Jadeveon Clowney Intends To Play In 2025
The Panthers explored a trade of Jadeveon Clowney before the draft, but nothing came about on that front. Given the team’s rookie additions, though, the possibility remained the veteran edge rusher would be let go after only one season in Carolina. 
Indeed, the team proceeded with a release on Thursday. One year remained on Clowney’s pact, but he now finds himself on the market as a post-draft free agent. As could be expected, the 32-year-old has no intention of hanging up his cleats at this point.
“I’m definitely gonna play well,” Clowney said during an interview with Joe Person of The Athletic (subscription required). “You can mark my word on that. I don’t care where I end up playing at, I’m gonna play extremely well… There are 31 other teams. I just hope another team gives me that opportunity so I can prove myself again. I feel like I can do that.”
After a five-year run in Houston to begin his career, the former No. 1 pick has bounced around the NFL. Clowney played for the Seahawks, Titans, Browns and Ravens prior to last year’s season spent with the Panthers. Only the Cleveland portion of that stretch (2021-22) consisted of a multi-year run in an organization. A long-term commitment can surely be ruled out once again in this case, but any number of teams could be willing to make him a depth addition for the 2025 campaign.
Clowney handled a full-time starting role in Carolina last season, and he posted 5.5 sacks. The South Carolina product totaled 18.5 sacks across the 2021 and ’23 campaigns, with a much less productive season taking place in between. Regardless of the sack output which can be expected of him, Clowney – who has 108 tackles for loss in his career – will be counted on to remain a strong contributor against the run on his next team.
The Panthers committed $12MM guaranteed on Clowney’s two-year pact last spring. Even if suitors submit less lucrative offers this time around, several teams have the cap space necessary to add him as a rotational contributor (especially on a one-year pact). Clowney will look to find a new team no later than training camp, joining the likes of Von Miller, Za’Darius Smith and Matt Judon in that regard.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/10/25
Saturday’s minor moves:
Miami Dolphins
- Waived: LS Kneeland Hibbett
Washington Commanders
- Signed: OL Tyre Phillips
Hibbert joins Blake Ferguson as a long snapper the Dolphins have let go of recently. Miami signed longtime Patriot Joe Cardona yesterday, and this move confirms the 10-year veteran will handle deep snapping duties for the team in 2025.
Phillips will remain in the NFC East despite seeing his three-year Giants tenure come to an end. The 28-year-old has made a total of 47 appearances and 28 starts in his career, seeing time at guard and tackle along the way. He will look to earn a depth spot on a Washington O-line which has undergone multiple notable changes this offseason.
Buccaneers Sign 15 UDFAs
The Buccaneers have already signed five of their six draft picks to their rookie deals. That group has seen the addition of the following 15 undrafted free agents to the roster:
- Connor Bazelak, QB (Bowling Green)
- John Bullock, LB (Nebraska)
- Benjamin Chukwuma, T (Georgia State)
- Ryan Coe, K (Cal)
- Garrett Greene, WR (West Virginia)
- Nash Hutmacher, DL (Nebraska)
- Anthony Landphere, TE (Memphis)
- Jake Majors, C (Texas)
- Roman Parodie, CB (Ohio)
- Warren Peeples, OLB (Southeastern Louisiana)
- J.J. Roberts, S (Marshall)
- Shilo Sanders, S (Colorado)
- Ben Scott, OL (Nebraska)
- Desmond Watson, DL (Florida)
- Josh Williams, RB (LSU)
Each of the three offensive linemen in this group received a notable financial commitment from Tampa Bay. Chukwuma secured a $55K signing bonus in addition to $245K in base salary guarantees, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reports. Scott, meanwhile, landed $265K in total guarantees including $15K up front, according to Spotrac (via Greg Auman of Fox Sports). Similarly, Wilson adds Major’s pact contains a $10K signing bonus and $250K in salary guarantees.
Auman reports Hutmacher was originally on track to sign with the Ravens, but circumstances have led him to Tampa. He spent his entire five-year career with the Cornhuskers, collecting 6.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss across the past two campaigns. Hutmacher will aim to demonstrate his disruptiveness during the spring and in doing earn a depth spot along the D-line.
Watson drew attention when he weighed in at 464 pounds during Florida’s Pro Day. When he signed his UDFA deal with the Bucs, he became the heaviest player in NFL history. Reducing that number will be a priority for team and player, although Watson never missed a game during his four seasons with the Gators.
NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/10/25
Saturday’s lone draft pick signing:
Houston Texans
- RB Woody Marks (fourth round, USC)
With Marks on the books, the Texans – a team which made history this week by signing Round 2 receiver Jayden Higgins to a fully guaranteed rookie contract – now have all but one member of their draft class under contract. Only second-round offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery has yet to put pen to paper.
Omar Khan Addresses Steelers’ Decision To Trade George Pickens
Questions about George Pickens‘ future (at least for 2025) were put to rest earlier this week with the trade sending him to the Cowboys. Production was not an issue during his time in Pittsburgh, but it still came as little surprise when the team elected to move on. 
Pickens was the subject of trade calls before and during the draft, although with no deal being worked out it appeared the Steelers would retain him for 2025. Doing so likely would have set them up for the 24-year-old to depart in free agency next spring, and instead of waiting on a 2027 compensatory pick Pittsburgh took a trade package including a third-round selection in next year’s draft. On Friday, general manager Omar Khan confirmed Pickens did not ask to be moved while shedding light on the timing of the agreement.
“The trade sort of happened quickly. We had some people inquire during the draft. Nothing that really made sense. The Cowboys reached out earlier this week,” Khan said (via The Athletic’s Jon Machota). “They proposed something for us to think about. We had conversations internally.
“We also had some conversations with George’s agent… We discussed where things have been with George, where they are and where things could go with George. And this trade made sense for everyone… We just felt that a fresh start for both sides was the right thing.”
Issues related to attendance for practices and games in Pickens’ case “sucked some of the life out of the locker room” for Pittsburgh, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero noted during a Rich Eisen Show appearance (video link). Head coach Mike Tomlin‘s public admission the Georgia product needed to “grow up” was certainly an indication the Steelers were not on board with extending him. With trade acquisition D.K. Metcalf attached to a monster deal, retaining Pickens on a long-term pact would have proven to be challenging.
Pelissero adds Pickens – who clashed with Pittsburgh’s quarterbacks at times – strongly preferred Russell Wilson remain in place as starter over Justin Fields. Neither passer is in the fold anymore, of course, with Aaron Rodgers looming as the Steelers’ presumed starter (in the event he signs with the team). The four-time MVP (who has already worked out with Metcalf this spring) was not made aware of the Pickens trade in advance, Pelissero adds to no surprise.
During an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, ESPN’s Peter Schrager painted a different picture of Pickens’ locker room presence (video link). The former second-rounder was not disliked by the team, per Schrager, an indication finances were the driving factor in the deal. Pittsburgh has a long history of making only one lucrative commitment at the WR spot at any given time, and that will remain the case in 2025.
Pickens, meanwhile, intends to play out the coming season as a pending free agent. His market value will depend in large part on his performance on the field but also his actions off of it as Dallas contemplates retaining him while also carrying CeeDee Lamb‘s pact for years to come.
Andrew Berry: Unlikely Browns Re-Sign RB Nick Chubb
As the offseason has unfolded, Nick Chubb‘s time in Cleveland has increasingly looked as though it is coming to an end. Another indication emerged on Friday pointing to the Pro Bowl back needing to change teams shortly. 
“I wouldn’t rule anything out, but I would say it’s probably increasingly unlikely,” general manager Andrew Berry said of a Chubb deal taking place during an appearance on 92.3 The Fan. “I’d say maybe a return is less likely, at least in the short term, with us right now.”
Entering the draft, it was unclear if Chubb would secure another Browns commitment based on his play upon returning to action in 2024. The 29-year-old played in eight games last season, but he was unable to duplicate his production or efficiency from the time preceding his massive 2023 knee injury. That ailment required multiple surgeries and led to questions about Chubb’s ability to return to the NFL in any capacity. While he managed to do so, the Browns very much appear to have moved on.
Cleveland added a pair of rookies to the backfield during the draft. With second-rounder Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson in the fold, two spots on the depth chart are accounted for in 2025 and beyond. A Chubb deal would have become more feasible in the event Jerome Ford had been released or traded this offseason. Instead, he agreed to a pay cut last week, ensuring his spot for next season. Those moves have pointed strongly to Chubb no longer being in Cleveland’s plans.
Berry acknowledged the Browns “haven’t necessarily been in strong communication” with Chubb’s camp since the draft. A lack of contract talks of course represents another signal the team has moved on. Chubb’s attention will turn to finding a suitor ahead of training camp, although by this point of the offseason teams have done much of their roster-building work. It will be interesting to see how much of a market develops over the coming weeks in his case.
Cleveland, meanwhile, will aim to develop a strong backfield duo of Judkins and Sampson over the coming years with Ford (who took on starting duties in Chubb’s absence in 2023) looking to boost his free agent stock for next spring. Barring an unforeseen development, Chubb will not figure into that group.
Buccaneers Sign First-Round WR Emeka Egbuka, Four Other Draftees
Five of the Buccaneers’ six draft picks are under contract. First-round wideout Emeka Egbuka is among the rookies who have signed their initial NFL pacts, per a team announcement. 
Egbuka’s four-year contract is worth a total of $18.1MM, ESPN’s Adam Schefter notes. That figure is fully guaranteed, per standard operating procedure for Day 1 selections. Egbuka can be kept under team control through 2029 provided Tampa Bay exercises his fifth-year option.
The Ohio State product was surrounded by recent first-rounders (and wideouts who will no doubt be selected early in future drafts) throughout his four-year career. In spite of that, Egbuka’s 205 receptions are the most in school history and his 2,868 yards rank second. His route-running and other fundamentals made him one of the safest WR prospects in the 2025 class.
Given the Bucs’ needs at other positions, though, some eyebrows were raised when they selected Egbuka 19th overall. Tampa Bay’s effective tandem of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin is still intact, and 2024 third-rounder Jalen McMillan scored eight touchdowns as a rookie. Nevertheless, Egbuka is in position to compete for a rotational role early in his career with the potential to replace Godwin as a mainstay in the slot down the road.
Had the Buccaneers looked to move down the board, Egbuka would not have been available to them. The three-time All-Big Ten performer was the subject of trade interest from teams like the Texans and Rams, with the Broncos also eyeing him at pick No. 20. Given that level of interest, Egbuka will be expected to provide Tampa Bay with consistent production early and often in his pro career.
The Bucs have also signed cornerback Jacob Parrish (third round, Kansas State), edge rusher David Walker (fourth round, Central Arkansas), defensive lineman Elijah Roberts (fifth round, SMU) and receiver Tez Johnson (seventh round, Oregon) to their rookie deals. As a result, only second-round corner Benjamin Morrison has yet to ink his first NFL pact.
Commanders Sign 10 UDFAs
The Commanders made only five selections during the draft, leaving plenty of room for undrafted free agents to compete for a roster spot this summer. Washington has signed these 10 UDFAs:
- Kam Arnold, LB (Boston College)
- Ricky Barber, DT (UCF)
- Ja’Corey Brooks, WR (Louisville)
- Fentrell Cypress II, CB (Florida State)
- Jacoby Jones, WR (UCF)
- Ale Kaho, LB (UCLA)
- Robert McDaniel, S (Jackson State)
- Timothy McKay, G (NC State)
- Trey Rucker, S (Oklahoma State)
- Car’lin Vigers, CB (Louisiana-Monroe)
Like all teams, Washington made a few noteworthy commitments in terms of guaranteed compensation on the UDFA front. McKay secured $275K locked in with his pact, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. The 6-4, 311-pounder suffered a pectoral tear during his Pro Day, Pelissero notes. That helped contribute to the fact his name was not called during the draft, but he will now turn his attention to carving out a depth role along the interior of the O-line.
Vigers also received a lucrative incentive to head to the nation’s capital. Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reports his deal contains $259K in guarantees. At 6-1 and 205 pounds, Vigers has NFL size at the CB spot, although a lack of ball production (two interceptions, six pass deflections over the past three years) confirms his path to a roster spot will come via special teams.
Wilson also notes that Cypress secured $145K in guarantees. His entire college career was spent in the ACC (four years at Virginia followed by a pair of campaigns at Florida State). That tenure only included one interception, but in 2022 he racked up 14 pass deflections as part of his career total of 27. Cypress will likewise aim to earn playing time on special teams with a defensive role likely unattainable.
Colts Sign TE Tyler Warren, Six Other Draft Picks
Seven of the Colts’ nine draft picks are on the books. First-round tight end Tyler Warren is among the draftees who are officially under contract, the team announced on Friday. 
Warren’s four-year pact is worth $20.96MM, as noted by Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz. That figure is guaranteed in full and it includes an $11.88MM signing bonus. Like all Day 1 selections, Warren will be eligible to have his 2029 fifth-year option picked up.
The Penn State product entered the 2024 campaign ranked by many behind Colston Loveland as the top tight end in this year’s draft class. Warren made a strong push to change that perspective over the course of the campaign, though, finding success in a number of capacities on offense. During the pre-draft process, a number of evaluators saw him as TE1 as a result.
Just like Loveland, Warren was regularly connected to the Colts. Indianapolis has long struggled to find a productive contributor at the tight end position, and the No. 14 pick represented a prime opportunity to make an addition at that spot. Loveland came off the board 10th overall, but Warren was available when the Colts were on the clock. The team had the opportunity to trade down but chose to stay in place and add the Mackey Award winner. Warren will be counted on to contribute in the run and pass games right away, and if he develops as hoped he will serve a key role for years to come.
Indianapolis has also agreed to terms with cornerback Justin Walley (third round, Minnesota), offensive tackle Jalen Travis (fourth round, Iowa State), running back DJ Giddens (fifth round, Kansas State), quarterback Riley Leonard (sixth round, Notre Dame), defensive tackle Tim Smith (sixth round, Alabama) and safety Hunter Wohler (seventh round, Wisconsin). As a result, only second-round edge rusher J.T. Tuimoloau and sixth-round quarterback Graham Mertz remain unsigned.
Panthers Sign WR Tetairoa McMillan, Five Other Draft Picks
Most of the Panthers’ draft class has been signed in advance of the team’s rookie minicamp. Six of the eight players selected during last month’s event have put pen to paper, per a team announcement. 
The list of players now on the books includes Tetairoa McMillan. The No. 8 pick’s deal is four years in length, but like all first-round selections the fifth-year option will be in play for Carolina if the team wishes to keep him in place for 2029. Exercising the option would of course be a sign McMillan’s early years in the NFL have gone according to plan.
The Arizona product spent much of the pre-draft process viewed as the top receiver in the 2025 class (aside from two-way star Travis Hunter). Concerns about his top speed raised the possibility of a slide down the Day 1 order, but that did not prove to be the case. The Panthers – long thought to be targeting a defensive player with their top choice – took McMillan and by doing so added a first-round wideout for the second straight season under general manager Dan Morgan.
Quarterback Bryce Young advocated for the McMillan selection, one which should give him a sizable target early and often with the Panthers. McMillan totaled 2,721 yards and 18 touchdowns across the past two seasons, demonstrating his skillset as a contested catch specialist and red zone threat along the way. An All-American in 2024, he will be counted on to operate as a possession receiver for a Panthers team in need of improved play in the passing game moving forward.
Many expected Carolina to target an edge rusher at the No. 8 spot. Instead, the team waited to address that need on Day 2, preferring the depth amongst pass rushers compared to receivers in this year’s class. That resulted in the Panthers’ second- and third-round selections being used to help an edge rush group in need of increased production for 2025.
One of those new faces is third-rounder Princely Umanmielen. The Ole Miss product has inked his rookie deal, joining safety Lathan Ransom (fourth round, Ohio State), defensive tackle Cam Jackson (fifth round, Florida), tight end Mitchell Evans (fifth round, Notre Dame) and receiver Jimmy Horn (sixth round, Colorado) in that regard. Only two draftees – Nic Scourton and Trevor Etienne – are unsigned at this point.