Ravens, Cowboys, Bears Among Top Maxx Crosby Suitors; Others Still In Play
2:11pm: Mentioned previously as a team to monitor with regards to Crosby, the Bears are still believed to be in the mix. Chicago joins Baltimore and Dallas here, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones notes. The Bears and Raiders swung the Khalil Mack trade nearly eight years ago, though that was with Ryan Pace and Jon Gruden steering those ships, and Chicago appears interested — despite its Dayo Odeyingbo 2025 signing — in adding an impact edge rusher opposite Montez Sweat.
Las Vegas is believed to have received “multiple strong offers,” according to veteran insider Jordan Schultz. Those teams are waiting on the Raiders, per Schultz, though Jones indicates no trade is imminent.
11:34am: One of the stop storylines around the league remains a situation tied not to upcoming free agency but rather a potential blockbuster trade. Maxx Crosby is still in place for the Raiders as things stand, although that could soon change. 
Recent reports have labeled at least 12 teams as being interested to one extent or another. As the new league year approaches, a shorter list of finalists figures to emerge. On that note, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports the Ravens and Cowboys are among the suitors to watch closely as it pertains to Crosby. Colleague James Palmer adds two other teams in particular are firmly in the mix as well.
Vegas has been linked to an asking price matching what the Cowboys received in the Micah Parsons trade. That would require a pair of first-round picks along with a player heading back to the Raiders. No team has been willing to meet that demand yet, but interest remains very high. SportsBoom’s Jason La Canfora adds Baltimore is currently making a “concerted push” to acquire the five-time Pro Bowler. According to multiple officials La Canfora spoke with, the Ravens are prepared to trade the 14th overall pick in April’s draft along with Day 2 capital in a Crosby trade.
GM Eric DeCosta has made a number of high-profile trades during his tenure, taking that route to acquire the likes of Roquan Smith, Marcus Peters and Calais Campbell over the years. A lack of pass rush production was a major issue for Baltimore in 2025, leaving additions on that front as an obvious offseason priority. Free agency will present DeCosta with a number of possibilities, but the most impactful move possible would of course be a Crosby trade.
The Cowboys have previously been linked to the Raiders standout, so today’s update comes as no surprise. Dallas’ production off the edge in 2025 was hindered by the Parsons trade, and a quartet of incumbent players (Jadeveon Clowney, Sam Williams, Dante Fowler and Payton Turner) are pending free agents. Multiple additions could be coming soon as a result, but none would be more substantial than a swap yielding Crosby.
Owner Jerry Jones has stated an abnormal willingness to be aggressive on the open market. That could of course include one or more big-ticket deals in free agency, and a number of recent restructures has given Dallas a degree of cap flexibility. The Cowboys made a splash on the trade front in November by adding defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, and the Parsons swap has left them with two first-round picks in 2026. Parting with one of them as part of a Crosby package could allow for a high-profile EDGE acquisition to pair with Williams along the interior.
Raiders GM John Spytek offered a public expectation to keep Crosby – who will turn 29 in August and whose contract runs through 2029 – in place when speaking at the Combine. Nevertheless, he is listening to offers. The Ravens and Cowboys (not to mention to remaining finalists) will be worth monitoring over the coming days as Spytek weighs his options.
Patriots To Re-Sign QB Tommy DeVito
During 2025 roster cutdowns, Tommy DeVito was waived by the Giants. New York’s preference was to keep him in place on the practice squad, but that did not prove to be possible. 
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The Patriots put in a waiver claim and retained DeVito through the 2025 season. The fan favorite was on course for restricted free agency, but instead he has worked out a multiyear deal to remain in place. DeVito has agreed to a two-year pact with New England, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.
This contract has a maximum value of $7.4MM, per Schefter. He adds DeVito will secure $2MM in guarantees. As a result, the backup gig may be in store in this case. The reigning AFC champions will of course have Drake Maye atop the depth chart for years to come, but this commitment could be a signal DeVito is viewed as QB2 option. Veteran Josh Dobbs is under contract through 2026.
None of Dobbs’ scheduled base salary ($3.2MM) is guaranteed, however. A release in his case would yield $3.7MM in cap savings, so a parting of ways in this case will now be something to watch for. At a minimum, DeVito – who made eight starts across the 2023 and ’24 seasons during his time with the Giants – will remain in the fold as depth under center for New England.
The 27-year-old posted a passer rating of 88.4 during his New York stretch. A relatively high floor may be expected moving forward, especially if DeVito meshes with the scheme implemented by Josh McDaniels upon his return to the Patriots in 2024. New England’s offense will of course hinge in large part on the play of Maye in Year 3 and beyond, but it will be interesting to see if DeVito receives a full-time backup gig on his second career team.
Raiders To Release QB Geno Smith
Geno Smith will indeed prove to be a one-and-done passer in Vegas. Barring a last-minute trade, the Raiders will release the veteran, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. 
Smith’s future has been in question since Vegas secured the No. 1 pick in April’s draft. Earlier this week, signs increasingly pointed to a release taking place in the event no trade partner was found. Suitors will no doubt wait for Smith to become a free agent before making a push to acquire him.
The 35-year-old does not appear to be particularly downtrodden over today’s development, given his reaction on social media. Smith will become one of many veteran quarterbacks on the market with free agency looming. A long-term commitment would come as a surprise, but NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports multiple teams are expected to show interest in this case.
The Seahawks brought in Klint Kubiak as their offensive coordinator last offseason. That set up a potential pairing with Smith, but with Seattle bringing in Sam Darnold Smith wound up being dealt to Vegas. Immediately after the Super Bowl, Kubiak was hired by the Raiders as their new head coach. Once again, though, no time will be spent with Smith in his case. A parting of ways points even further to Vegas selecting Fernando Mendoza first overall in April.
That remains the widespread expectation, but Dianna Russini of The Athletic cautions the Raiders’ preference would be to have Mendoza sit at the beginning of his rookie campaign. If insurance for the Heisman winner is to be added, Russini points to free agency as the route GM John Spytek and Co. will take. Vegas is not lacking in cap space, so finances will not be an issue when QB options are evaluated.
Cutting Smith will yield $8MM in cap savings while generating a dead money charge of $18.5MM. He was on course to see $8MM in 2026 compensation become guaranteed on March 13, leading to the timing of this decision. Smith will join Kyler Murray and – in all likelihood – Tua Tagovailoa as starting quarterbacks released by their respective teams. Their free agent prospects will be worth watching closely once the new league year begins next week.
In 2022, Smith earned Comeback Player of the Year honors with a strong Seattle showing. The team’s Russell Wilson replacement led the NFL in completion percentage that season, and in the following year he secured a second straight Pro Bowl nod. Smith landed a new Seahawks contract in 2023, and he inked a two-year, $75MM pact upon arrival in Vegas. A less lucrative deal is no doubt coming this time around after the former second-rounder topped the league in interceptions (17) in 2025.
Offensive success proved highly difficult to come by for Vegas this past season. Kubiak and a much different coaching staff is now in place, and his ability to develop Mendoza and a core led by tight end Brock Bowers and running back Ashton Jeanty will be critical moving forward. Smith will not be part of that effort, as his next NFL opportunity awaits.
Rams, S Kamren Curl Agree To Deal
The Rams continue to make moves in the secondary prior to the start of free agency. Kamren Curl will not be testing the market next week. 
Curl and the Rams have agreed to a three-year deal, as first reported by Mike Garafolo, Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. The pact has a base value of $36MM and can reach a maximum of $39MM. Curl joins Quentin Lake as a Los Angeles safety who has avoided a trip to free agency by landing a payday.
That tandem will remain intact for 2026 and beyond given today’s news. Curl has operated as a full-time starter during his two years with the Rams. That stint was preceded by four years in Washington, and it resulted in a free agent Los Angeles pact worth $4.5MM per year. Curl played his way into a considerable raise, setting himself up to be one of the top earners at the safety position this offseason. He has not needed to test the market to secure his next NFL contract, though.
The Rams nearly reached the Super Bowl this past season despite ranking 19th against the pass. Upgrading the secondary was seen as a clear priority as a result, and earlier this week Los Angeles swung a trade for All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie. Provided an extension can be worked out in his case, improved play at the defensive third level for years to come will be expected.
After a four-year run without an interception, Curl managed a pair of picks in 2025. The soon-to-be 27-year-old also set or matched his career high in tackles (122) and sacks (two) this past season. Remaining a strong contributor over the course of this next contract would be key in ensuring the Rams continue to be one of the NFC’s top contenders. He and Lake will look to further develop their safety partnership with plenty of time to do so given their respective pacts.
Yesterday, Los Angeles worked out a new deal with tight end Tyler Higbee. Coupled with today’s Curl agreement, the team has managed to take care of a few important pieces of business prior to the new league year beginning.
Chargers Sign C Tyler Biadasz
The Chargers have found their new center in advance of free agency. Shortly after hosting Tyler Biadasz, a deal has been worked out. 
A three-year, $30MM pact has been agreed to between Los Angeles and Biadasz, Ian Rapoport, Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network report. The Bolts recently saw Bradley Bozeman retire, creating an opening at the center spot. A number of options are on course to test the market next week, but the team has moved quickly in landing Biadasz, whose signing is now official.
After playing out his rookie contract with the Cowboys, Biadasz was among the players who followed Dan Quinn from Dallas to Washington in 2024. He did so by also inking a 3/30 pact at that time, but the Commanders proceeded with a release last week. That gave the 28-year-old a head start on free agency and allowed him to meet with suitors. In addition to the Chargers, Biadasz was believed to have visited the Bears as part of their search for a Drew Dalman replacement. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk clarifies, however, that no Chicago summit actually took place.
In the lead-up to free agency, Chargers GM Joe Hortiz made it clear he did not anticipate any big-money additions in March. That came as little surprise given his roster-building philosophy was shaped by a long Ravens tenure, but it led to questions about how Los Angeles’ substantial cap flexibility would be used. It remains to be seen how Hortiz will address the guard position moving forward – with Mekhi Becton set to be released and Zion Johnson a pending free agent – but the center spot has now been taken care of.
Biadasz, a Pro Bowl alternate in 2024, started 53 games with the Cowboys and all 31 of his Commanders contests. The Wisconsin product will be counted to remain a first-team presence on his third NFL team while offering plenty in the way of experience. Provided the Chargers get better luck on the health front with tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, improved play up front can be expected for 2026.
Having entered Friday with over $99MM in cap space, the Bolts can certainly afford several other additions over the coming days. The guard position in particular will now be one to watch as Hortiz seeks out replacements for Becton and – in the event he lands elsewhere – Johnson.
Texans To Re-Sign OT Trent Brown
Earlier this week, the Texans dealt away Tytus Howard and Juice Scruggs in separate trades. A number of new faces along the offensive line will be in place next season, but a familiar blocker will be in the fold as well.
Houston has agreed to a new deal with Trent Brown, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. This one-year contract will prevent the former Bengals, Raiders, 49ers, and Patriots lineman – who was a pending free agent – from reaching the open market next week. The pact has a maximum value of $7MM.
Brown started seven games during the regular season as well as Houston’s wild-card win against the Steelers. An ankle injury kept him sidelined for the divisional round, but Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 notes Brown is currently rehabbing it. That process is obviously going well, given the team’s willingness to make a new commitment in this case.
The Texans could have a starting spot available for Brown next year. Howard, who started the year at right tackle and moved to guard to cover injuries, is now in Cleveland. Perhaps Houston gives 2024 second-rounder Blake Fisher another look, but his rough rookie year will have Brown on standby, if not in the lead, for the starting right tackle job.
2026 will be Brown’s 12th season in the NFL, a strong career for a former seventh-round pick. He has started 103 games with over 3,000 snaps at both tackle spots, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). His injury history has dropped his market value in recent years, which is why his new deal with the Texans likely contains playing time incentives to reach the maximum compensation.
Nikhil Mehta contributed to this story.
Packers Restructure S Xavier McKinney’s Contract
The Packers are among the teams which entered Thursday with work to do to become cap compliant. Green Bay has opted for a restructure as an easy way to free up 2026 space. 
The team has restructured safety Xavier McKinney‘s contract, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports. McKinney was due to count $19.09MM against the cap next season, but that will no longer be the case. As Fowler notes, both his base salary ($4.25MM) and pending roster bonus ($8.5MM) are set to be converted into a signing bonus.
A simple conversion only affecting McKinney’s salary would have generated nearly $6MM in savings; that figure would have been sufficient to get the Packers out of the red in terms of cap space. Converting his roster bonus will create even more in the way of additional funds, though, and Fowler notes McKinney’s cap hit for 2026 should drop to below $10MM as a result of today’s move. More cost-cutting will no doubt be coming from Green Bay.
The Packers could free up more cap space by releasing the likes of offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins and edge rusher Rashan Gary. Over the coming days, the status of those two veterans will be worth watching closely as general manager Brian Gutekunst and Co. prepare for the new league year. In any event, McKinney will of course be in Green Bay’s plans for the foreseeable future.
The former Giant took a big-ticket deal in free agency during the 2024 offseason. McKinney thrived during his debut Green Bay campaign, notching eight interceptions en route to first-team All-Pro honors. The 27-year-old remained a full-time starter for the Packers this past season, posting double-digit pass deflections for the third year in a row. McKinney’s contract runs through 2027, a season in which an inflated cap figure will be in store unless void years are added or an extension is eventually agreed to.
Commanders To Re-Sign DE Drake Jackson
Drake Jackson managed to return to NFL action late in the 2025 season as a member of the Commanders. His time in Washington will continue. 
Jackson has agreed to a new one-year deal, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Instead of reaching free agency next week, he will therefore spend the 2026 campaign with the Commanders. A torn patellar tendon cut short the second-rounder’s 2023 season and left sidelined for all of 2024.
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Jackson was cut by the 49ers last spring, and his value was obviously rather low at the time. Multiple visits were arranged, but in the end he signed a $1.1MM Commanders pact. The USC product was immediately moved to injured reserve upon arrival to buy additional time for recovery. Jackson was eventually activated and was able to make his Washington debut in mid-December; he totaled three appearances in 2025.
Over that span, Jackson only played 61 defensive snaps and managed just three tackles. As such, this latest pact will no doubt be at or near the league minimum. He will look to carve out a more significant role with Washington moving forward, something which would of course increase his market value but also offer a needed boost to the team’s defense. The Commanders finished mid-pack in terms of sacks in 2025 but struggled in a number of other areas.
Numerous coaching changes have recently taken place as a result, including the arrival of Daronte Jones as Washington’s new defensive coordinator. It will be interesting to see how Jackson, 25 next month, will be used in Jones’ scheme. A strong showing would help get his NFL career back on track and aid the Commanders’ efforts to rebound from a disappointing showing this past year.
Falcons Plan To Release Darnell Mooney
Darnell Mooney is set to become a free agent for the second time in his career. The Falcons plan to release the veteran wideout, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports.
One year remained on Mooney’s Atlanta contract, and he was on course to carry a cap charge of $18.42MM. A release will free up $7.42MM in cap space while generating an $11MM dead money charge. Mooney was due to collect a $500K roster bonus next week, so the timing of this decision comes as little surprise.
After playing out his rookie contract with the Bears, Mooney landed a big-ticket deal on the open market. The former fifth-rounder inked a $39MM deal with Atlanta, setting him up to serve as a key presence on offense. Mooney’s debut Falcons campaign saw him post career highs in yards per reception (15.5) and touchdowns (five). Expectations were high for a strong follow-up in 2025, but that did not turn out to be the case.
Mooney played in 15 games this past season, but his catch percentage plummeted to 44.4%, the lowest mark of his six-year career. As a starting presence on the Falcons’ offense, 443 yards and only one score represented highly underwhelming totals for Mooney, making him a logical release candidate. Atlanta will seek needed improvements after finishing 24th in the NFL in scoring in 2025, but the Tulane product will not be part of the team’s WR setup.
Of course, Drake London is on track to remain the focal point of Atlanta’s passing game for 2026. He is eligible for an extension, with the same also being true of running back Bijan Robinson. Both players will be in line for major raises on their next pacts. Meanwhile, tight end Kyle Pitts received the franchise tag and is in line to spend at least one more season with the Falcons as a result. Keeping that trio intact beyond 2026 will be expensive, and Atlanta will seek out inexpensive depth to supplement it.
Mooney’s attention will now turn to free agency. The open market will include the likes of Alec Pierce, Romeo Doubs and Wan’Dale Robinson at the WR position; each of those three are in line to command a sizable pact. Mooney’s next deal will no doubt check in at a price below the $13MM AAV of his Falcons pact, but he could offer any number of teams with a vertical presence in the passing game.
Chiefs To Release T Jawaan Taylor
MARCH 4: The Chiefs have informed Taylor that they will release him today, per Schefter.
MARCH 2: As expected, Jawaan Taylor will be playing elsewhere in 2026. The veteran tackle will be released unless a trade partner can be found, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. 
During his three years in Kansas City, Taylor has not lived up to expectations. Signed to a four-year, $80MM free agent pact in 2023, the former Jaguar has operated as a full-time right tackle starter but continually struggled with penalties. Taylor loomed as a logical cut candidate entering this offseason, and a recent report indicated a release was likely in this case. It would certainly come as a surprise if a team were to take on the final year of his contract, so a cut should take place soon.
Taylor was due to collect a base salary of $19.5MM in 2026 while carrying a cap hit of $27.39MM. Instead, the Chiefs will free up $20MM in cap space with a release; doing so will generate a dead money charge of $7.39MM. Jaylon Moore represents an in-house replacement for Taylor in the starting lineup. Meanwhile, this Taylor cut will move Kansas City into cap compliance (although more cost-shedding move could of course be coming).
Entering his age-28 season, Taylor will offer considerable experience to his next team. With 111 appearances and starts in the NFL, he will look to remain a first-team presence when weighing his free agent options. Given the way things played out in Kansas City, however, the former second-round pick will no doubt receive a much less lucrative deal than he did during his first trip to free agency. Still, tackles at his age do not often become available, so it will be interesting to see how his market develops.
Taylor has remained consistent in terms of his PFF evaluations over the course of his career. The Florida product has has finished no better than 49th among qualifying tackles for overall grade in a season, something which took place during his rookie campaign. Significant improvement would come as a surprise at this point, but Taylor could still be viewed as a veteran capable of handling starting right tackle duties by teams in need of additions up front. A short-term agreement could allow him to line up a new gig in relatively short order.
Moore, 28, has only totaled 18 starts so far in his career. The former 49er will collect $15MM in 2026, the final year of his contract. A full-time role in the starting lineup will of course go a long way in establishing his value for next spring. After left tackle Josh Simmons was limited to eight games as a rookie, Kansas City could be in the market for depth at the position this month. In any case, the team’s setup will not include Taylor for 2026.