Commanders’ Laremy Tunsil: Texans Prioritized Other Players For Extensions
One of the more notable moves during the opening stages of free agency was the trade sending Laremy Tunsil from the Texans to the Commanders. The move came as a bit of a surprise, especially as Tunsil represented one of Houston’s only reliable lineman following a 2024 campaign where C.J. Stroud finished second in sacks.
While speaking with reporters today, the lineman revealed that the Texans’ decision was financially motivated. Tunsil said the Texans were prioritizing extensions for younger players, making his lucrative contract untenable.
“Pretty much, they’re just trying to keep the young guys together,” Tunsil said (via NFL.com’s Nick Shook). “It’s as simple as that … They drafted some young guys, and they hit on every draft pick. They’re trying to keep those guys together, so I fully understand … It’s no hard feelings. At the end of the day, it’s a business. I don’t take anything personal. It’s no hard feelings against the Houston Texans.”
Tunsil is plenty familiar with switching teams, as the lineman was once traded from Miami for a pair of first-round picks. Still attached to a three-year, $75MM deal, the lineman’s trade package in 2025 was highlighted by a second- and third-round pick. Tunsil was still productive during his age-30 season. He continued his three-year run as a top-20 offensive tackle via Pro Football Focus, and he finished this past year ranked 10th in pass rush win rate.
While Houston couldn’t budget for his impending cap hits, the Commanders were more than happy to take him on to their squad. With no remaining guaranteed money on his contract, the Commanders will still likely have to budget for some kind of extension with the veteran, although the team was surely preparing for that when they made the trade.
Ben Levine contributed to this post.
Texans, CB Ronald Darby Agree To Deal
Another Texans cornerback move has been worked out, this time in the case of an outside free agent addition. Ronald Darby has agreed to a one-year Houston deal, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. 
The pact is worth $2.5MM, Schefter adds. Darby joined the Jaguars on a two-year contract last offseason, but he was cut on Friday. The veteran has not needed to wait long to find his next opportunity, though.
Darby has been a journeyman during his 10-year career, spending time with the Bills, Eagles, Commanders, Broncos and Ravens prior to his single Jaguars campaign. The 31-year-old will nevertheless bring considerable experience to Houston’s secondary; Darby has 118 appearances and 107 starts to his name. That includes 12 starts last season in Jacksonville.
During that span, Darby posted 46 tackles and nine pass deflections. His coverage statistics (including a 120 passer rating and four touchdowns allowed as the nearest defender) left plenty to be desired, though. That helps explain the Jaguars’ decision to move on and the financial terms of his latest pact. Darby collected $5.5MM guaranteed last spring on the open market, but this time around he has essentially agreed to a ‘prove-it’ deal in advance of free agency in 2026.
The Texans fielded one of the NFL’s best cornerback tandems in 2024 with Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter. The former agreed to a three-year, $90MM extension earlier today; that pact makes him the highest-paid defensive back in league history on an annual basis. Stingley is under contract through 2029 as a result of his new deal, while Lassiter’s rookie contract still has three years remaining on it. That pairing should remain in place for years to come as a result.
Darby will be able to serve as a veteran backup behind those on the CB depth chart. Two of Stingley’s three NFL seasons to date have included missed time due to injury, and a repeat of that in 2025 could open the door to Darby seeing notable a notable defensive role. The Florida State product has limited experience on special teams, but that could provide him with an avenue to additional playing time in Houston next season.
NFL Restructures: Texans, Humphrey, Wirfs, Holcomb, Conklin
The Texans have restructured a number of deals in recent days to clear up some cap space for the 2025 league year.
First, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports that the team converted $12.33MM of Nico Collins‘ 2025 salary into a signing bonus and added two void years to the end of his deal. These moves opened of $9.86MM of cap space. Fellow wide receiver Christian Kirk also agreed to convert $14.33MM of his 2025 salary into a signing bonus while adding four void years to the end of his deal, freeing up $11.46MM of cap space, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC2.
Pelissero also reported a restructuring on the defensive side of the ball, as outside linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair saw $7.83MM of his 2025 salary converted into a signing bonus with an additional void year added to the end of his deal. This last move created $6.26MM more of cap space.
Here are a few other restructured deals from around the NFL:
- In Baltimore, Brian McFarland of RussellStreetReport.com detailed how the Ravens did a max restructure of cornerback Marlon Humphrey‘s contract. His $18MM base salary was reduced to the veteran minimum as $16.74MM was converted into a signing bonus. The team also added two void years to the end of his deal, ultimately opening up $13.39MM of cap space.
- Per Greg Auman of FOX Sports, Buccaneers left tackle Tristan Wirfs agreed to a restructured deal that would see his $26MM base salary reduced to the veteran minimum with $24.83MM converted into a signing bonus. The move created $19.86MM of cap space.
- Pelissero also reported on a restructured deal for Steelers linebacker Cole Holcomb. While details of the restructuring have yet to be released, we know the deal will clear $5MM of cap space, per Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
- ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler brings us our final restructured deal of the day for Browns right tackle Jack Conklin. The revised contract reportedly removes a year — making Conklin a free agent in 2026, instead of 2027 — and pays him $10MM this year with $9MM in guarantees and $2MM available in incentives. Cap influences from this deal have not yet been reported.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/14/25
Friday’s minor NFL moves after a busy week of transactions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: WR Simi Fehoko
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: CB Keith Taylor
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: G Kendrick Green
Detroit Lions
- Signed: TE Kenny Yeboah
Houston Texans
- Re-signed: S M.J. Stewart, T Zachary Thomas
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: CB Corey Ballentine
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: LB Del’Shawn Phillips
Los Angeles Rams
- Re-signed: DT Larrell Murchison
Miami Dolphins
- Re-signed: WR Dee Eskridge
New York Giants
- Signed: DT Jeremiah Ledbetter
New York Jets
- Signed: P Austin McNamara
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: TE Kylen Granson, LS Charley Hughlett, LB Patrick Johnson, RB Avery Williams
Seattle Seahawks
- Re-signed: WR Cody White
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Waived: P Jack Browning
Tennessee Titans
- Re-signed: C Corey Levin
Washington Commanders
- Signed ERFA tender: RB Chris Rodriguez Jr.
RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/14/25
As free agency continues, restricted and exclusive rights free agent tender decisions are being uncovered around the league:
RFAs
Nontendered:
- Chiefs: CB Keith Taylor
- Texans: T Zachary Thomas
Cooper Kupp Expected To Make Decision Soon; Patriots Among WR’s Suitors
MARCH 14: Despite a report earlier today that connected the Jaguars to Kupp, the organization is not involved in the sweepstakes, per Schultz.
MARCH 13: It does not sound like a lengthy Cooper Kupp free agency tour is coming. Designated as a post-June 1 cut by the Rams on Tuesday, Kupp is free to sign anywhere now. Several teams are believed to be in on the former triple-crown winner.
Kupp has drawn interest from at least five teams, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reports. That is up from three Wednesday afternoon, though many teams were likely to look into the former Super Bowl MVP. The Patriots are believed to be one of the receiver’s suitors. The Pats are interested in Kupp and have reached out, according to Masslive.com’s Karen Guregian and the Boston Sports Journal’s Mike Giardi.
[RELATED: Mutual Interest Between Broncos, Cooper Kupp?]
Not viewed as likely to take his time in signing elsewhere, Kupp is also being linked to two AFC South teams. The Jaguars and Texans have come up as possibilities, Ian Rapoport said during an NFL Network appearance (via the Seattle Times’ Bob Condotta) while also mentioning the Seahawks. Kupp is a Yakima, Wash., native, and Seattle suddenly has a need for a starter-caliber wideout — perhaps two — after moving on from its long-running Tyler Lockett-D.K. Metcalf duo.
A deal that averages around $12MM per year has come up for Kupp, per The Athletic’s Jeff Howe, who adds some teams will be pushed out of this market at that price. But a belief exists the two-time 1,000-yard receiver can command that. Davante Adams, who has been a better (and healthier) receiver, just fetched a $23MM-per-year deal that came with $20MM guaranteed. Darius Slayton also just signed for $12MM per. Not nearly as accomplished as Kupp, Slayton is nearly four years younger and does not have an extensive injury history.
The Patriots lost the Calvin Ridley sweepstakes last year and then saw their Brandon Aiyuk push — one that included the top AAV offer mentioned ($32MM) during that saga — fail to move them into even runner-up position. The Bengals took Tee Higgins off this year’s market, and they are setting a high trade price for a potential tag-and-trade transaction. Kupp was available via trade, and considering the Patriots’ cap space and issues attracting receivers in recent years, it would have made sense for the team to explore it. But no club wanted to take on Kupp’s Rams deal, which came with guaranteed salary and a $7.5MM roster bonus. Even though the Rams were willing to eat salary to facilitate a swap, they resorted to cutting him before the bonus came due.
At the moment, Kupp’s asking price is viewed as too steep for the Pats’ liking, Guregian adds. And Schultz indicates that while the receiver has a preference to stay on the West Coast, he is not closing doors just yet.
Patriots target Chris Godwin re-signed with the Buccaneers minutes into the legal tampering period, further thinning options for a team that needs weaponry to boost Drake Maye‘s development. A host of older options are available, however, as Stefon Diggs, Amari Cooper and Keenan Allen join Kupp as accomplished free agent 30-somethings.
The Jaguars moved on from slot starter Christian Kirk, trading him to the Texans for a low-end return. New Jags HC Liam Coen coached Kupp as Rams receivers coach (stint No. 1) and OC (stay No. 2), and new Jacksonville GM James Gladstone also comes from the Rams. The Texans’ new OC, Nick Caley, was Rams tight ends coach for two seasons. The Jags would appear to have a greater need, as Gabriel Davis did not start his Jacksonville tenure well last season alongside fast-emerging rookie Brian Thomas Jr., but the Texans may not have Tank Dell for much (if any) of the 2025 season.
Kupp, 31, played at Division I-FCS Eastern Washington, attracting the Rams’ attention before a 2017 third-round selection. The Seahawks bringing Kupp home to help Sam Darnold makes sense, though the other batch of experienced receivers in free agency provides alternative options in the event the price point — for a player who has missed 18 games since that Super Bowl MVP award — escalates too far.
Vikings Trade G Ed Ingram To Texans
Cutting Shaq Mason and trading both Laremy Tunsil and Kenyon Green, the Texans are remodeling their offensive line. A recent second-round pick will also be part of this equation.
Ed Ingram is heading from Minnesota to Houston, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports. The Vikings will collect a sixth-round pick in this trade, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero adds. One season remains on Ingram’s rookie contract. The trade is now official.
The Vikings were considered likely to either adjust Ingram’s contract or cut him altogether. Instead, they found a trade partner and collected value above the pick-swap level. Minnesota will save $3.4MM by making this trade, and Ingram will secure another chance after being benched last season.
This trade helps bring the Texans’ O-line plan into focus. Most significantly, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson reports Tytus Howard is likely to shift to left tackle. Roving between left guard and right tackle recently, the former first-round pick has some LT experience from earlier in his career.
As Howard shifts to the other side, 2024 second-round pick Blake Fisher is expected to take over at RT. Reuniting with DeMeco Ryans, Laken Tomlinson is expected to man one guard spot after signing a one-year, $4.25MM deal that can max out at $5MM. Ingram may not be guaranteed another, as Juice Scruggs and Jarrett Patterson — whichever player does not become the team’s starting center — will be in the mix for the other guard post.
Ingram, 26, has made 41 career starts. The LSU alum won the Vikings’ starting right guard job out of training camp in 2022 and held it throughout the 2023 season. Last year, however, Minnesota parked the struggling blocker before Week 11. Ingram did not play an offensive snap after that point. Pro Football Focus graded Ingram 66th among guard regulars last season. The advanced metrics site was kinder to the former No. 59 overall pick in 2023, ranking him 38th, but this trade continues to frame the Vikings’ 2022 draft as a dud.
The Vikings chose safety Lewis Cine in Round 1; they cut him last year. Minnesota took cornerback Andrew Booth several spots before Ingram in Round 2 that year; they traded him for a player (DB Nahshon Wright) they cut weeks later. While Wright remains on a reserve/futures deal, Minnesota has achieved success largely in spite of its first Kwesi Adofo-Mensah draft. Ingram has been the most successful of the Vikes’ top three picks that year, and he will attempt to rebound in Houston.
In part because Ingram did not pan out in the Twin Cities, the Vikings signed Will Fries to a five-year contract. Fries joins ex-Colts teammate Ryan Kelly as starters-to-be with the Vikes, and this duo gives Minnesota four veteran contracts along its offensive line. The team has Brian O’Neill at $18.5MM per year and gave Christian Darrisaw a $26MM-AAV extension last summer.
Howard replaced an injured Tunsil at LT during the second half of the 2021 season, impressing at the position en route to Houston picking up his fifth-year option and then extending him a year later. As Howard again moved inside last season, Fisher logged 291 snaps at RT as a rookie. The Texans appear set to move the Notre Dame product into their starting lineup on a full-time basis soon.
The Texans designated Mason as a post-June 1 cut, which will spread out the $12.48MM dead money over two offseasons. The twice-traded guard had started two years for the Texans, but a knee injury ended a lengthy ironman streak last season. Mason, 31, will be on the lookout for a fourth team.
49ers To Sign LS Jon Weeks, Cut LS Taybor Pepper
The 49ers have landed a new long snapper. The team is signing veteran Jon Weeks, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston. This news follows a report from earlier today that the 49ers were cutting Taybor Pepper, per Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area.
Weeks is inking a one-year deal worth $1.422MM, according to Wilson. The deal contains $200K in guaranteed money.
Weeks was the longest-tenured player in Texans history, as the long snapper had been with the organization since the 2010 season. Over that time, he’s appeared in 244 games for Houston, including a 2015 season where he earned his lone Pro Bowl nod. According to Wilson, the 39-year-old was hoping to stick with the Texans, but the organization is apparently content moving forward with Tucker Addington.
Weeks will be replacing Pepper, who spent the past five seasons as the 49ers long snapper. After getting into 20 games with the Packers and Dolphins to begin his career, Pepper got into 80 games during his stint in San Francisco. The veteran was set to enter the final season of a three-year extension he inked in 2023.
“Wanted to end my career with the 49ers, but I’ve still got some years left in the tank,” Pepper wrote on X. “Love all the amazing players I’ve gotten to share the field with during my time. I’ll deeply miss all of the amazing support staff that continue to keep the org moving.”
OL Notes: Becton, Texans, Smith, Jags, Rams
The Eagles‘ Mekhi Becton signing proved to be a highly effective one. The former Jets tackle was able to have success upon moving inside, and he helped his market after playing on a $2.75MM ‘prove it’ contract in 2024.
Becton’s preference would be to remain in Philadelphia, but he is of course an attractive option to teams eyeing upgrades up front. PFR’s No. 22 free agent in 2025 could look to capitalize on the strength of the guard market, which saw the likes of Robert Hunt, Jonah Jackson, Kevin Dotson, Damien Lewis and Jon Runyan Jr sign deals averaging eight figures per year in free agency. Becton will likely not be able to match many of their earnings, but an Eagles departure could still be looming.
ESPN’s Tim McManus reports there has not been tangible progress between team and player to work out a re-signing in this case. Offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland is among those who would like to see Becton, entering his age-26 season, brought back. As the Eagles move forward with a line already featuring four lucrative deals, though, keeping him in place may not be possible.
Here are some offensive line notes from around the league:
- The Eagles, of course, have a deal in place to add a guard in the form of Kenyon Green. The former Texans first-rounder is one of three O-linemen the team is moving on from as part of its offseason plans. Veteran Shaq Mason was recently released, while left tackle Laremy Tunsil is on his way to the Commanders. The offensive line group increasingly became a problem in Houston last season, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated writes. Tunsil is respected in the organization, Breer adds, but making sweeping changes up front this offseason allowed the Texans to avoid a third lucrative commitment to the 30-year-old. Houston will look for a noticeably different combination and a new culture along the O-line in 2025.
- Colts general manager Chris Ballard said at the Combine right tackle Braden Smith intended to continue playing in 2025. That will indeed be the case, with ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reporting an agreement has been reached on a restructured contract. The pact will pay out a $2MM roster bonus next week in addition to a $3.96MM base salary, per Over the Cap. Smith, 29 later this month, has served as a full-time starter since his arrival in 2018 but he missed the last five games of the 2024 campaign due to an undisclosed personal matter. He will still be a free agent next spring as things stand, but Smith’s return (at a cap charge of $10.4MM) will be welcomed on a Colts O-line which is set to lose Ryan Kelly and Will Fries after they both agreed to Vikings deals this week.
- The Ravens managed to take care of one of their most important offseason priorities with the re-signing of left tackle Ronnie Stanley. That three-year, $60MM deal features $44MM in guarantees. The latter figure includes a $20.25MM signing bonus, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 details. Stanley has dealt with several injuries in his career, but this latest pact guarantees $22MM in pay for 2025 and ’26, according to Over the Cap. The two-time Pro Bowler is also scheduled to collect a $4.04MM option bonus next March.
- Prior to the Stanley deal, Alaric Jackson agreed to a three-year pact to remain with the Rams. The deal can reach a maximum value of $60.75MM and includes $35.43MM in guarantees, Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap writes. $30MM is fully guaranteed at signing, with most of Jackson’s compensation over the next two years locked in. $1.45MM in per-game roster bonuses are present in every year of the deal, and a $5.43MM injury guarantee will shift to a full one if he is on the roster on the fifth day of the 2026 league year.
- Patrick Mekari parlayed his Ravens tenure into a three-year Jaguars contract at the outset of the negotiating period. That pact features $22.5MM in guarantees, including a $10MM signing bonus, per Wilson. The former UDFA has $10.5MM in 2026 salary locked in for injury, and remaining on the roster early in the 2026 league year will lead to further guarantees. Per-game roster bonuses totaling nearly $30K along with a $500K Pro Bowl incentive are present in every year of the deal.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/12/25
Here are the minor moves from the first day of the 2025 league year:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: CB Mike Ford, OL Kyle Hinton, DL Ta’Quon Graham, OL Elijah Wilkinson, LB Josh Woods
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: LB Jake Hummel, WR Tylan Wallace
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: WR Dan Chisena
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: DE Cameron Sample
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: LB Jack Sanborn
Detroit Lions
- Signed: RB Craig Reynolds, LB Grant Stuard
Houston Texans
- Signed: DE Casey Toohill
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: DT Neville Gallimore, OL Danny Pinter
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: DB Tavierre Thomas
New England Patriots
- Signed: S Jaylinn Hawkins
New York Giants
- Signed: WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette
New York Jets
- Signed: DE Rashad Weaver
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: LB Ben VanSumeren
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: CB Tre Brown
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: QB Kyle Trask
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: OL Blake Hance
Washington Commanders
- Signed: CB Kevon Seymour
Yes, a few of these players have graduated from our minor-moves sector, but today’s signing blitz being what it was, they land here. Ford highlights the batch contractually, agreeing (per ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter) to a two-year, $4MM deal. Ford played on more than 70% of Cleveland’s special teams snaps over the past two seasons.
Trask will reprise his role as Baker Mayfield‘s backup, with NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport indicating the former second-round pick is staying on a one-year, $2.79MM contract. Trask and Mayfield competed for the job in 2023, but as was the case with the Drew Lock–Geno Smith battle a year prior, the winner never looked back. Trask will be in place for a fifth Bucs season, having moved from third-stringer during the Tom Brady era to QB2 in the Mayfield years.
Hawkins will stay with the Patriots on a two-year deal worth up to $2.2MM, according to the Boston Herald’s Doug Kyed. A 2022 full-time Falcons starter, Hawkins saw Jessie Bates replace him in 2023. The Falcons later waived Hawkins, who ended up on the Chargers in 2023. The Pats used him as a seven-game starter in 2024, when he made 48 tackles (three for loss).