Patriots Believe Trey Hendrickson Cost Is “Too Much”
With no end in sight to the ongoing Trey Hendrickson saga, there were reports that the Patriots were sniffing around at a potential trade. While New England was understandably doing its due diligence, it doesn’t sound like they’re close to acquiring the star pass rusher.
[RELATED: Patriots Open To Trade Acquisition]
According to Josina Anderson, the Patriots feel the cost to acquire Hendrickson is currently “too much.” Dianna Russini of The Athletic adds that New England doesn’t appear close to acquiring the 2024 sacks leader.
There were rumblings yesterday that the Patriots had reached out to the Bengals about a potential Hendrickson trade. That report followed remarks from New England’s de facto general manager Eliot Wolf that the organization would be willing to part with a first- or second-round pick to facilitate a trade for a star player. Wolf obviously didn’t mention any names, but the timing of both reports did raise some eyebrows.
If the Patriots are indeed willing to part with a first-round pick for a hypothetical “star player,” it stands to reason that the Bengals may be asking for even more draft compensation in return for Hendrickson. An acquiring team would presumably be willing to pay the edge rusher what he’s seeking, so a trade would likely end this ongoing storyline. Instead, the Hendrickson watch continues, with the player most recently acknowledging that guarantees remain the sticking point in negotiations with the Bengals (per ESPN’s Ben Baby).
While any team would surely welcome a player of Hendrickson’s talent, the Patriots are a particularly logical landing spot after the team ranked last in sacks in 2024. The Patriots only compiled 28 total sacks, trailing the 31st-ranked Falcons by three. For comparison’s sake, Hendrickson has collected 17.5 sacks in each of the past two seasons.
To the front office’s credit, the organization did bring in some pass-rush help this offseason. Free agent additions Harold Landry and K’Lavon Chaisson should provide some help on the edge, while Milton Williams has shown an elite ability to get to the QB in the middle of the defensive line. With Keion White showing promise as a sophomore, New England’s pass rush should look a whole lot better in 2025. Of course, adding Hendrickson to the grouping would transform the Patriots’ pass-rush unit to one of the best in the NFL.
Based on how the Bengals have operated throughout this entire saga, it’s not a surprise they’re not feeling any urgency to figure out a solution. If Cincy does eventually decide to move on, the Patriots would remain a logical landing spot.
Commanders Were Willing To Trade RB Brian Robinson In 2024
Not long after it was learned the Commanders are prepared to trade running back Brian Robinson, team and player decided he would not play in yesterday’s preseason contest. A parting of ways appears to be forthcoming.
[RELATED: No Progress On Terry McLaurin Extension Talks]
Head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters spoke with Robinson on Sunday about sitting him for Monday’s contest against the Bengals. The rest of the team was then informed of the news. Quinn’s latest remarks on the subject do not confirm a trade or release will take place, but they continue to point in that direction.
“It’s just a lot of moving parts,” Quinn said, via The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala (subscription required). “This time of year, those things take place and… it’s my responsibility to let the team know whenever I can so they’re not hearing any information from anywhere else.”
Notably, an AFC executive informed Jhabvala the Commanders were prepared to move on from Robinson last offseason. Instead, the first year of the Peters-Quinn regime saw him remain in the fold. Robinson once again handled lead back duties in 2024, setting new career highs in rushing yards (799), touchdowns (seven) and yards per attempt (4.3). A full campaign – the Alabama product has yet to play more than 15 games in a season – along with improved play up front for Washington could bring about an uptick in efficiency and production.
At this point, though, it is increasingly clear Robinson is not on course to spend the coming campaign with the Commanders. The 26-year-old has one season remaining on his rookie pact and is owed a base salary of $3.41MM for 2025. A trade or release would result in that figure being saved against the cap with the team incurring a dead money charge of only $212K.
While moving on from Robinson would thus have notable financial benefits, it would lead to a shift in the Commanders’ backfield. Veteran Austin Ekeler is still in the fold as a pass-catching presence as well as a returner. Seventh-round rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt and 2023 draftee Chris Rodriguez would assume larger roles in the event Robinson were to be dealt ahead of Week 1.
With roster cuts looming, a number of teams face decisions similar to this one. Nothing is officially in place regarding a Robinson move, but especially considering Washington’s approach to him last year it would come as no surprise if team and player moved on shortly.
Patriots Notes: Dobbs, Brown, Chism
It’s been assumed that Joshua Dobbs would serve as Drake Maye‘s primary backup in 2025, but the veteran quarterback may not have a roster spot secure. According to Ben Volin of the Boston Globe, Dobbs is not a “lock” to make the Patriots roster.
As Volin notes, Dobbs has struggled during training camp and the preseason. He completed only five of his 12 pass attempts in the preseason opener, and he followed that up with two pick-6s during joint practices with the Vikings. Those performances prompted coach Mike Vrabel to admit that the veteran “has to be more consistent.”
Further, Dobbs doesn’t have any prior experience to offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, so it’s not like the veteran can help Maye with installing the new system. Plus, the backup is attached to only a $1.7MM salary for the 2025 campaign, so there aren’t any financial hurdles that would accompany his release.
Of course, there are also a handful of things working in Dobbs’ favor. For starters, the rest of the team’s depth consists of UDFA Ben Wooldridge. Dobbs brings more experience than many backup QBs, as the 30-year-old has garnered 15 starts across seven years in the NFL (including one last year with the 49ers). He also looked much better in the team’s second preseason game, completing 11 of 16 passes for 106 yards and a score.
More notes out of New England…
- While rookie Jared Wilson once seemed prime to open the season as the Patriots left guard, that may no longer be the case. Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald notes that Ben Brown has seemed to pass his rookie teammate at the position, and the veteran garnered the starting spot during the team’s second preseason contest. Brown struggled in 10 starts at center for the Patriots in 2024, but the team’s lack of OL depth may mean they don’t have a better choice.
- Much has been made of the tough decisions the Patriots will face at the wide receiver position, and an unexpected name has quickly inserted themselves into the picture. According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, UDFA Efton Chism has likely played his way on to the 53-man roster. The Eastern Washington product has been a standout this preseason, hauling in 12 catches for 121 yards and two touchdowns. Chism making the roster would seemingly push Kendrick Bourne, Ja’Lynn Polk, and Javon Baker off the squad.
NFL Minor Transactions: 8/19/25
Today’s minor moves:
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: WR Grant DuBose
- Waived/injured: DB Te’Cory Couch, WR Kaden Prather
- Placed on IR: RB Darrynton Evans, RB Jarveon Howard
- Released from IR: LB Justin Hollins
Detroit Lions
- Activated from active/PUP: DT Mekhi Wingo
Green Bay Packers
- Reverted to IR: DL Keith Randolph
Houston Texans
- Signed: WR Cornell Powell
- Released: RB J.J. Taylor
- Waived/injured: WR Xavier Johnson
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: OL Jerome Carvin, RB Kevin Harris
- Waived: WR Darius Lassiter, DL Eli Mostaert
- Released from IR: CB Zech McPhearson
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: OL Mike McAllister
- Waived/injured: WR Mario Williams
- Reverted to IR: LB Keir Thomas
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: OL Zack Bailey, RB Xazavian Valladay
- Waived: LB Max Tooley
New England Patriots
- Signed: RB Micah Bernard, DT Philip Blidi
- Waived: CB Tre Avery, DE Jereme Robinson
- Reverted to IR: DE Isaiah Iton
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: LB Kenny Willekes
- Waived/injured: OT Gareth Warren
- Reverted to IR: LB Devin Harper
San Francisco 49ers
- Released from IR: RB Ameer Abdullah, WR Equanimeous St. Brown
Tennessee Titans
- Released: LB Khaleke Hudson
Ameer Abdullah landed on IR earlier this month with a rib injury, but he’ll now have an opportunity to play in 2025 following his release. The veteran is coming off one of the most productive seasons of his career in 2024, when he compiled 572 yards from scrimmage in 16 games (three starts) with the Raiders. The 49ers filled his spot on the roster by signing veteran Jeff Wilson.
Equanimeous St. Brown will also have a chance to play in 2025, as the WR was previously ruled out with a foot injury. The veteran wideout only has five catches over the past two seasons.
Anthony Richardson’s Agent: Trust In Colts Is “Questionable”
Following news that Daniel Jones earned the Colts starting quarterback gig, Anthony Richardson‘s camp is starting to question his future in Indy. While speaking with ESPN’s Stephen Holder, agent Deiric Jackson expressed disappointment at the decision and hinted that his client may be looking to play elsewhere.
[RELATED: Colts Name Daniel Jones Starting QB]
“Trust is a big factor and that is, at best, questionable right now,” Jackson told Holder. “Anthony came back and made the improvements in the areas he needed to improve. And by all accounts, he had a great camp.”
While the agent didn’t explicitly mention a trade request, he did question the credibility of the organization and head coach Shane Steichen. Jackson wondered if the Colts had already made their QB decision when they handed Jones a one-year, $14MM contract back in March.
The agent also cited the team’s handling of the former fourth-overall pick during the 2024 campaign. While Richardson missed six total games last season, he was clearly benched for a pair of contests, with Steichen calling out his quarterback’s lack of preparation. Richardson was quickly inserted back into the starting lineup, but it was clear the organization wasn’t fully convinced of the player’s standing as a franchise QB.
Jackson hasn’t been the only one observing Richardson’s offseason improvements, as coaches have also lauded the player’s development since last season. The organization has also continued to state that Richardson remains in the team’s future plans, regardless of the outcome of their QB battle.
For what it’s worth, Richardson continues to say the right things, with the quarterback saying there were no “hard feelings” regarding the decision.
“[Steichen] made a decision,” he told Holder. “That’s the decision we’ve got to live with, but no hard feelings, nothing personal. I’ve just got to keep growing. I just can’t let me not being a starter stop me from going and being the person, the player that I’m supposed to be.”
Richardson is a respectable 8-7 in 15 career starts, and he’s collected 635 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns. On the flip side, he’s only completed 50.6 percent of his passes, and he’s tossed 11 touchdowns vs. 13 interceptions. Jones didn’t establish himself as a winning QB during his time with the Giants, so there’s a chance the Colts eventually pivot to Richardson in 2025. Still, that might not be enough to repair the apparent broken relationship between the two sides.
Bengals, Seahawks To Host Veteran G Dalton Risner; Steelers Also An Option
TODAY, 5:45pm: Risner had a strong workout for the Bengals but didn’t land a contract, according to Schultz. However, the two sides are expected to “stay in touch,” so perhaps the veteran could be a target for the organization down the road.
Meanwhile, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that Risner is set to meet with the Seahawks. The Steelers are also an option for the veteran offensive lineman. Per Fowler, the player is determined to take all of these visits before settling on a final decision.
MONDAY, 9:30pm: Veteran offensive guard Dalton Risner is set to visit the Bengals on Tuesday, according to FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz.
Risner named the Bengals as one of his potential landing spots back in April. Months later, he will go to Cincinnati with the hopes of signing with his third NFL team. The 30-year-old spent the last two seasons with the Vikings and started 19 games amid their offensive line injuries.
Risner has been a starter for his entire six-year career, but he has struggled to garner commensurate interest as a free agent. He first hit the open market in 2023 as a four-year starter for the Broncos, but he didn’t sign in Minnesota until September. The Vikings re-signed him in May last offseason, but Risner has once again remained available deep into the preseason this year.
In Cincinnati, Risner can compete for a starting job at either guard spot. The Bengals’ current first-team guards, Lucas Patrick and Dylan Fairchild, were both acquired this offseason and have an early edge on 2024 holdovers Cordell Volson and Cody Ford. Patrick, an eight-year veteran, started 26 games for the Saints over the last two years, while Fairchild’s exploits as the University of Georgia’s left guard made him a third-round pick in April’s draft.
A poor showing from the Bengals’ offensive line on Monday night may give Risner some more leverage when negotiating a potential deal. Cincinnati has been looking to add interior OL depth, per Schultz, and Risner’s strong pedigree as a pass protector may be especially appealing in front of Joe Burrow.
49ers To Sign QB Nate Sudfeld
With Mac Jones nursing a knee injury, the 49ers are adding a familiar face to their roster. According to Matt Barrows of The Athletic, the team is signing quarterback Nate Sudfeld. The veteran QB worked out for the team yesterday.
Sudfeld spent the 2021 campaign in the 49ers organization. After starting the season on the practice squad, he was elevated to the active roster after Trey Lance went down with a knee injury. Sudfeld stuck around for the rest of the season, although he didn’t get into a game as Jimmy Garoppolo‘s backup.
A former sixth-round pick, Sudfeld still hasn’t started a game through his eight seasons in the NFL. He did have an extended outing with the Eagles in 2017, when he completed 19 of his 23 pass attempts for 134 yards. Otherwise, the QB has attempted 14 other passes in his NFL career.
The veteran spent the 2022 and 2023 seasons in Detroit, although he missed that latter campaign thanks to a torn ACL suffered during a preseason game. He was among the Lions final cuts at the end of the 2024 preseason.
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo notes that Jones suffered his knee injury during Saturday’s loss to the Broncos, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter says the QB2 is out for the team’s preseason finale. Still, there’s hope that Jones will be ready to be Brock Purdy‘s primary backup for Week 1. If Jones can’t go, Sudfeld would be an option to be the QB2, although he’d have to compete with UDFA Carter Bradley. Seventh-round rookie Kurtis Rourke is expected to start the season on NFI as he works his way back from a torn ACL.
Beanie Bishop, Robert Woods On Steelers’ Roster Bubble
Last season, the Steelers turned to a rookie UDFA as their primary slot cornerback. After some notable additions this offseason, Beanie Bishop is not expected to start again. He is also no longer assured of a roster spot.
Steelers DC Teryl Austin said (via the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review’s Chris Adamski) Bishop needs a standout finish to the preseason to “put himself back in the picture.” Being cut before Year 2 would be a quick fall for Bishop, who logged 548 defensive snaps as a rookie.
While Bishop lost his status as a defensive regular during the season’s final month, he logged at least 20 defensive snaps in 13 of Pittsburgh’s 17 games in 2024. Bishop intercepted four passes and broke up seven more as a rookie; Pro Football Focus graded him in the bottom half at the position, ranking the 5-foot-9 cover man 95th at the position.
The Steelers made a blockbuster trade for Jalen Ramsey, unloading Minkah Fitzpatrick to acquire the versatile cover man. They had already added Darius Slay and Brandin Echols. The latter has spent most of his career on the boundary but did log 112 slot snaps in 2023. Ramsey has been one of this era’s top perimeter corners, but he has garnered increased slot usage over the past five years. Ramsey has played at least 169 slot snaps in four of the past five seasons, being regularly used at the Rams’ “star” position. A configuration in which Ramsey plays inside while Slay and Joey Porter Jr. work near the boundary makes sense for the Steelers.
Bishop has primarily lined up with the Steelers’ second-team defense during training camp, Adamski adds. Seventh-round pick Donte Kent also factors into the Steelers’ Bishop decision, with the competition for spots fiercer than it was at this time last year — when Cameron Sutton was facing an eight-game suspension to open the season.
The team also has some decisions to make at wide receiver. The Steelers have faced consistent questions about their post-George Pickens plan opposite D.K. Metcalf, but they have hosted Gabe Davis on two visits now — the second coming today. The team also has Roman Wilson back after a lost rookie season, and The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo notes Scotty Miller — an Arthur Smith charge in Atlanta — has been one of Aaron Rodgers‘ favorite targets during camp. These developments move Robert Woods toward Pittsburgh’s roster bubble, DeFabo adds.
Despite Woods’ accomplishments during a 12-year career, he played deep into the fourth quarter in the Steelers’ second preseason game. The Steelers gave Woods (20 catches, 203 yards last season) a one-year, $2MM deal but only guaranteed him $745K, lessening the dead money blow in the event he is cut by the August 26 deadline.
Calvin Austin is set to reprise his role as a starter, while the team also has Ben Skowronek rostered. Woods, 33, could become a practice squad stash, but it may not be a lock the former Bills, Rams, Titans and Texans wideout plays a 13th season. Conversely, DeFabo adds it would surprise if Miller (five receptions, 69 yards in 2024) did not make the roster.
Dolphins Waive P Ryan Stonehouse, Sign CB Cameron Dantzler
Ryan Stonehouse has proven to possess one of the strongest legs in NFL history, going 3-for-3 in seasons with 50-plus-yard punting averages. The player who broke Sammy Baugh‘s longstanding single-season punting record has now been jettisoned twice this year, however.
The Dolphins waived Stonehouse on Tuesday, per a team announcement. Initially reporting the Dolphins’ decision to cut the strong-legged specialist, the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson notes the team will go with incumbent Jake Bailey for a third season. This release also came despite the Dolphins hiring ex-Titans special teams coordinator Craig Aukerman this offseason.
[RELATED: Reviewing Dolphins’ 2025 Offseason]
This decision comes months after the Titans declined to tender Stonehouse as an RFA. The original-round tender price spiked to $3.26MM this year, leading to more nontender calls than usual, and a punter being nontendered at this rate was not exactly shocking. Still, Stonehouse had made it back from ACL and MCL tears sustained during the 2023 season. He posted his third 50-plus-yard punting average as well.
As a rookie, Stonehouse brought down Baugh’s hallowed single-season punting mark (51.4 yards per boot) — one that had stood 1940 — by averaging 53.1 yards a kick. Baugh also set that record on 35 punts; Stonehouse punted 90 times as a rookie. He then matched that punting average a year later, though the ACL and MCL tears sustained on a blocked punt ended his 2023 season after 12 games. In 17 contests last season, Stonehouse averaged 50.6 yards per punt.
While the three-season sample size would seemingly hold some weight, the Dolphins saw Bailey average 56 yards (on three preseason punts) to Stonehouse’s 43.3 during the team’s first two preseason games. Bailey averaged 45.7 and 47.1 yards per punt in 2023 and ’24, respectively. The Stonehouse cut will tag the Dolphins with just $75K in dead money. Bailey is tied to a two-year, $4.2MM deal; it would have cost $550K to drop him. Stonehouse should generate some interest before the season.
Announcing their Matt Judon signing, the Dolphins also added cornerback Cameron Dantzler and waived wide receiver Tarik Black. The Dolphins also placed offensive lineman Yodny Cajuste on IR, per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson.
A former third-round pick who started 26 games with the Vikings from 2020-23, Danzler has become an NFL nomad. The Dolphins are the veteran corner’s sixth NFL team; he stopped through Washington, Buffalo, Houston and New Orleans. Dantzler did not play in the NFL last season but saw time in the UFL — with the San Antonio Brahmas and Memphis Showboats — during that league’s past two seasons. Miami is amid a full-scale cornerback makeover and already lost Artie Burns and Kader Kohou to season-ending injuries, leading to this flier on Dantzler.
Cowboys’ Jonathan Mingo Likely To Start Season On IR
One of the Cowboys’ IR-return spots next week looks like it will go to Jonathan Mingo. The 2024 trade acquisition sustained a knee injury that is expected to sideline him into the regular season, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reports.
It is a PCL sprain, according to the Dallas Morning News’ Calvin Watkins, who projects a four- to six-week return timetable. Although that timeline could have Mingo ready to go before Week 5, ESPN.com’s Todd Archer indicates the former second-round pick is likely to land on IR to open the season.
Mingo is not expected to need surgery, however, Archer adds. No surgery being in the cards represents a break for Mingo, who has not justified his second-round draft status. Two seasons remain on the ex-Panthers draftee’s rookie contract, one Carolina sent to Dallas before last year’s trade deadline.
Mingo, 24, caught just five passes in eight Cowboys games. Not exactly delivering a strong rookie season, that 418-yard year — one with an overmatched Bryce Young targeting him in a disjointed offense — was certainly preferable to what transpired in 2024. The Ole Miss product totaled just 167 yards in 17 games last season, seeing his snap share drop from 56% with the Panthers to 29% with the Cowboys. With George Pickens now in the fold, Mingo’s faces a more difficult path to a regular role on offense.
The Cowboys could also opt to carry Mingo to their active roster and then place him on IR. This would keep one of Dallas’ IR-return moves from going to a backup wide receiver. While Mingo is expected to return before the season’s midpoint, the Cowboys added Pickens to supplement CeeDee Lamb. More notably for Mingo, Jalen Tolbert and All-Pro returner/auxiliary receiver KaVontae Turpin remain rostered. The duo combined for 1,030 receiving yards last season.
Using one of their two allotted IR-return slots next week on Mingo makes sense to save a roster spot, but the third-year player has not done much to justify being prioritized to such a degree. The Cowboys also have Tyler Guyton as a candidate for an IR-return slot; using both IR-return slots next week would leave the team with six regular-season injury activations. Though, Guyton may be kept on the 53-man roster in the event the second-year left tackle is deemed ready before Week 5. Mingo would be eligible to practice in Week 5 in the IR-return scenario.