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The Atlanta Falcons will not tender restricted free-agent cornerback Dee Alford, meaning he will hit the open free-agent market when it begins on March 12. Alford joined the Falcons in 2022 after two seasons with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League and has played in 48 games with the organization. Overall, the 27-year-old has racked up 104 solo tackles, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, one interception, and 24 passes defended. Alford should draw interest on the open market in a league that requires defensive-back depth.

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The Tennessee Titans hired Mike McCoy as a senior offensive assistant, completing the team's staff for the 2025 season. McCoy began his NFL coaching career in 2000 as an offensive assistant with the Carolina Panthers and has held roles as the offensive coordinator for two organizations. He was the head coach of the San Diego Chargers from 2013 to 2016, compiling a 27-37 record with one playoff appearance. The 52-year-old spent the last three seasons as Trevor Lawrence's quarterback coach with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He'll now be tasked with working with young head coach Brian Callahan and whoever emerges as the starting QB in Tennessee.

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Minnesota Vikings safety Theo Jackson signed a two-year, $12.6 million contract extension to remain with the organization through 2027, according to NFL.com. Jackson was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of the University of Tennessee but did not make the active roster and landed with the Vikings to begin his career. In three seasons with Minnesota, he has racked up 47 total tackles (29 solo), two interceptions, and four pass deflections in 43 games. Jackson has special teams ability and is a valuable depth piece in Minnesota's secondary led by Brian Flores.

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The Chicago Bears signed former Miami Dolphins tight end Durham Smythe to a one-year deal on Thursday, according to NFL.com. The former fourth-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame has played his entire seven-year career with Miami but was released this offseason. Overall, the 28-year-old has hauled in 132 receptions for 1,228 yards and three touchdowns in 112 career games. Smythe is best utilized as a blocker, and with Chicago trading for former Los Angeles Rams offensive lineman Jonah Jackson and former Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Joe Thuney, it's evident they want to improve quickly in run and pass blocking. Smythe could help Chicago's offense in 2025 under new head coach Ben Johnson, but he's unlikely to be on the fantasy football radar.

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The Washington Commanders re-signed kicker Zane Gonzalez to an undisclosed deal on Thursday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Gonzalez took over for an injured Austin Seibert (hip) before Week 13 last season and finished the year (including three playoff games) by making 12 of his 15 field-goal attempts and all 27 of his extra-point tries in nine games. That was enough to convince the Commanders that the 29-year-old deserves a shot to open the 2025 season as their primary placekicker. Gonzalez was returning to the NFL in 2024 for the first time since he kicked in 12 games for the Carolina Panthers back in 2021. Washington is one of the better up-and-coming offenses in the NFL after quarterback Jayden Daniels led them to the NFC Championship in his rookie season, so at the very least, Gonzalez will be a fantasy streaming option to open next season.

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The Pittsburgh Steelers and linebacker Cole Holcomb (knee) agreed to a revised contract on Thursday that will clear $4 million in salary cap space in 2025, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Holcomb suffered a season-ending dislocated knee on Nov. 2 of 2023 and didn't play at all last year, but he's considered fully healthy now and is expected to play in 2025. Before the contract restructure, the 28-year-old was set to count $7.6 million against this year's cap. In his first year with the Steelers in 2023 before suffering his serious knee injury, he had 54 tackles (31 solo), two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in eight starts. Holcomb's last full season came in 2021 with the Washington Commanders, when he recorded a career-high 142 tackles (83 solo), a sack, two interceptions (one returned for a TD), seven pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 16 regular-season starts.

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The Los Angeles Rams are signing wide receiver Tutu Atwell to a one-year, $10 million fully guaranteed contract. The 2021 second-round pick out of Louisville was set to be a free agent with his rookie deal expiring, but he'll remain with the organization for at least one more season. Atwell has hauled in 99 receptions for 1,343 yards and four touchdowns in 54 career games. The speedster posted career highs in receptions (42) and receiving yards (562) in 2024. With Cooper Kupp likely to be traded, the organization keeps one of its depth wideouts to play behind Puka Nacua and whoever the team brings in this offseason. While Atwell is not a target hog or high-end producer, he stretches the field for Sean McVay's passing offense and could see an increased role in 2025.

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The Athletic's Dianna Russini reports that multiple NFL teams have contacted the Cincinnati Bengals about the availability of wide receiver Tee Higgins after the Bengals placed the franchise tag on him on Monday, according to sources. Those teams have been told that Higgins remains unavailable as the Bengals work on giving him a long-term deal. Had the 26-year-old been allowed to reach the free-agent market next week, he would have been the top pass-catcher on the open market. But instead, it looks like the Bengals are going to keep him, at least for the 2025 season. If Cincy doesn't change their stance if contract talks break down, Chris Godwin would be the best free-agent wideout this offseason. Despite playing in only 12 regular-season games in 2024 due to injury, Higgins was the WR17 in half-PPR scoring with 73 receptions, 911 yards and 10 touchdowns. He'll be a strong WR2 if he stays in Cincy.

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New York Giants exclusive-rights free-agent quarterback Tommy DeVito will sign his tender at some point this weekend, sources tell The Bergen Record's Art Stapleton. DeVito will be the only current QB on the Giants' roster with free agency kicking off next week. DeVito has played in 12 games, including eight starts, for the G-Men the last two seasons, but he's expected to continue in a depth role in 2025. The Giants swung and missed in their attempt to trade for Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford last week, but they are fully expected to sign or trade for a veteran signal-caller while also drafting a young QB in this year's draft. Reports suggest that they could be one of the most aggressive teams in trying to trade up for the No. 1 overall pick this year. The 26-year-old DeVito went 31-for-44 for 257 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions in his three games (two starts) in 2024.

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The Cleveland Browns converted $44.75 million of Deshaun Watson's (Achilles) 2025 salary into a signing bonus, creating $35.8 million of cap space. The team has already reworked Watson's contract in the past but is continuing to make moves to make it less of a financial burden in the future. Watson signed a five-year, $230 million contract with Cleveland ahead of the 2022 campaign but, it's been a disastrous tenure for the former Houston Texans first-round pick. Watson has compiled a 9-10 record across three seasons behind 19 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions. The 29-year-old's 2023 season ended with a major shoulder injury, and his 2024 season was cut short after suffering a torn Achilles. Since his in-game Achilles tear, he has suffered another Achilles setback. Watson is not expected to play in 2025, and it would be a surprise if he sees any playing time for Cleveland in 2026.

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Longtime Los Angeles Chargers edge rusher Joey Bosa was released by the organization on Wednesday, and according to Cam Inman of The Mercury News, the San Francisco 49ers could be interested in reuniting Bosa with his brother. The team needs a complementary rusher opposite Nick Bosa, and Joey Bosa could be a value on the open market given his age and injury concerns. Bosa was a five-time Pro Bowler with the Chargers, but he played in just 28 games over the last three years and collected 14 sacks during that stretch. Bosa is free to sign at any point this offseason since he was released, so if the 49ers are interested, the signing could happen sooner rather than later.

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According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Seattle Seahawks are seeking a first- and third-round pick for wide receiver DK Metcalf, who recently requested a trade. The 27-year-old is seeking a $30 million per season contract with whatever organization he lands with. Multiple teams have reached out to Seattle, but it remains to be seen if one of them is willing to part with a first-round selection. Metcalf, who entered the NFL as a second-round pick in 2019, has racked up 438 receptions for 6,324 yards and 48 touchdowns in 97 career games. He is one of the NFL's top-size-speed specimens and could help a team open up its passing game in 2025. The Green Bay Packers have been a popular potential landing spot for Metcalf in the trade rumor mill.

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ESPN's Jeremy Fowler writes that if Tampa Bay Buccaneers impending free-agent wide receiver Chris Godwin makes it to free agency, don't be surprised if the New England Patriots get involved. It's no secret that the Patriots are looking to upgrade their receiving corps with a bona fide No. 1 wideout this offseason, and after the Cincinnati Bengals placed the franchise tag on wideout Tee Higgins, Godwin would be by far and away the top available pass-catcher on the open market. However, Tampa has made Godwin a priority, and the feeling around the NFL is that they will make him a Buc for the rest of his career. It wasn't financially feasible for the Bucs to use the franchise tag on Godwin for a third straight season, but they may look to lock him up before he becomes available to other teams. The 29-year-old was on his way to a career year in 2024 alongside Mike Evans before suffering a season-ending ankle injury in mid-October.

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ESPN's Jeremy Fowler writes that the Cincinnati Bengals were happy with impending free-agent tight end Mike Gesicki last year and would like to re-sign him, even though they are also trying to keep all three star players in receivers Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and defensive end Trey Hendrickson on long-term deals. Teams are projecting that the tight end position could max out at $8 million per year on the free-agent market this offseason. Gesicki ended up being Cincy's third leading receiver in 2024 behind Chase and Higgins, catching 65 of his 83 targets for 665 receiving yards, although he only was able to find the end zone twice in 17 games played. Although the Bengals also have Drew Sample and Erick All Jr. -- Tanner Hudson is also a free agent -- re-signing in Cincy would be the most ideal situation for Gesicki's fantasy value in 2025.

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The Chicago Bears are targeting free-agent tight end Durham Smythe, sources tell ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. This one makes sense on multiple levels after the Miami Dolphins released Smythe last month. The Bears also cut veteran tight end Gerald Everett last month, and veteran Marcedes Lewis and Stephen Carlson are both set to be unrestricted free agents next week. Chicago is definitely in the market for depth at the position behind starter Cole Kmet this offseason, and Smythe overlapped with new Bears head coach Ben Johnson in Miami in 2018. The 29-year-old former fourth-rounder in 2018 out of Notre Dame had 132 catches, 1,228 yards and three touchdowns on 175 targets in seven seasons in Miami. Smythe took a back seat to Jonnu Smith last year and finished with a 9-53-0 line in 17 games. If he were to land in Chicago, he wouldn't have much fantasy appeal unless Kmet were to miss time with an injury.

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Teams that ESPN's Jeremy Fowler talked to at last week's NFL Combine are putting New Orleans Saints impending free-agent defensive end Chase Young high on the pecking order in the free-agent pass-rush market. Although Young functioned as a backup in 2024 with the Saints, the former second overall pick is still only 25 years old and is completely healthy now after he dealt with a neck injury last offseason. If he's fully healthy in 2025, Young could have a breakout season, which is why the Saints are expected to be in play to re-sign him. Despite not being an every-down player last year, Young was productive and finished with 31 tackles (21 solo), 5.5 sacks, eight tackles for loss, a career-high 21 QB hits and a forced fumble in 17 games played. While he may never live up to his draft pedigree in the NFL, Young could be a key situational pass-rusher in 2025 wherever he lands.

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Exclusive-rights free-agent cornerback Alex Austin signed his tender offer on Wednesday to return to the New England Patriots, sources tell ESPN Boston's Mike Reiss. The 6-foot-1, 191-pounder is entering his third NFL season in 2025 after he was originally selected by the Buffalo Bills in the seventh round (252nd overall) in 2023 out of Oregon State. The 23-year-old defensive back played for the both the Houston Texans and Patriots in his first year in the NFL in 2023 before seeing action in nine games (three starts) last year and recording only nine tackles (eight solo) and five pass breakups. Austin looked better towards the end of the 2024 campaign and is expected to be among the group of cornerbacks that will be competing to start opposite of Christian Gonzalez in training camp this summer. He will be a restricted free agent in 2026.

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A source told The Associated Press' Rob Maaddi that a reunion between Pittsburgh Steelers impending free-agent quarterback Russell Wilson and new Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll is unlikely. The Steelers are looking to re-sign one of Wilson or free-agent QB Justin Fields, but all indications so far are that their preference is to retain the younger Fields. The 36-year-old Wilson initially gave the Steelers a spark when he took over as the starter in Pittsburgh last year for Fields, but he collapsed down the stretch and is no longer the QB he once was in Seattle with Carroll. If Wilson doesn't return to the Steelers, his most likely landing spots could be either the New York Giants or New York Jets as they potentially look for a veteran bridge starter for a year or two. Wilson started 11 games in 2024 and threw for 2,482 yards while throwing 16 touchdowns and five interceptions.

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The Seattle Times' Bob Condotta reports that Seattle Seahawks impending free-agent middle linebacker Ernest Jones IV (knee) had knee surgery shortly after the end of the 2024 regular season, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the situation. The surgery was a clean-up of his knee that isn't viewed as overly serious, and Jones could be ready for football activities as early as June, if not sooner. Because interested teams will likely want to put Jones through a physical, it could draw out his free-agent process and give Seattle more time to negotiate to re-sign him. The 25-year-old had 94 tackles (48 solo), half a sack, one interception and a forced fumble in 10 starts (100% of the snaps) after Seattle acquired him in a trade with the Titans despite battling through his knee injury for most of the year. Jones helped improve Seattle's defense immensely after he was brought in, so expect the Seahawks to make a strong effort to retain him.

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The Los Angeles Chargers announced on Wednesday that they have released five-time Pro Bowl defensive end Joey Bosa. The Chargers decided Bosa's $36.47 million salary cap hit in 2025 wasn't justified for a declining pass-rusher that played in only 28 games over the last three seasons due to various injuries. By releasing him, the Bolts will only take on $11.11 in dead money. The 29-year-old former third overall selection in 2016 out of Ohio State played in 14 games (nine starts) in 2024 and finished with just 22 tackles (17 solo), five sacks, five tackles for loss, 13 QB hits and two forced fumbles. He hasn't had a double-digit-sack season since 2021. Bosa will have a market in free agency, but fantasy managers in IDP formats should be passing in 2025 given his inability to stay on the field regularly in recent seasons.

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