NFL Free Agent Matchmaker: Who Lands Kenneth Walker III, Kyler Murray, Aaron Rodgers?

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The NFL’s legal tampering window begins on Monday, when pending free agents can begin negotiating contracts and reaching agreements with external teams ahead of the new league year.

So, which top players and teams make sense as a pairing? Let’s match up 10 of this year’s marquee unrestricted free agents with logical homes, starting with a trio of quarterbacks and other key offensive players.

Arizona has already announced that it will release Murray, and Minnesota needs a QB upgrade from disappointing ex-first rounder J.J. McCarthy. The Vikings should be appealing to Murray (and other available quarterbacks) because of head coach Kevin O’Connell’s track record with QB revivals.

O’Connell was the Rams’ offensive coordinator from 2020-21, which is when Murray made back-to-back Pro Bowls with the division-rival Cardinals. As a result, O’Connell should have a good idea of what the former No. 1 overall pick looked like at his peak.

Due to various injuries, Kyler Murray has averaged 10 starts in his past four seasons in Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

If the 42-year-old Rodgers returns for a twenty second NFL season, it’s troublesome to think about it being anyplace else however Pittsburgh. Beginning over once more with a brand new franchise in what would doubtless be his last 12 months doesn’t appear definitely worth the squeeze. Mike Tomlin might not be with the Steelers anymore, however taking on is Mike McCarthy, who was Rodgers’ head coach in Inexperienced Bay for 13 years.

With simply three begins over the previous two years, there’s great danger in giving Willis a giant contract. However that danger is mitigated with the Dolphins, contemplating the presence of each coach Jeff Hafley and normal supervisor Jon-Eric Sullivan, each of whom have been in Inexperienced Bay with Willis final season. Because the Packers‘ defensive coordinator, Hafley went up in opposition to the previous third-round decide the previous two years in follow.

Malik Willis has began solely six NFL video games in 4 seasons, however he figures to be a sizzling commodity on the free-agent market. (Photograph by Patrick McDermott/Getty Pictures)

The Tremendous LX MVP is the form of dynamic weapon out of the backfield who would offer an immediate increase to a Chiefs run sport that ranked twenty fifth final season. Kansas Metropolis’s main rusher in 2025 was Kareem Hunt, who had simply 611 speeding yards. Additionally, with Patrick Mahomes coming off a knee damage, his scrambling skill could also be impacted. So the Chiefs want a reliable working again greater than ever.

Pierce is intent on hitting free company, however don’t be stunned to see him signal again with the Colts. The rising receiver constructed a powerful rapport in 2025 with quarterback Daniel Jones, and Indianapolis’ brass has no margin for error this offseason following final season’s collapse. Paying as much as retain Pierce shouldn’t be out of the query — even when it’s close to $30 million per 12 months.

Alec Pierce has led the NFL in receiving yards per reception in every of the previous two seasons. (Photograph by Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire through Getty Pictures)

Linderbaum will command record-setting cash as a middle, and no staff is best geared up to provide it to him than the Titans, who’ve a league-high $93.8 million in cap house. Tennessee has a middle want after releasing Lloyd Cushenberry final week, and it’s anticipated to pursue a high-quality veteran choice to work with second-year quarterback Cam Ward.

Hendrickson was considered as a possible Colts goal final 12 months amid his contract points with the Bengals, and now Indianapolis has an opportunity to nab him as a free agent. Indy has a giant want at edge rusher reverse Laiatu Latu, and Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarrumo was Cincinnati’s DC from 2021-24, when Hendrickson had three straight seasons of 14-plus sacks.

Signing the 31-year-old Hendrickson could be a danger — he performed simply seven video games final season on account of accidents, recording 4 sacks — however normal supervisor Chris Ballard and coach Shane Steichen have to be aggressive this offseason, as they’re firmly on the new seat.

Earlier than being restricted to seven video games final season, Trey Hendrickson had 35 complete sacks for the Bengals in 2023-24. (Photograph by Jason Miller/Getty Pictures)

Don’t be stunned to see the Jaguars make a push to re-sign Lloyd after his profession season, however the Bucs make plenty of sense. Tampa have to be fascinated by its future at linebacker post-Lavonte David, who’s 36 and getting into unrestricted free company. Deion Jones, a veteran backup, can be a pending free agent. The Bucs want extra depth and playmaking at linebacker.

Cue Lloyd, who had a career-high 5 interceptions — together with a 99-yard pick-six off Patrick Mahomes — and 7 go breakups final season for the Jags. Signing with the Bucs would permit Lloyd to remain in Florida, which has no state revenue tax. For Lloyd, that may be nice information for what’s anticipated to be an enormous second contract.

The Panthers generated an NFL-low 148 quarterback hits final season, so Oweh could be a serious increase within the pass-rushing division. The previous first-round decide has registered not less than 7.5 sacks in back-to-back seasons, and his 51 pressures in 2025 tied for twenty ninth. Oweh’s presence could be a pleasant complement to defensive sort out Derrick Brown (5.0 sacks final season) and outdoors linebacker Nic Scourton (5.0), who flashed promise as a second-round rookie.

Phillips performed one of the best ball of his profession in 2023 below defensive coordinator Vic Fangio (6.5 sacks in eight video games), so it’s troublesome to think about their reunion with the Eagles coming to an finish after simply eight video games (9 together with playoffs). Philly wants the go rush assist anyway. The Eagles tied for tenth in pressures and ranked thirteenth in strain price final season, however they didn’t have a participant attain seven sacks.

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