Fletcher Cox Considering Retirement?
Questions have surrounded each member of the Eagles’ ‘Core Four’ in recent years as they near the end of their decorated careers. Center Jason Kelce has not officially retired, but signs continue to point in that direction. Defensive tackle Fletcher Cox could also hang up his cleats in the near future. 
The latter is expected by many to retire at some point this offseason, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports. Cox has faced an uncertain future on a few occasions during the waning stages of his Eagles tenure. He was temporarily released in a cost-cutting move in 2022 before re-joining the team on a new deal. The 33-year-old faced the possibility of departing in free agency last year, but he again elected to remain in Philadelphia.
Cox turned down outside offers to ink a one-year, $10MM Eagles contract in 2023. The structure of that pact has him in line to carry a $5.7MM cap hit in 2024 and a $10.1MM hit the following season. A post-June 1 release would yield minimal cap savings this year, but it would be necessary to avoid a $14.3MM dead cap charge by moving on from Cox without the post-June 1 designation. A new contract could, of course, be in the cards should the six-time Pro Bowler elect to continue playing.
Cox remained a full-time starter in the 2023 season, his 12th with the team; he racked up five sacks, 17 QB hits and 28 pressures. Those figures were in line with (or better than) those of recent seasons, meaning he could continue to produce if he remained in place for another campaign. In the event he hung up his cleats, though, Philadelphia would have successors in place. Over the past two years, the team has invested a first-round pick in a Georgia D-lineman (Jordan Davis in 2022, Jalen Carter in 2023).
Those two would be in line for an increase in their respective workloads from last season – 45% and 51% – if Cox were to retire. Such a development would (presuming Kelce follows through with his reported decision) leave the Eagles without a mainstay on each side of the ball. Both right tackle Lane Johnson and defensive end Brandon Graham intend to play in 2024, but it will be interesting to see if Cox is once again alongside them. If the latter does elect to end his career, he will exit the game with a Super Bowl ring and more than $128MM in earnings.
Bills Release RB Nyheim Hines
Nyheim Hines was forced to miss the 2023 campaign, and his preparation for the coming season will now come with uncertainty. Buffalo plans to release the veteran running back this week, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. A team announcement has since confirmed the move, which comes with a non-football injury designation. 
Schefter adds that Hines – who suffered a torn ACL during a jet ski incident in July – is expected to be healthy in time for training camp this summer. That positive health note could help his market to a degree, but the missed campaign will still no doubt hinder his ability to land a lucrative agreement with a new team.
This move will create $4.66MM in cap savings while incurring only $500K in dead money. It will therefore help the cap-strapped Bills in their effort to achieve compliance. Buffalo entered today in the worst financial shape in the league, on track to check in roughly $41MM over the cap ceiling. One year remained on Hines’ contract, but he will now hit the open market early.
The 27-year-old was traded from the Colts to the Bills at the deadline in 2022, and he was used sparingly on offense while serving as the team’s primary kick returner. Hines scored a pair of touchdowns in the latter respect, providing relatively high expectations for the 2023 season. His roster spot appeared to be in doubt to an extent even before suffering the injury, however.
As a result, it comes as no surprise Buffalo will move on. The team has James Cook safely atop the depth chart after he delivered a Pro Bowl season in his first opportunity as a starter. Latavius Murray, Ty Johnson and Damien Harris filled out the RB room during the season, each seeing limited opportunities. A number of players handled return duties, meanwhile, with Johnson running back the most kicks and Deonte Harty serving as the primary punt returner. A similar setup will likely be employed moving forward.
As his recovery continues, Hines will now turn his attention to free agency. A plethora of high-profile backs are set to reach the market, and it would come as a surprise if the position’s market saw a rebound from the past few years. Given his return experience and ability as a pass-catcher, though, Hines will likely have the opportunity to latch onto a roster in the hopes of carving out a role for himself. Further cost-shedding moves on Buffalo’s part will be needed as the new league year (March 13) draws nearer.
Buccaneers WR Mike Evans Seeking $25MM Per Season?
MARCH 2: Evans’ agent informed Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz that the high-profile wideout has no desire to play with a rookie contract on his next deal. That comes as no surprise given his age, though a Bucs-Mayfield agreement being worked out would make that condition a moot one if he were to remain in Tampa Bay.
Several outside suitors will no doubt be interested in Evans, but Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reports the Texans will not be among them. If Houston is to make a big-money offensive investment (comparatively speaking), the team is expected to focus more on the running back position than a top-end pass catcher.
MARCH 1, 7:43pm: Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports that Evans now plans to hit free agency for the first time in his career. The ten-year veteran may still end up a life-long Buccaneer, but he fully intends to field offers from around the NFL. Despite ongoing discussions with Tampa Bay, Evans wants to keep his options open before deciding if he wants to return.
12:01pm: With Baker Mayfield in line for a multi-year contract and Antoine Winfield Jr. likely to receive the franchise tag, Mike Evans faces the distinct possibility of testing free agency later this month. The Buccaneers intend to keep all three members of that trio in the fold, but the latter could come with a hefty price tag. 
Evans is aiming for a deal with an annual average value in the $25MM range, NFL Network’s Jeffri Chadhia reports. Securing a figure of that magnitude on a third contract would come as a surprise, as only four wideouts average $25MM or more on their current deals. Given his age (31 at the start of the 2024 season), Evans will likely be hard-pressed to command a new pact that close to the top of the market.
Still, his play remained at a Pro Bowl level in 2023, the first with Mayfield at quarterback. Evans posted 1,255 yards – his highest total since 2018 – and tied for the league lead with 13 touchdowns. Having topped the 1,000-yard mark in each of his 10 seasons, the second-team All-Pro will provide a high floor to the Buccaneers or a new team next season. A short-term pact in particular could prove to be a sound investment for Tampa Bay or an outside suitor.
At a minimum, Evans’ next deal can be expected to comfortably outpace the $16.5MM AAV of his previous one. That five-year accord provided major value to the Buccaneers, but the top of the market has surged in recent years. That trend could continue in 2024 with Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase and Amon-Ra St. Brown among the young wideouts eligible for mega-deals. Each member of that trio would be expected to command a more lucrative pact than Evans, but the latter could still generate a notable market for himself.
The Texas A&M alum went up until the start of last season during contract talks with the Buccaneers, but no agreement was reached. Reports from last month stated the sides are not close after the latest round of negotiations, meaning Evans could at least test the market once the new league year begins. Further clarity on Mayfield and Winfield (and, as such, Tampa Bay’s cap situation) will likely be in place by that point. It will be interesting to see where Evans’ asking price checks in during talks with the Buccaneers or other interested parties over the coming days and weeks.
Dolphins Prepared To Tag DT Christian Wilkins; CB Xavien Howard Reunion In Play
The Dolphins have work to do in the near future to achieve cap compliance, and a pair of notable defenders in Christian Wilkins and Xavien Howard could find themselves playing elsewhere next season. In both players’ cases, though, a continued Miami tenure cannot be ruled out. 
Wilkins profiles as a top franchise tag candidate given his importance to the Dolphins’ defensive front. The former first-rounder is on track for free agency after extension talks were tabled until after the 2023 campaign. Wilkins certainly helped his value by recording career-highs in sacks (nine), QB hits (23) and pressures (30) this year. As was the case previously, he could therefore join the list of defensive tackles landing lucrative second contracts.
The position’s market saw a new second tier emerge below Aaron Donald during the 2023 offseason. Jeffery Simmons, Dexter Lawrence, Ed Oliver and Quinnen Williams secured new pacts after Daron Payne hammered out an agreement with the Commanders following the team’s decision to tag him. Miami would be hit with a $22.1MM cap charge with a Wilkins tag.
To no surprise, general manager Chris Grier noted at the Combine that a franchise tag remains a consideration in Wilkins’ case (h/t Adam Beasley of Pro Football Network). Using it would further complicate Miami’s cap situation, but it would ensure he would not be able to test the market in free agency once the new league year begins. A long-term deal would be an obvious team priority, and it would lower his 2024 cap figure. Tagged players can continue negotiating extensions until mid-July before being forced to play on the one-year tender.
Grier also noted that the door is still open to cornerback Xavien Howard remaining with the Dolphins on a new deal. Miami informed the veteran last month that he will be released in a cost-cutting move, but not until the new league year opens on March 13. A post-June 1 designation would be necessary for the Dolphins to see notable cap savings. As a result, time could still exist for both parties to come to a new agreement.
Howard’s release would save $18.5MM presuming it proves to be one of the two post-June 1 cuts teams are allowed each offseason. An agreement eating into that total would come as a surprise, but the 30-year-old would still be a capable member of Miami’s secondary if he were to be retained. One of the league’s top ballhawks during his Dolphins tenure, Howard recorded only one interception in 2023, though, and the team already has Jalen Ramsey on the books for the next two seasons at a significant cap hit.
Miami will be a team to watch over the coming days as the franchise tag deadline (March 5) and the start of free agency approaches. Further clarity on the team’s plans with Wilkins and Howard will be in place soon as Miami seeks to improve in general on defense compared to last year’s showing.
Cowboys WR Michael Gallup Facing Uncertain Future
Michael Gallup has spent his entire six-year career with the Cowboys, but his tenure in Dallas could be coming to an end soon. The veteran wideout faces the possibility of being released as part of the team’s cost-cutting maneuvers. 
[RELATED: Cowboys Unlikely To Re-Sign Tyron Smith]
Gallup is a release candidate, Pro Football Network’s Adam Caplan notes. Three seasons remain on his current pact, a five-year, $57.5MM deal inked following the expiration of his rookie contract. The former third-rounder does not have any of his base salaries over that span guaranteed at this point, but that will soon change with respect to the coming season. A $4MM injury guarantee is set to vest on March 18, locking in a portion of his $8.5MM salary for 2024.
Dallas restructured Gallup’s deal last offseason, and he is now scheduled to carry a cap hit of $13.85MM this season; that figure will jump to $15.85MM in 2025 and ’26. A release before June 1 would not be feasible given the dead cap charge it would induce ($13.05MM), but moving on from the 27-year-old after that date would create $9.5MM in savings against $4.35MM in dead money for 2024.
Cowboys officials met with Gallup’s agent at the Combine, Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News reports. He adds that no decision has been made regarding the Colorado State product’s future with the team, but moving on would create much-needed financial flexibility (albeit not until June 2) in an offseason where Dallas has a number of critical decisions to make. A Dak Prescott extension and monster deals for CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons are on the organizational to-do list in 2024 and into the near future. A Gallup release would also represent a cost-shedding move with a complementary element of the team’s passing game.
The vertical threat showcased his ability with an 1,107-yard campaign in his second season, but he has failed to match that production since. Gallup drew 218 targets between 2019-20, but in the three years following that stretch he has received 193. After seeing a relatively steady workload for four years as a full-time starter, he saw his snap share fall to 52% in 2023 (the lowest mark of his career). Moving on from Gallup could allow Dallas to pursue a less expensive secondary WR option one year after being connected to a sizable skill-position addition.
Lamb delivered a franchise record-setting season last year with 135 catches and 1,749 yards. Veteran pickup Brandin Cooks finished second in terms of receiver production, but he, along with tight end Jake Ferguson and running back Tony Pollard saw a larger share of the passing attack than Gallup. One more season removed from an ACL tear, the latter may remain resigned to ranking no more than third or fourth (at best) in the pecking order if Dallas elected to keep him in the fold.
In the event Gallup is let go, Watkins reports he could have a healthy free agent market. A reduced workload has weakened his overall production, but over the past three seasons he has averaged a 36-429 statline while scoring eight total touchdowns. His catch percentage has also remained roughly in line with his career average (55.5%), so he would constitute a known commodity on the open market. The question of if he is forced to find a deal with a new team will be worth watching as free agency approaches.
Russell Wilson Reiterates Desire To Remain With Broncos; Team Expected To Proceed With Release
MARCH 2: As Wilson and Payton’s comments on the matter have continually suggested, the Broncos are expected to move forward with a release. Dianna Russini of The Athletic notes the belief around the league remains that Wilson will be cut by next week (subscription required). The Broncos and all other teams will need to have their financial situations in order in time for the start of the new league year on March 13.
FEBRUARY 26: The quarterback position is one worth watching in Denver this offseason. The Broncos appear poised to move on from Russell Wilson (and absorb major dead cap charges in the process), but the former Super Bowl winner is still open to remaining with the team. 
The Broncos benched Wilson once a playoff berth was essentially out of reach, leading to questions about his future in the organization after just two seasons and one under head coach Sean Payton. Wilson was approached by the team about restructuring his contract and threatened to be benched if he refused to alter his injury guarantee. He remained the starter for a short time afterwards, and no changes have been made yet to his pact.
During a recent appearance on the I Am Athlete podcast, Wilson repeated that he was not prepared to set a precedent by delaying the point at which his $37MM injury guarantee for the 2025 season would vest (h/t ESPN’s Jeff Legwold). The nine-time Pro Bowler notably added that Payton told him to “act like nothing happened” in advance of the team’s win over the Bills on November 13; indeed, reports on the timing of the matter did not emerge until the news of Wilson’s benching broke.
The Broncos would face major cap consequences by releasing Wilson immediately or designating him a post-June 1 cut. He is still likely to be playing elsewhere in 2024, however, as Denver prepares to move forward with Jarrett Stidham or, potentially, a first-round selection in April’s draft under center. If Wilson has his way, though, he will remain in the Mile High City for 2024 and beyond.
“I’ve got more fire than ever, honestly, especially over the past two years of what I’ve gone through,” the 35-year-old told Brandon Marshall on the podcast. “Whether it’s in Denver or somewhere else, I hope it’s in Denver, I hope I get to finish there. I committed there, I wanted to be there. I want to be there.”
While Wilson has maintained a consistent public stance on the matter, Legwold reports he nevertheless “expects” to find himself in a new home shortly. The guaranteed money owed by Denver could make Wilson a low-cost addition to a team in need of a quarterback addition, and it will be interesting to see how much of a market he generates should he become a free agent. His preference would still be to avoid that, but a third Broncos campaign would come as a surprise at this point.
TE Darren Waller Contemplating Retirement
TODAY, 8:50am: Not so fast. Waller is still considering retirement and is “undecided” on his NFL future, per Schwartz and Dunleavy. The New York Post duo add that the Giants were “convinced” that Waller was returning following a conversation with his agent, Drew Rosenhaus. Now, they’re facing the prospect of having to find a new tight end for next season.
FRIDAY, 12:45pm: Things did not go according to plan for the Giants or Darren Waller in 2023. After the veteran tight end gave thought to hanging up his cleats, though, he will remain in New York for at least one more season. 
Waller was acquired via trade from the Raiders last March. Vegas had grown frustrated with his injury troubles during his time with the team, and the move provided an opportunity to start over. However, hamstring issues continued to lead to missed time, and the 31-year-old was limited to 12 games with the Giants.
Paul Schwartz and Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post report Waller contemplated retirement following another frustrating campaign. The former Pro Bowler managed 52 catches for 552 yards and one touchdown in his debut New York season, figures which fell well short of his best years with the Raiders. Poor play along the offensive line quarterback injuries hampered the team as well, of course, but few would argue with Waller being a cut candidate given his contract status and injury history.
In spite of that, the Post reports notes that the Giants will retain him for 2024. Waller has three more years on his deal, but none of his base salary is guaranteed in that span. He is due to carry cap hits ranging from $14MM to $17.5MM between now and 2026, and in the next two seasons a release would yield notable cap savings. The same would also be true if the Giants moved on via a Post-June 1 designation this year, but they will instead keep Waller in the fold for another season.
Dunleavy adds that New York has been connected to a free agent move at the tight end spot this offseason. A veteran backup could complement Waller’s skillset while providing insurance against further missed time. If no agreement is worked out on that front, the Giants also have 2022 fourth-rounder Daniel Bellinger in place on his rookie contract.
Adding at the skill positions will be a major priority for New York this offseason, regardless of if a Daniel Jones successor is drafted or Saquon Barkley is retained. A bounce-back season from Waller would go a long way in leading the team to an improved showing on offense, and he will have the opportunity to deliver one in 2024.
Commanders Release LT Charles Leno
Cost-cutting season continues around the NFL. Left tackle Charles Leno has been told by the Commanders that he is being released, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. The team has since announced the move.
As Rapoport notes, Leno is set to undergo hip surgery next week. That procedure will no doubt be a factor in determining his free agent value, just as it played a role in today’s move. The 32-year-old was limited to 13 games this season (his fewest since his rookie season), and he ended the year on injured reserve due to a calf injury.
Leno began his career with a seven-year Bears stint. He initially came to the nation’s capital on a one-year pact, but he had been attached to a three-year, $37.5MM extension inked in 2022. One year remained on that contract, and he was due $12MM in 2024. With none of his base salary guaranteed, however, Leno profiled as a release candidate for this offseason.
Releasing the former Pro Bowler now will generate $7.28MM in cap space while incurring a dead cap charge of $8.25MM. Designating Leno a post-June 1 cut, by contrast, would yield $11.78MM in savings and a much smaller dead money figure. Washington would not see that added flexibility until June, though, well after the initial waves of free agency. Already armed with considerable cap space, the team will be able to handle an immediate release and remain in position to spend big on the open market.
Leno remained a consistent performer along the blindside during his Commanders tenure. He earned a PFF grade of at least 71.6 in each campaign with the team, drawing strong marks for pass protection in particular. That remained the case in 2023, when he ranked 28th overall out of 81 qualifying tackles. With the former seventh-rounder now out of the picture, though, the LT spot could see notable turnover in Washington this offseason.
Fellow veteran Cornelius Lucas – who filled in as a starter to close out the season after Leno was shut down – is a pending free agent. Both he and Leno could thus be playing elsewhere next season, leaving the Commanders in search of replacements along the blindside. Improvement up front will be a major priority for the offseason, after quarterback Sam Howell was sacked a league-leading 65 times in 2023.
The Commanders have former UDFAs Julian Good-Jones and Alex Akingbulu under contract for next season. The same is also true of Braeden Daniels, who was drafted in the fourth round last April but spent his entire rookie campaign on injured reserve. Washington will have the cap space to pursue a veteran O-lineman or two to supplement the team’s in-house options, as well as draft capital to make a long-term investment up front. Meanwhile, Leno will turn his attention to his operation and, following that, his free agent market.
Eagles To Release S Kevin Byard
Kevin Byard joined the Eagles as a trade acquisition in 2023, but his time with the franchise has proven to be quite short. The veteran safety is being released, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. 
Byard enjoyed a productive seven-plus seasons with the Titans, but his future in the organization faced questions entering the 2023 campaign. He wound up beginning the year in Tennessee, but he was dealt to the Eagles not long before the trade deadline. The move allowed the Titans to continue moving on from veteran contracts while providing Philadelphia an experienced option in the secondary. One year remained on Byard’s pact, but instead he will now hit the open market.
The 30-year-old was due $14.1MM in 2024, but very little of it was guaranteed. Today’s move will generate just over $13MM in cap savings for the Eagles and a dead cap charge of only $1.39MM. As the Eagles look to rebuild a defense which struggled down the stretch in particular last season, that added financial flexibility will be welcomed in advance of free agency.
Byard remained a full-time starter in the regular season with the Eagles, as was the case during the team’s wild-card loss. He recorded one interception, three pass deflections and 80 total tackles in that span, production which could allow him to land a short-term deal as a veteran contributor. The two-time All-Pro has nevertheless seen his ball production decline in recent years, something which will hurt his market value as he joins a number of veteran safeties in search of a new home.
Eddie Jackson, Tracy Walker and Marcus Maye have each been released by their respective teams in cost-shedding moves. The same is now true of Byard, meaning several experienced options will be available in free agency (compared to relatively few young producers at the safety spot, particularly if Antoine Winfield Jr. is franchise-tagged by the Buccaneers). After including Terrell Edmunds in the package to acquire Byard, meanwhile, the Eagles will be a team to watch with respect to an addition at the position.
Philadelphia only has Sydney Brown and Reed Blankenship under contract for 2024 at the moment. Justin Evans is a pending free agent, and he could join Byard in finding a new team in the near future. Today’s move will leave the Eagles with roughly $42MM in cap space, which will allow them the flexibility to pursue an upgrade on the backend. For Byard, it will be interesting to see how strong of a market develops as he prepares to likely join a third team in his career.
Latest On Patriots’ QB Plans
MARCH 1: Providing a rebuttal to the MassLive report, Andrew Callahan and Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald write that no multi-step plan has been agreed upon and communicated throughout the Patriots’ organization. Nevertheless, they corroborate the overwhelming expectation around the league that New England will keep the No. 3 pick and use it on a quarterback of the future. The team’s actions aside from taking that route will of course be interesting to follow.
FEBRUARY 29: With a new regime in place and the opportunity to add a franchise passer in the draft, the Patriots will be a team to watch closely as the offseason unfolds. Trading out of the No. 3 slot remains a possibility, of course, but New England could favor remaining near the top of the board and adding one of the top signal-callers in the 2024 class. 
The Patriots have “explored their options” with respect to free agent quarterbacks, Chad Graff and Jeff Howe of The Athletic report (subscription required). It remains the team’s preference, however, to make a long-term investment at the position through the draft, they add. Caleb Williams is likely to go first overall (provided the Bears move on from Justin Fields), which will leave the Commanders and Patriots with Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels to choose from in the second and third slots.
The Athletic report confirms Eliot Wolf – now in charge of roster decisions – values QB traits which align with Maye and Daniels. It adds that the second tier of passers in this year’s class (J.J. McCarthy, Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr.) could each be off the board by the next time New England picks at 34th overall. That could provide further incentive to remain at No. 3 and take the top available signal-caller.
Providing further detail on the subject, MassLive’s Karen Guregian and Chris Mason report the Patriots have a three-step plan in place at the QB spot. They corroborate that the first of those steps is selecting a passer third overall, although the second phase involves signing a veteran in free agency. The addition of a bridge option like Gardner Minshew, Jacoby Brissett or Ryan Tannehill would allow the newly-drafted rookie to begin his career on the sidelines. The Packers (with whom Wolf spent considerable time prior to his Patriots tenure) have allowed first-round quarterbacks to sit behind established starters in the case of both Aaron Rodgers and Jordan Love, though New England’s situation will of course be different if an experienced option arrives via free agency.
With respect to Mac Jones, the Athletic report confirms a trade is seen around the league as something which would represent the best outcome for both team and player. The former first-rounder has struggled over the past two seasons, and moving on would allow him to attempt to re-build his value in a new environment. Guregian and Mason note a Jones trade is indeed the final step in the Patriots’ plan for the offseason.
After bottoming out during Bill Belichick‘s final season at the helm of the franchise, the Patriots have a number of other roster holes to consider filling in free agency and the draft. Seen as being much more than one quarterback away from contention, a move down the board would yield extra draft capital and likely allow for an addition at the receiver or tackle spot. If the team’s evaluation of Maye and Daniels checks out in the coming weeks, though, it would come as no surprise if one of them ultimately became New England’s top option.
Belichick’s evaluation of the 2024 class produced an affinity for Daniels, NFL Network’s Bridget Condon reports (video link). While that is essentially a moot point with Wolf and new head coach Jerod Mayo now tasked with overseeing New England’s rebuild, it will be interesting to see if their examination of the top prospects yields a similar conclusion. In any case, the Patriots remain on track to have at least one new face in the QB room in 2024.