HEADLINES

Jets, WR Garrett Wilson Agree To Extension

July 14th, 2025 at 3:33pm CST by Adam La Rose

One of the Jets’ major offseason priorities has been taken care of. An extension agreement has been reached with wideout Garrett Wilson, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.

Wilson’s new pact is four years in length and carries a value of $130MM with $90MM guaranteed, per Schefter. That works out to an average annual value of $32.5MM; the former first-rounder is the first to reach that figure after three seasons in the NFL. Given New York’s decision to pick up Wilson’s fifth-year option this spring, he is now on the books through 2030. This marks the first Jets extension for a former Day 1 pick ahead of their fourth season in the rookie wage scale era (h/t Schefter).

Adding further details on this mega-extension, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network notes Wilson will receive a $13.75MM signing bonus. The pact also contains a $20MM option bonus in its second year as well as a $10MM option bonus in Year 3. As expected, the 24-year-old is therefore due to collect on a large scale in the near future.

In terms of both total value and average compensation on a per-year basis, this deal moves Wilson to fifth at the receiver spot. The former Offensive Rookie of the Year has proven to be a focal point on offense in spite of the Jets’ level of play at the quarterback position over the past three years. To no surprise, Wilson was thus a high priority for the team on the extension front. In time for training camp, team and player worked out an agreement.

Part of the Jets’ highly successful 2022 draft class, Wilson made an immediate impact. The Ohio State product has been consistent to say the least even with New York cycling through multiple quarterbacks. Wilson has yet to miss a game in his career, and he has managed no fewer than 1,042 yards each season. Having seen his receptions total climb from 83 to 95 to 101, he will be expected to continue operating as the team’s top option in the passing game for years to come.

The Aaron Rodgers addition resulted in only four snaps played in 2023, but this past season saw the future Hall of Famer play a full campaign. Wilson and Rodgers did not mesh as well as many hoped, and the midseason arrival of Davante Adams notably altered the receiver pecking order. In the wake of that phase of his career (and the Jets’ continued inability to reach the postseason), Wilson’s future in New York became a talking point. This spring, however, he made it clear he hoped to remain in place as part of the post-Rodgers future.

Of course, the Jets’ decision to install a new coaching staff (led by Aaron Glenn) and general manager (Darren Mougey) has marked a turning point in addition to the fact Rodgers and Adams are not in place moving forward. Contract talks with Wilson have been taking place for some time now, and as of last month at least one offer was on the table. Without much issue (in terms of a potential holdout or other training camp drama), Wilson and the new decision-making regime have managed to hammer out a deal.

More to come…

T.J. Watt Not Expected To Engage In Holdout; Steelers Not Seeking Trade

July 14th, 2025 at 2:45pm CST by Adam La Rose

JULY 14: While a holdout would come as a surprise based on the mandatory fines which would be incurred, Outkick’s Armando Salgero reports Watt is the seen as the likeliest player amongst those engaged in a contentious negotiation to take that route. Steelers players are set to report on July 23, and it will be interesting to see how Watt handles the situation.

JULY 11: No movement has taken place recently on the T.J. Watt extension front. Still, the situation is unlikely to result in a training camp holdout.

The former Defensive Player of the Year is expected to attend training camp, Mark Kaboly of the Pat McAfee Show reports. That comes as no surprise, since a holdout would lead to mandatory fines. In the absence of an extension, a hold-in (whereby players attend camp but do not participate in on-field work) would be more likely. Watt took that route during negotiations on his 2021 extension.

Kaboly adds team and player remain in a holding pattern at this point. Matters such as term and guarantees, but also overall value, are causing the ongoing holdup in this situation. It would be a good sign if there were only one or two sticking points, but there doesn’t appear to be any common ground, at the moment. As a result, Watt could very well find himself engaging in contract talks deep into the summer. Back when he signed his 2021 extension, an agreement wasn’t reached until only three days before the start of the regular season.

With the standoff in the negotiations, teams around the league have been calling to inquire on his availability, but Kaboly maintains that the Steelers have not made any such calls themselves. The team clearly wants to retain his services for the 2025 season, but after a disappointing stretch to end 2024, they’re hesitant to commit to anything long-term.

The four-time first-team All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler turns 31 this season, and though he reached double-digit sacks in 2024, the 11.5 total was his lowest since his rookie season (not counting and injury-riddled 5.5-sack 2022 campaign). Despite a strong 10-3 start to the year, the Steelers found themselves falling from the division lead as they lost their final four games of the season, while the rival Ravens won their final four. Watt was held sackless for the last three games of the regular season, and in both the regular season finale and the playoff loss in Baltimore, Watt failed to add a single statistic to the box score.

The ninth-year veteran defender will continue to push for the deal he wants, though, and a resolution may not end up coming until early September.

Ely Allen contributed to this post.

DT Kyon Barrs Lines Up Cardinals, Bengals Visits

July 14th, 2025 at 2:01pm CST by Adam La Rose

Kyon Barrs was unable to make an NFL roster last offseason but he will attempt to do so in 2025. The defensive tackle has a pair of free agent visits lined up.

Barrs will work out with the Cardinals and Bengals this week, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reports. The 6-foot-2, 290-pounder went undrafted in 2024. He joined the Titans shortly after the draft but wound up spending training camp with the Seahawks. Barrs was among Seattle’s final cuts shortly before the regular season.

Immediately after being waived, the five-year Pac-12 performer was retained via a practice squad deal. Barrs wound up being cut from the Seahawks’ taxi squad in September, however. He did not receive another look at the NFL level for the remainder of the season, leading to a campaign spent in the UFL this spring. Playing for the Arlington Renegades, Barrs racked up 23 tackles and one sack.

That level of production has landed Barrs – who amassed 120 stops, five sacks and 13 tackles for loss during his five-year college career – back on the NFL radar. Prior to spending the 2023 campaign at USC, Barrs played at Arizona. A Cardinals agreement would thus come with a degree of familiarity.

The interior of the defensive line saw plenty of turnover in the case of the Cardinals this offseason. Khyiris Tonga, Naquon Jones and Roy Lopez each departed this spring. Calais Campbell returned to the team as a free agent, though, and Arizona’s first-round pick was used on defensive tackle Walter Nolen. Barrs would aim to carve out a role as one of many new faces at the position during training camp.

The Bengals’ training camp will open amongst uncertainty on the edge given the Trey Hendrickson and Shemar Stewart contract situations, but the team’s interior D-line could be a talking point as well. B.J. Hill was re-signed on a three-year, $33MM pact while Sheldon Rankins was released. The latter was limited to only seven games during his one-and-done Cincinnati campaign, but he operated as a full-time starter over that span. The Bengals did not use any of their draft picks on interior defenders.

Both the Cardinals and Bengals currently have over $30MM in cap space at the moment. As a result, a one-year deal for Barrs depending on how his visits pan out will not be a problem.

Latest On Browns RB Quinshon Judkins

July 14th, 2025 at 12:29pm CST by Adam La Rose

Browns rookie Quinshon Judkins was arrested this past weekend has has since been charged with misdemeanor domestic battery. Further details have emerged regarding the running back’s case.

Judkins’ arrest report documents the specifics of the alleged incident (h/t Tom Pelissero of NFL Network). On July 7, the accuser – a woman who was in a relationship between May and December 2024 and again from June 2025 onwards with Judkins – was struck with a closed fist in the chin/lip area and later hit in the left arm and thigh, per the report. The alleged victim initially did not contact police out of concern for the damage it would do to Judkins’ NFL career.

After discussing the matter with family and friends, though, the accuser later filed the report which led to Judkins’ arrest. The second-rounder was booked into Broward County Main Jail in Florida on Saturday and remained in custody overnight. An updated story on the situation from Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal notes Judkins was released Sunday on a $2,500 bond.

The arrest report notes the accuser still had “visible bruising on her chin area” as of July 12. She also provided police with a photograph taken on July 8 detailing her injuries from the previous day. That evidence will be included in the legal process as it plays out; only after its conclusion will the NFL launch an investigation of its own and determine if supplemental discipline under the personal conduct policy is necessary.

One of the top prospects in a deep 2025 RB class, Judkins was selected 36th overall. The Ole Miss and Ohio State product is one of two rookies Cleveland has in the backfield, a group which no longer includes Pro Bowler Nick Chubb. Judkins, 21, will face high expectations when he sees the field at the NFL level. The time at which that will take place is uncertain as training camp approaches, though.

Bears TE Colston Loveland On Shoulder Recovery

July 14th, 2025 at 11:39am CST by Adam La Rose

The rehab process from an AC joint sprain cost Colston Loveland time during spring practices. The Bears rookie will soon receive clarity on his participation outlook in training camp.

“It’s been good. There haven’t really been live bullets flying yet,” Loveland said at a youth football camp in Michigan this weekend (via MLive’s Aaron McMann). “We’ll really know in camp once I get out there, doing a lot more stuff.”

Surgery on his right shoulder put Loveland in position to be fully cleared in time for the start of the regular season. Last month, head coach Ben Johnson said the No. 10 pick is expected to receive a clean bill of health at some point during training camp, which in the Bears’ case will see rookies report this Saturday. The team will no doubt proceed with caution in this situation, but continued progress in the rehab process will be welcomed by all parties.

Loveland’s latest comments suggest he has not encountered any setbacks to date. His limited action in spring drills consisted of non-padded practices, however, so training camp participation will be notably different. It will be interesting to see if his next medical evaluation reveals any cause for a delay in Loveland receiving full clearance sometime this summer.

Chicago already has Cole Kmet in place at the tight end spot for 2025 and beyond, but Loveland will be expected to contribute as a pass-catcher at the position early and often in his career. The All-Big 10 performer’s ability to do that will of course be impacted by his involvement in training camp and the preseason. As a result, it will be interesting to see when he receives the green light for a full workload this summer.

Lions’ Aidan Hutchinson Addresses Health Entering Training Camp

July 14th, 2025 at 10:06am CST by Adam La Rose

Aidan Hutchinson confirmed in May that he received full medical clearance after completing the recovery process on his broken leg. To no surprise, then, no limitations are expected for the Lions Pro Bowler during training camp.

“I’m exactly where I need to be,” Hutchinson said in an interview with CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson (video link). “Every year I’ve been able to improve on my own physical attributes along with the mental ones, so I feel like every year I take a step. Despite having that rehab this offseason, I feel like I’m in the perfect spot and exactly where I need to be going into Year 4.”

2025 will be a critical campaign for the former No. 2 pick as he and the Lions look to rebound from last year’s early postseason exit. Hutchinson’s absence was a key factor in Detroit’s defensive performances after his Week 5 injury. Up to that point, he was in contention to receive the Defensive Player of the Year award with 7.5 sacks and 27 QB pressures on that statsheet. If Hutchinson can remain healthy through the coming campaign, the Lions’ pass rush will be in a strong position.

Of course, a clean bill of health will also crucial from a financial standpoint in this case. Hutchinson is eligible for an extension, and at the age of 25 (as of next month) he is a prime candidate to be among the top earning edge rushers. The position’s market stands at $40MM annually for now, but T.J. Watt and Micah Parsons are both candidates to surpass that figure before Week 1. The Lions are aware of the rough cost of a new deal for Hutchinson, and an expectation emerged this spring that talks with the Michigan product were likely to accelerate in the wake of his recovery.

No updates have emerged on the extension front since then, but time still remains for Hutchinson and the Lions to hammer out a lucrative deal. Doing so just before or sometime during training camp will be more feasible based on his health situation.

49ers WR Jauan Jennings Seeking Extension Or Trade

July 14th, 2025 at 8:53am CST by Adam La Rose

Jauan Jennings has developed into a key figure in the 49ers’ passing attack during his tenure with the team. The veteran wideout is dissatisfied with his current arrangement in San Francisco, however.

Jennings is seeking either a 49ers extension or a trade to a new team, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. Team and player worked out a two-year deal last spring which took the place of his second-round RFA tender. As a result, Jennings is currently a pending 2026 free agent.

The 28-year-old is scheduled to collect $3.28MM in salary guarantees in 2025 as things stand. Jennings is also on track to receive an option bonus of $1.12MM on September 1. A resolution to this situation will presumably take place prior to that date.

Selected in the seventh round of the 2020 draft, Jennings did not see any playing time as a rookie. Over the following three years, he operated as a complementary option in the passing game behind Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel on the depth chart. In the wake of signing his pact last offseason, Jennings took on an increased role. Aiyuk’s ACL tear opened the door to more targets for the Tennessee product, and he posted career highs across the board (77 catches, 975 yards, six touchdowns).

Samuel has since been traded, and Aiyuk is on course to miss at least some time to begin the 2025 campaign. Jennings is thus in position to once again serve as a central figure on offense, and his success in that capacity last year is driving efforts to land another new pact (and an accompanying raise, no doubt). Schefter adds Jennings plans to request a trade if no extension is worked out ahead of next week’s training camp.

That leaves a small window of opportunity for both parties to come to an agreement, although Schefter notes progress has been limited so far with respect to contract talks. Jennings is not expected to engage in a training camp holdout in any case, as remaining absent from the team would lead to mandatory fines. It would come as no surprise if Jennings opted for a hold-in and thus avoided participation in any on-field work, though.

The 49ers are certainly no stranger to contract drama, especially at the receiver spot. Samuel previously requested a trade before ultimately working out an extension. Aiyuk was the subject of a long-running saga last summer as he agreed to the terms of a Steelers contract but wound up remaining in San Francisco on a big-ticket deal. Jennings does not have the profile of those two based on his statistics to date, but he too is angling for a new commitment or a fresh start if one does not materialize.

Steelers Evaluating T.J. Watt’s Trade Value

July 13th, 2025 at 10:09pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Steelers’ standoff with T.J. Watt continues amid the star edge rusher’s desire to become the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL.

The impasse in negotiations has naturally led to trade speculation. Though teams have reportedly inquired about Watt, the Steelers’ position has been clear: they have no intention of moving the current face of their franchise.

However, the Steelers have been evaluating Watt’s trade value, according to Mark Kaboly of the Pat McAfee Show (via Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk). Kaboly said on 93.7 The Fan that Pittsburgh is “obviously inquiring” about the potential return of a Watt trade, characterizing it as “due diligence” as the team is still focused on retaining their all-time sack leader.

Still, exploring Watt’s value on the trade market could give the Steelers information to help them in their negotiation and decision-making process. Lowball offers would indicate that other teams would not sign Watt to a top-of-the-market extension and instead see him as a one-year rental. More aggressive valuations would suggest that other teams see Watt as a long-term investment and may be willing to meet his contract demands.

This is a common practice for teams in contract stalemates, especially with older players. Taking calls on Watt is unlikely to inspire the Steelers to trade him, but it will clarify his value around the league and help them hone in on agreeable extension terms.

Of course, it is possible that another team could blow the Steelers away with their offer and get newly-extended general manager Omar Khan to consider moving the four-time All-Pro. Teams in similar situations have reverse course once the trade compensation hits the table, and Pittsburgh’s desire to add a top quarterback prospect in the 2026 draft may make them more willing to consider a deal. It’s worth noting, however, that interested teams are likely contenders who will only get better by adding Watt, capping the value of their draft picks, which will likely be late in the round.

The expectation remains that Watt and the Steelers will find a way to agree on terms before the season starts. Watt skipped OTAs and minicamp, but is not expected to hold out from training camp. However, he has never expressed any desire to leave Pittsburgh and seems unlikely to demand a trade to fulfill his financial wishes.

Players To Spend Season On Franchise Tag Since 2015

July 13th, 2025 at 10:07pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Chiefs and Trey Smith have just less than 48 hours to agree on a long-term extension; otherwise, the Pro Bowl guard will play on the franchise tag and negotiations will be tabled until 2026. That is 2025’s only tag situation as the July 15 deadline approaches.

Over the previous 10 offseasons, 77 players received the franchise tag. Many of those signed extensions before the midsummer deadline. Here are the players who did not and ended up playing the season for the tag price:

2015

Pierre-Paul’s infamous fireworks accident led to Giants rescinding $14.8MM tag, setting up revised agreement 

2016

2017

2018

Bell did not collect any money on his 2018 tag, being the 21st century’s lone franchise-tagged player to skip season

2019

Texans applied $15.9MM linebacker tag on Clowney, trading him to Seahawks in August 2019; edge rusher agreed to salary reduction upon being dealt

2020

Ravens, Judon agreed on compromise between defensive end, linebacker tag prices. Ngakoue agreed to salary reduction to facilitate trade from Jaguars. Vikings traded edge rusher to Ravens before 2020 deadline. Prescott received exclusive franchise tag from Cowboys.

2021

2022

2023

Raiders provided raise to Jacobs to bring him into training camp

2024

Extension Candidate: Courtland Sutton

July 13th, 2025 at 10:06pm CST by Sam Robinson

As the Broncos have rebounded from their disastrous 2022 situation, some of the key players to help them climb out of that hole are entering contract years. Nik Bonitto is a traditional extension candidate, coming off a breakout season ahead of the final year of his rookie contract, while Zach Allen jumped a level ahead of his age-28 season. A significant raise will be necessary for the Broncos to keep the ascending interior D-lineman on a third contract.

Denver, however, has a homegrown player residing as a more interesting extension candidate. Courtland Sutton carries a few unusual markers along his journey to another extension case. Even though Bonitto and Allen qualify as higher-value players due to their ages, Sutton stands as a pivotal piece considering the Broncos’ plan on offense. The former John Elway draftee has waited patiently for a deal, reporting to both OTAs and minicamp after skipping some offseason work while pursuing a raise last year. But he looks to have seen the younger defenders leapfrog him in Denver’s extension queue.

Sutton is going into his age-30 season, and he carries an atypical resume for a No. 1 receiver. The 2018 second-round pick’s two 1,000-yard seasons are spaced five years apart. He helped build an initial extension candidacy by eclipsing 1,000 yards in 2019. That 1,112-yard season still stands as Sutton’s career high; it came with Joe Flacco, Brandon Allen and a rookie-year Drew Lock making starts. A 2020 ACL tear paused Sutton’s ascent, and Denver’s QB quagmire lowered the receiver’s ceiling for an extended stretch.

As the Broncos assembled a low-octane Teddy Bridgewater offense, Sutton and Jerry Jeudy became info-graphic fodder due to Aaron Rodgers‘ interest in being traded to Denver in 2021. The Packers held onto the reigning MVP that year and in 2022, leading the Broncos to their blockbuster Russell Wilson trade. That move brought a spectacular failure, as an overmatched Nathaniel Hackett grounded Denver’s offense to 32nd in 2022. Sean Payton elevated Wilson back to respectability in 2023, however, and that season effectively launched Sutton’s second extension campaign.

Wilson’s 26-touchdown pass, eight-interception season ended ugly, with a contract-based benching taking place. But Wilson-to-Sutton became the team’s most notable connection since the Peyton Manning days; the 6-foot-4 WR totaled 10 TD receptions, displaying a penchant for acrobatic grabs. Sutton then submitted a second 1,000-yard season, being a linchpin on a 2024 offense bereft of other reliable pass catchers. This helped Sutton post a 1,081-yard 2024 season, boosting Bo Nix to 29 TD passes — the second-most by a rookie QB in NFL history.

So much happened between the Rodgers rumors and Nix’s rookie season, though. Sutton signed a four-year, $60MM extension days after Tim Patrick‘s three-year, $30MM deal. While injuries dogged Patrick in the years that followed, Sutton remained a productive starter. Being an Elway-era draftee extended under George Paton, Sutton became a trade-rumor mainstay during Payton’s initial months on the job. The Broncos listened closely on Sutton and Jeudy during the 2023 offseason, aiming for a second-round pick for Sutton and a first for Jeudy. Nothing on that level emerged, but the Ravens came close to acquiring Sutton — before pivoting to Odell Beckham Jr.‘s $15MM guarantee.

Denver declined a Jeudy offer that included third- and fifth-round picks before the 2023 deadline, holding onto Sutton as well. That Jeudy decision became a mistake, as the team both sold low in March 2024 (fifth- and sixth-round picks) before seeing him post a Pro Bowl season in Cleveland. Jeudy’s departure solidified Sutton’s WR1 standing, to the point the Broncos declined a third-round pick from the 49ers during the summer 2024 Brandon Aiyuk saga. Sutton more than doubling any other Broncos pass catcher in yardage last season strengthened his extension case.

Missing out on Emeka Egbuka in the draft, the Broncos did not address the receiver position until Round 3 (Pat Bryant). The Illinois prospect’s 4.61-second 40-yard dash time docked his value, and while Marvin Mims has flashed, the Broncos have mostly deployed him as a gadget cog on offense. The team’s 2024 rookies (Devaughn Vele, Troy Franklin) also appear role players, even if Vele’s skillset resembles Sutton’s (Vele is also set to turn 28 before year’s end, complicating the second-year player’s long-term NFL future).

Everything since the 2023 season has boosted Sutton’s stock, but finding a price may be proving tricky. The Broncos agreed to only an incentive package with Sutton last year, telling his camp 2025 would be the window for true extension talks. We are here now, and nothing has transpired since Sutton labeled the 2025 talks positive in April. Denver completed summer extensions with Patrick Surtain and Quinn Meinerz last year; Sutton drama could resurface if no deal emerges this summer.

It would surprise if the Broncos revisited trade talks in the event they could not come to terms with Sutton before Week 1. The SMU product remains valuable due to the dearth of proven WR help ahead of Nix’s second season.

Finding contractual comps does prove difficult. Mike Evans and Davante Adams signed similar deals — two years, $41MM (Evans) and 2/44 (Adams) — while Calvin Ridley‘s resume did not match Sutton’s ahead of a four-year, $92MM Titans deal. Ridley signed that contract months before his 30th birthday, though his standing as last year’s top WR free agent — after the Tee Higgins and Michael Pittman Jr. tags — boosted his value. Evans and Adams are much more accomplished players, both of whom also being more than two years older.

Jeudy signed a Browns-friendly extension (three years, $52.5MM), but it came after the Broncos’ QB struggles suppressed his stats. Sutton is in a similar boat, but after being tied to an AAV ($15MM) that sits 25th at the position — following market booms in 2022 and ’24 — it would surprise if the eighth-year vet settled for anything south of $20MM per year.

Pittman’s three-year, $70MM accord could be a comp for Sutton, as the Colts’ No. 1 target is just two years younger and agreed to that deal before another salary cap spike commenced. Jeudy fetched $41MM guaranteed at signing, Pittman $46MM. That is probably beyond where the Broncos will go regarding locked-in compensation, though Sutton residing in a gray area due to age, production and importance makes that number harder to peg as well.

A short-term extension seems the most likely outcome here. The sides’ price points will be interesting to learn. Sutton would command reasonable value as a 2026 free agent, but will he want to chance negotiating ahead of an age-31 season? Many variables have led to this point, as the next several weeks figure to determine where this years-long saga ends.

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