Free Agency 2026 proved to be a bang with big trades, huge signings, and difficult departures.
Christmas Morning, a.k.a. the NFL Draft, will shake things up for each conference, but before rookie selections, a few teams look primed for a Super Bowl push while others have gotten worse.
Here are the Biggest NFC winners and losers from the offseason moves so far:
The Rams went all-in to fix their secondary, trading for two-time All-Pro CB Trent McDuffie from the Kansas City Chiefs.
Not stopping there, they added S Kamren Curl and CB Jaylen Watson for even more depth. For a defense that was exposed big time in late 2025, this is a dramatic upgrade.
With Matthew Stafford still under center, it’s hard not to view them as the top NFC contender.
Taking a huge swing, the Panthers landed EDGE Jaelen Phillips on a four-year, $120 million deal and added LB Devin Lloyd. Also picking up LT Rasheed Walker for a cool one-year, $4 million contract.
Panthers adding Jaelen Phillips – Devin Lloyd – Dillon Thieneman in one offseason
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These moves instantly improve the front seven that was a definitive weakness in their surprise playoff appearance.
Carolina gave up the second most yards out of the first-round exit teams with 411. This positions them as a rising force in the NFC South.
The main receiving target in the Bay Area in 2025 was RB Christian McCaffery at 129 targets. Jauan Jennings came in second, with nearly 40 fewer targets than CMC.
Now, QB Brock Purdy will have a future Hall of Famer in Mike Evans and needed depth with Christian Kirk.
Don’t forget, the 49ers also traded for DT Osa Odighizuwa from Dallas. They were not quiet at all.
These additions help Purdy and maintain their physical style in an always tough NFC West, keeping them in the mix despite some injury questions from 2025.
An established head coach with a record of 180-113. The head coach line of Brian Daboll, Joe Judge, Pat Shurmur, and Ben McAdoo (Steve Spagnuolo & Mike Kafka in interim) went 55-109. A head coach with a winning record is what Giants fans were dreaming of.
From a player standpoint, the Giants traded NT Dexter Lawrence, and now own the No. 10 pick to pair with No. 5. This will give them immense flexibility to rebuild faster and add excitement around the fresh start.
The hits just kept coming for the defending Champs.
Losing Super Bowl MVP RB Kenneth Walker III, EDGE Boye Mafe, CB Tariq Woolen, and S Coby Bryant. Sure, they retained Rashid Shaheed and Josh Jobe, but the proof is actually in the value of those they lost.
The sum of contract money of those mentioned stars signed for is almost $155 million. Do not be surprised is Seattle regresses in the NFC West, especially as the divisional rivals are taking gigantic steps.