WR Kendrick Bourne Wants To Re-Sign With 49ers

Kendrick Bourne returned to the 49ers in 2025. The veteran wideout is set to reach the open market next month, but his preference would be to continue his second San Francisco stint.

“The year went great,” Bourne said when reflecting on his situation (video link). “Hitting free agency this year, it’s gonna be fun. I want to go back to San Fran, so that’s the plan, but it’s all got to make sense.”

After spending his first four seasons with the 49ers, Bourne wound up signing a pair of three-year contracts with the Patriots. His deal was terminated during 2025 roster cuts, however, which resulted in a brief free agency period. The 30-year-old returned to the 49ers on a one-year pact; that decision allowed him to operate as a regular presence on offense.

Bourne totaled 551 yards in 2025, recording the second-highest yards per reception average (14.9) of his career. The former UDFA did not score a touchdown, but he did enough to trigger a $500K incentive in his contract. With plenty of questions yet to be answered at the receiver spot, it would not come as a surprise if San Francisco opted for another short-term contract in this case.

During the season, Bourne was named as a likelier wideout than Jauan Jennings to be retained for 2026. Jennings is also a pending free agent, while it has been clear for quite some time Brandon Aiyuk has played his last snap for the 49ers. San Francisco’s WR depth chart also includes the likes of Ricky Pearsall, Demarcus Robinson and Jacob Cowing as things stand.

Additions could be made, and the 49ers are currently 10th in the NFL in projected cap space. That represents an unusual amount of financial flexibility for the team. Keeping Bourne in the fold would likely not require much more than a duplicate of the one-year pact he signed in the fall which contained a maximum value of $5MM. It will be interesting to see if the team reciprocates Bourne’s desire to work out another new deal.

Nasir Adderley Attempting NFL Comeback

Nasir Adderley played out his rookie contract from 2019-22. Instead of signing a new deal in free agency, however, the safety announced his retirement.

Health was cited as one of the main reasons why Adderley ended his career. No indications emerged over a notable period of time that he was contemplating a return to football. That recently changed.

“It’s now been three years since I left the NFL, and I am extremely happy with my development,” Adderley wrote in an Instagram post“Health, family, and entrepreneurship were my top priorities, and I’m proud of what I’ve been able to accomplish. The freedom to manage my own schedule was very important to me, but what I didn’t realize was how much I’d miss having football in my life. The competition, the brotherhood, and just being involved in the game that means so much to me and my family.

“Therefore, I am officially announcing my intention to return to the NFL.”

During his rookie season, Adderley only made four appearances and was not a defensive regular. The former second-rounder was a full-time starter for his final three years with the Chargers, though. Over that span, Adderley totaled 230 tackles, three interceptions and 12 pass deflections. Coverage was a sore spot in 2020 and ’21, but the Delaware product delivered much better production in that regard during his final season.

At the age of 28, Adderley could be seen as a free agent with more upside than some of the other options on the market. Of course, the length of his absence will no doubt lead to offers along the lines of a one-year, ‘prove-it’ contract. A different Chargers regime is in place than the one which drafted him, so Adderley could easily find himself playing on a new team in 2026 provided he lands an NFL gig.

RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 2/14/26

Saturday has brought about the first of what will be many tender decisions around the NFL:

ERFAs

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 LinderbaumThe 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.

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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:

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 victoryKlint 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.