If You Ain't First You're Last Playoffs

Long-time NFL kicker Mason Crosby officially announced his retirement from the NFL on Tuesday after a 17-year career. During Crosby's lengthy NFL career (all but one season with the Green Bay Packers), he was a Super Bowl champion, the Packers' all-time leading scorer and finished 11th all time in points in NFL history. The 40-year-old was originally a sixth-round selection by Green Bay in the 2007 NFL draft out of the University of Colorado. Despite his lengthy career, Crosby was never selected to a Pro Bowl or as an All-Pro. He finishes his career with an 81.3 success rate (400-for-492 on field goals) while making 97.2 percent of his 760 career extra-point attempts. Crosby went 44-for-80 on field goals of 50-plus yards in his career. He did not kick at all in 2024 and only played in three games in his final season in 2023 with the New York Giants.

From RotoBaller

After Atlanta Falcons veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins was benched in Week 16 in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr., the 36-year-old signal-caller said his future in Atlanta is still unsettled. "I definitely feel like I have a lot of good football left in me," Cousins said of his Falcons future. "Time will tell. It's still kind of uncertain. We'll get to March and know a lot more. But I think the focus for me really is getting healthy. That's really my focus is I gotta get healthy." Cousins tore his right Achilles in 2023 and missed half the season in his final year with the Minnesota Vikings before signing a four-year, $180 million deal with Atlanta. He was up and down in his first year in Atlanta but struggled with mobility and accuracy before being benched after a five-game stretch in which he threw one TD and nine interceptions. The way his deal is structured makes it almost impossible for the Falcons to trade him before June 1.

From RotoBaller

During Super Bowl LIX Opening Night on Monday, Cleveland Browns impending free-agent quarterback Jameis Winston said he'd be willing to play for the New York Giants. "Would I really sign with the Giants? Absolutely!" Winston said. "I want to keep playing and do what I do best. I think we have a young woah! They have a young roster. But they have a young roster that's ready to win. They're ready to bounce back. I know they're hungry over there." The G-Men went 3-14 in 2024 and don't currently have a QB on their roster. They could take a signal-caller with the third overall pick in the 2025 draft, but Winston could represent the perfect bridge QB next season. The 31-year-old Winston initially provided a spark to the Browns' offense last year when Deshaun Watson suffered a season-ending Achilles tear, and he eventually finished with 2,121 passing yards, 13 TDs and 12 interceptions before being benched.

From RotoBaller

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said he has no plans to retire following Super Bowl LIX this Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Super Bowl will be Reid's 45th career playoff game as a head coach, which will pass former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick (44) for most playoff games by a head coach all time. Reid needs four more playoff wins to pass Belichick (31) for most career playoff victories. "Yeah, I was always surprised when I heard those rumors because I know how much fun Andy's having," Chiefs chairman and CEO Clark Hunt said. "He in a lot of ways I think is rejuvenated by the success the team's had, certainly he's matched with the quarterback that's a perfect complement for him in Patrick, and I know he loves what he's doing."

From RotoBaller

Buffalo Bills All-Pro safety Micah Hyde has officially retired from professional football after 12 seasons in the NFL, The 33rd Team's Ari Meirov reports. Hyde entered the NFL back in 2013 as a fifth-round pick of the Green Bay Packers out of the University of Iowa. The 34-year-old spent his first four years in the league in Green Bay before joining the Bills in 2017. He ended up playing the final seven seasons of his career in Buffalo, with his lone Pro Bowl appearance coming in 2017. Hyde did not play at all in 2024 but returned to the Bills practice squad late in the season. The Ohio native finishes his career with 644 total tackles (482 solo), 18 tackles for loss, eight QB hits, 24 interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), 66 pass breakups, five forced fumbles and eight fumble recoveries in 158 career regular-season games (128 starts).

From RotoBaller

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce said on Monday during Super LIX Opening Night that he doesn't have any plans on retiring anytime soon despite being 35 years old. "I've thought about it, but I still love what I do," Kelce said. "It's moments like these, weeks like these, the month that we just had in the playoffs that make me feel like I could play this game forever. I think I still got a lot of football left in me. I think this year has been one of the most special years of my life. I think it's gonna continue to make me want to do more in the football world." His 823 receiving yards in 2024 were his lowest total since his one-game rookie season in 2013, and he also had only three touchdowns in 16 games this year. He's had four games with fewer than 20 receiving yards, including the AFC Championship. However, Kelce did have seven catches for 117 yards and a touchdown in the Divisional win over the Houston Texans.

From RotoBaller

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler writes that Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart looked to be more comfortable as the week progressed during Senior Bowl practices last week. Dart's draft stock could be rising after Alabama's Jalen Milroe struggled during the week. "I could see him getting pushed up in the draft, maybe not in the first round but close," a scout said. "He shouldn't be a first-rounder, but it's a weak class and that's how these things go sometimes." Fowler thinks the safer bet for Dart would be early on Day 2 of the draft, and an NFC executive said that Lane Kiffin's system at Ole Miss is a "mess" for incoming NFL quarterbacks. There's a case to be made that Dart is the QB3 of what is considered a weak QB class behind Miami's Cam Ward and Colorado's Shedeur Sanders. In his final season at Ole Miss, Dart threw for 4,279 yards, 29 touchdowns and only six interceptions.

ESPN's Jordan Reid reports that University of North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton has declared for the 2025 NFL draft. Hampton finished second in FBS in rushing yards (1,660) and yards after first contact (1,026) in 2024 and added an impressive 15 touchdowns for the Tar Heels. The 21-year-old running back was extremely impressive in his final two collegiate seasons, putting up two straight 1,500-yard rushing campaigns. He also added 67 catches for 595 yards and three touchdowns in his career at North Carolina as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. There's a case to be made that he will be taken in the first round of the upcoming draft this April, although concerns about his abilities in pass-protection could make NFL teams wary of making him a Day 1 selection. Still, he could be the second RB off the board behind Ashton Jeanty in 2025.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler writes that some in the Pittsburgh Steelers organization are comfortable with Justin Fields as the starting quarterback in 2025. Fields has upside and more mobility than impending free-agent QB Russell Wilson. However, an NFC executive said that Fields didn't have much chemistry with wide receiver George Pickens, so that could play a part in who the Steelers choose to move forward with in 2025. Both Fields and Wilson will be free agents in March, and the Steelers are only expected to keep one of them moving forward. The 25-year-old Fields may be a better rushing asset than Wilson, but what he gains in mobility, he lacks in downfield passing and accuracy. The former first-rounder of the Chicago Bears in 2021 went 4-2 as a starter for Pittsburgh in 2024, throwing for 1,106 yards, five TDs and one pick while also rushing for 289 yards and five more scores.

From RotoBaller

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler writes that the Minnesota Vikings haven't made a firm determination on impending free-agent quarterback Sam Darnold's future with the organization. Darnold exceeded all expectations in 2024, and bringing him back is a stronger possibility that it was five or six months ago. However, the Vikings have a cap on what they'll spend on the QB position, especially after he struggled to close out the year. Some agents think Darnold shouldn't take a penny less than Daniel Jones' four-year, $160 million deal with the New York Giants two years ago. He could get something similar to Baker Mayfield's three-year, $100 million deal, or the Vikes could slap the $35.3 million transition tag on him. Darnold threw for 4,319 yards, 35 TDs and 12 interceptions in 17 games, but his struggles in the final two games will ultimately cost him a lot of money on the open market. Whether the Vikings keep him will depend on how confident they are in J.J. McCarthy and Jones.

From RotoBaller

Philadelphia Eagles DE Brandon Graham (triceps) said he is feeling good and hopes to be able to play in Super Bowl LIX.

From TheHuddle

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler writes that team personnel that he spoke with think Cincinnati Bengals impending free-agent wide receiver Tee Higgins' market is $30 million per year, with most of them thinking he'll hit or clear the over on that mark. The lowest estimate is somewhere slightly above DeVonta Smith's three-year, $75 million deal. Higgins should do very well for himself in free agency because of his status as a No.1-caliber wideout and the fact that plenty of NFL teams are desperate for pass-catching help this offseason. If the Bengals wanted to, they could put the franchise tag on Higgins for less than $30 million in 2025, but the expectation is that they'll either sign him to an extension or let him walk. The 26-year-old has played in only 12 regular-season games in each of the last two years due to injuries, but when healthy, he's been productive. Higgins had a career-high 10 TDs and 911 receiving yards in 2024.

From RotoBaller

ESPN's Pete Thamel writes that University of Miami quarterback Cam Ward is likely to be the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft over Colorado's Shedeur Sanders based on sentiment from scouts and executives at the Senior Bowl last week. Ward's versatility at the position and ability to run have separated him from Sanders. "The reason I thought Jayden Daniels had a great rookie season is ... when it wasn't there, he could make a play," said Miami offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson. "And Cam has that same ability." If the Tennessee Titans keep the No. 1 pick, they could roll with Ward to take over after Will Levis flopped in 2024. The 22-year-old Ward started at Incarnate Word and then moved to Washington State before settling in at Miami in his collegiate career. Dawson also said that Ward is "obsessed with the game."

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp wrote on his X account on Monday that he was "informed that the team will be seeking a trade immediately and will be working with me and my family to find the right place to continue competing for championships." The 31-year-old wideout said after the Rams were eliminated in the postseason that he planned on continuing his playing career into 2025, but it looks like that won't be back in L.A. Kupp is under contract with the Rams through the 2026 season. If the Rams cannot find a trade partner, they could save $15 million in cash by releasing him. Another injury early in the 2024 season caused Kupp to miss some time, and he finished his eighth year in L.A. with a 67-710-6 line in 12 regular-season contests. Kupp has not played a full season since leading the league in catches, yards and touchdowns in 2021, making him a big injury risk, regardless of where he winds up in 2025.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Rams WR Cooper Kupp said he has been informed by the team that they will look to trade him this offseason.

Fantasy Spin: Kupp has played in 12 games or less in each of the last three seasons but did finish this season with 710 yards and six touchdowns. He likely will have several teams interested in him and can be at least a No. 3 receiver in most leagues depending on his new situation.

From TheHuddle

Despite suffering a hip injury in 2024, Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn (hip) participated in the relay race and the flag football game in this year's Pro Bowl festivities last week. Horn was a first-time Pro Bowl participant after a strong 2024 campaign in which he had a career-high 68 tackles (49 solo), his first two career sacks, five tackles for loss, one interception and 13 pass breakups in a career-high 15 regular-season starts. The former eighth overall pick by Carolina in 2021 out of South Carolina has dealt with his fair share of injuries in his first four NFL seasons -- he's played in only 37 games over four years -- but the Panthers could be considering giving him a long-term contract extension this offseason as he enters the final year of his rookie deal in 2025.

From RotoBaller

University of Iowa star running back Kaleb Johnson declared his intentions of entering the 2025 NFL draft back in December. Johnson chose to skip the Hawkeye's Bowl game and enter the draft after going off in 2024 with 1,537 scrimmage yards and 21 touchdowns. He had 240 rushing attempts and also caught 22 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns through the air. Johnson's quickness as a ball-carrier stands out more than his straight-line speed, and he stands at 6-foot, 225 pounds. The 21-year-old could see his draft stock continue to rise if he performs well at the NFL scouting combine at the end of February, making him potential sleeper selection in Rounds 2 or 3. Johnson lacks elite speed at his position but showed last season that he has a knack for breaking tackles and finding the holes to exploit on the ground.

From RotoBaller

The New England Patriots signed free-agent tight end Giovanni Ricci (knee) to a Reserve/Futures deal on Monday. Ricci was on the Cleveland Browns' practice squad in 2024 but never was active for a regular-season game and was cut in August due to a knee injury. The 28-year-old former undrafted free agent out of Western Michigan made his NFL debut in 2021 with the Carolina Panthers, with all 36 of his career games coming with Carolina. In three NFL seasons, Ricci has caught only nine of 12 targets for 102 yards and no touchdowns with the Panthers. Ricci is more of a blocker than a pass-catcher and will now represent tight end depth for the Patriots throughout the offseason and into training camp this summer. The most likely scenario is that he'll effective serve as a fullback for new Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.

From RotoBaller

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Washington Commanders impending free-agent quarterback Marcus Mariota is very much on the Miami Dolphins' and Las Vegas Raiders' radar this offseason as they seek to add a proven, established No. 2 QB. The Dolphins are seeking insurance for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, whose history of head injuries are well-documented. In Vegas, the Raiders could look to reunite Mariota with new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, who coached Mariota for two years at Oregon. The 31-year-old played well in limited action in 2024 with Washington, going 34-for-44 for 364 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. He's started 74 games in the NFL and has a 90.1 career passer rating, 97 TDs and 55 interceptions after the Titans made him the second overall pick in 2015. If Miami can't sign Mariota, they could pivot to 37-year-old Andy Dalton.

From RotoBaller

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said on Monday that the league will look into the "serious issues" involving multiple sexual-misconduct allegations that recently surfaced against Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker. Goodell also noted that it could be both civil and criminal. In total, nine massage therapists in the Baltimore area have accused Tucker of inappropriate behavior, with all of the incidents reportedly happening from 2012-16, Tucker's first five seasons in the NFL. His lawyer's have called the allegations "unequivocally false." The 35-year-old had the worst season of his career in 2024, but he's a seven-time Pro Bowler and is still the most accurate kicker in NFL history with an 89.1% success rate on his 468 attempted field goals over 13 seasons. Depending on what the league finds in its investigation, Tucker could be subject to a lengthy suspension under the NFL's personal-conduct policy.

From RotoBaller