Fallout From Vikings’ Kyler Murray Signing; Team To Re-Sign Carson Wentz?
The Vikings entered the offseason seeking competition for quarterback J.J. McCarthy, whose first year as a starter went awry. They found it in signing former Cardinals franchise signal-caller Kyler Murray to a one-year, prove-it deal last Wednesday.
Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort tried to find a trade partner for Murray before releasing him, but it was too difficult to pull off because of the two-time Pro Bowler’s bloated contract. Had Murray been on someone’s roster on March 15, $19.5MM of his 2027 salary would have vested. Nobody was willing to take that chance on Murray, who struggled during a limited 2025. He played just five games, none after Week 5, as a result of a Lisfranc injury.
Murray’s tenure in Arizona did not go as planned, though the 2019 No. 1 overall pick was open to staying there before the team released him. While Murray was “genuinely surprised” the Cardinals fired head coach Jonathan Gannon, he approved of the hiring of Mike LaFleur as his replacement, Albert Breer of SI.com writes. But it turns out Murray will not play for LaFleur, who will try to lead a franchise turnaround after Gannon mustered a disastrous 15-36 record in three years.
By the time the Cardinals officially cut Murray last Wednesday, he and agent Erik Burkhardt had already identified the Vikings as their ideal option, per Breer. Vikings executive vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski and head coach Kevin O’Connell quickly invited Murray and Burkhardt to Minnesota for a visit.
Murray was among a “handful” of experienced signal-callers the Vikings studied, according to Breer, but it appealed to both team and player that he could be more than a one-year solution. An inexpensive pact between the sides came together in short order, which prevented other clubs from meeting with Murray.
“O’Connell made sure he got first crack at him,” one GM told Jason La Canfora of SportsBoom.
Set to turn 29 in August, Murray is not the Vikings’ QB1 yet. He still has to beat out McCarthy, 23, for the role. Although the Vikings invested the 10th pick in the 2024 draft on McCarthy, multiple “high-level NFL offensive coaches” informed La Canfora that they expect Murray to win the job. If that happens, the O’Connell-led Vikings will hope for a Sam Darnold-like revival from Murray.
Darnold resurrected his career during his one season in Minnesota in 2024, but with the Vikings ready to turn the keys over to McCarthy, they let him walk in free agency a year ago. He went on to win a Super Bowl with the Seahawks in 2025, while the Vikings fell from 14-3 to 9-8 and missed the playoffs. McCarthy posted rough numbers over 10 starts and missed seven games with injuries to his ankle, head and hand.
While Murray and McCarthy will do battle this summer, they may have company in Minnesota’s QB derby. Carson Wentz, who spent 2025 with the Vikings, is among free agent possibilities. Even after the Vikings added Murray, there is “mutual interest” between the team and Wentz, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
Wentz, a late-August signing last year, filled in for an injured McCarthy for five starts. The 33-year-old journeyman was the more productive of the pair, but he underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in late October. Wentz’s injury left McCarthy and overmatched rookie Max Brosmer as the Vikings’ starting QB choices for the rest of a disappointing campaign.
Dolphins Sign OLB David Ojabo
The Dolphins continue to shape their roster under a new decision-making tandem. David Ojabo is Miami’s latest arrival. 
Ojabo was signed on Monday, per a team announcement. The fifth-year edge rusher hit the market once his Ravens rookie contract expired. A change of scenery may prove to be a welcomed development in this case, given how Ojabo’s Baltimore tenure played out.
The Michigan product suffered an Achilles tear during his Pro Day leading up to the 2022 draft. His stock fell as a result, and Ojabo remained on the board until the second round. His rookie season was limited to just two games, and a rebound from a health perspective did not prove to be possible the following year.
Knee and ankle ailments led to Ojabo being shut down after only three games in 2023. Through his first two NFL campaigns, therefore, he had only managed a pair of sacks in very limited action. Ojabo managed to turn a corner with respect to injuries afterwards, logging 13 games in 2024 and another 14 this past season. Over that span, however, he was unable to emerge as a full-time defensive presence. Ahead of roster cuts in the summer, his Ravens future was far from certain.
Ojabo totaled 2.5 sacks across the past two years. He will look to improve in that department on a new team. Miami’s edge rush depth chart was topped by Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips entering 2025, but it will look much different next season. Phillips was traded away at the deadline, while Chubb was one of many veterans cut by new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan. He and first-year head coach Jeff Hafley have been busy adding new roster pieces since free agency began.
Miami’s new-look pass rush will no doubt include a notable workload for 2024 first-rounder Chop Robinson. The team has also added Josh Uche and Robert Beal in free agency while retaining Cameron Goode. At least one notable draft investment next month would certainly not come as a surprise. Ojabo will spend training camp looking to carve out a role with the Dolphins once their EDGE setup becomes clearer.
Entering Monday, Miami was near the bottom of the NFL in terms of cap space. Like the Charlie Heck signing from earlier today, though, this Ojabo deal will not be an expensive one. The Dolphins should still have a degree of financial flexibility moving forward as a result.
Troy Aikman To Stay With Dolphins In ‘Some Capacity’
Two months after parting with general manager Chris Grier, the Dolphins brought in Hall of Fame quarterback and career-long Cowboy Troy Aikman to consult in their GM search. Former Cowboys and Dolphins head coach Jimmy Johnson, who won two Super Bowls with Aikman in Dallas, recommended him to Miami.
A little over a week after Aikman joined the Dolphins, they tabbed former Packers executive Jon-Eric Sullivan as their GM. With the team still in need of a head coach to replace the fired Mike McDaniel, Aikman remained on board in an advisory role. The Dolphins went on to hire ex-Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley to replace McDaniel.
Miami’s new leadership has been in place for approximately two months, but Aikman has not gone anywhere. The 59-year-old told the Rodeo Time podcast that he will stay with the franchise in “some capacity” (via Jayna Bardahl of The Athletic).
It is unclear how involved Aikman will be with the Dolphins, but continuing to work with them will not affect his status as the color commentator on “Monday Night Football.” Aikman and play-by-play man Joe Buck are set to announce their seventh Super Bowl as a duo next February.
“It’s been awesome,” Aikman said of his 22-year run as a broadcaster. “I don’t know how much longer that will go — hopefully, a long time — but yeah, life’s good right now.”
Aikman and fellow Hall of Fame QB Tom Brady are in the unique positions of assisting with teams while also serving as broadcasters. As the highly influential part-owner of the Raiders, Brady has more responsibilities than Aikman. Although there have been conflict-of-interest concerns with Brady, he is on track to return as Fox’s lead color commentator for a third season in 2026.
CB Darius Slay Retires
Darius Slay will not be returning to the Eagles in 2026. Instead, his attention will now turn to his post-playing days. 
Slay took to Instagram to announce his retirement on Monday. The veteran cornerback ended last season on the reserve/retired list after not reporting to the Bills to close out the campaign. It recently became clear any NFL return would only take place with Philadelphia. That will not be the case.
“I’ve been blessed to play the game I loved since I was 5 yrs old for an amazing 13 yrs at the highest level,” Slay’s retirement message reads in part. “Football was my peace, my joy, my everything. This game put me in a position to help take care of my family and loved ones and I’m forever grateful.”
Slay entered the NFL as a Lions draftee in 2013. The second-rounder was a rotational presence during his rookie campaign, but he operated as a full-time starter through the remainder of his career. Slay spent his first seven years in Detroit, a stretch highlighted by the 2017 season; that year, he led the NFL in both interceptions (eight) and pass deflections (26).
In March of 2020, Slay was traded to the Eagles. That deal provided Philadelphia with a standout contributor in the secondary. The Mississippi State product earned three of his six career Pro Bowl nods as an Eagle during a stretch from 2021-23. The following season, Slay was a key defensive presence as Philadelphia won Super Bowl LIX. That title is one or many highlights on the former All-Pro’s resume.
Slay’s Eagles tenure seemed to be ending before he wound up remaining in place on a one-year pact for 2024. Last offseason, he joined the Steelers in free agency. A 10-game run (including nine starts) ensued, but things did not go according to plan. Slay was held without an interception for the second year in a row and he struggled in coverage. Pittsburgh’s decision to release him after the trade deadline led to a trip to the waiver wire. Slay’s preference was to return to the Eagles, but the Bills prevented that by putting in a claim.
In all, Slay totaled 198 regular and postseason games in the NFL. Having elected to hang up his cleats at the age of 35, he will depart the league with nearly $120MM in career earnings.
Dolphins Sign OT Charlie Heck
After playing for the Buccaneers in 2025, offensive tackle Charlie Heck is moving to one of Florida’s other franchises. The Dolphins have signed Heck, per a team announcement.
A 2020 fourth-round pick from North Carolina, Heck spent the first four years of his career in Houston. He totaled a career-high 13 stints in his second season. Since the Texans released him in August 2024, Heck has gone through short stints with the Cardinals, 49ers and Bucs. The 29-year-old has started in 29 of 67 games, including six during a full campaign in Tampa Bay.
Heck lined up for 458 snaps at right tackle in 2025 while subbing for the injured Luke Goedeke. Pro Football Focus was unimpressed with Heck, whom it ranked 82nd among 84 qualified tackles.
Almost all of Heck’s work in the NFL has come at right tackle, where he will back up the oft-injured Austin Jackson in Miami. Jackson dealt with a toe issue that limited him to six games last season, the second straight year in which he missed significant time. The Dolphins relied on Larry Borom to fill in for 11 starts and 664 snaps in Jackson’s place in 2025, but he left for the Lions’ one-year offer last Monday.
Commanders To Re-Sign RB Jeremy McNichols
Jeremy McNichols will remain in place with the Commanders for 2026. The veteran running back is re-signing on a one-year deal, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. 
McNichols has been with Washington since 2024, head coach Dan Quinn‘s first season at the helm. Kliff Kingsbury guided the Commanders’ offense for each of the past two years, but David Blough will handle OC duties in 2026. His unit will once again include McNichols as a depth option.
The 30-year-old handled 55 carries during his first Washington campaign; that figure fell to 44 this past season. McNichols has totaled five rushing touchdowns while averaging 4.9 yards per attempt during his limited offensive opportunities in the nation’s capital. A split between offensive and special teams usage can be expected moving forward.
Washington lost Chris Rodriguez during the opening stages of free agency last week. The team lined up the addition of former Buccaneer Rachaad White during that same period, however. Jerome Ford is also set to play for the Commanders in 2026. Those two, along with incumbent Jacory Croskey-Merritt, will be tasked with handling much of the offensive workload in the backfield this season. McNichols could chip in if needed while offering depth at the running back spot.
Austin Ekeler remains unsigned at this point. The Commanders’ outside additions along with this re-signing point to a departure in his case. Washington, meanwhile, entered Monday with over $61MM in cap space. This latest McNichols pact will not affect that figure to a large extent, of course. Another deal at or near the veteran minimum can be expected in this case, one which will offer the Commanders with a familiar depth contributor on offense.
Jets To Trade QB Justin Fields To Chiefs
As expected, Justin Fields‘ time in New York is coming to an end. A trade has been worked out which will send him from the Jets to the Chiefs, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. 
This trade will include a late-round pick swap. The Jets are dealing Fields and a seventh-round pick to the Chiefs in exchange for a sixth-round pick, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network notes. The sixth-rounder is in the 2027 draft, per colleague Tom Pelissero.
New York is retaining salary to facilitate this deal, SNY’s Connor Hughes reports. Per Pelissero, the Jets are taking on $7MM of the $10MM Fields was already guaranteed for the 2026 season. That will make him a cost-effective backup for the Chiefs, a team in need of insurance under center. Patrick Mahomes continues to recover from an ACL tear, leaving his Week 1 availability in question.
Gardner Minshew was in place as Kansas City’s backup, but he departed last week by agreeing to a free agent deal with the Cardinals. Fields will now be able to handle first-team reps through the offseason while Mahomes recovers. Other teams were interested in the former Bear and Steeler, per Schefter. He adds, however, that Fields’ preference was to join the Chiefs. With an immediate path to practice time in place with respect to Kansas City, that comes as no surprise.
For the Jets, a Fields departure was made even more likely once a reunion with Geno Smith was worked out. New York traded for Smith last week, and his contract was also reworked as part of the deal. The Jets will only be responsible for $3.3MM of Smith’s compensation for 2026. Paying out a larger figure has allowed for a parting of ways in Fields’ case, something which seemed inevitable once his brief tenure atop the depth chart came to an end.
The former first-rounder secured $30MM guaranteed on a two-year free agent deal last spring. Fields served as New York’s starter for nine contests, averaging less than 140 passing yards per game with a career-low 6.2 yards per attempt average. He managed 383 rushing yards and four scores on the ground, but Fields and the Jets’ passing game was the subject of public criticism from owner Woody Johnson before head coach Aaron Glenn decided to bench him. Tyrod Taylor and Brady Cook saw time afterwards; Taylor is unsigned but Cook and Bailey Zappe are still in place for the Jets.
The cap savings ($11MM) and dead money charges ($12MM) generated by this trade are essentially a wash for New York. Kansas City, meanwhile, entered Monday with roughly $10MM in cap space – nowhere near as much as the Jets. Taking on Fields at a highly reduced rate will be key for the Chiefs as they sort out their QB depth chart. Fields will join Mahomes, Chris Oladokun and Jake Haener as signal-callers in Kansas City. The Ohio State product has expressed confidence he can still operate as a starter, and the opportunity to do so on a short-term basis may present itself in 2026.
CB Darius Slay Will Only Play In 2026 For Eagles
Darius Slay played 10 games in 2025, doing so as a member of the Steelers. An intra-state move back to the Eagles was his intention upon being waived, but the Bills put in a claim. 
Slay declined to report to Buffalo, and as such he finished the campaign on the reserve/retired list. A return to the NFL could be in store for the veteran cornerback. To little surprise, though, Slay will only resume his career if he returns to Philadelphia.
“No team can call me but [the] Eagles,” the 35-year-old said in a clip posted to X. “No team can call me, everybody knows.”
After a seven-year run with the Lions, Slay enjoyed a productive run in Philadelphia. The six-time Pro Bowler was a full-time starter through his five Eagles seasons. He took a one-year, $10MM pact with the Steelers last spring as part of Pittsburgh’s decision to make a number of veteran moves in the secondary. Slay made 10 appearances and nine starts, being held without an interception during that span and allowing a passer rating of 108.0 in coverage (the second-worst figure of his career).
As such, the former All-Pro would likely face a weak market in the event he intended to gauge his suitors across the league. Nevertheless, Slay will focus on either a return to Vic Fangio‘s unit – one which still includes Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean – or his post-playing days. The Eagles also added Riq Woolen in free agency, shoring up the cornerback position. Philadelphia did, on the other hand, lose safety Reed Blankenship on the open market.
If Slay were willing to handle safety duties upon returning to Philadelphia, a 2026 deal may become more feasible. The team currently has $40MM in cap space, so finances would not be an issue if interest on this front proved to be mutual.
Cowboys’ Rashan Gary Accepts Pay Cut
One of the many defensive additions made by the Cowboys last week was the trade for Packers edge rusher Rashan Gary. The veteran agreed to a pay cut to help facilitate the deal. 
Gary reduced his compensation for 2026 and ’27 to $16MM, as detailed by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. He was originally owed $19.5MM this season and $22.5MM for the final year of his contract, but none of that was guaranteed. Gary received a signing bonus of $13.2MM, per Pelissero, locking in most of his pay for his debut Cowboys campaign.
$1MM in active roster bonuses are present in both years of this new pact, ESPN’s Todd Archer adds. Gary’s 2026 cap charge has dropped to $5.4MM as a result of the restructure, which includes the addition of void years. The 28-year-old is on course to receive a $15MM base salary in 2027, but without any of that figure guaranteed at signing Gary’s future in Dallas will depend solely on how he performs next season.
Adding in the pass rush department was seen as a key priority for the Cowboys as part of their overall renovations on defense. Gary was acquired for a fourth-round pick, a sign of Green Bay’s willingness to move on from the remainder of his contract but also the former first-rounder’s poor finish to the 2025 campaign. A rebound would help Dallas’ production along the edge while also increasing the chances of Gary’s Cowboys stint lasting more than one season.
The team heavily pursued a Maxx Crosby trade leading up to free agency, and the Raiders All-Pro is still available at this point. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has not closed the door to renewed Crosby interest, but Dallas has been busy on multiple fronts with respect to defensive contracts. That includes the re-signing of Sam Williams, one of the team’s many edge rushers whose contracts recently expired. Jadeveon Clowney, Dante Fowler and Payton Turner remain unsigned at this point.
With nearly $19MM in cap space, the Cowboys have the ability to make more defensive additions during the second wave of free agency. Regardless of what happens on that front, though, Gary will be counted on to serve as a key EDGE presence. It will be interesting to see if he can play his way into an extended Dallas tenure.
Rams Considered Trading Davante Adams
The Rams have been one of two teams showing considerable interest in A.J. Brown this offseason. Had Los Angeles managed to swing a deal for the Eagles All-Pro, another wideout trade likely would have taken place. 
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports that during discussions about a Brown acquisition, the Rams were “pursuing the possibility” of a Davante Adams swap. Dealing Adams to another team would have helped make a Brown trade more feasible from a financial standpoint, similar to how the Colts’ decision to deal away Michael Pittman Jr. eased the cap implications for Alec Pierce‘s new contract. Nevertheless, Adams remains on course for a second Los Angeles campaign.
As detailed in Sam Robinson’s Rams Offseason Outlook, Adams is due a $6MM roster bonus today. Any trade in his case obviously would have been more attractive for the team prior to that payment being made. The 33-year-old is also owed a base salary of $18MM in 2026. That represents the final year of his contract. A trade would create $20MM in cap savings against $8MM in dead money, but head coach Sean McVay said last month he expected Adams to be retained for next season.
Added in free agency last spring as a Cooper Kupp replacement, the six-time Pro Bowler proved to be an effective signing for the Rams. Adams caught a league-leading 14 touchdown passes in 2025 and played a key role in helping Los Angeles reach the NFC title game. Expectations will be high in his case provided no trade winds up being worked out later in the offseason.
The Rams have Puka Nacua eligible for an extension, one which will presumably move him near the top of the receiver market. A new deal in that case, not to mention the latest adjustment to quarterback Matthew Stafford‘s pact, will add to the team’s costs on offense. Adams is set to carry a cap charge of $28MM in 2026. Especially if no Brown acquisition is made, though, keeping him could be worthwhile.
Los Angeles sent a package including the No. 29 pick in April’s draft to Kansas City for cornerback Trent McDuffie. The Rams still have a first-rounder (No. 13), but no team has been willing to meet Philadelphia’s asking price (a Day 1 selection and more) for Brown yet. With a key checkpoint on Adams’ pact now having been reached, he is increasingly likely to remain in place regardless of what happens on the Brown front.