More NFL teams have begun OTAs during this past week, and on-field work will continue through to early June. A quiet period prior to training camp looms, but a number of interesting developments have taken place recently. In case you missed of this week’s top stories, here is a quick recap:
- James Lands Chargers Extension: The Chargers made clear their intention of working out a new Derwin James deal following the draft, and they succeeded on that front. Team and player agreed to a three-year extension featuring $44MM in full guarantees. With an average annual value of $25.2MM, James is once again the league’s highest-paid safety thanks to his new contract. The five-time Pro Bowler is under team control through 2029, and he figures to remain a focal point on defense for years to come. Continuing to produce at an elite level would make this latest commitment worthwhile, to say the least.
- Vikings Hire Teasley As GM: Through the early stages of free agency along with the draft, the Vikings were led in the front office by interim general manager Rob Brzezinski. Minnesota’s search for a full-time GM has resulted in an outside hire, though. Seahawks assistant GM Nolan Teasley has agreed to take charge of the Vikings. He will operate as the team’s top executive, while Brzezinski will return to his previous role (executive vice president of football operations). Teasley – whose hire will net Seattle two third-round compensatory picks – was unique from fellow finalists Reed Burckhardt, Terrance Gray and John McKay in that he did not have previous ties to Minnesota or head coach Kevin O’Connell. He will look to provide the Vikings with a reset after four years of Kwesi Adofo-Mensah in place.
- Texans, Collins Agree To Top-Up: Nico Collins was the subject of trade interest earlier this spring, but as expected the Texans chose to keep their top receiver in place. Doing so allowed for a notable raise to be worked out. Collins is still under contract for the next two years, but he will collect a bump in base compensation for 2026 and ’27. In all, the two-time Pro Bowler is due $60MM over that span, with nearly all of that figure guaranteed in full. Collins, 27, has topped 1,000 yards in each of the past three years and he will be counted on to continue operating as Houston’s offensive focal point while playing at an increased rate.
- Packers’ Jacobs Arrested: Josh Jacobs was recently arrested and booked on five charges. The Packers running back was arrested for battery/domestic abuse, criminal damage to property/domestic abuse, disorderly conduct/domestic abuse, strangulation and suffocation, and intimidation of a victim; strangulation is a felony, while the others are misdemeanors. Jacobs has denied the allegations he faces, and he has yet to be formally charged. Having been released from jail, his future from a legal perspective – along with the potential for NFL discipline – is currently unclear. Green Bay does not plan on making a running back addition at this time. Jacobs has spent the past two seasons as the Packers’ RB1, and he is under contract through 2027.
- Cardinals Receiving Trade Calls On Sweat: The Cardinals added Josh Sweat in free agency last spring, but he could be on the move again. The veteran edge rusher has been the subject of trade calls. Sweat worked under Jonathan Gannon in Philadelphia and reunited with him by signing in Arizona last March. Gannon was among the head coaches fired after the season, however, something which could be a factor as the Cards consider offers. Sweat set a new career high with 12 sacks in 2025, and he is on the books for the next three years. As an intriguing trade target for any number of teams seeking EDGE help, it will be interesting to see if Sweat truly becomes available via a swap this summer.