
Formerly a dry period for the NFL, springtime has become one of the most exciting periods on the league calendar. Free agency, which began in the early 1990s, has blossomed into a two-week stream of big signings and team-altering acquisitions. And when the dust begins to settle, NFL fans turn their attention to the draft and the subsequent signing of undrafted rookies.
Championships are won in mid-winter, but the seeds of those championships are sewn in the spring. You don’t have to go back too far in history to see the significance of free agency. Just five years ago, the Buccaneers made one of the biggest offseason signings in history when they inked Tom Brady to a two-year contract. Less than a year later, “Tampa Tom” and his new teammates hoisted a celebratory boat parade.
Brady is just one of many examples of free agents who helped change the fortune of their new franchises. With the 2025 free agency season ready to kick off, let’s take a look at the best all-time free agent signing for all 32 teams.
Arizona Cardinals
Best signing: QB Kurt Warner (2005)
After a storybook run with the Rams, Warner inked a one-year deal with the Cardinals following a single season with the Giants. After two so-so seasons in Arizona, Warner replaced Matt Leinart as the starter during the 2007 season. In 2008, Warner threw for 4,583 yards and 30 touchdowns while helping lead the Cardinals to a division title. He then helped the Cardinals win three playoff games to clinch the franchise’s first Super Bowl berth. Warner led the Cardinals to the divisional round of the 2009 playoffs before retiring during the offseason.
Worst signing: QB Sam Bradford (2018)
Bradford went 0-3 as the Cardinals’ quarterback after receiving $15 million guaranteed. He lost his starting job to then-rookie Josh Rosen, who went 3-10 that season.
2025 NFL All-Free Agent Team: Vikings, Chiefs, Eagles headline best veteran talent on the market
Cody Benjamin
2025 NFL All-Free Agent Team: Vikings, Chiefs, Eagles headline best veteran talent on the market
Atlanta Falcons
Best signing: RB Michael Turner (2008)
It was close, but “Burner” Turner beats out tight end Tony Gonzalez for the top spot. After spending four years as LaDainian Tomlinson’s backup in San Diego, Turner inked a six-year, $34.5 million contract during the 2008 offseason. During his five seasons in Atlanta, Turner rushed for 6,081 yards and 60 touchdowns. He earned All-Pro honors in 2008 after rushing for 1,699 yards and 17 touchdowns. A two-time Pro Bowler, Turner had consecutive 1,300-yard rushing seasons in 2010 and in 2011. Turner is second all-time on the Falcons’ career rushing list.
Worst signing: OLB Dante Fowler (2020)
Fowler parlayed his career-high 11.5 sacks into a three-year, $45 million deal with the Falcons. He had just 7.5 sacks in two years in Atlanta before resurfacing with the Cowboys in 2022.
Buffalo Bills
Best signing: WR Steve Tasker (1986)
The special teams star edges out former teammates Kent Hull and James Lofton for the Bills’ top spot. A ninth-round pick in the 1985 draft, Tasker was claimed off of waivers by the Bills during the 1986 season. While he was seldom used on offense, Tasker was a force on special teams. He made seven Pro Bowls, including six straight from 1990-95. Tasker’s play helped the Bills win an unprecedented four consecutive AFC titles. His blocked punt set up the first touchdown of Super Bowl XXVII.
Worst signing: G Derrick Dockery (2007)
Buffalo signed the former Washington starter to a seven-year, $49 million deal back in 2007. Dockery struggled in Buffalo, however and he was released just two years into his deal.
Baltimore Ravens
Best signing: DE Michael McCrary (1997)
McCrary beat out former teammates Shannon Sharpe and Rod Woodson for the Ravens’ top spot. A former seventh-round pick, McCrary was a backup in Seattle for three years before breaking out with 13.5 sacks in 1996. McCrary’s big year earned him a three-year contract with the Ravens, who were in the process of putting together a championship defense.
After tallying a career-high 14.5 sacks in 1998, McCrary earned a five-year extension in 1999. The following season, McCrary helped the Ravens win their first Super Bowl. He tallied six sacks during the 2000 playoffs that included two sacks in Super Bowl XXXV. A member of the Ravens’ Ring of Honor, McCrary totaled 51 regular season sacks, 299 tackles and 42 tackles for loss during his six seasons in Baltimore.
Worst signing: S Earl Thomas (2019)
Thomas received a four-year $55 million contract in 2019. He lasted just one season in Baltimore; the Ravens released him after he punched a teammate.
Carolina Panthers
Best signing: LB Sam Mills (1995)
After a highly successful nine-year run in New Orleans, Mills signed a two-year deal with the expansion Panthers despite the Saints matching Carolina’s offer. The 36-year-old made an immediate impact in Carolina. In 1995, Mills tallied 110 tackles, 4.5 sacks, five interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), and four fumble recoveries. Mills earned All-Pro honors in 1996 while helping lead the Panthers to an NFC title game appearance.
A member of the Panthers’ Hall of Honor, Mills’ No. 51 has been retired by the franchise. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2022.
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At 37, Mills was the oldest defensive player ever selected to a Pro Bowl in 1996. Getty Images
Worst signing: DE Chuck Smith (2000)
Smith had 58.5 sacks in Atlanta, but he had none during his only season in Carolina. He played in just two games for the Panthers before injuries ended his career.
Cincinnati Bengals
Best signing: DE Trey Hendrickson (2021)
Hendrickson only needed one season in Cincinnati to claim this spot. Acquired during the 2021 offseason, the former Saints pass-rusher recorded a career-high 14 sacks during the regular season while helping the Bengals capture the AFC North division crown. He had 3.5 more sacks in the playoffs while helping lead the Bengals to an AFC title. Hendrickson was named to a second straight Pro Bowl in 2022 and recorded a career-high 17.5 sacks in 2023.
Worst signing: CB Trae Waynes (2020)
The former Vikings first-round pick signed with the Bengals in 2020. He missed that entire season because of a torn pectoral. Waynes was released after a hamstring issue limited him to just five games in 2021.
Cleveland Browns
Best signing: OL/K Lou Groza (1946)
An undrafted rookie out of Ohio State, Groza spent a whopping 21 seasons with the Browns. A member of all eight of the Browns’ championship teams, Groza was a nine-time Pro Bowler and a four-time All-Pro during the 1950s. After a one-year retirement, Groza returned to the Browns as a kicker in 1961. He led the NFL in field goal percentage twice while helping the Browns win the 1964 NFL title. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1974.
Worst signing: Jeff Garcia (2004)
The Browns were hoping that Garcia would continue to build on the success that made him a three-time Pro Bowler in San Francisco. That didn’t happen, however, as Cleveland went 3-7 during their lone season with Garcia under center. He spent just one season in Cleveland after signing a four-year deal ahead of the 2004 season.
Chicago Bears
Best signing: DT Steve McMichael (1981)
The man known as “Mongo” beat out future Hall of Fame pass rusher Julius Peppers. After just one season in New England, McMichael was cut by the Patriots and was signed by the Bears in 1981.
McMichael broke into the starting lineup in 1983 and remained there for the next decade. During that span, McMichael tallied 92.5 sacks and was a two-time All-Pro. He was also a valuable member of Chicago’s vaunted “46” defense, a unit that overwhelmed nearly everyone in 1985 en route to the franchise’s first Super Bowl win, a 46-10 romp of the Patriots.
McMichael was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2024.
Worst signing: QB Mike Glennon (2017)
Glennon signed a three-year, $45 million deal after making just five starts during his first three seasons (all in Tampa). He was benched in favor of Mitch Trubisky after just four games. He went 1-3 with four touchdowns and five picks during his brief Bears tenure.