Latest On Dolphins’ QB Change
Having demoted quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to a third-string role earlier this week, the Dolphins may be in the early stages of moving on from their longtime starter. Head coach Mike McDaniel said owner Stephen Ross had no say in the team’s quarterback change, but the financial ramifications are hard to ignore.
If Tagovailoa plays again this season, suffers an injury, and can’t pass a physical when the Dolphins attempt to release him (assuming they do), they’ll owe him an additional $17MM, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald notes. The Dolphins are already on the hook for $54MM in guarantees in 2026 as part of the four-year, $212.4MM extension they gave Tagovailoa in July 2024. Adding another $17MM to that total would be an unwelcome development for Miami, which is nearing the end of its second straight season without a playoff berth.
The Dolphins don’t have any future financial concerns with their other veteran QB, pending free agent Zach Wilson. They could have plugged the former second overall pick and ex-Jets starter in to replace Tagovailoa, but they’ll instead turn to seventh-round rookie Quinn Ewers. The Texas product will start against the Bengals on Sunday.
McDaniel told reporters Wilson was “very disappointed” in the decision, but the coach added: “Ultimately, it’s flat out as easy is Quinn’s disposition, his relationship with his teammates and the motivation. Our team with him as the starting quarterback gives us the best opportunity to beat the Bengals.”
Although McDaniel isn’t assured of returning as the Dolphins’ head coach in 2026, it appears likely that he will. If he no longer regards Tagovailoa as a potential answer for next year, it makes sense to evaluate Ewers before season’s end. In his only action to date, the 22-year-old went 5 for 8 for 53 yards in a loss to the Browns in Week 7. The Dolphins will have a better idea of how to proceed in the offseason after getting a longer look at Ewers.
While Ewers will audition for the starting job, McDaniel isn’t publicly closing the door on Tagovailoa.
“I still believe that his growth can continue,” said McDaniel, who credited Tagovailoa with his handling of the news, stating he “exhibited what made him a captain and leader on this team.”
Jaylen Waddle, Miami’s top receiver, revealed that Tagovailoa has been actively helping Ewers prepare for the Cincinnati game, according to Jackson. Tagovailoa may finish out the year assisting Ewers behind the scenes, but an answer on his fate in Miami should arrive soon after that. If the Dolphins don’t cut the cord on Tagovailoa by March 13, they’ll owe him another $3MM.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/19/25
Here are Friday’s minor moves from around the NFL:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: S Jammie Robinson
- Placed on IR: WR KhaDarel Hodge
Buffalo Bills
- Placed on IR: OL Chase Lundt
Cincinnati Bengals
- Placed on IR: DT Kris Jenkins Jr.
Green Bay Packers
- Activated from IR: DL Brenton Cox Jr.
- Placed on IR: RB MarShawn Lloyd (story)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Designated for return from IR: LB Jalen McLeod
Las Vegas Raiders
- Claimed off waivers (from Steelers): DT Brodric Martin
- Waived: DE Jahfari Harvey
New Orleans Saints
- Signed to active roster: K Charlie Smyth
- Placed on IR: WR Devaughn Vele
Philadelphia Eagles
- Elevated: TE E.J. Jenkins, CB Brandon Johnson
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed to active roster: S J.T. Gray
- Waived: LB Nick Jackson
Washington Commanders
- Elevated: TE Lawrence Cager
Cox will give the Packers another pass-rushing option after they lost superstar Micah Parsons to a season-ending ACL tear in Week 15. An undrafted pickup in 2023, Cox impressed last season with five tackles for loss, four sacks, and a forced fumble in just seven games. However, he hasn’t factored in this year after suffering a groin injury in the Packers’ season-opening loss to the Lions. Now returning from a 13-game absence, Cox could have an opportunity to make an impact down the stretch.
Vele, a seventh-round pick a year ago, racked up 41 catches, 475 yards, and three touchdowns during a 13-game rookie season in Denver. The Broncos sold high on the 6-foot-5, 210-pounder in late August, shipping him to the Saints for a 2026 fourth-rounder and a 2027 seventh-rounder.
Vele, who’s now dealing with a shoulder injury, will wrap up his first season in New Orleans with 25 receptions, 293 yards, and two scores in 13 contests. While those are underwhelming numbers, Vele was far more productive in recent weeks. He combined for 19 grabs, 239 yards, and a TD in his last four games of the year.
Raiders QB Geno Smith Expected To Start For Rest Of Season
A shoulder injury held Raiders quarterback Geno Smith out in Week 15, but he’s making a quick return. Head coach Pete Carroll announced that Smith will start against the Texans on Sunday (via Levi Edwards of Raiders.com). Smith is expected to remain the Raiders’ starter for the rest of the season.
Looking to snap a seven-game losing streak, the Raiders turned to veteran signal-caller Kenny Pickett in Philadelphia last Sunday. It couldn’t have gone much worse. Pickett completed 15 of 25 passes for a minuscule 64 yards in a 31-0 defeat. The Eagles intercepted the former first-round pick once and sacked him four times. The Raiders fell to 2-12 in their second shutout loss of 2025.
Pickett was dreadful last week, but it hasn’t exactly been a banner season for Smith. The Raiders hoped reuniting Smith with Carroll, who previously managed decent results together in Seattle, would lead them back to respectability. In hindsight, the franchise’s hierarchy of owner Mark Davis, part-owner Tom Brady, and general manager John Spytek might undo both the hiring of Carroll and the Smith pickup.
Just 14 games into his Raiders tenure, Carroll is already in danger of losing his job. Smith’s performance hasn’t helped Carroll’s cause.
The Raiders gave up a third-round pick for Smith and then handed him a two-year, $75MM extension, but he hasn’t justified either investment. The 35-year-old has logged 16 touchdowns, 14 interceptions, and an 84.5 passer rating – his lowest full-season mark since 2014. He ranks 32nd among 33 qualifying passers in QBR, beating out only Titans rookie Cam Ward.
The Raiders are dead last in the league in points per game (14.0), and improving on that number in Houston will be a tall task for their Smith-led offense. The 9-5 Texans, who are riding a six-game winning streak, rank first in the league in total defense and PPG allowed (16.1).
If Sunday’s matchup goes as expected, the Raiders will remain in contention for the No. 1 overall pick. With two games left after that, management will soon decide whether to keep Smith around for another year. While Smith’s $18.5MM salary for 2026 is already guaranteed, that’s the only dead money they’d eat in releasing him. Another $8MM in guarantees is set to vest in early March, but the Raiders could move on before then. With Smith, Pickett, Aidan O’Connell, and Cam Miller comprising the Raiders’ current group of quarterbacks, odds are their 2026 starter isn’t in the organization yet.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/19/25
The latest practice squad moves from around the league…
Denver Broncos
- Signed: G Calvin Throckmorton
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: LS Cal Adomitis
- Released: Kana’i Mauga
Adomitis appeared in nine games with the Eagles this year before they waived him on Dec. 9. Ten days later, the Pittsburgh native is staying in Pennsylvania to join his hometown Steelers. Starting long snapper Christian Kuntz is questionable for Week 16 with a knee injury. The fifth-year man has never missed a game, but if he can’t play Sunday against the Lions, Adomitis will presumably take his place.
Vikings To Place Christian Darrisaw On IR
The Vikings placed linebacker Jonathan Greenard and safety Josh Metellus on injured reserve earlier this week, ending their seasons. Add left tackle Christian Darrisaw to the list. He’s heading to IR with a left knee injury, head coach Kevin O’Connell announced (via Adam Schefter of ESPN).
This is not a new issue for Darrisaw, whose left knee has bothered him since he tore his ACL and MCL in a loss to the Rams on Oct. 24, 2024. Darrisaw missed the last 10 games of the regular season and another loss to the Rams in the wild-card round.
Still recovering from surgery, Darrisaw’s absence lingered into 2025. He sat out the Vikings’ first two games this year before debuting in Week 3. Darrisaw appeared in 10 of 12 games after that, but he only finished five of them. Vikings coaches took Darrisaw out of three games to manage his workload, while he removed himself from a pair, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com notes.
At 6-8 and out of playoff contention, the Vikings are shutting down Darrisaw in hopes he’ll be back at full strength in 2026. Minnesota has a lot riding on Darrisaw’s health, having awarded the former first-round pick a four-year, $104MM extension in July 2024. While Darrisaw ranks fourth among tackles in guaranteed money ($67.14MM) and fifth in contract value, the 26-year-old still hasn’t played in more than 15 games in a season through a half-decade in the NFL.
O’Connell stated it’s his “personal belief” that Darrisaw will return to a normal routine next year (via Seifert). In the meantime, the Vikings will run out the clock on a disappointing campaign without him. Backup Justin Skule, who has started in six of 13 appearances this year, may handle No. 1 left tackle duties for the rest of the season.
Philip Rivers Tied To Vet-Minimum Salary
When the Browns added Joe Flacco late in the 2023 season, he began on the team’s practice squad before bumping up to the active roster. The journeyman also played for more than the prorated veteran minimum.
Once signed from the Cleveland’s P-squad, Flacco was attached to a one-year, $2.2MM deal. Philip Rivers is on no special arrangement as an emergency starting quarterback. The unretired passer is tied to the veteran minimum for what is expected to be a short second stint with the Colts, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio notes.
The vet minimum for players with more than seven years of service time is $1.26MM. With Rivers set to be on the Colts’ roster for four games (in all likelihood), he will earn $279K for his Indianapolis stay.
He last played for $25MM in Indy, reuniting with Frank Reich as a free agent. That AAV matched Tom Brady‘s Buccaneers number in 2020. Rivers walked away following his age-38 season, leaving the Colts to try the trade route (Carson Wentz, Matt Ryan) before what appears to be a whiff via the draft (Anthony Richardson). During a first career chapter that presents a solid Hall of Fame case, Rivers collected more than $242MM.
Richardson, whose fully guaranteed rookie deal ($33.99MM) runs through the 2026 season, is in the IR-return window. Rivers will remain the Colts’ starter in Week 16, however. With the team hosting the 49ers on Monday night, a national audience will observe the 44-year-old passer’s effort to keep the Colts (8-6) in the playoff race.
In a gutsy effort against the Seahawks, Rivers added a touchdown pass to his career total. That number now stands at 422 — sixth in NFL history. Although Matthew Stafford sits in ninth, with Dan Marino (420) and Ben Roethlisberger (418) between he and Rivers, the MVP favorite has a chance to pass the former Chargers standout this season. That will depend on how Rivers fares against the 49ers and whether Shane Steichen turns to Richardson or Riley Leonard — a player who should be considered more likely than Richardson to be on the 2026 roster — over the final two weeks.
Jets Shutting Down WR Garrett Wilson
Trudging through another down season, the Jets will not opt to bring back their cornerstone wide receiver from IR. Aaron Glenn confirmed Friday (via the New York Post’s Brian Costello) the team is shutting down Garrett Wilson.
This will go down as a lost season for the recently extended pass catcher. Wilson has not played since Week 10, going down with knee trouble. Wilson’s knee sprain affected the same knee that caused him to miss time earlier in the season.
[RELATED: Jets Add Hendon Hooker, To Start Brady Cook In Week 16]
That issue hurt a Jets passing attack which entered the season with questions about a shaky Wilson supporting cast. The team has shaken up that group, acquiring Adonai Mitchell in the Sauce Gardner trade and then granting Allen Lazard‘s cut request this week. No one claimed Lazard on waivers; he remains in free agency.
With the Jets starting 0-7 and entering Week 16 at 3-11, neither side stood to gain anything — particularly when draft position is factored in — by Wilson returning from IR. He will have an extended onramp toward 2026, when the Jets will almost definitely have a new starting quarterback. The team benched Justin Fields and will likely release him from the two-year, $40MM deal he signed in March.
Wilson signed a four-year, $130MM extension in July, making him the NFL’s fifth-highest-paid wideout — behind Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb and D.K. Metcalf. Illustrating the Jets’ aerial difficulties this season, Wilson’s 395 receiving yards still lead the team. No other Jets wideout has accumulated 250 yards; Wilson’s four receiving touchdowns still pace the team by two. As Costello points out, the Jets last season in which no one eclipsed 500 receiving yards came in 1976. Rules at the time significantly restricted passing attacks, and Lou Holtz was a one-and-done (well, 11 games-and-done) HC that year.
The Jets observed Wilson become a quality receiver despite being restrained by a bad quarterback situation over his first two seasons. Wilson still started his career 3-for-3 in 1,000-yard seasons, doing so after a short-lived demotion to the team’s No. 2 receiver during Davante Adams‘ Big Apple cameo. After rumors of Wilson discontent emerged, the Glenn-Darren Mougey regime made him a priority. While the team trading Gardner so soon after his cornerback-record extension proved shocking, it prioritized Wilson at the deadline. He will undoubtedly enter 2026 as the Jets’ top skill-position player.
Falcons HC Raheem Morris Discusses Kirk Cousins’ Future
DECEMBER 19: To little surprise, Kendall’s colleague Jeff Howe writes a Cousins trade should not be expected this offseason. If a parting of ways is to take place, a release represents the logical path from Atlanta’s perspective. With plenty of uncertainty on the sidelines and in the front office, though, Cousins’ future remains unclear.
DECEMBER 18: With the goal of establishing a long-term plan at quarterback, the Falcons made multiple aggressive moves to bolster the position after the 2023 season. Their first bold strike came when they signed veteran Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180MM pact with $100MM in guarantees in March 2024.
With Cousins in the fold on a mega-deal, there was no expectation the Falcons would immediately use a high pick on a passer in that spring’s draft. They stunningly did just that in selecting former Indiana Hoosier and Washington Husky Michael Penix Jr. eighth overall.
Despite Penix’s presence, Cousins entered 2024 as the Falcons’ unquestioned QB1. Although he signed with Atlanta after prolific runs in Washington and Minnesota, Cousins’ Vikings tenure ended with a torn Achilles in Week 8 of 2023. Over two years since suffering that injury, he hasn’t regained his old form.
Cousins bounced back from his Achilles tear to start the Falcons’ first 14 games last season. He posted mediocre-at-best numbers and led the team to a middling 7-7 record, though, and head coach Raheem Morris benched Cousins for Penix ahead of Week 16. Although the Falcons lost two of three under Penix and missed the playoffs for the seventh straight year, he showed enough to remain the starter heading into 2025.
With Penix taking over, Cousins was interested in a change of scenery in the offseason. Nothing came together on that front, leaving Cousins as a ridiculously expensive backup.
As was the case with Cousins in 2024, Penix didn’t look like the answer this year. His season ended with a partially torn ACL in a Week 11 loss to the Panthers. The Falcons, 3-7 at that point, turned back to Cousins to close out a dud of a campaign. The 37-year-old has put together a couple of strong performances and a pair of clunkers in his return to a starting role. Cousins turned back the clock in a Week 15 win over the Buccaneers, completing 30 of 44 passes for 373 yards and three touchdowns.
Now 5-9, the Falcons are guaranteed to miss the playoffs again. Owner Arthur Blank will spend the next three weeks evaluating Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot. They aren’t locks to return next year. Neither is Cousins, whose contract remains an albatross.
There are still two years left on Cousins’ deal, but the four-time Pro Bowler has the mentality of a soon-to-be free agent. Cousins said Wednesday that he feels as if he’s on an “expiring contract,” per Josh Kendall of The Athletic.
With an untenable $57.5MM cap hit in each of the next two seasons, it’s logical for Cousins to approach it that way. Designating Cousins as a post-June 1 release would enable the Falcons to spread out $35MM in dead cap over the next two seasons, Kendall notes. While an offseason split seems likely, Morris isn’t closing the door yet.
“Everything is on the table,” Morris said in regards to Cousins’ future. He later added: “We planned on the amount of years we put in his contract and hopefully potentially more. We will all sit down at the end of the season and have those discussions and talk about those things.”
Considering Penix may not be ready at the start of 2026, ditching Cousins would add to the Falcons’ questions under center. Morris said he still views Penix as the “quarterback of the future,” but his so-so performance in the pros and long-running history of serious injuries dating back to college don’t inspire confidence.
Whether it’s Cousins or someone else, the Falcons will have to line up a capable insurance policy at the position for next year. With Morris and Fontenot potentially on the outs, it’s possible a new regime will decide Cousins’ fate.
Bears WR Rome Odunze Out For Week 16; IR Stint Being Considered
Rome Odunze has been dealing with a foot injury since late October. The second-year receiver will miss Week 16, and a longer absence is being considered by the Bears. 
Odunze’s upcoming absence will be his third in a row. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports he is considered week-to-week at this point, but a decision will need to be made soon regarding a potential move to injured reserve. Head coach Ben Johnson recently noted Chicago could elect to shut Odunze down for a stretch.
“We’re going to do what’s best for Rome first and foremost,” Johnson said (via Fowler’s colleague Courtney Cronin). “I know he wants to be out there and helping. It’s hard to tell him no sometimes… So there may be a case where we have to protect him from himself a little bit and just make sure we get him right and he’ll be able to help us down the road.”
Moving Odunze to IR would see him miss the final three weeks of the regular season but also the Bears’ wild-card game (in the likely event Chicago reaches the playoffs without securing the No. 1 seed in the NFC). Such a transaction would carry significant weight as a result, but it would allow Odunze to focus on healing in full before making his return. The 23-year-old has been a focal point in the Bears’ passing game when on the field, and that will no doubt continue once he is healthy.
Selected ninth overall last year, Odunze posted a 54-734-3 statline as a rookie. Like everyone associated with the Bears’ offense, expectations were high for improvement this season. Odunze has delivered so far with six touchdowns and a 15.0 yards per catch average in 12 games. A starting role will await him upon return, although it remains to be seen when that will take place.
The Bears (10-4) will host the Packers (9-4-1) in a critical divisional matchup tomorrow night. Rookie wideout Luther Burden will also be absent for that game, leaving Chicago shorthanded at the position. As the team continues to strive for top spot in the NFC North, the injury status of Odunze in particular will be worth monitoring.
Dolphins TE Darren Waller Unsure Of Playing Future
When the Dolphins traded away Jonnu Smith, questions were raised about how they would replace his production at the tight end spot. In a move which few (if any) observers saw coming, Darren Waller was acquired upon unretiring. 
Waller’s career seemed to be over when he hung up his cleats last offseason, but the opportunity to reunite with Frank Smith (now the Dolphins’ offensive coordinator after working with Waller during his Raiders tenure) prompted his decision to return to the NFL. With the 2025 season winding down, it remains to be seen if he will continue playing next year.
“I will evaluate at the end of the season and see what I want to do,” the 33-year-old said (via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald). “I’m not leaning one way or the other right now. Just focusing on enjoying these moments we’ve got.”
Injuries were prevalent in Waller’s career prior to his retirement, and he has been sidelined on multiple occasions with the Dolphins. The former Pro Bowler has made seven appearances and counting, and that stretch includes a pair of two-touchdown performances. In all, Waller has totaled 243 yards and six scores on 20 catches this season. He could remain a red zone option for 2026 in the event he remains in Miami.
Having been eliminated from the playoffs on Monday, the Dolphins have three games remaining in their season. Healthy once more, Waller will look to remain available down the stretch as Miami turns to rookie Quinn Ewers under center. A strong finish to the campaign on offense in particular could be key in determining whether head coach Mike McDaniel (and by extension Smith and the rest of the team’s staff) will be retained this offseason. That, in turn, will likely play a large role in Waller’s decision on his own future.
Greg Dulcich and Julian Hill are pending 2026 free agents. The Dolphins’ tight end room also includes undrafted rookie Jalin Conyers, whose pact runs through 2027. Plenty of changes could be taking place soon at the position as a result, although part of the team’s planning will depend on how Waller chooses to proceed.