains a part of the roster worth addressing for Los Angeles.
Ingram isn't likely to command a large payday from another team at this point of the offseason, but a return to the Bolts gives him a chance to look more like his usual self playing for a coach in Brandon Staley who showed talent maximization in his lone year as the Rams' defensive coordinator.
NFC EAST
Dallas Cowboys
Sign a veteran backup quarterback behind Dak Prescott
While the Cowboys are thrilled to have Prescott back and healthy, the depth chart behind him looks razor thin right now with Cooper Rush, Garrett Gilbert and Ben DiNucci serving as the backups. As rosters thin in August, there will likely be more established quarterbacks who become available, and Dallas would do well to explore one of those options.
New York Giants
Sign edge rusher Trent Murphy
The Giants addressed their need for edge rushers through the draft by taking Georgia's Azeez Ojulari and UCF's Elerson Smith, the former of which could well be in line to start. Murphy would be a veteran complement to the group.
After three seasons in Buffalo, his market has been quiet thus far this offseason, but he showed very well in the Bills' playoff win against the Ravens, serving as a reminder of some of the length and instincts he brings to the table. While not a major sack producer, Murphy would provide some experience to a young group.
Philadelphia Eagles
Trade tight end Zach Ertz
We floated Buffalo as a logical landing spot for Ertz earlier, but no matter the destination, a trade of the franchise stalwart seems best for all parties involved. I understand Philly's reticence to simply give Ertz away, but for a team that could use some cap wiggle room to operate through the season (and potentially put toward an extension for Ertz's heir apparent in Dallas Goedert), a trade helps.
The Eagles have the makings of a really fun, young skill group on offense, and Ertz could provide a boost for a tight end-needy team elsewhere.
Washington Football Team
Extend tight end Logan Thomas
Washington found a gem in Thomas, developing him into a solid starter at a position where it otherwise lacks experience. Thomas signed a two-year, $6.145 million deal before last season, and he's an excellent value for Washington this season with a base salary of just $2.315 million. The team could balance out the cap impact of the potential payday by getting ahead on this one, angling to extend the 29-year-old before he goes to the open market.
NFC NORTH
Chicago Bears
Trade quarterback Nick Foles
The Bears' future at QB is Justin Fields, with Andy Dalton as the team's announced 2021 starter for now. Foles is still due a guaranteed salary of $4 million this year, plus another $5 million guaranteed in 2022. Those numbers are too rich for an acquiring team right now, so the Bears will have to get creative to move Foles. That might mean taking on some or most of Foles' salary this season and potentially attaching a draft pick.
Does that sound ideal? Far from it, but this is about future financial flexibility.
Detroit Lions
Sign running back Todd Gurley II
While I'd personally want to give more work to D'Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams this season, the Lions value what Gurley would bring to the table. The team has been open about its desire to strike a deal with the veteran back.
While Gurley is not the same level of runner he was a few years ago, new GM Brad Holmes and coach Dan Campbell are working to build a culture in Detroit with players who can plant the seeds for long-term success. Given Holmes' familiarity with Gurley -- Holmes previously had various roles with the Rams over nearly two decades -- it would be logical to suspect he sees Gurley as the kind of player who can help do that in Detroit.
Green Bay Packers
Extend wide receiver Davante Adams
The Aaron Rodgers situation is what it is. If there was an easy fix, it would already be done. So I'm turning attention to another key part of the offense.
Adams has a strong claim as the best wide receiver in football and is entering the final year of his contract. One of the last things the Packers want to see is life without Adams anytime soon. And a side benefit to an Adams extension is a reduced cap number for the 2021 season that affords Green Bay extra flexibility to address other roster spots.
Minnesota Vikings
Extend safety Harrison Smith
The supremely talented Smith is entering the final year of a five-year extension that he signed in 2016, and he has earned every penny of that deal so far. While extending a 32-year-old isn't something you see frequently, Smith should be an exception. He's still playing at a high level and rarely misses time. (He has just six games missed over the past seven seasons.)
NFC SOUTH
Atlanta Falcons
Sign safety Kenny Vaccaro
The Falcons have overhauled the safety position this offseason, but I do wonder if there is one more move to make to bring aboard some physicality and familiarity. Vaccaro has some hybrid linebacker/safety ability. He is a tone-setting, highly respected teammate who would add value to the new-look Atlanta defense.
Plus, Vaccaro and Falcons defensive coordinator Dean Pees worked well together in Tennessee.
Carolina Panthers
Sign safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
The Panthers have reshaped their safety group this offseason, including a full-time move to the slot for last year's rookie sensation Jeremy Chinn. The team reportedly took a look at Clinton-Dix a little while back, so there's an established level of curiosity. He has bounced around in recent years and isn't a definite starter by any means, but depth at a position that looks light right now is a good pre-camp investment.
New Orleans Saints
Sign cornerback Richard Sherman
Sherman's name has been connected to the Saints this offseason, and I love the fit. I'm of the belief that Sherman would be a positive addition to any of the 32 NFL teams given his leadership, intensity on the field, understanding of how to help younger players and, of course, his on-field performance. The Saints could likely use a dash of depth in their secondary, and Kris Richard -- a longtime Seahawks coach during Sherman's time in Seattle -- is now coaching the Saints' defensive backs.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Extend wide receiver Chris Godwin
It's hard to find a roster flaw in Tampa Bay right now, but one item for GM Jason Licht to still check off is a long-term deal with Godwin, the team's franchise-tagged wideout. The two sides have until July 15th to strike a deal that would likely have a floor in the range of $18 million per year. Godwin, who is somehow still just 25 years old, is worth it. He has caught 151 passes for 2,173 yards and 16 touchdowns over the past two seasons.
NFC WEST
Arizona Cardinals
Sign edge rusher Everson Griffen
With star edge rusher Chandler Jones not taking part in the team's mandatory minicamp, there's at least an inch of doubt surrounding whether he'll be with the team to begin the season. On top of that, Jones is coming off a torn biceps that cost him much of the 2020 season. So having some insurance off the edge in Griffin would be a useful addition by GM Steve Keim, who has frequently targeted veterans with experience and production to round out his rosters.
Los Angeles Rams
Extend cornerback Darious Williams
Williams, an up-and-coming corner, was the only restricted free agent in the NFL this offseason to receive a first-round tender, carrying a salary of $4.766 million for 2021. That first-round tender was not just a reward for Williams' strong play in 2020 but also a safety net against another team signing him to an offer sheet. (Those are rare for a player tendered at the first-round level.) Next up for the Rams and Williams: an extension in L.A.
San Francisco 49ers
Extend linebacker Fred Warner
There's no doubt the 49ers view Warner as a foundational piece going forward. An extension with Warner seems like a matter of when, not if. But timing can be key in negotiations. An extension sooner rather than later could prove beneficial with other linebackers from the 2018 draft class, including Darius Leonard, Roquan Smith and Tremaine Edmunds, also currently eligible for extensions. The Dolphins got the ball rolling on the 2018 class with a three-year, $39 million deal for Jerome Baker, but I suspect a deal for Warner will be even further up toward the top of the market.
Seattle Seahawks
Keep the wallet handy for safety Jamal Adams and offensive tackle Duane Brown
The Seahawks have a pair of veterans who are looking for raises right now in Adams and Brown. An extension for Adams is all but assured given Seattle was baking a long-term deal into the cost of trading for him last offseason. It could perhaps even be the richest safety contract ever. And Brown is entering the final year of his deal that pays him a modest number relative to his position.