Overview
- The legal negotiating period begins Monday at noon ET, with contracts and trades becoming official when the new league year starts Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET.
- Clubs may now conduct one video or phone call, up to one hour, with as many as five free agents during the window, and the player’s agent must be present.
- The 2026 salary cap is set at $301.2 million per team, roughly $22 million higher than last season, expanding flexibility for signings and trades.
- The Raiders and Ravens have an agreement in principle to trade edge rusher Maxx Crosby for draft picks, which is expected to become official at the start of the league year.
- Edge rusher Trey Hendrickson is expected to hit the market, and the Cardinals face defensive-line decisions with Calais Campbell set for free agency and Walter Nolen III rehabbing a knee injury with an unclear timeline.