Arvell Reese Still In Play For Jets At No. 2
Considerable David Bailey-to-New York buzz has built as the pre-draft process nears its conclusion. The Texas Tech pass rusher’s high floor has been viewed as likelier to make him the No. 2 overall pick — as of late, at least — compared to Arvell Reese.
Reese is viewed as a higher-ceiling talent, albeit one that is not quite as safe an option as Bailey looks to be, as he carries a hybrid skillset into the draft. Reese is aiming to be used as an edge rusher despite Ohio State deploying him as such on fewer than 100 snaps last season. No. 2 overall is not exactly good value for an off-ball linebacker, giving teams considering Reese a crucial assignment in determining a usage plan.
The Jets would make sense for Reese due to their EDGE need and timeline, and they were viewed as more likely to go with the ex-Buckeye than Bailey not too long ago. While Bailey may now be winning out, SNY’s Connor Hughes does not view the Texas Tech pass rusher as certain to go No. 2 overall. In fact, Hughes believes Reese is the Jets’ more likely pick.
If Reese is the Jets’ pick, a Cardinals team that has regularly chosen hybrid linebackers in Round 1 could pounce on Bailey. Our Ely Allen pointed to Arizona probably wanting Bailey more than Reese in his PFR mock draft, and this scenario playing out would give Nick Rallis a locked-in starter opposite Josh Sweat. Though, Bailey’s game has generated some concerns about run defense. The Jets added multiple standout pass rushers with run-game issues in recent years — in Will McDonald and Bryce Huff — and one head coach (via Hughes) compared Bailey to McDonald. Another NFL source labeled Reese as an ideal player for Aaron Glenn to mold.
A potential conflict could emerge regarding Glenn’s timetable. If the Jets stumble to the degree they did in 2025, the head coach is far from certain to be brought back for 2027. But New York’s timetable aligns toward a late-2020s reemergence — after another rebuilding year this season — considering three first-round picks await next year. GM Darren Mougey, based on the time ownership gave previous GMs Joe Douglas and Mike Maccagnan (five drafts apiece), is likelier to be remain in place compared to Glenn. Would the HC want more of a sure thing in Bailey compared to a slightly less certain prospect in this draft?
This situation reminds of the Jaguars’ 2022 debate, which pitted Travon Walker‘s upside against Aidan Hutchinson‘s college production. Bailey (12 sacks at Stanford from 2023-24) brings a better college body of work than Hutchinson (4.5 sacks before his breakthrough final Michigan season).
Detroit won out based on Jacksonville making a tools-driven pick in Walker. Hutchinson and Walker’s second contracts did not end up in the same ballpark. The stakes are high for the Jets, whose playoff drought reached 15 seasons last year. With the Buffalo Sabres making the NHL playoffs this year, Gang Green’s drought leads all active teams in major American sports.
The Jets canceled their “30” visit with Bailey last week (the team met with Reese in March). The Bailey development either points to New York being confident enough in a safer prospect, as to not waste his time on a trip, or the team leaning toward Reese. This storyline leans into the NFL’s smokescreen season well, making for more pre-draft intrigue. With the Raiders a near-certainty to start the draft with Fernando Mendoza, the Jets’ Bailey-Reese call effectively starts this year’s drama.
Jimmy Garoppolo Considering Retirement; Rams’ Ty Simpson Connections Slowed After Trent McDuffie Trade
The Rams are interested in re-signing Jimmy Garoppolo to be their backup quarterback for a third straight season, and NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport indicates he is the team’s top choice to serve as QB2. But Garoppolo has not committed to playing a 13th NFL season.
Beginning his career as a backup before spending a chunk of seasons on the starter tier, Garoppolo has backed up Matthew Stafford in Los Angeles for the past two seasons. Garoppolo is considering retirement, per Rapoport. This is notable through a Cardinals lens as well, with the team being closely linked to having Garoppolo follow Mike LaFleur to Arizona. Talks hit a snag, leading the Cards to pivot to Gardner Minshew.
[RELATED: Rams, Stafford Progressing On Extension]
It is worth wondering if Garoppolo’s retirement consideration was a factor in the Arizona talks, though it is certainly possible the former Super Bowl starter’s asking price was out of step with where the Cardinals valued him. Arizona ended up with Minshew on a one-year, $5.75MM pact. A report earlier this month indicated Garoppolo was weighing multiple FA options; the Rams represent one of them.
Sean McVay said he is interested in assembling a third Stafford-Garoppolo QB room. The Rams have not needed to turn to Garoppolo in a meaningful game yet. This is somewhat surprising given Stafford’s health struggles in 2022; the L.A. starter’s back injury had Garoppolo spending training camp running with the first team. But Stafford returned and played 17 games before three playoff tilts. Garoppolo, 34, did not attempt a pass last season.
Famously part of the Bill Belichick-Robert Kraft relationship’s dissolution, Garoppolo was abruptly traded to the 49ers at the 2017 deadline. he spent the next five-plus seasons as San Francisco’s starter. This included a host of injury issues, however. ACL, ankle and foot injuries represented the headline health concerns for Garoppolo, who also missed two starts during his brief Raiders tenure. The Raiders gave Garoppolo a three-year, $72.75MM contract but ultimately benched him following Josh McDaniels‘ firing. Garoppolo played for barely $3MM on both his Rams contracts.
It would stand to reason the former Patriots, 49ers and Raiders passer would be amenable to a similar contract to return to the Rams, but he has earned nearly $158MM over the course of his career. The former Tom Brady backup has made 64 regular-season starts and six more in the playoffs. The Rams still have Stetson Bennett rostered, but the two-time national champion has not progressed to the QB2 level. If Garoppolo retires, the Rams will need a new backup.
Ty Simpson would have been in play for L.A. had the team not traded its No. 29 overall pick to the Chiefs for Trent McDuffie. The Rams were indeed eyeing the one-year Alabama starter when they still held No. 29, ESPN’s Adam Schefter notes. While the Rams still hold No. 13 overall, that is seen as too rich for Simpson, who is not viewed as a lock to go in Round 1. Though, the Cardinals have been closely tied to this draft’s consensus No. 2 QB prospect — with trade-up buzz circulating.
I discussed a Rams-Simpson fit in a recent Trade Rumors Front Office post, as McVay’s team is a perennial contender unlikely to land a high draft pick as long as Stafford stays healthy. Taking Simpson 13th overall (or trading down and selecting him) would represent a way for the Rams to find an heir apparent, but with the team gunning for a Super Bowl title, using such a valuable asset on a player unlikely to help that cause is risky. It appears the Rams concur. Simpson is highly unlikely to be available when the Rams’ No. 61 pick goes on the clock, per Schefter.
Bears To Exercise RT Darnell Wright’s Fifth-Year Option
The Bears’ 2025 offensive line overhaul produced multiple All-Pro nods, but the group has since encountered turbulence. Drew Dalman surprisingly retired after his first Chicago season; that followed an Ozzy Trapilo injury expected to keep him out for most (if not all) of the 2026 season.
Although the team imported two new guards (Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson) via trade last year and changed left tackles midseason, Darnell Wright remains the constant on this front. After a breakthrough 2025 slate, Wright has secured a sizable guarantee. The Bears are picking up their right tackle’s fifth-year option, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets.
Wright earned second-team All-Pro status, but as the Trent McDuffie option number illustrated last year, All-Pro accolades are not factored into the option formula (only original-ballot Pro Bowl invites). As such, Wright — who has yet to make a Pro Bowl — lands on the second run of the O-line option ladder. This comes out to a $19.07MM 2027 guarantee, one the Titans are also authorizing for Peter Skoronski. The Bears chose Wright one spot ahead of Skoronski in 2023 (at No. 10 overall) and have seen strong returns from the Tennessee alum.
Chicago agreed to move down one spot with Philadelphia, giving the Eagles access to controversial prospect Jalen Carter. While the Bears ended up with a lower-profile rookie in Wright, he became an instant starter and has lined up with the team’s first-stringers in all 49 games played. Wright, 24, joined Thuney as an All-Pro on this O-line last season. Dalman made the Pro Bowl; the Bears have since traded for Garrett Bradbury to replace him.
Now extension-eligible, Wright has a path to becoming the NFL’s highest-paid RT. Penei Sewell currently holds that distinction, with a $28MM-per-year contract, but is likely to slide to left tackle after the Lions’ Taylor Decker release. Tristan Wirfs also moved to the blind side. Lane Johnson is tied to a $25MM-AAV deal; he is nearing an age-36 season. Wright should be able to approach Sewell territory, creating a good problem for a Bears team that has two higher-end salaries at guard (but no longer one at center) to go with an ascending quarterback set to become extension-eligible in 2027.
ESPN’s pass block win rate metric slotted Wright fourth among tackles last season, while Pro Football Focus ranked Wright 15th among all tackles in his third season. Wright placed ninth among all tackles in 2024 pass block win rate, setting the stage for his All-Pro emergence. The Bears will be able to pair a Wright extension with Trapilo’s rookie contract for a bit, though Braxton Jones remains in the picture — thanks to Trapilo’s patellar tendon tear — for another season.
Rams, QB Matthew Stafford Progressing On Extension
Matthew Stafford did not consider retirement for too long this offseason, revealing during his MVP acceptance speech he would play an 18th NFL season. As Sean McVay rejoiced, the Rams were aware they needed to complete another round of negotiations with their star quarterback.
Reaching reworked deals with Stafford in 2024 and ’25, the Rams are likely to complete a true extension with their five-year starter this year. Considerable progress has been made on that front, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets. Stafford’s latest revised deal runs through the 2026 season. The QB has reported for the start of Rams voluntary workouts, Rapoport adds.
Agreeing to a Rams-friendly extension weeks after leading the team to a Super Bowl LVI conquest, Stafford came to regret that choice — which resulted in a four-year, $160MM 2022 re-up — and came to the table in 2024 and ’25. The 2025 rework came after the Rams let Stafford speak with other teams about a trade. The Giants and Raiders lined up guarantee packages covering north of $90MM, but Stafford ultimately decided to stay with McVay. That decision proved wise, as he soared to an MVP nod that could eventually be the deciding factor in his Hall of Fame case.
The Rams and Stafford agreed on a two-year, $80MM revision that included a $40MM guarantee at signing. Another $40MM guarantee vested on Day 5 of the 2026 league year. A $24MM 2026 option bonus was also split into four parts, according to Spotrac.
The team will assuredly flood Stafford’s next agreement with void years and perhaps include more option bonuses to keep cap hits low, setting up for a big dead money blow when this partnership concludes down the road. Given Stafford’s play over the past three seasons — after a multi-injury 2022 that brought a half-season of work — the Rams will gladly make this sacrifice.
This figures to be an eventful offseason for the Rams on the contract front. They already imported the Chiefs’ starting cornerback tandem by trading for Trent McDuffie and signing Jaylen Watson. In-house extension decisions remain. In addition to a Stafford call — one that will lower the QB’s $48.27MM 2026 cap hit — the Rams have seen Puka Nacua, Kobie Turner, Byron Young, Steve Avila and Warren McClendon become extension-eligible. None of those players’ deals includes a fifth-year option, giving the Rams plenty of work to do on an impact 2023 draft class.
Ahead of the draft, the Rams hold just more than $26MM in cap space. Although Nacua’s standing appears murkier thanks to some offseason headlines, the All-Pro wideout is viewed as a top extension priority (though, no deal is imminent). Nacua’s rehab stay notwithstanding, the fourth-year standout did report for the start of voluntary Rams workouts Monday. He will once again team with Stafford and Davante Adams, with the Rams being connected to a possible first-round receiver addition as well. Our Ely Allen has them selecting Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson at No. 13.
With the Rams trading No. 29 (and other draft assets) for McDuffie, the prospect of the team adding a Stafford heir apparent in this draft diminishes. Stafford’s high level of play will make tabbing a successor difficult, with the Rams presumably set for late draft slots as a result. McVay has said he believes his starter can play multiple additional seasons. While Stafford is year-to-year at this point, he will lead another Super Bowl-contending team this coming season. He will likely do so with a new contract on the books.
Giants Host WR Odell Beckham Jr.
Odell Beckham Jr. did not finish the 2024 season as a member of the Dolphins, being waived during that campaign. No team signed the former Pro Bowler in 2025 — his second year out of football this decade.
Establishing himself as a star during the 2010s as a Giant, Beckham met with John Harbaugh at last month’s league meetings. Harbaugh coached Beckham with the Ravens in 2023 (but did not re-sign him for the ’24 season). The prospect of a second NFL comeback gained steam Monday, with the New York Post’s Ryan Dunleavy reporting OBJ is at the Giants’ facility taking a physical.
This is being described as a Beckham workout for the Giants, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo add. Although this would certainly be a fascinating reunion, SNY’s Connor Hughes indicates no deal is imminent. Though, Hughes adds OBJ moved well and looked good at this audition.
Beckham, who played in last month’s flag football showcase as a reintroduction of sorts for evaluators, played with the Giants from 2014-18. All three of his Pro Bowl nods came in New York, but the team dealt him to Cleveland in 2019 in a haul that included the No. 17 overall pick. The Giants parted ways with the player obtained with that selection — Dexter Lawrence — over the weekend.
While Beckham played Hall of Fame potential during his five-year stint as a Giant, injuries slowed him considerably after his Big Apple exit. He has sustained two ACL tears, the second of which coming in Super Bowl LVI, and missed a chunk of the Dolphins’ 2024 season after more knee trouble intervened. Added on a one-year, $3MM deal to be a high-profile WR3 alongside Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, Beckham caught just nine passes for 55 yards before being cut in early December that year.
With Harbaugh now leading the Giants, Beckham’s 2023 season in Baltimore becomes more relevant. He was far more productive as a Raven, hauling in 35 passes for 565 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games. This worked out to a career-high 16.1 yards per catch. Until Zay Flowers is extended, Beckham’s $15MM guarantee at signing remains the most money the franchise has guaranteed a veteran wideout. The Ravens’ Beckham decision nixed a potential Courtland Sutton trade in 2023, providing a seminal development for a trade-rumor mainstay (who has enjoyed a strong Broncos second act since), and the team let him walk in 2024.
Considering the injury trouble Beckham has encountered, he is unlikely to reach the $3MM number he played for in Miami. The Giants already added low-cost wideouts in Darnell Mooney and Calvin Austin, and with the team obtaining the Bengals’ No. 10 overall pick for Lawrence, the prospect of a first-round wide receiver looms as Malik Nabers rehabs an ACL tear. It would stand to reason the Giants wait on Beckham until after the draft. If Beckham is open to other destinations, waiting to see how WR rooms look post-draft would be logical for the free agent as well.
Patriots Remain A.J. Brown’s Expected Destination Following Eagles Trade
A.J. Brown has long been viewed as a trade candidate, and the Eagles‘ actions this offseason have pointed to a parting of ways. Philadelphia is still considered likely to proceed with a swap later this offseason, and the team most often named as a destination remains the presumed landing spot for Brown.
A trade taking place on or just after June 1 is “still tracking to happen,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. To no surprise, he adds the Patriots are the presumed destination for Brown. New England has frequently been mentioned as the likeliest team to acquire Brown, even in the wake of Romeo Doubs‘ free agent signing. A Patriots acquisition would result in a reunion between Brown and head coach Mike Vrabel.
The two were together in Tennessee from 2019-21. That stretch was followed by the trade which sent Brown to Philadelphia, a move which proved to be highly effective from the Eagles’ perspective. Brown collected three second-team All-Pro nods during his time with the team, topping 1,000 yards and scoring at least seven touchdowns each year along the way. Expectations will be high for the 28-year-old if/when he winds up in New England with the Patriots aiming to repeat the success of 2025.
Monday marks the beginning of the Eagles’ offseason program. As could be expected considering where this situation now stands, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports Brown is absent from the team. The Ole Miss product is not expected to return, meaning he is set to miss voluntary work including OTAs. Mandatory minicamp will not start until after June 1, and Schefter confirms trade negotiations are set to pick up prior to that date. Waiting until after the upcoming draft to add picks in 2027 or ’28 is not seen as an issue, per Schefter.
Garafolo’s colleague Tom Pelissero notes there have not been recent trade negotiations regarding Brown. The Eagles and Patriots (or any other suitor) are free to agree to the parameters of a swap at any time, though, so progress toward an agreement after the draft will be something to watch for. Any trade which is processed after June 1 would spread the dead money associated with the deal across two years and lessen the financial impact of the move for Philadelphia.
Four years remain on Brown’s contract, and he is set to carry a cap charge of $23.39MM in 2026. The Patriots remain near the top of the league in spending power, so absorbing that figure would be easier for them than it would for most other teams considering a high-profile WR move deep into the offseason.
Cowboys, K Brandon Aubrey Agree To Extension
The Cowboys have worked out another market-setting extension agreement. Kicker Brandon Aubrey has agreed to a long-term deal with Dallas.
Team and player finalized a four-year extension on Monday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. This will be a $28MM pact, giving Aubrey a position-topping $7MM average annual value. The deal runs through 2030 and includes $20MM guaranteed, which is also a new high mark for kickers. The news is now official.
Aubrey was due to collect $5.77MM in 2026 while playing on the second-round restricted free agent tender. The deadline for RFAs to sign offer sheets recently passed, and with no outside suitors showing interest it was confirmed he would spend at least one more year in Dallas. A long-term deal had been the team’s goal throughout the offseason, although as of one month ago there was still plenty of work to be done on the negotiating front.
Talks heated up over the weekend, according to Schefter’s colleague Jeremy Fowler. He adds Aubrey will collect $10MM in 2026. An extension averaging that much per year had been the target in this case, but Aubrey has still managed to secure a notable payday in line with Dallas’ best offer. The kicker market moved to $6.5MM earlier this offseason, and it has now seen another jump.
Aubrey’s football career only began in 2022 when he took on kicking duties for the Birmingham Stallions. Strong showings in that capacity once again the following year put the former Major League Soccer draftee on the NFL radar. Aubrey joined the Cowboys in 2023 and won out the kicking gig. Since then, he has emerged as one of the league’s best at the position, particularly from long range.
Aubrey, 31, has connected on 88.2% of his field goal attempts during the course of his career, including a remarkable success rate (24-for-27) on attempts of 50 yards or longer. The three-time Pro Bowler has missed just four extra point kicks, and he will be expected to remain a consistent weapon on offense for the Cowboys for the foreseeable future. Maintaining a high-scoring unit will be a goal for Dallas moving forward, and a major commitment to Aubrey will be part of the team’s planning in that regard.
The Cowboys will of course turn their attention to this week’s draft, but today’s news leaves franchise tag recipient George Pickens as the next major in-house priority. A trade is not expected in his case, and a long-term agreement would ensure a presence on Dallas’ offense beyond 2026. In any event, Aubrey will be in the fold for years to come.
Chiefs Re-Sign P Matt Araiza
Matt Araiza will remain in place with the Chiefs for 2026. A one-year deal has been worked out between the punter and Kansas City, per his agents (h/t Ian Rapoport of NFL Network).
Araiza was drafted by the Bills in 2022, but allegations of his involvement in a gang rape incident at San Diego State resulted in his Buffalo tenure being short-lived. The former sixth-rounder was the subject of an investigation, and criminal charges were ultimately dropped. Araiza was also eventually dropped from a civil suit on the matter.
Efforts to return to the NFL led to a Chiefs signing in 2024. Araiza handled punting duties that season, serving as Tommy Townsend‘s replacement. He averaged 48.8 gross yards per punt, with a net average of 41.8. Araiza was tendered as an exclusive rights free agent last spring, setting him up to operate as Kansas City’s punter once again.
Following another full campaign in that capacity, Araiza is now in position to spend a third season with the Chiefs. The 25-year-old averaged 47.6 yards per punt in 2025, and he will be counted on to deliver a similar performance moving forward. Araiza earned the league minimum during each of his first Kansas City seasons, and he is in line to do the same for 2026 (with $1.08MM due to be collected).
The Chiefs entered Monday near the bottom of the league in cap space, and signing their incoming draft class will limit their ability to make major offseason moves through the summer. As a low-cost contributor, however, Araiza will provide continuity on special teams without significantly altering Kansas City’s financial outlook.
Giants Eyeing Mid-Round Pick In Kayvon Thibodeaux Trade?
APRIL 20: A trade involving Thibodeaux is now less likely given the Lawrence blockbuster, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Trade calls have indeed taken place recently, but a strong enough offer has yet to be presented. The Athletic’s Dan Duggan confirms the Giants will not accept a Day 3 pick to move on from Thibodeaux, so he may remain in the fold through at least the draft.
APRIL 18: Kayvon Thibodeaux‘s name has frequently been mentioned in trade speculation, and the draft looms as a logical window for a deal to be worked out in his case. The Giants will be worth monitoring as they weigh their options on the Thibodeaux front.
It was reported in March that the Giants’ preference would be to move on in this case, and it became clear at the Combine the team would be open to fielding offers. No Thibodeaux swap was worked out ahead of the 2025 trade deadline. New York could elect to keep him in the fold to play out his fifth-year option, but a trade remains something to watch for over the coming days.
Casino.com’s Jason La Canfora writes it would be “quite surprising” if Thibodeaux were to still be with the Giants by the end of next week’s draft. A general manager he spoke with said New York hopes to secure a third-round pick in a trade but would be willing to accept an offer of a fourth-rounder. Any return in that range would of course represent a highly underwhelming end to the former No. 5 selection’s time as a Giant.
Thibodeaux has started all 55 of his combined regular and postseason appearances for New York, but his production and playing time has fluctuated across his four NFL seasons. 2025 saw his snap share drop to a career-low 72%, and the Oregon product’s 2.5 sacks were also a personal low. Thibodeaux has played a full campaign only once, and the Giants have a starting edge rush tandem in the form of Brian Burns and Abdul Carter for 2026 and beyond.
Those factors help explain New York’s aversion to a long-term Thibodeaux contract but they will also limit his trade value. The 25-year-old is owed $14.75MM for next season, making him an expensive rental option. An acquiring team could attempt to work out an extension, but doing so could be challenging given Thibodeaux’s career arc to date. Still, an edge rusher at his age could be an intriguing buy-low target for any number of suitors.
The Giants are currently set to experience a wide gap between their second pick (No. 37) and third one (No. 105). Acquiring a third-round selection would help bridge that divide and provide additional draft capital to improve a defense in need of upgrades with or without Dexter Lawrence in the fold.
Aaron Rodgers Unlikely To Inform Steelers Of Plans Prior To Draft
The week of the 2026 draft has arrived, and the Steelers are once again unsure of whether or not their presumed starting quarterback will be in the fold by the start of the season. The future of Aaron Rodgers remains uncertain at this time, and clarity does not appear to be imminent.
Rodgers has been in communication with head coach Mike McCarthy and general manager Omar Khan during recent weeks, but NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero report a formal assurance of suiting up for 2026 has yet to be provided. Pittsburgh is not expected to know Rodgers’ intentions for certain until after the upcoming draft. Owner Art Rooney II previously tapped the draft as a checkpoint for finding out more on this front, but it appears that will not be the case.
The Steelers had hoped to receive clarity with respect to Rodgers in mid-February, which would have been an earlier timeline than in 2025. Instead, another wait lasting deep into the offseason has taken place and it is set to continue. Pelissero points to the start of OTAs as a logical time for Rodgers to make his return to the organization and participate in on-field work. For now, the Steelers are set to begin spring practices without the four-time MVP in the fold.
That will leave Will Howard to take first-team reps this week. The 2025 sixth-rounder has drawn praise from McCarthy and others, although a second Rodgers campaign would leave him short on opportunities to develop in advance of the 2027 offseason when Pittsburgh will need to decide on whether or not a starting-caliber QB addition is necessary. Veteran Mason Rudolph is also in the fold.
Rodgers came into the 2025 season thinking it would be his last. Even with Mike Tomlin stepping aside, the door has remained open to a reunion between Rodgers and McCarthy. The two enjoyed a successful tenure in Green Bay, and McCarthy has welcomed the possibility of spending another year together with the Steelers.
Rodgers is 42, and while the future Hall of Famer offered stability under center in 2025 he would not be expected to operate at level matching his peak years in the event of a Pittsburgh return. It remains a distinct possibility that one will take place, but the team is positioned to once again enter the draft without being sure of Rodgers’ future.