The greatest NFL free agent signings of all time
Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Reggie White. (Photo by Icon Sports Media)
March 18th, 2020
In undoubtedly the biggest offseason move that will occur this year, the greatest quarterback in NFL history is taking his talents to Tampa Bay. Tom Brady has left the Patriots. It is a free-agent signing worth a reported $30 million, and how much this impacts and helps the Bucs remains to be seen.
As NFL free agency continues and other big names around the league make their moves, let’s review the five most successful free-agent signings of all time.
5. Kevin Mawae (New York Jets)
The Hall of Fame center started his career with four seasons for the Seahawks, before he switched coasts and took up residence as the starting center for the New York Jets. With the Jets, Mawae went on to eight Pro Bowls and three All-Pro seasons. He started and played in all 118 games for the franchise.
4. Reggie White (Green Bay Packers)
Arguably the greatest pass rusher of all time, White began his career in Philadelphia. In the prime of his career, he signed with the Green Bay Packers, where he played another six seasons and had a major impact on the Packers’ Super Bowl XXXI victory. White was voted to 13 Pro Bowls, including every year he played with the Packers.
Former #Packers DL John Jurkovic, who wore #92 at the time, recalls the day Reggie White came to Green Bay in 1993 🎥 https://t.co/nSHHdGe1P2
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) January 30, 2019
3. Deion Sanders (Dallas Cowboys)
Sanders is considered one of the greatest cornerbacks of all time for good reason. He was known to bait quarterbacks with his deceptive quickness and speed, and after he started his career in Atlanta and spent a year in San Francisco, "Prime Time" went to Dallas, where he played five seasons. While with the Cowboys, Sanders was named an All-Pro three times.
2. Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints)
Brees is guaranteed to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer and has put together one of the most efficient careers of any quarterback who has ever played. After he started his career with six seasons for the Chargers, Brees moved to New Orleans, where he has become the face of the franchise.
Brees has 13 Pro Bowl appearances, a Super Bowl win and MVP, the most passing touchdowns in NFL history, and most passing yards. He has put together some of the greatest completion-percentage games and seasons and has defined the Saints for the last 15 years.
Another week, another throw for the Drew Brees highlight reel...#NFLPlayoffs | @Saints | #GoSaints pic.twitter.com/LQYQYE5hsj
— NFL UK (@NFLUK) January 8, 2018
1. Peyton Manning (Denver Broncos)
Manning’s move from Indianapolis, after he already established himself as a Hall of Famer, brought the Broncos a championship and gave Denver three years of winning.
After he missed the 2011 season with a neck injury, Manning returned to football via free agency as the quarterback in Denver. Manning went 45-12 as a starter there and won Super Bowl 50 for a franchise that appeared lost prior to his arrival. Just two years before his arrival, the Broncos were 4-12.
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