NFL Player News

McCluster started off as just the third-down back and kick returner, but that quickly changed. The 160-pounder was the Chiefs’ best runner, impressively hitting holes with a north/south style and proving he isn’t afraid of head-on contact. As the Chiefs rallied late, McCluster was the primary option. And with the Chiefs likely to be playing from behind for the rest of the year, he’s a good bet for 12-15 touches weekly. Just realize that there won’t be many touchdowns as McCluster isn’t used near the goal-line.

To say that Smith’s year in the desert didn’t go well is an insult to the phrase “didn’t go well” as he led the league in interceptions and saw his adjusted yards per attempt fall from 7.5 to 6.8. He’s entering his age-36 season and is a last-chance gasp to keep the Jets from starting someone completely new. That said, if the Jets have something going right for their offense, it is their offensive line, and Smith probably looked worse than he was behind Vegas’ league-worst line. There’s the possibility of a dead cat bounce QB2 superflex season here. The Raiders have to be thrilled to save any money in a trade and the idea of getting a sixth-round pick on top of things can only help them as they move on to (what we all assume will be) the Fernando Mendoza Era.

It’s not a true tampering window until Nick Caserio finds a new special teams binky. Hummel has played nearly 1200 special teams snaps over the past four seasons and will try to crack Houston’s roster through that avenue.

While the Steelers again wait on a decision from Rodgers, the team is making sure they have a “contingency plan” in place, per Garafolo. With multiple veteran QBs available (or expected to become available — Kirk Cousins), Pittsburgh will have it’s share of options as Rodgers again mulls retirement. Rodgers threw for 3,322-24-7 in his lone season with the Steelers and helped lead them to a playoff berth that was followed by an exit in the Wild Card round. Ideally, the Steelers would find a better option than the 42-year-old signal caller for next season, but given how thin the QB market is and the underwhelming draft class that’s coming in, there isn’t a clear option for an upgrade at this time.

Smith would seem to push Trent Brown into a swing tackle role next year while giving the Texans a three-deep at tackle of Smith, Aireontae Ersery, and Brown. Smith, who turns 30 later in March, is coming off the two worst seasons of his career in Indianapolis but still managed a respectable 65.3 PFF blocking grade in 2025. It’s not an exciting move, but could lead to competency on the much-beleaguered Texans offensive line.

Robinson’s release frees up $10.5 million and was regarded as a foregone conclusion most of the offseason with Derrick Brown now healthy and Tershawn Wharton also ahead of Robinson on the DT depth chart, The soon-to-be 31-year-old should be a nice run-stop piece on the defensive line in 2026 for some other team.

He is, per Wolfe, the No. 1 priority. But the asking price is “still very high” and so there’s not much common ground on a deal. In other words, nothing has changed. The Patriots have continually leaked interest in other receivers and have been linked to Romeo Doubs, but to nobody’s surprise, Mike Vrabel would rather have Brown as his No. 1 target and that has taken priority.

Leonard played in eight games last season and has totaled 13 tackles and three pass breakups since 2024 while playing almost exclusively on special teams. His return provides valuable depth for the Chargers and their special teams unit.

McFadden appeared in just one game last season after suffering a foot injury in Week 1. The four-year linebacker has started 36 of the 48 games he has appeared in for his career and posted back-to-back 100-plus tackle seasons in 2023 and 2024 while amassing 20 TFLs, six pass breakups, and five fumble recoveries over that span. Now back with the team for 2026, McFadden will have a chance to show what he can contribute under new head coach John Harbaugh in hopes of earning a bigger deal next offseason.

Hughes also notes that “Darren Mougey isn’t a stranger to flipping late-round picks for players he wants,” perhaps indicating Smith could come to the Jets on a trade. The Jets, per Hughes, want a two-deep quarterback room with Geno Smith and Carson Wentz at the position.

This will reportedly make Fairbairn the highest-paid kicker in the NFL, though Brandon Aubrey is sure to test that in the near future. It’s always good to go into the offseason and make sure your best offensive weapon is happy. Fairbairn finished the 2025 season 44-of-48 on field goals and made every single extra point. It is worth pointing out that he missed three games and has spent time on IR in two of the last three years. Still, hard to argue with believing he’s one of the NFL’s best and three of his last four seasons have ended with him converting on 91 percent or higher of his field-goal attempts.