The NFL is now coming into free-agency frenzy.
The authorized tampering window without spending a dime company begins on Monday at midday ET. Throughout this era, groups can contact free brokers and enter contract negotiations with them. Offers will be agreed upon however not formally signed till the start of the brand new league 12 months on Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET.
With that in thoughts, listed below are the 5 hottest storylines heading into free company.
QB Aaron Rodgers’ plans
Rodgers, 42, hasn’t stated whether or not he plans to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2026 or retire. Steelers common supervisor Omar Khan expects the veteran QB to decide quickly, in contrast to final offseason, when he signed a one-year deal earlier than the start of necessary minicamp.
If four-time league MVP Rodgers does not return, the Steelers would then must reevaluate their plans at QB. Pittsburgh’s lively roster options QBs Mason Rudolph and Will Howard. 2018 third-round choose Rudolph has a 9-9-1 beginning report within the common season. Howard, in the meantime, did not play throughout his rookie season in 2025.
Per NBC Sports’ Matthew Berry, the Steelers love former Ohio State Buckeyes star Howard and would favor to start out him for one season reasonably than pay a veteran. That also could not cease the AFC North membership from including one other passer within the 2026 NFL Draft (scheduled April 23-25 in Pittsburgh). In his post-combine mock draft, The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo has the group choosing Miami Hurricanes QB Carson Beck (6-foot-5, 233 kilos) with choose No. 121 within the fourth spherical.
Touchdown spots for different high-profile QBs
With Indiana Hoosiers star Fernando Mendoza (6-foot-5, 236 kilos) trying like the one QB worthy of a first-round choose, determine on groups splurging on crucial place in free company.
QB Malik Willis has began six video games in 4 seasons with the Green Bay Packers and Tennessee Titans, however may land an exorbitant deal. Spotrac estimates his market worth is a two-year contract value $35.5M yearly. He accomplished 70-of-89 passes (78.7 p.c, above common) for 972 yards and 6 TD passes in two seasons with the Packers, which may persuade a needy group (Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins) that he has viable beginning QB potential.
Cardinals QB Kyler Murray will not be a free agent for lengthy when his launch turns into official on Wednesday. The 2019 No. 1 choose is anticipated to attract multiple suitors, together with the Minnesota Vikings and New York Jets.
If both of these groups does not comply with a cope with Murray, they may pivot to Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa. The fifth choose of the 2020 draft is expected to be cut quickly.
RB Kenneth Walker III’s market
Regardless of profitable Tremendous Bowl LX MVP in a 29-13 win over the New England Patriots, the Seattle Seahawks re-signing Walker in free company is not a assure. He may command a deal value greater than the three-year, $24M contract RB Javonte Williams agreed to with the Dallas Cowboys.
Walker, who turns 26 on Oct. 20, is coming off among the finest years of his profession, which has elevated his worth. The 2022 second-round choose ranked sixteenth within the NFL in dashing yards (1,027) through the common season and ran for essentially the most (313) through the playoffs.
The Jets franchise tagged RB Breece Corridor (1,065 dashing yards in 2025, No. 15 within the NFL) earlier than the deadline on March 3. That ought to result in more teams (Kansas City Chiefs, Washington Commanders) bidding on Walker, who’s clearly the highest free-agent RB with the Jets star unavailable.
Futures of veteran WRs Tyreek Hill, Mike Evans
Over the Cap estimates the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have $19.96M in cap house. The group’s monetary state of affairs will increase the possibility it’ll let Evans, who has spent his complete 12-year profession in Tampa, stroll.
A damaged collarbone and hamstring problem restricted Evans to eight video games final season, however groups in want of one other high quality WR (Baltimore Ravens) ought to be within the six-time Professional Bowler.
The Dolphins launched eight-time Professional Bowler Hill in February. He is recovering from a dislocated left knee/ACL tear suffered in September 2025, however ought to garner loads of curiosity. Maybe the Chiefs will reunite with the wideout.
Will Cowboys proprietor Jerry Jones maintain his free-agency promise?
Jones has said the Cowboys ought to spend more cash in free company than they’ve in earlier years, which has QB Dak Prescott fired up for the offseason. Nonetheless, will the proprietor maintain his promise?
Bear in mind when he stated the Cowboys can be “all-in” on profitable a Tremendous Bowl earlier than the 2024 season after which did little to enhance the group in free company? Dallas’ solely notable transfer through the first wave of free company that offseason was signing linebacker Eric Kendricks to a one-year deal.
Extra importantly, the Cowboys aren’t ready to spend massive even after restructuring the contracts of Prescott, WR CeeDee Lamb and guard Tyler Smith. Per Over the Cap, Dallas has $222.8K in cap house, that means it has extra work to do earlier than it may possibly do something important in free company.
