Broncos Extend GM George Paton
MAY 10: Parker Gabriel and Luca Evans of the Denver Post report the Paton extension was “hammered out” over the past couple of weeks. The deal was obviously expected at some point, but Paton and the team wanted to remain focused on the draft before turning their attention to the GM’s own contract status.
Payton, who spent his entire Saints career working with one GM in Mickey Loomis, is happy to have Paton in place for the long haul.
“I said to [Paton], I said, ‘Man, I consider myself very fortunate to have been with one General Manager in New Orleans who I would call a very close friend and a great working partner,’ and then to find another person like George,” Payton said at the Broncos’ rookie minicamp (via Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk). “I know that we both feel the same way. We love the grind together. He’s a tremendous asset and all, and he’s very good at what he does. I think we complement each other. I am super excited for him. I said that to you guys at the [scouting combine], it was just a matter of time. We think alike in a lot of cases.”
MAY 8: As expected, George Paton has landed a new agreement in Denver. The Broncos’ general manager signed a five-year deal on Friday, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports.
Before the 2025 season had ended, a Paton extension emerged as a likely goal for the Broncos. The veteran had one year remaining on his contract prior to today’s news. Now, though, Paton is on the books through 2030 on a deal which has since been confirmed via a team announcement.
Head coach Sean Payton has of course wielded considerable power since arriving in 2023. The ex-Saints Super Bowl winner has formed a strong tandem with Paton, and in February he expressed confidence an agreement would be worked out. The Paton-Payton pairing will continue for years to come as the Broncos look to build off their recent success. That includes earning the AFC’s No. 1 seed this past year.
“As our general manager, George has demonstrated a strong commitment toward building a winning roster while forming a collaborative and supportive partnership with Sean Payton,” a statement from owner Greg Penner reads. “I’ve enjoyed working with George over the last four seasons and appreciate the alignment we share in positioning the Broncos for sustained success.”
After time with the Bears and Dolphins, Paton joined the Vikings in 2007. He worked his way up to assistant general manager, serving in that capacity from 2007-20. Paton also held the title of VP of player personnel during his Minnesota stint. A return to the Vikings was floated as a possibility after Kwesi Adofo-Mensah‘s firing, but the Broncos’ desire for a long-term agreement remained. Minnesota’s GM spot is still vacant at this point and Paton, 56, will be staying put.
Denver’s post-Peyton Manning cold spell continued upon Paton’s arrival. The team posted a losing record in each of his first three years at the helm, and moves such as the Nathaniel Hackett hire and the Russell Wilson trade certainly did not pay off. Despite carrying a massive dead money charge in the wake of Wilson’s release, though, the Broncos have managed to rebound thanks to Paton’s roster-building moves. Denver reached the playoffs as a No. 7 seed in 2024, and this past campaign saw the team host the AFC title game.
Quarterback Bo Nix‘s ankle injury kept him out of that contest, but expectations will be high in his case individually and that of the Broncos in general for years to come. Paton has managed to retain a strong core on defense and along the offensive line, and he recently swung a deal for receiver Jaylen Waddle. That move should help shore up the receiver position as the Broncos look for more consistent play in the passing game for 2026 and beyond. Attaining that goal should set the team up for another playoff run.
The Broncos’ original long-term investment in Paton provided a strong return. Penner and Co. will hope this second one continues a run of productive moves in the front office. With Payton’s job security certainly not an issue at this point, organizational stability for the foreseeable future can be expected in Denver’s case.
Odell Beckham Jr. Seeking Offensive Role; No Giants Offer Imminent
A reunion between Odell Beckham Jr. and the Giants remains something to watch for. A deal should not be expected until at least the summer, however.
Beckham took part in a visit last month, and his interest in a New York deal has been matched by head coach John Harbaugh. The two overlapped in Baltimore for the 2023 season. Beckham has hardly played since then, but he is aiming for a 2026 deal. It remains to be seen if the Giants will make an offer.
“Talked to Odell a lot, probably three of four times in the last week, [see] where he’s at, where we’re at,” Harbaugh said on Saturday (via ESPN’s Jordan Raanan). “The goal for right now is for him to train and get as ready as he can be. And then we’ll see where we’re at at that time.”
Harbaugh added he is optimistic Beckham, 33, can “make a team in the National Football League right now.” The former Pro Bowler is eyeing the opportunity to contribute as a regular on offense, Harbaugh noted. Fox Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano confirms Beckham’s goal for 2026 is landing with a team which will ensure him a role as opposed to simply operating as a training camp participant. He adds New York’s hesitancy regarding a contract is an indication the team is still unsure if Beckham can serve in that capacity.
The Giants are set to have Malik Nabers back atop the receiver depth chart next season when he returns from an ACL tear. The team also has Darius Slayton in place as a returnee, along with free agent signings Darnell Mooney and Calvin Austin. New York used a third-round pick on Malachi Fields during last month’s draft.
Each of those wideouts can be assured of a roster spot, leaving little room for a Beckham deal if he is seen as a rotational contributor at this point of his career. Harbaugh noted team and player will “play it out” through spring practices and into training camp before a final decision is made. The Giants currently find themselves mid-pack in terms of cap space with roughly $12MM available. The possibility of a low-cost Beckham investment will linger unless he manages to line up a deal with another team over the coming weeks.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/9/26
Here are Saturday’s minor NFL moves:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: LB Javin Wright
- Waived (with non-football injury designation): RB Michael Wiley
Wright agreed to terms with Tampa Bay shortly after the draft but was not included among the team’s initial undrafted free agent class. The Nebraska product’s arrival required a corresponding roster move, and Wiley has been let go. A former UDFA himself, Wiley finished 2025 on the Buccaneers’ practice squad before signing a futures deal in January.
NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/9/26
Here are the rookies who inked their four-year deals on Saturday:
New England Patriots
- TE Eli Raridon (third round, Notre Dame)
- EDGE Quintayvious Hutchins (seventh round, Boston College)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- CB Daylen Everett (third round, Georgia)
- G Gennings Dunker (third round, Iowa)
- TE/FB Riley Nowakowski (fifth round, Indiana)
Sean Payton: Bo Nix To Be Limited In June, Full Training Camp Participant
As Bo Nix was recovering from the ankle injury which ended his second season, it appeared as though a return in time for OTAs would be coming. Instead, a follow-up surgery took place last week and resulted in an adjusted recovery timeline.
Nix’s ability to take part in voluntary work this spring is in doubt as he recovers from the second procedure. That surgery did not come as a surprise, however, and missed time in the summer is still not anticipated. Head coach Sean Payton spoke about Nix’s status on Saturday, confirming a clean bill of health will be in place before July.
“He’ll be well ahead of time for training camp,” Payton said (via ESPN’s Jeff Legwold). “We’re going to be the ones kind of holding him back if you will… You’ll see him probably in [the mandatory] minicamp — probably. He’ll be full speed throwing, everything, in July before we get back here. He’s doing good.”
Denver’s OTAs are scheduled for June 2-4 and 8-11. They will be followed by mandatory minicamp from June 16-18. Nix will continue rehabbing over the coming weeks, but Payton insisted a full workload once padded practices begin during training camp will be in store. A limited level of participation next month could also be an option. The Broncos will no doubt proceed with caution on that front, though.
Nix logged a full season as a rookie, taking part in Denver’s wild-card loss. He again played 17 games in 2025, helping lead the Broncos to the AFC title game. The ankle injury prevented him from taking part in that contest, however, and a strong showing upon returning to action will be key for a team facing high expectations next year.
Jarrett Stidham and Sam Ehlinger remain in place as the Broncos’ depth quarterback options. They are in line to handle an increase in reps for the time being, but a lengthy practice absence in Nix’s case should not be expected.
Aaron Rodgers Expected To Visit Steelers, Finalize 2026 Deal
MAY 9: According to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Rodgers has been in Pittsburgh over the last few days, but he, personally, has not been meeting with the Steelers. While the team’s three-day rookie minicamp is taking place, Rodgers has stayed away from the team facilities, and his agent has been tasked with negotiating with Pittsburgh’s front office.
Dulac claimed it’s possible Rodgers may finally meet with the team “in the next day or two,” if the two sides are able to work out terms for an agreement, before quickly running through the list of misleading headlines that have hinted at forward progress throughout the offseason. With Rodgers finally at least in the same city, it does still look like things are coming to a conclusion, but if the Steelers can’t secure a commitment from Rodgers by the start of OTAs on May 18, as Dulac put it, “the team’s patience with him could grow thin.”
MAY 7: Finality on the Aaron Rodgers front may be imminent. His second Steelers contract has yet to be signed, but that could change over the coming days.
Rodgers is set to visit Pittsburgh ahead of signing a deal this weekend, as first reported by 93.7 The Fan (video link). Mark Kaboly of the Pat McAfee Show cautions the Steelers themselves have not yet been informed of this news, although he adds an agreement is still widely expected to be finalized.
Rodgers is set to visit beginning tomorrow, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network adds. He confirms a Steelers agreement for 2026 remains the expectation for all involved. The rarely-used UFA tender came into play last week, but Rapoport notes that is viewed as a placeholder. Rodgers would collect roughly $15MM if he were to play on the one-year tender in 2026, though the upcoming summit will allow for a more traditional contract to be worked out.
When Rodgers signed with Pittsburgh last spring, it appeared as though 2025 would be his final NFL season. Over time, though, it became increasingly clear he would be open to playing a 22nd campaign and that the Steelers would welcome him back. Mike Tomlin resigned after the team’s exit in the wild-card round, but the decision to replace him with Mike McCarthy means Rodgers will have a familiar coach in place once his second Pittsburgh pact is finalized. McCarthy and Rodgers overlapped during their Super Bowl-winning time together in Green Bay.
The UFA tender decision did not appear to lead to a change regarding Rodgers’ stance, and the latest reporting on this situation indicated finances were not a major sticking point. It will be interesting to see if upcoming contract talks go smoothly and result in a pact being finalized in short order. Rodgers collected $10MM guaranteed on his 2025 deal, one which paid out roughly $14MM in total.
The four-time MVP started 16 games during the regular season along with Pittsburgh’s wild-card contest in 2025. Rodgers offered a higher floor than the Steelers’ other post-Ben Roethlisberger quarterbacks, something which will be expected to remain the case next year. His age leaves the matter of a long-term plan at QB unclear, however, and after selecting Will Howard in the sixth round last spring Pittsburgh added Drew Allar in the third round of this year’s draft.
Those two will be seen as developmental options, while veteran Mason Rudolph is also in the fold at this time. A fourth signal-caller could very well be in place very soon, as a Rodgers agreement would set him up to handle first-team reps for spring practices. The Steelers’ OTAs begin on May 18, and an answer to the question of whether or not Rodgers will be under contract by that point should soon emerge.
Packers To Release K Brandon McManus
In the wake of Green Bay’s decision to select Trey Smack late in the draft, a kicker competition between he and veteran Brandon McManus seemed to be in store. That will not be the case, however.
The Packers are releasing McManus, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. This move certainly increases the chances of Smack winning the kicker job during training camp. Green Bay does still have Lucas Havrisik in the fold at this time as well, though.
McManus missed only one kick during 11 games with Green Bay in 2024. That strong showing landed him a three-year, $15.3MM deal last offseason. McManus enjoyed another strong showing during the regular season last year, but his outing in the wild-card round left plenty to be desired. Two missed field goals and one wayward extra point attempt loomed large in a four-point Packers loss to the Bears.
That performance led to questions about Green Bay potentially making a change at the position. With Smack now in the fold, the team will indeed move on. Today’s release comes well after McManus had already been paid a $1MM roster bonus. The other guaranteed money remaining on his deal means this cut will produce a dead money charge of $4.33MM and just $945K in cap savings.
McManus served as the Broncos’ kicker from 2014-22. His Denver release resulted in a free agent deal with the Jaguars, but he only wound up spending one year with Jacksonville. An agreement with the Commanders was reached in 2025, but allegations of sexual assault dating back to his Jags tenure resulted in Washington moving on. McManus was not suspended, and he managed to find a new home in Green Bay. Now, though, the 34-year-old will find himself on the move once again.
Most teams have an established kicker in place or at least multiple options this late in the offseason. That could result in a lengthy spell on the open market for McManus. In any case, he will aim to parlay his experience into a new opportunity no later than the start of training camp this summer.
Browns Sign First-Round T Spencer Fano, Seven Other Draftees
Friday has expectedly been busy with respect to teams working out rookie contracts. The Browns are among those which have finalized a number of deals with draftees.
Cleveland announced today that eight draft picks have been signed. First-rounder Spencer Fano is among them. The Utah offensive lineman was taken ninth overall after the Browns executed a long-anticipated trade down the board. That swap with Kansas City allowed Cleveland to move to the No. 9 slot.
Eyeing an offensive addition in the top 10, the Browns were comfortable with the trade upon finding out the Chiefs would be taking cornerback Mansoor Delane. That left Cleveland with three targets at the time of the swap: Fano, Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa and Arizona State receiver Jordyn Tyson. Tyson was drafted at No. 8, and the Browns went with Fano one pick later to make him the top blocker of the 2026 draft.
After one year at left tackle with Utah, Fano moved to the right side to accommodate Caleb Lomu. Fano thrived in that new role, but his arm length led to questions about the possibility of holding up on the blindside at the NFL level. Nevertheless, he will at least begin his Browns tenure at left tackle. Fano succeeding in that spot or finding another in short order would be critical for a Cleveland O-line which will field five new starters compared to last season.
Denzel Boston is the next highest-drafted rookie to sign with the Browns today. The Browns gave him a fully guaranteed contract worth $12.385MM over four years, including a $5.467MM signing bonus, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. The Washington receiver was on the radar of plenty of teams leading up to the draft, and Cleveland considered trading back into the Day 1 order to acquire him. Instead, Boston remained on the board through to pick No. 39. He will look to contribute right away for a Browns team desperate for improved production and efficiency in the passing game.
Given today’s news, only first-round receiver KC Concepcion and second-round safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren have yet to sign their rookie deals. That comes as little surprise, with many other players selected in the same range as them still unsigned at this point. In any event, the Browns will begin their rookie minicamp with most of necessary work already done on the contract front.
Here is an updated look at where things stand with the Browns’ draft class:
- Round 1, No. 9 (from Chiefs): Spencer Fano (T, Utah) (signed)
- Round 1, No. 24 (from Jaguars): KC Concepcion (WR, Texas A&M)
- Round 2, No. 39: Denzel Boston (WR, Washington) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 58 (from 49ers): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (S, Toledo)
- Round 3, No. 86 (from Chargers): Austin Barber (T, Florida) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 146: Parker Brailsford (C, Alabama) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 149 (from Bengals): Justin Jefferson (LB, Alabama) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 170 (from Broncos): Joe Royer (TE, Cincinnati) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 182 (from Jets via Browns, Jaguars, Raiders, Bills and Broncos): Taylen Green (QB, Arkansas) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 248 (from Seahawks): Carsen Ryan (TE, BYU) (signed)
Commanders Complete Draft Signings
Friday saw the Commanders sign first-round linebacker Sonny Styles to his rookie contract. Washington has since worked out an agreement with the rest of its 2026 class.
All six Commanders draftees are now on the books, as noted by ESPN’s John Keim. Friday marks the beginning of Washington’s rookie minicamp, so it comes as no surprise each of these deals have been sorted out in time. Styles is one of only two players Washington added prior to Day 3 of last month’s draft.
The other is wideout Antonio Williams, who came off the board at pick No. 71. The Clemson product will look to carve out a depth role on offense right away with the Commanders looking to replace Deebo Samuel‘s 2025 production. Samuel is unsigned at this point, and a return to the nation’s capital is not expected.
Washington remains heavily linked to a Brandon Aiyuk acquisition. The team is not looking to swing a trade with the 49ers to bring him into the fold, though, so a lengthy wait for a potential release could be in store. In the meantime, Williams will aim to establish himself during spring work leading into training camp. A strong showing in that regard could result in a depth role even if Aiyuk winds up in Washington to pair with Terry McLaurin.
Joshua Josephs will join a pass rush room which has undergone plenty of changes this spring. He, too could occupy a rotational role right away before taking on a larger workload. Washington’s other Day 3 picks will aim to provide young depth to a team which has fielded one of the league’s oldest rosters in recent years. Contributions from new arrivals would be key in helping the Commanders return to the playoffs in 2026.
Here is a final look at Washington’s draft class:
- Round 1, No. 7: Sonny Styles (LB, Ohio State) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 71: Antonio Williams (WR, Clemson) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 147: Joshua Josephs (EDGE, Tennessee) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 187: Kaytron Allen (RB, Penn State) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 209 (from 49ers): Matt Gulbin (C, Michigan State) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 223: Athan Kaliakmanis (QB, Rutgers) (signed)
Jets Sign Round 2 CB D’Angelo Ponds
One of the Jets’ three first-round picks has signed his rookie contract to date, while some of the team’s Day 3 selections are on the books as well. New York has inked its only Day 2 pick as well.
Cornerback D’Angelo Ponds has agreed to terms on his initial NFL deal, ESPN’s Adam Schefter notes. The four-year pact is worth $9.84MM. As Schefter adds, Ponds secured $8.95MM in guarantees. The matter of locked-in money for second-round picks was a significant storyline last year, and that is likely to remain the case in 2026.
Ponds began his college career at James Madison, spending one year there. He was among the players who followed head coach Curt Cignetti to Indiana ahead of the 2024 season. A full-time starting role awaited him upon arrival, and Ponds was a productive member of the Hoosiers’ defense. Ponds racked up five interceptions and 21 pass deflections during his Indiana tenure.
That production helped him earn first-team All-Big Ten honors along with a second-team All-American nod in 2024 and ’25. Size was no doubt a concern for some NFL evaluators, but the 5-8, 180-pound Ponds was still viewed as one of the top cornerbacks in this year’s class. It thus came as no surprise when the Jets selected him 50th overall. Ponds will be tasked with handling slot duties at the pro level after working on the perimeter in college.
The Jets ranked 17th against the pass in 2025, head coach Aaron Glenn‘s first year as head coach. The former NFL defensive back will take on a larger role leading New York’s defense this season after the unit struggled in several other areas. A strong rookie campaign from Ponds would help bring about needed improvements this season and help him establish himself as core figure in the secondary.
The Jets also announced on Friday that guard Anez Cooper has inked his rookie deal. The sixth-rounder is thus on the books in time for rookie minicamp. Five members of the Jets’ draft class have now been signed, leaving three more to go.