Recent surprise moves by the Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos are reportedly early signs that the safety position could soon be like running back with contract values on a steep decline.
The secondary would seem like an important area in today’s NFL. With the game leaning toward passing in a way it never has before, the men who defend against an offense’s top pass catchers should be an area that receives big-time contracts. There is some truth to that notion but to a level.
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Over the last week, the safety market ahead of 2024 NFL free agency has all of a sudden become flooded with impact players at the position.
In that time the Philadelphia Eagles released two-time All-Pro Kevin Byard. The Buffalo Bills parted ways with defensive anchor Jordan Poyer. The Chicago Bears cut ties with two-time Pro Bowler Eddie Jackson and the Denver Broncos shockingly released Justin Simmons after he earned Pro Bowl honors for a second time this past season.
Is the safety market in a massive value decline like running back?
It is a stunning development that apparently is no accident. On Friday, The Athletic’s NFL insider Jeff Lowe reported that a team executive told him “I think we’re going to see a trend of teams not willing to overpay for [safety]” in free agency this year.
Over the last couple of weeks, teams have slashed $100 million in contracts for safeties. That is $40 million more than any other position heading into the start of free agency on March 11. For franchises that need upgrades at safety, like the Philadelphia Eagles, this will be a very good market for them.
Unfortunately, players like New York Giants rising star Xavier McKinney are unlikely to land the first big payday they were hopping for this offseason.
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