The NFL's new league year officially began at 4 PM ET Wednesday, and the first wave of signings confirmed the patterns that the negotiating window had telegraphed: the receiver market reached new price levels, the interior offensive line class signed faster than tackles, and several organizations that were expected to be major players in the first hour moved deliberately instead of immediately.

Among the notable first-day agreements: Romeo Doubs signed with New England on a four-year deal valued at approximately $70 million, a confirmation of Mike Vrabel's immediate investment in the offensive skill positions needed to build on the Super Bowl run. Mike Evans agreed to terms with San Francisco on a three-year deal. In the interior, multiple centers and guards signed at prices that set new market rates for the position group.

The releases that accompanied the new league year — players cut to create cap space — produced several veterans who entered Wednesday's market unexpectedly. The most significant: Arizona officially released Kyler Murray at the start of the new league year, with the team taking a $47.1 million dead cap hit to execute the move. Murray, owed $36.8 million in fully guaranteed money from the Cardinals regardless of his next destination, immediately became the most valuable free agent available at no real cost to his next team.

New England was among the most active organizations in the first hours, consistent with the pattern established in the window's final days. The signings reflect Vrabel's organizational priorities: technically reliable players who execute within a scheme and bring a competitive mentality that can be developed.

The transactions wire ran through the night. Day two of the new league year begins Thursday morning with the Murray situation and the A.J. Brown trade stalemate as the two most consequential unresolved stories in the league.

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Sources: "2026 NFL Free Agency questions & answers," NFL.com | "2026 NFL free agency live updates: Signings, trades, cuts," ESPN | "2026 NFL Free Agency Grades," Fox Sports