The kickoff to the NFL’s two-day negotiating window was an absolute whirlwind on Monday.
Eight gamers both grew to become the very best paid at their respective place or the highest-paid free agent at their place when it comes to common annual wage.
McDuffie, Tunsil, Linderbaum and Stout all earned the sought-after crown because the highest-paid gamers ever at their respective positions. Phillips, Pierce, Walker and Possible all took dwelling the title of proudly owning the highest-paid free agent contracts at their respective positions.
As we flip the web page to Tuesday, there are nonetheless loads of veterans, younger and outdated, who may very well be impactful contributors in 2026 who’re nonetheless on the open market. This is a take a look at the highest 10 free brokers nonetheless remaining on Day 2 of the league’s negotiating window.
For extra 2026 NFL free company protection:
- Age: 30
- Professional Bowls: 1 (2021)
- First-team All-Professional groups: 1 (2021)
Deebo Samuel misplaced a step in 2025, and he additionally needed to battle by means of quarterback instability with 2024 NFL Offensive Rookie of the 12 months Jayden Daniels lacking 10 video games with accidents. Samuel averaged a career-low 10.1 yards per reception in 2025, and the 2 lowest receiving yards per recreation whole of his seven-year profession have are available in 2024 (44.7) and 2025 (45.4). Samuel is not the identical bulldozing Swiss Military knife that after served as the point of interest of Kyle Shanahan’s San Francisco 49ers offense. He can nonetheless knock would-be tacklers over within the open subject after the catch, as evidenced by his playmaking towards the Dallas Cowboys on Christmas, however his separation in his route working is slipping. Samuel nonetheless has worth in 2026, but it surely’s not what it as soon as was in his prime.
- Age: 29
- Professional Bowls: 1 (2023)
- First-team All-Professional groups: 0
David Njoku tumbled down the depth chart whereas battling by means of knee accidents for many of 2025. Rookie Harold Fannin Jr. shortly grew to become a go-to man for quarterback Shedeur Sanders this season. If wholesome, he is a helpful center of the sector and purple zone playmaker. Turning 30 in 2026 and coping with accidents ought to make him a extra value acutely aware goal than in years previous.
- Age: 28
- Professional Bowls: 0
- First-team All-Professional groups: 0
Jaylinn Hawkins was a 2020 fourth-round choose of the Atlanta Falcons, bounced round to the Los Angeles Chargers after which landed with the New England Patriots in 2024. In 2025, he leveled as much as being an affect contributor. Hawkins does a little bit little bit of every thing with 4 interceptions, six passes defended, a pressured fumble, a fumble restoration and one-and-a-half sacks in 15 video games performed, all begins. Professional Soccer Focus grades Hawkins as its No. 5 total security with an 83.3 defensive grade. He ought to web a stable contract because of his capacity to bolster a group’s defensive backfield.
7. Buffalo Payments DE Joey Bosa
- Age: 30
- Professional Bowls: 5 (2017, 2019-2021, 2024)
- First-team All-Professional groups: 0
Joey Bosa has been an underrated piece to the Buffalo Payments‘ protection this season. He isn’t the identical man he was within the late 2010s due to accidents, however Professional Soccer Focus grades him as their seventh-highest graded pass-rushing edge defender with an 88.7 grade in 2025. He additionally led the league with 5 pressured fumbles. Bosa can assist stabilize any group’s cross rush this offseason.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers
- Age: 42
- Professional Bowls: 10 (2009, 2011-2012, 2014-2016, 2018-2021)
- First-team All-Professional groups: 4 (2011, 2014, 2020-2021)
Aaron Rodgers is one of the best participant who’s presently a free agent, however being within the twilight of his profession is why he is not ranked greater. He nonetheless has some magic left in him after throwing a game-winning, 26-yard landing cross to Steelers extensive receiver Calvin Austin III with 55 seconds left in a 26-24 win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18. That victory despatched Pittsburgh again to the postseason as AFC North champions.
His playoff efficiency was disappointing, however many offensive strains and quarterbacks failed to carry up towards the Houston Texans‘ dynamic duo Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. Although he clearly cannot scramble within the pocket like he used to, Rodgers can nonetheless make some highlight-reel throws when given time to throw. A return to the Pittsburgh Steelers or a pit cease with the Minnesota Vikings would make loads of sense.
- Age: 28
- Professional Bowls: 0
- First-team All-Professional groups: 0
Jauan Jennings was the unsung hero of the San Francisco 49ers‘ offense. He does the soiled work over the center with robust arms, which makes him the most effective within the league at shifting the sticks.
Since 2024, Jennings’ 83 receiving first downs are twenty eighth within the NFL. That is another than Stefon Diggs (32) and three fewer than the next trio of extensive receivers: the Philadelphia Eagles‘ DeVonta Smith, the Miami Dolphins‘ Jaylen Waddle and the Jacksonville Jaguars‘ Brian Thomas Jr. Jennings’ eight receiving touchdowns on third downs are tied for the third-most within the league throughout the final two seasons.
His total stats in 2025 weren’t eye-popping, however Jennings did not have beginning quarterback Brock Purdy for seven video games. From Week 11 when Purdy returned in 2025 to the top of the common season, Jennings’ six receiving touchdowns tied for the second-most within the NFL in that span with Puka Nacua, Christian Watson and Michael Wilson. He is additionally versatile as his 29-yard passing landing to Christian McCaffrey within the 49ers’ opening-round playoff win over the Philadelphia Eagles indicated. Jennings possesses two profession playoff passing touchdowns, which is tied for probably the most in NFL historical past by a non-QB together with Bronko Nagurski.
- Age: 26
- Professional Bowls: 1 (2022)
- First-team All-Professional groups: 0
Tariq Woolen‘s construct (6-4, 210 kilos) makes him an anomaly as an NFL cornerback. He soared immediately as a rookie in 2022, co-leading the league with six interceptions in Pete Carroll’s Cowl 3 protection with some press-man protection combined in. Present head coach’s Mike Macdonald’s scheme is extra advanced with the next quantity of disguised zone appears to be like, and he hasn’t matched the promise of his rookie 12 months. Nonetheless, Woolen may thrive as soon as once more in a unique scheme given his high-level traits and early profession manufacturing.
- Age: 25
- Professional Bowls: 0
- First-team All-Professional groups: 0
Rasheed Walker performed in all 17 video games in every of the final three years and began all however three of them for the Inexperienced Bay Packers. Walker’s 93.8% cross block win charge ranked eleventh amongst 68 certified offensive tackles in 2025, per ESPN and Subsequent Gen Stats. A sturdy left sort out in the course of his 20s, who’s a powerful cross blocker, goes to receives a commission. Offensive sort out is without doubt one of the hardest place teams to search out consistency at across the league lately, and that may get Walker compensated properly this offseason.
2. Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray
- Age: 28
- Professional Bowls: 2 (2020-2021)
- First-team All-Professional groups: 1 (2024)
Kyler Murray is an intriguing free company choice because the Cardinals owe him $37 million in assured cash after releasing him with three years left on a five-year, $230.5 million contract. Which means he may signal with some other time on the veteran minimal for 2026 earlier than he’ll push for a multiyear deal in 2027. The time that indicators him can have a no-risk, first look of types this 12 months.
Sure, he is solely performed 12-plus video games as soon as within the final 4 years, however he is additionally one in every of 4 gamers in NFL historical past with at the very least 20,000 yards passing and 30-plush dashing touchdowns of their first seven seasons. The opposite three are all NFL MVP-winning quarterbacks: Josh Allen (2024), Cam Newton (2015) and Lamar Jackson (2019 and 2023). In a significantly better offensive ecosystem, maybe the 2019 NFL Draft‘s first total choose may discover his groove as soon as once more.
- Age: 31
- Professional Bowls: 4 (2021-2024)
- First-team All-Professional groups: 1 (2024)
Hendrickson and the Bengals do not get again collectively after failed contract extension negotiations after he racked up 17.5 sacks in each 2023 and 2024 (led the NFL in 2024). He ought to have a sturdy market.
Nonetheless, Hendrickson underwent core muscle surgical procedure that ended his 2025 season brief after seven video games. He is been the most effective cross rushers in soccer since turning into a Bengal as he’s solely the fifth participant since sacks grew to become an official, individually tracked statistic in 1982 to supply 17-plus sacks in consecutive years
He wins with phenomenal utilization of his arms in tandem with nice bend off the road of scrimmage, two parts that might age properly even after the core muscle process. It will likely be attention-grabbing to see how his market evolves given his age and 2025 season after a historic stretch within the two years prior.
