NFL Player News

Mason (ankle) is drawing trade interest, David Lombardi of The San Francisco Standard reports.

Mason is set to hit restricted free agency this offseason, so the 49ers have contractual control over the running back for at least one more season. Lombardi believes San Francisco could tender Mason and then entertain trading him. With Christian McCaffrey battling an Achilles issue much of the year, Mason had a breakout 2024 season, rushing 153 times for 789 yards (5.2 YPC) and three touchdowns. He missed the final five games of the season with an ankle injury, and the 49ers have Isaac Guerendo as a younger and cheaper backup option behind McCaffrey.

Shipley rushed 30 times for 82 yards (2.7 YPC) across 16 regular-season appearances with the Eagles in 2024. He also secured all four of his targets for 35 yards and compiled 173 yards as a kick returner.

Shipley, a 2024 fourth-round pick, handled a depth role behind Saquon Barkley and Kenneth Gainwell out of the backfield for Philadelphia, ultimately logging an unremarkable rookie campaign. He did, however, go off for 77 yards and a score, the first of his career, on just four carries versus Washington in the NFC Championship Game. With Gainwell set to become an unrestricted free agent, Shipley could climb the depth chart behind Barkley in Year 2.

Gainwell rushed 75 times for 290 yards (3.9 YPC) and one touchdown across 17 regular-season appearances with the Eagles in 2024. He also secured 16 of 22 targets for 116 receiving yards, while racking up a career-high 456 yards as a kick returner.

Gainwell spent the 2024 campaign operating in a depth complementary role behind superstar backfield leader Saquon Barkley, culminating in just six carries for 10 yards during the team's Super Bowl LIX win. Having played out the final year of his rookie deal, the 2021 fifth-round pick is now slated to become an unrestricted free agent at the start of the new league year next week. Gainwell's versatile skillset will improve his odds of securing another pass-catching or change-of-pace role.

The Texans re-signed Ogunbowale to a one-year, $2 million deal Wednesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

The 30-year-old running back will remain with the Texans after spending the last three seasons in Houston. Ogunbowale provides the team with a reliable third-down back who's also a core player on special teams. He's likely to play a similar role in 2025, serving as the Texans' No. 3 running back behind Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce.

The Saints are releasing Williams on Tuesday, John Hendrix of AthlonSports.com reports.

Williams, who is now heading into his age-30 season as a free agent, gained just 164 yards (3.4 YPC) and one touchdown on 48 carries across 14 regular-season appearances with the Saints in 2024. He also caught nine of 11 targets for 57 yards, while racking up a career-high 288 yards as a kick returner. With 2024 having marked the least productive season of Williams' career by a notable margin, teams around the league don't figure to view the veteran running back as a hot option on the open market.

The Eagles and Barkley agreed to terms Tuesday on a two-year, $41.2 million contract extension, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Barkley's new deal reportedly includes $36 million fully guaranteed at signing, plus incentives worth up to an additional $15 million, making him the highest-paid running back in NFL history. The reigning Offensive Player of the Year, Barkley's arrival in Philadelphia transformed the team's identity, resulting in a season which ultimately culminated in a Super Bowl LIX victory over Kansas City. Barkley will warrant consideration for the No. 1 overall pick in 2025 fantasy drafts, with the Eagles set to return a top-end offensive line to open holes for one of the most explosive and versatile threats from scrimmage in the league.

The Panthers aren't planning to tender Blackshear this offseason, which will make him an unrestricted free agent, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Blackshear entered the offseason as a restricted free agent, so the Panthers could ensure they keep him by tendering him and matching any offer from another club. However, Carolina doesn't appear as if it will that direction, which will instead allow Blackshear to enter unrestricted free agency. The 26-year-old saw limited work on offense in 2024 (his third NFL campaign), compiling 15 carries for 80 yards and a touchdown over 16 contests without getting any looks in the passing game. However, he served as Carolina's top kickoff and punt returner, so the Panthers will need to find a replacement for those roles if they indeed elect to part ways with Blackshear.

Swift is unlikely to be released this offseason, but the Bears may prioritize adding another running back, according to ESPN's Dan Graziano.

Swift is scheduled to make $8 million in 2025, with more than three-fourths of the money guaranteed. His 2024 performance was disappointing relative to the three-year, $24 million contract he signed last offseason, although it could be argued he was a victim of circumstance more so than a major part of the problem during a horrible season for Chicago's offense. The scheme should improve under new head coach Ben Johnson, but it's uncertain how much Swift will benefit if that happens, as the Bears don't lack for draft capital and cap space to pursue backfield upgrades.

Cowboys COO Stephen Jones said Monday that the team hopes to re-sign Dowdle, David Moore of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Dowdle is scheduled for free agency at the beginning of the league year, with Dallas being the only team that can attempt to sign him before then. His breakout in 2024 figures to lead to a contract with considerable guarantees this offseason, but it's hard to say if teams will view Dowdle as a viable starter or more of a high-end backup. Having spent most of his pro career at the back of the Cowboys' roster or on their practice squad, Dowdle is unlikely to give a hometown discount, as this may be his only shot at a sizable contract. He'll turn 27 in June.

Browns general manager Andrew Berry said Tuesday that he expects Chubb (foot) to test free agency this offseason, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Chubb is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent at the start of the new league year March 12, and it sounds as though Cleveland won't expend significant effort to re-sign the veteran running back. A four-time Pro Bowler, Chubb missed the first six games of the 2024 campaign while recovering from a serious knee injury, then managed only eight appearances before suffering a season-ending foot issue. In that span, he rushed 102 times for 332 yards and three scores, with a career-low 3.3 YPC. Chubb's foot injury won't require surgery to heal, but it's unclear whether the 29-year-old veteran will draw significant interest after playing just 10 combined games over the past two seasons. He may need to settle for a one-year prove-it deal to demonstrate he can still rediscover his old form.