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Wednesday was yet another notable day as NFL free agency officially opened
Mar 11, 2026 at 9:49 pm ET • 1 min read
While it wasn't as crazy as the two days that proceeded it, Wednesday was nonetheless a busy day as NFL free agency officially opened.
The big news entering the day was the Ravens backing out of the Maxx Crosby trade with the Raiders. Baltimore made even more headlines on Wednesday when they signed former Bengals Pro Bowl pass rusher Trey Hendrickson to a four-year deal.
Wednesday also saw former Pro Bowl quarterbacks Kyler Murray and Kirk Cousins released by their respective clubs. Murray quickly went to work, as he reportedly touched down in Minnesota on Wednesday night ahead of a Thursday meeting with the Vikings. Fellow quarterback Daniel Jones -- who was transition tagged by the Colts last week -- signed a two-year, $88 million deal to stay in Indianapolis.
The Cowboys also made news Wednesday after they traded not one but two defensive linemen. Osa Odighizuwa was traded to the 49ers in exchange for a third-round pick. Solomon Thomas was dealt to the Titans in an exchange that also included a swapping of late-round picks.
We'll be on top of every move with updates and analysis below. Follow along as a different type of "March madness" continues!
For more 2026 NFL free agency coverage:
- Team-by-team signings tracker: Full list of every transaction this offseason
- Team grades: How has your favorite squad fared?
- Top 100 tracker: Updates on Pete Prisco's top free agents
- Grades for biggest moves: Assessing deals from Day 1 and Day 2
- Winners and losers: Players and teams that defined Day 1 and Day 2
Giants shock everyone and bring Evan Neal back
Offensive lineman Evan Neal was not exactly a fan favorite in New York, but John Harbaugh and company must have thought enough of him to bring him back as they re-signed him.
Packers bolster DT depth by signing Javon Hargrave to a two-year, $23 million deal
Two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Javon Hargrave wasn't a free agent for long after the Minnesota Vikings released him at the start of the new league year. The Green Bay Packers scooped him up on a two-year, $23 million deal with a $13 million salary in 2026, and the 33-year-old defensive tackle fills a critical need at defensive tackle.
Starting defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt fractured his fibula and suffered torn ligaments in his ankle in the Packers' 31-24 Thanksgiving victory over the Detroit Lions. Hargrave's presence will allow Wyatt to not feel like he was to rush his recovery in order to be back for Week 1.
This deal is also a reunion between new Packers defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon and Hargrave. Gannon was Hargrave's defensive coordinator with the Philadelphia Eagles from 2021 to 2022, the two seasons with Hargrave's highest sack totals. He produced 7.5 in 2021 and a career-high 11.0 in 2022 when the Eagles won the NFC before losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl.
Bears agree to terms with former first-round OT
ESPN reports that the Chicago Bears have agreed to terms with former Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Jedrick Wils Jr. on a one-year deal. The former No. 10 overall pick out of Alabama has started 57 of 58 career games played over five seasons, but has played in just 13 games over the last three years due to injury. He didn't take a single snap in 2025.
Panthers agree to terms with WR John Metchie
The Carolina Panthers are adding one of Bryce Young's old friends, as they have agreed to terms with wide receiver John Metchie, per ESPN. The Alabama product was teammates with Young during their college days down in Tuscaloosa.
Metchie spent last season with the New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles, and caught 29 passes for 256 yards and two touchdowns. He also returned seven kicks for 120 yards.
Bills land DE Bradley Chubb with three-year deal
The Buffalo Bills are adding a notable name to their defensive line, as they have agreed to a three-year, $43.5 million deal with former Miami Dolphins pass rusher Bradley Chubb, per ESPN. The deal is reportedly worth up to $52.5 million, and includes $29 million guaranteed. Chubb's new AAV is $14.5 million.
Chubb, who turns 30 in June, was released by the Dolphins last month. He had two more years remaining on his contract with Miami, and carried cap hits north of $31.2 million in both 2026 and 2027. He has recorded two double-digit sack seasons over seven years. As a rookie in 2018, Chubb notched 12 sacks for the Denver Broncos. In his first full season with the Dolphins back in 2023, he recorded 11 sacks.
Jake Tonges agrees to two-year deal prior to RFA tender deadline
NFL Media reports that the 49ers and tight end Jake Tonges have agreed to a new deal just before the RFA tender deadline. It's a two-year, $8 million deal with $5.5 million guaranteed.
After not being targeted at all in the passing game in 2024, Tonges caught 34 passes for 293 yards and five touchdowns in 2025.
Atlanta is adding some help on the edge, as the Falcons have agreed to a one-year deal with Azeez Ojulari, per NFL Media. The former second-round pick out of Georgia went to school in Marietta, so this is a homecoming.
Ojulari recorded eight sacks as a rookie for the New York Giants in 2021, and has 22 sacks over 49 career games played. He spent last year with the Philadelphia Eagles, but played just three games due to a hamstring injury.
Ravens add former Patriots safety Jaylinn Hawkins
The Ravens agreed to terms with former Cincinnati Bengals pass rusher Trey Hendrickson on a four-year deal earlier on Wednesday, and now, they have addressed the secondary. ESPN reports that Baltimore has agreed with former New England Patriots safety Jaylinn Hawkins on a two-year, $10 million deal. He recored 71 tackles, four interceptions and 1.5 sacks in 2025 as the Patriots made the Super Bowl, and PFF graded him as the ninth-best safety.
Jeremy Fowler pointed out that the Ravens want to play three safeties under new head coach Jesse Minter.
Commanders going CRAZY on Day 3, land another former Maryland star in Nick Cross
The Washington Commanders are going wild this Wednesday! According to NFL Media, they have now agreed to terms with former Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross on a two-year, $14 million deal. Cross is the second former Maryland Terrapin Washington has agreed to terms with today, as the Commanders also reportedly landed TE Chig Okonkwo.
Cross recorded 120 tackles, 2.5 sacks, five passes defensed and one interception last season. In 2024, he recorded an incredible 146 tackles for Indianapolis.
Vikings, Aaron Jones agree to a revised contract
Aaron Jones is staying put. The Vikings and the veteran running back have agreed to a revised contract to keep him with the team for the 2026 season, according to the NFL Network. Jones' base salary will be lowered to $5.5 million, down from his expected $9 million base salary. The contract includes $5 million guaranteed.
The 31-year-old is entering his 10th year in the league and his third with the Vikings. Jones signed a one-year contract with the Vikings in March of 2024 and re-signed on a two-year $20 million contract in March of 2025, after a 17-start, 1,138 yard, five rushing touchdown season.
Last year, Jones was played on IR after starting the first two games, missing four games due to the hamstring injury. He finished the year starting all 12 games he appeared in, with 132 rushes for 548 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. He also had 28 receptions for 199 yards and one TD in the air.
Jones has three 1,000-plus yard rushing seasons in his career, coming in 2019, 2020, the year he made the Pro Bowl, 2022 and 2024, his first year in Minnesota.
