NFL 2026 Offseason: Team Spending Breakdown and Most Expensive Free Agents

The sound you hear is helmets and cleats around the NFL being unstrapped and untied with the league's summer break fast approaching.

Mandatory minicamps are wrapping up all around the league, which means it's time for summer vacation for the NFL at large until training camps ring in the start of a new season at the tail end of July. That means now is a perfect time to assess all 32 NFL teams ' differing levels of spending in free agency this offseason as how the league looks today will probably be close to how it looks come July. It's also worth spotlighting how many free agents all of the teams were able to reel in with money spent as well as highlighting the player they allocated the most cash toward in the 2026 offseason. Enjoy our spending breakdown for every NFL team this offseason.

Note: All financials are via OverTheCap.com, and most expensive free agent signings are players who were actually on the open market, which doesn't include extensions and players acquired via trade.

32. Minnesota Vikings

- Total free agent spending: $53.73 million - Number of free agents signed: 10 - Most expensive free agent signing: WR Jauan Jennings (One year for $8 million with $6.13 million fully guaranteed)

The Minnesota Vikings were up against it from a salary cap perspective entering free agency, which hindered how active they were this offseason. Minnesota began around $43 million over the salary cap, but was able to clear up space with the retirement of offensive lineman Ryan Kelly , plus contract restructures for wide receiver Justin Jefferson , left tackle Christian Darrisaw and cornerback Byron Murphy . Trading edge rusher Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles also helped decrease the Vikings' financial issues. Cutting defensive linemen Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen were also subtractions the Vikings needed to make to their roster this offseason.

While they weren't big spenders, their most expensive free agent signing on an average per year basis --  San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings -- fills a key need. Minnesota lost speedster Jalen Nailor to the Las Vegas Raiders , but Jennings can certainly make up for some of the production lost in Nailor's departure.

Since 2024, Jennings' 83 receiving first downs rank 28th in the NFL. Once 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy returned from injury in Week 11 in 2025, Jennings' six receiving touchdowns from Week 11 to the end of the regular season were tied for the second most in the entire league. He'll be a prime secondary weapon for whomever emerges in the quarterback battle between J.J. McCarthy and Kyler Murray .

31. Philadelphia Eagles

- Total free agent spending: $56.33 million - Number of free agents signed: 18 - Most expensive free agent signing: CB Tariq Woolen (One year for $12 million fully guaranteed)

The Philadelphia Eagles reshuffled the deck chairs financially this offseason. They let edge rusher Jaelan Phillips , linebacker Nakobe Dean and safety Reed Blankenship walk in free agency. Some of their free agency spending was somewhat in limbo with Philadelphia waiting until June 1 to complete the trade of three-time Pro Bowler A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots , and they did trade and extend edge rusher Jonathan Greenard from the Minnesota Vikings in addition to inking defensive tackle Jordan Davis to a three-year, $78 million extension.

In terms of the external free agent who was their most expensive deal on the open market, that would be former Seattle Seahawks cornerback Tariq Woolen. His signing is significant for defensive coordinator Vic Fangio's defense because of both Woolen's raw talent and the ripple effect of his talent on the outside.

That's a fun chess piece for Fangio to deploy on the outside opposite 2025 first-team All-Pro Quinyon Mitchell , but the signing of Woolen is an even bigger deal because it allows for 2025 first-team All-Pro defensive back Cooper DeJean to be able to continue locking things down in the slot as a versatile nickel/safety hybrid.

30. Jacksonville Jaguars

- Total free agent spending: $57.96 million - Number of free agents signed: 10 - Most expensive free agent signing: CB Montaric Brown (Three years for $31.8 million with $20.75 million guaranteed)

The Jacksonville Jaguars hit the financial reset button after a 13-win season that netted them their first AFC South division title since 2022. Running back Travis Etienne Jr. ( New Orleans Saints ), linebacker Devin Lloyd ( Carolina Panthers ), safety Andrew Wingard ( Arizona Cardinals ) and cornerback Greg Newsome II ( New York Giants ) were among the free agency departures. Extensions for both edge rusher Travon Walker (four years, $110 million with $75 million in total guarantees) and left tackle Cole Van Lanen (three years, $51 million with $32.5 million in total guarantees) both ate away at some of Jacksonville's external flexibility.

In fact, their most expensive free agent signing was a move to re-sign one of their own after his rookie contract expired in cornerback Montaric Brown. Brown, who is 26 years old, produced career highs in interceptions (2) and passes defended (12) in 2025, and his passer rating against as the primary defender in coverage of 44.3 ranked as the third lowest allowed in the entire league among 36 players with at least 35 passes thrown their way. That's decent value for the Jaguars to keep a player they've developed in house for the long term after a huge year for both the team and player.

29. Detroit Lions

- Total free agent spending: $59.22 million - Number of free agents signed: 19 - Most expensive free agent signing: C Cade Mays (Three years for $25 million with $14 million fully guaranteed)

The Detroit Lions have extended a significant number of their core players over the years, and that continued into the 2026 offseason with the re-signing of middle linebacker Jack Campbell to a four-year, $81 million contract with $51.35 million guaranteed. Detroit still has a big money extension in the works for three-time Pro Bowl running back Jahmyr Gibbs , a player whose 49 career touchdowns stand as the most in a player's first three seasons in NFL history.

That's why many of the Lions' free agent signings were more about depth than frontline stars, but Detroit chose to make its largest signing a key one in center Cade Mays. Mays was elevated from spot starter to full-time center with the Carolina Panthers in 2025 beginning in Week 2, and he played so well that when Austin Corbett , the player he replaced, returned from his knee injury, Corbett was moved to guard. Mays' 67.6 Pro Football Focus pass-blocking grade ranked as the 12th best in the NFL among centers last season, and now he'll work with quarterback Jared Goff to set the offensive line for one of the league's highest-flying offenses.

28. Denver Broncos

- Total free agent spending: $75.46 million - Number of free agents signed: 10 - Most expensive free agent signing: RB J.K. Dobbins (Two years for $16 million with $8 million in 2026 guaranteed)

The AFC runner-up Denver Broncos were the last team to sign an external free agent in 2026, but it became apparent as to why on March 18 when they traded three draft picks, including their 2026 first-round selection, to acquire Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle in a trade that also netted them a 2026 fourth-round pick.

Re-signing running back J.K. Dobbins amounted to Denver's largest deal on the open market with the Broncos leading rusher returning home on a modest deal after a foot injury ended his season prematurely in Week 10. Dobbins still managed to lead the Broncos in rushing with 772 yards on 153 carries for an efficient 5.0 yards-per-carry average, the seventh-best in the NFL among running backs last season.

27. Green Bay Packers

- Total free agent spending: $78.81 million - Number of free agents signed: 9 - Most expensive free agent signing: DT Javon Hargrave (Two years for $23 million with $10.5 million guaranteed)

The Green Bay Packers flipped over their roster to clear the way for some youngsters in big spots. Edge rusher Rashan Gary was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in order for former first-round pick Lukas Van Ness to have dibs on a starting spot. Left tackle Rasheed Walker was given the green light to depart in free agency to sign with the Carolina Panthers to give 2024 first-round pick Jordan Morgan the chance to start at his collegiate position of left tackle on a full-time basis in the pros for the first time.

The same goes for allowing wide receiver Romeo Doubs to sign with the New England Patriots in free agency and trading wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks to the Philadelphia Eagles. Those two moves elevated a clear trio of starting wide receivers for the Packers: Christian Watson , Jayden Reed and 2025 first-round pick Matthew Golden .

Both Watson (four years, $92 million with a $31 million signing bonus) and Reed (three years, $50.25 with $20 million fully guaranteed) inked extensions this offseason, which gives quarterback Jordan Love the ability to build consistent rapport with his top three wideouts on a more consistent basis than the seemingly rotating, hyper specified game plans head coach Matt LaFleur cooked up to spotlight five different receivers' skill sets in different weeks throughout the 2025 season.

Signing two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Javon Hargrave filled a key need for Green Bay's defense. Starting defensive tackle  Devonte Wyatt  fractured his fibula and tore ligaments in his ankle in the Packers' 31-24 Thanksgiving victory over the  Detroit Lions . The addition of Hargrave will allow Wyatt to ensure he's 100% before returning to action.

> Javon Hargrave has generated the 2nd-highest quick pressure rate among defensive tackles since the start of 2023 (min. 500 pass rushes). Hargrave has ranked in the top 5 in the category in his last two full seasons (2023 and 2025). @packers | #GoPackGo https://t.co/STSBLCuOGB pic.twitter.com/QHh6kLEEpQ — Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) March 11, 2026

Hargrave, who worked with new Packers defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2021 and 2022, will be able to help teach the rest of Green Bay's defenders the team's new playbook. Hargrave's two highest sack totals, 7.5 in 2021 and a career-high 11.0 in 2022, came while working with Gannon. This move made way too much sense.

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

- Total free agent spending: $89.2 million - Number of free agents signed: 15 - Most expensive free agent signing: TE Cade Otton (Three years for $30 million with $20 million fully guaranteed)

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are at somewhat of a crossroads in 2026. Long-tenured veterans like wide receiver Mike Evans (San Francisco 49ers), cornerback Jamel Dean ( Pittsburgh Steelers ) and linebacker Lavonte David (retired) walked out the door this offseason. Quarterback Baker Mayfield enters the final year of his three-year, $100 million contract in 2026. Head coach Todd Bowles fired both offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard and special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey after the franchise lost its NFC South division crown to the Carolina Panthers in 2025. Bowles himself could be gone if Tampa Bay misses the postseason again in 2026. The core of this team could look incredibly different a year from now.

Tampa Bay's biggest free agent expense was to re-sign a familiar face in tight Cade Otton. Otton tied a career high in receptions with 59 in 2025, and he'll be a more central figure in the Buccaneers' passing game with Evans now working out west with San Francisco.

25. Atlanta Falcons

- Total free agent spending: $91.4 million - Number of free agents signed: 23 - Most expensive free agent signing: TE Kyle Pitts (Franchise tag for one year, $15.045 million fully guaranteed)

The Atlanta Falcons are starting a new era in 2026 with a new head coach in Kevin Stefanski, a new president of football in franchise legend Matt Ryan and a new g

_Originally reported by [CBS Sports](https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-teams-offseason-spending-most-expensive-free-agent/)._