2016 NFL Free Agents: Latest Rumors, Predictions After Wild Card Round

The NFL playoffs are in full swing after a drama-filled Wild Card Weekend with the divisional round on the horizon.

Only eight teams remain alive, which means another 24 are already looking ahead to next season when it comes to the draft and signing—or re-signing—free agents.

One team that just finished its season is working hard to make sure its quarterback is on the roster in 2016. Kirk Cousins has gone from insurance policy for Robert Griffin III to possible franchise quarterback after one amazing 2015 regular season with Washington.

Let's take a look at where he and two other sought-after free agents may end up in 2016.

Cousins Could Be Answer in Washington

Cousins arguably had one of the best seasons of any Washington quarterback in the 83-year history of the franchise.

His 4,166 passing yards represent a team record, he set another franchise record for completion percentage at 69.8 and did something no other Washington quarterback has ever done when he threw a touchdown in every game this season.

Despite a first-round loss, Cousins helped Washington earn only its second division title since 1999.

All of this has caused Washington brass to make sure "he's not getting out of the building," per Albert Breer of NFL.com:

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At one point earlier this season, before the leaves fell, the Washington Redskins weren't planning on using the franchise tag on Kirk Cousins, because of the promise that it [will] fall north of $19 million, depending on where the cap is set. Now? They've come to grips with the fact that they might need to. Per sources, the Redskins intend to execute a blockbuster deal with their new franchise quarterback before the deadline to tag players in early March, but are fully prepared to franchise Cousins if they can't beat the clock. 

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As Breer said, it's a pretty strange turn of events considering Cousins wasn't even the starter coming out of training camp.

Team owner Daniel Snyder is notorious for overpaying high-priced free agents toward the end of their career, so he certainly will work to sign a player who had one of the most successful regular seasons in team history at arguably the most important position.

Cousins was also pretty good compared to the rest of the NFL down the stretch, per ESPN Stats & Info:

There just doesn't seem to be much of a drawback here for either party. The NFC East is down at the moment, and Washington has pieces to contend in the future. Cousins will get paid (after making less than $700,000 this season) and Washington will have a quarterback who seems to be on the rise.

Count on the former Michigan State Spartan to remain in D.C. next season, most likely with a long-term contract under his belt.

Weddle Not Likely to Return to Chargers

It looks like the entire San Diego Chargers team may be elsewhere next season after the team petitioned to move to Los Angeles. However, count free-agent safety Eric Weddle as one who won't be going with the team no matter where it ends up.

Weddle has spent his entire nine-year career in San Diego, and until this year when he missed three games due to injury, he hadn't played fewer than 15 in a season since 2009.

He's a three-time Pro Bowler, two-time first-team All-Pro and has been the heart and soul of the defense for nearly a decade.

Although Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com noted that most of the top free agents will either re-sign with their teams or be given a franchise tag, based on what Weddle said recently, it appears he will be playing somewhere else in 2016.

Per Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune, Weddle is talking like a man ready to move on.

"The last game was hard because I still thought there was hope to come back,” Weddle said. “But I don’t think that’s a possibility now.”

Weddle is leaving on bad terms after the team didn't show much interest in signing him to a long-term deal last year. Of course, there always could be a change of heart on both sides, but don't count on it after Weddle said he'd probably never talk to San Diego management again.

There are plenty of teams that could use his talent, but at 31 years old, you would have to think a contending one would top his list if he wishes to win a Super Bowl before retiring.

Forte-Bears Marriage May Be Over

Matt Forte has been one of the most versatile and consistent running backs since entering the NFL in 2008.

Year	Rushing Yards	Receiving Yards	Total TDs
2008	1,238	477	12
2009	929	471	4
2010	1,069	547	9
2011	997	490	4
2012	1,094	340	6
2013	1,339	594	12
2014	1,038	808	10
2015	898	389	7
Total	8,602	4,116	64

The Chicago Bear has reached the dreaded 30-year-old mark, where it's assumed running backs start to decline. However, Adrian Peterson just won the NFL rushing title at the same age, giving teams hope that Forte will not regress any time soon.

If he returns to Chicago and the Bears re-sign wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, they could field an offense worth watching. The problem is the Chicago defense is still full of holes, and the team has already poured $127 million into quarterback Jay Cutler and will have to open its pocketbook to bring back Jeffery.

Forte hasn't spoken much about his free agency, but he did post this interesting tweet on Saturday with no further explanation:

It may not have anything to do with where he is going to land next year, but it could fuel speculation that negotiations are not going well.

When Forte missed a few games this season with an injury, rookie Jeremy Langford filled in well for the veteran, and the Bears may feel they can move on with a younger, cheaper option.

Forte has had a great run in Chicago, but expect him to sign elsewhere next season as he looks to win the first Super Bowl of his career.