Cowboys, Javonte Williams Agree To Deal
The Cowboys will keep pending free agent running back Javonte Williams from hitting the open market. The two sides have agreed to a three-year, $24MM contract, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports. The deal includes $16MM in guarantees, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Williams will also receive a $6MM signing bonus, Todd Archer of ESPN relays.
Williams’ new pact easily trumps the one-year, $3MM agreement he reached with the Cowboys in free agency last March. The former Bronco settled for a prove-it deal after a dip in rushing production over the previous couple of seasons.
As a 2021 second-round pick from North Carolina, Williams made a quick impact with 1,219 total yards and seven touchdowns as a rookie. He rushed for 903 yards on 4.4 per carry that year, but suffering ACL and LCL tears in Week 4 of his second season temporarily threw his career off course. While the 5-foot-10, 220-pounder returned to play in 33 of of 34 games from 2023-24, he averaged a lackluster 3.7 yards per carry on a combined 356 attempts.
The move to Dallas led to a renaissance for Williams, who emerged as a key cog in the NFL’s second-ranked scoring offense. Playing his age-25 season, Williams started in all 16 appearances and logged career highs in carries (252), yards (1,201), YPC (4.8) and touchdowns (13; 11 rushing, two receiving). A three-time 40-catch back in Denver, Williams chipped in 35 more last season, though he averaged just 3.9 yards per grab.
The Cowboys, who identified Williams as a priority free agent early in the offseason, now have him under wraps for reasonable money. Williams’ new contract places him 13th among running backs in total money, 14th in guarantees and 16th in average annual value. Had Williams become a free agent for the second straight year, he could have joined Breece Hall, Kenneth Walker III and Travis Etienne among the top RBs available. With Williams off the board, teams in need of an upgrade in the backfield now have one fewer starting-caliber option to consider.
Locking up Williams checks off one important offseason task for the Cowboys, who feature arguably the game’s best soon-to-be free agent in wide receiver George Pickens. The Cowboys are expected to place the franchise tag on Pickens by March 3. The question is whether he’ll follow Williams in landing a multiyear deal this offseason.
Vikings WR Rondale Moore Dies At 25
10:05pm: As noted by Jay Skeeba of WHAS11, the Coroner’s Office in Floyd County, Indiana has autopsy has been scheduled for tomorrow. New Albany Police Chief Todd Bailey said Moore was found dead in a garage of a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound.
8:07pm: Rondale Moore passed away on Saturday, a Vikings source confirmed to Dianna Russini of The Athletic. The receiver was 25 years old. At this time, the team is in the process of gathering details surrounding Moore’s death. 
A second-round pick of the Cardinals in 2021, Moore entered the league coming off a college career which showcased plenty of potential. As a freshman at Purdue, he earned All-American honors while delivering strong production as a receiver and a returner. Moore only played another seven games in college, but his draft stock remained high.
Across three seasons in Arizona, Moore saw his playing time fluctuate. His production remained relatively consistent as he operated as a secondary option in the passing game while also seeing time as a runner. In March of 2024, Moore was traded to the Falcons in a straight swap for quarterback Desmond Ridder.
That set him up for a new chapter in his NFL career, but it did not prove to be possible. Moore suffered a season-ending knee injury mere months after being dealt to the Falcons. His rookie contract expired before having the opportunity to play for the team. Moore’s first trip to free agency generated interest and resulted in a one-year Vikings agreement.
While making his preseason debut for Minnesota, however, Moore suffered another major knee injury. That one also resulted in a season-long absence. After rehabbing the latest ailment, Moore was on track to test the market once again in March. In total, Moore played 40 combined regular and postseason games.
Rams To Promote Nate Scheelhaase To OC
The Rams will take the expected route of promoting from within to fill the offensive coordinator spot. Nate Scheelhaase is in position to take on an elevated role in 2026. 
Scheelhaase is being promoted to the role of offensive coordinator, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. He will serve as Mike LaFleur‘s replacement as a result. Schefter adds that quarterbacks coach Dave Ragone will maintain his current role while also having co-offensive coordinator added to his title.
During a head coaching hiring cycle dominated by staffers with a defensive background, Scheelhaase stood out. The 35-year-old has seen his stock rise considerably during a brief period. Only in place with the Rams since 2024 – his first foray into coaching at the NFL level – Scheelhaase was one of the most popular targets for HC interviews around the league last month.
After starting out at Illinois in 2015, Scheelhaase worked his way up the ladder at the NCAA level. He spent six years at Iowa State, working as the team’s offensive coordinator and QBs coach in 2023. That was followed by an arrival on Sean McVay‘s staff, something which has quickly resulted in an OC gig in the NFL. McVay will no doubt retain play-calling duties moving forward, but Scheelhaase will take on added responsibilities for 2026. He will look to become the latest member of the McVay coaching tree to elevate his standing around the league and land the opportunity to lead a staff elsewhere.
Ragone had been the only coach connected to the Rams’ OC vacancy since LaFleur departed to take charge of the Cardinals. After three years as the Falcons’ offensive coordinator under Arthur Smith, Ragone joined the Rams as their quarterbacks coach. He has played a key role in Matthew Stafford‘s ability to remain highly productive deep into his career, including an MVP campaign in 2025. The two will continue working together for at least one more year, but Ragone, 46, will also take on OC responsibilities for the first time since 2023.
The Rams averaged 30.5 points per game this season, good for first in the NFL. With Stafford set to return – likely on another reworked contract – expectations will remain very high for the unit. Continued efficiency would go a long way in setting Los Angeles up for another deep playoff run, and it would help Scheelhaase’s stock rise even further. A strong year with the title of offensive coordinator would no doubt lead to another wave of HC interest during the 2027 hiring cycle.
Seahawks Franchise Officially For Sale
Ten days after they won their second Super Bowl championship, the Seahawks announced that they are up for sale.
“The Estate of Paul G. Allen today announced it has commenced a formal sale process for the Seattle Seahawks NFL franchise, consistent with Allen’s directive to eventually sell his sports holdings and direct all Estate proceeds to philanthropy,” the team stated. “The Estate has selected investment bank Allen & Company and law firm Latham & Watkins to lead the sale process, which is estimated to continue through the 2026 off-season. NFL owners must then ratify a final purchase agreement.”
The Seahawks have enjoyed stable ownership since Allen, the co-founder of Microsoft, purchased the franchise for $200MM in 1997. Allen passed away in 2018, but the team has stayed in his family since then.
Jody Allen, Allen’s sister, has taken control over the past eight years. Rumors of a potential sale have persisted for a few years, most recently before the Super Bowl, making Wednesday’s announcement unsurprising.
Allen’s goal was for his sister to eventually sell the Seahawks and the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers and donate the proceeds to charity. Jody Allen sold the Blazers for approximately $4.2 billion last August. The wheels are now in motion to offload the Seahawks at a significantly higher price tag.
Josh Harris bought the Commanders for a record $6.05 billion in 2023, but the Seahawks figure to blow past that number. They could cost anywhere from $9 billion to $11 billion. Recent reports indicated Jeff Bezos, owner of The Washington Post and founder of Amazon, is not expected to vie for the Seahawks. Regardless, with the NFL pushing for a Seahawks sale sooner than later, bidders will begin lining up in short order.
Mike Evans To Return In 2026
Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans has put any retirement talk to bed. Evans will return for a 13th season in 2026, agents Deryk Gilmore and Darren Jones told Kimberley A. Martin of ESPN. Although Evans is a career-long Buccaneer, the pending free agent will explore his options on the open market.
While Evans left the door open for retirement in September, he would have exited on a sour note had he gone through with it. The 32-year-old entered 2025 aiming for a 12th straight 1,000-yard campaign, which would have broken a tie with Jerry Rice for the all-time record. However, multiple injuries – including a broken clavicle – prevented Evans from surpassing the legendary Rice.
Playing in just eight of the Buccaneers’ 17 games, Evans wound up with 30 catches, 368 yards and three touchdowns. The 6-foot-5, 231-pounder’s injuries contributed to a disappointing finish for Tampa Bay, which went 8-9 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2019.
On Feb. 8, Gilmore expressed optimism Evans would continue playing, stating: “[Evans] finished feeling better than he has in several seasons. I think his competitive nature leads to more football. That is my hope.”
Evans proved Gilmore right nine days later, but now their focus will turn to which uniform he will wear in 2026. As veteran insider Jordan Schultz notes, “Evans’ heart has always been in Tampa.” Nevertheless, if Evans sees a better opportunity after the Buccaneers fell flat in 2025, he may take it.
The last time Evans was on track to reach the open market, 2024, the Buccaneers prevented it from happening with a two-year, $52MM offer. A host of teams were prepared to line up for Evans before he re-signed. He later pointed to the Texans and Chiefs as clubs he would have considered joining had he rejected the Bucs’ proposal. As a Galveston native and a former Texas A&M standout, signing with the Texans would have given him a chance to play in his home state.
Since going to Tampa Bay as the seventh pick in the 2014 draft, Evans has amassed 866 receptions, 13,052 yards and 108 touchdowns. Now a six-time Pro Bowler and a one-time Super Bowl champion, the potential Hall of Famer is on his way to free agency as the most accomplished receiver available. Combining his injury-ruined 2025 and his age, Evans won’t test the market at an ideal time. Nevertheless, it’s likely he will garner plenty of interest from around the league.
Dolphins Release WR Tyreek Hill
As expected, Tyreek Hill‘s tenure with the Dolphins is ending. The All-Pro wideout is among the veterans being let go on Monday. 
Hill is being released, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. This marks an end to his four-year run in Miami. As Hill continues to recover from the season-ending knee injury he suffered in Week 4, he will now become a free agent. The Dolphins have since confirmed the news.
[RELATED: Hill Plans To Play 11th NFL Season]
2026 was set to include $36MM in compensation in this case. Hill was due to collect a $5MM roster bonus as part of that figure in March, but many expected a release to take place well before that point. Miami has been busy on Monday, with the team’s list of veteran cuts including edge rusher Bradley Chubb and others. His release, along with that of Hill, will substantially alter the Dolphins’ cap situation.
Cutting Hill immediately would generate a slightly higher dead money charge ($28.25MM) than the cap savings it would create ($22.89MM). Like in Chubb’s case, a post-June 1 designation would be much more beneficial for the Dolphins. Taking that route would yield over $35MM in savings against while spreading out the dead cap charges across the next two years. In either case, Miami is well into cost-shedding season given the team’s actions today.
Hill is free to join another team, but since his injury there have been questions raised about his future. It will be interesting to see how much of a market forms in this case given the eight-time Pro Bowler’s health status. Hill is also the subject of an NFL investigation into domestic violence allegations. His history regarding other off-the-field issues represents another factor which could hinder Hill’s value.
The Dolphins received notable trade interest in Jaylen Waddle leading up to the 2025 deadline. To little surprise, Miami retained him. Waddle – who is under contract through the 2028 campaign – is now in line to handle WR1 duties moving forward. The rest of the team’s depth chart at the receiver position could see several changes this offseason.
Hill established himself as one of the league’s most productive players over the course of his Chiefs tenure. The former fifth-rounder was named a member of the 2010s All-Decade team based on his showings in Kansas City, and expectations were high upon arrival in Miami. The 2022 blockbuster deal which saw the Dolphins acquire Hill brought about five picks for the Chiefs and helped them reset their core. With the Dolphins, Hill proved to be a highly productive contributor.
In 2022, he broke the 1,700-yard threshold. Hill matched that feat the following season, leading the league in yards and touchdowns. A drop-off was suffered in 2024, a year in which the Dolphins dealt with quarterback injuries. Hill could be seen as a viable target in certain cases if suitors consider him a bounce-back candidate. Otherwise, his health status and intentions with respect to his future will be a major storyline.
The Dolphins are in position to usher in a new, young core during the opening year of the Jon-Eric Sullivan-Jeff Hafley era. Further changes can be expected, but several veteran contracts are already coming off the books in a sign of the wide berth granted by owner Stephen Ross. Inexpensive receivers will be targeted during the spring for Miami, while Hill will weigh his options.
Dolphins Release OLB Bradley Chubb
Bradley Chubb‘s time in Miami is coming to an end. The veteran edge rusher is being released by the Dolphins, as first reported by NFL insider Jordan Schultz. 
Chubb’s deal had one season remaining on it. However, none of his base pay for 2026 was guaranteed, leaving the door open to a release. It comes as little surprise Miami’s new regime is moving forward with this cut prior to March 12, when Chubb was due to collect a roster bonus. The Dolphins have since confirmed the move.
Roughly one year ago, Chubb agreed to a restructure which reduced his base salary for 2025. That move increased his cap hit for next year to over $31.5MM, though. Instead of attempting to work out another restructure or an extension, a release loomed as a logical direction for Miami. This move will generate a considerable dead money charge if it is processed immediately. On the other hand, a post-June 1 designation would create $20.23MM in savings for the Dolphins, one of the teams with work to do over the coming weeks to become cap compliant.
Chubb established himself as a productive sack artist during his time with the Broncos. Upon being acquired by the Dolphins via trade in 2022, the two-time Pro Bowler inked a five-year, $110MM extension. Chubb’s first full Miami campaign was stellar, as he racked up 11 sacks and six forced fumbles. An ACL tear suffered late in the season kept him sidelined for all of 2024, though.
Upon returning to full health, Chubb managed to remain in place for all 17 games in 2025. He recorded 8.5 sacks and 22 pressures while handling a full-time starting role. The Dolphins received considerable interest leading up to the trade deadline on multiple fronts, and Chubb was among the top targets for suitors. In the end, fellow pass rusher Jaelan Phillips was dealt while Chubb was retained. Both are now on track for free agency.
Entering his age-30 season, Chubb will be among the top edge rushers on the market. Interested teams could be cautious given his injury history, but the former No. 5 pick has shown an ability to produce when healthy. A contract similar to the one he landed in 2022 should not be expected, of course. Nevertheless, a strong market could emerge prior to the start of free agency.
The Dolphins, meanwhile, will remain a team to watch over the coming weeks. The new tandem of general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley is in line to move on from a number of expensive contracts. The fate of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa remains unclear, but other veterans could soon join Chubb in being on the move.
Browns To Hire Mike Rutenberg As DC
The Browns were known to be nearing a hire for their defensive coordinator vacancy. One of the finalists will indeed be heading to Cleveland. 
Mike Rutenberg is the Browns’ choice, as first reported by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Not long after team and staffer interviewed, an agreement has been reached. Rutenberg’s tenure with the Falcons will now come to an end.
Retaining Jim Schwartz was a key priority for the Browns leading up to their head coaching search. The highly-regarded DC was in the running to be promoted to the role, but Todd Monken was hired instead. Over a brief period, Schwartz’s future was unclear but as many predicted he wound up resigning.
That decision left Cleveland in need of a new defensive coordinator for the first time since Schwartz arrived in 2023. A list of candidates quickly emerged, and while there were staffers who withdrew the team was able to generate a group of finalists late in the hiring cycle. Rutenberg was one of three candidates firmly in the mix, and his attention will now turn to the first coordinator gig of his coaching career.
The 44-year-old has worked in a number of capacities at the college and NFL levels. Rutenberg has experience as a defensive backs coach and a pass-game coordinator in both regards, but he has also worked with linebackers in the pros. He served as the Jets’ LBs coach prior to following Jeff Ulbrich from New York to Atlanta last offseason. After a one-year Falcons stint, Rutenberg will take charge of a defense which ranked fourth in yards allowed in 2025. Few staffing changes are expected in the wake of this move, per Tony Grossi of The Land on Demand.
The Browns have the reigning Defensive Player of the Year (Myles Garrett) along with 2025’s Defensive Rookie of the Year (Carson Schwesinger) in the fold. Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward and others round out what should be a strong unit once again in 2026. Rutenberg will certainly face high expectations upon arrival in Cleveland as the team aims to take needed steps forward on offense under Monken and Co.
Given today’s news, only one defensive coordinator opening remains around the NFL. The Patriots have a vacancy, although they are widely expected to continue with Zak Kuhr as their defensive play-caller after he handled those responsibilities in 2025. Provided Kuhr’s status is confirmed in the near future, it will bring an end to the DC hiring cycle for 2026.
Here is a final look at the Browns’ search:
- Ephraim Banda, safeties coach (Browns): Interviewed 2/7
- Charlie Bullen, defensive pass-game coordinator (Giants): Interview requested; withdrew from search
- 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): Hired
- Jason Tarver, linebackers coach (Browns): Interviewed 2/7; finalist
- Cory Undlin, defensive pass-game coordinator (Texans): Held in-person interview 2/14; finalist
- Dino Vasso, defensive backs coach (Texans): Mentioned as candidate; withdrew from search
Raiders To Hire Andrew Janocko As OC
With the Seahawks moving to hire 49ers tight ends coach Brian Fleury as a replacement for Klint Kubiak at offensive coordinator, the situation became much more clear for Seahawks quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko. No longer an internal candidate for the Seahawks job, a deal has now been finalized to make Janocko the Raiders’ new offensive coordinator, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. 
In the wake of a Super Bowl victory, the Seahawks watched Kubiak depart for Las Vegas to become a first-time head coach. There began immediate conjecture around whether or not any Seattle staffers would be following him to the Raiders and who they may be. Janocko was at the top of that list.
Janocko has worked with closely with Kubiak in five of the past seven NFL seasons. They first worked together in Minnesota, where Kubiak joined as quarterbacks coach in 2019. Janocko was entering his fifth season with the Vikings, serving as assistant offensive line coach after starting as an offensive quality control coach in 2015. In 2020, Janocko moved to wide receivers coach, and when Kubiak was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2021, Janocko replaced him in the role of quarterbacks coach.
In 2022, then-Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer was fired, and Kubiak and Janocko went their separate ways. Kubiak spent a year each in Denver and San Francisco and Janocko spent two seasons with the Bears before the two reunited in New Orleans two years ago. They, once again, filled their roles of offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, and when Mike Macdonald lured them to the Seahawks the next year, they retained their titles in the move.
So, when Kubiak made the move to become the new head coach at Las Vegas, there were two immediate options that seemed to emerge. It made sense to believe that Janocko would either follow Kubiak, once again, to Las Vegas with the potential for a promotion to offensive coordinator or remain in Seattle for a chance to become an offensive coordinator on his own with the added responsibility of calling plays, something that won’t be available to him in Vegas. The Seahawks did interview Janocko — and a few other internal candidates — for the offensive coordinator position, but their ultimate decision to bring in Fleury put the writing on the wall.
The Raiders’ search for a new offensive coordinator was short and sweet. Janocko showed up to interview today and, apparently, got a deal done. The team will have needed to be Rooney Rule compliant in order to make a hire, so one would assume some interviews have taken place that haven’t yet been reported. Here’s our account of the team’s search that led to Janocko:
- Andrew Janocko, quarterbacks coach (Seahawks): Hired
- Frisman Jackson, wide receivers coach (Seahawks): To interview
Seahawks To Hire Brian Fleury As OC
The Seahawks considered a number of internal candidates to fill the offensive coordinator position. Instead, they will go outside the organization to replace Klint Kubiak. 
Seattle is hiring Brian Fleury to handle OC duties, as first reported by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Fleury has been in place with the 49ers since 2019, but he will now move within the NFC West. This will be his first offensive coordinator opportunity.
The Seahawks seemed to be in position to promote an in-house staffer to the role of OC this offseason. Indeed, four candidates from within the organization recently conducted an interview. A small number of coaches from outside Seattle were mentioned as names to watch as the team’s search unfolded. One of those was Fleury, who met with the Seahawks yesterday. Things clearly went well, and an agreement has now been reached.
Fleury has been coaching since 2005, and he worked in a number of capacities during his college career. Stints as a defensive and special teams coordinator preceded Fleury’s rise to the ranks of NFL staffs. The former undrafted free agent quarterback had brief tenures with the Bills and Browns prior to arriving in San Francisco.
After one season working on the defensive side of the ball, Fleury became an offensive quality control coach for the 49ers. That was followed by a four-year run as the team’s tight ends coach. In 2025, the title of run-game coordinator was added, an indication of Fleury’s importance to Kyle Shanahan‘s staff. The 49ers will now need to seek out a replacement late in the 2026 hiring cycle.
For the Seahawks, meanwhile, the status of their internal OC candidates will be worth watching closely. Quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko was among the coaches who loomed as a promotion candidate, but he has been heavily linked to the Raiders since Kubiak’s departure. At this point, a Janocko move to Vegas to fill that team’s OC position is expected.
Seattle enjoyed a stellar showing on defense en route to winning the Super Bowl this season. The team’s offense played a notable role as well, with quarterback Sam Darnold thriving on his new team and wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba taking home Offensive Player of the Year honors. Needless to say, expectations will be very high for Fleury during his first year as an NFL coordinator. He will be tasked with handling play-calling duties in 2026.
Via PFR’s Coordinator Search Tracker, here is a final look at how Seattle’s process played out:
- John Benton, offensive line coach (Seahawks): Rumored candidate
- Mack Brown, tight ends coach (Seahawks): Interviewed 2/13
- Brian Fleury, tight end coach (49ers): Hired
- Hank Fraley, offensive line coach (Lions): Rumored candidate
- Andrew Janocko, quarterbacks coach (Seahawks): Interviewed 2/12
- Mike Kafka, former interim head coach (Giants): Rumored candidate
- Justin Outten, run-game specialist (Seahawks): Interviewed 2/13
- Jake Peetz, pass-game coordinator (Seahawks): Interviewed 2/12
- Connor Senger, pass-game specialist (Cardinals): Interviewed