Things calmed down a bit on Day 4 of NFL free agency. We saw a range of already reported moves become official, but the big names didn’t fly off the board like they did earlier in the week. Darius Slayton re-signed with the New York Giants, and the Chicago Bears made some sneaky signings in tight end Robert Tonian and running back D’Onta Foreman. Foreman is the third former Panther to join the Bears this offseason!
There’s still a lot going on when it comes to free agency. Who won and who lost in the NFL on Thursday? Let’s take a look.
From Monday: Winners and losers from Day 1
From Tuesday: Winners and losers from day 2
From Wednesday: Winners and losers from day 3
The NFL world thought Slay was moving on from the Eagles after three successful seasons. But Howie Roseman slammed the door down at the eleventh hour. After a strange Wednesday night filled with cryptic tweets and reports, Slay agreed to a two-year extension on Thursday. He is reportedly getting a three-year, $42 million deal that includes $23 million fully guaranteed. Slay is happy, the Eagles are happy and the defense is retaining its top two cornerbacks after signing James Bradbury to a three-year deal earlier in the week.
CJGJ is CBS Sports NFL Senior Writer Pete Prisco No. 18 free agent in this class — and many would probably rank it higher. He finished his one-year career with the Eagles after being traded from the New Orleans Saints, recording 67 combined tackles, eight passes defensed and six interceptions — which was tied for the league high. He accomplished all this in just 12 games played!
Spotrac projects Gardner-Johnson market value tools will sign a five-year, $66,658,780 contract that carries an AAV of $13.3 million. However, perhaps the market is not so sweet. On Thursday afternoon, he tweeted, then deleted: “The disrespect is real!”
The Eagles have already lost several starters on defense, but also retained several important ones like Fletcher Cox, Bradberry and Slay. There’s no doubt Philly would like to keep Gardner-Johnson, but you have to wonder how possible that is. You also have to wonder how much money CJGJ will get.
Thursday didn’t seem like a good day for him, but maybe this weekend will bring good news.
Winner: Giants
In each free agency class, there are a few overlooked names that many believe will generate significant interest on the open market. One of those players for some was former Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Parris Campbell. While the former second-round pick out of Ohio State struggled with injuries in his first few NFL seasons, he bounced back in 2022, finally playing in all 17 games and posting career stats of 63 catches, 623 yards and three touchdowns. The Giants scooped him up Thursday to bolster their wide receiver corps.
NFL Media reports that Campbell received a $1.5 million signing bonus and his $1.4 million base salary is fully guaranteed. He will receive a $100k workout bonus and $100k for each active game (up to $1.7 million total). Campbell also has incentives that go up to $1.9 million. This could be a sneaky good signature. Other fans wanted this guy.
After this development the giants returned back Darius Slayton to a two-year, $16.5 million max deal. He was the best receiver in New York last year and someone Daniel Jones wanted to keep in his fold.
Loser: NFL free agency
While the NFL usually dominates the headlines throughout the year, Thursday was not the case. Thursday was about BRACKETS. It started at noon. Maryland overcame a ridiculously slow start to edge West Virginia in a thriller, No. 4 Virginia fell to No. 13 Furman on a last-second 3-pointer and No. 2 Arizona was upset by No. 15 Princeton in a game that broke many brackets — – March Madness lived up to its billing. There were close games throughout the day, and Friday promises to feature more of the same. Sorry, NFL. You’ll have to have Tom Brady retire again to steal the spotlight.
The Atlanta Falcons showed last week that they weren’t interested in pursuing Lamar Jackson, and they followed that up this week with signing former Washington Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke. The fan favorite has started 25 games in his regular season career, but he said Thursday that he is in Atlanta to be “the best backup I can be to Desmond.” according to The Athletic. If there are any questions about this, Reader Must be a Falcons starter in 2023