BS Meter on Biggest Rumors Coming out of the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine
The NFL Scouting Combine isn't all about incoming prospects working out to impress suitors. Team representatives also gather in Indianapolis to discuss potential trade deals and gauge player market values.
This year, because of an underwhelming rookie quarterback class, veteran signal-callers were a hot topic of discussion.
On Friday, the Los Angeles Rams agreed to terms on an extension with Matthew Stafford, which forced a couple of teams interested in the Super Bowl-winning quarterback to consider plan B in pursuit of a starting signal-caller.
Reporters have also noted that a star edge-rusher may force a trade this offseason and that there's uncertainty about the pecking order among the top quarterback prospects.
We'll go over the biggest rumors coming out of the combine, using a BS meter from one to 10 to separate legitimate rumors, which are higher numbers on the scale, from smokescreens, which are lower numbers on the scale.
There's No Consensus QB2 in the Draft
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While Cam Ward is likely to be the top quarterback selected in the 2025 draft, teams may have internal debates over the No. 2 signal-caller in the class.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the two other quarterbacks in the top three are "up in the air."
Leading up to the combine, most mock drafts have Shedeur Sanders listed in the top 10 as the second quarterback off the board.
However, Jaxson Dart has gained some momentum over the past month. Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski noted the Ole Miss product's quality showing after Saturday's workouts.
"Dart provided the cleanest throwing session of all the quarterbacks. He displayed good overall accuracy on short and deep throws. Dart was efficient throughout his workout. Building off the hype from Senior Bowl week, the first-team All-SEC performer did not disappoint."
Dart's recent outings may influence teams to reassess his upside, but the scouting community will always lean on the film over controlled workout environments.
BS Meter: 8
Cowboys Talk to Titans About Acquiring the No. 1 Overall Pick
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Will the Dallas Cowboys consider a mindblowing move up to the No. 1 spot? ProFootballTalk's Mike Florio heard whispers about the Cowboys' interest in making a deal with the Tennessee Titans.
"You hear all sorts of stuff, Florio said on 105.3 The Fan (h/t RJ Ochoa of Blogging The Boys) And I don't like to traffic in stuff I've heard because I don't know how accurate it is. But I did have somebody tell me that the Cowboys have talked to the Titans about moving up to number one."
Dallas would have to give up premium draft picks and perhaps Micah Parsons to move up from the 12th spot to No. 1.
With a bold move like that, the Cowboys would likely target a quarterback, which would be a headscratcher after signing Dak Prescott to a four-year, $240 million extension and giving him a no-trade clause last September.
The Cowboys had a disappointing 2024 campaign, going 7-10, but they don't need to make a panic move to turn their fortunes around. This rumor doesn't make sense, so it probably came from a loose conversation with the Cowboys gauging pick value in case a top non-quarterback prospect slips in the order.
BS Meter: 9
Garrett Wilson Is Seeking a $30 Million Extension with the Jets
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Despite the New York Jets' subpar quarterback situation in recent seasons, Garrett Wilson has won 2022 Offensive Rookie of the Year and racked up 1,042-plus receiving yards in all three of his campaigns.
So, no one should be surprised that Wilson wants a massive raise on an early extension with another year left on his deal before the team decides on his fifth-year option.
According to The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt, Wilson wants $30 million annually on a new contract.
At that number, Wilson would match Tyreek Hill and Brandon Aiyuk on the average annual value contract scale, which is reasonable for a healthy 24-year-old receiver who probably hasn't reached his peak yet because of the team's issues at quarterback.
Wideout Davante Adams is on the way out. He has no guaranteed money left on his contract with a $38.3 million cap number in 2025, and his buddy Aaron Rodgers won't be on the roster next season.
Wilson has been and will continue to be the Jets' No. 1 receiver and their best offensive playmaker. He knows his worth, and Gang Green should too. The Jets hired a new general manager, Darren Mougey, and coaching staff. The new regime has a lot to sort out, but it should be eager to lock in a roster cornerstone to begin establishing the team's foundation.
BS Meter: 1
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Giants Turning Their Attention to Aaron Rodgers After Missing out on Matthew Stafford
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After Matthew Stafford made the decision to stay with the Los Angeles Rams, the New York Giants had to pivot in their quarterback plan. According to The Athletic's Dianna Russini, they're all in on Aaron Rodgers.
"The New York Giants are now shifting their interest to Aaron Rodgers. They've been discussing it all week in Indy per sources," Russini posted on X.
Russini reported that the Giants offered Stafford a two-year deal worth $90-100 million per year. Rodgers, who turned 41 last December, should be available at a lesser rate. However, New York would have to restructure his contract because he is not guaranteed any money for 2025.
Interestingly, ProFootballTalk's Mike Florio shared what he called a "juicy" rumor indicating Rodgers reached out to the Giants. So, there may be mutual interest between the two sides.
However, the Giants may not be targeting Rodgers specifically but simply open to other veteran options after the Rams took Stafford off the market. The four-time league MVP said he's looking for a club that wants him and a "good team." The Giants are far from good, coming off a 3-14 season.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Giants "are investigating all veteran quarterback options…..including Aaron Rodgers." Schefter did not mention that the 20-year veteran is atop the team's wish list.
Big Blue will likely keep its options open, so don't get too excited about Rodgers staying in New York yet, but he should be a top target.
BS Meter: 4
Myles Garrett Has 'Slammed Door Shut' on Negotiations with the Browns
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Myles Garrett may not be walking through that door at the Cleveland Browns facility anytime soon.
According to Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot, Garrett is "not open to" an extension with the Browns and has "slammed the door shut on negotiations."
Garrett requested a trade early in February, citing his desire to win a Super Bowl. His statement did not mention money, so no matter how much Cleveland offers him on an extension, it doesn't get him any closer to a Lombardi Trophy.
Since the Browns drafted Garrett in 2017, they have had two winning seasons and one playoff victory. Coming off a 3-14 campaign with an unsettled quarterback room, Cleveland isn't likely to contend for a title.
Garrett told ESPN's Tedy Bruschi that he'll do "whatever it takes" to join a Super Bowl contender, a strong statement following his trade request.
Going into his age-30 term, Garrett may also hear the clock starting to tick on his playing career, even though he's performing at an elite level.
The Browns have the No. 2 pick in the upcoming draft, but they're also $22.8 million over the salary cap threshold. They should trade Garrett for a haul of draft picks to kickstart a full-blown rebuild around a young roster.
The Browns' cap situation restricts them from doing much in free agency, so adding a bunch of rookies isn't going to convince Garrett the team will have Super Bowl aspirations next season. Cleveland will have to go a long way to keep him.
BS Meter: 3
Patriots Won't Target Tee Higgins This Offseason
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The New England Patriots have $127.8 million in cap space and quarterback Drake Maye needs more playmakers around him to make a significant developmental leap in his second season. In 2024, the Patriots finished with the fewest passing yards and second-fewest passing touchdowns.
Yet according to The Athletic's Chad Graff, the Patriots won't target Tee Higgins as a potential trade option.
"New England's blueprint for the offseason does not include pursuing Higgins, the No. 1 free agent-to-be on our top-150 big board. As the Patriots are reshaped in Mike Vrabel's likeness, they want to prioritize building through the offensive and defensive lines and will make that goal No. 1 of this offseason (more on that below). So expect their biggest free-agent signings to come in the trenches — not at wide receiver."
The Patriots could take a page out of the Super Bowl-winning Philadelphia Eagles playbook in the coming weeks, though that doesn't mean they will lose tabs on what happens with Higgins.
The Cincinnati Bengals franchise-tagged Higgins, but if the two sides can't strike a deal, he could become available via trade. Flushed with cap space, New England can bolster its offensive and defensive lines and still have enough resources to sign Higgins to a lucrative deal.
Moreover, if the contract standoff between the Bengals and Higgins extends into the summer, New England wouldn't have to give up picks in this year's draft to acquire him. Even if the Patriots aren't interested in a splashy move for Higgins now, you would have to be naive to think they won't at least gauge what it would cost if Cincinnati puts him on the trade block.
BS Meter: 7
Raiders Unlikely to Make Large Financial Commitment to Veteran Quarterback
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Like the New York Giants, the Las Vegas Raiders swung and missed in the Matthew Stafford sweepstakes, offering a two-year deal worth at least $90 million (h/t The Athletic's Dianna Russini).
The Raiders might not make a strong offer to another signal-caller via trade or free agency.
According to The Athletic, it's "unlikely that they'll make a large financial commitment to another veteran quarterback who's expected to be available this offseason."
The Athletic's Vic Tafur and Tashan Reed reported that Las Vegas isn't "super high on Sam Darnold or the other potential free agents."
The Raiders have $96.5 million in cap space, but they may focus on other areas of need and re-signing several of their impending free agents and place a short-term Band-Aid on the quarterback position before going into the upcoming draft.
Spotrac projects Darnold's market value at $40.1 million and Russell Wilson's at $38.7 million. ESPN's Adam Schefter believes the Raiders will "investigate" both signal-callers as potential options.
Las Vegas may not intend to invest significantly in a veteran quarterback, so maybe they sign Justin Fields or Marcus Mariota out of the bargain bin, but it's too early to rule anyone out.
BS Meter: 6
Top Defensive Linemen Are Eyeing a Spot on the 49ers Roster
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The San Francisco 49ers defense took a massive step back under defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen last season, giving up the fourth-most points. The 49ers fired him and brought back Robert Saleh, who called plays for the team's defensive unit between 2017 and 2020.
Saleh brings energy to a locker room. The New York Jets defense cratered after the team fired him in October last year. On familiar stomping ground, he should be able to inject new life into San Francisco's unit.
Saleh's coaching style may attract top defensive linemen.
According to Tim Kawakami of The San Francisco Standard, notable defensive linemen who could be on the move will look to join the 49ers.
"I've heard from a few NFL sources that the 49ers have been mentioned as a popular potential destination for at least a few top defensive linemen who have quietly started looking around should they get waived for salary savings or hit the trade market," Kawakami wrote.
If the Browns change their stance on keeping Myles Garrett, or the Las Vegas Raiders for some reason trade Maxx Crosby, both may consider a change of scenery in San Francisco. Kawakami also named Joey Bosa as a potential cap casualty who would be interested in joining his younger brother Nick Bosa on the 49ers defensive line.
The 49ers have started negotiating an extension with quarterback Brock Purdy, with $50.2 million cap space. San Francisco may not have the cap space to give Garrett or Crosby more guaranteed money, but potential trade pieces like Jonathan Allen and Bryce Huff could be pass-rushers who demand lesser salaries but can still make a major impact.
BS Meter: 2
NFL team salary cap and player contract details are courtesy of Over the Cap.
Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.
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