NFC North Rumors: Hafley, Thielen, Ratledge
In 2024, Jeff Hafley’s first year as the Packers’ defensive coordinator, Green Bay ranked fifth and sixth in total and scoring defense, respectively, while also finishing third in interceptions and seventh in sacks. That performance garnered Hafley a head coaching interview with the Jets this offseason, and more such interviews could be on the horizon.
Per Jeff Howe of The Athletic (subscription required), Hafley is viewed as a legitimate HC candidate in some league circles, and he has a chance to elevate his stock even further given the Packers’ addition of star edge defender Micah Parsons. Howe already expects teams in search of a defensive-minded head coach in next year’s cycle to do their homework on Hafley, and another strong showing from his unit will solidify his place on the HC radar.
Now for more from the NFC North:
- A trade at the end of August brought WR Adam Thielen back to the Vikings after a two-year stint with the Panthers. In a comprehensive look behind the scenes of the swap, Joseph Person of The Athletic (subscription required) says Carolina was not actively looking to deal Thielen, who became an important veteran leader. Given that, and given the Panthers’ leverage – Minnesota’s need for a veteran wideout was well-documented – Carolina originally asked the Vikes for a third-round pick in exchange for Thielen and a fifth-rounder. The Panthers wanted to get the equivalent of fourth-round value in a Thielen trade, and they eventually got there while shaving off $7MM in cap space they can roll over to next year. The Vikes, meanwhile, did not have to give up a third.
- Rookie Tate Ratledge was initially penciled in as the Lions’ starting center in the wake of Frank Ragnow’s retirement, but that experiment lasted all of three training camp practices before Detroit shifted Ratledge to right guard and veteran Graham Glasgow to the pivot. However, that had less to do with Ratledge’s performance than Glasgow’s existing rapport with QB Jared Goff, and as Justin Rogers of Detroit Football Network writes, GM Brad Holmes still sees Ratledge as the long-term center, where he may have an even higher ceiling (despite his success at guard in college).
- The Lions waived sixth-round rookie Ahmed Hassanein with an injury settlement during final roster cutdowns at the end of August, but Holmes still expects the defensive end to suit up for the team this year (via Jeremy Reisman of PrideofDetroit.com). Holmes said there is a handshake deal in place for Hassanein, who has cleared waivers, to return to Detroit once the length of the injury settlement term (plus an additional three weeks) is complete. That term is presently unknown.
- Former Lions long snapper Don Muhlbach will serve in a game management role for the club this year, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Muhlbach, a two-time Pro Bowler and the second-longest-tenured player in franchise history, joined the team in an administrative role shortly after his 2021 release. He will now assist HC Dan Campbell with replay reviews, rules interpretations, and “other gameday trends.”
Adam Thielen Accepts Pay Cut From Vikings
Veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen has accepted a pay cut from the Vikings shortly after reuniting with the team via a trade from the Panthers.
Originally set to receive $6.25MM in base salary, per OverTheCap, Thielen has agreed to reduce that number by $2MM, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. $4MM of incentives – added earlier this offseason in a revised deal with the Panthers – were also removed.
Pelissero adds that Thielen volunteered for the pay cut to help facilitate his return to Minnesota. He had already agreed to the revised terms at the time of the trade, per ESPN’s Kevin Seifert, and will now rejoin a familiar group of players in coaches.
Thielen, 35, signed with the Vikings as an undrafted rookie in 2014 and made the 53-man rosters a depth receiver and core special teams contributor. The 6-foot-2 receiver broke out in 2016 with 967 yards and averaged 62 yards per game over the subsequent six seasons, earning two contract extensions in the process. Along with his 2023 free agency deal with the Panthers, Thielen has reached $83.6MM in career earnings (via OverTheCap) allowing the Minnesota native to give the Vikings a hometown discount.
With Jordan Addison suspended to start the season and Jalen Nailor dealing with a hand injury, Thielen immediately leaped to the top of the Vikings’ depth chart and will likely play a big role early on. Addison will be sidelined for the team’s first three games, while Nailor is “week-to-week” with a hand injury and hasn’t practice in almost two weeks. Thielen’s experience in previous Kevin O’Connell offenses could make him a quarterback-friendly target for first-year starter J.J. McCarthy.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 8/28/25
Teams around the NFL continued to adjust their practice squads as new players came free from Wednesday’s transactions. Here are all the latest updates:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: CB Chigozie Anusiem, OL Demontrey Jacobs, QB Kedon Slovis
- Released: OL Sincere Haynesworth
Arizona Falcons
- Signed: OT Ryan Hayes
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: CB Jalen Kimber, DE Andre Jones Jr.
- Released: CB Daequan Hardy
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: DT Jaden Crumedy, DB Kalen King, RB DeeJay Dallas
- Released: DB Shemar Bartholomew
Chicago Bears
- Signed: TE Nikola Kalinic, DB Dontae Manning, DB Gervarrius Owens
- Released: LS Luke Elkin, DB Mekhi Garner
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: OT Javon Foster, S Russ Yeast
- Released: OT Devin Cochran
- Signed: CB Dom Jones, TE Brenden Bates, OT Logan Brown, G Garrett Dellinger, LB Edefuan Ulofoshio
- Released: DT Ralph Holley
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: DE Isaiah Land
Denver Broncos:
- Signed: TE Patrick Murtaugh
Detroit Lions:
- Signed: DE Andre Carter
Green Bay Packers:
- Signed: OT Dalton Cooper, QB Clayton Tune, TE Josh Whyle
Houston Texans:
- Signed: OT Reid Holskey, WR Josh Kelly
Indianapolis Colts:
- Signed: WR Laquon Treadwell, S Ben Nikkel, WR Tyler Scott
- Released: WR Tyler Kahmann
Jacksonville Jaguars:
- Signed: DL Matt Dickerson, WR Erik Ezukanma
Kansas City Chiefs:
- Signed: S Jammie Robinson
Los Angeles Chargers:
- Signed: OT Foster Sarell
Miami Dolphins:
- Signed: RB JaMycal Hasty
Minnesota Vikings:
- Signed: S K’Von Wallace
New England Patriots:
- Signed: LB Mark Robinson, DB Corey Ballentine, DT Cory Durden, DT Fabien Lovett
- Released: LB Cam Riley, TE Gee Scott Jr., CB Brandon Crossley
New York Giants:
- Signed: TE Qadir Ismail
New York Jets:
- Signed: OL Marquis Hayes, DB Korie Black
Philadelphia Eagles:
- Signed: WR Britain Covey, OT Luke Felix Fualalo
San Francisco 49ers:
- Signed: QB Adrian Martinez, RB Sincere McCormick
Seattle Seahawks:
- Signed: LB Chris Paul Jr., WR/KR Courtney Jackson, CB Shaquill Griffin
- Released: DT Anthony Campbell, LB Jalan Gaines, RB Anthony Tyus III
Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
- Signed: QB Connor Bazelak, DL C.J. Brewer, WR Garrett Greene, G Luke Haggard, CB Bryce Hall, S Jack Henderson, WR Dennis Houston, DL Nash Hutmacher, LB Nick Jackson, DL Jayson Jones, OL Michael Jordan, OLB Mohamed Kamara, T Tyler McLellan, T Lorenz Metz, G Ben Scott, TE Tanner Taula
Tennessee Titans:
- Signed: OL Corey Levin, OL Clay Webb, DB Sam Webb
Washington Commanders:
Signed: RB Donovan Edwards, CB Darius Rush
Ismail was one of 17 players to work out for the Giants on Thursday, per The Athletic’s Dan Duggan. He won the practice squad spot over more notable players like former Broncos safety Caden Sterns and former Browns quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Canadian quarterback Taylor Elgersma also attended the workout, per Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post, suggesting that the Giants might be looking for extra depth at the position.
Wallace worked out for the Vikings on Thursday, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. It must have gone well, as he was signed to the practice squad hours later as extra depth both in the secondary and on special teams.
Griffin returned to the Seahawks this offseason, eight years after they made him a third-round pick in the 2017 draft. He did not make Seattle’s 53-man roster, but as a vested veteran, he was able to re-sign to the practice squad without going through waivers.
Patriots To Release WR Kendrick Bourne; 49ers Interested In Reunion
AUGUST 28: John Lynch confirmed during a KNBR interview (via the San Jose Mercury News’ Cam Inman) the 49ers are indeed discussing the prospect of reuniting with Bourne. The team is factoring in Bourne’s recent injury absence into this effort, but the eight-year veteran — the first four coming in San Francisco — is on the radar to return.
AUGUST 27: Kendrick Bourne‘s up-and-down Patriots stint is over. Despite being carried through to New England’s 53-man roster, the veteran wide receiver is being released, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reports. 
This will wrap a four-plus-year tenure for Bourne, who has been a trade-rumor mainstay. He will now seek a fresh start elsewhere. The Vikings had shown interest in Bourne before acquiring Adam Thielen, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who adds other teams expressed interest as well. Bourne should be able to find a new home fairly soon.
Unsurprisingly, the 49ers are interested in bringing Bourne back, NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco reports. Bourne played four 49ers seasons before joining the Patriots, and the teams discussed a trade during last summer’s Brandon Aiyuk saga. Bourne asked for his Pats release, The Athletic’s Jeff Howe adds. We mentioned Bourne as a release candidate earlier this summer.
The Patriots had kept eight receivers on their initial 53-man roster. Some teams keep five, six or even seven; eight is an unrealistic number for a team to devote to this position. And New England, which has made many changes in Mike Vrabel‘s first offseason, is cutting the cord. Bourne had re-signed with the Pats on a three-year, $19.5MM deal last March. No guaranteed money remained on the contract, and the Pats will escape it with just a $2.8MM dead money hit.
Although the 49ers discussed Bourne with the Pats last summer, he was not eyeing a move back to San Francisco at the deadline. Interest still came in for Bourne, who was no longer a centerpiece part in the Pats’ WR equation this year. The team added Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins in free agency. Bourne posted an 800-yard season in Josh McDaniels‘ previous Pats season (2021) but has not eclipsed 500 yards in a single campaign since. Still, he is entering an age-30 season and viewed as a solid auxiliary performer.
The 49ers have added Skyy Moore and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. This comes after Aiyuk moved to the reserve/PUP list and Demarcus Robinson shifted to the reserve/suspended list. The 49ers had not seen Jauan Jennings practice in several weeks due to a calf injury (and contract matter), while Jacob Cowing is also hurt. Bourne, a UDFA who posted 667 yards in his 2020 San Francisco finale, would make sense as an option now that he’s available.
Panthers Trade WR Adam Thielen Back To Vikings
Adam Thielen is returning home. The Panthers have agreed on terms to send the Minnesota native back to the Vikings, with ESPN’s Adam Schefter reporting the deal is done.
Carolina will receive a 2026 fifth-round pick and a 2027 fourth-rounder. Minnesota adds Thielen, a conditional 2026 seventh-round pick and a 2027 fifth-rounder, according to Schefter, who adds talks between the NFC teams have been serious for a few days. The conditional seventh-rounder the Vikings received becomes a sixth if Thielen is not active for 10 games or not on the 53-man roster for 14, The Athletic’s Joe Person tweets.
The teams had been haggling over trade value this week, and ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler adds the Panthers initially asked for a lot in return for the established possession receiver. With terms agreed to, the Vikings are finalizing a revised contract, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero adds.
Thielen rejoins a Vikings team hurting at wide receiver to open the season — to the point the team eyed trade help. Jordan Addison incurred a three-game suspension for a 2024 DUI arrest, while Rondale Moore suffered a season-ending knee injury for a second straight year. Jalen Nailor is also recovering from a hand injury, and Justin Jefferson missed a few weeks because of a hamstring injury sustained early in training camp.
Despite the Vikings cutting Thielen in 2023, veteran reporter Jordan Schultz indicates Kevin O’Connell advocated “strongly” to add a veteran to help. Thielen, 35, fits the bill and has scheme familiarity from his 2022 season in O’Connell’s offense. Prior to that, Thielen played nine seasons in Minnesota. The former rookie-camp tryout body is set to play a 13th NFL season, and he will be asked to help J.J. McCarthy transition to the pros. When addressing the trade, Panthers head coach Dave Canales noted (via ESPN’s David Newton) Thielen never specifically asked to be dealt back to Minnesota.
Nonetheless, Thielen becomes the third receiver the Panthers have traded since October. They dealt Jonathan Mingo to the Cowboys and ended the failed Diontae Johnson experiment before the 2024 deadline. Thielen, who accepted a revised contract this offseason, will be dealt from an offense that added another first-round wideout — Tetairoa McMillan — this year. McMillan leads the way for the Panthers at receiver now, headlining a group featuring Xavier Legette and UDFA talent Jalen Coker. This does strip a proven pass catcher from Bryce Young, but the Panthers have young talent to garner key reps this season.
After two productive seasons in Carolina, Thielen accepted a reworked contract this offseason. The Panthers had him on a one-year, $8.75MM deal ($1.5MM guaranteed). While the rework gave Thielen some guaranteed money for 2025 — the final year of his contract — it also left the door open for a trade. The Panthers will take on $5MM in dead money from moving Thielen, with the figure being split between the 2025 and ’26 seasons.
Thielen tacked on a third 1,000-yard season to his resume in Carolina, being a woeful offense’s top option in 2023. He added a 615-yard year in 2024, doing so despite missing seven games with a hamstring injury. The former Jefferson and Stefon Diggs sidekick ranks third in career Vikings receptions and receiving TDs, sitting fifth in career Minnesota yardage.
Thielen had pointed to 2025 potentially being his NFL finale, and it will now come in his home state. Thielen combined for 24 TD receptions in Jefferson’s first two years. After working with Kirk Cousins for five seasons, Thielen garnered experience with a younger QB in Young; that should help him ahead of McCarthy’s debut campaign.
Minnesota initially had Diggs complementing Thielen, who eclipsed 1,200 yards in 2017 and ’18. Thielen agreed to two Vikings extensions, the second of which a four-year, $64.8MM accord. The Vikes revised that deal in 2022 but cut the accomplished receiver in March 2023, after the sides could not agree on another adjustment.
Thielen then collected a three-year, $25MM deal from the Panthers. While Carolina missed on some 2023 additions, Thielen provided value. After trade rumors emerged at the 2024 deadline, the Panthers circled back to a deal now. The Vikings had added Addison in Round 1 weeks after cutting Thielen. It will be interesting to see that duo work together, with Nailor (414 yards last season) and third-round rookie Tai Felton rounding out what will be one of the NFL’s deepest WR groups once Addison is activated in Week 4.
Wednesday NFL Transactions: NFC North
Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These Bears, Lions, Packers and Vikings moves are noted below.
Chicago Bears
Claimed:
- LB D’Marco Jackson (from Saints), CB Jaylon Jones (from Cardinals)
Released:
- LS Scott Daly, WR Devin Duvernay
Signed to practice squad:
- WR Maurice Alexander, WR Miles Boykin, RB Brittain Brown, TE Stephen Carlson, DL Xavier Carlton, LB Power Echols, LS Luke Elkin, CB Tre Flowers, DL Jonathan Ford, DB Mekhi Garner, DL Tanoh Kpassagnon, DL Jamree Kromah, OL Jordan McFadden, WR JP Richardson, OL Ricky Stromberg
Detroit Lions
Signed:
Claimed:
- DT Tyler Lacy (from Jaguars), DE Tyrus Wheat (from Cowboys)
Signed to practice squad:
- DL Myles Adams, WR Ronnie Bell, C Trystan Colon, DL Keith Cooper, DB Erick Hallett, TE Zach Horton, WR Tom Kennedy, WR Jackson Meeks, OL Mason Miller, OL Michael Niese, LB Anthony Pittman, RB Jacob Saylors, S Loren Strickland, T Dan Skipper, DL Isaac Ukwu
Green Bay Packers
Signed:
- LB Nick Niemann
Waived:
Signed to practice squad:
- RB Israel Abanikanda, DL Deslin Alexandre, DB Johnathan Baldwin, T Brant Banks, DL James Ester, WR Mecole Hardman, LB Jamon Johnson, K Mark McNamee, DL Arron Mosby, WR Isaiah Neyor, WR Will Sheppard, DB Jaylin Simpson, LB Kristian Welch
Minnesota Vikings
Signed to practice squad:
- G Henry Byrd, WR Dontae Fleming, S Kahlef Hailassie, DL Jonathan Harris, WR Lucky Jackson, WR Jeshuan Jones, WR Tim Jones, G Vershon Lee, CB Fabian Moreau, OLB Gabriel Murphy, TE Bryson Nesbit, T Max Pircher, DL Taki Taimani, RB Xazavian Valladay, TE Nick Vannett, CB Zemaiah Vaughn
2025 NFL Waiver Order
Many of the players cut Tuesday were subject to waivers, giving teams a chance to pick them up (along with the rest of their contract). Teams can claim as many players as they want before the next team gets their remaining targets.
It’s also worth noting that relatively few players are claimed off waivers during final roster cuts each year. Waiver claims will be processed at 11am CT in the following order (via NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo). In reverse order of the 2024 NFL standings, here is how the waiver priority sits:
- Titans
- Browns
- Giants
- Patriots
- Jaguars
- Raiders
- Jets
- Panthers
- Saints
- Bears
- 49ers
- Cowboys
- Dolphins
- Colts
- Falcons
- Cardinals
- Bengals
- Seahawks
- Buccaneers
- Broncos
- Steelers
- Chargers
- Packers
- Vikings
- Texans
- Rams
- Ravens
- Lions
- Commanders
- Bills
- Chiefs
- Eagles
Vikings Use Both IR-Return Slots, Set Initial 53-Man Roster
Here is how the Vikings slashed their roster down to the required 53-man limit:
Released:
- DL Jonathan Harris
- TE Giovanni Ricci
- CB Ambry Thomas
- TE Nick Vannett
Waived:
- G Henry Byrd
- WR Dontae Fleming
- OL Michael Gonzalez
- S Kahlef Hailassie
- WR Lucky Jackson
- WR Jeshaun Jones
- G Vershon Lee
- LB Dorian Mausi
- OLB Gabriel Murphy
- TE Bryson Nesbit
- S Gervarrius Owens
- DL Taki Taimani
- WR Thayer Thomas
- RB Xazavian Valladay
- CB Zemaiah Vaughn
Placed on IR (return designation):
- OLB Tyler Batty
- FB C.J. Ham
Placed on reserve/PUP list:
Ham and Batty will be eligible for activation to the 53-man roster after Week 4. As a result of these early IR placements, the Vikings’ will use up two of their eight regular-season injury activations. A Duluth, Minn., native, Ham has quietly become the Vikings’ second-longest-tenured player (behind Harrison Smith). This is the Pro Bowl fullback’s ninth season with the Vikes. Batty will take up an IR-return slot as a rookie UDFA.
The Vikings kept three quarterbacks on their active roster, keeping rookie UDFA Max Brosmer behind J.J. McCarthy and newly acquired Carson Wentz. Vannett and Ricci’s exits leave the tight end room at three, while Thomas has now been cut twice times since the 49ers waived him in December 2024 (the Colts waived the former third-round pick soon after adding him late last year).
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/25/25
Today’s minor moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Waived: CB M.J. Devonshire, OT Reid Holskey, TE Baylor Cupp
Minnesota Vikings
- Waived: P Oscar Chapman, T Leroy Watson
The Vikings appeared to shop around Leroy Watson before ultimately deciding to waive the OL, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. A former tight end, Watson has emerged as an offensive lineman in the NFL, garnering 11 appearances through two seasons in the league. He started all four of his appearances for the Titans in 2024.
Vikings Contacting Panthers About WR Adam Thielen
TODAY, 9:40pm: The two sides continue to discuss a potential Thielen trade, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. However, the Vikings and Panthers continue to disagree on compensation. At the very least, it sounds like they’ve overcome any financial concerns that may have been holding up a deal.
FRIDAY, 1:18pm: Panthers head coach Dave Canales has confirmed no serious trade discussion have taken place yet on this front, and The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reports finances represent a barrier to any deal being finalized. The deadline for roster cuts is Tuesday afternoon, and it would come as no surprise if a resolution one way or the other were to be in place by then.
10:33am: The Vikings are known to be among the teams seeking a receiver addition in time for Week 1. An Adam Thielen reunion has been named as something to watch for, and efforts to make one happen are indeed underway. 
[RELATED: Vikings Send Harrison Phillips To Jets]
Minnesota has contacted Carolina about a Thielen trade, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. Nothing is imminent at this time, per Ben Goessling of the Minnesota Star Tribune. Nevertheless, this will be a situation to monitor closely over the coming days.
The Vikings’ skill-position group has largely remained the same compared to last season, but their receiver depth chart has been dealt a number of blows recently. Rondale Moore will miss the season due to a knee injury, and projected No. 3 wideout Jalen Nailor is dealing with a hand ailment. Jordan Addison is set to reprise his role as WR2 when on the field, but he will miss the first three weeks of the campaign due to suspension.
While Justin Jefferson is at full strength (after dealing with a hamstring injury earlier in training camp), Minnesota could stand to add help at the position for the early portion of the 2025 campaign. Third-round rookie Tai Felton is in place to handle at least a part-time role on offense – especially until Addison returns – but a more established option would no doubt be welcomed by the Vikings. As such, Thielen represents a logical trade target.
The former UDFA joined Minnesota in 2013, and he began establishing himself as a valued member of the team one year later. Thielen played with the Vikings for nine seasons, earning two consecutive Pro Bowl nods during that span. A downturn in production helped inform Minnesota’s decision to release Thielen in 2023.
The Minnesota State alum signed with the Panthers in free agency and recorded the third 1,000-yard campaign of his career during his first season with the team. Thielen was limited to 10 games last year, although he still managed to operate as a full-time starter. Thought was given to retirement after the season, but the 35-year-old will suit up for at least one more campaign.
As things stand, that will consist of a third Panthers season. Carolina has invested first-round picks at the receiver spot in consecutive years, though (Xavier Legette, Tetairoa McMillan), and 2024 UDFA Jalen Coker flashed potential as a rookie. The Panthers also have veteran Hunter Renfrow in position to return to NFL action; he could replace Thielen’s slot production in the event of a trade.
Thielen has one year remaining on his contract and is owed a base salary of $6.25MM for 2025. The Vikings currently have over $30MM in cap space, although that figure will soon change once roster cuts are made. Still, finances should not be an insurmountable challenge if an agreement is reached regarding a trade.