Latest On 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk
One of the predominant storylines around the NFL is the uncertainty surrounding Brandon Aiyuk. The ascending 49ers wideout has frequently been mentioned in trade speculation, and an extension agreement does not appear to be close. 
Team and player are at an impasse with respect to contract talks at the moment, although Aiyuk and the 49ers are certainly not alone in that regard at the receiver position. Still, the 26-year-old’s most recent public remarks have led to a new round of questions regarding a potential trade out of San Francisco. Such a move is not on the team’s agenda based on GM John Lynch‘s stance, and reporting on the matter corroborates that.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter noted on a recent Pat McAfee Show appearance that the 49ers’ preference is to keep Aiyuk in the fold (video link). The sticking point is of course the Arizona State product’s asking price. Schefter adds, to little surprise, the bridge between his camp and the team widened after the receiver market saw its latest surge. Deals like Amon-Ra St. Brown‘s Lions extension have been surpassed by Justin Jefferson‘s historic Vikings pact, but they are believed to represent the floor of a 49ers Aiyuk agreement. Indeed, while St. Brown landed $77MM in guaranteed money, a source tells Mike Giardi of the Boston Sports Journal that Aiyuk is shooting for guarantees in the mid-to upper-$80MM range.
After Aiyuk skipped OTAs and minicamp, progress may not be made for several more weeks. Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area pointed (via colleague JP Finlay) to the period just before training camp as a potential timeline for an Aiyuk deal to be worked out. That would fall in line with previous San Francisco pacts, but regardless of when one were to be finalized in this case, the challenge of retaining the team’s full offensive core would remain. Fellow wideout Deebo Samuel has drawn trade interest this offseason, and with one year left on his pact the 28-year-old’s long-term future is in question. Falling in line with previous indications, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer writes a Samuel trade would be likelier than an Aiyuk one at this time.
The latter is under contract for this season on his $14.12MM fifth-year option, but a long-term commitment will cost much more. San Francisco needs to budget for a Brock Purdy mega-deal as early as next offseason, and the team prepared for a receiving corps without at least one of Samuel or Aiyuk by drafting Ricky Pearsall in the first round. Around the draft, the 49ers understandably received trade calls for both of their 1,000-yard wideouts, but Schefter’s report confirms talks never reached a serious point.
As a result, attention will remain on Aiyuk’s asking price and San Francisco’s willingness to reach it. Other receivers like CeeDee Lamb and Ja’Marr Chase could ink extensions in the $30MM-per-year range, and the market’s continued growth could make an extension more expensive in the future than it would be now. With Aiyuk having adjusted his financial target once this offseason, it will be interesting to see if he attempts to wait for further receiver deals to be signed before re-engaging with the 49ers.
S Lewis Cine On Vikings’ Roster Bubble?
Lewis Cine has two years remaining on his rookie contract, but this summer could prove to be a pivotal point in his young NFL career. The Vikings safety is buried on the depth chart ahead of next month’s training camp. 
Minnesota pulled off a first-round swap with Detroit during the first round of the 2022 draft. Cine was selected with the No. 32 pick, and he faced high expectations after enjoying a successful tenure at Georgia. Ahead of his rookie season, however, it was clear he faced a steep path to a starting workload. Cine’s debut campaign was cut short by a leg fracture which required two surgeries.
The 2023 season saw the 24-year-old log only seven games and eight defensive snaps, and an uptick in usage does not appear likely at this point. As ESPN’s Kevin Seifert notes, Cine found himself behind not only starters Harrison Smith and Camryn Bynum, but also backups Theo Jackson and Jay Ward on the depth chart this spring. Keeping in mind Josh Metellus‘ ability to wear many hats in the secondary, Cine faces plenty of competition for a roster spot. That is especially true given the team’s other moves in the secondary.
Minnesota signed Shaquill Griffin in free agency before adding Khyree Jackson in the fourth round of the draft. Those new cornerbacks will take up roster spots in addition to the aforementioned safeties, something which could leave Cine on the outside looking in during cutdowns. Training camp and the preseason will no doubt play a large role in how the team evaluates him.
As a former first-round pick, Cine’s base salaries for 2024 ($1.75MM) and ’25 ($2.27MM) are fully guaranteed. That could provide incentive for the Vikings to keep him in the fold, and a surprisingly involved and productive 2024 campaign could even give Minnesota reason to consider picking up his fifth-year option. Doing so would tie him to the team through 2026, but quite a bit would need to change over the coming weeks for Cine to receive any sustained looks on defense in the fall. His performances during camp will be worth monitoring.
Latest On Bengals’ Secondary
Breakdowns in the secondary played a key role in the Bengals missing the postseason in 2023, and the team has made a number of moves in that area in recent months. The safety spot has seen the arrival of one veteran (Geno Stone) along with a reunion with another (Vonn Bell). 
The latter was in Cincinnati from 2020-22, serving as a full-time starter alongside Jessie Bates during that time. Bell departed last offseason by inking a three-year Panthers pact, although he only wound up playing a single campaign in Carolina. Bell and the Bengals reunited on a one-year deal worth the veteran’s minimum in March.
The 29-year-old is, to no surprise, in line to reprise a starting role in his second Cincinnati stint. Bell took first-team reps during offseason practices, as detailed by Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic (subscription required). He and Stone occupying starter’s workloads would relegate Jordan Battle to a depth/special teams capacity. The 2023 third-rounder logged seven starts last season, but he was one of a number of Bengals defensive backs who struggled in coverage. The additions of Stone and Bell will provide the team with experienced options, although it will be interesting to see if Battle can compete for a full-time defensive gig in training camp.
Of course, one of the other main offseason developments the Bengals have seen is the transition of Dax Hill from safety to perimeter corner. The 2022 first-rounder was lauded for his positional versatility coming out of college, but things have not gone according to plan for him so far. Hill primarily played in the slot when he was used at corner with Michigan, making this summer an important time to acclimate to spending time on the outside.
If Hill manages to get comfortable with his new position, a starting role should await him in the fall. The 23-year-old worked with the first-team defense this spring, per the Dayton Daily News’ Laurel Pfahler. Hill and 2023 second-rounder DJ Turner could be competing for a starter’s spot during camp in a cornerback room which lost Chidobe Awuzie in free agency. Veteran slot man Mike Hilton and 21-game starter Cam Taylor-Britt are still in place from last season.
Cincinnati ranked 31st in the league in passing yards allowed last season, and the play of the team’s secondary will be worth watching closely in 2024. New faces at safety could provide needed stability on the backend while Hill’s success in playing at corner will no doubt go a long way in determining the team’s willingness to pick up his fifth-year option after the season ends. With three years remaining on their respective rookie deals , meanwhile, Battle and Turner will have plenty of time to regain first-team roles if they start the year in a rotational capacity.
NFL Owners Have Discussed QB Cap
This past September, it was learned that NFL owners attempted to write a maximum player salary into the most recent CBA. Such a proposal was quickly rejected by the NFLPA, but a similar idea has remained a point of discussion. 
During an appearance on the Rich Eisen Show, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero noted that discussion has taken place amongst some owners regarding the establishment of a cap specifically used for quarterbacks (video link). Limiting the percentage of a team’s salary cap a franchise signal-caller could occupy would of course be a dramatic development. Pelissero adds, though, that no agreement on this front is imminent.
Issues pertaining to the salary cap are collectively bargained, so any formal arrangement would require the approval of the player’s association. As Mike Florio of Pro Football Talks writes, though, the setup being considered would be more akin to an unofficial agreement amongst owners to not spend past a certain point on quarterback deals (either in the case of extending in-house passers or signing outside free agents). Owners could approach the matter in terms of a percentage of the salary cap, or in terms of total dollars similar to NBA supermax contracts.
The QB market has surged in recent years, and four passers reached surpassed $50MM per year on their respective contracts last offseason. That quartet (Jalen Hurts, Lamar Jackson, Justin Herbert, Joe Burrow) has since been joined by Jared Goff and Trevor Lawrence. Eyebrows were raised when the latter matched Burrow’s annual average value – $55MM – on his Jaguars extension despite his thinner resume compared to the Bengals star. With the salary cap set to continue rising, the likes of Dak Prescott, Tua Tagovailoa and Jordan Love are positioned to add to the $50-per-year club or perhaps reach the $60MM mark.
As Pelissero notes, part of the potential pushback amongst owners is the fact that many teams already have a quarterback mega-contract on the books. Others are set to join them in the future, with Brock Purdy in line for an extension as early as 2025 and C.J. Stroud amongst the QBs who will be eligible one year after that. With gambling revenue and new media rights deals driving the salary cap forward, future contracts for signal-callers could continue to increase in value for years to come.
The 2011 CBA saw the introduction of the rookie wage scale, which slotted salaries of players’ initial contracts based on their draft position. That essentially ended contract disputes with players’ earnings being pre-determined and negotiations being steered toward signing bonus payouts and guarantee structures. The introduction of an upper limit on quarterback earnings would likewise represent a dramatic development affecting the financial landscape of the NFL. Without further consensus from ownership, though, even an informal agreement on the matter should not be expected in the near future, let alone an official cap jointly negotiated with the NFLPA.
UFL To Return In 2025
This spring marked the inaugural season of the United Football League, the organization which came about following the merger of the XFL and USFL. Year 2 of its operation will consist of a repeat of its debut.
The UFL was comprised of eight teams playing a 10-week regular season schedule in 2024. That format ultimately resulted in the Birmingham Stallions – champions of the USFL’s final two campaigns – winning the first ever UFL title. They will be positioned to defend their crown with the same group of challengers for at least one more season. UFL executive VP of football operations Daryl Johnston confirmed (via Fox Sports’ Eric Williams) the UFL will return in 2025 with the same teams and locations in operation as last year.
“We are going to be able to dial into the details,” Johnston said. “We’re going to have a traditional offseason calendar where we can be ahead of the curve instead of being in a position where we have to chase it a little bit. I think that’s something that everyone’s excited about.”
With an average of 43.7 total points per game in 2024, the UFL slightly outpaced the scoring output of the XFL and USFL from last season. Williams notes the UFL saw a 34% jump in television ratings compared to 2023 viewership of the two former leagues heading into the championship game. Attendance remained strong in St. Louis with an average of more than 34,000 fans attending Battlehawks games, but the league’s other markets struggled in that regard. Continuity will be aimed at developing a consistent following in the other markets.
“With our home markets, we’ve got to build that trust there – that we’re not going to leave or [that] the league isn’t going to fold,” Johnston added. “We’ve got a couple cities that historically have been a part of spring football, they’ve committed to a team and that team has left… We’ve still got some trust to build in our home markets.
“I think we were selling tickets for the home opener in Houston seven days out and in Michigan seven days out. Last year was getting the merger completed, getting everything in place and then putting the season together. This year, we’ve already been planning for season two of the UFL nine months out.”
A number of UFL players have quickly landed deals with NFL teams in recent days, with the spring league serving as an opportunity for players to establish or re-build their value for prospective NFL employers. Experimenting with new rules and technology is another facet of the UFL’s operation, and developments on that front could continue into the future if the league manages to gain a long-term foothold. For now, attention will turn to 2025 with a repeat of this year’s structure in place.
Latest On Bears RB Khalil Herbert
The Bears’ decision to let David Montgomery depart in free agency last offseason created a vacancy in the backfield. During the summer, signs pointed to Khalil Herbert taking over starting duties, but he could find himself in a much different roster situation in 2024. 
The latter showed plenty of potential in 2022 with an average of 5.7 yards per carry. In Montgomery’s absence, Herbert logged three more carries in 2023 than he did the season prior, but his efficiency saw a notable decline (4.6 yards per attempt). Now entering the final year of his rookie contract, Herbert may need to use training camp to solidify a spot on the depth chart.
Adam Jahns and Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic note the 26-year-old could be on the roster bubble this summer (subscription required). With the Bears having been one of the most aggressive RB-needy teams in the league during free agency this offseason, Herbert’s path to a starting role has been eliminated. D’Andre Swift had a career year with the Eagles in 2023, and he parlayed that into a three-year, $24MM deal. The former Lion will be expected to handle a heavy workload in Chicago.
The Bears also have veterans Khari Blasingame and Travis Homer as depth options to consider alongside Swift, Herbert and Roschon Johnson. The latter was selected in the fourth round of last year’s draft, and he racked up 561 scrimmage yards while logging a 40% offensive snap share. Johnson could be in line for an uptick in usage, something which could come at the expense of Herbert’s opportunities.
The former sixth-rounder played a full season as a rookie, but he has missed a combined nine contests since then. Herbert served as the Bears’ kick returner in 2021, averaging 24.1 yards per return that year. After not seeing any special teams usage last season, Herbert’s ability to secure a spot could be tied to his third phase experience. As Jahns and Fishbain unsurprisingly note, much of the team’s final decision at the running back spot will likely come down to special teams contributions.
Herbert’s experience could make him attractive depth option if the Bears were to trade or release him, although an acquiring team would be adding him only for the 2024 campaign. Presuming Swift stays healthy and handles RB1 duties, Herbert’s free agent stock would take a hit ahead of a potential departure next spring.
Latest On WR Deven Thompkins
Deven Thompkins was waived with an injury designation last month, and a subsequent move from the Buccaneers (waiving him via an injury settlement) has made him a free agent. The wideout/returner’s time in Tampa Bay came to an end amidst domestic abuse allegations, and further developments on that front have taken place. 
Thompkins’ estranged wife, Maria Castilhos, alleged in a pair of TikTok videos that he caused injuries to her face and arm. She has also made claims of physical abuse dating back to February 14, 2023. The Buccaneers’ decision to cut ties with Thompkins came less than one week before the allegations went public.
In response, the 24-year-old has now taken legal action. Thompkins filed a complaint in Lee County alleging Castilhos’ statements in the videos were malicious and defamatory, as detailed by Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. The complaint seeks a jury trial and damages in excess of $50K.
“We believe the detailed and concerning allegations in this complaint speak for themselves and speak volumes,” a statement from Thompkins’ attorney Brett Gallaway reads. “While we respect and support all survivors of domestic violence to speak out, the facts in this matter represent a disturbing blackmail scheme wherein Ms. Castilhos threatened Deven with fabricated allegations of domestic violence unless he met her financial demands for additional alimony in a pending and contentious divorce proceeding.”
Thompkins filed for divorce on February 27 of this year, per court records, and that process is ongoing. This filing alleges that Castilhos’ injuries were “inauthentic and had been altered using photo editing software” as part of the wider denial of domestic abuse.
A former undrafted free agent, Thompkins spent the past two seasons operating as Tampa Bay’s kick and punt returner. He totaled 1,082 return yards during that span, adding 115 yards and one touchdown on offense. The Utah State product was reported to have a Grade 1 strain hamstring strain at the time of his release, and he should be fully healed by this point. He is free to sign with an NFL team at any time.
Omar Khan Confirms Steelers Will Not Adjust Contract Negotiation Policy
In his second year as general manager of the Steelers, Omar Khan has made a number of moves to date in his tenure. More will be coming if deals are worked out before the start of the campaign, but the organization’s philosophy with respect to in-season negotiating will remain in place. 
Pittsburgh has exclusively used the offseason to work out signings and extensions for years, and Khan’s succession of Kevin Colbert has resulted in a continuation of that approach. The Steelers are certainly not alone in the sense of imposing a deadline prior to the start of the regular season for agreements to be worked out, though Khan’s stance could lead to plenty of interesting financial situations ahead of free agency in 2025.
“I think it’s an awesome policy,” Khan said during an appearance on 93.7 The Fan. “That policy predates even before [Colbert] and I got here. Once we get into the season, I’m a believer it should be all focused on football. Obviously, there’s a business aspect to this, and that’s okay. That’s just part of it. But once we get into the season, it’s to focus on the season.”
Both of the Steelers’ top quarterbacks – veteran signing Russell Wilson and trade acquisition Justin Fields – are under contract for 2024. The team is open to working out new deals in both cases, but that will only take place after an evaluation of their respective performances this year. Unless extensions with other notable players are worked out in the coming weeks, they too will enter the campaign facing uncertain futures.
Amongst the Steelers’ pending free agent class is starting guard James Daniels. Once thought to be on the extension radar, he will not have a new deal in hand by the time the 2024 campaign starts. Tight end Pat Freiermuth is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and his value would be worth watching closely if he did not have an extension worked out in time for Week 1.
In addition to the uncertain futures of Wilson and Fields, D-line stalwart Cameron Heyward may not be in Pittsburgh beyond 2024. The latter’s contract situation is fluid, and team and player still have plenty of time to work out an agreement allowing him to finish his career as a Steeler. In neither Heyward’s case nor that of any other player will an exception to the in-season negotiating policy be made, though.
David Shaw Addresses Broncos Hire
After frequently receiving interest for a head coaching position, David Shaw is set to return to the NFL. The former Stanford coach will spend the 2024 season in a front office role with the Broncos. 
Shaw has a relationship with head coach Sean Payton dating back to their shared time together on the Eagles’ staff in 1997. The former interviewed for Denver’s HC vacancy before the latter was ultimately tapped for the job. To little surprise, Shaw’s standing with general manager George Paton also played a role in yesterday’s hire.
“I got to know [Paton] pretty well during that process and we just stayed in touch and this offseason we talked about different things, and I thought there might be a role [where] maybe I could fill a need for the Broncos,” the 51-year-old said, via Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette. “It’s a very good opportunity… I’m very excited to be back in the NFL with some great people.”
Shaw had a successful run at Stanford, compiling a 96-54 record and winning two of three Rose Bowl appearances. The four-time Pac-12 Coach of the Year took a year away from the sidelines in 2023, but he interviewed for the head coaching positions of both the Titans and Chargers this offseason. Given that, Shaw was understandably asked about his plans for returning to the coaching ranks in the future.
He declined to offer a firm response on that point, adding that his attention is currently on his Broncos role. Providing further detail in that respect, 9News’ Mike Klis notes Shaw will break down film on college and pro players as part of his responsibilities. Know for his success in player evaluation, Denver’s new senior personnel executive will primarily work remotely, Klis adds.
Paton and Payton remain the central decision-makers guiding the Broncos’ roster decisions, and the latter will face heightened expectations in 2024 with his preference for QB prospects (Bo Nix) now in the fold. Still, Shaw will be a key figure in the organization’s front office, and it will be interesting to see how he fares in his new role and the extent to which it opens up other opportunities for him around the league.
Patriots, RB Rhamondre Stevenson Agree To Extension
As expected, the Patriots and Rhamondre Stevenson have worked out a deal. The fourth-year running back has agreed to a four-year, $36MM extension, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.
The pact includes $17MM fully guaranteed, Schefter notes. With Stevenson having been set to play out the final year of his rookie contract in 2024, this agreement will keep him in place through 2028. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network adds the 26-year-old will collect an $8MM signing bonus. 
Stevenson’s deal also includes $12MM in incentives, per Rapoport. Reaching 1,400 yards and earning Pro Bowl or All-Pro acclaim will add to the former fourth-rounder’s earnings on his New England extension, which can max out at $48MM. Stevenson has operated as the team’s lead back for the past two seasons, and he will now face increased expectations moving forward with a $9MM AAV. That figure ranks seventh in the league amongst running backs.
Last week, Stevenson publicly stated he felt an agreement on a long-term deal was close. That was followed in short order by a report that progress was being made, so today’s news comes as little surprise. The Patriots regime which drafted him – one which did not make a habit of investing in running backs – is no longer in place. New head coach Jerod Mayo spoke highly of a potential deal, though, and his tenure at the helm will no doubt feature plenty of usage for Stevenson in the backfield.
The Oklahoma product has a career yards per carry average of 4.5, although that figure checked in at 4.0 during his injury-shortened 2023 campaign. Ezekiel Elliott handled RB1 duties to close out the season in Stevenson’s absence, but he has since re-joined the Cowboys. To fill the veteran vacancy at the position, New England signed Antonio Gibson in free agency. The latter has shown an ability as a pass-catcher in particular, but early down responsibilities will no doubt lie with Stevenson for years to come.
While the 2024 offseason has seen a changing of the guard along the sidelines and in the front office for the Patriots, new general manager Eliot Wolf has made a number of moves aimed at keeping in-house players on the books. Deals for the likes of safety Kyle Dugger, right tackle Michael Onwenu and tight end Hunter Henry prevented what would have been notable free agent departures. Instead of testing the market in 2025, Stevenson will likewise be tied to New England for the foreseeable future.
The Patriots’ offense will feature a number of new faces in 2024, headlined by first-round rookie Drake Maye presumably taking on starting quarterback duties at some point. The team’s array of pass-catchers features veteran signing K.J. Osborn and a pair of rookies (second-rounder Ja’Lynn Polk, fifth-rounder Javon Baker), but the ground game will no doubt remain a key element of the team’s attack. That will leave Stevenson as a focal point for the Patriots’ offense in 2024 and beyond as he seeks to justify this lucrative investment.