The 2020 NFL free agency season is upon us.
While teams technically cannot officially sign until Wednesday at 4 p.m., the legal tampering window is under way and many free agents have already agreed to terms for deals.
This year's free agent class is loaded with some big names and stars and where they land could have a significant impact and ripple effect across the NFL.
After months of speculation, we offer some of our final predictions for where these stars will sign:
Tom Brady - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tom Brady reacts in a game against the Buccaneers.Getty ImagesThe Brady sweepstakes has narrowed itself down to two teams -- for now -- after a ton of speculation revolving around several teams in the league created a fury of rumors throughout the 2020 offseason.
As of now, it looks like Brady is either staying put or heading down south to sunny Tampa Bay. Handicappers, who are sources whose opinions very much matter when evaluating rumors and the swirl of news that constantly spreads throughout the NFL universe, view the latter as the favorites.
There are several moves that make this easier to stomach than originally thought. First, the Patriots tagged OT Joe Thuney to a big time deal with their franchise tag, removing a big chunk of money from their 2020 cap room that would be used to sign Brady. Some key free agents that could have been used as pieces to build around Brady are now off the table, in A.J. Green and Austin Hooper. Even the brief possibility of trading for DeAndre Hopkins vanished as quickly as it came into being after the shocking Houston-Arizona deal.
Thus, it's looking more and more likely that Tampa Bay would be a more favorable setting for Brady to play in. They have a lot more money than the Pats do, and that may be starting to weigh on Brady considering recent reports from Adam Schefter that New England and the quarterback are nowhere near a deal.
By tagging Shaq Barrett on Monday, the Buccaneers may have indicated another step toward Brady. They can no longer use both a franchise tag and transition tag in the same offseason, meaning they're either giving Jameis Winston a long-term deal or letting him hit free agency. The latter seems much more likely.
All in all, things are starting to shape up for a previously unimaginable shakeup in the career of the future Hall of Fame quarterback. - Jordan Cohn
Philip Rivers - Indianapolis Colts
Philip Rivers evades pressure against the Colts.Getty ImagesIf the Colts were looking for a bridge quarterback, they probably wouldn't have forfeited their No. 13 draft pick in a massive trade for former 49ers All-Pro DT DeForest Buckner. But they did just that.
Thus, it doesn't seem that they'll be content in sticking with Jacoby Brissett, who has proven to be a viable starting option but certainly not the sort of quarterback you'd want in fierce contention for a short-term playoff jolt. That's where Philip Rivers, for a couple years at least, makes the most sense.
Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer has said that several rival teams have called the eventual move of Rivers to Indianapolis a "fait accompli", meaning the eventual move might already be a done deal. - Jordan Cohn
Jameis Winston - Los Angeles Chargers
Jameis Winston fires a pass against the Chargers.Getty ImagesIn all likelihood, Los Angeles is looking to sign a quarterback at No. 6 in the draft. The links between the Chargers and Justin Herbert are strong, and Philip Rivers' departure leaves a starting spot on a rebuilding team. However, the competition to draft Herbert may involve more teams than first expected after a terrific combine showing. There are rumors that the Dolphins have a lot of interest in Herbert given the real possibility that Tua gets drafted by either the Redskins or the Lions.
Signing Jameis Winston, then, works in either potential outcome. Winston will require some good money, but nothing starter-worthy after a turnover-ridden 2019 and years of lackluster play that show you can't quite call him a franchise quarterback yet. If the Chargers do end up drafting Herbert, the two quarterbacks can battle it out over the top spot on the roster and Herbert gets a free mentor that can offer some decision-making tips, though he may not be the most credible source of info on that front.
If Herbert winds up going to another team, the Chargers can breathe a sigh of relief based on the fact that Winston is their short-term starter. The No. 6 pick can then be used however they choose, and the rebuild can commence. - Jordan Cohn
Melvin Gordon - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Melvin Gordon runs the ball against the Buccaneers.Getty ImagesIf everything falls into place for Tampa Bay -- at least in my eyes -- Melvin Gordon and Tom Brady would join forces. Just look at that change in talent. Jameis Winston and Peyton Barber/Ronald Jones… to Tom Brady and Melvin Gordon. Paired with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, this offense, capable of scoring 30+ points with ease throughout 2019, becomes even more of a powerhouse.
His holdout last offseason didn't workout as well as he would've liked it to, as he ended it after just four games without extending his contract any further. It's not that he was bad once he returned to the Chargers, but his performance wasn't anything so special to the point where it suggests he'll be seeking major money this offseason. That said, the Bucs can still afford to splurge and sweeten the deal for some of their free agents given the amount of salary cap room they have, and if money is what matters to Gordon, Tampa Bay might be the best option out there. - Jordan Cohn
Amari Cooper - Dallas Cowboys
Amari Cooper looks on at MetLife Stadium.Getty ImagesThe Patriots, the Bills, the Eagles and now the Texans are all teams in need of a wide receiver. But the price tag seems to be too high for three of those teams given the fact that Cooper is looking to earn top dollar at the position, an amount projected by Spotrac to be around $20 million per year. The team of those four that could foreseeably give that amount of money to Cooper, the Bills, is reportedly better fit to look for cheaper targets according to WGR 550's Sal Capaccio.
Given that the Cowboys already used their franchise tag on Dak Prescott, they would have to provide Amari Cooper with the long-term deal that he's looking for. And that's likely what they'll do. NFL reporter Frank Schwab of Yahoo! Sports says that the team will be "stressing" to get him a contract extension before he can hit the open market, meaning that the news could be coming at any hour if they're able to accomplish this.
If not, the future is wide open for Cooper, but the Cowboys find themselves in a position that allows them to spend as much as Cooper may be asking for which is a luxury other teams have a more difficult time achieving. - Jordan Cohn
Jadeveon Clowney - Seattle Seahawks
Jadeveon Clowney celebrates against the Cardinals.Getty ImagesI was sold on Jadeveon Clowney getting signed to the Indianapolis Colts. I really was. And then, this happened:
So there goes that. The Colts have a lot of cap room, but it's unlikely that they'd splurge to that effect on two extremely highly rated defensive linemen. Instead, the most logical move may be for Clowney to stay put.
Any team headed by Pete Carroll and Russell Wilson can prove to be a contender. Despite all the defensive issues last season, Seattle still proved to be a formidable squad and posted an 11-5 record. The team has been linked to some names to bolster the secondary, including Damarious Randall, and some wide receivers as well.
This shows that the organization feels that it's just a few pieces away, and losing the run-stopping machine that is Jadeveon Clowney would figure to set them back more than a few steps. Instead, bringing him back and cementing his future as the anchor of Seattle's defense is a smart move that makes sense while Russell Wilson is still running the show. - Jordan Cohn
Yannick Ngakoue - Buffalo Bills
Yannick Ngakoue reacts against the Colts.Getty ImagesSo, Ngakoue started the offseason as a free agent, but was placed on the franchise tag by the Jacksonville Jaguars. It's no secret, however, that Ngakoue wants out of Jacksonville. The Jags seem to be selling pieces off with their most recent trade of Calais Campbell to the Ravens, so trying to get something in return for Ngakoue is a possibility.
The Buffalo Bills, who boasted one of the league's best defenses in 2019, just lost Shaq Lawson to the Dolphins so they are certainly in the market for a pass rusher. Why not try and add one of the best pass rushers in the game? It will cost a lot — a first-round pick and more — but the Bills were a playoff team last year and the Patriots could be on the downfall, opening up a chance to climb atop the AFC East. -John Healy
Byron Jones - Philadelphia Eagles
Byron Jones claps in a game against the Eagles.Getty ImagesPerhaps the most glaring issue the Eagles must address this offseason is their depleted secondary, and they could find an answer from a division foe. With the Cowboys franchise tagging Dak Prescott, they will likely want to keep his weapons around him, meaning Amari Cooper will be re-signed, allowing Byron Jones to hit free agency.
The Eagles are already reportedly frontrunners for Jones, and they are expected to be aggressive in filling that need on the defense. Jones, who switched from safety to cornerback, has proven to be an elite corner in man coverage. He does not have any interceptions over the last two seasons, but his tight coverage scares quarterbacks from throwing his way, which is exactly what the Eagles need right now. -John Healy
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