HEADLINES

Steelers, S DeShon Elliott Agree To Extension

June 16th, 2025 at 10:33pm CST by Ben Levine

Following one of the most productive seasons of his career, DeShon Elliott is sticking in Pittsburgh for the next few years. The safety has agreed to a two-year, $12.5MM extension with the Steelers, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. The deal includes $9.21MM in guaranteed money.

Elliott inked a two-year, $6MM deal with the organization last offseason. He’ll now be under contract through the 2027 season, and Pittsburgh will now owe him $15.5MM over the next three years.

The free agent acquisition quickly leaped Damontae Kazee on the depth chart last preseason, earning the starting strong safety role opposite Minkah Fitzpatrick. Elliott proceeded to start 14 of his 15 appearances in 2024, finishing with a career-high 108 tackles to go along with one interception, a pair of forced fumbles, and six passes defended. For his efforts, Pro Football Focus ranked him 27th among 98 qualifying safeties.

A former sixth-round pick, Elliott was limited to six games through his first two years in the NFL. He emerged as a starter with the Ravens in 2020 and 2021, but his injury woes continued. When his stint in Baltimore came to an end, he bounced between the Lions and Dolphins, although he served as a starter in both spots.

The Steelers have seemingly saved the safety from journeyman status, as Elliott should stick with the organization for the next few years. Fitzpatrick is still on his near-position-leading contract through 2026, providing the organization with some continuity at the top of their safeties corps.

Kazee is no longer in the picture, so the team will be relying on some new-look depth in 2025. This grouping includes free agent acquisition Juan Thornhill and Miles Killebrew, a veteran special teamer who got into nine defensive snaps with Pittsburgh in 2024.

Steelers, Mike Tomlin Operating On Year-To-Year Arrangement

June 16th, 2025 at 10:32pm CST by Ben Levine

Every offseason brings a new wave of speculation surrounding Mike Tomlin‘s future in Pittsburgh. While his eventual exit from the organization doesn’t appear to be imminent, it sounds like the two sides also don’t have a definitive future game plan. During an appearance on the Rich Eisen Show, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero acknowledged that Tomlin and the Steelers are operating on a year-to-year arrangement.

Pelissero also noted that when the time comes for an exit, it’ll most likely be Tomlin’s decision. The reporter cautioned that the coach isn’t necessarily attached to consistent one-year deals; in fact, Pelissero said Tomlin is currently in the midst of a multi-year contract and isn’t an impending free agent.

In other words, Tomlin will continue to be the head coach of the Steelers for as long as he wants. Art Rooney is following his father’s tradition of not moving a head coach unless they have lost the locker room. Tomlin continues to command respect, and even if he somehow didn’t, Pelissero still finds it unlikely that ownership would fire or trade their iconic head coach. Rather, an exit would likely be initiated by Tomlin himself.

Pelissero is unsure when or why the coach would ever exit the franchise. The reporter notes that rival teams often check in on Tomlin’s availability, but it’s hard to envision him leaving after spending nearly two decades in Pittsburgh. Pelissero hints that the coach could eventually pursue a career in broadcasting, although it doesn’t sound like that move is imminent.

Since joining the Steelers in 2007, Tomlin has famously never had a losing season. While the Steelers only have a single Super Bowl win under their head coach, Tomlin has still helped guide the organization to 12 playoff appearances. The 53-year-old has also been granted more and more influence over the franchise, especially with personnel moves. Pelissero points to the recent Aaron Rodgers signing as another transaction that had Tomlin’s fingerprints all over it.

Outside of Bill Belichick, it’s basically unprecedented in the modern NFL for a coach to stick with one team in a two-decade span. If things continue as they have been, it sounds like Tomlin will stick with the Steelers for as long as he wants.

Extension Talks Ongoing Between Dolphins, TE Jonnu Smith

June 16th, 2025 at 10:31pm CST by Adam La Rose

It remains to be seen if Jonnu Smith will play for the Dolphins in 2025. If the veteran tight end does stay in Miami, it may well be on a new deal.

Smith’s preference is to stay in place for the coming campaign, which doubles as the final year of his current pact. The 29-year-old is coming off a record-breaking season for Dolphins tight ends, however, and he is aiming to parlay that into a raise compared to the $4.09MM he is currently owed. A potential trade to the Steelers – and thus a reunion with Pittsburgh OC Arthur Smith – has come up on multiple occasions, but it would come as a surprise if such a deal were to be worked out given Pittsburgh’s TE depth chart.

Nevertheless, Smith was absent from minicamp last week with his future undecided. Against the backdrop of a possible trade, extension talks have also taken place. That process is ongoing and it is clear nothing is certain regarding Smith’s future.

During his weekly appearance on WSVN-7 yesterday, agent Drew Rosenhaus said (via Isaiah Smalls II of the Miami Herald) contract talks with Smith and the Dolphins are “still fluid.” With no resolution in place, it is still unclear whether or not this relationship will continue in 2025. During his debut campaign in Miami, Smith set new career highs in catches (88), yards (884) and touchdowns (eight). That production marked the best single-season output in franchise history at the position, and trading away the Pro Bowler would create a notable vacancy late in the offseason for the Dolphins.

On the other hand, Smith’s modest production in many of his previous seven seasons could make it challenging to quantify his value on a multi-year Dolphins pact. The former third-rounder failed to reach 500 yards in a season until 2023, his lone campaign working with Smith in Atlanta (after the two were also together in Tennessee from 2017-20). Aside from the Steelers, other suitors could emerge if they are prepared to make a lucrative investment in this case.

That will only become relevant, though, if no agreement can be reached with the Dolphins. Miami is among the teams currently projected to be over the cap next year, and making further long-term commitments on offense in addition to those already accounted for could be challenging. With plenty of time remaining until training camp, this situation could linger for several weeks without a final resolution.

John Lynch: 49ers Not Seeking WR Addition

June 16th, 2025 at 10:00pm CST by Adam La Rose

The rehab process for Brandon Aiyuk continues. As the 49ers’ top receiver recovers from an ACL tear, the wait is ongoing with respect to when he will be cleared to return.

That could take place early in the 2025 season, but Aiyuk’s absence and the decision to trade away Deebo Samuel have left some wondering if further moves at the WR spot will be made this summer. At this point, though, general manager John Lynch does not plan on adding another pass-catcher.

[RELATED: 49ers Place Trent Taylor On IR]

In addition to Aiyuk, San Francisco has fifth-year veteran Jauan Jennings, 2024 first-rounder Ricky Pearsall and free agent addition Demarcus Robinson on the depth chart. That group is in position to enter training camp next month without future competition as things stand. The 49ers have plenty of spending power, but a free agent or trade pursuit would come as a surprise based on Lynch’s stance.

“We always keep a look for what’s out there, but we do like our group,” Lynch said during an interview with NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco (via David Bonilla of 49ers Webzone). “I think, first of all, you start with Jauan. Jauan had a tremendous season last year. He’s been a tremendous competitor, player for us since he’s been here… Ricky is a really ascending player we’re excited about. Just scratched the surface of who he could be. And Ricky’s going to play well for us this year. I’m confident in that.

“So, in total, there’s opportunity out there, and then we’ll have a gift when [Aiyuk] comes back, whenever that is. But these guys, we’re comfortable and confident in their ability to get the job done until that time.”

Jennings benefitted from injuries elsewhere on offense and posted a career-best statline (77-975-6) in 2024. Another strong showing this year would help the pending free agent’s market value considerably. Pearsall averaged 12.9 yards per catch in limited action as a rookie, but he could take a step forward in Year 2. The 24-year-old is dealing with a hamstring issue which cost him time during the spring, although a return by training camp is expected. An impressive showing when healthy would help confirm the 49ers’ plan of relying on their in-house options especially until Aiyuk is cleared.

Rookie Notes: Stewart, Eagles, Browns

June 16th, 2025 at 9:42pm CST by Ben Levine

It’s uncertain how far Shemar Stewart will take his standoff with the Bengals organization, but Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com believes it’s highly unlikely the rookie skips the 2025 campaign in an attempt to reenter the 2026 draft.

This does represent a possible solution for Stewart if he refuses to give in to Cincy’s demand to include a specific, guarantee-voiding clause in his rookie pact. Florio describes this path as “nuclear,” and the pundit believes this is unrealistic considering how much money the player would be leaving on the table.

At the very least, Stewart would be giving up his $10MM-plus signing bonus. It’s unlikely he’d be able to instantly recoup that money in 2026, as Florio is skeptical that the pass rusher would exceed or match his 17th-overall draft slot. Stewart’s year off from football would obviously be seen as a detriment, and Florio wonders if rival squads could also be wary of the player’s attempt to “buck the system.”

Assuming he falls down the draft board in this hypotethical, Stewart would also likely see a dip in the $19MM total value of his Bengals rookie contract. In other words, it could take the player years to recover the lost money.

More rookie notes from around the NFL…

  • While Stewart has generally been respectful throughout the ordeal, he’s also been clear on his dissatisfaction with the Bengals organization. As Florio notes, the rookie will have to tread lightly when it comes to public comments if he does ultimately put pen to paper. If Stewart decides to speak out after signing a deal, the Bengals organization could cite a breach of the “[p]layer’s obligation of loyalty to Club and/or undermines the public’s respect for the Club, Club coaches, or Club management.” The organization could look to make Stewart forfeit guarantees in this scenario.
  • Speaking of unique rookie contracts, the Eagles did something unusual with sixth-round OT Cameron Williams‘ pact. According to Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com, the Eagles guaranteed $676K of the rookie’s contract vs. the $201K that would normally be allotted for that spot. In return, the Eagles included an unusual split salary in the third year of the player’s contract, which would reduce the player’s salary if he lands on a reserve list. Per Fitzgerald, the Eagles are hoping to make this a precedent across all future draft picks as the front office looks to wrestle some contractual control beyond the fourth year of a rookie deal.
  • We heard the other day that the Browns were open to keeping all four QBs on their roster, including recent draft picks Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. While the organization could try to get creative with stashing a rookie on the practice squad, Tony Grossi of 850 ESPN Cleveland doesn’t envision the Browns pursuing this path. Before a team can stash a player on the practice squad, that player would be exposed to waivers, and there’s a chance a rival squad takes a leap on Gabriel or Sanders if Cleveland tries to sneak them through.

Steelers RB Jaylen Warren Preparing For Larger Workload

June 16th, 2025 at 8:31pm CST by Ben Levine

Despite collecting at least 500 yards from scrimmage in each of his three professional seasons, Jaylen Warren has yet to earn a start in the NFL. That will likely change in 2025, and the Steelers running back is eyeing the largest workload of his career.

Warren told reporters that he took a different tack with his offseason training in anticipation of more carries next season.

“I approached this off season differently,” Warren said (via Dale Lolley of the team’s website). “I did a lot more things for longevity wise, instead of my old-school training like just getting the cleats on and running 30 hills. I had to adapt. This game is about longevity. And like they say, the best ability is availability.”

It sounds like the running back has the support of the Steelers coaching staff. Mike Tomlin said Warren could “certainly” handle a larger workload, and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith also hinted that the fourth-year player will see an increase on the 120 carries he garnered in 2024.

RB1 Najee Harris didn’t miss a game through Warren’s first three NFL seasons, slightly limiting the backup’s reps. Harris caught on with the Chargers this offseason, meaning Warren now has the first chance of his career to earn starting reps. The 26-year-old has already shown his ability to be an offensive focal point. He finished the 2023 campaign with 1,154 yards from scrimmage, and he followed that up with an 800-plus-yard season in 2024.

Warren is expecting even more in 2025, and considering the rest of the team’s depth, there’s a solid chance he’ll get there. The rest of the team’s RB room consists of offseason acquisitions. The team used a third-round pick on Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson, and they added veterans like Kenneth Gainwell, Trey Sermon, and Evan Hull.

NFL Minor Transactions: 6/16/25

June 16th, 2025 at 8:05pm CST by Ben Levine

One minor move to pass along:

Seattle Seahawks

  • Signed: OT Luke Felix-Fualalo

The Seahawks added some offensive line depth in the 6-foot-7 Luke Felix-Fualalo. The lineman emerged during his time at the University of Hawaii, including a 2023 campaign where he allowed one sack in 491 pass-block snaps. He was limited to only four games this past season, leading to him going undrafted in the 2025 draft.

Jets’ Jermaine Johnson Expected To Be Ready For Week 1

June 16th, 2025 at 5:40pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Jets head coach Aaron Glenn is anticipating a Week 1 return from edge rusher Jermaine Johnson after he missed most of the 2024 season due to a ruptured Achilles, according to ESPN’s Rich Cimini.

Johnson did not participate in spring practices and will likely be placed on the PUP list at the start of training camp in July. He will have plenty of time to ramp up before rejoining the Jets’ new-look defense under Glenn.

The 2022 first-round pick injured his Achilles in Week 2 last year, interrupting his ascension after a 7.5-sack performance in 2023. Johnson underwent surgery from the same doctor that repaired then-teammate Aaron Rodgers‘ Achilles tear in 2023, per Cimini, and spent the rest of year on the sidelines. The pass rusher even acknowledged that the former Jets QB helped him “so much” as he navigated his introduction to rehab.

“The first thing he said was, ‘You’ll be good, you’ve got a 10-year-plus career. You’re all right, chalk it up,'” Johnson said (via Cimini). “It just kind of let me calm down a little bit and be able to gather myself, take it on the chin and handle it, and do a good job at it. So that’s how I’ve attacked it, and Aaron’s been a huge help.”

The Jets got little production from their other edge rushers during Johnson’s absence last year outside of 2023 first-rounder Will McDonald. McDonald took over a starting role after Johnson’s injury and broke out with a team-high 10.5 sacks after recording just three as a rookie.

While Johnson is sidelined during practice, the Jets can get an extended look at their depth options. The team used a fifth-round pick on Tyler Baron, and the Miami product could be penciled in as the first edge rusher off the bench. The team is also rostering the likes of Michael Clemons, Eric Watts, and Braiden McGregor.

Ben Levine contributed to this post.

Eagles, Panthers On ‘Shortlist’ For Justin Simmons

June 16th, 2025 at 4:28pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Interest in free agent safety Justin Simmons has started to build as teams wrap up mandatory minicamp and plan their summer roster moves.

The Eagles and the Panthers are on a “shortlist” to land the nine-year veteran, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler (via Sports Illustrated’s Patrick McAvoy). Both teams could use the safety depth after moving on from C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Xavier Woods this offseason, respectively.

Simmons is coming off somewhat of a down year in Atlanta after earning Pro Bowl or second-team All-Pro honors in four of his previous five seasons in Denver. That period included three years under then-Broncos head coach Vic Fangio, who is now the Eagles’ defensive coordinator. Simmons has played some of his best football in Fangio’s two-high defenses and could look to reunite with his former coach this year.

Simmons is familiar with Panthers DC Ejiro Evero, as well. He held the same position in Denver in 2022, when Simmons recorded a career-high six interceptions. Evero also spent the 2021 season in Los Angeles under Raheem Morris, who coached Simmons in Atlanta last year.

The Panthers have reached out to Simmons’ representation, per Joe Person of The Athletic, though no deal is imminent. He earned $7.5MM from the Falcons last year and is likely looking for similar compensation for the 2025 season.

Commanders WR Noah Brown Carted Off Field At Minicamp

June 16th, 2025 at 3:15pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown was carted off the field during the team’s mandatory minicamp last Wednesday, per Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post.

Head coach Dan Quinn had little to say about Brown’s injury the next day, only confirming that the seven-year veteran was getting an MRI to assess an unspecified body part, according to Jhabvala. At this juncture of the offseason, teams are not required to report injuries, so Brown’s exact status will likely remain unknown until the Commanders’ training camp kicks off in July.

Brown arrived in Washington on a veteran-minimum deal last year and quickly took over a starting role in Kliff Kingsbury‘s new offense. He commanded a 63% snap share in the team’s first 11 games with 35 catches for 453 yards before a kidney injury prematurely ended his season in December. Brown re-signed with the Commanders on a one-year, $3.25MM deal this offseason.

The Commanders added several other receivers this offseason, giving them the depth to withstand Brown’s potential absence from training camp. The acquisition of Deebo Samuel should give Kingsbury a WR2 to replace Brown’s snaps, but he will need to find a tertiary target for reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels. Washington has multiple veterans (Chris Moore, Michael Gallup, K.J. Osborn) as well as a few recent draft picks (Luke McCaffrey, Jaylin Lane) who can compete for WR3 snaps if Brown is sidelined into the regular season.

While Brown’s injury is unlikely to get the Commanders to give into Terry McLaurin‘s contract demands, it could create some urgency to get him back on the field for training camp and ready for the regular season.

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