Biggest Need for Every NFL Team in 2026 Free Agency After 2025 Trade Deadline

With the 2025 NFL trade deadline done, rosters are pretty much locked in between now and the start of the next league year in March. 

With that in mind, we can now reassess team needs entering the upcoming offseason. 

A lot can still change between then and now in terms of contract extensions and injuries, but let's look at each franchise's most glaring 2026 need based on the current landscape.

AFC East

AP Photo/Gary McCullough

Connor McGovern

Buffalo Bills: Interior Offensive Line

Josh Allen's Pro Bowl center, Connor McGovern, is a pending free agent, and the Bills are already looking thin at guard. Focus from fans and media will be on the wide receiver position, but Buffalo has plenty of talent there. It's critical that the line remains steady for Allen and Co.

Miami Dolphins: Cornerback

By the time free agency comes round in March, you might be able to pick practically any spot on the Dolphins roster. But with Jalen Ramsey gone and Rasul Douglas heading toward free agency at 31, the talent level at corner could be a major problem. This defense cannot rely on Jack Jones and JuJu Brents against Josh Allen and Drake Maye.

New England Patriots: Edge-Rusher

Harold Landry is far from elite and could soon fade at 29, while K'Lavon Chaisson is on a one-year contract that expires in March. The Patriots have practically nothing else on the edge. A prime-aged starting-caliber receiver to pair with Stefon Diggs and better support Maye would also be an acceptable answer here. 

New York Jets: Quarterback

The defense has been gutted as the Jets rebuild again, but that has to start with a potential franchise quarterback. Justin Fields clearly isn't him. Could they target Fernando Mendoza, Ty Simpson or Dante Moore at the top of the 2026 draft?

AFC North

AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar

Aaron Rodgers

Baltimore Ravens: Interior Offensive Line

You could make a case for the pass rush with new acquisition Dre'Mont Jones and Kyle Van Noy both pending free agents, especially following the Odafe Oweh trade. But they could have something in rookie second-round pick Mike Green. Center Tyler Linderbaum also has an expiring contract, and they could benefit from upgrades at either guard spot. Lamar Jackson needs more in this area.  

Cincinnati Bengals: Defense Across the Board

I still have concerns about a rookie guard duo combined with an aging Ted Karras within the interior offensive line, but the Cincinnati defense needs a replenishment of talent more than anything. There's nothing in the secondary beyond DJ Turner II, they well could lose Trey Hendrickson on the edge, and they just sent veteran Logan Wilson to Dallas. It's ugly.

Cleveland Browns: Offensive Line

Quarterback might seem obvious, but there's a good chance they let Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders fight it out in 2026 before moving on if neither succeeds. Instead, the focus has to be on providing more support to whoever is under center. Joel Bitonio, Wyatt Teller, Ethan Pocic and Cam Robinson are all pending free agents on the wrong side of 30. 

Pittsburgh Steelers: Quarterback

This is assuming Aaron Rodgers retires. Otherwise, it's got be about finding him a better No. 2 receiver to pair with DK Metcalf. Calvin Austin III is not the answer. 

AFC South

AP Photo/Gary McCullough

Devin Lloyd

Houston Texans: Interior Defensive Line

Mario Edwards Jr. and Tommy Togiai are the only interior defensive linemen under contract beyond 2025 in Houston, and the former has the lowest Pro Football Focus grade on the roster. Sheldon Rankins is 32, and Tim Settle Jr. has a ceiling. The Texans need more power here to complement Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter.  

Indianapolis Colts: Offensive Tackle

Daniel Jones is a pending free agent, but quarterback can't be considered a need because he's played so well and the team has ultimate control via the franchise tag. Instead, the big need may be connected to right tackle Braden Smith's expiring contract. His play has declined of late, and he'll turn 30 in March, while left tackle Bernhard Raimann has also struggled this season.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Defense Across the Board

Breakout star Devin Lloyd is putting together a strong contract year. That could result in a hole at linebacker or a payday that leaves tremendous holes elsewhere on defense for a team that lacks talent and/or depth in the secondary and on the edge. 

Tennessee Titans: Wide Receiver

Calvin Ridley and two rookie fourth-round draft picks are currently serving as rookie quarterback Cam Ward's top three wide receiver targets. Van Jefferson is a pending free agent at 29, and Tyler Lockett is already gone. Tennessee desperately needs a starting-caliber wideout to pair with Ridley. 

AFC West

AP Photo/Ed Zurga

Jaylen Watson

Denver Broncos: Pass-Catcher

Courtland Sutton is having a nice year but is on the wrong side of 30, and the same can be said of Evan Engram at tight end. Troy Franklin and Marvin Mims Jr. still don't jump out at you, and we're yet to see much from rookie third-round pick Pat Bryant. Bo Nix needs another weapon.

Kansas City Chiefs: Edge-Rusher

Cornerback Jaylen Watson is a pending free agent, but the Chiefs also have Trent McDuffie, Chamarri Conner and Nohl Williams there. George Karlaftis is doing almost all of the work on the edge, and a lack of depth there could become more glaring as Chris Jones declines. Rookie third-round pick Ashton Gillotte probably isn't the solution, either. 

Las Vegas Raiders: Quarterback

If they stick with Geno Smith for another year, rebuilding the cornerback position and replacing Jakobi Meyers at wide receiver become the priorities. But it's obvious the Smith experiment has failed. He's 35 and tied for the league lead with 11 interceptions, as he continues to somehow dine on that one good 2022 season in Seattle. 

Los Angeles Chargers: Interior Offensive Line

The Bolts should benefit greatly from the return of Rashawn Slater at left tackle, but the interior remains a potential problem. Mekhi Becton has been a disappointment, center Bradley Bozeman's play has fallen off a cliff, and Zion Johnson is a pending free agent. Major work needs to be done at guard and/or center.

NFC East

AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.

Dallas Goedert

Dallas Cowboys: Edge-Rusher

The Cowboys have still managed to generate some pressure in the post-Micah Parsons era, but they're not getting through for close to enough sacks, and the D has struggled overall as a result. They need a new playmaker in the front seven. Quinnen Williams and Logan Wilson help, but not on the edge. 

New York Giants: Offensive Line

Right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor isn't a bad player, but the rebuilding Giants could find ways to upgrade over the soon-to-be 31-year-old pending free agent. With Evan Neal and Greg Van Roten (35) also in possession of expiring contracts, the Giants will need to address much of the line outside of the left tackle spot. 

Philadelphia Eagles: Tight End

Dallas Goedert has scored seven touchdowns this season, but he's 30 now and slated to hit free agency in March. Even if the Eagles keep him around, his rate-based numbers and age indicate an inevitable decline. Philly doesn't really have anything else of note at the position. 

Washington Commanders: Wide Receiver

Deebo Samuel is on a one-year deal in D.C., while Noah Brown is also in a walk year for a team that has suffered major problems at receiver this season. Samuel just isn't the player he once was, and Terry McLaurin has run into injury issues in his age-30 season. It's time for the Commanders to make an early-draft splash in support of Jayden Daniels.

NFC North

AP Photo/Kirk Irwin

Joe Tryon-Shoyinka

Chicago Bears: Edge-Rusher

The Bears picked up Joe Tryon-Shoyinka at the deadline, but he's never had more than five sacks in a season and is scheduled to become a free agent in March. They need more than just Montez Sweat on the edge, and there's a good chance Tryon-Shoyinka, Dayo Odeyingbo and Austin Booker aren't the answers.

Detroit Lions: Edge-Rusher

Take what I just wrote about the Bears and replace Sweat with Aidan Hutchinson and Tryon-Shoyinka, Odeyingbo and Booker with Al-Quadin Muhammad, Tyler Lacy and Tyrus Wheat. Muhammad and Marcus Davenport are slated for free agency, too. 

Green Bay Packers: Cornerback

Even if you still believe fully in second-year second-round pick Javon Bullard, the fact is Nate Hobbs and Carrington Valentine have struggled quite frequently. There's not a lot of certainty with that coverage unit, aside from Keisean Nixon. They'll need to address this in free agency or the draft. 

Minnesota Vikings: Secondary

The Vikings lack depth beyond Isaiah Rodgers and Byron Murphy Jr. at cornerback, and safety Harrison Smith has an expiring contract at the age of 36. It's far from ideal to be relying on him or backup-caliber starter Theo Jackson. They have got to be better back there, especially in this division. 

NFC South

AP Photo/Danny Karnik

Kyle Pitts

Atlanta Falcons: Pass-Catcher

The Falcons may decide it is best to move on from tight end Kyle Pitts, who is on track to become a free agent and has scored 11 total touchdowns in four-and-a-half NFL seasons. Regardless, that will have to be addressed, while Darnell Mooney has not been a reliable No. 2 receiver. They need another weapon for Michael Penix Jr. 

Carolina Panthers: Edge-Rusher

The jury remains out on rookie Day 2 picks Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen. Regardless, a pass rush that has the NFL's second-lowest pressure rate (14.2 percent) needs more experience. Ideally, neither Patrick Jones II nor D.J. Wonnum is playing a major role in 2026 and beyond. 

New Orleans Saints: Quarterback

There will be holes to fill everywhere in the offseason for New Orleans, but it must start with the most important position in professional U.S. sports. Spencer Rattler has been benched for second-round mystery Tyler Shough. Maybe the Louisville product will shine and shift the focus to the mess that is the guard spot this offseason, but the odds aren't in his favor (especially considering the state of the interior offensive line). 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tight End

Cade Otton is not a high-impact player to begin with, but there's really no other option at the tight end position in Tampa. The 26-year-old is slated to become a free agent in March. Quarterback Baker Mayfield has a lot of options at wide receiver but could use a boost in the tight end role. 

NFC West

AP Photo/Scot Tucker

Brandon Aiyuk

Arizona Cardinals: Offensive Line

Cardinals right tackle Jonah Williams has an expiring contract but has struggled this season anyway. Meanwhile, second-year guard Isaiah Adams has also fallen well short of expectations. That's enough for the line to beat out the No. 2 receiver spot, which is also a chasm in Arizona. 

Los Angeles Rams: Right Tackle

This changes if Matthew Stafford moves on, or if the Rams move on from him. For now, the 37-year-old remains under contract for 2026. However, Rob Havenstein, 33, is having a rough year while dealing with an ankle injury at right tackle, and he's also scheduled to hit free agency in the offseason. That and cornerback have to be the focus for the Rams.

San Francisco 49ers: Wide Receiver

It's hard to believe it's come to this in San Francisco, but with Deebo Samuel gone, Brandon Aiyuk's future in question, and Jauan Jennings and Kendrick Bourne on track to become free agents in the offseason, the 49ers could be in a dire situation when it comes to the receiving corps come spring. 

Seattle Seahawks: Interior Offensive Line

First-round rookie guard Grey Zabel deserves more time to put it together, but the Seahawks need to attempt to upgrade at center (where they're using undrafted sophomore Jalen Sundell) and right guard, where third-year middle-round pick Anthony Bradford is not working out.