Vikings Sign Second-Round LB Jake Golday, Wrap Draft Class
The Vikings announced that they have signed second-round linebacker Jake Golday. They now have their entire nine-player draft class under contract.
As the 51st overall pick, Golday’s four-year deal is worth approximately $10.07MM. There is no word on how much is guaranteed, but his draft slot suggests it is a significant amount. To name one nearby example, 52nd overall selection Brandon Cisse received full guarantees over the first three years of his agreement with the Packers.
After spending three years at Central Arkansas, where he played defensive end for two seasons before switching to linebacker, Golday transferred to Cincinnati ahead of the 2024 campaign. The 6-foot-4, 240-pounder made 58 tackles (seven TFL), forced two fumbles and totaled 1.5 sacks in 12 games in his first year with the Bearcats. He jumped to 105 tackles in 13 games last season. Golday also notched six TFL, 3.5 sacks, three pass deflections and a forced fumble. The production was good enough for Golday to earn first-team All-Big 12 honors.
Now that he is officially a pro, Golday will join a Brian Flores-coordinated defense that finished third in yards and seventh in scoring in 2025. The Vikings relied heavily on linebackers Eric Wilson and Blake Cashman last season. They remain in the fold, meaning Golday will begin his career in a depth role.
Here is a refresher on the Vikings’ rookie class:
- Round 1, No. 18: Caleb Banks (DT, Florida) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 51 (from Panthers): Jake Golday (LB, Cincinnati) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 82: Domonique Orange (DT, Iowa State) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 97*: Caleb Tiernan (T, Northwestern) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 98 (from Vikings)*: Jakobe Thomas (S, Miami) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 159 (from Panthers): Max Bredeson (FB, Michigan) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 163 (from Eagles): Charles Demmings (CB, Stephen F. Austin) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 198 (from Vikings via Texans, Vikings and 49ers): Demond Claiborne (RB, Wake Forest) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 235 (from Panthers): Gavin Gerhardt (C, Cincinnati) (signed)
Bills WR Keon Coleman Entering ‘Make-Or-Break’ Season
The Bills spent the 33rd pick of the 2024 draft on wide receiver Keon Coleman, but the investment has not gone according to plan. Coleman’s professionalism was an issue last year, in which head coach Sean McDermott scratched him four times.
McDermott benched Coleman despite a lack of strong options at receiver beyond slot target Khalil Shakir. The Bills added former Charger Josh Palmer on a three-year contract in March 2025, but he caught just 22 passes and went without a touchdown in a 12-game, injury-limited campaign. Despite Coleman’s own handful of absences, he finished second among Bills wideouts in catches (38), targets (59) and yards (404). The Florida State product also tied Shakir for first in touchdowns (four).
In acquiring D.J. Moore from the Bears for a second-round pick and drafting Skyler Bell in the fourth round, Bills general manager Brandon Beane has beefed up the team’s receiving corps this offseason. Those additions could have made Coleman a trade candidate, but Beane insisted in late April that he is not giving up on the soon-to-be 24-year-old. Beane said the Bills have “hit the reset button with [Coleman],” who will have an opportunity under the second head coach of his career after the Bills fired McDermott. Replacement Joe Brady, who was Buffalo’s offensive coordinator in Coleman’s first two years, gave the receiver a public vote of confidence back in January.
“I told Keon when I got hired, the best thing that happened to Keon Coleman was me being his head coach,” Brady declared. “I was one of the ones that stood on the table for Keon Coleman, and I believe in Keon Coleman.”
Brady’s remarks came just days after owner Terry Pegula attributed the Coleman pick to McDermott and his coaching staff. Pegula claimed Beane was “being a team player and taking advice of his coaching staff who felt strongly about the player.” Beane refuted that, stating he would not have chosen Coleman unless he had full belief in the player. Regardless, four months since Pegula’s comments, Coleman realizes he is entering a crucial season.
“For me, it’s make or break,” Coleman said Tuesday (via Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN), acknowledging he “might not be here” if he fails to take a step forward.
Halfway into his rookie contract, Coleman has hauled in 67 catches for 960 yards and eight touchdowns in 26 games. He will look to improve his output in 2026, but it could be a challenge in a more crowded receiving corps. Moore and Shakir are clearly the Bills’ top options at receiver, which will leave Coleman, Palmer and Bell to vie for targets behind them.
Giants’ RB Cam Skattebo Expects To Play In Week 1
Cam Skattebo‘s rookie season came to an abrupt end when he suffered a fractured ankle. His rehab process is ongoing, though, and progress has been made to the point a full slate in 2026 is expected.
“Obviously there’s ups and downs in the injury process and coming back and rehabbing, but the mental battle has been the hardest part: making sure that I trust it fully,” the second-year running back said on Monday (via Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press). “I’m a little ways out. Not too far, but I’ll be ready to go. Week 1, I’ll be ready to go.”
Skattebo underwent surgery late in October, setting up a long recovery process along with teammate Malik Nabers. The latter has since undergone a cleanup procedure on his knee, and his Week 1 availability will remain in question for the months ahead. Skattebo, on the other hand, is further ahead. A return in time for training camp – perhaps earlier – is expected in his case.
Taking on a large role early in his career, Skattebo logged 104 carries in eight games prior to this injury. The Arizona State product rushed for five touchdowns during that span, and he added a pair of scores on 24 receptions. Contributions on the ground and in the passing game will be expected in 2026 and beyond with the Giants aiming for overall improvement on offense under new head coach John Harbaugh.
Devin Singletary and Tyrone Tracy Jr. are still in the fold as backfield options for New York. The team did not select any running backs during the draft, meaning those two will be counted on to continue serving as complementary contributors this season. A full campaign from Skattebo, 24, would of course be welcomed by all parties. Three years remain on his rookie contract, and establishing himself as a full-time RB1 would confirm his status as an offensive focal point for the new coaching staff.
Tuesday marks the beginning of the Giants’ OTAs. Mandatory minicamp will soon follow, and it will be interesting to see if Skattebo can take part in those non-contact practices in any capacity. Even if that does not turn out to be the case, a return to full health in time for the fall remains his expectation.
Aaron Rodgers Reports To Steelers’ OTAs; Latest On Contract Agreement
News broke over the weekend that Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers had once again agreed to a one-year contract. The timing of the deal was not unexpected, since it allowed Pittsburgh’s returning QB1 to take part in spring practices.
To no surprise, ESPN’s Brooke Pryor notes Rodgers reported to the team facility on Monday morning. Uncertainty loomed after the draft with respect to a deal being finalized in this case, but Pittsburgh elected to keep the door open to a second straight season with Rodgers in the fold. In the wake of his return becoming official, further details on the negotiating process between team and player have emerged.
Aside from ongoing talks between Rodgers and head coach Mike McCarthy, communication was limited in this situation. Nevertheless, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports a “ballpark figure” on a new contract was agreed to at least one month ago. Rodgers took a deal containing $22MM guaranteed and a maximum of $25MM via incentives. Those figures represent a raise compared to 2025 but fall well short of the top of the quarterback market.
A bump in compensation was sought out during contract negotiations, Pryor’s colleague Jeremy Fowler reported during a SportsCenter appearance yesterday (h/t Bleacher Report). The UFA tender set a baseline of roughly $15MM for Rodgers to collect in 2026, but his performance during his debut Steelers campaign resulted in a raise relative to that figure. The approach of OTAs represented the latest artificial deadline for a deal to be struck, and Dulac adds the team would have begun to lose patience had Rodgers still not signed in time for today.
Concerns on that front remained relatively low, however. Mark Kaboly of the Pat McAfee Show reports there was never a formal handshake agreement between Rodgers and the Steelers, but he notes there was a general understanding a resolution would be found in time for spring practices. With the 42-year-old in place, the possibility of dividing first-teams reps among some combination of Mason Rudolph, Will Howard and Drew Allar has been eliminated. That was something Pittsburgh planned for as recently as Saturday morning, though, according to SportsBoom’s Jason La Canfora.
News of the Rodgers-Steelers agreement emerged on Saturday night, setting up an official signing for today. The four-time MVP was long expected to face the option of a Pittsburgh deal or retirement, and La Canfora confirms limited interest existed around the rest of the NFL. Nonetheless, this long-running saga arrived at its expected conclusion in time for Rodgers to prepare for his 22nd season and first working with McCarthy since 2018.
Urban Meyer Loses Grievance Against Jags
An arbiter ruled the Jaguars will not have to pay former coach Urban Meyer‘s salary balance, On3.com’s Brett McMurphy reports. Meyer sued the Jaguars not long after his December 2021 firing but will not be entitled to a $30MM-plus sum that would have come his way had the arbiter ruled he was not fired for cause.
The Jags were permitted to fire Meyer for cause, according to the arbiter, and will be free of obligation regarding the final four years of the short-lived NFL HC’s contract. Jacksonville gave Meyer control of football operations in January 2021 but fired the successful college HC after 13 games, ending an infamous tenure that brought on-field struggles and a slew of off-field headlines.
At the time of the firing, the Jags cited a “culmination of events” in their decision to fire Meyer for cause and withhold his remaining money. Coaching contracts come guaranteed, and HCs are almost never fired for cause; thus, they collect money owed. Though, offset language regularly protects teams in the event a fired coach lands with another team or college program; Meyer, though, has not coached since his Jaguars firing. This case took more than four years to wrap, but the Jags can finally close the book on arguably the worst decision in franchise history.
Shad Khan hired Meyer after pursuing the former national championship-winning HC in the past, but the partnership drifted off course. In addition to reports indicating a bizarre lack of familiarity with NFL players, Meyer had issues with his staff and the team was fined for failure to comply with NFL offseason workout rules. The former Ohio State and Florida championship leader made the highly unusual decision to not travel back from a Thursday game with his team, only to be seen with a young woman at his restaurant in Columbus soon after. Khan fired Meyer after he started 2-11.
Meyer had previously hired a strength coach (Chris Doyle) who was part of a racial discrimination suit for alleged actions while at Iowa; Doyle resigned from the Jaguars not long after his hire. The U.S. District Court for Iowa’s Southern District subpoenaed Meyer in connection to the Doyle discrimination suit in 2021. Additionally, Meyer and Jaguars were later sued by former Jags kicker Josh Lambo. The veteran NFL specialist accused Meyer of kicking him while he was stretching before a preseason game.
Lambo’s case is still pending, according to ESPN.com, and a trial date in Duval County is set for August 3. Lambo, Jaguars punter Logan Cooke, long snapper Ross Matiscik and ex-GM Trent Baalke were witnesses at the hearing, according to McMurphy. Baalke joined the Jaguars prior to Meyer’s tenure but was elevated to GM while the HC was in charge.
Jacksonville has a 77-152 record during Khan’s ownership tenure. The owner has hired six head coaches (Mike Mularkey, Gus Bradley, Doug Marrone, Meyer, Doug Pederson and Liam Coen). Mularkey joined Meyer in lasting only one season. Meyer, 61, holds a role as a FOX Sports analyst following his brief NFL tenure.
Saints Approaching Decision On RB Alvin Kamara
Alvin Kamara‘s place with the Saints became cloudy after the team shelled out a big contract to Travis Etienne, who received a hefty guarantee to join Kellen Moore‘s roster in March. Kamara drew trade interest soon after Etienne’s commitment, but he remains on New Orleans’ offseason roster.
Mickey Loomis said Kamara does not currently have a decision to make on his contract, which points to the Saints not yet insisting on a pay cut. But uncertainty still exists here. The longtime Saints GM said the team is moving toward a decision on the decorated dual-threat back.
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“We’re just trying to see how he’s going to fit in our roster, and obviously there’s a resource management element to it, and we’ll get to that over the next week or two,” Loomis said, via NewOrleans.football.
The 25th-year Saints front office boss said OTAs provides “a little bit” of a deadline but cautioned the voluntary workouts — which Kamara has not attended in years — do not serve as the endpoint for the sides’ latest chapter. New Orleans’ OTAs begin May 27. Kamara would see his base salary reduced by $358K if he does not attend every Saints OTA workout, ESPN.com’s Katherine Terrell notes.
Kamara, 31 in July, is entering the final season of a two-year, $24.5MM extension. He is due a $1.35MM base salary but secured $3MM in guaranteed 2026 compensation in March 2025. Being that this is the Saints, a sizable dead money hit would come if Kamara is traded or released.
Loomis’ timeline seemingly aligns with the pivotal June 1 date. The Saints likely will not act before that point, as making a move after that date would be a more cost-effective solution (with regards to 2026). Parting with Kamara after June 1 would allow the Saints to spread the dead cap charges over the next two years. Cutting him after that date would take away around $900K in cap space, whereas a summer trade would save the Saints approximately $456K.
The Saints would be hit with $24.4MM if they cut Kamara, but making that move after June 1 would allow them to spread that penalty between their 2026 and ’27 payrolls. Four void years being included in this deal represents the primary dead money source if Kamara is jettisoned.
Loomis’ team was in the strange position of not carrying the NFL’s worst cap situation entering the offseason, which deviates from several years of the restructure-crazed franchise’s winter situations. The Saints hold $8.29MM in cap space. Nearly 12 months from the 2027 league year, New Orleans is projected to hold more than $48MM in cap space in 2027. Though, many variables between now and then will change the equation.
Etienne signed a four-year, $48MM deal that includes $24MM guaranteed. The ex-Jaguar’s fully guaranteed figure ranks sixth among running backs, matching Christian McCaffrey‘s 2024 extension. The Saints also have holdovers Kendre Miller and Devin Neal rostered; Neal was drafted to play in Moore’s system while Miller — who is in a contract year — arrived under Dennis Allen. Former Vikings backup Ty Chandler is also on the Saints’ roster.
It would seem the Saints could get by without Kamara, given Etienne’s presence. Kamara’s five-year run of Pro Bowls stopped after the 2021 season — Sean Payton‘s New Orleans finale — and he averaged a career-low 3.6 yards per carry last season. This came after a bounce-back 2024, when the ex-Payton chess piece tallied 1,493 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns in 14 games. Kamara missed the team’s final six games last season with an MCL sprain. He also missed time to close the ’24 season, battling a groin injury. Altogether, Kamara has missed 19 games since 2021.
Teams will undoubtedly be interested in a free agency agreement if the Saints move on via release. Kamara came out against a trade before last year’s deadline, indicating he would potentially retire rather than be dealt away from New Orleans. With Etienne in the fold, it is worth wondering if the Pro Bowl RB’s stance has changed. We should find out soon, with the June 1 date — even as the A.J. Brown situation overshadows other NFL matters pertaining to the pivotal point on the NFL calendar — will provide some clarity.
Jim Caldwell No Longer On Panthers’ Staff
The Panthers have parted ways with senior advisor/assistant Jim Caldwell, according to Joe Person of The Athletic. He was first hired in 2023 by then-head coach Frank Reich, reuniting the pair after working together in Indianapolis from 2006 to 2011.
Caldwell served as the Colts’ head coach for the last three years of that period and has since spent time with the Ravens, Lions, and Dolphins with a four-year stint in the top job in Detroit.
Caldwell’s successor, Carl Smith, similarly has connections to the Panthers’ current coaching staff. He overlapped with head coach Dave Canales on the Seahawks’ offensive staff from 2011 to 2018. For the first seven years, Smith served as Seattle’s quarterbacks coach with Canales coaching wide receivers. Smith was promoted to associate head coach in their final year together with Canales moving into his vacated role.
Smith is also the father of Tracy Smith, the Panthers’ special teams coordinator. The father and son duo previously worked together in Cleveland (2009-2010), Seattle (2011, 2021-2023), and Houston (2019-2020).
The Panthers are also adding former Bears and Giants assistant Mike Adams to their coaching staff, per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. The 45-year-old spent 16 years in the NFL, including two seasons in Carolina, before beginning a coaching career as an assistant defensive backs coach in Chicago. He was not retained in 2022 and made his way to New York the following year as an assistant special teams coach. For the last two years, Adams served as the Giants’ assistant secondary coach. His role in Carolina is not yet known.
Carolina made an addition in their front office as well, promoting football operations intern Joshua Krieger to scouting assistant, per InsideTheLeague’s Neil Stratton. Krieger previously served in recruiting roles at Pitt and Temple.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/18/26
NFL teams are getting their rosters set for voluntary Organized Team Activities that will take place over the next month. Here are the latest minor moves from around the league:
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: RB Miles Davis, DT Tywone Malone
- Waived/injured: TE Bryce Pierre, RB Montrell Johnson
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: CB Marlon Jones Jr.
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: RB Anderson Castle
- Waived: RB Jordon Vaughn
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Placed on reserve/retired: WR Alex Bullock
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: DB Tamon Lynum
Davis tried out at the Seahawks’ rookie minicamp but did not make the team. His workout in Carolina was more successful, per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, and he will take Johnson’s place on the Panthers’ roster.
Jones was a first-team All-Big Sky selection for his standout 2023 season at Eastern Washington, which featured three pick-sixes. He transferred to Vanderbilt in 2024 but missed the season after being diagnosed with cancer. After recovering, Jones appeared in nine games for the Commodores in 2025, and he will now continue his remarkable story in Green Bay.
Steelers Sign Round 2 WR Germie Bernard
NFL teams are signing second-round draft picks at a much faster pace than last year. The latest is new Steelers wide receiver Germie Bernard, who put pen to paper on Monday, per a team announcement.
Pittsburgh traded up six spots to draft Bernard with the 47th overall pick to ensure they would land a desired receiver prospect after narrowly missing out on USC’s Makai Lemon in the first round. They landed a versatile, all-around wideout with good size (6-foot-1, 206 pounds) and a solid athletic profile who should quickly carve out a role in Mike McCarthy‘s new offense.
Bernard started at Alabama for the last two years after a tertiary role at Washington in 2023, all under Kalen DeBoer. His production grew throughout his college career and peaked in his final season with team-highs of 64 receptions and 862 receiving yards, plus nine total touchdowns.
Though he lined up primarily on the outside in 2025, 46.5% of his snaps over the last three years have come out of the slot, which will help him earn playing time in a receiver room that already features boundary stalwarts D.K. Metcalf and Michael Pittman. The 22-year-old can also contribute as a blocker, gadget player, or returner – all roles he held at Alabama – giving the Steelers plenty of ways to deploy him on offense and special teams.
The Falcons signed No. 48 pick Avieon Terrell to a fully guaranteed contract, which should result in a similar deal for Bernard. He will receive $10.54MM over the next four years ($2.64MM AAV) with a signing bonus over $4MM, per OverTheCap.
The Steelers also signed seventh-round pick (No. 230 overall) Eli Heidenreich to his four-year rookie deal, worth a total of $4.54MM. His only guarantees will be a signing bonus in the range of $150k.
Heidenreich, classified as a running back/wide receiver in Pittsburgh’s announcement, was a dynamic part of Navy’s triple-option offense for the last three years. In 2025, his 941 receiving yards for 55.6% of the Midshipmen’s total passing offense; he also took 77 carries for 499 rushing yards (6.5 yards per attempt). Heidenreich tested extremely well at the Combine, but his unique college scheme and deployment raised questions about his ability to translate to the NFL. The Steelers took a shot on the 22-year-old, who, like Bernard, could factor in the return game or with manufactured touches on offense.
Steelers’ Troy Fautanu Working At LT
A host of teams to draft a tackle in the 2024 first round made immediate position switches from where that player lined up in college.
Joe Alt moved from left to right tackle, while JC Latham slid from the right side to the blind side in Tennessee. Taliese Fuaga shifted from RT at Oregon State to LT with the Saints (both he and Latham were back at RT by 2025). Jordan Morgan saw rookie-year time at guard in Green Bay (but has since moved back to LT post-Rasheed Walker). Graham Barton moved from tackle to center, while Tyler Guyton shuttled from RT to LT to open his Cowboys career. This slew of changes involving ’24 first-round blockers made Troy Fautanu‘s adjustment blend in rather than stand out.
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Fautanu primarily played left tackle at Washington, being a starter as the Huskies rallied to the CFP championship game behind left-handed quarterback Michael Penix Jr. The Steelers slotted Fautanu to the right side as a rookie, and while he missed most of that season due to injury, the team kept him at RT while Broderick Jones shifted to LT following Dan Moore Jr.‘s 2025 free agency defection. With Jones struggling and then running into a major injury issue, Fautanu may be headed back to the blind side.
The third-year blocker lined up at LT during Steelers OTAs Monday, per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Ray Fittipaldo. Fautanu said (via ESPN.com’s Brooke Pryor) the prospect of him moving to left tackle on a full-time basis remains “up in the air.” The Steelers are beginning first-round tackle Max Iheanachor at RT. This and Jones’ injury situation would open the door for a mid-contract Fautanu position shift. Fautanu earned All-American acclaim as a left tackle during his final Washington season.
The Steelers are optimistic Jones will be a training camp participant, but he is coming off neck surgery. A setback is believed to have occurred, clouding the fourth-year tackle’s outlook. The Steelers declined Jones’ $19.07MM fifth-year option, and their decision to draft Iheanachor — albeit after being prepared to take Makai Lemon at No. 21 before the Eagles’ seminal trade-up — could lead to the Georgia alum following Moore as a one-contract tackle in Pittsburgh. Two years remain on Fautanu’s rookie deal, and the Steelers can extend that pact through 2028 by exercising his fifth-year option. The team does not need to make that decision until May 2027.
Fautanu said he does not want to shift inside to guard, seemingly making a preemptive strike against a configuration that places Jones and Iheanachor at tackle, but added he believed he could do so if asked. Fautanu saw action in multiple Washington games at guard, but it does not appear the Steelers are interested in exploring that path. Mason McCormick and Spencer Anderson lined up as the team’s first-string guards at OTAs, per Fittipaldo, who adds McCormick switched from right guard to left guard.
McCormick became the Steelers’ James Daniels fill-in in 2024 and the team’s full-time RG starter last season. The former fourth-round pick, however, did see extensive left guard time at South Dakota State. The Steelers lost three-year LG Isaac Seumalo to the Cardinals, who signed him to a three-year, $31.5MM deal. Anderson, a former seventh-round draftee, has made 11 career starts; he mostly worked as Seumalo’s backup over the past two seasons while McCormick handled RG duties. The offseason switch adds some intrigue to Pittsburgh’s front, as Fittipaldo notes the only 2025 Steelers O-line starter who remained in the same spot was center Zach Frazier.
The Steelers added competition at guard by drafting Iowa’s Gennings Dunker in the third round. While Anderson took the first reps at RG Monday, Fittipaldo adds Dunker and FA signee Brock Hoffman will be expected to push him for the role. McCormick, Pro Football Focus’ No. 17 overall guard last season, appears assured of a starting spot in 2026.