Tom Pelissero

A subtle but significant change when the NFL's free agent negotiating window opens Monday: For the first time, clubs may conduct one video or phone call (maximum 1 hour) with up to five free agents, rather than communicating strictly through their agents as in past years.

The Cardinals and two-time Pro Bowl RB James Conner have agreed to a revised contract to keep him in Arizona for 2026, sources say.

Conner played just three games last season because of an ankle injury. But he’ll be back at age 31.

The Packers and Sean Rhyan have agreed to a three-year, $33 million extension with a max value of $39 million, sources tell me and @rapsheet.bsky.social

Rhyan becomes one of the NFL’s highest-paid centers. Deal negotiated by Sam Mirza, Cameron Foster and Chris Cabott of Equity Sports.

The Packers wanted to keep LB Quay Walker and made several runs at re-signing him before the Zaire Franklin trade. But it now appears the former first-round pick will hit free agency Monday, and he is expected to have a strong market.

The newest addition to the Packers defense: Zaire Franklin, who led the NFL with 173 tackles and made the Pro Bowl in 2024.

The Colts get Franklin’s more than $7 million salary off the books and add Colby Wooden, who started 16 games for Green Bay last season.

The Texans restructured the contracts of star DBs Derek Stingley Jr. and Jalen Pitre, converting salary to bonus and adding void years to clear $22.532 million in 2026 cap space.

While the Raiders insisted publicly Maxx Crosby would be on the team in 2026, the reality is it was never going to happen. A trade made sense for both sides, as Las Vegas gets ammo for their rebuild and Crosby gets a fresh start at age 28.

The Raiders now own the No. 14 pick in this year’s draft plus a first-rounder in 2027. And the Ravens have landed one of the NFL’s elite defenders.

Blockbuster: The Raiders are trading five-time Pro Bowl edge Maxx Crosby to the Ravens, sources tell me and @rapsheet.bsky.social

Four-time Pro Bowl C Ryan Kelly announces his retirement.

Rashan Gary has not yet been traded or released, per source. All options are on the table. But obviously, Gary does not expect to return to Green Bay.

Packers edge Rashan Gary, who has been the subject of trade talks, announced his time in Green Bay is over. He was due $19.5 million in 2026 with no guaranteed money.

Lions LT Taylor Decker, the team’s longest-tenured player, announced he requested and received his release after contract talks broke down.

The Vikings are doing simple restructures on the contracts of star WR Justin Jefferson and LT Christian Darrisaw to clear salary cap space, per sources. Still work to do to get under the cap by Wednesday.

The Texans and five-time Pro Bowl DE Danielle Hunter agreed to terms on a one-year, $40.1 million contract extension including a $30.7 million signing bonus, sources tell The Insiders.

Zeke Sandhu of Klutch Sports negotiated the deal, which tied Hunter to Houston through 2027.

The Broncos have agreed to terms on a two-year contract with OL Alex Palczewski, per source.

Palczewski started 10 games at LG in replace of injured Ben Powers last year and three games at RT in 2024. Now locked in through 2027 on a deal negotiated by Nate Richman of 3XL Sports Management.

All trades can become official when the new league year begins next Wednesday.

Done deal: The Bills are sending a 2026 second-round pick to the Bears for WR D.J. Moore and a 2026 fifth-round pick, per sources.

A pick swap that gives Chicago extra draft ammo and Buffalo a new top receiver.

D.J. Moore's role in Chicago was reduced in 2025, when he had a career-low 50 catches for 682 yards. Moore wanted an opportunity to be a WR1 and now he'll get it in Buffalo.

Trade! The Bears are sending veteran WR D.J. Moore to the Bills, sources say.

Stefon Diggs had an additional $6 million set to become fully guaranteed next week Friday. The Patriots didn’t want to drag him along and informed him today they’re moving on, giving him a jump start. He’ll be released next Wednesday.

The Patriots informed four-time Pro Bowl WR Stefon Diggs they’re releasing him after the start of the league year next week, per sources.

Four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers to @patmcafeeshow.bsky.social: “Anyone on here expecting me to make some big decision on here, just turn it off right now.”

But Rodgers is effusive in praising new Steeelrs coach Mike McCarthy. Says there’s no deadline. Conversations to be had down the line.

Ten NFL free agents who could land surprisingly big contracts during 2026 offseason Is wide receiver Alec Pierce about to break the bank on the NFL's open market? How about safety Bryan Cook? Tom Pelissero spotlights 10 free agents who could make more money than you think.

They weren’t first-round picks. They’ve never been to a Pro Bowl. And now, they’re about to get paid.

Ten names to know before the Free Agency Frenzy begins on Monday:
www.nfl.com/news/ten-nfl...

The Chiefs trading Trent McDuffie to the Rams is reminiscent of the Tyreek Hill trade in 2022.

Hill was in his prime, but KC traded him to Miami for picks plus cash and cap flexibility that helped them build another Super Bowl winner. Brett Veach going back to the playbook.

Full terms on the Trent McDuffie trade;

Chiefs get:

1st (pick 29)
5th
6th
2027- 3rd

Rams get

Trent McDuffie

The Colts are placing the transition tag on QB Daniel Jones, sources say.

The sides have been in negotiations on a multiyear contract and those talks will continue. The one-year transition tender is worth $37.833 million and gives Indianapolis the right to match any offer sheet.

The Bengals are not franchise tagging star pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson, per me and @tompelissero.bsky.social

One of the NFL’s best is free.

Veteran kicker Nick Folk plans to play a 19th NFL season, per source, and is expected to be one of the top options on the market at age 41.

Since 2023, Folk is the NFL's most accurate kicker (96.3%), missing just one FG each season, going 18-of-20 from 50+ and 75-of-77 on XPs.

While there was speculation the Jets could use the transition tag on Breece Hall, the franchise tag is less than $3 million more and assures he'll stay in New York.