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
Shannon Sharpe’s lawyer responds to 2010 allegations outlined in a 2023 lawsuit
The snowball of allegations against Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe is growing. And his lawyers have spoken out about the latest claim to come to light. As explained by The U.S. Sun, Michele Bundy Evans sued Sharpe in 2023. She claims defamation based on things Sharpe allegedly said
Adrian Peterson arrested after Vikings’ draft party
Former NFL running back Adrian Peterson was arrested early Friday morning on suspicion of drunk driving. Minnesota State Patrol Lt. Mike Lee said Peterson was pulled over at around 3:20 a.m. in Richfield, Minn., when a trooper observed him driving 83 mph in a 55-mph zone. Peterson submitted to a
Roger Goodell: NFL to play three games on Christmas every year
The NFL will be playing three games on Christmas in 2025 and that’s the plan for every year in the future as well. That was the word from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on Friday. The league said at one point that they
Giants Draft Fallout: Wilson, Dart, Daboll, Sanders, Schoen, Browns, Rams, Pack, Vikes
Post-draft, Brian Daboll confirmed Russell Wilson will remain the Giants‘ starter entering the season. Considering Jaxson Dart‘s profile, it should not be expected the former Ole Miss and USC passer would have a good chance to overtake Wilson before the season. But Daboll and GM Joe Schoen’s New York fates
Packers think Matthew Golden has room for growth, best football is ahead of him
In the first round of the 2025 NFL draft, the Packers think they added a wide receiver who is only going to get better. Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst said after drafting wide receiver Matthew Golden that the Packers’ evaluations pegged Golden as a player who is likely to continue
Insiders share Brian Daboll, Joe Schoen theory about Giants’ Jaxson Dart decision
The New York Giants happily made “bust-proof” Penn State pass-rusher Abdul Carter the third overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft before the club traded back into the first round, as expected, to grab Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart at No. 25. For a piece published early Friday, ESPN Giants reporter
John Lynch: Mykel Williams fits who we are, our culture
In the aftermath of selecting defensive lineman Mykel Williams, 49ers General Manager John Lynch told reporters that the club had to sweat out some moments before getting to No. 11. Lynch even noted that San Francisco tried to trade up, but that effort was unsuccessful. Still, the 49ers were able
Steelers Sought Aaron Rodgers Answer During Draft Week
Aaron Rodgers received an offer to start for the Steelers at free agency’s outset. That was more than six weeks ago. The future Hall of Fame quarterback has not determined if he will play in 2025, even as previous reports pointed to it. The Steelers are also not believed to
Travis Hunter “kind of had a feeling” he’d end up with Jaguars
The Jaguars pulled off a draft surprise by trading up for receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter, bringing him back to his native Florida. While reports of the possible trade between Jacksonville and Cleveland didn’t leak out until Thursday, Hunter told reporters after the selection that he had an idea that something might
The ‘Every Mr. Irrelevant in the NFL draft since 2000’ quiz
How many of the players to be taken with the final pick in the NFL Draft — earning the title of “Mr. Irrelevant,” and a vehicle — since 2000 can you name in five minutes? Good luck! Did you like this quiz? Are there any quizzes you’d like to see
Zac Taylor: Picking Shemar Stewart has nothing to do with Trey Hendrickson
The Bengals have been at odds with defensive end Trey Hendrickson about a new contract this offseason and he’s asked for a trade to a team willing to give him one, so it was inevitable that their first-round pick would elicit questions regarding the veteran. Defensive end Shemar Stewart was
Broncos Did Not Seek Trade-Up, Eyeing RB Depth In Draft
Higher-profile storylines — particularly Shedeur Sanders‘ destination — will take shape on Day 2, but the Broncos making a best-player-available pick Thursday night will ramp up some pressure on the team to add to their skill-position group. But their rumored effort to trade up may well have been a second
Sean McVay: Deal to add a future first-round pick was too good to pass up
Based on the Rams’ draft history in the Les Snead/Sean McVay era, it wasn’t much of a shock to see the club trade out of its first-round pick at No. 26 overall. It was, however, a mild surprise that the club was able to net a first-round pick in next
Did Aaron Rodgers impact Steelers not selecting QB in first round?
In his predraft news conference, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin insisted that uncertainty about the future of quarterback Aaron Rodgers would not impact how the club would handle the 21st overall pick of the 2025 player-selection process. The Steelers then surprised some when they chose Oregon defensive tackle Derrick
Lions exercise 2026 options on Aidan Hutchinson, Jameson Williams
The Lions made a first-round pick on Thursday night when they selected defensive tackle Tyleik Williams with the 28th overall pick and they made a couple of moves involving past first-rounders on Friday. Field Yates of ESPN reports that the team has exercised their fifth-year options on defensive end Aidan
Lions To Exercise Fifth-Year Options On Aidan Hutchinson, Jameson Williams
Extension-eligible this offseason, Aidan Hutchinson is poised to land a monster payday despite missing most of last season due to injury. As the standout edge rusher is readying to return from the broken leg he sustained in October, the Lions will construct a bridge toward a potential market-setting payday. They
John Mara should make clear, strong statement of support for Joe Schoen, Brian Daboll
Dysfunctional teams do dysfunctional things. And the Giants have dysfunctioned things up for nearly a decade and a half. For every team that can’t shoot straight, it starts at the top. And it’s only the person at the top who can spark true change. As to the Giants, it’s simple.
49ers select SEC pass-rusher with first-round NFL Draft pick
This offseason, the San Francisco 49ers lost multiple key defensive starters in free agency due to cap space constraints. Therefore, selecting former Georgia pass rusher Mykel Williams 11th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft made sense. An ankle injury hampered Williams’s 2024 campaign, but he still managed 8.5 tackles for
Shedeur Sanders favored to be the first pick of the second round
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders is still available after the first round of the 2025 NFL draft. If the betting odds are correct, he won’t be available for long. Sanders is a -150 favorite to go first tonight, with the 33rd overall pick in the draft, via the odds at FanDuel.
Giants Likely To Exercise Kayvon Thibodeaux’s Fifth-Year Option
APRIL 25: Carter indeed became the Giants’ pick at No. 3, but Schoen confirmed (via The Exhibit’s Josina Anderson) the Giants will exercise Thibodeaux’s 2026 option. The Giants will now have their formidable three-EDGE group signed beyond 2025. Burns’ deal runs through 2028, while Carter’s rookie-scale contract — which will
Mike Tomlin on picking Derrick Harmon: We felt “extreme urgency” to address defensive line
The lack of a sure starter at quarterback for the 2025 season led many people to think the Steelers would target that position in the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday night, but that’s not where they went with the 21st pick. Defensive lineman Derrick Harmon was the
Why RB Ashton Jeanty fits in well with the Raiders
Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty is headed to the Las Vegas Raiders with the No. 6 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and it’s a great selection under new general manager John Spytek and head coach Pete Carroll. Jeanty was just too good to pass up for the Raiders. While
SEC, Big Ten accounted for 26 of 32 first-round picks
The first two picks of the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft did not come from schools in the SEC or Big 10, but it soon became clear that those two conferences would dominate the night. Penn State’s Abdul Carter was the third pick, LSU’s Will Campbell was the
Vikings Draft G Donovan Jackson At No. 24
The Vikings were busy adding up front in free agency, and that has continued via the draft. Minnesota has selected Ohio State guard Donovan Jackson at No. 24. Only entering the draft with four picks, the Vikings nevertheless used their top 2025 draft asset to complete an interior O-line overhaul. After signing
Panther G.M. Dan Morgan: Defense still a need, but we took best available player
The Panthers set an NFL record for points allowed in a single season last year, but they didn’t add a defensive piece with their top pick in this year’s draft. Wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan was the team’s choice with the eighth overall pick and General Manager Dan Morgan said on
Five burning questions entering Day 2: Where does Sanders land?
With one round down and six to go, several things remain unanswered in the 2025 NFL Draft. As we gear up for Rounds 2 and 3, here are five pressing questions for Day 2. 1. Where does Shedeur Sanders land? With two of the first four picks on Friday, the
Raheem Morris: We had to get our pass rush better
The Falcons doubled up on quarterbacks during the 2024 offseason and they doubled up on edge rushers in the first round of this year’s draft. A year after shocking many by selecting Michael Penix after signing Kirk Cousins, the Falcons dropped some more jaws when they traded their 2026 first-round
Falcons Acquire No. 26, Draft James Pearce
The Falcons are the latest team to trade back into the first round. Atlanta has swapped picks 46 and 202, along with the team’s 2026 first-rounder, sending those to the Rams. In return, Los Angeles has sent Nos. 26 and 101 to Atlanta, per ESPN’s Field Yates. [RELATED: Falcons Draft
Kellen Moore on Kelvin Banks: We trusted our board, we’ll let QB process play itself out
The Saints took offensive tackle Kelvin Banks with the ninth overall pick in the draft, but head coach Kellen Moore fielded a question about a different position early in his press conference on Thursday night. Moore was asked if he knew what quarterback Banks will be blocking for this fall.
What are the Buccaneers are getting in WR Emeka Egbuka?
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made a big addition to an already great wide receiver room by selecting Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka with the No. 19 pick on Thursday night. Let’s break down what Egbuka will bring to the table as he joins Mike Evans and Chris Godwin in a star-studded
Raiders see Ashton Jeanty as a “perfect player” for their offense
The first draft pick of a new regime is often seen as a declaration of what kind of team you want to build and the Raiders leaned into that after selecting running back Ashton Jeanty with the sixth overall pick on Thursday night. Jeanty ran for 2,601 yards in his
Ravens Draft S Malaki Starks At No. 27
The first safety has come off the board. Georgia’s Malaki Starks has, to little surprise, been selected by the Ravens at No. 27 overall. A team whose biggest needs were in the trenches, Baltimore instead addresses the weakest part of their defense from the early part of the 2024 season. Starks was
Jets say they haven’t talked to anyone about trading Breece Hall
The Jets selected offensive tackle Armand Membou with the seventh overall pick in the draft on Thursday night, but their press conference after the pick wasn’t limited to questions about the incoming rookie. General Manager Darren Mougey was asked about “rumors swirling” ahead of the draft about the team looking
Chargers get much-needed RB improvement with Omarion Hampton
Heading into the draft, there was not another player paired with a team as much as North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton was to the Denver Broncos. However, Denver passed, taking Texas defensive back Jahdae Barron. Despite signing Najee Harris to a one-year contract this offseason, the Los Angeles Chargers
Eagles trade up one spot to take LB Jihaad Campbell
The Eagles and Chiefs squared off in Super Bowl LIX, but they teamed up to make a trade late in the first round on Thursday night. The Eagles sent the 32nd and 164th picks to the Chiefs in order to acquire the 31st overall selection. They used that pick to
Lions Draft DT Tyleik Williams At No. 28
The Lions have continued a strong opening night along the defensive line. Detroit has selected Ohio State’s Tyleik Williams at No. 28. Despite rostering D.J. Reader and extending Alim McNeill, the Lions were continually mentioned as a potential landing spot for defensive line prospects during the pre-draft process. The organization ultimately landed
Jerry Jones says drafting Tyler Booker could help the Cowboys tush push this year
The Cowboys drafted Alabama guard Tyler Booker with the 12th overall pick on Thursday night, and afterward Jerry Jones was excited. Jones said that adding Booker to an offensive line that also includes guard Tyler Smith and center Cooper Beebe could make the Cowboys effective at the play the Eagles
Chiefs find protection for Patrick Mahomes in final pick of draft’s first round
Offensive line struggles have prohibited the Kansas City Chiefs in their two Super Bowl losses in the Patrick Mahomes era. In both instances, the left tackle position was a weak spot in pass protection. Therefore, it was almost a foregone conclusion that the Chiefs would invest a first-round pick on
Jalen Milroe, Will Johnson remain in NFL Draft green room after first round
Fifteen draft prospects came to Green Bay for the first round of the draft on Thursday night and two of them are still waiting to hear their names called. Quarterback Jalen Milroe and cornerback Will Johnson were both left in the green room after the Chiefs closed out the night
Commanders Draft Josh Conerly Jr. At No. 29
The Commanders have added further along the offensive line with their first-round pick. Washington has selected Oregon offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. at No. 29. Following Oregon teammate Derrick Harmon off the board in the 20s, Conerly represents the second big swing the Commanders have taken at tackle this offseason. They
Chiefs take Ohio State OT Josh Simmons with the 32nd pick
The Chiefs, who lost to the Eagles in the Super Bowl, moved back one spot in the NFL draft and into their familiar spot at No. 32. Kansas City picked up the Eagles’ fifth-round pick (164th overall) to make the move. The Chiefs selected Ohio State left tackle Josh Simmons
NFL Draft first-round grades: Bears, Steelers and Falcons make baffling choices
Unlike the 2024 NFL Draft, where six quarterbacks were taken in the first round, the 2025 class didn’t feature much star power at the most important position. Only two quarterbacks were selected in the first round in Green Bay on Thursday. While the class lacked depth at QB, it did
Matthew Golden is first WR the Packers have drafted in the first round since 2002
Packers team president Mark Murphy announced the team’s first-round pick. He began by saying, “For the first time since 2022,” sending the green-and-gold-clad crowd into a frenzy. Murphy didn’t even need to finish his sentence as hard-core Packers fans knew what that meant. Texas’ Matthew Golden, the 23rd overall pick,
Eagles Acquire No. 31, Draft Jihaad Campbell
The Eagles have pulled off a one-pick swap at the back of the first round. Philadelphia has acquired No. 31 from the Chiefs, sending Kansas City Nos. 32 and 164 (h/t ESPN’s Adam Schefter). With the pick, the Eagles have selected Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell. Lingering as one of the best available
Shedeur Sanders slips out of round one
Entering round one, Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders was the biggest wild card in the draft. Exiting round one, he still is. Sanders slipped out of the first round, and it’s not clear where he’ll land. The Browns hold the 33rd and 36th overall picks. The latter came from the trade
Five worst picks from first round of the 2025 NFL Draft
Pearce better be worth it when you are giving up a future first-round pick. Cowboys select OG Tyler Booker Booker fills a massive need on the Cowboys’ offensive line, but it is a question of value. If you are taking a guard with the No. 12 pick in the draft,
Andrew Berry: We’re excited to add the extra draft resources both this year and next
For most of April, it seemed like the Browns were going to select Colorado’s Travis Hunter at No. 2 overall. But then Cleveland and Jacksonville delivered the surprise of the first round, as the Browns moved back to No. 5 and picked up a 2026 first-round pick as part of
Chiefs Select T Josh Simmons At No. 32
To no surprise, the Chiefs have looked at the offensive tackle spot to close out the first round of the draft. Ohio State’s Josh Simmons is headed to Kansas City. With Simmons on the roster, the team now has plenty of bodies to work with on the line, if they can
Brad Holmes: We’ve never entertained trade offers for Jameson Williams
Lions receiver Jameson Williams is heading into his fourth season after registering his first 1,000-yard year in 2024. But recently, there’s been some chatter that Detroit could trade the young receiver. General Manager Brad Holmes shot that down in his press conference after selecting defensive tackle Tyler Williams in the