7 days agoKansas City Chiefs offensive guard Trey Smith signed his franchise tag on Sunday, which locks him in for $23.4 million on a one-year, fully guaranteed contract that officially makes him the league's highest-paid guard, a source tells ESPN's Adam Schefter. For now, the Chiefs are hoping this is just a placeholder as they work to sign Smith to a long-term deal. Specifically, the 25-year-old received the non-exclusive franchise tag. The former sixth-rounder (226th overall) in 2021 out of Tennessee was on the All-Rookie team and also made his first Pro Bowl in 2024. He's missed just one game in his four NFL seasons in Kansas City and has become one of the best and most durable guards in the league. The Chiefs and Smith now have until July to work on a long-term extension. Otherwise, Smith will make $23.4 million in 2025 in his fifth year in the NFL.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
7 days agoPer FOX Sports NFL insider Jordan Schultz, free-agent center Drew Dalman is expected to have a "strong market" in free agency, with the Chicago Bears specifically as a strong suitor. The 26-year-old spent his first four seasons with the Falcons after Atlanta took him in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Dalman played in just nine games last season when he sustained an ankle injury, missing a chunk of time in the middle of the year. However, when healthy, he was a key part of the Falcons' offensive front. A move to Chicago would be intriguing, as the Bears have already sunk resources into offensive linemen Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson, addressing their most glaring issue of the 2024 season. If Dalman does make his way to the Windy City, it'd undoubtedly boost the prospects of second-year quarterback
Caleb Williams and the entire Chicago offense.
--Alex CiullaSource: Jordan Schultz
7 days agoThe Cincinnati Bengals are re-signing offensive lineman Cody Ford to a two-year, $6 million deal. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported the news. The 28-year-old is fresh off his second season with the team and played a possible 33 of 34 games over the prior two seasons. Ford played the fourth-most snaps of any Bengals offensive lineman in 2024, registering 60.6% of the team's snaps while serving primarily as a guard for the team. However, he was not the most effective of the group. Still, Cincinnati trusts the former second-round pick, and he'll spend at least two more seasons protecting franchise quarterback
Joe Burrow. Now, the Bengals have to find a way to hold onto triple-crown-winning wideout
Ja'Marr Chase and reigning NFL sack leader Trey Hendrickson.
--Alex CiullaSource: Mike Garafolo
7
days
agoPer
The
Athletic's
Dianna
Russini,
the
Seattle
Seahawks
are
expected
to
talk
with
quarterback
Aaron
Rodgers
regarding
their
hole
at
the
QB
position.
With
free
agency
set
to
begin
on
Monday
at
noon,
things
are
starting
to
heat
up,
and
with
former
Seattle
starter
read more...
7 days agoNFL Network's Mike Garafolo reports that the Atlanta Falcons have agreed to a two-year, $45 million extension with left tackle Jake Matthews. The 33-year-old will get $38 million fully guaranteed over the next two seasons, and he's now set up to play his 12h and 13th seasons with the team after being selected sixth overall by the Falcons in the 2014 NFL Draft. The epitome of durability, Matthews has missed just one game (back in his debut season) in his entire 11-year career. It's a smart move by Atlanta, who has secured the front side of their young quarterback,
Michael Penix Jr., for at least the next two seasons. The Falcons still have some moves to make before they're a formidable opponent, but protecting their second-year signal-caller is undoubtedly a prime concern.
--Alex CiullaSource: Mike Garafolo
7 days agoESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that safety Markquese Bell (shoulder) and the Dallas Cowboys have agreed to terms on a three-year, $12 million deal. Bell appeared in just nine games for the Cowboys in 2024, as he was hindered by an ankle sprain early in the year and ended the season on Injured Reserve with a shoulder injury he picked up in mid-November. However, the 26-year-old racked up 94 tackles in 2023 (second-most on the team) while logging the seventh-most snaps of any Dallas defensive back. Despite the lack of playing time across his first three seasons in the league (31 games), the Cowboys saw fit to lock up the safety for at least three more years. He'll likely assume his backup role in Dallas' defensive backfield again in 2025.
--Alex CiullaSource: Jeremy Fowler
7 days agoThe NFL's Ian Rapoport reports that the Denver Broncos are bringing back quarterback
Jarrett Stidham on a two-year, $12 million contract with $7 million guaranteed. The 28-year-old spent the last two seasons with the team, appearing in seven games. However, he did not attempt a pass in 2024 and served solely as a backup to rookie sensation
Bo Nix. Stidham figures to occupy that role again in 2025, barring an injury to Nix, and reportedly would have garnered significant interest as a potential backup on the open market. However, the Broncos sought to lock up their second-string option with extensive knowledge of the team's current system. The Auburn product can be safely avoided for fantasy purposes sans a bench stash in deep superflex dynasty formats.
--Alex CiullaSource: Ian Rapoport
7 days agoThe New England Patriots are re-signing veteran tight end
Austin Hooper to a one-year, $5 million deal with a max value of $7 million. Hooper, a two-time Pro Bowler, notched 45 receptions and 476 yards with New England a season ago, his highest marks since his 2021 stint with the Cleveland Browns. While he began the 2024 season cold, the 30-year-old picked it up over the back half -- racking up four catches in five of his last seven appearances as then-rookie signal-caller
Drake Maye got acclimated to the NFL. The Stanford product played second fiddle to fellow tight end
Hunter Henry last season and figures to do so again if his teammate stays healthy, as the latter out-paced the former handily in snaps (835-575) despite playing in one fewer contest. It's possible Hooper returns some TE2 value this upcoming season, but he's better off left to waivers until he proves otherwise.
--Alex CiullaSource: Adam Schefter
7 days agoThe New England Patriots are signing defensive end Harold Landry III to a three-year, $43.5 million deal with $26 million guaranteed and a maximum value of $48 million. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported the news. Landry spent his entire seven-year career with the Tennessee Titans and was a formidable pass-rusher for the team. In 2024, he registered 71 total tackles and led the team with nine sacks and 15 tackles for loss. It's some much-needed help for New England, who ranked 12th-worst in points (24.5) and yards (342.9) allowed per game. Additionally, they clocked in dead-last in sack percentage at just 4.99% of plays. With quarterback
Drake Maye on his rookie deal, now would be the time for the Patriots to spend big and build a team around him. Help on defense was high on their list of priorities, and rightfully so.
--Alex CiullaSource: Tom Pelissero
7 days agoESPN's Adam Schefter reports that linebacker Jamien Sherwood is returning to the New York Jets on a three-year deal worth $45 million, with $30 million fully guaranteed. New York selected Sherwood in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, and he has logged 17 games in each of the prior three seasons with the team. The Auburn product broke out in 2024, racking up 158 total tackles -- leading the team -- after not having eclipsed more than 35 from 2021-23. Additionally, the 25-year-old notched the second-most snaps of all Jets linebackers (1,065) behind Quincy Williams. New York's defense was hit-or-miss after the firing of former head coach Robert Saleh in 2024 but finished the year with the fifth-fewest yards per game allowed (313.8). However, they ranked in the league's bottom half in terms of PPG let up with 23.8. It's a step in the right direction for the Jets' defense, but they still have some tweaking to do ahead of the 2025 season.
--Alex CiullaSource: Adam Schefter
7 days agoESPN's Jeremy Fowler states that free agent quarterback
Justin Fields wants to test the free agency market in an attempt to make an informed decision. However, a reunion with the Pittsburgh Steelers is still on the table. Reportedly, both sides are open to a reunion, but Fields wants to "truly see how teams view him." Fowler also mentioned that the New York Jets' interest has "percolated" since before the combine. The 26-year-old led Pittsburgh to a 4-2 record through six weeks in 2024, though he only eclipsed 156 passing yards twice and tossed just five touchdowns before being replaced by
Russell Wilson to close out the season. Whether Fields will start in 2025 remains to be seen, but there are still a few quarterback-needy teams, and this year's draft class does not feature as many strong QB prospects as the prior offseason. Even if Fields does land in a favorable spot, there's no guarantee he'll be given the reigns of an offense.
--Alex CiullaSource: Jeremy Fowler
7 days agoPer the NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Pittsburgh Steelers are trading for wide receiver
DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks. The Steelers are forfeiting their 2025 second-round pick in return and are signing Metcalf to a brand new, five-year, $150 million contract. Pittsburgh may not know who their next quarterback will be, but they're doing their best to surround him with standout talent. The 27-year-old will presumably slot in as the team's No. 1 wideout and, at worst, the 1A or 1B across from standing No. 1 pass-catcher
George Pickens. It's an intriguing turn of events for Pittsburgh, though a necessary move for a team that's ranked in the league's bottom half in points per game since 2021. Metcalf started 2024 hot but fell off after a knee injury coincided with former teammate
Jaxon Smith-Njigba's breakout. Still, at 27, the Ole Miss product should help bolster Pittsburgh's WR corps.
--Alex CiullaSource: Tom Pelissero
7 days agoThe Buffalo Bills have reached an agreement with quarterback
Josh Allen on a record-breaking deal. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the news. Allen's new contract is a six-year $330 million deal, including $250 million in guaranteed money -- the largest guarantee ever given to an NFL player. Wow. The 28-year-old is fresh off an MVP season -- his first -- and undoubtedly deserves the contract. In addition to 4,262 yards of total offense and 40 combined touchdowns, Allen tossed the fewest interceptions of his career (six). In fact, the Wyoming product accrued the lowest percentage of plays resulting in a sack or turnover (4.17%) since 1970, besting Peyton Manning's mark of 4.21% from the 2006-07 season. This move by Buffalo resets the market and firmly entrenches the star signal-caller where he belongs -- at the top of the list.
--Alex CiullaSource: Adam Schefter
7 days agoPer NFL Insider Josina Anderson, the Philadelphia Eagles expect at least a fourth-round pick for tight end
Dallas Goedert in a potential trade. Anderson reports the team would be willing to accept a pick from the 2026 or 2027 draft. Furthermore, a lower pick and salary adjustment from some teams could get the job done. Health has been a knock on Goedert. The 30-year-old veteran missed seven games in 2024 while battling through knee and hamstring injuries and has played just one full season -- his first -- despite seven years in the league. However, he's been productive when healthy and even had a ten-catch, 170-yard performance as recent as Week 3 this past season. Trades in the NFL don't typically go at the asking price, but a fourth-round pick seems reasonable for a player who still has some juice left in the tank. Additionally, several teams could use a dynamic receiving tight end.
--Alex CiullaSource: Josina Anderson
7 days agoAccording to ESPN's Adam Schefter, former New York Jets wide receiver
Davante Adams is signing a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Rams. The contract is worth up to $46 million, with $26 million guaranteed. Wow. Adams is coming off an up-and-down season that started in Las Vegas but ended in New York with the Jets after a mid-October trade that reunited him with long-time teammate and quarterback
Aaron Rodgers. The sentiment was that the veteran wideout would follow Rodgers to his new destination; however, it appears the Rams got to him first. It's excellent timing for LA, who is preparing to move on from star WR
Cooper Kupp. Adams will now line up across from
Puka Nacua, spelling a formidable duo for any defensive backfield to run with. With the news that
Matthew Stafford is returning to the team, too, the Rams' offense just got a whole lot more interesting for 2025.
--Alex CiullaSource: Adam Schefter
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