The NFL offseason is officially moving into high gear as the league prepares for one of its most transformative periods. The 2026 NFL free agency cycle is set to begin in earnest, providing all 32 franchises with the opportunity to reshape their rosters through veteran acquisitions. With the legal negotiation period rapidly approaching, front offices are making final determinations on which pillars of their roster to retain and which will be allowed to test the open market.
Key Dates for the 2026 NFL Free Agency Period
According to league rules, the 2026 NFL free agency period officially begins with the start of the new league year. However, the action starts much earlier for front offices and agents. The legal negotiation window, often referred to as "legal tampering," is scheduled to open on March 9. During this window, teams are permitted to contact and enter into contract negotiations with the agents of players who will become unrestricted free agents (UFAs).
While verbal agreements can be reached during this time, no contracts can be officially signed until the new league year begins on March 11 at 4 p.m. ET. This period is historically one of the busiest times on the NFL calendar, often seeing massive contracts handed out within minutes of the window opening. For fans and analysts, this list of available players serves as the primary roadmap for the upcoming offseason.
AFC Unrestricted Free Agents by Team
The American Football Conference features several high-profile stars facing expiring contracts. Leading the class is Trey Hendrickson, who enters the market coming off a league-leading sack performance. Front offices in the AFC will be looking at this comprehensive list to determine which divisional rivals might be losing key anchors.
AFC North
- Baltimore Ravens: C Tyler Linderbaum, TE Isaiah Likely, WR DeAndre Hopkins, DL Dre'Mont Jones, FB Patrick Ricard.
- Cincinnati Bengals: Edge Trey Hendrickson, QB Joe Flacco, G Dalton Risner.
- Cleveland Browns: G Joel Bitonio, G Wyatt Teller, LB Devin Bush, OT Cam Robinson.
- Pittsburgh Steelers: QB Aaron Rodgers, G Isaac Seumalo, S Kyle Dugger.
AFC East
- New York Jets: RB Breece Hall, LB Quincy Williams, G Alijah Vera-Tucker, S Andre Cisco.
- Buffalo Bills: Edge Joey Bosa, C Connor McGovern, G David Edwards.
- Miami Dolphins: WR Tyreek Hill, Edge Bradley Chubb.
- New England Patriots: Edge K'Lavon Chaisson.
AFC South
- Indianapolis Colts: QB Daniel Jones, WR Alec Pierce, OT Braden Smith, Edge Kwity Paye.
- Jacksonville Jaguars: RB Travis Etienne, LB Devin Lloyd, CB Greg Newsome II, CB Montaric Brown.
- Houston Texans: WR Christian Kirk, DT Sheldon Rankins.
- Tennessee Titans: TE Chig Okonkwo.
AFC West
- Kansas City Chiefs: CB Jaylen Watson, S Bryan Cook, LB Leo Chenal.
- Los Angeles Chargers: RB Najee Harris, G Zion Johnson, Edge Khalil Mack, WR Keenan Allen.
- Las Vegas Raiders: CB Eric Stokes.
- Denver Broncos: Edge John Franklin-Myers.
NFC Unrestricted Free Agents by Team
The National Football Conference landscape is set to shift significantly as several young stars and established veterans reach the end of their current deals. Managing the salary cap while navigating this list is the primary challenge for NFC general managers as they head into the 2026 NFL free agency window.
NFC North
- Green Bay Packers: QB Malik Willis, OT Rasheed Walker, WR Romeo Doubs, LB Quay Walker, Edge Kingsley Enagbare.
- Detroit Lions: DT D.J. Reader, LB Alex Anzalone, Edge Al-Quadin Muhammad.
- Chicago Bears: CB Nahshon Wright, S Jaquan Brisker, S Kevin Byard, S C.J. Gardner-Johnson.
- Minnesota Vikings: S Harrison Smith, WR Jalen Nailor.
NFC East
- Dallas Cowboys: WR George Pickens, CB Trevon Diggs (Released).
- Philadelphia Eagles: Edge Jaelan Phillips, LB Nakobe Dean, TE Dallas Goedert, S Reed Blankenship.
- Washington Commanders: WR Deebo Samuel, LB Bobby Wagner, QB Marcus Mariota, Edge Von Miller.
- New York Giants: QB Russell Wilson, WR Wan'Dale Robinson.
NFC South
- Atlanta Falcons: TE Kyle Pitts (Franchise Tagged), RB Tyler Allgeier, DT David Onyemata, LB Kaden Elliss.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: WR Mike Evans, CB Jamel Dean, RB Rachaad White, LB Lavonte David, TE Cade Otton.
- New Orleans Saints: CB Alontae Taylor, DE Cam Jordan.
- Carolina Panthers: C Cade Mays.
NFC West
- San Francisco 49ers: WR Jauan Jennings.
- Seattle Seahawks: WR Rashid Shaheed, RB Kenneth Walker, Edge Boye Mafe, CB Riq Woolen, DB Coby Bryant, CB Josh Jobe.
- Los Angeles Rams: S Kamren Curl.
- Arizona Cardinals: OT Jonah Williams.
The Impact of the March 9 Deadline
As the legal negotiation period opens on March 9, the NFL world will turn its attention to this official list of available talent. This list is not just a collection of names; it represents the primary mechanism for parity in the league. Teams with significant cap space will look to the 2026 NFL free agency pool to jumpstart their rebuilds, while defending champions will fight to keep their core intact.
Notable storylines include the future of Malik Willis, who has seen his stock soar during his time in Green Bay, and the quarterback market which features veterans like Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson. Additionally, with Kyle Pitts already receiving the franchise tag in Atlanta, other teams may follow suit before the March deadline to prevent their top stars from reaching the open market.
Sources & Original Reporting
