NFL Player News

Lynch has served as the Browns’ cornerbacks coach for the past three seasons. He now adds pass game specialist to his title. Lynch notably interviewed for the Titans’ defensive coordinator vacancy back in 2024, then serving as a member of former Browns DC Jim Schwartz’s staff.

Less than an hour away from being able to test free agency for the first time in his career, Evans, who will be 33 at the start of next season, could officially be on the move. The veteran receiver is coming off the worst season of his career (30-368-3), which saw him miss nine games due to a collarbone injury. Evans will likely be looking to join a team that he believes can contend for a Super Bowl title over his final few years in the league, and should have multiple high-end suitors once the legal tampering period begins. While a return to the Buccaneers remains on the table, it wouldn’t be surprising if they opted to lean into their younger receivers, along with Chris Godwin, next season.

Pelissero says that Walker “still is in touch with the Seahawks” about a return, but highlights the Chiefs as the team that could swoop in and land the Super Bowl MVP. Walker rushed for 221-1027-5 last regular season and ran for another 65-313-4 in the postseason while helping the Seahawks win their second title in franchise history. Walker has been linked to multiple teams ahead leading up to his free agency, although it was reported that the Giants have already been “priced out” of his market.

One of the better run-defending linebackers in the NFL, Tavai was only able to play 290 snaps last year due to a long-term calf injury and New England bringing in new talent ahead of him. Entering his age-30 season, he’ll have a chance to land elsewhere as a run-stuffer.

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.