As the sports world calendar passes into springtime, the National Football League may not be playing games on Sunday, but the drama continues as 2026 free agency has begun.
On Monday, March 11, the official league year calendar allowed for NFL players to officially negotiate and sign new contracts with teams across the league. Free agency serves as a key piece to teams searching to improve.
“The Falcons look pretty solid as of now, considering all circumstances”, said Jake Wilson, a senior management major. “Bringing in Tua Tagovailoa on a minimum deal is low-risk and high-reward signing. They added some pieces on the defensive side of the ball that I like.”
With a league-wide salary capacity, teams are allowed to allocate $279 million across their roster. Teams can elect not to spend all $279 million. If teams spend over the amount, they are subject to fines, voided contracts and loss of draft picks. The NFL aims for “even playing-field,” allowing teams to spend the same amount of money, with not one team spending more than the others.
The NFL has seen a significant increase in the league’s salary cap number in the past five years. In 2021, teams were allowed to spend no more than $182 million on their roster. The salary cap has risen by almost $100 million.
“I think some of these contracts are getting out of hand, in my opinion,” said Whit Wilson, a freshman business major. “Seeing Jaxon Smith-Njigba get over $40 million a year seems like a little too much for just one player. It is cool to see guys get paid what they deserve.”
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba signed a record-setting contract on March 23. The wideout signed a four-year, $168 million deal, making him the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history.
“I am a little disappointed in the Cowboys’ free agency, especially seeing teams within the division getting better”, said R.J. Baggot, a sophomore accounting major. “Being a fan of the Dallas Cowboys can be exhausting. I would have liked to see them be more aggressive and improve the defense.”
As teams continue to negotiate contracts with free agents, it is important to note that there are different types of free agents in the NFL.
Unrestricted free agents (UFAs) are players who played four years under contract with a team. When their contract is up, they are allowed to enter free agency and negotiate with any team.
Restricted free agents (RFAs) are players whose contracts have expired after three seasons with a team, but the team still holds the rights to the player. They are allowed to negotiate with other teams when free agency comes, but if they are offered a contract from any other team, the team that holds the player’s rights is allowed to match the offer to retain the free agent.
“This is why the NFL is the best,” said Teddy Toth, a senior marketing major. “Even though it is the offseason, there is still so much going on across the league. It is a 365-day cycle that never ends. The drama between free agency, the draft, and everything leading [to] the regular season is one of the reasons the NFL is awesome.”
As free agency continues, fans can look forward to the NFL Draft. The draft will take place in Pittsburgh, Pa. on April 23.