The 'week before the start of free agency' rumor/transaction thread

[StickierBuns]

The closer we get to the weekend, probably the more accurate the rumors will be. Here we go:

Adam Schefter
@AdamSchefter
Chiefs have informed OT Jawaan Taylor that he will be released before the start of the league year barring a trade, per sources.

Taylor’s release will save the Chiefs $20 million under the cap.

---

Doesn't sound like Kirko is in full use of his faculties. Who's going to start him this year? My guess is Mendoza is going to start from Day 1 in Vegas being the #1 overall pick. Maybe Kirk could start for the team that takes Ty Simpson?

The Purple Persuasion
@TPPSkol
·
7m
“What he’d like now is something that shows that the team signing him sees him as the team’s starter…”

Says
@AlbertBreer
on QB Kirk Cousins, he adds…

“Cousins seems to have a pretty good idea of what he’s trying to pursue, what he’ll try to avoid, and that’ll set his course going forward”

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Dianna Russini
@DMRussini
·
18m
TRADE: The Texans are trading OL Tytus Howard to the Browns, per sources.

The 29-year-old has started 16 games in each of the past two seasons for Houston and was set to enter the final year of his deal in 2026.

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Adam Schefter
@AdamSchefter
·
22h
The Dolphins almost certainly will designate Tua Tagovailoa as a post-June 1 release to help defray some of the $99.2 million in dead money it will cost to release him, per
@DanGrazianoESPN
.

[MaroonBells]

I think Cousins is right on the border between getting a starting opportunity somewhere and signing as a backup, so it's not crazy for him to hold out for a starting gig. Raiders, Colts, Browns, Jets, Cards, Dolphins all need starters.

The fact that he put this out there probably means he's fully aware that the Vikings would not, have not and will not offer him the starting job.

[StickierBuns]

Awful Announcing
@awfulannouncing
·
12h
Lions RB David Montgomery responds to report that he wants out in Detroit http://dlvr.it/TRDr9R

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VikingzFanPage
@vikingzfanpage
·
4m
The #Vikings met with Brian O’Neill’s representatives last week to gauge the possibility of an extension,
@alec_lewis
mentioned via
@TheAthletic
. Extending O’Neill could help Minnesota free up some cap before the new year.

[purplefaithful]

I think Cousins is right on the border between getting a starting opportunity somewhere and signing as a backup, so it's not crazy for him to hold out for a starting gig. Raiders, Colts, Browns, Jets, Cards, Dolphins all need starters.

The fact that he put this out there probably means he's fully aware that the Vikings would not, have not and will not offer him the starting job.

He can certainly wait and bide his time...Would not surprise me if he doesn't sign anything till this summer or even September...

Someone will come calling.

[StickierBuns]

Another trade:

Tom Pelissero
@TomPelissero
·
1h
Trade! The Lions are sending RB David Montgomery to the Texans, sources tell The Insiders.

[purplefaithful]

Another trade:

Tom Pelissero
@TomPelissero
·
1h
Trade! The Lions are sending RB David Montgomery to the Texans, sources tell The Insiders.

F'ck...would have loved him here.

[greediron]

Another trade:

Tom Pelissero
@TomPelissero
·
1h
Trade! The Lions are sending RB David Montgomery to the Texans, sources tell The Insiders.

wow, knew he was a bit unhappy there.  Detroit's window is closing IMO.

[AGRforever]

wow, knew he was a bit unhappy there.  Detroit's window is closing IMO.

Closing lol??  That door done slammed in their face this year.  You get 2 elite years if your lucky and everything goes to plan.  Its their turn at the bottom of the heap again.

[StickierBuns]

None of these guys have a clue who the Vikings are interested in. None of them.

Pat McAfee
@PatMcAfeeShow
·
35m
"The Vikings are looking to add a veteran quarterback..

Kyler Murray is an option and if the Raiders release Geno Smith he would also be an option"

@AdamSchefter
#PMSLive

[MAD GAINZ]

None of these guys have a clue who the Vikings are interested in. None of them.

Pat McAfee
@PatMcAfeeShow
·
35m
"The Vikings are looking to add a veteran quarterback..

Kyler Murray is an option and if the Raiders release Geno Smith he would also be an option"

@AdamSchefter
#PMSLive

I do think from Brez and KOCs talking points after the season...  they realize how important a strong QB room is when you're trying to develop a young QB.  Look at 2024 compared to 2025...  

KOC has big input into that room and which QB we select. Added a veteran in Darnold, then OK'ed drafting JJ McCarthy.  He gets hurt in preseason and we add Daniel Jones late in the year to protect against an injury to Darnold when it was clear we were making the playoffs.

Then in 2025, I heard some rumblings that KOC wanted to bring Darnold back to give JJ McCarthy time to get back into football shape since he missed most of his rookie year.  GM and some FO folks wanted to go with the rookie QB team building strategy.  Think the backup plan was to bring back Daniel Jones (cheaper vet option than Darnold), but Kwesi bungled that.  Left us with JJM, Howell (trade), and ultimately Wentz and Brosmer.  Way different look than 2024.

Now that Kwesi is gone, I'm sure KOC will add a viable veteran to push McCarthy.  It's no coincidence JJ McCarthy was showing out when he was competing with Darnold his rookie year.  He didn't have anyone really pushing him this past off-season and I think that's a priority for the Vikings this year.