NFL Football 3d Briefing
×Free Agency Frenzy
The NFL's free agency period kicked off with a flurry of activity, as teams scrambled to address roster needs and secure key players. The Baltimore Ravens espn.com backed out of a four-day-old trade for Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby, leaving the market for the Pro Bowl defender wide open. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Steelers espn.com locked down longtime defensive captain Cameron Heyward with a one-year extension, while the New York Giants espn.com added former Ravens fullback Patrick Ricard on a two-year deal. The Washington Commanders espn.com bolstered their linebacker corps with Leo Chenal on a three-year, $24.75 million contract, while the Green Bay Packers espn.com addressed their return game by signing wide receiver/kick returner Skyy Moore to a one-year deal.
High-Profile Signings
Several marquee players found new homes as teams opened their wallets. The New Orleans Saints espn.com secured linebacker Kaden Elliss on a three-year, $33 million deal, reuniting with the player they originally drafted. The Philadelphia Eagles espn.com added cornerback Riq Woolen on a one-year, $15 million contract, while the Cleveland Browns espn.com signed former Packers lineman Elgton Jenkins to a two-year deal just one day after his release. The Houston Texans espn.com made a significant investment in their offensive line, agreeing to a two-year, $25 million contract with tackle Braden Smith that includes $13.5 million fully guaranteed.
Quarterback Carousel
The quarterback market saw significant movement as teams looked to upgrade their signal-calling situations. The Kansas City Chiefs espn.com made waves by signing Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III, while Travis Kelce espn.com announced his return for a 14th season, citing fiancée Taylor Swift as a major influence on his decision. The New York Jets espn.com acquired former Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith in a trade with the Raiders, reuniting him with the team that drafted him in 2013. The Buffalo Bills espn.com added veteran backup Kyle Allen to support Josh Allen, while the Arizona Cardinals espn.com landed former Chiefs quarterback Gardner Minshew on a one-year, $8.25 million deal.
Defensive Additions
Teams across the league focused on strengthening their defenses during the opening hours of free agency. The Dallas Cowboys espn.com added safety Jalen Thompson on a three-year, $33 million contract, while the Seattle Seahawks espn.com retained wide receiver Rashid Shaheed with a three-year, $51 million deal that includes $34.7 million guaranteed. The Denver Broncos espn.com brought back running back J.K. Dobbins on a two-year, $20 million contract with $8 million guaranteed at signing. The Cincinnati Bengals espn.com bolstered their defense by signing former Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe and former Chiefs safety Bryan Cook.
Offensive Line Moves
The offensive line market saw significant activity as teams looked to protect their quarterbacks and establish the run. The Cleveland Browns espn.com made a major investment in guard Zion Johnson, agreeing to a three-year, $49.5 million deal that includes $32.4 million guaranteed. The New York Giants espn.com re-signed offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor to a three-year, $39 million contract with $26 million guaranteed. The Houston Texans espn.com retained guard Ed Ingram and defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins with multiyear deals, keeping key pieces of their offensive and defensive lines intact.
Trades and Transactions
The trade market also saw significant movement as teams looked to acquire talent through different avenues. The Green Bay Packers espn.com finalized a deal sending defensive lineman Rashan Gary to the Dallas Cowboys espn.com in exchange for a 2027 draft pick. The Miami Dolphins espn.com traded defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick to the New York Jets espn.com for a 2026 seventh-round pick from the Chargers. The Indianapolis Colts espn.com re-signed wide receiver Alec Pierce but traded his running mate Michael Pittman Jr. to the Pittsburgh Steelers espn.com.
Cap Space and Contract Details
Several teams made moves to create cap space or manage their salary cap situations. The New Orleans Saints espn.com utilized a rare clause to get under the 2026 salary cap with room to spare. The Washington Commanders espn.com avoided potential contract woes by re-signing left tackle Laremy Tunsil to a new two-year extension with $60.2 million guaranteed and a position-best $32.5 million in signing bonuses. The Kansas City Chiefs espn.com structured Travis Kelce's new deal to be worth $12 million with a maximum value of $15 million, allowing them to maintain flexibility under the cap.
Notable Departures
Several veteran players changed teams or were released as the league's landscape shifted. The Atlanta Falcons espn.com released wide receiver Darnell Mooney, freeing up $7.4 million in cap space. The Green Bay Packers espn.com released offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins to free up more than $19.5 million in cap space. The Jacksonville Jaguars espn.com retained cornerback Montaric "Buster" Brown with a three-year, $33 million deal, keeping a key piece of their secondary in place.
As free agency continues, teams are positioning themselves for the upcoming draft and the 2026 season. The Baltimore Ravens espn.com, and Pittsburgh Steelers espn.com each received four compensatory picks in next month's NFL draft based on their losses and signings in last year's free agency. With the quarterback market still unsettled and several high-profile players remaining unsigned, the next wave of free agency could bring additional significant moves as teams finalize their rosters for the upcoming season.