New England Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski had been thinking about retirement ‘long before’ the loss in Super Bowl LII, according to Jeff Darlington of ESPN.com.

Former Oakland Raiders offensive coordinator Todd Downing is expected to join the Minnesota Vikings coaching staff as a senior offensive assistant/passing game specialist, according to sources.

Pittsburgh Steelers LB Ryan Shazier (spine) has been working out at the team’s facility on a daily basis and has been watching film with coaches or sitting in on scouting meetings, according to general manager Kevin Colbert.

San Francisco 49ers impending free-agent DE Tank Carradine is a candidate to receive a new contract before the start of free agency, in the opinion of NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco.

Pittsburgh Steelers DE Cameron Heyward and OT Alejandro Villanueva are two candidates to restructure their contracts this offseason, in the opinion of ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler.

Pittsburgh Steelers OT Alejandro Villanueva is scheduled to receive a $3 million roster bonus March 16, while CB Joe Haden is scheduled to receive a $1 million bonus.

Pittsburgh Steelers WR Antonio Brown is scheduled to receive a $6 million roster bonus March 16.

The Detroit Lions named Evan Rothstein head coach assistant/research & analysis Friday, Feb. 16. He has been a member of the coaching staff since 2012 and had served as an offensive and research & analysis assistant for the past three seasons.

DE Duke Ejiofor (Wake Forest) underwent surgery for a torn labrum in late January, but speculation is the operation will not affect Ejiofor’s draft stock.

Minnesota Vikings WR Laquon Treadwell could be shopped this offseason for a draft pick, according to Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com.