RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/9/26
Here are today’s tender decisions:
RFAs
Tendered:
- Vikings: LB Ivan Pace
Non-tendered:
- Cowboys: S Juanyeh Thomas
- Ravens: RB Keaton Mitchell
- Titans: CB Darrell Baker Jr.
ERFAs
Tendered:
- Falcons: DL Elijah Garcia
- Patriots: FB/TE Jack Westover
Patriots, FB Reggie Gilliam Agree To Deal
After a six-year run in Buffalo, Reggie Gilliam will head elsewhere in the AFC East. The veteran fullback has agreed to join the Patriots on a three-year deal worth up to $12MM, per his agents (h/t NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo). The pact includes $6MM guaranteed.
Gilliam earned a reputation as one of the league’s top fullbacks during his long stint in Buffalo. He ultimately got into 94 games across six seasons with the Bills, plus another 14 playoff appearances. Gilliam was often among those credited with the Bills effective rushing attack, especially following James Cook‘s standout campaign in 2025.
That’s about the extent of Gilliam’s offensive contributions. He had an occasional touch in Buffalo, but nothing that would signal he’s in line for a larger role with a new team. Gilliam finished his Bills tenure with 24 touches for 149 yards and two touchdowns.
The Patriots offensive line struggled mightily in the postseason. While a fullback can’t single-handedly turn around the team’s fortunes, he should at the very least help keep Drake Maye upright while also opening holes for Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson.
It seemed like Josh McDaniels was interested in implementing a fullback in the Patriots 2025 scheme. However, Jack Westover struggled in the role, forcing the team to occasionally turn to DT Khyiris Tonga for some fullback snaps. Now, the team has a legitimate fullback for the foreseeable future.
Adam La Rose contributed to this post.
Patriots To Sign OLB Dre’Mont Jones
Adding along the edge was known to be a priority for the Patriots early in free agency. It has not taken long for a deal to be worked out on that front.
Dre’Mont Jones is heading to New England, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports. This will be a three-year, $39MM pact, he adds. A strong showing split between two teams in 2025 has resulted in a notable payday for Jones. The max value of this New England pact is $39.5MM, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network; he adds $14.5MM will be paid out in the first year.
Jones has never garnered more than 800 defensive snaps in any of his seven NFL seasons, but he’s still proven to be a reliable pass-rusher when he’s on the field. He’s compiled at least 3.5 sacks each year of his career, including 18 total sacks with the Broncos between 2020 and 2022. That run earned him a three-year contract with the Seahawks in 2023. After tallying only 8.5 sacks between 2023 and 2024, the Seahawks moved on before the final year of Jones’ contract.
He inked a one-year, $10MM prove-it deal with the Titans last offseason and was productive in nine starts, collecting 26 tackles and 4.5 sacks. He was traded to the Ravens in November for a conditional fifth-round pick, and he proceeded to add another 2.5 sacks down the stretch for his new squad. He ultimately finished the year ranked 64th among 119 qualifying edge defenders on Pro Football Focus’ positional rankings.
The Patriots were a clear suitor for a pass rusher after finishing this past year without a 10-sack player. Harold Landry joined the Patriots via a similar deal last offseason and paced New England with 8.5 sacks. Landry’s knee injury may be a concern heading into 2026, so Jones could help soak up any necessary snaps. Jones may also be a potential replacement for K’Lavon Chaisson, who is hitting free agency following his 7.5-sack showing in 2025.
Adam La Rose contributed to this post.
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:
March 2
- Browns to acquire OL Tytus Howard from Texans for No. 140
- 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. 164 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, 2026 seventh-round pick from Bills for 2026 sixth-rounder
March 9
- Jets to acquire S Minkah Fitzpatrick from Dolphins for 2026 seventh-round pick
- Cowboys to land OLB Rashan Gary from Packers for 2027 fourth-round pick
- Steelers to add WR Michael Pittman Jr., 2026 seventh-round pick from Colts for 2026 sixth-rounder
March 10
- Jets to acquire QB Geno Smith, 2026 seventh-round pick from Raiders for 2026 sixth-rounder
- 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
Colts WR Alec Pierce, Packers WR Romeo Doubs Drawing Extensive Interest; Pierce Prefers To Stay In Indy
Since the Colts have placed the transition tag on QB Daniel Jones, the only way they can keep WR Alec Pierce from speaking to interested teams when the legal tampering period opens tomorrow is by agreeing to terms on a new contract. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler expects negotiations between Pierce and Indianapolis to go down to the wire, and there are a number of clubs waiting to pounce if a deal is not consummated.
Fowler names the Patriots, Commanders, Raiders, and Titans as teams that are in the mix for Pierce. New England’s interest was noted previously, and with the club set to make Stefon Diggs a one-and-done in Foxborough, it makes sense that it wants to bring in another weapon for third-year QB (and 2025 MVP runner-up) Drake Maye.
After advancing to the NFC Championship Game in Jayden Daniels’ rookie year in 2024, the Commanders limped to a 5-12 mark last season. That was due in large part to Daniels’ health woes, which limited him to just seven games, but Washington could stand to bolster its contingent of pass-catchers. Beyond WR1 Terry McLaurin, the club has Luke McCaffrey, Treylon Burks, and 2025 fourth-rounder Jaylin Lane under contract for 2026.
That trio combined for 558 receiving yards and four TDs last year, so a player with Pierce’s abilities would be a welcome addition. Fowler hears this free agency period could be an especially active one for the Commanders, who have roughly $90MM in cap space and who are looking to capitalize on Daniels’ rookie-contract window. In addition to wide receiver, Washington is interested in upgrading at running back, cornerback, edge rusher, and possibly tight end. Fowler names the team as a “sleeper” for Tampa Bay’s Mike Evans, whom the Buccaneers are actively trying to re-sign.
The Raiders will release veteran signal-caller Geno Smith and are poised to select QB Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 pick in the draft. Even though Las Vegas reportedly prefers to keep Mendoza on the bench for at least the early stages of his rookie campaign, adding weapons for him will be a key goal. According to Fowler, the Raiders are also interested in Rashid Shaheed, who has a big fan in new head coach Klint Kubiak (Kubiak, of course, has worked with Shaheed in both New Orleans and Seattle). Fowler cautions that the Raiders’ bigger need is the offensive line, but the club has plenty of spending power with over $120MM in cap room.
Like the other teams mentioned in connection with Pierce, the Titans are looking to add receiving help for a young quarterback. Tennessee is hoping Cam Ward, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2025 draft, will progress quickly under the tutelage of new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, and acquiring proven pass-catchers will be key in achieving that goal (particularly with Calvin Ridley on the chopping block). The team has been connected to the Giants’ Wan’Dale Robinson as well.
Pierce is a big-play threat who has led the NFL in yards-per-catch in each of the past two seasons. However, some evaluators believe the Packers’ Romeo Doubs is the most well-rounded receiver eligible for free agency this year, and in addition to Pierce’s market, the Patriots, Commanders, and Titans are closely monitoring Doubs’ situation.
The 49ers are looking at Doubs as well, per Fowler. The four-year Packer, who is also expected to draw interest from the Bills, has three 600-plus-yard seasons on his resume, including a career-high 724 (on 13.2 yards per catch) in 2025. San Francisco could lose Jauan Jennings to the open market and is set to move on from Brandon Aiyuk, making wide receiver an obvious area of need. Green Bay, though, has not ruled out a Doubs re-up; GM Brian Gutekunst said at this year’s scouting combine that he would love to see the Nevada product return (via Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk).
Fowler confirms Pierce, who has a close relationship with Jones, would prefer to stay with the Colts. That said, the Cincinnati product is in line for a deal paying him at least $27MM per year, and if Indianapolis does not pony up that kind of cash, it may not be able to keep Pierce in the fold.
Patriots Have Most Interest In Trading For A.J. Brown
It increasingly seems like an A.J. Brown trade could come together. Despite the financial implications of such a deal, the Eagles seem motivated to move the 28-year-old, though it will likely take a significant offer to make it worth their while.
The Patriots are the “most interested” in trading for Brown, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The Chargers have also been linked to a deal, but the presence of Mike Vrabel (and the lack of a star wideout) in New England make it a logical destination. Stefon Diggs was the first Patriot to record 1,000 receiving yards in a season since Julian Edelman in 2019, and he will not be around next year.
New England’s current receiver room is comprised of veteran Mack Hollins, 2023 draftees Kayshon Boutte and Demario Douglas, and last year’s rookies, Kyle Williams and Efton Chism. The first three had solid 2025 campaigns but only combined for 110 catches and 1,548 receiving yards, while Williams and Chism both made a few plays downfield but did little beyond that.
Hollins offers a steady floor but a low ceiling. Boutte and Douglas both showed signs of development with career-best efficiency metrics. And Williams and Chism could certainly become more consistent contributors. But a team hoping to avoid a Super Bowl hangover needs to be proactive to do so. Rather than waiting until the summer (or later) to upgrade their receiving corps, trading for Brown now would allow the Patriots to take a ‘best player available’ approach to April’s draft.
It would also reunite Brown with Vrabel, which could alleviate some of the locker room concerns with acquiring the infamously expressive wideout. He would also replace Diggs as a proven, high-end veteran target for Drake Maye. The two have similar pedigrees, but Brown is four years younger with better statistics across the last three years.
Meeting the Eagles’ reported asking price of first- and second-round picks is doable for the Patriots. They can be more willing to move draft capital for veterans while Maye and other key players at expensive positions are on rookie deals.
Philadelphia will still have to figure out a way to accommodate the net decrease in cap space resulting from dealing Brown, but both sides seem ready to move on, and, as a result, the Patriots seem ready to move in.
FA Notes: Pierce, Pats, Walker, Seahawks, Etienne, Jags, Broncos, Chiefs, Robinson, Giants, Titans, Cowboys
Prepared to make Stefon Diggs a one-and-done, the Patriots continue to be linked to A.J. Brown. The Eagles standout could be the team’s No. 1 option at receiver, but if the defending AFC champions are unable to strike a deal, MassLive.com’s Karen Guregian indicates a pivot to Alec Pierce could be in the cards.
Ranked as PFR’s No. 2 overall free agent, Pierce’s market will be competitive. Guregian points to a $25-$30MM-per-year number being required to close that deal. Pierce is the league’s two-time reigning yards-per-catch leader, topping 1,000 yards last season despite the Colts losing Daniel Jones in Week 13. We heard earlier this week Pierce would land at least $20MM per year. The Colts prioritized Jones via the transition tag, putting them at risk of losing Pierce on Monday.
Had the Colts made an effort to lock down Pierce before last season, Essentiallysports.com’s Tony Pauline notes the view at the Combine was he would have cost maybe half the AAV he is expected to command next week. Not much extension buzz existed last summer; that could be costly for the Colts soon. Pierce is preparing to hit free agency; he can officially begin talking to interested teams at 11am CT Monday.
Here is the latest coming out of the free agent market:
- Kenneth Walker making it past the tag deadline unattached makes him the top RB option this year. The Super Bowl LX MVP should be able to land a deal in the $12-$16MM-AAV neighborhood, SI.com’s Albert Breer notes. That would vault him into top-five territory at the position. The Giants have been tied to a Walker pursuit, with the Seahawks potentially ready to stand down after showing interest in retaining their four-year starter.
- If Walker scores a deal in that range, Breer estimates Travis Etienne winding up in the $10MM-per-year realm. The Jaguars are likely to let Etienne walk, with CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones adding the team is prepared to move forward with 2025 fourth-rounder Bhayshul Tuten.
- The Broncos, who were set to pursue Breece Hall before his franchise tag, are a logical suitor for the longtime Jags starter, according to Jones. Walker could be on Denver’s radar as well, Jones adds, noting the Chiefs — who are believed to be interested in RB help (with Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt unsigned) — are likely to be priced out of the Walker market. Kansas City does not believe Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love will be available at No. 9, per Jones, potentially pointing to an RB signing next week. Denver is looking for an RB to replace J.K. Dobbins alongside RJ Harvey, and it looks like the team is prepared to devote more resources to this position this offseason — with Russell Wilson finally off the books.
- Wan’Dale Robinson–Titans connections continue, but SNY’s Connor Hughes notes the Giants are still in on their homegrown slot receiver. That said, Tennessee is viewed as a very interested party for Robinson, whom Hughes pegs as more likely to leave New York than stay. A Nashville trek would reunite the 5-foot-8 WR with new Titans OC Brian Daboll. The Titans have been tied to a receiver pursuit for some time, as they are flush with cap space and expected to release Calvin Ridley. The Robinson market is expected to come in around $15MM per year, ESPN.com’s Jordan Raanan adds. With the Giants giving Darius Slayton a $12MM-AAV deal in 2025, how much will they be willing to spend here? Raanan views Robinson’s price tag as being a bit too steep for Big Blue.
- Two of Christian Parker‘s former charges may be on the Cowboys‘ radar. We heard Nakobe Dean‘s name connected to Dallas, which needs linebacker help, and the Dallas Morning News’ Calvin Watkins notes the team is in on the Eagles LB starter. The Cowboys are also interested in P.J. Locke, who has been an off-and-on starter at safety in Denver. Locke played under Parker previously, beginning as a starter under the new Dallas DC (after replacing Kareem Jackson in 2023).
Bears To Acquire C Garrett Bradbury From Patriots
Garrett Bradbury is heading back to the NFC North. Days after Drew Dalman‘s retirement, the Bears have a deal in place to acquire Bradbury from the Patriots, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports.
Chicago is sending a 2027 fifth-round pick (per ESPN’s Adam Schefter) to New England for Bradbury, who logged six seasons as the Vikings’ starting center before being cut in 2025. The former first-round pick started every game for the Patriots last season, doing so after logging 88 starts with the Vikings from 2019-24.
The 2025 offseason dispersed Dalman and Bradbury elsewhere. A four-year Falcon, Dalman signed a three-year, $42MM Bears deal. Not too long after his Vikings release, Bradbury landed in Foxborough via a two-year, $9.5MM pact. The Bears will pick up Bradbury’s $3.7MM 2026 base salary.
This trade comes after Tyler Biadasz, who visited the Bears in the wake of the Dalman retirement news, agreed to a three-year Chargers deal worth $30MM. Chicago will save quite a bit at center compared to Dalman or Biadasz, though Bradbury will likely be a downgrade from Dalman’s 2025 work.
Pro Football Focus graded Bradbury as the NFL’s No. 29 overall center last season. The Patriots voyaged to Super Bowl LX, but their O-line featured shaky stretches beyond merely Will Campbell‘s late-season struggles. Ryan Poles and Ben Johnson are certainly familiar with Bradbury from previous NFC North clashes, but it is worth wondering if the Bears will add a center option in the draft as well. Bradbury will turn 31 in June.
The Vikings gave Bradbury a three-year, $15.75MM deal in 2023; that came after then-GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah did not pick up the Rick Spielman draftee’s fifth-year option. PFF has never graded Bradbury as a top-10 center, but the advanced metrics site did place him 11th in 2022. Rankings outside the top 20 have followed in the years since.
The Bears, who officially placed Dalman on the reserve/retired list today, look to be passing on a free agent market that also includes Connor McGovern, Cade Mays, Lloyd Cushenberry and Ethan Pocic. Tyler Linderbaum is PFR’s No. 1-ranked free agent, but with Biadasz potentially being too pricey for the Bears (if that is indeed the case), the four-year Ravens starter’s explosive market certainly would be.
Chicago looks set to plug Bradbury into an O-line returning starters Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson and Darnell Wright — while LT Ozzy Trapilo will spend part of the season rehabbing a patellar tendon tear — while New England will need a new center. Ben Levine’s Patriots Offseason Outlook mentioned Bradbury as a potential cut candidate. It is worth wondering if the Patriots will be in the market for a free agent upgrade soon. The Bradbury trade will also mark a reunion for Thuney and Bradbury, who played together at NC State.
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.
Patriots To Re-Sign QB Tommy DeVito
During 2025 roster cutdowns, Tommy DeVito was waived by the Giants. New York’s preference was to keep him in place on the practice squad, but that did not prove to be possible. 
[RELATED: Previewing Patriots’ Offseason]
The Patriots put in a waiver claim and retained DeVito through the 2025 season. The fan favorite was on course for restricted free agency, but instead he has worked out a multiyear deal to remain in place. DeVito has agreed to a two-year pact with New England, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.
This contract has a maximum value of $7.4MM, per Schefter. He adds DeVito will secure $2MM in guarantees. As a result, the backup gig may be in store in this case. The reigning AFC champions will of course have Drake Maye atop the depth chart for years to come, but this commitment could be a signal DeVito is viewed as QB2 option. Veteran Josh Dobbs is under contract through 2026.
None of Dobbs’ scheduled base salary ($3.2MM) is guaranteed, however. A release in his case would yield $3.7MM in cap savings, so a parting of ways in this case will now be something to watch for. At a minimum, DeVito – who made eight starts across the 2023 and ’24 seasons during his time with the Giants – will remain in the fold as depth under center for New England.
The 27-year-old posted a passer rating of 88.4 during his New York stretch. A relatively high floor may be expected moving forward, especially if DeVito meshes with the scheme implemented by Josh McDaniels upon his return to the Patriots in 2024. New England’s offense will of course hinge in large part on the play of Maye in Year 3 and beyond, but it will be interesting to see if DeVito receives a full-time backup gig on his second career team.