The NFL landscape is about to experience a seismic shift, with free agency set to begin next week. There are dozens of valuable assets there for the taking. Many will end up re-signing with their previous teams. Travis Kelce has already said the only way he won’t be playing for the Kansas City Chiefs next season is if he retires. Cam Jordan and his xxx career sacks likely are staying in New Orleans.
As far as younger stars who will be in more demand, it would be a surprise if Super Bowl LX MVP Kenneth Walker III doesn’t re-sign with the Seattle Seahawks. Likewise, it seems the Indianapolis Colts will make it a priority to keep wide receiver Alec Pierce.
But there still will be several big names signing on with new teams, and those moves will have a major impact on what transpires next season.
Note: My original top signing was Mike Evans to the Buffalo Bills, but that became a longshot Friday morning when news broke that the Bills have acquired receiver DJ Moore from the Chicago Bears. Moore will be a big help in Buffalo, but I’d contend that Evans and his Super Bowl ring would have been a better fit.
Here are nine predictions for the 2026 free-agent signing period:
Travis Etienne Jr. to the Carolina Panthers
Assuming the Panthers lose Rico Dowdle in free agency, they’ll be in the market for a running bsck — and the former Clemson star would be welcomed with open arms. Panthers head coach Dave Canales will surely get s recommendation from Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen, who worked with Canales in Tampa Bay. And if Canales needs a hand recruiting Etienne, he could always enlist current Pantherd running back Trevor Etienne, Travis’ brother.
Malik Willis to the Miami Dolphins
The most intriguing quarterback on the free-agent market, Willis’ options are limited if he’s strictly looking for teams immediately in need of a starting QB. Arizona Cardinals? New York Jets? Meh. The Dolphins aren’t that much more attractive, but there would be the familiarity of working with new Miami head coach Jeff Hafley. As defensive coordinator of the Green bay Packers the last two seasons, Hafley has seen Willis in action first-hand — not just in the three games he’s played in relief of Jordan Love, but on a daily basis in practice against the Packers’ defense. Assuming Hafley liked what he saw, and assuming the Dolphins are moving on from Tua Tagovailoa, this is a perfect fit.
Joel Bitonio to the Los Angeles Chargers
The enduring image of the Chargers’ 2025 season is that of quarterback Justin Herbert running for his life. The best news for this team is that bookend offensive tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt will be back in action after Slater missed all of last season and Alt missed half the season. But the Chargers still need to bolster the interior offensive line. Bitonio, a seven-time Pro Bowler, would pay immediate dividends for both the running game and pass protection.
Rashid Shaheed to the Las Vegas Raiders
As offensive coordinator of the Seattle Seahawks last season, Klint Kubiak only had half a season to play with Shaheed after the speedster was acquired via trade from the New Orleans Saints. Shaheed was clearly the NFL’s most dynamic return specialist, but he can also be a big-play receiver. And as Kubiak learned, he can be of value simply by taking the top off opposing defenses, freeing up space underneath. Now that Kubiak takes over the the Las Vegas Raiders head coach, he can use Shaheed as a valuable deep threat, taking attention and pressure away from tight end Brock Bowers and running back Ashton Jeanty. At the very least, Shaheed’s prowess in the return game would set up better field position for rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
Odafe Oweh to the Detroit Lions
There’s been lots of buzz about how dangerous the Detroit Lions would be if they signed elite edge rusher Trey Hendrickson to be a bookend with Aidan Hutchinson. Maybe so, but between paying the likes of Hutchinson, Jared Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs and Amon-Ra St. Brown, cap space is pretty limited. Oweh, who’s had 17.5 sacks the last two seasons, would be a less expensive option that still adds value to the Lions’ defense.
Taysom Hill to the Denver Broncos
Especially with Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix working his way back from the ankle surgery he needed after the AFC divisional playoff game, why not reunite Hill with head coach Sean Payton, the coach who first turned Hill into a Swiss Army knife. And if you think Hill doesn’t miss Payton, consider this: In the last two seasons playing for Payton (2020-21), Hill attempted 255 passes and threw eight touchdowns. In four years without Payton, Hill has attempted a total of 40 passes, for four touchdowns. Get these two crazy kids back together.
Wan’Dale Robinson to the Atlanta Falcons
Kevin Stefanski already must feel like a kid in a candy store. An offensive-minded coach, Stefanski goes from a moribund Cleveland Broans attack that ranked 30th in total offense last season to an Atlanta Falcons squad that features a trio of big-play stars in running back Bijan Robinson, receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts. Getting a productive WR2 would really open things up, and Wan’Dale Robinson is a good fit. While he won’t break the bank, Robinson has quietly caiught 185 passes the last two seasons.
Asante Samuel Jr. to the Kansas City Chiefs
Asante Samuel Jr. is nowhere near the top of the list of available free agent cornerbacks. Then again, the Chiefs don’t have the cap space to spend big money on a cornerback — otherwise, they wouldn’t have traded Pro Bowler Trent McDuffie this week. And there would be a great family angle to this signing: Andy Reid coached Samuel’s dad for four seasons in Philadelphia.
Zach Wilson to the New York Jets
This wouldn’t exactly be a move that stirs any real interest — other than from Jets fans, who might have a conniption. But here’s the symmetry: The Jets drafted Wilson second overall in 2021 to replace Sam Darnold, who was a draft bust. Now that Darnold is a Super Bowl champ who resurrected his career, it’s Wilson who is the big draft bust. Everyone wants to find the next Sam Darnold. Well, Wilson was supposed to be the next Sam Darnold, wasn’t he?
