We’re officially a few weeks removed from the NFL season. Since the dust settled on Super Bowl LX, conversations pointed to the draft.
But what happens right now? The following information is being shared in advance of the 2026 NFL Free Agency signing period.
When does the 2026 free agency signing period begin?
At 4:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 11.
When is the two-day negotiating period for potential unrestricted free agents?
From 12:00 p.m. ET on Monday, March 9 until 3:59:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 11, clubs are permitted to contact and enter into contract negotiations with the certified agents of players who will become unrestricted free agents upon expiration of their 2025 player contracts at 4:00 p.m. ET on March 11.
The two-day negotiating period applies only to prospective unrestricted free agents. It does not apply to players who have received, or who may receive, a required tender applicable to the 2026 League Year (e.g., exclusive rights players, restricted free agents, franchise players or transition players).
What is the salary cap for 2026?
The salary cap is $301,200,000 per club.
When must teams be in compliance with the salary cap?
At the start of the 2026 League Year, which begins at 4:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 11.
If a team is under the salary cap at the end of a given season, can the team “carry over” room to the next season?
Yes. A team may carry over room from one league year to the following league year by submitting notice to the NFL prior to 4:00 p.m. ET on the day following the team’s final regular-season game, indicating the amount of room that the club wishes to carry over.
What is the maximum amount of room that a club can carry over?
A club can carry over 100 percent of its remaining 2025 room to its adjusted salary cap for 2026.
What is the time period for free agency signings this year?
For restricted free agents, from March 11 to April 17.
For unrestricted free agents who have received a tender from their prior club by the Monday immediately following the final day of the NFL Draft for the 2026 League Year (i.e., April 27), from March 11 to July 22 (or the first scheduled day of the first NFL training camp, whichever is later).
For franchise players, from March 11 until the Tuesday following Week 10 of the regular season, November 17.
For transition players, from March 11 until July 22. After July 22 and until 4 p.m. ET on the Tuesday following Week 10 of the regular season, November 17, the prior club has exclusive negotiating rights to unrestricted free agents and transition players. If the above-listed players do not sign by November 17, they must sit out the season.
What are the categories of free agency?
Players are either “restricted free agents” or “unrestricted free agents.” A restricted free agent may be subject to a “qualifying offer.” A restricted or unrestricted free agent may be designated by his prior club as its franchise player or transition player.
What is the difference between a restricted free agent and an unrestricted free agent?
In the 2026 league year, players with three accrued seasons who have received a qualifying offer become restricted free agents when their contracts expire at the conclusion of the 2025 league year on March 11. Unrestricted free agents have completed four or more accrued seasons. Upon expiration of his 2025 contract, an unrestricted free agent is free to sign with any club with no draft-choice compensation owed to his old club.
What constitutes an “accrued season”?
Six or more regular season games on a club’s active/inactive, reserve/injured or reserve/physically unable to perform lists.
What determines an unrestricted free agent?
A player with four or more accrued seasons whose contract has expired. He is free to sign with any club, with no draft-choice compensation owed to his old club, through July 22 (or the first scheduled day of the first NFL training camp, whichever is later). At that point, his negotiating rights revert exclusively to his old club if by April 27 the old club tendered the player a one-year contract for 110 percent of his prior year’s salary.
His old club then has until the Tuesday following Week 10 of the regular season (November 17) to sign him. If he does not sign by that date, he must sit out the season. If no tender is offered by April 27, the player can be signed by any club at any time throughout the season.
How many franchise players and transition players can a team designate each season?
A club can designate one franchise player or one transition player among its potential restricted or unrestricted free agents.
First & Jenn 
Leave a comment