| Gunnar Rivers is going to North Carolina State. Eli Lederman of ESPN.com: Four-star quarterback Gunner Rivers, son of NC State legend and eight-time NFL Pro Bowler Philip Rivers, has committed to the Wolfpack, he announced Monday on social media. Rivers is ESPN’s No. 11-ranked pocket passer and No. 142 overall prospect in the 2027 cycle. A 6-foot-3, 200-pound junior at Alabama’s St. Michael Catholic High School, he committed to his father’s alma mater over reported offers from Auburn, Boston College, Miami and South Carolina. |
| NFC NORTH |
| CHICAGOThe Bears let Ian Cunningham go from their front office for a promotion to GM with the Falcons. But they won’t get the two 3rd round picks the Chiefs received when Ryan Poles was hired as GM by the Bears. Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com: The NFL’s Rooney Rule calls for teams that develop minority executives or coaches to receive a pair of third-round picks when they move on to other clubs as General Managers and head coaches, but the Bears are currently not expected to receive those compensatory selections after Ian Cunningham left the team to become the GM in Atlanta. According to the NFL, the Bears are not getting those picks because president of football Matt Ryan is the top football executive in Atlanta. Ryan said earlier this month that Cunningham is the one “driving the ship” and Cunningham said at a Scouting Combine press conference on Tuesday that the Bears should be getting picks based on his understanding of the rule. “I haven’t had much time to really dive into the wording of it,” Cunningham said. “It was always my interpretation that if a general manager gets hired, that team would receive two third-round picks. I’m the General Manager. I was hired. I would think that they would get two third-round picks. I don’t know the wording of it. That’s just my perspective. I wouldn’t be sitting here if it weren’t for them giving me that job and helping me grow to get this job right now.” Bears GM Ryan Poles called it “a little odd” that the Chiefs got picks when he was hired in Chicago and called the entire rule “strange,” but that it is also “very clear” that the Bears should be receiving those picks in the current situation. |
| DETROITThe NFL player most fluent in German will be playing in Munich this fall. Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com: The Detroit Lions will play a 2026 regular-season game in Munich, Germany, for the first time in the organization’s history. The game will be held at the FC Bayern Munich Stadium and will mark the team’s first international contest in over a decade. However, the Lions’ opponent, game date and kickoff time won’t be announced until the entire NFL schedule is revealed in the spring. “We are thrilled to be playing internationally and specifically in Munich for the 2026 season,” Lions president and CEO Rod Wood said in a statement. “As an organization, we have invested greatly in the German market and are excited to play in front of our passionate German fans.” Detroit’s last international game was Nov. 1, 2015, against the Kansas City Chiefs as the away team at London’s Wembley Stadium. Prior to that, the Lions were the home team at Wembley Stadium on Oct. 26, 2014, in a victory over the Atlanta Falcons. Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown’s mother, Miriam, hails from Cologne, and he has been itching to return to Germany, where he frequently visited as a child. St. Brown and the Lions have recently hosted football camps across the country and have built a fan base there with marketing rights in the DACH region, which represents Germany, Austria and Switzerland, to expand their global reach. “It has been a dream of mine to play a game in my mother’s home country of Germany since coming to the league,” St. Brown said. “I cannot wait to play in front of the incredible fans that I’ve gotten to know through my visits and football camps in the country. Their support for me and the country’s instant connection to the Lions brand is inspiring, and I’m looking forward to our team getting to showcase Detroit football on an international scale.” |
| NFC EAST |
| DALLASNew DC Christian Parker, just 34, seems a little bit outside the Cowboys usual hiring wheelhouse. Jon Machota of The Athletic on his path to Frisco: The Dallas Cowboys conducted 40 interviews to fill out their new defensive coaching staff. Nine of those interviews were for the most important position — defensive coordinator. Former Philadelphia Eagles defensive passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach Christian Parker was the most impressive throughout the process. The 34-year-old was officially introduced during a Wednesday news conference at The Star alongside Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer. “Every impression we had with CP just left us wanting more,” Schottenheimer said. “The conviction that he has, but curious, his calm demeanor, just the way he carries himself, is awesome. The process was thorough. It was long. … We got into the weeds. Every time we spent time with CP, it became very clear that he was the guy for the job. “He’s wise beyond his years. … Every time we talked, we’d get off a call or get off a zoom or get (done) with an interview, and I’d just be like, ‘Damn, I want more of that.’” Parker said the defense will be multiple with a 3-4 base alignment with 4-2-5 looks in their nickel packages. “Confidence comes from preparation, and I think I’ve been able to learn from the right people,” Parker said. “When you’ve been involved with different people along my journey that I’ve learned under as head coaches and defensive coordinators, No. 1, and then the diversity of scheme that I’ve been involved with, you then become accustomed to what you’re comfortable with and your own ideas, you like certain things, you don’t like certain things, what will work, what won’t work. “I think as you get involved with different people, you kind of form your own identity, so when you have that opportunity, you know what you want to do. And I’ve kind of gone through that process internally for a great deal of my career. I’ve prepared as much as I possibly can at this moment.” Before joining the Eagles staff, Parker was the Denver Broncos’ defensive backs coach from 2021 through 2023. He was a defensive quality-control coach with the Green Bay Packers in 2019 and 2020. He is now Dallas’ fourth defensive coordinator in the last four years, taking over a defense that was arguably the worst in franchise history. “I think you build (the defense) around the players,” Parker said. “Of course, you want to have your core principles and foundational beliefs, but as you kind of move forward in the process, what do your guys do well? How can you put players in highlighted positions, create one-on-ones for certain guys? How can you protect certain guys? If we can win on blitzing a running back, then we’re going to blitz a lot. If we got good man-to-man corners, we’re going to play man. If we’re better than zone vision, we’ll play more zone. “You want to build a package that has diversity in scheme, and you want to tailor it to the players you have. Of course, you have schematic fits, but I think the really good players are the ones you can’t peg them into a certain scheme, and that’s the only way they can play football. You want to have guys that whatever scheme they are in, they can be significant contributors, and then you want to highlight it around those strengths.” |
| NFC SOUTH |
| ATLANTAWe can put to rest the idea that QB KIRK COUSINS would remain a Falcon in 2026. Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com: New Atlanta Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham informed Kirk Cousins recently that the team would release him on the first day of the league year, Cunningham said Tuesday morning on 92.9 The Game. Cunningham said in the radio interview that he spoke with Cousins and his agent, Mike McCartney, about the decision, which does not come as a big surprise considering Cousins’ contract restructure several months ago. The first day of the league year is March 11. Cunningham was asked whether there was a window where the Falcons could bring back Cousins at a lower salary point. He said there was not. “We won’t re-sign Kirk,” Cunningham said in a scrum with local media Tuesday at the combine. In early January, ESPN’s Field Yates reported that the previous Falcons regime restructured Cousins’ contract, guaranteeing $67.9 million for 2027, a figure that would have vested March 13. That wrinkle made Cousins being cut likely. The restructure reduced Cousins’ 2026 base salary from a nonguaranteed $35 million to $2.1 million. The deal didn’t impact any of Cousins’ guaranteed money, just split the existing agreed-upon dollars. If the Falcons release Cousins next month with a June 1 designation, they would save $2.1 million in salary cap. The dead money would be $22.5 million in 2026 and $12.5 million in 2027, per Spotrac. Cousins, 37, had an up-and-down two years in Atlanta. The Falcons drafted quarterback Michael Penix Jr. just six weeks after signing him, which took Cousins by surprise. Cousins, coming off a torn Achilles in 2023, led the Falcons to a 6-3 start in 2024 before an arm injury hampered his performance. He went on a stretch of five games with nine interceptions. The Falcons benched Cousins in Week 16, committing to Penix as the quarterback of the present and future. Cousins, a 14-year veteran, returned healthy in 2025, but the Falcons had already made up their minds that Penix was their quarterback. There was no competition in training camp. But then Penix tore his left ACL in Week 11, and Cousins started the rest of the way, including a four-game winning streak to close the season. The Falcons’ record in Cousins’ starts was 5-3, and their record in Penix’s starts was 3-6. In 2025, Cousins completed 61.7% of his passes for 1,721 yards with 10 touchdowns and five interceptions. His 47.6 QBR tied him at 22nd in the league with Bryce Young. This from Warren Sharp: @SharpFootballMost NFL Career Earnings: $403M – Matthew Stafford – 1x SB Champ, 7 playoff wins$395M – Aaron Rodgers – 1x SB Champ, 11 playoff wins$333M – Tom Brady – 7x SB Champ, 35 playoff wins$322M – Kirk Cousins – 1 playoff win |
| NFC WEST |
| LOS ANGELES RAMSNathan “Nate” Scheelhaase steps front and center in the Rams new offensive hierarchy. Nate Atkins and Jeff Howe of The Athletic: The Los Angeles Rams are promoting Nathan Scheelhaase from pass game coordinator to offensive coordinator. He will replace Mike LaFleur, who left to become the Arizona Cardinals’ head coach. Dave Ragone, the Rams’ quarterbacks coach in 2024 and 2025, will now add co-offensive coordinator to his title. The Rams also added former Washington Commanders offensive coordinator and Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury as an assistant head coach on Feb. 6. At 35, Scheelhaase is considered one of the league’s rising young stars. He interviewed multiple times with the Cleveland Browns for their head-coaching opening. He could be a top candidate in next year’s cycle, provided his stint as offensive coordinator goes according to plan. Rams coach Sean McVay sought out Scheelhaase when he was the offensive coordinator at Iowa State in 2023. Back then, Scheelhaase was just a decade removed from starring at quarterback at the University of Illinois and was coaching under Matt Campbell, who recently took the Penn State job. McVay offered Scheelhaase a step back in responsibilities for his first opportunity to work in the NFL. Scheelhaase took it and slid in as an offensive assistant and passing game specialist. He assisted McVay and LaFleur with several behind-the-scenes tasks, including scripting plays and preparing weekly game plans. Last season, after a promotion to passing game coordinator, Scheelhaase saw some of his work pay off. Matthew Stafford became the NFL MVP for the first time in his 17-year career when he led the league with 4,707 passing yards and 46 touchdowns. Additionally, Davante Adams led the NFL with 14 receiving touchdowns, and Puka Nacua led the league with 129 receptions. “His ability to communicate what our job is on Wednesday through Sunday is something that I’d say has been a blessing in our room,” Nacua said of Scheelhaase. “His ability to understand how we operate, but then also to be on the same page as the quarterbacks, be on the same page when the groupings have changed from 13 personnel to 11. “He’s done a great job every step of the way of making sure everybody is on the same page.” The Rams’ season ended with a 31-27 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game, but the passing game delivered its best performance of the season. Against a Seahawks defense that ranked in the top five of nearly every statistical category, Stafford became the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for at least 350 yards with three touchdowns and no turnovers in a playoff loss. Now, Scheelhaase will help lead offensive meetings with McVay and take on a bigger role in game planning for the run game in addition to the passing attack. Scheelhaase is now in a role that has produced NFL head coaches, including Matt LaFleur, Kevin O’Connell, Zac Taylor, Liam Coen and Mike LaFleur. The Rams will look to replicate as much of last year’s offensive success as possible. They are set to return every starter from last season’s group and could add to it with two first-round picks in the upcoming NFL Draft. Scheelhaase is one of two new coordinator additions this spring, as the Rams also hired former Cleveland Browns and Indianapolis Colts special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone for the same role. That’s crazy. Sean McVay has been head coach of the Rams for nine years – and produced five head coaches from his OC position. Five coaches who still have their jobs! |
| SAN FRANCISCOGM John Lynch spins positivity about a new deal for T TRENT WILLIAMS after Adam Schefter offers a less rosy report. 49ers General Manager John Lynch addressed where things stand with left tackle Trent Williams shortly after a Tuesday report that the team is struggling to come to an agreement on a new deal with the veteran. Williams is set to have a cap number of $38.841 million in the final year of his deal and the 49ers would like to redo his contract in order to make that number easier to swallow. Per the report from Adam Schefter of ESPN, Williams could be released if the standoff over the contract cannot be resolved. Lynch provided a rosier outlook on where things currently stand. He said that there have been “really good, productive, and substantive meetings” with Williams and his agent about the contract and expressed optimism that a solution to keeping Williams on the team will be found. “Here’s what I know: Trent loves being a Niner,” Lynch said, via 49ersWebzone.com. “We love having Trent as a Niner. And it’s up to us to figure that out, and to thread that needle. There’s some unique circumstances in that we all know what Trent is as a player, how great of a player he’s been. He’s gonna be 38 years old, and so, there’s some things that go into that, but I think we’re all on the same page, and I feel very positive about where that’s going.” Lynch’s positivity about where things are headed was not joined by any word about how far things might be from the finish line and they’ll need to make their way to that point fairly quickly to ensure that Williams remains on the team for another season. |
| AFC WEST |
| DENVERInterersting. Coach Sean Payton has turned over the play-calling reins to OC Davis Webb. Charean Williams of ESPN.com: The Broncos fired offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi to keep Davis Webb. Not only is Webb now the Broncos’ offensive coordinator, he is also the team’s new play caller. For the first time in Sean Payton’s head coaching career, he will not serve as the team’s full-time play caller. “It was something that I kind of knew during the year,” Payton said Tuesday. “He and I visited on a handful of occasions. He’s extremely talented. With regards to play calling, it’s something that I think he’ll be really good at it. I know that’s like, ‘Man, are you going to give up play calling?’ I would only do that if I thought it would help our team. I’ll still be involved with what we do offensively, just like what we do defensively, but I do think he has a gift. I think he’s real sharp. I’m glad he’s on our staff. Typically, any decision we make like that is to benefit our team. I’m looking forward to it. . . . I think it’ll help us, and certainly I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t think it was going to help our team win. You get to a point where you’re focused strictly on improving your team any way you can.” Bills General Manager Brandon Beane actually broke the news about Webb earlier in the day at Beane’s media availability at the Scouting Combine. Webb spent four seasons as a backup quarterback in Buffalo and interviewed for the Bills’ head coaching job last month. Webb, 31, called plays in a preseason game last summer, drawing praise from Payton after the game. Quarterback Bo Nix was not consulted before Payton made his decision. “A lot of it is, the minute the season ends, you have a number of coaches interviewing for other jobs. You have coaches you definitely want to retain,” Payton said. “And it’s never going to be quite on your timeline. It’s great to see Declan [Doyle] advancing. But it wasn’t on my timeline. In other words, it just happens faster. “I remember there was a point during the year where he and I visited and it was relative to the position he has, but also more than just having the position, being someone who would have more input and would be able to call plays. It’s still going to be our offense, but I think it’s easier to do as you get older, and you look at, ‘How do we win more games?’” Payton did not call plays for the first time as a head coach in 2012 with the Saints. Pete Carmichael called them while Payton was serving his suspension. Carmichael called them again at the beginning of the 2016 season, in a 2021 game against the Colts after Payton broke his leg and in a 2021 game against the Bucs when Payton had COVID. But Payton has never relinquished them full-time until now, though he said he will “still call some plays during the game.” “I think he’s sharp,” Payton said of Davis. “I think he’s been around it. He’s a coach’s kid. He played quarterback, and then in the preseason, he was really good. “I want to do everything I can support to him, so we’re not going to sit and grade his play calling each week. At least, hopefully we’re not. It’s more about the team.” More from Jordan Dajani of CBSSports.com: In 2025, Denver’s offense ranked 14th in scoring (23.6 points per game) and 10th in total offense (342.6 yards per game), while second-year signal-caller Bo Nix completed 63.4% of his passes for 3,931 yards, 25 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. At face value, those numbers are pretty solid, but there was a reason why Denver fired offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi last month. The Broncos made a habit of putting pressure on themselves with slow starts. In fact, Denver registered 12 comeback wins this past season — an NFL record. It was evident all year. The Broncos played with their food in the season opener against the lowly Tennessee Titans in a 20-12 victory, and then lost their next two games. In Week 5, the Broncos had to score 18 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to defeat the Philadelphia Eagles, 21-17. Two weeks later, the Broncos came back from down 19-0 in the fourth quarter to defeat the New York Giants, 33-32. According to CBS Sports Research, those 33 points were the most scored in a game in NFL history by a team that was being shut out entering the fourth quarter. Broncos fans were left wondering why their offense waited until the final 15 minutes to start playing. Payton struggled to get Nix and his offense into a rhythm. It’s easy to criticize the quarterback whenever the offense can’t stay on the field, but some of Payton’s third-down play calls were questionable, including in critical situations. Look no further than Denver’s controversial decision to go for it on fourth-and-1 in the first half of the AFC Championship game instead of kicking a chip-shot field goal in an eventual three-point loss. Payton called a bootleg or play-action pass that was doomed from the start. He said afterwards that he regretted the play call more than the decision to go for it. The other facet of this decision is the promotion of Webb, who clearly has already earned the trust of Payton and Nix. Who is Davis Webb?The 31-year-old Webb spent the past three years as the Broncos’ quarterbacks coach. He served as the team’s pass game coordinator in 2025 as well. A former NFL quarterback himself, Webb was selected in the third round in 2017 by the Giants. However, he played in just two NFL games before turning his attention to coaching. Webb has experienced a meteoric rise in the coaching world. He received head-coaching interest from the Las Vegas Raiders, Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens this offseason. Webb could have found a job as an offensive coordinator for another team, but the Broncos promoted him following Lombardi’s firing and are now giving him play-calling duties. Longtime NFL backup quarterback Chase Daniel, who played for Payton in 2017 with the New Orleans Saints, had high praise for Webb. “I can’t fathom Sean Payton ever giving up play calling knowing how he operates,” Daniel wrote. “And that should tell you everything you need to know about Davis Webb.” |
| AFC NORTH |
| PITTSBURGH“All options are on the table” continues to be the state of the Steelers at quarterback, but the return of QB AARON RODGERS for 2026 sounds like it is definitely in play. Mike De Fabo of The Athletic: All options are on the table. For the third consecutive year at the NFL Scouting Combine, that was Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan’s answer — or at least part of it — when asked in the 10th different way about his uncertain quarterback situation. What does it really mean? As recent visits to Indianapolis have taught us, Khan’s interview sessions are often like a game of Two Truths and a Lie. Two years ago, Khan said that he had “full faith” in Kenny Pickett — less than three weeks later, he traded Pickett and completely remodeled the QB room by signing Russell Wilson and trading for Justin Fields. Last offseason, Khan said “ideally we’d like to keep one of the guys we had with us last year.” Then, he let both walk and waited months for Aaron Rodgers to sign. Before we try to separate fact from fiction this time around, let’s start with the full quote and context. I asked Khan if Rodgers is the only free-agent quarterback the team is considering, or if they’ll evaluate other options. “I’d say all options are on the table,” Khan said. “I’ll say this, you know, we’d certainly welcome Aaron back. It was a really good experience with him. Really enjoyed getting to know him. He was really great to have around. But the reality is, we’re all searching for that next guy — the next 10-to-15-year guy — and so, you know, I guess right now, all options are on the table. It’s still early. This is just going to be fluid.” That quote is like the NFL combine version of The Rubin vase — the image some people see as a vase, while other people see as two people staring at each other. In this case, some see Rodgers leading the Steelers out of the tunnel; others see Malik Willis or Will Howard. While it can be a dangerous game trying to decipher Khan’s words, my sense is the Rodgers part was the most noteworthy — particularly in the greater context of Khan’s full availability, comments from other members of the organization and the underwhelming alternatives. Khan opened his press conference by bringing up Rodgers, unprompted, before a reporter had a chance to ask a question. While the Steelers haven’t given Rodgers an official deadline, Khan said he spoke with the QB as recently as last week. While the Steelers were willing to remain patient through a long, drawn-out courtship that took until June last offseason, Khan added, “I don’t foresee this going like it did last year.” One would think that Khan has a strong sense of where this is headed if he were willing to make that statement. It’s also worth noting how often the Steelers have expressed their desire for Rodgers to return. Art Rooney II said he’s left the “door open,” and new head coach Mike McCarthy took it a step further by saying he “definitely” would embrace a reunion with his old Packers QB. In a variety of ways, Khan heaped praise upon Rodgers and said much of the same. “He knows how we feel,” Khan said. “I think we know how he feels about us. It was a good experience for both sides. … There’s a mutual respect there.” Based on all that, Rodgers appears to be the most likely candidate to hold the QB1 title this year. It sure seems the ball is in the 42-year-old’s court to determine where the Steelers go next. Theoretically, if Rodgers decides not to play in Pittsburgh, it would be important for the Steelers to know ahead of free agency, so they could then consider Willis, Colts QB Daniel Jones (assuming he isn’t franchise tagged), Falcons QB Kirk Cousins, or someone else. Khan somewhat agreed with the assessment that the negotiating window on March 9 and free agency on March 11 are important dates to circle. “I mean, I don’t really want to say it has to be done by then,” Khan said. “We’d like to have an idea, but you know, it just isn’t going to go like it did last year.” As for the part about finding a quarterback for the next 10 to 15 years, that would be great if an obvious candidate were available. Other than throwing a fair amount of money at a Willis lottery ticket, there aren’t a lot of options. Part of the reason the Steelers are in this uncertain state and appear to be leaning toward another season with a veteran Band-Aid is that there is not a clear path to a franchise quarterback. “We may have the guy on the roster (in Howard),” Khan said. “We don’t know.” Khan and McCarthy recently sat down together to watch Howard’s practice tape from last season. Khan made a point to say that McCarthy is high on the 2025 sixth-round pick. This week in Indianapolis, the Steelers will need to begin to determine if one of the incoming quarterbacks is worth adding to the room. A significant part of that conversation hinges upon: How do the Steelers feel about Alabama’s Ty Simpson, the one incoming rookie who realistically could be in their range in the first round? The other main quarterback to consider would be LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier, a likely Day 2 pick. At some point in the draft, could the Steelers decide his upside is worth the investment? |
| AFC SOUTH |
| HOUSTONYou are “moronic” if you think the Texans should entertain trading QB C.J. STROUD. Bobby Kownack of ProFootballTalk.com: C.J. Stroud’s four-interception performance in the Houston Texans’ Divisional Round loss ahead of an offseason in which he’s eligible for a long-term extension instead sent trade rumors swirling. General manager Nick Caserio shut them down as bluntly as one could on Tuesday. “It’s moronic. We’re not trading the guy,” Caserio told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. “He’s our quarterback. He’s gonna be playing quarterback for the Houston Texans in 2026. Anything beyond that, that’s your world. You guys can speculate on that. But we’re not trading C.J. Stroud.” Stroud stormed onto the scene in 2023, winning Offensive Rookie of the Year while leading the league in passing yards per game with 273.9. He hasn’t been as prolific the past two seasons — and Houston’s offense has certainly taken a backseat to the team’s stellar defense — but Stroud has nonetheless quarterbacked the Texans to three straight playoff berths for the first time in franchise history. He completed a career-high 64.5% of his attempts last season while throwing for 3,041 yards, 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions. It wasn’t flashy, but Stroud’s play style complemented DeMeco Ryans’ suffocating defense well. The problems that led to speculation from those on the outside mainly came to a head in the playoffs. After fumbling twice all regular season, Stroud put the ball on the ground an astounding five times (losing two) in Houston’s wild-card win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. He also threw a pick. He then looked even more lost against the New England Patriots the following weekend, tossing the aforementioned four picks and managing a dreadful 28.0 passer rating to render a victory all but impossible. That image will be the lasting one in football fans’ minds until Stroud is again able to take the field. However, Caserio has seen enough during the most successful three-year run in club history to throw his support behind Stroud, much more concerned with how his QB picks himself up than the purported fall his stock took during a snowy loss in Foxborough. “You’re gonna have some good plays, you’re gonna have some bad plays,” Caserio said. “You’re gonna have some good games, you’re gonna have some bad games. OK, how do you bounce back? How do you handle that? I mean, this league is a one-game-at-a-time proposition, and how you handle it, every situation ultimately is going to determine your success and your longevity. … We have a lot of confidence in C.J. and we’ve got a lot of confidence in our players. We’re glad he’s our quarterback.” With the trade door slammed shut, the Texans have plenty of options moving forward with Stroud. They’ll need to decide whether or not to exercise Stroud’s fifth-year option by May 1. Otherwise, 2026 will be the last under his rookie contract. Given Caserio’s point-blank belief in the signal-caller, an extension could also be on the table. Asked about the potential for long-term deals regarding Stroud and the QB’s fellow 2023 first-rounder, Will Anderson Jr., Caserio preferred to keep specifics in house. “We haven’t typically talked publicly about contracts and anybody’s particular situation,” he said. “I would say those two players are really good players. They’ve helped our program win a number of football games. We’ll kind of take it one day at a time and try to piece the team together and try to do ultimately what we feel is best for our team and organization. So, no timetable on anything, but we’ll kind of handle business as business is being done.” |
| INDIANAPOLISWould/should the Colts tag QB DANIEL JONES? Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com: The Colts made a great move at quarterback last year, getting quarterback Daniel Jones on a one-year, $14 million deal. Now, they have a big decision to make. Re-sign Jones, risk letting him become a free agent, or use the franchise tag? The challenge when it comes to using the franchise tag is obvious. It’s not cheap. The projected 2026 franchise tag for the quarterback position is $47.3 million. That’s a massive commitment, especially in light of Jones’s current health. He’s recovering from a torn Achilles tendon, with no guarantee that he’ll be 100 percent when the season starts. On the other hand, they risk losing him to another team that would pay more than whatever the Colts might offer. And the Vikings, in theory, could be lurking. Last year, the Vikings wanted to pair Jones with J.J. McCarthy. Jones believed that coach Kevin O’Connell would work his usual magic with McCarthy, making it unlikely Jones would play. In Indy, Jones received a full and fair chance to win the job from Anthony Richardson — and Jones did. This time around, Jones may believe he has a chance to play in Minnesota. The Vikings developed a high opinion of Jones during their limited time with him in 2024. Their opinion of him was sufficiently high that some believed Jones had a chance to leapfrog Sam Darnold during the playoffs, if the Vikings had managed to win the wild-card game against the Rams. Regardless, Jones remains under contract with the Colts. They have a week to decide whether to tag him. The transition tag is also available. It would cost $40 million for 2026, giving them only the right to match an offer sheet. It all comes down to Jones’s true market. Would someone offer him $40 million per year? But for the Achilles injury, maybe. That said, the Falcons gave Kirk Cousins $45 million per year in 2024, while he was recovering from the same injury. And the market, as Tua Tagovaioa once said, is the market. The Colts need to figure out what the market for Jones may be, before deciding whether to apply the franchise tag. |
| THIS AND THAT |
| 2026 DRAFTMel Kiper, Jr. offers this Mock Draft: You’ll notice some similarities to my January predictions; there hasn’t been a ton of movement on the board quite yet. But I suspect we will have some big risers during combine workouts, and remember that NFL team needs will change quickly during free agency in March, shaking up the first round. I’m not projecting any trades in this mock draft, but four selections have already changed hands: The Rams have the Falcons’ selection, the Jets have the Colts’ selection, the Cowboys have the Packers’ selection and the Browns have the Jaguars’ selection. Here’s my current thinking on how Round 1 could look based on what I’m hearing from execs, scouts and coaches in the league. 1. Las Vegas RaidersFernando Mendoza, QB, IndianaI won’t waste a lot of time here: Mendoza to the Raiders seems pretty obvious at this point. The Geno Smith trade didn’t solve the post-Derek Carr quarterback problem in Las Vegas, and new coach Klint Kubiak will want a signal-caller to build his offense around. Mendoza is the No. 1 prospect on my board and far and away the best QB in the class. He is competitive and precise with his ball location. If the Raiders bring in a receiver or two during free agency and maybe shore up the O-line a bit, this offense could take a step forward with Mendoza, Kubiak, running back Ashton Jeanty and tight end Brock Bowers. 2. New York JetsCaleb Downs, S, Ohio StateThis would be the highest draft slot for a safety since Eric Turner went No. 2 in 1991. Downs is worthy, though. He reads the offense so well, and then he has quickness, physicality and ball skills to make plays against both the run and the pass. He can truly impact a defense’s ceiling from the back end, with six interceptions, 18 tackles for loss and 22 run stops over his three college seasons. The Jets’ defense didn’t have a single INT in 2025 — yes, you read that right — and only the Cowboys gave up more points (29.6 per game). Plus, Andre Cisco is hitting free agency. 3. Arizona CardinalsDavid Bailey, OLB, Texas TechTough call here between Bailey and Ohio State’s Arvell Reese. I have Reese one spot higher on my board, but the Cardinals might opt for the more proven production. Bailey had 14.5 sacks, 23 tackles for loss, 71 pressures and three forced fumbles last season. Simply put, he gets after the QB. That’s what the Cardinals need after managing just 30 sacks last season, tied for the third fewest in the NFL. And yes, the team might need a quarterback this offseason if it moves on from Kyler Murray. But it’s also too early to reach for the draft class’s QB2 when Arizona has other big holes in the roster. I would expect the Cardinals to address their quarterback situation in free agency and turn their attention to defense in Round 1 — despite new coach Mike LaFleur’s offensive background. 4. Tennessee TitansArvell Reese, LB, Ohio StateReese’s instincts and burst are all over the tape. I’m still ranking him as a linebacker at the moment, and he could help Tennessee there. But new coach Robert Saleh might very well move him to the edge, where he played the majority of the time in 2025. Although the Titans’ 42 sacks tied for 12th most last season, 11 of them came from defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons on the interior. The edge is a weakness. Reese could be a high-impact player in this unit no matter where he lines up. 5. New York GiantsSpencer Fano, OT, UtahIn January, I had Ohio State receiver Carnell Tate here. I think that’s still very possible, as New York needs a WR2 opposite Malik Nabers. But it doesn’t matter who Jaxson Dart is throwing to if he doesn’t have enough time to get the ball out. Fano started 36 games over three seasons, and he allowed just four sacks (and only one over the past two years once flipping from left tackle to right tackle). His technique and power are outstanding. If free agent Jermaine Eluemunor doesn’t return, I like Fano sliding into the RT spot in the lineup, helping keep Dart clean and driving defenders out of the way for running back Cam Skattebo. 6. Cleveland BrownsCarnell Tate, WR, Ohio StateLike the Giants, the Browns need offensive line and receiver reinforcements. Unlike the Giants, the Browns have two first-round picks. So, although Miami lineman Francis Mauigoa is tempting here, Cleveland would likely take its pick of the entire WR class and kick the can down the order on the OL. Tate is at the top of the receiver list right now, with great hands and savvy route running. Cleveland wideouts combined for just four touchdowns last season, so after an 875-yard, nine-TD season, Tate could step in as the top option for the Browns. 7. Washington CommandersSonny Styles, LB, Ohio StateThis would be the fourth Ohio State player off the board — the most ever in the first seven picks for one school, per ESPN Research. Styles is getting a lot of love around the league right now, and he’s going to be fun to watch at the combine if he works out. The former safety has real speed on a 6-foot-4, 243-pound frame. With the Commanders’ defense getting crushed for 6.0 yards per play last season (tied for third worst) and potentially losing 35-year-old free agent Bobby Wagner up the middle, this fit makes sense. But also keep an eye on Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. and the receiver class as a whole if the board falls this way. 8. New Orleans SaintsMakai Lemon, WR, USCQuarterback Tyler Shough flashed down the stretch of his rookie season, but now the Saints must help him take the next step in Year 2. I had Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson to New Orleans in my first mock draft, and though I’m sticking with the same position, I’m going with Lemon this time around. He attacks the ball in the air and would be a productive player for Shough after amassing 1,156 yards in 2025. Regardless of whether Chris Olave is in the team’s long-term plans, New Orleans could improve the offense with someone like Lemon running routes out of the slot. 9. Kansas City ChiefsJeremiyah Love, RB, Notre DameLove is No. 2 on my Big Board, showcasing elite-level vision and burst. He can make a house call any time he touches the ball, and with his hands out of the backfield, he can stick on the field on third down. Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt are free agents, and they weren’t exactly lighting up the ground game last season anyway. Love — who had 1,372 rushing yards and 18 rushing TDs in 2025 — could bring a whole new element to the Kansas City offense. 10. Cincinnati BengalsRueben Bain Jr., DE, MiamiIf Bain is still on the board at No. 10, the Bengals should sprint the card in with his name on it. This has been a very rough defense for a few years now, and things could look a lot worse if Trey Hendrickson leaves in free agency. Last year’s Shemar Stewart pick hasn’t yielded immediate returns, either. But Bain has the ability to wreck opponent game plans. He brings power, speed and bend, and he had 9.5 sacks in 2025. Defensive coordinator Al Golden could move him around on the D-line to find matchup advantages and turn him loose in the pass rush. 11. Miami DolphinsFrancis Mauigoa, OT/G, MiamiThe Dolphins’ quarterback situation is unsettled, as they explore trade options for Tua Tagovailoa. But Alabama’s Ty Simpson is still a reach here. So, let’s instead look at the offensive line. Right tackle Austin Jackson — the team’s last first-round pick on the offensive line back in 2020 — has struggled to stay on the field, and fill-in Larry Borom is a free agent. Mauigoa comes with 42 starts of experience and a mauling attitude. Plus, he’d be able to keep his parking pass at Hard Rock Stadium as he comes over from the Hurricanes. If Jackson stays healthy and takes ownership of the RT spot, Mauigoa could easily kick inside to guard. Some scouts think he’s a better fit there, and plenty of attention will be paid to his arm length measurements this week at the combine. 12. Dallas CowboysMansoor Delane, CB, LSUNo team gave up more passing plays of 25 or more yards last season than the Cowboys (46). Trevon Diggs was cut at the end of the season, and DaRon Bland is coming off his second surgery on his left foot in two years. If there weren’t already enough signs for Dallas, the entire cornerback class is still available at No. 12 here. Delane can shut down opposing receivers while also making a bunch of plays on the ball. He broke up 11 passes and pulled down two interceptions last season. 13. Los Angeles Rams (via ATL)Jermod McCoy, CB, TennesseeNo change for the Rams’ first pick from my last mock draft. McCoy didn’t play at all in 2025 after tearing an ACL last January, and the medical checks this week in Indianapolis will be key for him. But there’s no arguing his on-the-ball production. He had four picks and nine pass breakups in 2024. The Rams have the sort of roster that can go to the Super Bowl, and quarterback Matthew Stafford is set to return for another season. But cornerback is a definite weak spot; GM Les Snead has to make that position a priority this offseason. 14. Baltimore RavensJordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona StateThe Ravens should bounce back in 2026, but they will be looking for a true outside receiver with the hands to soak in a bunch of Lamar Jackson targets. Going with Tyson here would allow Zay Flowers to live in the slot — where he is at his best — and lift the whole offense. Tyson caught eight TD passes in 2025, and he excels on contested catches thanks to his 6-foot-2 frame and overall strength. It would be the sixth time that Baltimore took a pass catcher in the first round since 2015, but the team clearly needs more options in the pass game. Rashod Bateman has been inconsistent, and DeAndre Hopkins, Isaiah Likely and Tylan Wallace are all free agents. 15. Tampa Bay BuccaneersCJ Allen, LB, GeorgiaLavonte David had 114 tackles last season, but he can’t play forever. He’s 36 years old and joins fellow linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. in free agency this offseason. Allen is a three-down linebacker who mixes speed with power to make plays in coverage, against the run and as a blitzer. He might be LB3 in the class, but he’s a top-25 prospect overall. He’d be a good fit under coach Todd Bowles as the Bucs try to retool a bit to reclaim the NFC South. 16. New York Jets (via IND)Peter Woods, DT, ClemsonThe Jets are back on the clock, and after I handed them a difference-making safety in Caleb Downs earlier, I’ll go with a Quinnen Williams replacement this time around. Three Jets defensive tackles are hitting free agency, and they’ve lacked a real impact player in the middle of the D-line since trading Williams at the deadline. Woods didn’t have elite production in 2025, but the tape was still really good. He has the power to be a force at 3-technique for New York. I had the Jets taking Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson here in January. I could still see it. But the Jets have three first-round picks in 2027, when the QB class should be much better. It makes more sense to find a bridge in 2026 and focus on rebuilding the defense before going with someone like Arch Manning or Dante Moore next spring. 17. Detroit LionsZion Young, DE, MissouriWe’ve been begging the Lions to add a long-term threat off the edge opposite Aidan Hutchinson for a while now. Al-Quadin Muhammad had a surprise breakout last season with 11 sacks, but he’s a free agent. Tyrus Wheat was next best in sacks among pure edge rushers … with 1.5. So, although the interior offensive line might warrant a look (Penn State’s Olaivavega Ioane?), Detroit has to address the lack of depth on the edge. Young has strong hands and good quickness, and he had 6.5 sacks and 46 pressures last season. 18. Minnesota VikingsDillon Thieneman, S, OregonHarrison Smith is 37 years old; he might retire this offseason, and even if he returns, the safety room in Minnesota still has to be replenished. How about a Smith clone? Thieneman might not have Smith’s 6-foot-2 size (he’s 6-foot), but he reads the QB well and is savvy. That matters a lot in defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ defense, which asks a lot of rookies. Plus, Thieneman has versatility to move around the alignment, is a force against the run and had a six-INT season at Purdue back in 2023 before transferring to Oregon. He’d be a seamless fit in the Vikings’ defense. 19. Carolina PanthersKeldric Faulk, DE, AuburnThe Panthers took a leap forward last season, but the pass rush is still lagging behind. Their 30 sacks tied for the third fewest in the NFL, and their 26.6% pressure rate was second lowest. I liked what I saw out of second-round rookie Nic Scourton (five sacks), but Carolina needs more. Faulk is a people mover, and although he managed only two sacks last season, he had seven in 2024. If defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero can unlock Faulk’s potential, this pick could look like a steal in a few years. 20. Dallas Cowboys (via GB)Akheem Mesidor, DE, MiamiIt’s an all-defense first round for Dallas — first cornerback (Mansoor Delane at No. 12), now edge rusher. Of course, Mesidor wouldn’t be a one-for-one replacement for Micah Parsons, who was sorely missed in Dallas last season. But with 12.5 sacks in the final season of a six-year college career, Mesidor would at least jump-start the pass rush and start to build that unit back up. Jadeveon Clowney was the lone Cowboys player to crack six sacks in 2025 (8.5), and he’s a free agent. Jerry Jones has to commit to using premium picks on the edge, especially with one of the league’s tighter cap situations. 21. Pittsburgh SteelersTy Simpson, QB, AlabamaThe Steelers have to think about the QB position with a longer-view lens. They could bring back Aaron Rodgers or opt for another veteran stopgap to keep them in contention next season, but even if they go that route, they should still address their future at the position. Simpson has just 15 starts to his name, and his 2025 season was uneven, but his game has a lot of promise. He navigates the pocket well and threw 28 touchdown passes to just five interceptions last season. Pittsburgh could let him learn behind a veteran for a little while before turning the offense over to him. 22. Los Angeles ChargersOlaivavega Ioane, G, Penn StateA lot of the Chargers’ offensive line woes can be traced back to injuries to tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater. But the interior had its own problems. Zion Johnson (now a free agent) and Mekhi Becton both struggled at guard. GM Joe Hortiz has to do something to prevent all these hits quarterback Justin Herbert is taking every Sunday, and Ioane has a great combination of sheer power and agility. He hasn’t given up a sack since 2023. Plus, Ioane could help open some rushing lanes for Omarion Hampton in the back’s second year. 23. Philadelphia EaglesKenyon Sadiq, TE, OregonIf Philadelphia doesn’t bring back free agent Dallas Goedert, it would be smart to draft a top-end replacement. Quarterback Jalen Hurts found Goedert for a team-high 11 receiving touchdowns last season, and he was the third-most-targeted pass catcher on the roster. In other words, Hurts likes throwing to his TE1. Sadiq had eight touchdown receptions last season, and he’s explosive and does a lot of damage after the catch. NFC defenses would have a tough time matching up with him because of his speed and 6-foot-3, 245-pound size. 24. Cleveland Browns (via JAX)Monroe Freeling, OT, GeorgiaThe Browns went with Carnell Tate earlier, but their entire starting offensive line from last season is unsigned: Cam Robinson, Joel Bitonio, Ethan Pocic, Wyatt Teller and Jack Conklin. And Dawand Jones, who would have started, is coming off a season-ending knee injury. So we know where this pick has to go. Freeling has started only 18 games, but he’s a solid pass protector. He just needs some work as a run blocker. His ceiling is high, and I like the idea of pairing the 6-foot-7 Freeling with the 6-foot-8 Jones as the O-line’s bookends. 25. Chicago BearsKayden McDonald, DT, Ohio StateIt’s probably a little early for Texas A&M’s Cashius Howell, Clemson’s T.J. Parker or Oklahoma’s R Mason Thomas. The Bears obviously need more edge rush support, but the board just isn’t lining up. But with Gervon Dexter Sr. signed for only one more season and Grady Jarrett turning 33 in April, it would make sense to pad the defensive tackle group. McDonald is actually the DT1 on my Big Board, and he has a nose for the football. He had 17 run stops in 2025. Having him on the interior would be huge for a Bears team that allowed 5.0 yards per carry last season (fourth worst). 26. Buffalo BillsDenzel Boston, WR, WashingtonBoston’s hands, catch radius and vision would quickly make him a go-to option for quarterback Josh Allen. He finished with 881 yards and 11 scores last season, bullying opposing cornerbacks along the way. Buffalo’s receiver room has a lot of questions and lacks a true WR1, all due respect to Khalil Shakir. After being called out by ownership last month, Keon Coleman’s future with the team is murky. Brandin Cooks and Gabe Davis are free agents. Joshua Palmer was injured and limited to 22 catches on the season. And Tyrell Shavers tore an ACL in the playoffs. So, this one seems obvious. 27. San Francisco 49ersKadyn Proctor, OT/G, AlabamaProctor’s tape is all over the place. The highs are really, really good. The lows raise a lot of questions. But in the right situation, he could become a standout tackle in the NFL. And there might not be a better situation than learning behind one of the best to ever do it in San Francisco. Trent Williams will be 38 by Week 1, and he’s entering the final year of his contract. So, Proctor could develop in Year 1 while kicking inside to guard and/or playing a swing tackle role before perhaps taking over for Williams in 2027. He has 40 career starts — all at left tackle — and is reliable in pass protection. This would be an upside pick for GM John Lynch. 28. Houston TexansJadarian Price, RB, Notre DamePer ESPN Research, this would be the fourth time two running backs from the same school both went in Round 1 — and the first time since 2008, when Arkansas’ Darren McFadden and Felix Jones were Day 1 selections. But just because Price was second on the Fighting Irish’s depth chart to Jeremiyah Love doesn’t mean he can’t be an RB1 in the NFL. He’s a powerful runner who plays a one-cut-and-go brand of football. There are ball security concerns (four lost fumbles over three years), and we haven’t seen a ton from him as a pass catcher, but Price is dynamic. He ran for 11 touchdowns, caught two TD passes and scored two more times on kickoff returns last season. The Texans lacked juice in the run game. Woody Marks is probably more of a change-of-pace guy, Nick Chubb is a free agent, and Joe Mixon’s future is uncertain. Time for an upgrade. 29. Los Angeles RamsBlake Miller, OT, ClemsonRob Havenstein retired, and Warren McClendon Jr. is entering the final year of his deal. That means there could be a big hole at right tackle. Miller has 54 career starts, and his game just keeps growing on me. In pass protection, he stays square and handles most pass-rush moves with ease. And as a run blocker, he can get to the second level to spring big gains. The blocking is so important to the Rams’ excellent run game, and having a savvy right tackle is key. The Rams’ first pick in this mock draft went to the defense (Jermod McCoy), but I really like the idea of L.A. adding to the offensive line with its second one. 30. Denver BroncosEmmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, ToledoThe Broncos have two solid safeties in Talanoa Hufanga and Brandon Jones, so this pick might not reap immediate rewards. But neither did the Jahdae Barron pick last April. Denver is planning ahead in the secondary and building something there, as coach Sean Payton focuses on keeping this defense strong. McNeil-Warren is a bit of a sleeper right now, but I think he could have been a top-15 pick had he played for a Power 4 team. His performance against Kentucky at the beginning of the season got my attention. He had 11 tackles and a fumble recovery in that game. His tape shows real speed to the football, and he has five interceptions and 12 forced fumbles over his four-year career. 31. New England PatriotsR Mason Thomas, OLB, OklahomaAs they try to get back to the Super Bowl with a talented roster, the Patriots could use another solid edge rusher or two. Thomas can get offensive tackles leaning and then beat them with either speed or power. He uses his hands well and shows good bend off the edge. He had 15.5 sacks over the past two years. K’Lavon Chaisson is hitting free agency, so New England would love to have someone like Thomas getting after the quarterback. 32. Seattle SeahawksAvieon Terrell, CB, ClemsonLet’s close out Round 1 with a talented cornerback to replace free agents Riq Woolen and Josh Jobe, giving this Super Bowl champion defense yet another playmaker. The brother of A.J. Terrell Jr., Avieon Terrell can fly in coverage, and he had 27 pass breakups over three seasons. He could slide into the lineup opposite Devon Witherspoon, with Nick Emmanwori in the slot. |
