Big-game free agent signings, blockbuster trades and the top draft picks steal headlines and create the most offseason buzz around the NFL. Often, teams make subtle moves that end up having tremendous impact.
The Los Angeles Rams might have secured the best offseason after trading for defensive end Myles Garrett and cornerback Trent McDuffie. The Tennessee Titans spent the most in free agency, according to Over the Cap. And the Las Vegas Raiders drafted their future franchise quarterback in Fernando Mendoza. But those moves aren’t promised to be the most impactful.
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There are always some acquisitions that get overlooked that will prove fruitful by the end of the season.
USA TODAY Sports examines teams who had a sneaky-good offseasons.
The Bengals had the NFL’s 31st ranked total defense in two of the past three seasons. They responded by adding at least four new starters to the unit.
While Dexter Lawrence served as Cincy’s biggest get, safety Bryan Cook, edge Boye Mafe and defensive tackle Jonathan Allen are additions that should make immediate impacts. Cook’s won two Super Bowls with the Chiefs, Mafe’s tallied over 40 pressures for three straight seasons and Allen’s logged 125 career starts.
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The Bengals offseason got a stamp of approval from Joe Burrow, who compared this year’s Bengals to his 2019 LSU squad that won a national championship.
“There’s so much greatness that we’re going to be able to achieve this year,” Burrow told reporters on June 17. “I’m just excited to get going.”
The Chargers’ offseason additions aren’t needle movers. Center Tyler Biadasz, guard Cole Strange and fullback Alec Ingold are slated to top the depth chart at their respective positions.
First-round pick Akheem Mesidor is expected fill the void of the departed Odafe Oweh and second-round selection Jake Slaughter is in competition to start at left guard.
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However, the Chargers’ most impactful offseason move was hiring Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator. Jim Harbaugh has nothing but praise for McDaniel.
“Awesome with a capital A,” Harbaugh said of McDaniel this offseason. “Where to really start would be on how his mind is. How much football information. How good it is. His expertise at all positions, and on defense too. He’s a real expert in how defenses play. Doing a lot of listening, a lot of learning and a lot of leaning in to how he sees football, because it’s really brilliant.”
McDaniel’s already put an emphasis on quick game, yards after catch opportunities and he’s working well with QB Justin Herbert: McDaniel had Herbert throw with a weighted green ball to emphasize mechanics during a portion of the offseason program. He’s also installed a zone blocking scheme.
The Commanders had a below average pass rush win rate in 2025, and current free agent Von Miller was their most productive edge rusher. The Commanders addressed their deficiency by adding pass rushers Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson. The two combined for 15 sacks and 101 pressures on different teams in 2025.
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On the second level of the defense, word out of Washington is rookie Sonny Styles is a budding star.
“He has hit all the marks that you can hit at this time of year,” Dan Quinn said of the linebacker, per the team’s official website. “The knowledge; the intensity to go for it. What we haven’t seen, and we will, is the blitz ability and making plays on the ball with the speed and length. But man, are we pumped with him.”
The Commanders could use more firepower at wide receiver, but the Brandon Aiyuk saga could result in the wideout landing in Washington. Also, free agent acquisition tight end Chig Okonkwo is younger and more explosive than ex-Commanders TE Zach Ertz.
MORE: 4 reasons Commanders might take risk on Brandon Aiyuk despite messy 49ers exit
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The Panthers deserve more praise for their offseason moves. According to BetMGM, Carolina’s projected to finish behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints even after the additions of edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd, who were two of my top free agents this offseason.
The Panthers ranked 24th in pass rush win rate and last in run stop win rate last season, per ESPN.
Phillips tallied 73 pressures in 2025 and can take some attention away from interior lineman Derrick Brown. Lloyd is instinctive and has a nose for the football. He’s produced at least 113 tackles in three of the past four seasons.
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Rookie first-round pick Monroe Freeling helps beef up Carolina’s O-line and wide receiver Jalen Coker, who signed a three-year extension, proved he can be a secondary option for Bryce Young.
The Texans ranked last in run block win rate and 30th pass block win rate last season, per ESPN. They responded this offseason with an overhaul to their offensive line, bringing in guard Wyatt Teller, tackle Braden Smith and first-round pick Keylan Rutledge, who’s taken first-team reps at both center and guard this offseason.
Houston reworked its backfield by replacing Joe Mixon with downhill bruiser David Montgomery, who averaged over three yards after contact per attempt for three straight seasons.
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However, the offense’s success is contingent on C.J. Stroud’s improvement. Stroud’s regressed since a record-setting rookie campaign, but the Texans say they are enthusiastic about Stroud’s work ethic this offseason, with general manager Nick Caserio saying the passer has “had a good approach and a good attitude.”
Stroud should benefit from better protection upfront and a solid running game.
Furthermore, Houston’s No. 1 ranked total defense gave teams problems last season. Safety Reed Blankenship was added to an already stingy defensive backfield, while standout pass rushers Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter both got paid this offseason.
Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: Key moves for 5 NFL teams having quietly a good offseason, including the Bengals
