Bucs To Re-Sign TE Cade Otton
Instead of testing the market during his first trip to free agency, Cade Otton will choose to remain in place. A new Buccaneers pact is being finalized with the fifth-year tight end, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Otton has landed a three-year deal, Ari Meriov of the 33rd Team reports. The pact has a base value of $30MM, and it contains $20MM in guarantees. That $10MM AAV now ranks 15th among tight ends, with his guarantees ranking 14th at the position.
The 2022 fourth-round pick out of Washington earned the trust of Tom Brady as a rookie, when he finished with 42 receptions for 391 yards and two touchdowns. He continued that production when Baker Mayfield took over under center, with Otton emerging as a key target on a talented offense.
He had his best showing in 2024, when he hauled in 59 catches for 600 yards and four touchdowns in 14 games. His follow-up showing wasn’t as impressive, especially as the Buccaneers navigated a number of injuries on offense. Still, Otton finished the year with another 59 catches for 572 yards and one touchdown. The 26-year-old has also graded out as an above-average pass blocker in recent years.
Otton will continue to lead the depth chart in 2026. He could theoretically see an increased target share following the departure of Mike Evans. However, with the likes of Chris Godwin, Emeka Egbuka, Jalen McMillan, and Tez Johnson still around, it’s more likely Otton will see a similar offensive role in 2026.
Adam La Rose contributed to this post.
Patriots To Sign OLB Dre’Mont Jones
Adding along the edge was known to be a priority for the Patriots early in free agency. It has not taken long for a deal to be worked out on that front.
Dre’Mont Jones is heading to New England, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports. This will be a three-year, $39MM pact, he adds. A strong showing split between two teams in 2025 has resulted in a notable payday for Jones. The max value of this New England pact is $39.5MM, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network; he adds $14.5MM will be paid out in the first year.
Jones has never garnered more than 800 defensive snaps in any of his seven NFL seasons, but he’s still proven to be a reliable pass-rusher when he’s on the field. He’s compiled at least 3.5 sacks each year of his career, including 18 total sacks with the Broncos between 2020 and 2022. That run earned him a three-year contract with the Seahawks in 2023. After tallying only 8.5 sacks between 2023 and 2024, the Seahawks moved on before the final year of Jones’ contract.
He inked a one-year, $10MM prove-it deal with the Titans last offseason and was productive in nine starts, collecting 26 tackles and 4.5 sacks. He was traded to the Ravens in November for a conditional fifth-round pick, and he proceeded to add another 2.5 sacks down the stretch for his new squad. He ultimately finished the year ranked 64th among 119 qualifying edge defenders on Pro Football Focus’ positional rankings.
The Patriots were a clear suitor for a pass rusher after finishing this past year without a 10-sack player. Harold Landry joined the Patriots via a similar deal last offseason and paced New England with 8.5 sacks. Landry’s knee injury may be a concern heading into 2026, so Jones could help soak up any necessary snaps. Jones may also be a potential replacement for K’Lavon Chaisson, who is hitting free agency following his 7.5-sack showing in 2025.
Adam La Rose contributed to this post.
Texans To Re-Sign DT Sheldon Rankins
As the Texans hoped, Sheldon Rankins will be in the fold next season. The veteran defensive tackle has agreed to a new Houston deal.
Rankins is signing a two-year contract with the Texans, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports. The pact includes $12MM in guarantees. Rankins will be counted on to remain a key presence on the team’s elite defense moving forward as a result of today’s news. An average annual value of “well over” $6MM is present in this new pact, per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson.
Rankins caught on for his second stint with the Texans last offseason, when he inked a one-year, $5.25MM deal. It was a bounceback season following his seven-game showing with the Bengals in 2024. Rankins finished the 2025 campaign with 35 tackles and three sacks while starting every game for the Texans. He also was a standout during Houston’s playoff win over the Steelers, when he returned a fumble for a touchdown. He ultimately finished the year ranked 27th among 127 qualifiers on Pro Football Focus’ positional rankings.
The former Saints first-round pick has had an up-and-down career, leading to him bouncing around the NFL a bit following his departure from New Orleans. Following a pair of forgettable seasons with the Jets, Rankins had been one of the best showings of his career with the Texans in 2023. He finished that year with 37 tackles and six sacks. That performance earned him a two-year deal with the Bengals, but he missed 10 games while nursing a hamstring and recovering from an illness in 2024. He was cut by Cincy last offseason.
Now, he’s seemingly found a home in Houston. Rankins will retain his starting gig next to Tommy Togiai in 2026. Tim Settle‘s departure could open up a depth role on the defensive line, so Rankins should have a relatively long leash.
Adam La Rose contributed to this post.
Patriots Unlikely To Retain Harold Landry?
FEBRUARY 24: When speaking to reporters at the Combine on Tuesday, executive vice president Eliot Wolf said (via Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald) he expects Landry to remain in place for next season. Things could change between now and the start of free agency, but it appears as though a second New England campaign is in store.
FEBRUARY 19: Harold Landry paced the Patriots with 8.5 sacks this past season, but the linebacker’s stay in New England may only last one year. When asked about the status of the veteran defender, Christopher Price of the Boston Globe opined that the player wouldn’t be back with the Patriots in 2026 (via Patriots on CLNS).
Price points to the player’s age and injuries as a reason for why the Patriots may look to move on. The 29-year-old suffered a knee injury back in Week 6, didn’t miss a game, and then reinjured the same knee in Week 12. The Patriots didn’t push the veteran in practices, and they later held him out of the team’s final two regular season games.
Landry returned for New England’s playoff opener but saw a drop in reps, as his 43.3 percent snap share represented a season low. That number dropped to 14.7 percent (11 snaps) in the second round before Landry was ruled out for the AFC Championship. He returned for the Super Bowl but was once again limited, appearing in only 14 defensive snaps.
As Price notes, the Patriots will likely be seeking some youth and consistency on the edge, putting Landry’s roster status in doubt. Working in the player’s favor is his relationship with head coach Mike Vrabel. Landry was one of the coach’s most dependable defenders when the two were in Tennessee, and Vrabel was quick to recruit the linebacker to New England via a three-year, $43.5MM deal.
Landry has still shown an ability to get after the QB in recent years. After missing the 2022 campaign due to a torn ACL, he averaged more than nine sacks per season between 2023 and 2025. The player’s contract makes it seem like he’s all but locked into a spot on the 2026 roster; the Patriots would clear just over $1MM in savings while being left with $15MM in dead cap (via a post-June 1 designation). The more likely path sees the Patriots rework the contract to keep Landry around on a more affordable pact, although if the organization believes he may not be able to recover from his knee issues, perhaps Price’s prediction may come to fruition.
While the Patriots front office will evaluate players who remain under contract, they’ll also have to consider their grouping of impending free agents. Two of the team’s key free agents come on the defensive side of the ball, as both pass rusher K’Lavon Chaisson and safety Jaylinn Hawkins are set to hit the open market.
A former first-round pick, Chaisson was brought to New England last offseason via a one-year deal. He ended up having one of the most productive seasons of his career, finishing with 7.5 sacks, 18 QB hits, and 10 tackles for loss. He’s destined to cash in on his performance this offseason, but considering New England’s lack of depth on the edge, there’s a chance his next contract comes from the Patriots.
Hawkins spent the past two seasons in New England, but the team’s new leadership was willing to give him a larger role than the former regime. Hawkins ended up leaping both Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers on the depth chart en route to a career season. The 28-year-old started all 15 of his appearances, finishing with 71 tackles, six passes defended, and 1.5 sacks.
While both players are eyeing raises, they may have interest in working out some kind of arrangement with the franchise. As ESPN’s Mike Reiss notes, both players have expressed interest in re-signing with the Patriots. Hawkins told reporters that he wants to “remain here for sure,” while Chaisson acknowledged the organization’s role in reviving his career.
Offseason Outlook: New England Patriots
The Patriots are back...depending on who you ask. Most teams could only dream of New England's turnaround in 2025. Following two straight four-win showings, the team ripped off their Jerod Mayo band-aid and opted for old friend and eventual Coach of the Year Mike Vrabel. The results were undeniable. The Patriots won 14 games before a run to the Super Bowl. At the same time, Drake Maye truly broke out, finishing second in MVP voting.
On the flip side, critics point to New England's historically easy schedule, and its run through the AFC playoffs saw them beat a depleted Chargers O-line, a turnover-happy C.J. Stroud and Broncos QB2 Jarrett Stidham. When reviewing their entire 2025 performance, there are rightful reasons for skepticism.
Regardless of your opinion on the quality of the 2025 Patriots, two things can be true. The organization took significant steps forward both in record and future outlook. Plus, besides Maye, the team identified some clear foundational pieces on both sides of the football. At the same time, the Patriots clearly benefitted from some layup opponents, and a step back in 2026 wouldn't surprise many.
Following a spending spree last offseason, there are certainly reasons to believe the Patriots will not spend nearly as much in 2026. However, if the organization wants to prove that 2025 wasn't a fluke, they can't afford to be complacent, as there are still plenty of opportunities for upgrades throughout the roster.
Coaching/front office:
- Defensive coordinator Terrell Williams moved to high-ranking coaching role
- ILBs coach Zak Kuhr promoted as DC replacement
- TEs coach Thomas Brown interviewed for Cardinals' HC job
Bills Likely To Release WR Curtis Samuel?
Following a 2025 campaign where he was limited to only six regular season appearances, Curtis Samuel may soon be out of a job. As Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic writes, the Bills wide receiver is a clear release candidate heading into the offseason.
Following a solid final two seasons in Washington, Samuel caught on with the Bills in 2024 via a three-year, $24MM deal. He didn’t put up especially big numbers during his first season in Buffalo (31 catches, 253 yards, one touchdown), although he did have some key moments in the postseason. He caught three passes for 68 yards and a touchdown in the Bills’ opening-round win over the Broncos, and he added another score in Buffalo’s AFC Championship loss to the Chiefs.
With the departures of Amari Cooper and Mack Hollins and few reinforcements at the position, there was hope that Samuel could take another step in 2025. Instead, the veteran got into about 40 percent of Buffalo’s offensive snaps in his six appearances, finishing with only seven receptions for 81 yards and one touchdown. He also had a special teams role, where he returned nine kickoffs for 223 yards. He suffered an elbow injury in November that landed him on injured reserve, although he did manage to return for the Bills’ playoff matchup against the Broncos. He finished that eventual loss with a two-yard reception on three targets.
If the Bills made Samuel a post-June 1 cut, he’d save the team around $6MM against the cap. While this would only be modest savings, it’s still significant for a cap sheet that’s currently operating in the red. Even with the understanding that the Bills would find some cap machinations to open up breathing room, Samuel’s savings could go a long way, especially if the front office reinvests that money into a WR upgrade.
As for Samuel, the wideout will be entering his age-30 season in 2026. He was good for at least 500 yards when healthy between 2018 and 2023, but the last two years have surely hurt his free agent stock. He’d presumably get a chance from some WR-needy team, but it would have to come via a prove-it deal.
NFL Reserve/Futures Deals: 2/19/26
Today’s reserve/futures moves:
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams officially announced the signing of 15 players to reserve/futures contracts today, 14 of which were reported previously. The newest addition to the list is running back Jordan Waters. The former Duke standout spent his final collegiate season at NC State before going undrafted in 2025. He quickly caught on with the Rams, but he didn’t make it to the regular season with his new squad. Now, he’ll have another chance to make the squad in 2026.
Chargers Expected To Retain WR Coach Sanjay Lal, QB Coach Shane Day
While the Chargers offensive coaching staff has seen some significant change this offseason, the organization is planning to stick with two key assistants. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Chargers plan to retain wide receivers coach Sanjay Lal and quarterbacks coach Shane Day.
Lal has spent the majority of his NFL career coaching wide receivers, including stops with the Raiders, Jets, Bills, Colts, Cowboys, Seahawks, Jaguars, and Chargers. During his time in Dallas, he helped guide a pair of 1,000-yard receivers in Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup, and he later achieved the same feat with D.K. Metcalfand Tyler Lockett in Seattle.
He joined Jim Harbaugh‘s staff in Los Angeles ahead of the 2024 campaign and has spent the past two seasons coaching Chargers wideouts. He got a standout performance from a rookie Ladd McConkey in 2024, and he saw three of his WRs (McConkey, Keenan Allen, and Quentin Johnston) top 700 receiving yards in 2025.
Day’s responsibilities have evolved throughout his coaching career, but he’s most recently been in charge of guiding quarterbacks. He got a career year out of Jimmy Garoppolo in 2019 before dealing with an inconsistent QB grouping in 2020. He took a job with the Chargers in 2021 and helped guide a sophomore Justin Herbert to a still-career-high 38 passing touchdowns. He was fired alongside offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi following the 2022 campaign and spent a year in Houston before returning to the Chargers in 2024. Day has spent the past two years guiding the team’s QBs.
The Chargers were quick to move on from offensive coordinator Greg Roman following the offense’s no-show performance in their playoff loss to the Patriots. Harbaugh eventually recruited Mike McDaniel to Los Angeles, and the former Dolphins head coach is expected to shape his offensive staff. However, the new OC seems content in maintaining some continuity in the QBs room and WRs room.
Bears Promote Jeff King To Assistant GM
The Bears have landed on Ryan Poles‘ new top lieutenant. The team announced that Jeff King has been promoted to assistant general manager. The role was open after former AGM Ian Cunningham left Chicago to become the Falcons new GM.
[RELATED: Falcons To Hire Ian Cunningham As GM]
Following a playing career that saw him haul in 156 catches through eight professional seasons, King quickly took a role in the Bears front office. He’s worked his way up through the past decade-plus in Chicago. After spending several years as a scout, King was named director of pro scouting in 2021. The next year, he earned a promotion to co-director of player personnel, and he was later named senior director of player personnel. He’s spent the past two years in that latter role.
“We congratulate Jeff on his elevation within our football operations department,” Poles said. “Jeff has earned this promotion through his commitment to our team and his excellence within our operation, as well as the positive impact that he has created throughout our organization. We look forward to Jeff’s continued leadership and contributions as we work toward building a sustained winner.”
“I’m super lucky,” said King. “I’ve been here 12 years. That doesn’t happen. When I walked in here 12 years ago as an intern, I didn’t think it would go this far, but I’ve been very lucky and appreciative of this organization because it is special.”
King’s stint with the Bears preceded Poles’ hiring, which came in 2022. The Bears struggled through the first three years under their new GM, including a 2022 campaign where they finished with three wins. A shrewd trade with the Panthers delivered them the first-overall pick in 2024, which the organization used on Caleb Williams.
The 2025 hiring of Ben Johnson represented the culmination of the organization’s rebuild, and the Bears finished the 2025 campaign with 11 wins and their first playoff appearance since 2020. Now, King will be tasked with assisting Poles in a crucial offseason as the organization looks to carry over momentum into the 2026 campaign.
Packers ST Coordinator Rich Bisaccia Stepping Down
The Packers coaching staff is dealing with another notable departure. After losing defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley to Miami last month, assistant head coach/special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia is suddenly stepping down, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
“While we are disappointed to lose a person and coach as valuable as Rich, we respect his decision to step down from the Packers,” coach Matt LaFleur said in a statement. “Rich was a tremendous resource to me and our entire coaching staff who had a profound impact on our players and our culture throughout the building. We can’t thank him enough for his contributions to our team over the last four years. We wish Rich, his wife, Jeanne, and the rest of their family all the best moving forward.”
Bisaccia has been coaching consistently since the 1980s, and he’s held an NFL job since the 2002 campaign. He’s served as a special teams coordinator in stops with the Buccaneers, Chargers, Cowboys, and Raiders prior to his job in Green Bay.
He got his first and only crack at a head coaching gig with the Raiders in 2021 following Jon Gruden‘s resignation. The interim HC ended up guiding his team to a 7-5 record and a playoff appearance, the team’s second postseason nod since their Super Bowl loss in 2002. Despite the team’s success, the organization ended up opting for Josh McDaniels as their new head coach for 2022, leading to Bisaccia seeking a job elsewhere.
The veteran coach caught on as the special teams coordinator in Green Bay, where he’s spent the past four seasons. He earned the additional title of assistant head coach in 2023, and he inked an extension with the organization last offseason that was intended to keep him in Green Bay through the 2026 campaign.
The Packers special teams unit struggled mightily this past season. While the team got a standout showing from punter Daniel Whelan, the Packers managed a league-low 5.6 yards per punt return. The unit also had a handful of miscues that ultimately led to losses for Green Bay. This included a Week 3 loss to the Browns where Brandon McManus‘s potential game-tying field goal attempt was blocked. A week later, the Packers tied with the Cowboys in a game that saw their opponent return an extra point for a score.
Later, in Week 16 against the Bears, Romeo Doubs failed to secure a crucial onside kick recovery in an eventual overtime loss. These ST woes culminated in the team’s playoff loss to Chicago. The Packers blew an 18-point lead in a game that saw McManus miss a pair of field goals and an extra point.
While Bisaccia is stepping away from his job in Green Bay, it doesn’t sound like the coach is calling it a career. In his statement, Bisaccia seemed to indicate that he’ll take some time away before considering another gig.
“Coaching for the Green Bay Packers was truly an honor, and I will always be grateful for my time here,” he said in a statement. “I look forward to whatever is next for me and my family, and I wish nothing but the best for everyone in the organization.”
Now, LaFleur will have to go back to the drawing board to figure out the team’s special teams weakness. The Packers may have to look outside the organization for a solution, as assistant special teams coach Byron Storer already left Green Bay for a promotion in Cleveland.