HEADLINES

Vikings To Consider Competition For QB J.J. McCarthy In 2026?

November 30th, 2025 at 11:12pm CST by Rory Parks

The Vikings allowed quarterbacks Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones to depart in free agency this offseason, underscoring their faith in 2024 first-rounder J.J. McCarthy. While Minnesota wanted an experienced backup behind McCarthy – which explains the club’s April acquisition of Sam Howell and the signing of Carson Wentz after Howell was traded in August – neither of those players was seen as a threat to McCarthy’s starting job. In 2026, the Vikes could be looking for someone who will actually push the Michigan product for the QB1 role.

Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, multiple league insiders suggest Minnesota may follow the QB blueprint the Colts took during the 2025 offseason. In other words, the Vikings could acquire a veteran or reclamation project to compete with McCarthy, in much the same way Indianapolis signed Jones to battle with Anthony Richardson, the No. 4 overall choice of the 2023 draft. Jones, who had washed out with the Giants, found new life in Indiana and is in line for another lucrative, multiyear deal (or at least the hefty $46.1MM franchise tag) in 2026.

[RELATED: Vikings, Seahawks Made Similar Darnold Offers]

Fowler says Jones remains an ideal fit for the Vikings, who could make a run at their former backup if the Colts are unable or unwilling to keep him off the market. Fowler also names the 49ers’ Mac Jones and the Texans’ Davis Mills as possible Minnesota targets. Both of those players were once viewed as potential franchise quarterbacks, and while Jones’ tenure in New England and Mills’ stint as Houston’s full-time starter did not end well, they both have built some trade value this season thanks to their efforts in relief of their respective clubs’ top signal-callers.

Mills, 27, has not been a world-beater during C.J. Stroud’s time in the concussion protocol, but he has led Houston to a 3-0 record in the games he has started, throwing five touchdowns against one interception in the process. Mac Jones, meanwhile, went 5-3 as a starter with Brock Purdy on the shelf, posting a completion percentage of 69.6% (fourth-highest in the league) and a 97.4 quarterback rating. He generally looked like the player who finished second in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting in 2021, and while both he and Mills are under contract through 2026, they both could be trade targets of teams like Minnesota (Fowler says the Niners could even fetch a Day 2 pick for Mac Jones).

Kyler Murray, who may already have taken his last snap for the Cardinals, and (interestingly enough) Richardson also fit the mold of players the Vikings could consider, as Fowler notes. The ESPN scribe says Minnesota head coach Kevin O’Connell has respect for Richardson, who has expressed interest in playing under an offense-oriented HC, specifically Sean McVay or someone from his coaching tree (like O’Connell).

If the Vikings instead consider a player closer to the end of their career, Aaron Rodgers and Joe Flacco might be options (Minnesota spoke with Flacco this offseason, and Rodgers made it known the Vikes were his preferred landing spot). Likewise, a reunion with Wentz could be on the table, per Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports.

Wentz, who will turn 32 next month, had several strong showings earlier this year when McCarthy was sidelined with an ankle sprain. Unfortunately, a shoulder injury he sustained in Week 5 derailed his next two starts and brought a premature end to his season. Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune says Wentz’s shoulder surgery went well, so if O’Connell liked what he saw from the former MVP candidate, he could return in at least a backup capacity, or even as competition for McCarthy.

After missing all of his rookie campaign due to injury, McCarthy has struggled with more health issues this season. He missed five games due to the above-mentioned ankle sprain, and he will be sidelined for his team’s Week 13 contest while going through the concussion protocol. When he has been on the field, he has not played particularly well, completing only 54.1% of his pass attempts and throwing 10 interceptions and just six touchdowns en route to a 2-4 record.

Thanks in large part to McCarthy’s struggles, elite wideout Justin Jefferson has posted a career-low yards-per-game average (72.3) and catch percentage (60.6%). The two-time First Team All-Pro nonetheless offered public support for his young passer.

“It’s early,” Jefferson said (via ESPN’s Kevin Seifert). “He’s new to the game. He’s new to the NFL. He’s learning just like everyone else has to learn as a rookie, and he obviously had to go through the mental stage of having to overcome an injury the first year. So just a tough transition for him. But I feel like just him learning these past couple games, and of course learning [during] the stretch of this season, I feel like he’s going to bounce back in a different way than everybody else is going to think so.”

Veteran running back Aaron Jones expressed a similar sentiment, saying, “I told [McCarthy] that the ones who counted you out, they’re going to have to recount.”

While McCarthy is sidelined, UDFA rookie Max Brosmer will get the first start(s) of his career. A strong performance could at least put him in consideration for an extended run in 2026.

Raiders HC Pete Carroll On Hot Seat?

November 30th, 2025 at 11:02pm CST by Adam La Rose

Pete Carroll became the NFL’s oldest head coaching hire this past offseason when he was brought in by the Raiders. His return to the sidelines has not gone well, though, and it remains to be seen if a second Vegas season will be in store.

Carroll has already dismissed two coordinators – Tom McMahon (special teams) and Chip Kelly (offense) – this month. The Raiders sit at 2-10 at this point, and plenty of work will need to be done in the spring to improve the current roster. At 74, Carroll may not been seen as a strong fit for a rebuilding process.

The Super Bowl winner took a three-year contract to join the Raiders. Expectations for a relatively strong debut season were based in large part on the success Carroll had with quarterback Geno Smith. The two were reunited when Smith was acquired via trade, but that move has not yielded the desired results. Smith’s 13 interceptions lead the NFL, and finding consistent production on offense has proven to be a challenge.

Vegas will enter free agency and the draft this spring with questions about the team’s long-term outlook under center, but by that point another change on the sidelines may have taken place. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport notes (video link) Carroll is on the hot seat. A Saturday Rapoport report detailed the extent to which Carroll influenced the Raiders’ offense in 2025 and the tension it caused with Kelly. With notable firings having been made in-season, it will be interesting to see if Carroll remains in place for next year.

Instability on the sidelines and in the front office has been a defining characteristic of the Raiders during their time in Vegas. The team will look for a period of consistency with general manager John Spytek and minority owner Tom Brady (whose voice carries more weight than his title would imply) through the remainder of this season and beyond. Replacing Carroll would constitute a swing and miss from that duo while also continuing an unwanted trend of short HC tenures.

Since Jon Gruden‘s 2021 resignation, the Raiders have cycled through Rich Bisaccia, Josh McDaniels, Antonio Pierce and now Carroll as head coaches. A positive end to the season would quiet the talk surrounding a potential switch on the sidelines, although Vegas does not face high expectation in that respect.

Jets GM Darren Mougey Has Scouted QBs Fernando Mendoza, Dante Moore In Person; Latest On Team’s 2026 QB Plans

November 30th, 2025 at 11:00pm CST by Rory Parks

If the season ended today, the 2-9 Jets would hold the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 draft. Even if they do not end up with that pick – and it is certainly feasible they lose enough games down the stretch to find themselves even higher on the draft board – they should be in prime position to select one of next year’s top quarterback prospects.

To that end, GM Darren Mougey has scouted Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza and Oregon’s Dante Moore in person, as ESPN’s Rich Cimini writes. Unfortunately for Mougey, the 2026 class of signal-callers, once viewed as a promising one, has seen its stock drop over the course of the 2025 season. 

Mendoza has been among the most impressive collegiate QBs and is viewed by many as the top prospect likely to declare for the 2026 draft. Although the game that Mougey attended featured Mendoza leading a dramatic, game-winning drive against Penn State, opinions are split on his ceiling at the NFL level. Moore, meanwhile, is only 20 and could benefit from another year of development in the college ranks.

If players like Moore, South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers, and Texas’ Arch Manning decide to stay in school for one more season, that will strengthen a 2027 class that is already set to include Florida’s DJ Lagway and Nebraska’s Dylan Raiola. We had heard one of the reasons Mougey was willing to accept a 2027 first-round pick from the Cowboys in this month’s Quinnen Williams trade was because of his belief that the ‘27 draft class offers more promise than its ‘26 counterpart. So, while the first-year GM is obviously doing his due diligence, he may wait another year to make a high-end draft investment in a QB (though Cimini says in a separate piece that there is “growing buzz” in league circles connecting Mendoza to the Jets).

Whether it is Mendoza or someone else, Cimini thinks the Jets will add a rookie QB in the 2026 draft, and he also believes Mougey will acquire a veteran passer. Despite the fact that Justin Fields’ 2026 salary includes $10MM in guaranteed money, Cimini indicates Mougey will likely release the recently-demoted signal-caller – which jibes with previous reports on the matter – and will not try to re-sign his replacement, Tyrod Taylor.

As per usual, the 2026 crop of free agents offers little by way of starting-caliber quarterbacks, and the one that does qualify as such, Daniel Jones, may not make it to free agency. Mougey could therefore look to the trade market to acquire a bridge passer, and Cimini names Kyler Murray, Mac Jones, and Kirk Cousins as potential targets (Murray and Jones, at least, could also be in the Vikings’ crosshairs).

UDFA rookie Brady Cook has spent most of the year on the Jets’ practice squad, though he has been elevated on several occasions to operate as a backup (he has not, however, seen any regular season game action). In response to a question about whether Cook would get into a game in 2025, head coach Aaron Glenn conceded it was a possibility, but he offered no guarantees. 

Justin Herbert To Undergo Hand Surgery

November 30th, 2025 at 10:55pm CST by Ely Allen

Following today’s victory over the Raiders, Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh told the media that quarterback Justin Herbert has suffered a broken bone in left (non-throwing) hand and that Herbert would be undergoing a procedure tomorrow to address the injury, per Daniel Popper of The Athletic. Harbaugh also told reporters that he doesn’t know whether Herbert will have to miss time because of the surgery or not.

It’s been a rough go for the Chargers offense this year. Injuries have taken their toll on a group that has seen both starting tackles and three running backs land on injured reserve. With so many pieces missing already, losing Herbert for even a week or two could be very hard for this team to weather. They’re currently a game behind the Broncos for the division lead, and it could be two, depending on the outcome of tonight’s game. They’re in a Wildcard spot at the moment, but there are multiple teams lapping at their heels in the standings.

With that in mind, it makes sense that Herbert will try not to miss any time because of this surgery. When asked if he would need to miss time, Herbert told reporters that doctors are “pretty hopeful” he won’t need to. According to ESPN’s Kris Rhim, Herbert wore a hard cast on his left hand underneath his glove today, so it stands to reason that that may be a postop option, as well. “It’s one of those things where you just stabilize it,” Herbert told reporters. “I’m not the doctor, but yeah, they were hopeful, so I think that’s a good thing.”

Rhim’s fellow ESPN staffer Adam Schefter added on that Herbert is approaching next week’s game as if he will be playing in it. The Chargers next contest will be a Monday night road trip to Philadelphia. If Herbert is forced to miss any time, backup quarterback Trey Lance would likely get the start. Lance has four games of starting experience from his time in San Francisco, plus a start for the Cowboys last year, but he hasn’t thrown a touchdown since his rookie campaign in 2021.

Popper pointed to a moment earlier in Herbert’s career, two years ago, in which Herbert broke a finger in his left hand early in the season. He didn’t miss any games because of the injury back in 2023. Herbert drew on that experience to underline his confidence in being able to play for Monday Night Football next week, telling reporters, “In terms of experience, I’ve gone through similar things, so I think it will be helpful.”

AFC East Rumors: Robinson, Sanders, Bills

November 30th, 2025 at 10:02pm CST by Ely Allen

Last year, the Dolphins added first-round pass rusher Chop Robinson to their defense behind starters Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb. Chubb ended up missing the entire season with a torn ACL, pushing Emmanuel Ogbah into a full-time starting role. Phillips also suffered a season-ending injury a few games into the season, and while more experienced names like Quinton Bell and Tyus Bowser earned starts in place of Phillips, Robinson dominated the defensive snap share for the rest of the season.

Once Robinson started getting a lion’s share of the snaps on defense, he started to find his footing at the NFL level. After going sackless in his first seven games, Robinson tallied six over his next eight games. With Chubb, Phillips, and new veteran Matt Judon in place this year, Robinson’s time on defense has been limited again, and as a result, so has his production.

Robinson’s strong rookie stretch likely made Miami a bit more comfortable with trading Phillips away earlier this year, and according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, there’s a belief among the staff that making space for Robinson to get more consistent snaps will help him return to the form he showed midway through his rookie campaign. Now that he’s come back from a recent concussion, he’s starting to show exactly that. In today’s win over the Saints, Robinson logged 1.5 sacks, his first since Week 2.

Here are a few other rumors coming out of the AFC East:

  • Also in Miami, Jackson reported last month on the status of veteran kicker Jason Sanders, who has spent the entire season to this point on injured reserve with a designation to return. Per Jackson, Dolphins special teams coordinator Craig Aukerman said he doesn’t know if Sanders is close to returning or even if Sanders will kick for the team at all this season.
  • Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman appeared in his first game in three weeks today after being a healthy scratch in the team’s last two contests. Coleman’s healthy scratch against the Buccaneers two weeks ago was a disciplinary measure to punish Coleman’s recent tardiness, but per Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic, Coleman’s healthy scratch last week against the Texans was not discipline related. Head coach Sean McDermott clarified that Coleman was scratch for that game because of the short runup to their Thursday night matchup.
  • The Bills ended up staying put during the NFL’s trade deadline this year, but it was reportedly not for lack of trying. According to Tim Graham of The Athletic, general manager Brandon Beane was willing to restructure multiple contracts in order to facilitate trades. Beane and Co. had already reworked cornerback Taron Johnson‘s contract, and he arranged to have others ready to rework in case it may help move trades along. Unfortunately for Beane and Buffalo, though, calls on many of those players didn’t come until the day of the deadline, and deals that require a new contract are required to be done the Monday before the deadline, leading to the lack of action on that quiet Tuesday nearly four weeks ago.

Giants OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux Out Monday Night

November 30th, 2025 at 7:19pm CST by Ely Allen

While the Giants will rejoice to see rookie first-round quarterback Jaxson Dart return on offense for Monday Night Football tomorrow, Big Blue will be without pass rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux on defense for the third straight game, per Dan Duggan of The Atheltic. This report comes with little surprise considering Thibodeaux hasn’t once participated in a practice over the past three weeks as he deals with a shoulder injury.

At this point, after three weeks of no practice, questions have started to shift from when Thibodeaux will be able to return to if Thibodeaux will be able to return. According to Ryan Dunleavy of New York Post Sports, when asked if the fourth-year defender may be shut down for the rest of the season, interim head coach Mike Kafka told reporters, “I think it’s too soon to tell.” Kafka continued, “He’s working his tail off to get back and get better. Our doctors are taking care of him.”

Though a resilient, young defender, Thibodeaux is no stranger to injury. His rookie year got off to a delayed start after he suffered a sprained MCL in the second week of the preseason. After starting every game of his sophomore campaign, Thibodeaux spent five weeks on injured reserve in Year 3 when he needed to undergo surgery for a wrist injury. He had been going strong this year until getting sidelined for the last three weeks.

While Thibodeaux’s attendance had been going strong this year, his pass rush production had not. After a slow rookie campaign only yielded four sacks, Thibodeaux showed why he was a fifth overall pick with an 11.5-sack performance in Year 2. Missing five games last year made a 5.5-sack total understandable, but through 10 games this season, the 24-year-old has only amassed 2.5 sacks.

Whether or not Thibodeaux is able to return this season may impact how his future plays out. During the leadup to the trade deadline earlier in the season, Thibodeaux felt like the most likely candidate to get shipped out of New York. While there were certainly interested callers, the Giants asking for a first-round pick in exchange for a pass rusher with 2.5 sacks on the year virtually dried up the market for Thibodeaux.

The team also picked up Thibodeaux’s fifth-year option, so they may be incentivized to work out a deal that helps them avoid paying the $14.75MM-predicted value of that option. Whether that means another attempt at trading him in the offseason or working out a short, reasonable extension with performance-based incentives remains to be seen.

The reason there was speculation concerning a Thibodeaux trade is because it seems like rookie No. 3 overall pick Abdul Carter and veteran Brian Burns will be the pass rushers the team moves forward with, assuming they decide not to give big deals to all three. Though he only had one start during the time Thibodeaux was healthy, Carter had gotten almost an equal run as the two starters in terms of snap count while coming off the bench. In Thibodeaux’s absence, instead of a new third pass rusher taking his share of snaps, Carter and Burns have just shouldered more playing time.

While Carter has the advantage of youth and a cheaper 2026 salary over Thibodeaux, he, too, has struggled to finish with his pass rush this year. Carter has had more close calls — 12 quarterback hits to Thibodeaux’s nine — but only has half a sack on the season. In fact, the only person who seems to be getting to the quarterback this year on the Giants defense is Burns, who already has a career-high 13.0 sacks coming into Week 13.

New York will hope to see Carter blossom in extended starter’s minutes for however much longer Thibodeaux is out. While the team considers it too soon to call Thibodeaux done for the year, the fact that he hasn’t practiced in three weeks and that the question is being asked at all could be a bad sign.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/30/25

November 30th, 2025 at 5:43pm CST by Ely Allen

A rare Sunday transaction:

Dallas Cowboys

Abanikanda is set to join his third NFC team this season. Originally drafted by the Jets following a breakout junior year at Pitt, Abanikanda failed to find a role in New York. Working behind Breece Hall and Dalvin Cook in his rookie year, Abanikanda got a few looks near the end of the season but seemingly failed to make much of an impression. The next year saw New York draft Braelon Allen a round earlier than Abanikanda had been taken the year prior, and Abanikanda didn’t see any game action before eventually getting waived in December.

He was claimed by the 49ers, who held onto him until waiving him in July. Green Bay claimed him off waivers after that and placed him on the practice squad after he failed to make the 53-man roster. The Packers cut Abanikanda from their practice squad back in September, and nearly three months later, he’s now headed to Dallas.

Colts CB Sauce Gardner Suffers Calf Injury

November 30th, 2025 at 4:41pm CST by Adam La Rose

Sauce Gardner exited the Colts’ Week 13 game and was unable to return. The high-profile trade acquisition could be in store for missed time, although the worst-case scenario appears to have been avoided.

Gardner was unable to put weight on his left leg as he made his way to the sidelines upon suffering the injury. He was initially listed by the team as questionable to return with a calf ailment, but the Colts later confirmed he was out for the remainder of Sunday’s contest. Gardner was in a walking boot on the sidelines as he watched the end of the game.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports a calf strain is believed to have occurred in this case. Critically, he adds Gardner’s Achilles appears to be intact. The All-Pro corner has since confirmed (via ESPN’s Stephen Holder) he feels he is dealing with a strain rather than a tear of any kind. Further testing will take place, including an MRI. At this point, per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, the Colts expect to be without Gardner for “a couple weeks.”

Needless to say, any notable missed time for Gardner would represent a major blow to the Colts. Indianapolis gave the Jets two first-round picks along with receiver Adonai Mitchell to acquire him at the trade deadline. The 25-year-old – under contract at a record-breaking cornerback rate of $30.1MM per year through the 2030 season – is obviously a major part of the team’s plans now and for several years to come.

The Gardner acquisition has been viewed as an indication the Colts see themselves as being inside a Super Bowl window with a core of many returning players along with free agent signing Daniel Jones. Indianapolis’ new starting quarterback is not full healthy himself, although he is in line to continue playing through a fractured fibula. A run of availability in the secondary down the stretch would be welcomed by the Colts given the injuries they have dealt with in that department this season.

Indianapolis’ loss on Sunday dropped the team to 8-4. That record matches that of the Jaguars, who won today. Meanwhile, the Texans now sit at 7-5. Gardner’s health down the stretch will be something to watch closely as the Colts attempt to close out what has become a three-way race for top spot in the AFC South.

Browns Open To Giving Shedeur Sanders ‘Extended Look’ As Starting QB

November 30th, 2025 at 3:50pm CST by Connor Byrne

NOVEMBER 30: In the wake of the Browns’ loss on Sunday, Stefanski confirmed to little surprise (via Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com) that Sanders will get the nod once again next week. His third consecutive start will come against the Titans.

NOVEMBER 29: Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders will make the second start of his career on Sunday against the 49ers. The team is open to giving Sanders an “extended look” as its starter beyond then, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

A fifth-round pick after a decorated career at Colorado, Sanders made his NFL debut when rookie third-rounder Dillon Gabriel suffered a concussion in a Week 11 loss to the Ravens. Sanders completed just 4 of 16 passes for 47 yards and an interception in relief.

With Gabriel’s concussion holding him out last week, Sanders took the reins against the Raiders. After a full week receiving first-team reps, Sanders finished 11 of 20 for 209 yards, a touchdown, and a pick. The Browns picked up a 24-10 victory to improve to 3-8.

Although Gabriel cleared concussion protocol on Monday, head coach Kevin Stefanski announced that he’s sticking with Sanders. Stefanski’s decision didn’t come as a surprise on the heels of a win with Sanders at the helm. Gabriel’s struggles when healthy surely made it an even easier choice for Stefanski.

The Browns stumbled to a 1-5 mark between Gabriel’s promotion to the starting role in Week 5 and his concussion. Gabriel only managed 116 passing yards in his lone win, a 31-6 blowout over the Dolphins in Week 7. The left-hander from Oregon has thrown seven touchdowns against two interceptions, but he has completed just 59.2% of passes and averaged a meager 5.1 yards per attempt. He ranks 31st among 33 qualifiers in QBR, beating out the Raiders’ Geno Smith and the Vikings’ J.J. McCarthy.

While Sanders didn’t exactly light it up against the Raiders, he doesn’t have a high bar to clear to outdo Gabriel’s output. It also helps that practice squad signal-caller Bailey Zappe is the only other healthy QB in the fold. It’s too early to say Gabriel won’t turn into an NFL-caliber starter, but he hasn’t looked the part yet. With that in mind, it makes sense for the out-of-contention Browns to give Sanders a longer look as they map out their future.

Assuming the Browns no longer regard the injured Deshaun Watson as the answer, they’ll need to find a franchise quarterback somewhere. If the Browns don’t believe they have one in Gabriel or Sanders when the offseason rolls around, they’ll have to consider upgrading in free agency, the trade market, and the draft. The 2026 rookie QB class hasn’t drawn rave reviews, but with the Browns set to enter the draft with two first-rounders (one from Jacksonville), that may be their best hope for a long-term solution.

Cowboys Designate Trevon Diggs For Return

November 30th, 2025 at 2:12pm CST by Adam La Rose

It was learned yesterday that the Cowboys were aiming to open Trevon Diggs‘ practice window this weekend. That has indeed taken place.

Diggs was designated for return on Sunday, per a team announcement. The veteran corner is now eligible to practice as a result. He can be activated any time within the next 21 days.

[RELATED: IR Return Tracker]

Getting Diggs back in the fold shortly will represent another positive development for the Cowboys’ defense. That unit has received reinforcements recently with the likes of linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and rookie cornerback Shavon Revel suiting up. The trade acquisitions of defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and linebacker Logan Wilson have also played a key role in Dallas’ defensive turnaround during the team’s three-game winning streak.

Diggs suffered a concussion at home before ultimately landing on IR. Issues regarding his knee – albeit not the one which has been responsible for considerable missed time in previous years – were also a factor in Diggs being sidelined for an extended period. The two-time Pro Bowler will be expected to reprise a starting role once he is activated.

Known as a man coverage specialist, Diggs was among the members of the Cowboys who struggled early in the season under new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus’ reliance on zone coverage. The former All-Pro posted the worst figures of his career in terms of completion percentage and passer rating allowed during his six games played prior to being moved to IR. Improvement on that front would help Diggs contribute down the stretch, and it could boost his chances of remaining in Dallas past the current season.

Diggs is under contract through 2028, but the lack of future guarantees makes him a potential cut candidate for the coming offseason. The 27-year-old could help his stock over the closing weeks of the campaign with a healthy stretch and a consistent level of performance. Of course, that would also provide a boost to the Cowboys’ playoff chances.

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