This has already been a newsy NFL offseason, from the Giants’ hiring of John Harbaugh to Bill Belichick’s Hall of Fame snub to the Miami Dolphins’ release of Tyreek Hill.
Yet the offseason has barely even begun.
The scouting combine, free agency and the draft are still to come, with activity set to ramp up rapidly in the coming weeks.
Speculation about the futures of Aaron Rodgers, Travis Kelce and others should continue to provide intrigue in the meantime.
As the NFL offseason starts to unfold, here is everything you need to know:
FRANCHISE TAGS
Tuesday was the first day teams could place the franchise tag on impending free agents, opening a two-week window that runs through the afternoon of March 3.
The tag functions as a one-year tender that typically guarantees a player the average sum of the top five salaries at their position.
Every team can use the tag on one player, and they often do so to buy more time to agree to a long-term contract.
The tag is usually not ideal for either party, as it denies the player long-term security and comes with a cumbersome cap hit for the team. That’s why only a few players get tagged most offseasons.
The most likely player to be tagged this year is Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens, who delivered a breakout season in 2025.
Running back Kenneth Walker III, who just won Super Bowl MVP, is not expected to be tagged by the Seattle Seahawks, according to ESPN.
Other candidates include Jets running back Breece Hall; Cincinnati Bengals pass rusher Trey Hendrickson; Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts; and Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones, who is recovering from an Achilles tear.
FREE AGENCY
Free agents can officially sign new contracts on March 11, but many of their destinations will be known two days before then.
That’s because the NFL’s legal tampering period opens on March 9, allowing agents to negotiate with teams on behalf of their clients.
The full free-agent class won’t be complete until teams finish their salary-related roster cuts and make decisions on franchise-tag candidates.
But some big names are expected to hit the open market, including wide receivers Mike Evans and Alec Pierce; offensive lineman Tyler Linderbaum; defensive linemen Jaelan Phillips and John Franklin-Myers; and running back Travis Etienne.
Hill, who is recovering from a season-ending knee dislocation and ligament damage, is free to sign before the start of free agency because he was released Monday. The speedster, who turns 32 next month, is an eight-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro.
The Dolphins are also reportedly expected to release pass rusher Bradley Chubb, who recorded 8.5 sacks in 17 games last year.
NFL DRAFT
The pre-draft process really gets going next week, with the scouting combine in Indianapolis set to run from Monday through March 2.
That will give NFL front offices the chance to meet with draft prospects and watch them work out, as well as the opportunity to consult with each other about potential trades.
The combine begins exactly two months before the start of the draft, which is set for April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.
Heisman-winning Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is widely expected to be taken No. 1 overall by the Las Vegas Raiders.
The quarterback-needy Jets hold the No. 2 pick, but barring a sudden rise by Alabama’s Ty Simpson, it is unlikely Gang Green would consider any of this draft’s non-Mendoza QB prospects that high.
The Giants have the No. 5 pick, and the Jets are set to select again at No. 16.
Top prospects include Texas Tech pass rusher David Bailey; Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love; and numerous Ohio State alumni, including linebacker Arvell Reese, safety Caleb Downs and wide receiver Carnell Tate.
RETIRE OR RETURN?
That’s the question Rodgers and Kelce must answer.
Rodgers suggested last offseason that the 2025 campaign would probably be his last, but after leading the Pittsburgh Steelers to an AFC North title, the possibility of a reunion seems more likely.
Earlier this month, NFL Media reported “the odds are increasing” that Rodgers re-signs with the Steelers after passing for 3,322 yards and 24 touchdowns with seven interceptions last season.
That would mean a 22nd NFL season for Rodgers, who turns 43 in December.
The Steelers hired head coach Mike McCarthy to replace Mike Tomlin, who stepped down in January. McCarthy was Rodgers’ head coach in Green Bay for 13 seasons from 2006-18, and the pair won a Super Bowl together.
Meanwhile, the Kansas City Chiefs hope to bring Kelce back, according to NFL Media, but the tight end had not made a decision about whether he wants to keep playing as of last week.
Kelce, who turns 37 in October, was productive with 76 catches for 851 yards and five touchdowns last season, his 13th in the NFL.
But Kelce has contemplated retirement several years in a row, and innumerable off-field opportunities await the charismatic fiancé of Taylor Swift.
QB CAROUSEL
Rodgers and Jones aren’t the only quarterbacks with uncertain futures.
The Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa and Arizona Cardinals’ Kyler Murray are both trade candidates.
Derek Carr, 34, could come out of retirement for the right situation.
Las Vegas’ Geno Smith and the Atlanta Falcons’ Kirk Cousins are both cut candidates, while Malik Willis and Russell Wilson are among the soon-to-be free agent QBs.
Expect some serious movement on the veteran quarterback market.
TRADE TARGETS
Two stars are set to dominate this discussion.
Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby was less than thrilled when Las Vegas shut him down for the final two games of the season.
Although Crosby ultimately underwent knee surgery, it was advantageous for the Raiders to lose as they locked down the No. 1 pick.
Crosby, who turns 29 this summer, signed a contract extension last March, but his remaining prime years likely don’t line up with the rebuilding Raiders’ timeline.
All of those factors led to questions about Crosby’s future in Sin City.
And then there’s A.J. Brown, the star wide receiver who has not been shy about his frustrations with the Philadelphia Eagles’ offense.
It is unclear if the Eagles would actually consider trading Brown, who recorded 1,003 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in 2025.
But Brown, who turns 29 in June, would certainly be appealing to teams with more pass-centric offenses.
Another name to keep an eye on is D.J. Moore, who, too is entering his age-29 season. Moore is signed at big money through 2029, but he delivered a down season in 2025 and is likely expendable in the Chicago Bears’ crowded receiver room.
