The NFL news cycle is active, with significant developments occurring ahead of the legal tampering period, which begins on Monday, March 9. The official start of free agency is scheduled for March 12, following the 2026 NFL combine.
Player Trades
David Montgomery Trade
The Houston Texans have reportedly acquired veteran running back David Montgomery from the Detroit Lions.
The trade involved the Texans sending offensive lineman Juice Scruggs along with a fourth-round and sixth-round draft pick to the Lions.
Tytus Howard Trade
Separately, the Texans reportedly traded starting right tackle Tytus Howard to the Cleveland Browns.
Following this acquisition, Howard reportedly agreed to terms on a three-year, $63 million extension with the Browns.
Upcoming Player Releases
As teams work to comply with the 2026 salary cap, set at $301.2 million per club, several veteran players are reportedly slated for release.
These include Vikings veterans Aaron Jones and Javon Hargrave, as well as Commanders cornerback Marshon Lattimore.
Franchise Tag Updates
The deadline for teams to place the franchise tag on pending free agents is Tuesday, March 3, at 4 p.m. ET.
This mechanism prevents a player from entering the open market, guaranteeing them a one-year, fully guaranteed contract.
Two offensive players have reportedly received the franchise tag so far: Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts and Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens.
Teams can continue to negotiate a long-term deal with a tagged player until July 15 at 4 p.m. ET; if no long-term agreement is reached, the player will compete under the terms of the franchise tag.