HEADLINES

Dolphins OLBs Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips Nearing Full Strength

May 28th, 2025 at 11:30am CST by Sam Robinson

Although Tua Tagovailoa‘s health and Tyreek Hill‘s mercurial trajectory overshadowed the Dolphins’ lack of edge rusher availability last season, the latter storyline lingered throughout 2024 in Miami. Bradley Chubb missed all of last season, while Jaelan Phillips‘ recovery from a 2023 Achilles tear produced a handful of games before another major setback.

The Dolphins reworked Chubb’s extension this offseason, a move that amounted to a pay cut for a player once acquired in a blockbuster trade, and have Phillips in a contract year. While 2024 first-rounder Chop Robinson is in place, the Dolphins will need their veteran duo to return. In some rare good news involving the team’s OLB corps, both are on the homestretch of their respective recovery efforts.

Mike McDaniel said (via Outkick.com’s Armando Salguero) Wednesday have been able to participate in “most things most days.” Considering where both starters were last year, each being nearly recovered before minicamp represents significant progress. Chubb has not played since suffering an ACL tear — the second of his NFL career — in Week 17 of the 2023 season; Phillips followed up a November 2023 Achilles tear with an October 2024 ACL tear.

These injuries have prevented the Dolphins from being able to bank on a long-term future featuring these two. Phillips is in a contract year — on a fifth-year option Miami exercised in the time between his Achilles and ACL tears — while Chubb saw his $19.45MM 2025 base salary slashed; no guaranteed money remains on the former top-five pick’s deal following 2025. The Dolphins have Robinson signed through 2027, and they will need to see some positive returns from their more experienced OLBs in order to justify 2026 employment.

Phillips’ recovery from his second major injury as a pro involved harvesting his patellar tendon, according to The Athletic’s Dan Pompei, who details the injuries and past surgeries — while Phillips was at UCLA — that had doctors advising him to retire. Phillips sustained a major wrist injury in a moped accident, leading to multiple operations — including one removing three bones. Phillips also endured multiple concussions before transferring to Miami. This coming season will be pivotal for the 2021 first-round pick, who was enjoying a breakthrough year (6.5 sacks in eight games) in 2023 before suffering the Achilles tear in the Dolphins’ Black Friday game.

Acquired in a trade headlined by a first-round pick going to the Broncos, Chubb signed a five-year, $110MM extension days later. He remains on a through-2027 contract, but having spent all of last year on the reserve/PUP list has brought a derailment. The Dolphins had expected Chubb (29 in June) to return late last season and designated him to practice, but no activation commenced as Miami’s playoff hopes waned.

Chubb already missed most of the 2019 season with an ACL tear, and a two-ankle-surgery 2021 limited him to seven games (and no sacks) that year. Moving back on track in 2022 prompted the Dolphins to pay the high trade price, and while Chubb reached 11 sacks in 2023, the Dolphins entered the playoffs decimated on the edge and did not see their situation improve last year.

In addition to missing Chubb for the full season and Phillips for 13 games, the Dolphins signed Shaq Barrett and then saw him retire before suiting up. Barrett ended the season back with the Buccaneers. Despite this run of misfortune at outside linebacker, the Dolphins focused on other areas in the draft and free agency. They will count on Chubb and Phillips’ returns. Having both back alongside Robinson should raise the ceiling for Anthony Weaver‘s defense, but each’s injury past has certainly become a concern as the DC readies for his second season in charge.

Packers Offer Restructured Deal To CB Jaire Alexander

May 27th, 2025 at 10:48pm CST by Adam La Rose

Efforts to keep Jaire Alexander in Green Bay continue. The Packers have submitted an offer on a restructured pact to the Pro Bowl corner, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports (subscription required).

Earlier this offseason, signs pointed to a parting of ways between team and player in this case. A trade was discussed in advance of free agency and the draft, but no agreement was reached with an interested team. Uncertainty continues to surround this situation, with the Packers interested in retaining Alexander but only at a reduced rate. Earlier this month, it was reported he would remain away from the team until a resolution – in whatever form that took – emerged.

That stance would only open the door to fines if it continued into mandatory minicamp in June. Per Schneidman, Alexander does plan to attend in advance of minicamp even if his future is still unclear at this point. With no arrangement coming about in the wake of the restructure offer, all options remain on the table at least for now. If the mutual interest in continuing this relationship cannot lead to a financial agreement, a trade or release will again come into play. The 28-year-old’s preference would be the latter move, as it would allow him to join his next team via free agency.

When healthy, Alexander has remained one of the league’s top corners during his career. The former first-rounder was limited to only four games in 2021, however, and during each of the past two campaigns he has made seven regular season appearances. That lack of availability makes his scheduled cap hits of $24.64MM in 2025 and $27.02MM in ’26 cumbersome for the Packers. A restructure would no doubt consist of reduced salaries aimed at lowering Alexander’s cap charges while also providing him with a new round of guarantees (since none of his remaining base compensation is locked in).

Releasing or trading Alexander after June 1 would be beneficial from Green Bay’s perspective in terms of its financial impacts, and the chance of that taking place will of course remain until this situation becomes clear. As today’s update illustrates, though, the Packers still intend to keep him in the fold for at least one more year.

Kenny Pickett Holds Early Lead In Browns’ QB Competition; Dillon Gabriel Next In Line?

May 27th, 2025 at 10:45pm CST by Sam Robinson

Roughly two months remain until training camp, and minicamp is still weeks away. But the Browns’ quarterback competition will begin to take shape at OTAs, which started today.

A player the Eagles did not deem a priority, as Tanner McKee is set to move into their QB2 role, is expected to take the first reps with the starters at OTAs. Kenny Pickett indeed will enter Cleveland’s on-field voluntary work receiving the first crack in the starting role, cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot notes.

Pickett starter buzz, despite his quick Pittsburgh exit and uninspiring Philadelphia stay, has picked up recently. OTAs do not provide any padded reps, but they are certainly part of the conversation. The Browns have one of the more complicated quarterback situations in many years, especially considering the Deshaun Watson component, and Pickett is suddenly a key presence after effectively hovering off the radar at Eagles OTAs last year.

[RELATED: Who Will Lead Browns In 2025 QB Starts?]

Affirming Pickett will see the first work at OTAs, Cabot offered an update that Dillon Gabriel is likely set to be the second QB in this mix. Kevin Stefanski recently said Browns QB reps will not be doled out equally this offseason, and the May and June work will be important here. Training camp does not offer a setup where a four-man QB competition can realistically be conducted, due to time constraints, so it is certainly possible one member of this mix will be eliminated from a realistic starter path by that point. Through this lens, Gabriel’s OTA status becomes more noteworthy.

The Browns prioritized Gabriel in the draft, ranking him ahead of Jalen Milroe and new teammate Shedeur Sanders. GM Andrew Berry deemed the six-year college QB a better fit compared to Sanders; of course, that was before the team then circled back to the freefalling Colorado passer in Round 5. While ownership making its stance known re: Sanders is certainly possible, he is part of the competition along with Pickett, Gabriel and Joe Flacco. Sanders’ status also will overshadow Gabriel, who is in the historically strange position of seeing a QB drafted later by his own team dwarf his popularity.

Viewed as a Day 3 pick, Gabriel — who started at Oregon, Oklahoma and Central Florida — went off the board 50 spots before Sanders. Going at No. 94, the 5-foot-11 prospect appeared a handpicked option — whereas Sanders profiled as a value play. Sanders’ presence complicates Gabriel’s Cleveland future, but for now, the two-year Buffaloes starter resides in the background in Cleveland. He and Flacco, in some order, are set to enter OTAs in the Nos. 3 and 4 spots, Cabot offers. The Browns guaranteed Flacco $3MM, while cutting Pickett (and seeing no team claim him) would bring a $2.6MM cost.

All four will receive plenty of reps during OTAs, as concurrent QB drills will commence, but the team will need to make a plan for training camp. Team work once in training camp will begin to shape the competition ahead of the regular season, with the preseason providing the final evaluations. Teams rarely carry four passers on a 53-man roster, though it is not unprecedented. That said, the Browns either keeping all four or presenting a roster with two rookie draftees on the final 53 would mark a rare occurrence.

Watson’s status will still be worth monitoring, as he has resumed throwing, but the trade bust is not viewed as part of the current competition. His second Achilles tear is expected to lead to a placement on the reserve/PUP list, after residing on the active/PUP list (a camp-only designation) while the other four QBs vie to replace him as Cleveland’s starter. Even though Flacco and Sanders are bigger names than Pickett and Gabriel, the latter contingent appears to have the upper hand early.

Bills’ Joey Bosa Suffers Calf Injury

May 27th, 2025 at 10:40pm CST by Adam La Rose

Injuries were an issue during much of Joey Bosa‘s Chargers tenure. The high-profile edge rusher has already run into trouble on that front with the Bills.

Bosa pulled a calf while working out with the team, head coach Sean McDermott said on Tuesday (h/t Jay Skurski of the Buffalo News). McDermott added (via NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero) Bosa is not expected to be back until training camp. This obviously marks an unwanted development for team and player as the five-time Pro Bowler looks to begin a successful second chapter of his career.

After nine seasons with the Chargers, Bosa was released in a move which came as little surprise. The 29-year-old was retained on a pay cut agreement in 2024 in the wake of his missed time. Bosa played just 14 games across the 2022 and ’23 campaigns, although he managed to match that figure this past year. Los Angeles’ decision to move on resulted in multiple teams showing interest. A 49ers pact allowing for Bosa to play with his younger brother was explored, and his hometown Dolphins were among the suitors as well.

In the end, though, the Bills won out with a one-year deal. That $12.61MM pact contains $12MM in guarantees, so expectations will be high for Bosa in 2025. Buffalo moved on from Von Miller this offseason, and replacing his production as a veteran sack artist will be key along a defensive front which will feature plenty of new faces. Continuity will be found along the edge in particular, however, with Gregory Rousseau – one of several ascending players who received a long-term extension this spring – and A.J. Epenesa set to return in 2025.

Bosa has posted double-digit sacks four times in his career, but the most recent season in which that was the case was 2021. Since then, the Ohio State product has totaled 14 sacks; improvement in that department will be key if he is to operate as an effective starter with Buffalo. A critical factor in Bosa’s success will of course be his health, but things have not gone according to plan during the early stages of his Bills tenure.

How Will Packers Proceed With Suddenly Crowded Receiving Corps?

May 27th, 2025 at 10:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

In 2022, the Packers attempted to get by with multiple rookie-contract cogs arriving in the wake of Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling‘s departures. The result: a season that began Aaron Rodgers‘ decline. However, the team has continued to stockpile rookie contracts at the position — with the most notable move coming last month. Even as Matt LaFleur minimized the need for a true No. 1-level wide receiver, the team snapped a 23-year drought by choosing Matthew Golden at No. 23 overall.

A roster that still includes the two players added to supplement a post-Adams receiver cadre — Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs — received another youth infusion via Golden and third-round addition Savion Williams. If these four were all healthy and the only notable parts in Green Bay’s receiving group, no front-burner issue may have appeared. But the team also has two 2023 draftees as WR regulars. As a result, the Golden and Williams arrivals create big-picture questions.

While delayed QB ascents (amid a succession that dates back to 1992) define the Packers’ roster-building philosophy, the franchise’s reluctance to draft a wideout in Round 1 had become a core component as well. As the likes of Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and Adams revealed, the Pack regularly got by without selecting a receiver in the first round. After the Packers cut ties with 2002 first-rounder Javon Walker via a draft-weekend trade in 2006 (to the Broncos), they moved out of the first-round receiver business.

It could be argued the Pack did not do enough to supplement Rodgers during his heyday — one filled with playoff shortcomings following Super Bowl XLV — but a team once known for free agency avoidance managed to support four MVP seasons for the future Hall of Fame quarterback. Entering Jordan Love‘s third season at the controls, however, the team deemed receiver a high enough priority — after no 900-yard seasons have occurred since Adams’ departure — to use two of its first three picks on the position.

The Jets sent the Packers two second-round picks for Rodgers in 2023. Jayden Reed did not arrive via one of those picks, as the Packers used their original second-rounder to trade down two spots (via the Buccaneers) for him. Dontayvion Wicks arrived in the 2023 fifth round. This already created a glut of Packers rookie-contract receivers, as backup Bo Melton and free agent signing Mecole Hardman are rostered as well. Hardman’s Super Bowl LVIII-winning reception notwithstanding, he provides more return-game value. But the Packers adding the seventh-year veteran and two more rookies creates a situation where notable changes are coming.

Reed is under contract for two more seasons, and he has seen Golden’s rookie terms ($17.58MM fully guaranteed) dwarf his. On a $7.18MM (4MM guaranteed) pact through 2026, Reed cannot discuss an extension until next year. Packers brass is believed to have met with Reed to clarify his situation recently. With Watson battling injuries before his Week 18 ACL tear, the Packers have turned to Reed as their nominal No. 1 receiver. The slot presence has totaled 1,650 yards and 14 touchdowns in two seasons. He now profiles as the team’s top veteran in a group now headlined by Golden, but what will happen to the other experienced presences?

Watson would carry considerable trade value, even with a past of soft-tissue maladies, but his knee rehab effectively ensures the North Dakota State product will not be going anywhere this year. Watson is expected to be sidelined until around midseason. This would leave Doubs and Wicks as potential options to be moved.

Wicks did not match his rookie-year yardage figure (581) in Year 2 (415), even as his snap share increased to 54% last season. Doubs, a 2022 fourth-rounder, has been more consistent; he enters a contract year riding back-to-back 600-yard seasons, playing 77% of Green Bay’s offensive snaps in each of the past two seasons. Doubs, 25, managed to clear the 600-yard barrier despite missing four games last season. A team-imposed suspension, as Doubs expressed frustration about his role, took place. He will profile as a quality 2026 free agent, but that episode represents an important chapter in his Green Bay career.

Wicks will need better production to become a higher-end FA target in 2027. But Golden and Williams’ arrivals complicate Wicks’ 2025 place in the offense and Doubs’ post-2025 Wisconsin future. As Reed makes sense as an extension candidate, Doubs trade rumors may be coming. Though, a Packers team that has hoarded these pieces may be reluctant to move a key performer before the November deadline — especially with Watson not healthy. But calls will undoubtedly come in for the Nevada alum.

Steelers connections, as Rodgers played with Doubs in 2022, have already emerged in the wake of the team’s George Pickens trade. As of now, however, waiting to see how its younger players look alongside D.K. Metcalf looks to be Pittsburgh’s party line.

Even if Watson lands on the reserve/PUP list as expected, the Packers have plenty of options — fast-emerging tight end Tucker Kraft should also factor into the extension pie — for Love entering training camp. Williams, who did not eclipse 650 yards in any of his five TCU seasons, would have the luxury of an extended developmental arc thanks to the Packers’ bevy of young veterans. But how the team rearranges its pass-catching group in 2026 — or before then — makes this one of the NFL’s most interesting position groups presently.

Commanders Re-Sign DT Carl Davis

May 27th, 2025 at 9:17pm CST by Ben Levine

The Commanders are hanging on to some extra depth on the defensive line. The team announced that they’ve signed defensive tackle Carl Davis.

A former third-round pick by the Ravens, Davis has settled into true journeyman status at this point of his career. The Commanders represent the defensive tackle’s eighth NFL team; in addition to his time in Baltimore and Washington, the veteran has had stints with the Browns, Colts, Jaguars, Patriots, Seahawks, and Cowboys.

His most productive stretch came in New England between 2021 and 2022. He got into 33 games over that span, collecting 30 tackles and a pair of sacks. After getting cut by the Cowboys at the end of the 2024 preseason, he caught on with Washington’s practice squad. He ended up getting into three games with the big-league club last season, collecting three stops.

The Commanders aren’t in desperate need of defensive tackle help, even after the team moved on from Jonathan Allen this offseason. Daron Payne and Jer’Zhan Newton return after leading the position grouping in snaps last year, and the organization also brought in Javon Kinlaw via free agency. Davis will likely be competing for a spot with fellow free agent acquisition Eddie Goldman, who also inked a deal for the vet minimum.

NFL Minor Transactions: 5/27/25

May 27th, 2025 at 8:07pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Miami Dolphins

Pittsburgh Steelers

We learned last week that the Cardinals were moving on from DL Ben Stille, and we’ve now got some clarity on his direct replacement on the roster. The team has signed Patrick Jenkins, an undrafted rookie out of Tulane. The defensive lineman got a look at Saints rookie minicamp but left without an offer. His showing at Tulane included 13 sacks and 28 tackles for loss.

NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/27/25

May 27th, 2025 at 7:49pm CST by Ben Levine

One late-round signing to pass along:

Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles are now one step closer to completing the signing of their rookie class after inking Cameron Williams to his first NFL pact. The lineman got into 37 games during his time with the Longhorns, with the majority of his snaps coming at right tackle. He’ll likely settle into a depth role for the 2025 campaign.

With the signing, the Eagles only have a pair of unsigned draft picks: first-round LB Jihaad Campbell and second-round S Andrew Mukuba.

Details Revealed Regarding Shemar Stewart-Bengals Contract Dispute

May 27th, 2025 at 7:25pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

TODAY, 7:25pm: As expected, Shemar Stewart didn’t participate in the first day of Bengals OTAs, per Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer. However, the rookie defensive lineman was in the building, and he appeared to be taking in the first practice from the sideline.

SATURDAY, 1:15pm: More details have emerged regarding the contract dispute between the Bengals and their first-round pick, Shemar Stewart, who has yet to sign his rookie deal.

Stewart has not participated in any on-field practices since being drafted, though he has attended team meetings. He sat out rookie minicamp and is poised to remain on the sidelines when OTAs kick off next week unless his demands are met.

Initial reports indicated that the timing of bonus payments were the source of the dispute. Cincinnati proposed a payment schedule that did not match that of Myles Murphy and Amarius Mims, the team’s first-round picks in 2023 and 2024. That issue seems to have been resolved, but the two sides still disagree on default language.

Specifically, the Bengals want to include a clause in Stewart’s contract “that causes a default in the current year to trigger a default in all remaining years,” per Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio. Essentially, if Stewart were to default in one year of his contract, the rest of his contract would automatically default, voiding the remaining money on his fully guaranteed rookie deal.

Mims does not have the same language in his contract, though he was taken with the 18th pick in 2024 and Stewart was drafted one spot earlier at No. 17 this year. The recently signed contracts of Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins don’t contain a similar default clause, either.

Defaults are rare in the NFL. They happen when a player breaches the terms of his contract, typically by sustaining an injury while participating in a prohibited activity or committing conduct detrimental to the team. Stewart certainly has no intention of triggering a default, but it remains a possibility against which he wants to protect himself.

But why refuse to participate at all over a relatively minor contract detail? Stewart could still sign his rookie waiver and get on the field, but he appears to be standing on principle and holding the Bengals to their contract precedent. Cincinnati has typically lagged behind the rest of the NFL when negotiating with players, particularly in terms of guaranteed money. Stewart is witnessing firsthand the struggle of fellow edge rusher Trey Hendrickson to reach a favorable agreement with the team and is sending a clear message that he will not accept a contract with unfavorable terms, now or in the future.

Stewart also has leverage in this situation. If Hendrickson refuses to budge, the Bengals could be without their best defensive player heading into the regular season. At that point, Stewart would be called upon to step up as a pass rusher and may struggle to produce if he misses valuable developmental time this summer. His profile as a raw athlete with unrefined technique suggests that Cincinnati has extra motivation to get him practicing as soon as possible.

Kirk Cousins Absent From Day 1 Of Falcons OTAs

May 27th, 2025 at 7:02pm CST by Ben Levine

Kirk Cousins remains on the Falcons roster, but both sides seem motivated to find the QB a new team sooner than later. As the organization figures out a solution, the veteran QB is predictably staying away from OTAs.

[RELATED: Steelers Still Interested In Kirk Cousins]

Falcons head coach Raheem Morris told reporters that he hadn’t seen Cousins in the building as his team opened voluntary team activities today (per Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network). It doesn’t seem like this absence is necessarily leading to any holdout, as he unexpectedly attended the start of the team’s voluntary offseason last month.

Still, Cousins’ absence from Day 1 of OTAs is still glaring. There doesn’t appear to be any resolution in sight regarding Cousins’ future in Atlanta. The Falcons pivoted to first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. before Cousins completed a full season of his four-year, $180MM contract, and both sides have been willing to consider a peaceful divorce as the veteran looks to start elsewhere.

While Cousins has been seeking an outright release, the Falcons haven’t budged on their trade-route stance. The team understands that they’d need to eat $37.5MM in guaranteed money even if Cousins was cut, and they’ve stated a willingness to keep Cousins on board as a high-priced QB2 in 2025. NFL Network Ian Rapoport said today that he believes the most likely path in this drama sees Cousins positioned as the backup in Atlanta.

With a release not on the table, focus has pivoted to a trade, and the Falcons have been signaling that they want suitors to take on at least $20MM of Cousins’ 2025 salary. Understandably, a deal hasn’t been made, and it’s uncertain if the Falcons will change their stance as the summer goes on. We heard yesterday that a trade likely would have already been completed if the Falcons were willing to absorb a larger portion (such as $7MM or $8MM) of Cousins’ upcoming $27.5MM base salary.

If the Falcons do change their stance, it’s uncertain what teams would be lining up for Cousins’ services. The Browns and Vikings were once mentioned as suitors, but both teams added to their QB depth charts during the draft (Cleveland drafted Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders while Minnesota acquired Sam Howell via trade).

We heard yesterday that the Steelers remain an option as they await a decision on the Aaron Rodgers front. Of course, a Rodgers decision would quickly change that calculus, leaving maybe only the Saints as a logical suitor. New Orleans was once mentioned as a landing spot, and the team’s need only increased following Derek Carr‘s retirement. The Saints claim they’re not aiming to make an outside addition, but perhaps they would change their tune if the Cousins’ financial commitment comes down.

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