The 2026 NFL free agency signing period officially starts on March 11, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. ET.

That’s when:

  • The new 2026 league year begins.
  • Teams can officially sign unrestricted free agents and begin trading for the 2026 season.
  • The first day of signings runs from 4:00 p.m. ET to 11:59:59 p.m. ET on March 11.

There is also a short negotiation / “legal tampering” window just before that, when teams can talk to impending free agents’ agents but cannot make deals official until that March 11, 4:00 p.m. ET opening.

Quick Scoop: Key Details

  • Official start: March 11, 2026, 4:00 p.m. ET.
  • What opens: Free agency signings plus the trading period for the 2026 league year.
  • Context: This is the same moment all 2025 contracts expire and the new league year flips over.

In forum and social chatter, you’ll usually see fans say “free agency opens March 11 at 4 ET” and treat that as the true kickoff, even though news leaks during the earlier negotiation window.

Trending / “Latest news” angle

  • 2026 free agency is expected to be one of the most scrutinized in recent years, with multiple contenders tight against the cap and needing to reshuffle key veterans.
  • Early offseason buzz already focuses on which teams will be aggressive on day one of free agency versus those who will wait out the first wave to find value signings.

TL;DR

When does free agency start NFL (2026)?
➡️ March 11, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. ET — that’s when teams can officially start signing free agents and making trades for the new league year.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.