Latest On Browns, DE Myles Garrett
Joe Thomas was content to stay in Cleveland for the duration of his career despite the team fielding perennially bad rosters during the Hall of Fame tackle’s run. This situation involved the All-Pro being discussed in trades in his early 30s.
Thomas’ age-31 season nearly saw him moved to the Broncos, but the Browns stood down. Thomas said ahead of the 2016 trade deadline he wanted to stay in Cleveland, and a new Browns regime — one that had current GM Andrew Berry as a key front office presence — did not move the decorated left tackle. These decisions came during a 4-44 stretch. Thomas retired after the 2017 season, never being part of a Browns playoff team.
Myles Garrett will turn 31 later this year, and while the Browns have not been nearly as bad during his career (which has featured two playoff berths), the two-time Defensive Player of the Year is trapped as a dominant performer on one of the NFL’s worst teams. That brings a familiar situation for the Browns.
Garrett also requested a trade early during the 2025 offseason. The Berry-led Browns have continually stood against moving their future Hall of Fame pass rusher, who backed off his trade ask once the team gave him a then-defender-record four-year, $160MM extension. The team did not move Garrett’s new contract after emerging in a seller’s position at yet another trade deadline, and he proceeded to break the single-season sack record weeks later.
Garrett’s contract has since been surpassed by four edge rushers — T.J. Watt, Micah Parsons, Aidan Hutchinson, Will Anderson Jr. — as the market has climbed to $50MM per year. We heard earlier this year another Garrett raise would be more likely than a trade, but Cleveland’s decision to rework the 10th-year veteran’s contract this offseason triggered trade speculation.
The Browns shifted Garrett option bonus dates from March until just before the regular season from 2026-28. For 2026, that means a $29.2MM guaranteed payment is due seven days before Week 1. June 1 also looms as a key date pertaining to the Browns, and Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer writes a trade after that point should not be ruled out.
Some execs around the NFL are also interpreting Garrett’s absence from Browns OTAs as a sign of the player regretting his decision to sign a 2025 extension with the struggling team, Sportsboom.com’s Jason La Canfora notes. (To be fair, Garrett has missed Browns OTA work in the past as well.) Garrett has voiced frustration about the Browns’ losing at several points. Days before he set the single-season sack record, the former No. 1 overall pick said he wants to contend rather than rebuild.
Given his age, that stance is unsurprising. Garrett has also seen the Browns pass on adding a quarterback this offseason, with an uninspiring Deshaun Watson–Shedeur Sanders position battle commencing. The Browns are not expected to contend this season, and our Adam La Rose indicated during a recent PFR mailbag a trade would be the best course of action for the Browns in order to equip them with prime draft assets. Todd Monken — who was the Browns’ OC during Garrett’s abbreviated (due to the Mason Rudolph helmet strike) 2019 season — has since revealed he has not spoken with Garrett since being hired as head coach.
From a value standpoint, the Browns erred by not trading Thomas late in his career. An additional first-round pick and perhaps more would have been unlikely to save that version of the Browns, and a case can be made moving Garrett would create a massive hole for the foreseeable future. But the Browns may need more draft ammo to chase a long-term QB option. Garrett would bring back at least a first-rounder in a trade, and given what the Ravens were set to send the Raiders for Maxx Crosby (two firsts), Cleveland would assuredly ask for at least that for a player coming off a 23-sack season.
The Browns trading Garrett after June 1 would lessen their 2026 dead money blow to $15.53MM, per OverTheCap, while creating more than $8MM in cap space. However, the team would see a bigger dead money hit in 2027 — when the Watson dead cap offseasons will begin (assuming the Browns designate Watson as a post-June 1 cut next year, which appears likely, it will bring an $86.2MM dead money bill split between 2027 and ’28).
Adding Garrett dead money would create a more daunting task for Monken, who will presumably be the coach stuck with the Watson dead money after Kevin Stefanski coached the Browns with the QB on lower cap hits via restructures. But the Browns are running out of time to cash out on their top asset. Garrett’s contract runs through 2030, but given the changes on the EDGE market since that deal was finalized, it is likely he will be asking for a raise in the near future. That will presumably also impact teams’ desire to trade for him.
Offering some pushback to Garrett trade rumors, TheLandonDemand.com’s Tony Grossi does not expect the all-world sack artist to be moved after June 1. However, Grossi does acknowledge the rumors will persist due to the recent contract rework. With more Crosby rumors likely coming between now and the deadline, Garrett interest is undoubtedly set to commence as well.
NFL Mailbag: Schoen, Brown, Cards, Bolts
This week's edition of the PFR mailbag covers questions related to the Giants' recent GM commitment, the A.J. Brown trade market, potential Cardinals trade candidates, and the Chargers' outlook for 2026.
Jesse asks:
What exactly has Joe Schoen done to earn an extension? Do you see this [John] Harbaugh partnership lasting beyond 2026 or is this still a wait-and-see situation?
It’s easy for Giants fans to be frustrated with Schoen getting a new commitment. The timing of his new deal is also awkward with Harbaugh and a new coaching staff in place.
Kayvon Thibodeaux Impressing Giants’ Staff; Teams Unwilling To Meet New York’s Trade Price
Creating a logjam reminiscent of their early-2010s situation on the edge, the Giants drafted Arvell Reese fifth overall despite rostering Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Abdul Carter. This four-first-rounder armada gives the Giants a tantalizing group at a premium position.
This cadre is deep enough the Giants are starting Reese out as an off-ball linebacker. Reese joins No. 10 overall pick Francis Mauigoa in being stationed at a lower-profile position to start his career (the Giants are preparing to use Mauigoa at guard after he spent his college career at right tackle). But it is certainly possible more time for Reese as a traditional pass rusher opens up via a Kayvon Thibodeaux trade. Moving Thibodeaux has come up on a few occasions this offseason, including on draft weekend.
The Giants rejected a Saints fourth-round offer for Thibodeaux, holding out for a second-rounder. Big Blue is believed to value Thibodeaux “significantly higher” than the rest of the league right now, according to ESPN.com’s Jordan Raanan, who adds the fifth-year edge defender has impressed the new Giants coaching staff.
Thibodeaux has not delivered on his No. 5 overall draft status, but the Oregon product has produced in spurts. He registered a Giants-leading 11.5 sacks in 2023 but has dealt with injuries over the past two seasons. Thibodeaux missed five games in 2024 and seven in 2025. Last season, he only tallied 2.5 sacks and nine QB hits. That came after a 5.5-sack 2024, though the contract-year EDGE posted a career-best 17 QB hits that season. Still, teams are highly unlikely to send the Giants a second-round pick for Thibodeaux given his recent production and health issues.
I mentioned in our Giants Offseason Outlook piece a way for the team to increase Thibodeaux’s value would be to hope he can deliver a strong start to the season. A host of teams have forked over at least third-round picks for contract-year edge rushers in recent years. Not too many first- and second-round choices have been exchanged for rentals at the deadline, though the Bears sent the Commanders a second for Montez Sweat in 2023 while the Dolphins gave the Broncos first- and fourth-rounders for Bradley Chubb. Both players signed big-ticket extensions soon after those trades. Thibodeaux has been a less consistent option compared to those two, however, which makes the Giants’ second-round price a bit unreasonable.
It will be worth monitoring if the Giants’ new staff would be open to reducing the Thibodeaux asking price to clear space for Reese, whose situations reminds of Mathias Kiwanuka‘s after the 2010 Jason Pierre-Paul first-round pick.
A natural pass rusher, Kiwanuka played extensively at off-ball linebacker due to the Giants accumulating impressive depth at defensive end at the time. Reese is currently slated to team with Tremaine Edmunds at ILB, with DC Dennard Wilson and holdover OLBs coach Charlie Bullen tasked with finding ways to deploy the rookie as a pass rusher while Thibodeaux is still rostered.
An early-March report indicated the Giants would prefer to move Thibodeaux, and noise continued until draft weekend. The Giants’ decision to grant Dexter Lawrence‘s trade request looked to lower the chances of a Thibodeaux move, but the Reese pick only offered another reminder of Thibodeaux’s temporary New York status. The Giants have Burns signed for three more seasons, while Carter’s rookie deal can be extended through 2029 via the fifth-year option.
Thibodeaux trade fits had come up after the Carter pick; Reese being in the fold makes it likely a move is coming before 2027. With Reese’s fifth-year option covering the 2030 season, Big Blue is set at OLB for the foreseeable future — if/when Reese becomes a regular part of the team’s pass rush. Thibodeaux, 25, will be a prime candidate to be dealt by the deadline. A late-summer move would not be especially surprising, either, but the Giants are holding out for better offers than they have thus far received.
Jets TE Kenyon Sadiq Undergoes ‘Minor’ Hernia Surgery, Expected Back For Camp
A little over a month into his NFL career, Jets tight end Kenyon Sadiq has already undergone his first surgery as a pro. Sadiq had “minor” hernia surgery, head coach Aaron Glenn told reporters on Thursday. Glenn expects Sadiq to be ready for the start of training camp on July 28.
The Jets spent the 16th overall pick in last month’s draft on Sadiq, but Glenn revealed they knew beforehand that he would need this surgery. The issue bothered Sadiq for some of his final season at Oregon in 2025, but he fought through it to pile up 51 catches, 560 yards and eight touchdowns in 14 games. Sadiq’s production was good enough for Big Ten Tight End of the Year honors and a second-team All-America nod.
A few weeks after his college career ended, Sadiq showed off his athletic prowess at the Combine in February and cemented himself as a first-rounder. The 6-foot-3, 245-pounder ran a 4.39-second 40-yard dash, the fastest among tight ends since at least 2003, and led his position in the 10-yard split. He also ranked second among TEs in the vertical jump, broad jump and bench press. If Sadiq wasn’t at full strength, it makes his excellent Combine performance all the more impressive.
Sadiq should be an important part of the Jets’ Frank Reich-coordinated offense as a rookie, though that’s assuming he does not miss valuable time in camp. The 21-year-old looks like the best receiver in a tight end group that also includes 2025 second-rounder Mason Taylor, who performed well during a 44-catch rookie campaign, and blocking specialist Jeremy Ruckert. The Jets also drafted another first-round pass catcher, wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr., at No. 30 overall. With Sadiq and Cooper joining holdovers in Taylor, star receiver Garrett Wilson, wideout Adonai Mitchell and dual-threat running back Breece Hall, the team clearly has more viable options in the passing game than it fielded during a 3-14 season in 2025.
Dolphins’ De’Von Achane Had Offseason Shoulder Surgery; Latest On WR Chris Bell
Despite signing a four-year extension worth up to $68MM a couple of weeks ago, Dolphins running back De’Von Achane has not been a full participant at OTAs. Head coach Jeff Hafley explained why this week, revealing Achane is on the mend from minor shoulder surgery.
“He’s rehabbing right now, he’s doing well,” Hafley said (via Josh Alper of PFT). “You’ll see him out there doing some drills and doing some running around. You just will not see him in full team drills.”
Achane’s shoulder injury held him out of the Dolphins’ 2025 season finale and prevented him from logging his second straight 17-game campaign. The 24-year-old nevertheless posted personal-best numbers in the third season of his career.
One of the few bright spots on a below-average offense, Achane ran for 1,350 yards on 238 carries (good for an eye-popping 5.7 YPC) and added eight touchdowns. He found the end zone four more times as a pass catcher and notched 67 receptions for 488 yards. Achane earned his first Pro Bowl nod in what turned out to be the offensive-minded Mike McDaniel‘s last season as the Dolphins’ head coach.
McDaniel and former general manager Chris Grier were at the helm when the Dolphins reeled in Achane in the third round of the 2023 draft. The Dolphins’ new regime of Hafley and GM Jon-Eric Sullivan could have moved on from Achane via trade, as they did with receiver Jaylen Waddle in a blockbuster deal with the Broncos. Instead, in the early stages of a full rebuild, Dolphins leadership identified Achane as a foundational piece. Assuming he remains healthy for most of all or 2026, he should easily serve as the Dolphins’ top offensive threat and provide a much-needed weapon for new starting quarterback Malik Willis.
Miami’s hope is that young wide receiver Chris Bell will join Achane as a key offensive building block, but the rookie third-rounder (94th overall) is a bit behind as he begins his career. The former Louisville standout is only six months removed from tearing his ACL last November. Bell is working his way back but remains without a timeline for a full return, Hafley said (via Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN).
It appears Bell will begin training camp on the active/PUP list. If he returns during the summer, he could have a chance to compete for a role in a receiving corps that lacks proven starters in the wake of the Waddle trade. Tutu Atwell, Jalen Tolbert, Malik Washington and Terrace Marshall are among the veterans in the fold, but nobody from that group has put up strong production in the NFL. That explains why Miami used three of its league-high 13 draft picks on receivers. Before taking Bell, the Dolphins invested a third-rounder (No. 75) in Caleb Douglas. They also added Kevin Coleman Jr. in the fifth round (177th).
Seahawks Sale Could Be Completed By August, Could Eclipse $10B
Roger Goodell recently pushed back on the narrative that there’s a “soft” market for the Seahawks franchise, with the commissioner stating that there was in fact “tremendous interest” among prospective buyers. Days later, there are rumblings that a record-breaking sale could actually be completed by the end of the summer.
[RELATED: Roger Goodell Claims ‘Tremendous Interest’ In Seattle Franchise]
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport revealed that if “all goes well,” there could be a special league meeting in August to approve a new Seahawks owner. Rapoport also said that a sale could eclipse $10 billion, with the reporter describing the market as “robust.”
Following years of rumors regarding a potential sale of the team and only days after winning February’s Super Bowl, Paul Allen‘s estate announced the commencement of a formal sale process of the Seahawks franchise. So far, only former Boston Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck has emerged as a definitive potential buyer, while 49ers investor Vinod Khosia was reportedly on track to prepare a bid. The likeliest path still sees several limited partners subsidize a majority owner’s bid (similar to Josh Harris‘s purchase in Washington).
While there were whispers that the next NFL sale could reach 11-figures, a $10 billion total would still be staggering. The Commanders still represent the largest NFL deal after they were sold for $6.05 billion in 2023, followed by the Broncos $4.65 billion sale from the year before. The Browns also recently sold a three-percent ownership share in their franchise, with that transaction being established on a $9 billion valuation. The Los Angeles Lakers became the first United States sports franchise to top a $10 billion price tag when they were sold from the Buss family to Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter in 2025.
When the sale is ultimately complete, estate executor (and sister of Paul Allen) Jody Allen intends to honor her brother’s wishes of dedicating proceeds of the sale to philanthropic purposes.
Jets Holding Backup QB Competition
Although the rebuilding Jets are still devoid of a franchise quarterback, they have made significant changes at the position this offseason. Justin Fields and Tyrod Taylor, who combined for 13 starts last year, are now with other teams. The Jets replaced them with new starter Geno Smith, whom they acquired from the Raiders for a late-round pick swap. The deal sent Smith back to where his career began in 2013 as a second-round selection.
Smith had his best years as the Seahawks’ QB1 from 2022-24, but he struggled mightily last season after the Raiders acquired him for a third-rounder and gave him a three-year, $75MM extension. The 35-year-old won just two of 15 starts, threw a league-worst 17 interceptions (against 19 touchdowns) and finished 27th among 28 qualifiers in QBR (34.1). Nevertheless, the Jets and head coach Aaron Glenn have left no doubt Smith will be their starter when the upcoming season begins.
While Smith is entrenched atop the Jets’ depth chart, there is less certainty behind him. They have three other passers on their roster – Bailey Zappe, Brady Cook and fourth-round rookie Cade Klubnik – and any of them could conceivably take the Jets’ No. 2 job. Glenn said Zappe is in the lead right now, but the team will hold an open competition for the role (via Brian Costello of New York Post).
The 27-year-old Zappe joined the Jets on a reserve/futures deal in January. He carries the most pro experience of the Jets’ backup contenders, but that isn’t saying much. The Western Kentucky product has made just nine starts since the Patriots took him in the fourth round in 2022. He posted dismal results over a career-high six starts in 2023, and he did not survive final cuts with them heading into the next season.
Zappe’s ninth and most recent start came with the Browns in a 35-10 loss to the Ravens in the 2024 season finale. He was with the Browns again last year, but as a member of their practice squad, he did not get into any games. Over 15 appearances in the league, Zappe has connected on 62.1% of attempts, thrown more INTs (14) than TDs (12), and recorded a traditional passer rating of 76.0.
Cook was part of the Jets’ class of undrafted rookie free agents in May 2025. He joined Fields and Taylor in making starts for the Jets last season, but it was a rough go for the ex-Missouri Tiger. As Fields and Taylor battled injuries, Cook made four late-season starts and suffered lopsided defeats in each of them. He ended his rookie year with a 57.5% completion rate, two scores, seven picks and a 55.4 rating. As ugly as those numbers look, it’s fair to point out Cook had little in the way of help. A Jets team already sorely lacking in weapons lost No. 1 receiver Garrett Wilson to a season-ending shoulder injury weeks before Cook got on the field.
Instead of reaching for a QB in a weak class in the first couple of rounds, the Jets used their top five picks (including three first-rounders) to bolster other areas. They finally addressed the game’s most important position at 110th overall, where they grabbed Klubnik. The Jets traded up from No. 128 for Klubnik, a three-year Clemson starter whose stock dropped during a disappointing final season in school. The 22-year-old looked good at rookie minicamp, though, and the Jets have held off on adding a free agent QB because they want to spend more time evaluating Klubnik.
In the event the Jets ultimately go outside the organization for another backup option, it is worth pointing out the team hosted free agent Russell Wilson in late April. The 10-time Pro Bowler said in early May that he was mulling an offer from the Jets, but he is still available three weeks later.
Packers Not Considering RB Addition
Josh Jacobs was arrested Tuesday and booked on five charges before being released the next day. The player continues to deny the allegations as the District Attorney’s Office considers formal charges. Regardless of that outcome, Jacobs will still be subject to the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
[RELATED: Packers RB Josh Jacobs Arrested]
In other words, Jacobs’ status remains in doubt, even if he’s only forced to sit out a handful of games during the 2026 season. When asked about the matter yesterday, coach Matt LaFleur told reporters that “a lot’s going to happen between now and” the start of the season. Meanwhile, a league source told Jason La Canfora of SportsBoom.com that the Packers are not expected to pursue RB depth in the wake of the Jacobs news.
Jacobs has dominated the carries for the Packers over the past two seasons, and the team watched as primary backup Emanuel Wilson left for the Seahawks this offseason. That departure already left Green Bay with questionable depth behind their starter, and a potential Jacobs absence would only exasperate their issues.
Former RB3 Chris Brooks is the top candidate to soak up backup snaps for the Packers. The former UDFA has spent the past two years in Green Bay, where he’s compiled 449 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown on 87 touches. MarShawn Lloyd is also still around, although the former third-round pick has been limited to a single appearance through two professional seasons. The rest of the team’s depth consists of Pierre Strong, who has collected 692 offensive yards in stints with the Patriots and Browns, and former UDFAs Damien Martinez (2025) and Jaden Nixon (2026).
Even if the Packers do anticipate a Jacobs absence, the team would surely want to evaluate all of their in-house options before considering some reinforcement. Multiple executives cited a handful of potential targets when talking with La Canfora, including free agent Joe Mixon, Saints veteran Alvin Kamara, and Cardinals RB James Conner.
Dolphins Worked Out RB Zamir White
It’s been a quiet offseason for Zamir White, but it sounds like that could soon change. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the free agent running back recently met with the Dolphins, and he’s expected to work out for other organizations in the coming weeks.
The 2022 fourth-round pick didn’t get much run on offense as a rookie, but he saw an increased role with the Raiders in 2023. With Josh Jacobs missing a handful of games, White ended up starting four of his 17 appearances, finishing with 549 yards from scrimmage and one touchdown on 119 touches.
When Jacobs left for Green Bay ahead of the 2024 campaign, there was some thought that White would step up as the definitive RB1. He never ended up running away with the job, and thanks in part to injury, he finished third on the Raiders in carries behind Alexander Mattison and Ameer Abdullah. White ultimately completed that season with only 213 yards from scrimmage. He was knocked further down the depth chart following the additions of Ashton Jeanty and Raheem Mostert in 2025, with White finishing last season with a career-low 12 rushing attempts.
White’s experience and his special teams ability (he returned 11 kickoffs last season) still make him worthy of a flyer. He could find that opportunity in Miami, as the Dolphins have an unsettled depth chart behind De’Von Achane. The team is still rostering former draft picks Jaylen Wright and Ollie Gordon, and White could provide that duo with some competition for backup reps.
49ers’ Isaac Guerendo Suffers Pectoral Tear; Team Makes RB Additions
6:25pm: Guerendo has already undergone surgery, which should help him meet that aforementioned end-of-training-camp target, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
4:30pm: Isaac Guerendo is set to compete for a roster spot this offseason, with the 49ers adding a Day 2 draftee (Kaelon Black) to their backfield — one already housing Jordan James behind Christian McCaffrey. Guerendo will not be able to factor prominently into the McCaffrey backup competition for a while, however.
The third-year running back suffered a pectoral tear while lifting weights recently, Kyle Shanahan said (via the San Jose Mercury News’ Cam Inman). Guerendo is expected to return late in training camp, complicating his path to the team’s 53-man roster now that Black has arrived as a third-round pick. Guerendo suffered the injury about a month ago, per Shanahan.
For the short term, the 49ers also made additions to their RB room. The team signed running backs Jordan Mims and Jermar Jefferson, according to NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo. The team waived running back Sincere McCormick and placed veteran safety Darrick Forrest on IR to create roster space.
A recent report indicated Guerendo may be on the outside looking in following the 49ers’ Black pick. Although the Shanahan-era 49ers have struggled mightily with mid-round RB picks — with Joe Williams, Trey Sermon and Tyrion Davis-Price joining Guerendo (a 2024 third-rounder) in failing to make much of an impact — the team is trying again with Black. The Indiana product was not invited to the Combine, but he became this draft’s third RB chosen.
Guerendo was on San Francisco’s 53-man roster throughout last season, but the team stashed him behind James and Brian Robinson among McCaffrey backups. Despite the 49ers trading Jordan Mason to the Vikings, they did not find much playing time for Guerendo. San Francisco traded for Robinson to be McCaffrey’s top backup, and Guerendo did not play an offensive snap, seeing his only time on special teams.
Clocking a sub-4.4-second 40-yard dash at the 2024 Combine, Guerendo averaged 5.0 yards per carry as a rookie (84/420) and scored four touchdowns during a season in which McCaffrey missed extensive time with injury. Robinson joined the Falcons in free agency, but Black will be competing with James to replace him as RB2. Guerendo is now all but certain to land on San Francisco’s active/PUP list to open camp. The 49ers could buy more recovery time by placing him on the reserve/PUP list to open the season; the latter designation would require a four-game absence.
Mims, 26, has 20 career carries in three seasons. The former UDFA logged all of those totes in 2024 with the Saints. A 2021 Lions seventh-round pick who spent last season with the Cardinals, Jefferson has 21 career carries. Forrest, who started 17 Commanders games from 2021-24, joined the 49ers’ practice squad in November of last year but did not see any playing time.