Kirk Cousins, Stefon Diggs Headline Top Offseason Acquisitions as NFL Training Camps Open

NFL training camp is underway as of Wednesday, with the Houston Texans’ rookies and veterans reporting to the team’s facility in Houston.

Rookies have already reported for a handful of teams around the league, and as much excitement as there is for the arrival of Caleb Williams in Chicago and Marvin Harrison Jr. in Arizona, several high-profile veterans changed teams via free agency or trade. It might take some getting used to seeing these players — some of whom have spent their entire careers with one team — in a different jersey this fall, so let’s revisit some of the top acquisitions made this offseason as training camp begins.

Falcons QB Kirk Cousins

Atlanta spent big to land Cousins, the top free-agent quarterback on the market who was with the Vikings for the last six years of his career and in Washington for the first six. Though Cousins will turn 36 before the season begins, he was in the midst of a career year in Minnesota before he tore his Achilles last October. Cousins participated in Atlanta’s offseason activities, but his return will be one worth monitoring given the Falcons’ shocking selection of quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 pick.

Steelers QB Russell Wilson

Wilson, who spent the first decade of his career in Seattle, is onto his third team in four years after he wore out his welcome after two seasons in Denver. Pittsburgh signed him soon after he was cut by the Broncos, a move that incurred an historic dead cap charge. Perhaps the change of scenery and the Steelers’ organizational stability can help spur a late-career renaissance for the 35-year-old signal caller. However, Pittsburgh did trade for former first-round quarterback Justin Fields, who could push Wilson for the starting job .

Eagles RB Saquon Barkley

Barkley returned to his home state of Pennsylvania and stayed put in the NFC East when he jumped from New York to Philadelphia in free agency. The former Penn State star spent the first six years of his career with the Giants and played on the franchise tag in 2023. The Eagles inked Barkley to a hefty contract at a time when the running back market has sagged, a sign of their belief in the player and their commitment to the ground game.

Ravens RB Derrick Henry

Henry said an emotional goodbye to Titans fans after a Week 18 win in which he ran for a season-high 153 yards. That was evidence that at age 30 and with plenty of tread on his tires, Henry still has what it takes to contribute to a Super Bowl contender . A few months later, the Ravens agreed to terms with the two-time rushing champ, making for something of a thunder and lightning backfield with Henry and the elusive Lamar Jackson.

Texans WR Stefon Diggs

Diggs’ arrival in Buffalo in 2020 helped spur Josh Allen’s breakout. Four years later, Houston is hopeful trading for the veteran receiver can have a similar effect for second-year quarterback C.J. Stroud. The Texans sent a second-round pick to the Bills for Diggs and restructured his contract so that he will be a free agent come 2025 when he is 31 years old. This is a prove-it year for Diggs and an acknowledgment from Houston that its Super Bowl window is now open.

Related: Stefon Diggs Trade Was ‘Addition by Subtraction’ for Bills, Says Rival Scout

Bears WR Keenan Allen

Chicago acquired Allen from the Chargers a month before the draft to build out its wide receiver room in anticipation of Williams’ arrival. With Allen, D.J. Moore and rookie Rome Odunze, the Bears have a claim to the best receiver room in the NFL. Allen, who set a career high in yards per game at age 31 last season, is a valuable veteran presence for Moore and Odunze and he will be a sure-handed safety net for Williams, the No. 1 overall pick, just like he was for Justin Herbert in 2020.

Titans CB L’Jarius Sneed

After the Chiefs put the non-exclusive franchise tag on Sneed, a key member of the back-to-back Super Bowl champs, Tennessee stepped up as a trade partner willing to give him what he wanted: an extension. The deal addressed a position of need for the Titans and only cost a fourth-round pick and a swap of seventh-round picks. With Sneed and free agent addition Chidobe Awuzie, Tennessee’s secondary is much improved heading into 2024.

Packers S Xavier McKinney

McKinney was the top free agent safety on the market and Green Bay compensated him accordingly. The versatile McKinney started all 17 games for the Giants last year after missing 18 games over the first three years of his career. The Packers were in need of a playmaker in the secondary and they supplemented the safety position with their selection of Javon Bullard in Round 2 of the draft.

Raiders DT Christian Wilkins

A significant salary cap deficit made it difficult for the Dolphins to retain Wilkins on the franchise tag or an extension and Las Vegas swooped in on the first day of free agency to bolster its pass rush. Wilkins spent his first five seasons in Miami and recorded a career-high nine sacks in 2023. Now, he’ll line up alongside Pro Bowl defensive end Maxx Crosby to make for one of the better defensive lines in the league.

Giants OLB Brian Burns

Though New York lost a starter in the secondary, it added a star up front in Brian Burns. The Rams reportedly offered two first-rounders for the Pro Bowl pass rusher two years ago, so it was a coup for the Giants to acquire Burns from the Panthers for a second- and fifth-round pick this offseason. New York quickly made Burns one of the highest-paid edge rushers in the league, pairing him with Dexter Lawrence for years to come.

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