2026 NFL Free Agents Rumors and Predictions After Seahawks vs. Patriots Super Bowl

The confetti has fallen, a champion has been crowned and another NFL season is officially in the books.

That can only mean one thing, folks: It's on to the next one.

By the time one fortunate franchise captures a Super Bowl title, all 32 organizations start formulating their strategies for seizing the next one. For those who feel like a big jump is potentially within reach, free agency might provide just the lift they're trying to get.

That's what the rumor mill is already moving, so let's break down the latest buzz.

Daniel Jones Staying in Indy?

AP Photo

A first season with the Indianapolis Colts proved wildly successful for former first-round pick Daniel Jones—even though his campaign closed early due to a torn Achilles in December. Still, enough positives were in place before the injury that there is mutual interest in taking this relationship into the 2026 season and maybe beyond.

"The Colts plan to open talks soon with Daniel Jones on a multi-year deal to keep him in Indianapolis," NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported. "... I am told Jones wants to be in Indianapolis, the Colts want to work out a deal. If they can't the franchise tag would be an option."

Unless Jones' contract requests are just totally unreasonable, a long-term agreement feels doable.

The Colts helped bring out his best, and he gave them stability they've failed to find from virtually all of their post-Andrew Luck quarterbacks, former No. 4 pick Anthony Richardson included. It seems it'd be best for both parties to work out a contract that makes Jones a Colt for the foreseeable future.

Prediction: Indianapolis signs Jones to a four-year contract.

Franchise Tag in Play for Trey Hendrickson?

AP Photo

Long-term clarity on his contract situation has long eluded Cincinnati Bengals star pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson. This free agency period won't necessarily change that.

Last summer, he held out for a pay raise and eventually got one, but it only came with a one-year agreement. It's possible his next deal doesn't run any longer, as NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported that Cincinnati has weighed whether to use the franchise tag on Henderson.

"Our understanding is that the Bengals are still considering using the franchise tag," Garafolo said. "Now could it be a tag-and-trade possibility? Perhaps. Sounds like all options are on the table for Hendrickson right now. But it is not a forgone conclusion that his time in Cincinnati is over."

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, meanwhile, wrote it would "be a mild surprise to me" if Cincinnati tagged Hendrickson, noting the steep cost ("well above $30 million") and fractured state of the relationship. Should Hendrickson make it to the market, he should generate substantial interest, having tallied 17.5 sacks in each of the 2023 and 2024 seasons.

Prediction: Hendrickson signs with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Cowboys to Tag, But Maybe Not Keep, George Pickens?

AP Photo

Very little went according to plan this season for the Dallas Cowboys, but their offseason trade for George Pickens was a smashing success. For essentially the cost of a third-round pick, they added a 24-year-old who'd go on to rack up 93 receptions for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns.

The Cowboys are "expected" to put the franchise tag on Pickens, per ESPN's Adam Schefter, but that doesn't quite mean Pickens can be penciled into their 2026 plans just yet.

"Obviously, the Cowboys are going to franchise tag him, that's something we've known for quite some time, but that doesn't necessarily mean that George Pickens is going to stay in Dallas," NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported. "My understand is that a tag-and-trade scenario is considered to be a possibility for Dallas."

While the Cowboys could likely get more for Pickens than they gave up to get him, his talent feels more meaningful than the positive trade value he provides. That said, his track record shows some inconsistencies, so it might be premature to give him a long-term deal this offseason.

Prediction: Pickens is franchise tagged and kept by Dallas.