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NFL’s TE Market Expected To Rise

By | at May 16, 2026 9:56 pm

A select number of positions have seen their respective markets surge over recent years in the NFL. The tight end spot is nowhere near as lucrative as certain others, but a spike could soon be coming.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler writes a number of notable tight end deals can be expected in the near future. This offseason has seen indications that could be the case, and a few extension cases will be worth watching closely. Fowler unsurprisingly names the Lions’ Sam LaPorta and the Packers’ Tucker Kraft as candidates for a lucrative second contract as early as this year.

Both players are pending 2027 free agents. LaPorta quickly emerged as a focal point in Detroit’s passing game, earning Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors as a rookie. The former second-rounder saw a reduction in production the following season and was limited to just nine games in 2025, though. Still, any LaPorta extension would bring about a considerable raise relative to the $2.04MM in cash he is due for the coming campaign.

Detroit’s financial outlook is of course complex when it comes to members of the 2022 draft class. LaPorta, but also first-rounders Jahmyr Gibbs and Jack Campbell as well as second-rounder Brian Branch, is in line for a new pact. Keeping all four members of that group while affording the big-money deals already on the books will be challenging for the Lions. Authorizing an extension would allow the team to keep one of the league’s top young tight ends in the fold but it would also likely lessen the chances of retaining Campbell and Branch in particular.

Kraft, like LaPorta, is 25. The South Dakota State product saw his offensive role increase across his first two years in Green Bay. Kraft then enjoyed a stellar start to the 2025 campaign, averaging over 61 yards per game and scoring six touchdowns in eight contests. An ACL tear ended his season, however. Kraft is on course to collect $1.51MM in 2025, but a long-term deal would be worth far more.

The Packers have had a young – and cost-effective – pass-catching group for the last few years in particular. That still includes a number of receivers on rookie deals (although investments have been made in Jayden Reed and Christian Watson) as well as tight end Luke Musgrave on his initial NFL pact. Green Bay could pursue an extension in Kraft’s case before he returns to action knowing a team-friendly figure could be easier to arrive at.

The tight end market currently consists of 13 multiyear contracts averaging between $10MM and $19.1MM annually. Kyle Pitts‘ franchise tag, meanwhile, checks in at just over $15MM. Last offseason, Trey McBride and the Cardinals agreed to a four-year, $76MM deal. Continued spikes in the salary cap should help the likes of LaPorta and Kraft secure similar (if not larger) deals, while Brock Bowers will position himself for a big-money extension as early as 2027 if his Raiders production continues next season.

As Fowler notes, an increased emphasis on using multiple tight ends has emerged around the league. Free agency saw Charlie Kolar, for instance, land $8.1MM in average annual value and $17MM guaranteed after he totaled just 30 catches in four Ravens seasons. Last month’s draft demonstrated how blocking tight ends were seen as highly valuable during the middle rounds. Provided that trend continues, depth contributors at the TE spot will continue to see raises while the top of the market reaches new heights.

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Each NFL Franchise’s Richest RB Contract

By | at May 14, 2026 10:57 pm

Running back value has become a divisive topic in the modern NFL, and teams’ histories with these investments reveal a large gap in their respective approaches to RB contracts. Following our installments covering the highest-paid quarterback, wide receiver and off-ball linebacker in each team’s history, here are the most lucrative deals — ranked by guaranteed money — for running backs in each franchise’s history (the list excludes rookie contracts).

Unlike the QB and WR markets, some teams’ top RB deals occurred decades ago. This list covers contracts agreed to across four different decades.

Arizona Cardinals

Jeremiyah Love‘s rookie contract brings the highest guarantee ($53MM) in RB history, but for veteran accords, Conner’s second Arizona pact is the organizational standard

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

LeSean McCoy‘s March 2015 extension included more guaranteed at signing ($18.25MM), but Cook’s brought a rolling guarantee structure that eclipsed that package in total

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

  • Matt Forte; July 16, 2012: Four years, $30.4MM ($17.1MM guaranteed)

D’Andre Swift‘s 2024 agreement included more guaranteed at signing ($14MM), but Forte’s guarantee package remains the Chicago standard

Cincinnati Bengals

  • Corey Dillon; May 11, 2001: Five years, $26MM ($10.5MM guaranteed)

The Bengals more than doubled Dillon’s AAV number in 2020 for Joe Mixon (four years, $48MM) but only guaranteed $10MM of that pact

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

  • Barry Sanders; July 21, 1997: Six years, $33.5MM ($11.5MM guaranteed)

David Montgomery‘s two Lions deals topped the Hall of Famer in AAV, but neither surpassed $11MM guaranteed; Jahmyr Gibbs is tied to the highest RB guarantee in franchise history ($17.85MM) but got there via a rookie deal 

Green Bay Packers

Josh Jacobs‘ 2024 pact edges Jones in AAV but fell short of his predecessor’s deal in guarantees

Houston Texans

  • Arian Foster; March 5, 2012: Five years, $43.5MM ($20.75MM guaranteed)

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Leonard Fournette received a $27.15MM guarantee — still in the top 10 in RB history — but it came on a rookie contract

Kansas City Chiefs

Las Vegas Raiders

Raiders sweetened Jacobs’ franchise tag agreement; Ashton Jeanty‘s 2025 rookie slot deal included $35.9MM guaranteed

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

  • Adrian Peterson; September 10, 2011: Six years, $86.28MM ($36MM guaranteed)

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

Barkley’s rookie slot deal included $31.19MM guaranteed — fourth all time among all RB contracts — while Devin Singletary‘s $9.5MM represents the franchise’s high-water mark on a multiyear deal

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

Bell’s second franchise tag (2018) covered $14.54MM, but the RB became the first tagged player this century to skip a season; Jaylen Warren‘s 2025 extension brought the highest Steelers RB guarantee ($7.1MM) on a multiyear deal

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

  • Clinton Portis; March 1, 2004: Eight years, $50.52MM ($13MM guaranteed)

Information from OverTheCap and Spotrac was used in the creation of this post

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Lions DBs Terrion Arnold, Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph Recovering Well

By | at May 14, 2026 1:00 pm

The Lions are hoping their secondary can come back strong in 2026 after being decimated by injuries last year.

Detroit’s starting four – D.J. Reed, Terrion Arnold, Brian Branch, and Kerby Joseph – all missed several games with the latter three ending the season on injured reserve. Daniel Thomas and Ennis Rakestraw also landed on IR, and Avonte Maddox and Thomas Harper missed multiple games as well.

Arnold underwent season-ending surgery on his shoulder after injuring it multiple times during the season. He was also sidelined by a concussion for two games. At present, he is unsure about his availability for OTAs or mandatory minicamp.

“That’s kind of up to [the team] and just where I’m at with my recovery and my treatment and stuff,” Arnold said (via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press). “But as far as training camp and stuff, I know I’m expected to be there.” 

The Lions signed Roger McCreary and drafted Keith Abney this offseasonto give themselves some depth in their cornerback room, but it appears that Arnold, Reed, and last year’s No. 3 boundary starter, Rock-Ya Sin, will be ready for the start of the regular season.

There is more uncertainty in Detroit’s safety room. General manager Brad Holmes said (via Pro Football Talk’s Michael David Smith) that both Branch and Joseph are “heading in the right direction.” Detroit did sign veteran safeties Chuck Clark and Christian Izien in free agency as insurance, but they declined to target the position in the draft.

However, Holmes added that the Lions’ decision not to draft a safety was not a reflection of their confidence in their current stars’ recoveries.

“We didn’t ignore [the safety position],” Holmes continued. “There were some good ones that were out there that just got picked before we were able to, but it just didn’t quite line up. I didn’t really think that class was as deep either, so it had to line up and you had to strike right.”

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Vikings Request GM Interviews With Ray Agnew, Reed Burckhardt, Kyle Smith

By | at May 12, 2026 10:21 pm

The list of candidates for the Vikings GM opening continues to grow. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the team has requested interviews with three executives: Lions assistant GM Ray Agnew, Broncos assistant GM Reed Burckhardt, and Dolphins assistant GM Kyle Smith.

Agnew had front office stints with the Jets and Rams before following Brad Holmes to Detroit to become the Lions assistant general manager in 2021. The executive has helped spearhead a franchise turnaround; after a three-win showing during the first year under the new regime, the Lions have averaged more than 11 wins per season since 2022. The front office has also pulled off shrewd trades (like the Matthew Stafford–Jared Goff swap) and have hit on some key picks (including Aidan Hutchinson and Jahmyr Gibbs). As a result, Agnew has been mentioned as a candidate to eventually lead his own front office.

Burckhardt earned a promotion to Denver’s assistant GM last offseason. The executive previously served as the team’s director of player personnel. Before his stint with the Broncos, Burckhardt worked alongside current boss George Paton in Minnesota, where he held a variety of scouting and personnel roles. Following Burckhardt’s promotion to assistant GM in Denver, the Broncos proceeded to have one of their most successful seasons in recent history, finishing with 14 victories. According to Mike Klis of 9News in Denver, Burckhardt interviewed for the Vikings gig earlier today.

Smith worked his way up to vice president of player personnel in Washington and assistant GM in Atlanta before taking an assistant GM gig in Miami under Jon-Eric Sullivan. The executive was credited with some of Washington’s draft hits like Terry McLaurin, and he’s currently being counted on to guide a similar rebuild in Miami.

The Vikings fired Kwesi Adofo-Mensah in late January and went through the draft with Rob Brzezinski in place in the interim. In the meantime, the team has been looking high and low for their new front office leader. The latest trio joins a list of candidates that also includes Chargers assistant GM Chad Alexander, 49ers assistant GM RJ Gillen, Bills assistant GM Terrance Gray, Rams assistant GM John McKay, Seahawks assistant GM Nolan Teasely, and Titans assistant GM Dave Ziegler.

Meanwhile, Albert Breer of SI.com recently provided some insight on the organization’s approach. The reporter suggests that Brzezinski could be kept in a role similar to Mike Disner with the Lions or Tony Pastoors with the Rams, with the new GM being tasked with more of a “scouting-focused” role. Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports adds that the team’s search will surely continue through Memorial Day and could drag on into late May.

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Lions Had Interest In Kadyn Proctor, Landed On Blake Miller Late

By | at May 12, 2026 9:02 pm

The Lions have overhauled their offensive line in the last two years, with only one of their 2024 starters – tackle Penei Sewell – still on the team.

In 2025, center Frank Ragnow retired and right guard Kevin Zeitler left in free agency. Detroit moved Graham Glasgow to center and installed recent draft picks Christian Mahogany and Tate Ratledge as their starting guards.

This offseason, the Lions released Glasgow and left tackle Taylor Decker, creating more holes to fill along their offensive line. They signed Cade Mays to start at center and acquired Juice Scruggs via a trade with the Texans to provide depth at all three interior spots.

Head coach Dan Campbell said that Sewell would move to the blind side, where he lined up in college, leaving a hole at right tackle. Detroit added Larry Borom on a one-year, $5MM deal, but that price point indicates that he is not a preferred starter.

The Lions were frequently projected to use their first-round pick (No. 17 overall) on an offensive tackle to upgrade over Borom. They were initially linked to Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor – one of the few first-round tackles who played on the blind side – and were even seen as his floor in the first round. Detroit explored moving up for a tackle in the first-round, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, but the Dolphins took Proctor at No. 12, just outside of their range for such a trade.

That worked out just fine for the Lions, who stood pat and landed Clemson right tackle Blake Miller. His name was “magma-hot late in the process,” Fowler notes, adding that an NFC executive ranked him as the top offensive tackle in the 2026 class.

Drafting Miller, who made all but two of his college starts at right tackle, will cement Sewell’s switch back to left tackle. Detroit will be hoping not only that the two can become the league’s top bookends, but also that the entire five-man unit can mesh quickly. The remade offensive line now features no starters over 27 years old, the result of a clear effort by the front office to phase out older veterans and install their next generation of blockers.

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CB Jerry Jacobs Announces Retirement

By | at May 12, 2026 4:12 pm

Free agent cornerback Jerry Jacobs took to Instagram to announce his retirement on Tuesday (via Jordan Schultz). The 28-year-old played with the Lions from 2021-23.

Prior to Tuesday, the most recent mention of Jacobs on PFR’s pages came when he worked out for the Broncos in December 2024. The Broncos passed on signing Jacobs, who received his last NFL contract when the Rams inked him to a deal in July 2024. They wound up waiving Jacobs with an injury settlement less than a month later.

Despite going undrafted in 2021, Jacobs immediately worked his way into a significant role in the Lions’ defense as a rookie. The former Arkansas Razorback made nine starts in 13 games and tallied seven passes defensed during an interception-less first season. Jacobs notched his first career pick and added eight more PDs in his second year, a 12-game, eight-start campaign.

Although Jacobs’ INT total climbed to three over 15 games and 12 starts in 2023, Detroit relegated him to a special teams role late in the year. With Kindle Vildor taking over as the starter opposite Cameron Sutton, Jacobs played just one defensive snap in the last four games of the regular season. The Lions finished 12-5 and snapped a six-year playoff drought, but Jacobs did not factor in during what amounted to a three-game postseason for the club. They placed Jacobs on injured reserve on the eve of a wild-card round win over the Rams.

Detroit had a chance to retain Jacobs in 2024, but he became an unrestricted free agent after it opted against giving him an RFA tender. Two years later, Jacobs is officially hanging up his cleats. Across 40 games and 29 starts, Jacobs racked up 131 tackles, 23 PDs and four picks.

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Lions Sign 9 Undrafted Free Agents

By | at May 12, 2026 3:22 pm

In addition to getting their entire seven-player draft class under contract Tuesday, the Lions announced nine UDFA signings. Here is the Lions’ list of undrafted newcomers:

The headliner may be Altmyer, who spent three years as Illinois’ starter after backing up Matt Corral and then Jaxson Dart at Mississippi from 2021-22. The 6-foot-1, 210-pounder is entering the pros after back-to-back 22-touchdown pass seasons in which he led the Fighting Illini to a 19-7 record, including wins over South Carolina in the 2024 Citrus Bowl and Tennessee in the 2025 Music City Bowl.

Altmyer set personal bests in attempts (365), completion percentage (67.4) and yards (3,007) last season, all while throwing just five interceptions. However, given that Altmyer does not possess great size or arm strength, the entire NFL chose to pass on him in the draft. The 23-year-old may have a chance to earn a spot in Detroit, though, as the team does not have any other developmental options behind starter Jared Goff and veteran backup Teddy Bridgewater.

Lucas played one season at Texas A&M before transferring to USC in 2023. Although Lucas recorded his only three college sacks last year, Dane Brugler of The Athletic ranked the 6-5, 256-pounder as the 185th-best prospect available before the draft. Brugler describes the 6-5, 256-pounder as a “battering ram” pass rusher and edge setter who has a chance to carve out a role in the NFL.

The Lions awarded a sizable guarantee to Keanaaina, who will earn $267,500, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. The former Notre Dame defender tore his ACL in 2022, but he showed no ill effects upon transferring to Cal in 2024. Across 26 games (all starts) with the Golden Bears, the 6-3, 320-pounder totaled 101 tackles and 2.5 sacks. 

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Lions Sign First-Round T Blake Miller

By | at May 12, 2026 12:53 pm

The Lions announced that they have signed their first-round pick, former Clemson offensive tackle Blake Miller. As the 17th overall selection, Miller inked a fully guaranteed deal worth about $21.87MM over four years.

Detroit entered the draft in dire need of help at tackle after it released 10-year veteran Taylor Decker, its starter on the left side since 2016. The Lions attempted to move up in a trade with the Rams, who held the 13th pick, but were rebuffed. It is unknown if the Lions would have taken Miller at 13, but regardless, they landed on him four choices later.

Whether the 6-foot-7, 317-pound Miller takes over for Decker will depend on how the Lions handle all-world right tackle Penei Sewell, who could shift to the left. Either way, the Lions are expecting Miller to emerge as a long-term starter.

If Miller is going to step into the lineup immediately, he will have to beat out Larry Borom, a former Bear and Dolphin who arrived in free agency. Borom has never been a full-time NFL starter during his five-year career, which bodes well for Miller. A two-time second-team All-ACC blocker, Miller started in all 54 games (52 at right tackle) with the Tigers from 2022-25. He broke the school record in offensive snaps (3,778) along the way.

With Miller under contract, the Lions have now signed all of their 2026 draft picks. Here is a refresher on their seven-player class:

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NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/11/26

By | at May 11, 2026 8:19 pm

Today’s draft pick signings:

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

New York Giants

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2027 NFL Fifth-Year Option Tracker

By | at May 1, 2026 11:00 pm

May 1 marked the deadline for teams to decide on fifth-year options on 2023 first-rounders. The 2020 CBA revamped the option structure and made them fully guaranteed, rather than guaranteed for injury only. Meanwhile, fifth-year option salaries are now determined by a blend of performance- and usage-based benchmarks:

  • Two-time Pro Bowlers (excluding alternates) will earn the same as their position’s franchise tag
  • One-time Pro Bowlers will earn the equivalent of the transition tag
  • Players who achieve any of the following will receive the average of the third-20th top salaries at their position:
    • At least a 75% snap rate in two of their first three seasons
    • A 75% snap average across all three seasons
    • At least 50% in each of first three seasons
  • Players who do not hit any of those benchmarks will receive the average of the third-25th top salaries at their position

PFR’s Offseason Outlook series examined each of these decisions in-depth. Twenty-two options were exercised this year. Here is how each team with an option decision proceeded with 2023 first-round contracts:

  1. QB Bryce Young, Panthers ($25.9MM): Exercised
  2. QB C.J. Stroud, Texans ($25.9MM): Exercised
  3. DE Will Anderson Jr., Texans ($21.51MM): Exercised
  4. QB Anthony Richardson, Colts ($22.48MM): Declined
  5. CB Devon Witherspoon, Seahawks ($21.16MM): Exercised
  6. LT Paris Johnson Jr., Cardinals ($19.07MM): Exercised
  7. DE Tyree Wilson, Saints ($14.48MM): Declined
  8. RB Bijan Robinson, Falcons ($11.32MM): Exercised
  9. DT Jalen Carter, Eagles ($27.13MM): Exercised
  10. RT Darnell Wright, Bears ($19.07MM): Exercised
  11. G Peter Skoronski, Titans ($19.07MM): Exercised
  12. RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions ($14.29MM): Exercised
  13. LB Lukas Van Ness, Packers ($13.75MM): Exercised
  14. LT Broderick Jones, Steelers ($19.07MM): Declined
  15. DE Will McDonald, Jets ($13.75MM): Exercised
  16. CB Emmanuel Forbes, Rams ($12.63MM): Declined
  17. CB Christian Gonzalez, Patriots ($18.12MM): Exercised
  18. LB Jack Campbell, Lions ($21.93MM): Declined
  19. DL Calijah Kancey, Buccaneers ($14.48MM): Exercised
  20. WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks ($23.85MM): Exercised
  21. WR Quentin Johnston, Chargers ($18MM): Exercised
  22. WR Zay Flowers, Ravens ($27.3MM): Exercised
  23. WR Jordan Addison, Vikings ($18MM): Exercised
  24. CB Deonte Banks, Giants ($12.63MM): Declined
  25. TE Dalton Kincaid, Bills ($8.16MM): Exercised
  26. DT Mazi Smith, Jets ($13.93MM): Declined
  27. RT Anton Harrison, Jaguars ($19.07MM): Exercised
  28. DE Myles Murphy, Bengals ($14.48MM): Declined
  29. DT Bryan Bresee, Saints ($13.93MM): Exercised
  30. LB Nolan Smith, Eagles ($13.75MM): Exercised
  31. DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Chiefs ($14.48MM): Declined
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