Buccaneers To Sign P Riley Dixon
The Buccaneers are signing former Broncos punter Riley Dixon to a two-year deal worth $6MM, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Dixon’s $3MM APY is tied for third-highest among all punters. After rotating between three punters in 2024, Tampa Bay was willing to pay up for some stability on special teams.
Originally a Broncos seventh-round pick in 2016, Dixon spent two years in Denver before being traded to the Giants for a conditional seventh-round pick in 2018. He signed an extension in New York to become one of the league’s highest-paid punters in 2019, but was released in 2022, a year before his contract expired. He then signed with the Rams for the 2022 season before returning to Denver for the last two seasons.
Dixon has never been one of the NFL’s best punters, but he’s never been one of the worst, either. He’s a consistent, reliable player who has hovered around the league average in yards per punt, touchback percentage, and percentage of punts downed inside the 20-yard line.
Dixon will bring that consistency to Tampa Bay in 2025, leaving Denver to find another punter this offseason. A number of options are available in free agency, though most are well into their 30s. The Broncos may look for a younger, cheaper addition through the draft.
Texans Re-Sign RB Dare Ogunbowale
The Texans have re-signed veteran running back Dare Ogunbowale on a one-year, $1.2MM deal, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
2025 will be Ogunbowale’s ninth season in the NFL and fourth in Houston. He began his career as an undrafted free agent with the Texans in 2017, but did not make the 53-man roster as a rookie. He spent the rest of the season bouncing between practice squad and made his regular-season debut with the Buccaneers in 2018.
Ogunbowale earned a full-time roster spot and a team captaincy in Tampa Bay in 2019. He carved out a role as a third-down back with 35 receptions for 286 yards and also served as a core special teams contributor. He played 361 snaps on offense and 381 on special teams, which both remain career-highs, but was not retained for the 2020 season.
The Wisconsin product was signed by the Jaguars in 2020 and amassed 282 yards on 75 carries across the next two years. He maintained his role on special teams, but did not feature in the passing game with just 23 receptions in Jacksonville.
Ogunbowale then landed in Houston, where he has spent the last three years. He continued to feature on special teams with rotational roles on offense in 2022 and 2024. Last year, he appeared in all 17 games with 112 yards on 30 carries and 198 yards on 19 receptions while playing 56% of the Texans’ special teams snaps.
In 2025, Ogunbowale will likely take up a similar role behind Joe Mixon, though a resurgence from fourth-year back Dameon Pierce could cut into his workload.
Bradley Chubb Agrees To Reworked Deal With Dolphins
Outside linebacker Bradley Chubb has agreed on a reworked contract with the Dolphins, per FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz.
The new deal will reduce Chubb’s base salary in 2025, which was originally $19.45MM, per OverTheCap. He can still earn his full 2025 compensation through incentives based on playing time and sacks.
Chubb spent last year on the Physically Unable to Perform list due to a knee injury suffered at the end of the 2023 season. The Dolphins expressed some optimism about Chubb’s return and opened his practice window in December, but he didn’t progress enough to be activated. It was later revealed that Chubb’s injury impacted his meniscus and patellar tendon in addition to the originally-reported ACL tear.
The Dolphins’ revision of Chubb’s deal is a clever move to clear 2025 cap space while providing insurance if Chubb can’t return to his pre-injury form. Since he missed the 2024 season, all of his 2025 incentives will be considered not likely to be earned. Any incentives that Chubb hits wouldn’t have to be accounted for until 2026, when Dolphins will have more financial flexibility with their own contracts and an increased salary cap.
Miami entered the day above the 2025 salary cap by $1.64MM, per OverTheCap. Chubb’s new deal will make them cap-compliant, and the Dolphins will likely made additional moves before free agency begins next week. The simplest move would be a restructure of Tua Tagovailoa‘s contract, which could create up to $19.3MM in cap space. Extending Jaelan Phillips off of his fifth-year option could create up to $9.66MM.
Zach Allen Seeking Extension With Broncos
Coming off the best season of his six-year career, defensive lineman Zach Allen is seeking a “lucrative extension” with the Broncos, per Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette.
Allen is entering the final year of a three-year, $45.75MM contract, per OverTheCap. He has no guaranteed money remaining on his deal and will count for $19.8MM against the 2025 salary cap. An extension could reduce that to $10.5MM, though that would require a sizable financial commitment from the Broncos.
The interior pass-rusher market has skyrocketed since Allen signed with the Broncos in 2023, so he will be looking for a sizable raise from his current $15.75MM APY. After a second-team All-Pro nod in 2024, Allen’s demands are expected to start at $25MM per year, according to Tomasson. That would be the third-highest APY among active interior defensive linemen and the fourth-highest at the position in league history.
Allen set career-highs in 2024 with 8.5 sacks and 15 tackles for loss, but the Broncos may not be willing to give him a top-of-the-market contract. He compiled 13.5 sacks and 23 tackles for loss over the previous three seasons, so Denver may wait for Allen to repeat his current production before meeting his asking price.
The team may still be willing to come to the negotiating table due to Allen’s youth and cap hit. He’s only 27 years old and could anchor the middle of the defensive line for the foreseeable future. Denver currently has $40.85MM of cap space ahead of free agency, and they have other avenues to create more room. Still, the extra $9.25MM created by an Allen extension certainly wouldn’t hurt, especially if they secure his services for a few more years.
Cowboys Restructure Dak Prescott’s Deal
The Cowboys have restructured Dak Prescott‘s contract, according to ESPN’s Todd Archer, creating $36.6MM of cap space on top of the $20MM created by yesterday’s restructure of CeeDee Lamb‘s deal.
The move converts $45.75 of Prescott’s 2025 salary to a signing bonus that is then prorated across the next five years of the contract. His cap number in 2025 dropped to $53MM with increases of $9.15MM in each of the next four seasons. Prescott’s cap hits in 2026, 2027, and 2028 are now above $70MM, giving him leverage to negotiate another extension in the next two years.
Dallas entered the week above the the 2025 salary cap. By avoiding a franchise tag for Osa Odighizuwa and restructuring the contracts of Lamb and Prescott, the team now has $54.3MM in cap space, the eighth-most in the NFL.
That’s not a final number, as the Cowboys could still make a few moves in the next week. They are expected to place a second-round RFA tender on KaVontae Turpin that will cost $5.35MM, and negotiations are underway with Micah Parsons on an extension that could lower his $24MM cap hit.
All told, Dallas should enter free agency with about $50MM in cap space, but recent comments from owner and general manager Jerry Jones should temper expectations of a spending spree.
“I don’t think aggressive is the right word,” said Jones (via WFAA’s Ed Werder). “I’m not looking at free agency as a place to fill voids.” Jones added that the team is planning to prioritize the draft over free agency, though their creation of cap space suggest that they intend to make some signings.
AFC North Notes: Gesicki, Bengals, Steelers, Garrett
The Bengals are interested in re-signing tight end Mike Gesicki before free agency, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
The team was “very happy” with his performance last season and “would like to pay” him, per Fowler. The tight end market is projected to reach $8MM per year, which would be a significant raise on Gesicki’s 2024 salary of $2.5MM.
Gesicki caught 65 of his 83 targets for 665 yards and two touchdowns in his debut season in Cincinnati. His 78.3% catch rate and 62.7% success rate were both career-highs by significant margins, indicating that he was a strong fit in the Bengals offense.
The seven-year veteran certainly benefitted from the attention drawn by Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, but he was able to capitalize in a way other Bengals tight ends haven’t in recent years. In fact, Gesicki is the team’s first tight end to eclipse 600 receiving yards in a season since Tyler Eifert in 2015.
If Gesicki remains in Cincinnati, Juwan Johnson and Tyler Conklin will be the top tight ends in free agency. Their stock should improve with another option off the market, especially if Gesicki negotiates a strong deal with the Bengals.
- Changes are coming to the Bengals linebacker room. Germaine Pratt is expected to leave Cincinnati this offseason, leaving Logan Wilson as the only returning starter. Director of player personnel Duke Tobin said at the Combine that the team was “looking at” the position and specifically mentioned tackling as an area of improvement, per Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
- The Bengals may also adjust their safety usage in 2024 under new defensive coordinator Al Golden. Jordan Battle could be in line for a starting role after a strong finish to the season. “I think Jordan Battle really hit the ground running at the end of the season, and so I’m pleased with the direction that he’s headed,” said head coach Zac Taylor (via The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr.). “I’ve got a lot of confidence in him moving forward.” That may not necessarily mean a step back for Geno Stone, who started all 17 games in 2020. He was considered a potential cap casualty, but the Bengals are poised to carry him into 2025. Golden said that the current safety room was “a great starting point,” per Dehner, but didn’t rule out an addition at the position.
- The Steelers have long been expected to re-sign one of their starting quarterbacks from last season. Justin Fields is still considered the favorite to return to Pittsburgh over Russell Wilson, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Fields is younger and may have more future upside for a Steelers offense that is desperately searching for stability under center.
- The Combine has a history of accelerating trade talks, a trend that continued this year with multiple teams agreeing to deals in Indianapolis. The Browns, however, did not engage in any negotiations for Myles Garrett, per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, Cleveland has been resolute in their opposition to moving Garrett since his trade request, and the two sides seem headed for a prolonged standoff.
Travis Hunter Could Play Both Ways In NFL
Travis Hunter‘s ambition to play on both sides of the ball in the NFL was initially met with some skepticism. Coming out of the Combine, though, the projected top-five pick is gaining steam as a two-way player in the pros.
The Titans, who hold the first pick in April’s draft indicated that they would consider playing Hunter at wide receiver and cornerback if they select him.
“I think he can do both at a high level,” said Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi (via Mark Maske of the Washington Post).
Hunter played 1,422 total snaps for Colorado in 2024, per Pro Football Focus, 709 on offense and 713 on defense. That averages to a whopping 118 snaps per game. Such as workload has been seen as a risk due to the NFL’s heightened intensity and physicality.
Titans coach Brian Callahan, however, said that a two-way role in the NFL would be “very realistic” for Hunter.
“There’s not many guys that have played that many snaps on both sides of the ball,” continued Callahan, adding that if the team drafted Hunter, they would “find out where he fits.”
If the Titans don’t take Hunter, he will “draw serious consideration” from the Browns, who hold the No. 2 pick, per The Athletic’s Jeff Howe. General manager Andrew Berry agreed with the growing consensus that Hunter can play both offense and defense in the NFL.
“I’d say this in terms of Travis Hunter — cornerback or receiver? The answer is yes,” said Berry (via Maske). “He can play both. And I think that’s what makes him special.”
The NFL has seen two-way players before – including Deion Sanders, who coached Hunter in college – but that typically has been in cameo or emergency roles. In recent years, Patrick Ricard and Scott Matlock have played fullback and defensive line, but not at the snap count Hunter is aiming for.
Berry also said that the Browns see Hunter “primarily” as a receiver, as opposed to other teams who view him as a full-time cornerback with select involvement as a receiver. If forced to choose, Hunter would prefer the former, according veteran Titans reporter Paul Kuharsky, and it’s easy to see why. The receiver market has increased at a far higher rate than the cornerback market in recent years, so Hunter’s earning potential would be maximized by focusing on offense. If he does carve out a two-way role, he’ll be able to demand even more, even if he’s just a rotational contributor on one side of the ball.
Hunter will likely discuss his potential roles in Cleveland on a top-3o visit scheduled for this week, per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. Ultimately, he won’t be able to choose where he is drafted or where he plays in the NFL, but refusing to give him a chance as a two-way player may affect his relationship with his first team. Teams considering Hunter will want to be confident in their long-term future with a top-five pick.
RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/3/25
More teams made tender/non-tender decisions on restricted and exclusive rights free agents today. Here are the latest updates:
RFAs
Non-tendered:
- Bears: LB Jack Sanborn
Despite 48 appearances, 19 starts, and 1,794 total snaps over the last three years, the Bears will not tender Sanborn, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. While not considered a starting defender, Sanborn could draw interest in free agency as a backup linebacker and core special teams contributor.
ERFAs
Tendered:
- Browns: LB Winston Reid, TE Blake Whiteheart
- Cowboys: DB Juanyeh Thomas, OL Brock Hoffman
Non-tendered:
- Lions: OT Connor Galvin
Hoffman started the Cowboys’ last seven games of the 2024 season after Zack Martin went down for the season. He primarily played right guard, though he played 109 snaps at center and 19 at left guard, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Martin retired last month, so Hoffman will likely compete for a starting role in 2025 while earning $1.1MM.
Vikings To Hire Jordan Traylor As Offensive Assistant
The Vikings are hiring Jordan Traylor as assistant offensive coordinator and assistant quarterbacks coach, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Traylor spent the last six seasons with the Saints. He started as a scouting assistant before moving into coaching as a defensive assistant in 2021. He switched to the offensive side of the ball in 2023 and has focused on tight ends over the last two years. Juwan Johnson and Foster Moreau made noticeable improvements during his tenure and finished 2024 as the team’s first- and third-leading receivers, respectively.
The Saints wanted to retain Traylor, according to Mike Triplett of New Orleans.Football, but he decided to take a promotion on Kevin O’Connell‘s staff. He will replace Grant Udinski, who left the Vikings last month to take the Jaguars’ offensive coordinator job.
Traylor played quarterback at Texas A&M before starting his coaching career with Texas (2016-2017) and Arkansas (2018). In Minnesota, he will be tasked with developing 2024 first-rounder J.J. McCarthy, a job that could be even more important if Sam Darnold isn’t retained.
In that case, the Vikings may look to re-sign Daniel Jones, who ended last season in Minnesota. Traylor would then have to continue Jones’ integration into the offense as a potential starter if McCarthy faces any setbacks in his recovery from last year’s knee injury.
Tershawn Wharton Could Have Bigger FA Market Than Expected
Defensive lineman Tershawn Wharton could “exceed expectations in free agency,” according to FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz.
The former undrafted free agent will be looking to cash in after a career year in Kansas City. The market has placed a premium on interior pass-rushers in recent years, so Wharton should be able to negotiate a strong deal this spring.
Wharton was listed by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler as an under-the-radar free agent and the third-best interior rusher in the class behind Osa Odighizuwa and Milton Williams. Now that Odighizuwa is staying in Dallas, Wharton will likely have even more suitors.
Wharton spent the first four years of his career with the Chiefs after making the 53-man roster as an undrafted rookie in 2020. He quickly carved out a role along the defensive line, appearing in every game and playing over 1,000 snaps across his first two seasons. A torn ACL knocked Wharton out for most of 2022, but he rebounded for a full season in 2023. The Chiefs won Super Bowls in both years, and Wharton nearly helped them to another in 2024 while playing the best football of his career. His 6.5 sacks, seven tackles for loss, and 667 snaps in the regular season were all career-highs, and he added two more sacks in the postseason.
That pass-rushing upside will allow Wharton to stand out among his fellow free agents, who typically profile as interior run-stuffers. Wharton will only be 27 years old when next season starts and can already push the pocket and get to opposing quarterbacks. He was surrounded by talent in Kansas City and had significantly less production before 2024, which will likely keep him from breaking into the upper echelon of contracts at his position. He may be best served by a two-year contract from which he can negotiate a higher-paying extension if he matches or improves on his 2024 numbers in 2025.