Grading every big move in 2026 NFL free agency
· Yahoo Sports
It is tampering season, friends.
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The NFL’s legal tampering period begins on Monday, offering free agents their first official opportunity to negotiate contracts with potential new teams. Of course, many of those discussions have already taken place, often leading to a flurry of new contracts being announced as soon as the window opens, but that does not negate the excited teams, and fans, feel as the tampering period gets underway.
We’ll be grading all the major moves here as they happen. Ahead of the start to tampering — which begins at noon Eastern on Monday, March 9 — you can catch up on some of the latest rumors here, check out a look at one player each team should sign here, and this look at the biggest free agents available this offseason is also worth a look as you get ready.
But once the deals happen, we will have you covered with a tracker of all the big moves, and grade them all here as they are announced.
Enjoy legal tampering responsibly.
Alec Pierce to the Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are bringing wide receiver Alec Pierce back to Indianapolis.
After the Colts used the transition tag on quarterback Daniel Jones, Pierce’s status with the team was in doubt. But a new four-year deal worth up to $116 million made things easier for one of Jones’ favorite targets to come back to Indianapolis. Pierce grew into a vertical threat for the Colts the past two seasons, catching 37 passes for 824 yards and seven touchdowns in 2024, and then breaking the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in his career last season when paired with Jones.
At an average of $29 million per season, this deal puts him on par with Amon-Ra St. Brown among NFL wide receivers, which is a big price to pay.
But given that he developed into one of Jones’ favorite targets, it is a price the Colts were willing to pay.
Grade: B
Kenneth Walker III to the Chiefs
With Patrick Mahomes working his way back from a knee injury, and the Kansas City running game needing a boost, running back has been a popular position for the Chiefs in mock drafts.
You might want to adjust those mock drafts.
Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III is heading to Kansas City on a three-year deal for $43.05 million, which could be worth up to $45 million. Nearly $29 million of that is guaranteed.
This is a very good move for the Chiefs, who were growing concerned that Jeremiyah Love, the top running back in the 2026 NFL Draft, would not even be available when the Chiefs are on the clock with the No. 9 pick. Instead, the Chiefs pivot to a Super Bowl MVP, coming off another 1,000-yard season.
Grade: A-
We’ll update this post as signings come in.