NFL free company 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.
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On Friday, there have been loads of big-time strikes, headlined by the Las Vegas Raiders reportedly trading star defensive end Maxx Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens. In change, they’ll obtain Baltimore’s 2026 and 2027 first-round picks.
It was additionally reported Friday that the Raiders, barring a trade, will release quarterback Geno Smith after one season. Smith’s departure will release $8 million in wage cap area, whereas the Raiders will assume $18.5 million in useless cash.
The Houston Texans have additionally released veteran running back Joe Mixon at his request. Mixon missed the complete 2025 season with a foot damage. The transfer will save Houston a reported $8 million in opposition to the wage cap.
Other gamers who will reportedly be launched forward 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.
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Earlier this week, the Houston Texans made some strikes, having reportedly acquired veteran running back David Montgomery from the Detroit Lions in change for offensive lineman Juice Scruggs and a fourth- and sixth-round decide. The group 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.
The Chiefs made a splash play on Wednesday, reportedly trading All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams in change 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 will even 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 newest NFL information, studies and rumors within the week main up to the beginning of free company.
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The Philadelphia Eagles reportedly signed Jordan Davis to a 3-year, $78M extension, in accordance to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
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Sean Leahy
The 28-year-old joined the Bills in 2023 and made the Pro Bowl a season later.
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Sean Leahy
With the tender, the Aubrey can signal a proposal sheet with one other group, however the Cowboys have the appropriate to match.
Dallas has already made a proposal to the 30-year-old Aubrey that might make him the NFL’s highest-paid kicker. Kansas City’s Harrison Butker is at present the highest-paid kicker with a four-year, $25.6 million contract ($6.4 million per yr).
Aubrey is the NFL’s all-time chief in area objectives of a minimum of 60 yards and has made 88.2% of his makes an attempt in his three-year profession, one of many highest charges in league historical past regardless of main the NFL in 50-yard kick makes an attempt in every of the previous two seasons.
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Yahoo Sports Staff
Veteran cornerback Darious Williams has retired after eight NFL seasons. After going undrafted in 2018, he was signed by the Baltimore Ravens and ultimately waived earlier than being picked up by the Rams. He went on to earn a beginning function within the group, beginning 40 of his 67 video games with the group.
His finest season got here in 2020, when Williams nabbed a career-high 5 interceptions whereas giving up a career-low 55.4 NFL passer ranking in protection, per PFF.
Williams was within the last yr of a three-year, $22.5 million deal signed with the Rams as a free agent in 2024.
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Who gained the Maxx Crosby trade?
The Raiders did good to pick up two first-round picks for the star defensive end, writes Yahoo Sports’ Frank Schwab. He offers them an “A-” for the deal.
The Ravens get a “B” for buying Crosby.
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The Houston Texans cleared greater than $22 million in salary-cap room by restructuring the contracts of defensive backs Derek Stingley Jr. and Jalen Pitre.
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The New England Patriots will reportedly trade middle Garrett Bradbury to the Chicago Bears for a 2027 fifth-round decide, in accordance to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Bradbury, 30, will change former Bears middle Drew Dalman, who retired earlier this month. Bradbury began all 17 regular-season video games final season. Before Bradbury was with the Patriots, he spent his first six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings.
Bradbury will reunite with faculty teammate Joe Thuney on the Bears. Bradbury and Thuney have been roomates at NC State throughout away video games.
Thuney gained Protector of the Year final season.
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Ian Casselberry
Tight finish Dalton Schultz and the Houston Texans have agreed to a one-year, $12.6 million contract extension, in accordance to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Schultz, who turns 30 in July, goes into his ninth NFL season and is assured $17.6 million between 2026 and 2027, Rapoport studies.
He tallied a career-high 82 receptions final season to lead the Texans, including 777 yards and three touchdowns. During his eight NFL seasons, Schultz has totaled 405 catches for 4,066 yards and 27 TDs in 124 video games (78 begins).
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Ian Casselberry
The New York Giants formally introduced that offensive sort out James Hudson III has been launched.
Hudson was with the Giants for one season after enjoying the earlier 4 years with the Cleveland Browns. Unfortunately, his season spotlight (or lowlight) was being flagged for four penalties on one drive in Week 2 versus the Dallas Cowboys.
Hudson, 26, appeared in 11 video games for the Giants, beginning two. He was the Browns’ 2021 fourth-round select of Cincinnati.
The Giants additionally formally confirmed that kick returner Gunner Olszewski has been re-signed. He compiled 682 yards on 26 kickoff returns and 216 yards on 24 punt returns, whereas additionally notching 10 receptions for 145 yards and a landing final season.
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Andy Backstrom
The Arizona Cardinals have launched defensive sort out Dalvin Tomlinson, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Tomlinson had a cap variety of $16.2 million, per Rapoport.
The Cardinals introduced him aboard final yr to beef up their defensive inside. Although Arizona made a number of strikes to enhance its protection forward of the 2025 marketing campaign, it was riddled by damage and completed twenty ninth with 28.7 factors per sport allowed.
Tomlinson, 32, beforehand performed for the Cleveland Browns (2023-24), Minnesota Vikings (2021-22) and New York Giants (2017-20).
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Andy Backstrom
The Buffalo Bills are releasing security Taylor Rapp, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Rapp began 24 video games for the Bills over the previous three seasons.
He started his profession with the Los Angeles Rams, who drafted him out of Washington within the second spherical again in 2019.
Buffalo has now launched 4 gamers, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter:
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The Houston Texans will reportedly release running back Joe Mixon, in accordance to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Mixon missed the 2025 season with a foot damage. Mixon reportedly requested his release.
The Texans are set to purchase working again David Montgomery from the Detroit Lions in a trade that was reported on Monday.
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Ian Casselberry
The Minnesota Vikings restructured the contracts of three gamers on Friday to create room wage cap room earlier than free company, in accordance to studies. Receiver Justin Jefferson, left sort out Christian Darrisaw and cornerback Byron Murphy each had their deals redone, which might open up to $38 million in cap area.
With the restructurings, Minnesota might 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 is also restructured or he may very well be lower, the Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling reports.
Last week, the Vikings introduced that working again Aaron Jones and defensive sort out Javon Hargrave would be released, which might reportedly create almost $19 million in cap reduction. Defensive sort out Jonathan Allen can also be a candidate to be launched if Minnesota is unable to trade him earlier than the brand new league yr begins on March 11.
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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 general), a range obtained in change for trading A.J. Brown to the Philadelphia Eagles. In 4 NFL seasons, he has 63 catches for 829 yards and a couple of scores.
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Green Bay Packers edge rusher Rashan Gary thanked Packers followers for his or her help throughout his time with the group on Instagram on Friday. The publish has since been deleted.
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Detroit Lions offensive lineman Taylor Decker requests his release on Instagram, saying that he couldn’t discover frequent floor after a number of discussions. If the Lions release Decker it should save $17.9 million in cap area for the Lions in 2026 and $21 million in 2027.
Decker introduced final week that he could 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 lack 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 release of Graham Glasgow. Outside of All-Pro offensive sort out Penei Sewell, the Lions’ offensive line struggled final season. Sewell might reportedly presumably transfer to the left facet with out Decker.
Expect the Lions to proceed to strive to rebuild the offensive line in free company and the draft. The Lions have already acquired offensive lineman Juice Scruggs within the David Montgomery trade.
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The Buffalo Bills reportedly launched 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.
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The Miami Dolphins will reportedly release fullback Alec Ingold, in accordance to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. Ingold, 29, had discussions with the group a few new deal earlier than they determined to half methods. He was beforehand one of many 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 newest 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.
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The Buffalo Bills will reportedly release 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 group within the fourth spherical of the 2018 NFL draft. The Bills transfer on from Johnson with the defensive scheme risk shifting underneath new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard.
