Jaguars To Sign CB Jourdan Lewis
After eight years with the Cowboys, Jourdan Lewis is on the move. The veteran slot corner has a deal in place with the Jaguars, Tom Pelissero, Ian Rapoport, Mike Garafolo and Peter Schrager of NFL Network report.
This will be a three-year deal worth $30MM, Rapoport notes. Lewis will receive $20MM guaranteed and $12.5MM in 2025. The pact continues a recent trend regarding the upward movement in the slot corner market. For Lewis, this is a massive pay bump; he was tied to a one-year deal worth $2.83MM last season.
Lewis is leaving Dallas after eight seasons, disbanding the team’s CB trio that has placed DaRon Bland on the perimeter opposite Trevon Diggs. The Cowboys have been unable to keep that troika healthy all at once, with Bland having previously replaced Lewis after he suffered a career-threatening foot injury. Lewis made it back from that malady in 2023 and has played 16 games in each of the past two seasons.
The slot market now includes eight-figure AAVs for a handful of players, including Kenny Moore, Taron Johnson and Michael Carter. Lewis and Nate Hobbs (Packers) rounded out the group Monday, as the cap’s $24MM spike has impacted this undervalued position. Pro Football Focus graded Lewis 29th last season, one spot in front of Moore, as he has displayed good health after the 2022 foot setback.
The Jags will pay the going rate for Lewis despite the former Cowboys third-rounder heading into his age-30 season. Moore, Johnson, Carter and Hobbs were each younger when they signed for eight figures on average. It will be interesting to see if Lewis can sustain his solid play in Jacksonville into his early 30s, as cornerback primes tend to run shorter than their receiver counterparts’.
Sam Robinson contributed to this post.
Commanders To Sign DT Javon Kinlaw
The Commanders have quickly found a new starter along the defensive line. Javon Kinlaw is headed to the nation’s capital.
Kinlaw has a three-year, $45MM deal in place with the Commanders, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. The pact includes $30MM in guarantees, a major raise compared to his one-year Jets tenure. This agreement will allow for Kinlaw to reunite with general manager Adam Peters, who was in the 49ers front office which drafted him.
Washington already had an expensive DT tandem in the form of Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen, but after granting the latter permission to seek a trade, the team released him. That move seemed to open up a starting spot for 2024 second-rounder Johnny Newton, but Peters has instead made another lucrative investment at the position.
Kinlaw faced high expectations as the 14th overall pick in 2020, but his San Francisco tenure did not go according to plan. Injuries were a problem in his second and third seasons, a span in which he played only 10 total games. The South Carolina product logged a full campaign during his walk year, but even that only landed him a one-year Jets deal.
The Jets represented a quick stopover for Kinlaw, who used a “prove it” deal to his advantage despite Gang Green finishing 5-12 and regressing on defense. The former first-rounder’s knee trouble did not limit him, as the five-year vet started all 17 Jets games and tallied a career-high 4.5 sacks and five tackles for loss. Going from a one-year, $7.25MM contract to $30MM guaranteed represents one of the 2024 seasons bigger wins, even though it largely came off the radar.
Payne’s new sidekick will be expected to build on this, and while his injury past provides some concerns, Peters is plenty familiar with the risks Kinlaw once brought. Ahead of an age-28 season, Kinlaw will be taking over for Allen on a deal not too far south of where the Pro Bowler stood.
Sam Robinson contributed to this post.
Bears To Sign C Drew Dalman
Drew Dalman is on the move, and his destination comes as no surprise. A deal is in place between the top center on the market and the Bears. 
Chicago is set to add Dalman on a three-year, $42MM deal, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. The pact includes $28MM in guarantees. Once the contract is signed, the Bears will have completed their renovation along the interior of the offensive line.
Dalman expressed a desire to remain with the Falcons after playing out his rookie contract, with team and player meeting at the Combine. In the wake of those talks, though, it seemed the 26-year-old would at least explore outside options. The Bears were named as a suitor to watch as it became clear Dalman would have a strong market. Now, a lucrative pact has been worked out.
After barely seeing any playing time as a rookie, Dalman served as the Falcons’ starting center for each of the past three years. His consistent performances in that role helped outweigh the fact he was limited to only nine games in 2024. Expectations will be high upon arrival in the Windy City as the Bears look to find a permanent solution at center after cycling though several options in recent years.
Chicago entered the 2025 offseason with questions everywhere along the O-line aside from right tackle Darnell Wright. Both guard spots have already been addressed, though, with trade agreements being worked out with the Rams for Jonah Jackson and with the Chiefs for Joe Thuney. Those two, along with Dalman, should represent a notable upgrade compared to where things stood last year.
Ryan Neuzil is in place as a potential Dalman successor in Atlanta. Today’s news likely means he will step into a starting role on a full-time basis as part of a Falcons unit which already includes big-money deals for guard Chris Lindstrom, right tackle Kaleb McGary and – most recently – left tackle Jake Matthews. Left guard Matthew Bergeron is also in place for next year, but the center spot will look different in 2025.
Buccaneers, Haason Reddick Agree To Deal
Haason Reddick has not waited long to find a new home. Minutes after the start of the negotiating window, an agreement has been reached which will send him to Tampa Bay. 
This will be a one-year deal, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. He adds that the pact has a value of $14MM and includes $12MM in guarantees. After the way in which 2024 played out for Reddick, that represents quite the financial commitment. It wasn’t long ago that Reddick was one of the top pass rushing commodities on the open market. Just three years ago, Reddick signed a three-year, $45MM deal to join the Eagles after totaling 23.5 combined sacks over his final year in Arizona and his only season with the Panthers.
He earned every penny in his first two years in Philadelphia while also earning his first two Pro Bowl selections. That first season with the Eagles saw him finish fourth in Defensive Player of the Year voting as he finished with career highs in sacks (16.0), quarterback hits (26), and fumble recoveries (3) while logging 11 tackles for loss and leading the league with five forced fumbles. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) graded him as the 11th-best edge defender that season out of 119 graded players at the position. While his second year in Philadelphia wasn’t as impressive, it was still Pro Bowl-worthy, seeing him rack up 11.0 sacks, 13 tackles for loss, and 23 quarterback hits.
Drama quickly came to surround Reddick’s situation following that season, though, as the Eagles granted him permission to seek a trade, despite his lack of a request for one. In fact, Reddick claimed to want an extension with the team, but they ultimately traded him to the Jets. The trade didn’t quench Reddick’s thirst for an extension, though, resulting in a holdout from training camp as the Jets intended to let him play out his contract. As the holdout continued, Reddick even requested a trade from the team that had just traded for him.
His holdout continued into the season as he was dropped by his agency and had to sign new representation. It took until Week 8 of the season for Reddick and New York to come to terms on an agreement that would get him onto the field, at which point he faced heavy fines for his absences in the offseason. The lack of offseason prep time with the team seemed to affect the Pro Bowler. Only starting two games in 10 appearances, Reddick only logged one sack (really two half-sacks), two tackles for loss, and three quarterback hits. Out of 119 players at the position, PFF graded Reddick at 102nd.
The Buccaneers didn’t really want for pass rushing in 2025. The team’s sack-total of 46 was tied for sixth in the league. Tampa Bay does see a number of outside linebackers hitting free agency this week, though, as the contracts of Shaquil Barrett, Joe Tryon, and Anthony Nelson are all set to expire. While those three players only combined for six sacks in 2024, the depleted depth is a concern. Signing Reddick will address that concern, and if he can rebound to anywhere near the success he had found in Philadelphia, the $14MM, single-year price tag won’t feel quite as heavy.
Ely Allen contributed to this post.
Buccaneers To Re-Sign G Ben Bredeson
Ben Bredeson was a pending free agent, but he will remain in Tampa Bay for the foreseeable future. The veteran guard has a three-year deal in place, NFL Network’s Sara Walsh reports.
Colleague Mike Garafolo adds the pact is worth $22MM. Bredeson will remain a full-time starter moving forward, collecting $12MM with his latest deal. This brings a substantial raise for Bredeson, who played for $3MM last season.
Following a Baker Mayfield arc with the Bucs, Bredeson impressed during his “prove it” season in Tampa. The Bucs have filled out their line with homegrown Day 1 and Day 2 picks, with first-rounders Tristan Wirfs and Graham Barton headlining a front also including second-rounders Cody Mauch and Luke Goedeke. Bredeson was the exception last season and will continue to play that role, as the Bucs now have all five of their 2024 O-line starters under contract.
Bredeson, 27, has made a habit of impressing as a low-end investment. The former Ravens fourth-round pick ended up a Giant by his second season, via trade, and did not let the team’s round of draft choices and free agent signings beat him out for a job. Bredeson started eight games in 2022 and then 16 in ’23, as the Giants battled through major injuries (to Nick Gates and Shane Lemieux) and ultimately could not count on Joshua Ezeudu or Mark Glowinski. Bredeson’s fill-in work did not generate much of a free agent market last year, however.
Pro Football Focus also ranked the Michigan alum 60th among guards in 2024. The Bucs will disagree with that assessment, as they continue to retain talent. Bredeson has now made 42 career starts, and this deal will provide a bit of security while also giving him a chance to eye a third free agency payday during his 20s.
Steelers Place Second-Round Tender On RB Jaylen Warren
Najee Harris‘ Steelers future remains uncertain as he is a pending free agent. Regardless of what happens on that front, though, Jaylen Warren will remain in the team’s backfield for at least one more season. 
Warren has received the second-round restricted free agent tender, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. As a result, he is set to earn $5.3MM next season. That figure is fully guaranteed.
A deal allowing Harris to remain in place with the Steelers could be on the table, but at this point it would come as little surprise if he were to at least gauge his value amongst other teams. A tender has been expected for Warren, and today’s news confirms he will be in place for 2025 pending an offer sheet. If the former UDFA were to sign with an outside team and Pittsburgh declined to match the offer, the Steelers would receive a second-round pick as compensation.
Warren saw just 77 carries as a rookie, but over each of the past two years he has played a notable role in Pittsburgh’s ground game. The 26-year-old averaged 5.3 yards per carry in 2023, topping 1,100 scrimmage yards in the process. Last spring, the Steelers elected to decline Harris’ fifth-year option and thus set up a potential 2024 as his walk year. Warren’s production and efficiency took a step back, but his presence will no doubt inform (to a degree) how Pittsburgh proceeds in the backfield overall.
Harris has regularly drawn criticism for his lack of efficiency on the ground, but he has been praised by the Steelers for his durability and consistent production (between 1,034 and 1,200 rushing yards every year to date). Teams could look to add him as a short-yardage specialist on the open market, although Harris has shown an ability to handle workhorse duties with no less than 284 touches each year. Warren would face questions along those lines if he found himself atop the depth chart in 2025.
Pittsburgh’s offense will look notably different with receiver D.K. Metcalf in place. It remains to be seen who will be in place at quarterback for the team in 2025, and losing Justin Fields and Russell Wilson would lead to a much different passing attack. However things shake out on that front, Warren will reprise his role in the backfield for at least one more year.
Panthers Extend CB Jaycee Horn
Jaycee Horn and the Panthers have managed to work out a deal keeping him in place for the foreseeable future. Talks on that front have produced a record-setting agreement.
Horn has agreed to a four-year extension, as confirmed in a team announcement. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports the pact is worth $100MM and includes $70MM guaranteed. The $25MM annual average value of the pact is the most for any defensive back in NFL history. 
The locked-in money comprises a practical (not full) guarantee, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer adds to no surprise. A rolling structure is in place like many big-ticket deals around the league. Still, this represents a major investment on Carolina’s part to prevent a potential 2026 free agent departure.
Team and player were known to be negotiating a long-term pact, and Horn remaining mostly healthy in 2024 (en route to a Pro Bowl) helped his leverage. In two of his four career campaigns, the former No. 8 pick has been able to play close to a full campaign and operate as Carolina’s top cover man. Considering the fact Horn played a combined nine games between the 2021 and ’23 seasons, though, the extent of this commitment is notable.
The most recent update on the matter noted that a deal at or near the top of the cornerback market was the target in this case, so in that respect today’s news comes as little surprise. Jalen Ramsey previously held the top spot in annual compensation at $24.1MM, but Horn has now moved past that mark. Importantly, this agreement has been reached before the likes of Sauce Gardner (Jets) and Derek Stingley (Texans) ink monster deals of their own.
Adding on defense is a clear priority for the Panthers this offseason, and the team entered Monday with roughly $26MM in cap space. The 2025 figure for Horn (who was already on the books thanks to his $12.47MM fifth-year option) could be lowered as a result of the pact, but in any case funds will be available for outside secondary additions. Even if Carolina makes a splash at cornerback or safety, though, the 25-year-old will of course be counted to anchor the unit.
Horn posted 13 pass deflections along with a career-high 68 tackles and the first two sacks of his NFL tenure in 2024. The 53.2% completion percentage he allowed was the lowest since his abbreviated rookie campaign, a sign he will be capable of operating as a true No. 1 for years to come. That will be key as Carolina looks to turn to younger option at the CB spot in particular and on defense in general as the unit prepares to move on without linebacker Shaq Thompson.
Carolina ranked last in total and scoring defense in 2024. As the team looks to build off the momentum showed by quarterback Bryce Young‘s showings in the latter stages of the season, taking a major step forward on the other side of the ball will be needed for 2025 and beyond. Horn will play a central role in that effort for years to come.
Steelers To Discuss Deal With Aaron Rodgers
The Steelers worked out a major addition to their offense by agreeing to a trade for D.K. Metcalf on Sunday. The team’s quarterback setup is still in question, but a number of options are being considered. 
Pittsburgh remains in discussion with Justin Fields, but the team’s backup (for much of last season) is on track to test the market. The Jets loom as a strong suitor if Fields is to depart, and New York’s starter for the past two years could be an option to head to Pittsburgh. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the Steelers are expected to discuss a deal with Aaron Rodgers.
[RELATED: Rodgers Among Giants’ QB Options]
The four-time MVP will officially become a free agent once his post-June 1 release is processed at the start of the new league year later this week. Rodgers is free to speak with interested teams at any time, though, and the Seahawks (having agreed to trade away Geno Smith) are on the list of potential suitors. How Pittsburgh proceeds with Fields will be key, but the team will need to pivot quickly if the 26-year-old heads elsewhere.
Sam Darnold is on the Steelers’ radar, and working out a deal with the NFL’s top pending free agent would of course preclude a Rodgers addition. Seattle is believed to be preparing a strong push for Darnold, though, and the Titans could also be in the mix. In the event Pittsburgh were to fall short on the Darnold front, Rodgers could be a short-term fallback option. The 41-year-old is not certain to play in 2025, but he appears to be leaning in that direction.
Pittsburgh used Fields for the first six weeks of the season, and he had support in the building to remain atop the depth chart even after Russell Wilson was healthy. Head coach Mike Tomlin elected to install the former Super Bowl winner and kept him in place the rest of the way, however. That move is among the factors Fields is weighing as he contemplates re-signing with the Steelers, whose preference would be to turn to him instead of Wilson for 2025.
Rodgers’ 2023 campaign was limited to four snaps due to an Achilles tear. He remained available for all of last season, delivering capable performances at times while dealing with a number of nagging ailments. As a whole, the Jets’ offense did not meet expectations and the team’s decision to move on comes as no surprise. If Rodgers is to join a third career team, the Steelers will be among those to watch.
Saints To Acquire Davon Godchaux From Patriots
After receiving permission to seek a trade, Davon Godchaux is indeed on the move. The veteran defensive tackle is being dealt from the Patriots to the Saints in exchange for a 2026 seventh-round pick, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. 
This deal will bring about a homecoming for Godchaux. The Plaquemine, Louisiana native spent his college career at LSU. After spending each of his first eight seasons in the AFC East, he will now head to New Orleans as a starting-caliber option along the defensive interior.
Godchaux has never posted more than two sacks in a season, but he has remained a strong presence against the run during his career. The 30-year-old worked out a new deal with New England last offseason (a two-year pact featuring a fresh set of guarantees), but his name came up in advance of the trade deadline. Godchaux got his wish in not being dealt, but he will now be on the move once the new league year opens and the deal becomes official.
Two years remain on Godchaux’s pact, and his $4MM base salary for 2025 is guaranteed in full. With only a $5MM cap charge for the season, though, the former fifth-rounder will provide the Saints with a cost-effective starter. That would especially be the case if a restructure were to be worked out upon arrival something The Exhibit’s Josina Anderson reports is expected to take place. New Orleans is among the teams which still need to make some moves (via cuts or more restructures) to achieve cap compliance over the next few days, but this deal will bring about cost certainty on the D-line.
New Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel has made it clear retooling along the offensive and defensive lines will be a priory this offseason. One notable splash has already been made amongst outside free agents with edge rusher Harold Landry agreeing to a three-year pact. Losing Godchaux will create a vacancy on the interior, but the Pats can now proceed with finding Vrabel’s preference as a replacement as they sort out how to use their considerable cap space in free agency.
Texans, Sheldon Rankins Agree To Deal
Sheldon Rankins is set to return to Houston. The veteran defensive tackle has a deal in place with the Texans, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports. 
This will be a one-year agreement worth up to $7MM, per Russini. Rankins spent the 2023 season in Houston, and a reunion with DeMeco Ryans and Co. is now in order. The 30-year-old was among the Bengals’ recent roster cuts, leaving him free to sign prior to the official start of the new league year.
Rankins served as a full-time starter in Houston, registering six sacks (the second-highest total of his career). The Texans attempted to re-sign him, but the former first-rounder opted to take a two-year Bengals pact instead. Rankins was limited to just seven games during his one-and-done Cincinnati campaign, leading to his release and what will check in as a less lucrative Texans pact than the one which was offered last spring.
It was recently reported Houston was interested in a Rankins reunion, so it comes as little surprise one has been worked out in short order. He will represent a familiar first-team option along the defensive line, a unit which could see notable turnover depending on how free agency shakes out. The Louisville product managing to duplicate his previous Texans success as a pass-rusher in 2025 would be welcomed, but serving as at least a rotational contributor along the interior will be expected.
The Texans entered Monday near the bottom of the league in available funds with roughly $4.3MM in cap space. This Rankins deal will eat into that figure to an extent, and Houston will need to continue looking for modest additions as free agency unfolds.