Chris Tomasson of The Denver Gazette reported that he doesn't expect the Broncos to re-sign Javonte Williams. (Source: Chris Tomasson)
Fantasy Impact: Denver will likely look to either free agency or the NFL Draft for a lead back. It is unclear if that running back would take over a clear lead role or if it'll remain a committee under Sean Payton in the Broncos backfield.
Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford is preparing to "take some time to think about" his future in the NFL following his Divisional Round loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. (Source: Sarah Barshop, ESPN)
Fantasy Impact: After opening a season that seemed lost due to injuries and slow starts, the Rams rallied back to finish 10-7 and first in the NFC West. However, Stafford, who will be 37 on Feb. 7, 2025, has reportedly been mulling his retirement for a few seasons. Despite this, he did say he felt as though he was "playing some pretty good ball," so he could stick around a bit longer. If he returns, he will likely hold the same status in 2025: typically a QB2 with some strong QB1 games from time to time. The Rams could begin looking forward soon at QB as well.
Pittsburgh Steelers QB Russell Wilson said it's "the plan" for him to return in 2025 and that he "loves it" in Pittsburgh, though the decision is not fully in his control. (Source: Nick Farbaugh on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Wilson slowed down during the stretch with the Steelers, as did Pittsburgh's offense as a whole. The Steelers ended their regular season on a four-game losing streak, playing as the fantasy QB17 over that stretch. Both Wilson and Justin Fields are free agents this offseason, leaving Pittsburgh's QB room in a state of flux this offseason.
Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy and the front office are expected to begin discussions toward a new contract following communications on the 2024 season an future plans. (Source: Tom Pelissero on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: McCarthy and the Cowboys finished under .500 in 2024 (7-10), but the locker room still seemed behind its head coach even when hope seemed lost in Dallas. Previously, Dallas had been coming off of a 36-win, three-year stretch, and though playoff success had been limited, there is reason to believe that a healthier, more balanced version of the Cowboys could continue to be a strong team with McCarthy at the helm. The HC's contract expires on Jan. 14, applying pressure and a deadline on Dallas to get a deal done before McCarthy has the opportunity to explore elsewhere.
Thu, Jan 9th 12:34pm EST
By Ari Koslow
Tyreek Hills' agent Drew Rosenhaus said that Hill was advised by doctors to have wrist surgery in the preseason, which would've cost him the season. (Source: David Furones on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Hill wanted to fight through the injury to be there for his team, which is why he didn't undergo the advised surgery. His name has been in the rumor mill after he seemed to request a trade following the Dolphins Week 18 loss against the Jets, but Miami GM Chris Grier later said that Hill has not requested a trade. Hill remains a player to monitor throughout the offseason.
Thu, Jan 9th 12:29pm EST
By Ari Koslow
Falcons GM Terry Fontenot said the team is comfortable moving forward with Kirk Cousins as a backup. (Source: Marc Raimondi on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: It seems unlikely that the Falcons will move forward with Cousins and his $40 million cap hit next season. It is possible the Falcons look to trade him. If they're unable to, they'll likely eventually release him. He holds a pre-June 1 dead cap hit of $65 million and a post-June 1 dead cap hit of $40 million.
Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald, when asked on Monday, Jan. 6, about QB Geno Smith's prospects to return in 2025, said, "I got no reason to say no. So, I guess, yeah." (Source: Michael-Shawn Dugar on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Smith and the Seahawks won 10 games in 2024, and while the QB had some inconsistency throughout the season (most INTs since his rookie season), he showed some promise as well (top five in completion percentage, career-high passing yardage, and best turnover-worthy play rate since joining Seattle). It would be more ideal to hear a head coach commit to his QB, and trade rumors will likely be common throughout the offseason in a scarce market, but there's little reason to believe Smith will be anywhere else in 2025, at least for now.
New York Jets wide receiver Davante Adams was nondescriptive when asked about his future with the team if Aaron Rodgers does not return, saying, "Potentially, it just would have to depend on everything." (Source: Jets Videos on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: This is a bit of non-news, but it does show that Adams' future with New York could be directly impacted by Rodgers' future, which has become murkier to speculate in recent weeks. Adams has two years left on his contract but has a potential out the team may exercise this offseason. Both Rodgers and Adams' futures seem up in the air as the Jets enter another crossroads offseason.
Will Levis has been named Tennessee's starter for Week 18 against the Houston Texans. (Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: The Titans are choosing to start Levis in Week 18. That matchup doesn't have much meaning for them, as they have already been eliminated from playoff contention. The 25-year old will hope to show some potential on the field in hopes of retaining some kind of relevance for the 2025 season and beyond.
Joe Flacco is set to be Indianapolis' starting quarterback again in Week 18. (Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: The Colts have ruled out Anthony Richardson for Sunday's game due to a back injury, which means that Flacco will once again be getting the start for the Colts. They have already been eliminated from playoff contention, so it remains to be seen how much they will have their starters play in a meaningless game against the Jaguars.
Green Bay Packers RB Josh Jacobs said he will not see his standard complement of touches in Week 18 in the team's regular season closer. (Source: Ryan Wood on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: This is not a surprising development, as it was likely expected, but it's surprising to hear directly from the source. Green Bay could see a change in their seeding, but it's not fully under their control. Jacobs said he won't get "that many carries in this game. … I'm going to push to play, and I'm playing. But I don't see myself taking 30 carries." He said that as long as the other starters are out, particularly QB Jordan Love, he intends to play. In his place, there may be more opportunities for young RBs Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks.
Cleveland Browns QB Bailey Zappe will start for the team's season finale against the Baltimore Ravens. (Source: Tom Withers on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Both QBs, Zappe and Dorian Thompson-Robinson, are reportedly expected to play, but after the latter's struggles, Cleveland is going in a different direction in its closer. Zappe has started eight games in his career and averaged 146.6 yards per game over his two-year career with the New England Patriots. The Browns are multi-TD underdogs to the Ravens, according to sportsbooks, so expectations should be lowered for the offense as a whole no matter who is under center.
The Cleveland Browns intend to play both Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Bailey Zappe with no starter yet announced, per head coach Kevin Stefanski. (Source: Andrew Siciliano on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Thompson-Robinson has struggled since taking over at QB, averaging 0.93 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, the lowest among Browns QBs this season (Jameis Winston, 5.35; Deshaun Watson, 3.70). Zappe should get his first action as a Brown, but regardless of who is under center, expectations should be low for the offense entering the weekend as multi-TD underdogs.
Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy would not comment on who will be the starter in Week 18's season finale between QB Cooper Rush and Trey Lance. (Source: Saad Yousuf on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Rush has started eight games for the Cowboys this season, going 4-4 and averaging 209.6 passing yards per game in his starts. While there were some expectations among fans that Lance would see action this season, the young QB (acquired for a mid-round pick in 2023) has barely played (20 snaps all season). It remains to be seen who starts in Week 18, but it has been all Rush since Dak Prescott's injury.
New England Patriots rookie QB Drake Maye is expected to start in Week 18 against the Buffalo Bills as the Pats close out their 2024-25 season. (Source: Mike Reiss on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: With just three wins, the Patriots currently sit at the top of the 2025 NFL Draft order, sparking conversations on whether New England should bench its rookie QB to ensure the No. 1 pick. While Maye certainly could be pulled if New England goes down early, he is at least expected to start as the Patriots aim to "finish strong with a win at home in front of our crowd," says offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt. If the Patriots pull Maye, rookie QB Joe Milton III could be the favorite to see extended in-game action over veteran QB Jacoby Brissett.
Mon, Dec 30th 7:46pm EST
By Ari Koslow
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said the team will consider adding Daniel Jones to the 53-man roster this week. (Source: Kevin Seifert on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Jones signed a one-year deal with the Vikings in the middle of the season after he was released by the Giants. If Jones were to be added to the 53-man roster and later sign somewhere else this offseason, the Vikings would receive a compensatory pick in return.
Mason Rudolph has been named Tennessee's starting quarterback for Week 16. (Source: James Palmer on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: The Titans recently made the decision to bench Will Levis, and now they have decided to name Rudolph as the new starter for Week 16 and presumably beyond. That's good news for some of Tennessee's fantasy options, namely Calvin Ridley and Tony Pollard.
San Francisco 49ers LB De'Vondre Campbell Sr. has been internally suspended by the team for "conduct detrimental to the team," stemming from an incident in Week 15's Thursday Night Football game. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: After Campbell exited Thursday's game early, leaving for the locker room in the second half after refusing to enter the game, the veteran linebacker received public backlash from the media, fans, and teammates. As a result, a suspension was considered likely, if not Campbell being cut outright. It's possible S.F. opted for a suspension in order to potentially recoup assets by filing to waive some of its payment on Campbell's deal, but regardless of the reasoning, Campbell's season appears to be over -- as is likely his career as a Niner.
Mon, Dec 2nd 11:53am EST
By Garrett Ball
Azeez Al-Shaair is expected to be suspended for his hit on Trevor Lawrence on Sunday. The length of the likely suspension is not known. (Source: Adam Schefter on X)
Fantasy Impact: Al-Shaair was immediately ejected from the game following the hit. Managers in IDP leagues will need to look elsewhere for the time being.
Rico Dowdle will be the clear-cut RB1 for the Dallas Cowboys moving forward. (Source: Clarence Hill on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: The Cowboys have been running a committee between Dowdle and Ezekiel Elliot all season long so far, but that is set to change. HC Mike McCarthy told reporters that Dowdle will be their lead back moving forward and emphasized that his focus is to get him the ball. That's good news for his fantasy value, but it remains to be seen if he will have many scoring opportunities with Dak Prescott (hamstring) out for the remainder of the season.
