Franchise and transition tags have been applied, and several notable veterans could soon be released as the new league year approaches on March 11. In other words, NFL free agency is almost here. This year’s market will feature several high-profile names, including an elite pass rusher, the reigning Super Bowl MVP, and a handful of intriguing quarterback options.
The beauty of free agency is that it rarely unfolds the way people expect. So in true Sandman style, let’s make a few bold predictions for how this year’s market might play out.
Commanders Throw Massive Salary at Trey Hendrickson
It’s an understatement to say Washington needs help generating pressure. No team hurried opposing quarterbacks less frequently last season, and the Commanders enter the offseason with the fifth-most available cap space in the league.
Trey Hendrickson appeared in only seven games in 2025 and did not quite look like the dominant pass rusher he has been in recent seasons. Some of that can likely be attributed to the lack of support around him on Cincinnati’s defensive line.
Now entering his age-32 season, Hendrickson may struggle to secure a long-term deal on the open market. Washington, however, is a logical landing spot to offer a shorter contract with a high annual number in hopes of finally solving its pass rush problem.
Saints Make a Splash With Kenneth Walker III
How often does the reigning Super Bowl MVP hit the open market? Even with the caution teams typically show toward running back contracts, Kenneth Walker III is in line for a significant payday.
Seattle clearly has other priorities, as evidenced by its decision not to place the franchise tag on Walker. That opens the door for several teams to convince themselves that the 1,000-yard rusher still has his best football ahead of him.
New Orleans could be one of them. Tyler Shough looks like a legitimate long-term starter, and Chris Olave is coming off an All-Pro season. Adding a dynamic back like Walker could be the piece that helps push the Saints’ offense to another level.
Kyler Murray Gambles on the Jets
The New York Jets are not the first destination that comes to mind when a quarterback is looking to rebuild his career. Kyler Murray’s options may not be perfect, though, and there are a few reasons why New York could make sense.
The Jets now have Frank Reich as offensive coordinator, and his system could suit Murray’s skill set well. They also boast a solid offensive line, which would give Murray a better foundation than he had during stretches of his time in Arizona.
The supporting cast is not on the same level as what teams like Pittsburgh or Minnesota could offer, but the Jets have the flexibility to address that in free agency and the draft. For a franchise that has struggled to find relevance for years, Murray might represent a worthwhile gamble.
The thought may be to build the offense around his mobility, add a few more weapons, and see if the Jets can finally spark something in 2026.
Bills Add A Big-Name Receiver
The emphasis here is on name recognition as much as production. Buffalo is under pressure to give Josh Allen the caliber of receivers his talent deserves.
Tyreek Hill and Mike Evans are both past their absolute peaks, but either veteran would instantly become one of the most accomplished receivers Allen has played with since Stefon Diggs departed. With expectations remaining high in Buffalo, adding a proven playmaker could help steady both the offense and a restless fan base.
A blockbuster trade for someone like A.J. Brown seems unlikely, but the Bills still need to upgrade their receiving corps before the new season. Players such as Alec Pierce or Wan’Dale Robinson might be cleaner schematic fits, yet Buffalo feels far more likely to pursue a bigger name like Hill or Evans.
Titans Target Alec Pierce As Deep Threat
Tennessee has ample cap space and a young quarterback who needs a reliable veteran target. With uncertainty surrounding Calvin Ridley and a receiving corps still finding its footing, Cam Ward would benefit from a proven wideout he can trust.
Alec Pierce fits that role perfectly. He has led the NFL in yards per reception in each of the last two seasons, making him one of the league’s most dangerous vertical threats. Pair that with Ward’s big arm and you have a combination capable of stretching any defense.
Tennessee could feel comfortable committing multiple years and a healthy annual salary for Pierce, confident they are building around a quarterback they believe is the future of the franchise.
Chargers Reset the Offensive Line Market for Tyler Linderbaum
The Chargers have traditionally been reluctant to build through free agency. Their front office simply does not view it as a sustainable path to long-term success.
However, persistent struggles along the offensive line could force a change in approach. Tyler Linderbaum is a three-time Pro Bowl center entering his age-26 season and could command a contract that resets the interior offensive line market. If that happens, the Chargers should be near the front of the line.
Few teams have a more pressing need up front than Los Angeles. If the Justin Herbert era is going to reach its potential, protecting him has to become a far greater priority.
Bengals Sign Three of Top 50 Free Agents
Expect Cincinnati to concentrate almost entirely on the defensive side of the ball. With Trey Hendrickson departing, there is a massive hole to fill, and the Bengals’ defense has ranked somewhere between bad and terrible for much of the past three seasons.
If DC Al Golden is going to turn the unit around, it will require an influx of talent. Players like Boye Mafe, D.J. Reader, and Coby Bryant would help reinforce both the defensive line and secondary, while Leo Chenal fits the type of value signing Cincinnati has targeted in past free agent cycles.
The Bengals have successfully overhauled parts of their roster before. If they want to remain contenders in the AFC, a defensive-focused offseason may be necessary once again.
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