# NFL 2026 Offseason Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** football-nfl\ **Created:** [February 13, 2026, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644 "2026-02-13T18:22:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2026, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/141 "2026-03-11T00:47:16Z")
Oof. That’s tough for the Ravens to figure out a new plan, but it _really_ sucks for the Raiders. They’ve been spending the cap space money they freed up, which suddenly isn’t free. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2026, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/142 "2026-03-11T00:53:38Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > Crosby _resolived_ his physical Crosby did what to his physical? I mean, I understand the jist of the news, but I can’t picture what word this was supposed to be. I guess the physical fail was about his knee that landed him on IR this past December? ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2026, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/143 "2026-03-11T01:08:48Z")
> [@gnoitall](#): > > Crosby did what to his physical? Failed. I don’t even know what autocorrect was doing there… ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2026, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/144 "2026-03-11T01:20:18Z")
I stumbled on that way longer than I should have. lol. This is massive news. I haven’t looked into the math yet, but I bet the Raiders still have plenty of cap space left to reabsorb Crosby’s contract. The league year doesn’t even start until tomorrow so worst case scenario they can cancel any of the contracts they have “agreed to” this past 2 days. That’d be a bad look, but these are extreme circumstances. The real question is “what now”. Seemed like Crosby and the Raiders were completely done with each other. So if Maxx’s physicals are bad enough to back out of the deal, will another team come in and take him? Will Maxx stick around and force the Raiders to pay him while he gets surgery? Will the Raiders accept less to move him if he’s damaged goods? Will the Ravens offer reduced draft pick compensation and still take him? Going to be a very interesting few days. There was a rumor that the Bears offered 2 1sts for Crosby but the Ravens with the higher pick had the better deal. Will the Bears come back to the table? I don’t think I’d rely on the Bears medical staff to make a call on that one. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2026, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/145 "2026-03-11T01:28:43Z")
I also find it interesting that Crosby was put on IR late in the season with the speculation being that Vegas was tanking for the #1 overall pick (which they ultimately got). The team was heavily criticized for the move, and Crosby posted video of himself playing basketball while on IR, to show there was nothing physically wrong with him. Now that he failed a physical, which sabotaged a trade, it looks like putting him on IR was legit after all. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2026, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/146 "2026-03-11T04:59:36Z")
Interesting development. > **[NFL News Poster (@nflnewsposter.bsky.social)](https://bsky.app/profile/nflnewsposter.bsky.social/post/3mgqtcjioqq2i)** > > \[Wolfe\] One NFL GM told me everybody involved in Maxx Crosby talks knew he would be out until June/July coming off meniscus surgery. > > Consensus opinion I’ve got from NFL decision makers: Ravens got cold feet & it could impact how other teams work w/... This feels like it could spawn a cottage industry of insider exposes. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2026, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/147 "2026-03-11T13:37:07Z")
On the heels of backing out of the Crosby trade, the Ravens are signing Trey Hendrickson: 4 years, $112 million. > **[Sources: Ravens agree to sign Trey Hendrickson to 4-year, $112M deal](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/48173099/sources-ravens-agree-sign-trey-hendrickson-4-year-112m-deal)** > > The Ravens have agreed to sign Trey Hendrickson, sources told ESPN, in a high-priced pivot after their canceled blockbuster trade for Maxx Crosby. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2026, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/148 "2026-03-11T13:45:57Z")
Oof, bad look for the Ravens. I wonder if other GMs will be less likely to engage with them on trades now. ---
**Author:** ![fedman1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e495f1/32.png) [@fedman1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman1)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2026, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/149 "2026-03-11T13:53:24Z")
re: Raiders, we can see Brady’s influence on decisions. First he vetoed a trade with Pats; then one of Crosby’s concerns is the “wellness coordinator” who, of course, is Brady’s guy. Be interesting to see if other players have same concern. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2026, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/150 "2026-03-11T14:53:09Z")
The league is looking at putting a game on the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving, possibly as soon as this season. It’s a well-established fact that short weeks give players less time to recover, and coaches less time to install game plans – and a Wednesday game would give the participating teams only 3 days instead of the usual six or seven. But, the NFL clearly only cares about eyeballs and money, and putting “content” on the air as much as possible. As this article notes: > [@](#): > > A Thanksgiving Eve game in 2026 would set up a nine-day stretch that includes seven days of NFL games. > **[NFL explores adding game on Thanksgiving Eve, source says](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/48173404/nfl-explores-adding-game-thanksgiving-eve-source-says)** > > The NFL is exploring the possibility of playing a game the day before Thanksgiving, a source told ESPN. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2026, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/151 "2026-03-11T14:57:53Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > It’s a well-established fact that short weeks give players less time to recover, and coaches less time to install game plans – and a Wednesday game would give the participating teams only 3 days instead of the usual six or seven. I have to imagine the teams would be on bye the week prior. When they did Wednesday games for Christmas, all the teams had played on Saturday the week before. But yeah, stupid idea. “Thanksgiving Eve” is not a thing. And I imagine a lot of people would be traveling. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2026, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/152 "2026-03-11T15:12:39Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > But yeah, stupid idea. Yes, terrible for the teams unless both teams have a bye the week before, which seems like it should be possible to schedule. But as a fan, I’d watch it and be happy with another game. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2026, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/153 "2026-03-11T17:57:51Z")
The Colts agreed to a 2-year deal with starting quarterback Daniel Jones worth potentially $100M with incentives. That’ll keep him in Indianapolis through the end of the '27 season. He started last year at a blistering pace, leading us to an 8-2 start before he suffered a hairline fracture in his leg that he played through for awhile before they shut him down as we lost enough games to miss the playoffs. > **[Agents: Colts to re-sign QB Daniel Jones to 2-year, $88M deal](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/48174240/sources-colts-re-sign-qb-daniel-jones-2-year-88m-deal)** > > The Colts and quarterback Daniel Jones reached agreement Wednesday on a two-year, $88 million contract that can be worth up to $100 million, his agents told ESPN's Adam Schefter. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2026, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/154 "2026-03-11T18:19:18Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > Yes, terrible for the teams unless both teams have a bye the week before, which seems like it should be possible to schedule. > > But as a fan, I’d watch it and be happy with another game. Agreed. If they can work out having a bye week for both teams the week prior, I think it would be fine, and it’s a good day for a game, if played late, as the following day is a holiday and I imagine even people on the east coast could stay up a bit to watch it that evening. ---
**Author:** ![borschevsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/97f17d/32.png) [@borschevsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/borschevsky)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2026, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/155 "2026-03-11T19:23:41Z")
> [@ekedolphin](#): > > e suffered a hairline fracture in his leg that he played through for awhile before they shut him down as we lost enough games to miss the playoffs He did have the leg fracture but then he tore his Achilles too - it wasn’t playoff positioning that shut him down. It’s a pretty big contract with him coming off those injuries, but I do hope he gets back to playing well. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2026, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/156 "2026-03-11T19:30:24Z")
Kevin Byard [to the Patriots 1 year/$9 million.](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/48175886/sources-kevin-byard-reaches-one-year-deal-patriots) ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2026, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/157 "2026-03-12T00:16:23Z")
That is a major bummer. With the Bears inking Coby Bryant this is not a shock, but I had hoped he might stick around. Byard has been better than Brisker by a fair bit. Do the Bears bring back Brisker for the other Safety slot or do they look to recent addition Cam Lewis to play Safety? Most likely they probably look to the draft to find a starter there and Lewis is the fall-back plan. Today in complete and absolute bullshit… > **[Eric DeCosta: Ravens hoped to add Trey Hendrickson and Maxx Crosby](https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/eric-decosta-ravens-hoped-to-add-trey-hendrickson-and-maxx-crosby)** > > The Ravens didn't pivot to Trey Hendrickson after reneging on the Maxx Crosby trade. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2026, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/158 "2026-03-12T00:33:30Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > [Source: Travis Kelce reaches 1-year deal to return to Chiefs - ESPN](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/48153217/sources-travis-kelce-expected-return-chiefs) > > No official contract news yet, but seems likely he’s back in KC. The Chiefs tweeted, “Sources confirm that Donna Kelce’s youngest son is returning to the Chiefs for his 14th season.” ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2026, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/159 "2026-03-12T00:55:58Z")
> **[Bears sign former Browns OT Jedrick Wills Jr. to one-year deal](https://www.windycitygridiron.com/chicago-bears-free-agency/112512/chicago-bears-jedrick-wills-contract)** > > The Bears are adding more competition for their left tackle spot in Jedrick Wills Jr. Looks like the Bears are going for a committee approach to filling the Left Tackle spot. We’ve got Braxton Jones, Jedrick Wills and Theo Benedet all with starting experience on that side in camp. Seems like the team is hoping one of these guys steps up and wins the job and then they can hand the gig back to Ozzy Trapilo when’s he’s back in 2027. Wills has basically missed 3 seasons with the same MCL injury so that’s pretty discouraging, but he sat out 2025 to focus on rehab after coming back too soon in 2024. Usually an MCL should not be nearly this problematic so it’s a massive red flag, but he was a Pro Bowl alternate as a rookie. Hopefully his contract is insured for injury and if he plays anywhere close to how he played in 2021 he could be an asset. Wishful thinking I know. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2026, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/160 "2026-03-12T22:36:05Z")
As expected by most sports pundits, Kyler Murray is going to the Vikings. > **[Kyler Murray reportedly joins Vikings on 1-year deal following release by...](https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/breaking-news/article/kyler-murray-reportedly-joins-vikings-on-1-year-deal-following-release-by-cardinals-222138975.html)** > > The Cardinals released the former No. 1 overall pick after seven seasons. It’s a one-year deal, and since Arizona had to pay him a bunch of guaranteed money to cut him, he’s a bargain, as the Vikings only need to pay him the league minimum. It seems like a low-risk deal for Minnesota. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644.md?page=9)