Lockett is in the final year of a four-year extension he signed back in April 2021. The 32-year-old vet has taken a back seat to both DK Metcalf and second-year receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba this season and only has 47 receptions for 572 yards and two touchdowns to his name. By the time the Seahawks’ season concludes in Week 18 against the Rams, Lockett will have had his worst statistical season since 2017, and will have gone under 100 targets for the first time since 2018. Far from the player he once was, Lockett won’t turn 33 until September, and could still bring reliable hands along with a veteran presence to any team in need of help on the outside. Whether or not he returns to the Seahawks will be decided after the season but there’s a chance Sunday’s game against the Rams may be his last in his 10 year career with the Seahawks.

A loss would secure the No. 1 overall pick for the Patriots in the 2025 NFL Draft, but Van Pelt added at Thursday’s presser that they are “playing the game to win the game.” The Patriots could very well escape with a win at home, as the Bills are expected to sit most of their starters with the division already won and their playoff spot secured. Maye is dealing with a hand injury and was listed as limited in Wednesday’s practice, but this appears to be a minor issue.

The Browns will have Deshaun Watson under contract next season, but the belief is he’ll “never play a meaningful down” for the team ever again. The Browns could kick the tires on a rookie signal-caller next season, but according to a source who spoke with Fowler, any quarterback “with starter’s talent” will be looked at — including guys like Kirk Cousins and Sam Darnold, unsurprisingly. They also won’t rule out bringing back Jameis Winston, who threw for 2121-13-12 in the 12 games he appeared in this season. Quarterback is one of several needs the Browns will need to address this offseason, but it’s arguably their biggest. According to Over the Cap, the Browns are roughly $17 million over the cap, but they’ll push some numbers around to get under the cap before free agency. It’s sure to be an interesting offseason in Cleveland, with potential staff changes also incoming after they conclude their season on Saturday against the Ravens.

In an article published by ESPN’s Rich Cimini, Rodgers joked that he wouldn’t need to go on a darkness retreat before deciding on his NFL future, but Cimini reports that it “sounded as if he’s thinking hard about retirement.” When asked about his future with the Jets, Rodgers said he’s “just more resigned to the reality of the situation,” while acknowledging he thinks a lot of change will be coming to the Jets this offseason. Rodgers and the Jets are a near lock to part ways this offseason, even if he does opt to return for another season. Set to start in the Jets’ season finale against the Dolphins, Week 18 may very well be the last game Rodgers plays as a pro. He needs just one more touchdown pass to become the fifth player in league history to achieve 500-plus passing touchdowns in their career.

The Chargers have been generous with their maintenance this year, but a DNP to open the week still has our eyebrows raised. The Chargers can move up the seeding order with a win and a Pittsburgh loss on Sunday, though they have long since been eliminated from hosting a game in the Wild Card Round. That could be enough of a reason for them to sit McConkey this week. With Josh Palmer also on the injury report, this is a situation to monitor throughout the week.

Spears suffered the concussion late in Tennessee’s Week 17 loss to the Jags. Head coach Brian Callahan initially said he would not play in Week 18 but has since been less defensive. Still, our bet is on him sitting for a meaningless affair with the Texans. Tony Pollard could return from his ankle injury to a workhorse role this week. If he is also out, Julius Chestnut is the next man up.

Richardson has been dealing with back spasms for years. Per the quarterback himself, they rendered him unable to walk or stand at some points last week. While things are obviously not bad this week if he hasn’t been ruled out yet, a DNP on Wednesday speaks for itself. Joe Flacco is on track to start for the Colts’ season finale versus the Jaguars. The soon-to-be 40-year-old will be a volume-based QB2 for a great matchup with a dreadful Jacksonville defense.

The Cardinals placed Conner on injured reserve shortly after ruling him out on Wednesday. Michael Carter was signed to the active roster in a corresponding move. Conner entered Week 17 with a knee issue and didn’t make it far before being shut down. He re-aggravated the injury after four carries and did not return. His season comes to a close with 236 carries for 1,094 yards and eight touchdowns. While it was another strong season for the veteran, he went from averaging 80 rushing yards per game in 2023 to 68 this year. On the other hand, Conner more than made up for the slight downturn in rushing production with 47 receptions for 414 yards and a touchdown through the air, dwarfing his 2023 receiving numbers. Late-season injury aside, Conner showed no signs of slowing in his age-29 season and even earned a two-year contract extension mid-season. He could cede more work to Trey Benson next year, but Conner is still firmly in the RB2 mix heading into 2025.

Jimmy Garoppolo will start. With nothing but a minor change to their playoff seed to play for, the Rams will give their big names the week off. Expect Puka Nacua, Cooper Kupp, and Kyren Williams to rest as well. If the Bucs win and the Rams’ backups fail to pull off the upset this week, LA will face the loser of the Lions/Vikings showdown.