Commanders Complete Draft Signings
Friday saw the Commanders sign first-round linebacker Sonny Styles to his rookie contract. Washington has since worked out an agreement with the rest of its 2026 class.
All six Commanders draftees are now on the books, as noted by ESPN’s John Keim. Friday marks the beginning of Washington’s rookie minicamp, so it comes as no surprise each of these deals have been sorted out in time. Styles is one of only two players Washington added prior to Day 3 of last month’s draft.
The other is wideout Antonio Williams, who came off the board at pick No. 71. The Clemson product will look to carve out a depth role on offense right away with the Commanders looking to replace Deebo Samuel‘s 2025 production. Samuel is unsigned at this point, and a return to the nation’s capital is not expected.
Washington remains heavily linked to a Brandon Aiyuk acquisition. The team is not looking to swing a trade with the 49ers to bring him into the fold, though, so a lengthy wait for a potential release could be in store. In the meantime, Williams will aim to establish himself during spring work leading into training camp. A strong showing in that regard could result in a depth role even if Aiyuk winds up in Washington to pair with Terry McLaurin.
Joshua Josephs will join a pass rush room which has undergone plenty of changes this spring. He, too could occupy a rotational role right away before taking on a larger workload. Washington’s other Day 3 picks will aim to provide young depth to a team which has fielded one of the league’s oldest rosters in recent years. Contributions from new arrivals would be key in helping the Commanders return to the playoffs in 2026.
Here is a final look at Washington’s draft class:
- Round 1, No. 7: Sonny Styles (LB, Ohio State) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 71: Antonio Williams (WR, Clemson) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 147: Joshua Josephs (EDGE, Tennessee) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 187: Kaytron Allen (RB, Penn State) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 209 (from 49ers): Matt Gulbin (C, Michigan State) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 223: Athan Kaliakmanis (QB, Rutgers) (signed)
Jets Sign Round 2 CB D’Angelo Ponds
One of the Jets’ three first-round picks has signed his rookie contract to date, while some of the team’s Day 3 selections are on the books as well. New York has inked its only Day 2 pick as well.
Cornerback D’Angelo Ponds has agreed to terms on his initial NFL deal, ESPN’s Adam Schefter notes. The four-year pact is worth $9.84MM. As Schefter adds, Ponds secured $8.95MM in guarantees. The matter of locked-in money for second-round picks was a significant storyline last year, and that is likely to remain the case in 2026.
Ponds began his college career at James Madison, spending one year there. He was among the players who followed head coach Curt Cignetti to Indiana ahead of the 2024 season. A full-time starting role awaited him upon arrival, and Ponds was a productive member of the Hoosiers’ defense. Ponds racked up five interceptions and 21 pass deflections during his Indiana tenure.
That production helped him earn first-team All-Big Ten honors along with a second-team All-American nod in 2024 and ’25. Size was no doubt a concern for some NFL evaluators, but the 5-8, 180-pound Ponds was still viewed as one of the top cornerbacks in this year’s class. It thus came as no surprise when the Jets selected him 50th overall. Ponds will be tasked with handling slot duties at the pro level after working on the perimeter in college.
The Jets ranked 17th against the pass in 2025, head coach Aaron Glenn‘s first year as head coach. The former NFL defensive back will take on a larger role leading New York’s defense this season after the unit struggled in several other areas. A strong rookie campaign from Ponds would help bring about needed improvements this season and help him establish himself as core figure in the secondary.
The Jets also announced on Friday that guard Anez Cooper has inked his rookie deal. The sixth-rounder is thus on the books in time for rookie minicamp. Five members of the Jets’ draft class have now been signed, leaving three more to go.
Browns Place LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah On Reserve/PUP List
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah missed all of last season while recovering from a severe neck injury. The same will be true again in 2026 for the veteran linebacker.
The Browns announced on Friday that Owusu-Koramoah has been moved to the reserve/physically unable to perform list. Players who find themselves on the active/PUP list during the onset of training camp can be activated at any time. Those who begin the regular season on the list, meanwhile, can be brought back onto an active roster as early as Week 5.
By contrast, the reserve/PUP designation ensures a player will be sidelined for the entire year. Given the fact Owusu-Koramoah found himself in the same position in 2025, today’s news will intensify questions about his NFL career being over. As a February, it seemed as though the 26-year-old’s playing days had come to an end. Friday’s move further reinforces that.
In 2024, Owusu-Koramoah suffered the injury which brought his career to a halt. He had previously established himself as an impactful presence on defense, handling full-time starting duties and earning a Pro Bowl nod in 2023. The Notre Dame product inked a three-year extension worth an average of $12.5MM per year after his third Cleveland season, but his time on the field after landing that deal proved to be very short-lived. With Owusu-Koramoah’s status uncertain last spring, the Browns invested a second-round pick in fellow linebacker Carson Schwesinger.
That decision proved to be impactful, as Schwesinger earned Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2025. He will be expected to remain a key figure for Cleveland this season and well into the future. That is especially true since it appears a return to action on the part of Owusu-Koramoah will not be possible at any time.
As things stand, Owusu-Koramoah remains under team control through the 2027 season. He has amassed roughly $17.5MM in career earnings while totaling 50 combined regular and postseason appearances. In the wake of today’s development, though, it seems increasingly unlikely either of those figures will increase moving forward.
Commanders Sign No. 7 Pick Sonny Styles
The Commanders officially added nine undrafted free agents to their roster yesterday. Their list of rookies on the books now includes the team’s top selection.
Linebacker Sonny Styles signed his rookie deal on Friday, per a team announcement. He will collect $37.2MM fully guaranteed over the next four years. That includes a $23.9MM signing bonus. Washington could keep Styles under team control through 2030 via the fifth-year option.
The Commanders entered last month’s draft in need of defensive upgrades, so it came as little surprise when they took Styles off the board seventh overall. The Ohio State standout was widely regarded as one of the top players in the class, although like others in that respect he was the subject of questions regarding his positional value. Washington did not expect Styles to still be available at No. 7, but he will be counted on to operate as an impactful presence at the second level early and often in his career.
A converted safety, Styles thrived when playing at linebacker with the Buckeyes. He racked up 182 tackles, seven sacks and 17 tackles for loss across the 2024 and ’25 seasons, and high-end production at the NFL level would go a long way in bringing about defensive improvements for Washington. The team added Leo Chenal during free agency on a three-year deal, and he and Styles will be expected to work as a tandem in the nation’s capital now and in the future.
The Commanders ranked 30th against the run in 2025; Styles could help them improve in that regard while also contributing as a pass rush presence when used as a blitzer. Washington’s rookie minicamp will take place this weekend, giving the team its first look at Styles and marking the beginning of his acclimation to the team’s new-look defense.
NFL Mailbag: Brown, Patriots, Watson, Wilson, Jets, Diggs, Offsets
This week's edition of the PFR Mailbag dives into questions on the future of some of the top receivers set to be on the move late in the offseason. QB-related topics for the Browns and Jets are addressed, and more.
David asks:
If the Patriots don't trade for A.J. Brown, what's Plan B?
It probably won’t get to that point. I still think New England and Philadelphia will agree to a Brown trade in time for the deal to be processed shortly after June 1.
Calais Campbell Addresses Ravens Deal
Earlier this week, Calais Campbell officially signed the deal which will see him return to the Ravens for 2026. A 19th NFL season is now in store, something the defensive line stalwart did not envision coming to pass.
“I’ve always told myself once I got old, it was one year at a time,” Campbell said (via the Ravens’ website). “Play well enough that if you want to play again, you’ll have opportunity. It’s cool to still be wanted.”
The 2010s All-Decade Team member noted multiple suitors showed interest in him during free agency. Campbell is preparing to play his age-40 season, so having multiple destinations to choose from illustrates the regard in which he is still held. Campbell will spend a fourth campaign in Baltimore and first since 2022, although efforts were made on the part of the Ravens to bring about a reunion earlier.
Baltimore released the former Defensive Player of the Year in a cost-shedding move following the 2022 season. The team’s intention was to retain Campbell at a reduced rate, but he wound up signing with the Falcons. One year in Atlanta was followed by a Dolphins campaign; Baltimore worked out a trade to re-acquire Campbell but then-Miami coach Mike McDaniel nixed it.
Campbell noted the Ravens tried once again to trade for him in 2025. Instead, the Cardinals (the team with which his decorated career began) elected to retain him. While waiting until April to make a determination on his playing future, Campbell noted Baltimore general manager Eric DeCosta made another push to bring him back. This latest effort led to the six-time Pro Bowler choosing to return to the Ravens despite interest on the part of the Cardinals in working out a deal for 2026.
During his three-year run in Baltimore, Campbell operated as a full-time starter and made consistent contributions against the run and pass. He will be expected to do so upon return with retirement questions delayed once more for the time being. In the event Campbell does continue playing in 2027, though, he could have a notable free agent market.
Bears, C Garrett Bradbury Agree To Restructure
In the aftermath of Drew Dalman‘s retirement, the Bears found themselves in need of a veteran center. Chicago was among the teams which showed free agent interest in Tyler Linderbaum, but the trade route wound up being taken.
The Bears swung a deal with the Patriots for Garrett Bradbury in March. That acquisition gave Chicago a new starter for 2026, the final year of Bradbury’s contract. The ex-Vikings veteran’s deal has been revised recently.
A restructure has been worked out between team and player in this case, as detailed by Spotrac. Bradbury has seen $1MM in incentives converted into a guarantee. As a result, he is now owed $3.7MM in locked-in base salary. Bradbury can collect an additional $1MM through workout and per-game roster bonuses. He will carry a cap charge of $4.7MM in 2026.
Chicago still has 2025 trade acquisitions Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson in place at the guard positions. Right tackle Darnell Wright remains under team control for another two seasons with 2027 marking his fifth-year option campaign. The left tackle spot, by contrast, is much less certain. It remains to be seen if Ozzy Trapilo will able to play in 2026, so Braxton Jones or recent addition Jedrick Wills could see notable time on the blindside next season.
Regardless of how things play out on that front, Bradbury will spend the summer aiming to cement his first-team status. The Bears drafted Logan Jones in the second round, making him the team’s planned long-term option at the center spot. For now, though, Bradbury is in place. His Bears deal now includes a bump in guarantees, pointing further to his importance for 2026.
Travis Kelce Informed Chiefs Of 2026 Plans Following Week 18
Once the Chiefs’ season ended, attention turned to the question of Travis Kelce‘s future. It appeared uncertain for a time if he would suit up for the 2026 campaign, but the team had a good indication of his intentions right away.
“We played our last game of the season in Vegas last year, and when we got back we have player meetings and exit interviews,” general manager Brett Veach said during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show (video link). “It was a cool deal where Trav came in and he basically said ‘I’m going to take a few weeks off here, but I’m not going out like this, let’s stay in touch and let’s figure something out.’
“While free agency and there was still some questions in the air on whether or not he’d return, we knew basically the day after our last game. He made it known to [head] coach [Andy] Reid and to me that there was no way he was going out like this.”
The possibility of Kelce speaking with other teams was raised shortly before the start of free agency, although another Kansas City contract was ultimately worked out. The three-time Super Bowl champion is owed $12MM fully guaranteed in 2026, and his latest deal is designed for a post-June 1 release to end his decorated career. Kelce will once again be counted on to serve as a key figure in the passing game this season with the Chiefs aiming for a return to full health from quarterback Patrick Mahomes and a rebound from 2025’s team performance.
Retirement has increasingly become a talking point for Kelce, 36, in recent years. The four-time All-Pro has remained durable through the latter stages of his career, although 2025 marked the third consecutive season in which he recorded less than 1,000 yards. Greater efficiency on offense will be a goal for Kansas City moving forward, and Kelce – whose yards per reception average rebounded to 11.2 last season – is in line to continue handling a starter’s workload for at least one more year.
Questions about Kelce’s future beyond 2026 will no doubt be asked as next season unfolds. If he maintains a similar level of communication with the team at the end of the campaign, though, the Chiefs will have clarity regarding his status without a lengthy waiting period taking place.
Charges Dropped Against L’Jarius Sneed
In November, cornerback L’Jarius Sneed was indicted by a grand jury. The charge Sneed faced as a result of that development has now been dropped, however.
Attorney Michael J. Todd revealed on Tuesday (via ESPN’s Adam Schefter) Sneed’s case was recently dismissed by the state of Texas. Sneed originally faced an aggravated assault charge stemming from an alleged December 2024 incident. The grand jury wound up indicting him on a charge of failure to report a felony, which is a Class A misdemeanor.
This latest development, Sneed’s attorney confirms, means the legal matter is now settled. The veteran no longer has any pending charges and his case included no admission of guilt. Sneed appears to still be one of the defendants in a civil suit, but this news should help his chances of landing a deal in free agency before the start of the 2026 season.
Sneed was a starter for the Chiefs while playing out his rookie contract. Kansas City used the franchise tag in 2024 before working out a trade to the Titans. Part of that agreement was a four-year, $76.4MM extension with Tennessee upon arrival. Expectations were high as a result, but the former fourth-rounder made only five appearances during his debut season with his new team. Sneed was limited to seven contests in 2025, and his performance in coverage when on the field fell short of his peak Kansas City showings.
In a move which thus came as no surprise, Sneed was released in March. The Titans will move forward with free agent signings Alontae Taylor and Cor’Dale Flott as key figures at the cornerback spot while attempting to improve in the secondary this season. Sneed, 29, remains unsigned at this time. With several veterans lining up deals at this time of year, however, he could be among those landing an opportunity relatively soon.
On the other hand, it will be interesting to see if a league investigation takes place. The NFL often waits until legal proceedings run their course before looking into a situation, and convictions are not required for fines and/or suspensions to be handed down under the personal conduct policy. Nonetheless, Sneed’s path to a third NFL contract (one which will no doubt be worth far less than his second) should be clearer moving forward.
Patrick Mahomes Expected To Participate In Chiefs’ OTAs
MAY 5: During an appearance on SiriusXM radio (audio link), Chiefs GM Brett Veach confirmed Mahomes is “way ahead of schedule.” Nevertheless, he added the team will proceed with caution once training camp – and thus contact practices – begins.
MAY 2: The Chiefs will begin their organized team activities later this month. Patrick Mahomes has progressed in his injury recovery to the point he is expected to take part.
“He is in a good position to be able to do some things,” head coach Andy Reid said (via ESPN’s Nate Taylor). “Phase 2 [of the offseason program], remember, there’s no contact and there’s no offense versus defense. It’s Phase 3 that you get into that… He’s in a position where he can do everything, I think.”
Mahomes suffered ACL and MCL tears late in the 2025 season, setting him up for a lengthy rehab process and leading to questions about his Week 1 availability for next year. Even limited participation in spring practices would obviously be an encouraging sign, though. Kansas City’s OTAs will take place from May 26-28 along with June 1-3.
That will be followed by mandatory minicamp; contact practices will not commence until training camp in July. By that point, the Chiefs will no doubt have a clearer picture of Mahomes’ rehab status. The team will presumably proceed with caution over the coming weeks, with trade acquisition Justin Fields a candidate to handle first-team reps. Kansas City also has Chris Oladokun and seventh-round rookie Garrett Nussmeier on the QB depth chart.
Mahomes’ deal was once again restructured this offseason, and he remains under contract through 2031. The three-time Super Bowl MVP will play a key role in the Chiefs’ efforts to return to the playoffs in 2026 after Kansas City’s underwhelming showing this past campaign. A clean bill of health will of course be critical to the team’s short- and long-term outlook. As Kansas City’s offseason programs unfold, the involvement of Mahomes will remain a story to follow closely.