HEADLINES

Giants Sign No. 3 Pick Abdul Carter

May 23rd, 2025 at 6:41pm CST by Adam La Rose

MAY 23: Shortly following details of the No. 1 overall pick’s contract, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 divulged some details for the No. 3 overall pick. The signing bonus for Carter’s contract, signed yesterday, has been updated to a more exact $29.55MM. Following his rookie campaign, Carter will receive guaranteed roster bonuses for each of the three remaining guaranteed years of his contract. The roster bonuses will be worth $1.89MM in 2026, $3.83MM in 2027, and $5.78MM in 2028.

MAY 22: Abdul Carter is the latest member of the 2025 draft class to sign his rookie deal. The No. 3 pick inked his initial NFL pact on Thursday, per an announcement from the Giants.

This four-year deal is worth a total of $45.26MM and (like those of all other first-rounders) is guaranteed in full. Carter will receive a $29MM signing bonus as part of the deal. Taking into account the fifth-year option, he could remain under team control through the 2029 campaign.

Throughout the pre-draft process, Carter established himself as one of the two bluechip prospects in this year’s class (with Heisman winner Travis Hunter being the other). The Titans were linked early to potentially moving out of the No. 1 slot, but once they committed to selecting quarterback Cam Ward that came off the table. Hunter wound up going second overall, albeit to the Jaguars after they pulled of a trade with the Browns to move up to that spot.

The Giants did extensive work on the quarterback position this year, but by late April a signal-caller (Shedeur Sanders, Jaxson Dart or otherwise) was not expected to be the pick at No. 3. To no surprise, Carter heard his name called at that slot and thus joined a New York pass rush group already featuring Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux. Expectations will be high for those two, along with Carter, to deliver strong production in 2025.

The Penn State product transitioned to edge rusher on a full-time basis in 2024, something which proved to be a productive decision. Carter earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors upon leading the conference in sacks (12). His 23.5 tackles for loss were the most in the country, something which helped lead to a consensus All-American nod. If Carter – who is clear to take part in spring practices after dealing with a foot injury – develops as hoped, he will become a mainstay along the edge for years to come in New York.

Of course, the Carter selection wound up being followed by a move back into the Day 1 order to draft Dart as the Giants’ long-term option under center. He remains unsigned at this point, with the same being true of second-round defensive tackle Darius Alexander and fourth-round running back Cameron Skattebo. Given today’s news, though, four members of the Giants’ draft class have been signed, with the most lucrative rookie pact having been taken care of.

Titans Sign No. 1 Overall Pick Cam Ward

May 23rd, 2025 at 5:08pm CST by Sam Robinson

MAY 23: Ward’s rookie deal with the Titans includes a $32.159MM signing bonus, per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. Training camp roster bonuses have also become a common way to accelerate the payment schedule of rookie contracts, and Ward’s is no different. He will receive $2.054MM in 2026, $4.159MM in 2027, and $6.264MM in 2028 via training camp roster bonuses, all fully-guaranteed.

MAY 21: The rookie-scale system’s latest top contract, Cam Ward has put pen to paper with the Titans. The No. 1 overall pick is now signed through 2028, as the team announced the signing.

Ward’s rookie deal is worth $48.75MM. The pact is fully guaranteed and will include a fifth-year option for the 2029 season. Ward is currently splitting reps with the QB he is almost certain to supplant as Tennessee’s starter (Will Levis), but the Titans’ Week 1 Denver trip will presumably see the prized rookie at the controls.

Owners made it a point to curb excessive first-round salaries in the 2011 CBA. To illustrate how far ahead the quarterbacks chosen first overall under the pre-rookie-scale system were, Sam Bradford‘s rookie contract checked in at five years and $78MM in 2010. That contract was not fully guaranteed, but it still locked in Bradford to $50MM at signing. With the rookie scale in place in 2011, however, Cam Newton‘s draft slot commanded a four-year, $22MM accord. While Newton landed a lucrative Panthers extension later on, he trailed Bradford, Matthew Stafford and even JaMarcus Russell by a considerable margin out of the blocks.

Ward’s contract checks in much higher than Caleb Williams‘ Bears terms ($39.49MM), and this one will likely be the No. 1 draft slot’s last south of $50MM. Arch Manning (or the passer chosen first in the event the Texas prodigy stays in Austin) will be in line to clear that bar for the first time since Bradford. As for Ward, he will attempt to justify the significant leap he made during his final college season.

Famously going from zero-star recruit who began his college career at Division I-FCS Incarnate Word to a player who had distanced himself from the rest of the QBs in the 2025 class, Ward played two seasons at Washington State and finished his collegiate run at Miami. Completing 67.2% of his passes, Ward amassed over 4,300 passing yards and a 39:7 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Those figures earned him ACC Player of the Year honors (among others), and his arm strength and playmaking ability created distance from the likes of Jaxson Dart and Shedeur Sanders in this year’s class. The Titans met with Ward by mid-March and had settled on him early, arranging a second meeting and then rebuffing Browns and Giants attempts to trade up to No. 1.

Ward, 23 on Sunday, will continue a recent trend of QBs garnering considerable experience in college before being chosen No. 1. Williams turned 23 last season, while Jayden Daniels, Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr. played age-24 seasons as rookies. The extensive seasoning benefited the Commanders and Broncos, who saw their respective draft choices finish first and third in the Offensive Rookie of the Year voting. Ward started four college seasons during his three-school journey, and the Titans will attempt to recover after some early-round QB misfires.

Levis’ rough sophomore season led the Titans to the No. 1 overall draft slot, and the team needed its Ryan Tannehill reclamation project after 2015 No. 2 overall pick Marcus Mariota did not become a long-term franchise QB. Tennessee’s 2011 first-rounder, Jake Locker, was the team’s primary starter for just two seasons — before retiring after Year 4 — and 2006 No. 3 overall choice Vince Young‘s early-career promise fizzled. (2022 third-rounder Malik Willis is playing out his rookie deal in Green Bay, after being traded last summer.)

The Titans have not featured a true long-term QB option since Steve McNair‘s 11-season run. They will hope Ward can play well enough to secure a second contract. While the Titans did pay Tannehill after his 2019 turnaround, they have not extended a passer they have drafted since McNair.

Commanders Sign Round 1 T Josh Conerly

May 23rd, 2025 at 5:00pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Commanders have agreed to terms with No. 29 pick Josh Conerly Jr. on a four-year, $15.68MM rookie deal, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

As is customary for first-round picks, Conerly’s first NFL contract will be fully-guaranteed with a fifth-year option for the 2029 season. It also includes a $8.044MM signing bonus, according to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson.

It’s unclear what Conerly’s role will be in Washington this season. He almost exclusively played left tackle at Oregon, but the Commanders are set on the blind side after trading for Laremy Tunsil this offseason. A switch to right tackle would require Conerly to beat out incumbent starter Andrew Wylie, who started 29 games over the last two years but accepted a pay cut this offseason entering the last year of his contract. Further complicating the picture is 2024 third-rounder Brandon Coleman, who started 12 games at LT as a rookie and could also look to compete at RT after the Tunsil trade, though he also lacks experience on the right side and is more likely to factor in at guard, according to ESPN’s John Keim.

The Commanders are returning two of last year’s interior O-line starters in left guard Nick Allegretti and center Tyler Biadasz, but Samuel Cosmi‘s ACL tear will sideline him for most, if not all of the 2025 season. That opens up the starting RG job, but Conerly’s lack of experience at guard (or even on the right side of the line) is a clear obstacle to winning the gig.

Barring a positional switch as a rookie, Conerly will likely serve as a backup in 2025 as the Commanders figure out their long-term plan at tackle. Washington will likely move on from Wylie in 2026, at which point Conerly may be ready to start at RT. He could also be a long-term replacement for Tunsil, who only has two years remaining on his contract. A move to guard feels less likely, but could offer Conerly a starting job right away with the proper coaching and development.

Browns Not Planning QB Trade; Kenny Pickett Frontrunner For Starting Gig?

May 23rd, 2025 at 12:00pm CST by Adam La Rose

MAY 23: During an appearance on ESPN Cleveland radio, head coach Kevin Stefanski said there will not be an even distribution of quarterback reps this offseason. That comes as little surprise, but the door is obviously still open to all four passers earning the starting gig depending on how training camp shakes out.

MAY 19: Since the Browns used a selection during the second and third days of the draft on a quarterback, questions have lingered about how they will sort out the position in 2025. Plenty of time remains for things to change on that front, but a few early indications have emerged.

Rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders are joined by trade acquisition Kenny Pickett and veteran Joe Flacco, re-acquired in free agency this spring. That quartet could shrink in size during roster cutdowns, but for the time being it can be expected to remain intact. Even in the wake of the Saints losing Derek Carr to retirement, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com writes no QB trade is being planned at this point.

If such a move were to be made, Cabot recently named Flacco as the passer likeliest to find himself on the move. For now, though, he is in position to compete for a spot on the depth chart upon returning to Cleveland. The 40-year-old helped guide the Browns to the postseason upon joining them midway through the 2023 campaign, and he represented a logical target to return this year. With Deshaun Watson unlikely to play in 2025 while rehabbing his second Achilles tear, Flacco could at least open the year as the starter with the rookies developing.

As Cabot adds, however, it is Pickett who appears to be the frontrunner heading into upcoming OTAs and June’s mandatory minicamp. The former Steelers first-rounder saw his Pittsburgh tenure end in short order after a disappointing spell atop the depth chart. His trade to the Eagles resulted in a one-year backup stint behind Jalen Hurts and a single start in Week 18. To no surprise, Cleveland declined Pickett’s fifth-year option for 2026, meaning he enters the year as a pending free agent.

In a separate piece, Cabot writes there will be a split of two QB pairings to divvy up reps during offseason work, which is a reasonable approach given the uncertainty surrounding the position. Pickett is slated to operate as the No. 1 (at least, to begin the process) and Cabot predicts he will be partnered with Gabriel. That would leave Flacco and Sanders alternating third-string reps, albeit with the potential to move up the pecking order depending on their performances.

Gabriel and Sanders will remain under team control through 2028 on the rookie deals, so the Browns can be expected to retain them well past this summer’s training camp. With Flacco and Pickett’s respective futures much less clear, though, it will be interesting to see how they fare during practice. The latter could help his market value to a great extent with a sustained QB1 run in Cleveland, and his audition period for the gig will begin soon.

Buccaneers RB Rachaad White Addresses Pending 2026 Free Agency

May 23rd, 2025 at 11:16am CST by Adam La Rose

Rachaad White‘s playing time has fluctuated during his time with the Buccaneers. The fourth-year running back is not expected to return to a full-time starter’s role in 2025, something which will of course affect his free agent value for next spring.

White made eight starts as a rookie, setting him up to serve as Tampa Bay’s lead back the following year. 2023 produced a number of new career highs, including 1,539 scrimmage yards and a strong 64-549-3 receiving statline. After the former third-rounder averaged only 3.6 yards per carry, though, questions were raised about his ability to efficiently handle lead back duties.

Last season, White started 15 of his 16 appearances but his playing time fell over the course of the campaign. The emergence of rookie Bucky Irving cut heavily into White’s workload, as the latter totaled just nine carries across the final three games of the regular season. Irving has three years remaining on his rookie deal, but White’s will expire after the coming campaign. In the absence of extension talks, the possibility of a free agent departure looms, something he is acutely aware of.

“I’m ready to see what the year holds,” White said during an interview with RG.org’s DJ Siddiqi. “I’m coming into the last year of my deal, I’m ready to prove what I got and what I got going on. At the end of the day, you can only control what you can control. You have to go out there and prove it every day… I’m just going out with my mindset, just attack every day, show them who I am, and let the chips fall where they may.”

White averaged 4.3 yards per carry last year, by far the best mark of his career in that department. His drop in usage came about as Irving showcased his potential, however, and a further uptick in playing time for the Oregon product would leave White in place to operate as a backup. Such a scenario would hinder the 26-year-old’s value on a new Bucs pact or one sending him to a new team, so it will be interesting to see how he fares this year.

Under offensive coordinator Liam Coen, Tampa Bay experienced a strong resurgence on the ground in 2024 after years of struggling in that regard. Coen departed to take over head coaching duties with the Jaguars, leaving Josh Grizzard as the Buccaneers’ new OC. How his first season in that role plays out will be key in determining White’s future beyond 2025.

Roger Goodell Expected To Receive Contract Extension

May 22nd, 2025 at 10:00pm CST by Adam La Rose

Roger Goodell‘s current contract runs through 2027, but his tenure as NFL commissioner could continue beyond that point. An extension is expected to receive approval from owners, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports.

The matter of another new contract was expected to be discussed yesterday during the owners meeting, but that did not prove to be the case. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones confirmed (via ESPN’s Brooke Pryor) no conversations were held about another Goodell pact. The most recent extension in that respect took place in October 2023.

Goodell is currently 66, and finishing his current deal would take him past 20 years at the helm of the league (thus marking the second-longest run for an NFL commissioner). Another extension – which would be the fifth of his tenure – would obviously be a sign that retirement is not under consideration, though. Paul Tagliabue‘s successor has overseen the league through two CBAs and one media rights deal, with another agreement on the latter front likely coming soon.

Under Goodell, the NFL’s value and that of its franchises has soared. The recent sales of the Broncos and Commanders – for a combined price of $10.7 billion – illustrates that point. Revenues are expected to continue growing with a new, more lucrative broadcast deal and continued expansion of the NFL’s schedule at home and abroad. Earlier this year, it became clear an 18-game regular season with a total of 16 international games played per year is a target for the league.

Since taking over in 2006, Goodell has of course been the subject of criticism on a number of fronts. Matters such as the handling of suspensions as well as health and safety concerns (including concussions and playing surfaces) have been talking points for years, and that will likely continue into the future. It has long been clear, however, that the league’s owners are comfortable with the status quo when it comes to the NFL’s top executive position.

With discussions on this front being tabled, no timeline is in place for a new Goodell pact to be worked out. Plenty of time remains on his current deal, but a stint ranging beyond 2027 could very well be on the horizon.

WR Garrett Wilson Hoping For Jets Extension

May 22nd, 2025 at 9:40pm CST by Ben Levine

While there were rumblings of a potential trade request towards the end of the 2024 season, Garrett Wilson is now making it clear he wants to stick in New York. The extension-eligible receiver told reporters today that he doesn’t only want to sign a new deal with the Jets…he hopes to spend the rest of his career with the organization.

“I’m hopeful I’m a Jet for life and that we get this thing rolling and that all of our best days are ahead of us,” Wilson said (via ESPN’s Rich Cimini).

After spending the start of his career dealing with subpar QB play, frustrations mounted after the Jets failed to meet expectations during the 2024 campaign. Wilson’s issues were attributed to perceived tension with Aaron Rodgers and competition for targets from midseason acquisition Davante Adams, and there was speculation that the organizational friction could lead to a trade request.

Instead, Rodgers and Adams are both out of town, and it sounds like the Jets made a pair of offseason moves that have Wilson excited for the future. According to Cimini, the addition of Aaron Glenn has “infused the organization with hope,” and the new head coach has made it clear to the wideout that he’ll be a focal point of the offense. Wilson was also quick to laud new QB Justin Fields, with the receiver pointing to the duo’s “trust” and “communication.”

With the organization having appeared to mend fences with their star wideout, they can now look towards negotiations. While Wilson has managed to top 1,000 yards receiving in each of his three NFL seasons, sources believed the Ohio State product wouldn’t top the market at his position, with some pointing to an AAV around $25MM to $30MM.

Wilson would likely push for that $30MM threshold that’s recently been surpassed by a number of extended wideouts. A $30MM AAV would rank seventh at the position with Brandon Aiyuk and Tyreek Hill. Of course, there’s no rush for contract talks, as Wilson still has two years remaining on his rookie pact after having his fifth-year option exercised. When the time comes to get serious about negotiations, the receiver is hopeful he’ll give the front office no choice but to hand him a new deal.

“When the time does come and those conversations are being had,” Wilson said (via Cimini). “I’m going to try and do my part to make sure that it’s undeniable.”

NFL Minor Transactions: 5/22/25

May 22nd, 2025 at 8:14pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Miami Dolphins

In addition to placing Sean Murphy-Bunting on the reserve/non-football injury list today, the Cardinals moved on from Ben Stille. Despite only spending three seasons in the NFL, Stille has true journeyman status, with the defensive lineman spending time with the Dolphins, Browns, Cardinals (twice), and Buccaneers. The 27-year-old got into six total games last season, compiling four tackles and one sack.

William Bradley-King joined the Dolphins practice squad last August and spent the entire year there. He was retained via a reserve/futures contract back in January. A former seventh-round pick, Bradley-King has collected seven tackles and 0.5 sacks in four career games. He’ll be replaced on the roster by QB Brett Gabbert, the younger brother of Blaine Gabbert. Brett was invited to rookie minicamp last month after going undrafted in this year’s draft. The QB got into 53 games during his time at Miami (OH), tossing 80 touchdowns vs. 30 interceptions.

49ers, Fred Warner Agree To Extension

May 22nd, 2025 at 7:45pm CST by Adam La Rose

THURSDAY, 7:45pm: The 49ers have officially announced the extension.

“Fred’s leadership is exemplary and his approach to his craft is contagious,” said GM John Lynch. “Fred sets the tone for our entire team with the consistency, speed and physicality with which he plays. Off the field, his passion, energy, and professionalism are second to none and truly embody what it means to be a Niner. We are extremely proud to get this extension done and lock Fred in for the future.”

MONDAY, 4:00pm: Talks with Fred Warner have indeed resulted in an extension agreement. The 49ers have come to terms with the All-Pro linebacker on another lucrative deal.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports team and player have agreed to a three-year extension. The pact is worth $63MM in total and includes $56MM in guarantees. For the second time in his career, Warner holds the title of the NFL’s highest-paid middle linebacker.

The top of the LB market stood at $20MM annually entering Monday, with Warner ranking second behind only Roquan Smith in terms of AAV. This latest San Francisco commitment will move Warner up to $21MM per season, which represents a slight raise on that front while no doubt lowering his scheduled cap hits for the next two years. The four-time Pro Bowler is now under contract through 2029.

Joel Corry of CBS Sports notes Warner will still earn $18.25MM in 2025, but this pact includes $5MM in additional compensation through 2026 compared to the previous one. $39.5MM of full guarantees are in place. Between now and the end of the 2028 season, $42MM in new money will be paid out.

In recent years, San Francisco has seen negotiations for its top players drag deep into the summer. That has not proven to be the case in 2025, however. Tight end George Kittle landed a new pact recently, and that was followed in short order by Brock Purdy becoming the league’s latest big-money quarterback. Warner loomed as the next logical target for such a commitment on the part of the 49ers, although as of April it seemed as though there was still plenty of work to be done on the negotiating front.

More recently, though, it became clear progress was being made. The latest update on the matter noted an agreement was close, so today’s news comes as no surprise. Warner will remain a focal point of San Francisco’s LB unit in particular and the team’s defense in general for years to come, something of increased importance given the departures seen on that side of the ball this spring. Dre Greenlaw was among the starters who left in free agency, with the pending Purdy extension playing a role in the 49ers’ spending plans. Obviously a new Warner pact was also in the team’s budget.

The former third-rounder has handled full-time starting duties during each of his seven years in the league; he has missed only one game during that span. Warner’s consistency as a run defender (at least 118 tackles each season) and play against the pass (seven interceptions, 28 pass deflections) has helped his case for being the league’s best linebacker, and his financial situation once again reflects that. The 28-year-old will remain in the Bay Area through the remainder of his prime.

Improved play on both sides of the ball will be required if the 49ers are to return to the postseason in 2025. Better health on offense will be a key factor, but the while the team’s defense integrates a number of new starters Warner will continue in his pivotal role with his long-term future secured.

Roger Goodell Discusses International Games, Private Equity Firms

May 22nd, 2025 at 7:13pm CST by Ben Levine

After the NFL participated in five international games in 2024, the league is set to host seven contests outside of the United States in 2025. If Roger Goodell‘s vision comes to fruition, the NFL will eventually play nearly a season’s worth of overseas games in a single year.

During a recent appearance at the CNBC CEO Council Summit, Goodell revealed that he’s hoping to host 16 international games in a single season.

“I do see 16 regular season games, and I do think that will happen in the very near future,” Goodell told CNBC’s Scott Wapner (via Jessica Golden of CNBC.com). “Within 5 years probably.”

The “NFL International Series” started back in 2007 with a regular-season game between the Dolphins and Giants at Wembley Stadium in London, England. The NFL expanded to Mexico in 2016, and they’ve since held games in Germany and Brazil. The league is set to take it a step further in 2025, with games scheduled for Spain and Ireland, and there’s a game in Australia set for 2026.

Goodell previously hinted at a 16-game international slate, although his five-year target is new. While a foreign franchise doesn’t appear to be on the immediate horizon, the commissioner made it clear that overseas games are a clear priority for the league.

“International is an open market for us,” said Goodell. “We are excited about our potential.”

Goodell touched on a number of additional subjects during the summit, including the recent uptick in private equity firms taking stakes in NFL franchises. We heard recently that the Chargers requested approval to sell an eight-percent stake in their franchise to a private investment firm, following the footsteps of other organization’s that have recently sold off small stakes.

As Golden notes, there’s only a small grouping of firms that are approved to purchase small parts of NFL teams: Ares Management, Sixth Street Partners, Arctos Partners, and a consortium consisting of Dynasty Equity, Blackstone, Carlyle Group, CVC Capital Partners, and Ludis. Goodell hinted that another undisclosed firm could soon be joining this list.

“There’s enough demand for it that we think it’s the right step,” Goodell said.

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