NFL Free Agency 2026: When Does It Start? Tag Updates, Trades & Top Targets

The franchise tag period kicked off this week, and as usual, it’s sent the rumour mill into overdrive. For the next few days, general managers across the league are doing that annual dance of trying to keep their own guys while eyeing up the neighbours' roster. We've already seen the Atlanta Falcons slap the tag on tight end Kyle Pitts, a move that felt inevitable after his resurgence in 2025. Down in Dallas, they locked up George Pickens—a no-brainer after watching him develop into a genuine number-one receiver. But for every player who gets the tag, there are twenty others whose phones are about to light up. The big question on everyone's mind right now is: when does NFL free agency start? Get it in your diary: the legal tampering period kicks off at noon ET on 9 March, and the doors fly open on 11 March at 4 p.m. ET. That's when the serious money starts flying around.

The Quarterback Carousel Begins

Let’s be honest—everything in this league starts under centre. And while the draft class has some intriguing names, the veteran market is going to set the tone for the entire off-season. The name that has every scout I speak to buzzing is Malik Willis. I know, a few years ago people had written him off. But what Matt LaFleur did with him in Green Bay was nothing short of alchemy. He’s the guy everyone’s circling as the top free agent. At 27, he’s dynamic, and his tape last year showed a passer who has finally caught up to his athletic ability. If your team needs a spark, he’s the lottery ticket.

Then you’ve got the chess pieces. Kyler Murray’s situation in Arizona feels like a bad marriage that’s finally heading for divorce court. He’s too talented to be this available, and there are desperate teams—looking at you, New York and Pittsburgh—who will convince themselves they can fix him. The same goes for Mac Jones. He rehabbed his value perfectly in San Francisco, going 5-3 and proving he can run a sophisticated offence. He won't be a backup next year; some team is going to trade for him and hand him the keys.

Tag Fallout and the "What If" Game

The tag news we got this week doesn't just lock players in; it reshapes the entire board. When Pickens came off the board at wide receiver, you could almost hear the agents for the next tier of guys—like Alec Pierce or Romeo Doubs—cranking up the volume on their negotiations. It creates a supply-and-demand spike.

But the tag period also shines a light on the guys who didn't get tagged. Take Tyler Linderbaum in Baltimore. He’s a top-three centre in this league, a player who changes the physics of your running game. The fact that he’s about to hit the open market means some offensive line coach in, say, Chicago or New England is about to sleep a lot easier at night. The same goes for edge rushers like Jaelan Phillips and Odafe Oweh. These are game-changers who got healthy and productive at exactly the right time.

Buy Low, Sell High: The Trade Market

Free agency isn't just about who you sign; it's about who you can pinch. This is where the sharp GMs earn their corn. The chatter around A.J. Brown is getting louder by the day. His situation in Philly feels like one of those "clean divorce" scenarios where both sides are better off moving on. He’s 29, he’s got a couple of 1,400-yard seasons in his rearview mirror, and a team like New England, with a young QB on a rookie deal, should be banging the door down.

And then there's the defensive side. If you believe the whispers—and I do—Maxx Crosby might actually be available. The price tag is going to be astronomical (think multiple first-rounders), but dominant 27-year-old pass rushers don't grow on trees. A team that's "one player away," like a Buffalo or a Detroit, has to make that call. It’s the kind of move that alters the entire balance of power in a conference.

The Cap Casualty Goldmine

Don't just watch the free agent list; keep an eye on the waiver wire and the post-June 1 cut designations. Teams are in cap hell, and some very recognisable names are about to become available. The situation in New Orleans is particularly grim. They have offensive line problems that date back years, and now they’re facing the reality of life without Alvin Kamara. Cutting him post-June 1 would save them $8.5 million, and at 30, coming off his worst season, it’s the kind of brutal business decision that defines franchises.

Out in San Francisco, the Brandon Aiyuk saga is finally going to end. After missing all of last year and with that massive contract, he’s a post-June 1 cut waiting to happen. Some team is going to get a motivated, talented receiver for a fraction of his value because the Niners need the cap space to pay their own guys.

Three Teams with Tough Decisions to Make:

• New Orleans Saints: Strapped for cap space and ageing. Kamara and Ryan Ramczyk's situation are just the tip of the iceberg. They need an offensive line rebuild and cap relief—a terrible combination.
• Chicago Bears: They have money tied up in veterans like Tremaine Edmunds and Jaylon Johnson, but are they part of the future? The new coaching staff will have to decide who fits.
• Minnesota Vikings: $40 million in the red. They might have to move on from fan favourites like T.J. Hockenson just to field a complete roster.

Chemistry Experiments Gone Wrong

Sometimes, the best additions come from subtraction. Everyone in Houston is asking: "Are The Texans BLOWING IT UP With The Release Of C.J. Gardner-Johnson?" The answer is no—they’re actually clearing out a distraction. The story that came out about his release is pure gold—apparently, his pre-game antics and mimicking of teammates caused so much friction that they shipped him out after Week 3. He landed in Chicago and played great, but it proves that talent isn't everything. The Texans' defence went 13-2 after he left. That’s a stat that should make every GM think twice before signing a "character risk" to a big deal.

The Bottom Line

We are less than two weeks away from the NFL free agency start on 11 March. The franchise tag window closes on 3 March. Between now and then, we’re going to see a flurry of moves as teams try to get under the cap and secure their stars. This free agent class isn't top-heavy with Hall of Famers, but it is deep. It’s a class built for smart teams to fill three or four holes with solid, hungry players. It’s a buyers' market for wide receivers and running backs, and a sellers' market for pass rushers and offensive linemen.

Buckle up. The next few weeks are going to be wilder than a Saints salary cap sheet.