The NFL offseason is in full swing.
The bulk of free agency has come and gone, with many of the top players available finding homes. There are still some notable free agents out there who have yet to be signed, and several other players appear to be
Here’s the latest look at some of the most notable rumors around the NFL.
[2026 NFL Free Agency: Top 100 Players Available and Potential Fits]
Bijan Robinson option picked up
The Atlanta Falcons may be entering an offseason of change under new head coach Kevin Stefanski, but their star running back isn’t going anywhere.
On Friday afternoon, the Falcons picked up Robinson’s fifth-year option, per ESPN. This move sets the stage for a potential long-term extension for Robinson. Even with the option in place and extension talks looming, Robinson told ESPN in March that he’s not focused on his contractual future in Atlanta.
“I’m going to leave that one to my agent and the guys upstairs, and we’ll see where it goes from there,” Robinson said.
Robinson, the No. 8 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Texas, has been remarkably durable, appearing in every game across his first two seasons. He has totaled 3,910 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns while averaging 4.9 yards per carry, establishing himself as one of the NFL’s most complete and versatile running backs. As a receiver, Robinson has added 198 receptions for 1,738 yards and four touchdowns.
This past season (2025), Robinson was a finalist for AP Offensive Player of the Year and earned Pro Bowl honors along with AP First and Second Team All-Pro nods.
Moore and the Colts are working on finding a trade partner for the 2021 Pro Bowler, per ESPN. Last season, Moore, who logged three interceptions in both 2023 and 2024, totaled one interception, six passes defended and 55 combined tackles across 12 games. The 30-year-old is entering the final season of a three-year, $30 million deal.
Texans expected to pick up Stroud, Anderson options
The Houston Texans are coming off another strong playoff run and are now looking to lock in two franchise-caliber players. The team is expected to pick up the fifth-year options for edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. and quarterback C.J. Stroud, per ESPN. The fifth-year option salary cap figures have been released, with Stroud set to earn $25.904 million in 2027 and Anderson for $21.512 million.
The Texans selected Stroud with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and then traded for the very next pick for Anderson. Both players have been key to Houston’s rebuild under coach DeMeco Ryans since entering the league.
Anderson has put together a strong showing since being drafted out of Alabama. He won the 2023 Defensive Rookie of the Year award, was named a First Team All-Pro selection in 2025 and has totaled 136 tackles, 30 sacks and four forced fumbles over his first three seasons.
Stroud hasn’t matched Anderson’s statistical impact, but he’s shown enough for Ryan and his staff to pick up his option and give him a chance at a long-term deal. While Stroud hasn’t fully lived up to his rookie season, three consecutive playoff appearances are hard to ignore.
He completed 64.5% of his passes for 3,041 yards and 19 touchdowns against eight interceptions last season. Stroud might not have eye-popping stats, but he finished the campaign strong, with the 11th-overall quarterback rating in the league.
Zay Flowers looking to sign extension with Ravens, not beat Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s contract number
After Jaxon Smith-Njigba became the NFL’s highest-paid wide receiver, Baltimore Ravens star Zay Flowers became one of the next receivers in line to receive a new deal. But as Smith-Njigba’s four-year, $168.6 million contract with $120 million guaranteed sets a new benchmark, Flowers’ focus with his potential extension with the Ravens isn’t the contract number, but staying in Baltimore.
“Absolutely,” Flowers told reporters, via Ravens.com. “I don’t want to go nowhere else.”
The two receivers have quickly developed into key pieces for their offenses, each taking on a larger role early in their careers. Now, with Smith-Njigba pushing the market forward, Flowers is in position to follow that trend.
“Congrats to him,” Flowers said. “He did that one. I ain’t really paying attention to (my contract), if I’m being honest. I go train every day. I let my agents handle that.”
That mindset has shown up on the field. Flowers is coming off a career year with 86 receptions for 1,211 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 14.1 yards per catch. It marked his second straight 1,000-yard season, further solidifying his role in Baltimore’s offense as the team is expected to pick up his fifth-year option.
For now, Flowers remains focused on his performance as Baltimore’s offseason continues with the NFL Draft approaching. But with the market reset, the foundation is in place for a deal that could materialize sooner rather than later.
Falcons Starting RT Kaleb McGary retires, team signs Jaawan Taylor
Not only are the Atlanta Falcons navigating major offseason changes with the hiring of coach Kevin Stefanski, but they are also set to lose one of their most experienced veterans. Offensive tackle Kaleb McGary will retire from the NFL, per his agent, Collin Roberts.
At just 31, McGary retired following a serious knee and lower left leg injury he suffered last August in training camp, which caused him to miss the entire season
McGary had been a seven-year starter for the Falcons since being selected in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Washington. He blocked for the team’s president of football operations, Matt Ryan, for three seasons (2019-2021).
Ryan released a statement on McGary’s retirement on Wednesday afternoon.
“I truly enjoyed my time playing alongside Kaleb,” Ryan said in a statement released by the Falcons. “He was an outstanding teammate and had a tremendous career as a Falcon. We are grateful for the impact he made on this organization, and we wish him nothing but the best in retirement.”
Over his seven seasons with Atlanta, McGary appeared in 92 games and started all but one, establishing himself as a cornerstone of the Falcons’ offensive line.
McGary played right tackle, leaving a key blindside spot for left-handed quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix. The team moved quickly to fill the gap, signing offensive tackle Jaawan Taylor shortly after McGary’s retirement was announced.
James Pearce Jr. not at Falcons’ voluntary workouts
James Pearce Jr. did not report to the Atlanta Falcons‘ voluntary offseason workouts, coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday. “I will tell you guys, James Pearce is not here,’ Stefanski said. “We’ve been in constant communication with his representation.’
Pearce was arrested near Miami on Feb. 7 after an incident involving his former girlfriend, WNBA player Rickea Jackson. He faces three felony charges, including aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing and eluding police and resisting an officer with violence, in addition to a misdemeanor stalking charge.
The new Falcons coach emphasized that the training program is voluntary and that he wouldn’t be sharing additional details about which players reported. “It’s a voluntary program, so that’s up to each individual player to make those decisions,” Stefanski said. ‘I would also add that we’ve had great discussions with his (Pearce’s) representation. I don’t want to get into the specifics of that.”
Pearce’s status with the Falcons has been in question since the arrest. The Falcons’ front office and coaching staff, which is largely full of new faces this season, has remained tight-lipped during the active investigation.
“Obviously, we’re aware of the most recent articles and things that have come out regarding James Pearce,” Falcons GM Ian Cunningham said in March. “Those are concerning, right, to say the least, but outside of that, I’ll just keep it just very similar to what we said at the combine. We’re not going to comment on an open legal matter here moving forward.”
Pearce led the Falcons with 10.5 sacks in 2025. He also had 26 total tackles, five pass deflections, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. The Falcons’ pass rush saw significant improvement with Pearce in the lineup in 2025, setting a team record with 57 sacks, 26 more than the year before.
De’Von Achane not present at start of Dolphins’ offseason program
As the Miami Dolphins overhaul their coaching staff and front office this offseason, one of the team’s top stars is already missing. Running back De’Von Achane will not attend the start of the voluntary offseason program, NFL Network reported.
Achane is heading into the final year of his rookie deal with the Dolphins and coach Jeff Hafley told reporters that it’s “part of the business” regarding Achane’s absence.
After releasing star wide receiver Tyreek Hill and trading Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos, the Dolphins are thin on experienced offensive skill players. Retaining and extending De’Von Achane still appears to be a priority, even amid Miami’s full-scale rebuild.
Achane is coming off a career season, rushing for 1,350 yards and eight touchdowns while averaging a league-best 5.7 yards per carry. He also added 67 receptions for 488 yards and four receiving touchdowns.
His holdout adds another layer of uncertainty to a Dolphins offense already in transition, with recently signed quarterback Malik Willis leading the new-look unit. Achane’s absence leaves a glaring hole in Miami’s offense at a time when experienced playmakers are scarce. His decision to skip the voluntary program raises questions about the timing and direction of the Dolphins’ rebuild.
Kyle Shanahan leaving coaching?
The San Francisco 49ers head coach responded to speculation that he might soon leave coaching for a network studio gig. Could a television stint be in his future?
“I’m good coaching,” Shanahan said at the 2026 NFL Annual League Meeting in Phoenix. “I love coaching. Even though I look like I’ve aged 10 years … because I physically have aged 10 years, I still feel good.”
Rashee Rice won’t face discipline from NFL
The NFL announced on April 3 that it has closed its investigation into assault allegations against the Chiefs wide receiver and that he won’t face any discipline by the league. “There was insufficient evidence to support a finding that he violated the personal conduct policy,” the league said in a statement obtained by NFL.com. The 25-year-old previously missed the first six games of last season following an NFL suspension for his role in a high-speed car crash during the 2024 offseason. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail and five years probation after pleading guilty.
Walker, the first overall pick in 2022, has signed a massive four-year deal with the Jaguars worth $110 million ($77 million in total guarantees, $50 million fully guaranteed at signing and $27.5 million average annual salary). The 25-year-old has posted two double-digit sack seasons over his four years in Jacksonville, with 27.5 career sacks.
One of the top cornerbacks in the NFL over the last decade-plus is walking away from the game. Stephon Gilmore announced his retirement from the league, ending his career after 13 seasons. Gilmore, 35, didn’t play in 2025, remaining unsigned after a one-year stint with the Minnesota Vikings.
While Gilmore became a journeyman later in his career, he rose to prominence in the late 2010s during his stint with the New England Patriots. He helped the team win Super Bowl LIII in 2018 before being named Defensive Player of the Year in 2019. Gilmore was named first-team All-Pro in both of those seasons, and was also a Pro Bowler in three of his four years in New England. Gilmore finished his career with five Pro Bowl nods, earning his first when he was a member of the Buffalo Bills in 2016 and again when he was with the Carolina Panthers in 2021.
Gilmore also played with the Dallas Cowboys and Indianapolis Colts, spending a season with each team. He began his NFL career in 2012, when the Bills took him with the 10th overall pick in that season’s draft.
Odell Beckham Jr. meets with Giants’ coach John Harbaugh
Amid the rumors of his return to New York, Odell Beckham Jr., reportedly, met with Giants coach John Harbaugh during the owners meetings in Arizona this week.
Beckham was out of the NFL last season, after playing nine games with the Miami Dolphins in 2024. He spent time in Baltimore, Cleveland and with the Los Angeles Rams over the last five years. But before that, he was a three-time Pro-Bowler with the Giants, surpassing 1,000 receiving yards in four of his five seasons in New York. Beckham would join a wide receiver room that includes Malik Nabers, Darius Slayton, Darnell Mooney and Calvin Austin III.
Klint Kubiak doesn’t want a rookie Week 1 starting QB
Fernando Mendoza won’t start right away for the Las Vegas Raiders if coach Klint Kubiak has his way.
The Raiders are expected to select the Heisman Trophy winner with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft next month. Mendoza led Indiana to its first national championship and became the overwhelming favorite to go first.
“Ideally, you don’t want him to start from day one,” Kubiak said Tuesday. “You’d love him to be able to learn behind somebody. That’s in a perfect world. It doesn’t always work out that way. Sometimes they have to play from day one and it’s our job as coaches to get them ready to go. I think it does help the player if they can sit behind a mature adult and watch how they run the show.”
Aidan O’Connell is the only other quarterback currently on the Raiders after the team traded Geno Smith and Kenny Pickett. Kirk Cousins, Jimmy Garoppolo and Russell Wilson are among the veterans who remain unsigned.
Kubiak, who was the offensive coordinator for Super Bowl champion Seattle, replaced Pete Carroll and aims to rebuild a franchise that hasn’t won a playoff game since the AFC championship game following the 2002 season.
It starts with landing a franchise quarterback.
“He’s a national champion, he’s a winner,” Kubiak said of Mendoza. “He’s quick. He’s intelligent.”
Shedeur Sanders will have a new look in 2026. The Cleveland Browns quarterback will switch his jersey number to No. 2 next season, the team announced. Sanders previously wore No. 12.
Sanders actually wore No. 2 during his college career, but he couldn’t wear that jersey number during his rookie season with the Browns. Wide receiver DeAndre Carter had possession of the jersey number when Cleveland selected him in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
As for on-field matters, Sanders seems in line to compete for the starting quarterback job in 2026. Browns general manager Andrew Berry previously said that Sanders, Deshaun Watson and other quarterbacks on their roster will get the opportunity to potentially win the starting job.
Sanders started the final seven games for the Browns in 2025, posting a 3-4 record. He threw for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions to go with 169 rushing yards and a rushing score last season.
Safety Damar Hamlin returns to Buffalo
Safety Damar Hamlin is returning to Buffalo for a sixth season after signing a one-year contract with the team on Friday. Hamlin was a free agent after his one-year contract expired. And he’s staying in Buffalo where the 28-year-old has served as an inspiration for perseverance following his remarkable comeback after a near-death experience three years ago.
Hamlin has shown no signs of a setback since he went into cardiac arrest and needed to be resuscitated on the field during a game at Cincinnati in January 2023.
Though he was eased back into action in being limited to playing five games the following season, Hamlin had a career-high 14 starts in 2024. He was relegated to a backup role last season and limited to just five games after landing on injured reserve because of a pectoral injury sustained in practice.
Hamlin is expected to compete for a backup spot on a team and defense in transition. Jim Leonhard takes over as coordinator under new coach Joe Brady, who was promoted in January after Sean McDermott was fired.
The Bills have since signed free-agent safeties C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Geno Stone, who are anticipated to compete for the starting job opposite Cole Bishop.
Buffalo selected Hamlin in the sixth round of the 2021 draft out of Pittsburgh. He has two interceptions in 53 career games, including 27 starts.
Tommy DeVito new backup for Patriots
After QB Josh Dobbs’s release, Tommy DeVito is in line to be the New England Patriots backup quarterback under Drake Maye in this upcoming season.
In 2024, DeVito was released by the New York Giants, being the odd man out in a competitive QB pool with players like Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston, and first-round pick Jaxson Dart. The season prior, he played three games, completing 70.5% of his passing attempts.
After signing with the Patriots, he aims to provide support at quarterback and help support Maye.
The San Francisco 49ers opted not to exercise the $10 million option bonus on their star left tackle, per ESPN. Williams, who has no remaining guaranteed money on a three-year, $82.7 million deal with the 49ers past 2026, is set to count for roughly $47 million on San Francisco’s 2026 payroll, but the team reportedly plans to discuss altering the terms of his contract. Williams, a three-time All-Pro and 12-time Pro Bowler, will be 38 at the start of the 2026 season.
Dolphins won’t trade Achane
Multiple teams have contacted the Miami Dolphins this offseason to see if they were willing to part with running back De’Von Achane as part of a larger roster blowup, but per ESPN, Achane is not available.
The fourth-year back is expected to be part of Miami’s future, assuming an extension can be worked out with the 24-year-old, as his rookie deal expires at the end of this season.
Achane led the league in yards per carry, with 5.7, and set a new career-high in rushing yards with 1,350, blowing past his previous mark of 907. He finished with over 1,800 yards from scrimmage total, thanks to also making 67 receptions for 488 yards, and scored 12 touchdowns overall.
[4 Takeaways: Broncos Trade for WR Jaylen Waddle from Dolphins]
The Dolphins released quarterback Tua Tagovailoa earlier in March, traded five-time Pro Bowler Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Jets and, on Tuesday, dealt top wide receiver Jaylen Waddle to the Broncos. Earlier in the offseason, wide receiver Tyreek Hill was cut; all told, per ESPN, the Dolphin have roughly $175 million in dead money against the salary cap in 2026.
Not only will Evans test free agency, but the star wide receiver could be on the move. He’ll likely have five potential suitors when free agency opens, FOX Sports’ Henry McKenna reported. Teams have offered Evans a contract worth north of $27 million per year as well, according to FOX Sports’ Greg Auman. There’s also a sense that his time in Tampa Bay could be coming to an end, NFL Media reported. Evans is the third-highest-ranked wide receiver in our top 100 NFL free agents list. He also ranks 15th in the overall ranking.
WR A.J. Brown‘s trade wish list
Where does the Eagles‘ star wide receiver want to play next if he’s traded this offseason? Brown has the Bills, Chargers, Chiefs and Patriots on his preferred list of teams to get traded to, according to Sports Illustrated. New England has been commonly linked to Brown in recent weeks as the Patriots seek to add another wide receiver following the release of Stefon Diggs. However, talks have stalled between the two sides, NFL Media reported.
Nine-time Pro-Bowler Mack agreed to a one-year, $18 million deal to remain with the Chargers. That figure is fully guaranteed. The 35-year-old will officially return for his 13th NFL season. Mack missed time early in 2025 with a dislocated elbow but still finished the season with 5.5 sacks, 32 tackles, four forced fumbles and a safety.
Philadelphia has extended Davis to a three-year, $78 million deal that includes $65 million guaranteed, with the $26 million average annual value an NFL record for a nose tackle. Last season, Davis totaled a career-high in sacks (4.5), passes defended (six) and combined tackles (72). Davis hasn’t missed a game since his 2022 rookie campaign.
The Bills have re-signed McGovern on a four-year, $52 million deal, according to ESPN. The deal includes $32 million guaranteed. McGovern, a 2024 Pro Bowler, has spent the last three seasons in Buffalo (2023-25).
Dallas has placed a second-round tender worth $5.76 million on its star kicker, per ESPN. Aubrey can now sign an offer sheet with another team, but the Cowboys have the right to match any deal. If Aubrey signs a contract with another team and Dallas doesn’t match the deal, the Cowboys will receive a second-round pick.
Aubrey, a one-time All-Pro and Pro Bowler in each of his three seasons in the NFL (2023-25), was 36 of 42 on field goal attempts in 2025 (85.7%), including 11 of 17 on kicks of 50 or more yards (64.7%). He holds the NFL record with six made field goals from 60 or more yards.
Houston is releasing Mixon in a move which saves it $8 million, per ESPN. Mixon, a two-time Pro Bowler, spent the first six seasons of his NFL career with the Bengals (2017-23) before being acquired by the Texans in 2024. In 2024, the veteran back rushed for 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns on 4.1 yards per carry across 14 regular-season games for the Texans, while tallying 309 receiving yards. Mixon didn’t play in 2025 due to a foot injury. Meanwhile, Houston recently acquired veteran running back David Montgomery from the Lions.
Meanwhile, Houston has extended its starting tight end on a one-year, $12.6 million deal. He had one season remaining on a three-year, $36 million deal. Last season, Schultz, who has spent the last three years in Houston after a five-year stint with the Cowboys, totaled a career-high 82 receptions for 777 yards and three touchdowns.
The Bears have their new center.
Chicago has reportedly acquired center Garrett Bradbury from the Patriots in exchange for a fifth-round pick. Bradbury started every game for New England last season.
The deal comes days after Bears center Drew Dalman surprisingly retired at 27 years old. Bradbury, 30, just finished his seventh NFL season after starting his career with six years in Minnesota.
Cleveland restructured Watson’s contract, clearing roughly $36 million in cap space. Watson, a three-time Pro Bowler who hasn’t played since Oct. 2024 due to injury, is entering the final season of a five-year, $230 million deal.
Los Angeles has re-signed Curl to a three-year, $36 million deal, with a maximum value of $39 million. Curl, who has spent the last two seasons with the Rams (2024-25), totaled two interceptions, 2.0 sacks and 122 combined tackles in the 2025 regular season. He then had one interception and 27 combined tackles in the postseason.
Carson Wentz-Frank Reich reunion … again?
Wentz is the “preferred” free agent quarterback option for new Jets offensive coordinator Frank Reich, according to SNY. Reich was Wentz’ offensive coordinator on the Eagles over his first two seasons in the NFL from 2016-17 and was his head coach on the Colts in 2021. Last season, Wentz played for the Vikings, initially serving as the team’s backup quarterback before starting five games in place of the injured J.J. McCarthy before suffering a season-ending injury to his non-throwing shoulder (left). Wentz earned his only Pro Bowl nod while being coached by Reich in 2017.
Los Angeles has signed Tyler Biadasz to a three-year, $30 million deal, per NFL Media. Biadasz, a 2022 Pro Bowler with the Cowboys, was released by the Commanders last week after two seasons in the nation’s capital.
The Commanders are the latest team to make a cap-clearing move in the week ahead of free agency, releasing Lattimore. The move will clear $18.5 million in cap space for Washington, which will now have nearly $90 million available in cap space this offseason, per Over The Cap. Lattimore ranked 17th in Greg Auman’s top cap casualty candidates entering the offseason. He’s played just 18 games over the last two years, dealing with multiple injuries.
The Browns are getting some much-needed help along their offensive line, making a deal that could also have ramifications at the top of the 2026 NFL Draft. The Texans are trading Howard to the Browns for a fifth-round pick. Howard will also reportedly receive a three-year, $63 million extension as part of the deal.
Cleveland’s O-line was among the worst in the league in 2025, with Pro Football Focus ranking the group the second-worst offensive line last season. Offensive tackle Dawand Jones was also the Browns’ only Week 1 starter on their offensive line who was under contract for the 2026 season. With the Browns in desperate need of O-line help, many mock drafts projected them to select an offensive tackle with the sixth overall pick. Monday’s trade, which can’t be made official until March 11, might allow the Browns to address other needs at the top of the draft, like wide receiver.
In terms of the salary cap, the Chiefs were well underwater entering the offseason. They’ve given themselves some breathing room, though, after cutting Taylor. The move creates $20 million in cap space, and Kansas City is now roughly $15 million under the salary cap, per Over The Cap. Taylor was one of the NFL’s top cap casualty candidates entering the offseason, according to FOX Sports’ Greg Auman, ranking eighth on the list. Taylor, who had been the Chiefs’ starting right tackle since 2023, led them in penalties in each of his three years in Kansas City.
Von Miller the general manager?
The two-time Super Bowl champion, three-time All-Pro and Super Bowl MVP reportedly spent time at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine learning the ropes of what it takes to be an NFL general manager. The 36-year-old Miller, an eight-time Pro Bowler, spent last season with the Commanders, totaling 9.0 sacks and 26 combined tackles.
Dean is expected to hit the open market, and the Cowboys will be among the teams that pursue him. Last season, Dean totaled a career-high 4.0 sacks, two forced fumbles and 55 combined tackles. He was limited to 10 regular-season games due to knee and hamstring injuries, respectively.
This comes after Dallas created roughly $66 million in cap space by restructuring the contracts of quarterback Dak Prescott, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and guard Tyler Smith. Prescott, a four-time Pro Bowler, is entering the second season of a four-year, $240 million deal; Lamb, a one-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler, is entering the second season of a four-year, $136 million deal; Smith, a three-time Pro Bowler, begins a four-year, $96 million deal in 2027. Smith had minor surgery on his right knee after the 2025 Pro Bowl Games but is expected to be ready for OTAs.
NFL salary cap number revealed
The NFL announced that the 2026 salary cap will be $301.2 million. This is a $22 million increase from 2025. Agents of NFL free agents can begin negotiating contracts with teams at noon ET on March 9, with NFL free agency officially opening at 4 p.m. ET on March 11.
Dallas announced on Feb. 27 that it has placed the franchise tag on Pickens, which is worth roughly $28 million for the 2026 NFL season. Pickens, who was set to be arguably the best wide receiver on the free agent market, is coming off a breakout season in what was his first year with the Cowboys, totaling a career high in receptions (93), receiving yards (1,429) and receiving touchdowns (nine). Pickens, who earned his first career Pro Bowl nod in 2025, spent the first three seasons of his career with the Steelers (2022-24).
Biadasz had one year remaining on a three-year, $29.2 million deal, and his release will incur a $10.9 million cap hit and leave $8.1 million in dead cap. Biadasz was a key part of Washington’s NFC championship run last season. He was a Pro Bowler for the Cowboys in 2022. He’s now an unrestricted free agent.
The Colts have granted Richardson permission to seek a trade, according to ESPN. Richardson, who was selected by the Colts with the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, has started just 15 games in his NFL career; he suffered shoulder and head injuries in 2023, was benched during 2024 and lost his starting job to veteran Daniel Jones last summer while also dealing with an eye injury in 2025.
New York is sending defensive end and 2022 first-round pick Jermaine Johnson to Tennessee for nose tackle and 2024 second-round pick T’Vondre Sweat, per NFL Media. Johnson, a 2023 Pro Bowler, totaled three sacks and 43 combined tackles in 14 games in 2025. Meanwhile, over the first two seasons of his career (2024-25), Sweat has averaged 1.5 sacks and 42.5 combined tackles per season.
The Bears have granted Edmunds permission to seek a trade, according to the Chicago Tribune. Edmunds, a two-time Pro Bowler, is entering the final season of a four-year, $72 million deal. Last season, he totaled 1.0 sacks, four interceptions, nine passes defended and 112 combined tackles across 13 regular-season games. The 27-year-old, who spent the first five seasons of his NFL career with the Bills (2018-22), missed four games in 2025 due to a groin injury but returned for the postseason. Edmunds has totaled 100-plus combined tackles in each of his eight seasons.
49ers contract dispute?
Star left tackle Trent Williams and the 49ers are “struggling to find a contractual solution,” per ESPN. Williams, a three-time All-Pro and 12-time Pro Bowler, is entering the final season of a three-year, $82.7 million deal. Williams played through a hamstring injury down the stretch of the 2025 season, which ended for San Francisco at the hands of the eventual Super Bowl-champion Seahawks in the NFC divisional round.
Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham revealed that the team will release Cousins on the first day of the new league year (March 11). The 37-year-old Cousins, who has two seasons remaining on a four-year, $180 million deal which included $100 million guaranteed when the deal was inked, was benched for Michael Penix Jr. with three games remaining in the 2024 regular season, with Penix opening 2025 as the Falcons’ starter. A season-ending knee injury for Penix put Cousins back under center, with the veteran posting 1,721 passing yards, 10 passing touchdowns, five interceptions and an 84.8 passer rating, while completing 61.7% of his passes across 10 appearances (eight starts).
Jaguars running back Etienne has interest in joining the Chiefs this offseason, The Kansas City Star reported. Etienne is set to become a free agent on March 9 when his rookie contract expires. After an up-and-down start to his career, Etienne closed out his rookie deal on a high note. He rushed for 1,107 yards on 4.3 yards per carry, adding 292 receiving yards as he scored 13 total touchdowns. Chiefs running backs Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco are both set to become free agents this offseason as well. So, the Chiefs certainly have a need for a running back this offseason. Etienne is ranked 20th in FOX Sports’ top 100 NFL free agents list, placing third among the running backs on the list.
Philadelphia’s longtime right tackle will return for a 14th NFL season, Johnson told The Philadelphia Inquirer. Johnson, a two-time All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowler, missed the Eagles’ past eight combined games in 2025 (seven regular-season games and one playoff game) due to a foot injury. Following its Super Bowl LIX triumph, Philadelphia won the NFC East at 11-6 last season but lost to the San Francisco 49ers in the wild-card round.
Kansas City has restructured Mahomes’ contract, bringing his 2026 salary down from $78.2 million to $34.65 million and creating $43.56 million in cap space. The Chiefs are currently over the cap. Mahomes’ 2025 campaign ended in Week 15 after he tore both his ACL and LCL, but the three-time Super Bowl MVP is targeting a Week 1 return.
The Dolphins are already making some roster moves, releasing veteran edge rusher Chubb, NFL Media reported on Feb. 16. Chubb, who’ll turn 30 in June, had a productive season in 2025, logging 8.5 sacks. However, he was set to have a cap hit of over $31 million in the 2026 and 2027 seasons. Miami was also over the salary cap when the offseason began, and cutting him cleared $7.34 million in cap space, per Over The Cap.
NFL wins grievance, bans “team report cards”
An arbitrator determined that the NFL Players Association violated the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the NFL by distributing annual “team report cards” and ordered the union to stop making public any future reports, per ESPN.
“We are pleased with the decision from the arbitrator, upholding the parties’ collective bargaining agreement and prohibiting the NFLPA from disparaging our clubs and individuals through ‘report cards’ allegedly based on data and methodologies that it has steadfastly refused to disclose,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said. “We remain committed to working in partnership with the NFLPA and an independent survey company to develop and administer a scientifically valid survey to solicit accurate and reliable player feedback as the parties agreed in the CBA.”
General manager Jon-Eric Sullivan provided somewhat of an update on the future of the team’s current starter.
“I don’t know what the future holds right now, and I told Tua that,” he revealed on Feb. 12. “We’re working through some things. What I can tell you is that we’re going to infuse competition into that room — whether Tua is part of the room [or not]. … Tua knows where we are. We’ve been very honest and upfront, and Tua also knows that he will be the first to know when we make a decision. … We’re getting close to a decision, and when we do, we’ll let Tua know whether he’s going to be part of this or not, and we’ll move forward.”
Tagovailoa is entering the second season of a four-year, $212.4 million deal with the Dolphins, who have a new general manager in Sullivan and a new head coach in Jeff Hafley. Last season, Tagovailoa, a 2023 Pro Bowler, threw a career-high 15 interceptions in 14 starts, while posting an 88.5 passer rating, his lowest mark since 2020. If the Dolphins release Tagovailoa, they would incur an NFL-record $99.2 million dead cap hit.
Njoku, who spent the first nine seasons of his NFL career with the Browns (2017-25) and is set to become a free agent, posted on Instagram that “the time for [him] to find a new home has come.” Last season, Njoku totaled 33 receptions for 293 yards and four touchdowns across 12 games; he missed five games due to a knee injury. Njoku, who Cleveland selected with the No. 29 overall pick in 2017 out of Miami (Fla.), was a Pro Bowler in 2023 in a season that saw him total a career-high in receptions (81), receiving yards (882) and receiving touchdowns (six). He’s third in Browns history with 384 receptions, sixth with 34 touchdowns and 12th with 4,062 receiving yards.
Rams extend HC Sean McVay, GM Les Snead
McVay and Snead have agreed to multiyear extensions to stay with the Rams, the team announced on Feb. 2.
The pair have led the Rams through one of the longest stretches of success in franchise history. The Rams are 92–57 in the regular season and 10-6 in the playoffs since Snead and owner Stan Kroenke hired a then-30-year-old McVay in 2017, one year after the franchise returned home from St. Louis. The Rams immediately ended a 12-year playoff absence and reached the Super Bowl one year later before winning the franchise’s second Super Bowl title in February 2022. Los Angeles has had eight winning seasons, seven playoff berths and four NFC West titles in nine years under McVay, the youngest coach to reach the Super Bowl and to win it. The Rams went 12-5 this season before winning two road playoff games to reach the NFC championship game, where they lost to the Seahawks.
McVay said the Rams are optimistic that quarterback Matthew Stafford will return for an 18th NFL season, but the team will wait for the quarterback to make his own announcement. McVay said the Rams would love to stick with Stafford if he wants to come back after his MVP-caliber season in 2025.
McVay also confirmed he has hired Bubba Ventrone as his new special teams coordinator. He hasn’t decided who will become his offensive coordinator after Mike LaFleur left to become the Cardinals‘ head coach.
Packers add former HC as DC
Ex-Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon is joining the Packers‘ staff as defensive coordinator, the team announced on Feb. 2. Gannon will take over for Jeff Hafley, who left after two seasons when the Dolphins hired him to be their next head coach.
“He possesses tremendous experience as an NFL coordinator and head coach,” Matt LaFleur said in a statement. “I am confident that he will be an outstanding addition to our organization, as well as a strong leader of our defense.”
The Cardinals fired Gannon the day after their season ended with a ninth consecutive loss. Gannon went 15-36 in three years, including a 3-14 record this past season. Gannon had been the Eagles’ defensive coordinator for two seasons before Arizona hired him. In his second season in Philadelphia, the Eagles ranked second in the NFL in total defense and won the NFC championship before losing 38-35 to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII. The Eagles had a franchise-record 70.0 sacks — 15 more than any other NFL team — in 2022. They also had 27 takeaways that season to rank fourth in the league.
Gannon takes over a defense that ranked 12th in yards allowed per game (311.8), ninth in yards allowed per play (5.0) and 11th in points allowed per game (21.2) this past season. Green Bay’s defense ranked higher earlier in the season but struggled after season-ending injuries to All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons and defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt.
Eagles DC Vic Fangio considered retirement
The Eagles nearly had to make two coordinator changes this offseason. Fangio informed the team shortly after their season ended that he planned to retire before the Eagles convinced him to return, PhillyVoice reported on Feb. 1. If Fangio had held firm in his decision to retire, the Eagles were planning to contact former Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon and Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, according to PhillyVoice. Gannon was the Eagles’ defensive coordinator for two seasons (2021-22) before leaving for Arizona in 2023.
Fangio has been widely regarded as one of the top defensive minds in the NFL for several years. The Eagles’ defense has also been one of the game’s top defensive units since Fangio joined the team in 2024, ranking in the top five in scoring in each of the last two years. The Eagles hired Packers quarterbacks coach Sean Mannion to be their next offensive coordinator after parting ways with Kevin Patullo.
Packers extend coach, multiple executives
Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst and executive vice president/director of football operations Russ Ball have joined coach Matt LaFleur in signing multi-year contract extensions. Packers president/CEO Ed Policy announced the extensions for all three on Friday.
The extensions come after the Packers went 9-8-1 and made their third straight playoff appearance, and sixth in the last seven years. A 31-27 loss at Chicago in the NFC wild-card playoff round capped a five-game skid that ended Green Bay’s season, though one of those defeats came when the Packers rested their starters in their regular-season finale.
“We are excited to extend our commitment to Brian, Matt and Russ as the leaders of our football operations,” Policy said in a statement. “Their steadfast dedication, passion and collaboration have remained constant in our drive to compete at the highest level. While we are all disappointed with the way this season ended, we remain aligned in purpose and have spent considerable time over the past weeks collaborating on a path forward.
“I am exceedingly confident we have the right people to achieve our goal. The entire Packers organization looks forward to supporting every effort to bring our community and fans another championship that they very much deserve.”
LaFleur owns a 76-40-1 regular-season record and has led Green Bay to the playoffs in all but one of his seven years on the job. That includes NFC championship game appearances in the 2019 and 2020 seasons. Green Bay has been the NFC’s seventh and final playoff seed each of the last three seasons.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
