Minor NFL Transactions: 12/20/25
Here are Saturday’s minor moves around the NFL, including gameday elevations for tomorrow’s Week 16 slate:
Arizona Cardinals
- Elevated: CB Jaden Davis, WR Steven Sims
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed from practice squad: CB C.J. Henderson
- Waived: WR/KR Jamal Agnew
- Elevated: WR Chris Blair, OLB Khalid Kareem
Baltimore Ravens
- Elevated: DT Josh Tupou, LB William Kwenkeu
- Placed on IR: LB Teddye Buchanan (story)
Buffalo Bills
- Activated from IR: WR Mecole Hardman
- Elevated: K Michael Badgley, DE Andre Jones Jr.
Carolina Panthers
- Elevated: LB Isaiah Simmons, OL Saahdiq Charles
Cincinnati Bengals
- Elevated: DT Howard Cross, CB Bralyn Lux
Dallas Cowboys
- Elevated: CB Corey Ballentine
Denver Broncos
- Elevated: QB Sam Ehlinger, S Delarrin Turner-Yell
Detroit Lions
- Elevated: OL Kingsley Eguakun, TE Giovanni Ricci
Houston Texans
- Elevated: DT Marlon Davidson, CB Alijah Huzzie
Los Angeles Chargers
- Elevated: S Marcus Williams, G Branson Taylor
Miami Dolphins
- Signed from practice squad: CB Ethan Robinson
- Placed on IR: DB Elijah Campbell
- Elevated: OL Kion Smith, WR Theo Wease
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed from practice squad: CB Dwight McGlothern
- Elevated: LB Sione Takitaki
New York Giants
- DT Elijah Chatman, K Ben Sauls
New York Jets
- Elevated: DB Tre Brown
New Orleans Saints
- Elevated: T Easton Kilty, TE Moliki Matavao
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Elevated: CB Daryl Porter Jr., T Jack Driscoll
San Francisco 49ers
- Placed on IR: LB Nick Martin
Tennessee Titans
- Signed from practice squad: DT Cam Horsley
- Waived: DT Shy Tuttle
- Elevated: CB Kemon Hall
Agnew’s time in Atlanta has come to an end after 11 appearances with his third career team. The veteran did not see any usage on offense, but he handled 45 total returns between kickoffs and punts this season. Agnew totaled 855 yards in that capacity, but he will now hit the waiver wire. Provided he clears, the 30-year-old will become a free agent.
The same is true of Tuttle. A veteran of 105 games, he has made just one start so far this season. Tuttle has only handled a 25% snap share on defense, so he is unlikely to generate much interest as a free agent. Nevertheless, a depth role could await him on a contender down the stretch.
Jets Shutting Down WR Garrett Wilson
Trudging through another down season, the Jets will not opt to bring back their cornerstone wide receiver from IR. Aaron Glenn confirmed Friday (via the New York Post’s Brian Costello) the team is shutting down Garrett Wilson.
This will go down as a lost season for the recently extended pass catcher. Wilson has not played since Week 10, going down with knee trouble. Wilson’s knee sprain affected the same knee that caused him to miss time earlier in the season.
[RELATED: Jets Add Hendon Hooker, To Start Brady Cook In Week 16]
That issue hurt a Jets passing attack which entered the season with questions about a shaky Wilson supporting cast. The team has shaken up that group, acquiring Adonai Mitchell in the Sauce Gardner trade and then granting Allen Lazard‘s cut request this week. No one claimed Lazard on waivers; he remains in free agency.
With the Jets starting 0-7 and entering Week 16 at 3-11, neither side stood to gain anything — particularly when draft position is factored in — by Wilson returning from IR. He will have an extended onramp toward 2026, when the Jets will almost definitely have a new starting quarterback. The team benched Justin Fields and will likely release him from the two-year, $40MM deal he signed in March.
Wilson signed a four-year, $130MM extension in July, making him the NFL’s fifth-highest-paid wideout — behind Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb and D.K. Metcalf. Illustrating the Jets’ aerial difficulties this season, Wilson’s 395 receiving yards still lead the team. No other Jets wideout has accumulated 250 yards; Wilson’s four receiving touchdowns still pace the team by two. As Costello points out, the Jets last season in which no one eclipsed 500 receiving yards came in 1976. Rules at the time significantly restricted passing attacks, and Lou Holtz was a one-and-done (well, 11 games-and-done) HC that year.
The Jets observed Wilson become a quality receiver despite being restrained by a bad quarterback situation over his first two seasons. Wilson still started his career 3-for-3 in 1,000-yard seasons, doing so after a short-lived demotion to the team’s No. 2 receiver during Davante Adams‘ Big Apple cameo. After rumors of Wilson discontent emerged, the Glenn-Darren Mougey regime made him a priority. While the team trading Gardner so soon after his cornerback-record extension proved shocking, it prioritized Wilson at the deadline. He will undoubtedly enter 2026 as the Jets’ top skill-position player.
Jets To Start Brady Cook In Week 16, Sign Hendon Hooker
Despite impending returns from Justin Fields and/or Tyrod Taylor, Jets head coach Aaron Glenn announced on Wednesday that undrafted rookie quarterback Brady Cook will make his second straight start in Week 16.
Fields began the season as the starter and seemed to be headed for the bench midway through the season. An injury to Taylor kept Fields in the lineup for a few more weeks, but Taylor eventually took over in Week 12.
With Fields nursing a knee injury in Week 14, Cook stepped into the backup role. Then, when Taylor went down with a knee injury of his own, Cook finished the game, albeit with a 46.7% completion percentage and two interceptions. With neither of the veterans available in Week 15, Cook made his first career start with Adrian Martinez serving as the backup.
Cook completed 22 of his 33 passes against the Jaguars last Sunday, but they only went for 176 yards (5.3 yards per attempt) and one touchdown. He also threw three interceptions after two in his NFL debut the week before. Overall, Cook has completed just 57.1% of his passes with 5.4 yards per attempt and a 44.3 passer rating.
Regardless, the Jets are sticking with the Missouri product for Week 16. Taylor and Fields were limited participants in practice on Wednesday and Thursday, but even if one is ready to play on Sunday, they will back up Cook.
Martinez was re-signed by the 49ers earlier this week, so the Jets signed former Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker to their practice squad. The 2023 third-round pick will be elevated to the game day roster if neither Fields nor Taylor are available for Sunday’s matchup with the Saints.
Jets Place S Tony Adams On IR
The Jets placed veteran safety Tony Adams on injured reserve, per a team announcement.
Adams, 26, suffered a groin injury in New York’s Week 15 loss to the Jaguars. With only three games left in the regular season and the Jets eliminated from the playoffs, the fifth-year safety will not return this year. He appeared in 12 games this season with a 61% snap share, representing a drop from bigger roles in 2023 and 2024. He still ranks sixth on the team with 49 tackles and five passes defended.
Andre Cisco underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in November and Isaiah Oliver was placed on IR earlier this week, so the Jets will have to look elsewhere to fill their safety snaps next to rookie Malachi Moore. That wil likely be undrafted rookie Dean Clark, as the team’s other two safeties, Jarius Monroe and Keidron Smith have yet to play a defensive snap this season.
Adams was playing on a $3.26MM RFA tag this season and will hit free agency this offseason for the first time. The mid-level safety market has not been especially strong in recent years, so Adams may not see a significant pay increase on his next contract.
In a corresponding move, the Jets signed defensive tackle Payton Page from their practice squad. The undrafted rookie was elevated to the game day roster in Weeks 8 and 10 but only played five snaps on defense and nine on special teams. He will be the sixth defensive tackle on the 53-man roster, but the Jets could give him some playing time as they evaluate their young players heading into the offseason.
2025 NFL Dead Money, By Team
As we head toward the playoffs, three NFL teams are carrying more than $100MM in dead money. That represents more than a third of the salary cap. The 49ers are also on track to make the playoffs with more than $100MM allocated to players no longer on their 53-man roster. Here is where the 32 teams stand for dead money (via OverTheCap) with three weeks left in the regular season:
- New Orleans Saints: $107.83MM
- San Francisco 49ers: $103.77MM
- New York Jets: $102.1MM
- Las Vegas Raiders: $87.79MM
- Philadelphia Eagles: $87.27MM
- Seattle Seahawks: $86.1MM
- Jacksonville Jaguars: $85.49MM
- Cleveland Browns: $83.22MM
- Miami Dolphins: $72.45MM
- Houston Texans: $66.44MM
- Tennessee Titans: $59.42MM
- Green Bay Packers: $57.98MM
- Los Angeles Rams: $56.23MM
- New England Patriots: $50.56MM
- Denver Broncos: $42.78MM
- Dallas Cowboys: $41.34MM
- Detroit Lions: $40.71MM
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $40.39MM
- Los Angeles Chargers: $38.78MM
- Baltimore Ravens: $38.38MM
- Buffalo Bills: $37.58MM
- Carolina Panthers: $36.55MM
- New York Giants: $33.74MM
- Pittsburgh Steelers: $33.7MM
- Minnesota Vikings: $30.6MM
- Washington Commanders: $27.29MM
- Atlanta Falcons: $27MM
- Cincinnati Bengals: $20.99MM
- Kansas City Chiefs: $20.33MM
- Indianapolis Colts: $17.37MM
- Arizona Cardinals: $16.51MM
- Chicago Bears: $8.6MM
The $100MM trio dwarfs last year’s leaders — the Broncos — in this unwanted area. The Saints began taking some overdue medicine for their cap-gymnastics past by trading Marshon Lattimore last year. That move coming after June 1 pushed $31.67MM onto New Orleans’ 2025 cap sheet. Derek Carr also counts $19.2MM on this year’s Saints cap, while Ryan Ramczyk‘s retirement covers more than $11MM.
The Carr punishment covers $55.88MM in total, meaning nearly $37MM from the QB’s retirement will land on New Orleans’ 2026 payroll. Mickey Loomis‘ spree of restructures on that contract created that inflated figure.
Deebo Samuel brought a receiver-record dead money total to the 49ers, who absorbed $34.12MM by trading the seventh-year veteran in March. The second leg of the post-June 1 Arik Armstead transaction from 2024 created a $15MM dead cap hit this year, with void years on Charvarius Ward‘s deal covering more than $12MM.
Gang Green took on barely $20MM combined from the Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams trades and will do the same next year, reflecting the low signing bonus figure on the Gardner extension. The Jets, though, have taken $56MM in total from the Aaron Rodgers release ($21MM this year, $35MM next). That is the second-highest total dead cap hit in NFL history.
The team that authorized the highest dead money sum in league annals — Denver, via the 2024 Russell Wilson release — is still carrying $32MM on that contract. It comes off the books next year, and the Broncos do not have any other player counting more than $3MM in dead cap on their 2025 payroll.
The Eagles and Seahawks are also moving toward the playoffs with higher dead money counts compared to the 2024 Broncos, though it should be noted the cap’s $24MM increase from last year plays into this. Philadelphia is still carrying a combined $26MM from the 2024 Jason Kelce and Fletcher Cox retirements. Josh Sweat void years also comprise $16.44MM of this year’s cap. The Seahawks’ D.K. Metcalf trade brought $21MM in dead cap, while Geno Smith, Tyler Lockett and Dre’Mont Jones combine to cover more than $41MM in dead money.
Amari Cooper and Za’Darius Smith‘s 2024 Cleveland exits via trade tagged the Browns with more than $36MM in dead money together, while the Dolphins are dealing with more than $30MM combined from the post-June 1 designations on Xavien Howard and Jalen Ramsey. The latter counts $15.7MM in dead money this year and $20.9MM in 2026. That eclipses Lattimore’s defender-record total for dead cap.
Jets Waive WR Allen Lazard
DECEMBER 17: Lazard cleared waivers Wednesday, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson notes. Unlike Adam Thielen recently, Lazard will have a chance to select his next destination. The Steelers will certainly be a prime candidate here, but as of now, Lazard is unattached after a disappointing Jets tenure.
DECEMBER 16: Allen Lazard‘s Jets tenure is coming to an end. The veteran wideout has made a request to be let go, and New York is willing to grant it. 
The Jets are waiving Lazard, as first reported by Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio. He will hit the waiver wire once the transaction is processed. Provided Lazard clears, he will become a free agent. To no surprise, Florio adds Lazard aims to land with a contending team for the stretch run. The move is now official, per a team announcement.
After a strong showing in Green Bay while playing with Aaron Rodgers, expectations were high when Lazard signed with the Jets in 2023. Things largely did not go according to plan with New York, however. Last season – when Rodgers was healthy – Lazard managed to score six touchdowns in 12 games, but it came as little surprise when talk of a trade or release took place ahead of the 2025 campaign.
Even though Rodgers was not in the fold any longer, Lazard and the Jets worked out a pay cut agreement allowing him to remain in place. The former UDFA has made just 10 catches so far in 2025 with New York struggling on offense. As the 3-11 team turns to planning for the coming offseason, Lazard will seek out a fresh start. The 30-year-old was a pending 2026 free agent, but he will now reach the open market early.
Developing into a starter over the course of his Green Bay tenure, Lazard scored eight touchdowns in 2021. The following year, he set new career highs in receptions (60) and yards (788). That helped land the Iowa State product a four-year, $44MM pact in free agency. Given his and the Jets’ struggles this season, a trade (including to Rodgers’ Steelers) remained something to watch for leading up to the deadline. Nothing took place on that front, but Lazard will now become available to interested teams.
Pittsburgh has once again been in the market for receiver help this offseason. That has led to the additions of veterans Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Adam Thielen. Bringing in Lazard for the closing stages of the campaign would thus come as a surprise. Other teams in the playoff hunt could look to him as veteran depth, though, so it will be interesting to see if Lazard manages to generate a market in the coming days.
Latest On Jets’ Steve Wilks Firing, Aaron Glenn’s Status
The Jets enjoyed stability on defense for three-plus seasons, having Robert Saleh overseeing Jeff Ulbrich. The unit made tremendous strides in 2022 and remained one of the league’s best in 2023. Woody Johnson went around then-GM Joe Douglas and fired Saleh in October 2024. The Jets’ defense has not regained its form since.
Although the Jets did rank third in total defense under Ulbrich last year, they dropped to 20th in scoring and 21st in EPA per play. No silver lining was present under Steve Wilks, who oversaw the league’s 30th-ranked scoring unit (20th in yardage, 28th in EPA per play) and was fired after Week 15. This marks Wilks’ fifth straight one-and-done stretch in the NFL; overall, the former Panthers and Cardinals HC has not stayed with the same team/college program since his first Panthers stint ended after the 2017 season.
Wilks, 56, ran into internal opposition during his rough Jets stay. Many players viewed Wilks’ scheme as ineffective, according to SNY.tv’s Connor Hughes, who adds one unnamed player questioned Wilks in a meeting. Another player repeatedly questioned his usage and lack of freedom within the scheme.
The Jets struggling defensively after the Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams trades was to be expected, but Wilks’ unit was not doing well before those deadline moves. Wilks’ Jets work has not approached where the 49ers were (third in scoring defense, eighth in yardage) during his one-off with the NFC West club, and the veteran defensive boss’ stock continues to fall.
Wilks, though, worked under a defense-oriented HC. Aaron Glenn certainly deserves blame for the defense’s shape. The Jets have given up 82 points over the past two games — both blowout losses. While Gang Green’s quarterback situation has contributed heavily to those one-sided defeats — to the Dolphins and Jaguars — Glenn’s first year has gone poorly. Given the state of the franchise when the former Jets cornerback took over, a quick turnaround was not exactly expected.
Johnson also strongly endorsed Glenn at the October owners’ meetings, doing so while criticizing then-starter Justin Fields. Still, the Washington Post’s Jason La Canfora notes Glenn is “far from assured” to be back for a second season. Considering the heat Johnson took for meddling last year and Glenn signing a five-year contract, it would be quite surprising to see the Jets pull the trigger now. We also heard last month Glenn was safe for 2026, with the rookie HC being involved in the decisions the Jets made at the trade deadline.
This coaching market is not exactly teeming with talent that would inspire confidence an upgrade is in store, with a host of defense-based leaders as the top candidates. The Jets firing Glenn after one season would further depict this as an unstable organization. It should still be expected Glenn returns for 2026, when the team will hold two first-round picks thanks to the Gardner trade. But the heat may be rising already for the former Lions DC.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/16/25
Today’s practice squad transactions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: OL Marques Cox, S Patrick McMorris
- Released: T Trey Wedig
Buffalo Bills
- Released: CB M.J. Devonshire
Chicago Bears
- Signed: LB Dominique Hampton
- Released: LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin
Denver Broncos
- Released: RB Sincere McCormick
Detroit Lions
- Signed: CB Keenan Garber
Houston Texans
- Signed: S Brandon Hill
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: G LaDarius Henderson, G Bill Murray, T Zachary Thomas
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: G Nick Broeker, S Tanner McCalister
New York Giants
- Signed: CB Jarrick Bernard-Converse
New York Jets
- Signed: S Jaylen Mahoney, LB Ochaun Mathis
- Released: QB Adrian Martinez
San Francisco 49ers
- Released: CB Isaiah Bolden
Washington Commanders
- Signed: WR River Cracraft, WR Gee Scott Jr.
- Placed on practice squad/injured list: CB Darius Rush
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/16/25
Here are Tuesday’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed from practice squad: WR Jalen Brooks
Cincinnati Bengals
- Claimed off waivers (from Steelers): WR Ke’Shawn Williams
Houston Texans
- Signed from practice squad: RB Jawhar Jordan
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed off Panthers’ practice squad: RB DeeJay Dallas
- Opened practice window: LB Jalen McLeod
- Placed on IR: LB Jack Kiser
Las Vegas Raiders
- Waived: DT Leki Fotu
New England Patriots
- Signed off Colts’ practice squad: LB Chad Muma
New York Jets
- Signed from practice squad: S Jarius Monroe
Seattle Seahawks
- Waived: S D’Anthony Bell
Tennessee Titans
- Claimed off waivers (from Browns): G Garrett Dellinger
A steady presence in Arizona a couple years ago, Fotu started four of six game appearances for the Raiders this year. The occasional starts were not indicative of his true usage, though, as he hasn’t gotten consistent time on the field for Las Vegas in 2025. The Raiders will move on from the veteran as they shift focus in a lost season towards evaluating young talent with more gametime.
As a practice squad elevation this weekend, Jordan became the first Texans running back to eclipse the century mark in a game this year. Houston wasted little time in returning him to the active roster
Jets, C Josh Myers Agree To Extension
DECEMBER 16: Myers received a $1.8MM signing bonus and his 2026 base salary ($3.14MM) is fully guaranteed, per Over the Cap. Of his $4.94MM 2027 salary, $1MM is already guaranteed for injury. Myers’ new pact also contains annual workout bonuses along with per-game roster bonuses worth up to $510K per season.
DECEMBER 12: Josh Myers will not reach the open market in March. The veteran center has a new deal in place with the Jets, as first reported by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. 
Team and player have agreed to a two-year, $11MM extension, per Fowler. He adds this new pact contains $6MM in guaranteed money. Myers was on course for free agency after signing a one-year pact with New York this past spring. Instead, he will remain in place as the team aims for stability up front. This contract places Myers 13th in terms of AAV for centers.
A second-round pick of the Packers in 2021, Myers played out his rookie contract with Green Bay. During that time, he started all 56 of his appearances and – aside from his debut season – avoided any lengthy absences. Nevertheless, inconsistent showings on the field resulted in the Ohio State product only securing a $2MM deal from the Jets during his first trip to free agency. Myers has now landed a notable raise on his third NFL contract.
PFF has not graded any of Myers’ five seasons favorably, and his 53.6 mark for 2025 is the lowest of his career. The 27-year-old has remained consistent in that regard, however, and he will be expected to maintain his current level of play through the 2027 season. As a result of this agreement, the Jets have four of their cuttent starting offensive linemen under contract through at least next year.
That includes tackles Olu Fashanu and Armand Membou, taken in the first round of the past two drafts. Left guard John Simpson is a pending free agent, so it is unclear if he will continue playing alongside Myers beyond the final four games of the current season. Another projected vacancy up front for next year is at the right guard spot, as Alijah Vera-Tucker is set to see his rookie contract expire this spring. The oft-injured blocker is currently set to reach the market after missing the entire 2025 season.
That will deal a major blow to Vera-Tucker’s value, and it remains to be seen if he will remain in New York or move on in March. Regardless of what happens on that front, though, Myers will be counted on to continue operating as a full-time starter up front for a Jets team seeking improvements on offense for 2026 and beyond.