Russell Wilson Considering CBS Gig?
As things stand, Russell Wilson remains a free agent. He is nevertheless still interested in continuing his playing career, as shown by a recent visit with the Jets.
In the event Wilson does not land a new deal as a player, though, it appears he has a transition to broadcasting lined up. Andrew Marchand of The Athletic reports Wilson is “in deep discussions” to take on a television gig. He adds CBS Sports’ The NFL Today is Wilson’s expected landing spot.
Wilson has previously appeared on CBS broadcasts, including during the Giants’ bye week in 2025. A deal allowing him to join The NFL Today, CBS’ Sunday pregame program, would see Wilson replace Matt Ryan. Ryan recently departed his broadcasting role to take on the top front office position for the Falcons. Another high-profile former quarterback would take his place if the talks involving Wilson result in a deal being struck.
From 2012-21, Wilson served as the Seahawks’ starting quarterback. That span included two straight Super Bowl appearances (with one win) and underscored the height of his career. Since the blockbuster trade which sent the 10-time Pro Bowler to the Broncos, however, things have not gone according to plan. Wilson was in place for just two years in Denver, and his time atop the depth chart was over before Sean Payton‘s first year as head coach had ended.
Upon being released, Wilson took a one-year pact with the Steelers. The 37-yearold missed time early in the season before taking over from Justin Fields and remaining atop the depth chart through Pittsburgh’s wild-card round loss. The Giants inked Wilson to a one-year deal last spring, setting him up for a brief spell as New York’s QB1. The Giants have Jaxson Dart and Jameis Winston in the fold as carryovers from 2025, and it has long been clear another change of scenery would be needed for Wilson to meet his goal of continuing to play.
In January, Wilson changed agents; he is now represented by David Mulugheta as a result. That move has not yielded a contract before or immediately after the draft, leaving him to no doubt give further consideration to a TV gig. Wilson’s plans for 2026 will be worth watching as the offseason continues to unfold.
Panthers RT Taylor Moton Not Weighing Retirement
Last summer, Taylor Moton agreed to a two-year Panthers extension. The team’s right tackle stalwart is under contract through 2027 as a result, and no thought is currently being given to hanging up his cleats.
“Retirement’s not on my mind right now,” Moton said (via Joe Person of The Athletic). “I feel great running around with all the young guys. I’m feeling young. I feel like I’m moving well and I’m feeling like, shoot, I’m still in my prime, right? I don’t feel like I’m slowing down.”
Moton was a backup during his rookie season, but he took on starting right tackle duties in 2018. Since then, he has been a mainstay up front, racking up 128 starts and missing just four games along the way. Moton’s future has been a talking point while he has played through knee issues, and his only absences have come in the past two seasons. That, coupled with the Panthers’ current offensive tackle setup, could result in further speculation regarding his outlook beyond 2026.
Carolina added Rasheed Walker in free agency on a one-year deal. The team then spent its first-round pick in the draft on Monroe Freeling. The Georgia product could operate as the Panthers’ swing tackle as a rookie before becoming a starter somewhere on the offensive line. Ikem Ekwonu is also in the fold, but he is recovering from a torn patellar tendon which threatens to see him miss considerable time this season.
2026 marks Ekwonu’s fifth-year option campaign, so the Panthers will need to decide on a long-term commitment in his case relatively soon. The former No. 6 pick has been a full-time starter when healthy, and he hopes to remain in Carolina beyond the current campaign. A new deal for Ekwonu would of course increase the chances of Walker departing after one season, but Moton’s status will also be key in determining when (and where) Freeling will find himself playing once he takes on first-team duties.
Moton, 32 in August, is due roughly $14.2MM in 2026 and $21.5MM the following year. With none of his base salary for 2027 guaranteed at this point, though, the possibility of his Panthers tenure ending will no doubt be raised next offseason. If that were to take place, Moton may look to continue his career elsewhere based on his current stance regarding retirement.
Pro Football Rumors Front Office Subscriber Chat: 5/1/26
Pro Football Rumors' Sam Robinson will be holding a live chat at 2pm Central today, exclusively for Trade Rumors Front Office subscribers!
Browns’ Deshaun Watson Leading QB Competition; Ownership Pushing For Watson To Start?
MAY 1: During a Friday appearance on 92.3 The Fan, Monken confirmed his preference would be to have a QB1 in place to start training camp. He added, though, that the split of first-team reps during the team’s remaining spring practices may not be a final indication regarding Cleveland’s approach under center with preseason contests still providing an opportunity for the depth chart to change.
APRIL 30: The 2026 regular season is still four-plus months from kicking off, but first-year Browns head coach Todd Monken wants to identify his starting quarterback by the end of the team’s June 9-11 minicamp, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com reports. Monken still has several weeks to make his choice, but Deshaun Watson currently has the “edge” over Shedeur Sanders, according to Cabot.
This comes as a surprise after Sanders appeared to be the frontrunner three weeks ago. As a fifth-round pick last year, Sanders finished his rookie season as the Browns’ starter. Despite posting poor numbers, Sanders earned a Pro Bowl invite as an alternate. Meanwhile, Watson has not taken the field since he ruptured his Achilles on Oct. 20, 2024. The three-time Pro Bowler ruptured it again in January 2025, forcing him to miss all of last season.
The Browns made perhaps the worst trade in league history when they sent four picks (three first-rounders and a third-rounder) to the Texans for Watson in March 2022. They immediately handed Watson a fully guaranteed $230MM over five years, which has gone down as another disastrous decision.
While facing widespread sexual misconduct allegations, Watson opened his Browns tenure serving an 11-game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. Injuries have held him to just 19 starts since then. The Browns have gone 9-10 with Watson at the helm. To worsen matters, they have been forced to repeatedly restructure his bloated contract. They did so for the fourth time last month.
Although Watson’s deal will finally expire after this season, the Browns will still spread an $86.2MM dead money charge from 2027-28. Owner Jimmy Haslam, who has paid a cripplingly expensive price for almost no production from Watson, admitted last April that acquiring him was a “big swing and miss.” Over a year later, though, the Haslams (Jimmy and wife Dee) are making a behind-the-scenes push for Watson to start, Jason La Canfora of SportsBoom relays.
“Jimmy Haslam has paid this guy $180MM and he’s got nothing to show for it,” one general manager told La Canfora. “He’s trying to get blood from a stone but it’s not going to work. Watson is done.”
If Watson proves to be “done,” it could eventually lead to opportunities for Sanders and/or the rest of the Browns’ signal-callers. Dillon Gabriel and 2026 sixth-rounder Taylen Green are also in the team’s QBs room, but it does not appear they are under serious consideration for the starting gig. Rather, they are vying for a “developmental spot,” Cabot writes. It is more likely Gabriel and Green will receive third- and fourth-team work, leaving Watson and Sanders to divide the starting reps.
Monken has left the door open for Green, a 6-foot-6, 235-pound dual threat, to take the field in specialty packages (via Cabot). If the former Boise State and Arkansas starter impresses enough to earn a roster spot, Gabriel could be on his way out just a year after the Browns spent a third-rounder on him. The Browns may have trouble getting Gabriel on their practice squad, notes Cabot, who points to a trade as a possibility.
Gabriel made six underwhelming starts for the Browns after they traded Joe Flacco to the Bengals last October. He lost the job to Sanders after suffering a concussion in a Week 11 loss to the Ravens. Depending on how the next few months unfold, that may prove to be Gabriel’s last meaningful appearance with the Browns.
Commanders Not Interested In Trading For 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk
The draft came and went without a Brandon Aiyuk resolution emerging. A parting of ways with the 49ers is still expected in his case, with the Commanders looming as his likeliest destination.
Aiyuk has three years remaining on his contract, one which no longer includes any guaranteed salary. San Francisco’s preference would be to execute a trade and by doing so recoup draft capital for player who received a $30MM-per-year investment from the team in 2024. Suitors, on the other hand, are positioned to wait for a release and approach Aiyuk as a free agent.
Washington is among them in that regard. Matt Barrows and Nicku Jhabvala of The Athletic report the Commanders are viewed around the league as being “steadfast in their unwillingness” to work out a trade for Aiyuk. The team’s plan remains a free agent signing of the 28-year-old. Barrows and Jhabvala unsurpisingly add Washington is eyeing a short-term deal laden with incentives if/when Aiyuk hits the open market.
The former first-rounder will obviously not be able to match the four-year, $120MM pact he landed in 2024 when his next contract is worked out. Nevertheless, Aiyuk could offer a boost to a Washington offense which still has Terry McLaurin in the fold but remains on track to lose Deebo Samuel. Commanders general manager Adam Peters was in the 49ers’ front office when Aiyuk was drafted. A signing would allow for a reunion on that front along with one between Aiyuk and quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Aiyuk seemed at various points to be on track for a return to the fold in 2025 after his previous season had been cut short by ACL and MCL tears. He never returned to the team, however, a factor which contributed to the rift which has become clearer over time. The 49ers have engaged in trade talks regarding Aiyuk, but Barrows and Jhabvala confirm the team is no rush to proceed with a release at this time. It could be until well into the summer before Aiyuk becomes available depending on the how willing the Commanders are to avoid a trade agreement.
During a recent Pat McAfee Show appearance, ESPN’s Adam Schefter noted the 49ers have still had difficulties getting in touch with Aiyuk. Notably, he added the same is also true of other teams which could be interested in acquiring him. Communication with the Commanders in particular could go a long way in bringing this saga toward its conclusion, and it will be interesting to see if things pick up soon in that regard.
NFL Mailbag: Rams, Simpson, Steelers, Panthers, Draft
This week's edition of the PFR Mailbag touches on a few draft-related topics. Questions regarding the Panthers' offensive line situation, among others, are also answered.
Luke asks:
Will the Rams benefit from taking [Ty] Simpson or could they have gotten a veteran QB down the line and replaced [Matthew] Stafford without sacrificing the No. 13 pick?
I feel safe in predicting there will be some benefit for the Rams with Simpson. The question is obviously when that will be the case and whether or not his presence (for 2026 and beyond) will outweigh the impact of another player Los Angeles could have taken.
Ravens To Sign Calais Campbell
Future Hall of Fame defensive lineman Calais Campbell will play his age-40 season in 2026. Campbell is reuniting with the Ravens on a one-year pact, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Eighteen years since the Cardinals took him in the second round of the 2008 draft, Campbell has suited up for five teams. Also a former Jaguar, Falcon and Dolphin, Campbell previously played for the Ravens from 2020-22. He earned one of his six Pro Bowl nods in their uniform. The Ravens nearly brought him back in a 2024 deal with the Dolphins, but it fell apart before the trade deadline.
After short stints in Atlanta and Miami, Campbell returned to Arizona on a one-year, $5.5MM deal in 2025. Despite his advanced age, the 6-foot-8, 315-pounder remained durable and productive. During his third straight 17-start season, Campbell played 45.72% of defensive snaps and notched 43 tackles, 16 QB hits, nine TFL and 6.5 sacks. Campbell ended the year as Pro Football Focus’ 23rd-ranked interior defensive lineman among 122 qualifiers, suggesting he has plenty left in the tank.
Although he remained a quality contributor last year, the 2010s All-Decade Team member seriously contemplated retirement after the season. Campbell said last August he was likely entering his last year, but he has had a change of heart eight months later. Now that Campbell is coming back, he will be in position to vault to No. 1 on the all-time list of games played by a defensive lineman. At 278, Campbell is third behind Jim Marshall (282) and Bruce Smith (279). Campbell is also 34th on the all-time sack list (117).
Campbell is signing up to join a new regime in Baltimore, which replaced longtime head coach John Harbaugh with Jesse Minter earlier in the offseason. While Minter was the Chargers’ defensive coordinator over the previous two seasons, he and Campbell have some familiarity with each other. Minter was the Ravens’ defensive backs coach during Campbell’s first year in Baltimore.
As a rookie head coach, one of Minter’s key tasks will be to help orchestrate a defensive turnaround. The Ravens finished a disappointing 24th in total defense last year, largely because standout D-tackle Nnamdi Madubuike missed 15 games with a neck injury. Madubuike is expected to return next season. If that happens, Campbell will provide a solid complement. If not, Campbell should give the Ravens a nice fallback option up front.
Along with Madubuike, there is uncertainty surrounding Broderick Washington, who is working back from an Achilles injury that cost him 14 games in 2025. Before agreeing to terms with Campbell, the Ravens’ other options included Travis Jones, John Jenkins, C.J. Okoye, Aeneas Peebles and 2026 seventh-round pick Rayshaun Benny. It was clear a post-draft D-line addition was in order, and the Ravens have now picked up one of the most accomplished players left on the market.
No “Change Of Heart” Between Steelers, Aaron Rodgers
The Steelers raised some eyebrows when they placed the rarely used unrestricted free-agent tender on Aaron Rodgers the other day. It was the timing of the move that was most noteworthy, as the Steelers had just completed a draft where they used a third-round pick on Penn State quarterback Drew Allar.
[RELATED: Steelers Place UFA Tender On Aaron Rodgers]
However, the move doesn’t signal that Rodgers’ decision will unfold one way or the other. Sources told Mark Kaboly that it’s still “status quo” on the Rodgers/Steelers front, and the team’s decision to slap the QB with the UFA tender doesn’t indicate “a change of heart by either side.” Steelers president Art Rooney II conveyed a similar sentiment while speaking with NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero this week, attributing the move to the potential compensation Pittsburgh would get should Rodgers suddenly sign elsewhere.
“We alerted Aaron and his representative that we were going to do it, and so not a real big deal,” Rooney said. “Just something that in the unlikely event he goes somewhere else, we are eligible for a comp pick.”
While Rooney cites the potential compensation, the decision effectively means Rodgers will either play for the Steelers in 2026 or retire. The team will be able to match any offer sheets signed before July 22, and they’ll then have exclusive negotiating rights after that date. If Rodgers ultimately commits to the tender, then he’ll lock himself in to just over $15MM in earnings for 2026.
Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com views the situation a bit differently, noting that the UFA tender decision is “reason enough for Rodgers to be upset with the situation” and “reinforces the possibility that the Steelers are trying to get Rodgers to be the one to choose not to continue the relationship.” While the two worked together to join forces last offseason, Florio notes that the Steelers have essentially taken away Rodgers’ ability to “retain full freedom” on his future this time around. This could prove to be much ado about nothing, but it is notable that the Steelers were quick to utilize the little leverage they had in this situation.
As for the timeline for a potential resolution, Rooney expressed optimism that a deal would be completed in the next few weeks. At the same time, the executive acknowledged that he expected this saga to have already been completed.
“We’ve been in contact with Aaron on a regular basis,” Rooney said (via Pelissero). “He’s been keeping us up to date on his plans. Even though I thought it probably would have been concluded by now, I think we will come to a conclusion here in the next few weeks.”
Packers To Exercise Lukas Van Ness’ Fifth-Year Option
Lukas Van Ness has not yet justified his first-round draft slot, but the Packers traded Rashan Gary to clear a path for the 2023 draftee. Green Bay will still bet on Van Ness’ potential.
The Packers are exercising Van Ness’ fifth-year option, according to The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman. This will trigger a $13.75MM guarantee for the 2027 season. Of the players who have seen an option exercised from the 2023 draft class, Van Ness’ resume may be the slimmest. But he worked primarily as a backup for two seasons before an injury-shortened 2025 season.
Considering the Packers have the NFL’s highest-paid edge rusher (in Micah Parsons), this is a rather hefty commitment for a player with 8.5 sacks in three seasons. The Bengals just declined Myles Murphy‘s fifth-year option; he has 8.5 sacks since being chosen in the 2023 first round. The Pack traded Gary’s $24MM-per-year contract to the Cowboys last month, however, and will place a midcareer bet on a younger rush option’s future.
Famously becoming the No. 13 overall pick after not being used as a starter at Iowa, Van Ness has not made much progress en route to a starting lineup in Wisconsin, either. He has just two career starts on his resume. Even as both came in 2025, Van Ness totaled 1.5 sacks in nine games last season. A foot injury cost him eight games last year. The Packers did not place the auxiliary rusher on IR, however, and had him back in action by December — after Parsons’ ACL tear. Van Ness, 24, did register a sack of Caleb Williams in the Packers’ wild-card loss in Chicago.
The Packers chose Van Ness after their Aaron Rodgers trade with the Jets. The first part of that deal moved Green Bay’s first-round pick from No. 15 to No. 13. Van Ness combined for seven sacks and 14 tackles for loss in 34 games from 2023-24, playing behind Gary and Preston Smith (for the most part). Even with Smith traded to the Steelers midway through the 2024 season, the Packers did not insert Van Ness into their lineup. He did see a snap-share uptick, going from 33% in 2023 to 39% in 2024. While the 6-foot-5 pass rusher missed half of last season, he was still on the field for 45% of the Pack’s defensive plays in the games for which he suited up.
Last year’s injury and part-time usage in 2023 and ’24 kept Van Ness on the bottom tier of the option ladder. Although OverTheCap has Van Ness tied to the linebacker number, the Packers have used a 4-3 defense as their base set in each of the past two seasons. The bottom rung of the D-end option ladder comes in at $14.48MM. It will be interesting to see where Van Ness is classified, but he has secured a 2027 guarantee based mostly on potential.
Colts To Decline Anthony Richardson’s Fifth-Year Option; No Trade Interest Emerged During Draft
Although Anthony Richardson has considerable athletic upside, he has struggled mightily since being drafted fourth overall three years ago. Richardson’s issues and Daniel Jones‘ new contract left the Colts with an easy fifth-year option decision.
Indianapolis will decline Richardson’s option by Friday’s deadline, Fox59’s Mike Chappell reports. The option would have cost the Colts $22.48MM in 2027 guaranteed money. Richardson lost a QB competition to Jones last year and suffered what turned out to be a season-ending eye injury off the field. Jones has since received the transition tag and signed a two-year, $88MM extension.
[RELATED: 2027 NFL Fifth-Year Option Tracker]
The Colts did not receive any calls on Richardson during the draft, GM Chris Ballard confirmed. The QB has requested a trade, and while some interest was believed to have emerged earlier this offseason, the sides are in a holding pattern.
While Richardson’s fifth-year option was never believed to be much of an internal debate, he is tied to $10.82MM in guaranteed 2026 compensation. It might take the Colts, as the Jets did with Zach Wilson in 2024, taking on some of that contract-year guarantee to facilitate a trade.
The late Jim Irsay championed Richardson coming out of the draft, indicating the Colts would have probably taken him at No. 1 overall had they held that choice. Bryce Young went first overall that year, with C.J. Stroud coming off the board one spot later. The Colts, after their Jeff Saturday-coached 2022 season placed them in the No. 4 draft slot, drafted Richardson — a one-year starter out of Florida. Richardson’s one Gators season produced a sub-54% completion rate, but he presented tantalizing athleticism at that year’s Combine. The Colts made the pick and have since regretted it.
Only eight QBs have thrown 200-plus passes in a 21st-century season and completed less than 50% of them; Richardson became No. 8 in 2024, completing just 47.7% of his throws. That season included more injury trouble for Indy’s dual threat, but a bizarre sequence in which Richardson asked out of a game in Houston due to fatigue prompted intense internal and external scrutiny. Richardson’s preparation habits drew criticism in the aftermath of that strange sequence, and Shane Steichen temporarily benched him for then-backup Joe Flacco. Jones was then signed to a one-year deal to serve as competition. Despite the Vikings offering a better deal, the ex-Giants starter viewed the Indianapolis gig as presenting a better chance to start.
Weeks after Jones won the job, Richardson suffered an orbital bone fracture during a pregame warmup. The Colts designated the 6-foot-4 QB to return from IR late in the season but never activated him, going with the unretired Philip Rivers and sixth-round rookie Riley Leonard to close the slate. Richardson trade rumors had emerged dating back to 2024, and after Jones’ season running the offense, he asked out in early March of this year.
Vikings interest was rumored, and the Packers were then linked to the depressed Colts asset. Minnesota signed Kyler Murray for the veteran minimum following his Arizona release, but Green Bay — after losing Malik Willis in free agency — did not make a notable addition via free agency or the draft. The Chiefs also considered Richardson but ultimately traded for Justin Fields.
Ballard said recently Richardson could stay in Indianapolis, but that should be considered unlikely. Leonard would be positioned as Jones’ backup in the event of a trade. This situation could drag on a while. The next step will be Richardson’s potential attendance at OTAs and minicamp.