Two former Auburn Tigers signed a pair of the richest contracts handed out on the NFL's first day of its legal tampering period.
Combined, the three-year deals surpassed $100 million.
Malik Willis signs big deal to replace Tua Tagovailoa on the Dolphins
Malik Willis, who admittedly won't be remembered as a Tiger, but instead Hugh Freeze's greatest success story with the Liberty Flames, signed a three-year, $67.5 million contract with the Miami Dolphins.
Willis will replace former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Tua Tagovailoa as the Phins' QB1 and reunite with former Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator, Boston College Eagles head coach, and Ohio State Buckeyes co-DC/DB coach Jeff Hafley.
Willis was a strong contender to end up with the Arizona Cardinals, but he now joins an AFC East franchise looking to return to relevance.
Jamel Dean cashes out as Steelers reshuffle the deck
Jamel Dean, meanwhile, left the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after seven seasons and signed a three-year, $36.75 million deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Dean will play for first-year defensive coordinator Patrick Graham and first-year head coach Mike McCarthy, leaving behind a Bucs franchise that had given him an $8 million-plus pay cut ahead of the 2025 season.
The relationship was clearly souring, and Dean's injury woes were a big reason. Even still, Dean had an opposing 46.9 passer rating on throws and an 18.8% open rate in 2025. Pittsburgh is getting a great corner in coverage as they look to establish a new identity in the post-Mike Tomlin era.
What is the NFL's legal tampering period?
Per The Associated Press, "At noon EDT Monday, teams can start negotiating with certified agents of players who will become unrestricted free agents when their contracts expire at the start of the new league year on 4 p.m. EDT Wednesday. Teams aren’t permitted to speak directly to the players, who can’t sign a new contract until the league year officially begins. The two-day negotiating period applies only to players who will be unrestricted free agents."
Long story short, the NFL's legal tampering period is when player agents do the heavy lifting with team front office representatives before those at the league office make these deals official starting on Wednesday.