The calm before the NFL Free Agency storm came with plenty of fireworks:

Browns Extend DE Myles Garrett
A stunner in every regard, as the embattled star defender quickly changed his trade demand tune, agreeing to an historic 4 year, $160M contract extension with the Browns that includes $88.8M fully guaranteed at signing, $100M cash across the next 3 seasons, and a 4 year, $123M practical guarantee. It's the highest everything for a non-QB, putting pressure on Cleveland to quickly right this ship. Garrett also secured a full no trade clause with the new contract (just for fun?).

Chiefs Extend LB Nick Bolton
Kansas City locked in their 2021 2nd round pick to a reported 3 year, $45M extension that includes $30M guaranteed. It's a 2 year $30M deal for practical purposes based on cash flow details, locking in Nick Bolton through his age 27 season with the Chiefs. The $15M APY ranks 5th among inside linebackers, as does the $30M guarantee.

Vikings Retain RB Aaron Jones
Minnesota foreshadowed this move when they pushed back the void date on Aaron Jones' previous contract to Tuesday, signaling an expectation that the two sides would come to terms before the start of the league year. It's a 2 year, $20M contract for the 30-year-old, which includes a reported $13M guaranteed. The $10M APY ranks 5th among active RB deals, just behind Josh Jacobs' $12M in Green Bay.

Seahawks Extend DL Jarran Reed
The Seahawks have been subtracting for the better part of a week, but they agreed to terms on a 3 year, $25M extension with Jarran Reed today, keeping him under contract through 2027, and off the open market next week. The 32-year-old has spent 7 of his 9 NFL seasons in Seattle, and now appears poised to finish out his career there as well.

Cardinals Keep OLB Baron Browning
Arizona got on the board this early offseason, retaining OLB Baron Browning on a 2 year deal worth up to $19M ($15M base value). The 26-year-old was acquired from Denver at the deadline, and now locks in through 2026.

TE Ertz Returns to Washington
The Commanders kept Zach Ertz off the board this weekend, locking in the 34-year-old TE to a 1 year, $6.25M contract that can max out at $9M with incentives. With Deebo Samuel soon to be in the fold, and an extension for Terry McLaurin almost certain to follow, Washington is prepping their offense for Year 2 of the Jayden Daniels experiment.

Lions Plan to Release Za'Darius Smith
Acquired at the trade deadline for a 5th & 6th round draft pick, Za'Darius Smith finished 2024 with 9 sacks. Detroit frees up over $5.7M of cap per the move, as the deal carried no dead cap when it was acquired via trade. The 32-year-old was set to garner a $6.9M option bonus next week, but instead will hit the open market for the 3rd time in 3 years. He's expected to draw significant interest from (other) contenders.

Bills Release OLB Von Miller
While the two sides discussed options to remain together in 2025 (and still might again down the line), Buffalo parted ways with Von Miller this weekend, a move that frees up just under $8.4M of cap space for a Bills' team still in the red financially. Miller was set to enter Year 4 of a 6 year, $120M contract, but now heads back to the open market after having earned $47.3M from the deal. The nearly 36-year-old is expected to seek a contract for 2025.