Texans Will Not Trade C.J. Stroud; Joe Mixon Undergoes Surgery
C.J. Stroud has not built on his 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year performance, and a miserable playoff showing restricted a dominant Texans defense. The quarterback is now extension-eligible, but a recent report pressed pause on that topic.
The Texans do not look to be planning a Stroud extension for 2026, but the team will exercise the former No. 2 overall pick’s fifth-year option. That will extend Stroud’s contract through 2027, buying the organization some time. While Year 5 QB extensions are not commonplace, that may be where this settles.
GM Nick Caserio said Tuesday no trade is coming, confirming (via ESPN.com’s DJ Bien-Aime) the fourth-year passer is “not going anywhere.” Stroud, 24, is on track to make $1.15MM in base salary on his fully guaranteed $36.28MM rookie contract.
Considering the Ohio State product’s rookie-year performance and the flashes shown over the ensuing two seasons, it would be surprising if the Texans truly considered moving on this year. The fifth-year option will create an opportunity for Stroud to boost his stock this season, which would allow him to set a price point closer to the top of the market in 2027.
Most successful QBs who go off the board in Round 1 are extended after their third seasons, but Lamar Jackson and Tua Tagovailoa have been outliers in recent years. Jackson played out his option season and was extended after being franchise-tagged in 2023. The Dolphins let Tagovailoa play out his fourth season and paid him before Year 5. That turned out to be the wrong move, and Miami is on track to eat record-smashing dead money. That example would point to Houston caution with Stroud, but given the mess the organization was in after the Deshaun Watson scandal, giving a promising but unspectacular passer another shot certainly makes sense.
The Texans paired Stroud and Joe Mixon in 2024 but needed to adjust at running back last season, when Mixon missed 17 games because of an unspecified injury. Mixon, 29, landed on the reserve/NFI list because of a “complicated” foot and ankle injury. The 2024 trade acquisition has undergone surgery, Caserio said (via KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson).
The former Bengals regular may not play again. If/when the Texans release Mixon from his two-year, $19.75MM extension, it would free up $8MM in cap space. Nick Chubb played out his one-year Houston contract, but Woody Marks (703 rookie-year rushing yards) has three years left on his rookie deal. The Texans will likely add another RB to complement Marks or push him for the starting job soon.
Tua Tagovailoa Has Not Requested Trade
As it stands, the Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa chapter is nearing an end. Most likely, that conclusion will come via release. No trade market is believed to exist for the slumping passer, and the Dolphins have been closely linked to Malik Willis.
A Tagovailoa release would tag the Dolphins with a record-setting $99.2MM. While that could be spread over two years via a post-June 1 designation, it would make reuniting Willis and new HC Jeff Hafley difficult. Tagovailoa has spoken highly of a fresh start, but new GM Jon-Eric Sullivan said (via NFL.com’s Cameron Wolfe) the six-year veteran has not requested a trade.
“We’re evaluating the entire roster,” Sullivan said at the Combine. “As it pertains to Tua, we’ve had conversations with Tua and his representation. Everything is on the table, including the potential of a trade. We don’t know which way that’s going to go. There’s a lot of different factors at play, a lot of conversations being had.”
These comments remind of Sullivan’s most recent remarks from a Dolphins fan event, where the former Packers exec mentioned he had spoken to Tagovailoa about his future. It would surprise if Miami found a trade taker. In the event one does form, the Dolphins would need to eat plenty of the southpaw QB’s $54MM 2026 guarantee.
With Zach Wilson a free agent, the Dolphins have Quinn Ewers — their end-of-season starter following Tua’s benching — as a possible starter. Sullivan reiterated he plans to infuse his new QB room with competition. That would point to a free agency addition and a draft choice coming in. This is not viewed as a deep quarterback class on either front, potentially pointing to Ewers — a 2025 seventh-round pick — having a legitimate shot to start in the event Miami cannot lure Willis.
As PFR’s Dolphins Offseason Outlook notes, Miami will need to act by March 13. Another $18MM guarantee — via a $15MM option bonus and $3MM 2027 salary guarantee — will vest for the embattled QB on that date. It would be stunning if Tua remained a Dolphin after that date. It is widely expected this process will remind of the Broncos’ 2024 Russell Wilson ending, when the AFC West team cut the disappointing arm to bring a record-shattering $84.6MM in dead money. The Dolphins are on the verge of eclipsing that number by a wide margin, barring something unforeseen.
Giants Not Currently Receiving Trade Calls On Kayvon Thibodeaux
Kayvon Thibodeaux was the subject of trade talks leading up to the deadline. No deal was reached, leaving him on course to remain with the Giants in 2026. 
New York picked up Thibodeaux’s fifth-year option last spring. As a result, he is due $14.75MM next season. A full-time starting gig does not await in this case, but the former No. 5 selection appears to still be in the Giants’ plans at this point.
“Right now, Kayvon’s gonna be with us,” general manager Joe Schoen said at the Combine on Tuesday (via ESPN’s Jordan Raanan). “He played well. He is going into his fifth year, and he’s motivated, and you can’t have enough pass rushers.”
Thibodeaux appeared to hit his stride during his second Giants season, posting 11.5 sacks and 35 quarterback pressures. The Oregon product has missed notable time through injury during both of his subsequent campaigns, however. Thibodeaux played 12 games in 2024 before managing 10 this past year. With only eight sacks across that span, he is not in position to operate as an edge rushing anchor for New York.
Brian Burns has proven to be an effective trade acquisition for the Giants. The former Panther has been a strong producer in two New York seasons, and he posted a career-high 16.5 sacks in 2025. Meanwhile, Abdul Carter saw his usage rate increase late in the year and he managed most of the output from his four-sack season down the stretch. Carter, selected third overall last spring, figures to pair with Burns as the Giants’ top edge rushers for years to come.
That leaves Thibodeaux in an interesting position. The 25-year-old has logged a snap share of at least 72% every year to date, but a path to a larger workload would only exist in the event of an injury to Burns and/or Carter. Extending Thibodeaux given his spotty track record would carry risk, while finding a trade partner willing to part with notable draft capital would no doubt be a challenge. Schoen noted (via Dan Duggan of The Athletic) no trade talks have occurred so far this offseason.
Free agency is set to include a number of veteran pass rushers like Trey Hendrickson and Bradley Chubb. Several younger options are on track to reach the market for the first time, and suitors could prefer to invest in them rather than acquiring Thibodeaux. In that case, efforts to work out a new Giants pact would be something to watch for.
Patriots Unlikely To Retain Harold Landry?
FEBRUARY 24: When speaking to reporters at the Combine on Tuesday, executive vice president Eliot Wolf said (via Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald) he expects Landry to remain in place for next season. Things could change between now and the start of free agency, but it appears as though a second New England campaign is in store.
FEBRUARY 19: Harold Landry paced the Patriots with 8.5 sacks this past season, but the linebacker’s stay in New England may only last one year. When asked about the status of the veteran defender, Christopher Price of the Boston Globe opined that the player wouldn’t be back with the Patriots in 2026 (via Patriots on CLNS).
Price points to the player’s age and injuries as a reason for why the Patriots may look to move on. The 29-year-old suffered a knee injury back in Week 6, didn’t miss a game, and then reinjured the same knee in Week 12. The Patriots didn’t push the veteran in practices, and they later held him out of the team’s final two regular season games.
Landry returned for New England’s playoff opener but saw a drop in reps, as his 43.3 percent snap share represented a season low. That number dropped to 14.7 percent (11 snaps) in the second round before Landry was ruled out for the AFC Championship. He returned for the Super Bowl but was once again limited, appearing in only 14 defensive snaps.
As Price notes, the Patriots will likely be seeking some youth and consistency on the edge, putting Landry’s roster status in doubt. Working in the player’s favor is his relationship with head coach Mike Vrabel. Landry was one of the coach’s most dependable defenders when the two were in Tennessee, and Vrabel was quick to recruit the linebacker to New England via a three-year, $43.5MM deal.
Landry has still shown an ability to get after the QB in recent years. After missing the 2022 campaign due to a torn ACL, he averaged more than nine sacks per season between 2023 and 2025. The player’s contract makes it seem like he’s all but locked into a spot on the 2026 roster; the Patriots would clear just over $1MM in savings while being left with $15MM in dead cap (via a post-June 1 designation). The more likely path sees the Patriots rework the contract to keep Landry around on a more affordable pact, although if the organization believes he may not be able to recover from his knee issues, perhaps Price’s prediction may come to fruition.
While the Patriots front office will evaluate players who remain under contract, they’ll also have to consider their grouping of impending free agents. Two of the team’s key free agents come on the defensive side of the ball, as both pass rusher K’Lavon Chaisson and safety Jaylinn Hawkins are set to hit the open market.
A former first-round pick, Chaisson was brought to New England last offseason via a one-year deal. He ended up having one of the most productive seasons of his career, finishing with 7.5 sacks, 18 QB hits, and 10 tackles for loss. He’s destined to cash in on his performance this offseason, but considering New England’s lack of depth on the edge, there’s a chance his next contract comes from the Patriots.
Hawkins spent the past two seasons in New England, but the team’s new leadership was willing to give him a larger role than the former regime. Hawkins ended up leaping both Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers on the depth chart en route to a career season. The 28-year-old started all 15 of his appearances, finishing with 71 tackles, six passes defended, and 1.5 sacks.
While both players are eyeing raises, they may have interest in working out some kind of arrangement with the franchise. As ESPN’s Mike Reiss notes, both players have expressed interest in re-signing with the Patriots. Hawkins told reporters that he wants to “remain here for sure,” while Chaisson acknowledged the organization’s role in reviving his career.
Zach Ertz Plans To Play In 2026; TE Could Be Cleared By Week 1
Zach Ertz is on the list of the Commanders’ pending free agents. He may remain unsigned for a notable period, but the veteran tight end intends to continue playing in 2026. 
Ertz does not plan on retiring this year, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. That confirms a recent update on the matter, ensuring a 14th NFL season is in store. The 35-year-old has been in Washington since 2024.
Over the course of his two Commanders seasons, Ertz has operated as a full-time starter. The three-time Pro Bowler was a key factor in Washington’s offense during Jayden Daniels‘ rookie campaign, notching seven touchdowns on 66 catches. Last year, an ACL tear suffered in early December brought things to an immediate and unwanted halt. Ertz’s market will of course be greatly impacted by the status of his recovery.
On that note, Pelissero adds Ertz is expected to receive full medical clearance around Week 1 of next season. If that timeline holds, interested teams may be willing to move quicker with respect to a free agent deal than if a lengthy spell on the sidelines was expected during the 2026 campaign. Given his age, Ertz should not be expected to land a long-term pact from the Commanders or any other team. Still, he could be viewed as a low-cost veteran addition for any number of suitors.
Washington selected Ben Sinnott in the second round of the 2024 draft. He has managed only 16 catches to date in the regular season, but an uptick in usage could be coming if Ertz departs. Washington could also be in the market for another experienced tight end to pair with Sinnott while looking to rebound from last year’s underwhelming showing.
Ertz ranks fifth all time in receptions among NFL tight ends. His 8,592 yards are No. 8, but a move up the order could be in store provided he manages to play a full season upon returning to full health. It appears as though that will be possible given where his recovery stands, so it will be interesting to see how his market looks in the spring.
Ian Cunningham: Falcons Will Release QB Kirk Cousins
The Falcons’ recent restructure of Kirk Cousins‘ contract added further to the widespread expectation a release would be coming. New general manager Ian Cunningham confirmed as much on Tuesday. 
While appearing on 92.9 The Game, Cunningham said (via Josh Kendall of The Athletic) Cousins will be released on the first day of the new league year. That means the Pro Bowl quarterback’s Atlanta tenure will come to an end on March 11. Cousins was set to see his 2027 salary (inflated to $67.9MM) vest in full on March 13, but to no surprise that will not be the case. This pending post-June 1 release will generate only $2.1MM in cap savings while creating $22.5MM in dead money charges (which can be spread across two years).
Cousins is therefore on track to reach free agency just before agreements with suitors can be finalized. The 37-year-old wishes to continue his career, and it will be interesting to see how his market takes shape in the near future. Especially if Daniel Jones remains in place with the Colts, free agency will not offer much in the way of starting-caliber veterans at the QB position. Cunningham later said (h/t Kendall) the Falcons will not be re-signing Cousins at a reduced rate, something which would have given them insurance while Michael Penix Jr. recovers.
Penix has yet to receive a full endorsement from Atlanta’s new regime – including Cunningham, president of football operations Matt Ryan and head coach Kevin Stefanski – and his Week 1 availability is uncertain at this time. Penix has endured up-and-down showings while atop the depth chart early in his NFL career, and the former first-rounder has a long injury history dating back to his days in college. Once Cousins is off the books, a new deal in his case will be needed or Atlanta will be in the market for an experienced addition through free agency or trade.
For Cousins, meanwhile, a return to Minnesota will increasingly be something to watch for over the coming weeks. The possibility of a Vikings reunion has picked up steam in league circles recently, and it would of course fit on a number of levels. J.J. McCarthy has missed considerable time during his first two years in the NFL, and his level of play when on the field has left plenty to be desired. That has left Minnesota in the market for QB1 competition, and Cousins would be a familiar face for head coach Kevin O’Connell and Co. after playing with the Vikings from 2018-23.
The lack of a long-term commitment on the part of Minnesota helped lead Cousins to head elsewhere in free agency. His four-year, $160MM Falcons pact seemed to put him on track for multiple years atop the depth chart, but it was quickly followed by the Penix selection. Since then, speculation has lingered about when a parting of ways would take place and leave Penix in place as the clear-cut QB1 (or a passer set to compete with a new arrival for the starting gig). That time will soon arrive.
Malik Willis, Ty Simpson Among QBs Being Evaluated By Browns
The Browns’ quarterback situation could go in a number of directions this offseason. The status quo would see Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson compete for the starting gig, but an outside addition will be explored. 
March will see the free agent and trade markets take shape, and Cleveland will do homework on the top options set to be available. Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com specifically names Malik Willis as a passer on the Browns’ radar at this point. That makes Cleveland one of many potential suitors in his case.
Willis is widely seen as the top quarterback on track for free agency. A Packers departure is expected, as the open market is set to present him with a starting opportunity. Cleveland had already been named as a team to watch on the Willis front, with the same also being true of Pittsburgh and Miami. The Dolphins in particular have Willis connections in the form of new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head Jeff Hafley. The 26-year-old could also be pursued by the Cardinals, provided they move on from Kyler Murray.
As Cabot notes, any veteran addition made by the Browns this offseason will not be a short-term rental but rather a passer viewed as having starting potential beyond 2026. That could certainly be the case for Willis if his market reaches expected levels, despite the fact he has only made six starts in the regular season. Cleveland’s financial situation will once again be impacted by Watson’s heavy cap charge, so it would be difficult for the team to win a bidding war.
That leaves the draft as another route to landing a new QB. On that note, Cabot writes Ty Simpson is among the prospects receiving attention in the Browns’ case. The Alabama product is seen as the second-best passer in this year’s class, owing in large part to Dante Moore‘s decision to remain in school for 2026. Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza is on track to be drafted first overall by the Raiders, but Simpson’s landing spot is much more difficult to project at this point.
Having only made 15 starts in college, Simpson is viewed as having notable upside but will carry risk based on his short track record. The 23-year-old’s 2025 season also did not finish nearly as well as it began, something which could hinder his stock. Nevertheless, the Browns – who own two first-round selections along with one in each of the second and third rounds – will have ample opportunity to make another QB investment in April.
Offseason Outlook: New England Patriots
The Patriots are back...depending on who you ask. Most teams could only dream of New England's turnaround in 2025. Following two straight four-win showings, the team ripped off their Jerod Mayo band-aid and opted for old friend and eventual Coach of the Year Mike Vrabel. The results were undeniable. The Patriots won 14 games before a run to the Super Bowl. At the same time, Drake Maye truly broke out, finishing second in MVP voting.
On the flip side, critics point to New England's historically easy schedule, and its run through the AFC playoffs saw them beat a depleted Chargers O-line, a turnover-happy C.J. Stroud and Broncos QB2 Jarrett Stidham. When reviewing their entire 2025 performance, there are rightful reasons for skepticism.
Regardless of your opinion on the quality of the 2025 Patriots, two things can be true. The organization took significant steps forward both in record and future outlook. Plus, besides Maye, the team identified some clear foundational pieces on both sides of the football. At the same time, the Patriots clearly benefitted from some layup opponents, and a step back in 2026 wouldn't surprise many.
Following a spending spree last offseason, there are certainly reasons to believe the Patriots will not spend nearly as much in 2026. However, if the organization wants to prove that 2025 wasn't a fluke, they can't afford to be complacent, as there are still plenty of opportunities for upgrades throughout the roster.
Coaching/front office:
- Defensive coordinator Terrell Williams moved to high-ranking coaching role
- ILBs coach Zak Kuhr promoted as DC replacement
- TEs coach Thomas Brown interviewed for Cardinals' HC job
Stephen Jones: Cowboys Will Place Franchise Tag On George Pickens
George Pickens may well have been the top free agent in the NFL had he reached the open market next month. As expected, though, that will not take place. 
Pickens has long loomed as a franchise tag candidate, and the Cowboys have a history of tagging players to prevent free agent departures. Dallas, to no surprise, will go down that route once again in 2026. Executive vice president Stephen Jones confirmed on Monday (via NFL Network’s Judy Battista) Pickens will be tagged shortly.
“We always want guys here,” Jones added (via Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News). “We’ve franchised players before, obviously we want him here working with the team. It will work itself out in the coming weeks.”
The franchise tag for receivers is projected to cost $28.82MM in 2026, making it the most expensive one-year tender at any position other than quarterback. The Cowboys already have massive deals on the books in the form of Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, and their offense recently added another increased cost. Running back Javonte Williams secured a raise with his newest Dallas contract, one which should nevertheless leave room for Pickens to be retained.
Acquired via trade last offseason, Pickens elected not to immediately pursue an extension upon arrival. That decision proved to be worthwhile, as the former Steeler set new career highs across the board. Pickens was among the league’s most productive wideouts, racking up 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns on 93 receptions. A premium deep threat, Pickens will only be 25 at the start of the 2026 season. Expectations will thus be high for continued high-end showings on the tag or a long-term Cowboys pact.
Dallas is currently among the teams slated to be over the cap next season. All franchise tags are guaranteed in full, and the one-year cap charge matches their value. That makes a tag more challenging to absorb than a multi-year agreement, even when one is worth a similar (or slightly higher) amount on an annual basis. Pickens has been connected to an asking price of $30MM per year on a new deal, although team and player are not very deep into the negotiating process at this point.
Questions have been raised about whether or not Pickens will report to offseason workouts in the event he is tagged without a subsequent extension agreement. Beyond voluntary work, attendance during mandatory minicamp and training camp during the summer could become a storyline as well depending on how things play out. Dallas’ preference, based on Jones’ comments, remains a pact stretching well beyond 2026. For now, the team will look to buy time by using the tag in advance of next week’s deadline.
Troy Vincent: Tush Push Ban Not Proposed Before Deadline
The Eagles’ reliance on the tush push, a play they introduced in 2022, helped power them to a Super Bowl championship in 2024. Last February, a couple of weeks after the Eagles crushed the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX, the Packers proposed a tush push ban.
Led by since-retired team president/CEO Mark Murphy, Green Bay lobbied to “prohibit an offensive player from pushing a teammate who was lined up directly behind the snapper and receives the snap, immediately at the snap.”
Commissioner Roger Goodell and the NFL’s committees on competition and health and safety supported the Packers’ proposal. Nevertheless, after a heated debate across the league, it did not receive enough votes to pass last May. Twenty-one of the league’s other 32 teams were in agreement with the Packers. They fell two votes shy of the required 24.
The tush push was a legal play again in 2025, but as of September, momentum toward eliminating it was reportedly growing. However, it appears it will remain part of the game next season. Troy Vincent, the league’s executive vice president of football operations, said Monday that a new call to ban the play did not come in this year (via veteran reporter Mark Maske).
“Haven’t seen one,” Vincent revealed. “And that deadline has passed.”
The Packers’ new president/CEO, Ed Policy, and all other teams apparently did not feel strongly enough to submit a fresh proposal. It’s not especially surprising in the wake of comments that NFL competition committee co-chairman Rich McKay made on Sunday (via Mike Reiss and Kevin Seifert of ESPN).
“There’s no team proposal that I’ve seen from it,” McKay said. “So, I wouldn’t envision it. But you never know.”
As part of their proposal last year, the Packers pointed to player safety and pace of play among their reasons for requesting a tush push ban. A season has passed since then, and the league still has not publicized any health data related to the play, Reiss and Seifert note.
While the Eagles and the rest of the league may continue running the tush push, Vincent said the NFL could consider doing something “about aiding the runner. I mean, we saw players being literally picked up and kind of walked into the end zone. Is that really what we want?”