The NHL trade deadline is at 3 p.m. ET on Friday, March 6, but teams also like to get deals done early.

Already this season, the Minnesota Wild have acquired defenseman Quinn Hughes from the Vancouver Canucks, the Los Angeles Kings have traded for high-scoring New York Rangers forward Artemi Panarin and the Utah Mammoth acquired defenseman MacKenzie Weegar from the Calgary Flames. 

In the latest moves, the Colorado Avalanche acquired center Nicolas Roy from the Toronto Maple Leafs, and the Vegas Golden Knights acquired center Nic Dowd from the Washington Capitals on Thursday, March 5.

Plenty of players remain, and the Rangers, Canucks, St. Louis Blues, Flames, Maple Leafs and Philadelphia Flyers could be sellers.

Here are some of the more notable trades this season. Follow along for analysis on deals as the NHL trade deadline approaches:

March 5: Blues’ Colton Parayko turns down trade to Sabres

From NHL insider Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet:

March 5: Avalanche acquire Nicolas Roy

The trade: The Colorado Avalanche acquire forward Nicolas Roy from the Toronto Maple Leafs for a conditional first-round draft pick in 2027 and a conditional 2026 fifth-round draft pick.

Analysis: Roy gives the Avalanche playoff experience and depth down the middle. He won a Stanley Cup with the Golden Knights in 2023 and has won 52.9 percent of his faceoffs this season. Roy was in his first season in Toronto after being part of the Mitch Marner sign-and-trade. He has a year left on his contract. If Colorado’s 2027 first-round selection is in the top 10, Colorado will send its unprotected 2028 first-round pick to Toronto. The fifth-round pick will be the lowest of the three that the Avalanche currently hold.

March 5: Golden Knights acquire Nic Dowd

The trade: The Vegas Golden Knights acquire forward Nic Dowd from the Washington Capitals for goaltender Jesper Vikman, a 2027 third-round pick and a 2029 second-rounder.

Analysis: Dowd has been with the Capitals since 2018-19 and is a solid bottom six forward who kills penalties. He has another year left on his contract. Vikman plays in the American Hockey League.

After acquiring Dowd, the Golden Knights placed Mark Stone on the injured list.

March 4: Oilers acquire Jason Dickinson, Colton Dach

The trade: The Edmonton Oilers acquire forwards Jason Dickinson and Colton Dach from the Chicago Blackhawks for forward Andrew Mangiapane and a conditional 2027 first-round pick.

Analysis: Edmonton continues to go all in after falling just short in the Stanley Cup Final two consecutive years, sending out another future first-round pick. Dickinson and Dach are hardly needle-movers (the veteran Dickinson has 13 points in 47 games and Dach, 23, has 9 points in 53 games) but they add to the Oilers’ depth. Plus, Dickinson comes at a bit of a discount, the Blackhawks retaining half of his $4.25 million salary.

It also creates some future cap room, with Mangiapane’s 2026-27 cap hit of $3.6 million off the books and Dickinson set to be a free agent this summer (Dach is an RFA). While that seems like a decent bit of business, it solves a problem the Oilers created themselves by giving Mangiapane, who has just 14 points in 52 games, a two-year deal. And it comes at the cost of a first-round pick and removes all protections from their 2026 first-round pick, which they had previously traded to the San Jose Sharks.

March 4: Avalanche acquire Nick Blankenburg

The trade: The Colorado Avalanche acquire defenseman Nick Blankenburg from the Nashville Predators for a 2027 fifth-round pick.

Analysis: You can never have enough defensive depth, and Blankenburg provides a left shot on a Colorado team heavy on right shots. Blankenburg, who ranked second among Nashville defensemen with 21 points, is the third Predators player to be dealt in two days. Nashville now has 12 picks in the 2027 draft and added two in 2028 from the Michael McCarron and Cole Smith trades. The Avalanche earlier changed up their blue line by trading Samuel Girard for Brett Kulak.

March 4: Mammoth acquire MacKenzie Weegar

The trade: The Utah Mammoth acquire defenseman MacKenzie Weegar from the Calgary Flames for defenseman Olli Maatta, Cornell center Jonathan Castagna and three second-round picks.

Analysis: The Mammoth have upgraded their defense since moving to Utah in 2024. Weegar is the latest in a list that includes Mikhail Sergachev. Weegar is a right-shot defenseman who scored 20 goals two seasons ago, though he has only three this season. That (and his minus-35 rating) should improve on a Utah team that sits in a wild-card position. He is signed through 2031 while Maatta is a pending unrestricted free agent.

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Castagna is in his third year at Cornell and has 32 points in 29 games.

March 4: Colton Parayko, MacKenzie Weegar deals in works?

TSN’s Darren Dreger reports that the Blues and Sabres are working on a deal to send defenseman Colton Parayko to Buffalo. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports that defenseman MacKenzie Weegar could be traded to the Utah Mammoth. Both would have to approve the moves.

March 4: Maple Leafs sit out Oliver Ekman-Larsson, 2 others

Analysis: Defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson and forwards Bobby McMann and Scott Laughton won’t play for roster management reasons, the team said. All three players have been mentioned in trade rumors. Laughton and McMann are pending unrestricted free agents and Ekman-Larsson is signed through 2028.

March 4: Sharks re-sign Kiefer Sherwood

The details: He gets a five-year, $28.75 million contract extension, a cap hit of $5.75 million.

Analysis: The Sharks dealt two draft picks and a minor leaguer to land Sherwood, who has 18 goals and is second in the league in hits. The extension means they won’t have to flip him. He said he’s ‘just fired up’ about the extension.

March 4: Stars acquire Tyler Myers

The trade: The Dallas Stars acquire defenseman Tyler Myers from the Vancouver Canucks for a 2027 second-round pick and a 2029 fourth-rounder.

Analysis: The Stars have won 10 in a row and Houston native Myers gives them veteran depth on their blue line. The right shot defenseman has another year left on his contract, and the Canucks are retaining 50% of his salary. The Stars have the 6-foot-8 Myers and 6-foot-7 Liam Bischel on their defense corps.

March 3: Golden Knights acquire Cole Smith

The trade: The Vegas Golden Knights acquire forward Cole Smith from the Nashville Predators for defenseman Christoffer Sedoff and a third-round pick in the 2028 draft.

Analysis: That’s two trades in one day for the Predators. Just like Michael McCarron, who was dealt to the Wild, Smith kills penalties. He was tied for second in hits in Nashville (behind McCarron) with 119. Sedoff has spent the last three seasons in the American Hockey League.

March 3: Wild acquire Michael McCarron

The trade: The Minnesota Wild acquire forward Michael McCarron from the Nashville Predators for a second-round pick in the 2028 draft.

Analysis: Minnesota adds to its depth as it eyes a deep playoff run, importing the hulking McCarron, who stands 6-foot-6. He has 12 points, 73 penalty minutes and 165 hits in 59 games this season for Nashville, kills penalties and has a 52.8 faceoff winning percentage.

March 2: Oilers acquire Connor Murphy

The trade: The Edmonton Oilers acquire defenseman Connor Murphy from the Chicago Blackhawks for a 2028 second-round pick.

Analysis: The Blackhawks retain 50 percent of the $4.4 million cap hit for the pending unrestricted free agent. The Oilers have been leaking goals, and the 6-foot-4 Murphy is a solid defensive defenseman. He played on the No. 1 unit of the league’s best penalty kill, led the Blackhawks in blocked shots and was third in hits.

Feb. 24: Penguins, Avalanche swap defensemen

The trade: The Pittsburgh Penguins acquire defenseman Samuel Girard and a 2028 second-round pick from the Avalanche for defenseman Brett Kulak.

Analysis: The Avalanche pick up salary cap space and add a defenseman who has been to the Stanley Cup Final the past two seasons. The Penguins had acquired pending unrestricted free agent Kulak in the Stuart Skinner trade, Girard is also a pending UFA, and Pittsburgh gets a draft pick in the deal by flipping Kulak.

Feb. 4: Kings acquire Artemi Panarin

The trade: The Los Angeles Kings acquire forward Artemi Panarin from the New York Rangers for forward Liam Greentree and conditional third-round (2026) and fourth-round (2028) picks.

Analysis: The Kings are hurting for offense and Panarin can provide plenty. He also signed a two-year extension with an $11 million cap hit, ensuring he’ll be around after Anze Kopitar retires at season’s end. It didn’t help the team, though, that Kevin Fiala broke his leg at the Olympics before Panarin suited up. Panarin had a full no-movement clause, so the Rangers were limited in their return, but Greentree was the Kings’ top prospect and the third-round pick could become a second-rounder.

Feb. 4: Devils acquire Nick Bjugstad

The trade: The New Jersey Devils acquire forward Nick Bjugstad from the St. Louis Blues for forward Thomas Bordeleau and a conditional fourth-round pick.

Analysis: This is the third time Bjugstad has been moved near the trade deadline because the 6-6 forward is a good fit in the bottom six. He has another year left on his contract.

Jan. 27: Islanders acquire Ondrej Palat

The trade: The New York Islanders acquire left wing Ondrej Palat, a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick from the New Jersey Devils for forward Maxim Tsyplakov.

Analysis: That’s two trades in two days with a division rival. Palat is a two-time Stanley Cup winner (with the Lightning) and kills penalties. Tsyplakov didn’t get a lot of ice time with the Islanders but has potential.

Jan. 26: Islanders acquire Carson Soucy

The trade: The New York Islanders acquire defenseman Carson Soucy from the New York Rangers for a third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.

Analysis: Soucy was the first player moved after the Rangers informed fans that the team would retool. It’s a rare deal completed between the Islanders and Rangers.

Jan. 20: Sharks acquire Kiefer Sherwood

The trade: The San Jose Sharks acquire forward Kiefer Sherwood from the Vancouver Canucks for second-round picks in 2026 and 2027, plus defenseman Cole Clayton.

Analysis: Sherwood had been mentioned as a trade candidate since the Canucks started slowly. The pending free agent is among the leader in hits and had 17 goals at the time of the deal. The Sharks are playing better than expected and this deal shows they are trying to push for a playoff spot.

Jan. 19: Golden Knights acquire Rasmus Andersson

The trade: The Vegas Golden Knights acquire defenseman Rasmus Andersson from the Calgary Flames for defenseman Zach Whitecloud, defense prospect Abram Wiebe, a conditional first-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft and a conditional second-rounder in 2028.

Analysis: The Golden Knights had been without Alex Pietrangelo all season and Andersson gives Vegas another puck-moving defenseman. The Flames get a good return for a pending unrestricted free agent. Andersson is the second defenseman Vegas had acquired from Calgary recently after the 2024 trade for Noah Hanifin. Hanifin eventually signed an extension and the Golden Knights will seek the same from Andersson.

Dec. 29: Penguins acquire Yegor Chinakhov

The trade: The Pittsburgh Penguins acquire forward Yegor Chinakhov from the Columbus Blue Jackets for forward Danton Heinen, a 2026 second-round draft pick and a 2027 third-rounder.

Analysis: Chinakhov had requested a trade last season. He’s a pending restricted free agent so the Penguins have control over his future. Heinen is a pending UFA.

Dec. 19: Canadiens acquire Phillip Danault

The trade: The Montreal Canadiens acquire center Phillip Danault from the Los Angeles Kings for a 2026 second-round pick.

Analysis: Danault is coming back to Montreal. He was a key shutdown player during the Canadiens’ 2021 run to the Stanley Cup Final.

Dec. 19: Blue Jackets acquire Mason Marchment

The trade: The Columbus Blue Jackets acquire forward Mason Marchment from the Seattle Kraken for a 2026 fourth-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick.

Analysis: Marchment had been off to a slow start after an offseason trade in which Seattle gave up a third- and a fourth-round pick. But he scored 22 goals in each of his last two seasons in Dallas.

Dec. 12: Wild acquire Quinn Hughes

The trade: The Minnesota Wild acquire Quinn Hughes from the Vancouver Canucks for Marco Rossi, Zeev Buium, Liam Ohgren and a 2026 first-round pick.

Analysis: This is a sign that the Wild are going for it and it gives them a dynamic former Norris Trophy winner to match Cale Makar if they face the Avalanche in the playoffs. The Wild gave up a lot – Buium was great at Denver and for the USA at the world junior championships – and Hughes acknowledged that and appreciated it. That could help sway Hughes when he’s eligible to sign a contract extension in July.

Dec. 12: Oilers, Penguins swap goalies

The trade: The Edmonton Oilers acquire Tristan Jarry and forward Samuel Poulin from the Pittsburgh Penguins for Stuart Skinner, defenseman Brett Kulak and a 2029 second-round pick.

Analysis: The Oilers pull the plug on Skinner, who was either spectacular or bad during back-to-back runs to the Stanley Cup Final. But they land another inconsistent goalie in Jarry, who has had injury troubles. Skinner and Kulak are pending free agents, so the Penguins could flip them at the deadline. If Skinner works out, it would allow the Penguins to continue developing goalie Sergei Murashov in the American Hockey League.

U.S. men’s national team legend Tim Howard called on Alex Henderson to apologize for calling him a ‘weirdo’ on ‘Love is Blind.’ It did not take Henderson long to oblige.

Henderson released an apology through a video on his Instagram Stories, quickly complying with Howard’s demand.

‘Tim Howard, first and foremost, I apologize. Candidly, that is one of my lowest moments on this show is calling that out,’ Henderson said.

‘I don’t think that that’s true. I think you are one of the greatest U.S. national team goalkeepers of all time. As a goalkeeper, I understand our culture. I’m not going to try to explain what I was really saying there. It’s an egregious mistake and I think you’re handling with class.”

Henderson made the comment toward a fellow contestant on the Netflix reality dating show.

“He’s American. I met him already. He’s a weirdo,’ Henderson says of Howard, who earned 121 USMNT caps during his career.

On his ‘Unfiltered Soccer’ show, Howard issued an angry response to Henderson’s comment.

‘Here’s what I would say: I know you’re a fan, and I have this on good authority,’ Howard said. ‘So all I’ll say is, we can make everything right with the world, and you just issue a public apology on whatever platform you’re on.

‘You can issue a public apology and I’ll accept it in advance. If not, then I’ll have more things to say about you. So we’ll leave it there.’

Henderson, who was previously known as Alec Ferrell, was a standout college goalkeeper at Wake Forest. Minnesota United selected him in the second round of the 2017 MLS SuperDraft, but he never played in MLS.

Howard wasn’t the only soccer legend Henderson bad-mouths on the show. He also said longtime England star David Beckham was ‘not even good.’

In contrast to his approach on Howard, Henderson wasn’t as apologetic when it came to Beckham.

“All due respect to David Beckham, is he in your best 11 of all time?” Henderson said.

This isn’t quarterback rocket science, or a gut feeling. It couldn’t be more clear and concise. 

The one-year wonders at the quarterback position don’t work in the NFL. 

Yet there they are, the talking heads all over the sport, falling for it again with Ty Simpson. The former Alabama quarterback showed up last week at the league’s annual NFL Scouting Combine — with all of 15 career starts in his pocket — and had an impressive throwing session for the assembled scouts and team personnel.

Throwing session.  

Suddenly, he’s a Top 15 pick. Even ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky — as smart and measured analyst as there is — declared Simpson’s tape “from his first eight games” of the 2025 season is better than projected No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza. 

Has the entire NFL scouting world gone mad? This isn’t that difficult to process, everyone. 

Anthony Richardson started one season at Florida. Trey Lance started one season at North Dakota State. 

Kyler Murray (Oklahoma), Dwayne Haskins (Ohio State) and Mac Jones (Alabama) started one season in college, too. All flamed out. 

Meanwhile, I give you (since the 2018 draft) these multiple-season college starters who are all ascending in their careers: two MVPs (Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen), two Super Bowl champions (Jalen Hurts, Sam Darnold), and eight who have led teams to the playoffs (Joe Burrow, Baker Mayfield, Trevor Lawrence, Justin Herbert, Caleb Williams, CJ Stroud, Bryce Young, Bo Nix). 

Obviously there are multiple-season college starters who don’t pan out, but the odds of success are much higher for a player with elite skills who has spent extended time leading a team, managing games and experiencing every possible win-lose scenario on the grass.

Not a throwing session. 

The last time we saw Simpson on the field at Alabama, he and the Tide were getting clobbered by Indiana in the Rose Bowl — where Simpson completed 12 passes for 67 yards before getting knocked out of a 38-3 loss.

It’s almost as if these NFL guys, whose very livelihood depends on getting it right more than getting it wrong, never learn.

Simpson is a talented player. He has a live arm, and is sneaky athletic. He’s accurate, and he has played well at times in big games. 

But it’s hard to fathom a position that demands as many game repetitions as possible to develop and reach potential, could have an obvious red flag so flippantly ignored by the best of the best in the sport.

It’s the quarterback obsession. The game — no matter the level — revolves around the play of the quarterback. 

The better he is, the better you are. 

But when we reach the elite of the game, where everyone runs fast and everyone is freakishly athletic, football IQ is heightened to an unreal level. Knowledge of the game, understanding the nuances, knowing the answers ― all before the ball snaps at the line of scrimmage. 

Translation: The more reps, the more you know before making the pick.

I can’t imagine why any NFL owner, now spending more than $300 million annually in salary cap revenue, would trust his franchise to a quarterback who has played one college season. It’s blind faith on steroids. 

This isn’t learning on the job, or sitting behind a cagey veteran. You’re drafted, and we’re paying you millions ― and you’re playing Week 1.

The enormity of the moment crushes some, overwhelms others. Typically, it impacts every quarterback. 

It’s rare that a rookie quarterback steps into the breach and starts making plays all over the field. Rare that he’s so good, teams win because of him — not with him. 

It takes two or three years (or more) for these guys to feel completely comfortable when they walk to the line of scrimmage. When they can look at grown men on the other side of the ball — whose coaches (the best in the sport, no less) spend an entire offseason scouting the player and the offense — and feel completely at ease.

When they can consistently win games at the highest level of football, and give their team — one that plays in a league designed for parity — an advantage more than the other guy. 

Now we’re ready to bet all that on a guy with 15 career college starts, and a throwing session?

The entire NFL scouting world has gone mad.

The two Super Bowl 60 participants were a prime example of why free agency is critical for every NFL team.

The Seattle Seahawks signed quarterback Sam Darnold in free agency and the New England Patriots spent more than $200 million in guaranteed money on free agents in 2025, the most by any NFL team last offseason. The aggressiveness of both teams during free agency paved the way for their Super Bowl runs.

Which teams will make bold moves during free agency this year? The Tennessee Titans, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Jets, Los Angeles Chargers and Washington Commanders all have more than $70 million in salary cap space to work with, per Over The Cap.

All 32 teams have roster needs this time of year. Clubs are permitted to contact free agents starting at noon ET on March 9. Free agents can officially sign once the new league year begins at 4 p.m. ET March 11. 

USA TODAY Sports examines the biggest position of need for all 32 NFL teams:

Arizona Cardinals

Biggest position of need: Quarterback

The Cardinals and Kyler Murray are headed toward an amicable divorce at the start of the new league year. A quarterback is priority No. 1 in Arizona, but this year’s quarterback draft class isn’t strong. The Cardinals could sign a bridge QB in free agency and wait until next year’s QB-rich draft class to select their franchise signal-caller.

Atlanta Falcons

Biggest position of need: Defensive line

Hopefully Sam Darnold’s journey to a Super Bowl title taught teams a value lesson to exercise patience before reaching a final verdict on a quarterback. Michael Penix Jr. has flashed, but injuries have made it difficult to discern if he can be a franchise QB. The Falcons have enough pieces on offense. Defense and the team’s inability to affect the quarterback remain an issue.

Baltimore Ravens

Biggest position of need: Edge rusher

Baltimore’s inability to get after the quarterback has plagued them in recent seasons. The Ravens ranked 28^th in pass rush win rate last year, per ESPN. As a consequence, the Ravens finished tied with the Colts as worst pass defense in the AFC. The Ravens ranked 31^st in pass defense in 2024.

Buffalo Bills

Biggest position of need: Wide receiver

The Bills have a couple starting offensive linemen hitting free agency. On the outside, wide receiver is a spot Buffalo should upgrade. Josh Allen hasn’t had a No. 1 wide receiver since Stefon Diggs was traded.

Carolina Panthers

Biggest position of need: Edge rusher

The Panthers finished 24^th in pass rush win rate and last in run stop win rate, per ESPN. The defense produced 30 sacks, only the New York Jets and San Francisco 49ers had fewer.

Chicago Bears

Biggest position of need: Defensive back

Chicago’s offense was much improved under Ben Johnson’s tutelage, but the Bears’ defense struggled to get stops if they didn’t force a turnover. Safeties Kevin Byard, Jaquan Brisker and Jonathan Owens are all entering free agency.

Cincinnati Bengals

Biggest position of need: Edge rusher

Edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, who was Cincinnati’s best defensive player, is scheduled to enter free agency. The Bengals had the worst defense in the AFC. Now they must find a replacement for Hendrickson.

Cleveland Browns

Biggest position of need: Offensive line

Questions at quarterback are an annual tradition in Cleveland. Such is the same this year. The wide receiver room needs an upgrade, but only one Week 1 starter on the O-line is under contract in 2026. The acquisition of right tackle Tytus Howard represents the start of a significant offensive line overhaul in Cleveland.

Dallas Cowboys

Biggest position of need: Edge rusher

Micah Parsons’ departure created a void at edge rusher. Linebacker and secondary should also be addressed this offseason. The Cowboys finished 30^th in total defense in 2025.

Denver Broncos

Biggest position of need: Running back

The Broncos haven’t had a running back rush for 1,000 yards since Phillip Lindsay in 2019. Oft-injured running back J.K. Dobbins led Denver in rushing last season. Dobbins is an impeding free agent.

Detroit Lions

Biggest position of need: Interior offensive line

Center Frank Ragnow’s retirement triggered Detroit’s offensive line regression last season. Left tackle Taylor Decker, who contemplated retirement this offseason, isn’t getting any younger either.

Green Bay Packers

Biggest position of need: Cornerback

Wide receiver Romeo Doubs, left tackle Rasheed Walker and backup quarterback Malik Willis are among the NFL’s top free agents. But the Packers are missing a No. 1 cornerback in this passing-heavy league.

Houston Texans

Biggest position of need: Interior offensive line

The Texans had one of the worst offensive lines in football, ranking 30^th in pass block win rate and 32^nd in run block win rate, per ESPN. Houston was most vulnerable in the interior of its O-line.

Indianapolis Colts

Biggest position of need: Edge rusher

The Colts applied the transition tag on Daniel Jones, which satisfies their QB position (for now). On the other side of the football, Indianapolis ranked 30^th in pass rush win rate, per ESPN.  

Jacksonville Jaguars

Biggest position of need: Linebacker

Impending free agent corners Montaric Brown and Greg Newsome clear the pathway for Travis Hunter to get more opportunities at cornerback. Pro Bowl linebacker Devin Lloyd, who led the team with five interceptions, is my top free agent available.  

Kansas City Chiefs

Biggest position of need: Cornerback

The Chiefs decided to trade their best cornerback, Trent McDuffie, to the Rams. Jaylen Watson is entering free agency. McDuffie and Watson were Kansas City’s top two cornerbacks. The Chiefs have needs at edge rusher and running back, but McDuffie’s departure creates a huge hole at cornerback.

Las Vegas Raiders

Biggest position of need: Wide receiver

It’s a safe bet the Raiders are going to select quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft. Running back Ashton Jeanty and tight end Brock Bowers are players Mendoza can rely on. But Las Vegas doesn’t have a No. 1 wide receiver on its roster.

Los Angeles Chargers

Biggest position of need: Interior offensive line

The Chargers’ maligned offensive line was the worst in football last season. The return of tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt from season-ending injuries is a huge boost. However, the interior of the O-line is the weak link. Center Bradley Bozeman announced his retirement in February and the team released guard Mekhi Becton.

Los Angeles Rams

Biggest position of need: Defensive back

The acquisition of Trent McDuffie is a sign the Rams are all in on a Super Bowl 61 run. The Rams completed their Super Bowl mission the last time SoFi Stadium hosted the big game. Their defense allowed 276 passing yards and 26 points per game last postseason, and the Rams’ shortcomings in the secondary are a big reason why the team didn’t advance to Super Bowl 60.

Miami Dolphins

Biggest position of need: Quarterback

New Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley inherited Tua Tagovailoa after the last regime benched the quarterback. It’s becoming increasingly likely the Tagovailoa experiment is over in Miami.

Minnesota Vikings

Biggest position of need: Quarterback

J.J. McCarthy didn’t instill much confidence that he was ready to be a starting quarterback in 2025. Kyler Murray makes sense for the Vikings. Murray’s dual-threat ability would add another element to Kevin O’Connell’s offense. Veteran Kirk Cousins is also slated to be a free agent. A Cousins-Vikings reunion makes sense, too.

New England Patriots

Biggest position of need: Wide receiver

Stefon Diggs is reportedly on his way of New England. Diggs was the Patriots’ leading receiver last season. A No. 1 wide receiver is essential for Drake Maye’s continued development. K’Lavon Chaisson produced a team-best 74 pressures in 2025 but is scheduled to hit free agency.

New Orleans Saints

Biggest position of need: Running back

The Saints must supply Tyler Shough with more weapons if they believe he’s their franchise quarterback. Wide receiver Chris Olave was subject to trade speculation at the deadline and running back Alvin Kamara has one year remaining on his contract. The Saints are one of six teams that averaged fewer than 100 rushing yards per game last season.

New York Giants

Biggest position of need: Offensive line

Right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor and right guard Greg Van Roten are both impending free agents. The Giants could be players in the O-line market during free agency.

New York Jets

Biggest position of need: Quarterback

Quarterback Justin Fields is a candidate to get cut after a disappointing season in the Big Apple. The Jets might consider another quarterback in free agency or in the draft.

Philadelphia Eagles

Biggest position of need: Edge rusher

Jaelan Phillips turned into the team’s best edge rusher after he was acquired near the trade deadline. He tallied 44 pressures in nine games, including the playoffs. Phillips is one of the top free agents available.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Biggest position of need: Quarterback

The Steelers need a franchise quarterback even if 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers returns for a 22^nd season. The Steelers haven’t had a long-term solution at QB since Ben Roethlisberger. Although, Pittsburgh might not fill the need until next year’s draft.

San Francisco 49ers

Biggest position of need: Wide receiver

General manager John Lynch said it’s “safe to say” Brandon Aiyuk has played his last snap with the 49ers. Fellow wide receiver Jauan Jennings is a free agent. The 49ers don’t have a Bonafide No. 1 wideout.

Seattle Seahawks

Biggest position of need: Running back

Super Bowl 60 MVP Kenneth Walker is entering free agency. Walker gained a postseason-high 313 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns in the playoffs. His performance vaulted him to the No. 1 running back in free agency.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Biggest position of need: Edge rusher

Wide receiver Mike Evans and linebacker Lavonte David are key free agents. Tampa Bay hasn’t had a solid pair of edge rushers since Shaquil Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul.

Tennessee Titans

Biggest position of need: Wide receiver

All three-win teams have multiple positions of need. Luckily for the Titans, quarterback isn’t one of them. A wide receiver is important for Cam Ward’s continued development. Tennessee’s leading receiver, Elic Ayomanor, had just 515 receiving yards.

Washington Commanders

Biggest position of need: Edge rusher

Washington’s defense gave up a league-worst 384 yards per game last season. Edge rushers Von Miller, Deatrich Wise and linebacker Bobby Wagner are key free agents on defense.

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For a second consecutive offseason, a star player from an NFC East team is the subject of trade speculation.

Only time will tell if Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown will follow in the footsteps of former Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons, ending up elsewhere via trade like Parsons late last offseason.

During the past week, as the free agency negotiating period and 2026 league year inch closer, discussion surrounding a potential trade involving Brown has heated up. According to NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo, the Eagles have received multiple trade offers for their leading receiver but none have reached the asking price they’re seeking.

Garafolo said Philadelphia is seeking a ‘Quinnen Williams-type deal,’ referring to the New York Jets’ move at last year’s trade deadline. New York got a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 first-round pick and defensive tackle Mazi Smith from the Cowboys for Williams.

Here’s what to know about a possible trade for Brown, including latest rumors, news and contract details for the wide receiver:

Will the Eagles trade AJ Brown?

Latest rumors and reports indicate that Philadelphia does not plan to trade Brown unless they can recoup significant value in a deal. The wideout led the Eagles in targets and receptions last year and is still under contract through 2029.

What ‘significant value’ looks like, according to NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo, is ‘a potential first-round pick with a second-round sweetener,’ similar to the Jets’ return for Williams at last year’s trade deadline.

‘If they don’t get close to that point – or to that point – I don’t think (Eagles general manager) Howie Roseman moves him,’ Garafolo said. ‘I think he keeps A.J. Brown in the fold. He’s a really good player; he is highly valued inside that building.’

On March 4, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported that ‘there’s really just a select few teams that would meet the criteria of the Eagles and of A.J. Brown himself’ in terms of available draft capital and Brown’s willingness to play for that team. Rapoport mentioned the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams as two potential suitors.

Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel spoke about his relationship with Brown – who played for Vrabel’s Titans to begin his pro career – during the NFL combine last week.

‘I’ve watched him grow. I’ve watched him mature. I’m proud of him, proud of the father that he is. I’m proud of the husband,’ Vrabel said. ‘That has nothing to do with where he plays or where he played. Those are the things that are important.

‘We reach out and text each other during the good things that happen to each other. Sometimes things don’t go so well for the people that you’re close with, and you text for those as well. It’s a two-way street of support and reminders of what got us to where we are here today.’

Brown said in a recent appearance on Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman’s podcast, ‘Dudes on Dudes,’ that he appreciated Vrabel for holding him accountable during his early years in the league.

‘When I say he holds every single player accountable from top to bottom, I don’t care who it is, like that’s who he is,’ Brown said. ‘And it makes the team come together because nobody is bigger than the team.’

AJ Brown contract

• Length: 3 years
• Total value: $96 million

This season, Brown is set to play out the final year of the four-year, $100 million extension he signed with the Eagles in 2022. However, the three-time Pro Bowl selection signed a three-year, $96 million extension in 2024 that goes through the 2029 season, so Philadelphia could choose to keep him on its roster through the end of the decade.

Brown does not yet have any money guaranteed past 2026, since most of the guarantees on his $96 million extension were as a signing bonus, 2024 salary and 2025 compensation, according to Spotrac. It stands to reason he would want a new deal soon to make his future – with the Eagles or another team – more certain.

Brown will get $4 million in 2027 guaranteed salary on the third day of the 2026 league year, which is March 14.

One potential snag the Eagles might have with trading Brown is the cap implications that would come out of such a transaction. According to OverTheCap, if the Eagles trade Brown before June 1, they’d take on $43.4 million in dead cap – an increase of more than $20 million above his current 2026 cap hit of $23.4 million.

Alternatively, the Eagles could wait to trade Brown until after the early free agency period in March and the NFL draft in April. Trades can’t be designated for post-June 1 dates like releases can be, so a later trade means the Eagles would not be able to receive 2026 draft capital. However, Philadelphia would save $7 million in 2026 cap space with a later trade rather than taking on an additional $20 million as they would in a pre-June 1 trade.

AJ Brown stats

2025:

• Games (starts): 15 (15)
• Receptions: 78
• Receiving yards: 1,003
• Yards per reception: 12.9
• Touchdowns: 7

Career:

• Games (starts): 105 (97)
• Receptions: 524
• Receiving yards: 8,029
• Yards per reception: 15.3
• Touchdowns: 56

When Team USA takes the court next week in Puerto Rico in a qualifying tournament for the upcoming FIBA Women’s World Cup, Aliyah Boston and Sonia Citron won’t be suiting up.

Team USA announced Thursday morning Boston and Citron are “no longer available” to compete in the tournament. They have been replaced on the roster by Rae Burrell and Monique Billings.

Boston and Citron both suffered injuries while playing in Unrivaled, the 3-on-3 league that finished its second season on Wednesday.

The former No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA Draft in 2023 out of South Carolina, Boston was playing for Phantom BC at Unrivaled and the club ruled her out for the remainder of the season on March 1 with what it called a “right lower extremity” injury. The Indiana Fever center averaged 18.9 points in Unrivaled this season and led the league in blocks per game (2.1).

Citron missed the end of the Unrivaled regular season with the same injury designation as Boston. The Notre Dame product was named to the WNBA’s All-Rookie and All-Star teams last season with the Washington Mystics. She had been averaging 15.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game in Unrivaled.

Boston and Citron both participated in the first training camp for Team USA head coach Kara Lawson on the campus of Duke University in December. Citron was set to make her debut with the senior national team in Puerto Rico, while it would’ve been the first appearance for Boston since the 2021 FIBA AmeriCup.

Billings was a member of the 2017 USA U23 Women’s National Team which went 3-0 at the FIBA U24 Four Nations Tournament. For Burrell, she will be making her debut with Team USA, but did participate in a USA Basketball 3×3 development camp in 2024.

An eight-year WNBA veteran, Billings — a UCLA product — averaged 7.3 points and 4.5 rebounds per game last season with the Golden State Valkyries. She had a career-high effective field goal percentage of 51.1%.

Burrell, a former Tennessee Lady Vol, has spent her entire four-year WNBA career with the LA Sparks. She averaged career-bests in scoring and rebounding this past season, posting 7.5 points and 2.3 boards per game.

Team USA will convene in Miami this weekend for a camp before departing for Puerto Rico. The Americans — with a team headlined by Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, Kelsey Plum and Chelsea Gray — will open play on March 11 against Senegal.

With each passing iteration, the World Baseball Classic gets bigger and bigger – in crowd size, cultural currency and participants.

Yet the world within it keeps shrinking.

As the sixth WBC gets underway this month, the pool play portion of the event will bear faint resemblance to the earliest versions of the event, an apparent marker of its growth and the game’s elevated level of play worldwide:

Closer games. Fewer run-rule victories and shutouts. And the more than occasional upset of a perceived global power.

“Everyone can see that there’s so much talent all over the world,” San Diego Padres and Dominican Republic third baseman Manny Machado tells USA TODAY Sports. “It’s not just here, but all over the world. It means a lot to be the last team standing. I hope it’s us.

“It’s just such a cool event. You’re playing for not just your country, not for the fans, but the people in their countries and across the world. I get goosebumps just talking about it because it’s such a special event.’

The inaugural WBC was a little lighter on goosebumps. Pool play games were contested not in big league stadiums but rather spring training sites, Scottsdale and Lake Buena Vista among the locales to determine quarterfinalists.

 And the games were, well, often over before they started.

In 2006, the nine countries and territories that supply the most major league talent – Japan, South Korea, USA, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Cuba and Canada – went a combined 15-0 against less-renowned baseball countries in pool play, with four shutouts and three run-rule wins.

Average score: 9-3, kicked off by Team USA’s 17-0 shellacking of South Africa behind Ken Griffey Jr.’s 4-for-4, two-homer performance.

Yet the gap has been shrinking in almost every WBC since.

Have glove, will travel

In 2009, the less-heralded countries managed three victories in 13 games, including Australia turning the tables and run-ruling Mexico. The Netherlands, powered by a handful of major leaguers hailing from Curacao, scored the first big tourney upset, toppling the mighty Dominican Republic and bouncing them from the tournament.

And suddenly, the average margin of victory shrank from 9-3 to 7-3.

The trend continued through 2013 – when the average score between haves and have-nots shrank to 6-4 – and 2017, when the baseball-poorer countries endured just one shutout. Colombia knocked off Canada and took Team USA to 10 innings, while Australia fell in 10 innings to Venezuela.

China, which lost its first six WBC games against global powers from 2006 to 2013 by a combined score of 64-5, was suddenly playing baseball games in 2017, losing 6-0 to Cuba and 7-1 to Japan.

Meanwhile, players are seeing the upside of playing in a global event by representing homelands with which they have strong or even faint connections. Italy this year will feature Kansas City Royals sluggers Vinnie Pasquantino and Jac Caglianone as it aims to repeat – or exceed – its quarterfinal showing from 2023.

Israel, with major league old heads like Sam Fuld, Jason Marquis, Ike Davis and Ty Kelly alongside its “Mensch On The Bench,” made a startling 2017 run to the quarterfinals.

And stars spurned by their country of birth are nonetheless still pining to play. Eight-time All-Star Nolan Arenado, who starred for Team USA in 2017 and 2023, didn’t hear his phone ring this time as a star-studded group of American-born commitments poured in.

Instead, Puerto Rico manager Yadier Molina, his old St. Louis Cardinals teammate, called him up, asking to galvanize a squad beset by injury and insurance woes. Arenado, whose mother Millie is of Puerto Rican and Cuban descent, was all in.

“I didn’t expect (Team USA) to call coming off last year,” says Arenado, who produced a career-low .666 OPS for St. Louis before an off-season trade to Arizona. “I wasn’t going to play this year, but Yadi called me and my mom wanted me to do it.

“I love the tournament. The talent is sick. It just gets better and better.’’

Lurkers in the groups

Expansion may have its limits, however. In 2023, the event grew from 16 to 20 teams, with five countries now placed in the four pools. The giants flexed their muscles and the likes of Nicaragua, Czechia and Israel went 0-8 while getting outscored 66-6.

It made for a stirring back end of the tournament with Team USA surviving Venezuela in the quarterfinals and reaching its second consecutive championship, this time losing to three-time champion Japan. The final out, famously, came on a Shohei Ohtani strikeout of then-teammate Mike Trout.

Soon, we’ll see if the early rounds can again inject some drama into the proceedings. Australia will aim to repeat its first quarterfinal appearance in 2023 but will have to dislodge either Japan or Korea to do so.

Netherlands will aim to disrupt the Dominican-Venezuelan power duo in Pool D in Miami, with Israel also there in a spoiler role.

And Team USA will have to keep one eye on the disrupters in Houston’s Pool B, where Great Britain will deploy nearly a dozen current or former major leaguers – led by Bahamian Jazz Chisholm Jr. – and Italy’s paisan power bats for its third quarterfinal appearance in four tries.

Perhaps the chalk results will rule the day. But it’s likelier things will get a little tighter before the blue bloods move on.

“The WBC is getting better and better,” says Dodgers and Puerto Rico closer Edwin Diaz, “for every team. Look at the USA, they have a bunch of stars in this tournament.

“So that’s something that’s good for everyone.’’