With the 2025 NFL season coming to a close on Super Bowl Sunday, it’s time for teams to start looking ahead to next season. There are already 30 teams that have started their offseason research and are waiting for the opportunity to bolster their rosters ahead of the 2026 season. Here’s all the information for free agency in 2026.
2026 NFL Free Agency Start Date and Legal Tampering Period
Free agency in the NFL has two different periods. On Monday, March 9, at 12:00 p.m. ET, teams will be allowed to begin negotiations with any available free agents. This is the legal tampering period, but players cannot officially sign their deals until free agency officially begins when the 2026 NFL league year opens.
The league year is slated to open on Wednesday, March 11, at 4:00 p.m. ET. At this point, players will be able to put pen to paper to finalize their new homes or a return to their old team. With this, teams will also be allowed to trade.
Top NFL Free Agents Available in 2026: Hendrickson, Pickens, and Key QBs
There’s top talent available on the market in free agency. Teams needing an edge rusher will be lining up for the services of Trey Hendrickson. Hendrickson is one of the most dynamic pass rushers in the NFL and will likely not be returning to Cincinnati.
After spending most of the offseason in a contract dispute with the Bengals, a reunion doesn’t look to be in the cards. On the offensive end of the ball, George Pickens is set to be a free agent. But teams can pump the brakes on the expectation that he’ll hit the market.
The Cowboys are expected to franchise-tag him, leaving Pickens set to return to Dallas, or a team can trade for him. He was dominant in his first year in Dallas and finished as the third-ranked receiver in the PFSN NFL WR Impact metrics.
KEEP READING: Top 100 2026 NFL Free Agent Rankings: Where Do George Pickens, Daniel Jones Rank?
Alec Pierce will be the top receiver on the board if Pickens is tagged. Pierce had a great year despite the late-season collapse by Indianapolis.
His quarterback, Daniel Jones, is headed to free agency as well and will be a key target for teams in need of a quarterback. Teams will be wary of his health, though, after Jones’ season-ending Achilles tear.
The quarterback market is thin, with Malik Willis being the top option outside of Jones. Kirk Cousins is expected to be released by Atlanta and could be a part of the QB carousel in free agency.
Other key free agents include edge rushers Jaelan Phillips and Odafe Oweh, RB Breece Hall, and C Tyler Linderbaum. Impact players aren’t always available in free agency, and teams will be itching to try to land one of these impact guys to improve their teams in 2026.
