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Which NFL team is enjoying the best 2026 offseason? Raiders, Panthers and Titans significantly improved

The 2026 NFL Draft is still a month away, but we've already seen significant roster reshuffling via the free agency frenzy and a slew of trades. Not to mention, a whopping 10 franchises have new head coaches. All of that begs a simple question:

Which team has enjoyed the best offseason so far?

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Jeffri Chadiha
NFL.com Columnist

PICK: Las Vegas Raiders


The Raiders entered free agency as one of the teams with the most money to spend, and they used it wisely. Center Tyler Linderbaum will improve an offensive line that was horrible in 2025. The defense added youth (edge rusher Kwity Paye and linebackers Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker) and veteran leadership (NB Taron Johnson). This team also would've been sitting on two first-round picks if the Ravens hadn't nixed the Maxx Crosby trade, but Las Vegas is still much better on paper than at any point last year.

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Eric Edholm
Lead Draft Writer

PICK: Carolina Panthers


The Panthers have done well adding talent and depth without massive overpays. After missing out on a few free agents last year, they landed a big fish in OLB Jaelan Phillips. Adding LB Devin Lloyd and OT Rasheed Walker at very respectable salaries is what makes this crop a real winner. They also signed C Luke Fortner, WR John Metchie III, among others, and didn’t lose a ton. Really like what Dan Morgan has done so far, upgrading the reigning NFC South champs.

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Maurice Jones-Drew
NFL.com Analyst

PICK: Las Vegas Raiders


Las Vegas entered the offseason with a long to-do list. I loved the hiring of head coach Klint Kubiak and appreciated how the Raiders rebuilt themselves in the trenches by signing guard Spencer Burford and center Tyler Linderbaum to the help pave the way for second-year RB Ashton Jeanty and protect rookie QB Fernando Mendoza, the presumptive No. 1 overall pick. The Raiders, who were planning for life without Maxx Crosby, did a nice job fortifying the front seven, re-signing Thomas Booker and Malcolm Koonce and signing free agents Kwity Paye, Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker. Ultimately keeping Crosby after the trade fell through feels like the cherry on top to me. Las Vegas should be much more competitive in 2026.

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Nick Shook
Around The NFL Writer

PICK: Tennessee Titans


With new head coach Robert Saleh established and franchise quarterback Cam Ward having completed his first NFL season, general manager Mike Borgonzi was not shy during free agency. Borgonzi followed Saleh's lead on the defensive side, acquiring a collection of the coach's type of players -- and plenty of former Jets, including defensive linemen Jermaine Johnson II, John Franklin-Myers, Solomon Thomas and Jacob Martin. Tennessee also added veteran defensive tackle Jordan Elliott, who played under Saleh in San Francisco last season, and snagged two starting corners in Cor'Dale Flott and Alontae Taylor. Offensively, Borgonzi attacked Tennessee's greatest weaknesses: signing Wan'Dale Robinson to serve as Ward's slot receiver after Robinson enjoyed a career year for the Giants in 2025; replacing tight end Chig Okonkwo with former Giant Daniel Bellinger; and reinforcing the O-line with guard Cordell Volson and center Austin Schlottmann. Tennessee remains a work in progress, but adding an explosive receiver fills the biggest offensive need, and Borgonzi properly supplied Saleh with soldiers who can execute his defensive vision.

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Marc Ross
NFL.com Analyst

PICK: Carolina Panthers


I recently wrote about how much I loved the defensive additions of Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd. The Panthers also made two under-the-radar O-line signings in center Luke Fortner, who'll replace Cade Mays at a significantly lower price without much drop-off in talent, and tackle Rasheed Walker. The latter, who signed a team-friendly deal, offers insurance for Ickey Ekwonu as the left tackle works his way back from suffered in January.

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David Carr
NFL.com Analyst

PICK: Las Vegas Raiders


The Raiders have checked box after box this offseason, beginning with the hiring of coach Klint Kubiak. They then improved the defense dramatically, adding Kwity Paye, Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker to the front seven, while ultimately retaining Maxx Crosby. Offensively, Las Vegas secured an anchor in center Tyler Linderbaum and brought in some speed on the outside in receiver Jalen Nailor to take attention away from star tight end Brock Bowers and running back Ashton Jeanty. Oh, and the Raiders still own the first overall pick in next month's draft, which they'll presumably use to secure their franchise quarterback. 

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