Panthers To Sign RB AJ Dillon
AJ Dillon‘s journey around the NFC will continue with a trip south. The former Packers mainstay is heading to Carolina, NFL insider Jordan Schultz tweets.
The Panthers are adding Dillon on a one-year deal, giving the former second-round pick a chance to play a seventh NFL season. Dillon spent last year as an Eagles Saquon Barkley backup option but has not seen extensive work since the 2023 season — his last as the Packers’ Aaron Jones complementary piece.
Although Dillon re-signed at a low rate to stay with the Packers in 2024, an IR placement without a return designation that August sidelined him for the season. Dillon, 28 in May, totaled only 12 carries for 60 yards last season. On one hand, the bruising back should be fresh after 12 carries in two years; on the other, he has been relatively off the radar for a while.
Carolina lost Rico Dowdle in free agency; the 2025 1,000-yard rusher joined the Steelers on a two-year, $12.25MM deal. The team demoted Chuba Hubbard to give Dowdle more work last season, but the homegrown talent is still signed through 2028 on his $8.3MM-per-year deal. The Panthers also have 2024 second-round pick Jonathon Brooks, but he has suffered two ACL tears since 2023 and missed all of last season. Trevor Etienne, a 2025 fourth-rounder, should factor in more prominently post-Dowdle.
Best remembered as a key between-the-tackles/short-yardage presence (and tormentor of Jones fantasy GMs), Dillon totaled 2,246 rushing yards from 2021-23. He averaged 4.3 and 4.1 yards per carry in 2021 and ’22, respectively, serving as a key presence for the Packers’ first post-Davante Adams offense in the latter season. In 2023, however, Dillon slogged to just a 3.4-yard average.
The Boston College product played for just $1.34MM in Philadelphia last year and collected $2.74MM on Green Bay’s IR two years ago. This deal likely will not ensure Dillon makes the Panthers’ 53-man roster, but the team does have some veteran insurance behind Hubbard. Dillon’s roster spot could be contingent on where Brooks’ recovery ends up, but at the very least, the power back is an experienced player on a team lacking much of that in its backfield beyond Hubbard.
49ers Not Expected To Re-Sign WR Jauan Jennings
Wide receiver Jauan Jennings was expected to draw multiple suitors in free agency after his first two seasons as a starting wideout for the 49ers.
San Francisco engaged in contract talks with Jennings after the season, but the two sides could not agree on terms before he hit the open market.
Surprisingly, the five-year veteran has received little interest since free agency began, despite racking up 1,618 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns on 132 catches in the last two years. He has also filled multiple roles in one of the most popular offensive schemes in the league – including time cutting his teeth as a run-blocker – and has relationships with the 49ers’ former coaches who have now taken head coach or coordinator jobs with other teams.
But if Jennings is aiming for a starting-level receiver money around $15MM per year, he may need to recalibrate his expectations for his new contract.
Re-upping in San Francisco may no longer be an option, either, per The Athletic’s Vic Tafur. The sight of Mike Evans in a 49ers uniform will take some getting used do, but he more than replaces Jennings’ physical presence and production in the receiver room. His three-year, $42.5MM deal ate up a significant portion of the team’s offseason budget, making it difficult for them to offer Jennings a competitive salary now.
Perhaps the 49ers’ impending split with Brandon Aiyuk will open a path for Jennings to remain with the club that drafted him in 2020. His familiarity with Shanahan’s scheme and ability to operate out wide or from the slot makes him an easy plug-and-play option if the team does not fill out their wide receiver depth in the coming months.
Vikings Blocked Giants From Josh McCown Hire
Josh McCown is heading into his third season as Vikings quarterbacks coach. In addition to continuing the J.J. McCarthy developmental process, McCown will be coaching Kyler Murray in 2026.
Kevin O’Connell has lost Grant Udinski and Brian Angelichio from his offensive staff — to AFC OC gigs — over the past two offseasons, and NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo indicated (h/t The Athletic’s Dan Duggan) the Giants interviewed McCown for their OC post. While that could be something to keep in mind in the event Matt Nagy can move up the ladder in 2027, the Giants did not stop there with McCown.
John Harbaugh‘s team attempted to hire McCown as pass-game coordinator, making the former quarterback an offer. The Vikings, per Garafolo, blocked that move. Teams are allowed to block lateral moves involving contracted assistants; McCown also serves as Vikes pass-game coordinator.
No other team met with McCown about an OC position this offseason. Considering McCarthy’s issues last year, it is somewhat understandable teams were not eager to poach his position coach for a potential play-calling role. Then again, McCown was Sam Darnold‘s position coach during his breakthrough 2024 Pro Bowl campaign. McCown has yet to interview for an OC job since taking the Vikings position, but he did meet with the Jets about their HC post last year.
We heard in early January the Giants had McCown on their radar, though they eventually hired Nagy to call plays under Harbaugh. McCown’s career included no Ravens stops, though both he and GM Joe Schoen were with the Dolphins in 2008.
The Giants hired Brian Callahan for their QBs coach/PGC role. This McCown update points to the ex-Titans HC being at least New York’s second choice. Callahan did receive OC consideration this offseason, interviewing for the Buccaneers and Chargers’ play-calling positions. He will instead work as a top Nagy lieutenant. Should Nagy be a one-and-done, however, Callahan could find himself competing with McCown for Big Blue’s play-calling post in 2027.
McCown, 46, has been on NFL staffs since 2023. The Texans, however, interviewed him for their HC job in 2021 and ’22. The Panthers fired McCown after one season on Frank Reich‘s staff, but he found a quick landing spot under O’Connell. The former 19-year NFL vet will work as a key staffer under O’Connell and OC Wes Phillips once again.
NFC Contract Details: McDuffie, Eagles, Oweh, Lloyd, Etienne, Giants, Packers, 49ers, Bucs
Here are the latest details from contracts agreed to around the NFC:
- Trent McDuffie, CB (Rams). Four years, $124MM. Although McDuffie secured $100MM guaranteed, $50MM is locked in at signing. But a rolling guarantee structure is in place. If on the Rams’ roster by Day 5 of the 2027 league year, McDuffie will see his 2028 base salary ($26.32MM) shift to a full guarantee, according to OverTheCap. On Day 5 of the 2028 league year, the All-Pro cornerback will see $23MM of his $29.82MM 2029 base salary become guaranteed. A $5MM roster bonus is due on Day 5 of the 2029 league year.
- Odafe Oweh, DE (Commanders). Four years, $96MM. Oweh will receive $50.6MM guaranteed at signing, SI.com’s Albert Breer tweets. An additional $17.4MM is guaranteed for injury. A $1MM roster bonus is due by April 1, 2029, according to Spotrac.
- Jordan Davis, DT (Eagles). Three years, $78MM. Of Davis’ reported $65MM guarantee, OverTheCap indicates $38.94MM is the at-signing number. If Davis is on the Eagles’ roster by Day 3 of the 2027 league year, his 2028 salary and a $24.2MM option bonus become guaranteed.
- Laremy Tunsil, LT (Commanders). Two years, $60.2MM. Tunsil secured $52.66MM guaranteed at signing on his third career extension, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets. The Pro Bowl left tackle’s 2026 and ’27 compensation is fully guaranteed. An additional $8.85MM in 2028 compensation is guaranteed for injury.
- Travis Etienne, RB (Saints). Four years, $47MM. Etienne landed $24MM fully guaranteed, ESPN.com’s Katherine Terrell tweets. That is tied for fifth among running backs. The ex-Jaguar secured a $4MM injury guarantee on his $12MM 2028 base salary, Terrell adds.
- Devin Lloyd, LB (Panthers). Three years, $42MM. The initial reports of $45MM covered the deal’s max value, though the reported $25MM guarantee is a full guarantee (per Wilson). This includes an $8.54MM guarantee of Lloyd’s $11.25MM 2027 base salary.
- Isaiah Likely, TE (Giants). Three years, $40MM. Likely landed $20.5MM guaranteed, The Athletic’s Dan Duggan tweets. If the Giants move on after 2027, they would save $12MM.
- Chig Okonkwo, TE (Commanders). Three years, $27MM. The ex-Titan pass catcher scored $17.6MM fully guaranteed, Wilson tweets. The guarantee covers Okonkwo’s 2026 and ’27 compensation.
- Leo Chenal, LB (Commanders). Three years, $24.75MM. Chenal secured $12.4MM guaranteed, ESPN.com’s John Keim tweets.
- Javon Hargrave, DT (Packers). Two years, $23MM. Green Bay is giving Hargrave $10.5MM guaranteed at signing. ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky confirms, per usual with the Packers, the only guarantee comes via a signing bonus. A $3MM roster bonus is due next March.
- Alex Anzalone, LB (Buccaneers). Two years, $17MM. Anzalone’s contract includes $12MM guaranteed at signing, Wilson tweets.
- Eddy Pineiro, K (49ers). Four years, $17MM. The deal includes $8MM guaranteed at signing, with ESPN.com’s Nick Wagoner indicating $10MM is guaranteed in total. Pineiro’s first two years are fully guaranteed; his 2028 base salary ($1.7MM) becomes guaranteed on April 1, 2027, Wagoner adds.
- Tyler Higbee, TE (Rams). Two years, $6MM. The initial $8MM number represents the deal’s max value, with Wilson adding $3.4MM of Higbee’s fourth contract is guaranteed.
Falcons To Sign DB Darnay Holmes
Veteran defensive back Darnay Holmes will leave Las Vegas after two seasons. The former Giants regular is signing with the Falcons, NFL insider Jordan Schultz tweets. It is a one-year deal.
Working as a role player with the Raiders, Holmes will join Jeff Ulbrich‘s defense as a potential AJ Terrell complementary piece. Contributing mostly as a slot cornerback, Holmes is a six-year NFL veteran with 12 starts on his resume.
The Falcons have an emerging slot presence in second-year cog Billy Bowman, but he is coming off an Achilles tear sustained in late November. That could affect the Oklahoma product’s availability for Week 1. At the very least, Bowman will miss offseason time and potentially begin training camp on the active/PUP list.
Holmes, 27, did not initially join the Raiders until being waived by the Giants in August 2024. He logged 28% and 21% snap shares on defense during his two Vegas seasons. The Raiders’ previous two coaching staffs used Holmes mostly in the slot. The Giants, who gave Holmes a 59% snap share (featuring a career-high 468 slot snaps) during their 2022 playoff season, concurred with that plan.
Atlanta has Mike Hughes and Clark Phillips as tentative options alongside Terrell, though the team’s new regime should be expected to make another notable addition on the perimeter this offseason. Holmes is set to be a slot option while Bowman recovers.
In other Falcons contract news, the team will have its next kicker — Nick Folk — tied to a two-year, $9MM deal, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets. Of that total, $4MM is guaranteed. No guaranteed money is in place beyond 2026, giving Atlanta an easier out after Folk’s 42nd birthday. Linebacker Christian Harris will be tied to a one-year, $2.75MM base value on his Atlanta contract, Wilson adds. Of that total, $1.99MM is fully guaranteed.
Linebacker Troy Andersen‘s recent rework will come out to a one-year, $1.22MM deal (via Wilson). The parties reached this agreement after the 2022 second-round pick spent last season on Atlanta’s reserve/PUP list. Edge rusher Cameron Thomas is joining the Falcons on a one-year, $3.1MM pact, Wilson tweets, indicating $1.5MM is fully guaranteed. Defensive tackle LaCale London agreed to join the team on a one-year, $2.75MM accord that includes, per Wilson, $750K guaranteed in the form of a signing bonus.
Dolphins Not Making RB De’Von Achane Available In Trades
A February report indicated neither Jaylen Waddle nor De’Von Achane were available, deeming both core players in Miami. The Dolphins have since moved Waddle, sending the 1,000-yard wide receiver to the Broncos for a package headlined by a first-round pick. Teams are naturally wondering if the rebuilding team’s stance has changed on Achane.
As of mid-March, it has not. The Dolphins are informing interested teams the fourth-year running back is not available, ESPN’s Adam Schefter notes. One season remains on Achane’s rookie contract, and after the team stripped Malik Willis of his top pass catcher, the new QB will be expected to have the speedy running back complementing him.
Achane, 24, is due a $5.68MM base salary in the final year of a third-round rookie deal. The staffers that brought the Texas A&M alum to Miami — Chris Grier, Mike McDaniel — are gone, and the Dolphins have separated from their Waddle-Tua Tagovailoa–Tyreek Hill troika this offseason. The team also cut Bradley Chubb and traded Minkah Fitzpatrick for a second time.
With a second rebuild in seven years in the works, Miami probably will not slam the door on dealing Achane — a valuable piece due to his age and sprinter speed — but it would seemingly take a strong return for a player profiling as an extension candidate.
Before the Dolphins brought in Jeff Hafley and Jon-Eric Sullivan, Achane made it known he was seeking an offseason extension. This year could see pivotal updates on the running back market, with Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs now extension-eligible. Both the Falcons and Lions can buy more time — if they choose to — by exercising the former first-rounders’ fifth-year options, pushing their rookie contracts through 2027. The Dolphins have no such luxury, with Achane a former third-round pick.
Even with a new Miami regime in town, the team needs to pay someone to play alongside Willis. Placeholder options (Tutu Atwell, Jalen Tolbert) are positioned at receiver, with the injury-prone Greg Dulcich at tight end. Achane represents the Dolphins’ clear centerpiece on offense.
When asked about extensions at the Combine, Sullivan targeted summer talks with Achane and select others. Considering the players the Dolphins have dealt, not many extension candidates are on this roster. After finishing the 2024 season with 1,499 scrimmage yards and 12 touchdowns, Achane followed it up with a 1,838-yard, 12-TD 2025. While the latter effort was obscured by Tagovailoa’s descent and steady rumors of staff upheaval, the Dolphins will hope to rely on him — potentially after a big-ticket payday — as Hafley’s HC tenure starts.
Titans Restructure Calvin Ridley’s Deal
MARCH 18: Ridley will be tied to a two-year, $35.25MM deal, according to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. Of that total, $12.49MM is guaranteed, per OverTheCap. The former cut candidate, who thus far has been part of Ran Carthon‘s round of 2024 misses on splashy veterans, has managed to stick around. He will be set to complement Robinson in Brian Daboll‘s offense. Ridley will be attached to a $15.2MM cap figure this year and $29.75MM number in 2027.
MARCH 14: When the Titans’ offseason began in early January, it looked like a question of when – not if – they would release wide receiver Calvin Ridley. That is no longer the case. After agreeing to restructure his contract, Ridley will remain in Tennessee next season, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
The 31-year-old Ridley was due a $2MM roster bonus by 3 p.m. CT on Saturday, per Pelissero. The sides were able to work something out before the deadline. Ridley will stick around a Tennessee receiving corps that will also include the newly acquired Wan’Dale Robinson, one of several big-ticket free agent pickups for the club. The Titans added the ex-Giants slot target on a four-year, $70MM pact this week.
Ridley, a former Falcon and Jaguar, joined the Titans on a four-year, $92MM agreement with $50MM in guarantees in March 2024. Although Ridley missed all of 2022 as a result of a gambling suspension, he earned his massive contract after a 76-catch, 1,016-yard, eight-touchdown rebound in 2023.
Ridley was productive again in his first season with the Titans. On a team that did not have any other 500-yard receivers, Ridley finished with 1,017 on 64 grabs. He also added four scores. Tennessee likely expected a similar performance from Ridley last season, but he did not provide much help for rookie quarterback Cam Ward. Ridley caught just 17 of 36 targets for 303 yards and no TDs over seven games. His season ended when he broke his fibula in a Week 11 loss to the Texans.
Ridley worked with two different play callers, former head coach Brian Callahan and ex-QBs coach Bo Hardegree, in 2025. The Titans are now led by new head coach Robert Saleh, who hired the established Brian Daboll as his offensive coordinator. Daboll will attempt to guide Ridley to a bounce-back campaign next season.
Raiders’ Maxx Crosby Addresses Collapsed Ravens Trade
Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby addressed the Ravens’ decision to back out of their trade for him on a recent episode of his podcast, The Rush, offering a detailed timeline of his brief trip to Baltimore.
Chatter regarding a potential Crosby trade gained steam in early March, but despite that, Crosby was still chocked when the Raiders and the Ravens agreed to a deal. He traveled to Baltimore on Monday and arrived at the team facility on Tuesday morning to meet staff and complete his physical.
The Ravens did their own scans to document and evaluate Crosby’s extensive injury history, and he did not meet head coach Jesse Minter or general manager Eric DeCosta until the end of the day. They informed him that there were concerns about long-term health of his knee and the team was seeking additional opinions but still wanted to acquire him.
Crosby was initially concerned that doctors had discovered a new issue with his knee, which was operated on in January to address a torn left meniscus. Crosy’s own surgeon, Neal ElAttrache, reassured him that he was ahead of schedule in his rehab, but his agent, CJ LaBoy, warned him the Ravens may back out of the trade.
Crosby also said that someone from the Ravens reassured him that the deal would go through, but shortly after, LaBoy informed him that would not be the case. Then, for the second time in five days, Crosby was the biggest story of the NFL with his name and face splashed across television and social media.
The five-time Pro Bowler was obviously unhappy with the back-and-forth, but is intent on moving forward with a retooled Raiders roster that will now have him back in the fold. He made no mention of the Ravens’ apparent intention to pair both him and Trey Hendrickson.
“No one will ever admit what the real truth is,” Crosby said. “Ultimately, it doesn’t matter. I am where I’m supposed to be.”
NFLPA Names JC Tretter Executive Director
11:21pm: Tretter has been elected the new executive director, the NFLPA announced.
In a lengthy statement, Tretter said: “There are times in your life when you know that you are exactly where you’re supposed to be. That’s where I am today. I’m grateful for the trust my fellow players have placed in me, and I’m going to reward that trust with my fullest commitment to these players and chart a new course for our union. My sole goal is to build up the strength of the NFLPA.
“I understand the responsibility that comes with this role and how important it is to stand shoulder‑to‑shoulder with player leadership. This union has always played a critical role in shaping the game, and that work is as important now as it’s ever been. The NFLPA needs leadership that listens, leads with integrity, and puts players first every day. That’s exactly how I plan to lead.”
12:03pm: NFLPA representatives have assembled in San Diego. A vote on the union’s new executive director is set to take place today, something which should be a notable development on a number of fronts. 
[RELATED: Jalen Reeves-Maybin Re-Elected As NFLPA President]
Since last month, the trio of finalists for the position have been known. Interim leader David White has been in place since Lloyd Howell‘s controversy-filled tenure ended with his resignation. Former president and chief strategy officer J.C. Tretter also left the NFLPA last summer, but he is back in contention to lead the union. American Conference commissioner Tim Pernetti is the other finalist.
With the vote pending, however, it appears as though this is a two-man race. CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones reports Tretter and White are considered the favorites. Tretter oversaw the NFLPA’s last executive director search, one which saw Howell elected over White. That decision ran against the preference of the union’s executive committee, a group which will have several new faces in place for today’s vote. A veteran of eight NFL seasons, Tretter clashed with many in the NFLPA before following Howell’s resignation with one of his own. Nevertheless, Kayln Kahler and Don Van Natta Jr. of ESPN confirm Tretter is a strong candidate.
White had lengthy labor experience prior to his NFLPA arrival, including a stint as the leader of the SAG-AFTRA union from 2009-21. His background is not in football, however, making him a much different candidate than Tretter. White has publicly spoken out about issues related to schedule expansion, international games and playing surfaces during his interim gig.
The NFLPA constitution requires its executive committee to select between two and four finalists during an executive director search. That has taken place in this case, but Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports some of the player reps would prefer an “expanded pool” of candidates to choose from. Both Tretter and White’s respective tenures have been the subject of criticism on various fronts, and the NFLPA in general has been weighed down by a lack of transparency regarding many of its recent actions. As Florio notes, one outcome of the vote could be White’s interim stint simply being extended to allow for more candidates to be identified and vetted.
Needless to say, the immediate future will be worth watching on this front. Negotiations on a new CBA have essentially been on hold sine Howell’s resignation, but they will no doubt pick up once his full-time replacement is elected. The stance taken by the union’s next executive director will be a key factor in talks on several issues.
In other NFLPA news, Ben Fischer of the Sports Business Journal reports longtime chief player officer Don Davis has stepped down. White confirmed the news but did cite a reason for Davis’ tenure – which began in 2010 – coming to an end at this time. Davis will be “exploring new opportunities” moving forward.
Kirk Cousins Weighing All Options In Free Agency
After attempting to force his way into free agency last offseason, Kirk Cousins finally got his wish last week. However, the veteran remains available after the first wave of signings and is still considering all of his options, per Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.
One of the best landing spots would have been Kansas City. The Chiefs needed a starter until Patrick Mahomes completes his recovery from last December’s ACL tear, so Cousins could have had guaranteed playing time on a contending team to start the year. A successful season under Andy Reid certainly would have boosted his stock into 2027.
The Chiefs, however, traded for Justin Fields to bridge the gap until Mahomes’ return. The Falcons similarly signed Tua Tagovailoa to battle Michael Penix Jr. for a starting job, and the Colts have Anthony Richardson and Riley Leonard behind Daniel Jones in the event he cannot recover from his Achilles tear by Week 1. No other team has an injured starter, though Cousins’ history with Sean McVay in Washington could make him a natural fit as Matt Stafford‘s backup in Los Angeles, especially with Gardner Minshew following Mike LaFleur to Arizona.
There are two starting jobs available, Breer notes, in Pittsburgh and Las Vegas. Both teams, though, are expected to go with different quarterbacks. The Steelers are poised to reunite Aaron Rodgers with new head coach Mike McCarthy, and Fernando Mendoza has been projected for the Raiders’ No. 1 overall pick since the regular season ended.
Cousins ending up in Pittsburgh would likely only happen if Rodgers retires, and he would probably have to win the job against Will Howard, Mason Rudolph, and potentially a rookie taken in April’s draft.
The Raiders may consider sitting Mendoza in his first year to continue his development, but quarterbacks drafted in the top-five picks typically start right away. The reigning Heisman winner will also turn 23 years old as a rookie and seems ready for the NFL after leading Indiana to a national championship. However, new head coach Klint Kubiak was the Vikings’ quarterbacks coach (2019-2020) and offensive coordinator (2021) for one of the best stretches of Cousins’ career and could see him as a valuable mentor and placeholder for Mendoza as he gets his pro footing.
Cousins could also wait, Breer adds. Other teams could have interest in Cousins if their quarterback situations were to suddenly change with an injury. This would remind of last year, when Cousins preferred to see how every team’s QB depth chart looked post-draft. But no trade commenced then. With the Falcons having cut the cord following an organizational overhaul, Cousins should have a lower-stakes free agency decision to make at some point this offseason.