2024 NFL free agency update: Derrick Henry a game-changer in Baltimore

The rapid rotation at running back is the highlight of 2024 NFL free agency, with big names like Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, and Derrick Henry hopping aboard a rampantly-spinning RB carousel this past week.

While major backfield moves stole headlines at the start of free agency, a few veteran starting quarterbacks also stirred up plenty of chatter as they found new homes ahead of the 2024 NFL season.

With the new league year officially beginning on March 13, YouBet outlines the biggest updates from 2024 free agency thus far.

Derrick Henry the new lead back in run- savvy Baltimore

Speculation mounted during the 2023 season that former NFL Offensive Player of the Year Derrick Henry would flee the Tennessee Titans for greener pastures. This week, he officially landed on the roster of the Baltimore Ravens, where he will join forces with two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson and the NFL's No. 1 rushing offense (156.5 rushing yards per game in 2023).

To make room for the two-time NFL rushing yards and touchdowns leader (2019, 2020), the Ravens let free-agent running back Gus Edwards walk. Edwards, who had a career year in Baltimore with 810 rushing yards and 13 rushing scores, signed a two-year, $6.5 million deal with the Los Angeles Chargers, who will be coached in 2024 by new hire Jim Harbaugh, the brother of Ravens coach John Harbaugh.

Tennessee will hope to replace Henry's production with former Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard, who hauled in a three-year, $24 million contract offer from the Titans. Pollard posted a second straight 1,000-yard rushing season in Dallas last year and added 311 receiving yards.

Former Giants RB Saquon Barkley sides with NFC East rival

The other major splash signing at running back occurred with the Philadelphia Eagles, who are slated to sign former New York Giants first-round pick Saquon Barkley to a three-year, $37.75 million deal. Barkley will work with new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, who spent last year with the Chargers in the same position.

Last season's lead back for Philadelphia, D'Andre Swift (1,049 rushing yards, 5 rushing TDs) also signed with a new team, the Chicago Bears, on a three-year, $24 million deal.

The New York Giants will receive veteran help at running back with the addition of Devin Singletary (three-year, $16.5 million contract), the former Buffalo Bills back who spent one season with Houston last year and racked up 898 rushing yards and four rushing TDs, plus 193 receiving yards on 30 catches. He also surpassed 100 rushing yards in three games last season, against Tennessee, Arizona, and Cincinnati.

Other major free-agency running back moves

Josh Jacobs: Leaves Las Vegas Raiders for Green Bay Packers (four years, $48 million)

Aaron Jones: Leaves Packers for Vikings (one year, $6 million)

Austin Ekeler: Leaves Chargers for Washington Commanders (two years, $11.43 million)

Zack Moss: Leaves Indianapolis Colts for Cincinnati Bengals (two years, $8 million)

Joe Mixon: Leaves Bengals via trade to Texans (details TBD)

Antonio Gibson: Leaves Washington for New England Patriots (three years, $11.25 million)

Russell Wilson searches for resurgence in the Steel City

As for the quarterback carousel, Russell Wilson made the biggest news after he agreed to a one-year deal for the veteran's minimum of $1.2 million with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, Wilson will still get paid $37.8 million by his former team, the Denver Broncos. With a number of free-agent QBs already linked to other teams, Denver may look to replace Wilson with a rookie quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft, set for April 25-27.

Mitch Trubisky, who primarily played backup in Pittsburgh last season, will now back up Josh Allen in Buffalo on a two-year, $5.25 million contract.

Kirk Cousins takes flight for Atlanta

The other major free-agency shakeup at quarterback came on Monday, when it was announced longtime Minnesota Vikings signal caller Kirk Cousins would sign a four-year, $180 million deal in Atlanta.

The Falcons, who hired new head coach Raheem Morris in the offseason, needed quarterback help after second-year QB Desmond Ridder struggled during the 2023 season.

The Vikings, who finished with a 7-10 record in Kevin O'Connell's second season as head coach, have reached a deal with Sam Darnold on a one-year contract. Darnold most recently served as backup to Brock Purdy in San Francisco for one season.

Other major free-agency quarterback moves

Baker Mayfield: Re-signed with Tampa Bay Buccaneers (three years, $100 million)

Gardner Minshew: Leaves Colts for Raiders (two years, $25 million)

Jacoby Brissett: Leaves Commanders to rejoin Patriots (one year, $8 million)

Jameis Winston: Leaves New Orleans Saints for Cleveland Browns (one year, $4 million)

Tyrod Taylor: Leaves New York Giants for New York Jets (two years, up to $18 million)

Drew Lock: Leaves Seattle Seahawks for Giants (one year, $5 million)

Wideout Tee Higgins franchise-tagged but unhappy in Cincy

Free agency has been a bit quieter when it comes to the wide receiver position. Among the biggest storylines, the Cincinnati Bengals placed the franchise tag on fifth-year wideout Tee Higgins back in February, but the former second-round pick is reportedly unhappy with his team over the lack of discussion about a long-term contract extension and requested a trade this week.

The Bengals offered a one-year tender worth about $21.8 million for 2024. Both sides have until July 15 to work out a long-term deal if Higgins is not traded.

Other major free-agency wide receiver moves

Michael Pittman Jr.: Re-signed with Colts (three years, $70 million)

Mike Evans: Re-signed with Buccaneers (two years, $41 million)

Kendrick Bourne: Re-signed with Patriots (three years, $19.5 million)

Diontae Johnson: Traded to Carolina Panthers (along with seventh-round pick in 2024 draft for sixth-round pick in 2024 and cornerback Donte Jackson)

Darnell Mooney: Leaves Bears for Falcons (three years, $39 million)

Gabe Davis: Leaves Bills for Jacksonville Jaguars (three years, $39 million)

More notable 2024 free-agency signings

Tight end

Dalton Schultz: Re-signed with Texans (three years, $36 million)

Hunter Henry: Re-signed with Patriots (three years, $27 million)

Gerald Everett: Leaves Chargers for Bears (two years, $12 million)

Jonnu Smith: Leaves Falcons for Miami Dolphins (two years, $10 million)

Offensive line

Kevin Dotson: Re-signed with Los Angeles Rams (three years, $48 million)

Robert Hunt: Leaves Dolphins for Panthers (five years, $100 million)

Damien Lewis: Leaves Seahawks for Panthers (four years, $53 million)

Jonah Jackson: Leaves Detroit Lions for Rams (three years, $51 million)

Mike Onwenu: Re-signed with Patriots (three years, $57 million)

Andre James: Re-signed with Raiders (three years, $24 million)

Lloyd Cushenberry III: Leaves Broncos for Titans (four years, $50 million)

Defense

Chris Jones: Re-signed with Kansas City Chiefs (five years, $158.75 million)

Justin Madubuike: Re-signed with Ravens (four years, $98 million)

Christian Wilkins: Leaves Dolphins for Raiders (four years, $110 million)

Leonard Williams: Re-signed with Seahawks (three years, $64.5 million)

Josh Allen: Franchise-tagged by Jaguars (one year, $24.01 million)

Brian Burns: Leaves Panthers via trade to Giants (five-year, up to $150 million) 

Danielle Hunter: Leaves Vikings for Texans (two years, $49 million)

Bryce Huff: Leaves Jets for Eagles (three years, $51.1 million)

Jonathan Greenard: Leaves Texans for Vikings (four years, $76 million)

Patrick Queen: Leaves Ravens for Steelers (three years, $41 million)

Azeez Al-Shaair: Leaves Titans for Texans (three years, $34 million)

Jaylon Johnson: Re-signed with Bears (four years, $76 million)

L'Jarius Sneed: Franchise-tagged by Chiefs (one year, $19.8 million)

Sean Murphy-Bunting: Leaves Titans for Arizona Cardinals (three years, $25.5 million)

Antoine Winfield Jr.: Franchise-tagged by Bucs (one year, $17.12 million)

Kyle Dugger: Franchise-tagged by Patriots (one year, $13.81 million)

Xavier McKinney: Leaves Giants for Packers (four years, $68 million)