49ers, George Kittle Agree To Extension
Extension talks with George Kittle have produced an agreement. The All-Pro tight end announced during an appearance on the Bussin’ With the Boys podcast that he has signed a new deal. 
This will be a four-year pact, per Kittle. The deal is worth $76.4MM in total and includes $40MM in guarantees. The latter figure consists of $35MM locked in at signing along with $5MM in guarantees covering the 2027 campaign. 2025 had represented the final year of Kittle’s contract, but he is now on the books through 2029; his scheduled cap charge for the coming year ($22.03MM) will no doubt be lowered as a result of the agreement.
This deal carries an annual average value of $19.1MM, surpassing the AAV of Trey McBride‘s recent Cardinals extension. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk cautions, though, that the final year of the contract contains an inflated figure to push that mark from $18MM to its record-breaking point. Kittle had been attached to a $15MM-per-year pact, but his future has now been secured by means of another lucrative 49ers commitment on the offensive side of the ball.
Kittle surpassed 1,000 receiving yards for the fourth time in his career in 2024, and his eight touchdowns marked the second-highest total in a single season for him to date. That production helped his leverage in contract talks, and prior to the draft it was reported team and player were far apart on terms. Originally, the 31-year-old was absent from the start of voluntary offseason workouts. Kittle did attend on Friday, though, and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport notes negotiations gained steam from that point on.
A report stating the former fifth-rounder was aiming to become the league’s highest-paid tight end – with that being the reason for his early absence – drew a public rebuttal from the six-time Pro Bowler himself. Nonetheless, Kittle is now atop the position’s financial pecking order as he looks to remain a mainstay in the pass and run games for San Francisco. The team’s list of remaining extensions now includes quarterback Brock Purdy and linebacker Fred Warner, both of whom are in attendance for the start of offseason work.
The 49ers made 11 selections in this year’s draft, tied for the most in the NFL. None of those picks were used on a tight end, an indication the team would continue relying on Kittle (along with free agent addition Luke Farrell) for 2025 and beyond. San Francisco’s season did not go according to plan last year as the team dealt with a slew of injuries at key positions. Kittle continued a run of making at least 14 appearances which dates back to 2021, though, and the 49ers will be counting on that stretch of availability extending deep into his career.
As San Francisco prepares for a period with Purdy attached to one of the league’s most lucrative deals, the team also has big-ticket commitments in place with Kittle, wideout Brandon Aiyuk and running back Christian McCaffrey. If that nucleus is to guide the 49ers to a Super Bowl, Kittle will no doubt continue operating as a central figure in the team’s success.
Chiefs To Exercise Fifth-Year Options On Trent McDuffie, George Karlaftis
Trent McDuffie and George Karlaftis are targets for Chiefs extensions. One or both could be worked out as early as this offseason, but in any case their futures for the next two years are clear. 
Kansas City will exercise the fifth-year option in both of these cases, as first reported by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. For McDuffie, that sets him up to receive $17.6MM in 2026. Karlaftis will be in line to earn $15.12MM that season. Of course, long-term accords could very well be hand before that campaign begins anyway.
[RELATED: Fifth-Year Option Tracker]
The Chiefs appeared at one point to be on track to lose guard Trey Smith in free agency, but using the franchise tag prevented such a development. Tagging the Pro Bowler ensures he will remain in Kansas City for at least 2025, but general manager Brett Veach recently said a Smith extension will be the team’s top post-draft priority. To no surprise, McDuffie and Karlaftis are in the team’s plans as well.
McDuffie has operated as a full-time starter during his time with the Chiefs. The Washington product does not have a Pro Bowl nod on his resume despite the fact he earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2023 and a spot on the second All-Pro team last year. McDuffie has only managed two interceptions to date in his career, but his strong coverage performances and 13 pass deflections from last year showcase his value to the team.
The cornerback market jumped to $30MM this offseason thanks to Derek Stingley Jr.‘s Texans extension. Seven cover men are now attached to a pact averaging at least $20.1MM annually, and McDuffie will no doubt aim to join that group on his second contract. Team and player will have plenty of time to work out a deal with the option being picked up.
Karlaftis, 24, has seen his workload increase with each passing season. After posting 10.5 sacks in 2023, that figure fell slightly to eight last season. The Purdue alum increased his pressure totals (from 35 to 37), though, and continued development can be expected for several more years. Providing Kansas City with a consistent presence off the edge will be key for the team as defensive tackle Chris Jones moves toward the latter stages of his career.
Myles Garrett‘s trade request was rescinded when he and the Browns worked out an extension averaging $40MM per season. That represents the top of the market at this point, but the likes of Micah Parsons (Cowboys), Aidan Hutchinson (Lions), T.J. Watt (Steelers) and Trey Hendrickson (Bengals) are all in position to ink monster new pacts of their own. That could drive up the asking price on a new Karlaftis pact once negotiations begin on that front.
The Chiefs have reached the Super Bowl every year since adding the McDuffie-Karlaftis tandem to the mix, winning the title game twice. Both members of that pairing will be counted to remain impactful starters moving forward during a stretch which will last through the 2026 campaign at a minimum.
Titans To Add Dan Saganey To Front Office
11:37am: Saganey’s title will be vice president of player personnel, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reports. This represents a lateral move as a result. As for Gardner, meanwhile, Stratton notes he and the Titans have parted ways. Tennessee will remain a team to watch for further front office moves this offseason.
9:40am: Once the draft concludes, movement often takes place amongst NFL front office and scouting personnel. In the case of the Titans, an addition is set to be made in the scouting department.
With Dan Saganey‘s Browns tenure coming to a close, he is headed to Tennessee. Cleveland’s former player personnel director is expected to be hired by the Titans, per veteran reporter Paul Kuharsky. Saganey will take on a “high-level scouting role” upon arrival, Kuharsky adds.
In recent years, the Titans have seen plenty of executive turnover. This offseason has included the firing of general manager Ran Carthon, who was replaced by Mike Borgonzi. The latter led the way during the draft, but president of football operations Chad Brinker will serve as the organization’s top decision-maker in many other areas. Saganey – who had been in his post since 2016 – will join the fold as Tennessee continues to make moves in the front office.
Per Neil Stratton of Inside the Lines (via Kurhasky), the Titans recently moved on from A.J. Highsmith as their scouting director. He had been in that spot for only one year, but with changes coming at the top of the organization that department will also have a new face for 2025. Saganey is obviously a candidate to take over Highsmith’s role (although college scouting director Jon Salge as well as pro scouting director Brian Gardner remain in the organization and are candidates to be promoted).
Tennessee followed up the Borgonzi hire by adding a pair of former general managers to the fold. Reggie McKenzie and Dave Ziegler will each play a notable role with the team moving forward. The same is set to be true of Saganey.
Commanders To Sign K Matt Gay, Release K Zane Gonzalez
Matt Gay‘s time as a free agent has not lasted long. The veteran kicker has agreed to a deal with the Commanders, per his agents (via Tom Pelissero of NFL Network). 
This will be a one-year deal worth $4.25MM fully guaranteed. That figure represents the highest locked-in total for a kicker on a one-year accord in league history. Pelissero notes Gay’s 2025 earnings can top out at $5MM via incentives.
Earlier this month, the Colts released Gay halfway through his four-year, $22.5MM pact. The 31-year-old became a free agent as a result, but to little surprise he did not line up a deal prior to the draft taking place. Like almost all teams, the Commanders did not use a draft pick on the position this past weekend. That opened the door to Zane Gonzalez remaining in place as the team’s kicker for 2025, but Pelissero reports he has been released in a corresponding move to the Gay signing.
Gonzalez was limited to six games in 2024, his first year of regular season action since 2021. The former Brown, Cardinal and Panther connected on five of seven field goal attempts for Washington when healthy, with the team cycling though numerous other options during the campaign. One year remained on Gonzelez’s contract; this release will result in $1.03MM in cap savings for the team without generating a dead money charge.
Gay’s career accuracy rate sits at 85.5%. He was unable to reach that figure (or match his Rams success) during his two seasons in Indianapolis as issues with long-range attempts proved to be key. Gay missed six field goal attempts in 2024, each of which were at a distance of 50-plus yards. From within that range, he was a perfect 31-for-31 along with a 100% success rate on extra points.
The Commanders entered Tuesday with more than $26MM in cap space, so this move will not alter the team’s post-draft free agent plans. If Gay manages to remain healthy next season, he will likely provide them with a strong option in the kicking game.
Saints Release QB Ben DiNucci
The addition of a quarterback via the draft added to the logjam at the position for New Orleans. The team’s depth chart has now be thinned, however. 
Ben DiNucci announced on Tuesday he has been released. The 28-year-old joined the Saints in December in the wake of Derek Carr getting injured. DiNucci did not see any playing time down the stretch, and he will not have the opportunity to compete for a roster spot during training camp as a result of today’s move.
To close out the 2024 season, New Orleans used Spencer Rattler as a starter for six games. The 2024 fifth-rounder is joined by Jake Haener (selected in the fourth round of the 2023 draft) as a depth option behind Carr. Of course, it remains to be seen when the Saints’ starter will be available as he weighs the option of undergoing surgery on his shoulder.
As expected, New Orleans drafted a quarterback for the third consecutive year. Tyler Shough heard his name called 40th overall, and the Louisville product will compete for the backup gig during his rookie season (provided Carr is available to start the season). With that quartet of signal-callers in place – along with Hunter Dekkers as an invitee to rookie minicamp (h/t Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football) – it comes as little surprise DiNucci has been let go.
A seventh-round pick of the Cowboys in 2020, DiNucci made three appearances and one start during his rookie campaign. He has yet to see any regular season NFL action since then, and with the draft now in the books most teams’ depth charts are set for the summer. DiNucci will nevertheless turn his attention to finding a new opportunity for 2025.
Browns Did Not Anticipate Selecting Two QBs; Latest On Shedeur Sanders’ Pre-Draft Process
Entering the draft, the Browns were among the teams seen as a logical landing spot for a rookie quarterback. The team did wind up adding at the position, although not in the way they (or many others) anticipated. 
Cleveland declined to draft a signal-caller until late in the third round when Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel was added. That move seemed to close the door to Shedeur Sanders being selected, but on Saturday the Browns moved up into the fifth round to acquire the Colorado product. More details have emerged regarding the latter’s slide down the order.
[RELATED: Giants Considered Sanders Trade-Up; Teams Took QB Off Draft Boards?]
Sanders met with one team at the Combine which discussed an interception dating back to his college career (with breakdowns of such plays being standard practice), as detailed by Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. He writes Sanders declined to take the blame when speaking about the play, and added his feelings that he and the team may not be the best match for one another. Per Breer, a different visit resulted in a disagreement between Sanders and an NFL coach when he failed to recognize intentional mistakes in a hypothetical offensive install.
Off-the-field factors have been cited as presumed reasons why Sanders – once viewed as being in the running to be drafted as high as second overall by the Browns and the subject of considerable scouting attention this season – fell all the way to pick No. 144. Being the son of Deion Sanders has long been regarded as an element of drafting Shedeur which would give many NFL teams pause. As ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Daniel Oyefusi report, though, multiple evaluators assigned a late first-round grade on Sanders while many others listed him as a Day 2 pick. A slide out of the top of the order thus came as little surprise, but remaining on the board as late as he did comprised one of the draft’s top talking points.
“I feel like in life, there’s always a way I can improve,” Sanders said (via Oyefusi). ” I’m able to improve. And some things that I [did] that seemed right at the time, I could’ve went about it a different way. I think what happened was I had a great interview and had a great process with the Browns, and that’s why they were able to pick me. So anything outside the organization is really a [non-factor] for me now.”
Sanders is now a member of a quarterback room which includes veteran Joe Flacco and trade acquisition Kenny Pickett along with Gabriel. General manager Andrew Berry noted (via the ESPN report) the Browns did not expect to draft two passers this weekend. Since they have, though, the team’s QB situation will be an interesting storyline to follow as the offseason unfolds.
Saints Sign DE Chris Rumph
The Saints have not waited long after the draft to add to their pass rush. Chris Rumph signed with New Orleans on Monday, per a team announcement. 
Rumph entered the NFL as a Chargers draftee, and he played out his rookie contract in Los Angeles. The former fourth-rounder played 37 games across his first three seasons in the league, but after being placed on injured reserve during roster cutdowns last summer he missed the 2024 campaign in its entirety. This deal will no doubt come in the form of a one-year flier as a result.
Former Chargers head coach Brandon Staley is now the Saints’ defensive coordinator; that familiarity likely played a role in today’s agreement coming together. Rumph occupied a rotational role during his time in Los Angeles, with his snap share ranging from 16-33%. The 26-year-old has managed only three sacks to date, but he has proven to be a key figure on special teams.
The Saints ranked 18th in the NFL with 39 sacks last season. New Orleans still has Cameron Jordan, Chase Young, Carl Granderson and Isaiah Foskey in the fold as holdovers from last season. The team made one addition in the seventh round (Syracuse’s Fadil Diggs) during the draft, but for the most part the returnees will be tasked with handling much of the defensive workload.
Provided he is able to remain healthy in 2025, Rumph could look to carve out a part-time role for himself in New Orleans. Doing so would help his market value for next spring. For now, the Duke product’s attention will turn to locking down a roster spot during training camp.
Cardinals Add Six UDFAs
Six of the Cardinals’ seven draft picks were devoted to the defensive side of the ball. Arizona has now made the following additions in the form of undrafted free agent signings:
- Jeremiah Byers, OL (Florida State)
- Elijah Simmons, DL (Tennessee)
- Josh Fryar, OL (Ohio State)
- Bryson Green, WR (Wisconsin)
- Oscar Cardenas, TE (UTSA)
- Valentin Senn, OL (UConn)
After the draft – during which only one addition was made to the unit – general manager Monti Ossenfort made it clear move moves along the offensive line would be coming. To no surprise, half of Arizona’s UDFA class is made up of blockers. Senn is among the players who received the largest financial commitments amongst undrafted rookies. The Austrian landed a $40K signing bonus along with $234K of his base salary being guaranteed, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson reports.
Fryar also secured a notable guarantee total from Arizona, per Wilson. The four-year Buckeye received $35K up front coupled with the same $234K salary guarantee. Fryar and Senn will both look to carve out a depth role on the Cardinals’ 53-man roster during training camp. One or both could find themselves on the practice squad if they are among the team’s final roster cuts.
Green spent two seasons at Oklahoma State before transferring to Wisconsin. The 6-2, 215-pounder was unable to parlay his size into a season with notable production at either program, but over the course of his career he averaged 14.7 yards per reception. Wilson reports Green received $264K in total guarantees to head to Arizona for the offseason.
Browns Will Decline QB Kenny Pickett’s Fifth-Year Option
Kenny Pickett is on his third career team, and he could find himself on the move again next offseason. The former first-round quarterback will head into next season as a pending free agent. 
The Browns will decline Pickett’s 2026 fifth-year option, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com reports. That comes as no surprise, of course. The former Steelers draftee is in position to compete for playing time on his new team, but he is far from a lock to handle starting duties. Picking up the option would have represented a $22.12MM commitment on the part of the Browns for 2026.
Widely seen as the most pro-ready prospect at the position in the 2022 draft class – one not held in high regard – Pickett was the first quarterback to hear his name called. That put him in position to handle starting duties right away in an attempt to represent a long-term Ben Roethlisberger successor for the Steelers. Things did not go according to plan, though, and the decision to bench him through the 2023 postseason after returning from injury signaled a departure could be coming.
Indeed, part of the Steelers’ efforts to rebuild their QB room last spring included dealing Pickett to the Eagles. In Philadelphia, he operated as Jalen Hurts‘ backup and made one start. Instead of remaining in Pennsylvania for 2025, though, the 26-year-old will spend the year in Cleveland. The Browns traded Dorian Thompson-Robinson as well as a fifth-round pick to the Eagles to acquire Pickett; that move could very well prove to be a one-year rental.
The Browns’ new-look quarterback depth chart consists of Deshaun Watson (whose Achilles tear will cost him most, if not all, of 2025), Joe Flacco (who returned to the team after a one-year absence) and a pair of rookies. Cleveland selected Dillon Gabriel in the third round of the the draft, and followed that move by trading up in the fifth round to acquire Shedeur Sanders. The Browns did not plan on making multiple additions during the draft, but Gabriel and/or Sanders could find themselves in the team’s long-term plans depending on how they develop.
Pickett, meanwhile, will spend training camp vying for the QB1 gig. He has 25 starts to his name – a figure which falls well short of Flacco’s experience but obviously makes him more of a known commodity than the team’s rookies. If Pickett winds up atop the depth chart and has a successful stint this season, he could earn a new Browns commitment. For now, though, his future beyond 2025 is uncertain.
Falcons Sign 11 UDFAs
After trading back into the first round on Thursday night, the Falcons made only five selections during the draft. That group of rookies has now been supplemented by an 11-man class of undrafted free agents:
- Simeon Barrow Jr., DL (Miami)
- Cobee Bryant, CB (Kansas)
- Nathan Carter, RB (Michigan State)
- Joshua Gray, OL (Oregon State)
- Nick Kubitz, LB (North Dakota State)
- Dontae Manning, CB (Oregon)
- Nick Nash, WR (San Jose State)
- Joshua Simon, TE (South Carolina)
- Quincy Skinner Jr., WR (Vanderbilt)
- Malik Verdon, LB (Iowa State)
- Jordan Williams, T (Georgia Tech)
Manning is among the players who received a six-figure commitment upon going undrafted. KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson reports he received a $100K base salary guarantee in addition to a $10K signing bonus. Manning spent each of his five years at Oregon, totaling 54 games with the Ducks. He racked up 80 tackles in his career while notching one interception and six pass breakups during each of the past two seasons.
Skinner was also a clear Atlanta target given the financial commitment he received. The Falcons gave him a $15K signing bonus as part of his $150K guarantee package, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. The 6-2, 204-pounder will look to compete for a roster spot by adding size to the team’s WR room.
Nash represents an interesting addition at that position. After starting his college career as a quarterback, he converted to receiver; that move proved to be highly beneficial in 2024 in particular. Nash led the FBS in receiving touchdowns (16) last season while totaling 1,382 yards on 104 receptions. The fact he will turn 26 in July hurt his draft stock, but Nash will look to carry over the momentum of his ’24 production into a roster spot at the NFL level.