Eagles Aiming For Pre-Free Agency A.J. Brown Solution; Chargers In Play For WR?
A.J. Brown figures to learn his 2026 destination soon. The Eagles, along with the teams in this trade pursuit, want the matter resolved over the next couple of days, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini tweets. A few clubs have been connected to the standout wide receiver.
The Bills checked in on Brown before agreeing to acquire D.J. Moore, and the Patriots and Ravens emerged as the most likely destinations. The Chargers are another team looking into this situation, Russini adds. Although the Patriots are still in this mix, they might require a price reduction from the Eagles to make the trade.
New England is an acceptable destination for Brown, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport. The Pats, though, still view Howie Roseman‘s asking price — believed to be first- and second-round picks — as too steep, The Exhibit’s Josina Anderson notes. Philly is not budging on the price, per Russini. Considering how punitive trading Brown before June 1 would be for the Eagles, it makes sense they are sticking to their guns here.
The Rams were also involved in this derby, per Rapoport, but Russini adds the team has since moved on. Considering Los Angeles is sending one of its two first-rounders to Kansas City for Trent McDuffie, it would seem unlikely — even given the Rams’ history with picks-for-players trades — they will not want to trade more high picks for Brown.
Brown being interested in a Foxborough landing is notable given the Patriots’ failure to sell Brandon Aiyuk on such a path in 2024. Brown, 28, would be reuniting with ex-Titans HC Mike Vrabel in this case. While a report indicated the Patriots may not be ready to make a big trade, the team has been linked to Brown at multiple points. The Pats are releasing Stefon Diggs, creating a glaring need at wide receiver. With Drake Maye on a rookie contract, the Pats have a window to make such a move.
The Chargers have Ladd McConkey tied to rookie terms for at least one more season. The Bolts have a Quentin Johnston fifth-year option decision to make, but it seems unlikely the 2023 first-rounder will see that option exercised. Tre Harris arrived in last year’s second round and would stand to play a bigger role in 2026, as Keenan Allen is unsigned ahead of a potential age-34 season. Brown would obviously step in as the Chargers’ No. 1 playmaker. The Bolts lead the NFL in cap space and could certainly add a $32MM-AAV receiver deal. While they are not expected to be aggressive in free agency, a trade for a marquee wideout would provide a major upgrade for Justin Herbert.
If Brown is still an Eagle next season, he will count an affordable $23.39MM against their salary cap. On the other hand, trading Brown before June 1 would level the Eagles with a 43.45MM dead cap charge, a record for his position. They would also lose $20.12MM in spending room. Brown has not requested a trade, but after a rocky recent past, the sides appear close to separating.
Packers To Move On From Rashan Gary?
1:17pm: We look to have an Instagram hacking situation here. That is the case, per Demovsky. Gary has not been informed he is being released or traded yet, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets.
12:48pm: Rashan Gary‘s Packers tenure looks set to end after seven seasons. The veteran edge rusher announced (via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero) his time with the team will wrap soon.
Tied to a four-year, $96MM extension, Gary had played out the guaranteed portion of his contract — one that ran through the 2027 season. Gary was due an $18MM base salary in 2026. The Packers could designate the OLB as a post-June 1 cut, but they cannot do so until March 11.
It is not known if Gary will be traded or released, according to The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman. But it certainly appears the 2019 first-round pick has been informed he’s done in Green Bay. Gary has since deleted this post (h/t ESPN’s Rob Demovsky), injecting confusion into the proceedings.
Gary, 28, had been the subject of trade talks (per Pelissero) recently. The Packers would save $10.78MM with a standard release, which could take place today. They would, however, pick up $19.5MM in 2026 cap space with a post-June 1 designation. Teams are allowed two of those annually.
Gary’s production has not aligned with his $24MM-per-year pact, and the Packers could be searching for a new Micah Parsons bookend soon. Though, the team has 2023 first-rounder Lukas Van Ness — a player who has not lived up to his draft billing — as an option for 2026. Van Ness has started just two career games.
Bills To Release WR Curtis Samuel
As the Bills continue to move toward cap compliance, they are releasing another veteran. Following the Taron Johnson cut, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Buffalo is moving on from Curtis Samuel.
This has been expected, as the veteran wide receiver has not lived up to expectations with the team. Releasing Samuel will save just more than $6MM in cap space.
The Bills gave Samuel a three-year, $24MM contract in free agency; the 2024 deal did not pan out as the team has whiffed on some wide receiver investments over the past two years. One of many ex-Panthers to come through Buffalo during Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott‘s time in western New York, Samuel totaled just 38 receptions for 334 yards over two seasons. He tallied 81 yards in 2025.
Samuel, 29, may have resided on Buffalo’s roster bubble last year were it not for a fully guaranteed 2025 salary. The Bills indeed kept the slot receiver but later placed him on IR due to elbow and knee injuries. Although the Bills used an IR activation on Samuel, he was a nonfactor for a team that struggled to generate wide receiver production. The Bills have since agreed to acquire ex-Samuel Panthers teammate D.J. Moore via trade.
Playing for Joe Brady in Carolina and Buffalo, Samuel initially relocated from Charlotte to Washington in free agency back in 2021. Samuel played out a three-year, $34.5MM Commanders deal, with two solid seasons alongside Terry McLaurin paving a path to Buffalo. Samuel eclipsed 600 receiving yards in 2022 and ’23, despite the Commanders’ QB troubles in those years, and became an attractive free agent. The former second-rounder’s 2026 market will not rival his 2024 interest.
Bills To Release CB Taron Johnson
Entering Friday more than $31MM over the cap, the Bills are releasing a longtime staple. They are cutting cornerback Taron Johnson, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler reports.
While boundary cornerbacks have come and gone in Buffalo during the Brandon Beane era, Johnson has patrolled the slot for nearly all of the franchise’s resurgent period. The 2018 fourth-round pick was tied to a three-year, $30.75MM contract. Two years remained on the deal. By moving on now, the Bills avoid a $1.18MM advanced salary guarantee — which would have vested next week.
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This release is not slated to produce much in the way of cap savings — unless Buffalo designates the cornerstone defender as a post-June 1 cut. A post-June 1 designation would save the Bills $8.67MM in 2026 cap space. Otherwise, the club would save less than $2MM this year and incur more than $8MM in dead money. Teams are allowed two post-June 1 designations annually.
The Bills used the same defensive system throughout Johnson’s tenure, but with Sean McDermott being fired and Jim Leonhard coming in as DC, a big change is on tap. Buffalo will be expected to deploy Christian Benford and 2025 first-round pick Maxwell Hairston as its boundary starters, but a hole now exists in the slot.
Johnson, 29, started 87 games with the Bills and had played at least 74% of the team’s defensive snaps since the 2020 season. He signed a three-year, $24MM extension in 2021 and topped Kenny Moore‘s then-slot-record deal in 2024. That pact has since been surpassed — though, not by too much — but Johnson will be an interesting free agent after being tied to an eight-figure AAV for the past two seasons.
A recent report indicated the Bills were considering moving Johnson to safety. Jordan Poyer became needed at the position, and Taylor Rapp is expected to be released. While the Bills will need help at that position — with Damar Hamlin joining Poyer as unsigned — they had been able to count on Johnson inside for nearly a decade. Pro Football Focus, however, had viewed Johnson as slipping recently. The advanced metrics site graded him outside the top 70 in each of the past two seasons.
Patriots To Re-Sign QB Tommy DeVito
During 2025 roster cutdowns, Tommy DeVito was waived by the Giants. New York’s preference was to keep him in place on the practice squad, but that did not prove to be possible. 
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The Patriots put in a waiver claim and retained DeVito through the 2025 season. The fan favorite was on course for restricted free agency, but instead he has worked out a multiyear deal to remain in place. DeVito has agreed to a two-year pact with New England, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.
This contract has a maximum value of $7.4MM, per Schefter. He adds DeVito will secure $2MM in guarantees. As a result, the backup gig may be in store in this case. The reigning AFC champions will of course have Drake Maye atop the depth chart for years to come, but this commitment could be a signal DeVito is viewed as QB2 option. Veteran Josh Dobbs is under contract through 2026.
None of Dobbs’ scheduled base salary ($3.2MM) is guaranteed, however. A release in his case would yield $3.7MM in cap savings, so a parting of ways in this case will now be something to watch for. At a minimum, DeVito – who made eight starts across the 2023 and ’24 seasons during his time with the Giants – will remain in the fold as depth under center for New England.
The 27-year-old posted a passer rating of 88.4 during his New York stretch. A relatively high floor may be expected moving forward, especially if DeVito meshes with the scheme implemented by Josh McDaniels upon his return to the Patriots in 2024. New England’s offense will of course hinge in large part on the play of Maye in Year 3 and beyond, but it will be interesting to see if DeVito receives a full-time backup gig on his second career team.
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.
Rams, S Kamren Curl Agree To Deal
The Rams continue to make moves in the secondary prior to the start of free agency. Kamren Curl will not be testing the market next week. 
Curl and the Rams have agreed to a three-year deal, as first reported by Mike Garafolo, Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. The pact has a base value of $36MM and can reach a maximum of $39MM. Curl joins Quentin Lake as a Los Angeles safety who has avoided a trip to free agency by landing a payday.
That tandem will remain intact for 2026 and beyond given today’s news. Curl has operated as a full-time starter during his two years with the Rams. That stint was preceded by four years in Washington, and it resulted in a free agent Los Angeles pact worth $4.5MM per year. Curl played his way into a considerable raise, setting himself up to be one of the top earners at the safety position this offseason. He has not needed to test the market to secure his next NFL contract, though.
The Rams nearly reached the Super Bowl this past season despite ranking 19th against the pass. Upgrading the secondary was seen as a clear priority as a result, and earlier this week Los Angeles swung a trade for All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie. Provided an extension can be worked out in his case, improved play at the defensive third level for years to come will be expected.
After a four-year run without an interception, Curl managed a pair of picks in 2025. The soon-to-be 27-year-old also set or matched his career high in tackles (122) and sacks (two) this past season. Remaining a strong contributor over the course of this next contract would be key in ensuring the Rams continue to be one of the NFC’s top contenders. He and Lake will look to further develop their safety partnership with plenty of time to do so given their respective pacts.
Yesterday, Los Angeles worked out a new deal with tight end Tyler Higbee. Coupled with today’s Curl agreement, the team has managed to take care of a few important pieces of business prior to the new league year beginning.
Chargers Sign C Tyler Biadasz
The Chargers have found their new center in advance of free agency. Shortly after hosting Tyler Biadasz, a deal has been worked out. 
A three-year, $30MM pact has been agreed to between Los Angeles and Biadasz, Ian Rapoport, Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network report. The Bolts recently saw Bradley Bozeman retire, creating an opening at the center spot. A number of options are on course to test the market next week, but the team has moved quickly in landing Biadasz, whose signing is now official.
After playing out his rookie contract with the Cowboys, Biadasz was among the players who followed Dan Quinn from Dallas to Washington in 2024. He did so by also inking a 3/30 pact at that time, but the Commanders proceeded with a release last week. That gave the 28-year-old a head start on free agency and allowed him to meet with suitors. In addition to the Chargers, Biadasz was believed to have visited the Bears as part of their search for a Drew Dalman replacement. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk clarifies, however, that no Chicago summit actually took place.
In the lead-up to free agency, Chargers GM Joe Hortiz made it clear he did not anticipate any big-money additions in March. That came as little surprise given his roster-building philosophy was shaped by a long Ravens tenure, but it led to questions about how Los Angeles’ substantial cap flexibility would be used. It remains to be seen how Hortiz will address the guard position moving forward – with Mekhi Becton set to be released and Zion Johnson a pending free agent – but the center spot has now been taken care of.
Biadasz, a Pro Bowl alternate in 2024, started 53 games with the Cowboys and all 31 of his Commanders contests. The Wisconsin product will be counted to remain a first-team presence on his third NFL team while offering plenty in the way of experience. Provided the Chargers get better luck on the health front with tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, improved play up front can be expected for 2026.
Having entered Friday with over $99MM in cap space, the Bolts can certainly afford several other additions over the coming days. The guard position in particular will now be one to watch as Hortiz seeks out replacements for Becton and – in the event he lands elsewhere – Johnson.
Bears, Bills Finalizing D.J. Moore Trade
D.J. Moore‘s Bears future has been in question, and he will indeed be on the move soon. The veteran wideout will be dealt to the Bills once the new league year begins, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Chicago will receive a 2026 second-round pick (No. 60 overall) in the deal while sending a 2026 fifth-rounder back to Buffalo, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. The Bears will also see $16.5MM in cap savings, according to Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap, though that will not kick in until the trade is processed at the start of the new league year. As a result, they will need to make other moves to become cap-compliant by next Wednesday.
The Bills will take on the remainder of Moore’s contract, which runs through 2029. He is owed $24.5MM in each year with the same cap number. His 2026 salary is already guaranteed, and $15.5MM of his 2027 salary guarantees on March 13.
Buffalo is also guaranteeing $15.5MM of Moore’s 2028 salary as part of the trade, per Schefter. It is unclear if they are expanding the 2027 guarantees to cover the entire year’s salary. Moore, notably, has negotiated fully guaranteed compensation for each of his first nine seasons in the NFL and could very well get to 11 as a result of this deal.
Along with the second-rounder they moved to acquire him, that is a hefty commitment for a player who just posted career-low receiving numbers in the NFL’s 10th-ranked passing offense. His 1.44 yards per route run in 2024 and 1.24 YPRR in 2025 are the lowest figures of his career, per Pro Football Focus, (subscription required). However, that can be partially attributed to a crowded Bears offense that featured a strong running game and young pass-catchers Rome Odunze, Colston Loveland, and Luther Burden.
Still, Buffalo had a clear desire to upgrade their receiving corps. They checked in on A.J. Brown and Alec Pierce, per Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, but ultimately opted to reunite Moore with head coach Joe Brady. The two last worked together in Carolina in 2020 and 2021, during which time Moore put up 2,350 yards and eight touchdowns on 159 receptions.
Perhaps Brady can get him back to that production or better in a receiver room with less competition – Khalil Shakir was the only Bills wideout to top 40 receptions or 500 receiving yards last year. But given the financial and draft compensation, it is hard to like this trade for the Bills. Moore is about to turn 29 after two years of decline and the team is essentially tied to him through his age-31 season after adding guarantees to his deal.
Texans To Extend DE Danielle Hunter
For a second straight offseason, Danielle Hunter will extend his Houston stay by a year. The Texans are giving the Pro Bowl defensive end a one-year extension, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson reports.
Hunter agreed to a one-year, $40.1MM deal, per Wilson. This comes a year after the Will Anderson Jr. bookend inked a one-year, $35.6MM pact. This agreement, which includes a $30.7MM signing bonus (per NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero), pushes Hunter’s Texans tie through the 2027 season.
This marks Hunter’s third Texans agreement. The team gave the longtime Vikings edge rusher a two-year, $49MM deal that came almost fully guaranteed in 2024. Hunter rewarded the Texans’ investment, as Houston and Minnesota essentially traded edges (with Jonathan Greenard signing with the Vikings), and has since earned two extensions. This deal stands to reduce Hunter’s 2026 cap number — previously at $31.3MM.
The latest Hunter agreement includes a favorable structure. Hunter will see his 2027 base salary ($30.2MM) come fully guaranteed, with Wilson indicating his money is locked in. This represents a win for Hunter, who has opted to go year-to-year past age 30. The youngest player in NFL history to reach 50 sacks, Hunter will turn 33 in October.
Building a Hall of Fame case since coming back from an injury-plagued stretch in the early 2020s, Hunter has been a key part of what has become a formidable Texans defense. The former third-round pick has recorded 27 sacks as a Texan, playing in every Houston game since signing. This included a 15-sack 2025 season, a campaign that earned him second-team All-Pro honors. With Anderson landing on the All-Pro first team, Houston has assembled one of the top edge-rushing duos in recent NFL history.
Coming back from a season-nullifying neck injury (2020) and a pectoral malady that limited him (2021), Hunter has tallied between 22 and 23 QB hits each season from 2022-25. He ripped off a career-high 16.5 as a Viking in 2023, providing considerable momentum into free agency. Hunter had been tied to a below-market contract since 2018, and a Vikes rework meant he could not be franchise-tagged in 2024, leading to a Colts-Texans bidding war. While Indianapolis was believed to have offered more money in total, Houston won out with a $48MM guarantee at signing. The addition has bolstered DeMeco Ryans‘ defense.
When first signed, it looked like the Texans would use Hunter’s contract to complement the rookie deals of Anderson and C.J. Stroud. But Nick Caserio‘s decision to extend him in 2025 turned this into a longer-term partnership. Although Hunter is approaching his mid-30s, he has been a dominant player in Houston.
In the sack era (1982-present), only 26 players have more QB drops than Hunter. The 12th-year veteran has 114.5 despite missing a full season. Hunter is 24 sacks away from the top 10 all time. While keeping up that pace may be a tall order, Hunter has seven double-digit sack seasons on his resume.
Born in Jamaica, Hunter grew up in the Houston area. He replaced Greenard as Anderson’s older sidekick, and the Texans’ defense benefited. Houston ended last season ranked second in scoring defense and first in EPA per play. The unit smothered the Steelers in the wild-card round, rampaging to a 30-6 win, before seeing Stroud struggles in the divisional round bring a defense-powered season to a close.
With Caserio and Co. expected to discuss an extension with Anderson this offseason, Stroud is on track to remain tied to his rookie deal in 2026. Hunter’s accord is the NFL’s fifth $40MM-per-year defender deal, following Myles Garrett, T.J. Watt, Micah Parsons and Aidan Hutchinson. This is a unique pact, however, as the rest of those contracts covered at least three years in length.