NFL free agency doesn’t ease you in at all. The moment the window opens, phones start ringing and there’s so much reshuffling happening at once that is hard to keep up with. This has been the practice for several seasons and the 2026 edition is no different. The 2026 NFL free agency started officially on March 11, 2026 and within the first 24 hours, billions of dollars have already been committed. This period has also seen blockbuster trades that have impacted teams like the Titans and Raiders. There was also a dramatic deal that collapsed at the last minute and several quarterback chaos across the NFL.

If you’re still trying to make sense of it all, the NFL free agent signings, the trades and the players that are still unsigned then this is your guide. And if you also like to have some fun while you follow the action then this instant withdraw casino will give you all the fun you need. For now though, let’s break down everything happening in the NFL off-season.

When Does NFL Free Agency Start in 2026?

A lot of questions have been raised concerning the NFL free agency season but one question has been raised above the others, when does NFL free agency start in 2026? Well, the NFL free agency following the league’s standard structure started with the legal negotiating window opening at noon ET on Monday, March 9, with the new league year. It was followed by the official signing period which began at 4 p.m RT on Wednesday, March 11.

Now, the two day gap between tampering and signing is very important. Teams and agents use this time to agree on contract terms, so by the time Wednesday rolls around, most of the big names have already committed somewhere. The actual signings are just paperwork at that point.

Over a billion dollars worth of new contracts have already been written by NFL teams in this short period of time, which tells you just how busy those first 48 hours get. The NFL free agency market moves very fast and teams that hesitate often miss out on their top targets entirely.

NFL Free Agency 2026 Tracker: Latest Signings and Trades Today

Below is a table showing the major NFL trades and signings from the start date of the NFL free agency 2026. This free agency tracker covers the major moves that have already changed teams in the NFL.

Player	Position	From	To	Contract
Trey Hendrickson	Edge	Cincinnati Bengals	Baltimore Ravens	4 yrs / $112M ($60M gtd)
Tyler Linderbaum	C	Baltimore Ravens	Las Vegas Raiders	3 yrs / $81M ($60M gtd)
Kenneth Walker III	RB	Seattle Seahawks	Kansas City Chiefs	3 yrs / $45M ($28.7M gtd)
Malik Willis	QB	Green Bay Packers	Miami Dolphins	3 yrs / $67.5M ($45M gtd)
Mike Evans	WR	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	San Francisco 49ers	Terms TBC
Travis Etienne	RB	Jacksonville Jaguars	New Orleans Saints	4 yrs / $52M
Tua Tagovailoa	QB	Miami Dolphins	Atlanta Falcons	1 yr / $1.3M
Kyler Murray	QB	Arizona Cardinals	Minnesota Vikings	1 yr
Jaylen Waddle	WR	Miami Dolphins	Denver Broncos	Trade: 1st, 3rd, 4th pick
Justin Fields	QB	New York Jets	Kansas City Chiefs	Trade: 2027 6th-round pick

Top NFL Free Agent Signings 2026

Let’s take a closer look at some of the NFL free agent signings from the opening period in 2026 that stand out.

Trey Hendrickson to the Baltimore Ravens

This one came with a lot of drama. The Ravens had already agreed to sign Maxx Crosby from Las Vegas, but they pulled out of the deal last minute due to serious concerns about his surgically repaired left knee. They quickly changed direction and signed Hendrickson on a four year, $112 million deal with $69 million fully guaranteed and a maximum value of $120 million. 

He is 31 and just came off a patchy injury hit stretch. However, over the past 3 seasons, Hendrickson has 39 sacks while Crosby has 32. We can say on production alone, Baltimore didn’t downgrade much. They also kept the first round picks that would have gone to Last Vegas, which matters long term.

Tyler Linderbaum to the Las Vegas Raiders

Las Vegas walked away from the Crosby desk with more draft capital and a space to fill at the center. However, they were able to do this in style. Linderbaum signed a three year, $81 million deal that includes $60 million in guaranteed money. 

Because of this deal, Linderbaum became the highest paid center in the league. The Raiders had a league worst 64 sacks last season, so an elite center was the right move to make.

Kenneth Walker III to the Kansas City Chiefs

Walker arrived in Kansas City as the reigning Super Bowl MVP after leading Seattle to the championship. The Chiefs who ranked 25th in the NFL averaged just 106.6 rushing yards per game last season really needed this new signing. With Patrick Machines recovering from ACL surgery, having a new bell-cow back changes things for the team.

When you already have a quarterback and an offense built around the pass, what actually stresses the defense the most is a back who can turn a routine carry into a 20-yard gain and fortunately, that’s Walker’s game.

Malik Willis to the Miami Dolphins

Miami really blew up their roster this off season. They released Tua Tagovailoa, traded Tyreek Hill and Jalyen Waddle, and cut Bradley Chubb. Willis signed with the team on a three year, $67.5 million deal with $45 million fully guaranteed. 

This is a serious bet on a quarterback with only six career stats. The market really gave him a boost after two clean years with interceptions.

Mike Evans to the San Francisco 49ers

At 31, Evans return to the NFL after a serious knee injury has given some teams concerns but it seems the 49ers clearly feel he can still make a difference in their offense. Evans signed a three year deal with San Francisco.

NFL Trades Today and Key Offseason Moves

Some of the NFL trades today are moving quickly according to the NFL free agency tracker. And honestly, this off-season has had some important deals beyond the signings.

Jaylen Waddle to Denver

The Dolphins traded Waddle and a fourth round pick to the Broncos in exchange for a 2026 first round pick, a third and a fourth. While Miami started rebuilding its roster from scratch. 

For Denver, it makes a lot of sense to add Waddle to the team. They were a legitimate contender last season and needed another weapon for Bo Nix.

Justin Fields to Kansas City

The Jets traded Fields for a 2027 First round pick. Kansas City on the other hand hit a veteran backup for nothing while the Jets moved forward without him. Fields was just one year into a two year deal, so it’s a clean break for both sides.

Trent McDuffie to the Rams

The Rams signed McDuffie from Kansas City for multiple draft picks, this includes a 2026 first rounder. Kansas City might have sacrificed a top pick, but the compensation draft capital they will eventually receive makes it a reasonable trade on their end.

Michael Pittman Jr. to Pittsburgh

Pittman was traded from Indianapolis to the Pittsburgh Steelers and will receive a three year, $59 million extension. Pittsburgh needed a worthy receiver after a difficult offensive season and Pittman when healthy is just the right man for the job.

Available NFL Free Agents 2026: Who Is Still Unsigned

Even though quite a  number of players have received new contracts already, there are still quite a few NFL free agents who are still unsigned as of mid-March. This list includes some notable names that still have the potential to shift the league’s balance.

• Aaron Rodgers (QB): Rodgers who is 42 threw for 24 touchdowns and only seven interceptions in 2025. He hasn’t declared his intentions yet but a rerun to Pittsburgh under Mike McCarthy seems very likely if he decides to play.
• Kirk Cousins (QB): Cousins who has been released by Atlanta is 38 and played in just 10 games last season before being cut at the start of the new league year.
• Deebo Samuel (WR): Samuel caught 72 passes and scored five touchdowns during his one season with Washington. His marker has been slower than expected.
• Bobby Wagner (LB): Wagner at 36 is the active tackle leader with 2,000 career stops. He is still productive with 162 tackles and 4.5 sacks in 2025, but age is slowing his market.
• David Njoku (TE): Njoku is a capable starter who has become quite expendable in Cleveland after Harold Fannin Jr. emerged last season.
• Joel Bitonio (G): The 34 year old Browns guard had a 96.4% pass block win rate in 2025. He is currently considering retirement.

NFL Free Agency 2026 Summary: Key Numbers and Offseason Moves

Category	Number
Contracts committed in first 8 hours	~$2.3 billion
Players reaching highest-paid at position (Day 1)	8
Teams with $100M+ cap space entering free agency	2 (Raiders, Titans)
Titans total free agency spend	~$295 million
Most expensive contract (non-QB)	Trent McDuffie — 4 yrs / $124M

Just like how the Premier League March analysis has been flying around, NFL free agency has also been demanding its own attention this period as fans follow every move made by their favorite teams. Let’s put the scale of the 2026 NFL off-season moves into context: 

• The Tennessee Titans spent quite aggressively with nearly $295 million committed. Their biggest contracts went to defensive tackle John Franklin-Myers, (3 yrs / $63M), cornerback Alonte Taylor (3 yrs / $60M) and wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson (4yrs / $70M).
• The Las Vegas Raiders were the most active team in terms of roster shake up. They added Linderbaum at the center, Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean at linebacker, Kwity Page on the edge, and Taron Johnson at nickel back.
• The Miami Dolphins did a 180-degree turn and totally tore down their roster. They released Tua, Hill, and Chubb and traded Waddle. This has left them with 11 draft picks this year and a very different vision for the next season.
• On a positive note, quarterback signings dominated the narrative as usual. Four starters changed teams in the first 48 hours. Running back and edge rushers were the other positions that brought in the biggest money.

FAQ

When does NFL free agency start in 2026?

The NFL free agency started on Monday, March 9, while signings officially started  Wednesday, 11th March.

What is the NFL free agency tracker?

The NFL free agency tracker is a log of every signing, trade and release that every team makes during the free agency period. It is the easiest way for everyone to follow NFL trades and NFL free agent signings as they happen across the 32 teams.

How many players sign during NFL free agency?

Hundreds of players sign during this period. Though most of the important signings happen between the first 48 – 72 hours. Contracts worth about $2.3 billion were agreed to within the first eight hours of the 2026 negotiating window.

What is the difference between NFL trades and signings?

An NFL signing happens when a player whose contract has expired joins a new team voluntarily. A trade, on the other hand, involves exchanging a player who is still under contract for other players. Traded players can’t choose their destination, so both teams negotiate the terms instead.

Where can I follow NFL trades today?

For live NFL trades today, the most reliable sources to follow are NFL Network, ESPN, and NFL.com.

Who are the top free agents in 2026?

Trey Hendrickson, Tyler Linderbaum, Kenneth Walker III, Travis Etienne, Malik Willis, and Mike Evans are some of the top NFL free agents in 2025, and most of them are already signed. Some of the ones still available are quarterback Aaron Rodgers and wide receiver Deebo Samuel.