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NFL teams are about to go on a shopping spree this week.
In advance of Wednesday’s start of the new league year and the opening of free agency, a 52-hour legal tampering period begins Monday at noon ET. During that window, teams can start negotiating with the agents of players who will become unrestricted free agents.
No contracts can be signed during that initial window, and teams are also prohibited from speaking directly with players—except for a limited exception allowing a single video or phone call with up to five free agents. The initial window, however, allows teams to begin roster planning, advance salary cap strategies ahead of Wednesday, when all teams must be cap-compliant, and minimize back-door negotiations around the league.
Among the key NFL players who will be available as unrestricted free agents:
- Kenneth Walker III: The running back just won Most Valuable Player award honors for the Seahawks in the Super Bowl LX win over the Patriots, rushing for 135 yards in the game.
- Mike Evans: The wide receiver, a fixture in Tampa for the past 12 seasons, is a six-time Pro Bowler and is looking to rebound after an injury-marred 2025.
- Trey Hendrickson: The edge rusher will not be re-signed by the Bengals, ending a decorated but often tumultuous stint in Cincinnati.
- Kyler Murray: About to be let go by the Cardinals, the 28-year-old quarterback also has a standing offer to return to baseball with the A’s, though that’s unlikely to be taken.
- Kirk Cousins: Another veteran quarterback hitting the market, the 37-year-old, who has more than $321 million in career earnings, will be released by the Falcons.
The $300 Million Era
Teams will have additional financial room to work with after the NFL set the 2026 salary cap at $301.2 million per team, a record amount and $22 million more than the 2025 level.
As the NFL free-agent market is heating up, so, too, is the one for trades. Late Friday, the Raiders agreed to a deal with the Ravens to move star defensive end Maxx Crosby to Baltimore for the No. 14 pick this year and a first-round selection in 2027—a package slightly less than what the Cowboys received last summer for Micah Parsons.
The agreement will become official with the new league year and will give the Raiders and part-owner Tom Brady additional draft picks to work with as they remake the roster of a team that has just one playoff season since 2017. The Raiders also now have the most available cap space heading into the new league year at $119.4 million, according to Spotrac.
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