Free agency in the NFL always brings a mix of strategies. Some teams opt to bring in numerous players across a variety of positions, attempting to enhance the entire roster rather than just patching a few gaps. Others invest heavily in one or two key positions, believing they can later fill in other roles through the NFL Draft. Then, there are the savvy organizations that realize maintaining a well-rounded team involves losing talent over time and aim to minimize their free agent departures. This dynamic yields results that are, frankly, quite similar to what we see every year in soccer.
Now that most contracts are settled, the free agent market is looking sparse. Other than Kyler Murray, who’s still skilled but undecided about his next team, the remaining options are mostly tied to deeper contracts that could influence team rosters significantly. This allows us to examine which teams have improved through free agency and which ones have suffered from talent loss or poor spending decisions.
most grown team
The Panthers made a splash by signing two standout players, along with a few others to bolster their roster. General Manager Dan Morgan made a bold choice by securing edge rusher Jaelan Phillips with a big contract. Then he opted for a more measured approach with linebacker Devin Lloyd, addressing two major defensive issues effectively.
Phillips is an excellent fit for the Panthers as a pass rusher. His quick first step and exceptional athletic ability will really help relieve pressure on Derrick Brown, who was one of the most double-teamed defensive tackles last year. The offense often isolated Brown since there were no other threats, but with Phillips on the edge, that’s bound to change.
Lloyd has established himself as a reliable linebacker, something the Panthers have sorely missed since Frankie Leve’s departure. He has the capability to stop plays in the box and mitigate the quarterback scrambles that plagued the team recently.
Perhaps what’s most significant for the Panthers is their flexibility heading into the NFL Draft. With critical positions filled via free agency, they can now focus their No. 19 pick on potentially adding another impactful defensive tackle, strengthening the offensive line, or pursuing other options. This has been a pivotal free agency period for a team looking to become a genuine playoff contender.
The Raiders made substantial efforts to meet the 2026 salary floor, but what I find appealing about their free agent choices is that they avoided excessive contracts. Yes, Tyler Linderbaum’s contract for a center seems a bit steep, but they’ve also made many savvy moves that could significantly boost the team.
Bringing in linebackers Nakobe Dean and Kee Walker is particularly noteworthy. These players hail from successful organizations and will contribute positively both on and off the field, helping their teammates understand what winning in the NFL truly entails—a lesson that has been sorely missed.
It’s uncertain whether the Ravens would have acquired Kwity Paye had they known they would back out of the Maxx Crosby trade. Still, Paye is a talented player, and with an average annual value of $16 million and just $31 million guaranteed, it’s a reasonable deal.
Ultimately, Crosby could still be traded to bolster the Raiders’ roster further. Looking at their current lineup ahead of the draft, the offense should function more smoothly with Ashton Giunty behind Linderbaum and a linebacker who can curtail explosive plays.
During this free agency period, the Dolphins made significant moves.
- they secured their starting quarterback
- addition by subtraction
I really like Malik Willis and believe he has potential to be something special. It’s surprising to see a team land the No. 1 quarterback in free agency for an average annual salary of $22.5 million in this climate; it’s a steal. Success might not come instantly, but the Dolphins will undoubtedly improve by moving past Tua Tagovailoa and Quinn Ewers as quarterback options.
A key aspect of this situation involves the players the Dolphins let go. Their release of Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, and Bradley Chubb signifies a shift from an era of overpayment. While all three underperformed last season, the most notable loss is trading away safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who got lost in the shuffle. Still, I believe this team is healthier overall due to their strategic cuts.
Even after the Dolphins parted ways with their highest-paid player, it’s still shaping up to be a 6- or 7-win team. This marks a significant move forward for the franchise’s future.
I’m quite impressed with what the Patriots achieved during free agency. Romeo Dubs seems to be the ideal successor to Stefon Diggs and has much less baggage. With an impressive average of 13.2 yards per reception, Dubs could greatly assist Drake Maye as New England seeks to maintain its presence.
Aliya Bella Tucker’s recent signing looks promising. He could effectively stabilize the left guard position, and while his injury history raises some concerns, I’m not overly worried. Overall, this appears to be a low-risk signing given the contract’s $21 million guarantee and some flexibility in case health issues arise.
Additionally, Doremon Jones seems like a considerable upgrade over K’Lavon Chaisson, who served as the team’s third-down pass rusher last season.
The organization also made a couple of significant contracts and a major trade, adding cornerback Jamel Dean, which is a substantial enhancement for a defense that has struggled against the pass. Frankly, it surprised me that the Buccaneers attempted to keep him.
Then there’s Rico Doodle, who’s clever and elusive, which I appreciate. Dowdle provides a budget-friendly option during the off-season, and paired with Jalen Warren, makes for an intriguing running back duo for the Steelers. Even with the challenges posed by a troublesome offensive line last season, I see Dowdle developing and injecting some explosiveness into their backfield in 2025.
Plus, the trade was remarkable. Pittsburgh managed to bring in Michael Pittman Jr. with minimal effort, trading only a late-round pick swap. His presence alongside DK Metcalf could help stretch the field effectively. It’s uncertain who will step in as quarterback for the Steelers, but the situation looks promising.
A team that did not give enough effort
The Bengals are experiencing the consequences of committing substantial contracts to a quarterback and two wide receivers. This past season highlighted their urgent need for assistance on both the offensive line and defense, yet they seem to have missed the mark.
Boi Maffe is a solid player, but the cost of losing both Trey Hendrickson and Joseph Ossai is significant. Though Brian Cook is a competent safety, his acquisition felt more like a luxury given the team’s pressing needs. While the Bengals might pin their struggles on Joe Burrow’s injury, ongoing defensive issues have made consistent victories elusive, even with him in play. With their edge downgraded, things have only worsened.
The Buccaneers have lost quite a bit of top-tier talent but failed to compensate adequately. Replacing players like Jamel Dean and Mike Evans is no easy feat, yet their attempts came off as lackluster. Instead of making impactful moves, they overpaid for TE Cade Otton and made some minor transactions that did little to enhance the roster.
The Bucs are undoubtedly feeling the sting now, especially as teams like Carolina make significant strides forward. We might be looking at a difficult season ahead.
The Titans have been the biggest spenders in this year’s free agency, but honestly, I’m uncertain where all that money went.
This situation leads to a lot of average talent filling various roles, and I’m not thrilled with the Titans’ emphasis on quantity over quality. While I appreciate Cam Ward and Robert Saleh, this free agency class could be risky. John Franklin-Myers seems to be the only player who may have a real impact, and the team is banking on Wan’Dale Robinson to step up as their premier receiver. Besides them, there are many average players earning hefty salaries. It feels like the Titans are uncertain about their draft prospects.
I expect the Titans could improve in 2026—it’s difficult to be worse—but I anticipated greater outcomes from a team that shelled out over $250 million in free agency.
As for the Saints, I didn’t like their approach in free agency this year. They needed to allocate funds sensibly, yet they lost two competent starters on defense without finding adequate replacements. While the signing of Cayden Ellis was a bright spot, the excessive payments for David Edwards and Travis Etienne overshadow that decision.
To me, this seems like a desperate move by the Saints when they could have made smaller, more intelligent choices instead of spending big on two aging players.
