Seattle Seahawks

When does NFL free agency start? What to know about 2026 signing period

USA TODAY

Feb. 9, 2026, 6:05 a.m. ET

The Seattle Seahawks have been crowned champions of the 2025 NFL season, but they're not going to be able to sign free agents to their title-winning roster for a little while.

NFL free agency is still just over a month away, even with Super Bowl 60 in the rearview mirror. Players that played on expiring contracts in 2025 won't be able to sign with new teams until the start of the 2026 league year – though negotiations can start a bit earlier.

Among the top players on the free agent market this year is the man who just won Super Bowl MVP for his efforts: Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III. The former second-round pick just played the last season of his rookie contract and is hitting free agency for the first time in his career. He'll be looking to cash in on a historic performance against the New England Patriots in Santa Clara, California.

Here's everything to know about the upcoming NFL free agency period, including the start date and time, as well as other best players available.

When does NFL free agency start 2026?

Date: March 11
Time: 4 p.m. ET

NFL free agency officially starts at the beginning of the new league year. In 2026, the NFL league year begins on Wednesday, March 11 at 4 p.m. ET.

However, there are a couple of notable important dates before that.

Starting on Tuesday, Feb. 17, teams may use the franchise or transition tag on players. The tag is a one-year contract worth either the average of the top five salaries at the player's position or 120% of his previous salary – whichever costs more.

The deadline for the franchise or transition tag designations is Tuesday, March 3.

In addition, there is a negotiation period, also known as a "legal tampering period" in the two days before the start of the new league year. In 2026, this negotiation period begins Monday, March 9 at noon ET. Players and agents can enter into contract negotiations with teams during this period, with all agreed deals becoming official with the start of the new league year on the 11th.

In other words, fans will start to get news on landing spots for a plethora of top-of-the-market free agents as early as March 9 and 10, but those reported deals won't be made official until the league year begins.

Best pending NFL free agents available

The following players are among those set to hit free agency when the new league year begins in March:

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