Broncos could snag second-best running back in class with first-round pick originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Denver Broncos should be looking to upgrade the running back position in 2026 and fortunately for them, there are some salivating options to do just that. 

The team could strike a deal in free agency with a heavy hitter such as Breece Hall or Super Bowl LX MVP Kenneth Walker. There are also less expensive options such as Tyler Allgeier. 

But the Broncos could also re-sign their own free agent running back, J.K. Dobbins, and add to the room through the draft. 

Could the two best running backs in this year's crop of rookies come out of the same school? It sure appears that way. 

Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love looks like a generational talent who could be a top-five pick. But his college teammate, Jadarian Price, is no slouch either. Price should be in strong consideration for the Broncos at the back end of the first round. 

Jadarian Price deemed a 'sneaky option' for Broncos

Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com, one of the best and most respected evaluators of talent in the media, recently discussed that the Broncos could have a sneaky option in Price. 

"I think he can be a No. 1 back. If he was playing anywhere else, he would have been. He just happened to be playing with Jeremiyah Love. ... He's someone that I think has a chance to be a three-down, complete back, which would be a great pairing with RJ Harvey for that group", said Jeremiah. 

Price went to Notre Dame over offers from several top schools, including Ohio State and Texas. In three years at the school, he rushed for 1,692 yards and 21 touchdowns. Those may not look like the biggest numbers, but keep in mind, he was playing behind the best back in the country. His 6.0 yards per carry are a good indicator of how good he can be. 

Breakaway run after breakaway run…

Jadarian Price is always breaking off huge runs. He will be missed for sure ❤️🍀

pic.twitter.com/HqQB3EPWBF

— Biased Notre Dame Fan (@CFBGuy999) February 22, 2026

If you haven't seen much of this kid playing, do yourself a favor and check out these highlights. He's a phenomenal talent who has largely been hidden behind the greatness that is Love. But there isn't mcu hhe can't do and he would be a tremendous addition to the Denver backfield. 

He has legitimate 4.4 speed and he can bust a long run at any given time, using patience and elite instincts to set up big plays. He is tough to tackle at any level of the field and he has the athleticism to be a huge force in the passing game as well. 

If there is an area he could stand to improve at, it's in pass protection, but if he can improve upon his technique there, he becomes a solid three-down back who would be a tremendous consolation prize for a team looking for a running back who won't have the ability to grab Love. 

The Los Angeles Rams head into the 2026 offseason looking to build a juggernaut.

After failing to make the Super Bowl despite owning the No. 1 offense, L.A. sounds ready to push all the chips into the table to make another run with Matthew Stafford in 2026. That means bold moves, something neither Les Snead nor Sean McVay are afraid of after pulling off major deals during their time together.

Secondary help will be the biggest external priority for L.A. this offseason, and CBS Sports' Bryan DeArdo writes that the Rams could be a landing spot for Miami Dolphins safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. The team is reportedly open to trading the veteran, but it's unclear how likely they are to do a deal or who would be a potential suitor.

DeArdo thinks L.A. should be involved because Fitzpatrick would be a huge playmaker in Chris Shula's defense.

It's conceivable to think that Fitzpatrick would be the difference in helping the Rams leapfrog the newly crowned champion Seattle Seahawks as the NFL's best team. Seattle lost its first game against Los Angeles last year before winning its last two games on the strength of some clutch passes from Darnold.

While they have some talented defensive backs, the Rams lack speed and experience in that area. Fitzpatrick would fill both of those voids while giving defensive coordinator Chris Shula another proven commodity alongside emerging stars Jared Verse, Byron Young, Kamren Curl and Quentin Lake.

Fitzpatrick is a five-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro who is coming off a solid season in Miami. He finished with one interception, one sack, one forced fumble and 82 combined tackles for the Dolphins. Fitzpatrick, 29, has 21 interceptions, four pick-sixes, six forced fumbles and 690 combined tackles in his NFL career.

The price to acquire Fitzpatrick is unclear. This past offseason, he was traded back to Miami from the Pittsburgh Steelers along with a fifth-round pick for Jalen Ramsey, Jonnu Smith, and a 2027 seventh-round pick. According to Spotrac, the team acquiring Fitzpatrick would have to pay him $15.6 million in 2026. Fitzpatrick's contract would void on the fifth day after the 2026 Super Bowl, though, per Over the Cap.

Adding Fitzpatrick would be a bold one for L.A., but it would only make sense if they didn't feel strongly about keeping Curl at a reasonable rate or about drafting anyone. The trade price would have to be right, too, for this to make sense.

This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams named as a potential landing spot for S Minkah Fitzpatrick

Analyst reveals Ravens' highest offseason priority and it's not Lamar Jackson originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Baltimore Ravens have a long checklist to work through this offseason, and it is crucial for Jesse Minter that the franchise works through that list.

Yes, Lamar Jackson's contract, plus the ability to keep key players like Isaiah Likely and Tyler Linderbaum, are top of the wishlist, but there might be something else.

Given how poor the Ravens' defense was at times in 2025, maybe overhauling the unit for Minter should be seen as a priority.

Well, for NFL.com's Matt Okada, he named repairing the defensive front as Baltimore's highest priority.

"A couple years ago, Baltimore’s defensive front was a strength, anchoring the top scoring defense in the NFL," Okada wrote. "In 2025, it was a weakness. Perhaps through both free agency and the draft, the Ravens should focus on restoring their defensive front at the start of the Jesse Minter era."

More:Chiefs' Andy Reid offers key Patrick Mahomes injury update

Lamar's contract has to be urgent, right?

Given that the Ravens are staring down the barrel of a $74.5 million cap hit, and the fact that repairing the defensive front will likely mean splashing in free agency, yeah, Baltimore needs more cap space.

And extending Lamar, or restructuring his contract, will help ease his 2026 cap hit.

Of course, in an ideal world, the Ravens would sign Lamar to a long-term deal that would allow the franchise to push money into future years, and in turn, give the front office more ammunition to get the defensive players it needs.

So yes, fixing the defensive front is key, but so too is figuring out how to shrink Lamar's cap hit for 2026.

More NFL news:

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• Isaiah Likely's 3-word quote offers glaring Ravens reality
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Chiefs' Andy Reid offers key Patrick Mahomes injury update originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

We are at the time of the NFL offseason, where players are on vacation with their families and enjoying some downtime, but not Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

After suffering a torn ACL late in the season, Mahomes is vigorously working to get back to be ready for Week 1 of next season.

That is a lofty goal, with some wanting Patrick to take it easy and even have the entire year off.

But we know that's not how Patrick is wired.

And head coach Andy Reid has updated us on the progress Mahomes is making in his recovery.

“He's around here all the time, spends a ton of time here, seven hours a day,” Reid said. “He's in there cranking away, making progress every day, it's great to see. He and Julie [Frymyer], she grinds on him and makes sure that he stays on task and challenges him, and he keeps showing up.

“So that's half the battle on these things when you have these injuries that you show up and it's not going to be a pleasant thing every day. You got to fight through it, and you got to attack the challenge of the workout and rehab. So, he's doing a great job with that.”

More:1 key thing potentially holding Chiefs back in Tyreek Hill reunion

Will Mahomes make Week 1?

Well, that's the goal, and if Patrick is spending seven hours a day in rehab, you would be a fool to be against him.

But if we are being truthful, for Patrick to be good to go in Week 1, he would likely need a few months of conditioning at training camp, which means he'll need to be cleared to participate in roughly three months.

Can that happen? Color us skeptical on that, but who knows, players come back early all the time, and Patrick might be the latest to do it.

But the Chiefs will be cautious because the last thing the franchise wants is for No. 15 to rush back and break down immediately.

That's nightmare fuel.

More NFL news:

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• Isaiah Likely's 3-word quote offers glaring Ravens reality
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• Bills have several Keon Coleman questions to answer this offseason
• ESPN reveals stunning cost to fix glaring Ravens issue
• Ravens' 2026 win total projection ideal for Lamar Jackson

For the fourth time in his career, assistant coach John Morton will be part of a Sean Payton coaching staff. As reported by Jeremy Fowler of ESPN on Sunday, the Denver Broncos are expected to hire Morton as their passing game coordinator. He was with the Detroit Lions as offensive coordinator last season before being stripped of play-calling duties at mid-season and then fired at the end of the year.

Morton, 56, will be an assistant under Payton for the fourth time. He was part of Payton's first staff with the New Orleans Saints in 2006 as the passing game coordinator. After that season, Morton was an assistant with the USC Trojans and San Francisco 49ers before rejoining the Saints as a wide receiver coach from 2015 through 2016. Sean Payton brought Morton on as the pass game coordinator when he became the head coach of the Broncos in 2023.

However, Morton left Denver at the conclusion of the 2024 season to become offensive coordinator for the Lions under Dan Campbell, another former New Orleans Saints assistant coach. Campbell pulled play-calling responsibilities from Morton around mid-season, and Morton was relieved of duties altogether after Detroit finished a disappointing year. The Broncos brought Morton in as an offensive consultant for the playoffs, and are now prepared to elevate his position. Morton is the latest ex-Saints player or coach to join Payton in Denver after Ronald Curry recently signed up.

This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Sean Payton re-hires another former Saints coach in Broncos reunion

Saquon Barkley provides encouraging update about Eagles' new offense under Sean Mannion originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Philadelphia Eagles star running back Saquon Barkley provided an encouraging update on the  team’s new offense under new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion.

The Eagles needed a major change on offense after the disappointment that was the 2025 season, and it sounds like Mannion’ scheme will provide that.

Philadelphia also replaced longtime offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland with Chris Kuper and brought in Ryan Mahaffey to serve as run game coordinator. 

"I'm super excited about it," Barkley said of the new-look offense. "I'm going on Year 9, which is crazy to say, and I've had a lot of different coaches and head coaches and been a part of a lot of systems. I don't think I really came across a system like this. For me, it's refreshing. You get something new. You get to learn something new.”

Mannion is Barkley’s third offensive coordinator since he signed with the Eagles in 2024, and he’s excited about the challenge of learning yet another new system.

More: Nick Sirianni releases statement regarding Eagles' decision to hire Sean Mannion

"I got to meet him. We didn't really talk about X's and O's and kind of just kept it introduction and got to meet a lot of the new guys on offense," Barkley said of Mannion. "As a competitor, you love it. You love the challenge of putting yourself in a new system and doing the things that you do really well, and also things that you need to improve on and that they're going to challenge us to do.

"I feel like if we are able to have that mindset as an offense and buy into that, I think the sky's the limit."

So, what went wrong for Philadelphia’s offense last year? Barkley pointed to a lack of consistency. But, he’s optimistic that it was an issue that the team can learn from and improve upon moving forward.

"At the end of the day, we just weren't consistent enough throughout games," Barkely said. "That's something that we have to challenge ourselves to get ready for next year. We made a lot of changes on offense with the coaching staff, so excited to get in the building and learn something new and just go out on the field and put last year in the past.”

After running for over 2,000 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2024, Barkley tallied just 1,140 rushing yards and 7 TDs last season. He’ll look to try to get back closer to have 2024 production next season.

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If you are a Baltimore Ravens fan and you expected the team to make major changes this offseason, you will more than likely be disappointed. 

Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta made it clear in a recent interview on the Inner Circle Podcast that the team will not be making any major moves this offseason in free agency.

“I don’t get as involved with free agency, so I’m not gonna spend as much time… we don’t spend a lot of money in free agency…we’ve never been a free agency team. We’re a draft and develop team.”

That’s interesting, considering that not that long ago, the Ravens went out and signed future Hall of Fame running back Derrick Henry, which turned out to be a success.

Decades before that, the team also signed Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe, but that was under former GM Ozzie Newsome.

The fact that the team would rather take their chances in this year’s draft is an interesting take, considering there are a lot of glaring spots that need to be filled. One of them is at wide receiver. 

DeCosta said they wouldn’t spend much in free agency, but he didn’t say they wouldn’t be looking into trades. So maybe there is light at the end of the tunnel for Ravens’ fans. 

This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Ravens GM says team won’t be making a lot of moves during free agency

Bengals reportedly considering bold trade decision with 81-sack All-Pro pass rusher originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Cincinnati Bengals are set up to add a lot of talent to their defense this offseason. While the offense is mostly set, the defense needs a lot of help.

But, before the Bengals can begin adding players in free agency, in trades, and in the NFL Draft, they need to make a big decision on their 81-sack All-Pro pass rusher, Trey Hendrickson.

According to Tony Pauline of Essentiallysports.com, the Bengals are reportedly considering making a bold tag-and-trade decision with Hendrickson.

Bengals considering bold Trey Hendrickson trade decision

"While there have been several predictions where Hendrickson could sign in free agency," Pauline writes, "people with knowledge of the situation tell me that it's not out of the question that Cincinnati will attempt to tag and trade the nine-year veteran."

Hendrickson is set to be a free agent this offseason, but the Bengals instead could franchise tag him to a one-year deal worth around $30 million, and then trade him.

While Hendrickson could come back to the Bengals, with how last year's negotiations went, the more likely outcome is that the Bengals will let him go this offseason.

Whether it's simply letting him walk in free agency or if the Bengals tag and trade him to a new team, the 31-year-old veteran looks to be headed to a new team this offseason.

More: Bengals could upgrade safety room amid strong fit with Chiefs' Super Bowl champion

There are plenty of teams that need pass-rush help and would likely be willing to give up decent draft capital to add Hendrickson in a trade.

While it would be ideal for a team to sign him, the Bengals having the franchise tag at their disposal doesn't bode well for Hendrickson hitting the open market.

This report from Pauline indicates the Bengals are, at the very least, considering a tag and trade. It's a risky move, as they might not find a trade suitor that makes it worth it.

There's no bigger decision for the Bengals to begin the offseason than what they do with Hendrickson. An extension doesn't look likely, while a tag and trade or letting him walk seem to be the most likely outcomes with Hendrickson this offseason.

More Bengals news:

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• Bengals expected to make interesting Trey Hendrickson trade decision
• Bengals trade idea lands Cowboys DT recently acquired in blockbuster trade for cheap
• Why Bengals should prioritize Joe Flacco over Trey Hendrickson in free agency

Buccaneers' Baker Mayfield plays down tension with Kevin Stefanski originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

We remember when Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield reacted to his former head coach, Kevin Stefanski, becoming the Atlanta Falcons' head coach, don't we?

Mayfield famously said he was still waiting for a text message from Stefanski to tell him he had been moved on from the Cleveland Browns, and Baker even said he was shipped off like a piece of garbage.

So that seems like there is a lot of tension, at least from Baker's side, toward Stefanski.

Well, it appears that those feelings might be subsiding as Mayfield, in a talk with Sports Illustrated back at the Super Bowl, downplayed it.

"There's stuff there, but it's not like its beef," Mayfield said via Sports Illustrated. "We've worked together, anytime you know somebody, you want to beat them whether it's a good or bad relationship."

More:Buccaneers tipped for 2026 bounce-back with Baker Mayfield

Bucs/ Falcons rivalry heating up

With Stefanski now in Atlanta, he will see Baker twice a year for the foreseeable future, adding another layer to the NFC South rivalry.

The Bucs are coming off a year that saw them go 5-1 before stumbling to an 8-9 record and missing the playoffs.

The Falcons stormed home, winning their last four games to finish 8-9 as well, so 2026 looms as a tough assignment for teams in the division.

And with Baker and Stefanski's "history," it will make Tampa Bay vs. Atlanta box office viewing.

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• Bills have several Keon Coleman questions to answer this offseason
• ESPN reveals stunning cost to fix glaring Ravens issue
• Ravens' 2026 win total projection ideal for Lamar Jackson

What the Los Angeles Rams do to replace quarterback Matthew Stafford will be the big question that needs to be answered. Stafford is back in 2026, but this could certainly be the legendary passer's final year in the league before he rides into the sunset.

So, now, many have wondered what the Rams will do once Stafford is gone. And, more importantly, when. The Rams have two first-round picks in 2026, so it stands to reason the team could find Stafford's replacement this year and have him develop for a season before he takes over next year.

NFL commentator Colin Cowherd doesn't like that idea, though. He said on his show this week that the Rams shouldn't draft a quarterback in 2026 and instead focus on drafting players to add around Stafford to make a Super Bowl run.

"Don’t worry about a quarterback. It’s not a great quarterback draft," Cowherd said. "Just stack the team because the following year you’re probably going to have to give up all sorts of draft picks to get your quarterback. And the Rams are still very young on defense. So why not just ride with Stafford?

"Instead of worrying about his replacement ... take every one of these picks and make sure they fit with Stafford and make a run at the Super Bowl."

This is, in reality, probably the best move the Rams can make this offseason. There isn't a star quarterback worth a Day 1 or Day 2 pick outside of Fernando Mendoza, and the Rams aren't starving for one just yet.

There are, however, some other areas of concern the Rams should look at in the draft, such as cornerback, receiver and offensive line. Those are win-now moves that could help the Rams make a playoff push again.

Now, this shouldn't stop the Rams from looking for Stafford's replacement this offseason in the draft or free agency, or the veteran trade market. But, as Cowherd suggests, the focus should be on winning a Super Bowl in 2026 rather than finding a replacement for Stafford in 2027 and beyond.

This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Colin Cowherd says Rams shouldn't draft a QB in 2026

'Best player available': Who Dane Brugler says Browns can't pass up at No. 6 in the Draft originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

When you’re sitting at No. 6 overall in the NFL Draft, do you draft specifically for need, or grab a superstar you can't pass up? That’s the potentially franchise altering question facing GM Andrew Berry and the Cleveland Browns.

While the consensus screams for an offensive tackle or a game-breaking wide receiver, The Athletic’s Dane Brugler is banging the drum for a different strategy: best player available. Appearing on 92.3 The Fan, Brugler favored the elite talent on the board, specifically Ohio State safety Caleb Downs.

"I firmly believe in taking the best player available when you're in the top 10," Brugler stated. "It comes down to what is the gap between Caleb Downs and your highest-graded offensive player."

NFL.com’s Nick Shook, a native Northeast Ohioan, joined The SICK Podcast with Andy McNamara, echoed the sentiment that the Browns are in a unique—if stressful—situation. Discussing the roster's current state and the allure of high-end talent, Shook noted that while the needs are obvious, you can't ignore a ceiling like Downs. "You're looking for cornerstones," Shook noted. "If the guy is a perennial Pro Bowler, you don't care what the depth chart looks like today."

More: Is JOK’s career over? Latest update on Browns LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah

The debate is officially on. Do the Browns play it safe with a "need" pick, or do they grab a blue chip stud to make an already strong defense even more intimidating?

Caleb Downs: To Draft or Not to Draft?

Why You Draft Him:

• Generational Talent: Widely regarded as the best safety prospect in years, potentially a "top 2 player" regardless of position.
• The Buckeye Factor: A local hero with instant chemistry and a high football IQ who has already dominated at the highest collegiate level.
• BPA Security: Taking the highest-graded player reduces the risk of "reaching" for a sub-par tackle or receiver just to fill a hole.

Why You Pass:

• Positional Value: Safety is rarely viewed as a "premium" Top 10 position compared to left Tackle or WR1.
• Not a Natural Ballhawk: Downs is a physical, versatile force, but he isn't necessarily the pure centerfield free safety that naturally complements Grant Delpit’s aggressive style.
• The O-Line Crisis: With aging and injury-prone tackles, passing on a franchise protector at No. 6 could leave the quarterback—and the entire offense—dangerously exposed.

What Berry does pre-draft in free agency at OL and receiver will obviously dictate the first round strategy. If the Browns sign one of the top available tackles in Green Bay’s Rasheed Walker (for example), then selecting Downs at No. 6 and still a top tier WR 24th overall could make a lot of sense.

More Browns News:

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Why Seahawks have to spend $50 million this offseason according to NFL CBA originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Seattle Seahawks won Super Bowl 60 and now have a lot of difficult decisions to make this offseason.

Seahawks general manager John Schneider has $61 million in cap space to work with, and he's going to need to use a lot of that this offseason.

According to Tony Pauline of Essentiallysports.com, the Seahawks, among a few other teams, will need to spend $50 million this offseason. The reason why is simple: the Seahawks need to meet the NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement's requirements.

Why Seahawks need to spend $50M this offseason

"Several teams, including the New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, Seattle Seahawks, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Rams and Chargers, as well as the Tennessee Titans, must spend an additional $50 million on player contracts this year to meet their three-year requirement, according to the CBA," Pauline writes.

Thanks to the NFL salary cap set to be around $303.5 million, the Seahawks have plenty of cap space to work with. They'll need it, as they have to meet the CBA's requirement.

According to the NFL CBA: "For each of the following multi-League-Year periods 2021–2023 (three League Years), 2024–2026 (three League Years), and 2027–2030 (four League Years), there shall be a guaranteed Minimum Team Cash Spending of 90% of the Salary Caps for such periods."

More: Seahawks get big $14.5M franchise tag update on Kenneth Walker III amid team history

What this means for the Seahawks is that, to meet the minimum spending requirement, they will need to spend, as Pauline notes, $50 million to become compliant with the CBA.

There are plenty of moves the Seahawks can make this offseason to spend $50 million this offseason. Kenneth Walker III, Coby Bryant, Tariq Woolen, Rashid Shaheed, Josh Jobe, and Boye Mafe are major free agents the Seahawks could re-sign.

With plenty of cap space, a great roster, and coming off a Super Bowl, the Seahawks should have no problems becoming CBA compliant this offseason.

The Seahawks will make moves this offseason, as not only will they pursue another Super Bowl, but the Seahawks need to reach 90% of the salary cap across the last three years.

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The Los Angeles Rams could go big game hunting in the 2026 NFL draft. Armed with two first-round picks and minimal needs, L.A. is in a great position to add some blue chip prospects to the roster for another Super Bowl run with Matthew Stafford back under center.

Underdog's Hayden Winks released his recent mock draft ahead of the NFL Combine and had the Rams making two big moves in the first round. First, he had L.A. trade up with the Washington Commanders to No. 7 to take Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. Then, Winks had the Rams drafting Texas A&M receiver and return specialist KC Concepcion.

The Rams under GM Les Snead are always sniffing around, and this team values smarts, especially in the secondary. Downs' instincts and ability to tackle from the top-shelf are outstanding. He'd be a perfect fit, especially if Kamren Curl is too expensive for them to re-sign. It'd only take 13th and 61st overall to make the move up, and remember, the Rams have extra picks this year. At the same time, the Commanders don't have 2nd- or 4th-rounders and have a lot more holes to fill after a disastrous 2025 campaign.

The Rams special teams was a disaster. Concepcion will at least fix the return game for them with blazing speed. More importantly, he brings the juice from the boundary or slot that this offense was looking for when hunting in the TuTu Atwell waters. Concepcion is lightyears better in terms of fighting through contact, even if both are undersized speed-based players. Concepcion would be lethal on those Matthew Stafford bombs in 2026, then be a fun counter to Puka Nacua long-term once Davante Adams moves on. The numbers don't back it up because of bad QB play, but Concepcion had Round 1 film to me.

These are bold moves for a team looking to win now in 2026. Downs is an elite prospect and could play a huge role in Chris Shula's defense for this upcoming season. Concepcion, as Winks wrote, would be a quality deep threat option who has special teams appeal. He returned 25 punts for 456 yards and two touchdowns this past season on top of 61 receptions for 919 yards and an SEC-high nine touchdowns. Concepcion caught 185 career passes for 2,218 yards and 25 touchdowns in three collegiate seasons.

Not drafting a pure cornerback is risky, but Downs offers the elevated ability as a deep secondary player who can also play in the box. He is a versatile chess piece who could unlock the defense.

This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: 2026 mock draft: Rams trade up in first round for marquee player

After finishing their 2025 season with a 12-5 record and in third place in the NFC West, the Los Angeles Rams enter the offseason with their mind on the future and making sure they have a roster that can compete for a Lombardi Trophy.

While the Rams have a lot to do this offseason, free agency is around the corner, and they have several key players hitting the market, including tight end Tyler Higbee.

Before the new league year starts, let's analyze the decision that Sean McVay and Les Snead will have to make regarding the tight end's future.

Tyler Higbee 2025 season recap

2025 was Higbee's 10th NFL season and 10th with the Rams, but after missing most of the 2024 season while recovering from a torn ACL and MCL, he appeared in just 10 games this past year due to an ankle injury. He finished the 2025 season with 25 receptions for 281 yards and three touchdowns.

In the team's three playoff games, he caught four passes for 84 yards.

Potential replacements for Tyler Higbee

Los Angeles could rely on their other tight ends on the roster (Colby Parkinson, Terrance Ferguson and Davis Allen) as replacements for Higbee. However, if they want to sign another veteran, they could look at Kyle Pitts, Dallas Goedert, Isaiah Likely or David Njoku.

What contract could Tyler Higbee receive as a free agent?

Higbee signed a two-year, $17 million deal to remain with the Rams in 2023. Spotrac expects him to take a pay cut in 2025, as they project his market value to be $5.35 million annually. At 33 years old, he may not be playing much longer, so it might only be a one-year contract.

Should the Rams re-sign Tyler Higbee?

Higbee hasn't done much for the Rams over the last two seasons, playing just 13 games and catching 33 passes for 347 yards and five touchdowns. With Parkinson's breakout in 2025, they should feel comfortable moving on from the veteran at this point. Even if they don't grab a top tight end in free agency, they still have a decent group capable of finding success in 2026.

More Rams: Rams will reportedly propose rule change after controversial 2-point play

This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: NFL free agency: Should the Rams re-sign Tyler Higbee for 2026?

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett became the single-season all-time sack leader during the 2025 season. Now, he has his sights set on the NFL's all-time sack record.

During a recent interview with the Casino Guru News, Garrett said, “I’m going to take that down, and prefer that I take it down here in the next five years,” Garrett said. “That is definitely on my mind to go out there and get. That’s a goal I’ve had for years now, since college.”

Garrett has been a consistent force on the edge for the Browns, while earning at least 10 sacks in eight straight seasons, and totaling 125.5 sacks for his career.

Former NFL great Bruce Smith holds the NFL record with 200 sacks, leaving Garrett needing 75 to break the record. Currently, Garrett is tied for 20th on the list with Dwight Freeney.

Sacks did not become a recognizable individual stat until 1982. If Garrett can average 15 sacks a season over the next five years, he would have the opportunity to own the record in his timeframe, which is the goal he has set for himself.

Another impressive stat for Garrett is that he is third among active players in sacks, behind Von Miller and Cam Jordan, who both had a six-year head start on him.

This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Myles Garrett has set his sights on the all-time NFL sack record

Calvin Austin III, who’s set to become a free agent, has an interesting decision to make regarding his future with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Based on Austin’s comments about becoming a free agent, one could expect the blazing-fast wideout to leave Pittsburgh — with these NFL teams serving as his top potential landing spots.

Indianapolis Colts

With Alec Pierce set to become a free agent after his breakout 2025 season, the Colts could replace their talented deep threat with another speedy receiver in Austin, at a cheaper price as well.

Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders are expected to heavily address the receiver position this offseason, with the new Klint Kubiak regime in Las Vegas giving Austin his best shot at battling for a top spot on the depth chart.

New Orleans Saints

Another receiver-needy team in the Saints, Austin would give 2025 first-round QB Tyler Shough another deep threat while giving New Orleans a replacement at returner for Rashid Shaheed, who was traded to the Seattle Seahawks last season

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' Calvin Austin 2026 free agency landing spots

It is February 22, and there is no end in sight for the J.J. McCarthy talking points. If you are tired of it, you can blame Sam Darnold for only making the situation worse for Vikings fans and McCarthy.

Everyone is adding their thoughts and two cents to the situation as the Vikings face one of the more critical seasons in recent memory. The team has already made a change in the front office by firing the man who drafted him, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, and interim front office leader Rob Brzezinski has some tough choices to make.

One thing that will continue to be discussed, mainly as it relates to McCarthy, is who can come in to compete with him? Bleacher Report's Alex Kay suggests the team may be a fit for Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson, who is looking for a fresh start.

Kay writes, "Richardson would fit the bill as a promising talent who hasn't come close to meeting the lofty expectations set by his first-round draft position. While Minnesota will be working to build up J.J. McCarthy after a rough sophomore campaign, the No. 10 overall pick in 2024 has proved to be injury-prone early in his NFL career. He already missed his entire rookie season and seven games in 2025, making quarterback depth a priority this offseason. Even if he doesn't profile as a potential starter for the club, Richardson would be a significant upgrade over Max Brosmer in the QB2 slot—especially if Minnesota elects not to retain fellow backup Carson Wentz."

Head coach Kevin O'Connell has shown he loves a quarterback project. Between Daniel Jones and Sam Darnold, the iron is hot for him, and giving him Richardson to backup McCarthy in case of emergency is perhaps the most perfect situation for both teams.

This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: Vikings attached to AFC South quarterback during offseason

The Tennessee Titans organization took a break from evaluation and scouting to make an impact in the Nashville community, hosting a middle school girls' flag football clinic at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park and surprising the girls with new uniforms. 

The event, attended by Cam Ward and representatives from USA Football, provided uniforms and all of the equipment needed to help kick off the first season of the sport being implemented in Nashville middle schools. 

“The uniforms were made possible thanks to a $40,000 donation from the Titans and USA Football, the sport’s National Governing Body - the organization responsible for selecting Team USA Football,” a Titans spokesperson said. “It also marks another milestone in the Titans’ ongoing commitment to advancing the sport and giving girls a pathway to experience football first-hand as MNPS becomes the first large public school district in Tennessee to sanction girls’ flag football at the middle school level.”

As a sport, girls' flag football is surging and is finally being recognized at the college level in 2026. In January, the NCAA added it to the NCAA Emerging Sports for Women Program, giving schools more opportunities to expand women’s athletic programs, and the Titans are doing their part. Since 2021, the Titans’ flag football initiative has expanded to over 150 schools in Tennessee. 

This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Titans surprise Nashville middle school girls with new flag football uniforms

As the New York Giants continue their first offseason under newly hired head coach John Harbaugh, many questions surround the team's approach to free agency and the 2026 NFL draft, where Big Blue holds the No. 5 overall pick.

In the latest mock draft from NFL Media, the Giants select an offensive lineman, a need that could become even more pressing depending on what happens in free agency.

Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

Jaxson Dart needs to protect himself from unnecessary carnage, but the Giants must do everything in their power to maintain a clean pocket. If solid pass blocker Jermaine Eluemunor departs in free agency, he’ll leave a gaping hole at right tackle. Barring extreme belief in 2025 fifth-rounder Marcus Mbow, New York would be wise to grab this dancing bear who didn’t allow a sack in his final 23 games at Utah, per Pro Football Focus.

With highly touted Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa already off the board at No. 3 in this mock, the Giants opt for the next best available option to protect quarterback Jaxson Dart—Utah's Spencer Fano.

Most mocks that do not have the Giants addressing the offensive line project them selecting either safety Caleb Downs or wide receiver Carnell Tate, both from Ohio State. In this particular mock, New York passes on both Buckeyes in favor of Fano.

The Giants remain a wild card in terms of their strategy for free agency and the draft, as Harbaugh will have a significant influence on how the front office continues to build the roster.

That said, there is a strong argument that—regardless of what happens with right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor in free agency—the Giants should prioritize bolstering their offensive line with the No. 5 overall pick. Protecting their most valuable asset (Dart) while also improving the running game remains a critical need for long-term success.

This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: New York Giants select 'dancing bear' in latest NFL Media mock draft

The New England Patriots’ depth chart at tight end will have less contributors once free agency begins.

Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper and CJ Dippre were the Patriots’ tight ends in 2025. The Patriots’ tight end room accounted for 1,031 of New England’s 4,459 receiving yards. However, that collection of talent may not be returning to play at Foxborough next season.

The NFL’s window for unrestricted free agents to begin signing contracts begins March 11. The Patriots have decisions to make at the position this offseason.

Who’s on the Patriots’ roster at TE?

• Hunter Henry
• CJ Dippre

Henry will return for his sixth season with the Patriots in 2026. He is under contract with the Patriots through 2027. The 31-year-old recorded 768 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns last year. Henry went for the second-most first downs among all Patriots pass-catchers with 42.

Dippre signed a two-year, $1.8 million deal with the Patriots in 2025. The 23-year-old played a total of 46 snaps last season, with 20 coming on offense in addition to 26 on special teams.

Who’s slated for free agency?

• Austin Hooper

Hooper signed a one-year, $3.1 million contract with the Patriots as an unrestricted free agent in 2024. New England brought the 31-year-old back on another one-year deal worth $5 million in 2025 after he recorded 476 receiving yards the year before. Hooper went for 263 yards in 16 games played for the Patriots last season.

Who can the Patriots sign in free agency?

• Kyle Pitts
• David Njoku
• Zach Ertz
• Taysom Hill

Njoku announced that he won’t be returning to the Cleveland Browns next season. The 29-year-old went for 293 yards and four touchdowns in 2025.

Ertz, 35, is nearing the end of his career. The Stanford product did go for 504 yards and four touchdowns in 13 games played last season.

Hill gives teams a pass-catching tight end that also specializes in situational snaps at quarterback, particularly on third downs. The 35-year-old is a do-it-all player who has gone for 187 or more receiving yards in two of the last three years.

Meanwhile, Pitts is coming off one of the best NFL seasons of his career with 88 catches for 928 yards and five touchdowns.

Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.

This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Patriots 2026 offseason preview: Where does New England stand at TE?

Bamba Travel, the top B2B adventure travel company, has launched a new digital booking system. The system is designed to improve the booking process for travel professionals so that they can easily travel around the world and discover new destinations. The new system focuses on creating a seamless user experience by offering enhanced booking efficiency, real-time availability for flexible payments, and is overall designed to improve the process of booking a trip.

Improved Trip Discovery and Booking Process

The new platform offers an intuitive, destination-led experience. The Destinations hub makes it easier for users to browse travel options by region, country, or theme. By organizing trips in a more structured way, the platform improves content visibility and simplifies the planning process, making it easier for travel professionals to find the best options for their clients.

Each trip page is now designed to seamlessly connect related travel experiences, destination guides, and tailored experiences. This helps travel professionals efficiently explore options and access relevant information all in one place. The streamlined navigation increases user satisfaction by providing a more cohesive experience from inspiration to booking.

Faster, More Reliable Real-Time Availability

A key feature of the updated platform is its real-time booking engine. Travel professionals can now view current availability for departures, compare dates, and check room configurations with greater ease and clarity. The platform’s fast-loading system ensures that users receive the most up-to-date information instantly, eliminating the need for tedious back-and-forth communication.

Bamba Travel’s new infrastructure leverages modern technology to ensure smooth, reliable performance. The new design is built on Vue 3 architecture, ensuring improved loading speeds and a more scalable foundation for future upgrades.

Flexible Payment Options for Travelers

In addition to real-time availability, the upgraded platform now offers flexible payment options. Bamba Travel has partnered with global payment providers, including Klarna, to offer a range of payment plans. Travel professionals can now present flexible options such as deposits, split payments, and Buy Now, Pay Later choices to their clients. This flexibility not only helps increase conversion rates but also reduces friction at the checkout stage.

This feature is crucial for travelers who might find it challenging to pay the full amount upfront, allowing them to enjoy more payment freedom and plan their trips with ease.

Shared Infrastructure with Baboo Travel

The platform’s technical foundation is shared with Baboo Travel, a sister company. This shared infrastructure ensures faster feature rollout and improved scalability for both brands. While the two brands maintain distinct market positioning, they benefit from a unified digital backbone that streamlines development and enhances long-term growth potential.

The shared infrastructure allows both brands to stay agile, deploying new features quickly and efficiently. It also ensures that both companies can continue offering top-tier experiences while maintaining the flexibility to adapt to market demands.

Future Developments: Intelligent Travel Assistant

Looking ahead, Bamba Travel plans to introduce an intelligent on-site travel assistant. This assistant will provide real-time, contextual recommendations and offer instant booking support for travelers. The feature is set to enhance the booking experience, offering even more personalized service to help travel professionals and their clients make informed decisions.

The intelligent assistant will make it even easier for users to plan their trips, receive suggestions based on their preferences, and access detailed, real-time information.

Bamba Travel’s Vision for the Future

Bamba Travel’s goal is to continue developing scalable travel technology that enhances the role of human expertise in the travel industry. By improving the booking process and offering flexibility, the company aims to make adventure travel easier to plan and more accessible for travel professionals around the world.

Through these advancements, Bamba Travel is not only improving the user experience but also helping travel professionals provide better service to their clients. With a growing focus on flexible payment solutions and streamlined booking options, the platform is setting a new standard for B2B adventure travel.

A Guide for Travel Professionals

For those in the travel industry, Bamba Travel’s revamped platform offers several key benefits:

1. Destination Discovery: Easily browse destinations by region, country, or theme.
2. Real-Time Availability: Quickly view up-to-date information on departure availability and room configurations.
3. Flexible Payment Options: Offer clients flexible payment plans such as deposits or Buy Now, Pay Later solutions.
4. Streamlined Booking Process: Find and book tailored travel experiences with a simple, efficient process.
5. Future-Proof Technology: Enjoy the benefits of an infrastructure designed for scalability and future growth.

Travel professionals can now access a wide range of tailor-made adventures across Latin America and other global destinations, allowing them to offer unique and immersive experiences to their clients. The revamped platform brings together the best of technology and human expertise to deliver seamless, memorable travel experiences.

About Bamba Travel

Bamba Travel is a B2B adventure travel platform and virtual Destination Management Company (DMC) that focuses on personalized small group travel to Latin America and other parts of the world. Bamba Travel’s platform is designed to assist travel professionals in booking travel experiences that are new and innovative and responsible. In addition to their exclusive technology, Bamba Travel’s platform is designed to assist travel professionals in booking travel experiences that are new and innovative.

If the Jacksonville Jaguars want to address the defensive end position in free agency, what might GM James Gladstone have to spend?

Between Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen, the Jaguars have a fantastic one-two punch at the position. Hines-Allen was one of the top pressure getters in football this past year.

However, the depth behind those two has to be bolstered.

The only other defensive ends under contract currently are BJ Green and Danny Striggow. Both impressed as undrafted rookies this past year, but bringing in additional competition for playing time should be on Gladstone's to-do list.

So, to get an idea of what the defensive end market might look like for the Jaguars, using Pro Football Focus' free agency big board, below are some free agent options at this position, along with some contract projections.

Contract projection for free agent defensive ends in 2026

• Trey Hendrickson: One year, $21M
• Odafe Oweh: Four years, $77M
• Jaelan Phillips: One year, $15M
• Boye Mafe: Three years, $49M
• Joey Bosa: One year, $11M
• Khalil Mack: One year, $14M
• Jadeveon Clowney: One year, $10M
• Dre'Mont Jones: Two years, $20M
• Arnold Ebiketie: Two years, $16M
• Cameron Jordan: One year, $7.5M
• K'Lavon Chaisson: Three years, $45M
• Kwity Paye: Two years, $20M
• Dante Fowler Jr.: One year, $6M

In terms of spending power, the Jaguars rank near the bottom of the NFL in salary cap space currently. However, Gladstone has the ability to create quite a bit more space, if he wants to push current cap charges to future years.

This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: Jaguars free agency: Cost for James Gladstone to address defensive end

One potential target for the Houston Texans in free agency is officially off the market.

According to reports, the Dallas Cowboys and running back Javonte Williams have agreed to terms on a three-year extension following his breakout season in Arlington. The total deal is worth $24 million, $16 million of which is guaranteed and includes a $6 million signing bonus, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Williams, who signed a one-year, $3 million deal with the Cowboys this offseason, set career highs in rushing yards, carries and touchdowns last year. As one of the league's more consistent backs, Williams finished 252 carries for 1,201 yards and 11 rushing touchdowns. He also remained healthy, something that cost him time in 2022 and 2023.

Dallas and free-agent-to-be RB Javonte Williams reached agreement on a three-year contract that includes $16 million in guaranteed money.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 21, 2026

The Texans must address their rushing woes entering 2026. Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon missed all of last season after dealing with a lower-body injury suffered in the offseason. The only player returning from last year's staff under contract is leading rusher Woody Marks, who is better suited as a No. 2 option rather than lead back.

With Williams off the board, the top names on the market include Seattle Seahawks' Kenneth Walker, New York Jets' Breece Hall, Jacksonville Jaguars' Travis Etienne Jr., Carolina Panthers' Rico Dowdle and Atlanta Falcons' Ty Allgeier.

This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans: Potential FA target RB Javonte Williams re-signs with Cowboys

Dolphins, Cardinals named best landing spots for Packers $35 million free agent originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Arizona Cardinals and Miami Dolphins both need to hit the reset button at the quarterback position in 2026.

The tenures of Kyler Murray and Tua Tagovailoa proved unsuccessful and are now winding down, and the expectation is both will be playing elsewhere in 2026.

First things first, the Dolphins and Cardinals will look to trade their quarterbacks, but if no deal can be found, it's logical to think either one could be cut.

No matter how the Cardinals and Dolphins part ways with their quarterbacks, they will need to explore their options for a replacement via trade, free agency and the draft, as Miami will be left with Quinn Ewers and Arizona will only have Jacoby Brissett as a viable starting option.

In the opinion of USA TODAY's Nate Davis, Green Bay Packers quarterback and pending free agent, Malik Willis, is the best fit for both teams.

Here's what Davis said about Willis, who is projected by Spotrac to make over $35 million annually in a two-year deal:

He could be this year's version of Justin Fields − a quarterback with intriguing skills but limited experience who can nevertheless capitalize financially given the high demand but low supply at his incomparably critical position. Willis, 26, has far fewer NFL reps than Fields but really impressed while filling in as a spot starter for the Green Bay Packers the past two seasons, completing nearly 80% of his passes while throwing six TDs and zero INTs. In addition to a 134.6 passer rating, Willis can also move like a tank. Keep an eye on the Dolphins, who just plucked their new GM (Jon-Eric Sullivan) and coach (Jeff Hafley) from the Pack, as a potential buyer.

Best fits: Dolphins, Cardinals

After looking like a bust with the Tennessee Titans, Willis dazzled in his limited opportunities as the Packers' backup behind Jordan Love.

Over 11 games (three starts), Willis showed he can make all the throws en route to completing a ridiculous 78.7% of his passes for 972 yards and six touchdowns to zero interceptions while running for 261 yards and another three scores.

Those numbers weren't just luck, either. Anyone who watched Willis knows he passed the eye test and the hype surrounding him is warranted.

Now, nobody is saying Willis is a proven starter at this point, but what he has shown will be enough to attract a strong market in free agency.

If we had to choose between the Cardinals and Dolphins, we would put our vote in for Miami thanks to Willis' connection to head coach Jeff Hafley and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, both of whom were in Green Bay with Willis.

But we certainly wouldn't rule out the Cardinals, who have a much better cap space situation with $39.1 million to work with as compared to Miami's $3.1 million.

Sign us up for Willis to Miami, though.

More NFL News

• Lions beat writer says underrated center likely to land in Detroit if cut
• Chiefs rumor reveals free-agent RB's interest in playing for Kansas City
• Steelers draft rumor details Pittsburgh's interest in polarizing QB prospect
• Steelers insider cites rumor to pinpoint possible blockbuster WR trade
• Romeo Doubs update is bad news for wide receiver's future in Green Bay

Unrestricted free agency awaits New York Giants linebacker Victor Dimukeje this offseason.

Dimukeje concluded his fifth NFL season in 2025. It marked his first year with the Giants after spending the initial four seasons of his career with the Arizona Cardinals.

The 26-year-old started three of the five games he appeared in for New York before being placed on injured reserve (IR) in mid-December due to a knee injury suffered the previous month. He recorded one tackle and one pass defensed during the campaign.

Pre Spotrac, Dimukeje's estimated market value for 2026 stands at $1.1 million.

Dimukeje signed a one-year, $1.337 million contract with the Giants before the 2025 season. Earlier, he inked a four-year, $3.6 million rookie deal with the Cardinals in 2021.

Dimukeje's health will be a key factor in contract negotiations this offseason as he heads into unrestricted free agency, but it's unlikely he returns to the Giants.

This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Giants' Victor Dimukeje: 2026 free agent market value projection

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Rondale Moore has died at the age of 25, authorities confirmed on Saturday.

Rondale Moore was found in a garage in his hometown of New Albany, Indiana, with police indicating a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Officials stated that the investigation is ongoing and that an autopsy has been scheduled. The development led to statements from the Minnesota Vikings and figures across the NFL community.

Authorities confirm death as Vikings respond

Police in New Albany told The Associated Press that Moore was discovered Saturday night and that there was no threat to the public.

Floyd County Coroner Matthew Tomlin also confirmed the death and said additional information would be released following the autopsy.

The Minnesota Vikings said in a statement, “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Rondale Moore. While we are working to understand the facts, we have spoken with Rondale’s family to offer our condolences and the full support of the Minnesota Vikings.”

The team added that it has been in communication with players, coaches, and staff and will provide counseling and emotional support resources.

Kevin O’Connell reflects on Moore’s impact

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said he was devastated by the news and spoke about Moore’s presence within the organization. He noted that although Moore’s time with the team was brief, he made a strong impression.

“I am devastated by the news of Rondale’s death. While Rondale had been a member of the Vikings for a short time, he was someone we came to know well and care about deeply.”

O’Connell described Moore as “a humble, soft-spoken, and respectful young man who was proud of his Indiana roots,” and said the team is heartbroken that he will not be able to continue his NFL journey.

A second-round selection by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2021 NFL Draft, Moore totaled 135 receptions for 1,201 yards and three touchdowns in three seasons while also contributing as a return specialist before injuries limited his opportunities in recent years.

Read more:

Pro Football Network has released its latest 2026 NFL mock draft, with all seven rounds included. Let's break down each of the Indianapolis Colts' selections.

The Colts are without their first-round pick this year after trading it away in the deal to acquire Sauce Gardner. So the Colts' first selection won't come until Day 2.

In total, with projected compensatory picks, the Colts have seven selections. Not having a first-round pick puts a premium on GM Chris Ballard being able to capitalize on his Day 2 selections.

Now, here is how PFN's Jacob Infante has the Colts using their seven selections.

Breaking down Colts' picks in 2026 NFL mock draft

• Pick 47: Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama
• Pick 78: LT Overton, EDGE, Alabama

Takeaways: Michael Pittman is a cut candidate, and Alec Pierce is a free agent. However, I don't know that spending the 47th pick on a wide receiver is necessary. Bringing Pierce back does seem to be a priority for GM Chris Ballard, and he is a franchise tag candidate.

If that ends up happening, even if Pittman is elsewhere, between Pierce, Josh Downs, and Tyler Warren at tight end, that 47th overall pick could be used elsewhere.

At pick 78, getting edge rusher help was the right play. This position is the Colts' biggest need this offseason. Depth and improved pass-rush consistency around Laiatu Latu are musts.

• Pick 113: Jude Bowry, OT, Boston College
• Pick 154: Trey Zuhn III, G, Texas A&M
• Pick 217: Jack Kelly, LB, BYU

Takeaways: I really like all of these picks. The Colts may already have their entire starting five on the offensive line on the roster, but adding improved depth and competition at both guard and tackle needs to be on the to-do list.

Linebacker is another high-priority need for the Colts and is a position that should be prioritized at pick 47 over wide receiver. Bolstering the depth here and finding an added coverage presence next to Zaire Franklin will be important.

• Pick 231: TJ Hall, CB, Iowa
• Pick 253: David Blay Jr., IDL, Miami

Takeaways: Cornerback is a position where the Colts are set up well, but in the seventh round, positional need tends to go out the window as teams are more so looking for prospects with a high-end trait or two to take a swing on.

Defensive tackle is a position that, if the Colts can address earlier than pick 253, they should. As was the case last offseason, improving the rotational depth could provide a boost, while this is a position where getting younger and faster for the future, two things Ballard wants to accomplish on defense this offseason, could be emphasized.

This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: 2026 NFL draft: Breaking down Colts' seven picks in latest mock

New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh received a warm welcome from the Madison Square Garden crowd on Saturday night, drawing a loud ovation when he appeared on the jumbotron during the Knicks' matchup against the Houston Rockets.

It marked the first Knicks game Harbaugh has attended since taking over as the Giants' head coach, continuing a tradition where new coaches for both the Giants and Jets often make an appearance at MSG as a symbolic passing of the torch in New York sports.

MSG erupts for John Harbaugh as he’s introduced at tonight’s Knicks game pic.twitter.com/2do53JhYcY

— Jared Schwartz (@jschwartz115) February 22, 2026

The moment highlighted the city's excitement for Harbaugh's arrival and the shared energy between the NBA and NFL franchises. Fans erupted in cheers, signaling strong early support for the new leader tasked with turning around the Giants.

The ovation came amid a thrilling game that stole the show. The Knicks staged a stunning comeback, erasing an 18-point deficit in the fourth quarter to defeat the Rockets, 108-106.

Karl-Anthony Towns sparked the rally with 27 points, including seven in the final period, while forcing key defensive stops. Jalen Brunson added 20 points and clutch plays, and Jose Alvarado contributed disruptive defense with steals.

The victory showcased the Knicks' resiliency and growth, capping an electric night at the Garden where basketball drama overshadowed even the notable guest appearance.

This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: See it: Giants' John Harbaugh receives loud ovation at Knicks game

The Atlanta Falcons have come close to a playoff berth in recent years, but they haven't been able to get over the hump since trading away former league MVP Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts. Ryan has returned to Atlanta in a new role as the team's president of football.

The Falcons hired head coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Ian Cunningham, but the real work hasn't even started yet. NFL free agency is just around the corner, and the 2026 NFL Draft will follow shortly after.

Since the team has no first-round pick this year, we've primarily focused on free agency in our offseason coverage, however, the Falcons still have five total picks and a new GM looking to make an impression.

What will Cunningham do in his first draft as Atlanta's general manager? Will the team add more offensive weapons early, or use those picks to reinforce the defense?

Pro Football Sports Network released a new seven-round mock draft which has the Falcons holding off on a wide receiver until the fourth round. The team was projected to take Indiana cornerback D'Angelo Ponds in Round 2 of PFSN's mock.

Round 2, Pick 48: CB D'Angelo Ponds, Indiana

"D’Angelo Ponds tallied seven interceptions and 30 pass deflections over his last three seasons," PFSN analyst Jacob Infante wrote. "He’s an undersized cornerback at 5’9″ and 170 pounds, but Ponds is a tremendous athlete with great coverage instincts and a scrappy demeanor near the line of scrimmage."

The Falcons have a nice stable of cornerbacks, but Dee Alford is a free agent and Billy Bowman Jr. is coming off an Achilles injury. Ponds earned a Pro Football Focus grade of 89.9 last season. He excelled in zone coverage and more than held his own against the run.

In Round 3, PFSN projected the Falcons to take a developmental offensive tackle prospect with great size.

Round 3, Pick 79: OT Dametrious Crownover, Texas A&M

"With his pad level and inconsistent processing speed, I wouldn't consider Dametrious Crownover a Day 1 starter in the NFL," explained Infante. "That said, he's a 6'7", 336-pound freak of nature with incredible length and really good agility for his size. Someone will bet on upside with him."

The Falcons could definitely look to find their next left tackle somewhere in this year's draft. Crownover is intriguing, but he will take some time to get there. Fortunately, Jake Matthews is still playing at a high level for Atlanta.

Round 4, Pick 114: WR Ted Hurst, Georgia State

Here in Round 4, PFSN projects Atlanta to take Georgia State wide receiver Ted Hurst with pick No. 114. While there is no write-up for the remaining picks, the Panthers wideout is an intriguing selection. At 6-foot-3, Hurst has good size. Plus, he's got the production to back it up -- 999 receiving yards and six touchdowns on 14.1 yards per reception last season.

Round 6, Pick 196: DT Tyler Onyedim, Texas A&M

In Round 6, Atlanta added Texas A&M's Tyler Onyedim. The 6-foot-3, 300 pound defensive lineman is big enough to play nose tackle and could help the Falcons stuff the run. The team may lose veteran David Onyemata in free agency, so adding interior depth on defense would make sense.

Round 7, Pick 232: OL Fernando Carmona, Arkansas

Closing out PFSN's mock draft, the Falcons added Arkansas guard Fernando Carmona in the seventh round. Depth on the interior is something that Atlanta has lost in recent seasons, especially with Ryan Neuzil stepping into a full-time center role.

The Falcons obviously have one of the better offensive lines in the NFL, and that's why it may be time to replenish that foundation. The 2026 NFL Draft officially starts on April 23, although Atlanta will have to wait until Day 2 to make a pick.

This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: Falcons add Georgia St. WR in PFSN projection

The new league year is rapidly approaching, and while the Pittsburgh Steelers will address multiple positions of need this offseason, one insider predicts two key defenders will re-sign with the Steel City brand of football ahead of free agency.

Courtesy of Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Steelers chat, Gerry Dulac claimed James Pierre and Asante Samuel Jr. will likely re-sign with the Steelers.

"I think [James Pierre and Asante Samuel Jr.] will [re-sign]," Dulac responded to a reader.

Signing with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2020, Pierre spent four seasons with Pittsburgh before joining the Washington Commanders as a free agent in 2024. After failing to make the Commanders' initial 53-man roster, Pierre returned to Pittsburgh via the practice squad in mid-September 2024.

Samuel joined the Steelers' practice squad shortly after he was cleared for football activity in November 2025 following spinal fusion surgery in April. He, along with Pierre and Joey Porter Jr., was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise disappointing Steelers secondary last season.

Hopefully Samuel and Pierre opt to re-sign with Pittsburgh over trying their luck in free agency, as the Steelers have very few options at cornerback outside of Porter and potentially Jalen Ramsey if Pittsburgh decides to move him back from free safety.

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 insider believes Samuel Jr., Pierre will re-sign for 2026

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has garnered a reputation for his career comebacks when trailing in the 4th quarter. The two-time league MVP has secured six postseason 4th-quarter comebacks, currently ranking him second in NFL history. 

A memorable comeback game includes the 2021 AFC Divisional Round against the Buffalo Bills. Mahomes recorded 378 passing yards and three passing touchdowns in the infamous 13-second comeback in regulation that led to the 42–36 overtime win. After the two-minute warning and in overtime, Mahomes threw for 177 yards.

On this day 3 years ago, 13 seconds happened. pic.twitter.com/1vmkJHCp4n

— Brad Henson Productions (@BradHensonPro) January 23, 2025

This week, Chiefs Wire's Ed Easton Jr. spoke with retired four-time NFL Pro Bowl quarterback Jeff Garcia. He recalled his own memorable comeback victory during the 2002 NFC Wild Card game.

"We were down 24, obviously, and what it meant for us to get back in the game. A lot of things had to fall right into place on defense," said Garcia, "There were key drops that took place on their side of the ball that gave us a chance, and obviously, the no-huddle offense and just starting to execute, make plays, get the ball into our guys' hands so that they could create opportunity. I think there was a relative calm over us."

Garcia led the San Francisco 49ers to a comeback win over the New York Giants, the second-largest comeback victory in NFL playoff history. New York was up 38–14 with about 18 minutes left to play when San Francisco regained possession, beginning a comeback that culminated in 25 unanswered points.

"The key was getting that first score before the third quarter ended. Because when you look at 24 points, we got eight, we got the two-point conversion. It's only a two-score game, and we had an entire quarter to do that, and things, as I said, had to fall our way," said Garcia. "They pumped the brakes on offense. They were going up and down the field on us, but it's almost like they started to try to control the clock, ball control, and it backfired on them. Three-and-outs, we got the ball back—special teams, mix-ups, and mess-ups. We had a big punt return penalty that gave us great field position. They missed two field goals in the fourth quarter. So all those things that transpired really led to a crazy finish."

On this day in 2003, the 49ers trailed the NY Giants 38-14 in the Wild Card round before pulling off a miraculous comeback in one of the most memorable playoff games in Niners history. pic.twitter.com/eRI80AImrv

— KNBR (@KNBR) January 5, 2026

The signature win of Garcia's 49er career as he finished with 331 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 interception, and also ran for 60 yards and 1 touchdown to secure the 39-38 improbable victory.

"One of the greatest experiences and moments that I've ever had playing the game of football, and to do it right there in front of the Niner faithful, right there at Candlestick in the old stadium," said Garcia, "It was just an awesome feeling, and one that for me, is a highlight of my career that will always be there with me. It's oftentimes that I hear from people about that game, and they still remember it, whether they're watching it on TV or they're in the stands."

For more information, visit Beyond the Game Health, created by founder Shamekka Marty, which has created a comprehensive experience that equips young athletes with both athletic skills and the knowledge to save lives — their own and others'.

This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes' growing legacy of 4th-quarter comebacks

Linebacker Demario Davis continues to be the heart and soul of the New Orleans Saints defense. However, the linebackers around Davis haven't made big plays consistently. In recent years, the Saints have added several free agents and draft choices at the position but few have made a significant impact.

New Orleans has selected a linebacker in six of the last seven drafts. Only three of those are still with the team. We take a look at one of them in our ongoing yearly recap of New Orleans players.

Jaylan Ford Year in Review

• Position: Linebacker
• Age: 24
• Height: 6-feet, 2 inches
• Weight: 240 pounds
• NFL experience: 2 years (with Saints)
• 2025 season: 17 games

A two-time All-Big 12 selection and 3rd Team All-American with the Texas Longhorns, Ford was a 2024 fifth round draft choice by the Saints. He played little as a rookie, seeing special teams action in eight games with no defensive snaps. Coming into 2025, it was hoped that Ford would step up and grab a spot in the linebacker rotation.

Ford played in all 17 contests this past season. He was a fixture on special teams, logging 77% of the snaps with those units. Ford was unable to crack the linebacker rotation, however, getting only 7 defensive snaps all year. He was surpassed on the depth chart by both rookie Danny Stutsman and second-year Isaiah Stalbird. Ford had 11 special teams tackles during the season, all but one coming on special teams.

A prototype build for a linebacker, Ford also possesses good athleticism for the position. At Texas, he was one of the nation's top all-around defenders. In his final two seasons with the Longhorns, Ford had 6 interceptions with 20.5 tackles for loss and 3 sacks with 4 forced fumbles and 108 total stops. As the Saints search for a successor to Demario Davis, Ford needs to show that kind of production and instincts for perhaps even a chance at making the 2026 squad.

This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Saints 2025 Year in Review: Jaylan Ford carved out special teams role

Washington Commanders offensive coordinator David Blough said he plans to build the offense around wide receiver Terry McLaurin, aiming to give him 10 targets per game. In 2025, they had Deebo Samuel and Zach Ertz to help take some attention away from McLaurin, but both are impending free agents and may not be back.

If we're being honest, Ertz is unlikely to be back. His age and a December knee injury haven't done him any favors, but Ben Sinnott hasn't proven that he can take up the mantle either. This scenario creates an opportunity for the Commanders to find a veteran tight end who can be a reliable pass-catcher for Jayden Daniels.

Bleacher Report recently named a dream trade scenario for each NFL team, and their suggestion was to trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers for tight end Jonnu Smith.

Washington can bring in Jonnu Smith, who's a proven playmaker on passing downs with at least 50 catches and 582 receiving yards in two of the previous three seasons. As part of a three-man tight end group in Pittsburgh, he may be open to a change of scenery.

At 6-foot-3 and weighing 248 pounds, Smith is a big tight end who made some key plays for the Steelers in 2025. But as the article indicates, the Steelers used three tight ends last season, which meant less playing time and fewer targets. It would make sense for Pittsburgh to trade Smith, since it already has Pat Freiermuth on the roster.

Smith is one of those players who can line up almost anywhere. He can catch the ball, he's rushed the ball, he's returned kicks, he has defensive stats, and he's even attempted a pass. He could be the ultimate safety valve for Daniels as teams focus on McLaurin until they're forced not to.

The Commanders will still have to add another impact player at wide receiver, but Smith could be a nice addition. However, this is unlikely. For one, don't expect a lot of trading from Washington this offseason, which is already without picks in the second and fourth rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft. Additionally, there are several quality tight ends available in free agency. Smith may be on his way out of Pittsburgh, but don't expect him to be catching passes from Jayden Daniels in 2026.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Analyst offers 'dream' trade scenario

The Tennessee Titans have hired former Miami Dolphins strength and conditioning coach Brent Callaway.

Callaway began his career in sports performance as sports performance director at Velocity Sports Performance from 2003-08. He then transitioned to EXOS, a sports coaching company that delivers elite performance coaching to athletes as well as organizations, where he held several roles from 2008-2025. After helping over 500 athletes through the pre-NFL draft process at EXOS, Calloway joined the Dolphins as a strength and conditioning coach in 2025.

According to CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz, the Titans hired Calloway to fill their assistant sports performance role on Saturday. On Callaway's personal Instagram page, he listed his title as the assistant strength and conditioning coach.

The #Titans are hiring #Dolphins assistant strength and conditioning coach Brent Callaway, a source tells @CBSSports.

Before joining Miami, worked at EXOS for 17 years, including as vice president of performance. pic.twitter.com/TUXWhZquRs

— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) February 21, 2026

The Titans have rounded out their coaching staff around coach Robert Saleh since his hiring on Jan. 22. Callaway is the latest addition to the Titans’ ranks. Callaway will be tasked with developing the Titans’ roster next season. This will be his second role in the NFL for his career.

This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Titans hire ex-Dolphins strength and conditioning coach Brent Callaway

The San Francisco 49ers signed Mac Jones to a two-year, $7 million deal last offseason to be Brock Purdy's backup, but with the starter dealing with a toe injury throughout the year, Jones got more opportunities than expected.

In 2025, Jones appeared in 11 games and led the team to a 5-3 record in his eight starts while completing a career-high 69.6% of his passes for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns and six interceptions.

Now, with Jones proving he can succeed in the NFL, many are questioning if the 49ers could trade the quarterback this offseason for draft picks or a veteran to fill a position of need.

On Friday, Bleacher Report's Alex Ballentine suggested both, as he projected San Francisco could trade Jones to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a 2026 sixth-round pick end EDGE Nick Herbig.

"The 49ers had one of the worst pass rushes in the league last season. The Steelers could need a quarterback if Aaron Rodgers decides not to return for the 2026 season," Ballentine wrote. "Let's make a deal...

"If the Steelers can use Herbig to find a potentially long-term answer at quarterback that would be a good use of his breakout season. If the Niners can turn their backup quarterback into the player that leads the charge for their next generation of pass rush, that's a win."

The 49ers recorded the fewest sacks in the league in 2025, so they need to address their pass-rush unit. Adding Herbig, who recorded a career-high 7.5 sacks last year, to a group that will include Nick Bosa, Mykel Williams and Bryce Huff could help Raheem Morris' defense have a stronger 2026 than Robert Saleh's did in 2025..

At quarterback, San Francisco could go into the season with 2025 draft pick Kurtis Rourke or Adrian Martinez as their backup, as their both already on the roster. They could also search for another veteran in free agency or a draft pick this year.

More 49ers: 49ers must decide fate of free agent LB who started both playoff games

This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: NFL writer suggests 49ers trade Mac Jones to Steelers to fill big need

Throughout the past several years, New York Jets fans have been forced to accept that there will often be more heartbreaks than heroics when it comes to their favorite team. Thankfully, they’ve at least been able to find some solace in the fact that the man who was responsible for the majority of their misfortune, Tom Brady, is no longer competing.

Having won 31 of his 39 total outings against the Jets, many jokingly regard the former New England Patriot as the unofficial owner of the New York franchise, and during his most recent encounter with a lifelong Jets fan at the opening of his latest CardVault store located in San Francisco, California, Brady was sure to remind him of that.

“It’s okay. We’ve forgiven him for that,” Brady cracked when introduced to one of the hobby’s biggest collectors, who just so happened to also be a New York super fan. “I respect the hell out of you,” the fan prefaced.

“But, you’ve put me through a lot. And now we’re in the same industry, we’re in the hobby together. I want to love you, but if we’re gonna do business together, we’ve got to handle this gentlemanly and kind of get past what we’ve been through and let bygones be bygones. So, I actually brought a sympathy card for you to sign.”

The seven-time Super Bowl champion then proceeded to sign the sympathy card with a blue pen and a beaming smile, suggesting that his thrashing of the Jets was always business and never personal. Of course, it’ll never make up for the decades’ worth of trauma that he caused for the AFC East, but at least it’s a start.

This comes just a few months after the former quarterback famously took a dig at Jets fans during the unveiling of his 12-foot-tall bronze statue outside of Gillette Stadium. “In the end, this statue isn’t just for Pats fans,” Brady noted. “It will also give all the Jets fans something to throw their beers at as they leave the stadium every year, probably in the second quarter, maybe the third.”

Given the fact that the Patriots were able to return to the Super Bowl this year while sweeping the Jets in the regular season yet again, it looks as if the misery is set to continue in New York. So while it certainly helps to no longer have to see Brady’s face on Sunday afternoons, it doesn’t seem as if there’s any end in sight for one of the most faithful and patient fan bases in all of professional sports.

The post “We’ve Forgiven Him for That”: Tom Brady Takes Subtle Dig at Lifelong New York Jets Fan During CardVault Event appeared first on The SportsRush.

The 2026 league year is coming next month. It officially begins on March 11, with the legal negotiating period beginning on March 9.

The Arizona Cardinals have many roster decisions to make before then.

Leading up to the new league year, we will profile every player on the roster, go over what they did last season, what their contract status is and what they face in 2026.

Next up is running back Trey Benson.

Trey Benson 2025 season

Benson entered 2025 expected to play a bigger role on offense. He began the year as the guy to spell James Conner and as the running back on passng downs.

He only played in four games, rushing for 160 yards on 5.5 yards per carry. He also had 13 receptions for 64 yards.

He suffered a knee injury and didn't play again, although he was designated to return and then reverted to injured reserve.

Trey Benson contract status

Benson is under contract through 2027. He is scheduled to make $1.35 million in salary and will count $1.65 million against the salary cap.

Trey Benson offseason outlook

Benson needs to get healthy. Entering his third season and with a new coaching staff, he likely will remain on the roster and compete in the offseason. However, he will have to prove himself with a new offensive staff.

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: Trey Benson's contract status and 2026 offseason outlook

NFL wide receiver Rondale Moore died on Feb. 21. The former Purdue Boilermakers standout was 25 years old.

Moore's death was confirmed to the Louisville Courier Journal ― part of the USA TODAY Network. Moore's cause of death is still under investigation, according to Matthew Tomlin, Floyd County (Indiana) coroner.

New Albany (Indiana) police chief Todd Bailey said Moore was found in a garage with a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the Athletic and WLKY-TV, and an autopsy is scheduled for Sunday.

Moore played at Purdue from 2018 to 2020, earning the Paul Hornung Award for his all-purpose abilities at the end of the 2018 season. He was a second-round pick of the Arizona Cardinals in the 2021 NFL Draft and spent three seasons with the team. His previous two NFL seasons were cut short with preseason injuries. He suffered a knee injury in training camp with the Atlanta Falcons in 2024, and then another knee injury in a preseason game with the Minnesota Vikings in 2025.

"We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Rondale Moore," the Vikings said in a statement. "While we are working to understand the facts, we have spoken with Rondale’s family to offer our condolences and the full support of the Minnesota Vikings. We have also been in communication with our players, coaches, and staff, and will make counseling and emotional support resources available to anyone in need.

"Our thoughts are with Rondale’s family and friends during this devastating time."

The NFLPA also issued a statement: "The NFL Players Association is devastated by the sudden and tragic passing on Rondale Moore. This immense loss is felt deeply across our union, and we value his service as a player rep. Our condolences and prayers are with Rondale's family, teammates and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.

"In moments like this, we are reminded of how much our players carry, on and off the field. To our members: Please know that support is always within reach. Check on your teammates and prioritize your mental health. If you or someone you know is struggling, we encourage you to take advantage of the many confidential resources and services available to you through the NFLPA."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rondale Moore cause of death being investigated by coroner

With the NFL Scouting Combine nearly upon us, coaches, front office personnel, and scouts will be descending on Indianapolis to officially kick off the final stages of the pre-draft process. 

This will be a critical week for the Tennessee Titans as they work toward the 2026 NFL Draft. General manager Mike Borgonzi guided Tennessee through a solid draft in 2025 and will have to duplicate that this year to give new head coach Robert Saleh a chance. 

Tennessee could go in different directions early in the draft, and Gennaro Filice of NFL.com does that in his latest mock draft. 

Pick 4 - Tennessee Titans - Jeremiyah Love - Notre Dame - RB

Tennessee’s roster has plenty of holes, and it’s not hard to imagine Robert Saleh infusing his defense with some fresh edge talent. However, the Titans’ new head coach understands the all-important need to support last year’s No. 1 overall pick, Cam Ward. 

"Building a structure for him that doesn't ask him to be Superman 60 plays a game will be at the front of our minds," Saleh said last month.

Tennessee gave the young quarterback a trio of complementary pieces (Chimere Dike, Gunnar Helm, and Elic Ayomanor) in last year’s fourth round, but how about landing a true sidekick with this year’s fourth overall pick? Love’s the kind of multi-faceted home run hitter Ward could lean on.

This is the first mock that has come out with Love to the Titans, but it isn’t the first time it has been mentioned. This selection aligns with much of the social media speculation from fans and even some Titans’ content creators, and it does make some sense. 

Love is an ultra-talented game-changer who could come into Nashville and give the offense a true three-down threat.

This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Titans land surprising playmaker in first Gennaro Filice mock

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Rondale Moore died on Saturday, Feb. 21.

Moore's death was confirmed to the Louisville Courier Journal ― part of the USA TODAY Network ― by Matthew Tomlin, Floyd County (Indiana) coroner. Moore was 25 years old.

His cause of death is still under investigation, according to Tomlin.

Jeff Brohm, Moore's coach at Purdue, confirmed the news of Moore's death with a social media post on his personal X (formerly Twitter) account on Saturday.

"Rondale Moore was a complete joy to coach. The ultimate competitor that would never back down to any challenge," Brohm said in his post. "Rondale had a work ethic that was unmatched by anyone. A great teammate that would come through in any situation. We all loved Rondale and we loved his smile and competitive edge that always wanted to please everyone he came in contact with.

"We offer all of our thoughts and prayers to Rondale and his family and we love him very much."

pic.twitter.com/ERKjc16t4I

— Jeff Brohm (@JeffBrohm) February 22, 2026

Moore played at Purdue from 2018 to 2020 before becoming a second-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals. Moore spent the 2025 season with the Vikings, but missed the entire season after sustaining a season-ending knee injury during the 2025 preseason opener.

This story will be updated.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Vikings wide receiver Rondale Moore dies at age 25

3 Rookie linebackers that could soothe the Cleveland Browns after disappointing news originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Sad news out of Berea, Ohio, as former Pro Bowl linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is likely to never play again. The linebacker, who fans call 'JOK', has been out since mid-way in 2024, following a neck injury. The injury was significant, and Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com is reporting that the linebacker will likely never play again because of it. The loss of the versatile linebacker will hurt the Browns' defense long-term, as many had hoped he could come back in time. As one of the few, true, three-down linebackers, his impact on the Browns was undeniable. 

Now the Browns have a tough task ahead of them, with having to replace a rare three-down linebacker. The Browns did make moves with the idea they'd have to replace Owusu-Koramoah long-term. They went ahead and drafted Carson Schwesinger to help replace the lost production, which paid off. Schwesinger won the 2025AP Defensive Rookie of the Year Award due to his own versatility, helping the Browns' defense be one of the best in the NFL.

His addition was enough to keep the Browns from panic mode, but the hits to the defense keep coming. Now there is concern that Devin Bush, another high-level linebacker for the Browns, may be on his way out of Cleveland in search of a bigger contract. The Browns can't afford to lose Owusu-Koramoah and Bush in the same offseason and still expect the Browns defense to continue its elite ways. They'll need to add some talent. With the cap room for the team always a concern, turning to the draft for an affordable option makes the most sense. 

These three players seem like perfect fits for what the Browns are hoping to accomplish next season, while also keeping in mind the other needs the team has to address. 

More: Is JOK’s career over? Latest update on Browns LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah

1. Jake Golday, Cincinnati University, Projected 2nd-3rd Round

The linebacker out of Cincinnati could be a huge addition to the Browns. As a prospect, he's 6'4, he'll likely be closer to 250 lbs by the time the season starts, and according to NFL Draft Buzz, runs a 4.55 40-yard dash. He's big, fast, and versatile, and would be the perfect fit alongside Schwesinger. It's likely you'd need to take him in the second or third round of the draft, which may not sit well with some. There's a belief that the Browns should consider the wide receiver and the offensive line as more pressing matters to address early. Yet, if you want a strong defense, you have to add the talent necessary to keep it going. 

2. Josiah Trotter, Missorui University, Projected late-2nd Round

There are a few players in the 2026 NFL Draft with the pedigree that this prospect has. The son of Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, Josiah Trotter, has proven himself to be a hot prospect. He's a little undersized, just like his dad was in his day, but he's considered one of the best prospects against the run at the linebacker position. Few draft hopefuls are expected to make as much of a positive impact against the run as Trotter. He does lack the pass-coverage skills needed to be a three-down linebacker, but next to Schwesinger, that flaw may not be such an issue.

3. Lander Barton, University of Utah, Projected 6th-Round

At a massive 6'5, 240 lbs, Lander Barton could be a massive project for the Cleveland Browns to work with. He's had a solid run with the Utes, but a down senior year hurt his draft stock. PFF and NFL Draft Buzz both paint a picture of him being a jack of all trades, but a master of none. He excels at no specific thing, but he isn't bad at any one thing. He'll need some work, but his size and speed (rumored 4.55 40-time) could make him a digestible late-round pick. Some Browns fans want offensive help first, and if the team follows that path, Barton would be a nice project pick late in the process. 

More Browns News:

• From QB chaos to defensive studs: Re-grading the Browns wild 2025 NFL Draft class
• The AJ Brown trap: Why Jeremy Fowler’s Browns trade proposal is a huge mistake
• Browns 2026 win total revealed: Why you should hammer the over on Vegas odds
• Deshaun Watson 2.0? Why a Kyler Murray trade would bankrupt the Browns future
• Browns 2026 mock draft round-up: Surprise QB and double OL strategy divide NFL insiders

As the Pittsburgh Steelers prepare for the arrival of the new league year, concerning reports regarding Aaron Rodgers' 2026 plans have left his future with the Steel City in doubt. But one insider has since dismissed the claims.

On Friday, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Ray Fittipaldo discussed a recent report that Rodgers was leaning toward retiring — and shot it down completely.

“I’ve actually heard pretty much the opposite," Fittipaldo said via 93.7 The Fan. "Things are trending in the direction where Rodgers likely would return. Now, that’s not gonna be 100 percent until the Steelers hear that from Aaron Rodgers himself. But there’s been a line of communication there between Mike McCarthy and Aaron since Mike took the job.

"I have not heard that [Rodgers] is leaning in the other direction. You would think, with free agency starting in mid-March, that the Steelers would want an answer, say by March 12th, March 15th.”

Earlier in the week, Aditi Kinkhabwala of CBS Sports claimed Rodgers was closer to retiring than suiting up for the Steelers in 2026.

While it remains to be seen what Rodgers will ultimately decide, ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler claimed his decision could ultimately take a few months, which puts the Steelers in an eerily similar situation to last year's offseason.

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 insider says Aaron Rodgers trending towards 2026 return

Is JOK’s career over? Latest update on Browns LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Cleveland Browns community is bracing for a heartbreaking reality regarding one of its brightest stars. According to a grim update from Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot, it is now "doubtful at best" that linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah will ever return to the NFL.

The 26-year-old Pro Bowler has been sidelined since October 2024 following a violent collision with Ravens running back Derrick Henry. The impact was so severe that JOK had to be immobilized on a backboard and carted off the field. After spending the entire 2025 season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, the latest reports suggest the medical outlook remains bleak.

More: Packers Cleveland invasion: Bill Barnwell’s fix for the Browns O-line

Pro Football Talk echoed Cabot’s reporting, noting that the linebacker faces a "long shot" at ever suiting up again. It’s a devastating blow for a player who recently signed a three-year, $39 million extension intended to be one of the anchors of Cleveland’s defense for years.

In a previous statement, Owusu-Koramoah remained characteristically grounded, stating he doesn’t "know what’s next" but would continue "backing my brothers on the field." If this is indeed the end of the road, JOK finishes a short, but electric, career with 308 tackles, eight sacks, and a reputation as one of the most versatile linebackers in the game.

For now, the Browns faithful can only wait and hope for a miracle recovery for a player who gave everything to the Dawg Pound.

More Browns News:

• Forget A.J. Brown: The 1 trade that fixes Browns WR crisis
• From QB chaos to defensive studs: Re-grading the Browns wild 2025 NFL Draft class
• The AJ Brown trap: Why Jeremy Fowler’s Browns trade proposal is a huge mistake
• Browns 2026 win total revealed: Why you should hammer the over on Vegas odds
• Deshaun Watson 2.0? Why a Kyler Murray trade would bankrupt the Browns future

Show him the money.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba isn't in a hurry to get paid, but the Seattle Seahawks star receiver is bound to cash in with a big contract when that time comes. He took home the award for NFL Offensive Player of the Year and also helped Seattle win its second Lombardi Trophy in franchise history after winning Super Bowl 60.

The receiver is officially eligible for an extension this offseason, but there is no timeline on when a deal will be done.

"I'm really not too pressed right now to get it done," Smith-Njigba said in an interview with WFAA on Feb. 20 in his hometown of Dallas. "I know my time is coming, and when we get it done, it's going to be a great deal. God's timing is perfect timing, so whenever that may come, we'll be ready for it. I believe I deserve to be the highest paid in my position. Just what I give to the game and the community, I give it my all, and I think that's worth a lot more."

Smith-Njigba went on to talk about his love of the game, but the business side of things drives his desire to be the highest-paid.

"I would play this game for free," Smith-Njigba said. "I love this game so much. But you don't have to, and I'm learning to be a good businessman, and we need that check at the end of the day."

He is currently set to enter the final year of a four-year, $14.4 million rookie contract. The deal, just like every NFL rookie contract, was slotted. Smith-Njigba was drafted by the Seahawks with the 20th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Since his selection came in the first round, Seattle has the ability to pick up Smith-Njigba's fifth-year option, which would extend his stay in the Pacific Northwest for another year. The fifth-year-option window for the 2023 draft class opened Jan. 5, with the final deadline set for May 1.

That option would be worth about $24.4 million, per Spotrac.

Smith-Njigba recorded 119 catches, 10 touchdowns and led the league with 1,793 receiving yards, setting a franchise record. He was also named a first-team All-Pro and earned a Pro Bowl selection.

If the Seahawks' star wants to become the highest-paid receiver, he will have to surpass the number that Ja'Marr Chase received last offseason. The Cincinnati Bengals' receiver inked a four-year, $161 million deal on March 16, 2025 to become the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.

With an average annual value (AAV) of $40.25 million, the mark is set for Smith-Njigba.

Time will tell if he beats it.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Seahawks Jaxon Smith-Njigba wants to be highest-paid WR with extension

There are great players for the Houston Texans and then there are elite names that alter the outcome of games.

All-Pro defensive end Will Anderson Jr. falls in the latter category after being the face of the Texans last fall. Pro Football Focus tends to agree, which is why he graded out as the highest player on the defensive side for the AFC South franchise.

PFF recently finished its top 101 players list for the 2025 season, naming the best players based on their metrics and on-field play. Do-it-all defensive back Jalen Pitre found his way into the top 101, ranking No. 35 overall ahead of defensive back Kamari Lassiter (No. 55) and wide receiver Nico Collins (No. 50).

As for Anderson? He came in ranked at No. 5 overall, the second-highest defensive player on the metric. The only one higher? Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, who ranked No. 1 overall by PFF, though the website did say Anderson was the highest-graded player by consistency.

"Anderson finished 2025 as the highest-graded defensive player in the NFL," PFF wrote. "He was a menace to opposing offenses all year, with his 102 pressures and 25.3% PFF pass-rush win rate leading the league."

Year 3 was one to remember for Anderson, who was the only player to challenge Garrett for votes as the league's top defender. While he ranked second on the Texans in sacks, tackles for loss and QB hits, his ability to pressure quarterbacks into rushing through their progression. No player also finished with an 88.2 or higher in PFF grades each week.

Anderson is expected to be the next defensive name locked up long-term on a new deal this offseason. Based on his breakout season, he's expected to be one of the highest-paid defensive players in league history.

This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans DE Will Anderson Jr. named to PFF's Top 101 players of 2025

Tampa Bay’s backfield is already facing questions this offseason, and a new offseason report adds another layer for fans to monitor.

According to JoeBucsFan.com, Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving underwent shoulder surgery after the season concluded. The issue stems from injuries that sidelined him for more than two months during the 2025 campaign. Irving missed seven games in the heart of the season while dealing with ankle and shoulder concerns before returning to finish the year, appearing in the final six games of the season while earning back his starting role.

The good news, per the report, is that the procedure is not expected to significantly affect his availability for the offseason program.

Irving burst onto the scene as a rookie with 1,122 rushing yards and an impressive 5.4 yards per carry average. His production dipped in 2025 to 588 rushing yards at 3.4 per attempt, though injuries clearly played a role in his performance in 2025.

With Rachaad White potentially departing in free agency, Irving is positioned as the likely starter heading into 2026, assuming his recovery stays on track and the Buccaneers don’t make a major addition.

This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Buccaneers RB Bucky Irving has offseason shoulder urgery

The 2026 National Scouting Combine begins this upcoming week. General manager Joe Hortiz will be available to the media on Tuesday, Feb. 25.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh is not scheduled to speak, but he will still be at the combine.

Hortiz is scheduled to be at the podium at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis at 10 a.m. ET.

It will mark the second time he has spoken to the media in a formal setting since his end-of-season press conference that came last month.

Before all the prospect drills occur, his media availability could give insight into how the franchise will approach this offseason.

There are questions regarding the potential cuts the Chargers could make and how they will build their roster in free agency and the draft.

The Bolts are expected to have five draft selections and more than $82 million in cap space.

This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: When Chargers' Joe Hortiz will speak to media during NFL Combine

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Quarterbacks run the draft, and 2026 is already pointing in one clear direction.

Fernando Mendoza has gone from upside prospect to near lock at No. 1 overall after winning a national title and the Heisman at Indiana Hoosiers football. At -7000, sportsbooks aren’t expecting any drama at the top.

After that? Things get interesting.

There are a few wildcard skill players who could shake up the Top 10 and force teams to rethink their plans.

Here’s how my 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Version 1 plays out.

2026 NFL Mock Draft Version 1.0

1. Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana 

Those in the know speculated that Mendoza could be in this position before this season started because of his physical tools. Then all he did this year was lead Indiana to an undefeated national championship season while winning the Heisman Trophy. He’s the -7000 favorite to land with the Raiders.

2. Jets: Arvell Reese, EDGE, Ohio State 

Reese arguably made the biggest jump of any prospect this season. He’s an explosive athlete who played linebacker and edge rusher for the Buckeyes. Expect him to be a primary edge rusher in the pros in a similar vein to Micah Parsons.

3. Cardinals: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami

The Cardinals need an upgrade at quarterback, but there is no one worth taking at this spot. But whoever is under center will need protection. Mauigoa has great size and has some of the cleanest tape of any prospect in this draft class.

4. Titans: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State 

A lot of people will have the Titans selecting a tackle here, but it’s the interior line that needs to be addressed. Robert Salah could also go edge rusher. But if it’s not protection for Cam Ward, go get him another weapon, and Jordyn Tyson is my top wideout.

5. Giants: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah 

Theoretically, John Harbaugh took this job because he likes the Giants roster he can build around. And that includes QB Jaxson Dart. And keeping him upright is paramount, so grabbing one of the best tackles in the draft is a no-brainer. 

6. Browns: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State 

Downs might be the best player in this draft. But you don’t usually draft a safety in the Top 5. Luckily, the Browns are picking at six, and this team just needs good football players. Downs’ versatility makes him an immediate game-changer on any defense.

7. Commanders: Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami 

Bain’s dominance was on full display during Miami’s playoff run. He is incredibly strong and regularly wins off the line. He’s also got that dawg in him, which is the type of mentality that head coach Dan Quinn would love to have on his defense.

8. Saints: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State 

Tyler Shough gave the Saints hope that they found their QB of the future. Now, they need to give him a weapon across from Chris Olave. So, why not pair him with another great wideout from Ohio State? Tate does everything well and has the look of a longtime pro.

9. Chiefs: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame 

Love is probably a Top 3 player in this class if we’re talking pure talent. He just gets dinged for being an RB. The Chiefs need to reimagine their roster for the next phase of Patrick Mahomes’ career. So, why not give him an electric back to balance the offense?

10. Bengals: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech 

The Bengals should rush to submit this pick if Bailey is available here. That defense needs to get better. They took a swing at Shemar Stewart last year, which hasn’t worked out to this point. Bailey was the most productive edge rusher in college football this season.

11. Dolphins: Jermond McCoy, CB, Tennessee 

The Dolphins need help all over the defense, but their two starting corners are set to be free agents, and they’ll have the pick of their favorite in the class, the way this mock has gone. McCoy is my top corner despite missing last season due to injury.

12. Cowboys: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State 

Like the Dolphins, the Cowboys have holes to fill all over their defense. They address that by taking the Buckeyes’ linebacker here. Styles is the kind of backer you can build a defense around. He does it all. He’s a great tackler, can cover, and even blitzes effectively.

13. Rams: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU 

The Rams watched Jaxson Smith-Njigba burn them all year, and four of their corners are hitting free agency, so addressing the position is a must. DBU is back with its latest star product in Delane, who is excellent in man coverage and has elite ball skills.

14. Ravens: Makai Lemon, WR, USC 

The Ravens have needs at edge rusher, wide receiver, and interior offensive line, but Eric DeCosta, like his predecessor Ozzie Newsome, loves to take the best player available. On my board, that’s wideout Makai Lemon. The USC product has great hands and is shifty after the catch.

15. Buccaneers: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon 

Sadiq was one of my favorite players to watch in college football this season. With his combination of size and speed, he’s the type of tight end that’s a mismatch nightmare for opposing defenses. The Bucs could use another playmaker because it’s not like Mike Evans is getting any younger.

16. Jets: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson 

The Jets need a quarterback, but they shouldn’t reach for someone like Ty Simpson here. Instead, they should start rebuilding their defense from the inside out, with a disruptive interior defensive lineman like Woods. He’s got a great ability to collapse the pocket and can stuff the run.

17. Lions: Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn 

The Lions desperately need someone to run opposite Aidan Hutchinson. At 6-foot-5 and 286 lbs, Faulk has the type of measurables that make scouts drool and has tremendous upside, especially playing alongside Hutchinson. 

18. Vikings: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson 

The disaster in Minnesota this season cost GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah his job. The jury is still out on JJ McCarthy, but the early returns don’t look good. That said, I still don’t think Ty Simpson is the answer. So instead, they shore up their secondary with Terrell.

19. Panthers: Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M 

The Panthers still need to do a better job of pressuring the quarterback, and Texas A&M’s Cashius Howell is the next best edge rusher on my board. There is a case for him being the most explosive pass rusher in this draft class.

20. Cowboys: TJ Parker, EDGE, Clemson 

The Cowboys took the new QB of their defense at 12, now they’ll try to replace Micah Parsons. Parker entered the year as arguably the top edge in the draft, but a down year for him and Clemson saw his stock fall. This feels like a perfect buy-low candidate for Jerry Jones.

21. Steelers: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington 

I’ll never understand firing Mike Tomlin just to hire Mike McCarthy. So, with a move like that, taking Ty Simpson here is definitely on the table. But I’d rather take a swing at a QB in a later round and pair DK Metcalf with another physical receiver like Boston.

22. Chargers: Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State

This pick makes too much sense. This is Jim Harbaugh solidifying his offensive line with arguably the cleanest offensive line prospect in this draft class. Combine him with the returns of tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, and instantly the Chargers' offensive line goes from a weakness to a strength.

23. Eagles: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah 

Even if Lane Johnson doesn’t retire, the Eagles need to rejuvenate their offensive line. Lomu is closer to his teammate Fano than most will realize, and can play all four tackle and guard positions. That versatility is something Howie Roseman will love.

24. Browns: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

The Browns went BPA with their first pick; now they need to address the offensive line. Because whoever is under center is going to need better protection. Freeling is a raw but tantalizing prospect thanks to his elite size and length.

25. Bears: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida 

The Bears accomplished a lot without being able to pressure the QB. I think they'll go get an edge rusher in free agency. So, why not draft someone who can collapse the pocket from the interior? Banks is a freak whose stock will rise throughout this process.

26. Bills: Chris Brazzell II, WR, Tennessee 

For the love of god, get Josh Allen some weapons. I probably like Brazzell more than most. He’s got great speed for a guy 6-foot-5 and 200 lbs, and of course, an excellent catch radius. He would be a good fit next to Khalil Shakir.

27. 49ers: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

It sounds like Brandon Aiyuk is the next receiver to have his bags packed to head out of San Francisco, and Juwan Jennings is a free agent. Concepcion might be the most explosive wideout in this class and would be a great fit in Kyle Shanahan’s system.

28. Texans: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama 

CJ Stroud’s issues were front and center in the playoffs. So, why not make his life easier by drafting a monster of a tackle? Unfortunately, Proctor’s tape doesn’t line up with his mouth-watering measurables. But he’s worth a shot at the back end of the first round.

29. Rams: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

The Rams completely rework their secondary with their two first-round picks. This time by selecting the safety from what is quickly becoming a DB factory in Toledo. McNeil-Warren is a rangy, playmaking safety who can immediately transform a defense.

30. Broncos: Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas 

With Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad both becoming free agents, linebacker is suddenly a need for the Broncos. This feels like a toss-up between Georgia’s CJ Allen and Hill. The Longhorns’ tape impressed me a little more this season, so he gets the nod here.

31. Patriots: Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami

After the Will Campbell experience in the Super Bowl, an offensive line upgrade will be considered here. But Mike Vrabel won’t pass up on Mesidor’s talent here. The violent edge rusher was super productive in Miami’s playoff run and should be a great fit in Vrabel’s defense.

32. Seahawks: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina 

The champs don’t have many needs, but corner Tariq Woolen could leave via free agency, and Cisse could step right in. The former Gamecock has elite athleticism and strength for a corner. He’s a great tackler, which is something his potential “Dark Side” teammates would love. 

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce have been named in a lawsuit by sneaker company, 1587 Sneakers, alleging trademark infringement.

According to court records, the suit was filed on Feb. 17 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, claiming that the Kansas City steakhouse owned by the Chiefs' stars, 1587 Prime, is harming the sneaker's business.

The restaurant opened on Sept. 17, 2025 and was named after the jersey numbers of Mahomes and Kelce. The suit indicates that 1587 Sneakers began selling its product on April 13, 2023 – claiming that they should have first use in this case. 1587 Sneakers is named after the year "1587," to mark the year that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders first arrived in America.

The company didn't apply for the "1587" trademark until Oct. 2025, and the application is still under review by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, according to ESPN, adding that the trademark is in the clothing category. That is different than "1587 Prime," which was filed in Dec. 2023 and falls into the bar and restaurant category.

"I think it's a tough case for the sneaker company," trademark attorney Josh Gerben of Gerben IP, who doesn't represent either party, told ESPN. "Trademarks can coexist in different industries. ... Given that the marks are essentially identical here, is a restaurant and a shoe company too close? Are consumers likely to be confused in thinking they are affiliated with one another?"

1587 Sneakers noted in the suit that they sell their shoes and clothing nationwide, meaning they have reached every state. In addition to that, they have been featured in The Boston Globe, Teen Vogue, news stations like ABC and NBC as well as "Shark Tank."

The shoe company alleges that the steakhouse is creating confusion for consumers and many have contacted the company believing it was affiliated with 1587 Prime.

1587 Sneakers is seeking for the restaurant to no longer use the name, stop selling goods with the name on it and to be awarded punitive damages.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce sued by sneaker company over trademark

Broncos predicted to ship Riley Moss to AFC North team for Day 2 draft pick originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Could the Denver Broncos move on from Riley Moss this offseason?

That is a common idea for this team since using its first-round pick on Jahdae Barron last season. Barron was brought along slowly as a rookie, but it's hard to see him getting much more playing time in 2026 as long as Moss and Ja'Quan McMillian are both still on the roster. 

Moss is a much better player than nearly anyone is willing to give him credit for. He holds his own in pass coverage and only draws as many flags as he does, to the ire of many in Broncos Country, because of how many times the opposition takes shots at him as Pat Surtain II is on the other side of the field. 

Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report feels he could be sent to the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason in exchange for a third-round pick (No. 85 overall). 

"Nothing about what the Steelers have done this offseason has pointed toward a patient rebuild. They hired Mike McCarthy to replace Mike Tomlin, they're hoping to get Aaron Rodgers back for another season.

So, when it comes to finding a cornerback who can finally fill the gap across from Joey Porter Jr., the Steelers could get aggressive and use one of their three picks in the third round to get a veteran.

Riley Moss would be the ideal target. He's coming off a breakout season with the Broncos in which he had 19 passes defended. However, he's also on the final year of his rookie contract and the Broncos have a lot of money in Patrick Surtain II and Jahdae Barron waiting in the wings.

If they don't plan on giving Moss a huge extension, it might make more sense to free up the role for Barron and get a nice draft pick in exchange.

The Steelers would still have multiple picks in the third round and get another defender to give them a chance at an elite defense next season", wrote Balletine. 

Broncos predicted to trade Riley Moss to Steelers

One of the Broncos' current strengths is its secondary, so it's hard to advise the team to chip away at that. However, the team will need to find a more prominent role for Barron this coming season and that is going to come at the expense of someone. 

If the team could get a third-round pick for Moss, a player it drafted in the third round in 2023, it would have to be considered. Getting a same-round pick back three years later is difficult to do in today's league. 

With the Broncos looking for added offensive talent this offseason, that extra pick could give them a chance to grab a prospect with upside at either wide receiver, tight end or running back. 

Still, it would be difficult to let go of Moss as his best football could easily be in front of him, as he has started to get comfortable in Denver. The Broncos' defense is what has led the team to the playoffs in each of the last two seasons and the team needs to do what it can to keep that mostly intact. 

MORE:Broncos would have to kick tires on Alvin Kamara if this predicted trade is available

But with Moss entering the final year of his contract and the Broncos having to decide whether to extend him or let him test free agency next year, a deal like this, if offered, would also be tough to ignore. 

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The Chicago Bears wrapped their 2025 season with an 11-6 record, going from worst to first, winning the NFC North and earning their first playoff win in nearly two decades. Now that the Bears have their head coach-quarterback duo in Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams, the future is extremely bright.

Pro Football Focus handed out player grades for those who took a snap in Chicago’s 2025 season. The Bears had some standout performances, including All Pros Joe Thuney and Kevin Byard, as well as right tackle Darnell Wright, rookie tight end Colston Loveland, Williams and linebacker D'Marco Jackson.

Here are the top Bears players (minimum 100 snaps) and what their grades were.

Best offensive players

• TE Colston Loveland: 84.0
• RB D'Andre Swift: 83.0
• RT Darnell Wright: 80.8
• LG Joe Thuney: 77.8
• QB Caleb Williams: 76.9

Tight end Colston Loveland had a sensational rookie season where he established himself as a playmaker and a breakout player in the NFL. Loveland led the Bears in receptions (58), receiving yards (713) and tied in touchdowns (6) despite taking some time to get going in his first year. Many doubted running back D'Andre Swift heading into the 2026 season, but with an improved offensive line and reunion with Ben Johnson, Swift proved his critics wrong. Swift eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards for the second time in his career, where he anchored the NFL's third-best rushing attack.

Meanwhile, right tackle Darnell Wright and left guard Joe Thuney anchored one of the league's best offensive lines, which allowed a league-low 25 sacks and paved the way for Swift and Kyle Monangai's top-three run game. Thuney earned All Pro and Pro Bowl nods while being named the first "Protector of the Year" winner. Quarterback Caleb Williams made huge strides in his second season, and his first with Ben Johnson, becoming the Bears' single-season passing yards leader (3,942 yards). He also led an NFL-record seven fourth-quarter comebacks and established himself as one of the most clutch QBs in the league.

Best defensive players

• LB D'Marco Jackson: 76.4
• S Kevin Byard: 75.4
• DE Montez Sweat: 72.1
• LB T.J. Edwards: 70.1
• DE Joe Tryon-Shoyinka: 69.7

D'Marco Jackson was one of the most pleasant surprises amid a season filled with injuries, where he stepped up when T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds were sidelined and established himself as one of the better linebackers on this team. Jackson totaled 43 tackles, including two tackles for loss, one sack, one interception, three pass breakups and one forced fumble in four starts and as a reserve. Safety Kevin Byard had one of the best seasons of his career, where he led the NFL with seven interceptions as a cornerstone on the league's best turnover defense. Byard totaled 93 tackles, four tackles for loss, eight pass breakups and those seven picks. He earned All Pro and Pro Bowl honors.

The Bears' pass rush was overall disappointing, but defensive end Montez Sweat had a bounce back year, all things considered. Sweat recorded double-digit sacks (10) for the first time in Chicago while logging 53 tackles, including 13 tackles for loss, 18 quarterback hits, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and five pass breakups while playing all 17 games. Linebacker T.J. Edwards missed almost half of the season due to injury, and he wasn't as productive as in the past. Still, Edwards totaled 67 tackles, two tackles for loss, 0.5 sack, three QB hits, five pass breakups and one interception returned for a touchdown. The Bears traded for Joe Tryon-Shoyinka at the trade deadline to add depth to their edge rusher group, and he made a modest impact. Tryon-Shoyinka totaled 13 tackles, including one tackle for loss and one QB hit in eight games as a rotational piece.

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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears' best players in 2025 season, per Pro Football Focus

The Pittsburgh Steelers could be in the market for a starting AFC wide receiver this offseason as they look to shore up their offense entering the 2026 season.

According to reports from The Pat McAfee Show's Mark Kaboly, who serves as the show's Steelers correspondent, fans should "keep an eye on" the franchise making a trade for Dolphins wideout Jaylen Waddle.

Report: Steelers correspondent from the Pat McAfee show Mark Kaboly says to “keep an eye on” on the Steelers trading for Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle. Mark points out the Steelers thought they had a deal done for Waddle at the NFL trade deadline. Something to watch at the combine. pic.twitter.com/T5CvPY0n1x

— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) February 21, 2026

Steelers eye former 1st Round NFL Draft pick Jaylen Waddle for trade

Waddle, who has started 78 games over his five seasons in the NFL, was apparently on the Steelers' radar during the regular season, and the team thought they had a deal done at the trade deadline that was never finalized. He has spent his entire career with the Dolphins, who selected him with the sixth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Waddle was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2021and recorded three consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons from 2021 to 2023. During the 2022 season, he led the NFL with an average of 18.1 yards per catch. The veteran wideout has tallied 5,039 receiving yards and 26 touchdowns over the course of his NFL career, averaging 13.5 yards per catch.

Waddle signed a three-year contract extension with the Dolphins in 2024 worth over $84 million, keeping him under contract through the 2028 season after he began his career on a five-year deal.

This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Steelers target former All-Rookie WR in potential blockbuster trade

It's no secret that the Dallas Cowboys have work to do this offseason to fix their defense. The first step, however, is getting their salary cap under control. That process has started with the release of linebacker Logan Wilson on Friday, but it hardly ends there. The Cowboys are still $24.5 million over the expected salary cap and have much work to do to get there, though it won't be hard.

Part of the formula should include locking in to Quinnen Williams. Acquired in a separate deadline-day trade than Wilson, Williams actually worked out to great extent. So much so, he should widely be considered the defensive centerpiece for new defensive coordinator Christian Parker to build around. Parker's 3-4 defense with 4-3 spacing is perfectly suited for Williams' skill set, as playing gap-and-a-half fundamentals suits the powerful and quick seven-year veteran.

Why the Cowboys should offer Williams an extension

Simply put, Williams is the building block in the middle of Parker's game plan to turn the Cowboys defense around. Williams is 29; and as DTs tend to have a longer shelf life, he should have another 3-4 years in his prime. He's signed through 2027 with only $5 million in guaranteed money remaining, but the Cowboys gave up a second-round pick this year and a first-round pick next year to acquire him.

The pick investment demands that the Cowboys get at least four years out of Williams.

Part of the reason any bad grades attached to the acquisition seemed shortsighted was that when they traded for Williams midseason was because how important seven games worth of info was. He quickly answered all questions about whether his declining performance in New York was him or the Jets environment and made plans to build around him concrete.

As soon as Williams landed in Dallas, the Pro Bowl caliber play returned, marking his fourth-straight season with the honor.

Can’t wait for full season with. Cowboys Nation 🤠 https://t.co/Ybb4C32z3M

— Quinnen Williams (@QuinnenWilliams) February 19, 2026

Proposed Contract Extension for Quinnen Williams

If we were in charge of the Cowboys' front office, here's the deal we'd offer to Williams and his representatives.

Proposed Extension: Add two new years to run through 2029: 4 years, $110 million total value. Williams will increase his average annual value from $24 million of his current deal to $27.5 million, second only behind Kansas City's Chris Jones.

His deal would include a 2026 signing bonus, a 2027 option bonus (due on the fifth day of the league year) and a 2027 restructure which will keep his cap hits low for the next two seasons.

His signing bonus, 2026 salary, and $10M of his 2027 salary, is fully guaranteed at the time of signing. His remaining 2027 salary ($16.5 million) and his 2027 option bonus ($5 million) are guaranteed for injury, bringing that total up to $58.25 million.

When the Option bonus is paid on the fifth-league day of 2027, his full 2027 salary guarantees and the restructure is triggered, converting $15 million of base salary to bonus. This spreads the cap hit evenly across the 2027 through 2031 caps at $3 million each.

If a catastrophe happens and Williams needs to be dumped before 2028, the Cowboys will have five days to release him at the beginning of that league year before a $16 million option bonus is activated.

Dallas could escape the contract cleanly going into the 2029 season, after three full seasons plus 2025, for $6.75 million in projected savings, as $32 million of dead money would be lower than the $38.75 million projected cap hit.

2026 Salary Cap Savings from Williams' Extension: $14.85 Million

The Cowboys are currently set to use $21,632,000 of their 2026 cap space on Williams. This proposed extension, a $5 million raise in total, cuts that down to just $6.75 million thanks to a new low base salary and an up-front $25 million payment that is spread out evenly across the 2026 through 2030 salary caps.

This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Contract extension proposal for Cowboys Quinnen Williams reaches $110M

The New York Giants may have won just seven games over the past two seasons, but many talking heads and experts have been hyping them up this offseason as a potential contender in 2026.

One analyst in particular, Tiki Barber, the Giants' all-time leading rusher and Ring of Honor inductee turned radio host, is telling his listeners that the expectations for his old team have increased dramatically.

.@TikiBarber is bullish on the 2026 Giants: 'A winning season is the bare minimum.' pic.twitter.com/VcwBZBWter

— WFAN Sports Radio (@WFAN660) February 19, 2026

The leadership change is the main reason why sentiments are changing. The team finally hired a seasoned and proven head coach in John Harbaugh and reduced the authority of general manager Joe Schoen.

The continued development of second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart has also lifted everyone's hopes. With a core of young stars including Dart, wide receiver Malik Nabers, running back Cam Skattebo, and linebacker Abdul Carter, the Giants headed in the right direction.

They could be in for a huge leap forward in 2026.

This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Tiki Barber: A 'winning season' should be 'bare minimum' for Giants

The NFL had 10 head coach openings this offseason, but none of them went to Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph. So the 53-year-old coach will remain in Denver for at least one more season.

Broncos defenders certainly aren't complaining about that development.

“He’s one of the smartest coaches I’ve ever had," Denver linebacker Dre Greenlaw said after the 2025 season. "He knows the game in and out. I’ve never seen so many personnels in my life. It’s cause he knows what the offense is going to do, and he knows what the best defense is to be in for that particular situation.

"Just along the season, I started trusting him more and more just with his feel for the game. He’s one of those coaches that, of course, everyone wants to be their head coach. He can change a program around with his mindset and the way he knows ball. It’s been an honor for sure.”

Fortunately for Greenlaw and Co., Joseph's not leaving in 2026. He undoubtedly deserves another opportunity as a head coach int he NFL, but Joseph will coach the Broncos' defense for at least one more year. If the unit has yet another impressive campaign this fall, Joseph will be hard to ignore as a head coach candidate in 2027.

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: NFL: Dre Greenlaw says Vance Joseph is among NFL's smartest coaches

The 2026 NFL draft offers two distinct roads for the Los Angeles Rams. On one side, the Rams could go for win-now players that shore up positions of need and maximize the team's contention window in 2026. On the other side, the Rams could draft players who solve long-term problems while giving some depth at certain positions for the upcoming season.

NFL.com's Gennaro Filice went with door No. 1: Win-now. And, oddly enough, Filice didn't draft a cornerback with either of the team's two first-round picks. He picked Ohio State receiver Carnell Tate at No. 13 and then Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren at No. 29.

Having just missed out on the top two cornerbacks in this simulation, Los Angeles adds more firepower to its top-ranked offense. With Matthew Stafford back under center in 2026, the reigning MVP is rewarded with an acrobatic vertical threat for his ageless arm to exploit. Sean McVay can tenderize defenses with heavy personnel, then flash-fry them with a three-receiver set of Puka Nacua, Davante Adams and Tate.

A cornerback would make a lot of sense here. But seeing how the Rams have only used one top-100 pick on the position over the last 11 drafts -- David Long at No. 79 overall in 2019 -- it feels like Les Snead’s famous motto needs a slight tweak: F--- THEM CB PICKS! And with Kam Curl on the verge of free agency, safety is another need in the secondary. McNeil-Warren isn’t a household name coming out of Toledo, but the buzz is building in the pre-draft process.

Tate and McNeil-Warren technically fill positions of need, just ones that are little less flashy. Tate would fill in nicely as the Rams' third receiver who could slide into the No. 2 role once Adams leaves, while McNeil-Warren could become the team's second safety with Curl's likely departure in free agency.

Tate caught 52 receptions for 875 yards and nine touchdowns this past season for the Buckeyes. He finished his college career with 121 receptions for 1,872 yards and 14 touchdowns in 39 games. McNeil-Warren finished his college career with 214 combined tackles (106 solo), 11 tackles for a loss, five interceptions and 13 defended passes.

This would be a fun one-two punch in the first round for the Rams. It would also set them up for success in 2026 and down the line.

This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams don't take any CBs in new 2026 mock draft

The New England Patriots will begin the 2026 NFL season with their wide receiver corps intact.

The Patriots ranked No. 4 in the NFL in receiving yards in 2025 with 4,459. New England was also one of only six teams to score 30 or more passing touchdowns last season, as they scored 31. The Patriots’ receiving unit helped the team advance to the Super Bowl as four of their five featured pass-catchers — Stefon Diggs, Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins and DeMario Douglas — scored a touchdown in the postseason.

New England approaches free agency with 14 players slated to hit the open market. The Patriots have a risk-free, reward-heavy offseason to look forward to, with all of their featured receivers on board for next season.

Who’s on the roster?

• Stefon Diggs
• Kayshon Boutte
• Mack Hollins
• DeMario Douglas
• Kyle Williams
• Efton Chism III

The Patriots will have their top wide receiver, Stefon Diggs, on their roster through 2027. Diggs originally signed a three-year, $63.5 million deal with New England in 2025. The 32-year-old went for 1,013 receiving yards during the season. He finished as a finalist for the AP Comeback Player of the Year award.

New England is secure for next season with Hollins, Boutte and Douglas all under contract until the end of 2026. Williams is under contract through 2028.

Hollins finished two yards shy of being the Patriots’ second-leading wide receiver last season with 550 yards. Boutte was New England’s No. 2 pass-catcher on the outside with 551 yards. His name rose to prominence after making a one-handed touchdown grab in the Patriots’ 28-16 divisional round win over the Houston Texans.

Douglas was a preferred touchdown target for Patriots quarterback Drake Maye at the start of games all throughout 2025. Williams recorded 209 yards and three receiving touchdowns during the season, while Chism III played in eight games for the Patriots.

Who’s headed for free agency?

No one. The Patriots do not have a single wide receiver that will be a free agent in 2026. New England has the option to sign additional talent at the position in the open market, or clear space on the depth chart through trades, as well as roster cuts.

Who might the Patriots add to their wide receiver room?

The Patriots have $40.5 million in cap space this offseason. With that money, New England has several wide receivers to consider that will hit the open market.

Former Miami Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill, as well as Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans are among the elite pending free agent wideouts that will be courted by teams in March. Philadelphia Eagles receiver A.J. Brown is a 1,000-yard receiver who might hit the trade block this offseason.

Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.

This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Patriots 2026 offseason preview: Where does New England stand at WR?

Elon Musk’s supposed interest in buying the Seattle Seahawks has been trending on social media.

The speculation gained traction after a viral post claimed the billionaire was interested in purchasing the NFL franchise from the Estate of Paul G. Allen.

However, the real story centres on the Seahawks’ formal sale process rather than unverified fan conjecture.

Elon Musk and Seattle Seahawks ownership rumours examined

In a post widely shared across platforms, as posted by TheNFLDrop, it was claimed, “Elon Musk says he is interested in purchasing the Seattle Seahawks from the Estate of Paul G. Allen.

“Musk has a net worth of $850 billion, and the Seahawks are looking to sell for over $10 billion.”

That post mixed true elements, namely that the Seahawks are entering the market, with speculation about Musk’s intentions that is not supported by credible reporting.

No major sports news outlet has confirmed Musk is in advanced talks or formally pursuing the franchise. Ideas about Musk as a suitor remain fan discussion rather than a verified fact.

It is also worth noting that reported net worth figures for individuals like Musk often vary significantly over time and are routinely updated by financial outlets, not fixed figures reported by NFL sources.

Seattle Seahawks are officially up for sale

What is verified is that the Seattle Seahawks are being put up for sale by the Paul G. Allen Estate following the team’s Super Bowl LX victory.

The potential price tag is likely to be in the multi-billion dollar range, reflecting the franchise’s strong performance, market value, and recent championship success.

While speculation about specific prospective buyers, including national billionaires, is a frequent by-product of such high-value sales, these remain conjecture until official offers are publicly disclosed and verified.

In short, while the Seahawks are indeed on the market, there is currently no credible evidence that Elon Musk is formally pursuing the purchase.

Read more:

The Cincinnati Bengals don’t often get aggressive in trades.

But this offseason might be different. There’s an air of urgency after the Bengals did the bare minimum by throwing Duke Tobin into a season-ending press conference for the first time.

A slim NFL draft pool (thanks to NIL and other factors), plus a slim free-agency pool (thanks to the ever-rising cap) could force their hand a bit.

The Bengals will certainly have chances to strike up big trades. Consider this one from Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine, which has them sending a second-round pick and change to the New York Giants for defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence:  

“The 6'4", 340-pound nose tackle is one of the most unique interior defenders in the league. Not only can he two-gap and stuff the run, but he also posts better pass-rush production than a lot of 3-techs.”

RELATED: 6 Bengals veterans who won’t be on Zac Taylor’s roster next year

Lawrence is 28 years old and had last season derailed a bit by an elbow injury. But in the three seasons before that, he had 21 sacks and was a versatile force all over schemes.

The Bengals love their do-it-all defensive linemen. Putting Lawrence on the same line as first-rounders Shermar Stewart and Myles Murphy could certainly provide a major boost.

There are red flags. The elbow injury is one. So is Lawrence’s roughly $27 million cap hit in 2026 on top of the cost to acquire him. 

But in this scenario, the Bengals haven’t exactly been knocking their second-round picks out of the park anyway. In fact, Kris Jenkins, the second-rounder from 2024, has been pretty much nowhere to be found so far at Lawrence’s same spot. 

Likely it happens? No, but the Bengals might just be better for it. Their best contention seasons lately have come after signing players other teams developed, after all. 

RELATED: Bengals' key offseason dates for NFL free agency, draft and more

This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals’ dream trade scenario with Giants would jump-start rebound

Shortages of opinions on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott just don't occur. Where he ranks in the NFL hierarchy seems to shift annually, and his 2025 season is earning Prescott some high praise from Chase Daniel, a 14-year veteran who now works at ESPN, as well as The Athletic.

Daniel has grown a significant following for his breakdowns on quarterback play over the years, and in a recent post, ranked the top 5 QBs in the NFC, placing Prescott in very high standing.

I Ranked the Top 5 NFC QBs… Film Don’t Lie

Agree or Disagree? pic.twitter.com/Hqa36NKlPK

— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) February 20, 2026

As Daniel says, the "film don’t lie," and despite the Cowboys not having success as a team, it was one of Prescott’s best seasons. Dallas’ signal caller finished as Daniel’s second-best QB in the NFC, behind only the Los Angeles Rams’ Matthew Stafford, who won the MVP award.

Prescott was ranked higher than Brock Purdy, Jared Goff, and Jordan Love, who rounded out Daniels’ top 5. Among the quarterbacks not listed were Caleb Williams, Baker Mayfield, or Super Bowl winner Sam Darnold. 

Also included is those who didn’t make the cut and are often argued about in Prescott’s tier include fellow NFC East signal callers Jalen Hurts, of the Philadelphia Eagles, and Jayden Daniels from the Washington Commanders. 

This is just one man’s opinion and during the offseason, but it’s hard to argue based on last year’s results. Prescott was among the best QBs in the league in 2025 and his statistics back that up, ranking near the top of the NFL in most passing categories.

Prescott now needs to maintain his high level of play, something he’s struggled to do consistently. For now, Prescott appears to be slotted appropriately as one of the NFC’s best QBs.

Follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!  

This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys Dak Prescott ranked 2nd-best NFC QB by ESPN, Athletic analyst

Bears predicted to replace Tremaine Edmunds with trade for Saints' 63-game starter originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

One of the Chicago Bears' top cut candidates is linebacker Tremaine Edmunds.

Entering the final year of his $72 million contract, Edmunds hasn't been as effective as he was earlier in his contract, and with the Bears needing cap space, he figures to be the safest bet to be released before free agency.

The problem for the Bears is they don't have an in-house replacement for him, which means they'll have to explore external options via trade and free agency.

In order to replace Edmunds, Sports Illustrated's Conor Orr predicts the Bears will pull off a trade with the New Orleans Saints for linebacker Pete Werner.

Here's Orr's thoughts on the prediction:

The Saints are going to trade Pete Werner to the Bears

With Chicago looking to move on from Tremaine Edmunds, the Bears will use a late-round pick to pair a Dennis Allen favorite with a defense in need of quality run support. 

A former second-round pick of the Saints in 2021, Werner is a strong suggestion for multiple reasons.

For starters, he has experience in defensive coordinator Dennis Allen's defense, which will make for an easy transition to Chicago. Werner had some of the best showings of his career under Allen.

He's also far cheaper than Edmunds yet offers many of the same qualities. Werner is not very good in coverage, but he plays the run well, which will be of particular interest to a Bears team that had the sixth-worst run defense in the NFL.

But would the Saints actually trade Werner? We believe it's a real possibility.

Werner has disappointed since getting his contract extension, and chances are the Saints want to get Danny Stutsman more snaps.

The Saints could opt to hold on to Werner is Demario Davis doesn't return, but if the veteran is placed on the trade block, the Bears make sense as a suitor.

More NFL News

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What teams could be potential landing spots for Indianapolis Colts' free agent safety Nick Cross?

A few NFL analysts have weighed in.

Cross was moved around Lou Anarumo's defense, but primarily filled the strong safety role, with Cam Bynum often as the deep safety.

Cross was again productive near the line of scrimmage, logging 16 quarterback pressures and the fourth-highest run-stop rate among safeties, according to PFF.

This past season, Cross gave up 11.3 yards per catch vs. 9.3 yards per reception in 2024, and his ball production dropped. However, ESPN's Aaron Schatz wrote recently that Cross performed well in coverage by his DVOA metric.

The Colts just invested in the safety position last offseason, signing Bynum to a big deal. Does Ballard prioritize that unit again, with there being other needs to address?

Cross is still just 24 years old and has a good amount of NFL experience. Other teams will be interested.

Potential landing spots for Colts' free agent S Nick Cross

FOX Sports: Titans

They said it: "If he doesn't stick in Indy, he'd be a smart play for the Titans, where Gus Bradley knows him well and the front office has ample cap space to rebuild their defense with young potential." - Greg Auman

ESPN: Colts

They said it: "The Colts will give a big extension to 25-year-old safety Nick Cross. He did well in my coverage DVOA metric and was involved in 14.0% of Colts defensive plays, fourth among safeties in 2025. His average run tackle came after a gain of just 4.3 yards (ranked third among safeties with at least 20 run tackles)." - Aaron Schatz

This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts free agency: Experts predict where free agent Nick Cross sign

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid spoke with reporters via Zoom on Friday, evaluating the possibility of a reunion with former All-Pro wide receiver Tyreek Hill.

"We go through everything and everybody. That's how (General Manager) Brett (Veach) does (it). I don't even know if Tyreek (Hill) is healthy right now to do anything," said Reid, "I'm sure he's (Tyreek Hill) working hard on that part of it (and) trying to get all that straightened out."

Hill won Super Bowl LIV with the Chiefs and was named to the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team as a punt returner while making Pro Bowls each season of his career in Kansas City.

"We (front office) talk about everything, so there's nothing happening there," said Reid, but we know what you know, and he's out there cranking away trying to get himself back to where he can play, period."

The Miami Dolphins' release of Hill will save them $22.8 million against the salary cap, as the soon-to-be 32-year-old is recovering from a dislocated knee and torn ACL.

This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: Chiefs HC Andy Reid breaks silence on Tyreek Hill reunion rumors

Free agency is always a gamble in the NFL. Sometimes you land a franchise cornerstone, other times you end up paying starter money for backup-level production.

During the 2000s, the New York Giants had their fair share of smart roster moves that helped bring home two Super Bowl titles in 2007 and 2011. But like every team navigating the open market, they also had some swings and misses.

With the 2026 free agency period around the corner, here is a look back at some worst free agent signings the Giants made during the 2000s decade.

Linebacker Carlos Emmons (2004–2006)

After a solid run with the Philadelphia Eagles, the Giants made a lengthy investment in linebacker Carlos Emmons during the 2004 offseason, signing him to a long-term deal (5-year, $16.5 million) with the hope he could bring that same level of production to New York's defense.

It never really worked out that way.

Emmons struggled to replicate the impact he had shown in Philadelphia, and his time with the Giants was defined as much by missed games as it was by inconsistent play. Availability quickly became a concern, as he sat out 12 games over his three seasons in New York due to injuries.

When he was on the field, Emmons never quite played at the level the team expected when they handed him a multi-year contract in free agency. His tenure with the Giants ultimately came to an end in 2007 following a back injury.

Safety C.C. Brown (2009)

When the Giants signed C.C. Brown before the 2009 season, the move was supposed to bring some stability to the back end of the defense. Instead, it created a revolving door for opposing passing attacks.

The veteran safety's deal was for just one-year, $1.6 million.

Still, Brown struggled to keep up in coverage all year long and often found himself a step behind receivers downfield. Quarterbacks didn’t hesitate to test him, and more often than not, it paid off. Big plays became a recurring issue whenever the ball went his way, turning what was meant to be a depth signing into a weekly liability in the secondary.

The Giants’ pass defense took a noticeable hit, and Brown never really carved out a reliable role as the season went on. Even though the team briefly considered bringing him back the following year, they ultimately decided to move in a different direction before the season began.

His stint in New York lasted just one forgettable season.

Linebacker Barrett Green (2004–2005)

The Giants took a chance on linebacker Barrett Green in free agency in 2004, bringing him in from the Detroit Lions on a five-year contract worth over $13 million, with the expectation that he could lock down the weak-side linebacker job for years to come.

That plan never really had a chance to materialize.

Green suffered a serious knee injury during the 2004 season that ultimately cut his time in New York short and derailed his career. The injury forced him off the field long before the Giants could see any real return on the multi-year deal they handed him in free agency.

Even when he was available, Green struggled to make much of an impact defensively. Across two seasons, he appeared in just 11 games with nine starts and failed to record a single sack while finishing with 39 total tackles.

Injuries are part of the game, but in this case, the Giants committed starter-level money to a player who was never able to consistently contribute.

Linebacker LaVar Arrington (2006)

On paper, this move felt like a steal.

New York signed three-time Pro Bowl linebacker LaVar Arrington after his release from Washington to a 7-year, $49 million contract, hoping he’d bring explosiveness to their defense.

Arrington had recorded 324 tackles, 43 TFL, 22.5 sacks, and three interceptions during his six-year tenure in the nation's capital.

Instead, injuries immediately derailed the No. 2 overall pick from the 2000 draft during his time in New York.

Arrington played in just seven games before suffering a season-ending Achilles injury and finished the year with only 14 tackles and a sack. He never played another down for the Giants, making this signing more of a “what could’ve been” than anything else.

This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Worst New York Giants free agent signings of the 2000s

It has become quite clear over the last two seasons that the Denver Broncos have found their quarterback.

Broncos general manager George Paton has noted that there's no better measurement of a quarterback than wins, and Nix tied an NFL record with 24 wins through his first two seasons. Nix wasn't merely carried to those victories, either. Through 34 games in the NFL, Nix has led eight fourth-quarter comeback wins and 10 game-winning drives.

Nix's coaches — and teammates — have constantly praised the quarterback's mentality.

“I think you have to just kind of consider the way he was raised," backup quarterback Sam Ehlinger said after the team's season ended. "He’s raised in a football family. His dad’s a football coach his whole life, so all he has ever known is football, and that’s a really good thing. He is a really smart football player. I think you see that on the field. He understands coverages and offense really well, offense and defensive football."

Patrick Nix, Bo's father, played quarterback at Auburn from 1992-1995, and he's been coaching football since 1996.

"I think his desire to be great is really special, too," Ehlinger said. "A lot of people who are Heisman finalists, first-round picks could easily be complacent, and he’s not. I think his football awareness, his drive to be great, really stand out, and it’s been great getting to know him. I consider him a best friend and a brother, so it’s been fun getting to know him.”

Nix has totaled 8,494 yards from scrimmage and scored 64 touchdowns through his first two seasons. He was named a Pro Bowl alternate each year, but ankle procedures have prevented him from participating in the NFL's all-star festivities. Now going into Year 3, Nix will look to take another step forward as Denver contends for a Super Bowl.

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: Bo Nix's 'drive to be great' stands out to teammates

Los Angeles Rams safety Kam Curl could be in for a big payday this offseason.

The impending free agent had a phenomenal season with the Rams after tallying 122 combined tackles and two interceptions in his second season with the team. But now, he could cash in somewhere else if the Rams don't want to bring him back.

Underdog's Hayden Winks thinks Curl would make a great piece for the Cincinnati Bengals defense in 2026. He noted Curl's acumen as a deep secondary piece who led safeties with 79 combined tackles in 2025.

It would be tough to see Curl go, but the Rams have other areas of need they need to address and pay for, and the team recently re-signed fellow safety Quentin Lake to a long-term deal. Curl, meanwhile, could earn as much as $13 million guaranteed on his next contract.

He's a veteran player who might not have many more opportunities for big long-term deals, so he'd be smart to take the best offer on the table. Curl joined the Rams on a cheap two-year, $9 million deal in 2024, a contract he certainly outplayed over the course of his time in L.A.

This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: NFL analyst predicts AFC North team will sign S Kam Curl

This is the time of year when we get to play pretend GM and try to figure out the moves our favorite teams will make during the offseason. The NFL combine is around the corner, followed by the start of the league year on March 11. The start of the league year also marks the beginning of free agency, with the legal tampering period starting two days prior.

The first few days of free agency are always a flurry of action as teams try to nail down the top-ranked players at the positions they need, and Sports Illustrated has a bold prediction for the Washington Commanders this offseason.

The Commanders will sign Mike Evans in free agency. 

Despite interest from the Bills, Washington can commit more with breathing room under the salary cap. The push to get Jayden Daniels to a Super Bowl before his rookie contract tolls is real, and Evans is one of the most quarterback-friendly receivers in the NFL. 

In his 12 years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Evans has only missed having a 1,000-yard season one time. In 2025, Evans suffered multiple injuries and appeared in just eight games, ending his streak of consecutive seasons with 1,000 receiving yards.

Bringing in Evans would certainly give the Commanders the additional weapon they need to give Terry McLaurin some breathing room. The problem is that he is nearing the end of his career, and his longevity is in question after suffering a hamstring injury, a concussion, and a broken collarbone in 2025. Still, having him line up opposite McLaurin is a salivating prospect and would certainly boost the Commanders' offense.

It's certainly a bold prediction and goes against GM Adam Peters' strategy to get "younger and faster" this offseason.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Bold prediction brings Mike Evans to DC

Arizona Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill got a little bit chippy with one local reporter on Thursday. On the day that the team had a groundbreaking ceremony for their new training facility, expected to open in 2028, Bidwill addressed reporters.

Bidwill was asked about a role in the executive staff for the team. After serving as team president from 2007-2019, he became team owner after his father, Bill Bidwill, died. There has been no named team president since then.

Bidwill was asked why there hasn't been a team president hired since then. His response was curt, and he didn't wish to elaborate further.

"I am the team president," Bidwill said. "I am the team president, so next question."

The answer clears up why there has been no team president hired. However, the way in which he answered the question leaves one to want more.

It is a legitimate question, as he has never previously come out and said he would continue to act in a president's role despite being named owner.

That said, there is a better way to answer it. Bidwill clearly enjoys being part of football decisions. He doesn't want to be a hands-off owner, and that's fine. It is his team. But he could say that.

Yes, the question did suggest that perhaps someone else should be more involved in the football decisions than Bidwill, but it is a fair question.

It is things like this where many don't take what the Cardinals do all that seriously.

Does he need to hire a team president? One could argue it would help the team be better. But it is his team.

Sadly, things like this get in the way of the team. Whether it is curt answer about the team president, allegations of poor workplace behavior, or a weird interview process, the Cardinals seem to get in the news for things other than football.

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: Arizona Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill bristles at reporter question

From their historically lopsided loss at Super Bowl LIX, to their failure to reach the postseason for the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era, it’s safe to say that the downfall of the Kansas City Chiefs’ dynasty has been one of the more dramatic ones in NFL history. Of course, that’s only been amplified by the partial tearing of Mahomes’ ACL and LCL ligaments, as well as the potential retirement of his star tight end, Travis Kelce.

According to the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, however, it’s not all bad news for Chiefs fans. “My understanding is that they’ve already been in contract talks,” Pelissero noted while speaking with Rich Eisen earlier on this Friday.

“It seems like this is trending toward Travis coming back and playing for Kansas City, but nothing is done until it’s done. Obviously, Travis has a lot going on in his life outside of football and he has a lot of decisions to make. He may not have the howitzer anymore in terms of the top end speed that he did back in the day, but he’s still a functional NFL tight end.”

Unfortunately, that small glimmer of hope was immediately followed by Pelissero reminding fans of the current status of Kelce’s quarterback. The timetable for recovery after having both your ACL and your LCL repaired is anything but brief, prompting Pelissero to explain, in no uncertain terms, that “He’s going to miss a substantial chunk of time, probably the entire off season, maybe into training camp.”

With Mahomes’ being unavailable for an extended duration, Pelissero suggested that bringing Kelce back will be crucial for the Chiefs in terms of providing their offense with a veteran presence throughout the coming months. Considering that the team also figures to be without its primary wide receiver, Rashee Rice, as a result of his most recent legal troubles, it’s safe to say that a sense of normalcy is very much needed in Kansas City right now.

Of course, the only issue is whether or not Kelce is willing to put his future life as the husband of Taylor Swift on hold for nearly an entire calendar year all for the slim chance of redeeming both himself and the Chiefs. His history as a competitor, as well as Pelissero’s report, suggest that he probably will, but then again, one can never be too sure when it comes to matters of the heart.

The post NFL Insider Weighs in on Travis Kelce Retirement Rumors Amid Patrick Mahomes’ Injury appeared first on The SportsRush.

Jacksonville Jaguars' defensive tackle Austin Johnson is set to be a free agent this upcoming offseason.

So what might his next contract look like, and will the Jaguars re-sign him?

Austin Johnson contract projection

According to Spotrac, Johnson is set to earn a two-year deal worth $5.31 million. That's an average annual value of $2.65 million per year. Johnson is set to enter his age 32 season.

In terms of player age, contract status, and statistical production, Eddie Goldman, Da'shawn Hand, and Kentavius Street were used by Spotrac as comparisons to determine what Johnson's deal could be.

Will the Jaguars re-sign DT Austin Johnson?

Johnson was a second-round pick by Tennessee back in 2016. He joined the Jaguars during training camp, signing with Jacksonville in early August. However, he carved out a rotational role, despite his late addition.

For the most part, he remained a regular contributor throughout the season, averaging just under 14 snaps per game -- although there were a few games where Johnson was inactive.

He finished the year with two quarterback pressures and a sack. He graded out well against the run by PFF's metrics.

At this projected contract value, the Jaguars could bring Johnson back -- there's not a ton of financial commitment on their part. However, my guess is that in James Gladstone's effort to bolster this position group, he goes in a different direction as he builds out the depth of this unit, specifically trying to get younger.

Prediction: Jaguars do not re-sign Austin Johnson

This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: NFL free agency predictions: Do Jaguars re-sign Austin Johnson?

The San Francisco 49ers enter this offseason with some questions along their offensive line for the foreseeable future, especially at left guard.

Next month, two of three offensive linemen who started games for the 49ers at left guard in 2025 will hit the open market - Ben Bartch and Spencer Burford. That will leave Connor Colby as the top option to start on the roster, which is not great.

With that, San Francisco should be looking to add a veteran at the position this offseason, and earlier this week, ESPN's Matt Bowen identified the 49ers as the best fit for free agent guard Isaac Seumalo.

"Improving the interior of the offensive line is a must for Kyle Shanahan's offense," Bowen wrote. "Seumalo can displace defenders in both zone and gap run concepts, plus he would keep the pocket firm in pass pro for quarterback Brock Purdy. The 10-year veteran has the foot quickness to redirect defenders and the body control to wrestle back against power rushers. Seumalo's 97.3% pass rush win rate with the Steelers this season ranked second among 65 qualifying guards, and his 76.9% run block win rate checked in at fourth."

Seumalo played collegiately at Oregon State from 2012-15, earning All-Pac-12 honors once, before the Philadelphia Eagles took him in the third round (No. 79 overall) of the 2016 NFL draft.

Over seven years with the Eagles, Seumalo appeared in 81 games, started 60 and won a Super Bowl. He then signed a three-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023 and went on to start all 44 games that he played in and made the Pro Bowl in 2024.

With Seumalo turning 33 during the 2026 season, he's not a long-term answer for the 49ers at left guard, but he could help out for a year or two while they look for that guy.

More 49ers: 49ers on list of 10 teams with massive over/under win total in 2026

This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers identified as top landing spot for Isaac Seumalo in free agency

The Los Angeles Rams made a major decision with the future of their franchise on Friday.

Nate Scheelhaase was promoted to offensive coordinator in a move that puts the prodigal assistant in line for a head coach job in the 2027 cycle.

Scheelhaase was almost a head coach this cycle, as he was a finalist for both the Cleveland Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers before the franchises chose more experienced names for the position.

It might be the best thing to happen for the 35-year-old, who is now in the most powerful coordination position in the entire league.

Although head coach Sean McVay still calls the plays for the Rams, the L.A. OC title has brought everyone who has held it over the past decade to a head coaching job sooner rather than later.

For the first few years with the Rams, McVay didn't have an OC, but then he promoted Kevin O'Connell for the 2021 season, where they won the Super Bowl.

O'Connell is now considered one of the best coaches in football with the Minnesota Vikings.

Liam Coen was the OC for the Rams and had an amazing first season as a head coach with the Jacksonville Jaguars, turning them into an instant playoff team.

The LaFleur brothers have bookended it all, with Matt leaving his close friend after his first year in L.A. to lead the Green Bay Packers. And now, Mike has also landed a head coaching job following his OC tenure with the Rams, leading NFC West divisional rival the Arizona Cardinals.

Every OC who has been under McVay not only has gotten a head coaching job in the league but is also doing well.

For Scheelhaase, the 2026 season is one of growth and learning the ropes of becoming that future leader of a team, which he will certainly get the chance to do in the next few seasons.

McVay and general manager Les Snead, knowing this, also promoted quarterbacks coach Dave Ragone to co-offensive coordinator alongside Scheelhaase. If the latter gets a head coach job in 2027, it'll be an easy transition for Ragone to have his chance in the full coordinator seat.

This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Los Angeles Rams make major decision on their future

The Chicago Bears concluded their 2025 season, where they finished with an 11-6 record, an NFC North title and their first playoff win in 15 years under first-year head coach Ben Johnson. And there's no denying that the future is incredibly bright.

Over the next couple of weeks, we'll be counting down our 15 Most Impactful Bears from the 2025 season, which features plenty of young talent that made huge contributions in Chicago's magical season. We'll recap their 2025 season and look ahead to how they factor into 2026. There were plenty of top talent to highlight this season, which made for difficult decisions when narrowing the field to just 15 players and/or coaches.

Our No. 12 Most Impactful Bear is running back Kyle Monangai, a seventh-round rookie that became part of a dynamic duo with D'Andre Swift to give the Bears the No. 3 rushing offense in the league.

The Basics

• Position: Running back
• Age: 23
• Experience: 1st season
• 2025 cap hit: $872,000

2025 stats

• 169 carries, 783 yards, 5 touchdowns
• 30 targets, 18 receptions, 164 yards

2025 recap

For much of the 2025 offseason, the Bears seemed destined to select a running back in the NFL Draft. Players like Ashton Jeanty, TreVeyon Henderson, and Kaleb Johnson were floated as possibilities to give Ben Johnson's offense a skilled playmaker to utilize. The Bears thwarted expectations when they waited until the seventh round to address the position when they selected Kyle Monangai. Despite being a late-round pick, Monangai quickly made a strong first impression and became the primary backup behind D'Andre Swift. His first big opportunity came in Week 7 against the New Orleans Saints when Monangai ran for 81 yards on 13 carries and scored his first touchdown. It wasn't until Week 9, however, that he made a name for himself. Monangai started in place of an injured Swift against the Cincinnati Bengals and ran 26 times for 176 yards. It was the second-most rushing yards in a single game by a Bears rookie in team history. From then on, Monangai saw more opportunities and formed a dangerous one-two punch with Swift and had more memorable moments. Monangai's punishing running style complemented Swift's quickness well, and the rookie played an important role in the offense's success, though he did seem to hit a rookie wall the final few games of the season.

2026 outlook

Running back success can be fleeting, but Monangai should still be a consistent contributor going into Year 2. He just may not make the transition to a full-time starter. In this offense, however, that's okay. Johnson prefers to utilize multiple running backs, and Monangai will continue to play a key role as the bruiser in between the tackles. The biggest question will be if he will still be playing with Swift, who isn't certain to return in 2026 as he enters the final year of his deal. We'll see what happens at the position, but Monangai should continue to be a running back that can rush for 800+ yards a season.

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Most Impactful Bears of 2025: No. 12 Kyle Monangai

On Thursday, NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah held his annual conference call ahead of the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, IN. Jeremiah's conference typically focuses on the top prospects in the 2026 NFL draft as well as the teams who are picking near the top.

However, Jeremiah did take one question about the Pittsburgh Steelers and the possibility of the team moving up in the first round, thanks to the 12 draft picks they currently have.

Jeremiah broke it down and says he doesn't see the Steelers trading up. According to Jeremiah, teams move up for quarterbacks and bigs and the Steelers have done a good job drafting bigs and there's not a quarterback worth trading up for.

In fact, Jeremiah believes the Steelers are more likely to trade back rather than up given their draft needs. This could all change with free agency but we tend to agree. We could absolutely see the Steelers trade back in the first round and then use the rest of those picks to move up on the second and third days to target specific players. This draft is not at all top-heavy and the number of blue-chip options is very limited, so the picks from 50-100 are going to be where the Steelers get the return on their investment.

This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: NFL draft analyst says don't look for a trade up from the Steelers

The NFC South is wide open in 2026, due in part to major roster question marks. Here are three near-term moves that would significantly impact players’ fantasy values.

Is this the end of the road for RB Alvin Kamara? There was a time when he was an automatic first-round pick. Now going on 31 years old, he’s certainly not part of the Saints’ future. The question is whether he’s part of their present. If New Orleans unloads him, the backfield would be wide open, setting the stage for massive upside or massive disappointment for fantasy managers.

In Atlanta, Kyle Pitts probably earned millions of dollars based solely on Week 15’s historic blow-up performance. Yes, he’s that good. The problem for fantasy managers is that since college, he’s tended to dominate only when he’s the alpha receiver. That’s not possible when Drake London is healthy. If Atlanta holds onto him, we might expect more up-and-down outings. But if he goes to a team with a weaker wideout corps, Pitts could be an easy top-5 fantasy TE.

The Buccaneers also have a receiver quandary. If Mike Evans’ twilight years end in Tampa Bay, his 2026 fantasy production probably will continue to slide in a relatively crowded corps. Regardless, it wouldn’t be great news for Chris Godwin or the seemingly ascending Emeka Egbuka. But if Evans heads elsewhere, both Godwin and Egbuka could start the summer with WR ADPs inside the top 18.

This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: 3 offseason roster moves that would impact NFC South fantasy values

New England Patriots wide receiver Mack Hollins missed his $400,000 incentive by four catches in the 2025 season. However, the team decided to give it to him anyway, according to The 33rd Team's Ari Meirov on Friday.

Hollins reportedly missed the last two games of the season due to a lacerated spleen, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. It's a solid gesture of good faith by the Patriots to pay a veteran who stepped up for the team in a big way last season.

Hollins finished the year with 33 catches for 551 yards and six touchdowns. He went from being a depth free agent signing to one of the most productive receivers on the Patriots' roster.

Not only was Hollins a deep threat receiving target, but he also did a lot of the dirty work, most notably blocking on offense. He remains under contract for the team in 2026, and the Patriots will once again lean on his veteran leadership and playmaking abilities in Year 2 under head coach Mike Vrabel.

Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.

This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Mack Hollins' true injury revealed, Patriots reward veteran receiver

Former Cincinnati Bengals players have been a constant conversation around the Indianapolis Colts for the better part of a year now. 

Not hard to see why: Former Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo joined the Colts in the same capacity roughly one year ago. 

The latest Bengals player making this connection, as reported by Aaron Wilson of KPRC2, is linebacker Markus Bailey. 

RELATED: 6 Bengals veterans who won’t be on Zac Taylor’s roster next year

According to Wilson, the Colts hosted Bailey on a workout recently. 

It’ll be interesting to see if Bailey signs there. He’s available, but the Bengals don’t figure to have an interest despite linebacker being one of the neediest spots for the defense this offseason. 

As far as former Bengals players go, the big headliners joining Anarumo with the Colts were Germaine Pratt and Mike Hilton. 

Now, one has to wonder if Trey Hendrickson might be next.  

RELATED: Bengals' key offseason dates for NFL free agency, draft and more

This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Former Bengals player latest to get chance with Colts, Lou Anarumo

After years of speculation, the Seattle Seahawks are officially for sale. The Paul G. Allen estate announced they would begin the process of selling the team less than two weeks after their triumph in Super Bowl LX. It will be the dawn of a new age for the Seahawks, and that means plenty of unknowns will be on the horizon. But there is one "unknown" that is actually closer to being a "known" and the 12th Man should be aware of it: no, the team is not going to relocate.

I get it, I really do. The trauma inflicted by the SuperSonics leaving town is still an open wound, and it will remain as such until the NBA finally brings an expansion back team to the Emerald City. I also understand the concerns some fans have over this proposed "millionaire tax" that seems to be on the fast track to becoming law in Washington, which would theoretically make it appealing for a new owner to move the team to a more business-friendly state. But the NFL of 2026 is a far different beast than the NBA of 2006. These are night and day different scenarios.

First off, the Seattle-Tacoma media market is the 13th largest in the country. All twelve above them have at least one NFL team, as do five of the next seven after them to round out the top 20. The Seahawks are the only team for four states, and are the team with considerable viewership interest from our friends in Alaska and even British Columbia. There is simply no way the NFL is going to willingly abandon their only presence in such a large region of the country.

For those concerned about the Seahawks relocating, let me say it’s EXTREMELY unlikely! The NFL is not going to give up their only presence in such a massive region of the country.

The Seattle-Tacoma market is the 13th largest in the country. All 12 above them have *at least* one… pic.twitter.com/7nmo1jIr76

— Kole Musgrove (@KoleMusgrove23) February 19, 2026

Secondly, the Seahawks are one of the league's most successful franchises since the last division re-alignment in 2002. They are tied with the Philadelphia Eagles for most Super Bowl appearances from an NFC team, and most playoff wins by any squad - trailing only the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs. If the Seahawks were a largely irrelevant team, then maybe a new owner mi.... no, wait, that's not true either. In the mid-90's, then-owner Ken Behring attempted to move the team to southern California, and the NFL basically forced him to sell the franchise. And that's when the Seahawks had only one division title and four playoff appearances to their name!

Not to mention the Seahawks still have a lease with Lumen Field through 2031, with three ten-year options to extend their tenure in the stadium. Lumen Field will also be getting roughly $20 million in upgrades this year to meet FIFA World Cup standards.

So rest easy, 12's. The boogieman of Clay Bennett is not going to return. A punitive tax from the state also isn't likely to scare away any mega-billionaires looking to purchase the Seahawks. The team is going to be in the Emerald City for years to come.

This article originally appeared on Seahawks Wire: Seahawks ownership: the team is unlikely to leave Seattle

Due to a lack of salary cap space, the Atlanta Falcons had no choice but to let starting center Drew Dalman walk during the 2025 free agency period. Dalman, a former fourth-round pick who worked his way up to a starting job, signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the Chicago Bears.

This departure left the Falcons in need of a new starting center. Without many options available, the team turned to former backup Ryan Neuzil, signing the veteran to a two-year, $9.5 million contract extension. While Neuzil started eight games in place of an injured Dalman in 2024, he was unproven in a full-time starting role.

When the regular season rolled around, Neuzil more than held his own along Atlanta's offensive line. The 28-year-old finished as Pro Football Focus' sixth-rated center in 2025, earning a PFF grade of 77.4.

Neuzil even outperformed Dalman, who finished two spots behind him in PFF's center rankings. Here's what PFF had to say about Neuzil's performance last season.

Ryan Neuzil ranked No. 6 center in NFL by PFF

"Neuzil took over as the Falcons' starting center in the wake of Drew Dalman’s departure to Chicago, and he emerged as one of the best zone run blockers in the league (83.3 PFF run-blocking grade, fifth)," wrote PFF's Lauren Gray. "Neuzil generated the fourth-best impact-block rate among players on this list (18.4%), as well as the fourth-lowest defeated rate (11.4%)."

Neuzil struggled in pass protection, but so did Dalman, who allowed the third-most QB pressures in 2025. Dalman was ranked No. 8 on PFF's center rankings.

Drew Dalman ranked No. 8 center in NFL by PFF

"Dalman spent his first four seasons in Atlanta before signing a three-year deal with the Bears in 2025," wrote Gray. "Not only did he play every offensive snap for the team this season, but he was also named to his first Pro Bowl. Dalman is another center on this list who has struggled in pass protection, although he earned a career-best 67.3 PFF pass-blocking grade this season. He allowed the third-most pressures at the position (31), at a rate of 4.2% (third highest on this list)."

The Bears have to be happy with Dalman's performance, especially having just made it to the divisional round of the playoffs. However, the Falcons must be feeling great about Neuzil's production, which came at a fraction of the cost.

Atlanta's offensive line is one of the best units in the NFL, and it should only get better with time. Neuzil is proof that you don't always have to break the bank to find production. Drafting and developing talent can be just as effective when done correctly.

This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Atlanta Falcons: Ryan Neuzil ranked ahead of Drew Dalman by PFF

The Cincinnati Bengals had a few roster moves go public this week. 

Friday, the Bengals officially announced one: The re-signing of cornerback Jalen Davis. 

During the same announcement, the Bengals revealed they have also re-signed running back Kendall Milton.

RELATED: 6 Bengals veterans who won’t be on Zac Taylor’s roster next year

Undrafted out of Georgia in 2024, Milton has been a staple of the Bengals practice squad for two years. His most recent practice squad contract with the Bengals expired in mid-January. 

Now, Milton joins the depth chart with Chase Brown, Samaje Perine and Tahj Brooks before the Bengals make any other additions in free agency or the draft.

RELATED: Bengals' key offseason dates for NFL free agency, draft and more

This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals make one signing official, announce another

The Indianapolis Colts' Chris Ballard and Shane Steichen will be speaking at the NFL combine on Tuesday.

Ballard will meet with the media at 4:30 PM ET and Steichen at 5:30 PM ET.

This will be the first time that either has spoken publicly since each of their respective end-of-season press conferences.

After ending the 2025 season on a seven-game losing streak, the Colts missed the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season. However, the belief internally is that the success this team had through the first half of the season can be replicated and sustained, which is in large part why both Ballard and Steichen are back for another season.

Offensively, we saw the full capabilities of the Steichen offense through 10 games, with this unit being one of the most productive in football. And while injuries will never be an excuse, they were a harsh reality for the 2025 Colts.

NFL Combine begins next week in Indy.

Tuesday times for #Colts brass:

-4:30 PM: Chris Ballard
-5:30 PM: Shane Steichen

— Kevin Bowen (@KBowen1070) February 20, 2026

Owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon also mentioned how Ballard adapted his roster-building approach last offseason, which included being more aggressive. From the sounds of it, we could see a similar approach this offseason, with the Colts positioned relatively well with the salary cap.

Although Ballard and Steichen will be returning, that doesn't mean there won't be changes made to the roster.

There are some veterans on the team whose statuses for the upcoming season could be viewed as up in the air if the Colts choose to pursue additional salary cap savings.

The defensive side of the ball, in particular, also needs to be reshaped at a few positions. As Ballard put it, there is a need for "more fuel" up front, while getting younger and faster overall on defense will be a priority.

Beyond any roster changes that are made, this Colts team has to learn how to be at its best down the stretch. Irsay-Gordon stressed the need for this team to be able to better handle adversity. Not only last season, but in a few others in recent years, in those must-have-it games late in the year, the Colts have failed to come through.

This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: 2026 NFL combine: When will Chris Ballard, Shane Steichen speak?

Andy Reid responds to rumors of Chiefs reunion with Tyreek Hill originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Kansas City Chiefs saw their dominant streak in the AFC come to an end in 2025. After making the postseason every season since 2014, including five Super Bowl appearances and three wins, the Chiefs missed the playoffs and finished with a 6-11 record. The lack of true No. 1 receiver hurt Kansas City more so than it had in previous seasons since trading Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins.

Hill, however, has been released by Miami. This comes after suffering a season-ending leg injury in 2025, and Miami looking to begin rebuilding. When asked about a potential reunion with Hill, Andy Reid kept things rather close to the vest.

“I don’t even know if Tyreek [Hill] is healthy right now to do anything," Reid said via Adam Schefter. "I’m sure he’s working hard on that part of it, trying to get all that straightened out. We talk about everything so there’s nothing happening there, but we know what you know and he’s out there cranking away trying to get himself back to where he can play, period.”

Hill was with the Chiefs from 2016-21, earning six Pro Bowl appearances. He helped the Chiefs defeat the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV.

More NFL news:

• Buffalo Bills now know the asking price for Brian Thomas Jr.

• Bills trade rumor tracker: Latest updates on Buffalo's deadline pursuits

• 49ers tight end George Kittle begs NFL to do something about MetLife Stadium turf after another serious injury

• Buffalo Bills hire two‑time Super Bowl head coach in key role

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49ers' Christian McCaffrey's brother hired by Chargers as running backs coach originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The San Francisco 49ers have one of the best running backs in the NFL in Christian McCaffrey. He's been a superstar since his debut, and he's on the Hall of Fame track.

But, he's not the only McCaffrey in the NFL. Luke McCaffrey is a wide receiver with the Washington Commanders, but his other brother, Max McCaffrey, is not a player in the NFL. And yet, he's still involved in the league.

The Los Angeles Chargers announced their coaching staff for the 2026 season, and Max McCaffrey, the eldest McCaffrey brother, is now the Chargers' running backs coach.

Max McCaffrey named Chargers RB coach

"Max McCaffrey joins the Bolts as running backs coach after spending the last three seasons (2023-25) as an offensive assistant with the Miami Dolphins under current Chargers Offensive Coordinator Mike McDaniel," the Chargers announced.

While Christian McCaffrey has carved out a potential Hall of Fame career, Max didn't last long in the NFL as a player. He spent time with the Las Vegas Raiders, Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans Saints, and also with the 49ers.

He didn't have the most successful playing career, but since becoming a coach, he's been carving out a solid resume. McDaniel bringing him to the Chargers is a good sign that he's trusted and has a role in the NFL as a coach.

More: 49ers adding another WR is a 'must' with Brandon Aiyuk all but cut this offseason

The McCaffrey family has very strong ties to the NFL, dating back to Ed McCaffrey's time in the league as a wide receiver. While Christian has been the best player of the McCaffrey brothers, Max is putting together a solid coaching resume.

What makes this such a fun hire for the Chargers is that Christian will be able to play against his brother and the Chargers in Los Angeles during the 2026 season.

49ers-Chargers doesn't have a set date, but it should be a fun matchup between two Super Bowl hopefuls in 2026. And, both teams will have a McCaffrey involved in the running backs, one as a player and the other as a coach.

More 49ers news:

• 49ers' list of 2026 NFL draft picks, free agents and cap space going into offseason
• San Francisco 49ers get massive trade update on Raiders DE Maxx Crosby
• 49ers predicted to draft Trent Williams replacement in Round 1 of ESPN mock draft
• The San Francisco 49ers have made a hire for defensive coordinator
• Broncos, Bucs, 49ers listed as top landing spots for $66 million former Pro Bowl tight end
• 49ers predicted to add 77-sack former $135 million Pro Bowl pass rusher to pair with Nick Bosa
• Former Seahawks and 49ers legend believes Niners should trade for top-tier receiver

Andy Reid provides update on Travis Kelce’s future amid retirement decision originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

What the future holds for Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce remains up in the air, but he appears to be leaning in one direction as a decision looms in the coming weeks before free agency begins in the second week of March.

Kelce, 36, may have seen a dip in production, but he still recorded 76 receptions for 851 yards and five touchdowns this past season, ranking fourth among TE's in receiving yards. 

As it stands, he is set to enter unrestricted free agency, meaning a reunion with the Chiefs would require negotiating a new contract. However, head coach Andy Reid said the two sides remain in steady communication — which appears to be an encouraging sign.

“I’ve said this before, as long as there’s communication, I’m good,” Reid said Friday. “That means people want to move forward, and that’s where I think [Travis] is. I’m not trying to put words in his mouth at all, and I try to give him some space. He’s been doing this a long time. He can sort all that out as he goes forward, but we’re proceeding with that, and there is communication.”

MORE: The cool reason the Patriots just paid Mack Hollins an extra $400,000

HC Andy Reid says he doesn’t want to put words into Travis Kelce’s mouth… but there’s a lot of positive communication happening. Sounds to me like there’s a great chance he’ll be back for the 2026 season! pic.twitter.com/3aMMpoadUw

— Lexi (@lexiosborne) February 20, 2026

The Chiefs could be headed for significant changes this offseason after missing the postseason for the first time in a decade.

Star quarterback Patrick Mahomes — who is rehabbing a torn ACL — restructured his contract this week to free up $43.5 million in cap space ahead of free agency. Since 2021, Mahomes has created roughly $132 million in cap space by restructuring his deal, underscoring both his and the organization’s commitment to remaining competitive.

For Kelce, that commitment will be pivotal. He isn’t coming back for stats, regular-season awards, or even money. If he returns, it will be to compete for another Super Bowl — something he has made clear is the only thing driving him at this stage of his career.

More NFL news: 

• Vikings predicted to have elite 2026 NFL draft prospect fall into their lap in Round 1
• Pittsburgh Steelers predicted to pursue $36 million quarterback via offseason trade
• Bears trade idea from ESPN acquires Maxx Crosby for DJ Moore, first round pick, more
  

Sometimes NFL storylines write themselves. When a star player has history with a coach, that coach changes jobs, and a contender suddenly needs help at the player's same position, speculation becomes inevitable. That's exactly what has happened with Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown and New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel. The connection is obvious, the logic is easy to follow.

For months, the dynamic between the two has fueled speculation about a potential reunion. This time with the New England Patriots instead of the Tennessee Titans.

But speculation and reality aren't always aligned. Brown is firmly established as a cornerstone of the Eagles' offense, and despite outside chatter, there hasn't been much credible indication that Philadelphia is motivated to move him.

Still, when Vrabel's Patriots surged to a Super Bowl appearance behind young quarterback Drake Maye, the dots were too tempting for many to ignore. A proven No. 1 receiver paired with a rising franchise passer? On paper, it made sense.

A.J. Brown shares his true feelings about Mike Vrabel, which have recently evolved.

Brown and Vrabel's relationship has been interesting. Vrabel didn't seem too happy about that draft-night trade in 2022 that sent Brown to the Eagles in the first place. Ultimately, that helped lead to further Tennessee offensive inefficiency, which became part of the reason Vrabel lost his job as Titans head coach in the first place.

It also didn't help that Brown went off in his 'revenge game' of sorts vs. Tennessee in 2022. He was targeted ten times, leading to eight receptions, 119 yards receiving, and two TDs. Vrabel finished the 2023 NFL season with a 6-11 record. The Titans moved on, but there has often been a theory that he was swimming upstream with them.

Those arguments have since been strengthened by his ability to lead a turnaround in Foxborough. The New England Patriots represented the AFC in the Super Bowl earlier in February. Now, the plan transitions to improving on what Vrabel has already built. One of the first tasks seems obvious. Upgrade the receiving corps that will serve as Drake Maye's supporting cast.

Brown's name was connected to the Patriots as a result. It seemingly made sense. Many mentioned their previous working relationship. Some referenced his admission that he grew up as a Patriots fan.

Then, there was that practical joke with the Number 11 Patriots jersey. Remember that? The tease suggested he had been traded, but he was only teasing. He had actually been gifted with a Julian Edelman jersey.

He also called Tom Brady "the best to ever put on a pair of cleats." Brady was also nice enough to send him a jersey, but don't rush into conversations about a trade being a forgone conclusion. Those have been short-circuited lately. Derrick Gunn doesn't see it happening, and Adam Schefter agreed. Brown seems committed to this new direction for the Eagles. He also offered a take recently on Mike Vrabel that we didn't see coming.

During a recent episode of the Dudes on Dudes podcast, one hosted by Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman, Brown lamented that his time playing for Vrabel wasn't always rosy.

"I didn't like him, and I admit he knows that."

That doesn't sound like a guy who's interested in a reunion, does it? But a more mature Brown admits now that he understands him better. A great coach saw greatness in a young player and wanted to help him achieve it. Here's his full quote on the subject.

"Vrabe is the type of coach that he's going to call on you in the meetings. He wants to make sure you're staying engaged and he's going to go over the keys to victory of the week. You better know them by the back of your hand. I used to write in my notebook because at the time, I really didn't like Vrabes. I didn't like him, and I admit that he knows that. So, I used to write, 'I hate Vrabes, I hate Vrabes, I hate Vrabes.' I was doing that to pretend like I was taking notes to look like I was engaged. But because he was so hard on me when I was a rookie and I really didn't understand it. So, at the time I told Vrabes like, 'Hey, like I'm humble already. You don't got to humble me.' But I really didn't understand what he was trying to, you know, push me to be."

What makes Brown's recent comments compelling isn't the headline about his dislike of his former coach. It's the growth behind the admission. Time has a way of reframing experiences, especially for elite athletes who later recognize that hard coaching often comes from belief, not criticism.

Brown didn't suddenly rewrite history. He simply acknowledged that what once felt personal was actually developmental. That perspective says as much about his maturity as it does about Vrabel's coaching style.

Still, Brown's stay in Philadelphia seems a reality that will continue. More importantly, none of this sounds like a player preparing to force his way out.

If anything, it reinforces the opposite. Brown understands who helped shape him, but his present, and likely his future, remains with the Eagles. Trade rumors will continue because that's the nature of the NFL spotlight, especially when star players and successful coaches share history.

Still, actions speak louder than speculation, and right now, all signs point to Brown staying exactly where he is, as a centerpiece of Philadelphia's championship pursuit rather than the subject of someone else's rebuild.

This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: A.J. Brown says he didn't like Mike Vrabel amid Patriots trade rumors

The Los Angeles Rams closed the NFL’s final offensive coordinator opening with an in-house move.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that pass-game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase will step into the OC role. Quarterbacks coach Dave Ragone adds co-offensive coordinator duties.

Scheelhaase replaces Mike LaFleur, who left for a head coaching job with the Arizona Cardinals. The 35-year-old enters his third NFL season and continues a fast rise under Sean McVay. He interviewed for five head coaching jobs this cycle and drew strong reviews across the league.

“The NFL’s final OC opening has been filled in a uniquely LA way.” Schefter wrote.

The Rams trust their system and pipeline. McVay assistants often move on to top jobs, and the tree keeps growing. Scheelhaase now inherits an offense that ranked No. 1 in the NFL last season.

Los Angeles finished 12-5 and reached the NFC Championship Game. The team averaged 30.5 points and led the league in passing yards at 268.1 per game. Matthew Stafford threw for 4,707 yards and 46 touchdowns, driving one of the most aggressive attacks in football.

Scheelhaase joined the Rams after coordinating at Iowa State in 2023. He also coached at Illinois, his alma mater, where he once started at quarterback. His background in the pass game fits a roster built around Stafford and a deep receiver group.

Rams’ move on Sean McVay and GM Les Snead

In early February, the Rams secured their leadership core. Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead signed multiyear extensions. Owner E. Stanley Kroenke praised their partnership and commitment to competing for titles.

“As we enter their 10th season together, it is only fitting to reflect on the tremendous success Sean and Les have brought to this franchise, and the indelible impact they have made on Los Angeles and the NFL,” Kroenke said in his statement.

“They continue to embody the standard of this franchise to compete for championships… we are thrilled they will be leading the Los Angeles Rams for years to come.”

The Rams’ defense ranked 10th in points allowed, and it was a major hurdle in the NFC title loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Now the focus shifts to keeping the offense sharp while chasing another Super Bowl run next season.

So, as the moves make it clear, in Los Angeles, continuity remains the plan.

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The post Rams fill OC vacancy internally in ‘LA way’ amid NFL offseason appeared first on The Big Lead.

Everyone loves trade fodder. Maxx Crosby's angry response to being sat down for the final two games for a meniscus injury he insisted he could play through sparked the fire and his refusal to say anything about it since has only added fuel to the blaze since then. And, of course, the NFL media loves this because they get to create a whole lot of content surrounding it. And, in some cases, come up with some wild trade scenarios.

ESPN asked several of their NFL writers to each put together hypothetical trades for the 28-year-old Pro Bowl edge rusher. Some of which are unrealistic to the point of being downright unserious.

We will start with the most absurd. It comes from Seth Walder for the Chargers and it reads more like clickbait. So, I'm sorry for falling for it.

Seth Walder's offer:

Raiders get: 2026 second-round pick (No. 55 overall), 2026 sixth-round pick, 2027 fifth-round pick

Chargers get: Crosby

Walder never explains why the compensation is so slim, saying only that the Raiders would be taking draft capital from a rival. Never mentioning that failing to even get anything higher than the 55th overall pick without so much as a star player included is not nearly enough. Not in any universe. The Chargers would simply be stealing a Pro Bowl edge rusher who would no doubt wreak havoc on his former team twice a season for several years. This laughable deal would absolutely never happen and we should all feel dumber having read it.

The other deals don't come close to reaching the Micah Parsons trade level (two firsts and a star player) some might have expected/hoped. All seem to be fairly similar deals, however.

Jeremy Fowler's offer:

Raiders get: WR DJ Moore, 2026 first-round pick (No. 25 overall), 2027 third-round pick

Chargers get: Crosby

Dan Graziano's offer:

Raiders get: WR George Pickens, 2026 first-round pick (No. 20 overall)

Cowboys get: Crosby, 2026 second-round pick (No. 36 overall)

Ben Solak's offer:

Raiders get: WR Chris Godwin Jr., 2026 first-round pick (No. 15 overall), 2027 second-round pick

Buccaneers get: Crosby, 2027 fifth-round pick

In each case, the interested team sends the Raiders a much-needed receiver plus a top pick and, in two cases, a future pick as well. Still, not massive hauls like the Parsons deal, but there seems to be some consensus here of the compensation being a receiver, top pick, and a future pick.

We don't know at this point if Crosby even will be traded, and what the Raiders would get and from whom.

This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: ESPN writers give trade scenarios for Maxx Crosby, one hilariously bad

Jets urged to 'kick the tires' on trades for Eagles and Texans backup QBs originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New York Jets have a major quarterback problem. Justin Fields was a disaster, and they don't have a good rookie worth drafting early this year.

Darren Mougey and Aaron Glenn will have to look to free agency or the trade market to land a new quarterback this offseason. Fortunately, there are some interesting trade options other than the expensive Tua Tagovailoa and Kyler Murray.

Dan Parr of NFL.com shared that NFL Draft expert Daniel Jeremiah is urging the Jets, instead of taking a QB in the draft, to "kick the tires" on a trade for a backup QB from the Philadelphia Eagles or the Houston Texans.

Jets urged to 'kick the tires' on trades for Eagles, Texans QBs

"Instead, Jeremiah said the Jets should be kicking the tires on a couple of veteran backups to gauge their availability on the trade market: the Eagles' Tanner McKee and the Texans' Davis Mills," Parr writes.

Both of these quarterbacks are backups behind quarterbacks who won't have their starting jobs in jeopardy this offseason.

Jalen Hurts is a Super Bowl MVP and isn't going anywhere. And while C.J. Stroud had a rough playoffs, he's also staying the starter for now.

Of these two, McKee is a bit more of an unknown. The Eagles' backup is a Super Bowl champion. He'll be 26 years old at the start of the season and was a 2023 sixth-round draft pick by the Eagles.

In his career, McKee has a 1-1 record, a 61.4% completion rate, 597 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception across the last two seasons.

More: Jets rumor links New York to $12 million Super Bowl-winning QB after Frank Reich hire

Mills, on the other hand, is more of a known QB. He was a 2021 third-round pick and is 27 years old. He's made 29 starts in his career, with a 61.8% completion rate, 7,082 passing yards, 40 touchdowns, and 26 interceptions.

His lows are tough, in a 17-TD, 15-INT season in 2022 in 15 starts. But this past season, he went 3-0 for the Texans with a 57.2% completion rate, 915 passing yards, five touchdowns, and one interception.

Both of these quarterbacks would be nice options for the Jets to trade a mid-round pick for. They're cheap, solid quarterbacks who've shown enough to be quality starters in the NFL.

Jeremiah is urging the Jets to, instead of taking a QB in the first few rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft, to "kick the tires" on these two backups with the Eagles and Texans to be their new QB for the 2026 season.

More Jets news:

• Jets get $41 million free agent contract projection on Breece Hall
• Jets announce new OC for Aaron Glenn in former Eagles Super Bowl champion
• Jets urged to fix 'mess' on defense after Sauce Gardner, Quinnen Williams trades
• Jets' rounds 1-2 prediction from ESPN would be near-perfect draft class
• Why Jets won't let Breece Hall hit free agency even if there's no extension
• Jets projected to sign two-time Chiefs Super Bowl champion in free agency

No, the Houston Texans don't plan on trading Pro Bowl quarterback C.J. Stroud this offseason despite an abysmal playoff performance.

Does that mean teams shouldn't at least inquire about an asking price? And if so, which team could be the most aggressive.

Sports Illustrated's Connor Orr recently revealed his 32 bold predictions of the 2026 offseason, recapping one move that every team will make before the upcoming NFL Draft. For the Texans, he has them addressing the offensive line by adding two linemen ahead of the draft, giving them flexibility to maneuver around the draft for a specific player.

As for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Orr has the AFC North franchise reaching out to Nick Caserio about the fourth-year passer.

"I’m not saying Houston will pick up, but I am saying that the Texans will receive a phone call. Stroud is the perfect pipe-dream reclamation project for a Steelers team that never plans to rebuild and is still probably too good to project for a top-10 pick in 2027," Orr wrote. "Would he be worth a pair of late first-round picks to a Texans team that can find a veteran bridge starter in this year’s class (Jimmy Garoppolo paired with Nick Caley?) and add to that vicious defense?"

Before going any further, the two sides must agree on a price to even start a conversation. Two first-round picks would have to be the starting point for the franchise quarterback to leave this offseason, but even that might not be enough for the Texans to pull the trigger.

Even though Stroud struggled in the playoffs, he's still guided the Texans to 32 wins in three years. Even with an underwhelming Year 3 compared to his breakout rookie season, it still wasn't terrible enough to warrant trade rumors.

Living in the moment, Stroud looks like a project entering the 2026 offseason. A reset with franchises might benefit him, though any regression would actually have Houston swindling the Steelers for two picks that could help elevate the franchise. But the Texans are in win-now mode after making the divisional round three straight years, so whoever came in to play quarterback would have to be capable of leading the franchise to its first conference title.

The odds are slim of that happening. Just like the odds of Stroud being shipped off are even lower.

This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: NFL analyst has bold prediction for Texans and QB C.J. Stroud's future

It took years for the Atlanta Falcons to get out of the salary cap hell after trading away Matt Ryan, and once they did, the team used that cap space give Kirk Cousins a four-year, $180 million contract. Cousins' play did not match up to his paycheck, though, and the Falcons missed the playoffs in back-to-back seasons.

Team owner and chairman Arthur Blank cleaned house at the end of the year, hiring a new head coach, general manager and president of football. Next up, the Falcons must decide what to do with key free agents, including tight end Kyle Pitts.

The former No. 4 overall pick is set to enter free agency following arguably the best season of his NFL career. The Falcons could use the franchise tag on Pitts if they don't want to commit to giving him a long-term contract, or they could let him walk altogether.

NFL.com's Kevin Patra put out a new feature breaking down the most overvalued and undervalued players in the 2026 free agency class. Pitts was listed among the most overvalued NFL free agents:

If the Falcons don’t franchise tag Pitts (estimated $16 million), the tight end will hit the market as the top playmaker at the position. The question is, which Kyle Pitts will a team be signing? Is he the player who generated 469 yards and four TDs on 39 catches over the final six games of 2025? Or, is he the inconsistent, drop-prone player who had 459 yards and one score on 49 catches through the first 11 games of the season? In the right system, one that uses him as a matchup target and asks him to block less, he could finally find the consistent upside that eluded him over his first five seasons. In the wrong offense, a team could rue spending big on the former No. 4 overall pick. -- Kevin Patra, NFL.com

Pitts' up-and-down production throughout his five years in Atlanta may scare off some potential suitors, but the tight end has performed well when the quarterback play has been up to par. During Pitts' rookie season when Matt Ryan was still the quarterback, Pitts was one of the best tight ends in the league.

He struggled when Marcus Mariota took over in 2022 before injuring his MCL at mid-season. Things didn't get much better when Desmond Ridder stepped in the following year. Pitts seemed to forge a connection with Michael Penix Jr. later in the 2024 season, and that carried over to 2025.

However, there is undoubtedly some risk in paying a player who performed well in a contract year. And while the Falcons have to be aware of this, Pitts was the team's leading receiver last season. Losing him would make things harder on Drake London, Bijan Robinson and the rest of Atlanta's offense.

Pitts is just 25 years old and entering his physical prime. Letting him walk for nothing in free agency could come back to bite Atlanta. We'll see what general manager Ian Cunningham has up his sleep when free agency starts on March 11.

This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons TE Kyle Pitts listed among most overvalued NFL free agents

Baltimore Ravens GM Eric DeCosta joined The Inner Circle Podcast with Aaron Donald, and at 18:53, Donald asked him how he feels about the roster coming back in 2026. DeCosta didn't hold back, giving a thorough breakdown of the team, the players he's excited about, and what he thinks needs to improve.

"Well, I think this was a disappointing season for us this past year. Probably below our standard, below the line for us. I think we have a lot of good players coming back, and I believe in these guys, and I think we've got to get a better job at getting after the quarterback for sure. I think we have some young guys who can do that. I think losing Nnamdi Madubuike was a big blow for us this year. Terrible that we lost him early in the season as we did, but I think we've got some other guys on defense we're excited about. Travis Jones, we've got some young outside linebackers that we feel strongly about. Of course, we've got Roquan (Smith). Then our secondary has a lot of good players with Kyle Hamilton, Nate Wiggins, of course, Marlon Humphrey is a great player for us, too. I think there's a strong nucleus coming back. I'm really excited to see Jesse Minter's influence on our defense. That's his specialty as a defensive coach. I think that'll make a big, big impact. Then offensively, I think all the pieces are there. We've got some skilled guys. We've got a tight end in Mark Andrew, running backs, Derrick Henry, Zay Flowers. Really, really good about Zay, Rashod Bateman. A lot of good players.

I think on the offensive line, we've got two good tackles in Roger Rosengarten and Ronnie Stanley. We've got some work to do with Tyler Linderbaum's contract. He's a free agent. We strongly hope to have him back. He's a great player for us and a great leader, and then we just need to augment the guard position, which is something we can do. We've got some good young guys that we really believe in this year. They're going to make a big, big jump this year for us. Emory Jones is a guy we drafted last year in the third round, and we feel really strongly about as being a guy that's going win a spot for us at the guard spot. But I love our team. I think our special teams is strong. We've got two good kickers, a good kicker, and a good punter. I think our coaching staff, what I've seen from our coaches, our new coaches, is very, very exciting. I think something change can be good. With change comes innovation and new ways of doing things or practicing, a new scheme, and all these different things. That's going to give us an advantage, I think, this year. When you do the same thing every year, and you're playing the Bengals twice, the Steelers twice a year, the Browns, these guys know us like the back of their hands. I think sometimes a change is a positive thing."

DeCosta's take makes it clear: the Ravens see a lot of pieces in place to bounce back, but there's also work to do. Between young talent ready to step up, key free-agent decisions, and a new defensive mindset under Jesse Minter, Baltimore is aiming to turn last year's disappointments into a stronger 2026.

This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Baltimore Ravens 2026 Roster Insights: Eric DeCosta Breaks It Down

The future is bright for the Chicago Bears, which has everything to do with their head coach-quarterback duo of Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams. The pair played a key role in the team's impressive 2025 season, where they went from worst to first, won the NFC North and earned their first playoff win in nearly two decades.

Williams is one of the biggest reasons why Johnson wanted to come to Chicago, and in just one season we saw the young QB's potential working with an offensive mastermind like Johnson. From the beginning, the relationship between Johnson and Williams has been a hot topic of conversation, and they quickly hit it off as they share a similar mindset and goals.

Johnson has earned a reputation of being a mad scientist of sorts as an offensive play caller and how he's never truly satisfied, which is evident when he's all business on the sideline. Johnson's fire and passion has endeared him to his team, which is something Williams opened up about during a recent appearance on "The Rush with Maxx Crosby," and Williams explained exactly what Johnson is like as a head coach.

"I told Maxx this," Williams said. "I was like, 'He's like us.' He wants to whoop everybody's ass. He's like a player in a sense because it's like he's out there. Obviously, he knows he's not out there. He always tells me players make coaches, and players are everything. More than scheme, more than anything. He does a good job of adapting to his players, but he's like a player. He wants to whoop everybody’s ass, every coach, every defense. And for me, I love it because I feel the same way. I’m on the same wavelength. I’m on the same vibe.”

When Johnson was hired by the Bears, there was never a question about his ability as an offensive play caller, as he's established himself as one of the best in the NFL. But Johnson more than answered any doubts about his ability to lead a team after getting his players to buy in to a new culture, and it produced results. Johnson's ability to relate to his players while demanding excellence and accountability has been the perfect recipe for success for Chicago.

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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Caleb Williams discussed what it's like having Ben Johnson as coach

With that in mind, let's jump into the picks as we go through the uber-talented NFC South.

Atlanta Falcons

• Round 2: Romello Height, Edge, Texas Tech
• Round 3: CJ Daniels, WR, Miami (FL)
• Round 4: Marlin Klein, TE, Michigan
• Round 6: Jadon Canady, CB, Oregon
• Round 7: Taylen Green, QB, Arkansas

Carolina Panthers

• Round 1: Caleb Banks, DL, Florida
• Round 2: Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati
• Round 3: Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame
• Round 4: Xavier Scott, CB, Illinois
• Round 5: Jude Bowry, OT, Boston College
• Round 5: Mike Washington Jr., RB, Arkansas
• Round 6: Jeremiah Wright, G, Auburn
• Round 7: Lewis Bond, WR, Boston College

New Orleans Saints

• Round 1: Makai Lemon, WR, USC
• Round 2: Gabe Jacas, DL, Illinois
• Round 3: Sam Hect, iOL, Kansas State
• Round 4: Gracen Holton, DL, Oklahoma
• Round 4: Kaytron Allen, RB, Penn State
• Round 5: Eric Rivers, WR, Georgia Tech
• Round 5: Ar'maj Reed-Adams, G, Texas A&M
• Round 6: Tacario Davis, CB, Washington

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Round 1: Peter Woods, DL, Clemson
• Round 2: Zion Young, Edge, Missouri
• Round 3: Jack Endries, TE, Texas
• Round 4: Brian Parker II, OT, Duke
• Round 5: Aiden Fischer, LB, Indiana
• Round 6: Red Murdock, LB, Buffalo
• Round 7: Luke Altmeyer, QB, Illinois

This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: NFC South Mock Draft: Pre-Combine selections for the division

The NFL off-season is underway, and the Ravens are officially ready for business after announcing a new staff that included 25 coaches, including three holdovers from John Harbaugh's staff. The Ravens will initially have 22 unrestricted free agents, according to Over The Cap, with big names like Tyler Linderbaum, Isaiah Likely, Kyle Van Noy, Dre'Mont Jones, Alohi Gilman, Chidobe Awuzie, and Ar'Darius Washington among those Eric DeCosta will have to decide on. Odafe Oweh was one of the biggest names on the list, but he was traded, while Kyle Hamilon and Mark Andrews signed huge contract extensions.

The new league year is fast approaching, and there are 14 days until the legal tampering period begins. The NFL released key dates for the calendar year. The most important date after the Super Bowl is the early negotiation window. That'll open on March 9, giving teams two days to negotiate before free agency and the new league year kicks off on March 11.

With free agency fast approaching, we're looking at the impending free agency decisions that could reshape the Ravens' draft board.

C Tyler Linderbaum: UFA

Age: 26

Linderbaum, the team's top pending free agent, said he "absolutely" wants to return. The Ravens did not pick up his fifth-year option last offseason, but he still could return on a deal that puts him in the top five highest-paid centers. If Linderbaum departs, Baltimore could look to add a center or offensive guard who can play center in the second or third round.

DT Dre'Mont Jones: UFA

Age: 29

Entering Week 16, Jones was leading the Ravens in pressures (20) and quick pressures (8) since they acquired him in Week 10. Among Ravens defenders with 150 pass rush snaps, Jones led all Baltimore defenders in Pass rush win rate. Overall, Jones had 2.5 sacks and 15 quarterback hits for the Ravens, which, coupled with his production in Tennessee, gave him seven sacks and 24 quarterback hits total in 2025, both career highs.

If Jones re-signs, Baltimore could look towards an offensive guard or cornerback in the first round.

DB Ar'Darius Washington: UFA

Age: 27

While the Ravens' depth chart lists Washington as the backup strong safety behind Kyle Hamilton, he's a key contributor at other positions in the defensive backfield. If Washington and Alohi Gilman depart, Baltimore could target a safety in rounds two or three.

DB Chidobe Awuzie: UFA

Age: 31

The 31-year-old cornerback had his moments in 2025, and his 74.7 grade from PFF was 14th best in the NFL. If Awuzie departs, Baltimore could target a cornerback in Round 1.

P Jordan Stout: UFA

Age: 28

Stout earned a Pro Bowl nod after his 50.1 yards per punt average was 5th in the NFL.

TE Isaiah Likely: UFA

Age: 26

Likely had his training camp derailed by a broken foot and was inconsistent thereafter. His training camp was cut short after he broke his foot in late July during a one-on-one drill. He missed the start of the season and finished with 27 catches on 36 targets for 307 yards, all career lows. Still, he's a dynamic playmaker and one of Jackson's most explosive targets. He's talked about wanting to blossom, and his departure could see Baltimore target a tight end early on.

This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: 5 free agency decisions that could reshape the Ravens’ NFL draft board

Bears trade idea from ESPN acquires Maxx Crosby for DJ Moore, first round pick, more originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Chicago Bears are entering the 2026 offseason with a few clear needs on the defensive side of the ball. While the offense, especially along the offensive line, could use improvement, the defense needs to be better.

And on that defensive side of the ball, the pass rusher room is the group that needs the most help. With the Bears a clear playoff contender, why not shoot for the moon and try to trade for Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby?

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler proposed one trade idea for the Bears, and it would send wide receiver DJ Moore and a whole lot more for Crosby in a bold deal that, while it would hurt their assets, would land them one of the best pass rushers in the NFL.

Bears trade idea sends DJ Moore, 2 draft picks for Maxx Crosby

"Raiders get: WR DJ Moore, 2026 first-round pick (No. 25 overall), 2027 third-round pick. Bears get: Crosby," Fowler proposed.

This package for Crosby is a massive one for the Bears. Moore is a trade candidate this offseason, as a trade could save $16.5 million in cap space for the Bears.

Trading Moore is very possible, and not a huge loss with Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III waiting to take over the offense in 2026.

But, when adding not just a 2027 third-rounder, but a 2026 first-rounder to this deal to add Crosby, it is a very expensive package for the Bears to spend on one player.

More: Bears insider reveals two things Caleb Williams needs to improve upon this offseason

It's a risky move, putting so many chips in on one player, but with the draft class this year not being the best, Moore being an expendable piece, and a future third-rounder not being too valuable, all of these assets would be worth it for Crosby.

Their pass rush was not great last season, and adding Crosby, one of the best pass rushers in the NFL, who has 69.5 sacks in his NFL career, including 10 this past season, would be a fantastic way to improve their defensive line.

If the Bears could actually make this offer work to land Crosby, it's something that Ben Johnson and Ryan Poles should pull the trigger on.

The Bears are ready to contend now, and with how many great wide receivers there are seemingly every year in the draft, moving on from Moore wouldn't be too big a loss.

More Bears news:

• Bears' list of 2026 NFL draft picks, free agents and cap space going into offseason
• Bears get good news on free agent Nahshon Wright amid $16.6M contract projection
• Analyst reveals why Bears' biggest need is not safety this offseason
• Bears get exciting offseason rumor on Maxx Crosby, Trey Hendrickson
• Bears left tackle spot in jeopardy amid uncertain Ozzy Trapilo future in NFL
• Bears give All-Pro safety Kevin Byard team award for 2025 season

The Seattle Seahawks are preparing to defend their Super Bowl 60 title during the 2026 NFL season. The first notable step in that process is NFL free agency, which is slated to begin on March 11. The Seahawks possess a number of pending free agents they should possess interest in re-signing, including running back Kenneth Walker III and wide receiver Rashid Shaheed.

With Shaheed, Walker, and Riq Woolen dominating most of the headlines, the Seahawks' most underrated free agent is probably cornerback Josh Jobe. Jobe stepped into a starting role and had a career-best year. The former Alabama standout registered 54 tackles, 12 pass breakups, and one interception.

Spotrac has a market projection for Jobe. They are predicting the former 2022 undrafted free agent to sign a three-year contract worth $29.2 million. That would pay Jobe a reasonable $9.7 million per season.

This would represent a well-deserved pay raise for Jobe. He played the 2025 season in Seattle on a one-year contract worth $2 million. As a UDFA, Jobe has earned roughly $6.2 million, according to Spotrac, so an extension that approaches $30 million would qualify as life changing.

The Seahawks possess $61.8 million in cap space. John Schneider possesses more than enough financial flexibility to re-sign Jobe. Given Woolen's pending departure in free agency, retaining Jobe and securing some continuity at cornerback feels like a smart move.

This article originally appeared on Seahawks Wire: How much would a Josh Jobe extension cost the Seahawks?

The New York Giants have gone through another coaching and front office overhaul this offseason, with John Harbaugh hired to be the new head coach, equipped with unprecedented and far-reaching power.

That has not only reignited the fan base but also raised expectations. The team won just four games last season after early-season predictions had them winning anywhere between seven and eight games.

The 4-13 finish prompted major changes. Head coach Brian Daboll and his staff are gone, except for Charlie Bullen (run game coordinator/outside linebackers), Tim Kelly (tight ends), and Chad Hall (wide receivers).

General manager Joe Schoen's authority has been curtailed as well. Harbaugh will not report to Schoen, but to ownership, and the team hired Dawn Aponte, the NFL's chief football administrative officer since 2017, as their senior vice president of football operations and strategy, reporting directly to Harbaugh.

These changes, as well as some subtractions among the ranks, provide the Giants with a fresh outlook operationally, and many believe that will translate to more wins on the field.

This year's win total is the same as it was last year at this time, an over-under of 7.5 wins. The expectation is, however, that they cover that number and more.

FOX Sports midday host Colin Cowherd has been quite accurate the past several seasons when it comes to predicting which teams will make a jump back into contention. This year, he's taking the Giants.

"The Giants didn't need an offensive coordinator. They needed a crisis coordinator."@colincowherd predicts the Giants will more than DOUBLE their win total next year 🔮 pic.twitter.com/04vIAbnO1V

— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) January 15, 2026

The Giants willnot have a clear path by any means in 2026. The NFC East is predicted to be as tight a division as ever, with Philadelphia's win total projected at 10.5, followed by Dallas (8.5), Washington (7.5) and the improved Giants.

The Giants will be playing a fourth-place schedule in 2026, but their overall strength of schedule is ranked 16th in the league this year, with an opponent average winning percentage of .493.

This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: What is the over/under win total for the New York Giants in 2026?

The New England Patriots had three players named to Pro Football Focus’ 2025 All-Playoff Team on Wednesday.

The Patriots lost Super Bowl LX to the Seattle Seahawks 29-13. New England’s defense put on a clinic in each of their first three playoff matchups in 2025, holding the Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans and Denver Broncos to a combined 26 points.

Individually, New England’s secondary took away five interceptions, with four different defensive backs getting their hands on a takeaway. The Patriots’ front seven put forth historic playoff runs in the sacks and pressure departments.

Pro Football Focus’ Thomas Valentine announced the 2025 All-Playoff Team honorees 10 days after the conclusion of Super Bowl LX, with Patriots defensive tackle Milton Williams, safety Craig Woodson and cornerback Christian Gonzalez all awarded.

Williams received a player grade of 82.2 from PFF for his work in the 2025 postseason. The 26-year-old recorded three sacks for New England in the playoffs. He also led all defenders in the playoffs with 23 pressures.

Woodson was given a player grade of 84.3 for his play in the postseason. The 24-year-old helped wreak havoc in the defensive backfield against Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert in the wild-card round, as well as Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud in the divisional round. He ended the playoffs with one interception, one fumble recovery and six passes defended.

Gonzalez was highly profiled in the 2025 postseason. The former 2024 Second-Team All-Pro corner was given a player grade of 86.8 for his work in the playoffs. Gonzalez recorded one interception, one sack and one forced fumble in the postseason. Of his seven passes defended, one came against Seattle Seahawks First-Team All-Pro wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the Super Bowl, in spectacular fashion.

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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: 3 Patriots players named to PFF’s 2025 All-Playoff Team

The Las Vegas Raiders could enter free agency searching for a starting guard this offseason. There will be sweeping changes at the position. Dylan Parham is a pending free agent and likely to sign elsewhere. Alex Cappa was a Pete Carroll favorite and doesn't fit the regime.

Carroll decided to move Jackson Powers-Johnson from center to guard last offseason to accommodate Jordan Meredith. New head coach Klint Kubiak could move JPJ back to center, where he's better-suited to thrive. If so, the Raiders would begin the 2026 campaign with two new starting guards.

Sophomore third-round pick Caleb Rogers is likely to claim one of those starting roles. Carroll's stubbornness left Rogers on the bench for longer than needed. Once the former Texas Tech standout entered the lineup, he concluded the season in strong fashion.

The other spot could be solved via free agency. Various starting-caliber guards slated to reach the open market. The best overall fit for the Raiders and new offensive line coach Rick Dennison may be with Cleveland Browns guard Wyatt Teller.

If the #Raiders want to fix the OL, they should add Wyatt Teller at RG. He is a superstar IMO and one of the leagues best. He has been hurt in recent seasons, but when healthy he is really good. Here are 3 blocks from just this past season that scream Klint Kubiak. pic.twitter.com/JuYe1wMmyD

— Sanjit T. (@Sanjit__T) February 19, 2026

Teller recently said goodbye to the Browns via social media, indicating he's planning to sign elsewhere in free agency. Former Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski worked with Klint and Gary Kubiak in Minnesota. There are strong elements of crossover in their offenses, making Teller a terrific fit for what Klint Kubiak wants to run in Vegas.

Teller should be one of the Raiders' top targets in free agency.

This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Free agent guard Wyatt Teller would be ideal fit for Raiders scheme

New England Patriots safety Jaylinn Hawkins’ market value projection jumps off the page.

Hawkins played his sixth season in the NFL for the Patriots in 2025. The 28-year-old registered four interceptions, one forced fumble and six passes defended last season. Hawkins was effective in the playoffs despite his lack of counting stats, except for his 0.5 stuffs. He started in all 15 game appearances with the Patriots during the regular season.

Spotrac projected Hawkins to have a market value of $8.3 million annually in 2026.

Hawkins has yet to see $2 million in annual salary in his career. The one-year, $1.8 million deal he signed with the Patriots in 2025 was the most that he’s made in a season.

Hawkins’ contributions to New England’s shutdowns of the Los Angeles Chargers in the wild-card round, as well as the Houston Texans in the divisional round, add to his sizable valuation as an unrestricted free agent in the open market.

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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: What is Patriots S Jaylinn Hawkins' estimated value in free agency?

The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in Pittsburgh next April, a city that could be where the Vikings select the next star they add to their roster in hopes of righting the proverbial ship. Before next April, though, there will be plenty of speculation and buildup for the team and who they may add to the roster through the draft.

NFL Media's Daniel Jeremiah recently released the latest 2026 NFL mock draft of the cycle has the team focusing on defense once again. He has the Vikings, seemingly replacing safety Harrison Smith with someone of a similar playstyle: Dillon Thieneman. The Oregon safety made his presence known after transferring to the school from Purdue, and he was a major difference; they made it as far as they did in the playoffs.

Jeremiah explains the Thieneman pick, writing, "After studying Thieneman’s impressive 2025 tape at Oregon, I went back and watched the film from his career at Purdue, where he played in 2023 and '24. His range and playmaking skills were evident back then, too. He would be an excellent replacement for Harrison Smith."

The Vikings will need to make sure their safety group remains one of the cornerstones of the defense in 2026. Josh Metellus is locked up and will be around, but he needs a tag partner. Plugging in Thieneman opposite him is about as good a replacement for Smith as the team may find right now.

This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: Vikings attached to new player in Daniel Jeremiah's latest mock draft

The Jacksonville Jaguars were named the "best landing spot" this offseason for one of the top free agent safeties.

Mason Cameron of Pro Football Focus selected the five best available safeties in free agency and picked ideal fits for them. The Jaguars were selected as the best home for Jalen Thompson.

"Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile deploys a high rate of open coverages, utilizing two deep safeties," wrote Cameron. "Last season, only three teams ran a higher percentage of two-high looks than the Jaguars (52.3%), one of which was the Arizona Cardinals (53.4%). That connection makes Thompson a seamless fit, as he has earned an 83.5 PFF coverage grade in open coverages, excelling in quarters and half-field zone responsibilities."

Thompson has been in the NFL since 2019 and has filled a variety of roles in the Arizona secondary during his career.

While his zone coverage abilities align well with Campanile's scheme, so does his versatility in a Jaguars' defense that is very good at throwing a variety of looks at opponents.

Thompson has been an extremely reliable tackler and has sound ball production with nine career interceptions and 21 pass breakups, according to PFF.

Spotrac is projecting that Thompson signs a two-year deal in free agency worth $18.95 million.

Should the Jaguars sign Jalen Thompson?

The fit between the Jaguars and Thompson makes a lot of sense. However, I don't know that I see GM James Gladstone prioritizing the safety position in free agency.

While Andrew Wingard is a free agent, still under contract are Eric Murray and Antonio Johnson, who were excellent down the stretch last season. Gladstone also invested into the safety position last April, selecting Caleb Ransaw and Rayuan Lane.

For a Jaguars team limited on spending power currently, I expect those available salary cap resources to go elsewhere.

This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: Analyst believes Jaguars should pursue free agent safety

The NFL is a "What have you done for me lately league," and with that being the case for Packers quarterback Malik Willis, it could be a good thing for other NFL teams seeking his services.

Malik Willis has looked like a case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde when it comes to his play with the Tennessee Titans, versus what he was able to do in his short time starting for the Green Bay Packers. Will he keep up the pace when he becomes a free agent, or will he cause a team to have buyer's remorse?

Even though he has only six starts, the "What have you done for me lately" nature of the NFL could be a time to cash in for Willis. He could definitely be a better pick-up than most of this year's NFL Draft QB prospects. He has a ton of upside right now, and teams love his mobility and durability.

Willis had high expectations coming out of college, and, as you know, some franchises and "NFL Draft Experts" set lofty expectations that most players could never live up to, depending on the market they're entering. Willis had a tough go in Tennessee, but found his footing in Green Bay, going 2-1 while filling in for the injured Jordan Love. He did not throw any interceptions, had an 80% completion percentage, and a QB rating of over 132.

The system and coaching brought out the best of Malik Willis, and one can only hope that the next team can do the same and not set him up for failure.

This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Is Malik Willis the next Unexpected QB Star or Unseen Liability?

Patriots make classy $400,000 decision on wide receiver Mack Hollins originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Wide receiver Mack Hollins fell short of what he needed to land a massive contract incentive with the New England Patriots last season, but the team is going to reward him anyway.

Going into the last two regular season games, Hollins was just four catches shy of racking up a $400,000 incentive, but he missed those contests due to injury.

But, according to Michael Ginnitti of Spotrac, Hollins is going to get that money anyway in the form of a 2026 signing bonus.

"The Patriots provided WR Mack Hollins a 'pot-sweetener,' adding a $400,000 signing bonus to his 2026 compensation, Ginnitti said. "The 32-year-old is now set to earn a base of $4.3M next season, with another $1M available via incentives."

That's a classy gesture by the Patriots, and it's well-deserved for Hollins, who put together a strong season in New England and likely would have easily hit the 50-catch mark needed if not for injury.

The 32-year-old wide receiver tallied 46 catches for 550 yards and two scores, which was the second-most productive campaign of his career.

Hollins ranked third in catches, fourth in receiving yards and tied for sixth in touchdowns among Patriots pass-catchers.

Hollins is entering the final year of his $8.4 million contract.

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The Los Angeles Rams announced 15 players were signed to Reserve/Future contracts on Thursday. All of them spent time on the Rams practice squad in 2025.

• OL A.J. Arcuri
• OL Wyatt Bowles
• WR Tru Edwards
• S Tanner Ingle
• CB Alex Johnson
• CB Cam Lampkin
• OL Dylan McMahon
• ILB Elias Neal
• DL Bill Norton
• WR Brennan Presley
• TE Mark Redman
• WR Tyler Scott
• S Nate Valcarcel
• RB Jordan Waters
• WR Mario Williams

Of this group, only seven have seen regular-season action: Arcuri, Ingle, Lampkin, McMahon, Neal, Presley and Scott.

Scott has the most NFL experience of the group after he played in four games as a fourth-round pick by the Chicago Bears in 2023. He started four games and played in 28 from 2023 to 2024 and caught 18 receptions for 173 yards. He didn't play a snap in 2025, though.

These players will mostly remain practice squad and special teamers unless they prove otherwise this offseason.

This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams make 15 signings ahead of free agency

The 2026 NFL offseason has officially begun and the New York Jets will look to improve on a disastrous 3-14 season in Aaron Glenn's first year as head coach. Glenn recently overhauled his coaching staff and now it's time to overhaul the roster as he'll need to show massive improvement in 2026 if he wants to have a job in 2027.

Jets Wire will break down each position on the roster to see if improvements are needed and the possible solutions to fix what is broken. For our first position breakdown, we'll take a look at cornerback, where the Jets will need to find a major solution to replace Sauce Gardner.

Cornerback Depth Chart

Azareye’h Thomas, Brandon Stephens, Quantez Stiggers, Jarvis Brownlee Jr., Ja’Sir Taylor, Jordan Clark

2025 Review

The Jets didn’t spend big during free agency last year, but paid a surprisingly high amount for former Ravens Cornerback Brandon Stephens (3 years, $30 million).  Stephens was a mixed bag in his first year, getting off to a rough start but improving during the second half of the season.  He finished with an overall grade of 67, ranking him 40^th out of 114 cornerbacks.

GM Darren Mougey tried to fix the secondary during the season by trading for Titans cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr.  It was a deal widely praised by Jets fans and infuriated Titans fans as they only received a sixth-round pick in return. Brownlee played well until suffering a season-ending hip injury in the team's Week 12 game against the Ravens.

Mougey shocked the league by trading Sauce Gardner at the November deadline, a few months after making him the highest paid cornerback in the league. The Jets received two first-round picks from the Colts and while it was a deal they couldn't refuse, it left their secondary with a massive hole and opposing teams immediately took advantage of it.

Thomas was the team’s third-round pick last year and while he made some plays, he also had some rookie moments as well. He was shut down for the season after suffering a shoulder injury as a precaution and should be fully healthy for the start of training camp.  Stiggers, Taylor and Clark played sparingly but made little to no impact. 

How Can The Jets Improve This Position?

Free Agency

The Jets will have plenty of cap space with somewhere between $75-$80 million available to spend.  They’ll look to overhaul the defense and improve their entire secondary, which failed to intercept a pass last year.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Jamel Dean is probably the best option available as an unrestricted free agent. Dean has spent his entire career in Tampa and has a nose for forcing turnovers.  He has at least two interceptions in four of his seven seasons with the Bucs. 

2025 was Dean’s best season with three interceptions, a touchdown and a PFF grade of 80.6, ranking him third overall among cornerbacks.   Quarterbacks had a combined passer rating of 46.9 against Dean and he had two forced fumbles, ranking him second among cornerbacks.

Jacksonville’s Greg Newsome and the Rams Roger McCreary are also unrestricted free agents and could be in the Jets price range. There will be other options available as team begin cutting players to free up additional cap space.  It’s widely expected that Glenn will try and bring in former players from his time in Detroit.  Should he attempt to poach players from his former team, cornerback Amik Robertson would make the most sense. 

The 2026 NFL Draft

If the Jets were to look at a cornerback in the draft, it most likely won’t be in the first round.  They currently hold the second overall pick as well as pick #16 thanks to the Gardner trade.  Draft options include LSU’s Mansoor Delane, Tennessee's Jermod McCoy and Clemson's Avieon Terrell. All are very talented players, but the Jets need help all over their defense and it's more likely they focus on the secondary with one of their day two or day three picks.

Way Too Early 2026 Overview

It's honestly not all doom and gloom with the cornerback situation. After a bad start, Stephens quietly improved over the duration of the season and in his defense, he was forced into the top cornerback spot after the Sauce Gardner deal. Brownlee became the starting slot corner after only two games replacing Michael Carter III, who was a major disappointment and ultimately traded to Philadelphia. Thomas had some rookie moments, but held his own and could improve in his second season with Glenn now calling the plays on defense.

With that being said, Glenn cannot stick with the status quo in the secondary, especially when he's coaching for his job. He'll need to leave no stone unturned to find solutions to fix his defense. Robertson seems like an obvious choice as he played for Glenn and new defensive coordinator Brian Duker in Detroit.

But, it also wouldn't hurt to be aggressive and make a strong play for the top cornerback on the market in Jamel Dean. He would be an instant upgrade to the secondary and send a message that Glenn is serious about winning in 2026. Mougey and Glenn may have to step out of their comfort zone to improve a secondary that helped set a new low for embarrassment that no other defense will most likely ever achieve.

This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: 2026 New York Jets positional breakdown: Cornerback

Seattle Seahawkswide receiver Rashid Shaheed had a profound impact on the team's journey to Super Bowl 60. A midseason trade deadline acquisition from the New Orleans Saints, Shaheed was a legitimate difference maker as both a wide receiver and special teams returner. Fans will never forget him opening the divisional round win over the San Francisco 49ers with a 95-yard kickoff return TD.

Shaheed was available at the deadline because he was on an expiring contract. The dual-threat playmaker is set to officially become a free agent on March 11. Seahawks general manager John Schneider should possess legitimate interest in re-signing him.

Just how much would a Shaheed extension cost the Seahawks? Spotrac has a market value prediction. They project Shaheed to sign a three-year contract worth $42.3 million. That averages out to roughly $14.1 million per season.

It's a good educated guess. Jakobi Meyers was the other big wide receiver traded at the deadline. He's since signed an extension with the Jacksonville Jaguars worth $20 million per season. Meyers is a more impactful wide receiver than Shaheed is, so it's probably safe to assume Shaheed's extension would be in the $14-15 million per year range.

The Seahawks are equipped with $61.8 million in cap space, according to Over The Cap. Schneider possesses the financial flexibility needed to re-sign Shaheed, but he'll need to be conservative with his money, given that players like Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Sam Darnold, and Devon Witherspoon could all need extensions within the next 12 months.

The Seahawks should still be willing to re-sign Shaheed to a reasonable extension.

This article originally appeared on Seahawks Wire: How much would a Rashid Shaheed extension cost the Seahawks?

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak continues to fill out his coaching staff. He made a familiar appointment on Thursday. Rick Dennison, who possesses significant ties to the Kubiak family, has been hired as offensive line coach. Dennison could have a massive impact on the Raiders' run game.

The Raiders' rushing attack ranked dead-least at 32nd in the league this past season. They averaged just 77.5 yards per game. Interestingly enough, the Seattle Seahawks were in a similar position last offseason when Kubiak and Dennison came in and improved them.

Rick Dennison has been named Offensive Line Coach 🏴‍☠️https://t.co/7fkla5zBv2

— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) February 19, 2026

The Seahawks ranked 28th in rushing during the 2024 campaign. They hired Kubiak and Dennison to help fix the run game last offseason. In 2025, they improved to 11th, and their rushing attack was crucial to them winning Super Bowl 60.

Dennison is an outstanding hire for Kubiak. A former offensive coordinator, he has won four Super Bowls on coaching staffs with the Kubiak family. He's coached the likes of Arian Foster, Dalvin Cook, LeSean McCoy, Alvin Kamara, and most recently, Super Bowl 60-winning MVP Kenneth Walker III, team reporter Levi Edwards pointed out.

Dennison should have a profound impact on the Raiders' rushing attack. That's excellent news for sophomore running back Ashton Jeanty, who ran behind the most ineffective run-blocking unit in the league as a rookie. Jeanty could break out under Kubiak and Dennison in 2026.

This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Rick Dennison could have massive impact on Raiders run game

Former New York Giants safety and three-time Pro Bowler Antrel Rolle is bullish on the team's defensive potential under new defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson.

In an interview with Hard Rock Bet, Rolle highlighted the promise of the Giants' front seven, featuring talents like Abdul Carter, Brian Burns, Dexter Lawrence, Bobby Okereke, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Darius Alexander.

"As far as my expectations, I think they can be elite," Rolle said. "I tell people all the time, you can have a great secondary with guys who can break on the ball and get interceptions, but you’re nothing without that front seven. That’s the way football works. That’s the way defense works."

Rolle stressed that the unit's success hinges on cohesion.

"In terms of that Giants front seven, I think that once those guys gel a bit more and spend a little more time with each other to understand the ins and outs, the sky is the limit," he said. "They wouldn’t be there if they weren’t capable of being a dynamic front seven."

Rolle also emphasized the role of schematics under Wilson, who reunites with head coach John Harbaugh after serving as his defensive backs coach with the Baltimore Ravens in 2023.

"Defensive schematics also play a huge part in it. You have to know your defense and know the players’ strengths and weaknesses. You also need to know what positions and situations to put certain players in," he said.

Wilson arrives after leading the Tennessee Titans' defense to strong rankings, bringing an aggressive, disciplined approach that could elevate the Giants' talented but inconsistent unit to elite status.

This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Antrel Rolle: New York Giants can be 'elite' under DC Dennard Wilson

Patriots $63 million cut candidate could draw interest from Steelers, Bills, Broncos, originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Just about any wide receiver available in free agency this offseason should draw interest from the Pittsburgh Steelers, Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos.

That's because all three teams have a big need at the position. In fact, the Bills and Steelers need to add multiple players at wide receiver.

While there aren't a ton of great options slated to be available in free agency, one more could be added to the list.

That player is New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who was recently pegged as a possible cut candidate by Dan Wilkins of TheScore.

Cutting Diggs after he played such a critical role in the Patriots' run to the Super Bowl would probably qualify as a surprise. It's certainly not impossible, though," he said. "New England can open up $16.8 million in cap space by releasing the 32-year-old wideout before another $6 million of his salary becomes guaranteed March 13. Diggs is also facing criminal charges, including felony strangulation, stemming from an alleged incident with his former chef. He pleaded not guilty at a Feb. 13 arraignment."

Diggs served as Drake Maye's No. 1 wide receiver in 2025 and showed he still has some gas left in the tank after breaking 1,000 yards and scoring four touchdowns while playing in all 17 games.

Despite how important he is to the offense, a $26.5 million cap hit in 2026 might be more than the Patriots are willing to pay. As a result, it is widely speculated that the Pats could cut Diggs this offseason.

If Diggs hits the open market, the Steelers, Bills and Broncos could come calling.

Of course, Diggs is no stranger to Buffalo, where he had four very productive years during his prime. Things didn't end well for Diggs with the Bills, though, but Diggs did express his love for Josh Allen this past season.

"That's my dog man," Diggs said of Allen, per Michael Schwartz of 7 News WKBW. "Obviously, things happen, the business happens. I spent a lot of time here and I've got a lot of love and respect for that young man. He's a tremendous player, he's one of the boys. Obviously things happen and I'm not here no more. I consider myself a real one, I'm never going to, if I'm not on your team no more, we're not cool no more, we built a special bond. That was my guy. I'm not going to switch up and act like I didn't have a lot of love and respect for that young man."

Perhaps the two sides could consider a reunion. Buffalo's need at wide receiver is dire, and even that might be underselling it. With the Bills, Diggs would instantly step in as the team's No. 1 option.

In Pittsburgh, Diggs would be serving as the No. 2 to DK Metcalf and would be a massive upgrade, even if he's in a diminished state at this point in his career. The Steelers have neglected wide receiver in recent years, so signing Diggs makes perfect sense.

As for the Broncos, a young group overall that is headlined by Courtland Sutton needs another veteran weapon. Diggs would no doubt check that box.

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The New England Patriots currently have a starter and a backup at quarterback. Nothing more. Nothing less.

The Patriots featured AP NFL MVP runner-up Drake Maye as their starting quarterback in 2025. Maye led the team to the Super Bowl, where they lost to the Seattle Seahawks 29-13. He was named Second-Team All-Pro at quarterback. Joshua Dobbs was Maye’s backup throughout the year.

New England added Tommy DeVito to their quarterback room on August 27 last year, just 11 days before the start of the 2025 season. DeVito is headed for restricted free agency this offseason. That leaves New England with question marks surrounding their third quarterback spot for next season.

Who’s on the roster?

• Drake Maye
• Joshua Dobbs

Maye is under contract with the Patriots until 2028. The 23-year-old led the NFL in completion rate last season at 72 percent. He ranked No. 4 in the NFL with 4,394 passing yards. Maye found receivers for touchdowns 31 times last season — one of only four quarterbacks in the NFL to score at least 30 passing touchdowns on the year.

Dobbs exhibited poise in the pocket for the Patriots when spelling for Maye. The 31-year-old completed 7-of-10 passes for 65 yards across four games played in 2025.

Who’s slated to hit the open market as a free agent this offseason?

• Tommy DeVito

DeVito did not take the field for the Patriots in 2025. The New Jersey native established himself as a dual-threat spark plug for the New York Giants during his first two seasons in the NFL (2023-24). He notably won the NFC Offensive Player of the Week award in Week 14 of the 2023 NFL season. Despite his impact, New England favored Dobbs behind Maye last season.

The Patriots have their right of first refusal tender to extend to DeVito in the event that he signs an offer sheet with another team before the April 17 deadline.

Who might join the Patriots?

Notable free agent quarterbacks in 2026 include Marcus Mariota, Kenny Pickett and Jimmy Garoppolo.

Mariota was given an overall player grade of 71.4, as well as a passing grade of 72.3 by Pro Football Focus for the 2025 season. Mariota threw for 1,695 yards along with a 10-7 TD-INT ratio across eight starts for the Washington Commanders last season.

Pickett played six games for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2025. The 27-year-old started in two and threw for 188 yards on the year. He has two full years worth of experience as a starter for the Pittsburgh Steelers (2022-23).

Garoppolo came within one win of advancing to the Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams last season. The Illinois native played a total of 18 snaps for the Rams in 2025.

Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.

This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Patriots 2026 offseason preview: Where does New England stand at QB?

After the Denver Broncos went 14-3 and clinched the AFC's No. 1 playoff seed last fall, it's now time to retool the roster ahead of the 2026 campaign.

NFL free agency begins next month, and the NFL draft will be held in April. Denver will have plenty of salary cap space, and they are expected to hold nine draft picks. During his end-of-season press conference last month, Broncos general manager George Paton was asked how he evaluates whether the roster merely needs refinement or aggressive upgrades.

“That’s a good question," Paton said. "We’ll take a week of going through the roster with a fine-tooth [comb] and go through every position. We evaluate our roster versus the other rosters, our roster versus the AFC West. We’ll stack each position and just determine where we need to get better at.

"Every team needs to get better, and there is no perfect team. We’ll spend a week at least doing that and then who is available? Who is available in free agency? Who’s available in the draft? It’s a puzzle, and you have a plan and you hope to execute that plan.”

Denver's needs this offseason include running back and wide receiver as the club looks to give quarterback Bo Nix more weapons going into his third season. The Broncos' plan has been set, and fans should start to see action in the coming weeks. The NFL's free agency negotiating window opens on March 9.

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: George Paton sets plan to complete roster puzzle

The NFL combine begins soon, running from Feb. 23 to March 2. To preview this important pre-draft event, we will be taking a position-by-position look at which prospects were invited and the level of need that the Jacksonville Jaguars have at each spot.

The NFL combine is held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis and is an opportunity for the top NFL draft prospects in this year’s class to go through measurements and various on-field drills, some of which are specific to their position group, and others measure the player’s overall athleticism.

For NFL teams, this event is another data point for them as they build out their draft profiles and big boards. However, it’s a significant data point, with players potentially flying up and down draft boards depending on how they perform.

In addition to the on-field drills, teams also get the opportunity to meet with players one-on-one as well, which is another important part of the evaluation process as they get to know them both on and off the field.

Up next are the tight ends.

Jaguars tight ends under contract in 2026 before free agency

• Brenton Strange
• Johnny Mundt
• Hunter Long
• Patrick Herbert

What is the need at tight end for the Jaguars this offseason?

Tight end isn't a pressing need for the Jaguars, with Brenton Strange, Johnny Mundt, and Hunter Long still under contract in 2026, but it should be on GM James Gladstone's radar -- and could even be considered an under-the-radar need.

Down the stretch of the 2025 season, Quintin Morris was TE2 in terms of playing time. So bringing him back could be in the cards.

Mundt, meanwhile, played a smaller role as the third tight end option, while Long was often a healthy scratch on game days.

In addition to that, if looking to plan ahead at this position group, both Mundt and Long are entering the final year of their current deals.

While Strange will lead the way at this position, Liam Coen uses his share of two tight end sets, so having a reliable secondary option is a must. Not to mention that being able to hold your own as a blocker is an important aspect of playing the position in this offense.

Tight ends invited to 2026 NFL combine

• Dallen Bentley, Utah
• Nate Boerkircher, Texas A&M
• Josh Cuevas, Alabama
• Oscar Delp, Georgia
• Khalil Dinkins, Penn State
• Jack Endries, Texas
• John Michael Gyllenborg, Wyoming
• Matthew Hibner, SMU
• Justin Joly, N.C. State
• Will Kacmarek, Ohio State
• Jaren Kanak, Oklahoma
• Miles Kitselman, Tennessee
• Max Klare, Ohio State
• Marlin Klein, Michigan
• Tanner Koziol, Houston
• RJ Maryland, SMU
• Lake McRee, USC
• Riley Nowakowski, Indiana
• Eli Raridon, Notre Dame
• DJ Rogers, TCU
• Sam Roush, Stanford
• Joe Royer, Cincinnati
• Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
• Bauer Sharp, LSU
• Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt
• Michael Trigg, Baylor
• Dae'Quan Wright, Mississippi

This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: 2026 NFL combine preview: 27 tight ends receive invite

The NFL combine begins soon, running from Feb. 23 to March 2. To preview this important pre-draft event, we will be taking a position-by-position look at which prospects were invited and the level of need that the Indianapolis Colts have at each spot.

The NFL combine is held at Lucas Oil Stadium and is an opportunity for the top NFL draft prospects in this year’s class to go through measurements and various on-field drills, some of which are specific to their position group, and others measure the player’s overall athleticism.

For NFL teams, this event is another data point for them as they build out their draft profiles and big boards. However, it’s a significant data point, with players potentially flying up and down draft boards depending on how they perform.

In addition to the on-field drills, teams also get the opportunity to meet with players one-on-one as well, which is another important part of the evaluation process as they get to know them both on and off the field.

Up next in our preview are the tight ends.

Colts tight ends under contract

• Tyler Warren
• Will Mallory
• Sean McKeon

What is the Colts' offseason need at tight end?

With Warren leading the way, the Colts are positioned well here. However, as you can see by the current roster, depth is needed. Specifically, another blocking presence is needed to pair with Warren. Shane Steichen uses his fair share of two tight end sets.

Mallory provides more of a pass-catching presence and has struggled to earn playing time. The Colts could look to bring back Alie-Cox and/or Ogletree to fill that blocking-specific role. Neither will break the salary cap bank.

Then, of course, the draft is an option as well, if GM Chris Ballard wants to find a longer-term option to join Warren.

Tight ends invited to 2026 NFL combine

• Dallen Bentley, Utah
• Nate Boerkircher, Texas A&M
• Josh Cuevas, Alabama
• Oscar Delp, Georgia
• Khalil Dinkins, Penn State
• Jack Endries, Texas
• John Michael Gyllenborg, Wyoming
• Matthew Hibner, SMU
• Justin Joly, N.C. State
• Will Kacmarek, Ohio State
• Jaren Kanak, Oklahoma
• Miles Kitselman, Tennessee
• Max Klare, Ohio State
• Marlin Klein, Michigan
• Tanner Koziol, Houston
• RJ Maryland, SMU
• Lake McRee, USC
• Riley Nowakowski, Indiana
• Eli Raridon, Notre Dame
• DJ Rogers, TCU
• Sam Roush, Stanford
• Joe Royer, Cincinnati
• Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
• Bauer Sharp, LSU
• Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt
• Michael Trigg, Baylor
• Dae'Quan Wright, Mississippi

This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: 2026 NFL combine preview: Which tight ends were invited?

The Ravens have undergone an offseason of change, including a new head coach, offensive coordinator, and defensive coordinator, as well as key personnel departing. While the franchise won't undergo a complete rebuild, there will be overhauls made at key positions, and Eric DeCosta should have plenty of draft capital to help reload.

Baltimore has 22 unrestricted free agents, according to Over The Cap, with big names like Tyler Linderbaum, Isaiah Likely, Kyle Van Noy, Dre'Mont Jones, Alohi Gilman, Chidobe Awuzie, and Ar'Darius Washington among those Eric DeCosta will evaluate.

A current look via Over The Cap shows the Ravens have $22,043,387 available and $12,262,715 in dead cap space, while the Titans, Chargers, and Raiders all have over $80 million in total cap space for March.

Current 2026 salary cap for all 32 NFL teams

32: Vikings

Cap space: (-$43,206,353)

31. Cowboys

Cap space: (-$30,173,257)

30. Jaguars

Cap space: (-$13,049,805)

29. Bills

Cap space: (-$12,345,834)

28. Chiefs

Cap space: (-$11,350,166)

27. Lions

Cap space: (-$9,641,148)

26. Saints

Cap space: (-$8,287,060)

25. Bears

Cap space: (-$5,300,355)

24. Texans

Cap space: (-$4,727,877)

23. Packers

Cap space: (-$1,586,657)

22. Dolphins

Cap space: $3,181,563

21. Browns

Cap space: $3,210,721

20. Giants

Cap space: $5,147,721

19. Panthers

cap space: $12,574,504

18. Eagles

Cap space: $18,152,388

17. Ravens

Cap space: $22,043,387

16. Buccaneers

Cap space: $23,448,710

15. Falcons

Cap space: $26,462,519

14. Broncos

Cap space: $28,885,734

13. Colts

Cap space: $35,718,489

12. Cardinals

Cap space: $39,182,426

11. Patriots

Cap space: $40,563,596

10. 49ers

Cap space: $41,135,176

9. Steelers

Cap space: $44,943,582

8. Rams

Cap space: $44,944,355

7. Bengals

Cap space: $53,429,671

6. Seahawks

Cap space: $61,879,461

5. Commanders

Cap space: $73,653,969

4. Jets

Cap space: $79,344,717

3. Chargers

Cap space: $82,942,941

2. Raiders

Cap space: $91,522,807

1. Titans

Cap space: $103,504,062

This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens $22M in cap space is 17th most in NFL ahead of free agency

One insider has revealed why Roman Wilson, one of the biggest disappointments on the Pittsburgh Steelers offense, has been used so sparingly over the past two seasons.

According to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Gerry Dulac, there was "something" about Wilson that former Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith wasn't fond of, but the young wide receiver could benefit from the new regime change.

"I don't yet, but I don't think they plan to give up on him," Dulac wrote. "He has a lot of natural ability that I think will still make him a quality receiver. For some reason, there was something Arthur Smith didn't like about him."

Wilson's rookie season in 2024 was plagued with injuries, beginning with a training camp ankle sprain and later a hamstring issue that resulted in him being placed on injured reserve.

Last season, Wilson caught 12 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns but was a healthy scratch to close out the final few games of the season.

With Calvin Austin III, Marques Valdes-Scantling, and Scotty Miller set to hit free agency in March, Wilson could have his best shot at a breakout season in 2026, especially with the offensive-minded Mike McCarthy calling the plays.

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 insider reveals why Roman Wilson was barely used

The Cincinnati Bengals have long been suggested as a fit for top defensive free agents this offseason after last year’s disaster under Al Golden. 

Understandably, Jacksonville Jaguars star and former first-round pick Devin Lloyd comes up often.

That’s the case again this week, with Pro Football Focus’ Mason Cameron outlining the top free-agent linebackers and linking the Bengals and Lloyd yet again: 

“Devin Lloyd fits the bill as the top free-agent linebacker this cycle, with a resume to back it up. The 27-year-old posted the second-highest PFF overall grade (89.1) among qualifying linebackers during the regular season, finishing as the only linebacker with an 80.0-plus mark in run defense (83.2), coverage (81.1) and pass rushing (82.2). That feat earned him a second-team All-Pro nod.”

RELATED: 6 Bengals veterans who won’t be on Zac Taylor’s roster next year

The elephant in the room? Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter will be sophomores the Benglas just spent a year developing on the fly. Adding a veteran to soak up the snaps now would work against that. 

Still, Lloyd’s talent speaks for itself. So does the $20 million per year projection from Spotrac, at a three-year pact worth $60 million. 

The Bengals might balk at $30.2 million on a franchise tag for Trey Hendrickson, so going $20 million per year or more for one free agent might be a reach. 

Linebacker is certainly a concern, though. Part of the reason the defense flopped so hard is because veterans like Oren Burks couldn’t step up and take snaps in the base defense. It’s undoubtedly going to be addressed in free agency, but perhaps not with a top-dollar option. 

RELATED: Bengals' key offseason dates for NFL free agency, draft and more

This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Jaguars star still looks like one of Bengals’ top free-agency options

Tight ends can be a quarterback’s best friend.

This year’s free agent crop of tight ends features a blend of young and veteran players, with Kyle Pitts and Isaiah Likely among the top two free agent tight ends available.

Then there are veterans like Dallas Goedert and David Njoku. Travis Kelce, who is contemplating retirement, is also a free agent.

Where will the top free agent tight ends land?

NFL teams are permitted to contact free agents at noon ET on March 9. Teams can officially sign free agents when the new league year begins at 4 p.m. ET on March 11.

USA TODAY Sports explores the best landing spots for the top free agent tight ends.

Kyle Pitts (2025 team: Falcons)

Best fit: Commanders

Pitts compiled single-season bests in catches (88) and touchdown receptions (5). The athletic tight end is a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses, but he’s struggled with consistency throughout his career. Pitts’ ceiling, however, makes him the top tight end in free agency.

The Commanders have questions at tight end. Zach Ertz’s future is uncertain with the 35-year-old entering free agency while recovering from a torn ACL. Pitts would provide the Commanders with a younger and more explosive replacement.

Isaiah Likely (2025 team: Ravens)

Best fit: Falcons

Likely appeared poised to take the TE1 role from Mark Andrews in Baltimore, but the Ravens re-signed Andrews to a three-year extension in December. Likely and Andrews have been a really good tight end combo for the Ravens, but another club could offer Likely more money and a chance to be the bona fide starter.

If the Falcons don’t re-sign or franchise tag Kyle Pitts, Likely would serve as a solid, and possibly cheaper, replacement.

Likely’s never had more than 42 receptions in a season. It’ll be intriguing to see what he can do as a team’s primary tight end.

NFL free agency: The top 26 players (currently) scheduled to be available in 2026

David Njoku (2025 team: Browns)

Best fit: Panthers

Njoku’s played nine seasons, all in Cleveland. He’s registered 88 career starts in a Browns uniform, but Cleveland looks ready to give Harold Fannin Jr. a larger role.

The Panthers need more firepower on offense. Carolina’s leading tight end, Ja'Tavion Sanders, had just 29 receptions. Njoku would immediately become the Panthers' starting tight end.

Dallas Goedert (2025 team: Eagles)

Best fit: Jaguars

Goedert took a pay cut to remain with the Eagles last season. A return to the City of Brotherly Love doesn’t seem likely this year.

The Jaguars need more production out of their tight end position. Jags TE Brenton Strange had a career-best 46 catches last year, but Jacksonville’s next leading tight end, Hunter Long, had only 12 catches.

Travis Kelce (2025 team: Chiefs)

Best fit: Chiefs

It’s either retirement or another ride in Kansas City for Kelce, right? The Chiefs' all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns, Kelce probably is destined to end his career in K.C.

Father Time has taken a toll on the 36-year-old tight end, but he still managed a team-high 76 catches and 851 receiving yards last season.

The Chiefs need Rashee Rice and other players to assume bigger pass-catching roles. However, Kelce can still be a veteran security blanket for Patrick Mahomes. The Mahomes-Kelce connection is still good enough to move the chains.

Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Best landing spots for Kyle Pitts, top NFL free agent tight ends

Jayden Daniels' comment about Eagles fans raises a question.

Who is the chief rival of the Washington Commanders? In my youth into early adulthood, there was no use in asking the question. In fact, Redskins fans didn't ask the question. Plain and simple, it was the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys had won the division six consecutive seasons (1966-71) until George Allen's Redskins finished on top in 1972, then romped the Cowboys 26-3 in the NFC Championship Game at RFK, before losing Super Bowl VII to the Miami Dolphins (14-7).

Daniels, the Commanders' franchise quarterback, praised the Eagles' fans, raising eyebrows across the DMV. However, was Daniels saying they are a wonderful fan base that exhibits tremendous sportsmanship when they come into Philadelphia to play the Eagles? Or was Daniels revealing he understood the Eagles are now his chief rival?

"I love Eagles fans," Daniels told Sports Illustrated. "They just embody what Philly brings. To be able to go out there and play against them, it's kind of just that thing. Their environment is kind of like the closest thing you can get to a college environment."

Daniels faced the Eagles three times in his rookie season of 2024, when the two teams split in the regular season. Daniels passed for five touchdowns in a comeback win over the Eagles, and suddenly, Eagles fans knew Washington was back as one of the Eagles' rivals in the NFC East. The Eagles then ran away from the Commanders in the NFC Championship Game in Philadelphia.

Daniels has played in two games in Philadelphia. He will be treated worse. Hey, I recall seeing a noose with a No. 9 player hanging from it when the Redskins went to Philadelphia. Sonny Jurgensen, of course, had been traded from the Eagles to the Redskins, which created much more for Eagles fans to hate when Jurgensen developed into a Hall of Fame quarterback as a Washington Redskin.

So why did Daniels say he likes Eagles fans? Daniels is not naive. He knows many of those fans would actually wish him physical harm, rather than have to face him the next decade. No, Daniels was saying that he likes that those fans are that emotional about their games. He was saying he accepts the challenge of playing the Eagles twice (or more) each season.

Daniels was simply saying, he is not going to let the Eagles fans get to him. It's likely the comment was made because Daniels was thinking of how he missed both Eagles games in 2025 due to injury.

Even more, Jayden Daniels is looking forward to playing the Eagles in 2026.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Does Jayden Daniels understand Eagles' rivalry?

The Washington Commanders are expected to be very active when free agency begins next month. The Commanders need a lot of help, specifically on a defense that was among the NFL's worst in several categories in 2025. Washington has a new defensive coordinator, Daronte Jones, who comes to the Commanders from the Minnesota Vikings, where he worked under Brian Flores for the past three seasons.

The Commanders could use starters at every level of their defense. For now, no one knows what scheme Jones will run. Jones doesn't think that's important: "It's not how they line up, it's how they wind up," he said when asked about the scheme at his introductory press conference.

Regardless of scheme, Washington needs pass rushers. It's a good year to need pass-rush help, as it's expected to be a solid free-agent class. Other productive pass rushers could be cut, too, giving the Commanders more potential options.

You could add Green Bay Packers EDGE Rashan Gary to that list. He's due to count $28 million against Green Bay's salary cap in 2026. That's a lot for someone who has never recorded 10 sacks in a season. Gary is consistent, though, recording 7.5 sacks in each of the last two seasons, and has 46.5 in his seven-year NFL career.

The 6-foot-5, 277-pound Gary would also give Washington size on the edge. He is a solid pass rusher and plus run defender. According to Pro Football Focus, Gary had a 71.8 run defense grade in 2025. His pass-rush grade was 68.2. So, while the Packers may think that's a lot of money for less-than-elite production, the Commanders could get Gary at a lower number and would be thrilled with that output.

If the Packers move on from Gary — a big if — he should be signed as a complementary pass rusher, not as the primary edge rusher. He is still young (28) and durable, having only missed significant time in one of his seven NFL seasons.

When asked if he thought Gary could be released or traded this offseason, Matt Schneidman, who covers the Packers for The Athletic, wrote the following: "I would be surprised if Gary is on the team next season." Green Bay would save around $11 million if it moves on from Gary and has former first-round pick Lukas Van Ness, who could see an advanced role in 2026.

It's unknown if the Packers are truly considering moving on from Gary, but if they do, he would be another legitimate option for the Commanders.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Packers' EDGE a potential option if released

The Arizona Cardinals are adding a new coach to their defensive staff. According to CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz, they are hiring Rod Wilson to be their new inside linebackers coach.

Wilson has been coaching since 2013 after playing defensive back in the NFL from 2006-2010.

Rod Wilson coaching career

He began coaching in 2013 in college. His pro coaching jobs have all been with the Kansas City Chiefs.

• 2013-2016: Inside linebackers coach, Charleston Southern
• 2017-2019: Assistant special teams coach, Kansas City Chiefs
• 2020: Linebackers coach, South Carolina
• 2021: Inside linebackers coach, Coastal Carolina
• 2022-2023: Defensive assistant, Kansas City Chiefs
• 2024-2025: Outside linebackers coach, Kansas City Chiefs

This will be Wilson's first NFL coaching job not under Andy Reid.

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: Rod Wilson will be the Arizona Cardinals' new inside linebackers coach

The Arizona Cardinals have not announced their full coaching staff, but a few from the previous staff are staying. One such coach is Cristian Garcia, who was hired a year ago as inside linebackers coach.

While he is being retained under defensive coordinator Nick Rallis and head coach Mike LaFleur, he will have a different role.

According to CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz, Garcia is moving from linebackers to coach safeties in 2026.

It won't be new for Garcia, who was an assistant defensive backs coach for the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Commanders.

The Cardinals will have a new inside linebackers coach, according to Zenitz, hiring Rod Wilson to work with the inside linebackers. He was the outside linebackers coach for the Kansas City Chiefs.

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: Cristian Garcia to move from coaching LBs to coaching safeties in 2026

The Seattle Seahawks introduced Brian Fleury as the team’s new offensive coordinator on Thursday.

The announcement came 24 hours after the franchise was officially put up for sale.

The coaching move occurs as the team and its fans celebrate winning Super Bowl 60 and Head Coach Mike Macdonald prepares for the upcoming season.

Fleury spent the previous seven years coaching for the San Francisco 49ers, most recently as the tight ends coach.

He expressed excitement about joining Macdonald’s coaching staff in Seattle. “Now to be sitting here next to Mike…I can’t really express it any better than that,” Fleury said during his introduction.

Seahawks Head Coach Mike Macdonald noted that the decision to hire Fleury was based on a shared football philosophy. “His vision for and what he believes in offensively with the football team is aligned with what we want it to be,” Macdonald said.

Macdonald returned to work immediately following the team’s championship celebrations. “It’s humbling being back at your desk the day after the parade, working on our team,” he said. “So that’s where we are at right now.”

The coaching change comes as the Allen Estate begins selling the franchise, a move that has raised concerns among some fans about the team’s future in the city.

Mark Collins, a member of the Save the Seahawks fan group, shared his perspective on the potential sale. “And I can guarantee you they are not going to sell it to anybody that wouldn’t even think of moving the team,” Collins said.

Fleury is the third offensive coordinator hired by the Seahawks in three years.

When asked how he plans to navigate the transition of a new coordinator alongside an ownership change, Macdonald said he remains focused on daily operations. “I actually think it’s a little counterintuitive,” Macdonald said. “I don’t think really much changes for us at this point. So obviously, that’s going on, and we will work through it, but as of right now, nothing changes for what we do day to day.”

Both Macdonald and Fleury indicated that they intend to maintain the team’s current momentum while seeking improvements.

Fleury said the primary objective is to keep certain elements consistent while challenging the roster. “That’s going to be the goal,” Fleury said.

“To keep as much as we can the same, but I definitely think there are areas we can grow and different ways we can challenge the players.”

Macdonald emphasized that the coaching staff remains committed to their established routines despite the external news surrounding the franchise.

“I think the mentality going through the process was let’s stick to our process,” Macdonald said. The groups assisting the Allen Estate with the sale of the Seahawks have not yet responded to requests for comment.

Further details regarding the sale timeline have not been released.

Macdonald emphasized that the coaching staff remains committed to their established routines despite the external news surrounding the franchise. “I think the mentality going through the process was let’s stick to our process,” Macdonald said.

When the Miami Dolphins decided to release Tyreek Hill, it sent shockwaves through the league. Hill had been the centerpiece of Miami’s explosive offense, the vertical threat who helped unlock the full potential of Tua Tagovailoa. Letting him go was not just a football decision. It was a financial reset and, in the eyes of many, a signal that major changes are underway in the 305.

No one captured that tension quite like Cam Newton.

Reacting to Hill’s exit, Newton didn’t mince words. He framed the move as part of a broader organizational shift, hinting that Miami is effectively hitting reset.

“They just bagging up,” Newton said, suggesting that a new direction is taking hold. He painted a picture of a franchise ready to reshape itself, implying that anyone tied to the previous vision could be on borrowed time. Newton even speculated that if the teardown continues, other familiar names could follow Hill out the door.

In his view, this is not just roster trimming. It is regime change energy. A team retooling “their way,” even if it means dismantling the core that once defined the offense.

Where Newton got especially candid was in discussing Tagovailoa’s contract. After Hill’s release reportedly freed up roughly $23 million in cap savings, Newton quickly dismissed the idea that it solves Miami’s bigger issues. “It’s not enough,” he said bluntly.

He argued that this is the “bad side of management,” the moment when front offices look back and question massive quarterback investments. Tagovailoa signed a four-year deal worth up to $212 million with $167 million guaranteed. Now, if Miami were to move on, the consequences would be historic.

Newton laid it out clearly: releasing or trading Tua would trigger approximately $99 million in dead money. “They got 99 problems,” he joked, before doubling down that Tua is not just one of them, but essentially all of them in a cap sense.

That $99 million figure is staggering. According to league reports, a straight release would create the largest dead-cap charge in NFL history. The Dolphins could soften the blow with a post-June 1 designation, splitting it into about $55.4 million in 2026 and $43.8 million in 2027. However, insiders indicate Miami may consider absorbing the full hit in 2026 to clear future flexibility in 2027.

Either way, it would severely restrict their ability to field a competitive roster next season.

Newton compared the situation to when Dak Prescott broke his ankle during a contract year with the Dallas Cowboys. At the time, all eyes were on ownership to see whether they would commit long-term. Dallas paid Prescott.

Miami did something similar with Tagovailoa after his own injury concerns. Newton referenced the visible concussion scares that had the league questioning Tua’s long-term durability. Yet the Dolphins responded by handing him a massive extension. As Newton put it, Tua walked out of the blue tent with “blue cheese.”

Now, the same contract that signaled belief could become an anchor.

Complicating matters further, league insiders have cast doubt on any potential trade. Reports suggest other teams view the contract as effectively untradeable, even if Miami absorbs a significant portion of the guaranteed $54 million due in 2026.

One general manager was quoted as saying the Dolphins are likely stuck, and so is Tua.

In 2025, Tagovailoa appeared in 14 games, completing 67.7 percent of his passes for 2,660 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions. Solid numbers, but perhaps not enough to justify absorbing the largest dead-cap hit in league history just to reset.

The post “They Got 99 Problems”: Cam Newton Gets Real About Tua Tagovailoa’s Future After Tyreek Hill’s Exit appeared first on The SportsRush.

Seattle Seahawks predicted to make strange Cooper Kupp cut decision after winning Super Bowl originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Fresh off another Super Bowl win, Cooper Kupp’s future with the Seattle Seahawks may not be as secure as it appears, similar to what he dealt with during his time with the Los Angeles Rams.

Sportscasting’s Gia Nguyen named the veteran wide receiver as a potential cap casualty despite his role in the Seahawks’ Super Bowl win over the New England Patriots. 

While Kupp delivered on the postseason stage, Nguyen wrote that his regular-season performance shows he might not be what he once was.

“Cooper Kupp just secured his second ring in Seattle’s Super Bowl LX victory over the Patriots, but the veteran receiver could become a luxury the Seahawks can no longer afford.

“Despite his postseason heroics, Kupp’s regular-season production hit career lows in target rate and yards per route run (1.39). He finished with just 593 yards and a career-low two touchdowns in 2026. With Rasheed Shaheed and Tory Horton already on the roster, it’s hard to justify Kupp’s salary with his current production. With a $17.5 million cap hit looming and a $9 million roster guarantee triggering in mid-February, cutting Kupp makes sense. Releasing the 32-year-old would clear nearly $10 million in space, allowing Seattle to prioritize extensions for younger cornerstones like Kenneth Walker III and Riq Woolen,” she wrote.

If Seattle moves on, it should have a chance to go out and replace him with a decent player. The emergence of Rashid Shaheed certainly helps, too, after they traded for him at the deadline.

More Seahawks news:

• Seahawks get good news on top free agent Rashid Shaheed after Super Bowl
• What's the NFL record for most sacks in a single Super Bowl game?
• Seahawks’ Super Bowl title kick in the head for mathletes who’d given up on field goals
• Marshawn Lynch Nike commercial: Inside ad running after Seahawks' Super Bowl 2026 win

San Francisco 49ers predicted to make easy $120 million decision amid tension originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The relationship between Brandon Aiyuk and the San Francisco 49ers has reached its breaking point, and it’s only a matter of time before the two move on.

Sportscasting’s Gia Nguyen believes chance is inevitable, and with all the reports about what’s going on in San Francisco, it’ll happen eventually.

Searching for potential cap and roster moves for San Francisco, Nguyen named Aiyuk the leading cut candidate amid all the tension.

“It’s no secret that Brandon Aiyuk and the San Francisco 49ers are headed towards an ugly divorce. GM John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan have confirmed that Aiyuk has played his last game in a 49ers uniform. Aiyuk didn’t play a single snap in 2025 while recovering from a torn MCL and ACL. He skipped mandatory meetings and rehabilitation sessions and stopped showing up to the facility altogether.

“As a result, the 49ers voided the remaining $27 million guaranteed money on his four-year, $120 million deal. According to OverTheCap, San Francisco has about $41 million in cap space and will be able to free up an additional $6.3 million by cutting Aiyuk after June 1st,” she wrote.

When the move happens, it’ll be a very weird situation for a receiver once viewed as a cornerstone of the 49ers’ offense. Injuries, contract problems, and much more have led up to this point.

The 49ers are a great football team and will have success in the future, but having Aiyuk playing as well as he could have would have been a positive.

More 49ers news:

• 49ers' list of 2026 NFL draft picks, free agents and cap space going into offseason
• San Francisco 49ers get massive trade update on Raiders DE Maxx Crosby
• The San Francisco 49ers have made a hire for defensive coordinator
• Broncos, Bucs, 49ers listed as top landing spots for $66 million former Pro Bowl tight end
• 49ers predicted to add 77-sack former $135 million Pro Bowl pass rusher to pair with Nick Bosa
• Former Seahawks and 49ers legend believes Niners should trade for top-tier receiver

Chicago receives absolute gut punch regarding Bears' new stadium originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

When you think of Chicago, you think of a few key things. The wind, obviously, hence its nickname, Portillo's, The Bean, and The Bears. 

This past season for Chicago fans was about as close to a fairy tale as you could get without bringing home a Lombardi trophy. They won the NFC North, beat the Packers twice (including the playoffs), and established that they'll have a dominant QB and head coach duo going forward. 

Even though it didn't end in hardware, Windy City fans had their heads held high and rightfully so. 

One topic that has persisted early in the postseason for Chicago has been what they intend to do regarding the construction of a new stadium.

Early on in the offseason, Bears owner Kevin Warren released a statement, bringing awareness to the fact that the Bears would be expanding their stadium search into Northwest Indiana. 

More:Could the Bears be moving to Indiana?

With state and local officials going back and forth with Bears' ownership, a decision may have been made in silence based on the swift action of one state and the inability to reach a decision in another. 

Indiana unanimously passes bill to land the Bears

On February 19th, 2026, the state of Indiana unanimously approved an amendment to Indiana State Bill 27. The bill would grant the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority the ability to acquire land, issue bonds, and finance the building of a new stadium. 

This is horrible news if you're a diehard fan of the Chicago Bears, because you're likely soon to be the fans of the Northwest Indiana Bears. 

Indiana is open for business, and our pro-growth environment continues to attract major opportunities like this partnership with the Chicago Bears. We’ve identified a promising site near Wolf Lake in Hammond and established a broad framework for negotiating a final deal. If…

— Governor Mike Braun (@GovBraun) February 19, 2026

With Illinois officials dragging their feet to get the proper funding in place to keep the Bears in Chicago, the state of Indiana has quickly pounced on the opportunity. 

The move wouldn't take effect immediately, as the team has a lease with the state of Illinois until 2033, and it takes years to build a stadium, but the point remains. All signs point to the Bears eventually moving across state lines. 

It's a shame that this news is all becoming public just a few short months following their best season in over a decade, but sadly, the NFL is a business at the end of the day, and team owners will always look for the best deal. 

It will be interesting to track this over the coming weeks as a finalized deal seems to be coming down the pike. 

More NFL news: 

• Bears-Raiders blockbuster trade proposal would solve huge problems for Chicago, Vegas

• Bears predicted to re-sign Kevin Byard to pair with Rams free agent DB

• Cardinals want trade for Bears QB as potential Kyler Murray replacement

• Caleb Williams sets historical bar for Bears to reach in 2026

In the gold medal game of women’s hockey at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, the United States defeated Canada on Thursday 2-1 in overtime on a game-winning goal by Megan Keller. This was a very exciting hockey game with American captain Hillary Knight tying the game at one with just over two minutes left in regulation.

The American G.O.A.T. in attendance

Former National Football League quarterback Tom Brady was in attendance for the game. He was seen alongside National Hockey legend Mark Messier and former tennis star Billie Jean King.

It should be noted that King has made significant contributions to the development of women’s hockey, specifically the formation of the Professional Women’s Hockey League.

Where was Brady watching the game?

Brady was also seen alongside Mike Eruzione, the captain of the famous United States Olympic hockey team that stunned the Soviet Union and eventually won gold at the 1980 Olympic Winter Games in Lake Placid. Brady and Eruzione were seen speaking in a suite according to John Leuzzi of USA Today.

Third gold medal ever for the United States Olympic women’s hockey team

The United States previously won Olympic hockey gold at the 1998 Olympic Winter Games in Nagano and the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang. In both games, the United States beat Canada in the final.

Eighth gold medal for Team USA

This was the eighth gold medal won by the United States at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan/Cortina d’Ampezzo. The previous American gold medalists were won by Breezy Johnson of Jackson, Wyoming (women’s downhill), the American figure skaters who won the team event, Elizabeth Lemley of Vail, Colorado (women’s moguls), Jordan Stolz of West Bend, Wisconsin (men’s 500 metres and 1000 metres speed skating), Elana Meyers Taylor of Oceanside, California (women’s monobob), and Mikaela Shiffrin of Vail (women’s slalom).

The United States won a ninth gold medal later on Thursday thanks to Alysa Liu in women’s figure skating. Team USA has won 27 medals overall.

The post Tom Brady seen at the Olympic gold medal game in women’s hockey appeared first on The Big Lead.

Sean Strickland has established himself as a man who demands media attention each time he speaks, though often not for the right reasons.

The UFC's move to Paramount has added benefits for fighters and fans alike, with a value boost in athlete bonuses for good performances, while supporters can tune in for $8.99 per month, a portion of the previous cost. But less than two months into their deal, Paramount is facing backlash after Strickland presented one of his infamous tirades during fight week.

The former UFC middleweight champion is in contention to compete for another title should he win his next outing, but that hasn't stopped him from being his old self. Strickland only had the center stage for a couple of minutes before discrediting Paramount.

"Yeah, no, f*** Paramount, man," Strickland said in protest against the new home of the UFC. "It's real quiet today. I like it, man. You've got to like lose fights more often. It's going back to the Apex here with you guys. It's real quiet. No one's here. Is that like a bad sign for the MMA world or is it just this card?"

Continuing his attack on Paramount, Strickland blamed them for ruining a childhood passion of his.

"Paramount's cool," Strickland continued. "I mean, they f***ing ruined Halo, but other than that, you know. They made it gay. Other than f***ing ruining like a childhood memory and legend to me, I mean, Paramount's cool."

"We don't make more money, but you know."

As the mixed martial arts world has become accustomed to, Sean Strickland is never too far away from damaging his image with wild remarks.

His appearance at UFC Houston media day had several controversial moments, but arguably none worse than the comments about Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny, who was honored with the Super Bowl LX halftime show headlining spot.

"I mean, look at the NFL, dude," Strickland said. "You had that, I don't even want to say the fa**ots name because it's just like, what?... The Puerto Rican, right? Yeah, that f***ing fa**ot."

"Like, dude, it is so crazy that this is America now. Like, back in the day, dude, the NFL was like, the NFL was the f***ing standard of being a f***ing man. And now every f***ing year, the NFL, I think they all get together around a table and say, 'You know what, guys? How do we f***ing ruin this sport? How do we gay it up? How do we f***ing ruin it?' Well, I'll tell you what. Why don't we bring a gay foreigner who doesn't speak f***ing English and have him perform it?"

"Like, get the f***. And then you have like, yeah, dude. It's like, the NFL is f***ing pathetic these days. So, even like the NFL players probably f***ing hate it. No, NFL's gay. I think we'd all agree that the NFL got real gay lately..."

The aftermath of Sean Strickland's words has not been pretty. Not only have fans demanded that the UFC remove Strickland from any media obligations, while others are calling for his contract to be terminated, but the Paramount network has also been pushed to answer some uncomfortable questions.

According to reports, many fans and media outlets have begun pressuring Paramount to respond to Strickland's vulgar comments. Homophobia and sexism persist anytime the UFC fighter is placed in front of a camera.

The public outrage may be justified, but Dana White will always promote free speech among those working in any of his business ventures. White's willingness to accept any comment is considered positive by some, but concerns are beginning to plague him and Paramount for allowing sensitive topics to be ridiculed.

🚨 Paramount are now facing pressure from the media to address Sean Strickland publicly calling Bad Bunny a “f****t” and making sexist comments

Strickland’s comments are now receiving coverage from @Variety who have contacted Paramount reps for comment, to no response yet pic.twitter.com/QMjLl0eXvY

— ACD MMA (@acdmma_) February 19, 2026

ESPN's Aaron Schatz selected one player for each NFL team who could use a change of scenery. His pick for the Indianapolis Colts was not surprising -- Anthony Richardson.

"Shane Steichen was supposed to be the coach who could develop an offense around Richardson, but it hasn't worked out." Schatz wrote. "Perhaps another coach could make it work for the signal-caller."

Richardson's talent is evident, but he's navigated injuries and is still developing. GM Chris Ballard noted the strides Richardson made last summer, but the team still named Daniel Jones the starting quarterback.

At that point, it became difficult to see a path forward for Richardson to be the long-term answer at quarterback for the Colts.

Jones is now set to be a free agent, but reports suggest that he is expected to be back.

In addition to that, Riley Leonard showcased that he could be a capable backup quarterback option for the Colts in his Week 18 start against a very stingy Houston defense.

Leonard's emergence gives the Colts added flexibility to trade Richardson this offseason, which ESPN's Stephen Holder said feels "inevitable" at this point.

Richardson is set to enter the final year of his rookie deal in 2026. Later this offseason, the Colts have to decide whether to pick up or decline his fifth-year option for the 2027 season.

As of now, it makes sense for Richardson to get a fresh start elsewhere and for the Colts to get some draft capital in return.

This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts' Anthony Richardson needs 'change of scenery' says analyst

In his most recent mock draft for 2026, NFL Network lead draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah has the Chargers selecting standout Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq with the No. 22 overall pick.

While the majority believe Los Angeles should address a player along the offensive or defensive line, Jeremiah believes the Bolts won't be locked into a specific position and will take the best player available approach.

"[Chargers General Manager Joe Hortiz] is going to take the best player. He's not going to worry about what you have in certain spots," Jeremiah said, per the team's official website. "He's going to sign some of their own guys in free agency and see what they can do with some of the cap space they have and solve some needs that way, but you go back to the Baltimore organization when they took Jonathan Ogden when they didn't have a need at tackle.

"They took Todd Heap when they didn't have a need at tight end and they Jamal Lewis when they didn't have a need at running back. They're not going to pass on a great player that would happen to fall in their lap," Jeremiah added.

Jeremiah's predictions carry significant weight in L.A., as he has accurately projected the Chargers' first-round pick in his second annual mock drafts each of the last three years.

Despite mocking a skill player in the first round, Jeremiah expects the Chargers to address the interior offensive line later in the draft. He noted that the value for guards and centers aligns better with Day 2, where the Chargers currently hold picks No. 55 and No. 86.

"I don't see them leaving the first three rounds without an offensive lineman. No matter what they do in free agency, they can position themselves — if they need to trade back or trade up — they'll be able to address that," Jeremiah said.

The Chargers have $82 million in available cap space. While internal free agents, like Odafe Oweh, will likely take priority, they will still have the resources to address the offensive and defensive line in free agency, positioning themselves to take the best player available at pick No. 22.

This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: What will the Chargers do with pick No. 22? Daniel Jeremiah sounds off

Chiefs set to do something cool for fans this offseason originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Kansas City Chiefs are in the full swing of their offseason preparations as Andy Reid and his staff figure out a plan of attack.

But sometimes, certain parts of the offseason have nothing to do with football and the roster.

Sometimes it's about doing something out of the ordinary.

And now here comes something a little different from the Chiefs, and it isn't something I've seen or heard of.

Per Jonathan Jones of NFL on CBS, the Chiefs will be selling off items that the franchise no longer needs to fans.

Love when teams do this: the Chiefs will host a 1-day equipment sale this Saturday from 9 am until they run out. The sale will feature new and used player-worn items – such as cleats, footballs, sweatshirts, T-shirts and more. Fans can begin lining up at 7 am.

— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) February 19, 2026

More: ESPN reveals stunning cost to fix glaring Ravens issue

Chiefs face crucial offseason

With the glaring needs on the roster, general manager Brett Veach will have his work cut out.

Running back, offensive line, and pass rusher are the top three items on Reid's wishlist to be fixed, and the Chiefs, we think, as they always do, will find a way.

With Patrick Mahomes coming back from an ACL injury, it isn't known how healthy he'll be to begin the season. In fact, some think that around Week 6 could be a more realistic timeline.

Either way, the Chiefs have to solve their roster issues, but in the meantime, they are giving their fans the chance to buy some pretty cool items that will no doubt have a lot of value attached to them.

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• Bills have several Keon Coleman questions to answer this offseason
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Bills have several Keon Coleman questions to answer this offseason originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Buffalo Bills' offseason, for most, will be dominated by whether or not general manager Brandon Beane can get Josh Allen that No. 1 weapon many have wanted him to get for years.

While that is a pressing issue, no doubt, what is also at the forefront of mind is what the franchise does with young receiver Keon Coleman.

It has been a rocky first two seasons for Keon, and then we have that horror press conference where his owner was less than complimentary toward him. Many wonder if Coleman's future is still with Buffalo.

For ESPN's Alaina Getzenberg, there are a host of things the Bills have to figure out with Coleman, and fast.

"After owner Terry Pegula went out of his way to state that the former coaching staff pushed for the receiver to be drafted, Brady publicly supported Coleman," Getzenberg wrote.

"Questions, however, remain: Coleman is working as if he'll be back in 2026, but is the relationship there? Would there be interested teams that he could be traded to? Or does it make more sense to retain Coleman and see if he can take a step forward?"

More:ESPN reveals stunning cost to fix glaring Ravens issue

Coleman has Brady's backing

We know that new head coach Joe Brady is in Keon's corner, and that might be all the young receiver needs to realize his potential in 2026.

Granted, he's got a lot to prove, and a stellar offseason won't mean much unless he can translate that into on-field production when the regular season begins.

Still, there's talent in Keon; there's no doubt about that. But we've only seen it briefly.

And if the Bills do decide to move on or Keon wants out, we wonder what exactly the market would be for him.

So yes, the Bills getting a new weapon is crucial, but so too is figuring out what is the best course of action for Coleman.

More NFL news:

• Analyst offers Mike Evans reality that might soothe Buccaneers' worries
• Texans faced with uncomfortable C.J. Stroud decision
• Texans' Dalton Schultz offers interesting C.J. Stroud playoff take
• Cardinals coach offers odd response to Kyler Murray's future
• Chiefs ignore Patrick Mahomes' needs in latest mock draft
• Chiefs' Chris Jones rips ESPN analyst over Travis Kelce comments
• Isaiah Likely offers future update Ravens fans won't like

The NFL‘s new league year is approaching, and with that comes a multitude of decisions by NFL teams. Some decisions are easy, some are difficult.

The Las Vegas Raiders have had to make a decision on quarterback Geno Smith. It appears they have made one ahead of the new league year set to begin in a few weeks.

MORE: Three teams that are looking at free agent quarterback Malik Willis

According to reports, the Raiders will release Smith if they cannot trade him before March 11th. While it isn’t a major shock, it is curious.

One might think the Raiders could have kept him to provide a veteran presence around the imminent first-round pick, Fernando Mendoza. However, this might be the best decision for a couple of reasons.

First, the most obvious one is contract-related money. Smith’s contract is set to be guaranteed three days after the new league year begins. That’s an extra $8M that can be put towards other acquisitions.

MORE: Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs make huge decision on contract

The last one is simple: a fresh start for both parties. The Raiders hired former Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, who pushed for and was granted the trade for Smith from Seattle.

The duo didn’t pan out, and Carroll was let go after the season. It makes sense that Smith will also depart, as he certainly will have other opportunities to at least compete for a job.

What was once praised as a phenomenal trade acquisition concludes after only one season. Smith’s dead-cap hit will be $18.5M–a very manageable one for a quarterback contract.

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ESPN reveals stunning cost to fix glaring Ravens issue originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Baltimore Ravens have long been after a stud receiver to pair with Lamar Jackson, and so far, that has led them to Zay Flowers.

A competent weapon, but many aren't sure if he's a true No.1 or if he'll ever be.

But with Derrick Henry still rumbling, and Flowers along with Mark Andrews, Jackson still has some nice weapons, but there's no difference-maker in the passing game.

Hence, why this offseason, some think the Ravens could go on the lookout for a weapon for Lamar.

One name that has popped up is Philadelphia Eagles star A.J. Brown.

And ESPN's Ben Solak, in his proposal, the Ravens send a 2027 second and fourth-round pick in exchange for Brown.

"One of the clear lessons of the Ravens' 2025 season was that their current group of pass catchers is insufficient," Solak wrote. "While they might not need to make a move this drastic, they would benefit from having a receiver with size and contested-catch ability -- something quarterback Lamar Jackson has never enjoyed in his seven seasons."

More:Bills' Joe Brady handed huge 2026 vote of confidence

Would Brown work in Baltimore?

One thing we know about Brown is that he needs targets and catches. In fact, a lot of them.

With the Ravens having Henry in the backfield, many expect the offense to be run-heavy again, but the thing in Brown's favor is that aside from Flowers, there aren't others who will take targets away from him all too often.

Baltimore's situation is similar to Philadelphia's. A star back and another star receiver for Brown to compete with. But at least this time, he will be the No. 1 for the Ravens, and Flowers as a secondary weapon.

And if all it takes is two 2027 draft picks to get a trade done, I think Baltimore does it in a heartbeat.

More NFL news:

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• Texans' Dalton Schultz offers interesting C.J. Stroud playoff take
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The Miami Dolphins are on the quarterback hunt and there are plenty of dots connecting the team to Malik Willis. The soon-to-be free agent passer spent the two seasons with the Green Bay Packers where he developed into one of the most intriguing young talents in the league at the position.

With former Packers executive Jon-Eric Sullivan and former Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley now leading the way in Miami, it'd make sense if the Dolphins pursued Willis in free agency. But what if he's too expensive? With plenty of quarterback-needy teams and not a ton of options on the market, or in the 2026 NFL Draft, there's a chance the cost to acquire Willis will skyrocket.

According to NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe, there's a logical backup plan to keep an eye on.

"[Willis]'s price tag could be $20 plus million a year," Wolfe said on NFL Network's The Insiders. "The Dolphins have a precarious cap situation. Can they afford that? Another name I'm told to keep an eye on is Jimmy Garoppolo, who has a lot of experience with their offensive coordinator, [Bobby] Slowik. Maybe he's a less expensive option for them in free agency."

Garoppolo, 34, was once in a similar position as Willis. After spending his early career as Tom Brady's backup with the New England Patriots, he became a coveted option for quarterback-needy teams and was eventually traded to the San Francisco 49ers where he signed a five-year, $137.5 million extension.

Ultimately, injuries slowed Garoppolo for much of his time with San Francisco and the team began hunting for a new starter after only a few years. While he played out his entire contract with the 49ers, the team turned to Trey Lance and Brock Purdy as starters in Garoppolo's final season. During most of tenure with the 49ers, Garoppolo worked with Slowik, who was an offensive assistant in San Francisco from 2019 to 2022.

Since then, Garoppolo has spent time with the Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Rams. In 12 NFL seasons, he has a 43-21 record as a starter with 96 passing touchdowns and 52 interceptions.

This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: NFL insider says Jimmy Garoppolo could be Dolphins' backup plan at QB

Deshaun Watson 2.0? Why a Kyler Murray trade would bankrupt the Browns future originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Kyler Murray trade rumors are officially swirling, but for the Cleveland Browns, this move would be nothing short of a franchise-killing disaster. Despite speculative chatter connecting the Arizona Cardinals quarterback to Northeast Ohio, the logic falls apart the moment you look at a salary cap.

During a recent segment on 92.3 The Fan, host Ken Carman threw cold water on the idea of Cleveland chasing another expensive, veteran reclamation project. "If I can get you 7 wins I don't think Kyler Murray means anything more," Carman argued. "I don't want to invest more in a position where I don't believe in it. It's easier to invest in a first-round pick compared to somebody else's former mess."

More: Browns 2026 mock draft round-up: Surprise QB and double OL strategy divide NFL insiders

Carman nailed it. The Browns are already drowning in the Deshaun Watson contract. With Watson’s deal likely getting restructured again so the team can survive 2026, GM Andrew Berry is staring down a terrifying "dead cap" iceberg in 2027 and 2028. Adding Murray’s massive contract to that pile is financial malpractice.

Also, the 2019 first overall pick has missed significant time due to injury in three of the past four seasons. His diminutive size and decreasing mobility is making Murray look closer to an over-priced version of Dillon Gabriel. 

Trading for this Cardinals QB doesn't solve the Browns' problems; it just anchors them to a second quarterback who has struggled with consistency and health. Why would Berry trade assets for a "former mess" when he could use a rookie contract (like Shedeur Sanders) to prepare for the post-Watson era?

Bringing Murray to Cleveland isn't a bold upgrade—it's a repeat of the same desperate mistake that put the Browns in this salary cap pit to begin with. Cleveland needs to roll with the signal-callers they have in 2026, and not take another gamble.

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When it comes to NFL trade buzz around the Cincinnati Bengals, all the fun for fans right now is wondering about a trade for Las Vegas Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby. 

But a new candidate has just entered the mix: Miami Dolphins safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. 

Fitzpatrick is apparently available for trade, with Jordan Schultz reporting that the Dolphins have had talks about a deal involving him. 

For a Bengals team that needs to seriously upgrade the safety spot, it’s a pretty interesting idea. 

RELATED: 6 Bengals veterans who won’t be on Zac Taylor’s roster next year

And as the numbers at Spotrac show, it wouldn’t be all that expensive from a cap standpoint: 

Trading S Minkah Fitzpatrick

New Team Acquires
2026: $15.6M (non-gtd)#Dolphins Dead Cap
2026: $12.9M ($5.85M saved)

The 29-year-old projects toward a 3 year, $58M extension in our system. Miami acquired him along with a 5th-round pick in exchange for Jalen Ramsey, Jonnu…

— Spotrac (@spotrac) February 18, 2026

Fitzpatick ranked as the seventh overall safety on a list of 98 at PFF last year. He’s 29 years old, but he’d be an upgrade for arguably the league’s worst safety room.

For the Bengals, a deal and the contract could be cheaper than paying up for a free agent or hoping a rookie pans out on the fly. While unlike the Bengals, it’s something that should probably at least be on the team’s radar as they go about planning the offseason. 

RELATED: Bengals' key offseason dates for NFL free agency, draft and more

This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Should Bengals join Minkah Fitzpatrick trade sweepstakes?

Bengals are best landing spot for Jaguars LB who had 99-yard pick-six off Patrick Mahomes originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Cincinnati Bengals are entering the 2026 offseason with some major needs on the defensive side of the ball. While they could use pass rusher and defensive back help, the Bengals have an underrated need at linebacker.

Fortunately for the Bengals, there are plenty of great linebackers both in the 2026 NFL Draft and in free agency. With their two rookies drafted in 2025, Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter, signing a veteran in free agency seems to be the best option.

If they do choose that option, then, as PFF.com's Mason Cameron writes, the Bengals would be a great landing spot for a Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker who had a 99-yard pick-six of Patrick Mahomes in 2026: Pro Bowler Devin Lloyd.

Bengals named best landing spot for Devin Lloyd

"Devin Lloyd fits the bill as the top free-agent linebacker this cycle, with a resume to back it up," Cameron writes. "The 27-year-old posted the second-highest PFF overall grade (89.1) among qualifying linebackers during the regular season."

The Bengals linebacker room and the entire defense need overhauling. What better way than to add a linebacker who's coming off his best season in the NFL and is still just 27 years old?

After four years in Jacksonville, Lloyd is set to leave, cashing in on his Pro Bowl 2025 season. He was also second-team All-Pro, in what's easily the best year of his career.

More: Bengals get good news amid $50 million contract projection for Trey Hendrickson

He had five interceptions, including that 99-yard pick-six of Mahomes in primetime. He also had seven passes defended, one fumble recovery, 1.5 sacks, 81 total tackles, six tackles for loss, 10 quarterback hits, and a career-best 57.1 passer rating in coverage.

The 2022 first-round pick at 27th overall is a great linebacker to go after for the Bengals this offseason, as his veteran presence is the exact kind of player this defense needs.

Cameron has the Bengals as his best landing spot, and with how badly the Bengals need overall help on defense, Lloyd would be a great anchor for the middle of the defense for Al Golden to build around this offseason.

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Former NFL MVP Cam Newton has always had a controversial take on his relationships with women.

Newton, who has never been married, has nine kids with three different women and has made it clear he has no interest in getting married anytime soon, but we never knew why until now.

Newton says in this latest interview on the podcast “It’s Giving” that he doesn’t believe in unconditional love, and women lose value the more children they have.

“Women's value get lower the more children that they have,” he said. 

He said he told one of his baby mama’s her next relationship won’t work unless the next guy loves her kids with other men too. 

Another bomb shell he dropped was that he doesn’t believe in unconditional love. He says that only comes from his parents and his kids.

You have to give Newton credit; he’s not afraid or ashamed to share his views on women across various podcasts, despite what a lot of people think about him.

However, you have to wonder if his worldview of women is going to cost him gigs eventually or if it may already have with the cancellation of 106 and Sports on BET.

This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Cam Newtown receives backlash on his latest comments about women

Texans' Dalton Schultz offers interesting C.J. Stroud playoff take originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud is likely at the lowest point of his NFL career this offseason after the team's horror playoff exit.

The loss to the New England Patriots was horrible, with Stroud throwing four first-half interceptions that paved the way for the loss.

As such, the pitchforks have been out for C.J. and rightly so, as the performance wasn't good.

But as tight end Dalton Schultz points out, Stroud's struggles against New England weren't all on him.

"Everybody's got to turn themselves," Schultz said on the Ross Tucker Football podcast. "It's not all on C.J. Do you think he throws some of those picks if he didn't have a guy in his lap? Everything is so entangled in football that it's hard to put anything on one guy ever."

More:Chiefs' Chris Jones rips ESPN analyst over Travis Kelce comments

Is Schultz right?

Of course he is. But here's the problem.

When you are the franchise quarterback, or a quarterback at all for that matter, you get all the praise when it goes right, even if you didn't have a big hand to play in the win. And then you get all the blame when things go south.

That's part and parcel of the position. Plus, it comes with the territory of being the face of the franchise.

Look, most know it wasn't all on Stroud, but four first-half interceptions are tough to get away from. 

Some have said C.J. melted down, and there is some truth to that, as there are Schultz's comments.

Unfortunately, when it comes to how Stroud is viewed league-wide, it doesn't matter.

All that matters is that the Texans lost, and Stroud threw four interceptions.

More NFL news:

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• Texans faced with uncomfortable C.J. Stroud decision
• Chiefs could pull off incredible free agency move for Patrick Mahomes
• Lions' 59-TD weapon tipped for career change in 2026
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As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, the Los Angeles Rams should be studying the wide receiver class closely. With Tutu Atwell hitting free agency and no other clear-cut WR3 on the roster, the Rams need a playmaker to go with Puka Nacua and Davante Adams Jr.

Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. might be just what the doctor ordered. Though he doesn’t boast a rare combination of size, speed or athleticism, he’s exactly the type of receiver the Rams tend to look for.

Cooper is 6 feet tall and around 200 pounds, but he’s as physical as any wideout in the draft. He’s excellent at picking up yards after the catch, not only with his elusiveness in the open field, but by fighting for extra yardage through sheer effort.

It’s similar to the way Nacua fights through contact with the ball in his hands.

Last season, Cooper caught 69 passes for 937 yards and scored 13 touchdowns, also rushing three times for 74 yards with one touchdown on the ground.

What makes him particularly intriguing for the Rams is his willingness to block. That’s something Sean McVay always asks of his receivers, which allows Los Angeles to stay in 11 personnel as often as it does.

NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah went as far as calling Cooper “the Ramsiest WR” in the class.

Looking at my Omar Cooper Jr notes- He's the Ramsiest WR in the draft.

— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) February 18, 2026

Todd McShay also raved about Cooper on his podcast recently, describing him as the type of receiver the Rams tend look for in the draft.

“He’s the most consistent, reliable, toughest son of a (expletive) blocker in this class at wide receiver,” McShay said. “He’s 6-foot, maybe just shy, but his effort, his angles, his ability to sustain, the way he fights is unparalleled.”

If that doesn’t sound like a Rams receiver, what does?

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McShay aptly compared him to Jarvis Landry, but a faster version of the former LSU standout.

“It’s like wide receiver heaven because when you start – (Landry’s) one of my favorite receivers to evaluate and now I’ve got a guy who’s so similar in so many ways, and is faster,” McShay added.

A physical slot receiver who can pick up yards after the catch would greatly benefit the Rams, allowing Nacua and Adams to align outside. Cooper isn’t exclusively a slot receiver, though, despite his lack of size. He can move around, just as Cooper Kupp did and just as Nacua does.

If the Rams are looking for a wideout late in the first round or potentially on Day 2, Cooper could be their guy.

This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: NFL draft: Indiana's Omar Cooper Jr. is type of WR Rams look for

New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte is confident in the team's ability to bounce back after their disappointing Super Bowl LX loss to the Seattle Seahawks.