Patriots To Pick Up Christian Gonzalez’s Fifth-Year Option; Sides Discussing Extension
As expected, the Patriots will commit to Christian Gonzalez for the 2027 campaign. Mike Vrabel told reporters today that the organization intends to pick up the star cornerback’s fifth-year option.
“Yes,” Vrabel said (via Mark Daniel of MassLive.com). “If we haven’t picked it up, we should pick it up.”
Gonzalez has established himself as one of the league’s premier defensive backs, so it’s not a surprise that the Patriots are willing to lock in the former first-round pick’s $18.1MM earnings for the 2027 season. While this move was a certainty, it remains to be seen if the franchise will pony up the necessary money to sign Gonzalez to a long-term extension. For what it’s worth, Vrabel hinted today that the Patriots were interested in a long-term arrangement with their defensive leader.
“We want to make sure that we draft extremely well, and then we identify the guys that we want to keep with us and that have earned long-term extensions with us,” Vrabel said. “And Christian, Gonzo is certainly one of those players, but I can’t comment on the negotiations.”
The Patriots will have to pay up if they hope to sign Gonzalez for the long haul. The 23-year-old will surely point to the two lucrative CB extensions that were handed out last offseason: Derek Stingley Jr.‘s three-year, $90MM deal (including $89MM guaranteed) and Sauce Gardner‘s four-year, $120.4MM contract ($60MM guaranteed). Even if Gonzalez slides in just under his two peers, his next contract will certainly represent one of the highest (if not the highest) cap hit on the Patriots.
Gonzalez is certainly deserving of a spot on the CB earnings leaderboard. The former 17th-overall pick followed up his All-Pro showing in 2024 with another standout campaign in 2025. Pro Football Focus credited him with allowing 46 catches on 106 targets, leading to 498 yards (including playoffs). Gonzalez was also one of New England’s lone standouts during their Super Bowl LX loss, with the cornerback making some timely stops while allowing a single 16-yard catch. PFF ultimately ranked the Pro Bowl defender 13th among corners last season.
While the two sides will have to settle on a number, it sounds like they’re both interested in extending the partnership. In addition to Vrabel’s statement today, Gonzalez previously expressed interest in sticking with the franchise. Owner Robert Kraft also stated his hope that the two sides would agree to a deal, while front office leader Eliot Wolf noted Gonzalez’s important role on the defense.
“There’s no secret we’d like to get something done with him,” Wolf said on the Up & Adams Show (via Daniels). “He’s a great talent. He’s one of the best players at his position in the NFL. He’s developing as a leader… He’s really just scratching the surface. He’s already up there as an elite talent, and we think he can improve even more.”
Packers Interested In Kirk Cousins
MARCH 31: Gutekunst noted (via Schneidman) it is “certainly a possibility” Ridder and McCord will simply compete amongst each other for the backup gig. If one or both of those two show encouraging signs over the course of offseason work, Green Bay’s interest in Cousins may begin to wane.
MARCH 30: The Packers continue to search for a new QB2 behind Jordan Love, and they could turn to one of the most intriguing options still on the market. GM Brian Gutekunst admitted to reporters that he’s discussed pursuing Kirk Cousins as a backup.
[RELATED: Rams Interested In Kirk Cousins]
“Yeah, we’ve discussed a lot of those options,” Gutekunst said (via Matt Schneidman of The Athletic). “Obviously that’s a guy who’s got a lot of pelts on the wall in this league, so we’ve certainly discussed all those kind of things.”
With Malik Willis taking a big-money deal in Miami, the Packers are seeking a new backup for Love, who’s missed two games in each of the past two seasons. At the moment, former third-round pick Desmond Ridder is penciled in as the backup, with Kyle McCord also sticking on the offseason roster.
Predictably, that’s led to plenty of speculation that the Packers will eventually find a new option to fill out the depth chart. The organization has already been connected to Anthony Richardson, who requested a trade out of Indy. The former fourth-overall pick would be more of a reclamation project, similar to Willis when he initially joined the Packers. However, the organization is also apparently pursuing former starters for their QB2 role.
We heard earlier this month that Cousins was going to be patient as he pursued his next gig. There’s been some assumption that the veteran would prefer a starting job, and he’d be willing to wait to sign until after the draft so he’d have full clarity on depth charts. Still, that hasn’t stopped teams with a definitive QB1 from considering a run at the four-time Pro Bowler. We heard earlier today that the Rams were among the team’s interested in the 37-year-old.
Cousins stint in Atlanta came to a predictable end earlier this month. His first season with the Falcons was a disappointment, as he guided the team to a 7-7 record while leading the NFL with 16 interceptions. He started the 2025 campaign behind Michael Penix on the depth chart, but Cousins worked his way back into the starting lineup when his teammate suffered a season-ending knee injury. The veteran’s 2025 season saw him go 5-3 as a starter, with the QB completing 61.7 percent of his passes for 1,721 yards, 10 touchdowns, and five interceptions.
Considering how his Falcons stint unfolded, it’s not surprising that QB-needy teams weren’t immediately jumping at Cousins to lead their depth chart. Potential suitors may reconsider that approach, especially if any injuries emerge during the spring or summer. If Cousins wants to secure a gig before that, he may have to settle for a backup opportunity with a contender.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Packers are still considering a reunion with a late-season acquisition. Gutekunst acknowledged that the team could re-sign cornerback Trevon Diggs.
“I wouldn’t shut the door on anything,” the GM said (h/t Jason B. Hirschhorn). “As we work through this draft and get to the other side of the draft, we’re going to continue to look at ways to improve the football team.”
After getting dumped by the Cowboys late in the season, Diggs caught on with the Packers via waivers. He got into a single game with his new squad, collecting a pair of tackles while getting into about half his team’s defensive snaps. Green Bay predictably moved on from the cornerback in January to avoid the remaining money on his five-year, $97MM Cowboys-designed extension.
49ers Owner Hints Brandon Aiyuk Could Stick With Team
Back in January, 49ers GM John Lynch made it clear that Brandon Aiyuk had played his final snap for the franchise. However, the team’s owner seems to be walking back those statements.
While speaking with reporters today, Jed York acknowledged that the saga could take several different routes, including one that sees Aiyuk sticking with the 49ers in 2026.
“I think anything’s possible, right?” York said (via ESPN’s Nick Wagoner). “We want to make sure that we have as talented of a roster as possible. First and foremost, he needs to get healthy and be able to perform. I think once that happens, he’s a really, really good football player.”
Aiyuk, of course, once showed off his talent in San Francisco, including 2022 and 2023 campaigns where he hauled in 153 total catches for 2,357 yards and 15 touchdowns. Those performances earned him a four-year, $120MM extension with the organization, but his subsequent 2024 campaign ended with only seven appearances after the WR suffered a torn ACL and MCL.
He landed on PUP to begin the 2025 campaign, and there was initial optimism that he’d make a late-season return to the lineup. Instead, Aiyuk was described as “extremely distant” during his rehab, leading to the 49ers making the drastic decision to void the remaining guarantees on his contract. Lynch later declared the end of Aiyuk’s tenure in San Francisco, and while the front office was hoping to make a trade, a release seemed like the likeliest path. The Commanders seemed like a logical landing spot considering the presence of Aiyuk’s former college QB, Jayden Daniels.
While the team did void the remaining guarantees on the player’s contract, there remains a crucial early-September option bonus. The WR is due a nearly $25MM bonus that, if picked up, would be prorated through 2030. If it isn’t exercised, then it would be owed all at once. As Wagoner notes, that would drive Aiyuk’s 2026 price to an untenable $26MM. The 49ers surely wouldn’t commit to that kind of meaning, and considering the wideout’s apparent issues with the organization, it seems unlikely he’d rework his deal. In other words, a divorce still seems like the likeliest path, regardless of York’s comments.
Either way, it doesn’t sound like this ordeal would somehow extend beyond September. While speaking with reporters today, Lynch still seems committed to getting rid of his former star WR.
“I don’t have a date for it, but I know eventually it’ll resolve itself,” Shanahan said. “Hopefully, we could get something for [him]. And I know we’re in no rush to do that. You’ve got to do what’s right for the Niners, and you’re not trying to hook up any other team as fast as you possibly can. Hopefully, we can get something for that, and it’ll take care of itself.”
Vikings To Pick Up Jordan Addison’s Fifth-Year Option
Jordan Addison hasn’t necessarily lived up to his first-round billing, but that won’t stop the Vikings from committing to a fifth year for the wideout. Vikings Executive Vice President of Football Operations Rob Brzezinski told reporters today that the team plans to pick up Addison’s fifth-year option.
“He’s a really important player for us, an impact player,” Brzezinski said (via the team’s website). “We’re definitely exercising the option. For sure. The deadline for that is after the draft.”
After being selected by Minnesota with the 23rd overall pick in the 2023 draft, Addison immediately carved out a significant role on offense. He finished his rookie campaign with 70 catches for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns. That performance earned him a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
Those marks still represent career-highs for Addison. He had 63 catches for 875 yards and nine scores as a sophomore (plus 20 yards and a touchdown on the ground), and he followed that up with 42 catches for 610 yards and three touchdowns in 2025 (plus 81 rushing yards and a score).
There are a handful of reasons why Addison has struggled to truly break out through his first three NFL seasons. For starters, he’s played second fiddle to Justin Jefferson, who has commanded close to 300 targets over the past two years. Secondly, Addison has had to deal with some inconsistent QB play; he got eight games from Kirk Cousins as a rookie and a full season from Sam Darnold in 2024, but has otherwise dealt with the likes of J.J. McCarthy, Nick Mullens, Joshua Dobbs, and others.
Addison has also had his fair share of legal issues, including a 2024 arrest near LAX on suspicion of DUI. Just two months ago, the receiver was arrested in Florida on a misdemeanor trespassing charge. He’s avoided suspension for those off-the-field issues, although he was handed a three-game ban to start the 2025 campaign after violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.
Still, the Vikings are comfortable enough with Addison to commit $18MM to him in 2027. That number doesn’t break the bank, and it does hedge against a potential breakout. But Addison will still have to show more if he wants to secure a long-term pact before the 2028 offseason.
Dolphins GM: Malik Willis Not Necessarily A Bridge QB
The Dolphins gave Malik Willis some significant money on his three-year pact, and there’s no doubt he’ll be under center for the team in 2026. However, his non-guaranteed third year and his lack of a starting track record has led many to leave that he’ll ultimately be a bridge QB.
While that could still end up being the case, the Dolphins have higher hopes for their free agent acquisition. While speaking to reporters today, GM Jon-Eric Sullivan said that the organization views Willis as a long-term piece, assuming the QB actually performs.
“Malik is our guy,” Sullivan said (via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald). “Malik is an ascending player. It was important for us to get him on 3 year deal. We want to build around him. It’s not a bandaid. He’s got to go play and he knows this… He’s got an elite arm. He’s a very, very good athlete. Big strong powerful body… can make plays with his legs.”
The 2022 third-round pick didn’t click in Tennessee, but he found a home in Green Bay as Jordan Love‘s backup. He garnered some intrigue for his cameos over the past two years with the Packers, where he went 2-1 as a starter. In total, Willis finished his Green Bay tenure having completed 78.7 percent of his passes for 972 yards, six touchdowns, and zero interceptions. He also add 261 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 42 carries.
That performance earned him a three-year deal from the Dolphins, who were seeking a new QB to guide their post-Tua Tagovailoa era. The Willis contract was worth $67.5MM, including $45MM in guaranteed money. Notably, the QB’s base salaries were fully guaranteed in 2026 and 2027, although his 2028 salary wasn’t guaranteed.
That’s led many to assume that the team will ultimately eye a rookie QB, with Willis temporarily keeping the seat warm. That may still end up being the case, but it seems likelier than not that the organization will wait a year until investing a high draft pick at the position. That will provide the Dolphins with a full year to evaluate Willis as their starting QB. In the event that he isn’t any good, the front office will likely be armed with a 2027 first-round pick that’s higher than the 11th-overall pick they’re currently holding (in a deeper QB draft class, no less).
Eagles Sign LB Chandler Martin
Chandler Martin will continue his rehab in Philly. The free agent linebacker is signing a two-year deal with the Eagles, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston.
Martin earned first-team All-AAC honors during his two seasons at Memphis before going undrafted in the 2025 draft. He quickly caught on with the Ravens, and after being among the team’s final preseason cuts, he earned a role on Baltimore’s practice squad.
He spent most of the season on the taxi squad but got his way into three games with the Ravens, compiling five tackles while playing exclusively on special teams. He suffered a torn ACL in Week 13, ending his season prematurely and putting the start of his 2026 season in doubt.
The Eagles won’t have to rush Martin back from his injury considering their two-year commitment to the linebacker. Philadelphia doesn’t have a real immediate need for depth at the position. Zack Baun and Jihaad Campbell are fully entrenched atop the depth chart, while the likes of Jeremiah Trotter, Smael Mondon, and Chance Campbell will compete for backup reps. The Eagles are hoping Martin can join that grouping before the 2026 season is through.
Patriots Eyeing OL Depth
MARCH 27: GMs who spoke with SportsBoom’s Jason La Canfora predict the Patriots will look to trade up in the first-round order with the aim of bolstering their offensive line. Even if the team remains in place at No. 31, bringing in help up front would come as no surprise.
MARCH 24: The Patriots offensive line drew plenty of criticism for their performance in the postseason. New England has made some changes to the unit ahead of 2026, but the team still lacks notable depth.
That could soon change if the front office has its way. Executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf recently identified OL depth as a position the team is eyeing, per ESPN’s Mike Reiss.
The Patriots have made some changes to their starting lineup. They dealt center Garrett Bradbury to the Bears, allowing Jared Wilson to move to his natural position. That opened a hole at left guard, which the Patriots filled by signing Alijah Vera-Tucker.
Of course, the free agent acquisition has dealt with his fair share of injuries during his career, and 2025 fourth-overall pick Will Campbell struggled mightily in the postseason after returning from a significant knee injury. After ranking sixth last season in snaps played among OL starters, the Patriots should probably expect less luck on that front in 2026.
At the moment, the Patriots don’t have much experienced depth behind their starting grouping (which also includes Morgan Moses and Michael Onwenu). Vederian Lowe filled in admirably for Campbell in 2025 but left for the 49ers in free agency. That leaves Ben Brown as the team’s top backup OL at the moment. The Mississippi product started all 10 of his appearances for New England in 2024 and started four of his 17 appearances in 2025, and the Patriots are clearly content with his ability as a backup. However, Brown is primarily a guard/center, meaning the Patriots still don’t have a contingency plan at OT.
2025 seventh-round pick Marcus Bryant is currently penciled in as the team’s top swing tackle, while Caedan Wallace is still kicking around as a back-of-the-depth-chart option. Considering the age of Moses and Campbell’s occasional struggles in 2025, the Patriots could turn to the draft for some OT depth. However, that option would likely be more relevant for 2027 than 2026.
A backup OTs corps consisting of Bryant and a rookie would be less than desirable. As the Patriots look to build off their surprising run in 2025, it wouldn’t be shocking if they add a veteran to the mix between now and training camp.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/24/26
Today’s minor moves:
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: S Terrell Burgess
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: CB Shemar Jean-Charles
Washington Commanders
- Signed: OT Foster Sarell
Terrell Burgess is returning to New Orleans following a bounce-back showing with the Saints in 2025. After missing the entire 2024 campaign with a hamstring injury, Burgess proceeded to get into 16 games with his new squad. He compiled 22 stops and three passes defended, with 205 of his 320 snaps coming on special teams.
Eagles To Sign WR Elijah Moore
The Eagles continue to add to their WR depth. After signing Marquise Brown last week, the Eagles have now agreed to a deal with Elijah Moore, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. It’s a one-year deal for the free agent wide receiver.
[RELATED: Eagles, WR Marquise Brown Agree To Deal]
After showing flashes with the Jets and Browns to begin his career, the former second-round pick inked a one-year deal worth up to $5MM with the Bills last offseason. While Moore represented an intriguing piece on a questionable Buffalo WRs depth chart, the acquisition disappointed, hauling in only nine catches for 112 yards in nine games.
Moore was sent packing in late November after the Bills added Brandin Cooks. The wideout later caught on with the Broncos practice squad. His lone appearance with Denver came in the AFC Championship Game, when he hauled in a four-yard catch.
A.J. Brown‘s status looms over the Eagles’ WR acquisitions. However, these recent signings don’t necessarily signal that Brown is destined to play elsewhere in 2026. Hollywood and now Moore are easy fill-ins for Jahan Dotson, who left for the Falcons on a two-year deal. Along with Darius Cooper, the free agent additions are likely eyeing secondary roles in the Eagles offense.
It’s also worth noting that Moore is good friends with A.J. Brown, per NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe. While their respective roster statuses aren’t dependent on each other, this could at least be seen as a good-faith move by the franchise. Moore was also drafted by former Jets GM and current Eagles exec Joe Douglas, so there was surely interest in the free agent regardless of his friendship with the star receiver.
The more significant indicator of Brown’s future with the franchise could come via the draft. We heard recently that Howie Roseman was set to target rookie WRs regardless of Brown’s status, with the front office potentially using an early-round pick at the position. In the scenario where the Eagles keep Brown and add a notable rookie WR, Moore could be fighting for a roster spot come the preseason.
Eagles To Re-Sign OL Fred Johnson
Fred Johnson is sticking in Philly. The veteran offensive lineman is re-signing with the Eagles, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. It will be a one-year deal for the 28-year-old.
A former UDFA out of Florida, Johnson has established himself as a key backup during his multi-year stint in Philly. After catching on with the Eagles practice squad in 2022, Johnson emerged as the team’s backup OT in 2023. He got into 17 games that season, although the majority of his snaps came on special teams.
Johnson saw an even larger role in 2024 while filling in for the likes of Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata, with the backup ultimately starting six of his 17 appearances. He parlayed that performance into a one-year deal with the Jaguars, although he ended up getting dealt back to Philly at the end of the 2025 preseason.
That proved to be a shrewd move for the Eagles, as Johnson proceeded to start a career-high eight games in 2025. Pro Football Focus wasn’t especially fond of his performance, ranking him 64th among 84 qualifying OTs. However, the site was generally bullish on his pass-blocking skills.
Johnson will be back for another season in Philly in 2026, where he’ll be eyeing a similar utility role. As EJ Smith of PHLY Sports notes, the free agent was hoping to garner some starting interest this offseason, but that opportunity never presented itself. Now, he’ll return as the top backup to Johnson and Mailata, although the veteran backup will hear his number called if either of the starters are forced to miss time.