NFL Free Agency 2026 Tracker: Every Major Signing, Trade, and Move as Legal Tampering Opens

The 2026 NFL free agency legal tampering period officially kicked off Monday, March 9, at 12:00 p.m. ET, and the opening hours delivered one of the most explosive free agency days in league history. For the first time, teams are permitted to directly contact up to five free agents during the tampering window — a rule change that accelerated deal-making from the opening minute. The new league year officially begins Wednesday, March 11, at 4:00 p.m. ET when all deals become official.

NFL Free Agency Biggest Signings: Quarterback Market Explodes

The quarterback carousel is spinning fast. Malik Willis agreed to sign with the Miami Dolphins on a three-year, $67.5 million deal, replacing the released Tua Tagovailoa under center in South Beach.

The Minnesota Vikings emerged as the frontrunner to sign Kyler Murray after the Arizona Cardinals moved on from the 2019 No. 1 overall pick, with the Browns, Jets, and Falcons also monitoring the situation closely.

The Green Bay Packers are set to sign John Harbaugh's former player Isaiah Likely after his departure from Baltimore, while punter Jordan Stout agreed to a three-year, $12.3 million deal with the New York Giants — making him the highest-paid punter in NFL history.

NFL Free Agency Tracker: Record Contracts Flying Across the League

Trent McDuffie, days after being acquired in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs, agreed to a four-year, $124 million extension. The total value and the $31 million average per year each set NFL records for the cornerback position.

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Donte Jackson agreed to a three-year, $36.75 million deal, giving the Steelers one of the league's most dramatically rebuilt secondaries overnight alongside Michael Pittman Jr. and DK Metcalf on offense.

Veteran wide receiver Mike Evans ended his 11-year tenure in Tampa Bay, agreeing to a three-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers — a franchise that desperately needed receiving help after losing both Jauan Jennings and Brandon Aiyuk in 2026.

NFL Trades Reshaping the Entire AFC and NFC

Free agency essentially started March 6 when the Baltimore Ravens agreed to send the Las Vegas Raiders two first-round picks in exchange for perennial Pro Bowl pass rusher Maxx Crosby. The Dallas Cowboys, after failing in their bid to land Crosby, traded for fellow pass rusher Rashan Gary from the Green Bay Packers in exchange for a 2027 fourth-round pick.

The Houston Texans traded right tackle Tytus Howard to the Cleveland Browns for a fifth-round pick, with Howard signing a three-year, $63 million extension with Cleveland. The Texans then re-signed right guard Ed Ingram to a three-year, $37.5 million deal before he could test the open market.

The Detroit Lions traded running back David Montgomery to the Houston Texans in exchange for a 2026 fourth-round pick and offensive lineman Juice Scruggs.

Tyreek Hill, Trey Hendrickson Among High-Profile Names Still Available

Edge rusher Trey Hendrickson remains one of the most coveted players still finalizing his landing spot, with multiple teams still pursuing the Cincinnati Bengals pass rusher as of Monday afternoon ET.

Among the notable departing free agents still available across the league are defensive linemen D.J. Reader and A.J. Epenesa, cornerback C.J. Gardner-Johnson, and tight end David Njoku.

The Chicago Bears traded wide receiver DJ Moore and a 2026 fifth-round pick to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for a 2026 second-round draft pick, while simultaneously acquiring center Garrett Bradbury from the New England Patriots in exchange for a 2027 fifth-round pick.

NFL Free Agency Officially Opens Wednesday — Biggest Day Still Ahead

Atlanta agreed to sign veteran kicker Nick Folk to a two-year deal, addressing a costly weakness that contributed to multiple losses in 2025 after Younghoe Koo missed a crucial 44-yard field goal with two seconds left on opening night.

The New York Jets placed the franchise tag on running back Breece Hall at $14.293 million for 2026, keeping him off the market while continuing to work on a long-term extension.

With the official new league year still two days away, the 2026 NFL free agency period is already on pace to be the most active and financially record-breaking in league history.