Chargers Unsure Of RB Najee Harris’ Return Date
Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh was noncommittal when asked on Friday about Najee Harris‘ return timeline.
The fifth-year running back is recovering from an eye injury suffered in a Fourth of July fireworks mishap. He started training camp on the non-football injury list and has yet to take the practice field this summer.
Harbaugh said (via ESPN’s Kris Rhim) that “there’s a chance” Harris is ready for the team’s regular season opener against the Chiefs.
“I don’t comment because I’m not a doctor,” said Harbaugh, something he frequently says when asked about injuries, per Rhim. Harris and the Chargers have played his injury close to the chest, in large part because it happened away from the football field. The damage to Harris’ eye was initially called “superficial” by his agent with the expectation that he would be ready for the regular season.
However, the fifth-year running back stirred additional concern posted a picture on social media earlier this week in which his left eye appears to be swollen shut. Harbaugh said that Harris can open his eye, but obviously, two fully-functioning eyes are crucial for a ballcarrier’s field vision.
As long as Harris is out, first-round pick Omarion Hampton will likely take on a bigger and bigger role in the offense. The Chargers also have a number of running backs who could receive more touches early in the regular season if Harris is still getting back to 100%.
Jets Add Incentives To Quincy Williams’ Deal
Quincy Williams has thrived during his time with the Jets. One year remains on his contract, and the veteran linebacker is currently positioned to play out his walk year. 
Williams will do so with the potential to increase his 2025 earnings, however. The Jets have added $1.5MM in incentives to the final year of his pact, ESPN’s Rich Cimini notes. Williams was already owed a base salary of $6.5MM, but his compensation for the year could see a slight bump as a result of this move.
Since being claimed off waivers from the Jaguars in 2021, Williams has operated as a full-time starter for New York. The former third-rounder has racked up between 106 and 139 tackles during his four Jets campaigns while adding nine sacks during that span. Quinnen Williams‘ older brother earned a first-team All-Pro nod in 2023 and remained a core member of the team’s defense last season.
That is expected to be the case once more in 2025. Another productive outing from Williams would help his free agent stock in the event he were to reach the open market next spring. The 28-year-old’s current pact averages $6MM per season at a time when 16 inside linebackers are now into eight figures in annual compensation. One of those, of course, is Jamien Sherwood. Just before free agency, Sherwood re-signed with the Jets on a three-year, $45MM pact containing $30MM guaranteed.
New York’s regime led by general manager Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn authorized a big-ticket deal in the form of Sherwood and has since worked out monster extensions with each of Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner. Especially with Sherwood set to lead the way in terms of linebacker compensation for years to come, it will be interesting to see if the team makes a new financial commitment to Williams next spring. For the time being, his attention will be focused on hitting his new incentives in advance of a potential free agent departure.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/8/25
Friday’s minor moves around the NFL:
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: K Caden Davis
- Released: WR Kelly Akharaiyi
- Released from IR via injury settlement: DE Hayden Harris
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: RB Malik Davis
- Claimed off waivers (from Steelers): G Nick Broeker
- Placed on IR: G Robert Jones (story), OL Dakoda Shepley
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: Marcellus Johnson, CB BJ Mayes, RB Nate Noel, RB Nay’Quan Wright
- Released: CB Tre Herndon
- Waived (with injury designation): LB Liam Anderson
- Placed on IR: RB Salvon Ahmed, CB Justin Walley (story)
Kansas City Chiefs
- Released from IR via injury settlement: CB Darius Rush
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: QB Tanner Mordecai
- Placed on IR: WR Equanimeous St. Brown
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Released from IR via injury settlement: S Marcus Banks
Bills kicker Tyler Bass is currently dealing with pelvic area soreness, ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg notes. As a result, the team recently worked out a number of free agents to handle kicking duties during tomorrow’s preseason game. Davis – an undrafted rookie – was recently waived by the Jets, but he will get at least one opportunity to audition for a roster spot.
Ahmed was recently taken down in a Colts practice by a hip-drop tackle. As a result, ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Stephen Holder report the veteran suffered an ankle injury. Ahmed’s attention will turn to rehabbing the ailment; unless he is released by way of an injury settlement, he will not play in 2025.
Patriots Notes: Offensive Line, Wilson, Strange
AUGUST 8: New England’s entire starting offense is taking part in tonight’s preseason game, and as Kyed notes, that unit includes Wilson handling left guard duties. It will be interesting to see how he fares in his first NFL game action, while Strange’s workload when the backups enter the contest will also be something to monitor.
AUGUST 6: The Patriots’ offensive line is starting to take shape, and it could end up leading to a relatively surprising cut. Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald recently observed that rookie third-round pick Jared Wilson appears to be penciled in as New England’s starting left guard.
ESPN’s Mike Reiss echoed Kyed’s report, noting that Wilson has impressed teammates and coaches with his ability to slow down some of the team’s top interior defensive linemen. Reiss also notes that Wilson’s athleticism could be particularly useful in Josh McDaniels‘ system, which often sees the offense pull the guard.
If Wilson does end up sticking at LG, that means the Patriots will be relying on a pair of inexperienced linemen to protect Drake Maye‘s blindside. Wilson would be lining up next to fourth-overall pick Will Campbell, a configuration that could make some fans queasy. However, it sounds like the two rookies are embracing the unexpected challenge.
“We just talk about how fun it’s going to be,” Wilson said of playing next to Campbell (via Karen Guregian of MassLive.com). “Like you said, there are two rookies next to each other, left guard and left tackle, on the blindside. We know it’s going to be a challenge every day. Teams are going to bring their best to us. Just got to be ready.”
With Wilson reportedly claiming one of the spots on the offensive line, the team’s starting configuration is coming into focus. In addition to the two rookies, it sounds like veteran Garrett Bradbury will man the center spot with tackle Morgan Moses and guard Michael Onwenu handling the right side. That means former first-round pick Cole Strange will be without a role, and that could ultimately cost the lineman his spot on the team.
Kyed wrote recently that Strange could be among the team’s surprise cuts, especially since the impending fourth-year player is struggling to establish himself at guard and center. Strange was already a reach when the Bill Belichick-led regime selected him with the 29th-overall pick in the 2022 draft, and the Chattanooga product hasn’t done much to reward the iconic coach’s faith.
After starting all 17 games as a rookie, Strange was limited to 10 games as a sophomore thanks to a torn patellar tendon. He started the 2024 campaign on the PUP list and ended up finishing last season with only three appearances. The team’s recent investment in the offensive line — both via the draft and free agency — already indicated that Strange was on the outside looking in. While the 27-year-old entered training camp penciled into the starting lineup, it now sounds like he’s fighting for a roster spot.
Strange’s roster spot might also be in doubt because of the versatility of some of his teammates. As Kyed recently noted, Caedan Wallace has been playing some offensive guard throughout training camp. The 2024 third-round pick spent the majority of his rookie campaign playing offensive tackle, but his ability to play multiple positions could make players like Strange expendable.
Packers S Xavier McKinney Injures Calf, Aiming For Week 1 Return
Packers safety Xavier McKinney is dealing with a lingering calf injury and may miss the rest of training camp as a result, per ESPN’s Rob Demovsky.
McKinney indicated on Thursday that he could miss a few weeks of practice and said (via WFVR’s Cameron Ezeir) that he “probably” would not play in the preseason, though that may have already been the plan. Last year, McKinney played all of nine snaps in the Packers’ first preseason game before sitting out the other two, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
The veteran safety insisted that he would be ready for Week 1 and referred to the team’s “plan” for his injury multiple times. The Packers are just over five weeks away from their regular season opener against the Lions, giving McKinney a long runway to ramp up.
Second-year safety Javon Bullard is listed as McKinney’s backup on the Packers’ unofficial depth chart and will likely replace him in practice. Bullard started 11 games last year and played 361 snaps in the slot, 259 as a free safety, and 169 in the box, per PFF. If McKinney’s absence is extended into the regular season, Bullard could step into a full-time role at safety with Keisean Nixon starting at nickel.
Though Bullard and Evan Williams, the Packers’ other starting safety, got plenty of experience as rookies last year, McKinney was one of the best in the league last year. Getting the All-Pro back on the field will be crucial to the Packers’ early matchups against the Lions and the Commanders.
Chargers Confirm Torn Patellar Tendon For LT Rashawn Slater
AUGUST 8: Harbaugh confirmed (via ESPN’s Kris Rhim) that Alt will replace Slater on the blind side with Pipkins taking over at right tackle. The Chargers are also planning to work out some offensive linemen this weekend to find another swing tackle. They’ll also get a chance to evaluate Salyer, who is starting Sunday’s preseason game at left tackle, according to The Athletic’s Daniel Popper.
AUGUST 7: Rashawn Slater was carted off the field during Thursday’s practice. Hours later, the worst-case scenario emerged. Testing on the Chargers’ franchise left tackle indicates he will not play in 2025.
Slater is feared to have suffered a torn patellar tendon, Ian Rapoport, Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network report. The team has since confirmed Slater suffered the tear. This is a brutal blow for Slater and the Chargers, who indicated the Pro Bowl tackle is heading to IR.
This also represents incredible timing for Slater regarding his extension. The Pro Bowl blocker established the new AAV standard for offensive linemen ($28.5MM), agreeing to terms before training camp. The Chargers paid Slater after he had solidified their LT position, a job that had seen turnover between King Dunlap‘s tenure and the Tom Telesco regime drafting Slater in the 2021 first round. Slater will still be expected to live up to the contract, but that effort is now delayed.
The Bolts gave Slater a four-year, $114MM extension that came with $56MM guaranteed at signing. Among left tackles, only Andrew Thomas — on a five-year Giants deal — bettered the at-signing figure. Slater managed to beat out tackles with better rookie-contract resumes, benefiting by the Chargers waiting until his fifth NFL offseason to pay him. Now, major questions emerge regarding the Bolts’ 2025 O-line.
Joe Alt played left tackle at Notre Dame; the Chargers moved the 2024 No. 5 overall pick to the right side due to Slater’s presence. After another full offseason of RT training, Alt sliding to the blind side would be a gamble for the Bolts. But that would be an option due to his dominance there with the Fighting Irish. The Chargers also moved Trey Pipkins from right tackle to guard to accommodate Alt’s 2024 arrival. Pipkins had re-signed to play right tackle. Jim Harbaugh announced earlier this week a starting five that did not included Pipkins. This could be a way back for the supplanted blocker, as ESPN.com’s Kris Rhim indicates an Alt-at-LT, Pipkins-to-RT plan is the most likely outcome following the Slater news.
Harbaugh said (via The Athletic’s Daniel Popper) the Chargers had decided on a Slater-Zion Johnson–Bradley Bozeman–Mekhi Becton-Alt front five. Slater, Becton and Alt were entrenched starters, while Johnson and Bozeman entered camp with positional uncertainty. Pipkins (56 career starts, most coming at right tackle) gives the Chargers options most teams do not have when they lose a player of Slater’s caliber. Alt moving over makes more sense, as Pipkins has not played more than 77 LT snaps in a season since his rookie year.
A 2019 third-round pick, Pipkins worked as the Bolts’ full-time RT starter from 2022-23. The Chargers passed on Malik Nabers at No. 5 last year to install Alt at RT, kicking Pipkins inside. The transition was not exactly successful, as Becton has since booted Pipkins from the starting lineup. Pro Football Focus graded Pipkins outside the top 60 at guard last season; the advanced metrics site did not grade him higher than 50th during his time as the Chargers’ top RT.
Teams certainly never have great options when losing a Slater-like presence. Alt was a two-time All-American left tackle at Notre Dame, honors that propelled him into the top five of last year’s draft. The three-year, $21.75MM deal Pipkins signed in 2023 — Telesco’s final offseason in charge — could represent a lifeline for both the Chargers and the contract-year blocker. Pipkins, 29, is also not the only possible contingency plan here.
Slater had bounced back from a three-game 2022, when he was shut down because of a biceps tendon tear. The Northwestern product played in 32 games over the past two seasons, missing one in 2024 due to a pectoral injury. The 2022 season also revealed another potential Bolts option, as Jamaree Salyer replaced Slater at left tackle.
A 2022 sixth-round pick out of Georgia, Salyer slid to guard in 2023 but was unable to keep a first-string job following the Alt move last year. Salyer worked as the Bulldogs’ starting left tackle from 2020-21. While Salyer made only four starts last season, he joins Pipkins as possible contingency plans for a Chargers team that has devoted considerable resources to its O-line.
Unfortunately, the team’s top piece is out of the picture. PFF graded Slater as the NFL’s second-best tackle last season. The standout missed offseason time while angling for a new deal, and the fifth-year tackle going down soon after signing it stands to significantly affect a Bolts team that doubled down at running back — via the Najee Harris signing and Omarion Hampton first-round investment — this offseason.
This Chargers offseason brought depth up front. Pipkins and Salyer join four-year Raiders center starter Andre James in representing the Bolts’ newfound depth. It would stand to reason the Chargers will call on Pipkins or Salyer to move into the lineup following this injury, and it will be interesting to see if Alt indeed makes the switch back to his college role for this season.
Adam La Rose contributed to this post.
Ravens Rookie CB Bilhal Kone Suffers Season-Ending Knee Injury
Ravens rookie cornerback Bilhal Kone suffered a season-ending knee injury in Thursday night’s preseason win over the Colts.
Kone went down late in the first quarter after a tight coverage rep against Colts wideout Ashton Dulin. He was carted off the field and an initial report from FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz indicated that the sixth-round pick tore both his ACL and his MCL.
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh confirmed after the game that Kone suffered a torn ligament in his knee and would be out for the season. The former Western Michigan standout was competing for a spot on Baltimore’s 53-man roster, though the team’s depth at cornerback made his inclusion far from a certainty.
The Ravens weren’t counting on Kone to contribute on defense as a rookie with at least six cornerbacks ahead of him on the depth chart. They were, however, hoping that he could carve out a special teams role and improve as a defender in practice every week.
Now, he will spend his first NFL season on the sidelines as he mentally and physically recovers from his injury. His absence from the roster competition will give fellow Day 3 cornerback Robert Longerbeam a better shot at making the roster, though UDFA Reuben Lowery might be the team’s best rookie defensive back not named Malaki Starks.
Harbaugh also offered an update on rookie offensive lineman Emery Jones, who is still on the Non-Football Injury list as he recovers from spring shoulder surgery. He was originally projected for a “mid camp” return, according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, but the third-rounder has yet to be medically cleared to play. That will likely erase any chance of Jones competing for a starting guard job as a rookie; at this rate, just getting on the practice field would be a major step forward.
Broncos Rumors: Sutton, RBs, Henningsen
The Broncos resolved two contract matters recently, extending Courtland Sutton and Zach Allen. While the All-Pro defensive lineman landed a deal that ranks him third at his position in terms of per-year value, the steady wide receiver accepted a lesser pact.
Sutton’s four-year, $92MM extension places him 18th among wideouts in AAV. That $23MM number slides alongside Calvin Ridley‘s free agency deal and just behind Michael Pittman Jr.‘s 2024 terms. The contract includes $41MM in total guarantees. All but $1MM of the latter figure checks in guaranteed at signing. The additional $1MM covers an injury guarantee in 2027, 9News’ Mike Klis notes.
[RELATED: Sutton Left Money On Table During Extension Talks]
That $1MM will shift from an injury guarantee to a full guarantee on Day 5 of the 2027 league year, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio adds. The Broncos used option bonuses to keep Sutton’s cap hits low. Both his 2025 and ’26 cap figures check in south of $14MM. In 2027, that number spikes to $28.48MM, per OverTheCap. The Broncos would be hit with $15.85MM in dead money if they released Sutton in 2027. In 2028, that number lowers to a more manageable $9.78MM. Still, the contract’s guarantees — for the most part — will pay out by the 2026 season.
No rolling guarantee structure is present, giving the Broncos flexibility with a receiver who will turn 30 in October. Sutton has been Denver’s top wideout over the past two seasons, meshing better in Sean Payton‘s system compared to Jerry Jeudy. With questions covering the rest of the Broncos’ WR corps, Sutton will again be positioned as Bo Nix‘s top target this season.
While Denver did not add a surefire starter to accompany Sutton at receiver this offseason, the team overhauled its backfield by using a second-round pick on R.J. Harvey and signing J.K. Dobbins to likely work as a short-term starter. This Mark Ingram–Alvin Kamara-like setup — that appears the goal here, at least — leaves incumbents vying for jobs. Former UDFA Jaleel McLaughlin has appeared the favorite to land the RB3 role as a change-of-pace option, but he may not be a roster lock just yet.
The Broncos used Tyler Badie in key portions of their joint practice with the 49ers, per Klis, who points to the Missouri alum being ahead of 2024 fifth-round pick Audric Estime. Although Badie played in front of McLaughlin in the joint workout, the Denver Post’s Parker Gabriel lists the third-year player as the most consistent option for the RB3 role leading up to the Broncos’ preseason opener.
McLaughlin has been steady as a change-of-pace option, as the NCAA all-divisions rushing leader has 570- and 572-yard seasons (from scrimmage) during his first two years. A 2022 sixth-round Ravens draftee, Badie has only taken 12 career handoffs. A back injury shelved Badie for much of last season, but the Broncos both saved an IR activation for him and deemed Estime a healthy scratch in their wild-card game. Estime fumbled twice last season but was the team’s third-leading RB rusher (Nix was third on the team) with 310 yards. Three years remain on his rookie deal, but the Broncos would barely take on $250K by cutting the big back.
Shifting to defense, a key backup on Denver’s D-line from 2022-23 — Matt Henningsen — may lose a full season due to injury. The Broncos fear Henningsen suffered an Achilles tear during their joint practice with the 49ers, Klis reports. The injury occurred during a one-on-one drill.
Although the former sixth-round pick has never started a game, he was a key backup from 2022-23 — before spending last year mostly on the practice squad. The Broncos have a fairly clear top five up front — Allen, D.J. Jones, John Franklin-Myers, Malcolm Roach, third-round rookie Sai’Vion Jones — and Gabriel pegs Jordan Jackson and Eyioma Uwazurike as vying for a roster spot. Uwazurike is best known for his involvement in an Iowa State gambling investigation, leading to a full-season 2023 ban, while Jackson is a former Saints sixth-rounder who played 17 Broncos games last year.
Cody Ford In Lead For Bengals Starting Job; Dylan Fairchild Entrenched At LG
Defense understandably became the primary Bengals offseason focus, given the events of 2024, but the team will almost definitely have a rookie starting on offense. Despite not being drafted until No. 81 overall, Dylan Fairchild appears a safe bet to begin his rookie season as a starter.
The Bengals have Fairchild ready to take over at left guard, The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr. notes. Rather than cross-training Fairchild at both guard spots, OC Dan Pitcher said (via SI.com’s Jay Morrison) the team is only having him work at the LG spot. That development has not yet hit a snag, and Fairchild is readying to replace Cordell Volson as the Bengals’ primary starter there.
Touted as a competition between Volson and Fairchild, Cincinnati’s LG situation now looks settled. Fairchild will make the common SEC-to-NFL jump, coming from Georgia. Fairchild started for the Bulldogs over the previous two seasons, earning second-team All-America acclaim for his 2024 performance. Although veteran options exist in Cincinnati, the team’s plan appears clear.
A 2022 fourth-round pick, Volson had been the Bengals’ primary LG from 2022-24. He started 48 games in that span but was benched in December of last year. The Bengals then reduced his contract-year salary this offseason, adding $500K guaranteed in that compromise, putting the North Dakota State product on the roster bubble.
With Fairchild the likely Week 1 Cincy LG starter, the team will turn to a veteran at the other guard spot. While the Bengals signed Lucas Patrick this offseason, ESPN.com’s Ben Baby notes Cody Ford is the clubhouse leader to take over there. Ford can be classified as having the inside track, per Baby, especially as Patrick has missed recent practices with an injury. The Bengals gave Patrick a one-year, $2.1MM deal but only guaranteed him $200K. Ford re-signed on a two-year, $6MM contract that came with $1MM guaranteed.
Both deals featured the team protecting itself, but Ford is now in his third year in Zac Taylor‘s system. After making one start in 2023, the former Bills second-round pick made nine last season. Ford, though, spent most of his 2024 time filling in for Orlando Brown Jr. at left tackle. He played 431 snaps there, logging zero at right guard. Ford did line up at LG on 152 plays last year. Patrick has vacillated between center and guard during his career. After a two-year run as the Bears’ primary snapper ended, he caught on with the Saints and worked as their primary LG, logging 474 snaps there last season.
Overall, the Bengals are counting on lower-level investments to bail them out at guard — after the team released three-year RG Alex Cappa this offseason — and Dehner adds neither Ford nor Patrick looked great during the team’s preseason opener Thursday. This is obviously not a great juncture to bring in a veteran, and a July offering pointed to the Bengals standing down here. That said, Brandon Scherff, Dalton Risner, Cody Whitehair and Mark Glowinski are available. The Cardinals and Steelers, respectively, took Will Hernandez and Andrus Peat off the market Thursday. The waiver wire figures to also be a place to monitor for Cincy here.
Ford has yet to hold a starting job for a lengthy period as a pro, being traded out of Buffalo and not being retained by Arizona as a 2023 free agent. Ford has made 42 career starts, however. Barring an outside addition, it appears the Oklahoma alum will add to that total soon.
NFC South Notes: Bridgewater, Bucs, Pitts, Falcons, Panthers, C, Saints
The 2020 free agent class featured a few viable starting quarterbacks, helping the Buccaneers transition from the erratic Jameis Winston. Tampa Bay was closely connected to two of the available options — Tom Brady and Teddy Bridgewater. Reporting at the time made it fairly clear Bridgewater — who had spent the previous two seasons as Drew Brees‘ Saints backup — was the Bucs’ second choice behind Brady. Upon circling back to the veteran QB this week, Jason Licht confirmed (via ESPN.com’s Jenna Laine) that was the case.
Licht said he mentioned this to Bridgewater upon the unretired passer joining to the Bucs — his eighth NFL team — this week. The Bucs landed Brady, beating out the Chargers, who were losing Philip Rivers to the Colts. Bridgewater ended up doing nearly as well as Brady on the contract front, scoring a three-year, $63MM Panthers deal. Though, as Carolina cycled through passers during the Matt Rhule years, Bridgewater wound up in Denver — on a sizable pay cut — in 2021 via trade. He joins Kyle Trask as a Baker Mayfield backup option.
Here is the latest from the NFC South:
- Although the Falcons completed a notable extension this week — with right tackle Kaleb McGary, a recent report indicated they did not have anything brewing with Kyle Pitts. When asked about the possibility of an extension, GM Terry Fontenot (via The Athletic’s Josh Kendall) did not discuss the matter. While Fontenot said the Falcons “love” where Pitts is ahead of his fifth season, they might need to see more from a player who has underwhelmed from the No. 4 overall draft slot. It would stand to reason Fontenot would be interested in a Pitts payday, seeing as he made the tight end his first draft pick as GM, but the inconsistent pass catcher has battled injuries — including an offseason foot issue he looks to have recovered from — and has not come close to matching his 1,000-yard rookie season. That said, Pitts (25) could position himself as a top-tier 2026 free agent with a solid contract year.
- Staying with the Falcons, they are pitting Jordan Fuller against third-round rookie Xavier Watts in a competition to replace Justin Simmons. Fuller and Watts have alternated with Atlanta’s starters, per ESPN.com’s Marc Raimondi, alongside Jessie Bates at safety. Even if Watts cannot beat out Fuller — a former Raheem Morris Rams charge — for the job, the Falcons are expecting him to log extensive rookie-year playing time. The team traded up five spots for Watts, a two-time All-American at Notre Dame.
- Jamal Agnew did not see any game action last season, having spent 2024 recovering from a broken leg sustained in Week 17 of the 2023 season. Agnew wound up on the Steelers’ practice squad but did not suit up with the team. The Falcons signed him to a one-year, $2.5MM deal in March, only guaranteeing $400K. Still, the veteran receiver/return man is expected to make the Falcons’ 53-man roster, Kendall notes. While Drake London, Darnell Mooney, Ray-Ray McCloud and KhaDarel Hodge are locks, Kendall pegs Agnew as a “strong bet” for the fifth spot. Adept at both kick and punt returns, Agnew — a 2022 Pro Bowler in Jacksonville — figures to be used in this capacity.
- The Panthers re-signed Austin Corbett in March but also retained Cade Mays via RFA tender. At $3.26MM, the original-round tender brought tougher decisions this year; months later, Mays is in a competition with Corbett to start at center, ESPN.com’s David Newton notes. Corbett and Mays have alternated days with the Panthers’ first team. With Corbett missing 25 games between the 2023 and ’24 seasons, he is having to fend off Mays for the job. The Panthers slid Corbett from guard to center in 2024, having signed Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis, and used him as a starter in each game he played. But the ex-Rams Super Bowl starter suffered a biceps tear in October, shutting him down. Mays has made 13 starts since 2023, logging all 495 of his 2024 snaps at center.
- Julian Blackmon‘s one-year Saints contract is worth slightly less than initially reported. Rather than a $4MM deal, ESPN.com’s Katherine Terrell notes the veteran safety signed for $3.17MM. That amount is fully guaranteed.