49ers Expected To Maintain High Asking Price In Mac Jones Trade
Teams in need of a new quarterback this spring could attempt to go down the trade route. In that event, Mac Jones would be a coveted passer. 
Jones’ impressive showing with the 49ers in 2025 helped rebuild his value. The former first-rounder was unable to duplicate the success of his rookie year in New England, and as of last offseason it was unclear when – or if – he would receive another QB1 opportunity. That time could soon be approaching, with a strong trade market being something to watch for in Jones’ case.
As things stand, the 27-year-old is under contract with San Francisco for 2026. Jones is scheduled to carry a cap charge of only $3.07MM, while his base salary ($1.4MM) would be highly attractive to any number of suitors. Those financial factors are of course among the reasons why San Francisco’s preference would be to retain Jones as affordable Brock Purdy insurance. When trade calls are made, the team is expected to drive a hard bargain.
“It’s a tough market to read this early in the process,” a personnel member whose team is in need of a new quarterback told SportsBoom’s Jason La Canfora. “I know that [head coach] Kyle [Shanahan] doesn’t want to lose him. I think they’ll put up a pretty good fight. You’re going to have to knock their socks off.”
Cost-effective passers are of course a highly valuable commodity in the NFL, so it would come as no surprise if the 49ers maintained a high asking price on the Jones front. The Alabama product could be viewed as the latest quarterback to spend time with Shanahan and then thrive elsewhere, not unlike how Sam Darnold‘s career has surged over the past two years. That leads Matt Barrows of The Athletic to write (subscription required) “circumstances are aligning” for San Francisco to receive a trade offer too strong to turn down.
Purdy’s $53MM-per-year pact runs through the 2030 season. The value and upside Jones provides will be accounted for as the 49ers plan their offseason approach under center. Whether or not they set the price of a trade too high for a swap to take place will be interesting to monitor over the coming weeks.
Eagles RT Lane Johnson Will Play In 2026
The Eagles will once again have stability at the right tackle spot next season. Lane Johnson‘s decorated career will continue in 2026. 
Johnson informed Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer that he will play next year. The All-Pro himself has since provided a confirmation on X. A retirement call will be delayed for at least one more season as a result.
Earlier this month, it was reported Johnson was one of two Eagles O-line starters giving thought to retirement. The other is guard Landon Dickerson, whose situation is based not on age but on his injury history. Johnson missed considerable time in 2025, but McLane notes his rehab from a Lisfranc injury is ongoing. A full campaign in 2026 would be critical for Philadelphia’s offense.
There will be plenty of new faces on the sideline for the Eagles next year. Offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo was dismissed immediately after the Eagles were eliminated in the wild-card round. Not long after, longtime offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland resigned. As a result, the team will have a new O-line coach for the first time since 2013. Johnson’s ability to maintain his Pro Bowl form upon returning to full health will be key in determining the success of the transition along the coaching staff.
In place with the Eagles since being drafted fourth overall in 2013, Johnson has cemented his status as one of the greatest players in franchise history. The 35-year-old has remained a full-time starter throughout his tenure, and that will of course continue next season as well. Johnson is under contract for two more years, although none of his 2026 or ’27 base salaries are guaranteed at this point.
Nevertheless, the two-time Super Bowl winner’s pact calls for a $9MM option bonus to be paid out on September 1. All parties can now proceed knowing there is no longer any uncertainty on that front. Johnson is scheduled to carry a cap charge of $20.3MM next season.
Cowboys Will Move Away From 4-3 Defense In 2026
New Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker confirmed that Dallas would be moving away from the 4-3 defense they have run for more than a decade.
“The first thing is we’re going to be multiple,” Parker said (via team writer Tommy Yarrish). “So our core principles, we’ll be a 3-4 by nature, but 4-3 spacing will be appropriate, 4-2-5 in nickel, different front structures, coverages behind it.”
The Cowboys last ran a 3-4 under Rob Ryan in 2012. They moved to a 4-3 when head coach Jason Garrett and defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin were hired in 2013 and kept that base system under three more head coaches and five more defensive coordinators. But Parker’s history under Ejiro Evero, Vance Joseph, and Vic Fangio, who all run 3-4 schemes, was a clear sign that Dallas would not retain the 4-3 in 2026. Hiring dedicated inside and outside linebackers coach – which is more common for team that uses a 3-4 – was another indicator.
However, Parker emphasized the importance “being multiple” and tailoring his scheme to his personnel. Modern defenses need to be flexible against the NFL’s ever-changing offensive schemes, which has precipitated the rise of hybrid systems like Parker’s.
The magnitude of the difference between the NFL’s two dominant defensive schemes has waned in recent years as teams switched to nickel personnel on a plurality, if not a majority, of plays. Technique, spacing, and strategy – particularly the interplay between first- and second-level defenders – are still key distinctions. But especially with his intent to build around his roster, Parker should not have too tough of a task in transforming the Cowboys defense into his vision for the unit.
Packers Line Up Special Teams Coordinator Interviews
The Packers are moving quickly to replace special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia after he suddenly stepped down this week. Their first three candidates are Cameron Achord, Tom McMahon, and Kyle Wilber, per Sports Illustrated’s Bill Huber.
Achord, 39, has been the Giants’ assistant special teams coach since 2024. He was retained by new head coach John Harbaugh after New York’s solid special teams effort in 2025, which featured top-10 finishes in yards per kickoff return and average starting field position. Achord previously worked for the Patriots, winning a Super Bowl in his first year as an assistant special teams coach and receiving a promotion to coordinator in 2020. He left New England when Bill Belichick‘s tenure ended in 2023 and quickly signed on with Brian Daboll in New York.
McMahon, 56, was fired by the Raiders during the 2025 season, his fourth as the team’s special teams coordinator. He was originally hired by Josh McDaniels in 2022 and survived the team’s head coaching change to Antonio Pierce in 2024. McMahon was retained by Pete Carroll in 2025, but a disastrous year from Las Vegas’ special teams units led to his firing in November. McMahon previously held STC jobs with the Rams (2009-2011), Chiefs (2012), Colts (2013-2017), and Broncos (2018-2021).
Wilber, 36, is entering his second year as the Saints’ assistant special teams coach. He was a linebacker and special teams ace for the Cowboys and the Raiders for a decade before he moved into coaching. His first job as the Packers’ special teams quality control coach (2023-2024) may give him a leg up in the race for the open job in Green Bay.
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.
Seahawks Promote Justin Outten, Hire Thomas Hammock As RBs Coach
Seahawks assistant coach Justin Outten missed out on the team’s offensive coordinator job, but he will still get a promotion after his success in 2025.
Formerly Seattle’s run game specialist and assistant offensive line coach, Outten is set to become the team’s run game coordinator, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, a title bump that is likely to come with a pay raise. It seems to be well-deserved, as the Seahawks ranked third in rushing yards, second in rushing touchdowns, and first in yards per attempt last year, his first on the coaching staff.
Continued success at that level will likely make Outten an offensive coordinator candidate in future hiring cycles. His previous play-calling experience as the Broncos’ OC in 2022 went poorly, but Nathaniel Hackett and Russell Wilson seemed to be more foundational problems with that team. Outten also has served under a number of notable head coaches, including Dan Quinn, Mike LaFleur, and Mike Vrabel, in addition to his current boss, Mike Macdonald. His strong coaching network may help him garner more interest for OC jobs and fill his staff if he lands one.
The Seahawks are also hiring Northern Illinois head coach Thomas Hammock as their running backs coach, per ESPN’s Pete Thamel. Hammock will replace Kennedy Polamalu, who suddenly left the team before the playoffs. Outten, along with offensive assistant Michael Byrne, filled Polamalu’s role in the interim. Hammock will now take on the full-time gig after receiving interest from multiple NFL teams, and he will do so as the highest paid RBs coach in the league.
Hammock, 44, was a star running back at NIU before a medical condition forced him to retire after his senior year. He immediately went into coaching, starting as a graduate assistant at Wisconsin. He then served as the RBs coach at his alma mater and Minnesota before returning to Wisconsin in 2011. Hammock then got his first NFL job as the Ravens’ RBs coach, a position he held from 2013 until 2018, when a head coaching offer from NIU drew him back into the college ranks.
Though the Seahawks hope to keep Kenneth Walker, they are not expected to use the franchise tag on him. If he leaves Seattle this offseason Outten and Hammock would be tasked with getting Zach Charbonnet ready for a lead back role 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.
Patriots Unlikely To Retain Harold Landry?
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.
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.