Trade headlines defined an offseason that still didn’t feature a supplemental draft. Among the biggest moves, the Rams landed Myles Garrett, the Broncos acquired Jaylen Waddle, and the Patriots brought in A.J. Brown as teams tried to remake their futures befor
When the NFL’s games finally tip off in September, most of the heavy lifting will already be done. This offseason has been less about a loaded draft or a major free-agent class and more about teams chasing upgrades in trades. staffing decisions on the sideline. and one critical question: how fast can you change what’s already on the roster?.
The league also made a decision that will shape how teams plan their next steps. Brennan Sorsby will not be in the NFL in 2026. after the league decided not to hold an NFL supplemental draft this year. Even without that draft spotlight. the offseason kept moving—especially in the trade market. where multiple blockbuster deals offered the kind of immediate roster answers that can’t wait.
From Myles Garrett landing with the Rams to Jaylen Waddle moving to the Broncos and A.J. Brown going to the Patriots, the market has been loud. Coaching hires followed suit, including John Harbaugh joining the Giants and Klint Kubiak coming to the Raiders. The Raiders also added center Tyler Linderbaum in free agency. In a league where momentum matters, teams clearly weren’t waiting for training camps to start making their claims.
14. Rams trade for Trent McDuffie
The Rams addressed a hole in the secondary by trading a package of picks to the Chiefs in exchange for All-Pro corner Trent McDuffie, who is expected to anchor a star-studded defense.
13. Eagles trade up for Makai Lemon
The Eagles made a move after A.J. Brown was not playing for the Eagles in 2026. Philly traded up for Makai Lemon after he slid down the board in the first round. with the pick requiring some maneuvering. The plan is simple: get a rookie receiver who should see the ball plenty.
12. Vikings sign Kyler Murray
Quarterback play was a problem for the Vikings in 2025. and injuries were part of the story again for J.J. McCarthy. Sam Darnold wasn’t there to save the season. Kyler Murray has his faults. but he’s proven. and he has never played in an offense like Kevin O’Connell’s. The outcome could go either way: Murray pushes McCarthy toward his best version, or Murray takes over the starting job.
11. Raiders hire Klint Kubiak
The Raiders made their coaching hire by bringing in Klint Kubiak. an offensive-minded coach with a family background in coaching. The argument for the move is that he coordinated a dominant Seahawks offense to a Super Bowl victory. and with the Raiders’ young skill position talent. the expectation is that the improvements can arrive quickly.
10. Eagles trade for Jonathan Greenard
A shoulder injury slowed Jonathan Greenard’s 2025 season. limiting him to three sacks after two straight seasons with at least 12. The Eagles expect him to return to form in 2026. and they believe the defensive line environment he’s joining should make the path to the quarterback easier. Greenard’s addition cost the Eagles a pair of third-round picks.
9. Cowboys trade up for Caleb Downs
The Cowboys traded up for Caleb Downs as part of a defense-first philosophy they’ve used in the post-Micah Parsons era. Downs didn’t check every value box early in the first round. but the belief inside the framework of the move is that he should emerge as the next star in Dallas.
8. Giants hire John Harbaugh
For years. the Giants have lived in the NFL’s basement—something that “Big Blue” has to confront after a fall from grace following its Super Bowl titles and rich history. The franchise has only two winning seasons in the last 10 years. and five of those ended with four wins or fewer.
John Harbaugh’s arrival is positioned as credibility and stability. His time in Baltimore might’ve run out, but his presence gives the organization a chance to raise the floor at the ground level—an upgrade the Giants haven’t had often enough.
7. Chiefs sign Kenneth Walker III
The Chiefs didn’t get what they needed from their running back committee in 2025. The roster also didn’t produce the results Kansas City wanted. and the addition of Kenneth Walker III—identified here as the Super Bowl 60 MVP—figures as a change that could also open up the passing attack once again.
6. Bengals trade for Dexter Lawrence
Cincinnati’s defense allowed the second-most yards per game in the league last season, at 380.9. The Bengals’ offseason priorities are clear: avoid repeating that. Trading for Dexter Lawrence is framed as the headliner of a larger defensive push across free agency and the draft. and the idea is that Lawrence is the kind of player the team can build around while fitting a win-now timeline.
5. Patriots trade for A.J. Brown
The Patriots went for a WR1 for Drake Maye. making a move that’s described as “see ball. get ball” in transaction form. The receiver addition—A.J. Brown—was treated as a necessary step to take New England’s offense to the next level. and the Patriots are said to have acted on instinct after Brown became available.
4. Chargers hire Mike McDaniel
The Chargers’ decision to hire Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator is described as altering the team’s outlook more than any single free-agent signing or draft pick. McDaniel’s reputation centers on creativity, with endless motion and speed expected to shape the offense. With Justin Herbert quarterbacking, the expectation is a more lethal rushing attack and a significantly higher ceiling in 2026.
3. Broncos trade for Jaylen Waddle
Sean Payton’s offense needed something different, and the route taken was wide receiver help. Between the running back committee and a lack of proven receivers behind Courtland Sutton. Denver needed a change that could immediately affect the middle of the field. Jaylen Waddle fits that description, offering explosiveness and playmaking after the catch that should give Bo Nix a new option.
2. Raiders sign Tyler Linderbaum
The Raiders might have made the right move on coaching. but the offseason push didn’t stop there. They also needed improvement in the trenches. and they did it by inking Tyler Linderbaum to a massive free agent deal. The move comes with a question—“Overpay?. Maybe”—but the case for it is that the team can’t get far if a good player like Fernando Mendoza can’t remain upright. Linderbaum is framed as one of the best centers for years to come. giving Vegas an anchor for the rebuilding effort.
1. Rams trade for Myles Garrett
The top spot goes to the Rams’ trade for Myles Garrett. described as one of the biggest trades in NFL history. The Garrett deal is said to have rocked the football world in multiple ways. including by establishing a “super team” in the City of Angels. With no clear weakness across the depth chart. the Rams are presented as the team to beat—at least on paper.
Beyond the rankings, the biggest change is the timing. While the games don’t start until September. the roster shifts and coaching moves already have teams competing for outcomes they won’t get to test for months. For the other 31 teams. that’s the part that lands hardest: when Myles Garrett joins a contender. it doesn’t just change schedules—it reshapes what “normal” competition is supposed to look like.
Myles Garrett trade Rams Jaylen Waddle trade A.J. Brown Patriots Tyler Linderbaum Raiders Klint Kubiak hire John Harbaugh Giants NFL offseason moves Kyler Murray Vikings Dexter Lawrence Bengals Caleb Downs Cowboys