5 NFL Free Agency Signings that Shocked the World

The 2022 NFL Free Agency period is underway, and as much as we all want our favorite team to hold onto their stars, some inevitable huge transactions are likely to occurare likely to occur in the coming days.

Elite-level players such as JC Jackson, Marcus Williams, Brandon Scherff, and Randy Gregory have already switched allegiances this offseason. But true shocking moves seem to be few and far between in the NFL, with multiple insiders reporting on deals long before they're officially announced.

These are the five most shocking NFL free agency signings of all time.

5 NFL Free Agency Signings that Shocked the World

#5 - Jerry Rice, WR, Raiders

Following 15 hugely successful seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, including three Super Bowl victories and 13 Pro Bowl appearances, most expected Jerry Rice to call it a career after the 2000 season when Rice was 38 years old. This included the 49ers, who even offered Rice $1 million to retire in San Francisco.

However, Rice moved across California and joined the Oakland Raiders, teaming up with fellow legendary wideout Tim Brown. Rice played for Oakland until 2004, putting up two 1000 yard seasons. He moved onto the Seattle Seahawks for a year before finally retiring aged 42.

#4 - Kirk Cousins, QB, Vikings

When Kirk Cousins hit free agency in 2018, people were torn about his ability as a consistent starter in the NFL. Throughout his time with the Washington Redskins, he had only finished with a winning record once and had never thrown for 30+ touchdowns in a regular season.

The Minnesota Vikings weren't put off by this, however, offering him the biggest contract in NFL history at the time - a fully-guaranteed contract worth $84 million and an average annual salary of $28 million. It was an astronomical fee, especially for a quarterback who wasn't considered an elite signal-caller.

Vikings have signed Kirk Cousins to a 1-year, $35M extension, per @TomPelissero

This will keep him in Minnesota through 2023 with a no-trade clause https://t.co/4tzk3v3maJ