Falcons Fire Raheem Morris, GM Terry Fontenot
The first firing announcement comes out of Atlanta, where, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, head coach Raheem Morris has officially been fired. Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports quickly followed up the coaching announcement with a report that general manager Terry Fontenot has also been removed from his position.
In a statement, team owner Arthur Blank gave an explanation of today’s transactions.
“I have great personal affinity for both Raheem and Terry and appreciate their hard work and dedication to the Falcons,” he began. “But I believe we need new leadership in these roles moving forward. The decision to move away from people who represent the organization so well and have a shared commitment to the values that are important to the organization is not an easy one, but the results on the field have not met our expectations or those of our fans and leadership. I wish Raheem and Terry the absolute best in their future pursuits.”
Additionally, the team’s statement mentioned that they would use two different search firms to fill the two jobs. ZRG Partners will assist Atlanta on their head coach search while Sportsology Group will assist with the search for a new general manager. Per Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, Sportsology was already utilized to perform a full assessment of the team’s football operations. It seems their evaluation was valued, as it led to Fontenot’s dismissal and further work to assist with the job to replace him. No timelines were proposed for the searches, but both will begin immediately and run concurrently.
Blank seems to be growing short of patience as time goes on. Before Morris, Mike Smith held the head coaching job for seven seasons. Dan Quinn only lasted six after that, Arhtur Smith three, and Morris two. The team’s quick response to it all comes naturally at this point as the organization will undergo it’s fourth head coaching search in seven years. NFL insider Josina Anderson reports that, behind the scenes, discussions on resetting the team’s structure have been going on for weeks now.
Voices around the league seemed to be pointing towards a departure from Fontenot, but sources also believed that Morris was likely to be retained in his position. A long-time assistant with the Falcons, Morris spent six years as assistant head coach while coaching various position groups before getting promoted to defensive coordinator in 2020. He stepped up into the interim head coaching job when Quinn was fired and went 4-7 in his first time back in the captain’s chair since his time with the Buccaneers back in 2011.
The Falcons did not choose Morris to take over the full-time head coaching gig, instead hiring Arthur Smith to the job. Morris returned to Atlanta after three years as defensive coordinator for the Rams, replacing Smith when he was fired after three straight 7-10 seasons. In his two years back at the helm, Morris improved on Smith’s streak, if only barely, recording two 8-9 campaigns, the first resulting in a second-place division finish and the second resulting in a three-way tie that ended with a third-place finish in the NFC South. In order to force the three-way tie, the Falcons had to win their last four games, an impressive close to the season, but it wasn’t enough to save Morris’ job.
Multiple players, including wide receiver Drake London and running back Bijan Robinson, were vocal in support of Morris before his dismissal, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Robinson specifically said he was “going to support Raheem no matter what” but that it’s “Arthur Blank’s decision” (via Josh Kendall of The Athletic). There’s plenty of room for criticism of the move as early. Several coaches with worse results have been given longer leashes in NFL history, and Morris’ short leash came with handicaps from questionable draft and free agency decisions by Fontenot that left him with awkward quarterback situations.
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Seahawks, LT Charles Cross Agree On Extension
As Seahawks left tackle Charles Cross missed his third game in a row with injury, he and the team were able to agree to a new extension. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Seattle and Cross have come to terms on a four-year, $104.4MM extension. The deal pays out $40.5MM in the first year and included $75MM in guaranteed money. 
The deal comes with little surprise. When Cross expressed his interest in an extension in the weeks leading up to his fourth season in the NFL, the Seahawks shut down any notion of that occurring during that time. The team had been operating under the notion that they don’t extend contracts that have more than a year left on them, and after Cross’ fifth-year option was exercised last April, the then-24-year-old still had two years left on his slate. As soon as one of those years was finished and Cross had only one year left, Seattle couldn’t even wait 24 hours to extend their blindside blocker.
The new contract makes Cross the fifth-highest paid offensive tackle (per annual average value) in the NFL behind Rashawn Slater, Tristan Wirfs, (right tackle) Penei Sewell, and Trent Williams. Perhaps more impressive, Cross’ contract is the largest for a non-quarterback in franchise history, according to ESPN’s Brady Henderson.
Cross is more than deserving of the new deal. Since getting drafted by the Seahawks at No. 9 overall in 2022, Cross has started in all but six games (consisting of two three-week absences). He established himself as one of the best tackles in the league last year as Pro Football Focus (subscription required) graded him out as the ninth-best player at his position last year. He followed that up with a ranking at 27th out of 87 this year.
Though three of those six career absences have consecutively come in the past three weeks due to a hamstring injury, Cross is expected to be back in the lineup for the playoffs. Luckily for Cross and the Seahawks, the team’s victory over the division-rival 49ers secured the No. 1 seed in the NFC and a first-round bye, so the 25-year-old will have a little extra time to work his way back to the field. They’ve clearly decided to be productive with the two weeks they have until their next game as they checked one thing off the offseason checklist nice and early.
Colts To Retain Shane Steichen, Chris Ballard For 2026
While some changes could be coming on the sidelines or in the front office relatively soon, the Colts will have a large degree of stability in both regards. Head coach Shane Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard are both safe, per a team announcement. 
This news comes as little surprise. Recent indications for both Ballard and Steichen have suggested they would be safe for 2026, and that is now officially the case. Owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon will conduct a press conference on Monday, per the announcement.
Ballard and Steichen were floated as hot seat occupants entering the campaign based on their inability to find success following the Anthony Richardson selection. Expectations were tempered early with Daniel Jones at the helm, but his surprising level of play helped guide Indianapolis to a record of 8-2 at the bye. A postseason berth – and potential the AFC’s top seed – seemed well within reach. The past two months have seen a dramatic decline, however.
Jones suffered a partial fibula fracture and then an Achilles tear, ending his promising season. Injuries have also dealt a notable blow on defense in general and the secondary in particular throughout 2025. That factor, coupled with a string of challenging matchups against playoff-bound opponents, contributed to a seven-game losing streak to finish the campaign. As ESPN’s Stephen Holder notes, the Colts have become the first time in league history to finish with a losing record despite being at least six games over .500 at one point.
That unwanted piece of history would add to the case against Ballard in particular. Holder confirms, however, that the late-season collapse did not play a major role in deciding the fate of the Colts’ HC-GM combo. The team will look for better luck on the health front and for dividends from moves such as the Sauce Gardner trade, one which leaves it without a first-round pick in 2026 or ’27. Retaining Jones will loom as a major priority.
Ballard has operated as Indianapolis’ general manager since 2017. In that span, the team has gone 70-78-1, reaching the postseason on only two occasions. With just one playoff victory to his name, Ballard drew increasing criticism for his reliance on retaining in-house player for much of his tenure. 2025 saw a departure in philosophy, with the Gardner blockbuster being preceded by multiple free agent splashes. In her first full offseason running the team, Irsay-Gordon has elected to allow Ballard to continue seeing out the vision set forth last spring.
Steichen was hired in 2023 after a strong run as an offensive coordinator with the Chargers and Eagles. The 40-year-old guided the team to a 9-8 finish in his first season in place. 2025 marks the second in a row with a record of 8-9, but that run of mediocrity and an absence of playoff action will not outweigh the impressive showings from Indianapolis early this year.
The AFC South features a Jaguars team which went 13-4 in 2025 and a Texans squad preparing for its third straight playoff appearance. The Titans will likely have increased expectations for next year, Cam Ward‘s second in the NFL. The Colts will rely on familiar faces as they look to replicate the success from this fall moving forward.
Sprained AC Joint Fear For Titans QB Cam Ward
Titans quarterback Cam Ward‘s rookie season came to an unceremoniously early ending today when he exited today’s season finale with an injury. Ward has been initially diagnosed with a Grade 3 AC joint sprain in his right shoulder, per The Athletic’s Jeff Howe and Titans insider Paul Kuharsky. 
Ward landed on shoulder of his throwing arm while reaching for the end zone on the Titans’ first drive of Sunday’s game in Jacksonville. Jaguars linebacker Foyesade Oluokun landed on top of the No. 1 overall pick, driving him harder into the ground. Ward briefly went into the blue tent before making his way to the locker room and was seen later on the sideline in sweats.
Despite the injury, the 23-year-old started every game for the Titans in his rookie campaign. Though Ward had appeared on the team’s injury report back in Week 4 with ankle/calf issues, and though Ward was the most-sacked quarterback in the NFL this year (55, tied with Raiders quarterback Geno Smith), Ward had played 100 percent of the team’s offensive snaps up to that point of the season. Backup quarterback Brandon Allen‘s first snaps today were Tennessee’s first offensive snaps without Ward on the field this year.
AC joint sprain recovery times vary depending on the degree of severity. A milder Grade 1 sprain may take a couple weeks to shake off, whereas a Grade 3 sprain could take several months to recover from. The team saw former starter Will Levis suffer an AC joint sprain early in his second year with the team. He was cleared after the Titans’ bye week and started the next game without missing any time, but he reaggravated the injury in his first game after the injury and was sidelined for the next three weeks. Levis underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in July before this season, but it’s unclear if the procedure was related to the AC joint sprain or a more recent injury.
Ward’s injury ended a rookie season that he will want to quickly move on from. Coming into the final week of the season, Ward ranked 25th in the NFL in passing yards per game and dead last in touchdowns per pass attempt. As mentioned above, he also led the league in sacks taken and yards lost from sacks. Many of these troubling stats can be attributed to Ward adjusting to the speed difference from college to the pros, but the quality of the players around him should not be ignored.
While Ward certainly needs to get the ball out quicker in certain situations, he was under pressure on 27.9 percent of his pass attempts, the third-highest percentage in the league. His receivers also racked up the 12th-most drops in the NFL and finished 27th in the NFL in yards after catch. Ward did show bright spots, though, like only throwing seven interceptions, good for an interception rate of 1.3 percent — the third-best such figure in the NFL this year. He also was able to keep plays alive with his legs and turn broken plays into highlights, something he was known to do in college, as well.
All-in-all, the Titans still believe that Ward is their franchise quarterback, but his development is going to be crucial as he looks to take another step forward in Year 2. The team will likely have Ward undergo some testing to determine the exact severity of today’s injury, and they’ll hope that the resulting recovery time won’t keep him from being available for voluntary Organized Team Activities in May.
Ely Allen contributed to this post.
Giants Planning To Stick With Joe Schoen; Joe Brady, Davis Webb On HC Radar
5:15pm: Stefanski looms as a strong candidate to be dismissed soon, and Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer names him (video link) as a coach to watch closely as the hiring cycle takes shape. Colleague Ralph Vacchiano agrees, and he predicts Stefanski will rise to the top of the Giants’ list of preferred hires if/when he hits the market. Meanwhile, a number of HC candidates have mentioned Stefanski in conversations with Scoop City‘s James Palmer knowing he will be an attractive option for multiple teams. It remains to be seen if the Giants will be one on that front, but that would come as little surprise.
9:33am: Joe Schoen has received praise for modernizing the Giants’ organization, but that has not translated to wins. The Giants will end this season with three or four wins; this follows a 3-14 campaign in which John Mara said his patience had nearly run out. Brian Daboll paid for the Giants’ struggles, but his former Bills coworker has not.
As it stands, Schoen is expected to stay on, with CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones noting his expectation of the embattled GM being given the chance to hire a second coach. One way the Giants could deviate from this planned course: a Trent Baalke-like situation forming.
Last year, the Jaguars had Baalke running their coaching search, keeping the struggling GM after firing Doug Pederson. Weeks into that search, it became clear candidates were expressing hesitancy working with Baalke. This affected the Jags’ pursuit of Ben Johnson, among others. When Liam Coen initially declined a second interview, Shad Khan pulled the plug and fired Baalke. That decision led Coen to Jacksonville. A coach not wanting to work with Schoen could change the Giants’ plans, SI.com’s Albert Breer offers.
Schoen has naturally said he does not anticipate his presence hurting the Giants’ search, but it will be interesting to see if that is the case. The Giants have been one of the NFL’s worst teams over the past nine seasons, qualifying for the playoffs once in that span. They have gone through four full-time HCs since ousting Tom Coughlin. Schoen has been on the job since 2022; the Giants are 12-38 since 2023.
That said, The Exhibit’s Josina Anderson notes one expected HC candidate referred to this as the top available job due to the Giants’ rostering Jaxson Dart, some skill-position talent and a formidable defensive line. That D-line, it can be argued, did not play to its potential this season; Dart has also lacked both Malik Nabers and Cam Skattebo for most of the year. But those players’ presences stand to help New York’s sales pitches to candidates. Though, plenty of needs exist along this roster.
Mara is battling cancer, and Schoen staying on would give the Giants some stability during this search. Schoen’s 2022 playoff berth being rather fluky notwithstanding, it is clear he has support in the building. It would have to be expected Schoen’s seat would be scorching should he indeed have the chance to hire a second coach, but plenty of names are being connected to this search.
Mike McCarthy, Antonio Pierce, Lou Anarumo and, if he is indeed fired by the Browns, Kevin Stefanski, are among candidates expected to be considered to replace Daboll. The current Bills OC — Joe Brady — is also on the radar, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero report.
Brady was not with the Bills when Schoen was in Buffalo, with the ex-Panthers OC arriving as QBs coach weeks after Schoen departed for the Big Apple. Considering the dearth of offense-oriented candidates in this year’s pool, Brady should have plenty of interview opportunities if he indeed wants to leave Buffalo. But the Giants firing a former Josh Allen whisperer only to hire another would be an odd move.
One outside-the-box candidate who could join the lot of aspirants: Davis Webb, per Rapoport and Pelissero. Webb has not yet reached the coordinator level, residing as the Broncos’ QBs coach, but he has an extensive past in New York as a backup/third-string option.
Webb only wrapped his playing career after the 2022 season, being hired on Sean Payton‘s staff. While the Broncos are highly unlikely to lose OC Joe Lombardi — who is not seen as a head coaching candidate — Webb could be poached for an OC position elsewhere. A jump from the position coaching level to HC is highly uncommon, but the Giants appear willing to at least consider the prospect. Webb is just 30.
Even in a league that saw Sean McVay coach the Rams at 31 and Josh McDaniels begin his Broncos HC tenure at 33, this age range is considered a bit young for the job. Webb, though, has seen his stock rise while in Denver. He already earned a prominent assistant job without any previous experience, and the Bills wanted him for their staff before his playing career ended. Webb turned that down to stay on as a Giants backup for one more season; that doubled as Schoen’s first with the team.
Raiders Clinch No. 1 Pick In 2026 Draft
Before the start of their Week 18 game, the Raiders have learned their fate with respect to this year’s NFL draft. Vegas will own the top selection for the 2026 edition of the event. 
The Giants were among the teams playing in the early window for the final day of the regular season. Only New York could have overtaken Vegas for the top spot in the order, but that would have required a win against Dallas. However, the Giants beat the Cowboys 34-17. That result clinched the No. 1 pick for the Raiders.
Today’s development represents the expected outcome in this case. The Raiders lost to the Giants in Week 17, the contest which was widely known to have massive implications for the draft order. Both teams drew criticism for their roster handling in the build-up to that contest, particularly the Raiders. Tight end Brock Bowers was moved to injured reserve while edge rusher Maxx Crosby was shut down for the remainder of the season against his wishes.
Head coach Pete Carrol also objected to the idea of sidelining Crosby, who is slated to undergo meniscus surgery. The five-time Pro Bowler has already spoken out about the decision to shut him down, something which has fueled a new round of trade speculation. Managing the Crosby situation will be critical for the Raiders, a team which could undergo a number of notable changes soon.
The 2025 offseason saw numerous arrivals at all levels of the organization. That included a new coaching staff led by Carroll, although his tenure has not gone as planned. A widespread expectation exists Carroll will prove to be a one-and-done staffer. New offensive and special teams coordinators will also be required during the hiring cycle. In the meantime, attention in the front office will turn to the possibility of selecting a new quarterback.
Geno Smith was acquired via trade in a Carroll reunion, and he is under contract through 2027. The veteran has fallen well short of expectations this season, however, and the team could seek out a replacement via the draft. Smith could be retained as a bridge starter, but the acquisition of a future franchise signal-caller would be seen as a pivotal move for a Raiders team desperately in need of stability on several fronts.
Fernando Mendoza is seen by many as the top quarterback in the 2026 class, one which in general is not held in high regard. The Heisman winner is set to lead Indiana in the CFP semifinal against Oregon. That means a matchup against Dante Moore – whose intentions regarding the NFL draft are still not known – is upcoming. Vegas’ evaluation of both passers will be a major storyline over the coming months, presuming both wind up turning pro.
The rest of the draft order will be finalized as the remaining games around the league play out. Shuffling in the top five could prove to be impactful given the dearth of high-end QB prospects relative to the demand amongst many teams. In any event, the Raiders – who of course will look to avoid a repeat of the JaMarcus Russell situation from the last time they selected first overall – find themselves in position to kick off this year’s draft.
Colts Expected To Retain HC Shane Steichen
The Colts’ end-of-season slide out of the playoffs has stirred some speculation about the future of head coach Shane Steichen, but he is expected to be retained for the 2026 season, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Losing the last seven games of the year is a black mark on the record of any head coach, but Steichen has a massive mitigating factor: injuries to his starting quarterback. Daniel Jones was playing on a fractured fibula in November and then tore his Achilles at the beginning of December. Up to that point, he was – as surprising as it sounds – one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL this season and the Colts had one of the league’s best offenses. Jones still ranks among the league’s top-10 passers in yards per game, yards per attempt, completion rate, passer rating, and total QBR. It would be difficult for any team to withstand that loss.
Steichen’s success with Jones, a former top-10 pick turned reclamation project, is the Colts’ main reason to keep him. While Jones’ exact future is uncertain after his injury, the Colts appeared to be interested in re-signing him for 2026 and beyond. Since Steichen has brought out the best version of Jones, it would make little sense to move on now. What’s more, the Colts have improved on both sides of the ball in each year of Steichen’s tenure, and 2025 was set to be his most successful season by far until Jones went down. Again, firing that head coach three years into the job feels like the wrong move.
Sill, Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon is somewhat of an unknown heading into the offseason. Similar to her late father, Jim Irsay, she has taken a hands-on approach with running the franchise. Just as some have questioned Steichen’s job security, even more have wondered if general manager Chris Ballard could be on his way out. The Colts have never won the AFC South in his nine years as general manager, but he may be given some grace for the same reason as Steichen. Ballard built what appeared to be a competitive team this year, including his aggressive trade deadline acquisition of Sauce Gardner. His ability to make that move is an indicator that his job was relatively secure, though the Colts’ late-season struggles have re-raised those questions.
Ultimately, Ballard and Steichen are expected to stay in Indianapolis, but both – especially Ballard – could find themselves on the hot seat next year.
Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel Likely Safe
The job security of Mike McDaniel has remained a talking point for much of the 2025 season. The late stages of the campaign have seen improved play in the case of the Dolphins, though, pointing to stability on the sidelines for next year. 
McDaniel is in the group of coaches likely to be safe as ‘Black Monday’ approaches, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports (video link). Conflicting reports have emerged over recent months on the matter of McDaniel’s future, with Schefter among those cautioning a final decision has yet to be made. His latest update confirms that is still the case, with front office discussions still to be had after the season finale.
When general manager Chris Grier‘s lengthy Miami tenure came to an end midway through the season, it was immediately learned McDaniel would remain in place for the remainder of 2025. The Dolphins have once again fallen short of the playoffs with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa being benched. Keeping him atop the depth chart was seen at one point as a central factor in McDaniel’s job security given the success shared by that pair in the past. Strong play elsewhere on the roster has nevertheless helped the case for stability on the sidelines.
The Dolphins have won five of their last seven games entering Sunday’s action. To perhaps little surprise, then, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones also points to McDaniel receiving a fifth season at the helm. The 42-year-old sports an overall record of 35-32 at this point, and he has led the Dolphins to a pair of postseason appearances (both of which ended with losses in the wild-card round). Presuming he remains in place for 2026, how McDaniel fits into a reshaped structure in Miami will be interesting to see.
The search for Grier’s replacement is ongoing, and broadcaster Troy Aikman is among those playing a role. Once a new general manager is in place – either through an outside hire or interim Champ Kelly receiving the gig on a full-time basis – attention will turn to the matter of potential changes in the organizational pecking order. Grier previously outranked McDaniel as well as senior VP of football and business administration Brandon Shore while reporting to owner Stephen Ross. A new setup is being considered which would see Shore, the new GM and McDaniel each report directly to Ross. Outkick’s Armando Salguero reports nothing has been finalized yet on that front, and that will presumably remain the case until a decision is made to fill the general manager spot.
A strong fit with McDaniel is not viewed as Miami’s top priority during the team’s GM search, one which Jones notes includes sports executive (and Ross’ son-in-law) Daniel Sillman. That factor suggests a McDaniel dismissal could still receive consideration, although at this point such a move would come as a surprise.
Steelers, Mike Tomlin Could Split After Season
What was unthinkable a few years ago has become a possibility: the Steelers and head coach Mike Tomlin could part ways this offseason.
Pittsburgh won their ninth game in Week 16, guaranteeing a winning record for the sixth year in a row and the 16th in Tomlin’s 19 years as head coach. He has never led the Steelers to a losing season.
However, Tomlin has not won a playoff game since 2016 with exits in the wild card round in four of the last five seasons. The Steelers’ lack of a franchise quarterback has been a clear limiting factor in the postseason, but they never play poorly enough in the regular season for a top draft pick. This has created a difficult cycle in Pittsburgh that can only be altered by an expensive trade-up in the draft or parting ways with Tomlin.
The latter has never seemed to be an option, until now. Firing Tomlin outright is unlikely, per CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones and ESPN’s Adam Schefter, but he and the team may mutually agree to part ways. The veteran head coach may be looking for a “reset” via a broadcasting gig before returning to an NFL head coaching job, according to both Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated and Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post.
Tomlin would no doubt be one of the hottest head coaching candidates if available, whether that happens this offseason or in the future. The Steelers might be best served by trading Tomlin, but the no-trade clause in his contract and the timeline of the NFL’s hiring cycle are two significant roadblocks, per Jones.
The Steelers have already considered the possibility of a post-Tomlin future. They had “internal discussions” about Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman, per The Athletic’s Dianna Russini. Multiple teams had interest in the 39-year-old, who opted to take an improved contract to stay in South Bend rather than entertain an NFL job. Freeman’s desires could change in the future and potentially offer Pittsburgh another opportunity to secure Tomlin’s successor, provided such a change does not happen this offseason.
Vikings Expected To Pursue Veteran QB Addition
Entering the 2025 season, a central question concerning the Vikings was J.J. McCarthy‘s ability to develop into an established starter. Things have not gone according to plan on that front, and the position will be one to watch over the course of the spring. 
Minnesota saw Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones depart in free agency last offseason. Darnold has enjoyed an impressive debut season with the Seahawks, helping them secure the NFC’s No. 1 seed. Jones, meanwhile, was on course for a career year prior to suffering an Achilles tear. He is in line for a new Colts contract or a pact sending him to a different QB1 gig.
McCarthy has dealt with a number of injuries in 2025, a worrying trend given the fact his entire rookie year was lost to meniscus surgery. The former No. 10 pick is making his 10th career start on Sunday as the Vikings aim to finish the season on a five-game winning streak. The team has long been out of playoff contention, though, and rebounding on that front in 2026 will require more consistent play from under center.
Entering Week 18, McCarthy has completed only 57.3% of his attempts while throwing more interceptions (12) than touchdowns (11). The Michigan product entered the league with a college track record including a national championship but also concerns about his true upside as a passer. Establishing a strong connection with All-Pro wideout Justin Jefferson in particular has proven to be a challenge this season, and it has led to calls for McCarthy to face veteran competition for the starting spot this offseason.
It appears as though that will be the case. Both Dianna Russini of The Athletic (subscription required) and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (video link) report Minnesota is expected to pursue the addition of an established passer this spring. The trade and free agent markets will each be explored, Russini adds. Selecting a passer early in April’s draft would of course come as a surprise, but adding an experienced presence would help ensure a higher floor at the quarterback spot for 2026.
Carson Wentz‘s debut Vikings season ended early due to shoulder surgery, but bringing him back into the fold could be an option. Looking into others is something which was foreshadowed in November, making these latest updates unsurprising. Expensive veterans such as Kyler Murray and Tua Tagovailoa could find themselves on the move this offseason, although their respective stocks are not particularly high given how the current season has unfolded.
Jones is on track for free agency, but it remains to be seen if the Colts will meet their goal of retaining him for at least one more year. Provided that takes place, the market will consist of Malik Willis along with several options viewed as having less upside. The Vikings are currently one of several teams projected to be over the cap for 2026, so the extent of their cost-shedding moves will be key in determining their ability to add a notable QB presence.

