Player News

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler writes that if Tampa Bay Buccaneers impending free-agent wide receiver Chris Godwin makes it to free agency, don't be surprised if the New England Patriots get involved. It's no secret that the Patriots are looking to upgrade their receiving corps with a bona fide No. 1 wideout this offseason, and after the Cincinnati Bengals placed the franchise tag on wideout Tee Higgins, Godwin would be by far and away the top available pass-catcher on the open market. However, Tampa has made Godwin a priority, and the feeling around the NFL is that they will make him a Buc for the rest of his career. It wasn't financially feasible for the Bucs to use the franchise tag on Godwin for a third straight season, but they may look to lock him up before he becomes available to other teams. The 29-year-old was on his way to a career year in 2024 alongside Mike Evans before suffering a season-ending ankle injury in mid-October.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler writes that the Cincinnati Bengals were happy with impending free-agent tight end Mike Gesicki last year and would like to re-sign him, even though they are also trying to keep all three star players in receivers Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and defensive end Trey Hendrickson on long-term deals. Teams are projecting that the tight end position could max out at $8 million per year on the free-agent market this offseason. Gesicki ended up being Cincy's third leading receiver in 2024 behind Chase and Higgins, catching 65 of his 83 targets for 665 receiving yards, although he only was able to find the end zone twice in 17 games played. Although the Bengals also have Drew Sample and Erick All Jr. -- Tanner Hudson is also a free agent -- re-signing in Cincy would be the most ideal situation for Gesicki's fantasy value in 2025.

The Chicago Bears are targeting free-agent tight end Durham Smythe, sources tell ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. This one makes sense on multiple levels after the Miami Dolphins released Smythe last month. The Bears also cut veteran tight end Gerald Everett last month, and veteran Marcedes Lewis and Stephen Carlson are both set to be unrestricted free agents next week. Chicago is definitely in the market for depth at the position behind starter Cole Kmet this offseason, and Smythe overlapped with new Bears head coach Ben Johnson in Miami in 2018. The 29-year-old former fourth-rounder in 2018 out of Notre Dame had 132 catches, 1,228 yards and three touchdowns on 175 targets in seven seasons in Miami. Smythe took a back seat to Jonnu Smith last year and finished with a 9-53-0 line in 17 games. If he were to land in Chicago, he wouldn't have much fantasy appeal unless Kmet were to miss time with an injury.

A source told The Associated Press' Rob Maaddi that a reunion between Pittsburgh Steelers impending free-agent quarterback Russell Wilson and new Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll is unlikely. The Steelers are looking to re-sign one of Wilson or free-agent QB Justin Fields, but all indications so far are that their preference is to retain the younger Fields. The 36-year-old Wilson initially gave the Steelers a spark when he took over as the starter in Pittsburgh last year for Fields, but he collapsed down the stretch and is no longer the QB he once was in Seattle with Carroll. If Wilson doesn't return to the Steelers, his most likely landing spots could be either the New York Giants or New York Jets as they potentially look for a veteran bridge starter for a year or two. Wilson started 11 games in 2024 and threw for 2,482 yards while throwing 16 touchdowns and five interceptions.

Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead hasn't completely closed the door on wide receiver Cooper Kupp returning in 2025, but like head coach Sean McVay, he said it's unlikely. "There is a scenario, but when you get into probabilities that would be the least likely. I don't want to tell you 'no' today and then next week he's a Ram. You see what we're trying to do. We're working to try to find a partner and a next chapter for Cooper and ourselves," Snead said. The 31-year-old Kupp is due $29.7 million in the final two years of his deal, so to facilitate a trade, the Rams are likely going to have to eat a large chunk of that cost. If it's looking unlikely for a trade, L.A. could straight up release him as well. After winning the NFL's receiving Triple Crown in 2021, Kupp hasn't played more than 12 games in a season due to injuries. He could still have plenty of fantasy appeal on a different team, but his 2025 fantasy value will depend on where he lands.

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) is scheduled to have a second surgery on his knee on Wednesday to fix the torn ACL in his left knee. Dell 's first surgery on Jan. 15 was to address the dislocated kneecap that he suffered in the Dec. 21 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. the 25-year-old also suffered damage to his meniscus and tore his LCL and MCL. Because of the severity of the injury, there's no guarantee that Dell will be able to return in 2025, although he's reportedly headed in the right direction so far. Even when Dell is able to return, whenever that may be, it would be wise to expect him to have lost a step or two. After season-ending injuries to both Dell and Stefon Diggs (knee) in 2024, Nico Collins took over as the clear No. 1 wideout in Houston and was money for fantasy managers. In 14 games in his second season before his injury in 2024, Dell had a 51-667-3 line after scoring seven TDs in his rookie season.

ESPN's Turron Davenport and Jeremy Fowler write that the Tennessee Titans will have some interest if quarterback Sam Darnold reaches free agency next week, but only at the right price -- in the $30 million per year range, according to a team source. And if the Titans were to sign a veteran QB like Darnold in free agency, they could still draft Miami's Cam Ward or Colorado's Shedeur Sanders in the first round of this year's draft. The Titans were enamored by Ward when they talked to him at the NFL Combine last week, and many believe he'd be their top choice if they don't trade out of the top overall pick. Former second-rounder Will Levis, who struggled in his opportunity as the starter last year, will get an opportunity to compete for the job with whomever they bring in. Adding a QB in free agency would only increase the odds of Tennessee trading out of the top spot for more draft capital this year and in years to come.

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf officially requested a trade on Wednesday, and the Los Angeles Chargers could be a team to watch, sources tell FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz. The Chargers were the one team that quietly but aggressively pursued Metcalf in trade talks, only to be rebuffed by Seattle. But that was before Metcalf actually requested a trade, and the Bolts remain in the receiver market this offseason. The Green Bay Packers are another team to watch closely as teams angle to trade for the 27-year-old wideout, especially since Christian Watson (knee) is expected to miss at least half of the 2025 season. By Metcalf's standards, his 66-992-5 line last year was a disappointment as he took a back seat to Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Metcalf would be more attractive from a fantasy perspective in Green Bay, but either way, he'd be the unquestioned No. 1 wideout, which wasn't the case in Seattle in 2024.

The Dallas Cowboys restructured quarterback Dak Prescott's contract on Wednesday that will open up $36.6 million in salary cap space in 2025, and it comes just one day after the team restructured star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb's contract. After the restructures for both Prescott and Lamb, the Cowboys have freed up $56.6 million in cap space in advance of a likely big-time contract extension for star pass-rusher Micah Parsons this offseason. It remains to be seen how aggressive the Cowboys, who did next to nothing in free agency a year ago, will get in free agency in 2025. The 31-year-old Prescott had a career year in 2023 before playing in just eight games last year due to a season-ending torn hamstring that required surgery in November. Prescott is on track in his recovery and should be ready for the start of the 2025 regular season, where he'll be more of a low-end QB1 asset in fantasy.

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf has requested a trade, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero. The Seahawks have agreed to explore trade options. The 27-year-old was a second-round pick by Seattle in 2019 and has compiled 438 receptions for 6,324 yards and 48 touchdowns across 97 career games. After catching 90 passes in 2022, Metcalf has fallen under 70 receptions in each of the last two seasons. With Jaxon Smith-Njigba developing into a No. 1 wide receiver, Metcalf could be on his way out of the organization. Rumors have swirled surrounding Metcalf and the Green Bay Packers, but if he's truly available via trade, there should be no shortage of organizations interested. The Seahawks are also releasing veteran wideout, Tyler Lockett, so expect wide receiver to be a significant need if Metcalf is dealt. Wherever Metcalf lands, he'll be firmly on the fantasy football radar.