NFL Player News

Payton rug pulled fantasy managers yet again when he played Javonte Williams in a lead role after limiting him to just one carry in Week 10. Any thoughts of Audric Estime stepping into the team’s RB1 role can be temporarily shelved, as Payton appears unwilling to commit to any of his three backs as the focal point of their offense. This will make for a sticky situation going forward as the Broncos prepare to face the Raiders in Week 12.

Prince was hired less than a month ago as the Dolphins WR coach but could once again be on the move. Prince spent one season with Moore and the Cowboys (2022) and first joined the NFL ranks in 2004 as an offensive assistant for the Falcons. His last offensive coordinator came at Boise State (2012 to 2013), but most of his work has been as a receivers coach. Prince, along with Eagles’ QB coach Doug Nussmeier, are two early candidates to land the Saints’ OC vacancy, with Nussmeier expected to speak to the team early this week.

Newly-minted head coach Kellen Moore continues to bring in familiar faces. Like former Chargers head coach Brandon Staley, who worked with Moore in 2023, Parker and Moore served on the Eagles’ championship coaching staff this season. Moore has been a defensive backs coach for the last four seasons and was hired as the Eagles’ DB/pass game coordinator last season after previously working with the Broncos from 2021 to 2023. He played a key role in reshaping an Eagles secondary that ranked among the worst in 2023 to one of the best in 2024 and ultimately proved capable of shutting down Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in the Super Bowl. If he’s hired, this would mark the first time in his career that Parker has served as a defensive coordinator.

Tucker has now been accused of misconduct by 16 different therapists across eight different spas. Like the others, these new accusations also include allegations of Tucker exposing himself to therapists, rubbing himself on them, and at times, touching their thighs. All 16 of Tucker’s accusers are women with similar stories. Whether they say it or not, it’s growing increasingly difficult for the Ravens to justify keeping Tucker, 35, around as allegations continue to mount.

Jones also interviewed with the Jaguars and Bears this offseason after serving as the pass game coordinator/defensive backs coach for the Vikings for the previous three seasons. The 2024 version of the Minnesota defense held opponents to 6.5 yards per pass attempt, ranking 11th in the league, while also leading the league with 24 interceptions. Jones was first linked to the Saints on Thursday.

Jones’ contract was set to void this upcoming Monday, but both sides have agreed to allow more time to reach a new deal. Without this contract tweak, Jones’ $3.2 million in dead money would’ve hit Minnesota’s 2025 in full on Monday. Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said last week that he hopes to get Jones back for next season. The 30-year-old running back had a career-high 255 rushing attempts with the Vikings last season and a solid 4.5 yards per attempt. It’s unclear what kind of contract Jones is looking for at this point in his career or how likely the Vikings might be to meet his demands.

DeMeco Ryans recently told reporters that Dell is “on the right track” in his recovery from a season-ending knee injury. We now know the specifics that prompted Ryans’ comment; two of the three injured ligaments have been successfully repaired. Whether Dell returns in time to take snaps in 2025 remains unknown but these are tangible, positive developments for the young receiver.

Kelly has ascended through the ranks of the Broncos, Bears and Raiders’ personnel departments over the last 17 seasons. He briefly held the Raiders’ 2023 interim general manager position but returned to the assistant role for 2024. The Jaguars announced that Kelly’s interview “concludes [their] virtual interviews” and that they “will begin in-person interviews next week.”

Smith’s brief Steelers tenure comes to a close. The team traded for the then-disgruntled Packer in Week 10, when Smith made clear he felt out of sorts in the Packers’ newly installed 4-3 defensive scheme. The 32-year-old pass rusher notched 4.5 NFL sacks in 2024 and can likely still contribute as a rotational player elsewhere in 2025. The move saves the Steelers $27.5 million over the next two seasons.

Sullivan has interviewed with the Jets and Titans while also drawing interest from the Raiders. The Packers’ VP of player personnel is understandably in demand, given his team’s successes in building a talented NFC North contender.

A concussion and knee injury kept Fuller sidelined for multiple games this season and the once-reliable starter is perhaps entering the rotational phase of his career. Fuller should get picked up by another soon enough and can still meaningfully contribute to an NFL secondary.