NFL Free Agency Kicks Off with Legal Tampering Period

Top free agents, team cap space, and key dates for the start of the new league year

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The NFL's free agency period is set to begin this week, with the legal tampering period starting on March 9 and the new league year officially beginning on March 11. This offseason's free agent pool is headlined by a Pro Bowl center, two future Hall of Fame pass catchers, and high-level linebackers and edge rushers. The Tennessee Titans enter free agency with the second-most cap space in the league, giving them flexibility to be active in the market.

Why it matters

NFL free agency is a critical time for teams to retool their rosters and make moves to improve their chances of success in the upcoming season. The legal tampering period allows teams to negotiate with upcoming free agents before the official start of the new league year, giving them a head start on securing top talent.

The details

The legal tampering period begins at 11 a.m. CT on March 9, allowing teams to negotiate with upcoming unrestricted free agents. While deals cannot be officially signed until March 11, agreements are likely to be reported as early as lunchtime on March 9. Some of the top free agents available include Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum, Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd, and Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans.

  • The legal tampering period begins at 11 a.m. CT on March 9.
  • NFL free agency officially begins at 3 p.m. CT on March 11.

The players

Tyler Linderbaum

A Pro Bowl center for the Baltimore Ravens who is set to hit the free agent market.

Trey Hendrickson

A standout edge rusher for the Cincinnati Bengals who is one of the top defensive free agents available.

Devin Lloyd

A talented linebacker for the Jacksonville Jaguars who is expected to draw significant interest in free agency.

Mike Evans

A future Hall of Fame wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who is one of the premier pass catchers in this year's free agent class.

Tennessee Titans

The Titans enter free agency with the second-most cap space in the NFL, giving them significant financial flexibility to be active in the market.

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What’s next

The Tennessee Titans will look to use their ample cap space to address key needs on their roster during the free agency period.

The takeaway

This year's NFL free agency class features several high-profile players at premium positions, setting the stage for an active and competitive market as teams look to improve their rosters ahead of the 2023 season.