Commanders WR Terry McLaurin Not Seeking Identical Deal To D.K. Metcalf’s
The Terry McLaurin situation remains one to watch as the countdown to Week 1 continues. A trade request emerged last week, but to no surprise the Commanders have no intention of dealing away their No. 1 receiver. 
McLaurin is owed a total of $19.4MM for 2025, the final year of his current contract. An extension (bringing with it a notable raise) has been a goal all offseason, with Washington seeking to work out a deal. The Commanders are believed to be hesitant about authorizing a pact averaging $30MM or more per year based in large part on McLaurin’s age. Entering his age-30 season, the two-time Pro Bowler is a candidate to see his production drop off while playing out his third contract.
To date, though, McLaurin has been a model of consistency with five straight 1,000-yard campaigns and a strong debut season with quarterback Jayden Daniels. A move toward the top of the receiver market has thus been sought out, with the new deal signed by D.K. Metcalf upon arrival with the Steelers named as a McLaurin target. Both 2019 draftees have strong track records of production, but Metcalf being two years younger is a factor in his favor regarding a comparison for financial purposes.
McLaurin has been linked to Metcalf’s $33MM-per-year pact with respect to his Commanders asking price. While portions of the Metcalf accord are indeed on McLaurin’s radar, Dianna Russini of The Athletic notes a matching AAV is not necessarily being sought out (video link). Once the trade sending him from Seattle to Pittsburgh was finalized, Metcalf signed an extension including $80MM in total guarantees and $60MM locked in at signing. Those figures could also be key, in addition to overall value, in negotiations between the Commanders and McLaurin’s camp.
Washington general manager Adam Peters added Deebo Samuel this offseason as part of his efforts to improve the skill-position group complementing McLaurin in 2025. A number of changes along the offensive line could also help Daniels during Year 2 as the team looks to build off last year’s run to the NFC title game. Of course, McLaurin will again be a central figure in determining the Commanders’ success provided he is on the field this fall.
Samuel is a pending free agent, and Daniels having plenty of term remaining on his rookie contract should provide Washington with the opportunity to make at least a short-term investment with respect to a third McLaurin contract. If/when a deal is reached, it will be interesting to see how similar his new pact looks compared to Metcalf’s.
Packers’ Nate Hobbs Undergoes Knee Surgery; CB Could Be Available In Week 1
Nate Hobbs will likely not participate in the remainder of the Packers’ training camp. The free agent signing underwent knee surgery over the weekend, as first reported by Sports Illustrated’s Bill Huber. 
Hobbs was dealing with a partial meniscus tear, ESPN’s Rob Demovsky adds. Playing through the issue could have been an option, but this preventative procedure has instead taken place with the aim of avoiding any missed time during the regular season. The surgery was a success, per Demovsky, who notes Hobbs is expected to miss the rest of camp.
That means the 26-year-old will be unavailable for Green Bay’s preseason contests, although he was already unlikely to take part in those. If Hobbs’ recovery goes as planned, he could still be back in time for Week 1. A clean bill of health would of course be key in this case given the investment made by the Packers on the open market.
After playing out his rookie contract with the Raiders, Hobbs was among the top cornerbacks in this year’s free agent class. He landed a four-year, $48MM pact with Green Bay. While the deal only contains $16MM guaranteed at signing, expectations are high for the former fifth-rounder as the Packers prepare for their first season since 2017 without Jaire Alexander in the fold. Hobbs could see notable time on the perimeter as well as in the slot this season while the team sorts out its best arrangement in the secondary.
News of Hobbs’ surgery and required absence helps explain the Packers’ recent decision to bring back Corey Ballentine. The veteran spent the past three years with Green Bay, making 37 appearances and seven starts. Ballentine is back in the fold as a healthy cornerback option for the time being, and he will look to earn a roster spot ahead of cutdowns later this month. Hobbs, meanwhile, will aim to recover in time for the start of the regular season.
LB Anthony Barr Retires
After being out of the NFL in 2024, Anthony Barr will not attempt a comeback this season. The veteran linebacker has retired, NFL insider Jordan Schultz notes. 
Barr joined the Vikings in 2014 and as expected he immediately took on a full-time starting role. The former ninth overall pick developed into a mainstay on defense throughout his first Minnesota stint. Barr collected a Pro Bowl nod every year from 2015-18, and his consistent production helped his free agent stock coming off his rookie deal.
The UCLA product re-signed with the Vikings on a five-year, $67.5MM pact in 2019. That contract initially appeared to be a fruitful investment for the team, as Barr played 14 games that season and remained an every-down player on defense. After that, however, a pectoral tear limited him to just two games in 2020; he missed considerable time the following year as well. A parting of ways with the Vikings ensured.
After drawing interest from a number of suitors, Barr took a one-year Cowboys deal in the summer of 2022. That set up a single campaign with Dallas, during which he was not a full-time starter but still logged over 600 snaps. The Cowboys elected not to retain him, opening the door to another free agent pact. Once again, Barr found himself on the radar of multiple suitors, but midway through the 2023 campaign he elected to return to the Vikings.
Initially signing on Minnesota’s practice squad, Barr wound up making four regular season appearances during his second stint with the team. To little surprise, he did so in a limited role on both defense and special teams. A similar workload would have likely been in store had he signed with a team last year or in time for the coming campaign.
Barr will instead now turn his attention to his post-playing days at the age of 33. In all, he made 123 combined regular and postseason appearances – all but eight of which were starts – while compiling 554 tackles and 18.5 sacks upon transitioning from edge rusher to linebacker at the NFL level. Barr accumulated roughly $63MM in career earnings.
Falcons, RT Kaleb McGary Agree To Extension
Kaleb McGary‘s tenure in Atlanta will continue past 2025. Team and player have agreed to a two-year, $30MM extension, per an announcement from McGary’s agent. The Falcons have since confirmed the news.
Prior to today’s deal, McGary was on track for free agency next spring. Now, however, he is on the books through the 2027 campaign. Each of his six years in the league have come with the Falcons, and the 30-year-old’s latest contract increases the chances he will finish his career in Atlanta.
After playing out his rookie pact, McGary appeared at one point to be headed elsewhere on the open market. Instead, a three-year, $34.5MM pact was worked out to prevent a departure. With one season remaining on that $11.5MM-per-year accord, the former first-rounder has managed to increase his average annual value on this new contract without requiring much in the way of new term from the team’s perspective.
During his first three years in the league, McGary – who has started all but one of his 93 appearances – failed to land within the top 50 tackles in terms of PFF grades. 2022 saw a major step forward in that respect, with his 86.6 grade ranking fourth at the position. Since then, the Washington alum has continued to deliver strong showings in terms of run blocking in particular, although his overall evaluations have failed to duplicate that previous high mark. He will nevertheless be expected to remain a consistent and durable presence up front on this new pact, having played at least 14 games every season to date.
The Falcons have one of the league’s highest-paid guards in the form of Chris Lindstrom, and he is under contract for another four years. The same is also true of left tackle Jake Matthews, since he signed a two-year extension of his own back in March. With McGary’s post-2025 future now taken care of as well (and left guard Matthew Bergeron still attached to his rookie deal), Atlanta will look to benefit from a large degree of stability along the offensive line in advance of Michael Penix Jr.‘s first full season as the team’s starting quarterback.
Center Drew Dalman departed in free agency as expected this spring. The Falcons are set to promote Ryan Neuzil to a starting gig in his place. A similar in house-ascension could take place down the road at the right tackle spot. For the foreseeable future, though, that position will continue to belong to McGary.
49ers DT Kevin Givens To Miss Regular Season Time
A pectoral injury will leave Kevin Givens sidelined for the foreseeable future. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Monday (via The Athletic’s Matt Barrows) the veteran defensive tackle will miss “a chunk” of the 2025 season. 
Givens entered the league with low expectations as an undrafted free agent, but he has managed to carve out a noteworthy NFL career. Each of his six seasons to date have come with San Francisco, and in 2022 he logged 11 starts and a career-high snap share of 44%. More commonly, though, the 28-year-old has occupied a rotational role along the defensive front.
That was set to remain the case in 2025, but Givens is now facing a lengthy recovery period. An injured reserve-designated for return placement during roster cutdowns would allow for an activation at some point during the regular season, but it would also require at least a four-game absence to begin the campaign. With a lengthy rehab process apparently in store, the 49ers will move forward with a DT group which lost Javon Hargrave via release this spring and added Alfred Collins during the second round of the draft.
In other injury news, Shanahan said running back Isaac Guerendo is week-to-week with a shoulder injury. A large role could be in store for the 2024 fourth-rounder backing up Christian McCaffrey this year, provided he can stay healthy of course. Guerendo has time to recover in advance of Week 1, but his status will be worth watching. Likewise, defensive end Sam Okuayinonu is facing a multi-week absence, per Shanahan.
As a result of the injury-induced absences the 49ers are currently dealing with at several positions, a slew of moves were made earlier today. That included the release of kicker Greg Joseph. Jake Moody is the only kicker in place at the moment, but Shanahan noted (via Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area) the decision to cut Joseph was based on other roster constraints rather than a poor showing on the veteran’s part. As such, Moody is not necessarily assured of the kicking gig pending how he performs during the remainder of the summer. The kicker position could still be one to watch as San Francisco balances a number of injury situations.
Jim Harbaugh Hopes Chargers Bring Back WR Keenan Allen
Keenan Allen worked out with the Chargers last week as the sides contemplate a reunion. No deal has been signed yet, but that will be the case if head coach Jim Harbaugh has his way. 
When speaking to the media on Monday, Harbaugh said (via ESPN’s Kris Rhim) Allen’s workout went well. He also noted his desire for a contract to be worked out in this case. Attention will thus turn to the efforts of Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz – who traded Allen away last spring – to finalize a pact.
The Bolts attempted to work out a pay cut with Allen in 2024 while the Harbaugh-Hortiz regime looked to make needed salary cap adjustments. In the end, Allen was dealt to the Bears while Mike Williams was released. Williams returned to Los Angeles but then elected to retire, leaving the door open to a veteran addition this summer. Harbaugh made it clear back in April he would welcome a second Allen tenure with the Chargers, so today’s comments come as little surprise.
Through the 2024 campaign and beyond, Allen has expressed a willingness to remain in Chicago or to return to Los Angeles. The Bears still have D.J. Moore and Rome Odunze, and the team added Luther Burden in the second round of the draft as a slot option for the present and future. Another Bears campaign is thus not expected, and little interest has been shown so far from other teams. With roughly $31.5MM in cap space, the Chargers could easily afford to bring Allen, 33, back into the fold.
Ladd McConkey enjoyed a stellar rookie season in 2024, and he figures to be a mainstay (particularly in the slot) for years to come. Allen is best suited to operate on the inside at this stage of his career, but the six-time Pro Bowler could of course also provide Justin Herbert with an experienced option on the perimeter. Especially given Williams’ decision to retire, the Chargers could stand to add a veteran presence at the WR spot.
Allen topped 1,000 yards six times during his Bolts tenure, including a career-best 1,243 in 2023. A repeat of that production would not be expected in the event a new Chargers deal were to be worked out, but one could still prove to be beneficial for both parties. It will be interesting to see if Harbaugh’s desire comes to pass in this situation.
Titans Considering Defensive Addition; Preston Smith On Team’s Radar?
Roster cuts following training camp and the preseason represents a time when a number of roster moves are made in the NFL. At or around that time, the Titans could be a team to watch closely. 
Tennessee is “open” to making at least one defensive addition late in free agency, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports. Specifically, making one of more moves at corner or along the edge could be in play. If a pass rush signing is sought out, Fowler names Preston Smith as potential target.
Smith was traded from the Packers to the Steelers midway through last season. The move ended his Green Bay tenure (which dated back to 2019) but did not yield much in the way of production with his new team. In eight Pittsburgh games to close out the campaign, Smith notched only two sacks (bringing his season total to just 4.5).
That figure falls well short of Smith’s best campaigns. To no surprise, the 32-year-old was released by the Steelers in a cost-shedding move after the season. Little interest has been shown since then, although the Bills were named as a potential suitor before free agency. Buffalo instead signed Joey Bosa on the open market.
The Titans released Harold Landry in March. That move ended his seven-year tenure in Nashville, which included six seasons of action. Landry spent much of that time as the team’s top edge rusher, collecting at least nine sacks on four occasions. Replacing his production will be a key concern for the Titans moving forward. Second-round rookie Oluafemi Oladejo will play a role in that effort, but a veteran presence along the edge would also be a welcomed addition.
Tennessee entered Monday with over $29MM in cap space, so finances will not be an issue if Smith is indeed offered a deal. In any case, the Titans could afford moves at other positions as well prior to the start of the campaign.
49ers Release K Greg Joseph
The 49ers made a slew of roster moves on Monday. Included among them is the release of veteran kicker Greg Joseph. 
In May, the 49ers signed Joseph as a contender for the 2025 kicking gig. The 31-year-old took part in minicamp and the opening stages of training camp, but his time in San Francisco has come to an end before the preseason. As a result of today’s move, Jake Moody is the lone kicker on the roster at the moment.
Moody entered the league in 2023 with high expectations as the No. 99 pick in his draft class. He enjoyed a strong rookie campaign, connecting on 21 of 24 field goal tries and all but one of his extra point attempts. Last season, however, things took an unwanted turn. In 14 games, Moody missed 10 field goal attempts, including five from within 50 yards. Competition was sought out in response, but pending another addition at the position he is set to once again handle kicking duties in 2025.
Joseph had a three-year run with the Vikings following brief tenures in Cleveland and Tennessee. Last season, the former UDFA made appearances for three teams; in all, he went 16-for-2o on field goals and 11-for-11 on extra points. As teams around the league prepare for the preseason in advance of final roster cuts, it will be interesting to see if Joseph lands another opportunity in the near future.
The 49ers’ other Monday moves consisted of signing defensive end Bradlee Anae, defensive tackle Bruce Hector, safety Jaylen Mahoney, cornerback Fabian Moreau and offensive lineman Isaiah Prince. They will each look to carve out a depth spot over the coming weeks while (in all likelihood) seeing playing time during the preseason as the team deals with minor injuries at number of positions.
In corresponding transactions, cornerback Tre Avery, receiver Isaiah Neyor, quarterback Tanner Mordecai and tight end Mason Pline have been waived. Each member of that quartet will be available to interested teams via the waiver wire. Provided they go unclaimed, each will become a free agent.
Charles Cross Seeking Seahawks Extension; LT Undergoes Finger Surgery
2025 marks the first year in which Charles Cross is eligible for an extension. The Seahawks’ left tackle said in June he would be interested in a long-term pact, and that stance has not changed. 
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“I want to be in Seattle for my career,” the former first-rounder said (via ESPN’s Brady Henderson). “That’s something I always thought of and wanted for myself. Hopefully we can get something done and it’ll go that way.”
Cross noted during those remarks that extension talks have yet to take place between his camp and general manager John Schneider, who agreed to another new Seahawks pact last week.. Plenty of time remains for a deal to be struck, of course. Seattle made the easy decision to pick up the Mississippi State product’s fifth-year option last spring. As a result, Cross is on the books through 2026 with a scheduled $17.56MM in compensation for that season.
A multi-year pact will cost much more considering the upward movement in the tackle market. Recent days have seen three notable pacts worked out for blindside blockers, including Rashawn Slater receiving a record-breaking Chargers pact. His new Bolts deal carries an average annual value of $28.5MM. Bernhard Raimann (Colts) and Kolton Miller (Raiders) have also inked deals north of $20MM per season. A total of 14 tackles are now at or above that AAV figure.
Cross will no doubt look to join that group on his second contract. The 24-year-old has missed only three games to date in his career, and in 2024 he received a top-10 PFF grade at his position. A new pact for right tackle Abraham Lucas – who has only one year remaining on his deal – may be seen as a more urgent endeavor for Seattle in spite of his injury issues. In any case, Cross’ case will be an interesting one to watch whenever extension talks begin.
In more immediate news, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports Cross recently underwent surgery to repair a dislocated finger. The issue had been lingering, per Henderson. Given the timing of the procedure, a full recovery in time for Week 1 is expected. It remains to be seen if any traction toward a long-term contract will have been made by that point, however.
Roger McCreary Aims To Remain With Titans
Roger McCreary has served as a mainstay in the Titans’ secondary during his three years in the league. The team’s slot corner is eligible for a new deal, and an extended stay in Tennessee would be welcomed in this case. 
“The Titans drafted me, I feel like this is always home for me, so I’ll always be happy to come back,” the 25-year-old said (via veteran Titans reporter Paul Kuharsky). “But I feel like it’s really not my decision – it’s in the upper room. So I’ve got to come out and just keep playing and if it comes it comes… If I play good, that’s going to come.”
Selected in the second round during the 2022 draft – then-GM Jon Robinson‘s final one at the helm, as it turned out – McCreary saw plenty of time on the outside during his rookie season. A shift inside began to take effect the following year, though, and last season he played almost exclusively in the slot. That will remain the case for 2025 with Jarvis Brownlee having played his way into a starting role on the perimeter.
Robinson was replaced by Ran Carthon, but that proved to be a short-lived setup. Carthon’s firing paved the way for Chad Brinker to take on the general manager role this offseason, although Chad Brinker resides as the Titans’ top decision-maker regarding roster moves. As Kuharsky notes, Brinker said at the start of training camp that no extension talks have taken place with McCreary to date. No deadline is in place for any potential negotiations to be cut off, however.
McCreary graded out as PFF’s No. 69 corner during his rookie season, but a step forward took place in 2023 (resulting in a 34th-place finish amongst qualifying players). Last year (as the Titans dealt with L’Jarius Sneed‘s absence for mush of the campaign but still managed a strong showing against the pass), he regressed and received a career-worst PFF grade of 61.3. The Auburn product would help his value considerably with a strong showing in 2025.
Sneed represents a potential cut candidate next spring based on his injury issues and the financial implications of moving on. Releasing the former Chief would eliminate the Titans’ most lucrative contract amongst defensive backs, something which could pave the way for a McCreary investment. It will be interesting to see if serious contract talks take place in the closing stages of the offseason.