NFL Free Agency 2026 Tracker: Vera-Tucker, Jamel Dean, Maxx Crosby Trade Headline Day 2 of Signings
The legal tampering window is flying through Day 2 with deals dropping by the hour. Over a billion dollars in new contracts will be written before the new league year officially opens Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET — and the market has already reshaped rosters from Las Vegas to New England.
The Blockbuster That Started It All
This year's free agency period effectively kicked off 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 Raiders entered the window armed with a league-high $119 million in salary cap space, knowing they had to rebuild around presumptive No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza. They moved fast. Center Tyler Linderbaum landed in Las Vegas on a three-year, $81 million contract — ranked as the best free agent available on CBS Sports' top 100 list.
Vera-Tucker to New England, Jamel Dean to Pittsburgh
The Patriots made the splash move of Monday night. New England is signing former Jets offensive guard Alijah Vera-Tucker to a three-year deal worth $42 million, up to $48 million. In his last full season, Vera-Tucker allowed a pressure rate of just 2.8% and graded out as a top-10 player at his position, per PFF.
Injuries have been prohibitive throughout his five-year career — he missed all of 2025 due to a torn triceps — but when healthy, he has earned at least a 72.5 PFF run-blocking grade every season. New England can slot him at left guard beside Will Campbell to protect Drake Maye, who was sacked six times in the Super Bowl.
Pittsburgh also upgraded its secondary. The Steelers signed former Buccaneers cornerback Jamel Dean to a three-year, $36.75 million deal. They also landed Michael Pittman from the Colts via trade — a package that included a late-round pick swap — with Pittman signing a new three-year, $59 million contract. And they added ground game depth, signing Rico Dowdle on a two-year, $12.25 million deal after back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons.
The QB Carousel and Big-Name Moves Elsewhere
The first quarterback domino fell Monday afternoon, with the Falcons signing Tua Tagovailoa to a one-year, $1.3 million deal alongside 2024 top-10 pick Michael Penix Jr. Kyler Murray and Kirk Cousins are both set to be released at the start of the new league year Wednesday and face uncertain futures.
Miami signed Malik Willis to a three-year, $67.5 million deal with $45 million fully guaranteed. The Jets, meanwhile, went on a defensive spending spree — trading for Minkah Fitzpatrick on a three-year, $40 million deal, then adding defensive tackle David Onyemata on a one-year, $10.5 million contract and edge rusher Joseph Ossai on a three-year, $34.5 million deal.
One of the biggest defensive contracts went to Washington, where edge rusher Odafe Oweh landed a four-year, $100 million deal with $68 million guaranteed. The Rams, true to form, addressed their cornerback problem via trade — acquiring Trent McDuffie from Kansas City in exchange for the Rams' 2026 first-round pick, a 2026 fifth, a 2026 sixth, and a 2027 third-round selection.
The Biggest Name Still Sitting
Twenty-two of the top 30 players on CBS Sports' pre-free agency rankings have already been signed or tagged — but Trey Hendrickson remains unsigned heading into Tuesday. Massive contracts for peers Danielle Hunter and Jaelan Phillips have Hendrickson asking for top-of-market money, and none of his interested suitors have met his price.
The Bengals moved on, signing Boye Mafe to a three-year, $60 million deal to replace Hendrickson on their defensive line. The remaining available names of note include Kyler Murray, safety Jaquan Brisker, tackle Rasheed Walker, and cornerback Tariq Woolen.
Deals become official when the new league year begins Wednesday, March 11 at 4 p.m. ET.
