Broncos To Re-Sign QB Sam Ehlinger
The Broncos now have their three-man quarterback room from last season under contract. Sam Ehlinger agreed to terms late Sunday night to stay in Denver, veteran insider Jordan Schultz tweets.
Ehlinger, who spent time on Denver’s practice squad and active roster in 2025, is re-signing on a one-year deal worth $2MM. Ehlinger memorably turned down active-roster invites for a Broncos practice squad opportunity. Months later, the team is rewarding him with a raise.
Beginning his career as a Colts third-stringer/backup option, Ehlinger signed with the Broncos late last March. He did not make Denver’s active roster out of training camp but stayed via the practice squad invite. Receiving a few game checks as a P-squad callup, Ehlinger ended the season as Jarrett Stidham‘s backup for the AFC championship game. Bo Nix is expected to be ready for OTAs after his ankle fracture, and the Broncos will have Ehlinger on-hand for those workouts.
Stidham has come up in trade rumors, with teams believed to be asking about a player Sean Payton talked up before his big-stage opportunity. Stidham is tied to a two-year, $12MM deal signed just before free agency in 2025. Barring a trade, Stidham will return to his role as Nix’s backup. It would surprise if the Broncos dealt their fourth-year QB2, but Ehlinger is aboard in case the team considers it.
The Broncos have been busy keeping some role players off the market today, having agreed to terms to retain Adam Trautman and Justin Strnad. While those moves will ensure the tight end and linebacker are on the 2026 roster, Ehlinger may not be assured of such placement. The Broncos, barring a Stidham trade, would need to carry three quarterbacks. Nix’s injury (and the ensuing drama between he and Payton post-injury) could lead Denver to play it safe here, though the conference title game represents the 2024 first-rounder’s only missed NFL start.
The Colts gave Ehlinger three starts during Matt Ryan‘s one-and-done Indianapolis season (2022). Those are the Texas product’s only three starts in a five-year career. Ehlinger, 27, completed 63.4% of his throws that year, throwing three touchdown passes and three interceptions.
Vikings To Re-Sign LB Eric Wilson
Eric Wilson made his way back to Minnesota after nearly five years away, becoming a starter once again. The veteran linebacker will see that second stint continue.
The Vikings are re-signing Wilson just before free agency, according to NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo. Wilson agreed to a three-year, $22.5MM deal that includes $12.5MM fully guaranteed. The 10th-year NFL veteran had previously returned to the Twin Cities on a one-year, $2.6MM deal. After years on similar contracts, Wilson will see the best contract of his career at 31.
This represents a borderline remarkable resurgence for Wilson, who has never previously played for anything more than $3.26MM in a season. That was via a second-round Vikings RFA tender in 2020. Wilson signed a host of one-year contracts in the time since, being cut by the Eagles and claimed by the Texans before enjoying a Packers stint. The Vikings brought him back in 2025 and turned to the Mike Zimmer-era acquisition as a near-full-time starter.
Wilson’s 965 defensive snaps last season were by far his most since that 2020 RFA slate. Minnesota used the former UDFA alongside Minneapolis-area native Blake Cashman as its primary linebacking duo last season. Wilson replaced an injured Cashman after Week 1 but kept the job when the regular starter returned, reducing Ivan Pace‘s role. Pro Football Focus slotted Wilson 44th among 88 qualified off-ball ‘backers.mike
Asked to start 12 games for the 2024 Packers, Wilson was used as a role player (51% snap rate). As a 90% defender in 2025, Wilson made 115 tackles and offered the Vikings a strong blitzing option in registering a career-best 6.5 sacks. More impressively, Wilson came through with 17 tackles for loss. That not only led all off-ball LBs in 2025, it ranked sixth among all players last season. That performance secured the Cincinnati alum a sizable raise, as he joins Cashman on veteran deals at linebacker for the Vikes.
The Zimmer-Rick Spielman duo added Wilson as a 2017 UDFA, and he logged 10 starts during the Anthony Barr–Eric Kendricks years from 2017-19. In 2020, however, Minnesota gave Wilson the aforementioned RFA tender and used him as a full-timer. In 15 starts that year, Wilson racked up 122 tackles. But it led to modest free agency interest. The Eagles cut Wilson months after giving him a one-year deal worth less ($2.75MM) than his 2020 tender price. Wilson’s three Packers contracts did not eclipse $1.5MM for a season, making this early-30s comeback all the more impressive. With Brian Flores returning — on a top-market coordinator salary — he appears set to count on Wilson once again.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/8/26
We have some rare Sunday minor moves as the NFL closes in on the start of the new league year and the free agency frenzy that is sure to follow:
Denver Broncos
- Re-signed: TE Nate Adkins
Houston Texans
- Re-signed: DT Naquan Jones
The Broncos continue to be proactive with pending RFA and ERFAs. Adkins was set to become a restricted free agent, but Denver has avoided that conclusion by re-signing him before the start of free agency.
Claimed last year in Houston, Jones is reportedly getting a one-year, $2MM deal to stay with the Texans, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Jones can earn another $500k on the new deal through incentives.
Chargers Sign FB Alec Ingold
Veteran fullback Alec Ingold was released just two days ago after spending four years with the Dolphins. It didn’t take long for him to rebound as Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports that Ingold has agreed to a two-year, $7.5MM deal to join the Chargers, reuniting him with former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel. Ingold’s new annual average value of $3.75MM per year ties him with San Francisco’s Kyle Juszczyk as the highest-paid fullback in the NFL. 
One of about 10 fullbacks around the league used with any frequency, Ingold has remained an impact player in the league by being a useful asset both in the run and pass game. Signing with the Raiders as an undrafted free agent out of Wisconsin, Ingold’s impact with his first team centered much more around the run blocking game. Lead blocking for then-Raiders running back Josh Jacobs represented the majority of his on-field opportunities in Oakland and Vegas.
After tearing his ACL in the final year of his undrafted rookie deal, Ingold found his next opportunity with the Dolphins in free agency. Playing in McDaniel’s offense, Ingold saw far more opportunities to contribute as a frequent participant on pass plays, as well. The more he proved he could be on the field on any down the more he ended up getting used in multiple facets of the offense. He earned Pro Bowl honors in his second year in Miami and started 47 of 66 game appearances.
He’ll now bring his talents to Los Angeles, where he reunites with McDaniel, the Chargers new offensive coordinator. The Chargers drafted fullback Scott Matlock in the sixth-round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He started his career as a defensive tackle, switching to offense after his rookie season. Based on this contract, Matlock isn’t likely to remain in his role of the past two years as a fullback. Either the signing of Ingold is the writing on the wall that Matlock may not be long for a roster spot, or Matlock may find himself back on defense in the offseason.
Ingold becomes the second free agent signed by the Chargers before the start of free agency. Los Angeles has added many former Ravens staffers to its front office in recent years, and as ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler points out, a core tenant in Baltimore has long been to focus on the compensatory pick formula when pursuing free agents. Players who are released from existing contracts before the start of free agency do not count against a team in regard to compensatory picks. With the signings of Ingold and former Commanders center Tyler Biadasz in the past few days, it’s clear the Chargers are making that a focus, as well.
Broncos, TE Adam Trautman Agree To Deal
Hours after re-signing linebacker Justin Strnad, Denver has kept another pending free agent off the market. The Broncos and tight end Adam Trautman have agreed to a three-year, $17MM contract, Mike Klis of 9News reports. The deal comes with a max value of $18.5MM, according to Klis.
This positions Trautman to continue his long-running partnership with head coach Sean Payton. The two began working together when the Saints used a third-round pick on Trautman in 2020. Payton was their head coach through 2021. When Payton returned to the league as the Broncos’ head coach in 2023, he acquired Trautman in a deal that also included a late-round pick swap.
Trautman has never caught more than 27 passes or reached the 300-yard mark in a season, but he has earned Payton’s trust as a blocker. The 29-year-old has also been durable in Denver, where he has logged three consecutive 17-game seasons. Trautman caught 20 of 23 targets for 195 yards and a touchdown last year, during which he led Broncos tight ends in snap share (57.11%) and starts (12).
While Trautman will remain with the Broncos in 2026, the rest of their tight end group is up in the air. Depth options Nate Adkins, Marcedes Lewis and the non-tendered Lucas Krull are all unsigned. Meanwhile, Evan Engram did not produce as hoped in 2025, which could lead to his release. Even if Engram sticks around, Payton wants to add another receiving tight end this offseason.
Bears To Re-Sign Daniel Hardy
The Bears have reached an agreement to re-sign restricted free agent defensive lineman Daniel Hardy, veteran insider Jordan Schultz reports. It’s a two-year, $4.97MM pact with $2.45MM guaranteed at signing, per OverTheCap.
Hardy, a Montana State product, entered the NFL as a seventh-round pick of the Rams in 2022. After suffering a high ankle sprain in the preseason, Hardy spent the majority of his rookie campaign on injured reserve. He returned late in the year to appear in six games, record four tackles and total 169 snaps (128 on special teams, 41 on defense).
Hardy did not make the Rams’ roster in his second season, but he quickly caught on with the Bears’ practice squad. While Hardy did not see any action in his first year in Chicago, he has since posted back-to-back 17-game seasons. Hardy has amassed just 85 defensive snaps with the Bears, but the 27-year-old has evolved into a core special teamer.
Last season was the second in a row in which Hardy led the Bears in special teams snap share. He played 77.85% of snaps and made the league’s sixth-most ST tackles (19) in 2025.
Colts, K Blake Grupe Agree To Deal
Blake Grupe fared well during his stint at the end of the 2025 season. It has landed him an extended opportunity with the Colts. 
Grupe has agreed to a one-year deal with Indianapolis, per his agent (h/t Mike Garafolo of NFL Network). This pact has a maximum value of $1.4MM. Grupe has earned a new Colts deal based on his level of play upon arrival.
Spencer Shrader suffered ACL and MCL tears in October, ending his season. That led Indianapolis to sign Michael Badgley as his initial replacement. After Badgley struggled on extra points in particular, however, the team tapped Grupe as a third option. That decision came shortly after Grupe was let go by the Saints.
In five Indianapolis contests, the 27-year-old connected on all 11 of his field goal attempts. Grupe also made each of his 10 extra point tries, marking a notable uptick in accuracy compared to his time with New Orleans earlier in the year. He will look to remain strong in that regard during the offseason and through training camp.
Shrader is under contract for next season. Provided he heals in full, it would come as little surprise if he were to reclaim his role as the Colts’ top kicker for 2026. Nevertheless, Grupe will operate as competition this summer as the team weighs its options.
Cardinals, P Blake Gillikin Agree To Deal
A back injury limited Blake Gillikin to just five games in 2025. The veteran punter is now healthy, though, and he will remain in Arizona for next year. 
[RELATED: Previewing Cardinals’ Offseason]
Gillikin has agreed to a one-year Cardinals deal, Mike Garafolo, Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network report. The pact has a maximum value of $2.65MM, which would represent a raise compared to each of his previous contracts. Gillikin has served as Arizona’s punter since 2023.
During his debut Cardinals season, the former Saint averaged 50.6 yards per punt. He topped that figure when on the field in 2025, averaging 51.7 yards per punt in limited action. Provided Gillikin has managed to heal in full, expectations will remain high in his case. A healthy campaign in 2026 could lead to a longer commitment next spring.
Arizona signed Pat O’Donnell to serve as Gillikin’s replacement after the latter landed on injured reserve. O’Donnell played five games for the Cardinals but was released in November. Matt Haack also saw game action with Arizona in 2025, totaling seven appearances. He is a pending free agent, and today’s news certainly points to a departure on the open market.
With Gillikin’s new contract taken care of, the Cardinals will have plenty of stability on special teams. Earlier today, the team agreed to a new deal with kicker Chad Ryland. Long snapper Aaron Brewer is on course for free agency, so it will be interesting to see if he winds up being retained as well.
Cardinals To Re-Sign K Chad Ryland
Chad Ryland has been with Arizona since early in the 2024 season. Another Cardinals contract has now been worked out in his case. 
Ryland has agreed to a one-year deal, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports. He worked as the Cardinals’ kicker for 13 games in 2024 and did so again on a full-time basis the following season. Team and player worked out a two-year pact last time around, but this latest one will allow Ryland to compete for the kicking gig in 2026.
The former Patriots draftee only lasted one year in New England. After struggling during his rookie campaign, Ryland was waived by the Patriots. That was followed in short order by a Cardinals practice squad agreement, and he soon found himself on the active roster. Ryland connected on 28 of 32 field goal tries in 2024 with Arizona, including a perfect mark (four-for-four) from beyond 50 yards.
A drop in accuracy took place this past season. Ryland saw his FG mark drop to 75.8%, missing eight total attempts. Four of those came from beyond 50 yards, though, and expectations will remain high at least from close range moving forward. Ryland, 26, was on course for restricted free agency this spring. Instead of issuing a tender in this case, the Cardinals have opted to work out a one-year pact which will no doubt check in near the league minimum.
Joshua Karty signed with Arizona in December after his Rams tenure came to an end. Karty is likely on course to receive an exclusive rights free agent tender in the near future. That would set up a training camp competition with Ryland for the 2026 kicking role.
Cardinals Revise Contracts Of RB James Conner, CB Sean Murphy-Bunting
James Conner‘s immediate future is no longer in question. The veteran running back will remain in place for the Cardinals for 2026. 
Team and player have agreed to a revised contract, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports. Conner is on the books for one more year, and he was originally scheduled to carry a cap charge of $9.83MM while earning a base salary of $6.39MM. One or both figures will presumably be lowered as a result of today’s move.
[RELATED: Previewing Cardinals’ Offseason]
Conner, 31 in May, was limited to just three games in 2025 due to an ankle injury. That led to questions about a potential trade or release ahead of the final year of his contract, but instead the two-time Pro Bowler will play a sixth season in Arizona. Conner has been a key figure on offense throughout his Cardinals tenure, and while the team will likely explore running back investments this spring he will once again be counted on to handle a heavy workload if healthy.
Cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting has also worked out a restructured contract, per Pelissero’s colleague Mike Garafolo. A knee injury suffered in the spring led to surgery and landed him on the reserve/NFI list. That ensured Murphy-Bunting would miss the entire 2025 campaign. He too will enter the coming season as a pending free agent.
Murphy-Bunting was due $7.5MM for next year prior to his revision; a pay cut could also be in store in this case, something which would lower his cap hit from its scheduled $9.25MM figure. A release would have yielded notable cap savings, but instead Arizona will bank on Murphy-Bunting returning to full health. In that event, the former Buccaneer and Titan will likely be counted on to handle a starting role.
The Cardinals entered Sunday with roughly $48MM in cap space, putting them in much better financial shape than many other teams at this time of year. Nevertheless, Arizona will likely generate even more flexibility with these restructures. Given their respective health and contract statuses, it will be interesting to see how both Conner and Murphy-Bunting fare in 2026.