Eagles To Reunite With OL Matt Pryor
The Eagles are reuniting with offensive lineman Matt Pryor, per Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Pryor will sign a one-year deal to return to Philadelphia, where he started his NFL career as a sixth-round pick in 2018.
Pryor made the Eagles’ 53-man roster as a rookie but did not play in any games. He appeared in 12 games in 2019 exclusively on special teams before emerging as a versatile starter in 2020. Injuries to the Eagles offensive line pressed Pryor into action for 10 starts: six at left guard, three at right tackle, and one at right guard.
Pryor was then deemed surplus to requirements during final roster cuts in 2021 and traded to the Colts as part of a late-round pick swap. He started five games in Indianapolis, including three at left tackle to add even more versatility to his resume.
The Colts re-signed Pryor to a one-year, $5.5MM deal for the 2022 season. He started nine games across three different positions, but poor performance hurt his free agency stock, forcing him to take a veteran-minimum deal with the 49ers. He only played 42 snaps on offense in San Francisco and signed with the Bears in 2024. He took over the starting right guard role from Nate Davis in Week 3 and put together one of the strongest seasons of his career.
Pryor was interested in staying in Chicago after changing teams for three years in a row, but he will instead reunite with legendary offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland in Philadelphia. The 30-year-old will likely compete for the starting right guard spot left vacant by the departure of Mekhi Becton to the Chargers.
Jets To Sign WR Josh Reynolds
The Jets are signing veteran wide receiver Josh Reynolds to a one-year deal worth up to $5MM, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
The deal includes $2.75MM in fully guaranteed money with another $2.25MM available via incentives, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
The Jets’ new regime is very familiar with Reynolds. General manager Darren Mougey helped bring Reynolds to Denver during free agency last year when he was the Broncos’ assistant GM. Reynolds spent the previous 2.5 seasons in Detroit, where he worked closely with then-Lions passing game coordinator Tanner Engstrand. Engstrand is now the Jets’ offensive coordinator under new head coach Aaron Glenn, who also overlapped with Reynolds in Detroit.
After releasing Davante Adams and letting Tyler Conklin walk in free agency, the Jets needed to add an experienced pass-catcher to their offense. The team is expected to release Allen Lazard after June 1, per ESPN’s Rich Cimini, and the rest of their wideouts outside of Garrett Wilson have combined for 12 career starts.
Reynolds fits the bill with 55 starts across eight years, plus an understanding of what Engstrand wants to do on offense. Two of the best seasons of Reynold’s career came in Detroit in 2022 and 2023 before a hand injury hampered him in 2024. Finding a similar role in New York may help the 30-year-old build on the success he found the last time he played under Engstrand.
The 6-foot-3 wideout has spent most of his time on the outside, though he also has plenty of experience lining up in the slot. He is also known as a strong run blocker, another plus for a Jets offense that figures to take a run-heavy approach with their young backfield of Justin Fields, Breece Hall, and Braelon Allen.
Since Reynolds was released by the Jaguars earlier this month, his signing will not count towards the compensatory pick formula (if his APY even qualified).
Titans Arrange Second Cam Ward Meeting
MARCH 27: The Titans’ Ward workout will take place tomorrow, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports. Provided all goes well, the chances of Tennessee retaining the top pick and selecting him will no doubt increase.
MARCH 25: As the Titans appear to be moving closer to starting over at quarterback instead of trading out of No. 1 overall, they will do more research on the player pegged as the top passing prospect in this draft. Another Cam Ward meeting is on tap.
Like the Browns, the Titans will circle back to the Miami QB. Tennessee is arranging a workout with Ward, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. The team already used a “30” visit on Ward. The Titans have not slammed the door on trading down, of course, but Schefter reaffirms it will take an “even stronger” package for the team to now move out of the top draft slot.
Tennessee sent plenty of representatives to Ward’s pro day Monday, and this upcoming private workout will give a rearranged front office another chance to evaluate a player who played for three schools during this transfer-happy period. A former recruit at Division I-FCS Incarnate Word, Ward transferred to Washington State and then concluded his career at Miami. Following Jayden Daniels, Bo Nix and Michael Penix in raising his draft stock following a transfer, Ward has been the frontrunner to be the first quarterback selected for months. Creating distance between himself and Shedeur Sanders, Ward has long had support in the Titans’ building, and the team has been deep in QB research for months.
The Titans met with Ward earlier this month and, per veteran Titans reporter Paul Kuharsky, had a contingent dine with the QB Sunday night. Since that point, rumors have circulated pointing the AFC South team to staying at No. 1 and picking Ward. It appears nothing at the 6-foot-2 prospect’s pro day has changed that course, but Titans brass will take another look. Selecting Ward would mean passing on players viewed as safer prospects (Abdul Carter, Travis Hunter), but punting on a QB in this draft would leave the Titans without a long-term plan after a rough Will Levis sophomore outing.
Entering the Combine, the Titans had received calls about No. 1 and were viewed by some as more likely to trade out of the pick than stay. After free agency did not send a starter-level veteran to Tennessee, which swapped out Mason Rudolph for Brandon Allen. The Titans effectively paved a path to Ward at No. 1 in free agency, unless they pivot to Russell Wilson or Aaron Rodgers. The team has not been linked to Rodgers, and a report suggested it is not interested in Wilson.
Ward’s 39 touchdown passes led Division I-FBS last season, and he paired that total with 4,313 passing yards and seven interceptions. While only 204 rushing yards came along with these numbers, Ward is viewed as having more athletic upside than Sanders. The Titans saw Levis rank last in QBR — by a wide margin — in 2024, and they fired the GM (Ran Carthon) who traded up for the Kentucky prospect in 2023. Chiefs import Mike Borgonzi will run this year’s Titans draft, with heavy input from football ops president Chad Brinker.
Ward did not work out at the Combine but is on track to do so for Titans reps. As it stands, non-Tennessee teams connected to Ward will need to hope the Titans change course and stand down. Regardless, the Browns and Giants will need to do extensive homework on Sanders, whose draft landing spot remains a bit of a mystery.
Gardner Minshew Addresses Decision To Sign With Chiefs
Following his Raiders release, Gardner Minshew elected to remain in the AFC West. The veteran quarterback signed with the Chiefs to operate as their backup, a move he recently spoke about. 
“From the end of our season – when it seemed like I was going to get cut – I knew in my head that this is where I wanted to be,” Minshew said of Kansas City during his introductory press conference (via Pro Football Talk’s Myles Simmons). “I took a pre-draft visit with the Chiefs back in the day [before] coming into the league. I feel like everything went really well… I always knew that [Kansas City would] be a really good fit.”
The former sixth-rounder began his career with the Jaguars, but after only two years in Jacksonville he was traded to the Eagles. That set Minshew up for a pair of seasons in Philadelphia, followed by his single campaign with the Colts (which included 13 starts). While Indianapolis was interested in re-signing him, Minshew took a two-year Raiders deal last spring to compete for Vegas’ QB1 gig.
The 28-year-old won a training camp competition against Aidan O’Connell, one in which neither passer delivered a convincing performance. Minshew’s ball security gave him an edge, but his time atop the depth chart fluctuated over the course of the season. He was benched on more than one occasion, although O’Connell’s injury situation still resulted in nine Minshew starts. The latter suffered a broken collarbone in November, leading to a failed physical designation for his Raiders release.
Given his injury situation, it came as something of a surprise Minshew signed quickly in the wake of his Vegas tenure coming to an end. A number of other quarterback dominoes had not fallen at the time of his one-year Chiefs agreement, and waiting out the situation could have yielded a path to at least competing for a starting gig with a different team. Given Minshew’s remarks, though, it is clear his priority was to head to Kansas City on the open market.
The Chiefs had Carson Wentz in place as Patrick Mahomes‘ backup last season, and he made just one start (a Week 18 game which came after the No. 1 seed in the AFC had been clinched). Minshew will likewise not have a path to playing time barring a Mahomes injury, but he clearly landed his preferred opportunity for the 2025 campaign.
49ers Open To Trading WR Brandon Aiyuk
Recovering from an ACL injury and now attached to a lucrative four-year deal, Brandon Aiyuk hasn’t been nearly as popular on this website as he was last offseason. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s any less available than he was in 2024.
According to Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports, the 49ers are open to trading their top wide receiver, and there has been “communication with several teams.” This follows a report from earlier this month that rival teams were sniffing around on Aiyuk’s trade availability.
With Aiyuk set to enter the final year of his rookie contract, the receiver appeared to be firmly on the trade block last offseason. He was connected to a number of teams, including a nixed trade to the Steelers, before ultimately inking a four-year, $120MM extension with the 49ers. Aiyuk tore his ACL in October, ending his season prematurely.
Aiyuk’s injury and extension would obviously change his trade market in 2025. Further, the 49ers’ receiving outlook looks a whole lot different than it did just one month ago. Deebo Samuel is now gone, leaving the organization with some question marks at the position.
Jauan Jennings had some standout performances while filling in for teammates in 2024 but has never topped 1,000 yards receiving, and Ricky Pearsall‘s tumultuous rookie season saw him finish with 31 receptions. The team added Demarcus Robinson to a grouping that also includes the likes of 2024 fourth-round pick Jacob Cowing, veteran Russell Gage, and free agent addition Isaiah Hodgins.
In other words, the team is expected to be especially reliant on Aiyuk moving forward, so it’d be a surprise if the team was suddenly willing to pivot when the player’s trade value is likely at its lowest. The timing of a trade could also complicate things. As Schultz notes, Aiyuk has a guaranteed option bonus of $23MM due next week, and a trade would likely have to be consummated before that date.
So, while both the 49ers and suitors may have interest in a potential deal, it seems unlikely that anything will come to fruition any time soon.
Browns “Leaning Towards” Abdul Carter At 2
While plenty could change over the next month, it sounds like we’re starting to get some clarity atop the draft board. During an appearance on NFL Live today, ESPN’s Adam Schefter said the Browns are “leaning towards” selecting Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter with the second-overall pick (h/t ESPN Cleveland).
Schefter cautions that things could change, but he believes Carter is “tracking to being a Brown.” Schefter also notes that the draft’s real intrigue starts with the Giants at No. 3, an indication that the Titans are destined to select Cam Ward with the first-overall pick.
There’s been plenty of speculation about how the Browns would approach this year’s draft. Deshaun Watson is under contract for two more years, but the QB’s second Achilles tear has put his future with Cleveland in doubt. As a result, some pundits have assumed that the organization would jump at one of the draft’s top-two QB prospects, and with Ward trending towards the number-one pick, Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders would seemingly be a natural selection.
On the flip side, neither Sanders nor Ward are considered blue-chip prospects, and the Browns would surely be fading more decorated prospects if they chose a QB at No. 2. Carter has always loomed as an option, as the pass rusher is considered one of the best non-QB prospects in the draft. The other contender for that unofficial title would be Colorado’s Travis Hunter. For what it’s worth, the Browns have met with all four of the aforementioned prospects.
Carter climbed to the top of draft boards following a standout 2024 campaign where he collected 12 sacks and a Division I-leading 24 tackles for loss. After entering the pre-draft process with a shoulder injury, Carter was reportedly dealing with a foot issue. Ultimately, it was determined the player didn’t have to go under the knife, and the injuries clearly haven’t done anything to hurt his draft stock.
If Cleveland does ultimately opt for Carter, they’d be forming one of the best pass-rush tandems in the NFL. The Browns committed big money to keep Myles Garrett in Cleveland, but that extension apparently hasn’t dissuaded the front office from pursuing the same position in the draft.
With Ward penciled in at No. 1 and Carter at No. 2, all eyes will turn to the Giants at No. 3. The team has also been mentioned as a landing spot for a QB prospect, even after they added Russell Wilson as their presumed 2025 starter. If the team decides against selecting Sanders, then Hunter would presumably be the team’s target at No. 3.
49ers, Brock Purdy “Actively Negotiating” New Contract
The 49ers have continually made it clear that they intend to keep Brock Purdy around for the foreseeable future. Well, after extension negotiations reportedly started last month, it sounds like the two sides have made some progress.
[RELATED: 49ers Begin Extension Talks With Brock Purdy]
According to Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports, Purdy and the 49ers are “actively negotiating” a new deal. The hope is to finalize a contract before the start of the 2025 season.
The source did caution that an extension isn’t imminent, although they left the door open to the contract being finalized before next month’s draft. Either way, there’s a clear expectation that the two sides will cross the finish line over the next few months.
By now, we’re all familiar with Purdy’s story. The former Mr. Irrelevant guided his team to the NFC Championship Game as a rookie and the Super Bowl as a sophomore. While the 49ers’ 2024 campaign didn’t go as planned, Purdy has still established himself as a franchise quarterback…while also setting himself up for a lucrative pay day.
By virtue of his No. 262 slot on the draft board, Purdy has provided the 49ers with a massive discount over the past three years, with the QB earning $2.6MM over that span. Thanks to performance escalators, Purdy will see a significant jump to $5.2MM in 2025, although that’s still an obvious discount when compared to the rest of the market.
While it seems inevitable that Purdy will ink an extension with the 49ers, there’s still a question of how much that contract will be worth. Per Schultz, Purdy will have a difficult time matching Dak Prescott‘s $60MM AAV, but several sources believe he’ll still clock in at around $50MM to $55MM. A rival GM also suggested that Purdy could take a slight discount to continue helping his organization, although that same executive still believes he’ll approach the top of the market.
The 49ers front office hasn’t had the easiest time navigating recent extensions to star players. As Schultz notes, extensions for Nick Bosa and Brandon Aiyuk were completed right before the regular season, and deals for Trent Williams and Deebo Samuel also led to “drawn-out” processes. The organization will surely be looking to avoid the drama with their QB, and it sounds like there’s extra motivation to sign Purdy as soon as possible.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/26/25
Today’s minor moves:
Carolina Panthers
- Signed RFA tender: OL Cade Mays
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed ERFA tender: DT Matthew Butler
New York Giants
- Signed ERFA tender: LB Dyontae Johnson
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed ERFA tender: DL Sam Okuayinonu
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: WR James Proche
Titans Sign QB Tim Boyle
While the Titans continue to move closer to selecting a quarterback with the first-overall pick, the team has added some veteran help at the position. The Titans announced today that they’ve signed quarterback Tim Boyle.
A 2018 UDFA, Boyle has settled into a clear backup role at this point of his career. The veteran has appeared in 23 career games, spending time with the Packers, Lions, Bears, Jets, Texans, Dolphins, and Giants. He’s gone winless in his five career starts, tossing four touchdowns vs. nine interceptions in those outings.
The 30-year-old bounced around the league a bit in 2024. He was cut by the Texans at the end of the preseason before landing on Miami’s practice squad. He got into two games with the Dolphins but was ultimately cut in October. He landed with the Giants, where he’d finish the season. In total, Boyle got into three games last year, completing 27 of his 50 pass attempts for 276 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
The Titans already brought in another veteran QB this offseason in Brandon Allen, and the two acquisitions join holdover Will Levis on the depth chart. A 2023 second-round pick, Levis wasn’t drafted by the current Titans regime, and the addition of a second clear backup could signal that Levis will inevitably be shuttled off the roster. There’s also a chance the Titans skip the QB position or trade out of the No. 1 pick, although that’s seeming increasingly unlikely as the team prepares for a second meeting with Cam Ward.
OL Draft Notes: Campbell, Simmons, 49ers
Projected first-round pick Will Campbell measured in with 33-inch arms at LSU’s Pro Day, per ESPN’s Field Yates, an increase over his measurement at the NFL Combine.
His arm length was measured at 32.675 inches in Indianapolis, according to The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, three-eighths of an inch below the league’s general standard of 33-inch arms for offensive tackles. Curiously, Campbell’s measured wingspan at the Combine (72.375 inches) was longer than his wingspan at his Pro Day (72.25 inches). Both figures are below-average figures for pro tackles.
Typically, college tackles with shorter arms are encouraged to move inside to guard or center to avoid constant matchups with long, powerful NFL edge rushers. The same concerns have been raised about Campbell in the pre-draft process, though he put together multiple years of elite tape at LSU while playing left tackle.
Campbell responded to concerns about his arm length at his pro day, refuting the idea that below-average arm length would limit him in the pros.
“For two years, nobody had any measurements on me and nobody said anything about my play,” said Campbell (via Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football). “So now all of a sudden, an arm length decides if I’m a good player or not?”
Campbell has consistently been ranked as a top-10 overall prospect and is expected to be the first offensive lineman drafted in April, though his exact landing spot may depend on which teams see him as an offensive tackle.
- Some NFL teams see Campbell as a guard, per Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. All of his elite traits – particularly his athleticism and technique – will translate to guard, but teams are less likely to use a top-10 pick on a less-valued position. (The last guard taken in the first 10 picks was Quenton Nelson in 2018.) Teams that project Campbell to stay at tackle will value him higher. In short, if Campbell is drafted in the top 10 as expected, it will likely come with the expectation that he will play tackle in the pros.
- Ohio State offensive tackle Josh Simmons is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a torn patellar tendon suffered in October, according to Ian Rapoport and Stacey Dales of NFL Network. The injury was originally expected to threaten Simmons’ availability for the 2025 season, but he is now expected to be at 100% before the draft. Simmons’ reparative surgery included a “double graft” to make his patellar tendon “extra strong,” per Dales, and he has impressed doctors with his progress in rehab. He did a brief workout at Ohio State’s pro day, including 33 reps on the bench press, which would have tied him for the most of any player at this year’s Combine. Simmons’ injury could have knocked him out of first-round consideration, but his speedy recovery should shore up his stock and give him a strong chance to be selected on Day 1 of April’s draft as a solid blocker with experience at both tackle spots.
- The 49ers are among the teams who are expected to target offensive linemen early in the draft, according to ESPN’s Nick Wagoner. Trent Williams missed the team’s last seven games of the season due to a lower leg injury, and future absences remain a risk for the 37-year-old left tackle. 49ers general manager John Lynch indicated at the Combine that the team was looking closely at the 2025 OL draft class, but he hasn’t spent a first-round pick on an offensive lineman since Mike McGlinchey, the ninth overall pick in 2018. This year, several of the draft’s top offensive linemen should be available to the 49ers at the 11th overall pick.