That’s “at a manageable number.” We suppose stranger things have happened, but as the only available proven starting quarterback under the age of 30, a “manageable number” probably isn’t going to happen on the open market. There’s also the matter of, even if the sides do somehow manage to find the right number, all things being equal, Darnold would probably prefer a situation without J.J. McCarthy breathing down his neck. We still strongly expect Darnold to have signed elsewhere by this time next week.

Schneider also said “everything is in a very cordial, professional place” with the wideout, and that he understands a deal might not come to fruition. “Obviously DK has requested a trade and we are entertaining that,” Schneider continued. “We are talking to a ton of teams, taking offers, seeing what that looks like.’' It’s a level of candor you don’t usually get from an executive regarding a potential trade, making it easier to take Schneider at his word that basically everything is on the table with the star wideout. It would seem both sides prefer a fresh start at this point, and with the free agent receiver market typically weak, Seattle could be able to approach its rumored first- and third-round pick asking price.

Engram is on the wrong side of 30 and finished 2024-25 on injured reserve with a serious shoulder injury, but it’s a bit surprising for a team suddenly running low on depth behind dazzling young gun Brian Thomas Jr. Engram, of course, is only one season removed from catching a whopping 114 passes. The move saves “just” $5.98 million against the cap, leaving behind a sizable dead cap charge of $13.5 million. $6 million is not nothing, however, while new GM James Gladstone recently praised Brenton Strange. The Jags clearly think they are getting out ahead of any potential Engram decline, and are more than fine featuring Strange, who could now offer 2025 TE1 appeal. For his part, Engram rockets to the top of a sorry free agent tight end class. He will probably find a new home before the “legal tampering” period even begins on Monday. Cut players are free to sign immediately.

Lombardi points out the fact that Aiyuk’s contract has a $20 million guarantee that kicks in April 1, that would give the Niners some time to deal the star receiver if they desired to do so. The main issue in trading Aiyuk is his uncertain timeline to return in 2025 after his Week 7 ACL tear. It’s hard to imagine any team wanting to take on Aiyuk given his injury and the money still remaining on his deal. While Lombardi doesn’t think a deal is unlikely, he did point out that the 49ers are not giving “a firm no” to teams who may inquire about a trade.

A day after learning he would be released, Kirk now has a new home in Houston. The wide receiver-needy Texans gave up virtually nothing to acquire the veteran slot receiver. Kirk is on the final year of a four-year, $72 million deal he signed in 2022, and will slot in as Houston’s No. 2 receiver behind Nico Collins. Kirk’s last two seasons have been plagued with injuries, as he has played just 20 games and ended each year on injured reserve. Kirk has played over 75 percent of his snaps from the slot since 2021 and will likely play a similar role for the Texans next season. While he should make for a solid addition, the Texans would still benefit from adding another outside receiver this offseason.

With Hendrickson now permitted to seek a trade, we would expect to hear several more teams are interested in the star pass rusher’s services. The Commanders finished 11th last season with 43 sacks, but Dante Fowler was the only edge player they had with more than five. The Falcons managed only 31 sacks on the season, the second-lowest total of any team in the league. The Commanders have ample cap space to trade for Hendrickson and sign him to a new deal if they desire to do so, while the Falcons have some work to do just to be in compliance with the cap space for this upcoming season. Hendrickson will likely be eyeing a new deal from whatever team deals for him.

It’s the second time the Browns have restructured Watson’s deal since December. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Browns will owe Watson a minimum salary in 2025 and $46 million in 2026, which would satisfy the remaining money on his deal. Watson ruptured his Achilles in Week 7 of last season and ruptured it again in January while rehabbing. It seems increasingly unlikely that Watson will ever play again for the Browns after a disastrous first three seasons, as the team appears more than ready to move on from him.

According to Russini, the Bengals continue to tell teams that Higgins is unavailable, as they continue to seek a long-term deal with the sixth-year receiver. Higgins is unlikely to get his new deal until Ja’Marr Chase signs his extension, as Chase’s extension is expected to reset the market for non-QBs following his 127-1,708-17 season. Higgins would have been the most sought after player on the free agent market had the Bengals not opted to tag him. It’s not too surprising to hear teams are still trying their hand at acquiring him even after the Bengals announced their plans to tag and extend him this offseason.

The Seahawks will reportedly seek out trade partners for Metcalf, who requested a trade on Wednesday. The 27-year-old receiver should have a strong market, but whether or not teams will be willing to deal a first and third rounder for a player on an expiring contract is to-be-determined. Metcalf, who is hoping to earn $30 million per year on his next contract, will almost certainly be seeking a new deal wherever he lands. He is one of the best available receivers after the Bengals franchise tagged Tee Higgins and continue to tell teams he is unavailable for a trade. Metcalf was loosely rumored to be on the Packers’ radar during the NFL Scouting Combine, but those rumors were debunked soon after they surfaced. With free agency set to kick off next week, it will be interesting to see who could surface as suitors for Metcalf once other players come off the market.

Letting go of Bosa gives the Chargers $25.36 million in cap space; he had a $12.36 million roster bonus due next week. The 29-year-old has been with the Chargers since he was drafted with the third overall pick in 2016. He won Defensive Rookie of the Year and made five Pro Bowls over nine seasons in Los Angeles. With 72 career sacks, Bosa has been a force when healthy but has played in just 28 games over the last three seasons. Injuries have dampened Bosa’s impact as he posted a 63.9 overall PFF grade last season, No. 90 out of 211 edge rushers. General manager Joe Hortiz now has over $90 million in cap space to work with this offseason. Meanwhile, Bosa will go down as an all-time Charger but is now looking for a new team for the first time in his career.