NFL players that have been cut recently are up for grabs now in free agency. And the talent pool available is already enticing.
The NFL’s new fiscal year begins on March 17, 2021. Teams have to be under the salary cap by 4:00 pm ET that afternoon, which is also the time that player’s contracts for 2020 expire and they become unrestricted free agents.
Players with less than four years’ experience that can become restricted free agents and there’s also the process of a team naming a franchise player. Yes, there’s a lot of work to be done over the next two-plus weeks.
But there are numerous players out there right now that can be signed by any of the 32 clubs immediately. That’s because their contracts were terminated by their teams, primarily in an attempt to get under the salary cap. The most prominent of those available free agents is former Houston Texans’ defensive end J.J. Watt, who is still weighing his options (via ESPN).
But what about running back Mark Ingram, cut loose by the Baltimore Ravens earlier this year? There’s also talented defensive tackle Kawann Short, let go by the Carolina Panthers less than a week ago.
The Philadelphia Eagles have parted ways with veteran wide receiver DeSean Jackson (see Jeff Kerr of CBS Sports), who didn’t play a lot of football these past two seasons but proved that he could still be a viable deep threat. And the Las Vegas Raiders recently made the decision to terminate wide receiver Tyrell Williams, who inked a four-year contract in 2019. He missed all of this past season due to injury.
There’s veteran cornerback A.J. Bouye (Broncos) and safeties Tre Boston (Panthers) and Ricardo Allen. Like Allen, defensive end Allen Bailey was also released by the Atlanta Falcons. And tackle Ricky Wagner and inside Christian Kirksey lasted but one year with the Green Bay Packers.
Now add defensive lineman Jurrell Casey to the list of players who can be signed immediately. A year ago, the former standout for the Tennessee Titans was dealt to the Denver Broncos for a seventh-round draft pick. But apparently he’s one and done in the Mile High City as he was released by the club.
As teams look for free up money, the list of veterans that can be signed immediately will grow over the next few weeks. And more than one team will wind up getting a bargain.