The NFL is a year-round league. While we may not have meaningful football for another six and a half months, the NFL news cycle never sleeps.

With the NFL Combine getting started, free agency around the corner, and the draft inching closer, let's take a look at three of the biggest storylines around the league right now.

If you want the latest and greatest NFL, fantasy football, and draft updates delivered directly to your inbox, subscribe to the free Fantasy Life Newsletter!

Don't Freak Out Over Players Not Testing At The NFL Combine

I recorded a new Fantasy Life Show with Thor Nystrom for Thor Thursdays (that will be out tomorrow), but of course, we had to start with the players not testing at Lucas Oil Stadium this week, and here's the take: This is basically a non-story. Shedeur Sanders, Cam Ward, Ashton Jeanty, and Abdul Carter will not be testing this week, but do not freak out.

When we look at Sanders and Ward, it's important to remember that top quarterbacks usually do not throw at the Combine—they much prefer to showcase their skills at their pro days where the environment is more familiar and favorable. Last season, Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, and Drake Maye all didn't throw in Indianapolis, so this is nothing groundbreaking and it may have almost been expected and should not affect these players' draft stock. 

What this does do is open the door potentially for other quarterbacks at the Combine. Sanders and Ward are the consensus top QBs in the draft this year, but others' stock could rise depending on their upcoming performances. Jalen Milroe's stock dropped significantly after the Senior Bowl where he had accuracy issues, couldn't make decisions in a timely manner, and also put the ball in harm's way. Salvaging his draft capital will be key this week—he is expected to run in the 4.3s at 220-plus pounds and hopefully will put those physical tools on display. Let's see if Milroe, Jaxson Dart, Will Howard, and Quinn Ewers can make a difference in Indy.

A Rob Gronkowski Return? OK …

Don't worry, I checked, and April Fool's isn't for another few months, but that didn't stop Rob Gronkowski from making headlines for (checks notes) wanting to return to the NFL?

Maybe Nikki Glaser did enough damage where Gronk just needs to prove himself one final time, or maybe he wanted to take a page out of his best friend Tom Brady's playbook to just get a little attention from the media. 

Per Cecil Lammey, not only does Gronkowski potentially want to return, but he "loves" Denver and quarterback Bo Nix. When we look through team needs for the Broncos, it's fairly obvious they need help at running back, wide receiver, and also tight end. In his latest mock draft, Thor Nystrom has the Broncos taking Michigan tight end Colston Loveland. SO THEY DO NEED HELP, BUT NOT FROM YOU, GRONK. 

<a target=

Jan 16, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) celebrates as he scores a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half in a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-Imagn Images

In Lammey's report, Gronkowski has been working out in Vail this offseason, wanting to "physically be ready" for another NFL season.

Maybe a return is closer than we think?

Gronkowski would be 36 years old at the start of the 2025 NFL season, and the last time we saw him on the field was 2022. He was 32 years old and finished with 55 catches, 802 yards, and six touchdowns with BFF Tom Brady. If you had to pick between drafting Rob Gronkowski and Travis Kelce in 2025, who would you go with?

I can't believe that question actually has legs right now, lol. My guess is we won't see Gronk return, but I do love the rumors—this is how you know we are in full #offseason mode.

Why would the Falcons keep Kirk Cousins?

I thought Kirk Cousins would be a quarterback that we potentially talked about being on the move after the Falcons cut him, but it seems like the organization is standing 10 toes down on keeping Cousins as the backup for the 2025 season. 

Here is the full quote from head coach Raheem Morris out of Indianapolis:

“Michael Penix is our quarterback, and Michael Penix will continue to be our quarterback. We talked about looking for that guy, and we believe we have found him. I’ve got so much confidence in Michael Penix leading us into the future."

<a target=

Jan 5, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix (9) runs against the Carolina Panthers during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

So, it's great that you apparently found your franchise quarterback, but can we talk about the money that they owe Cousins, who will be featured mainly on the bench in 2025?

His contract currently makes up 14% of the Falcons' salary cap, according to Over the Cap. Cousins does have a no-trade clause in that contract, but it is not impossible to move him. He has three years left on his deal and, while there is no cheap way to move on, if they do find a trade partner, it would reduce their dead-cap hit to around $37.5 million this season.

  • Post-June 1 designation: $40 million against the 2025 salary cap and $25 million against the 2026 cap.
  • Pre-June 1 designation: The entire $65 million dead-cap hit would count against the 2025 salary cap.

General manager Terry Fontenot said in Indianapolis this week that it's "not ideal to have a quarterback at that cap number" … yeah, you could say that again (insert put it in reverse Terry meme). This is a big mess for the Falcons.