NFL Free Agency Shakes Up Rosters
The NFL free agency period has begun with major departures across all 32 teams, including Miami releasing wide receiver Tyreek Hill and linebacker Bradley Chubb in a significant roster overhaul. Teams have until March 3 to designate franchise tag players, with the first week expected to bring clarity on retention strategies. Hill enters free agency for the first time in his career after his release from the Dolphins.
- The 2026 NFL league year and the official start of free agency begin on Wednesday, March 11, at 4 p.m. ET. At this time, all 2025 player contracts expire, and teams can officially sign new free agents and finalize trades. - Before free agency officially begins, there is a "legal tampering" period from Monday, March 9, at noon ET to Wednesday, March 11, at 3:59:59 p.m. ET. During this window, teams can negotiate with the agents of pending unrestricted free agents, but no contracts can be signed. - The deadline for teams to designate a player with the franchise or transition tag is Tuesday, March 3, at 4 p.m. ET. This one-year tender offer prevents a player from becoming an unrestricted free agent. - Once a player is given the franchise tag, the team has until July 15 to sign them to a multi-year contract extension. If no long-term deal is reached by that date, the player can only sign a one-year contract for the 2026 season with their current team. - The non-exclusive franchise tag allows a player to negotiate with other teams; however, the original team has the right to match any offer. If they choose not to match, they will receive two first-round draft picks as compensation. - The less frequently used transition tag offers a player the average of the top 10 salaries at their position. While a player can negotiate with other teams, the original team can match the offer but receives no draft pick compensation if they decline.
