NFL Player News

Johnson has played a key role in C.J. Stroud’s growth and development and could soon be the replacement for the now-departed Bobby Slowik. Johnson broke into coaching with the Colts back in 2020 as an offensive quality control coach and went on to work as the Vikings’ assistant QB coach in 2022. He joined the Texans as part of head coach DeMeco Ryans’ staff in 2023 and is now “regarded as a top internal candidate” to win the OC job, per Wilson. Johnson is also expected to speak with Aaron Glenn and the Jets in the coming days. Johnson interviewed with six different teams about their offensive coordinator vacancies last offseason and could once again be in high demand as other teams begin to fill out their staffs.

Scott drew interest from other teams, according to Mike Kaye of the Charlotte Observer. The 29-year-old is a depth safety and considered a special teams ace. With only two other safeties on the roster, it made plenty of sense for Carolina to bring him back. It’s the second consecutive offseason the Panthers have given Scott a one-year contract.

Pascal, who turned 30 in December, faded into obscurity over the last three seasons with the Eagles and Cardinals. He had back-to-back seasons with at least 600 yards receiving in 2019 and 2020 with the Colts, but has less than 600 yards receiving over the last four seasons combined. It’s unlikely the Giants are bringing Pascal in for a fantasy-relevant role in 2025. He’ll merely bolster New York’s wide receiver room as a veteran depth piece.

It’s a one-year, $3 million contract with incentives that can reach up to $4.5 million, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. A former fifth-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings, Conklin spent the last three years with the Jets. The 29-year-old tight end had career-highs in both catches (61) and yards (621) in 2023, when Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles in Week 1. Conklin’s situation has certainly improved with the move to the Chargers, where he’s ostensibly the top receiving tight end and a borderline TE1 in fantasy. Los Angeles could still opt to draft a tight end, though, and coach Jim Harbaugh is linked to top prospect Colston Loveland from their time at the University of Michigan.

“Talks are ongoing and nothing is imminent as of right now,” Schultz added. 36-year-old Tannehill surprisingly spent 2024 out of the league after his Titans contract expired. It was reported in September it would take the “perfect opportunity” for him to sign somewhere, and Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reported Friday evening that remains the case. The Vikings appear serious about adding a veteran mentor for J.J. McCarthy, and Tannehill would be a far better option than Aaron Rodgers in that regard. Rodgers, of course, is probably still better at football. The odds seem high Tannehill has probably played his final down.

The Browns needed some experienced linebacker depth and have found it in the form of 28-year-old Baker. A 2018 third-round pick of the Dolphins, 2024 was Baker’s first season outside Miami. He ended up making five appearances for each of the Seahawks and Titans, arriving in Nashville via an October trade. He’s essentially a warm body, but signing in March as opposed to April or May boosts his 53-man roster odds.

Although the Giants are undoubtedly tired of waiting on fellow free agent Aaron Rodgers, this hardly precludes his signing. Winston’s deal is modest even for a backup, especially one with his box scores and experience. He’s a seat warmer/emergency option for a team that had only Tommy DeVito under contract at the most important position. The question now becomes if he will be a clipboard holder or bridge option. It will be the former if Rodgers comes board. The latter if the G-Men take a Day 1 rookie QB. Our money is on the latter, as it’s unlikely the Giants would want a quarterback room with a pair of players on the wrong side of 30. Now 31, Winston proved last season he’s an old dog who won’t be learning any tricks. He slings it all over the yard, interceptions and all. He’s an “any given Sunday” No. 2 option, but a poor bet as a multi-month starter.

Cooks re-joins the franchise that made him the No. 20 overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. Now 31, Cooks isn’t the explosive player he once was, and he’s coming off a season in which he posted career lows in catches (26), receiving yards (259), and YPR (10.0). Granted, he was limited to just 10 games last season, but it’s no secret that Cooks is on the back nine of his career. With Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed presumably locked in as the Saints’ top two receivers, Cooks’ role should be that of a WR3/WR4 in Kellen Moore’s offense next season. Outside of a dart throw in deeper leagues, it’s hard to imagine Cooks having much fantasy utility at this stage of his career.

Maddox was a fourth-round pick of the Eagles back in 2018 and has spent his entire seven-year career with the team. Playing primarily as a backup, Maddox has started 41 of the 81 games he’s appeared in during his career and has played on 345-plus defensive snaps in every season outside of an injury-shortened 2023. Maddox has played primarily as a slot corner when asked to play in coverage and will likely play a similar role with the Lions.

Unless he’s personally inviting Arthur Smith on a darkness retreat, an impending deal is the next most logical guess. If Rodgers wants to play for a contender next season, it doesn’t take much to realize the Steelers are the best option as things stand right now. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported after Dulac’s initial report that “no deal at this time is close,” while noting that Rodgers did meet with the coaching staff. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero also reports Rodgers is “seriously considering playing his 21st season in Pittsburgh.” With several reports flying around and nothing appearing guaranteed at this point, it goes without saying that this is a wait-and-see situation. As usual.

Humphrey is a six-year pro who has spent all but one of his professional seasons with Sean Payton. Now, the former UDFA will leave the comfort of Payton for Big Blue in hopes of securing a meaningful role in an offense that is short on receiver talent behind Malik Nabers and Wan’Dale Robinson. Humphrey posted career highs in receptions (31) and receiving yards (293) last season while also running the most routes (290) of his career. He’ll likely settle in as depth at wideout if he makes the roster. This signing doesn’t move the fantasy needle in any way.