2026 NFL free agency: Seven teams affected, 18 New England Patriots players on the market

Super Bowl LX just ended. Preparation for the next season has already begun. The Seattle Seahawks beat the New England Patriots, but Seattle’s offensive coordinator, Klint Kubiak, has left for another franchise for the 2026 season [Tom Brady part-owned Las Vegas Raiders].

This swift move signals the start of the 2026 NFL free agent market. The seven affected NFL teams are Jacksonville Jaguars, Indianapolis Colts, Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills, and Kansas City Chiefs. While 18 of the Patriots players are set to hit NFL free agency in 2026: some of which are, QB Tommy DeVito, RB D’Ernest Johnson, RB Deneric Prince, RB Craig Reynolds, LB Darrius Harris, and LB Jack Gibbens.

Jacksonville Jaguars

NFL Network’s Matt Okada ranks the Jaguars No. 7 among the teams affected by 2026 free agency. Jacksonville has a salary cap space of -$11.4 million and 18 free agents set for 2026. First-round running back Travis Etienne Jr. could seek top five RB money after his third season with 1400+ scrimmage yards and second 12+ touchdowns.

Indianapolis Colts

Ranked No. 6, the Colts have $35.5 million in salary cap space. They plan to sign a top-tier franchise quarterback in 2026.

Wide receiver Alec Pierce, right tackle Braden Smith, safety Nick Cross, and linebacker Germaine Pratt enter the free agency market.

Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys have -$29.1 million in cap space. Running back Javonte Williams and wide receiver George Pickens may seek a pay hike after breakout seasons, as they will become unrestricted free agents in March 2026.

Green Bay Packers

Green Bay has -$1.4 million in cap space. Four of the 10 NFL players entering their age-26 season or younger who played at least 70% of snaps in 2025 are Packers: LT Rasheed Walker, RG Sean Rhyan, WR Romeo Doubs, and LB Quay Walker.

Cleveland Browns

The Browns have $3.2 million in cap space for the 2026 season. Their entire offensive line is set to become free agents: LT Can Robinson, LG Joel Bitonio, RB Wyatt Teller, RT Jack Conklin, and C Ethan Pocic.

Buffalo Bills

The Bills have a -$7.4 million salary cap. Their free agents include some of the top NFL players: C Connor McGovern, LG David Edwards, CB Tre’Davious White, S Jordan Poyer, DEs Joey Bosa and A.J. Epenesa, DTs DaQuan Jones and Larry Ogunjobi, LBs Matt Milano and Shaq Thompson, K Matt Prater, P Mitch Wishnowsky, and WRs Gabe Davis and Brandin Cooks.

Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs have a salary cap of -$54.7 million. They face 30 impending free agents, including TE Travis Kelce, DBs Jaylen Watson and Bryan Cook, and RBs Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt.

Patriots players who are soon to enter the 2026 free agency market

The New England Patriots lost to the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX. The Patriots who were 3-14 in 2024 under Jerod Mayo went to 14-3 in 2025 under Mike Vrabel. But still fell a few points short of the Super Bowl title. The 2026 season will bring tough decisions, as 18 players are set to enter NFL free agency.

Let’s see who they are.According to Jordy McElroy of Patriots Wire, the following 18 New England players are set to hit NFL free agency in 2026:QB Tommy DeVitoRB D’Ernest JohnsonRB Deneric PrinceRB Craig ReynoldsLB Darrius HarrisLB Jack GibbensCB Alex AustinTE Austin HooperTE Jack WestoverTE Thomas OdukoyaDT Jaquelin RoyDT Khyiris TongaOT Thayer Munford Jr.OT Yasir DurantOT Vederian LoweEDGE K’Lavon ChaissonEGDE Isaiah ItonS Jaylinn Hawkins