Free agency has become firmly entrenched in the NFL calendar. Like a child on Christmas morning, NFL fans wake up on the first day of free agency with hope, anticipation and excitement.
Many free agent signings have changed the course of history. Several players have carved out their Hall of Fame careers after joining forces with a new team. More than a few players have only added to their Hall of Fame resume via free agency. One player helped usher in the era of free agency while leading a franchise to prominence.
With another free agent season upon us, we decided to rank the 10 best free agent signings in NFL history.
10. RB Curtis Martin, Jets (1998)
Martin jumped at the chance to reunite with Bill Parcells (his former coach with the Patriots) in New York. With Martin leading the way, the Jets came within one game of the Super Bowl in 1998. Martin would continue to enjoy success over the next seven years. He had seven consecutive 1,000-yard seasons with Gang Green and in 2004 became the oldest player (age 31) to win the rushing title.
9. WR Cris Carter, Vikings (1990)
Carter was released after off-field issues prevented him from reaching his potential in Philadelphia. He took full advantage of his second opportunity in Minnesota, where Carter became a Hall of Fame player.
From 1993 to 2020, Carter earned eight consecutive Pro Bowl nominations, led the NFL in receptions in 1994 and paced the league in touchdowns three times. His success helped the Vikings win four division titles in addition to two NFC title game appearances.
8. John Riggins, Washington (1976)
Before the 1990s, star players signing with a new team in free agency were rare. But it’s something Riggins did after a fairly successful five-year stint with the New York Jets.
Riggins initially struggled in Washington before finding his stride in 1978. After a brief retirement in 1980, Riggins returned to Washington in 1981. A year later, he orchestrated one of the greatest individual performances in the playoff story that culminated in Washington’s first Super Bowl victory.
Woodson was looking for a fresh start after leaving Oakland, and that’s exactly what he found in Green Bay. He had eight picks in his first season in Green Bay and threw 38 interceptions in seven years with the team. Woodson won Defensive Player of the Year in 2009 and, a year later, played a key role in the Packers’ first Super Bowl victory in 14 years.
6. CB Deion Sanders, 49ers (1994)
After losing consecutive NFC title games to the Cowboys, the 49ers responded by signing perennial All-Pro Sanders. The 49ers also signed linebacker Ken Norton Jr., who had just helped the Cowboys win back-to-back Super Bowls. Sanders had his best season as a professional in 1994, returning three of his six interceptions for touchdowns en route to winning Defensive Player of the Year.
Sanders’ coverage of Michael Irvin played a pivotal role in the 49ers’ victory in the NFC title game against the Cowboys. Two weeks later, the 49ers defeated the Chargers to become the first franchise to win five Super Bowls.
After an incredible run in New England, Brady signed a two-year contract with the Buccaneers in March 2020. During his first year in Tampa, Brady led the Buccaneers to their second Super Bowl victory.
Against the defending champion Chiefs, Brady won his fifth Super Bowl MVP award after throwing three touchdowns in Tampa Bay’s 31-9 victory. At age 44, Brady led the NFL in passing yards and passing touchdowns. Brady retired after leading the Buccaneers to a third straight playoff appearance in 2022.
4. QB Kurt Warner, Rams (1998)
Warner spent the 1998 season in NFL Europe before being elevated to the Rams’ backup quarterback early in the 1999 season. He became the Rams’ starting quarterback when Trent Green suffered an injury ending to the season during the pre-season.
Warner quickly became a celebrity; he won the league MVP that season after throwing 41 touchdowns and leading the Rams to a 13-3 record. He won the Super Bowl MVP award after leading the Rams to a victory over the Titans in Super Bowl XXXIV. Warner won his second MVP in 2001 after leading the NFL in passing yards and touchdown passes. Warner’s Rams nearly won a second Super Bowl in three years. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017.
3. QB Drew Brees, Saints (2006)
Brees spent his first five NFL seasons in San Diego, where he led the Chargers to a division title in 2004. But a year later, Brees was deemed expendable by the Chargers after the team selected Philip Rivers in the first round. In free agency, Brees chose the Saints over the Dolphins.
That decision turned out to be a good one, as Brees led the Saints to a division title in his first season in New Orleans. Three years later, Brees earned Super Bowl MVP honors after leading New Orleans to a 31-17 victory over the Colts. Brees continued to enjoy success over the next decade in New Orleans, where he became the first NFL player to reach 80,000 career passing yards.
Manning led the Broncos to four division titles, two AFC titles and a Super Bowl victory during his four years in Denver. Individually, Manning was selected to three Pro Bowls, earned two All-Pro nominations, was named Comeback Player of the Year and league MVP. In 2013, Manning threw an NFL record 54 touchdown passes.
Manning retired after the 2015 season as the NFL’s all-time leader in passing yards. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021.
1. DE Reggie White, Packers (1993)
White became the first big-name free agent to sign with a new team during the NFL’s inaugural free agency season. White, who previously had a Hall of Fame career with the Eagles, had 68.5 sacks and six Pro Bowl selections during his six seasons in Green Bay.
White played an integral role in the Packers’ rise to prominence in the mid-to-late 1990s. His three sacks helped the Packers defeat the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI, ending the Packers’ 29-year drought. Green Bay.