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Russell Wilson Still In Play As Fallback Steelers Option; Aaron Rodgers Down To Two Teams?

March 11th, 2025 at 11:12pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Steelers’ preference entering the negotiating period was to keep Justin Fields in place instead of Russell Wilson. That plan is no longer an option since the former agreed to a two-year Jets deal on Monday.

Wilson is still on the market, and he would obviously be a familiar option after spending the 2024 season as Pittsburgh’s starter (when healthy). The Steelers have become one of the suitors for Aaron Rodgers, however, and a deal could be in place soon. As talks on the Rodgers front continue, Wilson is not out of Pittsburgh’s plans yet.

Should the Rodgers negotiations break down, Wilson resides as a fallback option at this point, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. That might be a humbling position for a playoff team’s primary starter to reside, but Wilson looks to have other options. The Giants and Titans are believed to be interested, though New York is also in on Rodgers, who cannot officially be released until Wednesday afternoon. The Browns are also believed to still be eyeing a veteran, despite their Kenny Pickett acquisition.

A report Monday night indicated a Rodgers-Steelers deal could go down today, and SI.com’s Albert Breer said during a Rich Eisen Show segment the Steelers were fairly confident as of Monday that Rodgers would select them. The Giants remain in the mix, and Breer expects Rodgers to end up in Pittsburgh or to switch locker rooms at MetLife Stadium. The Giants have made their pitch and are indeed waiting on Rodgers’ decision, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport notes.

Although a weekend report connected the Vikings to Rodgers — in what would be an eerie parallel to the Brett Favre career path — Breer indicates he would be surprised if the future Hall of Famer ends up in Minnesota. That said, Fox Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano does not view the Vikings as out of this mix yet. This situation differs from last year’s Wilson decision and what could happen if the Falcons cut Kirk Cousins, as Rodgers could see a notable salary in 2025. The Broncos were already paying Wilson’s salary, while Cousins’ 2025 money is guaranteed as well.

The Steelers and Vikings are coming off playoff seasons and would be better positioned to complement Rodgers this year; that said, the Giants have been busy in free agency, most notably re-signing Darius Slayton and adding Jevon Holland and Paulson Adebo. While Minnesota has J.J. McCarthy and New York holds the No. 3 overall pick, Pittsburgh may be committed to a full season of Rodgers if he is to sign. The Steelers not holding a pick in the top 20 would stand to give them an advantage for Rodgers, who would not need to look over his shoulder at a prospect — in all likelihood — were he to choose Pittsburgh.

As for Wilson, waiting on Rodgers’ talks with the Steelers may not sit too well. The younger of the two aging options finished two spots higher in QBR (23rd to 25th) last season and piloted the team to the playoffs. The Steelers’ late-season collapse, however, has not reflected well on Wilson, who appears behind Rodgers with the Giants as well.

Decisions should come soon, but Rodgers having this much say in how the QB market plays, at 41 and coming off an underwhelming Jets tenure, is interesting. But teams are still intrigued by the all-time QB talent. He has a clear route to play a 21st season and remain a starter.

Adam La Rose contributed to this post

Vikings Plan To Sign DT Javon Hargrave

March 11th, 2025 at 8:51am CST by Sam Robinson

Javon Hargrave is set to be released by the 49ers shortly after the new league year begins. Once that takes place, he will become a free agent; the Pro Bowl defensive tackle already has his next destination lined up, though.

Hargrave has agreed to a contract with the Vikings, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. Minnesota already has a deal in place with Jonathan Allen, but the team’s spending spree at the line of scrimmage is set to continue. The Vikings’ efforts to shore up their offensive line has included agreements with former Colts Ryan Kelly and Will Fries.

The 49ers came to regret their Hargrave addition, though San Francisco has not discriminated too much regarding the players it has moved on from this offseason. A host of Super Bowl LVIII starters (or would-be starters, in Talanoa Hufanga‘s case) are gone, with Hargrave’s exit known earlier than the other departures. The 49ers had made it known early this offseason they were designating Hargrave as a post-June 1 cut. After being tied to a $21MM-per-year deal, the former Steelers and Eagles starter is joining Allen up front in Minnesota.

Turning 32 in February, Hargrave is two years older than Allen. He is also coming off a season mostly nullified by injury. He suffered a partially torn triceps in September and was early to the 49ers’ injury avalanche last year. In 2023, Hargrave had totaled seven sacks, eight tackles for loss and 14 QB hits to help the 49ers to the Super Bowl. Hargrave ended up facing the Chiefs to decide consecutive seasons, though his teams came up short on each occasion.

The 49ers bet big on Hargrave, complementing Brock Purdy‘s rookie contract, after he posted an 11-sack year for the Eagles in 2022. One of four Philly double-digit sackers on a team that came within two sacks (70) of breaking the 1984 Bears’ single-season record, Hargrave added postseason sacks in 2022 and ’23. Prior to that Eagles sack binge, Hargrave — who had formerly worked as a third wheel alongside Cameron Heyward and Stephon Tuitt in Pittsburgh — made his first Pro Bowl with a 7.5-sack, 18-hit 2021.

Phillips is going into his age-29 season; suddenly, he will the 20-something representative up front for the Vikings, who entered free agency with Jonathan Bullard and Jerry Tillery unsigned. A Vikings team that ranked second against the run last season but did not see much interior pressure — no Minnesota D-lineman eclipsed two sacks in 2024 — as bulked in the latter area Tuesday morning.

Adam La Rose contributed to this report.

Vikings, G Will Fries Agree To Deal

March 11th, 2025 at 8:37am CST by Sam Robinson

The Vikings added one former Colt along the offensive line in the form of center Ryan Kelly yesterday, and another is also headed to Minnesota. Guard Will Fries has a deal in place, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports.

This will be a whopping five-year, $88MM pact, Fowler adds. KTSP’s Darren Wolfson’s reported yesterday that the sides were discussing a deal, so it comes as little surprise one has now been worked out. Fries will face massive expectations upon arrival given the nature of this commitment.

Fries does not have a connection to Ryan Grigson like Kelly does, as Fries is a first-time free agent who had joined the Colts in the 2021 draft. Despite not joining a team on Day 1 of the legal tampering period, Fries will cash in. While this is on the longer end of the term-length spectrum — especially as the cap has climbed like his has this decade — Fries is receiving a big number to join the Vikings. Guarantees will provide more illumination, but it is clear Minnesota eyed Fries from the start.

The Vikings have been busy Tuesday, agreeing to deals with two high-profile street free agents (Jonathan Allen, Javon Hargrave) to beef up their defensive line alongside Harrison Phillips while adding Fries as their other new piece with Kelly. The two Colts defections come as Indianapolis added long-rumored Minnesota Sam Darnold fallback option Daniel Jones. As Jones prepares to take a run at another starting job, two Colts blockers will prepare to help J.J. McCarthy transition after missing his rookie season.

A Colts starter for roughly two seasons, Fries is coming off a season-ending injury. He sustained a broken leg early last year; that halted considerable momentum. The fifth-year veteran is not yet 100%, per ESPN.com’s Stephen Holder, but all indications point to him having no issues being ready for next season on time. This contract certainly displays Vikings confidence on this front. The Vikings needed to go big for Fries, whom the Colts tried to re-sign. Pushes from the Patriots, Giants, Seahawks and Cardinals drove the market to this place, SI.com’s Albert Breer notes, as Fries did very well for himself despite the early-season injury.

Fries, who emerged out of the 2021 seventh round, graded as the league’s second-best guard (per Pro Football Focus) and had won his run- and pass-blocking matchups at a career-best rate (per ESPN) before the Week 5 setback. This came after a 17-start 2023, as Fries had taken over for less effective starter Danny Pinter during the 2022 season.

Not on the younger end among this year’s free agent class, Fries (27 in April) will be asked to start at one of the Vikings’ guard spots. Former second-round pick Ed Ingram‘s Vikings future is in doubt, after a 2024 benching, and Dalton Risner — who has not seen free agent markets come close to Fries’ new level — is again out of contract.

Adam La Rose contributed to this report.

Vikings, Jonathan Allen Agree To Deal

March 11th, 2025 at 8:08am CST by Adam La Rose

Jonathan Allen‘s Monday visit with the Vikings has produced a deal in short order. The Pro Bowl defensive lineman has agreed to terms on a three-year, $60MM contract, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.

Allen spent the first eight seasons of his career in Washington, but he emerged as a potential cap casualty this offseason. The Commanders looked to work out a trade, but nothing materialized on that front. His release allowed the 30-year-old to explore a deal prior to the start of the negotiating period, and that slight head start has now produced a pact. The deal is official, per a team announcement.

The Vikings have placed a heavy emphasis on adding at the line of scrimmage this week, including deals for center Ryan Kelly and guard Will Fries. The team also plans to sign defensive tackle Javon Hargrave once his 49ers release is processed. Allen will join the latter in forming an experienced tandem along the defensive interior next season.

Allen was limited to five games as a rookie, but after that the former first-rounder enjoyed a lengthy run of durability. That stretch ended in 2024 due to a triceps tear, one which he was able to recover from in time for the Commanders’ run to the NFC title game. Injury concerns are clearly not an issue for the Vikings, as they have authorized a $20MM-per-year deal. 16 other players at the position are attached to a contract averaging at least that much on an annual basis, a sign of the DT market’s upward movement in recent years.

Minnesota ranked second against the run in 2024, and expectations will be high for the team to duplicate that success with a new-look defensive front next season. Allen (who has averaged 63 tackles and roughly 6.5 sacks per season in his career) will play a large role up front as he looks to find success during the second chapter of his NFL tenure.

Minor NFL Transactions: 3/10/25

March 10th, 2025 at 10:41pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are today’s minor NFL moves that may have been missed during an otherwise extremely busy first day of the tampering period:

Arizona Cardinals

Chicago Bears

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Kansas City Chiefs

Las Vegas Raiders

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

San Francisco 49ers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

Vikings To Bring Back CB Byron Murphy

March 10th, 2025 at 8:42pm CST by Sam Robinson

The youngest of the high-end cornerbacks who entered free agency seeking a third contract, Byron Murphy has fared the best of the bunch so far. The Vikings are bringing Murphy back on a monster raise.

It will take a three-year, $66MM deal for Minnesota to retain Murphy, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport report. Murphy had been a Viking for less than $9MM per year; he has now scored a $22MM AAV after a two-year stay.

After losing Camryn Bynum to a $15MM-per-year Colts deal, the Vikings faced a quandary. Two of their other five secondary regulars — Harrison Smith, Stephon Gilmore — are considering retirement. Losing four of those five, with Josh Metellus being the only returner, would have presented a challenge for a team that relied on players executing Brian Flores’ complex defense. Hours after the Bynum defection, however, the Vikings ensured at least two of their secondary quintet will be back.

PFR’s No. 11-ranked free agent this year, Murphy played a central role in the Vikings’ climb from their woeful Ed Donatell season. Pro Football Focus ranked Murphy as a top-25 corner in 2024, as he improved in yards per target (7.2) and passer rating allowed as the closest defender (76.7) compared to his first Minnesota season. Murphy also was a turnover producer during his first Vikings contract, intercepting nine passes — including six last season — during that term. The six-pick year booked Murphy a Pro Bowl nod. He added 27 passes defensed in that span.

The former four-year Cardinals starter also has extensive slot experience, giving Flores options. Murphy is also only going into his age-27 season. That undoubtedly made the Vikings more comfortable authorizing a $22MM-per-year deal. Murphy has not only outdone the other third-contract-seeking CBs on this market; he has secured a top-five payday at the position. Even after Jaycee Horn‘s new contract is factored in, Murphy becomes the NFL’s fourth-highest-paid corner.

As it turns out, Murphy was right to bet on himself via the two-year, $17.5MM deal. It provided a prelude to a substantial raise, and he was seeking $20MM-plus on this market. The Vikings will count on the 5-foot-11 defender working as their No. 1 corner for at least two more seasons.

Vikings To Host Jonathan Allen

March 10th, 2025 at 5:49pm CST by Sam Robinson

Having been released, Jonathan Allen is free to visit interested teams prior to the start of the new league year. The Pro Bowl defensive tackle will do just that on Monday.

Allen has a visit lined up with the Vikings, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. Minnesota was recently floated as a potential landing spot, so this latest update comes as little surprise. The Vikings entered Monday with over $61MM in cap space.

Being tied to the 49ers as well, Allen should command a solid third contract. After Grady Jarrett spent only hours as a cap casualty before joining the Bears on a three-year, $43.5MM deal, Allen figures to set a high floor. Going into an age-30 season, Allen is nearly two years younger than Jarrett.

Although Allen is coming off a season-altering injury — a partial pectoral tear — he made it back in time to help the Commanders make one of the most surprising trips to the conference championship game in NFL history. Allen also has two Pro Bowls on his resume, helping Washington while Chase Young missed over a year due to a severe knee injury. Allen combined for 16.5 sacks and 26 tackles for loss during his Pro Bowl 2021 and ’22 seasons, but the Commanders decided to cut bait on his $18MM-per-year deal before its final year.

Minnesota has not yet made a notable addition on its defensive line. The team, however, has regulars Jonathan Bullard and Jerry Tillery in free agency. Harrison Phillips returns, but an Allen addition would certainly provide a boost to the Vikes’ interior pass rush. It will be interesting to see if suitors beyond Minnesota and San Francisco emerge, as Allen will enter Tuesday as one of the top players available.

Adam La Rose contributed to this post.

Vikings, C Ryan Kelly Agree To Deal

March 10th, 2025 at 5:40pm CST by Sam Robinson

Ryan Kelly is leaving Indianapolis after nine seasons. The Pro Bowl center has agreed to terms with the Vikings, ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Jeremy Fowler report.

The nine-year veteran will join the Vikings on a two-year, $18MM deal. Kelly will join a Minnesota O-line housing high-end tackle contracts for Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill. Kelly will reunite with the GM who drafted him, Ryan Grigson, who is in the Vikings’ front office.

After signing a Colts extension in 2020, Kelly lobbied for a new deal last year. Nothing emerged, as Kenny Moore and Grover Stewart secured third Indianapolis contracts. Kelly played out his four-year, $49.65MM extension and will depart. He was the last position player acquired under Grigson’s GM tenure.

A 2016 first-round pick Kelly was tied to a fifth-year option when he inked his Colts extension. Playing well enough to keep going in Indy — but perhaps not well enough to follow Moore and Stewart with a third contract — that timeline placed Kelly as first-time free agent ahead of an age-32 season. That naturally affected his market this week.

Kelly missed seven games last season — largely due to in-season knee surgery — but has four Pro Bowls and a second-team All-Pro honor on his resume. The longtime Indy Quenton Nelson running mate up front made his most recent Pro Bowl as recently as 2023. Even during an injury-marred 2024, Kelly ranked 10th in pass block win rate. Pro Football Focus slotted him eighth among center regulars in ’23, when the Alabama alum played 17 games.

This signing looks set to displace Garrett Bradbury from his center post. PFF rated Bradbury 23rd and 27th since he re-signed on a three-year deal. Minnesota is bringing in a more proven blocker, and this would stand to end Bradbury’s six-season run as the Vikings’ starting center. The Vikes are likely to cut former second-round pick Ed Ingram. If Minnesota were to release Bradbury, it would save $3.6MM in cap space.

Vikings To Sign CB Isaiah Rodgers

March 10th, 2025 at 12:43pm CST by Sam Robinson

In the wake of the Eagles releasing corners Darius Slay and James Bradberry, it seemed Isaiah Rodgers was in line to step into a notable role. Instead, he will be on the move.

Rodgers has agreed to terms on a two-year deal, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. The pact is worth $15MM and includes $8MM fully guaranteed. Rodgers has come back from a season-long suspension to earn multiyear pact, winning a Super Bowl ring between his gambling ban and this agreement.

[RELATED: Vikings Re-Sign CB Byron Murphy]

Receiving an indefinite suspension for violating the league’s gambling policy while with the Colts, Rodgers missed the 2023 season but resided as an Eagles stash that year. With Vic Fangio taking over, the ex-Colts starter/kick returner played a supporting role as the Eagles broke in two rookies (Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean).

Using Rodgers as a three-game starter, the Eagles gave him 328 defensive snaps for a CB corps that stayed mostly healthy. Rodgers, who had worked as a Colts boundary defender in 2022, broke up three passes in the playoffs for the Eagles last season. The team had eyed another agreement with the 27-year-old cover man, but it does not seem like it was quite prepared to go where Minnesota did.

As the Vikings have Murphy back in the fold and slot defender Josh Metellus under contract, Rodgers will be positioned to vie for the boundary job Stephon Gilmore may be vacating. Gilmore is considering retirement after his age-34 season. The Vikings, who sported a top-five defense last season, may still lose three secondary charges, as stalwart safety Harrison Smith is now 36 and also contemplating walking way. Rodgers, then, could become a key presence on Brian Flores’ third Vikes defense.

Adam La Rose contributed to this post.

Free Agency Rumors: Raiders, Murphy, Holland, Jets, Dalman, Bears, Falcons, OL

March 9th, 2025 at 10:36pm CST by Sam Robinson

Byron Murphy was on the 2023 market, but the four-year Cardinals starter settled for a midlevel two-year deal. After a productive Vikings run, the former No. 33 overall pick has set himself up for a second payday. On a market featuring a host of third-contract-seeking corners, Murphy may be in the best shape due to going into an age-27 season. A suitor has emerged for the six-year vet in the Raiders, with The Athletic’s Tashan Reed labeling him a top priority for the Silver and Black. Murphy has set a high asking price, potentially up to $20MM per year, though the Vikings are exploring a second contract.

Elsewhere in the Raiders’ secondary, the team still wants to keep Tre’von Moehrig. With Moehrig expected to do well on the market, the Raiders may need a backup plan. Identifying Moehrig as the most difficult of Las Vegas’ in-house free agents to retain, Reed mentions Murphy teammate Camryn Bynum as a player to watch for a potential addition. Evidently viewing the Vikings’ secondary as a well-run unit, the Raiders have both starting safeties (Moehrig, Marcus Epps) hitting the market. Moehrig landed 24th on our top 50 free agents list, Bynum 36th. Bynum joins Murphy in going into an age-27 season and as a player who played a key role in helping Minnesota form a top-five defense.

Here is the latest from the free agent market:

  • Jevon Holland has been tied to the Panthers and Titans, with the Dolphins not giving up hope — reminding of their Christian Wilkins and Robert Hunt final hours — of retaining him. The Jets should be a team to monitor for Holland as well, SNY’s Connor Hughes tweets. No. 6 on our FA list, Holland has been linked to potentially commanding as much as $20MM per year. The Jets have Chuck Clark, Jalen Mills and Ashtyn Davis due for free agency. Holland would be a much pricier replacement, but the Jets have a veteran secondary coach (Aaron Glenn) as HC now. Glenn just had considerable success developing Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch.
  • The Jets are not expected to retain Tyler Conklin, Hughes adds. Conklin played three seasons with the Jets, outdoing C.J. Uzomah after both were signed in the same offseason. Conklin, 29, could do reasonably well on the market. This is a thin TE market, with Juwan Johnson and now Evan Engram profiling as the top options. Mike Gesicki scored a three-year, $25.5MM Bengals deal. Conklin has been more consistent. He was oddly more productive with Zach Wilson, posting a career-high 621 yards in 2023; he tallied 449 and a career-high four TDs last year.
  • Extending Jake Matthews stands to create some cap space for the Falcons, but Drew Dalman will draw a strong market, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz notes. A three-year Falcons center starter, Dalman looks to be the top snapper available ahead of his age-27 season. The Bears are being mentioned as a team to monitor for Dalman, Schultz adds. Chicago has been busy revamping its interior O-line in Ben Johnson‘s first weeks on the job, trading for Joe Thuney and ex-Lions starter Jonah Jackson. Dalman would fetch an upper-crust center deal, but the Bears do have two rookie tackle salaries (for now) and Caleb Williams‘ rookie-scale deal around which to build.
  • Dan Moore Jr. has been set to leave Pittsburgh for a while, as the Steelers used back-to-back first-round picks on tackles. The four-year Pittsburgh LT is expected to command at least $15MM on the open market, with Schultz adding a high-teens AAV may be required. Ronnie Stanley landed a $20MM-per-year deal from the Ravens. The more accomplished tackle is four years older and more injury-prone than Moore. In what would be a more surprising free agency market, Schultz adds the 49ers’ Jaylon Moore may score a deal on the same level as the more experienced Moore. Jaylon Moore, a 2021 fifth-rounder, filled in for Trent Williams last season and has 15 starts on his resume. With Stanley and Alaric Jackson off the board, the Moores and Cam Robinson stand to do well.
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