Two former Iowa Hawkeye football stars have earned new NFL contracts as free agency is in full swing. Former Iowa defensive end Chauncey Golston signed with his former team's rival, the New York Giants and fellow defender Andrew Nelson has re-signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Chauncey Golston, three years, 19.5 million dollars
Defensive end Chauncey Golston is jumping ship to a rival organization. The former Iowa standout agreed on a multi-year contract with the New York Giants. Golston's deal will average six and a half million dollars annually.
Golston was a 2021 third-round draft pick of the Dallas Cowboys, where he spent his first four seasons. He served as a depth lineman during the beginning of his career until he received more opportunities in the past two seasons.
Golston started 13 of 17 games for the Cowboys during the 2024 season. He racked up a career-high 5.5 sacks in those starts last season.
Golston will help a horrible Giants defense that allowed 24 points per game (21st overall) and 347 yards of total offense (24th overall) last season.
According to ESPN, he was 93 of the best 101 free agents available before signing his deal.
Anthony Nelson, two years, 10 million dollars
The former Iowa standout established himself as one of the best defensive ends in the country before being drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2019 fourth round. Nelson rarely saw the field in his first two seasons, but has become a solid rotational defender for the Bucs.
In his third season, he had a career-high five and a half sacks in an expanded role. This past season, he tallied 40 tackles and four sacks in a reserve role.
Nelson will continue to bolster a Bucs defense that ranked in the middle of the league in points per game allowed (22.6) and yards per game allowed (341.8).
Three former Iowa players have now signed new contracts. Chauncey Golston, Anthony Nelson, and Alaric Jackson have inked new deals during the 2025 NFL offseason.