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 on Wednesday, March 11, 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.
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Monday’s action kicked off with the news that the Dolphins will release Tua Tagovailoa, while Travis Kelce is reportedly set on returning to the Chiefs for 2026. Speaking of Kansas City, Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker is reportedly in agreement on a deal to join Kelce and Patrick Mahomes, while wide receiver Alec Pierce is set to return to Indianapolis.
It’s already been a buzzy start to the NFL free agency period, with several big-time trades, including the Las Vegas Raiders trading star defensive end and five-time Pro Bowler Maxx Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for two first-round picks. The move helps set the stage for the Raiders’ impending rebuild, centered around the No. 1 overall pick in April’s draft, with which Las Vegas is expected to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
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.
Live28 updatesMon, March 9, 2026 at 9:26 AM PDT
Andy Backstrom
The Kansas City Chiefs are signing running back Kenneth Walker III, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Walker, the reigning Super Bowl MVP, will join Patrick Mahomes and a Chiefs offense that’s hoping to rediscover its groove after reuniting with offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.
Walker is headed to Kansas City on a three-year deal worth up to $45 million, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, who reported that Walker has now inked the highest-paying free-agent deal for a RB in NFL history.
Read more here.
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 9:11 AM PDT
Kate Magdziuk
The Indianapolis Colts have reportedly come to terms on a four-year, $116 million deal with wide receiver Alec Pierce, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Coming off a breakout season in 2025, Pierce was considered among the top available free-agent wide receivers in this year’s class. Now, he secures a long-term deal to remain in Indy — answering at least one of the lingering questions about the Colts offense leading up to free agency.
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 10:18 AM PDT
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have reportedly agreed to terms on a two-year, $17 million contract with veteran linebacker Alex Anzalone, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported Monday.
Anzalone has spent the last five seasons with the Detroit Lions and was a five-time defensive captain with the squad under head coach Dan Campbell. He tallied 2.5 sacks, 1 interception and 95 total tackles in 2025. He had four tackles for a loss.
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 10:15 AM PDT
Andy Backstrom
Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell is signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on a two-year, $14 million deal that comes with $10 million guaranteed, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz.
Gainwell totaled a career-high 1,023 scrimmage yards last season with the Steelers.
He previously played for the Philadelphia Eagles from 2021-24.
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 10:13 AM PDT
Tarohn Finley
The New York Jets reportedly signed linebacker Demario Davis to a two-year, $22 million contract, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
Davis, 37, spent his first four seasons with the Jets after getting drafted by the team in 2012. Davis has spent the last eight seasons with the New Orleans Saints.
Despite entering year 15, Davis remains productive. Last season, Davis finished with 143 tackles, 2 forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 10:12 AM PDT
Tarohn Finley
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 10:11 AM PDT
Ian Casselberry
Cornerback Akayleb Evans is returning to the Carolina Panthers on a one-year contract, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
Evans, 26, appeared in 16 games for the Panthers last season, making 12 tackles. He was originally a 2022 fourth-round selection by the Minnesota Vikings and played with them for three seasons before being waived and picked up by Carolina during the 2024-25 season.
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 10:05 AM PDT
Ian Casselberry
Defensive tackle John Ridgeway is reportedly staying with the New Orleans Saints, agreeing to a two-year, $6.2 million contract, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Ridgeway, 26, started two games for the Saints last season and appeared in 17 over the past two seasons. A 2022 fifth-round pick by the Dallas Cowboys, Ridgeway played his first two NFL seasons with the Washington Commanders.
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 10:01 AM PDT
Andy Backstrom
The New York Jets are signing former Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Joseph Ossai, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Ossai has agreed to a three-year, $36 million deal that includes $22.5 million fully guaranteed, per Schefter.
The Bengals took Ossai out of Texas in the third round of the 2021 draft, and he’s logged 14.5 sacks since.
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 9:57 AM PDT
Ian Casselberry
The Baltimore Ravens are reuniting with offensive guard John Simpson, NFL Network Ian Rapoport reports. Simpson is signing a three-year, $30 million deal.
Simpson, 28, played the past two seasons with the New York Jets. Prior to that, he spent one season with the Ravens. Simpson has started all 17 games for three consecutive years and has done so in four of his six NFL seasons, the first three of which were with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 9:51 AM PDT
Tarohn Finley
Free agent quarterback Malik Willis is reportedly signing a three-year, $67.5 million contract with the Miami Dolphins, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Monday.
The news comes hours after the team announced the impending release of veteran Tua Tagovailoa, who has started 76 games for Miami over the past six seasons.
Willis put his name back on the map last season while filling in for an injured Jordan Love in Green Bay. Across parts of four games in 2025 (one start), Willis completed 30 of 35 passes (85.7%), threw three touchdowns to zero interceptions, and posted a passer rating of 145.5 and a 93.1 QBR. He also rushed for 123 yards and two touchdowns.
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 9:44 AM PDT
Tarohn Finley
The Indianapolis Colts will reportedly trade wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. to the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
Pittman had 80 catches for 784 yards last season. The Colts trade comes on the heels of re-signing wide receiver Alec Pierce to a four-year, $116 million extension.
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 9:43 AM PDT
Tarohn Finley
The Carolina Panthers reportedly signed edge rusher Jaelan Phillips to a 4-year, $120M deal, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Phillips spent the second half of last season with the Philadelphia Eagles after being traded before the deadline. Phillips started his career with the Miami Dolphins after being traded in the first-round in the 2021 NFL Draft.
The 26-year-old finished the season with 53 tackles, 5 sacks and 2 fumble recoveries.
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 9:41 AM PDT
Tarohn Finley
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 9:39 AM PDT
Tarohn Finley
The Los Angeles Rams will reportedly sign cornerback Jaylen Watson to a three-year, $51 million contract, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.
The Rams ’ latest move comes after acquiring Trent McDuffie from the Chiefs and making him the highest-paid cornerback on Sunday.
Watson finished with 64 tackles and 2 interceptions last season.
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 9:32 AM PDT
Tarohn Finley
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers reportedly re-signed tight end Cade Otton, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
The 26-year-old tight end finished with 56 catches for 572 yards and 1 touchdown. With Mike Evans’ future with the team unknown, Otton can possibly be a bigger part of the Bucs’ passing game next season.
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 9:21 AM PDT
Jason Owens
The San Francisco 49ers are open to trading All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams’ NFL Network reports.
The news broke at the onset of the NFL’s free agency tampering period Monday.
The report arrives on the heels of a report earlier in the offseason from ESPN that the two sides are “struggling to find a contractual solution” to reduce his scheduled $38.8 million salary cap hit for next season. Per that report, Williams could be headed toward a release and free agency barring a new deal.
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 9:17 AM PDT
Tarohn Finley
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 9:15 AM PDT
Tarohn Finley
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 9:14 AM PDT
Tarohn Finley
The Las Vegas Raiders reportedly re-signed cornerback Eric Stokes to a three-year, $30M deal, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Stokes, 27, joined the Raiders after last season, after spending his first four years with the Green Bay Packers.
Last season, the former first-round pick had 53 tackles and five pass breakups. The Raiders also acquired cornerback Taron Johnson in a trade with the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.