Around the AFC West: Free Agency Rumors at NFL Combine
Looking around the AFC West and what each team's GMs and coaches are saying about free agency starting soon. The Broncos have "musts" at running back, linebacker.
The NFL Combine has arrived, and with it comes head coaches and general managers talking to the media for the first time since Super Bowl LX.
This time of year is when teams are looking to build their rosters for next year. They're at the NFL Scouting Combine to scout college players, but the media always asks about free agency, too.
That kicks off in two weeks, on March 9.
So, let's go Around the AFC West and read the tea leaves as the GMs and coaches are talking about their teams.
Sean Payton Gives Play Calling to Davis Webb, Broncos Look for a RB
The big news out of the NFL Combine for the Broncos on Tuesday was that Sean Payton is giving play calling duties to Davis Webb.
Rich Kurtzman
Payton is basically handing the keys to the car to his kid, here. At 31 years old, Webb is exactly half the age of Payton. And most of the best play callers today—Sean McVay, Kyle Shanahan, Kevin O'Connell, Ben Johnson—are either in their 30s or 40s.
Only Andy Reid (66) and Payton (62) could be considered among the best, and Payton seemed to lose some of his magic last year, especially early in the season.
From a zoomed-out perspective, Bo Nix throwing the ball 612 times was far too many. It was the most in the NFL, even if a lot of those passes came at or around the line of scrimmage. Hopefully Webb looks to have more a semblance of balance on offense. That would mean signing a new running back, too, though.
Broncos look for a Running back and Linebacker
Sean Payton said there are two "musts" for the Broncos, running back and linebacker.
“Well if we look at our roster and we start doing the ‘musts’, you would say you have to take the free agents out of the equation. So running back would have to be one. Linebacker, there are two of them."
This isn't a surprise; everyone in Broncos Country has been hoping and expecting Denver to sign or draft a starter at each position.
At running back, J.K. Dobbins was the 1a guy last year, with RJ Harvey as 1b.
Dobbins getting injured in Week 10 left the Broncos exposed at running back. Harvey was good, but as a rookie, he wasn't ready to be a 3-down back. He may never be.
Luckily, there are a ton of running back free agents available. I explored Denver Broncos free agent running back fits here:
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I'm a fan of Rachaad White, Tyler Allgeier, or Dobbins rejoining the team, in that order.
At linebacker, Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad are both free agents. Strnad is one of three Broncos free agents (Dobbins is another) who the Broncos should re-sign this offseason.
But, is Strnad a starter at ILB? It seems like the team isn't sure. Dre Greenlaw will be one of the guys, and Denver will be on the hunt for another.
At the NFL Combine, Paton said he'd love to have both back.
“We’d love to have them back,” Paton said. “Regardless of what’s in the draft … we see those guys as Broncos.” But is that just GMspeak?
Over the Cap has Singleton valued at north of $10M per year. Meanwhile, Strnad's is about half that at $5.5M. Plus, he's two years younger than Singleton.
There are a ton of options there in free agency, so it'll be interesting to see which way they go. Greenlaw was a so-so addition last year, so Paton and Payton will also be hoping not only he pays off this year, but the new guy does too.
Chiefs May Sign Travis Etienne, Tyreek Hill
According to Nate Tice at the NFL Combine, the Chiefs are interested in the services of Travis Etienne. That tracks when you consider Kansas City was in on Breece Hall—just like Denver Broncos fans wanted Denver to be—but it sounds like Hall will probably just be re-signed by the Jets at this point. And New York GM Darren Mougey said they'll use the franchise tag on Hall if need be.
there’s been some smoke involving Travis Etienne and the Chiefs. And it’s a pairing that I actually like more as I’ve marinated on it. Talked about the potential fit on the latest Football 301 w/ @mattharmon.bsky.social. Plus more NFL news and a dive into the prospects at the Combine.
— Nate Tice (@natetice.bsky.social) 2026-02-25T18:08:38.934Z
Etienne is a solid running back who saw a resurgence in Jacksonville last year.
"I thought this year was his most detailed year," Tice says. "The Chiefs offensive line is going to be really good next year...If you can get a guy that can take it to the house and an offensive line that can get you there, that excites me more than most."
After a down 2024 season, Etienne put together his second-best season in the NFL last year. He had 1,107 rushing yards with 7 TDs, plus 292 receiving yards and another 6 TDs through the air.
The Chiefs haven't had a 1,000-yard running back since 2017 with Kareem Hunt (1,327).
Tyreek Hill
Speaking of 2017; the Chiefs want to rewind time and bring Tyreek Hill back.
At least, that's what is seems like.
Andy Reid is trying to kill the rumors at the NFL Combine though.
"So there’s nothing happening there, but we know what you know," Reid said. "That he’s out there and cranking away, trying to get himself back to where he can play, period.”
Hill was released by the Miami Dolphins following his ACL tear because he's washed. Hill only played four games last year for the 'Phins but went through his worst season ever; only 265 yards and 1 TD.
In fact, one anonymous GM said this week, "We're not touching him...We think he's done."
Even when he played a full year in 2024, Hill was mediocre (959 yards, 6 TDs), but rejoining the Chiefs could be the spark the 32-year old receiver could need to jumpstart his career.
Plus, his Domestic Violence case fits right in with the team character; Rashee Rice is being sued by an ex-girlfriend for allegedly strangling her.
Travis Kelce
Speaking of washed, it sounds like Travis Kelce may come back for another season despite being old and a shadow of his former self.
According to a report, Tom Pelissero says:
“My understanding is that they’ve already been in contract talks. It seems like this is trending toward Travis coming back and playing for Kansas City, but nothing is done until it’s done. Obviously, Travis has a lot going on in his life outside of football and he has a lot of decisions to make. He may not have the howitzer anymore in terms of the top end speed that he did back in the day, but he’s still a functional NFL tight end.”
Kelce turns 37 next season and is coming off his two worst seasons ever, with 851 yards and 5 TDs last year. And while he may be washed, compared to other tight ends, it's still pretty damn good production. If he does return, and Hill does too, it will be a chance for the "Legion of Zoom" to reunite and try to run it back despite all being in their 30s at this point.
Either way, the Chiefs are a team to keep an eye on like always.
Chargers Lose Their Center and Likely the One They Wanted to Sign
LA had a ton of offensive line issues last year. And now they had starting center Bradley Bozeman retire.
They were hopeful in signing Tyler Linderbaum, a free agent from the Ravens, but now the Ravens are offering him a "market-setting" amount of money per ESPN.
The Chargers have the fourth-most available cap space at $81.8M but most of the news surrounding the team is all the free agents they're likely to lose rather than who they're going to sign.
Khalil Mack might retire. Odafe Oweh was brought on board last year, but now he's a free agent, too. LA was dangerous because of their edge rushers, and they might lose their two best, while they haven't started contract negotiations with Tuli Tuipulotu yet.
LA needs players at:
- Defensive line
- EDGE
- Linebacker
- Offensive line
- Running back
They have a lot of money, but also a ton of holes to fill. Which is why it's crazy they are tied with the Chiefs as the favorites to win the AFC West. Denver's third.
Raiders Want 2 First-Round Picks for Maxx Crosby
Maxx Crosby wants out of Las Vegas, and the Raiders are trying to get a lot for him.
According to reports, they want two first-round picks and a premium player for Crosby.
It's an insanely high price for an edge rusher, especially when he's voiced his desire to move on.
Putting that high a price tag on Crosby is basically saying, "We're not trading this dude."
Raiders GM John Spytek said that much at the NFL Combine this week.
"I am," Spytek said when asked if he's confident Crosby will remain in Las Vegas. "Maxx is an elite player, and I've been very upfront from the start, when I got here, that we're in the business of having really good players on the team, and we need a lot more of them. It's hard to build a great team without elite players."
Either way, if they do trade Crosby, they'll be jettisoning their best defensive player.
Also, Las Vegas wants to re-sign cornerback Eric Stokes.
"We've had good dialogue with Eric about coming back. We're going to keep working this week," GM John Spytek said. "I thought he played well this year. He played; he was healthy, which has been something in the past that has kind of nipped him in the butt a little bit. But he played 16 of the games this year, and (I'm) super happy with him. He competed. He did do what I knew he was capable of when I evaluated the player coming out, and I'd love to keep them around."
The Raiders hired Gary Kubiak's son Klint to be their head coach. And with the No. 1 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, everyone knows Las Vegas will take quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
Kubiak said the fact Mendoza won a National Championship makes him a winner, which is what you want.
Still, the Raiders are expected to be one of the absolute worst teams in the NFL again in 2026.
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Rich Kurtzman was born and raised in Denver Colorado and attended Colorado State University in Fort Collins in the aughts. He's been a professional writer since 2011, covering Colorado State football and men's basketball, as well as the Denver Broncos, for many outlets. Current Denver Broncos work can be found on Mile High Sports. Previous credits include CBS Denver and The USA TODAY Sports Media Group.
Pro Football Reference Links
Justin Strnad Alex Singleton Travis Kelce Rashee Rice Tyreek Hill J.K. Dobbins RJ Harvey Maxx Crosby Khalil Mack Odafe Oweh Bradley Bozeman Tuli Tuipulotu
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