Latest On Bengals DE Myles Murphy
Earlier this offseason, the Bengals opted to decline Myles Murphy‘s fifth-year option. 2026 thus represents a potential walk year for the edge rusher.
The spring saw Cincinnati make a number of investments along the defensive front, including most notably the trade acquisition of Dexter Lawrence. As Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic writes, the finances required to add – and extend – Lawrence was a key factor in Murphy’s 2027 option being declined. In May, the former No. 28 pick nevertheless indicated de fact general manager Duke Tobin expressed an interest in keeping him beyond 2026.
As such, Year 4 will be critical in Murphy’s case. Dehner notes a strong finish to the 2025 campaign was encouraging, and it helped Murphy set a new career high with 5.5 sacks on the year. If the Clemson product can take another step forward (something which should be feasible if he operates as a full-time defensive starter), a major raise will be in store. As Dehner notes, a second contract averaging $20MM or more per year could be in Murphy’s future provided 2026 goes to plan.
Of course, it would be interesting to see if that pact were to come from the Bengals or an outside suitor next spring. Alternatively, a season closer to Murphy’s first two with Cincinnati – just three sacks and four tackles for loss across 20 games – would greatly hinder his market. A step back in terms of production would obviously, as Dehner writes, make a prove-pact far more likely than a big-ticket commitment.
The Bengals’ pass rush was anchored by Trey Hendrickson from 2021-25. The four-time Pro Bowler saw his Cincinnati tenure come to an expected end this spring, though, with Joseph Ossai departing in free agency as well. Boye Mafe was added on the open market, and Cincinnati selected Cashius Howell during April’s draft. Those two newcomers will have roles to play along the edge, with the same being true of Murphy and 2025 first-rounder Shemar Stewart.
While preparing for his age-24 campaign, Murphy has offered praise for the manner in which his future has been discussed with the team. It will be interesting to see if that cordial relationship helps result in a new deal being worked out or if 2026 will prove to be his last year in Cincinnati.
Packers, DT Devonte Wyatt Agree To Extension
Devonte Wyatt was set to enter 2026 as a pending free agent, but that will no longer be the case. The Packers have worked out an extension with the former first-round defensive tackle.
Wyatt has agreed to a three-year deal, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports. The pact is worth $57MM and includes a $20MM signing bonus. 2026 was initially going to represent Wyatt’s fifth-year option campaign, with him due to collect $12.94MM.
A raise has now been worked out, however, and Wyatt will remain in Green Bay beyond the coming season. The Georgia product was identified in March as a logical candidate for a multiyear commitment. That was also the case for wideout Christian Watson (who has since landed a new deal) and tight end Tucker Kraft (who is expected to finalize a big-money extension in the near future).
Upon joining the Packers, Wyatt handled a small snap share during his rookie season. His workload more than doubled during the 2023 season, although it was reduced the following year among inconsistent showings against the run. Nevertheless, he has managed to produce in the pass rush department, totaling 14.5 sacks and 36 pressures across the past three seasons. Wyatt was a key figure along the defensive front in 2025, logging a 60% snap share. A November ankle fracture limited him to just 10 games, though.
In spite of the injury – which is not expected to hinder Wyatt’s training camp participation – another notable financial commitment as been made by Green Bay. Four members of the team’s 2022 draft class (Watson, Wyatt and offensive linemen Sean Rhyan and Zach Tom) are now attached to long-term deals. General manager Brian Gutekunst has a history of finalizing deals shortly before the onset of training camp, and 2026 has proven to be no different. Last week, a one-year extension was worked out with linebacker Isaiah McDuffie to keep him in place beyond the coming season.
The defensive tackle market has reached new heights this offseason, and it currently includes 17 players attached to an average annual value of $20MM or more. Wyatt has landed $19MM in AAV on this deal, representing a notable raise but not a figure which will lead to increased expectations in terms of the 28-year-old establishing himself as one of the league’s premier players at his position. Wyatt joins free agent addition Javon Hargrave as a defensive tackle attached to an eight-figure-per-year contract for Green Bay.
With training camp not far away, attention will increasingly turn to the possibility of a Kraft extension. Regardless of how things play out on that front, though, Wyatt’s future will not be a talking point for at least the next few years.
Buccaneers, Baker Mayfield Set To Resume Extension Talks
Time is running out for the Buccaneers to work out a Baker Mayfield extension if he holds firm on his self-imposed negotiating deadline. Training camp is approaching, but another round of contract talks should be forthcoming.
Tampa Bay is “prepared to dive in on” negotiations this week, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reports. Earlier this offseason, Mayfield stated he would not discuss an extension once training camp started. As Breer notes, though, the Buccaneers have a history under general manager Jason Licht of finalizing deals during camp.
If that trend is to continue in Mayfield’s case, progress will need to be made in short order. The Bucs’ initial extension offer was not close to the asking price from Mayfield’s camp, and a gap remains between the two sides at this point. Per Breer, a counteroffer had not been presented when Tampa’s QB1 spoke about contract talks last month. Needless to say, it will be interesting to see if traction can be gained over the coming days.
Mayfield thrived during his Bucs campaign, substantially outperforming the $4MM flier Tampa Bay took on him. That deal was followed by a three-year, $100MM pact which is set to expire after the 2026 season. Mayfield is in line for a raise on his next contract, one which could add him to the list of passers averaging $50MM or more per year. There are currently 12 signal-callers carrying an average annual value of at least $51MM.
Across his three Tampa Bay seasons, Mayfield has yet to miss a start. Injuries are a factor being weighed by the team, however, and the 31-year-old dealt with a number of nagging ailments last season. A strong start in 2025 was ultimately undone, and the Buccaneers missed the playoffs with a record of 8-9. Better health on offense would go a long way in helping Tampa Bay rebound, but Mayfield’s level of play would become a major talking point during the season if he were enter the year as a pending free agent.
Breer predicts a deal will indeed get done this summer. Another three-year accord, this time worth $165MM (or a similar figure) likely represents a logical baseline in this case, he adds. A desire to finalize an extension has long been mutual, and a new effort to finish negotiations with an agreement being reached will take place over the coming days.
NFL Owners Expected To Finalize Roger Goodell Extension
Last May, it was reported NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was expected to receive another contract extension. That has yet to take place, but a deal is still likely in his case.
A new Goodell contract is expected to be finalized within the coming months, Mark Maske of Front Office Sports reports. No firm timeline is in place, but four sources he spoke with stated confidence an agreement will be reached in time for the upcoming round of CBA negotiations as well as discussions on new broadcast deals. Goodell’s most recent extension was signed in 2023, and it runs through next March.
The NFL opted to wait until a new NFLPA executive director was in place to begin talks on the latest collective bargaining agreement extension. J.C. Tretter returned to the union as its new ED earlier this year, although he is still in the process of polling players on their top priorities with respect to CBA talks. As a result, formal negotiations have still not begun. Meanwhile, the NFL is widely expected to reopen its broadcast deals early given the likelihood of securing more lucrative terms with an ever-expanding number of media partners.
An owners’ meeting has been set for August 26. It is on that date that the sale of the Seahawks – for a record-shattering $9.61 billion – is set to receive formal approval. Goodell’s contract status could also be discussed at that point, although Maske points to October’s quarterly meeting as a logical point for his extension to be finalized. It was in October 2023 that he is current deal was approved; when it expires, Goodell will be 68.
In place since 2006, Goodell succeeded the late Paul Tagliabue as the NFL’s second commissioner since Pete Rozelle. His tenure has seen the finances of the league benefit to an unprecedented degree, as evidenced by (among other things) the soaring prices of franchise sales. Domestic revenue has increased through a broadening of broadcast agreements, while international growth targeting a wide range of overseas markets has been a central league priority for several years. The next CBA – whenever it is finalized – is expected to include a further expansion of the regular season from 17 games per team to 18.
Goodell has drawn criticism on a number of fronts, with inconsistent discipline decisions and a reversal of the NFL’s stance on gambling once it was legalized among the topics which have led to scandals. Nevertheless, ownership has remained willing to extend his tenure on several occasions with minimal opposition emerging. Per Maske, no stumbling blocks to another deal are believed to exist.
During Goodell’s last round of contract talks, the NFL’s finance committee was authorized to finalize the deal without approval from owners being necessary. Whether or not that will be the case again remains to be seen, but in any event a new contract should be in place relatively soon.
49ers Could Make Pass Rush Addition
Training camp will be critical for 49ers pass rushers Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams on the health front. Full clearance in both cases in time for Week 1 would not come as a surprise, although there is still progress to be made regarding ACL recoveries for that to take place.
Even in the event Bosa and Williams are at 100% in the near future, the 49ers’ EDGE depth chart could change shortly. Vic Tafur of The Athletic notes it “seems like” San Francisco will bring in a veteran this summer. Bryce Huff elected to retire in a move which allowed him to commit fully to his entrepreneurial efforts, leaving the team short on veteran pass rushers. There are a number of options available on the open market as things stand.
The likes of Jadeveon Clowney, Von Miller, Leonard Floyd and Denico Autry are unsigned with training camps not far away. Bosa’s brother Joey is also a free agent, but a deal sending him to the Bay Area has never seemed imminent this offseason. The elder Bosa could be a retirement candidate, although a final decision has yet to be made in his case.
The 49ers added Cameron Sample this spring, but Yetur Gross-Matos, Clelin Ferrell and Tarron Jackson have not been retained. Coupled with the Huff retirement, that should leave room for at least one veteran signing in time for the start of training camp. Third-round pick Romello Height – who signed his rookie contract earlier this month – could be in line for a regular defensive role early in his NFL career. Nevertheless, a free agent signing would be an understandable approach entering the 2026 campaign. It would also be affordable, since the 49ers lead the league with over $71MM in cap space.
In the case of Nick Bosa, Tafur adds the coming season will be critical for financial reasons. 2027 currently calls for a cap charge of $54.87MM, so an extension aimed at lowering that figure will likely be pursued next offseason. Of course, Bosa’s ability to deliver a healthy campaign and produce at his previous All-Pro levels will be key in determining how he and the 49ers proceed on that front.
In the meantime, San Francisco will remain a team to watch regarding an addition or two on the open market. If a move is to be made, bringing in additional edge rush depth would make for a logical priority.
Saints Expected To Extend WR Chris Olave Before Week 1
The Saints’ first training camp practice will take place on July 29. One of the team’s top storylines leading up to that point is the contract status of Chris Olave.
An extension has been a long-running discussion point between team and player in this case. As things stand, Olave is due to play on his fifth-year option in 2026. That would see him collect $15.49MM, a figure which doubles as his team-high cap charge for the coming season.
A long-term commitment would come as little surprise, though. As Larry Holder of The Athletic writes, an expectation exists that an extension agreement will be reached in time for Week 1. Olave himself said last month he is aiming to have a deal in place by the onset of training camp. The possibility of a multiyear commitment being in place within the next few days will remain something to watch closely as a result.
Olave was limited to eight games in 2024, but he managed to avoid any further concussion issues while remaining largely healthy last season. Lingering blood clot issues led to missed time during the spring, although the 26-year-old is cleared to participate in padded practices during camp. A hold-in could be staged in the event no deal is in place when summer work begins. Olave, though, has not indicated his plans in such a scenario.
New Orleans’ passing attack has leaned heavily on the Ohio State product during his career. Olave has received at least 119 targets in each of his three healthy campaigns, and he set new career highs across the board in 2025 with a 100-1,163-9 statline. Expectations will be high for another productive outing during quarterback Tyler Shough‘s first full year as the Saints’ starting quarterback, even with first-round rookie Jordyn Tyson in place as a new starting receiver.
The Saints have managed to clean up their cap relative to recent years with less dead money charges due in the future for aging veterans. Olave is a logical candidate to benefit from that additional spending power beyond 2026, something which could soon be realized in the form of an extension.
5 Key Stories: 7/12/26 – 7/18/26
The countdown to training camp continues around the NFL, and plenty of unanswered questions remain with respect to veteran players. Clarity on a number of fronts has emerged in recent days, though. In case you missed any of this week’s top stories, here is a quick recap:
- Kamara Staying With Saints: Throughout the spring, it was uncertain if Alvin Kamara would remain in place with the Saints for 2026. That will indeed be the case, with team and player agreeing on a pay cut covering the coming season. For 2026 – still the final year of the pact – Kamara will collect $6MM in base pay and up to $2.5MM more via incentives. New Orleans added running back Travis Etienne in free agency, leading to questions about Kamara’s role moving forward. The latter will continue with his only NFL team for at least a 10th season. Coming off a down year in terms of production, Kamara will aim to rebound while operating in a split backfield.
- Cowboys’ Pickens To Play On Tag: July 15 marked the deadline for franchise tag recipients to sign long-term deals with their respective teams. Every tagged player from 2026 had already done so with the exception of George Pickens and the Cowboys. To no surprise, the deadline passed without an agreement being reached. Dallas has long been clear Pickens, 25, will play on the tag this season. The 2025 trade acquisition enjoyed a career year as one of the league’s most productive wideouts during his debut Cowboys campaign. That has helped Pickens line up $27.3MM in compensation on the tag, but it remains to be seen if a multiyear pact worth more an annual basis is in the cards. Negotiations on that front will be something to watch for after the season.
- Donald Conducts Rams Workout: In the latest indication an Aaron Donald return to the Rams could be coming soon, the future Hall of Famer recently conducted a workout at the team’s facility. With Donald giving thought to unretiring, he went through drills similar to the ones he will be doing if he is officially back in time for training camp. By the onset of camp later this month, a commitment one way or the other may be in place in this case. There is still the matter of finances to address if Donald does choose to come back after a two-year absence, but the possibility of the future Hall of Famer playing in 2026 remains a storyline to follow closely.
- Diggs Dealing With New Lawsuit: Free agent receiver Stefon Diggs was found not guilty following a brief criminal trial earlier this offseason, but he has since been named in another civil suit. The four-time Pro Bowler is said to have falsely accused a man of stealing his Ferrari in 2024; notice being served to other defendants in the case has paved the way for it to proceed. This marks the latest legal issue for Diggs, who was cut this spring in a cost-shedding move. Nevertheless, a recent report indicated the lawsuit is not expected to significantly alter his free agent market. A number of teams have been connected to interest not long before the start of training camp, so a deal could be in place shortly.
- Packers Extend McDuffie: Over the course of his five-year Packers tenure, Isaiah McDuffie has emerged as a consistent producer on defense and a core special teams presence. The veteran linebacker received a two-year deal last offseason, but Green Bay authorized a one-year extension to avoid a potential free agent departure in 2027. McDuffie’s newest deal is worth $4.85MM, a slight raise compared to the $4MM AAV of his previous pact. Another $1MM is available through incentives. McDuffie has posted at least 86 tackles in each of the past three seasons, and the 26-year-old will be expected to continue serving a key role on Green Bay’s defense and special teams over the short term.
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/18/26
Saturday’s minor NFL moves:
San Francisco 49ers
- Placed on active/NFI list: TE Khalil Dinkins
Seattle Seahawks
- Placed on active/PUP list: DT Deven Eastern
As players begin to report for training camp, several will be moved to temporary injury lists. Those which receive the active Non-Football Injury or Physically Unable to Perform designations are prohibited from practicing during camp until being medically cleared, but they can be brought back onto the active roster at any time during the summer.
An unspecified injury kept Eastern sidelined for most of the spring, as noted by Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. His return timeline, like that of Dinkins, is unclear as a result.
49ers Sign P Jack Bouwmeester
Jack Bouwmeester was originally set to join the 49ers as an undrafted free agent this spring. His arrival with the team has been delayed, but it is now official.
The former Texas punter is on the books, per a team announcement. Bouwmeester is Australian, and the gap between his decision to join San Francisco and today’s news was caused by a delay in processing his work visa. That issue has now been solved in time for training camo.
Through OTAs and minicamp, Corliss Waitman operated as the 49ers’ only punter. The free agent signing will now have competition as San Francisco originally hoped, however. Waitman spent the past two seasons in Pittsburgh, but he was not retained for the 2026 campaign. A veteran of 52 NFL games, the soon-to-be 31-year-old will certainly enter training camp in pole position for the full-time punting gig.
Since he is attached to a deal containing only $450K in guarantees, though, Waitman is far from a lock to survive roster cuts at the end of the summer. His showings in camp and the preseason – along with those of Bouwmeester – will make for a notable team storyline as a result. Across a college career which also included time at Michigan State and Utah, Bouwmeester totaled 53 appearances. His best season in terms of yards per punt average (45.5) came in 2023, although the past two seasons saw him deliver a similar performance on that front.
The 49ers entered Saturday leading the league in cap space with over $71MM available. This Bouwmeester signing will obviously not impact any other roster moves which are being planned for the time leading up to training camp. It has nevertheless confirmed that a punter competition will be in store this summer.
NFL Mailbag: Pickens, Thibodeaux, Brissett, Vikings, HCs
In this week’s edition of the PFR mailbag, questions on the futures of George Pickens and Kayvon Thibodeaux are answered. Potential QB moves for the Cardinals and Vikings, along with early head coaching firing candidates, are also addressed.
Ryan asks:
Now that he’s officially tagged for this year, what do you think happens with George Pickens and the Cowboys in 2027?
Jerry Jones has a well-earned reputation as someone who prefers to wait and see when it comes to financial commitments. The long-term downside of that approach has long been established, but that didn’t change his stance with Pickens.
