5 Most Improved NFL Teams in NFL Free Agency So Far

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5 Most Improved NFL Teams in NFL Free Agency So Far

Matt Johnson · Sportsnaut

Sun, Mar 15, 2026 ·

4 min read

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While it's still early March, there have been plenty of signings in NFL free agency along with a few significant trades that have shaken up rosters around the league. Now that the action seems to be slowing down, we can take a look back and examine what teams have improved the most thus far.

Let's dive into our list of which NFL teams we think have improved the most so far this offseason.

Carolina Panthers

Most Improved NFL Teams — Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

While the Carolina Panthers might have overpaid edge rusher Jaelan Phillips ($30 million average annual value), they addressed a dire need with an ascending player at the position. Phillips is very well-rounded and will help out Ejiro Evero's defense on both passing downs and against the run. Carolina also added playmaking linebacker Devin Lloyd at a reasonable price ($15 million AAV), addressing the two biggest holes defensively ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. All of that made for an impressive offseason for Carolina, but the team wasn't done. Rasheed Walker signed a bargain of a one-year deal ($10 million AAV), providing the Panthers with a strong left tackle in pass protection with Ikem Ekwonu sidelined indefinitely. This has been a Grade-A offseason by the Panthers thus far.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers clearly saw an opportunity to strike when the Indianapolis Colts re-signed Alec Pierce , moving immediately to send a Day 3 pick for Michael Pittman Jr. While we didn't love the contract extension that came after, Pittman is perfect for veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers (who we fully expect to return). He'll also be a nice complement to DK Metcalf . Not only did Pittsburgh upgrade at its No. 2 receiver spot, but it landed the best cornerback on the market. Jamel Dean is a very good starter who will plug in nicely opposite Joey Porter Jr. as the No. 2. As long as he stays healthy, safety Jaquan Brisker can be a viable upgrade for the secondary as well. The icing on the cake was the signing of running back Rico Dowdle , who is well-suited to be the secondary option in the Steelers' running back committee.

Las Vegas Raiders

Did the Las Vegas Raiders wildly overpay for Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum ? Yes, absolutely. He's also exactly the player a franchise with $100 million in cap space should write a blank check for. Not only does he improve the offensive line, but his leadership and football IQ will prove invaluable in the first year of Klint Kubiak's system with rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza learning the ropes. We like the signing of Jalen Nailor to add depth to the receiving corps, and the overhaul at linebacker with Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker should give this defense a higher floor than it had a year ago. This is still a bad football team, but the Raiders roster is much better than it was a month ago.

Washington Commanders

One theme in our list of the most improved NFL teams this offseason is overspending. The Washington Commanders were a little too aggressive with their contract offer to edge rusher Odafe Oweh ($25 million AAV), given he was the No. 3 pass rusher in Los Angeles and is at his best when operating opposite a high-end edge defender. With that said, the Commanders' depth at pass rusher was barren last season, and they addressed it. The team took care of that issue, too, signing pass rusher K'Lavon Chaisson along with Charles Omenihu . Plus, Dan Quinn's defense now has a reliable off-ball linebacker in Leo Chenal . There are finally some dependable pieces at every level.

Washington also helped out Jayden Daniels with the signing of tight end Chig Okonkwo and the addition of running back Rachaad White , Daniels' former college teammate. Throw in the re-signing of Chris Paul with the return of Dyami Brown , and you have a Commanders roster that, with the right first-round pick, might be good enough to contend for a playoff spot in 2026.

Tennessee Titans

The Tennessee Titans got their offseason started right with the hirings of head coach Robert Saleh and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll. Actions in NFL free agency were just another step forward for this franchise, which had a bottom-two roster in the NFL last season. Bringing in Wan'Dale Robinson provides quarterback Cam Ward with a slot receiver he can target underneath and also work with as part of the Titans' downfield passing attack. Most of the money, fittingly, went toward improving this defense. Saleh will now have John Franklin-Myers paired with Jeffery Simmons , and he's got a new cornerback tandem to work with in Alontae Taylor and Cordale Flott. These aren't splash moves, but they address holes across the roster and give Tennessee a lot more flexibility in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Read More: Worst NFL Offseason Moves 2026

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