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Trey Hendrickson (left) was the biggest mover in NFL free agency when he joined Baltimore from Cincinnati (Image: Getty Images)

During an action-packed NFL free agency period marked by significant contracts and big headlines, some teams did not hold back. While the Baltimore Ravens attracted just as much attention for a significant deal they backed out of as they did for one that went through, two NFL strugglers splashed the cash in the hope of a better future. 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.

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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.

 However, the Ravens did sign Cincinnati's star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson on a four-year contract worth $112 million (£84 million) before the dust could settle. Since Baltimore must at least challenge for a Super Bowl while Lamar Jackson is in his prime, new head coach Jesse Minter is already in a win-now situation. Adding Hendrickson, a disruptive pass rusher, helps fill a significant roster void. Joe Burrow, the star quarterback for the Bengals, is the biggest loser from this deal because he now has to face one of the toughest edge rushers twice a season and is frequently one of the quarterbacks in the league who gets the most sacked.

Kelce returns as Chiefs add MVP talent

Kenneth Walker can add a big-play spark to help Patrick Mahomes with the Kansas City Chiefs (Image: Getty Images)

Will a terrible season that ended with Patrick Mahomes' torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) help the Kansas City Chiefs, the NFL's defunct dynasty, rise from the ashes? Travis Kelce thinks so as he signed a new three-year deal to return for his 14th season in the NFL.  It is essentially a one-year contract worth $12 million (£9 million), with the additional years added solely for salary cap hit purposes. Kenneth Walker, who was named the first running back to win the Super Bowl MVP since 1998, signed a three-year, $45 million (£34 million) contract with Kelce from the Seattle Seahawks. Walker has demonstrated a lot of big-play potential in the run and short passing game, and the Chiefs have been one of the worst rushing teams in recent memory, particularly when it comes to explosive plays. 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.

 The much-maligned quarterback Justin Fields, who could start the season if Mahomes is not quite fit enough, was another interesting move from Kansas City.

The Colts go big on Jones, but Pittman is lost.

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.

 However, the Colts did not stop there; they also signed wide receiver Alec Pierce to a four-year contract worth a staggering $116 million (£87 million), with a guarantee of $60 million (£45 million) that ranks fifth 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.

In search of the Super Bowl, Rams corner market

Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson both swapped Kansas City for Los Angeles during free agency (Image: Getty Images)

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 a problem, and Snead responded significantly by trading for Trent McDuffie from the Kansas City Chiefs. With his $124 million (£94 million) contract, McDuffie became the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history. But the Rams weren't content there; they also signed Jaylen Watson, a cornerback from the Chiefs, in free agency. This gave LA a team that came out of the same draft class in 2022 and won two Super Bowls in their first two seasons in the league. That is a significant declaration that the Rams would like to host the big game next year's Super Bowl at their home stadium.

Titans & Raiders biggest spenders in NFL free agency

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.

 The hope is that the Titans' $320 million (£240 million) investment and the Raiders' $292 million (£220 million) investment can at least get them started on the path 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.

 Even though the top two spenders aren't expected to do much right away, the Carolina Panthers made the playoffs last year and spent the most on free agents to try to get better, signing edge rusher Jaelan Phillips for $120 million (£90 million) from Philadelphia. Spending does not guarantee success, but if it helps, these three should see a much-needed improvement in their form.

Source: BBC