Minor NFL Transactions: 7/28/24
Here are today’s minor moves to close out the weekend:
Chicago Bears
- Signed: RB Demetric Felton
- Placed on exempt/international player list: P Tory Taylor
Cincinnati Bengals
- Activated from active/NFI list: TE Erick All
Dallas Cowboys
- Claimed off waivers (from 49ers): CB Kemon Hall
Kansas City Chiefs
- Activated from active/PUP list: G Joe Thuney
Miami Dolphins
- Activated from active/PUP list: LB David Long
New England Patriots
- Signed: DT Josiah Bronson
- Activated from active/NFI list: RB Antonio Gibson
- Activated from active/PUP list: RB Terrell Jennings
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: G Tremayne Anchrum, T Jesse Davis
- Placed on IR: OL Justin Herron
- Waived: OL Mark Evans II
New York Giants
- Signing: CB Breon Borders
- Activated from active/PUP list: TE Theo Johnson
- Waived: QB Nathan Rourke
Thuney has been working his way back from a pectoral injury. After suffering the strain in a Divisional Round win over the Bills, the injury held Thuney out of the team’s final two wins over the Ravens and 49ers. Having passed his physical, Thuney will return to practice in order to take the next steps on his way back to the field.
The Giants weren’t the only team to submit a waiver claim for Rourke as he continues to try and turn his success in the Canadian Football League into an NFL opportunity. Now, after being buried on the depth chart behind Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, and Tommy DeVito, Rourke is able to look elsewhere for that chance at playing time in the NFL.
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/26/24
Today’s minor moves to wrap up the week:
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: WR Devin Carter, TE Feleipe Franks, CB Kiondre Thomas
- Placed on reserve/PUP list: WR Cam Sims
- Reverted to IR: DT Popo Aumavae
- Waived: T Christian Duffie, S Clayton Isbell, WR Sam Pinckney
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: CB Nate Brooks, WR Hakeem Butler, P Ryan Rehkow
Green Bay Packers
- Activated from active/NFI list: CB Corey Ballentine, T Caleb Jones
- Activated from active/PUP list: OL Donovan Jennings
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: OLB Owen Carney
- Waived: LB Luquay Washington
Los Angeles Rams
- Placed on IR: CB Derion Kendrick (story)
- Placed on reserve/retired list: DT Aaron Donald (story)
New England Patriots
- Waived: CB Kaleb Ford-Dement
Philadelphia Eagles
- Activated from active/NFI list: WR Shaquan Davis
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: S Marquise Blair
- Waived: S Jonathan Sutherland
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: TE Salvatore Cannella
Blair reunites with the Seahawks after two years away. A former second-round pick for Seattle, Blair spent parts of 2022 with the Panthers and Eagles before spending last year out with an Achilles tear.
Cannella, who formerly went by Sal, played for the Arlington Renegades of the UFL earlier this year, leading the league with six receiving touchdowns and finishing first among tight ends with 53 catches and 497 yards. He’s been in an out of the NFL with stints in the USFL and XFL before; the Bucs are hoping this time will stick.
Chiefs Rumors: CBs, Toney, Front Office
The Chiefs have established a clear philosophy regarding cornerbacks, with the L’Jarius Sneed development the latest example of Kansas City’s view at this position. During the Patrick Mahomes era, at least, the Chiefs have been able to get by without a notable cornerback contract on the payroll.
Sneed followed Marcus Peters (2018), Steven Nelson (2019), Kendall Fuller (2020) and Charvarius Ward (2022) as one-contract players. As Steve Spagnuolo has completed a rebound from a disastrous St. Louis HC tenure and re-established himself as one of the NFL’s premier defensive minds, Kansas City has continued to plug in rookie-deal players into these positions. The two-time reigning champions will need to do so again, as Sneed is a Titan after a borderline-dominant contract year led to a tag-and-trade transaction.
[RELATED: Offseason In Review: Kansas City Chiefs]
With Trent McDuffie‘s rookie contract running through 2025, the Chiefs still figure to have their CB anchor around for a bit. They also acquired Joshua Williams and Jaylen Watson in 2022, giving them some time with another low-cost nucleus. But Sneed was an every-down player for both of the past two Super Bowl-winning Chiefs squads, giving Spagnuolo and Co. some work to do. Early in training camp, both Williams and Watson are in a wide-open competition that also features 2022 seventh-rounder Nazeeh Johnson, via The Athletic’s Nate Taylor.
While the Chiefs have 2023 fourth-rounder Chamarri Conner on track for versatile role post-Sneed, the team having four 2022 draftees/UDFAs (in Watson’s case) vying for roles at corner does well to illustrate the organization’s commitment to developing young talent at this position. Watson outsnapped Williams last season, 440-321, but the latter started four games as a rookie. Pro Football Focus rated Williams 25th at corner in 2023, with Watson settling in at a respectable 46th. Johnson has never logged a defensive snap and probably should be considered a long shot to beat out more established corners to start opposite McDuffie.
Shifting to the other side of the ball, the Chiefs are still trying to find a role for Kadarius Toney. Early in camp, the shifty but unreliable receiver has been working at running back at points, Taylor adds (subscription required). Making his most notable Chiefs contribution on a Super Bowl punt return, Toney has shown remarkable elusiveness. But the ex-Giants first-rounder, who is still working at receiver as well this summer, has made many mistakes and frequently run into injury trouble.
Our Ben Levine recently profiled Toney as a release candidate, as he has gone from a player the Chiefs had hoped could grow into their No. 1 wide receiver last season to a healthy scratch for Super Bowl LVIII. The Chiefs’ offense functioned smoother with Toney and Skyy Moore sidelined during the playoffs, and the latter accused the team of lying about his injury. The Chiefs welcomed Toney back this offseason, but his status has certainly changed over the past year. Kansas City would be hit with a $2.5MM dead money charge by releasing Toney.
The Chiefs added Marquise Brown and Xavier Worthy at receiver this offseason, and even though a Rashee Rice suspension is expected at some point, the Chiefs have a fairly clear top three at receiver. Toney and Moore do not stand to be part of that group, and with Mecole Hardman and Justin Watson also still with the club, a Toney roster spot should not be considered a lock. Andy Reid does reside as one of the most creative coaches in NFL, as his bevy of goal-line plays showcases annually, so the 12th-year Chiefs HC trying to find a gadget-type role for Toney is not too surprising.
Kansas City also added to its front office recently. A year after the Saints moved on from Ryan Herman, the Chiefs added the veteran exec as their senior football strategy and compliance advisor. Herman worked with Jeff Ireland in Miami and New Orleans, specializing in analytics.
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/22/24
Today’s minor moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: DB Daryl Worley
- Waived: DB Tre Swilling
Detroit Lions
- Signed: OL Ike Boettger
Green Bay Packers
- Activated from PUP: OT Zach Tom
Houston Texans
- Waived-injured: WR Jared Wayne
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: S Tyree Gillespie
- Waived: S Trey Dean
Miami Dolphins
- Placed on reserve/retired list: LB Shaquil Barrett (story)
Minnesota Vikings
- Placed on PUP: CB NaJee Thompson
- Placed on NFI: RB DeWayne McBride
New England Patriots
- Waived-injured: LB Jontrey Hunter
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: WR Kevin Austin Jr.
New York Jets
- Signed: DB Nehemiah Shelton
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/21/24
Today’s minor transactions to wrap up this final weekend before training camps begin:
Baltimore Ravens
- Waived: S Jordan Toles
Chicago Bears
- Signed: LB Javin White
- Activated from active/NFI list: TE Gerald Everett
Denver Broncos
- Placed on active/PUP list: LB Drew Sanders, S Caden Sterns, S Delarrin Turner-Yell
Detroit Lions
- Placed on active/NFI list: T Giovanni Manu
- Placed on active/PUP list: S Brian Branch, DE Marcus Davenport, DT D.J. Reader
Green Bay Packers
- Placed on active/NFI list: CB Corey Ballentine, T Caleb Jones, WR Jayden Reed
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: TE Izaiah Gathings
- Activated from active/NFI list: RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
- Waived (with injury designation): TE Gerrit Prince
Chiefs Place Justin Reid On NFI List
The Chiefs have placed safety Justin Reid on the non-football injury list, per Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com. Fortunately, the situation does not sound overly serious, as Pete Sweeney of Arrowhead Pride notes that Reid is day-to-day with a quad injury.
Reid, a third-round pick of the Texans in 2018, played out his four-year rookie contract with Houston and signed a three-year, $31.5MM deal with the Chiefs in 2022. He has served as a full-time defensive starter since then, racking up 178 tackles and 14 pass deflections along the way while helping the team win consecutive Super Bowls.
Interestingly, a report from last month indicated that Kansas City plans on using him (rather than kicker Harrison Butker) on kickoffs. Thanks to the much-discussed rule changes concerning kickoffs, more returns are expected to take place in 2024, so adding a defender to the coverage team would provide an upgrade in terms of tackling compared to kickers. That is the thought process behind the projected move, and Reid is not entirely unfamilar with the kicking game; in Week 1 of the 2022 season, he handled kickoffs and two extra point attempts (converting one) in relief of an injured Butker.
Teams are generally hesitant to deploy an important offensive or defensive starter on special teams because they don’t want that player getting injured in the game’s third phase, though the Chiefs did add Jaden Hicks in the fourth round of this year’s draft as insurance for Reid. And despite Kansas City’s overall strong defensive showing in 2023, Reid himself regressed a bit, finishing as Pro Football Focus’ 79th-best safety out of 95 qualifiers thanks in large part to a poor 51.8 coverage grade.
Although the prognosis is a good one, any kind of absence could affect the Chiefs’ special teams plans, as Reid will likely need plenty of time to get acclimated to his new kickoff duties.
Chiefs Hope To Determine Post-2030 Location Within Six Months
In the wake of a failed ballot initiative that would have generated $800MM for renovations to Arrowhead Stadium, Dallas mayor Eric Johnson publicly advocated for the Chiefs to relocate to Dallas. While it appears that is not going to happen, the Chiefs could still be on the move in the relatively near future.
The club’s lease with the Truman Sports Complex runs through January 31, 2031, meaning that Clark Hunt’s club does not yet have a place to call home for the 2031 season. As Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk writes, the Kansas legislature has passed a bill that would finance a new stadium for the Chiefs, thereby bringing a Big 4 sports outfit to the Sunflower State for the first time. Chiefs president Mark Donovan said at a Friday press conference that he is in talks with both Kansas and Missouri as he seeks to resolve his team’s stadium situation.
“I would say every option is on the table,” Donovan said (h/t Alper) . . . . “What makes the most sense for our fans? What makes the most sense for our franchise and this organization? What makes the most sense and can have the biggest impact on this region? I think the positive is we do have options and we’ll consider those.”
Interestingly, Donovan indicated that he hopes to make a decision between Kansas and Missouri within the next six months, a deadline that Nate Taylor of The Athletic deemed the “biggest takeaway” from the presser. Although it does not come as a surprise, Donovan did confirm that the Chiefs would play their home games at Arrowhead until the expiration of their current lease, which will take them through the 2030 campaign.
The president also indicated that there has been talk about another public vote in Jackson County (Mo.), though there is not currently much traction for such a measure. Donovan said the team would want “a lot of the details determined before we go” in that direction again.
Release Candidate: Kadarius Toney
As the Chiefs navigated their post-Tyreek Hill offense, the front office was seeking reinforcement at the receiver position. One of the team’s most notable WR acquisitions was Kadarius Toney, who the Chiefs acquired from the Giants midway through the 2022 campaign. While Toney has won a pair of Super Bowl rings during his year-plus in Kansas City, the wideout hasn’t lived up to the billing. Now with only a year remaining on his rookie contract, it’s uncertain if he’ll even reach the 2024 campaign with the Chiefs.
A 2021 first-round pick by the Giants, Toney showed flashes during his rookie campaign, finishing with 39 catches for 420 yards. However, injuries quickly proved to be an issue in both 2021 and 2022, leading to the Giants deciding to cut bait. The Chiefs swooped in and acquired the intriguing wideout, sending New York a future third- and sixth-round pick.
Toney struggled to carve out a significant role during his first season in Kansas City, finishing with 14 receptions in seven games. He showed out a bit in that year’s playoffs, finishing with 50 yards in Kansas City’s divisional-round victory before setting the Super Bowl record with a 65-yard punt return (while also hauling in a touchdown). With JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman out the door, Toney had a chance to step into a major role with Patrick Mahomes heading into 2023.
Unfortunately, it was more of the same for the third-year pro. Toney was unable to emerge ahead of Rashee Rice, Justin Watson, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling (and, of course, TE Travis Kelce). The Chiefs even went out and re-acquired Hardman, leading to Toney being inactive for four of the team’s final seven games, plus each of the Chiefs’ four playoff contests.
Heading into the 2024 campaign, Toney faces even more competition than he did last year. The Chiefs were quick to add Marquise Brown on a one-year agreement, and they moved up in the first round to select Xavier Worthy. That leaves Toney to compete with many of the same WRs who he was unable to supplant during the 2023 season, but there are fewer roster spots this time around.
Rice’s future is in question following some troubling off-the-field incidents, but the 2023 second-round pick notably finished his rookie season with 935 yards from scrimmage. Hardman and Watson were ahead of Toney at the end of the 2023 season, and the team is also still rostering 2022 second-round pick Skyy Moore. Even when accounting for Rice’s uncertain roster status, Toney would have to leap at least one player if he hopes to make the roster.
The Chiefs unsurprisingly declined Toney’s fifth-year option back in May, making the wide receiver a free agent after this season. While moving on from his $2.5MM salary in 2024 wouldn’t provide any cap relief, the dead cap charge isn’t enough to make his cut untenable. With only three seasons under his belt, Toney would be subject to waivers, and his draft pedigree could be enough for a team to bite. More likely, Toney will hit free agency before having to settle for a lower salary (and/or even a practice squad gig).
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/17/24
Some roster movement today in minor transactions as several teams are starting to add players to early injured lists:
Chicago Bears
- Placed on active/NFI list: T Kiran Amegadjie
- Placed on active/PUP list: DT Jamree Kromah
Denver Broncos
- Placed on active/NFI list: RB Blake Watson
Green Bay Packers
- Placed on active/NFI list: S Kitan Oladapo
- Placed on active/PUP list: OL Donovan Jennings, TE Tucker Kraft, QB Alex McGough, T Zach Tom
Houston Texans
- Placed on active/NFI list: DE Dylan Horton
- Placed on active/PUP list: FB/TE Andrew Beck, LB Del’Shawn Phillips, CB D’Angelo Ross
- Waived (with injury designation): WR Jaxon Janke, DE Pheldarius Payne
- Waived (with non-football injury designation): G LaDarius Henderson
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: WR Kyle Sheets
- Placed on active/NFI list: DE BJ Thompson
- Placed on active/PUP list: DT Derrick Nnadi, DE Charles Omenihu, G Joe Thuney, CB Jaylen Watson
Los Angeles Chargers
- Placed on active/NFI list: LB Junior Colson
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: WR Marcus Simms
There was good news on the Horton front back in May as it was announced that the Texans defender had completed his final treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma. As a rookie out of TCU, Horton sat out the final seven games of the 2023 season on the non-football illness list. As he continues to work his way back to the field, it appears he’ll start the summer on the list, as well.
Thompson’s situation in Kansas City also received some good news of late. After suffering a seizure that caused him to go into cardiac arrest in early-June, the Chiefs defender continues to make progress towards a return. He’ll start the summer on the non-football injury list but will continue to work his way back as he continues with medical procedures, per Nate Taylor of The Athletic.
Largest 2024 Cap Hits: Offense
The NFL’s salary cap ceiling was expected to see a large increase this offseason, but estimates proved to be on the low side. A record-setting jump resulted in a cap of $255.4MM for teams to work with.
That has resulted in new waves of spending at a few positions, with quarterbacks and receivers seeing continued growth at the top of the market. Last offseason offered a strong chance of the league seeing at least one $40MM-plus cap charge, but the Browns avoided such a scenario with a Deshaun Watson restructure. Owing to that move – and the lack of further adjustments this spring – however, Watson’s financial impact is set to grow considerably this season.
Here are the league’s top cap charges on offense leading up to training camp:
- Deshaun Watson, QB (Browns): $63.77MM
- Dak Prescott, QB (Cowboys): $55.13MM
- Matthew Stafford, QB (Rams): $49.5MM
- Kyler Murray, QB (Cardinals): $49.12MM
- Daniel Jones, QB (Giants): $47.86MM
- Patrick Mahomes, QB (Chiefs): 37.01MM
- Lamar Jackson, QB (Ravens): $32.4MM
- Trent Williams, LT (49ers): $31.57MM
- Tyreek Hill, WR (Dolphins): $31.32MM
- Josh Allen, QB (Bills): $30.36MM
- Cooper Kupp, WR (Rams): $29.78MM
- Taylor Moton, RT (Panthers): $29.75MM
- Joe Burrow, QB (Bengals): $29.55MM
- Deebo Samuel, WR (49ers): $28.63MM
- Chris Godwin, WR (Buccaneers): $27.53MM
- Jared Goff, QB (Lions): $27.21MM
- Joe Thuney, LG (Chiefs): $26.97MM
- Geno Smith, QB (Seahawks): $26.4MM
- Laremy Tunsil, LT (Texans): $25.86MM
- Davante Adams, WR (Raiders): $25.35MM
- Quenton Nelson, LG (Colts): $25.2MM
- Kirk Cousins, QB (Falcons): $25MM
- Jawaan Taylor, RT (Chiefs): $24.73MM
- D.K. Metcalf, WR (Seahawks): $24.5MM
- Christian Kirk, WR (Jaguars): $24.24MM
Watson’s figure will shatter the NFL record for the largest single-season cap charge if no adjustments are made in the coming weeks. The hits for Prescott, Murray, Stafford and Jones also would have set a new benchmark if not for the Browns passer, a sign of the QB market’s continued upward trajectory. Cleveland is set to remain in a similar situation for the next three years as Watson plays out his fully guaranteed $230MM deal. 
Prescott’s future is one of several important questions the Cowboys need to answer relatively soon. With CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons due for second contracts, an extension for the three-time Pro Bowler will need to take into account future commitments. While Prescott has considerable leverage (via no-tag and no-trade clauses), he joins Jones in facing an uncertain post-2024 future in the NFC East.
The latter saw the Giants make an effort to trade up for a quarterback in April and he reacted in an understandable manner. Jones’ $40MM-per-year 2023 extension remains the dominant storyline surrounding the team, and a decision on retaining him or moving on will need to be made prior to a potential out early next offseason. Murray’s performance this fall will likewise be worth watching; he has received consistent praise from head coach Jonathan Gannon, but he will aim to put together a fully healthy season following 2023’s truncated campaign.
Stafford and the Rams have a mutual desire to continue their relationship, but he is seeking guarantees beyond the 2024 campaign. The 36-year-old’s representatives have been in discussion on a resolution during the offseason, although even in the absence of one a training camp holdout is not expected. The likes of Mahomes, Jackson and Allen retain a place in the top 25, and the same will no doubt be true of Burrow for years to come.
Of the receivers listed, only Hill is known to be actively pursuing a new deal. The 30-year-old once led the receiver market with a $30MM AAV, a figure inflated by non-guaranteed money at the end of the pact. With the bar having been raised to new heights this offseason, Hill could join teammate Jaylen Waddle in securing a new payday. Since the team has a Tua Tagovailoa extension on the horizon, however, Miami could hesitate on the Hill front.
It come as little surprise that Williams tops the list for offensive linemen. The 11-time Pro Bowler has been mentioned in retirement rumors before, but playing to age 40 is now a goal. Meeting it could require future contract adjustments. Samuel’s future in the Bay Area was a talking point this offseason as the team attempts to keep Brandon Aiyuk in the fold. One of the high-profile wideouts may be playing for a new team for the first time in their career in 2025.
Elsewhere along the O-line, Moton and Taylor demonstrate the value seen at the right tackle spot in recent years. Given the developments of the guard market this offseason, though, the likes of Thuney and Nelson will have competition for spots on the list in future years. Similarly, the non-Hill wideouts could easily be surpassed in the future with a further additions set to be made (particularly by Lamb, Aiyuk and Ja’Marr Chase) at the top of the ever-increasing market.
Goff joined the $50MM-per-year club on his third NFL deal, whereas Cousins continued to add to his impressive NFL earnings by joining the Falcons. If healthy, the latter could prove to be an effective pickup for a team aiming to return to the postseason (while quieting questions about a transition to Michael Penix Jr. under center). Smith also has plenty riding on this season with a new Seahawks coaching staff in place which incrementally arrived at the decision he will serve as the starter in 2024.