JACKSONVILLE – Let the negotiating begin.

The start of the 2026 NFL League Year is drawing near, which means the start of the NFL's unrestricted free agency period also is at hand – with those two periods both starting Wednesday at 4 p.m. and an equally important event starting two days earlier.

That equally important event is the so-called "negotiating period."

That opens Monday at noon. At that time, teams can begin negotiating with certified agents representing pending unrestricted free agents from other teams – and the sides can agree to terms. Contracts can be signed to make the agreements official on Wednesday at 4 p.m. – the start of the 2026 NFL League Year.

Here's a look at the 2026 Jaguars' free agency tracker, updated regularly as signings become official and as players officially agree to terms to sign or re-sign with the Jaguars: TRACKER.

A look at free agency and the Jaguars:

• Jaguars unrestricted free agents as of Monday, March 9: Dyami Brown, wide receiver; Travis Etienne Jr., running back; Dennis Gardeck, linebacker; Austin Johnson, defensive tackle; Devin Lloyd, linebacker; Greg Newsome II, cornerback; Emmanuel Ogbah, defensive end; Tim Patrick, wide receiver; Dawuane Smoot, defensive end; Andrew Wingard, safety.
• Projected free agents already re-signed by Jaguars: Christian Braswell, cornerback (exclusive rights free agent); DeeJay Dallas, running back (unrestricted free agent); Matt Dickerson, defensive tackle (UFA); Quintin Morris, tight end (UFA, agreed to terms); Keith Taylor, cornerback (restricted free agent).

How the Jaguars might approach the 2026 free agency period: Look for the Jaguars to be significantly quieter in early free agency than was the case a year ago. The Jaguars early in the 2026 free-agency period signed starters/key contributors such as center Robert Hainsey, guard Patrick Mekari, safety Eric Murray, Brown and cornerback Jourdan Lewis. This was done as the new decision-making regime of General Manager James Gladstone, Head Coach Liam Coen and Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tony Boselli sought to "raise the floor" of the roster after taking over following a 4-13 2024 season. The Jaguars went 13-4 and won the AFC South title in 2025, with all aforementioned '25 free-agent signings except Brown playing key roles and expected to play key roles and/or start in 2026. It's unlikely the Jaguars will be nearly as active this week.

The Jaguars and the salary cap: The Jaguars, after being projected significantly over the NFL's projected 2026 salary cap in recent months, reportedly restructured the contracts of several veteran players – including Lewis, Murray and Mekari – to get under the cap in advance of this week and the new League Year. The Jaguars according to Spotrac enter the week a projected $6.9 million under the projected $301.2 million 2026 cap. The cap increased by about $22 million from 2025 and is over $300 million for the first time.

The Jaguars and the transition/franchise tag: The Jaguars opted against using the franchise tag or transition tag this offseason. The two tags are designed to limit potential unrestricted free agents' ability to test the open market.

Possible positions of Jaguars need entering the offseason:

• Defensive tackle. The Jaguars led the NFL in rushing defense in 2025, but their struggles at times to create interior pass-rush pressure could make acquiring a veteran defensive tackle this offseason a priority. The top of the free-agent market could be cost-prohibitive.
• Running back, linebacker. With key offensive and defensive playmakers Etienne and Lloyd scheduled to become unrestricted free agents Wednesday, lower-profile – and more cost-effective – veterans could be alternatives at running back and outside linebacker. These are often positions that could be acquired in the draft, but a veteran running back and/or linebacker may make sense if the Jaguars lose Etienne and/or Lloyd.
• Defensive end. While Jaguars defensive ends Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen are two of the Jaguars' better defensive players, a veteran end with pass-rush ability could be added to that area at some point this offseason.
• Cornerback. With Brown still unsigned as an unrestricted free agent, free-agency – even second-wave free agency – could be an avenue to add a "second" outside corner opposite projected starter/No. 1 cornerback Travis Hunter.