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NFL Free Agents About To Make Way More Than You Think

Dec 15, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston (5) calls signals against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn ImagesDec 15, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston (5) calls signals against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images

As a former No. 1 overall pick with a cannon for an arm and 10 seasons under your belt as an NFL quarterback, free agency can be a funky experience.

How much would you expect to be paid for beating the division-winning Baltimore Ravens and playoff-qualifier Pittsburgh Steelers (in a snow globe Thursday night game) in a stretch of four weeks?

That’s where Jameis Winston’s mind is going before Tuesday, when teams can officially use the franchise tag and the NFL’s seemingly half-day offseason comes to a close.

Winston is not the top free agent or veteran quarterback on the market, of course. But while others might make a serious play for Aaron Rodgers, Kirk Cousins, Sam Darnold and Russell Wilson, could Winston be a surprise moneymaker while shopping for a place to throw his 155th career TD pass?

With career earnings over $76 million after signing for $1.2 million to back up Deshaun Watson with the Cleveland Browns in 2024, Winston is a possible placeholder for teams such as the Tennessee Titans or Las Vegas Raiders while they develop a younger option.

Backups are cost-effective in terms of their potential significance and overall importance. A former No. 2 overall draft pick, Carson Wentz was No. 2 for the Chiefs in 2024 with a guaranteed take of only $2.2 million, a modest figure for the one-snap-away circumstance he walked into behind Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City.

Winston could approach the $8 million range the New England Patriots paid Jacoby Brissett to be the temporary frontman before handing the keys to Drake Maye in 2024. Marcus Mariota, yet another former No. 2 overall pick selected one spot behind Winston in 2015, was paid $6 million to help teach and peer-coach Jayden Daniels for the Washington Commanders.

Which other NFL free agents might get more money than expected in March?

Vikings CB Byron Murphy

Estimated Value: $16 million per season

Nov 27, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; A Minnesota Vikings helmet sits idle on the field before the game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn ImagesNov 27, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; A Minnesota Vikings helmet sits idle on the field before the game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

Murphy picked off a team-leading six passes in 2024, and the Vikings are stressed on salaries, including legendary sidekick Harrison Smith—a free agent with 13 seasons in Minnesota—at safety. If Charvarius Ward leaves the San Francisco 49ers as expected, he is in the running with Murphy as the best cover man on the market. However, teams at the top of the draft might already have their eye on Colorado’s Travis Hunter or Michigan’s Will Johnson, who can be had at a fraction of the price of a top free agent corner.

Murphy is only 27 and could command more than $15 million per year after joining the Vikings in 2023 on a two-year deal at $8.75 million annually.

49ers LB Dre Greenlaw

Value: $10 million per season

Feb 8, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw (57) during a press conference before Super Bowl LVIII at Hilton Lake Las Vegas Resort and Spa. credits: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY SportsFeb 8, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw (57) during a press conference before Super Bowl LVIII at Hilton Lake Las Vegas Resort and Spa. credits: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

He’s 27 and didn’t erase doubts about his ability to return to the junkyard dog style of play that made him a perennial Pro Bowl candidate alongside Fred Warner. The positives? His age and well-known work ethic. 

He also mastered the 3-4 defense and can be used in multiple ways depending on the scheme. The negatives? Just now over the one-year mark since rupturing his left Achilles, Greenlaw lasted 30 snaps in his first game back in December, then tried to play through Achilles and knee discomfort a week later, only to be shut down after four plays. Greenlaw retains a high value because of his rep and the proliferation of former 49ers staffers throughout the league, namely DeMeco Ryans with the Houston Texans and former assistant GM Adam Peters, who now calls the shots for the Commanders.

Cardinals LG Will Hernandez

Value: $11 million per season

Sep 29, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals guard Will Hernandez (76) against the Washington Commanders at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesSep 29, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals guard Will Hernandez (76) against the Washington Commanders at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Given a choice between Hernandez and Chiefs RG Trey Smith, another unrestricted free agent, most teams are going to lean into Smith. 

If the Chiefs do tag Smith, considering left guard and part-time left tackle Joe Thuney also is up for a new deal, Hernandez represents a stellar fallback option. He wrapped up a two-year, $9 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals but played just five games in 2024 due to a torn ACL. Because the injury occurred in October, he is likely to be ready for training camp but celebrates his 30th birthday on Sept. 2. A team with a hole to fill and a power-run scheme could easily offer $9 million to $12 million annually on a three-year deal.

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Red Sox tackle Blue Jays to secure sixth straight series win

Jul 26, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Ranger Suarez (55) pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn ImagesJul 26, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Ranger Suarez (55) pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

Boston Red Sox starter Ranger Suarez and four relievers combined to shut down the visiting Toronto Blue Jays in a 6-1 win Sunday.

Boston, which has won 17 of its last 19 games, won a sixth straight series.

Suarez, pitching for the first time since July 5 due to a groin strain, was taken out after four scoreless innings and 64 pitches. The southpaw allowed four hits with no walks and struck out six.

Greg Weissert (3-2), Tyron Guerrero, Justin Slaten and Ryan Watson scattered five Blue Jays hits the rest of the way.

Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman (4-10) allowed three runs and five hits in six innings. The right-hander walked one and struck out six in 98 pitches.

Toronto has lost eight straight Gausman starts, and the 35-year-old has not won since May 22.

Boston jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the third when Andruw Monasterio led off with a single off the Green Monster. He scored on a two-out single by Ceddanne Rafaela.

The Red Sox added two more in the fourth when Willson Contreras led off with a walk and Caleb Durbin singled. Romy Gonzalez laid down a bunt to sacrifice the runners to second and third, and Jarren Duran drove them both in with a single to center for a 3-0 lead.

Suarez, meanwhile, kept the Blue Jays off balance.

His only trouble came in the fourth inning when Alejandro Kirk and George Springer hit back-to-back one-out singles. Suarez, however, induced Daulton Varsho to hit into a fielder’s choice and then struck out Kazuma Okamoto looking to end the threat.

The Red Sox scored three more in the seventh.

Duran led off with a single and Monasterio walked. Carlos Narvaez bunted them over and pinch hitter Jahmai Jones doubled them both in with a drive off the wall in center.

Jones came home when Wilyer Abreu broke an 0-for-20 streak with a double off the wall in left.

The Blue Jays finally broke through in the ninth with three hits. Andres Gimenez drove in Varsho with two outs for their lone run.

–Field Level Media

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Birthday boy Ryan O'Hearn leads Pirates past Cubs

Jul 26, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Brandon Lowe (left) and designated hitter Bryan Reynolds (10) greet first baseman Ryan O'Hearn (29) crossing home plate on a grand slam home run against the Chicago Cubs during the third inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn ImagesJul 26, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Brandon Lowe (left) and designated hitter Bryan Reynolds (10) greet first baseman Ryan O’Hearn (29) crossing home plate on a grand slam home run against the Chicago Cubs during the third inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Ryan O’Hearn celebrated his 32nd birthday by belting his second grand slam of the season and fourth of his career as the host Pittsburgh Pirates held on for an 8-7 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Sunday.

Pittsburgh’s Shawn Ross launched a two-run homer in his second MLB game while rookie Esmerlyn Valdez also went deep and added an RBI single

Brandon Lowe collected three hits and two runs as the Pirates snapped a three-game losing streak in the finale of the three-game series.

The offensive explosion proved just enough for Braxton Ashcraft (10-4), who allowed four runs on seven hits in six innings.

Carmen Mlodzinski bridged the gap to Mason Montgomery, who surrendered Seiya Suzuki’s two-run homer in the ninth before retiring the next two batters to secure his second save.

Pete Crow-Armstrong ripped an RBI triple and Dansby Swanson, Nico Hoerner and Pedro Ramirez each had an RBI single for the Cubs.

Swanson opened the scoring in the second with an RBI single, but that slim advantage didn’t last long.

Valdez sent a 1-1 cutter from Jameson Taillon (2-6) over the left center wall to lead off the second inning. Valdez’s homer was his 14th of the season and eighth in his last 13 games. After O’Hearn walked, Ross deposited a 3-2 cutter over the wall in left.

The Pirates loaded the bases in the third before O’Hearn deposited a 0-1 fastball from Taillon over the wall in center to stake his team to a 7-1 lead. The homer by O’Hearn was his 17th of the season and first since he went deep three times — highlighted by a grand slam — in a 12-4 victory over the Atlanta Braves on July 7.

Taillon permitted seven runs on six hits in four innings to fall to 0-5 in his last eight outings.

Chicago scored three times in the fourth before Valdez’s broken-bat RBI single off Ryan Rolison extended Pittsburgh’s advantage to 8-5 in the fifth.

–Field Level Media

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Jerry Kelly holds on to win 'indescribable' Senior Open title

Jerry Kelly hits out of a bunker on hole No. 14 during round 3 of the Kaulig Companies PGA Championship, July 11, 2026, at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio.Jerry Kelly hits out of a bunker on hole No. 14 during round 3 of the Kaulig Companies PGA Championship, July 11, 2026, at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio.

Jerry Kelly turned a clutch bunker shot on the final hole into a birdie and won the ISPS Handa Senior Open by two shots on Sunday in Auchterarder, Scotland.

Kelly, 59, delivered his third consecutive round of 2-under-par 68 on The King’s Gleneagles course and finished at 10-under 270 to win the fifth and final major tournament of the season.

Matt Gogel, Darren Fichardt of South Africa and Cameron Percy of Australia all finished two shots back in a tie for second place.

With a one-shot lead on the par-5 closing hole, Kelly found the bunker with his second shot. The Madison, Wisc., native put the bunker shot to within 4 feet and made the putt for his first Senior Open title and his third major victory on the Champions Tour.

“It’s indescribable to win it,” said Kelly, who now has 15 overall victories on the Champions Tour. “The senior Claret Jug is the trophy that I’ve wanted as an over-50 golfer other than any other. To do it in Scotland, at the home of golf … I mean, I’m absolutely speechless.”

Tied for the lead with Percy at the start of the final round, Kelly was 2 under through five holes before his first bogey of the day at No. 6. He bounced back by birdieing the par-3 eighth. Kelly also had a bogey at No. 11 before he reeled off six consecutive pars that led into his birdie at 18.

“My brain, actually, was the most successful part of my game,” Kelly said. “In the past I would have gotten down that I wasn’t striking it the way I’d like to strike it. But instead of worrying about that, I just went and took care of the next shot.

“I learned a lot about myself today, and I wish I would have learned it about 20, 30 years ago.”

Gogel worked his way into contention with a 7-under 63 in the final round as he shot a 4-under 30 on the front nine. He also had birdies at Nos. 10 and 12 to close the gap, then wrapped his round with his seventh birdie of the day at No. 18.

“Certainly by 10, when I had a two-putt birdie there, I was thinking, ‘Geez, we keep this thing going, we have a chance to get a high finish,'” Gogel said.

Percy (even-par 70) had a rocky ride in the final round and was at 2 over the front nine. He had his first birdie of the day at No. 10 before another bogey at No. 11. He gathered himself down the stretch for two more birdies but was unable to collect another at the 18th.

Percy missed a 6-foot birdie putt on the final hole that would have put more pressure on Kelly.

Fichardt shot a 4-under 66 to close in on Kelly. He started his round with a bogey on the first hole, but had a strong finish with birdies at Nos. 14, 15 and 18.

Kely remained undaunted with his one-putt birdie to win it.

“To be on this trophy, to be a part of this trophy, to be a part of the R&A — I just love it over here, I really do,” Kelly said. “It brings it full circle that I didn’t do what I wanted to in the Open Championship but to get it done here, I mean, I’m over the moon.”

–Field Level Media

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