Offseason Moves: Teams Shift and Strategies Emerge
A new league year kicks off with familiar faces finding new homes, where significant sums are involved and optimism often overshadows uncertainty.
It’s honestly pretty fascinating to watch how teams are reshaping themselves around this time of year.
In just the past week, every team has made some notable moves. Some more than others, of course. But overall, there’s hope, particularly after securing new contracts. Now it’s a waiting game to see how all 32 teams will fare against one another.
SB Nation recently shared an offseason outline from the Miami Dolphins—surprisingly straightforward, actually.
- They handed a $60 million contract to a quarterback with fewer than 10 starts.
- Let’s not mention anyone else in this conversation.
Now, that’s a daring choice. Let’s see how that pans out for them.
Fans of the Cardinals were left feeling a bit let down when they hired a head coach whose background wasn’t primarily in left field. Finding out that the 2026 quarterback situation would feature Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew felt reminiscent of previous experiences with quarterbacks like Kevin Kolb or John Skelton.
“So, what are the plans of the head coach?” a Browns fan inquired.
“What a year for Myles Garrett! He broke the sack record!” Andrew Berry excitedly replied.
“Great, but did you sign a receiver?” the fans pushed back.
“He tallied 23 sacks. 23!” came the cheerful response from Berry.
“But who’s the quarterback this year—” Before the fan could finish, a radical supporter, known by the handle ShedeurIsGod12, swooped in with a bold attack.
If Geno Smith were to return to the Jets, it would be akin to enduring another painful setback after finally feeling cleared. Meanwhile, his old team won a Super Bowl shortly after letting him go, while the one that picked him up ended up with the league’s worst record. A bit of a tragic irony, really.
Wan’Dale Robinson might not be a superstar receiver, but he’s certainly a step up compared to others like Tyler Lockett or Van Jefferson. The additional signings of Alonte Taylor, Cordale Flott, and John Franklin-Myers are also clear wins for the team.
In rounding out their roster, the Raiders added some key players after being a little lucky bringing back Maxx Crosby. They still need to figure out who will be catching passes from Fernando Mendoza, though.
Remarkably, the Falcons somehow managed to drop lower in quarterback options, which is quite the feat considering the previous two starters were hardly a picture of health. Despite signing Tua Tagovailoa, their 14 free agent signings look fairly unremarkable.
Can you believe it? The Panthers made the playoffs in 2025. Yet, they finished 8-9, still lacking a solid No. 1 receiver, and then went and gave Jaelan Phillips a record-breaking contract this offseason. The talent gap is glaring.
24. Commander Washington
The Commanders’ defense was almost prehistoric last season. To give credit, they’ve made some strides to inject youth into that unit, but improvement across the offense would do wonders.
Watching the Saints clear out their older, expensive players feels liberating—like finally getting a long-awaited upgrade in technology. On top of that, they’ve secured solid additions like Travis Etienne and David Edwards.
The Buccaneers faced setbacks toward the tail end of last season, losing key players like Mike Evans. Baker Mayfield’s attempts to command the field won’t suffice alone.
The Colts effectively took their broken vehicle and stuffed a hefty price tag into it instead of opting for something new. What could possibly go wrong?
Under John Harbaugh’s leadership, the Giants can no longer assume their lead in the fourth quarter is secure. Yet, with talents like Malik Nabors and Jackson Dart, they have potential.
Kyler Murray doesn’t need to be an elite quarterback for the Vikings; they have to do better at managing their options and not rely solely on the big-name quarterbacks.
For the Cowboys, simply tightening up their defense could keep them firmly in the playoff race. The synergy of Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and George Pickens should not be overlooked.
Combining Jim Harbaugh and Mike McDaniel seems to result in more of a quirky team than a serious playoff contender. They did make a solid signing in Charlie Kohler, but receiver depth is still questionable.
The Bears had an impressive 2025, winning several close games, something that isn’t easy to replicate year after year. Caleb Williams needs to keep his turnovers in check.
During a bustling offseason, the Steelers added significant talents, including Michael Pittman Jr. However, their fortune hinges on the performance of their quarterback. Aaron Rodgers could turn things around, but if he opts to retire, they could face major challenges.
C.J. Stroud had a solid finish to the season for the Texans, who are positioned well for the future. Their defense looks sharp, so playoff contention is within reach.
The Jaguars lost some key players, but it doesn’t seem to faze James Gladstone, as they eye future drafts. Still, one can’t help but wonder about their current offensive strength.
Trevor Lawrence’s potential has always intrigued me. However, it would’ve been nice to see them take more proactive steps to offset the loss of two stars from their lineup.
Everyone knows the Patriots just reached the Super Bowl. But, will they replicate that success in 2026? They could certainly use some heft in their offensive roster.
The Seahawks are coming off a rough offseason, with significant player losses that make them unlikely to repeat their success from February.
Curiously, the Bengals remain with the same head coach while missing the playoffs for three years straight. This may explain some ranking inconsistencies. If Joe Burrow stays healthy, Cincinnati might bounce back into playoff contention.
Similar to the Bengals, the Lions have made significant steps offensively. Missing out on the playoffs last season doesn’t crowd out their potential with a new coordinator on board.
The Packers felt a sting with Micah Parsons’ late injury. Still, with a healthy squad led by Jordan Love, they are very much a formidable threat in the league.
The Ravens’ coaching staff is impressive, led by Jesse Minter and Anthony Weaver, but the team will need to mind the ticking clock on their aging defense.
You can’t help but laugh watching the drama unfold with the Broncos. Although they traded for Jaylen Waddle, some fans seemed dissatisfied with a lack of other signings.
This latest acquisition only enhances the Broncos’ offensive firepower, unless, of course, Bo Nix decides to challenge that dynamic.
The upcoming Chiefs season is shaping up to be a blend of past performances. With Eric Bieniemy back, the offense is expected to get even stronger. The defense might see some setbacks, but with their coordinator, they can still be a competitive group.
An earlier mix-up in this section is a reminder that even elite teams can have hiccups. But, like the Bills, they’ll brush it off and continue forward.
Joe Brady’s staff is a solid setup. Yes, they may have overcommitted to DJ Moore, but that’s the risk taken when chasing a Super Bowl victory.
