Full Breakdown
2026 NFL Offseason: Winners, Losers, and League-Wide Impact
6/30/2026, 10:06:36 PM
Overview
During the 2026 NFL offseason, all teams reshaped rosters, coaching staffs, or strategies. Analysts highlighted five franchises—Jacksonville, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Las Vegas—as winners, while Green Bay was singled out as a major loser. The moves set the tone for the upcoming season.
Winners
The Jaguars saw QB Trevor Lawrence stay healthy, receive first-team reps in Liam Coen’s offense, and earn praise for confidence and accuracy. The Eagles, via GM Howie Roseman, traded A.J. Brown for a 2028 first-round and a 2027 fifth-round pick, signed CB Riq Woolen to a $12 million deal, and removed a locker-room distraction. The Rams added Myles Garrett, CBs Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson, and drafted QB Ty Simpson, a package described as fortifying the team. The Cowboys overhauled their defense with pass rusher Rashan Gary, DBs Cobie Durant, Jalen Thompson, P.J. Locke, and safety Caleb Downs to address a 30.1 points-allowed average. The Raiders hired former Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak, called one of the brightest offensive minds, to develop rookie QB Fernando Mendoza with veteran Kirk Cousins.
Loser
The Green Bay Packers lost WR Romeo Doubs, LT Rasheed Walker, LB Quay Walker, OG Elgton Jenkins, and CB Nate Hobbs to other teams, and running back Josh Jacobs faced an arrest on domestic-violence allegations, leaving his future uncertain.
Why It Matters
These moves affect divisional balance, salary-cap allocation, and draft positioning. Teams adding high-impact talent at quarterback, edge, or secondary position themselves as Super Bowl contenders; those shedding key pieces may need to rebuild.
Official Statements & Responses
Eagles GM Howie Roseman confirmed the Brown trade secured future draft capital; Rams GM Les Snead called the Garrett acquisition a game-changing upgrade; Jaguars head coach Liam Coen emphasized giving Lawrence full first-team reps.
Criticism & Opposition
Critics still cite Urban Meyer’s 2021 limitation of Lawrence’s reps as a developmental error, and Eagles fans condemned Brown’s locker-room behavior. Analysts note the Jaguars’ “best offseason” label is subjective, and the long-term impact of the Eagles’ Woolen contract remains unverified.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The ‘best offseason’ claim for Lawrence is based on subjective rankings rather than measurable performance data, and the future effect of the Eagles’ Woolen contract has not been quantified.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Bringing in Woolen upgrades the Eagles at two spots,” — Bill Barnwell, ESPN analyst
- “That acquisition, coupled with the additions of Chiefs cornerbacks Trent McDuffie in another trade and Jaylen Watson in free agency, could put defensive coordinator Chris Shula’s unit over the top,” — Mike Jones, The Athletic
- “Lawrence looked as confiden t and in command of the offense as he has at any point during his career in the offseason, and it is clear the veteran maturity has kicked in at the position.” — John Shipley, Sports Illustrated
What’s Next
Training camps begin in late July, with preseason games in August. The Jaguars aim to turn Lawrence’s offseason progress into a playoff push, while the Eagles, Rams, Cowboys, and Raiders will test their new pieces against division rivals. The Packers must fill roster holes before the regular season.
