Player news from trusted outlets
Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
The Washington Commanders will not tender Jake Moody, making him a free agent. Moody, 26, went 18/20 on field goals for Chicago and Washington in 2025, including two from 50+ yards with a long of 56. He was signed to replace Matt Gay. This marks the third consecutive season the Commanders will have a new kicker.
Dallas Cowboys fans overwhelmingly approved the three-year, $22 million deal ($16 million guaranteed) for running back Javonte Williams. Williams had an outstanding 2025 season, rushing for 1,201 yards and 11 touchdowns. His physicality and ability to enforce the offense's will were highlighted. 93% of fans gave the deal an 'A' or 'B' grade.
New England Patriots offensive tackle Thayer Munford Jr. is heading into unrestricted free agency. While the Patriots' starting tackle positions are set, Munford Jr., 26, offers versatility and experience as a depth option. In 2025, he played nine games (three starts) for New England, primarily as a sixth offensive lineman/jumbo tight end, contributing to improved run capabilities. With 55 career games and 21 starts across stints with the Raiders, Browns, and Patriots, he is projected to be a backup market target for tackle-needy teams like the Browns, Giants, or Bears. The Patriots are considering re-signing him, with a one-year, $3.5 million pact possible for depth stability.
The New York Jets are reportedly not interested in signing veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, according to Brian Costello of the New York Post. Cousins, who will turn 38 before the upcoming season, is considered to have his best days behind him. While he might still be an upgrade over the Jets' 2025 quarterback play, the team views him as an uninspiring choice, and it's unclear if he would be interested in joining a rebuilding Jets squad. The Jets had previously failed to land Cousins in 2018.
The San Francisco 49ers are reportedly considering Cleveland Browns free agent guard Joel Bitonio as a potential stopgap solution at left guard, a position of significant need. Bitonio, who previously played under Kyle Shanahan, has been with the Browns for 12 seasons and has missed only two games since 2017. While his best playing days are behind him, with signs of regression in pressures and hurries allowed since 2023, he still offers an upgrade over the 49ers' 2025 left guard performance. At 35, signing Bitonio would provide the 49ers 1-2 years to find a long-term solution, though it creates an aging left side with Trent Williams.
The article notes that no running back has been a Top 5 pick in the NFL draft since Saquon Barkley in 2018, highlighting the potential significance of Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love's draft prospects. Love is projected to be a high pick, with the Titans favored to select him.
Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love may become the first running back drafted in the Top 5 since Saquon Barkley. The Titans, owning the fourth overall pick, are the betting favorites to select him. Love ran a 4.36 40-yard dash and had 1,372 rushing yards and 18 TDs last year. Commanders, Chiefs, and Saints also have odds to draft him.
Garett Bolles, at 34, earned first-team All-Pro honors as arguably the NFL's best left tackle in 2025. He allowed only one sack on 676 passing snaps with the lowest sack percentage (0.15%) among starting LTs. His performance suggests he can continue playing at a high level past his current contract.
Geno Smith is ranked as the Minnesota Vikings' No. 2 QB target, favored over Kyler Murray due to his pocket presence and ability to throw over the middle. Host Tyler Forness believes Smith has a better arm than Kirk Cousins in 2026 and can maximize the offense. Smith is also mentioned as a potential veteran option for the Vikings.
Alabama QB Ty Simpson, who threw for 3,567 yards, 28 TDs, and 5 INTs last season, is a target in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Jets (+185) lead the odds for where he'll be drafted, followed by the Steelers (+330) and Dolphins (+370). The Jets' significant need at quarterback is highlighted.
Tom Telesco's claim of defensive tackle Jonah Laulu off waivers proved to be a great move for the Las Vegas Raiders. Laulu provided the most financial value of all NFL defensive tackles last season, earning just over $1 million while recording 51 tackles and four sacks in 2025.
Ohio State linebackers coach James Laurinaitis detailed why projected top-10 NFL Draft pick Sonny Styles will be "very scary" in the league. Laurinaitis highlighted Styles' smarts, processing ability, and "uncanny sense" for plays, noting his world-class athleticism at the Combine. The former NFL linebacker, who never projected Styles as an NFL safety, sees him as an "elite cover linebacker" despite only two seasons at the position, emphasizing his high ceiling as he continues to develop.
Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles, a projected top-10 NFL Draft pick, impressed at the Combine with world-class athleticism, including a 43.5-inch vertical and 4.46-second 40-yard dash. His former coach, James Laurinaitis, lauded his smarts, processing ability, and "uncanny sense" for plays, calling him an "elite cover linebacker." Styles, who transitioned from safety, recorded 182 tackles, 7 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles in two seasons at linebacker, with Laurinaitis noting he's "not a fully formed guy yet, which I think is very scary."
The Kansas City Chiefs met with Ohio State wide receiver prospect Carnell Tate at the NFL Scouting Combine. Tate, considered one of the draft's premier receivers and ranked eighth overall, is a potential top-10 pick. He measured 6'2", 192 lbs with 31 3/4" arms and ran a 4.53 40-yard dash.
Patriots rookie left tackle Will Campbell's arm length, measured shorter than the preferred 33 inches, became a talking point after he struggled against the Seahawks' pass rush in the Super Bowl. Despite the concerns, the Patriots are reportedly not planning to move Campbell to a different position on the offensive line.
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Charvarius Ward is facing a "life-altering decision" regarding his NFL future after suffering three concussions, causing him to miss ten games in 2025. While he was a "true number one" when healthy, the string of head injuries, including one from a teammate in warmups, has led to serious consideration of retirement due to long-term health concerns like CTE. Indications suggest Ward is leaning towards returning, but nothing is finalized.
Once considered an elite cornerback with 11 interceptions in 2021 and two Pro Bowl selections, Trevon Diggs is now a free agent after multiple injury-plagued seasons. He tore his ACL in 2023, suffered a groin injury and underwent knee surgery in 2024, and missed most of 2025 with lingering concussion issues. Released by the Cowboys and not re-signed by the Packers, Diggs is now viewed as a potential "reclamation project" for teams like the Cardinals, possibly on a one-year, $2.6 million deal.
For the first time in his era, Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs face significant adversity after missing the playoffs and failing to win the AFC West. Mahomes tore his ACL in Week 15 against the Chargers, missing the remainder of the 2025 regular season. Head Coach Andy Reid confirmed Mahomes is rehabbing "every day for around seven hours," with everything "trending in the right direction," and the team is hopeful he'll be ready for Week 1. This offseason is deemed crucial for the Chiefs to "get this reset right" and bolster the roster around their star QB.
Wide receiver Dyami Brown, a former Commanders third-round pick, is a free agent again after a disappointing 2025 season with the Jacksonville Jaguars. After a strong finish to 2024 with Washington, he signed a one-year, $10 million deal with the Jaguars but was relegated to the bench, recording only 20 receptions for 227 yards and a touchdown. His market value has since dropped, with a projected one-year, $2.1 million deal, and a reunion with the Commanders is now a possibility.
Detroit Lions player Terrion Arnold is reportedly facing potential legal issues, which are now a topic of discussion regarding their impact on the team's roster. The specific nature of the legal issues was not detailed, but the situation is being evaluated as the Lions navigate their offseason plans.
