RADIO
Spencer Shrader is Making Progress
Indianapolis Colts kicker Spencer Shrader (knee) was able to get up some kicks as he works his way back into the mix. Shrader is currently recovering from a torn ACL that he suffered in Week 5 of last season. He knocked down 3-of-5 field goal attempts during a recent practice session. He'll be competing with Blake Grupe for the starting kicker job this upcoming season. Grupe connected on all five of his kicks, so Shrader could have a tough challenge ahead of him. Despite some struggles, it's quite amazing that Shrader is even attempting field goals around eight months after surgery.
Source: Kevin Bowen
Source: Kevin Bowen
Broncos, Sean Payton Agree to New Five-Year Contract
The Denver Broncos and head coach Sean Payton agreed to a new five-year contract on Thursday, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN. Payton has led the Broncos to the third-most wins in the NFL over the last two years, including an appearance in the AFC Championship game last year. Owner Greg Penner now has both Payton and general manager George Paton under contract through the 2030 season. The 62-year-old Payton had two years remaining on his current contract, with the new five-year deal replacing the old contract. In his third season at the helm in Denver, Payton led the Broncos to a 14-3 regular-season record. The team has gone 32-19 during his three seasons at the helm, increasing their win total each season. The Broncos sent a 2023 first-rounder and 2024 second-rounder to the New Orleans Saints in 2023 to hire Payton, with the team also receiving a 2024 third-round pick in the deal. It's safe to say that the trade has worked out for Denver, as they head into Payton's fourth season in 2026 with playoff aspirations once again.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Jets Sign Kicker Younghoe Koo on Wednesday
The New York Jets signed free-agent kicker Younghoe Koo to an undisclosed deal on Wednesday, sources told Connor Hughes of SNY. Koo spent seven years with the Atlanta Falcons, where he was named a Pro Bowler in 2020. The 31-year-old veteran kicked with the Falcons and New York Giants in 2025 and went 6-for-9 on his field-goal attempts and 13-for-14 on extra-point tries in only six games played. Going into his ninth year in the NFL with Gang Green, Koo will be competing with Cade York and Lenny Krieg for primary placekicking duties in 2026. Even if he wins the gig to start the 2026 regular season, fantasy managers should have much better options at the kicking position. For his career, Koo has an 85.3% success rate on his 217 field-goal attempts (29-for-42 from 50-plus yards) and has made 95.9% of his extra-point attempts in 98 career games.
Source: SNY - Connor Hughes
Source: SNY - Connor Hughes
NFL Unlikely to Expand to 18 Regular-Season Games by 2027
Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio says that it continues to be inevitable that the NFL will expand the regular season to 18 games, but it's not inevitable that it will happen as soon as the 2027 season. It's "highly unlikely" that a change to the regular-season schedule will be made by then. The door won't be closed on an expansion of the regular-season slate in 2027, because the NFL still hasn't picked a date for Super Bowl LXII that year in Atlanta. The Super Bowl will be held on Feb. 13 of 2028 that year under the current structure of the schedule. NFL players and the NFLPA have pushed back on adding another regular-season game, citing player safety, but one way or another, the regular season will be expanded to 18 games in the near future. "If you can't do it safely for our players, we're not gonna do it. And that's why I would say it's not inevitable," commissioner Roger Goodell said in April.
Source: Pro Football Talk - Mike Florio
Source: Pro Football Talk - Mike Florio
Giants, GM Joe Schoen Agree on a Multi-Year Extension
The New York Giants and general manager Joe Schoen agreed to terms on a multi-year contract extension on Thursday to keep him working with new head coach John Harbaugh for years to come, according to Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network. The 47-year-old Schoen, along with former head coach Brian Daboll, joined the Giants in 2022. Daboll was fired in October of last year, but the Giants kept Schoen around and trusted him to lead their search for a new head coach, which ultimately led to the hiring of Harbaugh. Before joining the G-Men, Schoen spent five seasons as the assistant GM for the Buffalo Bills under Brandon Beane. New York went 9-7-1 and won a playoff game in Schoen's first year with the organization, but they went 13-38 in the next three seasons. Despite a rough last three years, the Giants ownership is optimistic about the direction of the franchise, and they have liked how Schoen and Harbaugh have worked together early on.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Steelers Agree With Kicker Chris Boswell on Four-Year Extension
The Pittsburgh Steelers agreed with kicker Chris Boswell on a four-year, $28 million contract extension on Monday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The $7 million average per year ties Boswell with the Dallas Cowboys' Brandon Aubrey for the highest-paid kicker in NFL history, per CAA Football. Boswell is locked in with the Steelers through the 2030 season. The 35-year-old veteran made his second Pro Bowl in 2025 in his 11th year in the Steel City, going 27-for-32 (9-for-11 from 50-plus yards out) on his field-goal tries and 42-for-43 on extra points in 17 regular-season games. He's a career 87.7% kicker on his 341 field-goal attempts (52-for-63 from 50-plus yards) in his 11 years in the league with Pittsburgh. Boswell finished as the No. 12 fantasy kicker in 2025 in a Steelers offense that had its limitations with veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers under center. The Steelers aren't in a better QB situation this year and are currently waiting on Rodgers to make a decision on whether he wants to re-sign. It makes Boswell a fringe top-12 option at the position going into his 12th NFL campaign.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Broncos Sign GM George Paton to New Five-Year Deal
The Denver Broncos signed general manager George Paton to a new five-year deal on Friday, sources told Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. Paton, who is one of the league's most respected executives, built a Broncos roster that reached the AFC Championship last year. He was entering the final year of the six-year contract that he signed with the organization in 2021. Paton got off to a nice start to his tenure in Denver by drafting All-Pro cornerback Patrick Surtain II and offensive lineman Quinn Meinerz, plus linebacker Jonathan Cooper, in the 2021 draft, his first with the team. Things didn't go well when Paton hired Nathaniel Hackett as the head coach and when he traded for Russell Wilson, but head coach Sean Payton has helped stabilize the team in recent seasons before the Broncos reached the AFC title game this past season. With young QB Bo Nix (ankle) at the helm, the Broncos' arrow is pointing up for years to come.
Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
Packers Release Kicker Brandon McManus
The Green Bay Packers released veteran kicker Brandon McManus on Friday after drafting University of Florida kicker Trey Smack in the sixth round last month, a source told Adam Schefter of ESPN. McManus' run in Green Bay comes to an end after two seasons with the Packers, in which he made 44 of his 51 field-goal attempts (6-for-8 from 50-plus yards) and 62 of his 63 extra-point attempts in 25 regular-season games. The 34-year-old, 12-year veteran and former Super Bowl champion with the Denver Broncos is nearing the end of the line in the NFL after a solid career that has seen him make 82% of his field-goal attempts in 186 regular-season games. With McManus gone, the Packers figure to have a kicking competition this summer between Smack and Lucas Havrisik. McManus wasn't 100% healthy last year in Green Bay and was successful on 24 of his 30 field-goal tries and 32 of his 33 extra-point attempts in his 14 regular-season games. Fantasy managers in 12-team leagues will want to avoid the Packers' kicking situation in 2026.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Chad Alexander a Candidate for Vikings GM Job
The Minnesota Vikings have requested to interview Los Angeles Chargers assistant general manager Chad Alexander for their general manager job, according to Kevin Seifert of ESPN. In addition to Alexander, the other candidates to take over as the Vikings' GM include San Francisco 49ers assistant GM RJ Gillen, Buffalo Bills assistant GM Terrance Gray, Los Angeles Rams assistant GM John McKay, Seattle Seahawks assistant GM Nolan Teasely, and Tennessee Titans assistant GM Dave Ziegler. Vikings executive vice president Rob Brzezinski has also expressed interest in the job and is a candidate to take over after the team surprisingly fired Adofo Kwesi-Mensah back in January. All of the candidates come from a scouting background. Alexander has been the Chargers' assistant GM since 2024. He was previously with the Baltimore Ravens' personnel department from 1999 to 2018 before serving as the New York Jets' director of player personnel from 2019 to 2023.
Source: ESPN.com - Kevin Seifert
Source: ESPN.com - Kevin Seifert
Vikings Request to Interview RJ Gillen for GM Job
The Minnesota Vikings requested an interview with San Francisco 49ers assistant general manager RJ Gillen for their general manager job, a source told Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. The Vikings are ramping up their search for a new GM after surprisingly firing Adofo Kwesi-Mensah in January. In addition to Gillen, the Vikings have requested to interview Tennessee Titans assistant GM Dave Ziegler and Los Angeles Chargers assistant GM Chad Alexander. Ziegler is the only one who has previous experience as a GM with the Raiders in 2022 and 2023, but he was fired midway through his second season with the organization, along with head coach Josh McDaniels. Gillen has spent the last 11 seasons with the 49ers and was promoted to his current role in 2025 after serving as the director of player personnel for two years. The Vikings are looking for new leadership after letting quarterback Sam Darnold walk in free agency last year before he landed with the Seattle Seahawks and led them to a Super Bowl championship.
Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
Vikings Request to Interview Terrance Gray for GM Job
The Minnesota Vikings have requested to interview Buffalo Bills assistant general manager Terrance Gray for their GM job, a source told Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. Gray spent 11 seasons with the Vikings as a college scout before joining the Bills in 2017. The Vikings are taking their time in searching for a new GM after they surprisingly fired Kwesi Adofo-Mensah in January. Executive vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski has taken over the interim GM duties and has planned a full search for a new GM now that the 2026 NFL draft is in the rearview mirror. In addition to the Bills, Gray has worked for the Kansas City Chiefs during his time in the NFL. Depending on how the team's search goes, Brzezinski could be a candidate to take on the job on a more permanent basis.
Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
Mike Vrabel Returns to the Patriots on Monday
After missing Day 3 of the 2026 NFL draft on Saturday to be with his family, New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel returned to the team on Monday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Vrabel has been in the news for the wrong reasons of late and will reportedly seek counseling after reports emerged about his alleged relationship with former NFL reporter Dianna Russini. Vrabel, who led the Patriots to the Super Bowl last season in his first year at the helm, isn't facing any kind of charges and is not expected to face any discipline from the NFL for the 2026 campaign. There are also no signs that Vrabel will step down from his responsibilities as the Patriots' head coach for the upcoming season.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Packers Take Kicker Trey Smack with Pick No. 216
The Green Bay Packers have selected Florida kicker Trey Smack with the 216th overall pick in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, making him the first kicker off the board. Smack has made 82.8% of his field goal attempts across three seasons with the Gators, and his only missed extra point came on the final kick of his collegiate career, ending a streak of 100 straight makes. A two-time Lou Groza Award semifinalist, Smack owns the Florida record with nine made field goals of 50+ yards. Veteran kicker Brandon McManus made 35 of 37 field goals in his second season with the Packers, but at almost 35 years old, he likely faces a preseason competition with the rookie, and the winner should have fantasy value with what figures to be another competent Green Bay offense.
Source: NFL
Source: NFL
49ers Getting Calls About No. 33 Overall Pick at Top of Second Round
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that the San Francisco 49ers are getting calls about the No. 33 overall pick at the top of the first round on Friday night, and it seems like they are very open to potentially moving back while acquiring more draft capital. Teams that are looking to trade up into the top part of the second round on Friday night include the Miami Dolphins, the New Orleans Saints, the Cleveland Browns, and the Jacksonville Jaguars. Players projected to come off the board early on Day 2 include Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald, University of Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston, University of Miami quarterback Carson Beck, and Tennessee cornerbacks Colton Hood and Jermod McCoy (knee). Hood was one of the biggest snubs of Round 1 on Thursday night, and he could be in play for the Niners at 33 or any team that trades up into that spot. McCoy has been considered a top-10 talent, but he's falling because of injury concerns.
Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
Lions Could be Angling to Trade Up in First Round of NFL Draft
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that some NFL teams are "watching" the Detroit Lions, who hold the No. 17 overall pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft, as a "trade-up threat." They have been making calls around the league. The Dallas Cowboys, meanwhile, are looking at options to move up or down within the first round. If Dallas were to trade up from No. 20 overall, it probably wouldn't be a big jump up. As of right now, they don't want to give up the 20th overall pick. Both the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns sit in the top 10 picks in the first round, and they could be trade partners with the Lions if they are looking to jump into the top 10 on Thursday evening. If the Lions trade up within the first round, it will almost certainly be to target a difference-making edge rusher to pair with Pro Bowler Aidan Hutchinson. The Lions are also in need of a starting right tackle to bolster their offensive line.
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
