Free Agency Frenzy: Team by Team Thoughts

Free Agency Frenzy is appropriately named, with deals being reported rapidly from the sound of the bell at 12:00 sharp on Monday. Although not every team made a splash signing, there were enough key moves made to create a whirlwind of thoughts. I will update this article throughout the week as teams make moves and their vision becomes clearer (or doesn’t).

Here are my team-by-team thoughts on the notable roster moves from Free Agency so far. For more, follow me on X @JLSports24

Teams will be added as they make more relevant moves.

Arizona Cardinals

  • The signings appear underwhelming, but G Isaac Seumalo and RB Tyler Allgeier will bring toughness to the Cardinals‘ inside running game
  • All eggs were in the Malik Willis basket. They will now have to shift their focus to lesser QBs. Gardner Minshew was brought in, seemingly on a backup QB deal. Jimmy Garoppolo is under consideration, but the Cardinals’ QB outlook isn’t great for 2026.

Baltimore Ravens

  • In a bizarre turn of events surrounding the Maxx Crosby trade, the Ravens ultimately agree to terms with Trey Hendrickson on a 4-year, $120M deal. Baltimore gets their high profile pass rusher and keep their two 1st round picks.

Carolina Panthers

  • The Panthers are beefing up their defense with the highly sought-after Jaelen Phillips. One of the big-ticket free agents in this cycle.
  • The signing of Devin Lloyd fills another need for Carolina, who improve upon a good defense

Chicago Bears

  • The Bears focus on defense early on, highlighted by Coby Bryant being brought in on a 3-year deal. They are still short one starting safety.

Cincinnati Bengals

  • Boye Mafe and Bryan Cook are a few solid defensive starters the Bengals need desperately. How they worked that additional $100M into their budget is beyond me.

Cleveland Browns

  • Tytus Howard, Zion Johnson, and Elgton Jenkins all join the Browns as assumed starters along their offensive line overhaul
  • Browns have put themselves in a good position to address WR & OT in the draft

Denver Broncos

  • JK Dobbins is retained on a 2-year, $20M deal with $8M GTD. Great to see Dobbins gain stability after bouncing around due to injuries early in his career

Houston Texans

  • Texans brought back many of their own defenders, but added Reed Blankenship to the mix at safety
  • After trading Tytus Howard, Braden Smith is signed to serve as starting RT. Houston’s OL overhaul continues

Indianapolis Colts

  • The first splash of the day was made by the Colts, re-signing Alec Pierce to a monster 4-year, $114M deal with $84M guaranteed. Between that and the $37M+ transition tag placed on Daniel Jones, the Colts have taken a commanding lead in overpaying average players in 2026.

Kansas City Chiefs

  • The Chiefs bring in the Super Bowl MVP, Kenneth Walker III, but at a hefty price. A 3-year deal with $28.7M guaranteed is cringeworthy considering Walker has played a full season just once in his 4-year NFL career.
  • The Walker addition fills a major need and also may eliminate them from the running for Jeremiyah Love

Las Vegas Raiders

  • Tyler Linderbaum headlines the Raiders’ haul by blowing away the center market with a record $27M per year deal. One of the best centers in the league will help Fernando Mendoza day one, all while creating much needed toughness along the offensive line
  • Jalen Nailor is a sneaky great addition. He’s a perfect fit for Klint Kubiak‘s tight formations and YAC-centric offense.
  • A pair of LB and CB additions helps fortify the defense. The Raiders are building a team of toughness up the middle

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

  • After the blockbuster trade for Trent McDuffie, the Rams double down on Chiefs corners by signing Jaylen Watson. They’re in win-now mode and get a great tandem to shore up the secondary
  • Safety is very much in play at pick #13 in the draft.
NFL Mock Draft Simulator

Miami Dolphins

  • It was always the Dolphins or Cardinals for Malik Willis. It’s a no-brainer for big money as he’s already familiar with the GM and Head Coach from their time together with the Packers.

New England Patriots

  • Alijah Vera Tucker is an injury risk with big upside who can fit in wherever needed on the Patriots OL which was decimated in the Super Bowl
  • Romeo Doubs finds his landing place, but is hardly the WR1 the Patriots need. WR is very much in play in the draft

New York Jets

  • The Jets were very active, adding 5 players to their defense on Monday. They signed veteran LB Demario Davis and traded for Minkah Fitzpatrick, bringing leadership and experience to Aaron Glenn‘s unit. I fear they may have added a bit too much experience, as the average age of their five new additions is 30 years old. Glenn may need immediate results to hold his post beyond 2026.
  • Geno Smith joins the Jets underwhelming offseason as a veteran bridge/backup

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

  • The 49ers go big with future Hall of Fame WR Mike Evans. Interesting decision considering they’re in compromising contract negotiations with their own Hall of Famer, Trent Williams. Either a deal is all but done, or he’s on his way out.

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

  • Odafe Oweh gets a major payday as the Commanders fill a massive need at edge.
  • Still much more to come in Washington, I believe

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