2025 September - Pro Football Rumors

Panthers’ Damarri Mathis Suffers ACL Tear

By Adam La Rose | at September 5, 2025 12:30 pm

Damarri Mathis will not be available to the Panthers in 2025. The fourth-year cornerback has suffered an ACL tear, head coach Dave Canales said on Friday (via ESPN’s David Newton).

Mathis spent his first three seasons with the Broncos, and he was in Denver through the summer. The former fourth-rounder was among the team’s roster cuts last week, and he hit the waiver wire as a result. The Panthers added Mathis via a claim.

Instead of having him available for the final season of his rookie deal, however, Carolina will be shorthanded at the cornerback spot. The 26-year-old made 43 appearances and 13 starts over the course of his Broncos tenure. Adding to those totals would have helped Mathis’ market value ahead of his first trip to free agency next spring. Now, his attention will turn to surgery and a lengthy rehab process.

The injury will deal a blow to Mathis’ earning potential on the open market. The Missouri product emerged as a trade candidate last season, but Denver elected to keep him in the fold through the remainder of the campaign. Mathis was not a regular contributor on defense, but he chipped in on special teams with a snap share of 44% in that regard. At least a part-time role in both capacities could have been in store with the Panthers.

Instead, Carolina will move forward with a cornerback group led once again by Jaycee Horn after his massive extension was worked out in the offseason. Michael Jackson, Akayleb Evans, Chau Smith-Wade and Corey Thornton round out the team’s depth chart at the position. Mathis will head to injured reserve, and it will be interesting to see if the Panthers pursue an addition in his absence.

Carolina entered Friday with roughly $14MM in cap space. As a result, a low-cost addition could be feasible. Kendall Fuller and Mike Hilton are among the most experienced options still on the market, while Stephon Gilmore is still unsigned. Gilmore – whose most recent Pro Bowl season (2021) came with the Panthers – said in July he would be open to continuing his career in 2025, but only under the right circumstances. It remains to be seen if a Carolina reunion would qualify, but in any case the team could stand to add depth in the secondary.

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Raiders To Promote WR Justin Shorter

By Adam La Rose | at September 5, 2025 11:03 am

Amari Cooper was positioned to play a role in the Raiders’ passing game upon returning to the franchise for 2025. The 10-year veteran will not be in the fold, however, given his decision to retire.

When Cooper informed the Raiders he was hanging up his cleats only one week after signing, the team was left shorthanded at the receiver position. At least one move will take place before Week 1 to provide depth. Justin Shorter is being promoted from the practice squad to the active roster, as first reported by Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Vegas had three taxi squad options to choose from entering Friday, and Shorter will get a look during the team’s opening game. A fifth-round pick of the Bills in 2023, Shorter did not seen any regular season game action with Buffalo. He caught on with the Raiders last season, making a total of 10 appearances. Shorter hardly played on offense, but he logged a 45% snap share on special teams. A third phase workload would come as no surprise this time around.

Shorter was among the Raiders’ roster cuts last week, but he was immediately retained via a practice squad agreement. That move suggested he could see game time as an elevation, but Cooper’s retirement call created a spot on the active roster. Shorter, 25, will look to find success in a limited role early in 2025.

Vegas has 2024 receiving leader Jakobi Meyers in place, along with third-year contributor Tre Tucker and a pair of rookies (Jack Bech and Dont’e Thornton) set to lead the way at the receiver spot. Coming off a record-breaking rookies campaign, tight end Brock Bowers will of course be counted on as a focal point in the passing game as well. Shorter will aim to chip in on special teams for at least one game while the Raiders evaluate their options to replace Cooper on a long-term basis.

2 comments Las Vegas Raiders Transactions Justin Shorter

Bengals Extend C Ted Karras

By Adam La Rose | at September 5, 2025 8:50 am

For the second year in a row, Ted Karras has agreed to a one-year extension. The veteran center inked his latest Bengals pact Friday morning, per a team announcement.

This is a $5MM deal, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Last summer, team and player agreed to a re-up averaging $6MM across 2024 and ’25, with $4.8MM in new money being owed for the coming campaign. Karras has now received another new pact of similar value; he is under contract through 2026 as a result.

Karras spent his first six seasons in the AFC East, playing out his rookie contract with the Patriots before taking a one-year Dolphins contract. That was followed by a return to New England on another one-year accord. The former sixth-rounder then joined the Bengals on a three-year, $18MM pact as part of the team’s offensive line renovations of that offseason.

Since then, Karras has been a mainstay up front for Cincinnati. The Illinois product has missed only one game to date, and he has delivered consistent performances for his third career team. Karras graded out as PFF’s 15th-best center during his first two Bengals campaigns, and he checked in at No. 21 last year. He will be counted on to remain at that level for at least another two years while also filling a notable leadership role in Cincinnati.

At 32, Karras is presumably closer to the end of his career than the beginning. On multiple occasions this offseason, however, he informed Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer he does not foresee a retirement decision being made in the near future. Team and player will look to continue their relationship through the 2026 campaign at a minimum, although another new contract could be in store if Karras continues to play at a consistent level this season.

0 comments Cincinnati Bengals New England Patriots Transactions Ted Karras

Community Tailgate: 2025 NFL Season

By Adam La Rose | at September 4, 2025 10:01 pm

Week 1 is upon us, with the Eagles and Cowboys kicking off the 2025 NFL season. Philadelphia enters the campaign as the reigning Super Bowl champions and one of the NFC’s top candidates to return to the tile game in February. Dallas, meanwhile, recently provided one of the league’s most unexpected transactions in recent history.

Before the regular season begins, here is a quick look back at some of the NFL’s top storylines:

Parsons Blockbuster Caps Off EDGE Market Shifts

The Cowboys’ Micah Parsons extension negotiations did not result in an agreement being reached prior to training camp. That timeline did not raise any eyebrows based on the nature of other high-profile negotiations in years past. It increasingly became clear over the summer, however, that a disconnect existed between the All-Pro edge rusher and owner Jerry Jones regarding an in-person conversation in March about a new contract.

Parsons’ agent was not present for those talks, and involving him in formal negotiations became something Jones was unprepared to do. A trade request did not appear to generate movement toward a swap taking place, but with no progress being made with respect to contract talks the Cowboys’ stance shifted. Shortly after that took place, a trade agreement was in place with the Packers.

Green Bay sent a pair of first-round picks along with Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark to Dallas for Parsons. The 26-year-old then signed a four-year extension averaging $47MM per season – easily a new record for non-quarterbacks. Parsons will offer a new dynamic on defense for a Packers team looking to improve off last year’s 11-6 campaign. The Cowboys will move forward with questions in the immediate future about their outlook and uncertainty regarding how their core will change with the new draft capital aimed at replacing Parsons’ production. When Aidan Hutchinson has a new Lions pact in hand, he will likely benefit from the terms of that historic extension.

Well before the Parsons move took place, the EDGE market witnessed expected financial growth. Maxx Crosby secured an extension from the new Raiders regime averaging $35.5MM annually. Myles Garrett issued a trade request, but it was rescinded when he and the Browns worked out a $40MM-per-year accord. That represented the watermark for pass rushers until T.J. Watt signed a three-year Steelers extension carrying an AAV of $41MM which includes $108MM fully guaranteed. Joining Parsons as a second contract contributor along the edge to land a massive raise, meanwhile, is the Broncos’ Nik Bonitto (four years, $106MM).

Danielle Hunter (Texans) and Trey Hendrickson (Bengals) also worked out short-term deals which brought about raises moving them in line with the top of the position’s market. Hendrickson’s situation included a hold-in and the threat of missing regular contests. An agreement on a multi-year pact was reached regarding term length and total money, but disagreements on guarantees proved to be impassible. A compromise will keep the reigning sack leader available to Cincinnati – a team which worked out joint extensions with receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins during the spring – for 2025.

Rodgers Headlines QB Movement

Like every year, 2025 witnessed plenty of changes at the quarterback spot. Following his Jets release – a process which was foreshadowed late last season but proved to be the source of ire on the player’s part – Aaron Rodgers reached free agency for the first time in his career. The four-time MVP showed interest in a small number of teams, speaking with the Vikings and Giants without reaching a deal. By the time Rodgers signed with Pittsburgh, that team-player combination was widely expected around the league.

The Steelers have been unable to find a permanent Ben Roethlisberger successor, and Rodgers (42 in December) will certainly not serve as a long-term replacement. His one-year pact is likely to lead to a retirement decision next offseason, capping off an illustrious career. A portion of Rodgers’ legacy will be his ability to end on a strong note with Pittsburgh, a team which engaged in an unusually active offseason also featuring the trade acquisitions of wideout D.K. Metcalf and cornerback Jalen Ramsey.

In addition to Rodgers, the likes of Sam Darnold (Seahawks), Geno Smith (Raiders), Russell Wilson (Giants) and Daniel Jones (Colts) are positioned to handle QB1 duties with new teams. Darnold and Jones departed the Vikings as Minnesota elected to hand the reins over to 2024 first-rounder J.J. McCarthy. After a meniscus tear left him sidelined all of last season, the 22-year-old will be counted on to acclimate quickly with the Vikings looking to duplicate their 14-3 run from 2024.

Jones won out a starting competition with Anthony Richardson, a worrying development for the former No. 4 pick’s future. Indianapolis has no plans of trading Richardson at this point, but a potential parting of ways will become a talking point if he does not find himself on the field at some point. Joe Flacco, meanwhile, will his begin second Browns stint as the team’s starter after winning out a QB battle featuring the since-traded Kenny Pickett; rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders will back him up while Deshaun Watson rehabs a second Achilles tear.

Kirk Cousins made it known he wished to join a new team after losing his starting position late in his debut Falcons campaign. Atlanta preferred to keep the 37-year-old in place, however, in lieu of retaining a portion of his guaranteed $27.5MM salary for this season. Michael Penix Jr. will handle starting duties now and (if things go according to plan) well into the future, leaving Cousins’ situation uncertain.

New Regimes Look For Early Impressions

By the time the coaching carousel was finished spinning, seven teams had a new head coach in place. Mike Vrabel is back in a HC capacity, having returned to the Patriots’ organization after playing in New England for eight years. The ex-Titans coach will look to oversee development from Drake Maye in his second year (and first full campaign as a starter) with a familiar face – Josh McDaniels – once again handling offensive coordinator duties. New England went 4-13 during Jerod Mayo’s one-and-done season in charge; notable improvement will be sought out in 2025.

The same is true of the Raiders, who brought Pete Carroll back into the fold following his post-Seahawks hiatus. 74 later this month, the Super Bowl winner will be tasked with helping Vegas join the rest of the AFC West as a playoff contender while working alongside first-year general manager John Spytek and minority owner Tom Brady. Carroll takes over a team which last posted a winning record in 2021 and would benefit from a run of stability on the sidelines and in the front office.

The Jaguars cleaned house by bringing in Liam Coen as head coach (as part of an unusual hiring process) and, shortly thereafter, fired GM Trent Baalke. James Gladstone is now in place as Baalke’s replacement with the Jags looking to return to the playoffs and maximize Trevor Lawrence’s potential along the way. Kellen Moore is also among the first-time head coaches for 2025; he will guide the Saints through a transition at quarterback and other positions toward a younger core for the future.

As expected, the Lions lost both Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn to head coaching jobs. The former made an intra-division move to the Bears, while the latter is now partnered with general manager Darren Mougey as the Jets’ new decision-makers. Their performances will be worth watching closely. The Cowboys were seen as a candidate for a notable outside hire after parting ways with Mike McCarthy, but offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer was promoted instead. His first year as a head coach at any level will be the subject of considerable scrutiny.

The AFC South saw a number of notable developments, including the passing of Colts owner Jim Irsay. His three daughters have inherited the franchise, with Carlie Irsay-Gordon assuming day-to-day operations. The Titans will also have new (front office) leadership in place for 2025. Mike Borgonzi took on GM duties shortly after Chad Brinker was promoted to president of football operations. Together, they will work with head coach Brian Callahan and aim to improve on last year’s 3-14 season.

Hunter Among Notable Rookies

This season will bring about several rookie storylines, but one of the most interesting to follow will be that of Travis Hunter. Jacksonville paid a steep price to move up from No. 5 to No. 2 and select the Heisman winner after he thrived as a receiver and corner in college. The Jags have spent the offseason carefully increasing Hunter’s practice workload on each side of the ball, and he is set to play both ways as a rookie. Finding success as a true two-way player in the modern NFL would make for a fascinating development while also giving Jacksonville a difference-maker on offense and defense.

The only player selected ahead of Hunter – quarterback Cam Ward – is in position to handle starting duties right away with the Titans. Especially with Will Levis out for the season, Ward will be counted on during his rookie season. Offering an upgrade would help Tennessee bounce back from last year’s campaign while also offering promise as a long-term answer under center for the team.

Jaxson Dart (Giants) and Tyler Shough (Saints) were the second and third QBs selected in April. Neither will see first-team action to begin the campaign, but struggles from their respective teams could lead to calls for a change under center. In Cleveland, meanwhile, a pair of rookies are candidates to see game time at some point this season (depending on how Joe Flacco‘s second Browns stint plays out).

The 2025 draft featured prominently in terms of defensive line and pass rush prospects. Leading the way in that respect is Abdul Carter, who will look to make an early impact on a Giants team which faces high expectations for 2025. Five defensive tackles heard their names called on Day 1, and they too could emerge as key figures early in their NFL careers.

On the other side of the ball, a few standout names have become the subject of considerable attention leading up to Week 1. Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty will lead his team’s backfield, and the Boise State product faces high expectations right away after putting up massive production at the college level. In terms of receivers, Tetairoa McMillan (Panthers) and Matthew Golden (Packers) are among the candidates for a standout season in 2025.

Familiar Contenders Aim To Unseat Chiefs, Eagles

The Chiefs and Eagles have been mainstays in Super Bowls during recent years. Both teams largely managed to retain their cores this offseason, so it would come as no surprise if at least one of Kansas City or Philadelphia were to take part in this year’s title game. The list of top contenders to unseat them as conference champions features plenty of familiar names.

In the AFC, the Ravens and Bills are widely seen as teams with a strong chance of reaching the Super Bowl. That has of course been the case for several years, with playoff losses against the Chiefs proving to be an unwanted pattern. Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen again find themselves surrounded by strong rosters and stable coaching staffs, though, leading to renewed expectations for a deep postseason push.

The NFC produced a trio of teams which won 14 or more regular season games in 2024. The Eagles were one of them, and the Lions and Vikings were the others. Detroit and Minnesota figure to once again face a steep challenge from within the NFC North, and the Packers could build off an 11-win season while the Bears have the potential to improve considerably in Caleb Williams‘ second season.

Meanwhile, teams like the Texans, Broncos and Chargers in the AFC, along with the Commanders, Rams and Buccaneers in the NFC could break through in 2025. Each of those teams qualified for the postseason last year, with Washington making a surprise run to the NFC title game on the back of a stellar rookie campaign from quarterback Jayden Daniels. A step forward this time around could involve moving past the Chiefs and Eagles in the pecking order.

The Bengals and 49ers both missed the postseason last year. As Cincinnati and San Francisco look to bounce back from highly underwhelming 2024 campaigns, both teams will do so knowing they have made a Super Bowl appearance in the 2020s. Joe Burrow will have a familiar group around him, while Brock Purdy will be tasked with meeting expectations after signing a $265MM extension this offseason.

Plenty of other notable developments took place in the NFL world over the past several months. The ‘Tush Push’ narrowly survived a vote on banning it in the spring, the league expanded its international schedule and numerous scandals hit the NFLPA and led to Lloyd Howell and J.C. Tretter resigning. Those stories and others helped shape the 2025 offseason.

With the wait for the regular season now over, how do you see this year’s campaign playing out? Will one of the favorites emerge hoist the Lombardi Trophy, or will a dark horse team emerge as champions? How will the MVP race play out? Which storylines intrigue you the most for the season? Have your say in the comments section below.

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Offseason In Review: Kansas City Chiefs

By Sam Robinson | at September 4, 2025 10:00 pm

The only team to advance to five Super Bowls in six years, the Chiefs continued their dynasty but saw the Eagles’ blowout win deny them a threepeat. Kansas City’s metrics and point differential last season pointed to a record far worse than 15-2, but the team still managed to skate to Super Bowl LIX. After Philadelphia exposed the 2024 K.C. edition’s flaws, the Chiefs — like they did after their Super Bowl LV loss to the Buccaneers — went to work addressing them.

Changing up along their offensive line once again, the Chiefs added two left tackle options and swapped out Joe Thuney‘s big-ticket deal for a Trey Smith payday. The team’s latest high-profile suspension (for wide receiver Rashee Rice) will impact the start of its latest AFC title defense, and there is no shortage of challengers heading into the season. But the Chiefs still roll out the Patrick Mahomes–Travis Kelce–Chris Jones troika that, along with Andy Reid, created this dynasty. The team worked on the future Hall of Famers’ supporting cast this offseason.

Extensions and restructures:

Reached four-year, $94MM extension ($46.75MM guaranteed) with franchise-tagged G Trey Smith
Agreed on four-year, $88MM extension ($32MM guaranteed) with DE George Karlaftis
Restructured QB Patrick Mahomes, DT Chris Jones‘ contracts, creating $49.4MM in cap space

Paying Creed Humphrey a center-record deal last year, the Chiefs were unable to come to terms with Smith. That led to a $23.4MM franchise tag. For a while, it appeared the team would let Smith walk in free agency as it had Orlando Brown Jr. But Smith’s age made him a player the franchise would do what it needed to in order to retain. This space pondered what was effectively a Thuney-for-Smith payroll swap last year; not long after Super Bowl LIX, the Chiefs executed the switch. Thuney’s move to Chicago came days after the Smith franchise tag, and the Chiefs are now committed to the former sixth-round find.

Prioritizing interior protection for Mahomes during a 2021 offseason that saw the arrivals of Thuney, Humphrey and Smith, the Chiefs have now reset the guard market twice in the past five offseasons. They gave Thuney a five-year, $80MM deal in March 2021; the cap having spiked by $97MM since made Smith’s market more lucrative. He ended up becoming the first guard to exceed $21MM per year and did so by a healthy margin. Smith, 26, enters this season with a $23.5MM AAV.

Teams rarely use franchise tags on interior offensive linemen. That brought a complication for the Chiefs, as the CBA groups all O-linemen together under the tag and fifth-year options formulas. Since 2012, Thuney, Smith and Brandon Scherff have been the only guards tagged. The Chiefs tagging Smith helped the guard market climb, as the Tennessee alum being grouped with tackle salaries on the tag inflated the tender price. Smith signed his tender soon after, making this a rather peaceful negotiation. It still took a while for a deal to be struck.

Although only two players (Smith and Tee Higgins) were tagged this year, the Chiefs still injected some old-school drama into the July tag deadline. They reached an extension with their Pro Bowl right guard hours before the July 15 deadline. This came three Julys after they failed to extend Brown, creating a left tackle revolving door. A question about Kansas City’s LG position now exists, but the team is set on the other side.

Pro Football Focus has graded Smith as a top-15 guard in each of his four seasons, while ESPN ranked him sixth among interior blockers in run block win rate last year and fourth in pass block win rate in 2024. Blood clots in Smith’s lungs caused his draft stock to crater in 2021, but the Chiefs hit big on the No. 226 overall pick that year.

Smith earned fully guaranteed 2025 and ’26 compensation, but like their Jawaan Taylor deal, the Chiefs built in a rolling guarantee structure to complete this deal. Smith’s $23.25MM 2027 base salary locks in on Day 3 of the ’26 league year, effectively tying him to the Chiefs for at least three more seasons. Smith’s consistency points to this partnership having a chance to last longer.

Months later, Kansas City completed a quieter negotiation with Karlaftis. Not part of the Tyreek Hill trade package (like Trent McDuffie was), Karlaftis went 30th overall in 2022. The Purdue product has been a steady producer on a Chris Jones-fronted D-line over the past three years. After a 10.5-sack 2023 season, Karlaftis smashed his career high in QB hits by tallying 28 in 2024. This body of work prompted the Chiefs to act early on a player without a Pro Bowl nod.

Because Karlaftis has not hovered especially close to the best at his position, the Chiefs completed a rare middle-class extension with a player paid early. Karlaftis became the third Chiefs player in the fifth-year option era to sign an extension in the same offseason his option was exercised, joining Mahomes (2020) and Eric Fisher (2016). Despite the EDGE market exploding this offseason, it took a deal that ended up less than halfway to Micah Parsons‘ record-setter ($46.5MM per year) to lock in Karlaftis through 2030.

The Chiefs inked their Karlaftis extension days before T.J. Watt moved the market once again. While Karlaftis was never a candidate to land a near-top-market accord, Kansas City getting in ahead of the Watt and Parsons windfalls represented good timing. This deal reminds of the Bills’ March Gregory Rousseau extension (4/80), and when the dust settled, Karlaftis is the NFL’s 13th-highest-paid edge rusher. The Chiefs topping the payments for Rousseau, Josh Sweat and 2024 Pro Bowl starter Jonathan Greenard illustrates the workmanlike D-end’s importance on their roster.

Trades:

Sent G Joe Thuney to Bears for 2026 fourth-round pick
Traded WR Skyy Moore, 2027 seventh-round pick to 49ers for 2027 sixth-rounder
Reacquired DT Derrick Nnadi from Jets in deal swapping conditional 2027 sixth-, seventh-rounders

While the team created considerable cap space by going back to the restructure well with Mahomes’ contract (and using the same tactic with Jones’ new deal), it needed to offload Thuney’s contract. Carrying one remaining season (at $15.5MM), Thuney’s pact worked out well for the Chiefs. The former Patriots third-rounder became an All-Pro mainstay, landing there in 2023 and ’24 to help the Chiefs to Super Bowls. Thuney had also produced a second-team All-Pro season to boost Kansas City to the Super Bowl LVII title a year prior.

Minutes after a report the Chiefs were shopping Thuney, terms of the Bears swap surfaced. The Chiefs are passing on Thuney’s age-33 season, while the Bears handed him a two-year, $35MM extension. Chicago GM Ryan Poles was in Kansas City’s front office when the team signed Thuney in 2021; the nine-year veteran becomes part of a Bears interior O-line revamp that included a trade for Jonah Jackson and a Drew Dalman free agency addition.

While the Eagles exposed the Chiefs’ final left tackle plan last season — moving Thuney outside — he had been mostly passable in that role after the previous three options (Kingsley Suamataia, Wanya Morris, D.J. Humphries) faltered. Andy Reid benched Suamataia during a rough outing against Trey Hendrickson in Week 2, never giving him the LT job back. The 2024 second-rounder is now on track to succeed Thuney. With Suamataia having minimal guard experience, the Chiefs are taking a risk. With Smith commanding the extension he did and Jawaan Taylor‘s albatross contract remaining on the books for 2025, this became the cost of doing business.

Moore did not pan out as a second-round pick, being demoted during a 2023 season that brought a Mahomes-era-worst six regular-season losses. The Chiefs saw their receiving corps improve after moving Moore and Kadarius Toney out of the rotation. Toney was out by Week 1 of the 2024 season, and Moore never regained a regular role.

After not eclipsing 275 receiving yards in either of his first two seasons, Moore did not catch a pass in 2024. That reduced his trade value to a mere 2027 pick swap — an exchange in line with Nnadi’s. The seven-year Chiefs nose tackle makes the same move Mecole Hardman did in 2023, being back to K.C. months after signing with the Jets. The 87-game starter did lose his job last year, starting just one game and seeing his snap rate fall from 46% in 2023 to 20% in ’24. But he is back in the mix.

Re-signings:

Nick Bolton, LB. Three years, $45MM ($30MM guaranteed)
Marquise Brown, WR. One year, $7MM ($6.5MM guaranteed)
Charles Omenihu, DE. One year, $4MM ($3.45MM guaranteed)
James Winchester, LS. One year, $1.65MM ($1.65MM guaranteed)
JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR. One year, $1.42MM ($1.2MM guaranteed)
Kareem Hunt, RB. One year, $1.5MM ($850K guaranteed)
Robert Tonyan, TE. One year, $1.26MM

PFR’s No. 10 free agent, Bolton saw the Thuney trade and Mahomes/Jones reworks clear a path for him to stay in Missouri. The Chiefs extended their top linebacker an offer that kept him out of free agency, agreeing to terms the day before the legal tampering window opened. Bolton, 25, arrived in the same draft that produced Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith. This contract set the market for the Jets and Jamien Sherwood, but Bolton approached the free agency doorstep with a much better resume.

Bolton would have never been a franchise tag candidate — even if Trey Smith had already been extended — due to the CBA grouping on- and off-ball linebackers together. This made Bolton a real candidate to leave in free agency, but the agile defender has been central to the Chiefs’ still-underappreciated defensive success. Kansas City made the past two Super Bowls without the No. 15-ranked scoring offense, highlighting the backbone their Jones-Bolton-Trent McDuffie defense provides.

Functioning well against the run, Bolton also posted a top-20 coverage grade (per PFF) last season. The former second-round pick added 11 tackles for loss in 2024, matching his 2022 total (two injuries cost the Mizzou alum eight games in 2023). He added six passes defensed last season. Three of Bolton’s four Chiefs teams have deployed a top-eight defense, and the club convinced the Texas native to stay rather than weigh his Chiefs offer against others during the tampering period.

Bolton’s deal came during a key market update at linebacker. Zack Baun‘s $17MM-per-year Eagles deal set the table for Bolton and Sherwood, with the NFL seeing its eight-figure-per-year linebacking contingent expand to 16 after some pay cuts and releases had affected this market in recent years. Bolton’s three-year accord also will give him a shot a second lucrative extension or free agency deal during his prime.

Brown’s one-year pact in 2024 did not boost his market, as the former Ravens first-rounder continued to see injuries provide limitations. After missing eight games during his two-season Cardinals tenure, Brown sustained his most significant NFL setback — a shoulder injury that required surgery — and missed 14 games due to injury last season. A player who discussed an Arizona extension and at least appeared primed for a notable 2024 FA deal has now accepted back-to-back one-year contracts — this one cheaper than his 2024 terms.

The Chiefs will need Brown more during Rashee Rice‘s six-game suspension, but the former first-round pick did not show much during Kansas City’s playoff run. He caught five passes totaling just 50 yards during the three-game postseason, perhaps lowering expectations for his Chiefs encore. Time is running out for the 5-foot-9 playmaker, who had cleared 700 receiving yards each year from 2020-22, to command a big-ticket contract. At 28, Brown needs to put together a strong season (while avoiding many injury absences) to recharge his free agency stock.

Just a year older than Brown, Smith-Schuster has settled into role-player status three years after he posted 933 receiving yards on a Super Bowl-winning team. Catching on back in Kansas City after a dreadful New England season, Smith-Schuster caught 18 passes for 231 yards and two TDs last year. Like Brown, he will be more important during the Chiefs’ Rice-less schedule sector.

Mentioned as interested in a running back trade, the Chiefs reunited with Clyde Edwards-Helaire after circling back to Hunt. The latter became Kansas City’s primary RB while Isiah Pacheco recovered from a broken leg. Plenty will be on Pacheco’s shoulders this year, with Hunt posting the second-worst rush yards over expected (minus-112) last season, according to Next Gen Stats.

Free agency additions:

Jaylon Moore, OL. Two years, $30MM ($21.24MM guaranteed)
Kristian Fulton, CB. Two years, $20MM ($15MM guaranteed)
Jerry Tillery, DT. One year, $1.79MM ($1.79MM guaranteed)
Elijah Mitchell, RB. One year, $2.5MM ($1.35MM guaranteed)
Gardner Minshew, QB. One year, $1.17MM
Mike Edwards, S. Practice squad
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB. Practice squad
Brodric Martin, DT. Practice squad
Zacch Pickens, DT. Practice squad

49ers GM John Lynch expressed surprise at Moore’s price tag, but we had heard leading up to free agency the previous 49ers swing tackle would command a good market. A player never looked to as a non-injury fill-in in San Francisco securing $15MM was eye-opening, but Moore could serve a few purposes in Kansas City.

Unlike in 2021, when the Chiefs lost both tackles (Eric Fisher, Mitchell Schwartz) for Super Bowl LV, the team was healthy up front to face the Eagles. Philly’s pass rush still mowed down the Kansas City O-line and wrecked Mahomes’ effort. This came on the Chiefs’ fourth LT experiment (Thuney).

With Moore, Kansas City has a second LT option (behind first-rounder Josh Simmons) and insurance against Jawaan Taylor not elevating his play after two bad seasons. It is still rather strange a $15MM-per-year player is a backup — even the QB2 landscape, sans Kirk Cousins, has no such option in place presently — but that looks to be the case entering the season.

Moore filled in for Trent Williams during the future Hall of Famer’s seven-game absence to close last season. While not grading out well in pass block win rate, Moore checked in as a plus option in limited duty (259 snaps) at left tackle. The Chiefs gave Moore guard work during training camp, in an effort to craft a potential “best five” setup up front, but the fifth-year veteran has never played guard in an NFL game.

Moore will enter the season as an overpaid sixth man up front, but Suamataia and Taylor have some in-house competition in case either falters. The Chiefs are likely to release Taylor in 2026. They needed to carry the struggling RT this year due to his $20MM-per-year deal carrying a year-out guarantee, locking in a $19.5MM base salary for this year. A scenario in which Moore takes over there by 2026 (at the latest) should be considered likely.

The Chiefs zagged a bit at corner this offseason. Under Andy Reid and Steve Spagnuolo, the team has regularly made CBs one-contract players (Steven Nelson, Marcus Peters, Kendall Fuller, Charvarius Ward, L’Jarius Sneed). This setup has also kept costs low at the position, with the team steering clear of notable outside payments as well. But the team did not effectively replace Sneed last season. Jaylen Watson suffered a broken leg and did not return until late in the season. The Trent McDuffie sidekick struggled in Super Bowl LIX, giving up a deep touchdown to DeVonta Smith. Fulton gives the Chiefs more options here.

A sub-package trio of McDuffie, Fulton and Watson would probably be a reasonable way to go. Chamarri Conner also represents an inside option for Spagnuolo, who will look to continue Fulton’s midcareer rebound. Benched by the Titans in his contract year, the 51-game starter became one of many Charger defenders to outperform their contracts last season. PFF rated Fulton 39th among corners last season, with Jesse Minter primarily stationing the 5-foot-11 defender on the boundary.

The rare eight-figure-AAV CB in Kansas City, Fulton gives the Chiefs a proven option — and one that is contracted for 2026, which 2022 draftees Watson and Joshua Williams are not. Kansas City had cycled through low-cost CBs during most of Reid’s tenure, but the team also looked into a Ward reunion. While the Colts won that derby at $18MM per year, the Chiefs’ interest nevertheless showed a willingness to change stripes.

A year after receiving a two-year, $25MM Raiders offer, Minshew appears underpaid even after disappointing in Las Vegas. Minshew, 29, settles in as the latest veteran QB2 behind Mahomes. Blaine Gabbert and Carson Wentz followed Chad Henne in this role, and Minshew brings a 46-start resume to K.C. Still carrying a 68:34 TD-INT ratio, Minshew nearly piloted the 2023 Colts to a surprising playoff berth. Were Mahomes to miss games due to injury for the first time since 2019, Minshew represents one of the NFL’s top backup options.

Notable losses:

Mecole Hardman, WR
DeAndre Hopkins, WR
D.J. Humphries, LT
Samaje Perine, RB
Justin Reid, S
Justyn Ross, WR (waived)
Joshua Uche, DE
Justin Watson, WR
Carson Wentz, QB
Tershawn Wharton, DT

The Chiefs attempted to re-sign Reid, their Tyrann Mathieu successor, but lost out to a Saints offer (three years, $31.5MM). Reid will now once again succeed Mathieu, who retired months after the signing. With Bolton staying on a $15MM-per-year deal and the Chiefs paying Trey Smith a guard-record rate, it looked necessary for Reid to find his third contract elsewhere.

Spagnuolo used Reid as an effective chess piece in his complex defense. PFR’s No. 18-ranked free agent, Reid joined a host of veteran cornerbacks on this year’s market in commanding big money despite being on a third contract. Reid, 28, helped create this interest by signing a three-year second contract; that 2022 decision gave him two 20-something seasons to market.

Ranking as PFF’s No. 11 safety last season, Reid played at least 160 snaps at free safety, in the box and in the slot last season and at least 250 in all three spots in 2023. He finished with five TFLs in each of the past two years.

The Chiefs have a couple of options to replace Reid, with versatile DB Chamarri Conner joining 2024 fourth-round safety Jaden Hicks as options alongside Bryan Cook. Both are likely to see regular time for a team that did not address the safety position in the draft or free agency. With McDuffie squarely on the extension radar, the Chiefs will need more rookie-contract production from their safety position.

Also showing interest in re-signing Wharton, the Chiefs bowed out. The former UDFA’s market reached $15MM per year, as the Panthers lost out on Milton Williams and snagged the contract-year breakout performer as a consolation prize. Even with the Division II product playing well alongside Chris Jones last season, a $30.25MM guarantee represented a gamble from Carolina. Wharton played on a one-year, $2.74MM deal last season. While he notched career-best numbers in sacks (6.5) and QB hits (11), he never eclipsed two sacks or five QB hits in his four prior seasons.

Prior to a costly drop in Super Bowl LIX, Hopkins did not closely remind of his prime version last season. The declining receiver proved serviceable during the regular season (41 catches, 437 yards, four touchdowns in a 10-game stint) but only caught three passes for 29 yards throughout Kansas City’s postseason docket. Hopkins, 33, joined the Ravens as a third option — on a one-year, $5MM deal.

Draft:

Round 1, No. 32 (from Eagles): Josh Simmons (T, Ohio State) (signed)
Round 2, No. 63: Omarr Norman-Lott (DT, Tennessee) (signed)
Round 3, No. 66 (from Titans): Ashton Gillotte (DE, Louisville) (signed)
Round 3, No. 85 (from Broncos through Panthers and Patriots): Nohl Williams (CB, Cal) (signed)
Round 4, No. 133: Jalen Royals (WR, Utah State) (signed)
Round 5, No. 156: Jeffrey Bassa (LB, Oregon) (signed)
Round 7, No. 228 (from Cowboys via Lions through Patriots): Brashard Smith (RB, SMU) (signed)

After Reid quickly backtracked on his hopes Suamataia could hold down the LT spot, he then benched Wanya Morris for midseason free agent signing D.J. Humphries. The former Cardinals starter did not regain his starting job after suffering a hamstring injury in his debut, and after the Eagles made Joe Thuney‘s Chiefs finale difficult, the team made a bigger LT investment. Simmons joins Jaylon Moore in a two-pronged effort here, representing the Chiefs’ first Round 1 tackle move since taking Eric Fisher first overall in 2013.

Kansas City became a team to monitor for a tackle trade-up move, but the team’s target remained on the board when Howie Roseman called about a Jihaad Campbell-based trade-up. Moving up one spot to ensure no other team could leapfrog them for Campbell, the Eagles essentially handed the Chiefs a free fifth-round pick. Kansas City will roll the dice on Simmons, who dropped on teams’ draft boards due to a patellar tendon tear and some questions about his effort level at Ohio State.

Off to a strong start before suffering the knee tear, Simmons was ready in time for training camp. That marked a smooth recovery involving one of the tougher injuries to surmount, and Simmons commandeering the Chiefs’ LT job quickly is obviously a good sign for a team that has used stopgap options since cutting Fisher in 2021. The Chiefs made a strong offer to Orlando Brown Jr. at the 2022 tag deadline, but he declined and left for Cincinnati in 2023. Simmons becomes the organization’s new long-term plan at this high-value post. Better blindside protection will, in theory, help Mahomes’ attempt to rediscover his early-career deep-ball form.

Daniel Jeremiah’s NFL.com big board did not have Norman-Lott in its top 150. Transferring from Arizona State, Norman-Lott did combine for 9.5 sacks in two Tennessee seasons. Chris Jones is entering his age-31 season, and while the Chiefs have their durable future Hall of Fame D-tackle signed for four more seasons (via last year’s DT-record deal), this is Year 10 for him. Even with Derrick Nnadi back and Michael Danna showing the ability to kick inside at points, the Chiefs need a Wharton replacement. Norman-Lott will start his career as a backup.

With the pick acquired in the L’Jarius Sneed trade, the Chiefs chose Gillotte. The team has not seen much from 2023 first-rounder Felix Anudike-Uzomah, and Gillotte delivered tremendous production at Louisville. He registered an ACC-best 11 sacks in 2023 and combined for 25 TFLs over the past two seasons.

Danna is listed opposite George Karlaftis on Kansas City’s depth chart, and Charles Omenihu is back as a rotational option. Gillotte will be part of K.C.’s pass-rushing plan, and it will be interesting to see if he can carve out a regular rookie-year role.

The Chiefs moved up 10 spots for Nohl Williams, who arrives as Jaylen Watson and Joshua Williams are on track to depart (based on the organization’s track record at corner) in 2026. Nohl Williams is the Chiefs’ earliest CB draftee since Trent McDuffie (2022 first round), and he led Division I-FBS with seven INTs last season. Jeremiah’s No. 54 overall prospect, Nohl Williams has landed in a good spot. Spagnuolo’s staff has continually coaxed starter-level work from midlevel CB investments. This is the latest cog in that assembly line.

Other:

Assistant GM Mike Borgonzi accepted Titans’ GM offer; Mike Bradway, Chris Shea promoted as replacements
NFL handed WR Rashee Rice six-game suspension
TE Travis Kelce considered retirement
Picked up CB Trent McDuffie‘s $13.63MM fifth-year option
Placed DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah on season-ending IR, CB Nazeeh Johnson on short-term IR
S Deon Bush suffered torn Achilles
Hired Matt House as senior defensive assistant
Signed 16 UDFAs

Unquestionably one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history, Kelce has certainly seen his profile rise over the past two years. While helping the Chiefs to two post-Tyreek Hill Super Bowl titles drew plenty of attention, his Taylor Swift alliance garnered just a bit more. Rather than transition to what promises to be a highly publicized post-NFL period, the All-Pro TE/popular podcaster will play at least one more season. Kelce (36 in October) deliberated for a bit, but the Chiefs wanted his answer by the start of the 2025 league year.

By remaining on the Chiefs’ roster on March 14, Kelce saw $11.5MM of his 2025 compensation become guaranteed. Another $1MM roster bonus kicked in during training camp. Kelce has been underpaid for most of his NFL run, having lapped the field in terms of TE 1,000-yard seasons — with seven (no one else has five). Kelce has played in the best era for stat production, due to the rules in place in the modern game, so his place among the all-time TE greats remains up for debate. But the increasingly famous pass catcher has been essential to the Chiefs’ mission since recovering from microfracture surgery more than 10 years ago.

With Rice out, Kelce will be needed early. The 13th-year veteran’s production continued to dip last season, as he fell to a career-low 8.5 yards per reception. Kelce came in between 12.2 and 13.5 each year from 2014-22 but dropped to 10.6 in 2023, his first sub-1,000-yard year since 2015.

Excelling with Mahomes and Alex Smith, Kelce will be a first-ballot Canton inductee. He also sits behind only Jerry Rice in terms of playoff receptions, yards and touchdowns. While no decision has been made regarding 2026, Kelce is not eyeing a jersey change after his contract expires. He is an obvious candidate for a one-year deal, assuming the Cleveland native wants to keep going, in 2026.

Borgonzi’s Chiefs tenure predated Andy Reid’s; the veteran exec arrived in Missouri during Scott Pioli‘s GM tenure. Retained under both John Dorsey and Brett Veach, Borgonzi climbed to the assistant GM level in 2021. He drew GM interest from the Jets as well, but the Titans convinced him to leave Kansas City. Like Brandt Tilis last year, Borgonzi left the Chiefs without having full roster control. Tilis is Dan Morgan‘s top lieutenant, while Borgonzi — GM title notwithstanding — joined a Titans organization that has Chad Brinker holding roster control.

It does not appear the Chiefs and McDuffie will beat the buzzer on a new contract from Brazil. The team has, however, identified the All-Pro cornerback as an extension candidate. While Jones and Nick Bolton anchor the Chiefs’ first and second levels on defense, McDuffie is the secondary’s clear centerpiece. Showing an ability to excel outside and in the slot, the fourth-year defender has already collected first- and second-team All-Pro nods through three seasons.

The fifth-year option formula only takes original-ballot Pro Bowls into account, so the Chiefs caught a break here (via McDuffie’s lower option price). It is unlikely the option number, however, comes into play. A McDuffie extension should be expected before he takes the field in 2026.

The Chiefs’ hesitancy regarding CB payments is a storyline to follow re: McDuffie’s talks, as is the position’s skyrocketing market. With Derek Stingley Jr. and Sauce Gardner taking the CB ceiling past $30MM per year, McDuffie can aim for at least something just south of that. But a third All-Pro nod preceding another cap spike would likely prompt the soon-to-be 25-year-old cover man to set his price beyond $30MM AAV.

A suspension candidate (again) provided the central Chiefs offseason storyline. Showing an extreme tolerance for off-field misbehavior, the Reid-era Chiefs have been preparing for a Rice ban for a while. The talented wideout was sentenced to 30 days in jail and five years probation in connection with a March 2024 hit-and-run accident that brought eight felony charges. Receiving deferred adjudication, Rice can avoid jail time and see his case dismissed if he completes the probation process. While it is unlikely Rice spends any time behind bars, this remains a concerning early-career saga.

It took over a month for a Rice suspension to surface, as the NFL was eyeing a potential double-digit ban. The NFL’s investigation was believed to cover other incidents as well. Rice, 25, was accused of punching a photographer at a nightclub following that freeway street-racing accident. While the receiver was at SMU, Rice or a member of his party fired gunshots into an empty vehicle belonging to a Mustangs basketball player. Even with the Sept. 30 hearing with disciplinary officer Sue Robinson scheduled, a settlement was always the most likely outcome.

Coming off an LCL tear, Rice wanted to serve his suspension early in the season. It would have made less sense for the Chiefs’ top WR to begin the season only to be banned midway through. The Chiefs will face four 2024 playoff teams (Chargers, Eagles, Ravens, Lions) without Rice, however, creating another challenge for a team that has struggled with receiver consistency since trading Hill.

Top 10 cap charges for 2025:

Patrick Mahomes, QB: $28.06MM
Jawaan Taylor, RT: $27.39MM
Chris Jones, DT: $23.6MM
Travis Kelce, TE: $19.8MM
Trey Smith, G: $14.25MM
Jaylon Moore, OL: $11.2MM
Creed Humphrey, C: $10.79MM
Drue Tranquill, LB: $8.5MM
Michael Danna, DL: $8.05MM
Kristian Fulton, CB: $7MM

Crafting one of the great runs in NFL history, the Mahomes-Reid partnership enters an eighth season. The Chiefs again enter as a Super Bowl frontrunner, but the 2024 resurgences from the Chargers and Broncos preceded an offseason Raiders makeover. With Las Vegas looking improved, the AFC West looks like one of the NFL’s toughest divisions. The Chiefs will have a tougher time securing the AFC’s No. 1 seed this year. While the road wins over the Bills and Ravens during the 2023 playoffs occurred, Kansas City has booked four of its five Mahomes-era Super Bowls without playing away from home in the postseason.

The O-line shuffle figures to provide vital aid to the megastar quarterback, but he will be again tested early due to Rashee Rice‘s suspension. How Kansas City fares without its No. 1 receiver will go a long way toward determining if the AFC’s premier team can hold off Buffalo, Baltimore and others for the conference’s top seed. Having the game’s premier HC-QB combo, however, will continue to make the Chiefs a formidable opponent in a hotly contested AFC race.

4 comments Kansas City Chiefs Offseason In Review PFR Originals

Offseason In Review: New England Patriots

By Ben Levine | at September 4, 2025 9:51 pm

The Patriots thought they hit rock bottom in 2023, culminating in the ouster of legendary head coach Bill Belichick. Somehow, things looked even uglier under replacement Jerod Mayo, and owner Robert Kraft was quick to pivot to the second head coach of the post-Belichick era in New England.

Mike Vrabel will now be tasked with turning around a once-renowned franchise that’s looking to avoid its fourth straight losing season, a feat they haven’t achieved since the early 1990s. Of course, Kraft couldn’t only count on a coaching change to turn around the team’s fortunes. The owner also opened the checkbook, committing more than $350MM in free agency to help provide some much-needed talent to one of the league’s worst rosters. At the same time, the team also bid farewell to its last remaining on-field links to its former Super Bowl glory.

It’s a new era in New England, a phrase that’s been uttered several times since Tom Brady and later Belichick departed. The team’s offseason moves will go a long way in determining if this new era is only temporary.

Coaching/Front Office:

Fired Jerod Mayo, hired Mike Vrabel as HC replacement
Hired Josh McDaniels as OC, Terrell Williams as DC
Added Thomas Brown as TEs coach/pass-game coordinator, Doug Marrone as O-line coach
Todd Downing brought on as wide receivers coach; Brian Belichick no longer with team
Hired Ryan Cowden as VP of player personnel

While the Patriots planned for years to have Jerod Mayo replace Bill Belichick as head coach, the former All-Pro linebacker only lasted a season as the franchise leader. Expectations were tempered heading into the 2024 campaign; Mayo still managed to disappoint during his lone season on the sideline.

Reports cited a lack of preparation, discipline, and development (especially on the defensive side of the ball). Robert Kraft later acknowledged his mistake to automatically hand Mayo the job, as no other HC candidates (due to a clause in Mayo’s contract that circumvented the Rooney Rule) were interviewed, and the Patriots owner was now set to hire his second coach in a post-Belichick era.

While the organization engaged in a faux coaching search that featured names like Ben Johnson, Byron Leftwich, and Pep Hamilton, Mike Vrabel always appeared to be the lead candidate for the job. A former fan favorite in New England, Vrabel had a relatively successful coaching stint in Tennessee, where he guided the Titans to three playoff appearances and four winning records.

The Titans fell to seven wins in 2022 before a six-win showing in 2023, and with rumblings of a power struggle in the front office, Vrabel was ousted following a six-year stint as Titans head coach. He spent the 2024 campaign as a consultant for the Browns, and he entered the 2025 offseason as one of the top HC candidates on the market.

He landed in the logical spot in New England, where he may have full roster control. The Patriots retained front office leader Eliot Wolf (while pairing him with notable executives like Cowden), although it remains to be seen who has the definitive final decision in New England.

For what it’s worth, the organization has been quick to move on from some of Wolf’s 2024 moves. The executive handed out a number of extensions during the 2024 offseason, and in addition to efforts to move off the Kyle Dugger and Anfernee Jennings investments, the Patriots have already said goodbye to extension recipients like Jabrill Peppers, Davon Godchaux, Kendrick Bourne, and David Andrews.

Wolf’s 2024 draft is also looking like a disaster. While he appeared to hit on third-overall pick Drake Maye, the only other draft pick currently on the active roster is offensive lineman Caedan Wallace, who is penciled in for a backup role. Second-round pick Ja’Lynn Polk was firmly on the roster bubble before landing on season-ending IR, and the team moved on from fourth-round OL Layden Robinson and WR Javon Baker.

While Wolf surely had a say in the team’s quick pivot off the 2024 draft class, the Pats’ 2025 roster makeup also may be an indication of who’s actually running the show in New England. Besides potentially crafting the roster, Vrabel was also tasked with rebuilding his coaching staff. On offense, he brought in old friend Josh McDaniels, who is now preparing for his third stint with the Patriots.

McDaniels failed as a head coach with the Broncos and Raiders, but he’s still regarded as one of the league’s top offensive minds. His ability to squeeze out Mac Jones‘ only serviceable professional season (coupled with his obvious success coaching Tom Brady) has led to optimism about his ability to develop Maye. At the very least, McDaniels should provide an upgrade over the carousel of OCs the team has turned to since McDaniels’ last departure following the 2021 campaign (a grouping that’s included Matt Patricia/Joe Judge, Bill O’Brien, and Alex Van Pelt).

Brought in as DC, Terrell Williams spent six years coaching alongside Vrabel in Tennessee. He spent the 2024 campaign coaching the Lions’ defensive line. Williams dealt with some health issues through the offseason and preseason, putting some focus on Zak Kuhr, who was called on to temporarily take his place. It appears Williams will be set for the start of the 2025 campaign, but the frequent offseason health updates means this is at least a story to watch.

Free agency additions:

Milton Williams, DT. Four years, $104MM ($63MM guaranteed)
Carlton Davis, CB. Three years, $60MM ($34.5MM guaranteed)
Harold Landry, LB. Three years, $43.5MM ($26MM guaranteed)
Stefon Diggs, WR. Three years, $63.5MM ($22.6MM guaranteed)
Robert Spillane, LB. Three years, $37.5MM ($20.6MM guaranteed)
Morgan Moses, OT. Three years, $24MM ($11MM guaranteed)
Garrett Bradbury, C. Two years, $12MM ($3.8MM guaranteed)
Josh Dobbs, QB. Two years, $8MM ($3.8MM guaranteed)
Mack Hollins, WR. Two years, $8.4MM ($3.5MM guaranteed)
K’Lavon Chaisson, LB. One year, $5MM ($1.5MM guaranteed)
Jack Gibbens, LB. One year, $1.3MM ($309K guaranteed)

The Patriots took advantage of their league-leading cap space to help shore up a defense that finished 2024 ranked in the bottom-10 of most categories. The team’s most notable addition was defensive tackle Milton Williams, who was coming off a career regular season and a successful postseason run with the Super Bowl champs. The Pats outbid the Panthers for Williams, who scored the most fully guaranteed money of any free agent this offseason.

Williams landed as PFR’s No. 3 free agent, and for good reason. While the counting stats don’t jump off the page, the Louisiana Tech product still totaled 18 pressures and ranked sixth in DT pass rush win rate despite only playing a part-time role in Philly. There are rightful questions about whether Williams can sustain that form in a three-down role, but at the very least, he should benefit the defense in both the pass-rush and run-stopping department.

The Patriots also added a pair of steady veterans to help anchor their linebackers corps. Mike Vrabel favorite Harold Landry immediately emerges as one of New England’s top pass rushers, as the edge defender rebounded from a torn ACL in 2022 to compile 19.5 sacks between 2023 and 2024.

New England finished last in the NFL in sacks last season, and Landry should provide the organization with a formidable pass-rush presence that’s been missing since Matt Judon‘s last healthy Patriots season in 2022. Robert Spillane will line up in the middle of the linebacker grouping after collecting 306 tackles for the Raiders over the past two years. The free agent addition should also provide some much-needed help with the run defense, as Pro Football Focus ranked him sixth among ILBs in run stoppage last season.

The team wasn’t done adding linebackers. K’Lavon Chaisson could represent one of the team’s more underrated offseason acquisitions. While the former first-round pick has failed to live up to his draft billing, he showed promise with the Raiders in 2024 by finishing with a career-high five sacks. He should get the first crack at playing opposite Landry on the edge. Jack Gibbens was brought in to provide some ILB depth. Another former Vrabel Titans charge, Gibbens had 95 tackles playing under the coach in 2023 before dropping to 44 tackles with the post-Vrabel Titans in 2024.

To top off their defensive additions, the Patriots brought in one of free agency’s top defensive backs in Carlton Davis. A former mainstay on the Buccaneers’ defense, Davis spent the 2024 season in Detroit, where he finished with 56 tackles and a pair of interceptions. The cornerback reduced his completion percentage, passer rating and yards-per-target figures during his lone season with the Lions, and the Patriots are hoping he can maintain that play opposite Christian Gonzalez.

The Patriots didn’t only add to the defense, as the team added a handful of temporary starters to their offense. Following their failed pursuit of Calvin Ridley in 2024, the Patriots made it known that they were intent on adding a top-end wide receiver in 2025.

The organization was seemingly connected to every big name who could have hypothetically been available via free agency or trade, including Bengals wideout Tee Higgins, Buccaneers receiver Chris Godwin, and former Seahawks (and future Steelers) wideout D.K. Metcalf. Ultimately, the team landed on a former AFC East foe in Stefon Diggs, handing the veteran a lucrative contract despite the wideout coming off a torn ACL.

Diggs was facing more competition for targets in Houston, but the former All-Pro still managed to be productive before his season-ending injury. While his 62 yards per game was indeed one of the lowest of his career, it wasn’t a huge falloff from his 69 YPC number with the Bills in 2023. His 73.4 catch rate represented his best showing since 2020, and his YAC per reception was also on par with his career averages.

Now 31, Diggs should hypothetically provide Drake Maye with a high-end WR. Even if the acquisition doesn’t reach his former elite ceiling, he is still clearly the team’s highest-upside player at the position. If Diggs doesn’t work out, the Patriots structured the contract to give them a clear out following the 2025 season.

The Patriots also added Mack Hollins to their receivers room, as the veteran has experience in Josh McDaniels‘ offense (from their Raiders overlap in 2022). The Patriots already had a number of similar-caliber players on their depth chart, but at the very least, Hollins — a regular Bills cog despite arriving as a low-cost 2024 FA — should provide some veteran savviness to an inexperienced receivers group.

On the offensive line, the Patriots landed on two starters in Morgan Moses and Garrett Bradbury. Moses is getting up there in age, and he started showing some cracks during his age-33 season, with Pro Football Focus ranking him 52nd overall among tackle regulars. Considering the team’s alternative options, the Patriots couldn’t be overly choosy with their OT targets, and Moses should still provide some veteran leadership to an offensive line that may eventually feature a pair of rookies (more on that below).

Bradbury should also provide some veteran know-how in the middle of the offensive line. Though, since grading out as PFF’s 11th-best center in 2022, the longtime Vikings center has finished 23rd and 29th at the position over the past two years.

The Patriots are hoping their other notable free agent acquisition won’t even see the field in 2025. Josh Dobbs brings 15 games of starting experience to New England, with 12 of those coming during a 3-9 showing with the Cardinals and Vikings in 2023. There were rumblings that the veteran quarterback didn’t impress during the preseason, and the Patriots have prepared for a potential pivot when they recently claimed Tommy DeVito off waivers.

When all was said and done, the Patriots committed more than $361MM to free agent acquisitions, including more than $197MM in guaranteed money. It’s not dissimilar to how the organization approached their 2021 offseason, when the front office made a handful of big signings in an attempt to return to relevancy. Those 2021 investments helped improve the team’s win total from seven (in 2020) to 10 (2021), with that latter squad earning the franchise’s last playoff nod.

The Patriots will be hoping for a similar impact from this year’s free agency class. While the Pats will surely benefit from some temporary improvements to both the offense and defense, the team’s spending spree could hamstring the front office in future offseasons.

Re-signings:

Austin Hooper, TE. One year, $5MM ($4MM guaranteed)
Jeremiah Pharms, DT. Two years, $2.47MM ($350K guaranteed)

Coming off a four-win showing in 2024 before adding a new presumed decision-maker in Mike Vrabel, it is not surprising that the Patriots weren’t particularly active when it came to retaining their own free agents. Notably, the team made an effort to keep a single player on both sides of the ball.

Austin Hooper‘s first season in New England was actually one of his most productive offensive campaigns in years. The veteran finished with 45 catches for 476 yards and three touchdowns, leading to the sixth-best positional grade from Pro Football Focus.

Hooper also proved to be capable in the blocking game, making him a fine complement to Hunter Henry in the tight ends room. On defense, the team retained former UDFA Jeremiah Pharms, who was coming off a successful sophomore season where he collected 33 tackles and a pair of sacks. He should serve as Milton Williams‘ primary backup in New England’s base 3-3 defense.

The Patriots also did some work to retain a handful of exclusive rights free agents who could play significant depth roles for the 2025 iteration of the team. This grouping includes offensive lineman Ben Brown, cornerback Alex Austin, and safety Jaylinn Hawkins.

Notable losses:

David Andrews, C (released)
Javon Baker, WR (waived)
Ja’Whaun Bentley (released)
Kendrick Bourne, WR (released)
Jacoby Brissett, QB
Joe Cardona, LS (released)
Daniel Ekuale, DT
Jonathan Jones, CB
Chukwuma Okorafor, OT (released)
Jabrill Peppers, S (released)
Cole Strange, G (waived)
Sione Takitaki, LB (released)
Deatrich Wise, DL

Considering the Patriots’ long list of offseason additions, it’s not surprising the organization had an equally long list of departures. While some of these names were only thrust into big roles in 2024 because of New England’s lack of depth, the team also said good bye to a handful of veterans who represented the organization’s final link to their former Super Bowl glory.

Most notably, the team moved on from center David Andrews before the veteran ultimately decided to hang up his cleats. A former UDFA, the offensive lineman started 121 games during his decade in New England, earning a pair of Super Bowl rings along the way.

A shoulder injury limited the veteran to only four games in 2024, and the Patriots’ decision to cut him with an injury designation indicated that Andrews may not have been ready to take the field in 2025. That notion proved to be correct, and the center decided to call it career after ranking 49th in franchise history in games played.

New England also moved on from four former Super Bowl winners. Cornerback Jonathan Jones transformed from a depth piece into a reliable starter during his long stint with the organization, and he finished his Patriots career having earned a pair of rings while tallying 11 interceptions. The veteran left the Patriots to join the Commanders on a one-year deal.

Deatrich Wise also left for Washington following an eight-year stay in New England where he collected 34 sacks. The team cut Ja’Whaun Bentley following a 2024 campaign where he was limited to a pair of appearances thanks to a torn pectoral muscle. Prior to that, the linebacker had started all 62 appearances for the Patriots between 2020 and 2023, compiling 439 tackles and 10 sacks. The Patriots also moved on from longtime long snapper Joe Cardona, who earned a spot on the organization’s All-Dynasty Team thanks to his steady decade-long stint with the franchise.

The Patriots continued to acknowledge some of their recent draft failings, with the front office finally moving on from offensive lineman Cole Strange. The Chattanooga product was a clear reach when Bill Belichick snagged him with the 29th-overall pick in the 2022 draft, although the guard didn’t look completely helpless in 17 starts as a rookie. He found himself in and out of the lineup in 2023, and a knee injury limited him to only a pair of appearances in 2024.

While the lineman could have provided some depth for the 2025 Patriots version, the organization made it clear he wasn’t in their future plans when it declined his fifth-year option at the beginning of the offseason. The team then truly ended the Strange era when they included him among their final cuts.

Over the past week-plus, the Patriots moved on from a pair of notable veterans who initially made the 53-man roster. The front office tried shopping around Kendrick Bourne before ultimately moving on at the veteran’s request. Bourne was one of the team’s most reliable offensive players over the past four years, but the team’s added depth at the position made him expendable.

More curiously, the team moved on from safety Jabrill Peppers, who was one of the Patriots’ top defenders in recent years. Kyle Dugger appeared to be the New England safety at biggest risk of leaving, but the team made the sudden move to move on from Peppers, who had served in a hybrid safety/linebackers role for the organization since 2022.