Five biggest questions at the official start of NFL free agency

The 2026 NFL league year is officially here.

While the whirlwind past 48 hours answered plenty of questions as players and teams agreed to contracts, it also generated plenty more.

Here are five pressing questions we have following the first wave of free agency.

What's next for Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby?

In a major twist, the Baltimore Ravens backed out of a deal to acquire Crosby in exchange for two first-round picks following a failed physical, placing Las Vegas back at square one with its premier edge-rusher.

A trade still makes the most sense, but Crosby's market might not be as robust as before teams began agreeing to contracts with the 2026 free-agent class.

Teams such as the Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers and Cincinnati Bengals need edge-rushers and may be desperate enough to still part with two firsts, while the Raiders could also be persuaded to take a lesser offer — perhaps a 2026 first and 2027 second — if they really want extra capital this April.

Is running back Alvin Kamara's future in New Orleans, or elsewhere?

When the New Orleans Saints agreed to a four-year, $48M contract with former Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne, it gave the front office options as it pertains to Kamara, who had a career-low 471 rushing yards in 2025 while missing six games due to injury. Etienne had six receiving touchdowns (13 total) last season and can fill a similar role as Kamara. Nearly four years younger, he also better fits New Orleans' rebuilding timeline.

With Kamara's value likely diminished, the team doesn't need to sell low. It was only two years ago in 2024 when he had a career-high 950 rushing yards, after all. If he reverts to his prior form, Kamara has enough in the tank to be a valuable contributor on the Saints this season.

How do Eagles fill defensive losses?

With Jalen Carter, Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean in line for extensions either this offseason or next, the Eagles weren't in a position to retain all of their key free agents. But that doesn't make losing safety Reed Blankenship, linebacker Nakobe Dean and, perhaps most significantly, defensive end Jaelan Phillips any easier.

Blankenship was one of three Eagles defenders to play over 1,000 defensive snaps last season, while Dean provided immense value generating pressure from the linebacker position. Having both 2024 All-Pro Zack Baun and 2025 first-rounder Jihaad Campbell somewhat dulls the impact of his loss, but the depth behind the duo will be tested.

The Eagles acquired Phillips in-season last year to address a lackluster pass rush, and unless they're willing to fork over a significant haul to get Crosby, that will be a position of need during the draft.

What is the Kansas City Chiefs' plan for their secondary?

Losing both Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson to the Los Angeles Rams, Kansas City is starting from scratch at cornerback. The biggest names on the open market are beyond their prime, making the thought of adding players such as Trevon Diggs, Marshon Lattimore or Darius Slay far less appealing than it would have been a couple of seasons ago.

The Chiefs' best bet at landing a shutdown corner is by targeting one in the draft at No. 9 overall — LSU's Mansoor Delane is a logical choice — but that would mean neglecting another glaring and arguably even more important need at right tackle.

Which quarterback is best suited for a career resurgence?

Geno Smith, Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones have revived their careers over the past four seasons, and a slew of discarded quarterbacks will have a chance to be next great reclamation project this fall.

Tua Tagovailoa should get a chance to start for the Atlanta Falcons while Michael Penix Jr. rehabs from season-ending knee surgery, while Kyler Murray, should he land with the Minnesota Vikings, will be best set up for success.

Smith is little more than a stopgap in his second stint with the New York Jets, while Kirk Cousins might be left out of a starting opportunity unless Aaron Rodgers retires.