March 3, 2026
The Indianapolis Colts placed the transition tag on quarterback
Daniel Jones (Achilles) on Tuesday, which means that wide receiver
Alec Pierce will become an unrestricted free agent. The Colts' goal has been to keep both Jones and Pierce around, and the Colts continue to negotiate a long-term deal with Pierce, but The Athletic's James Boyd and Dianni Russini wouldn't be surprised if Pierce "waits until all interested suitors can make their pitches." It means that the 25-year-old wideout probably won't re-sign with the Colts until after the league-wide negotiating window opens next Monday. He'll be in high demand on the open market after emerging as Indy's No. 1 receiver in 2025 while posting his first career 1,000-yard season. Pierce also led the NFL in yards per catch (21.3) for the second straight season. The rising wideout would have been much more likely to sign a long-term deal with the Colts had they already locked Jones into a long-term extension.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - James Boyd and Dianna Russini
March 3, 2026
The Arizona Cardinals informed quarterback
Kyler Murray (foot) that they will release him, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Murray is due $36.8 million guaranteed for 2026 with offsets, meaning he will play the 2026 season for another team at the league minimum. The 28-year-old didn't play in 2025 beyond Week 5 due to a foot sprain, and the expectation was always that the Cardinals would move on from the former first overall pick in 2019 out of Oklahoma. The Cardinals would have had to give Murray another $19.5 million in guarantees if Murray were on the roster on March 15. The two-time Pro Bowler is one of the quickest QBs in the league when he takes off with the ball in his hands, but injuries and consistency have been issues. He's on the right side of 30, though, and in the right situation, we wouldn't be surprised if Murray bounces back as a QB1 in fantasy if he stays healthy.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
March 3, 2026
Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead appears to be ready to be aggressive to maximize quarterback
Matthew Stafford's window, as he said the team is open to "trading a first-rounder for a proven player," according to Nate Atkins of The Athletic. Snead also revealed that the secondary is a big focus this offseason, with the Rams potentially looking to add an All-Pro defensive back. Trade talks are ongoing for the Rams as they look to get back to the Super Bowl before Stafford, last year's MVP, decides to retire. The Rams had one of the best all-around teams in the NFL last year, but fell short in the NFC Championship to the eventual Super Bowl-champion Seattle Seahawks. L.A. holds two first-round picks in this year's NFL draft, so look for them to potentially trade it to acquire an impact player that could help them get over the hump.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Nate Atkins
March 3, 2026
When asked about quarterback
Matthew Stafford's contract status as he enters the final year of his deal in 2026, Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said, "We've had great dialogue... We'll work through all of those things." Stafford signed a two-year, $84 million contract with the Rams in May of last year before proceeding to win 2025 MVP honors in his 17th season in the league. The three-time Pro Bowler just turned 38 years old, though, and he's essentially playing on a year-to-year basis after contemplating retirement this offseason. Still, L.A. can afford to give Stafford a raise after he threw for a league-high 4,707 yards and 46 touchdowns in 17 regular-season games on 597 attempts. Staying healthy for another full season will probably be Stafford's biggest challenge in 2026, but if he's on the field, he should put up big numbers again with an amazing WR duo in
Puka Nacua and
Davante Adams.
--Keith HernandezSource: Los Angeles Daily News - Adam Grosbard
March 3, 2026
The Cincinnati Bengals are not using the franchise tag on star pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson (hip, pelvis) at the deadline on Tuesday, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Hendrickson, a four-time Pro Bowler from 2021 to 2024, only played in seven games in 2025 due to hip/pelvis injuries, and he eventually had core-muscle surgery in December. In his seven games last year, Hendrickson recorded only 16 tackles (11 solo), four sacks, and eight QB hits. He has 81 total sacks in his nine NFL seasons, though, and had back-to-back 17.5-sack seasons for the Bengals in 2023 and 2024. The 31-year-old former third-round pick by the New Orleans Saints in 2017 out of Florida Atlantic is coming off an injury-plagued season, but he'll immediately become one of the best pass-rushers available in free agency. Hendrickson should be fully recovered from offseason surgery and ready to go in Week 1.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
March 3, 2026
The Indianapolis Colts are placing the transition tag on impending free-agent quarterback
Daniel Jones (Achilles) on Tuesday, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN. The transition tag is $37.833 million, more than $6 million cheaper than the QB franchise tag. It allows Jones to sign an offer sheet with another team, with the Colts having the right to match any offer. The Minnesota Vikings are a team to watch, although they probably aren't in a position to spend big at the position this offseason with limited salary cap space. The 28-year-old and the Colts now have until July 15 to work out a long-term extension, and there is mutual interest on both sides. Jones completed 68% of his passes for 3,101 yards with 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions before tearing his Achilles in Week 14. He was given a six- to eight-month timetable after having surgery in December. Jones' 2026 fantasy value will depend on whether he stays with the Colts and whether he'll be ready to go for Week 1.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
March 3, 2026
Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl MVP running back
Kenneth Walker III will not get the franchise tag on Tuesday, sources told Peter Schrager of ESPN. Walker will become an unrestricted free agent at the start of the new league year and will be one of the top options at the position on the open market after his strong finish to the 2025 season in the playoffs. It doesn't mean that Seattle won't bring Walker back, but they'll have plenty of competition for his services. The 25-year-old was finally able to play a full season last year, which resulted in his second career 1,000-yard season while adding five rushing touchdowns on 221 rushing attempts in 17 regular-season games. He was even better in three postseason games, rushing for 313 yards and four TDs on 65 carries. Walker has proven to be an efficient ball-carrier in his four years with Seattle, but lower-body injuries have plagued him, which will make him a risk/reward fantasy selection in a potential timeshare in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Peter Schrager
March 3, 2026
The Philadelphia Eagles are interested in Cleveland Browns impending free-agent tight end
David Njoku, league sources told Eliot Shorr-Parks of 94WIP.com.
Dallas Goedert will also be a free agent soon, and Njoku would give the Eagles one of the best athletes in the league and would finally give Njoku an elite, consistent quarterback to play with for the first time in his career, writes Shorr-Parks. The 29-year-old former first-rounder in 2017 out of the University of Miami took a big step back in 2025 with the emergence of rookie TE
Harold Fannin Jr. in Cleveland. Njoku had just 33 catches for 293 yards and four touchdowns on 48 targets in 12 games played. His fantasy football stock is obviously way down, but a bounce back would be expected if he were to join the Eagles as their top pass-catching tight end. It's something to keep an eye on in free agency.
--Keith HernandezSource: 94WIP.com - Eliot Shorr-Parks
March 3, 2026
The Minnesota Vikings could make an offer to Indianapolis Colts impending free-agent quarterback
Daniel Jones (Achilles) in free agency if the Colts use the transition tag on him, according to ESPN's Peter Schrager. If the Vikings pursue Jones in free agency, the Colts would have the right to match any offer. The transition tag would pay Jones $37.8 million in 2026, so the Vikings would have to offer him at least that much to make him consider leaving Indianapolis. The 28-year-old former sixth overall pick by the New York Giants in 2019 out of Duke looked great in 13 starts with the Colts in 2025 before tearing his Achilles in Week 14 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Colts have made it clear they view Jones as their starter going forward if they can bring him back, but reuniting with Vikings head coach and QB whisperer Kevin O'Connell in Minnesota could be very attractive to Jones. Stay tuned.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Peter Schrager
March 3, 2026
There is no momentum between the Indianapolis Colts and impending free-agent quarterback
Daniel Jones (Achilles) on a long-term deal, which means a transition tag is "now the expected outcome" at the deadline on Tuesday, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Jones would make $37.8 million in 2026 on the transition tag, but it would also give him the chance to find a bigger contract in free agency while negotiating with other teams. In the meantime, it looks like Indy could strike a long-term deal with receiver
Alec Pierce as they look to keep both Jones and Pierce in the fold in 2026 and beyond. Jones was having one of his best seasons in 2025 before tearing his Achilles in Week 14 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, and he finished with 3,101 passing yards, 19 touchdown passes, and eight interceptions in 13 starts. Returning to Indy would be ideal from a familiarity standpoint, but fantasy managers will be hesitant that Jones can replicate his success last year while coming off a serious injury.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
March 3, 2026
The Indianapolis Colts are gaining positive momentum on a potential long-term deal with impending free-agent wide receiver
Alec Pierce, and it "feels possible" that the two sides could strike a deal as soon as Tuesday, according to Stephen Holder of ESPN. However, there is still a long way to go, and the situation will likely come down to the franchise-tag deadline on Tuesday afternoon. Holder adds that Pierce wants certainty at the quarterback position, so if
Daniel Jones (Achilles) isn't signed to an extension, he won't have as much reason to sign a long-term deal himself with the Colts. Pierce was the Colts' leading receiver in 2025 and has led the NFL in yards per catch in each of the last two years. He had a career-high 47 catches last year for 1,003 yards and six touchdowns. Pierce's 2026 fantasy value will be tied to Jones' future in Indy and his injury status after tearing his Achilles late last season.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Stephen Holder
March 3, 2026
The San Francisco 49ers aren't financially motivated to move backup quarterback
Mac Jones, who played at a high level in eight starts last year while filling in for an injured
Brock Purdy. Jones also has a $3.07 million salary cap hit, and Purdy has missed time with injuries in all four of his seasons. However, it might be hard for the Niners to resist turning a budget-friendly free-agent pickup into a second-round pick. The Athletic's Jeff Howe suggests that San Fran "could rightfully be stubborn and hold out for a first-round offer." If a team strikes out in free agency and the NFL draft, it could circle back with the 49ers on Jones. The 49ers will likely only deal Jones if they receive an offer they can't refuse, and it's hard to imagine anyone offering a first-rounder for Jones, even if he did play well in 2025. With so many veteran QB options likely to be floating around on the open market this offseason, Jones' trade market right now isn't very strong.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Jeff Howe
March 3, 2026
The New York Jets are officially placing the franchise tag on impending free-agent running back
Breece Hall on Tuesday, sources told Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports. The tag in 2026 for RBs is set at $14.29 million. Both sides are motivated to get a long-term deal done by the deadline on July 15, but for now, Hall will be off the free-agent market in 2026. The 24-year-old former second-rounder in 2022 out of Iowa State would have been at the top of the RB market if he had reached free agency after running for a career-high 1,065 yards and four touchdowns on 243 carries in 2025. Hall added 36 receptions for 350 yards and another score in 16 games last year. For fantasy purposes, leaving New York would have been ideal, but Hall will return to Gang Green looking for a second straight 1,000-yard rushing season. It could prove difficult, depending on how the team addresses the quarterback position this offseason.
UPDATE: Hall received the non-exclusive tag, which means he'll be able to negotiate with other teams in free agency. However, the Jets have the right to match any offer that Hall might receive. If another team signs Hall, they'd have to give up two first-round picks to the Jets and most likely also have to sign him to a long-term extension.--Keith HernandezSource: FOX Sports - Jordan Schultz
March 3, 2026
The Miami Dolphins are the most obvious connection to Green Bay Packers impending free-agent quarterback
Malik Willis after they hired head coach Jeff Hafley and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan from the Packers. But The Athletic's Jeff Howe says not to overlook the New York Jets, whose $89 million in salary cap space is the third-most in the NFL, with $50 million more than any other team that would be in the free-agent QB market. Willis has the most upside of any free agent, but it remains to be seen if the Jets want to spend at the position after swinging and missing last year on
Justin Fields. Demand could push Willis' projected market to two years and around $60 million. The Vikings and Falcons probably won't offer the most money, but they "could present better situations" that could lead Willis to a bigger contract down the road. Although Willis would be the guaranteed starter if he signs with the Jets, it won't exactly be an environment that will give him a ton of intrigue as a QB2 in superflex leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Jeff Howe
March 3, 2026
Green Bay Packers tight end
Tucker Kraft (knee) is working his way back to full health after tearing his ACL during the 2025 NFL season. His road to recovery doesn't just concern the Packers, but dynasty fantasy football managers, too. Kraft was the overall TE1 in half-PPR leagues from Weeks 1 to 8, when he was healthy. Injuries can sometimes derail players' fantasy values, so his dynasty managers will hope that's not the case here. By all accounts, the 25-year-old is ahead of schedule and will be ready for Week 1 of the 2026 season. That's encouraging for his fantasy outlook, and even if he doesn't immediately return to TE1 form, we expect him to be a top option. There have also been rumors of contract talks between Kraft and the Packers, which would ensure year-over-year consistency that offers plenty of value in dynasty formats. Dynasty managers should look to buy low on Kraft coming off his injury, as he should be a top-five fantasy tight end for many years to come.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
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