The NFL’s Longest-Tenured Head Coaches
By the end of the 2024 regular season, the Bears, Jets and Saints had already moved on from their head coaches. Those teams were joined by Cowboys, Jaguars, Raiders and Patriots in making a change on the sidelines. 
After their midseason terminations, Matt Eberflus, Robert Saleh and Dennis Allen each landed defensive coordinator gigs during the 2025 hiring cycle. The staffers who remained in place through the end of the campaign have yet to line up their next NFL opportunity, however. Mike McCarthy withdrew from the Saints’ search, setting the 61-year-old for at least one year out of coaching (just like the pause between his Packers and Cowboys stints).
Meanwhile, Doug Pederson was unable to parlay interest in an offensive coordinator position into a hire this spring. The former Super Bowl winner is thus set to be out of coaching for 2025. The same will also be true of Antonio Pierce and Jerod Mayo after their one-and-done stints as full-time head coaches did not go as planned.
While recent months have brought about the latest round of changes, many of the longest-tenured head coaches around the league remain in place. McCarthy was the only staffer within the top 10 on last year’s list in that regard who has been replaced. In all, nine head coaches hired at the beginning of this decade (or earlier) will carry on with their respective teams in 2025.
Six of those reside in the AFC, with Mike Tomlin – who became the league’s longest-tenured head coach last year in the wake of Bill Belichick’s Patriots departure – once again leading the way, albeit with questions about his future beyond this season present. The NFC will include Sean McVay, Kyle Shanahan and Matt LaFleur handling their familiar roles in 2025, although the latter (who has two years left on his deal) will not receive an early extension.
Here is a look at how the league’s head coaches shape up entering the 2025 campaign:
- Mike Tomlin (Pittsburgh Steelers): January 27, 2007; extended through 2027
- John Harbaugh (Baltimore Ravens): January 19, 2008; extended through 2028
- Andy Reid (Kansas City Chiefs): January 4, 2013; extended through 2029
- Sean McDermott (Buffalo Bills): January 11, 2017; extended through 2027
- Sean McVay (Los Angeles Rams): January 12, 2017; extended through 2027
- Kyle Shanahan (San Francisco 49ers): February 6, 2017; extended through 2027
- Matt LaFleur (Green Bay Packers): January 8, 2019: extended through 2026
- Zac Taylor (Cincinnati Bengals): February 4, 2019; extended through 2026
- Kevin Stefanski (Cleveland Browns): January 13, 2020; signed extension in June 2024
- Dan Campbell (Detroit Lions): January 20, 2021; extended through 2027
- Nick Sirianni (Philadelphia Eagles): January 21, 2021; signed offseason extension
- Brian Daboll (New York Giants): January 28, 2022
- Kevin O’Connell (Minnesota Vikings): February 2, 2022; signed offseason extension
- Mike McDaniel (Miami Dolphins): February 6, 2022; extended through 2028
- Todd Bowles (Tampa Bay Buccaneers): March 30, 2022; extended through 2028
- Sean Payton (Denver Broncos): January 31, 2023
- DeMeco Ryans (Houston Texans): January 31, 2023
- Shane Steichen (Indianapolis Colts): February 14, 2023
- Jonathan Gannon (Arizona Cardinals): February 14, 2023
- Brian Callahan (Tennessee Titans): January 22, 2024
- Jim Harbaugh (Los Angeles Chargers): January 24, 2024
- Dave Canales (Carolina Panthers): January 25, 2024
- Raheem Morris (Atlanta Falcons): January 25, 2024
- Mike Macdonald (Seattle Seahawks): January 31, 2024
- Dan Quinn (Washington Commanders): February 1, 2024
- Mike Vrabel (New England Patriots): January 12, 2025
- Ben Johnson (Chicago Bears): January 20, 2025
- Aaron Glenn (New York Jets): January 22, 2025
- Liam Coen (Jacksonville Jaguars): January 23, 2025
- Pete Carroll (Las Vegas Raiders): January 24, 2025
- Brian Schottenheimer (Dallas Cowboys): January 24, 2025
- Kellen Moore (New Orleans Saints): February 11, 2025
Largest 2025 Cap Hits: Offense
Last offseason brought about a record-breaking jump in the salary cap. This year, the ceiling rose to $279.2MM, another notable spike. The market at a number of positions will benefit from the ongoing surge in spending power available to teams, with quarterbacks obviously the largest standout in that respect.
In 2024, a pair of signal-callers surpassed the $50MM mark in terms of cap charges for the season. That will not be the case this time around, but to little surprise quarterbacks once again lead the way in terms of representing the largest share of many teams’ financial commitments for 2025. Positions such as receiver and offensive tackle have also generally not reached the same peak in terms of cap commitments as last year.
Leading up to training camp, are the NFL’s top 25 cap charges for offensive players:
- Dak Prescott, QB (Cowboys): $50.52MM
- Matthew Stafford, QB (Rams): $47.47MM
- Joe Burrow, QB (Bengals): $46MM
- Lamar Jackson, QB (Ravens): $43.5MM
- Kyler Murray, QB (Cardinals): $43.33MM
- Kirk Cousins, QB (Falcons): $40MM
- Geno Smith, QB (Raiders): $40MM
- Tua Tagovailoa, QB (Dolphins): $39.18MM
- Justin Herbert, QB (Chargers): $37.35MM
- Josh Allen, QB (Bills): $36.34MM
- Deshaun Watson, QB (Browns): $35.97MM
- Jared Goff, QB (Lions): $32.6MM
- Taylor Moton, RT (Panthers): $31.35MM
- Jordan Love, QB (Packers): $29.69MM
- Patrick Mahomes, QB (Chiefs): $28.06MM
- Calvin Ridley, WR (Titans): $28MM
- Tyreek Hill, WR (Dolphins): $27.7MM
- Jawaan Taylor, RT (Chiefs): $27.39MM
- Baker Mayfield, QB (Buccaneers): $26.48MM
- Terry McLaurin, WR (Commanders): $25.5MM
- Mike Evans, WR (Buccaneers): $25.36MM
- D.J. Moore, WR (Bears): $24.9MM
- Tee Higgins, WR (Bengals): $24.06MM
- Ja’Marr Chase, WR (Bengals): $23.57MM
- Trey Smith, RG (Chiefs): $23.4MM
Prescott’s last-minute 2024 Cowboys extension made him the first player in NFL history to carry an AAV of $60MM. That pact will have lasting impacts well beyond the coming campaign, as the team looks to also fit in the big-ticket extension CeeDee Lamb inked last summer and the one Micah Parsons is in position to sign at some point before Week 1. 
Once again, Stafford and the Rams entered the spring with plenty of uncertainty. Retirement was a consideration quickly done away with in the case of the 37-year-old, but it remained to be seen if he would remain in Los Angeles. Trade offers came in from numerous suitors, and the chance existed for Stafford to land a more lucrative deal elsewhere. In the end, though, team and player reached agreement on another reworked pact. Stafford is now in line to receive $84MM over the next two years, including guaranteed money in 2026. A bit of continuity will thus be in place under center for the Rams.
2020 draft classmates Burrow, Tagovailoa and Herbert are understandable top-10 players on this list given their respective deals. All three are on the books for years to come as they look to unseat the Chiefs atop the AFC. Burrow spoke about restructuring his pact to create the cap space necessary for the Bengals to retain or extend each of their key in-house players this offseason. That has yet to take place, and it will be interesting to see if a reworking is explored while talks on the Trey Hendrickson front continue.
The Ravens have worked out a few extensions on offense already (Derrick Henry, Rashod Bateman) but Jackson looms as a candidate for a new deal. Three years remain on his pact, but starting in 2026 his cap charge is scheduled so spike well past its current figure. The two-time MVP has discussed a new arrangement this offseason, and a bump in guarantees and overall compensation similar to what the Bills did with Allen would come as no surprise.
Cousins’ figure stands out, of course, given the fact he is slated to operate as Atlanta’s backup this season. With no release coming and no trade imminent, the four-time Pro Bowler is set to stay in place behind Michael Penix Jr. Cousins has made progress in his rehab from shoulder and ankle injuries suffered prior to his benching midway through his debut Atlanta season. With $10MM already guaranteed for next year, it will be interesting to see if a trade market develops in the coming months in his case.
With the exception of Watson – whose second Achilles tear is set to sideline him for most or all of the coming campaign – the remaining quarterbacks on the list are positioned to serve as starters for their respective teams. Only Geno Smith will be suiting up for a new organization after he was traded from the Seahawks to the Raiders. That swap was followed up by a two-year, $75MM extension and allowed him to reunite with head coach Pete Carroll. A short-term upgrade under center will be key as Vegas looks to find stability on the sidelines and in the front office.
Moton’s cap figure was a talking point earlier this offseason, but the Panthers are content to avoid a fourth restructure in his case. The pending free agent hopes to finish his career in Carolina, but an extension would have helped ensure that while lowering his immediate cap charge. In the absence of such an agreement, it will be interesting to see if Moton, 30, can deliver another strong showing in 2025.
Ridley is perhaps a surprising figure to lead the way in terms of cap charges at the receiver spot. He will operate as a key member of the Titans’ offense, a unit whose success will of course depend in large part on the play of rookie Cam Ward. Ridley has two more years left on his deal beyond 2025, but with limited guarantees owed over that span his Tennessee future could be greatly impacted by who this season plays out. 
The likes of Hill, Evans and Moore are not currently the subject of speculation regarding their future. McLaurin, however, was absent from much of the Commanders’ spring practices with little progress being made at the negotiating table. Plenty of work is still required at this point to avoid a potential free agent departure next spring. Coming off a career-high in touchdowns while thriving alongside Jayden Daniels, the two-time Pro Bowler is in line for a raise which will likely lower his cap hit this season.
Chase and Higgins inked their deals simultaneously, putting an end to questions regarding where the latter in particular would play on his second contract. Those two, together with Burrow, will serve as foundational players for years to come in Cincinnati. It will be interesting to see how long Chase (with an AAV of $40.25MM) remains the league’s top earner in that respect for non-quarterbacks.
Kansas City’s offensive line faces questions entering the season. Despite his big-ticket contract, Taylor is not a lock to remain a starter at this point. With no guaranteed left on the final year of his deal (2026), a parting of ways could be in store next spring if a backup gig ensues. Trey Smith, meanwhile, remains attached to the franchise tag although an extension is among the team’s remaining offseason priorities.
RT Taylor Moton Hopes To Finish Career With Panthers
One year remains on Taylor Moton‘s contract. The Panthers are set to have their longtime right tackle play out the 2025 campaign while carrying an inflated cap charge, but it remains to be seen how the parties will move forward beyond that point. 
If Moton has his way, however, he will stay in Carolina through the remainder of his career. The 30-year-old has handled starting duties since his second NFL season, compiling an Ironman streak of 104 consecutive starts along the way. That franchise-record mark came to an end in 2024, but Moton does not feel as though his playing days are nearing an end at this point.
“Looking forward, I do believe I have another contract in me,” the ninth-year veteran said, via Joe Person of The Athletic (subscription required). “But right now my focus is on the 2025 season and making sure I do whatever I can to have the best season I can for everybody involved.”
Moton inked a five-year, $85MM extension in 2021. That pact has been restructured three times, resulting in a $31.35MM cap charge for the 2025 campaign. General manager Dan Morgan made it clear early in the offseason the team would be comfortable with that figure for one year. In the absence of an extension, though, Moton’s Carolina future and market value will be dictated by his level of play this season.
The former second-rounder has remained consistent throughout his Panthers tenure, grading out between 13th and 23rd amongst qualifying tackles in terms of PFF evaluation over six of the past seven years. A similar performance in 2025 would help Carolina’s efforts to build off the offensive momentum shown at the end of last season. The tandem of Moton and left tackle Ikem Ekwonu will remain together for at least one more campaign, but the latter hopes to land a Panthers extension tying him to the team well past 2026.
Moton was limited to 14 contests last year, and a pectoral injury limited his workload during OTAs and minicamp this spring. He expressed confidence in his ability to deal with the knee issues which have arisen in recent years, though, something which will be key in determining his availability and level of play in 2025. It will be interesting to see if a strong start to the campaign opens the door to extension talks or if the Panthers prepare for a potential departure in the spring.
Eagles, Panthers On ‘Shortlist’ For Justin Simmons
Interest in free agent safety Justin Simmons has started to build as teams wrap up mandatory minicamp and plan their summer roster moves.
The Eagles and the Panthers are on a “shortlist” to land the nine-year veteran, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler (via Sports Illustrated’s Patrick McAvoy). Both teams could use the safety depth after moving on from C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Xavier Woods this offseason, respectively.
Simmons is coming off somewhat of a down year in Atlanta after earning Pro Bowl or second-team All-Pro honors in four of his previous five seasons in Denver. That period included three years under then-Broncos head coach Vic Fangio, who is now the Eagles’ defensive coordinator. Simmons has played some of his best football in Fangio’s two-high defenses and could look to reunite with his former coach this year.
Simmons is familiar with Panthers DC Ejiro Evero, as well. He held the same position in Denver in 2022, when Simmons recorded a career-high six interceptions. Evero also spent the 2021 season in Los Angeles under Raheem Morris, who coached Simmons in Atlanta last year.
The Panthers have reached out to Simmons’ representation, per Joe Person of The Athletic, though no deal is imminent. He earned $7.5MM from the Falcons last year and is likely looking for similar compensation for the 2025 season.
Panthers Injury Updates: Brown, Tremble, Barno, Wallace
After missing virtually all of the 2024 season, Panthers defensive tackle Derrick Brown is aiming for a full return to the field during training camp later this summer, per Joseph Person of The Athletic.
Brown tore his meniscus in Week 1 and underwent season-ending surgery that has kept him limited through spring practices, though he did participate in “walk-throughs and light side work” during mandatory minicamp, according to Person. Brown originally stated a desire to be ready for the 2025 regular season, but his timeline appears to have moved up.
Brown’s injury was particularly disappointing after a career-best 2023 season. He led all defensive linemen with 103 total tackles and was named to his first Pro Bowl, earning him a four-year, $96MM extension from the Panthers in April 2024. While he has never been a prolific pass rusher, Brown’s size and power has consistently commanded double-teams and created opportunities for his teammates. His impact was evident last season, as Carolina’s run defense ranked dead-last in his absence.
The Panthers spent significant resources this offseason on defensive line depth, which should allow them to manage Brown’s usage more carefully coming off a major injury. He played a whopping 940 defensive snaps in 2023 (89% of the team’s total) and was on the field for almost every play before his injury last year. With new teammates Tershawn Wharton, Bobby Brown III, and Cam Jackson ready to share the load, Derrick Brown can take a lower snap share to stay fresh and healthy for the entire season.
Here are a few updates on other Panthers returning from injuries:
- Tight end Tommy Tremble missed five games last season due to a lingering back injury that led to offseason surgery in May. He is expected to start training camp on the active/PUP list, according to Person. Youngsters Ja’Tavion Sanders and Mitchell Evans will have a chance to carve out a role in the Panthers’ offense during Tremble’s absence.
- Edge rusher Amare Barno may not be ready by training camp after a “clean-out procedure on his knee,” writes Person. Barno started the 2024 season on the PUP list and only appeared in five games before another injury sidelined him for the rest of the year.
- Linebacker Trevin Wallace returned from offseason shoulder surgery to participate in the Panthers’ spring practices, per Jeff Hawkins of The Charlotte Post. The 2024 third-rounder emerged as a starter as a rookie before landing on injured reserve in December. With Shaq Thompson departing for the Bills in free agency, Wallace is expected to start alongside veteran Josey Jewell in 2025.
Panthers Unlikely To Pursue CBs Jaire Alexander, Jalen Ramsey
Jaire Alexander has drawn immediate interest following his Packers release. He is joined by Jalen Ramsey as a high-profile cornerback available late in the offseason, but in both cases the Panthers should not be considered a landing spot. 
Carolina is not positioned to make a run at Alexander or Ramsey, Joe Person of The Athletic writes (subscription required). He adds a defensive back addition of some kind could be in store before training camp begins next month, and with over $18MM in cap space the team could certainly afford a free agent pickup. As expected, though, other options will be on the Panthers’ radar.
Alexander was the subject of trade talks at multiple points this offseason, and once it became clear no restructure agreement would be reached the Packers moved forward with a release. Trading for the two-time Pro Bowler would have required taking on the remainder of his contract – a tall order given Alexander’s injury history – but numerous suitors are interested now that doing so is no longer necessary. The Bills were among the teams which discussed a trade, although given their current cap situation a free agent deal could be unrealistic at this point.
It has long been known Ramsey is available via trade given the mutual decision made with the Dolphins to move on. Finances are key in his situation given the roughly $21MM in guaranteed salary owed for 2025. Reaching agreement with Miami will no doubt depend largely on how much of that figure the team will retain to facilitate a trade. Ramsey, 30, is a candidate to return to the Rams (a team which, by contrast, does not appear to be a prime suitor for Alexander).
As Person notes, a depth addition at the cornerback spot would be welcomed given the options currently on hand at the position. At safety, meanwhile, a move is also worth watching for. Both Julian Blackmon and Marcus Williams have taken part in free agent visits this offseason, and each veteran is still unsigned at this point. Carolina could circle back to one of those two of look into another free agent such as Justin Simmons based on his familiarity with defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero.
Making a move in the secondary will be welcomed on a defense which ranked 23rd against the pass last season. In the case of Alexander and Ramsey, however, Carolina should not be considered a likely destination.
Dolphins, Rams Not Showing Jaire Alexander Interest; Latest On CB’s Free Agency
Several teams have reached out to Jaire Alexander‘s camp since he became a free agent; the Bills negotiated with the Packers on a potential trade. But the former Pro Bowler remains unattached. A one-year deal should be considered likely.
Not high on a Packers pay-cut offer, Alexander elected to try his luck in what amounts to an audition season. That should be considered Alexander’s most likely play, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who predicts a one-year contract that will — should the veteran cornerback shake his injury issues — open the door to a bigger payday as a 2026 free agent.
[RELATED: Dolphins Excuse Jalen Ramsey From Minicamp]
While Schefter does not envision Alexander collecting as much as he would have made on a reduced Packers deal, an opportunity should come soon. Teams are understandably leery of Alexander’s injury past; the former first-round pick has missed 20 games over the past two years and 33 over the past four. Expecting much on a one-year accord is probably unrealistic for the seven-year veteran, but a starting opportunity to serve as a potential platform to a 2026 free agency bid should certainly be expected.
The Dolphins have a rather notable need at corner, as they are prepared for a Jalen Ramsey separation, but the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson indicates they did not touch base with the Packers on Alexander. Miami is also not believed to have contacted Alexander since his release. While the Dolphins have been connected to corners — Rasul Douglas, Asante Samuel Jr, James Bradberry — due to Ramsey’s eventual exit gutting them at that spot, they may not be ready to bet on another high-maintenance cover man. Their Ramsey trade did not work out, and it will lead to sizable dead money if/once he is traded. Alexander has been less dependable than Ramsey, though the seven-year Packer is the new top corner available as a free agent.
The Rams continue to come up as a Ramsey destination, but Sean McVay sounded considerably more hesitant on Alexander. Los Angeles has not made an outside CB addition this offseason, passing on additions in the draft and the UDFA ranks. Two 30-something CBs (Darious Williams, Ahkello Witherspoon) are already on the Rams’ roster, but it sure sounds like they are comfortable reacquiring Ramsey, who will play an age-31 season in 2025. Alexander turned 28 in February.
“There are so many layers to the Jalen conversation,” McVay said. “Obviously, with Jaire, a lot of respect for him as a player, haven’t talked about those types of things. This will really represent our last OTA day, so we’ve kind of just been focused on our group. Les [Snead] and I have had some dialogue and discussions as it relates to the Jalen thing, but there’s really no news to report on. And with Jaire, nothing but respect for the player but I don’t know if that’s a direction that we would go.”
Ex-McVay staffer Ejiro Evero is running a third Panthers defense, and while The Athletic’s Joe Person notes Carolina will do due diligence on Alexander, nothing appears imminent there. The Panthers extended Jaycee Horn and re-signed Michael Jackson this offseason.
The team did not draft a corner, but Jackson — a 2024 trade pickup who started 17 games (albeit for the league’s 32nd-ranked defense) last season — signed a two-year, $10.5MM deal to stay alongside Horn. Alexander is a Charlotte native who would be expected to usurp Jackson were the Panthers to pursue him.
Chiefs Wanted To Re-Sign DT Tershawn Wharton
After Milton Williams spurned the Panthers’ advances in March, Carolina pivoted to another notable defensive tackle in this year’s free agent class, Tershawn Wharton. The former undrafted find of the Chiefs may have been something of a consolation prize for the Panthers, but his original club wanted to keep him in the fold.
Per David Newton of ESPN.com, Kansas City simply could not match the contract that Carolina authorized for Wharton (three years and $45.1MM, including $30.25MM in full guarantees and an additional $9MM available in incentives). That stands to reason given that the defending AFC champions entered the offseason with little financial flexibility and made the surprising decision to use the franchise tag – worth a fully-guaranteed $23.4MM – on guard Trey Smith.
Kansas City’s decision on Smith precipitated the trade of its other starting guard, Joe Thuney. With a glaring left tackle need, the club’s biggest FA outlay was earmarked for former 49ers swing tackle Jaylon Moore, who landed a two-year, $30MM contract (the Chiefs doubled down on the position by selecting Ohio State OT Josh Simmons in the first round of April’s draft).
The Chiefs’ salary cap picture prevented them from spending big on a Wharton replacement, but second-round draftee Omarr Norman-Lott will have the opportunity to fill Wharton’s shoes. KC did add Jerry Tillery to the defensive front while re-signing Charles Omenihu and Mike Pennel.
Newton seems to suggest that Wharton – a Missouri native who became the first player from Division II Missouri University of Science and Technology to make a modern-era NFL roster – preferred to remain with his hometown team. The ESPN scribe writes, “[i]n a perfect world, Wharton would have remained in Kansas City, where he won two Super Bowls and went to four.”
That said, the soon-to-be 27-year-old also believes there are new opportunities in Charlotte to go along with his new salary. As Jeff Hawkins of the Charlotte Post notes, Wharton believes he was miscast when Kansas City deployed him as a pass-rushing nose tackle in its 4-3 alignment, and he expects to build on his breakout 2024 showing as a member of Panthers DC Ejiro Evero’s 3-4 scheme.
“This guy has a purpose in everything that he does,” Evero said of Wharton. “And it’s really, really impressive to watch. … So it’s great to add guys like that who can bring that experience, that mentality and that work ethic.”
Wharton played 20 games (12 starts) in 2024, including playoffs. He tallied 37 tackles, 8.5 sacks, and a forced fumble as an integral member of Steve Spagnuolo’s stout unit that finished in the top-10 in total defense and in the top-five in scoring defense.
Rams Made Offer For Panthers’ No. 8 Pick; Carolina Eyed Jalon Walker As Backup Plan
Despite having made a Cooper Kupp-for-Davante Adams offseason switch, the Rams were connected to wide receivers in the draft. Buzz about Los Angeles and Emeka Egbuka emerged, but prior to that, the team was believed to be interested in a trade-up for Tetairoa McMillan.
Rams-McMillan rumors came up shortly after the Panthers made their pick at No. 8, but a recent offering from the NFC South team reveals Los Angeles did make an offer. The Panthers discussed terms with the Rams well into their time on the clock, and the Dan Morgan–Brandt Tilis duo debated (YouTube link) accepting Les Snead‘s offer.
The NFC teams discussed trade terms before the draft, per Tilis, but the Rams look to have come in with a different offer during the first round. Morgan assumed L.A. was eyeing McMillan at No. 8, leading him to ask for a monster proposal. The Panthers and Rams had made a key swap during last year’s second round, a move that gave the Rams Braden Fiske (after a move from No. 52 to No. 39) and the Panthers a 2025 second-rounder.
“It’s like if they want this, they’re going to have to go above and beyond, kind of like what they did to us last year when they gave us the two,” Morgan said, via Panthers.com’s Darin Gantt. “That’s because I was convicted on our guy. I really don’t want to lose this player. But if we are going to lose the player, and it’s something that could potentially set us up for the future, if we get a load of picks out of them, then let’s explore it.
“But I didn’t really want to. I was kind of hoping that they would say no. So when they said no at the end, I was fine with it. I was actually like, ‘Sweet.'”
It is not known what the Rams proposed, but a 2026 first-rounder and much more would have been required for the Panthers to move back to No. 26. After the Rams did not swing a deal for McMillan or Egbuka, they acquired a 2026 first-round pick — potential ammo for a QB-based trade-up next year — from the Falcons, who traded back into Round 1 for James Pearce Jr. The Falcons had chosen Jalon Walker at No. 15. The Panthers were closely connected to the hybrid Georgia linebacker, and The Athletic’s Joe Person notes the team would have been comfortable taking him at No. 8 — in the event McMillan was off the board.
A meeting between McMillan and WRs coach Rob Moore convinced the Panthers, who have now made first- or second-round receiver investments in the past three drafts (following Xavier Legette and the since-traded Jonathan Mingo). Carolina tabled its pass rush need to Day 2, viewing this draft’s EDGE class as bringing superior options compared to what the second round presented at wideout. As Walker will be expected to help solve the Falcons’ years-long edge-rushing issue, McMillan will be a central component of the Panthers’ renewed Bryce Young development effort.
The Panthers would have also been comfortable taking Mason Graham, Person adds, but the Browns closed that path by choosing him at No. 5. It is unclear how the Panthers would have proceeded between Graham and McMillan had the Michigan DT slid to 8. Had Carolina enjoyed access to Graham, Dallas awaited a potential McMillan grab at No. 12. Though, the 49ers and Packers were interested in trading up for the Arizona pass catcher as well.
The Rams did not choose a receiver until Round 7, and while they re-signed Tutu Atwell, it is fairly clear it wanted another weapon to pair with Adams — who will turn 33 before season’s end — and Puka Nacua. The Rams can also separate from Adams with a modest dead money charge in 2026. Not landing an early-round talent at the position, a year after a Brock Bowers-based trade-up move failed, would stand to affect Adams’ chances of playing out his two-year, $46MM L.A. accord.
2025 NFL Cap Space, By Team
This week started with a point on the NFL calendar that has been important for decades. Although teams have not needed to wait until June to make their most expensive cuts in many years, they do not see the funds from post-June 1 designations until that point.
With June 1 coming and going, a fourth of the league has seen the savings from post-June 1 releases arrive. That has affected the NFL’s cap-space hierarchy. Here is how every team stands (via OverTheCap) following June 2 changes:
- New England Patriots: $67.34MM
- San Francisco 49ers: $53.49MM
- Detroit Lions: $40.12MM
- New York Jets: $39.8MM
- Las Vegas Raiders: $36.16MM
- Arizona Cardinals: $32.11MM
- Dallas Cowboys: $32.11MM
- Pittsburgh Steelers: $31.88MM
- Seattle Seahawks: $31.21MM
- Tennessee Titans: $30.16MM
- Green Bay Packers: $28.94MM
- Cincinnati Bengals: $27.08MM
- Los Angeles Chargers: $26.83MM
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $26.63MM
- Jacksonville Jaguars: $26.54MM
- Philadelphia Eagles: $25.79MM
- New Orleans Saints: $22.62MM
- Washington Commanders: $21.13MM
- Indianapolis Colts: $20.09MM
- Los Angeles Rams: $19.44MM
- Baltimore Ravens: $18.95MM
- Carolina Panthers: $18.69MM
- Minnesota Vikings: $18.49MM
- Cleveland Browns: $18.2MM
- Houston Texans: $16.3MM
- Denver Broncos: $16.23MM
- Chicago Bears: $14.76MM
- Miami Dolphins: $13.81MM
- Kansas City Chiefs: $10.75MM
- Atlanta Falcons: $5.02MM
- New York Giants: $3.82MM
- Buffalo Bills: $1.69MM
The Jets saw their situation change the most from post-June 1 designations, as $13.5MM became available to the team after its Aaron Rodgers and C.J. Mosley cuts. Teams have up to two post-June 1 designations at their disposals. Five clubs — the Jets, Browns, Ravens, Eagles and 49ers — used both slots. Only three other teams made a post-June 1 cut before that seminal date. The eight that made these moves will have dead money split between 2025 and 2026.
Baltimore used the cost-defraying option to release Marcus Williams and Justin Tucker, while Cleveland — in Year 4 of the regrettable Deshaun Watson partnership — used it to move on from Juan Thornhill and Dalvin Tomlinson. As the Eagles’ option bonus-heavy payroll included two hefty bonus numbers for Darius Slay and James Bradberry, the reigning Super Bowl champions released both 30-something cornerbacks. Together, Slay and Bradberry will count more than $20MM on Philadelphia’s 2026 cap sheet. As for this year, though, the Browns, Eagles, Ravens and 49ers respectively saved $9.85MM, $9.4MM, $6.3MM, $6.4MM and $5.6MM, according to Spotrac.
The Jaguars made a mid-offseason decision to release Gabe Davis, doing so not long after trading up to draft Travis Hunter — with the plan to primarily play him at wide receiver — at No. 2 overall. Off-field issues, coupled with a down 2024 season, made Tucker expendable — after the Ravens drafted Tyler Loop in Round 6. The Vikings moved off Garrett Bradbury‘s contract and will replace him with free agency addition Ryan Kelly, while Mason lasted two seasons paired with C.J. Stroud‘s rookie deal. The 49ers made it known early they were moving on from Javon Hargrave, while 2024 trade addition Maliek Collins also exited the team’s D-tackle room.
Derek Carr‘s retirement being processed Tuesday also changed the Saints’ funding. The team will spread the dead money ($50.13MM) across two years. Even with the number being reduced this year, the Saints will be hit with the second-highest single-player dead money hit (behind only the Broncos’ Russell Wilson separation) in NFL history as a result of the Carr exit. The Saints will only be responsible for $19.21MM of that total in 2025. As they did with Jason Kelce and Fletcher Cox‘s retirements last year, the Eagles will also process Brandon Graham‘s hit this way.
Eight of this year’s post-June 1 releases remain in free agency. The Patriots added Bradbury to replace the now-retired David Andrews, while the Vikings scooped up Hargrave. As the Steelers await Rodgers’ decision, they added two other post-June 1 releases in Slay and Thornhill. Tomlinson joined the Cardinals not long after his Browns release.