NFL Football 3d Briefing
×Last updated: March 13, 2026, 11:46 AM ET
Quarterback Movement and Evaluations
The Minnesota Vikings acquired Kyler Murray espn.com on a one-year deal, a move general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah hopes will resurrect the former first overall pick's career and elevate an offense already featuring Justin Jefferson, though the signing raises questions about J.J. McCarthy's development path. Meanwhile, the New York Jets re-acquired Geno Smith espn.com via trade, with the quarterback vowing to be a "better player" than during his first stint, a narrative former Raiders coach Pete Carroll contradicted espn.com by taking blame for Smith's Las Vegas struggles. The free-agent market for established quarterbacks remains thin, with Kirk Cousins still unsigned as teams debate his ideal landing spot espn.com amid a thin veteran class that also includes the unsigned Aaron Rodgers and Deebo Samuel.
Offensive Line Overhauls and Extensions
The Cleveland Browns initiated a significant offensive line reset espn.com by releasing veteran tackle Jack Conklin, ending a six-year tenure plagued by injuries, but simultaneously re-signed guard Teven Jenkins espn.com to provide continuity. Their broader strategy appears successful espn.com after also adding former Packers guard Elgton Jenkins on a two-year deal espn.com. In contrast, the Cincinnati Bengals locked down left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. espn.com with a two-year extension, preserving a key piece for Joe Burrow, while the Houston Texans bolstered their line espn.com by signing tackle Braden Smith to a two-year, $25 million contract with $13.5 million guaranteed. The Detroit Lions added depth espn.com by signing running back Isiah Pacheco to pair with Jahmyr Gibbs, a move that indirectly supports their offensive line's run-blocking schemes.
Pass Rush and Defensive Front Seven
The edge rusher market saw major activity, highlighted by the Buffalo Bills adding Bradley Chubb espn.com on a three-year, $43.5 million deal with $29 million guaranteed, a significant commitment after his trade from Miami. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers replaced the departing Mike Evans espn.com by signing Al-Quadin Muhammad, who recorded 11 sacks last season, to a one-year, $6 million deal. The Green Bay Packers invested in interior pressure espn.com by signing defensive tackle Javon Hargrave to a two-year, $23 million contract. The Philadelphia Eagles supplemented their pass rush espn.com with linebacker Arnold Ebiketie on a one-year, $7.3 million max deal, while the Atlanta Falcons added Samson Ebukam espn.com after his release from Indianapolis. The San Francisco 49ers lost defensive end Bryce Huff to retirement espn.com but retained linebacker Dre Greenlaw espn.com on a one-year, $7.5 million contract.
Secondary Reinforcements and Cornerback Market
The Eagles made a splash espn.com by signing cornerback Riq Woolen to a one-year deal worth up to $15 million, targeting a starting role after his Seattle tenure. The New York Giants added corner Nahshon Wright espn.com on a one-year, $5.5 million deal and signed wide receiver Calvin Austin III espn.com away from Pittsburgh for up to $4.5 million, beginning their rebuild under new coach. The Kansas City Chiefs addressed a need espn.com by signing former Dolphins cornerback Kader Kohou, while the Los Angeles Rams reunited former Chiefs teammates espn.com Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson in their secondary. The Buffalo Bills signed safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson espn.com to a one-year, $6 million deal and retained tight end Dawson Knox espn.com on a new three-year contract, cleverly managing a difficult cap situation.
Team-Specific Offensive Skill-Point Moves
The Indianapolis Colts' free agency produced mixed results espn.com; they retained quarterback Daniel Jones espn.com on a two-year, $88 million deal (up to $100 and wideout Alec Pierce but lost out on edge rusher Trey Hendrickson espn.com after a complex trade with the Ravens fell through. The Washington Commanders aggressively rebuilt espn.com their backfield by signing Rachaad White and added tight end Chig Okonkwo espn.com and linebacker Leo Chenal on a three-year, $24.75 million deal espn.com, signaling a defensive overhaul. The Dallas Cowboys re-signed cornerback Cobie Durant espn.com to a one-year, $5.5 million deal and traded defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa espn.com to the 49ers for a 2026 third-round pick. The New York Giants re-signed struggling tackle Evan Neal espn.com despite four disappointing seasons and added former Ravens fullback Patrick Ricard espn.com to their offensive system.
Remaining Free Agents and League Business
A tier of notable free agents remains unsigned, including wide receivers Jauan Jennings and Deebo Samuel, edge rusher Joey Bosa, and tackle Rasheed Walker, with analysts proposing ideal landing spots espn.com for each. The Baltimore Ravens created nearly $40 million in cap space espn.com by restructuring Lamar Jackson's contract, while the Jacksonville Jaguars denied trade rumors espn.com surrounding receiver Brian Thomas Jr., calling them "fraudulent claims." The NFL is reinstating its front office and coaching accelerator program espn.com, now including non-minority participants, and is considering adding a Thanksgiving Eve game espn.com to the schedule. The Kansas City Chiefs welcomed Travis Kelce back espn.com for a 14th season, with the tight end citing fiancée Taylor Swift as a significant influence.