19 NFL stars who changed teams during 2025 offseason

If it were up to me, all NFL player transactions wouldn’t be announced before the season and players would just show up on their new teams like it’s the beginning of a new anime arc. However, with all of the already announced player movement taking place during a whirlwind free agency period, it can be tough to remember who ended up where. So let’s go a little refresher, with the biggest names in the NFL in new places.

After Adams’ short stint with the Jets ended with a whimper, the talented wide receiver hit the open market and ended up with the Rams. LA could use a player with his separation skills against man coverage, to allow Puka Nacua to fully blossom with less eyes on him.

Thuney is one of the most steady players in the NFL, providing great play at guard and even moving out to tackle when the Chiefs needed him last season. This year, he goes to Chicago in order to help solidify the offensive line in front of young QB Caleb Williams, hoping to get the Bears back on track.

Before a torn ACL ended his season in Houston, Diggs was the perfect complementary receiver in the Texans’ offense. In New England, he gives Drake Maye a target who can get open quickly and win in the short to intermediate range.

Kupp returns home to Washington, where he becomes the complement to WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Kupp might not be the player that he once was, but he can still be a quality second receiver in the Seahawks’ offense.

Metcalf was traded from Seattle to Pittsburgh in one of two high-profile moves for the Seahawks this offseason, and for Pittsburgh it gives them another shot at a bonafide WR1. In Arthur Smith’s offense of crossing routes and verticality, Metcalf could thrive.

The other high profile trade made by Seattle was sending QB Geno Smith to the Raiders as he reunites with Pete Carroll. Smith is one of the better QBs in the NFL, with the arm arrogance throwing downfield combined with the accuracy and ball placement to back it up. He’s getting up there in age, but the Raiders’ offense could be a fun one to watch with him at the helm.

Someone had to be the odd man out as San Francisco begins to pay all of their stars, and Samuel was the one to get the call. In Washington’s RPO-based offense, he should operate well as a quick game and underneath option for star QB Jayden Daniels.

In a bit of a stunning move, the Houston Texans traded Tunsil to the Commanders as Washington prepares to make their move towards a Super Bowl. Tunsil is definitely getting up there in age and didn’t have the best year last season, but a bounce back year in a new area could be in the cards.

One of the NFL’s most dynamic (and volatile) deep threats is now donning the star, as Pickens recently got traded to Dallas. If the Cowboys can keep him motivated, the field should open up a lot more for WR CeeDee Lamb, and QB Dak Prescott gets a downfield threat on the outside the Cowboys haven’t had recently.

After a miraculous year with the Minnesota Vikings, Darnold cashes in big time with the Seahawks on a $100M deal. In Klint Kubiak’s offense, Darnold should be able to work off play action and throw the ball downfield, but keeping him from unravelling under pressure has to be priority number one.

The final piece of the old Seahawks to say goodbye to Seattle, Lockett is a signing that reminds me a lot of when the Titans signed WR Tyler Boyd last season. He’s an aging veteran, but can still be explosive downfield.

Lawrence’s stint in Dallas shockingly came to an end this offseason, but finds a solid home in Seattle. If he’s going to play on the edge, he cans till be a reliable run defender who can cause havoc on early downs then be a fun player on stunts and loops come third down.

This is an interesting one. Wilson goes from Pittsburgh to New York on a deal that would seemingly make him a bridge starter once again. The athleticism is constantly declining and the arm might not have the same zip, but if he can get the ball downfield occasionally, he should be able to make things shake until the young QB is ready.

Fields finally got his big shot to be the firm starter again in New York with the Jets. The passing is still coming along, but he’s one of the best athletes at the position in the NFL and should give the Jets a dynamic run game to build around.

The biggest contract given out to a free agent this season went to Williams, who goes from Philadelphia to the Patriots. He’s a quick gap shooter who should pair well with DT Christian Barmore.

Sweat reunites with DC Jonathan Gannon in Arizona, where he also cashed in after getting a Super Bowl ring. Sweat is a long and bendy pass rusher who gives the Cardinals much more size up front, that they really lacked last season.

Slay moved on from the Eagles after a Super Bowl ring, and now tries to get the Steelers over the Wild Card hump on a one-year deal. Slay is 34 years old so the speed and burst might not be there anymore, but he’s incredibly smart and can recognize routes. The Steelers need CB help bad, and this could be a fine option.

Allen was the odd man out of their defensive line rotation after a season that got derailed by a torn pec, but in Minnesota he should regain his form once again. When healthy, he’s one of the strongest players in the league and can affect the passer as well.

The Vikings doubled up on DTs, adding Javon Hargrave as well. Hargrave is older and undersized, but his quickness getting upfield should help turn up the pass rush without needing the exotic Flores blitzes too much.