NFL Football 3d Briefing
×Last updated: March 12, 2026, 5:44 PM ET
NFL Free Agency Frenzy
The NFL's legal tampering period kicked off with a flurry of blockbuster moves, as teams scrambled to address roster needs before the official signing window opened. The Commanders landed pass-rusher Oweh espn.com on a four-year, $100 million deal, adding a 17.5-sack producer from 2024 to bolster their revamped defense. Meanwhile, the Bengals secured DT Allen espn.com on a two-year, $28 million contract, giving Cincinnati's defensive front a much-needed anchor alongside their re-signed OT Brown Jr. on a two-year extension.
In quarterback news, the Colts reached agreement with Jones espn.com on a two-year, $88 million deal that could reach $100 million, while the Falcons signed Tagovailoa espn.com to a one-year, $9 million contract after Miami's surprising release. The Bills found a way to keep Knox espn.com with a three-year deal amid cap constraints, and the Packers restructured Jackson's contract espn.com to free up nearly $40 million in salary cap space.
Notable Trades and Releases
The Cowboys traded DT Odighizuwa to the 49ers espn.com for a 2026 third-round pick, while also sending OT Thomas to the Titans in a seventh-round pick swap. The Browns released OT Conklin espn.com after six injury-marred seasons in Cleveland, and the Falcons cut WR Mooney espn.com to free up $7.4 million in cap space. The Packers parted ways with Jenkins espn.com, releasing the versatile OL to open up $19.5 million in cap room.
Defensive Additions
The Chiefs added corner help with Kohou espn.com and safety Gilman on three-year, $24.75 million deals, while also signing WR Thornton to a two-year, $11 million contract. The Patriots bolstered their secondary with Byard espn.com on a one-year, $9 million deal and WR Doubs on a four-year, $80 million contract. The Eagles addressed their corner need with Woolen espn.com on a one-year, $15 million deal, and the Ravens reworked their defense with Hendrickson espn.com after the Crosby trade fell through.
Offensive Line Moves
The Browns re-signed Jenkins espn.com after their entire starting line hit free agency, while also adding Packers' Jenkins on a two-year deal. The Texans bolstered their line with Smith espn.com on a two-year, $25 million contract, and the Patriots bulked up with Vera-Tucker espn.com on a three-year deal. The Chargers kept Pipkins espn.com with a two-year, $10 million contract, and the Bears brought back Jones espn.com on a one-year, $10 million deal.
Running Back Carousel
The Commanders added White espn.com and Okonkwo espn.com to their backfield, while the Lions signed Pacheco espn.com to pair with Gibbs. The Steelers brought in Dowdle espn.com on a two-year, $12.25 million deal, and the Panthers landed Lloyd espn.com on a three-year, $45 million contract. The Vikings kept Jones Sr. espn.com with a restructured $5.6 million deal, and the Broncos re-signed Dobbins espn.com on a two-year, $20 million contract.
Veteran Returns and Departures
The 49ers welcomed back Greenlaw espn.com on a one-year, $7.5 million deal after his year away, while the Broncos released him espn.com one year after signing a three-year, $31.5 million contract. The Bucs lost Evans espn.com to the 49ers on a three-year deal, ending his 12-year tenure as the franchise's all-time leader in most receiving categories. The Jets brought back Smith espn.com in a trade before he could hit free agency, reuniting him with the team that drafted him in 2013.
Special Teams and Depth
The Texans made Fairbairn the NFL's highest-paid kicker espn.com with a two-year, $13 million extension, while the Packers added Moore espn.com as a wide receiver/kick returner. The Bills added Allen espn.com as Josh Allen's backup on a two-year, $4.1 million deal, and the Cardinals signed Minshew espn.com on a one-year, $8.25 million contract.
League Developments
The NFL reinstated its front office and coaching accelerator program espn.com, now including non-minority participants after pausing it in 2025. The league is also considering adding a game the day before Thanksgiving espn.com to this season's schedule as it explores additional broadcast windows. Meanwhile, the Tisches requested to transfer their Giants stake to trusts espn.com, and prosecutors will drop the charge against Barmore espn.com due to insufficient evidence.
Notable Signings and Extensions
The Seahawks kept Shaheed espn.com with a three-year, $51 million deal, while the Giants re-signed Eluemunor espn.com on a three-year, $39 million contract. The Commanders added Chenal espn.com on a three-year, $24.75 million deal and Chaisson espn.com on a one-year contract. The Saints reunited with Elliss espn.com on a three-year, $33 million deal, and the Steelers kept Heyward espn.com with a one-year extension.
Draft Compensatory Picks
The Ravens, Eagles, and Steelers each received four compensatory picks espn.com in next month's NFL draft based on their free agency activity from the previous year. This development could significantly impact teams' draft strategies as they balance immediate needs with long-term building plans.
The opening days of espn.com free agency have set the stage for a transformative offseason, with veteran stars changing teams, young talent getting paid, and franchises reshaping their rosters for the 2025 season and beyond. As the legal tampering period concludes and official signings begin, the NFL landscape continues to evolve at a rapid pace.