At 4 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, the 2021 NFL season actually started. At that second, groups might start formally signing free brokers following two days of authorized tampering. And whereas many gamers got here to phrases on contracts throughout the tampering interval, greater than half of the gamers on Pete Prisco’s high 100 free brokers listing have been nonetheless accessible getting into the primary day of the brand new league 12 months. 

The Patriots have been arms down the unofficial winner of the league’s two-day tampering interval. And simply when when it appeared that the Pats would go someday with out making a splash, New England introduced again linebacker Kyle Van Noy, the identical participant the workforce obtained a 2021 compensatory choose for after dropping him final season. 

Patriots apart, here is a have a look at the (different) winners and losers from the primary day of the brand new league 12 months. 

The Panthers addressed their move rush with the acquisition of Haason Reddick, the highest accessible move rusher in the beginning of the day. In Reddick, the Panthers are getting a participant who had 12.5 sacks and 6 compelled fumbles final season. To high it off, Carolina acquired Reddick for an affordable $8 million wage. The Panthers additionally got here to phrases with Denzel Perryman, a veteran linebacker who spent his first six seasons with the Chargers. 

Fitzgerald is a “loser” solely because it pertains to his odds at remaining with the Cardinals after Arizona signed former Bengals wideout A.J. Inexperienced to a one-year deal. If he continues to play in 2021, Fitzgerald will doubtless should discover a new workforce. One possibility might be the Steelers, who could determine so as to add a veteran to their receiving corps with the anticipated departure of JuJu Smith-Schuster. 

The eight-time Professional Bowler grew to become the highest-paid offensive lineman in league historical past when he and the 49ers got here to phrases on a six-year, $138 million deal. The deal additionally consists of $55.1 million assured and a $30.1 million signing bonus. After a one-year hiatus, the 32-year-old Williams proved final season that he’s nonetheless among the many greatest left tackles in soccer. 

In an ideal world, the Chiefs would have paired new guard Joe Thuney with both Williams or Rodney Hudson. However after not getting both participant, the Chiefs signed former Bears lineman Kyle Lengthy to a one-year deal. Whereas Lengthy was a great participant for the Bears, he hasn’t performed in a 12 months and handled accidents throughout his final 4 years in Chicago. Lengthy is an honest addition, however the Chiefs missed an opportunity to hit a house run on the offensive line. 

Winners: Curtis Samuel/Washington Soccer Crew

Washington wanted a No. 2 receiver reverse Terry McLaurin, and Samuel was on the lookout for an enormous payday. Each events obtained what they needed after the previous Panther got here to phrases on a three-year, $34.5 million contract. And whereas some could criticize Washington for overspending for Samuel, that will not be the case if Samuel helps the Soccer Crew win a second consecutive NFC East title in 2021. 

Losers/Winners: Giants/Bengals 

That is going to come back right down to which workforce is ready to safe Kenny Golladay. The 2 groups are reportedly in pursuit of Golladay, who’s arguably the most effective accessible receiver nonetheless in the marketplace. Golladay can be the proper complement for Giants receivers Darius Slayton and Sterling Shepard. He would even be a perfect goal for Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. Golladay is a winner no matter how this shakes out, and it seems he could also be in the course of a bidding struggle.