NFL Player News

A sixth-round pick by the Browns in 2009, Francies saw action in eight games over two seasons before falling out of the league last year.

Doing a hit on NFL Live, Fowler said the Cowboys may not get a young backup quarterback with upside in the draft, so they might be interested in pursuing a trade. This is exactly how the Cowboys found themselves in the Trey Lance business, and with only Will Grier behind Dak Prescott after Cooper Rush joined the Ravens, the need is certainly there for Dallas. Milton has been the subject of trade rumors all offseason after his fabulous Week 18 game where he led the Patriots out of the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. With three years of team control left, the Patriots probably are in no rush to deal Milton unless they can get a Day 2 pick out of it.

Nacua said on a recent podcast appearance that he might call it quits after another six or seven seasons in the NFL. “I’m 23 right now, I’m going into year three – it wouldn’t even be 10 years. It’d be maybe seven or eight,” said Nacua, who has had one of the most productive starts a career in NFL history. “I think of Aaron Donald, to go out at the top, I think it would be super cool. But also, I want to have a big family.” Nacua said he wants to avoid a long career full of injuries that could wear on him into his 30s after during his post-NFL life. “By the time my kids could be 18, I could be barely walking if you play the game and sustain all the injuries and stuff like that, but I want to retire early,” he said. Nacua since entering the league in 2023 has sustained injuries to his foot, both ankles, knee, chest, hamstring, shoulder, and brain. His playing style might not be conducive to a lengthy career.

“I’m feeling very good about it,” Licht told a Tampa Bay radio station. “He’s where he’s supposed to be. We’re not going to try to set any records for the fastest rehab because we want to make sure everything’s done right and just get him out there for the regular season. Right now, we’re taking it week by week. I’ve said this time and time before, but I would never bet against Chris.” Godwin dislocated his ankle in Week 7 of last season. It wouldn’t be ridiculous if he were ready for the regular season this year, but he’ll likely still be ramping up in training camp at the very least. It will be a situation to monitor for fantasy drafts as a delayed Godwin start could get Jalen McMillan and Mike Evans more involved with the offense early. We wouldn’t make too much of how optimistic Licht sounds as this prime lying about injuries season, but we’d bet Godwin has a solid chance to be ready for Week 1.

It certainly paints a picture of where Pete Carroll and John Spytek think of the quarterback room they inherited. The rookie would be expected to “learn from [Geno] Smith.” The Raiders probably are out of the first-round quarterback sweepstakes after acquiring Smith. But it does sound like they realize that Geno — entering his age-35 season — is only a short-term solution and are acting to make sure they have a backup plan in place that they believe in.

He’ll join Julian Blackmon on the safety tryout circuit in Carolina. Williams was released by the Ravens in a move that had been expected for months. This is the first known outside interest we’ve seen for him. Entering his age-29 season, the safety has a long track record of NFL success but posted a dreadful 37.3 PFF coverage grade in 601 defensive snaps last year before the Ravens moved him out of the lineup in Week 11.

Rodgers met with the Steelers on Friday in a meeting that flew largely under the radar prior to his arrival at the team’s facilities. NBC’s Mike Florio reported shortly after the meeting that it’s a “safe bet” that Rodgers will eventually sign with the Steelers, but it doesn’t sound like Rodgers is in a rush to put pen to paper. The 41-year-old has had a limited market since news of his impending release from the Jets surfaced, but the Steelers are the only team that is simultaneously viewed as contenders who would be willing to let him start for them in 2025. Unless an unexpected team emerges as a suitor, Rodgers joining the Steelers sounds more like a matter of when than if.

Elliss will remain with the Patriots after the team opted to match the Raiders’ offer to the restricted free agent. Elliss was a key member of the Patriots’ defense last season, starting in five of the 16 games he appeared in while racking up 80 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and five pass breakups. He also forced one fumble and picked off one pass. It was the best season of Elliss’ four-year career. He should have plenty of opportunities to contribute to Mike Vrabel’s new-look defense next season.

Pennel totaled 25 tackles and three sacks for the Chiefs last season while appearing in all 17 games. The 11-year vet also tied a career-high with seven starts, turning in one of the best seasons of his career to date. Pennel will likely be tasked with reprising a similar role to what we saw last season, but after averaging nearly 18 snaps per game, he should see plenty of time on the field.

Cousins wants to avoid the situation he found himself in last season. Less than two months after signing a four-year, $180 million deal with the Falcons last year, Cousins watched as the Falcons surprisingly went out and drafted Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 overall pick in the draft. The selection of Penix immediately put pressure on Cousins to perform well to remain as the team’s starter, but by Week 16, Penix was named the starter while Cousins quickly became the highest-paid backup in the league. The Falcons have appeared more than willing to keep Cousins on the roster for the upcoming season, but a trade would benefit all sides, as it would give Cousins a chance to play and the Falcons a chance to pick up some assets in return. With the draft concluding on April 26th, it’s possible we’ll know Cousins’ new landing spot come May.

It’s possible this spells the end for 40-year-old Nick Folk, who has spent the last two seasons with the Titans. Slye kicked last season for the Patriots, converting on 26-of-33 attempts while going 6-for-9 on distances of 50 or more yards. He hit a career-long 63-yard field goal in last season’s Week 4 game against the 49ers. Slye is a career 81.7 percent field goal kicker, and could have the inside edge to win whatever kicker competition comes his way once training camp starts up.