Patriots Plan To Use Jared Wilson At Center, Alijah Vera-Tucker At Left Guard
The reigning AFC champion Patriots briefly opened a hole at center when they traded 2025 starter Garrett Bradbury to the Bears on March 5. They already had a homegrown replacement in mind in Jared Wilson, who will shift from left guard to the pivot, executive vice president Eliot Wolf told reporters (via Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald). The plan calls for free agent pickup Alijah Vera-Tucker to take Wilson’s former position.
Center is familiar territory for Wilson, who started there at Georgia in 2024. Then in his last season with the Bulldogs, Wilson earned second-team All-SEC honors. The Patriots spent a third-round pick on Wilson in the 2025 draft, but with Bradbury in place, he slid to guard.
While Wilson missed four games with knee, ankle and head injuries as a rookie, he started in all 13 when healthy. In ranking Wilson 67th among 79 qualified guards, Pro Football Focus saw room for improvement. Moving Wilson back to his college spot may yield better results in Year 2 of his pro career.
Multiple major injuries, including tears to both triceps and a torn Achilles, have kept Vera-Tucker out of 42 of 85 games since the Jets chose him 14th overall in 2021. He has missed at least 10 games in three of five seasons, including all 17 last year. Nevertheless, for the Patriots, the USC product’s vast potential outweighs his checkered injury history. In handing Vera-Tucker a three-year, $42MM deal, the club took a gamble on a blocker who has been versatile and effective when healthy.
Vera-Tucker was a full-time starter on the right side from 2022-24, during which he mostly lined up at guard. However, Vera-Tucker played his whole 16-start rookie year at left guard. He is in line to shift back there five years later in New England, where he will pair with tackle Will Campbell to protect Drake Maye‘s blind side.
After leaving New York for AFC East rival New England, Vera-Tucker said (via Mike Reiss of ESPN): “A fresh start was what I think I needed. When you have three accidents, it sucks … But I really enjoyed my time the past five years. Nothing but respect for everybody in that building, and the fans. I do hope they win a lot of games, just not against us.”
Vera-Tucker, who tore his triceps in the first week of September last year, expects to be a full go for organized team activities in May.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/17/26
Tuesday’s minor moves from around the NFL…
Cleveland Browns
- Re-signed: CB D’Angelo Ross
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed ERFA tender: CB Reddy Steward
- Signed RFA tender: G T.J. Bass
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed RFA tender: DT Thomas Booker
New Orleans Saints
- Suspended: CB Beanie Bishop
Seattle Seahawks
- Re-signed: LB Chazz Surratt
Tennessee Titans
- Re-signed: RB Julius Chestnut
- Signed: OL Austin Deculus
Since signing with the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2023, Bass has started in just 10 of 48 games. Nevertheless, the Cowboys placed a second-round tender on Bass on March 7. The Cowboys would have received a second-rounder had they passed on matching an offer sheet, but nobody presented one to Bass over the past week and a half. The 26-year-old signed his tender with Dallas on Tuesday and will collect a substantial raise as a result. After earning a base salary of $1.03MM in 2025, Bass will rake in $5.75MM next season. As Tommy Yarrish of DallasCowboys.com notes, Bass could be a candidate to start at left guard if Tyler Smith moves to left tackle.
The league has issued a three-game suspension to Bishop for violating its substances of abuse policy, according to Mike Tripplett of NewOrleans.Football. As an undrafted rookie with the Steelers in 2024, Bishop surprisingly picked off four passes in 17 games. But Bishop did not survive the Steelers’ final cuts last August, and though he returned to their practice squad, they waived the 5-foot-9, 182-pounder in November. Bishop joined the Saints’ practice squad in December, but he did not see any action with them down the stretch. The Saints kept Bishop around after the season on a reserve/futures deal.
Deculus, whom the Texans drafted in the sixth round in 2022, has played in 26 games over his four years in the league. He notched career highs in games (13) and starts (five) during his lone season with the Chargers in 2025. Deculus stepped in for 498 tackle snaps (476 on the left side, 22 on the right) as O-line cornerstones Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt dealt with major injuries, but it did not go well. Pro Football Focus ranked Deculus’ performance last among 84 tackles. He will now compete for a spot behind Titans tackles Dan Moore Jr. and JC Latham.
Raiders Sign G Spencer Burford
The Raiders remain active into the second week of free agency. The team announced the signing of guard Spencer Burford on Tuesday. It’s a one-year deal, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 first reported an agreement was in the works.
Burford, 25, spent the first four years of his career in San Francisco. The 2022 fourth-rounder from Texas-San Antonio started in 29 of 30 games at right guard in his first two seasons. However, the addition of 2024 third-rounder Dominick Puni relegated Burford to the bench in his third year. Burford did not start in any of his 15 games then, but he returned to a regular role during a truncated 2025.
The 49ers dealt with injuries to Burford and Ben Bartch, both left guard options, last season. Although Burford was on IR with a knee injury from late September to early December, he started in nine of 11 appearances at left guard. Pro Football Focus rated Burford’s work 53rd among 79 qualified guards.
The Raiders lost four-year guard starter Dylan Parham last week in free agency. Burford visited with the Chargers on Sunday (via Jeremy Fowler of ESPN), but he will instead join the AFC West rival Raiders.
In heading to Las Vegas, Burford will reunite with rookie Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak, who was the 49ers’ pass-game coordinator in 2023. Burford will at least give the Raiders experienced depth at guard, though he could compete for a starting job with Jordan Meredith and Jackson Powers-Johnson.
Lions To Sign DE D.J. Wonnum
The Lions are adding some much-needed pass-rushing depth. The team has agreed to a one-year contract with defensive end D.J. Wonnum, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. The deal is worth up to $6MM.
Wonnum is returning to the NFC North, where he spent the first four years of his career in Minnesota. The Vikings chose the former South Carolina standout in the fourth round of the 2020 draft. While playing 62 of a possible 67 games on his four-year rookie contract, Wonnum piled up 23 sacks. He totaled a career-high eight in 2021 and ’23.
After his Vikings tenure concluded, Wonnum joined the Panthers on a two-year, $12.5MM agreement in March 2024. He went on to start in 23 of 24 games in Carolina. While a quad injury limited Wonnum to eight games in his first season with the Panthers, he still managed four sacks.
Wonnum was much healthier last season, in which he made a career-high 15 starts in 16 games and recorded a 65.09% defensive snap share. However, his sack total fell to three, tying the lowest mark of his career. The 28-year-old posted 42 tackles (four TFL), four QB hits, three passes defensed and his first career interception. Pro Football Focus ranked Wonnum’s performance a subpar 96th among 119 edge rushers.
In dire need of edge-rushing complements to Aidan Hutchinson, the Lions are buying relatively low on Wonnum. Hutchinson led the team with 14.5 sacks last season. Al-Quadin Muhammad finished second with 11, but he relocated to Tampa Bay in free agency. The Lions have also said goodbye to Tyrus Wheat (Cowboys) and Josh Paschal (released), while Marcus Davenport remains a free agent after two injury-shortened years in Detroit.
Saints Add RB Ty Chandler
So far, the Saints’ biggest offseason splash has been the addition of former Jaguars running back Travis Etienne on a four-year, $52MM pact. They agreed to terms Tuesday with another veteran back, Ty Chandler, according to Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football. Contract details are not yet available.
Chandler entered the NFL as a Vikings fifth-round pick in 2022. Minnesota had been Chandler’s sole NFL stop until his deal with New Orleans came together.
The 5-foot-11, 205-pound speedster sandwiched a pair of 17-game campaigns between two three-game seasons during his four years with the Vikings. Chandler missed 14 contests last year as a result of a Week 1 knee injury that shelved him until Christmas Day. He finished 2025 with just 47 yards on 17 carries.
Chandler’s workload differed greatly in his two healthy seasons in Minnesota. During a career year in 2023, he played 307 offensive snaps and rushed 102 times for 461 yards (4.5 YPC) and three touchdowns. Chandler also chipped in 21 catches for 159 yards. The Vikings brought in Aaron Jones during the ensuing offseason, leading to less playing time for Chandler in 2024. Over 153 offensive snaps, he totaled 56 carries, 182 yards (3.3 YPC) and no scores; as a receiver, he caught six passes for 42 yards.
In addition to his backup role on offense, Chandler amassed over 300 special teams snaps and returned 15 kickoffs as a Viking. With Etienne and Alvin Kamara atop the Saints’ depth chart at running back, more special teams work is likely in store for Chandler. If the Saints trade or release Kamara, Chandler would be in line to compete for touches with Devin Neal, Audric Estime, Kendre Miller and Evan Hull. Having suffered a torn ACL in October, it is unclear if Miller will be ready for the start of the season.
Free Agent TE David Njoku Visits Ravens
A free agent after nine years with the Browns, tight end David Njoku could latch on with another AFC North franchise. Njoku visited the Ravens today, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
A first-round pick from Miami in 2017, Njoku turned into one of the most prolific pass catchers in Browns history. The 29-year-old ranks third among all-time Browns in receptions (384), sixth in touchdown grabs (34) and 12th in yards (4,062). Njoku earned his lone Pro Bowl nod during his best season, 2023, in which he hauled in 81 passes for 882 yards and six scores. After back-to-back injury-shortened years since then, Njoku bid goodbye to Cleveland on Instagram on Feb. 9.
Knee and ankle issues held Njoku out of six games in 2024. More knee troubles limited Njoku to 12 games in his final year with the Browns. The 6-foot-4, 246-pounder finished the season with 33 catches on 48 targets, 293 yards and four scores. With rookie third-rounder Harold Fannin emerging as the Browns’ go-to receiving tight end, Njoku will head elsewhere in 2026.
The Ravens already have a productive veteran tight end in Mark Andrews, whom they signed to a three-year, $39.3MM extension in December. However, after the departures of Isaiah Likely (Giants) and Charlie Kolar (Chargers) in free agency, Baltimore could use another complement to Andrews. The recently signed Durham Smythe is the only other tight end under contract, but the blocking specialist combined for just 13 catches from 2024-25.
Njoku, arguably the top TE left on the market, would make for a capable Likely replacement. If Njoku signs with Baltimore, he would finally have a chance to play with a franchise quarterback, Lamar Jackson, after working with a slew of lesser signal-callers in Cleveland.
Latest On Potential Maxx Crosby Trade
The Raiders thought they ended the Maxx Crosby era when they agreed to trade the star defensive end to the Ravens on March 5. The blockbuster would have netted the Raiders a pair of first-round picks, but the Ravens backed out last Tuesday after Crosby failed a physical.
Although Crosby is recovering from a full meniscus repair, trade speculation centering on the 28-year-old has persisted. For Crosby’s part, the five-time Pro Bowler seems content to play an eighth season with the Raiders. “Im [sic] A Raider. I’m Back,” he posted on X last week.
It helps that Crosby is a fan of general manager John Spytek, rookie head coach Klint Kubiak and new defensive coordinator Rob Leonard, Albert Breer of SI.com relays. Crosby has a great relationship with Leonard, the Raiders’ defensive line coach over the previous three seasons. He combined for 68 tackles for loss and 32 sacks under Leonard from 2023-25.
While there is nothing stopping teams from pursuing a Crosby trade, the Raiders have made it clear they are not giving him away for a discount, per Breer. If there are any more “serious” trade talks regarding Crosby, they are unlikely to occur until around April’s draft, according to Jason La Canfora of SportsBoom. By then, Crosby could be in position to pass a physical.
Regardless, odds are a Crosby trade will not come together before next season, according to Breer, who notes an acquiring GM would be taking a major risk in giving up significant value for Crosby. If his knee troubles continue over the next couple of years, it would be difficult for the GM to justify the gamble to a team owner.
“My gut, I think he’s a Raider,” one GM told La Canfora.
Signs are pointing to Crosby opening 2026 as a Raider, but Breer points to the possibility of a trade before the deadline if he is playing well and the team is out of contention. That may not be an outcome the Raiders are envisioning, though, after they went on a free agent spending spree. They are also expected to land their next starting quarterback, Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, with the No. 1 pick in the draft.
With a new coaching staff and much more talent on their roster, the Raiders will expect to make legitimate progress after a three-win 2025 showing. If the Raiders retain him, a healthy Crosby should boost their chances of turning things around next season.
Fallout From Vikings’ Kyler Murray Signing; Team To Re-Sign Carson Wentz?
The Vikings entered the offseason seeking competition for quarterback J.J. McCarthy, whose first year as a starter went awry. They found it in signing former Cardinals franchise signal-caller Kyler Murray to a one-year, prove-it deal last Wednesday.
Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort tried to find a trade partner for Murray before releasing him, but it was too difficult to pull off because of the two-time Pro Bowler’s bloated contract. Had Murray been on someone’s roster on March 15, $19.5MM of his 2027 salary would have vested. Nobody was willing to take that chance on Murray, who struggled during a limited 2025. He played just five games, none after Week 5, as a result of a Lisfranc injury.
Murray’s tenure in Arizona did not go as planned, though the 2019 No. 1 overall pick was open to staying there before the team released him. While Murray was “genuinely surprised” the Cardinals fired head coach Jonathan Gannon, he approved of the hiring of Mike LaFleur as his replacement, Albert Breer of SI.com writes. But it turns out Murray will not play for LaFleur, who will try to lead a franchise turnaround after Gannon mustered a disastrous 15-36 record in three years.
By the time the Cardinals officially cut Murray last Wednesday, he and agent Erik Burkhardt had already identified the Vikings as their ideal option, per Breer. Vikings executive vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski and head coach Kevin O’Connell quickly invited Murray and Burkhardt to Minnesota for a visit.
Murray was among a “handful” of experienced signal-callers the Vikings studied, according to Breer, but it appealed to both team and player that he could be more than a one-year solution. An inexpensive pact between the sides came together in short order, which prevented other clubs from meeting with Murray.
“O’Connell made sure he got first crack at him,” one GM told Jason La Canfora of SportsBoom.
Set to turn 29 in August, Murray is not the Vikings’ QB1 yet. He still has to beat out McCarthy, 23, for the role. Although the Vikings invested the 10th pick in the 2024 draft on McCarthy, multiple “high-level NFL offensive coaches” informed La Canfora that they expect Murray to win the job. If that happens, the O’Connell-led Vikings will hope for a Sam Darnold-like revival from Murray.
Darnold resurrected his career during his one season in Minnesota in 2024, but with the Vikings ready to turn the keys over to McCarthy, they let him walk in free agency a year ago. He went on to win a Super Bowl with the Seahawks in 2025, while the Vikings fell from 14-3 to 9-8 and missed the playoffs. McCarthy posted rough numbers over 10 starts and missed seven games with injuries to his ankle, head and hand.
While Murray and McCarthy will do battle this summer, they may have company in Minnesota’s QB derby. Carson Wentz, who spent 2025 with the Vikings, is among free agent possibilities. Even after the Vikings added Murray, there is “mutual interest” between the team and Wentz, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
Wentz, a late-August signing last year, filled in for an injured McCarthy for five starts. The 33-year-old journeyman was the more productive of the pair, but he underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in late October. Wentz’s injury left McCarthy and overmatched rookie Max Brosmer as the Vikings’ starting QB choices for the rest of a disappointing campaign.
Cardinals To Sign LB Jack Gibbens
TODAY, 5:55pm: The Cardinals are signing Gibbens, the team announced. It will be a two-year pact for the linebacker.
SUNDAY, 8:35am: The Patriots declined to tender restricted free agent linebacker Jack Gibbens a contract earlier this week, sending him to the open market for the second straight offseason. Gibbens’ next stop could be Arizona, which will host the four-year veteran during the upcoming week, Mike Reiss of ESPN reports.
Although Gibbens primarily worked as a starter with the Titans from 2022-24, they passed on tendering him last March. The former UDFA from Minnesota then reunited in New England with Mike Vrabel, Gibbens’ coach in Tennessee during his first two seasons.
The low-cost Gibbens pickup proved worthwhile for the Patriots, who added a solid contributor in multiple phases. Playing the first 17-game regular season of his career, Gibbens amassed 772 snaps (491 on defense, 281 on special teams) and recorded 81 tackles, eight TFL, four passes defensed, a sack and a forced fumble.
As an eight-game starter for the AFC champions, Gibbens ranked a respectable 41st among Pro Football Focus’ 88 qualified linebackers. PFF has typically given Gibbens favorable marks. The site placed him 30th among 82 qualifiers during a 13-start 2023. Gibbens then received a top-10 grade among inside linebackers in 2024, though an ankle injury limited him to 10 games.
Arizona opened up a spot at linebacker when it released Akeem Davis-Gaither before free agency began. The Cardinals relied heavily on Davis-Gaither during a 17-game, 13-start 2025, but they have not addressed the area since his exit. Gibbens would give the Cardinals another option to join Mack Wilson and 2025 fourth-rounder Cody Simon.
Panthers To Re-Sign P Sam Martin
Veteran punter Sam Martin joined the Panthers on a one-year deal last March, but he will receive more security this offseason. The Panthers will retain Martin on a two-year contract worth up to $5MM, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Carolina is the fourth NFL stop for the 36-year-old Martin, who divided his first 12 seasons among Detroit, Denver and Buffalo. Aside from a 10-game 2017 with the Lions, Martin has played at least 16 contests in every season. Martin has averaged 46.3 gross yards per punt and 41.0 net over 811 attempts.
During his first year with Carolina, Martin punted 56 times in 17 games. At 47.2 yards per attempt, he checked in just shy of the league-average mark (47.4). His 40.5 net was also a bit below the mean (41.3), though he posted the sixth-highest percentage of punts inside the 20 (48.2). Martin also punted for a touchback on just 5.4% of attempts, easily better than the league-average figure of 7.7.
For the reigning NFC South champion Panthers, re-signing Martin means they will keep their 2025 special teams battery in place. Martin will again team with kicker Ryan Fitzgerald and long snapper J.J. Jansen.