Jeff Ulbrich Wants Falcons To Re-Sign Kaden Elliss
After wrapping up a three-year, $21.5MM contract in 2025, Falcons pending free agent linebacker Kaden Elliss is in the market for a new deal. Elliss’ future in Atlanta is uncertain, but defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich has made it clear he wants the team to keep the 30-year-old.
Speaking with the media last week, Ulbrich said he “would love Kaden back,” adding that he “gave us this really unique flexibility.” In Ulbrich’s estimation, it “would take more than one human being” to replace Elliss (via Tori McElhany of the team’s website).
It’s no surprise Ulbrich is high on Elliss, one of the Falcons’ most productive and reliable defenders in 2025. In his first year under Ulbrich, Elliss put together his third straight 17-start campaign and played a team-high 99.91% of defensive snaps. He recorded 107 tackles, 30 pressures, 10 tackles for loss, 10 QB hits, six passes defensed and 3.5 sacks.
Pro Football Focus rated Elliss a respectable 31st among 88 qualifiers at his position. He was at his best as a pass rusher, earning a fourth overall ranking. Only the Seahawks’ Tyrice Knight, the Eagles’ Nakobe Dean and the Commanders’ Bobby Wagner were better in that regard. The Jaguars’ Devin Lloyd rounded out the top five at the position.
Knight is still under contract, but Dean, Wagner and Lloyd all are on track to join Elliss as free agents next month. They could be among alternatives for the Falcons if they let Elliss walk. Losing Elliss would at least temporarily leave an unwanted void at linebacker alongside Divine Deablo, who also held his own in Ulbrich’s system in 2025.
Former Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot signed Elliss in 2023. Elliss’ future now lies in the hands of the rookie duo of president of football Matt Ryan and GM Ian Cunningham. It’s unclear if they are prioritizing Elliss, but the ringing endorsement from Ulbrich could make a second Falcons pact more likely for the seven-year veteran.
Donovan Wilson Hopes To Stay With Cowboys; Malik Hooker A Cut Candidate?
Since coming off the board in the sixth round of the 2019 draft, safety Donovan Wilson has been a career-long Cowboy. A trip to free agency awaits Wilson in the next few weeks, but the seven-year veteran hopes to stay in Dallas, Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News reports.
Wilson, who will turn 31 on Saturday, had a brief foray into free agency in March 2023. The Cowboys quickly brought Wilson back on a three-year, $24MM deal. It’s unknown if the Cowboys will act in a similar fashion with Wilson this year. Watkins casts doubt on Wilson’s future in Dallas, contending the team should get younger at safety.
Although Wilson may end up elsewhere in 2026, the Cowboys continued to heavily rely on him last season. He was a full-time starter for the fourth straight year, and his 83.2% snap share led their defense.
Over 15 starts, Wilson put up 71 tackles, two interceptions and five passes defensed. But Pro Football Focus ranked Wilson’s performance an unattractive 83rd among 91 qualifying safeties. His 38.8 grade in coverage checked in at an even worse 87th. The Cowboys, whose defense finished last against the pass and allowed the most points in the league, may want to upgrade. New defensive coordinator Christian Parker might see better fits in the draft or in a fairly deep group of free agent safeties.
Unlike Wilson, fellow Cowboys starting safety Malik Hooker is under contract for 2026. However, depending on how Parker feels about the soon-to-be 30-year-old, the Cowboys could release him, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. Escaping the last year of Hooker’s contract would free up around $6.8MM in cap space.
Hooker, a nine-year veteran, played his fifth season as a Cowboy in 2025. A toe injury forced him to IR, limiting him to 12 games (all starts), and he failed to register a pick for the first time since 2020. Hooker came in 64th in PFF’s safety rankings, though it at least assigned him an impressive 82.9 grade against the run. He finished seventh among safeties in that department, but it may not be enough for the Cowboys to retain him.
If the Cowboys move on from Hooker and Wilson, it would leave Markquese Bell as their most proven safety. Also an experienced linebacker, the Cowboys re-signed Bell to a three-year pact last March. He went on to play his second 17-game campaign and pick off his first career pass in 2025. Bell was only in on 32% percent of defensive snaps (third behind Wilson and Hooker), but a bigger role could be in store next season if the Cowboys part with their veteran starters.
Offseason Outlook: Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals were one of this offseason's teams to split up an HC-GM combo that arrived together. Hired in 2023, the Jonathan Gannon-Monti Ossenfort duo separated after a 3-14 season. Like the Ravens, Bills, Giants, Titans, Raiders and Browns, the Cardinals will give their GM more time after canning their HC.
Arizona certainly was not at the front of this year's line when it came to luring coaches. Rumored to want Klint Kubiak, the Cardinals pivoted once the Seahawks' OC chose the Raiders. Enter Mike LaFleur, who will become the fourth Sean McVay OC to land a head coaching job. As Ossenfort and LaFleur face an uphill battle in a loaded NFC West, they have a big decision to make; Kyler Murray's days in the desert may be numbered, but a quarterback upgrade will not be easy to make this year. How will the Cards proceed with the former No. 1 overall pick?
Coaching/front office:
- Fired head coach Jonathan Gannon
- Hired Mike LaFleur as HC replacement
- Added Nathaniel Hackett as offensive coordinator
- Retained Nick Rallis as defensive coordinator, Justin Frye as O-line coach
- Hired Matt Schaub as quarterbacks coach
- Hired Michael Ghobrial as special teams coordinator
- Pass-game specialist Connor Senger interviewed for Bears, Seahawks' OC jobs
While a pre-Week 18 report had Gannon on the right side of the bubble, it was certainly not shocking to see a team fire a coach after a three-win season. Following a 2-0 start, the Cardinals took a historic tumble. Close losses gave way to blowouts. After the Cardinals had shown improvement during an 8-9 2024, they nosedived in a season when Murray was limited to five games. The Cards looked to be OK shelving Murray while starting Jacoby Brissett, but their defense cratered as well. This proved too much for Gannon to overcome.
49ers Expected To Maintain High Asking Price In Mac Jones Trade
Teams in need of a new quarterback this spring could attempt to go down the trade route. In that event, Mac Jones would be a coveted passer. 
Jones’ impressive showing with the 49ers in 2025 helped rebuild his value. The former first-rounder was unable to duplicate the success of his rookie year in New England, and as of last offseason it was unclear when – or if – he would receive another QB1 opportunity. That time could soon be approaching, with a strong trade market being something to watch for in Jones’ case.
As things stand, the 27-year-old is under contract with San Francisco for 2026. Jones is scheduled to carry a cap charge of only $3.07MM, while his base salary ($1.4MM) would be highly attractive to any number of suitors. Those financial factors are of course among the reasons why San Francisco’s preference would be to retain Jones as affordable Brock Purdy insurance. When trade calls are made, the team is expected to drive a hard bargain.
“It’s a tough market to read this early in the process,” a personnel member whose team is in need of a new quarterback told SportsBoom’s Jason La Canfora. “I know that [head coach] Kyle [Shanahan] doesn’t want to lose him. I think they’ll put up a pretty good fight. You’re going to have to knock their socks off.”
Cost-effective passers are of course a highly valuable commodity in the NFL, so it would come as no surprise if the 49ers maintained a high asking price on the Jones front. The Alabama product could be viewed as the latest quarterback to spend time with Shanahan and then thrive elsewhere, not unlike how Sam Darnold‘s career has surged over the past two years. That leads Matt Barrows of The Athletic to write (subscription required) “circumstances are aligning” for San Francisco to receive a trade offer too strong to turn down.
Purdy’s $53MM-per-year pact runs through the 2030 season. The value and upside Jones provides will be accounted for as the 49ers plan their offseason approach under center. Whether or not they set the price of a trade too high for a swap to take place will be interesting to monitor over the coming weeks.
Eagles RT Lane Johnson Will Play In 2026
The Eagles will once again have stability at the right tackle spot next season. Lane Johnson‘s decorated career will continue in 2026. 
Johnson informed Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer that he will play next year. The All-Pro himself has since provided a confirmation on X. A retirement call will be delayed for at least one more season as a result.
Earlier this month, it was reported Johnson was one of two Eagles O-line starters giving thought to retirement. The other is guard Landon Dickerson, whose situation is based not on age but on his injury history. Johnson missed considerable time in 2025, but McLane notes his rehab from a Lisfranc injury is ongoing. A full campaign in 2026 would be critical for Philadelphia’s offense.
There will be plenty of new faces on the sideline for the Eagles next year. Offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo was dismissed immediately after the Eagles were eliminated in the wild-card round. Not long after, longtime offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland resigned. As a result, the team will have a new O-line coach for the first time since 2013. Johnson’s ability to maintain his Pro Bowl form upon returning to full health will be key in determining the success of the transition along the coaching staff.
In place with the Eagles since being drafted fourth overall in 2013, Johnson has cemented his status as one of the greatest players in franchise history. The 35-year-old has remained a full-time starter throughout his tenure, and that will of course continue next season as well. Johnson is under contract for two more years, although none of his 2026 or ’27 base salaries are guaranteed at this point.
Nevertheless, the two-time Super Bowl winner’s pact calls for a $9MM option bonus to be paid out on September 1. All parties can now proceed knowing there is no longer any uncertainty on that front. Johnson is scheduled to carry a cap charge of $20.3MM next season.
Cowboys Will Move Away From 4-3 Defense In 2026
New Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker confirmed that Dallas would be moving away from the 4-3 defense they have run for more than a decade.
“The first thing is we’re going to be multiple,” Parker said (via team writer Tommy Yarrish). “So our core principles, we’ll be a 3-4 by nature, but 4-3 spacing will be appropriate, 4-2-5 in nickel, different front structures, coverages behind it.”
The Cowboys last ran a 3-4 under Rob Ryan in 2012. They moved to a 4-3 when head coach Jason Garrett and defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin were hired in 2013 and kept that base system under three more head coaches and five more defensive coordinators. But Parker’s history under Ejiro Evero, Vance Joseph, and Vic Fangio, who all run 3-4 schemes, was a clear sign that Dallas would not retain the 4-3 in 2026. Hiring dedicated inside and outside linebackers coach – which is more common for team that uses a 3-4 – was another indicator.
However, Parker emphasized the importance “being multiple” and tailoring his scheme to his personnel. Modern defenses need to be flexible against the NFL’s ever-changing offensive schemes, which has precipitated the rise of hybrid systems like Parker’s.
The magnitude of the difference between the NFL’s two dominant defensive schemes has waned in recent years as teams switched to nickel personnel on a plurality, if not a majority, of plays. Technique, spacing, and strategy – particularly the interplay between first- and second-level defenders – are still key distinctions. But especially with his intent to build around his roster, Parker should not have too tough of a task in transforming the Cowboys defense into his vision for the unit.
Packers Line Up Special Teams Coordinator Interviews
The Packers are moving quickly to replace special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia after he suddenly stepped down this week. Their first three candidates are Cameron Achord, Tom McMahon, and Kyle Wilber, per Sports Illustrated’s Bill Huber.
Achord, 39, has been the Giants’ assistant special teams coach since 2024. He was retained by new head coach John Harbaugh after New York’s solid special teams effort in 2025, which featured top-10 finishes in yards per kickoff return and average starting field position. Achord previously worked for the Patriots, winning a Super Bowl in his first year as an assistant special teams coach and receiving a promotion to coordinator in 2020. He left New England when Bill Belichick‘s tenure ended in 2023 and quickly signed on with Brian Daboll in New York.
McMahon, 56, was fired by the Raiders during the 2025 season, his fourth as the team’s special teams coordinator. He was originally hired by Josh McDaniels in 2022 and survived the team’s head coaching change to Antonio Pierce in 2024. McMahon was retained by Pete Carroll in 2025, but a disastrous year from Las Vegas’ special teams units led to his firing in November. McMahon previously held STC jobs with the Rams (2009-2011), Chiefs (2012), Colts (2013-2017), and Broncos (2018-2021).
Wilber, 36, is entering his second year as the Saints’ assistant special teams coach. He was a linebacker and special teams ace for the Cowboys and the Raiders for a decade before he moved into coaching. His first job as the Packers’ special teams quality control coach (2023-2024) may give him a leg up in the race for the open job in Green Bay.
Bills Likely To Release WR Curtis Samuel?
Following a 2025 campaign where he was limited to only six regular season appearances, Curtis Samuel may soon be out of a job. As Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic writes, the Bills wide receiver is a clear release candidate heading into the offseason.
Following a solid final two seasons in Washington, Samuel caught on with the Bills in 2024 via a three-year, $24MM deal. He didn’t put up especially big numbers during his first season in Buffalo (31 catches, 253 yards, one touchdown), although he did have some key moments in the postseason. He caught three passes for 68 yards and a touchdown in the Bills’ opening-round win over the Broncos, and he added another score in Buffalo’s AFC Championship loss to the Chiefs.
With the departures of Amari Cooper and Mack Hollins and few reinforcements at the position, there was hope that Samuel could take another step in 2025. Instead, the veteran got into about 40 percent of Buffalo’s offensive snaps in his six appearances, finishing with only seven receptions for 81 yards and one touchdown. He also had a special teams role, where he returned nine kickoffs for 223 yards. He suffered an elbow injury in November that landed him on injured reserve, although he did manage to return for the Bills’ playoff matchup against the Broncos. He finished that eventual loss with a two-yard reception on three targets.
If the Bills made Samuel a post-June 1 cut, he’d save the team around $6MM against the cap. While this would only be modest savings, it’s still significant for a cap sheet that’s currently operating in the red. Even with the understanding that the Bills would find some cap machinations to open up breathing room, Samuel’s savings could go a long way, especially if the front office reinvests that money into a WR upgrade.
As for Samuel, the wideout will be entering his age-30 season in 2026. He was good for at least 500 yards when healthy between 2018 and 2023, but the last two years have surely hurt his free agent stock. He’d presumably get a chance from some WR-needy team, but it would have to come via a prove-it deal.
NFL Reserve/Futures Deals: 2/19/26
Today’s reserve/futures moves:
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams officially announced the signing of 15 players to reserve/futures contracts today, 14 of which were reported previously. The newest addition to the list is running back Jordan Waters. The former Duke standout spent his final collegiate season at NC State before going undrafted in 2025. He quickly caught on with the Rams, but he didn’t make it to the regular season with his new squad. Now, he’ll have another chance to make the squad in 2026.
Seahawks Promote Justin Outten, Hire Thomas Hammock As RBs Coach
Seahawks assistant coach Justin Outten missed out on the team’s offensive coordinator job, but he will still get a promotion after his success in 2025.
Formerly Seattle’s run game specialist and assistant offensive line coach, Outten is set to become the team’s run game coordinator, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, a title bump that is likely to come with a pay raise. It seems to be well-deserved, as the Seahawks ranked third in rushing yards, second in rushing touchdowns, and first in yards per attempt last year, his first on the coaching staff.
Continued success at that level will likely make Outten an offensive coordinator candidate in future hiring cycles. His previous play-calling experience as the Broncos’ OC in 2022 went poorly, but Nathaniel Hackett and Russell Wilson seemed to be more foundational problems with that team. Outten also has served under a number of notable head coaches, including Dan Quinn, Mike LaFleur, and Mike Vrabel, in addition to his current boss, Mike Macdonald. His strong coaching network may help him garner more interest for OC jobs and fill his staff if he lands one.
The Seahawks are also hiring Northern Illinois head coach Thomas Hammock as their running backs coach, per ESPN’s Pete Thamel. Hammock will replace Kennedy Polamalu, who suddenly left the team before the playoffs. Outten, along with offensive assistant Michael Byrne, filled Polamalu’s role in the interim. Hammock will now take on the full-time gig after receiving interest from multiple NFL teams, and he will do so as the highest paid RBs coach in the league.
Hammock, 44, was a star running back at NIU before a medical condition forced him to retire after his senior year. He immediately went into coaching, starting as a graduate assistant at Wisconsin. He then served as the RBs coach at his alma mater and Minnesota before returning to Wisconsin in 2011. Hammock then got his first NFL job as the Ravens’ RBs coach, a position he held from 2013 until 2018, when a head coaching offer from NIU drew him back into the college ranks.
Though the Seahawks hope to keep Kenneth Walker, they are not expected to use the franchise tag on him. If he leaves Seattle this offseason Outten and Hammock would be tasked with getting Zach Charbonnet ready for a lead back role in 2026.