Extension Talks Ongoing Between Saints, WR Chris Olave
Jaxon Smith-Njigba recently reset the receiver market with his new Seahawks deal. One of his former college teammates may soon land a second contract of his own. 
Saints head coach Kellen Moore said on Monday at the league meeting that extension talks with Chris Olave are ongoing. The sides have discussed a long-term deal as early as the start of the 2025 campaign. This offseason represents a logical time for an agreement to be reached, though.
“There’s conversations and that’s what this time of year is all about,” Moore said (via NOLA.com’s Matthew Paras). “That’s obviously the business side of this thing that inevitably comes up… It’s just about a working relationship for everyone, what works best for everyone and find a good situation.”
Olave has spent his first four seasons in New Orleans. During that time, he has topped 1,000 yards on three occasions. The one exception was 2024, a year in which the Ohio State product was limited to eight games. Due to his concussion history, Olave contemplated retirement following that season. Instead, he managed a healthy campaign this past year and set new career highs in receptions (100), yards (1,163) and touchdowns (nine) while thriving in Moore’s system and establishing chemistry with rookie quarterback Tyler Shough.
All three will remain in place for at least one more season, since Olave is owed $15.49MM in 2026 on his fifth-year option. The Saints elected to trade away Rashid Shaheed at the deadline this past fall in a move which allowed for draft compensation in exchange for a pending free agent. Olave was mentioned as a trade target as well, but it came as little surprise when he was retained. Committing to the 25-year-old coming off a healthy season would be an understandable move in New Orleans’ case.
Smith-Njigba reached $42.15MM per season on his Seattle extension. Olave is not in position to command a deal as lucrative as that, but a considerable raise will be in order if an agreement can be reached some time this offseason. As the Saints seek out additions at the WR spot, the progress of negotiations on this front will be worth monitoring closely.
LB Sonny Styles Well Regarded By Cardinals, Giants
Ohio State figures to be well represented early in the first round of April’s draft. Linebacker Sonny Styles is among the prospects who will not need to wait long to hear their name called on Day 1. 
Styles spent his first two seasons as a safety, and he was a productive presence in that capacity for the Buckeyes. Starting with his junior campaign, he transitioned to linebacker. While operating in the front seven, Styles racked up 182 tackles, seven sacks and 17 tackles for loss. That production has led to interest from the Commanders, but he may not be on the board when Washington selects seventh overall.
The Cardinals “love” Styles, SportsBoom’s Jason La Canfora writes. Arizona is set to draft third overall. A defensive addition could prove to be highly beneficial, although many have pointed to the offensive line as a unit which the Cardinals should prioritize. La Canfora predicts Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa will be the pick, matching a number of projections in that respect. He adds, however, that if general manager Monti Ossenfort elects to focus on a defensive prospect, Styles will likely be the choice.
Elsewhere in the top five, La Canfora notes new Giants head coach John Harbaugh “has a thing for” Styles. New York has been linked on more than one occasion to fellow Ohio State start Caleb Downs, who is widely expected to be the first safety taken in the draft. More recently, Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love has emerged as a potential target for the Giants. Both of those prospects could be available when New York is on the clock at No. 5, but adding Styles to the fold would be expected to yield a considerable upgrade to the second level of the team’s defense.
NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah ranks Styles third overall. Positional value will no doubt be a talking point as teams contemplate when to select him, but it comes as no surprise the Cardinals and Giants can be counted among his suitors.
49ers Unlikely To Sign DE Joey Bosa
Shortly after Joey Bosa‘s 2025 release, the 49ers naturally showed interest. Nick Bosa‘s team could make another push at reuniting the brothers this time around, but that should not be expected. 
Joey Bosa took a one-year deal to join the Bills for this past season. The longtime Charger operated as a full-time starter and managed 17 combined regular and postseason appearances. He remains on the open market at this time, but a trip to the Bay Area is not something 49ers general manager John Lynch is anticipating.
“I know that would make Mama Bosa happy,” Lynch said at the league meeting (via Vic Tafur of The Athletic), “but I don’t know if we can afford him.”
San Francisco currently has over $31MM in cap space. That figure can change dramatically if a new deal can be worked out with left tackle Trent Williams, something Lynch said could be coming soon. A Brandon Aiyuk trade or release will also significantly alter the 49ers’ financial situation, and moving on prior to June 1 would lower the team’s cap space for 2026. Clarity on those fronts will go a long way in determining the moves Lynch can make over the remainder of the offseason.
Finding a long-term complement for Nick Bosa has long been a challenge for the 49ers. The former No. 2 pick has been productive when healthy, although he was limited to just three games in 2025. Injuries have been a concern in Joey Bosa’s career as well. The older of the brothers only logged 13 games between the 2022 and ’23 campaigns, but he proved to be more durable during his final Bolts season and his lone year in Buffalo.
Nick Bosa and 2025 first-round pick Mykel Williams will be counted to anchor the 49ers’ pass rush when on the field in 2026 and beyond. Joey Bosa – who secured $12MM in guarantees from the Bills – would offer plenty of experience along the edge and a San Francisco signing would reunite him with his brother for the first time since they were in high school. A deal elsewhere in the NFL appears to be more likely, though.
Eagles GM Howie Roseman Addresses A.J. Brown Trade Talk
Trade speculation continues to surround Eagles receiver A.J. Brown. To no surprise, general manager Howie Roseman was asked about the situation on Monday at the league meeting. 
“I understand that there’s interest in the A.J. Brown story,” Roseman said (via ESPN’s Tim McManus). “I, unfortunately, don’t have a home under a rock. But my answer to any question on A.J. Brown is A.J. Brown is a member of the Eagles. From my perspective, anything you ask me about A.J. Brown, I’m going to go right back to that answer.”
Roseman has previously offered stronger statements on the subject during the lead-up to free agency. The Eagles’ reported preference was to have a Brown resolution in place by the start of the new league year, but deep into March his status is still unclear. No trade request has been issued by the three-time Pro Bowler, but talk of a move ending his Eagles tenure has been long-running and has not been quieted through the offseason. The Patriots in particular loom as landing spot many have pointed to for Brown.
Given the cap implications of working out a trade prior to June 1, an expectation has emerged that one will only take place after that date. Plenty of things can and will change from a roster-building perspective in the meantime, thanks in large part to next month’s draft. It was nevertheless recently deemed “inevitable” a trade will eventually be worked out in Brown’s case. The 28-year-old has topped 1,000 yards in each of his four Philadelphia campaigns, making him an attractive option for any number of suitors. Taking on the remainder of Brown’s contract (which runs through 2029) late in the offseason will be a challenge in most cases, though.
None of the teams on Brown’s wish list have been heavily linked to an acquisition so far. That could change, of course, but a key factor with respect to any suitor will be the trade price set by Roseman. A first-round pick and more has been seen as a requirement for the Eagles to consider moving on in this case; no offers at that level are known to have been submitted.
Philadelphia has added Marquise Brown and Elijah Moore to the WR depth chart in free agency. Moore and A.J. Brown were teammates for one year at Ole Miss, although Roseman said factors such as familiarity were not taken into consideration when the team made its offseason moves. How the team’s setup at the position shakes out will remain a storyline to monitor as the spring unfolds.
Giants Will Release K Graham Gano
7:20pm: Though the transaction has yet to be officially processed, Gano is indeed set to be released, SNY’s Connor Hughes confirms. That will end his six-year tenure in New York and leave him looking for another kicking job, provided he can stay healthy.
1:56pm: Graham Gano was limited to five games in 2025. The veteran kicker still finds himself on the Giants’ roster at this time, but it remains unlikely he will play again for the team. 
Gano is dealing with the neck injury which cut short his 2025 campaign. He has yet to recover, something which The Athletic’s Dan Duggan recently surmised was the reason a release has not yet taken place in this case. His latest piece on the matter confirms Gano is still recovering from surgery. Duggan maintains a cut will be coming at some point, but likely not until the 16-year veteran is able to pass a physical.
Due to the Injury Protection Benefit, a release followed by Gano not signing anywhere could leave the Giants with a $2.1MM cap charge, as Duggan notes. As such, the team can afford to wait until a return to full health in this case. Cutting Gano, 39 next month, any time before or after June 1 will generate $4.5MM in savings against just $1.25MM in dead money. That added flexibility will help a New York team which is currently near the bottom of the NFL in terms of cap space.
Gano has spent the past six seasons kicking for the Giants. He has largely remained one of the league’s more accurate kickers when available during that time, but injuries have increasingly become an issue. Gano has only played 23 games since the start of the 2023 campaign. To no surprise, then, the Giants were among the teams which added a kicker in free agency, signing Jason Sanders. The former Dolphin is joined by Ben Sauls on the roster.
In other roster news, Duggan notes recent addition Greg Newsome is in line to handle the starting cornerback spot vacated when Cor’Dale Flott departed on the open market. With Paulson Adebo in position to operate as a perimeter starter once again, that will relegate former first-rounder Deonte Banks to backup duties. Banks was a starter during his first two seasons, but his playing time dropped sharply in 2025. He could be in store for another year spent without a notable defensive role.
5 Key Stories: 3/22/26 – 3/29/26
The coming days will be worth watching closely as aways thanks to the annual league meeting taking place. This past week has nevertheless seen a few notable developments as well, though. Here is a quick recap of the top stories from the past few days:
- Smith-Njigba Lands Record-Breaking Seahawks Extension: One of the top Seahawks priorities for this offseason was extending former first-rounders Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Devon Witherspoon. One of those was taken care of, with Smith-Njigba agreeing to a record-breaking receiver deal. The 2025 Offensive Player of the Year landed $42.15MM in average annual value on a four-year extension. As such, he is on the books with Seattle through 2031. The pact contains over $69MM fully guaranteed at signing and ensures Smith-Njigba, 24, will remain a focal point on offense for years to come. Attention will now turn to Witherspoon, whose next contract could reset the cornerback market.
- Buccaneers Icon David Retires: The Buccaneers will be without a franchise icon at the heart of their defense in 2026. Linebacker Lavonte David announced his retirement at the age of 36, bringing an end to his 14-year career. All of that decorated span was spent with Tampa Bay, and the former second-rounder remained a foundational member of the team’s defense throughout that span. David only collected one Pro Bowl nod and a single appearance on the first All-Pro team, but he will go down as one of the best players in franchise history and one of the most accomplished linebackers of his generation. He won a Super Bowl and collected over $103MM in career earnings. The Bucs will now prepare for a season without David or Mike Evans in the fold.
- Mendoza Preparing For Raiders Selection: Since the Raiders clinched the first overall pick in April’s draft, they have been universally expected to select Fernando Mendoza. Signs continue to point in that direction, with the Heisman-winning quarterback spending time alongside Brian Griese to acclimate to the offense Vegas will be running in 2026. Mendoza has understandably scheduled a top 3o visit with the Raiders, and there will be little need for him to speak with other teams in the build-up to the draft. Vegas is in position to start over at the QB spot, and a new coaching staff along with a revamped roster will soon be officially joined by Mendoza.
- Flacco Staying With Bengals: During the early stages of free agency, Joe Flacco examined his options with respect to an opportunity to compete for a starting gig in 2026. With none presenting themselves, the journeyman made the expected decision to re-sign with the Bengals. Flacco filled in for an injured Joe Burrow midway through this past season. He will be counted on to do the same if Burrow is once again unable to remain healthy. At the age of 41, Flacco will extend his career for at least one more year. The former Super Bowl MVP has racked up 209 career appearances, and a notable QB2 role will once again be in store in his case.
- Jets Among Simpson’s Suitors: Mendoza’s situation is not subject to doubt at this point, but the draft range for fellow quarterback Ty Simpson remains the subject of considerable speculation. The Alabama product recently visited the Jets, a team in position to select a long-term option under center next month. New York owns pick Nos. 2 and 16, so there will be opportunities to bring in Simpson during the first round. Whether or not that will take place remains to be seen, and with the countdown to the draft continuing there is still a wide range of opinions on when his name will be called. Interest from the Jets and other suitors will be worth monitoring closely over the coming weeks.
Contract Talks Between 49ers, LT Trent Williams Picking Up
No resolution has been reached yet between Trent Williams and the 49ers. That situation may change in the near future. 
When speaking to the media upon arrival at this year’s league meeting, general manager John Lynch expressed optimism about a deal being struck. He said (via ESPN’s Nick Wagoner) talks between the sides have “intensified” over the past week. Progress could result in a new deal being agreed to.
Lynch added he believes the team is “on the precipice” of an agreement with Williams (h/t Matt Barrows of The Athletic). He did caution, however, that a similar level of optimism has existed previously in this situation. As things stand, Williams is under contract for one more year. The 12-time Pro Bowler is due to carry a cap charge of $46.34MM, and none of his scheduled base salary ($32.21MM) is guaranteed.
An expectation has thus long existed that an extension lowering Williams’ 2026 cap figure while supplying new locked-in money will be worked out. Since the team declined to exercise his option bonus, however, speculation has picked up about a trade being possible. As of this past Monday, the sides were believed to still be far apart. Based on Lynch’s latest comments, notable progress seems to have been made since then.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan has echoed Lynch in expressing confidence that a resolution will ultimately be found in this case. Williams, 37, has spent the past six years in the Bay Area. During that time, he has remained an anchor along the offensive line and logged-double digit appearances every time. The three-time All-Pro will be counted on to serve as a core figure once more in 2026 and quite possibly beyond depending on whether or not an extension can be agreed to.
The 49ers added a veteran tackle in the form of Vederian Lowe during the early stages of free agency. He inked a two-year pact, offering the team insurance against missed time on Williams’ part due to a contract impasse. If ongoing talks remain productive, though, San Francisco’s preferred left tackle setup will have a strong chance of being in place by the start of the 2026 season.
Ravens Optimistic DT Nnamdi Madubuike Will Recover From Neck Injury
Nnamdi Madubuike was limited to just two games in 2025. A neck injury resulted in a move to injured reserve early in the season, and it eventually became clear a return to action would not be possible by the end of the year. 
Since then, very few updates regarding Madubuike’s status have emerged. The Pro Bowl defensive tackle has offered hints a full recovery could be possible, however. It appears that feeling is in place within the organization as well. ESPN’s Jamison Hensley writes there has been “growing optimism” with respect to Madubuike being able to return.
A full recovery would of course be welcomed by all involved. Madubuike established himself as one of the league’s top pass rushing defensive linemen while playing out his rookie contract in Baltimore. He received the franchise tag in 2024 before signing an extension averaging $24.5MM per year. The former third-rounder played a full campaign during the first season of that contract, but his early 2025 neck injury resulted in a much different story.
Madubuike managing to heal in time for next season would give the Ravens a key figure back in their front seven. As things stand, making at least one DT addition via the draft is seen as a necessity. The position is thin at the moment even with Madubuike projected to be available in the future. The 28-year-old will be counted on to reprise a full-time starting role if/when he is back in the fold.
Travis Jones and Broderick Washington are also on the books for next season, although the latter could be a release candidate. Moving on from Washington would increase the need for new arrivals along the D-line over the remainder of the offseason. No free agent signings have taken place yet, while Brent Urban and Taven Bryan remain on the open market. The draft could yield at least one new option on the interior, and the Ravens’ plans on that front will no doubt be partially driven by Madubuike’s prognosis.
The Texas A&M product notched 13.5 sacks in 2023, earning a second-team All-Pro nod along the way. A return to that level of production would pay major dividends for Baltimore’s defense, and it appears that could be possible barring a setback on the health front.
LB DeAngelo Malone Visits Buccaneers
DeAngelo Malone remains on the open market at this time. The veteran linebacker is on the radar of at least one team, however. 
Malone recently met with the Buccaneers, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports. He adds no signing is imminent in this case. In the event of a deal being worked out, Malone would offer depth to Tampa Bay along with special teams experience.
The 26-year-old played out his rookie contract as a member of the Falcons. In that time, Malone totaled 58 appearances. None of them were starts, and the former third-rounder’s defensive workload was sparse after his rookie season in particular. However, Malone has logged over 1,100 snaps on special teams to date during his NFL tenure. A heavy workload with respect to third phase duties can be expected wherever he winds up in free agency.
The Buccaneers’ plan at the linebacker position will need to account for Lavonte David‘s retirement. The franchise icon elected to hang up his cleats after 14 seasons, all of them with Tampa Bay. Malone or similar free agents who are still available at this point of the offseason will obviously not be able to replace David’s consistent production on defense, but they could offer depth at the second level. The Bucs have already brought in linebackers Alex Anzalone and Christian Rozeboom since the start of the new league year.
Malone was limited to nine games in 2025, a year in which he recorded his first career interception. The Western Kentucky product also notched three sacks across his time in Atlanta, but any significant addition to that total would require a larger defensive workload than what he has handled so far in the NFL. Presuming Malone continues to be viewed strictly as a special teams option, he could remain unsigned until after the upcoming draft.
The Bucs currently have over $14MM in cap space. Any Malone contract will not require a major financial commitment, but it will be interesting to see if his visit ultimately results in a signing.
Jaguars Could Release DT Arik Armstead
The Jaguars currently sit near the bottom of the NFL in terms of cap space. Jacksonville has less than $6MM in spending power at the moment, but that figure could rise later in the offseason. 
ESPN’s Michael DiRocco identifies Arik Armstead as a potential release candidate. The veteran defensive tackle has one year remaining on his contract. None of his scheduled base salary ($14MM) is guaranteed, however, and Armstead is due to carry a cap charge of $19.39MM in 2026.
A cut at this point in the offseason would not be feasible due to the dead money it would generate. Waiting until after June 1 to proceed with a release would, on the other hand, yield $14.49MM in cap savings while incurring a dead money charge of only $4.9MM. It will be interesting to see how the Jags proceed along the defensive interior during the draft as a result.
Jacksonville already has one notable contract (DaVon Hamilton) on the books at the defensive tackle position. The team’s financial planning in the front seven also has to take into account Josh Hines-Allen‘s $28.25MM-per-year extension and a potential big-money commitment to Travon Walker. The former No. 1 pick is set to play on his fifth-year option in 2026, so working out an extension this offseason would come as little surprise in his case.
The Jaguars were the NFL’s top run defense in 2025, but they struggled to generate a consistent pass rush. Armstead contributed 5.5 sacks during his second campaign in Duval County, a notable rebound from the two he posted the year before. Armstead will again be counted on as a key presence up front provided he remains in the fold for 2026 after he logged a 60% snap share this past season. He will turn 33 midway through the 2026 campaign, though, so finding a successor via the draft would represent a reasonable approach for general manager James Gladstone and Co.
Jacksonville does not own a first-round pick thanks to the trade up for Travis Hunter last April. The Jaguars nevertheless have 11 selections as things stand, so there will be plenty of opportunities to make on or two additions to the defensive line. If that takes place, Armstead’s situation will be worth watching closely.