Saints WR Chris Olave Contemplated Retirement During 2024 Offseason
The 2024 season saw Chris Olave suffer a pair of concussions. He has dealt with at least four over the course of his NFL career, one which began in 2022. 
Olave was sidelined for the Saints’ final eight games last season after suffering his latest concussion. Consultation with specialists took place and the former first-rounder managed to return to practice late in the campaign, but he did not see any game action. During the offseason, Olave thought about hanging up his cleats.
“It was a tough time last year,” the fourth-year wideout said (via ESPN’s Katherine Terrell). “I was only 24 years old, contemplating retirement, especially with the head injuries, but I prayed about it… I just gave it another try, another chance. And it’s been a great year.”
Indeed, Olave has managed to play in all 15 games for New Orleans in 2025. He has set new career highs in receptions (92) and touchdowns (eight). The Ohio State product could also record a new personal best in yardage, having topped 1,000 for the third time. A continued spell as the Saints’ focal point on offense could be in store if an extension is reached; talks on that front have taken place since at least the start of the campaign.
For now, Olave is on track to collect $15.49MM in 2026 on his fifth-year option. A trade to a contending team was a talking point leading up to the deadline, but like Alvin Kamara Olave expressed a desire to remain in New Orleans. The team wound up retaining both of them and dealing Rashid Shaheed to the Seahawks as a rental. Adding at the receiver spot could therefore be an offseason priority, but Olave’s healthy campaign should set him up for a new Saints pact.
New Orleans has won three straight games, and the combination of first-year head coach Kellen Moore and rookie quarterback Tyler Shough has shown encouraging signs in recent weeks. Olave figures to remain a key presence on offense for at least 2026, but his decision to continue playing has him positioned for a spell with the Saints spanning beyond that point.
Updated 2026 NFL Draft Order
Several dominoes have fallen so far in Week 16 with respect to the NFL’s playoff picture. The Cowboys have been eliminated while the Patriots, Seahawks, Bears, Eagles and 49ers have locked in a postseason berth.
The final two weeks of the campaign will determine the remaining playoff spots, but they will also sort out the top of the draft order. Six teams remain within striking distance of the No. 1 pick, although the Titans’ win on Sunday greatly weakened their chances of landing the top selection for the second year in a row. One contest in particular will be worth monitoring next week with respect to draft positioning.
The Giants and Raiders each sport a record of 2-13. They will play each other in Week 17, meaning the loser of that contest will have the inside track for the No. 1 pick. New York already has a head coaching vacancy while Pete Carroll is in danger of going one-and-done in Vegas. Plenty of incentive for winning will exist for Carroll in particular, but the outcome of that game will have major implications on the draft order.
For non-playoff teams, the draft order is determined by the inverted 2025 standings plus a series of tiebreakers, starting with strength of schedule. Playoff squads are slotted by their postseason outcome and the reverse order of their regular season record.
Here is an updated look at the first-round order:
- New York Giants (2-13)
- Las Vegas Raiders (2-13)
- Cleveland Browns (3-12)
- New York Jets (3-12)
- Arizona Cardinals (3-12)
- Tennessee Titans (3-12)
- Washington Commanders (4-11)
- New Orleans Saints (5-10)
- Cincinnati Bengals (5-10)
- Miami Dolphins (6-9)
- Los Angeles Rams (via Falcons)
- Kansas City Chiefs (6-9)
- Dallas Cowboys (6-8-1)
- Baltimore Ravens (7-8)
- Minnesota Vikings (7-8)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8)
- Detroit Lions (8-7)
- New York Jets (via Colts)
- Carolina Panthers (8-7)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6)
- Dallas Cowboys (via Packers)
- Philadelphia Eagles (10-5)
- Houston Texans (10-5)
- Buffalo Bills (11-4)
- Los Angeles Chargers (11-4)
- San Francisco 49ers (11-4)
- Cleveland Browns (via Jaguars)
- Los Angeles Rams (11-4)
- Chicago Bears (11-4)
- New England Patriots (12-3)
- Denver Broncos (12-3)
- Seattle Seahawks (12-3)
Raiders HC Pete Carroll ‘Intent’ On Keeping Job
The Raiders brought in a new regime to guide their franchise in 2025, but unless the team somehow wins their final two games of the season, they’ll finish with their worst showing since the 2014 campaign. Considering the dismal on-field product, there have been some natural rumblings about Pete Carroll‘s job security. If the head coach has his way, he’ll be sticking in Las Vegas for the 2026 season.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, the 74-year-old isn’t planning to retire. Instead, Carroll is “intent on convincing” owner Mark Davis that he should keep his job.
Rapoport and Pelissero detail the various issues the Raiders have dealt with in 2025. On the coaching staff, offensive coordinator Chip Kelly and special teams coordinator Tom McMahon were both canned. On the field, Geno Smith has tossed 14 interceptions after being acquired this offseason for a third-round pick. Meanwhile, sixth-overall pick Ashton Jeanty has been one of the least efficient RBs in the NFL, compiling 828 rushing yards on 224 carries. Individually, none of these issues are a direct indictment of Carroll. However, when combined, you can make a strong argument that the organization already requires a change.
Plus, as Rapoport and Pelissero note, Carroll wasn’t even the organization’s top choice to lead the squad. Tom Brady helped guide the search and landed his desired GM in John Spytek. However, the iconic QB saw his HC target, Ben Johnson, opt for the Bears gig. Both NFL Network reporters believe Brady will “increase his presence” this offseason as the team faces some crucial decisions.
Davis will ultimately have the final say, and the owner isn’t afraid to pull the plug if things aren’t working out. The Raiders have famously shuffled through coaches, as the team has employed five different head coaches (including interim HCs) over the past five years.
If Carroll is ultimately ousted, it will be a disappointing development for the former Super Bowl winner. His long stint in Seattle unceremoniously ended in 2023, but even then, the Seahawks never bottomed out, as Carroll still guided the team to a 9-8 record during his final season at the helm. Carroll has the track record of developing competitive squads, so perhaps the Raiders will give their head coach another season to right the ship. If not, the front office will be seeking yet another individual to lead their roster.
Chiefs, Kansas Reach Stadium Agreement
Over the past few days, indications have emerged that the Chiefs would finalize an agreement to relocate to Kansas. On Monday, that news became official. 
A new stadium will be built for the team in Kansas City, Kan., as first reported by Matthew Kelly and Sofi Zelman of the Kansas City Star. The Chiefs have since confirmed the news, ensuring the franchise will depart its longtime home (Jackson County, Mo.) in the relatively near future. The team will begin playing in Kansas in 2031.
“Today we are excited to take another momentous step for the future of the franchise,” a statement from Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt reads in part. “We have entered into an agreement with the State of Kansas to host Chiefs football beginning with the 2031 NFL season. In the years ahead, we look forward to designing and building a state-of-the-art domed stadium and mixed-use district in Wyandotte County, and a best-in-class training facility, team headquarters, and mixed-use district in Olathe.
“I want to thank the State of Kansas, and its legislative leaders. We have a lot more work to do to make this vision a reality, and I am excited to pursue this project together. I also want to thank the State of Missouri, Jackson County, and the City of Kansas City for their longstanding partnership. I look forward to watching Chiefs football at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium together over the next five seasons.”
A Kansas City Star report from this past Friday noted how discussions between the Chiefs and Kansas legislators were set to take place. At that point, no deal had been finalized but there were strong indications an agreement could be struck. It is now official, thanks to a unanimous vote which took place earlier today. The proposed stadium deal was worked out by Chiefs officials along with Kansas Lieutenant Governor David Toland on behalf of the Kansas Department of Commerce.
In 2024, a measure aimed at generating $800MM in funding for renovations to Arrowhead Stadium and a downtown stadium in Kansas City, Mo., for the Royals failed to pass. Chiefs president Mark Donovan made it clear shortly before that development the team would explore relocating in the event of the measure being voted down. Rather than mere posturing, Donovan’s comments have proven to be quite substantive given today’s news.
Last April, Dallas mayor Eric Johnson publicly called for the Chiefs to return to Dallas, where the franchise originated prior to its rebranding in 1962. Nothing pointing to such a move transpired afterwards, but the Chiefs will nevertheless be on the move once their existing lease expires following the 2030 campaign. By July 2024, the state legislature in Kansas had passed a bill allowing for the funding of a new stadium. Since then, a relocation deal has loomed as a distinct possibility.
The Chiefs have called Arrowhead home since 1972. The franchise first played at Municipal Stadium upon relocating from Dallas in 1963, but the departure of Major League Baseball’s Athletics and the arrival of the Royals prompted the construction of a new, larger stadium. Renovations were completed on Arrowhead Stadium in 2010, but the team had been angling for another round for a while. Instead of Arrowhead being renovated over the coming years, it will be replaced as the team’s home beginning in the 2031 campaign.
Arrowhead had not played host to an AFC championship game until 2018, but many of the defining moments of the modern Chiefs dynasty have come at the western Missouri site. Six AFC title games have been at Arrowhead since that 2018 season. While much of the Patrick Mahomes era — provided the superstar quarterback (who is signed through the 2031 season) stays with the team — will continue to be played there, it is interesting the franchise would opt for such a major transition during its peak period.
The plan which was finalized today calls for the construction of a $3 billion domed stadium. Up to 70% of the project can be publicly funded through a subsidy, although no details on that front were immediately shared. In any case, the Chiefs will spend the coming years preparing for a new chapter in their history.
Raiders Place OL Jordan Meredith On IR
Jordan Meredith‘s season has ended early. The Raiders announced that they placed the offensive lineman on injured reserve today.
Meredith has been dealing with an ankle injury for most of December, and the issue led to him being questionable for yesterday’s game against the Texans. The lineman ended up being limited to only three special teams snaps yesterday, and the Raiders are now shutting him down for good.
A former UDFA out of Western Kentucky, Meredith played sparingly through his first three seasons in the NFL. He had a breakout campaign in 2024, starting eight of his 14 appearances while getting into 574 offensive snaps. Pro Football Focus was especially fond of his performance, ranking Meredith fifth among 77 qualifying guards.
This season, the website hasn’t been as bullish, although that could be due to the lineman’s switch to center. Meredith currently ranks 33rd among 40 qualifying centers, including the fourth-lowest positional grade in pass blocking. He shifted back to guard midseason when Jackson Powers-Johnson went down with an injury.
Taking his spot on the roster is Atonio Mafi. The veteran has spent most of the season on the Raiders practice squad, making one appearance in his three elevations. The former fifth-round pick started five of his 17 games as a rookie with the Patriots in 2023.
To fill the taxi squad spot previously held by Mafi, the Raiders turned to defensive end Jahfari Harvey. The rookie has spent most of this season on the practice squad, but he temporarily found himself without a job after he was cut by the big-league team the other day.
T.J. Watt’s Return Remains Murky
Steelers star T.J. Watt has missed the past two games while recovering from surgery on a partially collapsed lung. Unfortunately, it doesn’t sound like he’s any closer to a return.
[RELATED: Steelers’ T.J. Watt Undergoes Surgery On Partially Collapsed Lung]
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the pass rusher’s return to play “remains murky and uncertain.” At the moment, Watt’s focus is solely on his recovery, with his potential return to field being considered “secondary.”
Of course, as the Steelers push for a playoff spot, Watt’s potential return will still command attention. Per Schefter, doctors will continue to monitor how Watt feels this week to determine if it’s even possible for him to suit up for Sunday’s matchup against the Browns. However, the ideal path would see Watt garner “more time to recover.” The former Defensive Player of the Year is expected to make a full recovery.
Watt was admitted to the hospital earlier this month with a lung injury. It was later determined that the collapsed lung was a result of a common dry needling procedure that he underwent at the team facility. He was quickly released from the hospital, but he’s yet to take the field since his injury.
The NFLPA was subsequently in contact with the player’s camp, although it’s uncertain if they’ll take any action against the Steelers franchise. Tyrod Taylor famously suffered a punctured lung while receiving a pain-killing injection in 2020; he later sued the Chargers for medical malpractice. After Watt inked a three-year extension this past offseason that made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history, it’s uncertain if he would look to take such a drastic stance against the franchise.
While the off-the-field narrative is worth watching, the Steelers are currently focused on their on-the-field product. Despite Watt being out of the lineup, the Steelers have won each of their past two games to take a two-game lead in the AFC North. A Watt-less defense would surely impact the team’s ability to make noise in the playoffs, but the Steelers can rest easy about their postseason chances regardless of the pass rusher’s status.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/22/25
Today’s practice squad transactions:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: S Tysheem Johnson
Houston Texans
- Signed: DL Leki Fotu
New England Patriots
- Placed on IR: TE Thomas Odukoya
New York Giants
- Released: P Cameron Johnston
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: CB Tyler Hall
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: LB Nick Jackson
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: NT Isaiah Raikes, LB Cam Riley
- Released: WR Kristian Wilkerson
After getting waived by the Bills in November, Cameron Johnston caught on with the Giants as insurance for Jamie Gillan. Johnston ended up getting into one game for his new squad, punting four times for 22.8 net yards per punt. The team held on to the veteran to make sure Gillan made it through his return unscathed. Apparently everything checked out, and the Giants will proceed with just one punter in their organization for the rest of the season.
NFL Minor Transactions: 12/22/25
Today’s minor moves:
Green Bay Packers
- Activated from reserve/PUP: DL Collin Oliver
Indianapolis Colts
- Promoted: WR Coleman Owen, G Josh Sills
San Francisco 49ers
- Promoted: CB Eli Apple, LB Eric Kendricks
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed from practice squad: S D’Anthony Bell
Collin Oliver may finally make his NFL debut at some point over the final two weeks of the season. The rookie fifth-round pick was sidelined for all of training camp and the preseason with a hamstring injury, and he ultimately landed on the physically unable to perform list to begin the season. He had his practice window opened earlier this month, and he’s apparently showed enough progress to earn a spot on the active roster. The Oklahoma State product finished his college career 23.5 sacks and 40.5 tackles for loss.
Commanders Claim WR Jamal Agnew, DT Shy Tuttle Off Waivers
The Commanders claimed wide receiver Jamal Agnew and defensive tackles Shy Tuttle off waivers on Monday, per a team announcement. In two corresponding moves, defensive tackle Eddie Goldman and wide receiver Jaylin Lane were placed on injured reserve, ending their seasons.
Agnew was waived by the Falcons on Saturday. The nine-year veteran appeared in 11 games this season as Atlanta’s primary kick and punt returner, but they have given that role to fourth-year wideout Deven Thompkins in the last few weeks. Agnew has not been as effective as years past, averaging just 7.6 yards on punt returns and 24.7 yards on kickoffs.
However, he is still a reliable veteran on special teams, and his availability comes at a fortuitous time for the Commanders. Lane has been their punt returner all year, ranking first in the league with with two touchdowns and seventh with 13.7 yards per return. The fourth-round pick suffered suffered an ankle injury in Saturday’s night loss to the Eagles, ending his rookie season.
Similar to the Agnew-Lane swap, Tuttle was a convenient option to fill Goldman’s roster spot. Tuttle appeared in the Titans’ first 10 games of the season, but had minimal production and lost his game day role in Week 13. He was also waived on Saturday and will replace Goldman for the rest of the season.
Goldman occupied a 38% snap share in his 13 appearances this season. He suffered a concussion in Week 15 – his second of the season – and did not clear protocol before the Commanders’ next game. The 31-year-old already retired once, in 2022, and may consider hanging up his cleats again this offseason, especially after sustaining two concussions this year.
Packers TE John FitzPatrick Suffered Torn Achilles
John FitzPatrick‘s season has come to an end. The Packers announced today that they’ve placed their tight end on injured reserve.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, tests revealed that FitzPatrick suffered a torn Achilles during Saturday’s loss to the Bears. The tight end suffered the injury while blocking in the fourth quarter. He was carted to the sideline before exiting to the locker room.
This is a tough break for an injury-riddled Packers squad. The team was already down their starting TE in Tucker Kraft, who suffered a torn ACL in early November. FitzPatrick was arguably the main beneficiary of that injury, as he soaked up most of Kraft’s reps and occasionally outsnapped fellow tight end Luke Musgrave.
A former sixth-round pick by the Falcons, FitzPatrick joined the Packers last October. He was limited reps during his first season in Green Bay, but he’s seen a much larger role in 2025. In 15 games (four starts), the 25-year-old has hauled in 12 catches for 72 yards and one touchdown. However, he’s truly earned his playing time with his blocking prowess; Pro Football Focus ranks him 14th at his position for pass blocking and 20th in run blocking.
Musgrave will continue leading the depth chart for the time being, but the Packers will need to add an extra body to the roster in the coming days. Josh Whyle is currently sidelined with a concussion, so the team will surely turn to at least one of McCallan Castles or Drake Dabney from the practice squad.
The injury also comes at a poor time for FitzPatrick, who is hitting unrestricted free agency after this season. The Achilles injury will surely require a lengthy rehab, and there’s a chance he may not return to the field until late in the 2026 season.