The NFL offseason has officially intensified as the legal negotiating window kicked off, paving the way for teams to finalize key player contracts ahead of the official start of free agency. With critical moves being made, some franchises are emerging as winners, while others are still trying to find their footing.

One of the most significant announcements came from the Seattle Seahawks, who secured Sam Darnold to take over as their starting quarterback after trading Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders. Meanwhile, the New York Jets turned heads by signing Justin Fields, ushering in a fresh start after parting ways with Aaron Rodgers and embracing a new era under head coach Aaron Glenn.

As Day 2 unfolded, notable transactions continued to ripple across the league. The New England Patriots, who entered free agency with the highest salary cap space, were particularly aggressive on the defensive front. They clinched the services of former Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Milton Williams, which positions them strongly in the trenches, and also welcomed cornerback Carlton Davis.

Key Team Grades:

- **Arizona Cardinals: B**

- Major Additions: EDGE Josh Sweat (4-year, $76.4 million deal), LB Akeem Davis-Gaither, QB Jacoby Brissett.

- The Cardinals made a statement by securing Sweat, a top free agent from the Eagles, to bolster their pass rush and retained key players like Baron Browning.

- **Atlanta Falcons: C-**

- Key Losses: Starting center Drew Dalman to the Bears; noteworthy defensive lineman Grady Jarrett also departed to Chicago.

- Though they did keep left tackle Jake Matthews, the loss of pivotal players hurt the Falcons' standing.

- **Baltimore Ravens: B**

- Major Additions: Star WR DeAndre Hopkins, retained LT Ronnie Stanley.

- The Ravens maintained their offensive balance while simultaneously losing some defensive depth.

- **Buffalo Bills: B**

- Noteworthy Additions: Former Chargers WR Josh Palmer and EDGE Joey Bosa.

- The Bills focused on maintaining their core, securing long-term contracts for several key players, but will still need to strengthen their secondary.

- **Chicago Bears: A**

- Top Additions: OL Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney (traded), EDGE Dayo Odeyingbo.

- The Bears excelled in free agency, addressing their offensive line needs aggressively and adding crucial defensive pieces.

- **Cincinnati Bengals: C-**

- Key Additions: DT Tedarrell Slaton, RB Samaje Perine.

- The Bengals have focused on retaining their key offensive players, but defensive reinforcement is critically needed.

- **Cleveland Browns: C+**

- Key Addition: QB Kenny Pickett via trade.

- Though retaining Myles Garrett is significant, they continue to face uncertainty at quarterback.

- **Dallas Cowboys: C**

- Key Issue: Limited activity and notable departures might hinder their competitiveness.

- They need to capitalize on the cap space available but have yet to do much.

- **Denver Broncos: C+**

- Key Additions: S Talanoa Hufanga, LB Dre Greenlaw.

- While they improved the defense, the offense still needs more dynamic players.

- **Detroit Lions: B**

- Major Additions: Cornerback D.J. Reed.

- While they lost some key defensive players, Reed's signing can positively influence their secondary.

- **Green Bay Packers: B**

- Key Addition: OG Aaron Banks; a solid investment for Jordan Love's protection after a shaky previous season.

- **Houston Texans: D+**

- Disappointing offseason, highlighted by star left tackle Laremy Tunsil's unexpected trade, raising questions about their offensive line strength.

- **Indianapolis Colts: B**

- Major Additions: Safety Camryn Bynum, corner Charvarius Ward, QB Daniel Jones.

- The Colts took strategic steps to bolster their defense while catering to their quarterback dilemma.

- **Kansas City Chiefs: B-**

- Strong investments in reshaping the offensive line post-Super Bowl defeat.

- **Miami Dolphins: C-**

- Added Zach Wilson at quarterback; however, losing top safety Jevon Holland left them vulnerable.

- **Minnesota Vikings: A-**

- Major Upgrades: Key offensive and defensive signings, improving both lines while potentially setting up J.J. McCarthy as QB1.

- **New England Patriots: A-**

- Huge impact moves on defense and solid offensive signings maintain their competitive edge.

- **New York Jets: B**

- Adding Justin Fields signals a new direction, but the loss of established talent raises concerns about their competitiveness.

- **Pittsburgh Steelers: C**

- Although they managed to secure star wideout DK Metcalf, ongoing quarterback questions leave uncertainty.

- **San Francisco 49ers: D-**

- A concerning off-season marked by significant player losses, indicating a need for talent acquisition.

- **Tampa Bay Buccaneers: B**

- A smart retention strategy with Godwin alongside new additions to boost their pass rush.

- **Tennessee Titans: C**

- Added protection for the quarterback position, but still face uncertainty regarding who that quarterback will be.

- **Washington Commanders: A+**

- Remarkable additions via trades, particularly Deebo Samuel and Laremy Tunsil, show a commitment to enhancing their roster.

As free agency continues to unfold, it's clear that teams must navigate meticulously to build competitive squads for the upcoming season. Stay tuned, as more thrilling moves are anticipated in this year's NFL offseason saga!