QB Ty Simpson Arranges Visits With Cardinals, Dolphins, Browns
Pre-draft visits continue to be arranged around the NFL. The quarterback position is, as always, one garnering plenty of attention with one of the top prospects on the radar of a number of teams. 
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo report Ty Simpson has arranged a top 30 visit with each of the Cardinals, Dolphins and Browns. Today’s update comes not long after Simpson took part in a Jets workout. Further interest will no doubt continue to be shown as the countdown to the draft continues.
Arizona has been mentioned as a logical landing spot for Simpson. As such, it comes as no surprise the Cards are set to host him. The team’s post-Kyler Murray period will begin in 2026. Jacoby Brissett – who finished last year atop the depth chart – remains in the fold, and fellow veteran Gardner Minshew was added in free agency. Both can viewed as short-term options for new head coach Mike LaFleur and Co., though, and adding Simpson for the future could provide the Cardinals with a more permanent solution.
The Dolphins also elected to move on from their longtime QB1 this offseason, cutting Tua Tagovailoa. Malik Willis made the expected decision of following head coach Jeff Hafley and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan from Green Bay to Miami once free agency began. The 26-year-old is in position to operate as the Dolphins’ starter for at least the next two years, although Sullivan has left the door open to a longer spell atop the depth chart. Miami does not have an immediate quarterback need through the draft, but Sullivan has mentioned his Packers background which values consistently adding rookie passers will likely carry over to the Dolphins.
The Browns have Deshaun Watson preparing to take part in training camp upon healing from two Achilles tears. The much-maligned veteran is in position to compete for the starting gig alongside 2025 draftees Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel. GM Andrew Berry said yesterday another young passer could be brought in as well, pointing to potential a draft investment.
Fernando Mendoza remains on course to be selected first overall. Beyond that, the QB draft market has proven difficult to project. Simpson has drawn praise on a number of fronts, but the fact he only started one year in college has cast doubt on his NFL readiness. That will not stop teams from showing interest in this case, and the list of suitors which line up a visit will no doubt continue to grow.
RB Alvin Kamara’s Saints Future Unclear
The Saints were among the teams making a notable free agent splash at the running back position. Travis Etienne was added on a four-year deal. 
Since then, questions have been raised about the future of Alvin Kamara. The nine-year veteran has spent his entire career with New Orleans, but in the immediate aftermath of Etienne’s arrival Kamara became the subject of trade interest from outside teams.
[RELATED: Extension Talks Ongoing Between Saints, Chris Olave]
No movement on that front has taken place, and head coach Kellen Moore said at the league meeting (via Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football) he “plans” on having Etienne and Kamara in the backfield for 2026. Nevertheless, Underhill deems this situation one worth watching closely, as he reports no firm decisions have been made yet with respect to Kamara’s future.
The 30-year-old’s Saints tenure has been a question mark in the past. Kamara made it known his preference was to remain in place last year, but the possibility of a trade during the 2026 offseason has been raised. April’s draft may loom as an opportunity for New Orleans to select Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love if he remains on the board at No. 8, though the Etienne signing obviously lessens the chances of that taking place.
Kamara is due $11.5MM in 2026, the final year of his contract. The five-time Pro Bowler is set to carry a $10.45MM cap hit before seeing his pact void on the last day of the 2026 league year. Those could prove to be reasonable figures if Kamara manages to return to full health and his previous form. After consistently topping 1,100 scrimmage yards during each of his first eight seasons, the former third-rounder was limited to 11 games in 2025 due to an MCL sprain. He delivered by far the least productive year of his career as a result.
Improving in the ground game was understandably identified as a goal for the Saints, leading to the Etienne investment. The ex-Jaguar will be counted on to carry a heavy workload upon arrival, and at the age of 27 he will be viewed as an RB1 option for years to come. Kamara may well find himself splitting backfield reps in Year 10, but it remains to be seen if he will be doing so in New Orleans.
2027 NFL Fifth-Year Option Tracker
NFL teams have until May 1 to officially pick up fifth-year options on 2023 first-rounders. The 2020 CBA revamped the option structure and made them fully guaranteed, rather than guaranteed for injury only. Meanwhile, fifth-year option salaries are now determined by a blend of performance- and usage-based benchmarks:
- Two-time Pro Bowlers (excluding alternates) will earn the same as their position’s franchise tag
- One-time Pro Bowlers will earn the equivalent of the transition tag
- Players who achieve any of the following will receive the average of the third-20th top salaries at their position:
- At least a 75% snap rate in two of their first three seasons
- A 75% snap average across all three seasons
- At least 50% in each of first three seasons
- Players who do not hit any of those benchmarks will receive the average of the third-25th top salaries at their position
PFR’s Offseason Outlook series examined each of these decisions in-depth, and weeks remain until this year’s deadline. In the meantime, we will use the space below to track all the 2027 option decisions from around the league:
- QB Bryce Young, Panthers ($25.9MM): To be exercised
- QB C.J. Stroud, Texans ($25.9MM): To be exercised
- DE Will Anderson Jr., Texans ($21.51MM)
- QB Anthony Richardson, Colts ($22.48MM)
- CB Devon Witherspoon, Seahawks ($21.16MM): Exercised
- LT Paris Johnson Jr., Cardinals ($19.07MM)
- DE Tyree Wilson, Raiders ($14.48MM)
- RB Bijan Robinson, Falcons ($11.32MM)
- DT Jalen Carter, Eagles ($27.13MM)
- RT Darnell Wright, Bears ($19.07MM)
- G Peter Skoronski, Titans ($19.07MM)
- RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions ($14.29MM)
- DE Lukas Van Ness, Packers ($13.75MM)
- LT Broderick Jones, Steelers ($19.07MM)
- DE Will McDonald, Jets ($13.75MM): To be exercised
- CB Emmanuel Forbes, Rams ($12.63MM)
- CB Christian Gonzalez, Patriots ($18.12MM)
- LB Jack Campbell, Lions ($21.93MM)
- DL Calijah Kancey, Buccaneers ($14.48MM)
- WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks ($23.85MM): Exercised*
- WR Quentin Johnston, Chargers ($18MM)
- WR Zay Flowers, Ravens ($27.3MM): To be exercised
- WR Jordan Addison, Vikings ($18MM): To be exercised
- CB Deonte Banks, Giants ($12.63MM)
- TE Dalton Kincaid, Bills ($8.16MM): To be exercised
- DT Mazi Smith, Jets ($13.93MM)
- RT Anton Harrison, Jaguars ($19.07MM): To be exercised
- DE Myles Murphy, Bengals ($14.48MM)
- DT Bryan Bresee, Saints ($13.93MM)
- DE Nolan Smith, Eagles ($13.75MM)
- DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Chiefs ($13.75MM)
* = Seahawks gave Smith-Njigba four-year, $168.6MM extension
Rams Called Eagles About A.J. Brown, Engaged In Davante Adams Trade Talks
Puka Nacua and Davante Adams are set to remain the Rams’ top two receivers in 2026. Based on the team’s conversations on the trade front, though, that was not always guaranteed to be the case. 
During an appearance on PFT Live at the annual league meeting, general manager Les Snead confirmed the team engaged in trade calls with the Eagles about A.J. Brown. Los Angeles has long been a known Brown suitor, with the same also being true of the Patriots. As Snead noted, the Rams were never close to acquiring the three-time Pro Bowler.
“We chatted with Philly, nothing worked out,” Snead said (via Pro Football Talk’s Michael David Smith). “There were talks, we had discussions, didn’t work out. That happens.”
[RELATED: Nacua Extension Not Imminent]
In the event discussions with Philadelphia had resulted in a Brown trade, a corresponding move would have involved Adams. It was reported earlier this month Los Angeles contemplated trading Adams, something head coach Sean McVay confirmed on Monday. McVay also noted (via Dianna Russini of The Athletic) the team remained in contact with Adams while trade discussions were taking place.
“We really talked about some different avenues of onboarding other players and how it might affect Davante,” McVay said (via ESPN’s Sarah Barshop). “If we felt like it was best for our team, we would have done that. But we didn’t think it was best for our team.
“There’s a lot of stuff that’s out there that’s not accurate, but when there is at least some accuracy or some thought to it, you want to deal with that direct, honest and open. And there’s been instances where I wasn’t as good about that in previous years, and so I don’t want to make those same mistakes.”
Adams joined the Rams on a two-year deal last offseason, a move which was beneficial for all involved. Taking on a large role in the team’s post-Cooper Kupp offense, Adams led the NFL with 14 touchdown catches. He received a $6MM roster bonus roughly two weeks ago as part of his $24MM in compensation for the 2026 campaign. Trading away the 33-year-old would have yielded considerable cap savings (thus making a Brown acquisition much more feasible from a financial perspective), but instead Adams will prepare for a second Rams campaign.
Brown is still in place with the Eagles, although speculation about a trade in his case continues. A move ending his Philadelphia tenure could take place after June 1 given the financial benefits of waiting beyond that date in the team’s case. Based on Snead’s comments, the Rams should not be expected to circle back on the Brown front. Similarly, Adams can be expected to remain in the fold after his future was uncertain.
NFL Lines Up Investors For Professional Flag Football League
MARCH 31: The new flag leagues will launch in 2028 during the build-up to the Olympics, Mike Jones of The Athletic notes. A firm timeline is not yet in place, but an annual summer schedule roughly in line with that of existing flag leagues can be expected.
MARCH 30: Continuing the growth of flag football has long been a priority for the NFL. In October, commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed a professional league would be established in the relatively near future. 
Not long afterwards, funding was approved for creating a league, with the NFL’s 32 Equity investment arm being cleared to join with a to-be-determined partner. Nothing had been revealed since then until an announcement which was made on Monday. TMRW Sports has been selected as the NFL’s partner with respect to launching a flag league for men and women.
A long list of individual investors and equity groups are contributing to the new league, in addition to the $32MM maximum which will be provided by the NFL’s clubs themselves. Pro Football Hall of Famers Peyton Manning, Joe Montana, Steve Young and Larry Fitzgerald are investing, with the same also being true of the likes of Tom Brady and Eli Manning. Active players Arik Armstead, Bobby Wagner and Russell Wilson are on the list of investors as well; so too are Billie Jean King, Serena Williams and others.
“As the flag football movement continues its explosive global growth, a professional flag league completes the pathway for elite athletes to compete at every level of the game, from youth to high school and college, to the Olympic stage, and now professionally,” a statement from NFL EVP Troy Vincent reads in part. “Selecting TMRW Sports represents an important step in our long-term commitment to growing flag football and supporting the world-class athletes driving its momentum.”
TMRW Sports played a leading role in the establishment of TGL, the primetime team golf league recently launched in partnership with the PGA. The group will now turn its attention to helping create a pro flag football league, a logical final step in the NFL’s long-running efforts to grow that version of the game. This news comes, of course, with the Los Angeles Olympics approaching.
The 2028 L.A. Games will mark the debut of flag football as an Olympic sport. Work is ongoing to ensure NFL players will be able to compete in the event, and the league will be heavily involved in creating a professional flag football environment along a similar timeline as well.
Browns Owner Jimmy Haslam Addresses Deshaun Watson’s Starting Potential
The Deshaun Watson era has not gone according to plan in Cleveland, to say the very least. Browns owner Jimmy Haslam has gone as far as publicly calling the Watson acquisition a “big swing-and-miss.” 
During his latest media appearance, however, Haslam struck a different tone regarding the team’s quarterback situation. Haslam spoke with reporters at the league meeting, leaving the door open to Watson returning to the QB1 gig for 2026. Having healed from two Achilles tears, the former Texans Pro Bowler is positioned to compete with Shedeur Sanders for the starting spot.
“Deshaun has a great chance, fresh start, offensive-minded coach, who has in his past been able to work with all kinds of different quarterbacks and make them successful,” Haslam said (via ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi). “So, Deshaun has a great chance to do that now. We talked to him the other day, he said he weighs the [least] he has in several years… Let’s see what Deshaun can do. We’re all excited.”
Earlier this month, the Browns continued their annual tradition of restructuring Watson’s fully guaranteed contract. The 30-year-old’s cap hit for this season was reduced once more as a result, but a dead money charge of $86.2MM looms. Cleveland is in position to make Watson a post-June 1 release next spring, spreading that money out across the 2027 and ’28 seasons. In the meantime, he will look to post a healthy campaign and at least provide some value to the Browns.
Due to injuries and the personal conduct suspension which began his Browns tenure, Watson has only played 19 games with his second career team. That figure could increase depending on how things play out in training camp. Sanders took over the QB1 role late in his rookie season, and he and fellow 2025 draftee Dillon Gabriel are on the roster at this point. Another passer could be added during April’s draft, something which could leave Cleveland with a logjam under center for the second summer in a row.
Across the board, Watson’s production in Cleveland has fallen well short of his peak years in Houston. The former first-rounder will not be expected to return to his previous form in 2026 provided he finds himself on the field, given his missed time and struggles to date as a member of the Browns. Nevertheless, the potential for a return to starting duties will be something to monitor through the summer.
AFC Contract Details: Titans, Hawkins, Ravens, Flacco, Bengals, Browns, Broncos, Colts, Patriots
Here are the latest details from contracts agreed to around the AFC, with many coming out of Nashville:
- Daniel Bellinger, TE (Titans). Three years, $24MM. Bellinger secured $14MM guaranteed at signing, according to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. This covers $4.91MM of Bellinger’s $5.94MM 2027 base salary, per OverTheCap.
- Jaylinn Hawkins, S (Ravens). Two years, $10MM. Hawkins landed $5MM guaranteed at signing, per Wilson. None of Hawkins’ 2027 compensation is guaranteed.
- Jacob Martin, DE (Titans). Two years, $9MM. Tennessee authorized $4.5MM fully guaranteed, Wilson tweets. None of Martin’s 2027 compensation is guaranteed.
- Jordan Elliott, DT (Titans). Two years, $8MM. The Titans authorized a $3.24MM guarantee at signing for the former Browns and 49ers D-tackle, Wilson tweets. None of Elliott’s 2027 compensation is guaranteed.
- Austin Schlottmann, OL (Titans). Two years, $7MM. The veteran interior offensive lineman received $2.99MM guaranteed at signing, Wilson tweets. None of Schlottmann’s 2027 compensation is guaranteed.
- Joshua Williams, CB (Titans). Two years, $6.75MM. Like Elliott, Wilson adds Williams secured $3.24MM guaranteed at signing. One of several Chiefs DBs relocating this month, Williams will not see any 2027 guarantees on this deal.
- Joe Flacco, QB (Bengals). One year, $6MM. Flacco’s contract contains $4MM guaranteed, SI.com’s Jay Morrison notes. Generally against void years, the Bengals included two in this contract. Flacco’s cap hit will check in at $3.3MM as a result. Due to the void years, Flacco not being re-signed before the 2027 league year begins will result in a $2.7MM dead money charge. There are $3.5MM in incentives here, Morrison adds. Among the bottom-tier bumps in play, Flacco would see $1MM if he plays 60% of Cincinnati’s offensive snaps in a playoff season. If the Bengals do not make the playoffs and the 19th-year QB plays 60% of the snaps, he would see $250K. More notably, any Bengals win in which Flacco plays at least 60% of the snaps will bring $125K; this incentive has an eight-game cap.
- Durham Smythe, TE (Ravens). One year, $3MM. The former Dolphins and Bears tight end secured $2MM guaranteed at signing, Wilson tweets.
- Daniel Thomas, S (Browns). Two years, $3MM. Thomas landed just more than $1MM fully guaranteed, according to Wilson. No guarantees are in place for 2027.
- Akeem Davis-Gaither, LB (Colts). One year, $2.73MM. This contract includes $1.5MM fully guaranteed, Wilson adds.
- Mo Alie-Cox, TE (Colts). One year, $2.59MM. Like the Lions’ Malcolm Rodriguez deal, this contract is a four-year qualifying offer. It will come with $2.19MM fully guaranteed, Wilson adds. Because this is a four-year qualifying contract, Alie-Cox will count just $1.4MM toward the Colts’ cap.
- Tony Adams, S (Titans). One year, $2.14MM. Among the many former Robert Saleh-era Jets joining the Titans this offseason, Adams will see $1MM fully guaranteed on this deal (via Wilson).
- Kalia Davis, DT (Browns). One year, $2MM. The veteran interior D-lineman secured $1.75MM guaranteed at signing, according to Wilson.
- Corey Bojorquez, P (Browns). One year, $2MM. Bojorquez will see $938K guaranteed at signing on his third Browns contract, according to Wilson.
- Tycen Anderson, S (Broncos). One year, $1.5MM. The only outside Broncos free agent signing thus far, the veteran special-teamer received $650K guaranteed, 9News’ Mike Klis notes.
- James Hudson, T (Patriots). One year, $1.4MM. The Giants jettisoned Hudson’s two-year, $12MM deal months after benching him in Week 2. The New England swing tackle secured $538K guaranteed at signing, ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss tweets.
Lions Plan On Moving Penei Sewell To LT In 2026
For the first time in a decade, the Lions’ left tackle position is set to be manned by someone other than Taylor Decker. The team is planning an internal replacement on the blind side. 
When speaking to reporters on Monday at the league meeting, head coach Dan Campbell said his plan is to move Penei Sewell from right to left tackle. The former seventh overall pick was of course drafted as a left tackle, but his five-year career has so far consisted almost entirely of working opposite Decker. That is set to change in 2026.
“I’ve talked to him,” Campbell said (via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press) about Sewell making the switch. “We’re ready to do that if need be. I don’t want to say that right now I’m going to commit to that, but that’s – we’re ready to do that. And all he wants is a couple days to work his left-handed stance a little bit… He’ll be fine. He’ll bank some reps and be able to do it, but he gives us that flexibility.”
Decker intends to play next season, but his Lions release means he will only be able to do so with another team. Detroit’s offensive line in general has been seen as a unit in need of stronger play compared to 2025 if the team is to return to the postseason. There is plenty of time for more moves to be made up front, especially with the draft still to come. Nevertheless, moving Sewell to the blindside would fill the vacancy left by Decker’s release for years to come.
Sewell is among the core players who have inked big-ticket extensions with Detroit recently. The three-time All-Pro landed a four-year deal averaging $28MM per season in 2024. That figure stood out amongst right tackles, but it is in line with other pacts at the top of the LT market. Sewell, 25, is under contract through 2029.
Adding an offensive tackle would of course remain a high priority in the event Sewell were to change positions. The Lions are set to select 17th in next month’s draft, meaning many of the top blindside prospects will likely be unavailable by the time they are on the clock. Finding a replacement right tackle to fill in for Sewell may well be a preferable approach to leaving him in place and searching for a plug-and-play left tackle.
Rams Interested In Kirk Cousins; Team Open To Re-Signing Jimmy Garoppolo
Jimmy Garoppolo appeared to be in position to join the Cardinals early in free agency. Talks between team and player did not result in an agreement, however, and the veteran quarterback remains unsigned at this point.
Garoppolo has spent the past two years with the Rams, serving as Matthew Stafford‘s backup. That tenure continuing into 2026 is something the team would welcome. Head coach Sean McVay has identified Los Angeles’ preferred option in the event Garoppolo does not return.
[RELATED: Packers Interested In Kirk Cousins]
During an appearance on PFT Live (video link), McVay named Kirk Cousins as a free agent also on the team’s radar. Cousins overlapped with McVay during their time together in Washington, and a reunion would give the Rams a high-profile QB2 option for next season. As things stand, only Stetson Bennett is on the roster aside from Stafford. At least one addition will be made.
“People make some of the connections with Kirk,” McVay said. “If it doesn’t work out with Jimmy, that’s definitely something that — Kirk is as influential as anybody in helping me get to L.A. in the first place. I know he’s got some other options and some other suitors, but Jimmy and Kirk are guys that I’d love to have back with us.”
Kirk’s Falcons tenure came to an expected end when he was released at the start of the new league year. The 37-year-old is one of the top passers still on the market, but he is expected to remain patient while weighing his options. Cousins may very well wait until after the draft before making a decision. Especially if the Rams do not add a rookie, they will no doubt be linked to him as a potential landing spot.
Cousins made 22 starts across his two Atlanta campaigns, while Garoppolo has attempted just 41 passes in the regular season since arriving in Los Angeles. The latter is younger and would presumably be less expensive to sign, a factor which will no doubt weigh heavily in considerations on Los Angeles’ part. Garoppolo has played on a pair of one-year contracts worth just over $3MM as a member of the Rams.
That could continue for a third year, depending on how his market takes shape during the secondary waves of free agency. If not, Cousins will be a Rams target to watch closely as the offseason QB market unfolds.
49ers Owner Hints Brandon Aiyuk Could Stick With Team
Back in January, 49ers GM John Lynch made it clear that Brandon Aiyuk had played his final snap for the franchise. However, the team’s owner seems to be walking back those statements.
While speaking with reporters today, Jed York acknowledged that the saga could take several different routes, including one that sees Aiyuk sticking with the 49ers in 2026.
“I think anything’s possible, right?” York said (via ESPN’s Nick Wagoner). “We want to make sure that we have as talented of a roster as possible. First and foremost, he needs to get healthy and be able to perform. I think once that happens, he’s a really, really good football player.”
Aiyuk, of course, once showed off his talent in San Francisco, including 2022 and 2023 campaigns where he hauled in 153 total catches for 2,357 yards and 15 touchdowns. Those performances earned him a four-year, $120MM extension with the organization, but his subsequent 2024 campaign ended with only seven appearances after the WR suffered a torn ACL and MCL.
He landed on PUP to begin the 2025 campaign, and there was initial optimism that he’d make a late-season return to the lineup. Instead, Aiyuk was described as “extremely distant” during his rehab, leading to the 49ers making the drastic decision to void the remaining guarantees on his contract. Lynch later declared the end of Aiyuk’s tenure in San Francisco, and while the front office was hoping to make a trade, a release seemed like the likeliest path. The Commanders seemed like a logical landing spot considering the presence of Aiyuk’s former college QB, Jayden Daniels.
While the team did void the remaining guarantees on the player’s contract, there remains a crucial early-September option bonus. The WR is due a nearly $25MM bonus that, if picked up, would be prorated through 2030. If it isn’t exercised, then it would be owed all at once. As Wagoner notes, that would drive Aiyuk’s 2026 price to an untenable $26MM. The 49ers surely wouldn’t commit to that kind of meaning, and considering the wideout’s apparent issues with the organization, it seems unlikely he’d rework his deal. In other words, a divorce still seems like the likeliest path, regardless of York’s comments.
Either way, it doesn’t sound like this ordeal would somehow extend beyond September. While speaking with reporters today, Lynch still seems committed to getting rid of his former star WR.
“I don’t have a date for it, but I know eventually it’ll resolve itself,” Shanahan said. “Hopefully, we could get something for [him]. And I know we’re in no rush to do that. You’ve got to do what’s right for the Niners, and you’re not trying to hook up any other team as fast as you possibly can. Hopefully, we can get something for that, and it’ll take care of itself.”