You’re just days away from being able to tell your friends and family Happy New Year – in the NFL, that is.
At 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 12, the NFL will officially ring in the new league year, signaling the start of NFL free agency. Some of the league’s more notable players will officially put pen to paper on new deals, but that doesn’t mean you won’t have an idea of where some of these guys are going.
The league’s legal tampering period begins noon ET on Monday. That means players with expiring contracts will have an opportunity to court new teams and make their signings official come Wednesday.
Already, some of the free agency intrigue has dissipated. Wide receiver Tee Higgins, quarterback Matthew Stafford and left tackle Ronnie Stanley are some of the top former, free-agents-to-be who are staying with their squads.
That news may force teams to get a little bit more creative – and that should make free agency all the more intriguing in 2025.
USA TODAY Sports will provide the latest rumors, updates, news and more from the NFL’s legal tampering period, ahead of NFL free agency on Wednesday. All times are Eastern.
NFL free agency signings, news, rumors
Broncos re-signing DT D.J. Jones to three-year deal
Date: March 10
Source: ESPN’s Adam Schefter
Jones was set to hit free agency in 2025. The Broncos agreed to a three-year, $39 million deal with $26 million in guarantees just before the tampering period opened to keep the veteran on Vance Joseph’s defense.
Jones, 30, had 42 tackles and one sack for the Broncos last season.
Justin Fields waiting to speak to Jets before making decision
Date: March 10
Source: ESPN’s Adam Schefter
Fields has reportedly been in discussions with the Steelers about re-joining the team in 2025, but the 26-year-old is waiting to see what the Jets offer him before making a decision.
New York’s offer can’t officially come until the legal tampering window opens at Noon ET on Monday, so that will likely leave Pittsburgh’s quarterback situation in flux until then.
Aaron Rodgers ’emerging as QB option’ for Steelers
Date: March 10
Source: ESPN’s Adam Schefter
The Steelers have largely been connected to their free-agent starting quarterbacks from last year, Justin Fields and Russell Wilson, ahead of free agency. However, Pittsburgh is ‘are expected to talk and explore a union’ with Rodgers, who is one of the top quarterbacks available on the market.
Rodgers, 41, is coming off a down season but still completed 63% of his passes for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions for the New York Jets. Mike Tomlin and the Steelers may view the veteran as the best candidate to get a lot out of their offense, which now features wide receiver DK Metcalf as one of its top receivers.
Patriots trade DT Davon Godchaux to Saints for 2026 draft pick
Date: March 10
Source: ESPN’s Adam Schefter
The Patriots gave Godchaux, a run-stuffing defensive tackle who spent four seasons with the team, permission to explore a trade this offseason. They found a willing partner in the Saints, who surrendered a 2026 seventh-round pick for the 30-year-old veteran.
Godchaux had 67 tackles in 2024. He hasn’t posted a sack since the 2022 NFL season.
Falcons sign Jake Matthews to two-year extension
Date: March 9
Source: NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo
Matthews has been Atlanta’s starting left tackle since the team selected him with the sixth overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft. The Falcons gave him a two-year, $45 million extension with $38 million in guarantees to keep him on board as a key cog in lefty Michael Penix’s protection.
Matthews has made 179 starts in his career and hasn’t missed a game since his rookie season. He has made 178 consecutive regular-season starts.
Steelers acquire WR DK Metcalf in trade with Seahawks
Date: March 9
Source: NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero
Metcalf demanded a trade away from the Seahawks the same day Seattle released veteran receiver Tyler Lockett. It didn’t take long for the Seahawks to find him a new home, as they shipped Metcalf to the Steelers for a second-round pick and a swap of sixth- and seventh-round selections.
Metcalf signed a five-year, $150 million extension as part of the trade. The 27-year-old had 66 catches for 992 yards and five touchdowns in 15 games last season.
Josh Allen signs record-breaking $330 million deal with Bills
Date: March 9
Source: USA TODAY’s Tyler Dragon
Allen won the NFL’s MVP award for 2024 after leading Buffalo to a 13-4 record and making it to the AFC championship game. The Bills handsomely rewarded him with a six-year contract extension that runs through the 2030 NFL season.
Allen’s new deal will be worth up to $330 million, giving the contract an average annual value of $55 million. The deal comes with a record-breaking $250 million in guarantees.
Patriots ink three-year deal with edge rusher Harold Landry
Date: March 9
Source: NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero
The Patriots needed to upgrade their pass rush during the 2025 offseason and landed Landry, who played at Boston College and will reunite with Mike Vrabel, who coached him for five years with the Titans. Landry can make up to $48 million with $26 million guaranteed as part of his three-year deal.
Landry, 29 in June, had 71 tackles and nine sacks for the Titans last season. He has 50.5 career sacks in 98 games (79 starts) and graded as Pro Football Focus’ seventh-best edge defender against the run among 212 players last season.
Rams sign Davante Adams to two-year contract
Date: March 9
Source: Los Angeles Rams
Adams wanted to head west after being released by the Jets. He got his wish, as he joined the Rams on what ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports is a two-year deal worth up to $46 million.
Adams had 85 catches for 1,063 yard sand eight touchdowns in 14 games split between the Raiders and Jets last season. The 32-year-old will be tasked with complimenting Puka Nacua as a No. 2 receiver and helping to replace Cooper Kupp, who is expected to be released or traded during the offseason.
NFL free agency: Best available players
Here are some of the best available players who will hit the market this week, per USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon:
Jevon Holland, S
Chris Godwin, WR
D.J. Reed, CB
Stefon Diggs, WR
Khalil Mack, edge
Amari Cooper, WR
Sam Darnold, QB
Josh Sweat, edge
Haason Reddick, edge
Justin Reid, S