When is NFL free agency in 2026? Best available players, start date
The NFL's unemployment rate is about to spike.
Every player is a contract worker in the league and many of those agreements will come to an end with the 2025 season in the rearview. NFL free agency is just around the corner, when the hiring process comes into focus for the 32 teams around the league.
This year's group isn't loaded with stars at the top, but plenty of quality talent is on the board for the league to recruit when the opening bell rings. Perhaps the most intriguing player is what happens with Malik Willis, the Green Bay Packers' backup quarterback. His deal could come with a hefty number attached to it, given the perceived lack of quarterback options in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft.
For now, those interviews will have to wait to avoid any potential punishment for tampering. Here's what to know about when NFL free agency starts in 2026.
When does NFL free agency start?NFL free agency in 2026 starts on March 9 at Noon ET when the legal tampering period opens.
What is legal tampering in the NFL?It's a period of time when teams can talk with agents and agree to terms, but there will be no pen-to-paper (or finger to the tablet) from the player to make the deal official. That means that fans should begin to know the landing spots for plenty of free agents as early as March 9.
Since everything runs through the agents during this time, players are barred from visiting teams or engaging in any communication with front offices across the league until the new league year begins.
Both sides can finalize the contracts and officially sign the paperwork when the new league year begins at 4 p.m. ET on March 11.
It's unlikely, but players can, and have, backed out of agreements during that tampering window. Until the paperwork is signed, proceed with caution.
Best available NFL free agents 2026Here's a look at the top-10 best available free agents in 2026,according to USA TODAY Sports' Nate Davis.
- WR George Pickens, Dallas Cowboys
- DE Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati Bengals
- C Tyler Linderbaum, Baltimore Ravens
- OLB Jaelan Phillips, Philadelphia Eagles
- QB Daniel Jones, Indianapolis Colts
- OLB Odafe Oweh, Los Angeles Chargers
- QB Malik Willis, Green Bay Packers
- WR/KR Rashid Shaheed, Seattle Seahawks
- TE Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons
- RB Breece Hall, New York Jets
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: When does NFL free agency start? Date, best available players in 2026