8 reclamation projects the Baltimore Ravens could acquire in 2026 — and more

Jesse Minter is the new head coach in Baltimore, and he's surrounded quarterback Lamar Jackson with a dynamic young playcaller in Declan Doyle. The new look Ravens have 22 unrestricted free agents, according to Over The Cap, with big names like Tyler Linderbaum, Isaiah Likely, Kyle Van Noy, Dre'Mont Jones, Alohi Gilman, Chidobe Awuzie, and Ar'Darius Washington among those Eric DeCosta will evaluate.

DeCosta has ways to clear salary cap space, and Baltimore could look to make a big move or target a top-tier name who is interested in joining the league's top coaching staff.

With the new league year fast approaching, we're looking at eight reclamation projects Baltimore could acquire.

New York Jets: OL Alijah Vera-Tucker

Before his 2025 injury, Vera-Tucker earned three straight seasons of 70.0-plus PFF overall grades and allowed the fourth-lowest pressure rate (2.8 percent) among guards in 2024.

CB Asante Samuel Jr.

Samuel, 26, is a talented player who has appeared in only 10 games over the past two seasons due to a shoulder injury. In limited action with the Steelers, Samuel Jr. logged a 67.2 grade from Pro Football Focus.

CB Trevon Diggs

Diggs was released by the Packers in January after playing two games in Green Bay. Diggs, who was waived by the Cowboys on December 30, started in the Packers' season finale against the Vikings and played one snap in their Wild Card matchup against the Bears. With no guaranteed money remaining on the five-year, $97 million extension he signed with Dallas in 2023, Green Bay freed up the roughly $15 million Diggs would've counted for against the cap in 2026. Entering the seventh year of his NFL career in 2026, Diggs hasn't played a full 17-game season since 2022, and just 22 games since signing the extension in 2023.

DT Daron Payne

Payne has struggled against the run, as his 44.9 PFF run-defense grade ranks 25th among 32 qualified defensive tackles since 2024. Moreover, his pass-rush win rate has not exceeded 7.7% since 2023. Now 28 and a free agent after next season, the Commanders may shed some payroll and pursue younger upgrades. Since 2022, Payne has produced just ust 11 sacks.

WR Brandon Aiyuk

Selected by the 49ers with the 25th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Aiyuk has missed 11 games due to injuries. Aiyuk missed the entire 2025 season while recovering from ACL and MCL injuries he sustained on October 20, 2024, during a game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Before his injuries, Aiyuk recorded two seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards. Aiyuk is owed $82,124,000 over the next three seasons.

CB Terrion Arnold

In 2025, Arnold logged 31 tackles, eight pass breakups, and one interception over eight games.

WR Keon Coleman

Coleman was both benched for disciplinary reasons and subsequently healthy-scratched multiple times in 2025. This season, Coleman had 38 catches for 404 yards and four touchdowns, and over his first two seasons, he has 59 catches for 404 yards and four touchdowns, including 112 yards last season in a Week 1 comeback win over the Ravens.

Coleman still has two years left on his rookie deal and will make $3.8 million between 2026 and 2027, most of which is already guaranteed.

TE Michael Mayer

Drafted in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft out of Notre Dame, Mayer is entering the final year of his rookie deal and hasn't logged more than the 35 receptions he had in 2025. Mayer is stuck behind Brock Bowers but could find a bigger role on another team.

TE Chigoziem Okonkwo, Tennessee Titans

Okonkwo logged career highs in receptions (56), yards (560), and targets (79) in 17 regular-season games last season. He's set to hit free agency this offseason, and Gunnar Helm established himself as an effective pass catcher at tight end in his rookie year. Okonkwo could be a player to watch.

WR Romeo Doubs

Doubs has the route-running skills and quickness to dominate over the middle. Doubs averaged 13.2 yards per reception and caught five of his six touchdowns on red zone targets.

This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: 8 reclamation projects the Baltimore Ravens could acquire in 2026

Eagles Question of the Day:

What did you go on your first offseason Sunday without any football on? Head over to The Feed and weigh in with your answer and explanation!

Let’s get to the Philadelphia Eagles news and links …

2026 NFL offseason: Trade proposals that fit for both teams – ESPN
Broncos get aggressive in their pass game. Broncos get: WR A.J. Brown, 2026 fifth-round pick. Eagles get: CB Riley Moss, 2026 second-round pick, 2027 fifth-round pick. Brown’s situation with the Eagles is tenuous, and I would argue that there’s a better chance of the star wide receiver sticking with Philadelphia for another year than some might think. Roseman downplayed the possibility of trading Brown when he was asked in mid-January. That partly might be because a Brown trade would be financially difficult; the Eagles would be on the hook for $43.5 million in dead money if they traded Brown before June 1. That’s manageable in the modern NFL with a cap north of $300 million, but the Eagles could be stuck with stiff dead cap hits if Dallas Goedert and Brandon Graham don’t return, and Lane Johnson retires. The bigger concern for Roseman is that he would be trading Brown away at the lowest point of his potential value. In 2025, Brown posted his worst numbers in terms of per-game efficiency since his final year with the Titans. There were on- and off-field frustrations, culminating in a playoff loss where Brown dropped multiple passes and argued with coach Nick Sirianni on the sideline. It wasn’t the sort of season that would thrill potential trade partners.

A.J. Brown mock trades: Five blockbuster deals for Eagles WR that could shake up the NFL – CBS Sports
Eagles receive: 2026 second-round pick (No. 60 overall). Bills receive: WR A.J. Brown. If there was a team possibly willing to go to the ceiling of what is perceived to be Brown’s asking price on the trade market, it could (and should) be the Bills. The organization missed a golden opportunity last season to roll through the AFC playoffs — that did not feature Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson or Joe Burrow — and get to that elusive Super Bowl. Instead, they saw themselves bounced in the divisional round by Denver, in part, because they lost ground to the Patriots and lost the AFC East title. Some of the reasons for that step back in 2025 were due to Josh Allen not having enough to work with at the receiver position. The former MVP quarterback needs a true No. 1 wideout to help push them over the top, and Brown may have just enough left in the tank to be that for them. Considering the Bills are trying to maximize this window they have with Allen in his prime, they should be willing to pay up for Brown.

Bradley Chubb released: Should the Eagles have interest? – BGN
The start of NFL free agency is still about a month away; the new league year officially begins on March 11. But any players released before then are free to sign immediately after their contract is terminated. On this topic, the Miami Dolphins are cutting veteran edge rusher Bradley Chubb, according to a report from NFL insider Jordan Schultz. The Dolphins are installing a new defense under new head coach Jeff Hafley and moving on from Chubb, who turns 30 in June, clears some cap space. The natural question is: should the Philadelphia Eagles have interest in signing him?

Dolphins agree to part ways with edge rusher Bradley Chubb – The Phinsider
In terms of Chubb, many teams (Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions) were interested in his services at the trade deadline this past season, but no deal materialized. Chubb will have a $31 million cap hit in 2026, so any team with championship aspirations and cap flexibility will likely be circling. As it relates to the Dolphins in 2026 and beyond, Chubb’s departure is merely one domino in what promises to be a transformative offseason for the Dolphins. Miami will save $7.3M in cap space while taking on $23.8M in dead money by moving on from Chubb. This news, combined with the expected release of Tyreek Hill, the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Tagovailoa’s future, and the hiring of head coach Jeff Hafley from Green Bay all point to an organization that has accepted the painful reality of a rebuild.

Seven biggest Super Bowl windows heading into 2026 NFL season – NFL.com
4) PHILADELPHIA EAGLES. Despite a dramatic fall-off in 2025 that coincided with some public drama, the Eagles remain a viable title contender due to Howie Roseman’s shrewd team-building moves. The Super Bowl LIX champions have assembled a collection of A-list playmakers on each side of the ball who possess the individual and collective talents to overwhelm opponents with superior size, strength and speed. New offensive coordinator Sean Mannion will be key, of course. He must build a playbook that showcases Saquon Barkley, DeVonta Smith and — unless he’s playing elsewhere — A.J. Brown in prominent roles. The front office must also come up with a plan to address the long-term stability of the offensive line, with Lane Johnson (35) and Landon Dickerson having reportedly considered retirement. Otherwise, Jalen Hurts’ mastery of a new scheme will not improve the Eagles’ bottom line.

Michael Vick and DeSean Jackson: Coaching at HBCUs is about more than football – PhiladelphiaEagles.com
Black History Month is often framed as a time for reflection, but for Michael Vick and DeSean Jackson, it is about responsibility in real time. Their legacies were built under stadium lights with the Philadelphia Eagles. Still, today, their purpose lives in classrooms, meeting rooms, weight rooms, and communities connected to Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Both men understand that at HBCUs, coaching is never just about football. It is about culture, access, leadership, and what you choose to give back when you have already “made it.”

Ruling in NFLPA report card grievance includes 2025 criticisms as to 11 teams – PFT
“Philadelphia Eagles: The Union highlighted that Players ‘are frustrated that mealtimes overlap with the organization’s business staff, leading to crowding and limited seats,’ and ‘feel they should get first class seats on team flights instead of the coaching staff.’

Why the Cowboys have an obligation to move on from Terence Steele – Blogging The Boys
As the president of the Terence Steele fan club, this piece is a little difficult to write, but in the spirit of putting the interest of the Dallas Cowboys first, it’s necessary. Steele has been one of the most scrutinized players on the team over the last few seasons. Sometimes deserved, other times, not so much. For years now, critics have voiced their desire to see a change at the position, often overlooking the many quiet moments where he just goes about his business, providing reliable play on the right side. But the time has finally arrived where fans could get their wish. Due to looming financial constraints, the Cowboys have some tough decisions ahead, and this once-feel-good developmental story could be nearing its natural conclusion.

The Cold, Hard Truth: Adam Peters Hasn’t Drafted Well – Hogs Haven
Overall, Peters has had eight top 100 picks in two years. Of those picks, I feel he flat-out missed on three, and when you factor in who he COULD have had, I will say he hit on just two – Daniels and Amos. Now, I know this second part will be open for discussion and I did that intentionally so the dialogue could get flowing, as I don’t necessarily feel in the context of what really happened that Connerly, and maybe even McCaffrey were “misses”. Regardless of the above, or how you feel personally about the previous picks, Adam Peters has a lot of work to do this offseason and only two top 100 picks to work with in the 2026 NFL draft. It’s possible he finds some gems like Bill Croskey-Merritt or Javontae Jean-Baptiste in later rounds but the misses on top 100 picks over the last two drafts could come back to haunt him – especially when you look at some of the talent Washington passed over.

NY Giants rumors: A Kayvon Thibodeaux trade idea that might make sense – Big Blue View
The idea of the New York Giants trading edge defender Kayvon Thibodeaux is one that has been discussed ever since the Giants made Abdul Carter the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. ESPN’s Bill Barnwell is proposing an idea that makes some sense. Trade Thibodeaux to John Harbaugh’s former team, the Baltimore Ravens. The trade: Ravens get: Edge Kayvon Thibodeaux. Giants get: 2026 fourth-round pick.

NFL offseason 2026: Key dates for Draft, free agency, franchise tags, and more – SB Nation
The Seattle Seahawks and their fans are still celebrating. But 31 teams are now chasing them. That process begins this week, as the NFL’s first major date on the offseason calendar begins as teams can tag players starting on Tuesday. Here are all the key offseason dates you need to know as the 2026 NFL season looms.

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Competition between sports broadcasters is serious business.

Purchasing the rights to show tournaments and leagues on television can be very expensive, and with (hopefully) plenty of viewers watching at home, quality of coverage must be top-notch to avoid being pilloried by fans and outdone by rivals.

But that does not mean broadcasters cannot admire - and even celebrate - the work of their peers.

Football fans were pleasantly surprised to see that BBC Alba's brand new coverage of Italy's Serie A - appearing on free-to-air TV in the UK for the first time since 2008 - brought the back the theme tune and graphics from Gazzetta Football Italia, the hugely popular Italian football show broadcast by Channel 4 between 1992 and 2002.

So, how exactly did the retro throwback come about, and what is the thinking behind it?

'It was a no-brainer to bring it back'

When BBC Alba struck the deal for its Serie A rights - eight games featuring Scottish players before the nation's return to the World Cup this summer - staff in Scotland worked with colleagues at production company Sunset Vine to build a plan for the best coverage possible.

They decided that bringing back the iconic intro, complete with the cry of 'Golazo' at the end of the theme tune, was the best approach.

When the title sequence played before kick-off between Bologna and Torino on Sunday evening, it was met with a hugely popular reception online.

"It was a no-brainer to bring back the branding - we would have done people a disservice if we hadn't thought about it," said Margaret Cameron, director of content at Alba.

"It was a very deliberate choice to put out a well-timed nostalgia bomb."

The next fixture chosen for broadcast is Atalanta v Napoli (14:00 GMT) on Sunday, 22 February - viewers can watch on BBC Alba in Scotland and BBC iPlayer across the UK.

Neil Paterson, commercial, rights and business affairs manager at the BBC, said: "I'm 42, so I loved the Channel 4 show and wanted it to be a nod to that.

"The BBC has blanket music agreements with a company called BMG, and the theme song was included in that, so it was pretty straightforward.

"I get on well with Channel 4's head of sport, so it was a case of calling them as a courtesy to let them know what we were planning. They were really pleased and excited about it."

Seven Scottish players, including Napoli's Ballon d'Or nominee Scott McTominay, are playing in Serie A this season.

"We became aware towards the end of last season that DAZN, which owns the UK rights for Serie A, were willing to sublet some international rights," said Cameron.

"We have been thinking about this since then because we want to capitalise on what is a really big moment in Scottish sporting history - going back to the World Cup with some great players who are playing in one of Europe's best leagues."

While some broadcasters buy TV rights in order to sell subscriptions to sports packages and advertising slots, the BBC does so in order to offer licence-fee payers the best value for money.

BBC Alba is a partnership between the BBC and MG Alba, meaning the channel's output is funded by both the licence fee and the Scottish government. It broadcasts content in Gaelic, with co-commentary on Serie A matches featuring both Gaelic and English.

"Sport is really important to us. It's a good way to tap in to audiences in Scotland that are underserved and offer them something which is normally behind a paywall," said Cameron.

"Our opportunities to draw big attention online can be quite limited, so we have to be aware of picking the eight games as smartly as possible. The first match performed well."

The theme song is a remix of 1992 dance anthem I'm Stronger Now by Definitive Two with added football lingo and commentary.

Social media posts about the title sequence generated thousands of interactions online.

"It's been really nice to see the big, positive reaction", said Grant Philips, executive producer at Sunset+Vine, which works with BBC Alba on projects across many sports.

"It evokes all those memories so many people have from back then."

"Yesterday's match was up against the Winter Olympics, Rangers playing Hearts, Celtic away at Kilmarnock, and the FA Cup in England, so seeing it get the attention it has is great and will hopefully mean more people know about it."

Why was Gazzetta Football Italia so popular?

In the 1990s and early 2000s, Serie A was the world's leading football league. Its clubs spent the most money, boasted the best players and attracted the attention of fans around the globe.

While the likes of Roberto Baggio, Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane were powering their teams to glory and winning the Ballon d'Or, UK football fans were dazzled by them on Gazzetta Football Italia.

The programme featured live coverage of matches presented by broadcaster James Richardson, whose intellectual and elegant approach was a hit.

"I still meet people who used to watch it, and they have such nice things to say about it - how much they enjoyed watching," Richardson told World Football Index last year.

"They used to look forward to watching it, and I'm really touched when they tell me that. I feel really lucky to be involved in something like that. If people remember me as a nice guy that they enjoyed hearing from, then that would be terrific."