NFL Free Agency 2026: Signing Window & Rules

0:00It's March 7th for the NFL, let's get into it. Follow and subscribe for more team news every day. Free agency for the 2026 NFL season kicks off with a two-day negotiating window, starting at noon eastern on Monday, March 9th, and running until just before 4pm, eastern on Wednesday, March 11th. That's when clubs can talk deals with agents of upcoming unrestricted free agents. Signing officially begins right at 4pm, eastern on March 11th, marking the start of the New League year. Restricted free agents are players with three accrued seasons who get a qualifying offer from their team. They can negotiate offers until April 17th, but their old club has the right to match any deal or get draft picks as compensation. Unrestricted free agents have four or more accrued seasons and can sign anywhere without owing their prior team draft choices, at least initially. For most unrestricted free agents, the signing window lasts until July 22, or the first day of training camp, whichever comes later.

1:02If their old team tenders them by April 27th, negotiations shift exclusively back to that club until November 17th, or the player, sits out the year. Restricted free agents wrap up by April 17th, while franchise players have until mid-November. Teens can tag one franchise or transition player per year, locking them in with specific salary tenders based on position averages or prior pay. Relative tags keep them from signing elsewhere, while non-exclusive allow talks, but demand steep draft compensation if they leave. Clubs can pull the tag any time, turning the player into a free agent. The salary cap sits at $301,200,000 per team, with compliance required at 4 p.m. Eastern on March 11th. Teens under the cap at season's end can carry over all unused room into 2026 by notifying the league right after their final game. This D&N story comes to you thanks to our sponsor. Do not just fall asleep, drift into what you are listening to, S-O-L-I-SoliPillow.com.

2:06Do not just fall asleep, drift into what you are listening to, S-O-L-I-SoliPillow.com.