The Chiefs Didn't Win Free Agency, But They Won What Matters

March was a whirlwind, as it always is. Money flying, players moving, fanbases either celebrating or tearing their hair out. We saw some teams make splashy moves, others play it quieter, and a few just sort of… exist. But the real game isn't about winning March; it's about winning in January and beyond. And when you look closely at who actually improved, not just spent, a clear picture emerges.

The Quiet Winners

Kansas City, of course, didn't need to do much. They locked down Chris Jones for five years, an $158.75 million deal with $95 million guaranteed. That’s the biggest move they made, and it’s a foundational one. They also signed Marquise Brown to a one-year, $7 million deal. That’s a low-risk, potentially high-reward signing for Patrick Mahomes. Losing L'Jarius Sneed stings, sure, but they got a third-round pick for him. The Chiefs know who they are. They aren't going to overspend on the margins when they have Mahomes. Their biggest improvement was simply retaining their best player and adding a speed threat.

Baltimore also had a quietly excellent March. They lost a few pieces, like Kevin Zeitler and Gus Edwards, but they kept Justin Madubuike on a four-year, $98 million contract. That’s huge for their defensive line. Then they went out and signed Derrick Henry to a two-year, $16 million deal. King Henry in that Ravens backfield? Good luck stopping that. The Ravens finished 13-4 last year, and they just added a legitimate offensive weapon. That’s an upgrade.

The Head-Scratchers

Then there are the teams that made noise, but maybe not the right kind. The Atlanta Falcons, for example. Kirk Cousins got $180 million over four years, with $100 million guaranteed. That’s a lot of money for a 35-year-old quarterback coming off an Achilles tear. They finished 7-10 last season. Cousins might make them better, but are they suddenly contenders? I’m not convinced. They also signed Darnell Mooney for three years, $39 million. Good player, but feels like an overpay for a guy who had 414 receiving yards last year.

The Carolina Panthers also spent big, but on a team that went 2-15. Robert Hunt got five years, $100 million for an offensive guard. Diontae Johnson came via trade. They’re trying to build around Bryce Young, which is smart, but they’re still so far behind. You can't just buy a competent roster in one offseason.

The Real Improvement

The Philadelphia Eagles and Houston Texans are the teams that truly improved their rosters, top to bottom. The Eagles were aggressive. They signed Saquon Barkley for three years, $37.75 million. That's a backfield weapon Jalen Hurts hasn't had. Then they grabbed Bryce Huff for three years, $51 million to rush the passer. They also brought in C.J. Gardner-Johnson on a three-year, $27 million deal. They addressed weaknesses from their late-season collapse. They were 10-1 at one point last year, remember? They just injected talent where they needed it most.

And the Texans? DeMeco Ryans is building something special. They traded for Joe Mixon, then signed him to a three-year, $27 million extension. They signed Danielle Hunter for two years, $49 million. Hunter had 16.5 sacks for the Vikings last year. They added Jeff Okudah and Azeez Al-Shaair. Houston went from 3-13-1 in 2022 to 10-7 in 2023. They’re not just hoping for C.J. Stroud to be great; they're putting pieces around him. That’s how you build a winner.

My hot take? The Texans will win the AFC South by at least two games in 2024, and it won't even be close.