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.
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.
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?
The 28-year-old defensive end has been a consistently great pass-rusher in his seven NFL seasons. During that time, Crosby has notched 69.5 sacks and has established himself as one of the league's top defensive forces. Would the Raiders trade him?
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.
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.