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The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt writes that the New York Jets are unlikely to pursue an early contract extension with running back Breece Hall, who will be a free agent in 2026. It doesn't mean that won't change, but the Jets have to promising young backs in Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis, who are both under contract through 2027. Hall, who tore his ACL in his rookie season in 2022, took a slight step back in 2024 with 876 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 209 rushing attempts in 16 starts, adding 57 receptions on 76 targets for 483 yards and three additional scores through the air. The 23-year-old running back still has RB1 upside in fantasy heading into his fourth NFL season, but he finished as the RB17 in half-PPR scoring a year ago, and the jury will be out on his 2025 fantasy value until we know who the Jets will be starting at quarterback.

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The New York Jets are expected to target Detroit Lions impending free-agent wide receiver Tim Patrick in free agency this offseason because of his ties to new Jets head coach Aaron Glenn, who was an assistant coach with the Lions last year, sources tell The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt. In addition to Patrick, Rosenblatt mentions Los Angeles Chargers impending free-agent receiver Joshua Palmer. The 31-year-old Patrick had a few injury-plagued seasons with the Denver Broncos before bouncing back with the Lions in 2024, when he caught 33 of 44 targets for 394 yards and three touchdowns in 16 regular-season games (nine starts). Palmer, 25, has averaged 15 yards per catch the last two seasons for the Bolts and is projected to receive a two-year, $13 million deal in free agency by PFF. Rosenblatt doesn't expect the Jets to go on a major spending spree in free agency.

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The Minnesota Vikings are not expected to place the franchise tag on impending free-agent quarterback Sam Darnold by Tuesday's deadline, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. However, all parties are working through their options to potentially keep him in Minnesota. Rapoport describes Darnold's situation as fluid with free agency right around the corner. Last year's first-rounder, quarterback J.J. McCarthy (knee) missed all of his rookie season after injuring his knee in the preseason, and then Darnold went on to have a career year, throwing for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 17 regular-season starts. If the Vikings think McCarthy might need another full year of development, it would make sense that they're considering re-signing Darnold for 2025. The 27-year-old won't have a shortage of suitors in free agency, though, with the New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders perhaps going after him the hardest.

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New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson is willing to discuss signing a long-term contract extension, according to The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt. Wilson is expected to push for top-10 receiver-type money, which would mean something in the range of $26-30 million per year. While Wilson was one of the first calls that new head coach Aaron Glenn made when he got the job, the Jets won't be in a rush to sign him to a new deal. The 24-year-old is under team control for 2025 and will make $16.82 million on his fifth-year team option in 2026. After that, the franchise tag would be in play in 2027 if they can't come to an agreement on an extension. Wilson wasn't a fan of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, especially after the Jets traded for his best buddy, receiver Davante Adams last year. Now that both Rodgers and Adams are on their way out the door, Wilson should be the team's unquestioned No. 1 wideout again in 2025.

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The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt reports that there is mutual interest between the New York Jets and linebacker Jamien Sherwood on getting a new deal done, potentially before Sherwood even hits free agency. Sherwood had a breakout season in 2024 in his first year as a full-time starter while filling in for the injured C.J. Mosley, recording 158 tackles (league-leading 98 solo), two sacks, 10 tackles for loss and three pass breakups in 17 games (16 starts) in his fourth year in the NFL. If the 25-year-old former fifth-rounder reaches free agency, he's likely to be coveted by at least the Atlanta Falcons and San Francisco 49ers due to connections with former coaches Jeff Ulbrich and Robert Saleh. The expectation is that Sherwood will command a deal in the range of three years and $8-10 million per season. It could cause an interesting dynamic with fellow linebacker Quincy Williams, who has outplayed the three-year, $18 million deal he signed in 2023.

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The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt writes that Minnesota Vikings impending free-agent quarterback Sam Darnold is not viewed as a realistic target for the New York Jets, both because of his projected price and the unlikelihood that he'd want to return to the team that drafted him. The Jets are expected to target a middle-tier QB and go into training camp with a competition between Tyrod Taylor, a veteran free agent and possibly a rookie. League sources believe Justin Fields will be a prime target, but other teams will be in on him, and the Pittsburgh Steelers may prefer keeping him over Russell Wilson. Rosenblatt also lists Wilson, Carson Wentz and Kirk Cousins (if the Falcons release him) as options for New York this offseason. The Jets sit at No. 7 overall in the upcoming NFL draft, and if they are to trade up to first overall, it would be to select Miami QB Cam Ward. However, that would likely involve moving multiple first-round picks and/or players.

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The Athletic's Michael-Shawn Dugar writes that Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider wants to select a quarterback in this year's NFL draft, but he won't force a pick because of how strongly the front office feels about current starter Geno Smith. Seattle also continues to hold out hope for backup Sam Howell, who will turn 25 in September and has a salary cap hit of only $1.1 million in 2025. Given the fact that this year's QB class isn't considered very strong, it could be a year where the better value picks at the position come in the second and third rounds. Dugar projects Seattle taking Texas' Quinn Ewers in the fifth round in his latest mock draft, and he also mentions Will Howard as another option later in the draft. Because of how shaky this QB class is, the Seahawks will likely focus more on other positions of need in the earlier rounds -- offensive line, defensive line and cornerback.

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The Athletic's Jeff Howe writes that it doesn't sound likely that the Seattle Seahawks would make wide receiver DK Metcalf available in a trade this offseason. There's been plenty of speculation that teams are already reaching out to Seattle, though, since Metcalf is entering the final season of his three-year, $72 million deal. The Athletic's Matt Schneidman shot down a report late last week that the Green Bay Packers have already made an enticing offer to Seattle for Metcalf, and it makes little sense for the team to trade away one of their best players. The Seahawks may be listening to calls on Metcalf, but all the messaging they've sent from the end of the 2024 season is that they failed to adequately involve him in the offense during Jaxon Smith-Njigba's breakout. Seattle is currently focused on making sure Metcalf is more involved in 2025, so a bounce-back season in fantasy is very much possible if he stays in town.

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The Athletic's Jeff Howe writes that if Colorado cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter isn't the first overall pick in this year's NFL draft, he will draw serious consideration from the Cleveland Browns at No. 2, according to league sources. Because of his elite athleticism and ability to play both cornerback and receiver, Hunter is the most electric prospect in this year's draft class with the highest ceiling, but teams are still split on how to use him. The most popular opinion has been to play him as a full-time corner who can also be a part-time receiver -- maybe up to 15 plays per game -- since it's more difficult for a cornerback to get into the rhythm of the game while being on a rotational basis. Hunter would have a more lucrative career financially if he stuck to receiver full time, but he's committed to being a two-way player and hasn't made any positional demands with teams as the draft approaches.

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ESPN's Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler write that the Dallas Cowboys are making a play to re-sign defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa before March 10. Graziano thinks the Cowboys have done enough on an extension for Odighizuwa that he wouldn't be surprised if the team uses the franchise tag on him before Tuesday's deadline in order to give them more time to finish his extension. In addition to Odighizuwa, the Cowboys are hopeful of bringing back free-agent cornerback Jourdan Lewis and defensive lineman DeMarcus Lawrence. If Odighizuwa reaches the open market, he and Philadelphia Eagles' Milton Williams would be considered the top two interior defensive linemen available. The 26-year-old Odighizuwa had career-highs in tackles (47) and sacks (4.5) in 17 games this past season. If he's tagged and cannot reach a long-term extension, he'd make $25.1 million in 2025.

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Running back is one of the Dallas Cowboys' biggest needs in the upcoming NFL draft, but The Athletic's Jon Machota writes that it doesn't sound like they view it as their top priority at No. 12 overall. Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty, the consensus top running back in this year's class, could still be the pick for the Cowboys at 12th overall, but it's looking more likely that they will go in another direction. It makes sense because this year is considered to be a strong RB class, so the Cowboys could be better off targeting a back in the second or third rounds. Jeanty didn't have a formal interview with Dallas at last week's NFL Combine in Indianapolis, but there will be plenty of time for them to find a time to sit down with him before April. There are question marks about Jeanty's durability at the next level given the volume he saw in college, but he should be expected to have a major role in his first year in the NFL, depending on his landing spot.

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Dallas Cowboys restricted free-agent wide receiver/kick returner KaVontae Turpin is expected to receive a second-round tender ($5.34 million) from the team, according to the Dallas Morning News' Calvin Watkins. Meanwhile, unrestricted free agents Carl Lawson and Chauncey Golston could walk this offseason. The Cowboys would like to bring back unrestricted free agents Bryan Anger and Trent Sieg. The move to give Turpin a second-round tender likely means that he'll be back with Dallas in 2025 after he made his second Pro Bowl in 2024 as a kick returner. The 28-year-old finished last year with 904 kickoff-return yards while being the only player in the NFL to return both a kickoff and a punt for touchdowns. On offense, he wasn't a big factor, catching 31 of his 52 targets for 420 yards and two touchdowns in 17 games (two starts).

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Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said he "absolutely" wants backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to re-sign with the team this offseason despite the fact that the Rams are keeping starter Matthew Stafford for another season. Garoppolo played in only one game in 2024 in the Week 18 regular-season finale when all the starters were rested before the playoffs. In the loss to the division-rival Seattle Seahawks, the 33-year-old veteran went 27-for-41 for 334 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. McVay has been high on Jimmy G and was reportedly even comfortable with using him as the starter in 2025 if the Rams couldn't work out a restructured deal with Stafford and were forced to trade him this offseason. Whether Garoppolo stays in L.A. will all depend on if he can find a legitimate chance to start elsewhere on the open market.

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Los Angeles Rams veteran tight end Tyler Higbee and veteran right tackle Rob Havenstein will both be back with the team in 2025, according to head coach Sean McVay. There were questions as to whether the Rams would keep either player after coming off recent injuries and heading into the last year of their respective deals. Even though Havenstein is expected to be back, The Athletic's Jourdan Rodriguez expects the Rams to target a right tackle in the upcoming NFL draft. Higbee, 32, had surgery on his knee and shoulder last offseason that forced him to miss all but three of the team's regular-season games in 2024. In his three games, he caught eight of 12 targets for 66 yards and two touchdowns and added 12 catches on 15 targets for 112 yards and a TD in two playoff games. With receiver Cooper Kupp likely to be traded this offseason, Higbee could be a sleeper TE to target in fantasy this fall.

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Although the Los Angeles Rams have made it crystal clear that they plan to trade veteran wide receiver Cooper Kupp this offseason, head coach Sean McVay isn't completing slamming the door shut on Kupp's potential return. "You know, I think I would never speak in absolutes. But I do think let's gather all of the information and we'll take it a day at a time. We'll kind of see what the next steps entail," McVay said when asked if the door is "completely closed" on Kupp returning in 2025. The head coach also confirmed that the Rams haven't had any conversations about Kupp restructuring his contract, which just reiterates that their preference is to trade the 31-year-old this offseason. Kupp has a $29.7 million salary cap number in 2025, so any acquiring team would probably expect the Rams to pick up some of that money. With Kupp likely being moved, Puka Nacua will take on a larger role as the No. 1, while Jordan Whittington could also become a bigger weapon out of the slot.

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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins announced on Monday that the team placed the franchise tag on him for the second straight year. This was the expectation all along as the Bengals keep Higgins from hitting the open market as they look to lock him into a long-term contract extension before the deadline on July 15. If Higgins and the Bengals cannot work out an extension, he'd make over $26 million in 2025. However, placing the franchise tag on the 26-year-old pass-catcher won't prevent the Bengals from trading Higgins, although their preference is to sign him to a long-term deal. Higgins' fantasy value for the 2025 season would most likely be higher if he went elsewhere, but he proved last year that he can still be a strong WR2 for fantasy managers despite being on the same team as All-Pro receiver Ja'Marr Chase. Despite missing five games due to injuries in 2024, Higgins finished as the WR17 in half-PPR scoring with a 73-911-10 line on 109 targets.

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By agreeing to a contract restructure last Friday with quarterback Matthew Stafford, the Los Angeles Rams were able to stay on year-to-year terms with the veteran signal-caller. The adjusted contract will be structured under his existing framework that runs through 2026, according to The Athletic's Jourdan Rodriguez. No new years were added, so both sides expect to revisit the matter again next offseason. The specific dollar amount of the adjusted contract are unknown, but Stafford surely receives a double-digit raise from the existing $27 million he was scheduled to be paid in 2025. "We're taking it a year at a time," head coach Sean McVay said. Rodrigue also adds that despite keeping Stafford for this year, the Rams will look to the future at the position. For fantasy purposes, although Stafford almost led L.A. to the NFC Championship, he should be considered a midrange QB2.

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The Philadelphia Eagles are releasing six-time Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay on Monday, sources tell ESPN's Adam Schefter. If the Eagles designate Slay a post-June 1 release, they will save $4.3 million against the 2025 salary cap. In his five seasons in Philadelphia, Slay helped lead the team to two Super Bowls (winning one) while recording nine interceptions, 56 pass breakups and 272 tackles. However, the 34-year-old is nearing the end of his career, and the writing was on the wall for Slay after rookie defensive backs Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean both excelled in 2024. Slay is planning to play one more season in the NFL, potentially back with the Detroit Lions, where he played the first sevens years of his NFL career. Although the former second-rounder play fell off a bit last year, he could still attract plenty of interest from contending teams in free agency this offseason.

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New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner is expected to reset the cornerback market as the highest-paid player because the two-time All-Pro is arguably the league's best shutdown cornerback, sources told SNY's Connor Hughes. The Jets will also likely consider an extension for wide receiver Garrett Wilson soon, but sources agreed that Gardner's new deal is far simpler. Additionally, Hughes got the sense at this year's NFL Combine in Indianapolis that the new Jets regime of general manager Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn are much more open to the idea of extending players after three years than former GM Joe Douglas was. Sources think that any extensions that Mougey and Glenn reward players with will be fair and to market value, assuming the organization has the financial means to pull it off. Gardner, the former fourth overall pick, had a career-low 49 tackles (36 solo), one sack and an interception in 15 starts in 2024.

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New York Jets tight end Tyler Conklin is not expected to return in 2025, according to SNY's Connor Hughes. Sources say the Jets are showing interest in free-agent tight ends, with Juwan Johnson being the top target. If the Jets choose to sign a cheaper player, they could look to someone like John Bates. The 29-year-old Conklin will soon become an unrestricted free agent this offseason and will be free to sign with any NFL team, but it's unlikely the Jets will make much of an effort to retain him. The former fifth-rounder (157th overall) of the Minnesota Vikings in 2018 out of Central Michigan caught 51 of his 72 targets for 449 yards and a career-high four touchdowns in his third year with the Jets in 2024. In his three years in New York, he accumulated 170 receptions, 1,622 receiving yards and seven TDs in 50 games (43 starts). Conklin is unlikely to be much more than a backup TE wherever he lands in free agency.

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