NFL Player News

Speaks is dealing with a sprained MCL as well as a meniscus injury. Both are to his right knee. The 2018 second-rounder collected 24 tackles and 1.5 sacks over 16 games last season including four starts. The Chiefs haven’t offered a timetable yet, though it’s safe to assume he won’t be available for the team’s opener at Jacksonville on September 8.

It’s not exactly an inspiring move, but Ben Johnson is the one calling the plays so we probably shouldn’t worry about it too much. Taylor played a part in Trevor Lawrence’s regression under Doug Pederson as a playcaller in Jacksonville. The only Bears out-of-house interview we’ve heard of for this job was Cardinals pass game specialist Connor Senger, who could still wind up on this staff in a lower position now that Mike LaFleur has taken over as Arizona’s head coach.

Not surprising given the tenor of the news, but as Schefter notes, the Dolphins would be hard-pressed to get anything for him. Schefter says the Dolphins are willing to pay down a portion of the contract to make a trade happen, but the most likely exit point for this remains a post-June 1 cut that would spread his dead cap hit over a couple of years ala Russell Wilson’s departure from the Broncos. Tagovailoa has a real chance to be starting elsewhere in 2026 just based on how many chairs there are to fill, but he’ll undoubtedly be an uninspiring fantasy starter.

There’s not a real link here to hold on to yet, the sources are not chirping a specific team, but it’s unsurprising that Carr would consider giving it another go as he’s still just 35 and the quarterback market this offseason is desolate. One complicating factor is that the Saints retain his rights and may ask for something in a trade to move on from their former signalcaller. Carr is reportedly “throwing fully as part of his regular exercise routine.” At this point we’d expect someone to make the plunge on Carr, the only question is the cost.

“It would not be a surprise if Rodgers is back in Pittsburgh,” Pelissero says. Look for us to repeat some version of this blurb 20 times over the next five months, and after that perhaps we’ll get an actual resolution. Hiring Mike McCarthy — who Pelissero notes has spoken to Rodgers several times — surely put this in motion. Rodgers and the Steelers would also need to work out a contract for him to return.

Pearce is alleged to have been fleeing a domestic dispute. Not good, to put it mildly. It somehow gets worse when you factor in the charges Pearce is facing following the chase and subsequent crash, including two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and aggravated stalking. That’s in addition to “fleeing or eluding police with lights or siren.” Social media footage shows what appears to be Pearce in a struggle with police following the chase. The 22-year-old had a sensational rookie season following the Falcons’ aggressive move up to get him late in the first round, but this has him in danger of a massive suspension, perhaps missing all of 2026. There’s also the very real possibility of a jail sentence. Stay tuned.

This has been our lean for a while, too, but it’s interesting Schefter’s sources are already confirming so at this early stage of the offseason. The tag window opens Feb. 17 and closes March 3. The sides would then have until mid-July to negotiate a long-term deal. The tag would guarantee Pickens roughly $28 million. Although the 25-year-old (next month) surely won’t mind the monster one-year payday, he will undoubtedly view this as his best chance at a mega long-term deal. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has claimed he desires the same outcome, but Dallas has become as bad as any team at negotiating long-term deals. A mercurial player like Pickens playing on a one-year pact would have the potential to end poorly for both parties. It’s definitely one of the offseason’s top early storylines.

The expected move will allow the veteran quarterback options as he decides on his next move. ESPN’s Kevin Seifert adds that Cousins is also weighing the opportunity to turn his attentions to broadcasting after dipping his toes in the discipline earlier this year. According to Seifert, Cousins “will be fully open to finding the right opportunity with another NFL team in need of quarterback help.”

The hire marks the third generation of Ryans coaching for the Jets in New York, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Buddy, and father, Rex. The passing game coordinator role is a solid stepping stone towards future offensive coaching positions considering recent trends around the league, potentially setting up Seth well for potential coordinator positions in the near future if all goes well with the Jets.

Pagano unretired in 2025 to coach for John Harbaugh’s Ravens but will not be retained by new head coach Jesse Minter. Minter appears to have a firm hand in the trajectory of team decisions after being hired away from the Chargers this offseason.

Montgomery joined the Fantasy Football Happy Hour at Super Bowl week and expressed optimism when discussing new Lions OC Drew Petzing. The 28-year-old running back said Petzing knows exactly what needs to happen next season, possibly alluding to more touches for himself. Montgomery had 185 carries and 38 targets in 2024, but those numbers dipped to 158 carries and 29 targets in 2025. Lions general manager Brad Holmes said the team would discuss Montgomery’s future this offseason at his season-ending press conference and it seems like the former Bears third-round pick is on board with the Lions’ plan for 2026.