HEADLINES

Month: July 2025

Seahawks Release TE Noah Fant

July 20th, 2025 at 10:17pm CST by Adam La Rose

Roster moves continue as teams prepare for the start of training camp. In the case of the Seahawks, that includes parting ways with a notable veteran.

Tight end Noah Fant has been released, per a team announcement. One year remained on his contract with a nonguaranteed base salary of $8.49MM owed. Rather than keeping Fant in the fold for 2025, Seattle will move on.

This decision will result in $8.91MM in cap savings for the Seahawks while incurring a dead money charge of $4.5MM. Fant will now look to find a new opportunity during training camp. The team, meanwhile, will give its other tight ends a larger opportunity during practice before deciding if an addition is required ahead of Week 1.

A first-round pick of the Broncos in 2019, Fant totaled 1,400 yards on 130 receptions during his time with the team. He was included in the Russell Wilson blockbuster, though, so he spent the past three years in Seattle. The Iowa product was unable to reach the same level of production in Seattle that he managed in Denver; his 500 yards in 2024 were the most in the Emerald City but fell short of any of his three Broncos campaigns.

Seattle moved on from both D.K. Metcalf (via trade) and Tyler Lockett (via release) this offseason. Those decisions will leave the team with a noticeably different receiver room in 2025. Returnee Jaxon Smith-Njigba and free agent signing Cooper Kupp will lead the way at that spot moving forward. Fant will not reprise his role as the Seahawks’ primary pass-catching tight end, however.

The 27-year-old will be a name to watch in free agency as teams sort out their depth charts over the coming weeks. Fant would give any number of suitors a starting-caliber presence at the position or at least a strong pass catcher to complement another tight end best suited to run blocking. It will be interesting to see how his market takes shape.

In the meantime, Seattle will move forward with a depth chart including second-round rookie Elijah Arroyo. AJ Barner is set for his second year with the team, and veteran Eric Saubert is a depth option. By releasing Fant, the Seahawks are (barring another move) committing to that trio to handle tight end duties for at least the 2025 season.

Poll: Who Will Win Saints’ QB Competition?

July 20th, 2025 at 10:10pm CST by Adam La Rose

Speculation about Derek Carr’s Saints future came to an end when he elected to retire in lieu of undergoing shoulder surgery. The procedure would have kept him from playing in New Orleans (or elsewhere) in 2025, so the four-time Pro Bowler brought his career to an end and began the team’s next era under center.

Carr handled starting duties for a pair of campaigns with the Saints after his Raiders tenure came to a close. The arrival of new head coach Kellen Moore brought about questions regarding a departure, but that is of course a moot point now. This year’s training camp will see Moore and his staff evaluate New Orleans’ four remaining signal-callers to determine the pecking order.

That quartet includes undrafted free agent Hunter Dekkers. Like in essentially any case regarding UDFAs, he profiles as a practice squad candidate once roster cuts are made at the end of the summer. The Saints’ other three quarterbacks – Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener – are positioned to battle for the starting gig.

In the wake of the Carr retirement, Moore left the door open to a veteran addition under center. None came about during the late stages of free agency, though, so the Shough-Rattler-Haener trio is set to take part in an open competition. New Orleans has drafted a quarterback during each of the past three years, leaving each contender short on experience.

Shough emerged as a name to watch for the Saints during the pre-draft process as the team sought out a Carr successor capable of playing as early as this year. Entering the league as a 25-year-old, he certainly profiles as a candidate to see the field early at the NFL level. Over the course of his seven years in college, however, Shough only had one full campaign as a starter.

The Oregon/Texas Tech/Louisville product dealt with a number of injuries before managing to remain healthy for a full campaign in 2024. Shough’s size and arm strength made him an intriguing option in this year’s quarterback class, one which is not held in high regard compared to next year’s. Nevertheless, New Orleans could turn to him right away in a bid to evaluate his candidacy as a long-term answer under center.

2025 has seen a notable uptick in guaranteed compensation for second-round rookies. Shough, taken 40th overall, was a figure to watch as he joined the players selected around him in seeking a fully guaranteed pact. He recently succeeded in doing so, securing a favorable structure in terms of the payment schedule. That commitment does not ensure Shough will begin his career atop the depth chart, of course, but it illustrates how he will be a member of New Orleans’ QB setup for years to come.

Rattler fell to the fifth round of his draft class despite being the first signal-caller selected after the six first-rounders in 2024 came off the board. The Oklahoma and South Carolina product saw time after Carr was injured, recording a total of six starts. The Saints lost each of those contests while dealing with a number of other absences and ultimately finishing out the campaign under interim head coach Darren Rizzi. Rattler reached 240 passing yards only twice during his time as a starter, and he threw more interceptions (five) than touchdowns (four).

Expectations are certainly muted entering Year 2 as a result, although Rattler, 24, represents at least an affordable backup option for the remainder of his rookie contract. The arrival of Moore as head coach will offer him a fresh start after last year’s poor showing. A stretch with better health up front and at the receiver position could allow for a better evaluation of Rattler’s ceiling in the NFL. Whether or not he is capable of handling starting duties will be determined to a large extent in 2025, and training camp and the preseason will be key in Rattler’s assessment.

Haener did not see the field during his rookie campaign, one which included a PED suspension. The 26-year-old made one start after Carr’s injury last season, a one-point loss despite his 49 passing yards on four completions. If Moore and Co. keep Haener behind Rattler in the pecking order, the QB2 spot is the best-case scenario for the Washington/Fresno State alum.

Winning the starting gig is certainly a possibility entering camp, but Haener is also candidate to operate as the Saints’ emergency third quarterback if Shough and Rattler are still healthy by Week 1. It will be interesting to see if he can alter the depth chart based on how it stood during his first two NFL seasons.

How do you think New Orleans’ competition will play out? Vote in PFR’s latest poll on who you think will emerge as the team’s Week 1 starter and have your say in the comments section below.

Who will win the Saints' QB Competition?
Tyler Shough 59.65% (720 votes)
Spencer Rattler 35.29% (426 votes)
Jake Haener 5.05% (61 votes)
Total Votes: 1,207

J.C. Tretter To Resign From NFLPA

July 20th, 2025 at 10:07pm CST by Adam La Rose

Instead of being a candidate to replace Lloyd Howell as the NFLPA’s executive director, J.C. Tretter will instead step aside from the union. The former NFLPA president said in an interview with CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones he will resign.

“Over the last couple days, it has gotten very, very hard for my family. And that’s something I can’t deal with,” Tretter said. “So, the short bullet points are: I have no interest in being [executive director]. I have no interest in being considered; I’ve let the executive committee know that. I’m also going to leave the NFLPA in the coming days because I don’t have anything left to give the organization.”

Howell received backing from the NFLPA before, days later, deciding to step down. Tretter – who was a key figure in the Howell hire and the union’s actions during his tenure at the helm – has also emerged as the source of backlash with a number of revelations being made about his conduct. Currently the union’s chief strategy officer, Tretter was among the names listed as potential Howell replacements on an interim basis. Shortly after a meeting of player reps and the executive committee, however, things have changed.

“I love the guys [in the union], and that’s why I’ve done what I’ve done for the last six years is because I love what they do and who they are and the mission of the organization,” the 34-year-old added, noting he did not conceive a ploy to usurp Howell as the executive director. “And I think what I realized this morning when I woke up… is that I fell in love with the idea of what this place could be. And over the last six weeks, I’ve realized what this place is, and the delta between those two things.”

Tretter’s interview contains details about the process by which Howell was hired in 2023. A shift to a more streamlined vetting and interview process resulted in a hire shrouded in secrecy compared to previous ones. Tretter also noted the NFLPA’s executive voted 10-1 against Howell (with his vote being one of the 10) in a straw poll but decided not to mention it to the union’s general membership. Brought in with the hopes of leading the way through CBA talks, Howell’s tenure came to an abrupt end after revelations about his role in keeping collusion grievance findings hidden as well as conflict of interest concerns. Tretter’s connections to Howell (and thus the scandals) made him a target for scrutiny over the past few days.

Tretter expressed regret during the interview about his remarks made about Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson with respect his lack of a fully guaranteed contract. The former NFL center also offered an apology for his comments suggesting running backs could feign injury as a negotiating tactic. That spurred a grievance against the NFLPA which the league won and which resulted in the union firing the arbitrator involved in the case.

In a sign of the growing consternation over his presence in the organization, Tretter added he feels many of the “attacks” he has received in recent weeks have come from within the NFLPA. With the union seeking a new leader, Tretter will not take part in the search process nor will he stay on in any capacity.

Broncos, OLB Nik Bonitto Working Towards Extension

July 20th, 2025 at 9:57pm CST by Ely Allen

PFR identified Broncos outside linebacker Nik Bonitto as an extension candidate back in December, and three weeks later we saw reports that the team had interest. In May, it was reported that talks had begun with some anticipation of things heating up coming late last month. In the wake of his fellow 2022 NFL draftee George Karlaftis getting a four year, $88MM extension today, Bonitto gave reporters some insight on his own extension talks.

In an interview with Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette, Bonitto responded to a question concerning the timing of when an extension may occur. “No time period,” Bonitto said. “I know these things can happen tomorrow or happen months from now. I kind of just keep it day by day and keep the focus on football.” 

Karlaftis’ new deal puts him at 10th in the NFL in terms of average annual value. He hasn’t been a perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate, but he’s been the top sack-getter on a Super Bowl team for the past two years, topping out at 10.5 in 2023 and 24.5 for his career. Bonitto’s output has been a bit different.

Playing behind Baron Browning, Jonathon Cooper, and Bradley Chubb in his rookie season, Bonitto became a bigger part of the pass rush once Chubb was traded to Miami midway through the season, though he was still coming off the bench. With only one start in 15 games, Bonitto only tallied 1.5 sacks, one tackle for loss, and three quarterback hits as a rookie. In Year 2, Bonitto benefitted from an early-season absence from Browning. With four starts in 15 games, Bonitto delivered a much-improved eight-sack performance with 13 tackles for loss and 20 quarterback hits.

2024 was the breakout season for Bonitto, though. Another early-season injury to Browning opened the door for Bonitto to work as a full-time starter, and when all was said and done, Browning was traded to Arizona, while Bonitto started the remainder of the season. On a defense that finished seventh in yards allowed, third in points allowed, and led the NFL in sacks, Bonitto has the leading sack-getter, logging 13.5 sacks, 16 tackles for loss, and 24 quarterback hits, not to mention two forced fumbles, four pass deflections, and a 71-yard interception return for a touchdown.

With Bonitto’s clear upwards progression season after season, the Broncos would do well to lock him down for Karlaftis-esque numbers before he adds another 5.5 sacks to his prior year total and costs himself out of Denver. And they may do just that. Some have speculated, though, that Bonitto’s extension may come in a similar fashion as did Cooper’s last year. Cooper signed his four-year, $60MM deal in November, showing that Denver had no objections to working towards big deals midseason.

Based on Bonitto’s quote, he’s seeing the same things we are. Like Karlaftis’ deal, Bonitto offers that an extension could “happen tomorrow.” Or like Cooper’s deal, an extension could “happen months from now.”

Bengals Sign 3, Cut 2 Days Before Training Camp

July 20th, 2025 at 8:16pm CST by Ely Allen

We saw reports earlier today that, following a large workout including such players as C.J. Beathard, Tyler Huntley, and more, the Bengals signed quarterback Desmond Ridder. When the team announced the move later on in the day, they disclosed several other transactions, as well, including the release of a player Ridder was expected to compete with this summer.

While it was initially thought that Ridder would be battling incumbent quarterback Logan Woodside for the QB3 role behind Joe Burrow and Jake Browning, Woodside was one of the players released today in Cincinnati. A seventh-round pick for the Bengals back in 2018, Woodside failed to make the initial 53-man roster in his rookie year and opted to sign to the Titans’ practice squad. In five seasons with the Titans, two with the Falcons, and last year back with the Bengals, Woodside has only attempted seven passes in his NFL career. With Woodside out, if Ridder is competing for anything, it’s the QB2 role.

The other player removed from the roster was offensive guard Tashawn Manning, an undrafted player that originally signed with the Ravens out of Kentucky in 2023. He spent his rookie season on the practice squad in Baltimore, and after getting waived in final roster cuts again in 2024, he opted to sign to the Bengals’ p-squad. After failing to make it to a gameday roster for the second year in a row, Manning signed a reserve/futures deal with Cincinnati, but today he heads back to the waiver wire.

Of the three new players joining Ridder as signees today, the most notable is veteran defensive tackle Taven Bryan. The Bengals’ defense largely cost them in 2024, as they missed the playoffs despite huge performances from Burrow and the offense. With uncertainty continuing to surround the situation with No. 17 overall pick Shemar Stewart, the addition of Bryan and fellow defensive tackle McTelvin Agim could be a form of insurance.

Bryan, a first-round pick for the Jaguars back in 2018, has had an up-and-down career through seven years in the league. After limited time off the bench in his rookie season, Bryan looked the part in his sophomore campaign, starting eight games and logging career highs in total tackles (33), tackles for loss (5), and quarterback hits (9) that still stand today, along with two sacks. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) graded him that year as the 23rd best interior defender out of 116 players graded at the position.

Since then, though, Bryan has never graded higher than 60th, per PFF. He started eight games again in 2020 before the Jaguars made him strictly rotational in the final year of his rookie contract. He signed a one-year contract with the Browns after that and started 16 games in Cleveland, posting a new career high with three sacks. He played the last two seasons in Indianapolis starting 13 of 34 game appearances for the Colts.

Agim is a former third-round pick for the Broncos that never really panned out. In his third year in Denver, he failed to make the 53-man roster and was released from the practice squad in December. Though he’s found practice squad spots throughout the AFC South in the years since, Agim has only appeared in one game over the past three seasons. Bryan’s signing has a chance to improve the team’s defense, and Agim adds some depth, but it’s hard not to read more into the signing of two defensive tackles amidst the Stewart controversy.

The last player added to the roster today was center Andrew Raym. An undrafted center out of Oklahoma last year, Raym made the Panthers’ initial 53-man roster as a rookie but was waived after appearing in only one game and signed to Carolina’s practice squad. He signed a reserve/futures deal with the team in January but was waived again in May. With undrafted rookie center Seth McLaughlin still working his way back from a late-season torn Achilles tendon in 2024, Raym will assist in camp as a third center behind Ted Karras and Matt Lee.

Buccaneers Close Draft Class Signings; Ink CB Benjamin Morrison

July 20th, 2025 at 6:29pm CST by Ely Allen

The Buccaneers are the latest team to close out their rookie draft class signings today after getting Notre Dame second-round cornerback Benjamin Morrison to put pen to paper. According to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, Morrison’s deal includes full guarantees for the first two years and 96 percent of the third year guaranteed.

A four-star recruit coming out of Brophy College Prep (AZ), Morrison had offers from a number of big programs. After taking official visits to Notre Dame, Oregon, and Washington in back-to-back-to-back weekends, Morrison committed to the Fighting Irish. He found his way onto NFL radars as a true freshman despite enrolling just two months before the start of the season. Making nine starts in 13 games, Morrison led his team with six interceptions, including one returned 96 yards for a touchdown, and added 10 passes defensed for good measure.

He continued his excellence in his sophomore year, starting 11 of 12 contests and missing one game with a quad injury. Despite added caution from opposing quarterbacks after his freshman year acclaim, Morrison still made plenty of plays on the ball, recording three interceptions and 13 passes defensed. He also showed a strong ability to blow up plays on the perimeter with 3.5 tackles for loss.

Scouts everywhere were licking their chops to see what film Morrison would put up in 2024, now that he was finally going to draft eligible. Through six games, Morrison hadn’t recorded any interceptions, but his four passes defensed were on track for his usual rate of deflections. Unfortunately, a hip injury took Morrison off the field for the remainder of his junior year. Feeling he had put up enough film to warrant a high draft pick, he decided to forego his senior season and declare for the draft.

The Buccaneers return much of a secondary from 2024 that allowed the fourth-most passing yards in the NFL. Part of that can be attributed to injuries as safeties Antoine Winfield Jr. and Jordan Whitehead missed a combined 14 games, pushing Christian Izien into the starting secondary. Whitehead is the only one absent from last year’s roster in 2025 with Winfield and Izien back at safety, Jamel Dean and Zyon McCollum back at outside cornerback, and Tykee Smith returning at nickelback.

Early reports suggested that Morrison is expected to be ready to return to the field after his hip injury in time for training camp, which starts this week. While the Buccaneers will surely be happy to see him back on the field, they likely won’t attempt to rush him back. If he gets onto the field and plays at a high level as a rookie, great. If not, the team’s plans for him may be much increased in 2026. 2025 is a contract year for McCollum, and Dean’s cap hits over the next two seasons — $15.14MM in 2025 and $15.78MM in 2026 — are high enough to speculate at his candidacy for release. If the team can’t justify bringing both back after this year, then Morrison will be there an additional year removed from his hip injury.

Regardless, it will be interesting to see what Morrison is able to do in 2025. With the early displays he put on at Notre Dame as evidence, the 21-year-old could be a Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate if his play resembles anything close to what he displayed pre-injury. With Morrison being the last Tampa Bay rookie to sign his entry-level deal, here’s a final look at the Buccaneers’ completed six-man draft class:

Minor NFL Transactions: 7/20/25

July 20th, 2025 at 5:38pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are today’s minor NFL moves to close out the weekend:

Chicago Bears

Denver Broncos

Los Angeles Chargers

New England Patriots

Olajiga, a London native, joins the roster as part of the NFL’s International Pathway Program. The 27-year-old spent the 2024 season on the Rams’ practice squad as an IPP athlete, as well, but didn’t find his way to the field.

Keenum, Johnson, and Molden all passed physicals today, permitting their respective teams to active them off of their injured lists.

5 Key Stories: 7/13/25 – 7/20/25

July 20th, 2025 at 4:44pm CST by Adam La Rose

As players begin reporting to training camp, activity has picked up around the league. A number of contract situations remain unresolved at this point, but several have been taken care of in time for summer practices. In case you missed any of this week’s top developments, here is a quick recap:

  • Steelers Extend Watt: After T.J. Watt skipped minicamp in June, it appeared he could be on course to engage in a training camp hold-in like he did during extension talks with the Steelers in 2021. That will not be the case this time around, however, as team and player agreed to a three-year, $123MM deal. The pact keeps Watt in place through 2028 and carries an AAV of $41MM, which is the new watermark for non-quarterbacks. Once again, the former Defensive Player of the Year holds the title of top earner outside the QB spot (for now, at least) and with $108MM fully guaranteed his Pittsburgh tenure is assured for the foreseeable future.
  • Wilson, Gardner Ink New Jets Deals: The new Jets regime was clear this spring that extending receiver Garrett Wilson and cornerback Sauce Gardner was a priority; in consecutive days, both deals were taken care of. Wilson secured $130MM (including $90MM in total guarantees) on a deal which has him under contract for the next six years counting the term remaining on his rookie pact. His $32.5MM AAV ranks fifth amongst receivers. Gardner, meanwhile, also signed a four-year extension and his average annual value of $30.1MM represents a new benchmark for corners. The two-time first-team All-Pro fell just short of Derek Stingley Jr. in terms of total guarantees with $85.65MM but he joins Wilson as a foundational player for New York through the remainder of his 20s.
  • Smith, Karlaftis Land Chiefs Extensions: Hours before the deadline to do so, the Chiefs finalized a long-term deal with franchise tag recipient Trey Smith. The four-year extension is worth $94MM, and his AAV of $23.5MM has reset the guard market. While Smith, 26, secured less in full guarantees ($46.75MM) than he would have received on consecutive tags, his future is assured beyond the next two years. Expectations will remain high given his durability (one missed game in four years) and status as a 2024 Pro Bowler. Kansas City has also taken care of a major extension in the form of edge rusher George Karlaftis. His four-year deal has a base value of $88MM and keeps him in place through 2030. With Smith and Karlaftis signed for the long term, the Chiefs will have continuity on both sides of the line of scrimmage.
  • Howell, Tretter Resign Amidst NFLPA Scrutiny: Recent weeks have seen pressure mount on Lloyd Howell with clarity emerging regarding the NFLPA’s role in burying the findings of its collusion case against the NFL. Issues related to a conflict of interest soon followed stemming from Howell’s role as a consultant for one of the private equity firms eligible to purchase an ownership stake in a team. While the union initially offered a statement supporting him, Howell decided to resign his position as executive director days later. The search for his replacement has begun, but at the early stages of that process chief strategy officer J.C. Tretter decided to resign as well. As such, veteran NFLPA executive Don Davis and union general counsel Tom DePaso are among the early names to watch regarding Howell’s successor on an interim or full-time basis.
  • Williams Retires After Eight Seasons: 2025 was set to mark Mike Williams’ return to the Chargers. Instead, his NFL career came to an abrupt end when he elected to retire after eight seasons in the league. The first seven of those came as a member of the Bolts and included a pair of 1,000-yard campaigns. Williams, 30, battled injuries during his career but he did not miss any time last year during his tenure with the Jets and Steelers. His decision (along with its timing just ahead of training camp) thus comes as a surprise. Receiver will be a position to watch before Week 1 if Los Angeles deems an outside addition necessary to replace Williams.

Jets, WR Garrett Wilson Agree To Extension

July 20th, 2025 at 1:42pm CST by Adam La Rose

JULY 20: Wilson secured $38.3MM fully guaranteed, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated notes. That includes a $13.75MM signing bonus and $15MM in total compensation for 2025. The remaining locked in money – included in the pact as injury guarantees – is scheduled to vest one year early for the 2026 and ’27 campaigns. Wilson’s compensation for the final two years of the deal is not guaranteed. His cap charges, per Breer, range from $4MM this year to $38.5MM in 2030.

JULY 14: One of the Jets’ major offseason priorities has been taken care of. An extension agreement has been reached with wideout Garrett Wilson, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. The move is now official, per a team announcement.

Wilson’s new pact is four years in length and carries a value of $130MM with $90MM guaranteed, per Schefter. That works out to an average annual value of $32.5MM; the former first-rounder is the first to reach that figure after three seasons in the NFL. Given New York’s decision to pick up Wilson’s fifth-year option this spring, he is now on the books through 2030. This marks the first Jets extension for a former Day 1 pick ahead of their fourth season in the rookie wage scale era (h/t Schefter).

Adding further details on this mega-extension, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network notes Wilson will receive a $13.75MM signing bonus. The pact also contains a $20MM option bonus in its second year as well as a $10MM option bonus in Year 3. As expected, the 24-year-old is therefore due to collect on a large scale in the near future.

In terms of both total value and average compensation on a per-year basis, this deal moves Wilson to fifth at the receiver spot. The former Offensive Rookie of the Year has proven to be a focal point on offense in spite of the Jets’ level of play at the quarterback position over the past three years. To no surprise, Wilson was thus a high priority for the team on the extension front. In time for training camp, team and player worked out an agreement.

Part of the Jets’ highly successful 2022 draft class, Wilson made an immediate impact. The Ohio State product has been consistent to say the least even with New York cycling through multiple quarterbacks. Wilson has yet to miss a game in his career, and he has managed no fewer than 1,042 yards each season. Having seen his receptions total climb from 83 to 95 to 101, he will be expected to continue operating as the team’s top option in the passing game for years to come.

The Aaron Rodgers addition resulted in only four snaps played in 2023, but this past season saw the future Hall of Famer play a full campaign. Wilson and Rodgers did not mesh as well as many hoped, and the midseason arrival of Davante Adams notably altered the receiver pecking order. In the wake of that phase of his career (and the Jets’ continued inability to reach the postseason), Wilson’s future in New York became a talking point. This spring, however, he made it clear he hoped to remain in place as part of the post-Rodgers future.

Of course, the Jets’ decision to install a new coaching staff (led by Aaron Glenn) and general manager (Darren Mougey) has marked a turning point in addition to the fact Rodgers and Adams are not in place moving forward. Contract talks with Wilson have been taking place for some time now, and as of last month at least one offer was on the table. Without much issue (in terms of a potential holdout or other training camp drama), Wilson and the new decision-making regime have managed to hammer out a deal.

Now, Gang Green will turn their attention towards their ongoing negotiations with cornerback Sauce Gardner. His contract is likely to eclipse the $30MM per year mark set this offseason by Derek Stingley, who was selected one pick ahead of Gardner in the 2022 draft. Extending the two-time All-Pro would give the Jets’ new regime clear cornerstones on both sides of the ball for the foreseeable future.

NFL Legal Notes: Browns, Rice, Ruggs

July 20th, 2025 at 12:33pm CST by Rory Parks

In keeping with her prior update on first-year running back Quinshon Judkins, Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com confirmed Judkins did not report to training camp with the rest of the Browns’ rookies on Friday. Veterans are due to report on Tuesday, with the first full-squad practice scheduled for Wednesday.

Judkins, a second-round pick, was expected to compete for a significant workload right away, as only Jerome Ford was penciled in above him on the depth chart. Judkins may still see a great deal of action in 2025, but a misdemeanor domestic battery charge has put his NFL career on hold. For now, Cleveland wants Judkins to focus on resolving his legal issues, and it sounds as if the team will not sign him to his rookie contract until that happens.

And, when the legal matter is resolved, Judkins could face discipline from the NFL. Until then, players like fourth-round rookie Dylan Sampson and holdover Pierre Strong will get more reps.

Let’s take a look at a few more legal matters impacting players around the league:

  • As expected, Browns LB Devin Bush was arraigned on charges of simple assault and harassment on Friday, per Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal. After making 16 appearances (10 starts) in his first year in Cleveland in 2024, Bush re-signed with the club on a one-year pact in March. Although the addition of Carson Schwesinger in this year’s draft will eat into Bush’s playing time, the former first-round pick of the Steelers should remain involved in at least a rotational capacity. He will have a pre-trial hearing on August 15.
  • Despite a February DUI charge, and despite having failed to earn a role as a regular starter over his first four years in the league, the Ravens re-signed OL Ben Cleveland to a one-year deal this offseason. Baltimore appears to appreciate Cleveland’s ability to back up multiple spots on the O-line and is prepared to once again carry him on the roster as a reserve. According to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, Cleveland’s trial has been postponed to November 13. He has pleaded not guilty.
  • Chiefs WR Rashee Rice was facing three civil suits stemming from the street-racing crash that took place in March 2024 (the criminal component of the incident was recently resolved, with Rice receiving a 30-day jail sentence and five years of probation). Jesse Newell of the Kansas City Star says Rice settled one of the civil matters for $1.086MM, which will accrue interest until paid. Rice, a 2023 second-rounder, has no guaranteed money remaining on his rookie deal, and he stands to lose roughly $70K for every week he misses due to suspension in 2025 (h/t Spotrac, which also notes the club could seek repayment of a portion of Rice’s signing bonus — roughly $23K per week).
  • Like Rice, Texans RB Joe Mixon had a civil suit to resolve. As Sheree Paolello of WLWT 5 reports, Mixon settled a lawsuit involving a teenage boy who was shot with a real bullet while playing Nerf Wars near Mixon’s home in March 2023, when Mixon was still a member of the Bengals. As Paolello detailed in a full-length piece a few months after the incident, the shots were allegedly fired by the boyfriend of Mixon’s sister, though the victim’s family believed the gun and ammunition were owned by Mixon. The details of the settlement will not be released. 
  • Jordan Addison recently entered into a plea agreement in his DUI matter. While the Vikings’ wide receiver did consider going to trial, per Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network (video link), he did not want the issue creating a distraction during training camp. He could still receive a suspension from the league, of course.
  • We heard in May that former Raiders WR Henry Ruggs, currently imprisoned for a drunk-driving incident that resulted in the horrific death of a woman and her dog, is eyeing an NFL return. He will be eligible for parole in August 2026, and if he is granted parole, Albert Breer of SI.com believes an NFL club could give him another chance. Breer says it is unclear whether the league would suspend Ruggs; a league official told Breer the matter would be “reviewed” when the time comes.
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