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In the NFL, the month of March is often defined by franchises trying to improve their rosters for the coming season. While the true test of a team does not arrive until the crisp air of September, the foundation of a championship is poured during the frenetic hours of free agency.
For most franchises, the goal is to check off the shopping list and move the needle closer to the Lombardi Trophy. While contenders are not usually built entirely through signings, a few new faces for strategic depth additions can be the difference between a Wild Card exit and a deep playoff run.
Based on the latest wave of moves, these three teams have significantly altered their Super Bowl odds for the 2026 season.
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams entered the offseason as an overloaded roster with very few holes. Yet, they were haunted by the way their previous campaign ended in Seattle so, in order to bridge the gap, General Manager Les Snead decided to attack the team's most glaring vulnerability: the secondary pieces.
The Rams did not just add depth to their roster, they swung for the fences by signing standout cornerback Jaylen Watson and executing a blockbuster trade for Trent McDuffie.
This "Chiefs-themed" makeover of the secondary specifically addresses the unit that struggled during the Rams' late-season slide. With Sean McVay's offense already considered an embarrassment of riches, and the team holding the No. 13 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Rams have positioned themselves as the team to beat in the NFC.
Minnesota Vikings
The 2025 Vikings were a statistical enigma for most, scratching out nine wins despite a rotating door at quarterback. This offseason, Kevin O'Connell's group decided to end the uncertainty by signing Kyler Murray.
The Vikings are betting that a change of scenery, and the opportunity to throw to Justin Jefferson, will unlock the consistency that eluded Murray in Arizona. While Murray has historically struggled in the later months of the season, his early-season dominance is undeniable.
By bringing in a veteran with Murray's ceiling to compete with (and likely beat out) J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota has suddenly become a dangerous threat in an NFC North that has remained relatively quiet this spring.
Las Vegas Raiders
It is rare to say a team that was the worst in the league a year ago has improved their Super Bowl chances at a point to become interesting contenders, but the Raiders have undergone a total identity shift that is expected to show results. While a trophy in 2026 might still be a long shot, the franchise is closer to that goal than it has been in years.
The Raiders focused on protecting their future, likely expecting No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza, by inking elite center Tyler Linderbaum to anchor a struggling offensive line and adding breakout wide receiver candidate Jalen Nailor.
Also, in a stunning turn of events, a presumed trade of Maxx Crosby to the Ravens fell through, returning the star pass-rusher to "Sin City" to lead a defense that has been reinforced at all three levels.
The Raiders had money to spend, and by addressing the trenches and re-securing their defensive heartbeat, they have officially exited the NFL's basement.