When Is the 2026 NFL Free-Agency Period? Dates, Times and Key Post-Super Bowl Deadlines
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
The confetti from Super Bowl 60 has barely settled, but NFL front offices are already deep into their next mission: reshaping rosters for 2026. Free agency remains one of the most important calendar windows in the league year, often determining which teams rise into contention and which begin rebuilds.
When Does 2026 NFL Free Agency Start?
The 2026 NFL free-agency period officially begins at:
Wednesday, March 11, 2026 — 4:00 p.m. ET
At that exact time:
- The 2026 league year begins
- All 2025 player contracts expire
- Signed free-agent contracts can become official
- Trades can be processed
That 4:00 p.m. ET deadline is the league’s hard reset point.
What Is the 2026 Legal Tampering Period?
Before free agency officially opens, teams enter the legal negotiating window, commonly called the “legal tampering period.”
For 2026, the negotiation window opens:
Monday, March 9, 2026 — 12:00 p.m. ET
and runs through
Wednesday, March 11, 2026 — 3:59 p.m. ET
With the new salary cap projection for 2026, here’s a look at every team’s cap space heading into next season 👀💰 pic.twitter.com/L91knWV0mt
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 30, 2026
Key Post-Super Bowl 2026 Deadlines
Free agency doesn’t begin in isolation. Several important roster deadlines occur between the Super Bowl and March 11.
Franchise Tag Window
- Opens: Tuesday, February 17, 2026
- Closes: Tuesday, March 3, 2026 — 4:00 p.m. ET
Contract Expiration Date
All player contracts from the 2025 season officially expire at:
March 11, 2026 — 4:00 p.m. ET
This is when players officially become unrestricted free agents if not extended or tagged.
Conclusion
The 2026 NFL free-agency period officially begins March 11, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. ET, following the legal tampering window that opens March 9. The franchise tag deadline on March 3 is the first major domino, setting the tone for roster movement.
