Minor NFL Transactions: 5/12/25
Here are the latest minor moves from around the NFL:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: LB Caleb Johnson
- Released: WR Phillip Dorsett
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: K John Hoyland, FB Lucas Scott
Chicago Bears
- Signed: CB Jeremiah Walker
- Placed on Exempt/International Player list: P Tory Taylor
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: S Shaquan Loyal
- Waived: CB Micah Abraham
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: WR Luke Floriea, WR Kisean Johnson, WR Cade McDonald
- Waived: S Trey Dean, DE Marcus Haynes, FB Eli Wilson
- Waived/injured: WR Ja’Seem Reed
Denver Broncos
- Signed: LB Jordan Turner, WR Kyrese White, LS Zach Triner, TE Cole Fotheringham
- Waived: CB Kendall Bohler, LB K.J. Cloyd, NT Christian Dowell, TE Thomas Yassmin
- Placed on Exempt/International Player list: P Jeremy Crawshaw
Detroit Lions
- Signed; TE Luke Deal, WR Malik Taylor, DL Raequan Williams
- Waived: TE Caden Prieskorn
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: QB Taylor Elgersma
- Released: OL Marquis Hayes
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: C Mose Vavao
- Waived: DT Joe Evans
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: DE Jahfari Harvey, WR Ketron Jackson Jr., WR Key’Shawn Smith, LB Wesley Steiner
- Waived: OT Dominic Boyd, LB Amari Burney, DT Matthew Butler, WR Tyleik McAllister, LB Brandon Smith
- Released: WR Kristian Wilkerson
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: WR Dalevon Campbell, LB Kana’i Mauga
- Waived: OL Bucky Williams
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: CB Kendall Sheffield
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: LB Matt Harmon, DL Elijah Williams
New England Patriots
- Signed: DT Isaiah Iton, G Mehki Butler, DT Wilfried Pene
- Waived: OT Cole Birdow
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: S Terrell Burgess, QB Hunter Dekkers
- Waived: S Millard Bradford, RB Jordan Mims
New York Giants
- Signed: CB T.J. Moore
- Waived: DB R.J. Delancey, DB Tommy McCormick
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: RB Max Hurleman, T Gareth Warren
- Released: RB Aaron Shampklin
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: LB Stone Blanton
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: WR Montorie Foster
- Waived: WR River Cracraft
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: DL Dvon J-Thomas
- Waived; LB Deion Jennings, TE Anthony Landphere
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: TE Drake Dabney,WR TJ Sheffield
- Waived: CB Virgil Lemons, S Jerrin Thompson
Hoyland converted 79.3% of his field goal attempts for the Wyoming Cowboys across the last five years. He was ultra-consistent on extra points with 147 makes on 148 tries. Hoyland will compete with sixth-round pick Tyler Loop for the Ravens’ kicking job after the team released Justin Tucker.
Sheffield brings some much-needed experience to the Dolphins’ cornerback room, though he hasn’t started since 2020. He could provide crucial veteran depth in Miami, especially if Jalen Ramsey is traded.
Elgersma was the starting quarterback at Wilfried Laurier University in Ontario, Canada, for the last three years. In 2024, he won the Hec Crighton Trophy – the Canadian equivalent to the Heisman – and earned an invitation to the Senior Bowl, the first-ever for a Canadian QB. Elgersma was drafted in the second round of the 2025 CFL Draft by the Winnepeg Blue Bombers, but a successful tryout with the Packers will give him a chance at making an NFL roster.
NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/9/25
We saw a busy day of 2025 NFL Draft pick signings today. Here are the mid- to late-round picks who inked their four-year rookie deals:
Arizona Cardinals
- OLB Jordan Burch (third round, Oregon)
- CB Denzel Burke (fifth round, Ohio State)
- G Hayden Conner (sixth round, Texas)
- S Kitan Crawford (seventh round, Nevada)
Buffalo Bills
- DE Landon Jackson (third round, Arkansas)
- CB Jordan Hancock (fifth round, Ohio State)
- TE Jackson Hawes (fifth round, Georgia Tech)
- CB Dorian Strong (sixth round, Virginia Tech)
- T Chase Lundt (sixth round, Connecticut)
- WR Kaden Prather (seventh round, Maryland)
Cincinnati Bengals
- G Dylan Fairchild (third round, Georgia)
- LB Barrett Carter (fourth round, Clemson)
- T Jalen Rivers (fifth round, Miami)
- RB Tahj Brooks (sixth round, Texas Tech)
Detroit Lions
- G Miles Frazier (fifth round, LSU)
- DE Ahmed Hassanein (sixth round, Boise State)
- S Dan Jackson (seventh round, Georgia)
- WR Dominic Lovett (seventh round, Georgia)
Houston Texans
- S Jaylen Reed (sixth round, Penn State)
- QB Graham Mertz (sixth round, Florida)
- DT Kyonte Hamilton (seventh round, Rutgers)
- TE Luke Lachey (seventh round, Iowa)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- CB Caleb Ransaw (third round, Tulane)
- G Wyatt Milum (third round (West Virginia)
- LB Jalen McLeod (sixth round, Auburn)
- S Rayuan Lane III (sixth round, Navy)
- C Jonah Monheim (seventh round, USC)
- RB LeQuint Allen (seventh round, Syracuse)
Las Vegas Raiders
- WR Dont’e Thornton Jr. (fourth round, Tennessee)
Los Angeles Chargers
- DT Jamaree Caldwell (third round, Oregon)
- OLB Kyle Kennard (fourth round, South Carolina)
- WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith (fifth round, Auburn)
- TE Oronde Gadsden II (fifth round, Syracuse)
- G Branson Taylor (sixth round, Pittsburgh)
- S RJ Mickens (sixth round, Clemson)
- S Trikweze Bridges (seventh round, Florida)
Minnesota Vikings
- WR Tai Felton (third round, Maryland)
- DE Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (fifth round, Georgia)
- LB Kobe King (sixth round, Penn State)
- TE Gavin Bartholomew (sixth round, Pittsburgh)
New England Patriots
- WR Kyle Williams (third round, Washington State)
- C Jared Wilson (third round, Georgia)
- DT Joshua Farmer (fourth round, Florida State)
- OLB Bradyn Swinson (fifth round, LSU)
- K Andy Borregales (sixth round, Miami)
- T Marcus Bryant (seventh round, Missouri)
- LS Julian Ashby (seventh round, Vanderbilt)
- CB Kobee Minor (seventh round, Memphis)
New York Giants
- G Marcus Mbow (fifth round, Purdue)
- TE Thomas Fidone II (seventh round, Nebraska)
New York Jets
- CB Korie Black (seventh round, Oklahoma State)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- RB Kaleb Johnson (third round, Iowa)
- OLB Jack Sawyer (fourth round, Ohio State)
- DT Yahya Black (fifth round, Iowa)
- QB Will Howard (sixth round, Ohio State)
- LB Carson Bruener (seventh round, Washington)
- CB Donte Kent (seventh round, Central Michigan)
San Francisco 49ers
- LB Nick Martin (third round, Oklahoma State)
- CB Upton Stout (third round, Western Kentucky)
- WR Jordan Watkins (fourth round, Ole Miss)
- RB Jordan James (fifth round, Oregon)
- S Marques Sigle (fifth round, Kansas State)
- G Connor Colby (seventh round, Iowa)
- WR Junior Bergen (seventh round, Montana)
Tennessee Titans
- S Kevin Winston Jr. (third round, Penn State)
- WR Elic Ayomanor (fourth round, Stanford)
- G Jackson Slater (fifth round, Sacramento State)
- CB Marcus Harris (sixth round, California)
- RB Kalel Mullings (sixth round, Michigan)
Washington Commanders
- WR Jaylin Lane (fourth round, Virginia Tech)
- LB Kain Medrano (sixth round, UCLA)
- RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt (seventh round, Arizona)
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/9/25
Here are the minor NFL transactions to close out the week:
Arizona Cardinals
- Received roster exemption (international player): OL Valentin Senn
Atlanta Falcons
- Received roster exemption (international player): K Lenny Krieg
- Waived: DT Junior Aho
Buffalo Bills
- Claimed off waivers (from Giants): DT Casey Rogers
Carolina Panthers
- Reverted to IR: DT Popo Aumavae
- Waived: OLB Kenny Dyson
Cincinnati Bengals
- Received roster exemption (international player): S Dante Barnett
Detroit Lions
- Received roster exemption (international player): DE Ahmed Hassanein
Houston Texans
- Waived: G Nick Broeker
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: RB Ulysses Bentley IV
- Received roster exemption (international player): S Marcel Dabo
- Waived: G Atonio Mafi, DT Pheldarius Payne
Las Vegas Raiders
- Waived (with failed physical designation): WR Jeff Foreman
Los Angeles Chargers
- Waived: OLB Chris Collins
Minnesota Vikings
- Received roster exemption (international player): P Oscar Chapman
New York Jets
- Received roster exemption (international player): G Leander Wiegand
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: CB Dallis Flowers
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: LB D’Eryk Jackson
Dyson was cut from the team after news that running back Jonathon Brooks‘ placement on the physically unable to perform list would, in fact, still count him against the 90-man roster limit. They initially were told by the league that he would not count, but the updated guidance today necessitated that they lose a man.
Jackson joins Seattle’s undrafted free agent rookie class after they announced their 17 signees almost a week ago. A successful rookie minicamp tryout led to him securing a contract.
Similarly, Bentley, for whatever reason was also announced separately from the Colts’ UDFA class, even though the class was announced only a few hours before his signing. The 24-year-old hasn’t been a lead back since his 2020 season at SMU, but in three years apiece at SMU and Ole Miss, Bentley never averaged below five yards per carry in a season.
2025 NFL Draft Results: Team By Team
Here is every team’s haul from the 2025 NFL Draft:
Arizona Cardinals
- Round 1, No. 16: Walter Nolen (DT, Ole Miss) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 47: Will Johnson (CB, Michigan) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 78: Jordan Burch (OLB, Oregon) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 115: Cody Simon (LB, Ohio State) (signed)
- Round 5, 174 (from Cowboys)*: Denzel Burke (CB, Ohio State) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 211 (from Cowboys)*: Hayden Conner (G, Texas) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 225 (from Jets through Chiefs): Kitan Crawford (S, Nevada) (signed)
Atlanta Falcons
- Round 1, No. 15: Jalon Walker (LB, Georgia) (signed)
- Round 1, No. 26 (from Rams): James Pearce (DE, Tennessee) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 96 (from Eagles): Xavier Watts (S, Notre Dame) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 118: Billy Bowman (S, Oklahoma) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 218 (from Browns through Chargers): Jack Nelson (T, Wisconsin) (signed)
Baltimore Ravens
- Round 1, No. 27: Malaki Starks (S, Georgia) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 59: Mike Green (OLB, Marshall) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 91: Emery Jones (T, LSU) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 129: Teddye Buchanan (LB, Cal) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 141* (from Titans): Carson Vinson (T, Alabama A&M) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 178 (from Titans): Bilhal Kone (CB, Western Michigan) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 186 (from Jets): Tyler Loop (K, Arizona) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 203: LaJohntay Wester (WR, Colorado) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 210*: Aeneas Peebles (DT, Virginia Tech) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 212*: Robert Longerbeam (CB, Rutgers) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 243: Garrett Dellinger (G, LSU) (signed)
Buffalo Bills
- Round 1, No. 30: Maxwell Hairston (CB, Kentucky) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 41 (from Bears): T.J. Sanders (DT, South Carolina) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 72 (from Bears): Landon Jackson (DE, Arkansas) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 109 (from Bears through Bills and Bears): Deone Walker (DT, Kentucky) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 170 (from Cowboys)*: Jordan Hancock (CB, Ohio State) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 173*: Jackson Hawes (TE, Georgia Tech) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 177 (from Giants): Dorian Strong (CB, Virginia Tech) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 206: Chase Lundt (T, UConn) (signed)
- Round 7, 240 (from Vikings through Browns and Bears): Kaden Prather (WR, Maryland) (signed)
Carolina Panthers
- Round 1, No. 8: Tetairoa McMillan (WR, Arizona) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 51 (from Broncos): Nic Scourton (OLB, Texas A&M) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 77 (from Falcons through Patriots): Princely Umanmielen (OLB, Ole Miss) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 114 (from Cowboys): Trevor Etienne (RB, Georgia) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 122 (from Broncos): Lathan Ransom (S, Ohio State) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 140 (from Giants): Cam Jackson (DT, Florida) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 163 (from Ravens): Mitchell Evans (TE, Notre Dame) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 208 (from Eagles through Broncos): Jimmy Horn (WR, Colorado) (signed)
Chicago Bears
- Round 1, No. 10: Colston Loveland (TE, Michigan) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 39 (from Panthers): Luther Burden (WR, Missouri) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 56 (from Vikings through Texans and Bills): Ozzy Trapilo (T, Boston College) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 62: Shemar Turner (DT, Texas A&M) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 132 (from Bills): Ruban Hyppolite (LB, Maryland) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 169 (from Bills)*: Zah Frazier (CB, Texas-San Antonio) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 195 (from Steelers through Rams): Luke Newman (G, Michigan State) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 233 (from Bengals): Kyle Monangai (RB, Rutgers) (signed)
Cincinnati Bengals
- Round 1, No. 17: Shemar Stewart (DE, Texas A&M) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 49: Demetrius Knight (LB, South Carolina) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 81: Dylan Fairchild (G, Georgia) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 119: Barrett Carter (LB, Clemson) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 153: Jalen Rivers (T, Miami) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 193: Tahj Brooks (RB, Texas Tech) (signed)
Cleveland Browns
- Round 1, No. 5 (from Jaguars): Mason Graham (DT, Michigan) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 33: Carson Schwesinger (LB, UCLA) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 36 (from Jaguars): Quinshon Judkins (RB, Ohio State) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 67: Harold Fannin Jr. (TE, Bowling Green) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 94 (from Bills): Dillon Gabriel (QB, Oregon) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 126 (from Vikings through Jaguars): Dylan Sampson (RB, Tennessee) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 144 (from Patriots through Seahawks): Shedeur Sanders (QB, Colorado) (signed)
Dallas Cowboys
- Round 1, No. 12: Tyler Booker (G, Alabama) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 44: Donovan Ezeiruaku (DE, Boston College) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 76: Shavon Revel (CB, East Carolina) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 149: Jaydon Blue (RB, Texas) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 152 (from Cardinals): Shemar James (LB, Florida) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 204 (from Lions through Browns and Bills): Ajani Cornelius (G, Oregon) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 217 (from Titans through Patriots): Jay Toia (DT, UCLA) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 239 (from Packers through Titans): Phil Mafah (RB, Clemson) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 247 (from Chiefs through Panthers): Tommy Akingbesote (DT, Maryland) (signed)
Vikings, OLB Andrew Van Ginkel Agree On Extension
MAY 2: Van Ginkel’s new guaranteed money includes a $10MM signing bonus, as detailed by Over the Cap. His cap charges now sit at $11.4MM for 2025 and $19.4MM the following season. $510K in per-game roster bonuses are included for both campaigns. Four void years are present in the deal.
APRIL 29: Andrew Van Ginkel impressed upon reuniting with Brian Flores, enjoying a productive season as a pass rusher to help the Vikings finish the season as a top-five defense. The team will reward the former Dolphins defender for his work.
The Vikings are giving Van Ginkel a one-year, $23MM extension, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The deal comes nearly fully guaranteed, with $22.4MM being locked in. Minnesota now has Van Ginkel signed through 2026. This will bring a significant bump for Van Ginkel, who was due a $10.78MM 2025 base salary that featured $4MM guaranteed.
Coming up earlier this offseason as an extension candidate, Van Ginkel drew interest from the Rams and Eagles last year. He has shown himself to be a viable starter on the edge — after previously working as a backup.
Reinserted into Miami’s starting lineup as a pass rusher due to Jaelan Phillips‘ 2023 injury, Van Ginkel upped his free agency stock in the weeks that followed. He signed a two-year, $20MM Vikings deal in 2024. That contract was to void if no extension occurred before the start of the 2026 league year. The Vikings have checked off that piece of business Tuesday.
Van Ginkel, 29, built on his 2023 pass-rushing production by registering 11.5 sacks last season. The former Dolphins fifth-rounder, who arrived during Flores’ first offseason in charge, accumulated an impressive 18 tackles for loss and 19 QB hits last season. Van Ginkel had previously never posted 10 TFLs in a season. In addition to his sack production, Van Ginkel also intercepted two passes and returned both for touchdowns in his Vikings debut. He now has three pick-sixes in two years.
Minnesota acquired a second first-round pick in 2024. While most assumed it was to become key ammo in the franchise’s quest to select a quarterback, the Vikings — after seeing the Patriots decline their trade-up offer for Drake Maye — then traded up from that spot (via the Jaguars) to take edge rusher Dallas Turner at No. 17. Despite the lofty investment, Turner played behind Van Ginkel and big-ticket free agent signee Jonathan Greenard. This extension certainly looks like that setup will continue in 2025.
This one-year bump resembles the Bengals’ 2023 move for Trey Hendrickson, though it comes after just one Van Ginkel season. Hendrickson signed a one-year, $21MM extension in 2023, doing so after he had outplayed his previous deal during his first two Bengals seasons. Van Ginkel’s profile does not check in on Hendrickson’s level, minimizing the chance he and the Vikings will later be at odds. Instead, a former Day 3 draftee collected a key payment during an offseason in which the Vikings both moved on from Sam Darnold and saw Kirk Cousins‘ $28.5MM dead money hit come off the books.
The Vikings have J.J. McCarthy signed through 2027, affording them opportunities to make payments previously unrealistic due to Cousins’ six-year tenure (and seven-year run on the payroll). They will bet on Van Ginkel, who has scheme familiarity but a thin record of consistent pass-rushing production. Also seeing early-career time as an off-ball linebacker, Van Ginkel had previously topped out at six sacks in a season (2023). But he has settled as an edge presence.
The Vikings, who lost Patrick Jones in free agency, will continue to send a Greenard-Van Ginkel-Turner pass rush at opponents, with this contract ensuring all three are signed for at least two more seasons.
2026 NFL Fifth-Year Option Tracker
NFL teams have until May 1 to officially pick up fifth-year options on 2022 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-highest 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
We covered how last year’s Pro Bowl invites affected the 2022 first-round class. With the deadline looming, we will use the space below to track all the 2026 option decisions from around the league:
- DE/OLB Travon Walker, Jaguars ($14.75MM): Exercised
- DE/OLB Aidan Hutchinson, Lions ($19.87MM): Exercised
- CB Derek Stingley Jr., Texans ($17.6MM): Extended through 2029
- CB Sauce Gardner, Jets ($20.19MM): Exercised
- OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux, Giants ($14.75MM): Exercised
- T Ikem Ekwonu, Panthers ($17.56MM): Exercised
- T Evan Neal, Giants ($16.69MM): Declined
- WR Drake London, Falcons ($16.82MM): Exercised
- T Charles Cross, Seahawks ($17.56MM): Exercised
- WR Garrett Wilson, Jets ($16.82MM): Exercised
- WR Chris Olave, Saints ($15.49MM): Exercised
- WR Jameson Williams, Lions ($15.49MM): Exercised
- DT Jordan Davis, Eagles ($12.94MM): Exercised
- S Kyle Hamilton, Ravens ($18.6MM): Exercised
- G Kenyon Green, Eagles* ($16.69MM): Declined
- WR Jahan Dotson, Eagles** ($16.82MM): Declined
- G Zion Johnson, Chargers ($17.56MM): Declined
- WR Treylon Burks, Titans ($15.49MM): Declined
- T Trevor Penning, Saints ($16.69MM): Declined
- QB Kenny Pickett, Browns*** ($22.12MM): Declined
- CB Trent McDuffie, Chiefs ($13.63MM): Exercised
- LB Quay Walker, Packers ($14.75MM): Declined
- CB Kaiir Elam, Cowboys**** ($12.68MM): Declined
- G Tyler Smith, Cowboys ($20.99MM): Exercised
- C Tyler Linderbaum, Ravens ($20.99MM): Declined
- DE Jermaine Johnson, Jets ($13.92MM): Exercised
- LB Devin Lloyd, Jaguars ($14.75MM): Exercised
- DT Devonte Wyatt, Packers ($12.94MM): Exercised
- G Cole Strange, Patriots ($16.69MM): Declined
- DE George Karlaftis, Chiefs ($15.12MM): Exercised
- DB Dax Hill, Bengals ($12.68MM): Exercised
- S Lewis Cine, Vikings: N/A
* = traded from Texans on March 11, 2025
** = traded from Commanders on August 22, 2024
*** = traded from Eagles on March 15, 2024; traded from Steelers on March 10, 2025
**** = traded from Bills to Cowboys on March 12, 2025
J.J. McCarthy Addresses Recovery From Meniscus Procedures
J.J. McCarthy has seen the Vikings present him with a golden opportunity. The team passed on franchise-tagging Sam Darnold and then let the bounce-back starter walk, and it did not outbid the Colts for Daniel Jones.
The Vikings have since effectively stiff-armed Aaron Rodgers, who had informed the team it stood atop his destination list. Rodgers may be down to Steelers or retirement, though he has continued to keep the AFC North team at arm’s length. Minnesota, however, added a clear backup option during the draft by acquiring Sam Howell from the Seahawks. Howell’s full 2023 season as a Commanders starter notwithstanding, McCarthy’s path to a 2025 starting job remains clear.
As this chance awaits, McCarthy said he is fully recovered from the two meniscus procedures that defined his rookie year. Kevin O’Connell said (via ESPN.com’s Kevin Seifert) the second-year quarterback will have no restrictions during the Vikings’ offseason program. While pressure will await as McCarthy prepares to take the reins for a team that went 14-3 last season, the former national championship-winning passer expects to be at the controls in Week 1.
“I know I’m ready to start,” McCarthy said (via Seifert), “because of all the work I’ve put in and just the confidence in my skills and abilities and just being able to do my job. And to simplify things to the best of my ability every single day. I have a tremendous coaching staff, a tremendous group of guys around me that I can lean on and they can lean on me.”
Although McCarthy’s weight dropped into the 180s during his recovery, the Michigan product said he is back up to his 215 playing weight. This post-surgery road, though, included a November hiccup; swelling led to a PRP injection. Since that point, McCarthy has ramped up and will be ready to throw once the Vikings begin OTAs this month.
McCarthy, 22, was poised to challenge Darnold for Minnesota’s starting job at some point last year. While Darnold was to be the Vikes’ Week 1 starter, McCarthy was on track to put that status in question. Though, the way Darnold performed, a full-season redshirt for the rookie would have certainly been in the equation had McCarthy stayed healthy. Darnold signed a three-year, $100.5MM Seahawks deal, removing a bridge from the Vikings’ 2025 QB blueprint.
In addition to McCarthy, O’Connell said Christian Darrisaw has not endured any setbacks during rehab from ACL and MCL tears. With that injury occurring in late October, Darrisaw returning by Week 1 will be in play. The Vikings let fill-in Cam Robinson defect to the Texans in free agency. Cornerback Mekhi Blackmon, who suffered an ACL tear in July, will be expected to return to football activities by spring’s end, O’Connell added (via the Minneapolis Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling). O’Connell added Javon Hargrave and Will Fries, free agents coming off season ending injuries (pectoral tear, broken leg), will likely be limited to start the offseason program.
Elsewhere on the Vikings’ roster, Isaiah Rodgers is set to compete for a starting job. The team re-signed Byron Murphy hours after it added Rodgers, but O’Connell confirmed (via Seifert) DC Brian Flores targeted the recent Eagles contributor for his defense. Flores also pushed for Blake Cashman and for an Andrew Van Ginkel reunion. Those additions helped Minnesota form a top-five defense, and they could help give the veteran coach some room to give Rodgers a long look as a starter.
A nine-game Colts starter in 2022, Rodgers has started three games since his 2023 gambling suspension. Veteran Jeff Okudah, given a one-year deal worth $2.35MM, is aboard as potential insurance. Rodgers signed a two-year, $11MM contract that came with nearly $8MM guaranteed at signing.
Minor NFL Transactions: 4/30/25
Here are today’s minor moves from around the NFL:
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: DE Mapalo Mwansa
Dallas Cowboys
- Waived: RB Malik Davis, OL Jack Anderson, LB Brock Mogensen, OL Earl Bostick
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed as UDFAs: WR Darius Lassiter (BYU), WR Dorian Singer (Utah)
Kansas City Chiefs
- Released: TE Anthony Firkser, LB Shaun Bradley
- Waived: TE Baylor Cupp, OL McKade Mettauer, S Jason Taylor
- Received international exemption: OT Chukwuebeuka Godrick
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed as UDFA: WR Myles Price (Indiana)
New York Jets
- Placed on reserve/retired list: QB Jordan Travis (story)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Released: LB Thomas Rush
Vikings Sign 19 UDFAs
The Vikings owned the NFL’s smallest draft class with only five selections this year, so naturally, they added a good amount of undrafted free agents to form a 24-man rookie class. Here are the 19 UDFAs the team signed:
- Tyler Batty, OLB (BYU)
- Silas Bolden, WR (Texas)
- Max Brosmer, QB (Minnesota)(post)
- Logan Brown, T (Kansas)
- Chaz Chambliss, OLB (Georgia)
- Oscar Chapman, P (Auburn)
- Zeke Correll, C (NC State)
- Dontae Fleming, WR (Tulane)
- Keenan Garber, CB (Kansas State)
- Joe Huber, G (Wisconsin)
- Austin Keys, LB (Auburn)
- Robert Lewis, WR (Auburn)
- Dorian Mausi, LB (Auburn)
- Bryson Nesbit, TE (North Carolina)
- Mishael Powell, S (Miami)
- Tre Stewart, RB (Jacksonville State)
- Zemaiah Vaughn, CB (Utah)
- Alex Williams, DE (Middle Tennessee State)
- Ben Yurosek, TE (Georgia)
An undersized runner, Stewart had an incredible year for the Gamecocks. In fact, with 1,678 rushing yards and 25 rushing touchdowns in 2024, Stewart joined top ten pick Ashton Jeanty as the only two FBS backs with over 1,600 yards and 25 scores on the ground.
After two strong years at Oregon State, Bolden wasn’t very productive as a receiver for the Longhorns. He was extremely productive, though, as a punt returner, notching 315 yards on 30 returns and scoring a touchdown. His return abilities netted him $205K in guaranteed money on his UDFA contract, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
Brown is a surprising get post-draft, considering he was projected to be an early-Day 3 selection. Likely a significant injury history kept him available to this point. Huber was another likely Day 3 selection. He started 13 games at right tackle at Cincinnati before transferring and shifting inside. He started as left guard in 2023 and right guard in 2024 for the Badgers. Despite only playing offensive line since 2019, Huber’s versatility was able to net him $210K guaranteed on his UDFA deal, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2.
Chambliss was impressive in his final season at Georgia with 6.5 sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss, but his route to a 53-man roster will likely have to come through special teams contributions. Impressive length and production should give Vaughn a chance at the opening day roster. In five years at Utah (one redshirt season), Vaughn tallied 27 passes defensed, three interceptions, three sacks, and 14.0 tackles for loss.
Seahawks Trade Sam Howell To Vikings
The Seahawks added Jalen Milroe on Friday night, doing so after reacquiring Drew Lock. As Sam Darnold‘s backup crew looks set, the team is moving on from Geno Smith‘s final QB2.
Seattle is sending Sam Howell to the Vikings, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. Minnesota will add the former Washington starter, who had been on the trade block ahead of his contract year. The Seahawks paired Howell with the No. 172 pick, and they acquired pick No. 142, per Albert Breer of TheMMQB.
According to Jeremy Fowler, also of ESPN, the two teams have been quietly working on this deal since last week. Once the Seahawks’ offseason moves and draft intentions made it clear that they were ready to move on from Howell, conversations began the ultimately led to today’s trade.
There’s plenty of natural connections with this trade. The Seahawks, of course, poached Darnold from the Vikings with a lucrative free agent offer. Despite Aaron Rodgers heavily hinting at his desire to join the Vikings, the organization has made it clear they’re content to roll with J.J. McCarthy as their QB1.
Assuming the Vikings stuck with the status quo, that meant they still had an opening for a backup ahead of Brett Rypien. So, in comes Howell, who brings plenty of experience to the role. The former fifth-round pick started all 17 games for Washington in 2023. The Commanders went 4-13 in those outings, with Howell completing 63.4 percent of his passes for 3,946 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions.
The Vikings have been pretty adamant that they won’t be adding Rodgers to their QBs room, and the team’s depth chart seems to be taking shape with this latest acquisition. Rypien brings four games of starting experience, so the Vikings now have two fallback options should McCarthy struggle or suffer an injury.
The Seahawks traded from their surplus and managed to move up 30 spots in the draft. The team used their new selection on Notre Dame defensive tackle Rylie Mills. The lineman finished his Fighting Irish career with 17 sacks, including a career-high 7.5 this past season. A late-season knee injury may have slightly impacted his draft position, and the Seahawks are getting an agile defensive lineman who should be able to contribute right away.
Sam Robinson contributed to this report.