NFL free agency hasn’t officially begun, but the league’s annual roster shakeup is already well underway.
With the legal tampering period opening Monday, March 9 at 12 p.m. ET, teams across the league are beginning to clear cap space ahead of the new league year. The 2026 NFL salary cap is set at $301.2 million per team, the biggest cap number in NFL history.
Every year, the week leading into free agency produces a wave of veteran releases as front offices reshape their rosters. This offseason appears no different, with several recognizable names already emerging as potential cap casualties.
Kyler Murray could become the biggest name on the market
Murray has been the face of the organization since being drafted first overall in 2019. He won Offensive Rookie of the Year and earned two Pro Bowl selections while showcasing his electric dual-threat ability. However, injuries and inconsistent results have complicated the Cardinals’ long-term outlook. If Arizona does move on, Murray would instantly become one of the most intriguing quarterbacks available this offseason.
Diggs has been one of the league’s most productive wide receivers for much of the past decade, building a reputation as one of football’s best route runners and deep threats. Even at this stage of his career, his experience and playmaking ability are likely to draw interest from teams looking to upgrade their passing attack.
Veteran quarterback Geno Smith will also soon join the growing list of available players. Reports indicate the Las Vegas Raiders are preparing to release Smith unless a trade partner emerges. Smith’s lone season with Las Vegas was a difficult one. He threw for 3,025 yards and 19 touchdowns but also led the NFL with 17 interceptions as the Raiders stumbled to a 3–14 record.
Releasing Smith would create roughly $8 million in cap space for Las Vegas, though the team would still absorb significant dead money.
Other notable veterans who could hit free agency
Minnesota may also contribute multiple recognizable names to the free agent pool. Running back Aaron Jones and defensive lineman Javon Hargrave have both been mentioned as potential cap casualties as teams across the league work to get under the salary cap before the start of the new league year. Defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, who previously played for Washington, has also been mentioned in league circles as a potential cap casualty as teams reshape rosters ahead of free agency.
Lattimore once established himself as one of the league’s premier cover corners early in his career with New Orleans. However, injuries and declining performance have limited his impact in recent seasons, making his release far less surprising than it might have seemed just a few years ago.
And the list may not stop there.
The days leading up to the start of the new league year are traditionally filled with veteran releases as teams maneuver around the salary cap and position themselves for free agency. With the tampering window just days away, the NFL’s offseason carousel is already spinning, and several more notable names could soon join the market.
Conor Forrest is the Editor-in-Chief and Senior Commanders Insider for SportsJourney.com. As a graduate of George Mason University, Forrest has spent the last eight years sharing his love for sports with listeners and viewers in the DC area and around the world. He hosts the “After Further Review Podcast” and has held numerous on-air and writing roles covering the DC area sports, Division 1 Basketball, and the NFL. His work has been featured on outlets like NBC Sports Washington, Fansided.com, Heavy.com and The Fourth Estate.
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