Bengals Want To Re-Sign QB Joe Flacco
The Bengals will of course hope Joe Burrow manages to remain healthy in 2026. If the team is once again forced to rely on a backup next season, though, a familiar face could be in play. 
Cincinnati is interested in re-signing Joe Flacco, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports. The Bengals acquired him via trade midway through the 2025 campaign with Burrow sidelined for an extended period. That gave Flacco another short-term starting opportunity, although he only posted a 1-5 record with Cincinnati. The 41-year-old intends to continue playing next season, but he is a pending free agent.
[RELATED: Bengals Could Use Franchise Tag On Trey Hendrickson]
Late in his brief QB1 stint, Flacco expressed a desire to operate as a full-time starter in 2026. Burrow is of course in place to remain in Cincinnati for the foreseeable future – provided his hinted discontent with the franchise does not produce a trade, that is. That would consign Flacco to backup duties in the event he were to re-sign with his third career AFC North team. The former Super Bowl MVP can at least be considered higher on the Bengals’ depth chart than Jake Browning, who struggled when thrust into the starting role in 2025.
Browning is a pending restricted free agent, and the matter of whether or not he is tendered by Cincinnati will no doubt depend on the Flacco situation. Opportunities from outside suitors will be something to watch for in Flacco’s case, Fowler adds. The QB market is not likely to include many free agents or trade chips viewed as having more upside, while the draft may only see one passer selected in the first round.
Those factors could help Flacco’s market value. It will be interesting to see if he elects to at least explore free agency before making a decision or winds up matching the Bengals’ desire to work out a new deal. Cincinnati is currently near the top of the league in terms of projected cap space with over $54MM available.
Raiders, Titans Expected To Pursue WR Addition In Free Agency
The Raiders and the Titans are entering 2026 in similar situations.
Both franchises are hoping that new head coaches can reverse their fortunes. Both will have No. 1 picks at quarterback, assuming Las Vegas drafts Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza as expected. And both are expected to be in the wide receiver market in free agency, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
Each team has one receiver with any meaningful experience under contract in 2026 and two 2025 draftees who had quiet rookie seasons. In Las Vegas, that trio is Tre Tucker, Jack Bech, and Dont’e Thornton, while Calvin Ridley, Elic Ayomanor, and Chimere Dike fill those roles in Tennessee.
That will likely bring the Raiders and the Titans in direct competition for the top wideouts who hit the market in March. George Pickens would the belle of the ball, but he will likely be tagged by the Cowboys. That would leave Alec Pierce as the most coveted young wideout in free agency. He put up a career-high 1,003 receiving yards in 2025 with excellent efficiency metrics for a second year in a row. In both seasons, he recorded 11.9 yards per target – which ranked first in 2024 and third in 2025 – while also leading the league in yards per reception (22.3, 21.3).
Other receivers expected to be available include Romeo Doubs, Rashid Shaheed, Jauan Jennings, Deebo Samuel, and Wan’Dale Robinson. Doubs has an appealing profile and could benefit from a bigger role in a new offense, while the other four have connections to the Raiders’ and Titans’ new coaching staffs. Klint Kubiak could try to bring Shaheed to Las Vegas after the two worked together in New Orleans in 2024 and Seattle in 2025. Jennings and Samuel both know new Titans head coach Robert Saleh from their shared time in San Francisco, though Saleh has not drawn from the 49ers for his new offensive staff. And Titans offensive coordinator Brian Daboll drafted and developed Robinson during his time as the Giants’ head coach.
Like any young quarterback, Mendoza and Cam Ward would benefit from veteran pass-catchers, especially ones who are already familiar with their new coaching staffs. As the two teams with the most salary cap space in the NFL (via OverTheCap), the Raiders and the Titans are both well-positioned to add impact receivers in free agency.
49ers DL Keion White Shot In San Francisco
10:30pm: The 49ers announced that White’s surgery was successful, per Barrows, though the team put no timetable on his return.
7:13pm: 49ers defensive lineman Keion White was shot in the ankle during an event in San Francisco early this morning, per NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco.
The player is currently undergoing surgery. According to ESPN’s Nick Wagoner, the injuries are not considered to be life-threatening nor career-threatening.
According to Maiocco, the shooting occurred at approximately 4am in an establishment on Mission Street in San Francisco. Police said the shooting followed an altercation between two groups, per Matt Barrows of The Athletic. White was not believed to have been involved in the altercation. It’s uncertain if the event was related to the Super Bowl, although the player’s social media showed that he was in the stands for the game.
The 49ers released a statement acknowledging the shooting and the player’s surgery. The team stated that they would “provide further updates when appropriate.” San Francisco police spokesman Evan Sernoffsky said that “officers are working diligently on this investigation” and were “following multiple leads” (via Barrows).
A 2023 second-round pick, White spent the first two-plus seasons of his career with the Patriots, including a 2024 campaign where he compiled five sacks. He was dealt to the 49ers ahead of this year’s deadline, and he proceeded to get into nine games (two starts) with his new squad, tallying 12 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
In August of 2024, then-49ers rookie wideout Ricky Pearsall was shot in the chest during a robbery attempt in San Francisco. Pearsall eventually made a full recovery.
TE David Njoku Says He Won’t Be Returning To Browns
David Njoku indicated that he won’t be re-signing with the Browns. The impending free agent tight end took to Instagram this evening to say farewell to Cleveland, stating that “the time for me to find a new home has come.”
“Cleveland, first off I love you,” Njoku wrote. “These 9 years have been a beautiful journey. I’m am so grateful for all the memories we shared together. Thank you to The Haslams, Andrew Berry and the whole browns organization for everything!! All my teammates I shared the battle with I’m so grateful for you guys. The time for me to find a new home has come and all I can think of is just the gratefulness in my heart. The city of Cleveland will forever be home.”
After emerging in trade rumors during the 2024 trade deadline, Njoku was once again viewed as a trade candidate in 2025. Coupled with the tight end’s impending free agent and the performance of third-round rookie TE Harold Fannin, those trade rumblings seemed to indicate that Njoku’s departure from Cleveland would come sooner than later.
Still, after Njoku stuck with the Browns after the deadline, we heard that the tight end was eyeing an extension with the franchise. And following the regular season, there were reports that the Browns would consider a third contract for the veteran. Since then, the Browns have revamped their coaching staff, and Njoku reportedly endorsed new Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski to Atlanta TE (and fellow impending free agent) Kyle Pitts.
If Njoku sticks to his current word and indeed looks to play elsewhere in 2026, he’ll end a Browns tenure that sees him rank among the organization’s best tight ends. While the 2017 first-round pick was always going to face an uphill battle to rival franchise legend Ozzie Newsome, Njoku arguably established himself as the second-best TE in Browns history. Despite inconsistent QB play for much of his nine seasons in Cleveland, Njoku still hauled in 384 catches for 4,062 yards and 34 touchdowns. That latter mark ranks sixth on the Browns’ all-time receiving leaderboard.
Njoku played through his rookie contract in Cleveland before being slapped with the franchise tag in 2022. He subsequently inked a four-year, $56MM extension with the organization, and his $14MM average annual value still ranks fifth at the position. The 29-year-old dealt with knee injuries for much of the 2025 season, opening the door for Fannin to pace the team in targets (107) and receptions (72). While both tight ends could have coexisted in Cleveland, it comes as zero surprise that the Browns and Njoku are preparing for a divorce.
Njoku may have a tough time retaining his current spot in the AAV standings, and there’s a good chance he even falls out of the top-15 at his position (~$10MM). Besides his 2025 injuries and drop in production, Njoku is also a part of a relatively deep free agent class at the position. Even assuming that Travis Kelce will either retire or return to the Chiefs, Njoku will be competing with the likes of Pitts, DallasGoedert, and Isaiah Likely for his next contract.
Chargers’ Khalil Mack, Odafe Oweh To “Be In Demand” This Offseason
While free agent Trey Hendrickson and likely trade target Maxx Crosby will lead the class of available edge rushers this offseason, a pair of Chargers pass rushers also shouldn’t lack for suitors. According to Jason La Canfora of SportsBoom.com, Chargers edge rushers Khalil Mack and Odafe Oweh will “be in demand” this offseason.
While pass-rush-needy teams will surely take whatever reinforcement they can get, the two teammates may have different experiences in free agency. Mack, of course, has spent 12 years in the NFL, and while it’s been close to a decade since he won his Defensive Player of the Year award, the veteran continues to produce. While the former Raiders star failed to match that production in Chicago, he has had a few standout moments during his stint with the Chargers. This includes a 17-sack campaign in 2023, but Mack otherwise averaged around six sacks per season during his other three years in Los Angeles.
Thanks to a six-year, $141MM extension with the Bears that temporarily made him the highest-paid defender in NFL history, Mack has never truly experienced free agency. He inked a one-year, $16MM extension with the Chargers last offseason, and there’s a chance he may have to settle for another short-term deal following a 12-game showing in 2025.
Oweh, meanwhile, just completed his rookie contract. The former first-round pick spent the first four-plus seasons of his career with the Ravens, where he often found himself serving in a part-time role. Despite only getting into about 60 percent of the Ravens defensive snaps during his tenure with the team, Oweh still managed to compile 23 sacks with the organization, including a 10-sack performance in 2024.
The 27-year-old got into a career-low 45 percent of Baltimore’s defensive snaps in 2025 before he was shipped to Los Angeles in October. The impending free agent had a productive few months with his new squad, compiling 7.5 sacks and 13 QB hits in 12 games (two starts).
The two edge rushers will have a natural suitor in the Chargers, as La Canfora notes that the organization will be active trying to retain “at least one of them.” Another not-so-surprising suitor will be the Ravens, as La Canfora notes that new head coach (and former Chargers defensive coordinator) Jesse Minter are expected to “heavily pursue” the free agents.
Browns Request DC Interview With Falcons’ Mike Rutenberg
Another name has joined the growing list of candidates for the Browns defensive coordinator job. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Browns have requested an interview with Falcons defensive pass-game coordinator Mike Rutenberg.
Rutenberg had a long stint in Jacksonville to begin his NFL coaching career. Following seven seasons with the organization, he caught on with the 49ers as their passing game specialist. That move reunited him with Robert Saleh after the two worked alongside each other during their time with the Jaguars.
When Saleh got the Jets head coaching job in 2021, Rutenberg followed him to New York as the team’s new linebackers coach. He spent four years with the organization, three of which saw the Jets finish in the top-five in total defense. As the Jets revamped their coaching staff ahead of the 2025 campaign, Rutenberg left for the Falcons, where he was named the defensive pass game coordinator. Atlanta’s pass defense was generally middle-of-the-road this past season, although they did rank sixth in interceptions.
The 44-year-old’s stock has recently been climbing. He was a candidate for the Titans DC job that eventually went to Gus Bradley, and Fowler notes that Rutenberg was actually the runner-up in that process. Now, he’ll get another crack at a coordinator gig in Cleveland.
Another name that’s definitively connected to the Browns job is Texans passing-game coordinator Cory Undlin, who was previously mentioned as a potential candidate for the gig. According to Albert Breer of SI.com, Undlin met with the Browns this past weekend. This would be a bit of a homecoming for the veteran coach, who had a four-year stint in Cleveland early in his coaching career.
Since then, he’s coached defensive backs in stops with the Jaguars, Broncos, Eagles, and 49ers. He also had a one-year stint as the Lions defensive coordinator under Matt Patricia, although Detroit ranked as the worst defense in the NFL that year. He’s spent the past three seasons serving in his current role on DeMeco Ryans‘s staff in Houston.
With Jim Schwartz resigning from his post in Cleveland, the Browns list of DC candidates continues to grow. The team’s other options include:
- Ephraim Banda, safeties coach (Browns): Interviewed 2/7
- Charlie Bullen, defensive pass-game coordinator (Giants): Interview requested
- Jonathan Cooley, defensive pass-game coordinator (Panthers): Interview requested
- Aubrey Pleasant, defensive pass-game coordinator (Rams): To interview 2/9
- Jason Tarver, linebackers coach (Browns): Interviewed 2/7
- Dino Vasso, defensive backs coach (Texans): Mentioned as candidate; withdrew from search
Colts Could Apply Franchise Tag To WR Alec Pierce?
Daniel Jones represents the top pending free agent for the Colts. Keeping him in the fold will be a major offseason priority, but the same is also true of Alec Pierce. 
[RELATED: Colts To Begin Jones Contract Talks Soon]
Pierce is set to see his rookie contract expire next month. A major raise is in store regardless of where it will come from. The 25-year-old topped 1,000 yards in 2025, and he led the NFL in yards per catch (21.3) for the second year in a row.
As the Colts deal with negotiations on the Jones front, the franchise tag could be used as a means of ensuring he will not depart in free agency. That may also come into play in Pierce’s case. ESPN’s Jeremy writes Indianapolis could tag the former second-rounder, a move which would follow the path taken with fellow WR Michael Pittman Jr. in 2024. Of course, teams can apply the tag to only one play in any given offseason.
Pittman was kept off the market by means of the franchise tag at a time when it carried a cost of $21.82MM. He wound up agreeing to a long-term pact, and his extension carries an average annual value of $23.33MM. Final figures for 2026 tags have not yet emerged, but the receiver position is currently projected to cost over $28MM. That amount would be guaranteed in full in the event Indianapolis were to tag Pierce, who showcased an ability to operate as more than a deep threat this season.
Pittman’s contract only has one season remaining. He is due to carry a cap charge of $29MM in 2026, so an extension aimed at lowering that figure could be pursued. The Colts also have veteran Ashton Dulin in the fold and Josh Downs attached to his rookie contract. The decision to trade away Adonai Mitchell increased the value of retaining Pierce, though, and general manager Chris Ballard confirmed after the season working out a new pact is high on the team’s to-do list.
Pierce spoke last month about the possibility of reaching the market for the first time in his career. He also stated an affinity for the organization, though, leaving the door open to a second Colts pact. The window for using the franchise tag will open next week and close on March 3. Indianapolis will be a team to watch closely given the potential for Jones or Pierce to be tagged.
Derek Carr Could Consider 2026 Return; QB Has No Shoulder Limitations
FEBRUARY 9: Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated predicts Carr will resume his career. Such a development would presumably include a trade being worked out this offseason, so Carr’s potential presence in the quarterback market will remain something to watch closely over the coming weeks.
FEBRUARY 8: Last May, Saints quarterback Derek Carr announced his retirement, and it was subsequently reported that he was “extremely unlikely” to reverse that decision. In addressing the matter several months later, however, he did not close the door to an NFL return, and both the Bengals and Colts considered him during their search for injury replacements for their starting quarterbacks in 2025.
According to Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero, and Mike Garafolo of NFL.com, Carr is content in retirement at the moment but could be open to a 2026 comeback if the right opportunity presents itself. It is unclear exactly what the “right opportunity” would include, though the NFL.com triumvirate says Carr’s prospective coaching staff would be a key factor.
Carr, who stepped away from the game (at least temporarily) at age 34, chose that route rather than undergoing a shoulder surgery that would have jeopardized his availability for the 2025 slate. In their own announcement on his retirement, the Saints said the four-time Pro Bowler had “significant degenerative changes to his rotator cuff.”
Fortunately, Carr’s shoulder responded well to rest and recovery. He began rehabbing as the 2025 season went along, and he presently has no shoulder limitations. He is throwing fully as part of his regular exercise regimen.
While Carr is not actively pursuing a comeback, the usual dearth of quality options on the free agent and trade markets, as well as the perceived weakness of the 2026 draft class of collegiate QBs outside of presumptive No. 1 selection Fernando Mendoza, could make him attractive to clubs in need of a bridge option. The fact that he is back to full strength heightens his appeal.
The Saints still control Carr’s rights, meaning they would have to work out a trade with an interested club. But Rapoport et al. do not see that as a real hurdle. Tyler Shough’s strong showing as a rookie and the amicable end to Carr’s New Orleans tenure suggest such a deal would be easy to consummate, and trade compensation would likely be minimal given that Carr has no future with the Saints.
Across 27 games with New Orleans, Carr posted a 14-13 record and completed over 68% of his passes, throwing for 40 touchdowns against just 13 picks. That amounted to a 98.8 quarterback rating.
Final Deshaun Watson Lawsuits Dismissed
At one point, Deshaun Watson was the subject of 27 civil lawsuits stemming from allegations of sexual misconduct. That number dwindled in short order, but two loomed until very recently. 
The Browns quarterback will not see the remaining suits proceed to trial. The final two Watson lawsuits have been dismissed by the plaintiffs, as detailed by Brent Schrotenboer of USA Today. Both were dismissed with prejudice roughly one month ago, an indication a confidential settlement was reached in each instance.
One of the two outstanding cases had Lauren Baxley as its plaintiff. She was the last client of attorney Tony Busbee, who represented all but one of Watson’s accusers. The Baxley case was scheduled to proceed to trial on March 30. The other case’s trial was scheduled to begin on February 18. Instead, both matters are now closed.
“Case is settled,” Buzbee confirmed on Monday. “That’s all I can say about it. That’s the last case so that ends my involvement with Deshaun Watson litigation.”
March of 2021 marked the beginning of suits being filed against Watson. All contained allegations of sexual misconduct dating back to his tenure with the Texans. 24 of those suits were settled confidentially in 2021, with another being withdrawn not long after it was filed. The Texans were themselves the subject of allegations the team enabled Watson’s actions during massage sessions and did not prevent them. Settlements were reached with 30 women.
The possibility of civil litigation loomed when Watson was the subject of trade negotiations, but his market picked up once it became clear no criminal case would be in play. In the end, the Browns won the Watson sweepstakes and paid a trade price highlighted by three first-round picks. As part of the blockbuster move, Cleveland gave Watson a five-year, $230MM extension which was guaranteed in full.
To say the least, things have not gone according to plan. After returning from an 11-game suspension, Watson has dealt with a number of injuries and failed to meet expectations when on the field. In all, the three-time Pro Bowler has played just 19 games across three years as a Brown. Watson is currently recovering from the two Achilles tears which kept him sidelined for 2025.
A path may exist for the 30-year-old to earn the Browns’ starting quarterback position next season. In any event, a release following the 2026 campaign would come as no surprise despite the cap implications of doing so based on the restructures worked out by Cleveland over the course of Watson’s ill-fated Cleveland tenure.
Seahawks Likely To Pursue Internal Klint Kubiak OC Replacement?
Sunday night’s Super Bowl victory marked a successful end to Klint Kubiak‘s Seattle tenure. After one season as the Seahawks’ offensive coordinator, Kubiak is in position to become the new head coach of the Raiders. 
Replacing Kubiak will be a key priority for Seattle in the near future. Many of the coordinator openings around the NFL have of course already been filled, something which will limit the market for outside candidates in Seattle’s case. That may not prove to be particularly relevant, though.
There is a “strong possibility” the Seahawks will look to replace Kubiak through an internal promotion, ESPN’s Brady Henderson reports. He also predicts the list of staffers who will follow Kubiak from Seattle to Las Vegas will be relatively short. How things play out on that front will obviously influence the candidate pool the Seahawks have to choose from.
Quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko, pass-game coordinator Jake Peetz and running backs coach Justin Outten are among the coaches Seattle had in place for the team’s Super Bowl run. Any or all of them will no doubt receive consideration from Kubiak as he pieces together his staff. Each could be seen as prime candidates to be promoted to the OC role in Seattle, however. In any event, the Seahawks are required to conduct at least one in-person interview with an external minority candidate to satisfy the Rooney Rule.
Head coach Mike Macdonald will soon have a third OC in place in as many years leading the Seahawks. Needless to say, he will look for a level of success much closer to Kubiak’s single campaign in Seattle than Ryan Grubb‘s one-and-done showing as offensive coordinator from 2024.