Bengals To Sign TE Noah Fant
The Bengals are expected to sign veteran tight end Noah Fant, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The Bengals released undrafted rookie Kole Taylor in a corresponding move, per Schefter.
Fant was released by the Seahawks on July 20 and quickly lined up a visit with the Bengals. Fant left Cincinnati without a deal and met with the Saints and the Dolphins but quickly circled back to the opportunity to catch passes from Joe Burrow.
Fant will now join a Bengals tight end room led by Mike Gesicki and Drew Sample. The former first-round pick will likely be an upgrade over 31-year-old Tanner Hudson, who has been a reliable, inexpensive third tight end in Cincinnati with 58 catches for 506 yards over the last two years. Fant nearly hit those numbers last year alone with a total of 1,400 yards over his last three years in Seattle and a career average of 550 yards per season.
The six-year veteran also brings some versatility to the tight end position that the Bengals currently lack. Sample is largely an inline blocker while Gesicki played almost all of his snaps last year in the slot or out wide. Fant can do all three, which will give head coach Zac Taylor plenty of ways to get him on the field.
The Bengals will be Fant’s third team after he was drafted by the Broncos in 2019 and sent to the Seahawks as part of the Russell Wilson trade in 2022. Fant then became the first Seahawk to see his fifth-year option picked up, which the team did upon acquiring him in 2022. The Seahawks still leaned mostly on D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett during Fant’s first two years with the team, but they still re-signed him to a two-year, $21MM deal in 2024. Seattle then drafted Elijah Arroyo in this year’s second round; the team will lean on the Miami product after releasing Fant just before training camp.
The former No. 20 pick may not be an elite receiving threat, having never eclipsed 700 yards in a season, but he has been consistent; Fant’s 3,305 career receiving yards are the 10th-most among tight ends since he entered the NFL. After featuring mostly low-octane tight end contributors following Tyler Eifert‘s slew of injuries, Cincinnati has added two receiving threats over the past two offseasons. The team re-signed Gesicki (three years, $25.5MM) in March and will pair him with an intriguing late-summer addition.
Cowboys, CB DaRon Bland Engaging In Extension Talks
We knew back in April that the Cowboys were eyeing extensions for offensive lineman Tyler Smith, cornerback DaRon Bland, tight end Jake Ferguson, and kicker Brandon Aubrey.
Ferguson got his this weekend, and Smith switched up his representation after the team picked up his fifth-year option. While, so far, it’s been crickets for Aubrey, Bland told the media this week that his agent has been in talks with the team on a new deal, per Clarence Hill Jr. of All City DLLS.
“Definitely Dallas is always where I want to be,” said Bland (via Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News). “Hopefully we can get it done.”
The 2022 fifth-rounder is looking to cash in on a cornerback market that grew to $30MM this offseason. Though he may replace Jourdan Lewis as Dallas’ primary slot corner, he will likely want to be paid as one of the league’s top outside cornerbacks.
He entered the Cowboys’ starting lineup midway through his rookie year and led the defense with five interceptions. Bland then led the NFL in 2023 with nine interceptions, 209 return yards, and five pick-sixes on his way to first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors, as well as a fifth-place finish in Defensive Player of the Year voting. He then took a step back in 2024; after recovering from a training camp stress fracture, Bland logged zero interceptions in seven games and allowed a 105.7 passer rating when targeted.
If recent negotiations in Dallas are any indication, Bland may have to wait a while for his payday. Last year, the Cowboys extended CeeDee Lamb late in training camp and Dak Prescott just before Week 1, and the team still hasn’t signed Micah Parsons to a new deal. Bland has another year left on his rookie contract, which would allow contract talks to continue until next March (and potentially longer if Dallas uses the franchise tag).
However, Cowboys executive VP Stephen Jones pushed back on the idea that the Cowboys draw out negotiations with their top players.
“I don’t think there is a pattern here,” said Jones (via The Athletic’s Jon Machota). “We don’t drag deals out. We do deals when there’s an opportunity to do a deal. Certainly, no one knows what goes on internally with a particular negotiation. Sometimes players and agents aren’t ready to pull the trigger until they see other cards played.”
Jones went on to say that he does not want to overpay just to get a deal done early, especially with players who want to remain in Dallas. Bland seems to fall into that category, so he may have to wait his turn to put pen to paper unless he accepts a team-friendly deal.
Dolphins CB Kader Kohou Out For Season
The Dolphins’ cornerback situation keeps getting worse. The latest development will continue to differentiate this year’s group from the cadre Miami deployed in 2024.
Last week, Artie Burns went down with a season-ending ACL tear. Today, head coach Mike McDaniel announced that fourth-year cornerback Kader Kohou suffered the same injury in Saturday’s practice, per ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques. Kohou will undergo surgery and is expected to spend the entire 2025 season on injured reserve.
The 26-year-old is Miami’s only returning starter at cornerback after the team released Kendall Fuller and traded Jalen Ramsey this offseason. Kohou was expected to move outside in 2025 after playing the vast majority of his snaps in the slot in his first three seasons. That job will now be up for grabs among the several young corners on Miami’s roster in what appears to be a wide-open competition.
Second-year UDFA Storm Duck is the only rostered player with multiple starts at cornerback for the Dolphins. McDaniel has also made it clear that the team is looking for more out of 2023 second-rounder Cam Smith, who hasn’t logged a single start in his first two years with just 153 total defensive snaps. Third-year corner Ethan Bonner has primarily played special teams in his seven career appearances and seems unlikely to seriously factor into the starting cornerback competition.
The Dolphins didn’t invest premium resources into the position this offseason, but they still made two veteran additions to their cornerback room. Jack Jones, who started 17 games for the Raiders in 2024, will have a shot at earning a starting job on the boundary, especially after Kohou’s injury. Longtime Steelers and Bengals nickel Mike Hilton should be the favorite to occupy the same role in Miami.
This represents brutal timing for Kohou, who had emerged as a UDFA to be a Dolphins regular during a time of uncertainty at the position. Arriving during the Xavien Howard–Byron Jones experiment, Kohou stepped in as an immediate starter in 2022 and played a key role as the Dolphins moved on from Jones (via a post-June 1 cut) in 2023. Ramsey played only half the season that year, and after the Dolphins designated Howard a post-June 1 release in 2024, Kohou logged 13 more starts. A host of unknowns are now in place following Kohou’s setback.
Kohou logged a 76% snap rate in the 13 games in which he was healthy, remaining a fixture under Anthony Weaver. Pro Football Focus assigned him a mid-pack grade (57th) among CB regulars, and the Dolphins tendered him as an RFA ($3.26MM) in March. Kohou may need another one-year deal in 2026, with his contract year set to be erased. The Division II product will turn 27 in November, as this season will turn from a platform year to a lost campaign.
Sam Robinson contributed to this post.
Lions Not Expected To Extend Alex Anzalone
Veteran linebacker Alex Anzalone has been public about his desire for an extension with the Lions, but contract talks are not trending toward a deal, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.
Last week, Anzalone expressed his disappointment regarding the team’s apparent lack of interest in extending him That was followed by a reassurance from head coach Dan Campbell that negotiations were still ongoing.
Anzalone missed the first few practices of training camp due to a hamstring injury, but returned to the field on Monday with no thought of holding out. The eight-year veteran is entering the final year of a three-year deal extension signed in 2023 after leading the Lions defense with 125 tackles the season prior. He seems poised to play out his contract and hit free agency where an uncertain market awaits him.
Though he’s a respected player, Anzalone does not have the resume as Bobby Wagner or Lavonte David, who were both re-signed by their teams for $9MM this offseason. He’s also entering his age-32 season, which may make it difficult to get a multi-year deal.
The Lions have $48M in cap space, per OverTheCap, but they will want to roll as much of that as possible into 2026, when a hefty bill awaits. If Anzalone still wants to finish his career in Detroit after this season, he may need to take a below-market deal.
Colts, Bernhard Raimann Agree To Extension
The Colts are locking down left tackle Bernhard Raimann with a four-year, $100MM extension, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. The deal is now official, per a team announcement.
Raimann said last week a gap between his asking price and the Colts’ offers existed; that difference was resolved in a matter of days. In that time, the Chargers signed Rashawn Slater to a $28.5MM APY extension, which may have helped to accelerate negotiations in Indianapolis.
Raimann’s $25MM APY makes him the sixth-highest-paid offensive lineman in the league, tied with Laremy Tunsil and Lane Johnson. His contract also includes $60MM in guaranteed money; if that amount is fully guaranteed, it would be the second-most among all offensive lineman.
Regardless of the precise terms, it’s an impressive deal for the Austrian-born Raimann, a rare franchise left tackle drafted outside of the first round. That’s all the more impressive considering the fact that he converted from tight end to offensive tackle at Central Michigan in 2020 and only played 18 games at the position before going to the NFL. After a strong Combine, the Colts bet on his athletic potential and selected him in the third round (No. 77) of the 2022 draft. Raimann had an uneven start to his rookie year, but took over the left tackle job in Week 9 and never looked back.
Raimann is not a household name, due in part to his lack of Pro Bowl or All-Pro recognition. However, he has been graded as a top-10 tackle by Pro Football Focus (subscription required) over the last two years, combining with Quenton Nelson to form one of the best tackle-guard duos in the league. With a combined APY of $45MM, they are now also one of the most expensive.
The Colts now have Raimann under contract through 2029, but their future at other spots is less clear. Nelson is due for an extension next offseason and will likely receive another deal at the top of the guard market barring a significant injury or drop in play. The team hopes Tanor Bortolini can succeed Ryan Kelly, but the 2024 fourth-rounder only has five pro starts under his belt. 2024 third-rounder Matt Goncalves is moving to right guard after playing tackle in college as well as his rookie year. Braden Smith accepted a pay cut this year, which often precludes a parting of ways after the season, though Ravens left tackle Ronnie Stanley stands out as an exception.
Indianapolis will be hoping that its 2024 draftees can hold up in starting roles and leave right tackle as the only uncertain spot heading into 2026. Raimann is now the NFL’s highest-paid offensive lineman drafted outside of the first round, as well as one of the highest-paid foreign-born players in league history.
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/28/25
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: CB Keni-H Lovely
Baltimore Ravens
- Activated from non-football injury list: LB Jake Hummel
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: WR Deon Cain
- Waived: CB Daryl Porter Jr.
Carolina Panthers
- Activated from active/NFI list: DT Bobby Brown, P Sam Martin
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: RB Toa Taua
Detroit Lions
- Signed: CB Nick Whiteside
Green Bay Packers
- Activated from active/NFI list: OL Elgton Jenkins
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: DT Josh Tupou
- Placed on IR: OT Jack Wilson
Miami Dolphins
- Waived: RB Nate Noel
Minnesota Vikings
- Activated from active/PUP list: LB Chaz Chambliss
New England Patriots
- Activated from active/NFI list: S Josh Minkins
New Orleans Saints
- Released: OT Josh Ball
New York Jets
- Placed on reserve/retired list: RB Zach Evans
San Francisco 49ers
- Released: WR Quintez Cephus
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: RB Donovan Kaufman
- Placed on IR: RB Kenny McIntosh (story)
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: WR Ramel Keyton
Jenkins, who switched to center this offseason, was dealing with a back injury in training camp and participated in a limited capacity on Monday, per USA Today’s Ryan Wood.
Evans, a sixth-round pick by the Rams in 2023, played in 10 games as a rookie but didn’t make the 53-man roster in 2024. He joined the Jets’ practice squad in December and signed a reserve/futures contract in January, but opted to retire instead.
Chiefs Aiming To Extend CB Trent McDuffie Before Week 1
The Chiefs extended two members of their 2022 draft class already this summer, and according to ESPN’s Nate Taylor, they’re hoping for a third agreement — with cornerback Trent McDuffie — before Week 1.
Negotiating a new contract with McDuffie will force the Chiefs to wade into a cornerback market they have largely avoided in recent years. They let Charvarius Ward leave in free agency in 2022 and traded L’Jarius Sneed to the Titans last offseason rather than sign him to an extension. While Kansas City did sign Kristian Fulton to a two-year, $20MM deal this offseason, the rest of their cornerback room is largely made up of recent Day 3 picks.
The Chiefs seem more inclined to keep McDuffie after a stellar start to his NFL career. They traded up to the No. 21 pick to draft him in 2022, and he has since developed into one of the league’s best cornerbacks. He earned a first-team All-Pro nod in 2023 while playing primarily in the slot with seven passes defended, five forced fumbles, four tackles for loss, and three sacks. The former Washington Husky earned a second-team All-Pro berth for his efforts with his first two interceptions and 13 passes defended, but he fewer impact plays after moving to the boundary full-time.
Extending McDuffie will be a costly proposition after cornerback pay exploded this offseason. Fellow 2022 first-rounders Sauce Gardner and Derek Stingley both reached $30MM per year on their new contracts, and McDuffie will likely be demanding a similar sum. He missed six games due to injury as a rookie but has been healthy since, giving him a better record of availability compared to Stingley. McDuffie also put up a stronger 2024 season than Gardner in several categories, which should position him for a $30MM APY extension.
That will likely be the number required to get a deal done before the regular season starts. The Chiefs already picked up McDuffie’s fifth-year option for 2026 (worth $13.6MM), giving them a long runway to agree on terms before they worry about losing their star corner.
Cowboys LT Tyler Guyton Suffers Bone Fracture
Cowboys left tackle Tyler Guyton suffered a knee injury during training camp today that has been diagnosed as a bone fracture, according to ESPN’s Todd Archer.
Guyton is also dealing with a sprained knee, per Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News.
Initial signs pointed toward an ACL tear, Guyton will not require surgery and may even be ready for Week 1 with a projected four- to six-week absence. In the meantime, Dallas will have to find a new first-team left tackle for training camp who can step up in the regular season if Guyton experiences a setback.
The current roster doesn’t offer any obvious answers. Chuma Edoga, who started four games amid Guyton’s injury woes last year, is now in Jacksonville. Asim Richards replaced Guyton for one game and rotated in during several others, but has been lining up at guard in training camp. Left guard Tyler Smith moved to left tackle for two games in 2024 as well, but he spent the other 14 developing into one of the best guards in the league.
2024 seventh-rounder Nathan Thomas, who spent his rookie season on injured reserve, may also be an option. He has been rotating in as the second-team left tackle in training camp in addition to some time at guard, per ESPN’s Todd Archer.
Guyton, the No. 29 pick in the 2024 draft, dealt with some injuries in college with five absences due to his injury over his last two seasons at Oklahoma. Despite appearing in 15 games with 11 starts as a rookie in Dallas, he only played 57.22% of the team’s offensive snaps over the course of the year. Guyton played every snap in the first four games before leaving the game in Week 5 and missing Week 6. He played almost every snap in Weeks 8 and 9 before another injury that sidelined him for Week 10. From Week 11 on, he only commanded a 43.4% snap share with a rotational role at left tackle due to poor play that may have been exacerbated by his injuries.
The Cowboys will be hoping that Guyton can hit the ground running when he returns in late August or early September so he can put together a much stronger 2025 season compared to his disappointing performance as a rookie.
Jets QB Justin Fields Returns To Practice On Limited Basis
JULY 27: Fields took part in individual drills and 7-on-7 work on Saturday, per Jared Schwartz of the New York Post. The club’s new QB1 thrived in the 7-on-7 session, showing good mobility and completing all six of his passes, including one touchdown toss.
Fields did not take any 11-on-11 reps, and Glenn says the passer still has “a ways to go” before he returns to full participation. Still, a frightening situation is clearly trending in the right direction.
JULY 24, 9:30pm: Fields’ injury is not considered significant, Cimini reports. In spite of the relatively positive update, missed time should still in store. Per Vacchiano, Fields could be sidelined for a portion of training camp along with some or all of the preseason. Both follow-up reports indicate a return to full health in time for Week 1 is expected, and the team has since confirmed Fields is dealing with a dislocated toe, a much less severe ailment than some of the alternative outcomes.
10:07am: Jets quarterback Justin Fields was carted off the field this morning after suffering a dislocated toe during practice, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
The severity of Fields’ injury remains unknown, but the Jets appear to have avoided a worst-case scenario with a toe injury rather than one to the knee or lower leg. Furthermore, the affected toe was not fractured, nor is it the big toe, per Rapoport.
Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said (via ESPN’s Rich Cimini) that he believes Fields’ toe was stepped on during a play. The 26-year-old quarterback is expected to undergo more tests to determine how long he will be sidelined.
Glenn expressed confidence in Fields’ backup, Tyrod Taylor, a journeyman quarterback who played for four different teams over the past five seasons.
“We have an outstanding backup in Tyrod, who’s been in this league for around 14 years,” said Glenn. “[With] the leadership he brings, we’re all good.” Glenn also noted that Taylor brings a similar skillset to Fields that will allow the Jets to continue developing their offense with minimal interruption.
“I don’t think there’s any drop-off as far as what we want to do in terms of play-calling,” continued Glenn (via FOX Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano). “We’re all excited to have that guy here.”
That excitement won’t continue if Fields’ injury is more severe and he ends up sidelined for an extended period of time. It appears initially that the Jets have avoided major disaster, but further testing will provide a more definitive outlook.
Dolphins Sign CBs Jack Jones, Mike Hilton
After a season-ending injury to Artie Burns, the Dolphins are making two veteran additions to their cornerback room.
The first is former Patriots and Raiders cornerback Jack Jones in a signing made official on Saturday, per a team announcement. Jones started 16 games for the Raiders last season and led the team with three interceptions and 16 passes defended.
The second, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, is veteran slot corner Mike Hilton. Hilton started 23 games over the last two years as the Bengals’ primary nickel, a role he has held in both Cincinnati and Pittsburgh over the last eight seasons.
Cornerback has long been a need for Miami, even before the team traded Jalen Ramsey to the Steelers. Jones primarily plays on the boundary, where he will likely compete for a starting job, while Hilton could be the starting nickel right away if Kader Kohou moves outside. Kohou also appeared to suffer a minor injury in Saturday’s practice, per NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe.
Jones, a 2022 fourth-rounder, began his career with the Patriots and started two games as a rookie. He was cut five games into the 2023 season after disciplinary issues in New England and claimed off waivers by the Raiders. Jones earned a starting job in Las Vegas by the end of the year and continued it into 2024 but was released by the Raiders in April, presumably as part of the roster turnover that comes with regime change.
Originally an undrafted free agent signing by the Steelers, Hilton is one of the league’s most experienced nickels. His 36 career starts don’t properly represent his contributions, as he maintained a snap share around 60% during his four years in Pittsburgh and stayed above 70% for his next four in Cincinnati. His last two seasons were arguably his best, racking up 13 passes defended and 157 tackles with a whopping 24 tackles for loss.
Hilton earned grades of 77.4 and 75.9 from Pro Football Focus (subscription required) in 2023 and 2024, respectively, his two best marks outside of his breakout rookie season. With a slew of younger corners on the roster, however, the Bengals declined to retain Hilton when his contract expired this year.
The Dolphins waived Ryan Cooper Jr. in a corresponding move to their signing of Jones. Cooper appeared in one game for the Ravens last year and finished the season on the Seahawks’ practices squad.