Everything that happened on the Friday leading up to NFL free agency 2026

The official start of NFL free agency is March 11, but teams can begin negotiating and agreeing to terms with players on March 9

NFL free agency officially kicks off with the legal tampering period beginning on Monday, March 9. Between now and then, though, plenty of players will sign contracts, either with their current teams or a new one.

Contract-extension season is usually in full swing at or before the start of the new league year. Any player who was released by his former team is also eligible to sign with any other team right away. So even though there are a whole lot of players who are not yet able to sign contracts until the official start of the new league year on March 11, there is also a big group of players who can do so right now.

We've already seen some action over the last few days, and there will undoubtedly be more of it over the weekend as we gear up for the start of the big show next week. In the space below, we'll be keeping track of all the comings and goings. Keep it locked to this live blog for all the updates.

Follow Saturday's latest updates on NFL free agency here.

[Mar 6, 2026 at 9:34 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

And there it is: Maxx Crosby is a Baltimore Raven, a massive move for a team looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2025. The Ravens are sending two first-round picks to the Raiders -- 2026 (No. 14 overall) and 2027, according to CBS Sports lead NFL insider Jonathan Jones.

Crosby, who turns 29 in August, is a five-time Pro Bowler and an absolutely relentless force off the edge. He has had double-digit sacks in three of his last four seasons, and he led the NFL in tackles for loss in 2022 and 2023. The Ravens had one of the NFL's worst pass rushes in 2025, and this trade is a massive step toward fixing that.

The Raiders, meanwhile, turn over a new leaf. It didn't make a ton of sense to keep Crosby, entering a three-year, $106.5 million extension, on the books considering just how long of a roster rebuild this figures to be. The Raiders already had a ton of money for free agency -- and now they have even more -- to upgrade presumptive No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza's surroundings. That should include major offensive line and wide receiver upgrades.

[Mar 6, 2026 at 7:44 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

Three days after Drew Dalman's surprise retirement, the Bears have found his successor at center in Garrett Bradbury. The Patriots will receive a 2027 fifth-round pick for sending the 30-year-old to the Windy City.

The Bears were in a tough spot unexpectedly, and they moved quickly to solve it. They still have questions at left tackle, but Ben Johnson does a good job getting the best out of his offensive linemen. The Patriots, meanwhile, will move left guard Jared Wilson to his natural position of center. They'll likely look for a left guard in free agency and/or the draft.

Patriots trade Garrett Bradbury to Bears: Chicago replaces retired Drew Dalman, sends pick to New England

Zachary Pereles

[Mar 6, 2026 at 6:00 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

NFL Media's Ian Rapoport reported Friday that the Texans and Dalton Schultz agreed to a one-year extension worth $12.6 million, tying the two together through the 2027 season.

Schultz, who turns 30 this offseason originally agreed to a one-year deal with Houston back in 2023 and then signed a three-year, $36 million deal in 2024. He ranks second on the Texans in both receptions (194) and receiving yards (1,944) over the past three seasons, behind only Nico Collins.

[Mar 6, 2026 at 5:55 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

The Cardinals released veteran defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson, the team announced Friday. The release saves $9.4 million in cap space and comes with a $6.8-million cap hit.

Tomlinson started all 17 games in his first season with the Cardinals, playing alongside Calais Campbell. Campbell is also a free agent, so while the Tomlinson does save some cap space, it also leaves a significant hole. Walter Nolen III, a 2025 first-round pick who struggled with injuries but flashed when on the field, will be expected to step up in 2026.

[Mar 6, 2026 at 5:49 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

The Bills had lots of work to do to balance their cap sheet even before acquiring DJ Moore, and they've been doing some of that work throughout Friday with several veteran releases.

Safety Taylor Rapp is the latest, the team confirmed. Rapp appeared in just six games in 2025 due to a knee injury. His release saves Buffalo roughly $3 million.

Buffalo also released cornerbacks Taron Johnson and Dane Jackson and wide receiver Curtis Samuel on Friday.

[Mar 6, 2026 at 4:32 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

Vikings center Ryan Kelly announced his retirement Friday. Kelly spent his first nine seasons in Indianapolis, where he made four Pro Bowls with the Colts, but he had been hampered by injuries each of his last three seasons. He played in just eight games in 2025, his first year with Minnesota, due to concussion issues. 

Minnesota, which is continuing to clear cap space, now adds center to its offseason to-do list.

[Mar 6, 2026 at 3:56 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Houston will free up $8 million in cap space by releasing Mixon, who reportedly asked for his release. A two-time Pro Bowler, Mixon didn't play at all last year due to a lower body injury. In 2024 (his lone seasons with the Texans), Mixon ran for 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns while helping Houston win its second consecutive division title. 

Mixon has spent the bulk of his career with the Bengals; he is third all-time on the franchise's career rushing list. He helped Cincinnati reach the franchise's first Super Bowl in 33 years at the end of the 2021 season. 

[Mar 6, 2026 at 3:02 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

In 2023, Lamar Jackson made a cryptic social media post before he received his hefty contract extension. He did something similar today, which may suggest that another big extension is in the works. 

Jackson has two years remaining on the five-year, $260 million deal he signed in 2023. Eight quarterbacks currently make more than Jackson does on an annual basis. 

[Mar 6, 2026 at 1:50 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

The former first-round pick had announced that he will be a free agent next week by posting a goodbye message to Green Bay on social media. Gary then deleted the message, a possible sign that something might be in the works. 

A 2019 first-round pick, Gary racked up 46.5 sacks during his seven seasons with the Packers. He had a career-high 9.5 sacks in 2021 and was named to his first Pro Bowl in 2024 after recording 7.5 sacks and nine tackles for loss, a career-high. Gary had 7.5 sacks again in 2025. 

[Mar 6, 2026 at 1:38 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Decker announced on Instagram that he requested his release from Detroit. The Lions already traded David Montgomery this offseason and now will part ways with their long-time starting left tackle. They will look like a significantly different team next season. 

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[Mar 6, 2026 at 1:06 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Buffalo will release its slot cornerback, according to multiple reports. The move doesn't save the Bills much money unless they designate him as a post-June 1 release, which would spread the cap hit out over two years. Buffalo still has a lot of work to do to get cap compliant by the start of the new league year, so we should expect more moves to come.

[Mar 6, 2026 at 12:51 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

New England is bringing its third-string quarterback back on a two-year, $7.4 million deal, per ESPN.

[Mar 6, 2026 at 12:43 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Miami is parting ways with both kicker Jason Sanders and fullback Alec Ingold, per multiple reports. The Dolphins already cut Tyreek Hill this offseason and are expected to cut Tua Tagovailoa at some point as well as they are not expected to find an agreeable trade partner for him.

[Mar 6, 2026 at 11:08 am ET · Jared Dubin]

The Geno era in Las Vegas is over as CBS Sports lead NFL insider Jonathan Jones reports that the Raiders will trade or release him just one year into the two-year, $75 million contract he signed last offseason. (The Raiders also traded a third-round pick to acquire him in the first place.) A trade is not expected and a release is the most likely result.

The Raiders will take an $18.5 million dead cap charge and create $8 million in cap room as they prepare to move onto likely No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza under center. The Athletic reports that the Raiders will look to add another veteran QB as they prefer not to start Mendoza right away if they draft him,

Smith could have a market this offseason as the quarterback crop is very thin. He could be appealing as a backup or interim starter for one of the several teams that need QB help.

[Mar 6, 2026 at 11:00 am ET · Jared Dubin]

CBS Sports lead NFL insider Jonathan Jones reports that Linderbaum could make as much as $24 million per year. He's the best center on the market this offseason and one of the best in the NFL. A $24 million per year average annual value would blow the top of the center market out of the water. Creed Humphrey currently tops the list at $18 million per year.

[Mar 6, 2026 at 10:09 am ET · Jared Dubin]

Multiple reports the last two days have linked the Dallas Cowboys to the star Raiders edge rusher. This morning, The Athletic reported that the Baltimore Ravens could also be involved and that opposing GMs believe the Raiders are willing to engage on deals.

[Mar 6, 2026 at 10:06 am ET · Jared Dubin]

According to SNY, agents at the NFL combine came away with the impression that the Jets want to sign two veteran quarterbacks this offseason. Names bandied about include Kyler Murray (who could be headed to the Vikings), Jacoby Brissett, Geno Smith and Carson Wentz. SNY reported that Wentz is a preferred option of new offensive coordinator Frank Reich, which is unsurprising given their history but also uninspiring given Wentz's performance in recent years.

[Mar 6, 2026 at 10:04 am ET · Jared Dubin]

According to The Athletic, the Chargers are monitoring the situation around A.J. Brown. The Eagles are holding firm with their high asking price, and the Patriots are also involved in the proceedings.

L.A. already has Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston under contract, and could potentially bring Keenan Allen back if it does not land Brown via trade. The Chargers added a new center in Tyler Biadasz, and it looks like they could be gearing up for more additions this offseason.

[Mar 6, 2026 at 8:46 am ET · Jared Dubin]

The veteran safety is getting a new deal to remain with his current team. It's a three-year, $36 million contract, according to multiple reports. That deal makes him the NFL's 13th-highest paid safety on an average annual value basis, tied with Broncos safety Talanoa Hufanga. 

Curl is an important part of the Rams' secondary, working alongside Kamren Kinchens on the back end of the defense. The Rams have already started to make over their defensive back corps with the acquisition of Trent McDuffie via trade, but we should probably expect them to add even more talent there this offseason as they attempt to get back to the Super Bowl.

[Mar 6, 2026 at 8:40 am ET · Jared Dubin]

The former Cowboys and Commanders center is headed to Los Angeles. Biadasz was cut earlier this offseason by Washington but landed a new deal before the official start of the free agency period. It's a three-year, $30 million contract, per multiple reports. The contract makes him the league's sixth-highest paid center on an average annual value basis. 

The Chargers badly needed a center as they attempt to remake the interior of their offensive line this offseason. They have bookend tackles in Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt but still likely need to sign at least one guard in order to bring the offensive line up to snuff.

[Mar 6, 2026 at 8:35 am ET · Jared Dubin]

Houston's star edge rusher signed a one-year, $40.1 million contract extension that contains over $30 million in guarantees, per multiple reports. It keeps him in Houston through the 2027 season. The $40.1 million value on the extension makes Hunter the fourth-highest paid edge in the league, behind only Micah Parsons, Aidan Hutchinson and T.J. Watt.

Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. have formed arguably the best edge duo in the NFL since Hunter arrived in Houston two years ago. Across those two seasons, Hunter has played every game and racked up 27 sacks, 32 tackles for loss and 45 additional quarterback hits.