| Here is the latest on the negotiations (or last thereof) between the NFL and its referees. Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com: On Sunday, multiple reports pushed the NFL’s version of the ongoing Collective Bargaining Agreement talks with the NFL Referees Association. The NFLRA has pushed back. “Apparently ‘league sources’ are continuing to put out false and misleading information instead of wanting to meet at the negotiating table,” the NFL Referees Association said in a Sunday night statement to PFT. “The bottom line is our officials work for the wealthiest sports league in America, with profits that far exceed any of the others. That’s normally a point of pride for the NFL. However, our officials are substantially undercompensated when compared to baseball and basketball umpires and referees. Our officials also aren’t even provided the health care benefits that those at 345 Park Avenue have. “As far as performance pay, we had ‘high-performing officials’ who worked this year’s Championship games and the Super Bowl who were paid less for those games than what they were paid for a regular-season game. That certainly isn’t rewarding performance, as the NFL claims is their goal.” The real goal, in our view, is to win. To get the best possible terms. To get the NFLRA to cave. It worked against the NFLPA in 2011. It failed, ultimately, against the NFLRA in 2012 — thanks in large part to the Fail Mary. Meanwhile, the NFL continues to lay the foundation for another round of replacement officials, augmented by an expanded replay system that has been far from perfected in its more limited form. On Sunday night, the league pushed to ESPN (of which the NFL owns 10 percent) the notion that, if/when replacement officials are hired on May 1 in anticipation of a potential lockout, “The opportunity to reach an agreement with our current union becomes a bigger challenge, just from simple economics.” Why? Because the league will want to foist the expenses of its planning for the nuclear option onto the officials? If, however, that’s a real deadline, the NFL needs to get the NFLRA to agree to that and to act accordingly. The NFL is a deadline-driven business. If the two sides agree that the deadline isn’t Week 1 but May 1, a deal could be done by May 1. If, alternatively, the league is currently huffing and puffing with every intention of blowing the officials’ house down by locking them out until they cry uncle, the NFL plans to play Russian roulette with the integrity of the game. Again. |
| NFC EAST |
| PHILADELPHIAGM Howie Roseman insinuates he has no interest in trading WR A.J. BROWN. Tim McManus of ESPN.com: Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman had a stock answer for every question about A.J. Brown that he fielded from the local media at the league meetings Sunday, opting for a neutral response amid the ongoing trade speculation. “I understand that there’s interest in the A.J. Brown story. I, unfortunately, don’t have a home under a rock,” he said. “But my answer to any question on A.J. Brown is A.J. Brown is a member of the Eagles. From my perspective, anything you ask me about A.J. Brown, I’m going to go right back to that answer. But I understand the interest. I put on TV and I see that there’s interest, but my answer is A.J. Brown is a member of the Philadelphia Eagles.” It wasn’t quite as strong of a statement as he has delivered previously, like in January when he said: “It is hard to find great players in the NFL, and A.J. is a great player. I think from my perspective, that’s what we’re going out and looking for when we go out here in free agency, in the draft, just trying to find great players who love football, and he’s that guy.” Brown’s frustrations with the Eagles’ offense have been well documented, bubbling to the surface via cryptic social media posts or during media scrums the past two seasons, even amid winning streaks. He declined to speak to the media in the latter stages of the season, coinciding with his on-field meeting with CEO Jeffrey Lurie in mid-November when Brown promised he would stop complaining publicly. Speculation has swirled for much of the offseason that Brown could be on the move, with the New England Patriots as the most commonly discussed destination. Philadelphia is financially incentivized to wait until at least June 1 to officially strike a deal. The dead cap hit is north of $40 million to trade him before June 1, compared to around $20 million after. The Eagles, meanwhile, have to go about the business of constructing their roster for the 2026 season — something that isn’t impeded by the uncertainty around Brown, Roseman said. “Roster construction from a macro perspective is going to be based on a vision. That vision doesn’t change by one particular player,” Roseman said. Philadelphia added a pair of veteran receivers in Hollywood Brown and Elijah Moore this offseason to join a receiver room currently led by Brown and DeVonta Smith. Moore is good friends with Brown dating back to their playing days at Ole Miss, but Roseman strongly indicated the signing had little or nothing to do with Moore’s relationship with Brown. “Everything we’re doing is based on the particulars of the players. There’s nothing we’re doing to do favors [for] … anyone. We’re basing players based on what they can bring to the team,” he said. Brown had 78 catches for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns in 2025, the fourth time he has eclipsed 1,000 yards in as many seasons since coming to Philadelphia. He is a three-time Pro Bowler, a Super Bowl champion and the only Eagle to post multiple seasons with 1,400-plus receiving yards, the two highest marks in franchise history. |
| NFC WEST |
| SAN FRANCISCOThe 49ers hired an expert to look into whether or not the electric substation next to their practice field is a menace. He says “no.” Kari Anderson of YahooSports.com: The conspiracy about the San Francisco 49ers’ slew of injuries being connected to the stadium’s proximity to an electrical substation has been debunked a dozen times over. But 49ers general manager John Lynch held true to his promise to look into it anyway, and confirmed that it was untrue. While speaking to reporters on Sunday ahead of NFL spring owners meetings, Lynch said the team had hired a scientist to investigate the debunked theory, and that he determined that the team’s environment was completely “safe.” “We did hire an independent scientist,” Lynch said, via Cam Inman. “He basically said it was a big nothing burger. We’re safe. We’re in a safe place of work. The levels are 400 times less than an unsafe zone.” Lynch also told reporters that the 49ers are in the process of upgrading their rehabilitation and recovery facilities, spending $9 million on improvements, via ESPN’s Nick Wagoner. The GM added that San Francisco is hiring three more staff members who will concentrate on physical therapy to improve injury outcomes for the players. The discredited theory posited that the proximity between Levi’s Stadium, where the 49ers have played since 2014, and an electrical substation have increased the team’s injuries through exposure to the substation’s electromagnetic force. The NFL’s chief medical officer, Dr. Allen Sills, called the theory “simply not true” in January. Notably, the substation also sits next to the San Francisco practice facility, which the 49ers have used since 1988. The team has won three Super Bowls since moving into that facility, without electromagnetic issues. After the theory went viral in January, Lynch said the team would look at the issue despite the baseless nature of the claims. “Because it deals with, allegedly, the health and safety of our players, I think you have to look into everything,” Lynch said. “We’ve heard that debunked. So yes, we will look into it. We have. The health and safety of our players is of the utmost priority. … I know that a lot of games have been won at this facility since it opened. We aren’t gonna turn a blind eye. We look into everything.” |
| AFC NORTH |
| CLEVELANDDE A.J. EPENESA has failed his physical with the Browns. Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com: Earlier this month, the Browns agreed to terms with defensive end A.J. Epenesa on a one-year deal worth up to $5 million. The contract will not be signed. Via Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN, the Browns decided not to proceed. Specifically, they weren’t “comfortable finalizing the deal after his physical.” It’s a somewhat tame way of saying Epenesa failed the physical, and it’s no different than the decision the Ravens made regarding defensive end Maxx Crosby. Other teams have, on plenty of occasions, made the same decision. The development comes 11 days after word of the deal first emerged. During that time, Epenesa could have agreed to terms with another team, one that may have been comfortable with whatever caused the Browns not to proceed. Now, the 2020 second-round pick of the Bills will revert to the open market. In six NFL seasons, all in Buffalo, Epenesa has appeared in 91 regular-season games, with 19 starts. He has 24 career sacks.– – -GM Andrew Berry claims that the contract modifications for EDGE MYLES GARRETT were not to facilitate a trade. Zac Jackson of The Athletic: A recent contract modification leaves open the possibility that the rebuilding Cleveland Browns could trade Myles Garrett, the NFL’s reigning sack king, at some point in the coming months. Garrett’s trade demand in early 2025 ended with Garrett signing a new contract with Cleveland that included more than $123 million in guarantees and a no-trade clause that gives the 30-year-old Garrett a veto on any new destination. But a recent rework of that contract points to a trade becoming possible, and although Browns general manager Andrew Berry said Sunday at the start of the NFL owners meetings that the team doesn’t plan to trade Garrett, Berry stopped short of reiterating his prior declarations that the Browns would not trade Garrett. “Myles is a career Brown,” Berry said. “He is one of the faces of our organization. I think we’ve been very clear both past and present in terms of our goals. I understand all the questions. I’ll be honest, I don’t really want to waste a ton more breath on the topic.” The issue has once again become a subject of conversation because the Browns and Garrett last week agreed to a modified contract that defers around $29 million in option payments over the 2026, 2027 and 2028 offseasons. With the first payment of around $10 million due March 28, the modification pushed the payment back to early September. By deferring payments and converting a portion of Garrett’s base salary in 2029 and 2030 into roster bonuses, the Browns opened no immediate cap space but gained future flexibility that includes the team extending its window to potentially trade Garrett into this summer. The Browns might not trade Garrett, but they certainly weren’t going to pay him and then trade him. And when Berry was asked why the team wanted to modify Garrett’s contract, he didn’t have a clear answer. “I don’t comment on player contracts,” Berry said. “I guess probably the easiest thing to say is, if we wanted to trade Myles, we wouldn’t need to make a contract adjustment, so it doesn’t have anything to do with that. I understand the question and the interest, but it’s just something that we’ve always felt not to comment on player contracts or contract management strategies.” After Garrett went public with a trade request in February 2025, Berry was adamant that the Browns wouldn’t trade the defensive end. Garrett’s new contract was finalized last March, just before the start of the 2025 league year. Garrett set an NFL single-season sacks record with 23 sacks in 2025. Any Garrett trade would end up leaving the Browns a dead-cap charge on the team’s salary of around $41 million, but after June 1, the organization could split that charge over two seasons and only take on around $15.3 million in dead money for 2026. The Browns currently have roughly $21 million in available 2026 cap space, according to OverTheCap.com. Berry is right that the modification wasn’t necessary for the Browns to trade Garrett this summer if the team found the right deal — and if Garrett approved the swap. But with the Browns having won eight games over the past two seasons, holding two first-round picks in next month’s draft and potentially pointing multiple years into the future with an offensively challenged roster that Berry previously said will be one of the league’s youngest, a Garrett trade would likely bring back multiple high-value draft picks and allow Cleveland to more clearly and authoritatively focus on rebuilding for 2027 and beyond. |
| PITTSBURGHThe Steelers expect an answer from QB AARON RODGERS about 2026 before the draft. Myles Simmons of ESPN.com: Will Aaron Rodgers be back with the Steelers in 2026? The door still seems to be wide open for the 42-year-old quarterback, who helped lead Pittsburgh to the postseason in 2025 and now would be reuniting with his former head coach, Mike McCarthy. It’s just a matter of Rodgers letting the Steelers know his plans. To that point, team owner Art Rooney II said on Sunday that he’s expecting to have Rodgers’ answer before the draft begins — in Pittsburgh — on April 23. “I still expect that,” Rooney told Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Sunday at the annual league meeting in Arizona. “I expect we’ll get an answer before the draft. “When I talked to him and Omar [Khan] talked to him, he told us he wasn’t going to take as long this year as he did last year [to make a decision],” Rooney added. “I’m not 100 percent sure what that means, but I expect something before the draft.” As noted by Dulac, the Steelers believe Rodgers’ decision will come down to retirement or returning to Pittsburgh for another season. Rodgers completed 65.7 percent of his passes for 3,322 yards with 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions for the Steelers, helping the club go 10-7 and win the AFC North. But the postseason loss to the Texans was ugly, with Rodgers finishing the contest 17-of-33 for 146 yards with one interception. He also took four sacks. Pittsburgh currently has Mason Rudolph and Will Howard on their roster at quarterback. Ben Roethlisberger has thoughts about what the Steelers should do if Rodgers does retire. John Breech of CBSSports.com: If the Pittsburgh Steelers need some help trying to get their quarterback situation figured out, they might want to give Ben Roethlisberger a call, because he seems to already have a QB plan mapped out for the team. During a recent interview on the Deebo & Joe podcast, the two-time Super Bowl winning quarterback went into detail about what the Steelers should do at quarterback this year. Plan A for the Steelers is obviously Aaron Rodgers: He led the team to an AFC North title last year, but he’s now a free agent and he hasn’t said whether he’s going to return for 2026. Although some Steelers legends — like Rod Woodson — are getting tired of playing the waiting game when it comes to Rodgers’ decision, Big Ben is the opposite. As a former quarterback, Roethlisberger doesn’t see a problem with Rodgers taking some time to decide as long as he makes his decision before the draft. “There’s a lot of factors involved with this whole thing,” Roethlisberger said. “I would think and hope that Aaron would give a decision by the draft.” If Rodgers ends up calling it quits, that will leave the team with just two quarterbacks on the roster in Will Howard and Mason Rudolph. If that happens, the Steelers will definitely need to add another QB and Roethlisberger thinks there’s one name they should target. The veteran QB the Steelers should target if Rodgers retiresIf Rodgers doesn’t return to Pittsburgh, Roethlisberger thinks the team should look to sign a veteran. Although there are several experienced quarterbacks still on the market — like Kirk Cousins, Jimmy Garoppolo and Russell WIlson — Big Ben thinks they should go another route. “Here’s something I would consider that happened recently,” Roethlisberger said. “Josh Dobbs just got released by New England. I would strongly — if Aaron is not coming back — I’d love to bring a veteran guy in like Dobbs, who’s been here. Obviously a new system, not the same coaching staff, but bring a veteran guy in.” Dobbs probably isn’t the name that most people would think of, but it’s an option that could make some sense. He actually started his career with the Steelers back in 2017 when the team made him a fourth-round pick. Dobbs spent five of his first six seasons in Pittsburgh, so he’s certainly familiar with the organization. He also spent five seasons as Roethlisberger’s teammate, which might explain why Big Ben is so high on him. Dobbs, who majored in aerospace engineering at Tennessee and once did an externship with NASA, can quickly learn a playbook, which is something that would definitely be helpful since he’d have to learn Mike McCarthy’s offense. To Big Ben, adding a veteran quarterback makes sense. On the other hand, he doesn’t want to see the Steelers spend a high pick on a quarterback if Rodgers decides to retire. “I don’t think the Steelers should draft a quarterback early in this draft by any means. If you want to try and grab one in the fourth or somewhere just to add someone,” Roethlisberger said. If the Steelers do end up signing Dobbs, Big Ben wants him to serve as a veteran backup and we know that because he has a different name in place to be the starter. Big Ben’s plan at starting QB if Aaron Rodgers retiresThe reason Roethlisberger thinks Dobbs should be the backup is because he believes the starting job should go to Will Howard, if Rodgers decides to retire. “I’m a big Will Howard fan. I’d love to give Will Howard a chance,” Roethlisberger said. “I think he’s a guy who’s a proven winner in college. I think he can come here and do it.” If Rodgers is gone, Roethlisberger thinks the Steelers should hand the keys to the offense over to Howard and give him two or three years to try and figure things out. “I’d ride with Will Howard for a couple of years, give him a chance, keep building this team around him,” Roethlisberger said. “And if it doesn’t work, guess what? In two years, the draft is loaded with quarterbacks, go get a guy in the first round, and because it didn’t work with Will, you’re probably going to be drafting higher.” The former Ohio State quarterback was a sixth-round pick for the Steelers in 2025, but he didn’t throw a single pass during his rookie year. When talking about the possibility of Howard starting, Roethlisberger said that teams around the NFL need to re-think how they build their team. “So many teams now a days get a quarterback and they try to build around their quarterback,” Roethlisberger said. “I think that’s backwards. I think you should build a team and plug a quarterback into it, because then, if the quarterback doesn’t work, I mean, Kyler Murray, number one overall pick. He didn’t even last [in Arizona].” So how does that fit in with Howard and the Steelers? “If you build a team and you put Will Howard into it, well, if it doesn’t work, we’ll go draft a guy, put him into it. You have a team,” Roethlisberger said. “I was blessed to come to a team that was already established. Veteran line, veteran offense, veteran defense, great defense and it really was just about let’s plug a quarterback in. And I was able to get plugged in and play.” Under Roethlisberger’s plan, the Steelers would run it forward with Howard for two years and re-evaluate after that. Big Ben’s prediction on Aaron RodgersSo what’s going to happen this year in Pittsburgh at QB? Glad you asked. Roethlisberger, who played in the NFL until he was 39, thinks the 42-year-old Rodgers is going to return for at least one more season. “Deep down, I feel like Aaron’s going to play,” Roethlisberger said. The Steelers added several offensive weapons this offseason. Not only did they sign Rico Dowdle in free agency, but they also made a trade for Michael Pittman. Roethlisberger thinks those two moves plus the chance to reunite with new Steelers coach Mike McCarthy will have Rodgers leaning toward a return. “I mean, they’re surrounding him, they’re giving him some great weapons,” Roethlisberger said. “I think the McCarthy factor, I know there’s been some reports of them like butting heads in the past, but I think they’ve made up. So, I don’t know what’s going on there, but deep down, I feel like Aaron’s going to come back.” The Steelers won the AFC North last season with Rodgers and after a successful first season in Pittsburgh, Big Ben doesn’t think the future Hall of Famer is going to be able to walk away. |
| AFC SOUTH |
| INDIANAPOLISAn update on the Colts from owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon. Stephen Holder of ESPN.com: When the Washington Commanders sold for $6.05 billion in 2023, it was not only the highest price ever paid for a North American sports franchise, it also signaled to the NFL that franchises were rising in value at a breakneck pace. Indianapolis Colts owner and CEO Carlie Irsay-Gordon and her sisters took note. They even discussed the prospect of opening their franchise to private-equity investment, which the NFL now permits after an affirmative vote by owners in 2024. But ultimately, the Irsay sisters intend to retain full ownership of the Colts, even in light of the death of their father Jim Irsay last year. “We certainly looked at [private equity],” Irsay-Gordon told ESPN at the NFL annual meeting Sunday. “We don’t have any intention of doing it now.” The Colts have undergone significant transition since Jim Irsay died last May, the biggest example being the transfer of ownership to his daughters: Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt and Kalen Jackson. But the Colts have been in the Irsay family since Bob Irsay — Jim’s father — acquired the team in 1972. And it was always Jim Irsay’s dream that his grandchildren would one day own the team, long after he was gone. Given how his daughters have operated, that possibility seems just as likely today as it did when Irsay said it years ago. Because their family’s wealth is almost entirely constituted by the ownership of the team, there was always an undercurrent of questions about how things might play out after Jim Irsay’s passing. But nothing has indicated a change in course. And the sisters’ decision to forgo the involvement of private equity, for now, signals as much. However, Irsay-Gordon did not rule out the idea in future years, specifically as it relates to anticipated upgrades to Lucas Oil Stadium. The building will need many millions of dollars in upgrades in the years to come. The stadium is nearly 20 years old, and Irsay-Gordon is already bracing for expensive renovations. “We have a beautiful building that has amazing bones, but we’re going to need to renovate it,” she said. “It’s already almost 20 years old. It’s insane. But a lot’s changed since then… I think it’s a good thing to be able to have another avenue to diversify your business, get some source of funding if you want to renovate. It’s just another tool.” Irsay-Gordon also discussed the state of her team’s roster, specifically the decision by the club to re-sign quarterback Daniel Jones to a massive contract on March 11 after his season-ending Achilles tear on Dec. 7. She said an important factor was the synergy between Jones and coach Shane Steichen. Together, the pair teamed up to create an offense that led the NFL in numerous categories before injuries to Jones derailed the season. “If your head coach doesn’t believe in your quarterback, you’re kind of screwed,” she said. “And I think that Shane and Daniel really align the way our system works.” Relatedly, the Colts have endured more than six seasons of quarterback instability dating back to the retirement of Andrew Luck in 2019. Bringing Jones back addresses that issue, Irsay-Gordon said. “The quarterback is like the CEO of our football team, basically,” she said. “So, to have consistency, not just in itself, but to know that we’ve seen a lot of progress from Daniel and that he’s going to hit the ground running once he comes back from this injury, I think it also helps our team have an identity.” |
| THIS AND THAT |
| HALL OF FAMERS?Eva Geitheim of SI.com assesses active players and how likely they are to make the Hall of Fame. Arizona CardinalsThe Cardinals do not have any surefire Hall of Famers on their roster. Their most accomplished player is two-time first-team All-Pro and eight-time Pro Bowler Budda Baker. One player to watch out for in the future is Trey McBride, who has become arguably the best tight end in the league after leading all tight ends in receiving yards, setting the single-season reception record for tight ends and making first-team All-Pro in 2025. Atlanta FalconsThe Falcons do not have any clear Hall of Famers at this point. The player with the most potential is the dynamic Bijan Robinson, who earned first-team All-Pro honors for the first time in 2025 and has recorded back-to-back 1,400-yard rushing seasons. Baltimore RavensThe greatest running back of the past decade, Derrick Henry is a lock for the Hall of Fame. Henry already ranks 10th all-time in rushing yards and fourth all-time in rushing touchdowns. He’s one of nine backs to rush for 2,000 yards in a season and holds multiple NFL records, including the most 1,500-yard rushing seasons. Lamar Jackson is likely to land in Canton when he wraps up his career, as well. A two-time MVP and the all-time leader in rushing yards by a quarterback, Jackson can lock up a spot in the Hall with a Super Bowl ring or another MVP trophy before he retires. He may not even need it. Buffalo BillsLike Jackson, Josh Allen appears bound for Canton by the time he hangs it up. The 2024 MVP and all-time leader in rushing touchdowns by a quarterback, Allen has been considered one of the league’s best quarterbacks for much of his career. With a Super Bowl ring, there would be no doubt of a bust waiting for him in Canton down the road. Carolina PanthersThe Panthers have some talented young players, including reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year Tetairoa McMillan, but no one has established themselves as a Hall of Fame contender at this point. Chicago BearsOf players on the Bears, Joe Thuney has the best résumé for a potential Hall of Fame bid one day. Thuney is a four-time Super Bowl champion (two with the Patriots, two with the Chiefs), three-time first-team All-Pro and the inaugural Protector of the Year. Even so, it is not easy to make it into Canton as a guard, and Thuney is not currently a lock. Cincinnati BengalsAt this point, wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase has the strongest case of any Bengal to make it into Canton one day. Considered one of the game’s best receivers since he came into the league, Chase has had stellar production through five seasons—highlighted by winning the triple crown in 2024. The Hall’s receiver logjam does make it tough for anyone at the position to earn entry into Canton, so Chase will need to consistently remain one of the best receivers in the game in the years to come for a real shot. Outside of Chase, Joe Burrow is undoubtedly a Hall of Fame–caliber quarterback. However, he needs to stay healthy and advance to the postseason more to become a realistic contender for the Hall one day. Cleveland BrownsA two-time Defensive Player of the Year, five-time first-team All-Pro and the official single-season sack record holder, Myles Garrett is a no-brainer Hall of Famer. Dallas CowboysThe Cowboys have some exceptionally talented players, including offensive stars such as CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens and Dak Prescott, but no one on a clear Hall of Fame track to this point. Denver BroncosOf players on the Broncos, Patrick Surtain II is closest to the Hall of Fame track. The 2024 Defensive Player of the Year is already a two-time first-team All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler. If he can continue this level of play for several more years, he’ll have a case for Canton in the future. Detroit LionsThe Lions’ best players are still too young to land on the Hall of Fame radar at this point. Tackle Penei Sewell could emerge as a candidate for Canton one day at his current trajectory. He is already a three-time first-team All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler through five seasons. Green Bay PackersAlready a three-time first-team All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler, Micah Parsons has the best odds of landing in Canton among current Packers. He is widely regarded as one of the best defensive players in the game, and is sure to pick up more accolades and awards over the remainder of his career. Houston TexansIt’s only been three seasons, but Will Anderson Jr. already appears to have the makings of a future Defensive Player of the Year and perhaps a Hall of Famer, too. Anderson is a leader of the league’s best defense, and if the Texans continue tormenting offenses in the seasons to come, it will only help Anderson’s case one day. Indianapolis ColtsA three-time first-team All-Pro and three-time second team All-Pro, Quenton Nelson has the best résumé of any player on the Colts. Even so, he likely needs a few more All-Pro honors to solidify a spot one day in Canton. Jacksonville JaguarsThe Jaguars have a really good team with some really good players, but no clear Hall of Famers to this point. Perhaps if Cam Little keeps re-setting the record for the longest field or Travis Hunter fulfills his two-way potential (though the team has said he will focus more on defense next season), this iteration of the Jaguars will see one of their players land in Canton some day. Kansas City ChiefsThe Hall of Fame might as well already get started working on busts for Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Chris Jones and head coach Andy Reid. On top of their stellar individual careers, the Chiefs’ quartet has been the engine of their dynasty, bringing three Lombardi trophies back to Kansas City over the past six years. Las Vegas RaidersThe Raiders’ best player is Maxx Crosby, who remains in Las Vegas after the Ravens’ decision to call off the trade. Crosby doesn’t quite have Hall of Fame credentials at this point, with five Pro Bowls and two second-team All-Pros, but he remains one of the best edge rushers in the game. Los Angeles ChargersOn the Chargers, Khalil Mack easily has the best shot at the Hall of Fame. Mack is at the tail end of his career, but the former Defensive Player of the Year and nine-time Pro Bowler has been one of the league’s top defensive players since entering the league in 2014. Los Angeles RamsAfter winning his first MVP award and earning first-team All-Pro honors, Matthew Stafford has just about secured a spot in Canton one day. Stafford has already won a Super Bowl with the Rams, but will go after another title in 2026—which would put his Hall of Fame credentials over the top. Miami DolphinsWith the Dolphins in the middle of a rebuild that has seen them part ways with many of their big-name stars, they do not have any players on a Hall of Fame track. Minnesota VikingsJustin Jefferson is currently on track to make the Hall of Fame one day. He has started his career by recording six 1,000-yard seasons and is the fastest player to reach 8,000 career receiving yards. He has two first-team All-Pro selections and won Offensive Player of the Year in 2022. New England PatriotsPerhaps Drake Maye or Christian Gonzalez could develop into Hall of Famers, but for now, there are no players on the Patriots clearly bound for Canton. New Orleans SaintsThe Saints don’t have any players on the roster ready for Canton at this point. Cameron Jordan, who remains a free agent, has the best résumé of any recent Saint. Still, the eight-time Pro Bowler is likely on the outside looking in when it comes to the Hall of Fame conversation. New York GiantsThe Giants have some promising young stars in Malik Nabers, Jaxson Dart and Abdul Carter, but no one on the Hall of Fame radar yet. New York JetsLike their New York counterparts, the Jets have a couple of young stars in Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson, but lack any surefire future Hall of Famers at this point. Perhaps the Jets can find the franchise’s next Hall of Famer with the No. 2 pick in the draft next month. Philadelphia EaglesLeft tackle Lane Johnson is the most likely Hall of Fame candidate on the Eagles. Running back Saquon Barkley and receiver A.J. Brown are both talented enough to make it into Canton one day, but likely need a few more seasons of high-level play before they become locks to receive gold jackets. Pittsburgh SteelersIf Aaron Rodgers returns to the Steelers, he instantly becomes their most obvious future Hall of Famer. Outside linebacker and 2021 Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt is also likely heading to Canton once he calls it a career. Watt has led the NFL in sacks three times, including a career-high of 22.5 in 2021, which tied Michael Strahan’s then record. San Francisco 49ersThe 49ers have a litany of players who could be bound for Canton once they call it a career. Trent Williams, George Kittle, Fred Warner and Christian McCaffrey all have strong cases to make it into the Hall, especially if they win a Super Bowl with the 49ers before retiring. Newly signed wide receiver Mike Evans is also a lock for the Hall of Fame following 12 storied seasons with the Buccaneers and 11 consecutive years with 1,000 receiving yards. Seattle SeahawksThough the Seahawks just won the Super Bowl, they do not have any clear-cut Hall of Famers. Seattle does have a pair of players with potential in wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and corner Devon Witherspoon, who have emerged among the best players at their respective positions. Tampa Bay BuccaneersWith Mike Evans departing for the 49ers and Lavonte David retiring, the Buccaneers lost their two longest-tenured players and likely Hall of Famers. Of players currently on the Bucs, left tackle Tristan Wirfs seems to have the best chance at emerging as a Hall of Famer one day. Wirfs is already a Super Bowl champion, two-time first-team All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler through six seasons. Tennessee TitansThe Titans have some quality players—notably including defensive captain and All-Pro Jeffery Simmons—but no one capturing the Hall of Fame’s attention yet. Washington CommandersThere are no clear Hall of Famers currently on the Commanders, but middle linebacker Bobby Wagner, who spent the past two seasons in D.C., is expected to make it to Canton once he retires. Wagner is currently a free agent. It is a minor quibble, but, after noting the logjam of wide receivers who have not made the Hall of Fame yet, the DB would not consider MIKE EVANS to be a “lock” for enshrinement. “Likely” – yes, “lock” no – or at least he might have to wait awhile. |
| 2026 DRAFTBucky Brooks of NFL.com has a list of 10 players in the draft (one at each position) about whom there is wide range of thought among evaluators: With less than a month remaining before the 2026 NFL Draft, groupthink is beginning to take hold in the evaluation process. That said, there are still a select group of prospects who provoke wide-ranging thoughts. Let’s call them the wild cards. Here is one at each major position. NOTE: NFL Network and NFL+ will have live coverage of the 2026 NFL Draft on April 23-25. OFFENSE QBTy SimpsonAlabama · Junior (RS)If NFL quarterback coaches wanted to show young passers video footage of flawless footwork and mechanics at the position, they’d circulate Simpson’s early-season work from last fall around the youth football world. The Alabama quarterback looked like a coach’s dream during this period, as a pinpoint, touch passer with outstanding instincts, awareness and diagnostic skills. Simpson made countless layered throws over second-level defenders, successfully attacking the sweet spots of coverage. While those flashes from his sole season as the Crimson Tide’s starter are compelling — as is the QB’s pedigree, being the son of a longtime college football head coach — Simpson’s lack of experience (15 total college starts) and late-season slump have spawned concern. Factor in the kind of substandard physical dimensions (6-foot-1 1/8, 211 pounds) that induce durability worries, and this is a draft profile that invites polarization. Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza is essentially a lock to go No. 1 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders. But Simpson, widely considered this draft’s QB2, has a broad draft range. He might be a first-round pick, though it wouldn’t be shocking to see him fall into the draft’s second day. RBMike Washington Jr.Arkansas · SeniorIt is difficult to find big, fast and physical rushers with RB1 potential in this class. Washington teases evaluators with a rare combination of size (6-1, 223 pounds) and speed (4.33 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine), but his production does not match the enticing physical tools. Despite posting a 1,000-yard season as a senior, Washington produced few signature moments as a lead runner during his five-year college career (only eight 100-yard efforts in 51 games at Buffalo, New Mexico State and Arkansas), raising questions about his ability to develop into more than a rotational player at the pro level. Though some would point to the success at his final stop as part of an upward trend, it’s hard to affix a big grade on an explosive prospect with modest production as a lead back. WRChris Brazzell IITennessee · Junior (RS)Teams looking for a field stretcher with the size and length to expand the quarterback’s strike zone are likely smitten with Brazzell’s talent and potential. The 6-4, 198-pound pass catcher is a blur on the perimeter, with 4.37 speed and a highlight reel of big plays. With a 1,017 yards and nine touchdowns during his final season at Tennessee, the slender wideout is viewed as a big-play specialist. However, his inconsistent effort, subpar play strength and highly limited route-running experience in the Vols’ Veer-and-Shoot offense make it hard to project him as more than a vertical threat at the next level. TEEli StowersVanderbilt · SeniorAfter garnering significant buzz for his stellar performance at the combine, Stowers is one of the most polarizing prospects in the class due to the lack of clarity regarding his role as a pro. Checking in at a hair under 6-4 and 239 pounds with an extensive quarterbacking background, the pass-catching tight end is viewed as a jumbo slot receiver in many scouting circles. Stowers not only creates mismatches on the perimeter with his superior length and leaping ability, but he possesses exceptional ball skills. While his record-breaking 45.5-inch vertical leap could make him an unstoppable red-zone weapon, questions about his blocking skills and overall play strength limit the projection. No one sees a traditional “Y” tight end here. With defensive coordinators likely viewing him as a supersized wide receiver, teams considering Stowers must weigh the pros and cons of taking on a specialized prospect. OLMonroe FreelingGeorgia · JuniorThere is no disputing Freeling’s athleticism and upside as a true left tackle prospect. The Georgia product possesses all of the traits scouts covet in a potential blind-side protector. From his nimble feet and boxer-like movement skills to his active hands and accurate punches, Freeling capably shadowboxes pass rushers on the edges. While he occasionally struggles with power, the ultra-athletic edge blocker flashes foundational skills to grow into a Pro Bowl player. Despite the optimism surrounding his game, though, the lack of experience (only 18 college starts) and unrefined technique make him more of a developmental prospect than his draft projection suggests. Some have him as the top LT prospect in this class, but given the wait-and-see feel to his overall game, Freeling is arguably the biggest wild card in the 2026 draft. DEFENSE DTCaleb BanksFlorida · SeniorThe 6-6 1/4, 327-pound freak athlete is a prototypical 3-technique with explosive traits and disruptive ability at the point of the attack. Banks flashes All-Pro potential with heavy hands and a violent game, but his injury history leads to concerns about his durability. The Florida standout looked like a top-10 prospect in 2024, with his relentless game-wrecking forcing opponents to alter their offensive plans. But a foot injury limited him to just three games last year, and then he reportedly suffered a broken foot at the combine, apparently sidelining him until June. Banks is a staggering physical specimen — SEE: 35-inch arm length and 10 7/8-inch hand size — but the health woes make him a risky proposition as a potential first-round pick. EDGEMalachi LawrenceUCF · SeniorOne of the breakout stars of the combine, Lawrence has piqued the interest of scouts looking for a dynamic edge defender with pass-rush skills. The 6-4 3/8, 253-pounder has a highlight reel of splash plays that make his impressive athletic testing (4.52 40-yard dash, 40-inch vertical leap, 10-foot-10 broad jump) come to life. As an elite “HWS” (height/weight/speed) prospect with 20 career sacks, the UCF product is an intriguing player worthy of consideration as a Day 2 pick. While skeptics wonder why the blue-chip athlete never posted a double-digit sack campaign in college, the debate in draft rooms revolves around Lawrence’s potential role in the rotation as a lead rusher or complementary playmaker. LBHarold Perkins Jr.LSU · Junior (RS)The LSU product is one of the biggest boom-or-bust prospects as a superior athlete whose college career kind of went sideways. Despite commanding national attention after an impressive start to his Tigers tenure, which saw him record 13 sacks over his first two years on campus, the jury is still out on whether Perkins can get back to that level following an ACL injury in 2024. Not to mention, he’s undersized for the NFL at 6-0 7/8 and 223 pounds. However, the big-play splashes from his final college season (four sacks, three INTs and a forced fumble) and an eye-popping performance at his pro day — reportedly clocking a 4.40 40 — have scouts re-thinking their final grades on the former five-star recruit. CBChris JohnsonSan Diego State · SeniorThe talented technician looks like a plug-and-play starter on the perimeter with a polished game and competitive spirit that should allow him to shine on the island. The cornerback’s versatility makes him a scheme-friendly fit for any defense, as he can seamlessly transition from man coverage to zone and use a variety of techniques to get the job done. Although the San Diego State standout seemingly lacked elite speed on tape, the 6-0 3/8, 193-pounder appeared to answer those concerns with a 4.40 40 in Indianapolis. With Johnson creeping up the charts as a CB1 prospect, evaluators must determine whether to trust the stopwatch or the tape when finalizing their grades on the long, rangy cover corner. SKyle LouisPittsburgh · Junior (RS)Scouts love Louis’ game but worry about his best position at the next level. Although he thrived as a linebacker during his time at Pittsburgh, the undersized playmaker (5-11 7/8, 220 pounds) might be better served making a position switch due to durability concerns as a tackle-to-tackle defender. While his production and impact could make him a dynamic defender as a hybrid safety in a defense that extensively features sub-personnel, the challenge of defending slot receivers and tight ends in space could be a hang-up for evaluators. With so much projection around his draft profile, Louis is a wild card despite his penchant for playmaking, with 24 TFLs, six INTs and 10 sacks over the last two seasons. – – -Ted Ngyuen of The Athletic makes the case for QB GARRETT NUSSMEIER as QB 2B in the draft class: The consensus seems to be that there is a massive drop-off in this year’s NFL Draft after Fernando Mendoza and Ty Simpson, but just a year ago, LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier was projected as a first-rounder. However, Nussmeier suffered a significant abdominal injury while training before the season, which severely affected his ability to throw the ball. The result was a nightmare season that ended with him getting benched. This season, Simpson had a lower-back injury and an abdominal strain. If we are to believe that injuries caused Simpson’s play to drop off after eight games, then shouldn’t we give him the benefit of the doubt? For me, as a prospect, Nussmeier is closer to Simpson than Simpson is to Mendoza. Aside from injuries muddying up the evaluation for both players, they are around the same size (Nussmeier is 6-feet-2, 203 pounds; Simpson is 6-feet-1, 211 pounds), which is below the threshold you want for NFL quarterbacks. At their best, both have high-level reps executing pro-style concepts and completing difficult throws into the middle of the field. Both have the athleticism to escape from muddy pockets but can be affected by pressure. And both have shown excellent ball-placement skills, but also have some bad misses on the tape. Both are sons of coaches and their strong fundamentals reflect that. Though Simpson gets the nod in my overall rankings, their profiles share many similarities. I already published my Simpson scouting report, so let’s dig into Nussmeier’s tape. Where Nussmeier differs from Simpson is that he’s more of a gunslinger. Both make throws to the middle of the field into tight windows on progression reads, but Nussmeier is more willing to chuck the ball deep and give his receivers a chance. There is proof of concept of his ability to execute pro concepts, getting through his reads and making accurate throws into tight windows in the middle of the field.– – –Nussmeier has an excellent understanding of the pressure plan (how to handle blitzes). He often knew when he was protected against the blitz and could get through his progressions normally, or when he had to throw hot. In the last two seasons, against the blitz, he had a 0.22 EPA per dropback (elite) and threw for 17 touchdowns to four interceptions.– – –Nussmeier didn’t look as mobile this season, and at his best, he isn’t as athletic as Simpson. However, he still has the mobility to get away from pass rushers and throws accurately on the run. There are times when he can get antsy and bail from pockets rather than try to manipulate the pocket with smaller movements. He doesn’t need a lot of space to throw because he’s a rotation thrower and can throw off-platform. Nussmeier’s evaluation with teams will fluctuate depending on how much they are willing to excuse 2025, given that he looked like a totally different quarterback in 2024. He had some ugly moments last season, but it looked like his core injury zapped his arm strength and ability to throw deep, which likely caused a chain reaction that led to some bad decisions. Nussmeier does have a full season in which he looked like he could be a capable starting NFL quarterback, while Simpson only had a strong eight games. Nussmeier has a stronger arm and more of a gunslinger mentality, while Simpson is more athletic and has shown really high-level processing ability and footwork. I have both players graded similarly, and Simpson gets the nod, but a team may be able to get Nussmeier in the third round or later, while there is buzz that Simpson could go in the first round. |
