4 Takeaways From Fanatics Flag Football Classic: USA Football Dominates the Pros

BMO Stadium (Los Angeles) – Put some respect on his name. USA Football player Darrell Doucette spoke for the rest of his teammates after manhandling some of the best NFL players in the game, winning the inaugural Fanatics Flag Football Championship on Saturday. An emotional and teary-eyed Doucette was thankful for the opportunity for his team to highlight their skills, letting the world know what they do is much different than the tackle football being played on Sundays. "Those guys that we competed against, they didn’t know what they were getting themselves into," Doucette said. "They just thought that they were going to come out and play. But I think we gained a lot of respect from those guys. "Of course, we are fans of those guys. We love just being in their presence, not necessarily competing against them, but being in their presence and them accepting us. They gave us a lot of respect and a lot of credit." USA Football's cat-quick, shifty athletes routinely slid past their NFL counterparts, as the more experienced national team players dominated play on Saturday, finishing 3-0 in the round-robin tournament. Here are my takeaways: 1. Yep, Tom Brady can still play On the opening drive of the game, Brady engineered his most impressive two-play sequence on the day. Brady evaded a would-be pass rusher who attempted to grab his flag by side-stepping him to the left, then delivering a dart to the back of the end zone to Stefon Diggs. Brady followed that up by finding his security blanket in the pros, connecting with tight end Rob Gronkowski for the two-point version as Team Founder took an 8-0 lead to start the game against USA Football. It was short-lived, though, as USA Football marched down the field to tie the game en route to a runaway victory over Brady’s hand-picked team. The seven-time Super Bowl champion finished 8-of-12 for 61 yards with two touchdown passes and no interceptions, while his team finished 0-2 on the day. While the NFL players struggled, Brady said not to rule out the possibility of elite athletes from the highest level of football learning the flag football game over the next two years to make their way onto the USA Football team by the Olympics. "There’s going to be a selection process, and may the best people play," Brady said. "That’s the best thing about team sports, it’s a meritocracy. Whoever gives the team the best opportunity to win, that’s who should be out there. There’s a long way from that happening, a couple years. "But I think it’s just good for NFL players to see what this is all about. The NFL players are great athletes. We were literally learning how to take flags off two days ago. Those guys did a great job. I don’t want to take anything away from them. But there’s certainly a long way to go before the selection process happens." 2. USA Football is the clear winner The USA Football team accomplished its goal of proving it can compete against the NFL-level talent that was on the field opposite it on Saturday. More experienced and practiced in playing flag football, that wizardry showed as NFL players were routinely fooled schematically or just could not catch the smaller, quicker players on USA Football on the smaller field in open space. It was surprising to see elite NFL athletes struggle to keep up with the USA Football team, which makes you wonder how the selection process will be handled two years from now for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. "With that 5-vs-5 field, it’s not as big as a natural football field," Doucette said. "You can’t get into the deep balls like they’re accustomed to. A 40-yard dash doesn’t mean anything. It’s 50 yards. You’re only going to run 40 yards when you run down the field to the end zone. So, a 40 doesn’t matter. "It’s all about being able to be a little twitchy or quicker. But we just wanted to showcase our talents. And those guys respected us. They treated us great all week, and it’s been a blessing." 3. Odell Beckham Jr. is still that dude The LSU product sat out last season and served a six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy. The 33-year-old receiver certainly looked like he could help an NFL team during the flag football event, though, finishing with a handful of spectacular catches, including a one-handed grab over two USA Football defenders in the back of the end zone for a score. USA Football head coach Jorge Cascudo took notice, pointing to Beckham as an NFL player who could successfully make the transition to his team. "Odell’s a great athlete," Cascudo said. "He made an excellent catch in our game, and I was like, ‘Whoa. There’s a spot whenever you’re interested. Come talk to me. We’ll put you in trials and come compete.'" 4. NFL players face a steep learning curve in flag football Hall of Famer Luke Kuechly understands NFL players have an uphill climb to learn the flag football game and compete for a spot on the USA Flag Football team. Bulkier players like Kuechly are not built for the short-area quickness required to make plays on the smaller flag football field. "Me and Logan (Paul), were not built for this type of game," Kuechly said. "I think when you look at it, you build it with corner and nickels (defenders) on the defensive side of the ball. And then fast, skilled guys on the other side of the ball. "It was a tremendous opportunity for me to play. I loved it. The fellowship, camaraderie and the opportunity to put cleats on again was great. … But it feels like a nickels and corners game on the defensive side of the ball."

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Big Picture: Tom Brady Feels 'Great' in Return for Fanatics Flag Football Classic

LOS ANGELES – For Tom Brady, throwing the football is like riding a bike – something perfected over time that never leaves your muscle memory. And during practice for Saturday’s inaugural Fanatics Flag Football Classic, it certainly looked like Brady had spent some time working and preparing for his return to competitive play. "I feel great," Brady said, when I asked what kind of shape he was in. "Fortunately, as an athlete your body is your asset over a period of time and you learn how to take care of it. Even when you retire, I felt like I still wanted to do the same things after football when I was playing. I still want to be active. I want to be outside. I want to continue to live a healthy, active lifestyle. "And I learned a lot of good, healthy habits over the course of a 23-year career. So, it’s basically been the same. I ran and I threw a little bit. I’ve thrown more over the last three months than I’ve had over a period of time. But there’s no feeling like going out there and throwing a football, and to watch it go exactly where you want. I don’t think that feeling will ever get old." Brady was the headliner of the three-team flag football event at BMO stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday. Loaded with current and former NFL stars, the three-team tournament featured Team Founders and Team Wildcats as well as Team USA, the reigning world champion in flag football. The game followed modified Olympic-style flag football rules, featuring two, 15-minute halves with a running clock on a 50-by-25-yard field. All three teams met in a round-robin tournament, with the top two teams advancing to the championship. Brady’s Founders were beaten by Jayden Daniels and Joe Burrow’s Wildcats, as well as Team USA. Those two other teams faced off for the championship on Saturday night. While the 48-year-old seven-time Super Bowl champ looked like he could still lace him up, Brady dispelled speculation that he was interested in playing for Team USA Football in the upcoming Olympics set for Los Angeles in 2028. "I would love to play some role in USA flag football, but it won’t be on the field," Brady said. However, other current players, like Burrow, were looking forward to earning a chance to play on Team USA Football and represent their country in the Olympics. "The Super Bowl is obviously the pinnacle of what we do," Burrow said.  "Tom brought up being an ambassador for the game and for the league. And that’s something I take very seriously. And I think the league tries to reward people that go out of their way to help in that context. "I’ve always wanted to play in the Olympics. I never necessarily played in an Olympic sport before. So, when this got announced, I was pretty excited about it. The opportunity to win a gold medal is something I’ve thought about an opportunity like that for a long time as a kid. And I think it would be something that’s very special." Of course, Burrow will have to compete for one of those spots against current players on USA Football like quarterback Darrell Doucette, whose team haven’t lost an International Federation of American Football (IFAF) tournament since 2018. Doucette said he appreciates the respect elite NFL players like Burrow has shown him and his teammates this week, but also understands Saturday is a prime opportunity to show that he and his teammates can compete with the best athletes in the world. And that means keeping things close to the vest when it comes to scheme. "We give them little things like rules, but we’re not going to give them strategies," joked Doucette. "There’s too much on the line. We’re not going to give them any secrets." Doucette did lead Team USA to a 2-0 record on Saturday in round-robin play, impressively beating both teams full of NFL stars. While he’s looking forward to taking the field again, Brady said the overarching goal is to bring more attention to one of the fastest growing sports in the country in flag football, with the Olympics two years away. "For me, it’s seeing some of the best athletes in the world try something different," Brady said. "Some of the skill sets are similar, but the rules are quite a bit different. But really, it’s a great gauge for all these players, and the players that will be playing in L.A. in 2028 to see where we’re at, and what we need to do in the next two years."

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Hall of Famer, Commanders Legend Darrell Green Trying Out For USA Flag Football

Darrell Green already has a gold jacket as a Pro Football Hall of Famer. He's returning to the field at 66 years old for a chance at a gold medal in flag football. Green, the longtime defensive back for Washington who hasn't played in the NFL since 2002, is taking part in the national team trials this weekend in Chula Vista, California. He joins a host of athletes trying out with all levels of football experience, from flag to tackle to 20 NFL seasons (see: himself). At stake is an invitation to training camp next month and possibly a roster spot on the 2026 national flag football squad that will compete at the world championships in Germany this summer. It's just another step in a series of steps ahead of flag football making its Olympic debut at the 2028 LA Games. "Darrell qualified through our digital combine. He’s later in his career than the other trials participants, but his testing results were impressive," said Callie Brownson, the senior director of high performance and national teams for USA football. "Our coaches and staff felt he deserved a closer look. ... He’s a rare athlete who has stayed in shape and is ready to compete this week." Lockdown defensive back with 20 years of NFL experience Green was known for his lockdown coverage skills, blazing speed and durability over a career that spanned 20 seasons. A first-round pick in 1983, Green helped Washington to a pair of Super Bowl titles. He had 54 interceptions and another six in the postseason, including a pick of Jim Kelly in Super Bowl 26 when Washington beat the Buffalo Bills, 37-24. At 66, Green has his work cut out for him to make the roster. The U.S. men's flag football squad is already the gold standard, winning six of the last seven IFAF world championship tournaments since 2010. On USA Football’s Instagram page, Green said: "I’m going to give it my best, and I’ll walk away with my head up, either way." There are roughly 100 men and women attempting to stand out in front of U.S. national team coaches and personnel this weekend. Other players at trials include basketball standouts Loryn Goodwin, who was a second-round selection in the 2018 WNBA draft, and O’Mariah Gordon, an all-ACC guard for Florida State. "The agility, creativity, hand-eye coordination and vertical leaping ability on the basketball court translates well to a flag football field," Brownson said. "Our pipeline continues to gain traction with athletes from many different backgrounds. We’ll keep putting a lot of effort into exploring talent transfers as we build towards flag’s Olympic debut at LA28." The players who are selected out of training camp will join those from last year's squads and compete to earn spots on the 2026 U.S. national team roster. The squads will take part in the IFAF flag football championships in Düsseldorf, Germany from August 13-16. "When you see a Hall of Famer, players with high-level tackle football backgrounds, former flag football gold medalists and elite athletes from other sports showing up to compete for a spot on this team, that tells you something," Brownson said. "It speaks to the legitimate level of excitement and interest high-performing athletes have in Olympic flag football. It’s the deepest pool of athletes we’ve ever had at trials." A busy weekend for flag football Meanwhile, up the road in Los Angeles, a cast of Team USA players will be facing a group of NFL players in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic on Saturday. The event will be held at BMO Stadium, which will be the home site when flag football makes its Olympic debut. The list of players taking part includes Tom Brady, the retired seven-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback, Jalen Hurts, Jayden Daniels and Joe Burrow. In addition, there will be pass rushers Von Miller and Myles Garrett, along with numerous others. Three teams, including Team USA, will square off in a round-robin tournament. The top two squads earn a spot in the championship game. "We wanted this opportunity to be able to face these guys," U.S. team quarterback Darrell "Housh" Doucette III said. "Just show what flag football is truly about." Reporting by The Associated Press.

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2026 NFL Offseason Buzz: 49ers Decline Option Bonus on Star LT Trent Williams

The NFL offseason is in full swing. As teams continue to fill out their coaching staffs, some teams are already making plans on what to do with their rosters ahead of the start of the new league year in March. Who'll get cut? Who'll get traded? Who'll get extended? Who'll get the franchise tag? Here's the latest look at some of the most notable rumors around the NFL. [2026 NFL Free Agency: Top 100 Players Available and Potential Fits] Trent Williams update The San Francisco 49ers opted to not exercise the $10 million option bonus on their star left tackle, according to ESPN. Williams, who has no remaining guaranteed money on a three-year, $82.7 million deal with the 49ers past 2026, is set to count for roughly $47 million on San Francisco's 2026 payroll, but the team reportedly plans to discuss altering the terms of his contract. Williams, a three-time All-Pro and 12-time Pro Bowler, will be 38 at the start of the 2026 season. Dolphins won't trade Achane Multiple teams have contacted the Miami Dolphins this offseason to see if they were willing to part with running back De'Von Achane as part of a larger roster blowup, but per ESPN, Achane is not available. The fourth-year back is expected to be part of Miami's future, assuming an extension can be worked out with the 24-year-old, as his rookie deal expires at the end of this season. Achane led the league in yards per carry, with 5.7, and set a new career-high in rushing yards with 1,350, blowing past his previous mark of 907. He finished with over 1,800 yards from scrimmage total, thanks to also making 67 receptions for 488 yards, and scored 12 touchdowns overall. [4 Takeaways: Broncos Trade for WR Jaylen Waddle from Dolphins] The Dolphins released quarterback Tua Tagovailoa earlier in March, traded five-time Pro Bowler Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Jets and, on Tuesday, dealt top wide receiver Jaylen Waddle to the Broncos. Earlier in the offseason, wide receiver Tyreek Hill was cut; all told, per ESPN, the Dolphin have roughly $175 million in dead money against the salary cap in 2026. WR Mike Evans leaving Buccaneers? Not only will Evans test free agency, but the star wide receiver could be on the move. He'll likely have five potential suitors when free agency opens, FOX Sports' Henry McKenna reported. Teams have offered Evans a contract worth north of $27 million per year as well, according to FOX Sports' Greg Auman. There's also a sense that his time in Tampa Bay could be coming to an end, NFL Media reported. Evans is the third-highest-ranked wide receiver in our top 100 NFL free agents list. He also ranks 15th in the overall ranking. WR A.J. Brown's trade wish list Where does the Eagles' star wide receiver want to play next if he's traded this offseason? Brown has the Bills, Chargers, Chiefs and Patriots on his preferred list of teams to get traded to, according to Sports Illustrated. New England has been commonly linked to Brown in recent weeks as the Patriots seek to add another wide receiver following the release of Stefon Diggs. However, talks have stalled between the two sides, NFL Media reported. Chargers extend edge rusher Khalil Mack Nine-time Pro-Bowler Mack agreed to a one-year, $18 million deal to remain with the Chargers. That figure is fully guaranteed. The 35-year-old will officially return for his 13th NFL season. Mack missed time early in 2025 with a dislocated elbow but still finished the season with 5.5 sacks, 32 tackles, four forced fumbles and a safety. Eagles extend DT Jordan Davis Philadelphia has extended Davis to a three-year, $78 million deal that includes $65 million guaranteed, with the $26 million average annual value an NFL record for a nose tackle. Last season, Davis totaled a career-high in sacks (4.5), passes defended (six) and combined tackles (72). Davis hasn't missed a game since his 2022 rookie campaign. Bills retain C Connor McGovern The Bills have re-signed McGovern on a four-year, $52 million deal, according to ESPN. The deal includes $32 million guaranteed. McGovern, a 2024 Pro Bowler, has spent the last three seasons in Buffalo (2023-25). Cowboys tender K Brandon Aubrey Dallas has placed a second-round tender worth $5.76 million on its star kicker, per ESPN. Aubrey can now sign an offer sheet with another team, but the Cowboys have the right to match any deal. If Aubrey signs a contract with another team and Dallas doesn't match the deal, the Cowboys will receive a second-round pick. Aubrey, a one-time All-Pro and Pro Bowler in each of his three seasons in the NFL (2023-25), was 36 of 42 on field goal attempts in 2025 (85.7%), including 11 of 17 on kicks of 50 or more yards (64.7%). He holds the NFL record with six made field goals from 60 or more yards. Texans cut RB Joe Mixon, extend TE Dalton Schultz Houston is releasing Mixon in a move which saves it $8 million, per ESPN. Mixon, a two-time Pro Bowler, spent the first six seasons of his NFL career with the Bengals (2017-23) before being acquired by the Texans in 2024. In 2024, the veteran back rushed for 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns on 4.1 yards per carry across 14 regular-season games for the Texans, while tallying 309 receiving yards. Mixon didn't play in 2025 due to a foot injury. Meanwhile, Houston recently acquired veteran running back David Montgomery from the Lions. Meanwhile, Houston has extended its starting tight end on a one-year, $12.6 million deal. He had one season remaining on a three-year, $36 million deal. Last season, Schultz, who has spent the last three years in Houston after a five-year stint with the Cowboys, totaled a career-high 82 receptions for 777 yards and three touchdowns. Patriots trade starting center to Bears The Bears have their new center. Chicago has reportedly acquired center Garrett Bradbury from the Patriots in exchange for a fifth-round pick. Bradbury started every game for New England last season. The deal comes days after Bears center Drew Dalman surprisingly retired at 27 years old. Bradbury, 30, just finished his seventh NFL season after starting his career with six years in Minnesota. Browns alter QB Deshaun Watson's contract Cleveland restructured Watson's contract, clearing roughly $36 million in cap space. Watson, a three-time Pro Bowler who hasn't played since Oct. 2024 due to injury, is entering the final season of a five-year, $230 million deal. Rams keep S Kamren Curl Los Angeles has re-signed Curl to a three-year, $36 million deal, with a maximum value of $39 million. Curl, who has spent the last two seasons with the Rams (2024-25), totaled two interceptions, 2.0 sacks and 122 combined tackles in the 2025 regular season. He then had one interception and 27 combined tackles in the postseason. Carson Wentz-Frank Reich reunion … again? Wentz is the "preferred" free agent quarterback option for new Jets offensive coordinator Frank Reich, according to SNY. Reich was Wentz' offensive coordinator on the Eagles over his first two seasons in the NFL from 2016-17 and was his head coach on the Colts in 2021. Last season, Wentz played for the Vikings, initially serving as the team's backup quarterback before starting five games in place of the injured J.J. McCarthy before suffering a season-ending injury to his non-throwing shoulder (left). Wentz earned his only Pro Bowl nod while being coached by Reich in 2017. Chargers sign new center Los Angeles has signed Tyler Biadasz to a three-year, $30 million deal, per NFL Media. Biadasz, a 2022 Pro Bowler with the Cowboys, was released by the Commanders last week after two seasons in the nation's capital. Commanders to release CB Marshon Lattimore The Commanders are the latest team to make a cap-clearing move in the week ahead of free agency, releasing Lattimore. The move will clear $18.5 million in cap space for Washington, which will now have nearly $90 million available in cap space this offseason, per Over The Cap. Lattimore ranked 17th in Greg Auman's top cap casualty candidates entering the offseason. He's played just 18 games over the last two years, dealing with multiple injuries. Browns land RT Tytus Howard from Texans The Browns are getting some much-needed help along their offensive line, making a deal that could also have ramifications at the top of the 2026 NFL Draft. The Texans are trading Howard to the Browns for a fifth-round pick. Howard will also reportedly receive a three-year, $63 million extension as part of the deal. Cleveland's O-line was among the worst in the league in 2025, with Pro Football Focus ranking the group the second-worst offensive line last season. Offensive tackle Dawand Jones was also the Browns' only Week 1 starter on their offensive line who was under contract for the 2026 season. With the Browns in desperate need of O-line help, many mock drafts projected them to select an offensive tackle with the sixth overall pick. Monday's trade, which can't be made official until March 11, might allow the Browns to address other needs at the top of the draft, like wide receiver. Chiefs cut OT Jawaan Taylor to open up major cap space In terms of the salary cap, the Chiefs were well underwater entering the offseason. They've given themselves some breathing room, though, after cutting Taylor. The move creates $20 million in cap space, and Kansas City is now roughly $15 million under the salary cap, per Over The Cap. Taylor was one of the NFL's top cap casualty candidates entering the offseason, according to FOX Sports' Greg Auman, ranking eighth on the list. Taylor, who had been the Chiefs' starting right tackle since 2023, led them in penalties in each of his three years in Kansas City. Von Miller the general manager? The two-time Super Bowl champion, three-time All-Pro and Super Bowl MVP reportedly spent time at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine learning the ropes of what it takes to be an NFL general manager. The 36-year-old Miller, an eight-time Pro Bowler, spent last season with the Commanders, totaling 9.0 sacks and 26 combined tackles. Eagles LB Nakobe Dean to NFC East rival? Dean is expected to hit the open market, and the Cowboys will be among the teams that pursue him. Last season, Dean totaled a career-high 4.0 sacks, two forced fumbles and 55 combined tackles. He was limited to 10 regular-season games due to knee and hamstring injuries, respectively. This comes after Dallas created roughly $66 million in cap space by restructuring the contracts of quarterback Dak Prescott, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and guard Tyler Smith. Prescott, a four-time Pro Bowler, is entering the second season of a four-year, $240 million deal; Lamb, a one-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler, is entering the second season of a four-year, $136 million deal; Smith, a three-time Pro Bowler, begins a four-year, $96 million deal in 2027. Smith had minor surgery on his right knee after the 2025 Pro Bowl Games but is expected to be ready for OTAs. NFL salary cap number revealed The NFL announced that the 2026 salary cap will be $301.2 million. This is a $22 million increase from 2025. Agents of NFL free agents can begin negotiating contracts with teams at noon ET on March 9, with NFL free agency officially opening at 4 p.m. ET on March 11. Cowboys tag WR George Pickens Dallas announced on Feb. 27 that it has placed the franchise tag on Pickens, which is worth roughly $28 million for the 2026 NFL season. Pickens, who was set to be arguably the best wide receiver on the free agent market, is coming off a breakout season in what was his first year with the Cowboys, totaling a career high in receptions (93), receiving yards (1,429) and receiving touchdowns (nine). Pickens, who earned his first career Pro Bowl nod in 2025, spent the first three seasons of his career with the Steelers (2022-24). Commanders release OL Tyler Biadasz Biadasz had one year remaining on a three-year, $29.2 million deal, and his release will incur a $10.9 million cap hit and leave $8.1 million in dead cap. Biadasz was a key part of Washington's NFC championship run last season. He was a Pro Bowler for the Cowboys in 2022. He's now an unrestricted free agent. Colts QB Anthony Richardson cleared to seek trade The Colts have granted Richardson permission to seek a trade, according to ESPN. Richardson, who was selected by the Colts with the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, has started just 15 games in his NFL career; he suffered shoulder and head injuries in 2023, was benched during 2024 and lost his starting job to veteran Daniel Jones last summer while also dealing with an eye injury in 2025. Jets, Titans make a trade New York is sending defensive end and 2022 first-round pick Jermaine Johnson to Tennessee for nose tackle and 2024 second-round pick T'Vondre Sweat, per NFL Media. Johnson, a 2023 Pro Bowler, totaled three sacks and 43 combined tackles in 14 games in 2025. Meanwhile, over the first two seasons of his career (2024-25), Sweat has averaged 1.5 sacks and 42.5 combined tackles per season. Bears' Tremaine Edmunds trade on the horizon? The Bears have granted Edmunds permission to seek a trade, according to the Chicago Tribune. Edmunds, a two-time Pro Bowler, is entering the final season of a four-year, $72 million deal. Last season, he totaled 1.0 sacks, four interceptions, nine passes defended and 112 combined tackles across 13 regular-season games. The 27-year-old, who spent the first five seasons of his NFL career with the Bills (2018-22), missed four games in 2025 due to a groin injury but returned for the postseason. Edmunds has totaled 100-plus combined tackles in each of his eight seasons. 49ers contract dispute? Star left tackle Trent Williams and the 49ers are "struggling to find a contractual solution," per ESPN. Williams, a three-time All-Pro and 12-time Pro Bowler, is entering the final season of a three-year, $82.7 million deal. Williams played through a hamstring injury down the stretch of the 2025 season, which ended for San Francisco at the hands of the eventual Super Bowl-champion Seahawks in the NFC divisional round. Falcons cutting QB Kirk Cousins Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham revealed that the team will release Cousins on the first day of the new league year (March 11). The 37-year-old Cousins, who has two seasons remaining on a four-year, $180 million deal which included $100 million guaranteed when the deal was inked, was benched for Michael Penix Jr. with three games remaining in the 2024 regular season, with Penix opening 2025 as the Falcons' starter. A season-ending knee injury for Penix put Cousins back under center, with the veteran posting 1,721 passing yards, 10 passing touchdowns, five interceptions and an 84.8 passer rating, while completing 61.7% of his passes across 10 appearances (eight starts). Chiefs targeting RB Travis Etienne? Jaguars running back Etienne has interest in joining the Chiefs this offseason, The Kansas City Star reported. Etienne is set to become a free agent on March 9 when his rookie contract expires. After an up-and-down start to his career, Etienne closed out his rookie deal on a high note. He rushed for 1,107 yards on 4.3 yards per carry, adding 292 receiving yards as he scored 13 total touchdowns. Chiefs running backs Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco are both set to become free agents this offseason as well. So, the Chiefs certainly have a need for a running back this offseason. Etienne is ranked 20th in FOX Sports' top 100 NFL free agents list, placing third among the running backs on the list. Eagles RT Lane Johnson coming back Philadelphia's longtime right tackle will return for a 14th NFL season, Johnson told The Philadelphia Inquirer. Johnson, a two-time All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowler, missed the Eagles' past eight combined games in 2025 (seven regular-season games and one playoff game) due to a foot injury. Following its Super Bowl LIX triumph, Philadelphia won the NFC East at 11-6 last season but lost to the San Francisco 49ers in the wild-card round. Chiefs restructure QB Patrick Mahomes' deal Kansas City has restructured Mahomes' contract, bringing his 2026 salary down from $78.2 million to $34.65 million and creating $43.56 million in cap space. The Chiefs are currently over the cap. Mahomes' 2025 campaign ended in Week 15 after he tore both his ACL and LCL, but the three-time Super Bowl MVP is targeting a Week 1 return. Dolphins release edge rusher Bradley Chubb The Dolphins are already making some roster moves, releasing veteran edge rusher Chubb, NFL Media reported on Feb. 16. Chubb, who'll turn 30 in June, had a productive season in 2025, logging 8.5 sacks. However, he was set to have a cap hit of over $31 million in the 2026 and 2027 seasons. Miami was also over the salary cap when the offseason began, and cutting him cleared $7.34 million in cap space, per Over The Cap. NFL wins grievance, bans "team report cards" An arbitrator determined that the NFL Players Association violated the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the NFL by distributing annual "team report cards" and ordered the union to stop making public any future reports, per ESPN. "We are pleased with the decision from the arbitrator, upholding the parties’ collective bargaining agreement and prohibiting the NFLPA from disparaging our clubs and individuals through ‘report cards’ allegedly based on data and methodologies that it has steadfastly refused to disclose," NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said. "We remain committed to working in partnership with the NFLPA and an independent survey company to develop and administer a scientifically valid survey to solicit accurate and reliable player feedback as the parties agreed in the CBA." Decision looming on Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa General manager Jon-Eric Sullivan provided somewhat of an update on the future of the team's current starter. "I don't know what the future holds right now, and I told Tua that," he revealed on Feb. 12. "We're working through some things. What I can tell you is that we're going to infuse competition into that room — whether Tua is part of the room [or not]. … Tua knows where we are. We've been very honest and upfront, and Tua also knows that he will be the first to know when we make a decision. … We're getting close to a decision, and when we do, we'll let Tua know whether he's going to be part of this or not, and we'll move forward." Tagovailoa is entering the second season of a four-year, $212.4 million deal with the Dolphins, who have a new general manager in Sullivan and a new head coach in Jeff Hafley. Last season, Tagovailoa, a 2023 Pro Bowler, threw a career-high 15 interceptions in 14 starts, while posting an 88.5 passer rating, his lowest mark since 2020. If the Dolphins release Tagovailoa, they would incur an NFL-record $99.2 million dead cap hit. Browns TE David Njoku leaving Cleveland Njoku, who spent the first nine seasons of his NFL career with the Browns (2017-25) and is set to become a free agent, posted on Instagram that "the time for [him] to find a new home has come." Last season, Njoku totaled 33 receptions for 293 yards and four touchdowns across 12 games; he missed five games due to a knee injury. Njoku, who Cleveland selected with the No. 29 overall pick in 2017 out of Miami (Fla.), was a Pro Bowler in 2023 in a season that saw him total a career-high in receptions (81), receiving yards (882) and receiving touchdowns (six). He's third in Browns history with 384 receptions, sixth with 34 touchdowns and 12th with 4,062 receiving yards. Rams extend HC Sean McVay, GM Les Snead McVay and Snead have agreed to multiyear extensions to stay with the Rams, the team announced on Feb. 2. The pair have led the Rams through one of the longest stretches of success in franchise history. The Rams are 92–57 in the regular season and 10-6 in the playoffs since Snead and owner Stan Kroenke hired a then-30-year-old McVay in 2017, one year after the franchise returned home from St. Louis. The Rams immediately ended a 12-year playoff absence and reached the Super Bowl one year later before winning the franchise's second Super Bowl title in February 2022. Los Angeles has had eight winning seasons, seven playoff berths and four NFC West titles in nine years under McVay, the youngest coach to reach the Super Bowl and to win it. The Rams went 12-5 this season before winning two road playoff games to reach the NFC championship game, where they lost to the Seahawks. McVay said the Rams are optimistic that quarterback Matthew Stafford will return for an 18th NFL season, but the team will wait for the quarterback to make his own announcement. McVay said the Rams would love to stick with Stafford if he wants to come back after his MVP-caliber season in 2025. McVay also confirmed he has hired Bubba Ventrone as his new special teams coordinator. He hasn't decided who will become his offensive coordinator after Mike LaFleur left to become the Cardinals' head coach. Packers add former HC as DC Ex-Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon is joining the Packers' staff as defensive coordinator, the team announced on Feb. 2. Gannon will take over for Jeff Hafley, who left after two seasons when the Dolphins hired him to be their next head coach. "He possesses tremendous experience as an NFL coordinator and head coach," Matt LaFleur said in a statement. "I am confident that he will be an outstanding addition to our organization, as well as a strong leader of our defense." The Cardinals fired Gannon the day after their season ended with a ninth consecutive loss. Gannon went 15-36 in three years, including a 3-14 record this past season. Gannon had been the Eagles’ defensive coordinator for two seasons before Arizona hired him. In his second season in Philadelphia, the Eagles ranked second in the NFL in total defense and won the NFC championship before losing 38-35 to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII. The Eagles had a franchise-record 70.0 sacks — 15 more than any other NFL team — in 2022. They also had 27 takeaways that season to rank fourth in the league. Gannon takes over a defense that ranked 12th in yards allowed per game (311.8), ninth in yards allowed per play (5.0) and 11th in points allowed per game (21.2) this past season. Green Bay’s defense ranked higher earlier in the season but struggled after season-ending injuries to All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons and defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt. Eagles DC Vic Fangio considered retirement The Eagles nearly had to make two coordinator changes this offseason. Fangio informed the team shortly after their season ended that he planned to retire before the Eagles convinced him to return, PhillyVoice reported on Feb. 1. If Fangio had held firm in his decision to retire, the Eagles were planning to contact former Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon and Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, according to PhillyVoice. Gannon was the Eagles' defensive coordinator for two seasons (2021-22) before leaving for Arizona in 2023. Fangio has been widely regarded as one of the top defensive minds in the NFL for several years. The Eagles' defense has also been one of the game's top defensive units since Fangio joined the team in 2024, ranking in the top five in scoring in each of the last two years. The Eagles hired Packers quarterbacks coach Sean Mannion to be their next offensive coordinator after parting ways with Kevin Patullo. Packers extend coach, multiple executives Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst and executive vice president/director of football operations Russ Ball have joined coach Matt LaFleur in signing multi-year contract extensions. Packers president/CEO Ed Policy announced the extensions for all three on Friday. The extensions come after the Packers went 9-8-1 and made their third straight playoff appearance, and sixth in the last seven years. A 31-27 loss at Chicago in the NFC wild-card playoff round capped a five-game skid that ended Green Bay's season, though one of those defeats came when the Packers rested their starters in their regular-season finale. "We are excited to extend our commitment to Brian, Matt and Russ as the leaders of our football operations," Policy said in a statement. "Their steadfast dedication, passion and collaboration have remained constant in our drive to compete at the highest level. While we are all disappointed with the way this season ended, we remain aligned in purpose and have spent considerable time over the past weeks collaborating on a path forward. "I am exceedingly confident we have the right people to achieve our goal. The entire Packers organization looks forward to supporting every effort to bring our community and fans another championship that they very much deserve." LaFleur owns a 76-40-1 regular-season record and has led Green Bay to the playoffs in all but one of his seven years on the job. That includes NFC championship game appearances in the 2019 and 2020 seasons. Green Bay has been the NFC’s seventh and final playoff seed each of the last three seasons. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Seahawks GM John Schneider on Losing RB Kenneth Walker III: We 'Can Find Guys'

The Seattle Seahawks lost starting running back and Super Bowl LX MVP Kenneth Walker III to the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency. With that said, Seahawks President of Football Operations and General Manager John Schneider is bullish on the team's ability to replace Walker. "That’s a position where you can find guys," Schneider said on Thursday in an interview with 710 Seattle Sports when asked about the state of Seattle's running back room. "Obviously, [Walker was] outstanding, and everybody’s really excited for him. I mean, that’s a great, great contract for a running back. But George [Holani] did a great job. We’re really excited about Emanuel Wilson, who we got from the Green Bay Packers, a heavy runner with really nice feet." Walker signed a three-year, $43.1 million deal with the Chiefs earlier this month, with his roughly $14.4 million average annual value ranking fourth among NFL running backs. "Just to kind of quell people, at this time of the year I get it," Schneider added. "But, like, [Zach Charbonnet] is doing great [recovering from an ACL tear]. Kenny McIntosh, he had a great [2024] season, and that was just an awful [ACL] injury for him. But I get it. And it’s a position that … we know where we’re at right now." Last season, Walker rushed for 1,027 yards and five touchdowns on 4.6 yards per carry, while tallying 282 receiving yards. In total, the Seahawks tied for 10th in the NFL in rushing (123.3 yards per game). Then in Seattle's three postseason games, Walker ran for 313 yards and four touchdowns on 4.8 yards per carry. The highlights were 135 rushing yards against the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl and 116 rushing yards and three touchdowns against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC divisional round. Walker was Seattle's second-round pick in 2022. In his rookie season, he rushed for 1,050 yards and nine touchdowns on 4.6 yards per carry. From 2023-25, he split reps with Charbonnet, who tore his ACL in January and is unlikely to be ready for the start of the 2026 season. The Seahawks signed the aforementioned Wilson, who rushed for 499 yards and 3.5 touchdowns per season with the Packers from 2024-25, on a one-year deal. Elsewhere, Seattle's running back room includes McIntosh, Holani, Cam Akers and Jacardia Wright. The Seahawks have four selections in the 2026 NFL Draft: picks No. 32, 64, 96 and 188.

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2026 NFL Offseason: The Biggest Need for Every NFC Team After Early Free Agency

While many NFL teams have bolstered their rosters through early free agency and the trade market, all 32 teams still have holes — of various sizes — as we approach the draft. So, what is each team’s biggest need? Let's break that down for each NFC team — along with the ideal fit to fill each hole. (For the AFC teams, click here): NFC East Dallas Cowboys: Middle linebacker The Cowboys have prioritized adding veteran starters to what was a bad defense last season, trading for edge rusher Rashan Gary and signing safety Jalen Thompson in free agency. An experienced MIKE linebacker who’s comfortable with green dot responsibilities would further support first-time defensive coordinator Christian Parker. Ideal fit: Titans LB Cody Barton (trade) New York Giants: Right guard After ranking second-worst in run defense last season (145.3 rushing yards allowed/game), the Giants have a need on the defensive front. But solidifying the offensive line for second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart should be the biggest priority, and currently there’s a hole at right guard, where New York needs a starter. Ideal fit: Georgia Tech G Keylan Rutledge (draft) Philadelphia Eagles: Edge rusher The Eagles picked up some depth in former Falcons defensive end Arnold Ebiketie, but more juice on the edge is needed following the free agency departure of Jaelan Phillips, whose 63 pressures last season ranked 11th in the NFL, per Next Gen Stats. Jalyx Hunt and Nolan Smith, the top two edge rushers on Philly’s depth chart, combined for just 9.5 sacks last season. Ideal fit: Vikings DL Jonathan Greenard (trade) Washington Commanders: Wide receiver With Terry McLaurin entering his age-31 season, Washington should be thinking about a long-term WR1. The team-high in receiving yards in 2025 was just 727 by Deebo Samuel. The Commanders re-signed former Titans first-round pick Treylon Burks and have Luke McCaffrey entering his third season, but they’re depth options. Ideal fit: Ohio State WR Carnell Tate (draft) [NFL Better or Worse: Where All 32 Teams Stand After the First Wave of Free Agency] NFC North Chicago Bears: Edge rusher The Bears need an edge opposite Montez Sweat, who had 10 sacks last season. No other edge defender on their roster had more than four sacks in 2025. Chicago prioritized the interior defensive line in free agency, signing tackles Neville Gallimore, Kentavius Street and James Lynch. Ideal fit: Missouri EDGE Zion Young (draft) Detroit Lions: Left tackle The Lions have a void at left tackle after granting Taylor Decker’s request for a release. Detroit added veteran offensive lineman Larry Borom in free agency, but he’s on just a one-year deal. Ideal fit: Alabama OT Kadyn Proctor (draft) Green Bay Packers: Edge rusher With Micah Parsons recovering from a torn ACL and Rashan Gary traded to the Cowboys, edge rusher should become a focus for Green Bay. Outside of Parsons, the Packers have no returning players who had more than four sacks last season. Ideal fit: Michigan EDGE Derrick Moore (draft) Minnesota Vikings: Safety Franchise legend Harrison Smith may not return for a 15th season, and even if he does, the Vikings need a long-term starting safety. Minnesota has depth at the position (Joshua Metellus, Jay Ward, Theo Jackson) but not star power. In free agency, the Vikings prioritized elsewhere in the secondary, signing cornerback James Pierre. Ideal fit: Oregon S Dillon Thieneman (draft) NFC South Atlanta Falcons: Inside linebacker Linebacker Kaden Elliss’ departure to the Saints in free agency left a big hole in the middle of Atlanta’s defense. Free-agent signee Christian Harris could compete with a rookie draft pick for the starting job alongside Divine Deablo. Ideal fit: Texas LB Anthony Hill Jr. (draft) Carolina Panthers: Center The Panthers let starting center Cade Mays walk in free agency. Free-agent acquisition Luke Fortner is a potential veteran replacement, but he signed a modest one-year deal. Ideal fit: Auburn C Connor Lew (draft) New Orleans Saints: Wide receiver The Saints are super thin at wide receiver behind No. 1 option Chris Olave. Other than Olave, New Orleans didn’t have a receiver who ended 2025 on its roster reach 300 receiving yards. Ideal fit: Ohio State WR Carnell Tate (draft) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Inside linebacker Lavonte David is undecided on returning for a 15th season, and former fourth-rounder SirVocea Dennis may be best suited in a backup role. Outside free-agent acquisition Alex Anzalone, who is projected to be a starter, Tampa has just one other inside linebacker under contract in Nick Jackson, an undrafted free agent last year. Ideal fit: Georgia LB C.J. Allen (draft) NFC West Arizona Cardinals: Right tackle The Cardinals need a strong-side protector on their offensive line, a player who could be a long-term OT opposite Paris Johnson Jr. Ideally, free-agent acquisition Elijah Wilkinson becomes a top backup, as opposed to being the starter at right tackle. Ideal fit: Miami OT Francis Mauigoa (draft) Los Angeles Rams: No. 2 quarterback The Rams remain all-in with NFL MVP Matthew Stafford, as evident by their moves this offseason (trading for All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie, signing CB Jaylen Watson in free agency). They may have the most complete roster in football, but with only 2023 fourth-round pick Stetson Bennett (zero career appearances) beyond Stafford on the QB depth chart, the backup spot needs to be shored up. Jimmy Garoppolo, who played for the Rams the past two seasons and has 64 career NFL starts, remains a free agent. Ideal fit: Jimmy Garoppolo (free agency) San Francisco 49ers: Edge rusher The Niners have perennial Pro Bowl defensive end Nick Bosa and 2025 first-round pick Mykel Williams on the edge, but both suffered torn ACLs last season. So San Francisco needs insurance there, and this team loves to stockpile defensive linemen. Ideal fit: Clemson DE T.J. Parker (draft) Seattle Seahawks: Running back The Seahawks lost Super Bowl LX MVP Kenneth Walker III in free agency to the Chiefs, and RB2 Zach Charbonnet tore his ACL in January, putting his readiness for the early portion of 2026 in doubt. Seattle signed former Packer Emanuel Wilson (125 carries, 496 yards, three TDs), but it’ll need more out of the backfield to support Pro Bowl quarterback Sam Darnold. Ideal fit: Notre Dame RB Jadarian Prince (draft)

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4 Takeaways from the Fanatics Flag Football Classic Draft

Tom Brady is back in game mode. At the Fanatics Flag Football Classic draft held Wednesday on the second floor ballroom of the Waldorf Astoria, the seven-time Super Bowl winner and FOX Sports Lead NFL Analyst was back in his element. He needled Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels for his slight frame, co-host Kevin Hart for his diminutive size and anyone else within earshot as he looks forward to competing again. The draft set up the three-team flag football event at BMO stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, with coverage starting at 4 p.m. ET on FOX, FOX One and Tubi. Loaded with current and former NFL stars, the three-team tournament features Team Founders and Team Wildcats as well as Team USA, the reigning world champion in flag football. "I love having Team USA involved because I think they’re going to bring out the best in us," Brady told me. "I’m just excited to see a little bit of the competitive juices flowing and see what’s going on with this great experience." Here are my takeaways from Wednesday's draft. 1. Brady’s Team Founders FFC leans on Super Bowl experience Brady and his fellow captain, Eagles QB Jalen Hurts, selected four other players with Super Bowl rings: Eagles receiver DeVonta Smith, former All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski, Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. and three-time All-Pro linebacker Von Miller. The rest of the roster includes Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty, four-time Pro Bowl receiver Stefon Diggs, Saints running back Alvin Kamara, Bills safety Damar Hamlin, former All-Pro cornerback Patrick Peterson and boxer Terence Crawford. "I really like the way the team came together," Brady said. "It’s a good match of youth and skill. This game is going to be about lateral agility. And we’ve got some pretty good ones." 2. Can Team USA Football compete with NFL talent? At the draft, Brady and the other NFL players had a healthy back and forth with members of Team USA’s flag football team, who want to prove their worth. After all, there's the potential of NFL players playing flag football in the Los Angeles Olympics in two years. According to the oddsmakers, Brady’s team has an uphill battle. Team USA debuted as the favorite at Fanatics Markets with an implied probability of 45% to win the tournament (+120), followed by Team Wildcats, which features Daniels, Bengals QB Joe Burrow and Eagles RB Saquon Barkley, at 38% (+160). Brady’s Founders are at 32% (+210). [Fanatics Flag Football Classic Team Rosters] The games will follow modified Olympic-style flag football rules, featuring two, 15-minute halves with a running clock on a 50-by-25-yard field. All three teams will meet in a round-robin tournament, with the top two teams advancing to the championship. "When you’re an NFL player, you realize there’s a lot of contact," Brady told me when asked about facing Team USA. "It’s nice that you can talk a lot of smack and not worry about somebody hitting you in the back of the head. So, it’s going to be on." 3. Commanders quarterback Daniels excited to play in his hometown The NFL Rookie of the Year in 2024, Daniels had his second season cut short due to a dislocated left elbow, so this will be the first time he's competed since being shut down in mid-December. The L.A. native is looking forward to playing in his hometown — and to potentially play in the Olympics in two years. "We’ll see what happens in a couple years, but I love playing football," Daniels said. "And if the opportunity presents itself, I don’t think I can turn it down." Daniels and fellow captain and LSU product Burrow selected Barkley as the team’s first pick, followed by another Tiger in three-time Pro Bowl receiver Odell Beckham Jr. Filling out the roster for the Wildcats are receivers Davante Adams and DeAndre Hopkins, defensive backs Jalen Ramsey and Derwin James Jr., streamer IShowSpeed and YouTuber Logan Paul. 4. Logan Paul wants all the smoke Speaking of Paul, he made a dramatic entrance, taking the stage as if entering a boxing ring, and later exchanged words with Gronkowski and Brady. "Logan picked a fight with [Browns star edge] Myles Garrett, and that was the dumbest thing I've ever seen in my life," Brady joked on stage. The WWE star threatened to tackle Brady during the game and challenged any NFL player to a boxing match, saying he would put $1 million on the line. "There is not a single NFL player who can beat me in a boxing match," Paul said. "That is a fact. … If any of these guys want to fight me in my sport on their field this weekend, so be it. I will kick their ass." As Brady said, it's on.

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