The NFL offseason is officially here now that the Denver Broncos are Super Bowl 50 champions. With the season over, the league has turned its focus to the offseason. Free agency and the NFL Draft are the main priorities, with teams now in the two-week window in which they can use franchise tag. With that in mind, we've compiled the most interesting tidbits from around the NFL as the start of free agency approaches.
Eagles Want Bradford Back?
The Philadelphia Eagles have a major decision to make with QB Sam Bradford. He's an impending free agent, but the team is unlikely to use the franchise tag. With few QBs set to hit the market, the Eagles might end up needing to pay Bradford a lot if they want to bring him back. GM Howie Roseman said in a podcast on the team's website that they'd like to bring back Bradford.
"We've all been clear that we like Sam, and we'd like to have him back," Roseman said. "It goes then between all of us and whether we can figure something out that makes sense on both sides. Sometimes we get into a situation where we sit here and it will make sense from the team's perspective but when you're talking about a negotiation, it's also got to work for the other side and the player, and we understand that."
Roseman doesn't exactly give a strong endorsement of Bradford, and hints at the possibility that the Eagles might not be willing to pay Bradford the salary he could command from another team. If that's the case, there's always impending free QB Chase Daniel, who played under new head Doug Pederson with the Chiefs.
Texans And Christian Hackenberg?
The Houston Texans' biggest is need clear: quarterback. The team hasn't had steady play from the position in recent years, and it's been the major thing holding them back from being a dangerous playoff team. The Texans appear to be targeting a QB in the draft, based on comments The Houston Chronicle's John McClain made to Philadelphia Magazine.
"They want to draft [a quarterback] in the first round," McClain said. "They’re tired of using retreads. They played five this year, started four. Last year they played four and started three. So they need a quarterback, and they want one that they can develop ... They have not ruled out anybody but I don’t think they’re going to be signing or trading for a veteran unless they determine the quarterbacks that they would have a shot at [in the draft] are going to be too pricey to get."
The top two QBs in the draft, Jared Goff and Carson Wentz are unlikely to be on the board when the Texans pick at No. 22 overall. There's a chance Paxton Lynch might be on the board, but the team would likely have to trade up to get him. That might mean head coach Bill O'Brien is reunited with a former pupil.
"I think Christian Hackenberg is going to end up being reunited with [former Penn State coach] Bill O’Brien," McClain said. "I think that’s going to be their quarterback. I think O’Brien loves the guy. I don’t know that, but I just think he does based on what I’ve heard."
Hackenberg struggled in his two seasons without O'Brien at Penn State, in part because of the team's terrible offensive line. However, Hackenberg showed real promise in his freshman season. He's likely a late Day 2 or early Day 3 pick.
Sanu Won't Re-Sign With Bengals?
The Cincinnati Bengals have several key free agents set to hit the open market this offseason and they likely won't be able to bring back everyone. One of those players might end up being WR Mohamed Sanu. Alex Marvez of Fox Sports reports that there is "virtually no chance" Sanu returns to Cincinnati. Instead, Sanu is likely to leave for a team that will feature him more. If the Bengals lose Sanu, they could still bring back Marvin Jones, who is also a free agent. The Browns are expected to chase Sanu.
Steelers Looking At Brice McCain?
The Miami Dolphins cut McCain last week, which made sense given his lackluster pay and the cap space it would save Miami. But McCain can still play in the NFL and already visited the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Pittsburgh Steelers are the latest team to reach out to McCain, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. It would be a reunion, as McCain started nine games for the Steelers in 2014. The Steelers need DB help, as five of their defensive backs are free agents.
Dolphins Talking With Rishard Matthews?
The Dolphins are tight on cap space and fairly set at WR. It's also a down year for free agent WRs, meaning Rishard Matthews is likely to get a decent-sized contract. Matthews played well last season, but would likely be the No. 4 WR on the team if he returns. That's why it's a bit of a surprise that The Miami Herald is reporting the Dolphins have reached out to Matthews about a contract extension. The Herald says Matthews could end up getting a deal worth $5 million per year, which might be too much for the cap-strapped Dolphins.