The 2025-26 NFL league year began yesterday at 4:00 p.m. ET, which means that free agency is now officially underway.
Since there were so many contract agreements reported, and we can’t cover them all, we’re going to highlight some of the biggest free agency moves and trades that were made yesterday and today.
📰 Table Of Contents
- 1 Arizona beefs up its defensive line
- 2 The Falcons bring back a corner
- 3 The Cats steal Dallas’ running back
- 4 Cleveland re-signs a former first-rounder
- 5 The Cowboys trade for two defenders
- 6 Houston adds a stalwart special teamer
- 7 Indy bolsters its rushing attack
- 8 The Chargers retain three players
- 9 The Rams release Cooper Kupp but add an offensive lineman
- 10 Minnesota continues to re-tool its defense
- 11 Pats part ways with longtime captain
- 12 Two defensive cornerstones take pay cuts to stay in NOLA
- 13 New York releases Aaron Rodgers and signs a center
- 14 Philly finds a new backup running back and pass rusher
- 15 Secondary help is coming to Pittsburgh
- 16 Another QB in San Fran
- 17 Seattle adds veterans on both sides of the ball
- 18 Help in the trenches headed to Nashville
- 19 Washington continues to be active
Arizona beefs up its defensive line
The Arizona Cardinals have agreed to a deal with eight-year veteran defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson. According to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the contract is for two years and worth $29 million, with $16 million in guaranteed money.
The Falcons bring back a corner
According to sources who spoke to Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz, the Atlanta Falcons re-signed cornerback Mike Hughes to a three-year, $18 million deal that includes $9.6 million guaranteed.
In 15 starts last season, he recorded 66 total tackles and six passes defended.
The Cats steal Dallas’ running back
Following a 2024-25 season where he ran for over 1,000 yards and was the Cowboys’ leading rusher, running back Rico Dowdle signed a one-year deal with the Carolina Panthers that has a maximum value of $6.5 million, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Panthers now have announced they reached a one-year agreement with former Cowboys RB Rico Dowdle, who is from Asheville and attended the University of South Carolina. Dowdle had a breakout year with the Cowboys last season, rushing for 1,079 yards and two touchdowns. pic.twitter.com/umacIhenCd
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2025
Cleveland re-signs a former first-rounder
The Cleveland Browns reached a deal with former number-ten overall pick Devin Bush, according to Adam Schefter. Bush will return to Cleveland on a one-year, $3.25 million contract.
The Cowboys trade for two defenders
The Dallas Cowboys announced they had completed trades with the Tennessee Titans and the Buffalo Bills to acquire linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. and cornerback Kaiir Elam.
The ‘Boys sent a sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft to the Titans for Murray Jr. and a seventh-round pick. Meanwhile, Dallas acquired cornerback Kaiir Elam and a sixth-round pick from the Bills in exchange for a 2025 fifth-rounder and a 2026 seventh-rounder.
Sources: The #Cowboys are in the finishing stages of a trade for #Titans LB Kenneth Murray Jr., as the teams are swapping late-round picks.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 12, 2025
Houston adds a stalwart special teamer
The Houston Texans signed former Chargers linebacker Nick Niemann to a two-year contract with a maximum value of $6.5 million, according to sources who spoke to the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
As a reliable special teamer, Niemann made 21 tackles in 13 games last year.
Indy bolsters its rushing attack
The Indianapolis Colts reached a one-year deal with running back Khalil Herbert, according to Adam Schefter. As of this writing, the financial details of this contract have not yet been revealed.
The Chargers retain three players
The Los Angeles Chargers announced that they re-signed wide receiver Jalen Reagor and linebacker Troy Dye. At this time, the terms of Reagor’s deal have not yet been revealed. According to Sports Illustrated’s Ally Osborne, Dye is returning on a two-year, $5.5 million contract that could be worth up to $8.5 million with incentives.
The Bolts also re-signed linebacker Denzel Perryman to a one-year, $3.65 million deal, according to sources who spoke to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
Veteran LB Denzel Perryman plans to sign with the #chargers on a one-year, $3.65M deal, per source.
Former Pro Bowler back for an 11th season. @Agentbutler1 reached agreement with team today. pic.twitter.com/ZuhczolY6N
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 12, 2025
The Rams release Cooper Kupp but add an offensive lineman
Now that the new league year has begun, the Los Angeles Rams officially released wide receiver and Super Bowl LVI MVP Cooper Kupp, according to Tom Pelissero. In a statement, Kupp said, “Thank you for these shared moments. Thank you, LA for welcoming my family with open arms and allowing us to grow here… Next chapter starts now. Best is yet to come.”
It wasn’t all bad news in the City of Angels. The Chargers did sign offensive lineman Coleman Shelton to a two-year, $12 million contract that includes a $9 million guarantee, according to Tom Pelissero.
Minnesota continues to re-tool its defense
The Minnesota Vikings signed one of the best available defensive linemen, Javon Hargrave, to a two-year, $30 million contract just hours after he was released by the 49ers, according to Tom Pelissero.
Additionally, safety Harrison Smith is returning to the Vikes for a 14th season, according to Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport. His one-year contract extension has a maximum value of $14 million.
Done deal: Two-time Pro Bowl DT Javon Hargrave and the #Vikings agreed to terms on a two-year, $30 million contract after his release from the #49ers. https://t.co/Ue0GHtzziC
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 12, 2025
Pats part ways with longtime captain
According to sources who spoke to ESPN, the New England Patriots are cutting center and eight-time captain David Andrews.
A two-time Super Bowl champion, Andrews has started 121 games for the Pats during his nine-year career.
Two defensive cornerstones take pay cuts to stay in NOLA
Defensive end Cam Jordan and defensive back Tyrann Mathieu have reworked their contracts and taken pay cuts in order to return to the New Orleans Saints next season, according to sources who spoke to ESPN.
New York releases Aaron Rodgers and signs a center
At 4:00 p.m. ET yesterday, the New York Jets officially released quarterback Aaron Rodgers, meaning that he will be an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his 20-year career and will be allowed to sign with any team he wants. Rodgers has reportedly received interest from the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New York Giants.
The Jets also agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million contract with former Packers center Josh Myers, according to a source who spoke to Jeremy Fowler.
Aaron Rodgers Just Asked For The Pirates “Misplaced Series” Hat So……
— John Geiger (@JohnGeiger_) March 12, 2025
Philly finds a new backup running back and pass rusher
Less than a day after Kenneth Gainwell left in free agency, the Philadelphia Eagles found his replacement in former Packers running back A.J. Dillon. According to sources who spoke to Adam Schefter, Philly signed Dillon to a one-year deal.
The Eagles have also agreed to a one-year contract with former Chiefs linebacker Joshua Uche, according to Adam Schefter.
Secondary help is coming to Pittsburgh
The Pittsburgh Steelers signed former Eagles cornerback Darius Slay Jr. to a one-year contract, his agents told Adam Schefter. The fully guaranteed deal is worth $10 million.
Another QB in San Fran
Former first-round pick and quarterback Mac Jones agreed to a two-year, $7 million deal with the San Francisco 49ers that includes $5 million guaranteed. According to Aadam Schefter, Jones wanted a chance to play under 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan.
Seattle adds veterans on both sides of the ball
The Seattle Seahawks signed former Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence to a three-year deal worth up to $42 million that includes $18 million in guaranteed money, according to the NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, Tom Pelissero, and Ian Rapoport.
The ‘Hawks also reached a one-year deal with wideout Marquez Valdez-Scantling, a source told ESPN.
For Demarcus Lawrence, a 3-year, $42M max deal with $18M guaranteed, a contract negotiated by @davidcanter and @NessMugrabi of @aurasportsgroup. https://t.co/DTtr1ypLYz
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 12, 2025
Help in the trenches headed to Nashville
The Tennessee Titans agreed to a one-year, $9 million contract with guard Kevin Zeitler, according to Adam Schefter.
Tennessee signed defensive end Dre’Mont Jones as well. According to Tom Pelissero, the one-year, $8.5 million contract has a maximum value of $10 million.
Washington continues to be active
A source who spoke to Adam Schefter said the Washington Commanders are re-signing backup quarterback Marcus Mariota to a one-year contract worth $8 million.
The Commanders also signed two defensive linemen. According to Adam Schefter, Washington agreed to a one-year, $5 million deal with defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. On top of that, they signed nose tackle Eddie Goldman to a one-year contract, according to a source who spoke to Jeremy Fowler.
