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Monday afternoon brings the start of the NFL’s free agent negotiation period, often referred to as the “legal tampering” period. Starting at 12 Noon Eastern, teams may begin talking to agents of unrestricted free agents to work out the framework of contracts that can be officially signed after 4 PM Eastern on Wednesday, when the 2026 league year begins.
Frequently, big-name free agents will agree to the terms of their new deals during the 52 hours of the negotiation period, and that should well be
the case once again this year. For the Green Bay Packers, that likely means the team will have an idea where their departing free agents will be going and what sorts of contracts they will be signing, which should give the team an idea how it can proceed with bringing in external free agents to maximize their compensatory draft picks for 2027.
The Packers have already started working on their free agent class, however, by re-signing three players prior to the start of open negotiations. Monday morning also brought the news that the Packers have traded Rashan Gary, sending him to the Dallas Cowboys for a 2027 4th-round draft pick.
Keep your browser locked here for all the news about the Packers through the next few days as we monitor the players who will be leaving Green Bay as well as any that end up heading to Wisconsin.
Incoming Free Agent News
The Packers are generally not expected to make any big splashes by bringing in external unrestricted free agents dur to compensatory pick calculations and salary cap space. However, stay tuned here for news of the Packers being involved in negotiations with players from other teams.
Outgoing Free Agent Rumors
We will keep you up to date with any significant news or rumors related to former Packers players negotiating with or agreeing to terms with other teams. As a reminder, the big unrestricted free agents to watch here are the following:
QB Malik Willis, LT Rasheed Walker, WR Romeo Doubs, LB Quay Walker, EDGE Kinsgley Enagbare, TE John FitzPatrick, LB Kristian Welch
Re-signings
Sean Rhyan, C
Rhyan inked a new 3-year, $33 million deal on Sunday, a contract that could end up being worth as much as $39 million with incentives. His return should solidify the center position after several potential options on the free agent market signed or re-signed elsewhere in recent days.
Nick Niemann, LB
A key member of the Packers’ special teams, Niemann signed a new one-year contract on Saturday, bringing him back on a contract that will pay him around $2.5 million for 2026.
Chris Brooks, RB
With Brooks set to become a restricted free agent, the Packers worked out a deal with him late last week instead, signing him for $4.8 million over two years. Brooks has primarily been a pass-blocking back who has seen the field in two-minute situations while also being an important special teams contributor, and this deal may be a sign that he could get some more opportunities as a rotational running back as well.
Other Packers News & Notes
Look here for any other particularly notable news on the free agency front that involves the Packers.
