Free agency doesn't officially open until Wednesday, March 11 — but the NFL never actually sleeps. The legal tampering window opens Monday, March 9 at noon ET, and by then, the market will already be in full swing. Here's the complete state of play heading into the most chaotic week of the NFL offseason: franchise tags, trades already made, and the contract projections that will define the next few weeks.
2026 NFL Salary Cap: A Record $301.2 Million
The 2026 salary cap is set at $301.2 million — another record, and good news for every player hitting the open market. Even players without Pro Bowl résumés are positioned to cash in. Teams with the most flexibility heading in include the Tennessee Titans, while 12 teams — including the Dolphins, Colts, Packers, Lions, and Chiefs — are currently over the cap and need to cut payroll before the league year opens.
Franchise Tags: The Biggest Names Already Off the Board
Before a single free agent can sign, the franchise tag window closed — and teams made their calls.
- George Pickens (Cowboys) — Tagged. Dallas restructured Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Tyler Smith to clear nearly $66M in cap space. Pickens stays at $14M+ for 2026.
- Kyle Pitts (Falcons) — Tagged at $15.045M. Atlanta keeps its tight end while long-term talks continue.
- Breece Hall (Jets) — Tagged at $14.293M. New York holds onto its backfield anchor.
- Daniel Jones (Colts) — Transition tag at $37.8M guaranteed. Indianapolis can match any offer sheet.
Trey Hendrickson will hit free agency after Cincinnati chose not to tag the four-time Pro Bowl edge rusher — making him one of the most coveted pass rushers on the market.
Pre-Free Agency Trades Already Made
- Trent McDuffie → Rams: Kansas City dealt their All-Pro CB to LA for the 29th pick, a fifth, a sixth, and a 2027 third. A surprising move for a team still in championship contention.
- David Montgomery → Texans: Detroit sent their veteran RB to Houston for OL Juice Scruggs and a fourth and sixth-round pick.
- Tytus Howard → Browns: Houston dealt their starting RT to Cleveland, where he signed a 3-year, $63M extension immediately.
Top 2026 NFL Free Agents and Contract Projections
Per NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero, here's who's set to cash in — including several players without household names who could land deals that surprise the league.
Wide Receiver
Alec Pierce — Age 25. With Pickens tagged, Pierce is the top receiver available. Over the last two seasons he leads the NFL in yards per reception (21.8) and receptions of 40+ yards (12). His 21.3 YPC in 2025 was the second-highest mark by any player with 1,000+ receiving yards since 2000, trailing only DeSean Jackson's 2010 campaign. The largest contract ever signed by a free-agent receiver was Calvin Ridley's 4-year, $92M deal ($23M APY) with Tennessee. Projection: $27M+ per year.
Tyreek Hill — Coming off a knee injury. Likely targeting a one-year deal. High risk, high reward for any contender.
Stefon Diggs — The Patriots are releasing him. Teams needing an experienced, route-running veteran will call immediately.
Quarterback
Kyler Murray — The most intriguing QB on the market. His destination will shape several teams' offseason plans. Atlanta is expected to cut Kirk Cousins before March 11, creating another domino.
Defensive Line
John Franklin-Myers — Age 29. The top defensive lineman available in free agency. He recorded 7.5 sacks last season — only Jeffery Simmons and Brandon Dorlus had more among DTs. Turning 30 in September isn't a concern at a position where players are staying elite longer. Projection: $20M+ per year.
Defensive Edge
Trey Hendrickson — The premier pass rusher on the market. Multiple teams are expected to pursue him aggressively.
Offensive Tackle
Rasheed Walker — Age 26. A seventh-round pick who became the Packers' starting left tackle in his second season and has started 48 of 52 career games. Young starting LTs almost never hit free agency. Projection: $20M+ per year.
Cornerback
Alontae Taylor — Age 27. One of three players with 10+ passes defensed in each of the last four seasons — alongside Riq Woolen and 2024 Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II. He has the versatility to play outside or in the slot. Projection: $17M+ per year.
Safety
Bryan Cook — Age 26. Two Super Bowl rings. Last season he posted an 83.5 overall PFF grade (fifth-highest among DBs with 500+ snaps) and 83.2 coverage grade (sixth). It's a loaded safety class that also includes interceptions leader Kevin Byard. Projection: ~$15M per year.
Offensive Guard
David Edwards / Ed Ingram — Both could hit the $15M/year range. Edwards started 32 games for the Bills over the last two seasons, allowing 4.5 sacks on 549 pass-blocking snaps in 2025. Ingram, traded to Houston last spring, responded with his best pro season — 14 starts, 4.5 sacks allowed on 502 snaps, career-high 71.5 PFF grade.
Tight End
Chigoziem Okonkwo / Cade Otton — With Pitts tagged, one of these two could become the highest-paid TE signed in free agency. Otton led the Buccaneers with 118 receptions over the last two seasons. Okonkwo set career highs with 56 catches and 560 yards for Tennessee in 2025. Projection: ~$12M per year each.
Charlie Kolar — Age 27. Posted a 77.5 PFF grade last season despite just 10 catches; his 13.6 YPC ranks second among NFL tight ends since 2022 (minimum 25 receptions). Could become the league's highest-paid blocking tight end. Projection: ~$10M per year.
Key Dates: 2026 NFL Free Agency Timeline
- Monday, March 9 at noon ET — Legal tampering window opens
- Wednesday, March 11 at 4 p.m. ET — New league year begins; signings official
What to Watch When the Window Opens
The first 24 hours of the tampering window typically define the offseason narrative before most players have signed a thing. Three storylines to track immediately: Pierce's deal will set the WR market and could shatter the position's free-agent record. Hendrickson's destination matters for multiple AFC contenders. And whether any team — including the Vikings, who need a quarterback — makes a serious move on Kyler Murray.
We'll be tracking every move as it happens.
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