The latest
One key 2025 free agent each NFL team can least afford to lose: Eagles’ Zack Baun could be a top priority | CBS Sports
Kansas City Chiefs
OG Trey Smith: If the Chiefs were going to do anything this offseason, it was going to involve shoring up Patrick Mahomes’ front. Tagging Smith ensures Kansas City will at least keep one top blocker in tow.
2025 NFL Free Agency: Top Values at Every Position for Teams to Target This Offseason | Bleacher report
Wide Receiver: Marquise Brown
Projected Contract: 2 Years, $15.9 million
The salaries for wide receivers have skyrocketed in recent years, and this year’s top free agents should clean up on the open market. Spotrac estimates Darius Slayton of the New York Giants could receive over $15 million a season—and he’s hardly Ja’Marr Chase.
Marquise Brown’s 2024 season in Kansas City was one best forgotten—a shoulder injury limited him to two regular-season games and just 91 receiving yards.
However, as ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler noted at the Super Bowl, despite that disappointing season, the Kansas City Chiefs remain very interested in bringing the 27-year-old back.
The problem is they likely won’t be alone.
“The Chiefs very much want to keep receiver Hollywood Brown, who should have a good market due to teams’ desire for speed options on the outside,” Fowler wrote. “Mahomes advocated for signing Brown last year and will likely do so again. Will another star quarterback—like Josh Allen—be next? People with the Chiefs I spoke to this week believe that Allen has long wanted to play with Brown.”
2025 NFL writers’ mock draft: Browns take QB at No. 2; three receivers go top 10 | FOX Sports
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Josh Simmons, OL, Ohio State
His knee injury knocked him down the board. If not for that, he might be in the conversation as the top tackle in this class. So, he’s here for the Chiefs to take. Ideally, they would want to give more time to Kingsley Suamataia, their 2024 second-rounder. But he was a total whiff and the Chiefs can’t afford another season of uncertainty at that spot. Look at the Super Bowl. The biggest reason they lost was their left tackle spot, which was a mess all year. The Chiefs need to address this position again. And I don’t think they’ll spend what it takes in free agency to improve at the position. Simmons is a good choice. — McKenna
REPORT: “Unlikely” Chiefs Re-Sign Star Free Agent | Last word on sports
Possible Fits
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers spent the 2024 season building their offensive foundation. The mission was a success, as Bryce Young played well down the stretch behind an improved offensive line and surrounded by promising young pass-catchers. Now, it’s time for the team to rebuild the defense. While the front seven is the biggest need, this team could still use some help in the backfield. Justin Reid won’t be the highest-paid free agent, but he should earn a hefty payday. Fortunately, the Panthers have $29.8 million in cap space and should be able to sign him without sacrificing their ability to reinforce the defensive line.
Around the NFL
Jaguars plan to release Christian Kirk | NBC Sports
The Jaguars plan to release Kirk, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Jacksonville will save more than $10 million in salary cap space by releasing Kirk, who was heading into the final season of the four-year, $72 million contract he signed with the Jaguars in 2022.
In his first season in Jacksonville, Kirk appeared to be living up to that contract, starting all 17 games and hitting career-highs in catches (84), yards (1,108) and touchdowns (eight). But his production has declined since then. Last year he played in just eight games and had just 27 catches for 379 yards and one touchdown.
Raiders sign DE Maxx Crosby to three-year, $106.5M extension, making him highest-paid non-QB | NFL.com
The Raiders signed Crosby to a multi-year extension, the team announced. The three-year deal is worth $106.5 million with $91.5 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported.
“Today’s a special day,” Crosby said at his news conference after signing the extension. “Being a part of Raider nation, being here almost seven years now, it’s been an absolute blessing in so many ways. My family, obviously my wife and my daughter here today, the sacrifice, the ups and downs, the 5 a.m.’s, the non-stop commitment to excellence on a daily basis is what this is all about. … Now I’m just focused on being the best version of myself every single day and giving them everything I got.”
Chargers release five-time Pro Bowler Joey Bosa | ESPN
The Chargers released outside linebacker Joey Bosa on Wednesday night, cutting ties with their longest-tenured player and one of the best in franchise history.
The move saves them $25.36 million in cap space.
Bosa, 29, was selected by the Chargers with the No. 3 pick in the 2016 draft. His 72 career sacks in the regular season rank second in franchise history behind Leslie O’Neal (105.5).
Seahawks releasing franchise-great WR Tyler Lockett | ESPN
The Seattle Seahawks are releasing veteran wide receiver Tyler Lockett, ending the 10-year run in Seattle of the second-most prolific pass catcher in franchise history.
Lockett posted Wednesday on X, “I really enjoyed being in Seattle! I met so many great people and captured so many great memories! The 12’s really make this place meaningful! Although, my time on the Seahawks may have run its course I’m thankful for everything!!God gets all the glory forever!!!!”
For first time ever, the 2026 World Cup final will have a Super Bowl-style halftime show | NBC Sports
For the first time ever, the game will include a Super Bowl-style halftime show.
The list of artists for the halftime show for the match to be played at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey will be curated by Coldplay.
Coldplay headlined the Super Bowl 50 halftime show in Santa Clara, with Beyoncé and Bruno Mars.
“I can confirm the first ever half-time show at a FIFA World Cup final in New York New Jersey,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said. “This will be a historic moment for the FIFA World Cup and a show befitting the biggest sporting event in the world.”
The standard halftime is 15 minutes. Whether the break will be extended has not been announced.
In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride
Chiefs News: Tight end Travis Kelce doesn’t want to leave the NFL yet
On Wednesday, Kelce addressed the subject on the “New Heights” podcast he co-hosts with his brother Jason — starting by looking at it from a football perspective.
“I think the biggest thing is that I f—king love playing the game of football,” he said. “I love playing. I still feel like I can play it at a high level — and possibly at a higher level than I did last year. I don’t think it was my best outing. I think I let my guys down in a lot more moments than I helped them — especially if you look at my track record and how I’ve been in years past. I want to give it a good run. I got a bad taste in my mouth in how I ended last year: how well I was playing and how accountable I was to the people around me.”
Social media to make you think
Joe Thuney deserves all the praise for his work as Chief. Brought leadership, work ethic and toughness to this OL. Mentored both Creed and Trey. Switched to LT when needed and battled each Sunday. Just a true professional
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) March 5, 2025
