Does spending big in NFL free agency work? Here's what the past 10 years say

NFL teams have spent at least $200 million in free agency over the past 10 years .

There is a set salary cap for NFL teams every year , but not every team reaches that limit.

Teams with more offseason money may have restructured a current player's contract or have unused cap space from the season prior.

That said, does spending a lot of money actually work? Let's take a look at the teams that have spent the most money in the past decade .

New York Jets ( $204.54 million ) and Miami Dolphins ( $239.18 million ) Chicago Bears ( $233.57 million ) in 2018 .

Jacksonville Jaguars ( $148.07 million ) spent heavily in defense during the 2017 season .

New England Patriots ( $200.99 million ) made the playoffs in 2021 , but most of the deals the Patriots gave out wound up being duds.

Jacksonville Jaguars ( $230.04 million ) spent the most in free agency in the last three seasons .

The Jaguars spent more money trying to round out the roster while quarterback Blake Bortles was still on his rookie deal.

New York Jets ( $182.83 million ) made splashy additions in 2015 , including Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie .