RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 2/14/26
Saturday has brought about the first of what will be many tender decisions around the NFL:
ERFAs
- Tendered: T Austen Pleasants (49ers)
Pleasants made 15 appearances and logged 125 offensive snaps in 2025. Both of those were career highs, making it an easy decision for the 49ers to retain him. The tender will be worth just over $1MM since Pleasants has only accrued one season in the NFL to date.
Ravens Eyeing C Connor McGovern As Potential Tyler Linderbaum Replacement?
The list of pending Ravens free agents is topped by center Tyler Linderbaum. The three-time Pro Bowler has loomed as a target for a second Baltimore contract, but nothing has been finalized yet. 
As of November, team and player were not close to reaching an extension agreement. The top of the center market is currently $18MM per year, set in 2024 when Creed Humphrey signed his new Chiefs deal. Linderbaum could very well set a new watermark at the position, but it remains to be seen if his next contract will come from the Ravens or an outside suitor.
SportsBoom’s Jason La Canfora reports the Ravens are receiving “contract rejections” during negotiations with Linderbaum’s camp. The former first-rounder said immediately after Baltimore’s season ended he wanted to continue playing for the team that drafted him. Given the Ravens’ expected decision of declining Linderbaum’s fifth-year option last year, however, they left the door open to a departure in the spring.
Per La Canfora, there are “underlying medical concerns” to be taken into account in this case as well. Linderbaum faced some questions about his size entering the NFL, but through his first four seasons he has missed only two games. Durability and a consistent level of play will help the 25-year-old cash in during his first trip to the open market (provided he makes it there). A new Ravens agreement could be worked out at any time between now and the start of the new league year, but a cap-reducing Lamar Jackson extension remains priority No. 1 for the team.
In the event Linderbaum departs, Baltimore appears to have a replacement in mind. La Canfora points to Connor McGovern as a veteran who could be acquired in free agency. McGovern has made 78 starts in his career between time in Dallas and Buffalo. The 28-year-old has been a steady presence on the Bills’ offensive line since his arrival in 2023. Buffalo inked McGovern to a three-year, $22.35MM deal during free agency in 2023.
A pact along those lines would certainly carry a much lower AAV than the one Linderbaum will soon be attached to. The guard position will likely be subject to change for Baltimore over the course of the offseason, but the team’s approach at center will be worth watching closely.
NFL Mailbag: RBs, Cowboys, Patriots, HOF
This week's edition of the PFR mailbag looks into a pair of running back franchise tag possibilities. It also answers questions on the Cowboys' spring priorities, the Patriots' offseason plans and one of the top defensive players yet to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame.
Nathan asks:
Do you expect Breece Hall to be franchise-tagged? Will the Seahawks, especially with [Zach] Charbonnet's injury, turn to the tag to make sure Kenneth Walker stays?
Franchise tag figures for 2026 aren’t finalized yet, but the running back cost is currently projected to be roughly $14.5MM. That is the lowest total for any position other than kickers, punters and long snappers, meaning the tag will once again be an attractive option for teams.
Browns Request DC Interview With Cory Undlin
Cory Undlin has long been seen as a top defensive coordinator candidate for the Browns. He has already been in contact with the team, and an interview will soon take place. 
A request has been submitted, Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reports. Undlin is currently in place with the Texans as their defensive pass-game coordinator. He has not yet been connected to any other DC vacancies, but interest from Cleveland is understandable. The 54-year-old worked with the Browns from 2005-08. He held a number of titles over the course of that span, working on defense and special teams along the way.
Since his Cleveland departure, Undlin has seen time with the Jaguars, Broncos, Eagles, Lions, 49ers and Texans. He served as Detroit’s defensive coordinator in 2020, although the team ranked last in scoring and total defense that season. Undlin nevertheless has plenty of experience working with defensive backs at the NFL level, and he is a familiar option to pair with new head coach Todd Monken.
The two did not overlap during their respective stints in Cleveland. However, Monken and Undlin worked together in Jacksonville for two seasons. Undlin also has experience working under ex-Browns DC Jim Schwartz, having won a Super Bowl with him in Philadelphia. If the Browns intend to essentially duplicate Schwartz’s scheme in 2026, bringing in Undlin would be a reasonable approach.
Cabot also notes a defensive coordinator interview took place with Mike Rutenberg yesterday. The Falcons’ defensive pass-game coordinator is one of several staffers connected to the opening in Cleveland with Schwartz opting to resign upon not landing the head coaching gig. Here is an updated look at where things stand:
- Ephraim Banda, safeties coach (Browns): Interviewed 2/7
- Charlie Bullen, defensive pass-game coordinator (Giants): Interview requested
- Jonathan Cooley, defensive pass-game coordinator (Panthers): Interview requested
- Aubrey Pleasant, defensive pass-game coordinator (Rams): Interviewed 2/9
- Mike Rutenberg, defensive pass-game coordinator (Falcons): Interviewed 2/11
- Jason Tarver, linebackers coach (Browns): Interviewed 2/7
- Cory Undlin, defensive pass-game coordinator (Texans): Interviewe requested
- Dino Vasso, defensive backs coach (Texans): Mentioned as candidate; withdrew from search
Packers’ Jordan Morgan Likely To See Time At LT In 2026
When Jordan Morgan entered the league two years ago, he faced uncertainty regarding his best position at the NFL level. The former first-rounder could be in line to handle left tackle duties next season. 
The Packers have used Rasheed Walker on the blindside for each of the past three years. His rookie contract is set to expire in March, however, and a free agent departure is likely. That would leave Green Bay in need of a new left tackle, and trying Morgan at the position in 2026 is an option the team will explore.
“Certainly he’s going to get a lot of opportunity,” general manager Brian Gutekunst said (via Matt Schneidman The Athletic) of Morgan’s chances to replace Walker at LT. “I thought he played really well in the preseason at that spot — probably did enough to win that job — but then we had some injuries and [we] had to do what was best for the team.
“So we’ll kind of see how it goes, but I think he’s excited, probably, to hunker down in one spot, as well, but that’s not always the case in the National Football League.”
Morgan played left tackle during his college career. The Arizona product has seen limited time on the blindside during the preseason in his NFL career; he also started at left tackle in Week 18 of the 2025 campaign when the Packers rested several starters. Moving from guard to tackle on a full-time basis will be a challenge if it winds up taking place. Morgan has seen some time at four OL positions to date, but his largest workloads have come at right and left guard.
2025 free agent signing Aaron Banks is in line to continue operating at the left guard spot next season. Anthony Belton – who also has tackle experience dating back to his college career – won the right guard gig during his rookie season. Experimenting with Belton on the blindside could be an option, but keeping him at RG would allow for Morgan to settle into a full-time role at one spot.
A decision on the fifth-year option for Morgan, 24, will need to be made next spring. Green Bay’s direction on that front will be heavily influenced by his level of play in 2026. Next season could see him take on a full-time role at the left tackle spot. Failure to do so would leave Morgan’s Green Bay future uncertain and require the team to explore other options on the blindside.
Jets Expected To Be Aggressive During Free Agency
The Jets went 3-14 during the first year of the Aaron Glenn-Darren Mougey era. The success of that tandem in bringing in roster upgrades will be critical if improvements are to be made in 2026. 
A key first step in that process will of course be free agency. It appears as though New York will be one of the teams worth watching closely come March. The Jets are expected to be “among the league’s more aggressive” suitors when it comes to free agent additions, SNY’s Connor Hughes reports.
That comes as little surprise. The Jets are currently fourth in the NFL in projected cap space with more than $83MM in available funds. That figure will change once the 2026 salary cap is finalized and cost-cutting season gets underway, but it should leave Mougey with considerable flexibility on the open market. At least one or two notable additions could be worked out shortly after the new league year begins.
Of course, finding replacements for cornerback Sauce Gardner and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams – both of whom were traded away at the 2025 deadline – will be a priority. That could take place during the draft, however, depending on how the market takes shape. The Jets are also in position to target a quarterback addition. Tyrod Taylor is open to re-signing with New York, but Justin Fields is unlikely to remain in place for next year.
As Hughes notes, Glenn’s job security is viewed around the league as being on shaky ground. That, coupled with the lack of a long-term plan under center, could create challenges when attempting to bring in certain free agents. On the other hand, a desirable situation from a salary cap standpoint should put the Jets in a strong position to win a bidding war in at least some cases.
In addition to finding a new QB1 along with starting-caliber options at the receiver spot and potentially running back (if Breece Hall departs), the Jets will look for defensive upgrades after finishing 32rd in points allowed in 2025. Glenn has made a number changes to his coaching staff, and he could be at the helm of a much different roster relatively soon.
Seahawks Sale Expected To Produce Record-Setting Price
The Seahawks’ Super Bowl parade took place on Wednesday. The team’s attention will now turn to matters such as filling out its 2026 coaching staff. 
In the meantime, a sale of the franchise will remain something to monitor closely. The Seahawks are required to be sold per the terms of late owner Paul Allen‘s estate, which is controlled by his sister Jody. A agreement sometime this offseason is expected to be pursued by all parties.
The league is operating with urgency on this front, NFL Network’s Judy Battista notes (video link). She adds the sale process could begin in time for the annual league meetings in March. Jody Allen is also overseeing the sale of the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers, with an agreement already in place in that regard. If/when the Seahawks are purchased, a record-breaking figure can be expected.
Bidding on the Seahawks could reach a figure between $9 and $11 billion, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports. That would easily set a new highmark for the value of sports franchises. The most recent sale of an NFL team came when Josh Harris purchased the Commanders in 2023. The price tag in that case was $6.05 billion. A long list of bidders showing interest in the Seahawks could of course result in a much larger figure this time around.
Jeff Bezos is not expected to be a major suitor to purchase the franchise, Florio confirms. The Amazon founder has long been mentioned as a logical candidate to take on ownership duties, but many have expressed doubt he will show interest in making a bid. The emergence of other suitors will be something to monitor as the sales process gets underway.
There has been recent reporting of a $5MM fine being issued to the Seahawks by the NFL for a lack of compliance with ownership requirements. Per Florio, the league – which denied the reports – agreed not to impose the fine in exchange for a firm commitment from the team to proceed with the sale. As a result, a number of developments could take place over the course of the 2026 offseason.
Seahawks Arrange Interviews With Four Internal OC Candidates
In the aftermath of Seattle’s Super Bowl victory, Klint Kubiak‘s departure became official. The Seahawks’ 2025 offensive coordinator will take charge of the Raiders next season. 
As a result, head coach Mike Macdonald finds himself in need of a new OC for the third time in as many years. At least some external candidates will receive a look, but Kubiak’s replacement has a strong chance of coming from within the organization. The team will conduct four in-house interviews over the coming days.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports Seattle will interview quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko, pass-game coordinator Jake Peetz, run-game specialist Justin Outten and tight ends coach Mack Brown. Their interviews will take place tomorrow and Friday. Each of them have been floated as logical targets for the Seahawks as a Kubiak replacement. Of course, every member of that quartet is also a candidate to follow Kubiak from Seattle to Las Vegas.
Janocko in particular is a name to watch in the Raiders’ case. The outcome of his Seahawks interview will be critical as a result as Kubiak aims to build his staff deep into the 2026 hiring cycle. Janocko, 37, previously worked with Kubiak in New Orleans. Provided the two continue their working relationship in a new setting once more, Seattle’s attention will turn elsewhere.
Peetz, 40, has worked in a number of roles over the course of his coaching career. He has previously been an offensive coordinator in college (LSU, 2021) but not at the NFL level. Outten had a one-year OC stint with the Broncos in 2022. The 42-year-old has also served in several other capacities over time. Brown was hired as part of Macdonald’s initial staff following five years with the Jets. He split his time between work on offense and defense over that time.
The Rooney Rule requires teams to conduct at least one in-person interview with an external minority candidate before making a coordinator hire. The list of staffers Seattle looks into will grow as a result, but the team’s attention will be aimed largely at in-house options.
WR Miles Boykin Retires
Roughly eight years after entering the NFL, Miles Boykin will turn his attention elsewhere. The veteran wideout announced his retirement on Instagram Wednesday. 
“I’m beyond grateful for the sport of football!” Boykin wrote. “Thanks to my coaches, teammates, and fans for their support. My family and friends, I appreciate your constant encouragement. This sport has taught me so many lessons and I don’t know where I would be without it!
I’m excited for this new chapter in my life and can’t wait to see where it takes me!”
Over the course of his three-year college career, Boykin emerged as an intriguing receiver prospect based on his combination of size and speed. A strong junior campaign ultimately resulted in the Ravens trading up to select him in the third round of the 2019 draft. Boykin operated as a key figure on Baltimore’s renovated receiving corps during his first two seasons, but he not develop as hoped.
Across 40 regular-season Ravens games, Boykin managed seven touchdowns but recorded only 33 receptions. In April 2022, the Notre Dame product was waived. The Steelers put in a claim and set up a two-year Boykin run in Pittsburgh. During his time with a second AFC North franchise, Boykin played sparingly on offense but established himself as a core special teams presence. After a one-year Steelers pact expired following the 2023 campaign, he did not see any further action in the regular season.
Boykin saw time on the practice squads of the Giants, Seahawks and Bears during recent years. He could have spent this coming summer once again competing for a roster spot, but he will instead turn his attention to post-playing pursuits at the age of 29. In all, Boykin made a combined total of 77 combined regular and postseason appearances from his time in Baltimore and Pittsburgh. He amassed roughly $7MM in career earnings.
Lamar Jackson Participated In HC, OC Search Process; Ravens Extension Still Being Targeted
With much of their coaching staff now in place, attention in the Ravens’ case will increasingly turn toward free agency. Several internal decisions will need to be made, and working out a new Lamar Jackson extension remains a priority. 
Since Jackson’s 2023 extension was signed, this offseason has loomed as the logical point for a new pact to be worked out. 2026 is scheduled to include a $74.5MM cap charge in his case without an adjustment of some kind. A restructure could be an option, but flattening that cap figure by means of an extension prior to the start of free agency is still seen as Baltimore’s goal.
Any thoughts about a potential Jackson trade can be put to rest, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo notes (video link). A swap would of course come as a major surprise with Jackson being on the books for another two years. The franchise once again illustrated how central the two-time MVP is in a number of areas of its operation during recent weeks. Jackson took part during the first (virtual) round of head coaching interviews, per Garafolo. He also confirms the Ravens’ offensive coordinator search included input from Jackson.
Baltimore took the route many expected by hiring Jesse Minter as head coach. The highly-acclaimed defensive mind will calls plays on that side of the ball, leaving much on the shoulders of his first OC. Declan Doyle departed Chicago after a one-year Bears stint. The 29-year-old did not call plays while working under Ben Johnson, and the ability to do so with the Ravens drove his decision to head to Baltimore. Needless to say, the connection between Doyle and Jackson will be something to watch closely as the 2026 season plays out.
Immediate success will be the expectation for Minter and the rest of his staff as Baltimore looks to return to the postseason next year. A clean slate on the health front will be a major goal for Jackson, who missed four games in 2025 and was limited in others while dealing with various injuries. By the time his age-29 campaign begins, another new contract at or near the top of the quarterback market could very well be in hand.