2025 NFL free agency: Eric Stokes signs one-year deal with Las Vegas Raiders

The Las Vegas Raiders have reached an agreement to sign cornerback Eric Stokes, according to a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The deal is reportedly for one year and worth $4 million.

Stokes played the first four years of his NFL career with the Green Bay Packers after being drafted in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft out of Georgia. He started in seven of 17 games this past season to record 41 total tackles.

Overall in his pro career, has 14 passes defended and one interception, all of which came during his rookie season. This past season was his first in two years where he played ever game after dealing with injuries in both 2022 and 2023. Hopefully he can regain the form he displayed as a rookie in Las Vegas.

Stokes earned second team All-SEC honors during his senior season at Georgia in 2020. He finished that year with four interceptions, including two that he returned for touchdowns.

The Raiders are coming off of a 4-13 finish this past season, which marked their third straight season missing the playoffs. They ranked a middling 15th in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game and 23rd in interceptions forced, so hopefully Stokes’ presence can help them move up.

NFL free agency is officially set to begin at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday. Eric Stokes will be free to sign his contract with the Raiders at any point after then.

Todd McShay lists Will Howard-Chip Kelly reunion as option for Raiders after Geno Smith trade

As the Las Vegas Raiders headed into free agency, the No. 1 question was who their quarterback would be. Pete Carroll is now in as head coach, and Chip Kelly is heading back to the NFL as his offensive coordinator after one year in the role at Ohio State.

Friday, the Raiders made a splash, trading for Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith. That put the No. 6 overall pick into focus after rumors Las Vegas would be in play for Shedeur Sanders. Draft analyst Todd McShay said that’s less likely after the Smith trade and named Ashton Jeanty as one to watch.

But he also said another quarterback could be in the conversation on Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft. He said Will Howard could be an option for the Raiders, reuniting him with Kelly in the process.

“Getting questions on Pick No. 6 fallout following Geno Smith trade,” McShay wrote on X. “This move wouldn’t prevent them from taking Shedeur but don’t think that was in the cards regardless. Also, Don’t be surprised to see a couple things from LV on draft weekend: RB Jeanty at 6. And QB Will Howard reuniting with Chip Kelly as a Day 2 pick.”

Howard thrived under Kelly’s watch this past season after transferring from Kansas State. He set new career-highs with a 73% completion percentage, 4,010 yards and 35 touchdowns – leading the Big Ten in all three categories. Those figures helped lead Ohio State to its first national championship under Ryan Day.

On3’s Nick Schultz contributed to this report.