HEADLINES

Month: August 2025

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/18/25

August 18th, 2025 at 9:00pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Here are the latest minor moves from around the NFL:

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

  • Waived from IR with injury settlement: CB Ameer Speed

Dallas Cowboys

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

  • Signed: DL Devonte O’Malley, DB Jaylin Simpson
  • Waived: CB Garnett Hollis Jr.
  • Waived/injured: DL Keith Randolph

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Los Angeles Chargers

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

  • Signed: WR Phil Lutz
  • Waived/injured: DT Isaiah Iton

New York Jets

Pittsburgh Steelers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Ojemudia is returning to the NFL after playing for the UFL’s DC Defenders in the spring, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. After starting 11 games for the Broncos as a rookie in 2020, he struggled with injuries and hasn’t played in the regular season since 2022.. The 27-year-old will add depth to a Cowboys cornerback room that isn’t expecting Trevon Diggs or Shavon Revel back until September. Second-year corner Caelen Carson is also dealing with a knee injury, so Ojemudia could get some snaps in Dallas’ last preseason game on Friday. A 53-man roster spot is unlikely given how late he signed with the team, but a strong first week could keep him in contention for the practice squad.

Winfree, a five-year veteran, will land with his fourth NFL team after a workout in Houston. The Texans also worked out former Chiefs wideout Cornell Powell, according to KRPC2’s Aaron Wilson.

Freeland, a 2023 fourth-round pick, started nine games as a rookie and spent 2024 as the Colts’ swing tackle. He will be out for the season with a fractured leg, per Colts.com writer JJ Stankevitz, as will Phillips (bicep), who hasn’t played in the regular season since 2022. Wohler sustained a Lisfranc injury, according to Joel Erickson of the Indianapolis Star. The seventh-round safety will miss his rookie year after appearing to carve out a role in the Colts defense with an impressive preseason.

Matt Schaub Announces Candidacy For NFLPA’s Executive Director Position

August 18th, 2025 at 4:27pm CST by Adam La Rose

The first official candidate for the NFLPA’s full-time executive director position has emerged. A familiar face is once again showing interest in the gig.

Former quarterback Matt Schaub detailed in a lengthy Go Long piece (written alongside Jason Cole) his decision to pursue the full-time leadership position. David White – the runner-up to Lloyd Howell in the 2023 selection process – is currently in place on an interim basis. It remains to be seen if he will look to secure the full-time gig. In either case, Schaub will be a candidate worth watching.

The 17-year veteran made it clear in 2022 (not long after his retirement) he was interested in taking over from DeMaurice Smith. Schaub was not a finalist that time around, with only Howell and White in place for the final vote in 2023. Howell’s tenure came to an abrupt end this summer in the wake of numerous scandals. The union lost another veteran leader shortly thereafter once J.C. Tretter resigned. Stability in the short term but also a clear vision on priorities for upcoming CBA talks represent major priorities for the union at this point.

“It is important for players to know who truly wants the job and why,” Schaub’s announcement reads in part. “More importantly, players need to hear as many ideas as possible. The 2023 NFLPA executive director search, after which Howell was elected, was done in almost complete secrecy and the results are the current disaster. This election process needs to be out in the open, argued, debated, questioned, and thoroughly challenged.”

Schaub noted the difference in the union’s direction following Gene Upshaw‘s death in 2008 (that is, the shift from a former player to personnel with experience outside the game in the years since his passing). The 44-year-old’s announcement calls on a return to ex-players being relied on to lead the NFLPA. It also includes a number of suggestions for union reforms in terms of structure and operation and notes how Schaub has relied on a 10-man team to further educate him on NFLPA and CBA matters since 2023.

Last week, Hall of Fame corner Darrelle Revis along with Joe Briggs (who has a lengthy legal background and experience in various union roles) were named as potential candidates for the executive director role. It is unclear at this point if either or both of them will throw their hats into the ring. It is now known, however, that Schaub is in the early running.

Chiefs To Place Felix Anudike-Uzomah On IR

August 18th, 2025 at 3:47pm CST by Adam La Rose

Felix Anudike-Uzomah‘s third NFL season has ended before it began. The Chiefs will moved him to injured reserve, per a team announcement.

A strained hamstring will result in this move. Earlier today, head coach Andy Reid noted (via ESPN’s Nate Tice) that taking the IR route was a consideration. Now that it is official, Anudike-Uzomah will be sidelined for the entire campaign.

The 2023 first-rounder played a full 17 games during his rookie campaign, adding one playoff appearance along the way. Anudike-Uzomah logged just a 20% snap share that season, but his workload increased in 2024 (a campaign which also did not include any missed time). The 23-year-old saw his usage rate jump to 31%, and he produced 2.5 sacks along with 10 QB pressures.

Another step forward could have been in store for 2025. Instead, Anudike-Uzomah will turn his attention to recovery while the Chiefs move on to other options along the edge. The Kansas State product is attached to his rookie contract through 2026, with a decision on his fifth-year option needing to be made this spring. Obviously, today’s news is a strong indication the option will be declined.

Kansas City’s defensive end depth chart will once again be led by George Karlaftis in 2025 but also many years to come. He agreed to a four-year extension last month, and the big-ticket accord ensures he will remain in place for the foreseeable future. Mike Danna and Charles Omenihu are holdovers from last season, and they combined to record 4.5 sacks in 2024. That tandem’s availability (along with that of Karlaftis, of course) will be crucial for the reigning AFC champions given today’s news.

Third-round rookie Ashton Gillotte could be in position to take an increased role with Anudike-Uzomah out of the picture for 2025. If Kansas City intends to pursue a veteran addition to compensate for the latter’s absences, a signing could be feasible. The Chiefs have nearly $17MM in cap space at the moment. With roster cuts approaching, a decision will need to be made on whether or not using those funds will be necessary while shorthanded along the edge.

The team also waived undrafted running back Elijah Young. Free agent signings defensive end Owen Carney and linebacker Xander Mueller (undrafted out of Northwestern) will fill the vacant roster spots of Anudike-Uzomah and Young.

Steelers Sign LS Jake McQuaide; LS Christian Kuntz Could Miss Time

August 18th, 2025 at 3:18pm CST by Adam La Rose

Christian Kuntz exited the Steelers’ second preseason game due to injury. The veteran long snapper is now set to miss time.

Kuntz suffered an injury to his sternum on Saturday, and Mark Kaboly of the Pat McAfee Show reports it is believed to be broken. Provided that is indeed the case, Kuntz is set to miss regular season time. The 31-year-old has handled a full 17-game slate during each of his first four Steelers campaigns.

That is set to change in 2025 based on his recovery period, however. Kuntz could be a candidate to begin the season on injured reserve depending on his prognosis. An IR stint would require at least a four-game absence to begin the campaign. Any missed time will be felt on special teams for the Steelers given the former UDFA’s performances so far in his career.

When speaking to the media on Monday, head coach Mike Tomlin described Kuntz’s injury as being “short term” (h/t Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette). That is certainly an encouraging update, though the possibility of missed time will remain depending on how the recovery process unfolds.

The Steelers announced on Monday that 14-year veteran Jake McQuaide has been signed. He will be tasked with replacing Kuntz for the time being. McQuiade has 197 regular season appearances to his name based on time spent with the Rams, Cowboys and Lions leading up to last season. In 2024, the two-time Pro Bowler played a total of seven games between the Vikings and Dolphins.

McQuaide’s Pro Bowl nods came during the 2016 and ’17 campaigns. A return to that form would come as a surprise, but the 37-year-old could offer stability to Pittsburgh as an injury fill-in as needed this season. It will be interesting to see how long Kuntz – under contract for another two years – is sidelined for and thus the length of time during which the Steelers will be without a key specialist.

Commanders Shopping RB Brian Robinson

August 18th, 2025 at 2:00pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

AUGUST 18: A mutual decision between team and player has been made for Robinson not to suit up for tonight’s preseason contest, as first reported by NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. That represents a clear sign a trade is on tap with the Commanders looking to ensure an injury does not occur. This situation remains one to watch closely.

AUGUST 17: The Commanders are open to trading running back Brian Robinson, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz.

Robinson, 26, is entering the final year of his rookie contract. He was a consistent but unspectacular ballcarrier in his first three seasons, recording between 700 and 800 rushing yards in each of the last three seasons with 20 total touchdowns. In 2024, Robinson put up career-highs in 2024 as a rusher (799 yards, eight touchdowns), but veteran signing Austin Ekeler ate into his passing-down snap share.

Robinson is currently listed as the Commanders’ starting running back on the team’s unofficial depth chart, so their willingness to trade him suggests a few things. First, with Robinson entering a contract year, he may be seeking an extension without mutual interest from Washington’s front office. Two running backs from his draft class – James Cook and Kyren Williams – recently signed second contracts with the teams that drafted them. Cook, who statistically outpaces Robinson by a significant margin, received $11.5MM per year with $30MM in total guarantees.

Williams is more comparable and signed for $11MM per year with $23MM in total guarantees. As a result, Robinson could be seeking upwards of $10MM per year and $20MM in guaranteed money. The Commanders could have concerns about his pedestrian rushing efficiency (4.1 career yards per carry) and may want to recoup some value in a trade rather than meeting his demands.

Placing Robinson on the trade block also indicates that the Commanders are confident in the other running backs on their roster. Ekeler, Chris Rodriguez, and Jeremy McNichols were all more efficient than Robinson last year, albeit on smaller sample sizes. Preseason hype has also been building around seventh-rounder Jacory Croskey-Merritt, who could make the 53-man roster and compete for a role in the backfield.

However, a trade seems unlikely to come together this close to the regular season. The Commanders could re-bait the hook closer to the trade deadline, by which time injuries could increase teams’ need for backfield depth.

Steelers, Gabe Davis Schedule Second Visit

August 18th, 2025 at 1:18pm CST by Adam La Rose

Gabe Davis has been on the Steelers’ radar for much of the offseason. No signing has come about yet, but that could change in the near future.

Davis is set to travel to Pittsburgh for a free agent visit tomorrow, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. That will mark the second time in which team and player have met in person. The first occurred in June, following Davis’ Jaguars release. Interest from other suitors has emerged, but the veteran wideout has remained unsigned well into the summer.

Early last month, it became clear Davis was still under consideration by the Steelers. The team has since acquired tight end Jonnu Smith via trade, adding a veteran pass-catcher to the mix. The receiver position has remained a talking point through the summer, though, with questions lingering about the depth behind fellow newcomer D.K. Metcalf. Calvin Austin and Roman Wilson are in line to handle key roles as things stand.

Austin is a pending free agent, and no talks on an extension have taken place to date. The 26-year-old could help his market value considerably with a strong year while handling the No. 2 receiver role and continuing to operating as a deep threat. Austin averaged 15.8 yards per reception last season, and he will look to remain an effective vertical threat while (potentially) taking on an increased workload in 2025.

That could of course change if Davis were to enter the mix. The former Bill joined Jacksonville in free agency last year, but a meniscus tear limited him to 10 games and career lows in production. Like other members of the Jags’ skill-position group, Davis was cut by the team’s new regime in the spring. A much less lucrative pact than the $13MM-per-year accord he signed in 2024 will be in store.

Today’s development further suggests that next deal will come from the Steelers. Pittsburgh has over $19MM in cap space, so finances will not be an issue if Davis’ results in an offer.

Eliot Wolf: Patriots Open To Trade Acquisition

August 18th, 2025 at 11:03am CST by Adam La Rose

Sunday saw a pair of trades take place in the NFL, and more could be coming as teams sort out their rosters leading up to the cutdown deadline. In the meantime, a number of high-profile players are still without an extension at this point.

Trades for the likes of Terry McLaurin (Commanders), Trey Hendrickson (Bengals) and Micah Parsons (Cowboys) have been speculated about given the lack of progress with respect to contract talks in each case. The Commanders have not shown a willingness to move McLaurin, whereas GMs around the league do not view a Parsons swap as being realistic. Interest will no doubt continue to be shown by suitors, though, and the Patriots will be worth watching on that front.

“We’re talking to all 31 other teams and trying to do what’s best for us,” de facto general manager Eliot Wolf said on Monday when asked about potentially swinging a notable trade (via MassLive’s Karen Guregian). “If something presents itself, I think those things are often a lot more complicated than the fans and some others like to make you believe, but if there’s something we think can help us, we’ll definitely be open to it.”

More importantly, Wolf later answered in the affirmative when specifically asked if he would be willing to part with a first- or second-round pick to facilitate a trade. In the case of Hendrickson in particular, that could prove to be significant. The Bengals are once again fielding trade calls for the reigning sack leader even though any return deep into August would presumably fall short of what would have been attainable during the spring.

Cincinnati is reportedly seeking a package involving at least one player in addition to draft capital in the event of a Hendrickson trade. Any acquiring team would then be required to also hammer out a long-term extension including a commitment beyond Year 1 in terms of guaranteed money (something which has proven to be a sticking point with the Bengals). The Patriots could represent a suitable trade partner keeping each factor in mind.

New England has the draft capital to pull off a notable trade for a veteran like Hendrickson, and the team leads the league with nearly $60MM in 2025 cap space (although future funds are more relevant to an extension, of course). Meanwhile, defenders like Anfernee Jennings and Kyle Dugger are on the Patriots’ roster bubble. Jennings has experience operating on the edge, and adding him could help compensate – to a slight extent, at least – for the loss of Hendrickson were a trade to be worked out.

Nothing is imminent regarding the Patriots at this point. Given Wolf’s comments and their financial situation, though, they will be a team to monitor until and unless the league’s top remaining contract standoffs find a resolution.

Falcons Sign QB Ben DiNucci

August 18th, 2025 at 10:15am CST by Adam La Rose

Ben DiNucci‘s next NFL opportunity has arrived. The journeyman quarterback announced on Monday that he has signed with the Falcons.

[RELATED: Reviewing Falcons’ Offseason]

DiNucci’s deal should set him up to see playing time in the Falcons’ preseason finale. Neither starter Michael Penix Jr. nor backup Kirk Cousins will suit up for the game, and head coach Raheem Morris confirmed (via D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution) Emory Jones is in concussion protocol.

That will presumably allow for DiNucci, 28, to receive a look during practices over the next few days in addition to Friday’s contest in Dallas. Taking part in the game would allow him to compete against his former team. DiNucci entered the NFL in 2020 as a Cowboys draftee. The former seventh-rounder made three appearances, including one start, during his rookie campaign.

Since then, DiNucci has not seen any regular season game action in the NFL. The Pitt and James Madison product spent time with the Broncos and Bills before signing a futures contract with the Saints this offseason. Once New Orleans took the expected route of adding another signal-caller via the draft, though, the team moved on from DiNucci. This Falcons pact will provide him with the opportunity to compete for third-string spot alongside Easton Stick.

In the wake of Jones’ concussion, he has been waived with an injury designation. Provided the former UDFA clears waivers, he will revert to injured reserve. The Falcons also announced that wideout DJ Chark – signed late last month – has been released. He will now aim to catch onto a roster elsewhere with the deadline for final cuts approaching.

Colts Sign CB Xavien Howard

August 18th, 2025 at 9:30am CST by Adam La Rose

After spending the 2024 season out of the NFL, Xavien Howard has a deal in place. The former All-Pro corner has signed with the Colts, per an announcement from his agent. This will be a one-year pact worth up to $5MM, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero adds.

[RELATED: Recapping Colts’ Offseason]

Howard spent each of his first eight seasons with the Dolphins, becoming one of the league’s top ballhawks over that span. His 29 interceptions the 2017 campaign – his second in the league – lead the NFL, and Indianapolis would welcome a return of that production this year. For now, of course, Howard will turn his attention to carving out a role in the team’s secondary.

The 32-year-old was limited to 13 games during his final Dolphins campaign due to injury. A release took place, and it eventually became clear a new arrangement at a reduced rate would not be worked out. Howard intended to play in 2024, and the Houston native expressed interest in a Texans deal. That did not take place, though, and no 2024 pact was worked out. Howard did take an in-season visit with the Bengals, something which helps explain today’s move.

Howard spent time with Lou Anarumo during his first two Dolphins campaigns; at that point, the latter was Miami’s defensive backs coach. Anarumo was Cincinnati’s defensive coordinator last year, and after his dismissal following the campaign he took over as the Colts’ DC. With that in mind, Indianapolis represents a logical landing spot in Howard’s case.

The former second-rounder was named in a lawsuit last July, but no criminal charges came about in the case. No updates on the legal front have come about for Howard since then, clearing him to play in 2025. He will join a Colts secondary which made a notable free agent splash in the form of Charvarius Ward. Indianapolis also has the likes of Kenny Moore, Jaylon Jones, Julius Brents and rookie Justin Walley on the roster at the CB position. As Joel A. Erickson of the Indy Starts notes, however, injuries are currently a concern amongst that group (including the ACL tear Walley suffered during the team’s preseason opener).

Howard will look to provide healthy depth in time for the start of the season. A notable workload in 2025 would help him not only reach the maximum value of his current pact but set him up for a stronger free agent market next spring.

Dolphins To Host OLB Matt Judon

August 18th, 2025 at 8:54am CST by Adam La Rose

Matt Judon remains one of the top free agents available around the NFL deep into training camp. That could soon change, however.

Judon is set to visit the Dolphins today, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reports. Wilson adds a signing is expected in this case, with NFL insider Jordan Schultz confirming a mutual interest is believed to exist between team and player. Judon has remained on the market since his deal with the Falcons expired in March.

The four-time Pro Bowler was traded from New England to Atlanta last offseason after an extension agreement could not be reached with the Pats. Judon was willing to play out his walk year without a new deal in hand, and he managed a full season after being limited to four games the previous cmapaign. With 5.5 sacks, however, 2024 represented a step back from his previous production when healthy.

That helps explain why Judon is unsigned at this point, although is was reported in May that multiple teams checked in on him. The Dolphins were not linked to a pursuit in this case prior to today; that, coupled with their existing depth along the edge, makes this news somewhat surprising. Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb are expected to be healthy for the start of the campaign, something which will be key for Miami’s defense given their missed time in recent years.

2024 first-rounder Chop Robinson is also in the fold, and late in his rookie campaign in particular he flashed considerable potential. A notable workload awaits him in 2025 as a result. Provided Judon signs with Miami, he will be tasked with occupying a rotational role alongside the Phillips-Chubb-Robinson trio. The 33-year-old could help his value by taking a one-year pact and delivering a rebound in terms of sack production upon returning to the AFC East.

The Dolphins entered Monday with $11.7MM in cap space. As such, affording a short-term Judon pact should not be challenging. Depending on how today’s visit goes, it will be interesting to see if the mutual desire for a signing remains in place and a pact does indeed get worked out.

Load More Posts