Despite suffering a hip injury in 2024, Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn (hip) participated in the relay race and the flag football game in this year's Pro Bowl festivities last week. Horn was a first-time Pro Bowl participant after a strong 2024 campaign in which he had a career-high 68 tackles (49 solo), his first two career sacks, five tackles for loss, one interception and 13 pass breakups in a career-high 15 regular-season starts. The former eighth overall pick by Carolina in 2021 out of South Carolina has dealt with his fair share of injuries in his first four NFL seasons -- he's played in only 37 games over four years -- but the Panthers could be considering giving him a long-term contract extension this offseason as he enters the final year of his rookie deal in 2025.

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University of Iowa star running back Kaleb Johnson declared his intentions of entering the 2025 NFL draft back in December. Johnson chose to skip the Hawkeye's Bowl game and enter the draft after going off in 2024 with 1,537 scrimmage yards and 21 touchdowns. He had 240 rushing attempts and also caught 22 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns through the air. Johnson's quickness as a ball-carrier stands out more than his straight-line speed, and he stands at 6-foot, 225 pounds. The 21-year-old could see his draft stock continue to rise if he performs well at the NFL scouting combine at the end of February, making him potential sleeper selection in Rounds 2 or 3. Johnson lacks elite speed at his position but showed last season that he has a knack for breaking tackles and finding the holes to exploit on the ground.

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The New England Patriots signed free-agent tight end Giovanni Ricci (knee) to a Reserve/Futures deal on Monday. Ricci was on the Cleveland Browns' practice squad in 2024 but never was active for a regular-season game and was cut in August due to a knee injury. The 28-year-old former undrafted free agent out of Western Michigan made his NFL debut in 2021 with the Carolina Panthers, with all 36 of his career games coming with Carolina. In three NFL seasons, Ricci has caught only nine of 12 targets for 102 yards and no touchdowns with the Panthers. Ricci is more of a blocker than a pass-catcher and will now represent tight end depth for the Patriots throughout the offseason and into training camp this summer. The most likely scenario is that he'll effective serve as a fullback for new Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.

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ESPN's Jordan Reid reports that University of North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton has declared for the 2025 NFL draft. Hampton finished second in FBS in rushing yards (1,660) and yards after first contact (1,026) in 2024 and added an impressive 15 touchdowns for the Tar Heels. The 21-year-old running back was extremely impressive in his final two collegiate seasons, putting up two straight 1,500-yard rushing campaigns. He also added 67 catches for 595 yards and three touchdowns in his career at North Carolina as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. There's a case to be made that he will be taken in the first round of the upcoming draft this April, although concerns about his abilities in pass-protection could make NFL teams wary of making him a Day 1 selection. Still, he could be the second RB off the board behind Ashton Jeanty in 2025.

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ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Washington Commanders impending free-agent quarterback Marcus Mariota is very much on the Miami Dolphins' and Las Vegas Raiders' radar this offseason as they seek to add a proven, established No. 2 QB. The Dolphins are seeking insurance for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, whose history of head injuries are well-documented. In Vegas, the Raiders could look to reunite Mariota with new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, who coached Mariota for two years at Oregon. The 31-year-old played well in limited action in 2024 with Washington, going 34-for-44 for 364 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. He's started 74 games in the NFL and has a 90.1 career passer rating, 97 TDs and 55 interceptions after the Titans made him the second overall pick in 2015. If Miami can't sign Mariota, they could pivot to 37-year-old Andy Dalton.

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NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said on Monday that the league will look into the "serious issues" involving multiple sexual-misconduct allegations that recently surfaced against Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker. Goodell also noted that it could be both civil and criminal. In total, nine massage therapists in the Baltimore area have accused Tucker of inappropriate behavior, with all of the incidents reportedly happening from 2012-16, Tucker's first five seasons in the NFL. His lawyer's have called the allegations "unequivocally false." The 35-year-old had the worst season of his career in 2024, but he's a seven-time Pro Bowler and is still the most accurate kicker in NFL history with an 89.1% success rate on his 468 attempted field goals over 13 seasons. Depending on what the league finds in its investigation, Tucker could be subject to a lengthy suspension under the NFL's personal-conduct policy.

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The Houston Texans hired Los Angeles Rams tight ends coach/passing-game coordinator Nick Caley as their new offensive coordinator on Monday, sources told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Caley spent the last two seasons in L.A. under head coach Sean McVay and will now replace Bobby Slowik, who was fired by Houston after two seasons on the job. Before joining the Rams, Caley spent six seasons as the New England Patriots' tight ends coach. The 42-year-old will be calling Houston's offensive plays in 2025 as a first-time offensive coordinator. He has plenty to work with, though, including quarterback C.J. Stroud, running back Joe Mixon and receiver Nico Collins. The expectation were high for the Texans offense in 2024 after a strong rookie campaign from Stroud in 2023, but they ranked 22nd in total offense (319.7 yards per game) and 18th in offensive points per game (20.5).

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On Friday, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase told ESPN's Laura Rutledge that he's hoping to get "what's fair" regarding his new contract. "Hopefully, I don't put too much pressure on anybody, but I just want it to be fair, that's all." As for what's "fair" from the 24-year-old's point of view: "I can't really say everything I want to say. It's what I deserve." Chase is coming off his best season as a pro, and it couldn't come at a better time for his looming contract. The superstar wideout became just the sixth pass-catcher in the Super Bowl era to lead the league in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns -- effectively taking home the Triple Crown. It appears he's insinuating he wants to match or exceed his former LSU teammate Justin Jefferson's contract value, which would make him the highest-paid non-QB in the league. Hopefully, the negotiations don't linger into the summer, as it's the only outcome that could prevent Chase from being a highly-selected fantasy asset in 2025.

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Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane defended his teammates during last Friday's appearance on the 'Up and Adams Show' regarding wide receiver Tyreek Hill's most recent comments about the team. Hill has rocked the boat a few times this offseason and recently reportedly stated Miami needed to add some "dogs" to the roster. Achane, however, disagreed and was a bit more optimistic. "We got dogs," said the 23-year-old. "We just need more people to bring it out, you know what I'm saying?" He'd also go on to say that he left some big runs on the table last season and appears focused on eclipsing the 1,000-yard mark in 2025 after noting he felt like he could have in 2024. It was a disappointing year for Miami, and the former third-round pick remarked that he was even more frustrated that the season had ended when the offense finally began to gel. Whether they will succeed next season remains to be seen, but Achane will surely be one of the first few names off the board in 2025 fantasy drafts.

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Per Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times, the Seattle Seahawks have hired ex-New Orleans Saints coaches Andrew Janocko and John Benton to fill their quarterback and offensive-line coaching positions. Janocko has now been the QB coach for offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak at three separate stops (New Orleans, Minnesota [2021]), holding the same position in Chicago for the Bears from 22-'23. Benton also has strong ties to the Kubiak family, as he previously worked for Klint's father, Gary Kubiak, in Houston. Additionally, he served four seasons under Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco before linking up with his new OC in New Orleans last season. There have been rumblings recently that quarterback Geno Smith is a good fit for Kubiak's system -- if he remains the team's signal-caller in 2025 -- and if that's the case, it's exciting to see the OC bring in people around him that he trusts.

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San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner expressed his enthusiasm about the team's hiring of ex-New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando. "It means a lot," said Warner. "Obviously, coach Saleh has been amazing for us...So it will be interesting, being the old guy now, myself, being with him again. It's going to be fun, though." The All-Pro also noted that he believes the unit can return to its dominant ways. 2024 was a strange season for the 49ers; the same can be said for Saleh. However, his Jets allowed the fewest passing yards per game from 2022-2023 (178.9), and New York's defense was noticeably worse off after his departure this past season. Despite finishing 2024 eighth in yards per game allowed (317.4), the 49ers gave up 25.6 points per game (29th). San Francisco will likely bounce back as a team next season, and they've already started on the right foot defensively.

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The Philadelphia Eagles re-signed tight end Nick Muse to their practice squad over the weekend and released running back Lew Nichols in a corresponding move. Muse was cut from Philly's practice squad last Thursday but is quickly back with the organization as additional tight end depth as the Eagles prepare for Super Bowl LIX on Sunday, Feb. 9, against the Kansas City Chiefs. Muse, a 26-year-old former seventh-round selection by the Minnesota Vikings in 2022, spent most of the 2024 season with the Vikings. He was active for four regular-season games but was not targeted at all in the passing game. In his first two years in the league with Minnesota, Muse played in 12 games and caught his only target for a gain of 22 yards. Muse will most likely not be active for the Eagles for the Super Bowl.

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Sports Illustrated's John Shipley reports that former Carolina Panthers and Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera interviewed with the Jacksonville Jaguars over the weekend for an undisclosed coaching role, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. It would make logical sense for Rivera to join Jacksonville as a senior assistant for first-time head coach Liam Coen to lean on. In addition to Coen being a first-time head coach, they have a first-time defensive coordinator in Anthony Campanile. The 63-year-old Rivera interviewed for head-coaching positions with the Chicago Bears and New York Jets this cycle, so he clearly has a desire to return to the NFL after he was out of football in 2024. Rivera went 26-40-1 with the Commanders from 2020-23 and led the Panthers to seven playoff appearances, including a Super Bowl, from 2011-19.

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Los Angeles Rams offensive assistant/passing-game specialist Nate Scheelhaase has emerged as a leading candidate for the Jacksonville Jaguars' offensive-coordinator job, multiple sources told KPRC's Aaron Wilson. The expectation is that Scheelhaase will ultimately be hired for the position to assist first-time head coach Liam Coen in Jacksonville. Scheelhaase interviewed with the Jaguars for the offensive-coordinator job after he interviewed for the same position with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Before spending the last four years with the Rams, he was the offensive coordinator at Iowa State. Scheelhaase began his coaching career at Illinois after he w a second-team All-Big Ten quarterback in 2013. The 34-year-old has quickly developed a reputation for being a bright offensive mind. Coen has already announced that he will call plays for the Jaguars offense in 2025.

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Cleveland Browns All-Pro pass-rusher Myles Garrett has officially requested a trade. However, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reports that the Browns "are sticking to their stance and do not intend to have any conversations or trade Garrett." During last year's trading deadline, teams were interested in acquiring Garrett, but the Browns were adamant that Garrett was not available. With Garrett wanting to be traded now and the Browns sticking to their stance, things could get ugly going forward and Garrett could hold out of the entire offseason with Cleveland. The 29-year-old was the Defensive Player of the Year in 2023 and has had at least 14 sacks in each of the last four seasons. Garrett is a six-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro with 102.5 sacks in eight years in Cleveland. If the Browns give in and trade him, they'll likely be seeking two first-round picks for Garrett.

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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson appears to have little interest playing elsewhere next season. There have been rumors that Wilson would want to join his former head coach Pete Carroll in Las Vegas next season. However, Wilson has squashed those rumors and says that his primary focus is on the Steelers. The 36-year-old is set to be a free agent this summer and isn't exactly a lock to return to Pittsburgh. Wilson threw for 2,482 passing yards with 16 touchdowns and five interceptions in 11 regular season games. He helped the Steelers make the postseason, but they were quickly eliminated by the Baltimore Ravens. The Steelers don't have another viable option at quarterback with Justin Fields also heading to free agency. It seems like there's a good chance Wilson returns to Pittsburgh, but him heading to Las Vegas shouldn't be ruled out yet.

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Dynasty | Ravens kicker Justin Tucker is facing multiple sexual misconduct allegations about his actions in massage parlors. Dynasty Analysis: Tucker is facing allegations from three different massage therapists and has vehemently denied them. This could end up being pretty significant in the end, but as for now, these are just allegations. Tucker is the league's most decorated kicker of all-time and a sure-fire Hall of Fame Player based on his play. However, he's coming off his worst season as a professional and his job security has to be squarely in doubt at this point. While kickers don't tend to matter too much in dynasty leagues, those who have had Tucker as a "set it and forget it" option for years should start making some alternate plans, just in case.

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According to Bill Barnwell of ESPN.com, Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa could be a cap casualty during the offseason. Barnwell noted that Bosa logged only 14 games during the 2022 and 2023 seasons and missed three games this past season. During the season, Bosa could not log more than 20 defensive snaps in four contests. However, the former third-overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft took a pay cut last season and may have to do the same again to remain on the Chargers heading into 2025. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Bosa's status during the offseason, as he could be released due to his high salary and inability to remain on the field. This past season, Bosa tallied just 22 tackles with five sacks. This was his third straight season failing to tally double-digit sacks.

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According to Bill Barnell of ESPN.com, the Detroit Lions could release quarterback Hendon Hooker during the offseason. Barnwell noted that since the team re-signed veteran quarterback Teddy Bridgewater late in the season, it appears that the Lions do not view Hooker as a potential starting quarterback. Hooker was selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He did not see the field during his rookie season but was able to log 32 snaps this past season. Hooker went 6-for-9 with 62 yards. He added two yards on five rushing attempts. Seeing that the team did not want to enter the postseason with Hooker as the No. 2 option is a telling sign. In addition, the Lions also signed Jared Goff to a four-year extension last May, signaling him as the QB1 for the foreseeable future. Hooker only carries low-end stash value in deeper superflex dynasty formats, as he could be given an opportunity to compete for a backup role elsewhere.

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According to Alec Lewis of The Athletic, the Las Vegas Raiders are considered a potential suitor for quarterback Sam Darnold. Lewis also mentioned that the Seattle Seahawks, Pittsburgh Steelers, Minnesota Vikings, and the New York Giants could also pursue Darnold in free agency. Lewis noted that among the teams that need a quarterback, no team has more cap space than the Raiders. In addition, with new head coach Pete Carroll, they may opt to pair him with a veteran quarterback. This past season, the Raiders relied on Gardner Minshew and Aidan O'Connell under center and could only win four games. The Raiders also hold the No. 6 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and could look to pair a rookie quarterback with Darnold. Last season, Darnold enjoyed a career season as he led the Vikings to a 14-3 record. He threw for 4,319 yards and 35 passing scores with 12 interceptions.

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