Minor NFL Transactions: 3/12/26
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Re-signed: CB Starling Thomas
- Signed: DE Jonah Williams
Chicago Bears
- Re-signed: S Elijah Hicks, G Jordan McFadden
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: OL Matt Hennessy
Detroit Lions
- Re-signed: WR Tom Kennedy, LB Trevor Nowaske
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: WR Dareke Young
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: LB Grant Stuard
New York Jets
- Re-signed: OL Xavier Newman-Johnson
Seattle Seahawks
- Re-signed: FB Brady Russell
- Released: CB Tyler Hall
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: S Miles Killebrew
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: S Jerrick Reed
NFC West Notes: Austin, Gannon, Cards, Conner, Hawks, Curl, Rams, 49ers
While Arthur Smith is heading to the college ranks (as Ohio State’s OC) after Mike Tomlin‘s resignation, longtime Steelers DC Teryl Austin landed another NFL gig. Austin is taking over as a senior assistant with the Cardinals, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler tweets. This is a return Arizona trip for Austin, who was on Ken Whisenhunt‘s staff with the Cardinals previously. The three-time NFL DC served as Cardinals DBs coach from 2007-10, being part of the franchise’s Super Bowl XLIII team. Now 61, Austin — who interviewed for the Commanders’ DC job — will join Mike LaFleur‘s staff to provide experience under 32-year-old DC Nick Rallis.
Here is the latest from around the NFC West:
- Shortly before Week 18, a report indicated Jonathan Gannon was likelier to return for a fourth season than be fired. But the Cardinals axed their HC after a 3-14 season. Considering the step back from an 8-9 2024, it didn’t seem off base to fire Gannon. But those in the organization were surprised Michael Bidwill cut the cord, per ESPN.com’s Josh Weinfuss, who adds others around the league were caught off-guard by that ouster. Gannon landed HC and DC interviews following his firing and ended up as the Packers’ defensive boss. Arizona retained Rallis, though multiple candidates dropped out of their hiring process, under new HC Mike LaFleur.
- The Cardinals’ James Conner pay cut comes out to a one-year, $3MM deal that KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson notes contains $2.1MM guaranteed. Conner signed a two-year, $19MM extension in 2024 but missed most of last season due to injury. The $2.1MM guarantee number does not exactly lock in the 10th-year veteran for 2026, especially with the Cards changing staffs, but the longtime Arizona starter will have a shot.
- The Seahawks lost several Super Bowl starters but retained two by re-signing Rashid Shaheed and Josh Jobe. Shaheed’s three-year, $51MM contract includes $34.7MM guaranteed; of the latter total, $23MM is guaranteed at signing (per OverTheCap). None of that guarantee covers 2027, ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano tweets. Shaheed’s $11.74MM 2027 base salary is guaranteed for injury; it shifts to a full guarantee five days after Super Bowl LXI. That gives Seattle a potential early out, as this contract is structured like Sam Darnold‘s and Cooper Kupp‘s. As for Jobe, his three-year, $24MM pact, $9.25MM is fully guaranteed. Wilson adds $14.25MM is guaranteed in total, with $5MM of his $6.49MM 2027 base salary also becoming guaranteed five days after Super Bowl LXI.
- Jaylen Watson joins ex-Chiefs teammate Trent McDuffie with the Rams, who gave the multiyear Kansas City CB2 a three-year, $51MM contract. Of Watson’s $34MM guaranteed, $26.5MM is locked in at signing (per OverTheCap). The Rams are giving Watson an $11MM guarantee on his 2027 base salary ($13.99MM), according to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio. The remaining $2.99MM shifts to a full guarantee on Day 3 of the 2027 league year. Elsewhere in the L.A. secondary, Kamren Curl‘s three-year, $36MM deal includes $18.75MM guaranteed at signing (per OverTheCap). Of Curl’s $11.6MM 2027 base salary, Wilson notes $7MM is fully guaranteed. The rest shifts from an injury guarantee on Day 3 of the ’27 league year. Curl will be due a $3.43MM roster bonus on Day 5 of the 2028 league year, Wilson adds.
- Shifting back to the Cardinals, the Boston Globe’s Ben Volin notes their Kendrick Bourne contract includes $6.5MM fully guaranteed. Initially reported as an $11.47MM deal, Bourne’s base value is $10MM (via OverTheCap). As for D-tackle Roy Lopez‘s Arizona return (for two years and $10.5MM), Wilson adds the veteran received $1MM of his $3.47MM 2027 base salary guaranteed for injury. That shifts to a full guarantee on Day 3 of the 2027 league year.
- The 49ers identified their replacement for tight ends coach Brian Fleury, who left to take the Seahawks’ OC job. Cameron Clemmons will slide from assistant O-line coach to that spot, NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco notes. Previously the Raiders’ assistant O-line coach, Clemmons has been on the 49ers’ staff since 2024. San Francisco is also adding Kent State O-line coach Angel Matute to their staff, CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz tweets.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/9/26
Here are the minor move from a frenzied free agency first day:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: CB Natrone Brooks, LB Christian Harris, DE Cameron Thomas
Buffalo Bills
- Re-signed: P Mitch Wishnowsky
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: CB Akayleb Evans, CB Robert Rochell
Houston Texans
- Signed: DE Dominique Robinson
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Re-signed: OLB Dennis Gardeck
- Released: TE Johnny Mundt
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed to two-year deal: K Matt Gay
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: LS Joe Cardona
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: TE Greg Dulcich
New York Giants
- Signed: TE Chris Manhertz
New York Jets
- Signed: FB Andrew Beck
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: DL Esezi Otomewo
NFL Announces 2026 Compensatory Picks
The NFL has awarded compensatory draft picks for teams in the 2026 draft. Based on an add/subtract formula that covers the 2025 free agency period, comp picks span from Round 3 to Round 7. The higher picks go to the teams that endured the most significant free agent losses.
This year, the NFL awarded 33 comp picks. The comp pick formula assigns picks to franchises who suffered the largest net losses, so teams that signed multiple free agents have a lesser chance of receiving picks.
Sorted by round and by team, here are the league’s 2026 compensatory selections:
By round:
Round 3: Vikings (No. 97), Eagles (98), Steelers (99), Jaguars (100, from Lions*)
Round 4: 49ers (No. 133), Raiders (134), Steelers (135), Saints (136), Eagles (137), 49ers (138), 49ers (139), Jets (140)
Round 5: Ravens (No. 173), Ravens (174), Raiders (175), Chiefs (176), Cowboys (177), Eagles (178), Jets (179), Cowboys (180), Lions (181)
Round 6: Steelers (No. 214), Eagles (215), Steelers (216)
Round 7: Colts (No. 249), Ravens (250), Rams (251), Rams (252), Ravens (253), Colts (254), Packers (255), Bronc0s (256), Broncos (257)
By team:
- Baltimore Ravens: 4
- Philadelphia Eagles: 4
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 4
- San Francisco 49ers: 3
- Dallas Cowboys: 2
- Denver Broncos: 2
- Indianapolis Colts: 2
- Las Vegas Raiders: 2
- Los Angeles Rams: 2
- New York Jets: 2
- Detroit Lions: 1
- Green Bay Packers: 1
- Jacksonville Jaguars: 1
- Kansas City Chiefs: 1
- Minnesota Vikings: 1
- New Orleans Saints: 1
* = awarded for Lions DC Aaron Glenn becoming Jets’ HC
The Bears lost a minority executive to a GM role, with Ian Cunningham taking over in Atlanta. But the NFL will not award Chicago two third-round picks for that hire because the Falcons have Matt Ryan positioned as their president of football. Although Cunningham — Chicago’s assistant GM for four years — holds plenty of organizational say, Ryan is atop its front office hierarchy. The Bears disagree with the NFL’s ruling, per NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo.
Bears GM Ryan Poles confirmed (via ESPN.com’s Courtney Cronin) the team spoke with the NFL about the matter, but the league did not rule in the team’s favor. Had this decision gone the Bears’ way, they would have received third-round picks in the 2026 and ’27 drafts.
Rams To Sign CB Jaylen Watson
After acquiring Trent McDuffie from Kansas City last week, the Rams have now taken another of the Chiefs’ top cornerbacks. The Rams have agreed to a contract with Jaylen Watson, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. It’s a three-year, $51MM deal with $34MM in guarantees, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
This is another bold strike by the Rams, who have poured significant resources into their secondary over the past couple months. Before adding McDuffie in a blockbuster trade and agreeing to terms with Watson, they re-signed safeties Quentin Lake and Kamren Curl to extensions worth up to $81MM combined.
Los Angeles went 12-5 and won two playoff games in 2025, but its defensive backfield was in clear need of improvement entering the offseason. The Rams ranked a below-average 19th in pass defense in the regular season, and an inability to stop the Seahawks’ aerial attack torpedoed them in the NFC title game. Quarterback Sam Darnold went 25 of 36 for 346 yards for three touchdowns, while No. 1 wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba caught 10 passes for 153 yards and a score.
Corners Cobie Durant, Ahkello Witherspoon and Roger McCreary are among the Rams’ free agents, while Darious Williams retired over the weekend. Durant started in 15 of 17 games and led Rams corners in snap share (72.99%) in 2025, but the Rams look to have added a pair of upgrades in two-time Super Bowl champions McDuffie and Watson.
A seventh-round pick in 2022, Watson spent most of his first two seasons as a reserve. After winning Super Bowl LVII to cap off the 2023 season, the Chiefs traded starting cornerback L’Jarius Sneed to Tennessee. Sneed’s exit opened up a full-time spot for Watson, who went on to start in his final 21 games with the Chiefs.
A broken leg suffered in October 2024 limited Watson to six regular-season games, but he made it back during the Chiefs’ latest run to the Super Bowl. He played in two postseason games, including a Super Bowl LIX loss to the Eagles. Watson went on to enjoy a career year in 2025. Over 15 games (all starts), the 27-year-old tallied 64 tackles, six passes defensed and two interceptions. Pro Football Focus graded Watson 17th among 112 qualifying corners.
Watson, who ranked as PFR’s No. 13 free agent, is now the latest high-profile corner to leave Kansas City in the past several years. Along with McDuffie, Watson and Sneed, Steven Nelson, Marcus Peters, Kendall Fuller and Charvarius Ward all exited during the Andy Reid era. The Chiefs have seldom missed a beat, but now coming off a six-win season, they are down two major contributors at the back end of their defense.
Rams To Extend CB Trent McDuffie
The Rams and newly acquired cornerback Trent McDuffie began progressing toward an extension on Sunday afternoon. Two hours later, the sides have reached a four-year, $124MM deal with $100MM guaranteed, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. McDuffie is now the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history.
This was the expected outcome after the Rams, in their latest all-in move, acquired McDuffie from the Chiefs on Tuesday. Los Angeles sent three 2026 draft picks – No. 29 overall, a fifth- and sixth-rounder – as well as a 2027 third-rounder to reel in the 25-year-old two-time All-Pro. The Chiefs quickly granted the Rams permission to negotiate with McDuffie, who had been seeking a market-topping extension.
Now that he is set to land atop the cornerback market, McDuffie will move past previous leader Sauce Gardner in contract value ($120.1MM) and average annual salary ($31MM to $30.1MM). The Texans’ Derek Stingley Jr. ($89.03MM) is now second among corners in guarantees. All three of those players entered the league as first-rounders in 2022, though Stingley is the only one still with the team that drafted him. Despite extending Gardner last summer, the Jets traded him to the Colts before the Nov. 4 deadline for two first-rounders and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell.
Already a two-time Super Bowl winner, McDuffie will now serve as a defensive centerpiece for an L.A. team that will enter next season with championship aspirations. The Rams are coming off a year in which they won 12 regular-season games and added a pair of playoff victories. They allowed the 19th-most passing yards in the league, however, and had no answer for Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold or superstar wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the NFC title game. In a 31-27 Seahawks victory, Darnold torched the Rams for 346 yards and three touchdowns. He connected with JSN 10 times for 153 yards and a score.
The Rams are banking on McDuffie to help them overtake the Seahawks in the NFC West and in the conference next year. In McDuffie, the Rams acquired a former Washington standout who has started in all 56 of his games in the pros. While McDuffie has only intercepted three passes in four seasons, he has racked up 34 passes defensed and eight forced fumbles. McDuffie, who is versatile enough to play outside and in the slot, ranked as one of Pro Football Focus’ top five corners in 2023 and ’24. Although McDuffie dropped to 12th last year, he has still never fallen outside of PFF’s top 20 in an individual season
McDuffie is under wraps, but he will not be the last high-profile player Rams general manager Les Snead extends this offseason. A new accord is likely coming for quarterback Matthew Stafford. Meanwhile, 2023 draftees Puka Nacua, Steve Avila, Byron Young, Kobie Turner and Warren McClendon are all eligible for multiyear contracts.
Rams Making Progress On Trent McDuffie Extension Talks
The Rams filled a major need before the start of free agency by working out a deal to acquire Trent McDuffie from the Chiefs. Los Angeles is now tasked with reaching an extension agreement with the All-Pro corner. 
McDuffie is attached to his fifth-year option for 2026, but a massive raise will be needed to ensure he remains in place with the Rams for years to come. A market-topping extension will likely be required for a pact to be finalized. A deal may be in place soon.
“Significant progress” has been made recently with respect to negotiations, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports. McDuffie could have his new pact in place shortly as a result, with Garafolo noting there is a hope for the deal to be finalized soon. An agreement is within “striking distance” at this point, Garafolo’s colleague Ian Rapoport adds.
The Rams sent a package highlighted by the 29th overall pick in this year’s draft to land McDuffie. The 25-year-old is on course to collect $13.63MM based on Kansas City’s decision to pick up his fifth-year option. That will pale in comparison to any long-term deal signed with Los Angeles. Given the price paid in the trade, many expected the Rams to have a major offer ready in McDuffie’s case. It would certainly benefit the team to have an extension in place before the new league year begins this week.
As Garafolo notes, a pact averaging $30MM or more can be expected in this case. Derek Stingley. reached that figure in terms of average annual value on his Texans extension. Sauce Gardner then moved to the top of the pecking order when he signed a Jets deal carrying an AAV of $30.1MM. With the cap seeing its latest rise recently and topping $300MM, McDuffie could be the next in line to become the top-earning cornerback.
The Washington alum served as a full-time starter during his Chiefs tenure, totaling only three interceptions but positing 34 pass deflections and eight forced fumbles. Continued production and strong play in coverage will be expected in this case as the Rams look to secure a staple of their secondary for the foreseeable future. News of an extension agreement being imminent comes one day after fellow corner Darious Williams retired.
Improving against the pass will be a key offseason priority for Los Angeles. McDuffie will go a long way in that effort if all goes well during his debut Rams campaign, and he could become a core member of the roster well beyond next season provided a deal can be struck. Many other key financial decisions are still to be made by the NFC runners-up, but a major piece of business may soon be taken care of.
2026 NFL Trades
The modern NFL features four clear trade windows. Early March, the draft, the late-August 53-man roster-setting date and the November deadline reside as the primary points trades occur around the league. As the NFL resides in window No. 1 for 2026, it is a good time to check in on what has already transpired on the market.
Excluding pick-for-pick trades, here are the moves NFL teams have made thus far in 2026:
February 26
- Titans trade DT T’Vondre Sweat to Jets for DE Jermaine Johnson
March 2
- Browns to acquire OL Tytus Howard from Texans for No. 141
- Texans to obtain RB David Montgomery from Lions for OL Juice Scruggs, No. 128, 2027 seventh-round pick
March 4
- Rams to acquire CB Trent McDuffie from Chiefs for Nos. 29, 168, 210, 2027 third-round pick
March 5
- Bills to add WR D.J. Moore, No. 165 from Bears in exchange for No. 60
March 6
- Bears to acquire C Garrett Bradbury from Patriots for 2027 fifth-round pick
- Ravens to land OLB Maxx Crosby from Raiders for No. 14, 2027 first-round pick
Ravens nixed trade March 10, failing Crosby on a physical
March 7
- Packers to add LB Zaire Franklin from Colts for DT Colby Wooden
March 8
- Raiders to obtain CB Taron Johnson, No. 228 from Bills for No. 182
March 9
- Jets to acquire S Minkah Fitzpatrick from Dolphins for No. 238
- Cowboys to land OLB Rashan Gary from Packers for 2027 fourth-round pick
- Steelers to add WR Michael Pittman Jr., No. 230 from Colts for No. 214
March 10
- Jets to acquire QB Geno Smith, No. 228 from Raiders for No. 182
- Texans to obtain P Kai Kroeger, 2028 seventh-round pick from Saints for 2028 sixth-rounder
March 11
- Titans to add DL Solomon Thomas, No. 225 from Cowboys for No. 218
- 49ers to acquire DT Osa Odighizuwa from Cowboys for No. 92
March 16
- Chiefs to acquire QB Justin Fields, 2026 seventh-round pick to Jets for 2027 sixth-rounder
March 17
- Broncos to land WR Jaylen Waddle, No. 111 from Dolphins for Nos. 30, 94, 130
March 18
- Eagles to obtain QB Andy Dalton from Panthers for 2027 seventh-round pick
March 20
- Falcons to acquire S Sydney Brown, Nos. 122, 215 from Eagles for Nos. 114, 197
Rams Announce Retirement Of CB Darious Williams
The Rams made a major addition to their secondary by trading for Trent McDuffie this week. The unit has now suffered a loss, albeit a less impactful one, with the retirement of veteran cornerback Darious Williams.
Williams, who is about to turn 33, was entering the last year of his contract and was seen as a possible cap casualty with $7.5MM in potential savings. Instead, he will hang up his cleats after 104 games played, 69 starts and a championship ring from Super Bowl LVI in 2022. That is a strong career for an undrafted free agent, especially one who started playing college ball at a Division III school.
In fact, Williams is the only player from Marietta College to play in the NFL. He spent his freshman year with the Pioneers and transferred to UAB, where he made the team as a walk-on in 2014. He remained at the school even after the football program briefly shut down, per Greg Beachum of the Associated Press, and went on to start 18 games across the 2016 and 2017 seasons, earning a first-team All-Conference USA nod in the second.
The Ravens signed Williams as an undrafted rookie in 2018 and he made the 53-man roster with Jimmy Smith serving a suspension. He appeared in three games on special teams and was waived when Smith was eligible to return. Baltimore wanted to retain Williams, according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, but the Rams swooped in and claimed him instead.
Williams only appeared in one game during his first year in Los Angeles, but he carved out a rotational role on defense and a core role on special teams. He stepped into a starting job in 2020 and was retained in 2021 on a restricted free agent tag.
Another year as a starter earned Williams a three-year, $30MM deal from the Jaguars in free agency in 2022. He started 28 games over the next two seasons and was released with one year remaining on his contract. He then returned to Los Angeles on a three-year, $22.5MM deal, of which he earned $15MM.
With McDuffie already acquired, the Rams will not need to seek a direct replacement for Williams, though they could still look to upgrade their secondary.
Williams will retire with just over $43MM in career earnings and, according to Nate Atkins of The Athletic, will now move into a new role as a father.
Eagles Aiming For Pre-Free Agency A.J. Brown Solution; Chargers In Play For WR?
A.J. Brown figures to learn his 2026 destination soon. The Eagles, along with the teams in this trade pursuit, want the matter resolved over the next couple of days, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini tweets. A few clubs have been connected to the standout wide receiver.
The Bills checked in on Brown before agreeing to acquire D.J. Moore, and the Patriots and Ravens emerged as the most likely destinations. The Chargers are another team looking into this situation, Russini adds. Although the Patriots are still in this mix, they might require a price reduction from the Eagles to make the trade.
New England is an acceptable destination for Brown, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport. The Pats, though, still view Howie Roseman‘s asking price — believed to be first- and second-round picks — as too steep, The Exhibit’s Josina Anderson notes. Philly is not budging on the price, per Russini. Considering how punitive trading Brown before June 1 would be for the Eagles, it makes sense they are sticking to their guns here.
The Rams were also involved in this derby, per Rapoport, but Russini adds the team has since moved on. Considering Los Angeles is sending one of its two first-rounders to Kansas City for Trent McDuffie, it would seem unlikely — even given the Rams’ history with picks-for-players trades — they will not want to trade more high picks for Brown.
Brown being interested in a Foxborough landing is notable given the Patriots’ failure to sell Brandon Aiyuk on such a path in 2024. Brown, 28, would be reuniting with ex-Titans HC Mike Vrabel in this case. While a report indicated the Patriots may not be ready to make a big trade, the team has been linked to Brown at multiple points. The Pats are releasing Stefon Diggs, creating a glaring need at wide receiver. With Drake Maye on a rookie contract, the Pats have a window to make such a move.
The Chargers have Ladd McConkey tied to rookie terms for at least one more season. The Bolts have a Quentin Johnston fifth-year option decision to make, but it seems unlikely the 2023 first-rounder will see that option exercised. Tre Harris arrived in last year’s second round and would stand to play a bigger role in 2026, as Keenan Allen is unsigned ahead of a potential age-34 season. Brown would obviously step in as the Chargers’ No. 1 playmaker. The Bolts lead the NFL in cap space and could certainly add a $32MM-AAV receiver deal. While they are not expected to be aggressive in free agency, a trade for a marquee wideout would provide a major upgrade for Justin Herbert.
If Brown is still an Eagle next season, he will count an affordable $23.39MM against their salary cap. On the other hand, trading Brown before June 1 would level the Eagles with a 43.45MM dead cap charge, a record for his position. They would also lose $20.12MM in spending room. Brown has not requested a trade, but after a rocky recent past, the sides appear close to separating.