NFL free agency isn’t here quite yet — but the NFL news cycle never sleeps.
Coming out of the 2026 NFL combine, now with less than a week to go before the start of the legal tampering period (set for Monday, March 9 at 12 p.m. ET), the news cycle is heating up.
The week opened up with a couple of trades from the Houston Texans, having reportedly acquired veteran running back David Montgomery from the Detroit Lions in exchange for offensive lineman Juice Scruggs and a fourth- and sixth-round pick. The team also reportedly agreed to trade starting right tackle Tytus Howard to the Cleveland Browns, who subsequently agreed to terms on a three-year, $63 million extension.
The Chiefs made a splash play on Wednesday, reportedly trading All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for the 29th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, as well as a fifth and sixth and 2027 third-round pick.
The week leading up to the official start of free agency on March 12 will also be a busy time for the release of NFL veterans, as each team makes moves to become compliant with the salary cap, which is officially set at $301.2 million per club.
Among players who will reportedly be released are Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, Vikings veterans Aaron Jones and Javon Hargrave, as well as Commanders cornerback Marshon Lattimore.
Also on the horizon is Tuesday’s official franchise tag deadline, with three offensive stars having received the tag so far, including Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts and Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens. The Jets will reportedly place the franchise tag on running back Breece Hall as the two sides continue to negotiate a long-term contract.
The Seahawks reportedly won’t be tagging Kenneth Walker III, and the Bengals won’t tag Trey Hendrickson, setting him up to become a free agent.
The Indianapolis Colts, meanwhile, will place the lesser-known transition tag on veteran quarterback Daniel Jones. The tag, worth a fully-guaranteed $37.833 million, per Over The Cap, will allow him to negotiate with other NFL teams and provide the Colts the opportunity to match any offer sheet Jones signs.
Teams have until Tuesday, March 3, at 4 p.m. ET to place the franchise tag on one pending free agent, essentially preventing them from hitting the open market. That tag ensures the player a fully guaranteed, one-year contract, though teams are able to negotiate a long-term deal with any tagged player until July 15 at 4 p.m. ET. If no long-term deal has been negotiated at that point, the player will play on the tag.
Follow along with Yahoo Sports for the latest NFL news, reports and rumors in the week leading up to the start of free agency.