Key Players & Trades That Could Reshape The NFL Offseason
As the curtain falls on the 2025 NFL regular season, the league enters its most unpredictable phase: the offseason. For fans and analysts alike, this is the time when rumors swirl, franchises face crossroads, and the future of the league is shaped by decisions made in front offices across the country. With a handful of major players set to become free agents or trade candidates, the 2026 offseason promises to be one of the most consequential in recent memory.
Every offseason is unique, but this year’s feels especially volatile. The power dynamic in the NFL is shifting, with traditional contenders facing uncertainty and up-and-coming teams ready to spend big. The Patriots, for example, have cap space and a rising star in Drake Maye, making them a coveted destination for free agents. Meanwhile, the Broncos have cleared their books of the Russell Wilson cap hit and look poised to make moves. The Raiders, on the other hand, seem headed for a rebuild and could be shopping star pass rusher Max Crosby. And the Chiefs? With Patrick Mahomes’ health in question and Travis Kelce’s possible retirement, Kansas City faces its first true crossroads in a decade.
The Colts’ Quarterback Dilemma
Among the surprise teams of 2025, the Indianapolis Colts stand out. What began as a seemingly unimportant quarterback competition between Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson quickly became one of the most talked-about stories of the season. Jones won the starting job and played admirably, but injuries derailed both quarterbacks—Richardson suffered a freak orbital fracture during training, and Jones broke his leg before tearing his Achilles a week later.
The result: the Colts missed the playoffs after a promising 8-2 start and now face a major quarterback dilemma. Jones won’t be healthy until midway through 2026 and is a free agent with an unfortunate injury history. Richardson, meanwhile, could benefit from a fresh start—potentially as a backup in Green Bay, replacing Malik Willis. Rookie Riley Leonard got a late-season audition, but the team’s direction remains unclear, especially with acting owner Carly Ears possibly considering front office changes.
The most likely scenario? The Colts stay the course, keeping Jones for another year, trading Richardson, and letting Leonard compete for the job. But with so many variables, Indianapolis could easily become one of the offseason’s biggest dominoes.
Trey Hendrickson: The Edge Rusher Market
One of the offseason’s most coveted free agents will be edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, finally free from the Bengals. Cincinnati’s defense has struggled to complement its explosive offense, and losing Hendrickson only makes matters worse. Jamar Chase and Chase Brown have both been candid about the need for defensive upgrades, and the Bengals’ front office faces pressure to make changes.
Hendrickson’s best fit? The Detroit Lions, who need someone opposite Aidan Hutchinson. But Dallas looms as a possible destination, especially with Jerry Jones eager to make a splash after trading Micah Parsons. If Jones misses out on Max Crosby, expect him to overpay for Hendrickson. Either way, Hendrickson’s departure will have ripple effects across the league.
Max Crosby: Trade Rumors and Rebuilds
As a Broncos fan, I know how disruptive Max Crosby can be. The Raiders star has been a lone bright spot on a struggling team, but his loyalty may be tested as the franchise considers a rebuild. Crosby’s contract is team-friendly compared to other elite pass rushers, making him a prime trade candidate for contenders like Dallas or Detroit.
The Raiders’ situation mirrors that of the Titans—a team in need of a quarterback and several years away from contention. Trading Crosby now could net valuable draft capital, allowing Vegas to accelerate its rebuild. For Crosby, the choice is clear: stay loyal and wait for the Raiders to become competitive, or take his prime years to a team ready to win now.
The Chiefs’ Crossroads: Kelce, Mahomes, and Cap Space
Kansas City’s dynasty faces its first real test. With Travis Kelce’s retirement looming and Patrick Mahomes recovering from injury, the Chiefs must address multiple positions—tight end, edge rusher, offensive line, and even a possible Tyreek Hill replacement.
Kelce’s retirement would leave a massive void at tight end. While the draft offers options like Oregon’s Kenyan Sadi or edge rusher Ruben Bane, the Chiefs are unlikely to leave the position to chance. Free agents Dallas Goedert, Isaiah Likely, and Kyle Pitts could all be in play, but Kansas City’s cap situation is dire—they’re $40 million over for 2026, and Kelce isn’t under contract.
Kyle Pitts, still just 25, is a tantalizing option for teams with cap space and an elite quarterback. The Jets, Commanders, Rams, Seahawks, and Broncos all make sense as landing spots, but Pitts may prioritize a franchise with stability under center. Washington, with $93 million in cap space, looks particularly appealing.
Goedert, a savvy veteran, could seamlessly replace Kelce in Andy Reid’s system if the Eagles move on. Isaiah Likely will have plenty of suitors, especially among teams looking for a cheaper alternative to Pitts.
Wide Receiver Market: Pickens, Doubs, and More
The wide receiver market is loaded with intrigue. George Pickens, Romeo Doubs, Jaylen Naylor, and Jauan Jennings could all hit free agency. Doubs’ injury history clouds his value, but Pickens is a wild card—talented but unpredictable. Jerry Jones may break the bank to keep Pickens in Dallas, but other teams will be bidding as well.
Ultimately, tight ends like Pitts, Goedert, and Likely may make bigger splashes, especially as offenses continue to evolve toward hybrid receiver-tight end roles.
Quarterback Carousel: Tua, Kyler, Malik Willis, Aaron Rodgers
Quarterback rumors always dominate the offseason, and 2026 is no exception. Miami’s Tua Tagovailoa faces an uncertain future after being benched for Quinn Ewers. With a contract peaking at $56 million in 2026 and a dead cap hit of $99 million, Tua may return as a backup, but his days as a starter in Miami seem numbered.
Kyler Murray’s tenure in Arizona appears to be ending. Injuries and inconsistent play have plagued Murray since his promising 2021 campaign, and the Cardinals could save $35 million by trading him before June 1st. Jacoby Brissett, under contract through 2026, has outperformed Murray and could mentor a rookie if Arizona drafts a quarterback.
Malik Willis, the Packers’ backup, is perhaps the most intriguing free agent QB. Willis has flashed accuracy and playmaking ability in limited action, and a team like the Cardinals or Colts could take a chance on him as a bridge starter. Improved accuracy and a gamer mentality make Willis a low-risk, high-upside option for teams in need of quarterback help.
Aaron Rodgers, the oldest free agent, is weighing retirement or another season. His decision will have major ramifications for the Steelers and possibly other contenders. Rodgers was candid in a recent presser, admitting he’s on a one-year deal and open to options. The Steelers could keep Mike Tomlin and convince Rodgers to return, or Rodgers could wait for a contender to call late in the season—a “Rivers Lite” scenario. If Rodgers retires, expect the Steelers to sign a veteran like Joe Flacco.
Lamar Jackson Rumors: Fact or Fiction?
No offseason is complete without blockbuster quarterback rumors. Lamar Jackson’s future in Baltimore has been the subject of endless speculation, fueled by reports of tension with John Harbaugh and trade rumors to the Vikings or Dolphins. Jackson has denied the rumors, calling them disrespectful, and all signs point to him staying in Baltimore. Trade rumors often flare up when a team underachieves, but Jackson’s place with the Ravens appears secure.
The Dolphins’ Dilemma: Tua and the Future
Miami’s quarterback situation is one of the offseason’s biggest questions. Head coach Mike McDaniel benched Tua for Quinn Ewers late in the season, suggesting a willingness to move on. Tua’s contract and declining play make a trade unlikely, but he could return as a backup in 2026 before moving on in 2027.
Draft Implications and Team Building
The draft will play a key role in shaping the offseason. Teams like the Cardinals, Patriots, and Chiefs are positioned to address critical needs—quarterback, tight end, edge rusher—with premium picks. Cap space, contract structures, and front office changes will all factor into the decisions made over the next few months.
Predictions, Speculation, and the Road Ahead
The NFL offseason is a time of uncertainty, speculation, and hope. Fans debate every rumor, analyze every transaction, and dream of their team making the moves that will lead to a championship. This year, the stakes feel higher than ever, with star players, legendary coaches, and rising prospects all in play.
Will the Colts solve their quarterback conundrum? Can the Chiefs maintain their dynasty without Kelce? Will Max Crosby or Trey Hendrickson reshape a contender’s defense? Is Malik Willis the next resurrection story at quarterback? And where will Aaron Rodgers play—if anywhere?
These are the questions that will define the 2026 NFL offseason. As always, the answers will surprise us, reshape the league, and set the stage for another unforgettable season.
Conclusion: The NFL’s Endless Cycle
The NFL offseason is a cycle of hope, disappointment, and renewal. Every trade, signing, and draft pick is a chance for teams to rewrite their story. As fans, we watch, speculate, and believe—because in football, anything is possible.
Stay tuned to [Your Outlet] for comprehensive coverage of free agency, trades, and all the drama of the 2026 NFL offseason. Subscribe for updates, analysis, and exclusive interviews with the league’s biggest names. The next chapter is about to begin.
