Jets To Waive WR Malachi Corley
Malachi Corley‘s time with the Jets is coming to an end. The 2024 third-rounder is among New York’s roster cuts, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports.
This will bring a quick end to Corley’s Big Apple tenure. The move also comes despite the Jets still carrying considerable questions at receiver beyond Garrett Wilson. But Corley was drafted by the Joe Douglas regime. The Darren Mougey-Aaron Glenn power structure has seen enough, evidently.
The Jets drafted Corley 65th overall last year, having traded up (via the Panthers) for the shifty prospect. But Corley produced a three-catch, 16-yard rookie season. The Western Kentucky prospect did not impress during Aaron Rodgers‘ season as the team’s starter, and his most memorable Jets sequence came when he dropped the ball before the goal line to deny the Jets a touchdown on a reverse during a nationally televised game.
Corley, 23, has three years left on his rookie contract. A claiming team would have Corley on a $1MM 2025 base salary. Even with Corley faceplanting in New York, it would not surprise to see a claim due to his draft status barely a year ago. Although the Jets carry significant questions about their Wilson sidekick contingent, Corley entered training camp uncertain to make the roster.
Josh Reynolds, Allen Lazard, Xavier Gipson and Tyler Johnson are among the players presently rounding out the Jets’ receiving corps. This creates natural concerns about the passing game’s viability in Justin Fields‘ first season, especially considering the new quarterback’s issues as a passer to date. But the Jets will pass on a second Corley season anyway.
Packers Expected To Release LB Isaiah Simmons
The Packers brought on Isaiah Simmons in free agency, but their flier on the former top-10 pick will not produce a roster spot. Simmons is expected to be released, Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports reports. 
Simmons’ time with the Cardinals was marred by an inability to find success at a single position. The Clemson product saw time at safety and linebacker but did not meet expectations in either case. He was traded to the Giants in 2023 after three seasons in Arizona. Simmons did enough to earn a one-year pact with New York last offseason.
Logging a full 17 game slate once again in 2024, the 27-year-old played sparingly on defense while also chipping in on special teams. Simmons took another one-year pact in free agency this spring, joining the Packers after they enjoyed a strong first season under DC Jeff Hafley. That accord contained $168K in guarantees, so Green Bay will absorb that figure as a dead money charge. Meanwhile, this move will create $1.03MM in cap savings.
The Packers have Quay Walker, Edgerrin Cooper and Isaiah McDuffie atop the linebacker depth chart. That trio will be leaned on heavily in 2025, but Simmons would have represented a backup option had he survived roster cuts. A practice squad agreement allowing him to remain in Green Bay could be in store; failing that, however, a new opportunity will need to be sought out.
Simmons could offer a special teams presence to interested suitors on the free agent market, and he will be free to sign at any time once his release is official. A role on defense should not be expected, though, and another short-term arrangement will no doubt be in store on his next team.
Rams To Trade T KT Leveston To Browns
Tuesday’s first NFL trade will see offensive line depth change hands. The Rams are sending tackle KT Leveston to the Browns for a 2028 seventh-round pick, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Dealing away selections three years into the future is certainly rare in the NFL, especially in the case of a low-level trade such as this one. Cleveland has restocked on draft capital this offseason, though, with the move down the first-rounder order yielding an additional first from the Jaguars in 2026. Yesterday’s Kenny Pickett swap also added to the team’s collection for next spring.
Leveston entered the NFL as a seventh-round pick of the Rams last season. He did not see any regular season game action as a rookie while dealing with an injury. Los Angeles opened his practice window in November, but one month later he reverted to injured reserve without being activated. Now healthy, the 25-year-old will aim to provide Cleveland with depth up front.
The Browns’ offensive tackle position has been in flux this offseason, with Jedrick Wills no longer in the fold. The former first-rounder is set to miss most or all of the coming season while recovering from a knee injury. Jack Conklin is still in place for Cleveland, a team which added Cornelius Lucas in free agency. The likes of Germain Ifedi, Geron Christian and Hakeem Adeniji departed this spring, however, so Leveston will look to compensate (in part) for their absences.
The Rams will create $840K in cap space with this move, while the Browns will take on the remaining three years of Leveston’s rookie contract. The Kansas State product managing to carve out a swing tackle role or another backup gig along the offensive line could allow for him to have an extended stay in Cleveland.
Giants To Waive QB Tommy DeVito
The Giants’ trio of new quarterbacks has pushed Tommy DeVito off the roster. New York is moving on in this case, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. 
DeVito has made 12 appearances and eight starts across the past two seasons, but the Giants’ actions this offseason led to the expectation he would wind up on the wrong side of the roster bubble. New York added Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston in free agency before selecting Jaxson Dart in the first round of the draft. Each of those three signal-callers will be on the team’s 53-man roster, Dianna Russini of The Athletic confirms.
DeVito’s showings during his regular season appearances as well as New York’s preseason finale last Thursday could make him an attractive option on the waiver wire. Teams will be able to put in a claim through tomorrow, the first day in which practice squads will be formed. If DeVito, 27, passes through waivers, he will become a free agent.
As NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo notes, DeVito himself was the subject of trade talks in recent days. Winston has also been the target of a potential deal, but the Giants are prepared to move forward with the former No. 1 pick in a depth capacity. Wilson will handle starting duties to begin the year with Dart looming as a potential replacement depending on how the early portion of the campaign shakes out.
This time of year often brings about shuffling at the QB position, and it will be interesting to see how strong DeVito’s market turns out to be. The Raiders found themselves in need of an addition, but their vacancy was filled yesterday with the Kenny Pickett trade. The Patriots, meanwhile, have only two passers in the organization at the moment. New England thus represents a candidate for a waiver claim or a free agent push in the event DeVito hits the market.
Raiders Bring Back WR Amari Cooper
11:08pm: Cooper’s one-year deal with the Raiders (which is now official) is worth a $3.5MM base value, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The contract also contains $500K in per-game roster bonuses plus up to another $2MM in incentives. The max value comes in at $6MM.
4:35pm: On a day when one Raiders receiver has asked to be dealt, a former wideout is set to return to the team. Amari Cooper is heading to Vegas. 
This will be a one-year reunion, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports. Jakobi Meyers is looking for a trade in the wake of extension talks stalling, so the timing of today’s news is certainly noteworthy. Still, the Raiders were named today as one of the teams in the market for a WR addition, so this move is not entirely surprising.
[RELATED: Raiders Do Not Intend To Honor Meyers’ Trade Request; Teams Interested]
Cooper has not had a strong market for his services this offseason, a reflection of his underwhelming production upon being dealt from the Browns to the Bills midway through last season. The five-time Pro Bowler averaged 37 yards per game with Buffalo down the stretch. The team left the door open to a re-signing, but nothing took place on that front and a lucrative addition was ultimately made in the form of Josh Palmer.
A return to the Cowboys received consideration shortly after the draft, but in the end Dallas worked out a trade for George Pickens. No other suitors emerged over the course of the summer, and with the preseason in the books Cooper will now face a quick ramp-up period ahead of the campaign. He will do so with the franchise he began his career with (albeit in a different city).
A first-round pick of the then-Oakland Raiders, Cooper enjoyed a highly consistent start to his career. He totaled 3,183 yards and 19 touchdowns across 52 games before being dealt to the Cowboys midway through the 2018 season. Cooper went on to top 1,000 yards another four times after that trade, giving Dallas and later Cleveland a dependable WR1. Expectations will be tempered for 2025, but the 31-year-old will give Vegas an experienced starting-caliber option with Myers’ future at least somewhat uncertain.
The receiver-hungry 49ers showed interest in Cooper, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports. Instead of heading to San Francisco, though, he will re-join a Raiders team which is much different than when he left.
Vikings Contacting Panthers About WR Adam Thielen
TODAY, 9:40pm: The two sides continue to discuss a potential Thielen trade, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. However, the Vikings and Panthers continue to disagree on compensation. At the very least, it sounds like they’ve overcome any financial concerns that may have been holding up a deal.
FRIDAY, 1:18pm: Panthers head coach Dave Canales has confirmed no serious trade discussion have taken place yet on this front, and The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reports finances represent a barrier to any deal being finalized. The deadline for roster cuts is Tuesday afternoon, and it would come as no surprise if a resolution one way or the other were to be in place by then.
10:33am: The Vikings are known to be among the teams seeking a receiver addition in time for Week 1. An Adam Thielen reunion has been named as something to watch for, and efforts to make one happen are indeed underway. 
[RELATED: Vikings Send Harrison Phillips To Jets]
Minnesota has contacted Carolina about a Thielen trade, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. Nothing is imminent at this time, per Ben Goessling of the Minnesota Star Tribune. Nevertheless, this will be a situation to monitor closely over the coming days.
The Vikings’ skill-position group has largely remained the same compared to last season, but their receiver depth chart has been dealt a number of blows recently. Rondale Moore will miss the season due to a knee injury, and projected No. 3 wideout Jalen Nailor is dealing with a hand ailment. Jordan Addison is set to reprise his role as WR2 when on the field, but he will miss the first three weeks of the campaign due to suspension.
While Justin Jefferson is at full strength (after dealing with a hamstring injury earlier in training camp), Minnesota could stand to add help at the position for the early portion of the 2025 campaign. Third-round rookie Tai Felton is in place to handle at least a part-time role on offense – especially until Addison returns – but a more established option would no doubt be welcomed by the Vikings. As such, Thielen represents a logical trade target.
The former UDFA joined Minnesota in 2013, and he began establishing himself as a valued member of the team one year later. Thielen played with the Vikings for nine seasons, earning two consecutive Pro Bowl nods during that span. A downturn in production helped inform Minnesota’s decision to release Thielen in 2023.
The Minnesota State alum signed with the Panthers in free agency and recorded the third 1,000-yard campaign of his career during his first season with the team. Thielen was limited to 10 games last year, although he still managed to operate as a full-time starter. Thought was given to retirement after the season, but the 35-year-old will suit up for at least one more campaign.
As things stand, that will consist of a third Panthers season. Carolina has invested first-round picks at the receiver spot in consecutive years, though (Xavier Legette, Tetairoa McMillan), and 2024 UDFA Jalen Coker flashed potential as a rookie. The Panthers also have veteran Hunter Renfrow in position to return to NFL action; he could replace Thielen’s slot production in the event of a trade.
Thielen has one year remaining on his contract and is owed a base salary of $6.25MM for 2025. The Vikings currently have over $30MM in cap space, although that figure will soon change once roster cuts are made. Still, finances should not be an insurmountable challenge if an agreement is reached regarding a trade.
Vikings, Jets Still Eyeing WR Addition; Raiders, Steelers Also In Market
With the deadline for roster cuts looming, trades around the league remain a distinct possibility over the coming days. The receiver position could be one to watch closely. 
The Vikings and Jets are still evaluating the WR landscape with respect to trades, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports. Last week, Minnesota and New York were among the teams named as suitors on this front, so today’s update comes as no surprise. The Vikings and Jets both face questions about their depth beyond their established No. 1 wideouts.
Garrett Wilson will again lead the way in New York, with free agent addition Josh Reynolds set to play a notable role. Allen Lazard‘s future was a talking point earlier in the offseason given the Aaron Rodgers release, but he is on track to play out this season on a reduced contract. Any receivers brought in will be viewed as depth behind that trio and 2024 third-rounder Malachi Corley.
The Vikings have been connected to an Adam Thielen reunion, and calls have been made to the Panthers about a deal. Nothing is imminent at this point, but the 35-year-old would offer experienced depth behind Justin Jefferson and (when he returns from suspension) Jordan Addison. Minnesota has been busy on the trade front recently, and making an addition at the receiver spot could be the next item on the agenda.
Russini’s report also indicates the Raiders and Steelers are among the potential landing spots for a new wideout. Vegas has witnessed Jakobi Meyers issue a trade request, calling into question his future with the team. The pending free agent is not one the Raiders are looking to move on from, but especially if a swap were to take place an addition could become necessary. Tre Tucker along with rookies Jack Bech and Dont’e Thornton are in position to play supporting roles, but further moves could help add a complementary presence to tight end Brock Bowers.
A receiver acquisition has long been talked about in the case of the Steelers this offseason. D.K. Metcalf will lead the way in 2025 and beyond, but the unproven nature of Calvin Austin and Roman Wilson has led to calls for a more established No. 2 option. Multiple free agent visits have taken place with free agent Gabe Davis, but no signing has come about since.
In addition to Davis, Amari Cooper, Tyler Boyd and DJ Chark are among the top unsigned wideouts at this time. Other notable names will no doubt become available over the next 24 hours through trade or cutdowns. A shortlist of teams is worth monitoring as the position’s late-summer landscape takes shape.
Dolphins K Jason Sanders, RB Jaylen Wright To Miss Time
The Dolphins will be shorthanded to begin the campaign. Head coach Mike McDaniel announced on Monday that neither kicker Jason Sanders nor running back Jaylen Wright will be available for Week 1. 
Sanders is dealing with a hip injury, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. An absence of four to five weeks is expected in this case. As a result, the Dolphins will need to find a replacement kicker to cover the early portion of the campaign.
Surgery will not be needed for Sanders, McDaniel said (via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald). Losing him for a notable period will nevertheless be significant. The 29-year-old is entering his eighth season with the Dolphins; he has yet to miss a game. That run of availability will come to an end in 2025, though, something which could impact Miami’s special teams early.
An All-Pro in 2020, Sanders sports a career accuracy rate of 84.6% on field goals. He has reached the 90% mark three times during a season, including in 2024. Expectations will be high upon returning to full health, but that will not happen until the Dolphins’ campaign is already underway.
McDaniel noted (via Jackson) it is unclear at this point if Wright will require surgery. Regardless of if a procedure ends up taking place, a lengthy stint on the sidelines should not be expected. Wright played sparingly as a rookie in 2024, but he could take on a larger role behind De’Von Achane in the backfield this season. When he will first be available is unclear, given today’s news, though.
The Dolphins have a number of further roster decisions to make between now and tomorrow afternoon’s deadline for cuts to take place. As the team weighs its options on that front, the looming absence of both Sanders and Wright will need to be taken into account.
Saints Waive 13 Players
The Saints have taken a step toward the 53-man roster limit. In addition to releasing running back Cam Akers, the team announced on Monday that the following 13 players have been waived:
- P James Burnip
- WR Roderick Daniels Jr.
- DE Jasheen Davis
- WR Moochie Dixon
- T Josiah Ezirim
- TE Seth Green
- G Kyle Hergel
- TE Michael Jacobson
- DE Jeremiah Martin
- T Jonathan Mendoza
- G Mike Panasiuk
- LB Tyreem Powell
- DE Omari Thomas
Each player listed will now hit the waiver wire. Claims can be made through Wednesday of this week, the first day in which practice squads can be put together. Several of the Saints’ cuts from today and tomorrow are likely to wind up on the team’s taxi squad in advance of Week 1.
Burnip was part of the Saints’ undrafted free agent class this spring. The Alabama product was brought in as competition at the position, but today’s news means he will not handle punting duties to begin the campaign. Fellow undrafted rookie Kai Kroeger is now the only punter on New Orleans’ roster.
Bears Move CB Zah Frazier To Reserve/NFI List, Cut 11
The Bears were among the teams which moved early in beginning their roster cuts. Chicago has announced another batch of moves today while continuing to move toward the requisite 53:
Placed on Reserve/NFI list:
- CB Zah Frazier
Released:
- DB Tre Flowers
- RB Royce Freeman
- OL Joshua Miles
Waived:
- S Millard Bradford
- DL Xavier Carlton
- S Alex Cook
- LB Power Echols
- CB Kaleb Hayes
- QB Austin Reed
- RB Ian Wheeler
- TE Joel Wilson
As a result of today’s transactions, the Bears are down to 73 on their roster. Like all other teams, they have until tomorrow afternoon to reach the roster limit.
Frazier will be required to miss at least the first four weeks of the season given his spot on the non-football injury list. Losing the fifth-round rookie until at least October adds further to the injury issues at the cornerback position for Chicago. Terrell Smith was placed on injured reserve yesterday, ending his season.
The tight end spot is crowded for the Bears, so Wilson being let go comes as little surprise. After leading the team in preseason receptions, though, he could remain in the Windy City through the start of the campaign. KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson reports Chicago plans to retain the 25-year-old via the practice squad provided he clears waivers.