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Broncos head coach Sean Payton has long deployed running backs as a key part of his passing offense. That didn’t change in 2024, with a quarter of early-down pass attempts going to Denver backs. That Jaleel McLaughlin and Javonte Williams proved to be among the least efficient pass-catching backs in the NFL last season has left the Broncos with a need to fill this offseason. They parted with Williams, who signed with Dallas. Payton seemed not to trust McLaughlin with the pass-catching role in 2024, and for good reason: McLaughlin ranked 54th out of 57 qualifying running backs in yards per route run. “It all creates major questions about how the Broncos will address a critical part of their offense,” Kosmider said. "[The Broncos] have closely evaluated what experts call one of the deeper running back classes in recent memory. They allotted many of their allowed meetings with prospects at the combine to the position and will continue to monitor the group at pro days around the country this month. They’ll meet with more running backs at their facility during top-30 visits.” Denver holds the 20th pick in the first round of the 2025 draft.

McCarthy told Kay Adams on Monday that Minnesota coaches had not named him the starter after the team said last week it would not pursue Aaron Rodgers “at this time.” Coming off a knee injury that cost him his entire rookie campaign, McCarthy appears to be the favorite for the team’s Week 1 starting job. His recovery and performance in training camp could complicate things, however. NFL Network reported last week that the Vikings had rejected trade calls for McCarthy this offseason. McCarthy would certainly be set up for success in Kevin O’Connell’s quarterback-friendly system: The pass-catching trio of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and TJ Hockenson is one of the best in the league.

The supremely confident quarterback said after his pro day workout on Monday that he showed why the Titans should take him with the top pick in the draft. "[I told them] ‘I’m solidifying it today,” Ward said. “They finally got to see me throw in person. That should be all they need to see. But at the end of the day ... I’m going to be happy whatever team I go to. I’m just trying to play football.” The Titans had a cavalry of coaches and front office officials at Ward’s pro day, where he showed off his mobility, arm strength, and accuracy from the pocket. Ward in his lone season at Miami set single-season records for passing yards, completions, passing touchdowns, and completion percentage. The Titans are reportedly “pretty comfortable” with hanging on to the No. 1 pick and taking Ward as their franchise quarterback after 2023 second-round pick Will Levis flamed out in 2024.

Fotu visited with both the Raiders and Bills this offseason before ultimately deciding to join the Raiders. The fifth-year vet was limited to just two games last year due to injuries, but he started nine of the 11 games he appeared in for the Cardinals in 2023, where he recorded 28 tackles and 2.5 sacks. Fotu is a former fourth-round pick who has 22 starts under his belt. He’ll join a defensive line that is hoping to have last year’s hot free agent, Christian Wilkins, back and healthy following an injury-plagued 2024 season.

Jefferson un-retired in 2024 and joined the Chargers on a one-year deal. He ended up opening the year on the practice squad but was later signed to the active roster. He would go on to appear in eight regular season games while making four starts and racked up 27 tackles and one TFL in limited action. The team’s decision to bring him back doesn’t mean he’ll be a lock to make the 53-man roster. Jefferson will likely still have to compete for a spot in training camp.

It’s not the first time Wolf has suggested this, but speaking in front of season ticket holders over the weekend, the Patriots GM doubled down on a line he said earlier this offseason at the scouting combine. According to Wolf, the team “filled a lot of needs already in free agency,” which he hopes will allow them to take the BPA in next month’s draft. The Patriots hold the No. 4 overall pick in the draft, which could give them a chance to land Colorado WR/CB Travis Hunter, who could fill multiple needs wherever he ends up. If they were drafting for need, they’d likely settle on a left tackle at No. 4 overall.

As Schneidman points out, Packers GM Brian Gutekunst was the only GM to appear at a private workout for Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan. McMillan is currently ranked as the No. 7 prospect on Dane Brugler’s top 100 and could become the first wide receiver drafted in the first round by the Packers since they took Javon Walker in 2002. McMillan may not fall to the Packers, who currently hold the No. 23 overall pick in the draft, necessitating a trade up. But in a draft that could feature three or four first-round picks at the position, Green Bay should have options if they want to upgrade at receiver.

Nacua said on a recent podcast appearance that he might call it quits after another six or seven seasons in the NFL. “I’m 23 right now, I’m going into year three – it wouldn’t even be 10 years. It’d be maybe seven or eight,” said Nacua, who has had one of the most productive starts a career in NFL history. “I think of Aaron Donald, to go out at the top, I think it would be super cool. But also, I want to have a big family.” Nacua said he wants to avoid a long career full of injuries that could wear on him into his 30s after during his post-NFL life. “By the time my kids could be 18, I could be barely walking if you play the game and sustain all the injuries and stuff like that, but I want to retire early,” he said. Nacua since entering the league in 2023 has sustained injuries to his foot, both ankles, knee, chest, hamstring, shoulder, and brain. His playing style might not be conducive to a lengthy career.

It certainly paints a picture of where Pete Carroll and John Spytek think of the quarterback room they inherited. The rookie would be expected to “learn from [Geno] Smith.” The Raiders probably are out of the first-round quarterback sweepstakes after acquiring Smith. But it does sound like they realize that Geno — entering his age-35 season — is only a short-term solution and are acting to make sure they have a backup plan in place that they believe in.

Rodgers met with the Steelers on Friday in a meeting that flew largely under the radar prior to his arrival at the team’s facilities. NBC’s Mike Florio reported shortly after the meeting that it’s a “safe bet” that Rodgers will eventually sign with the Steelers, but it doesn’t sound like Rodgers is in a rush to put pen to paper. The 41-year-old has had a limited market since news of his impending release from the Jets surfaced, but the Steelers are the only team that is simultaneously viewed as contenders who would be willing to let him start for them in 2025. Unless an unexpected team emerges as a suitor, Rodgers joining the Steelers sounds more like a matter of when than if.