At 4 p.m. on March 11, the new NFL league year began. The start of the new league year also marks the official beginning of the free agency period. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest signings as well as the drama that unfolded in the days prior to the start of the new league year.

Maxx Crosby Is Still a Raider

Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Maxx Crosby was allegedly upset by the decision to sit him for the final two games of the regular season. This led to the Raiders trading Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for first round draft picks in 2026 and 2027.

However, days after the trade was announced, it was reported that Baltimore cancelled the trade because of a failed physical. As the trade was never finalized, the Ravens will not face any punishment from the league or owe the Raiders any type of compensation. Instead, Crosby returns to the Raiders where he plans to play this season according to recent reports.

Trey Hendrickson Is a Raven

After spurning Crosby, the Ravens signed the other star pass rusher on the market when they inked Trey Hendrickson to a long-term deal. It is reportedly a four-year deal worth $112 million. Although many sources claim that the Hendrickson was a consolation prize, the Ravens say that they had intended to acquire both if possible.

The Quarterback Carousel Already Spinning

Tua Tagovailoa was released by the Dolphins and signed a one-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons. Geno Smith was traded by the Raiders to the New York Jets where he began his career in 2013. Kyler Murray was released by the Arizona Cardinals and will most likely sign with the Minnesota Vikings.

Malik Willis signed a three-year deal with Miami to replace Tua while Daniel Jones signed a two-year deal to remain in Indianapolis. Meanwhile, the Cardinals signed Gardner Minshew to compete with Jacoby Brisset for the starting job in Arizona.

Mike Evans Finds a New Home

Mike Evans played 12 seasons for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after the team picked him in the first round of the 2014 draft. He had at least 1,000 yards receiving in each of his first 11 seasons. In 2025, injuries limited his availability while Emeka Egbuka looks set to take a significant share of targets in Tampa Bay’s offense going forward. Ultimately, Evans signed a three-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers that is worth up to $60 million.

Bills Finally Get Elite Wide Receiver and Pass Rusher

Going into the offseason, the Buffalo Bills had question marks at both wide receiver and pass rusher. The team solved the first problem by trading the 60th overall pick in this year’s draft to the Chicago Bears for DJ Moore.

Like Evans, he was available primarily due to the presence of younger and less expensive receivers in Chicago who were likely to take targets away from Moore. He is due $24 million this year and also has guaranteed money for 2027, so this helps the Bears retool while giving Josh Allen a major weapon in the offense.

Buffalo then signed former Dolphins pass rusher Bradley Chubb to a three-year contract on Wednesday. He was deemed fully recovered from ACL and other injuries that have limited him in recent years. If healthy, he should be a good fit for the 3-4 defense the Bills are looking to implement this year.

Patriots Taking a Risk on Alijah Vera-Tucker

Perhaps the most interesting contract handed out this week was the one given to former Jets offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker. Despite missing all of 2025, the New England Patriots gave him a deal worth up to $48 million over three years. In addition to missing all of last season, he also missed significant time in 2021 and 2023.

Alec Pierce Staying in Indianapolis

Colts receiver Alec Pierce may have been the most polarizing figures in free agency. While he put up more than 1,000 yards receiving last year, he is seen by some as a one-trick pony. Whatever you may think of him, the Colts thought enough to sign him to a four-year deal worth up to $116 million.

Kenneth Walker III to Kansas City

The Kansas City Chiefs made a splashy move when they traded corner Trent McDuffie to the Rams for several draft picks. They also made waves when they used their newfound cap space to sign Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III to a long-term deal. This likely takes them out of the discussion to draft a running back, and the team may turn their attention to offensive line in the draft.

As usual, the first days of the NFL free agency period were a chaotic one for many teams and players. Thanks to the presence of the legal tampering period that began Monday, most of the initial deals were already finalized by the time Wednesday rolled around. However, there are still a number of quality players available, and moves made between now and September can play a big role in shaping at team’s season.