The two-day negotiating window of the NFL opened at 12:00 PM ET on March 9, 2026. During this period, teams can negotiate with unrestricted free agents and agree to terms before the new league year officially begins on March 11. With a record $301.2 million salary cap, franchises are executing massive roster resets and record-breaking extensions.
This year’s window features a significant rule change: for the first time, teams are permitted to have direct contact via video or phone calls with up to five unrestricted free agents, rather than communicating solely through certified agents.
From Kenneth Walker’s shocking trade to Alec Pierce’s historic retention, follow along as the NFL teams build their roster for the 2026 season.
Biggest Moves From NFL Negotiation Period
Kenneth Walker to the Kansas City Chiefs
Reigning Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III has agreed to a blockbuster three-year, $43.05 million contract with the Kansas City Chiefs, potentially reaching $45 million through incentives. The deal includes a substantial $28.7 million in guarantees, instantly making him one of the NFL’s highest-paid backs.
Coming off a 1,027-yard regular season and a historic playoff run where he tallied 313 rushing yards and four touchdowns, Walker provides an elite home run threat for Patrick Mahomes. His arrival adds an elite RB to a Chiefs backfield that ranked near the bottom of the NFL in explosive run rate last year.
Alec Pierce Remains With the Indianapolis Colts
Wide receiver Alec Pierce has agreed to a record-breaking four-year, $116 million contract extension to remain with the Indianapolis Colts. The deal features $84 million in total guarantees, with $60 million fully guaranteed at signing, making him one of the league’s highest-paid deep threats at $29 million per year.
He led the NFL in yards per reception for two consecutive seasons (averaging 21.3 in 2025). Pierce turned down more lucrative offers from the Patriots and Commanders to maintain his rapport with quarterback Daniel Jones.
Eric Stokes Stays in Las Vegas
Cornerback Eric Stokes has agreed to a three-year, $30 million contract to remain with the Las Vegas Raiders. The deal includes $20 million in total guarantees. After struggling with injuries in Green Bay, Stokes revived his career in Las Vegas, starting 16 games in 2025. His retention provides much-needed stability for a rebuilding Raiders secondary entering the new NFL year.
Jaylen Watson Heads to the Los Angeles Rams
Cornerback Jaylen Watson has agreed to a three-year, $51 million contract with the Los Angeles Rams, featuring $34 million in total guarantees. He will reunite with former Chiefs teammate Trent McDuffie and earn an average of $17 million per year.
During his breakout 2025 season, Watson recorded 64 tackles, two sacks, and two interceptions across 15 starts. He finished the year as PFF’s No. 17 cornerback, allowing just 6.9 yards per attempt as a primary defender.
Laremy Tunsil Extends With the Washington Commanders
Left tackle Laremy Tunsil has agreed to a record-setting two-year, $60.2 million extension with the Washington Commanders, making him the NFL’s first $30 million-per-year offensive lineman. The deal includes $61.5 million in total guarantees and a position-high $32.5 million signing bonus, securing him through 2028.
During the 2025 season in Washington, Tunsil started 14 games before an oblique injury ended his season. He finished as PFF’s No. 2 pass-blocker (88.9 grade), allowing just two sacks and 15 total pressures while providing elite blindside protection for Jayden Daniels.
Jaelan Phillips Gets Massive Bag From the Carolina Panthers
Edge rusher Jaelan Phillips has agreed to a massive four-year, $120 million contract with the Carolina Panthers, featuring $80 million in total guarantees. After splitting his 2025 season between Miami and Philadelphia following a midseason trade, Phillips joins a Panthers unit desperate for pass-rush pop.
During the 2025 campaign, he recorded 53 tackles and 5.0 sacks across 17 games, leading the league in pressures (41) during his eight-game stint with the Eagles.
Michael Pittman to the Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers acquired Michael Pittman Jr. from the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for a late-round pick swap, immediately signing him to a three-year, $59 million extension. The deal averages $19.67 million annually, securing the 28-year-old receiver through 2028.
During the 2025 season, Pittman started all 17 games, recording 80 receptions for 784 yards and a career-high seven touchdowns. Despite a career-low 9.8 yards per catch, he remained a reliable possession target with a 72.1% catch rate, providing much-needed veteran size opposite DK Metcalf in Mike McCarthy’s new offense.
Malik Willis to the Miami Dolphins
Quarterback Malik Willis has agreed to a three-year, $67.5 million contract with the Miami Dolphins, featuring $45 million in total guarantees. The deal, which averages $22.5 million annually, marks a massive payday for the 26-year-old after a reviving stint in Green Bay.
During his 2025 campaign, Willis was efficient in limited action, completing 85.7% of his passes (30-of-35) for 422 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions. He also added 123 rushing yards and two TDs on the ground.
Isaiah Likely Signs With New York Giants
Tight end Isaiah Likely has agreed to a three-year, $40 million contract with the New York Giants, featuring a maximum value of $47.5 million through incentives. This deal reunites Likely with head coach John Harbaugh and makes him one of the league’s highest-paid tight ends.
Despite a frustrating 2025 season plagued by a training camp foot injury and career lows in catches (27), yards (307), and touchdowns (1), the Giants are betting on his playmaking ceiling. Likely now steps out of Mark Andrews’ shadow to serve as a primary target for rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart.
Joseph Ossai Find Middle Ground With the New York Jets
Edge rusher Joseph Ossai has agreed to a three-year, $36 million contract with the New York Jets, featuring $22.5 million fully guaranteed. The deal pays the 25-year-old an average of $12 million annually, a significant increase from his previous $6.5 million one-year pact.
During his 2025 breakout season with the Bengals, Ossai recorded 43 tackles, five sacks, and two forced fumbles across 14 games and nine starts. He finished the year with a career-high 45 quarterback pressures.
Kingsley Enagbare Joins the New York Jets
Edge rusher Kingsley Enagbare has agreed to a one-year, $10 million contract with the New York Jets. Entering his first stint in free agency, the 26-year-old provides immediate depth for a Jets defensive front that recently traded Jermaine Johnson.
During the 2025 season, Enagbare appeared in all 17 games for the Green Bay Packers, recording 39 tackles and 2.0 sacks. While primarily a rotational player, he finished the year with a career-high nine quarterback hits and 24 pressures, maintaining his streak of never missing a regular-season game in his four-year career.
Kenny Gainwell to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Kenneth Gainwell has agreed to a two-year, $14 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, including $10 million in guarantees. The 26-year-old enters a backfield vacated by Rachaad White, providing a high-floor receiving option for Baker Mayfield.
During his breakout 2025 campaign in Pittsburgh, Gainwell recorded a career-high 1,023 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns. He emerged as one of the league’s premier dual-threat backs, catching 73 passes (6th among RBs) while averaging a healthy 4.7 yards per carry on 114 rushing attempts across 17 starts.
