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How does a team "win" or "lose" in NFL free agency in 2026 when no games are being played? Simple: It comes down to maintaining and improving its roster in the best way possible relative to available resources.
Did a franchise in a great salary-cap situation spend its money wisely? Did a team struggling with the cap do all it could? In some cases, not spending was fine and overspending was bad. There are always a few trades to consider, too.
Looking at the big picture across all 32 teams again, a few stood out in the opening of free agency, while a handful whiffed. Some players at certain positions also made out better than others.
Here's a breakdown of the best and worst from the early open-market deals.
MORE NFL FREE AGENCY: Live tracker | Team grades | Best players available
NFL free agency winners & losers 2026
Winners: Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs made an early big move for their offense by getting Super Bowl 60 MVP running back Kenneth Walker III away from the Seahawks, suggesting they will adjust the offense to be more effective rushing for Patrick Mahomes with Eric Bieniemy back. Kansas City also knows that Travis Kelce is returning.
Although there were some expected hits in the secondary, the Chiefs are setting up to be a much stronger offensive-minded team again for Andy Reid once the draft is done, waiting for a healthy Mahomes to be better supported by the upgrades.
Winners: Baltimore Ravens
Losers: Indianapolis Colts
The Colts are investing a ton in the combination of Daniel Jones and Alec Pierce leading the offense at the cost of not keeping Michael Pittman Jr. Indianapolis has its share of defensive issues and it wasn't in position to go nuts for the passing game.
Winners: Running Backs
Walker and Travis Etienne Jr. (Saints) got paid well, like it was 2024. Kenneth Gainwell (Buccaneers) and Tyler Allgeier (Cardinals) found great new homes out of committees. The busy work here makes it more interesting to see what team will invest a high first-round pick on Jeremiyah Love.
Losers: Quarterbacks
Malik Willis didn't quite break the bank with only $22.5 million a season from the Dolphins. Former Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa is stuck making just more than a million for the Falcons, while there wasn't much buzz for Kyler Murray and others.
Winners: San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams
The 49ers did what they could and got Mike Evans to go from Tampa Bay to the Bay Area. That was smart, given the Rams just upgraded at cornerback big-time with the sizable former Chiefs starting duo of Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson. The NFC West contenders are gunning hard for the Super Bowl champs in their division.
Losers: Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks experienced some key drain with Walker, edge rusher Boye Mafe and safety Coby Bryant leaving after the Super Bowl. That adds to Klint Kubiak being in Las Vegas.
Winners: New Orleans Saints
Etienne returns home to help the running game and gets the top run blocking guard, David Edwards, to boost him. Don't sleep on them making noise in NFC content under Kellen Moore in Year 2 of Tyler Shough.
Losers: Atlanta Falcons
Matt Ryan's first free-agency foray was meh. They overspent on non-essential pieces for offense and defense as a collective and lost a few players, too. Tua Tagovailoa, even for the minimum, is a lame signing.
MORE: Why Tua Tagovailoa is taking the league minimum in Atlanta
Winners: Edge rushers
Trey Hendrickson didn't get his deal early, but Crosby, Odafe Oweh and Jaelen Phillips should be be thrilled about the market for trade and free-agent big raises. Pass rushers still have it better in free agency than passers.
Sep 14, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum (64) before the game against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images
Winners: Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders got two first-rounders for Crosby and then gave Fernando Mendoza a much-needed center in Tyler Linderbaum and an underrated new weapon in Jailon Nailor.
Losers: Arizona Cardinals
Winners: Tennessee Titans
Robert Saleh got plenty for his defensive rebuild in pass-rushing tackle John Franklin-Myers, plus starting corners Alontae Taylor and Cor'Dale Flott. His connection with offensive coordinator Brian Daboll also got them ace slot receiver Wan'Dale Robinson for Cam Ward. To that end, Daniel Bellinger is a sneaky, helpful tight end pickup.
Losers: New York Giants
The Giants didn't get Linderbaum or Pierce. Isaiah Likely is nice tight end get, but he replaces Bellinger with Theo Johnson. When John Harbaugh and Joe Schoen break the bank for a punter as a highlight (Jordan Stout), it will be disappointing to Big Blue fans.
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