NFL Player News

The Cowboys aren't expected to use the franchise tag on Pollard and likely will allow him to test free agency, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Schefter is reporting the same thing about Raiders RB Josh Jacobs and Giants RB Saquon Barkley, both of whom received franchise tags last offseason (just like Pollard). Each of the three suffered a statistical decline from 2022 to 2023, especially in terms of yards per carry, though Pollard did better late in the season and ultimately snuck over 1,000 rushing yards for the year. Schefter also reports that RBs Derrick Henry and Austin Ekeler will be allowed to test free agency, with a deep class at the position potentially harming all of them when it comes to salary negotiations.

Jacobs (quadriceps) isn't likely to receive a franchise tag from the Raiders and figures to become a free agent in March, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

It would cost the Raiders about $14.15 million to tag Jacobs for a second straight offseason, and this time he's coming off a disappointing, injury-shorted year rather than a career-best breakout campaign. After taking 340 carries for a league-high 1,653 yards (4.9 YPC) in 2022, the 223-pound RB dropped to 233 carries for 805 yards (3.5 YPC) in 2023 before missing the final four games with a quad injury. Jacobs still figures to command starter money when he hits free agency a month after his 26th birthday, but it won't compare to what he would've gotten on the open market last offseason if the Raiders hadn't tagged him. It doesn't help that the upcoming free-agent class is a strong one for RBs, with other potential options including Saquon Barkley, Tony Pollard, Derrick Henry, Austin Ekeler, D'Andre Swift and Devin Singletary.

The Giants will discuss a new contract with Barkley but aren't expected to use their franchise tag on him, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Schefter reports that there are no teams planning to use tags on RBs, including the three -- Giants (Barkley), Raiders (Josh Jacobs) and Cowboys (Tony Pollard) -- that did so last offseason. In addition to those three, the 2024 free-agent class includes six other RBs that got at least 200 touches this past season (Derrick Henry, Austin Ekeler, D'Andre Swift, Devin Singletary, Ezekiel Elliott and Gus Edwards). Some of those players may re-sign with their current teams before the start of the new league year, but most figure to hit the open market. It would cost the Giants about $12.1 million to tag Barkley for a second straight year.

The Rams have extended a contract tender to Rivers, Stu Jackson of the team's official site reports.

By offering Rivers, an exclusive rights free agent, a contract tender, he can't negotiate with other teams this offseason. The stage is thus set for the 25-year-old to return the the Rams' backfield in 2024. Rivers carried 32 times for 129 yards and caught all five of his targets for 22 yards in nine games this past season while working behind Kyren Williams. Looking ahead, the 5-foot-9, 195-pounder should continue to maintain a rotational role in Los Angeles' RB corps, which will also include 2023 sixth-rounder Zach Evans, among others.

The Browns want to keep Chubb (knee) but might consider releasing him this offseason if the two sides can't agree on a new contract, according to Zac Jackson of The Athletic.

Chubb probably wouldn't like the idea of taking a pay cut for the final year of his contract, as he mostly outplayed the terms of the deal before suffering an ACL tear in September. An extension would allow the Browns to lower his $15.83 million cap hit and $11.78 million base salary for 2024 without forcing Chubb to take a straight-up pay cut, though the team might be hesitant to offer significant guarantees to a 28-year-old RB coming back from a severe injury. GM Andrew Berry said in January that the Browns intend to bring Chubb back for 2024, one way or another.

The Eagles signed Davis-Price to a reserve/future contract Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Davis-Price, a 2022 third-round pick drafted by the 49ers, signed the largest reserve/future contract in the league per his agency Elite Loyalty Sports, which could be notable for his chances of sticking on the roster through the offseason. In his lone cameo for San Francisco last season, Davis-Price carried the ball six times for 21 yards.

Cook finished the year with 75 carries for 237 yards and no touchdowns while adding 15 catches for 78 yards on 20 targets, including the postseason.

The veteran began the year with the Jets before mutually parting ways with Gang Green in time to sign with a playoff contender. Cook latched on with the Ravens and was saw some action in the divisional-round win over the Texans with eight carries for 23 yards. Unfortunately, this was the worst season of the 28-year-old's career by any metric. Cook was on a one-year deal and it does not appear likely that Baltimore will re-sign him, so the veteran projects to hit the open market as an aging running back coming off a tough year. The days of Cook garnering a long-term deal are likely behind him.

Mixon is a potential cap casualty this offseason, though it won't be surprising if he's back with the Bengals instead, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

The same was said last offseason until Mixon renegotiated his contract in mid-July to lower his base salaries for 2023 and 2024 while adding some incentives. He's now scheduled for an $8.85 million cap hit in the final year of his deal, with the Bengals carrying $2.75 million in dead money for 2024 if the running back is traded or released before he's due a $3 million roster bonus March 18. The timing of the bonus at least means we should have some clarity early in the offseason, whereas last year there were rumors swirling around Mixon from January to July. Possibilities for 2024 include a trade, release, contract extension or simply keeping him under his current deal. He turns 28 in July, coming off a 2023 campaign with 1,410 yards and 12 touchdowns from scrimmage.

Stevenson (ankle) recently said he's "feeling great" and would be able to play in a game if the Patriots had one coming up, Nicole Yang of The Boston Globe reports.

Stevenson has been going to physical therapy four or five times per week since missing the final five games of 2023 with a high-ankle injury. It sounds like he'll be ready for the start of the offseason program, heading into the fourth and final year of his rookie contract. Stevenson said he plans to speak to new coach Jerod Mayo and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt about his desire to handle a clear lead role in the backfield, after rotating with Damien Harris in 2022 and Ezekiel Elliott in 2023. Elliott is headed for unrestricted free agency this offseason, leaving Stevenson and 2022 sixth-round pick Kevin Harris as the only RBs from the 2023 roster under contract for 2024.

Prince signed a reserve/future contract with the Chiefs on Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Prince will return to Kansas City where he spent time on the practice squad after signing with the team as an undrafted free agent last may. The 23-year-old played in two games but failed to record any stats and will look to secure a roster spot heading into the 2024 campaign.