NFL free agency is in its third week, but clubs in the NFC North have already made splashes.
With that in mind, here’s a look at each team’s best and worst signing, plus a free agent to target in the second wave. (Contract figures from Spotrac.)
Best signing: S Coby Bryant (three years, $40 million) | The Bears needed to act quickly at safety after losing Kevin Byard III and Jaquan Brisker in free agency, and that’s exactly what they did by adding Bryant after a Super Bowl victory with the Seattle Seahawks. Bryant has recorded 139 tackles, 13 passes defended and seven interceptions over the last two seasons.
Worst signing: DT Neville Gallimore (two years, $12 million)| One of Chicago’s priorities this offseason is upgrading the interior defensive line. Gallimore adds some much-needed depth to the DT position, but he has only 3.5 sacks and four tackles for loss over his last two seasons.
Free agent to target: EDGE Jadeveon Clowney | The Bears still need to improve their pass rush, and Clowney would be a great low-risk, high-reward option to target at a fair price. The veteran EDGE racked up 8.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss with the Dallas Cowboys last year, proving he still has plenty left in the tank.
Best signing: C Cade Mays (three years, $25 million) | The Lions struggled with allowing interior pressure in 2025 after Frank Ragnow retired, and Mays is the perfect solution to that problem. The former Carolina Panthers center allowed only one sack and ranked 13th among qualified centers in pass block win rate last season, per Pro Football Focus.
Worst signing: RB Isiah Pacheco (one year, $1.8 million) | Pacheco seems to be an ideal replacement for David Montgomery due to his rugged style of play, but he hasn’t been the same player since he fractured his fibula and ankle in 2024. Since then, he’s averaged fewer than 3.9 yards per rush and ranked 54th out of 55 qualified RBs in PFF grade last season.
Free agent to target: OT Jack Conklin | Detroit’s roster is built to win now, so general manager Brad Holmes can afford to take a risk on an injury-prone veteran to replace Taylor Decker. If Conklin stays healthy, he can still be a productive tackle for an offense that needs one.
Best signing: DT Javon Hargrave (two years, $23 million) | Hargrave addresses a major need and gives new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon a familiar face to work with in 2026. In 2022, Hargrave recorded a career-high 11 sacks and 60 tackles while playing under Gannon with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Worst signing: CB Benjamin St-Juste (two years, $10 million) | The Packers desperately needed to upgrade their cornerback room heading into the offseason, but St-Juste is more of a rotational player than a full-time starter. He won’t fix the issues Green Bay has in the secondary.
Free agent to target: G Mekhi Becton | Becton is coming off a terrible year with the Los Angeles Chargers, but he had little chance to succeed with all the injuries around him. The 6-foot-7, 360-pound guard was fantastic in 2024 with the Philadelphia Eagles, so he’s worth the risk as a cheaper depth piece.
Best signing: QB Kyler Murray (one year, $1.3 million) | Murray playing on a $1.3 million contract is a much different player than the one who played on a $230 million contract in Arizona. This is well worth the low risk, especially considering the Vikings don’t seem to trust J.J. McCarthy. After Sam Darnold resurrected his career and led the Seahawks to the Super Bowl, why can’t Murray have a similar career arc?
Worst signing: QB Carson Wentz (one year, $3 million) | What was the point of signing Wentz to be Minnesota’s third-string quarterback at more than double Murray’s salary? Wentz has thrown 19 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in his last 14 starts, and the Vikings could’ve used that money to fill other holes on the roster.
Free agent to target: WR Deebo Samuel | The Vikings could use another player who can create explosive plays with the ball in his hands, and Samuel can be had for cheap.