The 2025 NFL free agency officially kicked off yesterday afternoon, but as usual, most of the major moves took place during the legal tampering period from Monday morning to Wednesday afternoon. During that time, teams typically “agree to terms” with the top free agents before finalizing contracts when the new league year begins, which happened yesterday.
The Minnesota Vikings had a relatively quiet start on Monday morning when the window opened, but by that evening, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and the front office were in full swing, making significant strides. Within 48 hours, they had addressed the offensive line, defensive line, and special teams.
Former San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Javon Hargrave has reportedly signed a free-agent contract with the Minnesota Vikings. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the deal spans two years and is worth $30 million, with $19 million guaranteed.
Hargrave, 32, missed the final 14 games of the 2024 season after suffering a torn right triceps. A two-time Pro Bowl selection, he has recorded 380 tackles and 45.5 sacks over 130 career games (115 starts) while playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers (2016–19), Philadelphia Eagles (2020–22), and San Francisco 49ers.
In the 2025 NFL Draft, the Baltimore Ravens, Dallas Cowboys, and Miami Dolphins each secured a league-high four additional picks, resulting from losses and signings during last year’s free agency period. The San Francisco 49ers also received four compensatory selections—three awarded through the free agency formula and one for the development of DeMeco Ryans as a head coach.
On Tuesday, the NFL announced the allocation of 35 compensatory draft picks to 15 teams. These picks are given when a team is deemed to have lost more or higher-valued compensatory free agents (CFAs) than it acquired during the previous year. Positioned between the third and seventh rounds, these selections are determined by a formula created by the NFL Management Council, which takes into account player salary, playing time, and postseason accolades. Not every free agent lost or signed by a team factors into the calculation.
Additionally, under a 2020 amendment to the collective bargaining agreement, the San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Rams, and Detroit Lions each received a selection to promote equal employment opportunities and an inclusive workforce within NFL organizations. This provision grants special compensatory draft picks in the third round of the next two drafts when a minority employee is hired by another team as a head coach or general manager. If a club has two former minority employees hired in these roles elsewhere, a third year of picks is added.