NFL Offseason News — Biggest Trades and Signings

The 2026 NFL offseason delivered the kind of drama and movement that keeps fans glued to league news even when no games are being played. Quarterback reshuffles, blockbuster defensive trades, massive free agent deals, and receiver swaps reshaped the competitive landscape of multiple divisions. Here’s a breakdown of the offseason’s most significant moves.

The Biggest Trade: Myles Garrett Heads to LA

If one trade defined the 2026 offseason, it was the move that sent All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett from Cleveland to the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams, looking to build a dominant defensive line around their existing pieces, surrendered Jared Verse and multiple draft picks to land one of the most disruptive pass rushers in the NFL.

According to NFL.com’s ten best offseason moves analysis, this trade immediately elevates the Rams into the conversation as Super Bowl contenders, pairing Garrett with an already competent defense in a system that should maximize his impact.

The Blockbuster Signing: Trey Hendrickson’s $112 Million Deal

After missing out on the Maxx Crosby trade, the Baltimore Ravens found their edge rusher in Trey Hendrickson, who signed a four-year, $112 million deal with $60 million fully guaranteed and a maximum value of $120 million. As ESPN’s 2026 free agency grades note, the signing immediately fills Baltimore’s most glaring defensive need and may prove to be the most impactful free agent acquisition of the cycle.

Quarterback Carousel: The League Reshuffled

No position moved more in the 2026 offseason than quarterback, and the trades and signings that resulted will redefine multiple franchises for years.

• Tua Tagovailoa left Miami for the Atlanta Falcons, giving the NFC South a new franchise signal-caller after years of uncertainty
• Kyler Murray signed with the Minnesota Vikings following his departure from Arizona, pairing a dynamic dual-threat quarterback with a team built to win now
• Malik Willis — the dark-horse of the offseason — landed with the Miami Dolphins as their primary starter, a significant opportunity for a player who has flashed potential in limited action

ESPN’s free agency tracker called the QB movement “the most dramatic positional reshuffling the league has seen in a single offseason in at least a decade.”

Receiver Movement: The WR Market Exploded

Wide receivers moved in significant volume this offseason:

• Michael Pittman Jr. was traded from Indianapolis to the Pittsburgh Steelers, who extended him three years for $59 million, giving them a legitimate No. 1 option they’ve lacked
• DJ Moore moved to the Dolphins in a deal that paired him with their new quarterback situation
• Mike Evans — one of the most consistent wide receivers of his generation — signed with the San Francisco 49ers, giving San Francisco a proven veteran target alongside their existing weapons

Dexter Lawrence Joins Cincinnati

One of the more creative deals involved Dexter Lawrence, traded from the New York Giants to the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for the No. 10 overall pick in the 2026 Draft. Lawrence then signed a one-year, $28 million extension, making him a Bengal through 2028. CBS Sports’ free agency tracker rated this as one of the shrewdest defensive acquisitions of the offseason.

The 2026 season will be fascinating to watch unfold — every division has been materially changed by at least one major offseason move, and the Super Bowl race is genuinely wide open.