Five NFL players who benefited the least from their team's offseason moves

As NFL players across the league get to know the new additions to their squads for 2025, not every player might be excited by their new coworkers. 

Whether front offices missed the mark in free agency or the new players aren't good enough, these five players benefited the least from their team's offseason moves. 

Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud

Stroud was sacked 52 times in 2024, leading to a disappointing sophomore season after winning Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2023. So, it stands to reason that the Texans would've prioritized upgrading the offensive line. Instead, the team traded Pro Bowl offensive tackle and team captain Laremy Tunsil to the Washington Commanders.  

In the draft, the Texans traded out of the first round and selected just one offensive lineman, University of Minnesota tackle Aireontae Ersery. At best, Ersery will compete with free-agent signing Cam Robinson for the left tackle position, but neither player is as good as Tunsil. Stroud is now left with a potentially worse unit to protect him. 

Dallas Cowboys LB Micah Parsons

With the uninspiring hires of Brian Schottenheimer as head coach and ex-Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus as defensive coordinator, Parsons should question if team owner Jerry Jones is serious about winning.

The team that went 7-10 in 2024 looks almost the same, with the most notable addition being wide receiver George Pickens. Pickens is talented, but isn't a game-changer like Parsons. Without a dangerous offense to capitalize on Parsons' abilities, there isn't much to suggest the Cowboys' championship drought will end soon.

Seattle Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba

The Seahawks ended an era by trading quarterback Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders and wide receiver DK Metcalf to the Steelers, making Smith-Njigba a lonely playmaker. 

Last season, he caught 100 passes from Smith for 1,130 yards. In 2025, Smith-Njigba will hope to find a similar connection with another ex-New York Jets quarterback, Sam Darnold. 

While Darnold had a career year with the Minnesota Vikings, he's yet to prove he can be a consistent starter. At receiver, Smith-Njigba will be joined by Washington-born Cooper Kupp, but the 31-year-old likely can't recapture his best form. The bulk of the work will still fall to Smith-Njigba on a completely remade team.

San Francisco 49ers QB Brock Purdy

"Mr. Irrelevant" is set to get a hefty payday from the 49ers. However, according to NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero, the new contract between Purdy and the team may not happen until training camp. It's awkward for the man who led San Francisco to the 2023 NFC Championship.

It also doesn't help that the team hasn't reloaded the roster after going 6-11 last year. San Francisco's 2025 plan seems to be to hope playmakers Christian McCaffrey and Brandon Aiyuk can bounce back from their season-ending injuries, leaving Purdy to pass off last year as just bad luck and not an ominous sign.

New York Giants OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux

Thibodeaux has recorded 21 sacks and 73 solo tackles in three seasons, which are fine stats — if he weren't a former fifth overall draft pick. The Giants opted to pick up the fifth-year option in his rookie contract, but that doesn't mean he'll see a sixth year in New York. 

At No. 3 overall, the Giants selected Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter, who may be the best player from the 2025 draft class. Undoubtedly, the Giants' defensive front is better with Carter and Thibodeaux together, but if Carter lives up to the hype, Thibodeaux may see his role relegated.