Every NFL Teams’ Biggest Free Agency Regret: The Best Player They Let Walk All Time
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
Free agent signings in the NFL are a massive hit-or-miss for all teams; sometimes, teams make a massive home run, and other times, some free agents flop with their new teams.
However, each team has developed talent that they regret letting walk and sign with another team, just to watch them succeed elsewhere, while other teams rebuild or collapse.
It’s always painful to see our favorite NFL teams let Pro Bowl-caliber talent walk, but it’s tragically part of the business.
Here is Every NFL Team’s Biggest Free Agency Regret.
Which players did each NFL team regret losing in free agency?
Arizona Cardinals: Calais Campbell
The Cardinals let him walk after the 2016 season, after he posted 53 tackles, eight sacks, a safety, six pass deflections, an interception, two forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries, with one of them returned for a 53-yard touchdown.
Campbell signed with the Jaguars and saw his numbers improve with 67 tackles, 14.5 sacks, three pass deflections, three forced fumbles, a fumble recovery returned for a 10-yard touchdown, and helped the Jags earn a 10-6 record and reach the AFC Championship game. Now, he’s on the trade rumors again.
Atlanta Falcons: Deion Sanders
Deion “Primetime” Sanders was electrifying during his tenure with the Falcons, helping them reach the playoffs in the 1991 season, making three Pro Bowls with the franchise, and was a true highlight reel.
Then Sanders grew frustrated with the losing seasons, and financial disagreements led his former NFL team to let him go. He signed with the 49ers in the 1994 season and helped them win Super Bowl XXIX over the Chargers.
Baltimore Ravens: Tyler Linderbaum
Linderbaum was the focal point of the Ravens’ offensive line in the 2020s, making three Pro Bowls and protecting Lamar Jackson with ease.
The Ravens declined Linderbaum’s fifth-year option and couldn’t match the offer the Raiders made him, as he signed a four-year, $81 million deal with the Silver and Black.
Linderbaum is one guy the Ravens are going to regret losing in free agency.
Buffalo Bills: Leonard Floyd
Floyd’s time in Western New York may have been short, but he made the most of it with 32 tackles, 10.5 sacks, a pass deflection, and a forced fumble during the 2023 season.
The Bills released Floyd due to a combination of salary cap constraints and Floyd’s desire to get paid more.
He then signed a two-year, $20 million deal with the 49ers in the 2024 season, but the 49ers had an injury-riddled season.
Carolina Panthers: Steve Smith Sr.
Smith Sr. is considered the greatest Panther of all time, as he helped the team reach Super Bowl XXXVIII, made five Pro Bowls with the team, and holds the NFL team’s receiving yard record.
The Panthers let Smith Sr. walk after the 2013 season and watched him sign a three-year, $11.5 million deal with the Ravens, helping them reach the 2014-15 AFC Divisional Round.
Chicago Bears: Robbie Gould
Gould was the Bears’ Pro Bowl kicker who helped the Bears reach Super Bowl XLI during his tenure. Not to mention, he’s widely considered the best kicker for this NFL team.
The Bears released Gould due to a decline in performance while looking for a younger kicker.
He signed with the Giants and helped them reach the 2016-17 playoffs.
Cincinnati Bengals: Andrew Whitworth
Miami Dolphins At Cincinnati Bengals Week 4
Withworth commanded the Bengals’ offensive line for most of his career, made three Pro Bowls with the team, and started in 164 games for them.
The Bengals let him go due to age, the desire to sign younger talent, and their lack of interest in offering a multi-year deal.
The Rams signed Whitworth, made one more Pro Bowl, and helped them win Super Bowl LVI against the Bengals.
Cleveland Browns: Alex Mack
Mack was a three-time Pro Bowler with the Browns, started in 85 regular-season games with the team, and showed iron-man toughness.
Mack left the Browns in 2016, after voiding his contract, making him a free agent, and signed a five-year, $45 million contract with the Falcons, helping them reach Super Bowl LI.
Dallas Cowboys: DeMarcus Ware
Ware was a defensive juggernaut with the Cowboys, making seven Pro Bowls and holding the franchise record in sacks with 117.
They let him go due to salary cap constraints and injury concerns. Ware signed a three-year, $30 million deal with the Broncos and helped them reach the playoffs twice, helping them win Super Bowl 50.
Denver Broncos: Eric Decker
Decker was an offensive NFL star for the Broncos, who shone when Peyton Manning joined the team in 2012, and helped the team reach Super Bowl XLVIII.
However, the Broncos let Decker walk due to salary cap constraints and the need to pay other key guys, and signed more defensive talent.
Decker signed a five-year, $36.25 million contract with the Jets and had some good moments with them, but the Jets weren’t able to reach the playoffs during his tenure.
Detroit Lions: Carlton Davis III
Davis III’s time in Detroit was short, but he made the most of his time there, helping the team earn a 15-2 record and reach the NFC Divisional Round.
He ended up walking away from the Lions due to a disagreement in contract language and signed a three-year, $60 million contract with the Patriots.
Davis helped the Pats reach Super Bowl LX, while the Lions missed the playoffs.
Green Bay Packers: Greg Jennings
Jennings was a mainstay on the Packers’ offense in the late 2000s and early 2010s, helping the team win Super Bowl XLV and making two Pro Bowls.
The Packers let Jennings walk due to salary cap constraints, his age, and injury concerns. Jennings signed a five-year, $47.5 million contract with the rival Vikings and saw some success with them.
Houston Texans: Glover Quin
Quin was dependable and versatile during his tenure with the Texans, helping the team reach the NFL playoffs in back-to-back seasons.
The Texans let Quin walk due to a tight salary cap, and he ended up signing a five-year, $23.5 million deal with the Lions, where he made a Pro Bowl and helped them reach the playoffs in 2014 and 2016.
Indianapolis Colts: Peyton Manning
Manning did it all for the Colts, earning four MVPs, leading the team to win Super Bowl XLI, and making them a playoff juggernaut during his tenure.
After Manning sat out the 2011 season recovering from neck surgery, the Colts let him walk, and he signed a five-year, $96 million deal with the Broncos, making them playoff juggernauts, won one more MVP, and helped them win Super Bowl 50. Could his son be next?
Jacksonville Jaguars: Allen Robinson II
Robinson II was one of the Jaguars’ most productive wideouts for the team, whose 2017 season was cut short due to an ACL injury.
The Jaguars let Robinson II walk due to concerns about his ACL injury, financial considerations, and a chance to reset the passing attack.
Robinson II signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the Bears and helped the team reach the NFL playoffs twice.
Kansas City Chiefs: Tyrann Mathieu
Mathieu was transformative for the Chiefs’ defense; he helped the franchise win Super Bowl LIV and made two Pro Bowls during his time with the team.
The Chiefs let Mathieu walk to focus on getting younger, signing Justin Reid instead. Mathieu signed a three-year, $28.3 million deal with the Saints, where he performed very well in his final years in the league.
Las Vegas Raiders: Josh Jacobs
Jacobs was a workhorse during his tenure with the Silver and Black, making two Pro Bowls and helping the team reach the playoffs in 2021.
The Raiders let Jacobs walk due to the team not meeting his contract demands and wanting a cheaper running back. Jacobs signed a four-year, $48 million deal with the Packers, helped them reach the playoffs in 2024 and 2025, and made a Pro Bowl. But trade rumors still swirl about him.
Los Angeles Chargers: Hunter Henry
Henry brought a ton of production and was very reliable for the Bolts during his tenure with the team.
The Chargers let him walk due to salary cap constraints, refusing to use a second consecutive franchise tag on him. Henry signed with the Patriots in 2021 and has formed great chemistry with Drake Maye, and helped the team reach Super Bowl LX.
Los Angeles Rams: London Fletcher
Fletcher was a cornerstone of the “Greatest Show on Turf” era Rams that helped the team win Super Bowl XXXIV, and was very productive in the NFL.
The Rams let Fletcher walk as they dealt with financial constraints, and re-signed Leonard Little instead. Fletcher signed with the Bills and had 12 more productive seasons under his belt, a move the Rams would regret.
Miami Dolphins: Cameron Wake
New England Patriots Vs Miami Dolphins
Wake was an anchor on the Dolphins’ defense, made five Pro Bowls, and had 98 sacks with the franchise.
The Dolphins made Wake walk due to his age and wanting to do a roster overhaul for a massive rebuild. Wake signed with the Titans and helped them reach the 2020 AFC Championship game.
Minnesota Vikings: Adam Thielen
Thielen was a homegrown talent who joined the Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2013, made two Pro Bowls, and helped the team reach the 2018 NFC Championship game.
The Vikings let Thielen walk in free agency due to salary cap constraints and a desire to get younger at the position. Thielen signed with the Panthers and was their lone bright spot in his two NFL seasons with the team.
New England Patriots: Wes Welker
Welker emerged as a superstar slot receiver for the Pats in the late 2000s and early 2010s, helping the team reach two Super Bowls and making five Pro Bowls.
Welker was forced to walk from the Patriots due to salary cap constraints and age. HDanny Amendola and Julian Edelman replaced him. Welker signed with the Broncos and helped them reach Super Bowl XLVIII during his short tenure with them.
New Orleans Saints: Malcolm Jenkins
Jenkins was a mainstay on the Saints’ offense, helping the team win Super Bowl XLIV in the NFL, and was highly impactful and durable.
The Saints let Jenkins walk due to a misjudgment in his long-term value, and he ended up signing with the Eagles, helping them win Super Bowl LII. The Saints later admitted they regretted making Jenkins walk.
New York Giants: Saquon Barkley
Barkley was a next-level talent for the Giants at running back, as he earned two Pro Bowls with the team, and bulldozed his way to the end zone.
Barkley walked because the Giants weren’t willing to pay his high salary to a 27-year-old running back. He signed with their rivals, the Eagles, in 2024, helping them win Super Bowl LIX. Will the Eagles make the same mistake this offseason?
New York Jets: Frankie Luvu
Luvu was serviceable and was a special-teams contributor for “Gang Green” in the NFL.
The Jets let Luvu walk because they didn’t see him as a core defensive player for the unit, so the Panthers signed him, and he has emerged as a reliable pass-rusher for them and the Commanders.
Philadelphia Eagles: Nick Foles
Though Foles left the Eagles in 2014, his return to the team was the best, as he helped the team win Super Bowl LII and won MVP of the game.
Then, Foles left the team in 2019 and signed a four-year, $88 million deal with the Jaguars, but ended up getting injured, while the Eagles reached the wildcard round of the playoffs that year.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Rod Woodson
Woodson was a focal point for the Steelers’ defense in the 1980s and 90s NFL era, helping the team reach Super Bowl XXX, and he made six Pro Bowls with the team.
The Steelers made him walk due to his age and pivoted towards younger players. Woodson signed with the 49ers, the Ravens, and the Raiders, and helped the Ravens win Super Bowl XXXV, and made a few more Pro Bowls.
San Francisco 49ers: Deion Sanders
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Sanders’ time in the Bay Area was short, but he made the most of it, as he helped the team win Super Bowl XXIX and dominated on defense.
The 49ers let Sanders walk due to salary cap restrictions. He ended up signing with the Cowboys, helping them win Super Bowl XXX, and four more Pro Bowls in Dallas.
Seattle Seahawks: Golden Tate
Tate was a focal point on the Seahawks’ offense that won Super Bowl XLVIII and was one of Russell Wilson’s favorite targets.
The Seahawks let him walk, not wanting to overpay for the wideout. So, the Lions signed Tate to a five-year, $31 million deal, saw Tate make a Pro Bowl, and helped them reach the playoffs in 2014 and 2016.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: John Lynch
Lynch was an elite safety who helped the Bucs win their first Super Bowl in 2003 and delivered legendary hits against opposing offenses.
The Bucs released him due to a combination of injury concerns and salary cap considerations. He ended up signing with the Chargers and helped them reach the 2008 AFC Championship game.
Tennessee Titans: Derrick Henry
Henry is a generational running back whose bruising runs made it difficult for defenders to take him down, as he helped the team reach the 2020 AFC Championship game in the NFL.
The Titans released him, looking to rebuild and implement a more pass-happy offense. He signed a two-year, $16 million deal with the Ravens and bolstered their rushing attack.
Washington Commanders: Kirk Cousins
Cousins was Washington’s backup quarterback from 2012 until he was given the keys to the offense in 2015, after RGIII was out due to injuries. He helped the team win the NFC East and reach the Wildcard Round that season.
Cousins was allowed to leave Washington after declining to use a franchise tag for the third straight year, allowing him to sign with the Vikings on a three-year, $84 million deal, where he elevated his game to another level.
