2024 NFL offseason: Signings that have and haven't worked - ESPN

Everyone loves the NFL offseason hot stove. Fans get super excited about new players joining their teams, whether through trades or free agency. Finally, all those holes on the roster will be filled by wily veterans!

Unfortunately, it doesn't always work out. Some players excel in their new surroundings, bringing strong production. But other players struggle to make anything good happen, showing they were likely available veterans because their careers are almost over.

Let's evaluate five offseason free agent signings and trade acquisitions who are working in their new cities, and five who are not. Where are teams getting a lot of help from these new players, and where are teams on the hook for bad contracts?

Jump to a section:
Signings/trades that have worked out
Signings that aren't thriving so far

How he got there: Signed a three-year, $37.8 million contract ($26 million guaranteed)
2024 stat to know: 19.9% rush DVOA (fourth in NFL)
Comparable 2023 stat: Minus-12.7% rush DVOA (42nd out of 49)

It's an understatement to say Giants fans were shocked and disappointed when Barkley signed with the rival Eagles. Watching the negotiations with Barkley on «Hard Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants» just made things worse. «I'll have a tough time sleeping if Saquon goes to Philadelphia, I'll tell you that,» owner John Mara said on the show.

Some writers, including this one, were surprised by the signing given that the analytically oriented Eagles had not spent highly at the running back position in recent seasons. But it has paid off. Barkley is the second-most efficient running back in the NFL, according to my DVOA metric, trailing only Jahmyr Gibbs of the Lions. He has 872 yards and six touchdowns from scrimmage this