Bengals’ Shemar Stewart Departs Final Day Of Minicamp
Shemar Stewart has yet to take the field in spring practices, and he remains unsigned at this point. The first-round Bengals rookie had remained with the team up to this point, but that changed on Thursday. 
Stewart departed the Bengals this morning, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. Team and player remain engaged in a stalemate stemming from certain clauses in his rookie contract. Stewart has yet to sign his pact, one which the Bengals are attempting to differentiate from that of recent Day 1 selections Myles Murphy and Amarius Mims.
Specifically, Cincinnati’s stance that a default at any point of the contract will automatically void the remainder of the pact has become a public point of contention in this situation. Stewart attended the first two days of minicamp while remaining sidelined, drawing praise from his teammates for taking a stand against the team’s proposed contract structure. With it becoming clear no resolution would be coming in the immediate future, Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer notes Stewart’s departure was aimed at not creating a further distraction.
Thursday marks the third and final day of minicamp and thus the last practice session before training camp next month. No major team meetings or other events will be missed as a result of Stewart’s absence (h/t Sports Illustrated’s Jay Morrison). The Texas A&M product’s attention will remain focused on trying to leverage a deal congruent with those Murphy and Mims received, although he has limited leverage in doing so.
Nonetheless, today’s news means both Stewart and fellow edge rusher Trey Hendrickson will have missed all on-field work during OTAs and minicamp. The latter is angling for an extension after posting a second straight 17.5-sack season. Hendrickson is owed $16MM in the final year of his deal (whereas the top of the EDGE market now sits at $40MM annually) and has threatened to hold out into the regular season absent an extension. Such a development would place increased importance on Stewart, but this year’s No. 17 pick has yet to take any reps so far.
“I think for all the rookies, you’d like them to be on the field,” head coach Zac Taylor said of the Stewart situation (via Pro Football Talks’ Myles Simmons). “But certainly, there’s things that happen over the course of an NFL career and this is one of them right now. So, he’s been in the meetings, he’s been positive that way. He’s been a good learner. And we look forward to getting him back on the field quickly.”
Taylor declined to offer any predictions on when an agreement will be struck with Stewart. Plenty of time remains until training camp, though, meaning this standoff could continue for at least another several weeks.
Texans S Jimmie Ward Arrested On Family Violence Charge
9:45pm: Providing further details on the matter, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 notes the alleged victim in this case is Ward’s fiancé. She informed police she had been “assaulted, strangled, and threatened” by Ward. The latter’s official charge is assault family violence impeding breath/circulation, which is a third-degree felony in Texas.
Ward’s fiancé has filed an emergency protective order in the wake of the incident. Meanwhile, Wilson adds Ward has since been released on $30K bail.
9:41am: Texans safety Jimmie Ward was arrested early Thursday morning following an incident at his home in Magnolia, Texas, as detailed by the Houston Chronicle’s Catherine Dominguez and Jonathan Alexander. 
Ward is facing a felony assault family violence charge after being arrested around 5:30am. Per records from the Montgomery County Jail, the 33-year-old stands accused of strangulation stemming from the incident in question. Ward is currently being held without bond.
“We are aware of the report involving Jimmie Ward,” a team statement reads. “We are gathering more information and have no further comment at this time.”
Ward spent the first nine years of his career in San Francisco, spending plenty of time working with DeMeco Ryans along the way. Player and coach have continued their relationship over the past two years with Ryans at the helm of the Texans. Ward has been limited to 10 games in each of the 2023 and ’24 campaigns, but he has operated as a starter when healthy, logging a notable defensive snap share and totaling three interceptions during that time.
The Northern Illinois product originally joined the Texans on a two-year deal, but he received an extension last offseason. Ward is thus under contract for 2025 and is owed $3.25MM for the campaign. A foot injury ended his 2024 season in December, and while he has continued to recover Ward has been sidelined from spring practices. As he continues to work toward full health, his Texans future could now depend on this legal situation.
Titans’ Treylon Burks Ahead Of Schedule; Lloyd Cushenberry Targeting Week 1 Return
Treylon Burks faces this year’s training camp as a pending free agent. The former first-rounder expectedly had his fifth-year option declined this spring, a move which came about in no small part due to his injury history. 
Burks is rehabbing an ACL tear, the latest ailment to leave him sidelined in his career. After suffering the injury in October, it was eventually determined surgery would be required. The timing of the procedure led to questions about Burks’ availability for the offseason and the start of the 2025 campaign.
When speaking about the progress made so far in rehab, though, head coach Brian Callahan offered an encouraging update. Burks is ahead of schedule, Callahan said during this week’s minicamp (via team reporter Jim Wyatt). He added the 25-year-old is essentially at 80% right now, preventing him from participating in on-field work in a full capacity.
Callahan said he is hopeful Burks will be cleared in time for training camp next month. That would be a critical development for the Arkansas product, who might not be considered a roster lock at this point. Burks has played just 27 games to date, and his rookie campaign (33-444-1 statline) has been his most productive so far. Acquired to replace – at least in part – A.J. Brown, he has been unable to do so. A healthy camp could at least allow for Burks to carve out a role alongside the likes of Calvin Ridley and free agent pickup Tyler Lockett.
In other injury news, center Lloyd Cushenberry is making steady progress in his own rehab. A November Achilles tear ended the veteran center’s debut campaign in Tennessee and began a lengthy road to recovery. Cushenberry is aiming to be available in time for Week 1 of the 2025 season, though.
“I feel good, man,” the former Broncos starter said (via Wyatt). “I am close to being back, cleared and healthy and ready to go. The offseason has been good, I am locking in on my diet, getting in the best shape as I can. I am doing well.”
Cushenberry will reprise his role atop the center depth chart when he is cleared. Improved play up front will be a target for the Titans in 2025 after the team added left tackle Dan Moore Jr. and right guard Kevin Zeitler in free agency. Getting Cushenberry – who signed a four-year, $50MM pact last March – back in the fold would be key for Tennessee’s offense. It will be interesting to see if he manages to receive clearance in time to participate in training camp on at least a part-time basis.
Browns Discussed Re-Signing Nick Chubb Before Draft
Once the 2025 draft had taken place, it was essentially guaranteed Nick Chubb would find himself on a new team this season. That is now officially the case, with his one-year Texans pact in place. 
Chubb will collect a base value of $2.5MM, and incentives will allow him to double that figure. It comes as no surprise the four-time Pro Bowler was only able to land a pact of that nature given the uncertainty surrounding his health status. Chubb managed to briefly return from his massive knee injury in 2024, but his showing when on the field fell well short of his previous production.
That was a key factor in the expectation Cleveland would move on this offseason. Shortly after the draft, Browns general manager Andrew Berry all-but confirmed Chubb would not be back for an eighth season with the team. Few eyebrows were raised once it became clear the 29-year-old was headed to Houston as a result, but Cleveland did engage in talks about a new deal in this case.
The Browns discussed a re-signing with Chubb and his camp prior to the draft, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Team and player were unable to reach agreement, though, and in the wake of that development Cleveland’s attention turned to the highly-regarded pool of RBs in this year’s class. The team wound up adding Quinshon Judkins in the second round and then Dylan Sampson in the fourth. Both of them are now in place for the next four years as a result.
The Browns also have Jerome Ford and Pierre Strong as returnees from last year. Ford in particular should have a notable role in 2025, but a new Chubb agreement would have allowed him to continue operating as a key member of the backfield. Retaining the latter is something Myles Garrett lobbied for during his offseason talks with Berry, as Garrett recently noted (via ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi). Conversations related to the direction of the franchise were part of Garrett’s offseason, one in which his trade request was rescinded in the wake of a $40MM-per-year extension being worked out.
No agreement came to bear in Chubb’s case, however, leaving him to remain on the open market deep into free agency. The four-time 1,000-yard rusher will look to regain his previous form in Houston while the Browns attempt to find an effective short- and long-term replacement for him in the backfield.
LT Charles Cross Hoping For Long-Term Seahawks Tenure; No Extension Imminent
Charles Cross has handled left tackle duties throughout his three seasons in Seattle. His performance in that role made it little surprise when his fifth-year option was exercised this spring. 
That decision marked the first time the Seahawks picked up the option on a player they drafted. As a result, Cross is set to earn $17.56MM in 2026. That figure is guaranteed, but a long-term deal will cost more given the nature of the tackle market.
It remains to be seen if team and player will enter into negotiations on an extension as early as this offseason. The parties have plenty of time to work out an agreement, but Cross – who attended and took part in OTAs and minicamp – would welcome a long-term pact. Remaining in the Emerald City beyond 2026 is a stated goal of his.
“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else but Seattle,” Cross said when asked about his future (via Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic). “I love the fans here. I love the team. One of the greatest organizations in the NFL. I like it here a lot.”
Selected ninth overall in 2022, Cross has started each of his 48 appearances. Having missed only three games to date in his career, the 24-year-old has certainly enjoyed better luck on the health front than right tackle Abraham Lucas. The latter has missed double-digit games each of the past two years, making an extension commitment a difficult one for the Seahawks. Lucas is a pending 2026 free agent, so working out a new deal in his case could be seen as a more urgent matter if Seattle is content to wait until at least next offseason to negotiate with Cross.
The Mississippi State product has shown notable year-over-year improvement in terms of PFF grades. Cross posted an overall mark of 82.5 in 2024, good for ninth amongst qualifying tackles. Another strong outing this year would help his value on a long-term arrangement. A total of 15 offensive tackles (including 12 blindside blockers) are currently attached to a deal averaging $20MM or more per year, and Cross will no doubt look to join that group on his second NFL contract.
It will be interesting to see when serious talks on a long-term pact begin in this case (it should be noted Cross now has an agent for the first time in his career). Regardless, his preference would be a long-term stay in Seattle rather than a foray into free agency following the 2026 campaign.
Breece Hall: Jets HC Aaron Glenn Dispelled Trade Rumors
Breece Hall was the subject of trade speculation for a portion of the offseason, but he remains with the Jets. The pending 2026 free agent recently revealed details on how his short-term future was confirmed by the team’s new head coach. 
Hall was never actively shopped prior to the draft, but leading up to the event the fourth-year running back was mentioned as a candidate to be moved. No deal was worked out, and the Jets did not add a rookie to their backfield. As Hall noted during his first public remarks on the matter, conversations with Aaron Glenn in late April assured him a trade would not take place.
“At first, I just kind of like, OK, we’ll just see what happens,” Hall said (via the team’s website). “And then, [Glenn] called me and told me: ‘Breece, you think I want to trade you?’ And I was like, I don’t know. He’s like, ‘Breece, I don’t want to trade you. I want you to be here. You’re going to be here, you’re our running back.’ And so that felt really good.”
Unlike fellow 2022 draftees Sauce Gardner and Garrett Wilson, Hall is not seen as a clear extension priority for New York. As a result, questions about his future beyond the coming campaign will likely persist. The 24-year-old flashed potential during his rookie season before ACL and meniscus tears ended his it. Hall has been able to handle a starter’s workload in each of his two years since, but his yards per attempt averages (4.5, 4.2) have fallen short of the efficiency before the injury.
Hall is nevertheless in position to handle RB1 duties in 2025. The Iowa State product has topped 1,300 scrimmage yards in each of his two full seasons, scoring a total of 17 touchdowns during that time. Hall’s ability as a receiver was no doubt a factor in the Jets’ decision to turn their attention away from a potential trade following the draft. Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis remain in place as options in what Glenn has stated will be a committee approach in the backfield.
How Hall fares within that setup – which will include, the Jets hope, improved play up front in addition to a new offensive coordinator in the form of Tanner Engstrand – will be key in determining his value. By next offseason, Gardner and/or Wilson could have long-term deals near the top of their respective markets in hand. Whether or not Hall joins then in landing a new contract will be interesting to see. At a minimum, he can be assured of his place atop the depth chart for one more year.
Aaron Rodgers Addresses Steelers Signing; Rams Showed Interest
Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers were connected to one another well before a deal was actually signed. The future Hall of Famer will handle quarterback duties for 2025 after it remained unclear whether or not he would continue his career. 
Rodgers was linked to a small number of potential landing spots while he contemplated retirement. Once Russell Wilson and Justin Fields departed in free agency, though, it became abundantly clear a commitment to the 41-year was a strong possibility for the Steelers. That held especially true with Matthew Stafford proving to be unavailable via trade.
“There was conversations with other organizations, for sure,” Rodgers said when speaking to the media following his first Pittsburgh practice (via Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio). “But, again, the rapport that fell in between me and [head coach] Mike [Tomlin] made it to where, as I was going through my personal stuff, there wasn’t any other option for me. It was here or not play.”
After Rodgers was released from the Jets, he spoke with both the Giants and Vikings. It was reported at one point during his free agency that Minnesota represented the 41-year-old’s preferred destination. Having seen Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones take starting gigs (or at least the chance of one, in the latter’s case), however, the Vikings are set for J.J. McCarthy to handle QB1 duties. New York, meanwhile, was leery of Rodgers’ age and injury history (including a 2023 Achilles tear) when contemplating a deal.
When speaking to the media, Rodgers confirmed (via Mark Maske of the Washington Post) he was in talks with the Vikings and Giants. He added the decision to play one more year was not “super clear-cut,” but ongoing conversations with Tomlin played a key role in his commitment to Pittsburgh. Team and player arranged for the signing to officially take place in time for mandatory minicamp, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer confirmed to little surprise during an appearance on the Rich Eisen Show (video link).
Interestingly, the Rams were also a possibility at one point in Rodgers’ case. When appearing on Good Morning Football Wednesday morning (video link), head coach Sean McVay said the longtime Packers star was the subject of conversations in the organization as a Stafford contingency plan. In the end, Stafford worked out another short-term arrangement which will keep him in Los Angeles, allowing the team to continue with its preferred starter.
Rodgers will carry a $14.15MM cap hit in 2025 as the Steelers look for their first postseason win since 2016. Incentives are present to add to the four-time MVP’s $13.65MM in base pay, but even at its maximum this Pittsburgh agreement falls well short of his previous contracts. Rodgers is certainly not lacking in career earnings, and with a Super Bowl to his name already he could have easily chosen to hang up his cleats. Instead, Rodgers will look to enjoy a brief third chapter in his NFL career.
“For my ego, I don’t need it to keep playing,” he added (via Maske). “A lot of decisions that I’ve made over my career and life from strictly the ego — even if they turn out well — are always unfulfilling. But the decisions made from the soul are usually pretty fulfilling… I felt like being here with Coach T. and the guys they got here and the opportunity here was best for me. I’m excited to be here.”
Raiders, LB Germaine Pratt Agree To Deal
Germaine Pratt has managed to find his next opportunity rather quickly. Shortly after being released by the Bengals, the veteran linebacker has lined up a Raiders agreement. 
Pratt will head to Vegas on a one-year deal, as first reported by Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz. The pact has a maximum value of $4.78MM. Pratt will collect $4.25MM in base pay, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network adds.
For most of his six-year career, Pratt operated as a full-time starter at the second level of Cincinnati’s defense. Multiple indications pointed to a parting of ways taking place this offseason, however. That became official when the 29-year-old was released earlier this week. Pratt clearly drew immediate interest on the open market.
Indeed, Schultz notes several teams reached out once he became a free agent. Pratt has 88 starts to his name, and he has increased his tackle figures every year of his career. The former third-rounder has totaled 261 stops across the past two seasons, adding four interceptions, four forced fumbles and nine pass deflections during that time. Another productive campaign with his latest team could help Pratt land a multi-year commitment in free agency next spring.
In the aftermath of the Bengals’ decision to move on, many pointed to the Colts as a logical Pratt suitor. Former Cincinnati defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo is now Indianapolis’ DC, so a reunion would have provided the Colts with a first-team linebacker option familiar with the team’s scheme. Instead, Pratt will work with new Raiders head coach Pete Carroll and returning D-coordinator Patrick Graham.
The Raiders ranked 25th in points allowed last season, but the team finished 15th in total defense. Similarly, Vegas finished 13th against the run, and improvement in that regard will be a goal for the first year with Carrol at the helm. Pratt will look to provide the team with a veteran presence at the LB spot, and the base value of his late-offseason deal suggests a starting spot awaits him.
Robert Spillane and Divine Deablo departed in free agency. Vegas brought in a veteran in the form of Elandon Roberts while also taking a flier on former top-five pick Devin White (a familiar face to general manager John Spytek given their time together in Tampa Bay). Seventh-round rookie Cody Lindenberg will compete for a depth/special teams role, but the new-look linebacker setup leaves room for an established contributor. Pratt will look to fit that description in 2025.
Micah Parsons Confirms Informal Extension Agreement With Jerry Jones; Cowboys DE Participating In Minicamp
The Micah Parsons extension situation remains one to watch regarding the Cowboys and their top defensive player. No deal is officially in place yet, but team and player have held extensive talks this offseason (albeit not recently). 
That communication includes discussions which were reported in April by DLLS’ Clarence Hill Jr. At that point, it was reported the framework of an agreement was in place between Parsons and owner Jerry Jones with the final details left to be ironed out. While that report has been called into question, Jones has since confirmed that the parties spoke early in the spring and further corroboration has emerged regarding that initial arrangement.
Parsons confirmed to Hill today that while no firm agreement has been reached, he and Jones had a productive face-to-face encounter. The two-time All-Pro gave the longtime Dallas owner a price point for an extension, and Jones responded that it was “doable.” It is unclear what Parsons’ proposal was valued at, but Hill’s original report stated an offer was made which would make the 26-year-old the league’s top earner for edge rushers.
Crucially, communication with Parsons’ representation has proven to be sparse over the course of the offseason. Hill notes Jones has still yet to speak with agent David Mulugheta to finalize the extension which was agreed to (at least in principle) months ago. Jones drew criticism with his remarks in April that he was not concerned about Parsons’ agent and did not know his name.
In the time since early April, COO Stephen Jones has noted a gap remaining between team and player in negotiations (something which is certainly eyebrow-raising given the financial arrangement already agreed to during the summit between Parsons and Jerry Jones). Garrett currently leads the EDGE market at $40MM annually, and T.J. Watt (Steelers) and Trey Hendrickson (Bengals) are among the veterans who could land a deal at least near that mark later this offseason.
Parsons is joined by former Lions No. 2 pick Aidan Hutchinson as a prominent pass rusher eligible for a second – rather than third – contract. His age (26) could lead to a more lucrative deal than Garrett’s, something which would of course have notable cap implications given last year’s Cowboys commitments to quarterback Dak Prescott and receiver CeeDee Lamb. Parsons was absent from voluntary practices this spring, but in an encouraging sign from a contract standpoint he did not join the likes of Watt and Hendrickson by skipping mandatory minicamp.
At times, players angling for an extension have adopted a hold-in stance by attending mandatory practices without taking the field. Parsons is participating in drills, however, as noted by The Athletic’s Jon Machota. It will be interesting to see that decision is followed by a new round of talks with the front office or if the wait will continue for a deal to be finalized.
Commanders WR Terry McLaurin Skipping Minicamp
The Commanders are not close to an extension agreement with Terry McLaurin. Tuesday has brought about the latest illustration of that point. 
With McLaurin having already departed voluntary practices this spring, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reports he is now absent from mandatory minicamp. That represents a repeat of how things played out in 2022 when the Pro Bowl wideout skipped both OTAs and minicamp before ultimately working out an extension. A third contract has long been known to be a team priority, but plenty of work still needs to be done at the negotiating table.
McLaurin is currently owed a $15.5MM base salary for 2025, the final year of his deal. A raise bringing him closer to the top of the receiver market would increase his upfront earnings while also likely lowering his $25.5MM cap charge. The 29-year-old is electing not to collect a $500K workout bonus by choosing to remain absent from minicamp, something which will create over $104K in fines if he remains absent for all three days.
Throughout his six-year tenure in the nation’s capital, McLaurin has been a focal point on offense. The former third-rounder nearly reached 1,000 yards as a rookie, and he has topped that mark every time since. In 2024 – quarterback Jayden Daniels‘ rookie campaign – he caught 13 touchdown passes after his previous career high was seven. Keeping the Daniels-McLaurin tandem in place for years to come would represent a logical goal for the Commanders.
It has become increasingly clear recently that an agreement is not close in this situation, however. After remaining away from the team during his first round of extension talks, McLaurin wound up signing a three-year deal with an average annual value of $23.2MM. That figure now ranks 16th amongst receivers, and the position’s market has also seen a notable jump in terms of guarantees. A McLaurin raise will no doubt entail a fresh round of locked in compensation, but questions will now linger until at least the start of training camp regarding when it will be finalized.
Washington made a notable receiver addition by trading for Deebo Samuel this offseason. The former 49ers All-Pro reworked his deal upon arrival, but he is still a pending 2026 free agent. The same will hold true of McLaurin until progress is made on the extension front.