Here’s the Winners and Losers Before NFL Free Agency Officially Kicks Off

By Matthew Davis
Matthew Davis
Matthew Davis
Matthew Davis is an experienced, award-winning journalist who has covered major professional and college sports for years. His writing has appeared on Heavy, the Star Tribune, and The Catholic Spirit. He has a degree in mass communication from North Dakota State University.
March 10, 2026Updated: March 10, 2026

The NFL has been a whirlwind of free agency activity for the past two days, and free agency hasn’t even started yet.

It officially starts Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET when the new league year starts, but the legal negotiation window on Monday and Tuesday led to an avalanche of moves. That’s included quarterbacks changing zip codes, star players finding new teams, and a few notable trades coming along the way.

Here’s a look at teams that have won or lost in free agency thus far.​

Arizona Cardinals: Winner

​The Cardinals added wide receiver Kendrick Bourne and running back Tyler Allgeier to aid its offense. That gives quarterback Jacoby Brissett more viable options to work with in addition to wide receiver Marvin Harrison. Arizona parting ways with quarterback Kyler Murray has been seen as clearing future salary cap space.​

Atlanta Falcons: Loser

​The Falcons’ loss of Allgeier to the Cardinals puts more weight on running back Bijan Robinson. While signing quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and letting go of quarterback Kirk Cousins are financial wins, Tagovailoa’s production hasn’t been much better than Cousins of late.​

Baltimore Ravens: Loser

The planned acquisition of defensive end Maxx Crosby in a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders has fallen through after a failed physical, and would not have outweighed everything else for the Ravens’ free agency moves. The Ravens are losing center Tyler Linderbaum, tight end Isaiah Likely, and wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, most notably. That said, guard John Simpson is a good addition to protect quarterback Lamar Jackson.​

Buffalo Bills: Winner

​The Bills took care of key players such as tight end Dawson Knox and guard Connor McGovern. Buffalo also boosted the passing attack with wide receiver D.J. Moore in a trade with the Chicago Bears. The quarterback room also gets a little more interesting in a way with the addition of backup Kyle Allen behind Josh Allen—no relation.​

Carolina Panthers: Winner

​The Panthers boosted the defense with the signings of edge Jaelan Phillips and linebacker Devin Lloyd. That’s in addition to re-signing cornerback Robert Rochell, linebacker Isaiah Simmons, and defensive end Labryan Ray.​

Chicago Bears: Winner

​Chicago landing wide receiver and kick returner Kalif Raymond, plus center Garrett Bradbury, will help quarterback Caleb Williams and company. The Bears also improved the defense by adding safety Coby Bryant, linebacker Devin Bush, and defensive tackle Neville Gallimore.

Cincinnati Bengals: Winner

​The Bengals had significant signings with safety Bryan Cook and edge Boye Mafe. Extending guard Dalton Risner helps protect quarterback Joe Burrow, and letting defensive end Trey Hendrickson walk helps the salary cap long term.​

Cleveland Browns: Loser

​Cleveland made a flurry of moves, but none of them resolved the Browns’ core issue of quarterback. Defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins and linebacker Quincy Williams will help the defense. Guards Teven Jenkins and Zion Johnson, plus tackle Tytus Howard, will at least help whoever the Browns start at quarterback stay upright.​

Dallas Cowboys: Winner

​The Cowboys picking up edge Rashan Gray in a trade with the Green Bay Packers is a win, and so is adding defensive end Sam Williams and safeties P.J. Locke and Jalen Thompson. Dallas will at least keep wide receiver George Pickens with the franchise tag, but some losses, such as defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, aren’t great for the defense.​

Denver Broncos: Loser

​The Broncos re-signed many players, such as tight end Nate Adkins, offensive tackle Alex Palczewski, and linebacker Alex Singleton. However, the Broncos let go of defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers and tight end Adam Trautman in addition to not acquiring any new talent via signing or trade.​

Detroit Lions: Loser

​The Lions are likely losing a lot of talent in the trenches but center Cade Mays and offensive lineman Larry Borom are solid additions. Detroit signing running back Isiah Pacheco also may not outweigh trading away running back David Montgomery.​

Green Bay Packers: Loser

​The Packers lost wide receiver Romeo Doubs and could lose cornerback Trevon Diggs. Green Bay also traded away Gary, and the addition of cornerback Benjamin St.-Juste will help, but the loss of depth this offseason is a concern.​

Houston Texans: Winner

​The Texans beefed up their roster all over with Montgomery, offensive guard Braden Smith, safety Reed Blankenship, and defensive end Dominique Robinson. Houston’s departures, such as running back Joe Mixon or wide receiver Christian Kirk, don’t outweigh the team’s acquisitions of late.​

Indianapolis Colts: Loser

​The Colts traded away wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. and spent big on quarterback Daniel Jones’ transition tag. Indianapolis at least landed edge Arden Key and re-signed wide receiver Alec Pierce.​

Jacksonville Jaguars: Loser

​The Jaguars couldn’t keep running back Travis Etienne, cornerback Greg Newsome, and linebacker Devin Lloyd. Jacksonville adding tight end Quintin Morris and cornerback Montaric Brown won’t hurt though.​

Kansas City Chiefs: Winner

​Besides returning tight end Travis Kelce, the Chiefs made critical improvements by signing running back Kenneth Walker III, defensive lineman Khyiris Tonga, and safety Alohi Gilman. Kansas City also received a good haul of later-round picks for cornerback Trent McDuffie in a trade with the Los Angeles Rams.​

Las Vegas Raiders: Loser

​While the Raiders made improvements on defense with multiple signings, the offense was still lacking. Las Vegas only signed Linderbaum and wide receiver Jalen Nailor, but are likely losing guards Alex Kappa and Dylan Parham. Defensive signings include linebackers Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker.​

Los Angeles Chargers: Loser

​The Chargers didn’t address the wide receiver position and expect to lose wide receiver Keenan Allen in free agency. Elsewhere, the Chargers improved with signing center Tyler Biadasz and tight end Charlie Kolar.​

Los Angeles Rams: Winner

​The Rams bolstered the secondary with McDuffie, safety Kam Curl, and cornerback Jaylen Watson. Extending tight end Tyler Higbee helps the offense. Otherwise, the Rams are losing depth in free agency.​

Miami Dolphins: Loser

​While the Dolphins gained quarterback Malik Willis, Miami is letting go of lots of talent in South Beach. The Dolphins cut ties with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and wide receiver Tyreek Hill, and Miami is losing tight end Darren Waller and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick.​

Minnesota Vikings: Loser

​The Vikings are letting go of lots of talent in running back Aaron Jones, defensive tackles Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen. Landing cornerback James Pierce helps, but the Vikings clearly have more holes to fill in the draft.​

New England Patriots: Winner

​The AFC champions cut where needed to such as wide receiver Stefon Diggs, and filled needs in free agency. That included signing Doubs and offensive linemen Braxton Jones and Alijah Vera-Tucker.​

New Orleans Saints: Winner

​Adding Etienne, tight end Noah Fant, guard David Edwards, and defensive tackle John Ridgeway has the Saints on the right track. New Orleans is letting go of talent from the old guard such as defensive end Cameron Jordan, linebacker Demario Davis,and tight end Taysom Hill.​

New York Giants: Winners

​New York filled key position needs, such as tight end with Likely, linebacker with Tremaine Edmunds, and the secondary with cornerback Greg Newsome. The Giants are giving up talent in free agency, but the roster is taking shape under new head coach John Harbaugh.​

New York Jets: Winner

​The Jets’ landing quarterback Geno Smith and franchise tagging running back Breec Hall helps the offense. Adding Fitzpatrick, Davis, safety Dane Belton, cornerback Nashon Wright, and linebacker Joseph Ossai boosts the defense.​

Philadelphia Eagles: Loser

​The Eagles extended defensive tackle Jordan Davis, but could lose a lot of other talent in the meantime. That includes tight end Dallas Goedert, defensive end Jalen Phillips, linebacker Nakobe Dean, safety Reed Blankenship, and tackle Fred Johnson.​

Pittsburgh Steelers: Winner

​While quarterback remains a big unknown with the future of Aaron Rodgers, the Steelers have landed plenty of talent to encourage him to stay. That includes Pittman at wide receiver, guard Isaac Seumalo, and running back Rico Dowdle. The Steelers also boosted the defense with cornerbacks Asante Samuel and Jamel Dean, and defensive lineman Esezi Otomewo.​

San Francisco 49ers: Winner

​The Niners acquired a deep ball threat in wide receiver Mike Evans for quarterback Brock Purdy. Offensive tackle Vederian Lowe will help Purdy in the trenches, and kicker Eddy Pinero will boost the special teams.​

Seattle Seahawks: Loser

​The Seahawks lost the Super Bowl MVP to the Chiefs amid Walker’s departure, and the champs haven’t found another running back yet. However, Seattle has added cornerback Josh Jobe and secured linebacker Drake Thomas and wide receiver Rashid Shaheed.​

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Loser

​The Buccaneers lost a bunch of key players in Evans and Dean. Defensive end Logan Hall, and running backs Rachaad White and Sean Tucker could also be on the way out. Tampa Bay at least signed running back Kenneth Gainwell and linebacker Alex Anzalone.​

Tennessee Titans: Winner

​The Titans helped the offense and defense on multiple levels with a bevy of signings. That includes wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson and tight end Daniel Bellinger on offense. Defensively, the Titans signed cornerbacks Co’Dale Flott and Alontae Taylor, and defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers.​

Washington Commanders: Winner

​While the Commanders are possibly losing some big-name players, Washington has signed or re-signed a bunch of talented players. The Commanders notably signed cornerback Amik Robertson and defensive tackle Tim Settle. Contract extensions include left tackle Laremy Tunsil and wide receiver Treylon Burks.