The Minnesota Vikings are quietly exploring an exit strategy for 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy, according to multiple league sources. That’s just one of several league-shaking rumors emerging from the Combine, where contract standoffs and planned spending sprees are setting the stage for a chaotic offseason.

The consensus opinion here at the Combine is that the Vikings are in the market for a new starting quarterback. In fact, a source tells me the team is really down on quarterback J.J. McCarthy and is ready to move on from their 2024 first-round pick. The team will bring in another signal caller to compete and eventually replace McCarthy.

Speculation about the quarterback’s future with the organization has been rampant since the end of the season, his second disappointing year with the Vikings.

After a rookie season spent on injured reserve, he played in just 10 games in 2025 after dealing with a high-ankle sprain and other ailments. He completed under 60% of his passes and threw 11 TDs and 12 interceptions.

To make matters worse, Denver’s Bo Nix, who was selected just two picks after McCarthy, has had two successful seasons, culminating in leading the Broncos to the AFC title game this season.

The Colts’ plans to tag Alec Pierce have hit a snag

Two days ago, I reported the Indianapolis Colts want to keep both Daniel Jones and Alec Pierce and will look to lock up Jones before free agency begins, which means Pierce will be tagged by the team until such a time they can work out an extension.

Early on Saturday morning, a member of Pierce’s team confirmed that unless something unusual happens in the coming days, the Colts will tag Pierce, who has generated a ton of buzz here at the combine.

It looks as though something unusual is happening. I’m told the representatives for Daniel Jones and the Colts are not close to coming to terms on a new contract.

Evidently, Jones wants more money than the Colts expected. This means the franchise may have to go to a contingency plan and put either the transition or franchise tag on Jones, then try to sign Pierce to an extension before free agency opens. Like everything in football this time of year, the situation is evolving.

The Jets will invest heavy on “D” this offseason

The other day, I reported that the New York Jets have met with just about every agent at the combine who will have a safety hit the free-agent market in a few weeks. On Friday, sources told me that the team has been telling agents in many of those meetings that they will spend heavily on defense once the market opens.

The team has openly admitted to people in closed-door meetings that they have a ton of holes on that side of the line of scrimmage that need to be addressed. While I’ve mentioned the safety position in several articles, sources tell me the team has said they will also look to sign multiple cornerbacks this offseason.

Update on Warren McClendon Jr.

The Los Angeles Rams continue to express an interest in signing right tackle Warren McClendon Jr. to a contract extension, though it may take a little longer than expected. Sources tell me that the organization has to make a decision on Matthew Stafford, whose contract runs through the 2026 season, like McClendon, before coming up with something firm for their fifth-round pick from the 2023 draft.

The Rams need to be careful. If they wait too long, McClendon could cost them a lot more money because his value and appeal to other teams will take off, assuming he has a good season in 2026.

The Raiders intend on RFA

I’m told that the Las Vegas Raiders are trying to decide which level they will tender restricted free agent center Jordan Meredith, whom they intend to keep. Since Meredith went undrafted in 2021 before signing with the Los Angeles Rams, he is eligible for a right-of-first-refusal tender that is expected to pay him around $3.6 million.

Another team could sign Meredith to an offer sheet, and the Raiders would lose him with no compensation if they don’t match the offer. A second-round tender will compensate the Raiders with draft picks if another team offers more money and they don’t match, but that means a higher payout by Las Vegas.