Bucs’ Chris Godwin Uncertain For Week 1
The Buccaneers did not outbid the Patriots for Chris Godwin, but they won the free agency derby to complete yet another high-profile retention. Godwin returned on a three-year, $66MM deal, marking the second time the Bucs paid their longtime No. 2 wide receiver coming off a major injury.
Godwin sustained a dislocated ankle in Week 7 of last season, stopping a big season. When Godwin went down, he was the NFL’s second-leading receiver. That created momentum, but he passed on Steelers interest and what he said was a $30MM-AAV Pats offer to stay in Tampa once again. The third-contract player, though, is not certain to start the season on time.
Placed on the active/PUP list after undergoing a second ankle procedure, Godwin is hitting checkpoints during his rehab. Jason Licht said (via Fox Sports’ Greg Auman) the ninth-year veteran is not considered certain to be ready by Week 1. More notably, Licht did not rule out the reserve/PUP list for the standout receiver. That outcome would sideline Godwin for at least four games. Godwin, 29, went down Oct. 21, 2024.
Tampa Bay saw Godwin make it back from late-December ACL and MCL tears in time for the 2022 season, debuting in Week 1 of that year. This came months after the Bucs extended him on a three-year, $60MM deal. Godwin returned but did not match his best form over the next two seasons, even though he tacked his third and fourth 1,000-yard years onto his resume. Last season brought 82.3 yards per game, which reminded of his 2019 breakout (95.2; 1,333 in total). It is possible the Bucs will need to wait longer for that form to resurface.
The team is rather deep at receiver, however. The Bucs rebuffed trade interest for their No. 19 overall pick, staying and making a somewhat surprising move — considering the Godwin re-signing and 2024 third-rounder Jalen McMillan‘s presence — to select Emeka Egbuka. The Texans, Broncos and Rams were eyeing the Ohio State talent, who will assuredly play a big Bucs role early. But the team still has McMillan (eight rookie-year TDs) and, of course, Mike Evans. The latter is again in a contract year, however, and Egbuka provides some insurance in case no fourth contract keeps Evans in Tampa beyond 2025.
The Bucs will hope this Godwin story is in the past early in the season, as he and Evans continue to move up the ranks in terms of all-time WR duos. For now, though, the team may need to again lean on McMillan while preparing Egbuka for a slot role Godwin has also played. Once Godwin returns, an interesting quartet would be available to Baker Mayfield.
Chiefs Giving Jaylon Moore Guard Reps; RT Jawaan Taylor Underwent Knee Surgery
The Chiefs cycled through four left tackle starters last season, seeing their final O-line form — one with Joe Thuney kicking out to LT — shredded in Super Bowl LIX. Big changes came on the left side of Kansas City’s front this offseason, with two LT options added and Thuney traded to Chicago.
Kansas City first added Jaylon Moore on a two-year, $30MM deal and then drafted Josh Simmons in Round 1. The Chiefs had not drafted an O-lineman in Round 1 since Andy Reid‘s first draft, when Eric Fisher — as part of an underwhelming 2013 prospect pool — was drafted first overall. The Chiefs have not been able to find a long-term replacement for Fisher, whose tenure wrapped in 2020, but Simmons is moving toward locking down the job despite entering the offseason with injury concerns.
Coming back from a patellar tendon tear that affected his draft stock (along with character concerns), Simmons is taking regular first-team snaps at left tackle and looking likely to open the season there. That would leave Moore in limbo. Moore would be an overpriced backup, at $15MM per year, but Jawaan Taylor‘s 2025 salary guarantee would place him as such as well. Taylor is due a fully guaranteed $19.5MM this season. The Chiefs are experimenting with a “best five” scenario that could keep Moore among the top quintet.
Moore has seen reps at left guard, according to ESPN.com’s Nate Taylor. Mike Caliendo and 2024 second-round pick Kingsley Suamataia, converted from tackle after an early-season benching last year, had been viewed as the LG competitors in St. Joseph, Mo. (the Chiefs’ training camp home), but Moore’s presence would change the equation. Nate Taylor notes Moore and Suamataia look to represent the primary competition here.
This presents an interesting competition since both players have not logged notable reps at guard. Moore has logged 827 career offensive snaps; all have come at either left or right tackle. Suamataia played 31 guard snaps as a rookie. Moore established a nice market by filling in for Trent Williams last year. Though advanced metrics did not view him favorably, the Chiefs pounced. It would be odd if Moore became a backup, but with Simmons taking all the first-team LT reps (per Taylor), that is a realistic outcome here.
The Chiefs handed Suamataia their Week 1 LT job last year, but after a poor showing against Trey Hendrickson in Week 2, the BYU product did not receive another chance. The Thuney trade, however, led to the Chiefs trying him at guard.
Taylor could be released with modest dead money in 2026, as no guarantees remain on his deal after this year. The penalty maven has underwhelmed on a $20MM-AAV contract, not justifying his contract, but he did play through a knee injury last season. Taylor underwent arthroscopic surgery to address a knee ailment sustained in Week 5 last season, Nate Taylor adds. Jawaan Taylor said he did not consider surgery in-season on what he called a partially torn meniscus; the ex-Jaguar did not miss any games due to injury last year.
Taylor began Chiefs camp on the active/PUP list, giving Moore some work at a more familiar position. But Taylor is expected to keep the RT gig. A 2026 Chiefs O-line configuration housing Simmons at LT and Moore at RT, after a Jawaan Taylor release, has surfaced as a potential outcome. For now, Taylor — Pro Football Focus’ No. 61 tackle last season — will be positioned for a third season as the Chiefs’ RT starter.
Vikings’ Jordan Addison Handed Three-Game Suspension
Jordan Addison‘s DUI case recently wrapped, and the Vikings wide receiver has since learned his NFL punishment. The NFL handed Addison a three-game suspension, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.
This suspension, one the Vikings have since announced, will sideline Addison for games against the Bears, Falcons and Bengals. Addison was arrested in mid-July 2024 and hit with DUI charges a year ago today. Several court proceedings in this case had taken place between then and now, including a plea agreement entered late last month. That brought finality to the case, leading to the three-game ban.
Minnesota did well in drafting Addison 23rd overall in 2023. An immediate starter, the former USC and Pittsburgh wideout filled in for Justin Jefferson as the Vikes’ No. 1 receiver while the superstar battled a significant hamstring injury. Addison totaled 911 receiving yards as a rookie and added 875 last season. He missed two games in 2024; those were his only NFL absences to date.
Combining for 19 touchdown receptions over his first two seasons, Addison has provided considerable value at an important time. The Vikings have Jefferson tied to a $35MM-per-year extension, with T.J. Hockenson also on a top-market tight end contract. Addison, 23, has provided important rookie-contract production. He does not become extension-eligible until January. This DUI incident naturally would stand to give the Vikings pause on a potential extension, and having him signed through 2026 — likely 2027, assuming the team exercises the contract’s fifth-year option by May — should provide more evaluation time.
This ban also emerges as Jefferson has missed a run of training camp practices due to another hamstring issue. Jefferson’s regular-season availability is not believed to be an immediate concern, even as he missed a sizable chunk of the 2023 campaign due hamstring trouble, but Addison’s absence does shine a brighter spotlight on the impact veteran’s recovery. Jefferson is not expected to play in the preseason, per Kevin O’Connell, who proclaimed he has “zero worry” about the top Viking’s Week 1 status.
Addison is eligible to participate in Minnesota’s preseason slate but will be shelved until Week 4 as a result of the substance-abuse policy punishment. The Vikings have Jalen Nailor and third-round pick Tai Felton as complementary options while Addison is sidelined. The team also signed Rondale Moore in free agency.
Titans To Re-Sign S Quandre Diggs
Quandre Diggs recently returned to full strength, opening the door to another opportunity. The veteran safety will land in a familiar spot, with ESPN’s Adam Schefter reporting a Titans deal will come to pass.
The former Lions and Seahawks standout joined the Titans last year. Diggs received clearance to return to action, after suffering a season-ending Lisfranc, injury last year, in late July, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport notes.
Diggs was among the injured performers during a brutal health season for the Titans’ secondary. Cornerback imports L’Jarius Sneed and Chidobe Awuzie both lasted less than half the season, with Diggs’ eight-game slate also falling into that category. The Titans released Awuzie and have Sneed on their active/PUP list to open training camp. Diggs, though, will be back in position to provide a veteran presence in this secondary. This signing comes a year and a day after Diggs’ initial Titans agreement, though his experience last season will provide a different level of familiarity.
Adding both Diggs and Jamal Adams last year, the Titans preferred the older of the two ex-Seahawks starters. Diggs started all eight games he played last season (as Tennessee cut Adams in-season), but a lengthy rehab odyssey became necessary after the significant foot setback. The Titans rostered Diggs on just a one-year, $3MM deal last season. Considering the injury, it would surprise if Diggs surpassed that this year.
A Pro Bowler from 2020-22, Diggs became a Seahawks cap casualty early in Mike Macdonald‘s HC tenure. Diggs showed no durability concerns in Seattle, starting every Seahawks game — as Adams routinely ran into injury trouble — from 2020-23. Pro Football Focus graded Diggs’ abbreviated Titans season positively as well, slotting him 20th among safety regulars.
The Titans were busy at the position this offseason, adding Xavier Woods and using a third-round pick on Kevin Winston Jr.. The latter is coming off a partial ACL tear suffered while at Penn State. Winston, though, avoided the active/NFI list and has been developing during the Titans’ preseason workouts. Diggs would stand to be a stopgap while Winston learns, but Woods’ arrival alongside secondary staple Amani Hooker could relegate the “new” arrival to a high-profile backup role. Indeed, veteran Titans reporter Paul Kuharsky notes Diggs is competing for the fourth safety role. (Of note, Diggs is also a cousin of No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward.)
Tennessee also added safety Joshuah Bledsoe while waiving safety Mark Perry and edge rusher Titus Leo to clear roster space.
Anthony Richardson To Start Colts’ Preseason Opener
Anthony Richardson has missed a chunk of the Colts’ quarterback competition, seeing more shoulder trouble shelve him during minicamp. But the third-year passer returned in time for training camp, keeping him in step with Daniel Jones in this battle.
Although Jones was viewed as more likely to win the job thanks to Richardson’s latest absence, the ex-Giant has not distanced himself here. He will now take a backseat to the younger passer to open the preseason. Shane Steichen said today (via ESPN.com’s Stephen Holder) Richardson will start Indianapolis’ preseason opener Thursday. Jones will make the start in the Colts’ second preseason game.
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Richardson will play roughly a quarter and a half, Steichen said (via the Indianapolis Star’s Nate Atkins) while Jones will finish that stanza. That order will flip against the Packers next week. This does not yet represent a missed opportunity for Jones, as the Colts obviously have a vested interest in giving Richardson reps, but the high-profile import has not created separation in this matchup during camp.
Neither player has looked overly impressive, per Holder, who notes both QBs have shown inconsistency in line with their careers to date. The Colts signed Jones after Richardson’s historically inaccurate 2024 season, one that also featured the memorable tap-out sequence that affected the dual-threat player’s standing in the locker room. The Colts had also deemed Richardson’s preparation methods insufficient, leading to an in-season benching for the since-departed Joe Flacco. Jones, 28, is a much younger option and was believed to enter camp as the more likely starter. After minicamp, the former No. 6 overall pick was believed to hold a “significant” lead for the job.
Richardson had recovered a bit before camp and did not start camp on the active/PUP list, bringing a good sign he could at least threaten Jones, who landed a $14MM deal ($13.15MM guaranteed). That checks in north of backup money (non-Kirk Cousins division), but the Colts seeing Richardson strides would naturally be encouraging given what the organization has sunk into the one-year Florida starter. Richardson has probably not seen enough game action for a final determination, missing 13 contests as a rookie and six last season. But time is running out, after he finished with a ghastly 47.7% completion rate last season.
Benched and then quickly released by the Giants midway through last season, Jones landed with the Vikings’ practice squad but rejected a free agency offer to stay thanks largely to the Colts opportunity providing a better chance to start. Jones has operated “neck and neck” with Richardson, per The Athletic’s James Boyd. This standing could be perceived as a slight to Jones given his significant experience edge.
Jones would certainly offer more stability compared to the erratic Richardson, but the ceiling disparity between the two is also important here. The upcoming games against the Ravens and Packers will go a long way toward determining which arm Steichen chooses for Week 1. Though, this competition will almost definitely carry into the season. Steichen has said he is prepared to take his time on the decision, and the possibility of in-season benchings certainly looms considering the two passers’ profiles.
Bucs To Sign QB Teddy Bridgewater
1:05pm: The deal is a go. Bridgewater is joining the Bucs on a one-year agreement, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport. The formerly retired quarterback passed his physical and is joining Mayfield and Trask in Tampa.
10:50am: When speaking to the media, Licht confirmed Tampa’s intention of finalizing a Bridgewater deal. He added (via Greg Auman of Fox Sports) that Trask is still seen as the backup at this point, but that could of course change depending on how the coming weeks play out.
8:39am: Teddy Bridgewater has lined up another NFL opportunity. The once-retired quarterback is taking part in a visit with the Buccaneers today, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports a signing is expected in this case. 
Bridgewater retired after the 2023 season but later made it clear he was interested in a return. Late in the regular season, the 32-year-old reunited with the Lions and handled backup quarterback duties the rest of the way. Bridgewater recently coached Miami Northwestern high school to begin his post-playing days, but his tenure there ended after only one season due to a suspension over using his own money to pay for food, rides and other accommodations for his players.
Tampa Bay is not one of the six teams Bridgewater has played for to date in the NFL, but this agreement will still allow him to work with a few familiar faces. Bucs defensive line coach Charlie Strong spent time with Bridgewater at Louisville, and offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard was on the Dolphins’ staff when the former first-rounder was in Miami. Provided Bridgewater officially signs in the near future, he will be in position to see preseason game time upon returning (again) to the NFL.
Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht noted (via Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times) Bridgewater’s experience is a key factor in the decision to add him. Former second-rounder Kyle Trask has attempted just 11 regular season passes in three years while backing up Tom Brady as a rookie and Baker Mayfield for the past two campaigns. Trask is currently dealing with a back injury, per Schefter. Mayfield, meanwhile, recently suffered a contusion in his throwing hand.
Bridgewater will thus provide the Buccaneers with a healthy option under center through the remainder of training camp, although Stroud notes Mayfield is set to return to practice this week. The former No. 1 pick is of course assured of his QB1 gig when healthy over the final two years of his contract. An extension next spring would also come as no surprise.
A veteran of 65 starts, Bridgewater’s most recent run atop a depth chart came in 2021 with the Broncos. He will not be counted on to run Tampa Bay’s offense for an extended period barring a Mayfield injury, but if today’s workout goes as planned another backup opportunity will be in play.
Commanders WR Terry McLaurin Not Seeking Identical Deal To D.K. Metcalf’s
The Terry McLaurin situation remains one to watch as the countdown to Week 1 continues. A trade request emerged last week, but to no surprise the Commanders have no intention of dealing away their No. 1 receiver. 
McLaurin is owed a total of $19.4MM for 2025, the final year of his current contract. An extension (bringing with it a notable raise) has been a goal all offseason, with Washington seeking to work out a deal. The Commanders are believed to be hesitant about authorizing a pact averaging $30MM or more per year based in large part on McLaurin’s age. Entering his age-30 season, the two-time Pro Bowler is a candidate to see his production drop off while playing out his third contract.
To date, though, McLaurin has been a model of consistency with five straight 1,000-yard campaigns and a strong debut season with quarterback Jayden Daniels. A move toward the top of the receiver market has thus been sought out, with the new deal signed by D.K. Metcalf upon arrival with the Steelers named as a McLaurin target. Both 2019 draftees have strong track records of production, but Metcalf being two years younger is a factor in his favor regarding a comparison for financial purposes.
McLaurin has been linked to Metcalf’s $33MM-per-year pact with respect to his Commanders asking price. While portions of the Metcalf accord are indeed on McLaurin’s radar, Dianna Russini of The Athletic notes a matching AAV is not necessarily being sought out (video link). Once the trade sending him from Seattle to Pittsburgh was finalized, Metcalf signed an extension including $80MM in total guarantees and $60MM locked in at signing. Those figures could also be key, in addition to overall value, in negotiations between the Commanders and McLaurin’s camp.
Washington general manager Adam Peters added Deebo Samuel this offseason as part of his efforts to improve the skill-position group complementing McLaurin in 2025. A number of changes along the offensive line could also help Daniels during Year 2 as the team looks to build off last year’s run to the NFC title game. Of course, McLaurin will again be a central figure in determining the Commanders’ success provided he is on the field this fall.
Samuel is a pending free agent, and Daniels having plenty of term remaining on his rookie contract should provide Washington with the opportunity to make at least a short-term investment with respect to a third McLaurin contract. If/when a deal is reached, it will be interesting to see how similar his new pact looks compared to Metcalf’s.
Packers’ Nate Hobbs Undergoes Knee Surgery; CB Could Be Available In Week 1
Nate Hobbs will likely not participate in the remainder of the Packers’ training camp. The free agent signing underwent knee surgery over the weekend, as first reported by Sports Illustrated’s Bill Huber. 
Hobbs was dealing with a partial meniscus tear, ESPN’s Rob Demovsky adds. Playing through the issue could have been an option, but this preventative procedure has instead taken place with the aim of avoiding any missed time during the regular season. The surgery was a success, per Demovsky, who notes Hobbs is expected to miss the rest of camp.
That means the 26-year-old will be unavailable for Green Bay’s preseason contests, although he was already unlikely to take part in those. If Hobbs’ recovery goes as planned, he could still be back in time for Week 1. A clean bill of health would of course be key in this case given the investment made by the Packers on the open market.
After playing out his rookie contract with the Raiders, Hobbs was among the top cornerbacks in this year’s free agent class. He landed a four-year, $48MM pact with Green Bay. While the deal only contains $16MM guaranteed at signing, expectations are high for the former fifth-rounder as the Packers prepare for their first season since 2017 without Jaire Alexander in the fold. Hobbs could see notable time on the perimeter as well as in the slot this season while the team sorts out its best arrangement in the secondary.
News of Hobbs’ surgery and required absence helps explain the Packers’ recent decision to bring back Corey Ballentine. The veteran spent the past three years with Green Bay, making 37 appearances and seven starts. Ballentine is back in the fold as a healthy cornerback option for the time being, and he will look to earn a roster spot ahead of cutdowns later this month. Hobbs, meanwhile, will aim to recover in time for the start of the regular season.
LB Anthony Barr Retires
After being out of the NFL in 2024, Anthony Barr will not attempt a comeback this season. The veteran linebacker has retired, NFL insider Jordan Schultz notes. 
Barr joined the Vikings in 2014 and as expected he immediately took on a full-time starting role. The former ninth overall pick developed into a mainstay on defense throughout his first Minnesota stint. Barr collected a Pro Bowl nod every year from 2015-18, and his consistent production helped his free agent stock coming off his rookie deal.
The UCLA product re-signed with the Vikings on a five-year, $67.5MM pact in 2019. That contract initially appeared to be a fruitful investment for the team, as Barr played 14 games that season and remained an every-down player on defense. After that, however, a pectoral tear limited him to just two games in 2020; he missed considerable time the following year as well. A parting of ways with the Vikings ensured.
After drawing interest from a number of suitors, Barr took a one-year Cowboys deal in the summer of 2022. That set up a single campaign with Dallas, during which he was not a full-time starter but still logged over 600 snaps. The Cowboys elected not to retain him, opening the door to another free agent pact. Once again, Barr found himself on the radar of multiple suitors, but midway through the 2023 campaign he elected to return to the Vikings.
Initially signing on Minnesota’s practice squad, Barr wound up making four regular season appearances during his second stint with the team. To little surprise, he did so in a limited role on both defense and special teams. A similar workload would have likely been in store had he signed with a team last year or in time for the coming campaign.
Barr will instead now turn his attention to his post-playing days at the age of 33. In all, he made 123 combined regular and postseason appearances – all but eight of which were starts – while compiling 554 tackles and 18.5 sacks upon transitioning from edge rusher to linebacker at the NFL level. Barr accumulated roughly $63MM in career earnings.
Raiders Trade CB Jakorian Bennett To Eagles For DT Thomas Booker
In a rare preseason player-for-player deal, the Raiders are trading cornerback Jakorian Bennett to the Eagles in return for defensive tackle Thomas Booker, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Both players will have to pass a physical for the trade to go through, according to The Athletic’s Brooks Kubena.
Bennett, a 2023 fourth-round pick, started four games as a rookie before stepping into a bigger role with seven starts in 2024. He commanded a 71% snap share in the Raiders’ first 10 games before a shoulder injury sidelined him for the rest of the year. Despite seeming to prove himself in Las Vegas, Bennett may not have fit into new head coach Pete Carroll‘s plans for this season.
The Raiders are confident in their other cornerbacks, per Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, including free agent signing and projected starter Eric Stokes. Bennett had been working consistently with the Raiders’ second-string defense, per ESPN.com’s Ryan McFadden. Stokes and third-round rookie Darien Porter had been receiving most of the first-team reps, and Bennett will receive a fresh start. Two years remain on his rookie contract.
In Philadelphia, Bennett is expected to compete for the Eagles’ open outside cornerback job with Kelee Ringo and Adoree’ Jackson, according to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has indicated that neither player has stood out at this point, and Bennett could mix up the competition further.
Booker, meanwhile, was deemed surplus to requirements in the Eagles’ talented young defensive line room with players like Gabe Hall and Byron Young impressing in training camp, per the Inquirer’s EJ Smith. Originally a 2022 fifth-round pick by the Texans, Booker appeared in 10 games as a rookie but was waived during roster cuts in 2023. He spent the year on the Eagles’ practice squad, earned a 53-man roster spot in 2024, and appeared in every game during the team’s championship season.
Booker will now join a Raiders defensive line room that just lost Christian Wilkins as well as 2024 starter John Jenkins earlier in the offseason. Adam Butler, Jonah Laulu, and Zachary Carter are all returning from last year’s unit with a handful of inexpensive veterans and rookies behind them. Booker will join that group competing for a depth role, though his 53-man roster chances are boosted by the fact that the Raiders moved to acquire him.