George Pickens Planning To Play Out Cowboys Contract Year
MAY 8: When speaking to reporters for the first time since the trade, Pickens confirmed (via NFL Network’s Jane Slater) his focus is not on his contract situation at this point. Playing out the 2025 campaign as a pending free agent would certainly add a layer of intrigue to his debut Dallas season.
MAY 7: The Cowboys are now the team evaluating George Pickens regarding an extension, having acquired the contract-year wide receiver from the Steelers on Wednesday morning. With CeeDee Lamb already on Dallas’ payroll at $34MM per year, Pickens should not be considered a lock to receive his second contract in Dallas.
Sending the Steelers a trade haul headlined by a third-round pick, the Cowboys should certainly be considered open to a Pickens extension. As of now, however, Pickens may not be overly interested in one. The fourth-year wideout is not believed to be interested in an immediate payday, according to AllDLLS.com’s Clarence Hill. The trade pickup sounds prepared to increase his value in Dallas.
Pickens, 24, could certainly boost his stock by thriving as a Lamb complementary piece with Dak Prescott targeting him. Russell Wilson‘s eventual Hall of Fame case notwithstanding, Prescott is a better option than the former Super Bowl winner’s age-36 season presented Pickens. A player previously tied to Wilson, Justin Fields and Kenny Pickett during his Pittsburgh run, Pickens wanting to show he can put up better numbers with Prescott makes sense. A Cowboys team that has been known to delay high-profile extensions is familiar with such patience, even as prices rise.
Steelers hesitancy regarding a Pickens extension cropped up months before the trade. The Georgia product entered the NFL with maturity concerns, and he has not dispelled those. The Steelers dealt with Pickens’ occasional issues while using him as their No. 1 wide receiver last season. A position group that housed Pickens and the mercurial Diontae Johnson together for two years proved challenging for the Steelers, who have remade their receiver room around D.K. Metcalf‘s $33MM-per-year contract. Going all the way back to the Hines Ward days, the Steelers have refrained from giving two receivers notable extensions. Ward, Antonio Brown and, briefly, Johnson held slots as extended Steelers wideouts. Metcalf now steps into that role, one Lamb holds in Dallas.
The Cowboys had the opportunity to extend Lamb in 2023, his first year of eligibility, and drew criticism for not doing so and letting the market rise. Justin Jefferson‘s deal drove up Lamb’s price, and he eventually agreed on a four-year, $136MM contract. Though, Lamb also did not sound overly eager to land an extension before his fourth season. The 2020 first-rounder reshaped his market by posting a first-team All-Pro season in 2023. Pickens may not have that ceiling in Dallas, assuming Lamb stays healthy, but his work with Pickett, Fields and Wilson point to upside — especially as the proven deep threat enters only his age-24 season.
The receiver market has seen two boom periods since Pickens’ debut, as the 2022 and ’24 offseasons brought fireworks. Ja’Marr Chase has since taken the market past $40MM per year. This ceiling lift probably will not closely impact Pickens, but Tee Higgins having secured $28.75MM per year could. With a $40MM-plus-AAV Micah Parsons accord — to top Chase as the NFL’s highest-paid non-QB — likely coming before Week 1, the Cowboys may have a difficult time paying Pickens, especially if the former No. 52 overall pick is committed to betting on himself.
With Higgins off the board as a potential 2026 free agent, Pickens could become the WR market’s prize next year. As it stands, Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel are out of contract in 2026. So are Mike Evans and Courtland Sutton. Being much younger than this group, however, will stand to vault Pickens to the top of the line. With no Cowboys WR2 extension imminent, Pickens appears to be aiming to land a No. 1-level deal after a season in Dallas.
Broncos LB Alex Singleton Still Aiming For Week 1 Return
The timing of Alex Singleton‘s ACL tear raised questions about his ability to rehab in time for the start of the 2025 campaign. The Broncos linebacker recently made it clear he still expects to be at full strength in time for Week 1, though. 
“I feel like I’m on schedule. It’s feeling really good,” Singleton said when speaking about his rehab during an interview with DNVR’s Zac Stevens. “I’m working my way in to doing things with the guys, which has been the most important thing to kind of be on that timeline with everyone else during the offseason. I’m able to do that. Full speed ahead for me.”
The 31-year-old noted he does not have a firm timetable for when he will receive full clearance. He has not encountered any setbacks to date, though, and as a result Singleton added “there should be no worries” about his ability to suit up for the start of the season in September. Training camp had previously been targeted as a return date, so this latest update comes as little surprise.
Still, it is notable Singleton remains on track to be cleared by Week 1 given his importance to Denver’s defense. The former CFLer set a new career high with 163 tackles during his debut Broncos campaign in 2022. He upped that figure to 177 the following year. Expectations will remain high for a productive first-team role this year provided the final stages of rehab go according to plan.
Singleton is on the books for one more season, and he is owed $6MM in 2025. A strong showing would help his value on another Broncos pact or one sending him elsewhere on the open market next spring. Denver lost linebacker Cody Barton in free agency, while Zach Cunningham remains unsigned. Justin Strnad was retained, however, and he will aim to provide depth behind Singleton and free agent addition Dre Greenlaw.
The latter will aim to help Denver remain among the league’s top defenses in 2025. The Broncos finished third in points allowed last year, and the new Singleton-Greenlaw tandem at the linebacker spot will be counted on to maintain that strong performance. Both of its members should be on the field for Week 1.
Dolphins Release LS Blake Ferguson
Blake Ferguson‘s five-year tenure in Miami has come to an end. The veteran long snapper was released by the Dolphins on Thursday, per a team announcement. 
Ferguson took over deep snapping duties in 2020, his rookie campaign. The former sixth-rounder remained in that role throughout his rookie contract, and he landed a three-year extension in 2023. Ferguson did not miss a contest during his first four seasons in the league, but in 2024 he was limited to only five games.
The 28-year-old spent much of the campaign on the reserve/non-football injury list but the reason why remains unclear. In Ferguson’s absence, the Dolphins relied on a number of replacements during the season. None of Zach Triner, Matt Overton or Jake McQuaide are under contract at this point, but that could soon change given the decision to move on from Ferguson. Two years remained on the latter’s deal.
None of Ferguson’s base salaries for 2025 or ’26 were guaranteed, however. As a result, this release will yield $1.17MM in cap savings without generating a dead money charge. It will be interesting to see if Ferguson will draw interest from other teams once his health issue is resolved. In the meantime, the Dolphins will move in a different direction at the position.
The Dolphins also announced that three players have been waived from their offseason roster. Defensive tackle Neil Farrell – who made seven appearances with Miami last year and signed a futures deal in January – is among them. In addition, cornerback Ryan Cooper Jr. (who was claimed off waivers in February) and offensive lineman Chasen Hines have been let go. If any member of the trio is claimed off waivers, they will immediately join a new team in advance of minicamps. Otherwise, they will join Ferguson in free agency.
Latest On Jags’ Travis Etienne, Tank Bigsby
New Jaguars general manager James Gladstone made one of the most impactful moves of the draft by trading up to the No. 2 slot and selecting Travis Hunter. At the time Jacksonville was slated to pick fifth overall, though, running back Ashton Jeanty was closely linked to the team. 
The Heisman runner-up wound up being drafted sixth overall by the Raiders, but he drew interest from multiple teams (the Jags and Bears among them) eyeing an addition in the backfield. The Jaguars have Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby atop the depth chart as things stand. Etienne’s name was mentioned as a trade candidate in the event Jacksonville took Jeanty, and his future may still be in the air.
The new Jags regime led by Gladstone and head coach Liam Coen is “not so high” on Etienne, multiple league sources told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. The 2021 first-rounder missed his entire rookie campaign before taking on starting duties the following three years. Etienne topped 1,000 rushing yards in both of those seasons, but his workload and production took a noticeable step back in 2024. Bigsby saw his workload spike compared to the previous year, logging 168 carries and a 36% snap share.
As Fowler notes, though, ball security is an issue in the latter’s case. Bigsby has fumbled a total of six times during his two-year career, and a continuation of that trend could limit his usage with Coen guiding the offense. Fourth-round rookie Bhayshul Tuten could handle a notable workload early on depending on how the team divvies up backfield carries in 2025. Adding options to lower Etienne’s usage has been a goal in recent years, but a true committee approach would of course have notable consequences for the Clemson product heading into free agency next spring.
The Jaguars’ previous regime picked up Etienne’s fifth-year option last spring, tying him to $6.14MM in earnings for 2025. The 26-year-old will look to bounce back from last year’s showing (during which he missed a pair of games and averaged a career-worst 3.7 yards per carry, leading to questions about his RB1 status). With new decision-makers in place, it will be interesting to see if Etienne plays his way into a deal beyond 2025 by changing the team’s opinion of him. Bigsby, meanwhile, has more time to do that since two years remain on his rookie pact.
Brandon Beane: Bills Not Expecting James Cook Holdout
As James Cook approaches the final year of his rookie contract, his future beyond 2025 remains a talking point. The Bills are confident he will be in place for at least next season, and a holdout this summer is not expected by the team at this time. 
“I know we’ve had people in the building that he’s been talking with, and I have no doubt when it’s time to play football, he’ll be ready to roll,” general manager Brandon Beane said during an interview with Adam Schein on Mad Dog Sports Radio (video link).
Since Cook went public with his asking price ($15MM annually) on a long-term extension, attention has been focused on whether or not he will join the list of Bills who have received a second contract this offseason. The likes of Khalil Shakir, Gregory Rousseau, Terrel Bernard and Christian Benford have been extended in recent weeks, but Beane made it clear no such commitment would be made in Cook’s case until after the draft. Now, mandatory minicamp in June and training camp one month later represent potential flashpoints depending on how negotiations proceed.
A report from one month ago indicated initial talks did not go well, and it will be interesting to see if that changes in the near future. Cook was absent from voluntary workouts, but the 25-year-old would become subject to fines he if skipped minicamp and/or training camp. Players have increasingly turned to hold-ins during recent years, and Cook could elect to take that route if no deal is in place by the summer.
The Bills have a second contract for the two-time Pro Bowler on their radar, although Beane has suggested Cook will need to duplicate his production from the past two campaigns for Buffalo to proceed with a long-term commitment. Since taking over starting duties in 2023, Cook has amassed 2,131 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground. The Georgia product has added 703 yards and six touchdowns in the passing game, illustrating his dual-threat ability. Cook faced questions coming out of college about his ability to operate as a full-time lead back, but he has handled over 200 carries each of the past two seasons.
Buffalo also has Ray Davis and Ty Johnson in place for backfield options beyond the coming season. They will both have a role in 2025 once the season starts, but it remains to be seen what Cook’s outlook will be by that point.
Steelers Trade George Pickens To Cowboys
Coming up as a team interested in George Pickens ahead of the draft, the Cowboys are indeed moving forward with a trade to land him. The Steelers will cut bait on Pickens a year early; they are sending him to Dallas, ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Todd Archer report.
The Cowboys will obtain the contract-year wide receiver in exchange for a third-round pick. Here are the terms of the now-official trade:
Cowboys receive:
- Pickens
- 2027 sixth-round pick
Steelers receive:
- 2026 third-round pick
- 2027 fifth-round pick
Shortly before the draft, Jerry Jones had said his team was working on multiple trades. Closely linked to Tetairoa McMillan, Dallas left the draft without acquiring a CeeDee Lamb complementary target. This led to the owner confirming his team was still hunting for help at the position. The team has secured it. Pickens will relocate ahead of his contract year, becoming the latest WR talent the Steelers will pass on extending.
[RELATED: Pickens Planning To Play Out Contract Year]
The teams had discussed Pickens since before the draft, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reports, and Dallas is believed to have upped its offer to move the trade across the goal line. Previously, Dallas had offered only a fourth-rounder, per Russini; a third proved enough to headline a successful offer. 105.3 The Fan’s Bobby Belt was the first to report the Cowboys had zeroed in on Pickens. Unlike Diontae Johnson last year, Pickens did not request to be moved, The Pat McAfee Show‘s Mark Kaboly adds.
The Cowboys have searched for a high-end Lamb complementary piece for years, and they will now trade for one. The Cowboys continue to turn to the trade market to land receiving talent. This move comes after swaps involving Brandin Cooks and Amari Cooper; the latter’s departure helped create a years-long need in Dallas. Although Jones has swung and missed on big-ticket trades for receivers in the distant past — for Joey Galloway and Roy Williams — the Cooper move panned out. A belated replacement will arrive in the form of Pickens, whose impending relocation may well nix a rumored Cooper reunion.
Dallas dealt Cooper to Cleveland in March 2022, only obtaining fifth- and sixth-round picks for him. Cooper then delivered two 1,000-yard receiving seasons for the Browns while nothing comparable occurred alongside Lamb with his previous team. The Cowboys became closely connected, mostly via Jones, to Odell Beckham Jr. that year. No signing took place, and the Cowboys played out the string without much help for Lamb.
Michael Gallup‘s December 2021 ACL tear sidetracked the former 1,000-yard playmaker’s career, and while Cooks still delivered reasonable production in 2023 following a trade, he missed a chunk of last season due to injury. Cooks returned to New Orleans as a free agent, leaving little alongside Lamb. Pickens joining holdover Jalen Tolbert in a contract year changes that equation ahead of Brian Schottenheimer‘s HC debut.
Having followed through with a rumored Pickens trade, the Steelers are now the team with a wide receiver need. This comes, of course, as the team is wooing Aaron Rodgers for what would likely be a one-and-done stay. Rodgers has not publicly committed to Pittsburgh, but he did throw passes to Metcalf and remains in communication with Mike Tomlin. The Steelers have remained confident the future Hall of Famer will ultimately sign, but his potential receiving corps is now suddenly much thinner.
That said, the Steelers have bolstered their 2026 draft arsenal. With Rodgers (or Kirk Cousins, potentially) only being a short-term fix, Pittsburgh will need better ammo in the event 2026 becomes the next draft featuring a bona fide QB1 investment. The AFC North team had been aiming to make an early-round move in either this draft or the next for a passer. After the team passed on doing so this year, by only adding Will Howard in Round 6, 2026 now looks like the draft the team will seek to acquire its belated Kenny Pickett replacement.
The Steelers still trail the Browns and Rams in terms of 2026 capital, with those teams acquiring future first-rounders in this year’s draft. Pittsburgh, however, is now projected to hold three third-round picks, two fourths and two fifths (via this trade and the compensatory process) in ’26. More work may still remain for GM Omar Khan, whose team’s ultra-high floor annually prevents a draft slot in the upper half of a first round, but this represents a start. Though, a Steelers team that struggled to find a Pickens supporting-caster last year returns to familiar territory.
Metcalf arrived a day before free agency but months after the Steelers failed to acquire Brandon Aiyuk from the 49ers. The teams had trade terms and an extension worked out. Even though the extension was worth less than what the Browns and Patriots proposed, Aiyuk had the Steelers as his safety team in case a 49ers deal did not work out. Aiyuk ended his trade derby by signing a San Francisco extension, and Pittsburgh attempted to address its receiver need with a Mike Williams trade at last year’s deadline. That move did not produce much of consequence, and Williams has since returned to the Chargers. After years of Tyler Lockett working as a quality supporting-caster, Metcalf now comes to Pennsylvania without a notable WR2 presence.
Known for making receiver investments on Day 2 in the draft, the Steelers passed on doing so this year. They left the draft with their 2022 second-round find still rostered, but incessant trade rumors clouded Pickens’ future. He will now follow the likes of Johnson, Santonio Holmes, Martavis Bryant and Chase Claypool as a wideout dealt ahead of a contract year.
The modern-era Steelers have made a habit of having just one wideout tied to a notable second contract at a time. As Hines Ward, Antonio Brown, Johnson and now Metcalf (four years, $131.99MM) cashed in, moving parts abounded. Pickens had become a player to monitor as a one-contract Steeler for months, and a post-draft report pointed to no Pittsburgh extension coming, and another Pittsburgh WR search will be a storyline to follow in the coming months.
Pickens, 24, has flashed brightly during his first three seasons. He became the latest Steelers receiver find from Day 2, leading the NFL with 18.1 yards per catch (1,140 in total) in 2023 despite inconsistent quarterback play. Pickens posted 900 yards last season, doing so despite missing three games and having a low-ceiling Russell Wilson–Justin Fields tandem targeting him. Pickens is the NFL’s only player to generate three straight seasons north of 16 yards per reception and accumulated over 2,000 since 2022, according to ESPN Stats and Info.
As Dak Prescott recovers from a significant hamstring injury and enters his age-32 season, he will become the top QB tied to Pickens, who has produced some of the NFL’s most acrobatic catches during his short time in the NFL. While the latter’s contract year will unfold in Texas on a team that has already paid Lamb, Prescott targeting him should prove a welcome sight for a player who will be eager to cash in — as a Cowboy or a 2026 free agent.
Maturity concerns have mounted with Pickens, undoubtedly factoring into both Steelers WR trades this offseason, but the Cowboys will take a chance on a talented player entering his mid-20s. The Cowboys will have the Georgia alum tied to a $3.66MM 2025 base salary. They will hold exclusive negotiating rights with Pickens until March 2026. Although the Cowboys have dragged their feet on extension talks in recent years, they will have a higher-profile player to evaluate regarding a long-term fit once again.
While two lofty WR payments may be too steep for a Cowboys team that will likely enter Week 1 with monster deals for Prescott, Lamb and Micah Parsons on its cap sheet, the team has upgraded its 2025 receiver cadre in exchange for third- and fifth-round picks. It will be interesting to see how the Steelers regroup.
Eagles TE Dallas Goedert Accepts Pay Cut
10:10pm: Goedert is indeed accepting a pay cut. The Eagles will reduce his 2025 number from $14.25MM to $10MM, ESPN.com’s Field Yates reports. The Pro Bowler will have the chance to earn $1MM via incentives. This updated deal, regardless of Goedert’s performance this coming season, reducing his earning potential is interesting given the player’s importance to the team. But returning for a Super Bowl champion looks to have mattered for Goedert, who will make a case for a third contract soon.
9:40am: A busy morning of NFL news now involves the defending Super Bowl champions. After a host of Dallas Goedert trade rumors, it appears the Eagles will retain the talented tight end.
Goedert is expected to stay in Philly on a reworked deal, the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane reports. One season remains on Goedert’s Eagles extension. The sides are indeed proceeding with a reworking, according to NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo.
Trade offers did emerge for Goedert during the draft, Garafolo adds, and the Eagles were open to adding 2026 draft assets for the proven pass catcher/blocker. But Goedert remains one of the NFL’s top tight ends. He will be crucial to Philly’s title defense. As could be expected, Garafolo adds Eagles coaches wanted Goedert back for an eighth season. Talks about Goedert staying accelerated after the draft, McLane notes.
It is unclear what teams made offers for Goedert, but the former second-round pick preferred to stay with the Eagles over being dealt to one of the interested teams. Goedert, 30, remained in contact with the Eagles during this process. It is uncertain if he will score a second extension from the Eagles, who passed on a third Zach Ertz contract back in 2021 (before trading him and paying Goedert), but the team will have its third pass-catching pillar back for the 2025 season.
Eagles contract structures have become increasingly complicated, as option bonuses and void years pile up on their cap sheet, but Goedert was due $14.25MM in the final season of a four-year, $57MM deal. The Eagles were unwilling to commit to that nonguaranteed $14.25MM, per McLaine; a new number will emerge soon.
George Kittle and Trey McBride have upped the TE market this offseason. With A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts on big-ticket deals, the Eagles may have a difficult time paying Goedert as well. But the sides will huddle up once again, giving Goedert a chance to cement his value as part of a Super Bowl title defense.
Early during free agency, the Eagles were believed to be shopping Goedert. This preceded a rumor the team would not keep the South Dakota State alum around absent a pay cut. That may well be what is transpiring. Nevertheless, the Eagles’ pass game is all set to run through Brown, Smith and Goedert together for at least one more season. After not addressing the tight end position in the draft, the Eagles would have run into a difficult time finding a Goedert upgrade this offseason. It always made more sense for the sides to find common ground, though it will be interesting to learn what other destinations presented themselves to Goedert.
While injuries have continued to crop up for Goedert, he has continued to come back after short-term IR stints. Last season did bring an extended absences — separate three- and four-game hiatuses — but Goedert reemerged to lead the Eagles in playoff receiving yards (215). Goedert has not offered the Eagles Ertz-level receiving production, having topped 800 yards in just one of his seven seasons (2021), but he has been one of the game’s best all-around TEs. He played a key role in Saquon Barkley‘s 2,000-yard rushing season, doing so after having helped Miles Sanders and D’Andre Swift to 1,000-yard years.
The Eagles will still need to address this position soon, especially if they are not intending to give Goedert a third contract. The team added Harrison Bryant and Kylen Granson this offseason, but both profile as supplementary pieces rather than a starter. While Goedert’s post-2025 future will remain a talking point, his return will strengthen the Eagles’ chances at mounting a strong championship defense. His having worked with the team on a solution also should keep the door open for a compromise on staying in Philly beyond this season.
Jets WR Allen Lazard ‘In Play’ For Steelers
After trading George Pickens to the Cowboys, the Steelers could be in the market to add depth at wide receiver. Their pursuit of Aaron Rodgers may point them towards one of his favorite targets: Allen Lazard.
Lazard is currently under contract with the Jets, but he is “‘in play’ to be traded to the Steelers,” according to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio. The 29-year-old wideout started his NFL career with Rodgers in Green Bay and was signed by the Jets in 2023 as part of their effort to bring the four-time MVP to New York.
Lazard put up career-worst numbers in 2023 while catching passes from three different quarterbacks following Rodgers’ Achilles injury. He was a healthy scratch for the last two games of the season but rebounded in 2024 with Rodgers back under center. Lazard missed five games due to injury and finished the season with 37 receptions on 60 targets for 530 yards and six touchdowns.
The Steelers have kept in touch with Rodgers since his visit and remain “hopeful” that he will play for the team this year, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Trading draft capital for Lazard would be another indication of Pittsburgh’s confidence that Rodgers will put pen to paper eventually.
Moving on from Lazard likely wouldn’t be an issue for the Jets after Rodgers’ departure this offseason. Their new regime signed two veterans with similar skillsets in Josh Reynolds and Tyler Johnson, per ESPN’s Rich Cimini, which could make Lazard surplus to requirements.
Lazard’s acceptance of a $7.5MM pay cut earlier this offseason makes his contract far more attractive in a trade. His 2025 salary is now just $2.25MM with $1.75MM fully-guaranteed and another $250k available in per-game roster bonuses, per OverTheCap. That’s more money than the Steelers saved by trading Pickens; while they still need to budget for Rodgers, they can still certainly afford to add Lazard to their ledger.
The Jets, meanwhile, will have to account for $6.55MM in dead money if they trade Lazard. A pre-June 1 trade would put it all on the books in 2025 and cost them an extra $1.9MM against the salary cap, while a post-June 1 trade would push $4.37MM to 2026 with $2.43MM of overall cap savings this year.
Lazard’s connection to Rodgers will no doubt interest the Steelers, especially if one acquisition would beget the other. However, they are still counting on a jump from 2024 third-rounder Roman Wilson after his disappointing rookie season, per Fowler. Injuries limited Wilson to just one appearance with five snaps and zero targets in 2024. A healthy offseason could give him a better chance at capitalizing on his impressive physical profile, especially if he’s catching passes from Rodgers instead of Mason Rudolph.
Pittsburgh now has three 2026 third-rounders they could use to add WR depth, as noted by Fowler, though it’s hard to imagine Lazard fetching more than a Day 3 pick. He might be a cheaper alternative to some of their other targets, which may be the team’s preference after their substantial investment in D.K. Metcalf. Using a late-round pick to acquire Lazard would leave the Steelers enough premium draft picks in 2026 to add another receiver on Day 2 or even move up in the first round for a quarterback.
Jaguars Release WR Gabe Davis
Jacksonville’s new regime continues to reshape its pass-catching corps. A year after Trent Baalke gave Gabe Davis a lucrative contract in free agency, James Gladstone is moving on.
Following the exits of Christian Kirk and Evan Engram, the Jaguars announced a Davis release. The $13MM-per-year player is back in free agency after a disappointing Jags debut. The team added Travis Hunter in the draft, and the 2024 Heisman winner team with 2024 first-round pick Brian Thomas Jr. Davis is departing via a failed physical designation, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero notes.
This release will bring a steep price for the Jags. As the team will build around two first-round contracts at the position to complement Trevor Lawrence‘s $55MM-per-year deal, they will incur a $20MM dead money hit by cutting Davis. That is on the higher end in WR history, but incoming regimes are generally less concerned about taking on notable cap hits for previous staffs’ failed investments.
After a productive Buffalo tenure, Davis indeed qualified as a failed signing. The Jags could reduce this dead cap considerably by designating Davis a post-June 1 cut. In that event, the team could take the dead money down to just $5.7MM for 2025 — with the rest of the bill due in 2026.
Davis caught only 20 passes last season, producing only 239 yards — by far a career-low mark — in a season that ended with a meniscus surgery. That contributed heavily to the low yardage total, as Davis missed seven games. The former fourth-round find had arrived in Jacksonville on the heels of a 746-yard Buffalo finale. The former Stefon Diggs sidekick had posted 27 regular-season touchdown receptions with the Bills and delivered one of the greatest receiver performances in playoff history — via a four-TD night in a Bills-Chiefs classic in the 2021 divisional round. The Central Florida alum did not closely resemble that version with the Jags.
Davis’ 2024 and ’25 free agencies will not produce comparable price tags. With the Jags tied to the sixth-year veteran’s 2025 money, offset language could allow Davis’ next team to add him for the veteran minimum. That would slightly subtract from the Jaguars’ dead money total. But they will still take a significant loss here. But Gladstone appears fine doing so, having made a blockbuster trade to secure Hunter as his new offensive centerpiece. Suddenly, a Jags team that had several veteran pass catcher salaries is not tied to much in that area.
Jacksonville carried eight-figure-per-year deals for Kirk, Engram and Davis last year. In 2023, the team rostered Kirk, Engram, Zay Jones‘ $8MM-per-year contract and Calvin Ridley‘s fifth-year option. Baalke’s final offseason featured a push to retain Ridley despite having given Davis a three-year, $39MM deal hours into the legal tampering period. Tennessee outbid both Jacksonville and New England for Ridley, but the Jags were still carrying a pricey skill-position corps. A year later, all those contracts are gone — even if Davis’ could still linger on the payroll through 2026 (depending on a post-June 1 decision).
A boundary wideout known for deep production in Buffalo, Davis ranked as PFR’s No. 23 overall free agent. He posted a career-high 836 receiving yards in 2022 and scored either six or seven touchdowns in each of his four Bills seasons. Davis will head into an age-26 season in 2025, which will certainly give him a chance to bounce back. But teams will certainly be leery of Davis being a Josh Allen creation as his second free agency commences.
Bears TE Colston Loveland Drew Extensive First-Round Trade Interest
In much of the leadup to the 2025 NFL Draft, there were two teams in the first round who were consistently connected to the class’s two clear-cut first-round prospects: the Bears and the Colts. The majority of pre-draft predictions saw each team landing one of either Penn State’s Tyler Warren or Michigan’s Colston Loveland, and while that did happen, there was a high likelihood that it could have turned out differently. 
Interestingly, Warren spent most of the pre-draft process clearly ranked as TE1. A massive redshirt senior year saw Warren nab 104 receptions for 1,233 yards and eight touchdowns in 16 games. This was enough to overcome Loveland, who entered the 2024 season as the favorite to be the top tight end off the board following a promising, championship-winning 2023 campaign but only managed a pedestrian 56 catches for 582 yards and five touchdowns in 10 games last year.
This made it a bit of a surprise when the Bears, who had long been projected to select Warren and leave Loveland for the Colts, selected Loveland over Warren. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Loveland took back his TE1 status with some “week-of-draft buzz.” The Bears weren’t alone in their pursuit of Loveland, either. Per Fowler, multiple teams would have attempted to trade up for Loveland had he made it into the teens.
It turns out, if Chicago had taken Warren instead of Loveland, the Colts might not have gotten their tight end. Loveland’s traits and upside reportedly made him the top tight end in the eyes of many teams, and knowing the likelihood that Indianapolis was going to draft a tight end, teams who really wanted Loveland likely would have looked to trade up in front of the 14th overall pick in order to jump in front of the Colts.
Instead, the Bears walked away with their TE1. The lack of a trade up when Warren was left on the board seems to indicate that those who were interested in a first-round tight end agreed that Warren wasn’t worth the move up that they considered Loveland to be worthy of.