NFL Winners and Losers of the 2026 Offseason

The 2026 NFL offseason didn’t just reshape rosters—it created clear winners, exposed major flaws, and may have already decided who’s playing deep into January.

The Los Angeles Rams quietly put together a phenomenal offseason. They headlined their moves by acquiring two-time All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie from Kansas City in exchange for the 29th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Finding a player of McDuffie’s caliber at that spot would have been highly unlikely, making this a clear win.

The Rams also hold the Atlanta Falcons’ first-round pick (13th overall), giving them another premium asset moving forward. In addition to McDuffie, Los Angeles signed former Chiefs corner Jaylen Watson (three years, $51 million) and re-signed safety Kam Curl, significantly strengthening the secondary.

The message is clear: the Rams are all-in for 2026—and with another top-15 pick still in their pocket, they may not be done yet.

The 49ers made a strong impression during the first wave of free agency. Signing future Hall of Fame wide receiver Mike Evans was a major addition, as he continues to produce at a high level and should start a new 1,000-yard season streak.

San Francisco also traded for defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa, adding interior pressure to complement stars like Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams. Depth additions such as Vederian Lowe and the return of linebacker Dre Greenlaw may not grab headlines, but they further solidify an already talented roster.

Overall, this was a well-rounded and impactful offseason for a team firmly in contention.

The Steelers made a series of smart, high-value moves this offseason. Acquiring Michael Pittman Jr. from Indianapolis for a sixth-round pick stands out as one of the best value deals of the offseason. He pairs nicely with DK Metcalf and gives Pittsburgh a physical, reliable receiving duo.

They also retained key veterans, including Cameron Heyward and Cole Holcomb, while adding talent on defense with Asante Samuel Jr., Jamel Dean, and Jaquan Brisker. Additional under-the-radar signings like Rico Dowdle and Sebastian Joseph-Day improve depth on both sides of the ball.

If Pittsburgh can stabilize the quarterback position, this roster is good enough to remain competitive in 2026.

Under John Harbaugh, the Giants have quietly had one of their most competent offseasons in years. While losing players like Wan’Dale Robinson, Cordale Flott, and Dane Belton is notable, the front office did well to replace that production with cost-effective additions.

Signing tight end Isaiah Likely adds a reliable pass-catching option with strong hands and run-after-catch ability. The Giants also made a clear effort to improve special teams, bringing in All-Pro punter Jordan Stout and veteran kicker Jason Sanders while re-signing Gunner Olszewski.

Additional moves—such as re-signing Jermaine Eluemunor and adding Patrick Ricard—should help improve the run game. Meanwhile, players like Greg Newsome II, Ar’Darius Washington, Calvin Austin III, Tremaine Edmunds, Micah McFadden, and Darnell Mooney provide strong value.

With the fifth overall pick still in hand, the Giants are well-positioned to continue building momentum.

The Panthers have had one of the most impressive offseasons in the league. They added top-tier defensive talent, including edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and linebacker Devin Lloyd, while also improving the offensive line with Rasheed Walker.

Carolina’s focus on strengthening both the defensive unit and the trenches is evident, and the roster looks far more complete as a result. Depth additions like John Metchie provide additional support on offense.

With the 19th overall pick still to come, the Panthers are in a strong position to address remaining needs and push toward contention in 2026.

Honorable Mentions: Tennessee Titans, Washington Commanders, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, New Orleans Saints, Buffalo Bills.

The Cowboys entered the offseason with significant needs and limited cap flexibility—and it showed. Failing to reach a long-term agreement with star wide receiver George Pickens and instead placing the franchise tag on him is a costly short-term solution.

While trading for Rashan Gary was a solid move, Dallas lost more talent than it replaced. The decision to invest in an injury-prone running back like Javonte Williams also raises questions.

There is still time to improve through the draft and later waves of free agency, but the early returns are underwhelming.

Fresh off a Super Bowl victory, the Seahawks were unable to retain several key contributors. Losing Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker, along with Riq Woolen, Coby Bryant, and Boye Mafe, significantly impacts the roster.

Re-signing Rashid Shaheed helps maintain some offensive explosiveness, but overall, this is a weaker team than the one that won it all. Cap constraints made some losses inevitable, but the Seahawks took a noticeable step back in the first wave of free agency.

The Colts had a puzzling offseason. While re-signing Alec Pierce was understandable, it came at a high cost—especially after trading Michael Pittman Jr. for just a sixth-round pick.

Bringing back quarterback Daniel Jones could still work, given his previous success under Shane Steichen, but his recovery from an Achilles injury adds uncertainty. Other potential options may have offered more upside.

Beyond those moves, Indianapolis failed to address key roster needs. The lack of first-round picks in 2026 and 2027 further limits their ability to improve, placing added pressure on their current core to perform.

The Buccaneers had a disappointing start to the offseason. Losing franchise icon Mike Evans is a major blow, both in production and leadership. The departure of Jamel Dean further weakens the defense.

While adding linebacker Alex Anzalone helps, other moves—such as replacing Rachaad White with Kenneth Gainwell—do little to elevate the team.

After a disappointing 2025 season, Tampa Bay needed a strong response but has yet to show meaningful improvement.

Despite coming off a strong season, the Jaguars had a surprisingly quiet and underwhelming offseason. A playoff loss to Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills was respectable, but the team failed to build on that momentum.

Jacksonville did not make any major additions and lost key contributors, raising concerns about roster stagnation. Without a first-round pick, it will be difficult to significantly improve the team moving forward.

As currently constructed, the Jaguars are good enough to compete—but may struggle to take the next step in a loaded AFC.

Other losers: Detroit Lions, Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers, Cleveland Browns, Atlanta Falcons, Arizona Cardinals.

The offseason always tells a story—now it’s just a matter of which teams prove it right when the games actually matter.