Best remaining NFL free agents: Aaron Rodgers, Kirk Cousins lead best available

Jason Sargent Sunday, March 29, 2026

Nick Brinkerhoff, USA TODAYSun, March 29, 2026 at 7:12 PM UTC

Free agents aren't free, but they are fairly close at this stage of the offseason.

The first and second waves have come and gone, leaving a group of players looking for the right opportunity. It's bargain-hunting season or ring-chasing season, depending on your perspective. Players are trying to identify which teams give them the best chance to win. Teams are hoping to plug holes and build roster depth heading into the draft.

Some of the players remaining won't sign until after the 2026 NFL Draft, when those needs become clearer. Others will try to ink a deal ahead of the massive influx of new players coming into the league.

After all, roster spots are finite and no career lasts forever.

Many of the best available remaining free agents are in the final years of their NFL careers. For quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers and Kirk Cousins, those starting spots remain in short supply.

It wasn't long ago that it would've been unfathomable to see some of the following names on the free agent market. Now they are hoping for just one team to give them a chance. Here's a look at the best remaining players and other notables from USA TODAY Sports' Nate Davis' top 100 in NFL free agency for 2026.

1 / 02026 NFL offseason tracker: Player signings, trades

OT Tytus Howard: Traded to Cleveland Browns (previous team: Houston Texans)

Top 10 remaining NFL free agents1. WR Jauan Jennings (Previous team: 49ers) | Age at start of 2026 season: 29

Jennings headlines the list after five productive seasons with the Niners. Drafted in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft, the big-bodied receiver had to work for everything in the pros. Jennings' numbers won't jump off the page, but he is consistent and durable. That counts for something and he can easily be productive for a receiver-needy team in 2026.

2. QB Aaron Rodgers (Previous team: Steelers) | Age at start of 2026 season: 42

Rodgers had some flashes of brilliance in 2025, reminding fans of why he is a four-time NFL MVP. However, anyone expecting to sign the quarterback with the idea that he could win a fifth in 2026 would be disappointed. There is nothing wrong with Rodgers continuing to play, but expectations should be realistic. He is an all-time great and will eventually be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. While that's nice, those facts don't win football games.

3. QB Kirk Cousins (Previous team: Falcons) | Age at start of 2026 season: 38

The quarterback's career was on life support after a disappointing 2024 when he tied for the league lead with 16 interceptions. Relegated to a backup role in 2025, Cousins got his shot at redemption when Michael Penix Jr. suffered a season-ending injury. He took full advantage of the opportunity, leading the Falcons to a 5-3 record in eight starts, totaling 10 touchdowns to only five interceptions. Cousins' best chance to start appears to be in Vegas or Pittsburgh, where he could serve as either a mentor or a bridge quarterback for one season.

4. DE/OLB Joey Bosa (Previous team: Bills) | Age at start of 2026 season: 31

The story of Bosa's career can't be told without mention of injuries, which have limited the 2016 Defensive Rookie of the Year's ability to make a consistent impact year-to-year. Bosa's one-year stint in Buffalo worked out nicely for the soon-to-be 31-year-old. He forced five fumbles, recorded five sacks and had 16 quarterback hits – the most since his 2021 season with the Chargers. Bosa still has something left in the tank to be a productive situational pass rusher.

5. LB Bobby Wagner (Previous team: Commanders) | Age at start of 2026 season: 36

Wagner has been remarkably durable, especially in the latter part of his career. The 10-time Pro Bowl linebacker and six-time All-Pro might've lost a step or two, but you wouldn't know it at first glance. Wagner remains a tackling machine that would have no issues fitting into any defense. More importantly, the future Hall of Famer is a great leader who could instantly improve the locker room he walks into.

6. WR Stefon Diggs (Previous team: Patriots) | Age at start of 2026 season: 33

Diggs quieted any concerns about his knee injury in 2025, turning in his seventh 1,000-yard season in eight years – the one exception being the torn ACL-shortened campaign in 2024. He served as WR1 for the Patriots and was a key piece of the team that made a surprising Super Bowl appearance. While those injury concerns are a thing of the past, the pending legal issues are a different story. Until there is some clarity on that front, expect the waiting game to continue.

7. DE Calais Campbell (Previous team: Cardinals) | Age at start of 2026 season: 40

It has been nearly a decade since Campbell's career-year with the Jaguars in 2017, but that won't stop the 18-year veteran from seeking another opportunity to play. Already with 278 games under his belt, Campbell remains a great leader that fits every team, but make no mistake – this is still a productive player at this stage. He just posted 6½ sacks for the Cardinals in 2025 and hasn't missed a game since 2022.

8. WR Deebo Samuel (Previous team: Commanders) | Age at start of 2026 season: 30

Samuel made a living with his physical tools, starring as a jack-of-all-trades in Kyle Shanahan's offense. A chess piece that could be deployed all over the field, that wasn't the case for the receiver in 2025, who couldn't recapture the magic for Kliff Kingsbury's offense.

9. DE/OLB Jadeveon Clowney (Previous team: Cowboys) | Age at start of 2026 season: 33

Clowney has been in the league for 12 seasons and remains on the open market in search of the squad that will give him lucky No. 13. He posted 8½ sacks and 12 quarterback hits for the Cowboys in 2025 despite playing in just 13 games.

10. LT Taylor Decker (Previous team: Lions) | Age at start of 2026 season: 33

A mainstay on the left side of the Lions' offensive line, Decker is after a new opportunity in free agency. The tackle requested and was granted his release from Detroit. He did consider retirement thanks to a shoulder injury, but there is no denying that Decker's toughness and experience would be a boost to his next team.

More top NFL free agents available -

G Kevin Zeitler (Previous team: Titans) | Age at start of 2026 season: 36

CB Rasul Douglas (Previous team: Dolphins) | 31

TE David Njoku (Previous team: Browns) | 30

DT DJ Reader (Previous team: Lions) | 32

TE Jonnu Smith (Previous team: Steelers) | 31

WR Brandon Aiyuk (Previous team: 49ers) | 28

WR Keenan Allen (Previous team: Chargers) | 34

DE Cameron Jordan (Previous team: Saints) | 37

OLB Von Miller (Previous team: Commanders) | 37

WR Tyreek Hill (Previous team: Dolphins) | 32

RB Nick Chubb (Previous team: Texans) | 30