The 2026 NFL offseason is about to go from zero to 100 miles per hour in the blink of an eye.
Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET is the deadline for the league's 32 teams to decide whether or not to utilize the franchise tag and/or transition tag. Pending free agents are allowed to talk to other teams in the NFL's legal tampering period beginning at noon ET on March 9 and ending at 3:59:59 p.m. ET on March 11. That's also when players can enter contract negotiations and begin to hammer out terms on a new contract. At 4 p.m. ET on March 11, the 2026 league will officially begin. That means contracts for 2025 will be completed, so teams can officially sign free agents to new pacts.
So where do all 32 teams stand ahead of the start of free agency and the new league year? Here is a look at every squad's unrestricted free agents, projected cap space and team needs entering the start of the 2026 offseason's excitement period.
NOTE: Projected effective cap space is via OverTheCap.com, and it's defined as the cap space a team will have after signing a minimum of 51 players and its projected rookie draft class to its roster.
Unrestricted free agents: S Jalen Thompson, OT Kelvin Beachhum, OT Jonah Williams, DL Calais Campbell, OG Will Hernandez, RB Michael Carter, LS Aaron Brewer, WR Greg Dortch, WR Zay Jones, CB Darren Hall, P Matt Haack, K Blake Gillikin, DE L.J. Collier, TE Josiah Deguara, TE Pharaoh Brown, WR Simi Fehoko, LB Channing Tindall, LB J.J. Russell
Team needs: QB, EDGE, T, G, S
The Cardinals and two-time Pro Bowl quarterback Kyler Murray appeared destined for a divorce this offseason, so finding a new franchise quarterback will be a massive priority for new head coach Mike LaFleur. It wouldn't be surprising for Arizona to take a long look at pending free agent Malik Willis. With Calais Campbell hitting free agency ahead of his age 40 season, the Cardinals need to find a younger replacement at his spot along the defensive line. Kelvin Beachum and Jonah Williams, the top two players on the Cardinals' depth chart at right tackle in 2025, both hitting free agency creates a need. Ditto for the safety spot with Jalen Thompson entering the open market as well.
Unrestricted free agents: OG Elijah Wilkinson, LB Kaden Elliss, DT David Onyemata, CB Dee Alford, DE Leonard Floyd, P Bradley Pinion, DE Arnold Ebiketie, RB Tyler Allgeier, S Ronnie Harrison, DE Kentavius Street, K Zane Gonzalez, TE Teagan Quitoriano, DE Khalid Kareem, DE DeAngelo Malone, LB Josh Woods, TE Feleipe Franks, QB Easton Stick
Team needs: QB, LB, DL, RB
Two years ago, the Atlanta Falcons' plan at the quarterback position involved Kirk Cousins starting before a transition to 2024 eighth overall pick Michael Penix Jr. Fast forward to today, and there's a chance neither will be the team's Week 1 starter in 2026. Atlanta is expected to cut Cousins before the start of the new league year on March 11, and Penix suffered his third ACL tear, his first in the NFL, in a Week 11 loss against the Carolina Panthers last season. That makes the quarterback the biggest question mark on the Falcons' roster in the first year of head coach Kevin Stefanski's tenure. Linebacker and defensive line are now needs with productive contributors in Kaden Elliss and David Onyemata, both pending free agents, and the same goes for the Falcons' RB2 spot with Tyler Allgeier entering the open market.
New president of football operations Matt Ryan and new general manager Ian Cunningham will need to get creative this offseason, thanks to these needs and long-term contract negotiations with franchise-tagged tight end Kyle Pitts, who is fresh off a second-team All-Pro campaign in 2025.
Unrestricted free agents: OG Daniel Faalele, C Tyler Linderbaum, S Alohi Gilman, DT Dre'Mont Jones, CB Chidobe Awuzie, TE Isaiah Likely, DE Kyle Van Noy, TE Charlie Kolar, WR DeAndre Hopkins, P Jordan Stout, FB Patrick Ricard, DT Brent Urban, QB Tyler Huntley, WR Tylan Wallace, DE David Ojabo, LT Joseph Noteboom, DT Taven Bryan, S Ar'Darius Washington, LB Jake Hummel
Team needs: C, G, DL, S, TE, WR, P
The Baltimore Ravens are at risk of losing one of the NFL's top centers in three-time Pro Bowler Tyler Linderbaum. Pro Football Focus gave him a 79.8 offensive grade, the fifth-best in the league among centers. His ability to accelerate to the second level of the defense because of his balance, speed and quickness flashes on his film. Linderbaum also excels at pile driving non-linemen in space as a blocker on screen passes. They also need to find an upgrade at right guard with the underwhelming Daniel Faalele hitting free agency. There's also some uncertainty around two-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Nnamdi Madubuike's future after a season-ending neck injury, so a defensive line overhaul might be necessary.
Strong safeties Alohi Gilman and Ar'Darius Washington are both free agents, so there's a hole at that spot. Plus, all the depth -- Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar -- behind Mark Andrews at the tight end spot could walk right out the door. Depth chart filler wide receivers in DeAndre Hopkins, in his current form and Tylan Wallace are also set to be free agents. Jordan Stout, the 2025 first team All-Pro punter, is also headed toward the open market. General manager Eric DeCosta has a busy offseason ahead of him.
Unrestricted free agents: C Connor McGovern, G David Edwards, CB Tre'Davious White, DE Joey Bosa, LB Matt Milano, WR Brandin Cooks, DE A.J. Epenesa, S Jordan Poyer, DT DaQuan Jones, LB Shaq Thompson, CB Cameron Lewis, CB Darius Slay, K Matt Prater, S Darnell Save Jr., P Mitch Wishnowski, WR Gabriel Davis, FB Reggie Gilliam, DT Jordan Phillips, QB Mitchell Trubisky, S Damar Hamlin, S Sam Franklin
Team needs: C, G, DL, WR, CB, LB
Two key components of Josh Allen's offensive line, center Connor McGovern and left guard David Edwards, are free agents, so the status of the interior of the offensive line is up in the air. Edge rusher Joey Bosa, who led the NFL with five forced fumbles in 2025, is a free agent as well, and it would make sense for Buffalo to pursue another contract with him. Wide receiver is also a revolving door that needs to be fixed: they had an NFL-most eight wide receivers with 100-plus snaps in 23025. The Bills also may have a hole at corner with Tre'Davious White headed for free agency. Linebacker is another spot that needs reinforcements, with both Matt Milano and Shaq Thompson entering unrestricted free agency.
Buffalo also doesn't have a lot of cap flexibility to fix their needs after spending a league-most $626 million on extensions last offseason for Allen, edge rusher Greg Rousseau, cornerback Christian Benford, wide receiver Khalil Shakir, running back James Cook and linebacker Terrel Bernard.
Unrestricted free agents: S Nick Scott, LB Christian Rozeboom, C Cade Mays, DE D.J. Wonnum, G Austin Corbett, RB Rico Dowdle, P Sam Martin, G Brady Christensen, OT Yosh Nijman, DE Trevis Gipson, OT Jake Curhan, LB Krys Barnes, WR David Moore, CB Akayleb Evans, LB Isaiah Simmons, CB Damarri Mathis, CB Robert Rochell
Team needs: C, LB, DE, S, P
Center Cade Mays is set to hit unrestricted free agency, as are linebackers Christian Rozeboom and D.J. Wonnum. Safety Nick Scott could also walk out the door in March. Adding at the edge rusher position is also critical for a Panthers defense that registered just 30 sacks, tied for the third fewest in the league last season. Punter Sam Martin's pending free agency also creates another hole.
Unrestricted free agents: S Jaquan Brisker, S Kevin Byard, CB Nahshon Wright, S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, WR Olamide Zaccheaus, DT Andrew Billings, CB Nick McCloud, LS Scott Daly, TE Durham Smythe, LB D'Marco Jackson, DT Chris Williams, DE Dominique Robinson, OT Braxton Jones, Elijah Hicks, S Jonathan Owens, Jaylon Jones, WR Devin Duvernay, RB Travis Homer, LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin, QB Case Keenum
The Bears are strapped for the right amount of cash to maintain continuity in their defensive backfield. Safety Kevin Byard, a 2025 first-team All-Pro who led the NFL with seven interceptions, is set to become a free agent, as is fellow starting safety Jaquan Brisker, nickel/safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson and outside cornerback Nahshon Wright, who led the league with eight takeaways (five interceptions and three fumble recoveries). The potential losses of both Byard and Wright, who combined to represent 15 of Chicago's league-leading 33 takeaways (45.4%), could certainly cause a defensive regression in Chicago.
Cutting linebacker Tremaine Edmunds could open $15 million in cap space, but then that creates another roster hole. General manager Ryan Poles has his work cut out for him. He'll also need to find some cheap depth pieces at wide receiver, with Olamide Zaccheaus and Devin Duvernay headed toward free agency.
Unrestricted free agents: S Geno Stone, G Dalton Risner, QB Joe Flacco, DE Joseph Ossai, TE Noah Fant, CB Cam Taylor-Britt, DE Trey Hendrickson, DE Cameron Sample, S Tycen Anderson, OG Lucas Patrick, CB Marco Wilson, LB Brian Asamoah, OG Cordell Volson
Could the Cincinnati Bengals re-sign four-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Trey Hendrickson? Sure, they have the cap space to do so. However, a divorce feels more likely after the two sides had failed contract extension negotiations after he registered 17.5 sacks in both 2023 and 2024 (led the league in 2024). Surgery for a core muscle injury ended his 2025 campaign after just seven games, but his production otherwise has been fantastic. Hendrickson is only the fifth player since sacks became an official, individually tracked statistic in 1982 to produce 17-plus sacks in consecutive seasons. Both he and fellow edge rusher Joseph Ossai are free agents, so Cincy will need to make crucial decisions at that spot one way or the other.
Safety Geno Stone is also set to hit the open market, as is right guard Dalton Risner. Much of the Bengals' spending will be on the defensive side of the ball.
Unrestricted free agents: OG Joel Bitonio, LB Devin Bush, C Ethan Pocic, OG Wyatt Teller, LT Cam Robinson, DT Shelby Harris, TE David Njoku, OT Jack Conklin, OG Teven Jenkins, P Corey Bjorquez, DE Cameron Thomas, S Rayshawn Jenkins, RB Jerome Ford, LB Jerome Baker, RB Trayveon Williams, CB Tre Avery, D'Angelo Ross, Martin Emerson, DeAndre Carter
Team needs: G, RT, C, LB, QB
The Cleveland Browns could lose four of their five offensive line starters: left guard Joel Bitonio, center Ethan Pocic, right guard Wyatt Teller and right tackle Jack Conklin. That's obviously a major problem for general manager Andrew Berry as quarterback Deshaun Watson is currently set to lead the NFL with an $80.7 million cap hit this season. Devin Bush hitting free agency creates an opening at inside linebacker next to 2025 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Carson Schwesinger. The Browns are also still lacking consistency at quarterback between Watson's lack of availability and lackluster performance and Shedeur Sanders experiencing growing pains in his rookie season. Berry will have to get creative in a hurry this offseason.
Unrestricted free agents: S Donovan Wilson, LB Kenneth Murray, LB Logan Wilson, DE Sam Williams, WR Jalen Tolbert, DE Jadeveon Clowney, DE Dante Fowler Jr., LB Jack Sanborn, OT Hakeem Adeniji, RB Miles Sanders, CB Corey Ballentine, CB C.J. Goodwin, DE Payton Turner, OG Robert Jones
Team needs: DE, LB, CB, S, WR, K
The Dallas Cowboys owned the worst scoring defense in football, averaging 30.1 points per game allowed. That ranked as the second-worst in the 66 seasons of Cowboys football, with only the 1960 squad, the franchise's inaugural season, averaging more at 30.8 points per game. Dallas' edge rusher position is heavily depleted in a post-Micah Parsons world: Sam Williams, Jadeveon Clowney, Payton Turner and Dante Fowler Jr. are all set to hit free agency. Dallas needs to address that position and their other linebacker spot next to DeMarvion Overshown after a disastrous season at that specific spot. Cornerback depth, particularly at the nickel corner position, needs work, as does the safety position. Wide receiver and kicker only become needs for Dallas if Jerry Jones bungles contract negotiations with George Pickens and Brandon Aubrey respectively.
Unrestricted free agents: LB Alex Singleton, TE Adam Trautman, LB Justin Strnad, DT John Franklin-Myers, RB J.K. Dobbins, Lil'Jordan Humphrey, FB Adam Prentice, S P.J. Locke, C Sam Mutsipher, QB Sam Ehlinger, FB Michael Burton
The Denver Broncos are in great shape with their roster. Quarterback Bo Nix is still on his rookie deal, and they were the AFC runners-up in just his second season. Their run game fell off the second half of the season when running back J.K. Dobbins got hurt, and he's a free agent. They could certainly use some of their cap space to fortify that spot as well as their front seven with John Franklin-Myers and Alex Singleton set to become free agents. However, those aren't huge needs for one of the NFL's best defenses.
Unrestricted free agents: LB Alex Anzalone, OL Graham Glasgow, CB Amik Robertson, CB Rock Ya-Sin, DT D.J. Reader, DE Al-Quadin Muhammad, DT Roy Lopez, WR Kalif Raymond, CB Avonte Maddox, OT Kayode Awosika, DE Marcus Davenport, TE Anthony Firkser, C Trystan Colon, TE Shane Zylstra, CB Jalen Mills, S Daniel Thomas, CB Arthur Maulet, LB Malcolm Rodriguez, LB Grant Stuard, QB Kyle Allen, LB Zach Cunningham, OT Jamarco Jones, LB Zeke Turner
Team needs: DE, DT, LB, CB, QB (backup)
The Detroit Lions remained a top-five scoring offense in 2025 without Ben Johnson, averaging 28.3 points per game (fourth-best in the NFL), but their defense tumbled down in the first year without Aaron Glenn, allowing 24.3 points per game, the 11th-most in the league. A lot of that had to do with 31 combined missed games by their Week 1 defensive back starters: safety Brian Branch, safety Kerby Joseph, cornerback Terrion Arnold and cornerback D.J. Reed.
Detroit will need to pour resources into its defense with five key players from that unit set to become free agents: defensive tackle DJ Reader, edge rusher Marcus Davenport, edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad, linebacker Alex Anzalone and cornerback Amik Robertson. They've already begun to reshape their roster after trading away running back David Montgomery to the Houston Texans on Monday in exchange for a fourth-round pick, a seventh-round pick and offensive lineman Juice Scruggs.
