Winners and Losers of 2025 NFL Free Agency

Which teams won and lost NFL free agency in the first week? Joey takes a look and determines which teams improved the most and which regressed the most.

The NFL offseason is in full swing, and it has been a wild first week in free agency. Quarterbacks like Sam Darnold (Seattle Seahawks) and Justin Fields (New York Jets) decided to switch teams, while wideouts like Chris Godwin (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and Tee Higgins (Cincinnati Bengals) will play for the same teams next season. 

Every year, though, there are major winners and losers in free agency. Sometimes, the teams that win free agency could have a better year than people might have anticipated. In this article, we will look at three winners and three losers so far during free agency. 

So, who are the biggest winners and losers through the first week of free agency? Let's dive in and find out. 

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NFL Free Agency Winners

Minnesota Vikings

Not many people knew what the Vikings would do in free agency this offseason. Re-signing Darnold was a possibility, and that would have hurt the team's cap situation entering the year. However, Minnesota made the right decision by letting Darnold walk and beefing up its roster on both sides of the ball.

Although the Vikings lost safety Camryn Bynum in free agency, they are one of the biggest winners so far. They used their young quarterback being on a rookie deal to their advantage and signed many impactful players on both offense and defense. Some notable players included guard Will Fries, center Ryan Kelly, and defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. Minnesota also re-signed cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. 

#Vikings free agency so far:

- DT Jonathan Allen (3/$60M)
- DT Javon Hargrave (expected)
- G Will Fries (5/$88M)
- C Ryan Kelly (2/$18M)
- CB Isaiah Rodgers (2/$15M) pic.twitter.com/gPR34sfxYz

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 11, 2025

Those moves made Minnesota a better team heading into next year. J.J. McCarthy will throw behind one of the better offensive lines in football, and the Vikings improved along the defensive line with those two key veteran additions.

Now, it remains to be seen if they can win 14 games again next season with a 22-year-old quarterback, but the team is certainly well-positioned to be a dangerous team in the NFC in 2025. 

New England Patriots

The New England Patriots had the money to spend this offseason, and they have done a great job attacking their needs so far in free agency. With a defensive-minded head coach in Mike Vrabel, that side of the ball was a major focus for this team right when the tampering period opened up.

On Day 1, New England signed defensive tackle Milton Williams, cornerback Carlton Davis III, linebacker Robert Spillane, and right tackle Morgan Moses. The team also got edge-rusher Harold Landry III the day before free agency began following his release from the Tennessee Titans. Those five moves make the Patriots a big winner so far in free agency, especially considering they landed the best defensive tackle on the market.

New #Patriots LB Robert Spillane: “I want Patriot nation to know I’m going to pour my heart into this city.”

— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) March 13, 2025

Despite the strong additions in free agency, New England still has more work to do this offseason. The team needs more offensive line help, and the wide receiver room needs to be addressed. For now, the Patriots have had a nice offseason, and their defense has improved with the signings of Williams, Davis, Spillane, and Landry. 

Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears were declared free-agency winners last offseason, but they didn't have much success in 2024. This year, though, should be different for this Bears team. They are once again free-agency winners, and their moves so far could help them be a playoff team next season. 

Before free agency even started, Chicago traded for two offensive linemen (Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson). Both Thuney and Jackson are key additions to a team that allowed 68 sacks a season ago. Then, the Bears went out and signed center Drew Dalman, defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo, and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett in free agency. Those two trades and three free-agent signings make the Bears a better all-around unit.

There's no doubt that Chicago's two biggest needs entering the offseason were the offensive and defensive lines. In just one week, the team has already addressed both positions, and the new-look offensive line will go a long way toward Caleb Williams' development in Year 2. The start of free agency has been a success for the Bears. 

Honorable Mentions: Washington Commanders and Los Angeles Rams

NFL Free Agency Losers

Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys have been known not to spend much in free agency, and that has been no different in 2025. Although they have been more active in free agency than in years past, Dallas' moves so far aren't very impactful. The team has signed defensive end Solomon Thomas, guard Robert Jones, linebacker Jack Sanborn, defensive end Payton Turner, and running back Javonte Williams in free agency. 

In addition, the Cowboys have lost some key pieces to free agency. Defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence signed a three-year deal with the Seahawks, cornerback Jourdan Lewis agreed to a three-year contract with the Jaguars, and defensive end Chauncey Golston signed a multiyear deal with the New York Giants. All three departures will hurt this Dallas team next year. 

It's interesting to see the way the Cowboys operate in free agency. They usually don't spend big money on outside free agents and offer mostly one-year contracts. Surprisedly, Dallas has also been very active in the trade market after trading for cornerback Kaiir Elam and linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. Still, the only big move for this team this offseason has been re-signing Osa Odighizuwa to a four-year, $80 million deal. 

San Francisco 49ers

No team lost more players to free agency than the San Francisco 49ers this offseason. Guard Aaron Banks, cornerback Charvarius Ward, safety Talanoa Hufanga, linebacker Dre Greenlaw, left tackle Jaylon Moore, Hargrave, and defensive tackle Maliek Collins were all big-time losses for the 49ers in free agency. The team also traded away wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. and released fullback Kyle Juszczyk this offseason. 

49ers to depart in free agency so far:

G Aaron Banks: Packers
CB Charvarius Ward: Colts
S Talanoa Hufanga: Broncos
LB Dre Greenlaw: Broncos
OT Jaylon Moore: Chiefs
RB Elijah Mitchell: Chiefs
QB Josh Dobbs: Patriots

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 10, 2025

Those losses will surely be felt by the 49ers next season. Unfortunately, they haven't done anything in free agency to replace those players. Their two biggest signings so far this offseason have been tight end Luke Farrell and wide receiver Demarcus Robinson. Farrell signed a three-year, $20.25 million deal, and Robinson signed a two-year, $9.5 million contract. 

There are still plenty of free agents available who the 49ers could sign in the coming weeks/months. However, it won't be easy to replace all the players they have lost this offseason. Losing Banks, Ward, and Hufanga all in one offseason is tough to overcome. That makes this San Francisco team arguably the biggest loser so far in free agency. 

Pittsburgh Steelers

Fresh off a 10-win season, the Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the biggest losers so far in free agency. They have already lost a handful of players and haven't done much to replace those pieces. Pittsburgh has lost tackle Dan Moore Jr., guard James Daniels, cornerback Donte Jackson, running back Najee Harris, and Fields this offseason. 

Despite those losses, the Steelers haven't been active in free agency to replace them. Their biggest moves through the first week of free agency have been a 34-year-old cornerback, Darius Slay, linebacker Malik Harrison, and running back Kenneth Gainwell. Of course, Pittsburgh traded for DK Metcalf this offseason and agreed to a five-year, $150 million deal with him. However, this roster needs a lot of help before next season. 

Pittsburgh also doesn't have a starting-caliber quarterback on its roster right now. Even though the team will likely sign Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson at some point in free agency, the team has to settle for one of those two veteran quarterbacks next season. That puts the Steelers in a bad spot offensively for 2025. Wilson only went 6-5 in his 11 starts for the team last year, and Rodgers is surely past his prime. 

Honorable Mentions: Seattle Seahawks and Cincinnati Bengals 

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