If the Minnesota Vikings bring back impending free-agent quarterback Sam Darnold, ESPN's Dan Graziano writes that they'd be blowing up their plans for young quarterback J.J. McCarthy (knee) and their entire roster. Putting the franchise tag on Darnold this year and again next year would cost around $40 million in 2025 and around $48 million in 2026. If they reach an extension with him, he'd likely have a salary cap number around $28 million in 2026. In comparison, McCarthy's cap numbers over the next three years are around $5 million, $6 million and $7 million. Meanwhile, receiver Justin Jefferson's 2026 and 2027 camp numbers are around $39 million and $43.5 million, respectively. Minnesota obviously believed enough in McCarthy being their future franchise QB when they took him 10th overall in 2024, but then he required season-ending knee surgery and Darnold had a career year. Based on this logic, it seems likely the Vikes will let Darnold walk in free agency and turn to McCarthy in 2025.

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Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift is likely to be on the team's roster in 2025 -- he'll be making $8 million this year, with $6.11 million fully guaranteed. However, ESPN's Dan Graziano writes that there has been a lot of chatter about Chicago adding another running back this offseason, based on the formula that worked for new head coach Ben Johnson when he was the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions and they used RBs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. This year's crop of free-agent RBs isn't nearly as strong as last year's, though -- it's headlined by Najee Harris, Aaron Jones and Alexander Mattison -- so Graziano thinks it's more likely the Bears draft a RB in the early rounds rather than sign one in free-agency to pair with Swift. This year's draft class is expected to be very deep, which can't be said about the free-agent RB class.

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ESPN's Dan Graziano writes that Dallas Cowboys All-Pro pass-rusher Micah Parsons, who is heading into his fifth-year-option season in 2025, might end up being the highest-paid defensive player in the league whenever he signs a contract extension. Because that distinction could also be made for a few other players as well, Graziano thinks the Cowboys would be smart to get Parsons locked up long term sooner than later. There are no salary-cap implications here, as Parsons' salary and 2025 camp number for 2025 are both $24.007 million. An extension will create much more cap space for the team since it would likely come with a big signing bonus and drop Parsons' 2025 salary to the veteran minimum. The former 12th overall pick has been a Pro Bowler in all four of his NFL seasons and has at least 12 sacks a year since entering the league in 2021.

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The New England Patriots have given defensive tackle Davon Godchaux permission to seek a trade, sources tell NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Interested teams have already made contact with Godchaux, and the veteran defensive lineman will likely be on the move this offseason given the team's scheme change on defense. In his fourth year in New England, the 30-year-old accumulated 67 combined tackles (second-most in his career) and a pass breakup in 17 starts. While he hasn't been an asset to fantasy managers in IDP formats (only 5.5 career sacks in eight seasons), Godchaux has been extremely reliable for the Patriots and has played in every single game since joining the team in 2021. He was originally taken in the fifth round (178th overall) by the Miami Dolphins in 2017 out of LSU and spent his first four years in the NFL in Miami.

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New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said on Wednesday at the NFL Combine that the team feels like they can win with quarterback Derek Carr, and new head coach Kellen Moore also said the team feels fortunate to have Carr on the roster. The Saints still have contract stuff to figure out with Carr, but as things currently stand, it sounds like the team plans on bringing the 33-year-old veteran back in 2025. Carr has a $51.4 million cap hit in 2025, and the Saints currently have the worst cap situation in the NFL, so something has to give. Restructuring his contract could free up $31 million this year, although it would push his cap hit to around $69 million in 2026. Carr played in a career-low 10 games in 2024 due to a broken hand and a concussion. Even with Moore in town, fantasy managers in 12-team, one-QB leagues are going to be avoiding him in drafts this fall.

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San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said on Wednesday at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis that All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) is ready and motivated to play in 2025. "Trent is playing. Trent is ready, he's motivated," Lynch said. Williams is entering his age-37 and missed the final six games of last year while on Injured Reserve due to ankle and heel injuries, so it was fair to wonder whether he would be coming back for his 15th year in the NFL. Hey may not play out the final two years on his deal with San Francisco, but it's great news for quarterback Brock Purdy and the rest of the offense that Williams appears ready to suit up in 2025. Williams ended up playing in only 10 games (his fewest since 2017 with Washington) for the 49ers, the first time since 2011 that he wasn't named to the Pro Bowl and the first time since 2020 he wasn't a first-team All-Pro selection.

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San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said on Wednesday at the NFL Combine that the team has started negotiations with quarterback Brock Purdy on long-term contract extension. Despite a down year in 2024 in which he threw for 3,864 yards (career-low 65.9 completion percentage), 20 touchdowns and a career-high 12 interceptions in 15 starts, the 49ers are fully committed to the former seventh-round selection and have every intention of locking him into a long-term extension early this offseason. The speculation around the league is that Purdy will be making $55-60 million per year once he officially signs an extension with the Niners. Even in his down year in 2024, Purdy finished as the QB13 in fantasy and could easily bounce back in 2025 if running back Christian McCaffrey (knee) can stay healthy for a full season.

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San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said on Wednesday at the NFL Combine that the team is on good terms with wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. and will honor his trade request. "He asked for a fresh start and we're going to honor that," Lynch said. Samuel asked for a trade right after the 2024 season following a disappointing season for both himself and the team. If the Niners do trade the 29-year-old pass-catcher, they will have a $31.6 million dead-cap hit while saving $15.2 million on the 2025 salary cap. It appears that San Fran has every intention of trading Samuel this offseason, but now the question becomes whether any teams will be willing to meet the 49ers' asking price after Samuel had just 51 catches on 81 targets for 670 receiving yards and three touchdowns in 15 starts. He's had added value while being used as a runner, too, but Samuel has battled injuries and his fantasy value could drop further, depending on where he winds up.

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According to SNY's Connor Hughes, the current sentiment shared by most right now is that the Los Angeles Rams won't trade veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford this offseason. The permission that the Rams granted Stafford to talk with other teams is likely nothing more than a means to figure out his value. Hughes believes that eventually, the Rams and Stafford will agree to a new deal, and that common sense will ultimately prevail that Stafford's best chance to win another Super Bowl will be in L.A. However, it's not going to stop teams like the New York Giants or possibly the Las Vegas Raiders --teams that are desperate at the QB position -- from making a big push to try and pry Stafford away from the Rams. The 37-year-old two-time Pro Bowler threw for 3,762 yards, 20 TDs and eight interceptions in 16 regular-season games in his fourth year in L.A. in 2024 but was playing at a high level late in the year and nearly led the Rams to the NFC Championship.

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New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers will be released in two weeks and will then be free to sign with any team for the first time in his 20-year career. Rodgers, who turns 42 this December, wants to play for a contending team, but he could have trouble finding a good team that actually wants him after he failed to lead the Jets to the playoffs in 2024. Pro Football Talk's Mike Florida reports there was some chatter at the NFL Combine on Tuesday that the future Hall of Famer has reached out to the New York Giants. It's unclear if the Giants, who are also rumored to be interested in trading for Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford, would be interested in Rodgers, even if he'll be on the cheap side as a free agent. If Rodgers is actually interested in the G-Men, it would suggest that he's not generating much interest from other contending teams that are in the market for a signal-caller this offseason.

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The Green Bay Packers have had trade conversations involving Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander and are willing to trade him this offseason, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. The 2018 first-round pick out of Louisville has spent his entire professional career with Green Bay, racking up 287 tackles (240 solo), 12 interceptions, 70 passes defended, three forced fumbles, and 1.5 sacks in 78 career games. However, Alexander has played in just 14 of 34 possible regular-season games over the last two seasons. The 28-year-old could be headed toward a steep decline in play, so he should not be too expensive to trade for. Still, a contending team with a significant need at cornerback could be interested in taking the flyer on the two-time All-Pro selection.

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The Los Angeles Rams allowed quarterback Matthew Stafford to explore his market value over the last few weeks, and the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants are two teams with noted significant interest in trading for the veteran signal-caller. Based on the interest around the league, teams are expecting the Rams to drive up the asking price for Stafford if they decide to move him, according to NFL insider Dianna Russini. Stafford is entering his age-37 season in 2025, but the former No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft is still one of the top quarterbacks in the NFC and could get a middling team over the hump in 2025 and beyond. While it's still unknown if Los Angeles is truly willing to deal him, the chances he is traded have seemingly increased incrementally over the last week. However, it sounds like the Rams will need a significant haul of value to move off the Super Bowl-winning franchise quarterback.

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Dynasty | Multiple reports indicate Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams would prefer to play together again somewhere next season. Dynasty Analysis: The Jets have already moved on from Rodgers and it seems they're ready to do the same with Adams, despite him being much more productive. The most recent report ties Rodgers and Adams together with the Rams in a post-Matt Stafford scenario. It's all just talk at this time, but it does seem like the fate of these two may really be tied together, despite Rodgers having little-to-no leverage left based on his value. As for Adams, he should be a viable WR2 next year as his WR1 days could be over.

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The Tennessee Titans are permitting outside linebacker Harold Landry to seek a trade, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The 28-year-old has two years remaining on his current deal with Tennessee, but there are no more guarantees on his contract. Since being selected in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft, Landry has racked up 397 tackles, (251 solo), 50.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, two interceptions, and 12 pass deflections. The former Boston College Eagle appears to be on his way out of Tennessee after appearing in 98 regular-season games for the organization. The Titans hold the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and could look to replace Landry with Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter. Contending teams should have interest in trading for Landry, who has at least nine sacks in each of the last three seasons.

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Penn State tight end Tyler Warren will not participate in the on-field drills at the 2025 NFL Combine. The 22-year-old is widely considered the top tight end prospect in April's draft and is likely to be a first-round pick. Warren finished seventh in the 2024 Heisman Trophy voting after posting 104 receptions for 1,233 receiving yards, eight receiving touchdowns, 218 rushing yards, and four rushing touchdowns. Warren is just the latest top prospect to opt out of the workout portion of the NFL Combine, but he will take part in the interview process and has already received an invitation to the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay.

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Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan said that he's happy with running backs Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears but wouldn't rule out the team adding to the position this offseason to give them something different. In his first year in Tennessee, Pollard was the clear lead back for the Titans, carrying the ball 260 times for a career-high 1,079 rushing yards and five touchdowns while adding 41 catches for 238 yards on 57 targets in 16 games. Meanwhile, Spears finished with only 312 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 84 carries, adding 30 catches (35 targets) for 224 yards and another TD through the air in 12 games. Pollard should remain in the lead-back role for Tennessee in 2025, but depending on if/when the Titans add another RB, it could make the distribution of touches a little more uncertain. Fantasy-wise, a lot will also depend on who the Titans are starting under center at QB.

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New Tennessee Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi told reporters at the NFL Combine on Tuesday that he has received calls about the availability of the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 draft. While the Titans will listen, it's too early in the process for Borgonzi to be making any decisions. If Tennessee holds onto the top pick, it's not out of the question that they would consider taking Colorado wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter, who Borgonzi called a "generational talent." Former second-rounder Will Levis was benched in 2024, so QB is certainly a position of need at No. 1 overall as well if the Titans don't trade out of the No. 1 overall pick this year. Borgonzi also said, "We could sign a quarterback in free agency and also draft a quarterback as well." The bottom line is the Titans have a number of different avenues they could employ, and trading the first pick remains in play.

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Dr. Neal Elattrache wrote in a letter sent to all 32 NFL teams on Tuesday that he expects Michigan tight end and projected first-round pick Colston Loveland (shoulder) to be ready to take part in minicamp and to be fully cleared for training camp this summer despite having surgery on his right shoulder last month. Loveland played through an AC joint dislocation with the Wolverines last year and finished with 56 catches for 582 yards and five touchdowns in his final year at college. Despite the fact that the 20-year-old won't take part in the Combine this week and is unlikely to do a Pro Day workout, he still has the talent to be selected in the first round in April's NFL draft. For fantasy purposes, although Loveland could eventually develop into a nice pass-catching tight end, nobody will be expecting him to be the next Brock Bowers or Sam LaPorta in 2025.

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Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni confirmed on Tuesday that new offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo will call plays in 2025. "I think what you guys don't see is the collaboration like one guy wears the crown of the offensive coordinator and that guy gets all the blame, that guy gets all the credit. That's not the way football works. It's just not in any sense of the fashion. Kevin's been there I can't tell how much him and Kellen were talking throughout the game, how much him and Brian were talking throughout the game, how much him and Shane were talking throughout the game," Sirianni said. Patullo, who was promoted from the role of passing-game coordinator/associate head coach, will have big shoes to fill after Kellen Moore left to become the Saints' head coach. The 43-year-old previously worked under Sirianni with the Colts as a receivers coach and pass-game specialist from 2018-20.

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Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said on Tuesday at the NFL Combine that former New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Terron Armstead is still contemplating retirement this offseason, but the Dolphins are currently operating as if he won't be around in 2025. With Armstead leaning toward hanging up his cleats, he's expected to agree to a restructured deal that would lower his base salary from $13.3 million to the veteran's minimum. The Saints' former third-round selection in 2013 out of Arkansas-Pine Bluff is a five-time Pro Bowler, but he's never played in a full season in his 12 years in the NFL and will turn 34 years old this summer. Armstead limped his way to start 15 games in Miami in 2024, which was the most games he played in a season since 2019 with the Saints. With Armstead likely retiring, the Dolphins will make offensive line a priority this offseason.

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