Trey Smith, Travis Kelce In Attendance For Chiefs Minicamp
A pair of notable Chiefs veterans showed up for the start of mandatory minicamp today. According to Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com, offensive lineman Trey Smith was in attendance for today’s practice. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler notes that tight end Travis Kelce also showed up for minicamp. Both players were absent from voluntary OTAs.
Smith’s absence was likely contract related, as the veteran is pushing for a long-term extension after being slapped with the franchise tag. The guard already inked his tender, locking him into a guaranteed $23.4MM salary for the 2025 campaign, but he still flexed the little leverage he had in pursuit of a new contract.
We heard back in April that the Chiefs front office was planning to pivot to a Smith extension after the draft. That’s the last we heard about a potential deal, and it appears that the two sides have made little progress since. There is a bit of urgency when it comes to an extension, as the Chiefs and Smith only have until the middle of July to agree to a new deal. Otherwise, the lineman will be forced to play out the upcoming season on the franchise tag.
The former sixth-round pick has emerged as a mainstay on Kansas City’s offensive line, missing only a single regular season game over the past four years. Pro Football Focus has consistently graded Smith as a top-15 offensive guard, including a 2024 campaign where he finished 14th among 77 qualifiers. Smith’s franchise tag currently puts him atop his position from an AAV standpoint, and an extension would presumably come in around $20MM annually.
It’s uncertain why Kelce no-showed voluntary practices, although his absence could be related to his flirtation with retirement. Notably, the veteran tight end showed up today 25 pounds lighter than 2024, per Fowler. Kelce is coming off one of the least productive seasons of his career; other than his one-game rookie campaign, the tight end’s 824 receiving yards in 2024 represented a new career-low.
Steelers, S DeShon Elliott Agree To Extension
Following one of the most productive seasons of his career, DeShon Elliott is sticking in Pittsburgh for the next few years. The safety has agreed to a two-year, $12.5MM extension with the Steelers, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. The deal includes $9.21MM in guaranteed money.
Elliott inked a two-year, $6MM deal with the organization last offseason. He’ll now be under contract through the 2027 season, and Pittsburgh will now owe him $15.5MM over the next three years.
The free agent acquisition quickly leaped Damontae Kazee on the depth chart last preseason, earning the starting strong safety role opposite Minkah Fitzpatrick. Elliott proceeded to start 14 of his 15 appearances in 2024, finishing with a career-high 108 tackles to go along with one interception, a pair of forced fumbles, and six passes defended. For his efforts, Pro Football Focus ranked him 27th among 98 qualifying safeties.
A former sixth-round pick, Elliott was limited to six games through his first two years in the NFL. He emerged as a starter with the Ravens in 2020 and 2021, but his injury woes continued. When his stint in Baltimore came to an end, he bounced between the Lions and Dolphins, although he served as a starter in both spots.
The Steelers have seemingly saved the safety from journeyman status, as Elliott should stick with the organization for the next few years. Fitzpatrick is still on his near-position-leading contract through 2026, providing the organization with some continuity at the top of their safeties corps.
Kazee is no longer in the picture, so the team will be relying on some new-look depth in 2025. This grouping includes free agent acquisition Juan Thornhill and Miles Killebrew, a veteran special teamer who got into nine defensive snaps with Pittsburgh in 2024.
Steelers, Mike Tomlin Operating On Year-To-Year Arrangement
Every offseason brings a new wave of speculation surrounding Mike Tomlin‘s future in Pittsburgh. While his eventual exit from the organization doesn’t appear to be imminent, it sounds like the two sides also don’t have a definitive future game plan. During an appearance on the Rich Eisen Show, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero acknowledged that Tomlin and the Steelers are operating on a year-to-year arrangement.
Pelissero also noted that when the time comes for an exit, it’ll most likely be Tomlin’s decision. The reporter cautioned that the coach isn’t necessarily attached to consistent one-year deals; in fact, Pelissero said Tomlin is currently in the midst of a multi-year contract and isn’t an impending free agent.
In other words, Tomlin will continue to be the head coach of the Steelers for as long as he wants. Art Rooney is following his father’s tradition of not moving a head coach unless they have lost the locker room. Tomlin continues to command respect, and even if he somehow didn’t, Pelissero still finds it unlikely that ownership would fire or trade their iconic head coach. Rather, an exit would likely be initiated by Tomlin himself.
Pelissero is unsure when or why the coach would ever exit the franchise. The reporter notes that rival teams often check in on Tomlin’s availability, but it’s hard to envision him leaving after spending nearly two decades in Pittsburgh. Pelissero hints that the coach could eventually pursue a career in broadcasting, although it doesn’t sound like that move is imminent.
Since joining the Steelers in 2007, Tomlin has famously never had a losing season. While the Steelers only have a single Super Bowl win under their head coach, Tomlin has still helped guide the organization to 12 playoff appearances. The 53-year-old has also been granted more and more influence over the franchise, especially with personnel moves. Pelissero points to the recent Aaron Rodgers signing as another transaction that had Tomlin’s fingerprints all over it.
Outside of Bill Belichick, it’s basically unprecedented in the modern NFL for a coach to stick with one team in a two-decade span. If things continue as they have been, it sounds like Tomlin will stick with the Steelers for as long as he wants.
Rookie Notes: Stewart, Eagles, Browns
It’s uncertain how far Shemar Stewart will take his standoff with the Bengals organization, but Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com believes it’s highly unlikely the rookie skips the 2025 campaign in an attempt to reenter the 2026 draft.
This does represent a possible solution for Stewart if he refuses to give in to Cincy’s demand to include a specific, guarantee-voiding clause in his rookie pact. Florio describes this path as “nuclear,” and the pundit believes this is unrealistic considering how much money the player would be leaving on the table.
At the very least, Stewart would be giving up his $10MM-plus signing bonus. It’s unlikely he’d be able to instantly recoup that money in 2026, as Florio is skeptical that the pass rusher would exceed or match his 17th-overall draft slot. Stewart’s year off from football would obviously be seen as a detriment, and Florio wonders if rival squads could also be wary of the player’s attempt to “buck the system.”
Assuming he falls down the draft board in this hypotethical, Stewart would also likely see a dip in the $19MM total value of his Bengals rookie contract. In other words, it could take the player years to recover the lost money.
More rookie notes from around the NFL…
- While Stewart has generally been respectful throughout the ordeal, he’s also been clear on his dissatisfaction with the Bengals organization. As Florio notes, the rookie will have to tread lightly when it comes to public comments if he does ultimately put pen to paper. If Stewart decides to speak out after signing a deal, the Bengals organization could cite a breach of the “[p]layer’s obligation of loyalty to Club and/or undermines the public’s respect for the Club, Club coaches, or Club management.” The organization could look to make Stewart forfeit guarantees in this scenario.
- Speaking of unique rookie contracts, the Eagles did something unusual with sixth-round OT Cameron Williams‘ pact. According to Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com, the Eagles guaranteed $676K of the rookie’s contract vs. the $201K that would normally be allotted for that spot. In return, the Eagles included an unusual split salary in the third year of the player’s contract, which would reduce the player’s salary if he lands on a reserve list. Per Fitzgerald, the Eagles are hoping to make this a precedent across all future draft picks as the front office looks to wrestle some contractual control beyond the fourth year of a rookie deal.
- We heard the other day that the Browns were open to keeping all four QBs on their roster, including recent draft picks Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. While the organization could try to get creative with stashing a rookie on the practice squad, Tony Grossi of 850 ESPN Cleveland doesn’t envision the Browns pursuing this path. Before a team can stash a player on the practice squad, that player would be exposed to waivers, and there’s a chance a rival squad takes a leap on Gabriel or Sanders if Cleveland tries to sneak them through.
Steelers RB Jaylen Warren Preparing For Larger Workload
Despite collecting at least 500 yards from scrimmage in each of his three professional seasons, Jaylen Warren has yet to earn a start in the NFL. That will likely change in 2025, and the Steelers running back is eyeing the largest workload of his career.
Warren told reporters that he took a different tack with his offseason training in anticipation of more carries next season.
“I approached this off season differently,” Warren said (via Dale Lolley of the team’s website). “I did a lot more things for longevity wise, instead of my old-school training like just getting the cleats on and running 30 hills. I had to adapt. This game is about longevity. And like they say, the best ability is availability.”
It sounds like the running back has the support of the Steelers coaching staff. Mike Tomlin said Warren could “certainly” handle a larger workload, and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith also hinted that the fourth-year player will see an increase on the 120 carries he garnered in 2024.
RB1 Najee Harris didn’t miss a game through Warren’s first three NFL seasons, slightly limiting the backup’s reps. Harris caught on with the Chargers this offseason, meaning Warren now has the first chance of his career to earn starting reps. The 26-year-old has already shown his ability to be an offensive focal point. He finished the 2023 campaign with 1,154 yards from scrimmage, and he followed that up with an 800-plus-yard season in 2024.
Warren is expecting even more in 2025, and considering the rest of the team’s depth, there’s a solid chance he’ll get there. The rest of the team’s RB room consists of offseason acquisitions. The team used a third-round pick on Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson, and they added veterans like Kenneth Gainwell, Trey Sermon, and Evan Hull.
Minor NFL Transactions: 6/16/25
One minor move to pass along:
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: OT Luke Felix-Fualalo
The Seahawks added some offensive line depth in the 6-foot-7 Luke Felix-Fualalo. The lineman emerged during his time at the University of Hawaii, including a 2023 campaign where he allowed one sack in 491 pass-block snaps. He was limited to only four games this past season, leading to him going undrafted in the 2025 draft.
Patriots WR Ja’Lynn Polk On Roster Bubble?
The Patriots are facing a roster crunch at wide receiver, and there’s a chance they may move on from a recent second-round pick as they resolve their depth. As ESPN’s Mike Reiss writes, Ja’Lynn Polk is among the players competing for a final spot in the receivers room.
Reiss believes that each of the team’s offseason acquisitions, a grouping that includes Stefon Diggs, Mack Hollins, and rookie third-round pick Kyle Williams, are “viewed as safe,” and the writer also includes holdover DeMario Douglas in that grouping. Assuming the team will only hold six WRs, that leaves two more spots for at least four players.
In addition to Polk, the players fighting for a roster spot include Kendrick Bourne, Kayshon Boutte, and 2024 fourth-round pick Javon Baker. Bourne brings the track record, and Boutte flashed some potential as a sophomore, but Polk’s recent draft pedigree may make him the most surprising inclusion on this list.
A former Washington standout, Polk was the 37th-overall pick in last year’s draft. Thanks in part to inconsistent QB play and an ever-evolving receivers room, the rookie struggled to carve out a role in 2024. Polk finished the campaign with 12 catches for 87 yards and two touchdowns, and he ranked seventh on the team in total targets.
The Patriots are expecting another leap from Drake Maye in 2025, and it would make some sense to pair the young signal-caller with a young, high-upside receiver. However, with additional depth and a new coaching staff in place, Polk might not have that opportunity in New England.
Sticking with Patriots receivers, Tom E. Curran of NBC Sports Boston revealed that Diggs still hasn’t taken a physical with the organization as he continues to rehab his torn ACL (via The Rich Eisen Show on YouTube). As a result, the wide receiver also hasn’t received his signing bonus, which is dependent on the player passing the physical.
Minor NFL Transactions: 6/12/25
Today’s minor moves:
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: LB Germaine Pratt (story)
- Waived: S Jonathan Sutherland
New York Jets
- Signed: G Marquis Hayes, DE Kingsley Jonathan
- Waived: G Zack Bailey, CB Tre Swilling
The Jets made a handful of moves at the bottom of their roster, bringing in a pair of lineman on both sides of the ball. Kingsley Jonathan brings the most experience, as the defensive end has appeared in 20 career games, with the majority of his playing time coming on special teams. Marquis Hayes, a former seventh-round pick by the Cardinals, has yet to appear in an NFL game.
OT Kolton Miller Wants To Spend Rest Of Career With Raiders
Kolton Miller is one of the Raiders’ longest-tenured players, but the veteran lineman is heading into the 2025 season with lame-duck status. While it seems unlikely that the impending free agent will ink an extension before Week 1, Miller is making it clear that he wants to spend the rest of his career with the organization.
“I want to be a Raider for life,” Miller told Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “I love it here. I don’t want to go anywhere else.”
Miller inked a three-year, $54MM extension with the Raiders back in 2021 that would keep him with the organization through the 2025 campaign. According to Bonsignore, the two sides aren’t close on a new deal, and Miller is currently attached to no guaranteed money. Still, the veteran was present for the start of mandatory minicamp earlier this week.
A former first-round pick, Miller has appeared in 109 games for the organization through seven professional seasons. He’s remained relatively healthy throughout his career, missing only seven regular-season contests. After being limited to a career-low 13 appearances in 2023, Miller rebounded by starting all 17 games for the Raiders this past season. Pro Football Focus ended up grading him 13th among 81 qualifying offensive tackles in 2024.
While Miller will still anchor the Raiders offensive line in 2025, the team may have started preparing for his potential exit. The team used a third-round pick in this year’s draft on Charles Grant, and this followed their 2024 third-round selection of OT Delmar Glaze. That latter lineman ended up starting 14 games as a rookie and is penciled in as the starting right tackle heading into the 2025 campaign.
Rams Sign OT D.J. Humphries
D.J. Humphries has found a new home. The offensive tackle is signing with the Rams, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
[RELATED: No Deal In Place Between 49ers, LT D.J. Humphries]
It’s been a bit of a turbulent offseason for the lineman. A late-April announcement from Humphries’ agency claimed that the lineman was joining the 49ers, but we later learned that there was no deal in place between the two sides. A contract didn’t end up coming to fruition, and now the 31-year-old will be heading to another NFC West squad.
Humphries brings plenty of experience to Los Angeles, with the former first-round pick having appeared in 100 career regular season contests. He had a long stint in Arizona to begin his career, although most of his Cardinals tenure was highlighted by injuries. To his credit, he remained mostly healthy from 2019 through 2021, but the injury bug started popping back up in 2022.
That season, Humphries was limited to eight games thanks to a back injury. He managed to return for 15 starts in 2023, but he suffered a torn ACL late in the season that put his 2024 availability in doubt. That ACL injury ultimately spelled the end of the player’s tenure in Arizona, as he was cut by the Cardinals last offseason.
He remained unsigned through the 2024 offseason and for the first few months of the season, but he eventually caught on with the Chiefs in November. He ended up appearing in a pair of games for Kansas City, and he made another pair of appearances during the postseason.
The Rams continue to load up on offensive line depth, especially at the tackle position. The team already added David Quessenberry as a dependable backup to Alaric Jackson and Rob Havenstein. Humphries will provide the team with yet another option at the position, and the veteran could end up pushing someone like former fifth-round pick Warren McClendon off the roster.