Jets S Andre Cisco On Roster Bubble?
Andre Cisco joined the Jets during his first trip to free agency. The veteran safety elected to remain in place with New York this past March, but he may not be assured of a second season with the team.
ESPN’s Rich Cimini names Cisco as one of the players “who could be in trouble” with respect to a roster spot ahead of the 2026 campaign. Following a four-year run in Jacksonville, Cisco took a deal worth $8.5MM to join the Jets. As expected, the Syracuse product handled a starting role in 2025. Cisco was limited to just eight games, however, due to a pectoral tear.
That limited the 26-year-old’s market value, and it came as no surprise when he accepted a less lucrative offer to re-sign with the Jets. Team and player agreed to another one-year pact, this time worth $2.5MM. Of that figure, $500K has already been paid out as a signing bonus. Cutting Cisco before or after June 1 would result in a dead cap charge of $1.25MM and $980K in savings.
The safety position has seen plenty of turnover in the case of the Jets this offseason. Minkah Fitzpatrick was acquired via trade, and the five-time Pro Bowler will be counted on to operate as a full-time starter. Free agency also brought about the arrival of Dane Belton. He too signed a low-cost deal for 2026, but a strong showing during training camp in his case could result in Cisco being knocked down the depth chart.
Defensive tackle Mazi Smith is another player Cimini writes may be in danger during roster cuts. The former Cowboys first-rounder was included in part of the trade which sent Quinnen Williams to Dallas at the 2025 deadline. Smith is a pending free agent, although the final year of his rookie contract (which will pay out $2.56MM) is already guaranteed in full. It will be interesting to see if Cisco and Smith help their respective stocks during training camp or if the Jets show a willingness to move on at the end of the summer.
Michael Penix Jr. Limited In OTAs; HC Kevin Stefanski Addresses Falcons’ Pending QB Competition
Michael Penix Jr. has resumed throwing in time to take part in the Falcons’ early OTA practices. Full participation is the next checkpoint in his case, but that may not be reached until the summer.
Penix has been cleared for individual drills along with seven-on-seven work for the spring. He has not yet participated in 11-on-11 practices so far, however. It remains to seen if the third-year quarterback will be fully available during minicamp next month as Atlanta continues to proceed with caution. If not, Penix will aim to avoid any setbacks in time for a complete workload during training camp.
“But that time is coming,” Stefanski said (via The Athletic’s Josh Kendall) when speaking about Penix being cleared for team drills. “His main focus is getting healthy, and he’s doing that. As a staff and definitely for Mike, we kind of have the blinders on and are really just looking at what’s in front of us.”
Penix’s 2025 campaign ended with the latest ACL tear of his career. The former No. 8 pick has been limited to 12 starts so far, and it is uncertain if he will open the coming season atop the depth chart. Shortly after his Dolphins release, Tua Tagovailoa signed a one-year Falcons deal. A true competition between the two southpaws is set to take place this summer. Stefanski confirmed an even distribution of reps will be forthcoming during training camp.
“I think it’s our job — I think [offensive coordinator] Tommy Rees does an outstanding job of making sure that we’re intentional about how we want this to operate,” Stefanski said during his recent press conference. “One guy will be up first one period and then switch with the next period and rotate every single day and really almost every drill because the truth is we’re trying to get the best version of all of our players, so we want to mix and match guys in different spots.”
Penix’s showing in a number of categories was incrementally better in 2025 than it was during his rookie season. Nevertheless, further improvements will be sought out with the 26-year-old aiming to establish himself as Atlanta’s long-term answer under center. Penix’s performances working with Stefanski and a new coaching staff will be worth watching closely as the summer unfolds. At a minimum, he appears to be on course for a clean bill of health in time for padded practices during training camp.
New Deal For TE Greg Dulcich Was Top Priority For Dolphins; Latest On Miami’s PK Competition
If comments made by Dolphins staffers are any indication, fantasy coaches are going to want to keep an eye on Miami’s Greg Dulcich as they seek to fill the challenging tight end slot. GM Jon-Eric Sullivan recently identified Dulcich as the returning player he is most excited to see take a step forward in 2026, and TEs coach Rob Middleton also praised Dulcich during OTAs last week.
“He’s a talented, talented guy,” Middleton said of Dulcich (via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald). “The sky is the limit for the kid.”
The Dolphins had a large class (30 players) of their own free agents this offseason. While the club’s cap situation was a challenge in talent retention, Jackson says Dulcich was the one incumbent FA the ‘Fins seemed to prioritize over all the others. They re-upped the 26-year-old on a one-year, $3.25MM pact, most of which is guaranteed.
A former third-round pick of the Broncos, Dulcich joined the Giants via waiver claim in 2024. New York cut him last August, and he subsequently joined Miami’s practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster in late October as the corresponding move when fellow tight end Darren Waller was placed on injured reserve.
In 10 games (three starts) in 2025, Dulcich posted 26 catches for 335 yards and a touchdown, and he continued to have a role in the offense even after Waller returned from IR. The Dolphins did draft two TEs this year, adding Will Kacmarek in the third round and Seydou Traore in the fifth. Given his usage in college, however, Kacmarek is likely to make more of an impact as a blocker than receiver in the early stages of his pro career, while Traore is a talented but raw prospect who began playing football later in life than most of his fellow draftees (as C. Isaiah Smalls II of the Miami Herald details, Traore is the first graduate of the United Kingdom’s iteration of the NFL Academy to be drafted).
As such, Dulcich should have a golden opportunity to establish himself as a starting-caliber TE in 2026. He will represent one of new quarterback Malik Willis’ top options in a passing game that features a number of Day 2 and Day 3 rookies – along with veteran rebound hopefuls Tutu Atwell and Jalen Tolbert – and that is now without the high-profile duo of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
Another player who showed promise for a mostly-disappointing Dolphins team in 2025 was kicker Riley Patterson, who converted 27 of 29 field goals and 34 of 35 extra points. His performance convinced Miami to bring him back, albeit on a veteran salary benefit deal worth just $1.4MM. That modest pact was not a barrier to signing Zane Gonzalez, who will now compete with Patterson for the PK job.
As Jackson writes in the piece linked above, Patterson did not object to the Gonzalez acquisition.
“Riley doesn’t mind,” special teams coach Chris Tabor said. “Obviously he had a great year, and he’s a really good player, as is [Gonzalez]. But if you looked at both of their careers, they’ve competed against a lot of guys all the time, so I think that’s nothing new. Any competitor will say, ‘if I’m in a competition, I play better.'”
Tabor, another new addition to the Dolphins’ coaching staff, worked with Gonzalez in Cleveland. Although Tabor says Gonzalez’s stance and approach have changed since their days with the Browns, it is fair to wonder if that familiarity will give Gonzalez an edge in his battle with Patterson.
NFL Mailbag: Chiefs, Sorsby, Vikings, Bengals
This week's edition of the PFR mailbag answers questions related to the Chiefs' receiver situation, the potential for 2026 including a high-profile supplemental draft prospect, the Vikings' busy offseason and the Bengals' outlook for the coming season.
Joey asks:
Who do you think the Chiefs sign to help out at WR after this Rashee Rice news? Do you think he still has a chance to stay long term or are there just too many red flags?
The list of veteran receivers still available is fairly long. Kansas City can’t afford much at the position (or any other, for that matter) but there will be options to choose from.
Seahawks Not Close To Devon Witherspoon Extension
The Seahawks are not close to signing star cornerback Devon Witherspoon to an extension, per ESPN’s Brady Henderson.
Seattle had no issue signing fellow 2023 first-rounder Jaxon Smith-Njigba to a long-term contract this offseason. The reigning Offensive Player of the Year is now the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL with a $42.25MM AAV in a deal that came together quickly this offseason.
Agreeing to terms with Witherspoon will take more time. The cornerback market increased by $5MM from 2024 to 2025, but Trent McDuffie only secured a $900K bump to $31MM on his deal with the Rams. That is somewhat discouraging considering McDuffie’s additional leverage since Los Angeles traded a first-round pick to acquire him.
Witherspoon, who is coming off his third straight Pro Bowl and a second-team All-Pro selection despite playing in just 12 games, could be angling for a bigger raise. He was a crucial part of Seattle’s league-leading defense in 2025 and all cornerbacks with 90.1 overall grade, a 90.1 run defense grade, and 13 quarterback pressures, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
Another element is Witherspoon’s shared representation with Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez. New England is working on an extension with its 2023 first-round pick, but WIN Sports Group could be playing their offer against Seattle’s to secure the best deals possible for both players.
The Seahawks typically finalize their extensions by the start of training camp, Henderson notes, giving them some time window to finalize an agreement with Witherspoon. The former No. 5 pick was among the veterans present at OTAs this week, suggesting that he is not frustrated by contract talks thus far and offering optimism on reaching a deal within the next two months.
Giants WR Malik Nabers Uncertain For Week 1?
Malik Nabers‘ recent cleanup surgery raised some doubt about his availability for Week 1. Giants head coach John Harbaugh has since indicated that his Pro Bowl wide receiver’s status is indeed up in the air for New York’s season opener against the Cowboys.
“Just impossible to predict,” Harbaugh said at OTAs this week (via ESPN’s Jordan Raanan). “The goal is to start the season and get out there sometime in training camp. That’d be the goal, and we’ll see what happens.”
Nabers, 22, tore his ACL and meniscus at the end of September and underwent his first surgery in October. The Giants initially expected him to be ready for training camp, but Harbaugh walked that back in April. Now, it seems that the team is bracing for his potential absence to start the season.
“We’ll be ready to go either way,” Harbaugh said, adding that Nabers’ injury was not “simple.”
This could be a worrying update for Giants fans (and Nabers’ fantasy GMs), but Harbaugh was notoriously coy about injuries in Baltimore, especially complicated situations like Ronnie Stanley and Nnamdi Madubuike. During the season, he typically defers to the injury report, but that is less of an option in the offseason, where players’ presences at practice are closely watched and noticed.
Nabers seems unlikely to take the field until the end of training camp, at best, and his ramp-up period could extend into the season. He could even open the year on the physically unable to perform list, though that would prevent him from practicing until Week 5 and delay his return even longer.
The Giants are also taking a cautious path with star left tackle Andrew Thomas. He missed the start of the 2025 season as he recovered from a 2024 foot injury and finished the year on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury. Thomas said (via The Athletic’s Dan Duggan) that he is currently going through a “ramp up” process due to a lingering shoulder injury as well as long-term management of his 2024 Lisfranc injury.
While Thomas is sidelined, 2025 fifth-rounder Marcus Mbow is taking first-team left tackle reps, per Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post. The Purdue product was the Giants’ swing tackle as a rookie two starts and 261 snaps at left tackle and one start and 58 snaps at right tackle, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
Cardinals Sign G Chase Bisontis To Fully Guaranteed Rookie Contract
Chase Bisontis is officially on the books. The second-round guard recently signed his rookie contract, per a Cardinals announcement.
[RELATED: Cardinals, Jacoby Brissett Not Close To Contract Resolution]
Selected 34th overall, Bisontis saw a number of other round two players (including those taken later than him) land fully guaranteed deals prior to his own being finalized. To no surprise, then, he too has secured full guarantees across all four years of his pact. As detailed by CardsWire’s Howard Balzer, the contract is worth of total of $13.26MM. That figure includes a $6.1MM signing bonus.
Many viewed the offensive line as an area the Cardinals would address with their top selection. Indications increasingly pointed toward running back Jeremiyah Love leading up to the draft, though, and that wound up being the route Arizona took. Trade interest was shown in the No. 34 pick, but the Cards elected to stay in place. That allowed for Bisontis to hear his name called.
The Texas A&M product established himself as a high-end guard prospect across his three years with the Aggies. Bisontis will be a candidate to take on a starting role immediately upon entering the NFL. The right guard spot in particular could be the subject of a training camp competition. Isaiah Adams logged 11 starts in that capacity last season, and two years remain on his rookie contract. A change to backup duties could be in store depending on how Bisontis fares this summer, however.
As a result of this signing, five of the Cards’ seven draftees are on the books. Only third-round quarterback Carson Beck and fourth-round defensive tackle Kaleb Proctor are still unsigned at this point. With neither of them in position to secure a fully guaranteed pact, a dispute over terms should not be expected.
Bears Expect Training Camp Return For DE Dayo Odeyingbo
Dayo Odeyingbo‘s debut season with the Bears did not go according to plan. An Achilles tear limited him to just eight games, but a return for practices this summer is expected.
Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen said (via ESPN’s Courtney Cronin) Odeyingbo will “definitely be in the mix” during training camp. He specified the sixth-year veteran will be used at defensive end, but the fact a clean bill of health in time for July is anticipated represents positive news.
Last spring, the Bears added Odeyingbo on a three-year, $48MM deal. The former Colt flashed potential in terms of sack production while playing out his rookie contract. In 2025, however, Odeyingbo managed only one sack, six pressures and four quarterback hits prior to his injury. A lengthy rehab process has ensued, but the opportunity to compete for a starting role will again present itself this summer provided a full recovery is made by that point.
Improving in the pass rush department is a major Bears priority heading into 2026. No major additions from outside the organization have been made to date, so the performances of Chicago’s incumbent options this summer will be worth watching closely. Odeyingbo, 26, is joined by Austin Booker and Shemar Turner as a candidate to operate as the team’s edge rushing complement to Montez Sweat. Another strong season from Sweat, coupled with an improved showing from the supporting cast, would be key in helping the Bears’ front seven take a step forward.
Allen has a lengthy history with free agent Cameron Jordan based on their history in New Orleans. A reunion between the two is unlikely, though. Several other veteran pass rushers remain unsigned at this time, but the Bears’ approach will include an evaluation period for those already in place. Odeyingbo in particular will be worth watching closely as he returns from a long-term injury. He is owed $16MM in 2026, much of which is already guaranteed.
NFL Eyeing Japan As Next International Market
Earlier this week, NFL owners voted to expand the slate of international contests in 2027. As many as 11 games will be played outside of the United States next season as a result.
The league has made continued expansion into new markets a long-running priority, and that remains the case presently. Exploration of other countries which could serve as the host for regular-season games could soon lead to the list of markets growing once again. Hints on that front emerged during the recent owners’ meeting.
When asked by Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer about where the league could turn next, NFL executive vice president Peter O’Reilly specifically mentioned Japan. It will be interesting to see if efforts pick up in the near future to set up a game there over the coming years. One team (the Rams) currently holds marketing rights in Japan.
In 1936, Japan’s football federation was created. The organization is therefore one of the oldest outside of the United States and Canada. Japan also won each of the first two editions of the IFAF World Championship for tackle football before hosting the event in 2007.
It would thus comes as little surprise if Japan were to become a regular host country for NFL action relatively soon. The matter of travel distance is among the logistical issues which will be raised, although 2026 will see the Rams and 49ers play each other in Melbourne, Australia. The league already intends to return there before seeing how this fall’s debut contest plays out, so games staged well beyond Mexico, Brazil and Europe could increase in regularity down the road.
Breer writes Italy should also be considered a strong candidate to host NFL games soon. Further expansion throughout Europe can certainly be anticipated, but attempting to break through in Asian markets could begin with a presence in Japan.
Early Lead For Danny Pinter In Ravens’ C Battle?
As Baltimore prepared to take on the contracts of both Maxx Crosby and Trey Hendrickson before ultimately reneging on Crosby’s trade agreement, the Ravens were forced to let several starters walk in free agency.
The biggest surprise came when Tyler Linderbaum — the team’s starting center who made the Pro Bowl three times over his four-year rookie deal — signed a record contract sending him to Las Vegas. Linderbaum’s successor has not officially been named, but free agent addition Danny Pinter appears to getting the first-team reps early on, per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic..
There’s a decent chance that the Ravens wouldn’t have been able to retain Linderbaum even if the Crosby situation hadn’t been a distraction. Linderbaum’s new deal raised the ceiling for center contracts by 50 percent, topping Creed Humphrey‘s $18MM annual average by $9MM. Absent their starting center of the past four seasons, Baltimore has been tasked with finding a replacement. In the days after Linderbaum’s departure, the team brought in Pinter and Jovaughn Gwyn on free agent deals.
Pinter has been a backup interior offensive lineman in Indianapolis since 2020, when the Colts drafted him in the fifth round out of Ball State. Over five seasons with the team — he missed the entire 2023 season on injured reserve — he appeared in 77 games, serving mostly on special teams. He did get some action as an injury replacement, making 10 starts over that period — seven at center and three at right guard. In the opportunities provided to him, Pinter has generally shown strong run blocking abilities but struggles in pass pro.
Gwyn is a former seventh-round guard out of South Carolina that was drafted by the Falcons in 2023. He only appeared in two games over his first two years in the league and didn’t appear on offense until this past season, seeing at least one snap at guard in five games. He didn’t play center in college, but he’s been identified as a candidate for the job in Baltimore.
There was an expectation the Ravens would address the position in the 2026 NFL Draft as a number of prospects at the position were expected to go on Day 2. Ultimately, even when several of those top prospects at the position fell to Day 3, Baltimore never seemed to find enough value to draft one when its picks came around. There’s been speculation that the team could still pursue a veteran free agent at the position with options like Ethan Pocic, Sam Mustipher, and Andre James available, but nothing has moved on that front lately. The Ravens also roster Corey Bullock, who made their roster as an undrafted rookie last year and appears to be in consideration, as well.
Per Zrebiec, new head coach Jesse Minter claims that “Pinter has done a great job” but that they still “might rotate first-team center reps in Organized Team Activities. Unless the team does, in fact, make an outside addition soon, it appears Pinter has an inside track to his first full-time starting job in Year 7 of his career, though he’ll be challenged by the seventh-rounder, Gwyn, and the undrafted Bullock.