NFL free agency is about to get underway.
Teams are permitted to talk to free agents during the legal tampering period which begins March 10 at 12 p.m. ET. Free agents can officially sign with clubs when the new league years kicks off at 4 p.m. ET on March 12.
Several teams are expected to be aggressive during this year’s free agency period. There’s a plethora of rumors that happen this time of year in days and hours leading up to free agency.
Who’s going to be buyers or sellers? Here are three teams who are expected to be aggressive once free agency commences:
New England Patriots
The Patriots have an NFL-most $125.1 million in cap space, per Over the Cap. New Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel is armed with plenty of cap space to fill a roster with players who fit his offensive and defensive schemes.
New England already possesses a quarterback to build around in Drake Maye and a promising young cornerback in Christian Gonzalez, despite finishing last year with a 4-13 record.
Patriots executive Eliot Wolf told reporters at the NFL combine that he’s going to aggressively attempt to improve on what was a disappointing first year as the team’s vice president of player personnel.
“This year we have to do what’s necessary to improve the team,” Wolf said. “We need to continue to improve the roster, whether it’s weapons, whether it’s the line, whether it’s the defense. Just in all phases.”
The Patriots had the worst total offense in the AFC and ranked in the bottom half of the NFL in total defense last year. They need help on both sides of the football. New England hasn’t finished a season above .500 since 2021.
Washington Commanders
The Commanders are cognizant that they are in a fortuitous position: they have a star quarterback on a rookie contract.
NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels, combined with an ownership group willing to splurge makes Washington a desirable location for a lot of free agents.
The Commanders were already active this month when they agreed to acquire versatile wide receiver Deebo Samuel from the San Francisco 49ers. Don’t expect the Commanders to be complacent following the deal to land Samuel.
Washington re-signed veteran linebacker Bobby Wagner, but they still have nearly 30 pending free agents from last year’s club that advance to the NFC championship game, including Jeremy Chinn and Zach Ertz.
“We always want to build through the draft and we’ll continue to do that. But, we have 28 free agents. We have a lot of holes on our roster in terms of players who played really well for us last year,” Commanders general manager Adam Peters said at the combine (prior to re-signing Wagner). “We’ll be active in free agency because we have to be.”
The Commanders have money to be active. Washington has over $64 million is salary cap space, per Over the Cap.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers saved over $25 million against their cap when they released Joey Bosa. The team’s decision to part ways with the veteran pass rusher is possibly an indication of the Chargers’ approach this offseason. The team is rebuilding its roster in Jim Harbaugh’s image.
Los Angeles boasts over $90 million in cap space, the second most in the NFL, via Over the Cap.
The Chargers will likely use some of that money to extend standout left tackle Rashawn Slater. And they will undoubtedly attempt to improve on a roster that finished 11-6 in the regular season, but ended in frustrating fashion during the wild-card round of the playoffs versus the Houston Texans.
“This year we have more flexibility to do more multi-year deals with some guys. I think the biggest pitch with LA is what we’ve done, and it’s LA. It’s beautiful,” Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz said at the NFL combine. “We have a great facility, an unbelievable organization (and) a great coaching staff. We’ll become a destination. I really believe that.”
Many anticipate Los Angeles to try to upgrade their skill position players around Justin Herbert. Herbert’s 227 passing yards per game average last season was the fewest of his career.
Top five teams with most cap space entering free agency (Over the Cap)
New England Patriots – $125.1
Los Angeles Chargers -$90.6
Las Vegas Raiders – $80.8
Arizona Cardinals – $77.9
Washington Commanders – $64.2
Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.
