NFL Free Agency 2024: Start Date, Rumors and Early Predictions

With Super Bowl LVIII in the books, the NFL can now officially turn the page to the 2024 offseason. The first tentpole event will arrive at 4 p.m. ET on March 13, when the new league year begins and free agency officially opens.

Teams can begin negotiating with impending free agents at 12 p.m ET on March 11.

The 2024 edition of free agency promises to be filled with intrigue and action. With the salary cap expected to exceed $240 million and notable players like Chris Jones, Kirk Cousins, Tee Higgins and Danielle Hunter scheduled to hit the market, the spending will likely be extensive and come quickly.

Below, we'll dive into some of the latest free-agency rumors and make a few predictions.

The Pittsburgh Steelers made the playoffs in 2023, but they got there without 2022 first-round pick Kenny Pickett under center. Pickett was initially sidelined by an ankle injury, but Mason Rudolph remained the starter even after Pickett was healthy.

The reality is that Pittsburgh hasn't seen the desired growth from Pickett over the past two years. Unsurprisingly, the Steelers plan to bring in competition at quarterback in the offseason.

"Man, I'm appreciative of [Pickett's] efforts and where he is and excited about continuing to work with him. But certainly, he will be challenged from a competition perspective moving forward," head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters at his end-of-season press conference.

Pittsburgh may already be circling its preferred option for said competition. According to Ian Rapoport, Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero of NFL Media, the Steelers are likely to consider reuniting Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill with new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith:

"The expectation is Pittsburgh will explore adding free agent Ryan Tannehill, who had his best years with the Titans while Smith was the OC there."

Pursuing Tannehill would be logical for two reasons. For one, he's already familiar with Smith's scheme and could, at the very least, push Pickett during training camp. Secondly, the 35-year-old should be a budget-friendly option—not unlike Mitch Tribusky two offseasons ago.

For a team facing a $14.7 million cap deficit, that's relevant.

Tannehill has a projected market value of just $4.9 million annually, so signing him shouldn't dramatically disrupt the team's other offseason plans.

Prediction: Tannehill signs with the Steelers

Tannehill isn't expected to have a plethora of suitors, which shouldn't be a surprise. He was a serviceable starter for the Titans but has never been among the top players at his position.

The same can't be said for Hunter, who has consistently been a standout pass-rusher for the Minnesota Vikings. He's reached double-digit sacks in four of the past five seasons, with the one season falling short of that number due to a season-ending pectoral tear in 2021.

Hunter finished his 2023 campaign with 16.5 sacks and 41 quarterback pressures. He should be one of the more coveted players in free agency, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

"He will have a very strong market, he turned 29 in October, and several teams had interest at the trade deadline," Fowler wrote.

Fowler mentions the Chicago Bears and Jacksonville Jaguars as two teams that could pursue Hunter. Jacksonville, though, has a decision to make on impeding free-agent pass-rusher Josh Allen, which could get expensive quickly.

Adding Hunter would make a ton of sense for the Bears, whose defense took off after the in-season addition of Montez Sweat. Pairing Hunter with Sweat would instantly give Chicago one of the top pass-rushing tandems in the league.

Armed with the first and ninth overall picks in April's draft, the Bears are poised to dramatically improve their roster and perhaps make a serious push at the postseason.

With $49.1 million in projected cap space, Chicago could also make a serious run at Hunter, who has a projected market value of $20 million annually.

Prediction: Hunter signs with the Bears

The Vikings, presumably, would like to keep Hunter. However, that will be difficult with just $28.9 million in projected cap space. Hunter's price point will be high, and Minnesota also has to determine the future of quarterback Kirk Cousins.

Giving Cousins the franchise tag isn't an option because of a clause in his last contract. Re-signing him could be tricky, as the 35-year-old has a projected market value of $39.3 million annually.

According to Rapoport, Garafolo and Pelissero, however, Minnesota would prefer to keep Cousins if possible but will consider other free-agent options:

"Cousins is expected to have a strong market, even coming off a torn Achilles as he enters his age-36 season, and Minnesota is evaluating all options in the event Cousins lands elsewhere."

With teams like the Washington Commanders and New England Patriots in need of quarterback help and far more cap-rich than Minnesota—not to mention a contract extension looming for star Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson—Cousins could quickly be priced out of Minnesota's range.

Targeting a low-priced veteran like Sam Darnold or Jacoby Brissett and targeting a new quarterback in the draft could make a lot more long-term sense for the Vikings. Minnesota currently owns the 11th overall pick and could make a play for a QB prospect like LSU's Jayden Daniels.

According to ESPN's Dan Graziano, the idea of pairing Daniels with former LSU star Jefferson "has appeal to some" in the Vikings organization.

Prediction: Minnesota does not re-sign Cousins

This is a great time to be in the market for a pass-rusher. While sack-artists are never going to be found at a discounted price, a strong free-agent class should prevent pass-rusher contracts from getting overinflated.

The list of impending free-agent pass-rushers includes Hunter, Allen, Brian Burns, Jadeveon Clowney, Za'Darius Smith, Bryce Huff, Leonard Floyd and Chase Young. There's a chance that another high-end edge-rusher also hits the market.

According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, the Philadelphia Eagles have granted Haason Reddick permission to seek a trade. The 29-year-old is coming off a second straight Pro Bowl campaign, one he finished with 11 sacks and 35 quarterback pressures.

In a different offseason, the demand for Reddick might be exceptionally high. With a deep free-agent class, however, the Eagles might not get the sort of trade offers they'd prefer.

Reddick's contract is also a relevant factor.

The Eagles are projected to have $20.9 million in cap space, but they could save another $15.5 million by releasing Reddick with a post-June 1 designation. Considering Philadelphia's pressing needs at linebacker, cornerback and safety, Reddick could become a cap casualty.

The possibility, however unlikely, that Reddick could eventually become available on the open market could further prevent teams from going overboard with trade offers. At the same time, though, it could also force the Eagles to accept any reasonable offer that comes their way.

Even an underwhelming trade could be preferable to losing Reddick for cap savings alone.

Prediction: Reddick is traded before the 2024 NFL draft

*Cap, contract and market information via Spotrac. Advanced statistics from Pro Football Reference.