Garett Bolles Intends To Play Rest Of Career With Broncos
The ink is barely dry on Garett Bolles‘ new contract with the Broncos, but the offensive tackle is already anticipating his next deal. While speaking with reporters recently, Bolles said he hopes to sign one last contract with Denver before calling it a career.
“Well hopefully I can do one more. That’s my goal,” Bolles said (h/t Zack Kelberman of SI.com). “We can talk about that later. I’m just grateful to be here. This organization has given me everything. This state has given me everything. The fanbase, the love I have for all my teammates. … I have an amazing coaching staff that believe in me. That’s all it takes. Once you believe in me, I’ll run through a wall for you. I’m glad to be here. I don’t think too much about the future or anything like that. I just focus on the now and what that’s going to bring to me, and just get ready to protect [QB] Bo [Nix] as much as I can.”
While the lineman’s sentiment is nice, it may be a bit premature to be thinking about his fourth NFL contract. The former first-round pick just inked a four-year, $82MM deal back in December that should keep him in Denver through the 2028 season, although there’s an out in 2026 that could lead to that desired fourth contract. Bolles signed a four-year, $68MM extension following the conclusion of his rookie pact.
Bolles is currently placed seventh among left tackles in average annual value, a ranking that is well deserved. The Utah product has started all 116 of his regular-season appearances since entering the league. After being limited to five games in 2022 thanks to a broken leg, the veteran didn’t miss a single contest between 2023 and 2024. After Pro Football Focus graded him as the 19th-best tackle in 2023, Bolles improved to the 14th spot (among 81 qualifiers) in 2024.
Bolles is now the longest-tenured member of the Broncos, and he should continue to be a franchise stalwart playing in front of a franchise QB. While the lineman intends to keep climbing the franchise games-played leaderboard (he’s currently ranked 54th), he admitted that he’s not thinking much about his long tenure with the organization.
“I don’t know if it changes much. I just love everyone,” Bolles said. “Everyone asks me a bunch of questions all the time. I’m just there for everybody. I don’t want to call myself old. I still have more years to go, but I guess I’m old in age but not in football years. I have a young body that I can just continue to go.”
WR Gabe Davis “Still An Option” For Steelers
JULY 4: Fowler’s colleague Brooke Pryor confirms receiver remains a position at which the Steelers are open to making an addition. The acquisition of tight end Jonnu Smith will give Pittsburgh another pass catcher, but Davis or a different free agent wideout could still wind up in the fold before training camp.
JULY 1: It’s been nearly a month since Gabe Davis visited the Steelers. While the veteran wide receiver didn’t immediately put pen to paper, it sounds like he remains a target for the organization. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Davis is “still an option” for Pittsburgh.
[RELATED: Steelers Host WR Gabe Davis]
Fowler adds that the wideout “really enjoyed” his visit with the franchise back in June. However, Davis is expected to take his time deciding on his next landing spot, with Fowler suggesting that a signing could come closer to training camp.
Davis was a popular name after getting cut by the Jaguars in May. In addition to the Steelers, the 26-year-old met with the 49ers, Giants, and Saints. The receiver’s free agency tour ended with that New Orleans visit in early June, and we can assume each of those suitors remain in the race for the veteran’s services.
Davis inked a three-year, $39MM deal with the Jaguars last offseason, but he only lasted one season in Jacksonville before earning his walking papers. His 2024 campaign represented one of the worst seasons of his career, as the wideout compiled career-lows in receptions (20), receiving yards (239), and receiving touchdowns (two). Teams are still clearly banking on the player’s Buffalo performance, where he hauled in 27 touchdowns across four seasons. This included a 2022 campaign where the former fourth-round pick hauled in 48 catches for 836 yards.
The Steelers are naturally operating as if Davis won’t be on their squad in 2025, and this means they’re eyeing a group of receivers behind new WR1 D.K. Metcalf. As ESPN’s Brooke Pryor writes, Calvin Austin III currently appears to be in the lead for the team’s WR2 role.
The former fourth-round pick had a strong sophomore season, finishing with 36 catches for 548 yards and four touchdowns. The organization is confident he can hit another level, with receivers coach Zach Azzanni declaring during minicamp that the second receiver role was “Calvin’s right now.”
As Pryor notes, Austin will still have to build a rapport with Aaron Rodgers, which will go a long way in determining the receiver hierarchy. The third-year player will be competing with the likes of Robert Woods, Scotty Miller, Roman Wilson, and Ben Skowronek for reps behind Metcalf.
T.J. Watt’s Next Contract Expected To Top Positional Market
July 3: Watt doesn’t just want to reset his positional market; he wants to be the “highest-paid non-quarterback in the league,” according to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (via the Rich Eisen Show). That bar is currently set by Bengals wideout Ja’Marr Chase at $40.25MM per year. Watt would join fellow AFC North edge rusher Myles Garrett as the only defensive players with an APY over $40MM.
Such a contract would require a five-year deal on the Steelers’ end, per Dulac, keeping Watt in Pittsburgh through his age-36 season. The team may have some concerns about Watt’s game declining with age, but they are still willing to sign him to another long-term contract and believe they will come to an agreement before the season. Additionally, Dulac notes, the Jalen Ramsey trade has no financial bearing on the Steelers’ plans regarding Watt.
July 2: T.J. Watt‘s next contract was always expected to approach the top of his position, but it sounds like the former Defensive Player of the Year could reset the market altogether. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler recently stated that Watt will “probably” become the highest-paid pass rusher on his next deal.
“The Steelers, I’m sensing, are optimistic that they can reach a deal with Watt eventually,” Fowler said during a recent appearance on ESPN2 (h/t Barkley Truax of On3.com). “My sense is that he will probably be the highest-paid pass rusher in the league. When this is all said and done, he wants to be a Steeler for life. The Steelers want that. He’s a legacy type player.
“They believe at 30 years old, he still has several good years left. They’re just going to have to come up with a number and a good guarantee structure. He did miss minicamp, so Pittsburgh has a lot of work to do. But typically, Pittsburgh perks up in these things around training camp and late July.”
Watt is eyeing his third Steelers contract, and it sounds like this next pact could once again break records. Watt’s expiring four-year, $112MM contract ($80MM guaranteed) once made him the highest-paid defender in NFL history. With an average annual value around $28MM, Watt now sits seventh among edge rushers. Myles Garrett recently topped the market with a $40MM AAV; while Watt could temporarily leap the Cleveland pass rusher, impending deals for Aidan Hutchinson and Micah Parsons could quickly create a new benchmark.
Watt skipped out on mandatory minicamp as he pursued a new contract, subjecting him to more than $100K in fines. Teams reportedly reached out to the Steelers about a potential trade, although the organization has continued to express optimism that they’ll eventually agree to a new contract. Both sides are now working to wrap up negotiations by training camp, although it sounds like they continue to haggle over guarantees.
Watt’s age-30 season saw him compile 11.5 sacks and six forced fumbles, leading to him earning a second-team All-Pro nod. The Steelers are clearly confident that Watt can continue to contribute well into his 30s, but that hasn’t stopped the front office from considering some depth options. Alex Highsmith inked a four-year extension in 2023, and the team recently used a fourth-round pick on Jack Sawyer.
Nikhil Mehta contributed to this article.
Trade Candidate: Darnell Washington
While the Jalen Ramsey–Minkah Fitzpatrick swap stole headlines earlier this week, the Steelers also added some major tight end depth in Jonnu Smith. It’s not hard to understand Pittsburgh’s thinking. As the team looks to load up around Aaron Rodgers, they added a savvy veteran who’s coming off a career year in Miami.
[RELATED: Steelers Acquire, Extend TE Jonnu Smith]
When paired with incumbent Pat Freiermuth, the Steelers now have one of the strongest TE tandems in the entire NFL. However, the Smith acquisition pushed another notable tight end down the depth chart…and potentially off the roster altogether.
Darnell Washington is known more for his measurables than his actual NFL production, and for very good reason. At six-foot-seven, the Steelers tight end is one of the most physically intimidating individuals in the entire league. He doesn’t lead his position in height; that achievement belongs to teammate Donald Parham Jr., who is out for the upcoming season thanks to a torn Achilles. Unlike Parham and similar to fellow 6’7″ tight ends like Colby Parkinson and Tyree Jackson, Washington stands out on the scale, where he weighs in at 264 pounds.
Also unlike those other physical behemoths, Washington has actually shown some major athleticism. During the 2023 combine, the tight end recorded a 4.64-second 40-yard dash time. For comparison’s sake, Steelers rookie RB Kaleb Johnson recorded a 40-yard time of 4.57 seconds, and while 2025 first-round tight ends Colston Loveland and Tyler Warren didn’t participate in the dash, their estimated times came in lower than the Steelers TE (4.70 for Loveland, 4.68 for Warren).
Washington won a pair of National Championships during his time with the Bulldogs, and despite topping out at 454 receiving yards, the Steelers still snagged him with the 93rd-overall pick in the 2023 draft. Now known affectionally as “Mount Washington” in Pittsburgh, the tight end still hasn’t truly clicked on offense through his first two NFL seasons. After hauling in only seven catches as a rookie, the 23-year-old took a mini leap this past season, finishing with 19 receptions for 200 yards and one touchdown. Understandably, the Steelers have clearly been looking for a bit more.
That lack of production probably explains why the Steelers anxiously inked Smith to an extension following yesterday’s trade, and with Freiermuth also signed to a long-term deal, Washington appears destined to play out his rookie contract as the Steelers’ third tight end. Considering his draft status, Washington’s contract hardly breaks the bank ($1.46MM cap hit in 2025, $1.70MM cap hit in 2026), so the Steelers certainly won’t feel any urgency to trade him.
However, that also doesn’t mean other teams won’t come knocking. Washington’s incredible size and skills certainly makes him a worthy gamble, especially if a team is looking for a giant red zone target. If he doesn’t end up working out, a suitor could also consider moving him to the offensive line. There were rumblings that Washington may be destined for an offensive tackle role in the NFL, and Pro Football Focus handed him the sixth-highest run blocking score among TEs in 2024 (he finished 25th for pass blocking).
Sure, Washington isn’t the biggest name, and there will probably be bigger-name tight ends who shake loose over the next few months. Still, not every trade candidate is intended to drive jersey sales. For squads seeking some high-upside tight end depth, Washington certainly warrants consideration.
Some Giants Personnel Preferred Jameis Winston To Russell Wilson
Russell Wilson remains penciled in as the Giants QB1, even after the team used a first-round selection on Jaxson Dart. However, if anyone was going to unseat Wilson from his unofficial starting gig, it’d likely be another notable name on the depth chart.
[RELATED: Russell Wilson Expects To Remain Giants’ Starting QB]
As Paul Schwartz of the New York Post writes, there are some inside the franchise who preferred Jameis Winston to Wilson. Specifically, the Winston proponents were focused on how the two acquisitions “came off in their visits” with the franchise before putting pen to paper.
To Wilson’s credit, he’s been putting in work on building a rapport with his new teammates. Per Schwartz, the QB has gone into “overdrive” as he tries to build relationships with his new squad. The veteran also drew praise for his showing at spring practices, although he’ll obviously only be judged on his performance during the regular season.
The two veterans signed within a week of each other, but the Giants have made it clear all along that Wilson will lead the depth chart and Winston will serve as the QB2. Wilson, of course, brings the track record and recent starting experience. The former Super Bowl champ has continued to start in his post-Seahawks career, including stints with the Broncos and Steelers. He’s only gone 17-24 over those three seasons, and it’s fair to wonder how short of a leash he’ll have in New York as Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen remain on the hot seat.
Winston doesn’t bring the same recent starting experience as his new teammate. Since leaving the Buccaneers after the 2019 season, the former first-overall pick has started only 17 games across five years. He went 5-2 with the Saints in 2021, but he’s since gone 3-7 in his last 10 starts. While Winston seemed to temporarily curb his turnover issues in New Orleans, he’s seen his interception rate come in at 4.4 percent over the past three years.
Both options are relatively uninspiring, especially for a Giants regime that’s on the brink of losing their jobs. Dart represents the unknown, and on most squads, it wouldn’t be surprising for a coach to eventually give their rookie a shot. In New York, it sounds like Dart may have to leapfrog two veterans if he has any hope of starting in 2025.
Tom Brady Clarifies Raiders Role, Describes Himself As “Sounding Board”
While much has been made of Tom Brady‘s influence as a minority owner of the Raiders, the iconic quarterback was quick to clarify his position in the franchise’s hierarchy. During a recent chat with Paul Gutierrez of the team’s website, Brady simply described himself as a “sounding board” for the organization’s true decision makers.
“Well, I’m just a limited partner, so Mark’s the boss,” Brady said. “And then Pete does his job and Spy does his job and, I think, we trust them to make the right decisions. I’m there as a great sounding board for anything they want to do.”
As Brady noted, majority owner Mark Davis still calls the shots, and the team is clearly empowering new head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Spytek to shape the roster as they want. Of course, Brady’s fingerprints are still all over the Raiders organization, and there were reports of his influence over offseason personnel moves.
We heard that Brady’s arrival in Las Vegas played a big role in Carroll signing on, and the seven-time Super Bowl winner also reportedly had a major say on the team’s approach to the quarterback position. Brady reportedly pushed for a Matthew Stafford acquisition, and we heard recently that he rejected a pursuit of free agent Sam Darnold. The team ultimately landed on Geno Smith as a temporary stopgap at the position, and the veteran acknowledged that the entire new regime (including Brady) played a role in his decision to sign an extension.
Even if Brady wants to assign credit elsewhere, he was still involved in many of the organization’s other offseason moves. While the team’s new HC/GM tandem and quarterback commanded attention, the team also stole headlines by signing free agent linebacker Devin White and using the sixth-overall pick on dynamic running back Ashton Jeanty.
“I’ve loved it,” Brady said of the Raiders’ offseason. “And, again, just trying to contribute in the ways that I can to help the team be the best they can be, on and off the field. We’ve got a great group of people. I love Mark. He’s done an incredible job getting the team to Vegas, getting the stadium built.”
Bengals Not Expected To Add More Guard Depth
The Bengals have added depth to both guard positions this offseason, opening the door for position battles on both sides of the offensive line. While a handful of notable veteran guards remain unsigned, it sounds like Cincy is currently content rolling with their current options at the position. As Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic writes, it’s unlikely the Bengals make any additions as they evaluate their options at the guard position.
On the flip side, Dehner opines that the front office should at least be considering adding another body to the fray, even if that acquisition would face an uphill battle for a starting spot. The writer points to a handful of veterans who remain unsigned, including Brandon Scherff, Dalton Risner, and Will Hernandez.
On the right side of the line, Cody Ford and Lucas Patrick were clearly battling it out for reps during OTAs. Ford is the holdover, and the veteran actually garnered nine starts for the Bengals in 2024 (his highest total since his rookie season with the Bills in 2019). Pro Football Focus has never been particularly fond of Ford’s performance, and while the Bengals signed the veteran to a two-year extension this offseason, they’re clearly setting the stage for a position battle.
That’s because the team brought in Patrick on a one-year deal. Patrick has continued to start during his post-Packers career, including stops with the Bears and Saints. PFF graded him 37th among 77 qualifying guards in 2024, when he started 10 of his 11 appearances for New Orleans. His season ended early thanks to a knee injury.
Cordell Volson has been the team’s starting left guard for the past three years, as the 2022 fourth-round pick has started 48 of his 50 appearances since joining the organization. Unfortunately, he hasn’t truly impressed, and following a 2024 campaign where he allowed 43 pressures in 984 offensive snaps, the team is considering some alternatives.
That competition would come via Dylan Fairchild, who the Bengals just selected in the third round of this year’s draft. The Georgia product brings a winning pedigree to Cincinnati, and at six-foot-five and 318 pounds, he brings the necessary size to the position. The Bengals clearly haven’t been afraid of starting late-round lineman in the past, and Fairchild could end up replacing a former example at left guard.
Both guard positions will be competitions to watch heading into training camp. If the Bengals don’t like what they see, then perhaps they reconsider pursuing a free agent option.
WR Alec Pierce, Colts Haven’t Discussed Extension
Alec Pierce had a breakout campaign in 2024, as the receiver paced the NFL with 22.3 yards per reception. As a 2022 second-round pick, the wideout is set to enter the final season of his rookie pact, and it sounds like the Colts are going to let the player simply play out that contract.
According to ESPN’s Stephen Holder, there are no current contract talks between the Colts and Pierce. The reporter writes that “there remains much uncertainty” about the player’s future in Indy, and there’s a “looming possibility” of Pierce playing elsewhere in 2026.
As Holder points out, both sides may be struggling to assign a price tag to Pierce. The receiver has only topped out at 823 receiving yards, and his 41 receptions as a rookie still represents a career-high. While there’s uncertainty if the 25-year-old can truly lead a depth chart, there’s no denying his big-play ability. According to Holder, Pierce’s seven catches of 40 or more yards is second to Ja’Marr Chase since 2022.
Part of Indy’s apprehension about a Pierce extension may be due to their continued investment at the position. The Colts have used some recent draft capital at the position, even after using their 2022 second-round pick on Pierce. The team used a 2023 third-round pick on Josh Downs, and they used a 2024 second-round selection on Adonai Mitchell. The team handed Michael Pittman Jr. a three-year, $71.5MM extension last offseason, so the team already has their WR1 spot accounted for.
For what it’s worth, Pierce isn’t overly concerned about his lame-duck status. In fact, the receiver told Holder that he’s ignoring his expiring contract altogether, and he’s simply focused on taking his game to another level in 2025.
“I like to take a very day-to-day approach with things,” Pierce said. “I don’t really think too far in advance. … That’s why I’ve got agents. They focus on that type of stuff and what’s coming up in the short term.”
Broncos Eyeing Nik Bonitto Extension?
JUNE 26: While a Bonitto deal could be worked out prior to Week 1, Parker Gabriel of the Denver Post writes a repeat of the Jonathon Cooper situation could be in store. The latter’s four-year, $60MM extension came about in November, a sign of Denver being willing to work out lucrative deals in season. It will be interesting to see how urgently both sides approach an extension in Bonitto’s case.
JUNE 23: The Broncos could be looking to lock up one of their top pass rushers as soon as possible. Nick Kosmider of The Athletic says “it’s fair to assume talks will heat up” between the Broncos and Nik Bonitto as training camp approaches.
Kosmider points directly to last offseason, when the team signed offensive lineman Quinn Meinerz and cornerback Patrick Surtain II just before the start of the regular season. The front office may be following a similar timeline with Bonitto, and Kosmider believes it isn’t in the team’s best interest to drag negotiations into the regular season.
Specifically, the writer is wary of Bonitto quickly compiling some early-season sacks that “could further drive up his asking price.” The former second-round pick is already eyeing an average annual value of at least $20MM, with Kosmider citing Greg Rousseau‘s four-year, $80MM deal and even Brian Burns‘ five-year, $141MM extension.
Bonitto doesn’t have the same starting track record as those two pass rushers, but he is one of the ascending players at his position. After collecting eight sacks in a part-time role in 2024, the linebacker collected 13.5 sacks in his first full season as a starter. That performance earned him second-team All-Pro honors, and Bonitto’s camp will surely be pushing for him to be among the highest-paid players at his position.
Bonitto may also be inclined to see where extensions land for the likes of T.J. Watt, Micah Parsons, and Trey Hendrickson come in, which could slightly delay negotiations between the two sides. Either way, it sounds like the 25-year-old will eventually be signing a lucrative contract, and the Broncos are hoping he’ll put pen to paper as soon as possible.
Chargers Owner Congratulated Cardinals Owner On Kyler Murray Extension
Earlier this offseason, we learned an independent arbitrator concluded that NFL owners (and the league office) did not collude in an effort to reduce contract guarantees, especially in regards to quarterback contracts. A recent investigation by Pablo Torre led to the release of a 61-page document that detailed the arbitrator’s findings. While the investigation was inspired by the fallout from Deshaun Watson‘s contract, anecdotes surrounding other notable QBs have started coming out in the laundry.
[RELATED: Russell Wilson Asked Broncos For Fully Guaranteed Deal]
Following a peek behind the curtain surrounding Russell Wilson‘s past negotiations with the Broncos, Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com has uncovered some notable correspondence following the Kyler Murray extension. Specifically, two owners may have hinted that Murray’s deal influenced Justin Herbert‘s eventual extension with the Chargers.
Four months after Watson inked his fully guaranteed extension, Murray signed a new deal with the Cardinals that guaranteed $160MM of the $230.5MM total. When word of this extension got leaked to the media, Chargers owner Dean Spanos texted Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill to congratulate him on the specific terms of the deal. Per Florio, Bidwell noted that his front office managed to limit “the fully guaranteed money and have some pretty good language,” with Spanos responding that the Murray contract would “[help] us for our QB next year.”
“I think many teams will be happy with it once they have a chance to review,” Bidwell responded. “Cleveland really screwed things up, but I was resolved to keep the guaranteed [money] relatively ‘low.’”
As Florio notes, this exchange would seem to contradict the findings of arbitrator Christopher Droney. The Cardinals and Chargers are intended to operate as competitors, leading Florio to question why the duo may be coordinating. Florio believes the smoking gun is Spanos admitting that the Murray contract will have an influence on Herbert’s eventual deal. On the flip side, Droney opines that a QB extension would naturally influence future deals, and the correspondence between the two owners doesn’t constitute any circumstantial evidence.
“These communications are more in line with ‘independent response to common stimuli, or mere interdependence unaided by an advance understanding among the parties,’ rather than participation in a collusive agreement,” Droney wrote (per Florio).
Herbert signed his extension almost exactly a year after Murray. The Chargers QB temporarily reset the QB market, and he got $218MM of his $262MM total guaranteed.
For what it’s worth, Droney did note that “the NFL Management Council, with the blessing of the Commissioner, encouraged the 32 NFL Clubs to reduce guarantees in veterans’ contracts” following the signing of Watson’s extension. While players likely have little recourse, there may be some eventual fallout following this recent investigation.