Cowboys Aiming To Finalize Dak Prescott Extension Before CeeDee Lamb?
With minicamp now in the books, the period leading up to Cowboys’ training camp will be dominated by progress on extension talks for Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons. The latter is under contract for two more years, so he is not as pressing of a financial priority this summer. 
Prescott has firmly remained in Dallas’ plans beyond the 2024 campaign, one in which he is set to carry a cap hit of $55.13MM. With no-tag and no-trade clauses in his deal, last season’s MVP runner-up has plenty of leverage in a potential bid to reach the top of the quarterback market. A report from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler earlier this month indicated the Cowboys are set to make a “strong offer” to keep Prescott in the fold.
To little surprise, that has placed the 30-year-old at the top of the pecking order in terms of lucrative Dallas extensions. Fowler noted in a recent SportsCenter appearance that the Cowboys want to work out the Prescott accord before those of Lamb and Parsons (video link). Such an approach would come as little surprise, considering the respective cap situations of the three players and the nature of the quarterback (as opposed to receiver and edge rush) markets.
Prescott is a candidate to set a new standard in terms of annual average compensation on his next deal; both Joe Burrow (Bengals) and Trevor Lawrence (Jaguars) are currently at $55MM in that regard. The former fourth-rounder has publicly stated that his latest round of negotiations will not be as centered on finances as the last one, and the extent to which that holds true will be a key factor in this process. As Fowler confirms, the Cowboys have not yet aggressively engaged in extension talks with Prescott.
If that continues for the time being, Lamb will be left to wait for serious negotiations of his own. The three-time Pro Bowler did not take part in OTAs or mandatory minicamp as he continues to seek out an extension. Lamb has seen Justin Jefferson reset the top of the receiver market with his $35MM-per-year Vikings pact, and his own value could be similar. Given the surge in lucrative receiver pacts signed by other top producers at the position recently, Lamb will have significant leverage after any potential Prescott deal is hammered out.
Of course, new agreements for either member of that pair will have to be made with Parsons in mind as well. Under contract in 2025 via his fifth-year option, Parsons is aiming to usurp Jefferson as the league’s top paid non-quarterback. The resources Dallas has available to meet that goal (likely next offseason) will largely depend on the progress made with Prescott and Lamb – in that order – during the near future.
Giants Likely To Make RB Addition?
For the first time since 2017, the Giants’ backfield will not include Saquon Barkley. A veteran lead back (Devin Singletary) has been added to replace him, but further moves at the position could be coming. 
New York has 2023 fifth-rounder Eric Gray in place as a returnee. He saw a minor role on both offense and special teams as a rookie, and Singletary’s presence makes it unlikely he will see a notable uptick in carries or receptions in 2024. The Giants again took the draft route to add depth this year, selecting Tyrone Tracy Jr. in the fifth round.
Given the lack of experience at the position amongst those and other options, Dan Duggan of The Athletic writes a veteran backfield signing is “likely” between now and the opening of training camp (subscription required). Several options fit the bill in that respect, and Matt Breida is among them. Duggan notes a reunion with the 29-year-old could meet the need for depth in the summer.
Breida has played each of the past two seasons with the Giants. He averaged just 3.2 carries per game during that span while serving as Barkley’s backup, and the Singletary-Gray-Tracey trio could limit his offensive role if he were to come back. If that does not come to fruition, the likes of Dalvin Cook, Kareem Hunt, Cam Akers and Brandon Bolden could be on New York’s radar as unsigned backs who will likely be affordable.
The Giants added Dante Miller in April as an interesting flier in the backfield. It remains to be seen if he will be able to earn a roster spot, though, and the same is true of former UDFA Jashaun Corbin, who is once again set to compete for a role during training camp. Veterans still on the market would represent far more experienced options to complement Singletary, although special teams contributions will of course be highly valuable as well.
New York – a team which is set to host Jacob Saylors, the UFL’s top rusher amongst running backs – currently have $11.7MM in cap space. That should leave room for a modest addition in the backfield, and the Giants will certainly have a number of options to consider if one is pursued.
RB Alvin Kamara Open To Restructured Saints Deal
Alvin Kamara departed the Saints’ final day of minicamp early as a result of the unsettled nature of his contract. Two years remain on his current deal, but he is in essence a pending free agent. 
Kamara’s scheduled 2025 compensation is $25MM, and it consists of a non-guaranteed base salary of $22.4MM. That final year has long been viewed as one which will not be played out along those lines, and an extension or restructure will all-but assuredly be needed to keep him in the fold beyond this season. The latter route is something Kamara appears to be amenable to.
Reported to be angling for an extension, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler noted during a recent SportsCenter appearance that the 28-year-old is also open to a restructure (video link). Such an agreement could increase his 2024 earnings (currently slated at $11.8MM) while providing assurances for next year. Unlike many other pacts, though, Kamara’s deal has not been adjusted this offseason by the Saints.
Talks on a resolution have taken place this offseason, but as Fowler confirms the sides are not close to an agreement. The nature of negotiations during the coming weeks will therefore be worth watching closely, as a training camp holdout would leave Kamara subject to $50K in daily fines were he to hold out. The five-time Pro Bowler recorded 1,160 scrimmage yards in 13 games last season, the lowest figure of his career but still a sign of his two-way skillset when on the field.
Lucrative contracts for veteran running backs have generally been a rare occurrence in recent years, although teams acted quickly during the 2024 offseason to make notable backfield additions. Christian McCaffrey also landed a raise on his new 49ers pact, and Kamara could be among those who benefits from a potential domino effect. It will be interesting to see if New Orleans pursues a new round of negotiations on either an extension or a restructure in the near future and how Kamara responds either way.
Panthers’ D.J. Wonnum Likely To Miss Time In Training Camp
Having moved on from Brian Burns, the Panthers will rely heavily on free agent additions Jadeveon Clowney and D.J. Wonnum along the edge in 2024. The latter’s availability for training camp is in question, though. 
Wonnum dealt with complications from the quadriceps surgery he underwent this offseason throughout spring workouts, as noted by The Athletic’s Joe Person (subscription required). As a result, the ex-Viking did not take part in OTAs or minicamp. Person adds Wonnum is therefore a strong candidate to open training camp on the active/PUP list.
Players who open camp with that designation can be activated at any time, and the Panthers will no doubt look to bring Wonnum into the fold as quickly as possible. The 26-year-old signed a two-year, $12.5MM deal in March, and he is in line to handle starting duties on his new team. Wonnum alternated between a starting and rotational role in Minnesota, but he has flashed potential when given a notable workload (eight sacks in each of the 2021 and ’23 seasons).
Wonnum and Clowney are joined on the depth chart by the likes of K’Lavon Chaisson, Amare Barno, DJ Johnson and Eku Leota. As Person notes, Chaisson – who struggled to make an impact across four years with the Jaguars – was away from OTAs, while the others are each dealing with injury situations of their own. The group could be short on healthy bodies when training camp opens next month.
Carolina ranked last in the NFL with 27 sacks last season. With Burns and Yetur Gross-Matos (who signed with the 49ers in free agency) out of the picture, Clowney and Wonnum – if he manages to recover in time for the regular season – will lead the Panthers’ newcomers along the edge. Person does add, though, that the team could be in the market for a pass rush addition via free agency or trade, along with the waiver wire later in the offseason given the current uncertainty at that position. Carolina currently has just over $6MM in cap space, so a small move in that regard could be feasible.
Patrick Surtain Open To Broncos Extension; CB Did Not Expect To Be Traded
With Justin Simmons no longer in the fold, Patrick Surtain is in place as the centerpiece of the Broncos’ secondary. The latter also profiles as one of the team’s top financial priorities as he is now eligible for an extension. 
To little surprise, Denver picked up Surtain’s 2025 fifth-year option. That has him on track to earn $19.8MM next year, although a long-term accord will check in at a much higher price. The Broncos are interested in an extension, one which could approach or reach the top of the cornerback market. Surtain’s latest remarks on the matter demonstrate the feeling is mutual.
“Yeah, definitely,” the 24-year-old said of interest in a long-term Broncos accord (via Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette). “When you see those [Ring of Fame] players on the wall and see what they’ve done, it just gives you great inspiration and you look forward to those things to fulfill. Obviously, I want to be a Bronco, so I definitely want to see my name up in the rafters.”
Surtain’s name has been floated in trade rumors, but the Broncos have understandably driven a hard bargain to date. A pair of first-round picks was the starting point in negotiations, and while three teams submitted an offer ahead of the trade deadline, no deal came close to being worked out. Leading up to the draft, the Alabama alum was thought to be a potential chip in a Denver trade-up endeavor. The Broncos stayed put, though, and selected Bo Nix at No. 12.
When asked about the possibility of being dealt before Day 1 of the draft, Surtain said he did not expect to be moved. With he and the Broncos in line to remain together for at least two more years, attention can now turn to the progress of extension talks. The former first-rounder posted four interceptions as a rookie and followed that up by earning first-team All-Pro honors one year later. 2023 did not result in the same accolades, but Surtain did manage to receive a second straight Pro Bowl nod.
The cornerback market includes three producers (Jaire Alexander, Denzel Ward and Jalen Ramsey) who are attached to deals averaging $20MM or more. Surtain will no doubt look to reach that plateau, although cap increases could lead to him aiming for the top of the pecking order at the position. With Nix on his rookie deal and few big-money investments on defense, the Broncos could be positioned to make a lucrative Surtain investment. Whether or not one is agreed to this summer will be a key storyline to follow.
Latest On Steelers’ T.J. Watt
Cameron Heyward has received plenty of attention this offseason with his Steelers future in doubt. A fellow mainstay along the team’s defensive front is T.J. Watt, who is under contract for two more years. 
[RELATED: J.J. Watt Open To 2024 Steelers Deal]
The latter is playing out the four-year, $112MM extension he inked in 2021. That pact has proven to be a sound investment for Pittsburgh to date; Watt earned Defensive Player of the Year honors in his first season after inking the deal by matching Michael Strahan‘s single-season sack record. He has earned a pair of Pro Bowl invites and another first-team All-Pro nod since then. Entering his age-30 campaign, though, Watt is unsure of how much longer his career will last.
“I don’t know if I want to play forever, but who knows? It is too hard to say,” the former first-rounder said, via Mark Kaboly of The Athletic (subscription required). “J.J. [Watt] always said he didn’t want to play super long, then things happened and he ended up playing longer. I won’t know until that moment comes. I feel great right now, so I am kind of just living in the moment.”
The younger Watt brother was limited to 10 games in 2022 due to a torn pectoral muscle. He rebounded well last year, though, leading the league with 19 sacks. His career total in that regard sits at 96.5, and it will be expected to continue climbing as long as Watt remains healthy. The Wisconsin alum’s base salaries over the next two years are not guaranteed, and another year of strong production would help his leverage for a second monster extension depending on his long-term outlook.
As Kaboly notes, the Steelers will limit Watt’s reps in training camp with the goal of keeping him in peak health for the start of the regular season. Managing his offseason workload could become commonplace as the years go by with Pittsburgh (similar to many other teams) aiming to reduce wear and tear prior to the regular and postseason. Watt noted he has yet to win a postseason contest in his decorated career, and for at least the time being that will be his main focus.
Bengals’ Joe Burrow Addresses Injury History, 2024 Rehab Plan
Joe Burrow has proven to be one of the league’s top quarterbacks over the course of his career, but injuries have been a factor in that span as well. The Bengals’ franchise passer is in the midst of rehabbing the dislocated wrist which ended his 2023 campaign, and his mindset in doing so is different than in years past. 
Burrow was not on a pitch count during OTAs and minicamp, an encouraging sign of his progress in recovery so far. When speaking about his status, he added he is still not 100%, but he should be at full strength in time for the start of the regular season. Remaining healthy for a full campaign will be critical for Cincinnati’s success, and the former No. 1 pick noted his history of being sidelined when addressing his most recent ailment.
“Whenever the injuries start to stack up, your football mortality kind of comes into the back of your mind,” Burrow said (via NFL.com). “So that’s definitely something I’ve thought about and something I have had to fight through.”
The 27-year-old (who is attached to the five-year, $275MM extension he signed last offseason) has suffered multiple torn ACLs in his career, and a calf strain suffered last summer had an impact on his 2023 performance prior to the wrist injury which shut him down. Burrow has played through pain on a number of occasions, but he and the team have adopted a different strategy this year in that regard. Focus will be placed on a slower rehab process as the offseason unfolds with an emphasis on being at full strength for the fall.
“That’s something we’re being more proactive about this year,” the LSU alum added. “We don’t have to be ready to go in the middle of June. We have to be ready to go early September through February. That’s how we’re attacking this offseason and this rehab plan and these practices and training camp.”
Jake Browning is still in place as Cincinnati’s backup quarterback after he generally fared well in Burrow’s stead last season. If all goes according to plan, the former UDFA will not be counted on nearly as much in 2024, of course, but Burrow’s status will remain worth monitoring throughout the summer.
5 Key Stories: 6/9/24 – 6/16/24
The conclusion of each team’s offseason program around the NFL brought about several key developments. In case you missed any of the top headlines from the past week, here is a quick recap:
- Lawrence Inks Jaguars Extension: A mutual interest existed between Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars with respect to working out a monster deal, and that goal has been reached. The former No. 1 pick is now attached to a five-year, $275MM extension including $200MM in guarantees. The $55MM annual average value of the pact matches that of Joe Burrow’s market-topping deal from last offseason, a sign of Jacksonville’s investment in future development from Lawrence. The latter has had an up-and-down tenure to begin his career, and 2023 marked a regression compared to the previous campaign. Still, Lawrence will be expected to lead a return to the postseason moving forward, and he is on the books through 2030. Meanwhile, the QB market now has six players attached to an AAV above $50MM.
- Steelers Extend Tomlin Through 2027: Earlier in the campaign, Mike Tomlin’s Steelers future was a talking point; that is no longer the case, though. The NFL’s longest-tenured head coach signed a three-year extension, meaning he is now under contract through 2027. Tomlin, 52, has been in Pittsburgh since 2007, a tenure which has seen a pair of Super Bowl appearances and one title. The Steelers are in the midst of a playoff drought, however, and the post-Ben Roethlisberger era has not gone as planned under center to date. Tomlin will be counted on to oversee an attempted rebound on offense moving forward with a continued endorsement from owner Art Rooney II.
- Higgins Signs Bengals Franchise Tag: The last of the NFL’s 2024 franchise tag recipients is on the books, but not via a long-term extension. Tee Higgins has signed his Bengals franchise tag, putting him on track to earn $21.8MM this season. A multi-year agreement could still be worked out until mid-July, but that would come as a surprise at this point. The 25-year-old is joined by teammate and fellow wideout Ja’Marr Chase in needing a new contract, and investing in the latter would make a Higgins pact challenging. The top of the receiver market has surged this offseason, and another productive campaign from the Clemson product (who has twice topped 1,000 yards) will help his value for a likely free agent departure.
- Giants’ Waller Retires: Throughout much of the offseason, it remained unclear whether or not Darren Waller would hang up his clears or play a second year with the Giants. The veteran tight end took the former route, ending his career after eight seasons and nine years in the NFL. Hamstring injuries were a common issue in recent campaigns, but the former Pro Bowler faced high expectations upon arrival in New York last offseason. Waller was a key member of the team’s low-output passing attack, but he was limited to 12 games before contemplating his future in the spring. Now, the Giants will rely on other in-house options at the TE spot as Waller transitions to his post-playing days.
- Falcons Issued Tampering Penalties; Eagles Cleared: The NFL’s investigation into tampering violations by the Falcons and Eagles concluded with varied results. Atlanta was found to have breached the policy with respect to the Kirk Cousins, Darnell Mooney and Charlie Woerner. The Falcons were docked a 2025 fifth-round pick as a result, and the team will pay out a $250K fine. General manager Terry Fontenot has also been issued a $50K fine as part of the latest league discipline on the subject of tampering. The Eagles, meanwhile, were under scrutiny for their Saquon Barkley addition. Philadelphia was found not to have committed a violation, however, and the team will not face any punishment.
John Lynch On 49ers’ D-Line Additions
The 49ers have been busy at a number of positions this offseason, and the team’s defensive line in particular has undergone a number of changes. The unit will look much different in 2024 as the team attempts to rebound from last year’s Super Bowl defeat. 
San Francisco saw Arik Armstead left in free agency following his release. That, in turn, came after attempts at keeping him in place were rejected, paving the way for a lucrative Jaguars deal. Trade deadline acquisition Chase Young also departed on the open market, inking a one-year pact with the Saints.
The former was replaced in large part by the trade for Maliek Collins; the ex-Texan is under contract through 2025 at a lower cost than what Armstead would have required. Just like Collins, the 49ers’ main edge acquisitions – Leonard Floyd and Yetur Gross-Matos – are on the books for two more years. When speaking about that approach, general manager John Lynch noted the organizational effort to deviate from the standard one-year free agent strategy.
“We wanted some stability,” Lynch said of the team’s defensive line during the 49ers’ State of the Franchise (video link). “So you go find a Leonard Floyd, an established vet, a presence on the opposite side of Bosa, a Yetur Gross-Matos, who was really a guy out there that we really got a consensus and felt great about him, and being able to add a guy like that for two years.
“And you’re always looking at the draft, and the draft, where we were picking, and then just the quality of the class, the D-line wasn’t great. So I think we started there in free agency, added some other things.”
Floyd inked a $20MM deal including $12MM in guarantees. The 31-year-old has proven to be a consistent producer along the edge over each of the past four years, posting 39.5 sacks during that span. He and Gross-Matos – who chose San Francisco amongst other bidders, inking an $18MM pact – should combine to form a suitable complement to Nick Bosa. The latter, alongside 2023 signee Javon Hargrave, will remain a key figure along the defensive front.
The 49ers also brought in former Browns starter Jordan Elliott. He, too is under contract through 2025 on his new team. San Francisco ranked third in the league against the run and sixth in sacks last season, so the team’s newcomers along the D-line will face considerable expectations in 2024. Regardless of how successful the revamped unit is, many of its core members will be in place over at least the intermediate term.
Steelers GM Omar Khan Addresses Fifth-Year Option Decision On RB Najee Harris
The Steelers elected not to pick up Najee Harris‘ fifth-year option this offseason, leaving him on track for free agency in 2025. Pittsburgh’s lead back thus faces an uncertain future, but the door is open to an agreement keeping him in Pittsburgh beyond the coming campaign. 
Harris would have been due $6.79MM in 2025 had the option been exercised, something the Steelers were once expected to do. Instead, his play this year will go a long way in determining his value on the open market. When speaking about the decision, general manager Omar Khan confirmed the Alabama product could still find himself in the team’s plans.
“It was a business decision that we had to make,” Khan said during an appearance on 93.7 The Fan (h/t NFL.com). “But Najee’s awesome to have around here. Love Najee as a player and a person. Just because we didn’t pick it up doesn’t exclude us from doing something with Najee long term… We just felt right now that was the right decision for everyone. I love Najee. I’d love to have him here long term.”
The second-year general manager noted last summer that the nature of the modern quarterback market has a dramatic effect on roster-building at other positions. QB prices continue to rise, and running backs are prime candidates to be limited to rookie contract investments from a team perspective. That is the case for both Harris and Jaylen Warren at the moment, and the latter has proven to be an efficient backfield option in two years to date (5.1 yards per carry average vs. Harris’ 3.9).
Pittsburgh has a rather cost-effective QB room for at least one year, but new deals will be needed to keep Russell Wilson and/or Justin Fields in place for 2025 and beyond. Neither passer should be expected to approach the top of the position’s market on a Steelers re-up, but devoting additional cap resources to one or both would limit the funds available to retaining Harris. Running backs in general have struggled to land lucrative multi-year deals in recent years, and it would be interesting to see if team and player pursued a short-term agreement of some kind down the road.
A Harris re-signing would not come as a complete surprise, and Khan’s remarks confirm it will at least be considered. Plenty is still to be determined, of course, and how the Steelers value the running back position with Khan at the helm will be worth watching closely as the 2024 season unfolds leading into a potential Harris departure.