NFL free agency isn’t right here fairly but — however the NFL information cycle by no means sleeps.
Coming out of the 2026 NFL mix, now with lower than per week to go earlier than the beginning of the authorized tampering interval (set for Monday, March 9 at 12 p.m. ET), the information cycle is heating up.
Advertisement
On Friday, it was reported that the Houston Texans have released veteran running back Joe Mixon at his request. Mixon missed the complete 2025 season with a foot harm. The transfer will save Houston a reported $8 million towards the wage cap.
It was additionally reported Friday that the Las Vegas Raiders, barring a trade, will release quarterback Geno Smith after one season. Smith’s departure will free up $8 million in wage cap area, whereas the Raiders will assume $18.5 million in lifeless cash.
Among gamers who will reportedly be released ahead of the league yr are Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs, Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, Vikings veterans Aaron Jones and Javon Hargrave, in addition to Commanders cornerback Marshon Lattimore.
Earlier this week, the Houston Texans made some strikes, having reportedly acquired veteran running back David Montgomery from the Detroit Lions in alternate for offensive lineman Juice Scruggs and a fourth- and sixth-round decide. The crew additionally reportedly agreed to trade starting right tackle Tytus Howard to the Cleveland Browns, who subsequently agreed to phrases on a three-year, $63 million extension.
Advertisement
The Chiefs made a splash play on Wednesday, reportedly trading All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams in alternate for the twenty ninth decide within the 2026 NFL Draft, in addition to a fifth and sixth and 2027 third-round decide.
The newest big-time trade dropped on Thursday, with the information that the Bears are reportedly trading star wide receiver D.J. Moore to the Bills. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Buffalo is sending a 2026 second-round draft decide to the Bears, whereas the Bills may also purchase a 2026 fifth-rounder together with Moore. In Ben Johnson’s first yr as head coach of the franchise, Moore had profession lows in catches and receiving yards regardless of enjoying in all 17 video games.
Follow together with Yahoo Sports for the most recent NFL information, experiences and rumors within the week main up to the beginning of free agency.
-
Tarohn Finley
The Houston Texans will reportedly launch operating again Joe Mixon, in accordance to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Mixon missed the 2025 season with a foot harm. Mixon reportedly requested his launch. The Texans acquired operating again David Montgomery from the Lions on Monday.
-
Ian Casselberry
The Minnesota Vikings restructured the contracts of three gamers on Friday to create room wage cap room earlier than free agency, in accordance to experiences. Receiver Justin Jefferson, left sort out Christian Darrisaw and cornerback Byron Murphy each had their deals redone, which may open up to $38 million in cap area.
With the restructurings, Minnesota may defer up to $11 million in Jefferson’s contract, $9 million in Darrisaw’s deal and $11 million with Murphy. Tight finish T.J. Hockenson’s deal may additionally be restructured or he may be minimize, the Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling reports.
Last week, the Vikings introduced that operating again Aaron Jones and defensive sort out Javon Hargrave would be released, which might reportedly create practically $19 million in cap aid. Defensive sort out Jonathan Allen can also be a candidate to be released if Minnesota is unable to trade him earlier than the brand new league yr begins on March 11.
-
Ian Casselberry
Receiver Treylon Burks is returning to the Washington Commanders on a one-year contract, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports.
Burks, 25, tallied 10 receptions for 130 yards and one landing in eight video games (three begins) final season for Washington. He signed with the Commanders after the Tennessee Titans declined his fifth-year choice,
Burks was the Titans’ 2022 first-round decide (No. 18 total), a variety obtained in alternate for trading A.J. Brown to the Philadelphia Eagles. In 4 NFL seasons, he has 63 catches for 829 yards and a pair of scores.
-
Tarohn Finley
Green Bay Packers edge rusher Rashan Gary thanked Packers followers for his or her help throughout his time with the crew on Instagram on Friday. The submit has since been deleted.
-
Tarohn Finley
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Taylor Decker introduced on his Instagram web page that he had requested and would be released by the crew, saying that he couldn’t discover frequent floor after a number of discussions. Decker’s launch will save $17.9 million in cap area for the Lions in 2026 and $21 million in 2027.
Decker introduced final week that he would be returning to play one other season within the NFL after mulling retirement after final season.
The 32-year-old is the longest tenured Lions participant and has 145 profession video games since being drafted within the first spherical of the 2018 NFL Draft out of Ohio State.
The loss of Decker means the Lions will lose their fourth offensive lineman within the final two seasons, after the retirements of Frank Ragnow and Dan Skipper and the current launch of Graham Glasgow. Outside of All-Pro offensive sort out Penei Sewell, the Lions’ offensive line struggled final season. Sewell may reportedly presumably transfer to the left aspect with out Decker.
Expect the Lions to proceed to strive to rebuild the offensive line in free agency and the draft. The Lions have already acquired offensive lineman Juice Scruggs within the David Montgomery trade.
-
Tarohn Finley
The Buffalo Bills reportedly released vast receiver Curtis Samuel, in accordance to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The Bills not too long ago traded for vast receiver DJ Moore.
Samuel completed with seven catches for 81 yards and a landing final season. Samuel spent the final two seasons with the Bills after stints in Washington and Carolina.
-
Tarohn Finley
The Miami Dolphins will reportedly launch fullback Alec Ingold, in accordance to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. Ingold, 29, had discussions with the crew a few new deal earlier than they determined to half methods. He was beforehand one of the highest-paid fullbacks within the NFL.
Ingold had spent the final 4 seasons with the Dolphins after starting his profession with the Raiders. The Dolphins transfer on from Ingold after parting methods with former head coach Mike McDaniel, who utilized a fullback in his offense.
Ingold is the most recent participant to half methods with the Dolphins. The Dolphins have additionally moved on from Tyreek Hill, Bradley Chubb and Jason Sanders this offseason. It stays to be seen what occurs with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
-
Tarohn Finley
The Buffalo Bills will reportedly launch cornerback Taron Johnson, in accordance to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Johnson has spent the final eight seasons with the Bills since being drafted by the crew within the fourth spherical of the 2018 NFL draft. The Bills transfer on from Johnson with the defensive scheme risk shifting below new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard.
-
Sean Leahy
The 30-year-old Sanders didn’t play final season due to a hip harm. The veteran kicker has spent his total eight-year NFL profession with the Dolphins. He has a 84.6% profession success price on area objectives and is 29-for-42 from 50+ yards.
-
Sean Leahy
After two seasons with the Giants, DeVito was waived final summer time and claimed by the Patriots. He served as third-string QB behind Drake Maye and Josh Dobbs.
-
Yahoo Sports Staff
The Washington Commanders are reportedly re-signing kicker Jake Moody to a one-year deal, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler experiences.
The former third-round decide performed six video games with the Commanders in 2025 after being waived by the 49ers in September and spending time on the Bears follow squad.
He went 10-of-11 on area objective makes an attempt with Washington, together with an extended of 56 yards, whereas going 10-of-11 on additional level makes an attempt.
-
Andy Backstrom
The Las Vegas Raiders are reportedly on track to release quarterback Geno Smith.
They’re additionally anticipated to take Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza with the primary decide on this yr’s draft.
But if that’s the way in which the Raiders go, they’d choose not to begin him straight away, in accordance to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, who reported Friday that Vegas may usher in a veteran QB in free agency.
-
Andy Backstrom
The Las Vegas Raiders are releasing quarterback Geno Smith, barring a trade earlier than the beginning of the brand new league yr, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
In doing so, the Raiders will reportedly save $8 million in wage cap area whereas taking up $18.5 million in lifeless cash.
The Raiders traded for Smith last offseason and signed him to a two-year, $75 million extension. That transfer reunited Smith with then-head coach Pete Carroll, whom Smith resurrected his profession with in Seattle.
But the Carroll period got here to a swift finish in Vegas, and now Smith’s time is up in silver and black as nicely.
In his lone season with the Raiders, Smith threw a league-high 17 interceptions. Vegas went 2-13 in his 15 begins and possesses the No. 1 total decide on this yr’s draft, wherein it’s anticipated to choose reigning Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza out of Indiana.
-
Sean Leahy
In an effort to get below the wage cap the Browns are restructuring quarterback Deshaun Watson’s contract, reducing the $80.7 million cap hit.
A big quantity of Watson’s wage cap cost will be become a restructure bonus. The expenses will be added to the void years of his deal, which run from 2027-2029. This will enable GM Andrew Berry to re-sign the crew’s personal free brokers and in addition be energetic when the market opens subsequent week.
-
Sean Leahy
The 26-year-old Curl joined the Rams in 2024 after enjoying the primary 4 seasons of his NFL profession with the Commanders. Last season in LA he recorded 122 whole tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, and 5 go deflections in 17 video games. He was impactful through the Rams’ run to the NFC title recreation making 27 tackles and choosing off Caleb Williams within the Divisional Round win over the Bears.
-
Sean Leahy
Hours after internet hosting him for a go to, the Chargers have inked middle Tyler Biadasz to a three-year, $30 million deal.
The 28-year-old middle was a fourth-round draft decide by the Cowboys in 2020. After 4 seasons in Dallas, Biadasz signed with the Commanders in March 2024. The 2022 Pro Bowler has began 80 video games over the previous 5 seasons.
-
Jack Baer
The Bears granted Tremaine Edmunds permission to search a trade final week. We now know the way that went.
Chicago is releasing the previous Pro Bowl linebacker in accordance to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, which can clear $15 million in cap area.
-
Jack Baer
The Texans protection was terrifying final season and Danielle Hunter was a significant cause why with a team-high 15 sacks. Naturally, Houston has opted to reward him.
Hunter agreed to a one-year, $40.1 million extension with a $30.7 million signing bonus on Thursday, in accordance to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. He had beforehand been below contract for simply the 2026 season.
-
Tarohn Finley
The Las Vegas Raiders will reportedly search as a lot as two first-round picks for star Maxx Crosby, in accordance to multiple sources.
Crosby has spent the final seven seasons with the Raiders.
-
Tarohn Finley
