Free agency in the NFL technically doesn’t end until the league year completely finishes, but the true frenzy is within the first couple of days when a new league year begins. This offseason didn’t disappoint, as big contracts were handed out and surprising moves were made all around the league.
As is the case every year, just about every fanbase will believe their team had an outstanding early free agency period. That’s impossible, as it would mean that no team made a bad move. But there will always be winners and losers, even though it’s ultimately subjective.
Chiefs, Cowboys and Browns could have done better in free agency
While it may never seem like any one team has done particularly bad in free agency, someone has to be dubbed a “loser”. Just as other teams like the Las Vegas Raiders and New England Patriots could be considered “winners”, these three teams may be hoping they could rewind the offseason: Kansas City Chiefs, Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns.
- Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs fixed a major weakness at running back by signing Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III, but they also shipped off star cornerback Trent McDuffie and let three other key defensive back pieces walk in free agency – Bryan Cook, Jaylen Watson and Joshua Williams. Kansas City didn’t make any other impact signings for an offense that still needs more juice in the pass-catching corps.
- Dallas Cowboys: With a clear need to upgrade the defense, Dallas did sign starting safety Jalen Thompson and added some depth pieces, but it’s not enough. They surprisingly gave up a fourth round pick for Rashan Gary, who was expected to be a cut candidate, then traded away Osa Odighizuwa – who they gave a four-year, $80 million contract extension last offseason. George Pickens remains unsigned to a long-term deal, too.
- Cleveland Browns: The Browns did well to try to improve the offensive line, bringing in Tytus Howard, Zion Johnson and Elgton Jenkins. But all three come with some red flags. The team also let their best linebacker, Devin Bush, leave for the Chicago Bears, and didn’t make any moves to better their offensive weaponry.
Not all is lost for the teams who may not have had the greatest of free agency periods to this point. The 2026 NFL Draft is a little over a month away, and all three of the teams mentioned could soon change their outlooks.
All three of the Chiefs, Cowboys and Browns have multiple first round picks as a result of previous trades. Their rosters will look much different once the draft is over.
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