Three Biggest Losers from NFL Free Agency

Free agency can be likened to a new battery that jump-starts a franchise and moves it in the right direction. However, for some teams that made the wrong signings, massively overpaid, or failed to use the window, free agency feels like a broken old car unable to start. In our previous article, we discussed how three teams won free agency, but let us now examine the team that was the biggest loser during the period.

1. San Francisco 49ers-the 49ers entered last season after losing a heartbreaking contest in Superbowl LVIII against the Chiefs. The team slumped to a 6-11 record, losing 7 of their last eight games, and ended the season with four straight losses. It was a dramatic downturn from winning the division to finishing last and missing the playoffs. The last time the team missed the playoffs was a similar circumstance in 2020 when they lost the Super Bowl the previous season. The team struggled with injuries throughout the season, and the biggest blow to the team was losing Christian McCaffery due to injury for most of the season. Also, quarterback BrocK Purdy, Offensive Tackle Trent Willaims, and Brandon Aiyuk are among the key players to miss games in the season. The team lacked chemistry, with Dre Greenlaw giving up on the team and walking out in the middle of a game. The 49ers entered the offseason with the need to pay their starting quarterback, which will likely result in losing talent. Unfortunately, it feels like too much talent walked out the door in free agency. It started with the Deebo Samuel trade to the Washington Commanders for a fifth-round pick. The team lost LG Aaron Banks, LT Jaylon Moore Chiefs, and Talanoa Hufanga to the Packers, Chiefs, and Broncos. History shows that Kyle Shanahan went to the NFC Championship three consecutive seasons after the debacle in 2013. So don’t count out the 49ers to attack the scoreboard.

2. Miami Dolphins: The Dolphins were a wild-card team in 2023 and lost in the wild-card round to the eventual champions, the Chiefs. However, after winning their home opener in 2024, Miami lost to the Buffalo Bills in week 2, but the biggest headache was that the team lost Tua Tagovailoa to a scary concussion. The Dolphins proceeded to lose 5 of their next six games. The difficult start put the team in a hole, and despite winning 6 of their last nine games, Miami missed the wild card spot. In free agency, they failed to keep their star Safety Jevon Holland, who signed with the Giants. However, Miami’s issue is finding a quality backup for Tua, and the addition of Zach Wilson should not inspire confidence. The former Jets number 2 draft pick has not shown he is a competent quarterback. So every time number 1 drops back, Dolphin fans hold your breath.

3. Houston Texans- The Texans shocked the world in 2023 and made it to the divisional round after losing to the Baltimore Ravens. In 2024, it felt the team would get even closer by strengthening the team and with 2023 Rookie of the Year, Quarterback C.J. Stroud under center. However, the results were indifferent, and the Texans ended the season similar to last season winning the division, the wild card, and losing on the road in the division round. In free agency, I couldn’t imagine they were looking to trade Laremy Tunsil on day 1. Houston also traded Green to Philly for C.J. Gardner-Johnson, which is probably a win for the Texans. However, they had traded another player on the offensive line Kenyon Green. The Texans allowed 52 sacks on CJ Stroud which is the second most in the league and there are more questions about whether they can protect him next season.