March 1, 2026
As of Saturday morning, "it doesn't sound close" as far as the Indianapolis Colts and quarterback
Daniel Jones (Achilles) on a long-term contract extension, according to Dan Graziano of ESPN. If the Colts can't get a deal done with Jones by Tuesday's tag deadline, it "sounds like they'll put the transition tag on him." However, that means wide receiver
Alec Pierce could hit free agency, and another team could sign Jones to an offer sheet. Graziano thinks the Colts will still push to get a long-term deal with Jones done. Jones would receive $43.9 million on the franchise tag and $37.8 million on the transition tag. Locking Jones into a long-term deal is also the best way to get Pierce to want to return in 2026 and beyond. Even though the 28-year-old signal-caller suffered a torn Achilles in the second half of last year, he'd be in high demand if he were to reach the open market after having a bounce-back campaign in Indy before his injury.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Dan Graziano
March 1, 2026
The Miami Dolphins would prefer to trade quarterback
Tua Tagovailoa, although that would mean picking up a significant portion of his $54 million in fully guaranteed salary this year. ESPN's Dan Graziano expects the Dolphins to release Tagovailoa by the third day of the new league year, when $3 million of his 2027 salary would become fully guaranteed, based on conversations with other teams. Graziano goes on to explain that Miami will "almost certainly designate him as a post-June 1 cut" to help defray some of the $99.2 million in dead money it will cost to release him. If he's traded, the Minnesota Vikings might make the most sense as they look for an insurance policy for
J.J. McCarthy. Tagovailoa, the fifth overall pick in 2020 out of Alabama, threw for 2,660 yards, 20 touchdowns, and a career-high 15 interceptions in 14 starts in 2025 before being benched for
Quinn Ewers. At best, Tagovailoa, who might be one concussion away from retirement, will be competing for a starting gig elsewhere in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Dan Graziano
March 1, 2026
There have been "zero indicators" that the Jacksonville Jaguars will use the franchise tag on impending free-agent running back
Travis Etienne Jr., sources with knowledge of the situation told John Shipley of Sports Illustrated. It doesn't mean that the Jaguars aren't open to re-signing him, but it's becoming pretty clear that Etienne is going to test the market this offseason. After the Dallas Cowboys signed RB
Javonte Williams to a deal that guarantees him $16 million over the next two seasons, Etienne's market will "likely be north of $8 million a year." The 27-year-old had arguably the best year of his career in 2025, and he's one of just four players to have over 3,750 rushing yards and 1,300 receiving yards since debuting in 2022. Last year, Etienne rushed for 1,107 yards and seven touchdowns on 260 carries (4.2 yards per tote), and he added 36 catches for 292 yards and six TDs in the regular season. He could have even more fantasy appeal in 2026, depending on where he lands and what his role will be.
--Keith HernandezSource: Sports Illustrated - John Shipley
March 1, 2026
The Miami Dolphins are expected to work on long-term contract extensions for running back
De'Von Achane, center Aaron Brewer, and linebacker Jordyn Brooks this offseason, according to Dan Graziano of ESPN. The Dolphins have a new general manager and a new coaching staff and are "likely entering something of a rebuild," but they want to build around core players like Achane. Wide receiver
Jaylen Waddle is also viewed as a core player, but he's already signed long-term. The 24-year-old Achane was easily the team's most productive offensive player in 2025 in another disappointing season. He was a first-time Pro Bowler after rushing for a career-high 1,350 yards and eight touchdowns on 238 carries over 16 games. Achane added 67 catches for 488 yards and another four scores on 85 targets. He led the league with 5.7 yards per carry and should firmly be in the RB1 mix in 2026 for the heavy volume as Miami's clear lead back.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Dan Graziano
March 1, 2026
The Minnesota Vikings informed defensive tackle Javon Hargrave that, barring a trade, he will be released at the start of the league year this month, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Hargrave's release will save the Vikings $10.9 million against this year's salary cap. The 33-year-old veteran was set to enter the final year of the two-year, $30 million contract he signed with the team in March of last year. The former third-rounder of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2016 out of South Carolina State did not live up to expectations in his first year in Minnesota, recording 52 tackles (18 solo), 3.5 sacks, six QB hits, a fumble recovery, and a forced fumble in 16 games played. Hargrave is a two-time Pro Bowler and had 18 total sacks from 2022 to 2023, so he should be able to latch on pretty quickly with another team that is looking for interior defensive linemen.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
March 1, 2026
The Minnesota Vikings informed running back
Aaron Jones Sr. that, barring a trade, they will release him at the start of the new league year this month, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN. Jones' release will save the Vikings $7.75 million against the 2026 salary cap. The 31-year-old veteran was scheduled to make $9 million in base salary this year. In his second year in Minnesota in 2025, Jones was limited to 12 games due to injuries and ran for just 548 yards and two touchdowns on 132 carries. He added 28 receptions for 199 yards and another touchdown on 41 targets through the air. If Jones is traded or cut,
Jordan Mason would be in line for RB1 duties, barring any additional offseason additions via free agency or the NFL draft. Jones' days as an RB1 could very well be over, but he should attract interest on either the free-agent or trade market as a versatile veteran back.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
March 1, 2026
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler writes that Detroit Lions running back
David Montgomery "wants out." Montgomery is owed only $6 million in 2026 and is still on the right side of 30 years old, which should make him attractive on the trade market. The "word out of Indy" is that the Lions would "want a decent Day 3 pick" (potentially a fifth-rounder) in exchange for Montgomery. Fowler adds that the Seattle Seahawks would make a lot of sense for Monty if they don't re-sign impending free-agent RB
Kenneth Walker III. The 28-year-old has seen his role shrink in Detroit in each of the last two seasons behind do-it-all back
Jahmyr Gibbs. In 17 games in 2025, Montgomery had a career-low 158 carries for a career-low 716 rushing yards and eight touchdowns while catching 24 passes for 192 yards as a receiver. If he finishes out his contract in Detroit, he'll most likely be a distant No. 2 behind Gibbs again.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
March 1, 2026
Mississippi State wide receiver
Brenen Thompson showed off his speed at the NFL scouting combine on Saturday by running a 4.26-second 40-yard dash, which is likely to end up being the fastest at this year's combine, according to Jeff Legwold of ESPN. It was the third-fastest time by a receiver since 2003, matching Jerome Mathis' time in 2005. Only
John Ross and
Xavier Worthy posted faster times. Thompson, who stands at 5-foot-9 and 164 pounds, set a school record in 2025 in his lone season at Mississippi State with 1,054 receiving yards. Before joining Mississippi State, he played two seasons at Oklahoma and one at the University of Texas. Thompson had 12 catches of at least 30 yards last year and averaged 39.8 yards per touchdown in his collegiate career. He's not a consensus top-10 wideout in this year's draft class, but Thompson's performance on Saturday certainly raised some eyebrows.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeff Legwold
March 1, 2026
The Indianapolis Colts have made it clear to impending free-agent wide receiver
Alec Pierce that "he will be a Colt," either through the franchise or transition tag, or via a long-term deal, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Pierce seems to be a logical tag candidate, but multiple people connected to the situation also think quarterback
Daniel Jones (Achilles) is a prime candidate for the tag. It could be an issue for the Colts if they tag Pierce but can't reach a long-term extension with Jones. But tagging Jones ensures the QB will be around in 2026, which would appeal to Pierce. A franchise tag for Pierce would cost around $27 million for 2026. If he reaches free agency, he "would command a massive contract." After a breakout year in which he led the Colts in receiving, Pierce would easily top $20 million per year on the open market. The 25-year-old's fantasy value for the 2026 campaign will be the most stable if he sticks in Indy and continues to build chemistry with Jones.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
March 1, 2026
The Arizona Cardinals have interest in Los Angeles Rams impending free-agent quarterback
Jimmy Garoppolo, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. New head coach Mike LaFleur is considered very close to Garoppolo after they worked together in L.A. "That's his guy," a league source said. Both
Kyler Murray (foot) and
Jacoby Brissett are expendable in Arizona, and LaFleur could decide to "create a clean path to restart his QB room by adding at least one veteran and drafting a QB." Jimmy G might not be in a rush to leave the Rams, though, as Fowler notes he has one of the best backup jobs behind
Matthew Stafford, and the Rams "would welcome him back." If Garoppolo leaves, another option would be the backup job in Green Bay behind
Jordan Love. The 34-year-old veteran appeared in only three games in 2025 and didn't have a single pass attempt.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
March 1, 2026
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler hears that the Minnesota Vikings are considering Arizona Cardinals quarterback
Kyler Murray (foot) and Las Vegas Raiders QB
Geno Smith as they outline their plan for a veteran signal-caller this offseason. The Miami Dolphins'
Tua Tagovailoa and Atlanta Falcons'
Kirk Cousins "are also on their radar." None of those four QBs are free agents, but Cousins will be soon, and the others are available via either a trade or, eventually, via free agency if they are released. The Vikings need a contingency plan for
J.J. McCarthy, who couldn't stay healthy and struggled in his first full season as the starter in 2025. Many QBs view the Vikings as an attractive destination, so they shouldn't have too much trouble finding a veteran to pair with McCarthy for the upcoming season. Fowler thinks Smith going to Minnesota makes a lot of sense. He's due $18.5 million in guarantees in 2026, but has another $8 million that guarantees on the third day of the new league year.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
February 28, 2026
The New England Patriots "have explored trade talks" involving Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver
A.J. Brown, but they feel the current asking price is "unserious," a source told Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald. The return could be a step above what the Seattle Seahawks received when they traded receiver
DK Metcalf and a sixth-rounder to the Pittsburgh Steelers last offseason for a second-rounder (52nd overall) and a seventh-rounder. Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf said that the team would be willing to trade their first-round pick "in the right situation." New England is looking to add more offensive firepower to help quarterback
Drake Maye, and they could be forced to cut top wideout
Stefon Diggs for salary cap reasons. Brown was unhappy with his role in Philly's offense in 2025, but he still managed to reach 1,000 receiving yards for the fourth straight season while also scoring seven times. Brown is familiar with head coach Mike Vrabel from their time together in Tennessee, and he's been public about his lifelong fandom of the Patriots. There is some smoke here, so stay tuned.
--Keith HernandezSource: Boston Herald - Andrew Callahan
February 28, 2026
New Orleans Saints running back
Alvin Kamara had his 2025 season cut short due to a knee sprain suffered during Week 12. Before his injury, Kamara was already performing below fantasy managers' expectations with just one touchdown and a career-low 3.6 yards per carry. Most notably, Kamara's targets per game dropped to an average of 3.5 compared to 6.7 and 6.4 targets in 2023 and 2024, respectively. The veteran running back also had a 19.1% missed tackle rate this season, his lowest since at least 2018. Kamara is still under contract for the 2026 season, and his cap hit is expected to rise, making him a prime candidate for restructuring. If he suits up as a Saint in 2026, Kamara profiles as a low-end RB2, buoyed mainly by name recognition, due to his drop in efficiency and decline in passing game involvement.
--Matt McCauleySource: ESPN
February 28, 2026
New York Giants running back
Tyrone Tracy Jr. may be on the outside looking in during the 2026 season. The team expects fellow running back
Cam Skattebo (ankle) to make a full recovery by Week 1, and may target other backs in free agency or the NFL draft. Tracy was unable to replicate his electric rookie season during his sophomore year and lost playing time, seeing just 31.5% of offensive snaps until Skattebo's season-ending injury in Week 8. Starting in Week 9, his playtime nearly doubled to 61.9% of team snaps, and Tracy did have two RB1 performances, including a career-high 24.7 PPR points against the Washington Commanders during the fantasy playoffs in Week 15. Tracy is a young, talented back who has demonstrated his RB1 ability, but his dynasty value could plummet this offseason if he drops further down the depth chart.
--Matt McCauleySource: ESPN
February 28, 2026
The Dallas Cowboys will restructure quarterback
Dak Prescott's contract heading into the 2026 season, according to sources of ESPN's Adam Schefter. Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones intends to be "aggressive in free agency" this offseason. Dallas has already made other moves on the offense by placing a non-exclusive franchise tag on wide receiver
George Pickens on Friday and signing running back
Javonte Williams to a three-year extension earlier this week. In the 2025 season, Prescott had a career-high 4,552 passing yards and led the league with his 404 completions. Dallas is making a concerted effort to keep Prescott's weapons going into 2026, making the 32-year-old play-caller a viable option for those looking for value in late-round quarterbacks.
--Matt McCauleySource: ESPN.com – Adam Schefter
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