RB Matt Breida To Retire
Matt Breida‘s NFL career has come to an end. The veteran running back is retiring, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports. 
Per Fowler, Breida was recently offered a workout with the Dolphins, but he declined. Miami was in the market for a veteran backfield addition in the wake of Alexander Mattison‘s season-ending neck injury. The team looked into other options and ultimately signed Aaron Shampklin and Mike Boone.
Having decided against a visit with the Dolphins, Breida will now turn his attention to his post-playing days. The former undrafted free agent managed to play seven seasons in the NFL, beginning with three in San Francisco. Breida operated as a part-time contributor both on offense and special teams, collecting 1,075 scrimmage yards in 2018.
That proved to be his most productive campaign. After his time in the Bay area, Breida had one-year spells with the Dolphins (following a trade to Miami) and Bills (following his first free agent deal). The Georgia Southern product then spent the 2022 and ’23 campaigns with the Giants, combining to handle 146 touches in a depth role while also chipping in on special teams.
Last year, Breida returned to the 49ers and took part in training camp. During August roster cuts, however, he was let go. That led to a spell in free agency which lasted throughout the campaign. Instead of going through a similar process this time around with the Dolphins, he has elected to hang up his cleats.
Breida exits the NFL at the age of 30 as a veteran of 103 combined regular and postseason games played. In total, he accumulated roughly $8.5MM in career earnings.
Cameron Fleming Works Out With Commanders; T Visited Chargers
The Commanders recently hosted George Fant on a free agent visit, but he is not the only veteran offensive tackle to receive a look. Cameron Fleming headed to Washington earlier today, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports. 
Fleming has put together a journeyman career, although since 2021 he has played exclusively for the Broncos. The 32-year-old operated as a full-time starter in 2022, but for the most part in recent seasons he has operated as a backup. In all, Fleming has made 62 starts across his 118 regular season appearances.
The Stanford product was among the veterans who visited the 49ers late last month, and Garafolo notes he also worked out for the Chargers recently. Los Angeles’ tackle situation was dealt a major blow when Rashawn Slater suffered a torn patellar tendon, sidelining him for the 2025 season. Joe Alt will take on left tackle duties in his absence, but the Bolts could stand to add veteran depth behind him.
The Commanders are likewise in the market for experience at the position, as demonstrated by the decision to host Fant. Washington swung a trade to acquire Laremy Tunsil this offseason, setting up the five-time Pro Bowler to operate as the team’s left tackle in 2025. The starting right tackle gig will be decided by the outcome of the ongoing competition between incumbent Andrew Wylie and first-round rookie Josh Conerly Jr. Further depth could still be added ahead of the regular season, though.
Washington currently has nearly $17MM in cap space. The Chargers, meanwhile, have $31.5MM in available funds, so finances will not be an issue if either team proceeds with a Fleming signing in time for final roster cuts at the end of the month.
Teams Looking Into WR Odell Beckham Jr.
AUGUST 14: During an appearance on the Club Random podcast (video link), Beckham revealed he and Aaron Rodgers have spoken about a potential Steelers deal. Nothing is imminent on that front, although Pittsburgh has loomed as a potential suitor for a veteran receiver addition this offseason. Beckham would fit the bill, but it remains to be seen if any agreement will be reached.
AUGUST 13: Although Odell Beckham Jr. has enjoyed stretches that reminded of the stratospheric pace he was on early in his Giants tenure, the former superstar was never able to sustain that level. Injuries have played the lead role in that line of demarcation forming, and the wide receiver’s post-prime form has set in since he returned from a Super Bowl LVI ACL tear.
That tear was Beckham’s second since October 2020, and his comebacks with the Ravens and Dolphins did not closely remind of his prime work. Beckham did not finish the season with Miami last year, being cut in December and clearing waivers. While the 32-year-old pass catcher is near the end of a memorable career, he is not ready to hang up his cleats.
The 2014 first-round pick intends to play in 2025, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero, who notes “several” teams have shown interest. Considering we are in mid-August and Beckham buzz did not exactly flood NFL news cycles during the primary free agency period, it is safe to assume no one is aggressively pursuing the three-time Pro Bowler. But needs for supporting-cast talent or injuries at the position could lead OBJ back to a roster. He joins Amari Cooper as accomplished unsigned wideouts, after Keenan Allen reunited with the Chargers last week.
The Dolphins had Beckham on a one-year, $3MM deal last season — after signing him in May 2024 — but saw more injury trouble impact him. Offseason knee surgery delayed Beckham’s Miami debut by four weeks, as the Dolphins did not disclose the issue during the summer — as OBJ practice absences piled up without clear explanations. Upon being activated, Beckham caught just nine passes for 55 yards. Signed to be Miami’s No. 3 wideout alongside Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, Beckham never played more than 20 offensive snaps in a Dolphins game. The team waived him after nine games.
Beckham’s Ravens stint brought much more notable work; he caught 35 passes for 565 yards and three touchdowns. The Ravens did not re-sign him, however, opting to give the now-twice-extended Rashod Bateman more work in 2024. Beckham’s second-quarter injury in the Rams’ Super Bowl win kept him out for the 2022 season, as no deal — despite endless Cowboys connections — came to pass. He still fetched a $15MM full guarantee from the Ravens in 2023. Any Beckham deal now would be at or near the veteran minimum, given his injury trouble and minimal Dolphins production. OBJ would probably also need to work out for a team to display full health.
Certainly one of the most talented receivers of his era, Beckham showed tremendous promise early and has five 1,000-yard seasons on his resume (none since 2019). If he does not play another down, he will sit just outside the top 100 in receiving TDs (59) while ranking 118th in receiving yards (7,987). He is attempting what could amount to a final salvo to update those marks before calling it quits.
Commanders Host T George Fant
George Fant‘s busy offseason in terms of workouts continues. The veteran offensive tackle recently met with the Commanders, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports. 
Schultz adds team and player will remain in contact over the near future. A deal could be in store soon as a result. Fant visited the Buccaneers last month, his first known workout of the summer. Previously, the 33-year-old expressed interest in joining the Titans or Ravens. With nothing happening on those fronts, Fant remains available shortly before the start of the regular season.
2024 saw Fant return to the Seahawks after beginning his career there. The former UDFA won the right tackle position but was limited to just two games due to injury. A veteran of 101 games and 75 starts, Fant could nevertheless offer plenty of experience at either tackle position as a first-team option or a high-floor backup.
The Commanders traded for Laremy Tunsil this offseason, and the five-time Pro Bowler will handle blindside duties as a result. On the right side of the line, incumbent Andrew Wylie and first-round rookie Josh Conerly Jr. are competing for the starting gig. Conerly saw time as a left tackle at Oregon, so he could assume the swing tackle role in the event Wylie were to win the ongoing competition. Fant could also represent a fill-in option at both tackle positions if he were to sign with Washington.
The Commanders currently have nearly $17MM in cap space, so a low-cost Fant signing would not be a challenge. It will be interesting to see if a deal is struck in the coming days or if his search for a 2025 gig will continue.
Falcons To Sign CB C.J. Henderson
C.J. Henderson‘s recent Falcons workout has produced an agreement. The former first-round corner is set to sign with Atlanta pending a physical, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. 
[RELATED: Recapping Falcons’ Offseason]
Henderson’s brief Jaguars stint did not go as planned, and the No. 9 selection in 2020 was traded after playing just 10 games for Jacksonville. The move allowed him to spend two-plus seasons in Carolina. During that time, Henderson handled a varied workload but consistently struggled in coverage, hindering his free agent market.
A Steelers deal saw Henderson on the move once again last year, but he did not see any playing time before landing on injured reserve. To little surprise, then, it has taken until well into training camp for the 26-year-old to line up his next opportunity. On the other hand, Henderson worked out with Pittsburgh last week, and Rapoport notes he drew interest from “several suitors.”
In any case, Henderson will quickly turn his attention to competing for a roster spot in Atlanta. The Falcons have AJ Terrell atop the cornerback depth chart once again for 2025, with Mike Hughes being added via free agency. He will be counted on to handle a starting role, while Dee Alford and Clark Phillips are still in place from last year. Henderson will look to spend Atlanta’s remaining practices and preseason games carving out a depth spot in the secondary.
The Falcons entered Thursday with less than $5MM in cap space, ranking them near the bottom of the league in terms of available funds. Henderson’s pact will not be a costly one, though, so Atlanta should still have the flexibility to make other roster moves in the coming weeks if needed.
Dolphins Place OL Germain Ifedi On IR
Earlier this month, the Dolphins signed Germain Ifedi as depth along the offensive line. His time working with Miami has come to a quick end, however. 
[RELATED: Mike McDaniel Candidate For 2025’s First HC Firing?]
Ifedi was placed on injured reserve Thursday, per a team announcement. As a result, he is set to miss the 2025 campaign in its entirety unless a release by means of an injury settlement takes place. The 31-year-old’s absence will leave the Dolphins short on options at the tackle spots as well as, potentially, depth at guard. Head coach Mike McDaniel said (via David Furones of the Sun Sentinel) Ifedi suffered a triceps tear.
A veteran of 90 starts and 117 appearances, Ifedi’s most recent action came with the Browns. The former first-rounder handled work on the blindside while filling in along Cleveland’s injury-plagued offensive line. His recent Miami signing came in the wake of Austin Jackson enduring a setback in his rehab process and facing a multi-week absence as a result. Jackson is expected to be healthy in time for Week 1, something which would be key for Miami up front.
In a corresponding move, the Dolphins signed Yodny Cajuste. That comes as little surprise, as Cajuste was among the group of veteran O-linemen who worked out for Miami prior to the Ifedi signing. A third-round pick of the Giants in 2021, Cajuste’s 17 regular season appearances to date have come with the Patriots. The 29-year-old could add to that total soon if he manages to survive roster cuts at the end of the month.
Entering Thursday, the Dolphins had just over $11.5MM in cap space. Signing Cajuste will lower that figure slightly, but his pact will no doubt be worth the veteran minimum. His arrival will offer depth up front as the team looks to sort out its pecking order along the offensive line. Ifedi, meanwhile, will turn his attention to recovery in anticipation of the 2026 campaign.
Bills, James Cook Agree To Extension
9:54pm: Cook’s contract includes $15.28MM guaranteed at signing, according to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, who adds this is an $11.5MM-per-year deal (as opposed to the $12MM number reported earlier). While Cook’s guarantee at signing is only 10th among running backs — behind three rookie deals — the full guarantees increase to $25.91MM by 2026. The Bills guaranteed $5MM of Cook’s 2026 compensation at signing; another $4.41MM will shift from an injury guarantee to a full guarantee February 9, 2026.
An important trigger on this contract comes on Day 5 of the 2026 league year, when Florio indicates $6.22MM of Cook’s $9.13MM 2027 base salary shifts from an injury guarantee to a full guarantee. Cook’s camp did well to secure a year-out guarantee; the remaining $2.91MM of his 2027 base salary becomes fully guaranteed on Day 5 of the 2027 league year. Cook’s final $1.18MM in injury guarantees cover the 2028 season; otherwise, his 2028 and ’29 salaries are nonguaranteed. Cook’s four-year contract matches the term length of the Khalil Shakir, Terrel Bernard, Gregory Rousseau and Christian Benford extensions from the spring.
8:38am: The Bills have reached an agreement with running back James Cook on a four-year contract extension, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The deal has a base value of $48MM with $30MM in guaranteed money, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero. Cook’s $12MM APY is the sixth-highest among running backs, and his guarantees trail only Saquon Barkley and Ashton Jeanty‘s rookie contract. He will now be under contract in Buffalo through the 2029 season.
Buffalo had been trying to extend Cook for most of the offseason. He publicly demanded $15MM per year, and negotiations stalled in the spring. The two sides appeared to be making progress on a number of occasions, including when Cook showed up for mandatory minicamp and took the field at the start of training camp.
However, Cook stopped practicing in early August, citing “business” as the reason and raising doubt that a deal would get done before Week 1. He returned to the field on Tuesday, a clear signal that he and the team were close to an agreement. Indeed, Bills general manager Brandon Beane confirmed that Cook ending his hold-in was a show of good faith that helped get both sides back to the negotiating table.
“Once we got him back on the practice field, we really worked hard,” added Beane (via ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg).
Set to turn 26 in late September, Cook arrived in Buffalo as the 63rd overall pick in the 2022 draft. He spent his rookie year playing second fiddle to veteran Devin Singletary but took over the starting job in 2023 with his first thousand-yard season, plus another 445 yards through the air to reach 1,567 yards from scrimmage on the year. Last year, he saw a slight downtick in both rushing attempts and receiving targets as part of an overall reduction in playing time. Cook, however, led the NFL with 16 rushing touchdowns — no small task given Josh Allen‘s impact around the goal line — as the Bills deployed another high-powered offense after trading Stefon Diggs to the Texans.
Beane said that the Bills still believe that Cook is “a three-down type player” despite playing just 48% of the team’s offensive snaps last year, down from 55% the year prior.
“We think he could take more, but we also want to use our other weapons and keep him as fresh as possible,” continued Beane. “We think that’s the best utilization of him.”
Keeping Cook fresh in 2024 allowed him to rank sixth among running backs in yards per carry last season. He also tied Barkley and Jahmyr Gibbs for the league lead with 16 rushing touchdowns.
Cook’s agent, Zac Hiller of LAA Sports & Entertainment, released a statement on his client’s behalf: “James could only envision himself as a Buffalo Bill. We are extremely thankful to the entire Bills organization and glad we could make that happen.”
Cook is now the sixth Bill to sign a multiyear extension this offseason, capping off an impressive string of signings for Beane and his front office. They made several tough decisions by cutting long-tenured veterans last offseason to free up cash and cap space to get their young core under contract. With that mission accomplished, the Bills will spend the next few seasons trying to get over the hump and finally bring a Super Bowl to Buffalo.
Browns Received Trade Offers For QB Dillon Gabriel; Shedeur Sanders Suffers Injury
Taking the rare step of drafting multiple quarterbacks in the same class, the Browns are in the latter stages of one of the more unusual competitions at the position in modern NFL history. As it stands, Joe Flacco is leading the way.
Even that is rather interesting, seeing as the former Super Bowl MVP is 40 and has not started a season opener as a non-injury fill-in (as he was with the 2022 Jets) since beginning the 2019 season as the Broncos’ starter. Flacco is on track to join Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Vinny Testaverde (Cowboys), Warren Moon (Seahawks), Johnny Unitas (Chargers) and Charlie Conerly (Giants) as QBs to open a season as a starting quarterback at 40 or older. Flacco’s age certainly points to his starter stint not lasting too long, shifting focus to the team’s two rookies.
Both Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders‘ rookie contracts run through 2028. The Browns are likely to have both players on their depth chart, barring an IR stay for one of them, behind Flacco to open the season. Gabriel’s future as a backup has also become a talking point, because teams were certainly surprised the Browns traded up for Sanders two rounds after selecting Gabriel. To that point, SI.com’s Albert Breer confirms a report from The Athletic’s Michael Silver that stated the Browns received trade offers for Gabriel soon after trading up for Sanders.
Although post-pick trades can happen in the NFL — as the famous Eli Manning–Philip Rivers swap revealed 21 years ago — those sequences are traditionally confined to the NBA draft. The Browns have rebuffed QB trade inquiries at multiple stops this offseason, as reports in May and June indicated Cleveland was standing pat with its passer room. Those inquiries will likely resurface soon, with this month profiling as a trade window due to the roster crunch that comes each year as teams frantically go from 90 to 53 players.
The Gabriel interest came about from the six-year college QB impressing teams during pre-draft interviews, Breer adds; clubs saw the former Oregon, Central Florida and Oklahoma passer’s floor as that of a long-term backup. It would be interesting to learn what draft capital the Gabriel trade offers featured. Teams clearly saw more in Gabriel, with most draft observers viewing the undersized option as being overdrafted at No. 94. His pre-draft profile differs starkly from Sanders’. The latter entered the process with steady first-round buzz saw his stock crater thanks to a strange interview approach that alienated many teams.
Sanders and Gabriel have each missed time due to injury in training camp. Gabriel has returned to team drills after a hamstring issue sidelined him during Cleveland’s preseason opener, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter notes, but the Browns announced Sanders suffered an oblique injury Wednesday and missed the rest of a joint practice with the Eagles. It is an oblique strain for Sanders, cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot notes. He is not expected to play in the Browns’ second preseason contest.
Sanders impressed when given a preseason start, thanks to the team resting Flacco and not having Gabriel or Kenny Pickett available, but his next chance to play will come in the Browns’ preseason finale next week. Pickett has not returned to 11-on-11 work, The Athletic’s Zac Jackson adds, noting Flacco remains in the driver’s seat to start in Week 1.
Pickett has thrown seven-on-seven reps since his injury, however. Gabriel’s return could point him to a start in Philly, per Jackson, who adds Sanders has generally outplayed his 5-foot-11 teammate during camp. The Browns, though, drafted Gabriel first. How these two coexist amid a situation that could remain awkward into the season will be interesting, as Flacco making it through 17 games as the starter will be unlikely.
Workout Notes: Scott, Ross, Worley
The Ravens auditioned a notable backfield veteran earlier this week. NFL inside Jordan Schultz reported the other day that Boston Scott had a recent workout with Baltimore. The 30-year-old is healthy and in “terrific” shape as he continues to seek the “right” opportunity.
Scott’s long stint with the Eagles ended with the 2023 campaign, and his 24 touches represented a five-year low. Before that, Scott had a regular role on Philly’s depth chart, including 2020 and 2021 campaigns where he combined for 747 yards and eight touchdowns. He scored 16 touchdowns during his time with the Eagles, nine of which came against the Giants. He added another three scores in eight playoff games.
He joined the Rams last offseason but was among the team’s final cuts. He quickly caught on with the Steelers practice squad but only lasted a few weeks before earning his walking papers. He’s remain unsigned since that time.
The Ravens have plenty of depth behind Derrick Henry. Justice Hill will continue as the RB2 in 2025, and the team is still rostering the likes of Keaton Mitchell and former fifth-round pick Rasheen Ali. The organization added D’Ernest Johnson and Myles Gaskin to the RBs room this offseason, so perhaps Scott would be an option to temporarily replace one of those veterans.
More workout notes from around the NFL…
- Before adding Roderick Daniels the other day, the Saints had a handful of wideouts in for workouts. This grouping included Justyn Ross, per veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer. The receiver got into 13 games for the Chiefs between 2023 and 2024, with all six of his receptions coming during his rookie campaign. It’s uncertain if Daniels’ signing would preclude a Ross addition, although the team did notably place WR Bub Means on IR today.
- The Commanders had a handful of defensive backs in for workouts today, most notably cornerback Daryl Worley, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston. The former third-round pick has appeared in 99 career games, compiling 344 tackles and six interceptions. He most recently got into nine games (seven starts) for the Titans in 2024. If the journeyman ends up joining Washington, he’d be adding his 10th career team to his resume. Cornerback Qwuantrezz Knight, safety Trey Rucker, and defensive back Jason Taylor were among the team’s other workouts.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/13/25
Today’s minor moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Waived: RB Marcus Major
Chicago Bears
- Reverted to IR: S Major Burns
Cleveland Browns
- Waived from IR: WR Luke Floriea
Green Bay Packers
- Claimed off waivers (from Raiders): WR Kawaan Baker
- Reverted to IR: CB Isaiah Dunn, RB Jalen White
Houston Texans
- Signed: TE Tre’ McKitty
- Placed on IR: TE Dalton Keene
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: LB Marcus Haynes
- Placed on IR: WR D.J. Montgomery
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: CB Keni-H Lovely
- Released from IR (injury settlement): CB Levi Wallace
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: CB Nehemiah Shelton
- Waived/injured: CB Jordan Oladokun
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: LB Cam Gill, LB Max Tooley
- Reverted to IR: C Zeke Correll
New England Patriots
- Reverted to IR: RB Deneric Prince
New Orleans Saints
- Placed on IR: WR Bub Means, TE Mason Pline
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: WR Malik Turner
- Placed on IR: DE Bradlee Anae, DE Demone Harris, LB William Bradley-King
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Reverted to reserve/PUP: QB Michael Pratt
Tennessee Titans
- Claimed off waivers (from Vikings): LB Brian Asamoah II
- Waived: LB Otis Reese
- Reverted to IR: LB Anfernee Orji
The Titans swapped linebackers today, replacing Otis Reese with Brian Asamoah II. The latter was waived by the Vikings yesterday, but he’ll quickly land on his feet in Tennessee. The former third-round pick spent three years in Minnesota, collecting 30 tackles in 46 games. 802 of his 990 snaps came on special teams. He’ll be taking the spot formerly held by Reese, who started five games for the Titans over the previous two seasons.