Bears Owner Virginia McCaskey Dies At 102
The Bears’ matriarch has passed away. The team announced on Thursday that owner Virginia McCaskey has died at the age of 102. 
McCaskey’s father, George Halas, purchased the franchise in 1920 and participated in the meeting which founded the American Professional Football Association (later renamed to the National Football League). He remained the Bears’ controlling owner until his passing in 1983. At that point, McCaskey inherited the franchise.
Early in McCaskey’s time at the helm of the Bears, they won what stands to this day as their only Super Bowl title. She was still working as the team’s principal owner (a role which included voting on behalf of 13 family members on the board of directors) when Chicago most recently made it to the Super Bowl (2006). It is unclear at this point how the board will take shape moving forward as it pertains to the 80% ownership stake the McCaskey family represents.
“While we are sad, we are comforted knowing Virginia Halas McCaskey lived a long, full, faith-filled life and is now with the love of her life on Earth [late husband Ed McCaskey],” a family statement reads in part. “She guided the Bears for four decades and based every business decision on what was best for Bears players, coaches, staff and fans. Over the last 41-plus years, Mrs. McCaskey continued the steadfast mission set forth by her father to uphold the values of the City of Chicago, its people and its fans.”
George McCaskey took on the role of chairman in 2011, and he remains in that position to this day. With respect to day-to-day operations, president/CEO Kevin Warren has been at the helm since the start of last season, and that will remain the case moving forward. The Bears’ front office structure will see head coach Ben Johnson report to general manager Ryan Poles, who will in turn report to Warren.
Overall, McCaskey’s life spanned eight of Chicago’s nine NFL championships and her mark on the franchise is unquestionable. In recent years, George has made it clear the franchise is set to remain in the family moving forward, so continuity at the ownership level should be expected in the wake of his mother’s passing.
Panthers WR Adam Thielen Will Play In 2025
FEBRUARY 6: Thielen confirmed to the team’s website on Thursday that he contemplated retirement after the 2024 season. He will suit up once again for the Panthers next year, though, and in doing so potentially set himself up for another trip to free agency during the waning stages of his career.
FEBRUARY 3: Adam Thielen faced an uncertain future following the end of the 2024 campaign, his second with the Panthers. The veteran wideout knows his career is nearing an end, but he will suit up for at least one more season. 
“I definitely needed those two weeks to just get my energy back and spend quality family time, get away,” Thielen said while reflecting on the early offseason in an interview with Ben Nagle of the Daily Mail. “Yeah, I think I still have some more football in me. We’ll see how that plays out in the next few weeks.”
Thielen’s lengthy run with the Vikings came to an end after the 2022 campaign, but he still managed to land a three-year deal on the open market. The two-time Pro Bowler signed a $25MM pact with the Panthers in free agency, although none of his scheduled base salary for next season ($4MM) is guaranteed. Thielen is due a $1.5MM roster bonus in mid-March, and remaining on the roster past that point will of course be a strong sign he will play a third season in Carolina.
The 34-year-old had a strong debut campaign with the Panthers, recording the second most catches in his career (103) and topping 1,000 yards for the third time. Thielen was one of several receivers mentioned as a trade candidate in advance of the deadline, with a move to a contender representing something he would be on board with. Carolina did wind up dealing Jonathan Mingo midseason, but Thielen remained in place and was limited to only 10 games played.
The former UDFA noted the second-half progression shown by quarterback Bryce Young as a sign the Panthers could take a step forward in 2025. Thielen will be counted on to remain a key figure in the team’s passing attack next season, although his playing future will of course remain a talking point during the campaign given his age and status as a pending 2026 free agent. The Minnesota State alum acknowledged he is unsure of how much longer he will continue playing past the coming campaign.
“I think there’s probably more times now that you’re like, ‘all right, there’s probably not much more’ Thielen added. “So you know there’s an end in sight, but when that exactly will be is kind of a year-to-year thing.”
Thielen has amassed nearly $82MM in career earnings, and he could certainly afford to be picky when considering free agent options next offseason in the event he elected to continue his career. For now, though, his attention will turn to a third Carolina campaign.
Joe Burrow Addresses Bengals’ Pending Decisions On Tee Higgins, Trey Hendrickson
Joe Burrow is on the books for the foreseeable future, but plenty of uncertainty currently surrounds the outlook for many other key Bengals players. Cincinnati’s franchise passer spoke on Thursday about the team’s financial situation and his role in helping to keep existing the core intact. 
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Tee Higgins highlights the list of pending Bengals free agents, and Burrow has repeatedly made it clear he views keeping him in place as a vital offseason priority. Higgins is by far the most attractive option set to hit the market at the receiver position, however, and he could approach or even surpass $30MM on a new contract. Retaining the 26-year-old at market value will be challenging given the looming mega-extension which the Bengals were unable to work out with Ja’Marr Chase last offseason.
Burrow also mentioned tight end Mike Gesicki as a pass catcher whom the Bengals should work to retain. The veteran inked a one-year, $2.5MM pact in free agency last year and had a strong debut Cincinnati campaign (65 catches, 665 yards, two touchdowns). He has likely earned a raise as a result, but the same is also true of edge rusher Trey Hendrickson. The 2024 sack leader once again finds himself set to negotiate a more lucrative Bengals pact or entertain the idea of being traded. Burrow said keeping Hendrickson in place will be critical this offseason, while acknowledging a raise will be needed to do so.
“The cap is going up each year,” the former No. 1 pick added during an appearance on ESPN’s First Take (via Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer). “We just got new TV deals. And, you know, we all want to stay together, so we’re all going to do what it takes to do that… They’re going to be paid what they’re worth, whether we do it or somebody else. I hope we do it.”
For his part, Burrow also indicated during an appearance on Up & Adams (video link) that he would be willing to restructure his pact to create additional 2025 cap space for the Bengals. As things stand, he is set to carry a $46.25MM cap charge next season; while Cincinnati is projected to sit in the top 10 in cap space this year, lowering that figure would certainly make new deals for Higgins and/or Hendrickson more feasible. It will be interesting to see how Burrow and the Bengals operate over the coming weeks in advance of the new league year in March.
Jaguars To Add Shane Waldron, John Van Dam To Coaching Staff
Liam Coen‘s initial Jaguars staff continues to take shape. Grant Udinski was hired as offensive coordinator yesterday, and more additions are coming on that side of the ball. 
Jacksonville plans to hire Shane Waldron, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports. His role will be passing game coordinator and will mark a reunion between Waldron and Coen. The two previously worked together on Sean McVay‘s Rams staff.
Waldron parlayed his time in Los Angeles into an offensive coordinator gig with the Seahawks, one he held for three seasons. The arrival of new head coach Mike Macdonald last offseason brought about sweeping changes to Seattle’s coaching staff, though, and Ryan Grubb replaced Waldron as OC. The latter was able to quickly find another coordinator opportunity by serving as the Bears’ play-caller.
Waldron did not fare well during his brief tenure in Chicago, however. The 45-year-old’s unit drew criticism from inside and outside the organization in the early stages of the season, with head coach Matt Eberflus hinting at a change during the Bears’ lengthy losing streak. Indeed, after only nine games at the helm of the offense, Waldron was fired. Things did not entirely go according to plan after Thomas Brown took over the unit, but it comes as no surprise a third straight OC gig is unavailable at this point for Waldron.
Coen’s efforts to build out his offensive staff will include at least one Buccaneers alum. John Van Dam is being added as a pass-game specialist, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Van Dam had been in Tampa Bay since 2019, handling roles such as tight ends coach and pass-game assistant along the way. His Buccaneers pact expired at the end of the campaign, leaving him free to continue working with Coen after the two did so in 2024.
The Bucs have (on more than one occasion) blocked Coen’s efforts to interview and hire other assistants as part of his process of putting together is his first Jacksonville staff. Given the nature of how Coen departed Tampa Bay to take his first career head coaching gig, that comes as little surprise. It will be interesting to see if any other former Buccaneers coaches wind up making the move to Duval County this offseason.
Melbourne To Host 2026 NFL Game; Sao Paulo Seeking Long-Term Hosting Deal
The NFL’s international expansion now has the league in position to have as many as eight games played outside the United States on a regular basis. As expected, new markets continue to emerge on that front. 
[RELATED: NFLPA Director Speaks Out Against 18-Game Schedule]
Melbourne will become the next new host city for an NFL game. The league announced a game will take place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 2026, with the Rams serving as the designated home team. Los Angeles is one of two teams which holds international marketing rights in Australia, with the Eagles being the other.
Philadelphia represents a logical opponent for the Rams given Sydney native Jordan Mailata‘s presence. Indeed, it was recently reported by the Melbourne Herald Sun that that the Rams and Eagles would be the first two teams to face off in Australia, although the latter has not been confirmed to be heading to Melbourne at this point. More notably, the Sun report adds that the city is set to host three NFL games, with the 2026 matchup being the first in that stretch. As could be expected, the NFL Players’ Association has concerns about this endeavor.
“We believe that a game in Australia, which will involve a minimum 15-hour flight before even stepping on the field, has significant implications for our players’ rest, recovery, and performance,” an NFLPA statement reads (via Daniel Kaplan of Front Office Sports). “The players are concerned that these have not been accounted for, and we look forward to hearing from the league how they plan to address these needs.”
The timing of the Melbourne game is unclear at this point, but NFL EVP Peter O’Reilly indicated Week 1 would be the most logical option given the travel demands an Australia game will create. One preseason contest was played in Sydney in 1999, but staging regular season contests will of course provide scheduling challenges for the teams which take part. The Eagles played in Week 1 for the NFL’s first Brazil game, something which does not appear to be a one-off event.
League and Brazilian officials are in discussion about a long-term hosting arrangement, as detailed by Brooks Kubena of The Athletic (subscription required). Sao Paulo hosted a game between the Packers and Eagles this season, and another one-year deal could be in play to stage a follow-up as early as 2025 (which would likely also take place at Arena Corinthians). A desire exists, though, for a deal spanning four to six years to establish stability with respect to planning future games in the country. The possibility of Brazil hosting as many as two games per season has been brought up.
2025 will see London host three games, with Berlin set to serve as a host venue for the first time (previous Germany contests have taken place in Frankfurt and Munich). Madrid will become the first Spanish market for an NFL game this season, but further announcements on the international front (even if Sao Paulo does indeed land another game) will be worth watching for. A return to Mexico City is possible, while Dublin and Paris are also contenders to serve as NFL venues in the near future.
Seahawks Rework Leonard Williams’ Deal
With the new league year approaching, teams on currently on pace to be over the 2025 salary cap have work to do on the cost-cutting front. The Seahawks are among them, and they have manufactured some breathing room through simple means. 
Seattle has restructured defensive lineman Leonard Williams‘ contract, as detailed by Over the Cap’s Jason Fitzgerald. The team converted $18.75MM in base salary into a bonus while adding two void years to the pact. As a result, Williams’ 2025 cap charge has been lowered from $29.1MM to $14.06MM.
The Seahawks pulled off a midseason trade for Williams in 2023, and he had a strong 10-game run to close out the campaign with his new team. That resulted in a three-year, $64.5MM deal being worked out last offseason to keep him in the Emerald City. The former Jet and Giant delivered a strong season in 2024, racking up 11 sacks and 16 tackles for loss en route to the second Pro Bowl nod of his career.
Given his production, Williams represented a logical candidate for such a financial move aimed at creating immediate cap space. The downside to this reworking, of course, is the effect it will have next offseason. Williams is now set to carry a 2026 cap hit of $29.64MM, something which could lead the team down the restructure path once again or lend itself to an extension. A decision on that front will be informed by the 30-year-old’s level of play on a defensive line which also includes veteran Dre’Mont Jones and 2024 first-rounder Byron Murphy.
While this Williams move helps Seattle’s immediate financial outlook, the team is still projected to be more than $13MM over the cap for 2025. More maneuvering will therefore be needed, especially once the official cap ceiling for next season is unveiled.
Teams Prepared To Trade First-Round Picks, More For Browns’ Myles Garrett
Toward the end of the season, Myles Garrett raised the possibility of a trade sending him to a Super Bowl contender. The Browns remain insistent they will not consider doing so, but Monday saw the situation escalate with a formal trade request. 
Cleveland’s stance on the situation has not changed in the wake of yesterday’s development, although that comes as no surprise since the team was aware of Garrett’s sentiment prior to his request going public. The Browns face a number of challenges this offseason, one in which a shift to a long-term rebuild is not the plan. Even if the team pursues upgrades in the near future (particularly at the quarterback position), though, the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year wants a fresh start.
As a result, attention has increasingly turned to the framework of any potential deal sending Garrett to a new team. General manager Andrew Berry‘s most recent comments on the situation made it clear a package including two first-round picks would not alter the team’s aversion to entertaining a trade. Early estimates on this front show a strong market will nevertheless be in place when suitors call about Garrett’s availability.
A poll of league executives and coaches from The Athletic’s Jeff Howe (subscription required) demonstrates the range of potential hauls the Browns could land in a Garrett deal. Three believe a package including two Day 1 selections could be in play, while there is a consensus that one first-rounder would be a feasible starting point. Pairing a first-round selection with at least one player or mid-round pick emerged as a realistic scenario for most of the respondents.
Two years remain on Garrett’s pact, with none of his outstanding base salary guaranteed. An extension would no doubt change that while tying him to the Browns, but it was reported Monday the former No. 1 pick’s request is not seen as a negotiating ploy. Even if Cleveland were to consider a trade, however, the cap implications would not make a deal easy to work out.
Garrett would account for more than $36MM in dead money if he were to be traded before June 1, adding further to the Browns’ unenviable financial situation. The team is currently over the projected 2025 ceiling, although moves like another Deshaun Watson restructure and releasing right tackle Jack Conklin should achieve cap compliance in the short term. The matter of Garrett’s option bonus money could complicate the timing of a trade, although Over the Cap’s Jason Fitzgerald writes an arrangement could be made for it to be removed from his existing pact to make a trade (and subsequent extension) feasible for an acquiring team.
A trade after June 1 would still create a notable dead money charge but it would produce nearly $5MM in cap saving for the Browns (barring adjustments to his pact in the near future, of course). Garrett’s next team could owe him as little as $14.8MM in cash in 2025 – if his option were to be removed or deferred – and $25MM in 2026. A blockbuster deal to acquire the four-time All-Pro would no doubt include a new contractual commitment, however, and a raise bringing him to or near the top of the edge rusher market would come as no surprise.
With that in mind (along with the fact he is entering his age-30 season), the number of genuine suitors for Garrett may become relatively limited. Waiting until after June 1 – and therefore receiving draft compensation for 2026 rather than this April’s event – could likewise dissuade the Browns from moving forward with a trade. Nevertheless, this situation could make for one of the league’s top offseason storylines if a strong market develops.
Chiefs’ Clark Hunt: Andy Reid Will Remain HC For 2025
In recent years, Andy Reid‘s future has been a talking point around the time of the Super Bowl. In this instance, though, the Chiefs are assured of having their head coach for at least one more campaign. 
“I was always surprised when I heard those [retirement] rumors because I know how much fun Andy’s having,” owner Clark Hunt said on Media Day at the Super Bowl, via Cale Clinton of The Athletic (subscription required). “He, in a lot of ways, is rejuvenated by the success the team’s had. Certainly, he’s matched with the quarterback that’s the perfect complement for him in Patrick [Mahomes]. I know he loves what he’s doing. I know for a fact he’s going to be back next year.”
While that statement is certainly more definitive than recent ones regarding Reid’s immediate outlook, it comes as no surprise. Reid – along with general manager Brett Veach and president Mark Donovan – signed an extension last April. As a result, he is under contract through 2029. Veteran coaches can obviously choose to retire with term remaining on their deals, but in Reid’s case he is set to have Mahomes available for the foreseeable future.
Kansas City’s Super Bowl LIX participation will mark the team’s fifth appearance in the big game over the past six years. In the wake of that success, Reid has added considerably to his all-time marks. The 66-year-old has 273 regular season wins, which places him fourth in NFL history. Reid’s 28 postseason victories are the second-most, behind only Bill Belichick‘s 31.
With those figures along with three (perhaps four, in one week’s time) Super Bowls on his resume, Reid has little left to accomplish. He was the league’s oldest coach in 2024, and he will be second on that list next year with Pete Carroll taking over the Raiders. Veach has assumed a greater share of control regarding roster-building decisions in recent years, with Reid ceding those responsibilities to an extent. That tandem will remain in place for at least one more offseason, however.
Given the fact Mahomes and other members of the Chiefs’ core are not going to be on the move in the near future, the team could be positioned for long-term stability through the remainder of the 2020s. On the sidelines, that degree of continuity will include Reid carrying on his current capacity.
K Mason Crosby Retires
Mason Crosby did not play in 2024, and he will not attempt a comeback this offseason. The veteran kicker announced his retirement on Tuesday. 
Crosby said during an appearance on his 105.7 The Fan Milwaukee radio show that he has elected to hang up his cleats. As a result, his career is over after 17 seasons in the NFL. Of course, he will be best remembered for his 16-year run with the Packers prior to a brief stint as a Giants fill-in in 2023.
A former sixth-round pick, Crosby handled kicking duties during his rookie campaign and was not sidelined at any point during his Green Bay Run. The Colorado product never missed a game during his time with the organization, a stretch which included winning Super Bowl XLV. Crosby posted a field goal accuracy rate above 80% nine times in his career, going a perfect 16-for-16 in that department in 2020.
On three occasions, the Packers’ offensive efficiency helped Crosby lead the league in extra points. For his career, he connected on 739 of 760 XP attempts in the regular season. In terms of playoff production, Crosby missed only four of his 35 field goal tries while posting a perfect mark on extra points. That consistency helped him enjoy a lengthy run with the Packers, one which was followed by a brief stretch on the Rams’ practice squad but not any games played for Los Angeles.
Overall, Crosby ends his career as the Packers’ all-time leader in points; he sits 11th in league history with 1,939. The 40-year-old amassed just over $40MM in career earnings, having signed multiple Green Bay extensions during his time with the team. Now, his attention will officially turn to his post-playing days.
Raiders Interested In QB Marcus Mariota?
Quarterback will again be a position to watch closely this offseason for the Raiders. With the much of the team’s new coaching staff in place, one veteran name has emerged as a free agent option. 
“There could be a little bit of interest in Marcus Mariota between the Raiders and Dolphins,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter said during a Pat McAfee Show appearance (via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald). “He’s gonna have some choices this offseason.”
Mariota’s relationship with Tua Tagovailoa is a factor which could make him a Dolphins target. Miami is aiming to acquire a high-floor backup, and the 31-year-old would meet that criteria. Mariota has 93 appearances and 74 starts to his name, although his last run of first-team action came with the Falcons in 2022.
In the event he were to return to the Raiders (after playing there from 2020-21) , the Oregon product could be an option to compete for bridge starter duties depending on how the team operates in the draft. A Vegas deal would represent a reunion with Chip Kelly, who coached Mariota in 2012 and is now back in the NFL as the Raiders’ offensive coordinator. The team will of course have other options to consider, though.
With the second-most projected 2025 cap space in the league, the Raiders will have the wherewithal to win a potential bidding war for the top passers in this year’s free agent class. Sam Darnold is therefore a name to watch, as is Russell Wilson since he and head coach Pete Carroll are once again on good terms. Vegas currently holds the No. 6 pick in April’s draft, which may put the team in range for a first-round QB.
Even if a young passer is added on Day 1 of the draft (or later), Mariota could be signed as competition or a veteran capable of handling QB1 duties while a rookie develops. As things stand, Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell are in place for the Raiders; the new regime led by Carroll and general manager John Spytek could very well make one or more changes to that room over the coming months, however.