CB Shaquill Griffin Visits Raiders
Shaquill Griffin remains unsigned, but he’s apparently drawing some interest from his former coach. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that the veteran cornerback visited the Raiders.
Griffin was a third-round pick by the Seahawks back in 2017 and proceeded to spend the first four seasons of his career playing under Pete Carroll. He left the Seahawks for a lucrative three-year offer from the Jaguars but he only made it through two seasons of that pact before getting released.
Since hitting free agency for the second time in his career in 2023, Griffin has bounced around the NFL a bit, spending time with the Texans, Panthers, and Vikings. He got into all 17 games for Minnesota this past season, collecting 41 tackles and a pair of interceptions while appearing in about half of his team’s defensive snaps.
Following the completion of his one-year deal with the Vikings, it’s been a relatively quiet offseason for the 29-year-old. He was briefly connected to a potential reunion with the Seahawks, although it’s been more than a month of zero progress on that front. Now, the veteran is apparently considering a reunion with his former head coach.
Besides the obvious connection to the coaching staff, Griffin would also fill a bit of a need for the Raiders. The team’s currently sorting through their options at cornerback, with the group including free agent acquisition Eric Stokes, rookie Darien Porter, and former starter Jakorian Bennett.
Jonnu Smith, Jalen Ramsey Absent From Dolphins Minicamp
JUNE 11: Despite McDaniel’s Tuesday remarks, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on NFL Live (via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald) that Smith’s absence is actually excused given the ongoing trade talks in his case. McDaniel declined to say whether or not Smith will be subject to fines (valued at a three-day total of roughly $104K) for his absence, but a decision on that front could help indicate whether or not he will remain in Miami for 2025.
JUNE 10: A pair of Dolphins veterans won’t be in attendance during mandatory minicamp this week. Coach Mike McDaniel told reporters that tight end Jonnu Smith and cornerback Jalen Ramsey will be absent from upcoming practices, per NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe.
Smith continues to seek a new contract and will be sitting out in apparent protest. The veteran’s absence is unexcused, so he’ll be subject to fines if/when he returns. Ramsey’s absence is excused as the two sides work to find a new home for the cornerback, according to McDaniel (via Wolfe).
Smith has been included in trade talks for several weeks now, although the tight end has made it clear that he wants to stick in Miami. The veteran is entering the second season of a two-year, $8.4MM deal and has been pushing for an extension, although it sounds like the Dolphins aren’t in any rush to ink the 29-year-old to a new deal.
To Smith’s credit, the tight end is rightfully looking to capitalize on a career season. After showing flashes in stops with the Titans, Patriots, and Falcons, Smith emerged as one of Miami’s most reliable pass catchers in 2025. The tight end finished the year with career-highs in receptions (88), receiving yards (884), and touchdowns (eight). The Dolphins don’t have much of a solution behind their starter, but it’s uncertain if that would be enough for the organization to blink during extension talks. Smith, meanwhile, would be subject to more than $100K in fines if he sits out all of mandatory minicamp.
We heard recently that Ramsey wouldn’t be in the building for mandatory minicamp. The two sides continue to look for a new team for the veteran cornerback, although the player’s contract remains a sticking point. An acquiring team would have to pick up at least $2.02MM in 2025 (Ramsey’s salary and per game roster bonus) with $65.7MM of non-guaranteed money due over the following three years.
There were recent rumblings that there was genuine interest in the cornerback, although suitors would be looking for some salary relief in a potential trade. The Dolphins are surely preparing for this scenario, although the front office has every reason to wait out the process in pursuit of the best possible deal.
Minor NFL Transactions: 6/10/25
Today’s minor moves:
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: DL Cameron Young
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: DL Decarius Hawthorne
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: TE Giovanni Ricci
- Released: LB Matt Harmon
Shemar Stewart Attends Bengals Minicamp, Won’t Practice
As Shemar Stewart continues to engage in a unique contract dispute with the Bengals, the first-round rookie will not practice with his new squad. However, Stewart was in the building for the first day of mandatory minicamp.
[RELATED: Details Revealed Regarding Shemar Stewart-Bengals Contract Dispute]
According to Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com, the rookie defensive lineman was in attendance for the start of minicamp today, but he doesn’t intend to hit the practice field until he inks his rookie contract. The stare down has gone on for more than a month, as the player’s camp pushes against a clause that would “turn a default in any given year into a void of all remaining guarantees” (per Florio).
This is a new tactic from the Bengals front office, as recent Day 1 picks signed contracts that simply voided the guarantees for the year in which the default occurred. Cincinnati also apparently proposed a payment schedule that did not match that of Myles Murphy and Amarius Mims, the team’s first-round picks in 2023 and 2024. That issue seems to have been resolved.
This seems like a relatively minor detail that could be hammered out quickly, but the two sides continue to struggle to find common ground on the generally straight-forward rookie pact. Even Stewart admitted to reporters that he expected to be on the practice field by now.
“Very bad,” Stewart responded when asked how badly he wants to practice (via Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer). “I’ve been doing this for most of my whole life, then all of a sudden it’s gone over something very simple to fix. It’s kind of disappointing.”
As the rookie pushes back against a new precedent set by the Bengals front office, he has the support of the locker room. Stewart told reporters that his veteran teammates have told him he’s doing the right thing by pushing for a more traditional rookie contract (via Jay Morrison of BengalsTalk.com).
Stewart’s dispute with the organization comes as Trey Hendrickson is in a public showdown with the organization. The rookie pointed to his veteran teammate’s absence when addressing his own “hold-in.”
“We all agree Trey will be alright,” Stewart said (via Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports). “But technically he’s still 1% wrong for being under contract. In my case, I’m 100% right.”
Considering the uncertainty surrounding Hendrickson’s future in Cincy, the Bengals would surely want their first-round pick on the practice field sooner than later. Still, it sounds like neither side is inclined to blink, meaning this staring contest could continue for the foreseeable future.
RB James Cook Attends Bills Minicamp
James Cook is still pushing for a new contract, but the Bills running back was in attendance for the first day of mandatory practices. According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, Cook was present at Bills minicamp today.
[RELATED: Bills, James Cook Failed To Make Progress During Extension Talks]
Cook was absent from voluntary OTAs as he continued to seek an extension. We recently heard that the two sides had indeed discussed a new deal, but they were never particularly close on finalizing an agreement. As a result, there was some speculation that the running back could skip out on the team’s mandatory minicamp. Cook also isn’t expected to stage a hold-in, as the RB told reporters that he intends to practice with his teammates (per CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones).
Instead, Cook showed up, with the former second-round pick pointedly noting that he didn’t want to get fined.
“I like my money. Definitely do,” Cook said (via Jones). “So, that’s why I’m here.”
After finishing tied for the league lead in rushing TDs (16) in 2024, Cook is currently on track to play out the final season of his rookie contract in 2025. The 25-year-old is reportedly seeking a contract that would pay him around $15MM annually; that AAV would be tied with Derrick Henry for third at the position (behind Saquon Barkley and Christian McCaffrey).
While the Bills appeared willing to extend the running back on their terms, it sounds like the front office is wary of handing out a contract that flirts with the top of the position. GM Brandon Beane even implied that he’s prepared to wait out the coming season before deciding on a big contract for Cook, and it seems increasingly likely that the RB will play out the 2025 season as an impending free agent. Cook wouldn’t have been the first player in this scenario to skip out on practices, and coach Sean McDermott respected the player’s decision to report.
“I credit James,” McDermott said (via ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg). “Business is business. At the end of the day, I know he loves being around this team and the guys in the locker room and he loves to play football.
“So, I respect his decision to be here and be amongst the team and get some work in today, and we’re looking forward to that.”
As Getzenberg notes, three other members of the Bills’ 2022 rookie class have earned new deals (including wide receiver Khalil Shakir, linebacker Terrel Bernard, and cornerback Christian Benford). As a result, Cook could naturally have some hard feelings towards the organization. Fortunately, the RB understands that it’s a business.
“I don’t look at it [as a distraction],” Cook said (via Getzenberg). “I just be where my feet are every day and just want to play football. That’s what I’m here to do.”
Patriots LB Jahlani Tavai Out Until Training Camp
After bringing in former defensive stalwart Mike Vrabel as head coach and investing much of their cap room to the defensive side of the ball, the Patriots are clearly hoping to take a major step forward on that side of the ball in 2025. Unfortunately, they may have to prepare for the upcoming campaign without one of the key holdovers.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported earlier this week that linebacker Jahlani Tavai suffered a calf injury during Monday’s OTAs that will sideline him until at least training camp. This was actually a promising development, as many reporters assumed the worst when the linebacker had to be helped off the practice field after teammates “showed their concern” (per ESPN’s Mike Reiss).
A former second-round pick by the Lions, Tavai has found a home in New England in recent seasons. He became one of the team’s only standout players in 2023 and 2024, when he compiled a combined 225 tackles and two sacks in 34 appearances. The former Hawaii star inked a three-year, $15MM extension with the organization during the 2024 offseason.
Tavai is likely eyeing another significant role in 2025, although the Patriots aren’t nearly as reliant on the veteran as they once were. Free agent acquisition Robert Spillane is expected to soak up many of the reps at inside linebacker, although there’s an open competition for the other ILB spot. With Tavai temporarily off the practice field, the likes of Christian Elliss and/or Jack Gibbens could climb the depth chart.
The Patriots were traditionally in a 3-3-5 nickel defensive grouping when led by Bill Belichick and Jerod Mayo. Vrabel played most of his career in that same system, so it’s been assumed the organization may maintain status quo on that side of the ball. However, Vrabel often leaned on four-down defensive linemen during his time with the Titans, and the team’s improved DL depth (and suddenly shaky ILB depth) means they could turn to that configuration. The Patriots’ current DL depth consists of Milton Williams, Christian Barmore, Keion White, Harold Landry, and K’Lavon Chaisson.
Minor NFL Transactions: 6/5/25
Today’s minor moves:
Denver Broncos
- Waived from IR: TE Cole Fotheringham
Detroit Lions
- Reverted to IR: CB Divaad Wilson
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Reverted to IR: OL Cooper Hodges
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Released: DB Joshuah Bledsoe
With the Steelers adding S Quindell Johnson yesterday, the team ended up moving on from one of their other defensive backs. The choice was Bledsoe, a former sixth-round pick by the Patriots. The Missouri product got into four games during his two seasons in New England. Following a brief stint in the UFL, Bledsoe caught on with the Steelers’ offseason roster back in January.
No Timeline For Patriots DC Terrell Williams’ Return
Terrell Williams remains away from the Patriots after suffering a “health scare” in May. Still, the Patriots new defensive coordinator remains as connected to the organization as he can possibly be.
Inside linebackers coach Zak Kuhr has been leading the defense throughout OTAs, and the coach addressed the uncertain situation with reporters yesterday. Most notably, Kuhr revealed that there’s no timeline for Williams’ return, although he said the coordinator checks in on his staff and players daily via video conference.
Kuhr also addressed his evolving role, noting that he’s simply an extension of Williams and head coach MikeVrabel. Before working with Vrabel for several years in Tennessee, Kuhr had a long stay in college football, with the majority of his work actually coming on the offensive side of the ball (including a stint as offensive coordinator at Texas State). The coach cited that experience as he explained his evolving responsibilities in New England.
“I’ve been a coordinator before,” Kuhr said (via ESPN’s Mike Reiss). “I know it was at the college level [offensive coordinator] but I’ve been in front of a unit before and run meetings. I wouldn’t say it’s anything too new … it’s helped to have a guy like [assistant] Vinny DePalma in there; he has taken a lot of lifting off my shoulders [with inside linebackers]. He’s going to be a great coach.”
As Kuhr navigates the uncertain situation, he hasn’t only leaned on his fellow coaches. The fill-in DC said he’s also relied on free agent acquisition Robert Spillane, who has provided a “coach-like presence on the field” (per Reiss). Specifically, Spillane has been relaying calls from Kuhr to his teammates, and the coach has empowered the veteran to communicate the play call in his own way.
The 36-year-old coach will continue to be in the spotlight, at least until Williams returns to practice. If the defensive coordinator doesn’t make a return, it sounds like the Patriots are more than comfortable rolling with their fill-in. As Reiss writes, Williams previously described Kuhr as a “superstar” in the making, and it sounds like that sentiment is held by other members of the staff.
Kyle Pitts Sidelined With Foot Injury
While Kyle Pitts‘ future in Atlanta remains uncertain, his absence from OTA practices has nothing to do with the persistent trade rumblings. Rather, the Falcons tight end is currently sidelined with a strained muscle in his foot, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
[RELATED: Kyle Pitts Drawing Trade Interest]
While plenty of pundits and fans have criticized the former fourth-overall pick’s production, that hasn’t been because of a lack of availability. Besides a 2022 campaign where Pitts was limited to 10 games thanks to a torn MCL, the tight end otherwise hasn’t missed a game during his NFL career. A strained muscle in the foot shouldn’t do much to impact Pitts’ availability for the start of the 2025 campaign, although it could give trade suitors some pause.
We heard earlier this week that multiple teams have reached out to the Falcons about Pitts’ availability. The tight end was described as “relatively available” throughout the offseason, although a deal wasn’t said to be imminent. The team quickly clarified that they weren’t actively shopping Pitts but could be open to the possibility of a trade. It sounded like Pitts had similar feelings about moving on; while the tight end hasn’t requested a trade, he’s reportedly open to a fresh start elsewhere.
Pitts has struggled to live up to his lofty draft stock and subsequent expectations. The Florida product did manage to top 1,000 receiving yards as a rookie, but he hasn’t come close to that mark over the past three years. That includes a 2024 campaign where Pitts finished with 47 receptions for 602 yards, which was his worst showing in any of his three healthy campaigns.
The Falcons picked up Pitts’ fifth-year option, so the tight end is locked in for one more year. As a result, it’s unlikely that teams would view the trade target as anything more than a rental, and the assumed underwhelming offers probably wouldn’t be enough to convince Falcons brass to move on from the starter. In other words, it’s hard to see a true path to a trade.
While Pitts is sidelined with his foot injury, the Falcons will have an opportunity to see what a non-Pitts-led tight ends room will look like. Charlie Woerner is back for another season as a primary backup, although the veteran is more known for his blocking ability. The team was active adding to the position this offseason, acquiring Teagan Quitoriano, Feleipe Franks, Nikola Kalinic, and UDFA Joshua Simon. Those four players should have an extended opportunity to show what they’ve got while Pitts is out of practice.
Patriots Have No Plans To Cut Stefon Diggs
Stefon Diggs‘ absence from the first week of Patriots voluntary OTAs didn’t raise any eyebrows. However, the wideout quickly commanded attention when a video showed him flashing an “unidentified pink substance” while partying on a boat. New coach Mike Vrabel quickly cited making “great decisions,” and there was later speculation that the Patriots could consider ending the partnership before it truly begins.
Well, it appears the two sides have taken a step in the right direction, as Diggs was present during today’s portion of Patriots practice, per ESPN’s Mike Reiss. Even more notably, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport says the Patriots have no plans to cut their free agent acquisition.
Rapoport provided a bit more insight, noting that Diggs presence at today’s voluntary practice “felt about as mandatory” as it could possibly be. Rapoport hints that Diggs addressed his new teammates, and Reiss notes that the receiver was later spotted catching passes from Drake Maye.
It’s been a bit of a rocky start for the receiver’s stint in New England. While the off-field issues commanded the headlines, there was some speculation that Vrabel may have been more perturbed by his receiver’s absence from practices. Not only is the receiver joining a new team with a new coaching staff, he’s also continuing to rehab a torn ACL suffered during his lone season in Houston.
While Boston radio pundits may be licking their chops at the potential drama, it sounds like those in the building are downplaying the whole story. “New” OC Josh McDaniels addressed Diggs’ recent absence, noting that the veteran has still been preparing for the upcoming season even if he wasn’t on the practice field.
“I know he’s staying up on the information and material and there’s so many things and opportunities for us to teach all our guys going forward — between the rest of the practices in the spring and going into the summer and the many days we have before we actually kick the ball off in September,” McDaniels said (via Reiss). “I’m not concerned about Stef in that regard.”
A significant portion of Diggs’ three-year, $69MM contract is based on roster and workout bonuses, and his guarantees are still contingent on Diggs eventually passing a physical (which he still hasn’t done). In other words, the Patriots do have a bit of wiggle room if they decided to bail on the Diggs experience. For the time being, it sounds like the organization isn’t considering that drastic route.