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49ers DE Nick Bosa Suffers ACL Tear

Further testing on Nick Bosa‘s knee has produced an unwanted outcome. The 49ers will be without their top pass rusher for the rest of the season.

Bosa was believed to be in the clear regarding an ACL tear after initial tests, although head coach Kyle Shanahan left the door open to other serious injuries. An MRI has revealed that initial optimism was misplaced. Bosa did in fact tear his ACL yesterday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.

Schefter adds this was a clean tear, something which represents only a small consolation. Bosa’s latest injury occurred in his left knee; that is the same one which experienced an ACL tear in 2020. As was the case that time around, the 49ers will need to play out a lengthy spell with a shorthanded defense.

Bosa recovered in full from his first ACL tear (at the NFL level) and only missed four total games across the following four seasons. After going down in Week 3 of the current campaign, however, the All-Pro is in line for another lengthy rehab stint. No other ligaments were damaged, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports. That will help lessen Bosa’s recovery timeline, but he will still be forced to miss the remainder of the campaign.

After managing to deliver a string of healthy and highly productive seasons, Bosa managed to reset the EDGE market shortly before the start of the 2023 season. The five-time Pro Bowler inked a five-year extension averaging $34MM per year. At the time, that represented the highest AAV for defensive players and non-quarterbacks around the NFL. The bar has since moved on both fronts, but Bosa obviously represents a major element of the 49ers’ financial plan for the near- and long-term. The impact of losing him to another ACL tear cannot be understated.

Another three years remain on Bosa’s contract. He will return to his role as an impact starter once healthy, but in the meantime the 49ers will proceed without him. San Francisco has first-round rookie Mykel Williams in place as the team’s other first-team defensive end. He has logged a 69% snap share to date, and that figure could increase moving forward. Trade acquisition Bryce Huff is also in the fold, along with Yetur Gross-Matos, Tarron Jackson and Sam Okuayinonu

That group will be tasked with helping to maintain the 49ers’ strong start on defense. San Francisco sits at 3-0 so far in 2025, and with nearly $26MM in cap space a short-term addition could be sought out via trade or free agency. In any event, the team’s expectations have been dealt a blow with the news Bosa will not be in the fold the rest of the way.

Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh‘s unit has thrived early on in his return to the Bay Area. The 49ers rank fourth in total defense and third in yards allowed. San Francisco has only managed five sacks to date, however, with Bosa accounting for two of them. Finding a way to replace his production will prove to be a key storyline for a team still dealing with numerous injuries on offense.

Bengals’ Joe Burrow To Undergo Toe Surgery

TODAY, 6:15pm: The Bengals have officially placed Burrow on injured reserve.

MONDAY, 8:00am: Joe Burrow‘s turf toe led to overnight concerns about surgery being necessary. The Bengals passer will indeed take that route, meaning a lengthy absence is in store.

Burrow is set to undergo surgery on his injured toe, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Multiple opinions were sought out before this decision was made, but Ian Rapoport of NFL Network adds there was a consensus amongst the experts consulted. An absence of at least three months is expected while Burrow recovers.

Midway through the Bengals’ Week 2 game, Burrow injured his toe while being sacked. The two-time Pro Bowler was later seen on crutches and in a walking boot, creating the possibility of a long-term spell on the shelf. Burrow has a history of injuries throughout his Bengals career, and today’s news confirms his track record in that regard will expand.

The 28-year-old is in danger of missing most of the season’s remainder, if not the rest of the campaign in its entirety. As a result, Cincinnati’s outlook for 2025 has been dealt a blow. The team is 2-0 following Sunday’s comeback win over Jacksonville, but backup Jake Browning will now be counted on to lead the way on offense. The Bengals’ defense faced questions entering the season – even with Trey Hendrickson‘s hold-in being ended via a raise covering 2025 – but that unit will be required to deliver strong performances on a consistent basis moving forward.

Burrow, 28, has won the Comeback Player of the Year award twice (2021, 2024) as a sign of his ability to perform among the league’s best when healthy. He led the NFL in passing yards (4,918) and touchdowns (43) last year, and expectations remained high for Cincinnati’s offense with wideouts Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins signing joint extensions this spring. Their futures are in place beyond 2025, and Burrow is on the books through 2029.

In the immediate term, though, attention will turn to Browning and his ability to guide the Bengals on offense. The former UDFA made his 13th regular season appearance yesterday, each of which have come with Cincinnati. Browning went 21-of-32 for 241 yards and a pair of touchdowns (while also rushing for the game-winning score). He did throw three interceptions, however, so ball protection will be a priority over the coming games. During a seven-game span filling in for Burrow in 2023, Browning compiled a 4-3 record and a 12:7 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

Browning is currently the only healthy passer on the Bengals’ active roster. Brett Rypien is in place on the practice squad, so it would be feasible for him to be promoted in the near future. Logan Woodside was with the Bengals early this offseason before being cut in July. That move came about after Desmond Ridder was signed, although the former Falcon and Raider was among the team’s final roster cuts.

To no surprise, Schefter adds the Bengals are making contact with free agent quarterbacks knowing Burrow will be sidelined for an extended period. Ridder is on the market, and he could be a (somewhat) familiar face for the organization regarding an in-season addition. With over $12MM in cap space, Cincinnati could afford a low-cost addition under center. With Ridder or another passer in place to back up Browning, however, the team’s chances of reaching the playoffs will be decidedly lowered. Burrow, meanwhile, now faces another lengthy recovery outlook.

Long Absence Feared For Bengals’ Joe Burrow

Updates continue to pour in on the toe injury suffered by Bengals star quarterback Joe Burrow. The toe injury was confirmed to be turf toe with speculation that several weeks could be up in the air for the sixth-year passer. At this point, each update seems to paint a darker picture.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter was the first to provide new information, reporting that images of the 28-year-old quarterback’s turf toe injury were “being sent to noted foot specialist” Dr. Robert Anderson to be reviewed. Schefter noted that, should surgery be necessary, a three-month absence would be expected for Burrow, who was seen in a walking boot and on crutches after leaving today’s game. Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports was the next to add on that Burrow is undergoing additional tests and that Cincinnati expects to have full details Monday.

NFL Network’s duo of Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero closely followed with the specifics that Burrow “is feared to have suffered a Grade 3 turf toe injury,” that the injury was severe with torn ligaments, and that it would likely require surgery, keeping in line with Schefter’s three-month timeline.

Local beat reporter Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer noted that, with Grade 3 turf toe injuries often estimated with two- to six-month recovery timelines, Burrow’s situation is brutal but not the worst-case scenario.

In line with that thinking, Rapoport points out that three months from now is December 14. That date coincides with the Bengals’ Week 15 game against the Ravens. If backup quarterback Jake Browning can keep Cincinnati anywhere near the playoff chase in Burrow’s absence, Burrow may be able to return in time to play three or four games to get back into potential playoff shape. That would require a lot of things to go incredibly right for the Bengals, but all hope may not be lost.

Browning has been with the team since 2021, winning the primary backup job — and, with it, a spot on the 53-man roster — in 2023. That year, unfortunately, saw Burrow go down with a season-ending wrist injury, and Browning came in to finish out the season. After a 5-5 start with Burrow under center, the Bengals finished 4-3 over their last seven games of the season as Browning led them to a 9-8 final record. Browning proved to be a reliable backup in that stretch of games, completing 70.4 percent of his passes for 12 touchdowns.

Browning will be tested immediately as the Bengals embark on a five-game stretch of 2024 playoff teams with the Vikings, Broncos, Lions, Packers, and Steelers immediately on the horizon. If Browning and his arsenal of offensive weapons can keep the team above water, there’s a chance he may be able to hand the keys back to Burrow in time for a potential playoff run. That’s what the Bengals will be focusing on if they receive bad news tomorrow.

Cowboys, G Tyler Smith Agree To Record-Setting Extension

The Cowboys continue to make deals after fumbling the big one in the dying days of the preseason. Dallas has agreed to an extension with starting left guard Tyler Smith that will make him the highest-paid player at his position, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

The terms show a four-year, $96MM agreement that includes $81.2MM in guarantees, $16.4MM of which will be in the form of a signing bonus, according to ESPN’s Todd Archer. Smith’s $24MM annual average value is the highest for an offensive guard in NFL history.

As a result of failing to act quickly on past extensions for key contributors like quarterback Dak Prescott, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, and pass rusher Micah Parsons, Cowboys owner/team president/general manager Jerry Jones ended up reacting to huge market changes at all three positions. This left Dallas paying more than it might have needed to on extensions for Prescott and Lamb and trading away Parsons to a team with whom he was willing to negotiate.

With any potential Parsons deal taken off their plate, the Cowboys immediately shifted their attention to where else they might dedicate their money. Actually, they knew where to look, as they had keyed in on Smith, cornerback DaRon Bland, tight end Jake Ferguson, and kicker Brandon Aubrey as players they wanted new deals for early in the offseason. Ferguson was the first to get his deal in July. Bland was next to sign his deal, and fullback Hunter Luepke got a surprise extension, as well, to open September in the days after Parsons’ departure.

This time, it’s Smith’s turn. After letting it be known that they had their eyes on an extension for the fourth-year guard, Dallas picked up his fifth-year option. It didn’t seem likely that the Cowboys would allow Smith to play out Year 5 on the option. Because all offensive line positions are grouped together when calculating the fifth-year option salaries, guards and centers rarely see their options picked up as prices are driven up by offensive tackles.

What picking up his option did, though, was show Smith they were serious about keeping (and paying) him and add an extra year of time for a deal to get done. It also allowed Smith to go into the regular season — after failing to get a new deal secured before the season opener — feeling secure that a deal was on its way. The 24-year-old switched up his representation shortly after his option was picked up in anticipation of the deal getting done.

The two sides clearly didn’t let the start of the regular season keep them from working out a contract, and there was plenty of anticipation for it to be a record-setting one. Because they had picked up his fifth-year option, Smith became the first Cowboy since former running back Ezekiel Elliott to sign an extension with multiple years left on his contract, per Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports.

In only three full years of play, Smith already has three accolades to his name as a two-time Pro Bowler and a second-team All-Pro, all earned during the two seasons in which he started at guard. In his rookie season, his sole season not at guard, Smith stepped in for an injured Tyron Smith to start every game of the season but one at left tackle.

In that rookie campaign, during which he unexpectedly started as Prescott’s blindside blocker, Pro Football Focus (subscription required) graded Smith as the league’s 25th-best tackle out of 81 players graded at the position. When he bumped back in to guard in his sophomore campaign, PFF slotted him in at 11th of 79. He followed that up last year with a ranking of 15th out of 77 guards. Despite the varying relative position rankings, Smith’s overall grades have been consistently strong and have improved year after year.

Not only is Smith among the cream of the crop at his normal position, but the 24-year-old has also proven he can play at a high level as a tackle if need be. Smith is young and talented and likely has room to grow yet. The deal secures Smith as the key cog of the offensive line through the 2030 NFL season as Dallas continues use the money not spent on Parsons to hold on to every other player that it intended to pay.

Commanders RB Austin Ekeler Suffered Achilles Tear

September 13: An MRI confirmed that Ekeler suffered a torn Achilles, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. He will miss the rest of the 2025 season as a result with Croskey-Merritt and McNichols set to step up in the Commanders’ backfield. Washington may be regretting their decision to deal Robinson before the regular season and could explore a running back addition via free agency or the trade market.

September 11: A cart transported Austin Ekeler off the field tonight in Green Bay, and the Washington running back is unlikely to play again this season. Some inside the Commanders organization believe the veteran pass-catching back suffered a season-ending injury, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport.

Ekeler will undergo an MRI, but the expectation — according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter — is his second Commanders season will end after two games due to a torn Achilles. This will leave Washington without its top back, as the team traded three-year starter Brian Robinson to San Francisco in late August.

In the second season of a two-year, $8.43MM contract, Ekeler was to play a lead role for the Commanders. At 30 and due for free agency again in March, the former single-season touchdown leader faces an uncertain NFL future. Ekeler went down on a noncontact play in the fourth quarter. Trying to walk off the field under his own power, the dynamic RB fell back to the turf and needed assistance leaving the game.

Although Ekeler could not command a lofty guarantee as a 2024 free agent, he played an auxiliary role in Washington’s journey to its first NFC championship game in 33 years. Missing five games due to injury and complementing Robinson, the former UDFA accumulated 733 scrimmage yards and scored four touchdowns in 2024. He added 173 more yards from scrimmage during the Commanders’ three playoff games. Ekeler landed on IR due to a concussion last year but returned in time for Washington’s postseason run.

Acquired by the Chargers following the 2017 draft, Ekeler has done well to craft a nine-year career out of Division II Western State (Colo.). He outlasted Melvin Gordon in Los Angeles, signing a four-year extension and eventually leading the NFL in touchdowns in both the 2021 and ’22 seasons. Ekeler attempted to secure a raise on the heels of that stretch but was unsuccessful. The Bolts let their then-starter seek a trade, but in an offseason that brought a macro RB crisis, not much interest developed. Ekeler received a minor incentive bump that year and saw an early-season ankle injury lead to a downturn, thus limiting his appeal as a 2024 UFA.

Ekeler joined a stellar collection of RBs as 2024 free agents, hitting the market at the same time Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, Aaron Jones, Tony Pollard and D’Andre Swift did. Ekeler’s guarantee ($4.21MM) paled in comparison to the non-Jones contingent here, but as a vested veteran, the rest of his contract locked in this month. While Ekeler will collect the rest of his $8.43MM from the Commanders, the part-time fantasy football analyst has hit a career crossroads thanks to tonight’s development.

Following the Robinson trade and Ekeler injury, the Commanders will probably look to add at the position. The team currently rosters ninth-year veteran Jeremy McNichols and seventh-round rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt. The latter flashed against the Giants in Week 1, despite limited duty, and his presence was believed to have influenced the Commanders on the Robinson trade. While seventh-round rookies are not commonly early-season backfield contributors, Washington may have no choice but to give Croskey-Merritt a bigger role immediately.

The Commanders have also seen their Deebo Samuel trade provide good early returns. Famously referring to himself as a “wide back” in San Francisco, Samuel may also see some backfield work. If nothing else, Washington figures to heavily involve the wideout/gadget cog significantly moving forward — perhaps in dusting off his run-game skillset at points. The recent trade acquisition has logged 255 carries (counting playoffs) during his seven-year career. This included a 19-yard rushing touchdown in Week 1.

Packers Sign Christian Watson To Extension

SEPTEMBER 10: The base value of Watson’s new deal is $11MM, ensuring roughly $13MM in total compensation across the next two seasons (h/t Ian Rapoport of NFL Network). $6MM in new guarantees are included, all in the form of a signing bonus. A $1.85MM roster bonus is present for 2026 as well.

SEPTEMBER 9: Christian Watson continues to work his way back from a torn ACL suffered during the 2024 regular season finale. While the Packers wideout isn’t expected to take the field until at least next month, the team is still rewarding him with a new contract.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Packers have signed Watson to a one-year, $13.25MM extension. The receiver was set to play the 2025 campaign on the final year of his rookie deal, but this extension will now keep him in Green Bay through at least the 2026 season. According to Schefter, the Packers wanted Watson to focus on his return from injury in 2025 vs. his impending free agency, leading to today’s deal.

A former second-round pick, Watson spent his rookie campaign playing alongside Aaron Rodgers, with his nine touchdowns and 691 yards from scrimmage still representing career-highs. He’s spent the past two seasons serving as one of Jordan Love‘s key targets, but Watson has yet to truly break out like the organization may have expected.

The receiver averaged a career-high 46.9 yards per game during the 2023 season, but he was limited to only nine appearances thanks to a pesky hamstring issue. He got into a career-high 15 games last season, but he was limited to a career-low 41.3 yards per game and 47.2 success rate. Watson suffered a torn ACL in Week 18, and considering the timing, it was always expected that his recovery time would leak into the 2025 campaign.

That ended up being the case, as Watson landed on the PUP list to begin this season. He’ll be forced to miss the first four games, but there’s a chance he’s back shortly after he becomes eligible. The last we heard, Watson was a candidate to return as early as Week 5, but considering the team’s receiving depth, the Packers may not feel any urgency to immediately get him back on the field.

That depth has also clouded Watson’s future in Green Bay, although today’s one-year extension is somewhat a vote of confidence. Watson finished the 2024 season as the fourth-most targeted WR in Green Bay, and each of the three wideouts ahead of him —Dontayvion Wicks, Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs — are still on the roster (not to mention TE Tucker Kraft, who has emerged as one of Love’s favorite weapons). The team also added rookie first-round pick Matthew Golden and rookie third-round pick Savion Williams to the squad.

Notably, Watson is the oldest player in the receivers room. While his extension gives him a better chance of carving out a long-term role with the Packers, it seems likelier than not that the 2026 campaign could be his final season in Green Bay.

Eagles To Acquire Tank Bigsby From Jaguars

We have our first major trade of the 2025 season before Week 1 has even come to an end. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Eagles are trading for Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Jaguars will receive 2026 fifth- and sixth-round picks from Philly. There is a slight wrinkle with the return. Per ESPN’s Michael DiRocco, the fifth-round selection is the pick the Eagles received from the 49ers in the Bryce Huff trade. That pick is set to improve to a fourth-round pick if Huff hits eight sacks in 2025. In that scenario, the Eagles would send that newfound fourth-round pick to Jacksonville instead of the listed fifth-round selection.

[RELATED: 2025 NFL Trades]

It’s a sudden, stunning move, especially from the Jaguars perspective. Bigsby was listed as a co-starter alongside Travis Etienne for the season opener. The latter finished that victory over the Panthers with 19 touches (including 16 carries) for 156 offensive yards. Bigsby was limited to only five carries and 12 yards.

Following the 2024 campaign, it appeared that Bigsby’s stock was rising in Jacksonville while Etienne’s continued to fall. A 2021 first-round pick, Etienne missed his rookie campaign before topping 1,400 yards from scrimmage in each of his first two healthy NFL seasons. However, he took a step back in 2024, when he was limited to only 812 yards and two scores. Bigsby, a 2023 third-round pick, served as a deep backup as a rookie before cutting into his teammate’s playing time in 2024, with the second-year player compiling 820 yards from scrimmage and seven touchdowns.

With new head coach Liam Coen and a new front office guiding the way, there were bound to be changes in 2025, especially on offense. The team further muddied their RB depth when they used a pair of draft picks at the position, including fourth-round pick Bhayshul Tuten. The Virginia Tech product impressed during training camp and was expected to carve out his own role as a rookie. However, it was expected to come at the expense of Etienne, not Bigsby.

Now, the Jaguars will move forward with Etienne leading the depth chart and Tuten taking on the RB2 role. Etienne is currently playing on his fifth-year option and is set to hit free agency after the season. The impending free agent has every reason to remain on the field during the 2025 campaign, with Tuten potentially taking over in 2026.

Bigsby, meanwhile, will slide into a clear backup role with the defending champs. Saquon Barkley will continue to command touches as an offensive focal point, which will greatly impact Bigsby’s 2025 outlook. On the flip side, the Bigsby acquisition could convince the Eagles to lean more on their Barkley alternatives.

The defending Offensive Player of the Year finished his first season in Philadelphia with a career-high 378 touches, and that doesn’t include the 100-plus looks he had in the playoffs. Coming off such a significant workload, the Eagles always seemed destined to monitor his touches in 2025. With Bigsby now on the roster, the coaching staff may be even more comfortable giving Barkley some much-needed rest during his age-28 campaign.

The Eagles also lost some depth at the position during their season opener, as backup Will Shipley exited the game with a rib injury. AJ Dillon is currently penciled in as the team’s RB3, and Bigsby could slide right into Shipley’s spot on the depth chart assuming the second-year player is forced to miss some time.

The Eagles may also be eyeing Bigsby for a role beyond the offense. According to EJ Smith of PHLY Sports, the RB may have also been acquired for his special teams ability. Bigsby got a look as a kick returner during his first two seasons, returning 10 kickoffs for 294 yards. He also had a 20-yard return yesterday. John Metchie and Shipley both got looks as returners for the Eagles in the season opener, with the duo averaging 16 yards between the two of them.

As Schefter notes, the Super Bowl champs have been especially active in the trade market over the past few weeks. In addition to their acquisitions of Bigsby and Metchie, the team has also added QB Sam Howell and OT Fred Johnson via trade.

Lions, Jameson Williams Agree To Extension

Jameson Williams was already under contract with the Lions through 2026 entering the season, but he will remain in place beyond that point. The ascending wideout has an extension agreement in place.

Team and player worked out a deal on Saturday, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports. This pact is three years in length, and it is worth $83MM with $67MM guaranteed. Since Williams’ fifth-year option was picked up this spring, he is now on the books through 2029.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter clarifies $83MM represents the maximum value of this pact. The average annual value of the extension at first glance – $27.67MM – is likely an inflated figure as a result. Even if so, a strong guarantee along with long-term stability has been attained via this agreement. Williams is the latest member of the Lions’ offensive core to receive a major raise.

Last offseason, fellow receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown landed an extension averaging just over $30MM per season. Quarterback Jared Goffalong with offensive tackles Penei Sewell and Taylor Decker, as well as running back David Montgomery, each signed new deals in 2024 as well. That led to questions about whether or not Williams would fit into the team’s long-term plans, especially with Jahmyr Gibbs and Sam LaPorta eligible for extensions next year.

An answer has now arrived just before Week 1. Williams, 24, will finish playing out his rookie deal in the Motor City but he will remain in place on his second contract. The Alabama product played just 18 games across his first two campaigns due to injury and multiple suspensions. When on the field, though, Williams showed his potential as a deep threat.

In 2024, a notable step forward was taken in terms of production. Williams played 16 combined regular and postseason games, and his availability yielded positive results. He recorded 1,001 yards and seven touchdowns while averaging 17.3 yards per catch. A full-time role and increased expectations will await Williams in 2025 but for several years after the coming season as well.

Rumors emerged about a potential trade being considered in this situation, but Lions general manager Brad Holmes said in April that was not the case. Williams’ future in Detroit was ensured to an extent when his option – like that of former No. 2 pick Aidan Hutchinson – was exercised. Talks on a Hutchinson extension have taken place, but during that process work has also successfully been done on a new Williams accord.

The Lions were largely quiet this offseason with respect to outside free agent additions, looking instead to retaining as many member of their core as possible. That resulted in safety Kerby Joseph landing a monster deal of his own, and Williams has now joined him in that regard. Continued development from both players would be key in allowing for Detroit to remain among the NFL’s top contenders.

St. Brown topped 1,100 yards for the third straight season in 2024, and he will be counted on to lead the way once again this year. LaPorta figures to reprise his role as a key figure in the passing game. Williams will offer a different skillset than those two, and based on this investment the Lions are confident he will be able to consistently offer them another high-end option on offense.

Titans Extend S Amani Hooker

Amani Hooker will agree to a second extension in Tennessee. The veteran safety will put pen to paper on a new three-year deal before Week 1, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports.

The longtime Titans starter is signing a three-year, $48.6MM accord — one that comes with $29MM guaranteed in total. Hooker was set to enter the final season of his previous deal (three years, $30MM). This will mark a significant raise for a player extended two GMs ago. The Titans have since announced the extension.

[RELATED: Assessing Titans’ 2025 Offseason]

Jon Robinson signed off on Hooker’s previous contract nearly three years ago today. The Titans have changed coaching staffs since then and have fired two GMs — Robinson and Ran Carthon — in that time. Formerly in place as a Kevin Byard sidekick, Hooker has endured in Tennessee and factors in prominently moving forward under the Chad BrinkerMike Borgonzi power structure.

Hooker’s second Titans extension comes after he intercepted five passes last season. Although the Titans bottomed out at 3-14, Hooker has been one of their best players for several years. The team traded Byard to the Eagles during the 2023 season, building their safety corps around Hooker. One of Robinson’s top draftees, the former fourth-rounder is still only 27. He has started 51 games. That number will continue to climb in Nashville, as the Titans are now building around Cam Ward‘s rookie contract.

If the $48.6MM number represents the contract’s base value, Hooker becomes the NFL’s fifth-highest-paid safety. He would settle between Derwin James and Budda Baker, though initial reports frequently reflect contracts’ max values. At $29MM in total guarantees, Hooker sits 11th. Only agreeing to a three-year extension naturally stands to reduce the seventh-year vet’s standing in that category. But this deal should keep the door open for another lucrative deal down the line; Hooker will turn 30 in his 2028 contract year.

No Pro Bowls are on Hooker’s resume, though he was extended the first time following a third-place finish in Pro Football Focus’ 2021 rankings. Last year, PFF slotted Hooker 33rd among safeties. This came on a Titans defense that produced a 30th-place points ranking but second in total yardage. Ward’s presence should help bring those numbers closer together, and Tennessee wants Ward as a key part of its Ward-years nucleus.

The Titans made a few investments at safety this offseason, adding Xavier Woods and re-signing Quandre Diggs. The team also drafted Kevin Winston Jr. in the third round. Woods is expected to start alongside Hooker, having signed a two-year, $8MM deal.

Buccaneers, CB Zyon McCollum Agree To Extension

The Buccaneers have taken care of another extension in time for Week 1. Cornerback Zyon McCollum has a new deal in place.

McCollum’s agents announced on Friday (via ESPN’s Adam Schefter) an agreement has been reached on a three-year extension. The pact has a value of $48MM and includes $35.4MM guaranteed. McCollum was set to enter the season as a pending free agent, but he will now be under contract through 2028.

Today’s news comes as little surprise, considering McCollum was known to be seeking a second Tampa accord. The former fifth-rounder has developed into a mainstay on defense over the course of his first three seasons in the NFL. His rookie campaign included a part-time workload, but the following year resulted in a major jump in playing time. Last season, McCollum handled over 1,000 defensive snaps; he will be relied on as a permanent fixture in the secondary for years to come.

In 2024, the 26-year-old recorded his first two interceptions while adding 17 pass deflections. The latter stat put him in a tie for third in the NFL and helped result in a career-best PFF evaluation. McCollum finished 45th amongst qualifying corners in overall grade after setting a new personal best in completion percentage and passer rating allowed. Continued improvement in that regard would be welcomed and is certainly something the Buccaneers are investing in.

Even if McCollum doesn’t grow into a top-tier cornerback, there is an argument to be made for basic stability at one of the game’s most important positions. With a $16MM APY, McCollum is only the 15th-highest-paid cornerback in the NFL with a market that should continue to grow after a major increase this offseason. Just being a healthy, consistent starter would make his deal a solid value.

With his new deal, McCollum will continue to be a key cog in Tampa Bay’s secondary for the next few years. He’s played next to Jamel Dean for his entire career, but the Buccaneers made a clear effort this offseason to find the future of their cornerback room by drafting Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish on Day 2 of April’s draft. Dean is under contract through 2026, but the exploding cornerback market may preclude another extension in Tampa Bay with younger players waiting in the wings.