Like every year, this year is no different when it comes to major roster changes in the NFL. Several familiar names changed jerseys, with several established stars entering new chapters before the 2026 season.Every team assessed its weaknesses from the previous season and made moves to fill those gaps this year – be it at quarterback, wide receiver, running back, edge rusher, or defensive backfield. Let’s find out some of the popular names.
2026 NFL roster changes – offseason quarterback signings for every team
At quarterback, Miami Dolphins left-handed quarterback Tua Tagovailoa left for the left-handed-rich roster of the Atlanta Falcons. New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields flew from New York to Kansas City to cover Patrick Mahomes’ absence [if there is any].The 38-year-old Kirk Cousins also changed teams, moving from the Falcons to the Las Vegas Raiders, where 2025 Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza is on the roster.Among others, Mitchell Trubisky left the Buffalo Bills for the Tennessee Titans, where they have 2025 rookie Cameron Ward.Veteran backup QB Tyrod Taylor moved from the Jets to the Green Bay Packers to serve as a backup for Jordan Love after Malik Willis left to take up a starting job with the Miami Dolphins on a massive, multi-year contract.Patrick Mahomes’ backup Gardner Minshew left for the Arizona Cardinals, where they have 2026 rookie Carson Beck and veteran Jacoby Brissett. Aaron Rodgers returned for his second stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers, saying it’s his last.
2026 NFL roster moves for wide receivers
The wide receiver market also flourished in the 2026 offseason, with Jaylen Waddle being traded from the Miami Dolphins to the Denver Broncos to serve alongside Courtland Sutton for quarterback Bo Nix. A.J. Brown was traded from the Philadelphia Eagles to the New England Patriots [after over-the-top speculation].Braxston Berrios left the Houston Texans for the New York Giants, while Christian Kirk also bid goodbye to the Texans to join the San Francisco 49ers.Kirk will join Mike Evans [coming from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers] and Deebo Samuel [a 2026 free agent]. Samuel was a Washington Commander in 2025 and signed with his former team, San Francisco, for his 2026 campaign.Michael Pittman Jr. joined the Pittsburgh Steelers from the Indianapolis Colts. JuJu Smith-Schuster was signed by the New York Giants in June but cut in August during the preseason to make space for running back Najee Harris.Veteran elite Stefon Diggs played for the New England Patriots in 2025, and in 2026, he joins his homecoming team, the Washington Commanders.Keenan Allen signed a one-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts after a one-year stint with the Los Angeles Chargers. The Buffalo Bills made a blockbuster trade with the Chicago Bears by acquiring DJ Moore. Brandon Aiyuk could be thinking of returning to the Niners after Deebo Samuel’s return.
2026 NFL defensive stars with new teams
Several defensive stars found new homes for the 2026 season. Myles Garrett, hungry for a Super Bowl win, was traded from the Cleveland Browns to a contending team, the Los Angeles Rams.Maxx Crosby was almost traded from the Las Vegas Raiders to the Baltimore Ravens, but a failed physical canceled that blockbuster move. Instead, Trey Hendrickson joined Lamar Jackson’s team from the Cincinnati Bengals.Veteran free agent Von Miller joined the Dallas Cowboys, where his childhood dream of playing for the Cowboys will come true.Bradley Chubb left the Miami Dolphins for the Buffalo Bills. NFL star cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson were traded in a blockbuster move from the Kansas City Chiefs to the Los Angeles Rams, thereby strengthening Super Bowl-hungry Matthew Stafford’s team.L’Jarius Sneed and Kaiir Elam both moved from the Tennessee Titans to the Kansas City Chiefs.
2026 notable NFL running back moves
Kenneth Walker III left his Super Bowl LX-winning team, the Seattle Seahawks, for another Big Game-contending team, the Kansas City Chiefs; he signed a three-year deal worth $43 million.Najee Harris joins the New York Giants after a short-lived 2025 stint with the Los Angeles Chargers due to a season-ending Achilles tear.Travis Etienne Jr. left the Jacksonville Jaguars to sign a multi-year, massive deal with the New Orleans Saints. David Montgomery left the Detroit Lions to join the Houston Texans. Rico Dowdle bid goodbye to the Carolina Panthers to join the Pittsburgh Steelers.Kenny Gainwell moved from the Steelers to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while Chris Rodriguez Jr. joined the Jacksonville Jaguars from the Washington Commanders.
2026 offseason changes for NFL defensive backfields
The 2026 NFL offseason also reshaped defensive backfields. Minkah Fitzpatrick was traded from the Miami Dolphins to the New York Jets, while Taron Johnson left the Buffalo Bills for the Las Vegas Raiders.Darnell Savage moved from the Buffalo Bills to the Pittsburgh Steelers in June but was released in August. Kyle Dugger left the Steelers for the Cincinnati Bengals.Osa Odighizuwa was traded from the Dallas Cowboys to the San Francisco 49ers, while P.J. Locke moved from the Denver Broncos to the Cowboys.
2026 roster changes featuring tight ends
Other popular names proudly changing uniforms include David Njoku, who moved from his longtime franchise, the Cleveland Browns, to the Los Angeles Chargers.Isaiah Likely moved from the Baltimore Ravens to the New York Giants, where he will reunite with his former Baltimore head coach, John Harbaugh. Charlie Kolar left the Baltimore Ravens to join the Los Angeles Chargers.Chigoziem Okonkwo left the Tennessee Titans to join the Washington Commanders. Noah Fant bid goodbye to the Cincinnati Bengals to join the New Orleans Saints.
2026 NFL remaining free agents
Not every NFL player found a new team this offseason. Here are some who are still without a home or remain unsigned in August 2026:
- Tyreek Hill
- Joey Bosa
- Trevon Diggs
- Marshon Lattimore
- Taylor Decker
- Cam Robinson
- Bobby Wagner
- Kenny Moore II
- Zach Ertz
- Nick Chubb
- Kareem Hunt
- Shaq Thompson
- Tyler Lockett
- Ezekiel Turner
- Brandon Graham
- Jonnu Smith
- DeAndre Carter
With so many popular players changing teams, the 2026 NFL season will offer several fresh matchups and new team identities.For fans, the most engrossing part will be watching these players adapt to new systems, teammates, coaches, and year-long expectations.