NFL Football 24-Hour Briefing
×NFL Free Agency Frenzy
The NFL's legal tampering period exploded with activity as teams raced to secure top talent, with the Raiders setting a new center market by signing Tyler Linderbaum to a record-breaking deal. Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh each earned four compensatory picks in next month's draft, the league maximum, based on their offseason losses and signings. Meanwhile, the Falcons made a surprising quarterback move by releasing Tua Tagovailoa, who is expected to sign with Atlanta if Michael Penix Jr. isn't ready for the season.
Defensive Reinforcements
The Chiefs bolstered their secondary by signing Alohi Gilman to a three-year, $24.75 million deal, while also adding Tyquan Thornton on a two-year, $11 million contract. The Cowboys landed a major pass-rushing upgrade by acquiring Rashan Gary from the Packers in exchange for a 2027 fourth-round pick, immediately strengthening their defensive front. The Ravens added veteran cornerback Dee Alford on a three-year, $21 million deal, and the Jaguars retained Montaric "Buster" Brown with a three-year, $33 million contract to keep their secondary intact.
Offensive Line Overhauls
The Patriots dramatically upgraded their offensive line by signing Alijah Vera-Tucker to a three-year deal, while the Browns landed Zion Johnson on a three-year, $49.5 million contract with $32.4 million guaranteed. The Commanders avoided a contract standoff by extending Laremy Tunsil on a two-year deal with $60.2 million guaranteed and a league-high $32.5 million signing bonus. The Giants re-signed Jermaine Eluemunor to a three-year, $39 million contract, and the Bears added Coby Bryant on a three-year, $40 million deal to strengthen their secondary.
Running Back Carousel
The Panthers landed a dynamic backfield duo by signing Rico Dowdle to a two-year, $12.25 million deal and Jaelan Phillips to a four-year contract. The Broncos reacquired J.K. Dobbins on a two-year, $20 million deal, while the Saints spent $113 million on backfield and line by signing Travis Etienne Jr. to a four-year, $52 million contract and David Edwards to a four-year, $61 million deal. The Cardinals added Tyler Allgeier on a two-year, $12.5 million contract, and the Buccaneers signed Kenneth Gainwell to a two-year deal to bolster their backfield depth.
Wide Receiver Movement
The Seahawks committed $51 million to keep Rashid Shaheed with a three-year deal including $34.7 million guaranteed. The Chiefs added Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III and re-signed Travis Kelce on a one-year, $12 million deal that can max at $15 million. The Titans reunited Wan'Dale Robinson with offensive coordinator Brian Daboll on a deal that brings the versatile receiver back to the NFC South. The Falcons released Darnell Mooney to free up $7.4 million in cap space, while the Bears signed former Seahawks DB Bryant to a three-year, $40 million contract.
Quarterback Carousel
The Bills added Kyle Allen as Josh Allen's backup on a two-year, $4.1 million deal, while the Commanders re-signed Marcus Mariota on a one-year, $7 million contract. The Cardinals signed Gardner Minshew to a one-year, $8.25 million deal to compete for the starting job, and the Panthers agreed to terms with Kenny Pickett on a one-year, $7.5 million contract with $4 million guaranteed. The Giants targeted tight end depth by agreeing to a three-year deal with Isaiah Likely, reuniting him with head coach John Harbaugh.
Trade Activity
The Packers released Elgton Jenkins to free up $19.5 million in cap space, while the Colts traded Michael Pittman Jr. to the Steelers as part of a wider receiver room restructuring. The Dolphins sent Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Jets in exchange for a 2026 seventh-round pick originally held by the Chargers. The Rams added former Chiefs cornerback Jaylen Watson on a three-year deal, continuing their aggressive offseason approach to upgrading the secondary.
Special Teams and Depth
The Texans landed Reed Blankenship on a three-year, $24.75 million deal after his strong showing with the Eagles, while the Bengals added Boye Mafe and Bryan Cook to bolster their defensive front. The Chargers secured edge help by signing Joseph Ossai and Kingsley Enagbare, and the Jets overhauled their defense with the additions of Demario Davis, Ossai, and Enagbare. The Eagles' Christian Barmore had assault charges dropped by Massachusetts prosecutors who determined they couldn't prove the case, clearing a major obstacle for the defensive lineman's free agency.