The number of veteran safeties available on the open market at this moment is somewhat staggering. There are some big names out there and any one of these performers could help a team immediately. In fact, one team has already seized the moment.
The Bears wasted little time scooping up Kevin Byard, released by Philadelphia recently. A year ago, the Eagles dealt for the two-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro during the season. He wound up playing and starting 10 regular-season games, and still finished fourth on the club with 75 tackles. He added five tackles in the playoff loss at Tampa Bay.
Quite The Market
Performers such as Justin Simmons (Broncos) – a Pro Bowler in 2020 and 2023 -, as well as Jordan Poyer (Bills), Eddie Jackson (Bears), Tracy Walker (Lions), Keanu Neal (Steelers), Adrian Phillips (Patriots) and Rayshawn Jenkins (Jaguars), have been cut loose by their respective organizations. So was the starting tandem of Jamal Adams and Quandre Diggs, late of the Seattle Seahawks.
So, how come these players can be signed now, and a team does not have to wait until March 13? That’s because they are veterans which had their contracts terminated, so they can sign immediately with any club.
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Of course, when it comes to the safety position, there are players like Xavier McKinney (Giants), Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (Lions), and Tashaun Gipson (49ers) that will be in demand. The “legal tampering” period begins on Monday, March 11, at noon ET.
The “street free-agent” market has already been busy. Along with the Byard signing, the Jacksonville Jaguars scooped up former Bills’ center Mitch Morse on Monday. Late last week, tight end Jonnu Smith, released by the Atlanta Falcons, signed a two-year deal with the Miami Dolphins. You would have to figure at least two or three of these available safeties will have a new home sooner rather than later.