The 2026 NFL free agency period kicked off Monday with the opening of the legal tampering period, where prospective free agents are officially able to negotiate with new teams.
Those deals can officially be signed Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET, which marks the official start of the new league year. In addition to those deals, trades that were agreed to prior to the official start of free agency can also become official.
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Monday’s action kicked off with the news that the Dolphins will release Tua Tagovailoa, while Travis Kelce is reportedly set on returning to the Chiefs for 2026. Speaking of Kansas City, Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III is reportedly in agreement on a deal to join Kelce and Patrick Mahomes, while wide receiver Alec Pierce is set to return to Indianapolis.
It’s already been a buzzy start to the NFL free agency period, with several big-time trades, including the Las Vegas Raiders trading star defensive end and five-time Pro Bowler Maxx Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for two first-round picks. The move helps set the stage for the Raiders’ impending rebuild, centered around the No. 1 overall pick in April’s draft, with which Las Vegas is expected to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
With 10 NFL teams having hired new coaches for the 2026 season and the shuffle of coordinators that followed, it’s sure to be a busy start to the league year. Check out Yahoo Sports’ full list of top available free agents and our free agency transactions tracker for a look at each team’s most notable free agency departures, new signings and trades.
Follow along with Yahoo Sports for the latest NFL free agency news, updates and rumors as the legal tampering period opens up.
Live101 updatesMon, March 9, 2026 at 9:35 PM PDT
Yahoo Sports Staff
The former first-round pick is headed to New England on a 3-year deal.
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 8:37 PM PDT
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The Carolina Panthers have reached terms with one of the best defenders in free agency.
Per NFL insider Jordan Schultz, All-Pro linebacker Devin Lloyd is signing a three-year, $45 million deal to leave the Jacksonville Jaguars and join the Panthers.
Lloyd will join the Panthers after completing his four-year rookie contract with the Jaguars. He was named to his first Pro Bowl and named second-team All-Pro after the 2025 season.
The Jaguars had the option of extending Lloyd’s rookie contract following the 2024 season, but declined. And now he’s joined another team.
For more, read here.
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 7:59 PM PDT
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The Chiefs are also re-signing wide receiver Tyquan Thornton to a new deal, according to The Athletic’s Michael Silver.
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 7:56 PM PDT
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The Chiefs are bringing in safety Alohi Gilman on a 3-year, $24.75 million deal, according to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Gilman had 49 total tackles last season with the Ravens.
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 5:54 PM PDT
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Another former Dolphins offensive player is following Mike McDaniel to Los Angeles.
Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, guard Cole Strange has agreed to a two-year, $13 million contract with the Chargers. McDaniel was his head coach in Miami and is now the offensive coordinator for the Chargers.
Former Dolphins fullback Alec Ingold reached a deal with the Chargers on Sunday.
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Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne will stay in the NFC West. The Arizona Cardinals reportedly agreed to terms with Bourne on a two-year, $10 million contract, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The team also agreed to terms with former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive guard Issac Seumalo and former Lions defensive tackle Roy Lopez, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Seumalo’s deal is reportedly 3-years, $31.5 million, while Lopez’s deal is for two years, $11.5 million.
Bourne returned to the San Francisco last season, a team he spent his first four seasons playing for. Bourne was on the 49ers when Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur was on staff. Bourne also spent time playing for the New England Patriots. Bourne will add to Cardinals offense that features Trey McBride, James Conner, Michael Wilson and Marvin Harrison Jr.
The Cardinals also added running back Tyler Allgeier and quarterback Gardner Minshew on Monday.
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 4:19 PM PDT
Yahoo Sports Staff
The Pittsburgh Steelers remain busy early in the legal tampering period, reportedly coming to terms with free-agent running back Rico Dowdle, insider Jordan Schultz reports.
Dowdle now reunites with Mike McCarthy, who was his head coach with the Dallas Cowboys in 2024.
He has now logged consecutive 1,000-plus rushing yard seasons — one with the Cowboys and another with the Carolina Panthers in 2026. Now, he joins a backfield that just lost RB Kenneth Gainwell to the Buccaneers in free agency.
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 4:18 PM PDT
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Next year will be the first time in 8 years that Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne will not be on the same football team. Etienne reportedly agreed to terms with the New Orleans Saints on Monday.
Etienne spent his first five seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Lawrence. Etienne and Lawrence also starred at Clemson University during their college days. Etienne is coming off a season where he rushed for 1,107 yards and 7 touchdowns.
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 3:50 PM PDT
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Reed Blankenship is headed to Houston. The Texans reached a three-year, $24.75 million deal with the former Eagles safety on Monday afternoon, according to the NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 3:29 PM PDT
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The Seattle Seahawks have reportedly agreed to terms to bring back wide receiver and returner Rashid Shaheed on a three-year, $51 million deal, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The Seahawks acquired Shaheed from the New Orleans Saints before last season’s trade deadline.