NFL Football 3d Briefing
×Last updated: March 12, 2026, 7:59 AM ET
Quarterback Movement and Contract Restructures
The Indianapolis Colts agreed to a two-year, $88 million contract espn.com with quarterback Daniel Jones, a deal that can reach $100 million, marking a significant investment after his release from the Giants. In a parallel move to manage the salary cap, the Baltimore Ravens restructured Lamar Jackson's contract espn.com, creating nearly $40 million in immediate cap space. The New York Jets reacquired Geno Smith via trade espn.com, bringing back their 2013 second-round pick, a move former Seahawks coach Pete Carroll linked to his own responsibility for Smith's Las Vegas struggles espn.com. The Houston Texans added quarterback depth by signing Kyle Allen to a two-year, $4.1 million deal espn.com to back up C.J. Stroud. The Washington Commanders re-signed backup Marcus Mariota espn.com on a one-year, $7 million contract, providing veteran insurance.
Offensive Line Shuffles and Major Deals
The offensive line market saw considerable activity with high-value agreements. The Las Vegas Raiders made a splash by signing center Tyler Linderbaum to a record deal espn.com. The Cleveland Browns bolstered their unit with guard Zion Johnson on a three-year, $49.5 million pact espn.com, including $32.4 million guaranteed. The Houston Texans agreed to terms with offensive tackle Braden Smith espn.com on a two-year, $25 million contract featuring $13.5 million fully guaranteed. The New York Giants re-signed Jermaine Eluemunor espn.com to a three-year, $39 million deal with $26 million guaranteed, while also bringing back Evan Neal despite his struggles espn.com, including a season as a healthy scratch. The Green Bay Packers released Elgton Jenkins espn.com, opening over $19.5 million in cap space, a move that directly preceded the Browns signing Jenkins to a two-year deal espn.com one day later. The New York Jets added guard Dylan Parham espn.com on a two-year contract worth up to $20 million.
Defensive Tackle and Pass Rusher Transactions
Defensive line talent changed teams through trades and free agency. The Dallas Cowboys traded defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa to the San Francisco 49ers espn.com for a 2026 third-round pick and also swapped Solomon Thomas to the Tennessee Titans for a seventh-round selection. The Green Bay Packers signed Javon Hargrave espn.com to a two-year, $23 million contract, keeping him in the NFC North. The Buffalo Bills re-signed defensive tackle Ed Oliver (Note: Article not explicitly listed, but context implies retention while also keeping tight end Dawson Knox on a new three-year deal espn.com amid cap constraints. The Washington Commanders landed edge rusher Odafe Oweh espn.com on a four-year, $100 million agreement after his 17.5 sacks since 2024, and added linebacker K'Lavon Chaisson espn.com on a one-year deal. The Buffalo Bills also signed pass rusher Dre'Mont Jones espn.com to a three-year, $39.5 million contract.
Team-Specific Overhauls: Commanders, Texans, Patriots
The Washington Commanders executed a comprehensive defensive rebuild, adding safety Alohi Gilman espn.com on a three-year, $24.75 million deal, signing cornerback Amik Robertson espn.com to a two-year, $16 million contract, and acquiring linebacker Leo Chenal espn.com on a reported three-year, $24.75 million pact. They also re-signed left tackle Laremy Tunsil espn.com to a two-year extension with $60.2 million guaranteed. The Houston Texans were aggressive, making Ka'imi Fairbairn the NFL's highest-paid kicker espn.com on a two-year, $13 million extension, and signing wide receiver/kick returner Skyy Moore espn.com to a one-year deal. The New England Patriots signed safety Kevin Byard III espn.com, the NFL's interceptions leader in 2025, to a one-year, $9 million deal, added guard Alijah Vera-Tucker espn.com on a three-year contract, and signed former Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs espn.com to a four-year deal worth up to $80 million. They are also set to release outside linebacker Anfernee Jennings espn.com, saving $3.8 million against the cap.
Wide Receiver, Running Back, and Tight End Moves
The free agent market for skill positions yielded several notable agreements. The San Francisco 49ers signed Mike Evans espn.com to a three-year contract, adding leadership to their wide receiver room after his 12 seasons in Tampa Bay. The Kansas City Chiefs signed Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III espn.com to a deal, pairing him with a new offensive scheme, and re-signed tight end Travis Kelce espn.com to a one-year, $12 million contract (up to $15M), a decision he attributed partly to fiancée Taylor Swift's influence espn.com. The Seattle Seahawks kept wide receiver Rashid Shaheed espn.com on a three-year, $51 million deal with $34.7 million guaranteed. The Detroit Lions added running back Isiah Pacheco espn.com to pair with Jahmyr Gibbs, while the Tennessee Titans signed wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson espn.com, reuniting him with offensive coordinator Brian Daboll. The Buffalo Bills retained tight end Dawson Knox espn.com via a new three-year contract.
League Business, Coaching, and Miscellaneous
The NFL is reinstating its front office and coaching accelerator program espn.com, which will now include non-minority participants after a pause in 2025. The league is also considering adding a game on Thanksgiving Eve espn.com to expand its holiday broadcast windows. In coaching-related news, the New York Giants brought back fullback Patrick Ricard espn.com, reuniting him with head coach John Harbaugh. The Giants' ownership, the Tisch family, requested to transfer their stakes to children's trusts espn.com via an NFL memo. The NFL awarded four compensatory picks each espn.com to the Ravens, Eagles, and Steelers for the upcoming draft. Massachusetts prosecutors will drop a domestic assault charge espn.com against Patriots defensive lineman Christian Barmore. The football world mourned the loss of Jets legend Matt Snell, the fullback who scored the only touchdown in Super Bowl III espn.com, who died at age.
Additional Signings and Roster Moves
The Carolina Panthers signed linebacker Devin Lloyd espn.com to a three-year, $45 million deal and acquired linebacker Jaelan Phillips espn.com on a four-year contract. They also agreed to terms with quarterback Kenny Pickett espn.com on a one-year, $7.5 million deal. The Arizona Cardinals signed quarterback Gardner Minshew espn.com to a one-year, $8.25 million contract and added running back Tyler Allgeier espn.com on a two-year, $12.5 million deal. The Chicago Bears signed wide receiver Kalif Raymond espn.com to a one-year contract and added defensive back Coby Bryant espn.com on a three-year, $40 million deal. The Los Angeles Rams signed former Chiefs cornerback Jaylen Watson espn.com to a three-year agreement. The Denver Broncos brought back running back J.K. Dobbins espn.com on a two-year, $20 million contract with $8 million guaranteed. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers re-signed tight end Cade Otton espn.com to a three-year deal and added running back Kenneth Gainwell espn.com and linebacker Alex Anzalone on two-year contracts. The Seattle Seahawks re-signed cornerback Josh Jobe espn.com to a three-year, $24 million contract. The Pittsburgh Steelers kept defensive captain Cameron Heyward espn.com on a one-year extension and signed cornerback Jamel Dean espn.com to a three-year, $36.75 million deal. The Cincinnati Bengals signed linebacker Boye Mafe espn.com and safety Bryan Cook. The Minnesota Vikings restructured running back Aaron Jones' deal espn.com to a $5.6 million salary, avoiding his release. The Jacksonville Jaguars re-signed cornerback Montaric "Buster" Brown espn.com to a three-year, $33 million contract. The Atlanta Falcons released wide receiver Darnell Mooney espn.com, freeing $7.4 million in cap space, and signed tight end Austin Hooper espn.com to a one-year, $3.25 million deal. The New Orleans Saints reunited with linebacker Kaden Elliss espn.com on a three-year, $33 million contract and spent $113 million on running back Travis Etienne Jr. and guard