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NFL News

Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.

Wednesday, February 18

Mahomes Reworks Contract, Cuts Cap Hit to $34.65M Amid Rehab; Chiefs Eye WR Help

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Patrick Mahomes restructured his contract, converting his 2026 base salary into a signing bonus, slashing his 2026 cap hit from $78.2M to $34.65M. This move provides crucial cap space for the Kansas City Chiefs. Mahomes is also in early rehab following mid-December ACL and LCL tears in his left knee, aiming for a Week 1 return. The Chiefs, with Mahomes as their MVP quarterback, are noted for lacking a true No. 1 receiver, making them a potential landing spot for free agent Mike Evans, especially given potential needs if Travis Kelce retires or Rashee Rice's off-field issues persist.

NFL Analyst Tom Brady Links With Zlatan Ibrahimović at AC Milan Match

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NFL on FOX lead analyst Tom Brady linked up with soccer icon Zlatan Ibrahimović at an AC Milan Serie A match. The seven-time Super Bowl winner was gifted a Rossoneri kit with his signature No. 12, played catch with the crowd, and energized fans with a "Forza Milan!" shout ahead of the game. Brady also participated in the World Cup draw in Washington, D.C., last December.

Yahoo analyst Matt Harmon evaluates new NFL coaching hires

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Yahoo analyst Matt Harmon has completed his breakdown of the NFL's significant head coaching and offensive coordinator hires for the 2026 season, offering his fantasy football perspective. Harmon categorized each new play-caller into "Like it," "It's fine," or "I'm skeptical," providing insights into how these changes might impact team schemes and player performance in the upcoming season.

Bears WR DJ Moore's future uncertain after career-low 2025 season

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The future of Bears wide receiver DJ Moore is a major offseason question mark following his career-worst 2025 season, where he recorded 50 receptions for 682 yards. Despite being signed through 2029, a post-June 1 cut would still incur over $27 million in dead cap. While a trade is possible, his recent performance may limit the market. Discussions around a pay cut or restructure are expected. If he remains with the Bears, Moore is projected to be the fourth option in the passing game behind Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III, with a more financially viable move possible next offseason.

Maxx Crosby's Raiders Future Bleak Amid Trade Rumors, New Song Sparks 49ers Talk

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Raiders DE Maxx Crosby's future is a major offseason storyline, with trade speculation intensifying. Reports suggest he's "done" with the Raiders, especially after being shut down with a knee injury he felt he could play on. His new song snippet, mentioning a "brand new crib in the Bay," has fueled 49ers trade rumors. Previously, he appeared on Caleb Williams' podcast, sparking Bears speculation. Despite the rumors, the Raiders have shown no inclination to trade him, reportedly seeking "at least two 1st-round picks and a premium player" for the star pass rusher.

Patriots WR Stefon Diggs involved in Super Bowl scuffle

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New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs was involved in a heated scuffle during Super Bowl LX against the Seattle Seahawks. The incident occurred after Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe delivered a late hit on Diggs out of bounds, prompting Diggs to react. Jobe was subsequently fined by the NFL for his actions, including a late hit and striking.

Seahawks CB Josh Jobe fined for Super Bowl scuffle with Stefon Diggs

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Seattle Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe was fined a total of $18,444 by the NFL for a late hit and "Striking/kicking/tripping/kneeing" during a scuffle with Patriots receiver Stefon Diggs in Super Bowl LX. Jobe hit Diggs out of bounds and appeared to throw a punch, yet remarkably avoided a penalty or ejection during the game. Despite the incident, Jobe had a strong performance, allowing only three catches for 11 yards on 10 targets and recording seven tackles. He is set to become an unrestricted free agent next month, having just won a Super Bowl.

Steelers G Isaac Seumalo linked to 49ers in free agency despite injury history

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Pittsburgh Steelers guard Isaac Seumalo is a top free agent target for the San Francisco 49ers, according to ESPN's Matt Bowen. Seumalo, a 10-year veteran, excels in both zone and gap run concepts and provides firm pass protection, boasting a 97.3% pass rush win rate (2nd among guards) and 76.9% run block win rate (4th) in 2025. He allowed only three sacks on 434 passing snaps. However, his lengthy injury history is a concern, including missing three games in 2025 (triceps, pectoral) and four in 2024 (pectoral), with a market projection of $9.6 million annually over three years.

Broncos DL John Franklin-Myers a strong fit for Falcons in free agency

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Denver Broncos defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers is identified by ESPN's Matt Bowen as an ideal free agent fit for the Atlanta Falcons. Under coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, Franklin-Myers could be utilized as a versatile defender, playing nose or 5-technique and providing interior pass rush. He recorded 7.5 sacks and 23 pressures with the Broncos in 2025, building on back-to-back seven-sack seasons. Having previously played under Ulbrich with the Jets (2021-2023), the 288-pound lineman's pass rush ability and power against the run make him a logical veteran addition for Atlanta's young defensive front, despite a high missed tackle rate and an outlier seven penalties in 2025.

Rams S Kam Curl's return hinges on market value after strong 2025 season

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Rams safety Kam Curl is a key free agent the team hopes to re-sign after he emerged as an important defensive piece in 2025, highlighted by an overtime interception against Caleb Williams in the NFC Divisional Round. Considered one of the NFL's best tackling safeties and crucial in the run game, Curl's return depends on his market value, as the Rams are unlikely to pay two safeties over $10 million annually. Projected contract values vary significantly, from PFF's $8.75 million per year to The Athletic's $16.25 million per year, with Spotrac and OverTheCap offering figures in between.

Rams TE Tyler Higbee's future uncertain after injury-plagued seasons

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Rams tight end Tyler Higbee's future with the team is uncertain after struggling with health since tearing his ACL in 2023. He missed most of the 2024 season and seven games in 2025, recording his lowest yardage output (281 yards) since 2017. The Rams are reportedly considering moving in a different direction, potentially handing the starting role to Colby Parkinson and allowing Terrance Ferguson to step up in his second year. Higbee's projected contract values range from $5.35 million to $7 million for one year.

Ravens OC Declan Doyle Sees 'Higher Ceiling' for QB Lamar Jackson

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New Ravens offensive coordinator Declan Doyle believes quarterback Lamar Jackson, a two-time MVP, still has a 'higher ceiling' to his game, despite his elite status. Doyle praised Jackson's arm talent, noting he can make any throw. Jackson's 2025 season was impacted by Week 4 hamstring and Week 16 back injuries, limiting him to 13 games where he recorded 2,549 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, 7 interceptions, and a 103.8 passer rating, along with a career-low 349 rushing yards and two scores. This follows a career-high 2024 season with 4,172 passing yards and 41 touchdowns. Doyle, 29, is a first-time playcaller, emphasizing trust-building with Jackson.

Chargers OL Zion Johnson's future debated after mixed 2025 performance

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Chargers offensive lineman Zion Johnson's future is under debate after a mixed 2025 season. While he excelled as one of the NFL's best run blockers (79.3% run block win rate, 2nd among guards), his pass protection was a concern, with ESPN's Aaron Schatz ranking him 62nd out of 65 qualifying guards (87.4% pass block win rate). Despite his first-round pedigree, his play hasn't consistently met expectations, leading ESPN to suggest he could benefit from a "fresh start." Johnson completed his fourth consecutive season with over 1000 snaps played, making his contract year decision pivotal for the Chargers.

Bears QB Caleb Williams rewriting record books, earns high praise

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Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has started 34 consecutive regular-season games (36 including postseason) in his first two NFL seasons (2024-2025), becoming the first rookie QB in modern franchise history to be a Week 1 starter. He set the Bears' single-season passing yards record and is the first QB with consecutive seasons of 20+ touchdown passes and fewer than 10 interceptions. Raiders DE Maxx Crosby praised Williams on his podcast, stating, "You don’t even know you understand yet how good you can be, and that’s the scariest part." Williams is already tied for second in franchise history for 20+ TD seasons, solidifying his status as the Bears' franchise quarterback.

Browns eye Arizona S Genesis Smith for new single-high defense

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Arizona safety Genesis Smith is being considered a potential key defender for the Cleveland Browns' new defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg, particularly for a shift to more single-high safety looks. Smith is expected to perform "off the charts" at the NFL Scouting Combine, showcasing an unmatched ability to cover ground over the top. While one analyst ranks him 32nd overall, the Consensus Big Board places him at 93rd, with mock drafts projecting him anywhere from the 18th overall pick to the fourth round, making him a Day 2 target for Cleveland.

Bengals re-sign WR Kendric Pryor to one-year deal

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The Cincinnati Bengals have re-signed wide receiver Kendric Pryor to a one-year contract, bringing him back for the 2026 offseason program. Pryor, 28, has been with the Bengals since 2023, originally joining as an undrafted free agent in 2022. He spent the entire 2025 season on the practice squad and did not appear in any games. Throughout his career, Pryor has played in two regular-season contests, recording one reception in 2024.

Lions K Jake Bates' extension debated after inconsistent 2025 season

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Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates' future is under review after his 2025 season saw a drop in field goal accuracy to 79.4% (31st in the league) from 89.7% in 2024, though five of his seven misses were from 50+ yards. He improved his extra point accuracy to 96.4% and maintained perfect clutch performance, going 6-of-6 on go-ahead/game-tying field goals in the final two minutes or overtime, including a 59-yarder. As an exclusive rights free agent, the Lions can offer a minimum one-year deal, but discussions for a longer-term extension are possible, with top kickers earning over $5 million annually. The team remains confident in him despite the inconsistency.

Texans QB C.J. Stroud floated as surprise trade target for Steelers

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Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud has been suggested as a surprise trade target for the Pittsburgh Steelers by Sports Illustrated's Conor Orr, amidst Aaron Rodgers' uncertain future. Stroud's 2025 postseason was "very rough," marked by five interceptions (four against the Patriots) and five fumbles (two lost). Despite this, he had a solid regular season, ranking ninth in EPA per play among 45 quarterbacks, and has won a playoff game in each of his first three NFL seasons, described as a "classic drop-back passer with just enough athleticism."

Buccaneers RB Bucky Irving Undergoes Shoulder Surgery; Expected Back by May

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving underwent offseason shoulder surgery, according to multiple reports. While specific details on the procedure are limited, JoeBucsFan.com reports that his rehabilitation is not expected to 'significantly impact' Irving's offseason. Pewter Report adds that he should be ready to return to the field by May, indicating a positive outlook for his recovery and availability for upcoming team activities.

Tyreek Hill Requires Second Knee Surgery for LCL Repair

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Tyreek Hill announced he needs another surgery on his left knee, which he initially injured in September. He previously underwent surgery on September 30 to repair his ACL and other ligaments. This upcoming procedure will specifically address the LCL. It remains unclear whether this second surgery was a planned part of his recovery or a result of complications during his rehabilitation process.