Cowboys’ Tyler Smith Changes Agents
Tyler Smith is one of several extension-eligible players on the Cowboys’ radar for a new deal. The Pro Bowler will have new representation when his second NFL contract is signed, though. 
Smith is now a client of Athletes First, per an agency announcement. Joe Panos and Todd France now represent the 24-year-old, who as expected had his fifth-year option picked up this spring. That means Smith is on the books through 2026, giving team and player plenty of time to negotiate a long-term pact.
For now, Micah Parsons represents priority No. 1 for Dallas since he is entering his option season. Making the two-time All-Pro the league’s highest-paid defender may be necessary to finalize an agreement on that front, but in any case Smith is a logical target for a lucrative pact of his own. The Tulsa product handled blindside duties as a rookie out of necessity, but since then he has primarily been used as planned at guard. Smith has missed three total games during that span, but he has collected a Pro Bowl nod each time.
Having posted top-15 PFF grades amongst guards in 2023 and ’24, Smith’s performance and age could set him up for a notable payday. As things stand, he is set to earn $21.27MM in 2026. That figure outpaces the AAV of Landon Dickerson‘s Eagles pact, the most lucrative multi-year deal in the league for guards (Trey Smith is currently scheduled to earn more on his Chiefs franchise tag this year, but an extension would change that). Having Smith in place at a $21.27MM cap charge would be challenging for Dallas, of course, creating added incentive for a long-term accord.
Dallas has invested considerable draft capital up front in recent years. The Cowboys used their top choice in 2024 on left tackle Tyler Guyton, and they went with guard Tyler Booker at No. 12 last month. Those two are in place to handle starting roles for years to come if things go according to plan, and Smith will join them as a key figure up front. Strong O-line play will be critical if Dallas is to bounce back from an underwhelming 2024 showing this year.
In addition to Smith, Athletes First represents Parsons along with quarterback Dak Prescott and recent trade acquisition George Pickens. Of that group, only Prescott’s future beyond 2026 is assured, so negotiations with those clients will be interesting to monitor over the coming weeks and months.
NFL Contract Details: Stafford, White, Moss
Here are recently released details on deals from around the NFL:
- Matthew Stafford, QB (Rams): Two years, $84MM. This restructured deal was announced two weeks ago, but the details were just recently announced, including $40MM of guaranteed money. $4MM of the $84MM comes in the form of a roster bonus paid out in March, per Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated. The remaining $80MM is split evenly over the next two seasons with $16MM base salaries and four $6MM bonuses ($24MM total) in each year. The bonus structure gives Los Angeles a bit of flexibility with the salary cap. The $40MM from 2025 is what makes up the guaranteed amount, and the 2026 $40MM fully guarantees on the fifth day of the new league year. On The Breer Report, Breer also mentioned that the new deal pays out $26MM more than Stafford was set to earn through 2026 and that Stafford essentially turned down what could’ve been deals from the Raiders and Giants for over $50MM per year in order to remain with the Rams in 2025.
- Tre’Davious White, CB (Bills): One year, $3MM. The new deal for the veteran defender was reportedly worth up to $6.8MM. Now that we know the base value of the contract is only $3MM, we can see how much the incentives of the deal are worth, per Howard Balzer of CardsWire. White’s deal contains $2.2MM of guaranteed money, composed of his $1MM signing bonus and $1.2MM of his 2025 base salary (worth $1.56MM in total). White will have non-cumulative playing time-based incentives — $500K for 45% of defensive snaps, $750K for 55%, $1MM for 65%, $1.5MM for 75%, and $2.25MM for 90% — and non-cumulative interception-based incentives — $250K for two interceptions, $500K for three, $750K for four, and $1MM for five. Lastly, he’ll earn a per game active roster bonus of $20K for a potential season total of $340K.
- Zack Moss, RB (Bengals): One year, $1.7MM. Like Stafford, Moss is another restructured deal. Previously set to earn $3.47MM for the 2025 season, Moss took a pay cut to hopefully avoid being a cap casualty and increase his guaranteed money for the year. The guaranteed money Moss added on the deal was a $375K signing bonus. He’ll also earn a $9K per game active roster bonus for a potential season total of $155K.
49ers Sign First-Round DE Mykel Williams
The 49ers were one of five teams in the 2025 NFL Draft who had the highest number of drafted rookies (11). According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2, San Francisco pushed its ninth rookie contract across the finish line tonight, inking first-round defensive end Mykel Williams. Per Wilson, Williams’ four-year rookie deal (with a fifth-year option) is worth $29.94MM fully guaranteed, including a $14.78MM signing bonus. 
Williams spent three years at Georgia, earning second-team All-SEC honors in each of his final two seasons. A former five-star recruit, Williams didn’t quite live up to expectations in Athens. He failed to eclipse five sacks or nine tackles for loss in any season with the Bulldogs. He only started 17 of 40 games, though he was still a regular on three Georgia defenses — including a national championship-winning 2022 group.
An ankle injury hindered Williams’ play in 2024, as well. Still, the 6-foot-5, 260-pound edge rusher’s size and athleticism had him squarely on the first-round radar. He’s a common type of prospect that we see with more tools and potential than production in college.
The 49ers are hoping that WIlliams will be able to fill in the spot vacated by another former Bulldog, Leonard Floyd, who spent the most time across from Nick Bosa on the defensive line last year. The team also sees Sam Okuayinonu, Yetur Gross-Matos, and yet another former Georgia player, Robert Beal Jr., returning from last season. The three players combined for only seven sacks in 2024.
Unless Okuayinonu, Gross-Matos, or Beal are ready to take the next steps in their careers, Williams may be expected to step into a starting role early. San Francisco will need to tap into that athleticism and potential and hope that Williams can produce more against NFL competition.
Here’s a look at the 49ers’ draft class including the final two players that need to sign their rookie deals:
- Round 1, No. 11: Mykel Williams (DE, Georgia) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 43: Alfred Collins (DT, Texas)
- Round 3, No. 75: Nick Martin (LB, Oklahoma State) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 100*: Upton Stout (CB, Western Kentucky) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 113: CJ West (DT, Indiana)
- Round 4, No. 138*: Jordan Watkins (WR, Ole Miss) (signed)
- Round 5: No. 147 (from Saints through Commanders): Jordan James (RB, Oregon) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 160 (from Vikings): Marques Sigle (S, Kansas State) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 227: Kurtis Rourke (QB, Indiana) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 249*: Connor Colby (G, Iowa) (signed)
- Round 7, 252*: Junior Bergen (WR, Montana) (signed)
Vikings Sign G Donovan Jackson, Complete Rookie Class
With only five picks in the 2025 NFL Draft (tied with Atlanta and Washington for the fewest in the league), the Vikings didn’t have much work to do in order to finish off their rookie class signings. Regardless, they’re the first to get it done this offseason. 
According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2, Minnesota came to terms with first-round guard Donovan Jackson, closing out the signing process for their rookies. The four-year deal (with a fifth-year option) is fully guaranteed for $17.18MM and will include a $9.42MM signing bonus. After the conclusion of his rookie season, he’ll also earn training camp roster bonuses of $616K in 2026, $1.28MM in 2027, and $1MM in 2028.
During his time at Ohio State, Jackson spent time at both guard and tackle. He started at left guard for the Buckeyes in his sophomore and junior years. When Josh Simmons suffered a midseason patellar tendon tear last year, Jackson slid out to left tackle for the remaining nine games of the season. Jackson put himself on the NFL radar after earning second-team All-Big Ten acclaim in his first season as a starter and first-team honors the next year. He upped the stakes with first-team All-American honors last season, helping Ohio State to a College Football Playoff championship.
With their only decent interior offensive line play last year coming from Dalton Risner, now a free agent, the Vikings worked to seriously upgrade their guard and centers spots, bringing in former Colts Will Fries and Ryan Kelly at guard and center, respectively. Jackson is projected to slot in opposite Fries in order to form a completely new interior for Minnesota.
With their rookie class complete, here’s a look at the five first-year players that the Vikings drafted:
- Round 1, No. 24: Donovan Jackson (G, Ohio State) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 102 (from Lions through Jaguars and Texans)*: Tai Felton (WR, Maryland) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 139 (from Browns): Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (DT, Georgia) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 201 (from Rams): Kobe King (LB, Penn State) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 202 (from Texans through Steelers, Bears and Rams): Gavin Bartholomew (TE, Pittsburgh) (signed)
Packers C Elgton Jenkins Seeking Contract Adjustment
MAY 14: Jenkins is indeed looking for a contract adjustment to protect his future financial earnings if he remains at center past this season, per ESPN’s Rob Demovsky. However, the Packers rarely renegotiate with players who have more than one year left on their contracts. A compromised proposed by Demovsky would be to guarantee some of the $32.8MM remaining on Jenkins’ deal.
MAY 13: The Packers hatched an interesting plan to replace departed center Josh Myers. Elgton Jenkins is changing positions again, as a guard-to-center shift is on tap ahead of his seventh season.
Two seasons remain on the extension Jenkins signed late in the 2022 season, and while a center switch would stand to hurt his long-term earning potential, the standout blocker may be angling for the team to reward him for the sacrifice he is making this offseason. Jenkins is seeking a contract adjustment, according to WISC-TV’s Jason Wilde.
Jenkins has not yet showed for early Packers offseason workouts, though OC Adam Stenavich said the absence is not related to the new center’s contract. Stenavich had described Jenkins as “open” and “excited” about the switch. Jenkins, who has played all five positions along Green Bay’s front during his career, played 72 snaps at center last season. His other NFL center work came back in 2020, when he made 297 snaps. Otherwise, the former second-round pick has settled at guard and tackle.
After the Packers used Jenkins as their 2021 David Bakhtiari LT replacement, they shifted him back to left guard in 2022. Jenkins’ play at that post prompted the team to extend him — on a four-year, $68MM deal — as a runway for Jordan Love formed. Love’s first starter season featured only a one-game Bakhtiari cameo, leaving Jenkins as the team’s veteran presence up front. After Jon Runyan Jr. left in 2024, the Pack continued to field a young O-line around Jenkins, who has now seen the guaranteed money on his contract run out.
The Packers regularly refrain from post-Year 1 salary guarantees on non-QB contracts; they have Jenkins tied to a nonguaranteed $11.7MM base salary this season. He will count $17.6MM against Green Bay’s cap. This will be a situation to monitor, especially as the Packers continue to navigate the Jaire Alexander issue, and Jenkins’ contract will likely need to be adjusted before 2026. He is due to count $24.8MM on Green Bay’s cap sheet next year.
While four guards are tied to $20MM-per-year contracts, the center market only features one player (Creed Humphrey) earning more than $14MM per year. The All-Pro Chiefs snapper is at $18MM AAV. Jenkins, 29, would likely not be amenable to a discount based on agreeing to help the team regarding a position switch. An organizational hesitancy to pay players post-30 also may factor into a true Jenkins standoff, per Wilde, who adds the Mississippi State alum could become a 2026 release candidate if the center move does not go smoothly.
Another factor that could conceivably be affecting this Jenkins push would be the Packers giving more money to a less proven outside addition (free agent Aaron Banks); the ex-49ers starter is now on a four-year, $77MM agreement. Banks could operate opposite 2024 first-rounder Jordan Morgan, though the latter is first expected to compete with Rasheed Walker at left tackle. A “best five” scenario, though, could see a Walker-Banks-Jenkins-Morgan-Zach Tom configuration.
It will first be interesting to see if Jenkins will threaten a holdout or if he changes course to avoid a center move, especially as the center market pales in comparison to where the guard salary landscape sits. Alexander may be Green Bay’s front-burner contract matter, but Jenkins’ is now one to monitor.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/14/25
Here are Wednesday’s minor transactions from around the NFL:
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: WR Jadon Janke
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: TE Quintin Morris
New England Patriots
- Signed: RB Trayveon Williams
- Released: DT Eric Johnson
Tennessee Titans
- Claimed off waivers (from Saints): LB Anfernee Orji
- Waived: RB Jabari Small
Williams, who recently worked out for Houston without getting a contract, turned a workout with the Patriots into a roster spot for the summer. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2, New England also worked out former Saints running back Jordan Mims, but Williams walked away with the deal.
AFC North Notes: Browns, Bengals, Smith
The Browns‘ quarterback room has been under a microscope for years, but this offseason drew added scrutiny with the pure volume of Cleveland’s transactions at the position.
The Browns first traded for Kenny Pickett before reuniting with Joe Flacco in free agency. They then double-dipped on quarterbacks in the draft, taking Dillon Gabriel in the third round and Shedeur Sanders in the fifth.
Gabriel was expected to be a Day 3 pick, making his selection in the third round a “mild surprise,” according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, though Cleveland wasn’t a shocking destination. They hosted the left-handed passer for a visit on the same day as Sanders and Cam Ward, who both received more media attention for their links with the Browns. But the team was planning to take Gabriel at pick No. 94 all along, even if Jalen Milroe – who went one pick earlier to the Seahawks – was still available.
The Browns’ acquisition of four quarterbacks this offseason has raised questions about their plans for the position moving forward. At least one will likely be surplus to roster requirements in Cleveland, but as Fowler notes, injuries around the league could draw trade interest in Pickett or Flacco, both of whom have moveable one-year contracts.
Here is the latest from the AFC North:
- Browns defensive end Alex Wright has been fully cleared to return to the field after season-ending triceps surgery in 2024, per Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal. The 2022 third-rounder showed promise in 2023 with five sacks, but his injury robbed him of the chance to show further progression last year.
- Bengals cornerback DJ Turner also received medical clearance to participate in the team’s offseason program, according to Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Turner’s 2024 season ended after 11 games due to a broken clavicle, and he will look to retake a starting role in Cincinnati this year.
- The Bengals shuffled their front office staff recently. They promoted football data analyst Sam Francis to director of football research, per Inside The League’s Neil Stratton, and hired former Bills intern Trey LaBounty as a scouting research analyst, according to SI.com’s James Rapien. Bengals scout Christian Sarkisian is also departing the staff, being set to take over as the general manager of the Northwestern athletic department, per ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
- University of North Carolina athletic director Bubba Cunningham was originally looking to hire Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith as the Tar Heels next head coach, according to David Hale, Andrea Adelson, and Chris Low of ESPN. Smith has never coached at the college level, but he played guard at UNC from 2001 to 2005. Heading into his second season as Steelers OC, Smith turned down the chance to interview for his alma mater’s HC post. Cunningham ultimately went with Bill Belichick, a decision that has drawn significant scrutiny over the last few months.
- The Browns reunited with Shaun Herock in a personnel role, per KRPC2’s Aaron Wilson. Herock was previously a national scout in Cleveland before joining the Raiders as a senior personnel advisor.
Multiple Teams Have Shown Interest In OLB Matt Judon
Four-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Matt Judon went unsigned in the NFL’s initial waves of free agency signings, but he has received interest from multiple teams, per Kyle Odegard of Card Player.
Judon spoke about his 2024 season in Atlanta and his free agency plans while participating in a celebrity basketball game hosted by former Patriots teammate Mack Wilson in Arizona. Other ex-Patriots like Christian Gonzalez and Keion White were also in attendance, as well as Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
The 32-year-old Judon still thinks he can be an impact pass rusher in the NFL despite a step back in 2024; his 5.5 sacks were his fewest in a full season since his rookie year with the Ravens in 2016. He attributed his regression to a Falcons defensive scheme that asked too much of him in pass coverage.
“If you go look at the film, I dropped on 60 percent of the plays,” said Judon (via Odegard). “It’s hard to get a pick and a sack on the same play.”
While Judon seems to be exaggerating, he did see an uptick in the percentage of snaps he dropped into coverage in Atlanta compared to his time in New England, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). However, he had even more coverage responsibilities during his four years as a starter in Baltimore.
Jones, who has regularly skipped OTAs in his career, will likely wait until the summer to sign with a new team, though he has been in touch with multiple.
Re-signing with the Falcons would be a surprise. Though the team replaced defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake with Jeff Ulbrich this offseason – which may appeal to Judon given his issues with last year’s scheme – they also drafted two edge rushers in the first round and signed Leonard Floyd in free agency. Judon thinks that would rule out a return to Atlanta, who noted that 2024 third-rounder Bralen Trice would also factor into the defense after missing his rookie year due to a torn ACL.
Judon said he was “open to whatever” when asked about reuniting with the Ravens, but they have a similarly-full edge rushing room. As for other potential destinations, he simply said, “It’s got to make sense,” likely meaning it would take a sizable salary and/or shot at a Super Bowl to get him to put pen to paper.
NFC West Notes: Rams, Kittle, Hawks, Cards
Tyler Higbee has been the Rams‘ top tight end for many years, dating back to the team’s separation from Gerald Everett in 2021. Higbee, however, is now in Year 10 and coming off a three-game season. The Rams have attempted to install an heir apparent on multiple occasions, most notably failing in an attempt to trade up for Brock Bowers last year. Los Angeles then was tied to an effort to move up for Colston Loveland last month, and ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler indicates the team did discuss trades with teams holding top-10 picks.
Once Loveland went to the Bears at 10, the Rams regrouped and traded down, picking up a 2026 first-rounder (from the Falcons) to do so. Upon leaving Round 1, however, the Rams eyed the next wave of tight ends in this draft. Both Mason Taylor (LSU) and Terrance Ferguson (Oregon) were on the team’s radar, per Fowler, who notes Ferguson was rated higher despite Taylor going to the Jets four spots earlier. The Rams have Ferguson (591 receiving yards in 2024) readying to become the Higbee heir apparent.
Here is the latest from the NFC West:
- Ferguson is unlikely to unseat George Kittle as the NFC West’s top tight end anytime soon, as the 49ers extended their All-Pro dynamo recently. San Francisco’s four-year, $76.4MM deal includes $35MM guaranteed at signing. Beyond fully guaranteed money in 2025 and ’26, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio notes $2MM of Kittle’s 2027 pay ($17.15MM) is locked in at signing. The 49ers have also dived into the option bonus game, which will help keep Kittle’s cap hits under $19MM until 2029. Kittle can unlock $5MM more in 2027 guarantees by being a 2026 Pro Bowler or landing on the All-Pro first or second team that year; reaching a number of statistical benchmarks that year also could allow Kittle to cash in on that $5MM 2027 bump, Florio adds.
- Sam Darnold‘s three-year, $100.5MM Seahawks contract became classified as a pay-as-you-go pact, and ESPN’s Brady Henderson provided an important detail here. Seattle gave Darnold a $15MM roster bonus, but it is not due until February 13 — five days after Super Bowl LX. The Seahawks can cut bait during that window, reminding of the Raiders’ 2023 Derek Carr divorce, if the Darnold partnership does not pan out. Seattle would still pick up a $25.6MM dead money hit (due to signing bonus proration) by cutting Darnold after one season.
- DC Aden Durde pushed for Rylie Mills in Round 5 (via the pick obtained in the Sam Howell trade), but the Seahawks will wait a bit to see the Day 3 D-lineman in action. A torn ACL sustained in December is expected to keep the Notre Dame product out until at least midseason, John Schneider said (via Henderson). A late-season return is also in play for a player who will be more of a long-term option in Seattle.
- Not rostering a fullback in many years, the Seahawks had planned to add one to work in Klint Kubiak‘s offense. They did so in the draft, as Schneider confirmed (via Henderson) Alabama tight end Robbie Ouzts — a fifth-round pick — will begin his career at fullback. The 274-pound SEC product will compete with Brady Russell, who has played 26 Seahawks games (zero starts) since arriving in September 2023.
- A former South Carolina defensive back, Landon Grier made an early foray into the NFL scouting ranks. The Cardinals hired him straight out of college to be a scouting assistant. The son of Dolphins GM Chris Grier, Landon is not expected back with the Cards in 2025, with InsidetheLeague.com’s Neil Stratton noting the younger Grier is on track to return to the college ranks for a personnel role.
- The 49ers are also parting ways with a scouting staffer, with Stratton adding Michael Zyskowski is moving on after three years with the franchise. Late spring regularly serves as a point teams reshuffle scouting staffs, as contracts usually run through the draft in an effort to ensure continuity ahead of the event.
Derek Carr ‘Extremely Unlikely’ To Unretire
Delivering great value as a second-round pick, Derek Carr lasted 11 seasons as a starting quarterback. Among second-round picks in NFL history, only Drew Brees and Brett Favre have accumulated more passing yards. Carr’s 257 TD passes also presently edge Andy Dalton‘s 253 for third in that category among QBs chosen in Round 2. While second-rounders in lower-volume passing eras were considered better QBs as well, Carr did quite well from his No. 36 overall draft slot.
Carr did not exactly approach a lower-quality Brees season during his time with the Saints, however; that 2023 signing not panning out as the organization hoped. A compromise upon retirement will help ease the financial burden the Saints will carry as a result of the restructure-generated dead money on the QB’s contract, but the team is now without insurance in the event Tyler Shough does not prove a viable option after being chosen in the second round.
[RELATED: Saints Preparing For Open QB Competition]
The Saints revealed Carr will walk away after suffering significant degenerative changes to his rotator cuff, stemming from a 2023 injury, and fans should not expect the 34-year-old passer to change his mind. Carr is considered “extremely unlikely” to unretire, according to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio. The former Raiders and Saints starter is already making other plans, which are not yet known.
Considering this injury has dogged Carr for over a year, his retirement is not quite an Andrew Luck-level shock. Luck retired just before his age-30 season, doing so after he had claimed Comeback Player of the Year honors. Luck unretirement rumors never produced much of consequence, and the once-promising passer quickly drifted out of the spotlight. Carr dealt with extensive injury trouble in New Orleans, having sustained two concussions in 2023 — in addition to his shoulder malady — before missing time with oblique and hand injuries last season.
Although Carr will pass on $30MM in 2025, he has already earned more than $285MM during his time in Oakland, Las Vegas and New Orleans. If Carr unretired and the Saints did not release him in 2026, that $30MM that was to be due this year would move back into the picture for the team. The QB having encountered the injury volume he has, finding a trade partner — in the event of an unretirement — would be quite difficult for the Saints, especially considering his contract. New Orleans gave Carr a four-year, $150MM deal in 2023. That contract became more difficult to escape thanks to a 2024 restructure. Although the sides’ 2025 restructure will be modified as part of this retirement, the Saints will still have this contract on their books through 2026.
Shough joins holdovers Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener in New Orleans’ QB room, but KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson passes along a fourth option – – Hunter Dekkers — will sign on as well. Dekkers played last season at Iowa Western Community College. Dekkers had previously served as Brock Purdy‘s successor at Iowa State, starting for the Cyclones in 2022. Three years later, he profiles as an offseason/camp arm that will not bring a great chance to unseat Rattler or Haener for a roster spot. The Saints, though, have moved into their post-Carr stage by adding another QB for this purpose.