NFL Roster Shakeups Accelerate as League Nears March 11 Free Agency Opening

Salary cap growth and the approaching start of the new league year trigger trades, releases, extensions, and tenders across multiple NFL franchises.

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With the start of the NFL’s new league year approaching, front offices across the league continue reshaping rosters through trades, releases, tenders, and extensions. The activity has accelerated as teams prepare for the March 11 opening of free agency at 4 p.m. ET, a deadline that historically triggers significant movement across the league.

Several notable transactions occurred in recent days as organizations positioned themselves financially and strategically. The Chicago Bears reportedly agreed to trade wide receiver DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick, while also sending a 2026 fifth-round selection to Buffalo as part of the deal. Elsewhere, teams finalized contract extensions and releases while working to align their payrolls with the upcoming salary cap threshold.

The NFL announced earlier this year that the 2026 salary cap will be set at $301.2 million per team. While the figure lands on the lower end of early projections, it marks the first time in league history the cap has exceeded $300 million. The new limit represents a $22 million increase from the 2025 cap of $279.2 million and continues a multi-year trend of financial growth across the league. Just four seasons ago, the cap stood at $208.2 million in 2022 before rising to $255.4 million in 2024.

As the cap continues expanding, clubs are balancing contract restructures and roster turnover while preparing to pursue available talent once the market opens.

Arizona Cardinals

• DL Bilal Nichols released

• LB Akeem Davis-Gaither released

Atlanta Falcons

• DL Sam Roberts will not be tendered as a restricted free agent

• WR Darnell Mooney expected to be released

Chicago Bears

• WR DJ Moore traded to the Buffalo Bills for a 2026 second-round pick (Chicago also sends a 2026 fifth-round pick)

• LB Tremaine Edmunds expected to be released, creating roughly $15 million in cap space

Dallas Cowboys

• DT Perrion Winfrey released

Denver Broncos

• OL Alex Palczewski agreed to a two-year contract

Houston Texans

• RT Trent Brown re-signing on a one-year deal worth up to $7 million

• DE Danielle Hunter signed a one-year extension worth $40.1 million through the 2027 season

Jacksonville Jaguars

• TE Quintin Morris agreed to a one-year contract extension

Las Vegas Raiders

• C Will Putnam received an exclusive rights free agent tender

• DE Charles Snowden received an exclusive rights free agent tender

Los Angeles Rams

• TE Tyler Higbee re-signed on a two-year deal worth up to $8 million

New England Patriots

• LB Jesse Luketa signed a one-year contract

New York Jets

• TE Jelani Woods re-signed

• DT Jowon Briggs received an exclusive rights tender

• LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball received an exclusive rights tender

San Francisco 49ers

• Matt Eberflus hired as assistant head coach of defense

Seattle Seahawks

• LB Drake Thomas signed a two-year contract worth up to $9 million

Tennessee Titans

• OL Garrett Dellinger received an exclusive rights tender

• DL C.J. Ravenell received an exclusive rights tender

Washington Commanders

• DE Drake Jackson signed a contract extension

The surge in roster activity reflects the league’s transition from postseason evaluation into full offseason roster construction. Teams are actively managing salary cap flexibility while determining which veterans remain central to long-term plans and which contracts must be moved before the new league year begins.

Once free agency officially opens March 11, pending deals and negotiations will become formal signings and trades, signaling the next major phase of the NFL offseason. With the salary cap now surpassing $300 million for the first time, front offices across the league will continue balancing financial strategy with roster upgrades in preparation for the 2026 season. Let's Talk About It!