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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On Friday, it was reported that the Houston Texans have released veteran running back Joe Mixon at his request. Mixon missed the entire 2025 season with a foot injury. The move will save Houston a reported $8 million against the salary cap.
It was also reported Friday that the Las Vegas Raiders, barring a trade, will release quarterback Geno Smith 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.
Among players who will reportedly be released ahead of the league year are Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs, Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, Vikings veterans Aaron Jones and Javon Hargrave, as well as Commanders cornerback Marshon Lattimore.
Earlier this week, the Houston Texans made some moves, 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.
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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 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. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, 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.
Follow along with Yahoo Sports for the latest NFL news, reports and rumors in the week leading up to the start of free agency.
Live91 updates
Fri, March 6, 2026 at 3:26 PM PST
Tarohn Finley
The New England Patriots will reportedly trade center Garrett Bradbury to the Chicago Bears for a 2027 fifth-round pick, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Bradbury, 30, will replace former Bears center Drew Dalman, who retired earlier this month. Bradbury started all 17 regular-season games last season. Before Bradbury was with the Patriots, he spent his first six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings.
Bradbury will reunite with college teammate Joe Thuney on the Bears. Bradbury and Thuney were roomates at NC State during away games.
Thuney won Protector of the Year last season.
Fri, March 6, 2026 at 3:17 PM PST
Tarohn Finley
Fri, March 6, 2026 at 2:48 PM PST
Ian Casselberry
Tight end Dalton Schultz and the Houston Texans have agreed to a one-year, $12.6 million contract extension, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Schultz, who turns 30 in July, goes into his ninth NFL season and is guaranteed $17.6 million between 2026 and 2027, Rapoport reports.
He tallied a career-high 82 receptions last season to lead the Texans, adding 777 yards and three touchdowns. During his eight NFL seasons, Schultz has totaled 405 catches for 4,066 yards and 27 TDs in 124 games (78 starts).
Fri, March 6, 2026 at 2:41 PM PST
Ian Casselberry
The New York Giants officially announced that offensive tackle James Hudson III has been released.
Hudson was with the Giants for one season after playing the previous four years with the Cleveland Browns. Unfortunately, his season highlight (or lowlight) was being flagged for four penalties on one drive in Week 2 versus the Dallas Cowboys.
Hudson, 26, appeared in 11 games for the Giants, starting two. He was the Browns’ 2021 fourth-round pick out of Cincinnati.
The Giants also officially confirmed that kick returner Gunner Olszewski has been re-signed. He compiled 682 yards on 26 kickoff returns and 216 yards on 24 punt returns, while also notching 10 receptions for 145 yards and a touchdown last season.
Fri, March 6, 2026 at 2:05 PM PST
Andy Backstrom
The Arizona Cardinals have released defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Tomlinson had a cap number of $16.2 million, per Rapoport.
The Cardinals brought him aboard last year to beef up their defensive interior. Although Arizona made several moves to improve its defense ahead of the 2025 campaign, it was riddled by injury and finished 29th with 28.7 points per game allowed.
Tomlinson, 32, previously played for the Cleveland Browns (2023-24), Minnesota Vikings (2021-22) and New York Giants (2017-20).
Fri, March 6, 2026 at 1:36 PM PST
Andy Backstrom
The Buffalo Bills are releasing safety Taylor Rapp, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Rapp started 24 games for the Bills over the past three seasons.
He began his career with the Los Angeles Rams, who drafted him out of Washington in the second round back in 2019.
Buffalo has now released four players, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter:
Fri, March 6, 2026 at 12:57 PM PST
Tarohn Finley
The Houston Texans will reportedly release running back Joe Mixon, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Mixon missed the 2025 season with a foot injury. Mixon reportedly requested his release.
The Texans are set to acquire running back David Montgomery from the Detroit Lions in a trade that was reported on Monday.
Fri, March 6, 2026 at 12:49 PM PST
Ian Casselberry
The Minnesota Vikings restructured the contracts of three players on Friday to create room salary cap room before free agency, according to reports. Receiver Justin Jefferson, left tackle Christian Darrisaw and cornerback Byron Murphy each had their deals redone, which could open up to $38 million in cap space.
With the restructurings, Minnesota could defer up to $11 million in Jefferson’s contract, $9 million in Darrisaw’s deal and $11 million with Murphy. Tight end T.J. Hockenson’s deal could also be restructured or he could be cut, the Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling reports.
Last week, the Vikings announced that running back Aaron Jones and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave would be released, which would reportedly create nearly $19 million in cap relief. Defensive tackle Jonathan Allen is also a candidate to be released if Minnesota is unable to trade him before the new league year begins on March 11.
Fri, March 6, 2026 at 12:33 PM PST
Ian Casselberry
Receiver Treylon Burks is returning to the Washington Commanders on a one-year contract, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports.
Burks, 25, tallied 10 receptions for 130 yards and one touchdown in eight games (three starts) last season for Washington. He signed with the Commanders after the Tennessee Titans declined his fifth-year option,
Burks was the Titans’ 2022 first-round pick (No. 18 overall), a selection received in exchange for trading A.J. Brown to the Philadelphia Eagles. In four NFL seasons, he has 63 catches for 829 yards and 2 scores.
Fri, March 6, 2026 at 11:03 AM PST
Tarohn Finley
Green Bay Packers edge rusher Rashan Gary thanked Packers fans for their support during his time with the team on Instagram on Friday. The post has since been deleted.
Fri, March 6, 2026 at 11:00 AM PST
Tarohn Finley
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Taylor Decker requests his release on Instagram, saying that he could not find common ground after multiple discussions. If the Lions release Decker it will save $17.9 million in cap space for the Lions in 2026 and $21 million in 2027.
Decker announced last week that he would be returning to play another season in the NFL after mulling retirement after last season.
The 32-year-old is the longest tenured Lions player and has 145 career games since being drafted in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft out of Ohio State.
The loss of Decker means the Lions will lose their fourth offensive lineman in the last two seasons, after the retirements of Frank Ragnow and Dan Skipper and the recent release of Graham Glasgow. Outside of All-Pro offensive tackle Penei Sewell, the Lions’ offensive line struggled last season. Sewell could reportedly possibly move to the left side without Decker.
Expect the Lions to continue to try to rebuild the offensive line in free agency and the draft. The Lions have already acquired offensive lineman Juice Scruggs in the David Montgomery trade.
Fri, March 6, 2026 at 10:36 AM PST
Tarohn Finley
The Buffalo Bills reportedly released wide receiver Curtis Samuel, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The Bills recently traded for wide receiver DJ Moore.
Samuel finished with seven catches for 81 yards and a touchdown last season. Samuel spent the last two seasons with the Bills after stints in Washington and Carolina.
Fri, March 6, 2026 at 10:26 AM PST
Tarohn Finley
The Miami Dolphins will reportedly release fullback Alec Ingold, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. Ingold, 29, had discussions with the team about a new deal before they decided to part ways. He was previously one of the highest-paid fullbacks in the NFL.
Ingold had spent the last four seasons with the Dolphins after beginning his career with the Raiders. The Dolphins move on from Ingold after parting ways with former head coach Mike McDaniel, who utilized a fullback in his offense.
Ingold is the latest player to part ways with the Dolphins. The Dolphins have also moved on from Tyreek Hill, Bradley Chubb and Jason Sanders this offseason. It remains to be seen what happens with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
Fri, March 6, 2026 at 10:13 AM PST
Tarohn Finley
The Buffalo Bills will reportedly release cornerback Taron Johnson, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Johnson has spent the last eight seasons with the Bills since being drafted by the team in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL draft. The Bills move on from Johnson with the defensive scheme possibility shifting under new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard.
Fri, March 6, 2026 at 9:41 AM PST
Sean Leahy
The 30-year-old Sanders did not play last season due to a hip injury. The veteran kicker has spent his entire eight-year NFL career with the Dolphins. He has a 84.6% career success rate on field goals and is 29-for-42 from 50+ yards.
Fri, March 6, 2026 at 9:19 AM PST
Sean Leahy
After two seasons with the Giants, DeVito was waived last summer and claimed by the Patriots. He served as third-string QB behind Drake Maye and Josh Dobbs.
Fri, March 6, 2026 at 9:09 AM PST
Yahoo Sports Staff
The Washington Commanders are reportedly re-signing kicker Jake Moody to a one-year deal, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports.
The former third-round pick played six games with the Commanders in 2025 after being waived by the 49ers in September and spending time on the Bears practice squad.
He went 10-of-11 on field goal attempts with Washington, including a long of 56 yards, while going 10-of-11 on extra point attempts.
Fri, March 6, 2026 at 8:22 AM PST
Andy Backstrom
The Las Vegas Raiders are reportedly on track to release quarterback Geno Smith.
They’re also expected to take Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza with the first pick in this year’s draft.
But if that’s the way the Raiders go, they’d prefer not to start him right away, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, who reported Friday that Vegas could bring in a veteran QB in free agency.
Fri, March 6, 2026 at 8:08 AM PST
Andy Backstrom
The Las Vegas Raiders are releasing quarterback Geno Smith, barring a trade before the start of the new league year, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
In doing so, the Raiders will reportedly save $8 million in salary cap space while taking on $18.5 million in dead money.
The Raiders traded for Smith last offseason and signed him to a two-year, $75 million extension. That move reunited Smith with then-head coach Pete Carroll, whom Smith resurrected his career with in Seattle.
But the Carroll era came to a swift end in Vegas, and now Smith’s time is up in silver and black as well.
In his lone season with the Raiders, Smith threw a league-high 17 interceptions. Vegas went 2-13 in his 15 starts and possesses the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft, in which it’s expected to select reigning Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza out of Indiana.
Fri, March 6, 2026 at 7:08 AM PST
Sean Leahy
In an effort to get under the salary cap the Browns are restructuring quarterback Deshaun Watson’s contract, lowering the $80.7 million cap hit.
A large amount of Watson’s salary cap charge will be turned into a restructure bonus. The charges will be added to the void years of his deal, which run from 2027-2029. This will allow GM Andrew Berry to re-sign the team’s own free agents and also be active when the market opens next week.