5 NFL Players Who Need a Change of Scenery in 2026, Potential Landing Spots

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5 NFL Players Who Need a Change of Scenery in 2026, Potential Landing Spots

Matt Johnson · Sportsnaut

Mon, Mar 16, 2026 ·

5 min read

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Around the National Football League, you can find examples of players who could not find success with their first team only to go on and thrive following a change of scenery. Sam Darnold is the latest example of this, and there have been plenty of others in recent years.

Today, we are highlighting a few NFL players who would greatly benefit from a change of scenery and showcasing potential landing spots for each player.

Trey Benson , RB, Arizona Cardinals

Selected with the 66th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, running back Trey Benson has been an effective ball-carrier (4.9 yards per carry) when healthy. Unfortunately for the Arizona Cardinals, injuries have limited him to just 17 games in two seasons and he never returned in 2025 after suffering a meniscus injury in Week 4. Arizona bringing back James Conner and Bam Knight in addition to the Tyler Allgeier signing suggests that Benson's days with this team are over and the new coaching staff isn't sold on him.

Potential Landing Spots: Seattle Seahawks , Jacksonville Jaguars , Carolina Panthers , Atlanta Falcons

Theo Johnson Jr, TE, New York Giants

The New York Giants absolutely needed a regime change and made the right move with the hiring of John Harbaugh. Unfortunately for tight end Theo Johnson Jr., the new Giants coaching staff does not seem interested in giving him much of a chance to build off his improvement in 2025. A former fourth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the 6-foot-6 tight end is coming off a second year where he put up 528 receiving yards with five touchdowns and averaged 11.7 yards per reception. However, Harbaugh brought over Isaiah Likely from Baltimore , and veteran Chris Manhertz will continue to be used as a blocker in two-tight-end sets. Johnson needs a fresh start, and his contract—with under a $1.4 million cap hit in each of the next two seasons—makes him even more appealing to other teams.

Potential Landing Spots: Denver Broncos , New England Patriots , Philadelphia Eagles

Keon Coleman , WR, Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills head coach Joe Brady has publicly backed wide receiver Keon Coleman, and the club seems ready to give him a third chance. However, it is also fair to assume that Buffalo will invest early capital in the 2026 NFL Draft at wide receiver, especially after the recent acquisition of receiver D.J. Moore . Coleman has to see the writing on the wall, a reality where he is likely viewed as the fifth or sixth-best target in the passing game. The former 33rd overall pick will only be 23 years old in May, and while maturity and commitment to football have been issues, being traded could be the wake-up call that gets his career on track. A change of scenery is in Coleman's best interest, and one would hope Buffalo would be amenable to making it happen.

Potential Landing Spots: Cleveland Browns , Tennessee Titans , Las Vegas Raiders , New Orleans Saints , Minnesota Vikings , Atlanta Falcons

Felix Anudike-Uzomah, EDGE, Kansas City Chiefs

It's safe to say that the Kansas City Chiefs' proverbial roll of the dice on edge rusher Felix Anudike-Uzomah with the 31st overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft hasn't worked out. Since entering the league, the 6-foot-4 edge defender has recorded just 14 QB hits and 3 sacks in 550 defensive snaps played across 34 games. He didn't even play this past season due to a hamstring injured that landed him on season-ending injured reserve in August. Maybe he will wash out of the NFL within the next two years, but there are enough teams who are thin enough at edge rusher that a second chance might help him find a role that prolongs his career.

Potential Fits: Houston Texans , New England Patriots, New York Jets , Miami Dolphins , Baltimore Ravens , Los Angeles Chargers

Read More: Worst NFL Offseason Moves 2026

Anthony Richardson, QB, Indianapolis Colts

Anthony Richardson was bad in his tenure as the Indianapolis Colts starting quarterback but it's also evident how he was set up to fail by the organization. The franchise is now granting him permission to find a new home and given the physical tools he brings to the table, there shouldn't be a shortage of suitors. Any team that acquires Richardson would effectively have to treat him as a one-year rental, with his fifth-year option ($20-plus million guaranteed) not going to be touched. With that said, the right head coach can have him as a backup option this season and potentially even use him in certain situations. He won't cost more than a Day 3 pick to acquire and there's certainly upside here. The focus should be finding a team where he can sit and learn for most of the season.

Potential Landing Spots: Green Bay Packers , Los Angeles Rams , Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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