The Insiders Podcast: Contract Extension Updates + Josh Allen and Brock Purdy Join the Insiders

Donald has retired but is teasing a potential comeback with workout videos in the weight room; if he returns, the Rams would be the first team in NFL history to have two multi-year defensive players of the year on the roster at the same time alongside Miles Garrett.

Baker Mayfield signed a three-year, $100 million contract in 2024 and is the lowest paid among 16 veteran quarterbacks on franchise-type contracts; the top of the market is basically double what he's making. The sides are not on the same page regarding extension value. Mayfield set a deadline of training camp start; if no deal is reached, he faces a franchise tag or free agency in March.

Brandon Aiyuk was among the 49ers' star players who missed significant time last season. Along with Fred Warner, Brock Purdy, Ricky Pearsall, George Kittle, and Juwan Johnson, these six pro-bowl caliber players missed 66 games total. The 49ers' injury luck has been a persistent problem, and staying healthy is the key to their 2026 contention.

Brock Purdy is the 49ers quarterback heading into 2026 with new receivers and chemistry to build. Kyle Shanahan ended the offseason program early, and Purdy felt they accomplished building chemistry with new faces. Purdy emphasized staying healthy and being ready for the season. He views the NFC West as the best division in football and is focused on the team's craft and preparation for week one in Australia.

Young, the Rams' weak side linebacker, had 12 sacks last season; Miles Garrett has never played with a teammate who had double-digit sacks, which could help unlock the best version of Garrett by providing balanced pass rush pressure.

Tate, the wide receiver out of Ohio State drafted by the Tennessee Titans on draft night as a surprise pick, will win offensive rookie of the year by hooking up with Cam Ward and providing a deep threat; he joins a lineage of rookie WRs who won the award including Ted McMillan, Garrett Wilson, Jamar Chase, OBJ, Percy Harvin, Anquan Bolden, and Randy Moss.

DJ Moore is joining the Bills as a veteran wide receiver who has been in the league as long as Josh Allen and has produced at a high level for the last eight years. Allen views Moore as bringing veteran leadership and is excited about their locker room relationship and seamless fit. Moore is expected to be a huge help for the Bills in the 2026 season.

Jones had a magical first eight games with only three turnovers and a 105 passer rating, but reverted to form in the final four games before injury with seven turnovers and a 58% passer rating, particularly struggling against pressure as he always has; his two-year, $88 million contract with $60 million guaranteed will look bad next year because he'll struggle early and get hurt again.

Dee Winters was acquired by the Cowboys in a trade from San Francisco as part of their defensive overhaul. The Cowboys specifically targeted additions from winning programs, and Winters comes from the successful 49ers organization. He is part of the new defensive scheme under first-time defensive coordinator Christian Parker.

Lawrence, acquired by the Bengals to address their terrible defense, has been double-teamed more than any defensive tackle in the past five seasons and has more pressures than any other D-tackle in that span; he's arguably the most dominant defensive tackle since Aaron Donald retired and will make an immediate impact, with the Bengals signaling their championship window is right now with this move.

Dexter Lawrence, described as arguably the most dominant defensive tackle since Aaron Donald's retirement, is positioned as a transformational addition to the Bengals defense. Lawrence stated before OTAs ended that it is "go now time," expressing a boxer-like mentality of keeping his head down and getting to work. The Bengals' primary issues have been poor defense and Joe Burrow's health; if Lawrence performs at even an average level relative to his elite standard, the team automatically improves and gains a real shot to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2022. The defensive upgrade is expected to have a trickle-down effect on Burrow's game management and injury risk by reducing pressure situations driven by the team's defensive shortcomings.

Fred Warner was among the 49ers' star players who missed significant time last season. Along with Brandon Aiyuk, Brock Purdy, Ricky Pearsall, George Kittle, and Juwan Johnson, these six pro-bowl caliber players missed 66 games total. The 49ers' injury luck has been a persistent problem, and staying healthy is the key to their 2026 contention.

George Kittle is described as the most explosive tight end in the NFL and brings significant energy and leadership to the 49ers. He is coming off an Achilles injury. Brock Purdy expressed eagerness for his return and wants him on the field for week one, though the team is taking it one day at a time with his recovery.

Jalen Thompson, a safety, was acquired by the Cowboys from Arizona as part of their defensive overhaul. He is the exception to the Cowboys' strategy of targeting additions from winning programs. Thompson has a reputation for having winning habits, and the Cowboys are hoping those habits translate into production under new defensive coordinator Christian Parker.

Burrow is one of the best quarterbacks in the league when healthy; his offense has proved it can score with anybody on the field, and the Bengals' championship window is right now with his health and the addition of Dexter Lawrence to fix their defense, which has been the real issue the past couple of seasons.

Joe Burrow's outlook improves significantly with the Bengals' defensive upgrade via Dexter Lawrence. The team's historical issues—poor defense and Burrow's injury risk—are intertwined; the shootout nature of games forced Burrow into third-down situations where he couldn't safely throw the ball away because the Bengals' defense would immediately surrender a touchdown, putting him in harm's way. With competent defense now in place and no contract drama for the first time in recent offseasons, the expectation is that Burrow will manage games more safely, face less pressure, and avoid unnecessary injury risk. The defensive improvement is projected to have a trickle-down effect on Burrow's health and game management, positioning the Bengals to return to the playoffs.

Taylor was an MVP candidate through the first eight games but fell off the cliff in the final four games before injury, reverting to form; this decline contributed to the Colts' overall collapse and Daniel Jones' regression in the final stretch of the season.

Josh Allen is entering year nine of his NFL career at age 30 and continues to work on mechanics, footwork, and eye placement. He is focused on finding better spots for his team and getting the job done in the playoffs, which remains the Bills' ultimate goal. Allen is adjusting to fatherhood with a few-months-old infant and emphasizes the importance of sleep for his cognitive function and family wellbeing.

Juwan Johnson was among the 49ers' star players who missed significant time last season. Along with Brandon Aiyuk, Fred Warner, Brock Purdy, Ricky Pearsall, and George Kittle, these six pro-bowl caliber players missed 66 games total. The 49ers' injury luck has been a persistent problem, and staying healthy is the key to their 2026 contention.

Kyle Pitts agreed to a two-year extension with the Falcons worth $36 million fully guaranteed. Pitts was at Tight End University in Nashville and expressed gratitude to the Falcons organization, saying 'God is good, man' and shouting out the Atlanta nation. He is working on his hands and reactions as a skilled player drafted in the top five.

Pitts is working on his hands and reactions at tight end in Atlanta; he was drafted in the top five and received a contract extension partly because of his skilled player profile and the Falcons' goal of winning a Super Bowl.

Stafford is expected to pass the torch to Ty Simpson at some point in 2027 or 2028; the Browns, who now own the Rams' first-round pick in 2027, could use that pick or bundle picks to go get their quarterback of the future, with the two quarterbacks potentially being linked for years to come.

Micah Parsons was involved in a holdout situation during the 2025 offseason that affected the Cowboys' defensive cohesion. Jane Slater noted that the team never got the roster on the same page defensively due to injuries, the holdout, and other roster moves. The new coaching staff under Christian Parker is working to ensure all players are aligned heading into 2026.

Penix, one of the most injured quarterbacks in the league, will get a chance to start for the Falcons but will suffer a season-ending injury; he and Tua Tagovailoa will rotate as starters with whoever can stay out of the training room getting the nod each week, before both eventually get hurt and Trevor Simeone takes over.

Mike Evans is a notable new face for the 49ers. Brock Purdy noted that Evans showed up, put his head down, and went to work learning the playbook. Purdy and Evans have been discussing every throw and rep together, with Purdy eager to learn from and perform well for the Hall of Fame receiver.

Garrett, a two-time defensive player of the year who just set a new single-season sack record, was traded to the Rams to address their defensive struggles in the final nine games and playoffs where they gave up 27 points per game; he brings the star power the Rams defense has been missing since Aaron Donald retired and has never played with a teammate who had double-digit sacks, which could unlock his best version; the Rams are now arguably the favorite to win the Super Bowl.

Puka Nakua spent time in rehab earlier in the offseason but has been back in the building this spring and by all accounts looks like himself. The Rams are unlikely to pursue an extension until closer to the start of the regular season. The market is well-established; Jackson Smith-Njigba's extension provides a reference point for potential Nakua deal numbers.

Ricky Pearsall was among the 49ers' star players who missed significant time last season. Along with Brandon Aiyuk, Fred Warner, Brock Purdy, George Kittle, and Juwan Johnson, these six pro-bowl caliber players missed 66 games total. The 49ers' injury luck has been a persistent problem, and staying healthy is the key to their 2026 contention.

Darnold threw five touchdown passes and zero interceptions in three playoff games, executing the Seahawks' game plan of dominant defense, clock control, and ball security at a high level; he's entering year two of a three-year, $104 million deal (one of the lower-paid franchise QB contracts), and could cash in significantly if he continues playing at last season's level or the level he showed in Minnesota before the final two games.

Tagovailoa, one of the most injured quarterbacks in the league, will get a chance to start for the Falcons but will suffer a season-ending injury; he and Michael Penix Jr. will rotate as starters with whoever can stay out of the training room getting the nod each week, before both eventually get hurt and Trevor Simeone takes over.

Atwell, who signed with the Miami Dolphins as a free agent after five years in Los Angeles, has 1,535 career receiving yards and is one of the most experienced vets on the Dolphins roster; he's the fastest receiver on the team and will be a key part of the Dolphins' wide receiver group alongside Malik, JT, and T. Marsh, with the offense using similar terminology to the Sean McVay system he learned in LA.