Many NFL teams improved after the first wave of free agency and they did it in a variety of ways.
For example, the Chicago Bears traded players and spent money on top free agents. They even traded away one of their best players to make room for an intriguing quarterback from USC. Well, that’s what everyone is assuming, at least. And that player the Bears traded made the Pittsburgh Steelers stronger.
Many teams made moves with the 2024 NFL draft in mind, while others went all in on veterans with the hopes of becoming Super Bowl contenders. The Houston Texans are one of those teams, becoming a trendy pick to possibly upset the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC.
Here are the eight teams that improved the most after the first week of NFL free agency. Remember, most improved teams, not the best teams.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers
Notable additions: S DeShon Elliott, QB Justin Fields, CB Donte Jackson, WR Van Jefferson, LB Patrick Queen, QB Russell Wilson
I wanted to rank the Steelers much higher because they got better at the most important position, but there are unknowns with the arrivals of Wilson and Fields. Wilson will reportedly start the offseason workouts and training camp as QB1, which seems like a mistake after two subpar seasons with the Broncos. Fields offers the most upside, but he hasn’t been as consistent a passer as Wilson. If Fields finds consistency and wins the job over Wilson, perhaps this No. 8 ranking will look silly later this year.
There are also unknowns with Queen, the former 2020 first-round pick coming off a breakout season after three quiet seasons to start his career with the Ravens. Queen improved once Roquan Smith and former defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald arrived in Baltimore. Time will tell if Queen can be the top inside linebacker on a team and play up to his three-year, $41 million contract. He could succeed playing behind edge rushers T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith.
Pittsburgh found a starting cornerback opposite Joey Porter Jr. after trading wide receiver Diontae Johnson to the Panthers for Jackson, who has started 76 games in his six-year career.
