Extension Candidate: Trey Smith
July 15 looms as the deadline for franchise-tagged players to sign a long-term deal. In the case of 2025, that is only applicable to the Chiefs and right guard Trey Smith. 
A trip to free agency appeared to be in store given the cumbersome nature of using the tag on offensive lineman. Tackles, guards and centers are grouped together for the purposes of tag calculations, which often serves as a deterrent when teams consider using it on interior blockers. The Chiefs nevertheless prevented Smith from testing the market by applying the $23.4MM one-year tender in February.
A long-term pact has represented a logical goal for both parties since well before the decision to use the tag. Smith has operated as a full-time starter during each of his four seasons in Kansas City, missing only one game to date. Given his availability concerns coming into the league, remaining healthy has been key for the 26-year-old in establishing his value.
Smith has consistently been amongst the league’s top guards during his Chiefs tenure. The Pro Bowler has ranked between 10th and 15th each season in terms of PFF grade, and he will be expected to remain a strong contributor up front for years to come if a multi-year Kansas City pact can be worked out. The team traded away All-Pro guard Joe Thuney this offseason in a move which freed up money but also signaled an investment in Smith (who is six years younger) would be coming.
Indeed, Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said in April a long-term deal on this front was among his top post-draft priorities. In the months since then, few updates have emerged suggesting the sides are close to an agreement. As the deadline approaches, though, that could of course change in short order.
At the moment, the value of Smith’s fully guaranteed tag is set to match his 2025 cap hit. That figure is the highest for interior O-linemen, but it would be reduced with a long-term pact. The guard market currently includes four players attached to an AAV over $20MM on a multi-year accord, with Landon Dickerson leading the way at $21MM. Smith could certainly look to join that group given his performances, age and the jump in the salary cap since the other deals were signed.
Kansas City already has center Creed Humphrey on the books at an average of $18MM per season (the most at that position). Right tackle Jawaan Taylor also has a notable cap number for the year, although he is not assured of a starting spot this season. The left side of the team’s line, meanwhile, will be the subject of considerable scrutiny as the prospect of first-round rookie Josh Simmons handling blindside duties right away is considered.
Regardless of how that shakes out, Smith will be counted on to remain an anchor up front. Improvement in terms of both run blocking and pass protection will be a key goal for Kansas City in 2025 irrespective of Smith’s contract status. Well before Week 1, however, it will be known if he has a contract beyond the coming campaign.
DE Bryce Huff Addresses Eagles Departure
Things did not go according to plan for Bryce Huff in 2024. The high-priced free agent addition was present for only year with the Eagles, spending time in and out of the lineup before being among the team’s healthy scratches for the Super Bowl. 
In all, Huff managed just 2.5 sacks in 12 games as an Eagle. Despite having two years left on his $17MM-per-year contract, it came as little surprise when a trade was worked out to send him to the 49ers. The 27-year-old will reunite with Robert Saleh as a result of the swap, something he anticipated last summer.
“If I’m being 100% honest with you, I wanted a trade like fairly early on,” Huff said during an appearance on The SFNiners podcast (video link). “And just ’cause of how things went in Philly, I knew pretty early on it wasn’t a fit.
“There’s a plethora of things that went down. I don’t wanna get into specifics. Being in the league for five years, I kinda knew what it felt like to be in a good situation… I kind of knew where it was headed fairly early on into the season, probably even training camp if I’m being honest.”
Scheme fit was seen as a potential issue for Huff in Philadelphia, although he handled a similar workload with his second career team as he did during his final year with the Jets. Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio noted the wrist injury which required surgery and led to missed time as a key factor in Huff’s underwhelming production. He predicted a return to form will take place in San Francisco, where Huff will again work with Saleh (who took his former 49ers DC gig after the two were together during his Jets head coaching stint).
In San Francisco, Huff will be used as a third-down specialist, a role he thrived in with New York. The former UDFA will look to earn snaps as part of a rotation including Nick Bosa, Yetur Gross-Matos and first-round rookie Mykel Williams. If things play out as team and player hope, the 49ers’ decision to take on the remainder of Huff’s pact will prove to be an effective one and a repeat of his situation from last summer will be avoided.
Latest On Titans’ QB Situation
Cam Ward has not officially won the Titans’ starting quarterback gig yet, but it remains the expectation that will be the case this summer. Beyond this year’s No. 1 pick, Tennessee has a number of interesting decisions to make. 
Returnee Will Levis saw some time with the first-team offense during spring practices, and he is thus a candidate to win the starting gig at training camp. More realistically, though, the former second-rounder is in line to begin the campaign as Tennessee’s backup. Trade rumors have swirled in Levis’ case, but new general manager Mike Borgonzi has insisted no efforts were made before or during the draft to move him.
Team reporter Jim Wyatt notes Levis can be penciled into the QB2 spot (pending a summer push on the part of an interested team to work out a trade). That would leave Ward in place to operate as Tennessee’s starter, with his development playing a central role in the team’s 2025 success. The Titans have two other passers in place entering training camp in the form of Brandon Allen and Tim Boyle.
Allen has familiarity with head coach Brian Callahan given their time spent together in Cincinnati. The 32-year-old has only made 18 appearances (and 10 starts) during his career, so he profiles as a No. 3 option at best. Wyatt notes Allen received more reps during the spring than Boyle, pointing to him having an advantage for the third-string gig. Presuming Boyle finishes the summer fourth on the depth chart, he will be a prime candidate to find himself amongst the team’s roster cuts.
Plenty of time remains for the pecking order at the quarterback spot to change, of course. How the four signal-callers fare during padded practices will make for one of the Titans’ top summer storylines. As things stand now, though, few surprises (if any) with respect to the depth chart should be expected.
Dolphins Acquire TE Darren Waller From Giants
JULY 7: The deal is now official, per an announcement from the Dolphins. Sirius XM’s Howard Balzer notes Waller is still on the reserve/retired list at this point, but that will of course change in the near future. Miami was at the roster limit entering Monday, but with the Jalen Ramsey and Smith swap for Minkah Fitzpatrick also officially taking place, activating Waller should not require a corresponding move.
JULY 1: The Dolphins have taken an unexpected route to find a new veteran tight end. A trade agreement is in place with the Giants for Miami to acquire Darren Waller, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. 
Waller is coming out of retirement to head to Miami. New York still held his rights, requiring this swap to take place. The former Pro Bowler only intended to resume his playing career if he could do so with the Dolphins, Pelissero adds. That will indeed be the case. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Miami will receive Waller and a conditional 2027 seventh-round pick in exchange for a sixth-rounder in 2026.
Acquired via trade from the Raiders, Waller faced high expectations upon arrival with the Giants. The former sixth-rounder wound up only playing one season in New York, however. Retirement was brought up on more than one occasion, and last June Waller officially decided to hang up his cleats. That move – which came in the wake of a frightening health episode in November 2023 – created cap savings for the Giants but the team did not deal away his rights at any point. Two years remained on Waller’s contract at the time of his retirement, but Pelissero notes he will ink a restructured pact heavy on incentives as part of this trade.
Providing details on that point, Schefter adds this will be a one-year deal worth up to $5MM via incentives. Waller will now aim to provide his new team with a veteran pass-catching option in the wake of Jonnu Smith being dealt to the Steelers yesterday. The Dolphins were in the market for a tight end as a result, but this move is certainly not the one many would have expected.
In addition to health issues, Waller cited a waning passion for the game when addressing his decision to retire. That is of course commonplace for many around the league when they elect to hang up their cleats, but it seemed to confirm Waller would not be eyeing a return. With one exception clearly being made in the case of the Dolphins, however, he is now set to play a ninth NFL campaign.
Miami’s depth chart at the TE spot consisted of veteran Pharaoh Brown along with Julian Hill, Hayden Ricci and Jalin Conyers. Each member of the latter trio entered the league as an undrafted free agent. Expectations will be limited in their cases as a result, but it will be interesting to see how this Waller experiment unfolds in 2025.
Latest On Dolphins, CB Rasul Douglas
The Dolphins have, as expected, moved on from cornerback Jalen Ramsey. The trade which sent him to Pittsburgh also included the departure of tight end Jonnu Smith. 
Miami has already filled the TE vacancy by acquiring the unretired Darren Waller. As for the cornerback spot, however, it remains to be seen who will be brought in to help compensate for Ramsey’s departure (and, to a lesser extent, the earlier release of Kendall Fuller). The Dolphins have been linked to a few options still on the market, including Rasul Douglas.
The 29-year-old has been connected to a few suitors so far, Miami being among them. Douglas does not foresee a return to the Packers this summer, but any number of other teams could look to sign him ahead of training camp. The Dolphins will be worth watching on this front, but nothing is imminent at this time.
Finances are a key reason why that may change somewhat soon. Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald notes team and player have not been too far apart with respect to contract terms when they have been in contact with each other. As a result, he predicts a Douglas deal could still be worked out at some point this summer.
After being traded from the Packers to the Bills in 2023, Douglas operated as a full-time starter for Buffalo. The former third-rounder totaled 87 tackles and 13 pass deflections during his time there, although that spell included four touchdowns and a 122 passer rating allowed in coverage last season. Still, Douglas would offer Miami an experienced option on a cornerback depth chart filled with younger contributors.
The likes of Stephon Gilmore – who recently confirmed he intends to play a 14th NFL season – along with Mike Hilton, Asante Samuel Jr. and James Bradberry are also on the market at this point. Douglas is known to be a potential Miami target, with the same being true of Samuel and Bradberry. The Dolphins currently have nearly $14MM in cap space, so a one-year investment in Douglas or another veteran should be feasible. It will be interesting to see how the team’s summer free agent approach takes shape.
PFR Originals: Giants, Evans, Bourne, Washington, Raiders, Allen, Colts, Dean
Here is a breakdown of PFR’s latest originals:
- Recapping Giants’ Offseason: Sam Robinson kicked off the 2025 edition of the Offseason in Review Series by detailing the Giants‘ moves. Both Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen are still in place ahead of what will be a make-or-break season for the pair. Russell Wilson is set to begin the campaign atop the QB depth chart, but the play of first-round rookie Jaxson Dart if/when he sees the field will be critical in determining if the current regime remains in place next season.
- Exploring Evans Extension: Mike Evans is one of many key veterans the Buccaneers have managed to retain over time. Only one year remains on the six-time Pro Bowler’s contract, though, so another Tampa agreement could be in store. Rory Parks looked into what a fourth contract could look like in this case. Evans, who will be 32 by the start of the season, has managed 1,000-plus yards in each of his 11 years with the Bucs. Another short-term pact would help continue his highly effective partnership with Chris Godwin and ensure a free agent departure does not take place during the waning stages of his career.
- Detailing Top Cap Charges: Per usual, quarterbacks and edge rushers dominate the league’s financial landscape in terms of cap charges. I listed the top 25 cap hits on offense and defense for 2025, a year in which some movement on that front could still take place. Veterans like Terry McLaurin and T.J. Watt could see their respective cap figures for the coming year drop if extensions are worked out in advance of Week 1. Nevertheless, most NFL teams will carry on with a similar financial setup to the one which has been in place for several years.
- Previewing Bourne Release: Kendrick Bourne drew interest leading up to the 2024 trade deadline, and the Patriots have made a number of receiver additions this offseason. As a result, his roster spot may be in jeopardy. Ely Allen explored a potential Bourne release. The 29-year-old has two years remaining on his contract, but a release would create over $6MM in cap savings for New England team looking to surround Drake Maye with a new-look receiving corps.
- Discussing Washington Trade: The Steelers will once again have Pat Freiermuth in place for 2025. Part of their Jalen Ramsey trade resulted in fellow tight Jonnu Smith being acquired as well, however. With that tandem in place, Darnell Washington could be deemed expendable. Ben Levine profiled the 23-year-old as a potential trade candidate. Two years remain on Washington’s rookie pact, so a team interested in adding him would have a cost-effective depth piece. Pittsburgh could, of course, elect to keep him in place as a run blocker with the potential to take on a larger role in the future.
- Summarizing Raiders’ Offseason: Not for the first time since their move to Vegas, the Raiders cleaned house on the sidelines and in the front office. Sam recapped the moves which included Pete Carroll being hired as head coach as a part of a regime also featuring general manager John Spytek and minority owner Tom Brady. The team’s trade for quarterback Geno Smith and decision to draft Ashton Jeanty sixth overall will give Vegas a number of intriguing new faces on offense in 2025.
- Looking Into New Allen Deal: Zach Allen enjoyed a career year in 2024, and it could earn him a raise. Sam broke down the 27-year-old’s candidacy for an extension coming off his 8.5-sack campaign. One year remains on Allen’s deal, but the market for defensive linemen capable of producing against the pass has surged in recent years. Known to be on the Broncos’ radar for a new pact, he could be in line for a payday in the near future.
- Tracking Longest-Tenured HCs, GMs: The 2025 hiring cycle resulted in seven new head coaches being brought in. Many of the longest-tenured staffers remain with their current teams, however. I looked into the new pecking order in terms of head coaching tenures, while Sam did the same with general managers. On the latter front, four new faces are in place for the coming season while 15 GMs hired in 2020 or earlier are still with their respective teams.
- Reviewing Colts’ Offseason: For much of the Colts‘ offseason, the quarterback position represented the team’s central talking point. Daniel Jones was brought in as competition for former No. 4 pick Anthony Richardson, and the winner of the contest for the QB1 gig will be worth watching for. Given the death of owner Jim Irsay, though, the transition to his three daughters – in particular Carlie Irsay-Gordon – will be critical in shaping the franchise’s direction. Sam recapped Indianapolis’ moves ahead of what will be a crucial season for Richardson but also head coach Shane Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard.
- Profiling Dean As Cut Candidate: While Evans is a logical target for a new Buccaneers pact, this summer could of course see notable players released ahead of the campaign. Ely wrote about one of them in the form of cornerback Jamel Dean. In six years with Tampa Bay, Dean has racked up 63 starts and won a Super Bowl. However, the team has invested heavily at the CB spot in recent drafts, and moving on from the 28-year-old this summer (with two years remaining on his pact) would create nearly $13MM in cap savings.
Cowboys’ KaVontae Turpin Arrested
JULY 7: An updated version of Hoyt’s story cites the arrest report in this case. Turpin was pulled over late Saturday night for traveling 97 mph in a 70 mph zone. The marijuana and an unholstered pistol were then found while police searched the vehicle. Turpin was released shortly after being booked on Sunday.
JULY 6: Cowboys receiver/returner KaVontae Turpin was arrested and booked into Collin County Jail on Sunday, per court records. 
Turpin faces a pair of misdemeanor charges: possession of marijuana (totaling less than two ounces) and unlawful carrying of a weapon, as detailed by Joseph Hoyt of the Dallas Morning News. Neither the Cowboys nor the NFL have issued a statement at this time.
A 2018 arrest on a assault charges led to Turpin being dismissed from TCU midway through his senior season. That brought an end to a productive college career, during which he flashed potential as a receiver but especially in the return game. After going undrafted, the 5-9, 153-pounder saw time in numerous football leagues during a span which included earning USFL MVP honors. Turpin’s showing there earned him an opportunity with the Cowboys.
The 2022 campaign saw Turpin receive a Pro Bowl selection for his strong production as a kick and punt returner. The 28-year-old was a standout in that regard once again last season, totaling over 1,600 All-Purpose yards and leading the NFL in kick return average (33.5). Those figures led to a first-team All-Pro nod and came about as Turpin also took on an increased offensive role (31-420-2 receiving statline).
Team and player agreed on a three-year deal in March, and the pact’s base value of $13.5MM marks a notable raise from Turpin’s initial contract. Incentives are present which could yield another $4.5MM in compensation if his offensive role and production continue to increase. Dallas has a new WR2 in the form of George Pickens, and expectations will be high for both he and CeeDee Lamb. Turpin could nevertheless be in position for another strong season in 2025 presuming this arrest does not lead to any missed time.
Jags’ Dyami Brown In Line For Starting Role
Dyami Brown was unable to make an impact during most of his four-year Commanders tenure. The closing stages of the 2024 campaign and the team’s surprise playoff run demonstrated a potential to handle starting receiver duties, however. 
The 25-year-old had a notable uptick in usage late in the regular season and then totaled 229 yards and one touchdown on 14 catches during the playoffs. That showing did not do enough to land Brown a second contract in Washington, but he did take a deal with the Jaguars. That one-year pact has a base value of $10MM, $9.5MM of which is guaranteed in full.
$2MM in incentives are present in the contract along with per-game bonuses. Given the nature of Jacksonville’s investment, a No. 3 role in the team’s offense would come as no surprise. That is indeed set to take place in Brown’s case after the Jaguars traded away Christian Kirk and released Gabe Davis. Brown is positioned to work as a starter alongside 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist Brian Thomas Jr. and 2025 second overall pick Travis Hunter.
“You didn’t really see him work the intermediate that much [in Washington], and I think over the course of this spring, [quarterback] Trevor [Lawrence] and him have gained a little bit of a chemistry on some of those intermediate in-breakers, curls, maybe outcuts,” head coach Liam Coen said of Brown (via ESPN’s Michael DiRocco).
“Part of the selling point to have him come here was, ‘Man, we really want to continue to diversify your route tree and have you do more. You’re not just a screen, jet sweep, vertical threat.'”
Drafted in the third round in 2021, Brown was one of several wideouts the Commanders added in the hopes of finding a long-term complement to Terry McLaurin. Brown and quarterback Sam Howell played together at North Carolina, but their one season in the NFL with the latter handling starting QB duties did not produce the desired connection. Neither Howell nor Brown are in the nation’s capital anymore, and the Commanders will rely on Deebo Samuel to serve as an experienced pass-catcher for at least one season.
The Jags, meanwhile, will have high expectations for Thomas after he posted 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. Hunter remains on track to see time on both sides of the ball during his rookie campaign, and that will no doubt include a notable role at the WR spot. Brown will nevertheless aim to build off the momentum he generated late in the 2024 season. Doing so will set him up for a strong free agent market next spring.
Chase Claypool Healthy, Eyeing 2025 Deal
A toe injury resulted in Chase Claypool landing on injured reserve last August. He was waived with an injury settlement by the Bills, something which allowed him to hit free agency. 
The Canadian wideout did not land an opportunity in 2024, however. As a result, Claypool spent the year rehabbing in preparation for his next NFL gig. A recent Instagram post confirmed he is now fully healthy as he eyes a contract in advance of training camp.
“I tore a ligament and a tendon in my second toe and have been rehabbing, working out, and recovering every day for the past year,” Claypool wrote. “I am back to being the strongest and fastest I’ve ever been and couldn’t be more excited to step back out on the field and let my actions speak for themselves.”
During his first two seasons with the Steelers, Claypool flashed considerable potential. The Notre Dame product posted 860-plus yards both years while totaling 11 touchdowns over that span. Things took a turn in 2022, however, with his Pittsburgh tenure ending by means of a trade to the Bears. The price Chicago paid – a second-round pick – to acquire Claypool proved to be exorbitant after he made just 14 scoreless catches in seven games with the team.
Following an unproductive start to the 2023 campaign, Claypool remained away from the Bears while a trade was sorted out. His arrival in Miami did not yield a notable role on offense, and to no surprise he was not retained last spring. Claypool’s brief Bills stint came about via a one-year, $1.23MM pact. A similar deal will be expected if he is to line up a gig in advance of training camp.
At the age of 27 (as of Monday), the 6-4, 238-pound Claypool could offer modest upside as a depth option for interested teams this summer. The Saskatchewan Roughriders currently own Claypool’s CFL rights, but his attention remains focused on securing another deal south of the border.
5 Key Stories: 6/29/25 – 7/5/25
With the calendar having flipped to July, training camps are not far away around the NFL. The past few days have fallen within what is traditionally the slowest part of the offseason, but they have not been shy on trade action. In case you missed any of the top developments from the past week, here is a quick recap:
- Dolphins, Steelers Complete DB Blockbuster: The Dolphins remained committed to moving on from cornerback Jalen Ramsey this offseason, and a trade partner was found in the form of the Steelers. Pittsburgh appeared to be out of the running to acquire the All-Pro cover man, but a deal was ultimately struck. Ramsey was dealt to the Steelers as part of a swap involving safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, meaning the latter will return to Miami after beginning his career there. The trade marked the first time since 2002 players with five-plus Pro Bowl nods were dealt for each other. Both players have term left on their contracts, and Ramsey could be in store for a hybrid role within the Steelers’ secondary for 2025 and beyond.
- Smith Inks Steelers Extension Upon Arrival: The other main element of the Ramsey-for-Fitzpatrick swap was the inclusion of tight end Jonnu Smith. Extension talks with Miami came up short, something which opened the door to a trade after only one Dolphins campaign. Smith was dealt to the Steelers and will therefore reunite once again with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. The Pro Bowler inked a one-year, $12MM extension upon arrival in Pittsburgh, meaning he is now under contract through 2026. Coming off a career year (88-884-8 statline), Smith will look to serve as a productive option alongside Pat Freiermuth in Pittsburgh’s new-look offense.
- Waller To Resume Career In Miami: In the wake of trading away Smith, the Dolphins were understandably linked to a tight end acquisition. They took an unexpected route to find a replacement, however, by working out a trade with the Giants to land Darren Waller. The 32-year-old retired last summer, but he will resume his career with Miami by reuniting with Frank Smith, the Raiders’ tight ends coach during Waller’s time in Vegas who is now the Dolphins’ offensive coordinator. Under contract for one season, Waller will look to post a healthy campaign and in doing so provide his latest team with a pass-catching option at the tight end spot after Smith posted a franchise record-breaking year at that position in 2024.
- Steelers Extend Khan: Since 2022, Omar Khan has been in place as the Steelers’ general manager. Kevin Colbert’s successor has maintained some longstanding organizational traditions (such as an avoidance of in-season extension talks), but deviated from standard practice in other respects. The 2025 offseason has served as an example, and in the wake of moves like the Aaron Rodgers signing, the D.K. Metcalf acquisition and the recent trade with the Dolphins, Khan has landed a three-year extension. He is under contract through 2028 as a result. The quarterback spot (beyond 2025) remains a question mark as Khan’s previous moves have not yielded a long-term answer. He will be counted on to fill that vacancy and end the team’s playoff drought regardless of how this offseason’s moves play out, though.
- Watson Expected To Miss 2025 Season: Since his second Achilles tear, the expectation has remained that Deshaun Watson will not be available in 2025. Indeed, signs point to the Browns placing the high-priced passer on the reserve/PUP list to begin the campaign, sidelining him for at least four weeks. Activation after that point is not expected, something which will add further to the extent his acquisition has backfired for Cleveland. Still attached to his fully guaranteed deal for another two years, Watson has only played 19 games with the Browns to date. That figure is highly unlikely to increase in 2025.