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2026 NFL Free Agency, Live Updates: NFC North

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Detroit vs Green Bay, 11-23-23

Green Bay Packers free agent LT Rasheed Walker (No. 63 pictured) battles Lions free agent DE Josh Paschal (No. 93 pictured) during a Thanksgiving contest in 2023.

The 2026 NFC North free agency/offseason period comes on the heels of the Chicago Bears winning the division. After an 0-2 start, head coach Ben Johnson unleashed the wizardry of former number one overall draft pick Caleb Williams. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen led a group that ranked first in the NFL in forced turnovers (33). As a result, the team is faced with some difficult decisions. Several key members of the secondary (Nahshon Wright, Kevin Byard, Chauncey Gardner-Johnson) are unrestricted free agents. How many of those players will be back?

The Minnesota Vikings are searching for a new general manager after parting ways with Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. In Green Bay, vice president of player personnel Jon Eric-Sullivan left to become the general manager for the Miami Dolphins. The Lions chose a new offensive coordinator to lead a unit which ranked fourth in scoring offense.

Packers starting left tackle Rasheed Walker ranks as one of the division’s prized unrestricted free agents. Meanwhile, Detroit has at least five starters on defense poised to hit the free agent market.

Please visit this link for more updates over the next two months through April’s NFL Draft.

Minnesota Vikings

Offensive free agents

  • QB Carson Wentz
  • QB John Wolford
  • QB Brett Rypien
  • RB Ty Chandler
  • WR Jalen Nailor
  • OT Justin Skule
  • OT Matt Nelson

Defensive free agents

  • LB Eric Wilson
  • CB Jeff Okudah
  • CB Fabian Moreau
  • S Tavierre Thomas
  • P Ryan Wright
  • LS Andrew DePaola

Restricted Free Agents

  • LB Ivan Pace
  • TE Ben Sims

Minnesota vs. Atlanta, 12-8-24
Former Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah (pictured left) and HC Kevin O’Connell talk prior to a December 8, 2024 contest against the Atlanta Falcons.

2026 Free Agency report/Other Notes:

Detroit Lions

Offensive free agents

  • QB Kyle Allen
  • WR-Ret Kalif Raymond
  • TE Anthony Firkser
  • TE Shane Zylstra
  • OG Kayode Awosika
  • OG Trystan Colon-Castillo
  • OC Graham Glasgow (released)
  • OT Jamarco Jones
Detroit vs. New Orleans, 12-3-23
Detroit Lions free agent WR-Returner Kalif Raymond runs the ball on a reverse against the New Orleans Saints on December 3, 2023. Raymond- a two-time AP second-team All-Pro return specialist- has returned at least one punt for a score in three of the last four seasons.

Defensive free agents

  • DT DJ Reader
  • DL Levi Onwuzurike (re-signed)
  • DL Roy Lopez
  • DE Marcus Davenport
  • DE Josh Paschal
  • DE Al-Quadin Muhammad
  • LB Grant Stuard
  • LB Zach Cunningham
  • LB Ezekiel Turner
  • LB Malcolm Rodriguez
  • LB Alex Anzalone
  • CB Amik Robertson
  • CB Avonte Maddox
  • CB Jalen Mills
  • CB Arthur Maulet
  • CB Rock Ya-Sin
  • CB Dicaprio Bootle
  • S Daniel Thomas

Restricted Free Agents

  • WR Tom Kennedy
  • DE Tyrus Wheat
  • LB Trevor Nowaske

2026 Free Agency report/Other Notes:

  • In early January 2026, the Lions relieved offensive coordinator John Morton of his duties. They went on to hire former Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing to the same role
  • Traded RB David Montgomery to the Houston Texans in exchange for a 2027 seventh-round pick, 2026 fourth-round pick and OG Juice Scruggs
  • Released OC Graham Glasgow
  • OL Dan Skipper announced his retirement
  • Re-signed DL Levi Onwuzurike on a one-year deal

Green Bay Packers

Offensive free agents

  • QB Malik Willis
  • WR Romeo Doubs
  • TE John FitzPatrick
  • OC Sean Rhyan
  • OT Rasheed Walker

Detroit vs. Green Bay, 11-23-23
Romeo Doubs (No. 87 pictured) catches a ball from QB Jordan Love during pregame warmups versus Detroit in 2023. Doubs -an unrestricted free agent- posted a career-high in receiving yards (724) this past season.

Defensive free agents

  • DE Kingsley Enagbare
  • LB Quay Walker
  • LB Nick Niemann
  • CB Trevon Diggs

Restricted Free Agents:

  • DE Arron Mosby
  • DE Brenton Cox, Jr.
  • DL Jonathan Ford
  • S Zayne Anderson
  • OT Darian Kinnard
  • RB Emanuel Wilson
  • RB Chris Brooks (re-signed)
  • TE Josh Whyle

2026 Free Agency report/Other Notes

  • GM Brian Gutekunst and HC Matt LaFleur both agreed to contract extensions in late January 2026
  • Former vice president of player personnel Jon Eric-Sullivan accepted the general manager position for the Miami Dolphins
  • Released CB Trevon Diggs
  • Agreed with S Xavier McKinney on a restructured contract
  • Reportedly agreed with RB Chris Brooks on a two-year extension

Chicago Bears

Offensive free agents

  • QB Case Keenum
  • RB Travis Homer
  • WR Olamide Zaccheaus
  • WR Devin Duvernay
  • TE Durham Smythe
  • OC Ryan Bates
  • OT Braxton Jones

Defensive free agents

  • S Kevin Byard
  • S Jonathan Owens
  • S Jaquan Brisker
  • S Jaylon Jones
  • S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson
  • CB Nick McCloud
  • CB Nahshon Wright
  • CB Elijah Hicks
  • LB D’Marco Jackson
  • LB Jaylen Reeves-Maybin
  • LB Amen Ogbongbemiga (released)
  • LB Tremaine Edmunds (released)
  • DE Dominique Robinson
  • DL Andrew Billings
  • DL Chris Williams
  • DE Joe Tryon
  • LS Scott Daly

Restricted Free Agents:

  • OL Jordan McFadden
  • DE Daniel Hardy

2026 Free Agency report/Other Notes:

  • Former offensive coordinator Declan Doyle left the team to take the same role with the Baltimore Ravens
  • Released LB Amen Ogbongbemiga, LB Tremaine Edmunds

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