HEADLINES

Month: March 2025

Chiefs, DL Jerry Tillery Agree To Deal

March 14th, 2025 at 1:55pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Chiefs have lost Tershawn Wharton in the early stages of free agency, but they have quickly lined up a depth addition which will help replace him. Jerry Tillery has agreed to head to Kansas City on a one-year deal, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reports.

Tillery started 11 games for the Vikings last year, lining up primarily along the interior of the defensive line with some snaps on the edge. He had one of the least productive seasons of his career and finished with 28 total tackles, zero sacks, and one tackle for loss.

Tillery was a 2019 first-round pick who began his career in the AFC West with the Chargers. He carved out a starting role in his second season and amassed 9.5 sacks, and 12 tackles for loss in 29 starts across his first three years in the NFL. Tillery’s production didn’t match his high snap counts, so the Chargers declined his fifth-year option after the 2021 season.

A slow start in 2022 led to Tillery’s release after seven games. He was claimed off waivers by the Raiders and appeared in the last eight games of their season with four starts. He re-signed in Las Vegas in 2023 before taking a one-year, $2.75MM contract with the Vikings in 2024.

Tiller will provided much-needed defensive line depth in Kansas City. In addition to losing Wharton, the Chiefs had three other defensive linemen hit free agency this week in Mike Pennel, Derrick Nnadi, and Marlon Tuipulotu. The team has yet to re-sign any and is currently only returning Chris Jones from last year’s unit.

Chiefs To Re-Sign Kareem Hunt

March 14th, 2025 at 12:45pm CST by Adam La Rose

Kareem Hunt returned to the Chiefs last season, and his second Kansas City run will continue into 2025. The former rushing champion is re-signing on a one-year deal, as first reported by Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz.

This pact has a base value of $1.5MM, Schultz adds. Incentives can add another $1MM to Hunt’s earnings. After a five-year run with the Browns, the 2017 Offensive Rookie of the Year came back to Kansas City and handled a notable offensive workload. He will remain part of the team’s backfield plans for at least one more campaign.

Isiah Pacheco was expected to handle a heavy workload in 2024, but he was limited to seven games due to a broken fibula. His absence helped open the door for Hunt signing and then receiving 200 carries on the year; he turned that opportunity into 728 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground. The 29-year-old added 176 yards in the passing game, then scored a pair of touchdowns in the playoffs.

Before the start of free agency, it became clear the Chiefs would be interested in adding a veteran running back this spring. That plan resulted in a one-year agreement with Elijah Mitchell, who missed all of last season. The former 49er nevertheless figures to have a role of some kind with Kansas City. Pacheco, meanwhile, is entering the final year of his rookie contract.

The Chiefs could also look to the draft to add a long-term option at the position, something which would make sense since all three of their current top backs are pending 2026 free agents. Hunt – who saw his yards per carry average rebound slightly to 3.6 after it dropped at the end of his Browns tenure – will nevertheless compete for playing time in 2025. Regardless of how Kansas City’s backfield shakes out, the Toledo product figures to have a notable role based on the trust he has received from the organization.

Hunt made a mid-season return to the Browns in 2023 after Nick Chubb‘s season-ending knee injury. The latter is a free agent, and his departure (which would not come as a surprise at this point) would leave Cleveland in need of at least one notable addition. Today’s news confirms another new Hunt agreement will not be possible, though.

Bills To Bring Back CB Dane Jackson

March 14th, 2025 at 12:34pm CST by Adam La Rose

Dane Jackson is headed back to Buffalo. After a single season with the Panthers, the veteran corner has a Bills deal in place, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

This will be a one-year deal, Garafolo adds. Jackson spent his first four seasons with the Bills, making 28 starts during that span. The former seventh-rounder landed a two-year free agent deal in Carolina last offseason, but things did not go according to plan with his new team.

Jackson was limited to nine games in 2024, and he only managed three starts. The Panthers brought him in as a familiar face to general manager Dan Morgan, but in spite of that factor the team elected to give more playing time to younger options in the secondary as the season progressed. That limited Jackson’s usage, and his overall snap share checked in at a career-low 43%. The 28-year-old was released last month.

That move allowed Jackson to sign with an interested team before free agency officially began, but it has still taken until today for a deal to be worked out. He will nevertheless give Buffalo a familiar option in the secondary as the team navigates its cornerback situation. Former first-rounder Kaiir Elam was traded to the Cowboys earlier this week, while Rasul Douglas remains unsigned.

That leaves Buffalo with Christian Benford (perhaps the next candidate for a lucrative extension) and Taron Johnson (one of the league’s highest-paid slot corners) as starters. Jackson – who logged more than 800 defensive snaps in 2022 – could step into a starting role upon returning to the team. Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic notes Jackson can be penciled in as a first-team option for now, although he adds Buffalo could very well continue making moves at the position as the offseason continues.

At a minimum, Jackson could offer the Bills experienced depth at what will no doubt be a low cost. After the Pitt alum inked a contract averaging $4.25MM per year last offseason, this latest pact should check in at a lower rate. Still, Jackson could help his 2026 free agent prospects with a strong second Buffalo stint.

NFL Announces 2025 Compensatory Picks

March 14th, 2025 at 12:17pm CST by Sam Robinson

MARCH 14: In an unusual step, the NFL has awarded the Saints a seventh-round compensatory pick and stripped one from the Dolphins. The Saints’ pick appears to check in in front of the Browns and Chargers’ Nos. 254 and 255 slots, as NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero notes Cleveland and Los Angeles’ last 2025 picks will slide down one spot. The Dolphins will retain their other seventh-round comp pick, however.

MARCH 11: The NFL has awarded compensatory draft picks for teams in the 2025 draft. Based on an add/subtract formula that covers the 2024 free agency period, comp picks span from Round 3 to Round 7. The higher picks go to the teams that endured the most significant free agent losses.

This year, the NFL awarded 35 comp picks. The comp pick formula assigns picks to franchises who suffered the largest net losses, so teams that signed multiple free agents have a lesser chance of receiving picks.

Sorted by round and by team, here are the league’s 2025 compensatory selections:

By round:

Round 3: Vikings (No. 97 overall), Dolphins (98), Giants (99), 49ers (100)*, Rams (101)*, Lions (102)*

Round 4: Dolphins (135), Ravens (136), Seahawks (137), 49ers (138)

Round 5: Bills (169), Cowboys (170), Cowboys (171), Seahawks (172), Bills (173), Cowboys (174), Seahawks (175), Ravens (176)

Round 6: Chargers (209), Ravens (210), Cowboys (211), Ravens (212), Raiders (213), Chargers (214), Raiders (215), Browns (216)

Round 7: 49ers (249), Packers (250), Chiefs (251), 49ers (252), Dolphins (253), Browns (254), Chargers (255), Dolphins (256), Chiefs (257)

By team:

  • Baltimore Ravens: 4
  • Dallas Cowboys: 4
  • Miami Dolphins: 4
  • San Francisco 49ers: 4
  • Los Angeles Chargers: 3
  • Seattle Seahawks: 3
  • Buffalo Bills: 2
  • Cleveland Browns: 2
  • Kansas City Chiefs: 2
  • Las Vegas Raiders: 2
  • Detroit Lions: 1
  • Green Bay Packers: 1
  • Los Angeles Rams: 1
  • Minnesota Vikings: 1
  • New York Giants: 1

* = special compensatory selection

Vikings, LB Eric Wilson Agree To Deal

March 14th, 2025 at 11:56am CST by Adam La Rose

Eric Wilson is set to return to where his career began. The veteran linebacker has agreed to a deal with the Vikings, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Wilson spent his first four years in Minnesota, logging 25 starts during that span. In 2020, he occupied a full-time first-team role and collected 122 tackles, three sacks and three interceptions. In spite of that production, the former UDFA has not managed to secure a multi-year deal during his free agent tenures.

After splitting his time between the Eagles and Texans in 2021, Wilson enjoyed a three-year run with the Packers. He missed four contests during his debut Green Bay season, but since then he has been a regular in the team’s lineup. The 30-year-old started 12 games last year, and his 72 tackles were the second-highest total of his career. Wilson added a pair of sacks and an interception, a sign of the production he will be capable of upon returning to Minnesota.

The Packers re-signed Isaiah McDuffie earlier this month, preventing him from reaching free agency. That two-year deal ensures Green Bay will have continuity at the linebacker spot with Quay Walker and Edgerrin Cooper still in the fold. The McDuffie move opened the door for Wilson to depart, but this news means the latter will now play his former team twice in 2025.

The Vikings have been active on defense so far this offseason, but the Wilson reunion represents the team’s first outside addition at the linebacker spot. Minnesota still has Blake Cashman and Ivan Pace on the books as starters, but Wilson will offer an experienced rotational option as well as a veteran special teams presence. Kamu Grugier-Hill is a free agent, and this Wilson move could lead him to head elsewhere as the offseason continues to unfold.

Seahawks To Host Teven Jenkins

March 14th, 2025 at 11:19am CST by Adam La Rose

Upgrading along the offensive line is known to be a priority for the Seahawks, and the team will host one of the top remaining free agent options soon. Teven Jenkins will visit Seattle on Monday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.

Jenkins played out his rookie contract with the Bears, a spell which included an underwhelming tenure at right tackle but improved play at guard afterwards. The former second-rounder attempted on multiple occasions to enter into Bears extension talks, but those efforts were unsuccessful. Chicago looked to be on track to move in a different direction this spring, and that has proven to be the case.

Prior to the start of the new league year, trade agreements were worked out for guards Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney; both moves are now official, and the former has even worked out a Chicago extension. The Bears have also been aggressive at the center spot, signing Drew Dalman to a three-year deal including $28MM guaranteed. Chicago’s moves up front have made it clear Jenkins will be on the move in 2025.

The 27-year-old split his time between both guard spots across the 2022 and ’23 seasons and then worked exclusively at left guard this past season. Jenkins started all 14 of his appearances (the most games he has played in a season to date) and ranked 13th amongst qualifying guards in terms of PFF evaluation. His grades have been strong since moving inside, and expectations will be high upon arrival with his next team. The Oklahoma State product ranked 19th on PFR’s Free Agent list.

Seattle has Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas at the tackle spots, but the team’s interior O-line play was a major sore spot in 2024. To date, the Seahawks’ only addition up front has been a deal for Josh Jones, who will likely handle swing tackle duties. Moves aimed at improving the guard spot are still needed, especially with Laken Tomlinson having departed in free agency.

Jenkins could provide Seattle with an effective guard, although his market will be hindered by his injury issues. Monday’s visit will allow the team to conduct a physical, and it will be interesting to see if a deal is worked out.

Lions Re-Sign WR Tim Patrick

March 14th, 2025 at 10:38am CST by Adam La Rose

Tim Patrick‘s return to the NFL resulted in a strong season with the Lions in 2024. The veteran wideout will remain in Detroit for at least one more campaign.

The Lions announced on Friday that Patrick has been re-signed. Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports this will be a one-year deal worth up to $4MM. A complementary role will again be in store on a Detroit team led by Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams at the receiver position.

Patrick had a successful run with the Broncos from 2018-21, but two major injuries derailed his career. The former UDFA suffered an ACL tear in 2022, and he missed the entire campaign as a result. Patrick was set to return the following year, but an offseason Achilles tear left him sidelined for 2023 as well. His Denver release during roster cutdowns this past summer came after talks on a Saints trade did not produce a deal.

In spite of that, Patrick did not need to wait long to find a new opportunity. The Utah product took a deal on the Lions’ practice squad, and after being elevated three teams he found himself as a regular presence in the lineup. Patrick handled a 59% snap share, operating as a key role player on the league’s highest-scoring offense. He posted 33 catches for 394 yards and three touchdowns during his debut Detroit campaign, and similar production will be expected moving forward.

Fellow receiver Allen Robinson is open to re-signing with the Lions, but the former Pro Bowler is also giving thought to retirement. Robinson hardly made an impact in 2024, but if he elected to hang up his cleats (or sign elsewhere as a free agent) Patrick’s continued presence would provide important continuity on offense as the team enters the post-Ben Johnson era on offense. Patrick, 31, could help his 2026 free agent stock with another productive Lions campaign, and it will be interesting to see if he takes on an even larger role in the passing game next season.

Saints Interested In Cooper Kupp

March 14th, 2025 at 10:07am CST by Adam La Rose

As the Cooper Kupp sweepstakes unfold, the list of known suitors continues to grow. The Saints have emerged as the latest team to watch.

New Orleans is “making a push” to sign the former Rams All-Pro, Mike Silver of The Athletic reports. Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football confirms the Saints have been involved in Kupp’s market. A decision is expected as early as today, so it will be interesting to see if this latest development is followed by movement indicating a Kupp deal is feasible for the team.

Kupp is believed to prefer remaining on the West Coast after spending his first eight years in the NFL in Los Angeles. The Yakima, Washington, native has – to no surprise – been linked to the Seahawks in the time since his release. Seattle is indeed interested in pursuing a deal. Other suitors (a list which does not include the Jaguars and does not appear to have the Cowboys high on it, at all) are in play, though, with the Patriots and Broncos emerging yesterday as potential contenders.

Until recently, the Saints found themselves projected to be well over the 2025 cap ceiling. As usual, the team executed a number of restructures aimed at reducing the immediate cap hits of several veterans. New Orleans therefore entered Friday with roughly $19.7MM in cap space, enough for a modest addition while taking into account future costs like the incoming draft class. Kupp’s asking price (which has been floated as being between $12MM-$14MM per season) has been seen as too high to date, and Underhill adds it is unlikely the Saints would engage in a serious bidding war in this case (or for any other option).

New Orleans has Chris Olave atop the receiver depth chart, but his three-year career has been marred by concussion issues; the 2022 first-rounder was limited to eight games this past season. Rashid Shaheed has one year remaining on his deal, although the meniscus tear which ended his campaign in October threatens to lead to missed time next season. The Saints have not added a new receiver so far in free agency, whereas Marquez Valdes-Scantling has agreed to a Seahawks contract.

Tight end Juwan Johnson was in danger of departing as well, but he wound up re-signing with the Saints on a lucrative three-year deal. That pact ensures there will be continuity at the skill positions in 2025 for New Orleans, but the team’s pass-catching group could soon see a notable addition.

Ravens Sign WR DeAndre Hopkins

March 14th, 2025 at 9:25am CST by Nikhil Mehta

MARCH 14: Hopkins’ pact – which is now official – includes a $1.26MM base salary which is fully guaranteed, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network notes. The deal includes a $3.75MM signing bonus, while its incentives are based on playing time and performance thresholds. With void years being included, Hopkins will carry a 2025 cap hit of roughly $2MM.

MARCH 11: The Ravens are signing veteran wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, per The Athletic’s Dianna Russini.

Hopkins’ deal in Baltimore has a base value of $5MM with another $1MM available via incentives, according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. He will join former Titans teammate Derrick Henry and catch passes from two-time MVP Lamar Jackson in 2025.

The five-time Pro Bowler started the 2024 season in Tennessee before being traded to the Chiefs for a fifth-round pick that could be upgraded to a fourth-rounder, though details of the conditions have not been publicly reported. Hopkins recorded just 15 receptions for 173 yards and a touchdown in six games with the Titans last year, but fared much better in Kansas City. He posted 41 catches for 437 yards and four touchdowns in 10 regular-season games as a Chief, though he only caught three of his eight targets in the playoffs.

The Ravens have been linked with Hopkins multiple times over the last few years, but they were never willing to part with the trade or financial compensation to acquire him. His $5MM APY is a significant discount on his previous contracts, the lowest and most recent of which was a two-year, $26MM deal signed with the Titans in 2023.

Hopkins was originally a first-round pick by the Texans in 2013 who followed up a solid rookie year with a breakout season in 2014. He earned his first Pro Bowl nod in 2015 before a down year in 2016 with Brock Osweiler under center in Houston. The Texans then signed him to a five-year, $81MM extension in 2017, at which point Hopkins began to take off. He averaged 105 catches, 1,372 yards, and 10 touchdowns over the next three seasons and earned first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors in each year.

The Texans then surprised the league by trading Hopkins to the Cardinals in 2020, packaging him with a fourth-rounder to receive running back David Johnson and second- and fourth-round picks in return. Hopkins then signed a two-year, $54MM extension with the Cardinals.

Houston was widely criticized for the trade, especially after Hopkins’ debut year in Arizona ended with 115 catches for 1,400 yards and six touchdowns. That earned Hopkins his fourth-straight Pro Bowl appearance, but injuries plagued him over the next two years. After playing in at least 15 games in his first eight seasons, he appeared in just 19 across 2021 and 2022 with a commensurate decrease in production. Hopkins was released after the 2022 season and signed with the Titans, where he put up another 1,000-yard season despite inconsistent quarterback play from Will Levis and Ryan Tannehill.

Another downtick in production in 2024 showed that the 32-year-old Hopkins was no longer the dominant wideout he once was, but he won’t be asked to shoulder a heavy burden in Baltimore. The Ravens already have Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman at wide receiver and Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely at tight end, not to mention one of the best rushing attacks in league history with Jackson and Henry as the primary ballcarriers. Instead, Hopkins will play a tertiary role in the Ravens’ passing game, which has lacked a contested-catch specialist in the receiver room for most of Jackson’s tenure.

Cooper Kupp Expected To Make Decision Soon; Patriots Among WR’s Suitors

March 14th, 2025 at 12:30am CST by Sam Robinson

MARCH 14: Despite a report earlier today that connected the Jaguars to Kupp, the organization is not involved in the sweepstakes, per Schultz.

MARCH 13: It does not sound like a lengthy Cooper Kupp free agency tour is coming. Designated as a post-June 1 cut by the Rams on Tuesday, Kupp is free to sign anywhere now. Several teams are believed to be in on the former triple-crown winner.

Kupp has drawn interest from at least five teams, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reports. That is up from three Wednesday afternoon, though many teams were likely to look into the former Super Bowl MVP. The Patriots are believed to be one of the receiver’s suitors. The Pats are interested in Kupp and have reached out, according to Masslive.com’s Karen Guregian and the Boston Sports Journal’s Mike Giardi.

[RELATED: Mutual Interest Between Broncos, Cooper Kupp?]

Not viewed as likely to take his time in signing elsewhere, Kupp is also being linked to two AFC South teams. The Jaguars and Texans have come up as possibilities, Ian Rapoport said during an NFL Network appearance (via the Seattle Times’ Bob Condotta) while also mentioning the Seahawks. Kupp is a Yakima, Wash., native, and Seattle suddenly has a need for a starter-caliber wideout — perhaps two — after moving on from its long-running Tyler Lockett-D.K. Metcalf duo.

A deal that averages around $12MM per year has come up for Kupp, per The Athletic’s Jeff Howe, who adds some teams will be pushed out of this market at that price. But a belief exists the two-time 1,000-yard receiver can command that. Davante Adams, who has been a better (and healthier) receiver, just fetched a $23MM-per-year deal that came with $20MM guaranteed. Darius Slayton also just signed for $12MM per. Not nearly as accomplished as Kupp, Slayton is nearly four years younger and does not have an extensive injury history.

The Patriots lost the Calvin Ridley sweepstakes last year and then saw their Brandon Aiyuk push — one that included the top AAV offer mentioned ($32MM) during that saga — fail to move them into even runner-up position. The Bengals took Tee Higgins off this year’s market, and they are setting a high trade price for a potential tag-and-trade transaction. Kupp was available via trade, and considering the Patriots’ cap space and issues attracting receivers in recent years, it would have made sense for the team to explore it. But no club wanted to take on Kupp’s Rams deal, which came with guaranteed salary and a $7.5MM roster bonus. Even though the Rams were willing to eat salary to facilitate a swap, they resorted to cutting him before the bonus came due.

At the moment, Kupp’s asking price is viewed as too steep for the Pats’ liking, Guregian adds. And Schultz indicates that while the receiver has a preference to stay on the West Coast, he is not closing doors just yet.

Patriots target Chris Godwin re-signed with the Buccaneers minutes into the legal tampering period, further thinning options for a team that needs weaponry to boost Drake Maye‘s development. A host of older options are available, however, as Stefon Diggs, Amari Cooper and Keenan Allen join Kupp as accomplished free agent 30-somethings.

The Jaguars moved on from slot starter Christian Kirk, trading him to the Texans for a low-end return. New Jags HC Liam Coen coached Kupp as Rams receivers coach (stint No. 1) and OC (stay No. 2), and new Jacksonville GM James Gladstone also comes from the Rams. The Texans’ new OC, Nick Caley, was Rams tight ends coach for two seasons. The Jags would appear to have a greater need, as Gabriel Davis did not start his Jacksonville tenure well last season alongside fast-emerging rookie Brian Thomas Jr., but the Texans may not have Tank Dell for much (if any) of the 2025 season.

Kupp, 31, played at Division I-FCS Eastern Washington, attracting the Rams’ attention before a 2017 third-round selection. The Seahawks bringing Kupp home to help Sam Darnold makes sense, though the other batch of experienced receivers in free agency provides alternative options in the event the price point — for a player who has missed 18 games since that Super Bowl MVP award — escalates too far.

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