Winners and losers from Day 4 of NFL's free-agency period

The NFL free agency period is in full swing, with deals rolling in steadily on Thursday. 

Here are the winners and losers from the unofficial fourth day of transactions. 

Winner: Buffalo Bills 

After watching several players walk at the start of free agency, the Bills plugged at least one hole, signing wideout Curtis Samuel to a three-year, $30M contract. The 27-year-old recorded 62 receptions for 613 yards and four touchdowns for the Washington Commanders in 2023. 

Samuel's ability to line up pretty much anywhere on the field should give the Bills offense a different dynamic. He should also help replace the production left behind by WR Gabe Davis, who inked a deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

The Bills still have room for improvement on both sides of the ball, but adding Samuel is a start. 

Loser: Dallas Cowboys 

The Cowboys have several needs to fill this offseason, one being wideout. With a bare cupboard at receiver and star CeeDee Lamb and veteran Brandin Cooks entering the final year of their contracts, they could've been interested in someone like Samuel. 

However, as has been the case throughout the week, the Cowboys watched another potential free agent go elsewhere. So far, the team's biggest signings include a long snapper and a 32-year-old linebacker on a one-year deal. 

The team's executive vice president, Stephen Jones, told Todd Archer of ESPN that he doesn't believe quarterback Dak Prescott's robust $59.4M cap hit has impacted the team's activity or lack thereof in free agency. However, something is affecting the franchise's willingness to make moves. Unless they believe they have the perfect team.  

Winner: Washington Commanders 

Heading into the draft with the No. 2 pick overall, the Commanders are in the driver's seat to pick who they hope will be the franchise's quarterback of the future. With that in mind, they traded QB Sam Howell and two draft picks to the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday in exchange for picks No. 78 and No. 152. 

The Commanders now have six picks in the top 100 of the draft, putting them in a solid position to add even more pieces following an eventful free-agency period. Several of the team's free agents have signed elsewhere, but Washington is in an excellent position to replace them and upgrade those positions. 

With nine draft picks overall and the most cap space in the NFL ($66.7M), per Over the Cap, Washington has wiggle room to do quite a bit. 

Loser: Justin Fields 

The odds that Justin Fields is a starter somewhere in 2024 are getting slimmer by the day. So far, most of the rumored landing spots for the former first-rounder appear filled. 

Making matters worse, teams in search of QB depth are looking elsewhere. On Thursday, the Arizona Cardinals acquired Desmond Ridder from the Atlanta Falcons, and the Washington Commanders dealt Howell to the Seahawks.  

The lack of movement indicates that the Bears are either willing to keep him or the market isn't what they hoped. Regardless, it's not great news for Fields' job prospects. 

Winner: Chicago Bears 

The Bears saved the most significant move of the day for last, trading for star wideout Keenan Allen. Chicago will send a fourth-round draft pick to the Los Angeles Chargers in exchange for the six-time Pro Bowler, per Jay Glazer of Fox Sports. 

Allen is the second key offensive addition for the Bears, joining running back D'Andre Swift. 

Uncertainty over who will be the Bears QB in 2024 remains. However, whoever it ends up being will have plenty of weapons, including WR D.J. Moore, TE Cole Kmet and now Swift and Allen. 

Loser: Los Angeles Chargers

The Jim Harbaugh era is not off to the best start. Facing cap space difficulties, the Chargers have had to make some tough choices over the last few days. Thursday was no different after they dealt Allen, a franchise great, to the Bears. 

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Allen declined to take a pay cut earlier in the day after the Chargers asked him to, leading to the deal. 

Less than a week into free agency, the Chargers have reworked deals with defensive standouts Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack while parting ways with RB Austin Ekeler, WR Mike Williams and now Allen.