NFL Free Agency Frenzy: Major Trades, Signings Shake Up League as 2026 Market Opens

The NFL’s new league year opened March 11, triggering a wave of trades and free-agent signings across the league as teams rapidly reshape rosters ahead of the 2026 season.

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The NFL’s new league year officially began yesterday, March 11 at 4 p.m. ET, opening the free agency market and allowing previously negotiated deals during the legal tampering window to become official. Within hours, franchises across the league finalized trades, signed free agents, and began reshaping rosters ahead of the 2026 season.

Several teams were particularly active during the first wave of transactions, including the Dallas Cowboys, Las Vegas Raiders, and New York Jets. Early deals ranged from veteran extensions to high-profile trades as front offices worked to address roster needs before the next major offseason milestone, the NFL Draft.

One of the largest storylines involved Baltimore backing out of a previously discussed trade. The Ravens withdrew from a potential deal for Las Vegas Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby due to medical concerns, according to a statement released by the Raiders. Baltimore instead turned to free agency to address its pass rush needs.

With the league year underway, transactions continued to unfold across multiple teams.

Atlanta Falcons

• QB Tua Tagovailoa reportedly signing a one-year minimum deal

• WR Jahan Dotson signing with Atlanta

• WR Olamide Zaccheaus signing with the Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

• Trade for DE Maxx Crosby voided due to medical concerns

• DE Trey Hendrickson agreed to a four-year, $112 million contract

Chicago Bears

• WR DJ Moore officially traded to the Buffalo Bills

Dallas Cowboys

• DL Rashan Gary acquired from Green Bay for a 2027 fourth-round pick

• DL Solomon Thomas traded to Tennessee in a seventh-round pick swap

• DT Osa Odighizuwa traded to San Francisco for a 2026 third-round pick

Las Vegas Raiders

• WR Jalen Nailor signing with Las Vegas

• C Tyler Linderbaum signing a three-year, $81 million deal

• LB Nakobe Dean signing a three-year, $36 million contract ($20 million guaranteed)

• LB Quay Walker signing a three-year, $40.5 million contract

• QB Geno Smith traded to the New York Jets

• CB Taron Johnson acquired from the Buffalo Bills

Los Angeles Chargers

• TE Charlie Kolar signing a three-year deal worth $24.3 million ($17 million guaranteed)

• OT Trevor Penning signing a one-year contract worth up to $4.5 million

Miami Dolphins

• QB Malik Willis signing a three-year, $67.5 million deal

• TE Greg Dulcich re-signed on a one-year contract worth $3.25 million

• S Minkah Fitzpatrick traded to the Jets for a seventh-round pick

Minnesota Vikings

• RB Aaron Jones revised contract lowers base salary to $5.5 million

• Vikings considered a leading candidate to sign QB Kyler Murray

New England Patriots

• OL Alijah Vera-Tucker signing a three-year contract

• FB Reggie Gilliam signing a three-year deal worth up to $12 million

• OLB Dre’Mont Jones signing a three-year, $39.5 million deal

New Orleans Saints

• RB Travis Etienne signed a four-year, $52 million contract

New York Giants

• TE Isaiah Likely signing a three-year, $40 million deal

Pittsburgh Steelers

• RB Rico Dowdle signing a two-year, $12.25 million contract

• CB Jamel Dean signing a three-year, $36.75 million deal

• CB Asante Samuel Jr. re-signed on a one-year contract

San Francisco 49ers

• WR Mike Evans signing a three-year contract

Tennessee Titans

• QB Mitchell Trubisky signing a two-year contract

• WR Wan’Dale Robinson signing a four-year, $78 million deal ($38 million guaranteed)

• CB Cordale Flott signing a three-year deal worth $45 million ($32 million guaranteed)

The opening hours of free agency illustrate how quickly roster construction accelerates once the league year begins. Teams are balancing salary cap flexibility, positional upgrades, and long-term planning while preparing for offseason programs and the upcoming NFL Draft.

With multiple high-profile players already changing teams and additional deals expected throughout the week, the early stages of free agency are already reshaping the competitive landscape heading into the 2026 NFL season. Let's Talk About It!