The NFL offseason is barely underway, but the stove is already piping hot. Just days after the Miami Dolphins made the shocking decision to release superstar wideout Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones is already working the phones, or at least the timeline.
Jones wasted no time jumping on X, formerly Twitter, to recruit his former teammate back to Arrowhead. Tagging Hill, Jones posted a simple but loud message: “@cheetah it’s (time).”
The “Cheetah” spent his first six seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, becoming the most electric deep threat in football before being traded to Miami in 2022. While the move was strictly business at the time, the landscape in KC has changed. The Chiefs’ offense lacked that signature vertical explosion for much of the year.
Rams go all-in with their extra first-rounder
Rams get: CB Trent McDuffie, 2026 fifth-round pick
Chiefs get: 2026 first-round pick
McDuffie fits that bill as a feisty, aggressive cornerback with the ability to play near the line of scrimmage. The Rams have spent at one of the league’s lowest rates over the past two years on defense, and they would have no trouble absorbing a potential extension for McDuffie, let alone his $13.6 million fifth-year option in 2026. McDuffie might be best in the slot, where the Rams use Quentin Lake, but he’s plenty effective as an outside cornerback, too.
Why would the Chiefs, who also expect to compete for a Super Bowl, trade McDuffie? Well, Brett Veach hasn’t been too interested in paying cornerbacks during his time as general manager. The Chiefs traded Peters after three seasons, one year removed from a first-team All-Pro nod. They developed L’Jarius Sneed into a standout, but at the end of his rookie deal, they franchise-tagged him and traded him to the Titans for a third-round pick.
McDuffie is better than Peters or Sneed, but if the Chiefs aren’t planning on extending their top corner, getting something significant for him now makes more sense than losing him in free agency for nothing more than a 2028 compensatory pick. In acquiring the No. 29 selection, the Chiefs would have three of the top-40 picks in this year’s draft, which would give them the ability to add multiple rookie contributors and/or move around for specific players.
“We gotta be careful,” he said. “Nostalgia will get you in trouble. You’re talking about a 30-year-old quarterback coming off a major knee injury, and we’re looking at a team right now — valid, they’re deficient at the wide receiver position — but the Chiefs have some major cap issues.
The Chiefs are in a bit of a tricky spot with the salary cap entering the offseason. They’re roughly $55 million north of the salary cap, per Over The Cap, so signing any high-profile free agent might be impossible for Kansas City.
Hill is recovering from an ACL tear and a dislocated knee, though, which could theoretically lower his value on the open market. FOX Sports’ Greg Auman speculated that Hill could receive a salary of around $18 million next season, as he ranked Hill the 27th-best free agent this offseason. That’s about half of what Hill made with Miami in 2025.
Even if Hill takes that much of a pay cut this offseason, Colon thinks that it would still be a gamble for Kansas City to pursue him.
“They’re in the business of shopping for a low-value receiver instead of an impact guy, like Tyreek Hill, who you don’t know if you’re going to get the same guy back,” Colon said.
Kansas City Chiefs
RT Jawaan Taylor
This one seems like a formality at this point. The Chiefs can save $20 million against the cap by cutting the oft-penalized Taylor, who seems destined for a change of scenery at age 28. Kansas City also has a suitable replacement in-house. Jaylon Moore, who signed a two-year free-agent deal last offseason, can easily slide over to right tackle with 2025 first-rounder Josh Simmons securing the left side. K.C. should also part ways with defensive end Mike Danna this offseason to save $8.9 million on next year’s balance sheet. — Jesse Newell
Seattle Sold High on Name Value
Another player who was seeking a lucrative contract extension last offseason was wide receiver DK Metcalf. The 28-year-old receiver’s image as a top receiver in the league was slowly fading, as Metcalf’s poor route running and reputation for catching the ball with his body rather than his hands were being fully recognized across the league.
The Seahawks identified another suitor – the Pittsburgh Steelers – who mistakenly viewed Metcalf as a bona fide WR1. That was another excellent transaction by Schneider.
While cornerback Trent McDuffie is a better player than Metcalf and is assessed as one of the top players at his position, his small stature was exposed as an outside corner. The 25-year-old defensive back has been rumored as a trade candidate this offseason, and that quietly appears to be the case.
Cleveland Browns safety Ronnie Hickman was assaulted in the lobby of a New York City hotel early Monday morning, the team said.
The Browns said in a statement that Hickman, 24, was “treated for minor injuries at an area hospital after the incident, was later released, and is home resting with his family.”
There have been no arrests and an investigation continues, according to a statement from the New York Police Department.
It’s the first coordinator job for Rutenberg, whose previous NFL experience includes time with the New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers, Jacksonville Jaguars and Washington.
The Browns are now close to completing the staff of new head coach Todd Monken, who was hired Jan. 28. Monken’s hiring led to the exit of Jim Schwartz, the defensive coordinator for the last three seasons, after he twice interviewed for the head-coaching job.
It’s expected that most of Schwartz’s assistants from last season will remain with the Browns. Linebackers coach Jason Tarver and safeties coach Ephraim Banda had both interviewed for the defensive coordinator position.
Rutenberg, 44, spent four seasons as the Jets’ linebackers coach before joining Atlanta’s staff as pass game coordinator last year.
A second stint in Kansas City is probably unlikely for the wideout.
The biggest question surrounding Hill is his health. In Week 4, Hill suffered a devastating knee injury against the New York Jets. The gruesome diagnosis was a dislocated knee with multiple torn ligaments, including his ACL.
During Super Bowl week, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that it is unknown when — or if — the speedster would be available in 2026. With so much of Hill’s value tied to otherworldly speed, he may never recover in a way that puts him back in a huddle.
Hill addressed the move on Monday via his Twitch feed. He confirmed that he knew the release was coming while revealing he still needs an additional surgery to repair his LCL.
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