The NFL’s legal tampering period and free agency have been in full swing, along with some major trades and signings over the past couple of days.
For the 2026-2027 inaugural season, NFL teams and their organizations were given a higher salary cap, opening the door for acquiring more talent. Teams were given a $22 million salary increase, bringing each team’s salary cap to $301.2 million.
The “legal-tampering” period began with the Los Angeles Rams extending cornerback Trent McDuffie with a four-year, $124 million extension. The extension makes McDuffie the highest-paid CB in the league.
The Rams acquired McDuffie in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Chiefs received a package of four draft picks, including the Rams’ 2026 first-round pick (No. 29), their fifth and sixth-round picks, and their future 2027 third-round pick.
One of the biggest talks around the league was the initial trade of the Las Vegas Raiders’ defensive end Maxx Crosby. Crosby was supposed to be traded to the Baltimore Ravens for their 2026 and 2027 first-round draft picks.
The Ravens backed out of the trade after Crosby failed his physical—later acquiring free agent DE Trey Hendrickson.
Crosby has since come out on his Instagram with a post captioned, “Everything Happens For A Reason. Believe Nothing You Hear & Half Of What You See. I’m A Raider. I’m Back. Run That Sh*t.”
Other big names have also moved around the league.
Super Bowl LX MVP running back Kenneth Walker III signed with the Chiefs for a three-year, $45 million max deal with $28.7 million guaranteed.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers veteran wide receiver Mike Evans made a change of pace after playing 12 seasons in Tampa—signing a three-year, $60.4 million contract with the San Francisco 49ers.
Evans provides the 49ers with a deep-threat receiver and much-needed elevation within their WR room after losing Kendrick Bourne as a free agent to the Arizona Cardinals.
Speaking of the Cardinals, they decided to release their 2019 first overall pick, quarterback Kyler Murray.
He was only a free agent for a day before the Minnesota Vikings signed Murray to a one-year, $1.3 million contract. Returning to his roots.
“Growing up a Vikings fan, it’s a pretty surreal moment for me and my family. I can’t wait to get to work. Looking forward to the future,” Murray said in his contract signing video, “I feel surreal. And that first time stepping on that field, putting on purple and gold, I can’t wait.”
If the Vikings end up maintaining star WR Justin Jefferson, Murray’s ability to extend plays, and Jefferson’s exceptional route running and ball tracking abilities could become a big threat for opponents this upcoming season.
The Indianapolis Colts re-signed WR Alec Pierce after he led the league in yards per catch for the second year in a row. Pierce is more than likely to become their primary receiver after WR Michael Pittman Jr. was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for the Steelers’ sixth-round compensatory draft pick.
In hopes of securing QB-WR chemistry, the Colts also re-signed QB Daniel Jones after exceeding the terms of his “prove-it” deal last season. He secured a two-year $88 million deal—worth up to $100 million with added incentives.
With Jones and Pierce re-signed, the Colts can only hope to continue where they fell off in week 14 after Jones suffered a season-ending right Achilles tear.
With a newly appointed highest-paid CB, the highest-paid kicker was also crowned within the Houston Texans.
The Texans signed K Ka’Imi Fairbairn to a two-year, $13 million extension.
Whether it be trading, signing, or re-signing talent, all 32 teams continue to be busy this offseason—all making at least one notable move.
However, they still have work to do before the 2026 regular season kicks off in early September.
Expect more roster moves as they all strive to build the best 53-man roster in order to make it to Super Bowl LXI at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
