Dolphins Plan To Extend De’Von Achane, Aaron Brewer
The Dolphins have identified running back De’Von Achane and center Aaron Brewer as priorities for contract extensions, general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan said at league meetings this week (via Omar Kelly of The Miami Herald).
Achane, 24, has established himself as one of the league’s most dynamic running backs. Last year, the 2023 third-round pick ranked sixth in the NFL with 1,838 all-purpose yards and 12th with 12 total touchdowns. Other teams sniffed around at the 2025 trade deadline, but the Dolphins set a high price with no real interest in trading Achane. Sullivan reiterated that position this week.
“There is zero effort on my end to move Achane,” he said, though he acknowledged that “nobody is untouchable” and his job “is to always listen.”
Still, the Dolphins see Achane as a long-term star for their offense, one that can get things going on the ground or through the air. Accordingly, he will likely be looking for a deal on the high end of the positional market at $14MM per year or more. With the 2027 running back franchise tag projected for $15.2MM (per OverTheCap) and as the centerpiece of a rebuilding unit, Achane argue for even more than that.
Achane has already indicated a desire to lock in an extension this offseason, and now, the Dolphins have, too. At a minimum, the two sides are primed for negotiations, and both seem incentivized to come to an agreement.
Miami also wants to retain Brewer, their 28-year-old starting center who earned a second-team All-Pro nod for his standout 2025 season. He led all centers with a 91.5 run blocking grade and trailed only Chiefs All-Pro Creed Humphrey in overall grade, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Brewer’s 98.7 pass block efficiency also ranked fifth among starting centers.
The interior offensive line marketed has skyrocketed in recent years, capped by Tyler Linderbaum‘s stunning $27MM AAV deal from the Raiders that is effectively fully guaranteed. Brewer will not get anywhere near that sum, but a rising tide theoretically lifts all boats. However, the Dolphins may argue that Linderbaum’s contract is an extreme outlier for a market that is otherwise capped by Humphrey at $18MM per year.
That would keep Brewer’s valuation in line with centers like Connor McGovern and Luke Wattenberg, two similarly-aged players who signed for $13.1MM and $12MM annually, respectively. Brewer will still push to reach Cam Jurgens‘ per-year figure of $17MM and will have leverage to do so coming off a career year. Ending up somewhere in the middle would feel appropriate for both sides.
Packers Interested In Kirk Cousins
The Packers continue to search for a new QB2 behind Jordan Love, and they could turn to one of the most intriguing options still on the market. GM Brian Gutekunst admitted to reporters that he’s discussed pursuing Kirk Cousins as a backup.
[RELATED: Rams Interested In Kirk Cousins]
“Yeah, we’ve discussed a lot of those options,” Gutekunst said (via Matt Schneidman of The Athletic). “Obviously that’s a guy who’s got a lot of pelts on the wall in this league, so we’ve certainly discussed all those kind of things.”
With Malik Willis taking a big-money deal in Miami, the Packers are seeking a new backup for Love, who’s missed two games in each of the past two seasons. At the moment, former third-round pick Desmond Ridder is penciled in as the backup, with Kyle McCord also sticking on the offseason roster.
Predictably, that’s led to plenty of speculation that the Packers will eventually find a new option to fill out the depth chart. The organization has already been connected to Anthony Richardson, who requested a trade out of Indy. The former fourth-overall pick would be more of a reclamation project, similar to Willis when he initially joined the Packers. However, the organization is also apparently pursuing former starters for their QB2 role.
We heard earlier this month that Cousins was going to be patient as he pursued his next gig. There’s been some assumption that the veteran would prefer a starting job, and he’d be willing to wait to sign until after the draft so he’d have full clarity on depth charts. Still, that hasn’t stopped teams with a definitive QB1 from considering a run at the four-time Pro Bowler. We heard earlier today that the Rams were among the team’s interested in the 37-year-old.
Cousins stint in Atlanta came to a predictable end earlier this month. His first season with the Falcons was a disappointment, as he guided the team to a 7-7 record while leading the NFL with 16 interceptions. He started the 2025 campaign behind Michael Penix on the depth chart, but Cousins worked his way back into the starting lineup when his teammate suffered a season-ending knee injury. The veteran’s 2025 season saw him go 5-3 as a starter, with the QB completing 61.7 percent of his passes for 1,721 yards, 10 touchdowns, and five interceptions.
Considering how his Falcons stint unfolded, it’s not surprising that QB-needy teams weren’t immediately jumping at Cousins to lead their depth chart. Potential suitors may reconsider that approach, especially if any injuries emerge during the spring or summer. If Cousins wants to secure a gig before that, he may have to settle for a backup opportunity with a contender.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Packers are still considering a reunion with a late-season acquisition. Gutekunst acknowledged that the team could re-sign cornerback Trevon Diggs.
“I wouldn’t shut the door on anything,” the GM said (h/t Jason B. Hirschhorn). “As we work through this draft and get to the other side of the draft, we’re going to continue to look at ways to improve the football team.”
After getting dumped by the Cowboys late in the season, Diggs caught on with the Packers via waivers. He got into a single game with his new squad, collecting a pair of tackles while getting into about half his team’s defensive snaps. Green Bay predictably moved on from the cornerback in January to avoid the remaining money on his five-year, $97MM Cowboys-designed extension.
Dolphins GM: Malik Willis Not Necessarily A Bridge QB
The Dolphins gave Malik Willis some significant money on his three-year pact, and there’s no doubt he’ll be under center for the team in 2026. However, his non-guaranteed third year and his lack of a starting track record has led many to leave that he’ll ultimately be a bridge QB.
While that could still end up being the case, the Dolphins have higher hopes for their free agent acquisition. While speaking to reporters today, GM Jon-Eric Sullivan said that the organization views Willis as a long-term piece, assuming the QB actually performs.
“Malik is our guy,” Sullivan said (via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald). “Malik is an ascending player. It was important for us to get him on 3 year deal. We want to build around him. It’s not a bandaid. He’s got to go play and he knows this… He’s got an elite arm. He’s a very, very good athlete. Big strong powerful body… can make plays with his legs.”
The 2022 third-round pick didn’t click in Tennessee, but he found a home in Green Bay as Jordan Love‘s backup. He garnered some intrigue for his cameos over the past two years with the Packers, where he went 2-1 as a starter. In total, Willis finished his Green Bay tenure having completed 78.7 percent of his passes for 972 yards, six touchdowns, and zero interceptions. He also add 261 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 42 carries.
That performance earned him a three-year deal from the Dolphins, who were seeking a new QB to guide their post-Tua Tagovailoa era. The Willis contract was worth $67.5MM, including $45MM in guaranteed money. Notably, the QB’s base salaries were fully guaranteed in 2026 and 2027, although his 2028 salary wasn’t guaranteed.
That’s led many to assume that the team will ultimately eye a rookie QB, with Willis temporarily keeping the seat warm. That may still end up being the case, but it seems likelier than not that the organization will wait a year until investing a high draft pick at the position. That will provide the Dolphins with a full year to evaluate Willis as their starting QB. In the event that he isn’t any good, the front office will likely be armed with a 2027 first-round pick that’s higher than the 11th-overall pick they’re currently holding (in a deeper QB draft class, no less).
Eagles Sign LB Chandler Martin
Chandler Martin will continue his rehab in Philly. The free agent linebacker is signing a two-year deal with the Eagles, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston.
Martin earned first-team All-AAC honors during his two seasons at Memphis before going undrafted in the 2025 draft. He quickly caught on with the Ravens, and after being among the team’s final preseason cuts, he earned a role on Baltimore’s practice squad.
He spent most of the season on the taxi squad but got his way into three games with the Ravens, compiling five tackles while playing exclusively on special teams. He suffered a torn ACL in Week 13, ending his season prematurely and putting the start of his 2026 season in doubt.
The Eagles won’t have to rush Martin back from his injury considering their two-year commitment to the linebacker. Philadelphia doesn’t have a real immediate need for depth at the position. Zack Baun and Jihaad Campbell are fully entrenched atop the depth chart, while the likes of Jeremiah Trotter, Smael Mondon, and Chance Campbell will compete for backup reps. The Eagles are hoping Martin can join that grouping before the 2026 season is through.
Viking To Pick Up Jordan Addison’s Fifth-Year Option
Jordan Addison hasn’t necessarily lived up to his first-round billing, but that won’t stop the Vikings from committing to a fifth year for the wideout. Vikings Executive Vice President of Football Operations Rob Brzezinski told reporters today that the team plans to pick up Addison’s fifth-year option.
“He’s a really important player for us, an impact player,” Brzezinski said (via the team’s website). “We’re definitely exercising the option. For sure. The deadline for that is after the draft.”
After being selected by Minnesota with the 23rd overall pick in the 2023 draft, Addison immediately carved out a significant role on offense. He finished his rookie campaign with 70 catches for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns. That performance earned him a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
Those marks still represent career-highs for Addison. He had 63 catches for 875 yards and nine scores as a sophomore (plus 20 yards and a touchdown on the ground), and he followed that up with 42 catches for 610 yards and three touchdowns in 2025 (plus 81 rushing yards and a score).
There are a handful of reasons why Addison has struggled to truly break out through his first three NFL seasons. For starters, he’s played second fiddle to Justin Jefferson, who has commanded close to 300 targets over the past two years. Secondly, Addison has had to deal with some inconsistent QB play; he got eight games from Kirk Cousins as a rookie and a full season from Sam Darnold in 2024, but has otherwise dealt with the likes of J.J. McCarthy, Nick Mullens, Joshua Dobbs, and others.
Addison has also had his fair share of legal issues, including a 2024 arrest near LAX on suspicion of DUI. Just two months ago, the receiver was arrested in Florida on a misdemeanor trespassing charge. He’s avoided suspension for those off-the-field issues, although he was handed a three-game ban to start the 2025 campaign after violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.
Still, the Vikings are comfortable enough with Addison to commit $18MM to him in 2027. That number doesn’t break the bank, and it does hedge against a potential breakout. But Addison will still have to show more if he wants to secure a long-term pact before the 2028 offseason.
Jets Expect To Pick Up Will McDonald’s Fifth-Year Option
Although general manager Darren Mougey was not in place when the Jets drafted Will McDonald 15th overall in 2023, he is prepared to keep the edge rusher around for at least two more seasons. Mougey said Monday that the Jets expect to pick up McDonald’s $14.48MM fifth-year option for 2027 (via Connor Hughes of SNY).
A year after using a first-rounder on pass rusher Jermaine Johnson, ex-GM Joe Douglas doubled down in taking McDonald. A former Iowa standout, McDonald filled a limited role during a 15-game, zero-start rookie campaign. The 6-foot-4, 245-pounder played just 16.18% of defensive snaps and totaled three sacks, though the Jets’ reliance on McDonald has increased heavily since then.
New York fired defensive-minded head coach Robert Saleh and replaced him with D-coordinator Jeff Ulbrich during the 2024 season, a career year for McDonald. While playing all 17 games and starting 15, McDonald posted personal bests in pressures (61), quarterback hits (24), tackles for loss (11) and sacks (10.5).
Despite his quality pass-rushing production two years ago, Pro Football Focus ranked McDonald a below-average 79th among 121 edge defenders. A poor grade against the run was the culprit, which was the case again in 2025. Playing his first year under another defensive-minded head coach, Aaron Glenn, McDonald ranked 84th among 115 players at his position (via PFF). Over 15 games and 14 starts, the 26-year-old’s pressures dropped to 42. The rest of his numbers also declined to some degree. He registered 19 QB hits, 10 TFL and eight sacks (four of which came in a Week 10 outburst against the Browns) before suffering a season-ending knee injury in December.
McDonald drew interest leading up to last November’s trade deadline, but the Jets were more open to trading Johnson. They have since dealt Johnson to Tennessee, reuniting him with Saleh, for defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat. On the other hand, they remain committed to McDonald, who will team with free agent signing Joseph Ossai and potentially a first-round rookie as the Jets’ top edge rushers next season.
Falcons Likely To Focus On Post-Draft Bijan Robinson, Drake London Extensions
Falcons running back Bijan Robinson and wide receiver Drake London are among premier NFLers who are unsigned past next season. Unsurprisingly, however, rookie general manager Ian Cunningham wants to keep the pair around beyond then. Cunningham said the focus will likely turn to extensions for the two after next month’s draft, per Marc Raimondi of ESPN.
As the eighth pick in the 2023 draft, Robinson entered the NFL with considerable hype. The former Texas Longhorn has more than lived up to it. While Robinson finished 24 rushing yards shy of 1,000 as a rookie, he surpassed the 1,400 mark in each of the past two seasons. Robinson has also hauled in 198 catches, including 79 last year, and totaled 34 touchdowns (25 rushing, nine receiving). The 5-foot-11, 215-pounder has paired his stellar production with impressive durability, having played in 51 straight games to begin his career.
With 1,478 ground yards in 2025, Robinson finished second in the league. He piled up another 820 yards through the air, good for 20th overall, and found the end zone 11 times (seven rushing, four receiving). Robinson not only picked up his second Pro Bowl nod, but he was a first-team All-Pro running back and a second-team All-Pro as an all-purpose player.
If the Falcons do not extend Robinson by May 1, they will have his 2027 fifth-year option as a fallback plan. Picking that up for $11.32MM will be an easy decision for Cunningham and president of football Matt Ryan. An extension will be far more expensive, especially with the salary cap continuing to rise. The Saints’ Travis Etienne and the Packers’ Josh Jacobs pace the league’s running backs in total value ($48MM). The Eagles’ Saquon Barkley ($20.6MM) and the 49ers’ Christian McCaffrey ($19MM) lead in average salary, while the former is tops at the position in guarantees ($36MM). Robinson, like Lions extension candidate and fellow 2023 first-rounder Jahmyr Gibbs, has a legitimate argument to go by all of them.
Likewise, London has a case to become one of the league’s highest-paid players at his position. There should be more urgency on the Falcons’ part to lock up London, a 2022 first-rounder (No. 8) who is on track to play his fifth-year option season in 2026. Indeed, Cunningham said Monday that a London extension is “on top of mind.”
London averaged a solid 70 catches, 886 yards and three touchdowns per season over his first two years, but the ex-USC standout morphed into a star producer in 2024. He posted 100 catches, 1,271 yards and nine TDs that year. While a knee injury held London out of five games last year, the 6-4, 215-pounder remained a force when healthy. Playing his age-24 season, London amassed 68 receptions, 919 yards and seven scores in 12 contests.
London has thrived despite lackluster quarterback play, which the Falcons hope changes with the addition of Tua Tagovailoa in free agency. Regardless, London is on a collision course with a mega-extension or the franchise tag by next March.
Coming off an Offensive Player of the Year-winning season, Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba signed a record-setting extension last week. On his four-year deal, JSN leads his position in total money ($168MM), average annual value ($42.15MM) and guarantees ($120MM-plus). London may not do that well, but he could at least become the latest wideout to approach or exceed $35MM per season on a multiyear pact.
Jaguars To Exercise RT Anton Harrison’s Fifth-Year Option
Entering his third season in 2025, Anton Harrison was not a lock to continue as the Jaguars’ starting right tackle. Not only did the former first-round pick keep the job, but he played well enough to stick around for at least another couple of years. General manager James Gladstone said Monday that the Jaguars will exercise Harrison’s 2027 fifth-year option for $19.02MM, Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union reports.
A month and a half after losing Jawaan Taylor to the Chiefs in free agency, the Jaguars moved back twice in the 2023 draft and selected Harrison at No. 27. The Oklahoma product posted his lone 17-start season as a rookie, though Pro Football Focus rated him an underwhelming 67th among tackles. Harrison played and started 16 games in his second season, in which PFF placed him an improved 50th in its rankings.
After beating out free agent pickup Chuma Edoga for Jacksonville’s right tackle spot last summer, Harrison started in all 15 appearances. The 6-foot-4, 315-pounder once again took steps forward in the estimation of PFF, which regarded him as the league’s 29th-best tackle. Harrison was particularly strong as a pass blocker, helping quarterback Trevor Lawrence to a career year in which he finished fifth in MVP voting. Lawrence’s progress under the rookie head coach-offensive coordinator tandem of Liam Coen and Grant Udinski played a major role in the Jaguars going from 4-13 to 13-4 in a one-year span.
Coming off an AFC South-winning campaign, the Jaguars have identified Harrison as a key contributor going forward. They could make an even bigger commitment to Harrison via an extension this offseason. For now, though, he will join left tackle Cole Van Lanen, center Robert Hainsey and right guard Patrick Mekari as O-line starters under Jags control through at least 2027.
NFL Lines Up Investors For Professional Flag Football League
Continuing the growth of flag football has long been a priority for the NFL. In October, commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed a professional league would be established in the relatively near future. 
Not long afterwards, funding was approved for creating a league, with the NFL’s 32 Equity investment arm being cleared to join with a to-be-determined partner. Nothing had been revealed since then until an announcement which was made on Monday. TMRW Sports has been selected as the NFL’s partner with respect to launching a flag league for men and women.
A long list of individual investors and equity groups are contributing to the new league, in addition to the $32MM maximum which will be provided by the NFL’s clubs themselves. Pro Football Hall of Famers Peyton Manning, Joe Montana, Steve Young and Larry Fitzgerald are investing, with the same also being true of the likes of Tom Brady and Eli Manning. Active players Arik Armstead, Bobby Wagner and Russell Wilson are on the list of investors as well; so too are Billie Jean King, Serena Williams and others.
“As the flag football movement continues its explosive global growth, a professional flag league completes the pathway for elite athletes to compete at every level of the game, from youth to high school and college, to the Olympic stage, and now professionally,” a statement from NFL EVP Troy Vincent reads in part. “Selecting TMRW Sports represents an important step in our long-term commitment to growing flag football and supporting the world-class athletes driving its momentum.”
TMRW Sports played a leading role in the establishment of TGL, the primetime team golf league recently launched in partnership with the PGA. The group will now turn its attention to helping create a pro flag football league, a logical final step in the NFL’s long-running efforts to grow that version of the game. This news comes, of course, with the Los Angeles Olympics approaching.
The 2028 L.A. Games will mark the debut of flag football as an Olympic sport. Work is ongoing to ensure NFL players will be able to compete in the event, and the league will be heavily involved in creating a professional flag football environment along a similar timeline as well.
George Pickens Could Skip Cowboys’ Offseason Workouts
The Cowboys kept wide receiver George Pickens in the fold for 2026 with the $27.3MM franchise tag. A multiyear agreement may come together in the next few months, but no progress has been made on that front. It is now in question whether Pickens will participate in the Cowboys’ offseason program, Todd Archer of ESPN relays.
The Cowboys are set to begin workouts on April 20, but head coach Brian Schottenheimer noted those are “voluntary.” Mandatory OTAs are scheduled for mid-June, while training camp will commence in late July. By the time camp opens, the July 15 deadline for Pickens to ink a multiyear deal will have passed. If the 25-year-old is still without a contract at that point, his choices would be to sign the franchise tender or sit out.
As Archer notes, the Cowboys are no strangers to recent contract-related drama. They engaged in a much-publicized standoff with outside linebacker Micah Parsons last summer. Parsons was in attendance for the first two days of the voluntary program, but he did not work out. While Parsons showed up for mandatory OTAs and camp, he was not a participant in practice. A week before the regular season started, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones ended the battle when he traded Parsons to the Packers for two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark.
Late in the Parsons saga, Jones accused agent David Mulugheta of obstructing negotiations. It’s worth pointing out that Mulugheta also represents Pickens. Jones is once again expected to play a key role in talks regarding a potential Pickens deal, though Schottenheimer seems confident the two sides will find common ground in this case.
“Hey look, GP loves it here. We love GP,” Schottenheimer said. “We have plans for GP to be here for a long time, so we’ll let the business side of this thing play out and see where it goes.”
Acquired from the Steelers last May, Pickens put himself in position for a massive raise with a career-best showing in 2025. After averaging around 59 catches, 947 yards and four touchdowns per season in Pittsburgh, Pickens began his Dallas tenure with a 93-reception, 1,429-yard, nine-touchdown outburst. The four-year veteran ranked top eight in the NFL in all three categories. It bodes well for Pickens that the salary cap has increased substantially since then, though it is anyone’s guess if he and the Cowboys will see eye to eye during negotiations.