Newsstand News & Rumors

Vikings Trade QB Sam Howell To Eagles; Minnesota Signs Carson Wentz

August 24th, 2025 at 11:27pm CST by Rory Parks

The Vikings are trading quarterback Sam Howell and a 2026 sixth-round pick to the Eagles, per Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. In exchange, Minnesota will receive a fifth- and seventh-round choice in 2026, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter was the first to report that the team is also signing veteran passer Carson Wentz to replace Howell and to serve as the backup for J.J. McCarthy.

Wentz, 32, visited the Vikings yesterday, and the summit clearly went well. McCarthy, of course, missed his entire rookie season in 2024 due to injury, though the club’s faith in his ability to operate as the starting QB in 2025 never wavered. Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones were therefore allowed to leave in free agency, and Minnesota acquired Howell during April’s draft with the expectation that he would slot in behind McCarthy on the depth chart.

Howell played well in the club’s first preseason contest this summer, but he struggled in his second outing, completing one of five passes for 13 yards and an interception. He sat out the preseason finale on Friday as Brett Rypien and 2025 UDFA Max Brosmer shared the snaps under center.

In addition to adding a more experienced and accomplished voice in Wentz — who is familiar with HC Kevin O’Connell‘s offensive system — today’s transaction adds a bit more draft capital to the Vikings’ stockpile (just as the recent Harrison Phillips swap did). As multiple pundits, including ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, were quick to point out in the immediate aftermath of the Howell report, Minnesota is in the market for a wide receiver, and the Phillips and Howell trades could help facilitate a WR addition. Longtime Viking and current Panther Adam Thielen remains a target, but Fowler notes the club has multiple lines of inquiry open. Plus, according to Alec Lewis of The Athletic, Minnesota has been pleased with Brosmer and appears perfectly content to have him as the No. 3 QB.

Howell, meanwhile, continues a nomadic journey that is uncommon for such a young player. The Commanders’ 2022 draftee, who will turn 25 next month, started all 17 games for Washington in 2023, and he finished with a 4-13 record. The club was unafraid to let him air it out, as he led the NFL with 612 pass attempts, which led to a league-worst 21 interceptions. He was traded to Seattle in April 2024, but he saw limited action as the backup to Geno Smith. Including today’s deal, the UNC product has been traded three times in the span of 18 months.

Still, the Eagles needed some cover for their own QB room, as Jalen Hurts‘ presumptive backup, Tanner McKee, is dealing with a finger injury that has jeopardized his Week 1 availability. Albert Breer of SI.com notes Philadelphia remains high on McKee, and it does not sound as if his ailment is a long-term one. Nonetheless, Howell will offer an upgrade over sixth-round rookie Kyle McCord, both as the QB2 in the event McKee is not ready to go at the start of the season and as the QB3 over the course of the campaign (or, the Eagles could theoretically try to trade McKee; per Breer, there has been outside interest in the 25-year-old signal-caller, which echoes his recent report on the matter).

Assuming a McKee trade does not come to fruition, Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer believes McCord will be waived, though the Eagles could try to stash him on the practice squad if he clears waivers. Offseason trade acquisition Dorian Thompson-Robinson is also on the Eagles’ roster for the time being, but today’s news obviously does not bode well for his future in Philly.

McLane adds that the team has waived/injured DB Lewis Cine, who, according Zach Berman of The Athletic, was on crutches following Friday’s preseason game, when he recorded a diving interception.

Panthers, Taylor Moton Agree To Extension

August 22nd, 2025 at 10:51pm CST by Adam La Rose

Taylor Moton‘s tenure in Carolina is set to continue beyond the coming season. The ninth-year right tackle has agreed to an extension, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

This new Panthers accord – which is now official – is two years in length and is worth $44MM, Moton’s agents informed Schefter. $40MM of that figure is guaranteed. Moton was entering a contract year, but he is now on the books through 2027.

Prior to today’s news, Moton was on course to carry a 2025 cap charge of over $31MM. The Panthers maintained a level of comfort with that figure remaining intact, but an extension always loomed as a means of reducing it while ensuring no free agent departure could take place next spring. Moton saw his ironman streak come to an end in 2024 with three missed games, but he has remained an anchor up front since his second year in the NFL.

Moton, who just turned 31, has been consistent not only in terms of availability but also performance during his Carolina tenure. With the exception of 2022, he has ranked between 13th and 23rd in terms of PFF grade amongst offensive tackles every year during his time as a starter. The Panthers will aim for a continuation of that run over the near term by means of their latest investment up front.

Carolina added a pair of starting guards via free agency last offseason by signing Robert Hunt (five years, $100MM) and Damien Lewis (four years, $53MM). Those big-ticket deals came about with left tackle Ikem Ekwonu on his rookie pact and Moton attached to his $17MM-per-year extension. A raise – coupled with a notable guarantee, although the structure of the contract is not yet known – has been authorized to ensure stability at the tackle spots. That will especially be true if Ekwonu’s desire for a new Carolina deal is met.

In any case, 2025 will see the same starting unit up front for Carolina. Ekwonu and Moton will spend a fourth season together, with Lewis and Hunt manning the guard spots. Austin Corbett won out this summer’s competition with Cade Mays, meaning he will retain his starting role at center. Continuity along the O-line will be a key factor in what the team hopes will be continued development from third-year quarterback Bryce Young in 2025.

At $22MM, the average annual value of his deal moves Moton into a tie with the recently-extended Zach Tom in terms of yearly compensation at the right tackle position. Only Lane Johnson ($25MM) and Penei Sewell ($28MM) are attached to a higher figure at that spot. If Moton can maintain his level of play over the course of his third contract, this latest commitment on the part of the Panthers will likely prove to be worthwhile.

Colts Name Daniel Jones Starting QB

August 19th, 2025 at 10:27pm CST by Adam La Rose

Daniel Jones is set to begin the campaign atop the Colts’ depth chart. Jones has won out the team’s quarterback competition, as first reported by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. The news is now official.

Pelissero adds head coach Shane Steichen informed Jones and Anthony Richardson of the decision Tuesday morning. A call was expected in the near future, and one has indeed been made. Jones, a free agent addition, will serve as QB1 to begin the regular season while Richardson will operate as the backup.

Signs have pointed in this direction throughout the offseason, one in which Richardson has aimed to establish himself as Indianapolis’ passer of the present and future. Today’s news obviously marks a notable setback for the No. 4 pick in 2023’s draft. Richardson has battled injuries and inconsistency in the NFL, including missed time this spring and a dislocated finger suffered in the preseason opener.

When speaking publicly on the matter, Steichen has offered praise regarding Jones’ experience and his command of the Colts’ offense during practice and games. That helped lead to the expectation the former Giants top-1o selection would get the nod for 2025. With that said, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports the Jones-Richardson competition was viewed as being “very close.”

Jones was retained via a four-year, $160MM contract in 2023, with the Giants inking him to the pact in time to apply the franchise tag on running back Saquon Barkley. Barkley departed on the open market last spring and enjoyed a record-breaking debut season with the Eagles. Jones, on the other hand, was unable to take a step forward in his fifth season as New York’s starter before ultimately being benched and then released.

A brief Vikings tenure did not result in playing time down the stretch. Jones, like Sam Darnold, departed Minnesota on the open market in search of a starting position with the team positioned to hand the reins over to J.J. McCarthy. Jones secured $13.15MM guaranteed on his one-year Colts contract, a strong indication he would have a path to the starting gig. As of June, the 28-year-old held a “significant” lead over Richardson.

Time with the starting offense was split in training camp, with Richardson managing to return to full health after his latest shoulder injury was suffered earlier in the offseason. The Florida product has played just 15 games in the regular season to date, and he was benched partway through last year. A decision will need to be made on the fifth-year option for Richardson, 23, after the coming campaign. This move certainly suggests it will be declined.

Steichen said on Tuesday (via Mike Chappell of Fox59) Jones is viewed as the starter for the entire 2025 season. A strong campaign would help his free agent value considerably, and finding success with Indy’s offense would no doubt serve as a benefit to Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard‘s job security. As the Colts look to end a four-year playoff drought, they will rely on Jones for what should be a lengthy period. In the event of an injury or poor play, though, attention will turn to the possibility of Richardson taking over.

Browns Name Joe Flacco Starting QB

August 18th, 2025 at 10:15pm CST by Adam La Rose

To little surprise, Joe Flacco will begin the 2025 season atop the depth chart. Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski announced on Monday that the 41-year-old will handle starting duties in Week 1.

Flacco has long been seen as the top option for Cleveland. Injuries have been a problem for fellow veteran Kenny Pickett but also rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, leading to missed reps during training camp. Even if all four contenders had been fully available, it still would have been seen as something of an upset for anyone but Flacco to get the early nod.

Midway through the 2023 season, Flacco joined the Browns and quickly found himself handling QB1 duties. The former Super Bowl MVP helped lead the team to a 4-1 finish down the stretch and qualify for the playoffs. That track record of success and a familiarity with Stefanski’s scheme were factors weighing heavily in Flacco’s favor during training camp. After the 191-game starter received the majority of first-team reps in camp, signs pointed heavily to Stefanski’s expected announcement confirming this QB setup to begin the year.

Pickett was seen as a contender to earn the nod ahead of camp, but a hamstring injury hindered his chances of genuinely pushing for the QB1 gig. The former Steelers first-rounder was traded to the Eagles last offseason and spent 2024 as Jalen Hurts‘ backup. The trade sending him to Cleveland was understandably followed by the decision to decline his fifth-year option. As a result, the 27-year-old enters this season as a pending free agent. Doing so as a backup (at best) is certainly an unwelcomed development from his perspective.

Gabriel and Sanders have flashed potential during the preseason, and their respective development will be a key storyline for Cleveland in 2025. Gabriel drew trade interest immediately after being drafted in the third round, but despite adding Sanders on Day 3 the Browns elected to retain him. Given the presence of Flacco and Pickett at that point, questions were raised about the possibility of all four signal-callers being kept on the active roster. General manager Andrew Berry has consistently maintained he is willing to take that route.

Indeed, the latest update on that front indicated Cleveland would carry each member of the Flacco-Pickett-Gabriel-Sanders quartet on the 53-man roster following cutdowns. Deshaun Watson is expected to miss the season while recovering from his second Achilles tear, while recent addition Tyler Huntley is a candidate to be released after filling in as a healthy option under center as needed. That will not bring an end to discussions about how the Browns should proceed under center, of course.

Struggles on the part of the team in general and Flacco in particular will no doubt lead to increased calls for a change under center. Turning to one (or both) of the rookies over the course of the season could lead to valuable evaluations concerning their long-term viability as potential starters. For now, though, Flacco is set to meet his goal of playing into his 40s. That will include at least a stretch in the starting spot to open his 18th NFL season.

Bengals Listening To Trade Offers On DE Trey Hendrickson; Contract Talks Have Stalled

August 17th, 2025 at 10:00pm CST by Rory Parks

10:00pm: Cincinnati has been fielding calls on Hendrickson for weeks, Dehner and colleague Dianna Russini report. If the Bengals were to trade Hendrickson now, they likely would not land as valuable of a trade package as they would have if they had traded him before the draft. Clearly, no team has put forth an attractive enough offer as of yet.

12:20pm: Contract talks between the Bengals and defensive end Trey Hendrickson are at an impasse, per Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. As such, the club is again listening to trade offers for its star pass rusher.

NFL insider Jordan Schultz says the Panthers, Browns, and Colts are among the clubs that have expressed interest. Of course, an intra-division trade to Cleveland for a player of Hendrickson’s magnitude is unlikely, and Cincinnati is still setting a high asking price in trade talks. Per Schultz, the Bengals are seeking an impact player or two as well as a draft pick. A mutual interest still exists for this team-player relationship to continue, Schultz adds, but the same issues (namely guaranteed money) continue to represent a sticking point in negotiations.

The Bengals’ offense was excellent in 2024, with quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase both submitting MVP-caliber performances. Chase and running mate Tee Higgins were re-signed this offseason, and the team also returns promising running back Chase Brown, so points should not be terribly difficult to come by.

However, the team’s woeful defense undermined the efforts of Burrow & Co., and Cincinnati ultimately failed to qualify for the postseason. That is despite the presence of Hendrickson, who recorded 17.5 sacks for the second year in a row and who earned First Team All-Pro acclaim. Given that continued elite production and the upward movement of the EDGE market, any new Bengals accord will include a substantial raise if one can indeed be worked out before Week 1.

The Bengals did add a potential impact pass rusher, Shemar Stewart, in the first round of April’s draft, and Stewart is now in the fold after unusual contract talks of his own became a basis for criticism directed at the organization. Still, it is unclear whether Cincinnati did enough this offseason to significantly improve its defense, and subtracting Hendrickson from the equation would seem to make matters more difficult for new defensive coordinator Al Golden.

As such, Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer is skeptical that the Bengals are serious about moving Hendrickson, and Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic does not believe the situation has changed. He does not think the club, through today’s reports, is trying to drum up trade interest, and he continues to believe it is unlikely a rival team will meet Cincinnati’s asking price and pony up a massive extension for Hendrickson.

As things stand, the 30-year-old is owed $16MM in 2025, the final year of his pact. Hendrickson has stated a willingness to sit out regular season games in the absence of an extension. Time remains for an agreement to be reached, but before authorizing any major raise, the Bengals will once again field trade offers.

Adam La Rose contributed to this post.

Bills, James Cook Agree To Extension

August 13th, 2025 at 9:54pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

9:54pm: Cook’s contract includes $15.28MM guaranteed at signing, according to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, who adds this is an $11.5MM-per-year deal (as opposed to the $12MM number reported earlier). While Cook’s guarantee at signing is only 10th among running backs — behind three rookie deals — the full guarantees increase to $25.91MM by 2026. The Bills guaranteed $5MM of Cook’s 2026 compensation at signing; another $4.41MM will shift from an injury guarantee to a full guarantee February 9, 2026.

An important trigger on this contract comes on Day 5 of the 2026 league year, when Florio indicates $6.22MM of Cook’s $9.13MM 2027 base salary shifts from an injury guarantee to a full guarantee. Cook’s camp did well to secure a year-out guarantee; the remaining $2.91MM of his 2027 base salary becomes fully guaranteed on Day 5 of the 2027 league year. Cook’s final $1.18MM in injury guarantees cover the 2028 season; otherwise, his 2028 and ’29 salaries are nonguaranteed. Cook’s four-year contract matches the term length of the Khalil Shakir, Terrel Bernard, Gregory Rousseau and Christian Benford extensions from the spring.

8:38am: The Bills have reached an agreement with running back James Cook on a four-year contract extension, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The deal has a base value of $48MM with $30MM in guaranteed money, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero. Cook’s $12MM APY is the sixth-highest among running backs, and his guarantees trail only Saquon Barkley and Ashton Jeanty‘s rookie contract. He will now be under contract in Buffalo through the 2029 season.

Buffalo had been trying to extend Cook for most of the offseason. He publicly demanded $15MM per year, and negotiations stalled in the spring. The two sides appeared to be making progress on a number of occasions, including when Cook showed up for mandatory minicamp and took the field at the start of training camp.

However, Cook stopped practicing in early August, citing “business” as the reason and raising doubt that a deal would get done before Week 1. He returned to the field on Tuesday, a clear signal that he and the team were close to an agreement. Indeed, Bills general manager Brandon Beane confirmed that Cook ending his hold-in was a show of good faith that helped get both sides back to the negotiating table.

“Once we got him back on the practice field, we really worked hard,” added Beane (via ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg).

Set to turn 26 in late September, Cook arrived in Buffalo as the 63rd overall pick in the 2022 draft. He spent his rookie year playing second fiddle to veteran Devin Singletary but took over the starting job in 2023 with his first thousand-yard season, plus another 445 yards through the air to reach 1,567 yards from scrimmage on the year. Last year, he saw a slight downtick in both rushing attempts and receiving targets as part of an overall reduction in playing time. Cook, however, led the NFL with 16 rushing touchdowns — no small task given Josh Allen‘s impact around the goal line — as the Bills deployed another high-powered offense after trading Stefon Diggs to the Texans.

Beane said that the Bills still believe that Cook is “a three-down type player” despite playing just 48% of the team’s offensive snaps last year, down from 55% the year prior.

“We think he could take more, but we also want to use our other weapons and keep him as fresh as possible,” continued Beane. “We think that’s the best utilization of him.”

Keeping Cook fresh in 2024 allowed him to rank sixth among running backs in yards per carry last season. He also tied Barkley and Jahmyr Gibbs for the league lead with 16 rushing touchdowns.

Cook’s agent, Zac Hiller of LAA Sports & Entertainment, released a statement on his client’s behalf: “James could only envision himself as a Buffalo Bill. We are extremely thankful to the entire Bills organization and glad we could make that happen.”

Cook is now the sixth Bill to sign a multiyear extension this offseason, capping off an impressive string of signings for Beane and his front office. They made several tough decisions by cutting long-tenured veterans last offseason to free up cash and cap space to get their young core under contract. With that mission accomplished, the Bills will spend the next few seasons trying to get over the hump and finally bring a Super Bowl to Buffalo.

Rams, RB Kyren Williams Agree To Extension

August 13th, 2025 at 4:46pm CST by Adam La Rose

AUGUST 13: Williams secured $15.15MM at signing, according to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio. This includes $2.75MM of Williams’ 2026 base salary ($5.5MM). On Day 3 of the 2026 league year, the rest of Williams’ 2026 base shifts to a full guarantee.

Two days later next March, Williams will see part of his 2027 base salary lock in. The Rams RB will see $4.61MM of his $8.95MM base salary shift from an injury guarantee to a full guarantee on Day 5 of the ’26 league year, Florio adds. The remaining 2027 salary will become guaranteed on Day 5 of the ’27 league year. This year-out guarantee may have helped James Cook, who secured a similar term from the Bills today. Williams’ $10.45MM 2028 base is nonguaranteed.

AUGUST 5: The long-awaited extension between Kyren Williams and the Rams has been worked out. A deal was struck Tuesday morning, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.

This will be a three-year, $33MM pact, Schefter adds. $23MM in guarantees are present in the agreement. Williams was entering the final year of his rookie contract, but today’s news means he will be on the books through the 2028 campaign.

Signs have consistently pointed to a pact being worked out in this case, and an update from last week indicated an agreement was close. Today’s news thus comes as no surprise, nor do the terms of the pact. Williams was not a candidate to reset the running back market, although he has managed to land a rare eight-figure AAV at the position. The 24-year-old’s $11MM mark checks in at seventh amongst running backs, evenly splitting Aaron Jones and Josh Jacobs in terms of annual average value.

Williams participated in spring practices as well as training camp while negotiations took place. The former fifth-rounder said in May he anticipated remaining with Los Angeles beyond the 2025 season regardless of when a new deal was struck. With plenty of time to spare, his long-term future has now been assured. Williams will be expected to reprise his role as lead running back for the coming campaign but also years to come.

As a rookie, the Notre Dame product saw sparse usage on offense. The past two years have been much different, though, with Williams receiving 260 touches in 2023 and then 350 last season. During his first year atop the depth chart, his 95.3 rushing yards per game led the NFL and resulted in a Pro Bowl nod. Williams managed to increase his overall production – including 16 total touchdowns – in 2024, although his efficiency took a step back. Managing to remain effective while handling a heavy workload moving forward will be key in determining the return on Los Angeles’ investment.

The Rams will continue to rely on receiver Puka Nacua in the passing game this season, and while Cooper Kupp is no longer in the fold Davante Adams is present on two-year free agent pact. Those two will be the focal points of the team’s offense through the air in 2025, quarterback Matthew Stafford‘s fifth season with Los Angeles. Williams will nevertheless maintain a critical role for the unit as well.

Former UDFA Ronnie Rivers, 2024 third-round selection Blake Corum and fourth-round rookie Jarquez Hunter represent the Rams’ other options in the backfield. That trio will provide the team with young and inexpensive backups at the RB spot while Williams plays out this new accord. As Los Angeles eyes a repeat of last year’s run to the divisional round of the postseason – at least – a major piece of offseason business has been taken care of.

Chargers Confirm Torn Patellar Tendon For LT Rashawn Slater

August 8th, 2025 at 4:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

AUGUST 8: Harbaugh confirmed (via ESPN’s Kris Rhim) that Alt will replace Slater on the blind side with Pipkins taking over at right tackle. The Chargers are also planning to work out some offensive linemen this weekend to find another swing tackle. They’ll also get a chance to evaluate Salyer, who is starting Sunday’s preseason game at left tackle, according to The Athletic’s Daniel Popper.

AUGUST 7: Rashawn Slater was carted off the field during Thursday’s practice. Hours later, the worst-case scenario emerged. Testing on the Chargers’ franchise left tackle indicates he will not play in 2025.

Slater is feared to have suffered a torn patellar tendon, Ian Rapoport, Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network report. The team has since confirmed Slater suffered the tear. This is a brutal blow for Slater and the Chargers, who indicated the Pro Bowl tackle is heading to IR.

This also represents incredible timing for Slater regarding his extension. The Pro Bowl blocker established the new AAV standard for offensive linemen ($28.5MM), agreeing to terms before training camp. The Chargers paid Slater after he had solidified their LT position, a job that had seen turnover between King Dunlap‘s tenure and the Tom Telesco regime drafting Slater in the 2021 first round. Slater will still be expected to live up to the contract, but that effort is now delayed.

The Bolts gave Slater a four-year, $114MM extension that came with $56MM guaranteed at signing. Among left tackles, only Andrew Thomas — on a five-year Giants deal — bettered the at-signing figure. Slater managed to beat out tackles with better rookie-contract resumes, benefiting by the Chargers waiting until his fifth NFL offseason to pay him. Now, major questions emerge regarding the Bolts’ 2025 O-line.

Joe Alt played left tackle at Notre Dame; the Chargers moved the 2024 No. 5 overall pick to the right side due to Slater’s presence. After another full offseason of RT training, Alt sliding to the blind side would be a gamble for the Bolts. But that would be an option due to his dominance there with the Fighting Irish. The Chargers also moved Trey Pipkins from right tackle to guard to accommodate Alt’s 2024 arrival. Pipkins had re-signed to play right tackle. Jim Harbaugh announced earlier this week a starting five that did not included Pipkins. This could be a way back for the supplanted blocker, as ESPN.com’s Kris Rhim indicates an Alt-at-LT, Pipkins-to-RT plan is the most likely outcome following the Slater news.

Harbaugh said (via The Athletic’s Daniel Popper) the Chargers had decided on a Slater-Zion Johnson–Bradley Bozeman–Mekhi Becton-Alt front five. Slater, Becton and Alt were entrenched starters, while Johnson and Bozeman entered camp with positional uncertainty. Pipkins (56 career starts, most coming at right tackle) gives the Chargers options most teams do not have when they lose a player of Slater’s caliber. Alt moving over makes more sense, as Pipkins has not played more than 77 LT snaps in a season since his rookie year.

A 2019 third-round pick, Pipkins worked as the Bolts’ full-time RT starter from 2022-23. The Chargers passed on Malik Nabers at No. 5 last year to install Alt at RT, kicking Pipkins inside. The transition was not exactly successful, as Becton has since booted Pipkins from the starting lineup. Pro Football Focus graded Pipkins outside the top 60 at guard last season; the advanced metrics site did not grade him higher than 50th during his time as the Chargers’ top RT.

Teams certainly never have great options when losing a Slater-like presence. Alt was a two-time All-American left tackle at Notre Dame, honors that propelled him into the top five of last year’s draft. The three-year, $21.75MM deal Pipkins signed in 2023 — Telesco’s final offseason in charge — could represent a lifeline for both the Chargers and the contract-year blocker. Pipkins, 29, is also not the only possible contingency plan here.

Slater had bounced back from a three-game 2022, when he was shut down because of a biceps tendon tear. The Northwestern product played in 32 games over the past two seasons, missing one in 2024 due to a pectoral injury. The 2022 season also revealed another potential Bolts option, as Jamaree Salyer replaced Slater at left tackle.

A 2022 sixth-round pick out of Georgia, Salyer slid to guard in 2023 but was unable to keep a first-string job following the Alt move last year. Salyer worked as the Bulldogs’ starting left tackle from 2020-21. While Salyer made only four starts last season, he joins Pipkins as possible contingency plans for a Chargers team that has devoted considerable resources to its O-line.

Unfortunately, the team’s top piece is out of the picture. PFF graded Slater as the NFL’s second-best tackle last season. The standout missed offseason time while angling for a new deal, and the fifth-year tackle going down soon after signing it stands to significantly affect a Bolts team that doubled down at running back — via the Najee Harris signing and Omarion Hampton first-round investment — this offseason.

This Chargers offseason brought depth up front. Pipkins and Salyer join four-year Raiders center starter Andre James in representing the Bolts’ newfound depth. It would stand to reason the Chargers will call on Pipkins or Salyer to move into the lineup following this injury, and it will be interesting to see if Alt indeed makes the switch back to his college role for this season.

Adam La Rose contributed to this post.

Chargers Bring Back WR Keenan Allen

August 5th, 2025 at 10:05pm CST by Ely Allen

After only a year away from Los Angeles, veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen has indeed returned to the Chargers. After much speculation in the past few days, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero broke the news of Allen’s new one-year, $8.52MM deal.

After finishing his lone season in Chicago, in which he had a modest yet still impressive 70 receptions for 744 yards and seven touchdowns, Allen expressed interest in playing in only one of two cities in 2025: Chicago or Los Angeles. In the weeks leading up to free agency, though, the Bears seemed all but willing to let Allen walk in free agency. The Chargers, on the other hand, expressed some openness to a reunion with their long-time leading receiver.

Los Angeles had already reunited with Allen’s long-time teammate Mike Williams in March, and the idea of getting the band back together after only a one-year hiatus was looking like a decent possibility. Unfortunately for that possibility, Williams opted to announce his retirement just two and half weeks ago, perhaps opening the door for another veteran leader to take his slot on the roster.

Four days ago, the 33-year-old pass catcher visited the team that drafted him in the third round all those years ago out of Cal, and a day after head coach Jim Harbaugh finally expressed some interest in bringing Allen back to the locker room, the deal gets done.

Allen joins a young group of receivers in Los Angeles for the 2025 season. The Chargers’ top talent at the position is a second-year Ladd McConkey, a third-year Quentin Johnston, a rookie second-round Tre Harris, and a third-year Derius Davis. The TCU alums, Johnston and Davis, are familiar to Allen from his last season with the team, but the SEC pair are new faces in Allen’s return to the room.

With McConkey expected to be a mainstay in the slot after a phenomenal rookie season (82 catches, 1,149 yards, seven touchdowns), Allen can’t easily slip into that inside role, despite the tendency for players of his age to transition from an outside role. Johnston and Harris have plenty of size to work on the outsides, while Davis works as the primary return man.

Roles seem to be pretty clearly defined, so Allen could end up as the first man off the bench at any position or he may still be able to work effectively as an outside starter over either Johnston or Harris. Whatever role he plays, he shouldn’t have to work hard to reestablish the existing chemistry with quarterback Justin Herbert. We’ll see how he fits in with the new group in the weeks to come, but in the end his most valuable asset may be the leadership jersey No. 13 provides to the room in Year 13.

Dolphins Extend DT Zach Sieler

August 4th, 2025 at 11:15am CST by Ely Allen

AUGUST 4: Sieler’s deal is now official, per a team announcement. Full terms have not yet emerged, but agent Drew Rosenhaus said during his weekly appearance on Sports XTRA (video link) this new pact will pay out $34MM across the 2025 and ’26 campaigns. With an upgraded cashflow and long-term security, Seiler will look to remain one of Miami’s top players for years to come.

AUGUST 3: The Dolphins are getting ahead on some future contract situations by giving defensive tackle Zach Sieler the new deal he requested despite him having two years remaining on his original deal. Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the two sides have agreed on a three-year, $67.75MM extension with $44MM guaranteed. With the new deal, he becomes the highest-paid player on Miami’s defense.

Sieler’s come a long way since his humble beginnings. Unranked as a high school recruit, Sieler travelled about two hours north to attend college at Ferris State University, where he made the decision to walk on to the football team. After a redshirt year, Sieler helped the Bulldogs win their conference two years in a row in 2014 and 2015. In the latter year, he won the conference’s Defensive Lineman of the Year and National Defensive Player of the Year honors. He repeated those honors in 2016 but opted to sit out the 2017 season, after having earned his degree, to prepare for the 2018 NFL Draft.

Though obviously talented, Sieler was considered a bit of a wildcard after having spent a year away from football. Regardless, he was chosen by the Ravens with the 238th pick of the draft in the seventh round — Ozzie Newsome‘s final pick as the team’s general manager. In an emotional draft day phone call, Newsome informed him of that fact and Sieler told the legendary GM, “I’ll make you proud.”

That pride may not have come right away for Newsome. After appearing in only two games as a rookie, Sieler failed to make Baltimore’s initial 53-man roster in 2019 and ended up on the practice squad. He got signed back to the active roster in October, but the team waived him again two months later.

This time, when he hit the waiver wire, the Dolphins kept him from returning to the Ravens’ practice squad, claiming Sieler the next day. In just three games (including his first career start) to close out the season with Miami, Sieler played more snaps than his entire first year and a half in Baltimore. The Dolphins signed him on for another year and Sieler appeared in every game, starting eight, while tallying 3.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss.

The disruptive lineman was doing so well that season that he earned himself a two-year, $7.63MM extension partway through the season. In those next two years, Sieler would start 24 of 34 game appearances, notching 5.5 sacks, 13 tackles for loss, and 132 tackles as he blossomed into am eventual full-time starter. In that 2021 season, Pro Football Focus (subscription required) graded him as the third-best interior defender in the NFL.

In 2023, the Dolphins quickly extended Sieler for another three years at $30.75MM. With a year still remaining on his prior deal, this new extension would keep him under contract through the 2026 season. After that contract came through, Sieler really turned it on. Starting every game for the first time in his career, Sieler tallied career highs in sacks (10.0) and tackles for loss (22) while adding 63 tackles, four pass deflections, an interception, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries.

Last year, he kept it going. Despite missing two games with injury, Sieler matched his sack total from the prior year while totaling 19 tackles for loss, 55 tackles, two pass deflections, and another interception, forced fumble, and fumble recovery. His 2024 performance had him graded as the 11th-best interior defender in the league, per PFF.

Having totaled double-digit sacks in each of the past two seasons, Sieler made it known that he was interested in a new deal, despite his remaining years. A day after seeing Zach Allen get a four-year, $102MM extension, the Dolphins have followed suit, perhaps realizing that Sieler may just make himself even more expensive with another double-digit sack performance.

It’s safe to say, at this point, that Newsome is probably proud, even if Sieler isn’t on his team anymore. In fact, Schefter points out that Newsome’s final rookie class — including (in draft order) tight end Hayden Hurst, quarterback Lamar Jackson, offensive tackle Orlando Brown, tight end Mark Andrews, cornerback Anthony Averett, safety DeShon Elliott, center Bradley Bozeman, Sieler, undrafted cornerback Darious Williams, and undrafted running back Gus Edwards — has now generated more money in future contracts than any draft class in NFL history.

While Newsome gets to be proud, Sieler deserves every bit of credit for where he ended up. From walking on to a Division II football team to sneaking into the last 19 picks of the NFL draft to making a name for himself with double-digit-sack seasons in Miami, Sieler continues to surpass expectations at every step of his career.

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