NFL

The NFLPA report card, which included responses from nearly 1,700 active NFL players, had Johnson as the only owner to get a failing grade. Patriots owner Robert Kraft, Cardinals owner Michael Bidwell, and Panthers owner David Tepper were the only owners to get a D on the NFLPA’s report card. Johnson received a B- grade in 2023. “Rather than addressing concerns, players believed that management responded to feedback by making conditions worse,” the report said about Johnson and the Jets higher ups. It’s hardly a surprise that Johnson would get such low marks after another failed season, his commitment to Aaron Rodgers, and reports that Johnson’s children had made roster decisions based on Madden ratings. Johnson, who reportedly took control over the Jets front office midway through the catastrophic 2024 season, would do well to step aside and let head head coach Aaron Glenn take charge of the organization.

Like most highly-touted draft prospects, Warren won’t do any work at the Combine after his stellar career at Penn State, including a final collegiate season that should make him a top-20 pick in the draft. Warren went for 1,228 yards and eight touchdowns on a whopping 104 receptions in 2024. Bowling Green’s Harold Fannin was the only tight end in the nation with more catches and receiving yards than Warren last year. A massive middle-of-the-field target, Warren has been connected to the Colts, who have the 14th overall selection.

“That’s the sentiment shared by most,” said Hughes, who covers the Giants, a team linked to Stafford as the veteran QB tests the trade market. “This permission the Rams granted him to talk to others? It’s likely nothing more than a means to figure out his value. He and L.A. will agree to a new deal once he does.” Hughes said the likelihood that Stafford stays put this offseason shouldn’t stop the Giants front office from pursuing him as a stopgap measure after the team’s disastrous Daniel Jones experiment fizzled out in 2024. Tom Brady and the Raiders are also reportedly interested in trading for Stafford in the coming weeks or months, likely ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Bonsignore adds that Raiders minority owner Tom Brady has “been in contact with Stafford’s camp” to see if the Rams quarterback would come to Las Vegas. Stafford has wanted more guaranteed money with two years left on his contract with the Rams, but they have stood pat. The contract tension has generated trade interest in Stafford, with the 37-year-old now being pursued by Brady and the Raiders. Equipped with a new head coach and general manager, the Raiders are in the market for a quarterback to upgrade the group of Gardner Minshew, Aidan O’Connell, and Desmond Ridder from last season. Stafford has now emerged as a possibility to lead a team that won just four games in 2024.

At the NFL Combine, Gutekunst was asked about Alexander’s status after a rocky season. Alexander played in just seven games last season and has dealt with several injuries over the past two years. The Packers would save $6.8 million in cap space by parting ways. Gutekunst expressed that the team has yet to make a decision and the defense would be better with Alexander; both sides have been frustrated over his injury issues. A change of scenery for Alexander remains a strong possibility, allowing the Packers to save money amid a seemingly strained relationship.

When asked about the conversations around the No. 1 pick and trading it, new general manager Mike Borgonzi said the Titans are not “anywhere near making a decision if we’re going to stay put and make the pick or trade out.” The Titans will have a decision to make on whether or not they should make a pick at No. 1 or trade out. A quarterback is a need, but in a weaker class, Tennessee could look to pick another top prospect - like Penn State’s EDGE Abdul Carter - or trade out for a haul. Either way, the Titans’ new general manager has an important choice to make over the next couple months.

The veteran quarterback carousel continues to churn. The 41-year-old Rodgers reportedly prefers to head to Los Angeles to play for the Rams and wants to pair up with Davante Adams once again. It would be the third team Rodgers and Adams would play together on, after a successful stint on the Packers and a short, unsuccessful stint with the Jets. The Rams would only consider bringing in Rodgers if they deal the incumbent Matthew Stafford, who has been heavily rumored to move on. One potential scenario is a Stafford trade to the Giants while Rodgers and Adams head to the Rams for one more hurrah.

Griese got a request to interview for the Jets head coaching vacancy earlier this year, and had an interview with the Saints for their offensive coordinator position in 2024. He likely has enough connections to find a new NFL coaching gig if he wants it, but the Athletic’s Matt Barrows reports Griese is stepping away from coaching. We’ll see if the 49-year-old former quarterback returns to coach again, but he is prioritizing life outside of football for now.

Lombardi was swept away with the Josh McDaniels sands in Las Vegas and worked as a senior offensive assistant for the 49ers last season. He’ll replace Brian Griese as the 49ers elevate Lombardi in-house. Lombardi spent four years as an assistant with the 49ers from 2013-2016 before setting out on his own with the Jets, and, later, riding the McDaniels train from New England to the Raiders. This is only the second time he’s had an unquestioned position coach role — he was New England’s wideouts coach in 2020 and 2021.

“Obviously we have a plan there. In the next few weeks we’ll address that issue,” Mougey continued. He may be on the team now, but it sure doesn’t look like the Jets plan to keep him on the team much longer. The Jets could be letting Adams find a trade partner to recoup some value from the 32-year-old, but otherwise it seems likely that he’ll get walking papers from the Jets despite a 85/1,063/8 receiving line in 14 games in 2024. Adams is not the same player he was four years ago, but he hasn’t lost enough steps to fall out of the No. 1 wideout conversation for most of the league just yet. He’s been rumored to want to go join a West Coast team.