NFL news, free agency updates: Dolphins reportedly trade WR Jaylen Waddle to Broncos; Jets trade Justin Fields to Chiefs in exchange for 6th-round pick

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The 2026 NFL free agency period officially began Wednesday after two days of legal tampering, yielding a massive amount of deals. Those can now be formally signed.

In addition to those deals, trades that were agreed to prior to the official start of free agency also become official.

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Last week, the Raiders suddenly announced that their trade that sent Maxx Crosby to Baltimore was off. The Raiders only said that the Ravens had “backed out” of the deal after Crosby failed his physical.

The next morning, the other shoe dropped as it was reported that the Ravens had come to terms with star defensive end Trey Hendrickson on a four-year, $112 million contract. They land a star pass rusher after all.

On Thursday, as expected, Kyler Murray signed with the Minnesota Vikings, joining J.J. McCarthy in the QB room.

Earlier in the week, the action kicked off with the news that the Dolphins will release Tua Tagovailoa, who then signed with the Falcons on a one-year deal. Travis Kelce made his return to the Chiefs for 2026, while Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III signed a deal to join Kelce and Patrick Mahomes. Star wide receiver Mike Evans also made a big splash, making the move from Tampa Bay to the Bay Area on a three-year deal.

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Check out Yahoo Sports’ full list of top available free agents and our free agency transactions tracker for a look at each team’s most notable free agency departures, new signings and trades.

Follow along with Yahoo Sports for the latest NFL free agency news, updates and rumors as the legal tampering period opens up.

Live220 updates
  • Tue, March 17, 2026 at 8:21 AM PDT

    Tarohn Finley

    The Miami Dolphins are reportedly trading wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and a fourth-round pick to the Denver Broncos for a 2026 first, third and fourth-round pick, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

    The Dolphins continue to overhaul their team after trading Waddle and releasing Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill and Bradley Chubb. The Dolphins will reportedly have 11 draft picks this year.

    Waddle will bring speed to a Broncos wide receiver room led by Courtland Sutton.

  • Sean Leahy

    Tue, March 17, 2026 at 9:26 AM PDT

    Sean Leahy

    Hollywood Brown is heading to the Eagles on a one-year deal worth up to $6.5 million, according to Jordan Schultz.

    The 28-year-old Brown spent the past two seasons with the Chiefs. In 2025, he caught 49 passes for 587 yards and 5 touchdowns in 16 games.

  • Tarohn Finley

    Tue, March 17, 2026 at 8:51 AM PDT

    Tarohn Finley

  • Tarohn Finley

    Tue, March 17, 2026 at 8:41 AM PDT

    Tarohn Finley

    After Tuesday’s trade, University of Alabama teammates Jaylen Waddle and Patrick Surtain II will be reunited with the Broncos.

    Waddle recently jokingly challenged Surtain to a boxing match.

  • Tarohn Finley

    Tue, March 17, 2026 at 8:25 AM PDT

    Tarohn Finley

  • Tarohn Finley

    Tue, March 17, 2026 at 8:24 AM PDT

    Tarohn Finley

  • Ian Casselberry

    Mon, March 16, 2026 at 3:14 PM PDT

    Ian Casselberry

    The Carolina Panthers have re-signed punter Sam Martin to a two-year, $5 milliion contract, his agents told NFL Network.

    Martin, 36, averaged 47.2 yards per punt last season, the third-highest of his 13-year career. He has also punted for the Detroit Lions (seven seasons), Denver Broncos (two years) and Buffalo Bills (three years). Martin’s best season was 2016, when he averaged 48.5 yards per punt (with a net average of 44.2 yards).

  • Kari Anderson

    Mon, March 16, 2026 at 1:24 PM PDT

    Kari Anderson

  • Tarohn Finley

    Mon, March 16, 2026 at 10:34 AM PDT

    Tarohn Finley

    Cornerback Darius Slay announced on his Instagram on Monday that he is retiring after 13 NFL seasons.

    Slay, 35, spent his first seven years with the Detroit Lions after being drafted in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He then played for the Philadelphia Eagles for five seasons, where he won a Super Bowl in 2025. Slay finished his career last year with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

    Slay earned the nickname Big Play Slay for forcing turnovers in crucial moments of games. He finished his NFL career as a six-time Pro Bowler, a 2017 All-Pro, and with 28 career interceptions.

  • Tarohn Finley

    Mon, March 16, 2026 at 8:09 AM PDT

    Tarohn Finley

    The Justin Fields era has officially reached its end in New York, as the Jets intend to trade the veteran quarterback to Kansas City Chiefs, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Monday.

    The Chiefs reportedly sent the Jets a 2027 sixth round pick for Fields.

    Fields was just one year into the two-year, $40 million contract he signed just last offseason.

    Read more.

  • Andy Backstrom

    Sun, March 15, 2026 at 1:10 PM PDT

    Andy Backstrom

    Dallas Goedert isn't going anywhere.

    The Eagles reached a one-year deal to retain their veteran tight end on Sunday, according to the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. He'll now get to return for a ninth season with the organization.

    For more on Goedert’s new deal with the Eagles, click here.

  • Tarohn Finley

    Sun, March 15, 2026 at 8:34 AM PDT

    Tarohn Finley

    The Arizona Cardinals reportedly agreed to terms with wide receiver and returner Devin Duvernay on a 1-year, $2.5 million deal, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz.

    Duvernay, 28, took on primarily a special teams role in his lone season with the Bears. He played his first four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens before spending a season with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2024.

  • Ian Casselberry

    Sun, March 15, 2026 at 6:10 AM PDT

    Ian Casselberry

    Safety Nick Scott is returning to the Carolina Panthers on a one-year deal, his agents told The Athletic’s Joseph Person. The contract could be worth up to $3.25 million.

     Nick Scott #21 of the Carolina Panthers defends in pass coverage during an NFL wild card playoff football game against the Los Angeles Rams at Bank of America Stadium on January 10, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

    Nick Scott is returning to the Carolina Panthers for a third season. He has five career interceptions in seven NFL seasons. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

    (Kevin Sabitus via Getty Images)

    Scott, 30, played in all 17 games for the Panthers last season, tallying 1 interception, 1 fumble recovery and 3 passes defended with a career-high 111 total tackles.

    During his NFL career, Scott played four seasons with the Los Angeles Rams, two for the Cincinnati Bengals and two with Carolina. he has five career interceptions.

  • Ian Casselberry

    Sat, March 14, 2026 at 4:25 PM PDT

    Ian Casselberry

    The New York Giants are set to add to their receiving corps with Darnell Mooney planning to sign with the team, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

    Mooney, 28, grabbed 32 receptions (on 72 targets) for 443 yards and a touchdown for the Atlanta Falcons last season. A broken collarbone and hamstring injury limited him to 15 games.

    The wideout previously played four seasons with the Chicago Bears and two for the Falcons. Mooney’s best season was the 2021-22 campaign, when he compiled 81 catches for 1,055 yards abd 4 TDs.

  • Ian Casselberry

    Sat, March 14, 2026 at 1:14 PM PDT

    Ian Casselberry

    Quarterback Trey Lance is returning to the Los Angeles Chargers on a one-year deal, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. The deal could be worth up to $6.75 million.

    Lance, 25, appeared in four games for the Chargers last season, making one start after signing as a free agent. He threw for 226 yards and one interception, completing 47% of his 57 passes.

    The 2021 first-round pick (No. 3 overall) of the San Francisco 49ers, Lance is looking to establish himself after two seasons with the 49ers and one with the Dallas Cowboys.

  • Tarohn Finley

    Sat, March 14, 2026 at 11:08 AM PDT

    Tarohn Finley

    The Tennessee Titans reportedly agreed to restructure wide receiver Calvin Ridley, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

    Ridley has spent the last two seasons with the Titans. The 31-year-old receiver caught 17 catches for 303 yards last season. Ridley only played in seven games due to missing the second half of the season with a broken fibula. Ridley will now be paired with Titans free agent addition Wan’Dale Robinson.

  • Tarohn Finley

    Sat, March 14, 2026 at 10:56 AM PDT

    Tarohn Finley

  • Tarohn Finley

    Sat, March 14, 2026 at 9:49 AM PDT

    Tarohn Finley

    Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson has received interest from multiple teams, including the Green Bay Packers, according to ESPN’s Stephen Holder.

    Richardson is the former fourth overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft and spent behind Daniel Jones after losing out in the quarterback battle. Richardson’s future with the team is uncertain after the Colts signed Jones to a two-year, $88 million extension.

    The 23-year-old has played in only 17 games over three years and has dealt with injuries throughout his career.

    Richardson would look to fill the void left by former Packers quarterback Malik Willis. The Miami Dolphins signed Willis this offseason.

  • Tarohn Finley

    Sat, March 14, 2026 at 9:38 AM PDT

    Tarohn Finley

    Nick Bosa had 17 tackles, 2 sacks and 2 forced fumbles last season before he went down with a season-ending ACL tear in Week 3.

  • Tarohn Finley

    Sat, March 14, 2026 at 9:34 AM PDT

    Tarohn Finley

    The New York Jets reportedly agreed to terms with returner Kene Nwangwu, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Nwangwu, 28, has five kick-return touchdowns since 2022.

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