Saints Interested In Cooper Kupp
As the Cooper Kupp sweepstakes unfold, the list of known suitors continues to grow. The Saints have emerged as the latest team to watch. 
New Orleans is “making a push” to sign the former Rams All-Pro, Mike Silver of The Athletic reports. Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football confirms the Saints have been involved in Kupp’s market. A decision is expected as early as today, so it will be interesting to see if this latest development is followed by movement indicating a Kupp deal is feasible for the team.
Kupp is believed to prefer remaining on the West Coast after spending his first eight years in the NFL in Los Angeles. The Yakima, Washington, native has – to no surprise – been linked to the Seahawks in the time since his release. Seattle is indeed interested in pursuing a deal. Other suitors (a list which does not include the Jaguars and does not appear to have the Cowboys high on it, at all) are in play, though, with the Patriots and Broncos emerging yesterday as potential contenders.
Until recently, the Saints found themselves projected to be well over the 2025 cap ceiling. As usual, the team executed a number of restructures aimed at reducing the immediate cap hits of several veterans. New Orleans therefore entered Friday with roughly $19.7MM in cap space, enough for a modest addition while taking into account future costs like the incoming draft class. Kupp’s asking price (which has been floated as being between $12MM-$14MM per season) has been seen as too high to date, and Underhill adds it is unlikely the Saints would engage in a serious bidding war in this case (or for any other option).
New Orleans has Chris Olave atop the receiver depth chart, but his three-year career has been marred by concussion issues; the 2022 first-rounder was limited to eight games this past season. Rashid Shaheed has one year remaining on his deal, although the meniscus tear which ended his campaign in October threatens to lead to missed time next season. The Saints have not added a new receiver so far in free agency, whereas Marquez Valdes-Scantling has agreed to a Seahawks contract.
Tight end Juwan Johnson was in danger of departing as well, but he wound up re-signing with the Saints on a lucrative three-year deal. That pact ensures there will be continuity at the skill positions in 2025 for New Orleans, but the team’s pass-catching group could soon see a notable addition.
Steelers To Bring Back Mason Rudolph
It remains to be seen who will operate as the Steelers’ starting quarterback in 2025, but a familiar face will handle backup duties. Mason Rudolph is returning to Pittsburgh, Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network report. 
This will be a two-year pact worth $8MM. Rudolph will collect $4.5MM in guarantees upon returning to the Steelers after playing with them from 2018-23. Another pact with the Titans received consideration, per the report, but Rudolph’s preference was to come back to Pittsburgh.
The Steelers rebuilt their QB room last offseason, allowing Rudolph to take a one-year Titans deal while trading away Kenny Pickett and releasing Mitch Trubisky. They were replaced by Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, setting up a notable one-year experiment with both new passers on expiring deals. Fields was the team’s preference regarding a 2025 deal, but he is headed to the Jets. That leaves Wilson as a fallback option in Pittsburgh’s case, although he has visits lined up with the Giants and Browns.
Of course, the Steelers are among the suitors for Aaron Rodgers. The NFL’s next major quarterback domino will be his decision on playing in 2025, and if so, where. Pittsburgh has made an offer, and Dianna Russini of The Athletic notes the team is waiting to hear back from him. The four-time MVP has other suitors, and the Giants have frequently been mentioned as a potential landing spot. The Vikings, meanwhile, still find themselves in the mix.
However things shake out atop the depth chart for Pittsburgh, Rudolph’s return will give the team a familiar backup option. The 29-year-old made 13 starts across his Steelers tenure, with eight of them coming in 2019. He posted a passer rating of 86.9 along with a 19:11 touchdown-to-interception ratio in Pittsburgh, numbers which left plenty to be desired. Rudolph’s one-year Titans pact came with limited expectations but it allowed him to compete for the starting gig.
Will Levis‘ second year in the NFL did not go according to plan in Tennessee, and the team benched him in December. That opened the door for Rudolph to see playing time, and the Oklahoma State product made five starts amongst his eight appearances. After going 1-4 in that span and throwing as many touchdown passes (nine) as interceptions, it comes as little surprise Rudolph waited longer than many of the other quarterbacks on the market to land a deal. He is returning to an organization which valued him throughout his career, though, and it will be interesting to see if h winds up seeing any playing time in 2025.
Patriots To Release C David Andrews
TODAY, 8:55pm: The Patriots officially released David Andrews, with the move coming with a failed physical designation, per Ben Volin of the Boston Globe.
TODAY, 8:25am: After 10 years and nine seasons with the Patriots, David Andrews‘ tenure in the organization is coming to an end. New England will release the veteran center, ESPN’s Mike Reiss reports. 
The move will take place today, Reiss adds. Andrews is rehabbing the shoulder injury which kept him out of the lineup for all but four contests this past season. If today’s news winds up being followed by a retirement decision, this situation will come to a close in the same fashion as Julian Edelman‘s in 2021.
Indeed, Jeff Howe of The Athletic notes it is not currently known if Andrews intends to continue his playing career. The two-time Super Bowl winner had one year remaining on his contract, with part of his scheduled base salary guaranteed. This release will yield $2.68MM in cap savings for New England while generating a dead money charge of $4MM.
Andrews has made 136 combined regular and postseason appearances in his career, starting all but five of them. The 32-year-old has remained a mainstay along the offensive line during his Pats run, consistently drawing positive PFF evaluations. Even if the final remaining holdover among offensive players from New England’s most recent Super Bowl suits up in 2025, though, the team will move in a different direction under center.
Mike Giardi of the Boston Sports Journal recently reported Andrews was seen as a cut candidate during the Combine. Upgrading along the offensive line is known to be a major priority for the team, and that effort will now include finding a replacement center. The likes of Drew Dalman (Bears), Ryan Kelly (Colts) and Josh Myers (Jets) have found new teams in the early stages of free agency. The Patriots may need to wait until next month’s draft as a result to find a new starter in the middle.
New England’s right guard spot is accounted for with Michael Onwenu, and the team worked out a deal with veteran right tackle Morgan Moses on Monday. The left tackle and guard positions are still unaccounted for at this point in the offseason, and the same is now true at center as well.
Seahawks, Steelers Agree To D.K. Metcalf Trade
TONIGHT, 8:50pm: We’ve got more details on the picks involved in the D.K. Metcalf trade, via veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer. The sixth-round pick heading from Seattle to Pittsburgh is No. 185 overall (from the Bears). The seventh-round pick that’s going from Pittsburgh to Seattle is No. 223 overall (from the Saints). The main draft pick, the second-round selection heading to Seattle, is Pittsburgh’s own (No. 52).
SUNDAY, 6:50pm: The D.K. Metcalf situation has been sorted out prior to the start of the new league year. The Pro Bowl wideout is headed from the Seahawks to the Steelers, as first reported by Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. 
Providing details on the move, Pelissero notes Seattle is acquiring a second-round pick from Pittsburgh. Regarding the extension Metcalf will sign upon arrival, an historic financial commitment has been made. The Steelers are authorizing a four-year, $132MM deal which will tie him to the team through 2029, per Pelissero. Sixth- and seventh-rounders will also be flipped, ESPN’s Adam Schefter adds.
One year remained on Metcalf’s pact, and a massive raise on his next deal was expected to come on a new team. The 27-year-old had been connected to an asking price of $30MM, and he has comfortably been able to reach it. This new deal carries an AAV of $33MM, making this an abnormally lucrative receiver investment on the part of the Steelers.
Not long after Metcalf’s trade request was issued, it was reported Seattle was aiming for a first-round pick and more in a swap. Finding a suitor willing to pay that and commit to an extension near the top of the market was always going to be difficult, though, and early today it was revealed the Seahawks’ asking price had come down. Wiling to accept a second-round selection, the team has now met its goal of working out a deal prior to the draft.
Prior to today, six receivers were attached to a deal averaging $30MM or more. Metcalf – who has recorded at least 900 yards in each of his six seasons to date – is the latest member of that group. He will face major expectations upon arrival in Pittsburgh, a team which was connected to a high-profile receiver pursuit all of last offseason. The Steelers were unable to land Brandon Aiyuk or other impact players at the position, and a deal ahead of the trade deadline for Christian Kirk fell through due to his season-ending injury. Now, though, general manager Omar Khan has pulled off a major acquisition.
George Pickens has flashed considerable potential during his first three years in the league, but issues related to effort and character have been raised inside and outside the organization. Pickens is a pending 2026 free agent, and his departure would lead to Metcalf being increasingly relied on as the focal point of Pittsburgh’s passing attack. While the likes of Calvin Austin and Roman Wilson are slated to operate in the slot, Metcalf and Pickens will each offer Pittsburgh’s to-be-determined quarterback with a pair of notable deep threats on the perimeter.
Of course, this move will lead to questions about Seattle’s WR setup moving forward. As expected, the team released longtime pass-catcher Tyler Lockett (not long before Metcalf’s trade request), leaving the latter along with Jaxon Smith-Njigba in place as options for at least 2025. Now that Metcalf is on the way out, though, Smith-Njigba is joined by Jake Bobo and Dareke Young as the only receivers currently on the roster.
Metcalf was linked to preferring a destination with a warm climate, with QB stability also being named as a factor. Considering the other suitors likely in play, Pittsburgh does not check either of those boxes as things stand. A Justin Fields re-signing could be in play, but he is set to test the market. The Texans were recently named as a landing spot Metcalf would have welcomed, and earlier Sunday Schefter’s colleague Jeremy Fowler reported the Chargers were also high on his list. Rather than being paired with C.J. Stroud in Texas or Justin Herbert in Los Angeles, however, the Ole Miss product will head to Pennsylvania and await Pittsburgh’s QB move(s).
This move will free up $10.88MM in cap space for the Seahawks while generating $21MM in dead money (h/t Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap). Metcalf will become one of the Steelers’ top cap commitments – on offense in particular – over the course of his deal, although the structure of the extension will dictate the changes made to his scheduled 2025 cap hit. For Seattle, this move shortly follows not only the Lockett release but also the trade which will send quarterback Geno Smith to the Raiders. While the Steelers’ offense will have a notable addition in 2025, it very much remains to be seen how the Seahawks’ attack will appear next season.
Commanders To Re-Sign Noah Igbinoghene
The Commanders used Noah Igbinoghene as a starter for much of the 2024 season, and he will remain in place for 2025. The former first-round corner is re-signing with Washington, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
[RELATED: Commanders To Sign CB Jonathan Jones]
Igbinoghene struggled to carve out a role during his time with the Dolphins. The 30th-overall pick in the 2020 draft, the cornerback was limited to only 32 games across three seasons in Miami. He was traded to the Cowboys as part of the Kelvin Joseph trade ahead of the 2023 campaign, but he only got into five games with his new squad.
Despite his lack of action in Dallas, he was recruited by former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn to join him in Washington for the 2023 season. Igbinoghene proceeded to have a career year with the Commanders, starting 10 of his 17 appearances while finishing with 55 tackles and seven passes defended. Pro Football Focus wasn’t all that impressed by his efforts, grading him as the second-worst CB among 116 qualifying players.
Still, the Commanders seem to value the continuity in their secondary, as Igbinoghene will at least be temporarily penciled in towards the top of the depth chart. Mike Sainristil and Marshon Lattimore are still slated to earn the bulk of the snaps at the position, but Igbinoghene should still get reps at nickelback. He will have some additional competition, though, as the team brought in former Patriots mainstay Jonathan Jones yesterday.
Ben Levine contributed to this post.
Steelers To Host FB Kyle Juszczyk
Kyle Juszczyk‘s time with the 49ers came to an end on Monday. The veteran could have a limited market based on the number of teams which use a fullback on a permanent basis, but he has quickly managed to line up a visit. 
Juszczyk will meet with the Steelers today, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. The nine-time Pro Bowler began his career in the AFC North, playing out his rookie contract with the Ravens. A return to Baltimore will not be in order for 2025, though, considering the team recently re-signed Patrick Ricard.
At times during his eight-year run in San Francisco, Juszczyk’s future was a talking point. A pay cut was worked out last offseason to allow him to remain with the 49ers, and the 33-year-old hoped for his tenure to continue into 2025. Juszczyk instead found himself as one of many veterans who have been released or traded by San Francisco, a team which has also seen several key players depart in free agency this week.
The Steelers used Derek Watt as a fullback up to 2022. Since that time, they have turned to Connor Heyward to operate in a hybrid role including fullback duties. One year remains on his rookie contract, but adding an established veteran like Juszczyk would allow for Heyward to focus on operating as a backup tight end. Pittsburgh entered Thursday with over $46MM in cap space, so room exists for what would be a modest fullback commitment.
The Broncos have used Michael Burton as a fullback for the past two years, and he is a pending free agent. Denver could theoretically be among the teams interested in Juszczyk as a result, but Luca Evans of the Denver Post reports no contact has been made yet. If today’s Steelers visits does not produce an agreement for the Harvard product, his list of suitors could be rather short.
Juszczyk has received a Pro Bow nod every year since 2016, and in addition to his run blocking prowess he has averaged 240 receiving yards per year in his career (which has included first-team All-Pro honors in 2023 and a second-team nod last year). If he does not land with the Steelers, he will turn his attention elsewhere as the opening stages of free agency wind down.
Dolphins, Alexander Mattison Agree To Deal
The Raiders added a former Dolphins running back in the form of Raheem Mostert on Thursday. Miami is set to pull off the reverse. 
Alexander Mattison has a deal in place to join the Dolphins, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports. After a single season with the Raiders, the former Viking will look to carve out a role in Miami’s backfield. He played on a one-year, $2MM deal in 2024, and this will likely be a similar pact.
Vegas saw Josh Jacobs depart in free agency last offseason, and signing Mattison was part of the team’s effort to replace him. The latter split time with Zamir White and Ameer Abdullah, seeing a total of eight starts during his 14 appearances. Mattson, 26, has only operated as a full-time starter once during his career (2022, the first year after Dalvin Cook‘s Vikings release). He will only be counted on to serve as a rotational back in Miami, though.
The Dolphins cut Mostert shortly after the end of the regular season, a move which confirmed De’Von Achane is set to remain the focal point of the team’s rushing attack. Achane is attached to his rookie contract, as is Jaylen Wright. The latter saw sparse usage on offense last season, but he could work his way into a larger role in Year 2. Even if that does not take place, Mattison will offer Miami a veteran backup option.
The Boise State product flashed potential during his time as Cook’s backup in Minnesota. His one year atop the depth chart produced career highs in rushing (700) and scrimmage (892) yards, but it included a yards per carry average of only 3.9. Mattison saw his efficiency drop to 3.2 yards per attempt in 2024 – a year in which, to be fair, the Raiders’ overall ground game struggled mightily – but his 294 receiving yards were the most of his career.
The Dolphins are positioned to have Achane and Wright in place as part of a cost-effective backfield for 2025 and beyond. Mattison could find success as a short-yardage option with Miami, though, and doing so could help his free agent prospects for next year.
Dolphins Sign T Larry Borom
After playing out his rookie contract with the Bears, Larry Borom is headed to Miami. The former fifth-round offensive lineman has signed with the Dolphins, per a team announcement. 
This is a one-year deal worth $2.5MM, according to Over the Cap. That figure is guaranteed in full. Borom has seen sparse usage at guard during his career, but for the most part he has operated as a tackle.
The soon-to-be 26-year-old made at least four starts every year during his time in Chicago. Borom primarily operated at right tackle during his first two years, and his 67.4 PFF grade from 2022 was the highest of his Bears tenure. He played exclusively on the blindside the following season and again saw most of his time at left tackle in 2024.
Despite only playing eight games after returning from a preseason ankle injury, Borom was charged by PFF with seven sacks and 22 pressures allowed. That yielded an overall grade of just 53.8, a figure the Dolphins will hope he is able to improve upon. Chicago has traded for a pair of new guards (Jonah Jackson, Joe Thuney) while signing a new center (Drew Dalman), but it remains to be seen if a left tackle will be sought out this offseason. Braxton Jones and Kiran Amegadjie remain on the books.
The Dolphins are operating under the impression Terron Armstead will not be available in 2025, making the left tackle spot one to watch closely. Borom could compete for the starting gig at that position with 2024 second-rounder Patrick Paul or offer Miami a swing tackle option behind Paul and right tackle starter Austin Jackson. As the Dolphins look to put together a more effective O-line in 2025 than they had last year, Borom will likely have a role to play.
Seahawks Sign DeMarcus Lawrence
MARCH 13: The base value of Lawrence’s pact is $32.49MM, Ari Meirov of the 33rd Team reports. Incentives are present which could result in another $9.5MM being earned. Of the guarantee figure, $13MM will be paid out in 2025, per ESPN’s Brady Henderson. Lawrence’s decision to head to Seattle will therefore be a lucrative one right away with plenty of potential earnings down the road.
MARCH 12: DeMarcus Lawrence‘s time with the Cowboys has come to an end. The four-time Pro Bowler has agreed to a deal with the Seahawks, his agency announced on Wednesday. 
This will be a three-year deal, Tom Pelissero, Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network report. The pact is worth up to $42MM and includes $18MM guaranteed. The Cowboys were interested in re-signing Lawrence, but he made it clear recently he was open to departing as a free agent.
Selected in the second round of the 2014 draft, Lawrence proved to be one of the Cowboys’ best additions of the current generation. After failing to start any games during his rookie campaign, he solidified himself as a mainstay along the edge. Over the past four years, Lawrence operated as a highly effective partner for Micah Parsons.
Over the course of his decorated Dallas tenure, Lawrence collected double-digit sacks on two occasions; his career high came in 2017 with 14.5. That season, he secured a second-team All-Pro nod. Playing on the franchise tag in 2019 and then a pair of long-term accords afterwards, the Boise State product delivered consistent production when healthy. Lawrence’s 61.5 sacks rank fourth in franchise history.
Earlier this offseason, the Cowboys made it known they were waiting on Lawrence to see what his intentions were regarding his future. The 32-year-old said his preference would have been to sign another Dallas deal, but this Seahawks payday comes as the Cowboys prepare to make Parsons one of the highest-paid defenders (and non-quarterbacks in general) in the NFL. They will look to younger, less expensive options to replace Lawrence.
The Boise State product played seven games in 2021. After logging a full slate of games the following two years, Lawrence was limited to only four contests. That missed time has clearly not hindered his market, though, given the terms of this Seahawks commitment. This deal will allow for a reunion between Lawrence and Seahawks defensive coordinator Aden Durde. The former Cowboys defensive line coach helped convince Lawrence to head to Seattle, NFL Network’s Peter Schrager notes.
The Seahawks still have Uchenna Nwosu on the books, along with Boye Mafe and Derick Hall attached to their rookie contracts. Lawrence (who has remained effective against the run during his career in addition to solid but unspectacular pass rush production) will join that group for the foreseeable future. If he can remain healthy, he will likely prove to be an effective addition.
Titans, QB Brandon Allen Agree To Deal
The Titans saw quarterback Mason Rudolph agree to return to Pittsburgh earlier today, but they have not waited long to find his replacement. Brandon Allen has a one-year deal in place with Tennessee, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports. 
This pact will allow for a reunion between Allen and Titans head coach Brian Callahan. The pair worked together in Cincinnati when Callahan served as the team’s offensive coordinator. Allen backed up Joe Burrow for three seasons with the Bengals before spending the past two years in San Francisco.
Allen did not see any playing time in 2023 while serving as the 49ers’ third-string option. Sam Darnold‘s departure created a QB2 vacancy, though, and Allen competed for it with Josh Dobbs during the offseason. Dobbs held a lead at one point, but Allen would up earning the gig.
As a result, the 32-year-old made a total of three appearances and one start last year. Allen has logged only 10 starts over the course of his career, but he represents an experienced backup option (especially given his ties to Callahan). He could find himself serving as the Titans’ QB2 in 2025, but that will of course depend on how the team approaches the starting position this offseason.
Will Levis has two more years on his rookie contract, but he found himself being benched late last season with his development not going according to plan. The Titans could add a replacement by using the No. 1 pick in April’s draft on a quarterback (likely Cam Ward), but as expected calls have come in regarding a trade. Several suitors could look to move up to board and acquire Ward in the process, something which would lead to the Titans selecting Shedeur Sanders or one of the other passers in the 2025 class.
Regardless of how things shake out atop the depth chart, Allen will be in place as a backup option. Teams still in need of a quarterback addition during free agency now have one fewer option to choose from.