Running back Miles Sanders signed a four-year, $25.4 million deal with the Carolina Panthers before the 2023 season, but his biggest supporters, head coach Frank Reich and assistant coach Duce Staley, were fired 11 games into that season. Sanders then took on a backup role behind Chuba Hubbard. The Athletic's Joseph Person writes that the Panthers will create $5.23 million in salary cap space this year by cutting Sanders. Jonathon Brooks is expected to miss the entire 2025 season after a second ACL surgery, but Carolina should be able to find cheaper RB options than Sanders to serve in a backup role to Hubbard. The 27-year-old was a first-time Pro Bowler in his final season with the Eagles in 2022, but he was not the same back in Carolina, averaging only 3.5 yards per carry while racking up 637 rushing yards and only three touchdowns on 184 rushing attempts in 27 games (seven starts).

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Buffalo Bills edge rusher Von Miller had a bounce-back season in 2024, but he carries the second-largest salary cap hit on the team for 2025 at $23.8 million as a rotational player. The Athletic's Joe Buscaglia writes that the Bills must do something about Miller's contract, and without taking a pay cut, he's likely to be released. If Miller is cut, Buffalo would save $8.4 million on this year's salary cap while accounting for a $15.4 million dead-cap hit. Buscaglia suggests the Bills could negotiate a pay cut with Miller equal to or greater than how much they'd save on the cap by releasing him. He turns 36 next month and is under contract for three more years, but none of his remaining money is guaranteed. The eight-time Pro Bowler and former Super Bowl MVP did have six sacks last year but totaled only 17 tackles (13 solo) in 13 regular-season games for the Bills.

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The Athletic's Josh Kendall writes that the Atlanta Falcons releasing defensive tackle David Onyemata would save $16 million on the 2025 salary cap while incurring an $8.8 million dead-cap hit. Cutting fellow defensive tackle Grady Jarrett might make more sense, but he seems untouchable. Atlanta is in need of getting younger up front on their defensive line. Onyemata hasn't been anything special since joining the Falcons as a free agent before the 2023 season, but he's been serviceable with seven sacks and 14 tackles for loss. He and Jarrett are both heading into their age-32 seasons in 2025. Onyemata, a fourth-rounder in 2016 out of Manitoba by the New Orleans Saints, had 45 combined tackles (second-most in his career), three sacks, eight tackles for loss and five QB hits in all 17 games (16 starts) in Atlanta last year.

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Baltimore Ravens safety Marcus Williams being cut this offseason is viewed as a formality after he was benched in 2024 and made a healthy scratch for the final seven games, according to The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec. The 28-year-old will likely be a post-June 1 cut. Williams restructured his deal last month to make it easier for both sides to move on. The Ravens have a tight salary-cap situation this year, which means that veteran cornerback Arthur Maulet is another potential cap casualty in 2025. In his three seasons with Baltimore, Williams recorded 149 tackles (105 solo), four tackles for loss, five interceptions, 18 pass breakups and two fumble recoveries in 32 games played (30 starts). He had a career-low 33 tackles (26 solo) and two pass breakups in 11 games (nine starts) for the Ravens in 2024 before he was benched in favor of Ar'Darius Washington.

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The Athletic's Doug Haller writes that the Arizona Cardinals don't have an obvious potential salary cap casualty on their roster this offseason with the fourth-most available cap space ($71.3 million), per Over The Cap, but safety Jalen Thompson could be a possibility. Thompson has been a starter for most of his six seasons and has been dependable, but he's also entering the final year of his current contract, and the Cardinals locked up Budda Baker last December. In addition, Arizona drafted Dadrion Taylor-Demerson in the fourth round in 2024. Releasing Thompson would save the Cardinals almost $6.6 million in cap space this year. The 26-year-old was pretty productive in 2024 in his sixth year in the NFL, recording 98 tackles (61 solo), three tackles for loss, three pass breakups and two fumble recoveries in 15 starts, but he didn't have an interception for the first time since 2020.

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Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio said on Sports Radio 610 on Wednesday that the team is open to bringing impending free-agent wide receiver Stefon Diggs (knee) back. "I had a good relationship with Stef and his representation. We enjoyed having Stef in the building, so the door is always open," Caserio said. The 31-year-old's 2024 season with the Texans was cut short due to a torn ACL, and he finished with 47 catches for 496 yards and three touchdowns in eight games played. Fellow wideout Tank Dell also suffered a serious knee injury that could keep him out for all of 2025, so the Texans will surely be looking for additional help for top wideout Nico Collins this offseason. Diggs' days of being a No. 1 fantasy wideout are likely gone, especially coming off a torn ACL, but he could still put up solid numbers if he returns to Houston as the No. 2 behind Collins.

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ESPN's Brady Henderson writes that the franchise tag isn't an option for the Seattle Seahawks to use on impending free-agent linebacker Ernest Jones IV this offseason, and the team has only used the tag twice since general manager John Schneider took over in 2010. Inside linebackers, which is what Jones is, and pass-rushing outside linebackers are all viewed the same for tag purposes, and Over The Cap projects the tag number for all linebackers in 2025 to be north of $27 million. That's well beyond what the 25-year-old would fetch on the open market on a per-year average. Jones played for the Seahawks and Tennessee Titans in 2024 and finished with 100-plus combined tackles for the third straight year, which is why it's likely that he and Seattle figure out a new deal before he actually hits the open market in early March.

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ESPN's Katherine Terrell writes that New Orleans Saints cornerback Paulson Adebo (leg), who is coming off a broken femur last year that required surgery, is a long shot to be franchise-tagged this offseason. Not only is Adebo coming off a pretty serious injury, but it wouldn't be the best financial move for the organization with other young cornerbacks already on the roster. Additionally, the Saints have one of the worst salary cap situations in the entire league, so using the franchise tag for the first time since 2021 doesn't make much sense. The 25-year-old had 52 tackles (43 solo), three interceptions and 10 pass breakups in seven games before suffering his season-ending injury in 2024 in his fourth year with the Saints. Adebo was on pace to shatter his career-highs but will now become an unrestricted free agent next month.

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The New England Patriots announced on Wednesday that they released linebacker Sione Takitaki. The 29-year-old former third-round pick (80th overall) by the Cleveland Browns in 2019 out of BYU, Takitaki played in 11 contests (four starts) with New England last season and had just 21 tackles (seven solo) for the Patriots in a rotational role. The Patriots will save around $2.8 million on the 2025 salary cap with the move to release Takitaki. He'll hit the free-agent market a bit early and will hope to latch on with another team to provide linebacker depth. In his six seasons in the NFL, Takitaki has produced 289 tackles (164 solo), four sacks, 14 tackles for loss, eight QB hits, two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), four pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 83 games played (40 starts).

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ESPN's Courtney Cronin writes that it's more likely that the Chicago Bears let both wide receiver Keenan Allen and offensive guard Teven Jenkins walk in free agency this offseason. Allen and Jenkins are Chicago's top two free agents this year, but neither are candidates to be slapped with the franchise tag. Allen will turn 33 this year and has clearly declined, while Jenkins missed 23 games over four seasons due to injuries. Allen, a six-time Pro Bowler, predictably disappointed in his first and potentially only year in the Windy City with rookie quarterback Caleb Williams struggling in 2024. In 15 starts, he caught 70 of 121 targets for 744 receiving yards (his fewest in a season since 2016). However, he was money in the red zone with seven touchdowns for the second straight season. Allen developed chemistry with Williams, but he could have more bounce-back appeal in fantasy if he goes elsewhere in free agency.

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The Baltimore Ravens re-signed veteran wide receiver Keith Kirkwood to an undisclosed deal on Wednesday, according to the league's personnel notice. Kirkwood spent the entire 2024 season on Baltimore's practice squad and will now return to workout with the team this offseason and through training camp this summer. The 30-year-old pass-catcher made his NFL debut in 2018 with the New Orleans Saints and spent two years in the Big Easy before playing two seasons with the Carolina Panthers in 2020 and 2021. He then returned to New Orleans in 2022 and 2023. Kirkwood's best season was his rookie year, when he caught 13 of 21 targets for 209 yards and two touchdowns. He has accumulated only 24 receptions for 294 yards and three touchdowns on 43 targets in his six seasons in the NFL.

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Wide receiver Darius Slayton is the New York Giants' top free agent this offseason, but ESPN New York's Jordan Raanan writes that Slayton isn't a candidate to be franchise-tagged with the number being well over $20 million in 2025. Raanan compares Slayton more to Darnell Mooney, who got $13 million per year in free agency last year. The 28-year-old has proven that he's not a No. 1 receiver type that would typically command a franchise tag, and the last time New York let him test the market, they ended up re-signing him on a two-year, $12 million deal after the 2022 season. In his sixth year with the G-Men in 2024, Slayton had just 39 catches on 71 targets for 573 yards (the second-lowest total of his career) and only two touchdowns in 16 games (13 starts). Given the Giants' uncertainty at the QB position, Slayton is probably better off going elsewhere in 2025.

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ESPN Dallas' Todd Archer writes that defensive lineman Osa Odighizuwa is the only impending free-agent candidate that the Dallas Cowboys would even consider using the franchise tag on this year, but they are unlikely to do so because of the projected cost of more than $23 million against the 2025 salary cap. However, the Cowboys could still make an attempt to sign him before the new league year starts in March. Odighizuwa's position should be very important in new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus' scheme, and the 26-year-old managed to set career-highs in sacks (4.5) and QB pressures (54) in 2024. The former third-rounder started all 17 games for Dallas last year and played a career-high 816 defensive snaps. If the Cowboys are unable to re-sign him, Odighizuwa should attract plenty of interest on the open market.

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Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams will not face discipline from the NFL for carrying an unlicensed gun, according to NFL insider Adam Schefter. The 23-year-old avoided criminal charges after a gun was discovered by police during a traffic stop for speeding. Williams possessed a gun without a concealed pistol license to carry but later obtained one. Williams has been suspended by the NFL in the past for gambling, but he will not face any suspension for this incident. Williams, a former first-round pick, posted career highs in receptions (58), receiving yards (1,001), and receiving touchdowns (seven) in 2024.

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The Philadelphia Eagles promoted former pass-game coordinator/associate head coach Kevin Patullo to offensive coordinator on Wednesday, according to NFL.com. The 43-year-old replaces Kellen Moore, who landed the head-coaching gig with the New Orleans Saints following to Eagles' Super Bowl LIX victory. Patullo has worked with head coach Nick Sirianni since 2018 when both joined the Indianapolis Colts' offensive staff under Frank Reich. Quarterback Jalen Hurts is set to have his third offensive coordinator in three seasons.

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Rumors have been swirling about the future of Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford this offseason. With Los Angeles continuing to rebuild a young roster, there has been speculation that he could be traded. However, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports league sources are "adamant" that head coach Sean McVay and the organization want him back in 2025. Trading the veteran would result in a $45.3 million dead cap hit in 2025 and a $23 million dead cap hit in 2026, and there's no evidence to support Stafford wants to leave, either. Stafford completed 65.8% of his passes for 3,762 yards, 20 touchdowns, and eight interceptions last season despite playing a significant stretch of the year without Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. Kupp is almost certainly going to be dealt, but it sounds unlikely that Stafford will be playing for a new team next season.

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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase is due for a contract extension after leading the NFL in receptions (127), receiving yards (1,708), and receiving touchdowns (17) in 2024. The former first-round pick out of LSU could command an average salary of $40 million, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz. This would make Chase the highest-paid wideout in NFL history and $5 million ahead of former college teammate Justin Jefferson. Chase is off to one of the best starts for a wide receiver in NFL history, and the Bengals hope to lock him up long-term this offseason along with fellow wideout Tee Higgins.

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The Minnesota Vikings and cornerback Byron Murphy agreed to a contract restructure on Tuesday that will push back the void date on his contract to the day before the start of the new league year, a league source told ESPN's Dan Graziano. It means that the Vikings cannot use the franchise tag on Murphy in 2025. Graziano also writes that Minnesota didn't reach the same agreement with impending free-agent quarterback Sam Darnold. If they don't reach a new deal with Darnold before his contract voids, then $5 million in remaining signing-bonus proration would accelerate onto their 2025 salary cap as dead money. The 27-year-old Murphy was a Pro Bowler for the first time in his career in 2024 and finished with a career-high 81 tackles (62 solo), six tackles for loss, a career-high six interceptions, 14 pass breakups and one forced fumble in 17 regular-season starts.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin and the team mutually agreed to push back the void date on his contract to Tuesday, March 11, which is the day before NFL free agency officially begins.

Fantasy Spin: This would seem to be a positive sign for Godwin to re-sign with the Bucs since it gives the two sides about two more weeks to agree to a new contract. At the very least, pushing back the void date delays the $18 million of dead money that was about to go on the team's 2025 salary cap. At this point, it appears more likely than not that Godwin will remain in Tampa and play for his third different offensive coordinator in as many years (Josh Grizzard).

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ESPN's Stephen Holder writes that it's unlikely the Indianapolis Colts will commit more than $20 million to impending free-agent defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo via the franchise tag when they already have a lot invested in their defensive line, even though Odeyingbo led the Colts with 33 QB pressures in 2024 and has 16 sacks in the last three seasons. The Colts took care of most of their top free agent last offseason -- receiver Michael Pittman Jr., cornerback Kenny Moore II, defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and linebacker Zaire Franklin. The 25-year-old Odeyingbo played a full season for the third straight year in 2024, but his sack total dropped from eight in 2023 to just three. Because of how much the Colts have already invested in their D line, it would not be a surprise to see them let Odeyingbo walk on the open market.

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