NFL Free Agency 2026: Day 1 Recap

Tight ends in demand, offensive tackles not so much as players sign deals

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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The first day of the NFL's 'legal tampering period' saw a number of free agents sign new contracts, with some surprising deals. Guard Zion Johnson signed a $16.5 million per year deal with the Cleveland Browns, significantly higher than expected. Meanwhile, the linebacker and cornerback markets saw pushback, with players signing for less than anticipated. The tackle market remains slow as teams wait to see what happens with veteran Trent Williams.

Why it matters

The opening of NFL free agency is a closely watched annual event, as teams look to improve their rosters through signings. The deals made on the first day provide insight into the current state of the league's player market and salary cap landscape, with some positions seeing more inflation than others.

The details

Some of the key deals on the first day of free agency included guard Zion Johnson signing a $16.5 million per year contract with the Cleveland Browns, well above his expected value. Meanwhile, several linebackers and cornerbacks signed for less than the $15-18 million per year range that had become the norm in recent years, as teams pushed back on those salary levels. The tackle market remained slow, with teams likely waiting to see what happens with veteran Trent Williams' future before making moves.

  • The 'legal tampering period' for NFL free agency began on March 10, 2026.

The players

Zion Johnson

A guard who signed a $16.5 million per year deal with the Cleveland Browns, significantly higher than expected.

Trent Williams

A 37-year-old veteran offensive tackle whose future is uncertain, with the San Francisco 49ers potentially not wanting to pay his current price.

Rasheed Walker

A young, full-time starting offensive tackle who is one of the top remaining free agents on the market.

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What’s next

Teams will continue to monitor the free agent market and make additional signings in the coming days and weeks. The status of veteran players like Trent Williams will also be an important storyline to follow.

The takeaway

The opening of NFL free agency saw some surprising deals, with the linebacker and cornerback markets seeing pushback on salary levels that had become the norm in recent years. The tackle market remains slow as teams wait to see what happens with veteran players, providing insight into the current state of the league's player market and salary cap landscape.