TE Tucker Kraft, WR Christian Watson, DL Devonte Wyatt Among Packers Extension Candidates
With the early phase of free agency basically done, the Packers will soon be shifting their attention to the draft. However, with a chunk of money remaining, the front office will also pursue extensions with some of their current players. When asked to identify the team’s top extension candidates, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic pointed to three players: tight end Tucker Kraft, wide receiver Christian Watson, and defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt.
We heard back in February that the Packers and Kraft were likely to engage in extension talks, and Schneidman believes the tight end will be prioritized. That’s because the player is currently working his way back from a torn ACL, and there’s an opportunity for the front office to secure a relative bargain. Of course, it takes two to tango, and Kraft may understand that his best opportunity to approach the top of the TE market is by proving he’s fully recovered.
The former third-round pick is set to enter the final season of his rookie contract. He had a breakout campaign in 2024, finishing with 50 catches for 707 yards and seven touchdowns. He took his production to another level in 2025, upping his yards-per-game mark from 41.6 in 2024 to 61.1 yards in 2025. He was also on pace for double-digit touchdowns, as he hauled in six scores through eight games. Unfortunately, that ACL tear ended his season early, but the Packers are still counting on Kraft to be a foundational part of their offense moving forward.
Last September, Watson inked a one-year extension that would keep him in Green Bay through the 2026 campaign. At the time, the wideout was recovering from his own ACL tear, and that deal bought the organization some time as they evaluated his comeback. Watson more than picked up where he left off, as he compiled some of the best numbers of his career, finishing with 35 catches for 611 yards and six touchdowns in just 10 games.
The Packers did lose Romeo Doubs to the Patriots this offseason, but they are also still rostering a pair of rookie-contract contributors in Matthew Golden and Jayden Reed. While the front office would naturally like to surround Jordan Love with as much talent as possible, they may not feel the same urgency to break the bank to keep Watson long-term.
Wyatt, a former first-round pick, is set to play the 2026 season on his fifth-year option. After appearing in less than 50 percent of his team’s defensive snaps through his first three NFL seasons, the defensive lineman took on a larger role in 2025. He started each of his 10 games last season, collecting 27 tackles and four sacks while appearing in more than 60 percent of Green Bay’s defensive snaps.
He suffered a fibula fracture and ankle ligament tear that ended his season prematurely, although he’s optimistic that he’ll be ready to go for training camp. The Packers may also want to get a longer look at Wyatt’s recovery before paying big, but they could find themselves priced out of the equation if the defender continues his upward trajectory.
Giants Pursuing Guard Depth
Despite a clear need, the Giants haven’t done a whole lot to address the guard position during the early portion of the offseason. While the front office did pursue some of the top free agent options, they’ll now turn their focus to “bargain” free agents and the draft, according to Paul Schwartz of the New York Post.
The Giants featured one of the worst guard tandems in the NFL last season, with both Greg Van Roten and Jon Runyan struggling. After re-signing with the franchise last offseason, Van Roten is now a free agent, and that presented the Giants with an opportunity to find an upgrade at the position.
According to Schwartz, the front office was involved in the Alijah Vera-Tucker sweepstakes, but they were unwilling to reach the three-year, $42MM deal he ultimately inked with the Patriots. David Edwards ($61MM), Zion Johnson ($49.5MM), Isaac Seumalo ($31.5MM), and John Simpson ($30MM) also garnered lucrative deals, but the Giants believed these values did not match “the quality of the player at the position.”
While the team did bring back former first-round pick Evan Neal on a league-minimum deal, there’s still clear work to be done at the position. As Schwartz notes, the organization doesn’t only need to find a replacement for Van Roten at right guard. Coach John Harbaugh also wants to find a player who can compete with Runyan on the left side of the line, meaning the Giants are in the market for multiple guards at the moment.
The aforementioned free agent “bargains” could be options for that LG competition, as there are few (if any) definitive starters left in free agency. That means the front office may have to turn to the draft to find their solution at RG. Penn State’s Olaivavega Ioane is widely regarded as the best prospect at his position, although he’d be a clear reach for the Giants at No. 5.
That means the organization may have to wait until the second round to fill the hole. That could lead the front office to the likes of Oregon’s Emmanuel Pregnon, Texas A&M’s Chase Bisontis, or Georgia Tech’s Keylan Rutledge.
NFL Mailbag: Brown, Pats, Waddle, Crosby
This week's edition of the PFR Mailbag touches on questions related to A.J. Brown fellow potential spring trade candidate Maxx Crosby. The recent Jaylen Waddle swap is also addressed.
David asks:
Why is it a good idea for the Patriots to trade for A.J. Brown? From the outside looking in, it looks like he'll be a terrible fit personality-wise and while he's still playing at a top level, the cost in draft picks will be substantial.
I guess a good follow-up question would be: is there more value in trading for Brown knowing that you're trading picks from the end of each round instead of where we expected to be at the start of the season (i.e. a .500 team expected to draft around 15th)?
Both of those concerns are certainly valid. Anyone watching how things have gone in Philadelphia for the last two or so years would naturally worry about a similar situation emerging.
AFC Notes: Raiders, Bengals, Fields
The Raiders landed PFR’s No. 1-ranked free agent, former Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum, when the negotiating window opened March 9. To reel in Linderbaum, the Raiders submitted a three-year, $81MM offer – the richest in the history of his position. Former Raiders head coach Pete Carroll wishes they would have been that aggressive in addressing their offensive line last offseason. During Carroll’s lone season in Las Vegas, the team finished 3-14 and allowed the most sacks in the NFL (64).
Discussing the Raiders’ 2025 O-line with ESPN’s Rich Cimini, Carroll observed: “Our offensive guys up front, from the last couple of years, we got murdered. We needed to upgrade that more than we did. It didn’t happen in the draft, and it didn’t happen in the offseason.”
The Raiders signed veteran interior lineman Alex Cappa for two years and $11MM last offseason, but they have already bailed on that investment. Meanwhile, third-round rookies Caleb Rogers and Charles Grant combined for just 15 appearances. Rogers started in all six games at right guard, but Grant – a tackle – was on the field for a mere 59 offensive snaps.
Now looking to further improve a line that Pro Football Focus rated as the worst in the league, the Raiders are expected to focus on the area in the draft. “They’re going to draft a tackle day one, and they’ll add a guard,” one general manager told Jason La Canfora of SportsBoom. “The line was terrible. They couldn’t (run) block or (pass) protect.”
The GM made those comments before the Raiders’ trade with the Ravens for Maxx Crosby collapsed. Had it gone through, the Raiders would have collected two first-rounders for Crosby, including the 14th overall pick this year. They are now out of the running for a Day 1 offensive tackle unless they acquire another first-rounder. The Raiders are considered shoo-ins to use their top pick, No. 1 overall, on former Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
The Raiders have an established left tackle in Kolton Miller, though the 30-year-old missed 13 games in 2025 with a high ankle sprain and a hairline fracture. Miller is on schedule in his recovery, however, and should be ready for OTAs, according to Vincent Bonsignore of the California Post. Right tackle DJ Glaze has started in 31 of career 34 games, including all 17 last year, though the Raiders could attempt to upgrade on the former third-rounder in the draft.
At guard, Las Vegas lost a starter when Dylan Parham chose the Jets in free agency, but the team brought in former 49er Spencer Burford to compete for a spot. Rogers, Burford, Jackson Powers-Johnson and Jordan Meredith are all candidates for the two starting guard jobs, which could change depending on how the draft unfolds. It would be optimal for the Raiders to continue building up their line to benefit Mendoza and second-year running back Ashton Jeanty.
Here’s more from around the AFC:
- There was a changing of the guard at linebacker in Cincinnati in 2025. Not only did the Bengals release Germaine Pratt prior to the season, but they traded the now-retired Logan Wilson to the Cowboys before the Nov. 4 deadline. The Wilson swap came after rookies Demetrius Knight and Barrett Carter took over as the Bengals’ primary linebackers. Considering the Bengals have not made any notable moves at the position this offseason, it appears Knight and Carter will continue to lead their LBs in 2026, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic writes. Kaden Elliss and Leo Chenal were among potential free agent options, but the Bengals did not aggressively pursue either player, according to Dehner. Elliss signed with the Saints on a three-year, $33MM deal, while Chenal took the Commanders’ three-year, $24.75MM offer.
- Quarterback Justin Fields would have played 2026 on a $20MM base salary had there been no adjustments to the two-year, $40MM pact the Jets gave him last offseason. Instead, after the Jets traded Fields to the Chiefs for a sixth-rounder on Monday, he will earn $11MM. The Jets will give Fields an $8MM signing bonus, while the Chiefs will pay his fully guaranteed $3MM salary, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
- Wide receiver Jalen Tolbert‘s one-year pact with the Dolphins is a veteran salary benefit deal worth $1.4MM, including $1.26MM in guarantees, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 relays. Despite the minor investment, the former Cowboy could play a big role in a Miami receiving corps that no longer includes the traded Jaylen Waddle or the released Tyreek Hill. Tolbert put up career highs with 49 catches, 610 yards and seven touchdowns in 2024, but his numbers plummeted last season thanks to the Cowboys’ addition of George Pickens.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/19/26
Thursday’s minor moves from around the NFL…
Detroit Lions
- Re-signed: DL Myles Adams
Indianapolis Colts
- Re-signed: CB Cameron Mitchell
A fifth-round pick in 2023, Mitchell was a backup with the Browns until they cut him at the end of September last year. He caught on with the Colts’ practice squad a few days later and wound up playing in eight of their games. As the Colts dealt with injuries to top cornerbacks Sauce Gardner and Charvarius Ward, Mitchell notched 18 tackles and four passes defensed. The 24-year-old will remain in Indianapolis as depth.
Raiders A Fallback Option For Aaron Rodgers?
When the Steelers replaced Mike Tomlin with former Packers coach Mike McCarthy, it seemingly increased the chances that Aaron Rodgers would return for a second season in Pittsburgh. If not, the only other logical option would be for the quarterback to call it a career. While those two choices still represent the likeliest paths, there could be a third fallback option for the future Hall of Fame QB.
[RELATED: QB Aaron Rodgers’ Steelers Decision Not Imminent]
An executive told Jason La Canfora of SportsBoom.com that the Raiders could end up being an option for Rodgers if things don’t work out in Pittsburgh. That source noted that Rodgers wants to be a definitive starter wherever he signs, and considering those starting opportunities are quickly drying up, the veteran QB may have no choice but “to get something done with Tom Brady” and the Raiders. At the same time, the source noted that a deal would naturally be dependent on the Raiders actually wanting the 42-year-old.
We heard earlier this month that a resolution wasn’t imminent, and La Canfora notes that Rodgers hasn’t shown any urgency to make a decision. For what it’s worth, the Steelers haven’t done anything to address the position this offseason and are clearly open to welcoming back Rodgers for another season.
Of course, the team will eventually like clarity at their most important position. Armed with the No. 21 pick, the draft may prove to be a decisive moment for the franchise. La Canfora notes that Kirk Cousins is also viewed as a “viable option,” although the team would obviously prefer to maintain some continuity (and provide some familiarity for McCarthy) via Rodgers.
The Raiders are all but certain to take Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza with the first-overall pick. The organization would presumably want to kick off that era of their franchise ASAP, but adding Rodgers to the mix would change the equation. There’s some merit to letting the young quarterback redshirt behind the iconic signal caller, although Rodgers’ win-now mentality could also run counter to the team’s developmental priorities.
Ultimately, the most likely path sees Rodgers returning to the Steelers for another season. As Rodgers considers his future, he’s presumably assuming that he’ll be welcomed back to Pittsburgh. If the organization suddenly decides to pivot and Rodgers decides he wants to continue playing, the Raiders could emerge as one of his only options.
Former Eagles RB Boston Scott Retires
Running back Boston Scott spent almost two full seasons out of football after the Steelers waived him with an injury settlement in September 2024. Set to turn 31 in April, Scott announced his retirement on X on Wednesday.
“I’m thankful for everything the game has given me and my family,” Scott wrote. “I’m thankful for the coaches, teammates, and staff throughout my career that believed in me even when it wasn’t popular.”
Fresh off his lone 1,000-yard rushing season at Louisiana Tech, Scott entered the NFL as a Saints sixth-round pick in 2018. However, the Baton Rouge, La., native never played a meaningful snap for his local team.
The Saints cut Scott before his rookie season. He wound up spending a couple months on their practice squad before they waived him again in December 2018. Scott quickly landed on the Eagles’ taxi squad and went on to log two appearances in his first year. While the 5-foot-6, 204-pounder did not touch the ball on offense, he returned four kicks for 96 yards.
Scott became much more involved in the Eagles’ offense in his second season, the beginning of a five-year run in which he combined for 373 touches (302 carries, 71 receptions). He set career highs in carries (87) and rushing touchdowns (seven) in 2021. Over 75 games and 12 starts with the Eagles, Scott ran for 1,295 yards and 16 TDs on 4.3 YPC. As a pass catcher, Scott added 566 yards and another score. He chipped in a 22.8-yard average on 66 kick returns.
Scott’s tenure in Philadelphia ended when he signed with the Rams in the spring of 2024, but he did not make their roster. Although Scott worked out for the Ravens and Colts last summer, he was unable to land another contract.
Commanders Rumors: Pierce, Aiyuk
The Commanders were “aggressive” in their pursuit of Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce when the NFL’s legal negotiating window opened March 9, but he stayed put on a four-year, $114MM contract. It turns out he nearly ended up in Washington. Had Pierce reached the open market, he “absolutely” would have signed with the Commanders, a source told John Keim of ESPN.
After seemingly finishing second in the Pierce sweepstakes, Washington was the runner-up in the Romeo Doubs derby the next day. Doubs left the Packers for the Patriots’ four-year, $68MM pact, but the Commanders were reportedly “very close” to landing him.
While the Commanders still have not found a capable complement to No. 1 receiver Terry McLaurin, they have bolstered their pass-catching group in adding former Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo and making modest investments at receiver (Dyami Brown, Treylon Burks, Van Jefferson). Impact options at the position continue to dwindle in free agency, though. Jauan Jennings and Deebo Samuel, who spent last season in Washington, are among the most appealing unsigned wideouts remaining.
Samuel led a banged-up Commanders receiving corps in catches (72), targets (99), yards (727) and touchdowns (five) last year, but he hasn’t drawn any known interest from Washington or elsewhere this offseason. The Commanders are expected to target one of Samuel’s former 49ers teammates, Brandon Aiyuk, though San Francisco will have to part with him first. While Aiyuk starred during his most recent full season in 2023, his stock has plummeted since then. As such, it is “unlikely” the Commanders will trade for Aiyuk or submit anything more than a one-year, prove-it offer if the 49ers release him, Keim writes.
In 2024, the first season of a four-year, $120MM contract, Aiyuk caught only 25 of 47 targets for 374 yards and no touchdowns before tearing his ACL and MCL in Week 7. He has not played since then.
While Aiyuk was on the mend from surgery last July, the 49ers voided the remaining guarantees on his deal because they were not happy with his rehab efforts. They eventually placed Aiyuk on the reserve/left squad list in December, ending any chance he would play in 2025.
Delving into the Aiyuk drama as a guest on the Bussin’ with the Boys podcast this week, 49ers tight end George Kittle revealed (via Coach Yac): “The last time I saw Aiyuk, he was kinda at training camp, kinda not and then he was in and out of the building throughout the first couple of weeks. Then I started going out to see him in the weight room because he didn’t go into the locker room or the training room anymore. He would just go into the weight room to do his rehab. I would go there and talk to him because he didn’t go to meetings or anything like that. I would just talk to him and let him know ‘I’m your guy. Just letting you know I love ya’. I started doing that Week 6 and then a week later that story came out about all the crazy stuff and then I didn’t see him again.”
Although Aiyuk has the talent to revive his career, it is no surprise that the Commanders and the rest of the league are wary of trading for him or handing over a sizable contract. But whether it’s Aiyuk or someone else, it would be ideal for Washington to find another starting-level receiver this offseason. General manager Adam Peters has come up empty in his efforts so far.
NFL Owners To Vote On Raiders Succession Plan
Raiders owner Mark Davis still has no intention of selling his majority stake in the franchise, but that won’t stop the NFL and the organization from preparing a succession plan.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, league owners will soon vote on a plan that would give Silver Lake co-CEO Egon Durban the first opportunity to buy the team. The vote is expected to take place at the annual league meeting on March 29.
Durban is currently a limited partner within the organization. Back in late 2024, NFL owners approved the sale of a 15 percent stake in the Raiders to Durban and fellow limited partner Michael Meldman, the founder of Discovery Land Co.. Durban and Meldman currently each own 7.5 percent of the franchise.
If the vote goes through, it would allow Durban to buy the Raiders if and when Davis or his heirs decided to sell. League owners would still have to approve that transaction, but the upcoming vote will signal whether the other 31 teams are open to letting Durban join their exclusive club. Per Schefter, the NFL’s Finance Committee has already approved the “option agreement.”
At the same time, owners will also vote on Davis immediately selling a roughly seven percent share of the franchise to Durban and Meldman. That would put the valuation for the franchise at around $10 billion. Last August, Forbes valued three organizations at more than $10 billion: the Cowboys ($13 billion), Rams ($10.5 billion), and Giants ($10.1 billion).
Davis still owns close to 75 percent of the franchise. Besides the sales to Durban and Meldman, Davis famously sold a five percent stake in the franchise to Tom Brady back in 2024. That transaction also saw Knighthead Capital Management co-founder Tom Wagner purchase a five percent stake, while Hall of Fame defensive end Richard Seymour purchased a 0.5 percent stake. As SI.com’s Albert Breer notes, Durban is “Brady’s guy,” so there’s clear support for the sale from within the organization.
The organization has been in the Davis family since Al Davis purchased the franchise back in 1972. The Raiders quickly emerged as one of the premier teams, winning three Super Bowls between 1972 and 1983. The team has only had 10 playoff appearances (including one Super Bowl loss) since. Mark Davis took over ownership when his father passed away in 2011. Under Mark’s leadership, the Raiders have had a pair of winning seasons and zero playoff wins, with the Raiders shuffling through eight head coaches (not including interim HCs) over that span.
Saints Bring Back DE Chris Rumph
Former Charger Chris Rumph joined the Saints on a one-year contract last spring. After posting his first career 17-game season in 2025, the defensive end will remain in New Orleans. Rumph has agreed to a new deal with the Saints, the team announced (via Katherine Terrell of ESPN).
A former Duke Blue Devil, Rumph entered the pros as the Chargers’ fourth-round pick 2021. Rumph appeared in 37 games and totaled three sacks over his first three seasons, during which the Chargers counted on him as a core special teamer. However, they let Rumph go after he spent the entire 2024 campaign on injured reserve.
All of Rumph’s snaps in Los Angeles came with head coach Brandon Staley at the helm. Staley, whom the Chargers fired late in Rumph’s third season, became the Saints’ defensive coordinator last year.
Rumph followed Staley to New Orleans, where he piled up a personal-best 47 tackles and tied a career high with two sacks. He was on the field for 330 defensive snaps and another 351 on special teams. The 27-year-old’s 81.63% ST snap share ranked second on the Saints.
Rumph will continue to fill a similar role in New Orleans, though he could see more defensive work if free agent and franchise icon Cameron Jordan does not return. With Jordan unsigned, Carl Granderson and Chase Young are the Saints’ top defensive ends.