Legal tampering — or the “negotiation period” as the NFL calls it — is officially here.
From now through the start of the new league year at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, teams are allowed to negotiate with representatives of free agents and work out new contracts.
Tampa Bay opened the negotiation period with a bang, reportedly agreeing to re-sign wide receiver Chris Godwin to a three-year, $66 million deal and adding pass rusher Haason Reddick on a one-year, $14 million deal.
Defensive tackle Milton Williams, who’s No. 2 on Frank Schwab’s top 25 overall free agents list, is reportedly signing with the Carolina Panthers after helping the Philadelphia Eagles and their dominant defense win the Super Bowl.
Jimmy Garoppolo is also reportedly staying with the Los Angeles Rams on a one-year deal.
Earlier in the day, the Panthers made Jaycee Horn the new highest-paid defensive back in NFL history with a four-year, $100 million extension, while the Los Angeles Chargers are bringing Khalil Mack back on a one-year, $18 million deal.
And here’s a rundown of an eventful Sunday:
Stay updated with all the latest news and analysis right here.
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Patriots, former Jets T Morgan Moses agree to $24M contract
The New England Patriots and offensive tackle Morgan Moses have agreed to a three-year, $24 million contract with escalators that can increase its value to $28.5 million, NFL Network reports. Moses, 34, played right tackle for he Jets last season and will now protect second-year quarterback Drake Maye.
The #Patriots have agreed to terms with veteran OT Morgan Moses on a three-year, $24 million deal worth up to $28.5 million, source says.
The Pats add an experienced, reliable veteran in front of Drake Maye while Moses gets a raise and multi-year deal at age 34. pic.twitter.com/maaQbrbaoa
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 10, 2025
Texans signing special teamer Tremon Smith to $7.5M deal
The Texans are signing special teamer/defensive back Tremon Smith to a two-year deal worth up to $7.5 million, NFL Network reports. The deal is the richest in the NFL for a core special teamer, according to the report.
Derek Barnett returning to Texans
Defensive end Derek Barnett is returning to the Houston Texans on a one-year, $5 million deal, NFL Network reports. Barnett, 28, recorded five sacks, seven quarterback hits and 26 combined tackles for the Texans last season.
Titans reportedly sign LT Dan Moore to 4-year, $82M deal
Former Steelers left tackle Dan Moore is getting paid.
Moore and the Tennessee Titans reportedly agreed to a four-year, $82 million deal with $50 million guaranteed and $30 million this upcoming season, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Moore started 66 games the past four years for Pittsburgh, though Broderick Jones has been expected to slide over to left tackle full-time, which helped usher Moore onto the open market.
Is Dan Moore one of the Titans’ answers along the offensive line? (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
CB Carlton Davis reportedly signing with Patriots
Carlton Davis is reportedly signing a three-year, $60 million deal with the New England Patriots, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Davis is also getting a reported $34.5 million guaranteed.
After spending the first six years of his career in Tampa Bay, which included a Super Bowl title, Davis was traded to the Detroit Lions last spring. Now he cashes in as part of the Patriots’ defensive revamp and will team with Christian Gonzalez to instantly form one of the NFL’s better cornerback duos.
Panthers reportedly land DT Milton Williams, one of the top free agents on the market
Former Eagles DT Milton Williams, who was instrumental on their dominant defense en route to a Super Bowl title this past postseason, is signing with the Carolina Panthers, per The Athletic’s Dianna Russini.
Williams is ranked No. 2 on Frank Schwab’s top 25 overall free agents list, and should help bolster Carolina’s defense. The Panthers signed cornerback Jaycee Horn to a blockbuster extension earlier Monday.
Giants reportedly adding CB Paulson Adebo
No terms disclosed yet on the deal, but New York is strengthening its secondary with the former Saints cornerback, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo.
Report: Patriots signing LB Robert Spillane
New head coach Mike Vrabel is adding a linebacker — he should know a thing or two about them — to his defense in the form of Robert Spillane, the former Steeler and Raider.
The deal was reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, but terms were not disclosed.
Report: Jaguars make Jourdan Lewis NFL’s highest-paid nickel back
After spending his entire eight-year career with the Dallas Cowboys, cornerback Jourdan Lewis is signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars, per NFL Network and Peter Schrager.
He will reportedly be the NFL’s highest-paid nickel defensive back, with a deal for three years and $30 million with $20 million guaranteed, as well as $12.5 million this year.
Report: QB Jimmy Garoppolo staying with Rams on 1-year deal
Jimmy Garoppolo will remain Matthew Stafford’s backup with the Los Angeles Rams, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. It’s reportedly a one-year deal.
Report: Former 49ers RB Elijah Mitchell signing with Chiefs
Kansas City is adding Elijah Mitchell to its backfield, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
Report: Commanders beefing up DL with Javon Kinlaw
The Washington Commanders made a surprise run to the NFC championship game on the back of their offense. Now they’re setting about improving their defense.
The Commanders are signing defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw to a three-year, $45 million deal with $30 million guaranteed, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Kinlaw cashes in after signing a one-year deal with the New York Jets last season following a four-year stint with the San Francisco 49ers, who drafted him in the first round in 2020 out of South Carolina.
Report: Chiefs add left tackle Jaylon Moore
Kansas City is signing offensive tackle Jaylon Moore to a two-year, $30 million deal, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.
Moore has been a rotational lineman since being drafted in the fifth round by the San Francisco 49ers in 2021. But Chiefs head coach Andy Reid and offensive line coach Andy Heck clearly see potential there.
#Chiefs agreed to a 2-year, $30-million deal with former #49ers OT Jaylon Moore, sources say. New blindside protector for Patrick Mahomes. Big deal done by Jon Perzley and Brian Mackler of @sportstarsnyc despite not being a full-time starter to this point.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 10, 2025
Report: Bengals keeping DT B.J. Hill
While Trey Hendrickson seems to be the odd star out in Cincinnati contract-wise and dangles in the trade winds, the Bengals are keeping one of their defensive linemen: tackle B.J. Hill, who agreed to a three-year, $33 million deal per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Report: Texans adding Braxon Berrios to WR room
The Texans are signing wide receiver Braxton Berrios on a one-year, $2 million deal, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
This comes after Houston sent a seventh-round pick to the Jaguars for wide receiver Christian Kirk last week. The Texans seem determined to fill out their wide receiver room.
Report: Bears continue OL spending spree with Drew Dalman
Chicago is hellbent on protecting Caleb Williams under new head coach Ben Johnson.
The Bears are signing former Falcons center Drew Dalman to a three-year, $42 million deal that includes $28 million guaranteed, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. It makes Dalman the NFL’s second highest-paid center.
This comes after trades last week for Rams guard Jonah Jackson, who played for Johnson in Detroit, and Chiefs guard/tackle Joe Thuney, who has won four Super Bowls in his career with the Chiefs and Patriots.
If the Bears’ offensive line struggles again next season, it won’t be for lack of trying.
Drew Dalman is the Bears’ latest offensive line acquisition. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Report: WR Chris Godwin back to Bucs on a 3-year deal
Godwin dislocated his ankle on Monday Night Football midway through this past season, but he’s been an integral part of the Bucs since they drafted him in 2017.
Now he’s back on a three-year, $66 million deal with $44 million guaranteed at signing.
Godwin has joined Mike Evans, Baker Mayfield and others in helping the Bucs stay atop the NFC South after Tom Brady’s retirement, and Tampa Bay is keeping the band together for at least another season.
Report: Haason Reddick joining Bucs
Former Eagles and Jets pass rusher Haason Reddick has reportedly agreed to a one-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Reddick held out until mid-October last season after being traded to the Jets, and had just one sack and 14 total tackles in 10 games, two of them starts.
But Reddick made back-to-back Pro Bowls in 2022 and 2023 with the Eagles, and if he can produce on what amounts to a prove-it deal, the 30-year-old might have one more big contract ahead.
Happy legal tampering!
Or the “negotiation period” as the NFL formally likes to call it.
Either way, free agents are now able to negotiate with teams and work out contracts. Even though we’ve already seen a flurry of big moves over the weekend, plenty more are still out there.
How do you think your team will do?
It’s officially legal tampering time in NFL free agency. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Cardinals re-sign G Evan Brown to a two-year, $11.5 million deal
The Arizona Cardinals are re-signing guard Evan Brown to a two-year deal worth $11.5 million after joining the team last season, per multiple reports. Since joining the league in 2018, Brown has bounced between several teams, but has seemingly found a home in Arizona.
