After a brutal and unhappy season with the New York Jets, Haason Reddick has a chance to dominate … More
The headline-grabbing moves during free agency may not turn out to be the most important or bring the greatest value during the 2025 season.
Sam Darnold left the Minnesota Vikings and now gets his chance to serve as the Seattle Seahawks’ QB1 for head coach Mike Macdonald. Veteran wide receiver Davante Adams may be in the home stretch of his career, but he could have a huge year catching passes from Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford. Josh Sweat was a pass-rushing hero for the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles and now he gets to lift the Arizona Cardinals defense.
Those are three of the signings that moved the meter the most in free agency. However, there are five less publicized moves that could have game-changing impacts throughout the league.
Edge Haason Reddick, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Reddick was a hesitant member of the New York Jets after he was traded from the Eagles last April. He held out in a contract dispute with the Jets and had just 1.0 sack last season along with 14 tackles after he finally signed in October.
Reddick was not rewarded for his miserable season as he signed a one-year, $14 million deal with the Bucs. It could turn out to be a season-changing move for head coach Todd Bowles. Reddick had double-digit sacks in four straight season prior to his disaster in New York. The 31-year-old should get back to his previous level and give the Tampa Bay defense a significant lift.
The combination of Reddick with game-changing defensive tackles Vita Vea (7.5 sacks in 2024) and Calijah Kancey (6.0 sacks) should turn the Bucs into one of the best pass-rushing teams in the NFL.
RB Jordan Mason, Minnesota Vikings
While this move is technically a trade between the San Francisco 49ers and Minnesota Vikings, it is potentially a huge game-changer for Vikings boss Kevin O’Connell.
O’Connell has been searching for a competent running game throughout his three years leading Minnesota. He came close last year with Aaron Jones as the No. 1 running back and the Vikings have brought him back for the 2025 season. Shortly after that move, the Vikings acquired Mason and that will give young quarterback J.J. McCarthy a powerhouse of a ground game.
Mason demonstrated his ability last season when Christian McCaffrey was sidelined for much of the season. He rushed for 789 yards and 5.2 yards per carry with three games of 100 yards or more. The combination of Jones and Mason may give the Vikings one of the most dangerous running games in the NFL.
Leonard Floyd’s ability to get to the passer will pay dividends for the Falcons. (Photo by Cooper … More
DE Leonard Floyd, Atlanta Falcons
The Floyd signing by the Falcons fits this franchise like a glove. Throughout the years, the Falcons have built their defense with speedy but undersized players. Floyd fits this description perfectly.
Floyd is officially listed as 6-3 and 240 pounds, but his lack of bulk means he can actually be handled by bigger offensive linemen when he gets engaged in the running game. However, he is still a brilliant athlete at age 32 because he has the speed and quickness to get through the smallest cracks in the offensive line and punish opposing quarterbacks.
He had 8.5 sacks last season and that makes him well worth the one-year, $10 million contract he signed with the Falcons. His consistency has been his greatest strength as he has had 10.5, 9.5, 9.0, 10.5 and 8.5 sacks the last five seasons.
While he won’t dominate against the run, he will come up with key sacks throughout the season.
QB Jacoby Brissett, Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals have a Pro Bowl starting quarterback in Kyler Murray, and now they may have the ideal backup quarterback in Brissett.
He signed a two-year, $12.5 million deal with Arizona, and he has clearly seen it all. Brissett has been both a starter and a backup for five teams, including the Patriots, Colts, Dolphins, Browns and Commanders.
If Brissett has to play because Murray suffers an injury – the QB1 missed 18 games from 2021 through 2023 – Brissett can handle the assignment.
Brissett has had three seasons in which he started double-digit games, and he has never completed less than 58.9 percent of his passes in any of those seasons. His best year came in 2019 when he completed 272 of 447 passes for 2,942 yards with 18 TDs and 6 interceptions.
Brissett has a 53-24 career TD-interception ratio, and that’s sensational for a backup quarterback.
QB Daniel Jones, Indianapolis Colts
Jones struggled badly in his six seasons with the New York Giants, but he was able to get away from the Giants and spend time on the Vikings roster at the end of the 2024 season. He did not see any game action, but the Vikings would have preferred to keep him as a backup because of his size, arm strength and athletic ability.
Jones chose to move on to the Colts and he will have a chance to compete for the starting QB job against Anthony Richardson.
Jones is relieved to get out of the New York fish bowl and thrilled to get a new opportunity. He should have an outstanding chance to become the Colts starter at some point during the 2025 season. Look for him to make the most of this opportunity.
