March 6, 2026
Former Las Vegas Raiders quarterback
Geno Smith and Arizona Cardinals QB
Jacoby Brissett are the front-runners to be the New York Jets' starting signal-caller in 2026, according to Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic. Smith was taken by the Jets in the second round in 2013 out of West Virginia, so it would be a homecoming after he spent the first four years of his career in New York. The 35-year-old was one of the worst QBs in the league in 2025, but he'll come cheap this offseason and has enough experience to be a one-year bridge option at the position. Brissett would be more expensive, and it's unclear if the Cardinals will even trade him this offseason. Reports on Friday suggested the Jets could add two veteran QBs in free agency, so if the team adds Smith or Brissett, they'd likely be competing for the starting role this summer. Most likely, the QB position will be one to avoid in fantasy leagues this fall.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Zack Rosenblatt
March 6, 2026
The New York Giants released veteran offensive tackle James Hudson on Friday, according to Paul Schwartz of the New York Post. Hudson will hit the open market this offseason after struggling in the 11 games (two starts) that he appeared in over the course of his only year with the team in 2025. The 26-year-old reached an agreement on a two-year, $12 million contract with the G-Men in March of last year. The former fourth-round pick of the Cleveland Browns in 2021 out of Cincinnati only played in four games in his final season in Cleveland in 2024 due to a shoulder injury. Hudson will be searching for a depth role in free agency this offseason, as he has started just 19 of the 60 games he's appeared in over his five years in the NFL.
--Keith HernandezSource: New York Post - Paul Schwartz
March 6, 2026
Center Ryan Kelly announced his retirement from professional football on X on Friday. Kelly was placed on Injured Reserve in late December of last year after suffering his third concussion of the year. His head injuries also prompted the 32-year-old veteran to hang up his cleats after playing 10 years in the league. Kelly was originally the 18th overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts out of Alabama. Nine of his 10 seasons in the NFL came in Indy, where he was named a Pro Bowler four times, including three straight seasons from 2019 to 2021. Kelly played in only eight games last year because of his head injuries, but when he was on the field, he was playing at a high level. With the announcement, the Vikings will most certainly be in the market for a center in free agency this offseason. Kelly started all 129 games that he appeared in over his 10-year career.
--Keith HernandezSource: Ryan Kelly on X
March 6, 2026
The Los Angeles Chargers announced on Friday that they placed an exclusive-rights tender on free-agent running back
Kimani Vidal to keep him around for the 2026 season. The Chargers also signed running back
Jaret Patterson and safety Kendall Williamson to contract extensions. The 24-year-old Vidal was thrust into a bigger role than anticipated last year when both
Najee Harris (Achilles) and rookie
Omarion Hampton (ankle) went down with injuries. The former sixth-rounder in 2024 out of Troy had 155 carries for 643 yards (4.1 yards per carry) and three touchdowns in 13 regular-season games, adding 16 catches for 136 yards and another score. Vidal proved to be a reliable plug-and-play RB3/flex option for fantasy managers, although with Hampton returning as the Bolts' clear lead back, it will be difficult for Vidal to improve on his numbers in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: Los Angeles Chargers
March 6, 2026
The Washington Commanders re-signed former first-round wide receiver
Treylon Burks to a one-year deal worth a maximum of $4 million on Friday, a source told Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Burks, who was taken 18th overall by the Tennessee Titans in 2022 out of Arkansas, was a bust in his three years in Nashville and was barely healthy, playing only 27 games (17 starts) and catching 53 of 92 targets for 699 yards and one touchdown. After being cut by the Titans, the Commanders scooped him up, and Burks had 10 receptions for 130 yards and a touchdown on 22 targets in eight games played last year in D.C. The 25-year-old obviously didn't do enough to be rostered in most fantasy leagues, but he could have a much bigger opportunity for Washington in 2026 with
Deebo Samuel Sr. hitting free agency this offseason. Burks is worth watching going into training camp this summer.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
March 6, 2026
The Houston Texans released running back
Joe Mixon (foot) on Friday, a source told Adam Schefter of ESPN. We knew Mixon was expendable, especially after not playing at all last year due to an ankle/foot injury, when the Texans acquired
David Montgomery from the Detroit Lions this week. Details on the 29-year-old Mixon's injury last year were sparse, and it's unclear if he'll even be ready for the start of the 2026 campaign this fall. Because of that, Mixon could be greeted with a cold free-agent market upon his release. In fantasy football, the former second-round pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2017 out of Oklahoma will be hard to gauge until he lands with a new team. The two-time Pro Bowler has five 1,000-rushing seasons in his eight years in the NFL and can do anything on the field when healthy, but his uncertain future and injury status have really cratered his fantasy value this offseason.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
March 6, 2026
SNY's Connor Hughes reports that the New York Jets could prefer to sign two veteran free-agent quarterbacks this offseason, and Minnesota Vikings impending free-agent QB
Carson Wentz could be high up on their wish list. Wentz is believed to be offensive coordinator Frank Reich's "preferred option," according to two sources. Reich was previously Wentz's offensive coordinator with the Philadelphia Eagles from 2016 to 2017, and Wentz's best season came in his second year in the league under Reich, when he threw for 3,296 yards, 33 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Wentz also played for Reich with the Indianapolis Colts in 2021, throwing for 3,563 yards, 27 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. "No one loves Wentz more than Frank," a third source said. The 33-year-old played through a shoulder injury in five starts in Minnesota last year, throwing for 1,216 yards, six TDs, and five picks. If Wentz were to land in New York, he'd most likely be battling another veteran for the starting gig. And with the Jets, that's about as gross as it gets for fantasy purposes.
--Keith HernandezSource: SNY - Connor Hughes
March 6, 2026
Former Arizona Cardinals quarterback
Kyler Murray (foot) is the top available option at the QB position this offseason. The New York Jets have discussed him as an option, but the "resounding belief" from multiple sources is that he will sign with the Minnesota Vikings this offseason, according to Connor Hughes of SNY. The 28-year-old former first overall pick in 2019 out of Oklahoma didn't play beyond Week 5 last year due to a foot sprain, and veteran
Jacoby Brissett actually elevated the offense in Murray's absence. The Vikings are looking for a signal-caller to push
J.J. McCarthy and perhaps even win a QB battle going into next season. Murray, the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2019, would be in position to rebound in a big way if he were to land in Minnesota, with head coach Kevin O'Connell and legitimate receiving threats in
Justin Jefferson and
Jordan Addison. Murray is going to be cheap on the open market and in fantasy drafts this fall, but he will make for an interesting QB2 flier with bounce-back potential if he signs with the Vikes.
--Keith HernandezSource: SNY - Connor Hughes
March 6, 2026
The Houston Texans restructured nickel cornerback Jalen Pitre's contract on Friday, one year after signing him to a $42.6 million extension, a league source told Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports. The Texans converted a majority of his $9 million guaranteed base salary into a signing bonus and added two void years to lower his $11.911 million salary cap number for this year. The 26-year-old defensive back was part of one of the best secondaries in football in 2025, and the former second-rounder had 74 tackles (43 solo), four interceptions, and 12 pass breakups in 14 regular-season games for the Texans. Pitre forms a strong combination in the secondary in Houston alongside Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter, and the Texans' defensive unit will be one of the top options off the board in fantasy drafts this fall.
--Keith HernandezSource: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson
March 6, 2026
Green Bay Packers edge rusher Rashan Gary, who has been the subject of trade talks, doesn't expect to return to the team in 2026, according to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. Gary announced on social media that his time in Green Bay was over before deleting the post. He is due $19.5 million in 2026 with no guaranteed money. Before outright releasing the 28-year-old linebacker, the Packers will try to see if another team will take him off their hands in a trade. The former 12th overall pick in 2019 out of Michigan was a first-time Pro Bowler in 2024, and he had a second straight season of 7.5 sacks in 16 regular-season games in 2025, adding 45 tackles (25 solo), seven tackles for loss, 20 QB hits, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Gary has two years left on his four-year, $96 million contract, and he has a $28 million salary cap number for 2026. He has 46.5 sacks in his seven NFL seasons and would most likely be picked up by another team pretty quickly if he reaches the open market.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
March 6, 2026
Detroit Lions left tackle Taylor Decker announced on his Instagram account on Friday that he requested and will be released by the team, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Decker and the Lions were unable to agree on a contract restructure, and now the 31-year-old veteran is free to sign with any team. Decker was due to make $18.2 million in 2026. The former 16th overall pick in 2016 out of Ohio State was a first-time Pro Bowler in 2024. All 10 of his NFL seasons have been with the Lions, and he has started all 140 games that he's appeared in. By releasing Decker, the Lions will save $17.9 million in salary cap space this year and $21 million next year. It will be a big change for the Lions offense, as Decker has been a cornerstone left tackle for the franchise since 2016. Decker will attract plenty of interest on the free-agent market.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
March 6, 2026
The Miami Dolphins and 2023 Pro Bowl fullback
Alec Ingold are parting ways, sources told Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network. Ingold had talks with the Dolphins about a new deal, but he will now be released and will be free to sign with a new team as soon as Friday. The 29-year-old was entering the final year of a three-year, $12.2 million deal that he signed with the team in 2023. Ingold has never been on the fantasy map as a blocker out of the backfield, but he should receive interest on the open market from teams looking to improve their efficiency on the ground. In his seven years in the NFL, Ingold has only had 35 carries for 56 yards and two touchdowns in 107 games played. He's been more prolific as a receiver, catching 75 of his 97 targets for 611 yards and four touchdowns with the Dolphins and Raiders since entering the league in 2019.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
March 6, 2026
The Los Angeles Rams and safety Kamren Curl agreed to a three-year, $36 million deal on Friday with a maximum value of $39 million, sources told Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network. Curl's last contract paid just under $6 million per year, so it's a big raise for the 26-year-old defensive back. In his sixth NFL season and second with the Rams in 2025, Curl had a career-best 122 tackles (79 solo), a career-high two sacks, two interceptions, five pass breakups, and a forced fumble in 17 regular-season starts. The former 216th overall pick in the seventh round by the Washington Commanders in 2020 out of Arkansas will pair with new cornerback Trent McDuffie in L.A.'s secondary going into the 2026 season. Curl has a total of 586 tackles (385 solo), eight sacks, 18 tackles for loss, 14 QB hits, five interceptions (one for a TD), 28 pass breakups, four forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries (one for a TD) in his six NFL seasons.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
March 6, 2026
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with free-agent center Tyler Biadasz on a three-year deal worth $30 million on Friday, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Biadasz was cut by the Washington Commanders after being set to make $8.3 million in 2026. The 28-year-old is expected to be past the ankle and knee injuries that landed him on Injured Reserve to close out last season in Washington. The Chargers were desperate for some offensive-line upgrades, particularly at center, so they have made Biadasz the sixth-highest-paid center in the NFL. Since entering the league as a fourth-round pick by the Dallas Cowboys in 2020 out of Wisconsin, Biadasz has started 84 of the 92 games he's appeared in while making the Pro Bowl in 2022 with Dallas. The addition of Biadasz is a big positive for quarterback
Justin Herbert.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
March 6, 2026
The Buffalo Bills are releasing cornerback Taron Johnson on Friday after eight seasons together, a source told Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Johnson started 87 of the 113 games he appeared in for the Bills in his eight seasons, and he recorded a total of 572 tackles (411 solo), eight sacks, 23 tackles for loss, 11 QB hits, six interceptions (two returned for touchdowns), 48 pass breakups, eight forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries (one returned for a TD). The 29-year-old slot cornerback had 57 tackles (34 solo) and four pass breakups in 13 regular-season games (eight starts) in Buffalo in 2025. Johnson shouldn't have any trouble drumming up interest on the open market as he looks to play somewhere else besides Buffalo for the first time in his career.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
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