What were the biggest moves of NFL free agency?

Some teams did not hold back in an action-packed NFL free-agency period with some big headlines made by some huge contracts.

Two NFL strugglers splashed the cash hoping for a better future, while the Baltimore Ravens grabbed as much attention for a big-money deal they backed out of as they did for one that went through.

Veteran Travis Kelce agreed to return for a 14th season with the Kansas City Chiefs - who also managed to sign the Super Bowl MVP as they look to come bouncing back.

According to media reports the biggest NFL free-agency deals of 2026, with more than $4.5bn (£2.8bn) in contracts, external handed out.

The Baltimore Ravens had seemingly pulled off a blockbuster trade for star pass rusher Maxx Crosby from the Las Vegas Raiders - only to then back out of the deal at the last minute.

Doubts over Crosby's fitness after knee surgery, or getting cold feet about handing over two first-round draft picks for the first time, may have contributed to the stunning backtrack.

But before the dust could settle the Ravens did sign Cincinnati's own star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson on a four-year deal worth $112m (£84m).

New head coach Jesse Minter is already in a win-now situation, as Baltimore have to at least challenge for a Super Bowl while Lamar Jackson is in his prime, and adding such a disruptive pass rusher as Hendrickson helps fill a major hole in the roster.

The biggest loser from this deal is Bengals superstar Joe Burrow, who is frequently one of the most sacked quarterbacks in the league and now faces one of the toughest edge rushers twice a season.

Will the Kansas City Chiefs, the NFL's fallen dynasty, rise from the ashes of a woeful season that ended with Patrick Mahomes' torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)?

Travis Kelce thinks so as he signed a new three-year deal to return for his 14th season in the NFL. It's essentially a one-year, $12m (£9m) contract with the added years purely for salary cap hit purposes.

And fresh from being crowned the first Super Bowl MVP running back since 1998, Kenneth Walker joined Kelce from the Seattle Seahawks, signing a three-year, $45m (£34m) deal.

The Chiefs have been one of the worst rushing teams for a couple of years, especially in terms of explosive plays - and Walker has shown plenty of big-play ability in the run and short passing game.

His patience and versatility will have head coach and offensive genius Andy Reid salivating at the plays he can draw up, and he should be able to take a big weight off Mahomes' shoulders.

As despite having the best quarterback of his generation the Chiefs have finished no higher than 15th in scoring the past three years - Walker can help change that.

One other interesting move from Kansas City was bringing in much-maligned quarterback Justin Fields, who could well start the season if Mahomes is not quite fit enough.

Sam Darnold completed the ultimate comeback story last season, but when the Colts were on 8-2 with the best attack in the NFL it looked like Daniel Jones would be that guy - until injury struck.

Indianapolis still think he's that guy though, as they handed Jones a two-year deal worth $88m (£66m) that pays him a guaranteed $50m (£38m) this season to fire them back into contention.

The Colts didn't stop there though as they gave wide receiver Alec Pierce a four-year deal worth a huge $116m (£87m), with a $60m (£45m) guarantee that is the fifth-highest in the league.

To cover that outlay though, they had to trade their other star receiver Michael Pittman Jr to the Pittsburgh Steelers, but obviously feel comfortable in Jones and Pierce leading the way in the passing game to complement Jonathan Taylor's running prowess.

The side note to this is that Pittman joins DK Metcalf in a very attractive looking receiving unit in Pittsburgh, and that may be enough to lure Aaron Rodgers back for one last season in the NFL.