Top 2026 NFL Free-Agency Priority for Teams with New Head Coach

With nearly one-third of the NFL making a head coaching change this offseason, the upcoming free-agency signing period will be even more intriguing than usual.

These incoming regimes will be looking to put their stamp on the offseason, identifying and acquiring key players who fit the culture they are attempting to establish with their new organization.

Although only a handful of coaches have final approval when it comes to player personnel, most are involved with roster decisions in some form or another. Securing free agents who fit within their new schemes (or those of the coordinators below them) will be a priority this offseason, especially so with only a handful of big-name stars hitting the open market.

With that in mind, let's take a look at which position and player each of the 10 teams that recently hired a new head coach will be prioritizing when free agency gets underway.

Salary-cap figures courtesy of Spotrac.

Atlanta Falcons, Kevin Stefanski

AP Photo/Mike Stewart

Priority: Tight End (Retain Kyle Pitts)

The Falcons are looking to end an agonizing eight-year playoff drought in new head coach Kevin Stefanski's first season.

While the team is projected to have $27.7 million in cap space, a decent chunk of that should be allocated towards retaining a key free agent in Kyle Pitts.

Although the 25-year-old has had an up-and-down tenure with the Falcons since they made him the No. 4 overall pick in 2021, he returned to prominence this past season and has the potential to be a key figure under Stefanski.

Pitts had arguably the best year of his half-decade in the NFL, posting career highs in targets (118), receptions (88) and touchdown catches (five) while racking up 928 receiving yards and appearing in all 17 games for the third consecutive year.

Stefanski could unlock the rest of Pitts' potential quickly. The coach had several tight ends find success during his tenure with the Cleveland Browns, notably developing David Njoku into a Pro Bowler in 2023 and helping rookie Harold Fannin Jr. become the team's leading receiver this past season.

While the Falcons need help at other positions—including wide receiver depth, cornerback and potentially even quarterback if Stefanski cannot develop Michael Penix Jr. into a serviceable starter—they should be able to use the draft to address most of those needs.

Atlanta won't find a tight end as talented as Pitts on the open market or in the draft, making him a must-keep in free agency.

Arizona Cardinals, Mike LaFleur

AP Photo/David Zalubowski

Priority: Offensive Line (Sign Braden Smith)

The Arizona Cardinals are entering the Mike LaFleur era with far more questions than answers regarding their roster.

Arizona is coming off an abysmal 3-14 campaign and must make the most of the new regime's first offseason to have any hope of bouncing back in 2026.

One area the Cardinals must shore up is the offensive trenches. Their offensive line fell in the bottom quarter of Pro Football Focus' end-of-season rankings, with the site noting few were worse at pass-blocking.

With the Cardinals allowing a concerning 236 pressures on 746 passing snaps, the team must make some upgrades to protect Kyler Murray, Jacoby Brissett or whoever winds up starting under center for this team both next season and beyond.

Braden Smith fits the bill as a reliable tackle who could bookend with Paris Johnson Jr. along Arizona's O-line. Jonah Williams is almost certain to be out following two rough, injury-plagued seasons, making Smith an ideal replacement who figures to be a much more productive option at the right tackle spot.

While Smith has injury concerns of his own—missing multiple games in each of the last three seasons—he's a stalwart veteran who has consistently performed at a high level over his eight years as a starter. Arizona needs that type of stability to foster improvements to its flailing offense.

Baltimore Ravens, Jesse Minter

AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough

Priority: Edge (Sign Trey Hendrickson)

The Ravens could open the Jesse Minter era by taking a swipe at one of the franchise's biggest rivals. Poaching Trey Hendrickson from the Cincinnati Bengals would not only knock an AFC North threat down a peg but also reinforce a Baltimore pass-rushing unit that sorely needs a shot in the arm.

The Ravens' once-vaunted pass rush regressed significantly in 2025. The team only accumulated a meager 30 sacks in 17 games, a massive drop from the 54 sacks it tallied the prior year.

Although he's coming off an injury-shortened season that limited him to just seven games, Hendrickson would still have finished third on the Ravens in sacks this year with four. Not a single Baltimore defender recorded more than five sacks in 2025, a mark that the 31-year-old surpassed every season between 2020-24.

While the nine-year veteran is on the wrong side of 30, he's still just a single season removed from earning the latest of his four career Pro Bowl nods and his lone All-Pro award. He finished an eye-popping two-year stretch between 2023-24 with 35 sacks in 34 games and should still have plenty of gas left in the tank as he prepares for his third act in the NFL.

Buffalo Bills, Joe Brady

AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes

Priority: Wide Receiver (Sign Alec Pierce)

The Buffalo Bills made the somewhat controversial choice to move on from longtime head coach Sean McDermott and promote incumbent offensive coordinator Joe Brady to fill the vacancy.

If that decision is going to be successful, his first offseason calling the shots must include an overhaul of the receiving corps.

The Bills have largely lacked a consistent playmaker since Stefon Diggs' regression in the back half of the 2023 campaign and subsequent departure the following offseason. Khalil Shakir has led the team in receiving yards in each of the last two seasons, but didn't eclipse the 900-yard mark in either.

Buffalo could benefit from several of the big-name wideouts hitting free agency this spring, but Alec Pierce is the most realistic target in terms of projected contract and impact his role could have on the offense.

The 25-year-old had a career season in 2025 with the Colts, surpassing the 1,000-yard receiving mark for the first time while also tallying personal-best marks in targets (84) and receptions (47). He was on pace for a far better statistical season until injuries limited and eventually sidelined quarterback Daniel Jones.

Playing with a perennial MVP candidate in Josh Allen would bring the best out of Pierce. He's dominant against single-high coverage and could take the top off opposing defenses—an edge the Bills have lacked in recent seasons.

Cleveland Browns, Todd Monken

AP Photo/Terrance Williams

Priority: Offensive Line (Retain Joel Bitonio)

The Cleveland Browns are set to undergo some major renovations under new head coach Todd Monken.

With three starters and six total members of the incumbent offensive line hitting free agency, this unit should look far different in 2026—although that may not be a bad thing.

Cleveland had one of the NFL's worst O-lines this past season, ranking second-to-last per PFF. Offensive tackle was of particular concern, with those positions allowing a league-worst 143 pressures along with 21 sacks.

While it's clear the Browns should make some changes in the offensive trenches, one player the new regime must prioritize retaining is Joel Bitonio.

The 34-year-old has been the heart of Cleveland's O-line since the retirement of Joe Thomas in 2017, becoming one of the few pieces the organization could rely on for the past decade-plus. Although the 11-year veteran had his string of seven consecutive Pro Bowl nods snapped in 2025, he is still one of the best guards in the business.

While Bitonio may be slightly past his prime, he still earned a solid 75.7 PFF pass-blocking grade this past season—the eighth-highest mark at the guard position. There's still plenty of tread left on his tires, making him one of the few veterans this rebuilding organization should consider retaining for 2026 and beyond.

Las Vegas Raiders, Klint Kubiak

AP Photo/John Froschauer

Priority: Offensive Line (Sign David Edwards)

The Raiders are a near-lock to utilize the No. 1 overall pick on Fernando Mendoza during the 2026 NFL draft. While that selection will afford new head coach Klint Kubiak a standout quarterback prospect to install his offense around, the team can't afford to miss out on supporting cast upgrades.

Drafting Mendoza is a no-brainer, but it's imperative the Raiders put the Heisman Trophy winner in the best position to succeed by bolstering an offensive line that was downright dreadful in 2025. Vegas' protection was a mess this past season, finishing dead-last in PFF's end-of-season OL rankings.

With the Raiders giving up the most sacks of any offensive line by far—allowing a whopping 47 during a season in which no other team allowed more than 35—it's imperative they splurge on some top-end veterans to fill these glaring holes.

David Edwards has been a valuable piece of the Buffalo Bills' offensive line for the past three seasons and is poised to cash in with a big payday. The Raiders can certainly afford to make the splashy signing, boasting an estimated $87.8 million in cap room this offseason.

Edwards is arguably the top guard on the market, and while he's going into an age-29 campaign and may have peaked already, he'll bring some much-needed stability and discipline to a Vegas squad that sorely needs those traits.

Miami Dolphins, Jeff Hafley

AP Photo/Lynne Sladky

Priority: Quarterback (Sign Malik Willis)

The Miami Dolphins are on the cusp of a potentially transformative offseason. With 29 pending free agents (the second-most in the league), the new regime led by head coach Jeff Hafley could construct a roster that will look far different than the one former coach Mike McDaniel deployed in 2025.

One of the biggest question marks in Miami is at the quarterback position. While Tua Tagovailoa still has two seasons remaining on the franchise-record $212.4 million extension he signed in July 2024, the injury-prone signal-caller was benched for performance issues late in the 2025 campaign and could have played his last snap for the organization.

Tagovailoa said it "would be dope" to get a fresh start on a new team in 2026. It remains to be seen if the dismissal of McDaniel has altered his future in South Beach, but Miami should have a contingency plan regardless of the signal-caller's status.

Malik Willis is a solid mid-range option for an organization that will be more than $23 million over the cap at the start of the new league year. He is also familiar to Hafley, who became the Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator the same season the signal-caller arrived in Titletown.

Signing Willis will cost far less than bringing in a proven Pro Bowl starter—who rarely become available on the open market, especially during their primes—and won't require a hefty draft capital investment into one of the flawed prospects expected to still be available when Miami is on the clock at No. 11 overall.

Willis struggled after entering the league as a third-rounder in 2022, but has flashed since being traded to the Packers ahead of the 2024 season. While he's only made three starts as the backup to Jordan Love, he's completed a sizzling 78.7 percent of his throws for 972 yards and six touchdowns with zero interceptions for the organization. He's a dynamic dual threat talent too, having rushed for 261 yards and three scores on a mere 42 totes for Green Bay.

While it remains to be seen if the 26-year-old can continue playing at that level as a full-time starter, it's worth rolling the dice for a team with no other clear path towards acquiring a franchise passer.

New York Giants, John Harbaugh

AP Photo/Adam Hunger

Priority: Tight End (Sign Isaiah Likely)

John Harbaugh was the grand prize of the 2026 hiring cycle and his presence could quickly pay dividends for the New York Giants.

The Super Bowl XLVII winner "plans to be aggressive" in courting some of his former Baltimore Ravens players to his new organization, according to SNY's Connor Hughes.

One area where there is overlap between an impending Ravens free agent and a clear need on the Giants roster is the tight end spot, where Isaiah Likely stands out as a potential candidate to fill the void in the Big Apple.

New York has just two tight ends—Theo Johnson and Thomas Fidone II—under contract for the 2026 season. While Johnson flashed promise in his sophomore season, it wouldn't be surprising to see Harbaugh make a run at Likely to provide up-and-coming quarterback Jaxson Dart with another big, pass-catching tight end who could dominate the middle of the field.

While Likely's numbers over his first four seasons are relatively pedestrian, he's worked in the shadow of Pro Bowler Mark Andrews for his entire career.

Likely has shown flashes of his potential, including in the 2024 season-opener when he exploded for 111 yards and a touchdown on nine receptions, but he has largely underwhelmed during his tenure in Charm City.

The 25-year-old would have far more opportunity to shine in the Big Apple, where he could quickly emerge as a preferred red-area and short-yardage target for Dart. The 6'4", 245-pound tight end possesses elite athleticism and a unique ability to create mismatches against smaller defensive backs or slower linebackers.

Whether deployed as the lone tight end or in 12 personnel alongside Johnson, Likely is a strong candidate to rack up career-best marks if he joins Harbaugh's G-Men.

Pittsburgh Steelers, Mike McCarthy

AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar

Priority: Wide Receiver (Sign Romeo Doubs)

The Steelers' split with Mike Tomlin means a new coach will be taking the reins in Pittsburgh for just the fourth time since 1969 and first since 2007.

Mike McCarthy will have his work cut out crafting this team into a contender, as there are plenty of question marks across the roster—including at some of the game's most important positions.  

While figuring out the team's quarterback conundrum will be the No. 1 challenge for McCarthy's staff, the Steelers could have something in Will Howard.

It appears Pittsburgh will be handing the keys of the offense to the second-year signal-caller should Aaron Rodgers elect to retire following an early playoff exit in his lone season with the club, but the club must provide the young passer with more weapons if he's going to have a fighting chance at success.

The Steelers had little in the way of pass-catching talent beyond their overmatched No. 1 wideout DK Metcalf in 2025. Tight end Pat Freiermuth and backup running back Kenneth Gainwell tied for the second-/third-most receiving yards with a meager 486. Calvin Austin III was the second-most productive wideout on the roster with a middling 31/372/3 stat line.

Romeo Doubs would be a sensible No. 2 choice to pair with Metcalf in 2026. He is coming off a career year with the Packers, one in which he posted a 55/724/6 line despite a litany of competition in a crowded receiving corps.

Springing free of that situation and landing in Pittsburgh, where he would immediately stand out as a close second to Metcalf in the pecking order, could easily result in the wideout achieving a 1,000-yard season in Year 5.

Tennessee Titans, Robert Saleh

AP Photo/George Walker IV

Priority: Edge (Sign Odafe Oweh)

Despite investing heavily in Cam Ward at the top of the 2025 NFL draft, the Tennessee Titans elected to make a defensive-oriented head coaching hire in Robert Saleh.

With Saleh electing to call plays this time around—a task he delegated during his tenure running the New York Jets—Tennessee could have one of the league's most fearsome defensive units in 2026.

Saleh understands the value of an elite pass-rushing platoon. During his time with Gang Green, the team never ranked below No. 15 against the pass—finishing in the top-eight during each of his final two seasons—and recorded at least 43 sacks in each of his final three years.

Although the Titans mustered a respectable 42 sacks this past season, there's still work to be done on the edge. Tennessee rated as a bottom-10 team against the pass last year, struggling to create consistent pressure. It could afford to add some more juice to the pass-rushing rotation with a flashy free-agent pickup.

Odafe Oweh would be a huge get for an organization flush with cap space this offseason. While the rising Los Angeles Chargers star won't come cheap after racking up 17.5 sacks over the last two seasons combined, he would be a strong bet to reach new heights in Saleh's system.