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It was also reported Friday that the Raiders, barring a trade, will release quarterback Geno Smith<\/a> after one season. Smith’s departure will free up $8 million in salary cap space, while the Raiders will assume $18.5 million in dead money.<\/p>\n The Houston Texans have also released veteran running back Joe Mixon<\/a> at his request. Mixon missed the entire 2025 season with a foot injury. The move will save Houston a reported $8 million<\/a> against the salary cap.<\/p>\n Other players who will reportedly be released ahead of the league year are Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs<\/a>, Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray<\/a>, Vikings veterans Aaron Jones and Javon Hargrave<\/a>, as well as Commanders cornerback Marshon Lattimore<\/a>.<\/p>\n Earlier this week, the Houston Texans made some moves, having reportedly acquired veteran running back David Montgomery<\/a> from the Detroit Lions in exchange for offensive lineman Juice Scruggs and a fourth- and sixth-round pick. The team also reportedly agreed to trade starting right tackle Tytus Howard<\/a> to the Cleveland Browns, who subsequently agreed to terms on a three-year, $63 million extension.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n 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 latest big-time trade dropped on Thursday, with the news that the Bears are reportedly trading star wide receiver D.J. Moore to the Bills<\/a>. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport<\/a>, Buffalo is sending a 2026 second-round draft pick to the Bears, while the Bills will also acquire a 2026 fifth-rounder along with Moore. In Ben Johnson’s first year as head coach of the franchise, Moore had career lows in catches and receiving yards despite playing in all 17 games.<\/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 Live112 updates Tarohn Finley<\/p>\n The Green Bay Packers reportedly will restructure offensive guard Aaron Banks, according to ESPN\u2019s Jeremy Fowler. The team will reportedly reduce his $24.8M cap hit. He is due $7.7M in base salary and $9.5M in a roster bonus, which the team can prorate.<\/p>\n Banks signed a four-year contract with the Packers last offseason after being drafted in the second round by the 49ers back in 2021. Banks started 14 of 15 games he played in last season.<\/p>\n The Packers also re-signed center Sean Rhyan on Sunday and traded for linebacker Zaire Franklin on Saturday.<\/p>\n Tarohn Finley<\/p>\n Joe Flacco will keep his options open next season. Flacco reportedly will consider returning to play for the Cincinnati Bengals despite preferring the opportunity to compete for a starting job, according to NFL Network\u2019s Tom Pelissero.<\/p>\n The Bengals acquired Flacco from the Browns in October, with Joe Burrow being sidelined. In his time with the Bengals, the 41-year-old quarterback threw for 1,664 yards, 13 touchdowns, 4 interceptions and was named to his first Pro Bowl. Flacco was 1-5 as a starter with the Bengals last season.<\/p>\n Ian Casselberry<\/p>\n Linebacker Justin Strnad is returning to the Denver Broncos on a three-year, $18 million contract, according to NFL reporter James Palmer. The deal includes a $5.1 million signing bonus and $10 million in guaranteed money.<\/p>\n Strnad, 29, appeared in 16 games for Denver last season, starting eight of them. The five-year veteran compiled 58 tackles with 5 tackles for loss, 3 passes defended and one interception.<\/p>\n Sun, March 8, 2026 at 9:57 AM PDT<\/p>\n Yahoo Sports Staff<\/p>\n Running back James Conner will stay with the Arizona Cardinals next season after agreeing to a restructured contract, NFL Network reported.<\/p>\n There had been some thought the Cardinals would waive Conner after they parted ways with quarterback Kyler Murray last week. The new deal will bring him back for the 2026 season.<\/p>\n Conner was limited to three games last season because of an ankle injury. He totaled 1,518 yards from scrimmage while playing 16 games in 2024.<\/p>\n Tarohn Finley<\/p>\n Wide receiver Mike Evans might not be a lock to re-sign with the Tampa Buccaneers in free agency, according to the Athletic\u2019s Diana Russini. This is the first time that Evans will hit free agency in his 12-year career.<\/p>\n Tarohn Finley<\/p>\n Teams are monitoring San Francisco 49ers\u2019 Trent Williams, according to ESPN\u2019s Jeremy Fowler<\/a>. The 37-year-old left tackle has a $38 million cap hit but it is likely the 49ers will try to work something out with Williams.<\/p>\n Williams is a 12-time Pro Bowler and a three-time first-team All-Pro. Williams has been with the 49ers since 2020.<\/p>\n On the other side of the ball, the 49ers have also reportedly been linked to linebacker Kaden Elliss. Ellis played for 49ers defensive coordinator Raheem Morris with the Atlanta Falcons. Ellis has also been linked with the Browns and defensive coordinator Mike Rutenburg, under whom he also played in Atlanta.<\/p>\n Tarohn Finley<\/p>\n Alec Pierce and Romeo Doubs will have no shortage of suitors heading into free agency. Pierce is reportedly expected to make at least $27 million per year on his new deal, according to ESPN\u2019s Jeremy Fowler<\/a>. Pierce has been linked to teams such as the New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans, Washington Commanders and the Las Vegas Raiders.<\/p>\n The Patriots, Commanders, Titans and the San Francisco 49ers will reportedly be in the mix for Doubs. Fowler also reported that Commanders will be in the mix for Mike Evans if he can\u2019t reach a deal with the Tampa Buccaneers. Rashid Shaheed could also reportedly reunites with Klint Kubiak with the Raiders, while Wan’Dale Robinson reunites with Brian Daboll with the Titans.<\/p>\n Tarohn Finley<\/p>\n The Dallas Cowboys will pivot on the pass rushers market after missing out on Maxx Crosby.<\/p>\n The Cowboys reportedly have interest in free agents Trey Hendrickson, Jaelan Phillips, Odafe Oweh and Boye Mafe, according to ESPN\u2019s Jeremy Fowler<\/a>. The Eagles are also reportedly interested in re-signing Phillips to a deal that would pay him above $20 million per year.<\/p>\n Sun, March 8, 2026 at 7:50 AM PDT<\/p>\n Yahoo Sports Staff<\/p>\n The Green Bay Packers reached agreement with center Sean Rhyan on a three-year, $33 million contract extension the day before the NFL\u2019s free-agent tampering window opens, according to NFL Network.<\/p>\n Rhyan will now be one of the league\u2019s highest-paid centers.<\/p>\n Jack Baer<\/p>\n There will be a Year 5 for Khalil Mack in Los Angeles, as ESPN\u2019s Adam Schefter<\/a> reports the pass-rusher has agreed to a one-year deal to return to the Chargers.<\/p>\n A nine-time Pro Bowler, Mack had 5.5 sacks last season and will be working under new defensive coordinator Chris O\u2019Leary after Jesse Minter\u2019s exit.<\/p>\n Tarohn Finley<\/p>\n Tight end T.J Hockenson reportedly becomes the latest Minnesota Viking to restructure his contract, according to NFL Network\u2019s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero<\/a>.<\/p>\n Hockenson previously had a $21.3M cap number and the move will reportedly save the Vikings $5M in space.<\/p>\n Interim GM Rob Brzezinski has taken charge of getting the Vikings under the cap.<\/p>\n The Vikings recently restructured Justin Jefferson, Byron Murphy and Christian Darrisaw. Minnesota also released Ryan Kelly, Aaron Jones, Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen.<\/p>\n Tarohn Finley<\/p>\n The Ravens extended their backup quarterback after the team\u2019s blockbuster trade for Maxx Crosby on Friday. Ravens quarterback, Tyler \u201cSnoop\u201d Huntley, will reportedly sign a two-year deal worth up to $11 million to stay in Baltimore, according to ESPN\u2019s Adam Schefter.<\/a><\/p>\n Huntley has spent time with the Ravens in five of his six seasons in the NFL. The 28-year-old quarterback went 2-0 last season in place of an injured Lamar Jackson. He is 7-9 as a starter in his career and was a Pro Bowl alternate in 2023.<\/p>\n Jack Baer<\/p>\n Eddy Pineiro won\u2019t be hitting free agency after all. The Niners kicker has agreed to a four-year, $17 million contract with $10 million guaranteed, according to ESPN\u2019s Adam Schefter.<\/p>\n The deal only makes Pineiro the 14th-highest paid kicker in the league per OverTheCap\u2019s numbers<\/a>, but it\u2019s a substantial raise from his $1.2 million salary in 2025.<\/p>\n Andy Backstrom<\/p>\n The Green Bay Packers reportedly traded for Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin on Saturday<\/a>.<\/p>\n But before that deal went down, the Packers made several runs at re-signing LB Quay Walker, according to NFL Network\u2019s Tom Pelissero<\/a>, who noted that it now appears that Walker will hit free agency on Monday.<\/p>\n He\u2019s expected to have a \u201cstrong market,\u201d per Pelissero.<\/p>\n The Packers drafted him out of Georgia with the No. 22 overall pick in 2022.<\/p>\n This past season, Walker logged a team-leading 128 total tackles.<\/p>\n Andy Backstrom<\/p>\n The Indianapolis Colts are trading linebacker Zaire Franklin to the Green Bay Packers and receiving defensive tackle Colby Wooden in return, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported Saturday<\/a>.<\/p>\n As a result, the Colts will shed more than $7 million worth of salary, per Pelissero<\/a>, in addition to adding a starter on the defensive interior. Wooden, a 2023 fourth-round pick out of Auburn, piled up 50 total tackles for the Packers last season, including six for loss.<\/p>\n Just two seasons ago, Franklin earned second-team All-Pro honors and a Pro Bowl nod when he led the NFL with 173 total tackles.<\/p>\n The Colts drafted Franklin out of Syracuse in the seventh round back in 2018, and he carved out a role for himself before becoming an everyday starter in the second level of the Colts’ defense, where he totaled triple-digit tackle numbers each of the past four seasons.<\/p>\n Read more here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Tarohn Finley<\/p>\n![\"Tarohn](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/14e93e10-b8ef-11f0-bffb-eaeb80a41d60.png\"\/)
Sun, March 8, 2026 at 11:37 AM PDT<\/p>\nSun, March 8, 2026 at 11:32 AM PDT<\/p>\n![\"Ian](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1772998629_53_dims.jpeg\"\/)
Sun, March 8, 2026 at 10:27 AM PDT<\/p>\nSun, March 8, 2026 at 9:04 AM PDT<\/p>\nSun, March 8, 2026 at 8:52 AM PDT<\/p>\nSun, March 8, 2026 at 8:44 AM PDT<\/p>\nSun, March 8, 2026 at 8:34 AM PDT<\/p>\n![\"Jack](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1772998630_59_dims.jpeg\"\/)
Sat, March 7, 2026 at 4:58 PM PST<\/p>\nSat, March 7, 2026 at 4:25 PM PST<\/p>\nSat, March 7, 2026 at 3:45 PM PST<\/p>\nSat, March 7, 2026 at 2:30 PM PST<\/p>\n![\"Andy](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1772998630_629_dims.jpeg\"\/)
Sat, March 7, 2026 at 1:05 PM PST<\/p>\nSat, March 7, 2026 at 12:29 PM PST<\/p>\nSat, March 7, 2026 at 11:12 AM PST<\/p>\n
![\"Sean](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1772998630_275_dims.jpeg\"\/)
Sat, March 7, 2026 at 10:54 AM PST<\/p>\n