2026 NFL Free Agency: Defensive Playmakers Ready to Cash In
As the NFL offseason kicks into high gear, the free agent market is already heating up - and on the defensive side of the ball, there are a handful of players poised to earn serious paydays. Two names from Kansas City’s secondary stand out, and while the Chiefs may have fallen short of expectations this past season, these defenders quietly put together breakout years that should have front offices around the league picking up the phone.
Bryan Cook: A Safety Who’s Earned His Paycheck
Projected AAV: $14.2 million
Let’s start with Bryan Cook. The 26-year-old safety took a major leap in 2025, not just solidifying his role in the Chiefs’ defense but emerging as one of the top safeties in the league by season’s end.
He posted an impressive 83.5 overall grade - a career high - which ranked fifth among all qualifying safeties. That’s not just a good year; that’s elite company.
What makes Cook’s profile even more intriguing is his versatility. He was the only safety in the league to earn an 80.0+ grade in both run defense (80.1) and coverage (83.2).
That kind of balance is rare. He’s not just a box safety or a deep zone guy - he can do it all.
Add in the fact that he ranked in the 90th percentile in missed tackle rate, and you’re looking at a complete player who brings both physicality and reliability on the back end.
Cook’s previous seasons may not have popped on paper, but his experience in Steve Spagnuolo’s complex scheme has clearly paid off. He’s grown into a cerebral, dependable presence who can anchor a secondary. At a projected $14.2 million per year, he’d slide just inside the top 12 highest-paid safeties - and based on his 2025 tape, that’s a fair price for a guy entering his prime.
Jaylen Watson: A Corner with Consistency and Length
Projected AAV: $12.5 million
Right alongside Cook in that Chiefs secondary is Jaylen Watson - another player who’s flown a bit under the radar but has quietly become one of the more consistent outside corners in the league. Over the past three seasons, Watson has earned a PFF grade north of 68.0 each year, showing a steady level of play that coaches and GMs crave at one of the most volatile positions in football.
In coverage, Watson posted a 74.9 grade while playing primarily outside, which places him in the 85th percentile among his peers. That’s no fluke. He’s long, physical, and has proven he can hold up against top-tier receivers in man and zone alike.
Watson’s length and consistency make him an appealing option for teams looking to shore up their cornerback room. At $12.5 million annually, he’d be in the same financial ballpark as Brandon Stephens, who inked a three-year, $36 million deal with the Jets last offseason. For a player with Watson’s track record and upside, that’s a reasonable investment.
Matt Nagy’s Coaching Carousel Conundrum
It’s been a strange ride for Matt Nagy this hiring cycle. Despite some early buzz, the former Chiefs offensive coordinator hasn’t landed a head coaching gig - and time might be running out.
While three teams reportedly showed varying levels of interest in Nagy, none of those opportunities have materialized. Baltimore filled its vacancy with Jesse Minter, while Arizona has been linked more heavily to offensive minds like Mike LaFleur and Klint Kubiak. That leaves the Raiders as the only team still in the mix - and while they’ve interviewed Nagy, the lack of momentum suggests he’s not the frontrunner.
At this stage of the hiring cycle, when most teams have already zeroed in on their top candidates, the absence of buzz around Nagy is telling. Unless something shifts dramatically, it’s looking like he’ll be on the outside looking in once again.
Tyquan Thornton: The Chiefs’ Underused Weapon
Yards per route run in 2025:
- Rashee Rice - 2.16
- Tyquan Thornton - 1.70
- Hollywood Brown - 1.49
- Xavier Worthy - 1.26
- JuJu Smith-Schuster - 0.89
Here’s the thing: On a team that struggled to get consistent production from its wide receivers, Tyquan Thornton quietly delivered when given the chance - and yet, he barely saw the field.
Thornton’s 1.7 yards per route run puts him in the same range as guys like Garrett Wilson and Romeo Doubs. That’s solid company. Meanwhile, Worthy and Smith-Schuster - who both saw over 600 snaps - were far less efficient, with YPRR marks of 1.26 and 0.89, respectively.
In a year where Kansas City desperately needed more big plays and consistent separation from its receivers, it’s hard to justify Thornton’s limited usage. The numbers don’t lie - when he was on the field, he was productive. The Chiefs need to not only re-sign him, but actually put him in a position to contribute meaningfully in 2026.
NFL Salary Cap Set to Surge Past $300 Million
The league’s financial landscape is about to shift in a big way. The NFL recently informed clubs that the 2026 salary cap is expected to land somewhere between $301.2 million and $305.7 million per team. That’s a significant jump - up to $26.5 million more than the 2025 cap of $279.2 million.
This kind of increase opens the door for more aggressive roster moves, particularly for teams with young cores looking to add veteran help. It also means free agents like Cook and Watson could benefit from teams having more financial flexibility than ever before.
Seattle Seahawks Expected to Hit the Market
After nearly three decades under Paul Allen’s ownership, the Seattle Seahawks are expected to be put up for sale following Super Bowl LX. The franchise, which Allen purchased in 1996 and officially took over in 1997, has been one of the league’s more stable and successful operations, making the playoffs in seven of the last 10 seasons.
Lumen Field remains one of the toughest places to play, and the team’s leadership duo of GM John Schneider and head coach Mike Macdonald is highly respected. With nearly $20 million in stadium upgrades on the way ahead of the 2026 World Cup, the franchise is well-positioned from both a football and business standpoint.
Sportico currently values the Seahawks at $6.59 billion - 14th in the NFL - but with the team coming off a Super Bowl appearance, that number could climb even higher. One executive projected a potential sale price between $7 billion and $8 billion, which would set a new benchmark in NFL franchise valuations.
Chiefs’ Running Back Dilemma: Is Spending Big Worth It?
There’s been some buzz about the Chiefs potentially targeting a top-tier running back in the draft - maybe even someone like Jeremiyah Love. But let’s talk dollars and sense.
If Kansas City goes the budget route and signs a veteran like Tyler Allgeier or Rico Dowdle, they’re looking at roughly $5 million against the 2026 cap. But pairing that move with a top-10 pick at the position?
That’s a much bigger commitment. Just look at Kelvin Banks Jr., the ninth overall pick last year - his rookie deal came in at $28 million, with a $5 million cap hit in Year 1.
That’s serious capital for a position that, while important, isn’t typically where you want to drop premium assets - especially for a team with multiple needs across the roster. The Chiefs need help in the trenches, depth at receiver, and possibly a new face in the secondary if Cook or Watson walk. Committing eight figures to the backfield might not be the best allocation of resources.
Bottom Line
With the salary cap ballooning and free agency around the corner, teams are about to make some big decisions - and players like Bryan Cook and Jaylen Watson are in prime position to cash in. Meanwhile, the Chiefs have internal questions to answer, from how they use their young receivers to how they approach roster construction moving forward. Add in a potential coaching shake-up and a looming franchise sale in Seattle, and it’s clear: the NFL offseason is already delivering drama, and we haven’t even hit March.