NFL NationJan 28, 2026, 06:00 AM ETCloseNFL Nation is made up of 32 team-specific reporters who cover the NFL year-round across ESPN.com, ESPN television shows, ESPN Radio, ESPN+ and social media platforms. It was established ahead of the 2013 season.Multiple Authors
Why Marcus Spears is intrigued by George Pickens’ free agency (0:39)Marcus Spears explains why he’s interested in George Pickens’ free agent market this offseason. (0:39)
The offseason has arrived for 30 NFL teams while the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots are preparing for Super Bowl LX. With that in mind, we’re taking a look at what lies ahead over the next two months, with free agency set to begin on March 11.
We asked our NFL Nation reporters to pick the one free agent from the team they cover whose contract status will shape that franchise’s offseason the most. The list includes a breakout quarterback and receiver, a familiar name at defensive end and one of the league’s best offensive linemen.
Which players could define the offseason? Who could be re-signed? Who might have a new team in 2026? We’ll start in the AFC East:
The 6-foot-3, 255-pound Chaisson was a top bargain signing last offseason, having joined the Patriots on a one-year deal with a base value of around $3 million and a maximum value of $5 million. He could expect to double that, and perhaps even exceed that, after totaling 31 tackles, 7.5 sacks and 18 QB hits in the regular season. He joins safety Jaylinn Hawkins and defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga among the team’s top players scheduled for free agency. — Mike Reiss
The Texans’ trade in the 2025 offseason for the former 2022 second-round pick was met with skepticism, citing his benching during his final season with the Vikings. But he blossomed in Houston, allowing the 12th lowest pressure rate (6.4) among guards with at least 400 pass block snaps. He played a vital offensive line role for a group that allowed quarterback C.J. Stroud to be sacked only 23 times, a steep drop from the 2024 season in which he was sacked 52 times. — DJ Bien-Aime
After missing the 2024 season because of a knee injury, Koonce had a quiet return to action for the most part. In 17 games (three starts), Koonce totaled 30 tackles and 4.5 sacks. The Raiders’ starting defense will look a lot different in 2026. If Koonce is willing to come back on another one-year deal, he would be a solid depth piece on the defensive line. — Ryan McFadden
The Jets could’ve moved Hall at the Nov. 4 trade deadline, but they retained him for a reason: They would like to work out a long-term deal. Hall rushed for a career-high 1,065 yards and, although it wasn’t his best all-around season (his receiving numbers plummeted), he did enough to win over coach Aaron Glenn. The Jets are committed to the run game, so it makes sense to keep their RB1. The question is, how much are the Jets willing to pay? Hall, entering his age-25 season, would be in high demand across the league, which is why the Jets could utilize the franchise or transition tag on him. — Rich Cimini
Once again, the Bengals will have to make a decision on Hendrickson’s contract. But unlike in previous years, this one is much clearer. The odds are very slim that Cincinnati and Hendrickson, who is arguably the best free agent signing in franchise history, will find a path forward. Hendrickson played in just seven games last season because of a core muscle injury that required season-ending surgery. He’s 31 years old and it doesn’t make a ton of financial sense to stay in Cincinnati, either on the franchise tag or on a short-term contract. His time with the Bengals has yielded four Pro Bowls, an All-Pro nod and 61 sacks during his five-year tenure. — Ben Baby
Bush, 27, is coming off the best year of his career. He recorded 125 tackles and three interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns. With Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah missing most of the past two seasons because of a neck injury, Bush has filled in admirably and formed a solid duo with rookie linebacker Carson Schwesinger. Bush is the only unrestricted free agent from a defense that finished the season as one of the NFL’s best, and keeping him would help retain that continuity. But he’s due for a sizable pay raise after playing on a $3.25 million salary in 2025. — Daniel Oyefusi
Gainwell joined the team as a free agent in 2025 on a $1.79 million, one-year deal. He’s due for a significantly higher salary in 2026 after earning team MVP honors. He led the Steelers with 73 receptions and scored eight touchdowns as he split running back duties with Jaylen Warren. Gainwell was an all-purpose threat in Arthur Smith’s scheme, but these Steelers could look a lot different with Mike McCarthy calling plays. The Steelers haven’t typically given big contracts to running backs, and it seems more likely that the former Eagle will get paid elsewhere. — Brooke Pryor
To be specific, the decision here has largely been made. The Colts are all-in on re-signing Jones after his one-year experiment with Indy in 2025 got off to a sizzling start before injuries ended it early. But now the Colts have some complicating factors to deal with, primarily their desire to run it back with a quarterback who is rehabbing a torn Achilles. Jones’ injury status will likely impact contract negotiations on some level as the sides try to strike a deal. There is also the matter of Jones’ timeline and whether he’ll be ready for the start of the season, which the Colts are predicting. How does that impact their other quarterback decisions? — Stephen Holder
Okonkwo finished the final season of his rookie contract with 56 receptions for 560 yards, both career highs. Although he’s not the typical in-line tight end, Okonkwo can be used in a variety of roles including out of the backfield as an H-back. Rookie Gunnar Helm emerged as the starting tight end last season with Okonkwo being used in different packages. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the Titans let Okonkwo walk. But that depends on who the next offensive coordinator is. Okonkwo has proven himself to be a threat once he gets the ball in his hands as shown by his 6.2 yards after the catch average. So he will have value in the right scheme. — Turron Davenport
Certainly, running back J.K. Dobbins or defensive end John Franklin-Myers or linebacker Justin Strnad could have gotten the nod here. But while Singleton just turned 32 and was treated for cancer this season, no pending free agent’s potential departure would require a bigger adjustment for the Broncos this offseason. Singleton led the team in tackles for the third time in four seasons. And despite cancer surgery in November, he was one of just three players on the team’s defense to play at least 1,000 snaps (CB Riley Moss and S Talanoa Hufanga were the others). He could lure a bigger short-term offer from elsewhere, but if the Broncos don’t keep him, that’s a lot of tackles and snaps to replace. — Jeff Legwold
As a three-year starter, Cook was by far the Chiefs’ best safety. In defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s complex scheme, the safety is one of the most critical positions, given the player’s need for versatility. Cook played 83% of the defensive snaps this season and recorded a career-high six pass breakups and 85 tackles, often limiting big plays. If Cook joins another team in free agency, the Chiefs will have just Chamarri Conner and Jaden Hicks, who Spagnuolo said made more mistakes as a second-year player than he expected. — Nate Taylor
The Chargers traded for Oweh, a first-round pick in 2021 who had struggled for four seasons in Baltimore, and turned him into one of the league’s most productive edge rushers. Oweh had 7.5 sacks in 12 games with the Chargers after having zero before they traded for him. His best game came in the postseason, when he had three sacks and two forced fumbles in the Chargers’ 16-3 playoff loss to the Patriots, setting the single-game postseason franchise record for sacks. At 27, Oweh will be one of the most promising edge rushers available, and the Chargers will likely have to spend to keep him in L.A. For what it’s worth, Oweh said after the season that he wants to remain in L.A. — Kris Rhim
He led the Giants in catches (94) and yards (1,014) with fellow wideout Malik Nabers sidelined. He proved he can play inside and out. Robinson had a great contract year, leading all wide receivers out of the slot with 622 yards and 292 yards after the catch. It will all undoubtedly earn Robinson a significant payday. A return seems likely considering he has always been a favorite of GM Joe Schoen and the Giants need to add playmakers, not let the ones they drafted and developed walk. — Jordan Raanan
The Eagles acquired Phillips from Miami at the November trade deadline for a 2026 third-round pick, and he proved to be a sound schematic and locker room fit. He had 2 sacks, 7 QB hits, 4 passes defensed and a forced fumble in eight games and excelled at setting the edge against the run — a must in defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s system. Phillips’ injury history might hold his value down some, but he’s a young (26), productive edge rusher, which typically equals big money in free agency. Philadelphia has other contributors set to become free agents, including tight end Dallas Goedert, safety Reed Blankenship and linebacker Nakobe Dean. With players such as defensive tackles Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter eligible for paydays and only so much money to go around, the Eagles have some difficult decisions in front of them. — Tim McManus
Washington traded a fifth-round pick to obtain Samuel last offseason, and he responded with a team-high 72 catches — the second most in his career — for 727 yards and five touchdowns. He was not a big factor in the run game (only 17 attempts) partly due to the Commanders needing him more at receiver with other starters injured. The Commanders need another true receiver, one with downfield speed, opposite Terry McLaurin, but Samuel could still help as a versatile chess piece. The question is cost: Samuel made $17.5 million last season, but that’s a steep price to pay for someone who just turned 30 and isn’t the primary receiver. — John Keim