Agent’s Take: Kenneth Walker III among best veteran acquisitions after four games of 2026 NFL season

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…

Original source: https://www.cbssports.com/