As NFL training camps get underway, teams are busy evaluating rosters, and players will be focused on battling for opportunities. Some of those players, though, should be hoping to find opportunities with new teams.
The proverbial grass certainly isn’t always greener in the NFL, but history is filled with examples of players who benefited greatly from fresh starts. Sam Darnold, for example, got a new starting opportunity with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024, parlayed it into a starting gig with the Seattle Seahawks last season, and is now entering 2026 as a Super Bowl champion.
Here, we’ll examine seven veterans who could desperately use a change of scenery before the start of the season. We’ll focus specifically on players who are buried on depth charts, facing unfavorable situations, or who have simply run their course with their current franchise—A.J. Brown, who was traded in June, is a good example of the latter category.
Players are listed in alphabetical order.