More than 20 former Penn State football players entered the NFL offseason as free agents, including notable names like Chris Godwin, Mike Gesicki, and Miles Sanders. As the NFL free agency period kicked off on March 12, several Nittany Lions began switching teams and securing substantial contracts.
Here’s an update on where your favorite Nittany Lions will be playing next season in our 2025 Penn State free agent tracker.
First, some pre-free agency highlights: Saquon Barkley, fresh off a record-setting, Super Bowl-winning season with the Philadelphia Eagles, signed a significant two-year, $41 million contract extension, making him the highest-paid running back in NFL history. He hopes this deal will encourage better pay for other running backs as well.
Wide receiver Chris Godwin, who was on the verge of leaving the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, ultimately opted to stay with a new three-year, $66 million contract. Meanwhile, tight end Mike Gesicki re-signed with the Cincinnati Bengals for three years at $25.5 million after a productive season with 65 receptions.
In free agency, offensive guard Will Fries secured a major contract, signing a five-year deal worth $88 million with the Minnesota Vikings. An all-Big Ten lineman at Penn State, Fries had previously played four seasons in Indianapolis, and despite limited action last year due to injury, he was one of the top guards available.
Miles Sanders quickly found a new home after being released by the Carolina Panthers, signing a one-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys, returning to the NFC East where his career began.
Kevin Givens has emerged as a remarkable success story for Penn State in the NFL. The defensive lineman signed a one-year contract to stay with the San Francisco 49ers, where he originally made the roster as an undrafted rookie in 2019. He recorded a career-high 3.5 sacks last season.
Another notable story is receiver Dan Chisena, who signed a one-year deal to continue with the Carolina Panthers for another season. Chisena has carved out a niche on special teams across five different teams and made his first three receptions for the Panthers last year.
Lastly, remember Juwan Johnson, the former Penn State receiver famous for his game-winning catch against Iowa in 2017? After transferring to Oregon, he has thrived as an NFL tight end. Johnson signed a three-year contract extension with the New Orleans Saints valued at over $30 million. Since joining the Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2020, he has started 34 games over the past five seasons.
