NFL free agency is almost here. The start of the legal tampering period is set for Monday, March 9 at 12 p.m. ET. The news cycle is already churning.
On Friday, there were plenty of big-time moves, headlined by the Las Vegas Raiders reportedly trading star defensive end Maxx Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens. In exchange, they’ll receive Baltimore’s 2026 and 2027 first-round picks.
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It was also reported Friday that the 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.
The Houston Texans have also 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.
Other 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.
Live108 updates
Sun, March 8, 2026 at 9:04 AM PDT
Tarohn Finley
Wide receiver Mike Evans might not be a lock to re-sign with the Tampa Buccaneers in free agency, according to the Athletic’s Diana Russini. This is the first time that Evans will hit free agency in his 12-year career.
Sun, March 8, 2026 at 8:52 AM PDT
Tarohn Finley
Teams are monitoring San Francisco 49ers’ Trent Williams, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. 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.
Williams is a 12-time Pro Bowler and a three-time first-team All-Pro. Williams has been with the 49ers since 2020.
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.
Sun, March 8, 2026 at 8:44 AM PDT
Tarohn Finley
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’s Jeremy Fowler. Pierce has been linked to teams such as the New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans, Washington Commanders and the Las Vegas Raiders.
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’t 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.
Sun, March 8, 2026 at 8:34 AM PDT
Tarohn Finley
The Dallas Cowboys will pivot on the pass rushers market after missing out on Maxx Crosby.
The Cowboys reportedly have interest in free agents Trey Hendrickson, Jaelan Phillips, Odafe Oweh and Boye Mafe, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. The Eagles are also reportedly interested in re-signing Phillips to a deal that would pay him above $20 million per year.
Sun, March 8, 2026 at 7:50 AM PDT
Yahoo Sports Staff
The Green Bay Packers reached agreement with center Sean Rhyan on a three-year, $33 million contract extension the day before the NFL’s free-agent tampering window opens, according to NFL Network.
Rhyan will now be one of the league’s highest-paid centers.
Sat, March 7, 2026 at 4:58 PM PST
Jack Baer
There will be a Year 5 for Khalil Mack in Los Angeles, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the pass-rusher has agreed to a one-year deal to return to the Chargers.
A nine-time Pro Bowler, Mack had 5.5 sacks last season and will be working under new defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary after Jesse Minter’s exit.
Sat, March 7, 2026 at 4:25 PM PST
Tarohn Finley
Tight end T.J Hockenson reportedly becomes the latest Minnesota Viking to restructure his contract, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.
Hockenson previously had a $21.3M cap number and the move will reportedly save the Vikings $5M in space.
Interim GM Rob Brzezinski has taken charge of getting the Vikings under the cap.
The Vikings recently restructured Justin Jefferson, Byron Murphy and Christian Darrisaw. Minnesota also released Ryan Kelly, Aaron Jones, Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen.
Sat, March 7, 2026 at 3:45 PM PST
Tarohn Finley
The Ravens extended their backup quarterback after the team’s blockbuster trade for Maxx Crosby on Friday. Ravens quarterback, Tyler “Snoop” Huntley, will reportedly sign a two-year deal worth up to $11 million to stay in Baltimore, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
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.
Sat, March 7, 2026 at 2:30 PM PST
Jack Baer
Eddy Pineiro won’t 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’s Adam Schefter.
The deal only makes Pineiro the 14th-highest paid kicker in the league per OverTheCap’s numbers, but it’s a substantial raise from his $1.2 million salary in 2025.
Sat, March 7, 2026 at 1:05 PM PST
Andy Backstrom
The Green Bay Packers reportedly traded for Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin on Saturday.
But before that deal went down, the Packers made several runs at re-signing LB Quay Walker, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, who noted that it now appears that Walker will hit free agency on Monday.
He’s expected to have a “strong market,” per Pelissero.
The Packers drafted him out of Georgia with the No. 22 overall pick in 2022.
This past season, Walker logged a team-leading 128 total tackles.
Sat, March 7, 2026 at 12:29 PM PST
Andy Backstrom
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.
As a result, the Colts will shed more than $7 million worth of salary, per Pelissero, 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.
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.
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.
Read more here.
Sat, March 7, 2026 at 11:12 AM PST
Tarohn Finley
The Philadelphia Eagles reportedly signed Jordan Davis to a 3-year, $78M extension, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Sat, March 7, 2026 at 10:54 AM PST
Sean Leahy
The 28-year-old joined the Bills in 2023 and made the Pro Bowl a season later.
Sat, March 7, 2026 at 9:21 AM PST
Sean Leahy
With the tender, the Aubrey can sign an offer sheet with another team, but the Cowboys have the right to match.
Dallas has already made an offer to the 30-year-old Aubrey that would make him the NFL’s highest-paid kicker. Kansas City’s Harrison Butker is currently the highest-paid kicker with a four-year, $25.6 million contract ($6.4 million per year).
Aubrey is the NFL’s all-time leader in field goals of at least 60 yards and has made 88.2% of his attempts in his three-year career, one of the highest rates in league history despite leading the NFL in 50-yard kick attempts in each of the past two seasons.
Sat, March 7, 2026 at 8:54 AM PST
Yahoo Sports Staff
Veteran cornerback Darious Williams has retired after eight NFL seasons. After going undrafted in 2018, he was signed by the Baltimore Ravens and eventually waived before being picked up by the Rams. He went on to earn a starting role in the organization, starting 40 of his 67 games with the team.
His best season came in 2020, when Williams nabbed a career-high five interceptions while giving up a career-low 55.4 NFL passer rating in coverage, per PFF.
Williams was in the final year of a three-year, $22.5 million deal signed with the Rams as a free agent in 2024.
Sat, March 7, 2026 at 5:24 AM PST
Who won the Maxx Crosby trade?
The Raiders did good to pick up two first-round picks for the star defensive end, writes Yahoo Sports’ Frank Schwab. He gives them an “A-” for the deal.
The Ravens get a “B” for acquiring Crosby.
Sat, March 7, 2026 at 5:19 AM PST
The Houston Texans cleared more than $22 million in salary-cap room by restructuring the contracts of defensive backs Derek Stingley Jr. and Jalen Pitre.
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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).