Bucs To Re-Sign TE Cade Otton
Instead of testing the market during his first trip to free agency, Cade Otton will choose to remain in place. A new Buccaneers pact is being finalized with the fifth-year tight end, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Otton has landed a three-year deal, Ari Meriov of the 33rd Team reports. The pact has a base value of $30MM, and it contains $20MM in guarantees. That $10MM AAV now ranks 15th among tight ends, with his guarantees ranking 14th at the position.
The 2022 fourth-round pick out of Washington earned the trust of Tom Brady as a rookie, when he finished with 42 receptions for 391 yards and two touchdowns. He continued that production when Baker Mayfield took over under center, with Otton emerging as a key target on a talented offense.
He had his best showing in 2024, when he hauled in 59 catches for 600 yards and four touchdowns in 14 games. His follow-up showing wasn’t as impressive, especially as the Buccaneers navigated a number of injuries on offense. Still, Otton finished the year with another 59 catches for 572 yards and one touchdown. The 26-year-old has also graded out as an above-average pass blocker in recent years.
Otton will continue to lead the depth chart in 2026. He could theoretically see an increased target share following the departure of Mike Evans. However, with the likes of Chris Godwin, Emeka Egbuka, Jalen McMillan, and Tez Johnson still around, it’s more likely Otton will see a similar offensive role in 2026.
Adam La Rose contributed to this post.
Steelers To Re-Sign LB Cole Holcomb
Cole Holcomb will be remaining in place with Pittsburgh next season. The veteran linebacker has agreed to a new Steelers pact.
A two-year, $5MM pact has been agreed to, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. Earlier today, Ari Meriov of the 33rd Team reported a deal was expected on this front. Holcomb bounced back from in 2025 after missing the previous season, and he will remain a key figure in Pittsburgh’s defense moving forward.
Holcomb’s first season in Pittsburgh was cut short by a serious knee injury. He ended up having to sit out the entire 2024 campaign, but he was back on the field for the start of the 2025 season. He ended up getting into 14 games (three starts) for the Steelers, finishing with 37 tackles. He didn’t earn enough snaps to qualify for Pro Football Focus’ positional rankings, but his final grade would have landed him in the top-30 among linebackers.
The former fifth-round pick once showcased his potential in Washington. This included a 2021 campaign where he compiled 142 tackles, seven passes defended, one sacks, and two interceptions. Following another productive season in 2022, Holcomb inked a three-year, $18MM deal with the Steelers.
While Pittsburgh didn’t get a whole lot from the linebacker on his first contract, they’re hoping for a bit more on this current pact. He’ll likely continue serving as a key special teamer, but he could also see an uptick on his 21-percent defensive snap percentage in 2026.
Ben Levine contributed to this post.
Patriots To Sign OLB Dre’Mont Jones
Adding along the edge was known to be a priority for the Patriots early in free agency. It has not taken long for a deal to be worked out on that front.
Dre’Mont Jones is heading to New England, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports. This will be a three-year, $39MM pact, he adds. A strong showing split between two teams in 2025 has resulted in a notable payday for Jones. The max value of this New England pact is $39.5MM, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network; he adds $14.5MM will be paid out in the first year.
Jones has never garnered more than 800 defensive snaps in any of his seven NFL seasons, but he’s still proven to be a reliable pass-rusher when he’s on the field. He’s compiled at least 3.5 sacks each year of his career, including 18 total sacks with the Broncos between 2020 and 2022. That run earned him a three-year contract with the Seahawks in 2023. After tallying only 8.5 sacks between 2023 and 2024, the Seahawks moved on before the final year of Jones’ contract.
He inked a one-year, $10MM prove-it deal with the Titans last offseason and was productive in nine starts, collecting 26 tackles and 4.5 sacks. He was traded to the Ravens in November for a conditional fifth-round pick, and he proceeded to add another 2.5 sacks down the stretch for his new squad. He ultimately finished the year ranked 64th among 119 qualifying edge defenders on Pro Football Focus’ positional rankings.
The Patriots were a clear suitor for a pass rusher after finishing this past year without a 10-sack player. Harold Landry joined the Patriots via a similar deal last offseason and paced New England with 8.5 sacks. Landry’s knee injury may be a concern heading into 2026, so Jones could help soak up any necessary snaps. Jones may also be a potential replacement for K’Lavon Chaisson, who is hitting free agency following his 7.5-sack showing in 2025.
Adam La Rose contributed to this post.
Raiders To Re-Sign Eric Stokes
11:13am: A deal is in place. The Raiders are keeping Stokes, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, who reports the sixth-year corner is back onboard via a three-year deal worth $30MM. Of that total, Stokes will see $20MM guaranteed. This marks a massive raise from Stokes’ one-year compensation from 2025.
10:52am: The legal tampering period begins in a few minutes, opening the door for free agents-to-be testing the market. With other offers on tap, Eric Stokes is receiving internal interest before the final bell of Raiders exclusive negotiation rights.
Las Vegas is making a push to re-sign the veteran cornerback, CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz reports. The former Packers first-round pick completed a bounce-back season in Vegas, avoiding injuries and working as a full-time starter. He was one of the few bright spots during a 3-14 season, likely raising his price in the process. The sides are believed to have made some progress, per Zenitz.
Stokes, who battled injuries for most of his Green Bay stay, started 16 games under Pete Carroll and saw Pro Football Focus assign him a 20th-place overall ranking among corners. The speedy former first-rounder will almost definitely command a deal well north of his one-year, $3.5MM terms from 2025. The Raiders, after the Maxx Crosby trade, lead the NFL in cap space and need to do work to reach the salary floor (measured over a three-year period). Stokes could be one of the beneficiaries.
The 16 starts brought a career-high mark for Stokes, who missed 14 games in 2023 after suffering a season-ending injury midway through the 2022 season. Foot and hamstring trouble were the primary impediments for Stokes in Green Bay, and the Packers did not use him as a primary starter in Jeff Hafley’s 2024 DC debut. The Raiders were light on cornerbacks after letting Nate Hobbs join the Packers in free agency, but Stokes gave them a locked-in answer — as just about everything else on the roster fell apart.
It will be interesting to see what Stokes will command — from the Raiders or another team — as a second-time free agent. Even if Stokes re-signs, the Raiders have more work to do at corner as a new DC (Rob Leonard) takes over.
Falcons, Olamide Zaccheaus Agree To Deal
Olamide Zaccheaus will return to Atlanta in 2026. The veteran wideout has agreed to terms with the Falcons, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Zaccheaus spent the first four seasons of his career in Atlanta, where he eventually emerged as a key target. He had his best showing with the Falcons in 2022, when he hauled in 40 catches for 533 yards and three touchdowns. He joined the Eagles following that showing, but his lone season in Philly saw him haul in only 10 catches.
He opted for a gig with the Commanders in 2024 and had arguably his best NFL season, finishing with 45 catches for 506 yards and three scores. He also contributed on special teams, where he returned 17 punts for 179 yards.
He joined the Bears ahead of the 2025 season but was less efficient despite a career-high 65 targets. He finished this past year with 39 catches for 313 yards and two touchdowns. He added another score in the postseason.
Zaccheaus will now look to revive his career in Altanta. The 28-year-old is joining a new-look receiver corps that also features newcomer Jahan Dotson next to WR1 Drake London.
Ben Levine contributed to this post.
Texans To Re-Sign DT Sheldon Rankins
As the Texans hoped, Sheldon Rankins will be in the fold next season. The veteran defensive tackle has agreed to a new Houston deal.
Rankins is signing a two-year contract with the Texans, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports. The pact includes $12MM in guarantees. Rankins will be counted on to remain a key presence on the team’s elite defense moving forward as a result of today’s news. An average annual value of “well over” $6MM is present in this new pact, per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson.
Rankins caught on for his second stint with the Texans last offseason, when he inked a one-year, $5.25MM deal. It was a bounceback season following his seven-game showing with the Bengals in 2024. Rankins finished the 2025 campaign with 35 tackles and three sacks while starting every game for the Texans. He also was a standout during Houston’s playoff win over the Steelers, when he returned a fumble for a touchdown. He ultimately finished the year ranked 27th among 127 qualifiers on Pro Football Focus’ positional rankings.
The former Saints first-round pick has had an up-and-down career, leading to him bouncing around the NFL a bit following his departure from New Orleans. Following a pair of forgettable seasons with the Jets, Rankins had been one of the best showings of his career with the Texans in 2023. He finished that year with 37 tackles and six sacks. That performance earned him a two-year deal with the Bengals, but he missed 10 games while nursing a hamstring and recovering from an illness in 2024. He was cut by Cincy last offseason.
Now, he’s seemingly found a home in Houston. Rankins will retain his starting gig next to Tommy Togiai in 2026. Tim Settle‘s departure could open up a depth role on the defensive line, so Rankins should have a relatively long leash.
Adam La Rose contributed to this post.
Jets To Acquire Minkah Fitzpatrick From Dolphins; S Agrees To Extension
Minkah Fitzpatrick will indeed be on the move again. The All-Pro safety is being traded from the Dolphins to the Jets, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.
New York will send a 2026 seventh-round pick to Miami in return. Fitzpatrick was known to be on the trade market, and the Old Bridge, New Jersey native will land a new contract as a result of this move. Per Schefter, a three-year, $40MM extension has been worked out with the Jets. Mentioned as one to monitor, this move will reunite Fitzpatrick with new Jets DC Brian Duker — Miami’s pass-game coordinator in 2025.
Fitzpatrick’s existing deal was set to expire after the 2026 season. Notably, New York will be taking on the entirety of his salary for the coming season. Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald notes the Dolphins did not pay out any of the five-time Pro Bowler’s $15.6MM in base compensation for 2026. That reduces his Miami cap charge to $12.9MM and increases the overall savings the Dolphins will benefit from.
This differs from the arrangement the Dolphins needed to make in the Fitzpatrick-Jalen Ramsey trade last year, when Miami needed to pay down some of Ramsey’s salary. Fitzpatrick became a somewhat surprising trade pickup under those circumstances, and he expressed interest in a long-term Dolphins future. But he is now in a rather exclusive club of players traded by the same franchise twice.
The 2018 first-round pick’s Dolphins stints are now through after a season (stint two) and 18 games (stint one). Miami dealt the Alabama product after a rookie season spent primarily at cornerback, before watching him soar to the All-Pro level at safety in Pittsburgh. The same GM (Chris Grier) reacquired Fitzpatrick as a safety but was dismissed midway through the DB’s second run with the team. With a new regime in town, Fitzpatrick was being shopped earlier this offseason. A Jets team that finished the season without an interception will bite in a rare intra-division trade.
The Jets have three safeties — Andre Cisco, Tony Adams, Isaiah Oliver — unsigned for 2026, with Fitzpatrick set to join Malachi Moore as options for Gang Green. This is Fitzpatrick’s second career extension. His first reset the safety market back in 2022. After agreeing to a rework that did not include any future guarantees, Fitzpatrick secured those despite going into an age-30 season. The Dolphins, who are about to take on the biggest single-player dead money hit in NFL history (via Tua Tagovailoa‘s release), will get off an eight-figure-per-year AAV. Safety is now one of Miami’s many needs.
Sam Robinson contributed to this post.
Jaguars Re-Sign CB Montaric Brown
Montaric Brown would have been one of the top cornerback options on the open market later this week, but he will be staying put. A new Jaguars contract has been agreed to prior to the start of free agency.
Brown and Jacksonville have agreed to a three-year, $33MM pact, ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Jeremy Fowler report. Instead of testing the market, Brown will continue to operate as a starter for his only NFL team. He has been in Duval County since being drafted in the seventh round in 2022. The team has since announced the news.
While Brown has bounced in and out of the starting lineup during his time in Jacksonville, the cornerback has still been a key piece for the Jaguars. When healthy, he’s appeared in at least 59 percent of his team’s defensive snaps over the past three years. Between 2024 and 2025, he tallied a combined 126 tackles, 20 passes defended, and three interceptions.
Pro Football Focus listed this past season as Brown’s best, ranking him 26th among 112 qualifying cornerbacks. Before re-signing with the Jaguars, Brown was mentioned as a potential target for the 49ers.
Other than free agent Greg Newsome, the Jaguars are set to return the majority of their CBs. This includes Travis Hunter, who is expected to focus more on CB than WR in 2026, and slot CBs Jourdan Lewis and Jarrian Jones. Depending on the team’s approach to the position in the draft, Brown may be in line for the largest role of his career.
Ben Levine contributed to this post.
Cowboys Agree To Restructured Deal With T Terence Steele
Speculation about Terence Steele‘s Cowboys future can be put to rest. The veteran offensive tackle has worked out a restructure, Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network report.
As a result of today’s agreement, Steele will collect $22MM fully guaranteed. This new pact carries a base value of $33MM and can top out at $36MM. In need of financial flexibility, the Cowboys will create $13MM in cap space for 2026 as a result of Steele’s new contract.
Steele’s original pact called for $48.5MM in total earnings, but it was largely in doubt if he would rake in much of that figure. Little in the way of guaranteed money remained, leading to questions about a trade or release. Instead, Steele will move forward with another new Dallas commitment.
The 2020 UDFA is now one of the Cowboys longest-tenured players. The Texas Tech product has been in the starting lineup since his rookie campaign, and he hasn’t missed a regular season start since the 2022 campaign. Pro Football Focus has recently graded him as a middle-of-the-road offensive tackle, including a 43rd-place showing (among 81 qualifiers) in 2025.
In another cost-saving move, safety Malik Hooker has also agreed to a restructure. Clarence Hill Jr. of All City DLLS reports Hooker’s pact has been redone to create immediate cap space. That will help Dallas’ needed efforts to make defensive additions this spring. The team has generated $2MM in 2026 savings, ESPN’s Todd Archer notes.
Bears, LB D’Marco Jackson Agree To Deal
The Bears will be without Tremaine Edmunds in 2026. Fellow linebacker D’Marco Jackson will remain in the fold, however.
Jackson has agreed to a two-year deal with Chicago, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. His new Bears contract is two years in length and it has a base value of $7.5MM. The pact can max out at $10.5MM, Rapoport adds. Today’s deal is now official.
Jackson will earn a solid raise after upping his stock last year in Chicago, which added him as a waiver claim in August. The Saints cut Jackson after the 2022 fifth-rounder from Appalachian State was unable to carve out a role in their defense. Jackson spent his rookie year on injured reserve and then played almost exclusively on special teams from 2023-24.
Edmunds and T.J. Edwards missed various periods with injuries last season, leaving Jackson to take on more defensive responsibilities. Across 17 games (four starts) and a career-high 261 defensive snaps, Jackson totaled 43 tackles, three passes defensed, a sack and an interception. He earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors for his performance in Week 15. The 27-year-old logged nine tackles, a sack and a pick in a 31-3 blowout of the Browns.
Although Edmunds is now a Giant, Jackson will once again function as a reserve next season. The Bears will use Edwards and Devin Bush as their top two linebackers. They agreed to sign Bush, previously a Brown, to a three-year, $30MM deal on Monday.
Adam La Rose contributed to this post.