Green Bay

Packers

The Bills can’t really afford to give out $25 million a year on an Alec Pierce deal, so it makes sense to see them connected to the top of the second tier of the free agent market. Either of these players being added would probably spell the end for Josh Palmer in the fantasy football landscape. Fowler adds that the Raiders have been linked to Shaheed, and that Doubs is a potential option for the 49ers.

He names Jenkins and Denver G Ben Powers as another lineman with a large cap hit and potential value. Jenkins finished last year on IR with a fractured leg, but has made two Pro Bowls and is a reasonable fallback plan. We’d be surprised if the Packers or Broncos recouped a lot of draft capital for these players given their ages and cap hits, but stranger things have happened.

Fowler’s bit on Willis is a bit of cold water on the drumbeat we’ve had on Willis for the past few weeks, noting that “Willis hitting the $30 million threshold as a player with six career starts would surprise some of the teams at the combine.” He named the Dolphins and Cardinals as teams that are likely in on Willis in addition to saying he doesn’t think Cleveland is the ultimate landing spot. If those are the two main teams, it would be hard for the Dolphins to win a bidding war with their implied cap space.

This is a calculated ploy by the Packers, but we’re still a little surprised they did this after Wilson rushed for 496 yards on 125 carries and generally played as a pretty good backup runner. It leaves MarShawn Lloyd and Chris Brooks as backups behind Josh Jacobs. Wilson turns 27 in May and should be able to find work elsewhere if he doesn’t wind up back with the Packers.

He compared Willis favorably to Justin Fields, who got $20 million per season. Willis has been linked to the Dolphins, Browns and Cardinals this offseason. In a quarterback-hungry landscape, Willis stands out as one of the only true upside plays on the board. He’s got a chance to be the highest-paid quarterback on the market despite making just six starts in his first four seasons.

With two Pro Bowl quarterbacks already on the roster in Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson, it’s hard to imagine the Browns wanting to add even more to an already loaded QB room. That said, Willis, who is expected to be a highly coveted free agent this offseason, and Simpson could both be considered as options to add to the offense in Todd Monken’s first year at the helm. Watson remains a true question mark entering 2026. While he is under contract with the Browns through next season, the early return on his record-setting deal has been disappointing. Watson is returning from a torn Achilles he suffered in 2024 and has thrown for just 3,365-19-12 in the 19 games he’s played in for them over three years. When it comes to Sanders, the rookie QB is coming off a brutal first season that featured more lows than highs, and as a fifth-round pick, he shouldn’t be viewed as a lock to be handed any starting job. The Browns will have plenty of time to discuss all options at the NFL Scouting Combine this week, but Willis and Simpson will be two names to watch as free agency and draft talk continues to ramp up.

It’s not a typical source for us, but what Pauline is reporting aligns with the already widely-held belief that newly minted head coach Jeff Hafley and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, who were previously with the Packers, would pursue Willis in free agency. Pauline also notes that many believe Willis will ultimately sign with the Cardinals, who are expected to move on from Kyler Murray. Willis had a solid two-year stint with the Packers and flashed in limited action. So much so, that he’s expected to sign a multi-year deal this offseason and be the unquestioned QB1 for a team in 2026. Willis threw for 972-60-0 on 89 pass attempts in two seasons with the Packers while adding another 42-261-3 on the ground. Wherever he signs, his next team will hope the tremendous improvement he showed in a small sample size will translate into long-term success for him and their organization.

Last week, The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman said he believes Jordan Morgan will be the Packers’ starting left tackle next season, so today’s report makes sense. All five members of the Browns’ starting offensive line are set to enter free agency this offseason. Starting anew with Walker, a talented 26-year-old left tackle, could be a smart move.

McMahon was initially hired for his prior role back in 2022. He was relieved of his duties in November 2025. He has served as an NFL special teams coordinator every year, dating back to 2009, spending time with the Rams, Chiefs, Colts and Broncos. The Packers will also interview Patriots ST coordinator Cameron Achord and Saints assistant special teams coach Kyle Wilber.

“I would be surprised if Gary is on the team next season. I’ll put it like that,” Schneidman notes. Releasing Gary, who disappointed in much better circumstances (next to Micah Parsons) in 2025 to the tune of just 7.5 sacks, would free up $11 million in cap space for the Packers per Schneidman. The career Packer will enter his age-29 season in 2025 with 46.5 career sacks but hasn’t been quite the same caliber of player since a 2022 ACL tear.