Bears T Ozzy Trapilo Expected To Miss Time In 2026
Ozzy Trapilo was a key figure on the Bears’ offensive line during his rookie season. His second NFL campaign is likely to be delayed, though. 
Trapilo suffered a torn patellar tendon during Chicago’s wild-card victory. The injury ended his rookie year and set up a lengthy recovery period. Surgery took place shortly after the Bears were eliminated during the divisional round, general manager Ryan Poles said (via Scott Bair of the Marquee Sports Network).
Trapilo’s attention will be focused on the rehab process for several months. Poles confirmed (via Bair) the second-round pick will be sidelined well into 2026. Missed time at the beginning of next season can be expected as a result. Not having Trapilo available for any notable stretch will leave the Bears thin at offensive tackle.
Chicago made a number of necessary moves aimed at providing upgrades up front last offseason. Guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson were acquired via trade before center Drew Dalman was signed in free agency. That trio, along with incumbent right tackle Darnell Wright, helped stabilize the Bears’ O-line. The left tackle spot remained a question mark well into the season, however. Trapilo wound up making six starts during the regular season, while former UDFA Theo Benedet started eight times and logged a similar overall snap share.
Braxton Jones was sidelined for an extended period due to a knee injury. He was activated from injured reserve in time for Chicago’s divisional round matchup but did not play. Jones, a pending free agent, was benched by new head coach Ben Johnson shortly before suffering his injury. A departure would come as no surprise, but coupled with Trapilo’s recovery timeline it would – at least temporarily – leave Chicago short on LT options.
Trapilo, 24, saw limited action at right tackle (a familiar position dating back to his time at Boston College). The majority of his play came on the blindside, though, and he delivered an encouraging performance in terms of PFF evaluation (31st among qualifying tackles). A full-time spot in the starting lineup could be available upon returning to full health, but the time at which that will be the case will be worth monitoring.
NFL Mailbag: Pats, Crosby, Tua, Kyler
This week's edition of the PFR mailbag contains a Super Bowl prediction and answers questions on Maxx Crosby, the Dolphins' and Cardinals' quarterback situations and the Rooney Rule.
Davis asks:
How improbable has this Patriots Super Bowl run been? Is this more a masterful coaching job by [Mike] Vrabel and strong GM effort by Eliot Wolf or an example of a good, not great team catching enough breaks to make it this far? Also, who wins Sunday?
Let’s start by setting the scene at the onset of the 2025 season. New England’s longtime Bill Belichick successor (Jerod Mayo) lasted only one year as a head coach and much of the staff present for his disastrous 4-13 season was replaced. Vrabel, Josh McDaniels (again) and Co. took over a team not carrying much in the way of postseason expectations.
NFLPA Remains Averse To 18-Game Season
Many have long seen it as a foregone conclusion the NFL’s regular season will expand to 18 games. Moving from the current setup to one including an additional regular season contest (and one fewer week in the preseason) will require an agreement involving the NFL Players Association, though. 
The NFLPA has previously expressed its lack of a willingness to expand the schedule further, citing a number of concerns. The turbulent events of this past summer has left the union with temporary leaders in place, something which will delay negotiations on this front. In any case, interim executive director David White recently made it clear there remains no desire on the part of the NFLPA to explore any additions to the length of the season.
Players have “no appetite” for an 18th game, White said (via CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones). He added the issue of schedule expansion is “not casual” (h/t ESPN’s Brooke Pryor). The current CBA runs through 2030, leaving plenty of time for negotiations between the NFL and NFLPA to take place. Not much has happened since White was named interim leader of the union, and commissioner Roger Goodell said in October things would be put on pause until White’s permanent replacement is in place.
“It is not a given we’ll do that,” Goodell confirmed (via Mike Garafolo of NFL Network) when speaking about the possibility of adding an 18th game. “It’s something we want to talk about with union leadership.”
White’s stance on the matter has remained clear during his time in charge of the NFLPA. Meanwhile, union president Jalen Reeves-Maybin reiterated (via Pryor) an expanded schedule is “not something players are excited for.” Issues such as an additional bye week, roster sizes, travel for international games and playing surfaces are among those most important to the NFLPA. The willingness of the league to make concessions on at least some of those fronts will no doubt be key once formal negotiations begin.
The league’s slate of international contests has seen continued growth over several years, and at least nine games will be played outside of the United States in 2026. The NFL has a clear target in mind which would see every team play one overseas game per year as part of an 18-game schedule. There is still plenty of work to be done to ensure that will be possible, though, with a change in stance on the part of the union representing a notable hurdle.
Vikings Add Matt Thomas To Front Office
The Vikings are currently the NFL’s only team without a general manager. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah‘s firing has left Rob Brzezinski in place atop the front office until after the draft.
Brzezinski will have some assistance during his interim GM stint. The Vikings are hiring Matt Thomas to serve as a football administration consultant through to April’s draft, Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network report. Thomas (whose arrival is now official) worked as the Seahawks’ VP of football operations from 2013-24 before retiring. This short-term gig will give Minnesota a veteran voice in the front office.
Thomas and Brzezinski worked together when they were both with the Dolphins for the 1998 and ’99 seasons (h/t ESPN’s Kevin Seifert). This reunion will last through free agency and the draft, and it will see Thomas take on a key role relating to the salary cap. He will work alongside Emily Badis in that capacity and by doing so allow Brzezinski to focus on other matters during his brief tenure as general manager.
The timing of Adofo-Mensah’s dismissal caught many by surprise. By parting ways as late in the hiring cycle as the Vikings did, they left themselves short on replacement options. Jon-Eric Sullivan (Dolphins) and Ian Cunningham (Falcons) are no longer candidates for Minnesota since they accepted GM offers elsewhere. Minnesota’s spring search will make for an interesting team storyline late in the offseason, and the team’s new full-time general manager will inherit a roster shaped in no small part by Brzezinski over the coming months.
The Vikings are one of several teams currently projected to be over the cap for 2026; Over the Cap has them in the red by more than $40MM. A number of cuts, extensions and restructures will be required over the coming weeks as a result. Thomas’ presence could prove to be key as Minnesota’s financial setup for 2026 takes shape.
Vikings FB C.J. Ham Retires
C.J. Ham‘s NFL career has come to an end. The longtime Vikings fullback took to Instagram on Thursday to announce his retirement. 
Ham went undrafted in 2016, but the Duluth, Minnesota native signed with his hometown team. That marked the beginning of a lengthy career spent entirely with the Vikings. Ham took on fullback duties in 2017 and continued in that capacity for a total of nine seasons.
During that span, the Augustana product emerged as one of the league’s top fullbacks. In an era where full-time players at the position have become few and far between, Ham managed to remain a rotational presence on offense throughout his Vikings tenure. He was a Pro Bowler in 2019 and again in 2023 based largely on his strong special teams play, something which stayed consistent through this past season.
In all, Ham played roughly 2,300 snaps on both offense and special teams. He totaled triple-digit scrimmage yards each season from 2019-21, the stretch which also included his heaviest usage rates on offense. Over the past few years, Ham saw his role and playing time decline. That likely would have continued into the future had the pending free agent inked another deal with the Vikings.
Instead, Ham will turn his attention to his post-playing days at the age of 32. In all, he played 147 combined regular and postseason games during his Vikings tenure. Ham totaled roughly $19.5MM in career earnings while playing out four different Minnesota contracts.
Rams GM Les Snead Addresses Pending Puka Nacua Extension Talks
The 2026 could prove to be a rather busy one for the Rams. Clarity on the Matthew Stafford situation will be critical, while members of the team’s 2023 draft class are now eligible for extensions. 
That group includes star wideout Puka Nacua. As things stand, Nacua is on track to enter the 2026 campaign as a pending free agent. Working out an extension to prevent a potential departure has been seen as a priority for some time now, and general manager Les Snead recently spoke about the pending negotiations on a new deal in Nacua’s case.
“He’s evolved into one of the best,” Snead said (via Gary Klein of the L.A. Times). “It seems like, ‘OK, that’s a pretty simple contract because it’s pretty self-explanatory where you fall in the ecosystem and the hierarchy.’ But there’s also so many variables… So again similar to a few players that we’ve had in the past… that have been at that level in the ecosystem, you’ve got to begin communication and begin working through it to come up with a win-win solution.”
It would come as no surprise if Nacua and his camp pushed for a market-topping deal this spring. Ja’Marr Chase worked out a Bengals extension averaging $40.25MM per year last offseason. The NFL’s salary cap was set at just over $279MM for 2025. It will exceed $300MM in 2026, something which will no doubt continue the inflation of certain position’s markets. Nacua is of course a strong candidate to benefit from the upward movement in the cap ceiling.
The former fifth-round pick broke out with a stellar rookie season, collecting second-team All-Pro honors along the way. Nacua was limited to 11 games in 2024, but he remained healthy this year en route to another hugely productive campaign. The BYU product led the NFL in receptions (129) and yards per game (107.2); that helped earn him a first-team All-Pro nod along with a second Pro Bowl invitation. Any long-term pact worked out in Nacua’s case will surely move him near the top of the financial pecking order amongst receivers at a minimum.
The Rams have fellow WR Davante Adams on the books for 2026. He is expected to remain in place at a cap charge of $28MM, although Nacua inking a monster extension would lessen the chances of Adams being retained in the future. Los Angeles has several other ascending players to consider extending, such as defensive tackle Kobie Turner, guard Steve Avila and edge rusher Byron Young. Finding room for them, as well as Nacua, will prove to be challenging.
Snead, like head coach Sean McVay, recently signed a Rams extension. He will be tasked with keeping the team’s core intact for as long as possible, and efforts on that front will include a push to extend Nacua over the coming weeks or months.
Steelers Hire Joe Whitt
Joe Whitt‘s time in the nation’s capital came to an end one month ago. The veteran staffer has now found his next coaching opportunity. 
The Steelers have added Whitt to their staff, as first reported by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. The move has since been confirmed by a team announcement. Whitt spent the past two seasons as the Commanders’ defensive coordinator, but after being stripped of play-calling duties midway through the 2025 campaign his dismissal came as no surprise. In Pittsburgh, he will hold the title of assistant head coach while also working with the team’s secondary.
[RELATED: Steelers Hire Brian Angelichio As OC]
Whitt’s showing in Washington left plenty to be desired, but he has a deep level of familiarity with new Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy. The two worked together in Green Bay from 2008-18. Whitt also joined McCarthy’s Cowboys staff and spent three seasons as Dallas’ defensive pass-game coordinator (a role he had experience with during his Packers stint as well).
An NFL coach dating back to 2007, Whitt has served in a number of capacities over the years. The 47-year-old’s first defensive coordinator gig came about when he followed Dan Quinn from Dallas to Washington. The fact things did not go according to plan with the Commanders will likely limit his future DC opportunities. Still, Whitt will look to rebuild his stock by working with a Steelers group which ranked 29th against the pass in 2025.
In other Steelers staffing news, longtime NFL defensive tackle Domata Peko has been hired. He will be Pittsburgh’s defensive line coach in 2026. Peko began his coaching career on McCarthy’s Cowboys staff in 2024. Last season, he coached Colorado’s defensive line but a reunion with McCarthy will bring about a return to the pro ranks for the coming campaign.
The Steelers have also announced the hiring of Patrick Reilly. He will serve as the team’s defensive quality control coach. Reilly worked as an offensive assistant with the Texans in 2025, but he was recently let go. Prior to his one-and-done Houston stint, Reilly worked on the defensive side of the ball during a four-year run in Jacksonville. This Pittsburgh hire will see him return to a familiar role.
Giants To Hire Matt Nagy As OC
The Giants have landed on their new offensive coordinator. Matt Nagy is heading to New York, as first reported by Ian Rapoport, Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. 
Nagy had spent the past four seasons in Kansas City. After his Bears head coaching tenure ended, he returned to the Chiefs as their quarterbacks coach in 2022. For the next three seasons, Nagy operated as the team’s offensive coordinator (a role which did not involve play-calling duties). He turned down an extension offer, making it clear to head coach Andy Reid before the start of the 2025 season a departure was his intention.
The 2026 hiring cycle appeared to include a clear opportunity for Nagy to land a second HC gig. The Titans were long thought to be a destination in his case given the presence of former Chiefs front office staffer Mike Borgonzi. In the end, though, the Titans hired Robert Saleh as their new head coach. The NFL’s remaining vacancies were filled over time, leaving an offensive coordinator gig as Nagy’s next target. The 47-year-old will now take charge of an offense, with the New York OC post including the responsibility of calling plays.
The Giants were successful in their push to hire John Harbaugh as their new head coach. Once his deal was in place, many expected Todd Monken to follow Harbaugh from Baltimore to New York. The two worked with each other on the Ravens’ staff for three seasons. Harbaugh attempted to recruit Monken for the Giants’ offensive coordinator post, but the opportunity loomed for a first ever NFL head coaching opportunity with the Browns at the time. Monken wound up joining Cleveland as the team’s new head coach last week.
Monken’s decision forced Harbaugh to pivot. A long list of coordinator candidates emerged, with many receiving an interview. Nagy – who spoke with the Eagles about their OC gig – was not known to be a Giants target as of Tuesday, but he will now take charge of New York’s offense. Harbaugh was known to be seeking a veteran for this position, and Nagy fits the bill. He began his career by working on Reid’s Eagles staff before advancing to the role of offensive coordinator during his first stint with the Chiefs.
Nagy earned Coach of the Year honors in 2018, his first season at the helm of the Bears. Chicago went 12-4 that year, but Nagy did not manage a winning record during any of his three subsequent seasons in place. It remains to be seen if a second opportunity to lead a staff will come about in Nagy’s case. For now, his attention will turn to developing a young Giants offense as the team looks for immediate success under Harbaugh.
New York added quarterback Jaxson Dart and running back Cam Skattebo during the 2025 draft. Both players figure to be a part of the team’s core for years to come, with the same being true of wideout Malik Nabers. The Giants ranked 17th in scoring this past season despite dealing with a number of injuries on offense and the transition from Brian Daboll to Mike Kafka as head coach. With several new faces on the sidelines, it will be interesting to see how the Giants fare in 2026.
Offseason Outlook: Detroit Lions
After finishing as the NFC’s No. 1 seed in 2024, the injury-riddled Lions suffered a one-and-done exit in the playoffs. Expectations were high for another strong showing in 2025, a year in which Dan Campbell proceeded with several new faces on his coaching staff.
The expected departures of Ben Johnson, Aaron Glenn and others during last year’s head coaching hiring cycle led to questions about Detroit’s ability to remain among the league’s elite this time around. Many members of the Lions’ core were still present, but the team battled inconsistency throughout the season. Detroit salvaged a 9-8 record by upsetting Chicago in Week 18, but the three-game losing streak which preceded it ensured a return to the playoffs would not be possible.
That leaves Campbell, general manager Brad Holmes and Co. with a number of crucial decisions to make over the coming weeks. A few notable staffing changes have already taken place, but several ascending players currently face an uncertain future beyond 2026. With cap maneuvering and a potential offensive line rebuild on the way, the Lions figure to be busy managing a number of in-house situations this spring.
Coaching/front office moves:
- Fired offensive coordinator John Morton
- Hired Drew Petzing as OC replacement
- Added former Giants interim head coach Mike Kafka to staff
- Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard interviewed for Dolphins’ head coaching position
Campbell elected to go internal with one coordinator move last offseason but tapped Morton as an outside hire. The latter faced the tall task or replicating the success enjoyed under Ben Johnson, who led Detroit to three straight top-five finishes in scoring during his OC tenure. Under Morton – who worked with the Lions in 2022 – the team managed to finish fourth in points. A substantial regression in the running game proved to be a problem, however.
Jets Conduct Second OC Interview With Frank Reich
As coordinator hirings continue to take place around the league, the Jets appear to be nearing a decision for their OC gig. Frank Reich is set to conduct an in-person interview today, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic reports. 
Reich has already spoken with New York once, and this follow-up is a clear sign of mutual interest between the parties. As of one week ago, conversations between Reich and the Jets were progressing, so today’s update comes as little surprise. Per Rosenblatt and the New York Post’s Brian Costello, an OC hire could be made as early as Tuesday.
Jets head coach Aaron Glenn has made a number of changes to his staff recently. He initially kept 2025 offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand in the fold, but a demotion was in store. After discussing the matter, Glenn and Engstrand ultimately decided to part ways. The search for a new OC continues, but Reich is clearly a name to watch for New York.
The 64-year-old has been an NFL staffer dating back to 2006. He has worked as a coordinator on two occasions (Chargers 2014-15, Eagles 2016-17). Those stints led Reich to his first head coaching opportunity with the Colts. A run of almost five full years in Indianapolis was followed by a disastrous Panthers HC gig which lasted less than one season. Reich was dismissed late in the 2023 campaign, and he was out of coaching last year.
Glenn’s search for a new defensive coordinator recently resulted in a reunion with former Lions colleague Brian Duker. Early in the process of interviewing candidates, it did not appear as though Glenn would call plays on defense. That is now the expectation, however, something which made an impact on staffers like Don Martindale as they contemplated joining the Jets. An increased level of defensive involvement on Glenn’s part will make his OC hire particularly important.
New York finished 29th in both total and scoring offense in 2025. Improvement in many areas will be sought out during the offseason, with the quarterback position unsettled as things stand. Before a solution can be found on that front, a coordinator addition will need to be made. Reich could soon be in the fold, depending on how he fares in his second interview.