Around the NFL: Are the Bills a winner or loser in Week 1 of free agency?
Though players will continue to get signed in the coming weeks and months, let's look at who took advantage of the open market. Here are the winners, losers and teams that are too soon to assess.
Equipped with an inordinate amount of cap space last March, the New England Patriots signed several notable free agents to try to build a competitive roster for Mike Vrabel's first season as coach.
The Ravens gave former Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson to a four-year, $112 million contract.
Jeff Dean, Associated Press
History shows that big spenders rarely succeed, but nearly every signing contributed during the Patriots' run to the Super Bowl. The Seattle Seahawks, meanwhile, signed quarterback Sam Darnold, who helped them win the Lombardi Trophy.
Spending big typically doesn't work out. Remember the Tennessee Titans' busy offseason in 2024? They went 3-14. In 2023, the Atlanta Falcons spent $56.7 million and went 7-10. Though players will continue to get signed in the coming weeks and months, let's look at who took advantage of the open market. Here are the winners, losers and teams for which it is too soon to assess:
Winners
Football fans: Anyone rooting for chaos got their wish this week when the Baltimore Ravens backed out of their agreement to acquire edge rusher Maxx Crosby from the Las Vegas Raiders for a pair of first-round draft picks. Bad teams spent recklessly. Four starting-caliber running backs signed with new teams. There were several high-profile trades, including the Buffalo Bills' acquisition of Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore. The free-agent class did not have a superstar − Trey Hendrickson is not a sure thing for Baltimore − but the wave of signings illustrated how the lower-than-expected salary-cap ceiling impacted teams.Raiders: Have you ever seen a team go from loser to winner as fast as Las Vegas, which handed out $281 million in contracts while agreeing to trade Crosby to Baltimore? If the Raiders choose to keep Crosby, they have enough money to pay him, and they surrounded their presumed No. 1 draft pick, Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, with more talent, including former Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum. The experience and leadership added on defense should also help make this a more competitive team in 2026.
Bills: It started when the Bills traded for Moore and re-signed center Connor McGovern. On defense, they addressed their pass rush with veteran Bradley Chubb, who complements Greg Rousseau and fits Buffalo's new defense. Dee Alford, a nickel cornerback, and safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson were savvy additions. The criticism around those moves does not make sense to me when you consider the context, including defensive scheme, and the realistic options available. All three will start, and all three are better players than who they're replacing. There are other needs, but Buffalo has time and draft picks to fill those.
New York Giants: John Harbaugh didn't go to East Rutherford to lose. On offense, he added two former Ravens, fullback Patrick Ricard and tight end Isaiah Likely, while New York's defense got inside linebacker Tremaine Edmunds on a three-year, $36 million contract. The Giants need another receiver for second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart.
Washington Commanders: After reportedly missing out on receiver Romeo Doubs, Washington pivoted to tight end Chig Okonkwo, who should be a weapon in the slot for quarterback Jayden Daniels, and they added running back Rachaad White. On defense, the Commanders improved by signing inside linebacker Leo Chenal, edge rusher Odafe Oweh, defensive tackle Tim Settle, cornerback Amik Robertson and safety Nick Cross.
Cincinnati Bengals: Cap problems are a harsh reality when you pay your quarterback and two receivers as much as Cincinnati. However, the Bengals were wise to prioritize defense by adding a starting safety, Bryan Cook, formerly of the Kansas City Chiefs, a starting edge rusher Boye Mafe and defensive tackle Jonathan Allen. Look for them to add more on defense in the draft.
New Orleans Saints: Signing Bills left guard David Edwards and Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne should help New Orleans decide whether Tyler Shough is its long-term starting quarterback. Defense was already a strength, but the Saints added inside linebacker Kaeden Ellis. They can go edge rusher or wide receiver with the eighth pick of the draft.
Carolina Panthers: After losing out on one of the top free agents last year, defensive tackle Milton Williams, Carolina landed Jaguars inside linebacker Devin Lloyd and edge rusher Jaelan Phillips. The contract for Phillips is a massive overpay, given his recent injury troubles, but we all remember how terrible the Panthers' defense looked against the Bills. It's time for Carolina to take another step.
Losers
Indianapolis Colts: Running it back in 2026 without wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., who got traded to Pittsburgh, and quarterback Daniel Jones, who is coming off an Achilles tear, is a strategy that seems destined to end with Indianapolis hiring a new coach and general manager next year. The decision to trade two first-round picks for cornerback Sauce Gardner looks worse by the day.Miami Dolphins: Miami's new general manager, Jon-Eric Sullivan, is fooling himself if the belief is this team can contend in 2026. Why else would the Dolphins give $45 million guaranteed to Packers backup quarterback Malik Willis, who has started three games across the past three seasons? Everything about the Dolphins' offseason has been uninspiring, from the coach hire to the shortsighted free-agent signing.
Ravens: What an embarrassing week for a franchise that has gone off the rails since losing to the Bills in the season opener. Baltimore should get a bounce-back season from Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, who is older and worse than Crosby, but the failed trade cost the Ravens multiple starters. Do they try to acquire Philadelphia Eagles receiver A.J. Brown to appease Lamar Jackson and the fan base? Baltimore looks like the third-best team in the AFC North, even though Pittsburgh is waiting on a decision from Aaron Rodgers.
Minnesota Vikings: A cap-strapped team that is having trouble retaining players on defense and retained two plodding running backs to support their new quarterback, Kyler Murray. It is a disappointing start to an offseason in which seemingly everyone else in the NFC North is improving.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tampa Bay lost wide receiver Mike Evans and failed to add anyone of note. The mission should be to support Baker Mayfield and improve the defense, but the Buccaneers did not accomplish either in free agency.
Chiefs: You'll see the Chiefs celebrated because they signed running back Kenneth Walker III. Look at all the holes on this roster, though. Cook, Chenal, edge rusher Charles Omenihu, cornerback Jaylen Watson and cornerback Trent McDuffie are gone. Though Kansas City owns two first-round picks, it's difficult to envision how this team will be better in 2026, especially with Patrick Mahomes coming off a significant injury and the offensive line needing reinforcements. It's a massive bet, though this sort of reset was sorely needed.
We'll see
Patriots: Releasing Stefon Diggs to sign Romeo Doubs as your presumed No. 1 receiver isn't the big splash Boston media insisted would happen. Are the Patriots done adding at the position? They'll be a winner this offseason if they get more help for Drake Maye and improve their run defense. It does not help that defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga and edge rusher K'Lavon Chaisson signed elsewhere. Safety Kevin Byard, fullback Reggie Gilliam and guard Alijah Vera-Tucker were smart signings.Los Angeles Chargers: Their success in free agency will depend on whether their singings on the interior offensive line work. The identity of this team will change a bit with Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator. The Chargers will run the ball more often − former Ravens running back Keaton Mitchell is going to be overhyped by fantasy football fans − to take pressure off Justin Herbert.
Dallas Cowboys: Did they do enough to fix their defense? Former Arizona Cardinals safety Jalen Thompson is a really good player, but the trade for former Green Bay Packers edge rusher Rashan Gary may determine whether this plan is going to work. Dallas needs to find a way to replace Micah Parsons' impact and production.
Bears: Chicago was active − the Bears spent $70 million on safety Coby Bryant and linebacker Devin Bush − but more work is needed if it is going to be a legitimate Super Bowl contender in 2026.