HEADLINES

Month: August 2025

Falcons Owner Arthur Blank Endorses GM Terry Fontenot, HC Raheem Morris

August 3rd, 2025 at 9:55pm CST by Rory Parks

In early April, a few weeks prior to this year’s draft, Falcons owner Arthur Blank addressed the status of general manager Terry Fontenot. At the time, Blank did not offer a public vote of confidence, though he did stop short of describing the 2025 season as a make-or-break year for the front office boss.

After his club’s second training camp practice last week, Blank expressly endorsed both Fontenot and head coach Raheem Morris, who is entering his second season as Atlanta’s full-time HC.

“I definitely think we have the right people,” Blank said (via ESPN’s Marc Raimondi). “I think they continue to demonstrate that, I think, during this offseason, and how they built during free agency and particularly decisions … in the draft. And I think continuing to reflect on the coaching staff, making some changes on the coaching staff. And if the emperor has no clothes, you’ve got to say the emperor has no clothes. And I think our leadership team has done that, and I think that’ll make us better.”

Blank said in April that the Falcons needed to focus on the defensive side of the ball in the draft, and his most recent comments suggest he is pleased with Fontenot’s decision to select edge rusher Jalon Walker with the No. 15 overall pick and then aggressively trade back into the first round to land another EDGE, James Pearce Jr. Atlanta’s attempts to bolster its pass rush in recent years have not yielded consistent results, and Blank appreciates the concerted effort to address the team’s biggest weakness (which also included adding Leonard Floyd and Morgan Fox in free agency).

The 82-year-old owner also seems to respect the difficult decision Morris had to make in cutting ties with former defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake and replacing him with Jeff Ulbrich.

“My feeling … is that we’re in a better place now, teamwise, coachingwise, totally across the board than we’ve been in a number of years,” Blank said. “And so, I look forward to the season and a different set of results at the end of the season.”

Blank has long touted the importance of front office and coaching continuity, so it is not surprising that, despite having failed to deliver a postseason berth since assuming the GM post in 2021, Fontenot is still in the fold. But in second-year passer Michael Penix Jr., the team finally has the player it realistically hopes will be the long-term successor to Matt Ryan. If Penix should struggle, and if the Falcons miss the playoff bracket again, it would be fair to wonder about the job security of Fontenot and Morris, regardless of Blank’s feelings on continuity.

For now, however, Blank is striking an optimistic tone while openly backing his top power brokers. 

49ers Sign WR Robbie Chosen Following Workout

August 3rd, 2025 at 9:46pm CST by Ely Allen

After hosting him for a workout yesterday, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2, the 49ers have opted to add veteran free agent receiver Robbie Chosen to their roster for training camp. To make room for Chosen on the roster, another wide receiver, Marquez Callaway, was released.

Chosen — who originally entered the NFL as Robby Anderson, then Robbie Anderson, and then was briefly known as Chosen Anderson — has had a rollercoaster of a career in football. After changing positions from cornerback to wide receiver at Temple and overcoming academic eligibility issues, Chosen went undrafted in 2016, signing initially with the Jets. Immediately, the undrafted rookie became an impact WR3 on the offense before leading the Jets in receiving for the next two seasons, despite having a different quarterback throwing to him all three years.

After playing the 2019 season on a second-round tender, Chosen signed a two-year, $20MM deal with the Panthers. In the first year of the deal, he put up his first 1,000-yard season, earning a two-year, $29.5MM extension on top of his original deal. But, when reunited with Sam Darnold in the second year, his receiving yards were limited to 519 yards. Chosen opened his third year in Carolina with a strong 102-yard performance but struggled in the games that followed. After getting into an in-game argument with the team’s wide receiver coach, then-interim head coach Steve Wilks kicked Chosen out of the game.

The next day, Chosen was traded to the Cardinals, and his career has been in decline ever since. In 10 games with Arizona, Chosen caught seven balls for 76 yards and was released in the offseason. He spent the 2023 season in Miami, and though he caught a 68-yard touchdown in his first game appearance, Chosen only caught three more passes in eight games for the rest of the year. Around this time last year, he signed a first time with San Francisco but failed to make the 53-man roster and signed back with Miami’s practice squad, appearing in two games and catching one ball for five yards before being released.

Chosen likely doesn’t stand much of a chance at making the 49ers’ 53-man roster this time around, either. In all likelihood, he’s a camp body that brings a bit more experience and upside than Callaway. The 32-year-old should get plenty of opportunities in the preseason, though, as San Francisco is likely to be careful with its group of pass catchers heading into the regular season, given recent injury histories at the position.

Jaguars OL Dennis Daley Retires

August 3rd, 2025 at 8:57pm CST by Ely Allen

Early this morning, the Jaguars announced that they have placed offensive lineman Dennis Daley on the reserve/retired list. Not much information has followed the announcement, but it appears Daley is hanging up his cleats at only 28 years old.

Daley came into the league as a sixth-round pick out of South Carolina in 2019. After injuries to the interior offensive line forced the team to move starting left tackle Daryl Williams inside to cover and Greg Little, the rookie second-round tackle called in to replace him, went down, as well, Daley stepped into the starting left tackle role for nine games of his rookie year.

After starting Year 2 injured, Daley made three starts (two at right guard, one at left tackle) in five game appearances before getting placed on injured reserve for the remainder of the year. His third year in Carolina saw him continue to shuffle around, starting nine of 15 game appearances at right guard, left guard, and left tackle.

In 2022, the Panthers traded Daley and a seventh-round pick in 2024 to Tennessee in exchange for a 2024 fifth-round selection. When Titans left tackle Taylor Lewan went down on the first play of the team’s Week 2 matchup with a season-ending knee injury, Daley was inserted and started the remainder of the season as the Titans’ blindside blocker. Though the line helped running back Derrick Henry to finish second in rushing yards that year, Daley tied for the most sacks allowed in the NFL that season, and the line as a whole was considered one of the league’s worst.

In free agency, Daley signed a two-year, $3.2MM contract in Arizona. He ended up on IR just before the start of the regular season and only ended up playing in four contests with one start. The Cardinals released him in training camp last year, and he landed on the Jaguars’ practice squad. Ending the season with no game appearances, Daley signed a reserve/futures deal to spend the offseason with Jacksonville. In the end, he’ll never appear in a game with the Jaguars, now that he’s calling it a career.

In his short time with the NFL, Daley did more than a lot of sixth-round picks get to do. Starting 37 games in 54 appearances at multiple positions across the line, Daley made himself a reliable backup option despite a few major injuries of his own.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/3/25

August 3rd, 2025 at 5:46pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are the minor NFL moves to close out the first weekend of August:

Arizona Cardinals

Baltimore Ravens

  • Waived: T Ozzie Hutchinson

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Indianapolis Colts

Las Vegas Raiders

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

Tennessee Titans

A couple more players waived with injury designations recently have made their way back to their teams on injured reserve.

In Philadelphia, Johnstone won an audition in which the Eagles worked out four longsnappers. This is Johnstone’s first NFL contract after going undrafted out of Appalachian State this year.

NFC North Notes: Anzalone, Vikings, Johnson

August 3rd, 2025 at 4:14pm CST by Adam La Rose

It has become clear this offseason that Alex Anzalone is seeking a new pact. The ninth-year linebacker said at the start of training camp that he is “disappointed” with the state of his financial situation with the Lions.

Talks on an arrangement of some kind continued in the wake of Anzalone’s comments, however. While signs still point to no extension being worked out for the pending 2026 free agent, a contract adjustment covering this season has taken place. Anzalone and the Lions recently worked out a restructure, ESPN’s Field Yates notes.

The 30-year-old will see a $250K bump in his $6MM base salary (which is now guaranteed). Per Yates, the new pact also contains incentives which could increase Anzalone’s earnings for 2025. Adding further details on that point, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press specifies there is $750K in new money available via playtime incentives. Anzalone remains on track for free agency next spring, but his fifth Lions campaign could now see him collect as much as $1MM more than what he was originally owed.

Here are some other notes from around the NFC North:

  • Christian Darrisaw resumed practicing in June, but he did so while still awaiting full clearance. The Vikings’ left tackle has been able to participate in training camp on a limited basis, but Emily Leiker of the Minnesota Star Tribune writes no timeline exists for when he will be fully involved. As a result, it remains to be seen if Darrisaw – who tore his ACL and MCL in October – will be available for the start of the season. The 26-year-old is on the books through 2029 thanks to his $76MM extension signed last summer.
  • Elsewhere on the injury front, Jaylon Johnson continues to rehab the leg ailment which he encountered before the start of training camp. A multi-week absence was known to be in store, but it is still unclear when the two-time Pro Bowler will be available. Bears head coach Ben Johnson said (via Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times) Week 1 is the target in this case. The rookie HC said “there’s a scenario” in which the five-year veteran is back for the start of the year, a somewhat concerning update on the situation given its initial outlook. One month remains for Johnson to heal and avoid a stint on the PUP list in September.
  • The Vikings managed to retain Aaron Jones on a two-year deal this spring, allowing him to remain in place after a career-high in rushing yards last season. 2024 also saw the 30-year-old handle the heaviest workload of his NFL tenure with 255 carries, however. Minnesota targeted a more balanced approach in the backfield, something which resulted in the trade acquisition of Jordan Mason. The snap share between Jones and Mason is yet to be determined, but ESPN’s Kevin Seifert notes something closer to a 50-50 split is likelier in 2025 than past years under Kevin O’Connell. Mason’s 153 carries last year marked a major uptick in usage with the 49ers last season, and he figures to play a key role on offense with his new team.
  • The Lions recently announced a number of staffing changes (h/t Seifert’s colleague Eric Woodyard). Dan Corzine‘s new title is director of scouting operations (in addition to assistant to the general manager). Meanwhile, Michael Pelfrey is now Detroit’s manager of scouting advancement. Austin White and Bri Howard are in place as personnel assistants while Brandon Clark is in the fold as a scouting assistant.

Panthers Sign LB Krys Barnes

August 3rd, 2025 at 2:53pm CST by Adam La Rose

Krys Barnes has found his latest NFL opportunity. The veteran linebacker signed with the Panthers on Sunday, per a team announcement.

Barnes operated as a starter during his first two seasons with the Packers, reaching 80 tackles on both occasions. His was limited to only six games and a reduced role in 2022, however, and the former undrafted free agent moved on after the campaign. Barnes had been with the Cardinals for the past two years.

In Arizona, the 27-year-old saw time on defense but his largest workload came about through special teams. Barnes totaled 513 third phase snaps, and it would come as no surprise if he were to find himself in a similar situation in Carolina. The UCLA product will spend the remainder of training camp, along with the preseason, attempting to carve out a roster spot for himself.

The Panthers elected not to retain Shaq Thompson this offseason, ending his 10-year run with the organization. More recently, Carolina released fellow linebacker Josey Jewell as he continues to recover from a concussion. The loss of those two will leave the Panthers short on experience, although free agent addition Christian Rozeboom is in line to take on a starting role. Barnes will likely be counted on as a core special teamer, but with 30 starts to his name he could step into a defensive role if needed.

In a corresponding move, the Panthers waived linebacker Tuasivi Nomura. The Fresno State product was among the team’s UDFA class, but he is now set to depart after spending the spring and part of training camp in Carolina. Presuming no team puts in a claim, Nomura will become a free agent.

Steelers Have Not Discussed Extension With WR Calvin Austin

August 3rd, 2025 at 2:09pm CST by Adam La Rose

D.K. Metcalf will take on George Pickens‘ role as the Steelers’ No. 1 receiver in 2025 and beyond. As the regular season approaches, Pittsburgh still faces questions about the secondary WR spots.

As things stand, Calvin Austin and Roman Wilson are positioned to handle larger workloads than they have so far in their brief NFL careers. Austin in particular will be worth watching given his status as a pending 2026 free agent. Time remains for an extension to be worked out for the 26-year-old, but one does not appear likely.

The Steelers have not yet approached Austin about a new contract, Mark Kaboly of the Pat McAfee Show notes. He adds it is unclear if that will change over the coming weeks. While general manager Omar Khan has operated in a noticeably different way than his predecessor in certain capacities, he has maintained the organizational policy he inherited which prohibits in-season contract negotiations. As a result, Austin will play out the season in anticipation of a trip to the open market (pending a re-signing early in the spring, of course) unless a pact is signed soon.

The former fourth-rounder missed his entire rookie season due to injury and he occupied only a rotational role in the passing game the following year. Austin flashed potential in 2024, though, once again playing in every game and logging eight starts. He averaged 15.2 yards per reception on the season and reached or surpassed the 65-yard mark in a game four times. Another step forward – brought about, the team hopes, by improved quarterback play – would position Austin for a payday on his second contract.

The Memphis product has spent the offseason as Pittsburgh’s leading candidate for the WR2 role, although another addition at the position cannot be ruled out. The Steelers hosted Gabe Davis for a workout in June, but the absence of an immediate agreement did not eliminate the possibility of a deal being struck at some point. Davis is still unsigned as of now, with the same being true for the likes of Keenan Allen, Amari Cooper and Tyler Boyd, who has expressed interest in joining his hometown team.

The Steelers have over $19MM in cap space at the moment, so a signing would certainly be feasible from a financial standpoint. If they continue to rely on their in-house receiving options, though, Austin could be set up to earn himself a considerable raise with his 2025 performance.

Broncos WR Courtland Sutton Took Less Money To Help Denver Retain Other Players

August 3rd, 2025 at 12:09pm CST by Rory Parks

Last week, Broncos WR Courtland Sutton finally secured a long-awaited third contract with the team. Although the extension represents a sizable raise over what Sutton was due to earn and locks in a new wave of guaranteed cash, the $23MM average annual value of the deal makes him the league’s 18th-highest-paid wideout in terms of yearly compensation.

Per Sean Keeler of the Denver Post, Sutton understands he may have left some money on the table – Spotrac considers his market value to be roughly $26.5MM per year – in exchange for additional security. He also knows the team has a number of other mouths to feed, and he wanted to help ensure the Broncos could lock in other key players.

“[There’s] talent in that locker room, guys that are coming up, that are trying to get their second contract,” Sutton said. “I was blessed to be able to get my third. They put the work in just the same way as I have. And some of those guys have more accolades than I have when it comes to the NFL side of things … and to be able to sign the deal that we did, it gives us a chance to keep those guys around.”

A June report suggested defensive standouts Nik Bonitto and Zach Allen may have jumped Sutton as extension priorities for Denver, and other key members of what is expected to again be a stout defense in 2025 – John Franklin-Myers, P.J. Locke, Malcolm Roach, and Alex Singleton among them – are also on expiring deals. 

When asked if he was conscious of that reality when signing his own extension, Sutton replied, “1,000%. 1,000%. The deal that we wound up signing is a great deal, and it was very beneficial to myself. And it gives us a chance to be able to keep a lot of really good players around on this team and for years to come.”

Not long after the ink dried on Sutton’s deal, the Broncos agreed to terms with Allen on a monster four-year, $102MM pact. It would not surprise if Bonitto also landed a healthy new contract in short order.

Sutton, a team captain, has done his part to facilitate Denver’s ability to keep the band together. The club is also benefitting from having its starting quarterback, Bo Nix, on his rookie deal, and Sutton will again lead Nix’s collection of offensive weaponry.

Now 29 (30 in October), Sutton cracked the 1,000-yard mark for the second time in his career during Nix’s rookie campaign in 2024. Continued development from the second-year passer, coupled with the addition of tight end Evan Engram and reinforcements in the running game, could allow the Broncos – who cracked the playoff field last season – to take another step forward in 2025. 

Lions To Start Graham Glasgow At C, Tate Ratledge At RG

August 3rd, 2025 at 11:11am CST by Rory Parks

In the wake of Frank Ragnow’s retirement, it appeared second-round rookie Tate Ratledge would take over as the Lions’ starting center, despite working as a guard in college. Graham Glasgow’s past experience as an NFL pivot notwithstanding, the veteran blocker initially told reporters, including Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, he did not expect to be working at the center position.

Per Birkett, the first iteration of the Ratledge-at-center experiment lasted all of three training camp practices. Glasgow, who operated as the Lions’ primary left guard last year, had opened camp as the starting right guard, but he and Ratledge have swapped roles. Glasgow is now the snapper, while Ratledge is the first-team RG (2024 draftee Christian Mahogany is penciled in as the starting left guard).

According to team reporter Dannie Rogers, the switch had more to do with Glasgow’s rapport with quarterback Jared Goff than underperformance on Ratledge’s part. 

Offensive coordinator John Morton said of Ratledge, “I love how smart he is. And he’s just going to continue to grow. I mean, I thought he did an exceptional job when he was at center. I mean, that’s a lot mentally. Different snap counts and audibles. It was a lot and I thought he did a pretty good job. I’m really happy where he’s at.”

Head coach Dan Campbell said Ratledge will still take reps at center throughout the rest of the summer, but it makes sense that a team with championship aspirations would opt for a more experienced player at the position. In the meantime, Ratledge will get his first professional experience at the right guard post, where he thrived as a collegian.

The starting RG for Georgia’s championship outfit in 2022, Ratledge went on to earn All-SEC and All-American nods in each of his final two seasons with the Bulldogs. He will slot in between Glasgow and Penei Sewell on a Detroit front that may again be among the league’s best but that could struggle to adequately replace Ragnow and Kevin Zeitler, who signed with the Titans this offseason.

Glasgow, 33, is under contract through the 2026 season, but a release after the upcoming campaign would net the Lions roughly $2.7MM in cap savings. If Ratledge impresses at right guard and with whatever center reps he earns, the team theoretically could shift him to center next year and part ways with Glasgow (who was probably the weakest link on Detroit’s 2024 O-line).

In related news, the team has activated left tackle Taylor Decker off the active/PUP list, per Birkett.

Patriots WRs Ja’Lynn Polk, Javon Baker Facing Uphill Battle To Make Roster

August 3rd, 2025 at 10:09am CST by Rory Parks

2024 draftees Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker failed to make much of an impact in their first professional season. The Patriots’ second-year wideouts are now working under a brand new coaching staff, and they could be facing an uphill battle to make the club’s 53-man roster (indeed, it was reported back in June that Polk could be on the bubble). 

ESPN’s Mike Reiss expects New England to carry six wideouts on the opening day roster, and after the first few days of training camp, Reiss noted that Stefon Diggs, Kayshon Boutte, and DeMario Douglas were running with the starters. Meanwhile, Kyle Williams, Kendrick Bourne – himself a potential cut candidate – and UDFA rookie Efton Chism III were taking second-team reps. Polk and Baker, on the other hand, were “not on the current radar” and had essentially “faded from view.”

At the time, free agent addition Mack Hollins was still on the active/PUP list. Since then, the Pats have activated Hollins, and in an updated look at the club’s WR situation, Reiss describes Diggs, Boutte, Douglas, and Hollins as the top four players on the depth chart, with Williams – who has flashed in recent days after something of a “dry spell” – slotting in behind them.

Williams is a third-round rookie, so his place on the team is almost certainly secure despite natural growing pains. Diggs, New England’s marquee free agent acquisition, was always expected to lead the way, and 2023 draftees Douglas and Boutte have shown promise as complementary options. Hollins offers a big-bodied target for QB Drake Maye, and his two-year, $8.4MM contract indicated his roster spot was never in doubt either.

It is telling that, prior to Hollins’ return, an undrafted rookie was seeing more reps than Polk and Baker. Per Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald, Chism’s spring momentum has not carried over into training camp, and Reiss made note of a Chism drop in a recent practice. Still, given the sheer volume of players in the wide receiver room, it may take an injury and/or the release of a player like Bourne for Polk and Baker to remain in Foxborough.

Further complicating the issue for Polk was a hamstring injury that caused him to miss practice time. He is back on the field, and head coach Mike Vrabel said the second-year pro is “a player that worked extremely hard to get back and ready to go … there’s been some positive things that he’s done since he’s been back” (via Mike Kadlick of CLNS Media). Vrabel went on to say that Polk has not made any mental errors despite his absence.

Polk, a second-round selection last year, may be more likely than Baker, a fourth-rounder, to make the team based on upside alone. According to Kyed, Polk may also have an in as a slot receiver, since the Pats’ depth in the slot is thinner than it is outside the numbers.

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