5 Surprise Teams That Could Spend Big in 2026 NFL Free Agency feat. Seattle Seahawks on Wide Receiver


NFL free agency is essentially here, and all 32 general managers have their phones ready to go. At this point, most teams have decided which positions to target and which players to pursue. Some teams will make last-second cuts and cap space moves to create more room. However, some teams might be in a position to make a flurry of moves no one was expecting.

Here’s a look at which teams could make a big splash that might not be as obvious.

5 Surprise Teams that could shake up NFL free agency with big bids

Los Angeles Chargers v New England Patriots - NFL 2025 - Source: Getty
Los Angeles Chargers v New England Patriots – NFL 2025 – Source: Getty

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#1 – Los Angeles Chargers

The Los Angeles Chargers not only have the most cap space in the NFL at $94 million (Spotrac), but the franchise also has an argument that it could only be a few pieces away. As such, with big bids and a contending argument, Los Angeles could make a run at players like Mike Evans or Trey Hendrickson.

#2 – Washington Commanders

If not for injuries, the Washington Commanders might have been one of the biggest challengers to the Seattle Seahawks in the playoffs. The Commanders will make that argument to free agents and drop a bundle of cash at their feet with $86 million in cap space. Washington has plenty of reason to throw cash at the top defensive free agents like Trey Hendrickson or Joey Bosa.

#3 – Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks don’t have the problem of most Super Bowl winners in that the team is financially free to make more moves than most of the league. Seattle has $60 million in free money to use, and with Rashid Shaeed on the move and Cooper Kupp getting one year older, adding a big wide receiver could be the move.

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#4 – Los Angeles Rams

The Los Angeles Rams got closer to the Super Bowl than any team not named the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC. However, despite the team’s star-dotted roster, the team has some cash to throw around with $42 million in cap space. As a team that just went to the doorstep of the Super Bowl, the team also has the argument on its side.

#5 – Tennessee Titans

The Tennessee Titans might need more cash than most other contenders to make a run at some of the free agents available. Luckily, the team has plenty of cash on hand to the tune of $90 million in cap space, which is second in the NFL.

An extra few million, paired with an argument that Cam Ward is heading into his breakout season, could be enough to win over a few pieces at wide receiver and on defense in free agency.