NFL 2026: Season Discussion Thread NFL

[Steve]

The Patriots are signing former Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs, league sources confirmed on Tuesday.

The former Packers receiver has agreed to terms on a four-year, $68 million deal.

After cutting Stefon Diggs, it was pretty clear that the Patriots were going to need a new No. 1 receiver. There had been some speculation that the Patriots might look to make a trade for A.J. Brown, but the Eagles' asking price was too high and a deal never got done. Instead, the Patriots decided to bring in Doubs as a new weapon for Drake Maye. The Patriots could still try to make a deal for Brown, but they won't be as desperate to get something done now that they have Doubs in place.

Doubs has averaged 53.3 catches and 666.3 receiving yards over the past three seasons. Based on the money involved, it's pretty clear that the Patriots expect big things out of Doubs in New England.

 

[Steve]

The Texans are trying to fix their offensive line. They've already made several moves this year and they made another one today with the addition of Braden Smith.

The former Colts offensive tackle has agreed to terms on a two-year, $25 million deal that includes $13.5 million in guaranteed money.

Smith spent the first eight years of his career with the Colts and for most of that time, he played right tackle. The Texans have Trent Brown at right tackle and Brown just signed a one-year deal, so it will be interesting to see how this plays out. Smith did play some guard in college, so the Texans could move him over there have him play next to left tackle Aireontae Ersery. No matter what happens, having too many linemen is a good problem to have and it's not something the Texans have had over the past two years.

The Texans have been busy on the line this year. Besides re-signing Brown, they also traded away two players this offseason in Juice Scruggs (Lions) and Tytus Howard Browns).

 

[Steve]

At the rate things are going, the Jets defense might have 11 brand new starters this year. The team added another defensive player on Tuesday with the Nahshon Wright agreeing to terms on a one-year, $5 million deal.

Wright had five interceptions last season for the Bears, which not only finished second on the team, but it was tied for the second-most in the entire NFL. If there's any team that needed to add a ball hawking defensive back, it's the Jets, who became the first team in NFL HISTORY to go an entire season without recording a single interception.

 

[Steve]

The Browns are re-signing veteran guard Teven Jenkins, the team announced today.

Jenkins returning after playing last season on a one-year deal always seemed likely for a Browns team that's focused on its offense - and the offensive line in particular - this month. Jenkins started four games for the Browns last season and has made 42 starts over his five-year career. He's been good when healthy for both the Browns and the Bears, and he'll likely compete for a starting job with the Browns in 2026.

 

[Steve]

A couple of smaller moves for the Cowboys:

• Source: The Cowboys are signing former Broncos safety P.J. Locke to a 1-year deal. Some depth added to the position group. He started all 15 games he played in 2 years ago. He then had spinal fusion surgery after that season. He went on to play in 16 games last season, starting 3.
• The Cowboys are signing DT Otito Ogbonnia to a one-year deal. The former Los Angeles Charger is 6-4, 320 pounds. He started all 17 games in 2024. He didn't start any last season, appearing in nine games. He missed time with an elbow injury.

 

[Steve]

The Chicago Bears have given their special teams a boost today, reaching contract agreements with receiver Kalif Raymond and defensive back Cam Lewis. Raymond, who will arrive at Halas Hall having played for head coach Ben Johnson and receivers coach Antwaan Randle El in Detroit, has All-Pro credentials as a return specialist and will also likely figure into the Bears' offensive plans.

Lewis, a four-phase special teamer, has played his entire seven-season career with the Buffalo Bills and, defensively, has the versatility to play throughout the secondary.

 

[Steve]

The Commanders had one of the worst defenses in the NFL last year and they're doing everything they can to improve the unit in free agency. The most recent move is the addition of Leo Chenal, who has agreed to terms on a three-year, $24.75 million deal in Washington.

Chenal started his career with the Chiefs after they made him in a third-round pick in 2022. In his four seasons with the team, the Chiefs made it to three Super Bowls with two wins. Chenal started eight games as a rookie and ended up playing in 65 total games over the course of his career in Kansas City with 44 starts.

 

[Steve]

There have been dozens of free agent deals that have been agreed to today. As a matter of fact, there have been so many that a few slipped through the cracks, so let's do a round-up of a few signings that happened today.

• QB Teddy Bridgewater CB Rock Ya-Sin re-signing with the Lions (one-year, $4 million deal)
• WR/KR Skyy Moore to sign with the Packers (one-year deal)
• DE Kentavius Street to sign with the Bears
• LB Garret Wallow to re-sign with the 49ers (one-year deal)

Bridgewater spent two seasons as the backup in Detroit (2023-24) and he's now headed back after spending the 2025 season in Tampa Bay. One of the more interesting signings here is the Packers' decision to add Skyy Moore. The two-time Super Bowl champ spent last seaosn with the 49ers where he had a solid year as a returner.

 

[Steve]

The deal to send star defensive end Maxx Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens is off, with the Las Vegas Raiders announcing in a stunning statement Tuesday evening that the Ravens "backed out of our trade agreement."

The trade was scuttled after Crosby, who has been in Baltimore since earlier this week, failed his physical, league sources confirmed.

The teams on Friday agreed to a trade to send Crosby to the Ravens for two first-round picks. All NFL trades require players involved to pass a physical before becoming official.

 

[Steve]

A day after backing out of their agreed-upon trade to acquire pass rusher Maxx Crosby, the Baltimore Ravens pivoted quickly and signed the top available player on the free-agent market.

The Ravens agreed to terms with Trey Hendrickson on a four-year, $112 million deal, according to a league source on Wednesday, ending the former Cincinnati Bengals defensive end's longer-than-expected stay on the market.