The NFL Free Agency period begins in less than a month, and it's downright crazy to think that we're almost there. The 2026 NFL Draft follows in late April, and after that, many of the offseason team programs begin, paving the way for the regular season at the start of September.
Free agency is the biggest roster movement time in the league, as not only signings happen, but big-time trades can go down as well, and with the free agent class not being that deep, and the NFL Draft not being the best class we've seen, trades could be more common than ever.
Ahead of free agency beginning in March, let's make some bold predictions.
Way too early bold predictions for the 2026 NFL Free Agency period
Kyler Murray ends up on the Minnesota Vikings
It feels like the Arizona Cardinals will move on from Kyler Murray in some capacity this offseason, and given how the 2025 NFL Season went, I would have a hard time buying, personally, that Murray wants to play for the Cardinals in 2026.
Well, the idea of Murray on the Vikings feels like something that will only gain more steam as free agency approaches. This would be a good move for Minnesota as well, as they have a playoff-caliber roster and are just one year removed from going 14-3 in the regular season with Sam Darnold, and I am not sure there is much of a talent difference between Murray and Darnold.
This move would give the Vikings a legitimate chance at winning the NFC North and multiple years down the line, and it would cast a ton of doubt into the future of JJ McCarthy, who was largely unplayable during a his de-facto rookie season in 2025.
Murray on the Vikings would not have been something any of us saw before 2025 began, but here are are.
Denver Broncos trade for AJ Brown or Jaylen Waddle
The Denver Broncos are a team that is in a position to make a huge move for a wide receiver this offseason, and at this point, it only feels like a matter of time before Denver does swing for the fences to bring in someone like AJ Brown or Jaylen Waddle.
While Waddle is more of a scheme fit for the Broncos current group of receivers, Brown is the better player and might not cost as much. Either way, Denver coming away with one of these players would put the entire AFC on notice, as this team did nearly make it to the Super Bowl without Bo Nix, J.K. Dobbins, and Troy Franklin suiting up in the AFC title game.
Buffalo Bills make a major move for an upgrade at wide receiver
The Buffalo Bills are another AFC juggernaut with a huge need at wide receiver. About six years ago, Brandon Beane swung a major trade for Stefon Diggs, who came over from the Minnesota Vikings. Given the situation, Beane is again going to be in a position where he kind of has to make a major move like this.
It could look like a few different things, as Buffalo simply needs better play from this unit, period. Brown could be a target for the Bills if the Broncos don't end up with him.
Kansas City Chiefs sign Travis Etienne
Travis Etienne on the Kansas City Chiefs would finally give the Chiefs a legitimate threat at the position. He's a free agent this offseason and is a legitimate dual-threat running back. The Chiefs rushing attack just has not been much of a threat at all in recent years, and with the wide receiver room also being below-average, not a whole lot worked for the Chiefs last year.
It's time for the front office to get a bit aggressive.
Tua Tagovailoa ends up on the Arizona Cardinals
It's not a guarantee if the Miami Dolphins will cut or trade Tua Tagovailoa. If it's a trade, the Dolphins might have to give up picks to offload that major contract, as his play isn't close to the pact he signed with the team.
With the Cardinals likely moving on from Murray, who we predict will head to the Vikings, the team turns to Tagovailoa as a reclamation project for 2026 and perhaps beyond. This type of thing has worked out with other quarterbacks before, and Tagovailoa has been a prolific passer in his career.
This might seem like a silly scenario, but the Cards will be searching for a quarterback when Murray is eventually off the team.
George Pickens is traded to the New England Patriots
There seems to be a realistic chance that the Dallas Cowboys do indeed trade George Pickens this offseason. It would be a silly move, but it's the Cowboys. If that happens, the Cowboys would surely get back more than they gave up for him and could net a second-round pick.
And if that is what it'll cost to acquire Pickens, there would surely be a ton of teams lining up to make the deal, but the New England Patriots could end up being the team that pulls the trigger. The Pats made it to the Super Bowl this year but clearly still have some needs to address.
The roster isn't bad right now, but it's not great and needs a bit of help along the offensive line and at wide receiver. Acquiring Pickens and extending him would be a slam-dunk move for the Patriots.
Los Angeles Chargers sign Braden Smith and Tyler Linderbaum
The Los Angeles Chargers have the cap space to make some big-time moves this offseason, and I could think of nothing better than protecting Justin Herbert, which is something this offensive line could not do in 2025. Signing the top center in Tyler Linderbaum and doubling down with Braden Smith, a good right tackle, would be two stellar moves.
This would allow Rashawn Slater to kick inside to guard after coming back from a major patellar tendon injury, one that is tough to return to 100 percent form from, and with Joe Alt at left tackle, the Chargers offensive line would be a massive handful for opponents to deal with.