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Rasheed Walker Wins Packers’ LT Battle

September 1st, 2025 at 7:54pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Packers offensive lineman Rasheed Walker said on Monday (via ESPN’s Rob Demovsky) that he will start at left tackle in Week 1.

In training camp, Walker battled 2024 first-rounder Jordan Morgan for the right to protect Jordan Love‘s blind side this season. Walker, a two-year incumbent, long seemed to have a lead over his younger teammate, who only played guard in his six appearances before shoulder surgery ended his season.

Walker, a 2022 seventh-round pick, took over for an injured David Bakhtiari in his second season and held onto the left tackle job through 2024. However, the Packers’ selection of Morgan – a standout left tackle at the University of Arizona – indicated that Walker may not be Green Bay’s long-term solution on the blind side.

Walker will retain his job heading into the final year of his rookie contract, but an extension does not seem like a certainty. The Packers spent significant money on left guard Aaron Banks and right tackle Zach Tom this year and may not want to foray into an ever-growing left tackle market. They also added two left tackle prospects in Morgan and Anthony Belton across the last two drafts.

However, with neither of the younger tackles emerging as a more capable starter this summer, Walker will retain his job with the hopes of playing his way into a massive raise, either from the Packers or another team.

49ers’ Jauan Jennings Returns To Practice; No Agreement On Contract

September 1st, 2025 at 4:57pm CST by Sam Robinson

A year after signing a modest extension as a restricted free agent, Jauan Jennings nearly reached 1,000 yards. He then saw Deebo Samuel traded and Brandon Aiyuk land on the reserve/PUP list. A push for better contract terms has commenced, but Jennings remains tied to the deal he signed last year.

Attached to a two-year, $11.89MM contract that expires at season’s end, Jennings will be expected to start for the 49ers this year. Understandably, the sixth-year veteran has tried to procure a better deal as another season with a starter’s workload is on tap. While the 49ers do not intend to resolve this matter with a trade, it does not sound like negotiations are dead in the water.

But the team must now begin preparations for Week 1. Decimated at receiver thanks to the injuries to Aiyuk and Jacob Cowing accompanying the Demarcus Robinson suspension, the 49ers have made a few moves — in adding Skyy Moore, Russell Gage and Marquez Valdes-Scantling — while their Kendrick Bourne workout commenced today. Jennings also returned to practice, per The Athletic’s Matt Barrows.

Jennings, 28, had been out for more than a month with a calf injury. That malady surfaced shortly after his contract push became known. Players have used injuries as de facto hold-in measures during a CBA that makes holdouts difficult to wage. Kyle Shanahan, however, said Jennings had not formally requested a trade and ultimately expected him to play in Week 1. It seems that is on track to happen, as the 49ers will have Jennings teaming with 2024 first-round pick Ricky Pearsall as their top wide receivers against the Seahawks.

Even if Jennings returns for Week 1, his contract situation will be one to monitor. The 49ers may be leery about a second notable WR deal after ending the monthslong Aiyuk saga with a $30MM-per-year deal. Jennings is not a candidate to land a contract on that level, but the 49ers also paid Brock Purdy this offseason and handed out third contracts to George Kittle and Fred Warner. San Francisco’s budget may not include a significant Jennings raise, which would make this a pivotal year for the former seventh-round pick.

With Pearsall and ex-Arizona State teammate Aiyuk in place as the 49ers’ long-term weapons alongside Kittle, Jennings — absent an extension — will be a player to monitor ahead of the 2026 free agency period. With 2026 set to be Jennings’ age-29 season, he may have one real chance to cash in. And even that might bring an age-driven discount. For now, Jennings will be a crucial part the 49ers’ offense — particularly while Aiyuk is sidelined due to a longer ACL recovery timetable.

Jalen Sundell Earns Seahawks’ Center Job

September 1st, 2025 at 4:14pm CST by Sam Robinson

Reminding of the Panthers’ pre-Ikem Ekwonu left tackle streak or the Broncos’ run of pre-Mike McGlinchey right tackles, the Seahawks have amassed a lengthy string of their own up front. They will have a new Week 1 center for the seventh straight season.

A recent UDFA from the Division I-FCS level, Jalen Sundell has done enough to be tabbed to snap to Sam Darnold in Week 1. After The Athletic’s Michael-Shawn Dugar indicated Sundell was on track to start the season at center, Mike Macdonald (via ESPN.com’s Brady Henderson) confirmed Sundell will be at center and Anthony Bradford at right guard. This wraps monthslong competitions.

For Sundell, this represents quite the climb. It will also bring two North Dakota State alums alongside each other along the Seahawks’ O-line. The team drafted Grey Zabel in Round 1 and slotted him at left guard. Zabel played with Sundell at the FCS powerhouse. The duo started together for the Bison during the 2022 and ’23 seasons, while Sundell — who began his college career two years earlier than Zabel — was a Bison starter during the two prior seasons.

The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped all of the divisions’ seasons south of the FBS level, forcing FCS players to play spring and fall 2021 seasons (Previous Bison QB Trey Lance opted out of the spring slate as a high-end draft prospect). Sundell started 20 North Dakota State games at center that year and continued as the team’s top snapper in 2022. After an injury-marred ’22 season, Sundell kicked out to left tackle in 2023 and became a first-team All-American. The Seahawks did not add him as a UDFA until July 2024, but he made the 53-man roster and played as a 12-game backup.

With Zabel immediately given the LG job and Bradford the favorite to stick at RG, Zabel unseated Olu Oluwatimi. The team had turned to Oluwatimi following Connor Williams‘ in-season retirement, but the 2023 fifth-round pick suffered a back injury during training camp. That allowed Sundell an extended audition, and the Seahawks will go with him to open the season. While Macdonald said Oluwatimi is a candidate to reclaim his job in-season, the Seahawks will return three 2024 starters up front to go with their North Dakota State imports. If Bradford or Zabel went down, Macdonald said (via the Seattle Times’ Bob Condotta) Sundell would slide to guard while Oluwatimi would take over at center.

Sundell follows Williams, who succeeded Evan Brown. From 2019-22, the Seahawks used Justin Britt, Ethan Pocic, Kyle Fuller and Austin Blythe as their season-opening centers (though, Pocic was still Seattle’s primary center in 2021, starting 10 games after missing Week 1). The Seahawks do not have much invested at center presently, but they will give a long-odds option a chance to provide stability.

Rams’ Alaric Jackson Expected To Play In Week 1

September 1st, 2025 at 3:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

SEPTEMBER 1: Jackson’s return to team work has not produced a setback, and McVay said (via the Orange County Register’s Adam Grosbard) the plan is for the team’s starting left tackle to be protecting Stafford in Week 1.

This would be a well-timed ramp-up period for the Rams, who had a backup LT protecting Jimmy Garoppolo for most of training camp. Although McVay confirmed the blood-clot issue will need to still be monitored to open the season, the Rams are poised to be at full strength on offense against a top-tier Texans defense.

AUGUST 28: Sidelined by the second blood-clot issue of his career, Alaric Jackson moved out of the picture for an extended period this summer. D.J. Humphries resides as the Rams’ emergency left tackle starter, with Jackson not taking part in team drills throughout training camp.

While the Rams spent much of camp trotting out backups at LT and quarterback, the prospect of Jackson being ready to protect Matthew Stafford — who has returned to practice after an extended bout with back trouble — is on the table. Jackson returned to 11-on-11 drills this week, Sean McVay said (via the Los Angeles Times’ Gary Klein).

McVay voiced an expectation Jackson will be ready for the Rams’ opener, which would represent a significant development considering how long he has been sidelined. The blood-clot diagnosis emerged in mid-June, and while the recently re-signed blocker remained on the Rams’ roster throughout, he had not been cleared for team drills. This led to a Humphries-Warren McClendon competition for the emergency role.

Added on a one-year, $2.5MM deal that came nearly fully guaranteed, Humphries joined the Rams around the time Jackson’s blood-clot issue surfaced. The former Cardinals mainstay did not make much of an impact with the Chiefs last season, suffering an injury in his first assignment and not earning his starting job back. After an apparent 49ers commitment, no deal commenced. That kept Humphries an option to fill in for Jackson. While the eight-year Arizona starter brings considerable experience to the table, his most recent work revealed a substantial quality gap between he and Jackson.

Given a three-year, $57.75MM deal to pass on free agency and stay in Los Angeles, Jackson secured $30MM guaranteed on this contract. He has worked as L.A.’s starting left tackle for the past two seasons, helping the Rams recover from a Joe Noteboom misevaluation as the Andrew Whitworth successor. While Jackson missed eight games due to blood clots in 2022, he returned to win an LT competition over Noteboom.

Jackson began last season serving a two-game suspension but did not miss any more time (beyond a Week 18 rest). If the former UDFA find is not ready for Week 1, his return to practice points to an early-season return.

WR Hunter Renfrow Addresses Decision To Re-Sign With Panthers

September 1st, 2025 at 2:23pm CST by Adam La Rose

Hunter Renfrow was one of the Panthers’ roster cuts last week, but it soon became clear a Carolina reunion could be worked out. That proved to be the case on Saturday when the veteran wideout was re-signed.

Renfrow’s bid to return to the NFL saw him join the Panthers this spring. The Myrtle Beach, South Carolina native was out of the league in 2024 due to ulcerative colitis, but he did enough during training camp to warrant attention around the NFL. Panthers head coach Dave Canales noted continued work on his conditioning was a key factor in any future reunion, one which came about following the Adam Thielen trade and Jalen Coker‘s move to injured reserve.

A slot role is in place for Renfrow, who exceled in that capacity during part of his Raiders tenure. The 29-year-old topped 1,000 yards and scored nine touchdowns in 2021, earning a Pro Bowl nod. He was unable to duplicate that production afterwards, resulting in his Vegas release. Renfrow is now in position to resume his career with his hometown team, the only one he considered playing for in recent days.

“I kind of told [my agent] I was going to be here or nowhere,” the Clemson product said about remaining in Carolina (via the team’s website). “I know he told me a few teams, but I think he was getting calls throughout the weekend. But I just told him this is where I wanted to be. Just because this is home for me, this is what I wanted to do.”

The Panthers added a first-round receiver in the form of Xavier Legette last spring. The team went the same route in April, meaning Tetairoa McMillan is positioned to pair with Legette as a starter on the perimeter. Coker will be tasked with handling first-team duties upon return, but in the meantime Renfrow will be able to contribute in the passing game. His new Panthers pact is reportedly worth more than the veteran minimum contract he originally signed, a reflection of the market which existed in this case and Carolina’s immediate need at the receiver spot.

A healthy and productive campaign from Renfrow would provide a boost to the Panthers’ passing game. It would also strengthen his chances of continuing to play beyond 2025, something which was in question until his Carolina return was worked out.

Saints Release S J.T. Gray

September 1st, 2025 at 1:35pm CST by Adam La Rose

J.T. Gray has operated as a core special teams presence throughout his Saint tenure, but his time with the team could be coming to an end. The eighth-year safety is being released, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports. Head coach Kellen Moore has since confirmed the news.

Gray survived roster cuts last week, something which appeared to set him up for another campaign serving as a central figure on special teams in 2025. The former UDFA has played 98 NFL games, all of which have been with the Saints. Barring a practice squad return, though, he will now test the open market.

One year remained on Gray’s contract, and he was owed $3.1MM this season. Today’s move will generate $2.6MM in cap savings since that was his scheduled base salary. The 29-year-old has already been paid a roster bonus in March, and that will contribute to the $980K in dead money charges incurred by this release.

During his New Orleans tenure, Gray has totaled only 153 snaps on defense. His impact in the third phase has been substantial, however; Gray has amassed 2,065 snaps on special teams, logging a workload of 83% or higher in three of the past four seasons. In 2021, the Mississippi State product received a Pro Bowl invitation along with a first-team All-Pro nod for his special teams work. Gray has also landed on the second All-Pro team twice, including last year.

Moore deemed (via team reporter Erin Summers) the decision to cut Gray the most challenging to date of his tenure. That suggests a return by means of the taxi squad is not immediately forthcoming. With plenty of roster moves still likely to be made before Week 1, however, it will be interesting to see if the team attempts to keep him in the fold at some point.

For now, the Saints will move forward with a safety room which lost Tyrann Mathieu to retirement this offseason. Free agent signing Justin Reid will be counted on to help replace him, while later addition Julian Blackmon and third-round rookie Jonas Sanker will be tasked with contributing defensively as well. New Orleans’ depth in the secondary will be thinner based on the Gray release, and special teams could suffer a notable loss with him no longer in the fold.

Cowboys Extend CB DaRon Bland

September 1st, 2025 at 12:52pm CST by Rory Parks

SEPTEMBER 1: Bland’s extension is worth a maximum (rather than a base value) of $92MM, as detailed by ESPN’s Todd Archer. A $22MM signing bonus is present, and Bland’s base salaries in 2025 and ’26 are locked in at signing. His $12MM salary for 2027 is guaranteed for injury and vests in March of that year. The same structure is in place for annual $1MM roster bonuses.

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports the deal includes a $19MM option bonus in 2028. Annual escalators worth up to $500K each are in place based on individual and team performances (with five and seven interceptions marking the thresholds and full pay being tied to whether or not the team reaches the playoffs the previous season). Salary de-escalators are also present instead of workout bonuses. In all, the four-year pact is worth $90MM in base value with $36.35MM fully guaranteed and another $13MM set to lock in midway through the deal.

AUGUST 31: The Cowboys have agreed to a four-year extension with cornerback DaRon Bland, as FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer was first to report. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com adds the deal is worth $92MM and includes $50MM in guaranteed money. The Cowboys have since announced the extension.

We heard back in April that Dallas was eyeing long-term deals for Bland, tight end Jake Ferguson, left guard Tyler Smith, and kicker Brandon Aubrey. Now, a little over month after extending Ferguson, Bland is on the books for the foreseeable future.

Of course, the situation involving former Cowboys edge defender Micah Parsons has been one of the NFL’s key storylines this offseason. Parsons, a premier, in-his-prime talent, was not originally viewed as a realistic trade candidate, but the relationship between player and team deteriorated in a very public way, and Dallas recently dealt the four-time Pro Bowler to the Packers for two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark. While the trade and the circumstances that gave rise to it have earned owner Jerry Jones a great deal of criticism, it did free up some funds to be allocated elsewhere.

Indeed, as Joseph Hoyt of the Dallas Morning News writes, team sources said in the wake of the Parsons trade that the Cowboys would be active on the extension front. As such, it would not be surprising to see Smith and/or Aubrey get a new contract in short order.

A report at the end of July suggested Dallas and Bland were engaged in contract talks, and those conversations progressed to the point that Bland was hoping to put pen to paper before Week 1. He has gotten his wish, and in so doing he has landed just outside the top-five earners at the cornerback position in terms of average annual value. His new-money average of $23MM/year is just behind the likes of Patrick Surtain ($24MM), Jalen Ramsey ($24.1MM), and Jaycee Horn ($25MM).

Bland followed Trevon Diggs to the first-team All-Pro level in 2023, returning an NFL-record five interceptions for touchdowns. The fifth-round find became a vital piece in Dallas’ defense that season, shifting to an outside CB role in the wake of Diggs’ September ACL tear. Bland, who intercepted an NFL-most nine passes that season, now joins Diggs as a high-priced corner on the Cowboys’ defense. Pro Football Focus ranked Bland second among qualified corners in 2023 and 33rd during his seven-game 2024.

Entering his age-26 season, Bland also saw his extension leverage strengthened by Diggs’ injury trouble. The Cowboys paid Diggs (via a five-year, $97MM extension) before the 2023 season but have not seen the 2021 first-team All-Pro live up to the deal. The knee trouble Diggs ran into in 2023 resurfaced last year, and he missed the team’s offseason program and training camp due to the rehab effort. Diggs is off Dallas’ PUP list but is a question mark going into the season.

Bland is no stranger to injury trouble himself, having suffered a foot fracture during training camp last year. That kept him out 10 games, as the Cowboys activated him in late October but did not use him in a game until their Thanksgiving tilt. This extension certainly reveals confidence Bland can anchor Dallas’ CB corps moving forward. The team can release Diggs for just less than $6MM in dead money in 2026.

With third-round rookie Shavon Revel on the team’s reserve/NFI list after an ACL tear sustained during his final East Carolina season, Bland will be a crucial piece to Matt Eberflus‘ defense — especially considering one of the NFL’s lead pass-rushing pieces is now in Wisconsin. The Cowboys have question marks at their other CB posts for the time being, with trade acquisition Kaiir Elam — a former first-rounder the Bills never trusted as a regular starter — set to play a key role while Diggs and Revel recover.

Bland’s usage will be interesting to track this year as well. After playing a near-full-time slot role as a rookie, he has largely been a boundary defender. This offseason, however, the Cowboys had Bland working in the slot regularly. A setup where he plays inside on passing downs, alongside Diggs and Elam/Revel, would make sense for the Cowboys. This contract also checks in well north of where the 49ers went for their multipurpose CB (Deommodore Lenoir) last year and miles ahead of the slot-only market.

Sam Robinson contributed to this post.

Texans S Jimmie Ward’s Case To Proceed To Grand Jury

September 1st, 2025 at 12:04pm CST by Adam La Rose

Jimmie Ward will be unavailable for at least the first four weeks of the campaign, but it remains to be seen when he will be available to the Texans even when healthy.

Last week, Ward was placed on the commissioner’s exempt list pending the outcome of his legal case. The 34-year-old was arrested in June on an assault family violence charge, which is a third-degree felony. An arrest also took place in August after Ward violated the conditions of his bail by consuming alcohol. The matter of the family violence charge is now set to be presented to a grand jury.

“We are prepared to present a strong packet to the grand jury to show that Jimmie should not be indicted,” Ward’s attorney Steve Jackson said in a pair of statements to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. “We believe we have strong information and facts to assist the grand jury to no-bill Mr. Ward.”

Jackson’s submission is due tomorrow, and it is currently scheduled to be presented to the grand jury later this week. The outcome of that process will determine if the criminal case proceeds or if Ward is no-billed and charges are therefore dropped. Regardless of how that plays out, Ward will also have a civil suit stemming from the alleged incident to attend to.

The commissioner’s exempt list is generally reserved for domestic violence cases, so it comes as little surprise Ward finds himself on it for the time being. The 11-year veteran is prohibited from practicing or playing while on the list, although he was slated to begin the year with a reserve/PUP designation anyway. Ward will thus be sidelined during September while recovering from offseason foot surgery.

The longtime 49ers defensive back has one year remaining on his contract and he is owed $3.25MM in 2025. It remains to be seen when Ward will be eligible to return to the Texans’ active roster (if at all), but clarity on his criminal case emerge shortly.

Dolphins OLBs Coach Ryan Crow Arrested On Domestic Battery Charge

September 1st, 2025 at 11:12am CST by Adam La Rose

SEPTEMBER 1: Crow has been placed on indefinite administrative leave while his case plays out, head coach Mike McDaniel said on Monday (via Wolfe). Senior defensive assistant Sean Ryan will take on the responsibilities of outside linebackers coach in his absence.

AUGUST 29: Dolphins outside linebackers coach Ryan Crow was arrested this early this morning on a domestic battery charge, as noted by NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe.

The arrest by Fort Lauderdale police has led to a stay in Broward County, FL.’s main jail without bond, ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques adds. An on-scene investigation by police shortly after midnight led to the arrest on a misdemeanor battery charge. According to Louis-Jacques, the alleged victim was not seriously injured and declined attention.

“We are aware of the serious matter involving Ryan Crow and currently gathering more information,” a Dolphins statement reads. “Ryan has been placed on administrative leave effective immediately. We have been in communication with the NFL and will reserve further comment at this time.”

Crow began his pro coaching career in 2018 with the Titans. He served as a defensive assistant for two years in Tennessee before a single season as a special teams assistant. From 2021-23, he worked as the Titans’ outside linebackers coach. The 37-year-old joined Miami’s staff last offseason in the same role.

The likes of Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips and Chop Robinson are set to handle key roles along the edge in 2025. The Dolphins may enter the campaign shorthanded on the sidelines based on the outcome of this case, however. Miami does not have a designated assistant outside linebackers coach, so it is unclear who would take over from Crow in the event he were to miss game time as a result of this alleged incident.

Steelers Extend RB Jaylen Warren

September 1st, 2025 at 10:00am CST by Adam La Rose

Retained on an RFA tender this spring, Jaylen Warren has received a new commitment from the Steelers. The fourth-year running back received an extension on Monday, per an announcement from his agency.

This new pact is two years in length, Warren’s agency announced. As a result, he is now under contract through 2027. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network notes the contract will pay out over $7MM this season and includes $12MM guaranteed. Colleague Mike Garafolo adds the total compensation owed across the next three years is nearly $17.5MM. A $5.95MM signing bonus is present in the pact, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

The coming campaign will represent the first year Warren, 26, operates as Pittsburgh’s lead back after Najee Harris departed in free agency. Before the start of the season, the Steelers have made a notable investment. How he fares in an increased role will be critical to the team’s new-look offense.

Warren received the second-round RFA tender just before the start of free agency in a move which prevented him from testing the market. The tender is valued at $5.35MM, a notable step up from his previous earnings in the NFL. The details available so far on this pact demonstrate it is a strong sign Warren will be counted on as Pittsburgh’s RB1 beyond 2025.

The former UDFA flashed potential during his rookie season by averaging 4.9 yards per carry. Warren received 149 carries the following season and averaged 5.1 yards per attempt (a stark contrast to Harris’ efficiency). Pittsburgh declined Harris’ fifth-year option last offseason, an indication 2024 would be his final year with the team. That proved to be the case, with the former first-rounder joining the Chargers in March and the Steelers electing to move forward with Warren atop the depth chart. The Oklahoma State product has never handled a snap share higher than 49% to date, but that is likely to change this year.

Pittsburgh added Kenneth Gainwell in free agency before selecting Kaleb Johnson in the third round of the draft. Those two will handle complementary roles in 2025, with Gainwell being added on a one-year deal. Johnson could take on a larger workload over the course of his rookie contract, but today’s news means Warren will remain in place for most of that time. It will be interesting to see how the backfield workload gets split up over the coming months.

Warren’s ability as a receiver allowed him to amass 1,154 scrimmage yards in 2023. His production took a step back last year, a season in which he missed two games. After scoring just one touchdowns as a rookie and again in 2024, improvement in that capacity will be a target for team and player. Plenty of time remains for Warren to find the end zone with increased regularity though, as he will continue in the team’s offensive plans for the foreseeable future.

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