NFL Free Agency Review: Winners and Losers of 2025
This offseason, almost every team in the NFL entered free agency with plenty of cap room, thanks to the salary cap jump to $279.2 million per team. Many teams made moves to improve their rosters, but not all found the success they hoped for. Notably, the San Francisco 49ers lost more talent than they gained, leaving them in a tough spot.
The Houston Texans aimed to fix their offensive line problems but ultimately made moves that left them in the same situation. In contrast, teams like the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears took advantage of their cap space and rookie contracts, improving their squads significantly.
When Kirk Cousins was freed from his hefty contract, Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah went on a spending spree. Minnesota led the league with $245.47 million spent in free agency. This flurry of activity was aimed at solidifying the lines of scrimmage and avoiding a repeat of their embarrassing nine-sack loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the playoffs.
On the other hand, the Texans faced criticism for trading away key offensive linemen, only to sign players with questionable track records. Their moves left C.J. Stroud without adequate protection, posing a challenge for his development.
Meanwhile, DK Metcalf made headlines when he requested a trade from the Seattle Seahawks and landed with the Pittsburgh Steelers on a lucrative $132 million extension, making him one of the top-paid receivers in the league.
The Dallas Cowboys entered free agency with plenty of cap space yet chose to focus on retaining their own players and signing smaller contracts. It has left fans questioning their strategy as valuable players departed. In contrast, the New England Patriots made headlines for their pursuit of Chris Godwin, illustrating the fierce competition for premier talent.
Lastly, teams like the Cincinnati Bengals made noise by re-signing star receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to plush contracts, solidifying their offensive core. As the dust settles from the opening weeks of free agency, it’s clear that while some teams seem set for success, others are left wondering what went wrong.
