With the annual league meeting now in the books, attention around the NFL will increasingly turn to the upcoming draft. That will bring about several key storylines, but the past few days have been busy as well. Here is a quick recap of the past week’s top stories:
- Walker Lands Jaguars Extension: Talks between Travon Walker and the Jaguars proved to be successful. Team and player agreed to a four-year, $110MM deal which will keep the former No. 1 pick in place through 2030. Walker secured $77MM in total guarantees along with $50MM fully locked in at signing. The 25-year-old saw his sack total drop to 3.5 in 2025 after two straight double-digit campaigns, but he will be counted on as a mainstay along the defensive front for years to come. This deal comes two years after Jacksonville’s previous regime inked Josh Hines-Allen to a big-ticket deal of his own. The Jags are also in negotiations with receiver Parker Washington and tight end Brenton Strange, so it will be interesting to see if agreements can be reached with them prior to the start of the 2026 season.
- Cousins Joins Raiders: Following his Falcons release, Kirk Cousins drew interest from a number of teams. The free agent quarterback elected to join the Raiders, though, setting him up for a stint atop the depth chart early next season. Vegas is still universally expected to draft Fernando Mendoza first overall, and the Heisman winner will of course be viewed as the team’s quarterback of the future. Cousins, 38 in August, nevertheless managed to add further to his impressive total in terms of guaranteed money with this agreement. He will collect $10MM in 2026 (much of which will be Atlanta’s responsibility) while another $10MM is set to be paid out early next offseason as a roster bonus. Cousins’ future past that point is unclear, but he has his next NFL gig lined up.
- Chiefs’ Rice Will Not Be Suspended: Rashee Rice is the subject of a civil lawsuit alleging domestic violence, something which prompted an NFL investigation. The Chiefs wideout will not be subject to a suspension, however, with the league’s probe concluding that the personal conduct policy was not violated in this case. Rice opened the 2025 season with a six-game suspension for his role in a hit-and-run incident, but the coming campaign will begin under different circumstances. The former second-rounder is entering the final year of his rookie contract; a strong showing would provide Kansas City’s offense with a needed playmaker while also increasing his chances of remaining in the fold beyond 2026.
- Rams’ Nacua Staying At Rehab Center: It was recently learned that Rams wideout Puka Nacua checked himself into a rehab facility in Malibu, California in March. He remains there at this time, with a focus on “personal growth” being the target. Nacua, 24, has been involved in multiple off-field matters early in his NFL career, including accusations made by a woman regarding an alleged incident on New Year’s Eve in 2025. Nacua is now the subject of a lawsuit filed by the alleged victim, with a hearing scheduled for next week. Nacua has been one of the NFL’s top receivers since arriving in Los Angeles three years ago, but no extension is imminent in his case as he approaches the final year of his rookie contract.
- Bears Already Planning Williams Extension: As a 2024 draftee, Caleb Williams will not be eligible for an extension until next offseason at the earliest. The Bears will nevertheless devote time this summer to exploring the terms of a new deal for their franchise quarterback. Williams enjoyed a strong first year playing under Ben Johnson in 2025, helping lead Chicago to the divisional round of the playoffs. Especially if the former No. 1 pick delivers a similar showing this year, a monster commitment will likely be in store. In any case, Williams is likely to have his fifth-year option exercised next spring, something which would keep him under team control through 2028.