HEADLINES

Month: June 2025

Derek Carr Addresses Retirement Decision

June 5th, 2025 at 9:59am CST by Adam La Rose

Derek Carr elected to end his NFL career last month, and the Saints officially processed his retirement on Tuesday. The veteran quarterback’s decision to hang up his cleats came about from his desire not to have shoulder surgery, a topic he recently addressed.

“I wouldn’t have been able to play if I had the surgery,” Carr said during an interview with David Rumsey of Front Office Sports. “And then if I tried to play with it, I wasn’t near 100%, and so that doesn’t help them, either. I just felt like it was the right thing to do for myself and for the team.”

As part of the retirement decision, a financial arrangement was made between Carr and the Saints. The 34-year-old will keep his 2025 roster bonus (valued at $10MM) but he will forego the $30MM in guaranteed salary he was owed for the season. The Saints will move forward with an open competition including Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener and second-round rookie Tyler Shough under center. Carr’s post-2025 New Orleans future had been a talking point prior to his retirement anyway, but team and player have gone their separate ways early.

“That part was tough because I didn’t want to have surgery and just sit there and – it sounds crazy but – just take the Saints’ money,” Carr added. “I had a whole bunch of people tell me how crazy I was, and ‘Man, I would never have done that.’ That’s all cool, but I’ve gained all these things that the world has to offer, and it doesn’t really do anything for your heart. I knew my heart was at peace, and that’s really all that mattered.”

While Carr looked into his non-Saints options this spring prior to retiring, he has expressed contentment with his decision to hang up his cleats. The quarterback market has essentially been settled this offseason, with the Steelers representing the only team where the projected starter is not yet on the roster. Pittsburgh was not mentioned as a potential Carr landing spot, but a QB injury elsewhere could lead to speculation about an NFL return.

Instead, the former Raider confirmed in the interview that he plans to focus his attention on his post-playing days. Carr played a total of 11 seasons in the NFL, and it would come as a surprise if that total were to increase at any time.

Steelers’ T.J. Watt Expected To Sign Extension Before Week 1

June 4th, 2025 at 10:30pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Steelers are continuing extension talks with T.J. Watt, and according to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the four-time All-Pro is expected to put pen to paper before the regular season begins in September.

Watt has yet to attend Pittsburgh’s OTAs as he awaits a new contract. The team reportedly submitted an offer earlier this week, but Watt seems to be pursuing a stronger deal after an explosion in edge rusher pay this offseason. Maxx Crosby got $35.5MM per year from the Raiders in March, and a few days later, Myles Garrett‘s extension with the Browns reset the market with a $40MM APY.

Watt’s current contract — one agreed to days before the 2021 season — is worth just over $28MM per year, so he should be in line for a significant raise after two consecutive top-five finishes in Defensive Player of the Year voting. He will turn 31 during the 2025 season, which could raise age concerns in Pittsburgh, but Garrett is only a year younger with 3.5 fewer sacks since 2023. Watt has also been durable despite a high snap share; he has started 44 straight regular-season games dating back to 2022, though an MCL sprain at the end of the 2023 season sidelined him for the playoffs.

The 2017 first-round pick has been one of the league’s best pass rushers for his entire career, including a 22.5-sack performance in 2021 that tied Michael Strahan‘s single-season record. Watt’s 31.5 sacks over the last two years trail only Trey Hendrickson, who is at an impasse in his own extension negotiations with the Bengals. Hendrickson is also entering his age-31 season but took longer to reach Watt’s level of elite production. If one of the two can agree to new terms with their team, it might clarify the market and lead to a resolution for the other.

Another consideration for Watt is D.K. Metcalf‘s four-year, $132MM contract, which surpassed the future Hall of Fame OLB’s current deal to set new franchise records in per-year and total money. The current edge rusher market should allow Watt to beat Metcalf’s $33MM APY, but setting a new high in total money will require a four-year deal though Watt’s age-35 season in 2029.

As Dulac notes, edge rusher production tends to drop after age 30, so guarantees will be a sticking point in negotiations. The Steelers typically shy away from post-Year 1 guarantees, but they made an exception for Watt on his current contract. Watt’s 2021 extension included a team-record $80MM in fully guaranteed money with guaranteed salaries in 2022 and 2023. That will set a precedent for similar terms on an extension that would guarantee Watt’s salary in 2026 and 2027. Ultimately, the two sides’ ability to reach an agreement will likely come down to the Steelers’ willingness to pay Watt as an elite edge rusher for the rest of his career.

Mike Macdonald Affirms Sam Darnold As Seahawks’ Starter

June 4th, 2025 at 10:00pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Despite a top-10 finish in the 2024 MVP race, doubts surrounding Sam Darnold‘s future as a starter have persisted into his tenure in Seattle. Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald put an end to those doubts on Tuesday, emphatically shooting down a question about another quarterback earning the starting job.

“No, you guys are crazy,” said Macdonald on Seattle Sports 710-AM (via ESPN’s Brady Henderson). “I respect that you’ve got to ask it, but it’s just a crazy question. It’s just not going to happen. Sam’s our starting quarterback. We love him. He’s doing a tremendous job.”

Darnold struggled at the start of practice on Monday, per Henderson, throwing two interceptions within the span of three plays and holding onto the ball for too long behind the line of scrimmage. The veteran did turn things around as practice went on and, reportedly, bested the defense on some goal line reps. Those early mistakes did not seem to concern Macdonald, though. “We’ve got time. It’s June 3,” he said. “They’re going to get plenty of reps. We’ll get those things fixed.”

Darnold came to Seattle on a three-year, $105MM contract, looking to fill the shoes left vacant by another bust-turned-Pro Bowler, Geno Smith, traded away just days earlier. The only competition Darnold faces for the starting gig is returning backup Drew Lock and rookie third-round pick Jalen Milroe, a prospect widely seen as a developmental project with outstanding athleticism.

The use of a third-round pick on a quarterback so soon after signing your new starter could certainly have ruffled some feathers, but Macdonald made sure to avoid the awkwardness we’ve seen in situations past, like in Baltimore with Joe Flacco and Lamar Jackson or in Green Bay with Aaron Rodgers and Jordan Love. The head coach made sure to communicate with Darnold about their intentions to take a younger prospect who could impact the offense in a lot of ways.

While the current setup shows similarities to when a rookie Russell Wilson won the Seahawks starting job as a third-round rookie over free agent addition Matt Flynn (2012), Flynn never displayed a full season of talent as Darnold did last year. Macdonald has instead said that the plan is for Milroe “to play a few plays a game in specialty packages,” while Darnold will “still get well over 90% of the snaps.”

Ely Allen contributed to this post.

RB J.K. Dobbins To Visit Broncos

June 4th, 2025 at 9:58pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Former Chargers and Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins is meeting with the Broncos this week, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. He will have dinner with Denver’s coaching staff tonight with a visit to the team’s facility scheduled for Thursday.

Dobbins finished second in Comeback Player of the Year voting as a Charger in 2024, his return to the field after injuries derailed the start of his career in Baltimore. The 2020 second-round pick averaged 6.0 yards per carry as a rookie but only played nine games over the next three seasons due to an ACL tear in 2021 and an Achilles tear in 2023. He then signed with Chargers last offseason to reunite with Greg Roman (and a slew of other former Ravens) in Los Angeles.

Last year, Dobbins ranked 10th in yards per game (69.6) and 13th in yards per carry (4.6) among qualified running backs, though his 42.6% success rate was the third-lowest in that same group. Crucially, he finished the season healthy; he landed on injured reserve with an MCL sprain but recovered within the four-week minimum and started the team’s last three games (including the playoffs).

The Chargers declined to re-sign Dobbins after the season but placed the little-used UFA tender on him when he remained unsigned after the draft. This week’s visit to Denver is the first reported interest in Dobbins this offseason and could lead to a bigger payday than the $1.1MM he stands to earn in Los Angeles.

The 26-year-old Dobbins would bring a veteran presence to a Broncos running back room that lacks proven NFL experience after the departure of Javonte Williams this offseason. Denver drafted R.J. Harvey in the second round to help fill the void, but his undersized frame and lack of pass-blocking chops will likely keep him from being a three-down bellcow. The team’s other ballcarriers – Audric Estime, Jaleel McLaughlin, Blake Watson, and Tyler Badie – have just 281 career carries between them. Dobbins has 429, including 195 in 2024 alone.

If the Broncos sign Dobbins, it may be an indication that head coach Sean Payton will be taking a committee approach to his backfield this season. Harvey’s status as a second-rounder should lead to plenty of touches, and McLaughlin — a 2023 UDFA — has carved out a rotational role over the last two years. Payton also promised more action for Estime, who saw double-digit carries just twice as a rookie.

“He’s a back that requires enough touches,” said Payton of Estime during OTAs (via NFL.com’s Grant Gordon). “He’s going to get those opportunities.”

The Broncos would also have to find a way to fit Dobbins into the picture, a topic that will likely be discussed during his visit.

Chargers Extend OLB Bud Dupree

June 4th, 2025 at 9:55pm CST by Ely Allen

The Chargers signed outside linebacker Bud Dupree to a two-year, $6MM contract last year, and after some decent production coming off the bench, the veteran pass rusher will avoid playing 2025 on a contract year. The team made the announcement today that they have extended Dupree’s contract by one year. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network adds that the additional year will be worth the same amount as his initial contract with the team, earning him an additional $6MM.

Dupree started his career a decade ago as Pittsburgh’s first-round pick in 2015 out of Kentucky. With an aging James Harrison playing his final years in Pittsburgh, Dupree was intended to be the future of the Steelers’ pass rushing attack. Unfortunately, Dupree struggled to deliver in his first few years, so the team spent another Day 1 pick on the pass rush two years later, bringing in T.J. Watt.

The team gambled on exercising Dupree’s fifth-year option, and he delivered a breakout 11.5-sack season playing across from a budding Watt. The career-year earned him one more season under the franchise tag, and Dupree was on an even better pace with eight sacks in 11 games before tearing his ACL, effectively ending his time with the Steelers.

Dupree’s strong seasons still earned him big bucks in free agency, helping him land in Tennessee on a five-year, $82.5MM contract. Unfortunately, injuries persisted upon his return to the field, and for the second and third years in a row, Dupree only played in 11 games in each of his first two seasons with the Titans. Even more concerning, the promise Dupree had previously shown across from Watt before his ACL tear had disappeared, and in 22 games with his new team, Dupree had only logged seven sacks.

The Titans cut bait with Dupree only two years into his five-year deal, but Dupree rebounded on a one-year, $3MM deal in Atlanta. After spending a resurgent year with the Falcons, in which he started 16 games and recorded 6.5 sacks, Dupree found himself debating returns to Pittsburgh or Atlanta in free agency. Ultimately, a surprise Chargers visit came up and he ended up in Los Angeles.

Dupree spent last year solely coming off the bench. It was the first season of his career in which he did not start a single contest. It was also the first time since 2019 that he appeared in every game of a season, though. While not making any starts, Dupree still saw the field plenty, logging more defensive snaps than an ailing Joey Bosa, while Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu anchored the outside linebacker spots. He also outpaced Bosa in sacks, finishing tied for second on the team with Mack with six; Tuipulotu led the team with 8.5.

Now, with Bosa having departed in free agency, Dupree’s extended time solidifies some depth in the team’s pass rush for another season. The only other addition the Chargers made to the group this offseason was South Carolina rookie Kyle Kennard, whom they drafted in the fourth round. With Mack and Tuipulotu leading the pass rush, Dupree will serve as an example for Kennard of how to make the most of your contributions off the bench.

Browns QB Dillon Gabriel Signs Rookie Deal

June 4th, 2025 at 8:44pm CST by Ely Allen

While the day was filled with snippets of Shedeur Sanders‘ reps at Browns Organized Team Activities today, the real news happened off the field as third-round rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel signed his rookie contract, according to a team announcement. No contract details have been released.

With Deshaun Watson dealing with injury and the quarterback room consisting of only a 40-year-old Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett on his third team in as many years, the Browns were constantly linked to a rookie quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft. While many assumed that that quarterback would in some way or another end up being Sanders, a historically strange slide led to five other passers hearing their names called before Sanders. One of those names was Gabriel’s, which came at No. 94 overall.

After six years playing college football (three at UCF, two at Oklahoma, and one at Oregon), Gabriel only got better and better, even after a left clavicle injury ended his time with the Knights. Overall, Gabriel proved to be an elite producer who could protect the ball and score with his arm or his legs. He went 46-17 as a starter with the Knights, Sooners, and Ducks, showing an impressive ability to pick up new systems quickly and effectively.

That, contrasted with Sanders, who has worked under the same offense under the same coach since high school, could be a reason that Gabriel’s name has been seeing much more run in recent days as a contender for a role as QB1 or 2. One of the latest reports we’d seen saw Gabriel seemingly looking like the QB2 behind Pickett. The lefty seems to be making quick progress as he learns his fourth new offense in five years.

There will still be plenty of time for Gabriel to challenge Pickett or for Sanders to challenge them both or even for Flacco to get back in the picture. Regardless, Gabriel can now get his mind off contract negotiations and put all his efforts into football.

Gabriel is only the third Browns rookie to put pen to paper so far. Here’s how the rest of the draft class is looking:

Minor NFL Transactions: 6/4/25

June 4th, 2025 at 7:46pm CST by Ely Allen

Today’s minor moves across the NFL:

Cleveland Browns

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Jacksonville Jaguars

Miami Dolphins

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

Seattle Seahawks

Gill becomes the 13th wide receiver on the Browns roster. While that certainly seems like a lot, keep in mind that the Browns need to run drills for four quarterbacks and some receivers aren’t able to participate at the moment. An undrafted receiver out of Fresno State last year, Gill spent the last two months of the season on the Browns’ practice squad.

The Eagles add another undrafted rookie to their group in Adeyi. The speedy, diminutive wideout spent his final two collegiate seasons at Sam Houston State. He had 30 catches for 271 yards and a touchdown, with another score on the ground. He returned punts for the Bearkats in 2024, as well.

Jaguars To Sign OLB Dennis Gardeck

June 4th, 2025 at 1:12pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Jaguars are continuing to round out their 2025 squad by signing former Cardinals outside linebacker Dennis Gardeck, according to FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz.

Gardeck spent the first seven years of his NFL career in Arizona, totaling 96 appearances and 17 starts, though his production has been somewhat inconsistent. 13.0 of his 17.0 sacks came in 2020 and 2023; last year, he posted 3.0 sacks and six tackles for loss in seven games last season before landing on injured reserve with a torn ACL.

The 30-year-old is the second addition to Jacksonville’s pass rush in as many days; the team reunited with veteran defensive end Dawuane Smoot on Tuesday. He may play a more versatile role along the Jaguars’ defensive line, but the 232-pound Gardeck is purely an edge defender. Along with 2023 fifth-rounder Yasir Abdullah, Gardeck will provide depth behind former first-round picks Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker.

Gardeck has put together a solid career for a former Division II college player. He signed with the Cardinals as an undrafted rookie out of Sioux Falls University and quickly established himself as a core special teams contributor. Gardeck eventually worked his way into Arizona’s OLB rotation in 2020 and impressed with 7.0 sacks in just 94 defensive snaps. He took a step back across the following two seasons with just 1.0 sack and three tackles for loss, but reemerged in 2023 with 6.0 sacks and seven tackles for loss.

In Jacksonville, Gardeck will likely continue in a rotational role on defense while remaining a mainstay on special teams, where he’s played 1,874 snaps in his career.

The Jaguars waived 2024 fifth-rounder Keilan Robinson in a corresponding move, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. The former Alabama and Texas running back appeared in six games as a rookie with 51 of his 56 snaps coming on special teams.

Tyler Steen Favorite To Land Eagles’ RG Job; Latest On Team’s LB Plans

June 4th, 2025 at 12:58pm CST by Sam Robinson

Upon signing with the Eagles after the 2024 draft, Mekhi Becton was coming off an injury-defined tenure as a Jets tackle. The Eagles were not initially planning for Becton to move into their starting lineup at guard, but it ended up working out that way after Becton held off Tyler Steen for the gig.

As Cam Jurgens slid to center following Jason Kelce‘s retirement, the Eagles saw that transition lead to a Pro Bowl nod as Jeff Stoutland‘s unit delivered another dominant season. Becton parlayed his role in the Super Bowl LIX-winning campaign into a two-year, $20MM Chargers deal. Becton’s defection returns Steen to the forefront, as Year 3 will provide the 2023 third-round pick another chance.

As it stands, Steen is expected to enter training camp as the frontrunner at right guard, the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane notes. The Eagles had seen Becton impress at guard during their offseason program last year, but Steen still was the presumed favorite heading into camp. Becton, however, moved ahead during the padded work that began when the team reconvened.

The Eagles have another chance to deploy a fully homegrown O-line configuration this season, and Steen has been a candidate to take over at guard since the team drafted him. After working as a clear-cut backup during Kelce’s finale, Steen did not seize an opportunity last year. But the Alabama alum, who played 316 offensive snaps last season, is the favorite once again, InsidetheBirds.com’s Andrew DiCecco notes.

As our Ely Allen broke down last week, trade pickup Kenyon Green lurks after an underwhelming Texans tenure. Becton entered the Stoutland program as a former first-round pick trending downward. It will be interesting to see if the former No. 15 overall pick can make this a legitimate competition. Green and the reacquired Matt Pryor (15 Bears starts in 2024) held the second-team guard roles during the Eagles’ most recent OTA session, DiCecco adds. Should Steen falter again, a team known for strong work in the O-line planning department will have options.

Elsewhere on Philly’s roster, the team will need to get by without its preferred linebacker group for a bit. Suffering a torn patellar tendon during the Eagles’ wild-card win, Nakobe Dean is not close to returning, per Vic Fangio. Slotted as Pro Football Focus’ No. 12 off-ball LB last season, Dean had shaken off an injury-plagued tenure prior to his most significant setback yet. The 2023 third-round pick will be a clear candidate for the reserve/PUP list to start the season.

Jihaad Campbell is expected to be ready at some point during training camp, but the first-rounder’s absence — and potential future as an edge player — is giving Jeremiah Trotter Jr. extensive run. Trotter has lined up alongside Zack Baun as a first-stringer during the Eagles’ OTAs.

Drafted in the fifth round by the same team that employed his father during multiple stints, Trotter logged 104 snaps on defense as a rookie. The Eagles used a similar plan for Dean, who effectively redshirted in 2022, but injuries have since intervened. Trotter lining up as the team’s Week 1 starter alongside Baun is squarely in play, McLane adds. Though, Campbell should have plenty to say about this arrangement in the not-too-distant future.

Lions To Sign OL Trystan Colon

June 4th, 2025 at 10:42am CST by Sam Robinson

Dealt a blow via Frank Ragnow‘s retirement before age 30, the Lions have now lost two of their starters from a top-shelf 2024 offensive line. Kevin Zeitler‘s free agency defection (to the Titans) brought the first development here.

The Lions have options at center, considering their draft moves and Graham Glasgow‘s versatility, but they are adding another piece in the wake of the Ragnow news. Detroit is bringing in Trystan Colon, NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo notes. The parties agreed on a one-year deal.

Spending the past two seasons with the Cardinals, Colon started 11 games in that span. The veteran interior lineman spent the first three seasons of his career with the Ravens, stopping over with the Jets during the 2023 offseason. He will now be expected to at least land a job as a swing backup with the Lions.

The Cardinals used Colon primarily at right guard in 2024, re-signing him (on a one-year, $1.75MM) after initially bringing in the former UDFA in just before the 2023 season started. The Jets had cut Colon, after dangling him in trades, that year. Colon made four starts for the 2023 Cardinals, who used him on 315 snaps at left guard. Although Colon has center experience (from his time in Baltimore), his first-string NFL duty has primarily come at guard.

Colon, who follows defensive tackle Roy Lopez with this Arizona-to-Detroit move, graded impressively during his part-time run as an Arizona starter last season. Pro Football Focus slotted the Mizzou alum 18th overall among guard regulars. Granted, Colon barely saw enough snaps to qualify as such. But the Lions will take a flier on a 27-year-old blocker in light of the Ragnow news.

Ragnow had been the Lions’ top center for six seasons, shifting from guard one year into his career. Replacing a four-time Pro Bowler will not be easy for the Lions, but they did add interior O-linemen in the second and fifth rounds, selecting Tate Ratledge (Georgia) and Miles Frazier (LSU). Ratledge earned All-American acclaim in 2023 and ’24 and started during the Bulldogs’ 2022 national championship season. Glasgow has extensive experience at both guard and center, logging starts at each position in Detroit and Denver, while the Lions have also begun cross-training Ratledge at both spots this offseason.

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