TE Mark Andrews Expects To Remain With Ravens
Mark Andrews is one of several veterans whose name has been connected to trade talk during the build-up to the draft. Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta recently declined to confirm the All-Pro tight end will remain in Baltimore for 2025. 
Next season represents the final one of Andrews’ contract. The 29-year-old has signed one extension in his career, but it remains to be seen if he will receive another from the Ravens. A trade around or during the draft has therefore been a talking point since the end of the 2024 campaign. Andrews does not anticipate being moved, though.
“At the end of the day, I think [DeCosta] said it perfectly: He’s in the business of keeping great players and it’s a business at the end of the day,” the three-time Pro Bowler said to ESPN’s Jamison Hensley. “You can’t be surprised by anything, but I’m a Raven. I know the Ravens and my relationship is incredibly strong and I trust in [DeCosta] and everybody there over at the Ravens.”
To be clear, DeCosta’s latest comments on the subject did not state the Ravens are actively looking to move Andrews. Head coach John Harbaugh has expressed an expectation the Oklahoma product will remain in the fold for at least one more year, something which will be influenced in large part by the strength of the market which develops for him over the coming days. Andrews is due to carry a cap charge of $16.91MM in 2025, while a trade would result in $11MM in savings.
Given Baltimore’s financial outlook – the likes of quarterback Lamar Jackson, running back Derrick Henry, safety Kyle Hamilton, center Tyler Linderbaum and edge rusher Odafe Oweh are all in line for extensions as early as this offseason – keeping Andrews at a high cost would prove to be challenging. He set a new career high with 11 touchdowns last season, but Andrews’ 39.6 receiving yards per game average were the lowest mark since his rookie campaign. A repeat of that modest production at a high price would be difficult to handle from a cap perspective.
Another factor in this situation is the fact fellow tight end Isaiah Likely is entering the final year of his rookie deal. The 25-year-old’s playing time, yardage and touchdown totals have increased over each of his first three seasons, and he would be in position to assume an even larger pass-catching role in the event Andrews were to be dealt. A new commitment in the latter would decrease the funds available for a second Likely contract. Special teamer Charlie Kolar is also a pending 2026 free agent, meaning several decisions at the tight end spot will soon need to be made.
The most important of those relates to Andrews’ future, and clarity could soon emerge if a draft-day trade were to take place. That would come as something of a surprise to the player in this instance, but it remains something to watch for.
49ers, Brock Purdy Making Progress On Extension Talks; QB In Attendance For Offseason Program
APRIL 22: Purdy is indeed in attendance for the beginning of the team’s offseason program, Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network report. That is certainly an encouraging indication as it pertains to the chances of an extension agreement being worked out shortly. Tight end George Kittle, on the other hand, is absent as team and player remain far apart on the contract front in that case.
APRIL 21: Tomorrow marks the start of the 49ers’ offseason program. In the case of quarterback Brock Purdy, that date could mark a sign of progress toward an extension agreement being reached. 
Team and player have been negotiating since at least February, with talks heating up one month later. Getting a deal over the finish line in time for the start of voluntary workouts has been named by general manager John Lynch as a possible target. Purdy attending tomorrow would of course indicate an agreement is drawing closer.
On that note, The Athletic’s Michael Silver reports “some progress” has been made with respect to extension negotiations. The size of the remaining gap between the parties will be illustrated – at least to an extent – by whether or not Purdy is present for the start of the offseason program tomorrow. Silver adds it is unclear at this point whether or not the former ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ will be in attendance.
Given the nature of the quarterback market, a price point around $50MM has long been used to estimate the cost of a long-term Purdy deal. The final AAV figure could check in even higher, of course, and Silver notes an agreement will “likely” carry an average cost at least $50MM per season. 10 signal-callers are currently attached to a pact worth between $51MM and $60M in annual compensation.
Purdy could soon become the next member of that group given the continued growth of the salary cap and his status as a locked-in starter for the 49ers. San Francisco’s offseason began with a number of notable departures in free agency, and the team took a measured approach knowing a major commitment to the Iowa product will soon be made. Purdy is set to earn $5.35MM in 2025 as things stand, but he will be in line for a massive spike in compensation provided negotiations go as planned.
Plenty of time remains for a deal to be struck, and the 49ers have a history of high-profile contract talks lasting deep into the summer. An indication of whether or not such a scenario is to be avoided in Purdy’s case will emerge on Tuesday.
Packers Aim To Retain LB Quay Walker, DT Devonte Wyatt
In the case of linebacker Quay Walker and defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt, a decision will soon need to be made by the Packers. Their respective fifth-year options are due to be exercised or declined by the May 1 deadline, something general manager Brian Gutekunst spoke about during his pre-draft press conference. 
“We won’t deal with that until after the draft, but whatever mechanism we use, we’d like to keep those guys around for ’26 and beyond,” Gutekunst said (via the team’s website). “So whether that’s through doing the fifth-year option on these guys or extending them one way or the other, we’re planning to do that. We’d like to do that.”
In September, it was unclear whether or not Walker would have his 2026 option exercised. Middle and outside linebackers are grouped together for fifth-year option valuations, and as a result, a $14.75MM commitment would be made in the event Green Bay took that route with the 24-year-old. Teams have shied away from picking up the option for middle linebackers in recent years, and Gutekunst indicated last month the Packers will continue that trend.
As a result, an extension will be needed if team and player are to continue their relationship beyond next season. Walker has started all but one of his games in Green Bay, recording triple-digit tackles each season to date. The Georgia product has added 6.5 sacks, 12 pass breakups and three forced fumbles to his career statistical output. A long-term accord would take into account those totals, but one approaching the top of the position’s market (which now includes six players earning at least $15MM annually) could come as a surprise. Green Bay does not have a big-ticket contract on the books at the LB spot, though one could be in place down the road if Edgerrin Cooper develops as hoped.
The Packers’ defensive interior, by contrast, already has a lucrative pact in the form of Kenny Clark. The three-time Pro Bowler is on the books through 2027 with scheduled cap hits as high as $31.37MM along the way. Having a low-cost contributor in the form of Wyatt has thus proved to be valuable. The former No. 28 pick has notched 10.5 sacks across the past two campaigns while logging snap shares of 50% and 41% during that span. A heavier workload could result in stronger production, although improved play against the run would no doubt be needed for an uptick in usage to come to bear.
Picking up Wyatt’s fifth-year option would tie him to $13.92MM in 2026 earnings, a notable spike in pay compared to his rookie pact but a figure well short of what the top D-linemen are making around the league. Of course, a long-term accord could result in a lower cap charge than the cost of a fully-guaranteed option year, so it will be interesting to see if that avenue is explored on one or both fronts by the Packers once the draft has concluded.
Chris Ballard Addresses Colts’ TE Pursuit
Among the most common links between teams and positions in first-round mock drafts is the Colts being connected to a tight end. The position has been a sore spot for years in Indianapolis, a team which should be in position to select one of the top TE prospects in this year’s class. 
[RELATED: Colts Go TE In PFR’s Mock Draft]
“That’s to me the hard one to find,” general manager Chris Ballard said during his pre-draft press conference when speaking about the ideal tight end option (via the team’s website). “To be able to play on all three downs, to be able to be functional in the run game to where you don’t necessarily know it’s always a pass when he’s in the game, and then to be able to finish and make plays at critical times and have him give the quarterback an option in the middle of the field.”
Tyler Warren is seen by many as the top option in a strong group of prospects at the position this year. The Penn State product could be off the board well before the Colts are on the clock, with the Jets at No. 7 representing a potential landing spot. Some see Michigan’s Colston Loveland as TE1, though, and he could still be available when Ballad and Co. make their selection.
Loveland spent each of his three college seasons with the Wolverines, playing a key role in the team’s national championship in 2023. Last season, the 6-6, 248-pounder set a new career high in catches (56) and touchdowns (five) and cemented his status as a first-round prospect. Along with Warren, Loveland is expected to hear his name called on Day 1 with the Colts – set to select 14th overall – seen as a logical landing spot. Indianapolis has been mentioned as an interested suitor in Warren’s case, although it would come as a surprise if the the team pursued a move up the board aimed at acquiring him.
Last year, the Colts were interested in Brock Bowers, and drafting a tight end remains an expected goal this time around. That could very well include a Day 1 selection, although Ballard noted the history of star tight ends taken well after the first round. Plenty of options will be available during the middle and late stages of this week’s event, and the Colts will thus have a number of chances to make an impactful addition. Ballard’s comments certainly do not rule out the possibility of that move coming early, however.
Lions Could Aim To Trade Jameson Williams?
As a first-rounder from the 2022 draft class, Jameson Williams is among the players which will soon be the subject of a fifth-year option decision. He is likely to have his option picked up, but questions loom about the wideout’s future in Detroit. 
The Lions traded up on Day 1 of the ’22 draft to acquire Williams. Expectations were high as a result for the Alabama product once he became available, but his ACL recovery led to a rookie campaign which was essentially a write-off. Gambling and PED suspensions limited Williams to only 12 games in 2023, but he showed plenty of potential as a deep threat. He took a major step forward this past campaign, posting a 58-1,001-7 statline.
Exercising Williams’ option would set him up to receive $15.49MM in 2026. That figure would prove to be reasonable if the 24-year-old duplicated his 2024 success, but the Lions already have a long list of lucrative commitments on offense. That includes fellow wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown, whose deal averages just over $30MM per season. With that pact on the books and others (on defense) soon to follow, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reports some around the NFL believe Williams could be a trade candidate.
The Lions earned the No. 1 seed in the NFC last season, and another run at the Super Bowl is expected for the 2025 campaign. Williams would be positioned to reprise his role as a complementary option to St. Brown and tight end Sam LaPorta, operating as one of the league’s top deep threats. Last season, Williams averaged 17.3 yards per reception, and his catch percentage (63.7%) marked a notable improvement from the previous season.
It would therefore come as no surprise if another strong season were to be in store for 2025. The Lions already have St. Brown, along with quarterback Jared Goff, offensive tackles Penei Sewell and Taylor Decker as well as running back David Montgomery on lucrative contracts, however. LaPorta and running back Jahmyr Gibbs will be eligible for extensions next offseason. By the time those two have a second contract in hand, Aidan Hutchinson will likely be among the league’s highest-paid defenders, a factor which will no doubt influence roster-building moves in the short-term future.
Lions general manager Brad Holmes recently noted the cost of retaining receivers on long-term deals when speaking about the potential of extending Williams. A pact near the top of the market (which now sits at $40.25MM per year) would not be in store in the event a new Lions deal were to be worked out. Still, making another commitment on offense would prove to be cumbersome. As a result, Williams’ status will be worth watching as the draft and the May 1 deadline for fifth-year option decisions approach.
Eagles Extend C Cam Jurgens
The Eagles have made yet another lucrative commitment along the offensive line. Center Cam Jurgens has a new deal in place, the team announced on Monday. 
This will be a four-year, $68MM extension, per Jurgens’ agent (h/t ESPN’s Adam Schefter). The pact includes $39.4MM guaranteed. As a result of the agreement, Jurgens is now on the books with Philadelphia through the 2029 season.
Jurgens did not log any starts during his rookie campaign, but he saw plenty of time in 2023, operating as a full-time starter at right guard when healthy. Last offseason, the retirement of center Jason Kelce created a vacancy at center. As expected, Jurgens took over in that role. The 25-year-old thrived while doing so, earning a Pro Bowl nod and helping the Eagles win the Super Bowl.
In the wake of that success, Philadelphia has proceeded with yet another big-ticket commitment up front. This deal carries an average annual value of $17MM, which ranks second amongst centers. Only Creed Humphrey ($18MM per season) is attached to a more lucrative pact in terms of AAV. Jurgens has moved to the top of the position’s pecking order in terms of guaranteed compensation, however.
The Nebraska product ranked 31st amongst qualifying guards in 2023 with respect to his PFF evaluation. Jurgens took a step forward last season, grading out as PFF’s 14th-best center. Continued development will be key as the Eagles look to remain dominant along the O-line. The defending champions now have four major contracts on the books up front.
Left tackle Jordan Mailata and left guard Landon Dickerson each received long-term extensions last offseason, and as a result they are set to remain in the fold for years to come. Right tackle Lane Johnson recently had one year added to his pact, putting him on track to continue playing through 2027. Jurgens will aim to remain a key figure up front moving forward as Philadelphia looks to replace Mekhi Becton at the right guard spot with incumbent Tyler Steen, trade acquisition Kenyon Green or a rookie added this week.
Jurgens played through back issues during the Eagles’ postseason run, and he underwent surgery shortly after the Super Bowl. A full recovery in time for training camp was expected at the time of the procedure, and today’s news obviously marks a sign of confidence the former second-rounder will not be affected by the injury in the future. Provided that proves to be the case, Jurgens will be counted on to operate as Philadelphia’s center for years to come.
Steelers Interested In Trading Back; Latest On Team’s QB Draft Approach
All 32 teams still own their first-round pick as the countdown to the draft nears an end. Movement up and down the order could be in store soon, although 2025 is not expected to witness many blockbuster trades given the nature of this year’s class. 
As a result, the list of teams interested in moving back is lengthier than usual. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the Steelers are among those looking to trade down, something which comes as little surprise. Pittsburgh’s acquisition of Pro Bowl wideout D.K. Metcalf included the team’s second-rounder in 2025, so trading back to recoup some of that lost capital would be a feasible approach. As Schefter notes, however, there are few known parties looking to trade up.
The Steelers own pick No. 21, which may put them in range to add a quarterback. Per Schefter, the team did not originally intend to select a signal-caller on the opening night of the draft, but the board may allow for that to take place. Shedeur Sanders has been viewed at times as a first-round lock but has seen his stock drop recently, something Schefter adds the Steelers did not anticipate. The Colorado product may be available as a result, and head coach Mike Tomlin has been named as a Sanders supporter.
Pittsburgh is also among the teams which have put together a strong evaluation of Jaxson Dart. The Ole Miss product is considered a first-round prospect by the Steelers, a team still in need of a long-term Ben Roethlisberger successor. Mason Rudolph is back in the organization, but it would come as no surprise if a rookie were to be added this week as competition for the starting gig in 2025 or at least an option to take over QB1 duties down the road.
Aaron Rodgers looms as a stopgap option for next season, but it remains to be seen if he will play in 2025 (and if so, for the Steelers). Pittsburgh has remained patient while awaiting a decision on the Rodgers front, and that process could easily extend past the draft. It will be interesting to see if a first-round signal-caller is in the fold shortly in the Steelers’ case or if the team aims to trade down on the opening night of the draft.
Ashton Jeanty Could Be On Jaguars’ Radar; RB Still Top Bears Target
During the pre-draft process, the Raiders have consistently been linked to Ashton Jeanty. The consensus top running back in the 2025 class is understandably seen by many as a strong candidate for the sixth overall pick, but other teams are worth watching on this front as well. 
The Jaguars can be listed as a “sleeper team” regarding Jeanty, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler (video link). Jacksonville is set to select fifth overall, and the team has often been connected to Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham. Taking that route is seen by many as the likeliest outcome, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated writes. He adds, however, that selecting a skill-position player at No. 5 could be in play.
In that case, Jeanty would receive consideration. The Heisman runner-up enjoyed a hugely productive three-year career at Boise State, cementing his status as the most highly-regarded prospect in a deep running back class. Jeanty is widely viewed as a top-10 talent (at least), but the matter of taking a running back so high in the draft remains a topic of debate. An All-American in 2024 (just like Jeanty), Graham is seen as one of the safest prospects in the draft and could contribute right away along Jacksonville’s D-line.
If the Jaguars – now led by first-time general manager James Gladstone and rookie head coach Liam Coen – elect to avoid Graham and Jeanty with their top pick, a move down the board could be in order. Fowler’s colleague Adam Schefter lists Jacksonville as one of the teams interested in a trading back, something which will be difficult given the lack of blue chip prospects at the top of the order. If such a deal were to be made, though, the Raiders would remain in position to add Jeanty.
Such a scenario would come as no surprise, but Schefter notes a sense exists around the league that the Bears are “praying” Jeanty falls to them at No. 10. Chicago has done plenty of work at the running back spot during the pre-draft process, and the team is known to be high on the Maxwell Award winner. D’Andre Swift has one more year of guarantees on his deal, but adding Jeanty to the mix would give the Bears a two-pronged rushing attack not unlike the one new head coach Ben Johnson had with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery during his time as the Lions’ offensive coordinator.
In the event the Jags stand pat at No. 5 and draft Jeanty, Breer adds former first-rounder Travis Etienne could become a trade candidate. It would come as a surprise to many for that circumstance to emerge, but it is a possibility to watch for as the first round approaches.
Falcons Sign QB Easton Stick
As the Kirk Cousins/Falcons staredown continues, the team has added some additional depth at the position. The Falcons announced today that they’ve signed quarterback Easton Stick.
[RELATED: Falcons Unlikely To Take Day 3 Pick For Kirk Cousins]
Stick was a fifth-round pick by the Chargers back in 2019, and he ended up sticking around through his rookie contract and a pair of one-year extensions. He barely got off the bench during his first few years as one of Justin Herbert‘s backups, with the likes of Tyrod Taylor and Chase Daniel getting any leftover reps.
Stick finally got a shot to show his stuff during the 2023 campaign, when he got four starts filling in for Herbert. He showed some signs of being a capable fill-in during his brief stint as the QB1. In those four contests, Stick completed 65.3 percent of his passes, tossed three touchdowns vs. one interception, and added 144 rushing yards. On the flip side, the Chargers were winless in those four games, and Stick also lost three fumbles.
In Atlanta, Stick should have a secured roster spot, but his standing on the depth chart will continue to be in flux. Right now, he’s the QB3 behind Michael Penix Jr. and Cousins, who is pushing for an exit out of Atlanta. If the Cousins/Falcons divorce comes to fruition, then Stick could step up as the main backup to Penix. Emory Jones is also on the roster as some additional depth.
We heard just the other day that the organization was expected to add a veteran backup passer in the coming months. It’s uncertain if Stick would qualify as a “veteran” option for the organization, but he fits the bill as a potential QB2.
Zack Moss Reworks Contract, Likely Sticking With Bengals
Following a season-ending neck injury in 2024, Zack Moss‘s playing future was naturally in doubt. Today, the running back reworked his contract in a move that signals his return to the lineup in 2025.
According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the Bengals agreed to rework Moss’s contract in a move that provides the veteran with more guaranteed money and job security heading into the summer. Moss was attached to $3.47MM in nonguaranteed earnings in 2025. As Garafolo notes, today’s move signals that the organization is clearly “confident in his return.”
Following a 2023 campaign with the Colts where he finished with a career-high 986 yards from scrimmage, Moss joined the Bengals last offseason. The former Bills third-round pick was expected to be part of Cincy’s solution for replacing Joe Mixon, and Moss ended up starting each of the Bengals first five games last season.
He started seeing a reduced role around Week 6, and he was officially shelved in early November with a neck issue. While the ailment never appeared to be a definitive career-ender, it easily wiped out the rest of Moss’s 2024 campaign. The running back ultimately finished his first season in Cincinnati with 429 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns in eight games.
With Moss sidelined, Chase Brown easily ran with the RB1 role, so the veteran RB will likely be relegated to a backup role in 2025. Samaje Perine was also brought in for some veteran reinforcement, while Kendall Milton and Gary Brightwell are around for offseason depth. Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic also suggests that the Bengals could target the position during Day 3 of the draft.