Three burning questions for 2025 Commanders
After a surprise appearance in last year’s NFC Championship Game, things are looking up for the Washington Commanders. Of course, no roster is perfect. Here are three things we’d still like to know about the 2025 team. Do they need another pass-rusher? All NFL teams could use another pass-rusher, but
Brian Callahan: QB reps will get determined by how everyone performs
Titans General Manager Mike Borgonzi said this week that the team won’t be naming a starting quarterback at this point in the offseason because he wants there to be “competition in every room” on the roster. Borgonzi also said that it will be up to head coach Brian Callahan to
49ers Invite K Kenneth Almendares To Rookie Minicamp
The 49ers have invited Louisiana Ragin’ Cajun kicker Kenneth Almendares to their rookie minicamp on a tryout basis, according to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. Almendares won the Lou Groza Award as the top kicker in college football after a stellar 2024 season. He made 28 of his
Report: Buccaneers promoting Rob McCartney, Mike Biehl in front office
The Buccaneers are making a couple of promotions in their front office. According to Albert Breer of SI.com, Tampa Bay is promoting Rob McCartney to assistant General Manager and Mike Biehl to vice president of player personnel. McCartney is entering his 15th season with the Bucs. He previously spent three
Jaire Alexander’s preference revealed amid trade buzz
Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander has been the subject of trade speculation throughout the offseason after playing just 34 games over the last four seasons due to injury. The 28-year-old is due $37M over the next two years, per OverTheCap, which may be too much money for another team to take
Stephen A. Smith sensed ESPN wouldn’t let Shannon Sharpe remain on the air
Hall of Fame tight end and media personality Shannon Sharpe stepped aside from his two-days-per-week employment with ESPN, in the aftermath of the filing of a civil complaint against him alleging sexual assault and other claims. While Sharpe didn’t step aside until Thursday, his on-air First Take partner knew it
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/1/25
Here are the latest minor moves from around the NFL: Houston Texans Waived: DT Jayden Peevy Las Vegas Raiders Signed: WR Collin Johnson This content was brought to you by: Pro Football RumorsPro Football Rumors
Nick Bosa, Trent Williams at 49ers’ offseason program to help teach “the standard”
The 49ers turned over their roster this offseason. They parted ways with eight starters, who have a combined 54 years of NFL experience. They added 17 rookies to the roster and have 38 players on their 90-player roster who have two or fewer seasons of experience. This 49ers team, unlike
Three burning questions for 2025 Falcons
With the dust settled following free agency and the draft, we have a clearer idea of where the Falcons stand heading into 2025. However, questions remain. Here are the three most pressing. What happens with quarterback Kirk Cousins? After being benched for 2024 first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. late last
Chargers decline OG Zion Johnson’s fifth-year option
The Chargers did not exercise the fifth-year option on the contract of offensive lineman Zion Johnson, Daniel Popper of TheAthletic.com reports. The option would have paid Johnson $17.560 million for 2026. He now goes into the 2025 season in the final year of his contract and scheduled to become a
2026 NFL Fifth-Year Option Tracker
NFL teams have until May 1 to officially pick up fifth-year options on 2022 first-rounders. The 2020 CBA revamped the option structure and made them fully guaranteed, rather than guaranteed for injury only. Meanwhile, fifth-year option salaries are now determined by a blend of performance- and usage-based benchmarks: Two-time Pro Bowlers
Roger Goodell declines invitation to appear before Senate hearing on streaming
The Senate Finance Committee will be holding a hearing on Tuesday regarding the ongoing migration of sports from broadcast TV to streaming. One requested witness has opted to pass. John Ourand of Puck reports that Commissioner Roger Goodell has declined an invitation to participate. The letter to Goodell from Finance
Davis, Kiper Jr. have no animosity over Sanders debate
Mel Kiper Jr. was heated that Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders fell all the way to the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He was so upset during the live coverage that he went on a rant of epic proportions when Sanders was finally selected by the Cleveland Browns at
Grey Zabel will wear No. 76 in Seattle, with Steve Hutchinson’s blessing
Hall of Fame offensive lineman Steve Hutchinson spent five years in Seattle, wearing No. 76. While his number isn’t retired, rookie first-rounder Grey Zabel wanted to be sure Hutchinson was OK with Zabel wearing it. “He was all for it and super excited for it,” Zabel told reporters on Thursday,
Packers CB Jaire Alexander Would Prefer Release Over Trade
Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander has been the subject of trade speculation throughout the offseason after playing just 34 games over the last four seasons due to injury. The 28-year-old is due $37MM over the next two years, per OverTheCap, which may be too much money for another team to take
Eight teams NFL will debut “Rivalries” jerseys in 2025
The Nikefication of the NFL will continue. One of the overlooked items that emerged during the draft is this: Starting in 2025, the NFL will introduce “Rivalries” jerseys inspired by the communities of the teams. The first wave, debuting in 2025, will cover the teams of the AFC East and
Executives address if Jaguars paid too much to draft Travis Hunter
The Jacksonville Jaguars made one of the biggest splashes of the 2025 NFL Draft when they sent the No. 5 overall pick, a second-round choice (No. 36), a fourth-round selection (No. 126) and a 2026 first-round pick to the Cleveland Browns for the No. 2 selection along with fourth-round (No.
Source: Shedeur Sanders approached pre-draft process like he was being “recruited,” not “interviewed”
Pre-draft chatter about prospects can be strategic. Teams that like a player (and hope to draft him) will be inclined to traffic in negativity. Teams that don’t like a player (and hope someone above them will pick him) like to fuel a player’s hype. With Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders, there
Former NFL player theorizes why Aaron Rodgers hasn’t yet signed with Steelers
As of May 1, multiple reporters continue to say that the Pittsburgh Steelers will soon confirm that free agent Aaron Rodgers will be their starting quarterback for the 2025 season. That said, former offensive lineman and current NFL analyst Ross Tucker suggested during Thursday’s edition of NFL Network’s “Good Morning
Omarion Hampton couldn’t be happier Jim Harbaugh is his coach
Running back Omarion Hampton had to wait until the 22nd overall pick to hear his name called in the first round of the draft last week, but he was more concerned with the team doing the picking than the number of the pick. Hampton said on The Jim Rome Show
Seahawks Looking Into CB Addition
The Seahawks added a key piece to their secondary in the draft, trading up to No. 35 for South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori. The team also added two guards, two tight ends and two wide receivers to round out an 11-pick class. While Emmanwori will add a 4.35 40-yard dash
Donovan Ezeiruaku says Cowboys are getting a “dawg” in him
Not long after Boston College edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku found out he was heading to Dallas, his phone rang again. It was Micah Parsons calling, welcoming him to town. “It’s going to be fun,” Ezeiruaku said, via Tommy Yarrish of the team website. “He reached out after the draft. He
Patriots’ Maye discusses why he approves of team’s top pick
New England Patriots rookie offensive tackle Will Campbell went viral after they took him with pick No. 4 in the 2025 NFL Draft. Campbell didn’t hide his emotions after the Patriots chose him, telling NFL Network’s Jaime Erdahl, he’s “gonna fight and die to protect [quarterback] Drake Maye” (h/t NFL.com’s Michael
LT Ikem Ekwonu wants to remain in Carolina long term but has no timeline for an extension
The Panthers have picked up the fifth-year option on left tackle Ikem Ekwonu’s contract. He is expected to get a long-term deal, something the Panthers did for defensive lineman Derrick Brown and cornerback Jaycee Horn in the same situation. The only question is: When? “I have no timeline, honestly,” Ekwonu
Texans Attempted To Trade Up For WR Emeka Egbuka; Rams Showed Interest?
As we come out of the draft, the annual tradition of what-ifs regarding high-value investments persists. The Falcons probably would not have traded a 2026 first-round pick had Jalon Walker been off the board (as the team expected) by No. 15, while the Cowboys had Tetairoa McMillan in their sights
Malik Nabers: If I’m getting open and not getting ball, we’ve got a problem
Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers didn’t do much to hide his frustrations when the ball didn’t come his way during his rookie season and it doesn’t sound like he’ll be any more circumspect in his second season. The question of whether wide receivers are divas came up during Nabers’s appearance
2025 NFL Draft: Five draft picks who will be the most impactful in the AFC
As much buzz and hype as there is around free agency and the trade deadline, the draft is how franchises build the foundation of a contending roster. Paying for players is not a sustainable strategy. Look at the best teams in the league—the Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens,
Brock Bowers not participating in offseason program yet as he finishes his degree
The Raiders had left tackle Kolton Miller participate in its voluntary offseason program this week. The team still has not seen Brock Bowers. The second-year tight end remains in Georgia, finishing up his college degree, Vinny Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports. Bowers had a historic rookie season, breaking
J.J. McCarthy Addresses Recovery From Meniscus Procedures
J.J. McCarthy has seen the Vikings present him with a golden opportunity. The team passed on franchise-tagging Sam Darnold and then let the bounce-back starter walk, and it did not outbid the Colts for Daniel Jones. The Vikings have since effectively stiff-armed Aaron Rodgers, who had informed the team it
The fifth-year option stinks, but first-round picks are stuck with it
Every May, most teams must decide whether to exercise the fifth-year option on one or more first-round draft picks from three years earlier. If exercised, the team delays the player’s opportunity to hit the open market by another year. For players drafted in every other round, there’s no way to
2026 NFL Draft intel: Who’s worth watching besides Texas’ Arch Manning?
“[Downs] was the most talented player on the Buckeyes defense last season, blending exceptional movement traits in space, deep-range cover ability and serious power to be disruptive against the run,” wrote ESPN’s Field Yates in a story published Thursday. Clemson QB Cade Klubnik (6-foot-2, 210 pounds) In his latest mock
Cowboys decline fifth-year option on CB Kaiir Elam’s contract
The Cowboys are declining the fifth-year option of cornerback Kaiir Elam, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports. The team acquired Elam in a trade with the Bills this offseason. Buffalo will receive a 2025 fifth-round selection and a 2026 seventh-rounder, while sending a 2025 sixth-round choice to the Cowboys along with
Cowboys Passing On CB Kaiir Elam’s Fifth-Year Option
The Bills effectively admitted a mistake on Kaiir Elam, trading the former first-rounder in a pick-swap deal that only produced a 2025 fifth. The Cowboys took a flier on the fourth-year cornerback, but they will not authorize an eight-figure guarantee to conduct an extended evaluation. One of this year’s easier
Titans hope for Treylon Burks to step up after declining his fifth-year option
The Titans will decline the fifth-year option on the contract of wide receiver Treylon Burks, as expected, Paul Kuharsky of paulkuharsky.com reports. The comments of Chad Brinker, the team’s president of football operations, on Monday hinted at the decision. Burks, 25, tore his anterior cruciate ligament in Week 6 last
One question still facing every NFL team this offseason
The draft is over, but teams still have needs and major questions with much of the offseason to go. These are the questions still facing all 32 NFL teams. Diannie Chavez / USA Today Sports Images Arizona’s defense made strides last season, but they still struggled to rush the
Texans waive DT Jayden Peevy
The Texans opened up a spot on their 90-man roster Thursday. The team announced that they have waived defensive tackle Jayden Peevy. Peevy signed to the team’s practice squad last November and signed a future contract with the team in January. Peevy did not appear in any games for the
Packers To Decline LB Quay Walker’s Fifth-Year Option
The run of teams declining fifth-year options on off-ball linebackers will continue via a Green Bay decision. The Packers have expressed interest in a Quay Walker second contract, but their Thursday decision will put him on track for free agency sooner. Green Bay will decline Walker’s 2026 option, ESPN.com’s Rob
Packers will not exercise Quay Walker’s fifth-year option
Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst said recently that he wants linebacker Quay Walker on the roster in 2026 one way or another, but it won’t be under the terms of the team’s fifth-year option on his contract. Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports that the team will not exercise that option.
Executive thinks this could be ‘downfall’ of Tomlin’s Steelers tenure
The Pittsburgh Steelers still haven’t found a long-term replacement for quarterback and franchise legend Ben Roethlisberger following his retirement in January 2022. Most recently, Pittsburgh didn’t even address its uncertain quarterback situation during the 2025 NFL Draft until the club took a flier on developmental prospect Will Howard out of Ohio State in
Raiders sign WR Collin Johnson
The Raiders made an addition to their receiving corps on Thursday. They announced the signing of free agent wide receiver Collin Johnson. No terms were included in the announcement. Johnson was a 2020 fifth-round pick of the Jaguars and moved onto the Giants as a waiver claim the next year.
AFC West Rumors: Chiefs, Chargers, Miller
The Chiefs took a gamble on injured tackle Josh Simmons, who saw a patellar tendon tear ding his draft stock a bit. The Ohio State standout went down six games into the season, and some debate existed going into the draft about his availability for the season. Simmons said (via
Bill Belichick’s book tour will continue, with a public event on May 6
One bad interview killed Kramer’s coffee-table-book-about-coffee-tables tour. Bill Belichick’s book tour has survived. Belichick has a public appearance on Tuesday, May 6, in New York. It’s an NYU event, with Belichick and Suzy Welch. (Tickets are free.) In the email that Belichick’s girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, posted earlier this week, Belichick
Executive thinks Jets should’ve targeted this quarterback in 2025 NFL Draft
The New York Jets seemingly showed they are all-in on Justin Fields when they didn’t select a single quarterback during the 2025 NFL Draft. Instead, the Jets took Missouri offensive tackle Armand Membou at pick No. 7 before they grabbed LSU tight end Mason Taylor in the draft’s second round (selection
Brian Callahan: Tyler Lockett still has some production left in him
Tyler Lockett recently joined the Titans, giving them a strong veteran receiver to help rookie quarterback Cam Ward. In his Thursday press conference, Tennessee head coach Brian Callahan said he feels good about adding the longtime Seahawk. “He [has been] a productive player for a long time,” Callahan said. “On
WR Henry Ruggs Eyeing NFL Return
Henry Ruggs remains in prison as a result of the sentence he received in August 2023 stemming from a November 2021 car accident. Ruggs pled guilty after a woman and her dog were killed in the crash. The former Raiders wideout was accused of reaching speeds up to 156 mph and
Travis Hunter is among the favorites to win offensive, and defensive, rookie of the year
For the first time ever, one player is among the favorites for a full-season award on both sides of the ball. DraftKings has Jaguars receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter near the top of the list for both offensive and defensive rookie of the year. On the offensive side, Hunter has +750 odds,
NFL executive shares theory on why Raiders passed on Sanders
Numerous stories linked the Las Vegas Raiders with Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft, but the Raiders ultimately passed on him a handful of times before the Cleveland Browns traded up to get him at pick No. 144. For a piece published Thursday, one unnamed league executive
Eliot Wolf: Drake Maye has to take a step forward in his leadership
When Mike Vrabel took the Patriots’ head-coaching job earlier this year, he was clear that Drake Maye’s ability to handle the on-field responsibilities of a quarterback were a big reason for his decision. Maye’s skills weren’t enough to win games on their own, howerver, and the Patriots have made moves
Bengals Likely To Release Germaine Pratt?
Throughout the offseason, Germaine Pratt has represented a cut candidate for the Bengals. The veteran linebacker remains in the fold for now, but that may soon change. Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic writes it “shouldn’t be long until” Pratt is released by Cincinnati (subscription required). Cutting the six-year veteran (before or
Bill Belichick’s daughter in-law criticizes Jordon Hudson’s role in CBS interview
As North Carolina coach Bill Belichick tries to fetch a mop and a bucket, the mess is spreading. Via the Daily Mail, Belichick’s daughter-in-law has publicly criticized Jordon Hudson for her role in the disastrous CBS interview. Responding to Instagram comments supporting Hudson as a publicist who was simply doing
















































