Monday was the first day of the NFL free agency negotiating window. As always, this was the time when all the action happened. Many top free agents have already agreed to sign contracts with teams, however, so they will have two days before finalizing anything. He always leaves room for change of heart.
Still, after so many deals have been agreed upon in principle, it's time to break down the biggest winners and losers of free agency so far.
Winner- Tyler Linderbaum
Linderbaum seemed like a strong bet to re-sign with the Ravens. Trading for Max Crosby would have changed Baltimore's spending plans. Or, perhaps it was just the fact that the Raiders not only made Linderbaum the highest-paid center in NFL history with an offer, but Linderbaum signed a contract worth $27 million per season, while the previous mark was only $18 million. Talk about resetting the market.
Winner-Malik Willis
There was some talk that Willis would top Justin Fields' two-year, $40 million contract signed last season. He cleared it easily. Miami signed Willis to a three-year, $67.5 million deal. Not bad for a player who has just six starts to his name. Still, if the dual-threat QB can live up to Miami's projections, the Dolphins could have a star on their hands.
Winner-Mike Evans
It was hard to imagine, but Mike Evans left the Buccaneers after 12 seasons. Although the decision to do so may not have been easy, he found a great opportunity with Kyle Shanahan on the 49ers. He will step in as a top target for Brock Purdy, but he won't have the full attention of the defense with players like Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle. Additionally, receiving over $20 million per season while coming off a career low in production at age 32 is good value for Evans, even if he is a potential Hall of Famer in the future.
Winners - Pass-Rushers
Pass-rushers get paid on the open market. Jaylen Phillips was right not to sign an extension with the Dolphins or Eagles after being dealt to Philadelphia for a third-round pick at the trade deadline. Now he joins the Panthers on a playoff team, also earning a massive four-year, $120 million contract. Not bad for a player who hasn't gotten more than 8.5 sacks in a season, but the sky may be the limit for the 26-year-old in Carolina.
Meanwhile, we also saw Boye Mafe become Trey Hendrickson's replacement in Cincinnati. The Bengals signed the 27-year-old to a three-year, $60 million contract. He had a career-high nine sacks in 2023, but has had just eight sacks since. Then, Washington signed Odafe Oweh away from the Chargers to a four-year, $100 million contract. Oweh has recorded 17.5 sacks over the past two seasons and that is a huge accomplishment for the Commanders.
Winner-Alec Pierce
Pierce said he deserved the right to hit the open market after a breakout season where he led the NFL with 1,003 receiving yards while averaging 21.3 yards per reception. That makes perfect sense, as Pierce received interest from a collection of major leaguers, but ultimately opted to pursue his success with the Colts. However, getting a four-year, $116 million contract certainly didn't hurt.
Winner- Fernando Mendoza
He's not on the team yet, but likely No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza ends up being a big winner here after the Raiders strengthen their core, especially on offense. Linderbaum is considered a good fit for Clint Kubiak's offense, which values an excellent center. Also, having an elite and experienced center is always good for a rookie QB. The Raiders also got a new deep threat in their final new franchise QB in Jalen 'Speedy' Neller, who could be poised for a breakout season if given more opportunities from Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison in Minnesota.
Winner – Tennessee Titans
The Titans aren't happy with being in the bottom five, and now the new arrangement is set to upgrade the roster talent. Tennessee has added several starters, including a new target for Cam Ward in 1,000-yard receiver Van'Dale Robinson. Robert Saleh's defense also got some upgrades. First he signed a three-year, $63 million contract with John Franklin-Myers away from Denver. He has recorded 14.5 sacks over the past two seasons. They also added 24-year-old cornerback Kor'Dale Floet on a $45 million contract. Three major upgrades to address weak points at Tennessee, and they're all already familiar to the coaching staff.
Winner – New York Giants
The Giants may have lost a 1,000-yard receiver in Van'Dale Robinson, but they didn't panic. The Giants still managed to get franchise QB Jackson Dart a new weapon by stealing tight end Isaiah Brown from the Ravens. Was possibly seen as the eventual replacement for Mark Andrews in Baltimore, but now he's got the starting job in New York instead.
Winner – Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs are set to receive their highest draft pick since making Patrick Mahomes the 10th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. Still, they have now added a key playmaker to their backfield by signing Super Bowl LX MVP Kenneth Walker III to a three-year, $45 million contract. Walker provides another threat to utilize Andy Reid on all three downs. Additionally, the Chiefs made sure to bring back Travis Kelce under contract for 2026 as well.
Winner – New York Jets
Even though their first move of the day happened before free agency began, we still have to note that the Jets traded All-Pro defender Minkah Fitzpatrick for just a seventh-round pick. But the Jets didn't add adept players to Aaron Glenn's defense. They also added former All-Pro linebacker Demario Davis on a two-year deal. Both veterinarians will help prepare the environment in New York.
Winner- Punters
It was a good day to be a speculator. The Giants made Jordan Stout the highest-paid punter in the NFL, and brought him in with John Harbaugh from Baltimore. Stout received a total of $12.3 million over three years. Then, the Saints gave Ryan Wright a four-year, $14 million contract. The Dolphins joined the party by re-signing Jake Bailey to a three-year, $9 million contract. Booting the ball isn't bad.
Loser – Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans
It's not easy saying goodbye to a franchise icon and potential future Hall of Famer like Mike Evans. He spent all 12 seasons of his career with the Buccaneers and became the franchise leader in receptions, yards and touchdowns. He also won a Super Bowl. Still, Bucs fans will now have to support Evans' success in San Francisco for the next three seasons. Tampa Bay made some underrated signings in Kenneth Gainwell and Alex Anzalone while retaining Cade Otton, but still holding out Mike Evans.
Loser – Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens lost several starters, seeing Tyler Linderbaum, Isaiah Likely, Dre'Mont Jones and Jordan Stout leave for other teams in free agency. Baltimore signed offensive lineman John Simpson, but he was ranked just 54th among guards in 2025 according to Pro Football Focus. We've seen the Ravens get worse since trading for Crosby, but their defense should be much better.
Loser - Alvin Kamara
Franchise icon Alvin Kamara is being phased out due to Kellen Moore's offense in New Orleans. He is coming off a career-low 471 rushing yards and 186 receiving yards with one touchdown. Additionally, the Saints signed Travis Etienne as his replacement by giving him a $52 million contract. Now 30, Kamara may have played his last snap in a Saints uniform.
Loser – Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks won the Super Bowl. Since then they have been misappropriating talent. It started with the loss of offensive coordinator/playcaller Clint Kubiak to the Raiders. Now players are also getting paid to take jobs elsewhere. Rashid Shahid remains unsigned, but the Seahawks' chance to run it back has evaporated after seeing Super Bowl LX MVP Kenneth Walker sign with the Chiefs, where he might be able to add to his Lombardi total.
Loser – Michael Penix Jr.
When all is said and done one of the biggest losers of free agency may be Michael Penix Jr. The Falcons now have a Pro Bowl quarterback joining them in Atlanta after signing Tua Tagovailoa after recovering from an ACL injury suffered on November 16. After throwing a career-high 15 interceptions last season, Tagovailoa will not only be highly motivated to show the Falcons that he is capable of being an elite QB again, but he will need to increase his value in time to hit the open market again in 2027.
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