NFL, NFLRA Agree To Seven-Year CBA
10:55pm: As part of the deal, the NFL will have more access to officials during the offseason, Kevin Seifert and Kalyn Kahler of ESPN report. That will enable the NFL to put together “a formal training program during minicamps, training camps and joint practices,” per Seifert and Kahler. The league will also have a bench of officials and “greater latitude” to base postseason assignments on performance instead of seniority. In return, the refs will receive large raises over their 2025 salaries.
12:28pm: The NFL will not turn to replacement officials in 2026. The labor standoff between the league and the NFL Referees Association has come to an end. The sides have reached an agreement on a seven-year CBA that will run through 2032. The league previously proposed a six-year arrangement.
“This agreement is a testament to the joint commitment of the league and union to invest in and improve officiating,” NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent stated. “It also speaks to the game officials’ relentless pursuit of improvement and officiating excellence. We look forward to working together for the betterment of the game.”
Full details on the agreement are not yet available, but the NFL noted that it “covers a wide range of issues including economics, performance, and accountability.” As the league negotiated with the refs, it sought ways to hold “low-performing officials more accountable,” according to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports. Meanwhile, the refs wanted more money in return.
The officials’ vote to approve the deal was nearly unanimous. Just four of 120 refs voted against it, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. Their previous CBA had been set to expire May 31, leaving just three more weeks for the parties to hammer something out. The league had planned to begin hiring replacements in the event it could not find common ground with the NFLRA. It did not come to that, though, and NFLRA president Carl Cheffers is satisfied with the results.
“We’ll see this new CBA as a partnership with the league that benefits our membership but also seeks to make the game better,” Cheffers said. “It is good to get these negotiations behind us so we can focus on preparing for the 2026 season.”
The league most recently employed replacement officials during a referee lockout in 2012. It did not go well, as the game-ending “Fail Mary” play between the Packers and Seahawks remains a punchline 14 years later. They agreed to a new CBA less than a week later.
Pro Football Rumors Front Office Subscriber Chat: 5/8/26
Pro Football Rumors' Sam Robinson will be holding a live chat at 3pm Central today, exclusively for Trade Rumors Front Office subscribers!
Titans’ First-Round WR Carnell Tate Signs Rookie Deal
Having wrapped up the signings of their late-round picks, the Titans turned their attention to their top overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Tennessee has reached an agreement with Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate on his rookie four-year deal worth $51.13MM. The No. 4 overall pick reportedly received a $33.65MM signing bonus on his fully guaranteed agreement.
Tate started his career with the Buckeyes coming off the bench as a true freshman, earning his first start in the team’s bowl game. As a full-time starter in Year 2, Tate finished third in all three major receiving stats, behind then-freshman phenom Jeremiah Smith and future first-rounder Emeka Egbuka, en route to a national championship title. In his final year of collegiate play, Tate finished second behind Smith with career highs in receiving yards (875) and touchdowns (9).
It was thought that the Titans would grab a pass rusher, if one of the top two slipped past Arizona, but when the Cardinals took the running back many predicted would end up in Tennessee, the team surprised by taking Tate. Opting to secure another new weapon for their No. 1 overall pick from last year’s draft, the Titans landed an athlete proficient in multiple areas.
With deceptive speed, Tate showed deep ball potential with nine catches of 40+ yards. Despite the fact that he routinely found the end zone from far out — his nine touchdown catches averaged 32.5 yards per reception — Tate’s size and length also make him a formidable redzone target. In 14 contested targets, Tate came down with 12 catches. He’s a savvy route runner, too. The only questions following him to the NFL have to do with his ability to play across the middle of the defense — something he was not asked to do much in Columbus — and whether he can produce as a main target as he finally steps out from Smith’s shadow.
Tate joins an impressively re-tooled passing attack in Tennessee. The Titans signed wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson and tight end Daniel Bellinger in free agency to team up with last year’s impressive rookie pass catchers Elic Ayomanor, Chimere Dike, and tight end Gunnar Helm. Quarterback Cam Ward has a much-improved group that expects to see Tate starting alongside Robinson and a healthy Calvin Ridley.
After inking Tate, the Titans have two more high draft picks to sign before they wrap a bow on this year’s rookie class:
- Round 1, No. 4: Carnell Tate (WR, Ohio State) (signed)
- Round 1, No. 31 (from Patriots via Bills): Keldric Faulk (DE, Auburn)
- Round 2, No. 60 (from Bills via Titans): Anthony Hill Jr. (LB, Texas)
- Round 5, No. 142 (from Jets via Ravens): Fernando Carmona (G, Arkansas) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 165 (from Bears via Bills): Nicholas Singleton (RB, Penn State) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 184: Jackie Marshall (DT, Baylor) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 194 (from Ravens via Jets): Pat Coogan, C (Indiana) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 225 (from Chiefs via Cowboys): Jaren Kanak (TE, Oklahoma) (signed)
Bills Sign Second-Round CB Davison Igbinosun
The Bills took a big step towards completing the signing of their entire rookie class today, inking second-round Ohio State cornerback Davison Igbinosun to his four-year rookie deal.
After starting 10 of 13 game appearances at Ole Miss and earning Freshman All-American honors, Igbinosun entered the transfer portal when the Rebels chose not to bring back defensive coordinator Chris Partridge. After weighing his options, Igbinosun chose the Buckeyes over Michigan, Tennessee, and Rutgers. He would go on to become a three-year starter in Columbus, notching four interceptions and 19 passes defensed over his last two seasons.
At 6-foot-2 with length and a 4.45-second 40-yard dash, Igbinosun looks the part of an NFL cornerback, though he’s a bit on the lighter side. Even with a slight frame, he’s a physical defender who isn’t afraid to tackle. He has a tendency to make a little too much contact at times and will need to continue to develop some discipline at the next level of the game.
After rookie sixth-rounder Dorian Strong missed most of last season with a neck injury, the Bills relied on just three cornerbacks for most of their defensive snaps all last year. Only Christian Benford, Tre’Davious White, and rookie first-round pick Maxwell Hairston saw more than 20 snaps at outside cornerback for the rest of the season. Buffalo signed C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Dee Alford in free agency, but neither player adds much depth at the outside position after White’s contract expired. Igbinosun will team up with Benford, Hairston, and Strong to bolster that outside cornerback spot, and he could have an outside shot at starting in Year 1.
Here’s how the Bills’ rookie class signings are looking after securing the signatures of their top two picks:
- Round 2, No. 35 (from Titans): T.J. Parker (EDGE, Clemson) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 62: Davison Igbinosun (CB, Ohio State) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 102 (from Raiders): Jude Bowry (T, Boston College)
- Round 4, No. 125 (from Bears via Chiefs and Patriots): Skylar Bell (WR, UConn)
- Round 4, No. 126: Kaleb Elarms-Orr (LB, TCU)
- Round 5, No. 167 (from Texans): Jalon Kilgore (S, South Carolina) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 181 (from Lions)*: Zane Durant (DT, Penn State) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 220 (from Jets): Toriano Pride Jr. (CB, Missouri) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 239 (from Eagles via Jaguars, Browns and Bears): Tommy Doman (P, Florida) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 241 (from Bears): Ar’maj Reed-Adams (G, Texas A&M) (signed)
NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/8/26
Today’s rookie signings from around the NFL:
Chicago Bears
- WR Zavion Thomas (third round, LSU)
- CB Malik Muhammad (fourth round, Texas)
- LB Keyshaun Elliott (fifth round, Arizona State)
- DT Jordan van den Berg (sixth round, Georgia Tech)
Cincinnati Bengals
- C Connor Lew (fourth round, Auburn)
- WR Colbie Young (fourth round, Georgia)
- T Brian Parker II (sixth round, Duke)
- TE Jack Endries (seventh round, Texas)
- DT Landon Robinson (seventh round, Navy)
Los Angeles Chargers
- T Travis Burke (fourth round, Memphis)
- S Genesis Smith (fourth round, Arizona)
- DT Nick Barrett (fifth round, South Carolina)
- G Logan Taylor (sixth round, Boston College)
- G Alex Harkey (sixth round, Oregon)
New England Patriots
- T Dametrious Crownover (sixth round, Texas A&M)
- LB Namdi Obiazor (sixth round, TCU)
- QB Behren Morton (seventh round, Texas Tech)
- RB Jam Miller (seventh round, Alabama)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- WR Kaden Wetjen (fourth round, Iowa)
- DE Gabriel Rubio (sixth round, Notre Dame)
- S Robert Spears-Jennings (seventh round, Oklahoma)
The Bears, Bengals, Chargers, and Steelers all broke the seals on signing their rookie classes today. Chicago only has to sign its three first-, second-, and third-round picks to complete the class, Los Angeles still has its three first-, second-, and fourth-rounders remaining, and Cincinnati has only two unsigned rookies from the second and third round.
Minor NFL Transaction: 5/8/26
Friday’s minor NFL transactions:
Cincinnati Bengals
- Claimed off waivers (from Giants): LB Swayze Bozeman
- Signed: S Isaiah Nwokobia
Cleveland Browns
- Claimed off waivers (from Giants): DT Elijah Chatman
- Received international exemption: P Nik Constantinou
Denver Broncos
- Waived: T Marques Cox, OLB Garrett Nelson
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: DT Smith Vilbert
New York Giants
- Signed: RB Damon Bankston
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Claimed off waivers (from Colts): LB John Bullock
Tennessee Titans
- Claimed off waivers (from Giants): WR Courtney Jackson
- Waived: WR Hal Presley
After the Giants waived Bozeman, Chatman, and Jackson yesterday, all three found new homes today on the waiver wire. Constantinou qualifies for the international exemption that allows him not to count against the team’s 90-man roster as one of several Australians who have found their way to the NFL as specialists. Lastly, Cincinnati, Minnesota, and New York all added to their UDFA classes today after Nwokobia, Vilbert, and Bankston went undrafted out of SMU, North Carolina, and New Mexico, respectively.
49ers Sign 33rd Overall Pick De’Zhaun Stribling To Fully Guaranteed Deal
The 49ers got the majority of their eight-player draft class under contract on Friday. The team announced six signings, including second-round wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling. The 33rd overall pick secured a fully guaranteed deal worth $13.376MM over four years, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 reports. Stribling’s pact includes a $6.188MM signing bonus.
San Francisco entered the draft with the 27th selection, but general manager John Lynch chose to trade out of the first round. After making two deals to move down to No. 33, the first pick on Day 2, the Lynch-led 49ers chose Stribling. It surprised many that Stribling came off the board that high, especially when more hyped receivers like Denzel Boston and Germie Bernard were still available, but Lynch said that “our entire building had conviction” on the pick.
The 6-foot-2, 202-pound Stribling possesses a good mix of size and speed, having run a 4.36-second 40-yard dash at the Combine. Stribling was also productive in a five-year college career divided among Washington State (2021-22), Okahoma State (2023-24) and Mississippi (’25). He totaled 216 catches, 2,964 yards and 23 touchdowns in 56 games. Stribling played 15 games last year and hauled in 55 passes for 811 yards and six scores. As Stribling begins his pro career, the 49ers will count on him as an auxiliary receiver behind starters Mike Evans and Ricky Pearsall.
As mentioned, five other 49ers draftees joined Stribling in signing their rookie deals. Here is the rest of the group:
- Round 3, No. 90: Kaelon Black (RB, Indiana)
- Round 4, No. 127: Carver Willis (T, Washington)
- Round 4, No. 139: Ephesians Prysock (CB, Washington)
- Round 5, No. 154: Jaden Dugger (LB, Louisiana)
- Round 5, No. 179: Enrique Cruz Jr. (T, Kansas)
The 49ers have two more picks to sign: third-round edge defender Romello Height (No. 70) and fourth-round defensive tackle Gracen Halton (No. 107).
Jets Have Made Offer To Russell Wilson
MAY 8: Jets head coach Aaron Glenn did not provide an update on Wilson when asked on Friday, but he revealed the team is talking with a “number of veteran quarterbacks” (per Rich Cimini of ESPN). There may not be anything imminent, though, as Glenn added that he is “happy” with the Jets’ current group of QBs.
MAY 6: Interested in joining the fifth team of his career, free agent quarterback Russell Wilson visited the Jets last week. The 14-year veteran is now mulling an offer from Gang Green, he revealed to Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post.
“It was great,” Wilson said of his Jets meeting. “They offered me, and I’m trying to figure out what the next best thing is for me to do. I still know I can play ball at a high level, but also I have an opportunity to do TV (analysis), so we’ll see what happens.”
As the 37-year-old Wilson noted, his next gig may come off the field. CBS is courting Wilson to replace Matt Ryan, who left his job as an analyst on The NFL Today to become the Falcons’ president of football. If Wilson wants to continue his playing career, though, the Jets may be his best bet. The former Seahawk, Bronco, Steeler and Giant has not received any known interest from other teams this offseason.
Wilson was a full-time starter over the first 13 years of what may be a Hall of Fame career, but he fell into a backup role for the first time last season. The 10-time Pro Bowler and one-time Super Bowl champion opened 2025 as the Giants’ starter after they added him on a one-year, $10.5MM guarantee. However, just three games into the season, then-head coach Brian Daboll yanked Wilson in favor of Jaxson Dart. Although Dart went on to miss two games with a concussion, Jameis Winston started over Wilson in those contests. Wilson wound up attempting a meager nine passes over the Giants’ last 14 games.
Should Wilson stay in New York to sign with the Jets, it would likely be for far less money than he earned as a Giant. Wilson would also go in with the full understanding that he would continue as a backup. Geno Smith, Wilson’s friend and former backup in Seattle, is the rebuilding Jets’ unquestioned starter. Fourth-round pick Cade Klubnik, Brady Cook and Bailey Zappe comprise the rest of their signal-callers. Klubnik is a lock to make the roster, but Cook and Zappe will likely be in serious jeopardy if Wilson puts off his TV aspirations to join the Jets and reunite with Smith.
QB Cooper Rush Trying Out For Vikings
Quarterback Cooper Rush was connected to the Jets in early April, but he has not landed anywhere since the Ravens released him March 12. Rush will at least get a look from the Vikings, who invited him to try out at their rookie minicamp (via Craig Peters of the team’s website).
The Vikings did not draft a quarterback or add any UDFA signal-callers, leaving them in need of a passer for rookie camp. With that in mind, Rush may not be under serious consideration for a contract, especially considering the Vikings’ crowded QBs room.
Although J.J. McCarthy‘s career has not gone according to plan since the Vikings drafted him 10th overall in 2024, he will compete for the starting job against free agent addition Kyler Murray. The Vikings also kept Carson Wentz around on a new deal, and 2025 UDFA Max Brosmer is still on the roster despite his immense struggles over seven games and two starts last year.
Like Brosmer, Rush endured a rough 2025. After Rush won nine of 14 starts in place of an injured Dak Prescott as the Cowboys’ backup from 2017-24, the Ravens brought him in on a two-year pact worth up to $12.2MM. In a best-case scenario, the Ravens would have only needed Rush in mop-up duty, but they ended up giving him a pair of starts while Lamar Jackson battled a hamstring injury. Baltimore lost Rush’s starts (to the Texans and Rams) by a combined score of 61-13.
The Ravens demoted Rush to third-string duties after their Week 6 loss to the Rams, and he did not throw another pass in their uniform. The 32-year-old ended the season 34 of 52 for 303 yards (a paltry 5.8 per attempt), no touchdowns, four interceptions, and a disastrous 48.8 traditional rating/26.3 QBR combo.
Cardinals View QB Jacoby Brissett As Starter; Contract Talks ‘Ongoing’
The Cardinals added veteran quarterback Gardner Minshew in free agency and drafted Carson Beck in the third round, but neither is expected to start Week 1. New head coach Mike LaFleur considers Jacoby Brissett the Cardinals’ No. 1 signal-caller, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN reports.
Brissett has been “made aware” that the Cardinals view him as their starter, according to Weinfuss. LaFleur said discussions between the team and Brissett, who is seeking a more lucrative contract, are “ongoing” (via team reporter Dani Sureck).
The Cardinals will have to get Brissett in the building before he can lead their quarterbacks room. The 33-year-old journeyman has stayed away from voluntary workouts in his quest for a raise. As of now, Brissett is entering the second season of the two-year, $12.5MM deal he signed as a free agent in March 2025. He has just $1.5MM in guarantees remaining, whereas Minshew has at least $5.14MM coming his way this year. Minshew is the Cardinals’ QB2 as of now, per Weinfuss, leaving Beck third on the depth chart as the former Georgia Bulldog and Miami Hurricane begins his NFL career.
Brissett, a former Patriot, Colt, Dolphin, Brown and Commander, originally joined the Cardinals to serve as a backup. However, thanks to Kyler Murray‘s season-ending foot injury, Brissett wound up making 12 starts. It was the fourth season of double-digit starts for the 10-year veteran, who completed 64.9% of passes, threw for 3,366 yards and tossed 23 touchdowns against eight interceptions. Brissett posted a respectable traditional passer rating of 94.1, which tied Chargers star Justin Herbert for 15th in the league, but his 41.2 QBR ranked a lackluster 24th among 28 qualifiers.
The Cardinals managed just one win with Brissett at the helm. They went 3-14 overall and secured the third pick, which they used to draft running back Jeremiyah Love. He should make life easier on Brissett, who also has an elite tight end, Trey McBride, and a strong wide receiver tandem of Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson in place.
The Cardinals will expect better from an offense that ranked 19th in yards and 23rd in scoring in 2025, but it is up in the air whether Brissett will last the entire year as their starter. If the team falls out of contention, it would not be a surprise to see LaFleur turn to Beck. Arizona spent a valuable pick (No. 65) on Beck, who will already turn 25 during his rookie year.