Jets To Sign K Harrison Mevis
JUNE 18: The Jets officially signed Mevis on Wednesday and waived Carlson in a corresponding move, per a team announcement. That sets up Mevis and Davis to compete for New York’s starting kicker job this summer. Removing Carlson from this competition creates the rare kicker matchup consisting of two UDFAs without any regular-season experience. This marks the second time a team has waived Carlson in 10 months, as the Packers moved on just before last season.
JUNE 17: Moving on from Greg Zuerlein after three seasons, the Jets are set to hold a competition between far less experienced players. One of them is coming in from the UFL.
The spring/summer league finished its season Saturday, leaving players free to explore NFL opportunities. The Jets will look into one such performer. Birmingham Stallions kicker Harrison Mevis is signing with the Jets, according to NFL Draft Diamonds. ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini confirmed the signing, which will give Mevis another chance after he failed to make a roster in 2024.
Mevis made 20 of 21 field goals with the Stallions this season. He did not capture attention with 60-plus-yard makes like Jake Bates did last year, with the Birmingham kicker’s longest make being 54 yards. But the Lions seeing Bates make a considerable difference in his debut likely helped Mevis, who joined former NFL kickers Rodrigo Blankenship, Lucas Havrisik and Tristan Vizcaino in being UFL regulars this season.
Known as the “Thiccer Kicker” at Missouri, Mevis received an opportunity as a Panthers UDFA last year. That chance ended midway through training camp, however, as Carolina moved on and went with Eddy Pineiro, who played out his contract. Although Pineiro is a historically accurate option, he remains a free agent. The Jets are going younger post-Zuerlein.
New York has former Green Bay draftee Anders Carlson and rookie UDFA Caden Davis on its 90-man offseason roster. Carlson worked as a five-game Zuerlein fill-in for the Jets last season, after failing to keep his job as the Packers’ kicker during the preseason.
While Mevis did not produce Bates-like makes in the UFL, he has a strong leg that broke a near-40-year-old SEC record. He made a 61-yard field goal to lift Mizzou past former Big 12 rival Kansas State in 2023. Mevis’ best college season came in 2021, when he made 26 of 28 field goal tries for the Tigers. He is Mizzou’s all-time record holder with 86 career makes, and he earned second-team All-SEC acclaim as a senior in 2023.
Ravens Expected To Adopt Bills’ Approach To Lamar Jackson Extension
The Ravens could adopt the Bills’ approach to Josh Allen‘s extension when pursuing a similar deal with Lamar Jackson this year.
“The sense here around the league is that Baltimore could follow the blueprint that Buffalo put together back in March when they extended Josh Allen, even though he had multiple years left on his contract,” said ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler during a recent SportsCenter appearance (via Bleacher Report’s Joseph Zucker). “The feeling is, get ahead of that huge quarterback market money in three or four years from now, just pay your guy now when he’s got multiple years left on his current deal.”
Earlier this offseason, Allen signed a six-year, $330MM contract that replaced his 2021 extension, which had four years remaining. The deal brought him back to the highest tier of the quarterback market after a dozen quarterbacks surpassed his $43MM APY in the last four years; it also provided Buffalo with financial flexibility for the rest of the decade.
Jackson and the Ravens are in a similar situation. He was the league’s highest-paid quarterback when he signed his first extension in 2023; now, he ranks 10th. The two-time MVP is only set to earn $122.75MM in base salary over the next three years ($40.9MM per year), per OverTheCap, but his cap hits will total $192.5MM in the same period, including a whopping $74.5MM in both 2026 and 2027. An early extension would offer Jackson more money in the immediate future while giving the Ravens plenty of room to manage the salary cap for the foreseeable future.
Fowler’s comments suggest that the Ravens will adopt the Bills’ approach when it comes to to Jackson’s contract, but it is unclear if that means ripping up his first extension and replacing it with a brand-new deal like Allen. An extension could create $15.8MM of cap space in 2025, which Baltimore could use for summer signing and in-season contingencies. More importantly, a new deal for Jackson will lower his cap hits in 2026 and 2027, which will help the Ravens retain key talent approaching the end of their contracts.
Jackson was asked about his contract status at mandatory minicamp on Tuesday, but maintained his past approach of staying mum on the topic. He only offered a “sounds good” when asked about John Harbaugh‘s expectation that Jackson will once again be the highest-paid player in the league whenever he signes a new deal.
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Packers Not Expected To Extend Matt LaFleur, Brian Gutekunst In 2025
It’s unlikely that extensions are coming for Packers leadership. Incoming Packers president/CEO Ed Policy said he won’t be signing head coach Matt LaFleur and general manager Brian Gutekunst to extensions in 2025, per ESPN’s Rob Demovsky.
Both LaFleur and Gutekunst still have two years remaining on their contracts, and since they’re not in lame-duck status, Policy refuses to give the duo new deals. The same goes for executive vice president/director of football operations Russ Ball, and Demovsky notes that all three decision makers will report directly to their new team president.
“All three of them [are] under multi-year contracts,” Policy said (via Demovsky). “None of them are up at the end of this year. We won’t be doing anything going into this season.”
With Mark Murphy retiring, Policy will officially take over as the franchise’s boss in the middle of July. The timing of the move has nothing to do with the president’s refusal to hand out extensions; in fact, Policy has worked with the Packers for more than a decade and was involved in the interviews with both LaFleur and Gutekunst. Rather, Policy’s decision appears to come down to personal preference.
However, the executive did admit that he doesn’t like having head coaches or GMs operating as impending free agents.
“I’m generally opposed — I’d never say never — [but] I’m generally opposed to a coach or GM going into the last year of their contract,” Policy said. “That creates a lot of issues. I think normally you have a pretty good idea of where that relationship is going when you have two years left — not always, but normally.
“So I think generally speaking I would avoid lame-duck status. It’s oftentimes difficult on everybody involved. But there are certain situations that probably call for it, so I would not say never.”
As Demovsky notes, that sentiment would make the 2025 campaign especially important for the head coach/GM duo. The Packers would seemingly have to be a major disappointment next season for the team to not extend LaFleur and Gutekunst. The head coach won 13 games in each of his first three seasons at the helm (Gutekunst was hired as GM a year before LaFleur caught on), and the Packers have made the playoffs in five of the past six seasons.
While speaking with the media, Policy revealed a handful of ways he may operate differently than his predecessor. The executive noted that he’ll “increase the amount and the time of formal meetings with football leadership” in an attempt to remove any silos between his top decision makers. However, Policy was quick to clarify that he’ll let his top leaders do their jobs.
“I’d stay out of their business,” Policy said. “I would not meddle in what they do. I would communicate very frequently and openly and directly with them on all things, but certainly no team needs two head coaches or two GMs. Not a lot of change in the way Mark had done that.”
James Gladstone: Jaguars Undecided On Travis Hunter’s Gameday Workload
Travis Hunter made no secret about his intentions of playing both ways in the NFL after doing so during his decorated college career. The Heisman winner remains on track to do just that during his rookie campaign with the Jaguars. 
Shortly after Jacksonville moved up to No. 2 to select Hunter, general manager James Gladstone said the majority of his work during the spring would come at the receiver position. Over time, though, the acclimation period included time and on-field work with both the offense and defense. During OTAs and minicamp, Hunter began taking reps as a corner in addition to his WR work.
During his most recent comments on the matter – an interview with Andrew Siciliano on SiriusXM radio – Gladstone clarified that Hunter was more comfortable at corner upon entry into the league, something which informed the team’s decision to focus on the receiver position at first. As the 22-year-old becomes more at ease in both capacities, though, training camp will see him continue to his expand his workload. With respect to gameday usage during the season, Gladstone confirmed a notable workload on offense and defense can be expected.
“He does not tire,” the rookie general manager said of Hunter (audio link). “He’s got a spark, he’s got the energy, the capacity from a physical standpoint to be able to be able to do it is certainly there. Certain game plans might dictate usage differently. Putting a number on [a snap count] at this stage is premature.”
Indeed, plenty of time remains for the Jaguars to finalize their depth chart at receiver and in the secondary. That process will be key in determining how much Hunter is relied upon during his rookie season. Jacksonville’s receiver room has undergone several changes this offseason and he could occupy a key role in tandem with Brian Thomas Jr. for years to come. On the other hand, Montaric Brown, Tyson Campbell and Jarrian Jones are all in place after leading the team in cornerback snaps last season. Hunter could be comparatively eased into playing time on defense as a result.
In any case, the way Jacksonville uses him will make for one of the team’s most interesting storylines over the course of the campaign. Hunter’s workload could shift from one week to the next, and his success in balancing two-way duties will no doubt be a key factor in the team’s performance.
Cordarrelle Patterson Unlikely To Make Steelers’ Roster?
The first season of Cordarrelle Patterson‘s two-year deal with the Steelers didn’t necessarily go as planned. The veteran offensive weapon still remains on Pittsburgh’s roster, but it’s seeming increasingly likely that he won’t be sticking around for Week 1.
Steelers reporter Mark Kaboly writes that there’s “no place where [Patterson] can slot in” into the roster, and the reporter expresses skepticism that the veteran will be on the roster for the start of the 2025 season. Kaboly also wonders if the team may be holding out for a potential trade suitor.
Kaboly notes that Patterson barely had a role during OTAs. The former All-Pro was spotted “mingling in the locker room,” but that ultimately proved to be “the extent of his participation.”
With Najee Harris no longer around, the Steelers would appear to have some leftover reps at the RB position. Jaylen Warren is preparing for a starter’s workload, but Patterson could compete for backup reps with rookie third-round pick Kaleb Johnson and veteran acquisitions like Kenneth Gainwell, Trey Sermon, and Evan Hull. Considering Patterson’s versatility, the Steelers could also look to keep him around for WR reps and special teams contributions, although it sounds like the team may just prefer to roll with a younger option in those spots.
Patterson’s Swiss Army Knife profile will always make him an alluring option for teams, but it’s uncertain how many more chances the 34-year-old will get. He finished last season with only 215 yards from scrimmage, which was his worst showing since the 2015 campaign. He also pitched in a team-leading 11 kickoff returns, although it only resulted in 240 yards.
Patterson has managed to contribute in a variety of roles throughout his career. He earned All-Pro nods for his special teams ability, and he’s the NFL’s all-time leader in kickoff return touchdowns (nine). While he mostly served as a backup offensive option for the first nine seasons of his career, he showed his ability while with the Falcons in 2021, finishing with 1,166 yards from scrimmage and 11 scores. He had another 800-plus yards and eight touchdowns in 2022, but he’s been limited to only 434 yards across the past two years.
Falcons Sign RB Jashaun Corbin
The Falcons have added a UFL standout. The team announced today that they’ve signed running back Jashaun Corbin.
The running back put himself on the NFL map following two strong seasons at Florida State, where he compiled 1,547 yards from scrimmage and 13 touchdowns. He went undrafted in the 2022 draft and has bounced around the NFL a bit in recent years. He’s had a pair of stints with the Giants and spent an offseason with the Panthers, and he’s been limited to six total NFL appearances (all coming with New York in 2023).
Corbin caught on with the San Antonio Brahmas of the United Football League in late 2024 and proceeded to have a league-leading performance. He paced the UFL in rushing yards that season (514), and he also added another 138 yards on 18 receptions.
Now he’ll be catching on with a Falcons squad that could have an opening for an end-of-the-depth-chart RB. Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier will continue to lead the position, but Corbin will have a chance to compete for one of the remaining spots in the RBs room. The team’s other options include former or current UDFAs like Carlos Washington, Elijah Dotson, and Nathan Carter.
In a corresponding move, the Falcons cut RB Jase McClellan. The 2024 sixth-round pick got 13 carries in two games as a rookie, and he’ll now look to resume his NFL career elsewhere.
Minor NFL Transactions: 6/17/25
Today’s minor moves:
Cleveland Browns
- Waived from IR: WR Ja’Seem Reed
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: OL Elijah Ellis
- Waived: OT Tyler McLellan
Elijah Ellis went undrafted after starting all 13 games for Marshall last season. The offensive lineman played a major role in his team’s top-20 rushing attack, and there’s hope he can use his six-foot-four, 336-pound frame to succeed in the NFL. He’ll be replacing Tyler McLellan, who joined the Chargers as a UDFA last year.
Trey Smith, Travis Kelce In Attendance For Chiefs Minicamp
A pair of notable Chiefs veterans showed up for the start of mandatory minicamp today. According to Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com, offensive lineman Trey Smith was in attendance for today’s practice. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler notes that tight end Travis Kelce also showed up for minicamp. Both players were absent from voluntary OTAs.
Smith’s absence was likely contract related, as the veteran is pushing for a long-term extension after being slapped with the franchise tag. The guard already inked his tender, locking him into a guaranteed $23.4MM salary for the 2025 campaign, but he still flexed the little leverage he had in pursuit of a new contract.
We heard back in April that the Chiefs front office was planning to pivot to a Smith extension after the draft. That’s the last we heard about a potential deal, and it appears that the two sides have made little progress since. There is a bit of urgency when it comes to an extension, as the Chiefs and Smith only have until the middle of July to agree to a new deal. Otherwise, the lineman will be forced to play out the upcoming season on the franchise tag.
The former sixth-round pick has emerged as a mainstay on Kansas City’s offensive line, missing only a single regular season game over the past four years. Pro Football Focus has consistently graded Smith as a top-15 offensive guard, including a 2024 campaign where he finished 14th among 77 qualifiers. Smith’s franchise tag currently puts him atop his position from an AAV standpoint, and an extension would presumably come in around $20MM annually.
It’s uncertain why Kelce no-showed voluntary practices, although his absence could be related to his flirtation with retirement. Notably, the veteran tight end showed up today 25 pounds lighter than 2024, per Fowler. Kelce is coming off one of the least productive seasons of his career; other than his one-game rookie campaign, the tight end’s 824 receiving yards in 2024 represented a new career-low.
Giants LT Andrew Thomas Tied To Lengthy Return Timetable
Andrew Thomas‘ injury trouble has hamstrung the Giants’ offensive line over the past two seasons. Since signing a big-ticket extension in summer 2023, Thomas has missed 18 games.
The latest batch of absences came as a result of a Lisfranc injury the former second-team All-Pro suffered in October. Thomas underwent surgery to repair the issue, ending his season, but this recovery timetable looks to have been delayed.
Initial expectations for Thomas pointed to a return to full strength by OTAs, according to the New York Daily News’ Pat Leonard, but the sixth-year blocker has not participated in the Giants’ offseason program. However, the team does not appear too worried about this hold-up. Adjusted expectations have led to a cautious approach, Leonard adds, one that produced a revised timetable for a buildup during the offseason program and a return in training camp.
Brian Daboll did not, however, confirm Thomas would be ready by the start of camp. Considering the injury occurred in Week 6 last season, it would be a key storyline were Thomas not ready to go next month. The Giants not viewing their top O-lineman as ready would lead to a stay on the active/PUP list to start camp. Thus far, no signs indicating Thomas would need to miss regular-season time have emerged. But the Giants have seen the former top-five pick’s injury trouble intervene on a few occasions.
Thomas has also endured setbacks while recovering from a previous injury. He needed to restart hamstring rehab after a setback occurred during an early-season recovery in 2023. That hiccup led to Thomas missing seven games. This came after the Georgia alum needed two ankle surgeries earlier in his career.
The Giants then allowed the second-most sacks in a season (85) since team sacks-allowed data had been charted in the early 1960s. Although the team gave Jon Runyan Jr. a $10MM-per-year deal in free agency in 2024, its other O-line pillars have not stepped up. Evan Neal has proven to be a bust, and has since been shifted to guard in a last-ditch effort to salvage value, while 2023 second-round center John Michael Schmitz has not panned out yet. This has highlighted Thomas’ injury trouble, as Pro Football Focus ranked last year’s Giants O-line 23rd as a group.
Big Blue has used James Hudson as the first-string tackle during the offseason program, Leonard adds. The Giants gave Hudson a two-year, $12MM deal to be their swing tackle. That certainly represents upper-crust backup money for an O-lineman, but after Thomas’ past two seasons, such a move was probably necessary. The team also drafted Purdue’s Marcus Mbow in Round 5, using the former Big Ten standout — who drew guard buzz during the pre-draft process — at both tackle spots during the offseason program. While insurance measures are in place, the Giants’ viability as a reliable O-line — in a season that will likely feature some Jaxson Dart starts — hinges on Thomas’ return.