When does NFL free agency start? 2026 NFL free agents, what to know (original) (raw)

March 3, 2026, 11:11 a.m. CT

NFL free agency is set to kick off, and with it, the official start of the 2026 league season.

NFL teams can negotiate with pending free agents starting at 11 a.m. CT on March 9 during the "legal tampering" period, and at 3 p.m. CT on March 11, free agency will begin. That's when teams can begin signing free agents to new contracts.

Here's what to know about the 2026 NFL free agent period.

When does free agency start?

Teams must decide whether to use the franchise tag for players by 3 p.m. CT on March 3. The franchise tag can be used on players who are set to enter free agency, and gives that player a new one-year contract at a predetermined salary. Teams can use one franchise tag and one transition tag per year.

Legal tampering starts on March 9. During this time, NFL teams can talk to players whose contracts are about to expire, but cannot officially sign them to contracts. Free agency officially begins on March 11, as does the trading period.

Top free agents NFL 2026

So far, two would-be free agents will remain with their teams in 2026, as the Dallas Cowboys used the franchise tag on wide receiver George Pickens and the Atlanta Falcons tagged tight end Kyle Pitts. Both were considered among the top players on the market.

USA Today's Tyler Dragon listed the top 32 free agents for 2026. Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd is ranked No. 1.

Other big-name players who are set to enter free agency include Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones, Baltimore Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum, Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson and Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III.

Jacob Shames can be reached by email at jshames@gannett.com and on X/Twitter @Jacob_Shames.