Giants Speak With Matthew Stafford’s Camp; Raiders Will Not Face Tampering Charges
A quartet of teams was recently mentioned as suitors to watch for on the Matthew Stafford trade front. The Giants and Raiders in particular have shown strong interest, and a bidding war could ensue as a result. 
The Giants met with Stafford’s representatives at the Combine on Tuesday night, Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post reports. That comes as no surprise given the interest the team has shown dating back to at least the 2024 trade deadline. General manager Joe Schoen has made it clear adding multiple quarterbacks (including, quite possibly, acquiring a veteran and then selecting a rookie early in the draft) is a priority this offseason.
Dealing the No. 3 pick in April’s draft is not on the table, but the Giants could look to put together a package built around other compensation. Confirming the Giants-Stafford meeting, a report from Dianna Russini, Tashan Reed, Jourdan Rodrigue and Vic Tafur of The Athletic notes Los Angeles would likely ask for a second-round selection and more if a Day 1 pick becomes unattainable (subscription required). The Giants are on track to own seven other 2025 picks, including No. 34.
Stafford is known to be seeking a new Rams pact averaging $50MM per year, but the team is not prepared to meet that asking price. Head coach Sean McVay has made it clear the team’s preference would be for the Super Bowl winner to play a fifth season in Los Angeles. While his camp has permission to seek out a trade partner, Stafford has not asked to be dealt to a new team.
The Raiders have of course already been in contact with Stafford himself speaking with minority owner Tom Brady. The details on the encounter have been disputed, but concerns about tampering can be put to rest. A league spokesperson informed Outkick’s Armando Salguero the NFL is satisfied tampering did not occur when Brady and Stafford met. Especially since the Rams have allowed conversations to take place regarding a trade deal as well as a contract from a (hypothetical) acquiring team, similar discussions can be expected over the coming days.
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer predicts this situation will be resolved one way or another relatively soon. The Rans will of course need to know if their 37-year-old passer will remain in place for another year or if a successor will need to be acquired this offseason. Suitors like the Giants and Raiders (along with the previously-mentioned Browns and Steelers) will also build their offseason plans on whether or not a Stafford swap can be worked out. As the Combine continues, traction on a potential deal could continue to be gained with respect to New York and/or Las Vegas in particular.
Buccaneers Meet With Lavonte David; LB Drawing Outside Interest
Retirement was on the table last year for Lavonte David, but he ultimately signed a one-year deal to continue his decorated Buccaneers career. It remains to be seen if he will play in 2025. 
A report from last month indicated David is likely to hang up his cleats. No final decision has been made yet, though, and the door is still open for another Tampa Bay campaign in his case. Bovada’s Josina Anderson reports the Bucs met with David’s agent yesterday at the Combine, adding the team is prepared to give him time to weigh his options.
The 13-year veteran has been a mainstay on the Buccaneers’ defense since his arrival, and David remained productive in 2024 (122 tackles, 5.5 sacks, three forced fumbles). He could very well find himself in the team’s plans as a result; Anderson notes the talks were “positive.” Given David’s age (35), though, Tampa Bay will need to find a long-term linebacker successor in the near future, especially since Devin White did not develop as hoped prior to his 2024 free agent departure.
Losing David to retirement would deal a blow to the second level of Tampa Bay’s defense, but the possibility of a departure on the open market exists as well. Per Anderson, other teams are gauging the former Pro Bowler’s interest in playing elsewhere in 2025. Prior to signing his most recent Bucs pact, David gave thought no only to retiring but also to joining a different team for the first time in his career. It will be interesting to see how things play out in the near future.
No timeline is in place for the Super Bowl LV winner to make a call on his 2025 intentions, but the Buccaneers will no doubt want to know his plans before the start of the new league year next month. Tampa Bay is currently projected to have roughly $8.4MM in cap space once free agency begins, and a portion of that figure will be needed to retain David once again or add a veteran tasked with filling a starting role in the event he is no longer with the team next year.
Ravens K Justin Tucker Addresses Latest Sexual Misconduct Allegations
A second wave of accusations against Justin Tucker has brought the total number of women alleging sexual misconduct at massage therapy sessions to 16. The Ravens’ kicker has denied any wrongdoing already, and his second set of public remarks on the matter repeat that stance. 
“I maintain I did not act inappropriately at any point before, during, or after a professional bodywork treatment session, nor have I ever been told I am unwelcome at any massage therapy provider,” Tucker’s most recent statement reads in part (via Outkick.com). “Throughout the last four weeks, I have spent countless hours replaying every interaction I have had with bodywork professionals over the last thirteen years. I can assure whoever is reading this that I have never intended to disrespect anyone, cross any boundary, or make anyone feel uncomfortable in any way whatsoever.”
Earlier this month, a report from the Baltimore Banner publicized allegations of inappropriate conduct on Tucker’s part during message sessions from 2012-16. Tucker unequivocally denied the claims, doing so again when another three therapists made similar accusations. No criminal investigation has been opened, and no civil claims have been filed.
Tucker’s attorneys have pushed back against the claims he was banned from a number of Baltimore-are spas in response to the alleged misconduct. A reply from the law firm representing many of the accusers says: “We do not represent the spa owners, only the affected therapists. Whether the owners acted appropriately and in protection of their respective employees when faced with complaints is a question better directed to the them”
In recent days, the NFL opened its own probe to investigate a potential personal conduct policy violation; interviews with the accusers have begun and will continue in the near future. When addressing the subject at the Combine earlier this week, general manager Eric DeCosta said the Ravens will wait for that process to unfold before making a decision on Tucker’s future with the team. The five-time All-Pro has spent his entire 13-year career in Baltimore.
Head coach John Harbaugh said at the Combine (via NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo) the Ravens are evaluating kicker prospects, noting the team intended to do so before the Tucker allegations went public. Given the 2010s All-Decade Team member’s age (35) and struggles early in the campaign (resulting in a field goal accuracy rate of 73.3%, by far the lowest of his career) it would not come as a shock if the Ravens elected to move on this offseason. Three years remain on Tucker’s contract; releasing him with a post-June 1 designation would yield $4.2MM in cap savings while generating $2.87MM in dead money.
Abdul Carter Has Stress Reaction In Foot, Will Not Undergo Surgery
FEBRUARY 27: Further testing has revealed that surgery is not advised, Schefter notes in an update. As a result, Carter will indeed work out at his Pro Day in advance of hearing his name called early on Day 1 of the draft.
FEBRUARY 26: Abdul Carter won’t participate at this week’s NFL Scouting Combine, and it was assumed the blue-chip prospect was simply saving his energy for Penn State’s Pro Day. Instead, the projected first-overall pick may skip all workouts as he deals with a foot injury that could require surgery.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Carter underwent tests today that revealed a stress reaction in his right foot. The prospect is considering “pre-emptive surgery” that would result in a screw being inserted in the foot. That route would require about eight weeks of recovery, which at the very least would put Carter’s availability for the start of rookie minicamp in doubt.
Alternatively, Carter could skip the surgery. Schefter hints that the edge rusher could still participate at Penn State’s Pro Day later this week and “prove to NFL teams that he doesn’t need [surgery].” Carter, his family, and his agents consulted with doctors today to “gather more information,” and there’s an expectation that the player’s camp will make a decision later this week (per Schefter).
“There are mixed opinions on whether he needs surgery, and we will figure that out in the near future,” Carter’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told Schefter.
Carter already entered the pre-draft process with an injury, as the defending Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year was nursing a shoulder injury he suffered in Penn State’s playoff game versus Boise State. Carter recently stated that he’s back to around 90 percent health, and Rosenhaus recently sent a memo to NFL teams stating that the player has been cleared to resume training.
Even with the growing list of injury concerns, Carter isn’t expected to see a hit to his draft stock. Along with Travis Hunter, Carter was considered one of the draft’s two elite prospects, and teams will gamble on the pass-rushing upside despite any injury concerns. Rosenhaus said as much when speaking with reporters.
“Either way, worst case scnario, we don’t expect this to impact where he is drafted,” Rosenhaus said. “After visiting with teams this week, I believe he’s going to be the No. 1 overall pick. “
Tom Brady Ramps Up Raiders’ Pursuit Of Matthew Stafford
The Matthew Stafford saga is growing more complicated by the hour, with multiple (and conflicting) reports of Tom Brady meeting with Stafford on a recent ski trip in Montana.
It was originally reported that Brady had reached out to Stafford about joining the Raiders, but subsequent reporting has provided more clarity on the situation.
Brady hosted Stafford in Montana as part of his ongoing efforts to recruit the veteran quarterback to Las Vegas, who are expected to be “the most aggressive suitor,” per FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz. That report was disputed by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, who said that Brady and Stafford “ran into each other” in an unplanned meeting. Schultz followed up on his original report, adding that “Brady has been leading the charge to get him to the Raiders if the Rams decide to trade him.”
Since Stafford has been given permission to speak with other teams, it’s unlikely that Brady’s actions would run afoul of the NFL’s anti-tampering rules. If Brady’s contact came before the Rams granted that permission, though, the Raiders could face an investigation and potential discipline for the infraction. The Falcons forfeited a fifth-round pick and paid a $250K fine for tampering with multiple free agents last year. Chief among them was another veteran quarterback: Kirk Cousins.
Stafford’s agent, Jimmy Sexton, has also been meeting with interested teams at the Combine this week, including the Giants, according to Schultz and The Athletic’s Dan Duggan. The Giants have been repeatedly linked to Stafford, even dating back to the 2024 trade deadline. While they may not be willing to deal the No. 3 overall pick to acquire the veteran quarterback, general manager Joe Schoen has made it clear that finding a new quarterback is his priority this offseason.
The Stafford situation remains fluid. Sean McVay expressed his desire to retain his Super Bowl-winning quarterback, but other teams are clearly circling. After assessing his market, Stafford will likely give the Rams a chance to meet his financial demands. If they refuse, he seems poised to force his way out of Los Angeles, with Las Vegas and New York leading the list of potential destinations.
Aaron Rodgers Eyeing Rams, Aiming To Continue Playing With Davante Adams?
Set to be released from his Jets contract soon, Aaron Rodgers must wait until March 12 before becoming a free agent. Because the Jets are planning to designate him as a post-June 1 cut, no official release can take place until the start of the 2025 league year. In the meantime, however, the future Hall of Fame quarterback can survey the landscape.
One place that would understandably generate interest: Los Angeles. Rodgers indeed is believed to be eyeing a Rams fit, according to the New York Daily News’ Pat Leonard. This is contingent upon the Rams following through with a Matthew Stafford trade. While Stafford and the Rams look to find a solution on his contract, a handful of teams have come up as destinations for the 37-year-old passer.
[RELATED: Reexamining Jets-Packers’ 2023 Rodgers Trade]
Rodgers is now 41 and not in the same form Stafford is. That said, he still played 17 games for the Jets and finished with 28 touchdown passes compared to 11 interceptions (albeit at just 6.7 yards per attempt). The former Packers superstar has not closely reminded fans of his MVP form, but he would be an upgrade for teams in need at the position. While teams like the Steelers, Browns and Raiders would come to mind as potential fits — particularly Pittsburgh and Cleveland due to the AFC North teams’ roster talent — the Rams have presented an optimal fit for quarterbacks since Sean McVay arrived in 2017.
Rodgers led the way to the Jets acquiring several of his ex-Green Bay teammates, with OC Nathaniel Hackett also owing his status in New York to his former Packers pupil. If Rodgers commits to playing a 21st season (a direction he is leaning), Leonard writes he would want to bring Davante Adams with him once again. The Jets gave up a third-round pick for Adams, and while that did not reignite last season’s edition, the former All-Pro did outperform Amari Cooper and DeAndre Hopkins; he just did so for a 5-12 team.
The four-time MVP has a home in Los Angeles, and Adams has been tied to seeking a West Coast fit. The Rams came up as a potential destination, adding some intrigue here. It is not certain the Rams would want Rodgers, who does bring some baggage at this point in his career. A scenario in which the Rams move off Stafford and add Rodgers on the cheap could appeal to the NFC West club, but counting on a 40-something passer who suffered an Achilles tear in September 2023 would not be for everyone. If the Rams do pull the trigger on moving Stafford, though, they would obviously want a path to a starter-caliber quarterback to help sustain their playoff status.
Jets GM Darren Mougey did not indicate which way the team was leaning with Adams, only saying he is still at Jet at this time. But the team will not pay the accomplished wideout a $35.6MM base salary. The Jets are expected to move on soon, and they would not need to wait until June 1 with Adams. Cutting the 32-year-old performer would save the team $29.9MM.
The Rams signing off on the same Rodgers-Adams package the Jets are jettisoning would be interesting, given the team’s status as a perennial (save for an injury-ravaged 2022 season) contender. After all, the team is preparing to move on from its own 30-something receiver — Cooper Kupp. But it would appear Rodgers is closely monitoring the Stafford situation just in case the Rams would be interested in being his third NFL employer.
49ers Begin Extension Talks With Brock Purdy, George Kittle
49ers general manager John Lynch said that the team has started negotiating a long-term extension with Brock Purdy, per The Athletic’s Matt Barrows.
“We want Brock to be our quarterback as long as we’re here,” said Lynch at the Combine.
Purdy is entering the final year of his contract as one of the best stories in the NFL in recent history. He was the last pick in the 2022 NFL draft and shocked the league by taking over the 49ers’ starting quarterback job in as a rookie.
[RELATED: 49ers To Honor Deebo Samuel Trade Request]
San Francisco won his first seven starts – five in the regular season and two in the playoffs – before losing in the NFC championship game, and Purdy finished third in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting. In 2023, Purdy led the league with a 113.0 passer rating on his way to a Pro Bowl selection and a fourth-place finish in MVP voting. His play took a step back in 2024, though most of his supporting cast dealt with injuries throughout the season.
Purdy has done all of that on one of the cheapest contracts in the NFL, earning just $2.6MM over the last three seasons, per OverTheCap. Player performance escalators will allow him to double that in 2024 with a $5.2MM base salary, which is still far below the market rate for a starting quarterback. He could be looking for upwards of $50MM per year on an extension to join the upper echelon of quarterback contracts.
The 49ers have repeatedly stated their intention to secure Purdy as their long-term signal-caller, though previous reports indicate that they may not be willing to reset the market for the former Mr. Irrelevant.
“He’s played really well. We know that,” continued Lynch (via ESPN’s Nick Wagoner). “We have every intention of making him our guy.”
Lynch also said that the team has discussed an extension with tight end George Kittle, per Wagoner. Kittle is entering the final season of his contract with a $22MM cap hit. The 49ers have plenty of cap space, so extending Kittle to free up money isn’t an immediate priority, but the team would like to keep him past 2025 — his age-32 season.
Kittle is putting together a Hall of Fame resume, becoming one of the best all-around tight ends in modern NFL history. His five-year, $75MM extension set the market in 2020, and the position has not moved far past that by 2025. T.J. Hockenson had the bar only at $16.5MM per year exiting the 2023 season, and the Chiefs’ raise for Travis Kelce (up to $17.13MM AAV) illustrates how little growth the TE market has made — especially when compared to the booming WR landscape. Kittle has stayed mostly healthy over his second contract as well, putting himself in good position to cash in on a big-ticket third contract as well.
Saints Planning To Retain Derek Carr
The Saints’ on-brand restructure of Derek Carr‘s contract last year leaves them with a harder out on the middling quarterback’s contract. Even after the Broncos took on $83MM-plus in dead money to drop Russell Wilson, a Saints-Carr split would bring a noticeable dead cap hit for a team that wages cap-compliance odysseys annually.
It would cost New Orleans $50.1MM in total to drop Carr. While the team could halve that (roughly) with a post-June 1 designation this year, it would still leave Kellen Moore‘s team in need at the game’s marquee position. While the Saints’ new HC stopped short of confirming Carr would lead his first New Orleans offense, Mickey Loomis leaned more in that direction at the Combine.
The 24th-year Saints GM said (via ESPN.com’s Katherine Terrell) Carr is “a guy we can win with,” as the veteran exec indicated the team will prepare for a third season with Carr at the helm. He remains tied to the four-year, $150MM deal authorized in 2023. The Saints would have had an easier time removing this contract from their payroll had the 2024 restructure not taken place, but the team needed to complete its usual quest to create cap space.
Retaining Carr may not be the most exciting news to Saints fans, but their cap situation — even as skilled as Loomis has proven in escaping trouble and stalling a true rebuild — would worsen considerably with a Carr separation. The Saints are still projected to be nearly $50MM over the 2025 cap. They have until 3pm CT on March 12 to move out of the red.
Moore also offered more support for Carr on Wednesday, indicating the Saints “feel fortunate to have Derek here, the experience he has. He’s a big-time quarterback in this league.” Loomis had said his next HC hire would shape the team’s QB direction; it appears, for now, this remains a Carr-centric roster. Moore’s team will assuredly be looking for a Carr heir apparent either this year or next, as this will be the age-34 season of a quarterback who has resided in the league’s middle class at the position for most of his career.
Last year, however, Carr did carry his highest QBR since 2020; the ex-Raider finished his abbreviated season with a 63.4 QBR. That would have been good for 13th in the league, though Carr did not have enough snaps to qualify. That showing also came after the Saints played without starting wideouts Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed for most of the season. Carr missed seven games as well, marking by far his lowest attendance in an NFL season. He had never previously missed more than two regular-season games.
Carr said earlier this year he would not accept a pay cut from the Saints. He is due a $10MM roster bonus in March, when his $30MM base salary will become guaranteed. That is a sizable commitment for the Saints, but they do not have great options to move on. Beyond the above-referenced financial ramifications, New Orleans needs a future QB answer in what is viewed as a down draft at the position. Using Carr as a bridge while Loomis and Moore plan ahead makes sense, even if the Saints continue to punt on a rebuild.
NFL To Implement Measurement Technology In 2025
Another Bills playoff loss, another seemingly related rule change. Per Charean Williams of NBC Sports, the NFL’s senior vice president of football operations, Kimberly Fields, claimed this week that the league will begin using “technology for virtual line-to-gain measurements” in 2025. Officials will still spot the ball, and the chain gang will still exist as a backup. 
While discussions of the use of this type of technology have been ongoing for years, a line is naturally going to be drawn between this rule and a Josh Allen fourth-down quarterback sneak that was ruled short of the line to gain in the fourth quarter of the Bills’ AFC Championship loss to the Chiefs. Similarly, the NFL passed a rule change three years ago that ensure both teams possession of the ball at least once in overtime of postseason games following a Bills’ divisional-round loss to the Chiefs during the 2021 season.
The new Hawk-Eye tracking services from Sony were reportedly tested in the 2024 preseason and “in the background during the 2024 regular season.” The technology does not track the ball to determine if the ball crossed the line. An official is still needed to spot the ball and replay assist will confirm the accuracy of that placement. Once the spot is determined the tracking system will optimally notify officials if a first down was reached instantly.
The setup requires that six cameras be used for the virtual line-to-gain technology, along with 12 boundary-line cameras and 14 Hawk-Eye’s SkeleTRACK cameras that “monitor more than two-dozen skeletal points on a player’s body.” Using the technology behind the scenes last year, the league reportedly “saw a reduction in the time it took for a measurement” from 75 seconds on average with the chain gang to 30 seconds on average with the new technology.
In order to accommodate and implement the system, all 30 NFL stadiums, as well as any international stadiums where NFL games will be played, will be equipped with 32 cameras each. With the additional cameras, there theoretically should be increased and improved replay angles, as well. The league will continue testing the system this spring during UFL games played in NFL stadiums like Detroit’s Ford Field.
Rob Maaddi, a senior NFL writer/insider for the Associated Press, broke down a few additional rule changes being explored this offseason. First, Maaddi reported claims from NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent that there’s a “universal consensus” in doing something to keep the concept of onside kicks in the game. Unfortunately for advocates of a fourth-and-X option to keep possession, there hasn’t been much conversation on that exact concept, though discussions may occur next month.
Another Maaddi report shows Vincent claim that there’s “no appetite” from the Competition Committee to utilize video replay to throw a flag. Replay assist expansion is under consideration for 2025 to pick up incorrect flags thrown for plays like roughing the passer, unnecessary roughness, facemask, tripping, illegal crackback block, horse collar tackle, etc., but if officials miss an obvious facemask or other penalty replay assist would not be able to enforce the penalty. While teams could still propose such a change, there doesn’t appear to be any traction in that direction.
Meetings next month will allow for further discussion on these topics down the line, but for now, Williams and Maaddi have given us some valuable insight into the direction in which the league and Competition Committee are headed. We’ll keep an eye on the development of these ideas as they continue to move forward.
Mike Vrabel Talks Patriots Front Office, Free Agency Approach, Browns Stint
Since the Patriots brought in Mike Vrabel as head coach, there’s been plenty of talk about who truly runs the show in New England. While executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf is expected to have a heavy hand in the roster’s construction, Vrabel acknowledged that he wouldn’t have taken the gig if he wasn’t going to have some say in building the roster.
[RELATED: Mike Vrabel, Eliot Wolf Will Both Report To Patriots Ownership]
“Well, I wouldn’t be here and I wouldn’t have wanted to be the head coach here if I wasn’t comfortable in my impact on the roster,” Vrabel told reporters (via Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald). “So we want to continue to have great conversations with the personnel staff, with me, with Stretch (John Streicher), with coaching. We’re all just trying to find ways to bring the right players in here, whether that’s the first part of free agency, [the] middle free agency like we talked about, or the draft. There’s going to be players who get released that we’ll have to pivot to and have options. So again, we need to strengthen the roster. We understand that. And have some really good conversations as to how we get there.”
Vrabel cited his right-hand man, John Streicher, adding another component to the organization’s murky front office hierarchy. For years, Bill Belichick ran the show, and when Wolf and former HC Jerod Mayo took over that responsibility in 2024, the organization revealed some troubling cracks in the foundation. The Patriots will continue to operate without a traditional GM in 2025, and it sounds like the organization may even be reverting back to their old ways by empowering the head coach to build the roster.
Whether it’s Vrabel, Wolf, or owner Robert Kraft making final calls on personnel, it sounds like there’s general agreement that the team will be actively adding to the roster this offseason. While speaking with reporters, Vrabel said he expects the Patriots to be “aggressive” in improving their team.
“I’m confident that we’ll be aggressive,” Vrabel said (via ESPN’s Mike Reiss). “We’ve started some of those discussions internally. We have to be ready to pivot and adjust and have a vision for each player at each level.
“There’s going to be this high level [financially] that things are going to get done very quickly. That will transition then to maybe some midrange dollars. And obviously you look at opportunity. Free agency gets broken down into compensation and opportunity. I feel like we’re in a position to offer both.”
With a league-leading ~$131MM in projected cap room, the Patriots should have more than enough financial wiggle room to add to their roster. Armed with the fourth-overall pick, the organization is also positioned to add a foundational piece in the draft, and there’s hope that the Patriots can take a leap with more talent (and a more experienced Drake Maye) in 2025.
While speaking with reporters today, Vrabel provided some more insight on his coaching free agency. While the former Patriots linebacker always seemed destined for New England, his outlook was a lot more unclear a year ago. The former Titans head coach spent the 2024 campaign serving as a coaching and personnel consultant with the Browns, but despite his experience, he wasn’t explicitely asked back for the 2025 campaign.
Vrabel said the Browns never approached him about a long-term role on the staff, but he admitted that he “would have listened” had they asked (via Tony Grossi of 850 ESPN Cleveland). Vrabel noted that he “didn’t have a job” heading into the 2025 offseason, although Cleveland’s approach was likely rooted in the assumption that Vrabel would ultimately land a HC job elsewhere.
While Vrabel apparently wants some control over building the roster, he won’t be micromanaging his defense. Despite his defensive expertise, the head coach said he plans to let defensive coordinator Terrell Williams call the plays on that side of the ball (via Kyed).