Packers Sign Round 1 WR Matthew Golden
The Packers have not complete a rookie deal for a first-round wide receiver in 23 years, but as outgoing president Mark Murphy reminded ahead of the team’s Round 1 move in April, one was coming. That draft choice is now under contract.
Matthew Golden agreed to terms on his rookie pact Monday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets. As a first-round pick, Golden — chosen 23rd overall — will see his $17.58MM rookie-scale contract arrive fully guaranteed. The Packers can extend the deal through 2029 via the fifth-year option, a decision that will be due in May 2028. This deal leaves second-round pick Anthony Belton as the only unsigned Packers draftee.
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This will be Golden’s third team in three years, as the Houston recruit transferred to Texas — which had lost Xavier Worthy and Adonai Mitchell to the draft — in 2024. Golden placed himself on the early-round radar during his Longhorns season, accumulating 987 receiving yards and nine touchdowns to help the team return to the CFP semis. However, the former AAC, Big 12 and SEC contributor cemented his status as a first-round-level prospect by blazing to a 4.29-second 40-yard dash at the Combine.
Golden, 21, made a “30” visit to Green Bay while also meeting with the Broncos, Buccaneers, Cowboys, Chargers, Lions and Texans. The Bucs went with Emeka Egbuka at No. 19, and the Broncos (No. 20) tabled their apparent need for a Courtland Sutton sidekick to Round 3 (Pat Bryant). The Bolts chose Omarion Hampton at No. 22, leaving Golden for the Packers, who made the rare decision to invest in this position in Round 1.
Green Bay’s streak of first rounds without a receiver investment dates to its No. 20 overall choice (Javon Walker) in 2002. The Packers did not extend Walker, trading him to the Broncos during the 2006 draft. Since that point, they have been out of the first-round receiver business. Second-round standouts multiplied in the years that followed, as the likes of Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Davante Adams and Jayden Reed proved themselves to be quality starters. Reed and fellow second-rounder Christian Watson will now take a backseat contractually to Golden, as the Packers have stockpiled rookie-deal wideouts.
Golden’s arrival will introduce questions about Watson and fellow contract-year performer Romeo Doubs‘ futures, as Watson is not expected back until around midseason due to sustaining a Week 18 ACL tear. Two years remain on Reed’s contract, but the Packers have fortified the position, thanks to also adding Savion Williams in Round 3. It will be Golden, however, expected to make an immediate impact due to snapping this organization’s lengthy streak regarding WR investments.
Brock Purdy’s Camp Pushed For No-Trade Clause, Favorable Guarantee Structure
Deviating from their usual extension timelines, the 49ers now have George Kittle, Brock Purdy and Fred Warner signed with nearly two May weeks remaining. This certainly differs from how the Kyle Shanahan–John Lynch regime has handled high-profile negotiations in the past.
The most notable of these extensions certainly went to Purdy, who is locked in before San Francisco’s OTA sessions. The seventh-round success story agreed to a five-year, $265MM deal that comes with $181MM guaranteed and $100MM guaranteed at signing. The contract also includes a favorable short-term cash structure and a no-trade clause, affirming the 49ers’ commitment to one of the modern NFL’s signature draft finds.
[RELATED: Warner Reclaims Spot As NFL’s Highest-Paid ILB]
After seeing talks with Trent Williams, Brandon Aiyuk and Nick Bosa approach Week 1 and previous negotiations with Kittle and Deebo Samuel run into training camp, the 49ers operated proactively with Purdy. The team made the first move, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, bringing the QB’s camp to Santa Clara for a February meeting. At that point, 49ers brass informed their starting quarterback his contract would not break records. That would have been difficult to imagine, as Dak Prescott wielded extraordinary leverage to land his $60MM-per-year Cowboys extension (a number that currently tops the market by $5MM), but it is notable the team made that point to start negotiations.
We heard in late February negotiations had begun, but the sides were already on a second meeting (in Indianapolis) by that point, Breer adds Purdy’s camp countered by pushing for a deal with a strong guarantee structure and early-years cashflow. The player’s side also successfully changed San Francisco’s stance on a no-trade clause, with Breer indicating the 49ers had initially taken such an inclusion off the table during the winter start to these re-up talks.
The final outcome did not place Purdy in the top five for AAV at his position, with the deal settling at $53MM. That number trails Prescott, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, Trevor Lawrence, Jordan Love and Tua Tagovailoa. It matched the Lions’ Jared Goff accord from May 2024, however, and the negotiating parties viewed that deal as a good comp. Purdy’s $165.05MM number through four years betters Goff’s figure, and Breer adds that count climbs to $220.3MM over five years. Though, it is worth noting Goff’s deal made him the NFL’s second-highest-paid passer at the time.
The rolling guarantee structure’s vesting dates have yet to be revealed, but Purdy will likely see base salaries — or sizable portions of his paragraph 5 money — lock in a year out. That will provide security for a player who received just $77K guaranteed at signing on his rookie contract. Purdy will have a nonguaranteed $50MM due in 2030.
Purdy, 25, effectively saved the 49ers after their historic Trey Lance misstep. Rather than potentially see Purdy’s price rise closer to the 2026 franchise tag deadline, the 49ers likely saved money and ensured QB stability by doing a deal now. This accord already led to some veterans — from Aaron Banks to Dre Greenlaw to Charvarius Ward to Talanoa Hufanga — leaving in free agency, and it will naturally raise the stakes for the 49ers’ drafts. But the team is back in the franchise-QB contract business.
Purdy signing a five-year extension also separates him from how Goff, Love and Tagovailoa proceeded last year; each signed four-year deals. Should Purdy keep building on his surprising rookie-contract success, the 49ers will be in position to have cost certainty — on a market that should be in for a host of extensions in 2026 and ’27 — for the decade’s remainder.
Vote On Revised ‘Tush Push’ Ban Expected Next Week
MAY 19: The Eagles are making calls around the league to argue in favor of keeping the play in place, Dianna Russini and Tess DeMeyer report (subscription required). A broader definition being considered for a ban could help convince teams which were initially opposed to a ban to support one, but last-minute efforts are being made to prevent that from happening.
MAY 18: The Packers’ crusade to ban the tush push will continue next week when NFL owners gather in Minneapolis, according to Mark Maske of The Washington Post.
Green Bay proposed the rule change ahead of the last league meetings in Florida at the end of March, but it was tabled due to narrow wording that appeared to target the Eagles and the Bills. The language is expected to be broadened to cover all instances of pushing or pulling a ballcarrier, per Maske.
“We’ll see if there is a three-quarter consensus on any proposal, specifically the push-play proposal that Green Bay put forward or any other amending it when we get together next week,” said NFL executive vice president Jeff Miller (via Maske).
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and Packers team president Mark Murphy both expressed support for an expanded push/pull ban after the initial language failed to generate consensus in March.
The Eagles, who have used the tush push more frequently than any other team, have led opposition to the rule change. They succeeded in slowing initial momentum by arguing that the Packers were singling out a specific execution of the play. However, health and safety concerns surrounding the push play have persisted, especially after a presentation by NFL chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills warning that a catastrophic injury was a matter of when, not if.
The Packers hope that the change will draw more support around the league after teams were split on the original proposal, but a league source remains unsure if the new language will receive the 24 votes required to pass, according to Maske.
Chargers, First-Round RB Omarion Hampton Agree To Deal
Omarion Hampton is the latest first-round pick from last month’s draft to agree to terms on their rookie deal. The Chargers’ top pick is on the books, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports. The move is now official, per a team announcement.
As Schultz notes, Hampton’s four-year pact is worth $17.77MM. It includes a $9.56MM signing bonus. Like with all Day 1 picks, the Chargers will have the opportunity to pick up Hampton’s fifth-year option and in doing so keep him under team control through 2029.
The North Carolina product was long seen as one of the top prospects in a deep 2025 RB class. Hampton led the ACC in rushing during his sophomore campaign en route to first-team All-Conference and All-American honors. He did the same last year and along the way upped his touchdown total to 40 in three seasons. Across each of the past two campaigns, Hampton averaged 5.9 yards per carry despite logging a heavy workload both times.
As a result, it came as no surprise when he joined Ashton Jeanty in hearing his name called on the opening night of the draft. Hampton – who was long connected to the Broncos at No. 20 given their well-known desire to add in the backfield – remained on the board past Denver’s first selection. In the end, he was selected 22nd overall.
The Bolts inked Najee Harris to a one-year, $5.25MM deal in free agency, bringing in the former Steelers first-rounder as a candidate to handle lead back duties. Harris remained durable and consistent during his four years in Pittsburgh, but it did not come as a surprise to see him depart on the open market. A lack of efficiency and explosive runs have been a source of criticism throughout Harris’ career, and a Day 1 rookie addition certainly leaves the door open to his workload being lower on his second team than it was on his first.
The Chargers were one of two teams to apply the rarely-used UFA tender this offseason, and as a result they will be eligible to receive a compensatory pick if another team signs J.K. Dobbins before July 22. The team will retain exclusive negotiating rights with the former Ravens second-rounder if he remains unsigned after that date. Dobbins handled starting duties upon reuniting with offensive coordinator Greg Roman in 2024, but with Hampton in place it will be interesting to see if he takes part in a follow-up Los Angeles campaign.
Today’s news leaves second-round receiver Tre Harris as the only member of the Chargers’ draft class without their rookie deal in hand. Taking care of that will still leave the team with plenty of cap space for late-offseason moves.
Ravens, Derrick Henry Agree On Extension
MAY 19: Henry’s deal is now official, and Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio notes it includes a signing bonus of $11.75MM. The pact also contains $1MM roster bonuses for the next two years, with 2025’s guaranteed. Henry’s base salaries for this year ($1.26MM) and next ($1.3MM) are fully locked in, as is a $9.7MM option bonus for the 2026 campaign.
A decision will need to be made by the Ravens ahead of the 2027 season, one in which Henry’s $11MM salary is not guaranteed. When speaking publicly on Monday after signing the deal, he declined to say whether or not he intends to continue playing by that point (h/t ESPN’s Jamison Hensley), but for at least two more years Henry’s future is assured.
MAY 14: The Ravens’ rumored Derrick Henry extension will come to pass. After a dominant Baltimore debut, extension discussions began. Weeks later, the All-Pro back is now signed beyond 2025.
Baltimore will extend Henry on a two-year, $30MM deal, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. Henry will see $25MM fully guaranteed. Delivering a monster age-30 season, Henry is now signed through 2027. This deal certainly puts the former Titans star on track to finish his career as a Raven.
Previously attached to a two-year, $16MM deal, Henry entered the 2024 free agency period with mileage concerns. Those helped keep his previously full guarantee ($9MM) low. As Saquon Barkley ($26MM) and D’Andre Swift ($14MM) received far more lucrative at-signing numbers last year, Henry did not receive comparable interest. The Ravens had targeted the likely Hall of Fame-bound back before the 2023 trade deadline, however, and they kept that interest in pairing him with Lamar Jackson a year later. Henry rewarded the AFC North team, helping it claim another division title.
Henry became only the second running back this century to gain at least 1,900 yards and fail to land a first-team All-Pro nod, joining ex-Packer Ahman Green (2003). It took a historic Barkley stampede to deny Henry that. Henry, however, led the NFL with 16 rushing touchdowns during his 1,921-yard rampage.
After the Eagles rewarded last year’s first-team All-Pro RB with a deal that included $36MM fully guaranteed, the Ravens will give their bulldozing starter a guarantee near the top tier at the position. Henry’s $25MM ranks behind only Barkley’s number and Ashton Jeanty‘s rookie contract among locked-in money at the position. It provides the 10th-year veteran considerable security for 2026, providing a clear sign the former Heisman winner will play beyond this season.
This Ravens decision represents a tremendous commitment to a player who is 31 and has logged 2,355 career carries — most among any back on a current roster. Henry has a 639-carry edge on Joe Mixon, who sits in second among active RBs. Henry has now secured two big-ticket extensions during his career. This one, despite Henry’s age, nearly eclipses his 2020 Titans accord in guarantees. That deal, agreed to at the 2020 franchise tag deadline, brought $25.5MM locked in.
Though, Henry needed to sign for four years to secure that number. The Ravens are authorizing this lofty guarantee over two based on his status as one of the most reliable RBs in NFL history. Henry has six 1,000-yard seasons on his resume; last year’s showing checked in nearly 400 yards clear of every non-2020 slate for the former rushing champ. Since he gave way to DeMarco Murray early in his career, all six have come since 2018.
Joining Barkley in making a significant difference for his team as a 2024 free agent signing, Henry will have a chance to move the Ravens back to a Super Bowl over the next two seasons. Baltimore is still taking a risk by making such a lucrative 2026 commitment for a player at Henry’s age, but the team is betting on the durable — save for a 2021 foot injury — back continuing to pound away. This durability has allowed Henry to accumulate more than $74MM during his career; Wednesday’s agreement will push that number to the $100MM doorstep.
Precise details of Henry’s new contract are still being reported, but it should reduce his 2025 cap hit, which was originally just under $13MM. That will give the Ravens some more breathing room with the salary cap as they finish signing their 2025 draft class and make their annual summer veteran additions, which could include a safety after Ar’Darius Washington‘s torn Achilles.
As for cashflow, Henry will received $14MM in 2025 and $11MM in 2026, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, representing all of his fully guaranteed money He’ll be due another $12MM in cash in 2027, which is essentially a team option year since none of his salary is guaranteed.
By then, Henry will be 33 years old, far past the retirement age for most NFL running backs. If he and the Ravens have captured their elusive Super Bowl win by then, he could hang up the cleats and start preparing his Hall of Fame acceptance speech. If not, he may run it back in Baltimore for one last shot at a Lombardi before he retires.
Nikhil Mehta contributed to this post.
Steelers Informed Mason Rudolph Of QB Plan During Free Agency
Once it became clear neither Justin Fields nor Russell Wilson would return to the Steelers in 2025, the team pivoted to other options at the quarterback spot. One of those was a reunion with Mason Rudolph. 
The former third-rounder drew interest from the Giants in free agency, but before a visit could be arranged he signed a two-year, $7.5MM deal to return to Pittsburgh. That pact came against the backdrop of the Titans showing interest in a 2025 arrangement after he played there last year, but Rudolph’s preference was to re-join the team that drafted him.
Owner Art Rooney II made it clear this offseason that Pittsburgh would target a starting-caliber passer in this year’s draft or the 2026 event, and of course for much of the spring the possibility of an Aaron Rodgers signing has loomed over the organization. Rudolph has been made aware of the team’s plans under center throughout this process, though. The 29-year-old declined to get into specifics about conversations he had on that front, but Rudolph made it clear he knew competition would be coming after he signed.
“I assumed they were going to sign people and add to the roster because they always go to training camp with four quarterbacks,” the Oklahoma State product said (via Mark Kaboly of the Pat McAfee Show). “I knew that going in. I am going to respect the privacy of what [general manager] Omar [Khan] told me specifically. That’s for him to decide when, or whatever, they add a fourth.”
Rodgers and Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin have remained in contact, and in the middle of the draft Rooney repeated his confidence that the four-time MVP will eventually sign. The latest development on that front saw the end of May floated as a potential deadline, and if Rodgers is in place by then (or later), he will take on starting duties for 2025. Until and unless that happens, however, Rudolph is atop the depth chart with the backing of Tomlin and Co. to handle QB1 duties if needed.
In 2023, a Kenny Pickett injury opened the door for Rudolph to take over starting duties; he remained in that role even after Pickett was healthy down the stretch and through the wild-card round. Rudolph’s three interception-free starts helped get Pittsburgh into the postseason, although he struggled during the team’s loss to the Bills (during which he did throw a pick). Still, that showing gave Pittsburgh confidence in reuniting with him for at least a backup role in 2025.
The Steelers drafted Will Howard in the sixth round last month and still have Skylar Thompson in the fold in advance of training camp. Rodgers could join that group, but even if that does take place Rudolph will not be caught off guard.
Bengals Hosting DT Montravius Adams
Montravius Adams saw his tenure with the Steelers come to an end last month. The veteran defensive tackle may be able to remain in the AFC North for 2025, however. 
Adams is visiting the Bengals today, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. The 29-year-old joined the Steelers midway through the 2021 campaign and remained in place for three full seasons after that. Over that span, Adams made a total of 46 appearances including 21 starts.
In 2023, the former third-rounder logged a snap share of 48%; his playing time notably dropped last season, though. Adding along the defensive line was seen as a priority for Pittsburgh leading up to the draft, so it came as no surprise when the team selected Derrick Harmon 21st overall. The Steelers then added Yahya Black during the fifth round, something which pointed further to Adams’ roster spot being in jeopardy. He was released shortly after the draft with one year left on his pact.
The Bengals invested along the defensive front during the draft in the form of first-rounder Shemar Stewart, but he will aim to provide the team with needed help along the edge. In terms of interior linemen, Cincinnati has the likes of veteran B.J. Hill and 2024 selections Kris Jenkins and McKinnley Jackson in the fold. Hill will be expected to remain a full-time starter next season, while each of the latter two could see an uptick in usage. As a veteran of 101 combined regular and postseason games, Adams could offer depth to a Bengals team which ranked 19th against the run last year.
Adams has recorded only 2.5 sacks during his career, but he has operated as a consistent run-stopping presence along the way. The Auburn product has not been connected to any suitors prior to today, and at this point in the offseason he should not command a notable free agent pact. With over $26MM in cap space, the Bengals could certainly afford a one-year flier on Adams.
CB Damon Arnette Drawing NFL Interest
Damon Arnette‘s last NFL action came in 2021, and a number of legal issues since then appeared to close the door to a return. The corner has spent this spring in the UFL, though, and his performances have led to interest from NFL suitors. 
Arnette was cut by the Raiders midway through his second season in the NFL. That move came in response to a video which showed him threatening a person while brandishing a handgun; the former first-rounder was also the subject of multiple lawsuits at the time. He briefly saw time with the Dolphins before inking a futures deal with the Chiefs. Kansas City released Arnette immediately after his arrest for assault with a deadly weapon, however.
In May 2023, the Ohio State product was indicted by a grand jury on assault with a deadly weapon and firearm-related charges. Arnette disputed the allegations and ultimately reached a plea bargain agreement which included 50 hours of community service and $2K in fines. After his attempts to play in the UFL last spring were denied, Arnette has been granted the opportunity to do so in 2025, finding success with the Houston Roughnecks.
“With coaches, I feel like I’ve proved a complete turnaround,” the 28-year-old said (via Aaron Wilson of KPRC2). “All the coaches that have been with me right now, I feel like their words would be more valuable because I’ve said a lot of things in the past… I found professionalism and a calm state of mind. I feel like I’m the best version of myself that I’ve ever been.”
Wilson notes “several” NFL teams have contacted the Roughnecks about Arnette in the wake of his strong play, which has included 18 tackles, five pass deflections and one interception (returned for a 51-yard touchdown) through seven games so far. Given his age and the value of corners, a market could exist once the UFL season ends shortly. It seemed for multiple years as though Arnette would not have a future in the NFL, but that could soon change.
Eagles To Bring Back Joe Douglas
Joe Douglas saw his tenure as the Jets’ general manager come to an end midway through the campaign. The veteran executive will be back in a familiar place for 2025, though. 
Douglas is returning to the Eagles, Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. He will do so in a senior scouting role, per the report. Prior to taking on GM duties in New York, Douglas worked in the Eagles’ front office from 2016-19.
That stretch included time as Philadelphia’s VP of player personnel and thus as a key assistant to general manager Howie Roseman. After working together to build the franchise’s first Super Bowl-winning team from 2017, the pair will be reunited for 2025. This move comes in the wake of multiple notable departures in the Eagles’ front office.
Anthony Patch ended his lengthy stint as Philadelphia’s senior director of college scouting earlier this month when he joined the Raiders’ front office. The Eagles’ scouting department experienced another loss shortly thereafter when senior director of scouting Brandon Hunt also elected to head to Vegas. Douglas will aim to help replace those two upon reuniting with Roseman as the Eagles look to defend their second Super Bowl title.
The Jets won seven games on three occasions during Douglas’ tenure at the helm, but they posted an overall record of 32-68 and missed the playoffs ever year of his time in New York. Misses at the quarterback position played a key role in the team’s struggles over that stretch, which saw head coach Robert Saleh dismissed shortly before Douglas was. A new regime is now in place for the Jets, but to little surprise Douglas will continue his career in a familiar setting.
49ers, LB Fred Warner Nearing Extension
In an offseason which has seen a number of defensive departures in particular, the 49ers have managed to keep a pair of key contributors on the other side of the ball in place well beyond 2025. Tight end George Kittle, and shortly thereafter, quarterback Brock Purdy have signed long-term extensions this spring. 
Many have pointed to Fred Warner as the next logical candidate for a new deal as a result. The All-Pro linebacker did not appear to be close to an agreement on that front last month, but that seems to have changed in the wake of the Kittle and Purdy pacts. Team and player are “very close” to an extension, Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Two years remain on Warner’s current deal, a big-ticket extension he inked in 2021. None of his outstanding base salaries are guaranteed, though, and the 28-year-old is set to carry cap charges of $29.17MM and $26.71MM as things stand. Lowering those totals would be a welcomed development for San Francisco as the team’s financial outlook shifts with Purdy no longer representing a quarterback bargain. Warner’s next pact should allow him to become the league’s highest-paid linebacker once it is in place.
The top of the position’s market stands at $20MM per season as a result of the deal Roquan Smith signed shortly after being acquired via trade by the Ravens in 2023. A number of other notable extensions have been worked out since then, but Warner’s AAV ($19.05MM) still ranks second. A third 49ers pact would no doubt check in at a higher rate given the rise in the salary cap and the four-time Pro Bowler’s continued high level of play during his time in San Francisco.
Warner has recorded between 118 and 137 tackles during each of his seven years in the NFL, and with seven interceptions across the past three years he has proven to be a playmaker against the pass as well as the run. The former third-rounder will be expected to remain a foundational member of the 49ers’ defense in 2025, a year in which several starters – including fellow linebacker Dre Greenlaw – are no longer in the fold. Having missed only one game so far in his career, durability is not a concern in this case.
Recent comments made by Warner indicated he would not engage in a holdout at any point in the offseason, a positive sign with respect to the status of his contract talks. Given the latest update, it would come as no surprise for a deal to be in place in the near future.