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.

BBC Sport looks at 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.

After only just losing a thrilling shootout at the Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead knew he had another Super Bowl-ready outfit just missing a few pieces.

Secondary was an issue and Snead responded in a huge way by trading for Trent McDuffie from the Kansas City Chiefs and making him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history with his $124m (£94m) deal.

Not content there though, the Rams then landed his fellow Chiefs corner Jaylen Watson in free agency to give LA a partnership that came out of the same draft class in 2022 and won back-to-back Super Bowls in their first two years in the league.

That's a huge statement that the Rams fancy another home Super Bowl with LA hosting next year's big game.

The New England Patriots spent big last season and made a huge leap back to the Super Bowl following three poor seasons - and that is something the Tennessee Titans and Las Vegas Raiders hope to emulate.

It's a tough ask though for two struggling teams, so the hope is that the $320m (£240m) the Titans dished out and the Raiders' $292m (£220m) outlay can at least start them off along the road to glory.

New Titans head coach Robert Saleh brought in defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers and traded for Jermaine Johnson - both from his former team the New York Jets, while they gave wide receiver Wan'dale Robinson a surprisingly high $70m (£53m) deal and also added two cornerbacks in a big roster overhaul.

Like the Titans, the Raiders had money to burn and spent a huge chunk of it on centre Tyler Linderbaum, with his $81m (£61m) deal smashing the record for his position.

Vegas have no doubt overpaid for the former Ravens centre, but they need an elite player snapping the ball to rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who they are expected to take with the first pick of the NFL draft.

While not too much is expected from the top two spenders right away, the Carolina Panthers made the play-offs last season and have made the biggest individual free-agency outlay to try to improve further - giving edge rusher Jaelan Phillips a $120m (£90m) to join from Philadelphia.

Spending does not equal success, but if it helps then expect a much-needed boost in form for these three.