NFL Player News

Edmunds has been granted permission to seek a trade by the Bears, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Edmunds was limited to 13 regular-season appearances with Chicago in 2025, but in that span he managed to record 112 tackles (61 solo), including 1.0 sacks, in addition to nine passes defensed, including four interceptions, and one fumble recovery -- extending his 100-tackle streak to eight seasons. Though the soon-to-be 28-year-old linebacker remains under contract through 2026, the Bears have a potential 'out' this offseason for only $2.4 million in dead cap, compared to the $17.4 million cap hit Edmunds will carry if under contract. As such, if no trade partner can be found, Chicago may end up releasing Edmunds. Regardless of where he plays in 2026, Edmunds figures to retain a starting role and high-end IDP value due to his tackle volume.

Executive Vice President of Football Operations Rob Brzezinski said Tuesday that the Vikings are "exploring all possibilities" at quarterback, a scenario that could lead to McCarthy (hand) facing competition for the team's starting job, Ben Goessling of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

As the coming season approaches, the report notes that Vikings are aiming to see a "baseline" level of quarterback play that's higher than what they had in 2025, a campaign in which McCarthy dealt with multiple injuries, including a right hand issue that forced him out of the team's regular-season finale. When asked if he still believes McCarthy -- the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft -- can be a franchise quarterback, coach Kevin O'Connell said, "I believe the answer to that question is yes.'" That said, Brzezinski's comments suggest that the Vikings could look to explore bringing in signal-caller help via various avenues. With that in mind, as NFL free agency looms next month, Brzezinski noted "we have a couple of weeks, and so we're just exploring every option that could be out there. We're casting a wide net."

Browns general manager Andrew Berry said Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine that Wypler (knee) will be "good to go" for the 2026 season, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com reports.

Wypler was carted to the locker room during Cleveland's win over the Bengals in Week 18 of the 2025 campaign, but it appears the team has no concerns about the 2023 sixth-round pick's status for next season. His availability will be notable, as with Ethan Pocic (Achilles) set to become an unrestricted free agent and recovering from a severe season-ending injury, there is a realistic scenario where Wypler could have to step up as the Browns' starting center. He proved solid in pass protection while operating in the No. 1 role during the final month of the 2025 season but struggled notably as a run blocker.

San Francisco general manager John Lynch said Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine that Williams and the team have "had really good, productive and substantive meetings" regarding a contract restructure, Nick Wagoner of ESPN reports.

Williams, who will play out the 2026 season at age 38, continues to bring an elite level of play to the left tackle position, but his current contract with the 49ers has no more guaranteed money included, a $38.8 million cap hit for next year, and three void years beyond that. As such, both sides appear incentivized to agree to a restructure, but the combination of Williams' age and San Francisco's restrictive salary cap complicates things. Back in 2024, Williams held out for more than a month of training camp before inking a massive extension. This offseason, any result other than retaining Williams at LT would represent a tremendous downgrade for the 49ers' O-line.

Smith underwent minor cleanup surgery on his right knee after the Pro Bowl, Todd Archer of ESPN reports.

With Smith now over two weeks removed from the procedure, the report indicates that the Cowboys' left guard is expected to be 100 percent before the start of the team's offseason program in April. The 2022 first-rounder appeared in 16 regular-season games in 2025 en route to earning his third straight Pro Bowl nod.

General manager Dan Morgan said Tuesday that Brooks (knee) is doing well in his rehab, and the Panthers are optimistic that the running back will be able to contribute in 2026, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Morgan didn't provide any specifics regarding where Brooks stands in his rehab program for the right knee ACL tear he sustained in December 2024, but the 22-year-old at least appears to have avoided any setbacks in his recovery from surgery. A second-round pick in 2024, Brooks has appeared in just three games through two seasons, as he was delayed at the start of his rookie campaign while recovering from an ACL tear that he sustained in college in the same knee. Coming off a pair of major surgeries, Brooks will need to prove that his explosiveness hasn't been compromised as he aims to secure a role out of the Carolina backfield. The Panthers leaned primarily on the duo of Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard out of the backfield in 2025, but with Dowdle bound for free agency this offseason, Carolina could have an opening for Brooks to serve as the top complement to Hubbard during the upcoming season.

General manager Dan Morgan said Tuesday that the door is open for Dowdle to return to Carolina in 2026, but the Panthers will give him the opportunity to test the market in free agency, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.

Though the Panthers are seemingly keen on retaining Dowdle at the right price, it's possible that the franchise won't be able to afford the running back coming off his second straight 1,000-yard rushing season. If Dowdle heads elsewhere, Morgan expressed confidence in the remaining members of the running back room (Chuba Hubbard, Jonathon Brooks and Trevor Etienne) being capable of picking up the slack. After opening 2025 as the Panthers' starter before sliding to second on the depth chart, Hubbard had already moved back into a near-even timeshare with Dowdle by the end of the regular season and then handily out-snapped and out-touched Dowdle in the Panthers' wild-card loss to the Rams.

Bills GM Brandon Beane said Tuesday that Brown's contract was restructured in a move that will save the team around $10.4 million, Katherine Fitzgerald of The Buffalo News reports.

Brown has three years remaining on the four-year, $72 million extension he signed in September of 2024. The specifics on the restructured deal haven't been made public yet, but the agreement helps Buffalo get closer to salary cap compliance. Brown has been a solid and durable part of the Bills' offensive line and figures to once against start for the team at right tackle next season.

Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht said Tuesday that Mauch (knee) is slated to be healthy for the start of training camp, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.

Mauch injured his knee in mid-September and missed the remainder of the 2025 campaign. Prior to getting hurt, he had started 36 consecutive regular-season contests to begin his NFL career. Mauch figures to retake his starting role at right guard when the 2026 campaign kicks off.

Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht said Tuesday that Walker (knee) is expected to be healthy for the start of training camp, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.

After being selected by Tampa Bay in the fourth round of last April's NFL Draft, Walker missed all of his would-be rookie campaign due to a torn ACL. It sounds like he's progressed well in his recovery, but Licht's comments don't make it clear if Walker will be able to participate in OTAs. Regardless, the Central Arkansas product is in line to make his NFL debut in 2026 and could serve in a key rotational role.