The Chiefs made a splash play on Wednesday, reportedly trading All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams<\/a> in exchange for the 29th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, as well as a fifth and sixth and 2027 third-round pick.<\/p>\n The week leading up to the official start of free agency on March 12 will also be a busy time for the release of NFL veterans, as each team makes moves to become compliant with the salary cap, which is officially set at $301.2 million per club<\/a>.<\/p>\n Among players who will reportedly be released are Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray<\/a>, Vikings veterans Aaron Jones and Javon Hargrave<\/a>, as well as Commanders cornerback Marshon Lattimore<\/a>.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Also on the horizon is Tuesday\u2019s official franchise tag deadline<\/a>, with three offensive stars having received the tag so far, including Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts<\/a> and Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens<\/a>. The Jets will reportedly place the franchise tag on running back Breece Hall<\/a> as the two sides continue to negotiate a long-term contract.<\/p>\n The Seahawks reportedly won\u2019t be tagging Kenneth Walker III, and the Bengals won\u2019t tag Trey Hendrickson<\/a>, setting him up to become a free agent.<\/p>\n The Indianapolis Colts, meanwhile, will place the lesser-known transition tag on veteran quarterback Daniel Jones<\/a>. The tag, worth a fully-guaranteed $37.833 million, per Over The Cap<\/a>, will allow him to negotiate with other NFL teams and provide the Colts the opportunity to match any offer sheet Jones signs.<\/p>\n Teams have until Tuesday, March 3, at 4 p.m. ET to place the franchise tag on one pending free agent, essentially preventing them from hitting the open market. That tag ensures the player a fully guaranteed, one-year contract, though teams are able to negotiate a long-term deal with any tagged player until July 15 at 4 p.m. ET. If no long-term deal has been negotiated at that point, the player will play on the tag.<\/p>\n Follow along with Yahoo Sports for the latest NFL news, reports and rumors in the week leading up to the start of free agency.<\/p>\n Live40 updatesWed, March 4, 2026 at 9:45 AM PST<\/p>\n Caroline Fenton, Jason Fitz<\/p>\n Wed, March 4, 2026 at 9:15 AM PST<\/p>\n Yahoo Sports Staff<\/p>\n Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce will become a free agent at the official start of the league year; the team\u2019s decision to use the transition tag on Daniel Jones ensured that.<\/p>\n Talks have reportedly continued between Pierce and the Colts regarding a long-term deal, but Pierce stated that he has \u201ckind of earned the right to explore free agency,\u201d in an interview with Kay Adams.<\/p>\n Andy Backstrom<\/p>\n The Kansas City Chiefs have reportedly made a forward-thinking business decision to deal standout cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams for a haul of picks.<\/p>\n But no matter how reasonable the transaction, there are still emotions involved.<\/p>\n Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and wide receiver Xavier Worthy both peeled back their feelings in the aftermath of the blockbuster trade Wednesday.<\/p>\n Mahomes posted on X, \u201cDamn..\u201d<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Worthy chimed in on the social media platform, \u201cnoooooooooooooooo.\u201d<\/p>\n Sean Leahy<\/p>\n The 26-year-old Brooks played 17 games last season in Green Bay. He recorded 106 rushing yards on 27 carries, while also catching 13 passes for 91 yards.<\/p>\n Undrafted in 2023 out of BYU, Brooks started his NFL career with the Dolphins before joining the Packers a year later.<\/p>\n Sean Leahy<\/p>\n NFL preseason is only a few months away and we now know which two teams will play in the annual Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio on August 6.<\/p>\n The Panthers and Cardinals will play one another as both franchises have players who will be inducted this summer. Luke Kuechly and Larry Fitzgerald will get their busts in Canton as part of a 2026 class<\/a> that will also feature Drew Brees, Adam Vinatieri and Roger Craig.<\/p>\n Sean Leahy<\/p>\n According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic<\/a>, the Chiefs will acquire three 2026 NFL draft picks — No. 29, a fifth-rounder and a sixth-rounder<\/a> — plus a 2027 third-round selection.<\/p>\n The 25-year-old McDuffie was a 2022 first-round draft pick by the Chiefs out of Washington. He was part of two Super Bowl-winning teams and is a two-time All-Pro at cornerback.<\/p>\n Last season, McDuffie played 13 games and registered 1 interception, 1 sack, 7 padd deflections, and 63 total tackles<\/p>\n Jori Epstein<\/p>\n First-year Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken sees promise in second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders, league sources say. But Sanders will not be handed the starting quarterback job.<\/p>\n And some sources with knowledge of the Browns\u2019 conversations wonder if he\u2019ll even beat out in-house options.<\/p>\n The questions don\u2019t primarily stem from uncertainty about Sanders, whom general manager Andrew Berry said at the combine \u201cgrew a lot from start one to start seven.\u201d They instead stem from a growing undercurrent of belief that Deshaun Watson could make a serious push at the Browns\u2019 starting job in 2026.<\/p>\n Read more.<\/a><\/p>\n Sean Leahy<\/p>\n By restructuring the contracts of quarterback<\/a> Dak Prescott, left guard Tyler Smith and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, the Cowboys cleared nearly $66 million in salary cap space. With free agency approaching, Dallas was nearly $55 million over the $301.2 million salary cap set for the 2026 NFL season.<\/p>\n Jerry Jones said last week that he plans to ‘bust the budget’ in free agency<\/a> to improve the defensive side of the ball. While today\u2019s restructurings have freed up space, it is expected that defensive tackles Kenny Clark, Quinnen Williams and Osa Odighizuwa will also see their deals adjusted, as the trio combine for $63 million against the salary cap.<\/p>\n Chris Cwik<\/p>\n If another team wants to acquire wideout A.J. Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles, it better be willing to pay up. The Eagles are reportedly seeking a first-round pick and a second-round pick<\/a> in a deal for Brown, per NFL Network.<\/p>\n The Eagles\u2019 ask was compared to the New York Jets\u2019 trade of Quinnen Williams, which netted New York a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 first-round pick and defensive tackle Mazi Smith.<\/p>\n Brown, 28, is coming off his fourth-straight 1,000-yard season. While Brown posted solid numbers with the Eagles, it didn\u2019t come easy. Brown expressed frustrations multiple times during the season, fueling trade rumors this offseason.<\/p>\n Brown still has three more years left on his contract, which is likely why the Eagles are asking a lot for the star wideout.<\/p>\n Chris Cwik<\/p>\n The Los Angeles Chargers are trying to free up cap space before the new league year begins. In order to make that happen, the team will reportedly cut guard Mekhi Becton, according to ESPN\u2019s Jeremy Fowler.<\/p>\n The move comes a year after the team signed Becton to a two-year, $20 million contract.<\/p>\n Becton, 26, played in 15 games with the Chargers, making 14 starts. He rated out poorly per Pro Football Focus\u2019 metrics, ranking 79th at guard.<\/p>\n Given his relative youth and status as a former first-round pick, Becton should draw interest on the free-agent market.<\/p>\n Tue, March 3, 2026 at 6:16 PM PST<\/p>\n Tue, March 3, 2026 at 5:56 PM PST<\/p>\n Yahoo Sports Staff<\/p>\n Tue, March 3, 2026 at 3:15 PM PST<\/p>\n Tarohn Finley<\/p>\n The Kyler Murray era in Arizona is over.<\/p>\n The Cardinals are set to release the quarterback on the first day of the new league year next week, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Murray confirmed the news on social media, too, and apologized for failing during his seven seasons in Arizona.<\/p>\n The Cardinals already owe Murray $36.8 million in guaranteed money in 2026. Releasing Murray before March 15 gets them out of another $19.5 million that would have been triggered for the 2027 campaign.<\/p>\n Read more.<\/a><\/p>\n Kate Magdziuk<\/p>\n The Indianapolis Colts will reportedly place the transition tag on quarterback Daniel Jones after the two sides failed to come to terms on a long-term contract, the team announced.<\/p>\n Indianapolis got off to a hot 7-1 start with Jones under center last season; now, he has the opportunity to negotiate with other teams under the transition tag.<\/p>\n Should he sign an offer sheet with a new team, the Colts will have the opportunity to match the offer within five days of signing. If he does not sign an offer sheet with a new team, he will play the 2026 season under the transition tag<\/a>, which will pay him a fully guaranteed $37.833 million, per Over The Cap<\/a>.<\/p>\n Read more.<\/a><\/p>\n Chris Cwik<\/p>\n Last March, the Chicago Bears made one of the key offseason moves that would propel their team from worst to first in the NFC North, signing center Drew Dalman to a three-year, $42 million deal. A year later, and the 27-year-old will reportedly retire after just five seasons in the NFL, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.<\/p>\n The move comes as a massive surprise considering Dalman’s age, contract and on-field excellence.<\/p>\n Read more on the shocking news here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Kate Magdziuk<\/p>\n One of the top edge rushers in this upcoming free agency class appears likely to hit the open market, ESPN\u2019s Jeremy Fowler reported Tuesday<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Los Angeles Chargers have reportedly \u201cgiven no indication\u201d that they will use either the franchise tag or transition tag on pass rusher Odafe Oweh ahead of Tuesday\u2019s deadline, meaning he will hit free agency for the first time in his career.<\/p>\n Chris Cwik<\/p>\n The Cincinnati Bengals aren’t franchise tagging standout pass rusher Trey Hendrickson<\/a>, according to multiple<\/a> reports Tuesday<\/a>.<\/p>\n As a result, Hendrickson will reportedly become an unrestricted free agent.<\/p>\n![\"Andy](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1772648533_466_dims.jpeg\"\/)
Wed, March 4, 2026 at 9:14 AM PST<\/p>\n![\"Sean](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1772648534_346_dims.jpeg\"\/)
Wed, March 4, 2026 at 9:05 AM PST<\/p>\nWed, March 4, 2026 at 9:02 AM PST<\/p>\nWed, March 4, 2026 at 8:56 AM PST<\/p>\n![\"Jori](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1772648534_724_dims.jpeg\"\/)
Wed, March 4, 2026 at 8:30 AM PST<\/p>\nWed, March 4, 2026 at 8:18 AM PST<\/p>\n![\"Chris](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1772648534_189_dims.jpeg\"\/)
Wed, March 4, 2026 at 7:14 AM PST<\/p>\nWed, March 4, 2026 at 7:08 AM PST<\/p>\n![\"Tarohn](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/14e93e10-b8ef-11f0-bffb-eaeb80a41d60.png\"\/)
Tue, March 3, 2026 at 12:58 PM PST<\/p>\n![\"Kate](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1772648536_410_dims.jpeg\"\/)
Tue, March 3, 2026 at 12:06 PM PST<\/p>\nTue, March 3, 2026 at 12:04 PM PST<\/p>\nTue, March 3, 2026 at 12:04 PM PST<\/p>\nTue, March 3, 2026 at 11:47 AM PST<\/p>\n