Mike Evans free agency rumor is good news for Broncos, Patriots and 49ers The end of Mike Evans' tenure with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers might be near, and it’s seen as positive news for the Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, and San Francisco 49ers. According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, Evans is expected to become a free agent after failing to reach a deal with the Buccaneers. Sources indicate that Evans is determined to leave Tampa Bay after 12 seasons, with interested teams believing he is serious about moving on. Evans will be eligible to negotiate with any team starting Monday at noon ET, when the legal tampering period begins. However, he cannot finalize a contract until Wednesday, when the new league year officially starts. Reports suggest Evans has specific requirements for his next team, including a high volume of targets, a respected play-caller, and an opportunity to win a Super Bowl. The Broncos, Patriots, and 49ers all align with these criteria. The Broncos and Patriots meet all three demands, while the 49ers satisfy two, though their Super Bowl contention might be a concern for Evans. The 49ers could face a transition year in 2026 as they aim to rebuild financially and age their roster, despite finishing with 12 regular-season wins and a playoff appearance last season. Another key factor for Evans is playing with a quarterback he respects. All three teams could fulfill this requirement, as Bo Nix and Drake Maye are emerging stars, and Brock Purdy, a Super Bowl participant, is already on the roster. The Patriots, who are cutting Stefon Diggs, have a pressing need at wide receiver and could offer Evans a prominent role. The 49ers, facing potential departures of Jauan Jennings, Kendrick Bourne, and Brandon Aiyuk, might be left with only Ricky Pearsall as their top target.#new_england_patriots #san_francisco_49ers #denver_broncos #mike_evans #tampa_bay_buccaneers
Tom Brady Reportedly Wouldn't Trade Maxx Crosby To Patriots The Las Vegas Raiders, owned in part by Tom Brady, reportedly refused to trade defensive end Maxx Crosby to the New England Patriots, according to sources. Brady, a minority owner of the Raiders, allegedly played a key role in keeping the Pro Bowl pass rusher from joining his former team. The decision came after the Raiders sent Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens in a blockbuster trade, a move that left the Patriots without a chance to acquire the player. Crosby, a seven-time Pro Bowler with 69.5 sacks in seven seasons with the Raiders, was a top target for the Patriots, who had previously sought him as part of their efforts to bolster their defense. However, Brady’s influence reportedly ensured the Raiders prioritized a different destination for Crosby. Instead, the Raiders traded him to the Ravens for the No. 14 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and a 2027 first-round selection. This package was deemed too valuable for the Patriots to match, as they held the No. 31 pick in the 2024 draft and lacked the resources to compete with other teams. The Raiders leveraged their position to secure the highest return for Crosby, with multiple teams showing interest. The Dallas Cowboys, for example, were willing to offer the No. 12 pick, a future second-round selection, and a veteran player. However, the Cowboys set a firm limit after trading first- and second-round picks for defensive lineman Quinnen Williams in 2025. The Chicago Bears also expressed interest but were not considered serious contenders in the bidding. Crosby’s move to Baltimore strengthens the Ravens’ defense, providing them with a dominant edge rusher who has consistently recorded at least 20 quarterback hits in five consecutive Pro Bowl seasons.#maxx_crosby #las_vegas_raiders #baltimore_ravens #new_england_patriots #tom_brady
NFL Trade Tracker: Every Major Offseason Deal Graded The NFL offseason has already been marked by significant player movement, with several high-profile trades finalized before free agency begins. Teams across the league have made strategic moves to reshape their rosters, and the CBS Sports staff has evaluated each deal to determine its impact. With the new league year set to start on March 11, trades can officially become final, but the groundwork has already been laid. The Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, and Los Angeles Rams have been among the most active teams, making bold decisions to bolster their squads. The Ravens secured Maxx Crosby, one of the league’s premier pass rushers, by trading two first-round picks to the Las Vegas Raiders. Crosby, who has recorded 69.5 sacks in 110 career games, is a versatile and durable defensive end. His trade to Baltimore was seen as a sign of the Ravens’ commitment to contending for a Super Bowl, despite the challenges of transitioning to a first-year head coach. Meanwhile, the New England Patriots sent veteran center Garrett Bradbury to the Chicago Bears in exchange for a 2027 fifth-round pick. Bradbury, a 2019 first-round pick for the Minnesota Vikings, brings experience to a Bears offensive line that lost Drew Dalman to retirement. The Patriots, in turn, aim to upgrade their left guard position by moving Jared Wilson back to center. The Bears also acquired wide receiver DJ Moore from the Buffalo Bills, trading a second-round pick for the veteran target and a fifth-round pick. Moore, who is guaranteed $15.5 million of his 2028 salary, will join Josh Allen in Buffalo. The Bills, meanwhile, are shifting toward younger weapons in their offense.#buffalo_bills #las_vegas_raiders #baltimore_ravens #los_angeles_rams #new_england_patriots
