2026 NFL Buckeye Free Agency Tracker: Dre’Mont Jones Signs with New England Patriots, J.K. Dobbins Staying with Denver Broncos

Record-Breaking Contract for JSN

Hickman Second in Performance-Based Pay

While Ronnie Hickman’s contract situation for the 2026 NFL season remains unsettled, he received a nice boost to his 2025 pay on Monday.

The former Ohio State safety received $1,293,843 in performance-based pay – more than doubling his 2025 salary of $1,045,172 – as a reflection of his playing time relative to his salary last season. Hickman played 1,042 snaps in 2025, the most of any player on the Cleveland Browns defense.

NFL players will receive more than $542 million in Performance-Based Pay for their performance during the 2025 season. The Performance-Based Pay program is a collectively bargained benefit that compensates all players based upon their playing time and salary levels. Top 25 here pic.twitter.com/1YkTTPD9RZ

— Brian McCarthy (@NFLprguy) March 16, 2026

The Browns placed a restricted free agent tender worth $5.8 million on Hickman for the 2026 season. They could still sign him to a long-term contract extension, while another team could place an offer sheet on Hickman, though that’s unlikely as the tender would force that team to give the Browns a second-round pick in exchange for signing Hickman.

Justin Fields Traded to the Chiefs

Steelers Sign Cam & Cam

The Pittsburgh Steelers made deals with two former Ohio State players named Cameron on Tuesday.

First, the Steelers signed punter Cameron Johnston – who was previously the Steelers’ punter in 2024 – to a one-year deal.

We have signed P Cameron Johnston to a one-year contract. @BordasLaw

: https://t.co/f6EoNjadlM pic.twitter.com/JHU6qhQX46

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) March 10, 2026

A few hours later, the Steelers signed longtime captain Cameron Heyward – who was already under contract with the team, but had just one year left on his contract – to a one-year contract extension worth $32.25 million, including $16.25 million fully guaranteed, that extends his contract through the 2027 season. Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the deal will pay him an average of $18 million over the next two years and is the largest contract ever awarded to an NFL defensive player 36 years or older.

Full details for Cam Heyward: It's a 1-year extension, per The Insiders.

$32.25M total value with $16.25M fully guaranteed. Total dollars and new money avg of $18M APY makes it the largest contract awarded to an NFL defensive player in NFL history 36 years or older. pic.twitter.com/oAI7H0UXjN

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 10, 2026

J.K. Dobbins Re-Signs with Broncos

Former Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins is staying in Denver, agreeing to a deal to remain with the Broncos on Monday afternoon, just hours after the start of free agency.

#Home pic.twitter.com/OtJVOG7wRE

— Jk dobbins (@Jkdobbins22) March 9, 2026

Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Dobbins’ contract with the Broncos is a two-year deal worth $20 million with $8 million fully guaranteed at signing.

Patriots Sign Dre’Mont Jones

Former Ohio State defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones came off the market less than 20 minutes into the start of the NFL’s free agency negotiation period, agreeing to a three-year deal with the New England Patriots, where he’ll be coached by fellow former Patriots defensive lineman Mike Vrabel.

Per KPRC’s Aaron Wilson, Jones’ deal is worth $36.5 million with $23.1 million guaranteed, including a $11 million signing bonus.

#Patriots Dre"Mont Jones deal: $36.5M, $23.1M gtd, $11M signing bonus, salaries $2.3M (gtd), $9.8M (gtd), $8.8M; $60K per game active roster bonus annual, $180K workout bonus annual, annual $1M incentive playtime. Max APY: $13.166M

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 9, 2026

Decker, Bosa, Jones Ranked As Ohio State’s Top Free Agents

Taylor Decker, who started 140 games at left tackle for the Detroit Lions over the last 10 years, is ranked by ESPN as the 32nd-best player available on the NFL free agent market this year.

Joey Bosa is ranked just three spots behind him as the 35th-best player on this year’s free-agent market. The former Ohio State defensive end led the NFL with five forced fumbles last season for the Buffalo Bills.

Dre’Mont Jones is ranked by ESPN as the 60th-best free agent after a career year in 2025 in which he recorded a career-high seven sacks.

Browns Place Second-Round Tender on Ronnie Hickman

The Cleveland Browns are placing a second-round tender worth $5.8 million on restricted free agent Ronnie Hickman, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Friday. That means any team interested in signing Hickman away from the Browns would have to give Cleveland a second-round draft pick.

If Hickman signs the tender, he’ll make $5.8 million on a one-year contract in 2026 before becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2027. The Browns and Hickman could also still agree to a long-term contract.

Decker, Lattimore and Samuel Released

After 10 years with the Detroit Lions, Taylor Decker requested his release from the team last week, stating in an Instagram post that he and the team were “unable to find common ground” after discussions with the team about his future.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Taylor Decker (@__taylordecker)

Curtis Samuel was released by the Buffalo Bills after two years with the team. He was set to make $9.5 million with the team in 2026, but the Bills opted to release him after trading for Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore.

Marshon Lattimore was released by the Washington Commanders, who acquired him in a trade with the New Orleans Saints in 2024. Lattimore’s release had long been expected, as he tore his ACL last season and was due to make $18.5 million in 2026 on a contract that carried no dead money.