NFL free agency 2026 live updates: Tracking all rumors, signings and trades on Day 1

With Trey Hendrickson and Joseph Ossai both leaving town, Cincinnati needed to add a pass-rusher and the usually frugal Bengals opened their wallet to make that happen. 

The Bengals have signed Boye Mafe to a three-year, $60 million deal. Mafe was a second-round pick in 2022 and he spent his entire four-year career in Seattle before hitting the open market this year. Mafe recorded 2.5 sacks during the regular season as a rotational pass-rusher for Seattle. 

The Bengals have shown a willingness to open their pocket book today, which is a mild surprise. Besides signing Mafe, they also agreed to terms for Chiefs' safety Bryan Cook on a three-year deal. 

Odafe Oweh was one of the top available free agent pass-rushers, but he's no longer available after scoring a monster contract from the Commanders. Oweh has agreed to terms on a four-year, $100 million deal that includes $68 million in guaranteed money. 

With the Commanders set to possibly lose two of their top sack leaders from 2025 -- Von Miller and Bobby Wagner -- this was a team that needed some pass-rushing help and Oweh should definitely help. Not only did Oweh rack up 7.5 sacks in just 12 games with the Chargers last season, but he also had three sacks in the team's playoff loss to the Patriots, so he totaled 10.5 sacks in just 13 games. 

If Oweh can do that kind of damage for the Commanders, then this signing could be a home run for Washington. 

The Jaguars might be open to trading Brian Thomas Jr. 

According to SNYtv, the Jags are entertaining offers for the receiver. 

The Jags have Jakobi Meyers and Travis Hunter and Thomas is coming off a down season where he caught just 48 passes for 707 yards. If he's available for trade, it will certainly be fascinating to see how many teams might be interested in adding him. 

Thomas was the 23rd overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and went off for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns in his rookie year before regressing in 2025. 

The Jets have been one of the busiest teams on the first day of the legal tampering period. 

Here's a look at what they've done today: 

• Traded for S Minkah Fitzpatrick 
• Signed DL Joseph Ossai (three years, $36 million) 
• Signed DL Kingsley Enagbare (one-year, $10 million) 
• Signed LB Demario Davis (two years, $22 million) 
• Signed DL David Onyemata (one-year, $10.5 million)

The Jets had one of the worst defenses in the NFL last year and they're obviously looking to fix that problem with addition of five new defensive players. The Jets have totally revamped their defense and it could end up paying dividends. Now, they just need to do the same thing with their offense. 

Mariota has spent two seasons in Washington and he'll be returning for a third. The Commanders' backup QB has agreed to terms on a one year, $7 million deal that could be worth up to $11 million. 

Mariota didn't get on the field much during his first year in Washington back in 2024, but with Jayden Daniels banged up last. year, Mariota ended up making a total of eight starts. In one of his most impressive games, Mariota threw for 294 yards and two touchdowns in a 27-26 overtime loss to the Broncos. 

The former second overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft is going into his 12th NFL season. 

There have been dozens of free agent deals that have been agreed to since the tampering period started at noon. Here's a few that have happened over the past hour: 

• TE Charlie Kolar to the Chargers (Three years, $24.3 million)
• S Bryan Cook to the Bengals (Three years, $40.25 million)
• CB Josh Jobe re-signs with Seahawks (Three years, $24 million)
• LB Tremaine Edmunds to the Giants (Three years, $36 million)
• DE Arden Key to the Colts (Two years, $20 million)
• DE Cameron Thomas to the Falcons (One-year, $3.1 million)

The signing of Cook was the first one that the Bengals made today and it came at one of the biggest positions of need. The Giants adding Edmunds is definitely an interesting move. Edmunds was Chicago's leading tackler last season, but they decided to let him go anyway. 

J.K. Dobbins will be returning to Denver after agreeing to terms on a two-year deal. 

Dobbins signed a one-year deal with the Broncos last year and played in 10 games before suffering a season-ending foot injury. The Broncos were definitely a better team when he was on the field. He averaged 77.2 yards per game, which ranked sixth in the NFL. At the time of his injury, Dobbins had rushed for 772 yards on the season, which ranked fourth in the NFL. 

He was clearly a good fit for Sean Payton's offense, which would explain why Denver was willing to give him a two-year commitment. 

New Titans coach Robert Saleh is getting the band back together. The Titans are going to sign Broncos DE John Franklin-Myers to a three-year, $63 million deal, according to ESPN. JFM was ranked as the eighth-best free agent available in Prisco's top 100. 

Franklin-Myers will be reuniting with Saleh. The two spent three seasons together in New York when Saleh was the head coach of the Jets. This is now the second former Jets player that Saleh has brought to Tennessee, joining Jermaine Johnson, who the Titans acquired in a trade last week. 

Saleh likes to play a physical brand of football on defense and Franklin-Myers should certainly help with that. JFM was dominant force on the Broncos' defensive line, recording at least seven sacks in each of the past two seasons. In Tennessee, he'll be joining an impressive that already includes Johnson and Jeffrey Simmons. 

Not only did the Titans land one of the top pass-rushers, but they also brought in come cornerback help by signing Cor'Dale Flott. Earlier today, it looked like the Giants might have a chance to re-sign him, but instead, Flott is now headed to Tennessee after agreeing to terms on a three-year, $45 million deal, according to NFL Media. 

The secondary will also be getting a boost by the addition of former Saints corner, Alontae Taylor, who is getting a three-year, $60 million deal, NFL Media has reported. 

John Franklin-Myers is signing a three-year, $63 million deal with the Titans, with $42 million guaranteed, according to the NFL Network. 

The 29-year-old comes from the Broncos, where he played for two seasons. He began his career with the Rams as a fourth round pick in 2018, before joining the Jets from 2019 to 2023.

Franklin-Myers played 16 games last season, starting 15. He hasn't played less than 15 games in his career, other than 2019 when he was on injured reserve. In his seven year career, he has played in 114 games, with 83 starts, 200 combined tackles, including 92 solo, with 34.0 sacks, 15 quarterback hits, one interception and three fumble recoveries.

It doesn't seem possible, but EVERY Browns' starting offensive linemen from 2025 is about to hit free agency, so they obviously needed to make a move on the line and they did that today by adding Zion Johnson. The Chargers offensive lineman has agreed to terms on a three-year, $49.5 million deal. 

He'll instantly slot in as a starting guard in Cleveland. The former first-round pick has started 65 games in his four-year career.  The Browns also have Tytus Howard at tackle after making a trade for him last week. Now, they just have to fill in the rest of the holes on the line. 

There's a good chance that all six offensive linemen who took the most snaps in Cleveland this year -- Joel Bitonio, Wyatt Teller, Ethan Pocic, Jack Conklin, Teven Jenkins and Cam Robinson -- won't be returning. 

Jamel Dean is headed to the AFC. The former Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback has agreed to a three-year, $36.75 million deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to the NFL Network.

Dean was a third round pick in 2019 and has spent his entire career thus far with the Niners. 

Last season, he started all 14 games he played, finishing with 46 total tackles, including 38 solo, with one tackle for a loss and 1.0 sack. He also had a career high three interceptions with one returned for a touchdown and nine passes defended. He also added two forced fumbles in 2025, bringing his career total to three. 

The Super Bowl champion will bring veteran experience, helping to boost a group that also includes Joey Porter Jr., Brandin Echols and Asante Samuel Jr. 

The Dolphins handed Willis a three-year deal and based on the way the contract is set up, it seems like they're basically handing him the starting job for 2026. 

Let's take a look at the deal. 

If the Dolphins decided to move on after one season, he'd leave Miami with $45.25 million for one year of work. If the Dolphins keep him for two seasons, he'd make that same $45.25 million. 

He has no money guarnateed in Year 3, so the Dolphins could easily move on after two season. If he struggles this year, it will be intereting to see what they do after that. However, if he plays well, the team might have found their QB of the future. 

Not only did the Buccaneers lose Mike Evans, but one of their top corners will also be leaving in free agency after Jamel Dean made the decision to sign with the Steelers. 

Dean, who was one of the top corners on the market, is getting a three-year, $36.75 million deal, according to NFL Media. The Steelers have been busy today fortifying their secondary. They started the day off by re-signing Asante Samuel Jr., and now, they've added Dean. That duo will join Joey Porter Jr. in a Steelers' secondary that suddenly feels like one of the team's strengths. 

After 11 years in Tampa Bay, Mike Evans is heading west. The Buccaneers receiver has agreed to a three-year, $60.4 million deal with the 49ers, CBS Sports NFL Insider Matt Zentiz has reported.

If there's team that desperately needed to add some receiving help, it's the 49ers. With Jauan Jennings and Brandon Aiyuk both likely gone in 2026, that left a gaping hole at the position. The 49ers do have George Kittle, but he tore his Achilles in January, so he almost certainly won't be ready for the start of the season. 

With Kittle injury and almost zero depth at receiver, Evans will likely end up getting a good chunk of targets from Brock Purdy. This move also gives Evans a chance to play in Kyle Shanahan's offense and with teams focused on stopping Christian McCaffrey, it would potentially open things up for Evans to have a huge season. 

The 32-year-old Evans is headed into his 13th NFL season. He spent his first 12 years in Tampa Bay and topped 1,000 yards in 11 of those 12 seasons. 

The NFL's free agency tampering period has only been going on since noon and we've already seen some serious action. Here are a few signings that fell through the cracks: 

• WR Jalen Nailor to the Raiders (three years, $35 million)
• DT Khyiris Tonga to the Chiefs (three years, $21 million)
• CB Amik Robertson to the Commanders (two years, $16 million)
•  TE Austin Hooper to the Falcons (one-year, $3.25 million)
• FB Reggie Gilliam to the Patriots (three years, $12 million)
• LB Devin Bush to the Bears (three years, $30 million)
• DT David Onyemata to the Jets (one-year, $10.25 million)

Onyemata is the fourth defensive player that the Jets have added today, so they're going to have a completely revamped unit in New York. On Hooper's end, he's third pass-catcher that the Falcons had added, so although we don't know who will be throwing passes in Atlanta just yet (MAYBE TUA), we do know the Falcons are doing their best to beef up their pass-catching depth. 

The Falcons have already added one receiver today in Olamide Zaccheaus, and now, they're adding another with Jahan Dotson joining the fray. The former first-round pick has agreed to a two-year, $15 million deal with the falcons that could pay him up to $17 million, according to ESPN. 

Dotson was drafted 16th overall by the Commanders in 2022, but only last two seasons with the team before they decided to cut ties. He spent last season with the Eagles, where he caught 18 passes for 262 yards. 

After releasing Darnell Mooney, the Falcons simply don't have much depth at receiver, which is likely why they made the decision to add two receivers on Monday. 

Robinson is heading for Tennessee after agreeing to a four-year, $78 million deal with the Titans that includes $38 million in guaranteed money. 

This move will reunite Robinson with Brian Daboll. Robinson spent the first four seasons of his career with the Giants and Daboll was his head coach until being fired in November. Under Daboll's watch, Robinson went from tally 227 receiving yards in his rookie year to topping 1,000 yards in 2025. 

The Saints already have one versatile weapon in their backfield, and now, they're adding another. Travis Etienne has agreed to terms on a four-year, $52 million deal with the Saints that will send the running back from Jacksonville to New Orleans. 

Etienne will be joining a backfield that already includes Alvin Kamara. Etienne rushed for over 1,000 yards with the Jaguars last season and he's also a threat to catch passes out of the backfield, so New Orleans suddenly has one of the more talented backfields in the NFL, if they end up keeping both players. 

Etienne was born and raised in Louisiana, so this signing will give a chance to play closer to home. 

Not only did the Saints add Etienne, but they also agreed to a four-year, $61 million deal with one of the top guards on the market in Buffalo's David Edwards, according to NFL Media. The Saints had a hole at left guard heading into free agency that Edwards will now fill. 

The Cardinals QB situation is still up in the air, but it appears that their backfield is set for 2026. Tyler Allgeier has agreed to terms on a two-year, $12.25 million deal, according to NFL Media. 

This signing comes one day after James Connor re-worked his deal so he could stay in Arizona, so it will be Connor and Allgeier in Arizona's backfield. Allgeier was never really the top guy in Atlanta, but he did manage to put up impressive numbers. In 2025, he rushed for 514 yards and eight touchdowns. 

The top free agent on the market has a new team: Tyler Linderbaumm is headed for Las Vegas. 

The former Ravens center has agreed to terms on a three-year, $80 million deal with the Raiders that includes $60 million in guaranteed money, according to ESPN. Linderbaum was ranked as the best free agent available on Prisco's top 100.

The Raiders went into free agency with the most salary cap space of any team and this is the kind of move that they needed to make. This is a team that's likely going to be taking Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick this year, so they need to do everything they can to build around him and adding Linderbaum certainly accomplishes that.  

Linderbaum entered the NFL as a first-round pick with the Ravens in 2022 and he was voted to the Pro Bowl three times during his four seasons in Baltimore. This deal will make him the highest-paid interior offensive lineman in NFL history. 

The Raiders traded their best defensive player to Baltimore, but then used some of their cap savings to get the Ravens' best offensive lineman in return. 

After the Lions cut Graham Glasgow, it was pretty clear that they were going to sign a center in free agency and they made their move on Monday. Panthers center Cade Mays has agreed to terms on a three-year, $25 million deal with the Lions. 

Following the retirement of Frank Ragnow after the 2024 season, the Lions turned the job over to Glasgow hoping that he could hold the fort down, but Glasgow struggled last season, which is why the Lions were in the market for a new center. Mays was arguably the second-best center available when the tampering period started on Monday, behind only Tyler Linderbaum. 

If the Falcons had a better kicking situation, they might have won the NFC South last year and they've taken a step to improve their situation by signing Nick Folk to a two-year deal, according to NFL Media. 

The 41-year-old might not have the power that he use to, but he has been the NFL's most accurate kicker over the past three years. During the 2025 season, he hit 96.6% of his field goal attempts, which was the highest percentage for any kicker with 10 or more attempts. 

The Falcons could have used him last year. As a matter of fact, let's take a look at all the times that a missed kick cost Atlanta a win last season: 

• Week 1: Buccaneers 23-20 over Falcons. The Falcons lost their opener after Younghoe Koo missed a 44-yard field goal with just two seconds left. The Falcons decided to move on from Koo after the miss. He went 2 of 3 in the game against Tampa Bay, but after hitting just 73.5% of his field goals in 2024, the Falcons had lost confidence in him. 
• Week 9: Patriots 24-23 over Falcons. The Falcons went on the road and had a chance to tie the game up in the fourth quarter after scoring a touchdown with under five minutes left to play, but John Parker Romo missed the extra point. If he had made the kick, it would have tied things up at 24 and the Falcons might have beaten the eventual AFC champions. 
• Week 13: Jets 27-24 over Falcons. In this game, Zane Gonzalez missed a 50-yard field goal in the second half, which definitely hurt considering the Falcons ended up losing by three. 

That's three games that could have gone a different way with better kicking, and as you may or may have not noticed the three kicks above were all missed by different kickers, which means that yup, the Falcons used THREE DIFFERENT KICKERS last season. With Folk on the team, the Falcons probably win at least one of those games and with one extra win, they would have won the NFC South. 

With several defensive backs set to hit free agency, the Bears needed to add some help and they did that today by agreeing to a deal with Seahawks' safety Coby Bryant. 

With Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker both set to be free agents, the Bears had some holes at the safety spot and they filled that by adding Bryant, who started 15 games for the Super Bowl champion Seahawks. Bryant had four interceptions for Seattle last season, which was the second-most on the team. 

Bryant is getting a three-year, $40 million deal. 

After making just $1.45 million in 2025, Ryan Wright will be switching teams and getting a hefty raise this year. The Vikings punter is heading to New Orleans after agreeing to a four-year, $14 million deal that includes $8 million in guaranteed money. At $3.5 million per year, Wright is now the fifth-highest paid punter in the NFL. 

In another NFC South punting heist, Jake Bailey will be signing a three-year, $9 million extension with the Falcons, ending his three-year run with the Dolphins. 

John Harbaugh has already stolen one former Ravens player (Isaiah Likely), and now, he's about to steal another one. Ravens punter Jordan Stout has agreed to a three-year, $12.3 million deal with the Giants. With an average of $4.1 million per year, that will make Stout the highest paid punter in the NFL, just slightly ahead of Seattle's Michael Dickson, who's making $4.05 million per year. 

Harbaugh is a former special teams coach and there aren't many head coaches in the NFL who appreciate special teams more than him. Stout was a fourth-round pick in 2022 and he had a career-year during a 2025 season that saw him voted as a first-team All-Pro. 

With the Giants being so aggressive here, it certainly wouldn't be a surprise if Harbaugh made a move for Brandon Aubrey later this week. 

After a surprisingly solid season in Pittsburgh, Kenneth Gainwell has decided to leave the Steelers. The running back has agreed to terms on a deal with the Buccaneers, CBS Sports Lead NFL Inside Jonathan Jones has reported. 

Gainwell went off for more than 1,000 yards from scrimmage last season with 537 rushing yards and 486 receiving yards. He also finished with eight total touchdowns. 

It would have made sense for the Steelers to bring him back, but with Rachaad White set to be a free agent, the Bucs were clearly desperate to bring in some help for Bucky Irving, and they found their guy in Gainwell. 

As for Anzalone, the Bucs definitely needed some help at linebacker. With Lavonte David's future up in the air, Todd Bowles needed to bring in someone who could help his team right away and he has that with the former Lions linebacker. Anzalone has agreed to terms on a two-year, $17 million deal, according to NFL Media. 

The Commanders added Tunsil in a trade last offseason and after watching him start 14 games at tackle, the team has rewarded him with an extension. The offensive lineman has agreed to a two-year, $60.2 million extension. Tunsil's contract was set to expire after the 2026 season, but his new deal will keep him in Washington through the 2028 season. 

The Jets are doing everything possible to overhaul their defense this offseason. For their latest move, the team has agreed to terms on a three-year, $36 million deal with Joseph Ossai, according to ESPN. 

Ossai was arguably the second-best pass-rusher on the Bengals defense behind Trey Hendrickson. Ossai finished with five sacks in each of the past two seasons. 

The Jets have also agreed to terms with former Saints linebacker Demario Davis on a two-year, $22 million deal. Davis actually started his career with the Jets in 2012 and the 37-year-old will now be returning to New York and he should be able to provide some solid veteran leadership for a young Jets' defense. 

Kingsley Enagbare will also be joining the Jets. The Packers pass-rusher has agreed to a one-year, $10 million deal. 

The Jets defense has undergone some massive changes over the past week. Ossai, Davis and Enagbare join several new faces that include Minkah Fitzpatrick and T'Vondre Sweat. 

Aaron Glenn clearly wants this team to win with defense. 

I wrote a piece Monday looking at some of the best and worst free agent signings since 2020 and it's a good reminder that today's big headlines can easily be tomorrow's cap casualties. 

The 5 best and 5 worst NFL free-agent contracts since 2020

Jordan Dajani

Take J.C. Jackson, for instance. After recording a whopping 17 combined interceptions in 2020 and 2021 for the Patriots, Jackson signed a five-year, $82.5 million deal with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2022. It was the second-largest contract handed out that offseason. He only played in seven games for the Chargers.

For John Harbaugh's first big signing of free agency, he decided to reunite with an old friend. Likely is expected to sign with the Giants after agreeing to terms on a three-year, $40 million deal, according to NFL Media. 

The tight end spent the first four seasons of his career in Baltimore, so Harbaugh is extremely familiar with what he can do. With Daniel Bellinger set to become a free agent, the Giants needed some help at the tight end spot and they hit a home run by adding Likely, who should be a solid weapon for Jaxon Dart.