WR Odell Beckham Jr. Interested In Resuming NFL Career
Odell Beckham Jr. was among the participants in this weekend’s Fanatics Flag Football Classic. He hopes that will not be the last event of his playing career. 
“Looking forward to hopefully getting an opportunity to play this year, and hopefully, this is kinda just a starting point,” the three-time Pro Bowl receiver said (video link via Kay Adams) when asked about his desire to return to the NFL in 2026.
Beckham made nine appearances in 2024 as a member of the Dolphins. Upon being waived, he did not catch on with another team to close out the campaign. This past season included a six-game PED suspension; upon serving it, Beckham once again did not sign with any team. The Super Bowl winner remains unsigned at this point, and he has not been linked to any suitors so far in free agency.
During his last full campaign, Beckham made 14 appearances with the Ravens in the regular season and another two in the playoffs in 2023. The former Giants star averaged a career-high 16.1 yards per catch during his lone Baltimore campaign, one in which he operated as a secondary option in the passing game. Regardless of where the 33-year-old lands in 2026 – if he works out a deal – he will be viewed as a depth member of his latest team’s passing attack.
The initial wave of free agency has come and gone, and as such many of the top players on the market have their new contracts in hand. The receiver position in particular still has a number of unanswered questions, however, with the likes of Jauan Jennings and Deebo Samuel still unsigned at this point. Trade rumors continue to swirl in the case of A.J. Brown as well, something which may remain the case well into the spring. Teams which come up short adding one of the veterans still available could see Beckham as a contingency option.
Beckham’s Ravens deal contained $15MM guaranteed; that figure fell to $3MM when he joined the Dolphins. Another low-cost investment is no doubt the only way he will set up an NFL comeback for 2026.
Steelers To Sign RB Travis Homer
The Steelers have lined up another addition in their backfield. An agreement has been reached with Travis Homer, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports. 
Homer is a veteran of seven NFL seasons. He played out his rookie contract in Seattle before heading to Chicago. Homer inked a two-year Bears deal at first before re-signing on a one-year contract last spring. This Steelers pact will presumably be a short-term one attached to a low cost as well.
Pittsburgh lost Kenneth Gainwell in free agency when he joined the Buccaneers. A replacement was found in the form of Rico Dowdle, who posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons with the Cowboys and Panthers. Dowdle will be expected to operate as the Steelers’ lead back upon arrival on a two-year contract. He will be joined by incumbent Jaylen Warren in 2026.
Homer is now in position to join the Pittsburgh backfield, although he will not be expected to handle a notable offensive workload. The 27-year-old has received no more than 25 carries in a season during his career. Homer will instead be counted on to remain a core special teams presence with the Steelers. He has logged a third phase snap share of 61% or higher in each of the past three years, and that could remain the case in Pittsburgh.
The Steelers entered Monday with over $27MM in cap space. Homer secured an AAV of $2MM on his initial Bears contract and $1.75MM on his second one. This Pittsburgh deal will presumably check in at a similar rate, leaving the team with plenty of financial flexibility to make other roster-building moves.
Patriots To Release QB Josh Dobbs
Josh Dobbs‘ time with the Patriots is coming to an end. The veteran quarterback is set to be released, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. 
New England attempted to find a trade partner in this case, Rapoport notes. With no takers being found, the team will move forward with a release. Dobbs had one year remaining on his contract and was owed a base salary of $3.2MM with a cap figure of $4.75MM for 2026.
A cut will generate $3.7MM in savings for the Patriots. They will incur a dead money charge of $1.05MM by releasing Dobbs. New England was still near the top of the NFL in terms of spending power entering Monday, but additional flexibility will be created without Dobbs in the picture.
Earlier this offseason, the Pats re-signed Tommy DeVito. That move appeared to set him up for continued third-string duties next season, but Dobbs’ release will instead elevate him to the QB2 role. DeVito, claimed off waivers from the Giants during 2025 roster cutdowns, will now be tasked with backing up Drake Maye unless the Patriots elect to add another passer through free agency or next month’s draft.
Dobbs has bounced around the NFL throughout his career, seeing time in the regular season with the Steelers, Titans, Cardinals, Vikings and 49ers prior to his one-year New England stint. The 31-year-old has totaled 15 starts and 27 appearances at the pro level. With many of the league’s QB dominoes having already fallen this deep into free agency, he will aim to catch on with a new team to compete for the backup gig.
It will be interesting to see if Dobbs lines up a new deal prior to the draft or if suitors circle back after the event in case they do not wind up adding a rookie passer. Either way, another short-term deal can be expected.
Jets To Pursue Post-Draft Extension For RB Breece Hall
After four years of up-and-down play, the Jets came into the final year of running back Breece Hall‘s rookie contract unsure of whether or not they wanted to extend him to a long-term contract. When, after the season, they tried and failed to reach an extension agreement in time for free agency, New York opted for the franchise tag. According to Connor Hughes of SportsNet New York, the team is expected to restart its extension efforts after the draft. 
As a second-round rookie out of Iowa State, Hall looked electric in his limited first year. He started the season coming off the bench for secondary carries behind Michael Carter but took over a dominant share of the workload by Week 4 and was named a starter by Week 6. Unfortunately, Hall tore his ACL and meniscus early into his second career start, ending his rookie campaign.
Recovering in time to return to a starting role in Year 2, Hall had a strong bounce back season. While he had a tendency to disappear in some contests, he had a few stellar games en route to 994 yards and five touchdowns rushing and 591 yards and four touchdowns receiving. His third season with the team saw fewer disappearances for the young back but also featured fewer big performances with Hall logging just one 100-yard game all season. He also struggled with fumbles more than in prior years, losing the rock six times.
In the following offseason the Jets had no plans of extending him before his final year, but they also weren’t eager to try and trade their leading rusher, either, despite the interest he seemed to draw around the midseason trade deadline. Both Hall and his coaches made clear their desires to avoid a trade, and the front office seemed to follow suit by setting a high asking price for the fourth-year back, indicating that a long-term deal may have entered their plans. Once the team traded away two defensive cornerstones, Hall’s tune reportedly changed a bit, but he never requested a trade.
Realizing that Hall would garner a strong free agent market, based on the trade interest he received and his first 1,000-yard rushing season, the Jets set their sights on retaining the 24-year-old rusher. As the offseason came and progressed, though, the team and player found themselves far apart on contract terms, so the franchise tag came into play. The tag allowed New York to put Hall’s extension on the backburner, while free agency became the priority, and now the draft will be a main focus of the front office for weeks to come.
Per Hughes, though, there was a period just before the Jets moved to place the franchise tag during which they were “pretty confident” that a deal was going to get done. With the possibility of an agreement within their reach, New York intends to shift its focus back to Hall once the draft is in the rearview. Hughes adds that the front office has taken not of the three-year, $43.05MM deal Kenneth Walker just signed in Kansas City, and believing that Hall is a better back, they intend to extend him a bigger offer.
It’s unclear where their offer started and where Hall’s asking price was, but perhaps a bump to Walker’s numbers will get the two sides closer together. We won’t know that, though, likely until after the draft, when time allows for negotiations to continue.
Georgia LT Monroe Freeling Generating Considerable Buzz; Browns A Possible Landing Spot, Could Trade Down
Since left tackle is a premium position, the top collegiate LTs in a given class frequently hear their names called in the first hour of the NFL draft. This year should be no different, and Miami’s Francis Mauigoa and Utah’s Spencer Fano have long been viewed as possible top-10 selections in April’s event.
But as the aptly-named Austin Mock of The Athletic (subscription required) details, Georgia’s Monroe Freeling has forced his way into the conversation. Per Mock, Freeling was a standout in February’s scouting combine, whereas Fano’s measurements were somewhat disappointing. Plus, Mauigoa and Fano have been unable to separate from each other, giving Freeling a legitimate chance to be the first offensive tackle off the board.
Freeling worked as a backup during his first season in Athens in 2023, and he was only inserted into the starting lineup as an injury replacement towards the end of the 2024 slate. However, he was anointed the starting left tackle heading into 2025, and he made the most of his opportunity, securing Second Team All-SEC honors and helping the Bulldogs to an SEC championship and a place in the CFP quarterfinals.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein believes Freeling has ideal length and athleticism for a right tackle, though it presently appears as if teams think he will be able to stick on the left side at the professional level. His limited action as a full-time starter suggests he will have some technical issues to address, but his quickness, athletic upside, and the fact that he showed considerable improvement as the 2025 season went on are all reasons to believe he can reach his high ceiling.
The Browns profile as an obvious landing spot. In a recent mock draft published by The Athletic (subscription required), Browns beat Zac Jackson acknowledged the buzz growing around Freeling and opined that Cleveland will select the 6-7, 315-lb blocker with the No. 6 overall pick (Mauigoa was mocked to the Cardinals at No. 3, and Fano was mocked to the Dolphins at No. 11).
Since they employ both Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders, the Browns’ quarterback situation consistently generates a great deal of attention. Regardless of whom Cleveland taps as its QB in 2026 and beyond, the team will need to improve that player’s protection, particularly on the blind side. A true franchise left tackle is not a guarantee for future success (see: Joe Thomas), but it is nonetheless a critical part of a quality roster.
In Jackson’s view, Freeling’s athletic traits are similar to those that GM Andrew Berry has sought out in prior drafts. That said, Jackson indicates Berry – who also holds the No. 24 overall pick from last year’s draft-day trade with the Jaguars – is open to trading down from No. 6.
Although the Browns boasted a strong defense in 2025, they were unable to get their offense on track and posted a disappointing 5-12 record. Berry has a lot of work to do to return Cleveland to playoff contention, and while his quarterback plan will of course be instrumental in achieving that goal, it also makes sense for him to add as much cost-controlled talent to the club as possible.
The Browns also have been heavily linked to this year’s best WR prospects. In a trade-down scenario, the team could acquire additional draft capital while still landing a tackle like Freeling or Fano as well as a receiver like Jordyn Tyson or Denzel Boston.
Seahawks Likely To Extend Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Devon Witherspoon This Offseason
To no surprise, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Devon Witherspoon each had their fifth-year options exercised by the Seahawks recently. That ensures both stalwarts will remain in place through 2027. 
Seattle is able to work out an extension in each case this offseason, however. Working out an agreement for Smith-Njigba and Witherspoon at some point before the start of the 2026 campaign would fall in line with previous Seahawks timelines. Per Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic, an agreement on both fronts can be expected this spring or summer.
Smith-Njigba will collect $23.85MM in 2027, while Witherspoon is due $21.16MM for that year. Both multi-time Pro Bowlers are no doubt in line to secure more lucrative paydays when their second contracts are finalized. As Dugar notes, extensions at or near the top of the receiver and cornerback markets are likely forthcoming. Smith-Njigba secured Offensive Player of the Year and first-team All-Pro honors for 2025, a season in which he led the NFL in receiving yards and set new career highs in several categories.
The 24-year-old has seen his receiving totals, yards per catch average and touchdown figures increase with each passing year in the NFL. That, coupled with Smith-Njigba’s durability – no missed games to date – makes him a strong candidate to challenge the top of the WR market. Ja’Marr Chase is attached to a deal averaging $40.24MM per year. His 2025 Bengals extension contained $73.9MM in full guarantees, a figure surpassed only by Justin Jefferson ($88.74MM) at the position. With the salary cap surpassing $300MM, Smith-Njigba will aim to match or outpace Chase and Jefferson’s pacts during negotiations.
Witherspoon, 25, already has three Pro Bowl invites on his resume. The Illinois product was a second-team All-Pro in 2025, and he was a key part of Seattle’s elite defense which carried the team to a Super Bowl title. Expectations will remain high in his case for years to come, and after seeing multiple free agent departures in the secondary the Seahawks could ensure stability with a long-term agreement. Witherspoon is likely to join the nine cornerbacks whose contracts average $20.1MM or more per year. Draft classmate Christian Gonzalez is eligible for a Patriots extension, and he could be a comparable figure in Witherspoon’s case.
Dugar writes nothing is imminent at this point with respect to a Smith-Njigba or Witherspoon extension. That could very well remain the case until after the draft at a minimum. As training camp and the 2026 season approach, though, it will be interesting to see if contract talks pick up.
Jets Meet With Miami QB Carson Beck, Will Attend Pro Day
As the Jets move on from Justin Fields and Tyrod Taylor and still see dead money in 2026 for Fields and Aaron Rodgers, the team is looking to the draft to help improve their quarterbacks room for cheap. According to ESPN’s Rich Cimini, Jets general manager Darren Mougey met with Miami (FL) quarterback Carson Beck tonight and will attend the Hurricanes Pro Day in Coral Gables tomorrow. 
In a trade with the Raiders, New York recently reunited with Geno Smith, who should serve as a bridge option at quarterback. Since New York isn’t in a position to draft the only perceived difference maker at the position this year, it appears the team will look to take a flyer on a mid-round passer in the hopes they can strike gold on a young quarterback without dedicating a first-round pick in doing so.
Some have tied the team to the prospect widely seen as the consensus QB2 of the draft, Alabama’s Ty Simpson. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. even mocked the two together, a move Cimini was not a fan of. In support of his opinion, Cimini cited the litany of quarterbacks drafted high after fewer than 17 starts at the collegiate level. Aside from former MVP Cam Newton, the stories of small-sample passers like Jake Locker, Christian Ponder, Anthony Richardson, Mitchell Trubisky, Blaine Gabbert, and Dwayne Haskins have all been tales of caution.
Cimini isn’t alone in his cautious outlook. There were several evaluators who wanted to see Simpson go back to school, especially after injury affected his play in the last half of the 2025 season. The same was said of Oregon quarterback Dante Moore, who did decide to return to school and stands a better chance at becoming the top pick in the draft because of it.
Using that logic, it makes sense to see New York researching the group of arms just below Simpson. Instead of dedicating their 16th overall pick on Simpson, they could use a third- or fourth-round pick to take a cheaper chance at developing a young passer. The Jets hosted Penn State’s Drew Allar recently and followed up with Beck today. Beck and Allar have been grouped with LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier as the next level of prospects available at the position after Fernando Mendoza and Simpson.
Beck, unlike Simpson, has plenty of experience at the collegiate level. A backup for his first three years of school, Beck watched Stetson Bennett win back-to-back championships at Georgia before taking over as a starter himself. Unable to take the Bulldogs back to the title game in two years as the starter, Beck transferred to Miami and led the Hurricanes to their first title game appearance in 23 years. He ended his college career with a starting record of 37-6, throwing 88 touchdowns (and rushing for seven) and 32 interceptions.
Mougey and Co. will watch Beck and several other Hurricanes projected to hear their names called next month — offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa and pass rushers Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor have all been projected as first-rounders — before continuing on to Ohio State on Wednesday, where a number of defenders — linebackers Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese and safety Caleb Downs — have been rumored options for the Jets at No. 2 overall.
NFC North Contract Details: Pierre, Jackson, Lewis, Brooks, Jones
Here are reported details from recently signed contracts across the NFC North:
- James Pierre, CB (Vikings): Two years, $8.5MM. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2, Pierre’s previously reported guaranteed amount of $3.72MM is made up of his signing bonus ($2.5MM) and his 2026 base salary ($1.22MM). Also, originally reported to have a maximum value of $8.5MM, that amount is actually the base. Pierre has the ability to add up to $510K per season with a $30K per game active roster bonus.
- D’Marco Jackson, LB (Bears): Two years, $7.5MM. Per OvertheCap.com, Jackson’s new contract includes $3.63MM in guaranteed money comprised of a $1.88MM signing bonus and his base salary for the 2026 season ($1.75MM). His deal’s per game active roster bonus pays out only half of what Pierre’s does, but Jackson will be able to earn a 2027 roster bonus of $425K, if he’s still on the team by the fifth day of the new league year in 2027. The rest of the potential maximum value of the contract will be available in $1.5MM of incentives.
- Cam Lewis, CB (Bears): Two years, $6MM. Per Wilson, Lewis’ compensation could reach up to $7MM and includes $2.75MM in guaranteed money with a $1.5MM signing bonus and $1.25MM base salary in 2026. Lewis’ per game active roster bonus starts out at $10K in 2026 ($170K full season) and elevates to $20K in Year 2 ($340K full season). On the same timing as Jackson, Lewis would get a 2027 roster bonus of $250K. The $1MM of incentives Lewis can make are based on playing time and playoff qualification and include escalators for his potential second year.
- Chris Brooks, RB (Packers): Two years, $4.85MM. Wilson reports that Brooks’ deal to return to Green Bay includes a $650K signing bonus (the only guaranteed money). His base salary starts at $1.25MM and elevates to $1.41MM in Year 2, and he’ll be able to add $170K in each season with a $10K per game active roster bonus.
- Braxton Jones, LT (Bears): One year, $5MM. Originally reported at its maximum $10MM value, the base value of Jones deal is half that. Per OvertheCap.com, the contract includes $3MM in guaranteed money consisting of a $1.5MM signing bonus and $1.5MM of Jones’ 2026 base salary ($2MM). His per game active roster bonus is double that of Pierre’s, meaning it can net him an additional $1.02MM for a full season. The remaining potential value will have to be earned through incentives.
Ravens’ Biggest Needs After Free Agent Losses
While widely accused of wrongdoing in the fallout of the Maxx Crosby trade debacle, the Ravens themselves were hurt by a delayed start to free agency. Expecting Crosby to be on their books for much of the legal tampering period, the Ravens negotiated through that time with the diminished cap in mind and watched several impact players walk away as a result. Following the polarizing reversal, Baltimore has some work to do in rebuilding its roster. 
They biggest loss was that of center Tyler Linderbaum. A 2022 first-round pick, Linderbaum had his fifth-year option declined due to the fact that the formula that calculates the value of fifth-year options groups all offensive linemen together, meaning Linderbaum would be receiving the five-year average of the third- to 20th-highest paid offensive linemen (mostly tackles) in the NFL. Because he made two or more Pro Bowls, the Ravens would’ve had to pay Linderbaum $23.4MM for the single year and, given the leader of the market at the time they opted not to exercise his option was making $18MM per year, their choice seemed justified. Little did they know Linderbaum intended to reset the market, and with the Raiders now paying him an average of $27MM for each of the next three years, that option looks like a discount in hindsight.
With Linderbaum gone, the team’s cupboard is pretty bare of centers. Currently, according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, their starting center for next year is not on the roster. If the season started today, recent free agent addition Danny Pinter would be the team’s answer at the position. A fifth-round pick out of Ball State six years ago, Pinter has spent his entire career so far as a depth piece on the Colts’ offensive line. Over the years, he’s appeared in 77 games with Indianapolis but only started 10, getting experience at center, right guard, and left tackle. Pinter’s only competition at the moment appears to be Corey Bullock, an undrafted signee two years ago out of Maryland who has played almost exclusively on special teams.
The Ravens also reportedly still feel the need to add to their pass rush. After reversing the trade for Crosby, the Ravens were able to secure the top edge rusher on the free agent market in Trey Hendrickson, but the team still is looking to add another veteran contributor. Mike Green showed promise as a second-round rookie but still has room to grow, and an expected breakout season for Tavius Robinson was hampered due to injury. It’s believed Baltimore may go after another experienced veteran. Currently the top options at the position are Joey Bosa, Leonard Floyd, and Cameron Jordan, but the Ravens could opt to reunite with Jadeveon Clowney or re-sign Kyle Van Noy after his disappointing 2025 campaign.
The Ravens will also really be in trouble if star pass-rushing defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike remains out long term. The 28-year-old defender missed 15 games with a neck injury last year, and there seems to be fear regarding whether or not he’ll ever play again. Mum’s been the word ever since he was placed on injured reserve following his Week 2 injury. The only hints have been a few social media posts indicating “good news” followed by a meeting with the team. According to ESPN’s Jamison Hensley, the team addressed the situation at the combine.
“You keep the players’ health and long-term longevity at the forefront of anything, and so, that’s what we’ll do,” new head coach Jesse Minter told the media. “We will have multiple plans in place, but (I’m) just excited for him. He’s in a great frame of mind right now. He’s excited, so (I’m) just excited to see how it all shakes out.”
The Ravens were able to secure some defensive linemen for next year with new agreements with Travis Jones and John Jenkins, but if Madubuike isn’t returning, they’ll need to invest in the position as some point soon. Many in the building saw the loss of Madubuike last year as the main cause of their defensive struggles, so they’ll be hoping for positive news, whenever that may be expected.
5 Key Stories: 3/15/26 – 3/22/26
With the initial wave of free agency in the books, things have slowed down to a large extent around the NFL. Teams remain busy on the roster-building front with plenty of time remaining before the draft, however. Here is a quick recap of this week’s top stories:
- Dolphins Send Waddle To Broncos: In the initial wake of the Dolphins‘ decision to move on from several veterans as part of their rebuild, it appeared as though Jaylen Waddle would remain in place. Instead, a trade agreement was reached with the Broncos. The veteran wideout was exchanged for Denver’s first- and third-round selections in this year’s draft, with 2026 fourth-rounders also changing hands. Waddle will offer a welcomed boost to the Broncos’ receiving corps as they seek increased efficiency and production in the passing game. The 27-year-old is under contract through 2028, so his arrival will overlap with quarterback Bo Nix‘s rookie deal. Having already released Tyreek Hill, meanwhile, Miami’s WR depth chart could use plenty of work during the remainder of the offseason.
- Chiefs Acquire Fields From Jets: Since his midseason benching, Justin Fields was expected to see his Jets tenure come to an end. That proved to be the case when a trade was worked out with the Chiefs. Fields and a seventh-round pick in April’s draft were dealt from New York to Kansas City for a 2027 sixth-rounder. Patrick Mahomes continues to recover from the ACL tear which ended his season late in the 2025 campaign, and his Week 1 availability is in question. This move will give the Chiefs an experienced fill-in starter early in the year, and it will provide Fields with a period leading up to the fall where he handles first-team reps. The former first-rounder has largely struggled through his time in Chicago, Pittsburgh and New York. A brief stint atop the depth chart on his latest team will likely now await.
- Tretter Lands Top NFLPA Job: Months after resigning from the NFL Players Association, J.C. Tretter has returned to lead the organization. The NFLPA’s vote for a new executive director resulted in Tretter winning the full-time position over interim leader David White and American Conference commissioner Tim Pernetti. Tretter and White were considered the contenders leading up to the vote, one which marks a key development for the union as it pertains to pending CBA negotiations. Tretter will aim to rebuild his stock and that of the NFLPA in general upon taking over. Meanwhile, free agent linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin will continue as the union’s president.
- Seahawks Exercise Smith-Njigba, Witherspoon’s Options: First-round picks from the 2023 draft class are subject to fifth-year option decisions this spring. To no surprise, the Seahawks have picked up the option for both of wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba and cornerback Devon Witherspoon. The move ensures the Pro Bowlers will remain in place through at least 2027. Smith-Njigba earned Offensive Player of the Year honors this past season while leading the league in receiving yards. Witherspoon received a second-team All-Pro nod thanks to another high-end campaign as part of Seattle’s elite secondary. The Super Bowl champions can extend both players at any time this offseason. New deals in each case being finalized sometime between the draft and training camp in particular would come as little surprise.
- Wentz Reunites With Vikings: The Vikings made one quarterback splash early in free agency by lining up a one-year deal with Kyler Murray. They were not done adding veteran passers, however, with Carson Wentz returning to Minnesota. In 2025, Wentz made five starts in place of an injured J.J. McCarthy before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery. McCarthy is still in the fold, but the former first-round pick’s Vikings outlook is the subject of considerable speculation. Murray is expected to operate as the team’s starter for 2026, and Wentz will give head coach Kevin O’Connell another veteran option to turn to. It will be interesting to see how McCarthy’s development will be handled this summer coming of a rookie season missed through injury and a 2025 campaign marred by struggles when on the field.