The 2026 NFL free agency period kicked off Monday with the opening of the legal tampering period, where prospective free agents are officially able to negotiate with new teams.
Those deals can officially be signed Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET, which marks the official start of the new league year. In addition to those deals, trades that were agreed to prior to the official start of free agency can also become official.
Monday’s action kicked off with the news that the Dolphins will release Tua Tagovailoa, who will reportedly sign with the Falcons on a one-year deal. Travis Kelce is reportedly set on returning to the Chiefs for 2026, while Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III is reportedly in agreement on a deal to join Kelce and Patrick Mahomes. Wide receiver Alec Pierce is set to return to Indianapolis, the Steelers are signing running back Rico Dowdle, and Mike Evans is making the move from Tampa Bay to the Bay Area.
With 10 NFL teams having hired new coaches for the 2026 season and the shuffle of coordinators that followed, it’s sure to be a busy start to the league year. Check out Yahoo Sports’ full list of top available free agents and our free agency transactions tracker for a look at each team’s most notable free agency departures, new signings and trades.
Follow along with Yahoo Sports for the latest NFL free agency news, updates and rumors as the legal tampering period opens up.
- Tue, March 10, 2026 at 9:13 AM PDTChris CwikChicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson is brining a familiar name to his new team. The Bears reportedly agreed to a deal with wideout and kick returner Kalif Raymond on Tuesday, per NFL Network.Raymond, 31, is a contributor in the passing game, but has excelled more as a return man.He’s been a second-team All-Pro team member twice as a punt returner, and will almost certainly fill that void with the Bears.
- Tue, March 10, 2026 at 8:31 AM PDTSean LeahyThe 29-year-old Knox will enter his eighth NFL season in 2026, all with the Bills. The third-round draft pick in 2019 played all 17 games last season, catching 36 passes for 417 yards and four touchdowns.
- Tue, March 10, 2026 at 7:43 AM PDTAndy BackstromFormer New York Giants safety Dane Belton is signing a one-year, $4 million deal with the New York Jets, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.With incentives, Belton will reportedly be able to make up to $6 million.The Giants selected Belton in the fourth round of the 2022 draft out of Iowa. He scattered 22 starts across the past four seasons, including nine during the 2025 campaign.Last season, he played a career-high 705 defensive snaps, per PFF, and registered 120 total tackles, the second most on the team. He also forced three fumbles and tallied the sixth interception of his career.
- Tue, March 10, 2026 at 7:08 AM PDTAndy BackstromThe Green Bay Packers are releasing cornerback Nate Hobbs, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.Just a year ago, the Packers inked Hobbs to a four-year, $48 million contract after he spent the 2021-24 seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders.The Illinois product began his Packers stint as a starter before losing that job and watching his snap count decline significantly.He was targeted 25 times during the 2025 campaign and gave up 17 grabs for 239 yards and 2 touchdowns, according to PFF.
- Tue, March 10, 2026 at 6:59 AM PDTAndy BackstromThe Carolina Panthers made a splash in free agency on Monday, reportedly signing highly coveted edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and All-Pro linebacker Devin Lloyd.They began Tuesday with much quieter moves, albeit ones that will help fortify their depth on the defensive side of the ball.Carolina re-signed defensive end LaBryan Ray and cornerback Robert Rochell.Notably, Ray started nine games for the Panthers two seasons ago — piling up 41 total tackles in his 16 appearances that year — before serving as a rotational piece during the 2025 campaign.
- Tue, March 10, 2026 at 6:44 AM PDTAndy BackstromFormer Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Greg Newsome II has agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $10 million with the New York Giants, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.Newsome is a former first-round pick. The Cleveland Browns selected him 26th overall out of Northwestern in 2021.He spent the first four-plus seasons of his NFL career with the Browns before they traded him midseason last year to Jacksonville.
- Tue, March 10, 2026 at 4:50 AM PDTChris CwikThe Buffalo Bills are restructuring their contract with kicker Tyler Bass.After missing last season with an injury, Bass will make less money in 2026. But his revised deal contains incentives that could bump his pay back up.Prior to the injury, Bass was among the more reliable kickers on one of the NFL’s best offenses.
- Tue, March 10, 2026 at 4:46 AM PDTChris CwikThe Green Bay Packers are strengthening their defense early in free agency. The team reportedly added to that side of the ball Tuesday, signing cornerback Benjamin St-Juste to a two-year, $10 million deal, per NFL Network.St-Juste, 28, played in 16 games with the Los Angeles Chargers last season.A former third-round pick, St-Juste spent the first four seasons of his career with the Washington Commanders. He developed into a consistent starter with the team before staring just two games in Los Angeles last season.
- Mon, March 9, 2026 at 9:35 PM PDTYahoo Sports StaffThe former first-round pick is headed to New England on a 3-year deal.
- Mon, March 9, 2026 at 8:37 PM PDTJason OwensThe Carolina Panthers have reached terms with one of the best defenders in free agency.Per NFL insider Jordan Schultz, All-Pro linebacker Devin Lloyd is signing a three-year, $45 million deal to leave the Jacksonville Jaguars and join the Panthers.Lloyd will join the Panthers after completing his four-year rookie contract with the Jaguars. He was named to his first Pro Bowl and named second-team All-Pro after the 2025 season.The Jaguars had the option of extending Lloyd’s rookie contract following the 2024 season, but declined. And now he’s joined another team.For more, read here.
- Mon, March 9, 2026 at 7:59 PM PDTRyan YoungThe Chiefs are also re-signing wide receiver Tyquan Thornton to a new deal, according to The Athletic’s Michael Silver.
- Mon, March 9, 2026 at 7:56 PM PDTRyan Young
- Mon, March 9, 2026 at 7:55 PM PDTRyan YoungThe Chiefs are bringing in safety Alohi Gilman on a 3-year, $24.75 million deal, according to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Gilman had 49 total tackles last season with the Ravens.
- Mon, March 9, 2026 at 5:54 PM PDTJason OwensAnother former Dolphins offensive player is following Mike McDaniel to Los Angeles.Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, guard Cole Strange has agreed to a two-year, $13 million contract with the Chargers. McDaniel was his head coach in Miami and is now the offensive coordinator for the Chargers.Former Dolphins fullback Alec Ingold reached a deal with the Chargers on Sunday.
- Mon, March 9, 2026 at 5:16 PM PDTTarohn Finley
- Mon, March 9, 2026 at 4:55 PM PDTTarohn Finley
- Mon, March 9, 2026 at 4:51 PM PDTTarohn Finley
- Mon, March 9, 2026 at 4:49 PM PDTTarohn Finley
- Mon, March 9, 2026 at 4:47 PM PDTTarohn Finley
- Mon, March 9, 2026 at 4:44 PM PDTTarohn Finley
Tue, March 10, 2026 at 9:13 AM PDT
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson is brining a familiar name to his new team. The Bears reportedly agreed to a deal with wideout and kick returner Kalif Raymond on Tuesday, per NFL Network.
Raymond, 31, is a contributor in the passing game, but has excelled more as a return man.
He’s been a second-team All-Pro team member twice as a punt returner, and will almost certainly fill that void with the Bears.
Tue, March 10, 2026 at 8:31 AM PDT
The 29-year-old Knox will enter his eighth NFL season in 2026, all with the Bills. The third-round draft pick in 2019 played all 17 games last season, catching 36 passes for 417 yards and four touchdowns.
Tue, March 10, 2026 at 7:43 AM PDT
Former New York Giants safety Dane Belton is signing a one-year, $4 million deal with the New York Jets, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
With incentives, Belton will reportedly be able to make up to $6 million.
The Giants selected Belton in the fourth round of the 2022 draft out of Iowa. He scattered 22 starts across the past four seasons, including nine during the 2025 campaign.
Last season, he played a career-high 705 defensive snaps, per PFF, and registered 120 total tackles, the second most on the team. He also forced three fumbles and tallied the sixth interception of his career.
Tue, March 10, 2026 at 7:08 AM PDT
The Green Bay Packers are releasing cornerback Nate Hobbs, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
Just a year ago, the Packers inked Hobbs to a four-year, $48 million contract after he spent the 2021-24 seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Illinois product began his Packers stint as a starter before losing that job and watching his snap count decline significantly.
He was targeted 25 times during the 2025 campaign and gave up 17 grabs for 239 yards and 2 touchdowns, according to PFF.
Tue, March 10, 2026 at 6:59 AM PDT
The Carolina Panthers made a splash in free agency on Monday, reportedly signing highly coveted edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and All-Pro linebacker Devin Lloyd.
They began Tuesday with much quieter moves, albeit ones that will help fortify their depth on the defensive side of the ball.
Carolina re-signed defensive end LaBryan Ray and cornerback Robert Rochell.
Notably, Ray started nine games for the Panthers two seasons ago — piling up 41 total tackles in his 16 appearances that year — before serving as a rotational piece during the 2025 campaign.
Tue, March 10, 2026 at 6:44 AM PDT
Former Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Greg Newsome II has agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $10 million with the New York Giants, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Newsome is a former first-round pick. The Cleveland Browns selected him 26th overall out of Northwestern in 2021.
He spent the first four-plus seasons of his NFL career with the Browns before they traded him midseason last year to Jacksonville.
Tue, March 10, 2026 at 4:50 AM PDT
The Buffalo Bills are restructuring their contract with kicker Tyler Bass.
After missing last season with an injury, Bass will make less money in 2026. But his revised deal contains incentives that could bump his pay back up.
Prior to the injury, Bass was among the more reliable kickers on one of the NFL’s best offenses.
Tue, March 10, 2026 at 4:46 AM PDT
The Green Bay Packers are strengthening their defense early in free agency. The team reportedly added to that side of the ball Tuesday, signing cornerback Benjamin St-Juste to a two-year, $10 million deal, per NFL Network.
St-Juste, 28, played in 16 games with the Los Angeles Chargers last season.
A former third-round pick, St-Juste spent the first four seasons of his career with the Washington Commanders. He developed into a consistent starter with the team before staring just two games in Los Angeles last season.
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 9:35 PM PDT
