Charges Against Falcons WR Zachariah Branch Dropped; Latest On James Pearce Jr.’s Pretrial Program
The State of Georgia has dropped the misdemeanor charges that were pending against Falcons rookie wide receiver Zachariah Branch, per Seth Emerson of The Athletic (subscription required). Branch had been facing the charge of misdemeanor obstruction of a law enforcement officer and had received a citation for obstructing private sidewalks
The details of the incident suggested it would have little to no impact on Branch’s professional prospects. The Falcons selected the USC and Georgia product in the third round of the draft less than a week after his arrest, and as Emerson notes, The Athletic draftnik Dane Brugler considered Branch a third-round talent anyway (subscription required).
“After reviewing all evidence, including videos, and discussing the case with us, the State agreed to dismiss all charges against Mr. Branch,” Kim Stephens, Branch’s lawyer, said. “Zachariah cooperated fully with law enforcement and did not commit a crime on the night of his arrest and never should have been arrested. We are glad this matter is over and that Mr. Branch’s excellent reputation and good name restored.”
While the NFL can of course impose punishment even in the absence of criminal charges, that would seem unlikely in this case. Instead, Branch can probably focus exclusively on carving out a spot in a receiving corps that would seem to offer plenty of opportunities behind the newly-extended Drake London.
Branch’s height (5-9) makes him an obvious candidate for slot work. While he offers plenty of speed and led the SEC with 81 receptions in 2025, Brugler observes that Branch’s average depth of target over the course of his college career was just 5.2 yards. In Brugler’s view, the Las Vegas native did not exhibit a refined route tree, and if he does not improve in that regard, he could be limited to a gadget/return specialist role. Still, the top two receivers behind London on the depth chart are offseason signees Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus, so Branch should have a real chance to make a name for himself this summer.
There is additional legal-related news concerning the Falcons. Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports that edge rusher James Pearce Jr.‘s pretrial intervention program, which was originally six months in length, has been extended to one year. However, the program’s conditions remain the same.
As Kendall relayed back in April, Pearce will be required to stay away from the alleged victim in the matter, Rickea Jackson, take part in therapy sessions, and avoid further legal trouble (subscription required). Pearce will also be required to submit to random drug testing and write a letter of apology to law enforcement (we had passed on some, but not all, of those details already).
It is unclear whether the extended timeline will impact when the NFL will make a decision on imposing any of its own sanctions. If Pearce successfully completes the program, the three felony charges he faced (including aggravated battery with a deadly weapon) will be dismissed.
Browns HC Todd Monken Not Interested in QB Brendan Sorsby; Latest On Team’s QB Competition
Browns head coach Todd Monken is not tipping his hand when it comes to his team’s starting quarterback competition. While the media currently views Deshaun Watson as the favorite to open the season under center, second-year passer Shedeur Sanders remains in the mix and has impressed Monken with his progress in the mental side of the game.
Following the Browns’ eighth OTA session on Wednesday, Monken said (via Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com), “[e]very day I kind of lean one way or the other with quarterbacks. But we’ve still got to get to that point. Who’s going to start for us? But I’m fired up by the quarterbacks. I just tell you, we’ve got two starting-level quarterbacks. We really do.”
Monken’s public remarks notwithstanding, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler continues to believe Watson has the inside track on the QB1 gig (video link). In addition to the advantage Watson has in terms of experience, Watson himself believes Monken’s offense – which includes some Air Raid concepts and offers the freedom to improvise out of the pocket – is a strong fit for his skill set. That said, Fowler says Sanders has flashed this spring and that Watson has not won the job just yet.
Regardless of the outcome of the Watson v. Sanders contest, Cleveland may still be in search of a high-end quarterback next year (which is presumably one of the reasons why the team recently cashed in their top asset in Myles Garrett for a bounty of draft capital). On paper, therefore, the Browns profile as a team that could take a flier on Brendan Sorsby, whose gambling infractions have led the NCAA to revoke his collegiate eligibility and who could be forced into the NFL’s supplemental draft as a result.
Monken, however, seems to want no part of Sorsby, although he made it clear his opinion in that regard is his own and not that of general manager Andrew Berry or other members of team brass.
“That’s not even come across my desk,” Monken said (video link via Daryl Ruiter of 92.3 The Fan). “I like the quarterbacks that we have. I think that’s a slippery slope, when you go down that [road]. Irrespective of talent, in terms of the situation [Sorsby’s] put himself in, we all know what that is. He put himself in that situation. And we’ve seen in other sports with players that have been banned for life from playing in professional sports.”
“Again, that’s a question for [Berry] and for management,” Monken added. “But from my end of it, kind of a tough angle to go down that road and think that’s going to be your franchise quarterback, if he’s ever eligible to even play in the NFL.”
Berry himself was non-committal. When asked about the prospect of adding Sorsby, the GM simply said, “we’ll do work on all the prospects and then make the appropriate decision” (via Zac Jackson of The Athletic).
Sorsby impressed in his second year as Cincinnati’s starter in 2025 and landed a $6MM NIL deal to join Texas Tech in 2026. A successful year in Lubbock could have earned him a first-round grade in the 2027 draft, but at the moment, it appears the supplemental draft is his only viable path to the pros.
Sorsby will have to apply for the supplemental draft by June 22. The NFL will review his situation – extensive sports betting during his college career and subsequent treatment for a gambling addiction – and decide if he can enter.
Cardinals Not Planning Josh Sweat Trade?
JUNE 6: While the Cardinals gave Albert Breer of SI.com an emphatic “no” when he asked prior to this year’s draft if they would trade Sweat, Breer says he would not rule out a deal. Given Gannon’s presence in Green Bay, Breer believes the Packers remain a viable landing spot, particularly if Gannon does not believe he can help former first-rounder Lukas Van Ness start living up to his draft status.
JUNE 3: One season into a four-year, $76.4MM contract, Cardinals outside linebacker Josh Sweat has drawn trade interest this spring. However, it appears those teams will have to look elsewhere for pass-rushing help. The Cardinals are not dealing Sweat, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
After coming off the board in the fourth round of the 2018 draft, Sweat spent his first seven seasons in Philadelphia. He broke out as a starter from 2021-22, Jonathan Gannon‘s two-year run as the Eagles’ defensive coordinator, and continued to perform well after Gannon left to become the Cardinals’ head coach.
Sweat capped off his Eagles tenure with a 2.5-sack outburst in a Super Bowl LIX victory over the Chiefs in February 2025. Hitting free agency a few weeks later enabled Sweat to reunite with Gannon in Arizona, but their second partnership lasted just one year. The Cardinals fired Gannon in January on the heels of a 4-13 season, though new head coach Mike LaFleur retained defensive coordinator Nick Rallis.
Gannon is now the Packers’ D-coordinator, which has sparked social media rumors that they will swing a trade for Sweat. It might make sense for a team that will likely open the season without elite edge defender Micah Parsons, who is rehabbing from the tore ACL he suffered last December. But Rapoport dumped freezing cold water on the possibility, writing on X: “#AZCardinals edge rusher Josh Sweat is not being traded. Not to the #Packers or anywhere.”
Sweat has stayed away from Cardinals OTAs, but that was also the case when Gannon was in charge last year. LaFleur is unconcerned. He spoke highly of Sweat last week, saying (via Grant Gordon of NFL.com): “I’m just excited about the fact that I don’t have to game plan against this guy. I got to know him when I first got this job. He’s a good dude. He goes about his process and he’s not the first guy to go about his process the way he is in terms of how he’s training and all that.”
As a member of one of the NFL’s worst teams in 2025, Sweat was a rare bright spot. He put together his second 17-game season and tallied career highs in sacks (12) and forced fumbles (four). Despite his efforts, the Cardinals tied for the third-fewest sacks in the league (30). While his importance to their defense is obvious, they are expected to remain among the league’s bottom feeders in 2026. With that in mind, there is a case general manager Monti Ossenfort should seriously consider trading Sweat this summer. It seems Ossenfort, whose job may be on the line, is in no hurry to do so.
Perhaps the Cardinals will be more open to moving Sweat around the Nov. 3 trade deadline if they are out of the playoff race and contenders come calling. With an affordable $9.78MM base salary coming his way in 2026, Sweat’s contract adds to his value. His deal does not include any guarantees past the upcoming season.
Teams Remain Interested In Acquiring Raiders DE Maxx Crosby
While the Cowboys and Patriots were originally floated as teams that could re-enter the Maxx Crosby sweepstakes after the Ravens nixed the deal that would have brought the star pass rusher to Baltimore, more recent reporting has indicated Crosby will remain with the Raiders in 2026. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones (mostly) shut the door on a Dallas pursuit – which makes sense, as it was Dallas’ team doctor’s evaluation of Crosby’s knee that gave the Ravens pause – and New England has now surrendered considerable draft capital to acquire wide receiver A.J. Brown.
However, Vincent Bonsignore of the New York Post says other clubs continue to have genuine interest in a Crosby trade. In an opinion piece suggesting the 49ers should swing a deal for Crosby to counter the NFC West rival Rams’ seismic acquisition of Myles Garrett, Bonsignore says the Raiders would still move the Eastern Michigan product for the right price.
If San Francisco were to take Bonsignore’s advice and make a Crosby-sized splash, multiple league sources say it would cost a 2027 first-rounder, a 2028 second-rounder, and defensive end Mykel Williams. That is not quite the package the Browns landed for Garrett, but it’s close, and it confirms the Raiders do not currently plan to discount their asking price despite the failed trade with the Ravens.
The fact that teams remain interested in adding Crosby is understandable given his track record of on-field excellence. But the fact that one club has already canceled a trade for him due to health concerns would make a summertime blockbuster featuring a Garrett-like haul a bit more surprising.
Just yesterday, we heard the soon-to-be 29-year-old is nearing a return to practice following offseason surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. So although Baltimore was worried about Crosby’s long-term prognosis rather than his short-term availability, perhaps full medical clearance and training camp participation will convince other teams to engage the Raiders in trade discussions.
On the other hand, a late March report noted any Crosby swap in 2026 would be more likely to take place closer to the trade deadline, and speculatively, that could still be the case. At that time, Crosby will have had the opportunity to exhibit his knee’s health in regular season competition, and the Raiders should have a better idea of their timeline for a return to playoff contention.
Crosby earned his fifth consecutive Pro Bowl nod in 2025. During that five-year-stretch, he has amassed 52.5 sacks and has twice led the league in tackles for loss. Pro Football Focus routinely assigns him run defense scores that are at least as strong as his pass rushing grades.
Patriots CB Christian Gonzalez Absent From OTAs; Extension Before Week 1 Likely?
JUNE 7: While Gonzalez skipped OTAs, he was at least in town during the voluntary practices, as Volin observed. In Volin’s view, that suggests Gonzalez is hopeful he and the team will be able to come to terms on a new deal.
MAY 31: Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez has not been present for the team’s recent voluntary work, including the Wednesday OTA session that was open to the media, as ESPN’s Mike Reiss relays. Gonzalez is now eligible for an extension and is likely eyeing a top-of-the-market deal, so it is fair to consider this a contract-related absence, particularly since the 2023 first-rounder had participated in the voluntary portion of the Pats’ offseason program in each of his first three NFL seasons.
The fact that Gonzalez is under club control through the 2027 campaign by virtue of his fifth-year option means the Patriots still have some leverage here, per Ben Volin of the Boston Globe. Gonzalez may well set a new high-water mark for corners in terms of average annual value on the new money portion of his second contract, but the remaining seasons on his rookie accord will limit his overall AAV (for instance, as Volin observes, Derek Stingley Jr.’s three-year, $90MM extension with the Texans was tacked on to the final year of his rookie deal and his fifth-year option season, giving him a five-year, $112MM commitment in practice).
Nonetheless, Volin does anticipate New England and Gonzalez will come to terms on an extension before Week 1. In addition to the usual benefits of wrapping up a deal of this nature well before an elite player starts to sniff free agency – even if the CB market has not skyrocketed like other premium positions – the Patriots likely will have their hands full with Drake Maye negotiations in 2027.
Gonzalez, who will turn 24 next month and who recently expressed a desire to remain in Foxborough for the long haul, has submitted back-to-back standout seasons after being limited to four games as a rookie due to a dislocated shoulder and torn labrum. He earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2024, and despite missing the first three contests of the ‘25 season due to a hamstring ailment, he earned his first Pro Bowl nod.
As a key member of the Patriots’ AFC-winning outfit, Gonzalez was awarded a strong 75.0 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, which made him the site’s 14th-best corner out of 112 qualified players. He was also one of New England’s lone standouts during their Super Bowl LX loss, making some timely stops while allowing just one catch.
Fellow 2023 first-rounder Devon Witherspoon is also seeking an extension, and as we have noted on several occasions, the Seahawks’ star and Gonzalez share the same representation. They know the second member of the duo to put pen to paper will likely get the better deal, and as Volin suggests, neither of them wants to be the first to blink.
Witherspoon and Seattle reportedly are not close to finalizing an agreement.
Record-Setting Extension Still Expected For WR Puka Nacua
As a rookie fifth-rounder out of BYU, Puka Nacua exploded onto the scene in what seemed to be the debut of one the NFL’s next great receivers. Injuries in his sophomore season and a few off-the-field concerns have put a speed bump in Nacua’s path toward a second contract, but according to SportsBoom’s Jason La Canfora, a record-setting extension for the Rams wide receiver is seen as a foregone conclusion.
The argument for such an agreement is a simple one. Despite being the 20th wide receiver taken in the 2023 NFL Draft as the last pick of the fifth round, Nacua was the only one to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards as a rookie, blowing past that mark with 1,486, the fourth-highest total in the league that year. Though Houston’s C.J. Stroud walked away with Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, Nacua was named a second-team All-Pro and Pro Bowler in his first year of NFL play.
Though a five-game absence early into Year 2 limited him to only 11 games, Nacua’s per game averages had him on track for career highs in receptions and receiving yards. Even with one missed game last year, Nacua delivered on that momentum, setting new career highs with 129 receptions (most in the NFL), 1,715 receiving yards, and 10 touchdowns. With a league-leading average of 107.2 yards per game, the only thing that prevented him from leading in catches and yards was that one missed game.
Now a first-team All-Pro, Nacua’s outrageous, consistent production should guarantee that he will follow in the steps of the only receiver to out-gain him last year after Seattle’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba signed a four-year, $168.6MM extension that made him the highest-paid wide receiver in the league in March. Sometimes, an inability to stay on the field can hurt a player’s chances to land a big contract, but Nacua’s return to excellence after coming back from injury and his continued improvement after the fact have dispelled any notion that injury would factor largely into any contract discussions.
What has been seemingly harming Nacua’s progress towards a new deal is a series of questionable off-field decisions. During the season, Nacua violated team policy by live-streaming in the team’s locker room following a win, prompting some teammates to confront him. A few weeks later, Nacua appeared on a livestream and drew scrutiny for seemingly performing an antisemitic gesture — though he claimed to have no knowledge of its offensive nature — and criticizing league officials, an action that caused the NFL to fine him $25K.
Then, early into the offseason, Nacua was the subject of a civil lawsuit stemming from a claim that he made numerous unprovoked antisemitic statements to a woman before allegedly biting her repeatedly on the shoulder. Nacua denied the allegations but checked himself into a luxury rehabilitation center in Malibu shortly after. Nacua has since returned to normal team activities as a “full participant,” but his off-field decision-making could factor into the terms of his potential future extension.
As Nacua was putting a bow on his 2025 campaign, reports indicated that extending the fourth-year receiver would be a priority for Los Angeles. In the aftermath of the news of his civil lawsuit, though, the team’s focus seemed to shift from extensions to additions.
The Rams may decide there’s something they need to see from Nacua before they can feel comfortable signing him long-term, but however long that takes, La Canfora seems certain it will get done, even if it might require the team to use some contract language that will protect the franchise in the event of any further off-field issues.
The Rams appear to have a generational talent in the building with an opportunity to keep him in LA for a long time. It’s become apparent that that future may come with a certain level of risk outside of the building, but it doesn’t appear that risk will be enough to deter a record-setting deal from occurring.
Lions Have Chance To Capitalize On Depressed Markets
An inability to build around the likes of Barry Sanders, Calvin Johnson and Matthew Stafford shortened these greats' tenures in Detroit. Stafford asking for a trade in 2021 brought another rebuild, one that now stands as a signature overhaul in the 21st-century NFL.
Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell ignited a moribund franchise. As former Lions peers in the NFL basement go through more structural turnover, we are now in Year 6 of the Holmes-Campbell regime. Although Sanders lifted reasonably talented rosters in the 1990s -- albeit without consistent quarterback play -- it is safe to call the current Lions setup the most well-run operation in the Motor City since the AFL-NFL merger 56 years ago.
The team is now in a third offseason where extensions are due for homegrown talent. The 2024 offseason brought timely paydays for Amon-Ra St. Brown, Penei Sewell and Jared Goff. The Lions later circled back to extending Taylor Decker and Alim McNeill as well. Last year brought re-ups for Kerby Joseph and Jameson Williams. This offseason does not supply decisions at cornerstone positions, giving it less flash but arguably more intrigue.
The Lions' batch of extension candidates entering the offseason play positions featuring three depressed markets, with the fourth candidate -- safety Brian Branch -- coming off an ACL tear. Detroit already paid Jack Campbell, who is now the NFL's second-highest-paid off-ball linebacker, and must decide on Jahmyr Gibbs' value and whether to let Sam LaPorta play out a contract year or reach an agreement now. The positions these young talents play present an interesting opportunity, though having so many candidates for top-market deals at low- or medium-priority areas will require a critical macro evaluation from the Holmes-led front office.
Holdout From Bucs QB Baker Mayfield Unlikely
Baker Mayfield has set a training camp deadline for a contract extension with the Buccaneers, but the two sides are far apart heading into June.
Despite the gap in asking and offering price, negotiations have not been “ugly,” per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, though they are “relatively fresh and new.”
“It’s not like they have been talking for months and hit an impasse,” Fowler adds. “They just have to make some progress based on the initial talks.”
Both sides have repeatedly expressed interest in coming to an agreement. The Buccaneers have been thoroughly rewarded for taking a shot on the former No. 1 overall pick back in 2023. He emerged as a high-end starter before playing like one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL in 2024. Injuries – to himself and several of his best teammates – hampered him last season, so there is reason to believe he can bounce back this year.
From Mayfield’s perspective, the Buccaneers resurrected his career after the Browns let him go in favor of Deshaun Watson. He then received a $100MM contract and a guaranteed starting job into his 30s, all while playing with the best skill position players (and arguably offensive line) of his career.
Mayfield is not likely to stage a holdout from mandatory minicamp, which starts on June 16, and his stated timeline indicates that the same is true for training camp.
But despite the 31-year-old quarterback’s interest in getting a deal done within the next six weeks, he and his camp have not sent a counter to the Bucs’ original offer, according to Rich Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. As always, it takes two to tango, but mutual interest in extending this partnership should get both sides to the negotiating table soon.
5 Key Stories: 5/31/26 – 6/6/26
With the calendar flipping to June, recent days have been quite busy with respect to high-profile NFL developments. In case you missed any of this week’s top stories, here is a quick recap:
- Rams Send Verse, Picks To Rams For Garrett: The Browns opted to extend Myles Garrett last offseason, and a new trade request was not issued in 2026. Nevertheless, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year has been dealt to the Rams. Los Angeles’ persistent offers originally centered on draft capital, but the team agreed to include Jared Verse in the deal. The third-year edge rusher represents part of a notable haul in Cleveland’s case, and the team will look to build around him as part of a younger defensive core. Meanwhile, adding Garrett to an already strong Rams roster has added further to 2026’s Super Bowl expectations. An Aaron Donald return is even a possibility at this point.
- Eagles, Patriots Complete Brown Swap: While many were surprised by the Garrett blockbuster, Monday also included a long-anticipated trade involving A.J. Brown. The Eagles, as expected, have sent him to the Patriots. Brown will thus reunite with head coach Mike Vrabel after the two previously worked together in Tennessee. Once it became clear the Rams were out of the running in this case, the Pats were in a situation where they were essentially bidding against themselves. A compromise was arranged on the matter of compensation, with Philadelphia receiving a first-round pick in 2028 along with a fifth-rounder in next year’s draft. Brown and free agent addition Romeo Doubs will look to lead a Stefon Diggs-less WR room as part of New England’s efforts to repeat last year’s success.
- Wilson Officially Retires: Russell Wilson‘s playing career has come to an end. The Super Bowl-winning quarterback was reported on Monday to be finalizing a deal to work as an analyst with CBS. Wilson later confirmed as much, officially bringing his 14-year run to an close. Things did not go according to plan with the Broncos (2022-23) or Steelers (2023) for the 10-time Pro Bowler, whose run atop the depth chart with the Giants this past season proved to be short-lived. Of course, Wilson will be best remembered for his decade with the Seahawks, a stretch which included two Super Bowl appearances and eight trips to the playoffs. The Jets made an offer for him to play in 2026, but Wilson’s attention will now turn to broadcasting while a Hall of Fame debate will commence.
- WRs London, Watson Land Extensions: Several teams have worked out lucrative extensions over the past few days, and the Falcons and Packers are among them. Atlanta’s goal of finalizing a second contract with Drake London has been reached; team and player agreed to a four-year pact featuring $100MM in guarantees. London will be on the books through 2030 as a result, something which is also true of Christian Watson. The latter inked a short-term Packers extension last offseason, but a four-year, $110.5MM deal has now been struck in his case. Injuries have been a concern throughout Watson’s career, but the 27-year-old will be leaned on to remain one of the league’s most explosive wideouts when on the field. He joins Jayden Reed as a Green Bay receiver who has landed a lucrative deal this spring.
- Herbig, Hall Receive Latest EDGE Extensions: The Steelers and Seahawks have recently added to the list of in-house players extended well beyond 2026. Edge rushers Nick Herbig and Derick Hall are now attached to long-term contracts. Pittsburgh made a four-year, $100MM commitment despite the presence of T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, and a trade involving either of those two is not considered imminent. Meanwhile, Hall will be expected to handle a larger workload for the defending champions moving forward. Boye Mafe left in free agency, but Hall (who avoided a potential departure in 2027) secured $42MM in base pay on a three-year extension.
Eagles’ Makai Lemon Suffers Hamstring Injury; Training Camp Return Expected
Makai Lemon was recently injured during spring practices. The rookie Eagles wideout is expected to be fully healthy in time for the summer, though.
Lemon is currently dealing with a soft-tissue injury, Eliot Shorr-Parks of 94 WIP reports. Teammate Quinyon Mitchell clarified (via The Athletic’s Brooks Kubena) this is a hamstring issue. Per Shorr-Parks, this year’s No. 20 pick will not participate further in OTAs. A return in time for training camp is anticipated, however.
Lemon spent the pre-draft process as one of the consensus top wideouts on the board. Carnell Tate and Jordyn Tyson were both selected in the top 10, and the Rams’ decision to take quarterback Ty Simpson 13th led to a longer-than-anticipated wait in Lemon’s case. The Steelers looked into a move up the board, but in the end the draft’s hosts remained in place at the No. 21 slot.
That opened the door for Philadelphia to swing a trade and draft Lemon 20th overall. The USC product will be counted on to operate as a key figure on offense early and often in the NFL. Lemon represents one of several new faces on an Eagles WR depth chart which has undergone a number of changes this offseason. Monday brought about the expected news of A.J. Brown being dealt from Philadelphia to New England.
With Brown no longer in the fold, DeVonta Smith will be tasked with remaining a focal point in the passing game. Meanwhile, free agent addition Marquise Brown and trade acquisition Dontayvion Wicks will serve as important options on that front as well. The same will be true of Lemon, provided he can recover in full ahead of training camp and avoid any other setbacks with respect to injuries over the coming months.
2026 will mark the beginning of the post-Brown era for Philadelphia. The team will also have a new offensive coordinator (Sean Mannion) in the fold as better consistency and efficiency is sought out. Lemon is set to miss a small portion of non-contact practices in the near term, but he should manage to carve out an important role for himself upon returning to the field as part of a revamped pass-catching group.