NFL free agency isn’t here quite yet — but the NFL news cycle never sleeps.
Coming out of the 2026 NFL combine, now with less than a week to go before the start of the legal tampering period (set for Monday, March 9 at 12 p.m. ET), the news cycle is heating up.
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The week opened up with a couple of trades from the Houston Texans, having reportedly acquired veteran running back David Montgomery 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 to the Cleveland Browns, who subsequently agreed to terms on a three-year, $63 million extension.
The Chiefs made a splash play on Wednesday, reportedly trading All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for the 29th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, as well as a fifth and sixth and 2027 third-round pick.
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.
Among players who will reportedly be released are Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs, Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, Vikings veterans Aaron Jones and Javon Hargrave, as well as Commanders cornerback Marshon Lattimore.
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Also having affected the market was Tuesday’s official franchise tag deadline, with three offensive stars having received the tag so far, including Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts and Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens. The Jets will reportedly place the franchise tag on running back Breece Hall as the two sides continue to negotiate a long-term contract.
The Indianapolis Colts, meanwhile, will place the lesser-known transition tag on veteran quarterback Daniel Jones. The tag, worth a fully-guaranteed $37.833 million, per Over The Cap, will allow him to negotiate with other NFL teams and provide the Colts the opportunity to match any offer sheet Jones signs.
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.
Follow along with Yahoo Sports for the latest NFL news, reports and rumors in the week leading up to the start of free agency.
Live42 updates
Wed, March 4, 2026 at 12:33 PM PST
Andy Backstrom
The New England Patriots are reportedly preparing to move on from veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs.
The Patriots informed the 32-year-old Diggs that they’ll release him after the start of the new league year, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, who also reported that Diggs had an additional $6 million set to become fully guaranteed next week.
Diggs confirmed his impending departure with a goodbye post on Instagram, thanking the Patriots for a memorable 2025 season, in which New England reached the Super Bowl and Diggs led the team with 1,013 receiving yards.
Diggs will now look for his next destination, as he deals with off-the-field trouble. Last month, he pleaded not guilty to strangulation and assault charges.
Wed, March 4, 2026 at 11:52 AM PST
Sean Leahy
Appearing on Wednesday’s Pat McAfee Show, Aaron Rodgers said that while he has spoken to Steelers’ leadership in new head coach Mike McCarthy and GM Omar Khan, nothing has been resolved about his future.
“No deadline. No contract offer or anything,” Rodgers said. “Nothing that I’m having to debate between. I’m a free agent.”
Last season with the Steelers, the 42-year-old Rodgers threw for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns and 7 interceptions in 16 games.
Wed, March 4, 2026 at 9:45 AM PST
Caroline Fenton, Jason Fitz
Wed, March 4, 2026 at 9:15 AM PST
Yahoo Sports Staff
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce will become a free agent at the official start of the league year; the team’s decision to use the transition tag on Daniel Jones ensured that.
Talks have reportedly continued between Pierce and the Colts regarding a long-term deal, but Pierce stated that he has “kind of earned the right to explore free agency,” in an interview with Kay Adams.
Wed, March 4, 2026 at 9:14 AM PST
Andy Backstrom
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.
But no matter how reasonable the transaction, there are still emotions involved.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and wide receiver Xavier Worthy both peeled back their feelings in the aftermath of the blockbuster trade Wednesday.
Mahomes posted on X, “Damn..”
Meanwhile, Worthy chimed in on the social media platform, “noooooooooooooooo.”
Wed, March 4, 2026 at 9:05 AM PST
Sean Leahy
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.
Undrafted in 2023 out of BYU, Brooks started his NFL career with the Dolphins before joining the Packers a year later.
Wed, March 4, 2026 at 9:02 AM PST
Sean Leahy
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.
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 that will also feature Drew Brees, Adam Vinatieri and Roger Craig.
Wed, March 4, 2026 at 8:56 AM PST
Sean Leahy
According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Chiefs will acquire three 2026 NFL draft picks — No. 29, a fifth-rounder and a sixth-rounder — plus a 2027 third-round selection.
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.
Last season, McDuffie played 13 games and registered 1 interception, 1 sack, 7 padd deflections, and 63 total tackles
Wed, March 4, 2026 at 8:30 AM PST
Jori Epstein
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.
And some sources with knowledge of the Browns’ conversations wonder if he’ll even beat out in-house options.
The questions don’t primarily stem from uncertainty about Sanders, whom general manager Andrew Berry said at the combine “grew a lot from start one to start seven.” They instead stem from a growing undercurrent of belief that Deshaun Watson could make a serious push at the Browns’ starting job in 2026.
Wed, March 4, 2026 at 8:18 AM PST
Sean Leahy
By restructuring the contracts of quarterback 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.
Jerry Jones said last week that he plans to ‘bust the budget’ in free agency to improve the defensive side of the ball. While today’s 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.
Wed, March 4, 2026 at 7:14 AM PST
Chris Cwik
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 in a deal for Brown, per NFL Network.
The Eagles’ ask was compared to the New York Jets’ trade of Quinnen Williams, which netted New York a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 first-round pick and defensive tackle Mazi Smith.
Brown, 28, is coming off his fourth-straight 1,000-yard season. While Brown posted solid numbers with the Eagles, it didn’t come easy. Brown expressed frustrations multiple times during the season, fueling trade rumors this offseason.
Brown still has three more years left on his contract, which is likely why the Eagles are asking a lot for the star wideout.
Wed, March 4, 2026 at 7:08 AM PST
Chris Cwik
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’s Jeremy Fowler.
The move comes a year after the team signed Becton to a two-year, $20 million contract.
Becton, 26, played in 15 games with the Chargers, making 14 starts. He rated out poorly per Pro Football Focus’ metrics, ranking 79th at guard.
Given his relative youth and status as a former first-round pick, Becton should draw interest on the free-agent market.
Tue, March 3, 2026 at 6:16 PM PST
Tue, March 3, 2026 at 5:56 PM PST
Yahoo Sports Staff
Tue, March 3, 2026 at 3:15 PM PST
Tue, March 3, 2026 at 12:58 PM PST
Tarohn Finley
The Kyler Murray era in Arizona is over.
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.
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.
Tue, March 3, 2026 at 12:06 PM PST
Kate Magdziuk
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.
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.
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, which will pay him a fully guaranteed $37.833 million, per Over The Cap.
Tue, March 3, 2026 at 12:04 PM PST
Chris Cwik
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.
The move comes as a massive surprise considering Dalman’s age, contract and on-field excellence.
Read more on the shocking news here.
Tue, March 3, 2026 at 12:04 PM PST
Kate Magdziuk
One of the top edge rushers in this upcoming free agency class appears likely to hit the open market, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Tuesday.
The Los Angeles Chargers have reportedly “given no indication” that they will use either the franchise tag or transition tag on pass rusher Odafe Oweh ahead of Tuesday’s deadline, meaning he will hit free agency for the first time in his career.
Tue, March 3, 2026 at 11:47 AM PST
Chris Cwik
The Cincinnati Bengals aren’t franchise tagging standout pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, according to multiple reports Tuesday.
As a result, Hendrickson will reportedly become an unrestricted free agent.
That’s quite a change from last offseason when he found himself in a contract dispute that dragged into the summer and dominated headlines.