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• Positions of need: OL, QB, RB
• Notable free agents
• Notable signings/additions

News that Kyler Murray is going to be released brings the long-term question of what to do at quarterback into sharper focus, but at least Jacoby Brissett sits as the immediate option. The significant issue the Cards must deal with is an offensive line that struggled in pass protection and to open holes in the ground game. Starting right tackle Jonah Williams is a free agent, as is backup Kelvin Beachum. Guard Will Hernandez also hits free agency. Upgrading the blocking is the most significant step to get the offense on track under new coach Mike LaFleur in 2026.

• Positions of need: DT, LB, TE
• Notable free agents
• Notable signings/additions

The Falcons struggled mightily to stop the run last season, ranking 25th in EPA on rush attempts, per Next Gen Stats. With several pending free agents, including David Onyemata, along the defensive line, ATL needs to add beef up front from starter and depth standpoints. Kaden Elliss heading toward the market enhances the run D issues. Even after using the franchise tag on Kyle Pitts, the Falcons need more in the TE room to effectively run Kevin Stefanski’s preferred scheme.

• Positions of need: Edge, LB, OL
• Notable free agents
• Notable signings/additions

The Panthers generated an NFL-low 148 QB pressures in 2025. That won’t do if Ejiro Evero’s defense is to take the next step. Carolina needs a difference-making edge rusher to pair with Nic Scourton, who had a solid rookie campaign, and Derrick Brown in the middle. Add in the fact that D.J. Wonnum is headed for free agency, and it's clear the Panthers should be spenders in the edge market. Starting linebacker Christian Rozeboom is also a free agent in a thin LB room. With Ikem Ekwonu’s late-season injury and question marks at center, the OL needs attending to in front of Bryce Young. 

• Positions of need: DT, Edge, S
• Notable free agents
• Notable signings/additions

The Bears defense has a trove of free agents they’ll either need to retain or replace, beginning with safeties Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker and cornerNahshon Wright. The Bears also need a boost up front after struggling mightily to stuff the run with underperforming DTs. Chicago still needs another pass rusher to pair with Montez Sweat. After revamping the offense in Ben Johnson’s first season, this should be a defense-focused offseason in the Windy City. Big bodies first. 

• Positions of need: Edge, CB, LB
• Notable free agents
• Notable signings/additions

The Cowboys defense requires aid at every level. A bona fide pass rusher is a significant need after the team's use of a collective produced middling results last season. Jadeveon Clowney and Dante Fowler are both free agents. The secondary remains unstable after the club jettisoned Trevon Diggs. An outside and slot corner are both needed on a defense that ranked 31st in EPA versus the pass. Upgrading the safety unit should also be in the cards.

• Positions of need: OL, Edge, CB
• Notable free agents
• Notable signings/additions

The Lions have significant questions throughout the offensive line, even with Taylor Decker returning. An eventual LT replacement is a need, with former fourth-rounder Giovanni Manu struggling to find footing. On the interior, center is a question mark, where Detroit just released veteran Graham Glasgow after he played at a replacement level. Whether the Lions keep Tate Ratledge at guard or move him to the pivot, the interior of the offensive line needs work. Will the Lions finally add a consistent edge force to pair with Aidan Hutchinson or continue to do it piecemeal?

• Positions of need: CB, DT, OL 
• Notable free agents
• Notable signings/additions

The Packers’ quest to find a CB1 continues. Green Bay’s addition of Trevon Diggs late in the season underscored the search for stability at outside corner that was not solved by the Nate Hobbs addition a year ago. The trade of Kenny Clark left a void in a defensive interior that was run over by good offenses. When Devonte Wyatt went down, things got dire in the trenches. Micah Parsons’ injury further highlighted the need for an upgrade along the defensive line.

• Positions of need: CB, S, OL
• Notable free agents
• Notable signings/additions

Outside corner is a glaring need in L.A. after the unit was picked apart in the playoffs. With Cobie Durant and others headed toward free agency, the Rams could potentially completely overhaul the corner crew. Since trading Jalen Ramsey away in 2023, Los Angeles hasn’t spent significant assets at the position. That trend should end this offseason. With Kamren Curl headed for the market, free safety is also a position that will need to be addressed.

• Positions of need: QB, FS, CB
• Notable free agents
• Notable signings/additions

The Vikings secondary sits as a need with Harrison Smith’s expected retirement and the lack of depth at outside corner. However, the focus this offseason will be on the QB room. The Vikings can’t head into the 2026 season without legit competition for J.J. McCarthy after the young signal-caller struggled with both health and effectiveness. The quarterback issues underscored the mistake in letting both Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones exit the building last spring. Adding a veteran to at the very least push, if not take the job from McCarthy, is a must.

• Positions of need: WR, OG, DL
• Notable free agents
• Notable signings/additions

For Tyler Shough to take the next step in Year 2, the Saints need another playmaker to pair with Chris Olave. No other WR who finished the season on the roster hit even the 300-yard mark. Devaughn Vele showed flashes but is a depth player rather than a difference-maker. Adding another weapon that can threaten deep would add another dimension for Shough, as the offense struggled to generate explosive plays following the Rashid Shaheed trade. The interior and edge groups also need upgrading on the defensive side of the ball in New Orleans.

• Positions of need: OL, WR, CB
• Notable free agents
• Notable signings/additions

The offensive line wasn’t horrific in 2025, but with tackle Jermaine Eluemunor and guard Greg Van Roten slated for free agency, the right side of that unit needs aid. To help Jaxson Dart and improve the run game in John Harbaugh's first season at the helm, Big Blue can’t head into 2026 reverting to the O-line struggles that plagued them for years. With Wan'Dale Robinson heading to free agency, the WR room is shallow behind Malik Nabers (coming off injury) and Darius Slayton.

• Positions of need: OL, Edge, CB
• Notable free agents
• Notable signings/additions

Lane Johnson returning for 2026 provides a huge sigh of relief in Philly, but finding his eventual heir is a priority this offseason. The guard spots are also in need of depth additions. Landon Dickerson struggled with injuries and, like Johnson, while he’s returning, it feels like a year-to-year prospect. The right guard position was a sore spot in 2025. Restocking the offensive line across the board should be a focus for Howie Roseman. With Jaelan Phillips headed for the market, the pass rush questions we saw before the trade deadline resurface.

• Positions of need: WR, Edge, OL
• Notable free agents
• Notable signings/additions

The withering edge defense was a talking point most of the season, with Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams suffering ACL tears. The Niners infamously generated a league-low 20 sacks. Adding veteran depth is a need, at the very least. If GM John Lynch can make a splash move to upgrade the starting unit, even better. Beefing up the interior of the D-Line could also be the play to improve the pass rush. The wideout room is also in flux, with Jauan Jennings headed for free agency, as are Kendrick Bourne and Skyy Moore.

• Positions of need: CB, RB, Edge
• Notable free agents 
• Notable signings/additions

The Super Bowl champs have a trove of pivotal players hitting the market, leaving key needs across the roster. The secondary is the highlight, where corners Joshua Jobe and Tariq Woolen are free agents. Can they keep one or both? Safety Coby Bryant is also headed for the market. Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III is the highest-profile free agent, and his market will be very interesting after he proved to be a difference-maker in the postseason. Losing the veteran back, with Zach Charbonnet coming off a knee injury, would be a big blow. Boye Mafe could price himself out of Seattle’s edge rotation.

• Positions of need: Edge, LB, CB
• Notable free agents
• Notable signings/additions

The Bucs had a single player with more than five sacks on the season -- YaYa Diaby (seven). The Haason Reddick gambit didn’t pay off last season. The inability to affect the QB with four rushers crippled Todd Bowles' defense. A top-of-the-line edge would completely transform the defense and slot rotational players back into their proper roles. Regardless of Lavonte David’s future, the Bucs must upgrade their coverage at the linebacker level, where they were tortured last season.

• Positions of need: Edge, WR, CB
• Notable free agents
• Notable signings/additions

The Commanders' lack of consistent edge presence hung Dan Quinn’s entire defense out to dry. Washington ranked 24th with a 32.5 percent QB pressure rate. Von Miller, a 36-year-old free agent, led the Commanders with nine sacks on the season. Jake Martin, also hitting the market, was tied for second-most with 5.5 (Dorance Armstrong played just seven games). Adding some juice to the pass rush is an absolute must this offseason. With Deebo Samuel hitting free agency, Washington also needs a legit running mate for Terry McLaurin in a thin WR room.