NFL free agency 2026 begins at noon Monday. We’re tracking Detroit Lions news, signings around the league and trade buzz from trusted newsbreakers.
Barry Sanders on Jahmyr Gibbs, heart health and Detroit Lions
Hall of Fame RB Barry Sanders joins Dave Birkett on radio row at Super Bowl 60 to talk Jahmyr Gibbs, the Lions and heart health.
Time’s yours, Brad Holmes.
Detroit Lions NFL free agency 2026 begins Monday at noon ET with the opening of the league’s negotiating window, giving the Lions’ sixth-year general manager and staff their best chance to remake the roster for the 2026 season.
Players whose contracts expire Wednesday at 4 p.m. – when the new league year and free agency signing period begins – can have their agent enter into agreements starting Monday afternoon with other teams, though signings and trades cannot become official until Wednesday afternoon.
The first big signing for the Lions appears to be former Carolina Panthers center Cade Mays, who agreed to a three-year, $25 million deal with Detroit on Monday.
Players who have been released can sign with teams at any time, and pending free agents can re-up with their own team.
New this year: Teams may conduct one video or phone call (maximum one hour) with up to five free agents, rather than communicating strictly through agents as in past years.
So far, the Lions have not re-signed any of their unrestricted free agents on offense (eight) or defense (17), though they made three moves last week: traded David Montgomery to Houston, released Graham Glasgow and tendered a qualifying offer to exclusive rights free agent Jake Bates.
The biggest Lions news came Friday, when Taylor Decker, the team’s longest-tenured player, asked for his release, which should be granted this week after the Lions asked him to take a pay cut and he declined. Additionally, it was reported on Monday that free agent linebacker Alex Anzalone intends to sign with with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, ending his five-year tenure in Detroit, while defensive back Amik Robertson agreed to a deal with the Washington Commanders.
[ Lions debate big-name signing or adding depth in NFL free agency 2026 ]
The Lions’ needs this offseason start up front on both sides of the ball with the defensive line and offensive line. Our award-winning Lions reporter Dave Birkett detailed his five-step plan to make the Lions a winner in free agency this week. And though the Lions are restricted by a tight salary cap budget, they could find a way to sign a top-of-market player if they desire.
We have Lions rumors, news, trades and transactions from around the NFL below. Be sure to follow our Lions expert Dave Birkett on Bluesky and on X at @davebirkett.
[ Want more Lions updates? Download our free app for the latest news, alerts, eNewspaper and more. ]
Lions news in NFL free agency 2026
Looks like the Lions just got their center.
The Lions have agreed to a three-year, $25 million deal with former Carolina Panthers center Cade Mays, per NFL insider Aaron Wilson. Mays, 26, started 12 games at center for the Panthers in 2025 after starting his NFL career in 2022 as an offensive guard.
Mays isn’t Tyler Linderbaum, the former Baltimore Ravens center who many consider to be the top free agent on the market, but he should be the starting center in Detroit once the 2026 season starts.
Former Lions defensive back Amik Robertson has agreed to a two-year, $16 million deal with the Washington Commanders.
Robertson had spent his previous two seasons with Detroit, making 10 starts in 2025 as the Lions secondary dealt with numerous injuries to key players.
Former Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone agreed to a two-year, $17 million deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Anzalone had spent his previous five seasons with Detroit, racking up 490 combined tackles and nine sacks during his time with Detroit.
It was largely expected that Anzalone would not return to the Lions.
Free agent running back Kenneth Gainwell signed a two-year, $14 million deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, taking a backup running back option off the board for the Lions.
Gainwell finished second in rushing for the Steelers in 2025, gaining 537 yards on 114 attempts while adding 486 yards on a team-high 73 receptions.
The New York Jets continue to add on the defensive line.
Multiple sources report the Jets have signed former Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Kingsley Enagbare to a one-year, $10 million deal. Enagbare made his debut with the Packers in 2022 and has recorded 11½ sacks over his four seasons in Green Bay.
Free agent pass rusher Joseph Ossai plans to sign with the New York Jets on a three-year, $36 million deal per multiple sources. Ossai debuted in 2022 with the Cincinnati Bengals and recorded 10 combined sacks in his last two seasons in Cincinnati.
Jets coach (and former Lions defensive coordinator) Aaron Glenn gets a big-time addition to his defensive line.
Free agent edge rusher Jaelan Phillips is expected to sign a four-year, $120 million deal with the Carolina Panthers per multiple reports.
Phillips was considered to be the top edge rusher in the market after splitting his time between the Miami Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles in 2025. He has 28 sacks in his career over five seasons after a breakout rookie campaign with the Dolphins in 2021.
The Lions are likely looking for an edge rusher to pair with star Aidan Hutchinson, and the Phillips signing takes the biggest one off the board.
Per NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Kansas City Chiefs will sign free agent running back Kenneth Walker III. Walker, a former Michigan State standout, was the Super Bowl 60 MVP for the Seattle Seahawks in their 29-13 win over the New England Patriots.
The early signing period has officially begun, meaning the Detroit Lions (and other NFL teams) can begin negotiating with unrestricted free agents.
However, signings cannot be made official until the league year begins on Wednesday, March 11, at 4 p.m.
The Green Bay Packers are trading defensive end Rashan Gary to the Dallas Cowboys for a 2027 fourth-round pick. Gary has combined for 15 sacks the last two seasons with the Packers and was named to the Pro Bowl in 2024.
Our Lions/NFL insider Dave Birkett predicted what will happen with the Lions’ 17 defensive free agents, notably Alex Anzalone, Al-Quadin Muhammad and Amik Robertson. (Spoiler: Dave does not think any of them are coming back to Detroit. Read the full story for details and more predictions.)
[ Dave Birkett: My 5-step plan for Lions to win 2026 NFL free agency ]
The Lions have eight pending free agents on offense, so our insider Dave Birkett predicted whether each one would return to Detroit or depart this offseason. Their top offensive free agent is receiver Kalif Raymond.
Lions free agents in 2026
Unrestricted free agents
- LB Alex Anzalone.
- DE Al-Quadin Muhammad.
- CB Amik Robertson.
- TE Anthony Firkser.
- CB Arthur Maulet.
- CB Avonte Maddox.
- S Daniel Thomas.
- DT D.J. Reader.
- LB Grant Stuard.
- CB Jalen Mills.
- LT Jamarco Jones.
- *DE Josh Paschal.
- WR Kalif Raymond.
- RT Kayode Awosika.
- QB Kyle Allen.
- *DL Levi Onwuzurike.
- LB Malcolm Rodriguez.
- DE Marcus Davenport.
- CB Rock Ya-Sin.
- NT Roy Lopez.
- TE Shane Zylstra.
- C Trystan Colon.
- LB Zach Cunningham.
- LB Zeke Turner.
*Because Onwuzurike and Paschal each missed the entire season on injured reserve, their contracts from 2025 can be rolled into 2026, should the Lions desire. Both would be paid at their 2025 salary.
Restricted free agents
A restricted free agent has three accrued NFL seasons and is on an expiring contract. His current team gets to make a qualifying offer before the free agent can sign with any other team.
- WR Tom Kennedy.
- LB Trevor Nowaske.
- EDGE Tyrus Wheat.
Need to catch up on the news during your lunch break? Sign up for our Sports Briefing newsletter to get daily summaries of Detroit sports!
