“The March 10th Power Shift: How the NFL’s Biggest Movers Flipped the League on Its Head”
March 10, 2025. A day where front offices across the league became war rooms, phone lines burned hotter than Vegas asphalt, and careers were reshaped in the span of a single signature.
This wasn’t just the usual flurry of free agency moves. This was a power shift—executed by 32 franchises, each trying to outmaneuver the next. Some teams played chess. Others played poker. But at the end of the day, a few walked away with the league’s biggest prizes, while others were left bluffing their way through press conferences.
The Heavy Hitters: Big Money, Big Risks, Big Rewards
DK Metcalf – Pittsburgh Steelers (4 years, $132M)
The Steelers didn’t just trade for DK Metcalf; they gave him the biggest wide receiver contract of the offseason. Pittsburgh sent a second-round pick to Seattle, and in return, they got a 6’4”, 235-pound gladiator with track speed and a highlight reel that could run on loop in Canton.
The message?
The Steelers aren’t here to play it safe. They’re here to run the AFC North.
Davante Adams – Los Angeles Rams (2 years, $44M)
While the Steelers got their future, the Rams got their headliner. Adams didn’t just land in LA—he orchestrated his move there, escaping the Jets’ mess and reuniting with an offense that actually knows what to do with a Hall of Fame receiver. McVay, Stafford, Adams? Box office.
Chase Young – New Orleans Saints (3 years, $51M)
At one point, Chase Young was supposed to be the next great defensive force. Injuries and inconsistency slowed him down, but the Saints are betting $51 million that he’s still got the explosiveness to terrorize NFC South quarterbacks for years to come.
Charvarius Ward – Indianapolis Colts (3 years, $60M)
Some corners cover. Others erase. Ward falls into the latter category, and the Colts didn’t hesitate to make him their new shutdown guy. For $60 million, he’s expected to lock down the AFC South’s best, from Calvin Ridley to Tank Dell.
Josh Sweat – Arizona Cardinals (4 years, $76.1M)
Arizona saw an opportunity and cashed in. Sweat brings elite pass-rushing to a team desperate for defensive stability. At $76.1 million, he isn’t cheap—but elite pressure off the edge never is.
Aaron Banks – Green Bay Packers (4 years, $77M)
What’s Jordan Love’s best friend? A brick wall in front of him. The Packers aren’t just trying to keep their young QB upright; they’re building an offensive line meant to last. Banks is the first piece of that investment.
Justin Fields – New York Jets (2 years, $40M)
Fields finally gets a fresh start, and the Jets—still recovering from their Aaron Rodgers soap opera—give him a two-year, prove-it deal. If he flops, they move on. If he thrives? They just stole a franchise QB at half price.
Sam Darnold – Seattle Seahawks (3 years, $100.5M)
Geno Smith is gone. Seattle’s banking on a Sam Darnold redemption arc. Three years, $100.5 million—it’s a lot of money for a quarterback who’s spent most of his career proving people wrong for believing in him. But the Seahawks are rolling the dice that, finally, this time, it works.
Jaycee Horn – Carolina Panthers (4 years, $100M)
A lockdown corner in his prime. Four years, $100 million. Carolina’s message? We’re not here to play defense. We’re here to win games.
The Wildest Moves: Sneaky Steals & Quiet Power Plays
Najee Harris – Los Angeles Chargers (1 year, $9.5M)
The Steelers move on, and the Chargers get a bargain. If Harris stays healthy, he gives LA’s offense a bruiser to balance their passing game.
Kenny Pickett Traded to Cleveland for Dorian Thompson-Robinson
Once the future of Pittsburgh, Pickett gets shipped to the Browns in a trade that feels like an experiment for both teams. Cleveland wanted competition at QB. Philadelphia saw something in DTR that Pittsburgh didn’t.
Tedarrell Slaton – Cincinnati Bengals (2 years, $15.1M)
A massive run-stuffer for a Bengals defense that got pushed around too much last season. This isn’t a flashy move, but it’s the kind that wins playoff games.
Zach Wilson – Miami Dolphins (1 year, $6M)
Miami is betting $6 million that Wilson’s time in New York wasn’t his fault. A backup role behind Tua might be exactly what he needs to reset.
Morgan Moses – New England Patriots (3 years, $24M)
Bill Belichick loves offensive linemen, and Moses is a cheap, reliable veteran to protect New England’s next QB project.
Haason Reddick – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1 year, $14M)
A one-year prove-it deal for one of the most underrated edge rushers in the league. If Reddick balls out, expect another big payday next year.
Myles Garrett – Cleveland Browns (4 years, $160M extension)
Cleveland doesn’t mess around. Four years, $160 million to lock up the most dominant pass-rusher of his generation. If you’re an AFC quarterback, good luck.
The Bottom Line: Winners, Losers & The Ones Left Waiting
Winners
• Steelers: DK Metcalf makes them legit contenders.
• Rams: Davante Adams keeps them dangerous.
• Jets: Justin Fields is the low-risk, high-reward QB they needed.
• Packers: Jordan Love gets protection for the next decade.
• Cardinals: Josh Sweat makes their defense relevant again.
Losers
• Seahawks: Gave up DK Metcalf for a second-round pick and bet $100.5 million on Sam Darnold. Yikes.
• Raiders: Did nothing while the rest of the AFC made moves.
• Cowboys: No major signings, no trades. Jerry Jones must be asleep.
Waiting on the Next Move…
• The Eagles: After losing Josh Sweat and other key pieces, they need a counterpunch.
• The 49ers: With Juszczyk and others leaving, what’s their next play?
• The Dolphins: Zach Wilson isn’t the move. Is there another big name coming?
The Final Takeaway
March 10th wasn’t just a day of transactions. It was a power shift.
The Steelers took Metcalf. The Rams grabbed Adams. The Browns secured Myles Garrett for the long haul. And across the league, every move told a story—of teams rising, teams falling, and teams still waiting for their moment.
Because in the NFL, the game isn’t just played on Sundays.
It’s played on the Wiretap.
Joseph Angel | Chief NFL Analyst for TheNSR Network
