NFL rumors are swirling about possible trades and potential free agent signings as 24 teams are officially in the offseason.

The Dallas Cowboys waited until the last minute to replace coach Mike McCarthy, giving them a late start to the hiring process. But Jerry Jones has many optionsalso on the trading market.

We take a look at the rumors linking Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin to Dallas. But we haven’t forgotten the NFL playoffs. There are four exciting duels on the program for the divisional round.

Let’s get to this week’s fact or fiction.

The 49ers should pursue Sam Darnold as a free agent

Manzano’s view: fact

Two weeks ago, Sam Darnold probably wasn’t even an option for the San Francisco 49ers. But now, after two straight brutal performances on the game’s biggest stage, Darnold could be looking to return to his former team, potentially costing him a lot of money before free agency.

It would make little sense for the Minnesota Vikings to re-sign Darnold to a lucrative contract extension or franchise him, which could be worth around $41 million. Minnesota already has 2024 first-round pick JJ McCarthy in the starting blocks.

So if the going rate for Darnold now is, let’s say, around $30 million per year, the 49ers should definitely be interested in bringing him back on a short-term contract. Obviously, that’s too much for a backup quarterback, meaning this would lead to a QB battle between Darnold and Brock Purdy, who may be seeking a contract extension at around $60 million per year, or something like that The top quarterbacks earn, which is over $40 million per year.

Purdy, the last pick of the 2022 draft, had a rough end to the ’24 season and may not be worth that much money, but he certainly has some impact. Purdy didn’t fold in the biggest moments, as he led the 49ers to the Super Bowl last year and pushed the Kansas City Chiefs into overtime. But the competition could be good for Purdy, and the 49ers could structure Darnold’s contract with the option to move on after one year if Purdy has a good season.

Purdy had his best season battling Darnold and Trey Lance in the summer of 2023. Maybe it’s not wise to spend money on Darnold to intimidate Purdy into playing well. But it’s another QB option in case the 49ers don’t like Purdy’s asking price for his next contract.

There’s also the option of 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan adding Kirk Cousins, possibly on an affordable deal if the Atlanta Falcons trade or release him. Creating options and letting Purdy earn them in a contract year might be the best path for San Francisco.

The Cowboys should trade for Steelers HC Mike Tomlin

Manzano’s view: fiction

My first answer was: “Yes. You know what, damn it.” (Some of you may know this line from the TikTok trend. Please don’t ban this beautiful platform!)

But then I remembered that the Cowboys are no longer Super Bowl contenders. Dallas won just seven games in McCarthy’s final season and suffered not only from injuries but also from holes throughout the roster. Even during McCarthy’s 12-win seasons, the Cowboys had a top-heavy roster with a handful of stars. There was solid depth among pass rushers, but Dallas lost that after Dorance Armstrong was traded to the Washington Commanders, and it appears that DeMarcus Lawrence’s best days are now behind him.

In some ways, the Cowboys’ roster is similar to the one Tomlin already has with the Steelers, who lost the final five games of the season. Micah Parsons does most of the work for Dallas, although TJ Watt has more help on Pittsburgh’s defense. And fellow receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens don’t have much help on offense – and yes, I understand that the Cowboys’ star wideout is better than the one in Pittsburgh.

Anyway, let me address those who are probably screaming Don’t forget Dak Prescott! The Cowboys’ signal-caller would be a drastic improvement over what Tomlin has had since Ben Roethlisberger’s prime. I just don’t think Prescott can be trusted in the playoffs – unless he has a better roster.

First, the Cowboys would have to give up a first-round pick. (You don’t trade one of the NFL’s best head coaches without getting at least a first-rounder.) Then the Jones family would have to spend money to address the lack of depth at wide receiver and the various holes on the defensive front. According to OvertheCap.com, plunging into free agency may not even be an option as the team is currently $285,056 over the salary cap.

There’s always the draft, but you’d already be behind if the first-rounder goes to Pittsburgh. And let’s not forget that this team is also missing a bellcow running back. Tomlin wants his teams to be physical, and that can’t happen without a consistently productive rushing attack.

After thinking about it, you know what, this isn’t a great move for the Cowboys.

The Rams have the best defense of the remaining teams

Manzano’s view: fact

It’s crazy to think about how good the Los Angeles Rams’ defensive front has become during their game first season without Aaron Donaldarguably the best defensive tackle of all time.

Depth is what separates this defensive front from the three other teams heading into the divisional round. There’s no all-time leader left, but Los Angeles has two standout defensive tackles in Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske, an emerging edge rusher in Jared Verse, a standout No. 2 edge rusher in Byron Young and a reliable rotational pass rusher in Michael Hoecht. Those are five names, but many more contributed to the Rams dismantling the Vikings on Monday night. In Los Angeles, eight players contributed to the nine sacks against Darnold, an NFL record for a playoff game.

Philadelphia Eagles fans may hate to hear this before Sunday’s playoff matchup against the Rams, but this LA front reminds me of the one Philly had in 2017 to help Nick Foles win the Super Bowl.

Maybe there’s no Chris Jones on the interior, a boxy duo of Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, or a Roquan Smith at linebacker. But the LA front comes in waves, enough to turn a matchup against a prolific offense that won 14 regular-season games into an imbalance.

The favorites will dominate in the divisional round

Manzano’s view: fiction

Five of the six wild card games ended in defeat, but let’s not forget that three underdogs advanced to the divisional round.

I wouldn’t be shocked if there was one or more surprises this weekend. The Detroit Lions were unable to compete against Jayden Daniels and his Commanders in the regular season, potentially making the unknown a challenge, especially for an undermanned defense.

As mentioned above, the Rams have the defense to push the Eagles. Additionally, Matthew Stafford has the edge over Jalen Hurts. On the other hand, the Rams don’t have Saquon Barkley, who beat LA for 255 rushing yards earlier this season.

It’s harder to imagine the Houston Texans upsetting the Chiefs, but it’s also hard to doubt them after they roared the Los Angeles Chargers last week. And there’s a strong chance that a playoff classic could happen between the Buffalo Bills and the Baltimore Ravens.

We’re hoping for four close games this weekend.

The Chargers should go all-in on Bengals WR Tee Higgins

Manzano’s view: fact

Just because Justin Herbert throws four interceptions in a playoff game doesn’t mean there aren’t about 20 teams that would like to have him as their starting quarterback.

Yes, he’s 0-2 in the postseason, but he’s still a talented quarterback capable of excellence. And I don’t want to apologize for himbut it was easy to see the difference between CJ Stroud with Nico Collins and Herbert with Ladd McConkey.

Both are great wide receivers, but the 6-foot-1, 180-pound McConkey doesn’t have the size of the 6-foot-1, 200-pound Collins, a physical wideout who can win contested catches downfield.

If the Cincinnati Bengals let wide receiver Tee Higgins hit free agency, the Chargers should be overpaying for his services. Higgins’ skillset would complement McConkey and give Herbert a dynamic one-two punch to avoid further postseason collapses in the future.

But after the 6-foot-1, 200-pound Higgins played so well throughout, the Bengals would have been foolish to let go of one of Joe Burrow’s favorite targets.