Justin Jefferson wants to see Kirk Cousins return as the quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings in 2024.

Since Cousins went down with a torn Achilles in Week 8, the Vikings have cycled through rookie Jaren Hall, Josh Dobbs and Nick Mullins.

"It's definitely tough without him being there," Jefferson said of Cousins. "His leadership. His knowledge of the game. His awareness. There's definitely something missing not having that main piece out there on the table."

With two weeks to go, the Vikings still have a chance to sneak into the playoffs.

Cousins will be a free agent this offseason.

The Denver Broncos have benched Russell Wilson for their Week 17 game against the Los Angeles Chargers and will instead start Jarrett Stidham.

The change helps increase the Broncos' financial flexibility this upcoming offseason, as Wilson will make an additional $37 million in guaranteed money if he can't pass a physical by early March. An injury to Wilson in either of Denver's last two games of the season could trigger that guarantee.

The 2024 season makes the first of a five-year, $242.6 million extension signed in 2022 by Wilson.

The Broncos have just six draft picks in April, with no second-rounder, and would face unprecedented dead money charges of $85 million combined over the 2024 and 2025 seasons if they cut Wilson.

 In need of additional depth on the interior of the defensive line, the San Francisco 49ers landed defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day on Tuesday.

According to a team source, Joseph-Day and the Niners agreed to terms on a one-year deal, with it expected to become official before San Francisco resumes practice Wednesday. The Los Angeles Chargers released Joseph-Day on Friday, a move that was somewhat surprising because he was a team captain who had started all 14 games with the team.

Ndamukong Suh met with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday, according to a report.

No signing agreement is imminent.

Suh, 36, played for the Dolphins from 2015-17 after beginning his career with the Detroit Lions.

The Chicago Bears and Jaylon Johnson failed to agree on a contract extension earlier this season, but the cornerback still wants to remain with the franchise.

"I want to stay here," Johnson said. "I definitely want to get something done [with Chicago] first but at the end of the day, if something doesn't get done, I'm not opposed to any other options. But I would love to stay here, so that's that.

"I feel like we're building something special, too, especially the guys in the locker room. It's something that I don't think I can get anywhere else. I would like to stay in that and continue to build, make it better."

Johnson, 24, requested permission to seek a trade after not receiving an extension ahead of the NFL's trade deadline on Oct. 31. 

Ryan Poles said he did not want to lose Johnson and requested that the compensation the team would have received had a trade been agreed upon be "a late first and into early second [round draft pick]."

"That didn't happen," Poles said in November. "We are still open to getting a contract done. I know we're going to follow Jaylon's lead on how he wants to go about doing that but we're still open."

Austin Ekeler isn't losing focus as the Los Angeles Chargers prepare for the final three games of the season after firing their head coach and general manager following a blowout loss to the Las Vegas Raiders last Thursday.

"I'm a free agent after this year," he said, "and so I'm still painting my resume."

Since 2021, Ekeler has scored more touchdowns (44) than any running back over that span, and he has the most receptions of any back since 2019 with 354.

Ahead of this season, Ekeler looked to cash in on his success as he entered the final year of his four-year, $24.5 million contract. But Ekeler and the Chargers couldn't agree to a multiyear extension, so he requested a trade.

Ekeler eventually rescinded that request later in the offseason, returning for a revised contract with added incentives but no additional years, hoping he would perform well enough to earn a top-end contract in the offseason.

The Miami Dolphins have agreed to a three-year contract extension with right tackle Austin Jackson, according to a source.

The extension is worth $36 million and includes $20.7 million in guaranteed money. Jackson was a first-round pick in 2020.

Shaq Leonard has agreed to a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles. Leonard also considered signing with the Dallas Cowboys.

Leonard was recently released by the Indianapolis Colts.

The Arizona Cardinals have waived tight end Zach Ertz.

Ertz requested his release, according to former teammate J.J. Watt, now retired.

Sources have confirmed that the two sides mutually agreed to part ways to give him a chance to finish the season elsewhere.

Ertz, 33, will have to pass through waivers before becoming an unrestricted free agent.