The Early Winners and Losers of the 2026 NFL Offseason
The dust has barely settled on the new league year, but it’s already clear which teams made the most of March. We’re not talking about draft picks yet, just the hard-nosed business of free agency, extensions, and the occasional blockbuster trade. Some general managers, frankly, earned their paychecks. Others? Well, they’ve got some explaining to do.
The Chiefs Just Keep Getting Better
Let’s start with the obvious. The Kansas City Chiefs aren't just winning Super Bowls; they’re winning the offseason, too. Brett Veach pulled off a masterclass. Keeping Patrick Mahomes happy is always priority one, and signing Travis Kelce to a two-year, $34 million extension through 2027 ensures his comfort blanket stays put. But the real coup was landing defensive tackle Chris Jones on a massive five-year, $158.75 million deal. Jones was a wrecking ball in 2025, recording 12.5 sacks and 68 pressures. Losing him would have been catastrophic. Instead, they locked him down, then went out and added veteran safety Justin Simmons on a two-year, $15 million contract after his release from the Broncos. That’s a proven ballhawk who had three interceptions last season. The rich, it seems, just get richer.
Eagles' Aggressive, Risky Overhaul
Then there are the Philadelphia Eagles. Howie Roseman went full scorched earth, and it’s either going to be brilliant or blow up spectacularly. They let Fletcher Cox retire and watched Jason Kelce walk into the sunset, but the real head-scratcher was trading Haason Reddick to the Jets for a conditional 2027 third-round pick. Reddick had 11 sacks in 2025, a consistent double-digit threat. To replace him, they signed Bryce Huff to a three-year, $51 million deal. Huff is good, don't get me wrong; he had 9.5 sacks for New York last year. But is he Reddick? Not yet. On offense, Saquon Barkley got a three-year, $37.75 million deal, which is a lot for a running back in today’s NFL, even one as talented as Barkley. They also brought in safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson on a three-year, $33 million contract, reuniting him with the team he played for in 2022 when he had six interceptions. It’s a boom-or-bust strategy, and honestly, I think they overpaid for a few pieces and created more holes than they filled by moving Reddick.
Quiet Moves That Made a Big Splash
Some teams didn't make the loudest noise, but their calculated moves will pay dividends. The Houston Texans, for instance, had a fantastic March. They extended Nico Collins to a three-year, $72 million deal, locking up C.J. Stroud’s top target who had 1,297 receiving yards last season. Then they traded for Stefon Diggs, giving up a 2026 second-round pick. That’s a veteran presence and an instant upgrade at receiver. Adding Danielle Hunter on a two-year, $49 million deal after he put up 16.5 sacks for the Vikings in 2025 is just icing on the cake. DeMeco Ryans now has a legitimate pass rush and an explosive offense.
My bold prediction? The Houston Texans will win the AFC South by at least two games in 2026, largely thanks to their shrewd free agency moves and the continued ascent of C.J. Stroud.