Latest On Vikings, LT Christian Darrisaw
While it took longer than many expected, the Vikings managed to hammer out a monster extension with Justin Jefferson. The team can now turn its attention to other financial priorities, one of which is a second contract for left tackle Christian Darrisaw. 
[RELATED: Vikings Likely To Make DL, CB Additions?]
The latter has cemented himself as Minnesota’s blindside blocker, logging 39 starts in 41 games. Darrisaw has become one of the league’s top young offensive linemen over that span, and as a result it came as no surprise when the Vikings picked up his fifth-year option. That has him on track to earn $16.04MM in 2025.
A multi-year extension will check in at a much higher cost, of course. Despite having two years to work out an agreement, talks on an extension are underway. Nothing is imminent at this time, but Darrisaw profiles as a logical extension candidate as a foundational member of the Vikings’ offensive corps. Jefferson and tight end T.J. Hockenson are both on the books for years to come given their respective extensions. Other key offensive players – including wideout Jordan Addison and quarterback J.J. McCarthy – are under team control through the foreseeable future via their rookie contracts.
Alec Lewis of The Athletic notes the Vikings remain interested in working out a Darrisaw extension (subscription required). As he notes, though, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah – who was not in place when the Virginia Tech alum was drafted – has a deliberate process when it comes to in-house deals. Lewis adds Minnesota is in “no rush” on the Darrisaw front, but a deal near the top of the tackle market could still be on the horizon.
Penei Sewell signed the league’s most lucrative tackle pact despite playing on the right side. In terms of blindside protectors, five players average more than $20MM per year on their respective deals with Laremy Tunsil leading the way at a $25MM AAV. Darrisaw may not reach that level, but Lewis notes he recently changed agents; Drew Rosenhaus now represents him. It will be interesting to see if that change leads to traction being gained as it pertains to negotiations.
As things stand, Minnesota is set to be among the league leaders in 2025 cap space. A free agent departure ahead of next year is not an option for Darrisaw, but the Vikings will have plenty of flexibility to structure a multi-year investment. If team and player display a mutual desire to work out an agreement, a sizable extension could be in place well before his rookie deal expires.
Eagles LB Devin White On Track For Starting Role?
Linebacker was a position of weakness for the Eagles last season, with Zach Cunningham and Nicholas Morrow spending much of the year in a starter’s role. The position will look different in 2024, in large part due to the addition of Devin White. 
The former Buccaneers top-five pick was connected to a trade request stemming from his desire for a market-topping extension. The 2023 campaign did not go according to plan for him, though, and his free agent value suffered considerably. White took a one-year deal with the Eagles which carries a base value of $4MM.
Reaching incentives on the pact will allow the 26-year-old to earn up to $3.5MM extra, and seeing a notable role on defense will obviously play a key role in that. White operated as a starter during spring workouts, as noted by Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia. He did so alongside Zack Baun, another free agent signing. The former Saint made 62 appearances and 14 starts across the past four years.
White’s Buccaneers tenure included a Super Bowl victory in 2020 and a Pro Bowl nod the following year. The LSU product has frequently filled the statsheet, racking up 566 tackles and 23 sacks in five Tampa Bay seasons. Issues related to coverage and inconsistent play led to him losing his starting job to K.J. Britt down the stretch last season, and as a result it came as no surprise when he departed on the open market. White’s play in Philadelphia will play a key role in determining his value on a new Eagles pact or one sending him to a third team.
Of course, the fact that White and Baun logged starter’s reps in the spring means highly-touted 2022 draftee Nakobe Dean has ground to make up during training camp. The latter was a central figure in Georgia’s national title-winning teams, but he hardly saw any defensive usage as a rookie. Things changed last season when Dean started four games until injuries limited him to only five appearances. The 23-year-old has two years remaining on his rookie contract and his workload in 2024 could be tied to how White and Baun perform in padded practices once training camp opens.
OL La’el Collins Addresses Bills Deal, Recovery Process
La’el Collins‘ time with the Bengals came to an unceremonious end, and a late-season Cowboys deal did not result in any playing time. Attempting to restart his career, the veteran offensive lineman took a contract with the Bills in free agency, something he recently reflected on. 
Collins noted (via Jonathan Acosta of WGRZ2) the Bills’ dominant showing in the run game against the Cowboys last season caught his attention. That game helped convince him to sign in Buffalo and in doing so join a team which made a concerted effort to excel on the ground following the transition from Ken Dorsey to Joe Brady as offensive coordinator. The 30-year-old will look to carve out a role as a backup tackle or a guard option with his new team.
After serving as a full-time right tackle starter throughout much of his Cowboys tenure and his 2022 Bengals campaign, Collins’ career was interrupted by ACL and MCL tears. That led to a stint on the PUP list and his eventual release. Between that point and the deal which landed him on Dallas’ practice squad, the former UDFA was unsure if his NFL career would continue.
“That’s a tough picture to put yourself in,” Collins said. “To deal with an injury that’s as traumatic as tearing your knee, it’s something you can’t really explain. I felt like last year, I maybe could’ve put myself in a position to play some football, but I knew mentally that the tank was empty.
“That was tough days,” he continued. “That was days where you have 70,000 thoughts in your head running crazy, telling you you might not be good enough. You might not come back.”
A season at full health will be the goal in Collins’ case as he begins his Bills tenure. The LSU alum will find himself behind Spencer Brown on the depth chart for the right tackle spot, but he could provide an experienced backup option at that position. Plenty of time has passed since he last played guard, but he could serve in a second-team capacity along the interior for Buffalo. Strong play – should he find himself in the lineup – would help his free agent stock considerably.
Collins noted he is still in the process of returning to 100% with respect to his knee, and the progress he makes on that front will be key once training camp opens. If he winds up seeing offensive playing time, though, Buffalo could prove to be a suitable environment for his career to get back on track.
Cowboys Notes: Lamb, Elliott, Injuries
CeeDee Lamb has sought an extension throughout the offseason, and whether or not one is worked out over the coming weeks will be a key storyline for the Cowboys. The All-Pro is one of several wideouts around the league whose uncertain financial status could lead to a training camp holdout.
Lamb saw Justin Jefferson become the league’s top earner amongst non-quarterbacks with his Vikings extension. The $35MM AAV of that pact could represent a starting point for negotiations from his perspective, although the Cowboys are not aiming to reset the market further on extensions for Lamb, quarterback Dak Prescott or edge rusher Micah Parsons. Whenever Lamb’s next deal is in place, he will be set to earn far more than the $17.99MM value of his 2024 fifth-year option.
Jon Machota of The Athletic writes an agreement with the 25-year-old “should” be worked out by the time training camp starts next month (subscription required). He adds a Lamb pact can be expected to check in at or slightly below the Jefferson accord in terms of value. Until significant traction is gained in negotiations (which have been expected to accelerate), however, this situation will remain unresolved.
Here are some other Cowboys notes:
- After seeing Tony Pollard depart in free agency, Dallas reunited with Ezekiel Elliott in a post-draft deal (one year, $2MM). Rumblings of an agreement picked up leading up to the event, and Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News notes head coach Mike McCarthy wanted to work out the signing during the draft. His desire to move quickly, per Watkins, stemmed from the chance of Elliott signing with a different team if the Cowboys waited too long. In the end, though, the Cowboys landed the former rushing champion (after not making a rookie addition in the backfield) in anticipation of a RB-by-committee approach in 2024.
- Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown missed his rookie season due to a torn ACL, so it came as no surprise that he was absent from Dallas’ spring practices. He was joined in that regard by defensive tackle Mazi Smith and tight end Luke Schoonmaker as they rehabbed injuries of their own during OTAs and minicamp, Machota notes. The former – who did not have a strong rookie season – was recovering from offseason shoulder surgery while the latter dealt with hamstring issues. Their availability and performances in training camp will be worth keeping an eye on.
- Gareon Conley joined the Cowboys on a one-year deal this offseason after his tenure with the Texans came to an end. The veteran corner filed a grievance against Houston stemming from a shin stress fracture as well as arthroscopic ankle surgery he underwent while with the Texans. That matter has now been settled, with Conley receiving $100K from the Texans, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reports. The 29-year-old’s last NFL action came in 2019.
Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey Facing Uncertain Post-2024 Future?
Marlon Humphrey has been a mainstay in the Ravens’ secondary since the latter portion of his rookie campaign. The Pro Bowl corner is set to remain a key figure for the team’s defense in 2024, but his future beyond that point could be in the air. 
Humphrey exceled while playing out his rookie contract, earning first-team All-Pro acclaim during the 2019 campaign. His success that year helped pave the way for a five-year, $97.5MM extension inked in 2020. The 27-year-old has remained a full-time starter since then, although injuries have led to missed game action and lowered his effectiveness at times.
Coming off a year in which he led the league in forced fumbles (eight), Humphrey was limited to 12 games in 2021. While the Alabama product rebounded with a fully healthy campaign the following season, nagging injuries led to seven missed contests this past campaign. Humphrey was a part-time participant in minicamp, and his health will be worth watching over the course of the 2024 campaign.
Three years remain on his deal, but no guaranteed salary is in place on the pact after the coming season. Humphrey is set to carry a cap hit of $25.13MM in 2025, and that figure is scheduled to check in at $22.93MM the following year. Considering his impact on the team’s cap, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic writes Humphrey “probably needs” to deliver a productive and healthy campaign to remain in Charm City moving forward (subscription required).
Baltimore’s secondary has seen plenty of turnover in recent years, and the team has taken the draft route to add starting-caliber and depth corners. Brandon Stephens, Jalyn Armour-Davis, Damarion Williams as well as 2024 draftees Nate Wiggins and T.J. Tampa are all attached to rookie contracts. Humphrey – who posted double-digit pass deflections in each of his first five seasons – has seen his ball production wane recently. He has been held to one interception in three of the past four years, with 12 total pass breakups since 2022.
Humphrey’s deal calls for a $4MM roster bonus in March 2025, so any contract-related decisions will likely be made before that. The Ravens would see $18MM in cap savings by designating him a post-June 1 cut next offseason, but plenty of time remains until such a move would be considered. Humphrey’s availability and level of play will be worth watching closely over the course of the coming campaign.
Chiefs DE Charles Omenihu Addresses ACL Rehab
Charles Omenihu enjoyed a career year with the Chiefs in 2023, but an ACL tear took him out of the AFC title game. The veteran defensive end’s comments on his recovery to date point to him returning at some point in the regular season. 
“It’s going good,” Omenihu said of his rehab process (via Aaron Wilson of KPRC2). “Slow process, everybody told me it was going to be like that, but it’s been decent. Honestly, right now, I’m steady, I’m cool… I kind of keep myself like that, just stay plain and we’ll get to the point where I ramp it up like that.”
The 26-year-old’s progress in recovery will be worth watching closely as the summer unfolds. Omenihu proved to be a vital part of Kansas City’s strong defense in his debut Chiefs campaign. The former Texan and 49er recorded seven sacks and a pair of forced fumbles in 2023 despite missing the first six games through suspension. That production came while he was logging a career-high 56% snap share, and a similar workload could await him once he is healthy.
The 2024 campaign carries important financial implications in this situation as well, of course. Omenihu has one year remaining on his current deal, and he is owed $7.4MM this season. The former fifth-rounder expressed a desire for an extension (one which would be accompanied by a raise) in February, but given his injury status it would come as a surprise if one were to be worked out before he returns to action.
While Omenihu is sidelined, the Chiefs will rely on George Karlaftis, Mike Danna, Felix Anudike-Uzomah and BJ Thompson along the edge at the start of the year (that is, presuming the latter will be recovered in full from his cardiac arrest by the fall). Omenihu will represent a notable addition to that group once he is back in the fold, and his play will go a long way in determining his earning power on a new Chiefs accord or a free agent deal.
5 Key Stories: 6/23/24 – 6/30/24
With the NFL’s offseason in full swing, contract matters in a number of cases are front and center for the time being. Teams and players have plenty of time to work out extensions, but attention will remain aimed on situations where uncertainty exists. In case you missed any of this week’s top developments, here is a quick recap:
- Negotiations Ongoing Between Aiyuk, 49ers: The future of Brandon Aiyuk has been a central storyline throughout the offseason. Per his request, the pending free agent wideout met with the team to further discuss an extension; reports pointed to a positive outcome with a mutual desire to avoid a trade existing. Nevertheless, the 26-year-old later acknowledged the sides have been far apart on contract terms at times during negotiations. San Francisco was in a similar situation with Deebo Samuel before a trade request was ultimately rescinded and a multi-year deal was worked out. A similar resolution in the case of Aiyuk – who floated the Steelers and Commanders as alternative destinations – would allow the team to keep a critical member of its offensive core in place beyond 2024.
- Dolphins Yet To Submit Market-Value Tagovailoa Offer: Two quarterbacks (Trevor Lawrence, Jared Goff) have joined the NFL’s $50MM-per-year club this offseason, and Tua Tagovailoa is among the passers who could land a similar deal in the near future. To date, the Dolphins have not been willing to make an offer in that neighborhood, however. The Pro Bowler has turned down at least one Miami contract so far, and his remarks on his situation have suggested a hometown discount will not be forthcoming. Tagovailoa, 26, has faced questions related to his health and upside, although a full campaign in 2023 and notable statistical output when on the field will increase his leverage. Extension talks continue, but for now he is on track to play out his fifth-year option ($23.17MM) this season.
- Lamb On Track For Cowboys Holdout? One of the other receivers angling for a lucrative second contract is CeeDee Lamb, who has missed spring workouts with the Cowboys this offseason. Now that Justin Jefferson has reset the receiver market – signing a $35MM-per-season Vikings accord, the largest for a non-QB – traction could be gained between Lamb’s representatives and Dallas’ front office. With nothing imminent, however, a training camp holdout could be coming this summer. The All-Pro delivered the most productive season in franchise history last season, giving him plenty of leverage in contract talks. Known to be waiting for the top of the WR pecking order to be established, the Cowboys are not looking to move the bar to new heights on a monster Lamb accord. The 25-year-old would incur fines with a training camp absence, but the team could elect to waive them in his case.
- Policy Named Packers’ Next President: Mark Murphy will reach mandatory retirement age next summer, but his successor is now officially in place. The team’s board of directors unanimously tapped Ed Policy for the role of president and CEO starting next year. The 53-year-old has been with Green Bay since 2012, serving as the team’s COO for the past six years. He will continue in that regard until taking over as de facto owner after Murphy steps aside. Policy represented an expected choice for the role, but the Packers vetted 90 candidates (and 10 finalists) before choosing him to lead the team’s front office.
- Daboll To Take Over As Giants’ Play-Caller: Brian Daboll had a successful run as a play-calling offensive coordinator with the Bills before landing the Giants’ head coaching gig. To the surprise of many, his choice for OC (Mike Kafka) called plays for most of the past two seasons. Kafka survived the staff turnover seen this offseason, but Daboll is on track to take over play-calling responsibilities in 2024. The latter guided the offense this spring, and carrying on through training camp and into the regular season will create a notable storyline tied to his future. Tension in 2023 between Daboll and his assistant has been well documented, and his job security will be a talking point if the coming season does not go according to plan. A strong start to the year on offense, by contrast, could quell concerns about his Giants tenure.
Latest On Isaiah Simmons, Giants’ Safety Competition
The Giants took a flier on Isaiah Simmons last year, trading a seventh-round pick to the Cardinals to acquire him in August. The former first-rounder has struggled to find a permanent role in the NFL, but his debut season in New York was sufficient to land him a new deal. 
Simmons re-signed on a one-year deal featuring $1.4MM guaranteed in April after logging a part-time defensive role with the Giants. Seeing a 33% snap share under Don Martindale, the 25-year-old recorded 50 tackles, three pass deflections and one each in the sack, interception and forced fumble departments. The Giants have since moved on from Martindale, though, bringing in Shane Bowen as his replacement.
When speaking about how Simmons will be used in 2024, Bowen indicated he will be used as a nickel back on first and second downs. On third downs, by contrast, the Clemson alum will shift to what Bowen termed a ‘money’ position (h/t ESPN’s Jordan Raanan). Simmons began his career as a linebacker before Arizona shifted him to safety. If Bowen’s plan unfolds as currently set up, he will continue to be used in a fluid manner while trying to find a long-term home in the NFL.
Elsewhere on the Giants’ defense, the safety position is one to watch. Xavier McKinney‘s free agent departure created a vacancy in the starting lineup, one which Dane Belton could fill in 2024. The latter has made 32 appearances and seven starts to date, posting two interceptions in each of his first two years in the league. New York selected Tyler Nubin in the second round of the draft, however, providing the team with another option for first-team responsibilities.
Nubin was considered by many to be the top safety in this year’s class, but Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post writes Belton was ahead of him on the depth chart during spring practices. Plenty of clarity will emerge for many position battles during padded practices in training camp, of course. For the time being, though, Belton has a leg up in the competition. Maintaining that advantage would be key for the 23-year-old considering he will be eligible for an extension after the 2024 season.
New York struggled in a number of defensive categories last season, although the team’s pass defense (19th in yards allowed through the air) fared better. Still, Bowen and Co. will aim for improvement in 2024, and Simmons along with the winner of the Belton-Nubin competition will have notable roles in that effort. They will be among the players to watch closely as training camp unfolds.
Eagles CB Zech McPhearson Expected To Take Part In Training Camp
An Achilles tear kept Zech McPhearson off the field for the entire 2023 season. The fourth-year Eagles corner has successfully rehabbed the injury, though, and he should be available when training camp starts in July. 
McPhearson indicated in April that he was on track to suit up for the start of the regular season, so this latest update comes as little surprise. Still, a return to full health would be a welcomed development to an Eagles secondary which struggled last season and has seen a number of new arrivals. Philadelphia’s special teams will also be bolstered by McPhearson’s return.
“I’m 100 percent, man,” the 26-year-old said (via Inside the Birds’ Andrew DiCecco). “I’m just glad to be back. My body’s feeling good, I’m feeling good. I just wanna go out there and compete. I got so much built up inside me. I got a chip on my shoulder. It’s a lot going on outside, but I block out all that noise.”
McPhearson missed OTAs and minicamp due to his rehab, but taking part in training camp will set him up for a return to action this fall. The former fourth-rounder made 33 regular season appearances across his first two Eagles campaigns, taking part in four playoff contests during that time. He logged only a rotational defensive role in that stretch, but he could serve as a familiar slot corner option behind returnee Avonte Maddox in 2024. McPhearson has also worked as a backup on the perimeter, though the Eagles have a pair of rookies (Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean) capable of handling that role.
One year remains on McPhearson’s rookie contract, and a healthy season would certainly help his free agent stock. The Texas Tech product’s health will be worth watching once training camp begins, but if all goes according to plan he should be able to take part in a full season after a year spent on the sidelines.
Latest On Commanders’ CB Situation
The Commanders invested a first-round pick at the cornerback position last year, and the team followed that up with a second-round selection this spring. Both Emmanuel Forbes and Mike Sainristil could see notable roles in 2024. 
Forbes had a record-breaking college career in terms of pick-sixes, but his ball skills were balanced against concerns related to his frame. The Mississippi State product was listed at 173 pounds during his rookie year, although to little surprise ESPN’s John Keim notes he has added weight this offseason. After finding himself a healthy scratch at times in 2023, Forbes could be in line for increased usage in Year 2.
The 23-year-old took first-team reps during spring practices, Keim notes. He rotated in a starting perimeter role with free agent addition Michael Davis, a veteran of 107 games and 74 starts with the Chargers. Forbes, by contrast, was limited to six starts and a 50% defensive snap share last season. He totaled one interception and 11 pass deflections, but coverage was an issue with three touchdowns and a 103 passer rating allowed as the nearest defender.
The Commanders overhauled their coaching staff this offseason, and the arrival of Dan Quinn has provided Forbes with a clean slate ahead of an important second season in the nation’s capital. Carrying over his spring performances into training camp – when padded practices take place – will of course be important for Forbes as he looks to earn a starting role opposite Benjamin St-Juste on the perimeter. Keim adds that Sainristil, meanwhile, will be used in the slot as he transitions to the pro game.
A converted receiver, the Michigan alum proved to be an effective cover man on the inside during his college career. Sainristil developed into a key member of the Wolverines’ defense, and translating that success in Washington would be crucial for a team which ranked last in points and yards allowed in 2023. Deploying a starting CB trio of Forbes, Sainristil and St-Juste would certainly mark a departure from Washington’s previous secondary and leave the team with a young set of cover men.
The latter is entering the final year of his rookie contract, but Forbes and Sainristil could both be under team control though 2028 if Forbes’ fifth-year option were to be picked up. A decision on that front will not need to be made until after the 2025 campaign, but it will be informed in large part by his play under Quinn and Co. this year.