NFL Free Agency Tracker Goes Live

The new NFL league year officially kicks off at 4 p.m. ET on March 11, which is the moment contracts can be signed and trades are processed. However, the "legal tampering" period begins two days earlier on March 9, allowing teams to negotiate with the agents of impending unrestricted free agents. This year's frenzy is fueled by a record-high salary cap of $301.2 million per team, a significant $22 million increase from the previous season. This marks the first time the league's cap has exceeded $300 million and represents a 40% increase in just five years. The Houston Texans' acquisition of David Montgomery involved sending a fourth-round pick, a 2027 seventh-round pick, and center Juice Scruggs to the Detroit Lions. Montgomery has two years left on his contract, with a 2026 cap hit of $6 million and a $9 million hit in 2027. Montgomery's arrival in Houston likely signals the end for running back Joe Mixon. The Texans' running game struggled in 2025, averaging just 3.9 yards per attempt, which was tied for 29th in the league. Since 2023, Montgomery has scored 33 rushing touchdowns, sixth-most among running backs, while the Texans as a team have only 34 in that same period. The Kansas City Chiefs' release of Jawaan Taylor was a cost-saving measure, creating $20 million in salary cap space while leaving behind $7.4 million in dead money. Taylor signed a four-year, $80 million contract with the Chiefs in 2023. Taylor's time in Kansas City was marked by a high number of penalties. He led the NFL with 21 accepted penalties in his first season with the team and was among the league leaders in penalties in the subsequent two seasons. His release adds to the team's needs on an offensive line that will have to be rebuilt.