February 24, 2026
Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales announced on Tuesday that offensive coordinator Brad Idzik will call offensive plays in 2026, according to Cameron Wolfe of the NFL Network. The 34-year-old will have more on his plate next season after having a big role in the team's offensive game-planning last year. It's a shift in strategy, as Canales was saying at the end of the 2025 season that he would remain the play-caller. Canales made the switch to allow him to broaden his ability to coach all aspects of the team instead of being too focused on the offense during games. Having veteran coach Darrell Bevell on the staff as an associate head coach and offensive assistant will help first-time coordinator Idzik. It remains to be seen how the change will affect quarterback
Bryce Young and the rest of the offense moving forward.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Cameron Wolfe
February 24, 2026
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton said that offensive coordinator
Davis Webb will be the team's offensive play-caller in 2026, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. It's an interesting and notable move for Denver's offense and for Payton, who has always called the offensive plays as a head coach in the NFL. Webb, 31, is a former backup quarterback in the NFL and was a head-coaching candidate for a few teams this offseason before the Broncos fired former OC Joe Lombardi and promoted Webb, who was formerly the QBs coach. If the Broncos' offense goes backwards under Webb, Payton can always take back over. If Webb has a very tight relationship with QB
Bo Nix (ankle), this could ultimately be a good thing for the Broncos' offense moving forward. One of the top priorities for Webb in his first year as the OC will be to fix a running game that has been subpar the last two years.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
February 24, 2026
Los Angeles Chargers right guard Mekhi Becton is a cut candidate this offseason, according to Daniel Popper of The Athletic. The Chargers can save close to $10 million if they move on from Becton, according to Over the Cap. "I'm not going to talk about that right now," general manager Joe Hortiz said when asked if Becton is guaranteed to be on the roster in 2026. The 26-year-old signed a two-year, $20 million deal with the Bolts in March of 2025, but he battled injuries and played less than 60% of the offensive snaps in 15 regular-season contests. He did not live up to expectations in L.A. when he was on the field. Injuries have been an issue for Becton since he entered the NFL in 2020 as the 11th overall pick by the New York Jets. He was originally drafted as a left tackle, but he has moved to right guard over the last few years. Becton's size (6-foot-7, 363 pounds) is imposing for defensive linemen, so he'll attract interest on the open market if he's cut.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Daniel Popper
February 24, 2026
New England Patriots left tackle Will Campbell (knee) isn't expected to need offseason knee surgery, sources close to the 22-year-old told Mike Reiss of ESPN. Campbell suffered a torn right MCL on Nov. 23, and it negatively affected his performance in the postseason and the Super Bowl LX loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Barring a setback this offseason, Campbell is "in position to be a full participant in the team's voluntary offseason program that begins in mid-April." Despite his struggles to close out his rookie season, the Pats will stick with Campbell as quarterback
Drake Maye's blind-side protector in 2026. "He's technically sound. He's adding more and more different pass sets to his tool bag that he can use to combat different rushes. And again, he's 22 years old, and we expect some improvement out of him as well," vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf said.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN Boston - Mike Reiss
February 24, 2026
Detroit Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker announced on his Instagram account on Tuesday that he will return for an 11th NFL season in 2026 after contemplating retirement, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. The 32-year-old veteran has missed some time due to injuries in recent seasons, but the former 16th overall pick in 2016 out of Ohio State is still a well-above-average left tackle who was named to his first Pro Bowl in 2024. The news of Decker returning for another season is a win for Detroit's entire offensive line, most importantly for quarterback
Jared Goff. Decker has started all 140 games that he's played in with the Lions over his 10 seasons in Motown.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
February 24, 2026
The Minnesota Vikings have had trade talks with teams regarding two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, sources told Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports. If the Vikings don't find any takers for the 33-year-old veteran on the trade market, they are fully expected to release him this offseason. In the first year of his two-year, $30 million contract that he signed with Minnesota in March of last year, Hargrave had 52 tackles (18 solo), 3.5 sacks, six QB hits, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery in 16 games played. He wasn't all that productive, but he did stay healthy for the Vikings after playing in only three games the year prior with the San Francisco 49ers due to a triceps injury. The two-time Pro Bowler could be running out of gas after originally being a third-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2016 out of South Carolina State.
--Keith HernandezSource: FOX Sports - Jordan Schultz
February 24, 2026
Las Vegas Raiders general manager John Spytek said on Tuesday that he expects All-Pro pass-rusher Maxx Crosby to be with the team in 2026, according to Kevin Patra of NFL.com. Crosby is going to have to want to be in Vegas, though, and that's still up in the air after the Raiders shut the 28-year-old down against his wishes at the tail end of last season due to a knee injury that required offseason surgery. "Maxx is an elite player, and I've been very upfront from the start when I got here that we're in the business of having really good players on the team, and we need a lot more of them," Spytek said. The Raiders are going to have a sky-high asking price on Crosby -- potentially two first-round picks and an impact player -- so it's uncertain if any team would be willing to meet those demands. Regardless of where he's playing in 2026, if Crosby is healthy, he'll be a must-start defensive lineman in IDP fantasy leagues. Crosby has been a Pro Bowler each of the last five seasons and has 52.5 sacks in 78 games played in that span.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL.com - Kevin Patra
February 24, 2026
The Dallas Cowboys have an offer on the table that would make impending free-agent kicker
Brandon Aubrey the "highest-paid kicker in the NFL," a source told Clarence Hill Jr. of DLLS Sports. A deal isn't done, though, and Aubrey "wants more than they offered." Aubrey, 30, is a restricted free agent this offseason and will most likely be back with Dallas one way or another. In Dallas' high-scoring offense, Aubrey continues to be a high-end option in fantasy football. He had another strong campaign in 2025, making 36 of his 42 field-goal tries (85.7%) and 47 of his 48 extra-point attempts to finish as the No. 3 kicker in overall fantasy points in 17 games. Aubrey has been a Pro Bowl kicker in all three of his NFL seasons and has made 35-plus field goals in all three years. Dallas should have another strong offense in 2026, making him an easy call as a top-five fantasy kicker.
--Keith HernandezSource: DLLS Sports - Clarence Hill Jr.
February 24, 2026
Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry said that "it's too early to say" if quarterbacks
Deshaun Watson (Achilles) or
Shedeur Sanders will be the Week 1 starter for the 2026 season, according to Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer. The Browns have also been reportedly looking outside the organization for a potential addition to the QB room this offseason. Cleveland has been loosely linked to Alabama QB Ty Simpson and Green Bay Packers impending free-agent QB
Malik Willis, and they could also look to trade for a signal-caller if they aren't satisfied with their current options. It's still very early in the offseason, so it's not really a surprise they don't have a good read on the QB competition just yet. If the Browns don't add to the position in the offseason, Sanders will probably be the slight favorite to start over Watson, who missed all of 2025 while recovering from a torn Achilles.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Cleveland Plain Dealer - Mary Kay Cabot
February 24, 2026
The Houston Chronicle's Jonathan M. Alexander writes that "all signs point to a potential break between" running back
Joe Mixon (ankle, foot) and the Houston Texans this offseason. Mixon ran for over 1,000 yards and had 11 touchdowns in 2024, but he didn't play at all in 2025 due to a freak ankle/foot injury last offseason. There are no injury updates on the 29-year-old this offseason after he had surgery, and general manager Nick Caserio said that Mixon's future with the club is "day-to-day." The Texans originally were hoping that Mixon would return last year, but he never did, and he sought treatment outside of the team's facilities. Mixon is entering the final year of a three-year deal he signed back in 2024, but the final year of the deal isn't guaranteed. The Texans, who are currently $4.9 million over the salary cap, could save $8.5 million in cap space by cutting him. Regardless of where Mixon is playing in 2026, his fantasy stock will be way down, and it's not even a guarantee he'll be ready for Week 1.
--Keith HernandezSource: Houston Chronicle - Jonathan M. Alexander
February 24, 2026
There have been rumblings that the Indianapolis Colts will release wide receiver
Michael Pittman Jr. this offseason to free up salary cap space, but it doesn't sound like a foregone conclusion. "Pure hypothetical (
Michael Pittman Jr.) won't be here," general manager Chris Ballard said at the NFL scouting combine on Tuesday. Pittman did have a career-high seven touchdowns in 17 games in 2025 in his sixth year in the league, but his 784 receiving yards were his fewest since his rookie year in 2020. His 2026 fantasy value will hinge on where he's playing in the upcoming season. If the Colts restructure his contract and also re-sign
Alec Pierce, Pittman will be more of a WR3/flex. The best-case scenario would be staying in Indy and having Pierce leave in free agency. The Colts have a lot of balls up in the air this offseason, but it sounds like they prefer to keep Pittman, if possible.
--Keith HernandezSource: Kevin Bowen
February 24, 2026
Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes said that he's "been in touch" with running back
David Montgomery and his agent and that they've had "healthy dialogue," according to Eric Woodyard of ESPN. "Those conversations are still fluid, and we'll just see how it goes," Holmes said during the NFL combine. Releasing the 28-year-old would save the team $3.5 million. Monty's role has shrunk in each of the last two years, and he really saw his involvement evaporate down the stretch in 2025. In 17 games played, the former third-rounder by the Chicago Bears in 2019 out of Iowa State had a career-low 158 carries for a career-low 716 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. He added 24 catches for 192 scoreless yards as a receiver. Montgomery might be more of a distant No. 2 behind
Jahmyr Gibbs in 2026 if he sticks around, but a RB-needy team might be willing to trade for him this offseason.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Eric Woodyard
February 24, 2026
Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider said at the NFL combine on Tuesday that the team "obviously would love" to re-sign Super Bowl MVP running back
Kenneth Walker III instead of letting him get to free agency. However, it will depend on how he fits into the team's plans for the upcoming season. Schneider would not comment on whether the team will use the franchise tag on Walker. Despite winning Super Bowl MVP, the Seahawks are not expected to use the franchise tag on the 25-year-old. Playing into the decision will be the torn ACL that fellow RB
Zach Charbonnet (knee) suffered in the playoffs, but an extension for receiver
Jaxon Smith-Njigba will likely be the priority. Walker, a former second-rounder, has had trouble staying healthy in the past, but he played in all 17 regular-season games in 2025, rushing for 1,027 yards and five TDs on 221 carries. If Walker makes it to free agency, he'll be one of the top RBs available this offseason.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Tacoma News Tribune - Gregg Bell
February 24, 2026
Despite an injury-plagued 2025 campaign, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers want to re-sign impending veteran free-agent wide receiver
Mike Evans, according to James Palmer of the NFL Network. "He's earned the right to do this. And he knows we'd love to have him back," general manager Jason Licht said on Evans and him exploring free agency. Evans, 32, is a future Hall of Famer after beginning his career with 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons in Tampa. However, the six-time Pro Bowler is aging and played in a career-low eight games in 2025 due to hamstring and collarbone injuries. At this point in Evans' career, having another shot to win another Super Bowl ring is probably most important, so he'll have to determine if another team is a better fit with a better chance of winning. If he stays with the Bucs, he'll be in a crowded receiving room. Either way, the days of Evans being a lock for 1,000 yards might be over.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - James Palmer
February 24, 2026
San Francisco 49ers five-time All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams is scheduled to carry a $39 million salary cap number this year, and he and the team are currently "struggling to find a contractual situation," league sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN. Schefter adds that if the two sides can't bridge their differences in the contract standoff, the 49ers are expected to release the 37-year-old veteran, which would make him "one of the premier players available" in free agency this offseason. He's entering the final year of the three-year, $82.66 million restructured contract he signed with the Niners in September of 2024. The fourth overall pick by Washington in 2010 out of Oklahoma isn't getting any younger, and injuries have become more of an issue for him in recent years. Williams will still have suitors if he makes it to free agency, but going into his 16th NFL campaign, it's fair to wonder how much longer he can keep up his Pro Bowl form.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
February 24, 2026
Winnipeg Jets winger Nino Niederreiter (undisclosed) is considered week-to-week. According to Jets head coach Scott Arniel, Niederreiter was already dealing with an injury before joining Team Switzerland for the 2026 Olympics. He had a tough time in Milan, going minus-three over five games and finishing with one goal. The 33-year-old has contributed eight goals and 11 assists in 55 NHL outings this season. Tanner Pearson is set to fill the void in the lineup, but he shouldn't generate any fantasy interest as a bottom-six skater.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 24, 2026
After being selected by the Chicago White Sox in the Rule 5 Draft heading into the 2025 season, starting pitcher
Shane Smith emerged as a quality starting pitching option. Across 146 1/3 innings (29 starts), the 25-year-old posted a 7-8 record with a 3.81 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and 145 strikeouts. Smith's 23.5% strikeout rate and 14.1% K-BB rate don't jump off the page, and his 4.10 FIP could indicate that he is in line for some regression in 2026. However, Smith posted a much more impressive 29.6% strikeout rate across 94 1/3 Minor League innings in the Milwaukee Brewers system in 2024. He will turn just 26 years old in April, so Smith could still have plenty of room to develop in his second big league campaign. The White Sox once again project to be one of MLB's worst teams, which limits Smith's potential to rack up wins. Still, Chicago will likely give him an extended runway in the starting rotation even if he suffers through some early-season struggles. With an average draft position of pick 268, Smith profiles as starting pitching depth with some upside for fantasy managers in 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 24, 2026
Winnipeg Jets defenseman Neal Pionk (undisclosed) was labeled week-to-week by head coach Scott Arniel on Tuesday. The 30-year-old was on track to return to the lineup after missing 11 games with a lower-body injury, but a new health issue will keep him sidelined longer. Pionk has had a difficult 2025-26 campaign, posting only eight points (two goals, six assists) in 40 outings. He has also logged 76 shots, 64 blocks, and 84 hits. With Josh Morrissey (upper body) sidelined as well, the rest of Winnipeg's defense faces increased pressure to step up their play.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 24, 2026
Seattle Mariners outfielder
Dominic Canzone broke out in 2025, hitting .300/.358/.481 with 11 home runs, 32 RBI, 30 runs scored, and three stolen bases across 268 plate appearances. The 28-year-old cut his strikeout rate from 28.2% in 2024 to 22% in 2025 while still posting an excellent 14.5% barrel rate. The lefty-swinging Canzone owns a career .756 OPS against right-handed pitching compared to just a .607 OPS against southpaws, so he may be limited to a large-side platoon role in Seattle. Canzone seems likely to see most of his at-bats in 2026 at designated hitter, but he could also get in the mix in right field if Mariners outfielder
Victor Robles struggles or misses time due to injury. Given Canzone's likely playing time ceiling and his lack of speed (five career stolen bases), his fantasy upside is limited. However, Canzone has sleeper potential at his current average draft position of pick 336 if he can lock down a spot in the starting lineup whenever Seattle faces a right-handed starting pitcher.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 24, 2026
Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Noah Hanifin will miss Wednesday's matchup with the Los Angeles Kings. Only a couple of days ago, Hanifin was part of Team USA's Olympic triumph in Milan and will get some time off before returning to NHL action. Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy told reporters on Tuesday that he anticipates Hanifin and Jack Eichel will return to the lineup on Friday against the Washington Capitals. Hanifin has totaled 20 points (two goals, 18 assists), 96 shots, and 77 blocks in 47 outings in 2025-26. Vegas has recalled Dylan Coghlan from the minors to fill in for Hanifin on Wednesday night.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 24, 2026
Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop prospect
Konnor Griffin had a monster spring training showing against the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday, going 2-for-4 with two home runs and four RBI in his team's 16-7 victory. Griffin, who will turn 20 years old in late April, is widely considered one of the top prospects in all of baseball. While Pirates manager
Don Kelly recently called it a "tough ask" for Griffin to be ready for the team's Opening Day roster, the young phenom may force his way to the big leagues in 2026. Across 563 plate appearances spread across three Minor League levels in 2025, Griffin slashed .333/.415/.527 with 21 home runs, 94 RBI, 117 runs scored, and 65 stolen bases. He finished the year at Double-A Altoona, where he hit .337/.418/.542 with five home runs, 22 RBI, 20 runs scored, and six stolen bases across 98 plate appearances. Pittsburgh may choose to send Griffin back to the Minors to begin 2026, but he may be worth stashing in redraft formats ahead of his eventual MLB debut.
--Will BradySource: MLB.com
February 24, 2026
Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel won't be in the lineup on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Kings. Eichel just won gold with Team USA at the Olympics, and the Golden Knights will give him some time off after the successful tournament. The star forward is expected to return to the lineup on Wednesday versus the Washington Capitals. Eichel is having a big year in Vegas, ranking ninth in the NHL with 69 points (21 goals, 47 assists) in 50 games. Tomas Hertl and Mitch Marner could have larger roles on Wednesday, though the latter is questionable to play after also featuring in Sunday's Olympic final.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 24, 2026
Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said that outfielder
Chandler Simpson (hamstring) is tentatively scheduled to make his 2026 Spring Training debut on Friday, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Simpson has been held out of the Rays' first few Spring games due to a tight left hamstring, but it does not appear that he is suffering from a serious injury. It would make sense for Tampa Bay to slow-roll Simpson's recovery from a hamstring ailment at this point in the calendar, as the 25-year-old's main appeal as both a fantasy and real-life player is his speed. Across 441 plate appearances in 2025, Simpson hit .295/.326/.345 with zero home runs, 26 RBI, 53 runs scored, and 44 stolen bases. He struck out in just 9.8% of his plate appearances, but also posted a remarkably poor 0.0% barrel rate. As long as Simpson makes a full recovery and can hold down regular playing time in Tampa Bay, his speed and ability to hit for average give him fantasy appeal. However, his lack of power makes him difficult to build around in rotisserie-scoring formats.
--Will BradySource: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
February 24, 2026
Toronto Maple Leafs center John Tavares (illness) didn't practice on Tuesday but is set to play in Wednesday's contest against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Although Tavares is battling the flu, Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube expects him to be available on Wednesday night. Tavares has tallied 20 goals and 47 points in 57 outings this season. He is poised to center the second line against Tampa Bay, with newly crowned Olympic champion Auston Matthews also available for the Maple Leafs. According to Berube, Matthews will play despite missing Tuesday's practice.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
February 24, 2026
The Pittsburgh Penguins acquired defenseman Samuel Girard from the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday. The team also picked up a second-round draft pick in exchange for defenseman Brett Kulak, who was traded for the second time this season. Kulak began the campaign with the Edmonton Oilers before he landed in Pittsburgh as part of the deal that saw the Oilers acquire goaltender Tristan Jarry. Girard has slightly more fantasy upside as a former 30-point scorer. Kulak has never posted more than 25 points in a single campaign. Both blue-liners have managed nine points in 2025-26. Girard could become more productive on offense in Pittsburgh if he claims a spot on the second power-play unit.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 24, 2026
The Milwaukee Brewers say that starting pitcher
Brandon Woodruff (lat) is "on track to begin the season in the rotation," per Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The 33-year-old finished the 2025 season on the Injured List due to right lat strain and said on Monday that his status for Opening Day was "up in the air." However, Rosiak reports that Woodruff is scheduled to throw a live BP session on March 1 before beginning game progression. Woodruff missed the entire 2024 season and the first three-plus months of 2025 while recovering from shoulder surgery. He dominated upon his return until suffering the lat strain, recording a 7-2 record with a 3.20 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and 81 strikeouts across 64 2/3 innings pitched (12 starts). Woodruff has a chance to be a high-end fantasy starting pitcher in 2026, but he carries a significant health risk at his current average draft position of pick 113.
--Will BradySource: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Todd Rosiak
February 24, 2026
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman (lower body) is set to play on Wednesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Benjamin Pierce of the Lightning's official site reports. Last week, Hedman sustained a lower-body injury at the Olympics, missing Sweden's quarterfinal loss to Team USA. Tampa Bay will be delighted that Hedman won't have to sit out any more action. The team has already been without Hedman for much of the season after he underwent elbow surgery. In 21 appearances, Hedman has recorded 13 assists, 33 shots, and 30 blocks with a plus-two rating. The Lightning defense will also have Emil Lilleberg (undisclosed) and Charle-Edouard D'Astous (lower body) available Wednesday night.
--Taavi PailkSource: Benjamin Pierce
February 24, 2026
Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said that designated hitter/outfielder
Yordan Alvarez will make his spring training debut "a little bit later" due to normal buildup, per Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle. While it does not seem as though Alvarez's Opening Day availability is in doubt, the 28-year-old's health is always worth monitoring. Alvarez has reached 600 plate appearances just once in seven MLB seasons, and he played in just 48 games in 2025 due to hand and ankle injuries. Alvarez's numbers were also down across the board in 2025, as he hit .273/.367/.430 with six home runs, 27 RBI, and 17 runs scored across 199 plate appearances. However, he owns an elite career slash line of .297/.389/.573 and still posted a 52.9% hard-hit rate in 2025. There's little reason to believe that Alvarez will not still be one of the game's best hitters when healthy in 2026, but fantasy managers may be wise to plan for him to miss some time.
--Will BradySource: Houston Chronicle - Matt Kawahara
February 24, 2026
Tampa Bay Lightning center Brayden Point (lower body) will return to action on Wednesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Benjamin Pierce of the Lightning's official site reports. Point sustained a lower-body injury on Jan. 12, which forced him to miss the Olympics. Fortunately for the Lightning, the four-time 40-goal scorer will be available when the NHL season resumes. After a tricky start to the campaign, Point showed off red-hot form prior to his injury. He has totaled 19 points (eight goals, 11 assists) across his last 15 appearances. Overall, he is sitting on 30 points (11 goals, 19 assists) with 37 games played.
--Taavi PailkSource: Benjamin Pierce
February 24, 2026
Oklahoma City Thunder forward/center
Chet Holmgren (back) will play on Tuesday versus Toronto. The 2022 No. 2 overall pick had a 17-point, 15-rebound double-double with three blocks in Saturday's win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. He popped up on the injury report due to back spasms. Fortunately, Holmgren will suit up for a Thunder team that is still without
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdomen) and
Jalen Williams (hamstring). As such, fantasy managers can expect increased involvement from Holmgren on both ends of the floor.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
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