Minor NFL Transactions: 3/8/26
We have some rare Sunday minor moves as the NFL closes in on the start of the new league year and the free agency frenzy that is sure to follow:
Denver Broncos
- Re-signed: TE Nate Adkins
Houston Texans
- Re-signed: DT Naquan Jones
The Broncos continue to be proactive with pending RFA and ERFAs. Adkins was set to become a restricted free agent, but Denver has avoided that conclusion by re-signing him before the start of free agency.
Claimed last year in Houston, Jones is reportedly getting a one-year, $2MM deal to stay with the Texans, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Jones can earn another $500k on the new deal through incentives.
Raiders To Acquire CB Taron Johnson
The Raiders are involved in their second trade before the start of free agency. They have acquired cornerback Taron Johnson from the Bills in a late-round pick swap, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. The Bills will receive a sixth-rounder, and the Raiders will add a seventh-rounder, per Vincent Bonsignore of the California Post.
It had initially been reported that the Bills would release Johson, but the Raiders will prevent him from hitting the open market. Meanwhile, Buffalo will get some value out of his departure.
This will officially end Johnson’s eight-year tenure in Buffalo, which selected him in the fourth round of the 2018 draft. The Weber State product played for head coach Sean McDermott during his entire run in Western New York.
Johnson generally thrived under McDermott during his first six seasons, leading general manager Brandon Beane to hand the defender a three-year, $31MM extension in March 2024. The agreement temporarily made Johnson the highest-paid slot corner in the league, but injuries have contributed to a drop in performance since he earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2023.
Johnson has totaled nine absences since 2024, including four last year. Across 13 games and eight starts in 2025, Johnson picked up 57 tackles and four passes defensed. Pro Football Focus ranked his play 74th among 112 qualifying corners.
The Bills fired McDermott in January and promoted offensive coordinator Joe Brady as their new head coach. Brady brought in an outside defensive coordinator, Jim Leonhard, to overhaul the unit. That left Johnson’s future up in the air. Shifting the longtime nickel corner to safety was under consideration, but the Bills elected to cut ties with Johnson instead.
The Raiders weakened their defense in the short term when they agreed to ship superstar pass rusher Maxx Crosby to the Ravens on Thursday. Nevertheless, the team has ample cap space and draft capital to upgrade the rest of its roster. The Raiders and new defensive coordinator Rob Leonard will count on Johnson to help improve their slot corner situation. If Johnson doesn’t rebound in 2026, the Raiders would save $10.04MM in releasing him while taking on no dead money next offseason. That makes Johnson a worthwhile flyer for a Las Vegas team with a slew of needs to address.
Connor Byrne contributed to this post.
Chargers Sign FB Alec Ingold
Veteran fullback Alec Ingold was released just two days ago after spending four years with the Dolphins. It didn’t take long for him to rebound as Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports that Ingold has agreed to a two-year, $7.5MM deal to join the Chargers, reuniting him with former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel. Ingold’s new annual average value of $3.75MM per year ties him with San Francisco’s Kyle Juszczyk as the highest-paid fullback in the NFL. 
One of about 10 fullbacks around the league used with any frequency, Ingold has remained an impact player in the league by being a useful asset both in the run and pass game. Signing with the Raiders as an undrafted free agent out of Wisconsin, Ingold’s impact with his first team centered much more around the run blocking game. Lead blocking for then-Raiders running back Josh Jacobs represented the majority of his on-field opportunities in Oakland and Vegas.
After tearing his ACL in the final year of his undrafted rookie deal, Ingold found his next opportunity with the Dolphins in free agency. Playing in McDaniel’s offense, Ingold saw far more opportunities to contribute as a frequent participant on pass plays, as well. The more he proved he could be on the field on any down the more he ended up getting used in multiple facets of the offense. He earned Pro Bowl honors in his second year in Miami and started 47 of 66 game appearances.
He’ll now bring his talents to Los Angeles, where he reunites with McDaniel, the Chargers new offensive coordinator. The Chargers drafted fullback Scott Matlock in the sixth-round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He started his career as a defensive tackle, switching to offense after his rookie season. Based on this contract, Matlock isn’t likely to remain in his role of the past two years as a fullback. Either the signing of Ingold is the writing on the wall that Matlock may not be long for a roster spot, or Matlock may find himself back on defense in the offseason.
Ingold becomes the second free agent signed by the Chargers before the start of free agency. Los Angeles has added many former Ravens staffers to its front office in recent years, and as ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler points out, a core tenant in Baltimore has long been to focus on the compensatory pick formula when pursuing free agents. Players who are released from existing contracts before the start of free agency do not count against a team in regard to compensatory picks. With the signings of Ingold and former Commanders center Tyler Biadasz in the past few days, it’s clear the Chargers are making that a focus, as well.
Rams To Extend CB Trent McDuffie
The Rams and newly acquired cornerback Trent McDuffie began progressing toward an extension on Sunday afternoon. Two hours later, the sides have reached a four-year, $124MM deal with $100MM guaranteed, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. McDuffie is now the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history.
This was the expected outcome after the Rams, in their latest all-in move, acquired McDuffie from the Chiefs on Tuesday. Los Angeles sent three 2026 draft picks – No. 29 overall, a fifth- and sixth-rounder – as well as a 2027 third-rounder to reel in the 25-year-old two-time All-Pro. The Chiefs quickly granted the Rams permission to negotiate with McDuffie, who had been seeking a market-topping extension.
Now that he is set to land atop the cornerback market, McDuffie will move past previous leader Sauce Gardner in contract value ($120.1MM) and average annual salary ($31MM to $30.1MM). The Texans’ Derek Stingley Jr. ($89.03MM) is now second among corners in guarantees. All three of those players entered the league as first-rounders in 2022, though Stingley is the only one still with the team that drafted him. Despite extending Gardner last summer, the Jets traded him to the Colts before the Nov. 4 deadline for two first-rounders and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell.
Already a two-time Super Bowl winner, McDuffie will now serve as a defensive centerpiece for an L.A. team that will enter next season with championship aspirations. The Rams are coming off a year in which they won 12 regular-season games and added a pair of playoff victories. They allowed the 19th-most passing yards in the league, however, and had no answer for Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold or superstar wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the NFC title game. In a 31-27 Seahawks victory, Darnold torched the Rams for 346 yards and three touchdowns. He connected with JSN 10 times for 153 yards and a score.
The Rams are banking on McDuffie to help them overtake the Seahawks in the NFC West and in the conference next year. In McDuffie, the Rams acquired a former Washington standout who has started in all 56 of his games in the pros. While McDuffie has only intercepted three passes in four seasons, he has racked up 34 passes defensed and eight forced fumbles. McDuffie, who is versatile enough to play outside and in the slot, ranked as one of Pro Football Focus’ top five corners in 2023 and ’24. Although McDuffie dropped to 12th last year, he has still never fallen outside of PFF’s top 20 in an individual season
McDuffie is under wraps, but he will not be the last high-profile player Rams general manager Les Snead extends this offseason. A new accord is likely coming for quarterback Matthew Stafford. Meanwhile, 2023 draftees Puka Nacua, Steve Avila, Byron Young, Kobie Turner and Warren McClendon are all eligible for multiyear contracts.
Broncos, TE Adam Trautman Agree To Deal
Hours after re-signing linebacker Justin Strnad, Denver has kept another pending free agent off the market. The Broncos and tight end Adam Trautman have agreed to a three-year, $17MM contract, Mike Klis of 9News reports. The deal comes with a max value of $18.5MM, according to Klis.
This positions Trautman to continue his long-running partnership with head coach Sean Payton. The two began working together when the Saints used a third-round pick on Trautman in 2020. Payton was their head coach through 2021. When Payton returned to the league as the Broncos’ head coach in 2023, he acquired Trautman in a deal that also included a late-round pick swap.
Trautman has never caught more than 27 passes or reached the 300-yard mark in a season, but he has earned Payton’s trust as a blocker. The 29-year-old has also been durable in Denver, where he has logged three consecutive 17-game seasons. Trautman caught 20 of 23 targets for 195 yards and a touchdown last year, during which he led Broncos tight ends in snap share (57.11%) and starts (12).
While Trautman will remain with the Broncos in 2026, the rest of their tight end group is up in the air. Depth options Nate Adkins, Marcedes Lewis and the non-tendered Lucas Krull are all unsigned. Meanwhile, Evan Engram did not produce as hoped in 2025, which could lead to his release. Even if Engram sticks around, Payton wants to add another receiving tight end this offseason.
Bears To Re-Sign Daniel Hardy
The Bears have reached an agreement to re-sign restricted free agent defensive lineman Daniel Hardy, veteran insider Jordan Schultz reports. It’s a two-year, $4.97MM pact with $2.45MM guaranteed at signing, per OverTheCap.
Hardy, a Montana State product, entered the NFL as a seventh-round pick of the Rams in 2022. After suffering a high ankle sprain in the preseason, Hardy spent the majority of his rookie campaign on injured reserve. He returned late in the year to appear in six games, record four tackles and total 169 snaps (128 on special teams, 41 on defense).
Hardy did not make the Rams’ roster in his second season, but he quickly caught on with the Bears’ practice squad. While Hardy did not see any action in his first year in Chicago, he has since posted back-to-back 17-game seasons. Hardy has amassed just 85 defensive snaps with the Bears, but the 27-year-old has evolved into a core special teamer.
Last season was the second in a row in which Hardy led the Bears in special teams snap share. He played 77.85% of snaps and made the league’s sixth-most ST tackles (19) in 2025.
Colts, K Blake Grupe Agree To Deal
Blake Grupe fared well during his stint at the end of the 2025 season. It has landed him an extended opportunity with the Colts. 
Grupe has agreed to a one-year deal with Indianapolis, per his agent (h/t Mike Garafolo of NFL Network). This pact has a maximum value of $1.4MM. Grupe has earned a new Colts deal based on his level of play upon arrival.
Spencer Shrader suffered ACL and MCL tears in October, ending his season. That led Indianapolis to sign Michael Badgley as his initial replacement. After Badgley struggled on extra points in particular, however, the team tapped Grupe as a third option. That decision came shortly after Grupe was let go by the Saints.
In five Indianapolis contests, the 27-year-old connected on all 11 of his field goal attempts. Grupe also made each of his 10 extra point tries, marking a notable uptick in accuracy compared to his time with New Orleans earlier in the year. He will look to remain strong in that regard during the offseason and through training camp.
Shrader is under contract for next season. Provided he heals in full, it would come as little surprise if he were to reclaim his role as the Colts’ top kicker for 2026. Nevertheless, Grupe will operate as competition this summer as the team weighs its options.
Cardinals, P Blake Gillikin Agree To Deal
A back injury limited Blake Gillikin to just five games in 2025. The veteran punter is now healthy, though, and he will remain in Arizona for next year. 
[RELATED: Previewing Cardinals’ Offseason]
Gillikin has agreed to a one-year Cardinals deal, Mike Garafolo, Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network report. The pact has a maximum value of $2.65MM, which would represent a raise compared to each of his previous contracts. Gillikin has served as Arizona’s punter since 2023.
During his debut Cardinals season, the former Saint averaged 50.6 yards per punt. He topped that figure when on the field in 2025, averaging 51.7 yards per punt in limited action. Provided Gillikin has managed to heal in full, expectations will remain high in his case. A healthy campaign in 2026 could lead to a longer commitment next spring.
Arizona signed Pat O’Donnell to serve as Gillikin’s replacement after the latter landed on injured reserve. O’Donnell played five games for the Cardinals but was released in November. Matt Haack also saw game action with Arizona in 2025, totaling seven appearances. He is a pending free agent, and today’s news certainly points to a departure on the open market.
With Gillikin’s new contract taken care of, the Cardinals will have plenty of stability on special teams. Earlier today, the team agreed to a new deal with kicker Chad Ryland. Long snapper Aaron Brewer is on course for free agency, so it will be interesting to see if he winds up being retained as well.
Cardinals To Re-Sign K Chad Ryland
Chad Ryland has been with Arizona since early in the 2024 season. Another Cardinals contract has now been worked out in his case. 
Ryland has agreed to a one-year deal, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports. He worked as the Cardinals’ kicker for 13 games in 2024 and did so again on a full-time basis the following season. Team and player worked out a two-year pact last time around, but this latest one will allow Ryland to compete for the kicking gig in 2026.
The former Patriots draftee only lasted one year in New England. After struggling during his rookie campaign, Ryland was waived by the Patriots. That was followed in short order by a Cardinals practice squad agreement, and he soon found himself on the active roster. Ryland connected on 28 of 32 field goal tries in 2024 with Arizona, including a perfect mark (four-for-four) from beyond 50 yards.
A drop in accuracy took place this past season. Ryland saw his FG mark drop to 75.8%, missing eight total attempts. Four of those came from beyond 50 yards, though, and expectations will remain high at least from close range moving forward. Ryland, 26, was on course for restricted free agency this spring. Instead of issuing a tender in this case, the Cardinals have opted to work out a one-year pact which will no doubt check in near the league minimum.
Joshua Karty signed with Arizona in December after his Rams tenure came to an end. Karty is likely on course to receive an exclusive rights free agent tender in the near future. That would set up a training camp competition with Ryland for the 2026 kicking role.
Cardinals Revise Contracts Of RB James Conner, CB Sean Murphy-Bunting
James Conner‘s immediate future is no longer in question. The veteran running back will remain in place for the Cardinals for 2026. 
Team and player have agreed to a revised contract, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports. Conner is on the books for one more year, and he was originally scheduled to carry a cap charge of $9.83MM while earning a base salary of $6.39MM. One or both figures will presumably be lowered as a result of today’s move.
[RELATED: Previewing Cardinals’ Offseason]
Conner, 31 in May, was limited to just three games in 2025 due to an ankle injury. That led to questions about a potential trade or release ahead of the final year of his contract, but instead the two-time Pro Bowler will play a sixth season in Arizona. Conner has been a key figure on offense throughout his Cardinals tenure, and while the team will likely explore running back investments this spring he will once again be counted on to handle a heavy workload if healthy.
Cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting has also worked out a restructured contract, per Pelissero’s colleague Mike Garafolo. A knee injury suffered in the spring led to surgery and landed him on the reserve/NFI list. That ensured Murphy-Bunting would miss the entire 2025 campaign. He too will enter the coming season as a pending free agent.
Murphy-Bunting was due $7.5MM for next year prior to his revision; a pay cut could also be in store in this case, something which would lower his cap hit from its scheduled $9.25MM figure. A release would have yielded notable cap savings, but instead Arizona will bank on Murphy-Bunting returning to full health. In that event, the former Buccaneer and Titan will likely be counted on to handle a starting role.
The Cardinals entered Sunday with roughly $48MM in cap space, putting them in much better financial shape than many other teams at this time of year. Nevertheless, Arizona will likely generate even more flexibility with these restructures. Given their respective health and contract statuses, it will be interesting to see how both Conner and Murphy-Bunting fare in 2026.