Super Bowl buzz: Latest on NFL free agency, draft, coaches

It's Super Bowl weekend, and Chiefs-Eagles will dominate the conversation around the NFL. But the offseason will hit hard Monday morning, as teams start to build plans to reach next season's Super Bowl. Months of trades, cuts, signings, hirings and draft picks lie ahead before all 32 teams are back on the field.

Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano have been in New Orleans all week, talking to execs, coaches, agents, scouts, players and other team sources. What are people saying about the top free agents? What about extension possibilities, trade candidates and fallout from the coaching carousel? And is there any early draft buzz ahead of the combine?

Here is the latest intel and news Jeremy and Dan heard on the ground this week.

Jump to the latest on:
Garrett's trade market | Purdy's extension
Stafford's future | Saints' coaching staff
Titans' draft plans | Kupp's trade fits
Allen's deal | Steelers' QBs | Commanders' plans
Quick notes on the Chiefs, Eagles, more

What does Garrett's trade request mean for the pass-rush market?

Fowler: People I've talked to about Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett's trade market agree that his immense talent should garner at least two quality picks in return -- either two first-rounders, or a first-rounder and a high-level Day 2 pick package. They also agree the list of potential suitors would be condensed due to his desire to join a contender after requesting a trade. I've spoken to several teams that openly admit they will probably reach out to Cleveland, with the expectation that the Browns will say no to any offer. Cleveland has no plans to budge on its stance that Garrett won't be moved.

Obviously, that can change; Cleveland has a savvy front office that's measured but aggressive, so perhaps the trade value will eventually be too hard to pass up. But this could drag on for a while. Sources maintain that Garrett is not motivated by money, but rather solely by a desire to win. After all, Garrett would have no problem getting a new deal from Cleveland or elsewhere. He has 14-plus sacks in each of the past four seasons and is a free agent in 2027.

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Graziano: Kellen Moore a strong favorite for Saints job

Dan Graziano provides the latest intel on the Saints' coaching search, including the team's interview of Kellen Moore.

Garrett's trade request collides with a potential market explosion at pass rusher, too. Dallas' Micah Parsons is poised to surpass Nick Bosa's $34 million per year on an extension. Pittsburgh's T.J. Watt is a 2026 free agent and is still premier, which calls for a massive payout. Then there's 2026 free agent Trey Hendrickson, who has a league-high 35 sacks over the past two years for Cincinnati. It's logical to figure Hendrickson could get above $30 million per year. Houston's Danielle Hunter is a year from free agency, too, and Las Vegas' Maxx Crosby is two years out from the open market.

As one league source predicts, "Maxx, Myles and Trey will all be tied up in [trade] talks." The expectation is Crosby and Hendrickson will get strong trade interest if their respective teams decide to entertain calls. But teams must figure out this edge rush market, either by proactively signing their own players to high-end money or finding a way to get younger and cheaper at the position. And this is another challenge for the Bengals, in particular; they have not yet reached agreements with receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.

What could Purdy make on a new deal?

Graziano: The contract negotiations between the 49ers and quarterback Brock Purdy will be closely watched this offseason, as the last pick of the 2022 draft is finally eligible for an extension after three years as the league's top bargain. And opinions vary on where the Purdy contract will land.

Some point out that he has a case to be paid at least as much as the $55 million that Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence makes annually; unlike Purdy, Lawrence didn't take his team to two conference title games and a Super Bowl through his first three seasons. Plus, Purdy's 70.1 QBR is the league's fourth highest over the past three years, behind only Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes and Jayden Daniels.

Others point out that the Niners have leverage in their ability to franchise-tag Purdy in 2026 and 2027. Plus, Purdy is earning only about $5.2 million in 2025, which might make him more eager to get a deal done at something closer to the 49ers' offered number.

But while the 49ers can sometimes take a while to get these things done, they haven't been afraid of paying players such as Bosa and Brandon Aiyuk at or near the top of the market for their respective positions. If Purdy wants to push it and stand on his record relative to his peers, don't be shocked if his eventual extension ends up averaging more than Lawrence's $55 million.

What does the future hold for Stafford in Los Angeles?

Graziano: Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is likely to return to L.A. in 2025, according to sources close to the situation. The past two seasons have been good for Stafford, who turned 37 on Friday and believes the Rams' leadership gives them the ability to contend every year.

Something will have to be done with Stafford's contract, though, as was the case last offseason when the Rams slid $5 million of his 2025 money into 2024 and guaranteed him $40 million. Of that $40 million in guarantees, $4 million comes in the form of a 2025 roster bonus due next month. The rest of his 2025 compensation is a non-guaranteed $23 million. His current cap hit for 2025 is roughly $50 million, so look for the team to convert salary into bonuses again to lower the hit and move Stafford's 2025 compensation into a range more befitting of a good starting NFL quarterback.

Fowler: People I've talked to with the Rams don't sound overly concerned about Stafford leaving, despite the tricky contract situation. Last summer's negotiation wasn't easy, and this year's could be even more difficult, considering his status as a top-shelf QB in a league starved for them. Stafford ranked 12th in QBR in 2024 (64.7).

By all accounts, Stafford was happy with the direction of the offense this season, and multiple people with the team say it doesn't seem as if changes are coming. But other teams will inevitably call the Rams to gauge trade interest anyway. Stafford will be the top quarterback available if Los Angeles entertains the idea of moving him.

How might the Saints' coaching staff set up?

Fowler: The NFL world anticipates Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore landing the Saints' head-coaching job, and his prospective staff is starting to come into focus. Two names I've heard as possibilities at defensive coordinator are 49ers assistant coach Brandon Staley and Buccaneers outside linebackers coach George Edwards. Both have history with Moore -- Staley hired Moore as his offensive coordinator with the Chargers in 2023, and Moore overlapped with Edwards in Dallas.

It's worth noting that some of Moore's potential coaching targets -- assuming he does land the New Orleans job -- were hired by Dallas, including new Cowboys defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. (Moore also has a strong relationship with Klayton Adams, who just became Dallas' OC.) Moore has brought Eagles quarterbacks coach Doug Nussmeier with him to multiple stops, and he could be an option, too.

I caught up with Moore here at the Super Bowl, and he had a good quote about his offensive philosophy: "Everyone has superpowers." He believes it's his job to help bring out players' best traits because, after all, everyone has something outstanding about their game that got them to this level. That should resonate with a Saints team in transition -- again, presuming he gets the job, as expected.

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Could the Titans trade out of the No. 1 draft pick?

Graziano: There is still a long way to go until April's draft and a lot of evaluations to make before then, but I've talked to multiple people who think the Titans could trade out of the top pick and look for their QB solution elsewhere. That could mean either another shot for Will Levis or adding young free agent such as Sam Darnold or Justin Fields.

The thinking is that the Titans' roster needs are so extensive that, unless they're absolutely sold on one of the quarterbacks as a franchise-changer, they're better off seeing what teams would be willing to offer for the pick. If they moved back to No. 2 (Browns) or No. 3 (Giants) -- or even to No. 6 (Raiders) or No. 7 (Jets) -- they could still land a franchise cornerstone player in the first round and be in position to address QB in next year's draft if necessary.

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Which teams could make sense for a Kupp trade?

Fowler: Execs predict Rams receiver Cooper Kupp will have a trade market because he's quarterback-friendly, makes contested catches and is the type of first-one-in, last-one-out worker who resonates with a new team. Questions about age (31), declining production, lower-body explosiveness and injuries loom. But he can still play -- he caught 67 balls for 710 yards and six scores this season (missed five games).

The contract is an issue, though. Kupp is due $20 million in 2025, and all but $5 million of that is guaranteed in the form of a roster bonus. The Rams would likely be willing to eat some of the contract to facilitate a trade. A few musings on prospective teams:

• As one AFC exec said, the Patriots would be "foolish" not to entertain a deal, given their receiver situation.

• The Steelers looked into Kupp's market at the trade deadline and still have a need at the position.

• Kupp would have instant chemistry with Jared Goff if the Lions were willing to make a move.

• The Commanders could be looking for a complementary receiver to Terry McLaurin.

• And lastly, doesn't this seem like a Chiefs-type move? They pulled off something similar with DeAndre Hopkins at the deadline and could think about the same with Kupp.

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Is a new deal coming for Allen?

Graziano: Newly minted MVP Josh Allen could be looking for a new contract soon, as he's scheduled to average about $32 million per season over the remaining years on his current deal and earned just $14.5 million in 2024. The problem is there are four years remaining on the deal, and teams don't generally like to do extensions that early.

Still, much like Mahomes has done with the Chiefs a couple of times since signing his massive extension in 2020, there are ways the Bills could adjust the deal to bring Allen more in line with the QB market. I wouldn't be surprised to hear news of a new Allen contract this offseason.

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Will it be Fields over Wilson in Pittsburgh?

Fowler: My sense coming out of New Orleans is that the door is open for a potential deal between the Steelers and free agent Justin Fields, but it would have to make sense for Fields, who, at this stage, will most likely want a more legitimate chance to start a full season.

I've seen a bunch of ex-Steelers players here in New Orleans, many of whom are well-versed in Steelers happenings. They told me that some people in Pittsburgh's building prefer Fields over Russell Wilson -- who is also a free agent -- as the starter (which I had heard previously), due to age and mobility. Coach Mike Tomlin seems to have a loyalty to Wilson that could lead the team in that direction, though. Plus, Fields could have a sneaky good market and price himself out of Pittsburgh.

Wilson loved his season in Pittsburgh and is open to returning but is taking a see-what-happens approach to it all. Ex-Pete Carroll assistants believe Wilson could coexist with Carroll for the Raiders, too, having mended fences from their Seattle days. But others around the league are skeptical of the pairing. Wilson has also been connected to the Giants by a few people this week. He visited with the Giants last free agency, and New York is on his radar as a potential option in 2025.

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Are the Commanders going all-in?

Graziano: Expect the Commanders to be aggressive this offseason in pursuing roster upgrades on defense. Much like the Texans last year after C.J. Stroud's dazzling rookie season, Washington believes it has something special in quarterback Jayden Daniels and wants to maximize his rookie-contract window. Getting to the NFC Championship Game in Daniels' first year only makes Washington more likely to get aggressive for someone like Garrett if and when Cleveland decides to move him.

Washington needs a lot of work on defense, and don't be surprised to see the team stretch for an impact player or two in the coming months. The Commanders were 19th in defensive EPA this season.

What else are we hearing this week?

Graziano's notebook:

• I'm watching what the Texans do at wide receiver this offseason around Stroud after the Stefon Diggs acquisition didn't pan out. A lot of teams like what Buffalo did at wide receiver this season -- compiling role-player types, such as Mack Hollins, who are willing to do the blocking and the dirty work. The Texans believed they had multiple No. 1 receivers this season, but they still have at least one in Nico Collins. Now they might look to fill in around him with more targeted, role-oriented acquisitions. (Hollins, by the way, is an unrestricted free agent who could fit that kind of plan.)

• Don't expect last offseason's running back market to repeat itself. April's draft is thought to be loaded at the position, and this free agent RB market doesn't have the Saquon Barkley/Josh Jacobs-level star power of 2024. Someone like Denver's Javonte Williams, who is only 24 and hasn't been used as much as, say, Najee Harris, could be an intriguing flier for a team looking for an upside play. But I would expect teams to return to trying to find cheaper, younger solutions at that position.

Fowler's notebook:

• The Jets must address the future of receiver Davante Adams, whose $38.3 million cap hit is untenable. A source told me Adams is intrigued by a return to the West Coast and would be open to potentially joining teams such as the Rams or Chargers -- if he gets released. I would put the 49ers in the conversation, too. Adams grew up in Northern California.

• The Chiefs very much want to keep receiver Hollywood Brown, who should have a good market due to teams' desire for speed options on the outside. Mahomes advocated for signing Brown last year and will likely do so again. Will another star quarterback -- like Josh Allen -- be next? People with the Chiefs I spoke to this week believe that Allen has long wanted to play with Brown.

• The Eagles' defensive line room has been dealing with the flu this week, but the hope is that defensive tackle Jalen Carter -- who missed Thursday's media session -- will be good to go for kickoff. Several Chiefs players also got the flu this week, but they've hunkered down and should be perking up in time for the game.

• The Cardinals hope to re-sign star tight end Trey McBride this offseason. The TE market has been stuck in that $15-$17 million per-year range for a while now, but perhaps McBride can change that with 192 catches since 2023.

• The Panthers want veteran receiver Adam Thielen back in 2025. He's due more than $6 million in overall payout in the last year of his contract. Carolina and Thielen could always renegotiate to find a sweet spot on a new one-year deal or an extension. But my sense is the team does not plan to release Thielen, who does want to be on a winning team.