While the NFL season doesn’t officially start until September, the unofficial start date is March when teams start revamping their roster through free agency. It’s the shopping spree that rebuilds rosters overnight, and causes fan bases to swing wildly between excitement and displeasure, sometimes within the same 24-hour news cycle. The 2026 free agency period has been no different, and after the first wave of signings and trades, some clear winners and losers are already emerging.
THE WINNERS
Carolina Panthers
After finishing last season as the only division winner with a losing record, few expected that Carolina would be a target for free agents, but here they are, looking like one of the savviest teams of the entire free agency period. The Panthers surprised the NFL world and beat the odds by reaching the playoffs last season, and now they’ve added big-time help to what was an average defense. Former Jacksonville Jaguars All-Pro Devin Lloyd, one of the top available linebackers, agreed to a three-year, $45 million deal. The Panthers then inked Philadelphia Eagles edge rusher Jaelan Phillips to a four-year, $120 million contract, making him one of the most expensive pass rushers on the market. Carolina also quietly added Kenny Pickett as a backup quarterback, giving the team experienced depth behind Bryce Young.
Tennessee Titans
Tennessee came into this offseason with a significant amount of cap space and used it wisely. The Titans invested heavily in starters such as wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson (four years, $78 million), defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers (three years, $63 million), and cornerbacks Alontae Taylor (three years, $60 million) and Cor’Dale Flott (3 years, $45 million). What makes this interesting is the rationale behind the moves, as head coach Robert Saleh knows these players from previous stops, meaning there’s already familiarity and trust. As the team builds around a young quarterback in Cam Ward with that kind of deliberate spending, good things tend to happen. Just ask the New England Patriots, who rode that exact formula to a Super Bowl appearance last season.
Tyler Linderbaum
The Las Vegas Raiders made one of the biggest free agent signings this season when they added 6’2”, 305lb center Tyler Linderbaum to their roster. Inking a 3-year, $81 million deal with $60 million guaranteed, Linderbaum became the highest-paid center in league history. For a position that rarely gets any attention, this was one of the most surprising and talked-about deals of the offseason. Some will question as to why Linderbaum would leave the Baltimore Ravens or sign with any other team aside from a team that was tied for the worst record (3-14) in the league last season. As the team tries to rebuild under coach Klint Kubiak and GM John Spytek, Linderbaum feels that the Raiders are the perfect fit for him, protecting rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Well, that and $27 million per year doesn’t hurt either.
THE LOSERS
Seattle Seahawks
It was just over a month ago that the Seattle Seahawks were on top of the sports world, winning the Super Bowl. Unfortunately, that spotlight drew attention towards some of the most valuable pieces of their roster. Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III left the Northwest for Kansas City, safety Coby Bryant signed with the Chicago Bears, and edge rusher Boye Mafe headed to Cincinnati. The focal point of Seattle’s ground game, losing Walker III leaves a huge void that they hope to replace with former Green Bay Packer, Emanuel Wilson, as backup Zach Charbonnet is still dealing with an ACL injury. On the other side of the field, the Seahawks defense takes a giant loss as Mafe was a key piece of their pass rush, and Bryant provided versatility in the secondary. With key pieces leaving town, the odds of Seattle repeating as Super Bowl champions are slim.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers made a major coaching change, bringing in Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator, which means the team’s entire offensive identity is likely to change, and the early free agency moves reflect that. The additions of fullback Alec Ingold and tight end Charlie Kolar are decent at best, but Los Angeles still hasn’t significantly addressed what was the league’s worst offensive line in 2025. Justin Herbert is one of the most talented quarterbacks in the league and a clear favorite to put up big numbers when protected. The problem is, he hasn’t been. For a team that finally had real spending money for the first time in years, the Chargers had a genuine chance to make a statement in free agency. Instead, they played it cautiously while bigger needs went unaddressed. If you’re shopping the best sportsbook offers for AFC playoff contenders this offseason, the Chargers probably shouldn’t be at the top of your list just yet.
Maxx Crosby
Of all the individual stories to come out of this free agency period, none is more head-scratching than Maxx Crosby’s. The Las Vegas Raiders announced that the Baltimore Ravens backed out of a blockbuster trade that would have sent Crosby to Baltimore in exchange for two first-round picks. However, sources confirmed the Ravens pulled out due to medical concerns that became apparent during a physical. Crosby had undergone surgery in January to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee, causing him to miss the final two games of last season. Now, instead of joining a Super Bowl contender, Crosby is stuck on a rebuilding Raiders roster, having wasted another year of his prime. The five-time Pro Bowl defensive end has played just one winning season in his seven year career, and that’s unlikely to change in 2026 as the Raiders continue to rebuild.
