Seahawks Expected To Work Out New Geno Smith Deal?
Geno Smith‘s efforts to hammer out a new Seahawks contract during the summer were unsuccessful. Uncertainty has loomed since then regarding Seattle’s quarterback outlook for 2025 and beyond. 
The former Comeback Player of the Year has one year remaining on his contract, but none of his $14.8MM base salary is guaranteed. Smith is set to collect a $16MM roster bonus next month, and with a scheduled cap hit of $44.5MM a decision will need to be made before then regarding the Seahawks’ willingness to keep him in the fold. Head coach Mike Macdonald hopes a new agreement will be reached, and signs continue to point in that direction.
Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network write the Seahawks are likely to “address” Smith’s contract in the near future. A restructure could help lower his 2025 cap hit, but only if void years were to be added to the pact. An extension would be a more suitable route for team and player to take, and Smith is eyeing a new commitment from Seattle. The team is, on the other hand, expected to explore the market before granting the 34-year-old’s desire for another deal.
Sam Darnold headlines the list of pending free agents at the QB spot, but the Seahawks are not in a position with respect to cap space to win a bidding war for his services. Other veteran options include the likes of Russell Wilson, Justin Fields and (in the event the Falcons trade or release him) Kirk Cousins. Without an obvious successor in place – offseason trade acquisition Sam Howell played just 25 snaps in his debut Seattle campaign and did not demonstrate an ability to serve as a long-term solution with his Commanders play in 2023 – keeping Smith in the fold is a reasonable path for the Seahawks to take.
The former Jet, Giant and Charger has been in Seattle since 2020, having taken over from Russell Wilson as the team’s QB1 for the past three years. A long-term pact moving Smith near the top of the quarterback market (which includes nine passers averaging at least $51MM per year) would be a surprise, but a new short-term commitment would allow for continuity under center. Smith inked a three-year, $75MM contract in 2023; new figures could soon be in play allowing him to remain in place for the time being.
The West Virginia product has named playing to age 40 as a goal, so his career is set to continue for the foreseeable future. It appears that will consist of an extended tenure in the Emerald City, but the Seahawks will likely need to work out a new deal relatively soon if that is to be the case.
Jets Looking To Pair Rookie QB With Veteran QB?
The Aaron Rodgers era in New York has come to an unofficial end, and the Jets’ new leadership will now be tasked with rebuilding the quarterbacks room. The organization isn’t truly positioned to rebuild around a rookie signal-caller, and there aren’t expected to be any franchise-altering veterans available this offseason.
[RELATED: Jets To Move On From Aaron Rodgers]
As a result, the front office may toe the line between both approaches. ESPN’s Rich Cimini expects the Jets to add both a veteran quarterback and a rookie quarterback.
The upcoming veteran options are uninspiring, but free agency should still provide the Jets with plenty of options for a bridge QB. Cimini says a Sam Darnold reunion isn’t a realistic possibility, but the organization could turn to the likes of Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, or Daniel Jones to help keep the seat warm. Cimini also mentions Kirk Cousins as a potential option, assuming the veteran is ultimately let go by the Falcons.
The team’s draft strategy is a bit more unpredictable. Armed with the seventh pick, the Jets will likely be out of range for top prospects Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward. While the front office could always make an aggressive move up the board, Cimini believes it’s more likely they target someone in the next tier of prospects. That type of move wouldn’t require a first-round pick, and there would be less urgency to push the rookie atop the depth chart.
As Cimini notes, new Jets general manager Darren Mougey isn’t completely unfamiliar with the Jets’ projected offseason. The executive last served as the Broncos assistant GM, and he was at the helm when Denver moved on from a high-price veteran QB in Russell Wilson. The Broncos ended up opting for a young signal caller in Bo Nix, although the rookie was paired with reclamation projects (like Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson) instead of clear-cut bridge QBs. Either way, Mougey is well positioned to handle the transition from Rodgers to the next Jets QB.
Coaching Notes: Shimko, Cowboys, Rams, Giants
The Cowboys continue to refine their offensive coaching staff. ESPN’s Todd Archer reports that the Cowboys will name Steve Shimko as their new quarterbacks coach.
After most recently serving as a Cowboys offensive assistant, Shimko is one of the main holdovers on Brian Schottenheimer‘s new staff. However, Shimko is plenty familiar with his new boss, as the two worked alongside each other in Seattle before reuniting in Dallas last year.
During that Seahawks stint, Shimko worked his way up from an offensive analyst into an assistant QBs coach. He left for Boston College in 2020, where he climbed the ranks from tight ends coach to quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator. He only had a one-year stint in that latter role before Bill O’Brien brought on a new staff.
Shimko will be replacing Scott Tolzien, who spent two years coaching Dak Prescott and the Cowboys quarterbacks.
More coaching notes from around the NFL…
- Carlos Polk lost out on the Cowboys ST coordinator gig, but he’ll still land in Dallas as the team’s assistant special teams coach under Nick Sorensen, per Archer. Polk held this same role with the Cowboys in 2019, and he’s since held that title with the Jaguars (2021) and Bears (2022-2024). The former NFL linebacker has also had coaching stints with the Chargers and Buccaneers.
- After losing Nick Caley to Houston, the Rams have found their new tight ends coach. The team has hired Scott Huff to lead the position grouping, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Huff had coaching stints at the University of Washington and Boise State before catching on with the Seahawks, where he spent last season coaching the offensive line. In Los Angeles, the coach will be responsible for a depth chart that’s currently led by Tyler Higbee and Colby Parkinson.
- The Giants have added Chad Hall to their staff as an assistant quarterbacks coach, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Hall will reunite with Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen, as the trio worked alongside each other during their stints in Buffalo. A former NFL wide receiver, Hall coached that position with the Bills and Jaguars, but after eight years working up the ranks, he is now pivoting to the quarterbacks room.
- Adam Morris has accepted a job as the Browns assistant defensive line coach, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. This is the coach’s first foray into the NFL, as he previously held jobs at Ball State, Eastern Illinois, and (most recently) the University at Buffalo. In that latter stop, Morris served as the defensive line coach/run game coordinator.
NFL Reserve/Futures Deals: 2/10/25
A handful of reserve/futures deals to pass along:
Jacksonville Jaguars
- TE Shawn Bowman, CB Christian Braswell, WR Joshua Cephus, OL Dennis Daley, OL Dieter Eiselen, CB Zech McPhearson, WR Austin Trammell
Washington Commanders
- CB Bobby Price
Minor NFL Transactions: 2/10/24
One minor transactions to pass along:
Chicago Bears
- Claimed off waivers (from Chargers): OL Jordan McFadden
The Bears claimed Jordan McFadden off waivers from the Chargers exactly one month ago today. However, since the team didn’t have any remaining games on their schedule, the move was deferred until the first business day after the Super Bowl. So, while McFadden had been destined to land in Chicago, the move was only made official today.
A 2023 fifth-round pick, McFadden saw a reduced role playing for a new coaching staff in 2024. As a rookie, the Clemson product got into 12 games (two starts), but he was limited to only a single appearance this past season.
Cowboys To Add Ken Dorsey To Staff
6:00pm: Ken Dorsey is set to be the Cowboys new pass-game specialist, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The veteran coach held a similar role in Buffalo, where he served as the passing game coordinator during the 2021 season. Dorsey’s new gig will provide an extra layer to the Cowboys offensive coaching staff, as head coach Brian Schottenheimer is expected to call plays ahead of OC Klayton Adams.
1:40pm: Another notable addition is set to be made to the Cowboys’ coaching staff. Ken Dorsey is expected to come to Dallas, Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network report. 
The deal is not yet in place, and it remains to be seen what Dorsey’s role will be. Still, he will be able to provide first-time head coach Brian Schottenheimer with an experienced voice on the offensive side of the ball. The 43-year-old spent much of the past three years as an offensive coordinator. All DLLS’ Clarence Hill Jr. notes this will not be a quarterbacks coach arrangement. Indeed, Bovada’s Josina Anderson reports Dorsey will be an analyst for the Cowboys.
Dorsey worked as a scout with the Panthers for a pair of seasons before serving as their quarterbacks coach from 2013-17. He was among the staffers who followed head coach Sean McDermott from Carolina to Buffalo in 2017 and worked as the Bills’ QBs coach for three years. Dorsey was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2022 after Brian Daboll‘s departure, and his first season at the helm resulted in a No. 2 ranking in total and scoring offense.
Buffalo was still strong in both categories when a regression from the unit resulted in Dorsey’s midseason dismissal. Joe Brady took over with the Bills, but Dorsey did not need to wait long to find his next gig. He was hired last offseason by the Browns to fill their offensive coordinator position. That did not immediately involve play-calling duties, although Dorsey did take over in that regard midway through the season.
With and without Deshaun Watson under center, the Browns did not meet expectations on offense in 2024. As a result, staff changes were expected at the end of the campaign and Dorsey was fired. After he was unable to duplicate his Buffalo success in Cleveland, it seemed unlikely he would be able to secure another OC position during this year’s hiring cycle. Dorsey was, however, on the Cowboys’ radar during their search for Schottenheimer’s replacement.
Dallas ultimately hired Klayton Adams as OC, his first coordinator position at the NFL level. Schottenheimer will call plays on offense for the Cowboys in 2025, but contributions from the remainder of his staff will of course be key in the team’s efforts to rebound from a poor showing this past year. Provided this agreement is finalized, Dorsey will join the list of coaches in a supporting role for Schottenheimer as he looks to rebuild his own coordinator stock for the future.
Patriots Release OT Chukwuma Okorafor
Chukwuma Okorafor‘s time with the Patriots has come to a predictable end. ESPN’s Field Yates reports that the organization has released the offensive tackle.
Okorafor’s stint in New England effectively ended in September, when he voluntarily left the team. That followed a Week 1 cameo where he allowed six QB pressures on each of his six pass-blocking opportunities. Okorafor started that game but was pulled after only 12 snaps.
At the time of his departure, the veteran was described as “checked out mentally,” and he was reportedly “contemplating his future in football.” The Patriots subsequently placed him on the exempt/left squad list, and Okorafor didn’t make another appearance during the 2024 campaign.
New England handed the former Steelers OT a one-year, $4MM deal last offseason that could hit $8MM via playing time incentives. The veteran was set to earn $3.125MM in guarantees, but his departure provided the front office with an opportunity to recoup some of that money. It’s uncertain where the two sides ultimately landed, and perhaps their negotiations culminated in today’s transaction (although that’s just my speculation).
Today’s transaction is notable because Okorafor was an impending free agent. The Patriots showed some goodwill towards the veteran by cutting him early, meaning he can get a head start on finding his next home. According to Yates, the 27-year-old is motivated to find a new landing spot before the start of free agency.
Considering his questionable stay in New England, it’s uncertain how much interest Okorafor will truly garner. In his defense, he was playing out of position at LT during his disastrous Week 1 showing, and the veteran made a name for himself as a steady RT in Pittsburgh. Okorafor will surely have to settle for another prove-it deal, but he should be relatively enticing as a low-risk option for OL-needy squads.
Commanders Preparing Aggressive Pursuit Of Defensive Additions
Led by the stellar play of Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels, the Commanders made a surprise run to the NFC title game. The team’s defense was a sore spot during the campaign, though, and it is understandably a point of focus for the offseason. 
[RELATED: Myles Garrett Discusses Potential Fit With Commanders]
Washington can be expected to be aggressive in pursuing upgrades on defense, ESPN’s Dan Graziano writes. That comes as little surprise, given the fact Daniels will be attached to his rookie contract through 2027 (with a fifth-year option possible for the following campaign). Making major financial commitments will be much more feasible now than the period where he will be on an extension as long as he cements his status as a franchise passer.
The Commanders reset on defense midway through last season by dealing away edge rushers Montez Sweat and Chase Young at the trade deadline. The arrival of new head coach Dan Quinn brought about several new faces on that side of the ball, many of whom were familiar to him stemming from his time as the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator. Washington was active ahead of the 2024 deadline by acquiring Pro Bowl corner Marson Lattimore from the Saints.
The Commanders outbid multiple suitors to acquire the 28-year-old, although injuries limited him to only five appearances with his new team. Lattimore struggled in coverage during the playoffs in particular, but well before that point it was clear the team intended to keep him in the fold via a revised deal. The former Defensive Rookie of the Year is set to carry a cap hit of $18MM in 2025 with a projected $18.5MM figure the following year; none of his scheduled base salaries are guaranteed for that stretch. An extension could lower his cap charges while providing a new round of locked in compensation.
Even if Lattimore is retained, the secondary will be an area of focus for Washington this spring. On that note, Matt Barrows of The Athletic writes Commanders general manager Adam Peters was a strong advocate for the 49ers drafting safety Talanoa Hufanga in 2021 (subscription required). Peters was a member of San Francisco’s front office at the time, so Hufanga – one of the 49ers’ top pending free agents – would be a logical target if he were to prioritize familiar players in March.
With respect to the defensive line, Osa Odighizuwa could be a name to watch. The 26-year-old has spent his first four years as a Cowboy, so he has experience playing under Quinn in Dallas. Graziano’s colleague Jeremy Fowler writes Odighizuwa is viewed by teams as the top interior defender in the 2025 free agent class, so he could generate a strong market beyond the Commanders. Washington has Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen under contract, though, and the team invested a second-round pick in Jer’Zhan Newton last April. Still, if the Commanders were to target Odighizuwa next month, he could become the latest ex-Cowboy to head to the nation’s capital.
Washington currently sits third in the NFL in projected 2025 cap space, so finances will not be an issue while Peters and Co. look to upgrade a defense which ranked 18th in points allowed and struggled against the run this past season. It will be interesting to see how aggressive the Commanders are this spring as they look to build off the success witnessed during Daniels’ debut campaign.
Raiders’ Maxx Crosby, Bengals’ Trey Hendrickson Could Draw Trade Interest
The edge rush position will be one to watch closely as the 2025 offseason unfolds. Myles Garrett is seeking a move out of Cleveland, while the Cowboys have given thought to the idea of a potential Micah Parsons trade. 
Those defensive ends have company in terms of needing lucrative new deals in the near future and therefore find themselves as targets for teams looking for upgrades in the pass-rush department. Maxx Crosby (Raiders) as well as Trey Hendrickson (Bengals) are names to monitor on the trade market. That will especially be the case if Garrett – whom the Browns have no intention of moving – and Parsons remain with their respective teams.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler writes Crosby and Hendrickson would be expected to draw notable trade interest if one or both were to become available. The former has two more years on his deal with $21.92MM owed in 2025 and ’26. None of Crosby’s base salaries in that span are guaranteed, though, so he could look to again land a new pact featuring significant up front compensation.
With Vegas struggling this past season, Crosby was named as a potential trade candidate. Owner Mark Davis unequivocally shot down speculation on that front in October, but the team is coming off a 4-13 campaign and does not have a long-term solution at the quarterback spot. Crosby, 27, has seen his team make the playoffs just once in his six NFL seasons despite racking up 59.5 sacks during that time. The four-time Pro Bowler was limited to 12 games by an ankle injury, but his durability during the rest of his career – coupled with his high-end production – would make him an attractive target to any number of suitors.
Hendrickson requested a trade last offseason after his efforts to secure a raise were unsuccessful. The Bengals made it clear they would not look to move him, and the 30-year-old ultimately reported to the team during training camp without issue. Hendrickson delivered another strong season in 2024, leading the NFL with 17.5 sacks. A notable raise is in store as a result, something de facto general manager Duke Tobin is well aware of and quarterback Joe Burrow would be on board with.
Knowing the financial situation Cincinnati is in (wideouts Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are in need of lucrative new pacts), Hendrickson is open to securing his next contract via trade. The All-Pro could approach or surpass the $30MM-per-year mark, per Fowler, something which would no doubt be more likely on a short-term pact than a lengthy accord. Still, the All-Pro’s production (57 sacks in 65 Bengals games) would be a welcomed addition for teams with the draft capital and cap space needed to pull off a trade and extension. Echoing Fowler’s report, Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network note a strong market will exist for Hendrickson if he becomes available.
Nick Bosa‘s $34MM AAV with the 49ers currently leads the way for edge rushers (and all defenders) at the top of the market. Several players could surpass that mark in the coming weeks and months, especially if the Raiders and Bengals are unwilling to meet the asking price Crosby and/or Hendrickson submit this offseason. Against the backdrop of other potential movement amongst high-prolife edge rushers, their respective situations will make for intriguing offseason storylines.
Falcons QB Kirk Cousins Addresses Health Status, 2025 Outlook
FEBRUARY 10: Cousins and the Falcons have not been in communication since the season ended, Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network report. The team could ask Cousins to waive his no-trade clause if a parting ways were to be preferred, although the Michigan State product could request to be released and thus find his next team via free agency. A decision will need to be made by mid-March, and the report notes Atlanta may use most of the time between now and then to make a commitment one way or the other.
FEBRUARY 4: Kirk Cousins came to Atlanta amidst considerable fanfare and expectation last offseason, but his tenure is likely to come to an end soon. The Pro Bowl quarterback faces the prospect of being released by the Falcons shortly, something he addressed along with his health situation. 
During an appearance on Good Morning Football: Overtime, Cousins spoke about his uncertain future (video link). The 36-year-old was benched in favor of first-round rookie Michael Penix Jr. late in the year, and the latter is in position to remain atop the depth chart moving forward. As a result, it was reported in December the Falcons are expected to release Cousins this offseason.
“I definitely feel like I have a lot of good football left in me,” the former Viking said when asked about his outlook for 2025 and beyond. “It’s still kind of uncertain. We’ll get to March and know a lot more. But I think the focus for me really is getting healthy. That’s really my focus is I gotta get healthy.”
On that point, Cousins detailed that his Achilles – which ruptured midway through the 2023 campaign – healed well and did not cause a major problem during his debut Falcons season. After a Week 10 hit which injured his right shoulder and elbow, however, he said his efforts to work through the ailment played a role in his regression. Cousins’ last stretch of starts before being benched saw his production drop off considerably with turnovers becoming an issue.
While a release would be understandable given Penix’s presence for the long term, Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot indicated last month the team would be willing to keep Cousins in the fold as a (rather expensive) backup. The latter’s $27.5MM base salary for next season is guaranteed in full, and a $10MM roster bonus for 2026 will vest early in the new league year if he remains in Atlanta. Given the compensation he is owed, a trade allowing Cousins a fresh start would come as a surprise.
For now, it remains to be seen how Atlanta will proceed on the Cousins front. Even if he finds himself a free agent once again in the near future, though, retirement will not be considered based on his comments.