2026 NFL free agency winners and losers: Eagles fail to keep edge-rush target

Loser: Philadelphia Eagles

Retaining edge-rusher Jaelan Phillips was a priority, but with the Carolina Panthers agreeing to terms on a four-year, $120M deal, the Eagles were outbid for their best defensive end from last season.

Winner: WR1s

Three teams made big moves to shore up their lead receiver role for 2026. The Indianapolis Colts began the day by agreeing to terms with the top receiver in the free-agent class, Alec Pierce (four years, $116M), on an extension that suggests he'll have WR1 usage this fall. That was solidified when Indianapolis agreed to trade Michael Pittman to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Former New York Giants wideout Wan'Dale Robinson (four years, $78M) instantly becomes Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward's top target after agreeing to a four-year, $78M contract. And in the most significant move, long-time Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans agreed to a three-year, $60.4M deal with the San Francisco 49ers.

Loser: Seattle Seahawks

Walker wasn't the only player to parlay February's Super Bowl triumph into a large payday elsewhere. Safety Coby Bryant (three years, $40M) agreed to terms with the Chicago Bears, who lost their 2025 starting safeties to free agency. Linebacker Boye Mafe is heading to the defense-deficient Cincinnati Bengals after agreeing to a three-year, $60M deal.

Winner: New Orleans Saints

The Saints are following a blueprint laid out by others before them by building an offense around a quarterback on a rookie contract. In New Orleans' case, that means improving the protection and weapons for Tyler Shough, who showed promise in nine starts to end the 2025 season.

The front office agreed to terms on contracts with former Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne (four years, $52M) and Buffalo Bills guard David Edwards (four years, $61M), moves that should have a positive impact on a Saints rushing attack that ranked No. 28 in yards (1,603) and No. 31 in yards per attempt (3.7) in 2025. Etienne has gained over 1,000 rushing yards in three of his first four seasons, while Edwards finished No. 10 in ESPN's 2025 run-block win-rate rankings.

It wasn't all good news, as linebacker Demario Davis signed with the New York Jets. But the offensive reinforcements gave New Orleans more to celebrate than mourn.

Loser: Arizona Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr.

Billed as a can't-miss prospect out of college, Harrison has failed to live up to the hype while averaging just 746.5 receiving yards per season across his first two seasons. The situation is unlikely to improve for the 2024 fourth overall pick after the Cardinals agreed to sign quarterback Gardner Minshew (one year, $8M) to compete with projected starter Jacoby Brissett. 

That breakout will have to wait.

Winner: Fernando Mendoza (probably)

All indications point to the Las Vegas Raiders making Mendoza the No. 1 pick in next month's NFL Draft, and that became even more likely when the front office agreed to a contract with center Tyler Linderbaum (three years, $81M) that reset the center market by 50 percent.

Las Vegas' offensive line was pathetic last season, and the idea of inserting Mendoza into the lineup behind a front of a similar caliber was a catastrophe waiting to happen. The investment in Linderbaum is significant, but it's also an investment in the Raiders' (likely) rookie quarterback. Mendoza's chances of success in Las Vegas are much greater following the big swing.

Loser: Washington Commanders

The Commanders had to rectify their defense that allowed an NFL-high 6,533 yards last season, but we're unsure whether splurging on a rotational edge will have the desired effect.

Oweh, who agreed to terms on a four-year, $100M contract, had 7.5 sacks in 17 games (four starts) last season and played just 50 percent of his available snaps with the Los Angeles Chargers, who acquired him in-season via trade. He must become more of an every-down defender to justify the cost.

Winner: Miami Dolphins

Before the Dolphins could write Tua Tagovailoa a good-bye note, they were hashing out details on a reasonable three-year, $67.5M contract with Malik Willis, raising their 2026 ceiling. It was unclear whether Miami could afford Willis, considering Tagovailoa's dead money hit, but the team-friendly deal came in at much less than the high-end estimates of $30M per year. It's also short enough that if things don't work, the Dolphins can easily pivot once more.