2026 NFL Free Agency: Tua Tagovailoa, Kenneth Walker III headline biggest signings
The 2026 NFL free agency period was kicked into overdrive on Monday with the opening of the legal negotiating window.
There’s already been some big names on the move after the first day of free agency and some key re-signings. Let’s get into it.
Make sure to check out Sports Interaction’s complete list of NFL futures.
Tua Tagovailoa
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa set a new record in the off-season, but it’s nothing to brag about. The Miami Dolphins announced they will release the 2020 fifth overall draft pick, resulting in a $99 million dead cap hit, the largest in NFL history, to be be spread out over the next two seasons.
With the Dolphins paying their former franchise quarterback $54 million next season, Tagovailoa opted to sign a one-year league minimum contract with the Atlanta Falcons.
Atlanta makes a lot of sense for Tagovailoa. From Tua’s perspective, he has historically struggled in cold weather and the Falcons play in a warmer city with a dome stadium.
And for Atlanta, Tua provides a veteran presence who can mentor and push the often injured Michael Penix Jr.
Tua gets a one-year contract to rehabilitate his image and cash in during next year’s free agency and Atlanta will hope to see growth in Penix throughout the season. Win-win.
Kenneth Walker III
It’s not often you see the reigning Super Bowl MVP leave in free agency, but that’s what happened this year with Kenneth Walker III leaving the Seahawks and signing in Kansas City. The three-year contract will make Walker the highest paid free agent running back in NFL history.
This is a big move for the Chiefs, who missed the playoffs last year for the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era. Walker fills a huge hole that Kansas City had a running back last year and he’ll be relied upon immediately with Mahomes uncertain to start the season on time after tearing his ACL in December.
You can see a more detailed breakdown of the Walker signing here.
Mike Evans
After 12 seasons in Tampa Bay, the Buccaneers’ all-time receiving yards and receiving TDs leader, Mike Evans, is headed to San Francisco on a three-year contract. Evans instantly becomes a main target for Brock Purdy, joining George Kittle at the top of the depth chart.
However, injuries limited Evans to eight games last season, the first year he didn’t hit 1,000 receiving yards. Were injuries the problem, or will the 32-year-old continue to decline? The Bucs are obviously counting on the former.
Rashid Shaheed
The Seattle Seahawks didn’t let all their offensive weapons walk out the door as they re-signed Rashid Shaheed to a three-year, $51 million contract. Shaheed was a trade deadline acquisition, so the Seahawks are clearly banking on him increasing his production with a full off-season to get acclimated to the playbook.
Shaheed hasn’t put up massive numbers in Seattle, accounting for just 100 total yards on three receptions and four carries over three playoff games, but this is still a decent gamble for the team. He’s one of the best returners in football and he should get a lot of open looks with opponents focused on slowing down Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Travis Etienne Jr.
The New Orleans Saints finally have some cap space and they made quick use of it, signing former Jaguars running Back Travis Etienne Jr. to a four-year, $52 million contact. The obvious question now is whether the Saints will go with a two-pronged attack of Etienne and Alvin Kamara, or if they will trade Kamara, who is entering the final season of his contract.
Etienne should immediately improve New Orleans’ backfield. He’s rushed for over 1,000 yards in three of four career seasons and he’s a dual threat, finishing with seven rushing and six receiving TDs last season. Regardless of what the Saints decide to do with Kamara, they’re better off today after signing Etienne.
Malik Willis
New Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley and new GM Jon-Eric Sullivan were both formerly with the Packers, so it’s not a huge shock to see them sign former Packers backup QB Malik Willis to a three-year contract with $45 million guaranteed.
Hafley and Sullivan are taking a gamble on a player who only started three games for Green Bay. Willis looked much better in his last start against Baltimore, but this is a pretty big risk. However, Miami is clearly willing to suffer a couple years of pain with the Tagovailoa buyout, so now’s the time to take a chance.