Buying or Selling NFL's Biggest Rumors Ahead of Super Bowl LX

In the days leading up to Super Bowl LX, the NFL rumor mill generated buzz about free agency, potential blockbuster trades, and the futures of prominent players considering retirement. 

We'll help you catch up on all the scuttlebutt from Super Bowl LX Radio Row to the behind-the-scenes chatter among league circles as an appetizer for the matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots.

Could the Philadelphia Eagles offense look vastly different in 2026? Is Travis Kelce coming back for Year 14? Is Maxx Crosby finally fed up with the Las Vegas Raiders' perpetual rebuilding process?

Here are the biggest rumors across the league, along with a verdict on whether we're buying or selling them.

Familiarity a Factor in Malik Willis Landing in Arizona or Miami?

Malik Willis will be one of the most intriguing names in free agency. He's a 2022 third-rounder who had a slow career start in Tennessee but performed well as a fill-in starter for Jordan Love on three occasions over the last two seasons.

The Green Bay Packers could offer him an extension, but if the 26-year-old hits the open market, he'll likely play elsewhere. Spotrac projects that he'll command $35.5 million annually for his next contract.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler believes the Arizona Cardinals and Miami Dolphins are two teams to watch if they move on from Kyler Murray and Tua Tagovailoa, respectively.

"The ties are obvious: New Dolphins GM Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley got a head start on Willis from Green Bay, and new Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur can get intimate knowledge of Willis' game from LaFleur's brother, Matt," Fowler wrote.

Whichever team signs Willis will need some cap flexibility. The Cardinals have $42.2 million in cap space, which would allow them to take a big swing at a high-upside free agent if they move on from Murray.

Verdict: Buy

Travis Kelce Preparing to Play in 14th Season?

AP Photo/David Becker

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce

Tight end Travis Kelce may not want to end his career following a 6-11 campaign, and the Kansas City Chiefs' motivation for a bounce-back season may delay his retirement for at least another year.

In 2025, Kelce led the team in catches (76) and receiving yards (857), but the 36-year-old averaged 50.1 receiving yards per game, which is a career low if you exclude his rookie campaign, in which he appeared in one game and didn't play an offensive snap.

Kelce can still move the chains, though he's not the same game-changing playmaker from a few seasons ago. 

According to The Athletic's Dianna Russini, the buzz around the Super Bowl scene is that Kelce will play another year.

"While retirement has been discussed, many close to him believe he could return for at least one more season," Russini wrote. "A final decision has yet to be made, but a 14th season is looking more real than ever."

Kelce appeared on the Not Gonna Lie podcast with host Kylie Kelce (his sister-in-law) and laid out the conditions to continue his career (starts at 6:30).

"If my body can heal up and rest up and I feel confident that I can go out there and give it another 18-, 20-, 21-week run, I would do it again in a heartbeat," Kelce said.

Kelce didn't suffer a significant injury and suited up for all 17 games last season. He's probably in good enough shape to run it back for another term.

Verdict: Buy

Is Maxx Crosby Done in Las Vegas?

AP Photo/Maria Lysaker,File

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby

Maxx Crosby's future became a blazing hot topic of discussion after Fox Sports' insider Jay Glazer shared his thoughts with Yahoo Sports' Jason Fitz and Caroline Fenton on the five-time Pro Bowler wanting out of Las Vegas.

Glazer is a friend of Crosby, which lends greater credibility to his comments. 

The Athletic's Dianna Russini believes Crosby isn't saying what's on his mind, but the league can read his intentions.

"Maxx Crosby isn't coming right out and saying it," Russini wrote. "But to coaches and general managers around the league, it's pretty obvious. The Las Vegas Raiders' star edge rusher would be highly interested in pursuing a change of scenery."

Russini reported that Crosby's relationship with the Raiders has been strained since the team shut him down for the final two games of the regular season. Glazer said the star pass-rusher wants to avoid another rebuild.

Either way, the speculation about Crosby seems premature, since the Raiders don't officially have a new head coach or a complete staff in place. There's still time for the club to sell him on a new vision under presumptive new lead skipper Klint Kubiak.

Verdict: Sell

J.J. McCarthy In Jeopardy of Losing Starting Job?

AP Photo/Adam Hunger

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy

The Minnesota Vikings fired one of quarterback J.J. McCarthy's biggest supporters in former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, who moved up one spot to select the quarterback with the No. 10 pick in the 2024 draft.

Now, McCarthy's job security is in question.

ESPN's Kevin Seifert wrote that "all bets are off" regarding McCarthy's future with the team, though he didn't specify what that meant. The Vikings reporter expects the team to take "a big swing" at a veteran quarterback this offseason.

Among the possible names to consider: Kirk Cousins and Aaron Rodgers (if he doesn't retire) stand out the most. Cousins knows head coach Kevin O'Connell's system. Rodgers just helped lead the Pittsburgh Steelers to the playoffs.

Either one of the battle-tested veterans would likely beat out McCarthy for the lead job, though it would be an aggressive move to demote the 23-year-old after just 10 starts.

Nonetheless, O'Connell may feel the pressure to win now following Adofo-Mensah's dismissal. McCarthy could be a spectator for the 2026 season if Cousins is available or Rodgers sees an opportunity with a club that's a quarterback away from playoff contention.

Verdict: Buy

Eagles Plan to Part Ways with A.J. Brown?

A.J. Brown's frustrations with the Philadelphia Eagles are well-documented, and the team's resolution may be separation. 

EJ Smith of PHLY Sports seems convinced that either the Eagles or Brown will push to part ways.

"Being here talking to people around league circles, it is obvious that there is an expectation that the Eagles will want to move on from him, or that A.J. will want to be elsewhere, " Smith said.

While on The Edge podcast with Micah Parsons, Brown praised the leadership in the Eagles' locker room and expressed his excitement for next season.

However, The Athletic's Dianna Russini thinks discussions about Brown's future in Philadelphia will "ramp up" around the NFL combine. If he still isn't happy with the direction of the offense, the Eagles will likely move him before April's draft.

Verdict: Buy

Eagles Starting Offensive Linemen Lane Johnson and Landon Dickerson Retiring?

The Philadelphia Eagles offensive line could look drastically different in the upcoming season. For starters, they've lost well-respected offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland, who announced that his time with the team "has come to an end."

Stoutland's departure could have ripple effects on the roster. 

While on the Uncovering the Birds podcast, Philadelphia Inquirer's Jeff McLane talked in-depth about the uncertain future of two-time All-Pro right tackle Lane Johnson (h/t Pro Football Talk's Michael David Smith).

"In terms of Lane and his future, here's what I can say: He's definitely not sure if he's coming back or not, is the impression I get. You would think maybe this would make it a little less likely," McLane said. "When you're looking at retirement, it's, 'Can my body do it again? Do I want to do it again? Lane has a very high standard for himself."

McLane seems less sure about three-time Pro Bowler Landon Dickerson returning for his sixth season.

"Landon Dickerson may be even more of a question mark."

Offensive linemen play a physically demanding position. When you combine that with the loss of an esteemed coach, it can affect a player's career longevity.

This past season, Johnson didn't return from a Lisfranc injury. At 35, his short-term future likely depends on how quickly he heals from injury. Dickerson is only 27 and may need time to decompress before committing to another season. 

Let's pump on the brakes before writing off both offensive linemen in retirement.

Verdict: Sell

Steelers Believe They 'Have Something' in Will Howard?

AP Photo/Matt Freed

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Will Howard

Aaron Rodgers, 42, is contemplating retirement after his 21st season in the league. If he walks away from the game, the Pittsburgh Steelers can go after a veteran replacement in free agency or on the trade market. Though it could also look to develop an in-house candidate for the lead position.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler noted that 2025 sixth-rounder Will Howard impressed the team:

"The Steelers really like how Will Howard has developed. A preseason hand injury stunted his progress, but Pittsburgh believes it might have something; his command of the huddle, sharpness at the line of scrimmage and ability to ingratiate with teammates have stood out."

Because of a broken hand, Howard didn't suit up for a single outing last season.

It's hard to gauge how he will perform in live action against starters when all the coaches have are notes on him from scrimmages. While the Steelers may have liked what they saw from Howard in a controlled setting, they probably aren't putting much stock in a late-round draft pick's practices. 

Verdict: Sell

Is Mike Kafka in Contention to Succeed Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak?

AP Photo/Steven Senne

New York Giants interim head coach Mike Kafka

Barring a change of heart, Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak will accept the Las Vegas Raiders' offer to be their head coach, leaving a vacancy on lead skipper Mike Macdonald's coaching staff.

Kubiak called plays for the league's third-ranked scoring offense and helped quarterback Sam Darnold put together another Pro Bowl campaign. Assuming he moves on, the Seahawks need to make a crucial decision on who will replace him.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler believes the Seahawks could poach Mike Kafka away from the Detroit Lions to fill their impending offensive coordinator vacancy.

"Some people I've talked to here in San Francisco think Seattle coach Mike Macdonald will want to keep a similar, Kubiak-style system in place. One back-pocket item to store away: Seattle was very impressed with Mike Kafka during head coach interviews two years ago. He's now a senior assistant in Detroit and could be a name to watch."

Though Kafka reportedly impressed Seattle's brass in an interview years ago, the New York Giants' offense initially regressed when he ran the show in an interim role after head coach Brian Daboll's dismissal last November. 

Big Blue scored 34 points against a three-win Las Vegas Raiders squad and the Dallas Cowboys' 32nd-ranked scoring defense in the final two weeks of the season, but Kafka's play-calling audition against competitive defensive units raises concerns. The Giants averaged 19.2 points in five games between Weeks 11 and 16.

The Seahawks, following a Super Bowl appearance, should have much better options in line to succeed Kubiak.

Verdict: Sell

Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.