How NFL Teams Are Building Around Quarterbacks in 2026 Offseason

Ask Bears general manager Ryan Poles and he'll gladly spin a yarn about the value of protecting the franchise's investment in quarterback Caleb Williams.

That's why Poles and coach Ben Johnson went directly to the passing lane last March to find four new starters on the offensive line, a reconstruction project that featured two trades — for Joe Thuney (Chiefs) and Jonah Jackson (Rams) — and a swift and spendy signing in free agency.

Inarguable results, from Williams' career year, a sharp decline in QB pressure rate and sacks allowed, and the Bears' first playoff win in 15 years make the Chicago blueprint one to follow for the Las Vegas Raiders.

Not only does the franchise have a quarterback in the crosshairs with the No. 1 pick — Indiana's Fernando Mendoza — the Raiders entered the offseason in dire need of an O-line overhaul.

Starting free agency by signing three-time Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum away from the Ravens was the momentous beginning Las Vegas needed to turn this spring into a springboard for a worst-to-first turnaround. They didn't ignore the defense with a trade for cornerback Taron Johnson, a new three-year deal for Eric Stokes and two linebackers — Quay Walker (Packers) and Nakobe Dean (Eagles) with athleticism for days. Edge rusher Kwity Paye isn't about to replace Maxx Crosby — subtracted via trade with the Ravens — but he and Malcolm Koonce are functional starters who might end up in support or rotational roles depending on the rest of free agency and the draft.

The Chiefs came away with a score on offense by signing the top free agent running back, Kenneth Walker III, to a contract worth $15 million per season. A brass tacks breakdown of the agreement with the 25-year-old reveals more than a relative win. Consider the last 1,000-yard rusher for the Chiefs was Kareem Hunt version 1.0 in 2017 with 1,327 yards. No back has even hit 950 since Patrick Mahomes became the starterl Hunt led the team with 611 in 2025.

Alas, Mahomes and Andy Reid have an answer for cover-2 and cover-3 defenses. Want to play eight in the box to slow Walker down and dare Mahomes to beat you? Didn't think so.

One player the Chiefs didn't keep was cornerback Trent McDuffie. Blown away by a trade offer from the Rams — four picks including a first-rounder — Kansas City had to make this deal.

But it's one you can see as a potential victory from the Rams' perspective, too.

With an additional first-round pick (acquired during the 2025 draft) to work with, GM Les Snead targeted McDuffie and then made him the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL. Last time he did a deal like this one, the Rams won the Super Bowl with Jalen Ramsey at left corner. Snead doubled down by signing Jaylen Watson, another KC cornerback with data behind the notion he's a shutdown-level defender. Los Angeles spent to keep safety Kam Curl on a three-year deal, another dub for Snead.

If the first 24 hours of the new league year are any indication, we can all likely agree the Titans and Browns are staying on track as division bottom-dwellers. Cleveland's two big moves were acquiring offensive line help. Great. But the Browns turned to Tytus Howard in a trade with the Texans and signed Zion Johnson, who was nothing close to dominant as a guard for the Chargers. Howard helps because the Browns had nothing at right tackle. But with a two-year, $45 million extension, he's an expensive patch on a hole very much expected to reappear.

The Titans signed Wan'Dale Robinson, a slot receiver who could help Cam Ward's development, but he's not a No. 1 and plays precisely the same role as Chimere Dike, Tennessee's lead receiver last season. New offensive coordinator Brian Daboll surely has plans beyond throwing six-yard crossers all the way down the field. Right? Right?