Tracking former Notre Dame players’ moves in 2023 NFL free agency
Former Notre Dame players have been involved in each phase of NFL free agency during its first week. One was a Day 1 headliner. Three others were second- and third-wave signings. Some became unrestricted free agents after their team did not tender them a restricted free agent contract. Others remain unsigned.
Here’s a look at the ex-Notre Dame players who have changed teams in free agency and those who remain available.
Signed with new team
• Offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey (played for Notre Dame from 2013-17): The Denver Broncos gave McGlinchey a five-year, $87.5 million contract with $50 million guaranteed. He started 69 games at right tackle over five seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, who drafted him ninth overall in 2018.
• Linebacker Drue Tranquill (2014-18): The Kansas City Chiefs gave Tranquill a one-year, $5 million deal, pulling him away from the Los Angeles Chargers. The 2019 fourth-round pick bloomed into a starter in his fourth NFL season, posting 146 combined tackles, 5 sacks, 1 interception, 3 pass breakups and 1 forced fumble in 16 starts. He started 11 total games in his first three seasons.
• Safety Julian Love (2016-18): The Seattle Seahawks gave Love a two-year, $12 million contract. He spent his first four seasons with the New York Giants, who took him in the fourth round in 2019. Last season was his first as a full-time starter. He started 16 games, totaling 124 tackles, 1 sack, 2 interceptions, 3 pass breakups and 1 fumble recovery. He had 291 tackles in four years with the Giants, starting 32 of the 64 games he played.
Re-signed with old team
• Defensive tackle Jerry Tillery (2015-18): The Las Vegas Raiders brought Tillery back on a two-year, $6.8 million deal that includes $5.5 million guaranteed. They initially claimed him off waivers from the Chargers last fall. Tillery, a 2019 first-round pick, had 10 tackles in eight games for the Raiders and 8 tackles in seven games with the Chargers before he was waived. He has 116 career tackles and 10.5 sacks.
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Non-tendered
• Center Sam Mustipher (2014-18): The Chicago Bears did not tender Mustipher a qualifying offer as a restricted free agent, making him free to sign with any team. He had been with the Bears since his rookie season in 2019.
• Guard Tommy Kraemer (2016-20): The Lions did not tender Kraemer as an exclusive rights free agent. He missed all of the 2022 season due to a back injury. He played in nine games with three starts in 2021 for the Lions as an undrafted rookie.
Other unsigned unrestricted free agents
• Linebacker Jaylon Smith (2013-15): Smith had 87 tackles, 1 sack and 1 fumble recovery in 13 games (11 starts) for the Giants last year.
• Guard Alex Bars (2014-18): The Raiders elevated Bars from the practice squad in September and made him their primary right guard. He started 14 games, allowing 5 sacks and 38 pressures, per Pro Football Focus.
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• Wide receiver Miles Boykin (2015-18): The Pittsburgh Steelers used Boykin mainly on special teams. He made 10 tackles and had 2 catches for 11 yards.
• Center Nick Martin (2011-15): A midseason signing of the Washington Commanders, Martin played four games and started two.
• Defensive end Isaac Rochell (2013-16): Rochell began the year with the Cleveland Brown and ended with the Raiders. He played in seven total games, notching 12 tackles.
• Safety Matthias Farley (2012-15): Farley made 11 tackles for the Raiders and played mostly on special teams
• Running back Tony Jones Jr. (2016-19): Jones had 10 carries for 24 yards and 5 catches for 30 yards in six games between the New Orleans Saints and the Seahawks.
• Tight end Kyle Rudolph (2008-10): Rudolph had 3 catches for 28 yards and a touchdown in eight games for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
