4 Takeaways From Day 1 of the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine — and more

INDIANAPOLIS — The trade speculation. The rumors. The non-answers. The revelations. Through one day of the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, the rumor mill is already spinning in Indianapolis, where top draft-eligible prospects will be doing interviews as well as physical and medical evaluations with all 32 teams throughout the week. Here are my four takeaways from Day 1, which featured media availabilities with a large swath of NFL head coaches and general managers: 1. C.J. Stroud rumors symbolic of just how steep decline has been Two years ago at this time, C.J. Stroud seemed to be on a superstar trajectory and on track to challenge the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson in the AFC. He’d just put together one of the best rookie quarterback seasons in league history, leading Houston to a playoff victory. Tuesday, we saw Texans general manager Nick Caserio shoot down rumors that Houston could move the former No. 2 overall pick. "Moronic," he said, in part. Caserio’s response is justified, sure. But the speculation is emblematic of just how much — and how quickly — the perception of Stroud has tumbled. After an underwhelming second season in 2024, the former Ohio State star continued his inconsistent play this past year, hurting the high hopes of a Texans team that boasted arguably the NFL’s best defense. Stroud completed 64.5% of his passes for 3,041 yards and 19 touchdowns against eight interceptions in 14 games in 2025. He added five interceptions and five fumbles (two lost) in Houston’s two playoff games, including four picks in the divisional-round loss to New England. "He’s our quarterback," Caserio said. "He isn’t going anywhere." As should be the case. Stroud's decline since his outstanding rookie season is alarming, but not so much so that the Texans — or anyone — can forget what he’s shown he can be at his peak. The biggest thing is that a mega extension doesn’t make sense this offseason (he’s eligible for a second contract, as he’s completing three full seasons). The logical move would be to pick up the fifth-year option on his rookie contract by the May 1 deadline — that would give him a fully guaranteed $27.249 million for 2027 — then revisit his future after the 2026 season. 2. Raiders’ return in potential Maxx Crosby trade could surpass Micah Parsons deal While saying multiple times that he expects Maxx Crosby to be a Raider in 2026, Las Vegas general manager John Spytek wouldn’t go as far as to say that the All-Pro defensive end is untradeable. "We’re always listening," Spytek said. Of course, those remarks will only add fuel to the trade speculation surrounding Crosby. That thought started gaining momentum at the end of last season, when the five-time Pro Bowler was frustrated with the team’s decision to place him on season-ending injured reserve with two games left in the year. FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer reported ahead of the Super Bowl that Crosby is likely done in Vegas. Considering the time of year, Spytek’s "we’re always listening" remark could be interpreted as keep the offers coming! If you’re a contending team with a pass-rush need, it would essentially be malpractice not to at least poke around and give the Raiders a call. Glazer has said when the news of his discontentment broke last season, "no less than 20 teams" reached out to him. In August, the Cowboys traded Micah Parsons to the Packers for defensive tackle Kenny Clark and two first-round picks. Parsons is two years younger and Crosby has two fewer All-Pro nods in the last five seasons, but it’s reasonable to believe that what the Raiders can get for Crosby could exceed what Dallas got from Green Bay for Parsons. Why? Demand, for one. Few, if any, league observers believed that the Cowboys would actually trade Parsons, a young superstar pass rusher. Many of Jerry Jones’ previous contract disputes with cornerstone players ended with said players staying put in Dallas. It’s a big part of the reason why Parsons getting traded to the Packers was a seismic shock for the league. In Crosby’s situation, though, his discontentment is well known and has been for months. That means more teams can line up, which drives up his value for the Raiders, who are in an advantageous position for a quick rebuild. Las Vegas ranks second in cap space ($91.5M), per Over The Cap, and holds eight picks in the upcoming draft, including the No. 1 overall pick. And that’s with Crosby still on the roster. 3. Two offensive-minded HCs give up playcalling Broncos coach Sean Payton and Panthers coach Dave Canales both announced Tuesday that they’d be relinquishing playcalling responsibilities in 2026 to their offensive coordinators. In Denver, that’s Davis Webb, who was a hot candidate in the past head coach interviewing cycle. In Carolina, that’s Brad Idzik, who’s entering his third season as the team’s OC. The most clear benefit for head coaches is that it allows them to take more of a CEO-like role running their teams. They get to spend significant time with all three units — not just the phase they specialize in. Non-playcalling head coaches have had more visible success as of late. Mike Vrabel led the Patriots to the Super Bowl in his first year as coach. Nick Sirianni has had the Eagles in two of the last four Super Bowls. I’m not sure this will become a massive trend. The Seahawks' Mike MacDonald, after all, just became the first defensive playcalling head coach to win a Lombardi Trophy. The likes of Sean McVay, Kyle Shanahan and Andy Reid are all still calling offensive plays. But I do believe relinquishing playcalling responsibilities could be more commonplace for teams looking to retain promising assistants. The 31-year-old Webb in Denver is a great example. The Broncos pass game coordinator and quarterbacks coach last season, Webb received several head coach interviews this offseason before ultimately returning to Payton’s staff. 4. Fewer trades, non-premium position players poised to define 1st round of draft Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said Tuesday that there’s an "old-school" feel to this year’s draft class. "You're always going to O-line, D-line, those positional values are there," he explained. "You see them in free agency. But at the same time, I mean, arguably, some of the best players in this draft are maybe at non-premium positions. When you look at the Ohio State linebacker [Arvel Reese], the Notre Dame running back [Jeremiyah Love], the safety from Ohio State [Caleb Downs]. So, those are really, really good players. It’s hard to find fault with their tape. Really solid. But again, some of those more premium positions — interior D-line, edge rushers — they're hard to find." This is just one general manager’s opinion, but many league observers and draft analysts have shared this sentiment. And this was already shaping to be a quiet first-round trade type of draft, with there only being one consensus blue-chip quarterback (Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, who’s expected to go No. 1 to the Raiders). Don’t be surprised to see "best available" be a true emphasis for teams across the NFL at the top of the draft this year.

During a 20-minute interview with the media Tuesday, new Lakers president of business operations Lon Rosen said Magic Johnson won’t be involved in any “day–to-day” involvement with the team and that hopes season-ticket holders will “renew” them despite the enormous increase for next season.

Rosen, who has been an executive vice president and chief marketing officer with the Dodgers since 2012 when Mark Walter and Guggenheim Baseball Management purchased the club, took over the Lakers job after Tim Harris resigned from that role.

Rosen, who is back with the Lakers after Walter purchased the team for a $10-billion evaluation, was asked about Johnson’s role with the Lakers and how he would be involved with Rob Pelinka, the team’s president of basketball operations and general manager.

Johnson was president of basketball operations for the Lakers from Feb. 21, 2017 until April 9, 2019, when he abruptly resigned.

Read more:Lakers are trying to unlock the greatness in Deandre Ayton

“Earvin's involved with all types of things. He owns football teams, baseball teams, soccer teams, insurance companies, a lot of things. He's always gonna have some type of involvement with all the teams, but he is not gonna have a day-to-day involvement (with the Lakers),” Rosen said. “It's gonna be no different since he left the Lakers. Obviously he's a huge fan of the Lakers, but he's not gonna be, 'Hey Rob go sign this player. Do that.' He'll always be involved with all the teams that he's involved in, but no, he's not gonna have day-to-day involvement at all. He is a super Laker fan and he'll continue to be a super Laker fan. It's not bad to have that. You see the involvement he had the other day when Pat (Riley) was here (to have his statue unveiled) and he'll always be involved that way.”

Rosen was asked about ticket prices increasing for the 2026-27 season.

There have been reports from Lakers fans that gave an example of their tickets in the 300-level increasing to over 45% from $6,192 to $9,035.

One fan said his increase was about 15% and another 3% fee if the tickets were not paid for upfront.

“We hope they renew. And obviously it reflects on what the market is now and the demand for tickets,” Rosen said. “You can look at how tickets sell and what the prices are. You look at primary and secondary market and you can see where their demand is.”

Pelinka told the media after the trade deadline that he’ll work with Walter and Jeanie Buss, who is still the board of governor for the Lakers, when it comes time to make basketball decisions this summer.

Both Andrew Friedman, the president of baseball operations for the Dodgers, and Farhan Zaidi, an special advisor with the Dodgers, will be advisors for the Lakers and Pelinka. Zaidi was seen at the Lakers’ practice facility Monday.

“Rob's empowered to do what he does,” Rosen said. “And he's talked about it and I can talk about it. Andrew Friedman and Farhan Zaidi, they have involvement helping Rob a bit. It gives you a deeper bench, and I think Rob appreciates that. And it is unique. But they have a skill set that they can transfer some of it here. And that's really how we look at it. Look, I have a really good relationship with Rob. I've known Rob Pelinka from when he was representing Kobe (Bryant). I met him many many years ago."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

INDIANAPOLIS — As Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan prepared to address media at the NFL scouting combine on Tuesday, the flashbacks hit.

Only two years ago, as the Steelers finished their second season with a bottom-10 offense led by quarterback Kenny Pickett, a reporter asked Khan: Did he have full faith in Pickett entering Year 3?

“We have — I have full faith in Kenny,” Khan said Feb. 29, 2024. “He’s shown us some good things, and obviously there were some issues with the offense. And I’m excited about the impact that Arthur Smith’s going to have on him.

“Arthur’s very optimistic about Kenny. I know they’ve communicated and said we’ll have some strong competition there and see where it goes.”

Less than two weeks later, the Steelers signed quarterback Justin Fields. Kenny Pickett was a Philadelphia Eagle by March 15 and Russell Wilson a Steeler by March 29.

Sure, Khan had indicated the club would invite “strong competition.” Even so, the general manager’s “full faith” endorsement rang hollow in near-record time.

So as Khan fielded questions this week about the future of four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers, it was worth asking: How much should fans take his words at face value?

The Steelers signed Rodgers last season to a one-year deal after Rodgers wanted to play for longtime head coach Mike Tomlin. Rodgers completed 65.7% of his passes for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions while leading the Steelers to a playoff berth and home wild-card loss. When Tomlin stepped down days later, team owner Art Rooney II said “Aaron came here to play for Mike, so I think it will most likely affect his decision.”