James Cook Participating In Training Camp; RB Still Discussing Bills Extension
2025 has witnessed a pair of training camp holdouts and the attendance/participation of other extension-seeking players will remain a storyline to follow in the coming days. With respect to James Cook, things have been business as usual regarding his on-field work. 
The two-time Pro Bowler participated in full during the Bills’ first training camp practice. That is expected to continue, as noted by Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic (subscription required). Earlier this month, it was unclear if a hold-in would take place, but Cook said he did not consider such a move. The former second-rounder remains focused on securing a Bills extension, although it still remains to be seen if a big-ticket deal will come from Buffalo or another team next spring.
“I mean, we have talks. I’m never going to give up,” Cook said during his first public remarks since arriving at camp. “I deserve it — what I want, what I need. It’s going to eventually happen. I mean, however it happens, it’s going to get done. Wherever it happens.”
A mutual interest still exists for an agreement to be reached allowing Cook to play on his second contract with the Bills. Since an asking price of $15MM per season became public, however, little progress has been made with respect to negotiations. One year remains on the Georgia product’s rookie contract, and a season similar to 2024 would position him for a major raise. Cook tied for the league lead in rushing touchdowns last season (16) and averaged nearly 91 yards per game on the ground during the playoffs.
While the 25-year-old should be expected to remain productive for the foreseeable future, he logged a snap share of only 48% in 2024. Cook has yet to establish himself as a true three-down workhorse similar to many of the top earners at the running back spot (a position whose market currently has seven players averaging between $10MM and $20.6MM annually). The Bills still have Ray Davis and Ty Johnson in the fold, so a major increase in Cook’s 2025 workload compared to past years would come as a surprise. In any case, general manager Brandon Beane remains hopeful a deal can be struck at some point.
“As I’ve said all along, I love James Cook. You know how I am. I want to draft, develop, re-sign our own,” Beane said. “It is a business. We have to fit it in, not only cash, but cap… But we also have to look at ’26, ’27 and beyond… So all those things have to make sense for us to fit in him.”
This offseason, Beane and the Bills have worked out long-term deals with Christian Benford, Gregory Rousseau, Terrel Bernard and Khalil Shakir. In each case, those moves ensured a departure next spring will not be possible. Cook still looms as a candidate for a multi-year pact of his own, and his situation will no doubt remain a storyline until and unless an agreement can be reached.
Cardinals LB J.J. Russell Carted Off Field Following Collision
There was a scary moment at Cardinals practice today. According to Darren Urban of the team’s website, linebacker J.J. Russell was involved in a collision before being placed on a backboard and carted off the field. The player has since been released from the hospital and re-joined the team after tests were negative, per the organization.
The Cardinals passed along an update earlier tonight that the player was alert and had movement in all his extremities following the collision.
“JJ Russell is being evaluated for a head [and] neck injury suffered in this afternoon’s practice,” the team said. “He was alert on the field [and] had movement in all his extremities. He has been taken to a local hospital for further testing [and] continued evaluation.”
Per Urban, Russell was injured when he collided with safety Kitan Crawford while trying to break up a pass attempt. Players gathered around the linebacker before he was carted off the field.
Russell joined the Cardinals this offseason after spending the first three seasons of his career with the Buccaneers. The former UDFA out of Memphis got into 30 games during his time in Tampa Bay, including a 2024 campaign where he appeared in a career-high 16 games. He finished last season with 33 tackles, with more than half of his snaps coming on special teams.
Russell will likely be competing for a similar ST role in Arizona, although he could also push for reps at weakside linebacker. Akeem Davis-Gaither was added in free agency to lead that position grouping, with Owen Pappoe and Vi Jones providing the rest of the depth at that position.
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/24/25
Today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Placed on active/PUP list: LB Troy Andersen
- Released: DB Kevin King
- Placed on active/NFI list: CB Cobee Bryant, DL LaCale London, LB Malik Verdon
Chicago Bears
- Signed: S Alex Cook
Detroit Lions
- Activated from active/NFI list: CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: CB Cornell Armstrong, OL Obinna Eze
- Waived: OL Tedi Kushi
- Placed on IR: CB Artie Burns
New York Jets
- Signed: DB Tanner McCalister
- Released: LB Jared Bartlett
Philadelphia Eagles
- Reverted to IR: OL Marcus Tate
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Placed on active/NFI list: G Isaac Seumalo
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: WR Quintez Cephus
- Waived: RB Israel Abanikanda
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: G Michael Jordan, OL Tyler McLellan
- Waived/injured: OL Silas Dzansi
- Placed on reserve/retired list: OT Garret Greenfield
Washington Commanders
- Extended: S Percy Butler
Following rumblings yesterday that Artie Burns may have suffered a season-ending injury, the bad news was confirmed today, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Dolphins cornerback indeed suffered a torn ACL. It’s a tough break for the veteran, who’s looking to revive his NFL career after being limited to only four games with the Seahawks last season. The Dolphins were quick to sign a replacement, as Miami signed Cornell Armstrong. A former sixth-round pick by the Dolphins, Armstrong last appeared in an NFL game in 2022, when he started four of his nine games for the Falcons.
The Buccaneers did some shuffling on their offensive line today. In comes a pair of lineman: Michael Jordan, who started 11 games for the Patriots last season, and Tyler McLellan, a six-foot-eight, 355-pound lineman out of Campbell. Garret Greenfield, a UDFA in the 2024 draft, has apparently decided to hang up his cleats, and the team also moved on from Silas Dzansi with an injury designation.
The Commanders were looking ahead to 2026 today, as the team added an extra year to Percy Butler‘s contract. The former fourth-round pick has had some run in the starting lineup, including a 2023 season where he started 13 games while compiling 64 tackles and eight passes defended. He started five of 17 games in 2024 while establishing himself as one of Washington’s special teams aces.
Nathaniel Hackett Joins Packers Staff
A familiar face is back with the Packers. Coach Matt LaFleur revealed today that former offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett is back with the organization in “an analyst role for our defense,” per Albert Breer of TheMMQB.
Hackett was once one of the bright, young offensive minds in the NFL. After cutting his teeth as the Bills offensive coordinator, he took the same role with the Jaguars in 2016. Jacksonville had a pair of dismal seasons during Hackett’s three years on the sideline, but their one successful campaign saw the offense finish the year ranked fifth in points scored.
He caught on with LaFleur’s new staff in Green Bay ahead of the 2019 season. Working alongside Aaron Rodgers, Hackett helped guide the Packers offense to three relatively successful seasons. This included a 2020 season where Green Bay led the league in points scored, and the team followed that up with a 10th-place showing in 2021. Rodgers also won back-to-back MVPs while playing in Hackett’s system.
That performance helped earn the coach his first (and, at the moment, only) head coaching gig in Denver, but things couldn’t have gone much worse. After guiding the Broncos to a 4-11 start, Hackett was fired from his role, making him only the fifth head coach since 1970 to not make it through a full season with his new club. Still, his relationship with Rodgers helped get him the OC job with the Jets in 2023.
We’re all familiar with how that went. Rodgers’ season-ending injury in 2023 helped buy Hackett another season, but when Jeff Ulbrich took over as interim HC following Robert Saleh‘s firing in 2024, the OC was stripped of his play-calling duties. Predictably, Hackett was let go by the end of the campaign.
Now, he’ll resurface in a familiar spot in Green Bay. It’s interesting that he’s been hired for a defensive role, although it’s not particularly rare in today’s day and age. Just last year, the Packers made a similar hire with Saleh, as the ousted Jets coach was hired to provide a defensive viewpoint to the team’s offense.
“I just think it’s a fresh perspective,” LaFleur said (via ESPN’s Rob Demovsky). “You kind of, especially when you take a defensive guy and put them on offense and vice versa, and offensive guy and defense, it gives you a little different lens to see it through and talk through. And so, he’s sitting in with all our, with our defensive staff, and he’s been in the linebacker room and kind of just going through the film and, you know, gives them a good offensive perspective.”
Titans Unlikely To Add Another Quarterback
The Titans are down a quarterback following Will Levis‘ sudden season-ending shoulder surgery. While the injury opens up even more camp reps for first-overall pick Cam Ward, there was some speculation that the organization could look to add another player at the position.
[RELATED: Titans QB Will Levis To Undergo Season-Ending Shoulder Surgery]
It sounds like that won’t be the case. Titans GM Mike Borgonzi told reporters that he feels good about his current grouping of quarterbacks and doesn’t anticipate adding another player to the mix (via Jim Wyatt of the team’s website). Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com passed along a similar sentiment yesterday, stating that the Titans are unlikely to add a fourth QB to the depth chart.
To the Titans’ credit, the team did add a pair of veteran QBs to their roster this offseason, bringing in both Brandon Allen and Tim Boyle. Allen brings 10 games of starting experience to Tennessee, one of which came last season with the 49ers. In that contest, the veteran completed 17 of his 29 pass attempts for 199 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in a San Francisco loss. Boyle is winless in his five career starts, including a two-game starting gig with the Jets during the 2023 campaign.
Those two options are uninspiring, and there’s a chance the team only carries one backup heading into the regular season. Allen would appear to have the upper hand in the QB2 competition, as the player previously worked with head coach Brian Callahan when the two were in Cincinnati.
“He’s got a great feel for the system, how to operate,” Callahan said of Allen (via John Glennon of the Nashville Post). “He understands the role of the backup quarterback. He’s got a lot of experience he can share with Cam as well, from all the places he’s been, and things he’s done and seen … He can help manage the offense, operate it when he steps in there.”
Despite being in the NFL for only two seasons, Levis brings more starting experience than his two potential replacements, as the former second-round pick got an extended look as QB1 between 2023 and 2024. The team’s addition of Ward put Levis in a somewhat awkward spot, and the incumbent was a popular name in trade rumors this offseason. With Levis now out for the season, he’ll be sticking in Tennessee at least through the 2025 campaign.
Colts, Bernhard Raimann Talking Extension
One year remains on Bernhard Raimann‘s rookie contract. To little surprise, talks on an extension have taken place between the Colts and their starting left tackle. 
Raimann has handled first-team duties for 40 of his 45 career games with Indianapolis. The 27-year-old Austrian has yet to log a full 17-game slate, but he figures to be in the team’s long-term plans. While negotiations on a new deal are underway, though, a gap exists between team and player at this point.
“From my understanding, is that the numbers don’t quite add up yet,” Raimann said when speaking to Jake Query of 107.5 The Fan. “They way they might value a position differently than my team thinks it is. We’re working on things.”
Of course, differences between the initial asking price from a player’s camp and the team’s valuation is commonplace in extension talks. As training camp progresses, it will be interesting to see if progress can be made allowing for a deal to be reached by Week 1. If no agreement is struck, 2025 will become a crucial campaign Raimann’s case.
The former third-rounder has seen his PFF evaluation improve with each passing season far in his career. Raimann ranked 25th amongst qualifying tackles as a rookie, but he has landed in the top 10 for each of the past two campaigns. A similar showing this year would certainly boost his stock on either a second Colts pact or one sending him to a new team via free agency (although the franchise tag would allow Indianapolis to prevent a departure in March).
The Colts already have Quenton Nelson attached to a deal averaging $20MM per season, making him one of only five NFL guards with an AAV that high. Right tackle Braden Smith – who agreed to a pay cut this offseason and is a pending 2026 free agent – is the only other offensive linemen on the team on the books at a notable figure. Two in-house blockers (center Tanor Bortolini and right guard Matt Goncalves) are set to take on full-time starting roles in the wake of center Ryan Kelly and right guard Will Fries joining the Vikings in free agency. Raimann leaving on the open market would be even more consequential to the Colts, so the progress of negotiations will be worth watching in his case.
Commanders’ Terry McLaurin Begins Holdout
JULY 24: During an appearance on the Rich Eisen Show (video link), NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero noted McLaurin is currently in the Virginia area as his holdout continues. Per Pelissero, all options – anything from requesting a trade to backing down and playing the 2025 season without an extension in hand – remain on the table at this point. In the absence of an agreement, an escalation on the part of McLaurin’s camp looms as a potential development in this saga.
JULY 22: Terry McLaurin did not report to Commanders training camp, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, marking the start of a holdout amid his protracted extension talks with the team.
Washington’s veterans were due to report today for a conditioning test, which was described as an “unofficial start” to training camp by Schefter. McLaurin was the only Commander not in attendance, which is expected to remain the case until he reaches an agreement on a new contract.
General manager Adam Peters made it clear earlier today that the organization would “do whatever we can to get a deal done,” although the front office apparently didn’t show enough urgency to avoid a holdout. McLaurin will now face daily fines of $50K for missed practices.
Entering the final season of his three-year, $68MM extension from 2022, McLaurin has cited recent deals signed at his position. Garrett Wilson was the most recent wideout to receive a lucrative extension, as the Jets WR garnered a four-year, $130MM contract that included $90MM in guaranteed money. McLaurin’s situation is a bit unique considering he’s set to enter his age-30 campaign, but the Commanders star could still expect a hefty payout on his next deal.
The former third-round pick has topped 900 receiving yards in each of his six NFL seasons, including five-straight years of 1,000-plus yards. The 2024 season was one of the most productive campaigns of his career, as McLaurin finished with 82 catches for 1,096 yards and a career-high 13 touchdowns.
While the Commanders appear motivated to work out a long-term pact, there shouldn’t be a lack of suitors if the organization suddenly pivots to a trade. Just the other day, we heard that the Patriots would have interest in acquiring the star receiver, and New England surely wouldn’t be the only potential landing spot for the Pro Bowler.
In the meantime, McLaurin’s absence will give several players an opportunity to push for first-team reps in Washington. This group includes veterans K.J. Osborn and Michael Gallup as well as recent draftees Luke McCaffrey and Jaylin Lane.
Ben Levine contributed to this post.
Bears Host DJ Chark; WR’s Playing Future Uncertain
The Bears hosted six free agent receivers earlier this week. With training camp getting underway, it will be interesting to see if any deals come about as a result of the visits. 
Per the transactions wire (via Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times), the Bears worked out DJ Chark, Chance Campbell, Thomas Gordon, Peyton Hendershot, Matt Landers and Gervarrius Owens. Out of that group, Chark is of course the most noteworthy. He has 76 games and 51 starts to his name in the NFL.
At this point in Chark’s career, however, it remains to be seen when (or if) he will line up his next opportunity. The 28-year-old has played for four teams to date, and he spent last season with the Chargers. Chark was limited to just 10 games and only four receptions in 2024, so to no surprise he was not linked to any suitors before the start of training camps. Specific fit will be key in determining whether or not Chark continues his career.
“It depends,” the former second-rounder said in an interview with Kyle Odegard of Sports Casting when asked if he will play in 2025. “It will have to be something that makes sense, from a family perspective and also from an Xs and Os perspective. Getting up and going to any team just for the excitement — I’ll always love the game, but at this point, putting myself and my family in a great position is what’s ideal for me.”
Chark broke out with a Pro Bowl campaign during his second season in the NFL. Then with the Jaguars, he notched 1,008 yards and eight touchdowns that year and delivered another relatively strong season as a follow-up. Since then, however, the LSU product has battled injuries and inconsistency while spending time in Detroit and Carolina after the expiration of his Jacksonville rookie deal. With a 14.4 yards per reception average, Chark could offer any number of teams a vertical threat in the passing game.
The Bears still have D.J. Moore and 2024 first-rounder Rome Odunze in place at the receiver spot. The team also added Luther Burden in the second round of the draft after signing Olamide Zaccheaus and Devin Duvernay as depth options in free agency. With over $13MM in cap space, Chicago could afford to add Chark on a one-year pact which would no doubt be worth the veteran minimum. Failing that, his time in the NFL may come to an end.
Giants Add 2025 Incentives To DT Dexter Lawrence’s Contract
In terms of average annual value, Dexter Lawrence‘s contract currently ranks 10th amongst defensive tackles. The Giants Pro Bowler is on the books for another three years, meaning an extension at this point would not entirely be feasible. 
Nevertheless, Lawrence could see an uptick in earnings for the coming campaign. The Giants have added $3MM in incentives for 2025, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Lawrence was already set to earn $17MM this season, but his compensation could increase as a result of this move.
The 2023 offseason saw a new group of high-profile defensive tackles sign nearly identical extensions with their respective teams. Lawrence was among them, and his pact averages $22.5MM annually. No incentives were originally included in the deal, but with that now the case for at least one year this situation could be set up for extension negotiations in 2026. Indeed, The Athletic’s Dan Duggan predicts “more serious” contract talks will likely take place next offseason.
Lawrence earned the first of three consecutive Pro Bowl nod in 2022, and he also landed a spot on the second All-Pro team. The same was true the following year as the Clemson product remained a standout contributor along the Giants’ defensive line. Despite missing five games in 2024, Lawrence set a new career high with nine sacks, something which would have helped his position in contract talks. Instead of an early attempt to move up the pecking order at his position, the 27-year-old will focus on hitting theses new incentives.
As a whole, the Giants will look to take a needed step forward across the board. The upcoming make-or-break season for head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen will no doubt be impacted by the play of New York’s defense. The team’s defensive front in particular will be a unit to watch in 2025, and Lawrence will be counted on to once again lead the way. If he manages to put together another productive campaign, a short-term boost in earnings will be seen along with increased leverage for any extension negotiations which take place.
TE Noah Fant Visiting Bengals; Other Teams Interested
Less than a week after being released by the Seahawks, tight end Noah Fant is already receiving interest from multiple teams, according to FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz.
Fant is visiting Cincinnati today, per Schultz, giving the Bengals the first crack at signing the former first-rounder.
Originally selected with the No. 20 pick in 2019, Fant is considered somewhat of a disappointment relative to his draft billing. He has still been a solid receiving tight end across his six-year career, but his blocking has left much to be desired. He ranked eighth among tight ends with 1,905 receiving yards over his first three seasons before he was sent to the Seahawks as part of the Russell Wilson trade in 2022. In his three years in Seattle, Fant fell to 21st among tight ends with just 1,400 receiving yards.
The Bengals, meanwhile, finally found a productive tight end last year in Mike Gesicki, who caught 65 passes for 665 yards. (Prior to that, no Bengals tight end had reached 55 receptions or 500 receiving yards in a season in the Joe Burrow era.) Gesicki was retained this offseason on a three-year, $25.5MM deal, solidifying him as the team’s starter, certainly for 2025 and likely for 2026 as well. 2019 second-rounder Drew Sample only has one season above 200 receiving yards, but he actually led the Bengals’ tight end room in 2024 with 655 starts (57.61% snap share) to Gesicki’s 523 (46% snap share). 2024 fourth-rounder Erick All is out for the year with a torn ACL, so the TE3 role currently belongs to Tanner Hudson, a reliable, inexpensive player who offers little upside.
Fant certainly offers more receiving prowess than Hudson, but it’s hard to imagine him eating into Gesicki’s role as a receiver, often in the slot, or Sample’s as an inline blocker. The Bengals will likely need to sell Fant on an appealing role (and/or contract) to get him to agree to terms before leaving Cincinnati. With other interested teams, however, Fant may look for a more clear-cut TE2 role elsewhere.