Former XFL players find homes in first week of NFL free agency

The first week of NFL free agency is known as a time where teams throw around money like it’s going out of style. Overpaying is the name of the game. Still, under-the-radar signings and re-signings are made during that time as well. Just a few days into the 2024 free agency period, several former XFL players have received new contracts with their former teams. Here are some of the highlights:

*The Minnesota Vikings made it official on Wednesday, signing K John Parker Romo (Brahmas) to a contract. Per NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero, Romo recently won a kicking competition at Gary Zauner’s specialist camp, which led to him getting three offers from NFL teams. He spent time with the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears last year. Romo is currently the only kicker on Minnesota’s roster, though it’s likely they add a second leg before training camp.

*The Miami Dolphins locked up a core special teamer and backup when they re-signed S Elijah Campbell (Defenders). Campbell’s deal was inked last Friday, before free agency began. Though terms of the deal have yet to be disclosed, OverTheCap.com has Campbell with a 1-year, $1.5 million deal. He was scheduled to become a restricted free agent at the start of the new league year on Wednesday.

*Given that the low tender for restricted free agents comes in at about $3 million, many players will be non-tendered, only to re-sign with their original team. That happened with LS Scott Daly (NY Guardians) and the Detroit Lions. Wednesday’s deadline passed without Daly being tendered a contract, making him an unrestricted free agent. On Friday, though, Daly was re-signed by the team. After ending the 2023 season on injured reserve, Daly will most likely be the starting snapper in Detroit once again in 2024.

*On Thursday, G Michael Dunn (Dragons), a UFA, re-signed with the Cleveland Browns on a 1-year, $1.4 million fully-guaranteed deal. Dunn was a key interior backup for the Browns last year, a role he is expected to retain for next season. In my breakdown of XFL players in the NFL in 2023, I noted that it “wouldn’t be surprising” if Dunn re-signed with Cleveland.

*The long snapper in Pittsburgh the last three seasons, LS Christian Kuntz (Renegades) agreed to a deal that will keep him a Steeler for another three seasons. A RFA, Kuntz was signed to a three-year contract. The financial details have not been released.

*In something of a surprise, QB Josh Johnson (Wildcats), a UFA, re-signed with the Baltimore Ravens on a one-year pact. The Ravens chose to re-sign him over their other backup, Tyler Huntley, who is also a free agent. It’s likely Johnson came with a cheaper price tag than Huntley would be seeking on the open market. Behind QB Lamar Jackson, the Ravens also have youngster Malik Cunningham on the roster. Johnson and Cunningham may compete for the backup role if the team doesn’t bring in another player at the position in the off-season.

*Like Dunn, OT Storm Norton (Wildcats) has made a career out of being the first backup off the bench at his position on the offensive line. He had somewhat of a career renaissance last year for the Atlanta Falcons after struggling with the LA Chargers in previous seasons. His work was rewarded with a 1-year, $1.125 million ($382,500 guaranteed) contract from the Falcons to come back and play for them in 2024.

*Two other players non-tendered as restricted free agents are now unrestricted free agents, free to sign with any team. Those are RB Godwin Igwebuike (Dragons), who was with the Pittsburgh Steelers; and RB Austin Walter (Renegades), who spent all of last season on injured reserve with the Las Vegas Raiders. Keep an eye out for their names over the next few days to see where they might end up.