WR Stefon Diggs Found Not Guilty On Assault, Strangulation Charges
A Boston jury acquitted Stefon Diggs on assault and strangulation charges Tuesday, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson reports. This stemmed from an alleged December 2025 incident, with accusations coming from a woman who had worked for the veteran wide receiver.
Diggs, 32, is a free agent after the Patriots cut him one season into a three-year agreement. While Diggs could still be subject to NFL discipline under the league’s personal conduct policy, this verdict should certainly help him land another opportunity ahead of the 2026 season.
A woman, Mila Adams, who had served as a Diggs personal chef accused the Pro Bowl receiver of assaulting her and testified in the jury trial Monday. Diggs was facing a charge of felony strangulation or suffocation as well as a charge of misdemeanor assault and battery.
Adams was allegedly working as a private chef for Diggs when a financial dispute arose. In a police report, she alleged Diggs entered her unlocked bedroom and, as the dispute continued in-person, “smacked her across the face.” Adams then claimed Diggs “tried to choke her using the crook of his elbow around her neck” and that she feared she may pass out as a result. Diggs denied Adams’ claims, pleading not guilty in February, and is now legally in the clear.
Diggs did not testify in the trial, according to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, who notes no visible injuries were present on the accuser’s body when she filed a police report. No photos were taken following the alleged incident. Diggs’ lawyers argued the woman’s claims of an assault were not credible, and the high-profile NFLer’s side won out.
The Patriots moved Diggs’ three-year, $63.5MM contract off their payroll in March, signing Romeo Doubs to a four-year deal worth $68MM ($35MM fully guaranteed). The Pats made a bigger commitment to the four-year Packers contributor, and they have been closely linked to A.J. Brown. No agreement is in place, and we last heard the sides were apart on terms — as the Pats are not believed to have put a first-rounder on the table yet. But New England is widely believed to be the frontrunner for the Philadelphia wideout, who is expected to be traded after June 1 for cap purposes.
Diggs will be looking for a fifth NFL team and fourth club in four years. The Bills traded their previous No. 1 receiver to the Texans in April 2024, and after removing three years from his contract, Houston did not re-sign him following a midseason ACL tear. Diggs rewarded the Patriots, leading the team in receiving (with 1,013 yards) and scoring four touchdowns to help Drake Maye‘s MVP push — which ended in a close runner-up finish. The Pats rode to Super Bowl LX with Diggs as their top target but decided to move on before a $6MM guarantee was due March 13.
Joining Tyreek Hill, Deebo Samuel and DeAndre Hopkins in the 30-something wing of free agent receivers, Diggs should be able to generate interest. A deal coming together, especially with the pass catcher not coming off injury like he was in 2025, in the near future — now that a contract would not affect a team’s 2027 compensatory formula — would not be difficult to envision now that this legal matter is in the past.
RB Isaac Guerendo In Uphill Battle To Make 49ers’ Roster; Latest On Team’s LG Situation
The 49ers have an established track record for mid-round running back investments during the Kyle Shanahan-John Lynch era. Unfortunately for the team, the moves have a high bust rate.
San Francisco drafted Joe Williams in the 2017 fourth round, trading up for the Utah back. Williams did not play an NFL snap. The team tried again by drafting Trey Sermon in the 2021 third round. Sixth-rounder Elijah Mitchell outplayed Sermon, who saw minimal San Francisco action before being waived in 2022. The team misfired once again in Round 3, with its Tyrion Davis-Price pick (2022) yielding little before a 2023 separation.
The 2024 draft brought another swing, with Isaac Guerendo joining the team in Round 4. Shortly before Guerendo’s second season, however, the 49ers traded for Brian Robinson to serve as Christian McCaffrey‘s backup. Robinson moved on in free agency (to the Falcons) in March, but the 49ers went back to the draft well again by choosing Indiana’s Kaelon Black in Round 3 despite the Indiana product not being invited to the Combine.
Black joins 2025 fifth-rounder Jordan James as McCaffrey backup options alongside Guerendo, but the third-year player may be on the outside looking in. Guerendo is now a long shot to make San Francisco’s 53-man roster this summer, The Athletic’s Vic Tafur writes. The 49ers are expected to feature an RB2 competition between James and Black, Tafur adds.
Guerendo, who clocked a 4.33-second 40-yard dash at the 2024 Combine, averaged 5.0 yards per carry as a rookie (84/420) and scored four touchdowns. McCaffrey missed most of that season but returned to his full workload in 2025, with Robinson serving as the clear backup. Guerendo, who played alongside Mitchell in 2024, went from 227 offensive snaps as a rookie to zero last season. He could find himself elsewhere via waivers or perhaps in a low-level trade, though the 49ers could perhaps save a practice squad spot come August.
While McCaffrey’s backup — a rather important position considering the All-Pro’s injury history — has yet to be decided, the team will be looking for a Week 1 left guard starter as well. Spencer Burford and Ben Bartch defected in free agency (to the Raiders and Lions, respectively), leaving a hole opposite Dominick Puni. The team signed Robert Jones and will put him in a competition with second-year blocker Connor Colby and rookie fourth-rounder Carver Willis, Tafur adds.
Jones, who missed all of last season with a broken bone in his neck, comes over from the Cowboys but last made contributions with the Dolphins. The four-year Miami blocker, 27, started 30 games for the Dolphins — including 17 in 2024. Jones only commanded a one-year, $3.75MM Dallas deal and signed for $1.75MM ($1.64MM guaranteed) with the 49ers.
The 49ers initially turned to Colby after Bartch’s Week 2 injury last season but ended up going with Burford as a nine-game starter. Burford joined the Raiders on a one-year, $3.26MM contract. Willis played left tackle with Washington as a senior and was Kansas State’s starting right tackle in 2024. The 49ers, who signed Vederian Lowe as a swing tackle this offseason, are moving Willis to guard.
Although Jones has by far the most experience here, Colby — an Iowa product drafted in last year’s seventh round — will be given “every opportunity” to beat him out, per Tafur. Pro Football Focus ranked Colby 66th among guards as a rookie, but the 49ers look to remain bullish on his chances. Two years remain on Puni’s rookie deal, keeping the team’s RG situation stable for the foreseeable future.
Giants To Sign DT D.J. Reader
The Giants-D.J. Reader buzz is expected to produce a deal. The sides are finalizing an agreement that will move the veteran to a fourth NFL team, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo report.
Reader visited with the Giants days before they decided to trade Dexter Lawrence, and the parties stayed in contact in the period after the blockbuster swap. With Lawrence sent to Cincinnati for the No. 10 overall pick, Reader will have an opportunity to play a big role in New York.
Although we are past the draft — when the bulk of the signings are one-year pacts — Reader will fetch another multiyear agreement. He is signing a two-year, $12.5MM accord, veteran insider Jordan Schultz tweets. Incentives could push the value higher as well. Reader’s incentive package covers $3MM, Rapoport adds.
John Harbaugh spent four seasons coaching against Reader in the AFC North, as the Bengals rostered the run-stuffing D-lineman from 2020-23. Reader, 31, spent the past two years with the Lions. The Giants have now added Reader and fellow ex-AFC North 30-something Shelby Harris to their post-Lawrence D-tackle group since the draft. Harris, 34, signed a one-year deal worth $3MM. His contract brings $2.66MM guaranteed, per OverTheCap.
Reader (128 career starts) will be expected to be the Giants’ first-string nose tackle, the New York Post’s Paul Schwartz notes. The contract certainly points to such a role being commandeered, as does the 10-year veteran’s body of work. This year’s D-tackle class was considered weak behind John Franklin-Myers, who benefited from both a shallow DT veteran crop and a draft not flooded with high-level options either. This landscape led to Vikings 30-something cap casualties Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave landing on their feet — with two-year deals worth $25MM and $23MM, respectively — soon after releases. The Giants’ changing DT complexion undoubtedly boosted Reader’s value.
Lawrence requested a trade and, despite a Giants attempt to keep him on a revised contract, received one days before the draft. The Giants then focused on other areas in the draft, adding a linebacker, offensive lineman, cornerback and wide receiver in the first three rounds. New York did not address its suddenly glaring DT need until Round 5, when Bobby Jamison-Travis arrived. The team used a third-round pick on DT Darius Alexander last year. He will now see vets Reader, Harris and Leki Fotu represent a quantity-based approach to replacing an All-Pro.
Tied to a two-year, $22MM Lions deal previously, Reader started all 32 games he played with the NFC North club. Pro Football Focus graded Reader 36th and 32nd, respectively, among interior D-linemen in those seasons. He logged a 53% defensive snap rate in each Detroit campaign. Although Reader displayed durability in New York, he suffered two quadricep tears while with Cincinnati. The second one came during his contract year, though it speaks to how Reader is viewed around the league he scored an $11MM-AAV deal coming off that injury.
Reader, whose first quad tear sidelined him five games into the 2020 slate, also missed seven games during the 2022 season. An MCL issue sidelined Reader that year, coming after his key contributions during Cincy’s Super Bowl LVI season. The former Texans draftee played out a four-year, $53MM Bengals contract before heading to Detroit.
The Ravens met with Reader in free agency, before they added Calais Campbell, but the veteran nose will meet up with a host of ex-Ravens under Harbaugh soon. The Giants will hope the 330-pound defender has enough gas in the tank to make an impact on a defense that ranked 31st against the run with Lawrence playing 17 games. This situation may not inspire confidence, given Lawrence’s talent level, but the Giants are bringing in some proven vets after using the Lawrence-generated pick to bolster their O-line (via Francis Mauigoa).
Broncos Explored TE, LB Additions Earlier In Draft
Although glaring needs did not appear to exist on the Broncos’ depth chart entering the draft, the team carried a few positions that could use help. Tight end and inside linebacker were at or near the top of that list, but Denver waited until Day 3 of the draft to address those spots.
The Broncos chose tight ends Justin Joly and Dallen Bentley in Rounds 5 and 7, respectively, and made linebacker Red Murdock this year’s Mr. Irrelevant. But the team looked into these positions earlier in the draft.
Tight end was a consideration “somewhat early” for the Broncos, according to ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler. Considering the pre-draft work the Broncos did at tight end, it is unsurprising the team looked into the position earlier. Denver held the No. 62 overall pick but traded down to No. 66. Two of the TEs the team used “30” visits on — Vanderbilt’s Eli Stowers and Ohio State’s Max Klare — went off the board in Round 2, with the Rams taking Klare one spot before the Broncos’ second-round pick. The Texans also chose Michigan’s Marlin Klein at No. 59.
Joly, however, also made a trip to Denver for a pre-draft meeting. The NC State product was a consistent producer in Raleigh and put up notable stats at UConn from 2022-23. Joly caught a career-high seven touchdown passes last season but was more productive for a yardage standpoint in 2024, when he tallied a career-best 661 to go with four TD grabs (his 15.4 yards per reception ranked fourth among Division I-FBS tight ends). The Broncos preferred Joly’s 2024 tape, according to Fowler, who notes the pass catcher played at a lighter weight that season.
Joly weighed 241 pounds at the Combine but was listed at 263 on the Wolfpack’s 2025 roster. With the team trading up 18 spots to land Joly at No. 152, it will be interesting to see where he checks in during his first Bronco campaign. The team decided to retain Evan Engram, despite an unremarkable 2025 season, and $5MM of his $10.99MM 2026 salary is already guaranteed. Engram, 31, could serve as a bridge while Joly develops in Sean Payton‘s offense. Denver also re-signed Adam Trautman in free agency.
The Broncos also re-signed linebackers Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad, recommitting to each and releasing Dre Greenlaw. Singleton is 32, while Strnad will turn 30 before Week 1. The team not identifying a linebacker prospect earlier than No. 257 (Murdock) may inject some risk into the proceedings and make the Broncos a candidate for a pre-Week 1 signing. The team does still roster Drew Sanders, who has battled injuries as a pro, and is planning to try edge rusher Jonah Elliss at ILB this offseason.
Broncos assistant GM Reed Burckhardt said (via the Denver Post’s Parker Gabriel) the team wanted to add a linebacker in the draft but did not see it as a critical area of need. The draft also saw some ILB options go off the board shortly before No. 62. The Vikings, Colts and Titans respectively chose Jake Golday (No. 51), C.J. Allen (No. 53) and Anthony Hill Jr. (No. 60). The Broncos opted to trade down, and they made Texas A&M interior D-lineman Tyler Onyedim their first draftee.
Cowboys To Host CB Adoree’ Jackson
Adoree’ Jackson has spent the past five years in the NFC East, and he may remain in the division for 2026. The veteran corner has lined up his first known visit of the offseason.
Jackson is set to visit the Cowboys today, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports. Dallas has already taken the free agent route to make a pair of veteran CB additions this spring, bringing in ex-Rams Cobie Durant and Derion Kendrick. The team then added fourth-rounder Devin Moore during the draft, but with over $8MM in cap space another low-cost move could be in store.
New Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker coached Jackson last season with the Eagles. As Philadelphia’s secondary coach, Parker oversaw Jackson’s age-30 season. That included 10 starts and a 63% snap share on defense. Jackson has made 76 career starts during his nine-year career.
The Eagles’ boundary cornerback position opposite Quinyon Mitchell was an issue last season, as both Mitchell and slot ace Cooper DeJean earned first-team All-Pro acclaim. Pro Football Focus graded Jackson 92nd among CB regulars in 2025. Although the Eagles traded for Michael Carter and Jaire Alexander last season, the latter did not end up playing a down for Philly. Jackson continued to work as a regular following the trades, and he started the Eagles’ wild-card game after retaining a heavy role down the stretch.
A former Titans first-round pick, Jackson has played in the NFC East since 2021. Tennessee not exercising the 5-foot-11 cover man’s fifth-year option led to a three-year, $39MM Giants contract. He worked alongside future Eagle James Bradberry in 2021 and became the Giants’ No. 1 corner a year later, as GM Joe Schoen made Bradberry a cap casualty. Jackson helped the Giants make a surprise divisional-round run, though he missed time due to injury, and helped the Giants contain Justin Jefferson in their wild-card upset.
After Jackson played out his contract in 2023, the Giants attempted to go in a younger direction at corner. But they were not ultimately satisfied with the results and re-signed the veteran just before the 2024 season. Jackson only started five games that year but ended up being the preferred Eagles option opposite Mitchell over Kelee Ringo last year. Jackson played for just $1.75MM in 2024 and $1.76MM in ’25.
The Cowboys return the recently extended DaRon Bland at corner and used a third-round pick on Shavon Revel in 2025. The team missed both for extensive portions of last season, with Bland suffering another injury and Revel making a late debut due to his 2024 ACL tear. Parker will see what he has in Durant and Kendrick soon, and Jackson could fit into the puzzle — likely at a low rate, if a deal is to happen — after this mid-offseason meeting.
Adam La Rose contributed to this post.
Charges Dropped Against L’Jarius Sneed
In November, cornerback L’Jarius Sneed was indicted by a grand jury. The charge Sneed faced as a result of that development has now been dropped, however.
Attorney Michael J. Todd revealed on Tuesday (via ESPN’s Adam Schefter) Sneed’s case was recently dismissed by the state of Texas. Sneed originally faced an aggravated assault charge stemming from an alleged December 2024 incident. The grand jury wound up indicting him on a charge of failure to report a felony, which is a Class A misdemeanor.
This latest development, Sneed’s attorney confirms, means the legal matter is now settled. The veteran no longer has any pending charges and his case included no admission of guilt. Sneed appears to still be one of the defendants in a civil suit, but this news should help his chances of landing a deal in free agency before the start of the 2026 season.
Sneed was a starter for the Chiefs while playing out his rookie contract. Kansas City used the franchise tag in 2024 before working out a trade to the Titans. Part of that agreement was a four-year, $76.4MM extension with Tennessee upon arrival. Expectations were high as a result, but the former fourth-rounder made only five appearances during his debut season with his new team. Sneed was limited to seven contests in 2025, and his performance in coverage when on the field fell short of his peak Kansas City showings.
In a move which thus came as no surprise, Sneed was released in March. The Titans will move forward with free agent signings Alontae Taylor and Cor’Dale Flott as key figures at the cornerback spot while attempting to improve in the secondary this season. Sneed, 29, remains unsigned at this time. With several veterans lining up deals at this time of year, however, he could be among those landing an opportunity relatively soon.
On the other hand, it will be interesting to see if a league investigation takes place. The NFL often waits until legal proceedings run their course before looking into a situation, and convictions are not required for fines and/or suspensions to be handed down under the personal conduct policy. Nonetheless, Sneed’s path to a third NFL contract (one which will no doubt be worth far less than his second) should be clearer moving forward.
Patrick Mahomes Expected To Participate In Chiefs’ OTAs
MAY 5: During an appearance on SiriusXM radio (audio link), Chiefs GM Brett Veach confirmed Mahomes is “way ahead of schedule.” Nevertheless, he added the team will proceed with caution once training camp – and thus contact practices – begins.
MAY 2: The Chiefs will begin their organized team activities later this month. Patrick Mahomes has progressed in his injury recovery to the point he is expected to take part.
“He is in a good position to be able to do some things,” head coach Andy Reid said (via ESPN’s Nate Taylor). “Phase 2 [of the offseason program], remember, there’s no contact and there’s no offense versus defense. It’s Phase 3 that you get into that… He’s in a position where he can do everything, I think.”
Mahomes suffered ACL and MCL tears late in the 2025 season, setting him up for a lengthy rehab process and leading to questions about his Week 1 availability for next year. Even limited participation in spring practices would obviously be an encouraging sign, though. Kansas City’s OTAs will take place from May 26-28 along with June 1-3.
That will be followed by mandatory minicamp; contact practices will not commence until training camp in July. By that point, the Chiefs will no doubt have a clearer picture of Mahomes’ rehab status. The team will presumably proceed with caution over the coming weeks, with trade acquisition Justin Fields a candidate to handle first-team reps. Kansas City also has Chris Oladokun and seventh-round rookie Garrett Nussmeier on the QB depth chart.
Mahomes’ deal was once again restructured this offseason, and he remains under contract through 2031. The three-time Super Bowl MVP will play a key role in the Chiefs’ efforts to return to the playoffs in 2026 after Kansas City’s underwhelming showing this past campaign. A clean bill of health will of course be critical to the team’s short- and long-term outlook. As Kansas City’s offseason programs unfold, the involvement of Mahomes will remain a story to follow closely.
Cowboys Have Not Discussed Trade With WR George Pickens
George Pickens recently signed his franchise tag, confirming the draft-day revelation that he would be doing so well before mandatory practices commenced. A trade has been floated as a possibility in this case, but the Cowboys have publicly stated their intention of keeping Pickens in the fold for 2026.
When speaking to the media over the weekend, head coach Brian Schottenheimer said (via The Athletic’s Jon Machota) Dallas has not engaged in any conversations with Pickens about a trade. That falls in line with EVP Stephen Jones’ remarks at the draft indicating a swap is not being sought out by the Cowboys. Pickens is in line to collect $27.3MM in 2026 while carrying a cap charge of the same amount.
Affording that figure – not to mention the higher cost of a long-term extension – while retaining fellow receiver CeeDee Lamb will be challenging. That factor has led many to believe a trade could receive consideration on Dallas’ part, especially if Pickens displays frustration with his lack of security beyond 2026. Nevertheless, Schottenheimer said (h/t ESPN’s Todd Archer) he was not surprised to see Pickens sign his one-year tender as early as he did. That move obligates Pickens to attend mandatory minicamp in June along with training camp one month later.
July 15 looms as the deadline for franchise tag recipients to sign a long-term deal. In spite of that, the Cowboys have already made it clear they will not negotiate a multiyear contract with Pickens, who was among the league’s top receivers during his debut Dallas season. The 25-year-old will be in line for a major payday (or a second tag) in 2027 if he manages a strong follow-up campaign, although the possibility still remains for a trade to result in an acquiring team authorizing a new deal sooner.
SportsBoom’s Jason La Canfora writes Pickens is indeed displeased with his situation, something which is common among franchise tag recipients. He adds a trade sending the former Steelers draftee out of Dallas is not “an impossibility by any stretch” with plenty of time remaining before any potential swap could take place. A general manager La Canfora spoke with suggested a young player coupled with draft capital could be enough to change the Cowboys’ stance on Pickens.
Dallas expectedly devoted much of the draft toward the defensive side of the ball, and improvement in that regard will be critical in rebounding from the 2025 season. Pickens remains on track to again play a key offensive role for the Cowboys, although his participation in mandatory offseason work will be something to monitor as the summer unfolds.
Seahawks, Dante Fowler Agree To Deal
The Seahawks’ interest in Dante Fowler has been clear in recent days and weeks. Tuesday has indeed seen an agreement reached between team and player.
Fowler is signing with Seattle, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports. This will be a one-year deal worth up to $5MM, he adds. Fowler visited with the Super Bowl champions last month, and an agreement was still feasible after the draft.
Seattle lost Boye Mafe in free agency, leaving the team in need of at least a rotational presence to replace him. The Seahawks wound up making eight selections in the draft, but none were used on edge rushers. As a result, it comes as little surprise the team has turned to the free agent market deep into the offseason. Fowler will offer plenty in the way of experience along the edge in 2026.
The 31-year-old has racked up 159 appearances and 58 starts over the course of his career. Fowler has seen time with the Jaguars, Rams, Falcons, Cowboys and Commanders across his 10 NFL seasons. In Atlanta and then again in Dallas, he overlapped with Aden Durde, who is currently the Seahawks’ defensive coordinator. Durde’s unit was critical in Seattle’s run to the championship in 2025, and expectations will remain high next year. Fowler, who recorded double-digit sacks as recently as 2024, will look to contribute in the pass rush department.
Seattle still has Uchenna Nwosu, DeMarcus Lawrence and Derick Hall in place as returning edge rushers from last year. The members of that trio will be counted on to remain productive in 2026, but Fowler should have a notable role to play as well. The former No. 3 pick has logged a snap share of 52% or more three times in the 2020s. A workload closer to that of his Cowboys stints will be expected if the Seahawks remain healthy, though the value of this pact certainly points to Fowler being counted on to help replace Mafe’s production.
Seattle entered Tuesday with over $32MM in cap space, making a one-year addition such as this one an affordable option. Fowler has been playing on short-term deals dating back to 2020, so this arrangement will be nothing new to him. He collected $6MM with Dallas last season, and a similar payday should now be in store with the Seahawks.
Aaron Rodgers’ Steelers Return Not Held Up By Money
For a second offseason in a row, Aaron Rodgers is playing a game of cat-and-mouse with the Steelers. Despite every indication that the 42-year-old will be Pittsburgh’s starter in 2026 – including a lack of other options – he has yet to finalize that decision.
The delay is unrelated to financial compensation, per Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The Steelers placed a UFA tender on Rodgers, which will pay him 110% of last year’s salary, or just over $15MM. He can still sign with another team, but that deal would factor into the compensatory pick formula.
This sets up a situation in which Rodgers is virtually guaranteed to play in Pittsburgh this year or sit out the season entirely, which would likely mean the end of his 21-year career. Even if another club wanted Rodgers, that team may not want to risk losing a high-value compensatory pick by signing him.
As such, any offer would likely be well below what he stands to make with the Steelers. Though the current holdup may not be based on money, that does not necessarily mean that Rodgers would be willing to accept a lesser deal from another team.
Other than a return to Pittsburgh, Rodgers does not have a clear path forward. Retirement rumors have followed the four-time MVP for years, and his play in the last two seasons represented a precipitous drop from his time in Green Bay. The Steelers still went 10-7 and made the playoffs last year, so Rodgers may feel that he has some winning football left in him. His relationships with head coach Mike McCarthy and several members of his new staff would appear to be another reason for him to don the black and yellow for another year.
But with multiple Steelers-set deadlines in the rearview, there is no way of knowing when Rodgers will make a decision and what that decision will be. Pittsburgh did not pursue any veteran quarterbacks this offseason and only added Penn State’s Drew Allar in the third round of the draft. He joins Mason Rudolph and 2025 sixth-rounder Will Howard in the Steelers’ quarterback room, essentially making them reliant on a Rodgers return to put forth a competitive team in 2026.