Everyone has been singing the San Francisco 49ers' praises after the signing of veteran receiver Mike Evans this offseason, including some of the team's players.

49ers star fullback Kyle Juszczyk is especially excited about the acquisition. He told NBC Sports Bay Area's Jennifer Lee Chan that Evans is a true No. 1 receiver that the 49ers can look at first.

“With the offense, obviously, you got to look to Mike Evans first,” Juszczyk said. “A true 1-on-1 winner on the outside, that has produced in the NFL for how long? I think that’s going to be a seamless transition. Just the right addition that we need.”

Juszczyk also noted that pairing the additions of Evans and fellow veteran wideout Christian Kirk will elevate the rest of the younger receiver room of Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing, as well as Demarcus Robinson.

“With the productivity that they’ve had and with the leadership those guys can bring, those additions aren’t just themselves, it’s about Ricky and Jay Cowing and Demarcus Robinson," Juszczyk said. "As a unit, I feel like those two can raise the whole group. Really excited about all that.”

The 49ers quietly have a solid group of pass catchers now after losing Kendrick Bourne, likely losing Jauan Jennings and probably being without Brandon Aiyuk. Evans, Pearsall, and Kirk all have quality NFL experience, with Cowing and Robinson serving as reserve players as well. With tight end George Kittle still recover from an Achilles injury, Jake Tonges should fill in nicely as well to round out the group, along with star running back Christian McCaffrey.

Adding Evans was a necessary move for the 49ers, and it's being lauded by the team's top stars.

More 49ers: Why 49ers insider doubts Brandon Aiyuk will be traded

This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers star calls Mike Evans 'the right addition that we need'

This article originally appeared on SteelersNOW.com.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have re-signed offensive lineman Ryan McCollum to a one-year contract, the team announced on Friday.

McCollum, 28, had been a restricted free agent, but was not tendered a contract by the team before last Wednesday’s deadline. The terms of the deal were not released by the team. To retain his rights as a restricted free agent, the Steelers would have had to offer McCollum a contract worth $3.52 million for the 2026 season. McCollum played under a one-year, $1.04 million contract in 2025

The team’s backup center for the last two seasons, McCollum has made three starts in four years with the Steelers, two in 2024 and one last year, all in place of Zach Frazier.

This article originally appeared on SteelersNOW.com.

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Former Falcons wide receiver DJ Chark is officially retiring from the NFL after seven seasons, he announced via Instagram on Friday evening. The 29-year-old has appeared in 76 games since entering the league in 2018, recording 216 catches for 3,100 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns.

"After much contemplation, I have decided to share a proper farewell as I navigate retirement," Chark wrote on IG. "My journey began at the age of 7 when I signed up for football, unaware of the profound impact it would have on my life. I simply loved the sport and had the unwavering support of my parents. Years later I received the support of my wife, kids, family and thousands of fans! As I write this I reflect on the challenges I've faced and overcome, as well as the rewards I've reaped. I've learned to appreciate every experience and not take any of them for granted."

Chark began his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2018. After a quiet rookie season, Chark made the Pro Bowl following his breakout 1,000-yard campaign in 2019. While he had over 700 yards in 2020, Chark hasn't been the same player since his injury riddled 2021 season.

The Falcons signed Chark in training camp before the 2025 season. Despite appearing in one preseason game, Chark did not make the 53-man roster and failed to catch on with any other teams.

"As I enter this next chapter of my life, I remain committed to being an active pillar in my community, empowering the youth through charitable work," added Chark. "The possibilities ahead are endless, and that excites me. I am grateful for all my teammates, fans, and every organization I have had the privilege to play for. All glory goes to God, 1 am forever thankful."

This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Former Falcons WR DJ Chark announces retirement from NFL

The Los Angeles Rams haven’t seen many of their free agents leave to sign with other teams, but a former fifth-round pick departed on Friday. The Carolina Panthers announced they have agreed to terms on a deal with former Rams outside linebacker Nick Hampton.

Hampton was a fifth-round pick by the Rams in 2023 out of Appalachian State. He played just 36 games with the Rams, making 17 total tackles with no sacks or quarterback hits. He played just 188 total defensive snaps, primarily contributing on special teams.

Hampton, who turns 26 in April, made a minimal impact with the Rams in his three seasons, even getting cut last December before being re-signed to the practice squad. He was then elevated a handful of times and wound up playing 12 games, plus three more in the postseason.

He’ll now join a Panthers defense as a depth piece, getting a fresh start close to where he grew up in Anderson, South Carolina.

This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: NFL free agency: Former Rams OLB Nick Hampton signing with Panthers

The top two Seattle Seahawks players from the 2023 NFL draft are staying put in the Emerald City. On Friday evening, the Seahawks announced they were exercising the fifth year options for cornerback Devon Witherspoon and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. As first round picks, the team is awarded this opportunity to keep them on the team-friendly rookie deal for an extra year if they wish, but they must exercise after the player's third year.

Seattle exercising the fifth year options for JSN and Witherspoon was certainly predictable. Both players have far exceeded their already lofty expectations and are quickly making the case they are on their way to being some of the best Seahawks of all-time. In 2025, JSN was the first Seahawk to be named Offensive Player of the Year, as he led the entire NFL with 1,793 receiving yards, along with ten touchdowns.

As for Witherspoon, he has been a Pro Bowler in each of his first three years in the league. While he may not be lighting up the stat sheet, that is more of a result of teams generally throwing the ball away from wherever he is roaming. Still, despite his slender frame, he is among the most physical corners in the game. In fact, there is quite the case to be made he should have been named Super Bowl LX MVP, as his constant pressure of Drake Maye led to the game-sealing pick-six from Uchenna Nwosu.

The Seahawks are reportedly prioritizing getting an extension this year for JSN, and they should, as he is likely to command a salary that is at least $40 million per year. Every year they wait past this offseason will only raise his price. As for Witherspoon, he likely won't come cheap either, but I am sure general manager John Schneider and his team are hard at work trying to figure out how to keep him in the Emerald City long term.

This article originally appeared on Seahawks Wire: Seahawks news: JSN and Devon Witherspoon get 5th year team options

3 moves Broncos should make next after trading for Jaylen Waddle originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Denver Broncos had a slow, quiet start to the free-agent signing period, but once news of a trade broke, Broncos Country celebrated getting the kind of player it knew the team needed. 

The Broncos acquired Jaylen Waddle from the Miami Dolphins earlier in the week and then made their first outside free-agent signing, bringing in safety Tycen Anderson to bolster the special teams unit. When you combine that with all of the players the Broncos brought back in free agency, it suddenly looks like a great offseason. 

But it's not quite complete. There are still some moves the team should consider to make its case as a Super Bowl contender in 2026 even stronger. 

3 moves Broncos should make after trading for Jaylen Waddle

Sign defensive lineman Greg Gaines

The Broncos lost John Franklin-Myers to free agency and will turn to third-round pick Sai'vion Jones as his replacement this coming season. If the second-year player isn't ready for the role, there will be a battle between the likes of Eyioma Uwazurike and Jordan Jackson for playing time. 

Bringing in an experienced veteran such as Greg Gaines on a cheap one-year deal just to make sure there is enough depth on the roster wouldn't be the worst idea. 

Trade a young wide receiver

The Broncos have a solid one-two combination in Waddle and Courtland Sutton and now they may have the room to move one of the young wide receivers behind them. 

Marvin Mims Jr. has been a Pro-Bowl return specialist and Pat Bryant is still in the early stages of development and likely wouldn't bring a huge return despite being a third-round pick. The Broncos might be able to get a team to send over a mid-round draft pick for Troy Franklin, however. 

Sign linebacker Devin White

The Broncos took a gamble by re-signing Justin Strnad and Alex Singleton before releasing Dre Greenlaw this offseason. That could leave the team with major issues at the inside linebacker position, so bringing in a guy like Devin White, an experienced player with a Super Bowl ring, could make plenty of sense. 

HOT READ:4 logical destinations for Broncos to send Troy Franklin to in a trade

White played in all 17 games for the Las Vegas Raiders last season. His 174 total tackles were the third-most in the league and he added 2.5 sacks and an interception. There isn't much available at this position on the market, but bringing in a guy like White to have another option is a move the team should absolutely make. 

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The Cleveland Browns continue their pre-draft visits as the 2026 NFL draft draws closer, just over a month away from now in Pittsburgh. The latest name to the list is Georgia tight end Oscar Delp, who visited the team facility on Friday. Delp has a connection to Browns' head coach Todd Monken, who helped recruit him to Georgia in 2022. He said part of the reason he went to Georgia was Monken.

There's a lot to like when you turn on Oscar Delp's tape, although the production numbers don't suggest it. His usage over the years with the Bulldogs doesn't make sense when you just watch the tape, because you can see how physically talented he is at the tight end position.

Delp has great speed for the position and can really challenge defenses vertically, especially if they try to cover him with a linebacker. He's a plus-level blocker, which provides you the versatility to line him up all over the field. Delp is a nice route runner and does a good job elevating to get the football. Pairing him with Harold Fannin Jr. in Cleveland would be truly awesome to see.

This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns NFL Draft: Georgia TE Oscar Delp visits Berea on top-30 trip

Chiefs trade proposal would add 1,163-yard All-Pro playmaker for Patrick Mahomes originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Kansas City Chiefs' wide receiver room is filled with young talent, but lacks proven production outside of Rashee Rice.

As a result, FanSided's Austen Bundy believes the Chiefs should try to trade for New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave to help quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

"Olave would shore up a wide receiver room that is topped by Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy by providing a veteran presence and a more stable catch-rate than Hollywood Brown," Bundy said.

Olave quietly had a career year in 2025, snagging 100 receptions for 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns, which earned him second-team All-Pro honors.

New Orleans would be foolish to trade Olave after the year he just had, but we've seen crazier things happen, and the Saints could consider moving him if they are presented a package they can't resist.

The Chiefs, who have two first-round picks in April's draft and a ton of future capital, have the firepower to make a move for Olave and add a big-time receiving threat for Mahomes.

Olave would take Kansas City's offense to new heights and give Mahomes the dynamic No. 1 receiver he has lacked since the departure of Tyreek Hill in 2022.

It's still incredibly unlikely that the Saints trade Olave, but there's always a chance, and the Chiefs would be able to put together an incredibly compelling package for the budding superstar playmaker.

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A former Carolina Panthers pass catcher is hanging up his gloves.

Wideout D.J. Chark announced his retirement from the NFL on Friday. The 29-year-old receiver, who played one of his seven NFL seasons with the Panthers, posted the following on Instagram this evening:

View this post on Instagram

Chark, an Alexandria, La. native and Louisiana State University product, was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He’d spend his first four pro campaigns there, amassing 147 receptions for 2,042 yards and 15 touchdowns over 43 games.

Following a one-year stint for the Detroit Lions in 2022, Chark signed with the Panthers in the offseason of 2023. He ended up starting in 11 of his 15 outings for Carolina, recording 35 catches for 525 yards and five touchdowns.

His last regular-season down came as a member of the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024.

Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.

This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Former Panthers WR D.J. Chark announces retirement from NFL

While not everyone has loved how the Cincinnati Bengals handled some of the contracts, cap hits and salary cap in NFL free agency, most agree on one thing: 

The Bengals got much better with their two big swings in free agency. 

Boye Mafe is an edge rusher who echoes the initial Trey Hendrickson signing years ago and helps the pass-rush. Bryan Cook is a massive upgrade at safety who can fix a years-long problem. 

Sketching out the best moves of NFL free agency to date, PFF’s Gordon McGuinness highlighted the Mafe move: “Mafe has earned a PFF overall grade above 70.0 and produced 40 or more pressures in each of the past three seasons.”

The praise was just as high for the Cook addition: 

“Cook's 83.5 PFF overall grade in 2025 ranked fourth among all safeties. Meanwhile, the Bengals‘ starting safeties ranked tied for 57th and 72nd. This moves the needle for Cincinnati‘s defense, giving it a sure tackler who notched PFF grades above 80.0 both against the run and in coverage last season.”

The Bengals added Jonathan Allen to the defensive line, too, in the hopes of boosting the interior pass-rush in a notable way before the draft. 

Adding a veteran at linebacker and more edge rushers and cornerbacks is next on the to-do list for the Bengals, with those last two items very much in play at No. 10 overall in the draft. 

This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals still look like big winners for Boye Mafe, Bryan Cook signings

Chicago Bears praised for trade with Buffalo Bills, while Buffalo questioned for making deal originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Buffalo Bills obviously had an issue at wide receiver last season, and attempted to go out and fix that by trading for DJ Moore. 

With one of the league’s elite quarterbacks in Josh Allen, the expectation is to have a team good enough to win a Super Bowl around him. That urgency led to a potential trade with the Chicago Bears.

However, not everyone believes the move was worth it, including ESPN’s Seth Walder, who recently broke down the deal.

“You can understand how the Bills got to this point,” he wrote. “They have an all-world quarterback but have failed to surround him with enough receiving talent and wanted to rectify that issue. Ultimately, I think the Bills' instinct at wide receiver is correct. But to pay real draft capital for the right to take on what is likely an overpriced contract and add extra guarantees is far from optimal.”

At the end of the day, contracts are what they are in the NFL. If the Bills didn't trade for Moore, another team in the NFL likely would've and given up similar draft capital. 

The Bills believe he can take them over the top, and until we see whether it was the right decision, it's tough to grade just yet.

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The NFL draft is a little more than a month away, and the Arizona Cardinals are busy evaluating players and then creating their player rankings. Some analysts already have player rankings. giving us big boards to look at.

One is ESPN's Field Yates. He has an updated list of his top 50 prospects in the 2026 NFL draft.

Since the Cardinals own the third overall pick, they are guaranteed to get one of the top prospects. Who are those guys?

Let's have a look at the top 10.

Field Yates' top 10 prospects

1. Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza
2. Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love
3. Texas Tech EDGE David Bailey
4. Ohio State EDGE Arvell Reese
5. Ohio State LB Sonny Styles
6. Ohio State S Caleb Downs
7. Ohio State WR Carnell Tate
8. Miami OT Francis Mauigoa
9. Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson
10. Miami EDGE Rueben Bain Jr.

Possibilities for the Cardinals

If you look at the pattern the Cardinals have used in the draft for the last three years, they have only selected players from the Big Ten and SEC in the first and second rounds. That would eliminate Love, Bailey, Mauigoa, Tyson and Bain.

But that might simply be coincidental.

Mendoza will go first overall.

They wouldn't likely take a safety or a linebacker in the top 10. The same likely goes for a running back.

That would leave Reese, Bailey, Bain, Tyson, Tate or Mauigoa.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: 2026 NFL draft: Top 10 prospects according to Field Yates

The Deshaun Watson contract situation within the Cleveland Browns organization sums up a team still looking for its franchise QB after almost 30 years. It should be studied really.

It's not like the Browns could see into the future with Watson, but the financial strain his contract has put on the organization is like an unbreakable chokehold. Watson will be owed upwards of $45 million for the 2026 NFL season and for other seasons in which he may never take a snap.

On the latest episode of the Orange and Brown Talk Podcast, host Dan Labbe and Browns beat reporters Mary Kay Cabot and Ashley Bastock discussed the haunting dilemma.

“And that is the fact that they are still cap-strapped because of all the dead money that they have for some of their veteran players that are no longer here,” she said. “And then the Deshaun Watson contract, I mean, that contract is still counting, I think it’s $46 million against the cap this year. It’s in the mid-40s, and that is a big chunk of change for a player who might not even start for you this season.”

The cap space could easily go to other free agents to bolster the roster, but the money owed to Watson sits in limbo and is immovable, to the point that it is laughable at best.

Dan Labbe would go on to say, “Deshaun Watson is counting $40-some million against the cap this year, $44, almost $45 million dollars against the cap. And you don’t even know if he’s going to start for you. You don’t even know if he’s going to play a snap for you,” he said.

Using up cap space for zero production has become the norm for the Cleveland Browns, especially at the quarterback position. The reality of it is, the cap situation will not go away for at least two seasons, and the Browns are stuck between a rock and a hard place, held hostage by the whole situation.

This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: The ugly financials & haunting contract of Browns' Deshaun Watson

The Jacksonville Jaguars have faced a tight salary cap situation all offseason, and there is a very specific reason for that.

Even after a quiet free agency, Jacksonville still has just $5.98 million in salary cap space. Only five teams have fewer.

So, where has all of the Jaguars' cap space gone? Well, a large portion of it is devoted to dead cap.

In short, dead money is dollars that have been paid to a player but haven't yet been accounted for against the salary cap. Just because a player is released or traded, some of those cap charges still have to hit the books.

According to Over the Cap, of the $301.2 million in salary cap dollars that could be spent by the Jaguars this season, $53.34 of that is in the form of dead cap and can't be utilized. That is the seventh-most in the NFL.

The reason that the Jaguars' dead cap total is so high is because of all the roster turnover that took place last season under GM James Gladstone in his first year at the helm.

Financially, the Jaguars will be absorbing a lot of those previous roster decisions in 2026, but those deals will then be off the books going into 2027.

Jacksonville Jaguars' dead money on 2026 salary cap

• CB Tyson Campbell: $19.5M
• WR Gabe Davis: $14.6M
• CB Greg Newsome: $7.05M
• S Darnell Savage: $6.2M
• WR Dyami Brown: $1.92M
• IDL Khalen Saunders: $1.86M
• TE Johnny Mundt: $500,000
• OL Javon Foster: $398,532
• IDL Jordan Jefferson: $391,538
• RB Tank Bigsby: $230,530
• IDL Tyler Lacy: $171,780
• CB Deantre Prince: $166,114
• RB Keilan Robinson: $140,978

Gladstone recently discussed the reason behind the Jaguars' quiet approach to free agency, highlighting the team wanting to preserve the 2027 compensatory picks they are projected to land. However, the Jaguars' limited spending power is likely a factor as well.

This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: Jaguars near top in salary cap category teams don't want to be a part of

Aaron Donald didn’t just destroy opposing offenses. He wreaked havoc on the Los Angeles Rams’ own offense in practice.

Sean McVay even joked that Donald holding out was good for the Rams offense in 2017 and 2018 because he wasn’t wrecking their game plan snap in and snap out during training camp.

Rob Havenstein, who joined Donald in retirement this offseason, has some experience trying to block the all-world defensive lineman. He was asked on a podcast recently what it was like to go up against him in practice and he says “literally nobody blocked him.”

He even said that if you did luck into stopping Donald one play, you knew the next was not going to go well.

“Everyone always asks me – especially when it comes to Aaron – it’s like, ‘Hey, how’d you block Aaron in practice? What was that like?’” he said. “And I was like, ‘Nobody blocked him. Literally, nobody blocked him.’ If you happened to block him on a play, you were being like, ‘All right, coach. Time out real quick. I’m about to get put on my a--. Next play, it ain’t going to go good for me, so just throw the play somewhere else.’”

Rob Havenstein on who blocked AD in practice… “literally nobody blocked him” 😂🐐 pic.twitter.com/cSKe1mxMV1

— Rams Tapes 🇵🇷 (@RamsTapes) March 19, 2026

Donald is a surefire first-ballot Hall of Famer and one of the greatest players in NFL history, so it’s hardly surprising to hear Havenstein talk about him in such high regard. He lived in opposing backfields and couldn’t be stopped by the Rams’ own linemen.

The offensive line could take a breath when he went off the field because they knew that when he was out there, they were in for it.

This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rob Havenstein says what it was like to face Aaron Donald in practice

The future of receiver Brandon Aiyuk is one of the biggest storylines to watch for the San Francisco 49ers this offseason. After reports that the team would release him, it sounds as if Aiyuk's status is a little more complicated than that.

Ideally, the 49ers would still like to recoup something for Aiyuk with a trade. But ESPN's 49ers reporter Nick Wagoner doesn't think that's likely. He told "The John Keim Report" that he doubts a trade will happen because of Aiyuk's contract.

“I personally don’t think there will be a team that is going to trade for him," Wagoner said. "Brandon Aiyuk sort of has a de facto no-trade clause without having a no-trade clause in the sense that his current contract—if any team trades for him, they’re gonna want him to take a reworked contract. So he can have say on whether he does that or not. That’s why I find it very hard to believe the 49ers are gonna find a trade partner that’s willing to give up something to get him under his current contract.”

Nick Wagoner on the 49ers possibly trading Brandon Aiyuk:

“I personally don’t think there will be a team that is going to trade for him. Brandon Aiyuk sorta has a de facto no trade clause without having a no trade clause in the sense that his current contact— if any team trades… pic.twitter.com/LR7xaBACQ3

— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) March 20, 2026

Aiyuk has a $14.6 million cap hit in 2026, according to Over The Cap, with some insane base salaries in upcoming seasons. That's a lot for a team to absorb for a player who has been effectively absent for more than a year.

The other element Wagoner is considering is Aiyuk's not-so-secret desire to play for the Washington Commanders. If they're the only team willing to acquire Aiyuk, there is no incentive for Washington to agree to any demands from the 49ers.

Aiyuk's time as a 49ers player is basically over, but his NFL future is yet to be decided.

More 49ers: Mac Jones trade may not happen, and that's probably best for 49ers

This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: Why 49ers insider doubts Brandon Aiyuk will be traded

Bills let key offensive depth leave for Vikings for just $700,000 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

It didn't seem like that much money.

Apparently, though, the Buffalo Bills decided that $700,000 was too much to pay to keep around a key offensive contributor.

On Friday afternoon, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported this:

"The Bills will not match the offer sheet to OL Ryan Van Demark, who is headed to the Vikings on a one-year, $4.2 million fully guaranteed deal, sources tell The Insiders."

The key here is that the Bills had extended a qualifying offer to Van Demark to a qualifying tender that would be worth $3.5 million over one year.

So the comparison here really isn't between $4.2 million and 0. It's just between $4.2 and $3.5 million.

And the Bills didn't want to pay that.

MORE: Eagles' new signing flew himself as a pilot to Philadelphia

Buffalo had five days to match the Van Demark offer after the Vikings made it, and evidently, they chose not to.

Van Demark is a key depth lineman who can play in different spots.

The 6-foot-6, 307-pound Van Demark played in all 17 games for the Bills in 2025, starting four.

He had played 26 games over the previous two seasons, including two starts.

That, a bit surprisingly, is the end of his time in Buffalo.

Van Demark is now heading to Minnesota to put on the purple and play for the Vikings.

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College pro days are in full swing and NFL teams are bringing in lots of potential prospects for the 2026 NFL draft in for pre-draft visits. You can keep up with all the Pittsburgh Steelers pre-draft visits on our tracker. On Friday, 93.7 The Fan confirmed four big-time visits for Friday that will count against the Steelers

One of the players the Steelers are bringing in for a Top 30 visit on Friday is Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriquez. This is in addition to North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton, Washington cornerback Tacario Davis and Georgia Tech offensive lineman Keylan Rutledge.

#Steelers visits Friday

- Washington CB Tacario Davis
- North Dakota state QB Cole Payton
- Texas Tech LB Jacob Rodriguez
- Georgia Tech OL Keylan Rutledge

— 93.7 The Fan (@937theFan) March 20, 2026

Rodriquez is the picture you see when you look like inside linebacker in the dictionary. He's not going to blow anyone away on the track, although he did run a very good 4.57-second 40 at the combine, and there are going to be more fluid athletes in this class. But none of them play with the football instincts, high football IQ and intensity that Rodriquez does. Rodriquez is a solid third-round pick and a guy the Steelers could use one of their three picks in that round on.

This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers host physical LB Jacob Rodriguez for Top 30 visit

Pittsburgh Steelers fans received a scare on Friday morning when reports began to surface that legendary defensive tackle “Mean” Joe Greene had passed away at age 79. However, Steelers Nation was later able to breathe a sigh of relief.

As it turns out, the NFL legend was the subject of a death hoax, and his family passed along the news that he is alive and well. The original rumor began circulating on an AI-generated page on Facebook, which creates fake news for engagement.

NFL reporter John McClain spoke to Greene’s family and passed along the good news on social media.

MORE: 2026 NFL mock draft: Ohio State takeover & only 1 QB

“Fortunately, Joe Greene has NOT died. I got that from his family. That report was fake news,” McClain shared on X. “Joe is doing great!!!”

Greene played 13 seasons in the NFL, recording 77.5 sacks and 16 fumble recoveries. He was a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, won four Super Bowls, and earned 10 Pro Bowl nods.

He is the last living member of the legendary Steel Curtain defense.

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One of the most notable things that needed to be re-worked this offseason by the New Orleans Saints was their special teams unit. While Charlie Smyth showed a little bit of promise last year, and Zach Wood is a long-time staple of the franchise, the punter spot and return positions were all somewhat in limbo. One of the first moves the team made in response to that was signing punter Ryan Wright to a four-year contract, solidifying a role that has been hit-or-miss for years.

On top of that, though, there is a previous connection between Wright and current Saints long snapper Zach Wood, which makes for a positive start to his tenure here immediately. Wright noted recently in an interview with Meagan Glover of WGNO-TV that he and Wood go back to his college days.

"When I was here at Tulane, he would come out here with Thomas (Morstead) and Wil (Lutz), and get some work in, so we go way back," Wright said. "I would warm him up a little bit, play some catch with him, back when I was a freshman here, and it's just so cool that I get to be a teammate with him now."

New #Saints punter Ryan Wright (@rjwright14_) says his relationship with Zach Wood dates back to his freshman year at Tulane.

"When I was here at Tulane, he would come out here with Thomas (Morstead) & Wil (Lutz) & get some work in. So we go way back."

(1/2).... pic.twitter.com/ZJ0pIalZxB

— Meagan Glover (@MeaganGTV) March 17, 2026

This means that the two could go back as far as 2018, Wright's first season at Tulane, which means they could have known each other for nearly a decade at this point. With how much turnover has been experienced on special teams since Wil Lutz and Thomas Morstead were let go, it is good to see two players having some work together in the past, as the rest of the roles continue to be filled in.

This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Saints' new punter Ryan Wright shares history with snapper Zach Wood

The New England Patriots are reportedly hosting Ole Miss wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling on a top-30 visit ahead of the 2026 NFL draft, according to NFL analyst Ryan Fowler.

Stribling was an electric wide receiver for the Rebels. The wideout recorded 55 receptions for 811 yards and six touchdowns last season. He began his career at Washington State in 2021, where he earned All-PAC-12 honorable mention as a freshman.

The wide receiver played at Oklahoma State in 2023 and 2024 and had a career-high 882 receiving yards and six touchdowns in his 2024 campaign.

Stripling measures at 6-foot-2 and 207 pounds. He has speed and great jump-ball skills to serve as a real playmaker in the right offense.

Source: Ole Miss WR De’Zhaun Stribling has visits set up with both the Chicago Bears & New England Patriots.

6’2”, 207 ran 4.36 in Indy. Excellent vertical ability with legit juice after the catch.

— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) March 19, 2026

The Patriots need a dynamic playmaking receiver, and Stribling could be that player.

Stefon Diggs is no longer on the roster, and Demario Douglas is entering the final season of his contract. The Patriots signed Romeo Doubs in free agency, but there are serious question marks surrounding the offensive pieces around quarterback Drake Maye for his third NFL season.

Stribling would be the perfect wide receiver to strengthen the position.

Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.

This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Patriots reportedly set up pre-draft visit with playmaking SEC wideout

Following the Indianapolis Colts' latest move at offensive tackle, what is the current state of this position group, and what does the current depth chart look like?

On Friday, the Colts announced that they re-signed free agent Luke Tenuta. His presence will help bolster the depth and competition on the back end of the depth chart, giving the Colts a swing tackle option off the bench.

Leading the way at this position is left tackle Bernhard Raimann. With Braden Smith now a member of the Houston Texans, Jalen Travis is in line to be the Colts' starting right tackle this season.

As a rookie in 2025, Travis didn't see extensive playing time until Week 14, when he took over for Smith, whose season ended on IR. In those games, Travis held his own, allowing one sack and 12 pressures over 175 pass-blocking snaps. He also graded out well as a run-blocker by PFF's metrics.

While the Colts appear to have their two starting tackles on the roster, there are real question marks around the depth of this unit.

Even with Tenuta back in the mix, he has appeared in only three games offensively in his career, while Blake Freeland has hardly played since his rookie season in 2023 and has been inconsistent when called upon in his career.

Other tackles on the roster include Jack Wilson and Bayron Matos.

Colts projected offensive tackle depth chart after latest roster move

• Bernhard Raimann
• Jalen Travis
• Luke Tenuta
• Blake Freeland
• Jack Wilson
• Bayron Matos

Re-signing Tenuta should not stop GM Chris Ballard from continuing to add to this position, whether it be in free agency or the NFL draft.

This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: NFL free agency: Colts updated OT depth chart after re-signing Luke Tenuta

College pro days are in full swing and NFL teams are bringing in lots of potential prospects for the 2026 NFL draft in for pre-draft visits. You can keep up with all the Pittsburgh Steelers pre-draft visits on our tracker. On Friday, 93.7 The Fan confirmed four bigtime visits for Friday including North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton.

The Steelers attended the NDSU pro day just a day earlier and were impressed enough by Payton's workout to get him to Pittsburgh 24 hours later. This is in addition to Washington's Tacario Davis, Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriquez and Georgia Tech offensive lineman Keylan Rutledge.

#Steelers visits Friday

- Washington CB Tacario Davis
- North Dakota state QB Cole Payton
- Texas Tech LB Jacob Rodriguez
- Georgia Tech OL Keylan Rutledge

— 93.7 The Fan (@937theFan) March 20, 2026

Payton is quickly gaining momentum among the draft community thanks to an outstanding performance at the NFL Scouting Combine. Payton absolutely passes the eye test for a dual-threat NFL quarterback. His ability to beat teams with his arm and his legs gives the look of a college Josh Allen when he was at Wyoming. Don't be shocked if, in a questionable quarterback class, Payton comes off the board in the third round, where the Steelers just happen to have three picks.

This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers bring in sleeper QB prospect Cole Payton for pre-draft visit

The Chicago Bears have been busy in free agency shoring up some key needs on the roster, adding some new faces and bringing back some familiar ones. So how has that impacted Chicago's plans for the 2026 NFL Draft?

There are some obvious needs following the first wave of free agency, including defensive tackle, edge rusher and safety. The Bears didn't really make a splash in the defensive trenches, adding a couple of depth options in Neville Gallimore and Kentavius Street and not really addressing the edge. Meanwhile, Chicago signed Super Bowl-winning safety Coby Bryant, but both Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker signed with other teams, which leaves a starting safety job to fill in the draft.

We've rounded up the latest 2026 NFL mock drafts, where experts agree the Bears will address defense at 25th overall, and there's a new favorite to land with Chicago after free agency.

USA Today: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

Nate Davis: "Need a Monster of the Midway? How about a 6-foot-4, 200-pound DB with a penchant for big hits and finding the ball? And it certainly seems like the Bears could use one with All-Pro Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker leaving the back line during free agency. McNeil-Warren and recently signed Coby Bryant could equate to a nice recovery plan."

The Athletic: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

Dan Wiederer: "One thing has become apparent during all these pre-draft exercises: The menu of players available at No. 25 is consistently appealing. In this instance, the depth of the edge rusher class helps swing things in McNeil-Warren’s favor, with the Bears adding another weapon to the back end of their defense. Speed: check. Size: check. Passion: check. Playmaking ability: check. General manager Ryan Poles has long contended that safety is the hardest position to evaluate for the draft. But energetic, productive players like McNeil-Warren make it easier. His physicality and fluidity will pair well with newcomer Coby Bryant."

ESPN: Zion Young, DE, Missouri

Mel Kiper Jr.: "The Bears had 35 sacks (tied for 22nd) and a lowly 28.0% pressure rate (29th) last season. Montez Sweat had 10 of those sacks, but there wasn't much beyond him. Dayo Odeyingbo was signed last offseason to be the second guy off the edge, but he managed one sack over eight games before an Achilles injury ended his season. Despite struggling to find consistent quarterback pressure for a few years now, Chicago hasn't used a top-50 pick on an edge rusher since Leonard Floyd went ninth in 2016. Let's change that. Young had 6.5 sacks and 46 pressures last season, playing with power and a full-go motor. He'd bring some intensity to the Bears' front."

NFL.com: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

Daniel Jeremiah: "McNeil-Warren has the size, length and playmaking ability to fill the void left by Jaquan Brisker -- in fact, I believe EMW would be an upgrade at the position."

CBS Sports: Akheem Mesidor, DL, Miami

Josh Edwards: "Edge rusher and defensive tackle are probably the most impactful positions Chicago could add. Akheem Mesidor is an older prospect who should be able to contribute immediately opposite Montez Sweat."

Yahoo! Sports: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

Charles McDonald: "Woods’ draft day slide stops here with the Bears adding a real home run swing at a position of desperate need. Chicago’s defensive line was not stout enough last season and, at his best, Woods can be an impact defender at multiple alignments along the interior. The Bears have tried their hand at a few defensive tackle prospects over the last few years, but Woods has a higher floor than their recent Day 2 ventures."

NBC Sports: T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson

Kyle Dvorchak: "The Bears made several big additions in free agency. The one spot they failed to address was EDGE. They were widely believed to be a favorite to land one of Maxx Crosby or Trey Hendrickson, but neither move materialized. Now they turn to Parker, who totaled 21.5 sacks in three years at Clemson."

Sporting News: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

Vinnie Iyer: "The Bears need to do more at safety after getting Coby Bryant from the Seahawks to help replace departing free agents Kevin Byard and Jaquon Brisker. McNeil-Warren would be a solid, strong safety thumper to pair with the smooth-covering Bryant."

Athlon Sports: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

Luke Easterling: "Coby Bryant was a big addition in free agency, but after losing both Kevin Byard III and Jaquan Brisker, the Bears still need to fill one more safety spot in their starting lineup. This would be an ideal scenario in that regard, as McNeil-Warren could easily be a top-20 pick with his combination of size, range, and playmaking ability. He’s a hard-hitting presence on the back end, and would be a fantastic blend of need and value for Chicago."

Bleacher Report: T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson

Matt Holder: "General manager Ryan Poles confirmed that the Bears were involved in the Maxx Crosby sweepstakes, which isn't surprising since the team has been looking for a defensive end to play opposite Sweat for a while now. The need remains and Parker fits what defensive coordinator Dennis Allen likes at the position as a physical run defender who can win with power as a pass-rusher."

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 2026 NFL mock draft roundup: New favorite emerges for Bears at No. 25

The Indianapolis Colts re-signed one of their own free agents.

The team announced on Friday that they are bringing back offensive tackle Luke Tenuta.

Why the Colts re-signed free agent OT Luke Tenuta

Tenuta was a restricted free agent this offseason. With the Colts' non-tendering Tenuta, he became an unrestricted free agent and was able to sign where he pleased.

Tenuta would appear in two games offensively last season, playing 28 total snaps. He would allow one pressure and no sacks over 13 pass-blocking snaps. Tenuta played 27 special teams snaps over four games as well, per PFF.

For much of the year, Tenuta was inactive on Sundays as the fourth offensive tackle behind Bernhard Raimann, Braden Smith, and Jalen Travis. Although once Smith was placed on IR, Tenuta became the third option.

(This article will be updated.)

This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: NFL free agency: Colts re-sign free agent OT Luke Tenuta

New York Giants linebacker Abdul Carter is changing his jersey number once again, this time to No. 3 for the 2026 season. The team made the announcement official via social media on Friday.

It's official 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/ApNZ0IXI2I

— New York Giants (@Giants) March 20, 2026

Carter was the third overall selection in the 2025 NFL draft out of Penn State. As a rookie, he wore No. 51 and posted four sacks along with 43 total tackles.

The number switch continues a saga that started right after the draft. Carter first tried to claim No. 56, but it is retired for Giants legend Lawrence Taylor. He then pushed for No. 11, his college number that is retired for Phil Simms. However, the Simms family objected, forcing him to choose 51.

The No. 3 jersey was previously worn by quarterback Russell Wilson, who is a free agent and will not be back with the Giants. Carter never seemed to fully embrace 51, so this change offers a clean slate entering his second year.

Fans are buzzing about the update, eager to see the young star in his new uniform during the upcoming campaign.

This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: New York Giants' Abdul Carter switches to jersey No. 3

The Indianapolis Colts signed free agent defensive tackle Jerry Tillery, and Over the Cap has those contract details.

Tillery signed a one-year deal worth $1.487 million. Of that total contract value, $1.3 million is in the form of a base salary, with $750,000 guaranteed. Tillery also earned a $187,500 signing bonus.

In total, that's $937,500 in guarantees, and Tillery comes with a 2026 salary cap hit of $1.262 million.

Jerry Tillery's fit with Colts

Over the last four seasons, Tillery has filled more of a rotation role, averaging 452 snaps per year during that span. The bulk of his NFL snaps have come rushing the quarterback. Tillery spent the 2025 season with the Kansas City Chiefs, recording 12 pressures while playing some special teams snaps as well.

The addition of Tillery provides added competition to the defensive tackle rotation behind DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart. Perhaps the hope is that Tillery can provide an added pass rush presence, competing with Adetomiwa Adebawore and Colby Wooden, who won't be playing nose tackle with the Colts, for playing time.

Tillery's presence can help elevate the competition up front, which in turn can help raise the level of play.

If the Colts were to release Tillery during roster cutdowns, Indianapolis would incur a dead cap hit of $937,500.

This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: NFL free agency: Jerry Tillery's 2026 salary cap hit with Colts

The Cleveland Browns continue to meet with every high-profile wide receiver in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Today, it is Washington's standout pass catcher, Denzel Boston, who has come through Berea for a top-30 pre-draft visit. Boston joins other projected first round wide receivers like Ohio State's Carnell Tate, USC's Makai Lemon, Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson, and Indiana's Omar Cooper Jr. as wide receivers who have visited the Browns leading up to the NFL Draft.

Boston sits as the No. 22 player on the consensus board, so he is a potential target when the Browns come on the clock with the 24th overall pick in the draft.

Washington WR Denzel Boston will take one of his 12 scheduled pre-draft 30 visits with the Browns today. The #27 player on my top 50 big board.

The Browns own picks 6 and 24 and their top two needs entering the draft are WR and LT.

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 20, 2026

What Boston could bring to the Browns

Measuring in at the NFL Combine at over 6-foot-3 and 212 pounds, Boston is a big-bodied receiver who is a ball-winning X receiver at the catchpoint. This is a trait the Browns desperately need on their roster as they look to overhaul their entire wide receiver room.

Boston is coming off back-to-back seasons with over 800 yards and 60 catches for the Huskies. He has a total of 20 touchdowns over the past two seasons at the college level as well.

While Boston did not run a 40-yard dash at his pro day or at the NFL Combine, he did run impressive agility drills at his pro day for his size. Boston ran a 6.8 three-cone drill, a 4.3 short shuttle, and hit 37.5 inches on his vertical jump.

This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns bring in Denzel Boston for top-30 visit ahead of 2026 NFL Draft

If anyone wanted more fuel to the fire of the ongoing A.J. Brown and New England Patriots trade speculation, they got it in the form of an offseason workout involving the three-time All-Pro receiver and All-Pro safety Kevin Byard.

The Patriots signed Byard to a one-year deal in free agency, and he obviously has a close connection with Brown, who was his former teammate at the Tennessee Titans. Yet, the timing of the images surfacing on social media has generated serious buzz.

Brown has been the subject of trade talks throughout the offseason, with the Philadelphia Eagles reportedly considering dealing him to another team. The Patriots have been at the forefront of those negotiations due to the team's need for a No. 1 receiver and head coach Mike Vrabel's relationship with Brown.

Offseason work is underway for new #Patriots S Kevin Byard 🔥👀

(📸 @Jholt_athelite | @reilyrogers IG) pic.twitter.com/ntUBssa1OE

— Carlos A. Lopez (@LosTalksPats) March 20, 2026

Patriots legend Julian Edelman fanned the flames even further on Thursday by reposting the segment of Brown's Dudes on Dudes interview when he winked at the camera, when asked if he was joining New England.

If the Eagles decide to trade Brown, they might choose to wait until after June 1 to keep from eating over $40 million in dead cap.

Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.

This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Images of A.J. Brown's workout partner fuels Patriots trade rumors

A former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver has teased his much-anticipated return to the NFL — and potentially the Steel City — on social media.

On Thursday, ex-Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool posted a short compilation video on Instagram which featured some of his highlights.

In the video, Claypool, in a Steelers uniform, is seen making some big plays while the song, "Where Have You Been" by Rihanna plays in the background — which led some fans to interpret it as a return to Pittsburgh, not just the NFL itself.

Claypool, selected by the Steelers with the 49th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, had a terrific two-year start to his NFL career, catching 121 passes for 1,733 yards and 11 touchdowns with Pittsburgh.

Claypool was traded away in 2022 and was unable to rekindle the spark from his glory days with the Steelers. But a return to Pittsburgh, after recovering from a torn ligament and tendon in his toe, could be in the cards for the once-beloved "Mapletron.

For up-to-date Steelers coverage, including any offseason moves, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.

This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Ex-Steelers WR Chase Claypool teases potential return to Pittsburgh

Steelers, Raiders, Rams and 49ers rumors could lead to signing of former $180M free agent originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

As the second week of free agency winds down, quarterback Kirk Cousins remains one of the most high-profile players available.

Cousins was cut loose by the Atlanta Falcons after he did not pan out following his signing a $180 million contract in free agency a few years back.

The consensus is Cousins' best days are behind him, but he did have a decent showing down the stretch of last season to offer hope he might have some gas remaining in the tank.

Now, Cousins is looking for a new home, and he almost certainly prefers a starting job, but the best he can hope for right now is a landing spot that gives him an opportunity to compete.

According to Jason La Canfora of SportsBoom, Cousins could wait until much later in the offseason to sign, which would give him a chance to see if any definitive starting jobs will open up due to injury.

"Veteran Kirk Cousins is seen as the best quarterback still without an NFL team at this point," La Canfora said. "And it’s quite possible he waits until deep into the offseason to make any decisions about where he is playing in 2026, according to league sources."

When it comes to teams that could have interest in Cousins, La Canfora reports that the Steelers are "monitoring" the veteran signal-caller, and he also mentions the Raiders as a team that's looking for a veteran backup and possible placeholder.

"Pittsburgh is monitoring Cousins and view him as a viable alternative if Aaron Rodgers opts to retire," La Canfora reported. "Las Vegas is still looking for a more establishing quarterback to buy them time if they need it, if presumptive first-overall pick Fernando Mendoza is not ready to start Week 1."

La Canfora also spoke to some executives who did some dot-connecting to the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers as possible landing spots for Cousins.

"Several executives have noted Cousins’s past ties to head coach Kyle Shanahan (San Francisco) and Sean McVay (Los Angeles Rams), and believe Cousins could be a welcome addition as a back-up there (or perhaps with Andy Ried in Kansas City), but at this point it seems unlikely Cousins would go that route without exhausting any opportunity to start," La Canfora wrote.

All signs continue to point to Jimmy Garoppolo landing back in Los Angeles, and the Niners won't have a need for a backup unless they trade Mac Jones, which doesn't seem with the reported "astronomical" price the Niners are seeking.

As a result, we'd rule out both teams for Cousins.

The Steelers are a logical landing spot, but only if Aaron Rodgers retires. If that happens, Pittsburgh would need more competition for Will Howard and Mason Rudolph and Cousins could very well win that competition.

Cousins would be a fine addition for the Raiders, who need a veteran backup in a room that only includes Aidan O'Connell right now.

The Raiders will draft Fernando Mendoza and Cousins would be an ideal veteran to have just in case the Indiana star isn't ready. Even if he is, Cousins offers a strong backup in case of injury, and he'd be a great mentor for Mendoza, too.

More NFL News

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• AJ Brown trade rumor is good news for Patriots, Chiefs and Raiders
• Vikings showing interest in RB prospect with three-down ability
• Eagles trade rumor offers disappointing news for Steelers, Raiders

The Carolina Panthers have secured the returns of two more players.

As announced on Thursday, the team has officially re-signed safety Nick Scott and punter Sam Martin. Scott will be back on a one-year pact worth up to $3.25 million while Martin has been locked in on a two-year deal worth up to $5 million.

Scott is set to enter his third season in Carolina, where he has made 22 starts over 28 games. The seven-year veteran amassed a career-high in combined tackles (111)—which helped him also rake in the fourth-highest total of performance-based pay amongst all NFL players—while recording an interception and fumble recovery in 2025.

Martin is coming off his first campaign with the Panthers. He punted at an average net of 40.5 yards and notched the ninth-most attempts inside the 20-yard line (27).

Follow our free agency tracker for all the latest moves.

Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.

This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: NFL free agency: Panthers re-sign S Nick Scott, P Sam Martin

It looks like the trade market may dictate that the San Francisco 49ers hold on to backup quarterback Mac Jones. This may ultimately be the best outcome for the team.

Jones' performance in eight starts for the 49ers last season put him back on the map as a potential NFL starter. Given the need for quality starting QB play in the league it appeared Jones would have a robust trade market entering the second year of a two-year, $8.4 million contract he signed with San Francisco last offseason. Sam Darnold winning the Super Bowl as the Seattle Seahawks starting quarterback after kickstarting his career revival with the 49ers added fuel to the rumors that Jones would be a valuable offseason commodity.

With the first wave of free agency down it doesn't seem as though Jones will be traded.

Kyler Murray filled the opening in Minnesota. Malik Willis signed with the Miami Dolphins. Geno Smith rejoined the New York Jets in a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders. The teams in need of a player like Jones are rapidly dwindling, which suppresses his trade market and in turn decreases the likelihood the 49ers are going to get what they're looking for in exchange for their backup QB.

This may actually be the preferred outcome for them.

Brock Purdy is the franchise QB, but his injury history and the 49ers' experience with QB injuries should motivate the club to have high-level backups whenever possible. Jones established himself as that after going 5-3 in eight starts with a career-high 69.6 percent completion rate and a career-high 7.4 yards per attempt. He also tossed 13 touchdowns against six interceptions.

Having a player like that behind Purdy who was hurt in the 2022 NFC championship game, banged up at the end of the 2024 season with an elbow injury, and then missed eight games because of a toe injury in 2025, could be the difference between San Francisco making and missing the playoffs. It certainly was last season.

If the 49ers trade Jones they would benefit from having an additional draft pick. They don't have a selection after Round 4 and bringing in another mid-round pick to address one of their slew of remaining needs would help in the short and long-term.

However, the backup duties if Jones is traded will likely fall to second-year seventh-round pick Kurtis Rourke who spent most of last season on the Non-Football Injury list while recovering from offseason ACL surgery. A position this important for San Francisco falling to a former seventh-round pick who will ostensibly be a rookie in 2026 would put them in a precarious spot. The option beyond Rourke would likely be a Joe Flacco or Tyrod Taylor type of veteran. Flacco and Taylor are capable backups, but it's hard to envision either being as effective as Jones was a season ago.

There's still a chance a team looks at its QB situation and decides to pony up the draft capital necessary to pry Jones away from San Francisco − a price one report described as "astronomical." However, as free agency shakes out and the NFL draft approaches, the likelihood of Jones being moved decreases. And that may be the best-case scenario for the 49ers.

More 49ers: Why 49ers have to decide on Trent Williams' future this week

This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: NFL trade rumors: No Mac Jones deal may be good news for 49ers

Lil'Jordan Humphrey will have a new number this season.

Humphrey wore No. 17 with the Denver Broncos last year, but the team gave that number to Jaylen Waddle after the wide receiver was acquired in a trade with the Miami Dolphins earlier this week.

One day after the Waddle trade became official, Humphrey tweeted an emoji showing a hand holding up five fingers, which presumably means he's switching to No. 5. Humphrey has previously worn Nos. 17, 83, 84, and 89 in the NFL.

Humphrey is one of eight players on the team's online roster without a listed number, and No. 5 is among the available numbers. The list of recent players who wore No. 5 with the Broncos includes quarterbacks Joe Flacco (2019) and Teddy Bridgewater (2021), and pass rushers Randy Gregory (2022-2023) and Baron Browning (2024).

🤚🏾

— Lil’Jordan Humphrey (@LJ_Humphrey23) March 19, 2026

Last year, wide receiver Trent Sherfield took No. 5 after signing with Denver in March. After minimal playing time, Sherfield was cut by the Broncos ten games into the 2025 season. The team filled Sherfield's old spot by signing Humphrey off the New York Giants' practice squad, and LJH now appears poised to take Sherfield's old number.

Denver players are set to report for the team's offseason program in early May, followed by on-field practice in June. We should get official confirmation on numbers around then.

Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.

This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos: Lil'Jordan Humphrey teases new jersey number

Chiefs rumor lands Saints legend as key free agent signing originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Kansas City Chiefs are coming off a nightmare 6-11 season.

They've got to keep making the right offseason moves to ensure they bounce back in the year ahead, and there's still at least one free agent who could make a lot of sense.

ESPN's Nate Taylor suggested the move as a possibility in a new article on Friday -- the Chiefs may look to sign long-time New Orleans Saints defensive lineman Cameron Jordan.

"Moving forward in free agency, the Chiefs are a possible destination for pass rusher Cameron Jordan, according to a league source," Taylor writes. "The 15-year veteran spent last season with the New Orleans Saints, recording 10.5 sacks, 15 quarterback hits, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. Jones revealed that he was pitching the idea of Jordan, who's a free agent, joining the Chiefs by posting his name on his X account last week. If Jordan did join the Chiefs, he would give them a clear upgrade on the edge while playing on the opposite side of defensive end George Karlaftis."

MORE: Eagles' new signing flew himself as a pilot to Philadelphia

If they need more salary cap space to complete the move, there's an easy fix, too.

"The Chiefs entered Thursday with around $10 million in salary cap space," Taylor writes. "In order to sign Jordan, the Chiefs could create more cap space by restructuring the contracts of Jones and center Creed Humphrey."

Jordan is an eight-time Pro Bowler who has spent his entire career with the Saints.

New Orleans took him with the No. 24 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft out of Cal.

Jordan will turn 37 in July, but he's coming off a season in which he had 10.5 sacks, his most since 2021.

He has played 15 seasons for the Saints, a total of 243 games. In that time, Jordan has 132.0 sacks and 763 tackles.

He has forced 17 fumbles, recovered 12 fumbles, defensed 67 passes and snatched three interceptions.

That production would certainly work nicely in Chiefs red.

More NFL news:

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• Travis Kelce's new Chiefs contract has a simple retirement plan
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• Replacement refs could impact Aaron Rodgers' retirement decision

The Tennessee Titans have made some progress on retooling their roster during the first wave of free agency by addressing some of the holes that plagued them in 2025, and they attacked both sides of the ball. 

While they have addressed some of their needs, there is still work that must be done, and the upcoming draft will be critical in helping them take the next step. But what direction they go is still up for debate, and Matt Okada of NFL.com believes they must find a top wideout in the draft or with a trade. 

Tennessee Titans

Biggest roster hole: WR1

Solution: Swing a big trade OR trade down from No. 4 overall

There's a battle-tested formula when it comes to fostering growth at the game's most important position: Team drafts a highly touted quarterback, who struggles through the first year or two. The team then acquires a bona fide No. 1 wide receiver, and the young QB breaks out. It happened with Josh Allen after the Bills traded for Stefon Diggs and with Jalen Hurts when the Eagles acquired A.J. Brown. The Titans should try that approach with second-year passer Cam Ward. They picked up Wan'Dale Robinson in free agency and restructured Calvin Ridley's contract, but neither player is a true WR1. And there isn't one available to sign -- Jauan Jennings is the top remaining name -- so the Titans need to get creative.

There are a few oft-speculated trade options: A.J. Brown (whom they drafted back in 2019) or Brian Thomas Jr. -- despite Jaguars GM James Gladstone's insistence that Thomas isn't being shopped. Tennessee could also pull off a surprise deal for a player like DK Metcalf, Chris Olave or Garrett Wilson. Another way to address this need is in the draft, trading down from fourth overall to snag Ohio State’s Carnell Tate, USC’s Makai Lemon or Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson, while scoring extra capital. If Tennessee can't work out a trade, it could focus on scoring an "X" receiver with its second-round selection (No. 35). Indiana's Omar Cooper Jr. and Washington's Denzel Boston come to mind.

Even though the Titans addressed their receivers with Wan’Dale Robinson and restructuring Calvin Ridley, adding another weapon on the outside for Cam Ward should be a priority. Tennessee has given themselves the flexibility to go many different ways in the NFL draft, and honestly, there is no wrong answer with what they decide to eventually do. 

This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Tennessee Titans: Analyst breaks down biggest remaining need

With free agency activity grinding to a relative halt, it's time to refocus on the upcoming NFL draft. With only six weeks remaining before the first round, pro days and facility visits are starting to put the final touches on team boards. When it comes to the Dallas Cowboys, the nature of having two first-round picks in a draft seemingly short of blue-chip prospects comes with trepidation.

But we mock on, in an attempt to go through the range of possibilities. In this latest iteration using Pro Football Focus' simulator, we work with Trevor Sikkema's Big Board. Dallas has a series of defensive needs, and with teams willing to move up for their preferred prospects, we leveraged the No. 28 pick to add several selections in the next three rounds.

No. 12: Edge David Bailey, Texas Tech

Bailey, depending on how teams view OSU's Arvel Reese, is considered by some to be the best edge rusher in this year's draft. Bailey looks the part, standing 6-foot-4 with great athleticism. and would round out the 3-4 OLB edge rusher room, combining with Rashan Gary, Donovan Ezeiruaku and James Houston.

Scouting Report: NFL.com

Bailey is extremely hard for linemen to stay in front of. He moves like a slashing two guard, blending explosiveness and fluidity to slip, bend and flow around blocks from multiple angles. His leverage and lower-body flexion create game-over scenarios once he reaches pocket depth with even a minor lead. He can be stalled when a blocker latches his hands in deep, but Bailey’s elusiveness and suddenness make clean clamps a relative rarity. He’s instinctive with natural mid-rush counters, but he must continue developing hand usage and crafting rush plans for when protection shifts his way. Teams can run at Bailey due to his lack of anchor and take-on presence, but his work-around quickness will also lead to tackles for loss. His draft grade is slightly tempered by a lack of desired size/length, but the explosiveness and athletic talent is truly elite. His sack production should carry over to the NFL as an odd-front rush linebacker with Pro Bowl upside.

Trade Back: No. 20, No. 112 to Texans (OT Lomu) for No. 28, No. 69, No. 141

The No. 20 pick is worth 850 points on the trade value chart, No. 112 is worth an additional 70. No. 28 is worth 660, No. 69 is another 245 and No. 141 is another 35.5. 920 points going out, 940.5 points coming in.

Trade Back: No. 28 to New York Jets (WR Cooper) for No. 33, No. 103

No. 28 is worth 660 points, No. 33 is worth 580 while No. 103 is worth 88 more for a total of 668.

No. 33: CB Chris Johnson, San Diego State

Adding Johnson to the mix at cornerback here would be an incredible coup. The 6-foot corner fits the physical profile preferred by new DC Christian Parker we've been talking about since his hire. Adding him to the mix with Shavon Revel, Daron Bland and the one-year rental of Cobie Durant gives Parker everything he needs in Year 1 and for the foreseeable future as he has inside/outside versatility and blazing speed.

Scouting Report: NFL.com

Scheme-versatile cornerback prospect with average size and the ability to play inside or outside. Johnson is consistent in mirroring the release from his pedal and rarely labors when transitioning with route breaks. While many college corners lean on lax officiating to grab and maul, Johnson stays disciplined. He trusts his footwork and technique to remain tight to the route. He attacks the catch point with run-through force and is a tenacious wrap-up tackler who can quickly end plays. Big receivers can steal some high-points, but not enough to cause concern. Johnson’s coverage versatility, toughness and athleticism should make him an early starter for a coverage-hungry team.

No. 69 LB Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh

The Cowboys spent free agency shoring up their run defense with veterans, and now their focus shifts to turning their pass defense into an elite unit. Louis may be the best coverage linebacker in this year's draft. He's going to be your WILL linebacker who is adept at covering backs and can easily slide into a big nickel role.

No. 92 Safety Kamari Ramsey

Ramsey continues in the tradition of defensive chess pieces that will allow the Cowboys to remain in the same personnel from play-to-play, but confuse offenses as to the responsibility is of each defender. That's the goal in Parker's defense and Ramsey is another addition to the safety room who can function in this manner.

Scouting Report: Bleacher Report

Kamari Ramsey is an exceptional read-and-react defensive back who consistently identifies route combinations, receiver tells and triggers to the football.

The versatility showcased by Ramsey allows him to flow from a two-high alignment to a robber and into the nickel, making him a defensive chess piece. His ability to achieve proper depth and mirror while maintaining his zone responsibility is an elite trait that transitions seamlessly to the NFL.

No. 103 4i DT Rayshaun Benny

No. 139 TE Michael Trigg, Baylor

No. 150 OT Isaiah World, Oregon

No. 177 RB J'Mari Taylor, Virginia

No. 180 LB Harold Perkins, Jr., LSU

No. 218 Safety Lorenzo Styles, Jr., Ohio State

This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys take edge David Bailey, CB Chris Johnson in 7-round mock draft

At the start of the offseason, the Kansas City Chiefs added multiple players with the intention of making an immediate impact in 2026. A veteran signing has earned praise recently for being considered one of the more underrated additions to a team in free agency.

According to Aaron Schatz of ESPN, the Chiefs' abundance of signings in the opening week of free agency included one of the most underrated players in defensive lineman Khyiris Tonga.

"This was a player the Patriots wanted to bring back, but they couldn't get an extension finished during the regular season. Tonga was an important part of the New England run defense as a nose tackle in 2025." Schatz wrote. "He had a stop rate of 83%; in other words, 83% of his run tackles prevented a successful play for the offense. The league average for interior linemen was around 71% last season."

Kansas City signed Tonga to a three-year, $21 million deal last week. He previously played with the New England Patriots, Atlanta Falcons, Minnesota Vikings, and Arizona Cardinals since being selected by the Chicago Bears in the 2021 NFL Draft.

During the 2025 season, Tomga started 8 of the 14 games, playing 337 total snaps and recording 24 tackles for the AFC Champion Patriots. During his five-year career, he has 113 tackles, .5 sacks, one fumble recovery, and six pass deflections/batted balls.

This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: NFL Writer labels Chiefs' defensive lineman an underrated signing

"I'm just really excited and really honored to be back with my brothers."

That was Washington guard Chris Paul expressing how he feels to the media about his signing to be a Commander again in 2026. Paul drafted in 2022, the first draft class for the "Commanders," played out his rookie contract, became a free agent, and was the subject of several reports that he would hit it big with another team signing him for a huge pay raise.

That type of contract actually never materialized for Paul, who chose last Friday to go ahead and return to the Commanders on a one-year deal. When asked about his offers from other teams, Paul didn't provide any specifics, instead choosing to talk only about his career, his process, and returning to the Commanders. Paul did express that there were offers from other teams, but he was always leaning toward returning and staying a Commander.

"I think most importantly as a player, I believe that I am just scratching the surface of what I can be. I personally would just always be looking for ways that I individually can improve."

Regarding other teams? Paul did provide that there was actually nothing negative from other teams he received. "I am excited to keep getting more opportunities and keep putting my best foot forward." Paul did express that there were offers from other teams, but he was always leaning toward returning and staying a Commander.

As for 2026, Paul was not hesitant to convey he is looking forward to David Blough's offense, getting with his coaches soon, and being brought up to speed, as they head toward off-season workouts. He also made it clear he has not been guaranteed the starting left guard spot, though he started the final 15 games in 2025. "What I know about this organization is we are all about competition, competition, competition, and that's all they emphasize. So, that is the mindset heading into everything."

Left tackle Laremy Tunsil has publicly praised Paul for his growth and commitment during the 2026 season. Paul and Tunsil have also expressed mutual respect for each other as leaders and for how they are good for the Commanders' locker room. No financial details of Paul's deal, such as salary or salary cap hit for 2026, have been released by the Commanders.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Chris Paul explains why he re-signed

The Tennessee Titans have interest in former Kansas City Chiefs tight end Jody Fortson.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Titans have a visit lined up with Fortson on Thursday.

Fortson last played for the Chiefs in Kansas City’s 27-20 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Oct. 27, 2024. He has not seen NFL action since, due to suffering a torn ACL as well as meniscus in his right knee in the Chiefs’ Week 8 victory over the Raiders.

The 30-year-old won the Super Bowl with the Chiefs in 2023. Fortson has recorded 160 receiving yards as well as four touchdowns in three seasons played for Kansas City from 2021-24. He’s played in 22 games in his career.

Tennessee lost tight end Chig Okonkwo in free agency. He signed a three-year deal with the Washington Commanders. Gunnar Helm, a fourth-round pick from the 2024 NFL Draft, caught 44 passes and two touchdowns as a rookie.

The Titans have been active in the open market since the NFL’s free agency negotiating period began on March 9. Fortson is yet another free agent that Tennessee will consider this offseason.

This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Titans to meet with former Chiefs TE Jody Fortson in free agency

The Cincinnati Bengals surprisingly failing to retain special teams ace Tycen Anderson creates a simple question: 

Are there any other Bengals free agents the team might bring back? 

The obvious headliner is Joe Flacco. But there are others who remain unsigned. Plenty of smaller names like Cordell Volson (Titans), Cam Taylor-Britt (Colts) and Jake Browning (Buccaneers) have filtered off to new teams. 

Simply put, there aren't that many Bengals free agents left. But a few of them make sense as return candidates. 

LB Brian Asamoah

Will the former third-round pick (2022) get another shot? Asamoah joined the Bengals via the practice squad last October and helped out on special teams before a knee injury in Week 13. They already lost Anderson, so perhaps they try to keep a little continuity going on special teams. 

DE Cameron Sample

Is he healthy? Sample settled for a one-year deal last March. The Bengals really like Cedric Johnson as an upside guy before they likely go get more help in the draft. But there’s no such thing as too many good pass-rushers. 

OL Jaxson Kirkland

A popular undrafted free agent in 2023, Kirkland stuck around on the practice squad at times while also battling injuries. He’s got some interesting developmental upside and could be back if the Bengals don’t start thinking about the future of the line’s interior in the draft. 

QB Joe Flacco

The big one. The Bengals signed Josh Johnson to serve as a stopgap on the chance they can’t get Flacco back. Problem is, the longtime veteran could choose to wait well into the summer before continuing his career. That shouldn’t bother the Bengals too much, though, based on how things went last year. Starting chances around the league keep drying up and few better spots for a backup than the team with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins exist, so this one still feels likely to happen.

This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: NFL free agency: 4 names Bengals could still bring back

The Pittsburgh Steelers have shown plenty of intrigue in one of the most talented wide receiver prospects from the 2026 NFL Draft class — Zachariah Branch of the Georgia Bulldogs.

According to Essentially Sports' Tony Pauline, the Steelers had dinner with Branch following their attendance at Georgia's Pro Day.

Playing with USC from 2023-2024, Branch transferred to the University of Georgia in 2025, where he recorded 811 receiving yards and six touchdowns on 81 catches in his debut season as a Bulldog.

Branch, projected to be selected in the mid-to-late second round, ran an extremely impressive 4.35-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine.

As the Steelers look towards reshaping their offensive identity, Branch, one of the top slot receivers in the 2026 NFL Draft, could potentially give Pittsburgh a terrifying yards-after-catch playmaker to pair with DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr.

For up-to-date Steelers coverage, including any offseason moves, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.

This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers host Georgia WR Zachariah Branch for pre-draft dinner

When will the San Francisco 49ers release wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk? It's a matter of when, not if, as general manager John Lynch already said that Aiyuk's time in San Francisco was over.

"I think it's safe to say that he's played his last snap with the Niners," Lynch said in January, via Nick Wagoner of ESPN.

Once Aiyuk is released, the Washington Commanders are the heavy favorite to land him. Aiyuk is close friends with quarterback Jayden Daniels and general manager Adam Peters knows him well from his time in San Francisco.

49ers tight end George Kittle recently shed some light on when Aiyuk stopped being around the team last season.

So, why is San Francisco still holding onto Aiyuk? His contract, combined with his injury, in which he tore his ACL and MCL in October 2024, has made him untradeable. Yet, the 49ers are holding out hope that another team will send them a late-round draft pick.

It's not going to happen. Eventually, the Niners will release Aiyuk, and Washington could sign him to a one-year prove-it deal.

NFL salary cap analyst Mike Ginnitti of Spotrac recently joined the "Kevin Sheehan Show" on Team 980 in Washington, D.C., and made his prediction on when the Aiyuk/49ers saga finally ends.

"He gets released on June 2nd, which is terrible, by the way," Ginnitti said.

"That’s terrible because the San Francisco 49ers can designate him a post-June 1st release right now. That could have happened last week. They can free up this cap situation in June, put him on the open market, and let him pick a team right now. I believe that they will choose not to do that. They will wait until June and wait until after the draft and make all the other teams make decisions without him being in the fold, including draft picks. And then they will release him and hope that he probably latches on somewhere at a very, very small contract for 2026. I think there’s a little bit of vindictiveness happening here, but I guess I understand it if things really got that sour."

That's certainly petty. San Francisco can do whatever it likes with Aiyuk. We've heard numerous stories about the breakdown of the relationship between the two sides. The truth probably lies somewhere in the middle, as it usually does. The 49ers' goal here is for other teams to fill their receiver needs, run out of cap space and use a draft pick on a receiver, limiting the pool of teams that Aiyuk could sign with.

The good news for Washington is that it can afford to wait. The Commanders still have over $50 million in cap space and, while they could take a receiver with the No. 7 overall pick in next month's 2026 NFL Draft, signing Aiyuk would still be on the table.

It's a waiting game for now.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Analyst predicts ending of Brandon Aiyuk/49ers

The Tennessee Titans have made some significant additions to the roster in the first wave of free agency, adding depth and competition to both sides of the ball. Couple that with an epic rebranding campaign, and the excitement is building in Nashville.

While nothing will be known about how much the team has improved until they hit the field under new head coach Robert Saleh, at least on paper, they have started to move the needle in a positive direction, with Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports moving them up one spot in the updated power rankings.

26 Tennessee Titans (Previously ranked: 27)

The drunken sailors of this free agent market, their obsession with ex-Giants and Jets was weird (wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson, cornerback Cor’Dale Flott, tight end Daniel Bellinger, defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers). All are solid players and will improve the team, though, if you can ignore the prices.

Yes, the Titans have relied on familiar faces that the new coaching staff believes in to reestablish the organizational floor, but that should pay dividends when the team hits the field to start implementing the new systems on both sides of the ball. Tennessee entered the offseason with the league's youngest roster, and having veterans familiar with the system will help ease the transition.

With a roster that was mostly a disaster prior to free agency, the additions both fill needs and, regardless of where they played previously, vastly improved a roster that needed competition and depth.

This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Titans continue to rise in the latest Fox Sports power rankings

Skip Bayless is a name that every sports fan knows. The longtime analyst is never one to shy away from offering up a hot take, and usually it's a take that almost nobody agrees with.

Well, on a recent episode of The Arena: Gridiron, Bayless offered up a take that fans of the Washington Commanders will love. Bayless was asked to pick a team that didn't make the playoffs last year that could be a contender in 2026, and he picked the Commanders.

"Who has the best quarterback in the NFC East? Bayless asked. "To me, it's not even close; it's Jayden Daniels."

Bayless then referred to Daniels' rookie campaign as the "greatest rookie year ever," and warned teams to "look out," if the Commander draft running back Jeremiyah Love next month.

"If (Love) gets to No. 7, you better look out," said Bayless. "They have got firepower, starting with that quarterback."

Skip gives his non-playoff Super Bowl contender, the Washington Commanders pic.twitter.com/LwbErz5TG9

— The Arena: Gridiron (@ArenaGridiron) March 19, 2026

The Commanders have plenty of needs, but it would be easy to get excited about drafting Love. The Notre Dame product was a Heisman finalist in 2025 and rushed for 1,000+ yards in both 2024 and 2025.

It's understandable to expect a big improvement from the Commanders in 2026. Sure, the team only won five games in 2025, but they were one of the most injured teams in the league and Daniels only played in seven games.

If Daniels can stay healthy, that's already reason enough to think the Commanders are a playoff team. Then, you factor in the improvements made in free agency and the upcoming draft selections, and it's not hard to imagine this team making a deep run like they did in 2024.

It's also worth noting that Bayless is a dedicated Dallas Cowboys fan. If he of all people is talking up the Commanders, that should say a lot.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Skip Bayless predicts massive jump in 2026

Saints predicted to replace Cameron Jordan with elite ACC defender in 2026 draft originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New Orleans Saints are in an interesting position as we approach the 2026 NFL Draft. 

In some ways, the team overperformed in 2025, winning six games and showing some flashes. Tyler Shough had some nice moments as a rookie, and the team could try to surround him with more talent in the 2026 draft. 

However, the team has some holes on defense as well that need to be patched. Legendary defender Cameron Jordan has still not re-signed with the team, and if he doesn't come back, the Saints will have a big hole opposite Chase Young. 

Even if Jordan does re-sign, he will turn 37 this summer and it's thus reasonable to expect his production to decline very soon. In either case, the Saints need to be thinking about the future of the pass rush. 

NFL.com's Eric Edholm published a new mock draft and he has the Saints drafting Miami edge-rusher Rueben Bain Jr. with the No. 8 pick. 

Regarding Bain and the Saints, Edholm offered the following:

Bain might not have the arm length of a prototypical pass rusher in coordinator Brandon Staley's system, but he'd be dangerous opposite Chase Young for a defense that needs more pressure sources. 

As Edholm mentioned, there are concerns about Bain's arm length, but that doesn't mean he can't still dominate. New Orleans would be a good landing spot as well, because the presence of Young would remove some pressure off Bain. 

In 2025, Bain played in 16 games and collected 54 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, and 9.5 sacks. The defender earned First-team All-American honors for his performance and helped lead Miami to the National Championship Game. 

At the combine, Bain received some negative press for his short arms. However, the defender has elite burst off the edge and is strong enough to push blockers back. Plus, Bain played against strong competition in college and was still extremely productive.

In New Orleans, Bain would work opposite Young and give the team one of the more fearsome pass-rush duos in the NFC. If Jordan sticks around, he can help mentor Bain and spell the rookie on certain downs. 

More NFL news:

• Bills urged to pull of big trade for star receiver 
• Cardinals predicted to draft new QB for Mike LaFleur
• Tyler Shough needs more weapons in 2026 
• Titans predicted to add solid defender for new defensive scheme
• Could Chiefs draft elite running back in 1st round?
• Mike McCarthy may not want Aaron Rodgers back 

The Jacksonville Jaguars were well aware that linebacker Devin Lloyd would be difficult to keep after having a breakout season in 2025.

The Jaguars didn't have much to work with, given their tight salary cap situation, and while they reportedly made Lloyd an offer, he ended up signing with the Carolina Panthers. Presumably, Jacksonville couldn't come close to Carolina's three-year, $45 million deal.

Lloyd was one of the most in-demand players in free agency this year. In 2025, he earned a spot in the Pro Bowl for the first time, and was also named a second-team All-Pro. He was one of the highest-graded linebackers last year, and was a huge contributor on the defense, doing anything and everything Anthony Campanile asked of him.

And while Lloyd is leaving, he is still appreciative of what Jacksonville's coaches were able to do for him. In a new interview with Mike Kaye, he said the improvement in coaching led to his banner year.

"We talk about coaching, coaching helps develop players," he said. "Obviously every player is talented, and they have a skill set, and now it's on coaches at all levels, from high school all the way up to the NFL, to really help those players get the most out of the talent that they have."

In 2024, Ryan Nielsen was the defensive coordinator for the Jaguars, and under his leadership, the Jacksonville defense struggled. Multiple defenders were forced to put on weight that hampered their abilities, and Nielsen was replaced in 2025 by Anthony Campanile. The defense saw an immediate turnaround, with multiple players — like Lloyd — bouncing back.

"I had great coaches last year, and they definitely helped me just take the next [level]," he continued. "I give the most credit to them. They helped me use my hands. That was one thing they emphasized and really honed in pretty much every day. Every day of practice, it was use your hands, use your hands, use your hands, so you can play violent, you can play physical in the run game, shut off blocks, make plays. That was the thing that Coach [Campanile] and Coach Tem Lukabu emphasized the most. And that's what I give them the most credit for. And then, scheme-wise, it comes down to, no matter where you're at, having your players be in the right position to make the most plays as possible."

Asked new #Panthers linebacker Devin Lloyd about how impactful coaching — from his position coach to defensive coordinator to the scheme itself — was for him during his breakout campaign last year in JAX.

His LB coach with the #Jaguars was former Carolina OLB coach Tem Lukabu. pic.twitter.com/xBOpl10pRS

— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) March 19, 2026

Lloyd will be sorely missed in Jacksonville, but that endorsement should also serve as reassurance to Jaguars fans. The Jags' coaching staff proved last year that they were capable at bringing out the best in their players, and it is a safe bet to say the same thing will continue to happen in 2026.

This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: Devin Lloyd praises Jaguars coaching after 2025 breakout season

Former Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson announced his retirement from the NFL this week. 

It didn’t take long for Wilson to get in the mix on social media and throw some thoughts out there, either. 

First up, almost as expected, was Wilson breaking his silence about the now-infamous holding penalty during the Super Bowl loss to the Los Angeles Rams. 

Wilson kept it simple: 

It still wasn’t holding in my humble opinion😂

— Logan Wilson (@ljw21) March 19, 2026

Wilson also took the time to clarify why he retired so early while going back and forth with fans: 

Bro I chose to retire. I could’ve kept playing. Was no longer willing to sacrifice my body anymore. Had 2 injuries. Much more to life than football

— Logan Wilson (@ljw21) March 19, 2026

Not a bad one-two punch from Wilson to start his retired life. Odds are, as he’s hinted in other social media messages already, he’ll soon enough be a Ruler of the Jungle at Paycor Stadium like past modern greats like Sam Hubbard. 

All of this follows Wilson’s big nod to the Bengals and fans during his retirement announcement on social media this week. 

"Cincinnati will always mean a lot to me. The teammates, coaches, staff and fans made those years unforgettable. That 2021 playoff run was something special - the interception in Tennessee to send us to the AFC Championship, beating Kansas City to win the AFC, and taking the field in the Super Bowl. Those moments and that locker room are something I'll carry with me forever. And the best part of all, my daughter was born there."

This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Logan Wilson speaks out on retirement, Super Bowl penalty

Analyst has incredible hopes for Bills in 2026 after free agency splurge originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Buffalo Bills have had the sort of offseason fans had hoped for, with the franchise adding key pieces at key positions in free agency.

Yes, DJ Moore and Bradley Chubb were expensive, but the Bills are banking on talented veterans to help lift the floor of the team and give them the best chance at Super Bowl glory.

Of course, we thought that last year, too, but the Bills have given Allen another weapon and got a star pass rusher in Chubb.

For Sports Illustrated's Gilberto Manzano, he has a rather bold take on what the Bills can do in 2026 after their free agency spending.

"The Bills got risky with paying older players plenty of guaranteed money," Manzano wrote. "Still, they addressed most of their needs and now have a formidable Super Bowl roster, one that doesn’t need Josh Allen to be Superman every week."

More:Raiders-Ex Derek Carr has lofty expectations for Fernando Mendoza

Bills Super Bowl bound?

It is impossible to say, but right now, you can easily say the Bills are in the upper echelon of teams fighting for the Lombardi trophy.

Granted, as long as Josh Allen is upright, the Bills are in contention.

But we don't care what Buffalo does in the regular season anymore; it's all about the playoffs.

That makes the regular season tough to navigate, as all eyes will be on what the Bills do when the postseason begins.

Have the signings of Chubb and Moore moved the needle? 

That is quite a conversation starter.

More NFL news:

• Jaylen Waddle has odd response to role in Broncos offense
• Latest Vikings QB move a red flag for J.J. McCarthy
• ESPN lauds Vikings over $1.3 million signing
• Analyst predicts Steelers' QB situation headed down path fans won't like
• Raiders again linked with Pro Bowl QB
• Analyst gives compelling reason for Chargers' slow free agency approach
• Commanders linked with star WR for Jayden Daniels

After a heavy focus on the offensive side of the ball during the 2026 NFL Free Agency period, the Cleveland Browns have made a key signing on defense this week.

General manager Andrew Berry, despite his strong efforts to revamp the offensive line so far this offseason, still managed to make one addition on the other side in linebacker Quincy Williams. The former All-Pro playmaker will now reunite with the Browns’ newly-hired defensive coordinator, Mike Rutenberg, as he is set to replace veteran Devin Bush.

However, the front office decided to pursue another defensive chess piece on Wednesday evening by signing former Buffalo Bills EDGE rusher AJ Epenesa to a one-year deal that could be worth up to $5 million in incentives. Epenesa now joins one of the best defensive lines across the NFL, and his role in 2026 could be valuable for Cleveland.

How Epenesa Fits With Browns in 2026

Epenesa, a second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, brings plenty of experience to the Browns’ stout defensive line next season. While it took time for him to truly reach his full potential, the former Iowa Hawkeye standout emerged as a vital piece of the Bills' defense from 2022 to 2024, racking up a total of 75 tackles, 19 sacks, and five forced fumbles over the three-year stretch.

Unfortunately for Epenesa, his production declined steeply last season, as he finished with 2.5 sacks in his 16 games played with the Bills. His rough 2025 season resulted in Buffalo signing Bradley Chubb this offseason, leaving him available for the Browns to target after the first round of free agent signings.

When looking at how Epenesa could fit into the struggling franchise’s defensive scheme in 2026, the 27-year-old will be a perfect veteran rotational piece behind star pass rusher Myles Garrett and 2022 third-round pick Alex Wright.

Cleveland’s defensive end depth will be at its best heading into next season with Epenesa joining the bunch, as both Isaiah McGuire and Wright will be able to learn and develop under the likes of him and Garrett throughout the course of the upcoming season.

This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns free agency: How DE AJ Epenesa fits on defense in 2026

The Cleveland Browns approached the NFL with a new rule change this week that would allow teams to trade draft picks five years into the future instead of the three, which is the rule now.

This obviously points to a trade that the Browns want to make, but the question is, which one?

The first one that immediately comes to mind is a deal to move superstar pass rusher Myles Garrett. Garrett is the best pass rusher in the NFL, and it isn't particularly close. Garrett is virtually unblockable, and what might be more impactful is the gravity that he has on the field. Game plans are designed to stop him, and he wrecks opposing offenses from Monday to Sunday. Even as he gets older, he is still just as valuable as ever.

If the Browns are still in rebuild mode by the time next season rolls around, would they want to try to move the sack king? Could they ask for four first-round picks? That could certainly be the case, but I do not think this is the trade that the new rule points to.

Do the Browns have a trade on the mind?

The one that the Browns are preparing for is a move to the top of the draft to get a quarterback next year. They, and several other teams, are posturing for the opportunity to be high enough in next year's draft to be able to select one of the many quarterbacks that will be in the draft.

If Cleveland is trying to be competitive next year, but still wants to have a high draft pick, well, they are going to have to be able to move more than just three first-rounders.

The quiet part here is if owner Jimmy Haslam really wants to get Arch Manning and will do anything to get him, then Cleveland will have to be willing to pay up to do it.

Cleveland's proposal for the extension of available draft capital was one of just two rule change requests that will be considered at league meetings. The other came from Cleveland's rival, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and it was very low leverage. They want to be able to contact free agents during the open negotiating period.

For a rule change to pass, it will need approval from 24 of the 32 teams.

Cleveland is clearly preparing to make a big move somewhere; the only question is where and for whom.

This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns new rule proposal points to obvious trade; but for who?

Raiders-Ex Derek Carr has lofty expectations for Fernando Mendoza originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Most know that the Las Vegas Raiders will be selecting quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick in the upcoming draft.

Set to be the next quarterback tasked with trying to get the Raiders back to the playoffs, Mendoza is going to have some nice weapons around him in Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty.

But as we know, rookie quarterbacks often struggle early on, especially high picks that go to bad teams.

However, for former Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, he wants Mendoza to shine from Day 1; in fact, he wants him to surpass all the feats he accomplished in the league.

“I hope Fernando Mendoza breaks every Raider record,” Carr said. “As a former quarterback, if you feel any other way, there’s something wrong with you. Why wouldn’t you want the next generation to do better than you? Like, I want the best for everybody.”

More:Analyst gives compelling reason for Chargers' slow free agency approach

Raiders need good backup for Mendoza

The one thing a rookie quarterback needs is a veteran to show him the ropes as he navigates his way through his first season.

Right now, there are a few options, but the one who we are seeing be linked to Las Vegas is Kirk Cousins.

If Kirk is fine playing the role of mentor and not being a starter in the league, then you can see this being a superb move. Cousins has seen everything and could be a great sounding board for Mendoza.

If he is going to break Carr's records, he'll need a quality veteran behind him, keeping him pushing forward regardless of what happens on the field.

More NFL news:

• Jaylen Waddle has odd response to role in Broncos offense
• Latest Vikings QB move a red flag for J.J. McCarthy
• ESPN lauds Vikings over $1.3 million signing
• Analyst predicts Steelers' QB situation headed down path fans won't like
• Raiders again linked with Pro Bowl QB
• Chiefs begin AFC ascension in latest offseason power rankings
• Buccaneers reveal eyebrow-raising detail of potential Mike Evans contract

More offseason visits with top prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft class are on the docket for the Las Vegas Raiders.

According to The Draft Network’s Ryan Fowler, the Raiders are set to meet with Indiana running back Kaelon Black this offseason.

Black went for 1,040 yards on 5.6 yards per carry in 2025. The Virginia native also scored 10 rushing touchdowns last season for Indiana. The 2025 season was the first time that Black had ever rushed for more than 637 yards. He played for James Madison from 2022-23 before transferring to Indiana, where he finished his collegiate career from 2024-25.

The Raiders will due their due diligence in meeting with Black this offseason. The Raiders currently have Ashton Jeanty, Dylan Laube as well as Chris Collier in their running back room for next season. Las Vegas has five weeks left to evaluate prospects until the 2026 NFL Draft commences on April 23.

This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Raiders to hold pre-draft visit with Indiana RB Kaelon Black

There's a new look for several Houston Texans when they take the field in 2026.

According to a recent post from NFL jersey numbers, seven Texans players have changed their jersey numbers ahead of the upcoming season. Several, like wide receiver Tank Dell switching from No. 3 to No. 1, were expected and even hinted at earlier this offseason.

Others, like two players switching jersey numbers because of the availability, were not expected.

Defensive back Kamari Lassiter is transitioning back to his college roots, going from No. 4 to No. 3, with Dell's move to No. 1. As for running back Woody Marks, he'll wear No. 4 once more since Lassiter is leaving it open. Tight end Cade Stover also plans on moving back to No. 8, which was worn by both John Metchie III and C.J. Gardner-Johnson last season, two players who were not on the active roster by the end of the season.

Newcomers like safety Reed Blankenship and running back David Montgomery also had to switch numbers from their previous stops. Montgomery, who donned No. 5 with the Detroit Lions, had to move back to his former jersey No. 32 since Jalen Pitre already wears No. 5. As for Blankenship, with Montgomery wearing No. 32, he'll transition to No. 6.

Defensive backs Ja'Marcus Ingram and Brandon Codrington switched from No. 42 and No. 29 to No. 20 and No. 30, respectively.

The Texans will have seven draft picks in the upcoming draft later next month.

This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: New digits: Seven Texans players switch jersey numbers in 2026

Eagles trade with Panthers could lead to another deal with Rams, Raiders or Lions originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Philadelphia Eagles added to their quarterback room this week by acquiring Andy Dalton in a trade with the Carolina Panthers.

With Dalton expected to serve as the Eagles' backup signal-caller behind Jalen Hurts, speculation has risen on whether the team could now trade Tanner McKee.

McKee has appeared in six games over the last two seasons, including two starts, for Philadelphia, and has looked solid. The Stanford product is a young quarterback with potential that could have interest from teams on the trade market.

The Los Angeles Rams, Las Vegas Raiders, and Detroit Lions could be among the franchises that keep an eye on McKee's situation with the Eagles.

Stetson Bennett is currently slated to be the Rams' No. 2 quarterback behind Matthew Stafford, and there's no denying McKee would be an upgrade for Sean McVay's squad.

The Raiders' new coaching staff, led by Klint Kubiak, could look to replace Aidan O'Connell at the backup spot and trade for McKee to provide quality depth behind presumed No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza.

Detroit doesn't have a pressing need for a backup with Teddy Bridgewater on the roster, but if the Lions want to add some youth to the quarterback room, acquiring McKee would be a logical way to do it.

As of right now, it sounds like Philadelphia wants to hold on to McKee, but with the 25-year-old set to be the QB3, it would make sense for the Eagles to trade him and get some value back for a quarterback that should garner interest on the market.

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New Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jalen Nailor is fond of Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza potentially being his next quarterback in 2026.

Nailor signed a three-year, $35 million deal with the Raiders on March 12. The 27-year-old played for the Minnesota Vikings from 2022-25. The Raiders have the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. With that comes the overwhelming expectation that Las Vegas will select Mendoza — the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner — to kick off the draft.

On Thursday’s episode of the “Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams,” Nailor weighed in on potentially catching passes from Mendoza in 2026.

”The touch he has on his passes, you know, those accurate passes that he makes, it really pops out, and he’s a mobile quarterback,” Nailor said. “Like, he can get on the ground and he can run a little bit. So, just to have those aspects of him as a quarterback. He’s on the taller end as well. So, seeing over the line won’t be an issue. But, I mean, he has all the things that you would want in a quarterback.”

Mendoza threw for 3,535 yards in 2025. He also led the FBS in passing touchdowns with 41. In the event that the Raiders select Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, Nailor will have a heralded young quarterback to catch passes from next season. Nailor went for a career-high 444 yards in 2025 for the Vikings.

This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Jalen Nailor gushes about expected Raiders top pick QB Fernando Mendoza

Wyatt Teller is ready to call Houston home.

On Thursday, the Houston Texans and the three-time Pro Bowl guard agreed to terms on a two-year deal with a $23 million max value, including a $16 million base value. The Texans announced the signing via social media, while Teller greeted his new fans following the move.

"Texans fans, Wyatt Teller here. Just got into Houston, just signed and I'm excited to go," Teller said. H's up, H-Town!"

Teller, who has spent seven of his eight NFL seasons with the Cleveland Browns, hopes to be the last known piece to fix the offensive line this offseason following the signings of Braden Smith and the re-signing of breakout player Ed Ingram.

A standout for the Browns, the 31-year-old interior offensive lineman made 94 starts in Cleveland. He earned two All-Pro nods and helped the Browns end their 18-year playoff drought while winning a game in 2020.

Signed. Sealed. Delivered. ✍️ pic.twitter.com/fTb6nw6zyN

— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) March 19, 2026

Teller is coming off a career-low season, but Houston is banking on the upside. According to NFL Next Gen Stats allowed just three sacks last season, but a 9.8% quarterback pressure rate. The area of strength? Run blocking, where Teller finished with a 65.7 grade by Pro Football Focus, which ranked 36th out of 81 interior offensive linemen.

Officially official. pic.twitter.com/PnfQM57pCp

— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) March 19, 2026

From a scheme fit, Teller should provide a boost to an offensive line that needed reinforcements and has been rebuilt by general manager Nick Caserio for the second straight offseason. Houston should have three guaranteed new starters and potentially a fourth via the draft by the time Week 1 rolls around.

This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans officially announce signing of Pro Bowl OL Wyatt Teller

The second week of NFL free agency is winding down, and the Atlanta Falcons are unlikely to make any more major moves before the 2026 NFL Draft arrives next month. The team used its limited cap space to franchise tag Kyle Pitts, sign quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and add improve the overall roster depth.

We saw the return of a few familiar faces, including wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus and tight end Austin Hooper, while other key players, such as linebacker Kaden Elliss and edge Arnold Ebiketie, departed for greener pastures.

The Falcons will go into the draft with just five total picks, which is something that general manager Ian Cunningham vowed to never let happen again while he is in Atlanta. The team sent its 2026 first-round selection to the Los Angeles Rams to acquire James Pearce Jr. -- a move that worked out well before the rookie was arrested last month.

So, where do the Falcons pick in each round of the 2026 NFL Draft? Check out the full list of picks below.

List of Falcons' draft picks in 2026 NFL Draft

• Round 2: Pick No. 48
• Round 3: Pick No. 79
• Round 4: Pick No. 114
• Round 6: Pick No. 197
• Round 7: Pick No. 231

Follow along with each Falcons transaction using our 2026 NFL free agency tracker!

This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Atlanta Falcons: List of picks in 2026 NFL Draft

With the Houston Texans have recently signed Cleveland Browns lineman Wyatt Teller to the offensive line, a "best player availible" approach might be the best option for the franchise when on the clock at pick No. 28 next month.

In the latest mock draft from NFL Network, that's exactly what Houston does, shoring up a long-term need with a potential top-20 pick slipping outside the ranks.

NFL.com's Eric Edholm recently released his mock draft 2.0 following the first wave of free agency entering the week. Hoping to shore up the right side of the defensive line long-term, Edhold actually has Houston passing on an offensive tackle and taking Ohio State defensive standout Kayden McDonald, thus giving Will Anderson Jr. a long-term running mate at the interior.

"I previously slotted an offensive lineman here for the Texans, but they've since made multiple veteran additions there, so it's time to turn to the other side of the trenches," Edholm wrote. "McDonald could fill a run-stopping void inside immediately and elevate a great defense even higher."

McDonald, a standout of the Bulldogs, has a chance to be a staple in the run game. Last season as the key run defender for college football's No. 1-ranked defense, McDonald finished with a team-leading nine tackles for loss, 21 QB hits and three sacks.

Since the start of the DeMeco Ryans era, Houston has continued to bargain shop at defensive tackle rather than just have a stable long-term face at the position. With the arrival of McDonald, he would serve as the focal point of Houston's interior run defense, pairing him alongside Sheldon Rankins at least through 2027.

There's not a lot of flash to his game, but Miller is expected to be a stable option that should be a staple for interior defensive line play for years to come. It's likely the only move Houston could make for the defensive front, but it's a step in a direction that should give more promise entering 2026.

Given that Houston has two second-round picks and an early pick in Round 3, addressing the offensive line still should be expected. The Texans likely could consider options like Oregon's Emmanuel Pregnon, Utah's Caleb Lomu, or Texas A&M's Chase Bisontis when on the board at No. 38.

To check the entire mock draft, click the link here.

This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans find a stable long-term defensive lineman in NFL.com's new mock

Wisconsin's upset loss to High Point in the first round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament opened the door to another team from Wisconsin to get dunked on over social media.

Wisconsin gave up a late lead and lost in shocking fashion to the 12th seeded High Point Panthers by a final score of 83-82 on Thursday afternoon. In the moments soon after, the Carolina Panthers took to social media and provided a not-so-subtle reminder of the team's upset win over the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field back in November.

The post was titled "Something about Panthers and beating Wisconsin teams" and showed a lone Panthers fan cheering among a horde of Packers fans at Lambeau Field.

Something about Panthers and beating Wisconsin teams pic.twitter.com/Pa3QNuOn4z

— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) March 19, 2026

The Panthers, coming off a 40-9 loss to the Buffalo Bills and pegged as two-touchdown underdogs, got a game-winning 49-yard field goal as time expired to stun the Packers 16-13. The loss snapped the Packers' three-game winning streak and featured a season-ending injury to tight end Tucker Kraft.

The Badgers' loss to High Point is the first big upset of the 2026 NCAA tournament.

This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers catch a stray after Wisconsin upset by High Point in NCAA tournament

Over the weekend, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was seen out with three beautiful women, including rumored Tom Brady girlfriend Alix Earle.

They were all spotted on Sunday at Oscar parties in Hollywood after the ceremony, and the four of them piled into a car, with the three ladies in the back seat.

Brady and Burrow were at an event in Los Angeles to promote the Fanatics Flag Football Classic, and Brady was taking potshots at everyone, including Burrow.

Apparently, Brady heard about Burrow’s night on the town and took a shot at him. Burrow’s team is called the Wildcats.

“That’s what they called Joe the other night at those Oscars parties … the Wildcat,” Brady said. “At least he’s here, no fashion shows to attend to.”

To say the incident was a bit awkward between the two is an understatement. The two side-eyed one another, and Burrow had a slight grin on his face.

Brady also threw a haymaker at Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels.

Of Daniels Brady said, “I haven’t seen Jayden on the field in 7 or 8 months. … I’m just happy his mom let him play.”

It was all in good fun…we think. 

This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Tom Brady throws shade at Joe Burrow during recent event

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Teddy Buchanan had his 2025 NFL season ended in the latter weeks of last year's team campaign. Buchanan's ACL tear definitely put a strain on the team's run defense, which struggled against the powerhouse teams like the New England Patriots, heading into the postseason. The disheartening missed kick by Ravens kicker Tyler Loop in week 18 also reinforces negative feelings, but hints at a broader notion: a narrative of recurring shortcomings in the Ravens' season. Certainly, defensive tackle Nmandi Madubuike was missed, but the Ravens still showed signs of having the ability to stop the run when Buchanan was in the lineup. The question is, how will Buchanan perform under new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver?

“I was trying to be what I thought an NFL player was,” Buchanan said about his settling into a starting role. “But I realized eventually, ‘Teddye, you just gotta be you.’ I realized I am good enough and I deserve to be here.”

Buchanan is walking again and “living a normal life,” he said via the Baltimore Sun. That means he’s still on schedule to be ready as soon as training camp this summer.

Inside linebacker Roquan Smith is still going to be the head honcho on the team defense, but Buchanan is undoubtedly coming into his own. The blitz packages that Weaver will now be able to deploy with Buchanan and the newly signed defensive end Trey Hendrickson should reignite nirvana at M&T Bank Stadium. Baltimore Ravens fans were accustomed to relishing the success of their stellar defensive units, and it isn't to say the team didn't show signs of it last season. Yet if the Ravens can get back to sacking and pressuring opposing quarterbacks, this should improve their pass defense, which was ranked near the bottom of the NFL at the start of last season.

Buchanan will need intensive therapy to recalibrate his lower body and return to form. Weaver will look to deploy Buchananan against speedy pass-catching tight ends and running backs on passing downs. Yet it's Buchanan's deployability that makes him an essential piece of the Ravens' second level of defense.

This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens LB Teddye Buchanan is on track to return from a torn ACL

Why Bears' first-round pick at 25th overall is perfect way to fill biggest roster hole originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Chicago Bears are entering the second wave of the 2026 NFL offseason with a few of their biggest issues already addressed.

Coby Bryant helps resolve the safety room, and Devin Bush is a great replacement for Tremaine Edmunds. After Drew Dalman's surprise retirement, Garrett Bradbury is a solid fill-in. But, there is still one major need remaining.

As ESPN's Courtney Cronin noted, the edge rusher position is the team's clear biggest hole on the roster. And the most perfect way to fill such a hole is with the 25th overall pick in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, thanks to great options at that spot.

Bears have perfect chance to fill EDGE need at 25th pick

"Biggest remaining roster hole: Edge rusher," Cronin writes. "The Bears hold the No. 25 pick in the draft and could use it to find a defensive end who projects to start opposite Montez Sweat."

While prospects Ruben Bain and David Bailey won't make it to 25th overall barring a miracle, there will be plenty of realistic options to make it to the Bears' pick at No. 25 overall.

Miami's Akheem Mesidor, Auburn's Keldrick Faulk, Texas A&M's Cashius Howell, Clemson's T.J. Parker, Missouri's Zion Young, and Oklahoma's R Mason Thomas should all have good to great odds of making it to the Bears' pick at No. 25 overall.

Gabe Jacas out of Illinois, Malachi Lawrence out of UCF, Dani Dennis-Sutton out of Penn State, Joshua Josephs out of Tennessee, Derrick Moore out of Michigan, and Romello Height all should be available as well, barring a complete surprise.

More: Bears can trade for Maxx Crosby after Ravens back out of Raiders deal

Montez Sweat needs a pass rusher to pair with him going forward. While they could go after Maxx Crosby for a blockbuster trade or add Kayvon Thibodeaux from the New York Giants, taking a rookie at No. 25 would give at least four years of cheap edge rusher play.

While there's a risk of the player not turning out to be good, one of those names, between Mesidor and Thomas, should be a solid draft pick for the Bears with the 25th pick.

There's no guarantee the Bears will have a worthwhile pass rusher available at that spot, but the odds are good that one of those top names, other than Bailey and Bain, will make it to the Bears' first-round pick.

With the 25th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Bears will likely have a perfect chance to land a long-term answer at edge rusher opposite Sweat. Whether it's Mesidor, Faulk, Howell, Parker, or Young, Ryan Poles should have an option at No. 25.

More Bears news:

• Drew Dalman surprisingly retires at 27 years old after Pro Bowl season
• DJ Moore trade to Bills isn't expected to be all Bears do in trade market
• Bears to sign WR and returner Kalif Raymond to $5.5 million contract News
• Tyson Bagent trade rumors might pick up steam after Case Keenum re-signs with Bears
• Bears to sign Devin Bush to $30 million contract
• Coby Bryant to sign with Bears on $40 million contract
• D’Marco Jackson to re-sign with Bears on $7.5 million deal

The Miami Dolphins moved on from one kicker and had another hitting free agency, so they needed to find someone to make field goals and extra points throughout the 2026 season.

While Miami eventually signed a pair of kickers, the first one they brought in was Zane Gonzalez, and there's a strong chance that he wins the job over the returning Riley Patterson.

However, before we get there, let's get a chance to know the new boot in the room.

Illustrious College Career

After attending Deer Park High School in Deer Park, Texas, Gonzalez spent four years at Arizona State from 2013-16. With the Sun Devils he was incredible, winning the Lou Groza Award once and earning All-American honors once and All-Pac-12 honors thrice. When he left college, he had made more field goals than anyone in NCAA history (96), but NC State's Christopher Dunn just beat it out, making 97 from 2018-22.

9-Year veteran

The Cleveland Browns to Gonzalez in the seventh round (No. 224 overall) in the 2017 NFL draft. He's also spent time with the Arizona Cardinals, Detroit Lions, Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers, Washington Commanders and Atlanta Falcons. In his career, he's 115-for-142 (81%) on field goals and 163-for-171 (95.3%) on extra points.

What's in a name?

Gonzalez' first name is a unique one, and apparently, his parents got it from a popular movie.

"We were watching the movie 'Maverick' with Mel Gibson and his dad's name was Zane Cooper," Gonzalez' father, Joseph, said, "and I just liked the name Zane."

Cleat routine

Every kicker has their superstitions, but Gonzalez's game day cleat routine might be a bit uncomfortable.

"I wear a 10.5 size shoe regularly and on gameday my cleats are 9.5," Gonzalez told Charlotte Vibe. "My toes are knuckled in a little bit, but I'm just trying to make sure it's a clean contact... I go in there and scuff them up, get the cleats a little worn down so when I kick I don't catch the grass."

More Dolphins: Dolphins 4 biggest holes to fill after first wave of free agency

This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: NFL free agency: 4 things to know about new Dolphins K Zane Gonzalez

The Jacksonville Jaguars did make an effort to retain free agent linebacker Devin Lloyd.

According to The Athletic's Joe Person, who covers the Panthers, Lloyd said that the Jaguars did make an offer before he ultimately signed with Carolina.

What that offer was, we do not know. But Lloyd signed a three-year, $45 million deal to join the Panthers, so we can probably assume that the Jaguars didn't reach that mark.

Lloyd put together a breakout season with the Jaguars in 2025. This included making his first Pro Bowl team and being named a second-team All-Pro.

Devin Lloyd said the Jaguars did make an offer before he signed with the Panthers.

— Joe Person (@josephperson) March 19, 2026

Lloyd did a bit of everything for the Jaguars' defense, recording 28 pressures as a blitzer, impacting the run game as one of PFF's highest-graded linebackers, and making plays in coverage, which includes coming away with five interceptions.

The Jaguars will now have to replace his presence in the middle of the defense. GM James Gladstone recently detailed how the Jaguars will go about doing that, and the very first player he mentioned was Ventrell Miller. Gladstone also mentioned Branson Combs as someone who could provide a special teams presence in Lloyd's absence.

With 11 draft picks, including four in the top 100, the Jaguars could also turn to the draft for added competition at the linebacker position.

This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: NFL free agency: Jaguars attempted to re-sign LB Devin Lloyd

After the Los Angeles Rams’ 2025 season ended in the NFC title game, Matthew Stafford gave no indications of whether he’d come back for his 18th year in the NFL. He didn’t have to give it much thought, though, because within two weeks, he decided to continue playing for the Rams.

Sean McVay and Les Snead knew Stafford would announce his return at the NFL Honors show, which he did during his MVP acceptance speech, but teammates were left out of the loop.

Kyren Williams and Kevin Dotson were asked by ESPN this week whether they knew Stafford was coming back, and they had no idea.

“Everybody found out that night,” Williams said.

Dotson said he breathed a big sigh of relief when Stafford said he was returning, knowing how integral he is to the entire team – not just the offense.

“The last two years have really been like, ‘All right, hold up. Give us an answer, please,’” Dotson joked. “Once I heard that, I was like, ‘You can exhale a little bit.’ He’s such a guy that the team follows. We rally behind him so much that him being that pivotal piece for our offense, and really the team. The defense, they know, let’s give him a chance. We know, give him a chance. Offensive line, give him at least 3 seconds, something spectacular might happen.”

With Stafford back, the Rams are the Super Bowl favorites in 2026, slightly ahead of the defending champion Seattle Seahawks. Had Stafford retired, the Rams would’ve had no answers at quarterback, forcing them to scramble at the position in an attempt to replace the MVP.

Fortunately, they don’t have to worry about that (yet) because No. 9 is back for Year 18.

This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams players didn't know Matthew Stafford was announcing his return