Titans Unlikely To Add Another Quarterback
The Titans are down a quarterback following Will Levis‘ sudden season-ending shoulder surgery. While the injury opens up even more camp reps for first-overall pick Cam Ward, there was some speculation that the organization could look to add another player at the position.
[RELATED: Titans QB Will Levis To Undergo Season-Ending Shoulder Surgery]
It sounds like that won’t be the case. Titans GM Mike Borgonzi told reporters that he feels good about his current grouping of quarterbacks and doesn’t anticipate adding another player to the mix (via Jim Wyatt of the team’s website). Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com passed along a similar sentiment yesterday, stating that the Titans are unlikely to add a fourth QB to the depth chart.
To the Titans’ credit, the team did add a pair of veteran QBs to their roster this offseason, bringing in both Brandon Allen and Tim Boyle. Allen brings 10 games of starting experience to Tennessee, one of which came last season with the 49ers. In that contest, the veteran completed 17 of his 29 pass attempts for 199 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in a San Francisco loss. Boyle is winless in his five career starts, including a two-game starting gig with the Jets during the 2023 campaign.
Those two options are uninspiring, and there’s a chance the team only carries one backup heading into the regular season. Allen would appear to have the upper hand in the QB2 competition, as the player previously worked with head coach Brian Callahan when the two were in Cincinnati.
“He’s got a great feel for the system, how to operate,” Callahan said of Allen (via John Glennon of the Nashville Post). “He understands the role of the backup quarterback. He’s got a lot of experience he can share with Cam as well, from all the places he’s been, and things he’s done and seen … He can help manage the offense, operate it when he steps in there.”
Despite being in the NFL for only two seasons, Levis brings more starting experience than his two potential replacements, as the former second-round pick got an extended look as QB1 between 2023 and 2024. The team’s addition of Ward put Levis in a somewhat awkward spot, and the incumbent was a popular name in trade rumors this offseason. With Levis now out for the season, he’ll be sticking in Tennessee at least through the 2025 campaign.
Saints Sign S Julian Blackmon
JULY 23: Blackmon is joining the Saints on a one-year deal worth up to $5.5MM, Rapoport tweets. Mathieu had been attached to a one-year, $4MM pact, one reworked via a pay-cut agreement this offseason. Blackmon played out a one-year, $3.7MM Colts contract in 2024. Blackmon’s New Orleans accord is now official.
JULY 22: Following Tyrann Mathieu‘s sudden retirement announcement earlier today, the Saints have already found a potential replacement. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that the team is signing veteran safety Julian Blackmon. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported earlier this evening that New Orleans was working to add Blackmon as a Honey Badger replacement.
[RELATED: Saints’ Tyrann Mathieu Announces Retirement]
A former third-round pick, Blackmon was a mainstay in Indy’s secondary over the past five seasons. He started 62 of his 66 games with the Colts, collecting 300 tackles and 21 passes defended. He also hauled in 10 interceptions, including seven between the 2023 and 2024 seasons. The safety did deal with his fair share of injuries, including a torn Achilles in 2021 and shoulder issues in both 2023 and 2024.
Despite his starting experience, the safety hasn’t had the best of luck in free agency. Last year, he garnered interest from the Bills and 49ers before ultimately returning to the Colts on a one-year deal. This offseason, it’s been relatively quiet for the 26-year-old other than a March visit with the Panthers.
Pro Football Focus wasn’t particularly fond of Blackmon’s first three seasons in the NFL, with the site ranking him as a below-average safety. He improved to 38th among 95 qualifiers in 2023, and he had his best career showing (30th of 98) in 2024. He’s generally graded out well for his coverage prowess, and his ability to play multiple roles (including in the box, in the slot, and out wide) should prove to be an asset for his new squad.
The Saints were likely scrambling following Mathieu’s sudden decision to hang up his cleats, leading to tonight’s signing. Saints general manager Mickey Loomis hinted that the organization could make an addition at the position, although he also expressed confidence in the team’s current options at the position. 2023 fifth-rounder Jordan Howden is the current favorite to start opposite Justin Reid, although Blackmon will join the likes of veterans J.T. Gray and Terrell Burgess as competition for the starting gig.
Micah Parsons Avoiding Hold-In, Not Practicing Due To Back Issue
While Micah Parsons is still seeking a new contract, the star pass rusher was in attendance for the start of Cowboys training camp. However, it sounds like the veteran won’t be hitting the practice field anytime soon.
[RELATED: DE Micah Parsons: Cowboys Ownership Has Made Negotiations “More Complicated” Than Necessary]
While speaking with reporters today, Parsons revealed that he’s nursing a back injury and doesn’t intend to practice until his body feels right. While Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News described the situation as a “hold-in,” Parsons said he’s not engaging in that negotiation tactic. The veteran also said he doesn’t plan on holding out (via Clarence Hill Jr. of DLLS Sports).
“Just being mindful,” Parsons said of his refusal to practice (via Jane Slater of NFL Network). “Obviously, just want to get the body going the right way and where I want it to. But, obviously, with D-Law gone, like I said, I just feel like it was my turn to lead and it’s hard to do that from the crib. So, I want to be here with the guys, show them that I care; I want to be here, win championships. So, that’s why I’m here.”
Parsons and the Cowboys appeared to be progressing towards a deal earlier this offseason, but there have been no developments on that front over the past few months. In the meantime, a handful of pass rushers have earned lucrative new deals, and Parsons admitted that those contracts have left him discouraged about his own contract situation.
“When you go around the league and you see these other teams taking care of their best guys, I seen T.J. [Watt] gotten taken care of. Maxx [Crosby] got taken care of. Myles [Garrett] got taken care of, [and] he’s got two years left on his deal,” Parsons said (via ESPN’s Todd Archer). “You see a lot of people around the league taken care of, and you wish you had that same type of energy.”
Parsons provided some more insight into his negotiations with the Cowboys…or lack thereof. The pass rusher said there’s “really not much movement” on the extension front (via Jon Machota of The Athletic), and the player said his agent, David Mulugheta, recently reached out to the organization but hasn’t heard back (via Watkins). Parsons even went as far as to acknowledge a potential divorce, noting that “if this is the end, this is the end…I understand the nature of the business” (via Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram).
Yesterday, Jerry Jones didn’t convey the same urgency as Parsons, as the Cowboys owner indicated that he’s not in any rush to finalize a new deal. On the flip side, Jones also said the two sides effectively came to an agreement on a new contract earlier this offseason (via Hill), but it’s uncertain when negotiations went off the rails. ESPN’s Adam Schefter seemed to contradict Jones’ comments, noting that the two sides still haven’t engaged in formal contract talks.
While a long-term pact once seemed like a certainty, it sounds like Parsons is at least considering a potential exit out of Dallas. While a number of edge rusher standoffs (particularly between Trey Hendrickson and the Bengals) have commanded headlines this offseason, this developing Parsons/Cowboys saga is suddenly center stage.
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/22/25
With training camps kicking off around the NFL, teams continue to make adjustments to their rosters. Here are today’s minor moves:
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: TE Matt Sokol, WR David White
- Waived: WR Kelly Akharaiyi, P Jake Camarda
- Placed on active/PUP: OT Spencer Brown, C Sedrick Van Pran-Granger
- Placed on active/NFI: TE Dawson Knox
- Activated from active/PUP: DE Landon Jackson
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: TE Tyler Mabry
- Released/failed physical: LB Josey Jewell (story)
- Placed on active/NFI: DT Bobby Brown
Cincinnati Bengals
- Waived: DT Dante Barnett
- Placed on active/NFI: RB Zack Moss
Cleveland Browns
- Waived (with injury designation): WR Jaelen Gill
- Placed on active/PUP: DT Mike Hall Jr., QB Deshaun Watson
- Placed on active/NFI: WR David Bell
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: K Mark McNamee
Houston Texans
- Waived: CB Keydrain Calligan
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Placed on active/PUP: DT Maason Smith
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: WR Phillip Dorsett, G Atonio Mafi, WR Seth Williams
- Waived: CB Mello Dotson, WR Zakhair Franklin, WR Key’Shawn Smith, LB Jailin Walker
Los Angeles Chargers
- Waived: OT Savion Washington
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: OL Daniel Brunskill
- Waived: QB Brett Gabbert
- Placed on active/PUP: OL Liam Eichenberg, TE Darren Waller
- Placed on active/NFI: S Ifeatu Melifonwu
New Orleans Saints
- Placed on active/PUP: TE Taysom Hill, TE Foster Moreau
- Placed on reserve/retired: TE Dallin Holker, S Tyrann Mathieu (story)
New York Giants
- Signed: S K’Von Wallace
- Waived/failed physical: S Anthony Johnson Jr.
- Placed on active/PUP: RB Eric Gray, LT Andrew Thomas
- Placed on active/NFI: LB Victor Dimukeje
New York Jets
- Waived: OT Obinna Eze
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: WR Equanimeous St. Brown
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Placed on active/PUP: OT Silas Dzansi, WR Chris Godwin, G Sua Opeta, QB Michael Pratt, OT Tristan Wirfs
- Placed on active/NFI: LB Anthony Walker
- Placed on active/non-football illness: DL Desmond Watson
Tennessee Titans
- Placed on active/PUP: C Lloyd Cushenberry, CB L’Jarius Sneed
Washington Commanders
- Waived/NFI: RB Michael Wiley
Titans EDGE Lorenzo Carter Plans To Retire
Despite joining the Titans earlier this offseason, Lorenzo Carter won’t be suiting up for his new squad. The veteran edge rusher informed the Titans that he plans to retire, according to Jim Wyatt of the team’s website. Carter will land on the reserve/retired list.
“He notified us yesterday that he will be retiring,” Titans GM Mike Borgonzi told reporters (via Wyatt), “so we wish him well.”
The former third-round pick spent the first four seasons of his career with the Giants. He dealt with injuries throughout his stint in New York, but he still managed to collect 14.5 sacks and 21 tackles for loss in 49 games (33 starts). He caught on with the Falcons ahead of the 2022 season and generally stayed healthy in three seasons with the organization. He finished his time in Atlanta with seven sacks in 47 games, although he got shutout in that statistical category during the 2024 season.
Carter will finish his career having tallied 278 tackles, 21.5 sacks, and five forced fumbles. He got into 96 games across seven NFL seasons.
The 29-year-old joined the Titans earlier this offseason and was expected to provide some veteran experience on the edge for the rebuilding squad. The team lost Harold Landry in free agency this offseason but will still return the likes of Arden Key and Jaylen Harrell. The Titans also brought in Dre’Mont Jones via free agency while selecting Oluwafemi Oladejo in the second round of the draft.
Kyle Shanahan: Jauan Jennings Hasn’t Formally Requested Trade
A report last week indicated that 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings either wanted a new contract or a trade. The veteran is still expected to report to training camp tomorrow, and 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed that his wideout hasn’t formally requested out of San Francisco (per ESPN’s Nick Wagoner).
[RELATED: 49ers WR Jauan Jennings Seeking Extension Or Trade]
Jennings signed a two-year deal last spring that replaced his second-round RFA tender. He proceeded to have a career season as the 49ers navigated a number of injuries. Jennings finished the 2024 campaign with 77 catches for 975 yards and six touchdowns. Set to earn $3.28MM in salary guarantees in 2025 (plus an option bonus of $1.12MM on September 1), the impending free agent is now seeking some long-term security.
With Deebo Samuel no longer on the team and Brandon Aiyuk recovering from a torn ACL, the 49ers are set to be even more dependent on Jennings in 2025. The 49ers front office has dealt with plenty of contract drama at the position in recent years, but Jennings’ lack of track record makes this situation a bit more unique. It remains to be seen if Jennings will carry through with his trade-request threat, and for the time being, it appears both sides will proceed as planned.
If Jennings does suddenly pivot to a holdout or trade request, the 49ers will have to dig even deeper into their depth chart. 2024 first-round pick Ricky Pearsall would likely lead the group, although he’s currently nursing a hamstring issue that landed him on PUP. The team brought in some reinforcement at the position this offseason, signing veterans Demarcus Robinson and Isaiah Hodgins while drafting Jordan Watkins (fourth round) and Junior Bergen (seventh round). The team is also rostering 2024 fourth-round pick Jacob Cowing.
The 49ers could also count on an eventual return for Aiyuk, although it sounds like the star receiver’s comeback is still a ways off. GM John Lynch told reporters today that Aiyuk is still “not anywhere close to having a concrete timeline” (per ESPN’s Adam Schefter). Aiyuk suffered his knee injury in late-October, and it seems like he’s destined to miss at least the first four games of the upcoming campaign.
TE Jimmy Graham Announces Retirement
Jimmy Graham is calling it a career. The veteran tight end confirmed a report from John DeShazier of the Saints website that he’s indeed hanging up his cleats.
After sitting out the 2022 campaign, Graham returned to New Orleans for the 2023 season. After hauling in four touchdowns that season, the veteran wouldn’t commit to the 2024 campaign and ultimately didn’t end up joining a team. Still, the tight end avoided an official retirement announcement until today.
Graham was one of the most productive receiving tight ends during his early days with the Saints. Between the 2011 and 2013 seasons, the former third-round pick averaged 90 catches for 1,169 yards and 12 touchdowns per season. His numbers slowly declined as he approached his age-30 campaign, although he remained productive in stops with the Seahawks and Packers. Following a two-year stop in Chicago, Graham sat out the 2022 season before reuniting with the Saints for the 2023 campaign.
Graham will finish his career having hauled in 719 receptions for 8,545 yards and 89 touchdowns. He also amassed over $82MM in career earnings.
Lions Agree To Terms With Second-Round OL Tate Ratledge
July 18: The Lions guaranteed 66% of Ratledge’s Year 3 salary, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Comparatively, Chris Braswell, the No, 57 pick in 2024, only received guarantees for 16.4% of his Year 3 salary (and 57.2% of his total contract).
Ratledge’s deal represents another significant leap in guarantees for second-round picks as the 2025 class continues to sign their rookie contracts.
July 17: Tate Ratledge will be in the building when the Lions start their training camp in full this weekend. According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Lions have agreed to terms with their rookie offensive lineman.
Like many teams around the league, the second rounder represented the Lions’ only unsigned draft pick. Detroit’s rookies reported to training camp yesterday.
Ratledge was the 57th pick in this year’s draft following an illustrious college career at Georgia. He established himself as a starter in 2022, and he was part of the championship-winning squads in 2023 and 2024. The lineman earned All-SEC and All-American nods in each of his final two seasons with the Bulldogs.
Ratledge exclusively played right guard in college, and there’s a chance he sticks at either one of the guard positions during the 2025 campaign. The rookie will also compete to replace the retired Frank Ragnow at center. While Ratledge didn’t play the position in college, he served as Georgia’s backup center in practices. The rookie was also spotted snapping for the Lions during spring practices, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
With the signing, the Lions’ entire draft class is now under contract:
- Round 1, No. 28: Tyleik Williams (DT, Ohio State) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 57 (from Rams through Panthers and Broncos): Tate Ratledge (G, Georgia)
- Round 3, No. 70 (from Jaguars): Isaac TeSlaa (WR, Arkansas) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 171 (from Cowboys through Patriots)*: Miles Frazier (G, LSU) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 196 (from Buccaneers): Ahmed Hassanein (OLB, Boise State) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 230 (from Cardinals through Panthers and Broncos): Dan Jackson (S, Georgia) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 244: Dominic Lovett (WR, Georgia) (signed)
Cowboys Agree To Terms With Second-Round DE Donovan Ezeiruaku
Another second-round pick has been signed. The Cowboys have agreed to terms with second-round defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.
As second-round picks around the NFL have pushed for guaranteed deals, Ezeiruaku got part of the way there. Per Garafolo, the rookie got 38 percent of the fourth year of his rookie pact guaranteed. Based on recent deals, we can assume a large portion of the first three seasons of the player’s contract were also guaranteed.
Ezeiruaku is coming off a standout career at Boston College, although he took his play to another level in 2024. The pass rusher finished this past year with 80 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, and 16.5 sacks. That performance earned him a number of accolades, including the Ted Hendricks Award, which is awarded annually to the nation’s top defensive end.
The pass rusher didn’t have to wait too long to hear his name called, as the Cowboys used the 44th-overall pick on the edge rusher. The rookie will be joining a deep DEs grouping that’s already led by Micah Parsons and Dante Fowler, although Ezeiruaku could eventually carve out playing time ahead of Sam Williams and Marshawn Kneeland.
With the signing, the Cowboys have now inked their entire draft class to rookie contracts:
- Round 1, No. 12: Tyler Booker (G, Alabama) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 44: Donovan Ezeiruaku (DE, Boston College)
- Round 3, No. 76: Shavon Revel (CB, East Carolina) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 149: Jaydon Blue (RB, Texas) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 152 (from Cardinals): Shemar James (LB, Florida) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 204 (from Lions through Browns and Bills): Ajani Cornelius (G, Oregon) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 217 (from Titans through Patriots): Jay Toia (DT, UCLA) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 239 (from Packers through Titans): Phil Mafah (RB, Clemson) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 247 (from Chiefs through Panthers): Tommy Akingbesote (DT, Maryland) (signed)
Seahawks, Second-Round S Nick Emmanwori Agree To Fully Guaranteed Deal
While many of the second-round picks who signed their rookie contracts today had to settle for partially guaranteed deals, Nick Emmanwori has reportedly gotten his way. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the rookie safety and the Seahawks have agreed to terms on a fully guaranteed rookie deal. The deal is worth $11.6MM.
Per Schefter, this is the first time in history that the 35th-overall pick has received a fully guaranteed rookie contract. The 35th pick in 2024, Falcons defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro, got 88.1-percent of his deal guaranteed. That was an increase from the 35th pick in the 2023 draft, Raiders tight end Michael Mayer, who got 82.7 percent of his contract guaranteed.
Emmanwori had three standout years at South Carolina, but he took his play to another level in 2024. He finished this past season with 88 tackles and four interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns. For his efforts, he earned first-team All-SEC and All-American honors.
The Seahawks traded up to select the safety early in the second round of the draft, and they’ll be counting on the rookie to contribute in 2025. Coby Bryant emerged as a starter next to Julian Love, and the duo is expected to lead the depth chart next season. However, with Rayshawn Jenkins no longer in the picture, Emmanwori should have plenty of opportunities for playing time, especially if Bryant struggles to maintain his play from 2024.
From a financial standpoint, the guaranteed deal certainly sets a new precedent for the draft slot, and it could influence unsigned second-round picks who were selected around Emmanwori. Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger and Texans wideout Jayden Higgins, the two second-round picks selected ahead of the safety, have already signed their deals.
The Seahawks now have one unsigned second-round pick to deal with in Miami tight end Elijah Arroyo.