When does free agency start in the NFL?

9 Mar 2026 • 11:20 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • NFL free agency opens this week as teams weigh up who to sign in the offseason.
  • The unofficial negotiation window opens on Monday March 9 at noon ET, when players can agree to terms with teams during the legal tampering period.
  • However, free agency officially starts at 4pm ET on Wednesday March 11.
  • It is at this point that players can officially be signed ahead of the 2026 season, which gets underway in September.
  • There are set to be some major names entering free agency, including Tua Tagovailoa, who has been released by the Miami Dolphins.