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The jersey changes that changed the league

The biggest NFL free-agent moves ever.

The open-market decisions that altered championship races, validated new roster-building eras and changed what a franchise believed was possible. Each card opens the full offseason around the signing.

01Free agencyApril 6, 1993From PHIPHIWHITE92To GBGBWHITE92Reggie White validates free agencyThe premier player in the NFL's first unrestricted market chose Green Bay, proving that the league's smallest market could recruit a transformational star.Philadelphia Eagles → Green Bay PackersOpen offseason →02Free agencyMarch 20, 2020From NENEBRADY12To TBTBBRADY12Brady leaves New England for Tampa BayAfter 20 seasons and six titles with the Patriots, Brady chose a talented Buccaneers roster that had not reached the playoffs since 2007.New England Patriots → Tampa Bay BuccaneersOpen offseason →03Free agencyMarch 20, 2012From INDINDMANNING18To DENDENMANNING18Peyton Manning chooses DenverReleased after four neck procedures, Manning selected Denver following a league-wide pursuit and turned an 8–8 playoff team into an immediate power.Indianapolis Colts → Denver BroncosOpen offseason →04Free agencySeptember 15, 1994From ATLATLSANDERS21To SFSFSANDERS21Deion tips the NFC rivalrySan Francisco added the league's most feared cover corner specifically to close the gap on Dallas after consecutive conference-title losses.Atlanta Falcons → San Francisco 49ersOpen offseason →05Free agencyMarch 14, 2006From LACLACBREES9To NONOBREES9Brees and New Orleans rebuild togetherMiami passed over Brees because of his shoulder, allowing Sean Payton and the Saints to unite with a quarterback whose accuracy fit a new offense and a recovering city.San Diego Chargers → New Orleans SaintsOpen offseason →06Free agencyApril 26, 2006From LVLVWOODSON24To GBGBWOODSON21Woodson reinvents himself in Green BayA quiet market sent the former No. 4 pick to Green Bay, where he became a versatile playmaker rather than merely a veteran corner.Oakland Raiders → Green Bay PackersOpen offseason →07Free agencyMarch 5, 2010From CARCARPEPPERS90To CHICHIPEPPERS90Peppers restores Chicago's frontChicago paid the market's dominant edge defender to upgrade a veteran defense still built around Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs.Carolina Panthers → Chicago BearsOpen offseason →08Free agencyMarch 15, 2018From WASWASCOUSINS8To MINMINCOUSINS8Minnesota guarantees Cousins's futureThe top quarterback on the open market joined a team coming off an NFC Championship appearance on a landmark fully guaranteed contract.Washington Commanders → Minnesota VikingsOpen offseason →09Free agencyMarch 12, 2014From DALDALWARE94To DENDENWARE94Ware completes Denver's defensive answerReleased by Dallas, Ware joined Von Miller as Denver rebuilt the defense after its Super Bowl XLVIII defeat.Dallas Cowboys → Denver BroncosOpen offseason →10Free agencyMarch 14, 2013From NENEWELKER83To DENDENWELKER83Welker crosses between AFC powersPeyton Manning gained the era's defining slot receiver while Tom Brady lost his most reliable volume target.New England Patriots → Denver BroncosOpen offseason →11Free agencyMarch 11, 2015From DETDETSUH90To MIAMIASUH93Miami makes Suh the market's centerpieceThe Dolphins used the richest defensive contract in league history at the time to pull an All-Pro tackle away from Detroit.Detroit Lions → Miami DolphinsOpen offseason →12Free agencyMarch 20, 1998From NENEMARTIN28To NYJNYJMARTIN28Curtis Martin follows Parcells to New YorkThe Jets signed New England's restricted free-agent running back and surrendered first- and third-round compensation to a division rival.New England Patriots → New York JetsOpen offseason →13Free agencyMarch 13, 2019From PITPITBELL26To NYJNYJBELL26Bell lands in New York after a lost seasonAfter sitting out 2018 in a contract dispute, Bell became the centerpiece of the Jets' offensive reset on a four-year deal.Pittsburgh Steelers → New York JetsOpen offseason →14Free agencyMarch 26, 2018From MIAMIASUH93To LARLARSUH93Suh joins Aaron Donald in Los AngelesThe Rams added another decorated interior defender to an aggressive veteran build designed to capitalize on Jared Goff's rookie contract.Miami Dolphins → Los Angeles RamsOpen offseason →15Free agencyMarch 13, 2024From MINMINCOUSINS8To ATLATLCOUSINS18Cousins resets Atlanta's quarterback planAtlanta guaranteed a major veteran contract to stabilize an offense built around recent first-round skill talent.Minnesota Vikings → Atlanta FalconsOpen offseason →16Free agencyJuly 24, 2023From ARIARIHOPKINS10To TENTENHOPKINS10Hopkins chooses TennesseeThe Titans added a proven contested-catch target to a young receiver room while trying to extend their veteran competitive window.Arizona Cardinals → Tennessee TitansOpen offseason →17Free agencyJune 12, 2017From KCKCMACLIN19To BALBALMACLIN18A surprise release sends Maclin to BaltimoreKansas City's late roster decision unexpectedly placed a starting receiver on the market well after the draft.Kansas City Chiefs → Baltimore RavensOpen offseason →18Free agencyMarch 6, 2023From LVLVCARR4To NONOCARR4Carr becomes New Orleans's veteran answerThe Saints moved first in the veteran quarterback market, reuniting Carr with former Raiders coach Dennis Allen.Las Vegas Raiders → New Orleans SaintsOpen offseason →19Free agencyMarch 17, 2023From SFSFGAROPPOLO10To LVLVGAROPPOLO10Garoppolo takes over for Carr in Las VegasThe Raiders replaced one veteran passer with another familiar to coach Josh McDaniels from New England.San Francisco 49ers → Las Vegas RaidersOpen offseason →20Free agencyMarch 16, 2023From LARLARMAYFIELD17To TBTBMAYFIELD6Mayfield follows Brady in Tampa BayTampa Bay made a modest bet on the former No. 1 pick after Tom Brady's retirement left the offense without a starter.Los Angeles Rams → Tampa Bay BuccaneersOpen offseason →21Free agencyMarch 19, 2021From LACLACHENRY86To NENEHENRY85Henry headlines New England's spending spreeThe Patriots guaranteed major money to an accomplished receiving tight end during an uncharacteristically aggressive market opening.Los Angeles Chargers → New England PatriotsOpen offseason →22Free agencyMarch 19, 2021From TENTENSMITH81To NENESMITH81Smith gives New England a second tight-end betNew England paired Smith with Henry in an attempt to rebuild the multiplicity that once defined its offense.Tennessee Titans → New England PatriotsOpen offseason →23Free agencyMarch 19, 2021From BALBALJUDON99To NENEJUDON9Judon becomes the defensive payoffThe Patriots added Baltimore's versatile edge defender as the centerpiece of their front-seven reconstruction.Baltimore Ravens → New England PatriotsOpen offseason →24Free agencyMarch 10, 2017From TBTBGLENNON8To CHICHIGLENNON8Chicago signs a bridge before drafting its futureThe Bears committed veteran money to Glennon weeks before moving up for Mitchell Trubisky.Tampa Bay Buccaneers → Chicago BearsOpen offseason →25Free agencyMarch 9, 2017From CHICHIHOYER2To SFSFHOYER2Hoyer becomes Shanahan's first bridge quarterbackSan Francisco chose a veteran familiar with Kyle Shanahan while beginning a comprehensive rebuild.Chicago Bears → San Francisco 49ersOpen offseason →26Free agencyMarch 9, 2016From DENDENOSWEILER17To HOUHOUOSWEILER17Osweiler leaves the champions for HoustonHouston made a major commitment to Denver's young backup as the defending champions entered the market without Peyton Manning.Denver Broncos → Houston TexansOpen offseason →27Free agencyMarch 12, 2015From DALDALMURRAY29To PHIPHIMURRAY29Murray crosses the NFC EastThe reigning rushing champion left Dallas for a division rival as Philadelphia remade its offense around Chip Kelly.Dallas Cowboys → Philadelphia EaglesOpen offseason →28Free agencyMarch 12, 2014From NENETALIB31To DENDENTALIB21Talib begins Denver's defensive overhaulThe Broncos answered their Super Bowl loss by taking an elite corner directly from an AFC rival.New England Patriots → Denver BroncosOpen offseason →29Free agencyMarch 11, 2014From CLECLEWARD43To DENDENWARD43Ward adds force to Denver's secondaryDenver paired the Pro Bowl safety with Talib on the market's opening day as it rebuilt the defense from back to front.Cleveland Browns → Denver BroncosOpen offseason →30Free agencyMarch 16, 2014From TBTBREVIS24To NENEREVIS24Revis replaces Talib in New EnglandThe Patriots answered Denver's spending by landing the era's defining shutdown corner on a short, flexible contract.Tampa Bay Buccaneers → New England PatriotsOpen offseason →31Free agencyMarch 12, 2013From PITPITWALLACE17To MIAMIAWALLACE11Wallace becomes Miami's vertical investmentThe Dolphins made the market's fastest receiver its richest wideout to accelerate the offense around Ryan Tannehill.Pittsburgh Steelers → Miami DolphinsOpen offseason →32Free agencyMarch 3, 2007From BALBALTHOMAS96To NENETHOMAS96Thomas refreshes New England's defenseThe Patriots opened an unusually aggressive offseason by adding Baltimore's position-flexible All-Pro linebacker.Baltimore Ravens → New England PatriotsOpen offseason →33Free agencyMarch 11, 2007From PHIPHISTALLWORTH18To NENESTALLWORTH18Stallworth joins the receiver rebuildNew England added another field-stretching target while reconstructing one of the league's weakest receiver groups.Philadelphia Eagles → New England PatriotsOpen offseason →34Free agencyApril 1, 1994From DALDALNORTON51To SFSFNORTON51Norton crosses the defining NFC rivalryThe linebacker moved directly from the two-time champions to the team that had lost consecutive conference title games to them.Dallas Cowboys → San Francisco 49ersOpen offseason →35Free agencyMarch 5, 2010From ARIARIDANSBY58To MIAMIADANSBY58Dansby anchors Miami's marketMiami committed a major contract to the versatile linebacker after his starring role in Arizona's consecutive playoff appearances.Arizona Cardinals → Miami DolphinsOpen offseason →36Free agencyMarch 5, 2010From ARIARIROLLE21To NYGNYGROLLE26Rolle stabilizes the Giants secondaryNew York moved immediately for the former Pro Bowl safety, adding range and communication after its defense collapsed late in 2009.Arizona Cardinals → New York GiantsOpen offseason →37Free agencyJuly 29, 2011From LVLVASOMUGHA21To PHIPHIASOMUGHA24Asomugha becomes Philadelphia's surprise prizeThe Eagles landed the market's most coveted corner after a compressed post-lockout pursuit, pairing him with Asante Samuel and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.Oakland Raiders → Philadelphia EaglesOpen offseason →38Free agencyJuly 29, 2011From SEASEAHASSELBECK8To TENTENHASSELBECK8Hasselbeck bridges Tennessee to its next quarterbackThe veteran left Seattle after a decade and joined Tennessee to start while first-round pick Jake Locker developed.Seattle Seahawks → Tennessee TitansOpen offseason →39Free agencyMarch 15, 2012From HOUHOUWILLIAMS90To BUFBUFWILLIAMS94Williams becomes Buffalo's record-setting defenderBuffalo made the former No. 1 pick the highest-paid defensive player in league history at the time.Houston Texans → Buffalo BillsOpen offseason →40Free agencyMarch 21, 2012From GBGBFLYNN10To SEASEAFLYNN15Flynn arrives as Seattle's presumed starterSeattle signed Green Bay's backup after a record-setting Week 17 performance, expecting him to lead Pete Carroll's offense.Green Bay Packers → Seattle SeahawksOpen offseason →41Free agencyFebruary 23, 2005From BUFBUFBLEDSOE11To DALDALBLEDSOE11Bledsoe reunites with ParcellsReleased by Buffalo, Bledsoe joined the coach who had drafted him first overall and became Dallas's bridge while its next quarterback developed unnoticed.Buffalo Bills → Dallas CowboysOpen offseason →42Free agencyMarch 10, 2005From TENTENMASON85To BALBALMASON85Mason becomes Baltimore's volume targetTennessee's cap reset made Mason available, and Baltimore added a polished route runner who already knew the division and general manager Ozzie Newsome.Tennessee Titans → Baltimore RavensOpen offseason →43Free agencyMarch 17, 2005From PITPITBURRESS80To NYGNYGBURRESS17Burress gives Eli a championship targetThe Giants signed the 6-foot-5 receiver to grow with Eli Manning and create a matchup answer on the boundary.Pittsburgh Steelers → New York GiantsOpen offseason →44Free agencyMarch 12, 2006From INDINDJAMES32To ARIARIJAMES32James brings a champion's résumé to ArizonaArizona signed the reigning rushing champion to lead a backfield supporting young stars Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin.Indianapolis Colts → Arizona CardinalsOpen offseason →45Free agencyMarch 18, 2006From PHIPHIOWENS81To DALDALOWENS81Owens lands on the rivalry's other sideDallas signed Owens after his Philadelphia tenure collapsed, placing one of football's most productive and polarizing receivers inside another NFC East rivalry.Philadelphia Eagles → Dallas CowboysOpen offseason →46Free agencySeptember 9, 1995From SFSFSANDERS21To DALDALSANDERS21Deion crosses the NFC rivalry againDallas signed the corner who had helped San Francisco dethrone it, turning the league's defining rivalry into a free-agent arms race.San Francisco 49ers → Dallas CowboysOpen offseason →47Free agencyMay 21, 1996From PITPITGREENE91To CARCARGREENE91Greene energizes Carolina's instant contenderThe expansion Panthers added one of the league's most productive pass rushers after his Super Bowl run in Pittsburgh.Pittsburgh Steelers → Carolina PanthersOpen offseason →48Free agencyMarch 23, 1997From MINMINMOON1To SEASEAMOON1Moon brings a veteran arm to SeattleThe 40-year-old quarterback returned to the Pacific Northwest and took over a talented passing offense.Minnesota Vikings → Seattle SeahawksOpen offseason →49Free agencyJune 2, 2000From DALDALSANDERS21To WASWASSANDERS21Deion headlines Washington's veteran spreeWashington made Sanders the most visible addition in an unprecedented collection of decorated veterans.Dallas Cowboys → WashingtonOpen offseason →50Free agencyMarch 19, 2001From ARIARIRICE97To TBTBRICE97Rice completes Tampa Bay's pass rushThe Buccaneers added an elite edge finisher to a defense already built around Warren Sapp, Derrick Brooks and John Lynch.Arizona Cardinals → Tampa Bay BuccaneersOpen offseason →51Free agencyMarch 4, 2003From ARIARIPLUMMER16To DENDENPLUMMER16Plummer becomes Denver's veteran answerDenver paired Plummer's movement skills with Mike Shanahan's play-action system after moving on from Brian Griese.Arizona Cardinals → Denver BroncosOpen offseason →