The new league year in the NFL begins tomorrow at 4PM ET, but the legal tampering period opened up yesterday at 12 PM ET—leading to a flurry of reported signings that can become official tomorrow.

Splash: the Chiefs are signing Super Bowl MVP and star RB Kenneth Walker III to a three-year, $43.05 million deal worth up to $45 million.

The first signing with the legal tampering window opened was WR Alec Pierce staying with the Colts on a four-year, $114 million deal—the largest for a FA WR in NFL history, as broken on The Pat McAfee Show.

End of an era: WR Mike Evans is signing a three-year deal with the 49ers after 12 seasons in Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers also lost CB Jamel Dean to the Steelers on a three-year, $36.75 million deal.

The Panthers swooped in to sign EDGE Jaelan Phillips on a massive four-year, $120 million extension that includes $80 million guaranteed and LB Devin Lloyd to a three-year deal.

Pro Bowl C Tyler Linderbaum is signing with the Raiders on a three-year, $81 million deal that makes him the highest-paid interior OL in NFL history. For the skill-position talent, Las Vegas is adding WR Jalen Nailor on a three-year, $35 million deal, and on defense, they are signing EDGE Kwity Paye to a three-year, $48 million contract—then finished off yesterday by reuniting former Georgia teammates with LB Nakobe Dean and LB Quay Walker on three-year deals.

The Saints are surprisingly signing star RB Travis Etienne Jr.—who compares to Alvin Kamara—as he returns close to home on a four-year, $52 million deal. New Orleans also agreed to terms with G David Edwards on a four-year, $61 million contact, and are getting TE Noah Fant on a two-year deal.

At quarterback, the first big domino fell with QB Malik Willis agreeing to sign with the Dolphins on a three-year, $67.5 million deal—as he comes over from Green Bay along with GM Jon-Eric Sullivan and HC Jeff Hafley. Before the tampering period even began, the Falcons were reportedly making a strong push to bring in QB Tua Tagovailoa, and he plans to sign with them tomorrow.

The Giants are signing TE Isaiah Likely to reunite with HC John Harbaugh on a three-year, $40 million deal, and they are also bringing over former Ravens P Jordan Stout in a deal that makes him the highest-paid P in the NFL. New York later agreed to terms with LB Tremaine Edmunds on contract worth $36 million over three years, swiped S Ar’Darius Washington, and kept OT Jermaine Eluemunor on a three-year, $39 million deal.

For the key departures in New York, former WR Wan’Dale Robinson is joining OC Brian Daboll with the Titans on a four-year, $78 million deal, as is former CB Cor’Dale Flott (three years, $45 million).

Former Chiefs CB Jaylen Watson agreed to a three-year deal with the Rams worth $51 million. The Titans are signing DL John Franklin-Meyers to a three-year, $63 million deal. Chicago begins remaking their secondary by signing S Coby Bryant to a three-year, $40 million contract. In addition to Flott in the secondary, the Titans also signed CB Alontae Taylor to a three-year, $60 million deal.

The Commanders reached an agreement with EDGE Odafe Oweh on a huge four-year, $100 million contract, signed OT Laremy Tunsil on a two-year, $60.2 extension, got CB Amik Robertson to a two-year deal, brought back DL Tim Settle on a three-year deal, and retained QB Marcus Mariota.

The Seahawks are keeping WR Rashid Shaheed after he was key in their Super Bowl run following a midseason trade—giving him a three-year, $51 million deal. Plus, CB Josh Jobe is re-signing with the Seahawks on a three-year, $24 million deal.

Broncos RB J.K. Dobbins announced he is remaining in Denver, which he expressed heavy interest in during the season. LB Alex Singleton is also returning on a two-year deal—and Denver released LB Dre Greenlaw after one season with the team.

G John Simpson is returning to Baltimore (after two seasons with the Jets) on a three-year, $30 million deal, while veteran LB Demario Davis is now likely to finish his career back with the Jets on a two-year, $22 million deal. The Browns have a three-year, $49.5 million agreement with G Zion Johnson and a two-year pact with LB Quincy Williams, and G Isaac Suemalo got a three-year, $31.5 million deal from the Cardinals.

The Bengals signed S Bryan Cook to a three-year, $40.25 million deal, and also agreed to a three-year, $60 million contract with EDGE Boye Mafe. The Patriots are closing in on a deal with versatile EDGE Dre’Mont Jones for three years, $39.5 million and got G Alijah Vera-Tucker. The Jets agreed to terms with EDGE Joseph Ossai on a three-year, $36 million deal.

TE Cade Otton is remaining in Tampa Bay after agreeing to a deal with the Buccaneers for $30 million across three years, and the team agreed to terms with RB Kenneth Gainwell and LB Alex Anzalone on two-year deals.

The Raiders kept CB Eric Stokes on a three-year, $30 million deal shortly after the tampering window opened. CB Dee Alford is joining a revamping Buffalo defense on a three-year deal for $21 million, S Jalen Thompson signed with the Cowboys on a three-year, $33 million deal, the Chiefs secured S Alohi Gilman for three years, and S Reed Blankenship is heading to Houston on a three-year, $24.75 million deal.

Offensive players in their primes finding new homes: RB Rico Dowdle to Pittsburgh, RB Tyler Allgeier to the Cardinals, WR Jahan Dotson to the Falcons, TE Charlie Kolar to the Chargers.

Other notable reported signings/re-signings since yesterday at 12 PM ET:

As expected, there was plenty of action ahead of the legal tampering period—including a blockbuster trade that saw the Chiefs send CB Trent McDuffie to the Rams for the No. 29 overall pick and three other selections; McDuffie has since agreed to a record-breaking extension. Before that, the big trade was Buffalo acquiring WR DJ Moore and a 2026 fifth-round pick from the Bears for a 2026 second-round pick.

Moments before the legal tampering window opened, it was reported that Chiefs TE Travis Kelce is returning for a 14th season and will be back in Kansas City—telling interested teams he is staying with HC Andy Reid and QB Patrick Mahomes.

On the trade front, two standout defenders were moved yesterday morning with the Cowboys adding EDGE Rashan Gary in a trade with the Packers, and the Jets getting S Minkah Fitzpatrick from the rival Dolphins and signing him to a three-year extension.

Closing out the trades over the past few days, Chicago acquired C Garrett Bradbury from the Patriots, the Packers got LB Zaire Franklin from the Colts, and Buffalo sent CB Taron Johnson to Las Vegas after he was reportedly being released.

Quarterback options available in FA became clearer before the tampering period officially opened with the Cardinals informing QB Kyler Murray they are releasing him and the Raiders moving on from QB Geno Smith after one season—obviously in addition to the Dolphins bidding farewell to QB Tua Tagovailoa.

Other notable players that were released before FA include:

The Colts have been unable to work out a long-term deal with QB Daniel Jones, so they placed the transition tag on him—which is for $37.8 million and gives Indy the right to match any offer sheet he might sign with another team.

As rumors swirl regarding WR A.J. Brown and even some around DL Jalen Carter, the Eagles locked up DL Jordan Davis on a three-year extension that makes him the highest-paid nose tackle in NFL history ($26 million per year).

The 49ers are said to be open to trading OT Trent Williams if the contract situation does not get resolved with a cap hit over $38 million.

Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr. was traded to the Steelers in a late-round pick swap and signed to a three-year, $59 million extension.

The Texans took care of their own by giving EDGE Danielle Hunter a one-year, $40.1 million extension and also extending TE Dalton Schultz through 2027.

The Packers officially informed OL Elgton Jenkins they are releasing him.

Retirement will wait another year for EDGE Khalil Mack after the Chargers re-signed him to an $18 million deal, and on offense, LA signed C Tyler Biadasz to a three-year deal after he was released by the Commanders.

Players staying put before FA were headlined by Bills C Connor McGovern (four years, $52 million), Rams S Kam Curl (three years, $39 million), Texans G Ed Ingram (three years, $37.5 million), Jaguars CB Montaric Brown (three years, $33 million), and Packers C Sean Rhyan (three years, $33 million). Others included:

The Cowboys placed a second-round tender on K Brandon Aubrey, which would net them a second-round pick if another team signs him.

Vikings EDGE Jonathan Greenard has been made available in a trade as Minnesota manages their cap situation.

And finally, Bears C Drew Dalman suddenly retired at the age of 27, Vikings C Ryan Kelly retired after 10 seasons, former first-round TE Hayden Hurst called it a career, and Rams CB Darious Williams—who had two stints with the Rams that included a Super Bowl victory—is hanging up his cleats.

The NFL announced compensatory picks for the 2026 NFL Draft.

Former Packers President and CEO Bob Harlan has passed away at the age of 89.

The 2026 Hall of Fame Game will take place between the Cardinals and Panthers on August 6.

☘️ Legendary college football coach Lou Holtz—who led Notre Dame to a national championship in 1988—has passed away at the age of 89.

⚾️ Phillies P Jesús Luzardo agrees to a five-year, $135 million extension.

🏀 Miami (OH) finished 31-0 to become the fourth men’s college basketball team this century to be undefeated in the regular season.

🏫 Clemson announced they have hired top ST coordinator Rich Bisacchia.