Patriots LB Gabe Jacas Underwent Surgery, Absent From Minicamp
Second-round edge rusher Gabe Jacas is the only Patriots draft pick who hasn’t signed their rookie pact. The Illinois product has also yet to attend practices, including today’s opening of mandatory minicamp. When asked about the status of the rookie, coach Mike Vrabel acknowledged that Jacas is recovering from a recent procedure.
“I don’t attribute it to anything other than he’s not here and he’s not under contract at this current time,” Vrabel told reporters about the player’s absence (via Nicole Yang of the Boston Globe). “I don’t want to say there’s a reason for it, other than that’s what it is right now.”
Vrabel was quick to clarify that he’s excited about what the rookie could bring to his squad. The coach added that the Patriots have been in communication with the pass-rusher and aren’t frustrated “one bit” by his absence.
“We’re excited about Gabe, the person that he is, the play style, the production in college, all that,” Vrabel said. “When that gets resolved, we’ll have him in here and we’ll coach him. I’m sure we’ll find a way for him to help our football team.”
While it’s uncertain what specifically led to the player’s surgery, Yang notes that Jacas was dealing with a hamstring injury that forced him to skip the scouting combine and Illinois Pro Day. He later held a private workout for NFL teams, where he earned his marks from scouts.
Beyond the injury, we’ve also seen a recent trend of second-round picks pushing for full guarantees on their rookie pacts. It’s uncertain if that’s currently a factor in Jacas’ no-show, and there’s a chance he may show his face once his representation agrees to terms with the franchise.
Jacas is coming off a successful four-year stint at Illinois, but he established himself as an early-round pick with his production over the past two years. The edge rusher tallied 19 sacks and 26.5 tackles for loss between the 2024 and 2025 campaigns, leading to the Patriots using the 55th-overall pick on him.
The Patriots could certainly use a player of Jacas’ caliber, especially after they let K’Lavon Chaisson walk in free agency. The team signed Dre’Mont Jones to soak up some of those leftover snaps, but Jacas would be next in line for reps, assuming he’s able to catch up for the lost time.
Minor NFL Transactions: 6/9/26
Today’s minor moves:
Indianapolis Colts
- Placed on reserve/retired list: S Reuben Lowery
Kansas City Chiefs
- Waived: S Marlen Sewell
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: LB Tomon Fox
New York Jets
- Reverted to IR: WR Quentin Skinner
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Claimed off waivers (from Buccaneers): P Aidan Laros
- Waived: WR Brandon Johnson
Bengals Sign Cashius Howell, Complete Draft Class Signings
The Bengals have completed their draft pick signings. The team announced that they’ve inked second-round defensive end Cashius Howell to his rookie deal.
Howell put himself on the map with a strong showing at Bowling Green in 2023, and he continued that production after transferring to Texas A&M ahead of the 2024 campaign. In two seasons with the Aggies, the pass-rusher compiled 71 tackles, 15.5 sacks, and 22.5 tackles for loss. His performance in 2025 earned him a number of accolades, including an unanimous All-American nod and the SEC Defensive Player of the Year award.
After trading their first-round pick in the Dexter Lawrence deal, the Bengals made Howell their first selection when they used the 41st-overall pick on him. With Trey Hendrickson no longer on the team, Cincy will be especially dependent on their rookie in 2026. Howell will join a pass-rush corps that also features Myles Murphy, free agent acquisition Boye Mafe, and 2025 first-round pick Shemar Stewart, who disappointed as a rookie.
As mentioned, this signing means the Bengals have now agreed to deals with all seven of their draft picks. The class includes:
- Round 2, No. 41: Cashius Howell (DE, Texas A&M)
- Round 3, No. 72: Tacario Davis (CB, Washington)
- Round 4, No. 128 (from Texans via Lions and Bengals): Connor Lew (C, Auburn)
- Round 4, No. 140 (from Bengals): Colbie Young (WR, Georgia)
- Round 6, No. 189: Brian Parker II (C, Duke)
- Round 7, No. 221 (from Giants via Cowboys): Jack Endries (TE, Texas)
- Round 7, No. 226: Landon Robinson (DT, Navy)
CB Christian Gonzalez Attends Mandatory Minicamp, Wants To Stay With Patriots
Christian Gonzalez skipped Patriots OTAs as he pursues a new contract. While such a move naturally leads to questions about his future with the franchise, the star cornerback made it clear that he wants to stick in New England for the long haul. After attending today’s mandatory minicamp, Gonzalez reiterated his desire to ink an extension with the team that drafted him.
[RELATED: Patriots CB Christian Gonzalez Absent From OTAs]
“Of course, I want to be here. I’ve said this multiple times,” Gonzalez told the New England beat (via NFL.com’s Nick Shook). “I’ve been drafted here. I want to be rewarded as a Patriot. I love this town. I love this city. So of course I want to be here.”
When asked about his decision to attend mandatory practices (and avoid any fines), Gonzalez explained to reporters that he’s “got obligations.” The cornerback was also pressed on any self-imposed deadline regarding negotiations, with reporters explicitly asking him about his status for training camp later this summer.
“Training camp, I’m not worried about that,” Gonzalez said. “We are in mandatory minicamp right now, so that’s what we’re focused on as we get into that.”
The 2023 first-round pick just became extension eligible this offseason, so there’s no real urgency for the two sides to agree on a long-term pact. However, if the Patriots truly intend to keep Gonzalez around for the foreseeable future, it’d probably be in their best interest to agree to an extension sooner than later. Contracts at the position continue to explode, with Trent McDuffie recently reseting the cornerback market following his trade to the Rams.
McDuffie will earn a position-leading $124MM and $50MM in guaranteed money on his deal, and there’s a chance Gonzalez at least leaps his peer’s $31MM in average annual salary. It’s worth noting that fellow 2023 first-rounder Devon Witherspoon is also seeking an extension, and the Seahawks’ star notably has the same representation as Gonzalez. Whichever team gets to the finish line first may get a slight discount when all is said and done.
Gonzalez is coming off a productive two-year stretch that’s seen him emerge as one of the NFL’s top cornerbacks. He finished last season ranked 14th on Pro Football Focus’ positional rankings, and Gonzalez also had a standout performance in the playoffs (including the Super Bowl, where he was one of the few Patriots to show up).
After years of draft futility, the Patriots will have to navigate some expensive extensions over the next few years. Drake Maye will be extension eligible next offseason, so agreeing to a Gonzalez deal ASAP will provide the front office some cost certainty moving forward.
Panthers Expect LT Ikem Ekwonu To Play In 2026
During the Panthers’ wild-card loss, Ikem Ekwonu suffered a torn patellar tendon. A lengthy recovery process is ongoing, but a return to action some time during the fall could very well be in store.
When speaking to the media on Tuesday, head coach Dave Canales said (via The Athletic’s Joe Person) Ekwonu has been making progress in his rehab following surgery. He added the team’s left tackle is expected to play at some point in 2026. The coming campaign represents Ekwonu’s fifth-year option season.
Returning to full health will thus be critical for all involved in this case. The Panthers acknowledged Ekwonu’s looming absence during the opening stages of the 2026 season (at least) would require multiple investments on the blindside. Carolina signed Rasheed Walker to a one-year pact in free agency before taking Monroe Freeling in the first round of the draft.
Walker and Freeling are in the early stages of a competition for the starting spot at left tackle. That will make for an important storyline through the summer as the Panthers aim to find short-term stability on the blindside while evaluating their options beyond 2026. Longtime right tackle Taylor Moton is entering his age-32 season, and none of his scheduled compensation for 2027 is guaranteed. A departure in his case could set Freeling up for a stint at RT beginning next year.
A move along those lines would of course be easier if Ekwonu were to find himself in Carolina’s long-term plans up front. The former No. 6 pick has handled full-time starting duties since arriving in the league, totaling 64 appearances. Durability had not been a concern prior to his major knee injury, but the exact length of his ongoing recovery period and his level of play once back on the field remains to be seen.
A mutual interest exists in an extension when it comes to Ekwonu, who will turn 26 during the season. It would come as no surprise, though, if the Panthers opted to wait until he fully healed to engage in serious contract talks. A stretch of games in 2026 would help Ekwonu’s chances of landing a long-term commitment, and it seems he will be able to manage that barring any setbacks in his recovery.
Bengals Restructure Joe Burrow’s Deal
For the first time since it was signed in 2023, Joe Burrow‘s contract is being adjusted. The Bengals have worked out a restructure with their quarterback, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and ESPN’s Adam Schefter report.
Today’s move will create roughly $10MM in cap space for 2026. Cincinnati entered Tuesday near the bottom of the NFL in terms of available funds ($7.17MM). Burrow’s cap charge – which was scheduled to check in at $48MM, the second-highest in the NFL, will now be reduced, though.
Throughout what has proven to be a busy offseason on the defensive side of the ball, the Bengals preferred to avoid making any adjustments to the Burrow pact. As Paul Dehner of The Athletic notes, the team felt working through its spring priorities would be feasible without deferring some of Burrow’s cap charges into the future. Nevertheless, the Dexter Lawrence trade (and subsequent one-year extension) in particular limited Cincinnati’s financial flexibility for the short term.
Burrow signed his extension during an offseason which saw the title of league’s highest-paid quarterback change hands multiple times. After seeing Jalen Hurts, Lamar Jackson and Justin Herbert each move the bar with their respective second contracts, Burrow landed $55MM per year on average. The former No. 1 pick’s deal runs through 2029, and it is scheduled to carry cap charges as high as $60MM by its final year.
2026 has seen the acquisition of Lawrence but other veterans, including edge rusher Boye Mafe and defensive lineman Jonathan Allen. Spending on those newcomers led to limited cap flexibility for summer additions, but this Burrow restructure will create the room for a modest addition or two. The Bengals’ front office is of course also looking into a number of extensions, including the case of cornerback DJ Turner.
Health will no doubt continue to be a major talking point for Burrow, 29, entering the 2026 season. Expectations are high for Cincinnati given the team’s continuity on offense and and aggressive pursuit of defensive upgrades, but Burrow’s contact will remain a key presence in the short and long term with respect to its financial planning.
QB Jacoby Brissett Will Report To Cardinals’ Minicamp
JUNE 9: Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated writes Brissett is expected to primarily take part in individual drills this week since it will allow Minshew to continue leading the offense in full team work (as he has through voluntary practices). It will be interesting to see if Brissett manages to gain traction on the negotiating front this summer or if a lack of involvement in the offseason limits his leverage.
JUNE 8: Jacoby Brissett was absent through the voluntary portion of the Cardinals’ offseason program. No contract resolution has been reached in this case, but attendance for mandatory work is expected.
Brissett will report to the team for this week’s mandatory minicamp, ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss and Jeremy Fowler report. Doing so will ensure he avoids fines which are guaranteed for any players who skip out on the June practices. The extent to which Brissett will participate over the coming days is still unclear, to no surprise.
[RELATED: Marvin Harrison Jr. Not Fully Recovered From 2025 Injuries]
Throughout the spring, the veteran quarterback has sought a contract adjustment reflecting his status as Arizona’s 2026 starter. The Cardinals added Gardner Minshew in free agency and drafted Carson Beck in the third round, but Brissett is set to begin the coming season atop the depth chart. As things stand, the 33-year-old is set to earn $4.88MM in salary on the final year of his deal; $1.5MM of that figure is guaranteed.
As of May, negotiations on an extension between Brissett and the Cardinals had not yielded much in the way of progress. Weinfuss and Fowler add an agreement is not expected to be finalized in time for the start of minicamp. Brissett’s attendance will therefore ensure fines of up to $108K will not be coming his way, but it is unlikely to lead to a breakthrough on the contract front.
Filling in for an injured Kyler Murray midway through the 2025 season, Brissett stabilized Arizona’s offense and remained the team’s QB1 even when Murray was healthy. The former No. 1 pick was expectedly released this spring, positioning the Cardinals to pursue a new starter in the 2027 draft. Brissett’s track record in the NFL will make it challenging to secure any notable bumps in pay or new term on his deal, but his pact being worth less than Minshew’s would represent an awkward arrangement heading into the season.
This situation could still result in a trade being worked out, although a strong market does not exist for Brissett. His status will remain worth watching closely as the summer unfolds with the Cardinals’ next steps still unclear.
Cowboys OL Matt Hennessy To Undergo Neck Surgery
Matt Hennessy is set to miss an extended period through the remainder of the offseason. The veteran offensive lineman is set to undergo neck surgery, Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said on Tuesday (via ESPN’s Todd Archer).
A disc issue has resulted in this procedure taking place, Schottenheimer noted. Hennessy will begin training camp on the active/PUP list as a result of the surgery. As noted by Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News, there is no timetable for a return to action in this case.
Hennessy has seen limited time at left guard during his NFL tenure, but he has primarily worked as a center. He signed with Dallas early in free agency, giving the team experienced depth along the interior of the offensive line. Hennessy, 28, has totaled 24 starts and 64 appearances across stints in Atlanta and San Francisco. His one-year Cowboys deal contains $1.08MM in guarantees.
Cooper Beebe has operated as Dallas’ starting center for the past two years. The 2024 third-rounder was limited to 11 games last season, but he will be counted on to remain atop the depth chart moving forward. Hennessy’s absence stretching into the start of the campaign would leave the Cowboys thin on center options, so his progress as it pertains to recovering after the surgery will be worth watching closely.
Dallas’ offensive line is already a unit facing some uncertainty with Tyler Guyton and Nate Thomas competing for the left tackle spot. Regardless of how things play out on that front, missing Hennessy for an extended period could alter the team’s plans with respect to depth up front.
Vikings RT Brian O’Neill Seeking Extension, Expected To Attend Minicamp
One year remains on Brian O’Neill‘s current deal. The longtime Vikings right tackle is seeking a new commitment, something which has impacted his offseason participation to date.
As detailed by ESPN’s Kevin Seifert, O’Neill was merely an “observer” during OTAs this spring. All practices to date have of course been voluntary, but an absence from mandatory minicamp would yield roughly $108K in fines. Per Seifert, O’Neill is expected to attend this week’s minicamp and participate in at least a limited capacity.
In 2021, team and player agreed to a five-year, $92.5MM extension. 2026 represents the final year of that pact, and O’Neill is scheduled to collect $19.5MM during the upcoming season. That figure includes a nonguaranteed base salary of $18.9MM. The ninth-year veteran is on course to carry a cap charge of $23.12MM as things stand.
Since taking over starting duties during his rookie campaign, O’Neill has been a mainstay at the right tackle spot. He earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2021 and again in 2024, helping his lengthy extension age well. This past season saw the Pitt alum limited to 14 games after he suffered an MCL sprain, but he has remained durable throughout his career with double-digit appearances every year to date.
Seifert notes there is a strong desire in the Vikings’ organization to keep O’Neill in the fold beyond 2026. The coming year will mark his age-31 season, so a shorter commitment this time around would come as little surprise. Minnesota did not work out an extension or contract adjustment during Rob Brzezinski‘s stint as interim general manager. A full-time GM is now in the fold, however, thanks to the recent hire of Nolan Teasley.
With the Vikings’ new organizational structure now in place, talks on an arrangement with O’Neill may pick up in the near future. In the absence of progress on that front, his contract status may remain a talking point during the lead-up to training camp.
Packers, WR Christian Watson Agree To Extension
JUNE 9: Watson’s new deal has a base value of $97.5MM, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated notes. Keeping in line with standard Packers contracts, the $31MM signing bonus represents the only fully guaranteed money in the pact. As detailed by Over the Cap, per-game roster bonuses total $8.5MM over the course of the extension; incentives are present as well.
If Watson is on the roster by the third day of the 2028 league year, he will collect a $13MM roster bonus. A decision on that front will be key, as his cap charge will jump to $24.54MM that year (compared to $11.54MM in 2027).
JUNE 4: Last offseason, Christian Watson and the Packers agreed to a one-year extension. Another new deal has been worked out, and this time around a long-term commitment has been made.
Watson has agreed to a four-year extension, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. This is a $110.5MM deal, he adds. The Packers have included a $31MM signing bonus in this contract, which will keep Watson on the books through 2030.
Injuries have been a concern throughout Watson’s NFL career. The former second-rounder was limited to 10 games during the regular season in 2025, although he also played in Green Bay’s wild-card loss. Watson was productive when on the field, totaling six touchdowns and maintaining a strong yards per catch average. The Packers clearly saw enough this past season to authorize a lucrative investment.
In March, Watson was named as one of several young members of Green Bay’s core who could be in line for an extension. One month later, general manager Brian Gutekunst confirmed a long-term deal was indeed a priority for the team. With plenty of time to spare before training camp, an agreement has now been reached. This represents the second big-money deal worked out with a receiver this spring in the case of Green Bay.
Jayden Reed agreed to an extension of his own shortly before the second day of the draft. That pact ensures he will remain in place through 2029 and carries an average annual value of $16.75MM. Watson’s new deal confirms he will be a focal point on offense for the foreseeable future as well. Tight end Tucker Kraft has yet to line up a second contract, but he may represent Green Bay’s next priority.
Watson has secured an AAV of $27.63MM on this latest extension. The 27-year-old will thus slot in just outside the top 15 in the NFL with respect to receiver compensation on an annual basis. Continued absences due to injuries could of course limit the success of this commitment, and Watson has yet to top 620 yards in a season. Nevertheless, he has averaged 17 yards per reception over the course of his career, and remaining one of the league’s top vertical threats would be critical for the Packers’ offense moving forward.
The 2026 offseason has seen Romeo Doubs depart in free agency, while Dontayvion Wicks was traded to the Eagles in April. Those absences will thin out a receiver room on a Green Bay team which added Matthew Golden in the first round in 2025 but did not make any draft investments this year. Watson, Reed and Golden will be counted on to operate as key figures for years to come as part of the Packers’ efforts to make a deep playoff run.