NFL free agency recap: Winners, losers and surprise signings

NFL free agency is underway, and a plethora of free agents have found new teams. The league cap jumped to $301.2 million, a record high. With the new salary cap jump, a total of eight players have become the new highest-paid players at their position. Here are some of the winners and losers of the latest free agent signings.

Winner: Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders had themselves a long 2025-26 NFL season. The team finished 3-14, fired head coach Pete Carroll, cut quarterback Geno Smith, and averaged 14.2 points per game. The team decided to hire Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak as their new head coach and got right to work. With just over $95 million in cap space, the Raiders got right to work.

The Raiders started off by signing center Tyler Linderbaum to a 3-year $81 million contract, the highest paid center in the NFL. They also signed former Vikings receiver Jalen Nailor, another young addition to the Raiders receiver room. With the team almost guaranteed to draft Fernando Mendoza No. 1 overall, they need to do everything they can to put him in a position to succeed.

Kubiak also got to work on defense. After trading away All-Pro defensive end Maxx Crosby to the Ravens, the team signed edge rusher Kwity Paye, Quay Walker, and Nakobe Dean to revamp the front seven. They also re-signed cornerback Eric Stokes, who started in all but one game for the Raiders last season.

Loser: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

After starting off the season 6-2, the Buccaneers collapsed in the second half of the season finishing 8-9 and losing the NFC to the Panthers. Baker Mayfield was in MVP conversations but then went completely cold.

To make things worse, long-time Buccaneer receiver Mike Evans signed with the San Francisco 49ers for a 3-year and $42.2 million contract. Evans was the franchise leader in catches, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. The Buccaneers are also 4-8 without Evans over the last two seasons.

The Buccaneers still have Pro Bowler Chris Godwin and 2025 first-round pick Emeka Egbuka. They also signed running back Kenneth Gainwell from the Steelers, to tag along with Rachaad White. While the offense should see improvements this year, losing Evans will take its toll.

Winner: Carolina Panthers’ Defense

The Panthers have seen steady growth in their young team the past few seasons. They won the NFC South for the first time since 2015, and narrowly lost to the Rams in Wildcard round 34-31.

This offseason, the franchise went right to work on the defense. They signed edge rusher Jaelan Phillips to a massive 4-year $120 million contract. Phillips had five sacks and seven tackles for a loss last season, and was fourth in the league with an 18.8% quarterback pressure rate.

They also signed linebacker Devin Lloyd to a 3-year $45 million contract. Lloyd had six takeaways last season, and was named to his first Pro Bowl.

These two signings should definitely help a Panthers front seven that struggled heavily. They finished 28th in sacks, 27th in sack rate, and 31st in QB pressure rate. The team is now poised to make a postseason run.

Loser: Arizona Cardinals’ Offense

The Cardinals decided to move on from quarterback Kyler Murray this offseason. Murray was the team’s first overall pick in 2019, and accumulated a 38-48-1 record with the team including one playoff appearance.

However, after moving on from Murray, the team now has no real plan for quarterback. They missed out on signing Malik Willis, and instead signed Gardner Minshew to backup Jacoby Brissett.

The team also has no room to breathe in the NFC West. They were the only team to miss the playoffs from the division last year with the Seahawks (Super Bowl champions) Rams (NFC Championship runner-up) and 49ers (Divisional round loss) all qualifying. On the bright side, the team can look forward to a tank and a loaded 2027 draft, where they’ll have a good shot at the No. 1 overall pick.

Surprise Signings

Here are some free agents who found some new homes this offseason, and will look to make an impact.

QB Tua Tagovailoa, Falcons — 1-year, $1.215 million

S Coby Bryant, Bears — 3-years, $40 million

WR Alec Pierce, Colts — 4-years, $116 million

QB Malik Willis, Dolphins — 3-years, $67.5 million

RB Travis Etienne, Saints — 4-years, $52 million

S Reed Blankenship, Texans — 3-years, $24.75 million

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About the Author Published Mar 10, 2026

CAMERON JOYCE

Cameron Joyce is an NCAAF, NFL, NHL, and MLB beat writer for Ball Exclusives. Cameron also previously worked at The University of Alabama's newspaper, "The Crimson White," covering volleyball and baseball.