NFL Free Agency has not officially begun but it blasted off on Monday. One of the explosions was a new deal for former Alabama football player, Landon Collins.
From the outside, NFL Free Agency appears crazy. For NFL players, including 14 former Alabama football players, it could not be more serious.
For some of them, it is the best opportunity for a career-best deal. For others, it is a chance for a fresh start with new coaches and new teammates. For more than a few, failing to gain a new free agent contract may mean the end of their professional football career.
There was big news on Monday, mainly because some of the money being tossed out was way beyond generous. Quarterback Nick Foles got a four-year $88M deal from Jacksonville with $50M guaranteed. It is hard to imagine the Jags were in any kind of bidding war for Foles.
Alabama football fans remember the LSU Honey Badger. Tyrann Mathieu got a three-year, $42M deal from Kansas City.
Tide fans were stunned when the New York Giants opted to not hold on to Landon Collins. Landon came out a big winner as a result. Washington gave Collins a six-year, $84M deal with $45M guaranteed. How does Landon’s deal compare to the highest free agent, safety contract deal last year? It was three years for $16M and $6M guaranteed.
Depending on what happens with Ha Ha Clinton-Dix who is a free agent, the Redskins could have as many as seven former Alabama football players as starters next season.
Multiple reports are Washington is trying to trade a couple of current players so they can also add C.J. Mosley. Baltimore chose to not award Mosley with a franchise tag. The five-year NFL veteran has many suitors, including the Ravens who still want to sign him.
Another former Alabama football star who will likely find a new team is Mark Ingram. After eight seasons with New Orleans, Ingram will probably play elsewhere next season. The shelf-life for top NFL running backs is short, with the average much less than eight seasons. The good news for Ingram is the Saints never over-worked him. He will have no trouble finding a good deal. As a point of comparison, RB Frank Gore was assured of a 14th NFL season on Monday when Buffalo gave him a one-year deal. Baltimore and Green Bay are believed to be very interested in Ingram. The Saints would like to keep him.
Also getting a new deal on Monday was Kareem Jackson. Kareem signed a three-year deal with Denver for $33M with $23M guaranteed. Jackson has played nine NFL seasons, all with Houston.
Other former Crimson Tide players who should gain new contracts are T.J. Yeldon and Mark Barron. Both should land new deals with new teams.
James Carpenter, D. J. Fluker and Carson Tinker will likely find new teams. Carpenter and Fluker have some productive years left. Surely, among 32 teams, Tinker’s experienced specialization will be valued.
The guys who will have the toughest time finding a new team are Andre Smith, Arie Kouandjio, Chance Warmack and Damion Square. Smith has 10 NFL seasons behind him and fortunately, according to spotrac.com, has already earned $50M.
The next few days will be crazy with free agent deals. Bama Hammer will track all the moves of former Crimson Tide players.