2026 NFL free agency: Tua Tagovailoa, Stefon Diggs among 10 veteran cut candidates
CBS Sports
by
Tyler Sullivan
March 2, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The 2026 NFL free agency period is heating up as teams scramble to clear salary cap space and reshape their rosters. With the new league year approaching, several veteran players are at risk of being cut, particularly those with bloated contracts. Teams like the Minnesota Vikings, Kansas City Chiefs, and Atlanta Falcons have already begun trimming their payrolls, with notable releases such as Aaron Jones, Javon Hargrave, and Kirk Cousins. These moves highlight the league's financial restructuring phase, where teams prioritize cost management over retaining high-priced players who no longer fit their plans.
Among the potential cut candidates is Stefon Diggs of the New England Patriots. Despite his impactful 2025 season, which saw him become the team's first 1,000-yard receiver in years, Diggs' contract for the upcoming season jumps to $26.5 million—a figure that could make him expendable given his age and declining performance late last season. The Patriots may attempt to restructure his deal, but if talks fail, cutting him would free up $16.8 million in cap space.
Tua Tagovailoa of the Miami Dolphins is another key player at risk. Despite a lucrative $212.4 million contract extension signed in 2
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Originally published on CBS Sports on 3/2/2026