The idea is for veterans acquired via free agency or trade to help improve a team, whether it's going from mediocrity to the playoffs or from a playoff participant to a Super Bowl contender. That's what happened when the Seattle Seahawks pivoted to quarterback Sam Darnold after contract extension talks with Geno Smith stalled prior to his trade to the Las Vegas Raiders in March 2025. The Seahawks signed Darnold to a team-friendly three-year, $100.5 million contract averaging $33.5 million per year, worth a maximum of $115.5 million through incentives during free agency.
Darnold was named to the Pro Bowl and the Seahawks secured the top seed in the NFC for the postseason with a 14-3 record en route to a Super Bowl LX win after missing the playoffs in 2024. He really earned his keep by connecting on 25 of 36 passes (69.4%) for 356 yards with three touchdowns and zero interceptions to have a 127.8 passer rating during Seattle's 31-27 win over the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship game. Here's a look at several veteran acquisitions that are making a difference as the quarter mark of the 2026 NFL season arrives.
Walker was clearly the best running back available in free agency. The Chiefs signed Walker to a three-year, $43.05 million contract averaging $14.35 million per year, with $28.7 million fully guaranteed and up to $45 million in incentives. Walker has added a dimension the Chiefs haven't had ever since Patrick Mahomes took over at quarterback in 2018 by providing a lethal rushing attack.
The Super Bowl LX MVP is leading the NFL in both rushing yards and yards from scrimmage (combined rushing and receiving yards) with 537 and 621, respectively. Walker is also averaging a league high 6.2 yards per carry and has six touchdowns (four rushing and two receiving). Walker has joined Hall of Famers Jim Brown and O.J.
Simpson as the only player to ever rush for at least 170 yards twice in his team's first four games of a season. The fast start earned Walker AFC Offensive Player of the Month honors for September. The Raiders signed Cousins to a fully guaranteed one-year, $11.3 million deal to serve as a placeholder or bridge quarterback until 2025 Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, who was 2026's first overall pick, is ready to take the reins.
The 38-year-old is showing he has more gas left in the tank than expected. Cousins has thrown for 1,026 yards with 11 touchdowns and four interceptions while connecting on 64.6% of his passes (93 of 144 attempts) for a 99.5 passer rating. His 11 touchdown passes are tied for the league lead with San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy.
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