| WHAT NEXT FOR AARON RODGERS?Mike Jones of The Athletic ponders the options for QB AARON RODGERS: So what’s next for Rodgers? The 41-year-old rebounded from a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered in Week 1 of 2023 to complete 63 percent of his passes for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions this season. Rodgers’ passer rating of 90.5 was the lowest of his 14 full seasons as a starter and he went 5-12, the worst record of his career. Rodgers’ plans for the future remain unknown. The fact that he traveled to Jets headquarters to meet with Glenn and Mougey seems to suggest he is considering playing a 21st NFL season. What teams are in the market for a four-time league MVP with a Super Bowl ring and a 42nd birthday coming up in December? And which of those teams would appeal to Rogers? A quick poll of a half-dozen NFL talent evaluators yielded meager returns. They see few great fits for Rodgers at this point in his career. There are no situations similar to, say, Peyton Manning joining the Denver Broncos for one last shot at Super Bowl glory. The Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans, Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants all have quarterback needs. But few of them — if any — are an aging star quarterback away from contending. Rodgers’ criteria for a potential next destination is unknown. But here’s a stab at the best potential fits for the future Hall of Famer. Las Vegas RaidersThe revamping Raiders seemingly would love to make a splash as they kick off the Pete Carroll era. Right now, the Raiders have a gaping hole at quarterback. They do have a beast of a tight end in Brock Bowers, a 1,000-yard receiver in Jakobi Meyers, a young and talented offensive line and a dominant pass rusher in Maxx Crosby. Perhaps Rodgers could come in and give the team a spark. Getting past the Chiefs, Chargers and Broncos in the AFC West still could prove challenging. Yet this might be a win-win situation for a team that needs a bridge quarterback and a fading star who isn’t ready to hang ’em up yet. Tennessee TitansTennessee has the first pick in a draft that does not boast a clear franchise-saving quarterback prospect. Would a dance with Rodgers make sense? The Titans have some pieces on offense: Wide receiver Calvin Ridley delivered a 1,000-yard season despite catching passes from Will Levis (only 2,091 passing yards), and running back Tony Pollard rushed for 1,000 yards. They also have a stout defense, and the AFC South is seemingly always up for grabs. Pittsburgh SteelersFor the record, this doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. But because Las Vegas has Mike Tomlin’s team as the early leaders in odds to land Rodgers, we’ll include Pittsburgh for a matter of debate. Yes, the Steelers are a playoff team, and yes, they have a good defense, a talented wide receiver in George Pickens and a strong running back in pending free agent Najee Harris. But this doesn’t feel like a fit. Stylistically, the Steelers and Rodgers clash. Rodgers still wants to sling the ball around and command the spotlight. Tomlin and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith like to lean on their defense, run the ball and take shots through the air here and there. Tomlin is also the undisputed alpha of the franchise, and Rodgers always challenges authority. Don’t see it. San Francisco 49ersIt makes some sense. Rodgers comes in and runs an offense he has great familiarity with from his time in Green Bay with Matt LaFleur. Deebo Samuel would possibly no longer want out. Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle … the weapons abound. This also gets the 49ers out of having to overpay Brock Purdy to be average in 2025. Rodgers holds it down, and they draft a long-term option in 2026. It all makes so much sense … until you remember that former New York Jets coach Robert Saleh is back with the 49ers. Kyle Shanahan, although perfectly capable of tweaking the offense to mask Rodgers’ deficiencies, also might wind up clashing with the headstrong quarterback. It was a thought for a second. The TV boothThe options are indeed limited. The Browns aren’t likely to add to their disaster of a quarterback situation. The Giants are so far away from contending. There really aren’t many teams that make sense. And that’s why Rodgers’ best move might be retirement. He came back from the Achilles tear. He played all 17 games and became the fifth quarterback to throw 500 touchdown passes in his career. While he didn’t have the storybook ending he wanted, he accomplished something. He can remain close to the game and still make great money with a TV deal. Tom Brady’s making $37.5 million a year on average from Fox. Rodgers, whose appearances on “The Pat McAfee Show” inspired considerable attention, should be able to command a pretty penny as well. Jason McCourty, as monitored by Jason Owens of YahooSports.com, told the Rich Eisen Show audience that Rodgers should retire: The wide assumption is that he’ll seek employment with another NFL team in need of a signal caller. Jason McCourty thinks that’s a bad idea. The 13-year NFL cornerback-turned-analyst for CBS told the Rich Eisen Show on Friday he thinks Rodgers should retire. “I honestly think it’s retirement,” McCourty said. “If you’re Aaron Rodgers, what are you still playing for? It would have to only be an opportunity to go out there and compete and win a Super Bowl. “I don’t know if there’s a team right now that you could say it makes sense that they go out and get Aaron Rodgers and now they’re that much closer to winning a Super Bowl.” The scenario that McCourty laid out — one in which Rodgers pushes a team on the edge of contention into contention — was the idea in theory when Rodgers joined a Jets team stacked with talent on defense and at skill positions. The reality of Rodgers’ New York tenure saw him miss all but one possession of his first season with a ruptured Achilles tendon, then lead the Jets to a 5-12 record in 2024 as one of the league’s biggest disappointments. There are several teams in search of a quarterback this offseason, most notably the Steelers, Browns, Raiders and Giants. Is a 41-year-old Rodgers on the other side of an Achilles tear really going to make a difference for any of those teams? McCourty specifically brought up the Steelers, the only one of those four to make the playoffs last season. “A lot of people have mentioned the Pittsburgh Steelers,” McCourty said. “I don’t see them as a step away. That’s nothing against Aaron Rodgers. “Do we feel like if they get Rodgers, they’re representing the AFC and they’re beating the Chiefs, the Bills or the Ravens or the Bengals, if not, for that matter — to be able to get there and represent the AFC in the Super Bowl?” McCourty also thinks Rodgers signing on as a “bridge quarterback” is beneath his Hall of Fame stature. “I feel like that’s so disrespectful to refer to Aaron Rodgers as a bridge quarterback,” McCourty continued. “I don’t know at this point for him in his career, do you say, ‘You know what, I want to go out and put it all on the line,’ and go through everything you go through as a professional football player to continue to play when he’s going to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.” McCourty brings up some good football points. There’s nothing to suggest at this point in his career that Rodgers is going to return to anything close to resembling his former four-time MVP form. Could he be an upgrade over Russell Wilson and Justin Fields for a Steelers team that’s proven it’s at least built to make the playoffs? Maybe? |
| NFC NORTH |
| MINNESOTAThe Vikings and RB AARON JONES have agreed to delay his free agency date. Field Yates of ESPN.com: @FieldYatesThe Vikings and RB Aaron Jones agreed to move the void date on his contract from this Monday until the final day before free agency. If Jones had not been extended by Monday, the team would have taken on $3.2M in dead money in 2025. This expands the window for Jones and Minnesota to continue to negotiate a new deal that would avoid that amount hitting the cap in full for 2025. It doesn’t guarantee a new deal will be reached, but it buys time for both sides if there is interest in hammering one out before free agency. |
| NFC EAST |
| DALLASTodd Archer of ESPN.com with some insight on the Brian Schottenheimer hire and QB DAK PRESCOTT: It’s about an hour before Brian Schottenheimer is introduced as the 10th head coach in the history of the Dallas Cowboys. Through the atrium windows at The Star, Dak Prescott is seen rehabbing from the surgery he had to repair a right hamstring avulsion suffered in a Week 9 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. He is wearing a gray hoodie and gray sweatpants. With director of rehabilitation Britt Brown holding the cords, Prescott goes through a series of exercises up and down the field to rebuild strength in his right leg. Soon, Prescott will sit behind the media, as Schottenheimer, owner and general manager Jerry Jones and executive vice president Stephen Jones answer questions for more than an hour, listening intently to a coach he has grown to like over the past three years and who could be the last coach he has as Cowboys quarterback. Prescott is signed through 2028. So is Schottenheimer. “He’s had a huge impact,” Prescott said. “He was a guy that was a vital part in putting the game plan together each and every week. Obviously, [former coach Mike] McCarthy was the one making the calls at the end of the day, but [then-offensive coordinator Schottenheimer] was a big part in the in-game process, which call was being made. “Obviously, I was on the headset the latter part of the year, heard all that. Very professional guy. He’s ready. He’s earned it and deserved every bit of this opportunity that he’s getting.” SCHOTTENHEIMER JOINED THE Cowboys as a consultant in 2022. He primarily worked with then-defensive coordinator Dan Quinn on offensive tendencies of upcoming opponents, and Prescott introduced himself early on. They had some friends in common and just talked football. “Dak and I have an incredible relationship, just like I have an incredible relationship with all these guys,” Schottenheimer said. “Dak and I know how to push each other’s buttons. We know how to have hard conversations.” Schottenheimer laughed as he said it. His mind went back to training camp last summer. After Prescott had a pass intercepted in practice, Schottenheimer pulled the quarterback for a play. Prescott wasn’t happy, but that was the rule in place, just like it was for an offensive lineman who jumped early. “He pushed back,” Schottenheimer said. “The competitor in him is special. So I think he and I working together, along with the rest of the guys putting together the system, there’ll be tweaks. There’s going to be changes. But he’s the type of worker that changes an entire organization. And I think he and I see the game of football offensively very, very similar. “And we’ll have tons of communication moving forward on some of the thoughts of things we want to do, whether it’s tempo or some of the different things we’re trying to do with our play-action pass game, the run game, things like that. But he’s easy to talk to. And I love and respect him.” Prescott was upset at the time, but they quickly came to an accord. “It was a great moment of understanding and appreciating that sense of standard that, yeah, we’re not accepting one play to come out. But my point [was], ‘Hey, where do I get my risk versus reward?'” Prescott said. “But that was a conversation that was very unpleasant on the front end, but it had to be addressed at some point or another, and it was, immediately after practice. “It was two grown men coming to an understanding and appreciating each other for the competitiveness and the standard. So [I’m] excited for things like that to grow, and not only me, but throughout every position on our team.” FROM 2016 TO 2018, Prescott grew from NFL Rookie of the Year to Pro Bowl quarterback with Scott Linehan as his playcaller. Prescott set franchise records with Kellen Moore as his playcaller (e.g., 37 touchdown passes in 2022) and finished 2 passing yards shy of setting the team record in a season (4,905 in 2019). He finished second in MVP voting in 2023 after leading the NFL with 36 touchdown passes with McCarthy as his playcaller. Now Prescott gets Schottenheimer as his head coach and playcaller. “We’ve got to get to running the ball, being a little bit more consistent on that,” Prescott said. “And from there, go back and look at the numbers. I’ve always enjoyed play-action pass, so just being able to get back to that. But you’ve got to start with the run game, and when you have that, the rest of the offense can open up.” Since his rookie year, Prescott ranks eighth in the league in touchdown passes (56) and yards (8,427) when using play-action, according to ESPN Research. In 2021, with Moore as his playcaller, he had 12 touchdown passes when using a play-action fake, which was tied for third in the NFL. But last season, the Cowboys called play-action on only 18% of their dropbacks, which was second lowest in the league. While Schottenheimer has a run-first history, his three-year stint as the Seattle Seahawks’ offensive coordinator (2018-20) with quarterback Russell Wilson speaks to his belief in play-action. According to ESPN Research, the Seahawks used play-action on 27% of dropbacks during those seasons, eighth most in the league. Wilson was in the top three in the NFL for play-action touchdown passes (31, second), completion percentage (74%, third) and Total QBR (82, third). “My vision for [Prescott] is he’s one of the best,” Schottenheimer said. “And through the coaching that he’s going to get, through the hours and hours of time that he and I will spend together, he’s going to play elite-level football. And he’s going to lead us to championships. “We got the right guy.” |
| PHILADELPHIABryan DeArdo of CBSSports.com says this year’s Eagles are the best team of the first quarter of the century: The Philadelphia Eagles’ 40-22 win over the Kansas City Chiefs emphatically answered the question of which team was the NFL’s best in 2024. The Eagles’ dominance over the Chiefs also catapults them to the top of the list of every Super Bowl champion since the turn of the century. The Eagles made plenty of history in 2024. They became the first Super Bowl-winning team since the 1975 Steelers to have more running than passing yards (including the postseason). The Eagles are also the first team to defeat a team that had previously defeated them in the Super Bowl. Saquon Barkley capped off his historic season by joining Hall of Famers Emmitt Smith and Terrell Davis as the only rushing champs to win the big game. Oh, and did we mention yet that the Eagles flattened a Chiefs team that was one win from becoming the first team to win three straight Super Bowls? The 2024 Eagles boasted a top-10 scoring offense and the NFL’s second-ranked scoring defense, a unit that overwhelmed Patrick Mahomes and the rest of the Chiefs offense in the Super Bowl. The Eagles’ legendary defensive performance was complemented by its offense, which featured the NFL’s best quartet at the skill positions and a powerful offensive line that had its way with seemingly everyone in 2024. Philadelphia is No. 1, but where did every other Super Bowl champion end up on our list? Let’s find out. For his rankings of 25-11, go here: 10. 2010 PackersOverall record: 14-6Super Bowl: Def. Steelers 31-25Aaron Rodgers went on a heater in the playoffs, but many forget how good the Packers defense was that season. The unit was second in the NFL in scoring during the regular season and forced 11 turnovers during Green Bay’s four-game playoff run. The Packers forced three key turnovers in the Super Bowl while defeating a Steelers team that had won two Super Bowls in recent years. 9. 2009 SaintsOverall record: 16-3Super Bowl: Def. Colts 31-17New Orleans’ lone Super Bowl win was secured after it defeated three future Hall of Fame quarterbacks in the playoffs. The Saints possessed a future Hall of Fame quarterback of their own in Drew Brees, who completed over 82% of his throws in the Saints’ Super Bowl win over the Colts. The Saints defense was just 20th in the NFL in points allowed during the season, but made up for that by forcing turnovers, including Tracy Porter’s game-clinching pick six in the Super Bowl. 8. 2008 SteelersOverall record: 15-4Super Bowl: Def. Cardinals 27-23Ben Roethlisberger avenged his rocky Super Bowl debut three years earlier by throwing the game-winning touchdown pass against the Cardinals. Big Ben’s exploits came after Pittsburgh’s historically good defense gave up two touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Prior to that, the Steelers defense recorded one of the biggest plays in Super Bowl history on James Harrison’s 100-yard pick six. The 2008 Steelers lacked an elite offense, but they had a future Hall of Fame quarterback and a defense that was first in the NFL in scoring, passing yards allowed, red zone and third-down efficiency. The unit was led by future Hall of Famer Troy Polamalu and Harrison, that year’s Defensive Player of the Year. 7. 2004 PatriotsOverall record: 17-2Super Bowl: Def. Eagles 24-21This team boasted a top-five offense and defense during the regular season. New England benefitted greatly from the offseason pickup of Corey Dillon, who ran for a franchise-record 1,635 yards during the regular season. The Patriots defense was a turnover machine; the unit recorded 11 turnovers in the playoffs that included four in the Super Bowl. After winning their final 15 games of the 2003 season, the ’04 Patriots won their first six games to set an NFL record for the most consecutive wins. New England’s 21-game winning streak ended in Pittsburgh in Week 7, though the Patriots would get their revenge by beating the Steelers (who had gone 15-1 in the regular season) in the AFC Championship game. Tom Brady, despite dealing with the flu, frigid temperatures and Pittsburgh’s top-ranked defense, threw two touchdowns while completing nearly 67% of his passes in New England’s 41-27 win. 6. 2006 ColtsOverall record: 15-4Super Bowl: Def. Bears 29-17The ’06 Colts had one of the game’s all-time great quarterbacks in Peyton Manning, an elite receiving duo in Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne, and a defense that came alive in the playoffs, holding their first two postseason foes to eight and six points, respectively. The unit, led by Hall of Fame pass rusher Dwight Freeney and 2007 Defensive Player of the Year Bob Sanders, forced five turnovers in the Super Bowl that included a game-clinching pick six. This Colts’ most memorable moment was their come-from-behind, 38-34 AFC title game win over the Patriots, who had defeated the Colts in the 2003 and ’04 playoffs. 5. 2020 BuccaneersOverall record: 15-5Super Bowl: Def. Chiefs 31-9Tom Brady’s first season in Tampa was looking like a bust after the team’s 7-5 start. But after their Week 13 bye, Brady and Co. ripped off eight straight wins that included three postseason wins against future Hall of Fame quarterbacks. Brady was his typical dominant self in the Super Bowl, while his defense did not allow a touchdown while applying constant pressure on Patrick Mahomes. This was an exceptionally talented team that should garner consideration as an all-time great squad, especially in the salary cap/free agency era. 4. 2013 SeahawksOverall record: 16-3Super Bowl: Def. Broncos 43-8Similar to the Eagles’ recent Super Bowl win, not many expected the Seahawks to blow the doors off the Broncos and their record-setting offense. But that’s what happened, as Seattle’s “Legion of Boom” defense actually outscored Peyton Manning and the rest of Denver’s offense that night. Seattle’s top-ranked defense was supported by the NFL’s eighth-ranked scoring offense, led by Russell Wilson and running back Marshawn Lynch. 3. 2016 PatriotsOverall record: 17-2Super Bowl: Def. Falcons 34-28 (OT)This team went 3-1 with Tom Brady serving a suspension to start the season. When Brady came back, the Patriots were nearly unstoppable, going 14-1 that included the biggest comeback in Super Bowl history. The Patriots trailed 28-3 before staging a frantic rally that included massive plays on both sides of the ball. Making the Patriots’ success more impressive is the fact that they didn’t have Rob Gronkowski for the stretch run after he suffered a season-ending injury in Week 11. New England’s unrivaled depth at the skill positions that season allowed them to overcome such a big loss. It’s also one of the reasons why they took the bronze medal spot on our list. 2. 2019 ChiefsOverall record: 15-4Super Bowl: Def. 49ers 31-20Kansas City’s first championship team of the century was its best one. Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill were at the top of their respective games. The Chiefs defense was seventh in the NFL in points allowed, fifth in interceptions recorded and eighth in sacks. In the postseason, the Chiefs became the first team to win three straight playoff games after trailing by double digits, including their divisional round win over the Texans that saw them overcome a 24-0 deficit. The Chiefs’ ability to overcome sizable deficits is one of the main reasons why they came in at No. 2. 1. 2024 EaglesOverall record: 18-3Super Bowl: Def. Chiefs 40-22It’s hard to match the 2024 Eagles resume. Their 18 wins are tied for the most in NFL history and most by any Super Bowl champion this century. The Eagles capped off their historic season with a decisive win over a team that was on the precipice of history. No other Super Bowl-winning team this century had a top-10 quarterback, two top-20 receivers, a 2,000-yard rusher, a big, powerful offensive line and a second-ranked scoring defense that wreaked havoc on quarterbacks without having to blitz. That’s why they’re No. 1. |
| AFC NORTH |
| BALTIMORELike QB DESHAUN WATSON, PK JUSTIN TUCKER went to a whole bunch of different message therapists and has offended at least seven more (who have all waited at least eight years to come forward). Seven more women have accused Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker of engaging in sexually inappropriate misconduct at high-end spas, the Baltimore Banner reported Sunday. This increases the total to 16 therapists from eight spas to make allegations of inappropriate behavior by Tucker. All of the incidents reportedly occurred during sessions from 2012 to 2016, which were Tucker’s first five seasons in the NFL. In the latest allegations, one woman told the Banner that Tucker left what she believed to be ejaculate on the table and another said he made intense eye contact throughout the massage while exposed. In response to the new accusations, Tucker’s lawyers told the Banner to refer to the kicker’s social media post on Jan. 30, when Tucker called the allegations “unequivocally false.” Tucker wrote that the Banner article “takes innocuous or ambiguous interactions and skews them so out of proportion that they are no longer recognizable. … This is desperate tabloid fodder.” Last week, Tucker’s lawyers provided a sworn declaration from the owner of Baltimore Spa & Salon saying she never received complaints about him or suspected he engaged in any misconduct. Therapists from the spa told the Banner they did not report his behavior to supervisors because they feared they would lose their jobs. |
| PITTSBURGHThe Steelers have released LB PRESTON SMITH. Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com: The Steelers released outside linebacker Preston Smith on Friday, a move that saves them more than $13 million in 2025 cap space. The Steelers acquired Smith, 33, for edge rushing depth at the trade deadline in November. They sent a 2025 seventh-round pick to the Green Bay Packers in return. Smith, though, was inactive in two of the Steelers’ final three games, including their playoff loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Smith recorded 2 sacks, 1 fumble recovery and 13 combined tackles in eight games overall for Pittsburgh. A 2015 second-round pick by Washington, Smith hits the open market prior to free agency as a 10-year veteran with 70.5 career sacks in stints with Washington, Green Bay and Pittsburgh. |
| AFC SOUTH |
| JACKSONVILLEWe are past the middle of February – and the Jaguars still have five contenders for their long open GM position. They have yet to conduct an in-person interview with any of them. Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com: – The Jaguars have settled on five finalists for their vacant general manager position and will begin in-person interviews Wednesday. San Francisco 49ers director of scouting and football operations Josh Williams, Los Angeles Rams director of scouting strategy James Gladstone, Chicago Bears assistant general manager Ian Cunningham and Green Bay Packers vice president of player personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan were picked from a group of 10 candidates that interviewed virtually. Current Jaguars interim general manager Ethan Waugh, who took over the job when the Jaguars and former GM Trent Baalke parted ways Jan. 22, is also a finalist. A league source told ESPN last week that the Jaguars hoped to make a hire by the end of the upcoming week. None of the five finalists have been a general manager before, which means the team’s three main decision-makers will be rookies. Liam Coen is a first-time head coach, and Tony Boselli is just weeks into his tenure as the team’s executive vice president of football operations. Williams has been with San Francisco’s scouting department since 2011, moving from a pro personnel scout to an area scout to a national scout. He was promoted to director of scouting and football operations in 2024. Gladstone has been with the Rams since 2016, starting as a senior assistant to general manager Les Snead before working as the player personnel coordinator, the director of scouting and the director of scouting strategy, a position he has held for the past three years. Cunningham has been the assistant to Bears general manager Ryan Poles for the past three seasons. Prior to that, he spent a year as Philadelphia’s director of player personnel, two years as the Eagles’ assistant director of player personnel and two years as the Eagles’ director of college scouring. Cunningham was an area scout with Baltimore for four years after spending four years as the Ravens’ player personnel assistant, where he worked with former general manager Ozzie Newsome. Sullivan has been with the Packers since 2004, beginning his career in the football operations department. He has been a regional scout, the director of college scouting and the co-director of player personnel and has been the vice president of player personnel for the past three years. Baalke hired Waugh to be the Jaguars’ assistant general manager in 2022. Before that, Waugh spent 19 years with San Francisco, beginning his career as a personnel assistant in 2004. He also worked as a regional scout, a senior personnel assistant, the senior player personnel coordinator, the director of college scouting and football systems, and the vice president of player personnel. |
| AFC EAST |
| MIAMIRB RAHEIM MOSTERT is a cap hit in Miami. Jason Owens of YahooSports.com: The Miami Dolphins released former Pro Bowl running back Raheem Mostert on Friday as part of a series of salary-cap saving cuts. The Dolphins also announced they released cornerback Kendall Fuller and tight end Durham Smythe. They made the moves as they enter an offseason with one of the worst salary-cap scenarios in the NFL. As of Friday, the Dolphins were $15.9 million over the salary cap, according to Spotrac — the fifth-worst cap number in the NFL. By comparison, the Patriots have the best salary cap situation, with $121 million in estimated cap space, per Spotrac. Mostert was due to make $4.065 million next season and carries a dead cap hit of $1 million. By releasing him, the Dolphins opened $3.065 million in cap savings. Mostert, 32, joined the Dolphins from the 49ers in 2022 and was one of the league’s most productive running backs in his first two seasons with the team. He tallied 1,093 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns in 2022, then had a career season in 2023 with 1,187 yards from scrimmage and an NFL-best 21 total touchdowns as part of a dynamic 1-2 punch alongside rookie running back De’Von Achane. Mostert made the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career. In 2024, Mostert took a secondary role to Achane, who led the Dolphins with 1,499 yards from scrimmage and 12 touchdowns in 17 games, including 16 starts. Mostert started just once and posted 439 yards and two touchdowns in 13 appearances. Achane projects to continue as Miami’s feature back in his third NFL season. Mostert will hit free agency as a soon-to-be 33-year-old veteran. The Dolphins may also be angling to move WR TYREEK HILL. Ben Levine ofProFootballRumors.com: Tyreek Hill hinted at a possible trade following the Dolphins’ season finale, but both the WR and the organization were quick to walk back those comments. While Hill has since stated a desire to stick in Miami, it could actually be the organization that seeks a divorce. Multiple NFL executives told Armando Salguero and Gates Garcia of Outkick.com that the Dolphins could listen to offers on their star receiver. The reporters seem to hint that it would still take a significant haul to acquire Hill, but it also sounds like Miami could be receptive to an offer that reaches their lofty asking price. Finances would naturally be a major motivator for the Dolphins front office. Hill is attached to a lofty but manageable $28.6MM cap hit in 2025, but that number balloons to an untenable $51.8MM cap hit in 2026. In between, the Dolphins have a potential out on the contract, but they’d still be left with more than $15MM in dead cap. If the organization determines that Hill won’t be in Miami beyond the 2025 campaign, it could make some sense for the Dolphins to recoup value before they’re forced to choose from two unappealing options. Hill was pretty clear on his feelings following a disappointing end to the 2024 campaign. With the Dolphins failing to make the postseason for the first time in Hill’s three years with the team, the wideout didn’t mince words when speaking with reporters. “I’m out,” Hill said at the time. “It was great playing here but at the end of the day, I have to do what’s best for my career.” Both Hill and the Dolphins quickly went into crisis mode. GM Chris Grier made it clear that Hill hadn’t requested a trade, and agent Drew Rosenhaus later stated that the wideout was “committed” to the organization. It was then the player’s turn to walk back his comments, with Hill admitting his mistake while also stating that his comments were misconstrued. Either way, the whole fiasco may have emboldened rival squads to make a competitive offer. Hill’s numbers took a hit in 2024 thanks to inconsistent QB play, but he still managed to top 1,000 yards from scrimmage. The 30-year-old also isn’t far removed from a two-year start in Miami where he averaged 1,778 yards per season. There would surely be a team that’s willing to gamble on a return to form for the five-time All-Pro WR, and a strong opening offer could catch the Dolphins’ ear. |
| THIS AND THAT |
| SALARY CAP CUTS?A list from The Athletic: But no matter where any team falls on the cap space spectrum, everyone could stand to create some room for themselves as free agency revs up. That’s where The Athletic’s NFL beat writers come in. Which players could be salary-cap casualties in the coming months? We have one for all 32 teams below. Arizona Cardinals: Jalen Thompson, SGM Monti Ossenfort has avoided big swings, which often frustrates the fan base. But it has put the Cardinals in a good place and positioned them to improve the roster. Per Over The Cap, Arizona ranks fourth in the NFL with $71.3 million in available cap space. There’s not an obvious potential cap casualty on the roster. Thompson is a possibility. He has started for most of his six seasons. He’s dependable. He’s also entering the final year of his contract. The Cardinals in December locked up safety Budda Baker. They drafted Dadrion Taylor-Demerson in the fourth round of last year’s draft. This might be the place. Releasing Thompson, 27 in July, would save Arizona nearly $6.6 million in cap space. — Doug Haller Atlanta Falcons: David Onyemata, DTFinancially, it makes more sense to move on from fellow defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, but he seems untouchable in Atlanta even though he and Onyemata both will be 32 when the season begins. The Falcons would incur an $8.8 million dead-cap hit, but releasing Onyemata would save the same amount in total cap dollars, and while his play has been solid in the two years (seven sacks, 14 TFLs) since signing as a free agent in 2023, it hasn’t been stellar, and the Falcons need to get younger up front (releasing Jarrett would save $16 million on the cap and result in just $4.1 million in dead-cap hit). — Josh Kendall Baltimore Ravens: Marcus Williams, SThis has been viewed as a formality since the free-agent acquisition from 2022 was benched and made a healthy scratch for the final seven games. Williams restructured his contract last month to make it easier for the Ravens to move on as both sides understand the need for a fresh start for the 28-year-old safety who will likely be a post-June 1 release. Veteran cornerback Arthur Maulet is another potential salary-cap casualty for the Ravens, whose cuts could go deeper than they’d like because of a tight cap situation. — Jeff Zrebiec Buffalo Bills: Von Miller, EdgeThe Bills don’t have many obvious cap casualty candidates this offseason, but they must do something about Miller’s contract. The now rotational pass rusher is entering his age-36 season, and carries the second-biggest cap hit on the team at $23.8 million. That’s an untenable situation, given his small role. If the Bills cut him, they would save $8.4 million on the 2025 salary cap. But because he’d still hold a $15.4 million dead cap hit if released, the Bills could negotiate a pay cut with Miller equal to or greater than how much they’d save on the cap to cut him. However, without a pay cut, Miller is likely to be released. — Joe Buscaglia Carolina Panthers: Miles Sanders, RBThe writing has been on the wall for Sanders since 2023 when Frank Reich and Duce Staley — Sanders’ two biggest supporters — were fired after 11 games. Sanders, who signed a four-year, $25.4 million deal that year, took on a reduced role behind Chuba Hubbard. Even with backup Jonathon Brooks likely sidelined for 2025 after a second ACL surgery, the Panthers can find cheaper options than the 27-year-old Sanders. The Panthers will create $5.23 million in cap space by cutting Sanders, who will always have his two-touchdown game at Atlanta in Week 18 when Hubbard and Brooks were out. — Joseph Person Chicago Bears: Gerald Everett, TEAfter signing a two-year, $12 million contract to be the pass-catching tight end to complement Cole Kmet, Everett fell into the Bears’ No. 2 tight end curse. He finished with only eight catches for 36 yards. With a $6.5 million cap hit in 2025 and only $1 million of dead cap if he’s cut, it’s hard to see Everett sticking around to be part of Ben Johnson’s offense. He’ll be 31 in June, and while the Bears’ coaches clearly struggled last year to incorporate the tight end position, Everett’s poor production and high cap charge are a bad combo. — Kevin Fishbain Cincinnati Bengals: Sheldon Rankins, DTRankins is one of many veterans on the Bengals roster likely to be let go this offseason (OL Alex Cappa, DL Sam Hubbard, LB Germaine Pratt). He’s the most certain of the group. The 31-year-old disappointed when healthy this season, only managing one sack and four pressures, then missed the second half of the year with an illness. Cincinnati gave Rankins a two-year, $24.5 million deal last year but will save $9.6 million against the cap. He has a roster bonus due March 17 that he will not see. — Paul Dehner Jr. Cleveland Browns: Ogbo Okoronkwo, EdgeThe Browns face a series of important salary cap-related decisions, and they could save $3 million by designating Okoronkwo as a post-June 1 cut ahead of his age-30 season. They also need to make difficult decisions on the future of veteran defensive tackles Dalvin Tomlinson and Shelby Harris — while also dealing with Myles Garrett’s trade request. It’s not been a fun few months for the Browns in just about any capacity. — Zac Jackson Dallas Cowboys: Donovan Wilson, SIt’s more likely that Wilson remains on the team, but if there was going to be a salary-cap cut in Dallas, the safety position stands out. Wilson’s 2025 base salary is $6.5 million. Cutting him would leave $3.3 million in dead money. Wilson started every game last season, finishing third on the team in tackles and fifth in sacks. He ranked 61st among all safeties on Pro Football Focus. The other option would be safety Malik Hooker, who also started every game last season. Hooker, who finished fourth in tackles and tied for the team lead with two interceptions, has a base salary of $5.5 million in 2025 and $6.5 million in 2026. Cutting him would leave Dallas with $4 million in dead money. Hooker finished 41st among all safeties, according to PFF. There is also a slight age difference. Wilson turns 30 this month. Hooker turns 29 in April. Again, the Cowboys will probably keep both, but the two starting safeties would be candidates if a cut had to happen. — Jon Machota Denver Broncos: Alex Singleton, LBThis won’t be the same seismic offseason for the Broncos as in 2024, when they traded wide receiver Jerry Jeudy and cut safety Justin Simmons. Those moves were made, at least in part, to account for the financial ramifications of cutting quarterback Russell Wilson. The Broncos are operating with more than $50 million cap space and won’t be forced into cost-saving moves. Still, the Broncos may take a look at Singleton’s contract as they reshape the inside linebacker room. The 32-year-old is coming off an ACL injury he suffered early last season and has no guaranteed money remaining on the three-year contract he signed in 2023. The Broncos would save $5.6 million by releasing him, according to Over The Cap, with only $1.3 million in dead money left behind. Safety P.J. Locke ($4.2 million savings if released) is another candidate to watch. — Nick Kosmider Detroit Lions: Za’Darius Smith, EdgeIt’s certainly possible Smith finds his way back to Detroit next season, but it’s hard to see it happening on the contract Detroit inherited via last year’s trade with Cleveland. Cutting Smith prior to June 1 would give the Lions nearly $6 million in cap savings without any dead-money penalties. Smith, 32, was a perfect fit with Detroit down the stretch last season and was the team’s best pass rusher after Aidan Hutchinson’s injury. Even if Smith is cut, look for Detroit to explore bringing him back on a new deal. — Nick Baumgardner Green Bay Packers: Jaire Alexander, CBAlexander has played in only seven games each of the last two regular seasons because of four separate injuries. There may be a disconnect off the field that hasn’t become public, too, despite general manager Brian Gutekunst saying otherwise. Cutting or trading the two-time second-team All-Pro before June 1 would free up about $6.8 million in cap space. Alexander has the third-highest cap number on the team for 2025 behind quarterback Jordan Love and defensive end Rashan Gary. That may not be worth it for how little he’s been available and whatever else might be going on with the 28-year-old. — Matt Schneidman Houston Texans: Denico Autry, DTAutry never lived up to the expectations the Texans had for him when he inked a two-year, $20 million deal last season. Autry, 34, wound up starting just two of the 10 games he appeared in and had 13 tackles and three sacks. Cutting him with a post-June 1 designation would translate into a savings of $9 million for the Texans, who are projected to have just more than $3 million in cap space entering the 2025 league year. — Mike Jones Indianapolis Colts: Braden Smith, RTSmith, who is entering the final year of a four-year, $70 million contract extension, missed the last five games of the season due to an undisclosed personal matter. Obviously, we can empathize with whatever kept Smith, known for playing through injuries, away from the field. From a football and financial standpoint, however, the writing has been on the wall for Indy to cut ties with him this offseason, even if he had played in every game in 2024. Doing so would save the Colts $16.75 million against the cap with only a $3 million dead cap hit. His salary is not tenable for a player who, aside from the 2024 season, missed seven games in 2023 due to wrist, foot, hip and knee injuries. The 28-year-old is likely past his prime, and it may behoove the Colts to go with 2024 draft pick Matt Goncalves at RT and spend the savings elsewhere. — James Boyd Jacksonville Jaguars: WR Christian KirkThe Jaguars don’t have a lot of options to easily free up chunks of cap space. They could certainly part with a handful of depth players, including wide receiver Josh Reynolds, to save $4 million, but the big moves would come down to Kirk and tight end Evan Engram. Cutting Kirk would save $10.4 million in cap space if the Jags need to make a splash move. His production has declined each of the past two seasons due to injuries. They also could free up $6 million in cap space by parting with Engram, which might be more of a consideration after the draft if the Jaguars tap into the talent at that position. — Jeff Howe Kansas City Chiefs: Skyy Moore, WRThe Chiefs don’t have an ideal candidate for this category. This offseason will likely be similar to the past two years for the Chiefs. They can create plenty of salary-cap space by converting a large chunk of Mahomes’ $32.3 million roster bonus into a signing bonus. Another way to create a small amount of space is by releasing Moore, the 2022 second-round pick. Moore has struggled in the past three years and hasn’t done enough to have a defined role in the offense. The Chiefs would save $1.6 million by releasing him, according to Over The Cap, with just $467,819 in dead money. — Nate Taylor Las Vegas Raiders: Gardner Minshew, QBMinshew was terrible in 10 appearances last season and won’t be in the Raiders’ plans at quarterback. If they cut him straight up, they’ll free just $3 million in cap space while taking a dead money hit of $10.82 million, according to Spotrac. If they cut him with a post-June 1 designation, however, they’ll free up $6 million in cap space. The dead money hit would be spread across the next two seasons, with $7.82 million coming in 2025 and $3 million hitting the books in 2026. — Tashan Reed Los Angeles Chargers: Joey Bosa, EdgeBosa has a $36.47 million cap hit for 2025, according to Over The Cap. That is the highest cap hit for any edge rusher in the league this year. Bosa has not been close to that level of player in quite some time, largely due to injury. He has only played in 28 of a possible 51 regular-season games over the past three seasons. He has 14 combined sacks in that span. The Chargers do have cap flexibility this offseason. They have the sixth-most effective cap space in the league. But even with that space, keeping Bosa at this number just does not make sense. The Chargers can save $25.36 million in space by cutting or trading Bosa. — Daniel Popper Los Angeles Rams: Cooper Kupp, WRIf the Rams can’t trade Kupp, they could cut him. His salary in 2025 is tricky. Cutting Kupp prior to June 1 would incur $22.26 million in dead money, while only saving $7.5 million. His roster bonus of $7.5 million is due March 17. Cutting Kupp after June 1 would incur $14.8 million in dead money while saving $15 million, but the team has made it clear it is ready to move on. The Rams did not ask Kupp to restructure his existing contract, a league source said, although he probably would be willing to eat some of the money owed to him to actually get a trade done. — Jourdan Rodrigue Miami Dolphins: Jason Sanders, KThe Dolphins’ salary cap is in rough shape, and unfortunately for them, they don’t have many easy outs to free up space. For the biggest impact, they may wind up restructuring or extending contracts for big-money players such as LT Terron Armstead and LB Bradley Chubb — cutting them would incur huge dead-cap hits ($32.7 million for Armstead and $27.3 million for Chubb) — and push more of their money into the future. Miami found some relief by cutting a few low-cost veterans in RB Raheem Mostert, CB Kendall Fuller and TE Durham Smythe last week. That, however, doesn’t leave many palatable options left. Sanders is a good kicker and fairly compensated with a cap hit of $4.7 million in 2025. But the Dolphins need cap space, and cutting him would save $3.3 million. — Jim Ayello Minnesota Vikings: Ed Ingram, GThe Vikings benched Ingram in Week 11 after three seasons as a starter at right guard. A second-round pick in 2022, Ingram struggled in pass protection for the third straight season. Minnesota’s offseason will revolve around revamping the trenches. Ingram is not a viable option if the Vikings are committed to vastly improved play. Cutting him makes sense. The Vikings could save a minimum of about $3.3 million on the cap with the move. That number could actually increase, depending on whether Ingram receives a proven performance escalator. Minnesota already has close to $60 million in cap space for 2025, so this move is not a necessity. That said, the Vikings need to upgrade their interior offensive line, interior defensive line, cornerback and running back. More money to spend will help. — Alec Lewis New England Patriots: Kendrick Bourne, WRIt might seem crazy for the Patriots to cut arguably their top player at arguably their biggest position of need, but they could yield $4.9 million in cap savings by cutting Bourne before June 1 (or $6.3 million if they do it with a post-June 1 designation). Bourne missed the start of last season while recovering from a torn ACL and posted 305 receiving yards in 12 games. As he enters his age-30 season, it might be time for the Pats to move on. — Chad Graff New Orleans Saints: Derek Carr, QBCarr is the most obvious candidate as the Kellen Moore era begins in New Orleans. During his introductory news conference, Moore was noncommittal about the quarterback’s future with the team. Cutting Carr would add more dead money to the Saints’ league leading total, according toSpotrac.com, but the franchise has a lot of those contracts coming off the books in 2026, which would provide some relief. Even if the Saints stick with Carr, they’ll likely need to restructure his deal as they are roughly $51 million over the projected salary cap in 2025. — Amos Morale III New York Giants: Graham Gano, KThe Giants don’t have any albatross contracts to shed this offseason and they’re in a healthy enough cap situation that they don’t need to make any cap cuts. Still, a $5.7 million cap hit is excessive for the 37-year-old Gano, who has missed 16 games due to injury the past two seasons. The Giants can create $3.2 million in cap savings while eating $2.5 million in dead money by dumping Gano. That’s not an overwhelming financial impetus, but a team in the Giants’ position can allocate that money better. — Dan Duggan New York Jets: Davante Adams, WRNow that we know Aaron Rodgers will not be returning (he’ll also likely be cut and designated post-June 1), don’t expect his two running mates — Adams and Allen Lazard — to return either. Adams played well for the Jets but he only came to New York to play with his friend. His contract is mostly non-guaranteed, so cutting or trading him would save $29.8 million in cap space with an $8.3 million dead-cap charge. The Jets don’t have a lot of cap casualty options outside of the two former Packers receivers. — Zack Rosenblatt Philadelphia Eagles: Darius Slay, CBThe Eagles began their succession plan at cornerback last year by spending their first two draft picks on Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. Both were finalists for Defensive Rookie of the Year. Slay, 34, battled multiple injuries during the season. He missed one game with a knee injury, another with a groin injury and sat out the regular-season finale while resting the entire week. The six-time Pro Bowler is still playing well, and perhaps, like Jason Kelce, Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham before him, Slay will be afforded some say in when it’s time for him to leave. But his cap hit is the sixth highest for an Eagles team that needs a little wiggle room, and a cut with a post-June 1 designation not only saves the Eagles $4.3 million in 2025, but also $17.7 million in 2026. — Brooks Kubena Pittsburgh Steelers: Larry Ogunjobi, DTOgunjobi signed with the Steelers in 2022 after tallying double-digit TFLs and QB hits in three of his first five seasons. But during his three years in Pittsburgh, he’s only once reached double digits in any category (QB hits in 2022), while playing through numerous injuries. The Steelers, who are scheduled to employ the NFL’s highest-paid defense for the fourth consecutive year in 2025, can save $7 million of Ogunjobi’s $10 million cap hit by cutting him. While that would leave a hole on the defensive front, the Steelers can fill it with a younger, less-expensive option in the draft. Whether the Steelers make this move or not, expect them to target a defensive lineman early on draft weekend. — Mike DeFabo San Francisco 49ers: Javon Hargrave, DTGeneral manager John Lynch already has said the 49ers will release Hargrave, who missed most of the 2024 season with a triceps tear, and allow him to become a free agent next month. Hargrave, 32, was the team’s big-splash free-agent signing in 2023 when he agreed to a four-year, $84 million deal. But he played only one full season in San Francisco before being injured in Week 3 this past season. Lynch said the 49ers would be interested in re-signing Hargrave, but it would have to be at the right price. Hargrave’s market will be interesting in a year in which the draft is believed to be deep at defensive tackle. — Matt Barrows Seattle Seahawks: Dre’Mont Jones, LBJones signed a three-year, $51 million deal in March 2023, the richest external free-agent deal of the John Schneider era by average annual salary. The contract was restructured last season, increasing Jones’ 2025 cap hit to $25.6 million. Seattle saves $11.5 million by trading or releasing Jones, who might be the team’s fifth-best pass rusher when everyone is healthy. Jones is only 28 and a decent pass rusher, but his current cap figure appears to be untenable. Also, Seattle would save $17 million by trading or releasing Tyler Lockett, who turns 33 in September. — Michael-Shawn Dugar Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jamel Dean, CBDean’s cap hit in 2025 of $15.2 million ranks eighth highest among NFL cornerbacks. And the Bucs, who reportedly have $11.7 million in cap space, will be looking for ways to trim. Dean is a solid player but he will be 29 in October and never has been a big-play producer or shutdown corner. Over the past two years, he has missed nine games and parts of five others with injuries. Cutting Dean would leave the Bucs thin at cornerback, however. — Dan Pompei Tennessee Titans: Treylon Burks, WRThe designated replacement for AJ Brown, the other side of one of the worst personnel moves in franchise history and one of the worst in recent NFL memory, needs a fresh start. And the Titans need to stop waiting for him to be a factor. The 2022 first-round pick has been banged up, playing in 27 of 51 possible games. He hasn’t done much with his opportunities — 53 catches for 699 yards and one touchdown. His 2025 cap hit and the dead number if the Titans move on from him are the same, $4.6 million. That’s worth moving on and rebuilding the receiving corps around Calvin Ridley. — Joe Rexrode Washington Commanders: Jonathan Allen, DTOne season remains on Allen’s four-year, $72 million extension. The terms included a $22.47 million salary-cap hit but only a $6 million dead-cap charge. Washington has significant cap room regardless, but it also has DT Daron Payne counting north of $20 million and an Allen replacement in 2024 second-rounder Johnny Newton on the roster. Allen’s streak of healthy seasons ended with a pectoral tear, though he surprisingly returned before the playoff run. His power and pass rushing would be missed. However, his sack totals have declined annually since recording nine in 2021, and he is entering his age 30-season. — Ben Standig |
| 2025 DRAFTDB/WR TRAVIS HUNTER will be a DB at the Combine: Travis Hunter, the Heisman Trophy winner who played offense and defense at Colorado, is listed as a defensive back for the NFL scouting combine. The league on Thursday released the list of 329 players invited to the scouting combine in Indianapolis from Feb. 24 to March 3. Hunter is regarded as one of the greatest two-way college athletes since football shifted away from such players in the 1940s. He was named first-team cornerback, first-team all-purpose player and second-team receiver on the 2024 Associated Press All-America team. Hunter has said he wants to play on both sides of the ball in the NFL. His being listed as a defensive back indicates that’s where scouts believe he will play as a pro. He finished last season with four interceptions, 11 pass breakups and 36 tackles, including one for loss. Offensively, he had 96 catches for 1,258 yards with 15 receiving touchdowns and one rushing. His coach at Colorado, Deion Sanders, is regarded as one of the best defensive backs in NFL history, but he also played some wide receiver. The Pro Football Hall of Fame member caught 36 passes for 475 yards and a touchdown for the Dallas Cowboys in 1996. |
