Giants Audition DT Eddie Goldman
Following the Dexter Lawrence trade, the Giants added two 30-something defensive linemen by bringing in Shelby Harris and D.J. Reader. That upped the team’s count of D-linemen north of 30 to three, as Roy Robertson-Harris has one season remaining on his two-year contract.
But Robertson-Harris went down with an Achilles tear last week. The Giants are back in the DT market, and another veteran option is on the radar. Eddie Goldman worked out for the team today, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets. Goldman, who missed the 2022 and ’23 seasons after retiring, spent last year with the Commanders.
Goldman is now 32, and he went through an early-2020s stretch that featured three full-season absences (the ex-Bears DT opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns). But the veteran nose tackle resurfaced with the Falcons in 2024, playing 17 games. The Commanders signed him last year, and he started in six contests.
A mainstay for the Bears in the 2010s, Goldman landed an extension with Chicago in 2018. After joining the Falcons in free agency in 2022, he retired. Atlanta gave Goldman an opportunity to return in 2023, but he landed on the team’s reserve/left squad list months later and missed all of that season as well. The Falcons gave Goldman a third chance in 2024, and he stuck with a return that year. After spending the 2024 season as a Falcons backup, Goldman joined the Commanders on a one-year deal worth $1.26MM.
The Giants have not placed Robertson-Harris on IR yet, and The Athletic’s Dan Duggan notes Reader and Shelby Harris were not present at last week’s OTA workout open to the media. The team will be counting on Reader and Harris post-Lawrence, with 2025 third-round pick Darius Alexander also present as part of this quantity-based D-line staffing effort. The Giants also signed Leki Fotu, Sam Roberts and claimed Zacch Pickens as part of an offseason overhaul. The Bengals sent the Giants the No. 10 overall pick for Lawrence, and that move gave the Giants O-lineman Francis Mauigoa. Big Blue did not address its D-line in the draft until Round 6 (Bobby Jamison-Travis), helping lead to the Reader and Harris additions.
Operating more as a run stuffer than interior pass rusher during his career, Goldman tallied four tackles for loss last season. In 321 defensive snaps, Pro Football Focus ranked Goldman 81st among 127 qualified interior D-linemen. Goldman missed four games last season, suffering two concussions.
Considering Goldman’s past retirement decisions, it is interesting he is on the workout circuit following a concussion-marred campaign. But he is an 89-game starter who held a key role on a No. 1-ranked defense (Chicago’s 2018 edition). The Giants are determining what the Florida State alum has left, and they certainly have not shied away from aging DT help this offseason.
WR Tyreek Hill Uncertain To Be Ready By Week 1
The free agency lot of receivers brings considerable accomplishments. DeAndre Hopkins is a three-time first-team All-Pro, while Stefon Diggs is a four-time Pro Bowler with seven 1,000-yard seasons. Keenan Allen is the leading receiver in Chargers history, sporting six Pro Bowl invites, while Deebo Samuel — a 2021 first-team All-Pro — has been one of the most versatile players at his position in modern NFL history.
While Samuel is the youngest player here (at 30), Tyreek Hill has the best resume. The former Chiefs standout is an eight-time Pro Bowler with two 1,700-yard seasons under his belt. The off-field baggage Hill has accumulated is well documented, but the all-time speed merchant has put together a Hall of Fame-level career through 10 seasons. But the Dolphins released him in February, leaving the 32-year-old target’s future uncertain.
Hill’s market may be on hold because of multiple factors — his severe knee injury last September and another NFL investigation into alleged domestic violence — but he wants to play an 11th season. But Hill’s return timetable does not appear to align with a Week 1 return, with ESPN’s Adam Schefter indicating during a Pat McAfee Show appearance it may take until around midseason for the veteran pass catcher to be ready to go.
In Week 4 of last season, Hill tore multiple knee ligaments — including his ACL — and suffered a knee dislocation. That injury ending his career surfaced as a possibility, though the accomplished wideout has since expressed motivation to return. Teams figure to be monitoring this market, but it is also likely this particular free agent will not be coveted by every team in need of receiving help.
Hill entered the league with a domestic violence arrest, leading to a drop to the fifth round, and the NFL investigated him for a separate alleged act in 2019. No suspension took place then, but a different woman — ex-wife Keeta Vaccaro — has since accused Hill of eight separate domestic violence acts. The NFL is investigating Vaccaro’s claims, which could produce a suspension.
Hill’s first NFL team, the Chiefs, have shown a high tolerance threshold toward off-field trouble, but the team is already dealing with a repeat offender on this front in Rashee Rice. The Chiefs are believed to be looking for receiver help, with Schefter mentioning them as a team “maybe” looking to add at the position. No real Chiefs-Hill reunion buzz has surfaced since his Dolphins release, and while he would make sense from a scheme perspective, the Chiefs — who have been connected to Diggs — may be better suited going with a safer bet compared to a player carrying a suspension risk who also might not be ready for Week 1.
It will also be worth wondering if Hill’s prime came to an abrupt end last September. He is sure to generate interest upon recovery, but there will be an uncertainty about how much is left in the tank by that point.
Bengals Interested In Retaining DE Myles Murphy Beyond 2026
The Bengals recently declined to exercise Myles Murphy‘s fifth-year option. As a result, the pass rusher is a pending 2027 free agent.
The chance of a departure on the open market will become a talking point, especially if Murphy delivers a strong showing in his fourth Cincinnati season. The Bengals have been communication with him during an offseason marked by several defensive additions. No extension is in place now, but a second Cincinnati pact could still be in store in the future.
De facto general manager Duke Tobin expressed the team’s desire to keep Murphy in place for the long term, as the Clemson product noted when speaking to the media (h/t Laurel Pfahler of the Dayton Daily News). Several big-money investments have been made on defense recently by the Bengals, a team which traded for Dexter Lawrence and added one year to his deal upon arrival. Cincinnati also brought in Boye Mafe in a bid to replace the production lost through Trey Hendrickson‘s departure.
“I knew it was a possibility,” Murphy said when reflecting on finding out his option would be declined. “Duke and everyone upstairs, they’ve been pretty transparent on ‘we spent a lot of money this offseason.’ So, it does make sense. We talk. No hard feelings. We talk about everything, so really, just doing my job right now, getting ready for the upcoming season, trying to be in the best shape I can be, the best teammate I can be.”
Murphy occupied a rotational role during his first two seasons in the league, managing only three sacks across that span. The 24-year-old saw another uptick in playing time in 2025, though. Murphy made 10 starts and posted 5.5 sacks, 17 pressures and six tackles for loss. Joseph Ossai and Cameron Sample also left in free agency, so a heavy workload should be expected for Murphy ahead of his pivotal fourth season.
Picking up Murphy’s option for 2027 would have cost $14.48MM. It came as little surprise when the Bengals opted not to make that commitment based on his production to date. Nevertheless, another step forward in 2025 would set Murphy up for a payday with Cincinnati or another team next spring.
Raiders QB Kirk Cousins Not Certain To Start In Week 1
MAY 26: SportsBoom’s Jason La Canfora reports the Raiders have been impressed with Mendoza early in spring work. Nevertheless, he adds Cousins is viewed as the presumed starter for Week 1. A gradual acclimation process for Mendoza would come as no surprise as long as Cousins is healthy at the start of the campaign.
MAY 23: The general consensus in Las Vegas has been that veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins will open the season as the team’s QB1. According to ESPN’s Ryan McFadden, new head coach Klint Kubiak claims he hasn’t made a decision on a starter yet and “that the answer will reveal itself during training camp.”
When the Raiders utilized their No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, it was with the intention that he would eventually become the organization’s next franchise quarterback. Knowing that it can be harmful to a prospect’s development if they are thrown into NFL competition too soon, the team brought Cousins in as an experienced, veteran option.
While Cousins’ experience and accomplishments provide a decent case for him to start on their own, his familiarity with Kubiak theoretically solidifies his status as the man to beat for the starting job on opening day. Cousins played for the Vikings from 2018-23, and in three of those seasons, he had Kubiak as a quarterbacks coach (2019-20) or offensive coordinator (2021), so the two have worked together before. As the Raiders implement Kubiak’s offense, Cousins’ knowledge can help make the transition smooth, in comparison to the rookie Heisman-winner who will be coming in with a blank slate.
But the season doesn’t start tomorrow, and there’s a lot that can happen between now and Week 1. Players and coaches alike have been very impressed with Mendoza in the early days. Left tackle Kolton Miller called the young passer “wired” and “a sponge, soaking in information and taking notes during team meetings.” Kubiak doubled down on that notion, saying, “Anything you put in front of him, he’s going to attack it. Anything new, he spends extra time on. You can tell he fixes things from one day to the next.”
At the moment, Cousins is the first quarterback on the field, former starter Aidan O’Connell is second, and Mendoza is third, but Kubiak hasn’t provided a timeline for when he’ll name the Week 1 starter, counting instead on the answer revealing itself in training camp. And, while Kubiak has a history with Cousins, he won’t be making the decision alone as Kubiak claims “he wants his players to decide who should be the starter.”
Former Dolphins DT Manny Fernandez Dies At 79
Former Dolphins defensive tackle Manny Fernandez has died, per a team announcement made on Tuesday. He was 79.
Fernandez played a total of eight seasons (1968-75), beginning his career when Miami was in the AFL. At the onset of the post-merger period, the former undrafted free agent was instrumental in the Dolphins’ success. That included key roles leading up to and during the team’s three consecutive Super Bowl appearances early in the 1970s.
A full-time starter for most of his career – which was spent exclusively in Miami – Fernandez enjoyed productive showings in the regular season. He is, however, best remembered for his output during the playoffs and in Miami’s Super Bowls. Fernandez is officially credited with 4.5 career postseason sacks, and his performance in Super Bowl LVII was critical in cementing Miami’s perfect campaign in 1972. To this day, that remains the only undefeated regular and postseason in NFL history.
Miami went on to win the following Super Bowl and further cement the legacy of head coach Don Shula and the core players who led the way to that sustained success. Fernandez was certainly among that group, totaling at least four sacks in each of his first six seasons. His career took place before tackles became an official statistic, but the Utah product served as a key figure against the run in addition to his work as a pass rushing presence.
Every member of the ’72 team was ultimately inducted into the Dolphins’ Ring of Honor. Fernandez’s accolades – which included a top-10 finish in MVP voting in 1970 – made him one of the players honored again on an individual basis, though. That took place in 2014, further highlighting his significance to the Dolphins and to the ‘No-Name’ defense which he played a central role in across the course of his decorated career.
Texans To Sign WR Jha’Quan Jackson
The Texans recently hosted a number of free agent receivers for workouts. That process has now resulted in at least one contract agreement.
Houston has agreed to terms with Jha’Quan Jackson, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reports. Jackson was one of five wideouts who received a look from the Texans, joining River Cracraft, D’Wayne Eskridge, Samori Toure and Demarcus Lacey in that regard. The other free agents will now turn their attention elsewhere unless another Houston signing is being planned.
Jackson was a sixth-round pick of the Titans in 2024. He made 12 appearances as a rookie, seeing sparse usage on offense during that span. The Tulane product handled punt return duties but struggled with fumbles before being replaced in that role. Jackson did not survive roster cuts at the end of training camp last year; he was briefly on the Saints’ practice squad but did not see any game time with New Orleans.
The Texans’ WR depth chart is set to once again be topped by Nico Collins in 2026. Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel are preparing for their second NFL campaigns, while Tank Dell could return to action after being sidelined for all of last season. Xavier Hutchinson and Jared Wayne are also in the fold, so Jackson will face an uphill battle in terms of carving out a roster spot during training camp this summer.
Houston entered Tuesday with roughly $17.7MM in cap space. This Jackson signing will not make a notable impact to that figure, so further roster moves will be feasible ahead of upcoming mandatory practices next month and training camp in the summer.
Eagles Eyeing 2027 First-Rounder For WR A.J. Brown; Rams No Longer Suitors
A.J. Brown will remain a member of the Eagles through at least June 1. A trade after that upcoming date is still expected, although an agreement between Philadelphia and Brown’s long-presumed next team does not appear to be in place.
[RELATED: Chiefs Have Not Pursued Brown]
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network confirms (video link) the Patriots are still considered the likeliest team to swing a trade in this case. Negotiations have taken place throughout the offseason on a swap which would see Brown reunite with head coach Mike Vrabel. To no surprise, though, the matter of the price in a trade is still unresolved.
The Patriots have not previously been willing to part with a first-round pick to acquire Brown. Rapoport notes Philadelphia continues to seek a Day 1 selection in the 2027 draft, one projected to be much stronger than the class from last month’s event. New England’s preference, meanwhile, remains a lower price to finalize the trade. It will be interesting to see the Patriots’ efforts to avoid outbidding themselves ultimately result in an agreement relatively soon.
The Rams have loomed as a strong Brown suitor at times this spring. Rapoport adds Los Angeles was the three-time Pro Bowler’s preferred destination, but he will not be heading there. Despite the fact previous talks between the Eagles and Rams went further than they did with the Patriots, Rapoport confirms Los Angeles is no longer in the running for Brown. Once the Rams elected to retain Davante Adams, the expectation emerged that he would spend a second season with the team as a complement to Puka Nacua.
Both Nacua and Adams are pending 2027 free agents as things stand. That led many to connect Los Angeles to wideout Makai Lemon ahead of the first round of the draft, but the Rams drafted quarterback Ty Simpson 13th overall instead. The Rams’ decision on that front helped allow the Eagles to trade up to No. 20 and draft Lemon, their latest move to bring in a new receiver and help soften the impact of the long-anticipated Brown departure.
The Patriots currently have roughly $35.5MM in cap space. Absorbing the remainder of Brown’s contract – which runs through 2029 – should be feasible as a result. The possibility of trade talks picking up between Philadelphia and New England will make for an intriguing storyline with the window of opportunity for a swap opening soon.
Community Tailgate: Baker Mayfield
Upon arrival in Tampa Bay, Baker Mayfield faced tempered expectations to say the least. The former No. 1 pick faced questions about his ability to handle starting quarterback duties in the NFL, let alone deliver the production he has amassed over the past three seasons.
Mayfield shone while playing on a one-year, $4MM pact in 2023. His strong showing indicated a long-term partnership with Tampa Bay could be feasible, and a lucrative deal was worked out. Team and player finalized a three-year, $100MM contract to avoid another free agent departure in Mayfield’s case.
The Buccaneers made clear their commitment to the ex-Brown, Panther and Ram last summer by locking in much of his 2026 compensation. Mayfield is owed $40MM for the coming season, one in which he is scheduled to carry a cap charge of roughly the same amount. This spring/summer has long been viewed as the time for an agreement to be reached, and multiple expressions of confidence that will take place have been made by the Bucs recently.
Co-owner Joel Glazer spoke in April about Mayfield’s importance and his willingness to authorize another big-money extension. Since then, general manager Jason Licht has confirmed a new Mayfield deal remains high on Tampa Bay’s priority list. It would come as no surprise if a new pact were to be in place by the start of training camp in July as a result. Keeping one starter in place over a lengthy period is not commonplace when it comes to the Buccaneers, though, and questions about the ideal value of a new Mayfield deal will be raised.
After setting a new career high in passing yards during his debut Bucs campaign, Mayfield topped that figure in 2024 while adding a new personal mark in touchdowns (41) and passer rating (106.8). Pro Bowl nods arrived in both cases, elevating expectations for 2025. Mayfield was in the early MVP conversation, but his production waned over time as Tampa Bay struggled through a number of injuries up front at at the skill positions. Defensive letdowns also contributed heavily to the Buccaneers falling outside of the postseason despite playing in an NFC South which produced four teams with a losing record.
A change at the offensive coordinator spot was made during this year’s hiring cycle. Zac Robinson replaced Josh Grizzard in a move which included input from Mayfield himself. After briefly crossing paths with the Rams, Robinson and Mayfield will look to establish a lengthy partnership, something which could provide the OC stability that has eluded Mayfield throughout his career. Either way, attention will turn over the course of the near future to the matter of extension talks.
The top of the quarterback market remains $60MM per year thanks to the deal Dak Prescott inked in 2024. He did so at the age of 31, the same spot Mayfield currently finds himself in. Nine other passers are attached to an average annual value of $51MM or more, a figure which would represent a considerable raise in this case. Earlier this offseason, the Colts gave Daniel Jones nearly $50MM in full guarantees and $88MM total on a two-year pact to keep him in the fold. A short-term Mayfield accord would no doubt carry similar financial terms, whereas a longer commitment would bring with it substantial payments in terms of locked-in money.
Mayfield has managed to play every game since arrival in Tampa Bay, and that durability has added to his value after playing through injuries throughout his career. On the other hand, the Bucs have only managed a record of 27-24 over the past three years; the team has recorded just one postseason victory during that span. Electing to have Mayfield play out his final deal before departing would result in a $30.15MM dead money charge, but it would also pave the way for a replacement being brought in via another low-cost veteran addition or a rookie being selected in the draft.
No long-term successor is in place right now for Tampa Bay. That is of course another indication a big-ticket contract should be expected for Mayfield. Do you agree with that approach from the Buccaneers, or would the team be better suited to begin planning for a transition to a new signal-caller for 2027? Have your say in the comments section below.
No Holdout Expected For Cowboys WR George Pickens
George Pickens is attached to the franchise tag. Plenty of time remains for a long-term deal to be negotiated and take its place, but it has long been clear no talks on that front will be ocurring.
Pickens was among the players absent from the opening of spring workouts earlier this month, as noted by Nick Harris of the Fort-Worth Star Telegram. All team activities during this time is of course voluntary, though, so the Cowboys wideout will not be subject to fines for his absence. That would change in the event Pickens were to skip the mandatory portions of the offseason, something which is not anticipated.
During a recent appearance on SportsCenter (h/t Bleacher Report), ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Pickens is not expected to engage in a holdout during mandatory minicamp next month or training camp this summer. Doing so would lead to the Pro Bowler receiving fines for his absence. Fowler confirmed Pickens’ preference would be to have a long-term deal in place (or at least for the door to be open to negotiating one), which is obviously true of all tagged players. Nevertheless, attendance for the mandatory portion of the offseason would be an encouraging sign.
In recent years, players dissatisfied with their financial situations have opted to engage in a hold-in by being present for mandatory work but not taking part in on-field practices. It will be interesting to see if Pickens considers taking that route. The 25-year-old is on track to collect $27.3MM in 2026 by playing on the franchise tag. That figure represents a substantial raise compared to his rookie contract but falls short of what a number of the league’s highest-paid wideouts average on an annual basis. Nine receivers are currently attached to a deal carrying an AAV of $30MM or more.
Upon arrival in Dallas via trade last year, Pickens and his camp opted to avoid pursuing a long-term pact. That decision made his 2025 production critical, and the former second-rounder enjoyed career-best figures across the board. Expectations remain high for the coming season, one in which the Cowboys could again produce on offense while aiming to make needed defensive improvements. Another healthy campaign from Pickens featuring similar totals to his first Dallas season would result in a second franchise tag or a stronger position to negotiate a massive multiyear agreement.
June 1 marks the beginning of the Cowboys’ OTAs. They will be followed by mandatory minicamp, which will run from June 16-18. Pickens skipping out on those practices would leave him open to financial penalties, but that appears to be a scenario the team does not think will unfold.
Eagles LB Jihaad Campbell Will Likely Be Ready For Training Camp
Eagles linebacker Jihaad Campbell underwent shoulder surgery in March with an original projection to “probably miss most of the offseason” from defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.
Fangio has since confirmed that timeline, indicating that the second-year defender is progressing well in his recovery but is not ready for the field yet. He could get onto the field for the end of OTAs or mandatory minicamp, per 94WIP’s Eliot Shorr-Parks. Barring that, he should be ready to go by training camp.
Philadelphia traded up to select Campbell with the 31st overall pick in last year’s draft. The 22-year-old stepped into a starting role right away with Nakobe Dean starting the regular season on the physically unable to perform list. He returned to bench in October when his veteran teammate returned to the field and started the last two games of the regular season after another Dean injury.
Campbell is now positioned to take over the full-time No. 2 linebacker job with Dean now playing in Las Vegas. However, until he is on the field, recent Day 3 picks Jeremiah Trotter and Smael Mondon will be in line for more first-team reps next to Zack Baun.
In other Eagles shoulder-related news, Fangio also said this week that defensive tackle Jalen Carter was progressing well through the team’s offseason program after undergoing surgery on both of his shoulders last year.
“I think his shoulders are fine,” Fangio said (via Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio). “He’s had a good offseason of lifting. I think he started that earlier than normal for him and you can see the difference in that regard. I think he’s in a better spot now than he was.”
Philadelphia did not seem to have any concerns about Carter’s shoulders when he returned from surgery that sidelined him for most of December. He played 58 of the team’s 76 defensive snaps in Week 17, rested in Week 18 with other starters, and stayed on the field for 58 of the Eagles’ 60 snaps in their wild card loss to the 49ers. The team can still be cautious and manage Carter’s workload through the offseason, but at the moment, there is little reason to worry about his status.