A League Upside Down: 2025 NFL Offensive Free Agency Grades
- Joseph Busatto
- Mar 18
- 6 min read
by Ale Menendez
It’s no secret that to be a successful team in the NFL, you must have success on the field and during the season. However, one may argue that equally important is the time in which franchises spend building their team, and deciding what approach to take to have the best results on the field. As March 10th (the start of NFL Free Agency) approached the calendar, all 32 NFL teams were ready to make moves to give themselves the best chance to win (some teams more than others).
Quarterbacks
Headlining the trades are two quarterback deals that stunned the league. With Sam Darnold signing a 3-year, $100.5 million contract with the Seahawks, and Justin Fields leaving Pittsburgh to join the Jets in New York to the tune of 40 million dollars for two years, these trades have concluded debates about two quarterbacks whose ability to perform has been uncertain.
After week 17 of last season, Vikings fans were almost certain that Sam Darnold would be returning the next season. Boasting a 14-2 record, the team hoped to make a strong playoff push and seek their first Super Bowl ever. However, after an embarrassing 31-9 loss to the divisional opponent Lions, followed by an upset by the Rams in the Wild Card round with a score of 27-9, faith in Darnold began to dwindle in Minnesota as his play in these crucial games was reminiscent of his tenure with the Jets: awful. After failing to score a touchdown in these two games that ended up determining the entire season for the Vikings, coach Kevin O'Connell felt it appropriate to move on to developing the young QB: JJ McCarthy, and allow Darnold to take his talents somewhere else, a move that I believe could pay off tremendously for the Vikings in the future.
What this means for Seattle, however, may be more significant than what it does for the Vikings. With the loss of star receiver like D.K. Metcalf who was traded to the Steelers(more on that later), Seattle is left with an offense with not much firepower and a quarterback who has yet to prove that he can win without a tremendous offensive system and defense that can hold field position and keep the game comfortable. Although I don't doubt that Darnold will perform decently in the regular season, I see this move failing for the Seahawks at least next year. Until they can provide him with a better system and defense I don't see much improvement occurring in Seattle any time soon.
Seahawks Grade: C
Vikings Grade: A
As known by many NFL fans, the “running quarterback” has always had difficulty obtaining the role of a franchise quarterback in the League whether it be due to injury, inability to throw, or bad decision-making. For Justin Fields, I feel that this “inability to perform” has been a combination of inexperience and a bad supporting cast, but not necessarily any fault of his. During his tenure with the Bears, fields held an abysmal record of 14-30, showing promise with his highlight runs but also displaying his inability to sustain drives and push his team down the field consistently. However, when looking at his time with the Steelers, fields went 4-1 to start the season before being replaced by Russel Wilson. Although a small sample size, I think that these wins mean one thing: Fields can win when surrounded by the right guys. Moving to a team like the Jets, one might think that Fields will have a tough time adjusting, well, because it’s the Jets. However, the stereotype of losing is not necessarily reflective of the Jets roster. With star receiver Garrett Wilson, promising Running back Breece Hall, and a top 5 defense, I see Fields succeeding shortly and even possibly leading New York to a Wild Card spot next season.
Jets Grade: B
Steelers Grade: D
Wide Receivers
In terms of the wide receiver market, this year has had a particularly large impact on veteran receivers. Two of the biggest moves have been with legends Davante Adams and Deandre Hopkins, and although neither receiver is in their prime, their ability to contribute to any given team is still present.
During an uneventful tenure with the Cheifs, catching 41 passes for 437 yards and 4 Touchdowns, Hopkins looked to move after a blowout loss to the Eagles in the Super Bowl. Looking for another option for Lamar, the Ravens decided to jump on the opportunity, signing Hopkins to a one-year 5 million dollar contract. Although many may overlook trade and simply say that Hopkins' best days are behind him, I think there’s more to it. In the last two years, the Ravens have been eliminated from the playoffs by both the Chefs and Bills, who have proved to have the edge over them. However, when you look closely at these losses it is due to Lamars inability to find targets in a 23rd-ranked receiving core. Although I don’t think Hopkins is the clear wide receiver one on this team, I believe that his addition could provide the Ravens with a reliable veteran who knows how to win big games and can further mentor the young Zay Flowers, who has shown real promise in the last two years.
Ravens Grade: B+
Chiefs grade: C
After the longtime duo of Rodgers and Adams took their talents to the Jets and failed miserably (boasting a 5-12 record), Davante Adams was released by the Jets and quickly sought out a new home. With the Rams looking to add a new receiver to their roster after releasing Cooper Kupp, this deal seemed to be a perfect match, and the Rams made it happen, giving Adams a 46 million dollar contract for two years. Now, when evaluating this trade it seems to me much like what happened with Hopkins. A legendary veteran receiver deciding to take his talents to a team that hasn’t quite made it over the hump of losing in the playoffs yet. Although the Rams did win the Super Bowl in 2022, the last three seasons have been far from championship caliber.
However, after a loss to the Super Bowl champion Eagles in the divisional round last year, the Rams seem to think that Adams is just what they need to get them over the hump, and I would agree. With legendary quarterback veteran Matthew Stafford and promising young Wide receiver Puka Nacua, Davante Dams poses to not only develop Nacua, but also return to his Packers form. I believe that he will be a real difference-maker for the Rams, and possibly push them back into the championship conversation in the 2025-26 season.
Jets Grade: A-
Rams Grade: A-
However, it’s not only veteran receivers being impacted by the 2025 NFL Free Agency. 28-year-old wide receiver D.K. Metcalf was traded to the Steelers for a second and sixth-round pick. With this move shocking everyone, it was clearly an attempt by the Steelers to improve what has been a lackluster offense in the past few seasons. Adding a big-bodied receiver like Metcalf to run routes with Geoge Pickens provides Russel Wilson the opportunity to rekindle his ability to lead a fired-powered offense like he did in Seattle. Time will tell if the Steelers' offense will finally be able to break out of their shell. And the addition of Cooper Kupp to the Seahawks gives them a veteran presence to the position group.
Seahawks grade: B-
Pittsburgh grade: B+
Running Backs
In terms of running backs, there have been no league-shattering moves, however, still come solid difference-makers on a few teams.
The biggest trade has no doubt been Najee Harriss’s move to the Chargers for a one-year, 9.25 Million dollar contract. Not only does this move leave the Steelers with almost no run game, but I believe that it provides a strong runner for the Chargers, who have been lacking in the back position since the departure of Austin Ekeler.
Steelers Grade: D+
Chargers Grade: B
Additionally, the Vikings' decision to keep Aaron Jones on the roster represents a continuity in the Vikings system that was so successful last season. With over 1,000 rushing yards last year, I see this as a solid move for the Vikings in a position group that is in no need of change.
Grade: B+
Overall, only time will tell whether or not these trades make a real difference in teams’ performance in the 2025-26 season. But through an incredibly active first week of Free Agency, it’s almost certain that the changes will be felt all across the league when the long-awaited season begins. Until then, us NFL fans will just have to sit back, speculate, and relax.
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