The 2017 edition of NFL free agency kicks off one week from today. Well, the now annual tampering window allows for some early shenanigans but players can't officially sign with a new teams until March 9. So here's a look at some of the best agent signings in the nearly 25 years of unrestricted free agency.
15. Antoine Winfield (Minnesota Vikings 2004)
This one's a personal favorite as Winfield was one of my favorite football players even before he signed with the Minnesota Vikings. If the 24-hour social media coverage was around in 2004 this signing would've been a blast. The New York Jets were just about to announce Winfield as their newest player and then he was on a private jet to Minnesota. He was a terrific corner for the Vikings for nine seasons.
14. Adam Vinatieri (Indianapolis Colts 2006)
It's hard to believe that Vinatieri has been a Colt longer than he was a Patriot. He's been a fantastic player for both franchises. The best kicker in the history of the league.
13. Deion Sanders (San Francisco 49ers 1994)
This Sanders signing would've been higher if he'd played with the 49ers for more than a single season. But it was a dynamite season. Defensive Player of the Year. A corner! A Super Bowl win.
12. Simeon Rice (Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2001)
Just about the only thing missing on the Buccaneers defense was a consistent pass rushing threat. Rice sure supplied that. He was a nightmare for offensive tackles and quarterbacks from 2001-05. And helped bring a Super Bowl win in 2002.
11. Priest Holmes (Kansas City Chiefs 2001)
Holmes turned a single productive season with the Baltimore Ravens into a free agency opportunity with the Chiefs. All of a sudden he was the best all-around back in the game.
10. Kevin Mawae (New York Jets 1998)
Mawae's addition helped form the Jets offensive line into one of the league's best. A line that paved the way for Curtis Martin's Hall of Fame career.
9. Kurt Warner (Arizona Cardinals 2005)
It looked like Warner's magic was done. The Cardinals gave him another shot, Warner grabbed it and showed that he had some magic left. It was beautiful to watch Warner fire footballs to pass-catching marvels Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin.
8. Rich Gannon (Oakland Raiders 1999)
The Raiders finally gave Gannon the starting opportunity that he long deserved. He responded to that faith with an MVP season and a trip to the Super Bowl. Probably should've been two Super Bowl trips.
7. Steve Hutchinson (Minnesota Vikings 2006)
The Vikings lucked into Hutchinson because the Seahawks got careless with their franchise/transition tags. They used the transition tag when they should've used the franchise variety. That gave the Vikings the negotiating opportunity to poison pill the great guard away. Hutchinson was the Vikings offensive MVP in 2006 and one of the best guards ever.
6. Curtis Martin (New York Jets 1998)
Martin was quietly one of the best running backs in the game for more than a decade. The Jets had a nice free agent haul in 1998.
5. Deion Sanders (Dallas Cowboys 1995)
Sanders makes a second appearance on the list. None of his five seasons in Dallas was as great as his single season in San Francisco but he was still great. As he did with the 49ers he immediately helped lead the Cowboys to a Super Bowl title.
4. Charles Woodson (Green Bay Packers 2006)
I just loved watching Woodson play football. As a Vikings fan I watched him wreck the intentions of an offense far more often than I would've liked. But he was still a blast to watch.
3. Peyton Manning (Denver Broncos 2012)
Manning turned a talented Broncos team into an instant, annual Super Bowl contender. It's a little surprising that his worst year with the team was the one in which they finally won that Super Bowl.
2. Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints 2006)
Brees is such a New Orleans fixture that it can be a surprise that he wasn't always there. He picked the city when it most needed some love.
1. Reggie White (Green Bay Packers 1993)
The free agent signing that started it all. White was simply one of the best football players ever.
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