The Kansas City Chiefs released veteran defensive end Mike Danna on Monday to free up more salary cap space before the official start of the new league year, according to ESPN. The move to release Danna saves the Chiefs $9 million on their 2026 cap. The Chiefs entered the offseason more than $57 million over the cap before releasing Danna and restructuring quarterback Patrick Mahomes' deal. The 28-year-old Danna started 32 games for KC over the last three seasons. In 15 contests in 2025, the 28-year-old former fifth-rounder in 2020 out of Michigan had only 25 tackles (eight solo), one sack, his first career interception, and a pass breakup. Danna has 194 tackles (96 solo), 21.5 sacks, and 25 tackles for loss in his six NFL seasons, all with the Chiefs. He won two Super Bowl titles with KC but will now look to latch on with another team as he heads into his seventh year in the league.

Green Bay Packers impending free-agent quarterback Malik Willis and Alabama QB Ty Simpson are among the "external quarterbacks" on the Cleveland Browns' radar with the NFL scouting combine kicking off this week, according to Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer. Meanwhile, the Browns are still trying to decide if they think one of Shedeur Sanders or Deshaun Watson (Achilles) can be their starter in 2026. Watson has more experience in the NFL, but he didn't play at all last year due to a torn Achilles he suffered in 2024, and he's rarely been available for Cleveland since signing a massive five-year, $230 million contract with the team in March of 2022. Sanders, a fifth-rounder, predictably in his first eight games (seven starts) last year, completing 56.6% of his passes for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. The Browns bringing in Willis or Simpson would signal their lack of faith in both Watson and Sanders going into the 2026 season.

The New England Patriots released running back Antonio Gibson (knee) on Monday, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports. Gibson had a lost season in 2025 with New England, suffering a season-ending torn ACL in Week 5. The 27-year-old finished with a career-low 25 carries for 106 yards and one touchdown in his five games last year in his second season with the Pats. He'll head to the open market this offseason, most likely searching for a depth role in the backfield. Gibson's lone 1,000-yard season in the NFL came in his second year in the league in 2021 with the Washington Commanders. Since his first two years in the league, Gibson has struggled to be productive, gaining a total of 1,455 yards on the ground and six rushing touchdowns on 359 carries over four seasons. Gibson also has experience as a return man on special teams, which will make him more attractive on the open market.

One of the biggest offseason storylines in the NFL this year is whether the Las Vegas Raiders will trade All-Pro pass-rusher Maxx Crosby. The Raiders should get a better idea of Crosby's trade market at this week's NFL scouting combine. The Raiders reportedly "want the Micah Parsons deal," which included two first-round picks and an impact player, according to Ted Nguyen of The Athletic. Parsons is younger, but Crosby has the sixth-highest average salary per year among edge rushers, which is a relatively friendly contract. Crosby, who has made the Pro Bowl in each of the last five seasons, had 73 tackles (45 solo), 10 sacks, 28 tackles for loss, 20 QB hits, his first career interception, six pass breakups, and two forced fumbles in 15 games in 2025 before being shut down at the tail end of the year due to a meniscus injury. Although Crosby is expected to be ready for Week 1 in 2026, the injury uncertainty could drive down his price.