Packers Hire Cam Achord As Special Teams Coordinator
The Packers have hired former Giants and Patriots assistant special teams coach Cam Achord as their new special teams coordinator, per a team announcement. Achord will replace Rich Bisaccia after his unexpected resignation last week,
More to come.
Broncos Decline RFA Tender For Jaleel McLaughlin
After spending the first three seasons of his NFL career in Denver, running back Jaleel McLaughlin is heading for the open market. The Broncos will not tender the restricted free agent a contract, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports.
While the Broncos and McLaughlin are at least temporarily splitting up, he could still re-sign on a cheaper deal. That is a legitimate possibility, according to 9News’ Mike Klis, who points out McLaughlin would have gotten a noticeable raise on his RFA tender. McLaughlin made a $1.03MM base salary in 2025, in which he missed nine games with injuries. Tendering him would have cost the Broncos $3.55MM.
Dividing his college career between Division II Notre Dame (Ohio) and FCS Youngstown State, McLaughlin rushed for an NCAA-record 8,155 yards. Nevertheless, nobody drafted the 5-foot-8, 187-pound McLaughin in 2023. He went on to earn a roster spot with the Broncos and average an impressive 5.4 yards per carry on 76 attempts as a rookie. McLaughlin also chipped in 31 catches and three total touchdowns over a 17-game campaign.
With then-Broncos starter Javonte Williams struggling for the second straight season in 2024, McLaughlin took on more work as a runner. He finished the year with career highs in carries (113) and yards (496). McLaughlin’s catch total fell to 24, but he scored three TDs for the second straight year.
Williams left for the Cowboys in free agency last year, and the Broncos replaced him with J.K. Dobbins a few months later. The team had already made a bigger investment in RJ Harvey, whom it drafted 60th overall last April. Although Dobbins missed seven games, he and Harvey still split 299 carries. Those additions led to less action for McLaughin, regularly a healthy scratch before Dobbins suffered a season-ending foot injury in November. While McLaughlin averaged 5.1 yards a carry in 2025, he accrued just 41 touches (37 rushes, four catches) in eight games.
Eagles Seeking First- And Second-Rounder For A.J. Brown?
With wide receiver A.J. Brown regularly sharing his frustration over the Eagles’ offense last season, they reportedly listened to trade offers ahead of the Nov. 4 deadline. Brown is still an Eagle almost four months later, but questions regarding his future have not subsided. As the offseason gets underway across the NFL, Brown continues to look like a legitimate trade candidate.
A late-December report indicated the Eagles could look to move Brown this offseason. Around two weeks later, the Eagles’ season ended with an uninspired offensive showing in a 23-19 wild-card round loss to the 49ers. Brown and head coach Nick Sirianni got into a memorable sideline dust-up in the first half, though the coach downplayed it afterward. It was also a rough evening on the field for the 28-year-old Brown. On the heels of his fourth straight 1,000-yard season, he caught just three of seven targets against the 49ers. Brown dropped two passes and accounted for a meager 25 yards.
When meeting with media on Tuesday, Sirianni did not “guarantee” Brown would return to Philadelphia for a fifth season. General manager Howie Roseman acknowledged that “you go into the league year listening to offers for everything and anything.”
Although Brown had his problems with the Eagles last season, Roseman is not inclined to ship out the three-time Pro Bowler/second-team All-Pro for cheap. One NFL executive told Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer he heard that Roseman is seeking a first- and second-round pick in return. Whether that is realistic remains to be seen, but the Eagles are expected to make a decision by March 9, sources told McLane. That would give Roseman clarity on Brown’s future heading into the new league year.
Although there is plenty of smoke around a potential Brown trade, Roseman will keep him if he doesn’t receive a tempting enough offer, according to McLane. If Brown is still an Eagle next season, he will count an affordable $23.39MM against their salary cap. On the other hand, trading Brown before June 1 would level the Eagles with a 43.45MM dead cap charge, a record for his position. They would also lose $20.12MM in spending room. Meanwhile, an acquiring team would have to take on what’s left of the three-year, $96MM extension Brown signed before the Eagles’ Super Bowl-winning 2024 campaign.
Holding off until after June 1, as the Falcons did when they traded Julio Jones in 2021, would point to a more favorable financial situation for the Eagles next season. They would still have to spread his dead money over two years ($16.35MM in 2026 and $27.1MM in ’27), but they would free up $7MM in breathing room in 2026. Despite that, it does not appear the Eagles will wait that long to map out Brown’s future. By the sounds of it, Roseman will either get rid of Brown in the next 10 days or the wideout will stay put.
Broncos Place Second-Round Tender On Ja’Quan McMillian
Broncos cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian is heading for restricted free agency after putting together his third straight two-interception season in 2025. The Broncos applied the second-round tender to McMillian on Friday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports. The 25-year-old is now in line to earn around $5.81MM in 2026.
It is unlikely a team would trade a second-rounder for McMillian, who is only a year away from unrestricted free agency. As such, Denver’s decision to issue McMillian a high-level tender should secure his place in its defense for at least another season. As the Broncos’ top slot corner, McMillian holds down a key spot alongside outside starters Patrick Surtain II and Riley Moss.
McMillian’s stock has risen significantly since he joined the Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2022. The former East Carolina Pirate played just one game as a rookie, but he has been on the field for 50 of 51 since then. McMillian has taken on a prominent role since 2023, having finished top three among Broncos cornerbacks in snap share for three years in a row.
As part of an elite defense last season, McMillian played 742 snaps (66.01%). Along with his two INTs, he notched 56 tackles, nine passes defensed, five TFL and a career-high four sacks. Pro Football Focus ranked his performance a superb fourth among 112 qualifying corners.
While McMillian excelled in the regular season, his most memorable play occurred in a divisional-round win over the Bills. With the teams in an overtime battle, McMillian wrestled away what would have been a 43-yard catch for wide receiver Brandin Cooks and turned it into a pick. Had Cooks come down with it, the Bills would have gone on to attempt a game-winning field goal during the ensuing moments. Instead, with McMillian’s help, the Broncos took possession and marched to a 33-30 victory.
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Cowboys Place Non-Exclusive Franchise Tag On George Pickens
Time still remained for the Cowboys to place the franchise tag on wideout George Pickens. Nevertheless, Friday has proven to be the day for the tender’s application. 
Pickens has officially been tagged, per a team announcement. A number of reports from Friday morning pointed to today being the point at which the move would take place. Dallas has taken the expected route of the non-exclusive franchise tag in this case, ESPN’s Todd Archer reports.
“My relationship with GP doesn’t change,” head coach Brian Schottenheimer said about Pickens when speaking about the looming tag application. “Just like it didn’t change with CeeDee [Lamb] or Dak [Prescott] when those guys were going through certain things. It’s all part of the process. It’s the business side of it… This is going to play out the way it’s supposed to play out.”
The receiver tag is worth $27.298MM in 2026, the league announced Friday. Although Dallas is an estimated $56MM over the salary cap (per OverTheCap), the team has long been willing to apply the tag to keep Pickens off the market with free agency approaching. Pickens is free to speak with interested teams given the nature of the tag used in this case, but the chances of an outside suitor working out a deal and parting with two first-round picks to facilitate it are extremely low. Attention will instead turn to the matter of contract talks between the Cowboys and their productive 2025 trade acquisition.
As Archer notes, Pickens and his camp were informed of the tag decision yesterday. He adds that “general” conversations took place between the Cowboys and Pickens’ representatives at the ongoing NFL Combine. Progress with respect to detailed negotiations will be worth watching for as this situation unfolds. If no long-term agreement can be reached by July 15, Pickens will be required to play on the tag next season. He may sit out if a deal does not come together, according to Clarence Hill Jr. of All City DLLS.
The Cowboys already have huge money tied up in Lamb, whom they signed to a four-year, $136MM extension in 2024. Lamb ranks third at his position in value, AAV and guarantees ($100MM). He has a better overall track record than Pickens, but with the cap continuing to rise, the latter might be in line for a similar contract. Executives across the league are expecting at least $30MM per year for Pickens, Jori Epstein of Yahoo Sports reports. There is even a possibility the soon-to-be 25-year-old Pickens’ next pact will surpass Lamb’s.
The Cowboys acquired Pickens and a 2027 sixth-round pick from the Steelers for a 2026 third-rounder and a ’27 fifth-rounder last spring. At that point, Pickens had established himself as a good (far from elite) receiver who came with some off-field baggage. The former second-rounder from Georgia had issues with punctuality over his first three years in Pittsburgh. Toward the end of Pickens’ last year with the Steelers, Mike Tomlin said the wideout needed to “grow up.”
The change of scenery worked for wonders for Pickens overall. One of the few hiccups came when Schottenheimer benched him (and Lamb) for the opening series in a Week 11 win over the Raiders. The two star receivers missed curfew the night before, but that quickly blew over. Pickens went on to finish a 17-game season with across-the-board career highs in catches (93), receiving yards (1,429) and touchdowns (nine). He easily would have been the most desirable pass catcher on the open market had he gotten there.
Depending on how talks with the Jerry Jones-led Cowboys go, Pickens could still change hands via trade. Jones and Pickens’ agent, David Mulugheta, did not see eye to eye in extension negotiations with superstar pass rusher Micah Parsons last year. After a contentious battle, Jones dealt Parsons to the Packers in a late-August blockbuster. Jones and Mulugheta will aim for more harmonious talks in this case. If they reach an agreement, Pickens would follow former Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant in inking an extension after receiving the tag. The Cowboys tagged Bryant back in 2015, but they shook hands on a five-year, $70MM deal before the mid-July deadline.
Connor Byrne contributed to this post.
NFL Sets 2026 Salary Cap At $301.2MM
FEBRUARY 27: The 2026 cap is officially $301.2MM, the league informed its teams on Friday.
JANUARY 30: The NFL has not officially set its 2026 salary cap yet, but it will exceed the $300MM mark for the first time. The league informed its teams that it’s projecting the number to fall between $301.2MM and $305.7MM, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Surpassing $300MM would represent yet another sizable one-year jump for the league, which set its 2025 cap at $279.2MM. It was only four years ago that the cap checked in north of $200MM for the first time. With the exception of 2021, the first post-COVID campaign, the number has gone up by at least $10MM in each season since 2013. Here’s a year-by-year look (via Pelissero):
- 2013: $123M
- 2014: $133M
- 2015: $143.28M
- 2016: $155.27M
- 2017: $167M
- 2018: $177.2M
- 2019: $188.2M
- 2020: $198.2M
- 2021: $182.5M
- 2022: $208.2M
- 2023: $224.8M
- 2024: $255.4M
- 2025: $279.2M
The pandemic, which led to stadiums with either no fans or limited attendance, caused the cap to fall 8% from 2020-21. A half-decade later, it’s clear the league’s financial situation is in a much better place. The additions of a 17th regular-season game and two extra playoff teams have contributed to the cap surge. Expensive media rights deals and and more gambling partnerships have also played significant roles.
The cap increasing by $20MM-plus before free agency opens in March will be a welcome boost for teams, especially those in dire need of spending room, and players alike. George Pickens, Daniel Jones, Trey Hendrickson, Tyler Linderbaum, Odafe Oweh, Alec Pierce and Breece Hall are among the headliners who could hit the open market.
We’re also sure to see more lucrative contract extensions in 2026. Josh Allen, Micah Parsons, Aidan Hutchinson, Myles Garrett, Ja’Marr Chase and Brock Purdy are among the players who signed massive extensions in 2025.
Panthers Grant DT A’Shawn Robinson Permission To Seek Trade; Team Open To Moving QB Andy Dalton
A’Shawn Robinson has been a full-time starter with the Panthers since arriving in free agency two years ago. The veteran defensive tackle’s Carolina tenure is likely nearing an end, however. 
Robinson has been granted permission to seek a trade, Joe Person of The Athletic reports (subscription required). In cases such as this, teams often attempt to gauge the trade market of a player they are likely to release in the absence of any offers. Person recently pointed to Robinson as a strong cut candidate, making today’s news unsurprising.
One year remains on Robinson’s contract, a three-year, $22.5MM pact he signed on the open market in 2024. The former Lion, Giant and Ram is currently scheduled to carry a cap hit of $12.56MM in 2026. However, a release in this case would yield $10.5MM in savings while only creating a dead money charge of $2.06MM. That could very well lead to a Robinson departure through a cost-shedding move soon, unless a trade partner can be found. Soon to turn 31, Robinson has totaled 145 tackles and eight sacks in 33 Panthers games.
Another Carolina veteran who could be on the move shortly is Andy Dalton. The longtime quarterback is drawing trade interest, and the final year of his contract contains a base salary of just $3.9MM. That figure could be attractive for any number of teams seeking out affordable depth under center, and Panthers general manager Dan Morgan has spoken about a willingness to find a new Bryce Young backup this offseason.
“There’s a potential that somebody may want him,” Morgan acknowledged during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show (video link). “Andy’s a really good player, and he’s a great guy, great culture fit for us. I haven’t talked to any teams about a trade, but I think if the possibility did come up then I would talk to Andy, give him that option and let him explore a trade. I do think we want to get a little younger and a little more athletic at that backup quarterback spot.”
Dalton is 38, so the list of replacement candidates which are younger is rather long. The former Pro Bowler has made a total of seven starts across his three Carolina seasons, but Young has shown enough to enter 2026 as the team’s clear-cut starer. Even though a long-term extension is not likely to be worked out this offseason, Young could be in line for a substantial raise relatively soon.
Finding a long-term backup option as early as this spring would make sense for Carolina as a result. Just like Robinson, that could lead to Dalton finding himself on the move in time for the start of the new league year.
Bills To Re-Sign S Sam Franklin
Sam Franklin will not test the open market next month. The pending free agent safety has worked out a new contract to remain in place with the Bills. 
Buffalo has agreed to a three-year deal with Franklin, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports. This pact contains $5MM which will be paid out over the first two seasons. With a maximum value of $7.5MM, Franklin’s new contract represents not only a lengthy commitment but also a notable raise compared to his previous one (which was worth the league minimum).
The special teams ace has played on one-year deals dating back to 2023. Franklin’s first five seasons were spent with the Panthers, but he joined the Broncos last year. After being among Denver’s final roster cuts, the 30-year-old immediately caught on with the Bills. Franklin signed to the active roster ahead of Week 1 and remained there all year.
After logging only six defensive snaps in 2025, Franklin will of course be expected to continue as a third phase specialist with Buffalo. The former UDFA handled a 76% snap share on special teams last season, a workload similar to that of his Carolina campaigns. Franklin has only managed nine defensive starts in his career, but despite a lack of experience on that front he has secured a significant compensation package from the Bills.
The safety position could see considerable turnover in Buffalo this spring, as Jordan Poyer, Damar Hamlin and Darnell Savage are all pending free agents. Starters Cole Bishop and Taylor Rapp remain under contract for next year, though, so depth will be sought out on the open market. As outside additions are explored by the team, Franklin has received an early assurance that he will remain in the fold for 2026 and beyond.
Jets To Trade Jermaine Johnson To Titans For T’Vondre Sweat
Jermaine Johnson is the latest defender to see his Jets tenure come to an end under the team’s new regime. The fifth-year edge rusher is on the move. 
Johnson is being traded by the Jets to the Titans, as first reported by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat is heading to New York in return. Like all trades, the final agreement is pending a physical for both players. This swap will not be finalized until after the new league year begins, Dianna Russini of The Athletic notes.
[RELATED: Johnson Aimed To Be Traded; More Jets Available?]
This swap will allow for Johnson to reunite with Robert Saleh. The two were previously together on the Jets, and after a one-year stint as San Francisco’s defensive coordinator Saleh was hired last month to take charge of the Titans. Adding along the edge has been seen as a critical need in Tennessee’s case, and before free agency has even begun the team has already lined up a move on that front.
Saleh’s arrival brought about a change in scheme, something which Russini notes made Sweat more of a trade chip. In two Tennessee seasons, the former second-rounder has posted 85 stops and eight tackles for loss. Sweat, who will turn 25 in July, has two years remaining on his rookie contract. He will look to provide New York with a starting presence along the interior and by doing so help fill the vacancy created by the Quinnen Williams deal.
Williams and cornerback Sauce Gardner were each traded away at the 2025 deadline. The Jets’ new decision-making tandem of general manager Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn received considerable interest in Johnson as well, but no deal was worked out in his case. New York rejected an offer including a third-round pick at the time, but that did not ensure Johnson would remain in place for 2026.
A December report indicated it was highly unlikely Johnson would work out an extension with the Jets. The 27-year-old will play out his fifth-year option in 2026, but he will do so on a new team. Johnson is due $13.41MM and will carry the same cap charge on Tennessee, a team which can comfortably afford an increase in costs along the defensive front. The same is also true of the Jets, of course, so it will be interesting to see how they proceed in the pass-rush department this spring.
New York owns the second overall pick in April’s draft. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza is universally expected to be selected first overall, which will leave the Jets in line to add at a different position. That could result in a pass rusher such as hybrid linebacker/EDGE Arvell Reese hearing his name called at the No. 2 slot. Free agency will also present the Jets with a number of options to add options on the edge.
Johnson had a quiet rookie season but earned a Pro Bowl nod based on his strong play in 2023. The Florida State product notched 7.5 sacks and 25 QB pressures, leading to high expectations for a strong follow-up campaign. However, an Achilles tear limited Johnson to just two games in 2024. He managed to make 14 appearances this past season, but in that time Johnson only recorded three sacks. A turnaround in Tennessee would go a long way in shaping his financial future.
The Jets ranked 29th against the run last season. Improving on that figure will be a key priority, and Sweat will be tasked with helping out on early downs in particular. The 6-4, 366-pounder was one of many Tennessee players who drew interest on the trade front this past fall, and his stock in the organization was not believed to be particularly high heading into the offseason. A change of scenery could prove to be beneficial to all parties.
After this swap becomes official, the Titans and Jets will still be among the league leaders in cap flexibility. Both teams also have considerable draft capital at the moment, so several more moves could be coming soon.