Latest On Bengals, WR Ja’Marr Chase
The most recent update on the Ja’Marr Chase contract situation indicated he and the Bengals would wait for Justin Jefferson‘s extension to be signed before working out their own. With that important domino having now fallen, Chase’s status will again garner attention. 
Jefferson met his target of topping all non-quarterbacks with respect to AAV on his Minnesota pact ($35MM). The extension also puts him in a tier of his on the topic of guaranteed money, with nearly $89MM locked in at signing and $110MM in total guarantees present. Especially considering the Bengals’ history as it pertains to long-term contracts, the structure of the Jefferson accord is significant.
Chase’s former LSU teammate secured guarantees (either in full or in part) for all but the last season of his monster pact. That represents a noteworthy long-term commitment on the part of the Vikings, one the Bengals have traditionally avoided with respect to guaranteeing multiple years of a deal. Quarterback Joe Burrow is of course an exception, and it will be interesting to see if Chase can join him on that front.
The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr. reports the guarantees present in the Jefferson accord (more so than its value) were “eye-opening” (subscription required). Chase – along with Cowboys standout CeeDee Lamb is eligible for a deal similar in AAV at a minimum, although Jefferson may serve as the receiver benchmark for quite some time. Increased talks between Lamb and Dallas are expected in the immediate future as he skips out on mandatory minicamp.
Chase (who was absent from the start of OTAs) could follow suit, but in any event Dehner adds the Bengals have the option to remain patient. Cincinnati made the obvious decision to pick up the 24-year-old’s fifth-year option this offseason, keeping him on the books through 2025. Receivers have generally not landed massive extensions until after their fourth year, but 2024 has offered exceptions in that respect.
Having amassed 3,717 yards and 29 touchdowns in 45 games, Chase certainly has a case to secure a deal rivaling that of Jefferson. As Dehner reports, however, there is an expectation that inking a deal this offseason would involve Chase’s camp ceding “more than a little” in contract talks. Waiting until another spike in the cap ceiling (coupled with another wave of receiver deals near the top of the market) could, coupled with another strong season, help Chase’s leverage.
Of course, Cincinnati must approach Chase negotiations with the status of fellow wideout Tee Higgins in mind. The latter is on track to play on the franchise tag in 2024 (although he has yet to sign the $21.82MM tender), and a commitment beyond the coming season would complicate a Chase pact. The status of both pass-catchers will remain worth watching closely.
WR CeeDee Lamb Absent From Cowboys’ Minicamp
CeeDee Lamb, like many other extension-eligible players, skipped organized team activities. In the case of the Cowboys, their offseason program has now shifted to mandatory minicamp but the standout receiver is still not present. 
Lamb has not been seen at the first day of minicamp, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network notes. His absence is expected to last throughout the three-day period, ESPN’s Adam Schefter adds. Remaining away from the team will generate roughly $100K in fines for Lamb; unlike the case of training camp holdouts, though, those penalties can be waived.
The three-time Pro Bowler entered the 2024 offseason as one of the wideouts capable of resetting the position’s market. The top of the pecking order has since moved three times, with Justin Jefferson unsurprisingly moving ahead on his Vikings extension. That pact carries an annual average value of $35MM, the top figure in the league for non-quarterbacks.
Lamb and Bengals Pro Bowler Ja’Marr Chase now have a benchmark for their own negotiations as a result. The former is not believed to have been the subject of serious extension talks this offseason, with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones electing to wait for other mega-deals around the league to be signed. That has provided Lamb with a high target on his asking price. As things stand, the 25-year-old is set to receive $17.99MM in 2024 on his fifth-year option.
A long-term deal will be much more expensive given Lamb’s production last year in particular. With Jefferson’s deal now on the books, though, an expectation exists that talks between Dallas and the Oklahoma alum will heat up in the near future. That could allow the parties to hammer out an agreement sometime this summer and finish off one of the Cowboys’ major financial goals.
The team has quarterback Dak Prescott and edge rusher Micah Parsons in line for extensions. The former is, like Lamb, on track for free agency in 2025 while the latter is under team control for the next two years. Keeping each member of the Prescott-Lamb-Parsons trio in the fold will be a challenge for Dallas, but plenty of incentive exists for Lamb negotiations to take place before training camp opens next month.
S Budda Baker Hopes To Remain With Cardinals Beyond 2024
The Cardinals’ 2023 offseason included a Budda Baker trade request which lasted for months. The Pro Bowl safety ultimately worked out short-term resolution to his contract status, but he remains a pending free agent. 
Baker saw his 2023 earnings bumped up via incentives as a result of the deal reached last summer. He is now due $14.6MM this season while carrying a cap hit of just over $19MM. If the 28-year-old has his way, he will remain in the desert for the foreseeable future.
“Me being here seven years, this’ll be Year 8, of course you would love to be on a football team that you got drafted to,” Baker said (via Tyler Drake of Arizona Sports). “I know it’s the not the same GM or it’s not the same head coach, but I understand if I continue to do my job at a high level – this is our fourth coaching staff and I’m still on the team – it shows what type of character I have and what kind of work ethic I put onto the field no matter what.”
Baker originally inked a four-year, $59MM pact in 2020. Even with his revised agreement slightly lowering his AAV to $14.1MM, that figure ranks seventh in the league amongst safeties. The position has taken a financial hit this offseason, with a number of accomplished producers being released in the lead-in to free agency. The former second-rounder missed five games in 2023 due to a hamstring injury, but he still managed to receive a fifth consecutive Pro Bowl nod, the sixth of his career.
That could help his leverage in contract talks, whether they take place this summer or closer to free agency. Baker is positioned to remain a starter on the backend along with Jalen Thompson in 2024, and their collective play will go a long way in determining Arizona’s defensive success. The team did add Dadrion Taylor-Demerson in the fourth round of the draft as a developmental option at safety and/or the slot, and his play as a rookie will be worth watching.
As Baker noted, the Cardinals have a different regime in place (general manager Monti Ossenfort, head coach Jonathan Gannon) in place than when he first signed his extension. Those two are tasked with overseeing the team’s rebuild, and a step forward from last season’s 4-13 record will be a target in 2024. A healthy and productive campaign from Baker would help in that regard as he prepares for what could be his final Arizona season.
“A lot of people think about the money. Some players might think, ‘Contract year, I gotta do extra.’ I treat every single year like a contract year,” the Washington alum added. “For me, I’m an honest believer in controlling what I can control and do my job. At the end of the day, everything else will take care of itself.”
Vikings, WR Justin Jefferson Agree To Deal
The Justin Jefferson contract saga has come to a close. The Vikings have a deal in place for the 2022 Offensive Player of the Year in place, and it will meet his goal of becoming the league’s highest earner amongst non-quarterbacks. 
Jefferson has reached agreement on a four-year, $140MM extension, Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network report. The monster deal includes $110MM guaranteed and once again resets the top of the receiver market. He will see just under $89MM locked in at signing, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter; that figure further puts Jefferson in a tier of his own. The 24-year-old is now under contract through 2028. Minnesota has since announced the move.
[RELATED: Teams Prepared Two-First-Rounder Offers For Jefferson?]
Team and player came close to an agreement last offseason, but talks were put on hold during the 2023 campaign. Jefferson missed seven games due to a hamstring injury, but to little surprise that ailment did not hinder his bargaining power. Schefter reports the three-time Pro Bowler turned down an offer carrying an average annual value of more than $28MM last summer. Now, Jefferson has a deal in place worth $35MM per year.
Like many other players angling for new deals, the LSU alum – who was set to play out his $19.74MM fifth-year option in 2024 – stayed away from voluntary OTAs. Minnesota had plenty of time to continue negotiations even after a brief pause during the draft considering the team’s intentions of retaining him for the long term. Schefter adds that multiple teams made trade inquiries about Jefferson this offseason, each of which were emphatically shot down.
An historic start in terms of production has led to one first-team All-Pro nod and a pair of second-team selections early in his career. Jefferson’s statistical output – 5,899 yards, 30 touchdowns in 60 games – gave him considerable leverage to not only move to the top of the pecking order at the WR position but surpass Nick Bosa‘s 2023 49ers extension in terms of raising the bar for non-quarterbacks. Bosa’s then-record breaking extension is worth $34MM per season, and Jefferson has managed to outpace it on this pact.
The 2024 offseason has seen plenty of big-ticket deals signed at the receiver spot, and the $30MM-per-year threshold was surpassed by both Amon-Ra St. Brown and A.J. Brown on their respective deals. The expectation remained that Jefferson, along with CeeDee Lamb (Cowboys) and Ja’Marr Chase (Bengals) would represent a tier of their own with respect to value, with each standout waiting for the others to sign to gauge the market. Jefferson has become the first member of that trio to put pen to paper, and Lamb and Chase will no doubt look to use today’s agreement as a new benchmark.
Minnesota’s offense will look much different in 2024 given Kirk Cousins‘ free agent departure. Sam Darnold was added as a short-term replacement, inking a one-year, $10MM deal. As expected, the Vikings then used their top draft pick on a signal-caller by selecting J.J. McCarthy 10th overall. The latter represents the team’s QB of the future, although questions have been raised about his NFL viability given his age and lack of usage in the passing game at Michigan. Having Jefferson in place will obviously help McCarthy acclimate to the pro game when he takes on starting duties.
The Vikings also have Jordan Addison attached to his rookie deal for at least the next three years (or four, if his fifth-year option gets picked up). Minnesota’s skill-position corps includes tight end T.J. Hockenson, who inked a $16.5MM-per-year extension last offseason to move him near the top of the market at his position. Regardless of the level of quarterback play the team sees moving forward, expectations will be high in the passing game given the investments made amongst pass-catchers.
Jefferson will remain a focal point in that respect for the foreseeable future. His ability to remain an elite producer with new signal-callers in place will be worth watching closely, as will the domino effect this deal generates amongst other extension-eligible wideouts.
Giants Expect TE Darren Waller To Retire
Darren Waller has yet to make a final decision on his playing future. As things stand, though, it would come as a surprise if the Giants tight end continued his playing career in 2024. 
ESPN’s Jordan Raanan reports Waller is likely to make a retirement decision no later than next week’s mandatory minicamp. The team’s position is that he is leaning toward hanging up his cleats rather than suiting up for a second campaign in New York. The 31-year-old’s future has been in doubt throughout the offseason, and he has not taken part in OTAs.
Waller spoke about his situation in April, stating a final call may have been made prior to the draft. That did not happen, but he has pledged to inform the team of his decision before the break between mandatory minicamp and the start of training camp in July. New York’s minicamp will run from June 11-13, meaning clarity on the situation should arise by that point.
As Raanan notes, the Giants are proceeding as if Waller deciding to play would be a “pleasant surprise.” The former Pro Bowler posted a second consecutive 1,000-yard season in 2020, but he has been beset by hamstring injuries for much of the time since. His trade from the Raiders to the Giants brought about expectations for a rebound, but he was limited to 12 games and one touchdown catch. New York has made preparations for a Waller-less tight end room this offseason.
The team still has 2022 fourth-rounder Daniel Bellinger (who has started 24 of his 29 games) on his rookie pact. He is joined by free agent additions Jack Stoll and Chris Manhertz as well as Theo Johnson, who was drafted in the fourth round. That group will look to serve as capable pass catchers if Waller does indeed elect to hang up his cleats.
The latter is on the books for three more years, but none of his remaining salaries are guaranteed. The Giants would generate $11.63MM in cap space against a dead money charge of $2.46MM by moving forward with a post-June 1 release. If Waller decides to end his playing tenure, he will depart the NFL with just over $42MM in career earnings.
Talks Between Cowboys, WR CeeDee Lamb Expected To Pick Up
2024 has marked another offseason during which many high-profile receivers have received sizable extensions. The trio of Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb and Ja’Marr Chase has been seen as the top group of players in line for new deals, though, leaving each to wait out the other on the contract front. 
Jefferson has moved first in that regard, inking a Vikings extension which makes him the league’s top earner for non-quarterbacks. Lamb will be hard-pressed to secure an AAV higher than Jefferson’s $35MM on his new deal, but movement in his case could be coming soon. Talks between Dallas and the three-time Pro Bowler could “jumpstart” in the wake of the Jefferson accord, ESPN’s Todd Archer notes.
Likewise, veteran NFL reporter Josina Anderson reports the Lamb negotiations are expected to accelerate now that a new benchmark has been set. The Cowboys have been patient on a number of fronts this offseason, including the addition of outside free agents and efforts to retain the likes of Lamb, Dak Prescott and Micah Parsons. Owner Jerry Jones made it clear in April he intended to let the quarterback and receiver markets come into focus before making a commitment at those positions.
That entailed letting Jefferson ink his deal, and it will be interesting to see if Chase’s negotiations with the Bengals similarly heat up given today’s news. The latter was waiting for Jefferson to agree to his extension before proceeding with serious negotiations on his own. The Cowboys and Bengals could take varying approaches over the coming weeks with respect to hammering out the league’s next WR mega-pacts.
Lamb, 25, set a new franchise record with his 2023 production (135 catches, 1,749 yards, 12 touchdowns). That helped his market value, especially with a number of non-Jefferson receiver deals being worked out recently. Lamb is due $17.99MM in 2024 on his fifth-year option, but a long-term accord will be worth much more. Dallas has to also consider potential multi-year investments in Prescott (also a pending 2025 free agent) and Parsons (who is on the books for the next two years).
To little surprise, Lamb has not taken part in the Cowboys’ OTAs. Those workouts are voluntary, but participation in the team’s upcoming minicamp is not. Dallas’ minicamp runs from June 4-6, and an unexcused absence for all three days would create over $100K fines (although those could be waived at the team’s discretion). The situation between Lamb and the Cowboys will remain worth watching closely during the final days of the team’s offseason program.
Eagles Sign G Max Scharping
The Eagles have made a depth addition along the interior offensive line. Guard Max Scharping inked a deal on Monday, per a team announcement. 
The 27-year-old spent the past two seasons with the Bengals, but he was unable to secure playing time on offense during that span. Scharping logged just 43 snaps in Cincinnati, but during the Texans tenure which preceded it, he saw a much larger workload. Between 2019 and ’21, he started 33 of 48 appearances.
During his first two seasons in Houston, Scharping played at left guard and drew underwhelming PFF evaluations. That continued in 2021 when he saw most of his time at right guard. The former second-rounder’s limited 2023 Bengals snaps came at center, but in Philadelphia he will compete for a depth guard spot.
Center Jason Kelce‘s retirement has paved the way for Cam Jurgens to take over in the middle of the Eagles’ O-line. As a result, the starting right guard position is available, and 2023 third-rounder Tyler Steen is currently in pole position to win the job this offseason. Steen played just 71 snaps last season, though, and adding veteran insurance comes as little surprise on Philadelphia’s part.
Scharping’s small role over the past two seasons helped explain his stay on the free agent market deep into the offseason. It will also no doubt keep down the cost of this Eagles agreement. Philadelphia entered Monday with more than $26MM in cap space, so the team will easily be able to afford taking a flier on the Northern Illinois alum. Scharping will likely be tapped for a backup role if he survives roster cutdowns, but he could fill in as a guard starter if needed this season.
S Tony Jefferson To Visit Chargers
News of Tony Jefferson‘s attempt to return to the NFL came with a report of teams showing interest. The veteran safety now has a tryout lined up with a potential suitor. 
Jefferson will take part in the Chargers’ minicamp, per Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz. That will allow him the opportunity to earn a contract and the chance to compete for a roster spot during training camp in the summer. The 32-year-old last played in 2022 with the Giants.
That campaign was followed by a decision to hang up his cleats and join the Ravens’ scouting department. Now, Jefferson intends to land a new gig in the NFL, and a Chargers agreement would allow him to reunite with a number of familiar faces. Several former Baltimore coaches and front office members have joined head coach Jim Harbaugh and general manager Joe Hortiz in Los Angeles this offseason.
That includes defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, who as expected was tapped by Harbaugh to carry on his current capacity after working under him at Michigan. Minter was with the Ravens from 2017-20, working as a defensive backs coach during that span. That allowed him to overlap with Jefferson during his time in Baltimore, and the upcoming tryout could pave the way for a reunion.
Los Angeles has Derwin James on the books with a $19MM-per-year accord, but none of the team’s other safety pacts come close in value. The Chargers – who did not add at the position during the draft – retained Alohi Gilman this offseason on a two-year, $10.13MM deal. Those two are positioned to continue as starters, but a depth role could be available for Jefferson. The Bolts allowed Jaylinn Hawkins to depart in free agency, and Dean Marlowe remains unsigned.
Entering Monday with over $26MM in cap space, the Chargers can certainly afford to take a flier on Jefferson. The former UDFA will all-but assuredly not represent an expensive acquisition for Los Angeles or any other teams which show interest in the near future.
Trevor Lawrence Aiming For Jaguars Extension Before Training Camp
A number of quarterbacks have landed extensions during their first year of eligibility. Trevor Lawrence is aiming to join that group by hammering out a deal with the Jaguars this offseason, and progress is believed to have been made on that front recently. 
The former No. 1 pick has had an up-and-down tenure to date in the NFL. Lawrence nevertheless represents a young signal-caller in line to approach the top of the position’s market on his next pact. Joe Burrow currently leads the way with an annual average value of $55MM, and Jared Goff‘s recent extension ranks second at $53MM. A Lawrence accord could fall between the two in terms of value while consisting of a similar structure to the Goff pact.
The 24-year-old is under contract through 2025 given the Jaguars’ decision to pick up his fifth-year option. That gives team and player plenty of time to reach an agreement, but Lawrence’s preference would be to have a deal worked out before training camp next month. Jacksonville is moving with urgency on the negotiation front, so that goal may be attainable.
“That would be ideal just to put it behind us and keep moving and feel good about that going into training camp,” Lawrence said of an extension (via Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk). “But either way, like I said before, I have the same job.”
Lawrence has been in attendance for the Jaguars’ OTAs, and that will no doubt continue through mandatory minicamp. His camp along with Jacksonville’s front office will have time after that to continue negotiations, especially with the team’s other top financial priority (an extension for edge rusher Josh Allen) out of the way. Other extensions for the likes of Dak Prescott and Tua Tagovailoa could take place along a similar timeline to the Lawrence one, and it will be interesting to see the effects each deal has on the other.
5 Key Stories: 5/26/24 – 6/2/24
With OTAs continuing around the NFL, teams and players have plenty of opportunities to discuss contract maters. In a number of cases, that has seen agreements on new deals reached. In case you missed any of the top stories from the past week, here is a quick recap:
- Dolphins Extend Waddle: With his fifth-year option having been picked up, Jaylen Waddle was already tied to the Dolphins through 2025. As the team hoped, though, an agreement was reached on a long-term pact. Miami’s young 1,000-yard wideout secured a four-year, $87.5MM deal. The extension includes $76MM guaranteed, with plenty of base compensation locked in at signing and shortly thereafter. The 25-year-old has proven to work well in tandem with Tyreek Hill, and he now sits fourth in the NFL in terms of receiver AAV. Waddle profiles as a focal point on offense for years to come despite Hill’s presence. In the wake of further upward movement at the top of the position’s market, meanwhile, the latter is angling for a new Dolphins deal of his own.
- Collins Lands Texans Extension: Shortly before the Waddle deal, Nico Collins inked a Texans extension also making him one of the league’s top earners amongst receivers. Following a breakout season in 2023, he signed a three-year accord with a base value of $72.5MM. The former third-rounder is part of an offense which features Tank Dell and offseason trade acquisition Stefon Diggs, meaning there will considerable competition for targets in 2024. Still, Collins, 25, will be expected to produce after he posted 1,297 yards and eight touchdowns during C.J. Stroud’s debut season. With the latter on his rookie deal for the coming years, the Texans have acted aggressively with respect to investments at the offensive skill positions, and Collins represents a key figure in that effort.
- Love Set To Approach Top Of Market With Packers Deal? The Packers entered 2023 with Jordan Love at the helm despite his inexperience. The former first-rounder put forth a strong showing in the latter half of the campaign, though, helping his market value on a long-term deal. Love is reportedly expected to land a Packers extension near the top of the quarterback market, which would entail an annual average value of more than $50MM. The 25-year-old is under contract for 2024 as a result of the bridge deal which replaced his fifth-year option, but the $11MM it calls for falls well short of what he will be earning on his next pact. Green Bay’s offense (filled with a young skill position corps) will hinge on Love’s development for years to come if the team can reach its stated goal of working out a lucrative agreement.
- 49ers Extend Jennings: The 49ers’ receiver room received some short-term clarity with Jauan Jennings signing a two-year deal worth up to $15.4MM. The pact – which includes $10.5MM guaranteed – takes the place of his 2024 RFA tender and ensures he will remain in San Francisco to continue his role as the team’s No. 3 receiver. Both Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel have frequently been mentioned in trade speculation this offseason, although the team appears content to retain both wideouts for at least one more year. Jennings, 26, has proven to be a consistent complementary option in the passing game while serving as a strong run blocker during his time in the Bay Area. That will continue on a cost-effective basis compared to what Aiyuk and Samuel will require if they are to be retained beyond 2024.
- Watt Also Considering Steelers For Comeback: After spending the past season as a broadcaster, J.J Watt led it be known he would be willing to play for the Texans in 2024. Such a development would see the future Hall of Fame defensive end reunite with former teammate DeMeco Ryans, Houston’s head coach. Watt is also open to returning to the field with the Steelers, though. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year did not play in Pittsburgh before his retirement, but a deal sending him there would allow him to play with his brother T.J. Watt. The latter has a DPOY award of his own and he is under contract as the focal point of the Steelers’ edge rush for two more seasons. The elder Watt, 35, has made it clear a return is possible just for the coming season and only if injuries force Houston or Pittsburgh into an unwanted roster position. Still, the potential for a comeback makes for an interesting storyline.