Month: March 2026

In a conversation with reporters on Tuesday, Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead hinted at the possibility his franchise could make another big splash, exchanging premium picks for premium players. Well, Snead and the Rams went back into “F them picks” mode on Wednesday. They reportedly agreed to trade for Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie, giving up their first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. They also gave up fifth and sixth-round selections in the upcoming draft to go along with a 2027 third-round pick. The move shows a sense of urgency from the Rams as they use a similar strategy to how they built their 2021 Super Bowl-winning team. With reigning MVP Matthew Stafford turning 38 years old in February and in the final year of his contract, Snead knows the Rams are smack dab in a Super Bowl window and need to make the most of that opportunity. Of course, the Rams have shown in years past a willingness to give up high draft picks for elite players in their prime. They traded multiple first-round picks for Stafford and cornerback Jalen Ramsey several years ago before making an in-season deal for pass rusher Von Miller that helped them win a Super Bowl five years ago at SoFi Stadium. And yes, next year’s Super Bowl will be played in L.A. at SoFi Stadium again. So, it’s no surprise that the Rams gave up their first-round pick this year in order to strengthen their roster for 2026. But this trade is a bit different than the other trades Los Angeles has made for elite players. Even after Wednesday’s reported trade, the Rams still have one selection in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. They hold the No. 13 pick, which they secured by trading back with the Atlanta Falcons last year. Los Angeles has only taken one player in the first round during head coach Sean McVay’s tenure, selecting edge rusher Jared Verse with the No. 19 overall selection in 2024. But the Rams could soon add another impact player in April’s draft, thanks to the trade they made with the Falcons last year. The Rams needed cornerback help now, though. Their secondary struggled to contain Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold in the NFC Championship Game last season, letting him dice them up as the Rams lost, 31-27. The Rams also have four cornerbacks set to become free agents next week in Cobie Durant, Derion Kendrick, Ahkello Witherspoon and Roger McCreary. “We try to use them [draft picks] on a player that’s going to give us an edge and make an impact,” Snead said in a Zoom call when asked about the possibility of using draft picks in a trade for a player this week. “We like to call it an edge. What edge does that player give this version of the Rams?” With Stafford playing at a high level and a dominant, young defensive front led by Verse, Byron Young, Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske, Snead and McVay are taking another big swing for the fence to chase down the Super Bowl defending champion Seahawks. McDuffie is 25 years old and in the prime of his career. He’s from Southern California, so the trade gives him an opportunity to return home. And there’s familiarity on the roster, with Rams passing games coordinator/defensive backs coach Jimmy Lake having coached McDuffie in college as Washington’s head coach. McDuffie also offers versatility, with the ability to play slot defender and on the perimeter. McDuffie is entering the final year of his rookie deal, but is expected to sign a new contract with the Rams. “We want to bring on guys that we all have a lot of like and love for and there’s a vision for them,” said McVay when asked by reporters about his team’s philosophy for acquiring players with picks. “Most importantly, what’s the vision for these guys and how can we help them bring it to life and then how do they fit? The fit is so big. Do you fit culturally? … One of our advantages is that going into year 10 with Les [Snead], there’s continuity and there’s ability to reflect on nine other years of good examples and then not being afraid to learn from the ones that we would do differently.” While the trade immediately improves L.A.’s secondary, the cash-strapped Chiefs benefit from securing more draft capital, which should allow general manager Brett Veach and head coach Andy Reid to acquire a handful of young players to improve the team offensively once franchise quarterback Patrick Mahomes returns from his ACL tear. The Chiefs could use help at running back, receiver and along the offensive and defensive lines. Kansas City now has nine picks overall in this year’s draft, including five in the first 109 picks and the No. 9 overall pick. This also marks the second time in three seasons that the Chiefs have moved one of their top cornerbacks via trade. Two years ago, Kansas City traded L’Jarius Sneed to the Tennessee Titans, where he signed a four-year, $76.4 million extension. Sneed hasn’t lived up to that deal, though, missing 22 games in two seasons with Tennessee as Kansas City received a third-round pick for him. Still, the trade ultimately centers back to the Rams’ aggressive approach to building a Super Bowl roster as they seek to strike gold in 2026. And if it works, Snead can proclaim “F them picks,” again during a championship parade. Trade grades Trade grade for the Los Angeles Rams: A-Trade grade for the Kansas City Chiefs: B+​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

The NFL’s legal tampering window begins on Monday, when pending free agents can begin negotiating contracts and reaching agreements with external teams ahead of the new league year. So, which top players and teams make sense as a pairing? Let’s match up 10 of this year’s marquee unrestricted free agents with logical homes, starting with a trio of quarterbacks and other key offensive players. QB Kyler Murray: Minnesota Vikings Arizona has already announced that it will release Murray, and Minnesota needs a QB upgrade from disappointing ex-first rounder J.J. McCarthy. The Vikings should be appealing to Murray (and other available quarterbacks) because of head coach Kevin O’Connell’s track record with QB revivals. O’Connell was the Rams’ offensive coordinator from 2020-21, which is when Murray made back-to-back Pro Bowls with the division-rival Cardinals. As a result, O’Connell should have a good idea of what the former No. 1 overall pick looked like at his peak. [RELATED: 3 Best Team Fits for QB Kyler Murray in NFL Free Agency] QB Aaron Rodgers: Pittsburgh Steelers If the 42-year-old Rodgers returns for a 22nd NFL season, it’s difficult to imagine it being anywhere else but Pittsburgh. Starting over again with a new franchise in what would likely be his final year doesn’t seem worth the squeeze. Mike Tomlin may not be with the Steelers anymore, but taking over is Mike McCarthy, who was Rodgers’ head coach in Green Bay for 13 years. [RELATED: 3 Best Team Fits for QB Aaron Rodgers in NFL Free Agency] QB Malik Willis: Miami Dolphins With just three starts over the past two years, there’s tremendous risk in giving Willis a big contract. But that risk is mitigated with the Dolphins, considering the presence of both coach Jeff Hafley and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, both of whom were in Green Bay with Willis last season. As the Packers’ defensive coordinator, Hafley went up against the former third-round pick the past two years in practice. [RELATED: 3 Best Team Fits for QB Malik Willis in NFL Free Agency] RB Kenneth Walker III: Kansas City Chiefs The Super LX MVP is the kind of dynamic weapon out of the backfield who would provide an instant boost to a Chiefs run game that ranked 25th last season. Kansas City’s leading rusher in 2025 was Kareem Hunt, who had just 611 rushing yards. Also, with Patrick Mahomes coming off a knee injury, his scrambling ability may be impacted. So the Chiefs need a dependable running back more than ever. WR Alec Pierce: Indianapolis Colts Pierce is intent on hitting free agency, but don’t be surprised to see him sign back with the Colts. The rising receiver built a strong rapport in 2025 with quarterback Daniel Jones, and Indianapolis’ brass has no margin for error this offseason following last season’s collapse. Paying up to retain Pierce shouldn’t be out of the question — even if it’s near $30 million per year. C Tyler Linderbaum: Tennessee Titans Linderbaum will command record-setting money as a center, and no team is better equipped to give it to him than the Titans, who have a league-high $93.8 million in cap space. Tennessee has a center need after releasing Lloyd Cushenberry last week, and it’s expected to pursue a high-quality veteran option to work with second-year quarterback Cam Ward. [RELATED: 2026 NFL Free Agency: Top 100 Players Available and Potential Fits] DE Trey Hendrickson: Indianapolis Colts Hendrickson was viewed as a potential Colts target last year amid his contract issues with the Bengals, and now Indianapolis has a chance to nab him as a free agent. Indy has a big need at edge rusher opposite Laiatu Latu, and Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarrumo was Cincinnati’s DC from 2021-24, when Hendrickson had three seasons of 14-plus sacks. Signing the 31-year-old Hendrickson would be a risk — he played just seven games last season due to injuries, recording four sacks — but general manager Chris Ballard and coach Shane Steichen must be aggressive this offseason, as they’re firmly on the hot seat. LB Devin Lloyd: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Don’t be surprised to see the Jaguars make a push to re-sign Lloyd after his career season, but the Bucs make a lot of sense. Tampa must be thinking about its future at linebacker post-Lavonte David, who is 36 and entering unrestricted free agency. Deion Jones, a veteran backup, is also a pending free agent. The Bucs need more depth and playmaking at linebacker. Cue Lloyd, who had a career-high five interceptions — including a 99-yard pick-six off Patrick Mahomes — and seven pass breakups last season for the Jags. Signing with the Bucs would allow Lloyd to stay in Florida, which has no state income tax. For Lloyd, that would be great news for what’s expected to be a massive second contract. OLB Odafe Oweh: Carolina Panthers The Panthers generated an NFL-low 148 quarterback pressures last season, so Oweh would be a major boost in the pass-rushing department. The former first-round pick has registered at least 7.5 sacks in back-to-back seasons, and his 51 pressures in 2025 tied for 29th. Oweh’s presence would be a nice complement to defensive tackle Derrick Brown (5.0 sacks last season) and outside linebacker Nic Scourton (5.0), who flashed promise as a second-round rookie. OLB Jaelan Phillips: Philadelphia Eagles Phillips played the best ball of his career in 2023 under defensive coordinator Vic Fangio (6.5 sacks in eight games), so it’s difficult to imagine their reunion with the Eagles coming to an end after just eight games (nine including playoffs). Philly needs the pass rush help anyway. The Eagles tied for 10th in pressures and ranked 13th in pressure rate last season, but they didn’t have a player reach seven sacks.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Drake Maye and the New England Patriots will need to find a new top wide receiver for the 2026 season. Wide receiver Stefon Diggs has been informed by the team that he’ll be released after the start of the new league year on March 11, NFL Media reported Wednesday. Diggs later confirmed the news in a social media post. Diggs, 32, was set to receive a $6 million guaranteed roster bonus if he remained on the Patriots’ roster by March 13. New England will open up some cap space with the move, though. By releasing Diggs, the Patriots have created $16.8 million in cap space for the 2026 season, per Over The Cap. In his lone season in New England, Diggs was quite productive. He had a team-leading 85 receptions for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns. His productive campaign came a year after he suffered a season-ending ACL tear during his one season with the Houston Texans. While Diggs had a strong regular season, his play took a dip in the playoffs as the Patriots reached Super Bowl LX. He logged 14 receptions for just 110 yards and a touchdown in the Patriots’ four postseason games. Diggs also dealt with an off-field issue in his final months in New England. He was arrested in December and pleaded not guilty to felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery charges in February after he allegedly strangled his personal chef. All of that made Diggs a speculated cut candidate entering the offseason. He ranked sixth in our Greg Auman’s top 25 cut candidates story. Now, Diggs checks in at No. 26 in our top 100 free agents ranking. Diggs has been named a Pro Bowler four times in his career and has recorded at least 1,000 receiving yards in seven of the last eight seasons.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports