NFL Mailbag: Brown, Pats, Waddle, Crosby
This week's edition of the PFR Mailbag touches on questions related to A.J. Brown fellow potential spring trade candidate Maxx Crosby. The recent Jaylen Waddle swap is also addressed.
David asks:
Why is it a good idea for the Patriots to trade for A.J. Brown? From the outside looking in, it looks like he'll be a terrible fit personality-wise and while he's still playing at a top level, the cost in draft picks will be substantial.
I guess a good follow-up question would be: is there more value in trading for Brown knowing that you're trading picks from the end of each round instead of where we expected to be at the start of the season (i.e. a .500 team expected to draft around 15th)?
Both of those concerns are certainly valid. Anyone watching how things have gone in Philadelphia for the last two or so years would naturally worry about a similar situation emerging.
NFL Mailbag: Crosby, Ravens, Murray, FA
This week's edition of the PFR Mailbag touches on plenty of free agency-related questions. Topics include the Ravens' controversial edge rush maneuvering, the Vikings' Kyler Murray addition, impacts on incumbent Patriots and Cardinals players and more.
Rick asks:
Re: [Maxx] Crosby. Who conducts the physical exams that are used in trades, signings, etc.? Are exams done in real-time or do teams swap medical evaluations? Thanks!
It’s no surprise this has come up given the events of recent days. I’ll finish with my overall thoughts on the Ravens’ handling of Crosby and Trey Hendrickson, but let’s get into this first.
NFL Mailbag: WRs, Vikings, McDuffie, LBs
In this week's edition of the PFR Mailbag, questions on a pair of high-profile receivers are addressed. The recent Trent McDuffie trade, the Vikings' pending quarterback decision and more are also explored.
Josh asks:
The Eagles cannot realistically trade A.J. Brown now, right? The dead money would be really damaging, and they would have a huge hole on offense. Do you think the sides make peace to ride this out for another year or would a trade be possible in the summer?
For anyone unaware, a trade in this case prior to June 1 would result in over $43MM in dead money charges for the Eagles. That’s $20MM more than what the team would be responsible for by simply keeping him on the roster.
NFL Mailbag: Willis, Patriots, Linderbaum
This week's edition of the PFR mailbag looks at the top pending free agent storyline in the league. Questions about the Patriots' receiver situation, the Broncos' new offensive coordinator setup and the best offensive lineman set to test the market are also addressed.
Phil asks:
Is this Malik Willis buzz genuine? With Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield getting around $33MM per year after quality seasons, how can teams feel comfortable handing Willis that kind of money as mostly a career backup?
It would (will?) be quite something if Willis were to land anything near that figure on an annual basis, wouldn’t it? In any case, I think his deal is going to take some fans by surprise based on how inexperienced he is.
NFL Mailbag: Kyler, Hendrickson, Carr, OL
In this week's edition of the PFR mailbag, questions regarding Kyler Murray, Trey Hendrickson, Derek Carr, the Browns' offensive line outlook and more are addressed.
Shea asks:
Where do you think Kyler Murray will end up? Do you think the ship has sailed with the Cardinals or is there a path for him to play under the new staff?
It is understandable that new head coach Mike LaFleur has declined to make any kind of declaration at this point of the offseason. That leaves the door open to keeping Murray for 2026, which probably wouldn’t be the worst option.
NFL Mailbag: RBs, Cowboys, Patriots, HOF
This week's edition of the PFR mailbag looks into a pair of running back franchise tag possibilities. It also answers questions on the Cowboys' spring priorities, the Patriots' offseason plans and one of the top defensive players yet to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame.
Nathan asks:
Do you expect Breece Hall to be franchise-tagged? Will the Seahawks, especially with [Zach] Charbonnet's injury, turn to the tag to make sure Kenneth Walker stays?
Franchise tag figures for 2026 aren’t finalized yet, but the running back cost is currently projected to be roughly $14.5MM. That is the lowest total for any position other than kickers, punters and long snappers, meaning the tag will once again be an attractive option for teams.
NFL Mailbag: Pats, Crosby, Tua, Kyler
This week's edition of the PFR mailbag contains a Super Bowl prediction and answers questions on Maxx Crosby, the Dolphins' and Cardinals' quarterback situations and the Rooney Rule.
Davis asks:
How improbable has this Patriots Super Bowl run been? Is this more a masterful coaching job by [Mike] Vrabel and strong GM effort by Eliot Wolf or an example of a good, not great team catching enough breaks to make it this far? Also, who wins Sunday?
Let’s start by setting the scene at the onset of the 2025 season. New England’s longtime Bill Belichick successor (Jerod Mayo) lasted only one year as a head coach and much of the staff present for his disastrous 4-13 season was replaced. Vrabel, Josh McDaniels (again) and Co. took over a team not carrying much in the way of postseason expectations.
NFL Mailbag: QBs, Steelers, Eagles, Hawks
This week's edition of the PFR mailbag looks at questions about the upcoming quarterback decision teams face, the Steelers' outlook with a new head coach in place, the Eagles' OC position and the potential implications of the Seahawks' moves from last offseason.
Jose asks:
With Dante Moore going back to Oregon and no other first-round caliber QB available besides [Fernando] Mendoza, should a QB-needy team go after a backup that had a good year like Malik Willis, Mac Jones or even Davis Mills? Possibly pair them with a Day 2 pick and let them battle for the starting job in training camp. If it doesn't work out, they will pick high in what is expected to be a significantly stronger class next year.
Quarterbacks like the ones you mentioned were already going to be a focal point of free agency with so few other options on the market. Daniel Jones is the one major exception, but like everyone else I expect him to stay with the Colts.
NFL Mailbag: McDermott, Saleh, Steelers
This week's edition of the PFR mailbag covers a number of coaching-related questions, including the Bills' change on the sidelines, the Steelers, Tennessee's late switch regarding its HC hire and more.
Jack asks:
Did the Bills make the right decision? McDermott's defenses consistently struggled in the playoffs. Do you think that was more on the coaching staff or were the shortcomings more on personnel?
I wasn’t entirely shocked to see McDermott let go. This year’s coaching cycle has been defined in large part by teams making a change because Super Bowl berths, rather than simply reaching the playoffs, is the expectation.
NFL Mailbag: Tomlin, Brown, Giants
This week's edition of the PFR mailbag looks into the Steelers' situation post-Mike Tomlin, the possibility of A.J. Brown's Eagles tenure ending shortly, the Giants' offseason outlook and more.
Nick asks:
Who do you think makes sense as a Mike Tomlin replacement? Also, what do you think would be a fair trade ask if he returns to coaching in 2027 or 2028?
The pattern repeated throughout Pittsburgh’s three most recent hires (Tomlin, along with Bill Cowher and Chuck Noll before him) is a good place to start when thinking about the team’s traditional HC blueprint.