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Month: March 2025

Broncos, Seahawks Pursued TE Juwan Johnson; Latest On Evan Engram’s Free Agency Call

March 18th, 2025 at 5:57pm CST by Sam Robinson

In what may be the least surprising free agency what-if in this year’s cycle, the Broncos were one of the teams in on Juwan Johnson. The veteran tight end confirmed (via ESPN.com’s Katherine Terrell) a Sean Payton reunion was on the table.

The Broncos already employ two former Saints tight ends, in Adam Trautman and Lucas Krull, and their roster and coaching staff includes other ex-Saints. Denver, though, looked to serve as the lead driver of a market that ended with a three-year, $30.75MM deal for one of Payton’s more successful UDFAs.

New Orleans carved out enough cap room, primarily using Derek Carr‘s contract as a tool, to re-sign Johnson and Chase Young and add Justin Reid. Johnson will stay with the team with which he has spent his entire career, remaining paired up with Foster Moreau and Taysom Hill. Johnson, 28, will be the lead target among this trio thanks to this contract.

The Seahawks also pursued Johnson, which represents a less predictable push due to the team having re-signed Noah Fant during last year’s legal tampering period. Fant is on a two-year, $21.5MM deal, but Johnson carries a season of experience with Klint Kubiak, who did not overlap with Fant in Denver. The former first-round pick does not have any guaranteed salary on the books for 2026, though he is a year younger than Johnson.

Prior to agreeing to return in a new Saints offense, Johnson said (via NewOrleans.football’s Nick Underhill) he met with new HC Kellen Moore. Johnson called the new Saints HC the night before he signed to go over his vision for himself in the offense. Evidently, this conversation went well, as Johnson will be a key piece of Moore’s first Saints operation.

Although we included Johnson as the only tight end in the PFR Top 50, the list emerged before the Jaguars cut Evan Engram. A more accomplished player, Engram also looks to have benefited from where the Saints went for Johnson. A day after the Johnson pact, the Broncos gave Engram a two-year, $23MM accord. That narrowly topped Johnson’s AAV number, as Engram has two Pro Bowls on a resume that includes five 575-plus-yard seasons (to Johnson’s zero).

Engram, though, is two years older than Johnson. The 30-year-old TE also received an offer from the Chargers, 9News’ Mike Klis adds, noting the Bolts’ proposal checked in around where the Broncos’ offer came in. Engram visited both teams, meeting with the Broncos before Johnson recommitted to the Saints. The Broncos may have passed on beating the Saints’ offer to reunite Payton and Johnson, but they received news of Engram’s commitment barely a day later. This stands to help a team that saw Trautman’s 188 yards lead its TE contingent last season.

Of Engram’s $16MM guarantee at signing, $5MM comes as part of his 2026 base salary ($10.99MM), KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson notes. Though he gave the Saints a three-year commitment, Johnson did better at signing; New Orleans gave its TE find $21.25MM fully guaranteed.

Although they have signed half of last year’s AFC West starting centers (Bradley Bozeman, Andre James), the Chargers have thus far stood down at tight end. Their offer to Engram, of course, shows an interest in upgrading. Hayden Hurst hit free agency last week, while the team lost Stone Smartt to the Jets. Will Dissly, last season’s Bolts TE yardage leader, remains under contract.

NFC Contract Details: Mason, Vikings, Wharton, Panthers, Pack, Bears, Cowboys, Giants, Bucs, Brissett

March 18th, 2025 at 5:24pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are the details on a few of the more notable NFC contracts agreed to in recent days:

  • Tershawn Wharton, DT (Panthers). Three years, $45.1MM. The former Chris Jones Chiefs sidekick will see $30.25MM fully guaranteed, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets. Wharton’s 2025 and ’26 base salaries ($1.17MM, $13.45MM) are locked in. While the $45.1MM base value is less than initially reported, sack-, playoff- and Pro Bowl-based incentives make up a $9MM incentive package.
  • Grady Jarrett, DT (Bears). Three years, $42.75MM. While $27.25MM is guaranteed at signing, the Bears are guaranteeing almost all of the ex-Falcon’s 2026 base salary ahead of time. $13MM of Jarrett’s $14.25MM 2026 paragraph 5 pay is locked in, with Wilson adding the other $1.25MM shifts from an injury guarantee to a full guarantee of Day 3 of the ’26 league year. Jarrett is due a $1MM roster bonus on Day 5 of the 2027 league year, representing the Bears’ first true out on this contract.
  • Ben Bredeson, G (Buccaneers). Three years, $22MM. The Bucs are guaranteeing their 2024 O-line signee $12.5MM at signing. A $5.5MM roster bonus is due on Day 5 of the 2026 league year, per Wilson, who adds a $500K roster bonus is due on Day 5 of the ’27 league year.
  • Bobby Brown, DT (Panthers). Three years, $21MM. Of this total, only $6.8MM is guaranteed at signing, per OverTheCap. Brown will see $9.58MM guaranteed in total, with $2.77MM of Brown’s $5.55MM 2026 base salary shifting from an injury guarantee to a full guarantee on Day 3 of the ’26 league year, Wilson adds. A $6MM incentive package is present in the Panthers’ other notable DT deal.
  • Brandon McManus, K (Packers). Three years, $15MM. The veteran kicker’s $5MM signing bonus represents his only at-signing guarantee, though the deal includes what amounts to a guaranteed $1.4MM 2025 base salary as well. ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky also indicates a $1MM roster bonus is in place for 2026. Nothing is guaranteed beyond 2025, however.
  • KaVontae Turpin, WR (Cowboys). Three years, $13.5MM. This is $4.5MM south of the initially reported value. The Cowboys have guaranteed the All-Pro returner $5MM at signing; that comes from a $3.6MM signing bonus and a $1.4MM 2025 base salary, ESPN.com’s Todd Archer tweets. Nothing is guaranteed beyond 2025. After Turpin totaled 420 receiving yards last season, Dallas included a $250K yearly incentive for a 500-yard season, Archer adds. That jumps to $500K for a 700-yard season.
  • Jacoby Brissett, QB (Cardinals). Two years, $12.5MM. This is a nice bump for Brissett, who has played on one-year deals in each of the past four seasons. The nomadic backup/fill-in starter will see $8MM guaranteed, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweets.
  • James Hudson, OL (Giants). Two years, $11MM. Hudson will see $5.8MM guaranteed at signing, per OverTheCap. That comes from a signing bonus and a guaranteed 2025 salary; no 2026 Hudson money is locked in.
  • Jordan Mason, RB (Vikings). Two years, $10.5MM. Minnesota is guaranteeing Mason $7.23MM at signing, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio notes. The former Christian McCaffrey backup will see $2MM of his $4.73MM 2026 base salary fully guaranteed. Incentives on Mason’s deal start at 800 rushing yards in a season, with a $200K bump coming if the former sixth-round pick reaches that number.
  • Roy Robertson-Harris, DL (Giants). Two years, $9MM. Robertson-Harris will see $5.3MM guaranteed at signing, Wilson tweets. The Giants guaranteed the veteran interior D-lineman $1MM of his $3.5MM 2026 base at signing. It would cost the Giants $2.4MM in dead money to move on after one season, The Athletic’s Dan Duggan adds.

Chargers Sign C Andre James

March 18th, 2025 at 4:37pm CST by Adam La Rose

Andre James was among the players cut at the start of the new league year last week, but he has not needed to wait long to find a new deal. The veteran center signed with the Chargers on Tuesday, per a team announcement.

James spent the first six years of his career with the Raiders. That span included serving as the team’s full-time starting center from 2021 onwards. The former UDFA re-signed on a three-year deal last offseason, but just one year into the pact he was let go.

Today’s move keep James in the AFC West, and it could allow him to continue operating as a starter. The Chargers re-signed Bradley Bozeman just before free agency began, putting him on track to carry on as Los Angeles’ first-team option in the middle. James represents experienced competition for the role, though.

The 27-year-old has mostly drawn consistent PFF reviews during his career, with his best overall grade (74.6) coming in 2023. James’ evaluation took a step back last season, one in which the Raiders struggled in general up front. A bounce-back campaign in 2025 would help James rebuild his value, though, something which could be feasible if he earns the starting gig on a strong Chargers O-line.

The Bolts have tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, along with guard Zion Johnson, set to return next season. The team added another starter along the interior in the form of Mekhi Becton, who thrived in his one-and-done Eagles campaign. Becton found himself as one of the top blockers in free agency this year, and he landed a two-year Chargers pact worth up to $20MM. Expectations will be high for the former Jets draftee in particular and Los Angeles’ play up front in general.

Bozeman spent the 2022 and ’23 seasons in Carolina, but when playing out his rookie deal with the Ravens before that he worked under Greg Roman. The latter took on OC duties in Los Angeles when reuniting with head coach Jim Harbaugh last offseason, a factor in Bozeman’s first Chargers deal and his recent re-signing. The latter started all 17 games in 2024, but that may not be the case moving forward.

Rams Sign LB Nathan Landman

March 18th, 2025 at 4:20pm CST by Adam La Rose

Earlier this month, it was learned the Falcons would not issue an RFA tender to Nathan Landman. That left the linebacker free to depart on the open market, and he has done just that.

Landman agreed to a one-year deal with the Rams on Tuesday, per a team announcement. During his three seasons in Atlanta, the former undrafted free agent made 36 appearances and 23 starts. He could take on a notable defensive role with Los Angeles as a result.

During his debut season, Landman played seven games but saw only sparse usage on defense while handling special teams duties. His workload changed dramatically in 2023, however, with 805 defensive snaps resulting in notable production. Landman posted 110 tackles, three forced fumbles and a pair of sacks that season while filling in for the injured Troy Andersen.

Landman remained a key defender this past season, although a quad injury forced him to miss four games. A deal allowing him to remain in Atlanta was floated as a possibility once the decision was made to non-tender him (something which would have cost as little as $3.26MM). Instead of returning at a lower rate, Landman has elected to join a new team for the first time in his career.

The 26-year-old now joins a LB room which saw Christian Rozeboom depart in free agency by taking a deal with the Panthers. The Rams have also lost special teamer Jake Hummel to the Ravens while Troy Reeder remains unsigned. Landman could again find himself occupying a heavy workload on defense as a result; failing that, he should have plenty of special teams snaps available.

The Colorado product collected roughly $2.5MM during his time with the Falcons. Deals signed this deep into free agency are not particularly lucrative in most cases, but it will be interesting to see if this Rams pact checks in at a higher rate than the value of the low tender. In any case, Landman can help his 2026 earning potential with a strong season in Los Angeles.

Dolphins Have Submitted Offer To Calais Campbell

March 18th, 2025 at 2:54pm CST by Adam La Rose

It was recently learned the Dolphins have made an offer to keep Emmanuel Ogbah in the fold. He is not the only veteran who could find himself remaining on Miami’s defensive front next season, though.

A standing offer is also in place for Calais Campbell, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald writes. It remains to be seen if Campbell will play in 2025, but he said after the regular season ended he would contemplate doing so. The Dolphins inked the Hurricanes product to a one-year deal last offseason, and that signing proved to be worthwhile.

Campbell logged a 58% snap share in 2024 and he operated as a key figure along the D-line. The 2010s All-Decade Team member posted five sacks and 12 tackles for loss, showcasing his disruptive abilities against the run and pass even this deep into his career. Campbell will turn 39 in September, but he could still provide value to Miami or an interested team if he chooses to play next year.

Midway through the 2024 campaign, a trade agreement was in place to send Campbell back to the Ravens (after he played there from 2020-22). Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel vetoed the deal, though, and Campbell helped Miami remain in postseason contention through to Week 18. A scenario in which the six-time Pro Bowler was waived to allow him to join a playoff team was floated, although that did not take place. Now, the Dolphins await a decision from Campbell while making other free agent moves.

Miami ranked ninth against the run last season, and retaining Campbell could set the team up to repeat that success in 2025. In the event he were to turn down the Dolphins’ offer and depart in free agency, though, finding a replacement (likely through the draft) would become a key priority. With work still to be done to keep Ogbah in place as a veteran edge rush presence, it will be interesting to see if negotiations will take place in the near future in Campbell’s case.

Panthers Re-Sign WR David Moore

March 18th, 2025 at 2:07pm CST by Adam La Rose

David Moore will remain in Carolina for 2025. The veteran receiver has agreed to a one-year Panthers deal, the team announced on Tuesday.

Moore began his career with the Seahawks, and he spent time with Panthers head coach Dave Canales during that time. The pair also worked together in 2023, when Canales operated as the Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator. Moore followed Canales to Carolina last offseason, giving him a familiar face during his rookie head coaching campaign.

As the Panthers looked to field their best combination of receivers during the year, Moore wound up logging five starts and a 55% snap share. That represented the second-largest workload of his career, and 30-year-old produced 351 yards and three touchdowns on 32 receptions. For his career, Moore sports a 14.0 yards-per-catch average.

The former seventh-rounder has experience on special teams, and he will likely spend more time handling third phase duties if Carolina’s other wideouts take on a larger offensive role. Adam Thielen – who has been a focal point in the passing game during his two Panthers seasons – will play in 2025 on a restructured deal. 2024 first-rounder Xavier Legette also figures to see plenty of usage next season.

The Panthers also have veteran special teamer Dan Chisena in place after he re-signed last week, along with Jalen Coker (who flashed potential as an undrafted rookie last year). Carolina could very well look to the draft to add at the receiver position, but Moore will again have a role with the team in 2025.

S Nick Emmanwori Lines Up Pre-Draft Visits

March 18th, 2025 at 1:25pm CST by Adam La Rose

The 2025 draft is not viewed as being deep at the safety spot, but two standouts are firmly in contention to be selected in the first round. One of them is Nick Emmanwori, who has lined up several pre-draft visits.

The South Carolina product will meet with the Falcons in the near future, he announced on Tuesday (h/t Josh Kendall of The Athletic). Atlanta still has 2023 free agent addition Jessie Bates on the books, but Justin Simmons is a free agent. The latter (who did not match his previous level of play with the Broncos during his debut Falcons season) hopes to re-sign, but as expected he has reached the open market.

In the event Simmons departs, adding a starting-caliber safety would become a draft priority. The Falcons (who are set to select 15th overall) are far from the only team line up an Emmanwori visit, though. As Kendall notes, he is also set to meet with the Panthers, Seahawks, Bengals and Dolphins.

Carolina made several splashy additions on defense last week, including a three-year deal for Tre’von Moehrig. The former Raider will look to replace Xavier Woods, who joined the Titans in free agency. Jordan Fuller and Nick Scott are unsigned at this point, and losing both could leave the Panthers in the market for a draft addition at the position (although doing so at No. 8 would come as a surprise).

Cincinnati and Seattle are slated to pick 17th and 18th, respectively. Both teams could stand to improve in the secondary in 2025, and the Bengals in particular will need to emphasize defensive additions via the draft with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins attached to lucrative new deals. Adding Emmanwori in that range could very well be on the table; the latest mock draft from ESPN’s Mel Kiper has Seattle selecting him at No. 18.

Miami has frequently been linked to drafting a safety this spring with Jevon Holland departing on the open market and Jordan Poyer unlikely to be re-signed. Many have pointed to Georgia’s Malaki Starks (the other Day 1 safety prospect in the class) as a logical target as a result. Indeed, NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah mocks Starks to the Dolphins at No. 13 with Emmanwori going 24th.

The latter spent three years with the Gamecocks, operating as a full-time starter during that spell. Emmanwori earned all-conference honors in 2024 along with a first-team All-American nod after posting 88 tackles and four interceptions (two of which were returned for touchdowns). He will face high expectations upon arrival in the NFL, and the coming weeks will no doubt include visits with other interested teams.

Vikings, CB Jeff Okudah Agree To Deal

March 18th, 2025 at 10:35am CST by Adam La Rose

Jeff Okudah is set to play for a fourth career team in 2025. The former third overall pick has agreed to a one-year deal with the Vikings, per his agent (via ESPN’s Adam Schefter).

Okudah had other options on the table, per Schefter, but this move will allow him to return to the NFC North after starting his career with the Lions. The 26-year-old visited the Vikings yesterday, so this news comes as little surprise. Okudah will now look to compete for a depth role on defense with Minnesota.

Expectations were high for the Ohio State product upon entering the NFL. Things did not go according to plan for much of his Lions tenure, however, with injuries limiting him to only 10 games across his first two seasons. Okudah managed to suit up for 15 contests in 2022, but during the subsequent offseason he was traded to the Falcons. Playing out the final year of his rookie contract, he made nine Atlanta starts.

During his first foray into free agency, Okudah took a one-year with the Texans worth $4.75MM. The Grand Prairie, Texas, native suffered an injury in Week 1 and spent much of the campaign on injured reserve as a result. Okudah was thus limited to just six games for Houston, a team which has newly-extended Derek Stingley Jr. and 2024 second-rounder Kamari Lassiter atop the CB depth chart. It comes as no surprise Okudah is on the move once more, again taking a one-year pact in the process.

The secondary was a key talking point for the Vikings in the lead-in to free agency. Byron Murphy was on track to be on the of the top corners to reach the market, but he wound up re-signing on a three-year, $54MM pact. That contract (which can max out at $66MM via incentives) will keep Murphy in place as Minnesota’s top cover man, and the team has also added Isaiah Rodgers on a two-year deal. Tavierre Thomas – who has starting experience but also a long track record of special teams contributions – is in the fold as well.

Meanwhile, the likes of Stephon Gilmore, Shaquill Griffin and Fabian Moreau are all free agents at this point. The Vikings could retain one or more of those veterans, and doing so would add further to Okudah’s competition for a 2025 roster spot.

LB C.J. Mosley Intends To Play In 2025

March 18th, 2025 at 9:43am CST by Adam La Rose

After he was limited to just four games in 2024, C.J. Mosley was seen as a strong cut candidate. The veteran linebacker was indeed released last week, making him a free agent for the second time in his career.

Mosley joined the Jets on a $17MM-per-year pact in 2019, but the first year of that deal saw him play only a pair of games. The former first-rounder then opted out of following campaign, leading to questions about his future in New York. Mosley managed to produce three straight healthy seasons after that, however, and in 2022 he secured the fifth Pro Bowl nod of his career.

In spite of that, it came as no surprise when the Jets elected to move on with two years remaining on Mosley’s pact. The post-June 1 designation used in the move allows the team to spread out the outstanding cap charges on his contract and move forward with a linebacker group led by Jamien Sherwood (who re-signed on a three-year, $45MM pact). Mosley, meanwhile, is on the lookout for a new team, with ESPN’s Rich Cimini writing he does not plan to retire.

A herniated disc caused the 32-year-old’s missed time in 2024, and potential suitors will no doubt be cautious when considering an offer. Mosely could undergo a physical in the event he visits teams in person before agreeing to a deal, although Cimini notes the fact New York did not apply a failed physical designation as part of the release is part of a sign the Alabama product is fully healthy. From 2021-23, he recorded no fewer than 152 tackles each season. In any case, Mosley’s next pact will no doubt be much less lucrative than his Jets one.

The former first-rounder spent his first five seasons with the Ravens, collecting four second-team All-Pro nods along the way. Baltimore has Roquan Smith attached to the most lucrative linebacker contract in the league (averaging $20MM per year), but the team could be in the market for a starter to pair with him in 2025. A long list of teams currently have more cap space at this point in free agency, however, and it will be interesting to see how many of them show an interest in adding Mosley for next year.

49ers Sign CB Siran Neal

March 18th, 2025 at 8:59am CST by Adam La Rose

The 49ers’ secondary has witnessed plenty of turnover during free agency, and another new face is incoming. Veteran corner and special teams ace Siran Neal is finalizing a two-year deal with San Francisco, Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports. The move is now official.

Neal has spent his entire career in the AFC East to date, playing with the Bills from 2018-23 and then the Dolphins last season. He has made 114 appearances, but only handled one start during that time. Neal logged a career-high 84% snap share on special teams in 2024, but Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald notes the Dolphins did not make a serious push to retain him.

On Monday, Miami worked out a deal with fellow veteran corner Artie Burns. The former first-rounder has not developed as hoped on defense, but he will be able to contribute on special teams. Provided he does so, he will help replace the third phase contributions lost by Neal’s departure.

The 30-year-old has handled triple-digit snaps on defense only three times so far in his career (and not since 2021). Neal has logged more than 2,000 special teams snaps, however, and remaining a core player in that regard will no doubt be the expectation upon arrival in San Francisco. Improving in the third phase will be a goal for new special teams coordinator Brant Boyer in particular and the 49ers in general for 2025.

San Francisco has lost cornerback Charvarius Ward and safety Talanoa Hufanga to the Broncos on the open market, adding the likes of Tre Brown and Richie Grant as low-cost options who could replace them to an extent on defense. The team’s secondary will now include Neal as well next season.

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