Cowboys Release QB Will Grier
The Cowboys are clearing some QB depth. According to ESPN’s Todd Archer, the team is cutting quarterback Will Grier.
A 2019 third-round pick by the Panthers, Grier had been with the Cowboys organization for the past year-plus. He spent the final two months of the 2024 season on the practice squad (before a late-season promotion), and he remained on the taxi squad for the entirety of the 2025 campaign.
There was initially some hope that he’d compete with Joe Milton for the QB2 gig behind Dak Prescott in 2026. However, that opportunity quickly came to an end when the Cowboys signed Sam Howell to be their primary backup at the position. That made Grier expendable.
The QB got a two-game look with the Panthers as a rookie, going winless while completing 28 of his 52 pass attempts for 228 yards and four interceptions. He lasted one more year in Carolina before getting cut, and that led to his first stint with the Cowboys. He spent both the 2021 and 2022 campaigns in Dallas before bouncing around the NFL in 2023, when he spent time with the Bengals, Patriots, and Chargers.
He spent most of the 2024 season on the Eagles practice squad before catching on with the Cowboys for his second stint with the organization. Now, Grier will be hunting for yet another NFL opportunity.
Cardinals To Sign OL Elijah Wilkinson
After emerging as a full-time starter with the Falcons in 2025, Elijah Wilkinson is heading to Arizona. The free agent offensive lineman is signing with the Cardinals, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston.
The former UDFA has held steady gigs throughout his career, but injuries were recently disrupting recent seasons. Wilkinson landed on injured reserve three times between 2020 and 2023, forcing him to miss 24 games over that span. That stretch included a brief stint with the Falcons, where he started nine games.
After getting into only two games in 2024, the lineman rebounded by starting a career-high 17 games in Atlanta this past season. Pro Football Focus graded him 54th among 84 qualifying OTs, with the site favoring his run blocking over his pass blocking.
This move will be a reunion for the 31-year-old, who started nine of his 10 appearances with the Cardinals in 2023. He mostly played guard during that first stint, but he could be an option for Arizona opposite Paris Johnson at offensive tackle. The team moved on from versatile lineman Evan Brown earlier today, so there will surely be some kind of role for Wilkinson in 2026 either way.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/12/26
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: CB Starling Thomas, DE Jonah Williams
Chicago Bears
- Signed: S Elijah Hicks, G Jordan McFadden
Detroit Lions
- Signed: WR Tom Kennedy, LB Trevor Nowaske
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: WR Dareke Young
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: LB Grant Stuard
New York Jets
- Signed: OL Xavier Newman-Johnson
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: FB Brady Russell
- Released: CB Tyler Hall
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: S Miles Killebrew
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: S Jerrick Reed
RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/12/26
One exclusive rights free agent decision to pass along:
ERFAs
Tendered:
- Broncos: DL Jordan Jackson
Jackson is all but assured to return to Denver next season via his one-year, $1.075MM tender. The former Saints sixth-round pick has been with the Broncos since 2023. He had 17 tackles and one sack with Denver in 2024, but he was limited to only five games this past year.
Mike Evans Considered Signing With Bills
A dozen years into a potential Hall of Fame career, wide receiver Mike Evans left the Buccaneers for the 49ers on Monday. Discussing the decision on Thursday, Evans told reporters he entered free agency seeking a contender with a good quarterback (via Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports California). He found that in San Francisco, which reeled him in with a three-year offer worth a base value of $42.4MM.
The 32-year-old Evans will go forward with Brock Purdy as his quarterback, but he also considered moving to Buffalo to team with Josh Allen.
“So I was looking at here, Buffalo Bills, teams that needed a No. 1 wide receiver,” Evans said. “I liked this place. This was my No. 1 spot on my own.”
It is unclear if the Bills were aggressive in pursuing Evans, especially after they acquired the pricey D.J. Moore from the Bears last week. However, if the Bills brought in Evans to pair with Moore, it would have given them a much better outside receiver duo than they had last year. The Bills have a quality slot target in Khalil Shakir, but the rest of their wideouts underwhelmed in 2025.
Former second-round pick Keon Coleman did not progress as hoped during a year in which former head coach Sean McDermott made him a healthy scratch four times. Meanwhile, Josh Palmer and Curtis Samuel struggled to produce during injury-shortened years. To no surprise, the Bills released Samuel last Friday. Late-season pickup Brandin Cooks is also a free agent. Tyrell Shavers is under contract, but he will miss time next season after tearing his ACL in a wild-card round win over the Jaguars.
As things stand, Coleman and Palmer are Buffalo’s top boundary receivers beyond Moore. There is clearly still room for improvement, whether it comes by way of a dwindling free agent market, another trade or the draft.
Jauan Jennings, the 49ers’ most productive receiver in 2025, may be the No. 1 option left in free agency. The 49ers have already lost auxiliary wideout Kendrick Bourne to the Cardinals, but they now have Evans slotting in with Ricky Pearsall atop their receiving corps. The 49ers are counting on healthier seasons for both players. Multiple injuries – including a hamstring strain and a broken clavicle – limited Evans to eight games in 2025 and denied him a record-setting 12th straight 1,000-yard season. Knee problems held Pearsall to nine games during the second year of his career.
Despite injuries to Pearsall and a slew of other noteworthy contributors, the 49ers went 12-5 and advanced to the divisional round last season. During their run to a Super Bowl title, the NFC West rival Seahawks knocked the 49ers out of the postseason in a 41-6 blowout. But Evans, who won a Super Bowl in Tampa Bay, is confident he will help San Francisco get over the hump next year.
“Even with all the injuries last year … I feel like they were one piece away,” the six-time Pro Bowler said (via Nick Wagoner of ESPN). “And I think that I am that piece. I look forward to coming here and proving that.”
Chiefs To Sign RB Emari Demercado
The Chiefs continue to revamp their running backs room. After agreeing to a deal with Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker, the team is now adding Emari Demercado to the mix, per Jordan Schultz.
The former Cardinals running back is joining Kansas City via a one-year deal. The signing comes following a tumultuous final season in Arizona for Demercado.
The third-year RB entered the season as the RB3 behind James Conner and Trey Benson, but he mostly stuck in the role even after each of his teammates suffered season-ending injuries. He got a look alongside replacements Michael Carter and Bam Knight in Week 5 prior to a headline-grabbing gaffe.
Demercado was set to score on a 72-yard touchdown run but let go of the ball for a touchback right before he crossed the goal line. The Cardinals led 21-6 at the time and proceeded to lose the game. Now-fired coach Jonathan Gannon was seen yelling at his RB after the play, and the coach eventually incurred a $100K fine after appearing to shove Demercado.
The 27-year-old rebounded temporarily with a 79 rushing yards in Week 9 and 104 yards from scrimmage in Week 10. A high-ankle sprain later knocked him out for three weeks, and he tallied only 108 total yards in four games following his return.
The former UDFA has shown some occasional flashes throughout his career, and he’s showcased some ability as both a rusher and a pass-catcher. The Chiefs made Walker their biggest splash of this week, giving the RB close to $29MM in guaranteed money to replace Isiah Pacheco. With Kareem Hunt also unsigned, Demercado could easily slide into the RB2 role in Kansas City, although he may see some competition from 2025 seventh-round pick Brashard Smith.
Eagles To Sign CB Jonathan Jones
Following a one-year stop in Washington, Jonathan Jones is sticking in the NFC East. The veteran cornerback is signing a one-year deal with the Eagles, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Jones joined the Commanders last offseason following nearly a decade-long stint in New England. He started seven of his 12 appearances in Washington, compiling 41 tackles and five passes defended. Pro Football Focus ultimately graded him 100th among 112 qualifying cornerbacks. Jones spent an early chunk of the season on IR while nursing a hamstring injury.
Prior to his stop in Washington, Jones made 132 appearances in nine seasons with the Patriots. A 2016 undrafted free agent, Jones evolved from a special teamer into a key defender in New England. He earned the bulk of his 71 Patriots starts during his final three years with the organization, including a 2023 campaign where he ranked 21st among 127 qualifiers on Pro Football Focus’ positional rankings.
Jones also got into eight playoff games with the Patriots, earning a pair of Super Bowl rings along the way. When all was said and done, his tenure with the organization ended with him having compiled 477 stops, 11 interceptions, and 10 forced fumbles.
After primarily playing in the slot early in his career, Jones has transitioned to the outside over the past few seasons. He could serve in either role in Philly, although he’ll likely find himself on the bench to start games. Quinyon Mitchell and new addition Riq Woolen will be penciled in for the outside while Cooper DeJean soaks up most of the snaps out of the slot.
Raiders To Sign FB Connor Heyward
While Cameron Heyward inked an extension with the Steelers earlier this week, his brother is heading elsewhere. Fullback Connor Heyward is signing with the Raiders, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
[RELATED: Steelers Extend DT Cameron Heyward]
It’s a two-year deal for Heyward. The contract offers a max value of $5.5MM with $2MM fully guaranteed.
The 2022 sixth-round pick has spent his entire career in Pittsburgh, and he hasn’t missed a game through his four professional seasons. He actually showed some pass-catching prowess early in his career, including a 2023 campaign where he hauled in 23 catches. Since then, he’s been limited to nine total catches.
This past year, Heyward added some wildcat QB formations to his resume. He finished the year with 15 carries for 43 yards and two touchdowns. At the same time, he’s continued to be a solid blocker, with Pro Football Focus giving him some elite grades for his pass-blocking ability.
Per Rapoport, the Steelers were interested in bringing back the FB for another season. Ultimately, new Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak wanted Heyward as part of his offense, where he’ll be tasked with protecting RB Ashton Jeanty and expected first-overall pick Fernando Mendoza.
Titans To Sign TE Kylen Granson
Following a disappointing one-year stint in Philly, Kylen Granson is heading to Tennessee. The tight end is signing a one-year deal with the Titans, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
The 2021 fourth-round pick showed some flashes throughout his rookie contract in Indy. He only missed six games during his four years with the Colts, hauling in 86 catches. He had his best showing between 2022 and 2023, when he hauled in 61 total catches for 670 yards and one touchdown.
Granson saw his targets drop in 2024 before hitting free agency. He caught on with the Eagles but served as the team’s third tight end behind Dallas Goedert and Grant Calcaterra. He finished the campaign with a career-low seven catches for 40 yards. While his offensive numbers suffered, Pro Football Focus was still pretty fond of his pass-blocking ability in 2025.
Now, he’ll look to revive his career in Tennessee. The Titans will see some significant change to their TEs room in 2026, as starter Chigoziem Okonkwo left via free agency for the Commanders. The team has since added Daniel Bellinger to a grouping that includes holdover Gunnar Helm.
Steelers To Sign S Jaquan Brisker
Having already lost Kevin Byard and C.J. Gardner-Johnson, the Bears will see another veteran defensive back walk out the door in free agency. Safety Jaquan Brisker is signing with the Steelers, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports. It’s a one-year, $5.5MM deal, per Garafolo and colleague Ian Rapoport.
Brisker is heading back to his native Pittsburgh, which will be his second NFL stop. After a standout college career at Penn State, Brisker joined the Bears as a second-round pick in 2022. The 26-year-old started in all 52 of his games with the Bears.
Brisker played back-to-back 15-game seasons to begin his career, but he missed time with concussions in both years. Another head injury cost Brisker 12 games in 2024. Despite that, Brisker brushed off retirement in favor of continuing his career last year.
Not only did the 6-foot-1, 204-pounder log his first 17-game season in 2025, but he led all Bears defenders with a 99.91% defensive snap share (Byard finished second at 99.81%). Brisker tallied 93 tackles, eight passes defensed and an interception along the way. Pro Football Focus ranked Brisker’s performance a solid 45th among 91 qualifying safeties. With a 79.0 grade against the run, he placed 20th in that category.
Kyle Dugger, Chuck Clark and Jabrill Peppers were among the Steelers’ safety choices last season, but all three are now unsigned. Brisker will join a group that includes Jalen Ramsey, DeShon Elliott and the newly signed Darnell Savage. Between Brisker and former Buccaneers cornerback Jamel Dean, Pittsburgh has added two full-time starters to its secondary this week.