Month: March 2025

Contract Details For Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins

Tee Higgins parted ways with his agent towards the end of his contract year in 2024, raising eyebrows around the NFL.

Those eyebrows went even higher after Higgins signed with the same representation as fellow Bengals wideout Ja’Marr Chase. Four months later, Higgins and Chase both signed lucrative contracts to stay together with Joe Burrow in Cincinnati for the long-term.

“It was something that came together pretty quickly,” said FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz, who first broke news of the dual extensions. “The plan was always to get both done together.”

The Bengals were unable to reach a long-term agreement with Higgins last offseason, resulting in a franchise tag for the 2024 season. Over the last year, the team was also engaged in negotiations with Chase to make him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL. Once both players were represented by the same agency, it became clear that they were a package deal.

“It wasn’t one or the other,” explained Schultz. That gave the two receivers plenty of leverage to force concessions from Cincinnati, who ultimately obliged with a stronger guarantee structure than their previous non-quarterback contracts.

“The Bengals broke a lot of precedent,” Schultz continued. “It’s not something they’ve ever done other than Joe Burrow.”

Higgins still didn’t receive a WR1 salary, but he was willing to take less money than he would’ve earned on the open market to stay in Cincinnati. “He wanted to be a Bengal,” said Schultz. “Tee Higgins wanted to run it back with Ja’Marr Chase and Joe Burrow.”

Chase was entering 2025 on his fifth-year option, so his four-year, $161MM extension will keep him in Cincinnati through 2029. The total guaranteed money is $109.8MM, per Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, with $73.8MM guaranteed at signing.

The deal contains a $22MM signing bonus and a $10MM roster bonus, as well as $1MM in per-game roster bonuses and $100k in workout bonuses in each year of the deal that are fully-guaranteed in 2025. Combined with his fully-guaranteed 2025 salary of $8.07MM, Chase’s first-year cash flow can reach $41.17MM. His $17.73MM salary and $15MM option bonus in 2026 are also fully-guaranteed, with void years in 2030 and 2031 to prorate those bonuses.

If Chase is on the roster on the fifth day of the 2026 league year, his per-game and workout bonuses for 2026 and 2027 will become fully-guaranteed, along with his $23.9MM salary and $5MM roster bonus in 2027. If he is on the roster on the fifth day of the 2027 league year, $7MM of his $31.8MM 2028 salary will become fully-guaranteed. The contract also contains a $250k incentive in each year that can be earned if Chase plays 65% of the Bengals’ offensive snaps and the team wins the Super Bowl.

Higgins was set to earn $26.2MM in 2025 after being tagged for the second season in a row. His new contract is worth $115MM over four years for a $28.75MM APY that ranks ninth at his position. The only fully-guaranteed money at signing is a $10MM roster bonus in 2026, per Florio, though a $20MM roster bonus in 2025 was due five days after signing, making it practically guaranteed. The deal also contains $2MM in per-game roster bonuses and $100k in workout bonuses in each year.

Higgins is due a $13.8MM salary in 2025, bringing his first-year cash flow to $35.9MM. His 2026 salary of $10.9MM becomes fully-guaranteed on the fifth day of the 2026 league year, but the remainder of his compensation is not guaranteed. That includes a base salary of $19.2MM and a roster bonus of $5MM in 2027 and a base salary of $27.3MM in 2026.

The contract also includes incentives for playing time and postseason success. If Higgins plays 65% of the Bengals’ offensive snaps and the team makes the Super Bowl, he will earn $1MM. If he reaches the same playing time and the Bengals win the Super Bowl, he will earn $1.7MM.

Cowboys Notes: Murray, Prescott, Overshown

Kenneth Murray‘s trade to the Cowboys came as a surprise to the 26-year-old linebacker, but he has no complaints about playing in Dallas.

“I’ve always loved the Cowboys,” said Murray (via The Athletic’s Jon Machota). “I grew up a Cowboys fan. My whole family are Cowboys fans. So this is definitely a dream for me playing here.”

Murray was born outside of Houston in 1998. Though the Texans would become the NFL’s 32nd team a year later, Murray was still raised supporting America’s Team. He just wasn’t planning to play for them anytime soon.

“It was extremely surprising for me, just because I wasn’t expecting it,” continued Murray. After will compete for a starting job in Dallas as DeMarvion Overshown recovers from last season’s knee injury.

  • Overshown underwent extensive surgery in December to repair a torn ACL, MCL, and PCL in his right knee. The Cowboys won’t rush him back to the field, but he is planning to play next season. “I’ll be back playing football for sure in 2025,” said Overshown, per Machota. “And it won’t be in December. It will be before that.” The exact timeline for his return remains uncertain given the severity of his injury.
  • Dak Prescott doesn’t have a clear timeline, either, but he is on track to return by the beginning of the regular season. “I’ll be ready for the first game and when anything matters and very, very ready,” said Prescott (via Cowboys team writer Patrik Walker). He missed most of the 2024 season with a partial avulsion of his right hamstring that required surgery.
  • Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey also underwent minor shoulder surgery this offseason, according to Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News. Obviously, shoulder surgery isn’t expected to have a major impact on a kicker, but any procedure brings potential complications with it. The Cowboys know that all too well after Brandin Cooks missed multiple games last season due to a infection resulting from injections in his right knee.
  • In non-injury news, the Cowboys are expected to keep Cooper Beebe at center in 2025, per Machota. Beebe primarily played left guard at Kansas State, but started 16 games at center for the Cowboys as a rookie in 2024. Brock Hoffman and Jack Anderson both have experience at the position, but neither profiles as a better starting option than Beebe.

Jihaad Campbell Underwent Shoulder Surgery After Combine

Projected first-rounder Jihaad Campbell underwent surgery after the NFL Combine to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder, per ESPN’s Jordan Reid. Campbell could be seen wearing a shoulder spring during Alabama’s pro day on March 19.

It is unknown when Campbell suffered the injury. The 21-year-old linebacker played in all 13 of Alabama’s games last season, racking up 117 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, and 5.0 sacks. He also impressed at the Combine with a 4.52-second 40-yard dash and a 10’7″ broad jump.

Campbell’s surgery should not dramatically affect his draft stock, though teams may want to get a better look at his medicals before investing a first round pick. The recovery period for a torn labrum can vary, but it is unlikely that Campbell will heal up in time to participate in rookie minicamp or OTAs this summer.

His status for training camp may even be in doubt, and though he may be close to full health by the start of the regular season, his new team may take a cautious approach to his initial playing time. Not only would they want to avoid a setback, but it is also notoriously difficult for college linebackers to mentally acclimate to the NFL. Missing some or all of training camp could make that transition even harder.

Even after the surgery, Campbell is widely expected to be selected in the first round of April’s draft given his upside as an uber-athletic three-down linebacker. According to ESPN’s Field Yates, the Buccaneers could be a potential landing spot at the 19th overall pick. The team needs to find a successor to 35-year-old Lavonte David, and doing so this year with Campbell has multiple benefits.

First, David could mentor Campbell during his rookie year, helping him learn the defense and adjust to the NFL’s level of play. David would serve as the MIKE linebacker and defensive play-caller, allowing Campbell to focus on his assignment while developing as a leader.

Campbell would also be an excellent fit under Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles. His defense blitzes at one of the highest rates in the league, and Campbell’s ability to rush the passer off the edge or as an off-ball linebacker would give Bowles a versatile chess piece to scheme up pressure.

Giants Unlikely To Sign Aaron Rodgers?

The Giants made one move at the quarterback spot by adding Jameis Winston on a two-year deal. That pact does not ensure him a starting role, however, and New York remains in the market for another passer via free agency and/or the first round of the draft.

[RELATED: Giants Among Potential Landing Spots For Shedeur Sanders]

As a result, the veterans still on the market remain worth monitoring. 2024 Steelers starter Russell Wilson is on the radar of the Giants (along with the Browns), and Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio confirms a deal could be in play sending him to New York. As for Aaron Rodgersthough, the situation is somewhat different.

Florio’s report notes the Giants are still in contention for Rodgers but adds it “seems unlikely” an agreement will be reached. The 41-year-old spent the past two years with the Jets, but as expected his time with the team ended with a post-June 1 release. In the wake of the opening stages of free agency – during which the Jets replaced Rodgers with Justin Fields, leaving the Steelers to pursue a different avenue under center – Rodgers has represented the key domino on the market. A Pittsburgh visit took place on Friday, and no other meetings are planned at this point.

With that said, nothing is considered imminent on the Rodgers front for the Steelers or any other team. The Vikings gave serious thought to signing him, but at this point an offer should not be expected. The Giants have already submitted one to Rodgers, and it is believed to be stronger than the one the Steelers made early in free agency and have not yet altered. New York has roughly $17MM in cap space at the moment, putting the team near the bottom of the league in terms of spending power.

The Steelers, by contrast, have nearly $41MM available. Pittsburgh has reunited with Mason Rudolph at the quarterback spot with Wilson looming as a fallback option should a Rodgers deal not be worked out. The Giants no longer representing a strong suitor for the latter would point even further to the Steelers being his top potential landing spot for 2025.

Panthers Interested In OLB Mykel Williams?

The Panthers have not done much to add along the edge so far this offseason. Patrick Jones represents the only free agent signing so far, and while further moves could be coming the draft looms as a means of making a long-term investment.

Carolina owns the No. 8 pick in next month’s draft, and the flashes shown by second-year quarterback Bryce Young and the team’s offense at the end of last season led the team to focus on defensive additions earlier this month. Deals for the likes of safety Tre’von Moehrig along with defensive linemen Tershawn Wharton and Bobby Brown should help the Panthers improve the league’s worst total and scoring defense from 2024.

With little having taken place on the open market regarding the edge rush group, the likes of Jadeveon Clowney and D.J. Wonnum will remain key figures in that regard. Jones – who notched a career-high seven sacks last season – will also be counted on to improve Carolina’s 32 sacks from 2024. A number of options will be on the board when the Panthers use their first selection in the draft, though.

With that in mind, Joe Person of The Athletic writes Carolina has a “real interest” in Mykel Williams (subscription required). The Georgia product is one of several edge rushers viewed as strong candidates to be selected in the first round, and he will be among the top options left when Abdul Carter hears his name called (which will no doubt happen before the Panthers are on the clock barring a trade up the order). Williams is among the prospects likely to be considered at No. 8, Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda adds.

A former five-star recruit, Williams’ size (6-5, 260 pounds) and athleticism give him some of the highest upside amongst edge rushers in the 2025 class. He posted 4.5 sacks in each of his first two seasons with the Bulldogs, but a lingering ankle injury limited his production in 2024. Williams recorded five sacks and nine tackles for loss, figures short of what many other Day 1 prospects managed but enough for a second-team All-SEC nod. Still, a top-10 selection will be on the table if Carolina’s interest in him holds through the rest of the pre-draft process.

Pauline’s latest mock draft (along with that of ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr.) has the Panthers looking to Georgia with their top pick but instead selecting hybrid linebacker/edge rusher Jalon Walker. He will be worth watching closely as Carolina continues to line up top-30 visits over the coming days, but the same is also true of Williams.

Raiders Not Close To Free Agent WR Addition

The Raiders’ offense has undergone several changes this offseason, with the trade for quarterback Geno Smith being the most impactful one. Questions still loom at the receiver position, but movement on that front does not appear to be close.

[RELATED: Raiders, Smith Could Be Close To Extension Agreement]

Nothing is imminent regarding a free agent receiver signing, Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal writes. Upgrading at the position is seen as a need given the team’s post-Davante Adams setup at the position, and with more than $50MM in cap space affording a veteran would not be a problem. Vegas could instead elect to wait until the draft to add at the skill positions, Bonsignore adds.

In general, the Raiders have not been active regarding splashy additions so far this offseason (with the exception of Smith, of course). That approach has been by design, with The Athletic’s Vic Tafur noting the team did not view the 2025 free agent class as an overly attractive one (subscription required). That view was popular amongst many in the NFL, as showcased by the number of notable players who re-signed before the negotiating period even began.

Vegas has seen the likes of Tre’von Moehrig, Nate Hobbs, Robert Spillane and Divine Deablo depart on defense in free agency. Replacements like Jeremy Chinn, Eric Stokes and Elandon Roberts represent short-term options, but they were not acquired via big-ticket deals. As Tafur notes, the new regime led by general manager John Spytek, head coach Pete Carroll and minority owner Tom Brady prioritized adding 2026 compensatory picks when planning its spending for free agency. As such, future moves involving a large financial commitment would come as a surprise.

The trade which sent Adams to the Jets left the Raiders with Jakobi Meyers as their top receiver, and he is under contract for one more season. Tre Tucker and Kyle Phillips are also on the books, but they are best suited to complementary roles behind Meyers and an addition on the WR depth chart. Options still on the market include Stefon Diggs, Keenan Allen and Amari Coopermany have pointed to the Raiders as a landing spot for Tyler Lockett following his Seahawks release since that would allow him to reunite with Carroll.

A modest, short-term investment in one of those veterans is certainly feasible given the Raiders’ cap space. If one is not made soon, though, the draft will become an increasingly important avenue to upgrade the team’s passing game.

49ers Tried To Bring Back LB Dre Greenlaw After Broncos Commitment; Latest On De’Vondre Campbell, Kyle Juszczyk

The 49ers have seen a host of high-profile talent depart in free agency and, outside of blocking tight end Luke Farrell, have not authorized an FA contract with an average annual value above $4MM. However, as Matt Barrows of The Athletic (subscription required) confirms, the club did try to re-sign linebacker Dre Greenlaw even after he had agreed to join the Broncos.

We heard back in February that San Francisco and Greenlaw were discussing a new contract, though GM John Lynch suggested even then that the 27-year-old defender could look to test the free agent market. According to Barrows, that market may have been slow to heat up but eventually became a “dogfight” that included the incumbent Niners. Barrows does not provide details on Lynch’s final pitch to Greenlaw, who ultimately signed a three-year, $31.5MM deal with Denver.

The contract is relatively light on full guarantees, which allows the Broncos to escape the pact fairly painlessly in 2026. It also underscores the fact that Greenlaw has a notable injury history; he played in only two regular season games in 2024 thanks to the Achilles tear he suffered in Super Bowl LVIII at the end of the 2023 campaign, and he also missed 14 games in 2021 due to a groin injury.

When healthy, though, Greenlaw teamed with Fred Warner to form one of the league’s best LB duos, and Greenlaw also has developed a reputation for being strong in coverage. His track record of high-level production, combined with a weak collegiate class of linebackers, helped him generate significant competition for his services.

After losing out on that competition, the 49ers – who presently have a number of recent Day 3 draftees like Dee Winters penciled in as Warner’s running mate – could look to the free agent market to bolster the position. Some of the more notable names still available include C.J. Mosley, who made plain he intends to continue his playing career, and E.J. Speed, who tallied 142 tackles for the Colts last season.

In terms of starting experience, De’Vondre Campbell also stands out as one of the more accomplished LBs on the market, but obviously his relationship with San Francisco is beyond repair. After signing with the 49ers as a Greenlaw insurance policy last March, Campbell started 12 of the team’s first 13 games of the 2024 season. Greenlaw returned in Week 15, thereby relegating Campbell to a reserve role. Then, when Greenlaw and Winters sustained injuries during that Week 15 contest, Campbell was asked to go into the game. He refused, thus leading to a suspension and the forfeiture of just over $260K in salary and roster bonuses (h/t Spotrac).

Last month, Campbell published on X a series of NSFW posts referencing the situation, though he did not go into detail as to why he refused to enter the Week 15 game. 

It’s been 2 months and I have yet to address the situation cause I know the truth and don’t care to clear anything up. … I ain’t addressing s***. I’m rich and never have to work another day of my life and I told Kyle Shannahan [sic] and John Lynch that when they FaceTime me and begged me to come out there an hour after Green Bay cut me.”

Campbell, 31, has amassed just under $40MM in career earnings. His posts suggest he is content with not continuing his playing career, and given the way his San Francisco tenure ended, teams may be reluctant to bring him aboard anyway, even for a modest salary.

While the 49ers were unable to entice Greenlaw back to the team after he tested the open market, Lynch & Co. were successful in re-signing fullback Kyle Juszczyk less than a week after releasing him. The Steelers hosted Juszczyk on a visit, and the nine-time Pro Bowler indicated in a recent interview on SiriusXM NFL Radio that other clubs were interested as well (via Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk). His brief time as a 2025 free agent solidified his desire to remain in the Bay Area, and he returned to the Niners on a two-year pact featuring an AAV just less than what he was due to make prior to his release (but which presumably helped carve out some 2025 cap space).

“They put it in my court, whether I wanted to be released or continue to negotiate a pay cut,” Juszczyk said, while adding he was told by the 49ers that their financial constraints are real. “I think it’s good to see what your market is, so they gave me the opportunity to do that. Me and my agent, we went to work and we had some interested teams, we explored those possibilities. … I wanted to be a Niner and we were able to get to a number I was comfortable with and we made a deal and I couldn’t be happier.”

As Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle observes, the club’s decision to sign Farrell to a notable contract made more sense upon Juszczyk’s release, as it suggested the tight end would take on a portion of the FB’s blocking responsibilities. With Juszczyk back in the mix, Farrell is still likely to see significant playing time, but his presence will allow George Kittle to spend more time running routes and less time showing off his admittedly formidable blocking skills.

Ravens Willing To Trade TE Mark Andrews?

Although Ravens tight end Mark Andrews has not been previously named as a trade candidate, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic says Baltimore could look to move the three-time Pro Bowler despite seeing his $4MM roster bonus trigger last week. It does not sound as if the club is actively marketing Andrews, and Zrebiec says it would take a “legit offer” to pry him from the Ravens, but it is nonetheless notable that the team is even open to the possibility.

Andrews, 29, entered the NFL in the same year as quarterback Lamar Jackson, as the Ravens selected the Oklahoma product in the third round of the 2018 draft. He has been one of Jackson’s most trusted targets from the jump, establishing himself as one of the league’s premier pass-catching tight ends in the process. He also holds the franchise record for most receiving touchdowns (51) and is close to overtaking Derrick Mason for most receiving yards in franchise history (5,777). He is entering the final year of the four-year, $56MM extension he signed in September 2021.

Even as Baltimore has added more talent to the WR and TE positions over the past few years, Andrews has remained a key cog in the offense and even set a career-high in touchdowns (11) in 2024. The team has not advanced to the Super Bowl in the Jackson era but is constructed to make another playoff push in 2025, and removing Andrews from its offensive attack would seemingly run counter to those aspirations (his costly errors in this year’s divisional-round loss to the Bills notwithstanding).

Of course, the Ravens would not seek to move on from Andrews simply because of his missteps in the Buffalo contest. Instead, any trade would presumably be designed to acquire notable draft capital to inject more cost-controlled talent into the roster, which is a goal for any club with a top-of-the-market QB contract on its books. 

Plus, fellow tight end Isaiah Likely – who is nearly five years younger than Andrews – has proven himself to be a highly-effective weapon and is (like Andrews) entering a platform year. In addition to netting about $5MM of cap space in 2025, trading Andrews could pave the way for a Likely extension while extracting more value from Andrews than a future compensatory pick (if he were allowed to leave in free agency in 2026, that is).

Zrebiec says Baltimore was never going to release Andrews, and he does not specify what type of offer would convince Ravens brass to pull the trigger on a trade. After he was rumored as an extension candidate last year, though, it presently appears as if Andrews’ future with his original club is murkier than expected.

NFL QB Rumors: Rodgers, Wilson, Ward

Yesterday, we saw free agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers meet with a Steelers contingent that featured general manager Omar Khan, head coach Mike Tomlin, and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. The presence of all of the team’s top personnel was interesting to see as the three missed Michigan’s pro day to meet with the 41-year-old passer. The top brass in Pittsburgh tends to all be in attendance for big pro days, and the Wolverines are stacked with first round talent like defensive tackles Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant, cornerback Will Johnson, and tight end Colston Loveland.

While it may seem like Rodgers leaving without a deal made the meeting unproductive, it appears the meeting wasn’t intended to be about contract negotiations. According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the Steelers and Rodgers “have had contract parameters in place for weeks.” Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer adds that money discussions are not “expected to get in the way” when it comes to a decision.

The visit was reportedly less about discussions on compensation and more about conversations on fit and Rodgers getting the feel of the Steelers’ leadership and culture. Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the six-hour visit was a positive one, and the two sides will remain in touch, though the decision is ultimately in Rodgers’ hands.

Here are a couple other rumors concerning the teams still looking for quarterback help this offseason:

  • With Pittsburgh pushing all their chips in on Rodgers, it’s become apparent that Russell Wilson has been deemed a backup option for the Steelers, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Wilson is still getting plenty of interest from the Browns and Giants, who despite signing Jameis Winston yesterday, have not been ruled out from signing another veteran passer and/or drafting a rookie quarterback as they begin to rebuild their quarterbacks room from scratch.
  • Speaking of pro days, Fowler tells us that the Titans will be sending the calvary to Coral Gables for Miami quarterback Cam Ward‘s pro day this Monday. While there has been a lot of momentum for Ward to go No. 1 overall to Nashville, Fowler says that a determination has not yet been made by the Titans. The team still intends to undergo a very thorough determination process, but so far, through interviews at the NFL scouting combine, Ward has acquitted himself well, showing some mistake recognition and coachability to go along with his natural talent.
  • An interesting note from Fowler adds that, in a perfect world, Tennessee would love to be able to trade back and still land Ward, but there’s worry that he wouldn’t still be around after moving back, perfectly illustrating how position need and importance can inflate a player’s draft stock. Regardless, the sense around the league is that Ward has far and away separated himself from the rest of the quarterbacks in this year’s class.

Browns To Host Tyler Shough On Top-30 Visit; QB Met With Seahawks

Armed with the second-overall pick in the draft, the Browns are in prime position to land either Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders. However, there’s another QB who’s rapidly climbing up draft boards, and the Browns will take an extended look at the prospect.

According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, the Browns are hosting Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough for a top-30 visit. The organization may simply be doing their due diligence at the position in case they opt for someone like Abdul Carter or Travis Hunter with the No. 2 pick. However, Cabot hints that Shough’s chances of going second aren’t “as far-fetched as [they] might seem.”

Shough is one of the more intriguing names on the draft board. The QB has seven years of college experience in stops at Oregon, Texas Tech, and Louisville. He had a true breakout season in 2023, completing 62.7 percent of his passes for 3,195 yards, 23 touchdowns, and six interceptions. Shough has already drawn the attention of draft pundits; as Cabot notes, Greg Cosell has lauded the player’s size and NFL readiness, while Louis Riddick has discounted the player’s injury history in favor of his upside. This won’t be Shough’s first visit; the QB visited with the Seahawks earlier this week, according to ESPN’s Brady Henderson.

With Ward expected to go first-overall, the Browns have often been connected to Sanders with the second-overall pick. As Cabot notes, the front office hasn’t been quiet about their affection for the Colorado QB, and Deion Sanders has also endorsed a move to Cleveland. However, Cabot cautions that if the organization determines they prefer Shough over Sanders, they may not have the flexibility to select a non-QB with the No. 2 pick and then swing a trade to acquire a QB prospect later in the draft. There’s also a chance the team looks at other quarterback options like Jaxson Dart and Jalen Milroe.

At 25-years-old, Shough would surely make some Browns fans queasy considering their track record with older prospects (apologies to Brandon Weeden). The front office may have a tough time convincing fans to pivot the second-overall pick to someone like Shough, and the organization could be better off taking someone like Carter or Hunter at No. 2 with the hope of landing a QB later on.

It will be interesting to see if the team’s free agency approach will impact their draft plans. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported earlier this morning that the Browns remain interested in Russell Wilson, and adding both a veteran and a rookie would make for a crowded QBs room. While Deshaun Watson‘s future with the organization is uncertain, the Browns already made one move for a veteran this offseason in Kenny Pickett.