NFC North Notes: Reed, Bears, Lions, Vikes
Since trading Davante Adams to the Raiders in 2022, the Packers have relied on the draft to add wide receivers rather than pursuing veteran talent.
They did so once again this year, drafting Matthew Golden with the 22nd overall pick and double-dipping with Savion Williams in the third round (No. 87 overall). Those picks raised questions about the future of their current receiver corps. Both Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson are entering the last year of their rookie contracts, and Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks are schedule to hit free agency after the 2026 season.
That uncertainty caused Reed’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, to meet with Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst in an effort to “clarify the wide receiver’s status in Green Bay,” per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Reed was the team’s leading receiver in his first two NFL seasons, and the Packers intend to keep him in that role moving forward.
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur expressed surprise when asked about Reed by NBC Sports’ Chris Simms and praised the 2023 second-rounder’s leadership and production in Green Bay.
“He’s coaching up Matthew Golden, so he’s a guy I don’t worry about,” said LaFleur.
Here is the latest from the NFC North:
- Isaiah Simmons‘ versatility was one of the main reasons that he was a top-10 pick in 2020, but he has struggled to find a positional fit in the NFL. He signed with the Packers this offseason and will play linebacker in Green Bay, per The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman. Simmons spent his first five years in the NFL in a hybrid box/slot role; streamlining his responsibilities at LB could help him unlock his athleticism and finally live up to his draft billing.
- Lions second-round pick Tate Ratledge primarily played guard at Georgia and will compete for starting jobs with veteran Graham Glasgow and 2024 sixth-rounder Christian Mahogany as a rookie, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Lions offensive line coach Hank Fraley added that Ratledge would also see time at center during OTAs to train for a backup role to Frank Ragnow.
- Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen said that rookie Shemar Turner will focus on playing along the interior of the defensive line before the team tests his edge versatility (via Scott Bair of Marquee Sports Network). Turner lined up off the edge at Texas Tech in 2022 and 2023 before bulking up for interior work in 2024. Chicago has depth at both spots this year, but they’re thinner at DT in the long-term, which is where Turner will spend most of his time. Still, his athleticism and experience should give him a chance to contribute as an edge defender at some point in his NFL career.
- A jury trial for Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison has been scheduled for June 16 in the Superior Court of California, per ESPN’s Kevin Seifert. Addison received a citation for a DUI in July 2024 and pleaded not guilty in December.
NFL Contract Notes: OL Award, Olympics, Rookie Bonuses, Collusion
MAY 24: Protector of the Year will be determined by a prestigious panel of former NFL offensive linemen based on the following five criteria (via Ben Volin of the Boston Globe): “skills, metrics, impact, leadership, ability, and strength of the opponents.”
Whitworth, who helped developed the award, will be on the panel. It also includes Orlando Pace and Will Shields, who are already in the Hall of Fame, and Jason Kelce, who is all but certain to join them once he’s eligible. The last two members, LeCharles Bentley and Shaun O’Hara, are less legendary offensive linemen, but both earned at least two Pro Bowls in their career and have remained connected with the league since their retirement.
MAY 23: The NFL is creating a new end-of-year award for offensive linemen called Protector of the Year, according to ESPN’s Brooke Pryor. Troy Vincent, the league’s executive vice president of football operations, said that current Bills left tackle Dion Dawkins and former Rams and Bengals left tackle Andrew Whitworth were key advocates for establishing the new honor.
Protector of the Year will be a welcome addition to the NFL’s annual awards season, which has largely focused on quarterbacks for Most Valuable Player and skill positions for Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year. Offensive linemen typically have to settle for for Pro Bowl or All-Pro nods, as they almost never contend for the main awards slate despite their impact on the field.
It’s unclear if Protector of the Year will have any more value for its recipients than league-wide recognition. The NFL’s collective bargaining agreement only allows specific awards to be used as player incentives in contracts, as noted by OverTheCap’s Nick Korte. The new award is not listed in the current CBA and could only be added if the NFLPA agrees.
Here is the latest news pertaining to contracts from around the league:
- The NFLPA will also have to navigate player participation in flag football at the 2028 Olympics, which owners unanimously approved earlier this week. “We look forward to working with the league, IFAF, and Olympic authorities on the terms of their participation to ensure players who compete will do so with protections to their health, safety, and job,” said NFLPA executive director Lloyd Howell in a statement (via Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio). Those protections will be central to negotiations between the league and its players, who want to play in the Olympics without losing the financial security of their contracts.
- NFL rookies are receiving significantly larger signing bonuses in 2025 compared to previous years, according to CBS Sports’ Joel Corry. For example, No. 3 pick Abdul Carter received a $29.5MM signing bonus from the Giants, more than Caleb Williams got from the Bears as the first overall pick last year. Fourth and fifth overall picks Will Campbell and Mason Graham are also expected to surpass Williams’ signing bonus when they put pen to paper on their first pro contracts. The league’s undrafted rookie reservation – each team’s pool of signing bonus money for UDFAs – went up to $206K this year, a more-than 25% increase from 2024, per Corry. Teams have rarely used up all of their UDFA bonus money, instead preferring to guarantee base salary with offsets if a player is waived and signed by another team, according to OverTheCap’s Jason Fitzgerald.
- The NFLPA’s collusion grievance against the NFL regarding fully-guaranteed contracts for quarterbacks has been resolved, according to Florio. An arbitrator found that the league “encouraged teams not to do guaranteed contracts,” but that did not result in a significant impact on players – namely, Lamar Jackson, Russell Wilson, and Kyler Murray. In short, the ruling indicates that the NFL did engage in collusion to avoid fully-guaranteed contracts, but those efforts did not hurt players enough to trigger damages.
Texans To Keep Aireontae Ersery At OT
The Texans are planning to keep second-round pick Aireontae Ersery at offensive tackle to begin his NFL career, though he may not earn a starting job right away.
“Really liked his tape in college at tackle,” said Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans of his rookie offensive lineman (via KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson). “He played left tackle, so we’ll start him out at tackle and see how he does there. My vision for him was always he can help us at tackle.”
The Texans believe that Ersery could be their next franchise left tackle after trading Laremy Tunsil to the Commanders this offseason. Cam Robinson is earning $12MM and will likely start this year, but his one-year deal indicates that the team doesn’t see him as a long-term option. Same goes for Trent Brown, who only has $550k of guaranteed money and will likely have to earn a roster spot as a swing tackle, not a starter.
Enter Ersery, who started 38 straight games at left tackle to end his career at Minnesota. His height and weight meet NFL standards for offensive tackles, but his 33.5-inch arms are shorter than the rest of his 6-foot-6, 331-pound frame suggest. Ersery’s performance at the Combine, including a 5.01-second 40-yard dash, showed that he has the athleticism to keep playing tackle in Houston.
“With Tae, we add a guy who brings that physicality, that mindset, that I really think helps offensive linemen be good at their job,” continued Ryans. “He’s done a great job at playing left tackle and still has room to grow and develop. I’m excited about adding him.”
Ideally, Ersery would spend his rookie season improving his technique and adjusting to NFL competition before taking over on the blind side in 2026. He could then pair with 2024 second-rounder Blake Fisher – who took over for Tytus Howard at right tackle last season after Houston’s Week 14 bye – in 2026 and beyond. Finding bookend tackles in the second round in consecutive years would be an excellent way to revamp C.J. Stroud‘s protection unit at an affordable price tag as he nears extension eligibility.
Could Ersery play guard? His offensive line coach at Minnesota, Brian Callahan (no relation to the Titans’ head coach) thinks so.
“I’m sure he could,” said Callahan (via Wilson) . “I think he’s a tackle, but I do think that he has the ability to play elsewhere. I feel like he could definitely play guard, for sure.”
Houston shored up their guard depth by trading for Ed Ingram and signing Laken Tomlinson this offseason. Howard started the final five games of the season at left guard, too, so Ersery would only flip inside in an emergency. He might be too tall to develop at guard in the long-term, though the Ravens converted Daniel Faalele, another behemoth former Minnesota OT, to right guard last summer.
The Texans will hope that their current guard depth is enough to get through the whole season without deploying Ersery on the interior, allowing him to focus on developing at left tackle with an eye on the future.
Commanders Sign Round 1 T Josh Conerly
The Commanders have agreed to terms with No. 29 pick Josh Conerly Jr. on a four-year, $15.68MM rookie deal, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
As is customary for first-round picks, Conerly’s first NFL contract will be fully-guaranteed with a fifth-year option for the 2029 season. It also includes a $8.044MM signing bonus, according to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson.
It’s unclear what Conerly’s role will be in Washington this season. He almost exclusively played left tackle at Oregon, but the Commanders are set on the blind side after trading for Laremy Tunsil this offseason. A switch to right tackle would require Conerly to beat out incumbent starter Andrew Wylie, who started 29 games over the last two years but accepted a pay cut this offseason entering the last year of his contract. Further complicating the picture is 2024 third-rounder Brandon Coleman, who started 12 games at LT as a rookie and could also look to compete at RT after the Tunsil trade, though he also lacks experience on the right side and is more likely to factor in at guard, according to ESPN’s John Keim.
The Commanders are returning two of last year’s interior O-line starters in left guard Nick Allegretti and center Tyler Biadasz, but Samuel Cosmi‘s ACL tear will sideline him for most, if not all of the 2025 season. That opens up the starting RG job, but Conerly’s lack of experience at guard (or even on the right side of the line) is a clear obstacle to winning the gig.
Barring a positional switch as a rookie, Conerly will likely serve as a backup in 2025 as the Commanders figure out their long-term plan at tackle. Washington will likely move on from Wylie in 2026, at which point Conerly may be ready to start at RT. He could also be a long-term replacement for Tunsil, who only has two years remaining on his contract. A move to guard feels less likely, but could offer Conerly a starting job right away with the proper coaching and development.
Packers’ Proposal To Ban Tush Push Fails
10:15pm: The other five teams who voted against the Packers’ proposal were the Browns, Jaguars, Dolphins, Saints, and Titans, per Schefter.
The Saints are now coached by Kellen Moore, who helped Philadelphia execute the play as their offensive coordinator last season. However, the Shane Steichen-led Colts and the Jonathan Gannon-led Cardinals both voted to ban the tush push despite their connections with Nick Sirianni and the Eagles.
10:47am: The Packers’ effort to to ban the tush push has failed, according to The Athletic’s Diana Russini. Green Bay’s revised proposal to prohibit all instances of pushing on offense only received 22 votes, two shy of the 24 required to pass, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
[RELATED: Fallout From Eagles’ Effort To Save Tush Push]
The Eagles led the opposition to the measure, and the Ravens, Patriots, Jets, and Lions were among the teams to join them, according to Schefter. John Harbaugh, Mike Vrabel, and Dan Campbell all came out against the ban during league meetings in Florida in March. Aaron Glenn spent the last four seasons under Campbell in Detroit, and his new quarterback in New York, Justin Fields, has converted 11 of 12 push sneaks in his career, per ESPN’s Rich Cimini. Baltimore has also found some success with their version of the play featuring tight ends Mark Andrews and Charlie Kolar.
The NFL’s committees on competition and health and safety both endorsed the proposal ahead of the owners’ meeting this morning, per Russini, as did Roger Goodell, according to Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports. That led to increasing belief that the tush push ban would be successful, per FOX Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano, though some owners remained uncertain, as noted by Mark Maske of The Washington Post.
The Eagles then launched an all-out effort to rally opposition during today’s meeting with owner Jeffrey Lurie, assistant general manager Jon Ferrari, and former center Jason Kelce speaking for almost an hour, per Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. The main thrust of Philadelphia’s argument was their belief that the tush push is actually safer than the traditional quarterback sneak, which was one of their reasons for adopting the play originally, according to Bleacher Report’s James Palmer.
“Whoever votes to ban this play is taking liability for putting risk on our quarterbacks,” said Lurie (via Russini). Following his “passionate but fair” speech, Kelce addressed safety concerns accompanied by video footage, per CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones. Other owners who spoke at the meeting were Jerry Jones (Cowboys), Jed York (49ers), and Terry Pegula (Bills), per Breer.
The meeting then moved into a privileged session in which only owners and family are allowed for a vote, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. After announcing the decision, owners returned to the privileged session for further discussion on the tush push, per Maske, though it’s unlikely another vote would yield a different result.
The NFL was reportedly behind the Packers’ attempt to ban the tush push, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, as well as the Lions’ tabled reseeding proposal. Goodell pushed back against reports of his support for Green Bay’s proposal after the vote (via Mike Jones of The Athletic), saying that he wanted a thorough debate regarding both measures.
The NFL did unanimously approve a proposal to modify the onside kick, according to Breer. Teams who are trailing may now declare an onside kick at any time and can line up even with the ball at the 35-yard line. Previously, only the kicker could line up with the ball with the other 10 players at the 34.
Browns, Steelers Inquired About Saints’ Chris Olave
The Browns and the Steelers both reached out the Saints regarding the availability of wide receiver Chris Olave this offseason, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.
New Orleans rebuffed those overtures and doubled down on their commitment to the 2022 first-rounder by picking up his fifth-year option. That will keep Olave under contract through the 2026 season, during which he will earn a fully-guaranteed $15.5MM.
Cleveland and Pittsburgh have both been active in the wide receiver trade market over the last few years. The Browns brought in Amari Cooper in 2022 and Jerry Jeudy in 2024. (Cooper was later traded to the Bills at last season’s trade deadline.) The Steelers, meanwhile, sent a second-round pick to the Seahawks to acquire D.K. Metcalf this offseason and sent George Pickens to the Cowboys earlier this month.
Installing a new coaching staff tends to lead to player turnover as the roster is evaluated for fit with the incoming scheme. Between that and Olave’s down year in 2024, the Browns and the Steelers may have thought they could swoop in for a bargain.
However, the Saints declined to engage in trade talks for the 24-year-old wideout. That could be because new head coach Kellen Moore and offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier see a major role for Olave in their passing attack. It could also be due to Olave’s lower trade value coming off a 400-yard season after he eclipsed 1,000 yards in each of his first two.
Picking up Olave’s fifth-year option indicates that the Saints believe he can bounce back in 2025, though he will have to adjust to a new coaching staff and a new quarterback, likely rookie Tyler Shough. If Olave returns to his top-25 production, he should be in line for an extension with a substantial raise next offseason.
Packers Reveal New Language For Proposed Tush Push Ban
The Packers have officially submitted their revised rule change to ban the tush push, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. It includes expanded language that is expected to garner more support around the league after their initial proposal was tabled last month.
If approved, Rule 12, Section 1, Article 4 of the NFL rulebook would be amended to ban all instances of pushing or pulling of ballcarriers with a 10-yard penalty for any infractions. Green Bay’s new proposal reflects a return to pre-2005 rules, consistent with messaging coming out of the last league meetings where the original rule change was tabled.
Currently, offensive players are prohibited from pulling ballcarriers “in any direction at any time.” The new rule also bans pushing and lifting runners to their feet, along with a more general restriction against assisting them “except by individually blocking opponents for him.”
The revised language is far broader than the Packers’ original proposal, which specified timing (“immediately at the snap”) and position of the ballcarrier (“lined up directly behind the snapper and received the snap.”) Those changes are meant to assuage concerns that the rule specifically targets teams that use the tush push more often than others, namely the Bills and the Eagles.
However, the newer, more general language is open to criticism for being vague and leaving enforcement up to individual referees on a game-by-game basis. The league will have to devise a consistent way to officiate offensive players trying to move the pile after a ballcarrier’s initial momentum has been stopped. Moving the pile is a common practice in the NFL, but the wording of the revised proposal would appear to ban such an action. It’s also unclear if supporting a teammate to keep them upright falls under the umbrella of pushing or lifting a runner.
The Packers’ proposal retains language that prevents players from pushing or throwing their bodies “against a teammate to aid him in an attempt to obstruct an opponent or to recover a loose ball.” Reported versions of the new language differ on whether or not interlocking interference is still banned. Interlocking interference is a rarely called penalty for a blocker “grasping a teammate or…using his hands or arms to encircle the body of a teammate in an effort to block an opponent.” (Essentially, offensive players may not form a protective cordon around ballcarriers that prevents defenders from attempting tackles.)
Teams were split on the Packers’ first attempt to ban the tush push, but the revision has a legitimate chance to reach the 24 votes required to pass. The Eagles remain staunch opponents, having made a last-ditch effort to find votes against a ban, but concerns over player safety have persisted despite a lack of injuries stemming from the play in recent years. Teams are also concerned about the potential impact on pace of play after the Commanders committed repeated penalties while trying to stop the tush push in the playoffs, which slowed the game to a crawl.
With an official revision submitted, the league will likely take a full vote on the measure this week in Minneapolis.
The competition committee is also considering a proposal to change the onside kick, according to Pelissero. The NFL’s new kickoff implemented last year only allowed teams to try an onside kick when trailing in the fourth quarter. Teams will still be required to declare onside kicks under the new rule, but they may do so anytime. They will also be permitted to line up one yard closer to their opponents in an effort to improve onside kick success rates from six percent in 2024.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/19/25
Here are the latest minor moves from around the NFL:
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: WR Kristian Wilkerson
San Francisco 49ers
- Waived: DL Alex Barrett
Browns Sign Shedeur Sanders To Rookie Contract
The Browns have signed rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders to a four-year rookie deal, per a team announcement.
Sanders, the 144th overall selection in last month’s draft, will earn $4.6MM on his first NFL contract, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, including a $447,380 signing bonus. Like all fifth-round picks, he did not receive any guaranteed money beyond his signing bonus.
Once projected to be a first-round pick, the former Colorado star lost out on millions of dollars after falling all the way to Day 3. In comparison, the last pick in the first round, Josh Simmons, signed a fully-guaranteed rookie contract with the Chiefs worth $14.7MM. Even if Sanders was drafted on Day 2, he would have received a significantly better deal in terms of total value and guaranteed money.
However, Sanders still has far more earning potential than the average fifth-round pick after signing endorsement deals with several major brands, including Nike and Beats By Dre. Those sponsorships started during Sanders’ time at Colorado and continued throughout the pre-draft process, indicating that they will carry over into his NFL career. However, it’s unclear how long they will last; Sanders may have to win a starting job in Cleveland to earn further extensions.
If Sanders does emerge as the Browns’ starter on his rookie deal, he would immediately be one of the most cost-effective quarterbacks in the NFL. His $1.16MM APY is less than what Easton Stick and Jarrett Stidham are earning as potential third-string quarterbacks for the Falcons and the Broncos this year, per OverTheCap.
Whether it’s Sanders or third-round pick Dillon Gabriel, a cheap long-term option under center would go a long way in helping Cleveland move forward financially after the disastrous Deshaun Watson deal. His contract still has $170MM remaining in fully-guaranteed money, all due across the next three years.
Vote On Revised ‘Tush Push’ Ban Expected Next Week
MAY 19: The Eagles are making calls around the league to argue in favor of keeping the play in place, Dianna Russini and Tess DeMeyer report (subscription required). A broader definition being considered for a ban could help convince teams which were initially opposed to a ban to support one, but last-minute efforts are being made to prevent that from happening.
MAY 18: The Packers’ crusade to ban the tush push will continue next week when NFL owners gather in Minneapolis, according to Mark Maske of The Washington Post.
Green Bay proposed the rule change ahead of the last league meetings in Florida at the end of March, but it was tabled due to narrow wording that appeared to target the Eagles and the Bills. The language is expected to be broadened to cover all instances of pushing or pulling a ballcarrier, per Maske.
“We’ll see if there is a three-quarter consensus on any proposal, specifically the push-play proposal that Green Bay put forward or any other amending it when we get together next week,” said NFL executive vice president Jeff Miller (via Maske).
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and Packers team president Mark Murphy both expressed support for an expanded push/pull ban after the initial language failed to generate consensus in March.
The Eagles, who have used the tush push more frequently than any other team, have led opposition to the rule change. They succeeded in slowing initial momentum by arguing that the Packers were singling out a specific execution of the play. However, health and safety concerns surrounding the push play have persisted, especially after a presentation by NFL chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills warning that a catastrophic injury was a matter of when, not if.
The Packers hope that the change will draw more support around the league after teams were split on the original proposal, but a league source remains unsure if the new language will receive the 24 votes required to pass, according to Maske.