The Super Bowl 2025 free agents who could have particular interest to Giants, Jets

The Super Bowl 2025 free agents who could have particular interest to Giants, Jets

NEW ORLEANS — Neither Hollywood Brown nor Zack Baun dared to look past Super Bowl 2025. 

Brown and Baun are two soon-to-be free agents who could be playing their final games with the Chiefs and Eagles, respectively, Sunday.

Both wanted to keep their focus on chasing a championship when asked Wednesday about their futures. 

Hollywood Brown runs after a catch during a Chiefs game this season. Getty Images

The Giants have $43.3 million in salary cap space and figure to be big spenders as owner John Mara looks for big improvements, while the Jets have $20.9 million (with significantly more possible if Aaron Rodgers, Davante Adams and Allen Lazard are cleared out), according to OverTheCap.com. 

Here are some free agents from the Super Bowl teams who fit needs of the Giants and Jets.

Not all the top free agents (like Eagles pᴀss rusher Josh Sweat) match up. 

Giants 

Chiefs RG Trey Smith: The Pro Bowler could be the most sought-after free agent on the market regardless of position — worthy of the largest nine-figure contract ever given to a guard. 

The offensive-line-starved Bears figure to lead the sweepstakes, but the Giants have been trying to upgrade their interior blocking forever and have a Greg Van Roten-sized hole at right guard. 

Smith fits the iron-man description (67 of 68 career games played) that general manager Joe Schoen favors. 

Trey Smith is introduced before the Chiefs’ win over the Buccaneers in November. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

Chiefs WR Hollywood Brown: The former 1,000-yard receiver has 12 catches after making his Chiefs debut just four games ago. He came back from a clavicle injury suffered during the preseason. 

The Giants need a No. 2 receiver on a multiyear deal opposite Malik Nabers, with Darius Slayton likely to depart in free agency. But Brown only has played with top quarterbacks (Lamar Jackson, Kyler Murray and Patrick Mahomes) in his career. 

“Being able to get around different guys and the impact they have on the game is definitely a blessing,” Brown said. “I’m not really thinking about after this game. After that, I’ll refocus.” 

Chiefs QB Carson Wentz: After spending the past two seasons as a backup under quarterback gurus Sean McVay and Andy Reid, is Wentz ready for his could-be final chance to start? 

Backup quarterback Carson Wentz warms up before the Chiefs’ AFC Championship win over the Bills. AP

The former MVP candidate actually put up quietly good numbers as a starter with the 2021 Colts before all the blame for a late-season collapse was piled on him. There would be questions about whether he can handle the New York spotlight after he wilted with the Eagles. 

But the Giants need a veteran quarterback who can mentor an incoming rookie — and maybe even start the season, depending on the readiness of a first-round pick versus a midround pick. 

Jets 

Eagles LB Zack Baun: The Defensive Player of the Year finalist was a role player off the edge with the Saints for four seasons before becoming the best one-year bargain in the NFL. He is due a big raise. 

Quincy Williams, a 2023 All-Pro, will be in his walk year next season. C.J. Mosley is a possible salary cap casualty after a serious neck injury, and Jamien Sherwood is a free agent. 

Linebacker Zack Baun reacts after a play during the Eagles’ win over the Ravens in December. AP

Jets head coach Aaron Glenn was a Saints defensive coach in 2020, when they gave up significant draft capital to move up and pick Baun in the third round. 

“I don’t want to get into free agency,” Baun said. “I am where my feet are.” 

Chiefs WR DeAndre Hopkins: Could the Jets replace one of the great receivers of the last decade (Adams) with another? Depends if Rodgers is still the quarterback. 

Hopkins would come much cheaper than Adams, who is due to count for $38.3 million against the salary cap. Of course, Adams, who is coming off a fifth straight 1,000-yard season, has more left in the tank than Hopkins. 

DeAndre Hopkins runs with the ball after a catch during a Chiefs’ win over the Chargers during the regular season. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

But the Jets already have their No. 1 receiver in Garrett Wilson. 

Both teams 

Eagles DT Milton Williams: In Dexter Lawrence (Giants) and Quinnen Williams (Jets), New York has two of the NFL’s best defensive tackles. And neither has a running mate, which explains two underachieving run defenses. 

Defensive tackle could be the Jets’ biggest need, as free agents Javon Kinlaw and Solomon Thomas were deeply tied to the former regime. The Giants never replaced Leonard Williams or A’Shawn Robinson after 2023. 

Milton Williams, who has made 17 starts over the past two seasons, is due a full-time chance to start away from the Eagles’ crazy depth. He had a career-high five sacks this season. 

Milton Williams reacts during the Eagles’ NFC wild-card win over the Packers. Getty Images

Chiefs S Justin Reid: The Jets’ cupboard is mostly bare at safety, though young starter Tony Adams is a restricted free agent. The Giants have Tyler Nubin, but Jason Pinnock is headed to free agency. 

The Jets are more likely to pay Reid the $10 million salary that he is accustomed to, based on Schoen’s strict adherence to positional value.

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