Broncos Were ‘Shocked’ Travis Etienne Signed Elsewhere?
As part of a mass retention effort, the Broncos re-signed J.K. Dobbins by giving their primary 2025 starting running back a deal that nearly quadrupled his ’25 contract in terms of fully guaranteed money ($8MM). But Dobbins does not appear to have been Denver’s first choice at the position.
The Broncos were tied to Breece Hall, with a previous report indicating the Jets slapped the franchise tag on their four-year starter in part to avoid a potential bidding war with Denver. Travis Etienne then brought connections to the Broncos, who indeed pursued the five-year Jaguar. The Saints, however, ended up signing the former first-round pick on a four-year, $48MM deal that included $24MM guaranteed at signing.
Etienne’s full guarantee ranks fifth among RBs, and it would stand to reason the Broncos — as they did with 2025 Saints signee Juwan Johnson — helped drive this market. The Broncos were “shocked” Etienne went elsewhere rather than signing with them, an NFL exec informed The Athletic’s Mike Sando.
Had Etienne accepted the Broncos’ offer, he would have been positioned as the starter in a tandem with RJ Harvey. Although Etienne joined a Saints team still rostering Alvin Kamara, it is far from certain the former Pro Bowler will be part of New Orleans’ roster for a 10th season. The Saints have Kendre Miller and 2025 sixth-rounder Devin Neal rostered as well.
Sean Payton was in charge when the Saints gave Kamara his first extension — a five-year, $75MM pact in 2020 — and he also signed off on the team re-signing Mark Ingram in 2015. The Broncos have a recent history with lower-cost or rookie-deal backs, with Dobbins playing for barely $2MM last season. Denver let Javonte Williams walk prior to signing Dobbins. Before Dobbins’ second deal with the team, Denver’s most notable RB contract came when Melvin Gordon signed a two-year, $16MM deal in 2020. The Gordon contract did not pan out, and while neither Payton nor GM George Paton was in place when that contract was finalized, it certainly appears the current Broncos regime were prepared to make a sizable investment.
It just does not look like the Broncos offered $24MM guaranteed at signing. As it stands, Dobbins and Harvey will reprise a 2025 tandem; Denver also retained both Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie. It remains to be seen whether the Broncos will attempt to add a bigger back in the draft to complement Harvey beyond 2026 and/or serve as Dobbins insurance — which was lacking after the injury-prone back’s Lisfranc injury last year. But such a move would make sense for a Denver team with Super Bowl aspirations and few glaring needs.
Tight End, Tackle On Broncos’ Draft Radar
The Jaylen Waddle trade required the Broncos’ first-round pick (and more) to complete, marking the fourth first-rounder Denver has traded since the 2022 offseason. The Broncos moved two firsts for Russell Wilson and then packaged the pick from the Bradley Chubb trade to obtain Sean Payton‘s rights. Denver including the No. 30 overall pick in the Waddle trade will mean another long wait for the AFC West franchise.
Sitting at No. 62, the defending AFC West champions do not look to have glaring needs. Two pathways have surfaced, however. Payton’s team has done plenty of work on tight ends, according to ESPN.com’s Jeff Legwold. This has included “30” visits with Vanderbilt’s Eli Stowers, Ohio State’s Max Klare and NC State’s Justin Joly. Stowers’ previously reported Denver visit is today, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport adds.
A two-year, $23MM Evan Engram contract was thought to stabilize a roster spot that had not provided much since the Noah Fant years, but Denver did not see Engram and Bo Nix click. The former Pro Bowler caught 50 passes for 461 yards and just one touchdown in 2025. The Broncos have been connected to bolstering their TE room previously, but one of their targets — Dallas Goedert — continued to see his void date in Philadelphia pushed back and ultimately re-signed with the Eagles. David Njoku remains unattached, but Denver interest has not been reported.
Engram will turn 32 in September, and $5MM of his $10.99MM 2026 base salary is guaranteed. The rest of that money does not lock in until September, however. The Broncos would be hit with $10.33MM in dead money were they to release Engram, who has one void year on his deal.
The prospect of the Broncos — with Nix still on a rookie contract — hanging onto Engram and adding a younger option may be in play, though the team re-signed ex-Payton Saints draftee Adam Trautman and retained tight end/fullback Nate Adkins in free agency. Although RFA Lucas Krull was nontendered, he re-signed at a lower rate.
Only one TE — Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq — sits in Daniel Jeremiah’s NFL.com top 50, and he will go well before No. 62. ESPN’s Scouts Inc. does rank Stowers 36th overall. The Payton-era Broncos have also displayed a penchant for trading up after Round 1, climbing to acquire Marvin Mims, Riley Moss and Troy Franklin between Rounds 2 and 4 from 2023-24. Klare and Joly respectively rank 64th and 92nd, per Scouts Inc.
Another path the Broncos could take involves their tackles’ ages. Garett Bolles will turn 34 in May, while Mike McGlinchey will play an age-32 season. Both are signed beyond 2026, but the team may need an heir apparent for at least one of its edge blockers soon. That is an area ESPN.com’s Matt Miller lists as being in play at No. 62.
The Broncos gave swingman Matt Peart a pay cut and re-signed fellow swing Alex Palczewski (two years, $9.5MM) last month. Options are there for 2026, but a starter-level tackle may need to be acquired either this year or next. Bolles has been Denver’s LT since 2017, while McGlinchey stopped a decade-long carousel at RT by signing in 2023.
Elsewhere on the Broncos’ roster, their decision to give Jonah Elliss inside linebacker reps stems in large part on giving 2025 fourth-round pick Que Robinson a chance at more playing time, the Denver Post’s Parker Gabriel notes. Denver had Robinson behind Elliss in its outside linebacker rotation. Robinson played in just six games last season, being healthy-scratched for several contests, and recorded just a half-sack on 150 defensive snaps.
The Alabama product did sack Drake Maye in the AFC championship game, and the Broncos appear set to see what he has in the tank. Should Elliss indeed join brothers Kaden and Christian as a true ILB, the Broncos are looking at a second-string OLB duo of Robinson and Dondrea Tillman.
Vanderbilt TE Eli Stowers Visits Rams, Titans, Cowboys; Broncos Next
Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq has the athletic profile of a wide receiver, which is one of the primary reasons he has emerged as a consensus first-round prospect. Another tight end getting looks as a receiver is Vanderbilt’s Eli Stowers, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
“While officially he’s a TE, several teams are evaluating him as a WR,” Rapoport writes. This comes after Stowers set a Combine record with a 45.5-inch vertical jump and ranked second among this year’s participants with a 11-foot-3 broad jump. Among tight ends, his 4.51-second 40-yard dash and 1.59-second 10-yard split trailed only Sadiq, who posted 4.39-second and 1.54-second times in each category.
While those are impressive numbers for a tight end, Stowers’ speed is relatively average for a receiver, and without agility testing, it is unclear if he can separate from cornerbacks on the outside. More likely, he is a big slot rather than a legitimate wide receiver, though splitting him outside for red zone targets could yield some touchdowns.
Stowers has been making his rounds around the league in advance of April’s draft with visits to the Rams, Titans, and Cowboys already completed. A trip to Denver is scheduled for next week, Rapoport adds.
The Rams have plenty of tight end depth with veterans Colby Parkinson, Davis Allen, and Tyler Higbee. 2025 second-rounder Terrance Ferguson underwhelmed as a rookie but could certainly take a step forward in his second season. It’s unclear, therefore, where Stowers would fit in, unless Los Angeles is one of the teams who sees him as a receiver. They do not have much depth behind Puka Nacua and Davante Adams and could see Stowers as a versatile weapon to add to Sean McVay‘s offense.
The Titans let Chig Okonkwo walk in free agency and instead reunited former Giants tight end Daniel Bellinger with new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll. But Bellinger has just 88 receptions for 934 yards in his career, so Tennessee could certainly stand to add an exciting young prospect to Cam Ward‘s supporting cast.
The Cowboys have Jake Ferguson signed through 2029 and did not use multiple tight ends at a high rate last year, but they could also see Stowers as an overall pass-catching addition who can complement CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens in the slot.
Evan Engram disappointed in his debut season as a Bronco and is entering his age-32 season, so Denver may be looking for a long-term successor. They do not have a first-round pick, keeping them out of the running for Sadiq, but could pounce on Stowers on Day 2.
Dolphins Informed Malik Willis Of Jaylen Waddle Trade Before Deal Became Official
The Dolphins’ receiving corps does not look like it did when Malik Willis committed to Miami. The Broncos now have Jaylen Waddle in place as a Bo Nix weapon, strengthening a long-Courtland Sutton-reliant skill-position corps while depleting the Dolphins’ offense.
Miami dealt Waddle to Denver eight days after Willis committed to follow Jon-Eric Sullivan and Jeff Hafley to South Beach. While the new Dolphins GM could not exactly inform Willis a trade was imminent when the team gave him a three-year deal worth $67MM, the new Miami starting QB did receive advance notice shortly before Waddle was dealt.
“I’m not going to ever make it a habit to call and feel like I need to explain myself to players in the locker room for the moves that I’m going to make. That’s not how this position works,” Sullivan said, via the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson. “I think they would respect me less if I did. I’m going to do what I think is right for the Miami Dolphins, not what a player or players want me to do.”
While this is not exactly Kirk Cousins not being informed the Falcons were eyeing a quarterback at No. 8 overall, Willis certainly has a different picture of the Dolphins’ receiving corps compared to when he signed. The Dolphins had released Tyreek Hill when they added Willis, but Waddle was in place as the team’s top wideout. After deploying an elite Hill-Waddle tandem for three-plus seasons, Miami now may have the NFL’s worst receiver array.
The Dolphins will surely address the position in the draft, but the rebuilding team has a few other needs that could warrant a first-round investment. The team rosters holdover Malik Washington to go with midlevel free agency additions Tutu Atwell and Jalen Tolbert. Both players enjoyed inconsistent tenures with their initial NFL clubs, while Washington (317 receiving yards, three touchdowns in Year 2) does not profile as a No. 1 target.
We heard last month Miami did not aggressively shop Waddle, and Sullivan confirmed (via the Herald’s Omar Kelly) that was the case. Kelly labeled the Broncos as “persistent” in pursuing the speedy wideout, whom Denver also looked into before last year’s deadline. The Broncos traded Nos. 30, 94 and 130 for Waddle and No. 111. This gives the Dolphins additional first- and third-round selections as they attempt to launch another rebuild.
“Whenever you’re sitting in this seat you always bite your lip when you see good players walk about the door, for whatever reason they leave,” Sullivan said. “Waddle is 27 years old. We’re in an era where the market for receivers is through the roof.”
Not much criticism has come either team’s way for this move, with the Dolphins extracting considerable value for a player who has not eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards since 2023. Waddle did begin his career 3-for-3 in 1,000-yard seasons and offers a versatile skillset the Broncos had lacked during Nix’s first two seasons. Denver is certainly betting on Waddle upside shown earlier in his career, with the ex-Patrick Surtain college teammate set to team with Sutton to form a strong receiving duo in Nix’s third (and likely final) season on a rookie contract.
The Dolphins, who went through with an aggressive rebuild in 2019, will now have two first-rounders and four thirds in this draft. The team obtained the other two by dealing Jaelan Phillips to the Eagles at the 2025 deadline and sending a fourth-round pick to Houston during the 2025 draft; the Texans traded the 2026 third to draft Woody Marks 116th overall last year. With seven picks over the first three rounds, Sullivan has plenty to work with ahead of his first draft as a GM. He also has a lot of work to do to help a roster desperate for young talent.
Florida DT Caleb Banks Up To Eight Pre-Draft Visits
Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks has already completed pre-draft visits with the Chiefs, Ravens, and Cardinals, per Zach Goodall of 247 Sports. Remaining on the docket are the Lions, Titans, Broncos, Falcons, and Chargers.
The 23-year-old flew up draft boards after an impressive performance at the Combine, which featured a 5.04-second 40-yard dash and a 9-foot-6 broad jump at 327 pounds. The hype around Banks cooled after a pre-draft visit revealed a foot fracture suffered the night before he took the field in Indianapolis. Testing well on a broken foot is impressive, but after Banks missed most of the 2025 season due to a foot injury, teams are understandably wary of using a top pick on him. Banks underwent surgery in mid-March and is expected to miss some of his first NFL offseason program.
Medical concerns are almost certainly the driver behind his busy schedule. Teams will need to be comfortable with the state of his foot, especially given the multiple injuries.
But as far as talent and long-term upside goes, Banks is up there with the top defensive prospects in the draft. He checks every physical box with a 6-foot-6, 327-pound frame with 35-inch arms. His power and athleticism overwhelmed most college offensive linemen and led to constant disruption in the trenches. Banks will need to shore up his technique in the NFL, where he will not be as much of a size outlier, but he has all the tools to succeed.
It remains to be seen if Banks’ injury will drop him out of the first round. Teams are certainly interested, and it only takes one to be comfortable enough with his foot to lock him down as early as possible.
Broncos Do Not Intend To Trade WR; Team To Use Jonah Elliss At ILB
APRIL 3: The Elliss experiment at inside linebacker is not necessarily a permanent one at this point, Nick Kosmider of The Athletic confirms. If he does make a full-time switch to the middle, though, Kosmider notes a notable uptick in usage for Robinson could be expected. Needless to say, Denver’s draft approach at the second level of the defense will be impacted by the team;s plans on this front.
APRIL 2: Dependent on Courtland Sutton for a few seasons now, the Broncos lost two of their wide receiver regulars in the playoffs. Both Troy Franklin and Pat Bryant went down against the Bills. Franklin missed the AFC championship game, and Bryant did not see much time in the snowy conference decider. Denver then swung big at the position.
Two years after trading Jerry Jeudy to the Browns, the Broncos acquired one of his former Alabama teammates in Jaylen Waddle. The Broncos paid a hefty price to add Waddle, sending first- third- and fourth-round picks to the Dolphins for Waddle and a fourth. Waddle’s arrival gives the Broncos a key piece alongside Sutton, and it also creates a bit of a logjam for the defending AFC West champions at the position.
Two seasons remain on Franklin’s rookie contract, while Bryant is signed through 2028. Marvin Mims may be the most affected player here, as he and Waddle have comparable skillsets. Waddle’s is much more refined, of course, as the Broncos have been hesitant to use the playmaking talent regularly in a receiving role. One season remains on the former second-rounder’s rookie deal. But GM George Paton does not envision any trade taking place from this group to help the Broncos recoup draft capital.
Paton said (via the Denver Post’s Luca Evans) no consideration is being given to unloading one of the team’s auxiliary receivers following the Waddle acquisition. On one hand, it would be wise to consider a move to potentially build up a weaker spot on the roster via the draft. On the other, the Broncos are in a key spot after the Russell Wilson dead money came off the books and with Bo Nix tied to a rookie deal. With Nix on the 2027 extension radar, the Broncos’ roster math figures to change in the near future. Making sure this year’s team is covered at wideout, however, also makes sense.
Denver also re-signed Sean Payton favorite Lil’Jordan Humphrey last month. Humphrey joined Mims as Sutton’s primary sidekicks in the playoffs, though the blocking receiver may struggle for time thanks to the depth the Broncos now have at the position. Mims also makes his main contributions in the return game, and while he has flashed brightly as a receiver, the Broncos have not felt comfortable using him regularly on offense. Franklin (709 receiving yards in 2025) played 59% of Denver’s offensive snaps last season; Bryant (378) logged a 48% snap rate. Mims (322) came in at just 37%.
It is worth wondering if Mims is in Denver’s long-term plans now that Waddle is in town, and given his penchant for pivotal long-range receptions, a nice free agent market should form in 2027 should the Broncos not extend the Oklahoma alum by next March. Although the Broncos did unload 2024 contributor Devaughn Vele in an August deal with the Saints (bringing back fourth- and seventh-round picks), the club’s stance is to roll with a sudden surplus for 2026.
The Broncos are also deep at the edge-rushing spots, having both Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper signed long term. Jonah Elliss has operated as the team’s top rotational rusher, but after a five-sack rookie season, the former third-round pick totaled 2.5 in an injury-shortened 2025. The Broncos also drafted Que Robinson in Round 4 last year and have ex-UFLer Dondrea Tillman as a second-string OLB option. As a result, Payton said (via Denver Sports 104.3’s Andrew Mason) Elliss will see some time at inside linebacker this offseason.
While Robinson did not see much playing time as a rookie, Tillman totaled four sacks and nine QB hits (to go with two interceptions). He tallied five sacks as a rookie. Jonah Elliss, who recorded 12 sacks in his final Utah season, also has an apparent path to catching on at ILB. Two of his brothers — Kaden and Christian — are starting inside ‘backers. Payton also saw how the Eagles turned Zack Baun — who floundered as a Saints backup EDGE — into an All-Pro ILB. The Broncos will see how Elliss looks there this offseason.
This is the reverse move the team made with Baron Browning, who started his career inside before kicking to an OLB spot. Elliss ended up replacing Browning following an in-season 2024 trade. The Broncos are weaker at inside linebacker compared to their EDGE posts, though the team did re-sign Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad. Singleton is 32, while Strnad is entering an age-30 season. Jonah Elliss, the son of ex-Bronco D-tackle Luther Elliss, turns 23 tomorrow.
This will be an interesting experiment to follow in Denver, which still rosters hybrid linebacker Drew Sanders behind the expected starting duo of Singleton and Strnad.
AFC West Notes: Broncos, Bolts, Durban
The topic of a Broncos extension for GM George Paton has come up a few times this offseason. The Vikings were briefly connected to an attempt to reunite with the former Minnesota exec, but for the most part, Paton has been more closely tied to a Broncos re-up. Sean Payton said that should be expected, and CEO Greg Penner followed suit this week by indicating (via the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson) he is “sure we’ll get that sorted out.” As for Paton, he would like a second Broncos contract as well. His six-year deal expires after the 2026 season.
“We’ll get there,” Paton said, via 9News’ Mike Klis. “Love it here. Love the ownership. Sean. We’ve got one of the best coaches in the league, best ownership. We have a really good team. So I’m happy to be here.”
Although Paton was at the helm for three poor decisions in 2022 — the Nathaniel Hackett hire, the Russell Wilson trade and the QB’s subsequent extension that caused a then-record-setting dead money hit two years later — he survived that and led the charge in building a contender around Bo Nix. Payton has taken over as the head honcho in Denver, but the GM has done well to time Broncos extensions to bring value. Six of the Broncos’ original-ballot Pro Bowlers last season were extended in 2024 or 2025, with Quinn Meinerz paid before his first All-Pro slate and Patrick Surtain re-upped before his Defensive Player of the Year campaign. While the Vikings have not yet launched their GM search, it would surprise if the Broncos and Paton did not work out a deal soon (Minnesota would need Denver permission to speak with Paton about its GM vacancy).
Here is the latest from the AFC West:
- The Broncos re-signed a host of regulars last month, bringing back the likes of Alex Singleton, Justin Strnad, Adam Trautman, Sam Ehlinger and Alex Palczewski. Atop Payton’s list of retention priorities, however, stood J.K. Dobbins. “Ahead of all others,” Payton said (via the Denver Post’s Luca Evans). “Now, that’ll anger people. We know he’s been injured. We understand. And the issues haven’t been soft tissue-driven. But he’s someone that’s one of those, compound multipliers. Like, he brings 10 others along with him, in a positive light.” Dobbins, 27, suffered a Lisfranc injury on a hip-drop tackle last November. Paton said he would have played in the Super Bowl had the Broncos managed to upset the Patriots without Nix. Dobbins expressed interest in a Broncos extension before his injury and was a top-five rusher when he went down. Denver sprang for a much bigger guarantee ($8MM) compared to 2025 ($2.1MM) and will bet on one of the NFL’s most injury-prone players once again.
- Denver also worked out a revised deal to keep another regular, with KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson indicating Matt Peart accepted a pay cut to stay. The veteran swing tackle is now tied to a one-year, $2MM deal with $755K guaranteed. Peart was Denver’s first choice to replace left guard Ben Powers, but the backup — previously tied to a two-year, $7MM pact — suffered a knee injury in his only start. That led Palczewski into the lineup, and the latter is back on a two-year deal worth $9.5MM.
- Quentin Johnston came up as a trade candidate last month, but ESPN.com’s Kris Rhim notes the Chargers — despite the TCU product being a Tom Telesco draftee — still believe in the former first-round wideout. Jim Harbaugh and GM Joe Hortiz regularly praise Johnston, who has led the Bolts in TD receptions in each of the past two seasons, though they did draft Tre Harris in last year’s second round to complement Ladd McConkey. One season remains on Johnston’s rookie deal, with the Bolts having until May 1 to decide on a fifth-year option that costs $18MM. That is a lofty guarantee given the investments in McConkey and Harris, and Rhim notes the right trade offer could change the Bolts’ mind here.
- We heard in March the Raiders‘ succession plan involves minority owner Egon Durban having the first crack to buy a controlling stake — though, Mark Davis has not intention of selling right now — and SI.com’s Albert Breer adds that Durban is slated to buy another 7% of the Raiders this year. Durban already owns 7.5% of the franchise. The NFL approved Durbin’s stake increase this week, per ESPN.com’s Stephen Holder. Davis has said this will change nothing about the way the franchise is run.
Bo Nix Recovery Timetable Ahead Of Schedule; OTAs Return Expected
Dealt one of the tougher blows in recent playoff history, the Broncos saw their chances at a Super Bowl LX berth lessened by Bo Nix‘s ankle fracture. But the organization is not concerned about its starting quarterback’s long-term health.
Nix is viewed as ahead of schedule in his recovery from the injury, Broncos GM George Paton said (via 9News’ Mike Klis). The third-year QB is expected to be full go by the time the Broncos’ offseason program begins in early May, Klis notes. CEO Greg Penner also proclaimed Nix ahead of schedule this week at the league meetings. The 25-year-old passer has been on track for an OTAs return since January.
This is a critical year for the Broncos, whose extension window with Nix opens in 2027. The team saw a prime opportunity to book a Super Bowl berth go by the wayside when it was revealed following an overtime divisional-round win Nix would be out the rest of the way because of the ankle injury suffered on an OT designed run. Jarrett Stidham enjoyed moments early in the AFC title game, but a costly fumble preceded a blinding snowstorm, limiting the backup in a 10-7 Patriots road win.
Nix’s injury had moved the point spread considerably, making the Pats favorites in Denver. A notable back-and-forth between Nix and Sean Payton — regarding information the coach shared about his passer’s injury past and whether he was predisposed to suffer an ankle malady — did commence, but the Broncos have QB certainty for the first time since Peyton Manning‘s retirement.
An unusual rumor did surface Wednesday morning, with Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio indicating Aaron Rodgers was on the radar to visit the Broncos due in part to potential concerns Nix will not be 100% by Week 1. This would be a wildly unexpected turn of events based on a number of factors, and Klis was quick to shoot down the prospect of the 42-year-old quarterback being under consideration. NFL insider Jordan Schultz added Nix is not expected to have any limitations when the Broncos’ offseason program begins. Nix had not missed a start in his NFL career until January’s AFC championship game.
The Broncos were certainly interested in Rodgers in 2021, as the then-reigning MVP’s standoff with the Packers soon placed Denver as the most likely destination in the event Green Bay caved to his aim of a trade. The Broncos also appeared to be waiting on Rodgers in 2022, when the Russell Wilson trade surfaced on the same day the Packers extended their longtime starter. But the successful Nix investment has created distance from this turbulent period in Broncos QB history.
Denver has its same quarterback room returning for 2026, with Stidham under contract for one more season and Sam Ehlinger re-signing on a one-year deal worth $2MM ($1MM guaranteed). No one other than the Steelers has been closely linked to Rodgers this offseason. The Steelers expect a Rodgers resolution by the draft.
AFC Contract Details: Titans, Hawkins, Ravens, Flacco, Bengals, Browns, Broncos, Colts, Patriots
Here are the latest details from contracts agreed to around the AFC, with many coming out of Nashville:
- Daniel Bellinger, TE (Titans). Three years, $24MM. Bellinger secured $14MM guaranteed at signing, according to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. This covers $4.91MM of Bellinger’s $5.94MM 2027 base salary, per OverTheCap.
- Jaylinn Hawkins, S (Ravens). Two years, $10MM. Hawkins landed $5MM guaranteed at signing, per Wilson. None of Hawkins’ 2027 compensation is guaranteed.
- Jacob Martin, DE (Titans). Two years, $9MM. Tennessee authorized $4.5MM fully guaranteed, Wilson tweets. None of Martin’s 2027 compensation is guaranteed.
- Jordan Elliott, DT (Titans). Two years, $8MM. The Titans authorized a $3.24MM guarantee at signing for the former Browns and 49ers D-tackle, Wilson tweets. None of Elliott’s 2027 compensation is guaranteed.
- Austin Schlottmann, OL (Titans). Two years, $7MM. The veteran interior offensive lineman received $2.99MM guaranteed at signing, Wilson tweets. None of Schlottmann’s 2027 compensation is guaranteed.
- Joshua Williams, CB (Titans). Two years, $6.75MM. Like Elliott, Wilson adds Williams secured $3.24MM guaranteed at signing. One of several Chiefs DBs relocating this month, Williams will not see any 2027 guarantees on this deal.
- Joe Flacco, QB (Bengals). One year, $6MM. Flacco’s contract contains $4MM guaranteed, SI.com’s Jay Morrison notes. Generally against void years, the Bengals included two in this contract. Flacco’s cap hit will check in at $3.3MM as a result. Due to the void years, Flacco not being re-signed before the 2027 league year begins will result in a $2.7MM dead money charge. There are $3.5MM in incentives here, Morrison adds. Among the bottom-tier bumps in play, Flacco would see $1MM if he plays 60% of Cincinnati’s offensive snaps in a playoff season. If the Bengals do not make the playoffs and the 19th-year QB plays 60% of the snaps, he would see $250K. More notably, any Bengals win in which Flacco plays at least 60% of the snaps will bring $125K; this incentive has an eight-game cap.
- Durham Smythe, TE (Ravens). One year, $3MM. The former Dolphins and Bears tight end secured $2MM guaranteed at signing, Wilson tweets.
- Daniel Thomas, S (Browns). Two years, $3MM. Thomas landed just more than $1MM fully guaranteed, according to Wilson. No guarantees are in place for 2027.
- Akeem Davis-Gaither, LB (Colts). One year, $2.73MM. This contract includes $1.5MM fully guaranteed, Wilson adds.
- Mo Alie-Cox, TE (Colts). One year, $2.59MM. Like the Lions’ Malcolm Rodriguez deal, this contract is a four-year qualifying offer. It will come with $2.19MM fully guaranteed, Wilson adds. Because this is a four-year qualifying contract, Alie-Cox will count just $1.4MM toward the Colts’ cap.
- Tony Adams, S (Titans). One year, $2.14MM. Among the many former Robert Saleh-era Jets joining the Titans this offseason, Adams will see $1MM fully guaranteed on this deal (via Wilson).
- Kalia Davis, DT (Browns). One year, $2MM. The veteran interior D-lineman secured $1.75MM guaranteed at signing, according to Wilson.
- Corey Bojorquez, P (Browns). One year, $2MM. Bojorquez will see $938K guaranteed at signing on his third Browns contract, according to Wilson.
- Tycen Anderson, S (Broncos). One year, $1.5MM. The only outside Broncos free agent signing thus far, the veteran special-teamer received $650K guaranteed, 9News’ Mike Klis notes.
- James Hudson, T (Patriots). One year, $1.4MM. The Giants jettisoned Hudson’s two-year, $12MM deal months after benching him in Week 2. The New England swing tackle secured $538K guaranteed at signing, ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss tweets.
WR Rumors: Tyson, Eagles, Waddle, Moore, Giants, Bears, Cowboys, Cards, Colts
One of the wide receivers expected to go off the draft board in Round 1, Jordyn Tyson did not work out at the Combine and will not participate at Arizona State’s pro day Friday. Tyson missed time with a hamstring injury last season, and it has apparently affected his pre-draft timeline. Tyson, however, will work out for teams April 17, ESPN.com’s Field Yates tweets. That said, the former Colorado recruit will only do positional drills that day. As our Ely Allen pointed out in December, Tyson is a high-ceiling prospect but one that carries injury baggage. Knee and collarbone injuries affected Tyson in separate years with the Sun Devils, and this hamstring issue — when coupled with past maladies — could certainly affect his draft stock. But his 1,101-yard 2024 slate should provide a solid first-round floor. NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah ranks Tyson 21st overall in this class.
Here is the latest from the receiver ranks:
- Regardless of their A.J. Brown decision, the Eagles will target a receiver in the draft, The Athletic’s Zach Berman notes. Howie Roseman hit with DeVonta Smith in 2021 but famously missed with Jalen Reagor (Round 1, 2020) and JJ Arcega-Whiteside (Round 2, 2019). A receiver move should be expected early, Berman adds, though he notes optimism exists among decisionmakers Smith can make another jump with a boost in targets. A Brown trade — heavily rumored to be in the works after June 1 — would create a critical need for Philly, but a rookie stepping in alongside Smith and Marquise Brown would stand to bolster the slender WR’s role within the offense.
- Marquise Brown joined the Eagles on a one-year deal worth $5MM in base value, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson notes. The former Ravens, Cardinals and Chiefs wideout can max out at $6.5MM on the contract. Brown’s $5MM is fully guaranteed, which marks only a slight discount from his 2025 Kansas City terms (one year, $7MM).
- The Broncos have already used Jaylen Waddle‘s contract to create cap space, with Wilson indicating the team converted $15.42MM of the trade pickup’s option bonus to a signing bonus. Waddle is still due $17.24MM in 2026 compensation, 9News’ Mike Klis adds, but his cap number checks in at $4.88MM. That number will jump to $27.1MM in 2027, however, with $15.2MM of Waddle’s ’27 compensation being guaranteed. Acquiring Waddle’s $28.25MM-per-year contract from the Dolphins last week, Broncos hold $18.75MM in 2026 cap space, per OverTheCap.
- The Bills also restructured their WR trade acquisition’s contract, converting $22.19MM in base salary into a signing bonus. This created $17.75MM in cap space, according to OverTheCap. D.J. Moore‘s 2026 cap hit sits at just $6.75MM, though like Waddle, he is due a hefty 2027 guarantee ($15.5MM). Buffalo holds $12.29MM in cap space.
- Already reworking Terence Steele and Malik Hooker‘s contracts, the Cowboys adjusted Jonathan Mingo‘s as well. Mingo accepted a pay cut, per Wilson, who notes the former second-round pick is now on a $1.15MM deal that includes no guaranteed money. After underwhelming on his rookie deal and missing 2025 time due to injury, Mingo will vie for a roster spot. One year remains on his rookie deal.
- Darnell Mooney was tied to a three-year, $39MM Falcons deal, but ESPN.com’s Jordan Raanan notes his one-year Giants pact is worth just $3MM in base value. That figure does come fully guaranteed, per Wilson, who notes the contract can max out at $10MM. Calvin Austin‘s Giants agreement comes in at just $1.5MM, according to OverTheCap, with $400K guaranteed. The slot receiver’s deal can max out at $3MM, per The Athletic’s Dan Duggan, who notes the ex-Steeler’s playing time incentives start at a 45% snap rate; his catch incentives begin at 35, with his yardage escalators starting at 400. Meeting the minimum thresholds in each category would earn Austin $150K.
- Rounding up some other recent WR terms, the Bears are giving Kalif Raymond a one-year deal worth $3.5MM. The contract includes $3MM fully guaranteed, Wilson tweets, and can max out at $5.1MM. The Cardinals’ Devin Duvernay deal is worth $1.85MM in base value, per Wilson, who adds $550K is guaranteed at signing. The Colts will have Nick Westbrook-Ikhine tied to a one-year, $1.4MM deal, Wilson adds, noting $438K is guaranteed at signing.