Pro Football Rumors Front Office Subscriber Chat: 2/27/26
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Packers Hire Cam Achord As Special Teams Coordinator
The Packers have hired Cam Achord as their new special teams coordinator, per a team announcement. He will replace Rich Bisaccia after his unexpected exit last week.
Achord, 39, spent the last two seasons as the Giants’ assistant special teams coach under Michael Ghobrial. Before that, he worked under Bill Belichick in New England, first as an assistant special teams coach (2018-2019) and then as the Patriots’ special teams coordinator (2020-2023). Achord won Super Bowl LIII in his first year in New England, but the team made the playoffs only twice more in his tenure.
Achord began his coaching career at Southern Miss in 2010, working as a graduate assistant on special teams for two years before switching to offense in 2012. He then joined Southwest Missisippi Community College, where he held several different roles between 2013-2016, including time as a coordinator on offense and special teams.
The Giants were set to retain Achord under new head coach John Harbaugh and special teams coordinator Chris Horton. Instead, he will head to Green Bay to replace Bisaccia, whose resignation surprised the Packers. They also interviewed Tom McMahon, Kyle Wilbur, and Sam Sewell, but Achord’s success in New York and New England helped him win the job.
The Patriots typically fielded strong special teams units during Achord’s tenure. From 2018 to 2021, their team special teams grade from Pro Football Focus (subscription required) never ranked lower than 11th with three top-six finishes. However, their performance dipped sharply in 2022 and 2023.
The Giants did not receive spectacular special teams PFF grades under Achord, but they still made improvements year-over-year. They ranked 25th in 2023 and improved to 24th in Achord’s debut season and 17th in his second. New York also finished the 2025 season among the top 10 teams in yards per kickoff return and average starting field position.
The Packers had relatively poor special teams grades under Bisaccia. They also ranked dead-last in yards per punt return, 23rd in yards per kickoff return, and 30th in average starting field position. They were far more successful on punts and kickoffs, leading the league in yards per punt and ranking second in average kickoff yardage.
Achord will be looking to improve Green Bay’s return units while maintaining the strength of their punt and kickoff teams. Continuity with kicker Brandon McManus and punter Daniel Whelan, who are both under contract through the 2027 season, will aid in that effort. Achord may have to find a new punt returner, as Romeo Doubs is set to hit free agency. Kickoff returners Emanuel Wilson, Bo Melton, and Savion Williams are all expected to return.
Broncos Decline RFA Tender For Jaleel McLaughlin
After spending the first three seasons of his NFL career in Denver, running back Jaleel McLaughlin is heading for the open market. The Broncos will not tender the restricted free agent a contract, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports.
While the Broncos and McLaughlin are at least temporarily splitting up, he could still re-sign on a cheaper deal. That is a legitimate possibility, according to 9News’ Mike Klis, who points out McLaughlin would have gotten a noticeable raise on his RFA tender. McLaughlin made a $1.03MM base salary in 2025, in which he played just eight games. Tendering him would have cost the Broncos $3.55MM.
Dividing his college career between Division II Notre Dame (Ohio) and FCS Youngstown State, McLaughlin rushed for an NCAA-record 8,155 yards. Nevertheless, nobody drafted the 5-foot-8, 187-pound McLaughin in 2023. He went on to earn a roster spot with the Broncos and average an impressive 5.4 yards per carry on 76 attempts as a rookie. McLaughlin also chipped in 31 catches and three total touchdowns over a 17-game campaign.
With then-Broncos starter Javonte Williams struggling for the second straight season in 2024, McLaughlin took on more work as a runner. He finished the year with career highs in carries (113) and yards (496). McLaughlin’s catch total fell to 24, but he scored three TDs for the second straight year.
Williams left for the Cowboys in free agency last year, and the Broncos replaced him with J.K. Dobbins a few months later. The team had already made a bigger investment in RJ Harvey, whom it drafted 60th overall last April. Although Dobbins missed seven games, he and Harvey still split 299 carries. Those additions led to less action for McLaughin, regularly a healthy scratch before Dobbins suffered a season-ending foot injury in November. While McLaughlin averaged 5.1 yards a carry in 2025, he accrued just 41 touches (37 rushes, four catches) in eight games.
Broncos Place Second-Round RFA Tender On Ja’Quan McMillian
Broncos cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian is heading for restricted free agency after putting together his third straight two-interception season in 2025. The Broncos applied the second-round tender to McMillian on Friday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports. The 25-year-old is now in line to earn around $5.81MM in 2026.
It is unlikely a team would trade a second-rounder for McMillian, who is only a year away from unrestricted free agency. As such, Denver’s decision to issue McMillian a high-level tender should secure his place in its defense for at least another season. As the Broncos’ top slot corner, McMillian holds down a key spot alongside outside starters Patrick Surtain II and Riley Moss.
McMillian’s agent told the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson he does not expect the slot corner to receive an offer sheet. While that is to be expected, hence the tender, he mentioned the $16-$18MM-per-year range as reasonable for his client. That would smash the slot CB record — currently held by the Bears’ Kyler Gordon (at $13.33MM AAV). That will be a tough ask for a Broncos team already rostering Surtain at $24MM per year and having six front-seven players signed to veteran contracts.
McMillian’s stock has risen significantly since he joined the Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2022. The former East Carolina Pirate played just one game as a rookie, but he has been on the field for 50 of 51 since then. McMillian has taken on a prominent role since 2023, having finished top three among Broncos cornerbacks in snap share for three years in a row.
As part of an elite defense last season, McMillian played 742 snaps (66.01%). Along with his two INTs, he notched 56 tackles, nine passes defensed, five TFL and a career-high four sacks. Pro Football Focus ranked his performance a superb fourth among 112 qualifying corners.
While McMillian excelled in the regular season, his most memorable play occurred in a divisional-round win over the Bills. With the teams in an overtime battle, McMillian wrestled away what would have been a 43-yard catch for wide receiver Brandin Cooks and turned it into a pick. Had Cooks come down with it, the Bills would have gone on to attempt a game-winning field goal during the ensuing moments. Instead, with McMillian’s help, the Broncos took possession and marched to a 33-30 victory.
NFL Sets 2026 Salary Cap At $301.2MM
FEBRUARY 27: The 2026 cap is officially $301.2MM, the league informed its teams on Friday.
JANUARY 30: The NFL has not officially set its 2026 salary cap yet, but it will exceed the $300MM mark for the first time. The league informed its teams that it’s projecting the number to fall between $301.2MM and $305.7MM, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Surpassing $300MM would represent yet another sizable one-year jump for the league, which set its 2025 cap at $279.2MM. It was only four years ago that the cap checked in north of $200MM for the first time. With the exception of 2021, the first post-COVID campaign, the number has gone up by at least $10MM in each season since 2013. Here’s a year-by-year look (via Pelissero):
- 2013: $123M
- 2014: $133M
- 2015: $143.28M
- 2016: $155.27M
- 2017: $167M
- 2018: $177.2M
- 2019: $188.2M
- 2020: $198.2M
- 2021: $182.5M
- 2022: $208.2M
- 2023: $224.8M
- 2024: $255.4M
- 2025: $279.2M
The pandemic, which led to stadiums with either no fans or limited attendance, caused the cap to fall 8% from 2020-21. A half-decade later, it’s clear the league’s financial situation is in a much better place. The additions of a 17th regular-season game and two extra playoff teams have contributed to the cap surge. Expensive media rights deals and and more gambling partnerships have also played significant roles.
The cap increasing by $20MM-plus before free agency opens in March will be a welcome boost for teams, especially those in dire need of spending room, and players alike. George Pickens, Daniel Jones, Trey Hendrickson, Tyler Linderbaum, Odafe Oweh, Alec Pierce and Breece Hall are among the headliners who could hit the open market.
We’re also sure to see more lucrative contract extensions in 2026. Josh Allen, Micah Parsons, Aidan Hutchinson, Myles Garrett, Ja’Marr Chase and Brock Purdy are among the players who signed massive extensions in 2025.
Panthers Grant DT A’Shawn Robinson Permission To Seek Trade; Team Open To Moving QB Andy Dalton
A’Shawn Robinson has been a full-time starter with the Panthers since arriving in free agency two years ago. The veteran defensive tackle’s Carolina tenure is likely nearing an end, however. 
Robinson has been granted permission to seek a trade, Joe Person of The Athletic reports (subscription required). In cases such as this, teams often attempt to gauge the trade market of a player they are likely to release in the absence of any offers. Person recently pointed to Robinson as a strong cut candidate, making today’s news unsurprising.
One year remains on Robinson’s contract, a three-year, $22.5MM pact he signed on the open market in 2024. The former Lion, Giant and Ram is currently scheduled to carry a cap hit of $12.56MM in 2026. However, a release in this case would yield $10.5MM in savings while only creating a dead money charge of $2.06MM. That could very well lead to a Robinson departure through a cost-shedding move soon, unless a trade partner can be found. Soon to turn 31, Robinson has totaled 145 tackles and eight sacks in 33 Panthers games.
Another Carolina veteran who could be on the move shortly is Andy Dalton. The longtime quarterback is drawing trade interest, and the final year of his contract contains a base salary of just $3.9MM. That figure could be attractive for any number of teams seeking out affordable depth under center, and Panthers general manager Dan Morgan has spoken about a willingness to find a new Bryce Young backup this offseason.
“There’s a potential that somebody may want him,” Morgan acknowledged during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show (video link). “Andy’s a really good player, and he’s a great guy, great culture fit for us. I haven’t talked to any teams about a trade, but I think if the possibility did come up then I would talk to Andy, give him that option and let him explore a trade. I do think we want to get a little younger and a little more athletic at that backup quarterback spot.”
Dalton is 38, so the list of replacement candidates which are younger is rather long. The former Pro Bowler has made a total of seven starts across his three Carolina seasons, but Young has shown enough to enter 2026 as the team’s clear-cut starer. Even though a long-term extension is not likely to be worked out this offseason, Young could be in line for a substantial raise relatively soon.
Finding a long-term backup option as early as this spring would make sense for Carolina as a result. Just like Robinson, that could lead to Dalton finding himself on the move in time for the start of the new league year.
Bills To Re-Sign S Sam Franklin
Sam Franklin will not test the open market next month. The pending free agent safety has worked out a new contract to remain in place with the Bills. 
Buffalo has agreed to a three-year deal with Franklin, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports. This pact contains $5MM which will be paid out over the first two seasons. With a maximum value of $7.5MM, Franklin’s new contract represents not only a lengthy commitment but also a notable raise compared to his previous one (which was worth the league minimum).
The special teams ace has played on one-year deals dating back to 2023. Franklin’s first five seasons were spent with the Panthers, but he joined the Broncos last year. After being among Denver’s final roster cuts, the 30-year-old immediately caught on with the Bills. Franklin signed to the active roster ahead of Week 1 and remained there all year.
After logging only six defensive snaps in 2025, Franklin will of course be expected to continue as a third phase specialist with Buffalo. The former UDFA handled a 76% snap share on special teams last season, a workload similar to that of his Carolina campaigns. Franklin has only managed nine defensive starts in his career, but despite a lack of experience on that front he has secured a significant compensation package from the Bills.
The safety position could see considerable turnover in Buffalo this spring, as Jordan Poyer, Damar Hamlin and Darnell Savage are all pending free agents. Starters Cole Bishop and Taylor Rapp remain under contract for next year, though, so depth will be sought out on the open market. As outside additions are explored by the team, Franklin has received an early assurance that he will remain in the fold for 2026 and beyond.
Jets To Trade Jermaine Johnson To Titans For T’Vondre Sweat
Jermaine Johnson is the latest defender to see his Jets tenure come to an end under the team’s new regime. The fifth-year edge rusher is on the move. 
Johnson is being traded by the Jets to the Titans, as first reported by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat is heading to New York in return. Like all trades, the final agreement is pending a physical for both players. This swap will not be finalized until after the new league year begins, Dianna Russini of The Athletic notes.
[RELATED: Johnson Aimed To Be Traded; More Jets Available?]
This swap will allow for Johnson to reunite with Robert Saleh. The two were previously together on the Jets, and after a one-year stint as San Francisco’s defensive coordinator Saleh was hired last month to take charge of the Titans. Adding along the edge has been seen as a critical need in Tennessee’s case, and before free agency has even begun the team has already lined up a move on that front.
Saleh’s arrival brought about a change in scheme, something which Russini notes made Sweat more of a trade chip. In two Tennessee seasons, the former second-rounder has posted 85 stops and eight tackles for loss. Sweat, who will turn 25 in July, has two years remaining on his rookie contract. He will look to provide New York with a starting presence along the interior and by doing so help fill the vacancy created by the Quinnen Williams deal.
Williams and cornerback Sauce Gardner were each traded away at the 2025 deadline. The Jets’ new decision-making tandem of general manager Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn received considerable interest in Johnson as well, but no deal was worked out in his case. New York rejected an offer including a third-round pick at the time, but that did not ensure Johnson would remain in place for 2026.
A December report indicated it was highly unlikely Johnson would work out an extension with the Jets. The 27-year-old will play out his fifth-year option in 2026, but he will do so on a new team. Johnson is due $13.41MM and will carry the same cap charge on Tennessee, a team which can comfortably afford an increase in costs along the defensive front. The same is also true of the Jets, of course, so it will be interesting to see how they proceed in the pass-rush department this spring.
New York owns the second overall pick in April’s draft. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza is universally expected to be selected first overall, which will leave the Jets in line to add at a different position. That could result in a pass rusher such as hybrid linebacker/EDGE Arvell Reese hearing his name called at the No. 2 slot. Free agency will also present the Jets with a number of options to add options on the edge.
Johnson had a quiet rookie season but earned a Pro Bowl nod based on his strong play in 2023. The Florida State product notched 7.5 sacks and 25 QB pressures, leading to high expectations for a strong follow-up campaign. However, an Achilles tear limited Johnson to just two games in 2024. He managed to make 14 appearances this past season, but in that time Johnson only recorded three sacks. A turnaround in Tennessee would go a long way in shaping his financial future.
The Jets ranked 29th against the run last season. Improving on that figure will be a key priority, and Sweat will be tasked with helping out on early downs in particular. The 6-4, 366-pounder was one of many Tennessee players who drew interest on the trade front this past fall, and his stock in the organization was not believed to be particularly high heading into the offseason. A change of scenery could prove to be beneficial to all parties.
After this swap becomes official, the Titans and Jets will still be among the league leaders in cap flexibility. Both teams also have considerable draft capital at the moment, so several more moves could be coming soon.
NFL Mailbag: Willis, Patriots, Linderbaum
This week's edition of the PFR mailbag looks at the top pending free agent storyline in the league. Questions about the Patriots' receiver situation, the Broncos' new offensive coordinator setup and the best offensive lineman set to test the market are also addressed.
Phil asks:
Is this Malik Willis buzz genuine? With Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield getting around $33MM per year after quality seasons, how can teams feel comfortable handing Willis that kind of money as mostly a career backup?
It would (will?) be quite something if Willis were to land anything near that figure on an annual basis, wouldn’t it? In any case, I think his deal is going to take some fans by surprise based on how inexperienced he is.
Jalen Hurts’ Inconsistency Impacted Eagles’ OC Search?
Nick Sirianni‘s second in-house offensive coordinator promotion brought another Eagles regression. As a result, the Eagles HC fired Kevin Patullo two years after canning Brian Johnson. Sirianni’s search to replace Patullo was more difficult than his post-Johnson process.
The Eagles fired Patullo on Jan. 13 but took 18 days to name Sean Mannion his replacement. A host of higher-profile candidates were in the mix for the job, but the Eagles ended up with a former backup quarterback who has been in coaching for two years. This was the OC carousel of the former backup, as both David Blough (Commanders) and Davis Webb (Broncos) will be calling plays as first-year OCs. But the Washington and Denver coordinator searches went far more smoothly than Philadelphia’s.
Philly had Brian Daboll squarely on its radar, but the former Giants HC preferred the Tennessee job and working with Cam Ward. Mike McDaniel also interviewed for the gig, amid a busy offseason for the four-year Dolphins HC, but chose the Chargers and Justin Herbert.
Former Falcons OC Zac Robinson interviewed for the job but accepted a Buccaneers OC offer a week before the Mannion hire. Declan Doyle and LSU OC Charlie Weis Jr. withdrew from this search. Bobby Slowik took a Miami promotion, while Webb accepted a Denver OC bump after receiving an interview request late in the running.
This certainly was a difficult job to fill. Several candidates were hesitant about this gig, per Sportsboom.com’s Jason La Canfora. Sirianni firing two coordinators after one season helps explain some of the difficulties, but La Canfora adds Jalen Hurts‘ inconsistency was a “serious” concern for some of the more experienced candidates involved in Philly’s search. Daboll’s decision to work with Ward headlined that issue.
Hurts’ career has been a rollercoaster ride. He went from unpolished passer to 2022 MVP frontrunner (before a late-season injury). After a 2023 extension started the $50MM-per-year QB boom, Hurts struggled and saw reports scrutinize his relationship with Sirianni. Kellen Moore righted the ship but did so after minimizing the QB’s role, building the offense around Saquon Barkley. Hurts still played well in the Eagles’ Super Bowl LIX romp before regressing once again. QBR placed Hurts 20th last year, and Patullo’s offense regressed significantly from where Moore’s was. Hurts’ approach, especially against zone coverage, drew internal criticism last season.
Despite finishing with a 25:6 TD-INT ratio, Hurts piloted the NFL’s 19th-ranked scoring offense (down from seventh in 2024). Lane Johnson‘s season-ending injury in Week 11 affected Philly’s attack, but one GM told La Canfora the Eagles realized quickly Patullo might be overmatched at coordinator.
The longtime assistant, who has since joined the Dolphins as pass-game coordinator, saw Sirianni become more involved with the offense compared to his role during Moore’s play-calling year. Calls for Patullo’s job rang out, and an egging incident occurred at the coordinator’s home. A.J. Brown gripes ensued, but those were not exclusive to Patullo’s year in charge.
Sirianni, who faced firing rumors after the 2023 season despite the Eagles reaching Super Bowl LVII, is planning to remain involved in the offense to help the 33-year-old Mannion as he takes a big responsibility leap. Mannion, however, will be the play-caller — just as each Eagles OC has been since midway through the 2021 season. Another GM indicated (via La Canfora) Sirianni’s job will be at risk, despite his 2025 extension, if the Eagles’ offense does not improve. The Eagles firing Doug Pederson three years after a Super Bowl win, with two playoff berths following that showing, occurred on GM Howie Roseman‘s watch.
This is nothing the five-time playoff-qualifying HC has not faced before, but there will be plenty of pressure on him once again. Sirianni made two more staff changes recently. The Eagles are hiring Montgomery VanGorder as assistant QBs coach and Beyah Rasool as a defensive assistant, CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz notes. VanGorder was an Eagles quality control assistant last year and previously served as QBs coach at Georgia. Previously a quality control staffer at Florida coaching cornerbacks, Rasool was on the Raiders’ staff last year.