NFL Player News

The Steelers assigned Rodgers the right-of-first-refusal UFA tender Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Rodgers reportedly had not notified Pittsburgh of his plans for the 2026 season ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, in which the team added Drew Allar (ankle) in the third round to join Mason Rudolph and Will Howard in the quarterback room. The right-of-first-refusal tender means the Steelers will receive exclusive negotiation rights with Rodgers if he doesn't sign anywhere by July 22, per Schefter, or the start of the summer's first training camp if that date is earlier. Before that date, Rodgers remains free to sign with another team, though Pittsburgh would have the right of first refusal, and by all appearances the 42-year-old veteran intends to stick with the Steelers if he plays another season. Rodgers' tender would provide a 10 percent raise on the one-year, $13.65 million contract he played under in 2025.

The Eagles picked up Carter's fifth-year option Monday, Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

The cost to maintain Carter's services through 2027 comes at a hefty $27 million. The defensive tackle earned Pro Bowl honors in both 2024 and 2025, adding value to his fifth-year option. Carter missed multiple games due to various injuries last season, as well as being ejected in Week 1 for an incident involving him spitting on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. When Carter was on the field, he produced 33 tackles (21 solo), including 3.0 sacks, and seven passes defensed over 12 regular-season games (really 11 since he was ejected before the first snap of Week 1).

The Eagles exercised Smith's fifth-year option Monday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Smith will earn another $13.7 million, guaranteeing his services to the Eagles through 2027. The linebacker is coming off a slightly disappointing season that was spoiled by a lingering triceps injury he originally suffered during training camp. Despite the issue, Smith still started 12 regular-season games, logging 31 tackles (15 solo), including 3.0 sacks. Headed into 2026 healthy, Smith will look to produce a year similar to his 2024 season (42 tackles, including 6.5 sacks), which would help greatly in long-term extension discussions with the organization.

The Cowboys signed Robinson to a one-year deal Monday, Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Robinson got a chance to prove his mettle in 2025 due to an injury bug that hit the 49ers' linebacker corps. The 27-year-old played 244 defensive snaps over 14 games last season, up from 83 snaps over 15 games in the first five years of his career combined. Robinson registered 42 tackles (19 solo) over that 14-game span and has proven to be a reliable depth option that will be able to produce for the Cowboys in 2026 if DeMarvion Overshown, Shemar James or Dee Winters are unable to suit up.

The Cowboys signed Johnson to a one-year deal Monday, Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Johnson played in 12 games for the Jets in 2025, catching 12 balls for 197 yards and one touchdown. The addition of Marquez Valdes-Scantling means there is yet another wide receiver Johnson will need to outperform in training camp to remain on the active roster. If the 27-year-old can win a role, he likely will maintain his 2025 production level.

The Saints declined Wilson's fifth-year option Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

As the seventh overall pick in 2023 Draft and a defensive end, Wilson's fifth-year option would have come in at $14.475 million. The pass rusher's career has been disappointing thus far in relation to the draft capital invested in him, so it makes sense that the Saints' trade acquisition is more of a one-year flyer on a once-promising and athletic player and not a commitment to pursue his future. If Wilson can revive his career in 2026 with a better season, the team may look to keep his services in New Orleans long term.

The Seahawks released Akers on Monday, John Boyle of the team's official site reports.

Akers played in six contests for the Seahawks in 2025. The running back was predominantly a special teamer in those games, playing just nine offensive snaps that resulted in five rushing attempts for 19 yards. With the team adding Jadarian Price in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft, Akers was likely pushed too far down the depth chart to validate keeping. The 26-year-old NFL veteran is now a free agent available to sign with any team that values his experience.

Wease will have plenty of competition in the wide receiver room during training camp, as the Dolphins added three receivers in the 2026 Draft, Matt Sullivan of sportingnews.com reports.

Wease played substantial snaps at wide receiver for the Dolphins' last three contests of the 2025 season. He caught six of his 10 targets for 130 yards and one touchdown over the three-game span. The team drafted Caleb Douglas and Chris Bell (ACL) in the third round of the 2026 draft, as well as Kevin Coleman in the fifth round. With all three new receivers set to compete throughout the preseason, Wease may have to show out to remain on the roster.

The Buccaneers exercised the fifth-year option on Kancey's contract Monday, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

Kancey was sidelined for most of the 2025 season due to a pectoral injury he suffered in Week 2, but the defensive tackle's output has been more than satisfactory for the Buccaneers to justify spending the $14.475 million required to retain him through 2027. The 2023 first-round pick has accumulated 54 tackles (41 solo), including 11.5 sacks, through 29 career regular-season games thus far. With the team selecting linebacker Rueben Bain in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Bucs will be acquiring an influx of talent on the defensive line that should only increase Kancey's potential for production this season.

The Saints waived Cooks on Monday, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Cooks spent the last two months of the NFL season with the Saints after being cut from the Eagles' practice squad in September, but he didn't participate in a game for either team in 2025. The pass catcher signed a reserve/future deal with the team in early January, but he evidently won't be sticking around for training camp. Cooks will be subject to the waiver wire, only becoming a free agent if he clears the 24-hour waiver period where another team can claim him.