Change is coming to every NFL team. There will be moves made in free agency and the draft, of course, but there also will be unexpected trades and player cuts. So far this offseason, there have been rumors about top stars Maxx Crosby, Kyler Murray and A.J. Brown potentially moving on from their franchises. But more shocking moves are likely to come.
At the start of the 2026 offseason, there was (of course) some drama surrounding the NFL, particularly regarding the report cards that the NFLPA has been releasing for all 32 teams over the last few years. For the most part, players didn't give their teams the highest grades, but owners who take their feedback seriously would make the necessary changes to make their franchise a more desirable place for current and future players.
Allen's estate announced Wednesday that it has begun the process of selling the team, which is coming off its second Super Bowl victory in franchise history. The NFL did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press, nor did Allen's estate have anything further to add beyond its brief statement, it said. Ahead of the Super Bowl, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell commended Allen's estate on its time owning the Seahawks.
SANTA CLARA The globe-trotting 49ers will make NFL history next season by playing international games on two different continents, including hosting a game in Mexico City, the NFL announced Wednesday morning. Compounding the 49ers' worldwide travel itinerary is a season opener against the Los Angeles Rams in the league's Australian debut in Melbourne. The multi-continent international scenario does not sit well with several 49ers, who also will play games from coast to coast in the United States.
I want to thank the Ford Family and ultimately Lions fans everywhere for trusting me to lead the Detroit Lions for the last 11 seasons. It has been an absolute thrill for me to lead this organization, and I am proud of what we have accomplished over that decade-plus. I am most proud of where I am leaving this organization, in the capable hands of Sheila Hamp, Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell.
NFL free agency unofficially opens at noon ET on March 9 with the negotiation window (players can agree to terms), and it officially opens at 4 p.m. ET on March 11 (players can actually be signed). Not all of these 50 players will be available; some will be re-signed or franchise-tagged. But the majority will indeed hit the open market and be looking for the best fit. Which landing spots would make the most sense?
With free agency just a few short weeks away, the Commanders have some big decisions to make. They have the most pending free agents anywhere in the league, and could have north of $100 million in salary-cap space once additional moves are made. Not everyone will be let go, but whether their plans for the future include Samuel remains to be seen.
When the Washington Commanders gave wide receiver Treylon Burks a second chance after his abrupt departure from the Tennessee Titans, nobody was expecting too much. He's never come close to reaching his first-round billing. The injuries that eventually led to Burks' release from the Titans only further tempered expectations. Burks flashed brief moments of promise, but nothing more. That puts the Commanders in a dilemma with the wideout before he gets the chance to test free agency.
To explain the legacy of most NFL football players, you usually begin with what they did on the field. Their stats, honors, and championships. To capture the true nature of Edward Stanton Johnson III - known to football fans in Washington as Tre' - it's best to start after his career was over. He didn't go into the broadcast booth or begin climbing the coaching ladder. He didn't trade on his name and associations to enter the business world. Johnson went back to school.
Although he's a pending free agent, Falcons tight end said in late January it would be "dope" to play for new head coach Kevin Stefanski. A potential trip to the open market is looming for Pitts, but it appears he will indeed work with Stefanski in 2026. Atlanta placing the franchise tag on Pitts is the "most likely outcome," Josh Kendall of The Athletic writes.
One of the biggest weaknesses the Patriots tried to improve, and seemed to until injuries plagued the defense, was their pass-rushing group, and unfortunately, that will remain a top need going into the 2026 offseason. That's why the possibility that the Raiders could trade away Maxx Crosby has become a fixation for New England fans, but it's looking less likely as the weeks go on.
We're less than a month from the start of the new NFL league year in early March, when we usually see the juiciest trades. Today, I'll put together 11 trade proposals, which involve veterans, that might make sense for both sides. You shouldn't be surprised -- the only thing I love more than a real trade is a mock one. Subscribe: 'The Bill Barnwell Show' Though it would be fun to put together some massive offer for Joe Burrow or Lamar Jackson,
Although he was the first receiver in New England to reach 1,000+ receiving yards since Julian Edelman in 2019, there is considerable discussion about his fit for 2026 and beyond, particularly given his ongoing court case and his salary. Whatever happens to his tenure in Foxborough could depend on the outcome of his legal problems, but if not, NBC Sports Boston's Phil Perry believes there's plenty to suggest his salary isn't ideal for what the Patriots want to accomplish.