Bears Aiming To Extend G Joe Thuney
The most accomplished piece included in the Bears’ March interior O-line overhaul, Joe Thuney is going into a contract year. The Chiefs effectively chose Trey Smith over Thuney, breaking up a four-year guard tandem as the former required a franchise tag to be retained.
That became the Bears’ gain, as they obtained Thuney for a 2026 fourth-round pick. Thuney will start alongside big-ticket center signee Drew Dalman and ex-Ben Johnson Lions pupil Jonah Jackson. Although Thuney is much older than both, Ryan Poles said (via Scott Bair of the Marquee Sports Network).
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Thuney, 32, is in the final season of a five-year, $80MM deal. The Chiefs authorized a then-guard-record AAV to add him from the Patriots a month after the Buccaneers hounded Patrick Mahomes in Super Bowl LV. A month after the Eagles’ swarming pass rush reminded of that outing, Thuney will return to guard — after being a fill-in left tackle due to the Chiefs’ issues staffing that position — but do so with a new team.
The 10th-year veteran’s new team is building around a rookie contract at quarterback, providing more flexibility for payments elsewhere. Its March moves reflected that, as Dayo Odeyingbo and Grady Jarrett joined the O-linemen. Poles has since extended Kyler Gordon and T.J. Edwards. He did not offer a timeline for a Thuney deal, only confirming it was a priority. While Jackson is not an extension candidate, after having disappointed on his three-year Rams deal, it does not appear the Bears are viewing Thuney as a Keenan Allen-like rental.
Despite struggling against Philly edge rushers in Super Bowl LIX, Thuney has been one of the NFL’s best guards over the past several years. The Patriots franchise-tagged him after a second-team All-Pro season; he resurfaced with a second-team honor in 2022. The former third-round pick proceeded to land on back-to-back All-Pro first teams (2023-24) with the Chiefs, affirming extension candidacy. The Chiefs already paid Creed Humphrey and are stuck with the Jawaan Taylor contact, thanks to a player-friendly guarantee structure, for one more season. Smith is tied to the tag, with post-draft extension talks on tap, and the Chiefs just gave Jaylon Moore a two-year, $30MM deal. They will now opt to save money at left guard.
The Bears’ last notable guard expense — the three-year, $30MM Nate Davis contract — went bust, but they have a proven commodity in Thuney, who arrived in Kansas City during Poles’ final year as the team’s executive player personnel director. He will bring an interesting extension case, due to his age.
The four-player $20MM-AAV guard club consists of 20-somethings, though a few less proven guards (Jackson included) agreed to deals between $16-$20MM per year since Thuney’s March 2021 Chiefs signing. With the cap having climbed significantly since Thuney agreed to his deal (amid the COVID-19-induced cap reduction), a medium-term extension in that range makes sense as a target for the veteran blocker’s camp.
AFC East Notes: Patriots, Bills, Banks
Consistently given Will Campbell in mock drafts (including ours), the Patriots may not be locked into the left tackle the way the Titans are with Cam Ward at No. 1. Eleventh-hour Pats connections to Georgia hybrid defender Jalon Walker are emerging, via Sportskeeda.com’s Tony Pauline. Mike Vrabel has mentioned left tackle as a place the draft can provide an answer, and Pats-Campbell ties have persisted during the pre-draft process. Several reports have suggested the LSU product will be the Patriot pick. Walker recently auditioned for scouts, and Pauline adds the Pats sent a sizable contingent to a workout that also featured Georgia EDGE Mykel Williams. Pats brass soon dined with Walker, Pauline adds.
Showing the ability to be an edge defender and off-ball linebacker, Walker is expected to go off the board early. The Pats, who inquired about Myles Garrett and Maxx Crosby this offseason, came up previously in connection to passing on Campbell to draft a pass rusher. With Abdul Carter likely going to Cleveland or New York, New England would be shut out from this draft’s top prospect tier at 4. Campbell should probably still be considered the favorite to go fourth overall, but it is not a lock.
Here is the latest from the AFC East:
- Also viewing Campbell as the Pats’ most likely pick, SI.com’s Albert Breer mentions Walker as a wild card. But the veteran reporter also points to a New England desire to accumulate more draft capital — even if it is unable to move off No. 4 (in a draft without a QB prompting aggressive trade-up offers like last year’s brought for the Pats). Kayshon Boutte, months after voicing frustration with his role, could be a player the team would consider moving to acquire an extra pick. Two years remain on the 2023 sixth-round receiver’s rookie contract.
- Having seen four teammates (Khalil Shakir, Gregory Rousseau, Terrel Bernard, Christian Benford) receive early-offseason extension, James Cook is not joining his teammates for the start of the Bills‘ offseason program, Brandon Beane confirmed (via The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia) Tuesday. Cook skipping voluntary work is not surprising; he has been upfront about his desire for an upper-crust extension this offseason. The Bills have viewed the breakout RB as a core player, but it remains to be seen if they will give the multipurpose back a deal in the $15MM-AAV range. Early talks have not brought progress. One season remains on Cook’s contract. While the Bills did pay former Day 2 picks Devin Singletary or Zack Moss, Cook has been a better player and is one of this year’s top extension candidates.
- Extending Bernard and keeping Matt Milano via a pay-cut agreement, the Bills are in decent shape at linebacker. They are still being mentioned (via Schefter) as a team that could use a premium draft pick on the position. Holding the No. 30 overall choice, Buffalo is being tied to UCLA LB Carson Schwesinger. Milano having missed the bulk of the past two seasons does give Buffalo a bit of a need here, but the team has been more closely tied to other defensive positions in Round 1.
- Another injury-prone player who once earned All-Pro acclaim in Buffalo, Tre’Davious White is back. Discarded in 2024, White spent the season with the Rams and Ravens. Although White has seen the injury trouble move him off the surefire starter tier, he has another chance in Buffalo. He said (via ESPN.com’s Alaina Getzenberg) following the Ravens’ divisional-round loss to the Bills that he began letting the team know he was interested in returning. At 30, White now profiles as a flier for a Bills team likely still looking for CB help.
- The Dolphins have done plenty of D-tackle work leading up to this draft, but ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter also links Texas tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. to Miami at No. 13. Banks’ stock looks to have climbed late, as he has been tied to going as high as the Raiders at No. 6 or the Jets at 7. Miami has Patrick Paul prepared to replace Terron Armstead, as Austin Jackson remains at RT.
Minor NFL Transactions: 4/22/25
Here are Tuesday’s minor moves:
Detroit Lions
- Re-signed: OL Michael Niese
Minnesota Vikings
- Waived: OL Trevor Reid
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed second-round RFA tender: RB Jaylen Warren
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed ERFA tender: DL Evan Anderson, DL Alex Barrett, LB Jalen Graham, TE Brayden Willis
The Steelers let Najee Harris walk in free agency, passing on re-signing their four-year starting RB despite the Chargers only giving him a one-year, $5.25MM deal. That base value is nearly identical to Warren’s 2025 compensation, set for $5.35MM by virtue of being tendered at the second-round level.
A former UDFA, Warren has served as Harris’ flashier sidekick for three seasons. The former Utah State and Oklahoma State back has proven a find, making key contributions off the bench while on a UDFA deal. Warren, 26, totaled 1,154 scrimmage yards in 2023 and 821 (in 15 games) last year. He will be set to team with Kenneth Gainwell, who is also on a one-year agreement. Pittsburgh has since been linked to adding a starter-level RB in the draft.
Draft Rumors: Graham, Jaguars, Raiders, OL, Cardinals, Lions, Grant, Dolphins, Panthers
The trendy Jaguars pick in mocks for weeks, Mason Graham may not be Duval County-bound after all. The Jaguars ranked 31st defensively last season (25th against the run), but they might be viewing No. 5 overall as too steep for the Michigan D-tackle prospect. Indeed, ESPN’s Adam Schefter indicated during a TV appearance (h/t Action News Jacksonville’s Daniel Griffis) he does not expect Graham to be the Jags’ pick. The Michigan alum-turned-omnipresent news breaker making this prediction certainly carries weight, especially after reports of Ashton Jeanty being in play for Jacksonville (and Travis Etienne becoming a trade chip) surfaced to start draft week. Liam Coen also is believed to be high on this wide receiver class, Schefter adds, making a Tetairoa McMillan–Mike Evans connection re: the one-and-done Buccaneers OC. The Jags did plenty of retooling at the position this offseason, which would stand to keep them in play for an early-round WR — in a class most do not hold in high regard — to complement Brian Thomas Jr.
Graham likely would not fall too far, especially with teams not exactly clamoring to move into the top 10 for one of this draft’s non-Cam Ward QB options. Here is the latest from the draft:
- If the Raiders‘ Jeanty aspirations do not come to fruition, SI.com’s Albert Breer notes that an O-line move would likely be in play. Missouri’s Armand Membou and Texas’ Kelvin Banks Jr. could be in play, per Breer, especially with seven-year left tackle Kolton Miller pursuing a new contract. (The Raiders hosted Banks on a “30” visit recently.) Even if Miller has a case for a raise, he was drafted a few regimes ago — even before Mike Mayock joined Jon Gruden — and could be a candidate to be replaced if the Raiders’ new power structure is displeased with his tactics. The Raiders used 2024 third-rounder DJ Glaze as their primary RT in 2024.
- The Cardinals will also be a team to watch for an early O-line investment. They are believed to be focusing on adding a guard, ESPN.com’s Josh Weinfuss notes. The team re-signed left guard starter Evan Brown to a modest deal (two years, $11.5MM) but have a question at RG. Although Brown re-signing gives Arizona four returning O-line starters, the team may view the NFC nomad as a stopgap. That view would leave two guard holes to fill, though the Cards did use a third-round pick on a guard (Isaiah Adams) last year. More help appears to be desired, though.
- Linked to bolstering their defense at No. 8 overall, the Panthers also are interested in acquiring more picks. They appear willing to use their top choice to do so, and Breer said during a radio interview (via Cleveland’s 92.3 The Fan) the team would be willing to take a lesser offer for No. 8 to obtain more picks. The Panthers traded a second-round pick to the Bears (the last asset to be exchanged in the Bryce Young swap) but did pick up one from the Rams (in the Braden Fiske exchange) last year. Carolina also holds two fourth-round picks, the second coming from Dallas for Jonathan Mingo.
- Graham college teammate Kenneth Grant is come up as a potential Florida-bound prospect, with Breer adding the stout D-tackle is believed to be drawing extensive interest from a Dolphins team doing a lot of DT work. Miami lost Christian Wilkins last year and did not spend much to replace him then or during this free agency period. Although cornerback is certainly a position of need in Miami — if/once the team trades Jalen Ramsey — the D-line appears a place to monitor in Round 1.
- Despite rostering D.J. Reader and extending Alim McNeill, the Lions look to join the Dolphins in seeking interior D-line aid. Reader, though, will turn 31 in July while McNeill is coming off an ACL tear. Levi Onwuzurike also signed a one-year deal in March. Although the Lions still need an Aidan Hutchinson wingman, Breer hears more about their interesting in bolstering their D-line via a deep class.
Jets Could Target Jahdae Barron, Tyler Warren, Armand Membou At No. 7
Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron has steadily moved up draft boards over the last few months and could be selected in the first 10 picks on Thursday night, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Barron has long been expected to be a first-round pick, but he’s never reached consensus top-10 status. However, he is “in position to go higher than some realize,” according to Schefter, who specifically named the Jets at No. 7 as a potential landing spot. New head coach (and former longtime NFL cornerback) Aaron Glenn may target the versatile defensive back to form an exciting cornerback duo with Sauce Gardner.
After leaks and drama plagued the Robert Saleh–Joe Douglas regime, Glenn has cut down on the information coming out of the organization, making their plans for their first-round pick a mystery. They invited a number of prospective top-10 picks for official visits, including Michigan DT Mason Graham and Georgia edge rusher Mykel Willams.
However, the Jets’ primary target has long been thought to be Penn State tight end Tyler Warren, who “recently and quietly” visited the team, according to Schefter. Warren is widely considered the best tight end in the 2025 draft class, a sentiment shared by some in New York who want to take him with the seventh overall pick. The Jets let Tyler Conklin walk in free agency and lack a clear long-term starter on their current roster, making Warren an easy selection to fill an obvious need.
Schefter also mentioned Missouri offensive tackle Armand Membou as a potential Jets target. He could replace right tackle Morgan Moses, who signed with the Patriots in free agency.
However, contrary to the front office’s desire for Warren, Glenn prefers to take a defensive player with the No. 7 pick, according to Sportskeeda’s Tony Pauline. That could turn the Jets’ attention to Barron, whose versatility to play outside cornerback, nickel, or safety could open up Glenn’s schematic options in the secondary.
Gap Remains In Contract Talks Between Cowboys, Micah Parsons
Micah Parsons showed up for the Cowboys’ voluntary offseason workout program as extension negotiations with the team continue, but recent comments from executive vice president Stephen Jones indicated that little progress has been made.
“Right now there is a difference in what we feel is the right number and what he feels is the right number,” said Jones (via The Athletic’s Jon Machota).
It’s unclear what the gap between each side’s “right number” is. Dallas has submitted an offer that would make Parsons the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL, while the superstar edge rusher is reportedly seeking a total value of at least $200MM. Guaranteed money will also play a factor in negotiations, especially if Parsons’ desire for a $200MM deal comes with proportionally higher guarantee demands.
There are a number of contracts that could reach both benchmarks, including a five-year, $202.5MM deal that would likely include well over $100MM in fully guaranteed money. A four-year, $176MM extension would give Parsons $44MM per year and a total value of $200MM including his $24MM fifth-year option.
The Cowboys may balk at the total value and guarantees of the first deal or the APY of the second. Parsons, meanwhile, may be looking for $200MM in new money, requiring a deal of at least five years or a massive $50MM APY across four years that the team is unlikely to offer.
Despite the persisting gap between Parsons and the Cowboys, there appears to be the potential to find a middle ground that satisfies both sides. However, Parsons’ demands have continually increased as other players have reset the market for non-quarterbacks, so Dallas may want to act quickly before another major extension raises his asking price further. Then again, the team has faced steady criticism about delaying extensions recently, as it took until late last summer to finalize CeeDee Lamb‘s deal and up until the Week 1 kickoff to close Dak Prescott‘s. Parsons’ negotiations represent the next test for Cowboys management.
TE Mark Andrews Expects To Remain With Ravens
Mark Andrews is one of several veterans whose name has been connected to trade talk during the build-up to the draft. Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta recently declined to confirm the All-Pro tight end will remain in Baltimore for 2025. 
Next season represents the final one of Andrews’ contract. The 29-year-old has signed one extension in his career, but it remains to be seen if he will receive another from the Ravens. A trade around or during the draft has therefore been a talking point since the end of the 2024 campaign. Andrews does not anticipate being moved, though.
“At the end of the day, I think [DeCosta] said it perfectly: He’s in the business of keeping great players and it’s a business at the end of the day,” the three-time Pro Bowler said to ESPN’s Jamison Hensley. “You can’t be surprised by anything, but I’m a Raven. I know the Ravens and my relationship is incredibly strong and I trust in [DeCosta] and everybody there over at the Ravens.”
To be clear, DeCosta’s latest comments on the subject did not state the Ravens are actively looking to move Andrews. Head coach John Harbaugh has expressed an expectation the Oklahoma product will remain in the fold for at least one more year, something which will be influenced in large part by the strength of the market which develops for him over the coming days. Andrews is due to carry a cap charge of $16.91MM in 2025, while a trade would result in $11MM in savings.
Given Baltimore’s financial outlook – the likes of quarterback Lamar Jackson, running back Derrick Henry, safety Kyle Hamilton, center Tyler Linderbaum and edge rusher Odafe Oweh are all in line for extensions as early as this offseason – keeping Andrews at a high cost would prove to be challenging. He set a new career high with 11 touchdowns last season, but Andrews’ 39.6 receiving yards per game average were the lowest mark since his rookie campaign. A repeat of that modest production at a high price would be difficult to handle from a cap perspective.
Another factor in this situation is the fact fellow tight end Isaiah Likely is entering the final year of his rookie deal. The 25-year-old’s playing time, yardage and touchdown totals have increased over each of his first three seasons, and he would be in position to assume an even larger pass-catching role in the event Andrews were to be dealt. A new commitment in the latter would decrease the funds available for a second Likely contract. Special teamer Charlie Kolar is also a pending 2026 free agent, meaning several decisions at the tight end spot will soon need to be made.
The most important of those relates to Andrews’ future, and clarity could soon emerge if a draft-day trade were to take place. That would come as something of a surprise to the player in this instance, but it remains something to watch for.
49ers, Brock Purdy Making Progress On Extension Talks; QB In Attendance For Offseason Program
APRIL 22: Purdy is indeed in attendance for the beginning of the team’s offseason program, Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network report. That is certainly an encouraging indication as it pertains to the chances of an extension agreement being worked out shortly. Tight end George Kittle, on the other hand, is absent as team and player remain far apart on the contract front in that case.
APRIL 21: Tomorrow marks the start of the 49ers’ offseason program. In the case of quarterback Brock Purdy, that date could mark a sign of progress toward an extension agreement being reached. 
Team and player have been negotiating since at least February, with talks heating up one month later. Getting a deal over the finish line in time for the start of voluntary workouts has been named by general manager John Lynch as a possible target. Purdy attending tomorrow would of course indicate an agreement is drawing closer.
On that note, The Athletic’s Michael Silver reports “some progress” has been made with respect to extension negotiations. The size of the remaining gap between the parties will be illustrated – at least to an extent – by whether or not Purdy is present for the start of the offseason program tomorrow. Silver adds it is unclear at this point whether or not the former ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ will be in attendance.
Given the nature of the quarterback market, a price point around $50MM has long been used to estimate the cost of a long-term Purdy deal. The final AAV figure could check in even higher, of course, and Silver notes an agreement will “likely” carry an average cost at least $50MM per season. 10 signal-callers are currently attached to a pact worth between $51MM and $60M in annual compensation.
Purdy could soon become the next member of that group given the continued growth of the salary cap and his status as a locked-in starter for the 49ers. San Francisco’s offseason began with a number of notable departures in free agency, and the team took a measured approach knowing a major commitment to the Iowa product will soon be made. Purdy is set to earn $5.35MM in 2025 as things stand, but he will be in line for a massive spike in compensation provided negotiations go as planned.
Plenty of time remains for a deal to be struck, and the 49ers have a history of high-profile contract talks lasting deep into the summer. An indication of whether or not such a scenario is to be avoided in Purdy’s case will emerge on Tuesday.
Packers Aim To Retain LB Quay Walker, DT Devonte Wyatt
In the case of linebacker Quay Walker and defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt, a decision will soon need to be made by the Packers. Their respective fifth-year options are due to be exercised or declined by the May 1 deadline, something general manager Brian Gutekunst spoke about during his pre-draft press conference. 
“We won’t deal with that until after the draft, but whatever mechanism we use, we’d like to keep those guys around for ’26 and beyond,” Gutekunst said (via the team’s website). “So whether that’s through doing the fifth-year option on these guys or extending them one way or the other, we’re planning to do that. We’d like to do that.”
In September, it was unclear whether or not Walker would have his 2026 option exercised. Middle and outside linebackers are grouped together for fifth-year option valuations, and as a result, a $14.75MM commitment would be made in the event Green Bay took that route with the 24-year-old. Teams have shied away from picking up the option for middle linebackers in recent years, and Gutekunst indicated last month the Packers will continue that trend.
As a result, an extension will be needed if team and player are to continue their relationship beyond next season. Walker has started all but one of his games in Green Bay, recording triple-digit tackles each season to date. The Georgia product has added 6.5 sacks, 12 pass breakups and three forced fumbles to his career statistical output. A long-term accord would take into account those totals, but one approaching the top of the position’s market (which now includes six players earning at least $15MM annually) could come as a surprise. Green Bay does not have a big-ticket contract on the books at the LB spot, though one could be in place down the road if Edgerrin Cooper develops as hoped.
The Packers’ defensive interior, by contrast, already has a lucrative pact in the form of Kenny Clark. The three-time Pro Bowler is on the books through 2027 with scheduled cap hits as high as $31.37MM along the way. Having a low-cost contributor in the form of Wyatt has thus proved to be valuable. The former No. 28 pick has notched 10.5 sacks across the past two campaigns while logging snap shares of 50% and 41% during that span. A heavier workload could result in stronger production, although improved play against the run would no doubt be needed for an uptick in usage to come to bear.
Picking up Wyatt’s fifth-year option would tie him to $13.92MM in 2026 earnings, a notable spike in pay compared to his rookie pact but a figure well short of what the top D-linemen are making around the league. Of course, a long-term accord could result in a lower cap charge than the cost of a fully-guaranteed option year, so it will be interesting to see if that avenue is explored on one or both fronts by the Packers once the draft has concluded.
Chris Ballard Addresses Colts’ TE Pursuit
Among the most common links between teams and positions in first-round mock drafts is the Colts being connected to a tight end. The position has been a sore spot for years in Indianapolis, a team which should be in position to select one of the top TE prospects in this year’s class. 
[RELATED: Colts Go TE In PFR’s Mock Draft]
“That’s to me the hard one to find,” general manager Chris Ballard said during his pre-draft press conference when speaking about the ideal tight end option (via the team’s website). “To be able to play on all three downs, to be able to be functional in the run game to where you don’t necessarily know it’s always a pass when he’s in the game, and then to be able to finish and make plays at critical times and have him give the quarterback an option in the middle of the field.”
Tyler Warren is seen by many as the top option in a strong group of prospects at the position this year. The Penn State product could be off the board well before the Colts are on the clock, with the Jets at No. 7 representing a potential landing spot. Some see Michigan’s Colston Loveland as TE1, though, and he could still be available when Ballad and Co. make their selection.
Loveland spent each of his three college seasons with the Wolverines, playing a key role in the team’s national championship in 2023. Last season, the 6-6, 248-pounder set a new career high in catches (56) and touchdowns (five) and cemented his status as a first-round prospect. Along with Warren, Loveland is expected to hear his name called on Day 1 with the Colts – set to select 14th overall – seen as a logical landing spot. Indianapolis has been mentioned as an interested suitor in Warren’s case, although it would come as a surprise if the the team pursued a move up the board aimed at acquiring him.
Last year, the Colts were interested in Brock Bowers, and drafting a tight end remains an expected goal this time around. That could very well include a Day 1 selection, although Ballard noted the history of star tight ends taken well after the first round. Plenty of options will be available during the middle and late stages of this week’s event, and the Colts will thus have a number of chances to make an impactful addition. Ballard’s comments certainly do not rule out the possibility of that move coming early, however.