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The biggest offseason need for every team entering NFL free agency
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- The biggest offseason need for every team entering NFL free agency
The two Super Bowl 60 participants were a prime example of why free agency is critical for every NFL team.
The Seattle Seahawks signed quarterback Sam Darnold in free agency and the New England Patriots spent more than $200 million in guaranteed money on free agents in 2025, the most by any NFL team last offseason. The aggressiveness of both teams during free agency paved the way for their Super Bowl runs.
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Which teams will make bold moves during free agency this year? The Tennessee Titans , Las Vegas Raiders , New York Jets , Los Angeles Chargers and Washington Commanders all have more than $70 million in salary cap space to work with, per Over The Cap .
All 32 teams have roster needs this time of year. Clubs are permitted to contact free agents starting at noon ET on March 9. Free agents can officially sign once the new league year begins at 4 p.m. ET March 11.
USA TODAY Sports examines the biggest position of need for all 32 NFL teams:
Arizona Cardinals
Biggest position of need: Quarterback
The Cardinals and Kyler Murray are headed toward an amicable divorce at the start of the new league year . A quarterback is priority No. 1 in Arizona, but this year's quarterback draft class isn't strong. The Cardinals could sign a bridge QB in free agency and wait until next year's QB-rich draft class to select their franchise signal-caller.
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Atlanta Falcons
Biggest position of need: Defensive line
Hopefully Sam Darnold 's journey to a Super Bowl title taught teams a value lesson to exercise patience before reaching a final verdict on a quarterback. Michael Penix Jr . has flashed, but injuries have made it difficult to discern if he can be a franchise QB. The Falcons have enough pieces on offense. Defense and the team's inability to affect the quarterback remain an issue.
Baltimore Ravens
Biggest position of need: Edge rusher
Baltimore's inability to get after the quarterback has plagued them in recent seasons. The Ravens ranked 28thin pass rush win rate last year, per ESPN. As a consequence, the Ravens finished tied with the Colts as worst pass defense in the AFC. The Ravens ranked 31stin pass defense in 2024.
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Buffalo Bills
Biggest position of need: Wide receiver
The Bills have a couple starting offensive linemen hitting free agency. On the outside, wide receiver is a spot Buffalo should upgrade. Josh Allen hasn't had a No. 1 wide receiver since Stefon Diggs was traded.
Carolina Panthers
Biggest position of need: Edge rusher
The Panthers finished 24thin pass rush win rate and last in run stop win rate, per ESPN. The defense produced 30 sacks, only the New York Jets and San Francisco 49ers had fewer.
Chicago Bears
Biggest position of need: Defensive back
Chicago's offense was much improved under Ben Johnson's tutelage, but the Bears' defense struggled to get stops if they didn't force a turnover. Safeties Kevin Byard , Jaquan Brisker and Jonathan Owens are all entering free agency.
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Cincinnati Bengals
Biggest position of need: Edge rusher
Edge rusher Trey Hendrickson , who was Cincinnati's best defensive player, is scheduled to enter free agency . The Bengals had the worst defense in the AFC. Now they must find a replacement for Hendrickson.
Cleveland Browns
Biggest position of need: Offensive line
Questions at quarterback are an annual tradition in Cleveland. Such is the same this year. The wide receiver room needs an upgrade, but only one Week 1 starter on the O-line is under contract in 2026. The acquisition of right tackle Tytus Howard represents the start of a significant offensive line overhaul in Cleveland.
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Dallas Cowboys
Biggest position of need: Edge rusher
Micah Parsons ' departure created a void at edge rusher. Linebacker and secondary should also be addressed this offseason. The Cowboys finished 30thin total defense in 2025.
Denver Broncos
Biggest position of need: Running back
The Broncos haven't had a running back rush for 1,000 yards since Phillip Lindsay in 2019. Oft-injured running back J.K. Dobbins led Denver in rushing last season. Dobbins is an impeding free agent.
Detroit Lions
Biggest position of need: Interior offensive line
Center Frank Ragnow 's retirement triggered Detroit's offensive line regression last season. Left tackle Taylor Decker , who contemplated retirement this offseason, isn't getting any younger either.
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Green Bay Packers
Biggest position of need: Cornerback
Wide receiver Romeo Doubs , left tackle Rasheed Walker and backup quarterback Malik Willis are among the NFL's top free agents . But the Packers are missing a No. 1 cornerback in this passing-heavy league.
Houston Texans
Biggest position of need: Interior offensive line
The Texans had one of the worst offensive lines in football, ranking 30thin pass block win rate and 32ndin run block win rate, per ESPN. Houston was most vulnerable in the interior of its O-line.
Indianapolis Colts
Biggest position of need: Edge rusher
The Colts applied the transition tag on Daniel Jones , which satisfies their QB position (for now). On the other side of the football, Indianapolis ranked 30thin pass rush win rate, per ESPN.
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Jacksonville Jaguars
Biggest position of need: Linebacker
Impending free agent corners Montaric Brown and Greg Newsome clear the pathway for Travis Hunter to get more opportunities at cornerback. Pro Bowl linebacker Devin Lloyd , who led the team with five interceptions, is my top free agent available.
NFL free agency 2026: LB tops Tyler Dragon's top 32 free agents
Kansas City Chiefs
Biggest position of need: Cornerback
The Chiefs decided to trade their best cornerback, Trent McDuffie, to the Rams . Jaylen Watson is entering free agency. McDuffie and Watson were Kansas City 's top two cornerbacks. The Chiefs have needs at edge rusher and running back, but McDuffie's departure creates a huge hole at cornerback.
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Las Vegas Raiders
Biggest position of need: Wide receiver
It's a safe bet the Raiders are going to select quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft. Running back Ashton Jeanty and tight end Brock Bowers are players Mendoza can rely on. But Las Vegas doesn't have a No. 1 wide receiver on its roster.
Los Angeles Chargers
Biggest position of need: Interior offensive line
The Chargers' maligned offensive line was the worst in football last season. The return of tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt from season-ending injuries is a huge boost. However, the interior of the O-line is the weak link. Center Bradley Bozeman announced his retirement in February and the team released guard Mekhi Becton .
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Los Angeles Rams
Biggest position of need: Defensive back
The acquisition of Trent McDuffie is a sign the Rams are all in on a Super Bowl 61 run. The Rams completed their Super Bowl mission the last time SoFi Stadium hosted the big game. Their defense allowed 276 passing yards and 26 points per game last postseason, and the Rams' shortcomings in the secondary are a big reason why the team didn't advance to Super Bowl 60.
Miami Dolphins
Biggest position of need: Quarterback
New Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley inherited Tua Tagovailoa after the last regime benched the quarterback. It's becoming increasingly likely the Tagovailoa experiment is over in Miami.
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Minnesota Vikings
Biggest position of need: Quarterback
J.J. McCarthy didn't instill much confidence that he was ready to be a starting quarterback in 2025. Kyler Murray makes sense for the Vikings. Murray's dual-threat ability would add another element to Kevin O'Connell's offense. Veteran Kirk Cousins is also slated to be a free agent. A Cousins-Vikings reunion makes sense, too.
New England Patriots
Biggest position of need: Wide receiver
Stefon Diggs is reportedly on his way of New England. Diggs was the Patriots' leading receiver last season . A No. 1 wide receiver is essential for Drake Maye 's continued development. K'Lavon Chaisson produced a team-best 74 pressures in 2025 but is scheduled to hit free agency.
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New Orleans Saints
Biggest position of need: Running back
The Saints must supply Tyler Shough with more weapons if they believe he's their franchise quarterback. Wide receiver Chris Olave was subject to trade speculation at the deadline and running back Alvin Kamara has one year remaining on his contract. The Saints are one of six teams that averaged fewer than 100 rushing yards per game last season.
New York Giants
Biggest position of need: Offensive line
Right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor and right guard Greg Van Roten are both impending free agents. The Giants could be players in the O-line market during free agency.
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New York Jets
Biggest position of need: Quarterback
Quarterback Justin Fields is a candidate to get cut after a disappointing season in the Big Apple. The Jets might consider another quarterback in free agency or in the draft.
Philadelphia Eagles
Biggest position of need: Edge rusher
Jaelan Phillips turned into the team's best edge rusher after he was acquired near the trade deadline. He tallied 44 pressures in nine games, including the playoffs. Phillips is one of the top free agents available.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Biggest position of need: Quarterback
The Steelers need a franchise quarterback even if 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers returns for a 22ndseason. The Steelers haven't had a long-term solution at QB since Ben Roethlisberger . Although, Pittsburgh might not fill the need until next year's draft.
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San Francisco 49ers
Biggest position of need: Wide receiver
General manager John Lynch said it's "safe to say" Brandon Aiyuk has played his last snap with the 49ers. Fellow wide receiver Jauan Jennings is a free agent. The 49ers don't have a Bonafide No. 1 wideout.
Seattle Seahawks
Biggest position of need: Running back
Super Bowl 60 MVP Kenneth Walker is entering free agency . Walker gained a postseason-high 313 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns in the playoffs. His performance vaulted him to the No. 1 running back in free agency.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Biggest position of need: Edge rusher
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Wide receiver Mike Evans and linebacker Lavonte David are key free agents. Tampa Bay hasn't had a solid pair of edge rushers since Shaquil Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul .
Tennessee Titans
Biggest position of need: Wide receiver
All three-win teams have multiple positions of need. Luckily for the Titans, quarterback isn't one of them. A wide receiver is important for Cam Ward 's continued development. Tennessee's leading receiver, Elic Ayomanor , had just 515 receiving yards.
Washington Commanders
Biggest position of need: Edge rusher
Washington's defense gave up a league-worst 384 yards per game last season. Edge rushers Von Miller , Deatrich Wise and linebacker Bobby Wagner are key free agents on defense.
Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon .
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Our 2026 NFL free agent shopping list: The biggest need for every team
