Panthers Exec: No Milton Williams Agreement Occurred
One of the top storylines coming out of the legal tampering period involved Milton Williams, who was viewed as close to committing to the Panthers before a monster Patriots offer came in. The Patriots ended up using their league-leading cap-space figure to outmuscle the Panthers, but Carolina’s agreement with the top-tier free agent does not appear to have crossed the goal line.
Williams has said he was deep in negotiations with the Panthers, but Carolina executive VP of football ops Brandt Tilis said (the Charlotte Observer’s Mike Kaye) the team never believed it had a deal done. Although Tilis said Williams’ agent never provided an indication the defensive tackle was Carolina-bound, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the sides were working to finalize a deal hours into the tampering period.
As for Williams’ account, he did begin to anticipate heading to Charlotte — but a better New England offer emerged soon after. As could be expected, PFR’s No. 3 overall free agent received a few offers. The Panthers were indeed one of them, but the Patriots’ four-year, $104MM contract (including $51MM guaranteed at signing) won out.
“They were on the phone talking to teams, and teams were coming in with new deals. There was a lot going on, and it happened really fast,” Williams said of his camp during an NFL Network appearance (h/t NFL.com’s Kevin Patra). “They talked about Carolina then and I was like, ‘Alright, it sounds like the best offer we are going to get, so, we were going to go there.’ Then, a split second later, New England hopped on and was like, ‘Nah, this is what we got for you.’ Carolina felt like they went too high on their number, so, they stayed at where they were at.”
The Patriots are indeed betting big on Williams, who cemented a contract-year breakthrough with a two-sack showing in Super Bowl LIX. The Eagles have lost two of their pass rushers from that game, with Josh Sweat joining the Cardinals. Williams, 26 next week, finished as Pro Football Focus’ top-rated interior pass rusher last season. ESPN’s pass rush win rate slotted Williams sixth in 2024, a five-sack seasons that included 10 QB hits and seven tackles for loss. This commanded a lucrative market, as Williams led the way among all 2025 free agents in fully guaranteed money.
While Williams will team with Christian Barmore in New England, Carolina allocated funds elsewhere along its D-line. The team added nose tackle Bobby Brown (three years, $21MM) and then spent for an interior pass rusher in Tershawn Wharton. The latter did not bring the market Williams did, as little production transpired before last season, but the ex-Chief still commanded a three-year, $45.1MM deal that came with an impressive $30MM at signing. A former UDFA out of Division II Missouri S&T, Wharton will be counted on to supply a pass rush in line with his 2024 work (6.5 sacks, 11 QB hits). Benefiting from playing alongside future Hall of Famer Chris Jones, Wharton will have Derrick Brown to play alongside next season.
Raiders To Sign LB Devin White
Tom Brady already brought in one of the Buccaneers’ former Super Bowl LV starters, adding Alex Cappa. The new Raiders part-owner will now add another of his former Tampa Bay teammates.
Devin White is joining the Raiders on a one-year deal, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz tweets. New Raiders GM John Spytek was in Tampa when the Bucs drafted White fifth overall. Despite White washing out of Philly quickly, he will have a rebound opportunity in Vegas.
The Raiders lost linebacker starters Robert Spillane and Divine Deablo in free agency (to the Patriots and Falcons, respectively) and have not done much to replace him. Elandon Roberts is on a one-year, $3MM contract. While the draft will be a key area for the Raiders to upgrade, they will take a flier on White, whose value has cratered since the Bucs picked up his fifth-year option.
Given a one-year, $4MM deal to join the Eagles last year, White received more at signing than Zack Baun. The latter surged to a breakthrough season that ended with a first-team All-Pro nod; White did not play a down for Vic Fangio‘s defense. The Eagles released the LSU in early October, doing so after he had an opportunity to land a starting role. Instead, Baun joined Nakobe Dean as Philly’s primary starters. White finished out last season with the Texans, who used him in seven games (one start).
Even the $4MM Eagles agreement represented a massive step down for White, who is the most recent off-ball linebacker to have seen his option exercised. White made $11.7MM on the option in 2023, but he did not finish the season as full-time Bucs LB. Clashing with the team about his role and an injury situation — and accusations of freelancing — White lost time to K.J. Britt alongside Lavonte David. White, 27, believes the trade request he made during the 2023 offseason — one aimed at landing a top-five ILB extension elsewhere — damaged his reputation inside the Bucs’ building. But his 2024 did not support the theory his Tampa finale was an outlier.
White has a notable past against the Raiders, having delivered one of his best performances during a Bucs win in Vegas during the 2020 season. He recorded three sacks, 11 tackles and a forced fumble during that game, with it playing a central role in the second-level defender’s second-team All-Pro season. White totaled nine sacks and 140 tackles in his second season, which preceded two more 120-plus-tackle slates. Despite the accolades, White saw Pro Football Focus consistently rate him as one of the NFL’s worst LB regulars. After ranking him outside the top 60 in 2019 and ’20, PFF slotted the Bucs’ David sidekick outside the top 70 at the position from 2021-23. White only played 176 snaps last season.
A controversy involving a White foot injury, which prompted an NFL investigation into the situation, brought Britt into a regular role late in the 2023 season. White has not regained one since that development, playing just 40 defensive snaps in Tampa Bay’s two 2023 playoff games. The Raiders will offer a chance at redemption. though they almost definitely will add at least one more starter-caliber player here even after the Roberts and White signings.
Colorado Extends HC Deion Sanders
Linked to NFL jobs, Deion Sanders is returning to Colorado for a third season. No significant Cowboys traction emerged, but the Hall of Fame cornerback has come up as a potential option regardless.
For the time being, however, Sanders — who has said he wants to stay at the college level — will have a good reason to stick around at the Big 12 program after his son’s exit. Colorado announced a five-year, $54MM extension for its high-profile HC, the Daily Camera’s Brian Howell reports. Three seasons remained on Prime’s previous deal, which was worth $29.5MM over five years.
This makes Sanders one of the nation’s highest-paid college coaches. While it would not check in as a top-market NFL HC deal, it certainly would not qualify as a bottom-tier coaching contract in the pros, either. Colorado’s commitment is obviously notable for Sanders’ future NFL prospects, as the Buffaloes are paying up to keep a coach that has reinvigorated their program.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to continue building something special here at Colorado,” Sanders said in a statement. “We’ve just scratched the surface of what this program can be. It’s not just about football; it’s about developing young men who are ready to take on the world. I’m committed to bringing greatness to this university, on and off the field. We’ve got work to do, and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else but here, making history with these incredible players and this passionate fanbase.”
NFL coaching salaries are not public, as they do not affect the salary cap, but Andy Reid‘s deal — in the $20MM-per-year range — is believed to be the top NFL HC salary presently. Jim Harbaugh‘s $16MM-per-year salary is viewed as top-five NFL HC money, illustrating how close Sanders is to that level at his current job. He is tied as the fifth-highest coach in college football. Sanders, 57, will receive $10MM in base salary in 2025 and ’26, per Howell, who adds the contract calls for $11MM salaries over the following two years. A $12MM salary is due in 2029. Kirby Smart‘s $13.2MM AAV leads the way at the college level.
Notable buyout figures are present in the contract. While leaving this year is unrealistic, Sanders would owe the school $10MM if he departed before December 31, 2026, Howell reports. That number drops to $6MM on Dec. 31, 2027, $4MM by the end of 2028 and $3MM by December 2029. NFL teams were not believed to be scared off by Bill Belichick‘s $10MM buyout number, so if a club wants to hire Sanders, these figures — especially anything past 2026 — would not be much of a hindrance.
While his transfer-heavy style has not been for everyone, he is far from the only coach to aggressively use the portal in this destabilized period for college sports. Sanders is 13-12 in two Colorado seasons, having improved significantly in Year 2 (9-4) after the 2023 team faded following a hot start. It will be interesting to see how Deion Sanders fares without son Shedeur and 2024 Heisman winner Travis Hunter, though the former Atlanta, San Francisco, Dallas, Washington and Baltimore CB has certainly driven recruiting interest.
The Cowboys’ interest in Sanders was believed to be genuine, as one of Sanders’ former teams once again did not conduct a thorough search. The process involved just four interviews and ended with a surprise Brian Schottenheimer promotion. Sanders was not among those who officially interviewed for the position, but he did speak with Jerry Jones about the job. This marked a notable adjustment for a coach who previously said he was not interested in leaving the college game. The Cowboys’ search (and potentially a Raiders rumor) undoubtedly factored into Sanders’ Colorado extension talks.
Patriots To Release LB Ja’Whaun Bentley
The Patriots have made some linebacker payments this offseason, adding Robert Spillane and Jack Gibbens and matching the Raiders’ Christian Elliss offer sheet. One of their holdovers will be an odd man out.
Ja’Whaun Bentley is expected to be released Friday, ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss tweets. Bentley is under contract for one more season; the Pats would see $4.35MM in cap savings by moving on. Bentley, 28, has started 68 games in New England. The three-time team captain tweeted a goodbye message Friday.
This release comes weeks after the Pats did not re-sign Jonathan Jones. With David Andrews gone as well, Patriots ties to their Super Bowl teams — among non-specialists, that is — are done. Deatrich Wise signed with the Commanders earlier this month. While Bentley has been a Patriot since 2018, he also missed 15 games last season due to injury. That will not give the second-level Pats mainstay much momentum going into free agency.
Attached to a two-year, $13.5MM extension, Bentley suffered a torn pec in Week 2 of last season. This marked the former fifth-round find’s second NFL season with three games or fewer; Bentley went down three games into his rookie season as well. The Pats had used Bentley as a two-game starter that year, providing a sign of stability to come. Bentley started 62 games from 2020-23, earning the extension during Bill Belichick‘s final year in charge.
Set to turn 29 before the 2025 season begins, Bentley will be an interesting free agency option for LB-needy teams. He posted three straight seasons with at least 109 tackles. This stretch also included quality work as a blitzer. The Purdue alum totaled three sacks in 2022 and 4.5 in 2023. He also forced three fumbles in 2021, helping the Pats to the playoffs during a season in which Pro Football Focus ranked Bentley eighth among off-ball linebackers. Belichick signed off on two Bentley extensions, previously giving him a two-year, $6MM deal.
Only long snapper Joe Cardona remains from New England’s Super Bowl teams. Mike Vrabel has begun to reshape the roster, with he and Eliot Wolf making several additions in free agency. Gibbens and EDGE Harold Landry followed Vrabel from Tennessee, while Spillane signed a three-year, $33MM deal. The Patriots, who released Sione Takitaki earlier this offseason, still have 2024 extension recipient Jahlani Tavai and ex-Titans LB Monty Rice at the position.
WR Hunter Renfrow Met With Panthers, To Visit Raiders
After not seeing a Raiders extension translate to steady production, Hunter Renfrow did not see a 2024 free agency stay lead to much interest. The former 1,000-yard receiver spent last season out of football, but comeback roads may be opening.
Two visits have materialized for the veteran slot player. Renfrow met with the Panthers this week, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, who report the five-year Raider also has a meeting booked with his former team. Renfrow, who was not linked to any teams following his 2024 Las Vegas exit, is visiting the Raiders today.
Two Raider regimes effectively gave up on the Clemson alum. Renfrow proved a poor fit in Josh McDaniels‘ offense, seeing his role decrease despite the McDaniels-Dave Ziegler duo extending him — on a two-year, $32MM deal — months after arrival. One-and-done Raiders GM Tom Telesco then released him. A year later, the Pete Carroll-John Spytek-Tom Brady operation will still take a look at a fit.
Months after trading Davante Adams to the Jets, the Raiders have a glaring wide receiver need. McDaniels-era pickup Jakobi Meyers, who quietly eclipsed 1,000 yards in 2024, is going into a contract year. The team did see slot Tre Tucker, a McDaniels-Ziegler draftee who took over for Renfrow, show some promise via a 539-yard 2024. But more help will be needed to complement Brock Bowers next season. Although natural Tyler Lockett ties exist, the Raiders have not been closely connected to the Seahawks cap casualty since he became available.
Renfrow, 29, helped the Raiders after their 2019 Antonio Brown trade and 2020 Henry Ruggs draft choice proved spectacular missteps. The 2019 fifth-round pick delivered back-to-back 600-yard seasons before posting a 1,038-yard showing in 2021, helping Las Vegas to a surprising playoff run despite Jon Gruden‘s midseason exit. That season earned Renfrow an extension, but he did not build on it under McDaniels, who phased him out of the offense. Renfrow, whom the Raiders attempted to trade for an extended period before last year’s release, combined for just 585 yards between the 2022 and ’23 seasons.
The Panthers changed up their receiver room considerably last year, acquiring and then trading Diontae Johnson and then dealing 2023 second-round pick Jonathan Mingo to the Cowboys. Adam Thielen is set to return for his age-35 season, and Xavier Legette totaled 497 rookie-year yards. Carolina has not made a notable receiver addition this offseason. Renfrow is a South Carolina native, and he will gain some intel about a return to the league following his two-meeting week.
Previous Jets Regime Considered 2025 Quincy Williams Extension
Jamien Sherwood‘s market producing the result it did creates an interesting issue for a new Jets regime. A special-teamer for three seasons, Sherwood stood out subbing for the injured C.J. Mosley in 2024. The result: a three-year, $45MM contract — agreed to just before free agency — that came with $30MM guaranteed at signing.
That deal matched Nick Bolton‘s second Chiefs contract, with both approaching Zack Baun‘s Eagles re-up. This trio helped provide a bump for the off-ball linebacker market, which had taken some hits in recent years. The market soon included three more eight-figure AAVs — in Robert Spillane (Patriots), Dre Greenlaw (Broncos) and Terrel Bernard (Bills). However, the Jets’ most accomplished linebacker is not among this expanding group.
Quincy Williams remains attached to a three-year, $18MM deal. Considering the multiyear Mosley ILB partner has a first-team All-Pro nod on his resume and has played well for four Jets teams, it would seem the team’s Darren Mougey-Aaron Glenn regime has an update to make. It is not yet known if they have another payday in mind for Williams, but ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini notes the Joe Douglas-Robert Saleh partnership was open to a 2025 extension.
As the off-ball linebacker market stagnated following the Fred Warner and Shaquille Leonard extensions in 2021, Williams expressed disappointment with the contract he ultimately received from the Jets. Re-signed months before younger brother Quinnen received a high-end extension, Quincy disagreed with the comps the Jets used in negotiations. That 2023 offseason saw a host of off-ball LBs sign deals in the Williams neighborhood, but the Jets received a bargain. The former Jaguars castoff soared to the All-Pro level during his first season on that contract and added another strong season in 2024, though last season brought front office and coaching staff overhauls.
Sherwood received a much better market for his services this year, as the cap had climbed by a staggering $55MM between the 2023 and ’25 offseasons, but only has one season as an LB regular on his resume. Sherwood, however, is nearly four years younger than Williams; the latter is going into his age-29 season. That adds to a potential Jets dilemma, one that likely soon will involve Williams taking issue with his now-low-middle-class contract. The Murray State alum, who posted four forced fumbles and two sacks to go with 14 tackles for loss this past season, has become one of the league’s top off-ball LBs. He is now the NFL’s 37th-highest-paid player at the position.
One of the top acquisitions of the Douglas era, Williams is now in a key period regarding earning potential. This will be the last last season of his 20s to market toward a lucrative contract, and a $15MM-per-year floor certainly makes sense for a player who has been one of the drivers for the Jets’ Saleh-Jeff Ulbrich-era defensive turnaround. It will be interesting to see how Glenn views the productive ILB, who is due a $6.5MM base salary in 2025.
Elsewhere on the Jets’ payroll, the team added Josh Myers for even cheaper than initial reports suggested. The four-year Packers center signed with the Jets on a one-year, $2MM deal, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets. It is fully guaranteed. This is well outside the ballpark fellow free agent center Drew Dalman landed in, and it profiles as a “prove it” pact. Myers, though, does not have a clear path to starting in New York, which has its 2024 interior-line trio (John Simpson, Joe Tippmann, Alijah Vera-Tucker) returning.
Rounding out Jets O-line notes, the team’s Chukwuma Okorafor contract is worth $1.3MM, Cimini tweets. Despite bailing on the Patriots after one game last season, the former Steelers RT mainstay received $758K guaranteed. He will vie for time at tackle for a team that lost 2024 RT starter Morgan Moses to the Pats.
Titans Arrange Second Cam Ward Meeting
MARCH 27: The Titans’ Ward workout will take place tomorrow, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports. Provided all goes well, the chances of Tennessee retaining the top pick and selecting him will no doubt increase.
MARCH 25: As the Titans appear to be moving closer to starting over at quarterback instead of trading out of No. 1 overall, they will do more research on the player pegged as the top passing prospect in this draft. Another Cam Ward meeting is on tap.
Like the Browns, the Titans will circle back to the Miami QB. Tennessee is arranging a workout with Ward, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. The team already used a “30” visit on Ward. The Titans have not slammed the door on trading down, of course, but Schefter reaffirms it will take an “even stronger” package for the team to now move out of the top draft slot.
Tennessee sent plenty of representatives to Ward’s pro day Monday, and this upcoming private workout will give a rearranged front office another chance to evaluate a player who played for three schools during this transfer-happy period. A former recruit at Division I-FCS Incarnate Word, Ward transferred to Washington State and then concluded his career at Miami. Following Jayden Daniels, Bo Nix and Michael Penix in raising his draft stock following a transfer, Ward has been the frontrunner to be the first quarterback selected for months. Creating distance between himself and Shedeur Sanders, Ward has long had support in the Titans’ building, and the team has been deep in QB research for months.
The Titans met with Ward earlier this month and, per veteran Titans reporter Paul Kuharsky, had a contingent dine with the QB Sunday night. Since that point, rumors have circulated pointing the AFC South team to staying at No. 1 and picking Ward. It appears nothing at the 6-foot-2 prospect’s pro day has changed that course, but Titans brass will take another look. Selecting Ward would mean passing on players viewed as safer prospects (Abdul Carter, Travis Hunter), but punting on a QB in this draft would leave the Titans without a long-term plan after a rough Will Levis sophomore outing.
Entering the Combine, the Titans had received calls about No. 1 and were viewed by some as more likely to trade out of the pick than stay. After free agency did not send a starter-level veteran to Tennessee, which swapped out Mason Rudolph for Brandon Allen. The Titans effectively paved a path to Ward at No. 1 in free agency, unless they pivot to Russell Wilson or Aaron Rodgers. The team has not been linked to Rodgers, and a report suggested it is not interested in Wilson.
Ward’s 39 touchdown passes led Division I-FBS last season, and he paired that total with 4,313 passing yards and seven interceptions. While only 204 rushing yards came along with these numbers, Ward is viewed as having more athletic upside than Sanders. The Titans saw Levis rank last in QBR — by a wide margin — in 2024, and they fired the GM (Ran Carthon) who traded up for the Kentucky prospect in 2023. Chiefs import Mike Borgonzi will run this year’s Titans draft, with heavy input from football ops president Chad Brinker.
Ward did not work out at the Combine but is on track to do so for Titans reps. As it stands, non-Tennessee teams connected to Ward will need to hope the Titans change course and stand down. Regardless, the Browns and Giants will need to do extensive homework on Sanders, whose draft landing spot remains a bit of a mystery.
Broncos To Re-Sign FB Michael Burton
Michael Burton has a path to playing an 11th NFL season. The well-traveled fullback will stay put with the Broncos, who are bringing him back for what would be a third season with the team.
The team is re-signing Burton on a one-year deal, the Denver Post’s Parker Gabriel and Luca Evans report. Burton is going into his age-33 season. While the Broncos will enter the draft with an eye on adding a starter-caliber running back, they will ensure fullback continuity for another season. Burton played last season for the veteran minimum.
Like a few others on Denver’s roster, Burton has a New Orleans past. Playing for Sean Payton with the 2020 Saints, the well-traveled blocking back reunited with the veteran HC in Denver two years ago. Burton also began his career with the Lions, who employed current Broncos OC Joe Lombardi when Burton arrived as a 2015 fifth-round pick. Burton has also made career stops in Chicago, Washington and Kansas City.
The Broncos used Burton on just 180 offensive snaps last season. That is not exactly out of step with the modern fullback workload (non-Kyle Juszczyk division), as the position has declined in importance for many years now. Pro Football Focus, however, ranked Burton first among FBs in 2024. PFF also ranked Burton first among fullbacks in 2023, and the Broncos will aim to deploy the niche player again in 2025. Burton has also played at least 62% of Denver’s special teams plays in each of his two seasons with the team.
Collecting a Super Bowl ring with the 2022 Chiefs, Burton is now the longest-tenured Broncos back — now that Javonte Williams joined the Cowboys in free agency. Denver still rosters Audric Estime and Jaleel McLaughlin, the latter joining the team as a UDFA weeks after Burton in 2023, along with reserve Tyler Badie. Blake Watson, a 2024 UDFA, is on the roster as well. The team, however, will undoubtedly be looking to this deep draft class to replace Williams, who moved on after four seasons.
AFC South Rumors: Autry, Titans, Jags, Colts
Denico Autry‘s first Texans season did not go according to plan, with the AFC South nomad incurring a six-game PED suspension. Several months later, Autry looks to have taken a bit of a pay cut. Having signed a two-year, $20MM deal in 2024, Autry is now tied to a one-year contract worth $7.5MM, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson notes. This is down from $9MM in 2025 base value. Autry will see his base salary reduced from $8.5MM to $3.5MM, and while $3MM of that has gone into a signing bonus for restructure purposes, the rest shifts to incentives. Overall, Autry’s 2025 cap hit will drop from $10.3MM to $6.6MM. Autry, who will turn 35 this summer, totaled three sacks in a mostly rotational role last season. He is one of four 30-somethings on the Texans’ D-line, joining Danielle Hunter, Sheldon Rankins and Mario Edwards.
Here is the latest from the AFC South:
- The Titans would appear to have some work to do at wide receiver. Although they added auxiliary pass catcher Van Jefferson as a roster hopeful, the team is bringing in Terrace Marshall for a Wednesday visit, Wilson tweets. Marshall played three seasons with the Panthers and one with the Raiders, moving from Carolina trade candidate to a player eventually cut. The former second-round pick has not lived up to expectations but, after auditioning for the Steelers, has drawn the Titans’ attention. As for Jefferson, Wilson adds his contract is worth just $1.79MM and carries $1.17MM guaranteed.
- Mike McCoy will change AFC South addresses in 2025. The former Chargers HC will shift from a Jacksonville assistant to a Tennessee staffer. The Titans hired McCoy as a senior offensive assistant, veteran reporter Paul Kuharsky noted earlier this month. McCoy, 52, spent the past three seasons as the Jaguars’ QBs coach under Doug Pederson. McCoy was in place as the Broncos’ offensive coordinator when Brian Callahan broke into the NFL; the two overlapped in Denver from 2009-12.
- Tank Dell went through a key step during his latest rehab process, undergoing surgery to repair a December ACL tear, per Wilson. The Texans receiver was set to undergo multiple surgeries after suffering immense damage while scoring a touchdown against the Chiefs in Week 16. He had already undergone a previous operation to address his latest significant injury. Dell tore an ACL, MCL, LCL and meniscus on the play, requiring ambulance transportation from Arrowhead Stadium. The 2023 third-round pick, who sustained a broken leg as a rookie, faces an uphill battle to play at any point in 2025. Dell is under contract through the 2026 season.
- Circling back to some Titans contract matters, the team has one of the most decorated special-teamers in the fold for nearly the veteran minimum. Johnny Hekker, a four-time first-team All-Pro punter, signed a one-year deal worth just $1.42MM ($1.19MM guaranteed), Wilson tweets. A 13-year veteran, Hekker played out a three-year, $7.62MM Panthers pact. Tennessee’s Sebastian Joseph-Day contract checks in at $6.5MM in base value, per Wilson, who adds the Titans’ Brandon Allen accord is worth $1.42MM. This is slightly down from Allen’s 2024 49ers pay ($2MM).
- The Jaguars‘ Chuma Edoga contract is worth $7MM over two years, Wilson adds. The veteran swingman will see $3.2MM guaranteed at signing. Nothing is guaranteed beyond Year 1 for the former Jets, Falcons and Cowboys blocker, who will take his place behind Walker Little and Anton Harrison on Jacksonville’s depth chart. Additionally, the Jags’ two-year, $5MM Hunter Long deal will come with $3MM guaranteed at signing, Wilson adds. That includes a $1MM guarantee in 2026.
- Wrapping up this contract roundup, Ashton Dulin secured similar Colts terms from his 2023 deal. After playing out a two-year contract worth $7.2MM, the backup wideout recommitted to Indianapolis on a two-year, $6.5MM deal, Wilson tweets. Dulin, who bounced back from a 2023 ACL tear last year, will see $2.94MM guaranteed at signing.
Russell Wilson Remained Interested In Steelers Well Into Free Agency
The Steelers made their Russell Wilson stance fairly clear this offseason. The team launched a committed effort to retain Justin Fields, who had primarily backed up Wilson in 2024, and explored a pricier Sam Darnold addition. Once it became clear Fields would test the market, Pittsburgh became linked to Aaron Rodgers.
As the Rodgers holding pattern persists, Wilson provided some clarity Tuesday by committing to the Giants. The 13-year veteran becoming a New York bridge option points Rodgers to Pittsburgh or continuing to wait out Minnesota, the latter believed to be his preferred option. With Wilson no longer in place behind Rodgers in teams’ free agency queues, the Steelers also have one fewer option in the event Rodgers balks.
[RELATED: Steelers ‘Safe Bet’ To Sign Rodgers?]
Wilson, however, expressed interest in re-signing with the Steelers on a few occasions after reclaiming his starting job last October. This preference remained well into the offseason as well, as the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac indicates the 36-year-old passer wanted to stay in Pittsburgh up until his New York commitment became final. That decision made Wilson a one-and-done with the Steelers, who had turned a 10-3 start into a five-game losing streak that ended with a one-sided playoff loss.
Back in November, rumblings about Steelers interest in re-signing Wilson emerged. At the time, Wilson was amid a stretch featuring six wins in his first seven starts. Wilson then said on multiple occasions he wanted to re-sign with Pittsburgh, as his Pennsylvania tenure started much better than his Colorado stay had. But after five straight losses to close last season, the Steelers shifted their thinking.
Some in the Steelers’ building viewed Wilson as “physically done,” Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio adds. The team became more interested in Fields’ potential upside than a known commodity like Wilson, and after Fields’ two-year, $40MM Jets deal, Even after that deal, Pittsburgh did not make a renewed pitch to make sure it could re-sign Wilson, only viewing him as a fallback option as Rodgers became the focus. That remained the case leading into Tuesday’s Wilson-Giants agreement.
The Steelers spoke with both Wilson and Fields about re-signings, but it was not hard to see their hierarchy did not reflect the 2024 depth chart. Going into his age-26 season, Fields drew more interest. He landed $30MM guaranteed at signing from the Jets, who will see if he can be a viable Rodgers replacement and harness potential teams observed when he went 11th overall in the 2021 draft. Mike Tomlin preferred Wilson as a passer last season, but the primary Pittsburgh starter clashed with OC Arthur Smith at points. Fields seeing Tomlin call for his benching also undoubtedly factored into the younger Steelers QB’s decision to pass on an offer to stay.
The past three seasons have brought a humbling period for Wilson, who has gone from a player who had appeared on a cruise toward the Hall of Fame to a declining option that suddenly brings some doubt regarding a Canton path. While Wilson may well have done enough in Seattle to secure a spot in Canton, his Denver and Pittsburgh years did not burnish his case.
Still the No. 4 all-time leading rusher among QBs, Wilson is also fourth in sacks taken. Unlike No. 1 on that list (Rodgers), Wilson does not have an array of All-Pros to balance that out. The Giants will bet on Wilson (22nd in 2024 QBR) having enough left to be a functional option in an offense that has largely lacked it since Daniel Jones‘ outlier 2022 season.
Relentlessly positive, Wilson has now seen two teams give up on him in two offseasons. It is not known if the Steelers made Wilson an offer, though they undoubtedly had a price range for a player who made 12 starts for them last season. They did not make much of an effort to re-sign him, per Florio.
The Browns, who hosted Wilson on a visit, may not have made a firm proposal, either. Though, Cleveland having contract parameters in place made sense due to the Giants needing to guarantee Wilson $10.5MM. Available to the Steelers for the veteran minimum due to his Broncos contract covering the rest last year, Wilson commanded a decent 2025 guarantee. He certainly will not lack for motivation going into his Giants debut.