How often do splashy NFL free agent signings pan out? Why big money doesn’t always mean stardom

Bill BarnwellMar 23, 2026, 06:30 AM ET

CloseBill Barnwell is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com. He analyzes football on and off the field like no one else on the planet, writing about in-season X’s and O’s, offseason transactions and so much more.

He is the host of the Bill Barnwell Show podcast, with episodes released weekly. Barnwell joined ESPN in 2011 as a staff writer at Grantland.

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Few things are more exciting for NFL teams than landing a star free agent. It’s cause for celebration between executives, coaches and fans alike. That first social media post hinting at the news?

Link to Original Article - on ESPN