Jerry Jones "Looking Forward" to Re-Signing George Pickens
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones reiterated the team's desire to reach a long-term contract extension with impending free-agent wide receiver George Pickens, according to Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "He's better than, as far as what he contributed to our team, showing the potential that he could contribute. I'm looking forward to getting things worked out so George can be a Cowboy a long time," Jones said. In his first year with Dallas in 2025, Pickens led the Cowboys in receiving and earned second-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors with a career-best 1,429 receiving yards and nine touchdowns on a career-high 93 receptions over 17 games. Jones and the Cowboys have a history of dragging out extensions for their star players, though, so nothing is guaranteed for Pickens. However, in Pickens' case, the team seems likely to use the franchise tag to keep him around in 2026 if an extension cannot be reached. If Pickens is in Dallas next season, he'll be a clear WR1 target in fantasy drafts.
Source: Fort Worth Star-Telegram - Nick Harris
Source: Fort Worth Star-Telegram - Nick Harris
Robert Spillane Questionable to Play in Super Bowl
New England Patriots linebacker Robert Spillane (ankle) was limited in practice on Thursday and Friday this week and is officially questionable to play on Sunday in Super Bowl LX against the Seattle Seahawks, per the NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe. Linebacker Harold Landry (ankle) is also questionable. The 30-year-old Spillane injured his ankle in the AFC Championship game victory over the Denver Broncos. If Spillane is limited or unable to play at all on Sunday, it would be a pretty notable loss for the Patriots' defense. Spillane finished his first regular season with the Pats with 97 tackles (48 solo), one sack, two interceptions, five pass breakups, and a forced fumble in 13 starts. Jack Gibbens would make the start at inside linebacker against the Seahawks if Spillane is inactive.
Source: NFL Network - Cameron Wolfe
Source: NFL Network - Cameron Wolfe
Drake Maye Good to Go Against Seahawks
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (shoulder) practiced in full all week and has been cleared to play in Super Bowl LX on Sunday versus the Seattle Seahawks. Maye was listed as questionable at the end of last week after suffering a minor right-shoulder injury in the AFC Championship game against the Denver Broncos, but the Patriots were never concerned that it would affect him going into the Super Bowl. The 23-year-old second-year signal-caller out of North Carolina led the NFL with a 72% completion percentage in 17 regular-season games and finished as the QB3 in fantasy scoring, but he's completed only 55.8% of his passes for 533 yards, four touchdowns, and two picks in his first three playoff games. Maye has also fumbled six times (three lost) in the postseason. He'll need to be much better on Sunday against a Seattle defense that allowed the seventh-fewest passing TDs (20) during the regular season.
Source: NFL Network - Cameron Wolfe
Source: NFL Network - Cameron Wolfe
Nick Emmanwori Will Play on Super Sunday
Seattle Seahawks rookie safety Nick Emmanwori (ankle) was a full participant in Friday's practice and was removed from the final injury report for Super Bowl LX on Sunday against the New England Patriots, according to ESPN's Brady Henderson. Emmanwori suffered a low-ankle sprain in practice on Wednesday and was held out of Thursday's practice, but he's now ready to go this weekend. It's great news for a Seahawks defense that has been among the best units in the NFL all year. The 21-year-old Emmanwori was in contention for Defensive Rookie of the Year after recording 81 tackles (56 solo), 2.5 sacks, nine tackles for loss, four QB hits, an interception, and 11 pass breakups in 14 regular-season games. He had a strong NFC Championship game against the Los Angeles Rams, too, with five tackles (four solo) and three pass breakups. Emmanwori will hope to make life difficult for Patriots quarterback Drake Maye in the Super Bowl.
Source: ESPN.com - Brady Henderson
Source: ESPN.com - Brady Henderson
Sam Darnold Cleared for Super Bowl LX
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (oblique) practiced in full for a second straight day on Friday and was removed from the final injury report ahead of Super Bowl LX on Sunday versus the New England Patriots. Darnold suffered a left-oblique injury in practice just days before the team's Divisional Round win over the San Francisco 49ers, but it hasn't affected him in two playoff victories on the road to the Super Bowl. The 28-year-old signal-caller has gone 37-for-53 for 470 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions in wins over the 49ers and Los Angeles Rams in the postseason, and his oblique injury should not be an issue at all this weekend. He'll be facing off against a Patriots defense on Sunday that allowed the ninth-fewest passing yards during the regular season, although their schedule was extremely soft. His counterpart, Drake Maye, will be the more popular DFS play in the Super Bowl because he finished as the QB3 in fantasy during the regular season, but Darnold has looked much sharper than Maye in the playoffs.
Source: ESPN.com - Brady Henderson
Source: ESPN.com - Brady Henderson
Chiefs to be Hit Hard by Free Agency This Offseason
NFL.com's Matt Okada ranks the Kansas City Chiefs as No. 1 on his list of teams that are positioned to be hit the hardest by free agency in 2026. In addition to having 30 impending free agents (tied for fifth-most in the league), the Chiefs are projected to be $54.7 million over the salary cap this year. They are coming off a six-win season (fewest wins since 2012), and superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee) is recovering from a torn ACL. The most notable Chiefs players scheduled to hit free agency are tight end Travis Kelce (retirement is a possibility), starting defensive backs Jaylen Watson and Bryan Cook, pass-rusher Charles Omenihu, running backs Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt, and a good chunk of their receivers. To save cap space, the Chiefs could cut starting right tackle Jawaan Taylor, but it's not an ideal move for a team looking to shore up their offensive line. If anyone can work magic, it would be general manager Brett Veach, but things are looking bleak for KC after they missed the playoffs for the first time in a decade in 2025.
Source: NFL.com - Matt Okada
Source: NFL.com - Matt Okada
Throwing at the Combine Not a "Priority" for Fernando Mendoza
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the presumptive first overall pick in this year's NFL Draft, said on The Pat McAfee Show on Friday that throwing at the NFL scouting combine isn't a "priority" and that he's more focused on throwing at his school's pro day to help out "his guys." Mendoza previously said he would attend the combine, which takes place in Indianapolis from Feb. 23 to March, but he wouldn't participate in any drills. The 22-year-old won the Heisman Trophy in 2025 and led the Hoosiers to the national title during an undefeated season. He is the overwhelming favorite to be taken first overall in April by the Las Vegas Raiders. Mendoza completed 72% percent of his passes last year for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns, and six interceptions, adding 276 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground. The 6-foot-5, 225-pounder probably won't be much of a runner at the next level, but he has all the other attributes to make him a franchise QB in the NFL.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Rams Add Kliff Kingsbury to Their Coaching Staff
The Los Angeles Rams are adding former Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury to their coaching staff under head coach Sean McVay, sources told Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports. Kingsbury and McVay are close and have talked about working together for a full season, and Kingsbury wants to continue to grow as a coach and learn more about what it takes to be a head coach in the NFL again. Kingsbury and the Commanders parted ways early in the offseason, and he was in consideration for a couple of head-coach openings, but nothing materialized. He will now head to Hollywood and learn under the best in the business in McVay. It's unclear exactly what role Kingsbury will fill for the Rams, but it is interesting since previous offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur left for the Cardinals' head-coaching job. Regardless, the already potent Rams offense will have another bright offensive mind on its staff in 2026.
Source: FOX Sports - Jordan Schultz
Source: FOX Sports - Jordan Schultz
Alec Pierce has the Most Consistently Productive Season of his Career in 2025
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce had arguably the best season of his young career in 2025, recording 47 receptions for 1,003 yards and six touchdowns across 15 games played. Pierce remains one of the NFL's most dangerous downfield threats, as he averaged 21.3 yards per reception in 2025 and has led the league in that stat for two years running. However, the 25-year-old also showed signs of becoming a more consistent feature of the Colts' offense this past year. After averaging 4.3 targets per game over the first three seasons of his career, Pierce averaged 5.6 targets per contest in 2025. Pierce is now set to hit unrestricted free agency this spring, but it appears Indianapolis will be looking to bring him back after trading away 2024 second-round wide receiver Adonai Mitchell in the middle of the 2025 season. With the Colts, Pierce profiles as the team's WR2, a role he has proven he can produce in. He may never be an ultra-high volume target earner, but Pierce's fantasy value in dynasty formats should be on the rise after 2025, particularly in leagues that use half and non-PPR scoring.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Bhayshul Tuten Could Enter 2026 as the RB1 in Jacksonville
A fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Jacksonville Jaguars running back Bhayshul Tuten flashed high-end upside at points throughout his rookie season. The 22-year-old's overall stat line does not jump off the page, as he finished the year with 386 scrimmage yards and seven touchdowns on 93 touches across 15 games played. However, Tuten spent the year behind Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. on the depth chart. While Jacksonville may choose to re-sign him, Etienne Jr. is now set to hit unrestricted free agency and might command a pricy contract on the open market after producing nearly 1,400 scrimmage yards and 13 touchdowns in 2025. If the Jaguars let Etienne Jr. walk, Tuten may be in line to take on the team's RB1 role in 2026. Between Etienne Jr. 2025 and Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving in 2024, Jacksonville head coach and play-caller Liam Coen has proven the ability to manufacture high-value seasons for his running backs. Given the potential opportunity for him in Jacksonville, Tuten should be a player whose value is on the rise in dynasty fantasy formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Aaron Jones Sr. May No Longer Be a Lead Back Entering 2026
In his first season with the team in 2024, Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. recorded over 1,500 yards from scrimmage and played 17 games, earning himself a second contract. However, Jones Sr. struggled through injuries and a production decline in 2025, logging just 747 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns on 160 touches across 12 games played. Even when Jones Sr. was healthy, Minnesota split backfield work between him and Jordan Mason, limiting the production upside for both players. If Jones Sr. is back with the Vikings in 2026, he figures to work in a timeshare with Mason once again. Minnesota could also save $8 million against the cap by releasing Jones Sr., so the veteran running back may find himself in a new home come September. Regardless of where Jones Sr. is playing in 2026, his days as a true lead back for an NFL team may be coming to an end as he hits his age-32 season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Courtland Sutton Nearing the Start of His Decline Phase?
Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton posted another rock-solid season in 2025, recording 74 receptions for 1,017 yards and seven touchdowns on 124 targets across 17 games played. His 2025 line is nearly identical to his 2024 production, when he hauled in 81 grabs for 1,081 yards and eight scores on 135 targets. While Sutton may not carry elite fantasy upside, he's established himself as the number one pass-catcher in an above-average Broncos' offense and has proven he can provide a consistent production floor. However, Sutton's long-term fantasy outlook may be dimming heading into 2026. For one, Sutton will be entering his age-31 season. Additionally, Denver has multiple wide receivers on rookie contracts in Pat Bryant, Troy Franklin, and Marvin Mims Jr., who are all candidates to take a step forward next year. Sutton will likely remain a safe wide receiver option for redraft leagues in 2026, but dynasty managers may be wise to anticipate the start of his decline phase.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is Kyle Monangai the Future RB1 in Chicago?
A seventh-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Chicago Bears running back Kyle Monangai entered his rookie season without much fanfare. However, the 23-year-old impressed in his first campaign, recording 947 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns on 187 touches across 17 games. Monangai showcased impressive efficiency as a rusher, averaging 4.6 yards per carry. As the season progressed, Monangai was able to steal more and more work away from established Bears RB1 D'Andre Swift. Including the postseason, Monangai recorded at least 11 touches in eight out of his final 10 games. From Week 11 through the end of the regular season, neither Monangai nor Swift played more than 59% or fewer than 41% of Chicago's offensive snaps in any contest. In 2026, Swift will be playing on the final season of his current contract. While the two backs project to share backfield work in the short term, Monangai may have done enough as a rookie for the team to feel confident in him as its long-term answer at running back. Monangai's fantasy value in dynasty formats should be on the rise after his encouraging 2025 season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Calvin Ridley Facing Performance and Health Questions Heading into 2026
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley (leg) had by far the worst season of his career in 2025, recording 17 receptions for 303 yards and zero touchdowns on 36 targets. The 31-year-old was also limited to just seven games played. After suffering a hamstring injury in Week 6 that sidelined him for over a month, Ridley broke his fibula upon his return in Week 11, landing him on Injured Reserve and ending his season. Ridley still has two years remaining on his current contract with the Titans, but Tennessee has a potential out this offseason that would leave them with a manageable dead cap hit. As a result, Ridley may be looking for a new home as he enters his age-32 season coming off a major leg injury. Before 2025, Ridley had posted consecutive seasons with at least 120 targets and 1,000 receiving yards, so he may bounce back in 2026. However, the veteran wideout's dynasty fantasy value should be plummeting after his disastrous 2025 campaign.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Michael Penix Jr. Says he's Ahead of Schedule After Knee Surgery
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) said on the Up & Adams Show on Friday that his recovery from knee surgery is a "little bit" ahead of schedule. Penix suffered a torn left ACL in Week 11 against the Carolina Panthers, but he's hoping he'll be ready to roll for Week 1 of the 2026 regular season this fall. The 25-year-old has already recovered from two ACL tears in his right knee in college, so he's pretty familiar with the rehab process. He's been attacking his rehab diligently since having surgery on Nov. 25, but there's no guarantee that Penix will be ready for Week 1, making him an extremely volatile QB2 target in fantasy football drafts this fall. Before his knee injury, the former eighth overall pick out of Washington was extremely inconsistent in nine starts in his first year as the full-time starter, completing 60.1% of his passes for 1,982 yards, nine TDs, and three picks.
Source: Up & Adams
Source: Up & Adams
RADIO



