February 9, 2026
Los Angeles Rams assistant head coach and passing-game coordinator Aubrey Pleasant will interview for the defensive-coordinator jobs with the Arizona Cardinals and Cleveland Browns, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Pleasant has worked with five different teams (Rams, Washington Commanders, Browns, Detroit Lions, and Green Bay Packers) since starting his NFL coaching career back in 2013, but he has never been a defensive coordinator. The more attractive job is definitely in Cleveland, where the reigning Defensive Player of the Year resides in pass-rusher Myles Garrett. Pleasant was also interviewed for the Los Angeles Chargers' defensive-coordinator position this offseason before they chose Chris O'Leary for the gig. He has spent the last three seasons in L.A. coaching under Sean McVay.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
February 9, 2026
The Cleveland Browns have requested permission to interview New York Giants assistant coach Charlie Bullen for their defensive-coordinator job, a source told Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network. Bullen is also in the mix for the defensive-coordinator position with the Arizona Cardinals. He took over as the Giants' interim DC last season when the team fired Shane Bowen, but he was unable to land the full-time DC gig after John Harbaugh took over as the new head coach. Bullen has 13 years of coaching experience in the NFL, but he's never been a defensive coordinator. He got his start as a defensive assistant with the Miami Dolphins in 2012. The Browns are looking for a new DC after Jim Schwartz resigned because he was passed over for the head-coaching opening. Cleveland's defense already has a strong base to work with, including Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
February 9, 2026
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler spoke to several people in the NFL who believe that Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton will eventually relinquish offensive play-calling duties to new offensive coordinator
Davis Webb. Webb, a former backup quarterback with the Buffalo Bills, has been a fast riser in the coaching ranks and had multiple head-coaching interviews this cycle. The decision will be up to Payton, but nothing has been decided for now. Payton has called plays at a high level for decades, but his decisions came under scrutiny in the AFC Championship game loss to the New England Patriots. Webb took over the OC job in Denver following the firing of Joe Lombardi. Handing over play-calling duties to Webb might be another way for the Broncos to hang onto the coveted coach beyond the 2026 campaign, and they could potentially be grooming him to take over head-coaching duties if Payton decides to retire down the road.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
February 9, 2026
The Chicago Bears promoted passing-game coordinator Press Taylor to offensive coordinator on Sunday, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Taylor was an offensive coordinator with the Jacksonville Jaguars until 2024 before working with head coach Ben Johnson in Chicago last year. He'll receive the promotion to OC with Declan Doyle leaving to become the new OC with the Baltimore Ravens. During Taylor's time in Jacksonville, quarterback
Trevor Lawrence took a step back, so it's not exactly inspiring news for Bears QB
Caleb Williams as he heads into his third year in the NFL. The good news for Bears fans is that Johnson will almost certainly continue to call the offensive plays in 2026. Taylor got his start as an NFL coach as an offensive quality control coach with the Philadelphia Eagles from 2013 to 2015 before being promoted to assistant QBs coach in 2016 and 2017 and QBs coach in 2018 to 2020. He also worked as a senior offensive assistant with the Colts in 2021.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
February 9, 2026
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver
Jaxon Smith-Njigba caught four of his 10 targets for 27 yards during Sunday's Super Bowl LX victory over the New England Patriots. Just a few days after being named the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year, Smith-Njigba was held in check by a historic defensive performance from Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez. While the young receiver was smothered, this simply redirected more volume to
Cooper Kupp and running back
Kenneth Walker III, who both fueled the victory. Fantasy managers should expect that Smith-Njigba, who had 1,793 yards and 10 touchdowns during the regular season, will continue to get plenty of attention from the NFL's top cornerbacks going forward. He was relatively quiet in a tough matchup on Sunday night, but he should overcome most of those challenging situations in 2026 -- very similar to how he performed during the 2025 regular season. He enters 2026 fantasy drafts as a top-three receiver in all leagues.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
February 9, 2026
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver
Cooper Kupp caught six of his 12 targets for 61 yards during Sunday's Super Bowl LX victory over the New England Patriots. Kupp led the Seahawks' receiving corps in all three of those categories, taking those responsibilities from
Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Smith-Njigba was smothered by Christian Gonzalez for most of the game, and he also missed a small portion of the game for a concussion check. Kupp has now won two Super Bowls in five years. He got his first ring with the Rams, and now, he gets his second ring at the culmination of his first campaign in Seattle. He finished the regular season with a modest 47 catches for 593 yards and two touchdowns, but he produced when it mattered most under the international spotlight on Sunday night. Kupp should remain in the No. 2 receiver role for next season, but he ranks outside the top 36 receivers ahead of 2026 fantasy football drafts.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
February 9, 2026
New England Patriots running back
Rhamondre Stevenson rushed for 23 yards on seven carries during Sunday's Super Bowl LX loss against the Seattle Seahawks. He also caught all five of his targets for an additional 40 receiving yards. Stevenson struggled rushing the ball, but he remained involved and effective in the passing game as New England prioritized shorter pass attempts over deep shots downfield. This was a familiar trend for Stevenson, who essentially won back the primary ball-carrier role after returning from injury in late November. Even with second-round rookie Tre'Veyon Henderson in the mix, Stevenson tallied 603 rushing yards, 32 catches, 345 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns across 14 contests. He averaged 12.8 full-PPR points per game, finishing the year as the overall RB25. Henderson should get even more involved next season, but Stevenson will still have a sizable role. He enters 2026 fantasy drafts as a mid-to-low RB3/flex option.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
February 9, 2026
New England Patriots quarterback
Drake Maye completed 27 of his 43 pass attempts for 295 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions during Sunday's Super Bowl loss against the Seattle Seahawks. He also rushed for 37 yards, took six sacks, and lost a fumble. Maye had a spectacular season, putting together an MVP-caliber campaign during just his second year in the NFL. He remained successful throughout most of the postseason, adapting to a mix of weather conditions while taking down three top defenses en route to a Super Bowl berth. However, the hot streak ended there, as Maye was stymied by an elite Seattle defense. His three turnovers were momentum-killers in a game that had 15 punts and five field goals. He struggled with ball placement when passing, too, and his passing yard total isn't exactly indicative of the game he had. In fact, 235 of Maye's 295 passing yards came in the fourth quarter, setting a new Super Bowl single-quarter record as he took advantage of the Seahawks playing a more relaxed style of defense in the final minutes. Arguably, the best part of Maye's game was his five rushing attempts, which often moved the chains and gave New England a glimmer of hope. Still, Maye's struggles when passing and inability to handle pressure in a collapsing pocket cost New England the game. He'll enter the offseason with his work cut out for him, especially as the Patriots prepare for a tougher schedule in 2026. Maye might not replicate his 2025 stats next year, but he's still a safe bet to rank among the top five quarterbacks in 2026 fantasy football drafts.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
February 9, 2026
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that it's "not impossible" that the Las Vegas Raiders trade All-Pro pass-rusher Maxx Crosby (knee) before the start of free agency in March. Crosby is around a month into his recovery from surgery on his meniscus, which typically carries a recovery time of three to four months. The 28-year-old has spent his entire seven-year career with the Raiders, but it remains to be seen if he wants to stick around for another rebuild with a new coaching staff under head coach Klint Kubiak. Crosby is ahead of schedule in his recovery from knee surgery, but he's unlikely to be medically cleared before free agency officially begins on March 11. It means that if Crosby is traded, it likely wouldn't be until later, perhaps at the 2026 NFL Draft or before the regular season. When healthy, he's been one of the league's best pass-rushers, earning five straight Pro Bowl nods and racking up 69.5 career sacks. Crosby would generate significant interest around the league if the Raiders are serious about trading him.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
February 9, 2026
Seattle Seahawks quarterback
Sam Darnold completed 19 of his 38 pass attempts for 202 yards, one touchdown, and zero interceptions during Sunday's Super Bowl LX victory over the New England Patriots. He also rushed for five yards and took just one sack. The veteran signal-caller didn't make a ton of breathtaking plays, but more importantly, he played turnover-free football while letting the defense and rushing attack win the big game. It was a storybook moment for Darnold, who started his career as a so-called first-round "bust" in New York. His NFL voyage took him through Carolina, San Francisco, and Minnesota before he signed with the Seahawks last offseason. During his first year in Seattle, he played all 17 regular-season games, completing 67.7% of his pass attempts for 4,048 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. For the second year in a row, he eclipsed 4,000 passing yards and was named to the Pro Bowl. With
Jaxon Smith-Njigba at his disposal and a fantastic offensive line in front of him, Darnold should be due for more success in the future. He'll rank as a fringe top-14 quarterback entering 2026 fantasy football drafts.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
February 9, 2026
Seattle Seahawks running back
Kenneth Walker III rushed for 135 yards on 27 carries during Sunday's Super Bowl LX victory over the New England Patriots. He also caught two of four targets for an additional 26 receiving yards. Walker's spectacular postseason culminated in a terrific showing on the world's biggest stage. He averaged five yards per carry and broke off several big runs that helped the Seahawks clinch a Super Bowl title. For his efforts, he was also named Super Bowl MVP. Walker had a very impressive 2025 campaign, and it came during a contract year. For the first time in his career, he was healthy for all 17 regular-season games. He tallied 1,309 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns while splitting work with
Zach Charbonnet during the regular season, and he put the rushing workload on his back after Charbonnet tore his ACL during Seattle's first playoff game. Walker will now enter free agency as arguably the top running back available, alongside players like
Travis Etienne Jr. and
Breece Hall. Walker's landing spot will paint a better picture of his fantasy value in 2026 drafts, but for now, he's a solid top-12 running back in all redraft formats, especially if he ends up back in Seattle.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
February 9, 2026
If they can find someone to take their current quarterbacks in a trade, the Arizona Cardinals and Miami Dolphins are two teams to watch in the pursuit of Green Bay Packers impending free-agent QB
Malik Willis, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. New Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley came from Green Bay and have an obvious connection with Willis, while new Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur can get intimate knowledge of Willis' game from his brother, Matt, who is the head coach of the Packers. Fowler also lists the Cleveland Browns as a sleeper for Willis, but the hiring of head coach Todd Monken could change that, since he seems open to working with the QBs currently on the roster, including
Shedeur Sanders. The 26-year-old Willis, a former third-rounder, completed 78.7% of his passes for 976 yards, six touchdowns, and no interceptions in 11 games (three starts) the last two years in Green Bay and is fully expected to join a new team in free agency this offseason.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
February 9, 2026
The Kansas City Chiefs want impending free-agent tight end
Travis Kelce back in 2026 if he decides to play for another season, sources told Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Kelce has not made a firm decision on his playing future, but reports over the weekend suggest that he could be leaning toward playing another season. The 36-year-old 11-time Pro Bowler and four-time first-team All-Pro caught 76 of his 108 targets for 851 yards and five touchdowns in his 17 starts in 2025 in his 13th year in the league. Although Kelce finished under 1,000 receiving yards for the third straight season, he still managed to finish as the TE4 in half-PPR scoring, and he should remain a favorite target of quarterback
Patrick Mahomes (knee) in 2026 if he comes back. Kelce is long in the tooth, but he should stay in TE1 territory in fantasy football next season if he returns, especially considering the team has multiple receivers that will hit the free-agent market.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
February 9, 2026
The Indianapolis Colts plan to begin contract-extension talks with impending free-agent quarterback
Daniel Jones (Achilles) soon on a multi-year deal, according to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. Jones signed a one-year, $14 million deal with Indy last offseason and was having a bounce-back season in 2025 until he tore his Achilles in Week 14 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Colts fell apart after Jones' injury and missed the playoffs. There is mutual interest on both sides in getting a deal done this offseason, so the expectation is that Jones will be back with the Colts. If they cannot agree on a multi-year extension, the franchise tag would be in play. The 28-year-old signal-caller completed a career-high 68% of his pass attempts in his 13 starts for Indy while throwing for 3,101 yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. Jones' 2026 fantasy value will hinge on his readiness for the start of the season this fall.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
February 9, 2026
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver
A.J. Brown's future with the team is in doubt this offseason, but the Eagles have not had any trade talks surrounding the three-time Pro Bowler, multiple sources told Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network. Garafolo also said there have only been brief talks between the team and Brown since the 2025 season ended with a loss in the playoffs to the Los Angeles Rams. Brown seems to be more "at peace" and calm about things, but it doesn't mean that he won't be dealt this offseason after he voiced his frustrations with Philly's offense in 2025. If the Eagles trade the 28-year-old, they'd take a $43.5 million salary cap hit in 2026, so they'd be looking for significant compensation in any deal. For what it's worth, Brown said on a recent podcast that he's "excited" for next season. In 15 starts during the regular season, Brown caught 78 of his 121 targets for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns. He has become a more volatile fantasy wideout, but a move to a new team won't necessarily boost his fantasy value for the 2026 campaign.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
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