Chargers Discussing Extensions With Derwin James, Tuli Tuipulotu
Safety Derwin James and edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu are pending 2027 free agents as things stand. That may not be the case for much longer.
When speaking to reporters during his pre-draft press conference, Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz said (via ESPN’s Kris Rhim) conversations have taken place with the agents of both players. Extension talks are likely to pick up after next week’s draft, to no surprise. Working out a deal in each case would take care of an important piece of offseason business.
James has been a defensive pillar for the Bolts since arriving in 2018. This past season saw him deliver another strong outing, and it yielded a fifth Pro Bowl nod along with a third appearance on the second All-Pro team. James was recently named as a candidate to seek out a new contract ahead of training camp this summer. Based on Hortiz’s comments, there is a mutual interest in working out a third Chargers pact.
Team and player agreed to a $19MM-per-year accord in 2022. The safety market has risen since then, and Kyle Hamilton now leads the way at $25MM annually. Two other safeties are ahead of James in terms of AAV, and a move up the pecking order may be in store. James is approaching his age-30 season, though, so a shorter term may be sought out by the Chargers during negotiations. In any case, a fresh round of guarantees can be expected.
The edge rush spot was a key talking point entering free agency for Los Angeles. Khalil Mack and Odafe Oweh remained on track for the open market until Mack ultimately re-signed; Oweh has since departed. As of February, no extension talks with Tuipulotu’s camp had taken place. Working out a long-term deal would be key in his case, however, with Mack once again a candidate to retire at the end of the year.
Tuipulotu has seen his sack production increase over each of his three NFL seasons. He posted 13 in 2025, earning a Pro Bowl nod along the way and further establishing himself as a core member of the Chargers’ defense. At the age of 23, the USC product profiles as a logical candidate for a big-ticket deal this summer. A major raise will be in store compared to the $5.77MM in base salary Tuipulotu is owed for 2026, but Hortiz has made clear his preference for extending in-house players over spending big on outside free agents.
With that in mind, both James and Tuipulotu could very well have new contracts in hand by the time training camp begins in July. Attention will be focused on the draft over the coming days, but afterwards the Chargers will shift to contract talks in each of these cases.
Cardinals Eyeing First-Round Trade Up For QB Ty Simpson?
The Cardinals currently own one first-round pick in next week’s draft. The No. 3 slot remains the subject of considerable speculation, but in any case Arizona could be a team to watch late in the round as well.
A recent report named the Cardinals a candidate to trade down from the third overall pick. How the Jets operate at No. 2 will be key, since at least one of David Bailey or Arvell Reese will still be available after their selection is made. Arizona could stand to add either of those edge rushers, and Essentially Sports’ Tony Pauline reports the team’s preference would be Bailey. Either way, a trade sending Arizona into the back end of the first-round order will be something to watch for.
Pauline reports the Cardinals will attempt trade back into the Day 1 order to draft quarterback Ty Simpson “if the opportunity arises.” Arizona has previously been mentioned as a logical option with respect to selecting Simpson and by doing so steering clear of the top prospects in the highly-regarded 2027 QB class. Finding a willing trade partner late in the opening round may not be a challenge with this year’s group of prospects lacking in projected stars. GM Monti Ossenfort has left the door open to such a move, while NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport confirms (video link) the Cardinals loom as a feasible Simpson destination.
[Prospect Profile: Ty Simpson]
Arizona owns pick No. 34, so a small move up the board could yield Simpson and a long-term quarterback option to develop over time. The Cardinals have retained Jacoby Brissett, whose deal runs through 2026. Fellow veteran Gardner Minshew was added a one-year free agent contract last month. That will give new head coach Mike LaFleur a pair of experienced stopgap signal-callers to work with for the coming season. It would also allow Simpson time to develop without needing to play right away.
As a one-year starter at the college level, Simpson’s draft range has long been in flux. The Alabama product is generally regarded as the second-best quarterback prospect in the 2026 class, but his lack of experience and poor showings in the second half of the campaign could leave him on the board until Day 2. On the other hand, the draft has a long history of teams being aggressive with respect to acquiring passers via trade.
The Cardinals could be the next suitor in that regard, depending on how the first round shakes out. Other teams will no doubt have Simpson on their radar as well, but Arizona will remain one to monitor closely on this front over the coming days.
Extension Talks Progressing Between Dolphins, RB De’Von Achane
De’Von Achane did not report to the beginning of Miami’s offseason program. To no surprise, his absence was linked to his desire for an extension.
The Pro Bowl running back is eligible for a new deal, and he has been mentioned on multiple occasions as a key part of the rebuilding Dolphins’ long-term plans. New general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan has stated an Achane trade will not receive consideration, distinguishing him from several other players Miami has moved on from. Signs continue to point to a long-term agreement in this case.
Achane was seen in the Dolphins’ facility on Thursday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. He adds this is viewed as a good-faith move with respect to contract negotiations. Achane’s presence comes shortly after Sullivan noted recent extension talks have yielded progress. Indeed, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald indicates an agreement can be expected at some point. A deal would prevent Achane from testing the market next spring.
As a rookie, the former third-rounder flashed considerable potential by averaging a whopping 7.8 yards per attempt. Achane was limited to 11 games that year, but he has been healthy since. The Texas A&M product took on starting duties in 2024 and remained a focal point on offense this past season. In 2025, he set or matched career highs in several categories and racked up 1,838 scrimmage yards and 12 total touchdowns.
A large payday is in store as a result. Achane, 24, is a logical candidate for a long-term investment on the part of the Dolphins. Six running backs are currently attached to deals averaging $14MM per year or more, and the likes of Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson are in position to reset the RB market. Achane is unlikely to command as much as Gibbs and Robinson on their deals, but without a fifth-year option present in his case the Dolphins will need to move with a degree of urgency to finalize a pact prior to the start of the 2026 season.
Sullivan and Co. are of course focused on the upcoming draft as things stand. An Achane extension could be worked out over the coming days, but even if not a deal will still be expected at some time this offseason.
Cardinals Exercise LT Paris Johnson Jr.’s Fifth-Year Option
When the Cardinals selected Paris Johnson Jr. sixth overall in the 2023 draft, he was expected to establish himself as a core figure on offense. That has proven to be the case, and his Arizona tenure will continue beyond next season.
To no surprise, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports the Cardinals will exercise Johnson’s fifth-year option. The move will ensure Johnson remains in the fold through at least 2027. A fully guaranteed salary of $19.07MM is in store for that season, although a long-term extension carrying a much larger price tag can be anticipated in this case. GM Monti Ossenfort has since confirmed the news (h/t ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss).
[RELATED: Fifth-Year Option Tracker]
Johnson handled right tackle duties as a rookie, but the decision to move on from veteran D.J. Humphries created a vacancy on the blindside. As expected, that resulted in the Cardinals moving Johnson to the left side with free agent signing Jonah Williams taking on the right tackle spot. That setup was in place for the past two years, but Williams remains unsigned deep into free agency. A new RT starter will be in place for 2026. The Cardinals could address the position with the third overall pick in the draft next week, though trading down is a possibility. Regardless, Johnson will be counted on in his current capacity for the foreseeable future.
A former Ohio State standout, Johnson was Ossenfort’s first pick atop the Arizona front office. Ossenfort traded from third to 12th and then back up six spots to select Johnson. The 6-foot-6, 325-pounder has begun his NFL career with 43 straight starts. However, his only 17-game season to date came as a rookie. He missed three games in 2024 and another five last year, which he ended on IR as a result of a knee injury.
Before spraining his PCL, Johnson played every snap during the Cardinals’ first 12 games. Pro Football Focus ranked Johnson’s performance a solid 23rd among 84 tackles. Now committed to Johnson for at least two more seasons, the Cardinals are confident he will continue to serve as an offensive cornerstone.
Connor Byrne contributed to this post.
Titans QB Cam Ward Expected To Participate In Minicamp
Cam Ward did not undergo surgery after suffering an AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder during the Titans’ Week 18 contest. His recovery has of course been monitored closely since then, and progress continues to be made.
The Titans recently began their offseason program as one of the teams with a new head coach in place. Ward has been present while continuing his rehab, and no setbacks have been encountered. As long as that remains the case, 2025’s first overall pick will be able to participate in spring workouts.
“He’s been out there,” general manager Mike Borgonzi said on Thursday (via ESPN’s Turron Davenport). “I’m sure you’ve seen the videos of him throwing. He looks good.”
Ward is on track to take part in minicamp next month. Provided all goes well in that regard, he will be positioned for a full workload in training camp this summer. Ward’s health is obviously paramount to the Titans’ efforts to bounce back from a 3-14 2025 campaign. His presence was a key factor in Brian Daboll‘s decision to join Robert Saleh‘s coaching staff during this year’s hiring cycle, and a full stretch of acclimating to Daboll’s offense would set Ward up for a Year 2 jump.
Things did not go according to plan for Tennessee on offense last season, and it came as little surprise when Brian Callahan was fired midway through the campaign. Better play across the board will be required, including from Ward’s supporting cast but also the signal-caller himself. Ward will turn 24 next month, and his ability to develop into a franchise passer will be critical in determining the Titans’ level of success under Saleh. Reinforcements via the draft are forthcoming after Borgonzi and Co. made several big-ticket defensive additions on defense.
Bringing in notable defensive prospects will no doubt be a goal for next week’s draft, but Ward figures to have new faces around him when he is next on the field for full-team work. That is set to take place shortly.
49ers Host WRs Omar Cooper Jr., KC Concepcion
49ers general manager John Lynch recently indicated the team is likely to make at least one draft investment at the receiver position. A number of first-round options have received a look.
Omar Cooper Jr. spent the deadline for top-30 visits meeting with San Francisco, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. That completed a busy pre-draft process in his case. Cooper has visited numerous teams recently, and the Indiana product is one of several receivers with a strong chance of being selected during the middle or late stages of the first round. The 49ers own pick No. 27.
San Francisco also hosted KC Concepcion on a visit earlier this week, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. By means of a strong one-and-done showing at Texas A&M, Concepcion established himself as a first-round option for many teams. He has also received widespread interest leading up to the draft, so it comes as little surprise the 49ers have taken part in a top-30 visit as well. Denzel Boston is another WR prospect San Francisco has taken a close look at.
Free agent additions Mike Evans and Christian Kirk are set to top the depth chart for 2026. With Brandon Aiyuk unlikely to play again for the 49ers and Jauan Jennings set to sign elsewhere on the open market, though, adding depth via the draft would be a reasonable approach from Lynch and Co. On the other hand, receiver is not considered as much of an immediate need as other positions, so spending a first-rounder in that regard could leave the team thin elsewhere.
The 49ers have a second-round selection as well as four picks in the fourth round. Using one of those on a depth WR prospect could of course be in store, but the team will have done its homework on Day 1 options when on the clock Thursday night.
Giants Have Received Calls About No. 5
With one week remaining until the opening round of the draft, calls amongst teams will no doubt pick up. Movement near the top of the board could involve the Giants.
New York is currently slated to select fifth overall. The team has been mentioned as one to watch with respect to a move down the board, something which will of course only be feasible if a strong enough trade market exists. Things on that front can change over the coming days, but interest is being shown from potential suitors for the Giants’ top pick.
GM Joe Schoen said (via Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post) calls have been made recently with teams sending out “feelers” about the fifth overall selection. Interest to one extent or another is always present leading up to a draft, and in 2026 teams have indeed inquired about the No. 1 pick even though its fate has long been known. The number of teams prepared to move out of a premium spot in a class defined by its depth rather than its star power will make for a key storyline over the coming week.
If the Giants remain in place, they will have a number of intriguing options to choose from. Running back Jeremiyah Love has been named as a strong consideration, but even if the Notre Dame star is available the team could look to add on defense. ESPN’s Adam Schefter predicts (video link) preference will ultimately been shown for safety Caleb Downs or linebacker Sonny Styles. Both Ohio State standouts would be expected to make an immediate impact upon arrival and serve as a mainstay for several years.
Positional value will be put to the test in the opening stages of this year’s draft. Each member of the Love-Downs-Styles trio plays in a spot not weighted as heavily as quarterback, offensive tackle, receiver, edge rusher or corner when it comes to contract value or draft investments. That factor will no doubt be a major consideration as teams lower in the Day 1 order contemplate a move up the board. The Cowboys have emerged as a potential team to watch on that front, with a trade from No. 12 into the top five frequently mentioned as a possibility.
The Giants’ second pick is No. 37. Schoen indicated (via Dunleavy) he is confident a trade down from that spot can be worked out. The early and middle portions of Day 2 regularly include trading up and down the board, so it would come as no surprise if Schoen elected to add more picks for later in the event at that point. His preparation for No. 5 will continue, but a trade moving New York out of that spot could become tangible if a strong market develops in the near future.
NFL To Begin Training Replacement Referees; NFLRA Negotiations Ongoing
The expiration of the current CBA between the NFL and the NFL Referees Association continues to loom. A gap remains between the parties, and as expected efforts to prepare replacement officials are underway.
The league sent a memo to its teams on Wednesday stating the onboarding process of replacements has begun. “Several” officials have now completed background checks with the league, as detailed by ESPN’s Kevin Seifert. Training sessions – online and in person – are set to begin on or around May 1, he adds.
The CBA between the league and current referees is set to expire on May 31. In the absence of an agreement, replacement officials will be used during offseason work and training camp. Teams will be asked to offer feedback on the performance of the replacements while plans are made for the regular season.
“The league remains committed to reaching a fair and reasonable agreement with the NFRA but will be prepared in the event no agreement is reached prior to the expiration of the current agreement on May 31, 2026,” an earlier memo from senior VP of officiating Perry Fewell reads (h/t Tom Pelissero of NFL Network).
Earlier rounds of negotiations between the parties did not yield much in the way of progress. The NFL has offered a six-year contract carrying an average pay increase of 6.45% while attempting to bring about several changes to the structure of officiating. Longer probationary terms, a larger offseason period for training and prioritizing in-game performance over seniority for playoff assignments have proven to be key factors from the league’s perspective and have emerged as sticking points in negotiations.
A new set of talks recently took place, as noted by Pelissero’s colleague Ian Rapoport. Those negotiations were productive, Seifert reports. Further talks are expected to take place prior to the May 31 deadline. Multiple owners who serve on committees were personally involved in recent negotiations, and Pelissero adds Jerry Jones was among them. The Cowboys owner has supported the NFL’s position on matters such as performance-based pay and more offseason training. It will be interesting to see if those factors and others see movement in the near future. Otherwise, replacement officials will be present for spring and summer practices.
Chiefs Eyeing T At No. 9; Team Interested In Monroe Freeling
The Chiefs will have a number of options to consider when they find themselves drafting ninth overall next week. The possibility of adding an offensive tackle will likely present itself, and it will be something to monitor closely.
Executives and evaluators who spoke with SportsBoom’s Jason La Canfora predicted Kansas City’s top priority in the first round will be adding an offensive tackle. The receiver position is one which the Chiefs have been linked to in the pre-draft process, and it would come as no surprise if a pass rusher were to be selected early in the event. Spending a top-10 pick on a left tackle would be highly valuable as well, however.
Kansas City has Josh Simmons in the fold after taking him 32nd overall last year. The Ohio State product was limited to eight games during his rookie season, though, and adding another prospect would provide depth at the left tackle spot. The Chiefs have been linked to Trent Williams interest in the event his 49ers contractual situation is not resolved; free agent Taylor Decker has also been named as a short-term option on the blindside.
Kadyn Proctor is among the offensive line prospects Kansas City has hosted on a pre-draft visit. The Alabama alum is not expected to last beyond Detroit at No. 17, so the Chiefs would likely not be able to draft him when back on the clock at No. 29. Another offensive line option receiving consideration is Georgia’s Monroe Freeling. Mike Garafolo of NFL Network notes Kansas City is one of several teams which have shown interest in Freeling during the lead-up to the draft.
Freeling has seen his stock rise, and he is a strong candidate to hear his name called at some point on Day 1. Proctor, along with the likes of Francis Mauigoa and Spencer Fano, is also expected to be selected relatively early during the first round. The 2026 class is not held in high regard with respect to bluechip prospects at many positions, and the offensive line group offers view options projected to handle left tackle duties in particular in the NFL.
That could lead the Chiefs to prioritize an investment up front first while waiting for their other first-round selection to bring in a pass rusher or pass catcher. With plenty of uncertainty still lingering through the top-10 order, Kansas City’s approach will likely remain unclear for several more days.
49ers Likely To Make WR Draft Addition
San Francisco’s receiver depth chart has undergone a number of changes so far this offseason. More could be coming in the form of a Brandon Aiyuk trade or release, though nothing has been finalized on that front.
With Aiyuk not expected to be back in the fold and Jauan Jennings destined to sign elsewhere in free agency, the 49ers will be led at the WR spot by Mike Evans and Christian Kirk in 2026. Evans’ pact essentially consists of a one-year commitment in terms of guaranteed money, while Kirk’s only covers next season. Taking a wideout in next week’s draft would thus be a feasible approach on the part of general manager John Lynch and Co.
“I don’t know about early, but we’re certainly in the business of adding good players,” Lynch said (via ESPN’s Nick Wagoner) when asked about adding a rookie receiver. “I think at that position, the way these guys [are getting paid], it’s probably healthy business to try to add them as much as you can in these drafts.”
The 49ers have veteran Demarcus Robinson in place in addition to Evans and Kirk, but otherwise their WR depth chart is lacking in experience. Ricky Pearsall, Jordan Watkins and Jacob Cowing are among the younger players in the fold for San Francisco. Making another draft investment would add further depth to the mix while allowing for one or both of Evans and Kirk to be replaced in 2027.
The 49ers’ top selection is No. 27. They are one of several teams which has hosted Denzel Boston on a pre-draft visit, although the Washington product may not be on the board by that point given the pre-draft buzz surrounding him. San Francisco’s other options at this point consist of a second-round pick and four in the fourth round. Using one of those selections on a wideout could allow the team to take advantage of the perceived depth at the position while leaving round one for more immediate roster needs.