By this time next week, the NFL free agent frenzy will be in full swing. But we’re already starting fast with a few trades agreed to in recent days. Our post-Combine mock draft dropped yesterday morning, and check our YouTube channel at 9:00 AM ET for five hidden gems in 2026 NFL free agency.
🍿 The trades begin
The expectation has been that 2026 would bring a ton of player movement, and the action has gotten started with three trades involving pretty big names—including the breakup of “Sonic and Knuckles.”
The Lions are trading RB David Montgomery to the Texans for a 2026 fourth-rounder, a 2027 seventh-rounder, and OL Juice Scruggs. Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs (Sonic) responded to his pal getting traded.
The Titans are dealing NT T’Vondre Sweat to the Jets for DE Jermaine Johnson II, reuniting Johnson with HC Robert Saleh in Tennessee.
The Browns are acquiring OL Tytus Howard from the Texans for a fifth-round pick and are signing him to a three-year extension. Howard is reportedly expected to play RT for Cleveland, but he has versatility to play G.
This is probably just the start, with a bunch of trade activity expected from now through the draft in April.
🤯 2026 NFL Combine recap
The 2026 NFL Combine featured plenty of stand-out performers on each day, and it was headlined by Ohio State LB Sonny Styles blowing up the event with some all-time great marks.
Of course, film should far outweigh anything else, but other notable performers at the Combine included:
Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love running a 4.36 40-yard dash and going hard in a complete field workout.
Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq showcasing his athleticism on a day that included the fastest run for the position in history.
Indiana CB D’Angelo Ponds putting up the fourth-best vertical jump for the position in history.
And Texas A&M WR KC Concepcion shining in the field work and sharing an important message about dealing with a speech impediment.
Non-workout news from the Combine includes:
Broncos HC Sean Payton is giving up offensive play-calling to OC Davis Webb.
Jets HC Aaron Glenn will take over the defensive play-calling this season.
Texans GM Nick Caserio called the idea of trading QB C.J. Stroud “moronic.”
Raiders GM John Spytek says he anticipates DE Maxx Crosby being on the team this year.
Dolphins GM Jon-Eric Sullivan says a trade is on the table for QB Tua Tagovailoa.
Panthers OC Brad Idzik to call plays in 2026.
Plus, Titans GM Mike Borgonzi revealed that the team’s new OC Brian Daboll tried to convince him not to take QB Cameron Ward last season while he was the HC for the Giants.
🏈 Moves and players to watch
Several players have been released or are set to be released at the start of the new league year next Wednesday:
Commanders: CB Marshon Lattimore and C Tyler Biadasz
The Colts and QB Anthony Richardson have mutually agreed to seek a trade for the former No. 4 overall pick.
Bears LB Tremaine Edmunds has been granted permission to seek a trade and is reportedly drawing heavy interest.
The 49ers would like to lower All-Pro LT Trent Williams’ cap number from $39 million this season.
The Jets are placing a tag on RB Breece Hall, keeping him on the team via either the franchise or transition tag.
RFA tenders: The Broncos placed the second-round tender on CB Ja’Quan McMillian, and the Cowboys did the same for G T.J. Bass—meaning both are unlikely to sign elsewhere.
Staying put: Lions OT Taylor Decker (not retiring), Bengals G Dalton Risner (one-year deal), and Commanders OL Nick Allegretti (two-year deal).
📰 More NFL news and notes
NFL International: The Jaguars and Commanders will officially host London games in 2026, while the Falcons are headed to Spain.
The 49ers hired fired Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, who was previously with San Francisco’s front office.
The latest assistant coaching moves:
The Bills are hiring former NFL QB Trace McSorley in an assistant coach role.
The Browns added longtime coach Dom Capers as a senior defensive assistant.
The Packers hired Cam Archord as their ST coach.
Jerrod Johnson is joining the Eagles staff after he was fired as the Texans QB coach.
The Falcons are releasing new uniforms on April 2.
The lawyer for Lions CB Terrion Arnold emphatically denied that his client is involved in last month’s armed robbery in Tampa Bay.
Other Sports Updates
🇺🇸 United States G Connor Hellebuyck will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, President Trump announced during the State of the Union.
⚾️ Pitcher deals: Max Scherzer re-signed with the Blue Jays, and Chris Sale signed an extension through 2027 (2028 club option) with the Braves.
🏈 Former NFL S Vonn Bell joined Deion Sanders’ coaching staff at Colorado.
🏒 The Kings fired HC Jim Hiller.
