2025 July - Pro Football Rumors

Month: July 2025

Offseason In Review: Carolina Panthers

July 7th, 2025 at 10:15pm CST by Sam Robinson

Within a 10-month span, the Panthers had seen their owner throw a drink at a fan — amid a string of headlines involving the Carolina boss — and the team’s handpicked quarterback benched by Week 3. This came after the Panthers’ 2024 coaching search, due in part to David Tepper‘s past meddling, saw some big names bow out. As bleak as the franchise’s outlook appeared after Bryce Young‘s September struggles, signs of life emerged as the season wound down.

Carolina’s defense still ranked last, as the season ended with an NFL-worst minus-193 point differential, but the team saw Young make strides weeks after reentering the lineup. The Young-Dave Canales partnership began to pay some dividends, moving the team’s nearly scrapped plan back into focus. Coming out of the season, no Tepper- or Young-driven headlines have dragged down the NFC South club. The Panthers made significant updates to their defense, while Young will enter the season with another first-round wide receiver to target.

Extensions and restructures:

Extended CB Jaycee Horn on four-year, $100MM ($46.71MM guaranteed) agreement
Agreed on one-year, $8.75MM ($1.5MM guaranteed) reworking with WR Adam Thielen
Agreed on revised one-year, $3MM guaranteed deal with C Austin Corbett
Yosh Nijman accepted pay cut; T now on one-year, $2MM ($400K guaranteed) deal

In a remarkable turnaround, Horn managed to score a $25MM-per-year deal that briefly topped the cornerback market. The Panthers had seen the former No. 8 overall pick fall well behind the No. 9 pick in that draft (Patrick Surtain), with injuries frequently impeding the South Carolina alum. Horn exited 2024 having played in just 37 of a possible 68 games as a pro. Up until days before last season, the cornerback market had remained frozen for more than two years. Jaire Alexander‘s $21MM-AAV Packers deal topped the market, but Surtain and Jalen Ramsey changed that. Horn submitting his healthiest NFL season placed him in position to receive a monster raise as well.

Pro Football Focus ranked Horn 60th among CB regulars last season, and Pro-Football-Reference charged him with six touchdowns allowed to go with the highest passer rating (as the closest defender) yielded of his career. Even as Ejiro Evero‘s defense sunk to 32nd in points and yards allowed, Horn made his first Pro Bowl. Perhaps more importantly, he missed only two games. Rather than have Horn play on a fifth-year option, the Panthers extended him at a top-market rate.

NFL contract value is not always a merit-based; timing matters significantly as markets are established. Horn had seen a broken foot sideline him for 14 games as a rookie and then a hamstring injury shelve him for 10 games during a 2023 in which the second-generation NFLer missed 11. Horn has delivered flashes, and the Panthers had a big-ticket salary slot open after trading Brian Burns in 2024.

Ahead of his age-26 season, Horn managed to eclipse Surtain in terms of AAV ($24MM) and fully guaranteed money ($40.7MM) despite the Denver ace’s Defensive Player of the Year season. After the cap spiked by another $24MM, however, Horn and then Derek Stingley Jr. pounced.

The Panthers are making an expensive bet on Horn shaking his early-career injury trouble. This represents a course change for the team, which let both Josh Norman and James Bradberry walk in free agency (under Dave Gettleman and Matt Rhule, respectively) rather than authorize an extension. Guarantees here only go through 2026, however, providing some protection for the team in case Horn cannot shake the injury trouble that largely defined his rookie-deal tenure. Horn receiving Pro Bowl recognition given the Panthers’ anemic 2024 pass rush also undoubtedly raised the team’s confidence in the Rhule-era draftee.

Thielen’s underdog story is poised to continue into a 13th NFL season, as the former Vikings rookie-camp tryout body heads into a third Panthers campaign. Despite the team making three first- or second-round receiver investments over the past three drafts, Thielen has persisted. He entered the offseason with no guarantees remaining on his contract. The Panthers gave him a slight bump, though not one that would prevent a release in the event the aging pass catcher (35 in August) showed a notable decline in camp.

Outlasting the likes of Jonathan Mingo and Diontae Johnson in Charlotte, Thielen produced after the Panthers opted against trading him at the 2024 deadline. Thielen accumulated at least 99 receiving yards in three of the seven games after he came back from a hamstring injury, providing a reliable option as Young made late-season strides.

The Panthers asked about D.K. Metcalf, a former Canales Seahawks pupil, but did not make an offer. They then chose Tetairoa McMillan eighth overall. Thielen could find himself in trade rumors again this year, which may well be his NFL finale, but the three-time 1,000-yard target also is positioned to continue serving as a Young security blanket and mentor to a cast now comprised of three first- or second-year receivers.

Free agency additions:

Tre’von Moehrig, S. Three years, $51MM ($34.05MM guaranteed)
Tershawn Wharton, DL. Three years, $45.1MM ($30.25MM guaranteed)
Patrick Jones, OLB. Two years, $15MM ($10.25MM guaranteed)
Bobby Brown, DL. Three years, $21MM ($6.8MM guaranteed)
Rico Dowdle, RB. One year, $2.75MM ($2.75MM guaranteed)
Christian Rozeboom, LB. One year, $2.5MM ($1.97MM guaranteed)
Sam Martin, P. One year, $1.6MM ($1.6MM guaranteed)
Hunter Renfrow, WR. One year, $1.34MM ($50K guaranteed)

Losing Derrick Brown in Week 1 came after the Panthers devoted curiously modest resources to replacing Brian Burns. The result: a defense that allowed by far the most points in franchise history. Carolina yielded 534 points; the 30-year-old franchise’s previous-worst was 470 (in 2019). Even if the 17th game is factored in, Evero’s second Panthers defense allowed a team-worst 31.4 points per game. Horn managed an extension coming out of this mess, and Evero has a chance to rebound. Carolina devoted plenty of resources to fixing this broken unit this offseason.

The team chased the biggest fish in the D-line waters in free agency, coming close to having a deal done with Milton Williams. The ascending Eagles supporting-caster, PFR’s No. 3 free agent, was deep in talks with the Panthers. ESPN’s Adam Schefter indicated the sides were working to finalize a deal hours into the legal tampering period. The talks took a turn when the Patriots swooped in, submitting an offer the Panthers did not match. Both New England (Christian Barmore) and Carolina (Brown) already rostered D-tackles at $20MM-plus per year, and the Panthers stood down.

The Pats have Milton on a four-year, $104MM deal that came with $51MM fully guaranteed. Williams sits behind only Chris Jones and Christian Wilkins for DT AAV and full guarantees, and the cap-rich Pats’ actions led the Panthers elsewhere in this market. Wharton used a big contract year alongside Jones to land a monster payday given his UDFA NFL entrance. Dan Morgan‘s right-hand man, Brandt Tilis, was on the Chiefs’ staff when they plucked Wharton out of Division II Missouri S&T in 2020.

PFR’s No. 46 free agent, Wharton saw his market form after both Williams and Osa Odighizuwa were signed early (the latter re-signed with the Cowboys before free agency). The Chiefs wanted to retain him but saw that become unrealistic, due to Jones’ DT-record deal, early in free agency. The Panthers added another interior rusher, albeit one without much pre-2024 production.

Never clearing two sacks or five QB hits in a season before 2024, Wharton broke through in a contract year by registering 6.5 sacks and 11 hits alongside Jones. He added two more sacks in the playoffs. In Wharton’s defense, he had never started more than one game in a season until last year. The increased usage attracted FA interest. It will be interesting to see if the attention Brown will command from O-lines can help Wharton in a similar way.

PFF did not rank Wharton as a strong run defender last season, but the Panthers landed on Bobby Brown to help in that department. Squeezing into our top 50, Brown overlapped with Evero as a rookie in 2021. The former Rams fourth-round pick became a starter after the 2023 losses of Greg Gaines and A’Shawn Robinson, and PFF graded him as a top-30 run stopper (among interior D-linemen) in each of the past two seasons.

Brown remaining productive in this area post-Aaron Donald helped his free agency cause, and only going into his age-25 season helped his cause as well. Though, the Panthers are holding onto some guaranteed money until they observe his 2025 work. Whereas Wharton received two years fully guaranteed, half of Brown’s $5.55MM base salary will lock in on Day 3 of the 2026 league year.

This year’s safety market saw an upswing for the position; no player did better than Moehrig. As the cap ballooned by another $24MM, Moehrig fared better than the top free agent safeties in 2023 (Jessie Bates) and ’24 (Xavier McKinney). Moehrig is now the NFL’s sixth-highest-paid safety. Like Wharton, he used a big contract year to secure a nice FA payday. Unlike Wharton, Moehrig was a four-year starter on his rookie deal. The Raiders’ struggles after their 2021 playoff berth dimmed Moehrig’s profile, but teams were waiting in free agency.

Marcus Epps going down in Week 3 allowed for more Moehrig plays near the line of scrimmage (439 box snaps in 2024 compared to 326 in ’23), and he responded with a career-best 104 tackles to go with five TFLs and a sack. Moehrig also snared two interceptions, giving him five over the past two seasons. The Panthers still hosted Julian Blackmon on a visit after this signing, and an Evero-Justin Simmons reunion — the DC already has several former Rams and a Bronco (Josey Jewell) on this defense — came up recently despite the team choosing a safety (Ohio State’s Lathan Ransom) in Round 4.

Although the draft became the gateway to the Panthers attempting to solve their post-Burns EDGE issue, the team took a flier on Jones. Formerly a D.J. Wonnum teammate in Minnesota, Jones made an impact as a rotational rusher for a top-five defense last season. While backing up Pro Bowlers Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard, Jones tallied seven sacks and 12 QB hits. The Vikings, who also drafted Dallas Turner in the 2024 first round, were not in a position to re-sign Jones. The Panthers will provide more playing time for a player with just five career starts.

Dowdle entered free agency with an interesting resume. With the Cowboys for five years, he logged only seven carries from 2020-22. Waiting behind the Ezekiel Elliott–Tony Pollard pair, Dowdle served as a special-teamer. But the Cowboys used him as a Pollard backup in 2023 and then needed him to start a year later. Dallas letting Pollard walk and not drafting a running back opened a door for Dowdle, who quickly overtook a shopworn Elliott, who had returned on a low-cost deal.

Dowdle glided for 1,079 yards (4.6 per carry) last season. While the former UDFA’s 61 rush yards over expected (per Next Gen Stats) was a mid-pack number, the South Carolina native carries low tread on his tires — at 331 career carries — entering an age-27 season. He will be positioned as a Chuba Hubbard backup likely to see notable work with Jonathon Brooks out for the season.

Renfrow, 29, is back after spending the 2024 season out of football. A post-June 1 Raiders cut last year, Renfrow quickly fell out of favor with the team during Josh McDaniels‘ HC tenure. Bizarrely going from 1,000-yard receiver to $16MM-per-year extension recipient — a deal McDaniels and GM Dave Ziegler authorized — to a cog that did not fit into McDaniels’ scheme, Renfrow totaled only 585 yards from 2022-23. An ulcerative colitis diagnosis helped keep Renfrow out of football last year, but the Clemson alum — a player who led the 2021 Raiders playoff team in receiving — has recovered from the autoimmune disease and will attempt a comeback.

Re-signings:

Tommy Tremble, TE. Two years, $10.5MM ($6MM guaranteed)
Andy Dalton, QB. Two years, $8MM ($6MM guaranteed)
Michael Jackson, CB. Two years, $10.5MM ($5.7MM guaranteed)
Brady Christensen, G. One year, $2.79MM ($2.79MM guaranteed)
J.J. Jansen, LS. One year, $1.42MM ($1.2MM guaranteed)
David Moore, WR. One year, $1.4MM ($600K guaranteed)
Cade Mays, G. One year, $3.41MM (tendered as RFA)
Nick Scott, S. One year, $1.34MM
Raheem Blackshear, RB. One year, $1.1MM

Dalton’s Charlotte trajectory took a turn last season. Brought in to mentor a to-be-determined first-round QB in 2023, Dalton did so until Week 3 of last season. The Panthers benched Young, and trade rumors swirled after the former No. 1 overall pick’s shocking freefall. It did not appear Canales and Co. had immediate plans to give Young more time, as the undersized passer had looked terrible in Weeks 1 and 2. A Dalton car accident, however, changed the team’s QB course.

Dalton’s wreck, with his family in the vehicle, resulted in minor injuries. But it was enough for Young to reenter the lineup in Week 8. Dalton did not regain the starting job. The ex-Bengals starter-turned-nomad had boosted the offense upon debuting last season, but Young showed improvement (including an 8-0 TD:INT ratio from Weeks 16-18) upon returning.

It is interesting Dalton went from being benched because of an off-field injury to re-signing. He will give the Panthers a high-end backup, and this deal provides guarantees into 2026, which would be Dalton’s age-39 season. The 168-game starter has managed to land on his feet as a backup.

The Panthers are still searching for a reliable pass-catching tight end post-Greg Olsen. Tremble, a 2021 third-round pick, has still checked in as a usable piece. The four-year Carolina contributor fetched a decent guarantee and will continue to work alongside younger option Ja’Tavion Sanders. The Panthers whiffed on their Hayden Hurst commitment and have parted with Ian Thomas. Sanders led Panthers TEs in receiving last season, with 342 yards, while Tremble posted a career-high 234. The Panthers need more from this position still, and Tremble is recovering from back surgery that might lead to a delayed training camp start.

Using Donte Jackson‘s contract in the regrettable Diontae Johnson trade, the Panthers acquired Michael Jackson months later. Michael, and not Dane, became Donte’s replacement in a Jackson-heavy cornerback storyline. Michael Jackson started 17 games last season, providing good value after being replaced as a Seahawks starter.

Carolina only gave up seventh-round rookie linebacker Michael Barrett, whom Seattle cut weeks later. A former starter opposite Riq Woolen in Seattle, Jackson graded as PFF’s No. 48 overall corner (out of 116 qualified options) last season. Going into his age-28 season, the ex-Cowboys fifth-rounder carries a contract that pairs well with Horn’s.

As Jansen creates more distance between himself and the field for career Panthers starts, Christensen is back despite being dropped to the backup tier. Winning the Panthers’ left guard job in 2022, Christensen ran into a Week 18 injury that set him back. The former third-rounder then suffered a biceps tear to end his 2023 season in Week 1, and the Panthers completed a guard overhaul by signing Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis to eight-figure-per-year contracts. With experience at center, guard and tackle, though, Christensen profiles as an interesting swing option.

Notable losses:

Jadeveon Clowney, OLB (released)
Caleb Farley, CB
Sam Franklin, S
Feleipe Franks, TE
Jordan Fuller, S
Dane Jackson, CB (released)
Lonnie Johnson Jr., S
Eddy Pineiro, K
Miles Sanders, RB (released)
Ian Thomas, TE
Shaq Thompson, LB
Xavier Woods, S
Chandler Wooten, LB

Clowney had gone from 2014 to 2024 between multiyear contracts, touring the NFL between his fifth-year option season and the two-year, $20MM deal he signed to return home to the Carolinas. The Panthers, however, capped the former No. 1 overall pick’s stay at one season. They are Clowney’s fourth NFL one-and-done (after the Seahawks, Titans and Ravens), while the Browns represented a two-year stay.

The Panthers shopped Clowney before the draft, telegraphing their plans at outside linebacker. The team ended up drafting second- and third-round OLBs, cutting Clowney soon after. Carolina brass had viewed the 11-year veteran as a potential progress stopper for its rookies. Wonnum remains after missing much of last season due to injury, but Clowney is back in free agency after leading the 2024 Panthers with 5.5 sacks and 11 QB hits.

While the Clowney move provided a bit of a surprise, the Sanders cut certainly didn’t. Sanders joined Johnson and Hurst as recent skill-position misses for the Panthers, who demoted the ex-Eagles Super Bowl starter for Chuba Hubbard. The latter since signed a four-year, $33.2MM extension and is Carolina’s clear-cut RB starter. Sanders benefited from 2023’s RB franchise tag spree, scoring a four-year, $25MM deal that included $13MM fully guaranteed. Sanders outdid Pollard, Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs for 2023 guarantees but did contribute much for the Panthers.

Although team and player discussed a pay cut, no agreement commenced. Sanders and Dowdle switched places, with the former second-rounder now a Cowboy on a one-year, $1.34MM deal.

One game away from breaking Don Muhlbach‘s record for most games by a pure long snapper in NFL history (260), Jansen stands as the longest-tenured current Panther and the longest-tenured player in franchise annals. But Thompson exited the 2024 season as the longest-tenured starter. Back-to-back injury-shortened seasons cost the 10-year linebacker 28 games over the past two years, and although he expressed interest in staying after taking a 2024 pay cut, Thompson is now in Buffalo.

As the Carolina-to-Buffalo pipeline — based on ex-Sean McDermott/Brandon Beane Panther cogs — somehow remains active, Thompson leaves as a 112-game starter. The 2015 first-round pick, who supplemented Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis as part of what is probably the best position group in Panthers history, started in Super Bowl 50 and earned more than $67MM in Carolina.

Even if Simmons does not sign, the Panthers are changing up at safety. Woods started three seasons for the team, while Fuller stopped through in 2024 as part of Evero’s Rams-to-Panthers pipeline. Woods joined the Titans, and Fuller landed at another Rams outpost, being set to play under ex-Los Angeles DC Raheem Morris in Atlanta.

Pineiro sits behind only Justin Tucker and Harrison Butker for all-time field goal accuracy, exiting the 2024 season at 88.1%. Pineiro, 29, had angled for a new contract during the 2024 offseason but is now a free agent ahead of this year’s round of training camps. Despite the lofty percentage, Pineiro only has four full seasons as an NFL kicker under his belt. He made 22 of 26 field goals last year. As of now, the Panthers have journeyman fill-in Matthew Wright and rookie UDFA Ryan Fitzgerald as kicker options.

Draft:

Round 1, No. 8: Tetairoa McMillan (WR, Arizona) (signed)
Round 2, No. 51 (from Broncos): Nic Scourton (OLB, Texas A&M)
Round 3, No. 77 (from Falcons through Patriots): Princely Umanmielen (OLB, Ole Miss) (signed)
Round 4, No. 114 (from Cowboys): Trevor Etienne (RB, Georgia) (signed)
Round 4, No. 122 (from Broncos): Lathan Ransom (S, Ohio State) (signed)
Round 5, No. 140 (from Giants): Cam Jackson (DT, Florida) (signed)
Round 5, No. 163 (from Ravens): Mitchell Evans (TE, Notre Dame) (signed)
Round 6, No. 208 (from Eagles through Broncos): Jimmy Horn (WR, Colorado) (signed)

While it looked for a bit like Jones would supplement Clowney at OLB, the Panthers had bigger plans to bolster a pass rush that did not do much disrupting last season. Carolina’s 32 sacks ranked 29th last year, and two rookie prospects will play alongside Derrick Brown and Tershawn Wharton. Many viewed the Panthers as neglecting their top need in Round 1, but the team projected the second day of the draft would have better edge-rushing options compared to wide receiver. Thus, a second straight first-round wideout investment.

Counting D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel, the Panthers have used five first- or second-round picks on receivers since 2017. They have been unable to replace Moore since his 2023 trade exit. McMillan represents the team’s top investment at the position — not only on this crusade but in franchise history. Xavier Legette arrived as the No. 32 overall pick, while the since-traded Jonathan Mingo was 39th. The Panthers had never drafted a wideout in the top 20. Plenty of pressure will be on Morgan to make this work.

Teams showed interest in McMillan, who had been connected to the Cowboys during the pre-draft process. The Rams made an offer for No. 8, and Morgan believed it was to nab McMillan. This led to Morgan asking for a monster trade package, in order to slide down to No. 26, and no deal commenced. Carolina had been tied to Georgia prospects Jalon Walker and Mykel Williams; had McMillan been off the board at No. 8, the Panthers would have gone with Walker. But McMillan now joins Legette, Thielen and promising UDFA Jalen Coker as the top Panthers wideouts.

Young also lobbied for McMillan in Round 1, and the Panthers now have another big-bodied receiver. McMillan flashed for contested-catch ability, while some uncertainty remains about his ability to separate at the NFL level. But he generated considerable attention, as the 49ers and Packers showed interest as well.

The ex-volleyball player averaged at least 15 yards per catch in each of his three Arizona seasons and delivered quality production over the past two years. McMillan combined for 2,721 yards and 18 touchdowns from 2023-24. With Legette not impressing often as a rookie, McMillan should be expected to vault into Carolina’s WR1 spot this season.

The McMillan pick assuredly left Evero, who had drawn HC interest in the past and was rumored to be eyeing a way out of Carolina (having not been a Canales hire) in 2024, a bit nervous heading into Day 2. But the Panthers themed the draft’s second night around their pass rush, trading up for both Scourton and Umanmielen. The Panthers vaulted six spots for Scourton and eight for Umanmielen. Will they make up for passing on Walker in Round 1?

Scourton did not impress statistically at Texas A&M, but in Purdue’s scheme before transferring, he posted a 10-sack season. In a season that also featured 15 tackles for loss, Scourton’s 10 sacks led the Big Ten. Only racking up five sacks in his 2024 Aggies season, Scourton remained a consistent backfield presence. He added 14 TFLs last season.

Neither The Athletic’s Dane Brugler nor ESPN’s Matt Miller graded Scourton as a top-10 edge player in this class, but the Panthers were prepared to dive in before their second-round draft slot arrived. Only going into an age-21 season, Scourton attracted attention as a rusher worth molding.

Delivering more sacks (25.5) in college, Umanmielen is also two years older than Scourton. The 23-year-old rusher transferred from Florida to Ole Miss in 2024 and finished his career with a 10.5-sack season and matched Scourton with 14 QB hits. In his final Gators slate, Umanmielen registered seven sacks. Measuring 13 pounds lighter at the Combine (244) than Scourton, Umanmielen could provide a nice complement.

For the time being, the two Day 2 draftees may begin as rotational players behind Jones and Wonnum. But they represent the Panthers’ long-term plan — a missing Carolina component in 2024 — at the position.

Other:

Placed Jonathon Brooks on reserve/PUP list, ending RB’s season
Exercised LT Ikem Ekwonu‘s $17.56MM fifth-year option
Hired Renaldo Hill as secondary coach, moved on from assistant DBs coach DeAngelo Hall
Parted ways with pass-game coordinator Nate Carroll
Did not bring back safeties coach Bert Watts, OLBs coach Tem Lukabu
Defensive pass-game coordinator Jonathan Cooley interviewed for Jaguars’ DC post
Parted ways with director of player personnel Cole Spencer
Signed 19 UDFAs

Brooks is at a crossroads after his second ACL tear in two years. Both injuries affected Brooks’ right knee. As Thomas Davis‘ career showed, two ACL tears is not an NFL death sentence. But it is safe to say Brooks’ Panthers path is off after only three games played.

Carolina traded up for Brooks in a weak 2024 RB class, making him the only first- or second-round back chosen last year. The team was cautious with the No. 47 overall pick, holding him out until Week 12 — after more than a year had passed since his tear at Texas. Brooks is signed through 2027, matching Hubbard’s term length, and is on the back burner — as Dowdle fills in — for the foreseeable future.

One season remains on Taylor Moton‘s contract, and as a decision on the right tackle is needed, Carolina used the option to buy another year of evaluation on Ekwonu. The former No. 6 overall pick halted Carolina’s left tackle carousel, one that had stretched back to Jordan Gross‘ 2014 retirement, and has only missed two games as a pro. PFF viewed 2024 as Ekwonu’s best season, ranking him inside the top 40 among tackles and 13th in terms of run blocking.

The Hubbard aide is interested in a Panthers extension. Another good season will put him on the radar for big money, as above-average LTs in their prime are paid — often twice. Morgan has shown it does not take All-Pro form to authorize even a record-setting deal. It would shock if Ekwonu landed on that level like Horn, but he can vault firmly into the $20MM-plus-AAV range with a solid 2025.

Top 10 cap charges for 2025:

Taylor Moton, RT: $31.35MM
Robert Hunt, G: $21.65MM
Derrick Brown, DL: $18.74MM
Damien Lewis, G: $14.57MM
Bryce Young, QB: $10.35MM
Adam Thielen, WR: $10.11MM
A’Shawn Robinson, DL: $9.61MM
Ikem Ekwonu, LT: $8.77MM
D.J. Wonnum, OLB: $7.88MM
Josey Jewell, ILB: $7.71MM

The Commanders showed last year what a worst-to-first vault can look like in this conference, though the Panthers making that kind of a leap would still surprise based on what the team showed on the whole last season and where the Buccaneers are. Young’s form will obviously determine how viable a wild-card path is, but his leap from last in 2023 QBR to 20th in 2024 served notice such expectations should not be completely ruled out. The Panthers should need to see more growth from Young, who made a turnaround from potential 2025 trade chip to a player who received a strong QB1 endorsement from Canales entering the offseason.

Carolina’s defense will need to provide much more support for Young than it did last season, but Morgan’s mission to improve the offensive line produced results. PFF rated the Panthers’ Hunt- and Lewis-aided front eighth last season. The defensive additions making a comparable impact would stand to make the Panthers relevant from a postseason angle. Even if a playoff berth eludes the Panthers for an eighth straight season, Canales placing Young on the right track ahead of a 2026 fifth-year option decision would represent the kind of big-picture progress that has not unfolded for this franchise since the 2010s.

Terry McLaurin ‘Not Happy’ With Commanders Extension Talks

July 7th, 2025 at 10:12pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin is “not happy with where things are with an extension,” according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler (via Bleacher Report’s Joseph Zucker).

McLaurin and the Commanders have been working on a new contract throughout the offseason, and this is not the first report of his dissatisfaction with negotiations. He skipped OTAs and mandatory minicamp over frustration with extension talks as he enters the final season of a three-year deal signed in July 2022.

Since signing his first extension, McLaurin has continued to produce as one of the league’s top pass-catchers. 2024 was his fourth fully-healthy season in a row and his fifth with at least 1,000 receiving yards; he also posted career-highs in catch rate (70.1%), success rate (58.1%) and touchdowns (13), the last of wich trailed only Ja’Marr Chase. For his efforts, McLaurin earned the second Pro Bowl nod of his six-year career and his first selection as an All-Pro (second-team).

With an ascending offense led by a quarterback on a rookie contract, the Commanders would appear to be in a position to reward one of their best and longest-tenured players. Extending McLaurin would also lower his 2025 cap hit, which currently ranks 20th among all players. However, the sides had made little progress as of late June, and that still seems to be the case, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

“There’s no update…and that’s the problem,” said Schefter on the Pat McAfee Show, noting that comparable receivers like D.K. Metcalf signed for over $30MM per year this offseason. However, as Schefter added, perennial 1,000-yard wideout Mike Evans signed for just $24MM last offseason.

“There really is quite a difference and a gap between what both sides would want,” continued Schefter. “They have not made any progress.”

Teams may inquire about trading for McLaurin, per Schefter, but he “cannot envision the Commanders moving on.” He characterized the stalemate in Washington as similar to T.J. Watt‘s situation in Pittsburgh: both sides want to get a deal done with the expectation of reaching an agreement before the season, but as of now, they are “not close.”

McLaurin is due to report to training camp on July 27, so the parties have a few weeks to hammer out a deal to stave off a potential hold-in this summer.

Extension Candidate: Trey Smith

July 7th, 2025 at 10:00pm CST by Adam La Rose

July 15 looms as the deadline for franchise-tagged players to sign a long-term deal. In the case of 2025, that is only applicable to the Chiefs and right guard Trey Smith.

A trip to free agency appeared to be in store given the cumbersome nature of using the tag on offensive lineman. Tackles, guards and centers are grouped together for the purposes of tag calculations, which often serves as a deterrent when teams consider using it on interior blockers. The Chiefs nevertheless prevented Smith from testing the market by applying the $23.4MM one-year tender in February.

A long-term pact has represented a logical goal for both parties since well before the decision to use the tag. Smith has operated as a full-time starter during each of his four seasons in Kansas City, missing only one game to date. Given his availability concerns coming into the league, remaining healthy has been key for the 26-year-old in establishing his value.

Smith has consistently been amongst the league’s top guards during his Chiefs tenure. The Pro Bowler has ranked between 10th and 15th each season in terms of PFF grade, and he will be expected to remain a strong contributor up front for years to come if a multi-year Kansas City pact can be worked out. The team traded away All-Pro guard Joe Thuney this offseason in a move which freed up money but also signaled an investment in Smith (who is six years younger) would be coming.

Indeed, Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said in April a long-term deal on this front was among his top post-draft priorities. In the months since then, few updates have emerged suggesting the sides are close to an agreement. As the deadline approaches, though, that could of course change in short order.

At the moment, the value of Smith’s fully guaranteed tag is set to match his 2025 cap hit. That figure is the highest for interior O-linemen, but it would be reduced with a long-term pact. The guard market currently includes four players attached to an AAV over $20MM on a multi-year accord, with Landon Dickerson leading the way at $21MM. Smith could certainly look to join that group given his performances, age and the jump in the salary cap since the other deals were signed.

Kansas City already has center Creed Humphrey on the books at an average of $18MM per season (the most at that position). Right tackle Jawaan Taylor also has a notable cap number for the year, although he is not assured of a starting spot this season. The left side of the team’s line, meanwhile, will be the subject of considerable scrutiny as the prospect of first-round rookie Josh Simmons handling blindside duties right away is considered.

Regardless of how that shakes out, Smith will be counted on to remain an anchor up front. Improvement in terms of both run blocking and pass protection will be a key goal for Kansas City in 2025 irrespective of Smith’s contract status. Well before Week 1, however, it will be known if he has a contract beyond the coming campaign.

DE Bryce Huff Addresses Eagles Departure

July 7th, 2025 at 9:50pm CST by Adam La Rose

Things did not go according to plan for Bryce Huff in 2024. The high-priced free agent addition was present for only year with the Eagles, spending time in and out of the lineup before being among the team’s healthy scratches for the Super Bowl.

In all, Huff managed just 2.5 sacks in 12 games as an Eagle. Despite having two years left on his $17MM-per-year contract, it came as little surprise when a trade was worked out to send him to the 49ers. The 27-year-old will reunite with Robert Saleh as a result of the swap, something he anticipated last summer.

“If I’m being 100% honest with you, I wanted a trade like fairly early on,” Huff said during an appearance on The SFNiners podcast (video link). “And just ’cause of how things went in Philly, I knew pretty early on it wasn’t a fit.

“There’s a plethora of things that went down. I don’t wanna get into specifics. Being in the league for five years, I kinda knew what it felt like to be in a good situation… I kind of knew where it was headed fairly early on into the season, probably even training camp if I’m being honest.”

Scheme fit was seen as a potential issue for Huff in Philadelphia, although he handled a similar workload with his second career team as he did during his final year with the Jets. Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio noted the wrist injury which required surgery and led to missed time as a key factor in Huff’s underwhelming production. He predicted a return to form will take place in San Francisco, where Huff will again work with Saleh (who took his former 49ers DC gig after the two were together during his Jets head coaching stint).

In San Francisco, Huff will be used as a third-down specialist, a role he thrived in with New York. The former UDFA will look to earn snaps as part of a rotation including Nick Bosa, Yetur Gross-Matos and first-round rookie Mykel Williams. If things play out as team and player hope, the 49ers’ decision to take on the remainder of Huff’s pact will prove to be an effective one and a repeat of his situation from last summer will be avoided.

Latest On Titans’ QB Situation

July 7th, 2025 at 5:59pm CST by Adam La Rose

Cam Ward has not officially won the Titans’ starting quarterback gig yet, but it remains the expectation that will be the case this summer. Beyond this year’s No. 1 pick, Tennessee has a number of interesting decisions to make.

Returnee Will Levis saw some time with the first-team offense during spring practices, and he is thus a candidate to win the starting gig at training camp. More realistically, though, the former second-rounder is in line to begin the campaign as Tennessee’s backup. Trade rumors have swirled in Levis’ case, but new general manager Mike Borgonzi has insisted no efforts were made before or during the draft to move him.

Team reporter Jim Wyatt notes Levis can be penciled into the QB2 spot (pending a summer push on the part of an interested team to work out a trade). That would leave Ward in place to operate as Tennessee’s starter, with his development playing a central role in the team’s 2025 success. The Titans have two other passers in place entering training camp in the form of Brandon Allen and Tim Boyle.

Allen has familiarity with head coach Brian Callahan given their time spent together in Cincinnati. The 32-year-old has only made 18 appearances (and 10 starts) during his career, so he profiles as a No. 3 option at best. Wyatt notes Allen received more reps during the spring than Boyle, pointing to him having an advantage for the third-string gig. Presuming Boyle finishes the summer fourth on the depth chart, he will be a prime candidate to find himself amongst the team’s roster cuts.

Plenty of time remains for the pecking order at the quarterback spot to change, of course. How the four signal-callers fare during padded practices will make for one of the Titans’ top summer storylines. As things stand now, though, few surprises (if any) with respect to the depth chart should be expected.

Dolphins Acquire TE Darren Waller From Giants

July 7th, 2025 at 4:37pm CST by Adam La Rose

JULY 7: The deal is now official, per an announcement from the Dolphins. Sirius XM’s Howard Balzer notes Waller is still on the reserve/retired list at this point, but that will of course change in the near future. Miami was at the roster limit entering Monday, but with the Jalen Ramsey and Smith swap for Minkah Fitzpatrick also officially taking place, activating Waller should not require a corresponding move.

JULY 1: The Dolphins have taken an unexpected route to find a new veteran tight end. A trade agreement is in place with the Giants for Miami to acquire Darren Waller, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Waller is coming out of retirement to head to Miami. New York still held his rights, requiring this swap to take place. The former Pro Bowler only intended to resume his playing career if he could do so with the Dolphins, Pelissero adds. That will indeed be the case. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Miami will receive Waller and a conditional 2027 seventh-round pick in exchange for a sixth-rounder in 2026.

Acquired via trade from the Raiders, Waller faced high expectations upon arrival with the Giants. The former sixth-rounder wound up only playing one season in New York, however. Retirement was brought up on more than one occasion, and last June Waller officially decided to hang up his cleats. That move – which came in the wake of a frightening health episode in November 2023 – created cap savings for the Giants but the team did not deal away his rights at any point. Two years remained on Waller’s contract at the time of his retirement, but Pelissero notes he will ink a restructured pact heavy on incentives as part of this trade.

Providing details on that point, Schefter adds this will be a one-year deal worth up to $5MM via incentives. Waller will now aim to provide his new team with a veteran pass-catching option in the wake of Jonnu Smith being dealt to the Steelers yesterday. The Dolphins were in the market for a tight end as a result, but this move is certainly not the one many would have expected.

In addition to health issues, Waller cited a waning passion for the game when addressing his decision to retire. That is of course commonplace for many around the league when they elect to hang up their cleats, but it seemed to confirm Waller would not be eyeing a return. With one exception clearly being made in the case of the Dolphins, however, he is now set to play a ninth NFL campaign.

Miami’s depth chart at the TE spot consisted of veteran Pharaoh Brown along with Julian Hill, Hayden Ricci and Jalin Conyers. Each member of the latter trio entered the league as an undrafted free agent. Expectations will be limited in their cases as a result, but it will be interesting to see how this Waller experiment unfolds in 2025.

Latest On Dolphins, CB Rasul Douglas

July 7th, 2025 at 1:37pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Dolphins have, as expected, moved on from cornerback Jalen Ramsey. The trade which sent him to Pittsburgh also included the departure of tight end Jonnu Smith.

Miami has already filled the TE vacancy by acquiring the unretired Darren Waller. As for the cornerback spot, however, it remains to be seen who will be brought in to help compensate for Ramsey’s departure (and, to a lesser extent, the earlier release of Kendall Fuller). The Dolphins have been linked to a few options still on the market, including Rasul Douglas.

The 29-year-old has been connected to a few suitors so far, Miami being among them. Douglas does not foresee a return to the Packers this summer, but any number of other teams could look to sign him ahead of training camp. The Dolphins will be worth watching on this front, but nothing is imminent at this time.

Finances are a key reason why that may change somewhat soon. Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald notes team and player have not been too far apart with respect to contract terms when they have been in contact with each other. As a result, he predicts a Douglas deal could still be worked out at some point this summer.

After being traded from the Packers to the Bills in 2023, Douglas operated as a full-time starter for Buffalo. The former third-rounder totaled 87 tackles and 13 pass deflections during his time there, although that spell included four touchdowns and a 122 passer rating allowed in coverage last season. Still, Douglas would offer Miami an experienced option on a cornerback depth chart filled with younger contributors.

The likes of Stephon Gilmore – who recently confirmed he intends to play a 14th NFL season – along with Mike Hilton, Asante Samuel Jr. and James Bradberry are also on the market at this point. Douglas is known to be a potential Miami target, with the same being true of Samuel and Bradberry. The Dolphins currently have nearly $14MM in cap space, so a one-year investment in Douglas or another veteran should be feasible. It will be interesting to see how the team’s summer free agent approach takes shape.

PFR Originals: Giants, Evans, Bourne, Washington, Raiders, Allen, Colts, Dean

July 7th, 2025 at 11:10am CST by Adam La Rose

Here is a breakdown of PFR’s latest originals:

Recapping Giants’ Offseason: Sam Robinson kicked off the 2025 edition of the Offseason in Review Series by detailing the Giants‘ moves. Both Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen are still in place ahead of what will be a make-or-break season for the pair. Russell Wilson is set to begin the campaign atop the QB depth chart, but the play of first-round rookie Jaxson Dart if/when he sees the field will be critical in determining if the current regime remains in place next season.
Exploring Evans Extension: Mike Evans is one of many key veterans the Buccaneers have managed to retain over time. Only one year remains on the six-time Pro Bowler’s contract, though, so another Tampa agreement could be in store. Rory Parks looked into what a fourth contract could look like in this case. Evans, who will be 32 by the start of the season, has managed 1,000-plus yards in each of his 11 years with the Bucs. Another short-term pact would help continue his highly effective partnership with Chris Godwin and ensure a free agent departure does not take place during the waning stages of his career.
Detailing Top Cap Charges: Per usual, quarterbacks and edge rushers dominate the league’s financial landscape in terms of cap charges. I listed the top 25 cap hits on offense and defense for 2025, a year in which some movement on that front could still take place. Veterans like Terry McLaurin and T.J. Watt could see their respective cap figures for the coming year drop if extensions are worked out in advance of Week 1. Nevertheless, most NFL teams will carry on with a similar financial setup to the one which has been in place for several years.
Previewing Bourne Release: Kendrick Bourne drew interest leading up to the 2024 trade deadline, and the Patriots have made a number of receiver additions this offseason. As a result, his roster spot may be in jeopardy. Ely Allen explored a potential Bourne release. The 29-year-old has two years remaining on his contract, but a release would create over $6MM in cap savings for New England team looking to surround Drake Maye with a new-look receiving corps.
Discussing Washington Trade: The Steelers will once again have Pat Freiermuth in place for 2025. Part of their Jalen Ramsey trade resulted in fellow tight Jonnu Smith being acquired as well, however. With that tandem in place, Darnell Washington could be deemed expendable. Ben Levine profiled the 23-year-old as a potential trade candidate. Two years remain on Washington’s rookie pact, so a team interested in adding him would have a cost-effective depth piece. Pittsburgh could, of course, elect to keep him in place as a run blocker with the potential to take on a larger role in the future.
Summarizing Raiders’ Offseason: Not for the first time since their move to Vegas, the Raiders cleaned house on the sidelines and in the front office. Sam recapped the moves which included Pete Carroll being hired as head coach as a part of a regime also featuring general manager John Spytek and minority owner Tom Brady. The team’s trade for quarterback Geno Smith and decision to draft Ashton Jeanty sixth overall will give Vegas a number of intriguing new faces on offense in 2025.
Looking Into New Allen Deal: Zach Allen enjoyed a career year in 2024, and it could earn him a raise. Sam broke down the 27-year-old’s candidacy for an extension coming off his 8.5-sack campaign. One year remains on Allen’s deal, but the market for defensive linemen capable of producing against the pass has surged in recent years. Known to be on the Broncos’ radar for a new pact, he could be in line for a payday in the near future.
Tracking Longest-Tenured HCs, GMs: The 2025 hiring cycle resulted in seven new head coaches being brought in. Many of the longest-tenured staffers remain with their current teams, however. I looked into the new pecking order in terms of head coaching tenures, while Sam did the same with general managers. On the latter front, four new faces are in place for the coming season while 15 GMs hired in 2020 or earlier are still with their respective teams.
Reviewing Colts’ Offseason: For much of the Colts‘ offseason, the quarterback position represented the team’s central talking point. Daniel Jones was brought in as competition for former No. 4 pick Anthony Richardson, and the winner of the contest for the QB1 gig will be worth watching for. Given the death of owner Jim Irsay, though, the transition to his three daughters – in particular Carlie Irsay-Gordon – will be critical in shaping the franchise’s direction. Sam recapped Indianapolis’ moves ahead of what will be a crucial season for Richardson but also head coach Shane Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard.
Profiling Dean As Cut Candidate: While Evans is a logical target for a new Buccaneers pact, this summer could of course see notable players released ahead of the campaign. Ely wrote about one of them in the form of cornerback Jamel Dean. In six years with Tampa Bay, Dean has racked up 63 starts and won a Super Bowl. However, the team has invested heavily at the CB spot in recent drafts, and moving on from the 28-year-old this summer (with two years remaining on his pact) would create nearly $13MM in cap savings.

Cowboys’ KaVontae Turpin Arrested

July 7th, 2025 at 10:22am CST by Adam La Rose

JULY 7: An updated version of Hoyt’s story cites the arrest report in this case. Turpin was pulled over late Saturday night for traveling 97 mph in a 70 mph zone. The marijuana and an unholstered pistol were then found while police searched the vehicle. Turpin was released shortly after being booked on Sunday.

JULY 6: Cowboys receiver/returner KaVontae Turpin was arrested and booked into Collin County Jail on Sunday, per court records.

Turpin faces a pair of misdemeanor charges: possession of marijuana (totaling less than two ounces) and unlawful carrying of a weapon, as detailed by Joseph Hoyt of the Dallas Morning News. Neither the Cowboys nor the NFL have issued a statement at this time.

A 2018 arrest on a assault charges led to Turpin being dismissed from TCU midway through his senior season. That brought an end to a productive college career, during which he flashed potential as a receiver but especially in the return game. After going undrafted, the 5-9, 153-pounder saw time in numerous football leagues during a span which included earning USFL MVP honors. Turpin’s showing there earned him an opportunity with the Cowboys.

The 2022 campaign saw Turpin receive a Pro Bowl selection for his strong production as a kick and punt returner. The 28-year-old was a standout in that regard once again last season, totaling over 1,600 All-Purpose yards and leading the NFL in kick return average (33.5). Those figures led to a first-team All-Pro nod and came about as Turpin also took on an increased offensive role (31-420-2 receiving statline).

Team and player agreed on a three-year deal in March, and the pact’s base value of $13.5MM marks a notable raise from Turpin’s initial contract. Incentives are present which could yield another $4.5MM in compensation if his offensive role and production continue to increase. Dallas has a new WR2 in the form of George Pickens, and expectations will be high for both he and CeeDee Lamb. Turpin could nevertheless be in position for another strong season in 2025 presuming this arrest does not lead to any missed time.

Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson Still Prepared To Hold Out During Regular Season

July 6th, 2025 at 10:36pm CST by Ely Allen

We’ve heard it before; the Bengals do not typically give out third contracts to veterans. The exceptions they did make were on the defensive line, with players like Carlos Dunlap and Geno Atkins, but they just can’t seem to get across the finish line with star defensive end Trey Hendrickson. On a recent SportsCenter appearance, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler broke down the latest on the extension negotiations between the two parties.

Back during voluntary workouts Hendrickson had expressed that things were starting to get personal. These sentiments seem to be echoed by the team’s most recent first-round pick, Shemar Stewart, who told the media that the Bengals prioritize winning contract arguments over winning games. Regardless, Hendrickson returned to the table in recent weeks, and the two sides have been communicating as they work towards an extension. While that’s all good news, it hasn’t yet led to Hendrickson putting pen to paper.

Per Fowler, Cincinnati wants desperately to get this done. They came into the offseason with the goal of extending its three stars. Wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins enjoyed their impressive new contracts together all the way back in March when a joint announcement delivered the news of both players’ extensions. Three and a half months later, and the team is still chipping away at that third star.

The big hurdle here, according to Fowler, appears to be structure. When structuring extensions, Cincinnati doesn’t typically spread guaranteed money evenly throughout the contract, preferring instead to focus guarantees mostly in Year 1 of the new deal, usually in the form of the signing bonus. This makes it easier for the team to back out of a long-term deal early without having to shoulder the burden of excessive dead money.

Teams that operate in this fashion are part of the reason we’ve seen a push from players who desire fully guaranteed contracts. As we saw in the recent NFLPA’s collusion grievance arbitration ruling, though, the NFL appears to be highly motivated to steer the league away from full guarantees.

Hendrickson feels as if he’s earned more long-term security, and it’s going to be hard to disagree. The 30-year-old appears to be aging like fine wine. After a quiet first three years in New Orleans, in which he only accumulated 6.5 sacks, Hendrickson exploded in a contract year with 13.5. The breakout season led him to Cincinnati on a four-year, $60MM deal, and he rewarded his new team with a new career-high 14.0 sacks. Only eight sacks in 2022 qualified that season as a “down” year for Hendrickson before he rebounded with another new career-high 17.5 sacks in 2023 and repeated that total in 2024.

After his first 17.5-sack season, Hendrickson held out in an effort to put pressure on the team’s front office for an extension. When a deal wasn’t reached, the Bengals added a one-year, $21MM extension to his contract to effectively kick the can down the road to this offseason, giving them a bit more time to work towards a deal. Hendrickson has made it clear this offseason that he has no intention of playing for the Bengals on his current contract. The one additional year will, apparently, not work a second time.

Hendrickson also threatened back in May that he was prepared to hold out into the regular season, if that’s what it takes. According to Fowler, he is still very willing to follow through on that threat. Hendrickson is looking for big money. for sure, but more importantly, he wants big money in multiple years. After putting forth his best seasons in Years 7 & 8 of his career, he wants the Bengals to have faith that he’ll be able to deliver into the later years of his contract.

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