Rams To Extend CB Trent McDuffie
The Rams and newly acquired cornerback Trent McDuffie began progressing toward an extension on Sunday afternoon. Two hours later, the sides have reached a four-year, $124MM deal with $100MM guaranteed, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. McDuffie is now the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history.
This was the expected outcome after the Rams, in their latest all-in move, acquired McDuffie from the Chiefs on Tuesday. Los Angeles sent three 2026 draft picks – No. 29 overall, a fifth- and sixth-rounder – as well as a 2027 third-rounder to reel in the 25-year-old two-time All-Pro. The Chiefs quickly granted the Rams permission to negotiate with McDuffie, who had been seeking a market-topping extension.
Now that he is set to land atop the cornerback market, McDuffie will move past previous leader Sauce Gardner in contract value ($120.1MM) and average annual salary ($31MM to $30.1MM). The Texans’ Derek Stingley Jr. ($89.03MM) is now second among corners in guarantees. All three of those players entered the league as first-rounders in 2022, though Stingley is the only one still with the team that drafted him. Despite extending Gardner last summer, the Jets traded him to the Colts before the Nov. 4 deadline for two first-rounders and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell.
Already a two-time Super Bowl winner, McDuffie will now serve as a defensive centerpiece for an L.A. team that will enter next season with championship aspirations. The Rams are coming off a year in which they won 12 regular-season games and added a pair of playoff victories. They allowed the 19th-most passing yards in the league, however, and had no answer for Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold or superstar wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the NFC title game. In a 31-27 Seahawks victory, Darnold torched the Rams for 346 yards and three touchdowns. He connected with JSN 10 times for 153 yards and a score.
The Rams are banking on McDuffie to help them overtake the Seahawks in the NFC West and in the conference next year. In McDuffie, the Rams acquired a former Washington standout who has started in all 56 of his games in the pros. While McDuffie has only intercepted three passes in four seasons, he has racked up 34 passes defensed and eight forced fumbles. McDuffie, who is versatile enough to play outside and in the slot, ranked as one of Pro Football Focus’ top five corners in 2023 and ’24. Although McDuffie dropped to 12th last year, he has still never fallen outside of PFF’s top 20 in an individual season
McDuffie is under wraps, but he will not be the last high-profile player Rams general manager Les Snead extends this offseason. A new accord is likely coming for quarterback Matthew Stafford. Meanwhile, 2023 draftees Puka Nacua, Steve Avila, Byron Young, Kobie Turner and Warren McClendon are all eligible for multiyear contracts.
Travis Kelce Expected To Play In 2026; TE Likely To Talk To Other Teams
Two months since the end of a disappointing Chiefs season, future Hall of Fame tight end Travis Kelce has not announced whether he will return in 2026. The 11-time Pro Bowler is expected to play a 14th season, however, according to Dianna Russini and Jesse Newell of The Athletic.
Kelce has spent his entire career in Kansas City, where he has established himself as an all-time great and helped the team to three Super Bowl titles. Shockingly, though, the 36-year-old pending free agent is not a lock to re-sign with the Chiefs, Russini and Newell report. The belief is that Kelce’s camp will talk to other clubs.
Kelce indicated in November that he would decide his future before the new league year, which begins Wednesday. Until now, the assumption was that Kelce would either re-up with the Chiefs or retire.
With moving elsewhere looking like a potential option, Kelce could jump to the top of the free agent tight end market. Kyle Pitts had been on track to lead the way until the Falcons placed the franchise tag on him. Isaiah Likely, Dallas Goedert, Chig Okonkwo, Cade Otton and Jonnu Smith are among notables still without contracts, but all of their resumes pale in comparison to Kelce’s.
Despite his age, Kelce continued as one of the NFL’s most productive tight ends during a 17-game campaign in 2025. The 6-foot-5, 250-pounder ranked fourth at the position in yards (851) and sixth in catches (76), and he added five touchdowns. With 13,002 career yards, Kelce is 45 away from passing Jason Witten for second all-time among tight ends. He is third at the position in receptions (1,080) and fifth in TDs (82).
Since the Chiefs stole him in the third round of the 2013 draft, Kelce has played for one head coach (Andy Reid) and teamed with two starting quarterbacks. After working with Alex Smith for the first half-decade of his career, Kelce and future Hall of Fame signal-caller Patrick Mahomes began forming a legendary duo in 2018. Eight years later, their partnership may be coming to an end.
‘Widespread Belief’ Wan’Dale Robinson Will Join Titans
There have been multiple recent connections between Giants pending free agent wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson and the Titans in the rumor mill. There is now “widespread belief” in league circles that Robinson will agree to join the Titans when the negotiating window opens Monday, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports.
[RELATED: Previewing The Titans’ Offseason]
This looks like a slam dunk for the Titans, who need offensive weapons, possess the second-most cap space in the NFL ($92.69MM), and have Robinson’s former coach on their staff. Offensive coordinator Brian Daboll was the Giants’ head coach during the first three-plus years of Robinson’s career.
Daboll was part of the regime that spent a second-round pick on Robinson in 2022. The two worked together until the Giants fired Daboll last November.
Although Robinson is just 5-foot-8, 195 pounds, the slot target has been among the NFL’s most prolific pass catchers over the past couple of years. He combined for 185 receptions in 33 games from 2024-25. While Robinson amassed just 699 yards on a meager 7.5 per catch in 2024, he crossed 1,000 for the first time last season (1,014) and posted a career-high 11.0 YPC. He also notched a personal-best four touchdowns.
In ranking Robinson as the No. 15 free agent in this year’s class, PFR’s Sam Robinson pointed to Bills slot receiver Khalil Shakir‘s contract as a potential comp. Shakir signed a four-year, $53MM extension last March. Not only has the cap risen significantly since then, but Robinson has hauled in 71 more passes than Shakir in eight fewer games. Robinson has achieved that despite playing with far worse quarterbacks than Shakir, who has spent his career with Josh Allen.
Fitting in a pricey deal for the 25-year-old Robinson would not be a problem for the Titans. There is also a high level of motivation to surround second-year quarterback Cam Ward with more help in 2026. Tight end Chig Okonkwo, who is now a pending free agent, led Titans pass catchers with a modest 56 receptions and 560 yards last season. As a fourth-round rookie, Elic Ayomanor paced their receivers with 41 grabs and 515 yards. Calvin Ridley, the most established wideout on the roster, is a release candidate on the heels of a seven-game, 17-reception campaign.
Whether it’s Robinson or another free agent(s), adding proven receiving talent is a must for the Titans. Alec Pierce, Romeo Doubs, Jauan Jennings and Rashid Shaheed are a few other unsigned receivers who could pique their interest.
Tyler Linderbaum, Kenneth Walker Too Expensive For Giants?
Recent reports have linked pending free agents Tyler Linderbaum and Kenneth Walker III to the Giants, but an aggressive pursuit may be unlikely in both cases. Linderbaum and Walker are now out of the Giants’ price range, sources told Connor Hughes of SNY. For a team with $14.28MM in cap space, winning a bidding war for Linderbaum or Walker would be a challenge.
As the Ravens’ center since entering the NFL in 2022, Linderbaum has only played for head coach John Harbaugh during his four-year career. However, it does not appear their partnership will continue with the Giants in 2026.
Linderbaum, a three-time Pro Bowler and PFR’s top-ranked pending free agent, is poised to surpass the Chiefs’ Creed Humphrey as the game’s highest-paid center. Humphrey inked a four-year, $72MM contract with over $50MM in guarantees in 2024.
If the Giants want to upgrade over starting center John Michael Schmitz, established free agent choices are dwindling. Connor McGovern (Bills) and Tyler Biadasz (Chargers) have come off the market over the past couple of days. Cade Mays, Ethan Pocic and Lloyd Cushenberry are a few of the experienced names left.
Riding the momentum of a Super Bowl LX MVP win with the Seahawks, Walker will be the prize among free agent running backs this offseason. Five-year Jaguar Travis Etienne will not be cheap, but he will be more affordable for the Giants and other teams that lose out on Walker. The Giants are reportedly interested in Etienne. Rico Dowdle, Tyler Allgeier, Rachaad White and Kenneth Gainwell are in the next tier of unsigned veterans. It’s unclear whether the Giants will go after any of them. The team kept veteran Devin Singletary around for a pay cut on Sunday. New York also has Cam Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy under contract for 2026.
Along with their interior offensive line, cornerback and linebacker are among positions the Giants will prioritize, according to Hughes, who points to Buccaneers CB Jamel Dean as a name to watch. The Bucs are expected to move on from Dean after a seven-year run in which he mostly worked as a full-time starter. Dean, 29, is heading for the market after intercepting a career-high three passes in 14 games last season. He could replace pending free agent corner Cordale Flott in New York.
Broncos, TE Adam Trautman Agree To Deal
Hours after re-signing linebacker Justin Strnad, Denver has kept another pending free agent off the market. The Broncos and tight end Adam Trautman have agreed to a three-year, $17MM contract, Mike Klis of 9News reports. The deal comes with a max value of $18.5MM, according to Klis.
This positions Trautman to continue his long-running partnership with head coach Sean Payton. The two began working together when the Saints used a third-round pick on Trautman in 2020. Payton was their head coach through 2021. When Payton returned to the league as the Broncos’ head coach in 2023, he acquired Trautman in a deal that also included a late-round pick swap.
Trautman has never caught more than 27 passes or reached the 300-yard mark in a season, but he has earned Payton’s trust as a blocker. The 29-year-old has also been durable in Denver, where he has logged three consecutive 17-game seasons. Trautman caught 20 of 23 targets for 195 yards and a touchdown last year, during which he led Broncos tight ends in snap share (57.11%) and starts (12).
While Trautman will remain with the Broncos in 2026, the rest of their tight end group is up in the air. Depth options Nate Adkins, Marcedes Lewis and the non-tendered Lucas Krull are all unsigned. Meanwhile, Evan Engram did not produce as hoped in 2025, which could lead to his release. Even if Engram sticks around, Payton wants to add another receiving tight end this offseason.
Bears To Re-Sign Daniel Hardy
The Bears have reached an agreement to re-sign restricted free agent defensive lineman Daniel Hardy, veteran insider Jordan Schultz reports. It’s a two-year, $4.97MM pact with $2.45MM guaranteed at signing, per OverTheCap.
Hardy, a Montana State product, entered the NFL as a seventh-round pick of the Rams in 2022. After suffering a high ankle sprain in the preseason, Hardy spent the majority of his rookie campaign on injured reserve. He returned late in the year to appear in six games, record four tackles and total 169 snaps (128 on special teams, 41 on defense).
Hardy did not make the Rams’ roster in his second season, but he quickly caught on with the Bears’ practice squad. While Hardy did not see any action in his first year in Chicago, he has since posted back-to-back 17-game seasons. Hardy has amassed just 85 defensive snaps with the Bears, but the 27-year-old has evolved into a core special teamer.
Last season was the second in a row in which Hardy led the Bears in special teams snap share. He played 77.85% of snaps and made the league’s sixth-most ST tackles (19) in 2025.
Offseason Outlook: New York Jets
As a Jets cornerback for the first eight seasons of his 15-year NFL career, Aaron Glenn intercepted 24 passes and earned two Pro Bowl trips from 1994-2001. Glenn is now considered one of the greatest corners in Jets history. On the other hand, Glenn is light years from being considered one of the greatest head coaches in Jets history.
In the wake of an unsuccessful foray into the Mike Vrabel derby in January 2025, the Jets turned back to Glenn 24 years after he last donned their colors. Glenn was coming off a well-regarded run as the Lions' defensive coordinator from 2021-24, but Year 1 as a head coach could not have gone much worse.
The Jets went 3-14 to extend their league-high playoff drought to 15 years. Their minus-203 point differential ranks as the second-worst mark since the league introduced a 17-game schedule in 2021. Gang Green's noncompetitive showing was still not enough to secure the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft. The Jets finished as runners-up to the Raiders in the race to the bottom, severely jeopardizing their chances of finding a much-needed franchise quarterback this spring.
Owner Woody Johnson hired Glenn three days before he tabbed longtime Broncos executive Darren Mougey as his general manager. Looking for a starting signal-caller in their first offseason together, Glenn and Mougey added former first-rounder Justin Fields on a two-year, $40MM contract with $30MM guaranteed. The mobile Fields, who did not establish himself as the answer in either Pittsburgh or Chicago, flopped in New York. Glenn pulled him for backup Tyrod Taylor in a 13-6 loss to the Panthers in Week 7. A day after the Jets fell to 0-7, Johnson publicly lambasted Fields while calling Glenn "the real deal."
49ers, Bills, Chargers, Commanders, Giants Could Pursue Mike Evans
MARCH 6: A new Buccaneers deal remains something to watch for in this case, Tony Pauline of Essentially Sports reports. He adds the Titans and Raiders could also be in play provided the “right deal” can be worked out, though.
MARCH 4: Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans has established himself as a franchise icon over his 12-year career. The six-time Pro Bowler could continue his career in Tampa Bay next season, but he will at least hear other teams out in free agency.
In 2024, the last time Evans was on the cusp of free agency, the Buccaneers stopped him from reaching the open market with a two-year, $52MM offer. Evans was then coming off one of the best seasons of a potential Hall of Fame career. He caught 79 passes for 1,255 yards and a personal-high 13 touchdowns in his lone 17-game campaign.
Soon to turn 33, Evans is now looking for a new deal on the heels of his worst year. Multiple injuries – including a hamstring strain and a broken clavicle – held Evans to eight games, 30 receptions, 368 yards and three scores. His nine absences prevented him from a 12th straight 1,000-yard season, which would have given him the all-time record. He instead will remain tied with the legendary Jerry Rice for that honor.
Although 2025 fell well short of a typical Evans year, he will have no shortage of interest on the open market. Evans may not do as well on his next deal, but a pact in the range of $20MM per year is realistic, sources told Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports. The 49ers, Bills, Chargers, Commanders and Giants are among potential suitors for the 6-foot-5, 231-pounder, per Jones.
The 49ers, Bills and Chargers were all playoff teams last season, which should appeal to Evans. As part of an 8-9 Bucs squad, the one-time Super Bowl winner missed out on postseason play for the first time since 2019 last year.
San Francisco could lose pending free agent Jauan Jennings, who led the team’s wide receivers in catches (55), yards (643) and touchdowns (nine) last season. The 49ers will also finalize a divorce from Brandon Aiyuk sometime soon.
The Josh Allen-led Bills are in dire need of at least one high-end outside complement to reliable slot man Khalil Shakir. The 2024 second-round selection of Keon Coleman has not worked out, and neither have recent free agent signings Josh Palmer and Curtis Samuel. Odds are the Bills will cut Samuel this offseason. They are also facing the possible departure of Brandin Cooks in free agency.
The Chargers have wideouts Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston and 2025 second-rounder Tre Harris under contract for next season. Perennially productive 33-year-old Keenan Allen is unsigned, which leaves room for a venerable veteran pass catcher. That could still be Allen, but Evans is at least on the Chargers’ radar.
The Commanders and Giants were miles from the playoffs last year, but both teams at least have prized young quarterbacks. Washington’s Jayden Daniels won Offensive Rookie of the Year honors during a dazzling NFL introduction in 2024. He helped lead the Commanders to 12 wins and an NFC title game in his first season, but they skidded to 5-12 during an injury-ravaged 2025. Daniels missed 10 games, and No. 1 receiver Terry McLaurin sat out seven.
Adding Evans to a healthy Daniels and McLaurin could make for a potent Washington passing attack in 2026. Whether it’s Evans or someone else, the Commanders will add to a receiving corps that could see Deebo Samuel walk away in free agency.
As a rookie last season, Giants signal-caller Jaxson Dart impressed despite losing No. 1 receiver Malik Nabers to a season-ending ACL tear in Week 4. Wan’Dale Robinson stepped up as Dart’s go-to target, but he is now nearing free agency. There is reportedly a good chance the Giants will re-sign Robinson, but he primarily works from the slot. There would still be room for Evans on the outside. That would give Dart and the new head coach-offensive coordinator duo of John Harbaugh–Matt Nagy a formidable receiver trio.
Among wideouts scheduled to hit the open market, the Colts’ Alec Pierce should have the most earning power on a long-term contract. No soon-to-be free agent has a better resume than Evans, though, and that will help him secure another strong payday on a short-term agreement.
49ers Want More Than Second-Rounder For Mac Jones; Latest On Trent Williams
The 49ers landed backup quarterback Mac Jones on a two-year, $7MM contract in free agency last March. The team wound up turning to Jones far more than it planned to in the first year of the deal. With a toe injury limiting starter Brock Purdy to nine games, Jones made eight starts and did a nice job keeping the car on the road. The 49ers went 5-3 in Jones’ outings.
Jones may have boosted his stock enough to become an appealing trade candidate, but the market has not been “robust” so far, Matt Barrows and Vic Tafur of The Athletic write. While the 49ers are not shopping Jones, they at least expected someone to offer a third-round pick or better, according to Barrows and Tafur.
General manager John Lynch‘s asking price is even higher than a third, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic hears. Lynch is looking for a second-rounder and more. That is a steep cost for a signal-caller who has put together an inconsistent five-year career.
Jones, whom the Patriots drafted 15th overall in 2021, had a solid rookie year as a starter. Taking over after Cam Newton‘s forgettable season as the Patriots’ starter, Jones helped the Pats to 10 wins and a playoff berth. The Alabama product fizzled over the next two seasons, though, leading the Patriots to trade him to the Jaguars in March 2024. Jones only brought back a sixth-rounder then. He went on to underwhelm in relief of an injured Trevor Lawrence over seven starts.
Jones had a far better year in San Francisco, where he set career highs in completion percentage (69.6%), yards per attempt (7.4), passer rating (97.4) and QBR (62.3). He threw for 2,151 yards and tossed 13 touchdowns against six interceptions across 289 attempts. Those are good numbers, but not enough to convince anyone to give up prime draft capital. Unsurprisingly, there is some skepticism toward the 27-year-old and a belief that his 2025 rebound was the product of head coach/offensive guru Kyle Shanahan.
“The 49ers gonna throw in Kyle Shanahan in the deal, too?” one general manager asked (via Barrows and Tafur).
As of January, Shanahan was not expecting a Jones trade. Shanahan said then that “you always listen to people and trade offers, but we’re also not into getting rid of good players. So, I’d be very surprised if Mac wasn’t around us next year.”
Barring something unforeseen, it appears Jones will indeed remain in a 49ers uniform next season. On the other hand, there is still plenty of uncertainty around future Hall of Fame left tackle Trent Williams. With the 49ers and Williams struggling to agree on an adjusted deal to lower his $38.84MM cap hit, a Feb. 23 report surfaced indicating the team could release him. Speaking to the media that afternoon, Lynch said the 49ers and Williams’ camp are “all on the same page.”
Nothing has been done about Williams’ contract over a week later, leaving a release as a possible outcome. The two sides have not made any progress, per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, who says the 49ers and Williams still have work to do to prevent a divorce.
If the 12-time Pro Bowler reaches free agency, there should be plenty of interest despite his age. The 37-year-old continues to play at a high level, and retirement is not imminent. Williams still believes he has two or three seasons of football left in him, Garafolo reports.
Colts Shopping LB Zaire Franklin
Linebacker Zaire Franklin‘s eighth year in a Colts uniform may have been his last. In an effort to get under the salary cap, the Colts are discussing a Franklin trade with other teams, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Factoring in the $37.83MM transition tag for quarterback Daniel Jones, the Colts are approximately $4.72MM over the cap. They are also trying to re-sign wide receiver Alec Pierce, though he plans to test the free agent market. As PFR’s second-ranked free agent-to-be, Pierce may price himself out of Indianapolis on a mega-deal.
The possibility of the Colts moving on from Franklin first came up last week. General manager Chris Ballard was complimentary toward Franklin, but he was also noncommittal on the soon-to-be 30-year-old’s future. Ballard gave Franklin a three-year, $31.26MM extension back in March 2024. He still has two years’ control left as a result. Trading or releasing Franklin before June 1 would save the Colts $5.76MM in cap space at the cost of $2.5MM in dead money.
Franklin’s career began when the Colts chose him in the seventh round out of Syracuse in 2018. After mostly serving as a special teamer in his first three seasons, he took over as a regular starter in 2021. Franklin has missed just one game since then. He amassed over 170 tackles in each season from 2022-24. During a career year in 2024, Franklin posted 173 tackles, 11 TFL, and personal bests in sacks (3.5) and interceptions (two).
Franklin earned Pro Bowl honors and a second-team All-Pro selection for his efforts two years ago, but he was not as effective last season. He put up 125 tackles, seven TFL and two sacks. Pro Football Focus ranked Franklin 87th among 88 qualifying linebackers. Primary running mate Germaine Pratt, now a pending free agent, checked in at No. 41. Both players could soon be on their way out of Indianapolis, which would set up an overhaul at linebacker.
At least one of the Giants or Jets will be involved in trade talks for Franklin, Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post contends. The Giants may pursue Franklin to replace the released Bobby Okereke. The Jets, who are transitioning to a 3-4 base defense, need another inside linebacker to pair with Jamien Sherwood. Franklin could fit the bill.