NFL Player News

So much for that. The Patriots’ plan to move on from Bill Belichick but not really with one of his most trusted lieutenants predictably did not pan out. It was ol’ Bill, of course, who haunted the 2024 proceedings, as this roster simply was not ready for prime time. Horribly understocked on offense, it suffered from the loss of Belichick’s unmatched defensive acumen on the other side of the ball. As for Mayo, he had trouble picking a lane in too many critical areas, including at quarterback to begin the year. Mayo seemed to grow increasingly frustrated and bewildered as the season wore on, never giving the sense he had the right answers. He was in a tough situation, but one where he decidedly did not rise above his circumstances. The attention now turns to another sort-of Belichick acolyte, Mike Vrabel. 38-year-old Mayo, who has never even served as a defensive coordinator, faces an uncertain coaching future.

The contract contains $12 million in guarantees per Mike Garafolo, likely tabbing it as a significant raise for Rankins after he signed a one-year prove-it deal in 2025. Rankins has done his best work with the Texans over the past few years and finished with a 70.8 PFF defensive grade in 2025.

Schefter reports that a source familiar with the situation told him “frustration is mounting” between the NFL and the owners. According to Schefter, while the league is “focused on changes that it believes will improve the performance of the on-field officials,” the union would prefer to “roll back” some of the access the league currently has to officials. With the current deal set to expire in May, the league will need to get a new deal in place before the start of the season or we could once again be looking at replacement refs to start the season.

In theory, the 2023 UDFA is now set to make at least $3.54 million in 2026, though RFA tenders can for some reason be rescinded. Pace can also still sign an offer sheet elsewhere. The Vikings would receive no compensation were he to sign a sheet with someone else and the Vikes declined to match. Pace’s playing time declined in 2025, though he still sees time on defense in addition to featuring on special teams.

It’s “based on the leverage a franchise tag would have given him,” but for a quarterback with Jones’ career line to ask for this much money while rehabbing a torn Achilles is ... bold. The Colts and Jones obviously seem to want each other, but that was such a big gap in negotiations that Indy simply transition tagged him. Breer believes the team and Jones are still negotiating, and perhaps the transition tag will motivate them to get something more reasonable done. Since Alec Pierce’s negotiations appear to depend on being certain Jones will be back, it would certainly behoove the Colts to put forth good faith offers in a hurry.

After the Instagram hacked saga came to an end, the Packers were able to find a taker for Gary before they (likely) would have released him. The trade will help lower Gary’s cap hit for the Packers and send him to Dallas on a contract that’s perhaps a little higher than he would have received on the open market. In other words: It’s a win-win. Gary isn’t an impressive No. 1 edge rusher for the Cowboys, but they may not be done cooking yet.

The Jets are sending a seventh-round pick that originally belonged to the Chargers in exchange for the 29-year-old safety. Fitzpatrick, who was set to enter the final year of his deal, will sign a three-year, $40 million contract with the Jets, giving them a solid option in the secondary for the foreseeable future. The Jets need all the help they can get after finishing 31st in points allowed and 25th in yards allowed last season. Fitzpatrick, a three-time First-team All-Pro, totaled 82 tackles, six pass breakups, and one interception for the Dolphins last season while earning a PFF grade of 81.8.

Steele agreed to take a paycut to stay in Dallas. Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, he is now set to make $33 million over the next three years, down from $48.5 million. He can also make another $3 million back, presumably through incentives. The Cowboys, in return, guaranteed $22 million of his remaining money. They created roughly $13 million in cap space.

Hughes also notes that the Dolphins want Malik Willis, but that Smith could be in the team’s contingency plans if the Cardinals were to lure Willis to the desert. Smith, 35, was released by the Raiders over the weekend after a down season. Smith’s struggles extend well beyond his own individual performance, as playing behind one of the worst offensive lines in the league didn’t do him many favors. Wherever he lands next, he’ll be a cheap option, and makes sense for a Dolphins team that will be paying $54 million in guaranteed money to Tua Tagovailoa this upcoming season.

Ehlinger signed with the Broncos last offseason but didn’t make their final roster. He chose to stay on the team’s practice squad despite receiving 53-man roster offers from other teams. He bounced between the practice squad and the active roster throughout the year. With teams reportedly calling Denver about Jarrett Stidham, the Broncos are keeping Ehlinger around as a potential QB2 option should they choose to move their current backup.

A former seventh-round pick from the 2022 draft class, Brown has started 22 games over the last two seasons while totaling three interceptions and 30 pass breakups over that span. The soon-to-be 27-year-old allowed just 34 receptions for 360 yards and three touchdowns on 63 targets last season while playing on 736 snaps, and earned a career-high 75.5 PFF coverage grade. Brown’s new deal will give the Jaguars a strong corner on the outside for the foreseeable future and keeps him under contract through the 2028 season.