HEADLINES

Patriots LB Jahlani Tavai Out Until Training Camp

June 5th, 2025 at 8:56pm CST by Ben Levine

After bringing in former defensive stalwart Mike Vrabel as head coach and investing much of their cap room to the defensive side of the ball, the Patriots are clearly hoping to take a major step forward on that side of the ball in 2025. Unfortunately, they may have to prepare for the upcoming campaign without one of the key holdovers.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported earlier this week that linebacker Jahlani Tavai suffered a calf injury during Monday’s OTAs that will sideline him until at least training camp. This was actually a promising development, as many reporters assumed the worst when the linebacker had to be helped off the practice field after teammates “showed their concern” (per ESPN’s Mike Reiss).

A former second-round pick by the Lions, Tavai has found a home in New England in recent seasons. He became one of the team’s only standout players in 2023 and 2024, when he compiled a combined 225 tackles and two sacks in 34 appearances. The former Hawaii star inked a three-year, $15MM extension with the organization during the 2024 offseason.

Tavai is likely eyeing another significant role in 2025, although the Patriots aren’t nearly as reliant on the veteran as they once were. Free agent acquisition Robert Spillane is expected to soak up many of the reps at inside linebacker, although there’s an open competition for the other ILB spot. With Tavai temporarily off the practice field, the likes of Christian Elliss and/or Jack Gibbens could climb the depth chart.

The Patriots were traditionally in a 3-3-5 nickel defensive grouping when led by Bill Belichick and Jerod Mayo. Vrabel played most of his career in that same system, so it’s been assumed the organization may maintain status quo on that side of the ball. However, Vrabel often leaned on four-down defensive linemen during his time with the Titans, and the team’s improved DL depth (and suddenly shaky ILB depth) means they could turn to that configuration. The Patriots’ current DL depth consists of Milton Williams, Christian Barmore, Keion White, Harold Landry, and K’Lavon Chaisson.

NFL Minor Transactions: 6/5/25

June 5th, 2025 at 8:03pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Jacksonville Jaguars

Pittsburgh Steelers

With the Steelers adding S Quindell Johnson yesterday, the team ended up moving on from one of their other defensive backs. The choice was Bledsoe, a former sixth-round pick by the Patriots. The Missouri product got into four games during his two seasons in New England. Following a brief stint in the UFL, Bledsoe caught on with the Steelers’ offseason roster back in January.

No Timeline For Patriots DC Terrell Williams’ Return

June 5th, 2025 at 7:45pm CST by Ben Levine

Terrell Williams remains away from the Patriots after suffering a “health scare” in May. Still, the Patriots new defensive coordinator remains as connected to the organization as he can possibly be.

Inside linebackers coach Zak Kuhr has been leading the defense throughout OTAs, and the coach addressed the uncertain situation with reporters yesterday. Most notably, Kuhr revealed that there’s no timeline for Williams’ return, although he said the coordinator checks in on his staff and players daily via video conference.

Kuhr also addressed his evolving role, noting that he’s simply an extension of Williams and head coach MikeVrabel. Before working with Vrabel for several years in Tennessee, Kuhr had a long stay in college football, with the majority of his work actually coming on the offensive side of the ball (including a stint as offensive coordinator at Texas State). The coach cited that experience as he explained his evolving responsibilities in New England.

“I’ve been a coordinator before,” Kuhr said (via ESPN’s Mike Reiss). “I know it was at the college level [offensive coordinator] but I’ve been in front of a unit before and run meetings. I wouldn’t say it’s anything too new … it’s helped to have a guy like [assistant] Vinny DePalma in there; he has taken a lot of lifting off my shoulders [with inside linebackers]. He’s going to be a great coach.”

As Kuhr navigates the uncertain situation, he hasn’t only leaned on his fellow coaches. The fill-in DC said he’s also relied on free agent acquisition Robert Spillane, who has provided a “coach-like presence on the field” (per Reiss). Specifically, Spillane has been relaying calls from Kuhr to his teammates, and the coach has empowered the veteran to communicate the play call in his own way.

The 36-year-old coach will continue to be in the spotlight, at least until Williams returns to practice. If the defensive coordinator doesn’t make a return, it sounds like the Patriots are more than comfortable rolling with their fill-in. As Reiss writes, Williams previously described Kuhr as a “superstar” in the making, and it sounds like that sentiment is held by other members of the staff.

Kyle Pitts Sidelined With Foot Injury

June 5th, 2025 at 6:43pm CST by Ben Levine

While Kyle Pitts‘ future in Atlanta remains uncertain, his absence from OTA practices has nothing to do with the persistent trade rumblings. Rather, the Falcons tight end is currently sidelined with a strained muscle in his foot, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

[RELATED: Kyle Pitts Drawing Trade Interest]

While plenty of pundits and fans have criticized the former fourth-overall pick’s production, that hasn’t been because of a lack of availability. Besides a 2022 campaign where Pitts was limited to 10 games thanks to a torn MCL, the tight end otherwise hasn’t missed a game during his NFL career. A strained muscle in the foot shouldn’t do much to impact Pitts’ availability for the start of the 2025 campaign, although it could give trade suitors some pause.

We heard earlier this week that multiple teams have reached out to the Falcons about Pitts’ availability. The tight end was described as “relatively available” throughout the offseason, although a deal wasn’t said to be imminent. The team quickly clarified that they weren’t actively shopping Pitts but could be open to the possibility of a trade. It sounded like Pitts had similar feelings about moving on; while the tight end hasn’t requested a trade, he’s reportedly open to a fresh start elsewhere.

Pitts has struggled to live up to his lofty draft stock and subsequent expectations. The Florida product did manage to top 1,000 receiving yards as a rookie, but he hasn’t come close to that mark over the past three years. That includes a 2024 campaign where Pitts finished with 47 receptions for 602 yards, which was his worst showing in any of his three healthy campaigns.

The Falcons picked up Pitts’ fifth-year option, so the tight end is locked in for one more year. As a result, it’s unlikely that teams would view the trade target as anything more than a rental, and the assumed underwhelming offers probably wouldn’t be enough to convince Falcons brass to move on from the starter. In other words, it’s hard to see a true path to a trade.

While Pitts is sidelined with his foot injury, the Falcons will have an opportunity to see what a non-Pitts-led tight ends room will look like. Charlie Woerner is back for another season as a primary backup, although the veteran is more known for his blocking ability. The team was active adding to the position this offseason, acquiring Teagan Quitoriano, Feleipe Franks, Nikola Kalinic, and UDFA Joshua Simon. Those four players should have an extended opportunity to show what they’ve got while Pitts is out of practice.

No Extension Agreement Imminent Between Commanders, Terry McLaurin

June 5th, 2025 at 5:00pm CST by Adam La Rose

5:00pm: Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer predicts an agreement will be reached on this front no later than the start of training camp (video link). He adds the value of a new contract could range between $30MM and $35MM annually given the current nature of the receiver market. In any case, an arrangement on a third contract (or at least progress toward one) will presumably be sought out in the near future by the Commanders.

12:31pm: Terry McLaurin is among the veteran players around the NFL absent from OTAs while seeking an extension. It appears progress at the negotiating table has been hard to come by in his case.

McLaurin has informed the Commanders he is “frustrated” by the status of extension talks, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reports. The two-time Pro Bowler has one year remaining on his contract, but it has long been known he is aiming for a new pact. An extension has also been a team priority for some time now.

As a result, many expected an agreement to be worked out between team and player. McLaurin’s importance to Washington’s offense cannot be understated, and he remained a consistent producer during the years leading up the arrival of quarterback Jayden Daniels. With the 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year in place, McLaurin topped 1,000 receiving yards for the fifth straight year while reaching a new career high with 13 touchdowns.

The 29-year-old has already been paid out a $2.8MM roster bonus, and he is owed a $15.5MM base salary for the coming campaign. McLaurin is set to carry a cap charge of $25.5MM in 2025, and an extension (even by means of a raise) could lower that figure. The top of the receiver market has surpassed $40MM this offseason, and a total of eight wideouts average at least $30MM per year. The AAV of McLaurin’s existing deal checks in at $23.2MM.

Adding an established pass-catcher was an understandable offseason goal for the Commanders. To no surprise, then, the team brought in Deebo Samuel via trade. His pact was restructured upon arrival, but the former 49er joins McLaurin as a pending 2026 free agent. Ensuring at least the latter remains in place beyond the coming season – and thus through the remainder of Daniels’ rookie contract – would be a sound approach for general manager Adam Peters and Co. Work still needs to take place for that to be possible, however.

As Schultz notes, McLaurin departed the team during earlier voluntary work as an indication of his dissatisfaction. It will be interesting to see if he skips mandatory minicamp (set for June 10-12) or engages in a hold-in while extension talks continue.

Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown Recovering From Knee Surgery; LB Malcolm Rodriguez To Miss Regular Season Time

June 5th, 2025 at 4:23pm CST by Adam La Rose

Thursday brought about a pair of notable injury updates for the Lions. One of them came from All-Pro wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown. 

St. Brown said (via ESPN’s Eric Woodyard) he underwent knee surgery shortly after the 2024 season ended. He will miss the remainder of spring workouts as his recovery continues. The 25-year-old added, though, that he expects to be cleared in time for training camp.

St. Brown’s health will of course be critical for the Lions in 2025 as the team once again aims for a Super Bowl. He has topped 1,000 yards during each of the past three seasons, earning a Pro Bowl nod every time during that stretch. The former fourth-rounder will again operate as Detroit’s No. 1 receiver this season, and expectations will be high for another year of standout production.

Last offseason, St. Brown agreed to a four-year extension worth just over $120MM. That agreement made him one of the league’s highest-paid receivers and ensured the USC product will remain in the Motor City for years to come. An offense still featuring quarterback Jared Goff, running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, fellow wideout Jameson Williams and tight end Sam LaPorta will be expected to remain one of the league’s best in 2025 even without OC Ben Johnson in place anymore. St. Brown will have a critical role to play in the unit’s success, so being back to 100% by July would be a welcomed development.

In other injury news, head coach Dan Campbell spoke on linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (video link). He confirmed Rodriguez will miss the beginning of the 2025 season, which comes as no surprise. The 26-year-old suffered an ACL tear on Thanksgiving, making him one of several key defenders who missed time for Detroit in 2024. Campbell said a return to action could take place sometime in November in Rodriguez’s case.

Managing to return to full strength will be key for the former sixth-rounder. Rodriguez is a pending 2026 free agent, so his value will be dictated in large part by his level of play once he is healthy. He has totaled 24 starts during his Lions tenure, and at least a part-time defensive role should await him upon returning to the field. A productive run to close out the campaign could boost his stock and add depth to the second level of the team’s defense.

Jack Campbell and Derrick Barnes are in place as returnees at the linebacker spot for Detroit. Alex Anzalone is on the books as well, but he has remained away from the team during voluntary workouts. While the team looks to sort out a potential extension on that front, Zach Cunningham recently joined as experienced option for the initial roster. Rodriguez missing Week 1 will help Cunningham’s chances of surviving roster cutdowns at the end of training camp.

Steelers TE Donald Parham Out For Season After Torn Achilles

June 5th, 2025 at 2:10pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

JUNE 5: Parham has officially been placed on injured reserve. As a result, his season is over. Parham will hit free agency next spring with his value having taken a notable hit.

JUNE 3: Steelers tight end Donald Parham will likely miss the entire 2025 season after suffering a torn Achilles in OTAs, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The former Charger signed with the Steelers in February on a one-year deal for the veteran minimum. He was expected to slot in as tight end depth behind starter Pat Freiermuth, but will now spend the season on the sidelines, leaving Pittsburgh thin at the position.

The Steelers only have two other tight ends with any NFL experience: 2023 third-rounder Darnell Washington and 2022 sixth-rounder Connor Heyward. Both have primarily served as blockers in the NFL – Heyward as a hybrid TE/FB and Washington as a jumbo-sized inline blocker – though the latter showed up at OTAs 10 pounds lighter, according to Mark Kaboly of the Pat McAfee Show. Pittsburgh’s undrafted rookie tight ends, DJ Thomas-Jones and J.J. Galbreath, will now have the opportunity to make a strong impression this summer and push for a roster spot.

Parham’s injury could also intensify the Steelers’ renewed pursuit of Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith. Pittsburgh was already looking to add an offensive playmaker before the season and now has an even stronger need at tight end.

In the event that Smith stays in Miami, the Steelers may have to pivot to a veteran free agent. MyCole Pruitt logged 271 snaps in Arthur Smith‘s offense last year, and 19-year veteran Marcedes Lewis recently revealed that he wants to sign with a new team for the 2025 season.

Parham, meanwhile, won’t see the field for a second consecutive season. After four years as a rotational option with the Chargers, he was released last August during final roster cuts. He landed on the Broncos’ practice squad, but was not elevated a single time during the regular season.

Micah Parsons To Attend Cowboys’ Minicamp

June 5th, 2025 at 11:39am CST by Adam La Rose

Micah Parsons has been absent for parts of OTAs this year as he continues to await a Cowboys extension. A holdout during upcoming minicamp would represent an escalation in this situation, but that will not take place.

Cowboys COO Stephen Jones said he was unsure if Parsons planned to attend the mandatory practices when speaking to the media (via All City DLLS’ Clarence Hill Jr.). He added there is nothing new with respect to the status of extension talks. There is still work to be done on that front, and Parsons and owner Jerry Jones have not been in direct contact for weeks.

The All-Pro edge rusher took to social media to confirm he will indeed be present for minicamp. Choosing to be absent would have made Parsons open to fines, but he will attend (something he also did last offseason, the first in which he was eligible for an extension). Players often hold in for minicamp and/or training camp by electing not to take part in on-field work until an extension is worked out. It will be interesting to see if that takes place in this case.

A flight delay prevented Parsons from arriving at OTAs earlier this week, as noted by Hill. Regardless of how the 26-year-old’s attendance and participation (or lack thereof) plays out, the matter of his second contract will of course remain a key storyline for the Cowboys. An April report indicated Parsons and Jerry Jones worked out the bulk of an extension agreement, but no deal has been signed yet. Until that changes, the four-time Pro Bowler will remain on track for free agency next spring.

Parsons is owed $24.01MM this season as a result of the Cowboys’ decision to pick up his fifth-year option. A long-term deal will of course cost much more, and the top of the edge rush market now sits at $40MM per season. Myles Garrett moved the bar with his Browns extension, and T.J. Watt (Steelers) and Trey Hendrickson (Bengals) are expected to land lucrative new pacts soon. Parsons is notably younger than each member of that trio, however, something which could result in him becoming the league’s top earner amongst pass rushers by the start of the season.

Jones and the Cowboys have a well-earned reputation for taking longer than needed to work out extensions with their top players; the negotiation process for Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb last summer provided a pair of clear examples on that point. Parsons hopes to have his mega-deal in hand by training camp at the latest, and while it remains to be seen if that will be the case he will be present to take part in any potential negotiations during Dallas’ minicamp.

Dawand Jones On Track To Be Browns’ LT

June 5th, 2025 at 10:48am CST by Sam Robinson

JUNE 5: Jones noted when speaking to the media that he has dropped 20 pounds in anticipation of handling blindside duties (h/t Jeff Schudel of the News-Herald). As expected, Jones is indeed in position to operate as Cleveland’s new starter at the left tackle spot.

MAY 28: The quartet of tackles chosen during the first half of the 2020 first round delivered mixed results on their respective rookie contracts. Tristan Wirfs has become an anchor in Tampa, now residing as the NFL’s highest-paid left tackle, while Giants draftee Andrew Thomas — when available — has been among the best LTs as well. Mekhi Becton, who looked like the worst of the batch as his Jets career careened off course, has bounced back as a guard.

Quietly, Jedrick Wills — chosen ahead of Becton and Wirfs (at No. 10 overall) — remains in free agency. The Browns could not rely on the Alabama alum following troublesome 2023 knee injuries (MCL and PCL sprains, along with bone bruises), and despite picking up his fifth-year option, the team demoted a five-year starter late last season. As Wills remains unattached, the Browns are aiming to turn to another injury-prone option to replace him.

Dawand Jones has filled in for both Wills and Jack Conklin in Cleveland’s lineup, but the Ohio State alum has also seen both his NFL seasons end early. Jones suffered a knee injury during a December 2023 practice, ending his season and further depleting a Browns O-line that had already lost Conklin and Wills by that point, but he returned on time in 2024 — something the Browns’ then-tackle starters failed to do — and played 10 games (eight starts). Not long after the Browns elevated Jones over Wills, the 2023 fourth-rounder sustained an ankle injury to close his second season. He also underwent a cleanup knee procedure this winter.

The Browns, however, did not draft a tackle or any O-linemen last month. As the team conducts a rare four-man quarterback competition, cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot notes Jones is on track to start at left tackle. Jones opened as a Week 1 starter last year, but he was then a fill-in performer. The Browns do have part-time 2024 Commanders starter Cornelius Lucas — who signed a two-year, $6.5MM deal — in place as insurance, but the 12th-year veteran’s contract points to a swing role. The Browns certainly needed their swingmen during the Wills-Conklin period, and with the latter still in place after an offseason pay cut, Lucas stands to be important even in the event Jones becomes Cleveland’s LT starter.

Playing 334 right tackle snaps and 176 on the left side in 2024, Jones graded as a bottom-five tackle (in the view of Pro Football Focus) last season. The advanced metrics site was more bullish on Jones in 2023, ranking him 48th among tackle regulars. PFF graded Lucas (464 offensive snaps) 28th among tackles last season. This plan, with Jones unproven and injury-prone and Lucas entering an age-34 season, brings considerable risk for a Browns team with a destabilized QB situation.

The other pieces from a once-formidable Browns O-line are also aging. Joel Bitonio considered retirement this offseason and will turn 34 in October. Teller and longtime Bitonio guard sidekick Wyatt Teller are entering age-31 campaigns. While no reinforcements arrived in the draft, the Browns did sign three-year Bears guard starter Teven Jenkins on the cheap (one year, $3.1MM); that may prove important given the ages of the team’s expected starters. Even center Ethan Pocic is not young, by NFL standards, as he will play an age-30 season this year.

Lucas winning the LT job would stand to give the Browns an extraordinarily rare all-3o-something front, but the team is hoping Jones can provide some youth for the unit. Jones, 24 in August, has two years remaining on his rookie deal. A Browns team that may need to conduct an O-line overhaul in 2026, as its four 30-something starters are in contract years, would certainly benefit from a young player seizing the reins this season.

Derek Carr Addresses Retirement Decision

June 5th, 2025 at 9:59am CST by Adam La Rose

Derek Carr elected to end his NFL career last month, and the Saints officially processed his retirement on Tuesday. The veteran quarterback’s decision to hang up his cleats came about from his desire not to have shoulder surgery, a topic he recently addressed.

“I wouldn’t have been able to play if I had the surgery,” Carr said during an interview with David Rumsey of Front Office Sports. “And then if I tried to play with it, I wasn’t near 100%, and so that doesn’t help them, either. I just felt like it was the right thing to do for myself and for the team.”

As part of the retirement decision, a financial arrangement was made between Carr and the Saints. The 34-year-old will keep his 2025 roster bonus (valued at $10MM) but he will forego the $30MM in guaranteed salary he was owed for the season. The Saints will move forward with an open competition including Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener and second-round rookie Tyler Shough under center. Carr’s post-2025 New Orleans future had been a talking point prior to his retirement anyway, but team and player have gone their separate ways early.

“That part was tough because I didn’t want to have surgery and just sit there and – it sounds crazy but – just take the Saints’ money,” Carr added. “I had a whole bunch of people tell me how crazy I was, and ‘Man, I would never have done that.’ That’s all cool, but I’ve gained all these things that the world has to offer, and it doesn’t really do anything for your heart. I knew my heart was at peace, and that’s really all that mattered.”

While Carr looked into his non-Saints options this spring prior to retiring, he has expressed contentment with his decision to hang up his cleats. The quarterback market has essentially been settled this offseason, with the Steelers representing the only team where the projected starter is not yet on the roster. Pittsburgh was not mentioned as a potential Carr landing spot, but a QB injury elsewhere could lead to speculation about an NFL return.

Instead, the former Raider confirmed in the interview that he plans to focus his attention on his post-playing days. Carr played a total of 11 seasons in the NFL, and it would come as a surprise if that total were to increase at any time.

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