Skip to main content
Thursday, October 29, 2026Oct 29
Subscribe
All Sections
Search
More

This story is free to read.

Five questions before NFL free agency begins ahead of 2026 season

AP file photo by Rick Scuteri / The Arizona Cardinals are expected to release Kyler Murray next week, making him one of the better quarterbacks available in NFL free agency this year.
AP file photo by Rick Scuteri / The Arizona Cardinals are expected to release Kyler Murray next week, making him one of the better quarterbacks available in NFL free agency this year. AP file photo by Rick Scuteri / The Arizona Cardinals are expected to release Kyler Murray next week, making him one of the better quarterbacks available in NFL free agency this year.

By ROB MAADDI / The Associated Press 5 min read

The Seattle Seahawks, who won Super Bowl LX last month to cap the NFL’s 2025 season, found their starting quarterback in free agency last March when they landed Sam Darnold.

The New England Patriots went from worst to first in the AFC East Division after signing several key veterans who helped them win a conference championship.

Winning free agency doesn’t always translate into success on the field. Plenty of moves have backfired over the years. There are plenty of big contracts that didn’t work out over the years, including those in 2024 for quarterback Kirk Cousins ($100 million guaranteed from the Atlanta Falcons) and defensive tackle Christian Wilkins ($82.75 million guaranteed from the Las Vegas Raiders).

The Seahawks and Patriots are recently examples, though, that smart spending can make all the difference, though, and NFL teams can start reshaping their rosters for the 2026 season next week.

Agents can begin negotiating with club executives when the legal tampering period opens at noon Eastern on Monday. Players can’t officially sign new deals until the start of the league’s new year at 4 p.m. Eastern on Wednesday.