The start to NFL free agency is here.
In just a few hours, the league’s legal tampering window will open, giving teams a chance to discuss potential contracts with free agents. And in a new twist to the tampering window for 2026, teams can now conduct one video or phone call (up to one hour long) with as many as five free agents, rather than dealing with their agents as in previous seasons.
That could make things rather interesting in a few hours.
Let’s dive into the rumors one last time before the free agent frenzy begins.
News broke over the weekend that tight end Travis Kelce is expected to return for his 14th season.
Now the bigger question: Where will he play.
Kelce is set to be a free agent when the new league year begins on Wednesday, and according to The Athletic, the tight end will likely meet with other teams before deciding whether he wants to return to the Kansas City Chiefs. This comes weeks after The Associated Press reported that Kelce would only return to play for Kansas City.
Chiefs general manager Brett Veach spoke about the tight end at the NFL Scouting Combine, noting that the team is “prepared for either scenario” as they wait on Kelce’s decision.
“I think we’ve kind of taken a different approach with Travis in the sense that we’ve prepared for either scenario,” said Veach. “Coach (Andy Reid) had mentioned on Friday (that) he’s had great dialogue with Travis. On our end, myself, (assistant general manager) Chris Shea and Travis’ crew, we’ve had some good dialogue there.
“I’m sure we’re going to see him here just like we will all the other players’ agents, and we’ll continue that dialogue. Travis is the best, he’s an icon and, hopefully, he comes back and we’ll just let that process play out.”
A.J. Brown trade “stalled”
One of the biggest names that was expected to be on the move this offseason is Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown.
But according to NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo, any trade momentum “seems to have stalled:”
As Garafolo notes, there are significant financial concerns with trading Brown prior to June 1, which has forced Philadelphia general manager Howie Roseman to be creative when exploring trade options. But potential trade partners are looking to get a deal done sooner rather than later, which could leave Roseman searching for a team willing to make a trade.
The New England Patriots were reportedly rebuffed on a recent trade offer of a first-round pick and a second-round pick for Brown.
Alec Pierce to San Francisco?
A.J. Brown might be the most intriguing wide receiver being discussed at the moment, but Indianapolis Colts WR Alec Pierce is not too far behind. Pierce grew into a vertical threat for the Colts over the past two seasons, and with Indianapolis using the transition tag on quarterback Daniel Jones, there is a chance that Pierce finds a new home in free agency.
As with Brown, the New England Patriots are also interested in Pierce, to potentially pair him with young quarterback Drake Maye. But according to Josina Anderson, New England may be balking at a the cost, expected to be north of $30 million per season.
But another team might be willing to pay that price. Anderson mentions the San Francisco 49ers as an option, noting that the team needs to solidify their wide receiver room given the Brandon Aiyuk situation, and Ricky Pearsall’s injury struggles.
Still, the cap-flush Tennessee Titans might be the likely landing spot for Pierce, if New England is truly balking at the price tag.
Browns interested in Mike Evans
While A.J. Brown and Alec Pierce lead the crop of wide receivers, veteran Mike Evans will have several teams lining up for his services as he hits free agency.s
Including the Cleveland Browns.
Evans likely looks to play for a contender, given where he is in his career, but according to Mary Kay Cabot the Browns might have a card they can play in free agency: Head coach Todd Monken. One of the stops on Monken’s coaching journey was indeed Tampa Bay, where he was the offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach from 2016 through 2018.
During that stretch Evans recorded three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, and saw a career-best 173 targets in 2016.
Of course, that was during Evans’ prime, but it is clear that Monken would have an idea on how to use the receiver, and a strong pitch to make during negotiations.
As far as other teams that could be options for Evans, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports that the Los Angeles Chargers, the Washington Commanders, the San Francisco 49ers, and the New York Giants have expressed interest in the receiver.
When the Las Vegas Raiders announced they were releasing veteran quarterback Geno Smith, many thought a return to New York and the Jets could be in the cards, as something of a Hollywood ending.
But one notable Jets beat writer is not writing that idea off as pure fantasy.
ESPN Jets beat writer Rich Cimini noted on Sunday that while it is “hard to imagine Smith is back with the Jets after what happened in 2015,” the fact that the veteran QB is owed $18 million by the Raiders means a minimum contract could be an option.
He also reports that the Jets had “high grades for Smith, now 35, last offseason when the Seahawks made him available in a trade, so they appear willing to chalk up last season to a dysfunctional situation in Las Vegas.”
What the New York Giants are thinking
With Cam Skattebo working his way back from the season-ending injury he suffered during his rookie campaign, the New York Giants have been looking at running backs these past few weeks.
But according to Connor Hughes of SNY, they have been “priced out” of the Kenneth Walker III sweepstakes, as well as the expected market for center Tyler Linderbaum. “While center Tyler Linderbaum and running back Kenneth Walker were on the team’s initial wish list, they’ve been priced out of New York’s range,” wrote Hughes on Sunday.
However, Hughes does believe that the presence of John Harbaugh could make the Giants a destination for free agent tight end Isaiah Likely. As Hughes notes, Harbaugh was part of a Baltimore Ravens team that drafted Likely in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, and with New York expected to lose wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson, adding Likely would give Jaxson Dart another target in the middle of the field.
Jalen Carter’s Philadelphia future
With the Philadelphia Eagles signing defensive tackle Jordan Davis to a massive contract extension, speculation has grown about the future of teammate and fellow defensive tackle Jalen Carter.
That speculation now includes thoughts of a potential trade out of Philadelphia.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Eagles have been taking calls on Carter since the Davis deal was announced.
The defensive tackle is under contract through 2026, with the Eagles holding an option for a fifth year. As noted by Pro Football Talk, a pair of Pro Bowl selections for Carter means that option would come at a $27 million price tag. And with Davis getting a three-year extension at an average of $26 million per year, tying more than $50 million in a pair of defensive tackles might not be Howie Roseman’s idea of a good time.
Miami, Arizona and Malik Willis
Malik Willis remains the most enticing quarterback option on the free agency market.
As expected, the Miami Dolphins and the Arizona Cardinals are the two teams to watch as free agency begins when it comes to the quarterback.
Both teams are moving on from highly-priced options, as the Dolphins officially released Tua Tagovailoa on Monday morning while the Cardinals are expected to do the same with Kyler Murray if a trade cannot be made. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport noted on Monday morning that Arizona and Miami are two teams to “watch” when it comes to Willis, in particular noting the ties between the Packers and the new head coach and general manager in Miami:
