Bill Parcells had a famous piece of advice for NFL general managers and coaches regarding finding a quarterback: “Don’t go to the grocery store hungry.” Right now, some teams are absolutely starving. Just how desperate might they get? We’re about to find out over the next few weeks.
At the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Starbucks wasn’t the only place rife with intrigue, and the buzz went beyond just quarterbacks. As the NFL gears up for its version of March Madness, otherwise knows as free agency, here’s what I’m hearing around the league:
• The Matthew Stafford aftermath for the Rams, Giants, Raiders — and Aaron Rodgers
• The Myles Garrett market, including how the defending champs could get involved
• The Titans’ options with the No. 1 pick
• The Bengals’ desire to keep their three stars in Cincinnati for the long haul
• Big changes coming to Brock Purdy’s supporting cast?
• The Kirk Cousins situation in Atlanta
• Officiating tweaks — on the field and in the booth
The breakup that wasn’t
Matthew Stafford and the Rams’ potential breakup dominated conversations in league circles at the combine, though it was hard to find anyone who believed they would actually divorce.
After gauging his value on the open market, two suitors emerged for the Rams star: The Giants and Raiders were willing to pay Stafford $90 to $100 million guaranteed on two-year pacts. Stafford met with coach Sean McVay on Friday at the Rams’ facility — ultimately, quarterback and team decided to stay together. Throughout this process, Stafford and Sean McVay’s relationship remained positive and open.
Had the Rams dealt Stafford, Jimmy Garoppolo and Aaron Rodgers would have been potential options to replace him. With L.A. off the board, openings that would offer the 41-year-old Rodgers a chance to win now are dwindling.
The Giants and Raiders will also be forced to pivot. Las Vegas is interested in Sam Darnold and Russell Wilson.
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Myles Garrett’s potential path to Philly
The pass rusher market will be one to monitor. Garrett has publicly requested a trade from Cleveland, while Maxx Crosby, Trey Hendrickson, T.J. Watt and Micah Parsons are all eyeing fresh deals.
Seventeen of the top 20 highest AAV contracts in the league belong to quarterbacks; wide receiver Justin Jefferson, pass rusher Nick Bosa and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb hold the other three spots. Don’t be surprised to see shuffling as those premier sack artists cash in — with their current teams or elsewhere.
On Garrett, the Browns have remained consistent since his trade request went public six days before the Super Bowl: They are not listening to offers. If the Browns change their minds, I expect movement to happen as the draft nears and Cleveland GM Andrew Berry has to make tough roster decisions.
I’m told the Philadelphia Eagles’ interest in Garrett is real. As fearsome as Philly’s defense was in the Super Bowl, imagine adding the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year?
“Garrett could be this year’s version of Saquon Barkley for Howie [Roseman],” one NFL GM said. “He’s an impact add and isn’t a free-agent overpay. Howie’s not afraid to try stuff, and it fits where they are as a team.”
How would the Eagles come up with room to fit Garrett? By letting some key members of their Super Bowl-winning group walk. Linebacker Zack Baun was a free-agent gem Roseman found last offseason, but he is now poised to cash in. Baun, edge rusher Josh Sweat, DT Milton Williams and guard Mekhi Becton headline Philly’s free agent class, and bringing all or even some of them back could prove challenging, especially if Garrett enters the picture — and you can be certain Roseman will have Philly in the conversation for Garrett.
Eyeing the No. 1 pick
The combine might be close to wrapping, but don’t expect new Titans GM Mike Borgonzi’s phone to quiet down anytime soon.
Tennessee owns the No. 1 pick in April’s draft, and there has been interest from teams wanting to move into the top overall slot. League sources tell me the Giants have been a team to watch on multiple fronts as they try to find an answer under center (and have now struck out on Stafford). One avenue for New York could be to trade up to ensure they secure a QB who can lessen the heat on coach Brian Daboll and GM Joe Schoen. But will they have to outbid others to do it?
Another QB option: Aaron Rodgers. The Giants have spoken to Rodgers’ reps about potentially coming to (or, really, staying in) New York.
The Bengals believe they’ll be able to pay both wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase (left) and Tee Higgins this offseason, as well as star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson. (Jason Mowry / Getty Images)
The Bengals’ plan: pay everyone
The Bengals have made it clear — they want to get deals done with their stars. But the question I kept hearing from NFL execs at the combine: How are they going to pay all three of their guys?
Wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, as well as pass rusher Trey Hendrickson are all due big paydays, and it seems something’s got to give.
With the possibility of the franchise tag being placed on Tee Higgins, I was told Bengals decision-makers are stressing the need to get a long-term deal done with 26-year-old. The organization has not informed Higgins’ side about whether he will be tagged before Tuesday’s deadline.
Meanwhile, Chase is expected to reset the non-QB market. An offer has been made by Cincinnati, but the two sides remain far apart in talks for now. If the Bengals can’t get deals done with all three, Hendrickson is most likely to be the odd man out.
Kelce returns; Trey Smith tagged
Travis Kelce isn’t walking off into the sunset yet. Kelce announced his intention to return for a 13th season as the Chiefs look to become just the second team ever to appear in four straight Super Bowls.
Elsewhere in Kansas City, GM Brett Veach and company are expected to address the team’s offensive line this offseason. They continue to work to bring back guard Trey Smith on a new deal after placing the franchise tag on him Thursday. They could be in the market to add a veteran running back, as well.
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Deebo on the move, and maybe Aiyuk, too
As the 49ers continue to navigate a looming Brock Purdy extension and an aging roster, I’m told teams have expressed interest in trading for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.
Aiyuk, 26, inked a four-year, $120 million extension with San Francisco last offseason after an extended standoff. He appeared in just seven games in 2024 before tearing his ACL and MCL in October.
Niners GM John Lynch said the team planned to honor wide receiver Deebo Samuel’s request to start fresh in a new spot. Washington — armed with cap space and looking to improve in Jayden Daniels’ second season — could provide a landing spot. Samuel is interested in playing for the Broncos and Texans, but neither team is expected to make an offer.
The Falcons insist they’ll keep quarterback Kirk Cousins as Michael Penix Jr.’s backup, but other teams around the NFL aren’t so sure. (Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)
Waiting out Cousins
At the combine, Falcons brass reiterated what they said in January: The team is comfortable moving forward with Kirk Cousins as its backup QB.
“Michael Penix is our quarterback, and Michael Penix will continue to be our quarterback,” coach Raheem Morris said when asked about Cousins’ chances of retaking the starting job.
Cousins will earn a $10 million bonus if he is on the Falcons’ roster after March 17, and carries a $40 million cap hit. Other teams have been watching the Cousins situation, but Atlanta has remained firm that they intend to keep him.
If the Falcons ultimately decide to eat the dead cap and move on from Cousins after one season, he would be free to pursue a Russell Wilson-type path, signing a minimum contract with a team he feels is best suited for him while still being paid by Atlanta.
Replay assist could expand — to a point
A move away from the chain gang isn’t the only change that could be coming to officiating in 2025. The NFL’s competition committee is considering expanding replay assist to cover more penalties, including personal fouls, unnecessary roughness, facemasks, hits on defenseless receivers and low blocks. The idea is to give officials more support in getting these critical calls correct without slowing down the game.
However, there’s a clear line they don’t want to cross: New York, or the replay system, won’t be throwing the flags. The league wants to avoid a situation where replay officials are essentially reffing the game from a booth. Instead, the focus is on helping on-field officials quickly correct obvious mistakes without overstepping their authority.
It’s a tricky balance, but with so many game-changing penalties, it’s no surprise the committee is taking a hard look at how to improve officiating without overhauling the system completely.
As for all things “tush push”/”Brotherly Shove,” as I reported on Monday, the Green Bay Packers were the team that proposed banning the Eagles’ take on the QB sneak. It would take 24 of 32 votes at the upcoming owners’ meetings to get it done — don’t expect that to happen.
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What the NFLPA survey means
How does the NFL react to the NFLPA’s annual player survey release? I asked my “Scoop City” podcast co-host Chase Daniel, who says that despite the survey tweaking some owners who receive poor marks in various aspects of their organizations, the real purpose is to empower players — particularly pending free agents. An NFLPA rep for nine years, Chase was part of the group that created the survey, so players could make informed decisions about how potential new teams care for them and their families.
“It’s actually worked to be able to get, 1) players in the right spot, but 2) hold teams accountable, because in the past, no one really knew this.”
(Top photo: Tim Nwachukwu / Getty Images)
