Bears, Teven Jenkins Haven’t Talked Extension
Teven Jenkins is entering the final year of his contract. While the offensive guard is interested in extending his stay in Chicago, it sounds like the organization hasn’t been especially active in attempting to re-sign the veteran.
While speaking with reporters today (including Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun Times), Jenkins acknowledged that his camp “reached out” to the Bears about an extension but “nothing is on the table.” When asked about the front office’s inaction, the offensive lineman described the potential negotiations as “up in the air.”
The former second-round pick is entering the fourth and final season of his rookie contract. As Finley notes, general manager Ryan Poles has recently handed out a handful of extensions, with the reporter pointing to tight end Cole Kmet, defensive end Montez Sweat, nose tackle Andrew Billings, kicker Cairo Santos, and cornerback Jaylon Johnson.
“I mean, it’s good to see that stuff — that the Bears are willing to do that,” Jenkins said. “But every situation is different. We have to go about it, me and my agent, however ‘upstairs’ wants to do it.”
Jenkins has yet to play a full season, so the Bears may be a bit wary of extending the player too soon. The 26-year-old did stay relatively healthy in 2024; after sitting on injured reserve for the first four games, Jenkins played in 12 of his team’s remaining 13 contests.
After struggling as an offensive tackle, Jenkins took off after switching to guard during his sophomore season. Pro Football Focus graded him as the third-best guard during the 2022 campaign, and he finished 2023 ranked 14th among qualifying players. The lineman also spent time at both LG and RG, and that versatility could end up helping the Bears down the line.
The organization has been especially active in surrounding Caleb Williams with as much talent as possible. While the team may be dragging their feet a bit with Jenkins, the organization will surely want the offensive lineman locked in for the foreseeable future if he has another strong campaign.
Keenan Allen Open To Bears Extension
The Bears acquired veteran wideout Keenan Allen with the understanding that it could be a one-season pairing. While the two sides have yet to discuss an extension, Allen made it clear that he’d be interested in re-signing with Chicago…although the Bears would have to pay him accordingly.
[RECENT: WR Keenan Allen Addresses Chargers Departure]
“I’m going to play as long as I can,” Allen told Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun Times. “As far as an extension, I’m going to let the play speak for itself, and if they offer me something that I like, we’ll go from there.”
Allen is entering the final season of a four-year, $80.1MM extension he signed with the Chargers back in 2020. The wideout is attached to a $34MM-plus cap hit in 2024 and an $18MM-plus base salary, which contributed to his trade from the Chargers. Before Los Angeles dealt their star receiver, the front office attempted to negotiate an extension with the player. Allen was presented with “multiple contract options,” although it sounds like each of those routes would have come with a 2024 pay cut.
The Bears were willing to absorb Allen’s financial commitment for the 2024 campaign, as the organization was focused on surrounding first-overall pick Caleb Williams with as much talent as possible. Allen was certainly a worthy target. In addition to his lengthy resume, the wideout notably rebounded from a disappointing 2022 campaign, finishing the 2023 season with 108 catches for 1,243 yards and seven touchdowns.
If the Bears hope to retain Allen beyond the 2024 campaign, they’ll have to compete with a rapidly increasing WR market. Allen noted as much, saying that Justin Jefferson‘s four-year, $140MM extension with the Vikings once again “reset” the market. With the likes of Ja’Marr Chase and CeeDee Lamb also set to receive lucrative new deals, it’s in Allen’s best interest to remain patient.
It sounds like the Bears also aren’t feeling much urgency to complete an extension. As Finley notes, the Bears have “yet to engage Allen on a new deal.” As the writer notes, the team also somewhat prepared for a potential Allen exit when they selected Rome Odunze with the ninth-overall selection.
While neither side is in any particular rush to complete a deal, it sounds like they’re both interested in a long-term arrangement. After spending his entire professional career in California, Allen said it hasn’t been difficult getting used to Chicago.
“It wouldn’t be hard to adjust to a city like this,” Allen said.
Dolphins Sign Five Rookies
The Dolphins finally inked some of their rookies to contracts. The team announced that they’ve signed five of their 2024 draft picks:
- Round 4, No. 120 (from Rams through Steelers and Eagles): Jaylen Wright (RB, Tennessee)
- Round 5, No. 158: Mohamed Kamara (EDGE, Colorado State)
- Round 6, No. 184 (from Bears): Malik Washington (WR, Virginia)
- Round 6, No. 198: Patrick McMorris (S, Cal)
- Round 7, No. 241: Tahj Washington (WR, USC)
These five rookies kick off the organization’s draft-class signings. First-round edge defender Chop Robinson and second-round offensive tackle Patrick Paul remain unsigned.
Considering how much the Dolphins have gotten out of their running backs in recent years, Jaylen Wright is certainly an intriguing addition. The Tennessee prospect took it to another level this past season, finishing with 1,154 yards from scrimmage. The rookie has an uphill battle for playing time behind the likes of Raheem Mostert, De’Von Achane, and Jeff Wilson, but he could easily slide up the depth chart if/when the team faces injuries.
Patrick McMorris is another prospect who could see a role in 2024. After two standout seasons at SDSU, the safety continued his production after transferring to California, finishing with 90 tackles and eight passes defended. The rookie will compete with Elijah Campbell for any leftover snaps at the safety position.
Minor NFL Transactions: 6/4/24
Today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Claimed off waivers (from Patriots): OL Andrew Stueber
- Waived: WR JaQuae Jackson
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: LB Shayne Simon
- Waived/injured: OL Tommy Doyle
Cleveland Browns
- Waived: K Lucas Havrisik
Houston Texans
- Waived from IR (with injury settlement): DE Marcus Haynes
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: S Grayland Arnold
San Francisco 49ers
- Waived: DL Raymond Johnson III
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Placed on reserve/retired list: C Ryan Jensen
Washington Commanders
- Signed: K Ramiz Ahmed
After missing most of the past two seasons due to a knee injury, Ryan Jensen announced back in February that he was going to retire. The Buccaneers made the move official today, although that won’t be the end of their cap commitment to the offensive lineman. As Greg Auman of FOX Sports notes, since Jensen’s contract was pro-rated, the Buccaneers will be hit with a combined $16.6MM in dead cap over the next two seasons.
The Browns cleared up their depth chart a bit by cutting kicker Lucas Havrisik, leaving the organization with Dustin Hopkins and Cade York to compete for the starting job. Havrisik got into nine games with the Rams last season, connecting on 15 of his 20 field goal tries and 19 of his 22 extra points. In other kicker moves, the Commanders have added Ramiz Ahmed in the wake of the Brandon McManus release.
Bills Sign Cole Bishop, Seven Other Draft Picks
The Bills signed a significant portion of their draft class today. The team announced that they’ve signed the following players to rookie contracts:
- Round 2, No. 60: Cole Bishop (S, Utah)
- Round 3, No. 95 (from Chiefs): DeWayne Carter, DT (Duke)
- Round 4, No. 128: Ray Davis (RB, Kentucky)
- Round 5, No. 141 (from Giants through Panthers): Sedrick Van Pran-Granger (C, Georgia)
- Round 5, No. 160 (from Packers): Edefuan Ulofoshio (LB, Washington)
- Round 5, No. 168 (from Saints): Javon Solomon (EDGE, Troy)
- Round 6, No. 204: Tylan Grable (T, Central Florida)
- Round 6, No. 219 (from Packers): Daequan Hardy (CB, Penn State)
The team previously signed seventh-round offensive tackle Travis Clayton. Second-round wide receiver (and the Bills’ top-overall pick) Keon Coleman is the only remaining unsigned rookie.
Cole Bishop had a standout career at Utah that saw him collect 197 tackles and 7.5 sacks. He earned second-team All-Pac-12 honors this past season, finishing with 60 stops, 6.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, and two interceptions. That performance helped establish Bishop as one of the draft’s top safety prospects, and he was ultimately selected by the Bills with the 60th-overall pick.
After releasing Jordan Poyer and with Micah Hyde remaining unsigned, the Bills should have an opening for Bishop in the starting lineup. Last year’s third safety, Taylor Rapp, is temporarily penciled in as the other starting safety, so even if the Bills add some reinforcement, there’s a good chance Bishop will still see significant playing time.
Packers, Jordan Love Hoping To Complete Extension Before Training Camp
Jordan Love‘s first season as a starter couldn’t have gone much better, but the former first-round pick only has a year remaining on his contract. Predictably, both Love and the Packers are interested in a long-term arrangement, and it sounds like both sides are motivated to complete a deal sooner than later.
[RELATED: Packers Begin Jordan Love Extension Talks]
During an appearance on 97.3 The Game in Milwaukee, Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst acknowledged that the two sides are aiming for speedy negotiations.
“We’re in those conversations right now,” Gutekunst said. “I think the nice part about this is none of these things are easy or fast, but both parties want the same thing. We’d like to get this thing done before training camp, for sure, and both parties want to get a contract extension done. I think that stability at that position really allows you to have some security with the way we build our team. We’re looking forward to getting that done, but it never goes fast.”
The Packers and Love have just under two months to complete a deal before their first scheduled training camp practice on July 22. Of course, there’s no technical deadline and no real urgency to get a deal done that soon. On the flip side, even if training camp is an artificial deadline, the two sides surely don’t want the impending free agent QB to enter the regular season with lame-duck status.
While Love doesn’t have an extended track record, his 2023 campaign may be enough to rocket him towards the top of the QB market. We heard last month that Love’s next contract could end up “in [Joe] Burrow territory,” which comes in at a league-leading $55MM average annual value. Four quarterbacks reset the market last offseason (Burrow, Justin Herbert, Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts), and Jared Goff recently joined them in the $50MM AAV club. Once the likes of Trevor Lawrence, Tua Tagovailoa, and Dak Prescott ink their next deals, Love’s expected contract will look a bit more natural.
Last offseason, the Packers ripped up Love’s fifth-year option and replaced it with a one-year contract that offers a higher ceiling (and lower floor). If the QB continues his play from 2023, that arrangement should work out in his favor. Love finished his first season as a starter with 32 touchdowns vs. 11 interceptions, and he helped guide the Packers to their first playoff win since 2020.
Titans Sign DT T’Vondre Sweat, Complete Rookie Signings
The Titans have officially signed their entire draft class. The team announced today that they’ve inked second-round defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat to his four-year rookie contract.
Sweat gradually took on a larger role during his time at Texas, culminating in a 2023 campaign where he earned the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year award, a unanimous All-American nod, and the Outland Trophy, awarded to the best college interior defensive lineman. That performance (which included eight tackles for loss and two sacks) played a role in him being the fourth defensive tackle off the board during the 2024 draft.
Chosen 38th overall, Sweat will see his rookie deal almost entirely guaranteed. Sweat’s first three seasons are locked in at signing, according to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, who indicates the Texas DT also received $472K of his 2027 base salary guaranteed. This is well north of the 2023 No. 38 pick’s Year 4 guarantee; Falcons O-lineman Matthew Bergeron received $10K of his final-year salary locked in. Sweat’s deal continues the run of success this year’s second-rounders are having with guarantees.
The Titans lost some defensive line depth this offseason in Denico Autry and Teair Tart, so the rookie should have plenty of opportunities for a significant role. He’s currently penciled in as the team’s starting nose tackle ahead of the likes of Keondre Coburn, Marlon Davidson, and Quinton Bohanna.
Sweat was the final member of Tennessee’s 2024 draft class to ink a rookie pact. The rest of the team’s draft class includes:
- Round 1, No. 7: JC Latham (T, Alabama) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 106: Cedric Gray (LB, North Carolina) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 146 (from Vikings through Eagles): Jarvis Brownlee Jr. (CB, Louisville) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 182 (reacquired through Eagles): Jha’Quan Jackson (WR, Tulane) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 242 (from Eagles): James Williams (S, Miami) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 252 (from Chiefs): Jaylen Harrell (EDGE, Michigan) (signed)
Latest On Raiders’ QB Situation
While the Raiders ended up leaving the draft without a quarterback, the team considered rookie signal-callers up until the buzzer. In fact, the team’s previous offseason moves helped set them up for whatever the draft threw their way.
[RELATED: Raiders To Hold QB Competition Between O’Connell, Minshew]
As Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal writes, the Raiders’ signing of Gardner Minshew was effectively “insurance” in case they couldn’t land one of the draft’s top QB prospects. Considering free agency comes a few months before the draft, the organization added Minshew with the understanding that the veteran could be a seat warmer for a first-round QB or he could be their full-time starter in 2024.
It ended up being the latter. As Bonsignore notes, the Raiders were eager to move up in the draft, but they only had their eyes on the projected top-three picks (Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, and Drake Maye). The Bears, Commanders, and Patriots were unwilling to budge, and the Raiders front office believed they’d be reaching for the second-tier of QBs at No. 13.
Of course, the Raiders didn’t even have the opportunity to consider a reach, as Michael Penix Jr., J.J. McCarthy, and Bo Nix all flew off the board before it was the Raiders’ turn to pick. Penix may have been the wildcard in this grouping. While Bonsignore notes that no one knows how the front office would have proceeded if the Washington product was there at No. 13, the Raiders never considered moving up the board to acquire the QB.
So, with the organization opting against a rookie QB, the team will be temporarily handing the reigns to either Minshew or Aidan O’Connell. Minshew’s two-year contract includes $15MM guaranteed on a deal worth $25MM. That value may be a bit high for a backup, but it certainly wouldn’t be enough to stop the Raiders from considering other options. O’Connell had a chance to start at the end of the 2023 campaign, with the former fourth-rounder posting a passer rating of 83.9 while registering a 12:7 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals Extension Talks In “Holding Pattern”
As the Bengals navigate the Tee Higgins situation, they have another star wideout who’s awaiting some financial security. Ja’Marr Chase is now eligible for an extension, and when the Bengals opened their organized team activities on Tuesday, the receiver was not in attendance.
[RELATED: WR Ja’Marr Chase Not At Bengals’ OTAs]
While Chase’s absence is surely connected to his contract situation, it sounds like Cincy’s hands are currently tied. As ESPN’s Ben Baby points out, Chase and the Bengals are “in a holding pattern” while both sides await Justin Jefferson‘s inevitable extension with the Vikings. As Baby notes, even before Chase was eligible for an extension, the wideout was pointing to Jefferson’s impending deal. The Bengals have continued to make it clear that signing Chase is a priority for the organization, so it’s more a matter of when than if Chase signs a deal.
There isn’t as much urgency in Cincinnati as there is in Minnesota. Jefferson is heading into the final season of his rookie deal, so the Vikings would have to play the franchise-tag game if the two sides can’t hammer out an extension. After predictably having his fifth-year option picked up, Chase still has two years remaining on his rookie contract, so he has the luxury of seeing how negotiations unfold with his former LSU teammate.
Chase, Jefferson, and Cowboys star receiver CeeDee Lamb will be looking to reset the wide receiver market. Amon-Ra St. Brown and A.J. Brown‘s recent extensions pushed that value past a $30MM average annual value. Brown currently paces the position in AAV ($32MM) and total guarantees ($84MM), two marks that will surely be pushed down the list once that aforementioned trio inks their next contracts.
Considering the front office’s commitment to Joe Burrow, Chase’s next deal will further limit the organization’s ability to spend. We’re already seeing this upcoming extension’s influence on the Bengals’ handling of Higgins, so some cost certainty could go a long way for the front office.
Broncos Sign WR Troy Franklin, Complete Draft Class Signings
The Broncos have officially completed their draft pick signings. According to Mike Klis of 9News in Denver, the Broncos have signed Troy Franklin to his rookie deal.
The wideout’s four-year rookie contract is worth $4.875MM and includes an $854K signing bonus. Franklin was Denver’s only remaining unsigned draft pick.
After barely missing out on a 900-yard campaign in 2022, Franklin easily topped that mark in 2023. The Oregon product finished the season with 81 receptions for 1,383 yards and 14 touchdowns, earning him first-team All-Pac-12 honors and a second-team All-American nod.
Franklin landed in an ideal situation, as he’ll team up with his college QB Bo Nix, who was Denver’s first-round pick. While the Broncos moved on from Jerry Jeudy this offseason, the team is still rostering Courtland Sutton. The veteran will be joined by former second-round pick Marvin Mims Jr. and new addition Josh Reynolds atop the depth chart, but Franklin should have an easy path to the WR4 role ahead of Tim Patrick and rookie seventh-round pick Devaughn Vele.
The Broncos’ seven-man draft class is officially signed. The grouping includes:
- Round 1, No. 12: Bo Nix (QB, Oregon) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 76: Jonah Elliss (EDGE, Utah) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 102 (from Commanders through Seahawks): Troy Franklin (WR, Oregon)
- Round 5, No. 145 (from Jets): Kris Abrams-Draine (CB, Missouri) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 147: Audric Estime (RB, Notre Dame) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 235 (from Seahawks): Devaughn Vele (WR, Utah) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 256 (from Jets): Nick Gargiulo (C, South Carolina) (signed)