1 week agoFormer NFL Defensive Player of the Year Khalil Mack reached an agreement on Monday on a one-year, fully guaranteed $18 million deal with the Los Angeles Chargers, sources tell ESPN's Adam Schefter. After the Chargers released pass-rusher Joey Bosa last week, it was imperative that the Chargers retain linebacker Mack after he decided in the offseason that he would be returning for another season. The 34-year-old veteran, three-time first-team All-Pro and nine-time Pro Bowler wasn't quite as good as he was in 2024 as he was in 2023 when he had a career-best 17 sacks, but he was still productive. Mack finished with 39 tackles (20 solo), six sacks, six tackles for loss, 15 QB hits, nine pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 16 regular-season starts. Mack will still be relevant in IDP fantasy leagues in what will likely be his final season, but the absence of Bosa will probably mean more double-teams.Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
1 week agoThe Pittsburgh Steelers placed the second-round restricted tender on restricted free-agent running back Jaylen Warren on Monday, according to his agents. The tender is worth $5.346 million. Although technically not official yet, placing the second-round tender pretty much guarantees that the 26-year-old will be back in Pittsburgh in 2025. Fellow backfield mate Najee Harris is an unrestricted free agent this week and has a good chance of not returning, which would make Warren much more attractive in fantasy next season, depending on what other moves the Steelers make at the position in free agency or the draft. Any team that wants to sign Warren now would have to offer up second-round draft compensation. Although Harris had another 1,000-yard season in 2024, Warren has looked better than him at times the last two years and has averaged a healthy 4.8 yards per carry in his three NFL seasons.Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
1 week agoFree-agent tight end Evan Engram is visiting with the Denver Broncos on Monday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The 30-year-old was recently released by the Jacksonville Jaguars after two seasons with the organization and is free to sign with a new team before the new league year begins on March 12. Engram had the best season of his career in 2023, catching 114 passes for 963 yards and four touchdowns in 17 games. The former first-round pick by the New York Giants in 2017 was limited to just nine games in 2024 and caught 47 passes for 365 yards and one score. Head coach Sean Payton has lacked a game-changing tight end since he arrived in Denver, so this could be a perfect match as the team looks to upgrade its pass-catching weapons for rising quarterback Bo Nix.Source: Adam Schefter
1 week agoThe Tennessee Titans are interested in free-agent quarterbacks Zach Wilson and Mac Jones, according to Titans beat reporter Buck Reising. Tennessee is likely in search of a new starting quarterback after former second-round pick Will Levis posted a 2-10 record in 2024 behind 2,091 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. Wilson and Jones were both first-round picks in the 2021 NFL Draft and lasted just three seasons with the New York Jets and New England Patriots, respectively. The Titans could be looking to add competition to its quarterback room to pair with Levis, but there's also a chance the team will pick Miami quarterback Cam Ward with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.Source: Buck Reising - AtoZ Sports
1
week
agoFree-agent
quarterback
Aaron
Rodgers
has
emerged
as
the
top
quarterback
option
for
the
Pittsburgh
Steelers.
According
to
Adam
Schefter
of
ESPN,
Rodgers
and
the
Steelers
are
expected
to
talk
and
explore
a
union.
The
idea
of
playing
for
Steelers
head
coach
Mike
Tomlin
isread more...
1 week agoThe Las Vegas Raiders agreed to terms with standout defensive tackle Adam Butler on a three-year deal worth $16.5 million on Sunday with $11 million in guarantees, sources tell NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The Raiders will bring Butler back after he had a career-high 65 tackles (36 solo), five sacks, eight tackles for loss, 10 QB hits and a forced fumble in 17 games (16 starts) in 2024 in his second year in Sin City. Although the 30-year-old veteran didn't really move the needle all that much in fantasy in IDP leagues as a defensive lineman, it was his best all-around year in the NFL since debuting in 2017 with the New England Patriots. Butler went undrafted out of college at Vanderbilt but latched on with the Patriots and spent the first four seasons of his career in New England. He will now stick around in Vegas through 2027.Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
1 week agoKansas City Chiefs offensive guard Trey Smith signed his franchise tag on Sunday, which locks him in for $23.4 million on a one-year, fully guaranteed contract that officially makes him the league's highest-paid guard, a source tells ESPN's Adam Schefter. For now, the Chiefs are hoping this is just a placeholder as they work to sign Smith to a long-term deal. Specifically, the 25-year-old received the non-exclusive franchise tag. The former sixth-rounder (226th overall) in 2021 out of Tennessee was on the All-Rookie team and also made his first Pro Bowl in 2024. He's missed just one game in his four NFL seasons in Kansas City and has become one of the best and most durable guards in the league. The Chiefs and Smith now have until July to work on a long-term extension. Otherwise, Smith will make $23.4 million in 2025 in his fifth year in the NFL.Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
1 week agoPer FOX Sports NFL insider Jordan Schultz, free-agent center Drew Dalman is expected to have a "strong market" in free agency, with the Chicago Bears specifically as a strong suitor. The 26-year-old spent his first four seasons with the Falcons after Atlanta took him in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Dalman played in just nine games last season when he sustained an ankle injury, missing a chunk of time in the middle of the year. However, when healthy, he was a key part of the Falcons' offensive front. A move to Chicago would be intriguing, as the Bears have already sunk resources into offensive linemen Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson, addressing their most glaring issue of the 2024 season. If Dalman does make his way to the Windy City, it'd undoubtedly boost the prospects of second-year quarterback Caleb Williams and the entire Chicago offense.Source: Jordan Schultz
1 week agoThe Cincinnati Bengals are re-signing offensive lineman Cody Ford to a two-year, $6 million deal. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported the news. The 28-year-old is fresh off his second season with the team and played a possible 33 of 34 games over the prior two seasons. Ford played the fourth-most snaps of any Bengals offensive lineman in 2024, registering 60.6% of the team's snaps while serving primarily as a guard for the team. However, he was not the most effective of the group. Still, Cincinnati trusts the former second-round pick, and he'll spend at least two more seasons protecting franchise quarterback Joe Burrow. Now, the Bengals have to find a way to hold onto triple-crown-winning wideout Ja'Marr Chase and reigning NFL sack leader Trey Hendrickson.Source: Mike Garafolo
1
week
agoPer
The
Athletic's
Dianna
Russini,
the
Seattle
Seahawks
are
expected
to
talk
with
quarterback
Aaron
Rodgers
regarding
their
hole
at
the
QB
position.
With
free
agency
set
to
begin
on
Monday
at
noon,
things
are
starting
to
heat
up,
and
with
former
Seattle
starterread more...
1 week agoNFL Network's Mike Garafolo reports that the Atlanta Falcons have agreed to a two-year, $45 million extension with left tackle Jake Matthews. The 33-year-old will get $38 million fully guaranteed over the next two seasons, and he's now set up to play his 12h and 13th seasons with the team after being selected sixth overall by the Falcons in the 2014 NFL Draft. The epitome of durability, Matthews has missed just one game (back in his debut season) in his entire 11-year career. It's a smart move by Atlanta, who has secured the front side of their young quarterback, Michael Penix Jr., for at least the next two seasons. The Falcons still have some moves to make before they're a formidable opponent, but protecting their second-year signal-caller is undoubtedly a prime concern.Source: Mike Garafolo
1 week agoESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that safety Markquese Bell (shoulder) and the Dallas Cowboys have agreed to terms on a three-year, $12 million deal. Bell appeared in just nine games for the Cowboys in 2024, as he was hindered by an ankle sprain early in the year and ended the season on Injured Reserve with a shoulder injury he picked up in mid-November. However, the 26-year-old racked up 94 tackles in 2023 (second-most on the team) while logging the seventh-most snaps of any Dallas defensive back. Despite the lack of playing time across his first three seasons in the league (31 games), the Cowboys saw fit to lock up the safety for at least three more years. He'll likely assume his backup role in Dallas' defensive backfield again in 2025.Source: Jeremy Fowler
1 week agoThe NFL's Ian Rapoport reports that the Denver Broncos are bringing back quarterback Jarrett Stidham on a two-year, $12 million contract with $7 million guaranteed. The 28-year-old spent the last two seasons with the team, appearing in seven games. However, he did not attempt a pass in 2024 and served solely as a backup to rookie sensation Bo Nix. Stidham figures to occupy that role again in 2025, barring an injury to Nix, and reportedly would have garnered significant interest as a potential backup on the open market. However, the Broncos sought to lock up their second-string option with extensive knowledge of the team's current system. The Auburn product can be safely avoided for fantasy purposes sans a bench stash in deep superflex dynasty formats.Source: Ian Rapoport
1 week agoThe New England Patriots are re-signing veteran tight end Austin Hooper to a one-year, $5 million deal with a max value of $7 million. Hooper, a two-time Pro Bowler, notched 45 receptions and 476 yards with New England a season ago, his highest marks since his 2021 stint with the Cleveland Browns. While he began the 2024 season cold, the 30-year-old picked it up over the back half -- racking up four catches in five of his last seven appearances as then-rookie signal-caller Drake Maye got acclimated to the NFL. The Stanford product played second fiddle to fellow tight end Hunter Henry last season and figures to do so again if his teammate stays healthy, as the latter out-paced the former handily in snaps (835-575) despite playing in one fewer contest. It's possible Hooper returns some TE2 value this upcoming season, but he's better off left to waivers until he proves otherwise.Source: Adam Schefter
1 week agoThe New England Patriots are signing defensive end Harold Landry III to a three-year, $43.5 million deal with $26 million guaranteed and a maximum value of $48 million. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported the news. Landry spent his entire seven-year career with the Tennessee Titans and was a formidable pass-rusher for the team. In 2024, he registered 71 total tackles and led the team with nine sacks and 15 tackles for loss. It's some much-needed help for New England, who ranked 12th-worst in points (24.5) and yards (342.9) allowed per game. Additionally, they clocked in dead-last in sack percentage at just 4.99% of plays. With quarterback Drake Maye on his rookie deal, now would be the time for the Patriots to spend big and build a team around him. Help on defense was high on their list of priorities, and rightfully so.Source: Tom Pelissero