NFL combine 2026: Latest news on Maxx Crosby, Aaron Rodgers, Tua Tagovailoa and more

The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine is off to the races. While we’re still waiting for the various prospects to strut their stuff and endear themselves to all 32 teams leading up to the NFL Draft later this spring, we did get to hear from just about every GM and/or head coach throughout the league on Tuesday. The key decision-makers stepped to the podium from Indianapolis and were peppered with questions that ranged from the draft to other areas across the roster. 

Naturally, that created quite a bit of headlines, ranging from what teams may do with their first selection to how they may handle players who are perceived to be on the trade block. Below, we chronicled the entire day to make this a one-stop shop of all the information that came out on Tuesday. We also have our main takeaways from their availabilities. 

Maxx Crosby not on trade block, but Raiders listening on No. 1 pick

One of the bigger names that has been floated out in trade talks throughout this early stage of the offseason has been Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby. After begrudgingly being shut down at the tail end of last season, folks have wondered if the two sides could part ways. However, when GM John Spytek spoke to reporters at the combine, he did say he anticipates Crosby being with the team in 2026.

“Maxx is an elite player, and I’m been very upfront that we’re in the business of having really good players on the team, and we need a lot more of them,” said Spytek. “It’s hard to build a great team without elite players.”

Meanwhile, also during Spytek’s presser, he didn’t rule out the possibility of the team trading the No. 1 overall pick at the 2026 NFL Draft. At the very least, Spytek isn’t hanging up the phone when interested clubs call to inquire about the top selection. 

“I learned a long time ago, always listen,” he said. “I’m always listening.”

In reality, both of these comments by Spytek could be gamesmanship. If he says that the team and Crosby are in a good place to the point where he could be on the team next season, that only increases the asking price. As for listening to offers for the No. 1 pick, it would be a major upset if they did not keep the selection and take Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Again, this all could be (and likely is) gamesmanship on the part of Spytek.

Nick Caserio calls C.J. Stroud trade talk ‘moronic’

There has been some unfounded scuttlebutt over the last few weeks about the Texans potentially moving C.J. Stroud. In case you couldn’t decipher that yourself, GM Nick Caserio shut that possibility down with ferocity on Tuesday, calling the ideal of trading Stroud “moronic.” 

“He’s our quarterback,” Caserio said. “He ain’t going anywhere. We have a lot of confidence, a lot of belief [in Stroud].”

While no trade appears to be on the horizon, the Texans do need to decide if they will extend Stroud or merely pick up his fifth-year option for 2027 this offseason. 

Chiefs want more explosive running game

Could Kansas City have tipped its hand with what it wants to do with the No. 9 overall pick? Speaking to reporters at the combine, Chiefs GM Brett Veach did say that one area he wants to see the offense improve is in the backfield. Specifically, he is looking for more explosion from that unit. 

“Certainly, we want to get more explosive in the running game,” Veach said, via KC Sports Network. “We’ve invested on that interior with Trey Smith and Creed Humphrey, I mean, two of the best in the league, and we thought Kingsley [Suamataia] took a big step. Those are three talented interior players. … I think being more explosive in the running game and really taking advantage of those interior three and kind of impose your will on an opposing team’s defense.”

One way the Chiefs could add that explosion is by deploying the ninth pick in the draft to bring in Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, which has been a popular pairing in various mock drafts. 

Ravens offered Tyler Linderbaum ‘market-setting’ deal

Baltimore Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum is CBS Sports Senior NFL analyst Pete Prisco’s No. 1 free agent in this 2026 class. However, it remains to be seen if he’ll actually make it to the open market. On Tuesday, GM Eric DeCosta revealed that the team has given Linderbaum a “market-setting” contract offer. If we are to take DeCosta’s characterization of “market-setting” as making Linderbaum the highest-paid center in the NFL, that would mean this offer exceeds the $18 million in average annual salary Creed Humphrey is currently making with the Kansas City Chiefs. 

‘Everything is on the table’ with Tua Tagovailoa, including trade

The Dolphins have started to strip the roster down to the studs, and the latest once-key figure to be shown the door may be Tua Tagovailoa. Recently hired general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan said Tuesday that “everything is on the table” as it pertains to Tagovailoa, which includes a trade. 

“Everything is on the table, including the potential of a trade,” said Sullivan. “We don’t know which way that’s going to go. There’s a lot of different factors at play, a lot of conversations being had.”

No deadline for Aaron Rodgers to make decision

CBS Sports’ Bryant McFadden sat down with Steelers GM Omar Khan and discussed the latest as it relates to Pittsburgh possibly having Aaron Rodgers back next season. Khan told McFadden that Rodgers “knows our feelings on him.”

“It was a great experience with Aaron,” Khan added. “We’ve had some good conversations. I don’t foresee this going like it did last year. I’m pretty certain we’ll have an answer sooner than later.”

Earlier in the day, Khan told reporters that there is also no deadline for Rodgers to make a decision. 

Jets to tag Breece Hall if long-term deal isn’t reached

Initially, Jets GM Darren Mougey told reporters that “the tags are an option” for Breece Hall as the two sides near the March 3 deadline. When pressed further, Mougey acknowledged that New York will utilize one of the tags on Hall if they cannot reach an agreement on a long-term extension in time. So, one of the more sought-after backs that was slated to be on the free agent market appears to be staying put. 

As for what kind of tag the Jets could place on Hall, CBS Sports NFL Insider Jonathan Jones notes that the transition tag makes the most sense. Unlike the franchise tag, the transition tag does allow a player like Hall to sign an offer sheet with another club and, if the Jets do not match, they lose the player for nothing. According to Over the Cap, the transition tag for running backs is expected to be about $11.7 million. 

Vikings keeping options open at QB

Don’t rule out the Vikings from jumping into the quarterback fray this offseason. When asked about the team’s options at quarterback this offseason, executive vice president of player personnel Rob Brzezinski said, “I don’t know that we’re ruling anything out.” 

“We have not a ton of time, but we have a couple of weeks and so we’re exploring every option that could be out there,” he added, via ESPN. “It’s casting a wide net, I guess I would say.”

Of course, this puts the status of J.J. McCarthy as the team’s starter in doubt. When he spoke to reporters on Tuesday, Kevin O’Connell was asked if he still views McCarthy as a franchise quarterback, and the head coach gave an ominous answer. 

“A lot of those feelings are still the same,” he said. “It’s just the timeline is in a different place for all of us than it was [in 2024].”