Day 2 of NFL free agency was not as active as the opening day of the tampering period on Monday. However, a lot of big deals were agreed to.
The Pittsburgh Steelers stole Pro Bowl linebacker Patrick Queen from the division-rival Baltimore Ravens. Speaking of the Ravens, they added two-time NFL rushing champion Derrick Henry from the Tennessee Titans.
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Vikings added recently-released former Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones to the mix. They also signed Sam Darnold to replace Kirk Cousins, who signed with the Atlanta Falcons on Monday.
Here is a look at the winners and losers from Day 2 of NFL free agency.
Related: Top NFL free agents of 2024
Winner: Pittsburgh Steelers make splash in NFL free agency
Mike Tomlin’s squad now has a quarterback on defense after signing Patrick Queen to a three-year, $41 million contract. General manager Omar Khan went against the grain by making a big-time splash in NFL free agency.
Queen, 24, was a first-round pick of the division-rival Ravens back in 2020 out of LSU. He’s coming off his first ever Pro Bowl appearance and earned Second-Team All-Pro honors from the inside linebacker position a season ago. The youngster recorded 133 tackles, 3.5 sacks and an interception. He also gave up less than 400 yards through the air. Queen will now join a defense that includes standouts T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Related: Updated NFL free agent tracker
Loser: Cleveland Browns downgrade at quarterback with Jameis Winston
We’re not sure what led Cleveland to choosing Jameis Winston over Joe Flacco as Deshaun Watson’s top backup. But it’s a move that confused the masses. Flacco was good in Watson’s stead a season ago, throwing 13 touchdowns in five games. He led the team to a 4-1 record and a surprise appearance in the NFL Playoffs.
As for Winston, the former No. 1 overall pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has started all of 10 games over the past four seasons. His last year as a starter saw Winston throw a league-high 30 interceptions back in 2019. The Browns will not be in a great position should Watson’s injury-plagued ways continue. That’s for sure.
Related: Winner and losers from Day 1 of NFL free agency
Winner: Minnesota Vikings add top-flight running back in Aaron Jones
The Minnesota Vikings were able to rebound from losing quarterback Kirk Cousins during Day 1 of NFL free agency. That included adding Pro Bowl running back Aaron Jones from the division-rival Green Bay Packers. Make no mistake about it. Jones is a massive upgrade over Alexander Mattison in the backfield.
The 29-year-old back averaged 1,430 total yards and 12 touchdowns from 2019-22 before an injury-plagued 2023 campaign cost him six games. Whoever is under center as QB1 in Minnesota next season will have that dual-threat back to help him out.
Related: Minnesota Vikings sign quarterback Sam Darnold in NFL free agency
Loser: San Francisco 49ers defensive line depth takes a hit
San Francisco will make the release of defensive tackle Arik Armstead official once NFL free agency officially opens up on Wednesday. But the team needs to find more depth on the defensive line if it wants to compete for a Super Bowl title in 2024.
The 49ers have lost Javon Kinlaw and Clelin Ferrell thus far in free agency. They will also soon lose EDGE guy Chase Young. Sure, signing the likes of Leonard Floyd and Yetur Gross-Matos helps. But depth is an issue here. One has to wonder what general manager John Lynch might have up his sleeve.
Winner: Tampa Bay Buccaneers continue to retain core free agents
It started with Tampa Bay locking up quarterback Baker Mayfield and wide receiver Mike Evans ahead of NFL free agency. It continued on Tuesday with the Buccaneers retaining their longest-tenured player in that of linebacker Lavonte David.
There is something to be said about continuity. David has brought it each and every season he’s been in a Buccaneers uniform. Bringing him back with another long-tenured veteran in that of Evans has to be seen as a major win for general manager Jason Licht.
Related: Updated 2024 NFL salary cap tracker
Loser: New York Jets future up in the air after latest Aaron Rodgers news
Amid all of the NFL free agent news, a report broke that independent presidential candidate Robert Kennedy Jr. is seriously considering Aaron Rodgers as his running mate. We wish this was fake news. It’s not.
“Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has recently approached the N.F.L. quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the former Minnesota governor and professional wrestler Jesse Ventura about serving as his running mate on an independent presidential ticket, and both have welcomed the overtures, two people familiar with the discussions said.”
Report on Aaron Rodgers potentially being Robert Kennedy JR’s running mate
Obviously, Rodgers would have to give up his NFL career to pursue this long shot. For the Jets, that would represent a major on-field issue given that they have built their team around the four time MVP. It might not happen. But these rumors are eye-opening. That’s to put it lightly.