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Texans, Danielle Hunter Agree To Extension

March 19th, 2025 at 10:50pm CST by Ben Levine

Danielle Hunter‘s wish has come true. Following reports that the veteran pass rusher was interested in extending his stay in Houston, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports that Hunter has inked a one-year extension. The 30-year-old is now under contract through the 2026 season.

The one-year extension is worth $35.6MM and will place Hunter second among the league’s highest-paid defensive ends. Myles Garrett‘s recent record-breaking extension tops that list, with Hunter edging out Maxx Crosby by $100K in the AAV column.

As part of the extension, Hunter will also get a $12.5MM raise for 2025. The edge rusher is now scheduled to make $32MM in 2025, and he’ll be owed $55.1MM over the next two years (with a whopping $54.1MM guaranteed). Hunter inked a two-year, $49MM deal with the team last offseason.

Following his long and productive stint in Minnesota, Hunter picked up where he left off in Houston. He earned a Defensive Player of the Year vote after finishing the season with 12 sacks and a career-high 23 QB hits. This is the third straight year that Hunter has topped 10 sacks; after overcoming injury issues in 2020 and 2021, the long-time Vikings standout collected 26.5 sacks between the 2022 and 2023 campaigns.

Following his strong first season in Houston, Hunter expressed interest in signing an extension with the Texans. The pass rusher was reportedly eyeing a new deal that would push his AAV above $30MM. That would naturally put the veteran towards the top of his position, although he was already ranked in the top-10 with his previous $24.5MM AAV.

The Texans continue to lock in their defensive core. It was just the other day that the team inked Derek Stingley Jr. to a record-breaking extension, and with Will Anderson on the books for years to come, the front office can rest easy knowing they have their defensive nucleus intact for the next few years.

Hunter had already secured a near-fully guaranteed contract last year, turning down more overall money from the Colts to head to Houston. The Texans adding a year to this illustrates the confidence they have in the decorated pass rusher, as Anderson’s extension eligibility now overlaps with part of Hunter’s contract. The Texans could move to extend Anderson in 2026, following their Stingley blueprint; that would now overlap with Hunter’s contract. Ditto C.J. Stroud, who joins Anderson in becoming extension-eligible in 2026.

Texans To Sign T Cam Robinson

March 19th, 2025 at 10:33pm CST by Sam Robinson

A week after trading Laremy Tunsil to the Commanders, the Texans are bringing in a hired gun at left tackle. Cam Robinson is heading to Houston, FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz tweets.

While rumored to be planning to shift Tytus Howard to left tackle, the Texans now appear more likely to keep the versatile lineman at either right tackle or move him back to guard once again. Robinson is signing a one-year deal, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini adds. It is believed the former Jaguars and Vikings LT will sign for at least $12MM. Unspecified escalators could vault the value to $14.5MM, per Russini.

PFR’s No. 5 overall free agent, Robinson may well have commanded solid multiyear offers. But the experienced tackle will bet on raising his value ahead of 2026’s free agency. The Texans will first see how he fares in Tunsil’s place, adding the eight-year starter on a higher-end one-year agreement that will give them exclusive negotiating rights until next March.

Robinson had seen third contracts handed out to Dion Dawkins, Taylor Decker and Garett Bolles last year. Not quite on that level, Robinson still commanded two franchise tags in Jacksonville. Instead of paying Robinson once again, the Jaguars traded him to the Vikings, who needed a Christian Darrisaw replacement. With Darrisaw due back, Minnesota let Robinson walk. He will join a remodeled Houston O-line.

The Texans traded Tunsil and Kenyon Green and cut Shaq Mason. They have added Laken Tomlinson as a guard starter, and it is worth wondering if Howard will now be moving back inside. The team drafted Blake Fisher in last year’s second round. Unless Houston is keen on letting the Notre Dame alum being a swingman in his second season, a configuration in which Howard slides back to guard to accommodate Fisher makes sense. Robinson, however, now becomes the top blocking piece as the Texans attempt to move C.J. Stroud back on track.

A Howard move back inside would pit Juice Scruggs against Jarrett Patterson for one spot — center. The Texans also acquired Ed Ingram as a potential guard starter. If nothing else, Houston is loading up on potential starting options after back-to-back seasons involving heavy injury trouble along their O-line. Tunsil stayed mostly healthy during this stretch, but he is now in Washington after it became clear he was not at the front of the line for another extension.

Robinson, 29, played out a three-year, $52.75MM extension signed while on his second Jags tag. He worked as Trevor Lawrence‘s primary blindside option (and Gardner Minshew‘s before that). The former Alabama-developed second-rounder has started all 101 games he has played. Pro Football Focus slotted Robinson outside the top 50 among tackles last season, and his 88.2% pass block win rate was not especially impressive. This could have led to some hesitancy on the market. At the same time, less proven options like Alaric Jackson, Jaylon Moore and Dan Moore Jr. scored multiyear deals. Robinson is still doing well on a one-year pact, but this free agency did not exactly play out as expected.

PFF placed Robinson between Nos. 40-50 from 2021-23, and a pattern of unavailability emerged in that span. After stabilizing his career following a 2018 ACL tear, Robinson suffered a torn meniscus late in the 2022 season. He was then suspended for a positive PED test in 2023, and another injury — a knee issue — shelved Robinson during the ’23 campaign. He put some durability doubts to rest last season by logging 17 starts with Jacksonville and Minnesota, but “prove it” vibes are still circulating here ahead of an age-30 season.

As the Chiefs and Titans roll the dice on less proven (but younger) Moores, the Patriots looked into Robinson. New England still needs a left tackle, adding only Morgan Moses (to be their RT). Ex-Jags HC Doug Marrone being in place as the Pats’ O-line coach and the team passing is rather telling.

Robinson will be entrusted to replace a Pro Bowler. The eight-year veteran will come much cheaper than Tunsil, who is on a $25MM-per-year contract. The Texans will go cheaper on their O-line this season, despite Stroud still having a year of rookie-deal control left, as Mason is also off the books. Robinson and Tomlinson will be expected to provide veteran stability in 2025.

To create some cap room ahead of this signing, the Texans also restructured Howard’s contract. By moving most of Howard’s 2025 salary into a signing bonus (per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson), Houston created $11.6MM in cap space. Two seasons still remain on Howard’s contract. Three void years are present in the deal, which now includes a 2026 cap hit beyond $27MM.

Browns To Sign DeAndre Carter

March 19th, 2025 at 10:04pm CST by Ben Levine

The Browns have added a veteran return specialist to their roster. Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports that the team has signed DeAndre Carter.

It’s a one-year deal for the seven-year veteran. Carter will get nearly $800K in guaranteed money to join Cleveland’s special teams unit.

Carter ranks second among active players in career kick/punt return yards (4,577, behind Cordarrelle Patterson‘s 8,238 yards). The veteran has returned at least 15 punts and 10 kickoffs in each of the past four seasons. This includes a 2024 campaign that he spent in Chicago, where he returned 17 punts for 158 yards and 15 kickoffs for 479 yards.

Carter has also received some looks on offense throughout his career, hauling in 117 receptions. His best season came with the Chargers in 2022, when he finished with 46 catches for 538 yards and three touchdowns. He hauled in nine catches for the Bears in 2024.

The Browns averaged 24.8 yards on their kickoffs in 2024, the third-worst mark in the NFL. The Browns mostly leaned on their RBs (including Jerome Ford, Pierre Strong, and D’Onta Foreman) for the role last season, and there’s a good chance Carter will slide atop the depth chart in 2025.

Minor NFL Transactions: 3/19/25

March 19th, 2025 at 9:00pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Detroit Lions

Kansas City Chiefs

Pittsburgh Steelers

Seattle Seahawks

Tennessee Titans

Al-Quadin Muhammad is inking a one-year deal to return to Detroit, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The defensive lineman got into nine games (two starts) for the Lions last season, collecting 11 tackles and three sacks while appearing in about 40 percent of his team’s defensive snaps.

Muhammad didn’t get into a game during the 2023 campaign. He spent the first part of the season on the Colts practice squad, and he was later suspended for violating the league’s policy on performance enhancing drugs. Prior to his lost 2023 season, the lineman got into games with the Saints, Colts, and Bears, collecting 12 sacks across six NFL seasons.

Raiders Sign Patriots LB Christian Elliss To RFA Offer Sheet

March 19th, 2025 at 4:57pm CST by Sam Robinson

MARCH 21: Elliss’ offer sheet with the Raiders carries a $4.842MM cap charge, per KRPC2’s Aaron Wilson, nearly a 50% increase on his right-of-first-refusal RFA tag from the Patriots. New England has until Monday afternoon to match the offer sheet. If they don’t, Elliss will depart for Las Vegas and the Patriots will not receive any draft compensation.

MARCH 19: For a second straight year, a restricted free agency offer sheet has emerged. Following the 2024 Brock Wright proposal, the league could see Christian Elliss change teams.

The Patriots tendered the young linebacker at the original-round level, giving him a $3.26MM salary for 2025. The Raiders have stepped in and authorized a raise, with NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reporting the team signed Elliss to an offer sheet. The Pats have five days to match, per long-held league rules that rarely come up due to the scarcity of RFA offer sheets.

Because the Pats did not unholster a second-round tender, they would not receive any compensation if they do not match the Raiders’ Elliss offer by Monday. This proposal also comes shortly after the Pats signed former Mike Vrabel Titans charge Jack Gibbens — a linebacker not retained as an RFA by his previous team — to a one-year deal. This agreement also comes after the Patriots poached one of the Raiders’ starting linebackers, Robert Spillane, on Day 1 of the legal tampering period. The Raiders had hopes of retaining Spillane, but the Pats came in with a three-year, $33MM deal ($20.6MM guaranteed).

One of retired NFL defensive tackle Luther Elliss‘ four sons to venture into the league, Christian followed brother Kaden in earning a role as a linebacker. D-tackle Noah Elliss also has spent time in the NFL, while the Broncos chose edge rusher Jonah Elliss in last year’s third round. Christian has spent most of the past two seasons with the Patriots; he started five games for the team in 2024.

Using Christian Elliss on 49% of their defensive snaps last season, the Patriots gave the 25-year-old LB an expanded role. Elliss responded with an 80-tackle season, doing so despite making only five starts. He notched an interception, a forced fumble, 1.5 sacks and five pass breakups. The Pats have retooled at the position in recent days, and they still have Ja’Whaun Bentley and Jahlani Tavai — extended in 2024 — on the roster as well.

It is a bit interesting the Raiders would turn to the RFA route here, as capable linebackers remain available in unrestricted free agency. The team, however, lost Divine Deablo as well as Spillane last week. The Raiders added Elandon Roberts but do not have much else at the position right now. While they might have Elliss, plans are on hold until word emerges if the Patriots match the offer. Terms of sheet are not yet known.

Dolphins, LB Willie Gay Agree To Deal

March 19th, 2025 at 3:45pm CST by Sam Robinson

Although Chase Young transitioned from Saints one-year deal to a lucrative second contract with the team, Willie Gay will depart New Orleans after a 2024 one-off.

The Dolphins are signing the former Chiefs starter, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports. A two-time Super Bowl starter, Gay will join a Dolphins team that has done some linebacker shuffling recently.

Miami, which swapped out Jerome Baker for Jordyn Brooks last year, has been busy at linebacker this month. Re-signing the player they claimed after a Seahawks cut (Tyrel Dodson), the Dolphins also brought in K.J. Britt after his Buccaneers starter season. Gay passes both in terms of experience, and the former Nick Bolton sidekick is only going into his age-27 season.

Last year, the Chiefs prioritized Drue Tranquill over Gay, letting their longer-tenured LB walk. Gay’s market did not take off, as he joined the Saints on a one-year, $3MM deal. Gay did not emerge as a full-time Saints starter, lining up with the first-stringers in only eight of the 15 games he played. Gay only notched 28 tackles, though he did add two sacks, a forced fumble, two recoveries and three passes defensed. Gay’s 27% usage rate on defense paled in comparison to the role he played in Kansas City.

A 2020 second-round pick, Gay became a Chiefs defensive staple before Bolton’s arrival. Both players manned the Chiefs’ defensive second level in 2021, beginning a three-year partnership. Gay was a regular Chiefs starter, producing his best season in 2022 by finishing with 88 tackles (nine for loss) to go with 2.5 sacks and eight pass breakups. Pro Football Focus, which had respectively graded Gay as the 20th- and 32nd-best off-ball LB in 2021 and ’22, slotted him near the bottom during his part-time Saints season, viewing him as one of the league’s worst coverage ‘backers.

Gay played 88% of the Chiefs’ defensive snaps in Super Bowl LVII but saw his role reduced coming off injury in Super Bowl LVIII, when he logged a 52% snap rate against the 49ers. The Chiefs have since re-signed Bolton to pair with Tranquill, allocating far more to their LB spot than they had during most of Gay’s time in Missouri. The Dolphins have Brooks on a three-year, $26.25MM deal, while Dodson and Britt are on lower-level accords. Gay can be expected to join the latter trio in vying for a job complementing Brooks.

Bears To Sign WR Devin Duvernay

March 19th, 2025 at 3:13pm CST by Sam Robinson

Like Evan Engram, Devin Duvernay did not need to wait too long before finding a post-Jacksonville landing spot. The Bears will add the former All-Pro return man, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz tweets.

The Jags dropped Engram, Duvernay and Josh Reynolds days before free agency, doing so after trading Christian Kirk to the Texans. The Bears will be Duvernay’s third team, and extensive return-game duties should be expected for the veteran wide receiver.

Although Duvernay has helped out as a receiver, his most notable NFL work has come via the third phase. The former Ravens third-round pick earned first-team All-Pro acclaim for his return-game work in 2021 and added a Pro Bowl nod in 2022. Duvernay has two career kick-return TDs, both coming in Baltimore, and he led the NFL in punt-return average (13.8) in 2021.

The Bears used journeyman DeAndre Carter as their primary kick and punt returner last season. Carter’s contract expired last week. Going into his age-28 season, Duvernay checks in as an upgrade. Duvernay has a notable receiver season on his resume, posting 37 receptions for 407 yards and three TDs during a 2021 season that saw the Ravens decimated at the position. Beyond that, however, the Texas alum does not have a 300-yard year on his resume. Duvernay has combined for 98 receiving yards since 2023.

His 12.0-yard career average on punt returns does give the Bears a quality weapon in the return game. Among players with at least 60 returns since 2010, only Hall of Famer Devin Hester has that beat. It has been a while since Hester dazzled in Chicago; Ben Johnson will hope to coax some impactful ST sequences from Duvernay in his first Windy City season.

Commanders, Deebo Samuel Agree To Reworked Deal

March 19th, 2025 at 2:30pm CST by Sam Robinson

No immediate Deebo Samuel extension followed his Washington arrival, separating this trade of a 2019 second-round wideout from the trades involving D.K. Metcalf and A.J. Brown. Samuel will be assured of a nice 2025 payout, at least.

Samuel’s near-$17MM base salary will become fully guaranteed, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who adds $3MM in incentives will be attached to this revised agreement. That said, not too much has changed here; that may be more notable than any updated guarantee.

Metcalf agreed to a four-year, $128MM extension upon being traded to Pittsburgh. The ex-Seahawk joined Samuel in entering the NFL in the ’19 second round, and while Metcalf does not have a first-team All-Pro honor on his resume like the ex-49er does, he has been a more consistent player since each signed second contracts during 2022 training camp. Samuel saw injuries and modest performances ding his trade value, making the Commanders’ add more of a flier. Trade cost also separated this swap from the Steelers-Seahawks exchange, as Seattle obtained a second-round pick for Metcalf.

Samuel, 28, receiving guarantees early is not especially notable; as a vested veteran, he would have secured them shortly before Week 1. Remaining in a contract year, however, is key here. The Commanders may well look to evaluate their trade acquisition’s fit alongside Terry McLaurin, who joins Metcalf in having a more consistent career. Samuel’s best work has bettered both, but it has been a while since the versatile playmaker has made top-flight contributions.

Accumulating 1,770 scrimmage yards in 2021, Samuel powered the 49ers’ passing attack during Jimmy Garoppolo‘s final full season as the team’s starter. Samuel did improve on his 2022 dud with a 12-touchdown 1,117-yard 2023, but he struggled again in 2024. The 49ers moved on from Samuel after the near-$24MM-AAV player totaled just 670 receiving yards last year. The Commanders providing an extension now would not exactly be called for, given the South Carolina alum’s unreliability and potential durability concerns.

Still, Washington has secured what should be a substantial WR2 upgrade after being unable to provide McLaurin with a quality complementary option throughout the former third-rounder’s run. Samuel will give Jayden Daniels an interesting inside option, and the presence of Austin Ekeler may ensure not many handoffs go on Samuel’s odometer (202 career carries) this season. For now, though, the Commanders will wait and see on their trade asset’s post-2025 future.

Patriots To Sign LB Jack Gibbens

March 19th, 2025 at 2:11pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Titans did not tender Jack Gibbens as a restricted free agent last week, passing on the $3MM-plus number despite the young linebacker working as a multiyear starter for the team. Gibbens has found a landing spot.

Mike Vrabel is bringing his former charge to New England. Gibbens agreed to a one-year deal with the Patriots, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler reports. Vrabel coached Gibbens from 2022-23. Gibbens, 26, will join former Tennessee teammate Harold Landry in following Vrabel to Foxborough.

[RELATED: Raiders Give Pats’ Christian Elliss Offer Sheet]

Under Vrabel in 2023, the Titans turned to Gibbens as an ILB regular. The former UDFA made 13 starts, working as Azeez Al-Shaair‘s primary sidekick. The Titans have made more changes at this position since, letting Al-Shaair rejoin DeMeco Ryans in Houston and then trading 2024 signee Kenneth Murray to the Cowboys. Shortly after adding Cody Barton during the legal tampering period, the Titans passed on giving Gibbens a $3.26MM RFA tender.

Working his way into a 66% snap share defensively in 2023, Gibbens made 95 tackles and registered a sack. Pro Football Focus viewed his initial emergence fairly well, ranking him 30th among ILB regulars that season. PFF graded Gibbens as a top-10 ILB last season, but the Titans did not give him enough snaps to qualify as a regular. Gibbens lost his starting job after Week 1, and while he regained it and logged three straight games with a 100% snap rate, an ankle injury ended his season after 10 games. Gibbens made 29 tackles during his final two starts last season, reminding of the form that caught Vrabel’s attention a year earlier.

The Patriots suddenly have a crowded ILB contingent. Holdovers Ja’Whaun Bentley and Jahlani Tavai remain, while the team paid up (three years, $33MM) to pry Robert Spillane from the Raiders. New England used the low-end tender ($3.26MM) to retain RFA Christian Elliss, though the Raiders’ offer sheet changes that equation. Fellow ex-Titan Monty Rice is also among New England’s LB corps. Gibbens could see a bigger role if the Patriots do not opt to match the Raiders’ Elliss offer sheet.

Rams To Re-Sign CB Ahkello Witherspoon

March 19th, 2025 at 12:35pm CST by Sam Robinson

A third Ahkello Witherspoon Rams season is on tap. The veteran cornerback is returning to Los Angeles on a one-year deal, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler reports.

It took until late June for Witherspoon to rejoin the Rams in 2023 and until September in 2024; the team will give him an earlier start in 2025. Witherspoon, who will turn 30 on Friday, has started 22 games for the Rams over the past two seasons.

The Rams used Witherspoon as a full-time starter in 2023, doing so after adding him June 29. The post-minicamp addition led to 17 starts, as Witherspoon served as a veteran presence along with Darious Williams at corner last season. With Tre’Davious White not working out on a one-year deal in 2024, Witherspoon moved up to the Rams’ active roster — after returning on a practice squad deal — and logged a 58% snap share on defense.

Intercepting three passes in 2023, Witherspoon added one pick and broke up nine more passes last season. His coverage metrics worsened, however. After allowing just 48.1% of the passes thrown his way to be completed in 2023, Witherspoon saw that number rise to 65.3 in 2024. He yielded 8.5 yards per target and a 96.9 passer rating as a the closest defender last season as well. Pro Football Focus saw the 6-foot-2 cover man as a middling corner, however, ranking him 53rd among regulars in 2024.

This agreement will give Witherspoon a chance to play a ninth NFL season. A 62-game starter, Witherspoon was a regular first-stringer on the 49ers’ Super Bowl LIV-bound team; though, he had been demoted to backup by the time that game came around. Witherspoon still started four more playoff games since, including both of the Rams’ contests last season. Witherspoon made a critical contribution during the Rams’ wild-card romp over the Vikings, stripping Sam Darnold of the ball to allow for a 57-yard scoop-and-score from Jared Verse.

Stopping through Seattle and Pittsburgh between his California stays, Witherspoon will continue to supply experience for a young Rams CB corps. Though, he is not the only such option. Williams, who re-signed with the Rams in 2024, is still under contract ahead of an age-32 season. Two 30-somethings at corner would be an interesting route for the Rams, who still have plans with Williams due to a recent development. Williams locked in $8MM, between a $5MM base salary and $3MM roster bonus, after remaining on the Rams’ roster by Day 5 of the 2025 league year. In addition to multiyear staple Cobie Durant, the Rams still have Emmanuel Forbes — whose first-round contract they claimed via waivers — rostered as well.

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