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Emery Jones, Jr.
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March 26, 2026

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2026 NFL Free Agency, Live Updates: AFC West

7 min read
Denver vs. Cleveland, 11-26-23

The Denver Broncos placed a second-round tender on nickel back Ja'Quan McMillian, a former undrafted free agent. McMillian has six career interceptions to go along with seven sacks and 16 tackles for loss in four seasons.

The AFC West’s free agency/offseason period began in retro mode a season ago. The Raiders decided to give Pete Carroll and Geno Smith an opportunity to run it back in Las Vegas. The experiment led to unfavorable results. As a result, Las Vegas went back to the Pacific Northwest in search of its next head coach.

Fast forward one year and a division rival repeated the test. The Chiefs reunited with a former Super Bowl-winning offensive coordinator. Could he be left to devise a new offensive scheme minus Travis Kelce? It remains a potential scenario for many anxious Chiefs fans.

Alternatively, the Chargers enter 2026 following another playoff disappointment. The team refused to stand pat and infused its offense with a brand new philosophy.

Meanwhile, in Denver, there were a slew of coaching changes despite advancing to the AFC Championship game. One of its most significant involved a former NFL quarterback.

The AFC West enters free agency in an aggressive frame of mind. Will it continue over the next month-and-a-half?

Come back to view live updates.

Kansas City Chiefs

Offensive free agents

  • QB Gardner Minshew (Reportedly agreed to terms with Cardinals)
  • TE Travis Kelce (re-signed)
  • TE Robert Tonyan, Jr.
  • WR Marquise Brown
  • WR JuJu Smith-Schuster
  • WR Tyquan Thornton (re-signed)
  • RB Kareem Hunt
  • RB Dameon Pierce
  • RB Isiah Pacheco (Reportedly agreed to terms with Lions)
  • OT Jawaan Taylor (released)

Isiah Pacheco RB-Kansas City Chiefs
Former Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco (pictured vs. the LA Rams in 2022) reportedly agreed to terms with the Detroit Lions in March.

Defensive free agents

  • DE Charles Omenihu (Reportedly agreed to terms with Commanders)
  • DE Janarius Robinson
  • DE Mike Danna (released)
  • DL Jerry Tillery
  • DL Derrick Nnadi (Reportedly agreed to terms with Colts)
  • DL Mike Pennel
  • LB Jack Cochrane
  • LB Leo Chenal (Reportedly agreed to terms with Commanders)
  • CB Nazeeh Johnson
  • CB Joshua Williams (Reportedly agreed to terms with Buccaneers)
  • CB Jaylen Watson (Reportedly agreed to terms with Rams)
  • S Bryan Cook (Reportedly agreed to terms with Bengals)
  • S Deon Bush
  • S Mike Edwards
  • LS James Winchester (re-signed)

Restricted free agents

  • OL Mike Caliendo (re-signed)
  • RB Keaontay Ingram

2026 Free Agency report/Other Notes:

  • After not retaining offensive coordinator Matt Nagy (Giants), reunited with former offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy to fill the same role
  • QB Patrick Mahomes restructured his contract to free up cap space
  • Reportedly agreed to trade CB Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for a 2026 first-round pick, 2026 fifth-round pick, 2026 sixth-round pick and a 2027 third-round pick
  • Reportedly traded a 2027 sixth-round pick to the New York Jets in exchange for QB Justin Fields
  • Released DE Mike Danna, OT Jawaan Taylor
  • Re-signed WR Tyquan Thornton on a two-year deal, TE Travis Kelce on a one-year deal, LS James Winchester on a one-year deal, OL Mike Caliendo on a one-year deal
  • Reportedly agreed to terms with RB Kenneth Walker III (Seahawks) on a three-year deal, RB Emari Demercado (Cardinals) on a one-year deal, DT Khyiris Tonga (Patriots) on a three-year deal, S Alohi Gilman (Ravens) on a three-year deal, CB Kadar Kohou (Dolphins) on a one-year deal
  • Lost QB Gardner Minshew (Cardinals), RB Isiah Pacheco (Lions), S Bryan Cook (Bengals), CB Joshua Williams (Buccaneers), CB Jaylen Watson (Rams), LB Leo Chenal (Commanders), DE Charles Omenihu (Commanders), DL Derrick Nnadi (Colts)

Los Angeles Chargers

Offensive free agents

  • QB Trey Lance
  • RB Najee Harris
  • RB Hassan Haskins
  • OT Trey Pipkins (re-signed)
  • OT Mekhi Becton (released)
  • OT Savion Washington (released)
  • OG Zion Johnson (Reportedly agreed to terms with Browns)
  • OG Trevor Penning (re-signed)
  • OG Jamaree Salyer (Reportedly agreed to terms with Dolphins)
  • OC Andre James
  • WR Keenan Allen
  • TE Tyler Conklin
  • TE Will Dissly (released)

Defensive free agents

  • DE-OLB Khalil Mack (re-signed)
  • DE-OLB Odafe Oweh (Reportedly agreed to terms with Commanders)
  • DE-OLB Del’Shawn Phillips (re-signed)
  • DL Da’shawn Hand
  • DL Otito Ogbonnia (Reportedly agreed to terms with Cowboys)
  • LB Denzel Perryman (re-signed)
  • CB Benjamin St. Juste (Reportedly agreed to terms with Packers)
  • CB Deane Leonard (re-signed)
  • S Tony Jefferson
  • LS Josh Harris (re-signed)

Restricted free agents

  • OT Austin Deculus
  • TE Tusker Fisk

2026 Free Agency report/Other Notes:

  • Former defensive coordinator Jesse Minter left the team to become the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens
  • After parting ways with OC Greg Roman, the team hired former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel to be its next offensive coordinator
  • Hired former Western Michigan DC Chris O’Leary to be its next defensive coordinator
  • Reportedly agreed to terms with DT Teair Tart on a three-year extension
  • Released OL Mekhi Becton, OT Savion Washington, TE Will Dissly
  • Reportedly agreed to terms with former Commanders OC Tyler Biadasz on a three-year deal
  • Reportedly agreed to terms with TE Charlie Kolar (Ravens) on a three-year deal, OG Cole Strange (Dolphins) on a two-year deal, RB Keaton Mitchell (Ravens) on a two-year deal, FB Alec Ingold (Dolphins) on a two-year deal, DT Dalvin Tomlinson (Cardinals) on a one-year deal, LS Josh Harris on a one-year deal
  • Re-signed OLB Khalil Mack on a one-year deal, DE Del’Shawn Phillips on a two-year deal, LB Denzel Perryman on a one-year deal, CB Deane Leonard on a one-year deal, OG Trevor Penning on a one-year deal, OT Trey Pipkins on a two-year deal
  • Lost OLB Odafe Oweh (Commanders), OG Zion Johnson (Browns), OG Jamaree Salyer (Dolphins), CB Benjamin St. Juste (Packers), DL Otito Ogbonnia (Cowboys)

Denver Broncos

Offensive free agents

  • QB Sam Ehlinger (re-signed)
  • RB JK Dobbins (re-signed)
  • FB Michael Burton
  • TE Marcedes Lewis
  • TE Adam Trautman (re-signed)
  • WR Lil’jordan Humphrey (re-signed)
  • OC Sam Mustipher

Denver vs. Cleveland, 11-26-23
The Denver Broncos re-signed veteran TE Adam Trautman, pictured, to a three-year extension.

Defensive free agents

  • DL John Franklin-Myers (Reportedly agreed to terms with Titans)
  • LB Alex Singleton (re-signed)
  • LB Justin Strnad (re-signed)
  • LB Dre Greenlaw (released and reportedly agreed to terms with 49ers)
  • S P.J. Locke (Reportedly agreed to terms with Cowboys)

Restricted free agents
  • RB Jaleel McLaughlin (re-signed)
  • TE Lucas Krull (re-signed)
  • TE Nate Adkins (re-signed)
  • OG Alex Palczewski (re-signed)
  • DL Matt Henningsen (re-signed)
  • CB Ja’Quan McMillian (assigned a second-round tender)

2026 Free Agency report/Other Notes:

  • The team decided to part ways with offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi and promoted passing game coordinator/QB coach Davis Webb to the same position
  • Agreed to terms with former Colorado defensive coordinator Robert Livingston to be its defensive passing game coordinator
  • Placed a second-round tender on CB Ja’Quan McMillian
  • Released LB Dre Greenlaw (reportedly agreed to terms with 49ers)
  • Reportedly traded a 2026 first-round pick (30th overall), 2026 third-round pick (94th overall) and a 2026 fourth-round pick (130th overall) to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for WR Jaylen Waddle and a 2026 fourth-round pick
  • Re-signed LB Justin Strnad on a three-year deal, LB Alex Singleton on a two-year deal, DL Matt Henningsen on a one-year deal, RB J.K. Dobbins, TE Adam Trautman on a three-year deal, FB Adam Prentice, OG Alex Palczweski on a two-year deal, TE Nate Adkins on a one-year deal, TE Lucas Krull on a one-year deal, QB Sam Ehlinger on a one-year deal, RB Jaleel McLaughlin on a one-year deal, WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey on a one-year deal
  • Lost DE John Franklin-Myers (Titans), S PJ Locke (Cowboys)

Las Vegas Raiders

Offensive free agents

  • QB Kenny Pickett (Reportedly agreed to terms with Panthers)
  • RB Raheem Mostert
  • RB Zamir White
  • WR Tyler Lockett
  • WR Alex Bachman
  • TE Ian Thomas
  • OG Dylan Parham (Reportedly agreed to terms with Jets)
  • OG Alex Cappa (released)
  • OT Stone Forsythe (Reportedly agreed to terms with Panthers)
  • PK Daniel Carlson

Defensive free agents

  • DE Malcolm Koonce (re-signed)
  • LB Devin White
  • LB Elandon Roberts
  • LB Jon Rhattigan
  • CB Darnay Holmes
  • CB Eric Stokes (re-signed)
  • S Jamal Adams
  • S Terrell Edmunds
  • S Lonnie Johnson
  • LS Jacob Bobenmoyer

Restricted free agents

  • DE Thomas Booker (original round tender)
  • OC Jordan Meredith (first right of refusal tender)

2026 Free Agency report/Other Notes:

  • Parted ways with head coach Pete Carroll after just one season
  • Agreed to terms with former Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak on a five-year deal to be its next head coach
  • Promoted defensive run game coordinator Rob Leonard to the role of defensive coordinator
  • Released OG Alex Cappa
  • Reportedly agreed to trade DE Maxx Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for a 2026 first-round pick and 2027 first-round pick, but the trade did not go through due to complications regarding Crosby’s physical with the Ravens
  • Re-signed CB Eric Stokes on a three-year deal, DE Malcolm Koonce on a one-year deal
  • Assigned a first right of refusal tender on OC Jordan Meredith and an original round tender on DE Thomas Booker
  • Traded a 2026 sixth-round pick to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for DB Taron Johnson and a 2026 seventh-round pick
  • Traded QB Geno Smith and a 2026 seventh-round pick to the New York Jets in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick (208th overall)
  • Reportedly agreed to terms with OC Tyler Linderbaum (Ravens) on a three-year deal, WR Jalen Nailor (Vikings) on a three-year deal, WR Dareke Young (Seahawks) on a one-year deal, FB Connor Heyward (Steelers) on a two-year deal, DE Kwity Paye (Colts) on a three-year deal, LB Nakobe Dean (Eagles) on a three-year deal, LB Quay Walker (Packers) on a three-year deal, PK Matt Gay
  • Lost QB Kenny Pickett (Panthers), OT Stone Forsythe (Panthers), OG Dylan Parham (Jets)

Photography: ©DraftNasty

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