Chargers Contract Details: Mack, Bozeman, Dye, Conklin
Here are some details on recent contracts signed by the Chargers:
- Khalil Mack, OLB (Chargers): One year, $18MM. According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, Mack’s one-year contract is fully guaranteed with a $10MM signing bonus and an $8MM base salary. Due to some void salary cap carryover, Mack will represent a $26.87MM cap hit in 2025.
- Bradley Bozeman, C (Chargers): Two years, $6.5MM. Per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2, Bozeman’s new deal has a total guaranteed amount of $3.38MM consisting of a $2.12MM signing bonus and his base salary in 2025 of $1.26MM. Despite no guarantees in the second year of the deal, Bozeman can earn a $500K roster bonus, effective on the third day of the 2026 new league year. Each year of the deal also holds a $2.75MM incentive based on playing time.
- Troy Dye, LB (Chargers): Two years, $5.5MM. According to Wilson, the new two-year contract includes $3MM of total guarantees. $1.5MM, in the form of a signing bonus, is guaranteed at signing, while the remaining $1.5MM comes from Dye’s 2025 base salary. Like Bozeman, Dye has a $500K roster bonus for 2026, but Dye’s incentives (up to $1.5MM each year) are based on playing time, sacks, and interceptions and can act as an escalator for his 2026 earnings. Despite a $2MM base salary and $3.25MM cap hit for the second year of his deal, Los Angeles built in a potential out that will allow them to release Dye after this season with only $750K in dead cap.
- Tyler Conklin, TE (Chargers): One year, $3MM. Conklin’s recent deal with Los Angeles can be worth up to $4.5MM with incentives, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. Garafolo calls Conklin’s incentives “reachable,” insinuating that Conklin should be able to wring out the full value of the deal.
- J.K. Scott, P (Chargers): Two years, $6MM. Per Wilson, Scott’s new contract includes $3.15MM of total guarantees, all guaranteed at signing. The guarantees include a $1.9MM signing bonus and Scott’s 2025 base salary of $1.25MM. Unlike Bozeman and Dye, Scott’s $500K roster bonus is effective on the fifth day of the 2026 new league year. Like Dye, though, Scott’s deal has a built-in potential out that will allow Los Angeles to cut him after this year for only $950K of dead cap, despite a salary of $2.35MM and a scheduled cap hit of $3.8MM in 2026.
- Jalen Reagor, WR (Chargers): One year, $1.34MM. According to Wilson, Reagor’s deal is just over the veteran minimum, thanks to $360K of guarantees comprised of a $60K signing bonus and $300K of his base salary (worth a total of $1.17MM). Reagor will also net an additional $55K through a workout bonus and could earn a Week 1 roster bonus of $52.5K if he makes the 53-man roster.
Panthers Re-Sign S Nick Scott
After reports earlier today that free agent safety Nick Scott was considering offers from his former team and a mystery bidder, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tells us that the Panthers will be re-signing the veteran safety. Scott will be back in Carolina on a one-year deal. 
A former seventh-round pick in 2019, Scott saw the most defensive responsibility during his four years in Los Angeles. This culminated in a 2022 season in which he started all 16 of his game appearances while compiling career highs in total tackles (86) and interceptions (2). This big performance in a contract year led to Scott inking a three-year, $12MM deal with the Bengals in 2023, but he only started 10 of his 17 appearances in his first season in Cincinnati before getting cut.
He quickly caught on with the Panthers on a one-year, $1.29MM contract. In Carolina, he was intended to play a backup role to Xavier Woods and Jordan Fuller. Scott saw an increased role, though, when Fuller went down with an injury, including a four-week stretch in which he didn’t miss a defensive snap. Unfortunately for Scott, a hamstring injury resulted in a nearly two-month stay on injured reserve, and Scott exclusively saw special teams work following his late-season return from IR.
With Woods signing a two-year, $10MM deal with the Titans and Fuller departing in free agency for Atlanta, Scott should be able to slide into a starting role again. Carolina also signed former Raiders safety Tre’von Moehrig to a three-year, $51MM deal which suggests that he’ll occupy the other starting spot.
Demani Richardson, an undrafted rookie last season out of Texas A&M, should push for a big role, as well. Richardson was pushed into his first two career starts when Scott was placed on IR last season, and in the three games that saw Scott relegated to only special teams snaps, Richardson was tabbed as the starter and played nearly every defensive snap in the three contests. The former UDFA could end up competing with Scott for a significant role in the secondary.
The familiarity of both Richardson and Scott will be crucial for a team that is replacing two starters. Combined with Moehrig, the Panthers will hope to see some improvement to the secondary in 2025.
Giants To Sign WR Zach Pascal
Zach Pascal is continuing his career in New York. The veteran wide receiver is signing with the Giants, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. It’s a one-year deal for Pascal, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. The move is pending a physical.
[RELATED: Giants Sign WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey]
A former UDFA, Pascal made a name for himself in Indy, where he ended up spending four seasons. He was especially productive between the 2019 and 2020 campaigns, hauling in 85 catches for 1,236 yards and 10 touchdowns in 32 appearances with the Colts.
Following a one-year stop with the Eagles, Pascal spent the past two seasons with the Cardinals. He’s mostly transitioned to a special teams role, with the veteran garnering 480 ST snaps vs. 27o offensive snaps during his stint with the team. He hauled in four catches for the Cardinals in 2023.
Pascal will likely be competing for a special teams role with the Giants. The team already added Lil’Jordan Humphrey to a receivers room of Malik Nabers, Darius Slayton, Wan’Dale Robinson, and Jalin Hyatt. Dan Duggan of The Athletic believes Pascal could be competing with Bryce Ford-Wheaton, who beat out Miles Boykin for a similar spot last year.
S Nick Scott Considering Offer From Panthers, Mystery Team
The Panthers have already made one notable move to shore up their secondary, as the team inked Tre’von Moehrig to a lucrative contract. Despite the addition, the team is still considering a reunion with a key 2024 contributor.
According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston, safety Nick Scott is considering an offer to return to the Panthers. Joe Person of The Athletic backs this report, noting that the Panthers “are interested” in bringing the veteran back to Carolina.
Wilson notes that Scott is also considering an unnamed team in a move that would reunite the player with a “former coach.” While Wilson is playing coy with this report, there are two obvious candidates. The Falcons would offer Scott a chance to reunite with current head coach Raheem Morris, who was the defensive coordinator when the safety was on the Rams. The Colts could also be an option after the team added former Bengals DC Lou Anarumo for the same role.
A former seventh-round pick, Scott saw more defensive responsibility during his four years in Los Angeles. This culminated in a 2022 season where he started all 16 of his appearances while compiling 86 tackles and two interceptions. He inked a three-year deal with the Bengals in 2023 and started 10 of his 17 appearances that season before getting cut.
He quickly caught on with the Panthers, where he was intended to play a backup role to Xavier Woods and Jordan Fuller. Scott saw an increased role when Fuller went down with an injury, including a four-week stretch where he didn’t miss a defensive snap. A hamstring injury resulted in a nearly two-month stay on IR, and Scott exclusively saw special teams work following his late-season return.
Woods and Fuller are now out the door, although Moehrig’s three-year, $51MM deal suggests he’ll soak up a lot of those lost snaps. Demani Richardson got an extended look at the position in 2025, and the former UDFA could end up competing with Scott for a significant role in the secondary.
Jameis Winston Signing Won’t Preclude Giants From Additional QB Moves
The Giants finally added a quarterback yesterday when they agreed to terms with Jameis Winston. While the veteran acquisition would seem to represent a bridge option for the organization, the signing may not preclude the Giants from making additional big-name moves at the position.
[RELATED: Giants To Sign QB Jameis Winston]
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the addition of Winston wouldn’t prevent the Giants from still adding a quarterback like Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson. In fact, even if the Giants do add another veteran to their QBs room, the team would still be expected to add a rookie signal caller with the third-overall pick.
This is similar to what we heard last week. As the Rodgers saga continued, there was a report that the Giants may pull the trigger on a free agent acquisition sooner than later. The team reportedly had an eye on Mason Rudolph, but after striking out on that pursuit, they landed a free agent with even more starting experience.
Winston’s two-year, $8MM agreement with the Giants is certainly in line (or even below) the going rate for backup quarterbacks. With 87 games of starting experience (including seven starts with the Browns in 2024), it was initially assumed that Winston would keep the seat warm for the No. 3 pick. Instead, a rookie acquisition could be redshirted for the 2025 campaign, and Winston could serve as a traditional QB2 to another free agent target.
As Rodgers took a long meeting with the Steelers yesterday, it’s seeming increasingly likely that the Giants’ chances are dwindling in that sweepstakes. Still, there remains a connection between New York and Wilson. Fowler says the veteran QB still views the Giants as a “viable option,” and considering opportunities are starting to dry up around the NFL, Wilson may have to ultimately take what he can get.
With Winston joining Tommy DeVito on the roster, there’s now less urgency for the Giants to make a splash at the position, especially if they intend to use the third-overall pick on a quarterback. However, Winston’s signing does provide the organization with a bit more flexibility, and there’s a good chance the front office isn’t finished reshaping their QBs room.
Aaron Rodgers Visits Steelers
11:45pm: Rodgers has slow-rolled his free agency decision on the advice of his agent, David Dunn, per Pro Football Network’s Mike Florio. The Steelers offered him a contract close to the beginning of free agency, but they have yet to improve the terms of the deal to entice him to sign. Rodgers also met with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith during his visit, per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac, but left the team’s facility without a deal.
Rodgers has been trying to wait Pittsburgh out in pursuit of a better contract, but he has seen his interest from other teams wane. He does not have any other visits scheduled, per The Athletic’s Jeff Howe, which may cause the Steelers to stand firm with their initial offer instead of bidding against themselves.
12:34pm: The Aaron Rodgers watch continues, and Friday has seen what could prove to be a notable development. The league’s top remaining free agent quarterback is currently visiting the Steelers’ facility, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
The Steelers have long been known as one of the top Rodgers suitors, with discussions picking up around the time of Justin Fields working out a deal with the Jets. Retaining Fields was Pittsburgh’s preference, but his departure leaves the team in need of a veteran passer (which may or may not be 2024 starter Russell Wilson). Mason Rudolph is back in the organization, but his signing has not slowed down Rodgers-Steelers connections.
The Vikings represented the top name to watch on this front until recently. Minnesota has not submitted an offer to Rodgers at this point, and one is not expected as things stand. Pittsburgh, on the other hand, is among the suitors which has made an offer. Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports it still stands, adding Rodgers met with the Steelers’ coaches today. A deal could be worked out in short order as a result. General manager Omar Khan also took part in today’s summit, per Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.
Since Ben Roethlisberger‘s retirement, Pittsburgh has been unable to find a long-term solution under center. Rodgers would not meet that criteria at the age of 41, but the four-time MVP could provide starting-caliber play on a short-term basis for Pittsburgh or any number of teams. Wilson’s time in the organization went well at first, but at the end of the campaign his play (and that of the offense in general) fell short of expectations.
Owner Art Rooney II made it clear after the Steelers’ wild-card loss that keeping Wilson and Fields in place again in 2025 would be unlikely. The latter quickly secured $30MM guaranteed from the Jets, the team which elected to move on from Rodgers under its new regime of Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey. That decision did not come as a surprise, but it has not stopped the longtime Packer from generating a notable market. With preliminary Steelers talks not producing an agreement, the Giants have made an offer of their own (one which is believed to be stronger than Pittsburgh’s).
Wilson is ready to sign a deal for 2025, whether it is with Pittsburgh, New York, Cleveland or another suitor. His future will not be clear until the Rodgers domino falls, however. Joe Flacco is another veteran to watch in the case of the Steelers (and other teams still in need of a passer at this stage of free agency). Pittsburgh could begin the next phase of the QB carousel shortly with a Rodgers arrangement.
Giants To Sign QB Jameis Winston
The Giants have secured a quarterback option for the 2025 NFL season. According to Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports, the team is finalizing a deal with veteran quarterback Jameis Winston. The contract is for two years and $8MM, though it could be worth up to $16MM with incentives. 
Ever since New York waived long-time quarterback Daniel Jones midseason, it’s been clear that their quarterback future was up in the air. The team finished out the season with Drew Lock and Tommy DeVito behind center, going 1-6 down the stretch with their backups. With Lock’s contract expiring, DeVito was the only passer remaining on the roster, limiting the Giants options moving forward.
Coming into the offseason, the two options were clear: acquire a veteran quarterback via trade or free agency or use the No. 3 overall pick to select a quarterback for the future. New York threw their name in the Aaron Rodgers sweepstakes, but while they’ve waited for his decision, the Giants have hosted the likes of Russell Wilson, Joe Flacco, and Winston. While it seems that signing Winston should take them out of the running for Rodgers, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network posits that Winston’s presence just gives them a few more options.
The former No. 1 overall pick from the 2015 NFL Draft has slowly seen a demotion in his NFL career, going from a full-time starter in Tampa Bay to part-time starting roles in New Orleans and Cleveland. During a five-year stint to start his career with the Buccaneers, Winston had started most every game that he was available, aside from a short period in 2018 as he served a suspension for allegedly groping a female Uber driver and had to win his job back from Ryan Fitzpatrick.
In 2020, he signed with the Saints as a backup to Drew Brees but took over the starting job the next year, before suffering a season-ending ACL tear. The following two years saw him serve in New Orleans as a backup to Andy Dalton and Derek Carr. This past season, he signed on with the Browns to serve as a backup to Deshaun Watson, ultimately finding himself in the starting lineup once again when Watson was ruled out for the season with an Achilles tendon tear. Winston expressed interest in returning to Cleveland while staying open to conversations for backup jobs with the 49ers and Chargers.
Winston provides the Giants with an upgraded backup over DeVito with the potential to start and win some games if needed. Last year, what Winston did with the Browns was the perfect example of what Winston offers to the roster, basically ensuring that, even if the Giants miss out on Rodgers, Wilson, or their preferred draft pick, New York will have a player who can start throughout the season, if necessary.
While Winston could easily serve as a dependable backup behind Rodgers or Wilson, Winston sets up better as a potential bridge quarterback for a team drafting a rookie, much like we saw with Sam Darnold in Minnesota last year. Whether New York moves up to draft a passer or allows a prospect to fall to them at No. 3 overall, Winston could serve as a starter until the rookie is ready to take over, allowing the Giants to not rush their quarterback of the future onto the field before he’s ready.
Whatever their future plans, signing Winston certainly provides the Giants with more options. Whether they still aim to bring in a veteran like Rodgers or Wilson or a rookie like Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders, rostering Winston gives them plenty of flexibility in exacting their plans for the future.
Vikings Have Discussed Deal With QB Ryan Tannehill
Ryan Tannehill did not play in the NFL last year, but he could be nearing a return for the 2025 season. The Vikings have reportedly reached out to Tannehill to discuss a potential deal, per FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz, though no signing is imminent at this time. 
Minnesota needs some experience at quarterback after Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones signed with other teams. Though the Vikings should receive compensatory picks in 2026 as a result of those departures, they now only have two quarterbacks under contract for the 2025 season: J.J. McCarthy and Brett Rypien. McCarthy missed his entire rookie season due to a torn meniscus, and Rypien has started just four games in his four-year career.
The Vikings explored signing Aaron Rodgers but ultimately opted not to submit an offer to the mercurial 41-year-old. The team’s quarterback situation has recently seen Minnesota affirming McCarthy as the heir apparent for the job moving forward. The 10th overall pick last year was not seen as a first-round option for much of the 2023 season, but his national championship-winning season with the Wolverines, combined with quite a few desperate teams looking for rookie passers, resulted in McCarthy hearing his name on Day 1.
While it was initially thought that McCarthy would need to sit and learn for a year, a lack of serious candidates for competition led McCarthy into a battle with Darnold to replace Kirk Cousins as the starter in Minnesota, a battle that Darnold was gifted following McCarthy’s surgery. Now, with Darnold having moved on and McCarthy having sat for the year, it’s presumed that McCarthy should now be ready to take hold of the starting role.
With Rodgers out of the picture, Tannehill enters as a new option to pair with McCarthy. The 36-year-old is a less accomplished passer than Rodgers, but he’s also five years younger with significantly less off-field baggage. He also fits better as a potential backup and mentor to McCarthy, the likely future of the position in Minnesota.
Tannehill is one of several veteran backup options who were available in free agency like Joe Flacco and Jameis Winston. Flacco, who was also an option the Vikings looked at, is also in play for Pittsburgh and Cleveland, while Winston recently signed a two-year deal with the Giants.
Nikhil Mehta contributed to this post.
Saints, WR Brandin Cooks Agree To Deal
Brandin Cooks is returning to where his career began. The veteran wideout has a deal in place with the Saints, as first reported by Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football. The pact (which is now official) is two years in length and is worth $13MM, The Exhibit’s Josina Anderson adds. 
Cooks spent his first three seasons with the Saints, quickly emerging as a focal point on offense. The former first-round pick topped 1,100 yards in 2015, then did so again the following year. His 20 touchdowns scored during his first New Orleans stint and status as a key deep threat did not produce a long-term arrangement with the team, however. Cooks was dealt to the Patriots during the 2017 offseason.
That marked the first of four times in his career the Oregon State product has been traded. The first two such deals brought back a first-round pick in return, a sign of his consistent production during his career. Cooks reached the 1,000-yard mark during his single New England campaign, and he matched the feat in one of his two Rams seasons. The deal which sent him to Houston resulted in a three-year Texans run, one which included a career-high 90 catches in 2021.
Cooks was dealt from the Texans to the Cowboys in 2023, and he operated as a full-time starter during his two Dallas campaigns. The 31-year-old expressed a willingness to re-sign in free agency, although he added he felt he was not used properly by the Cowboys. Dallas has been linked to the pursuit of veteran receivers this offseason (including Cooper Kupp), and Cooks’ departure will increase the team’s need for bringing in one of the other options still on the market.
The Saints still have Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed in place at the receiver spot for next season. Both wideouts missed considerable time through injury last year, however, so adding an experienced option in the passing game was seen as a priority for the spring. Especially since Marquez Valdes-Scantling recently departed in free agency, adding a vertical threat in the form of a Cooks reunion comes as little surprise.
Limited to 10 games last year, Cooks recently said he is fully healthy. The Saints will hope that remains the case moving forward given their multi-year commitment to pull off this agreement.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/21/25
Today’s minor moves in the NFL:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: G Royce Newman
Green Bay Packers
- Signed ERFA tender: T Kadeem Telfort
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: CB Robert Rochell
Las Vegas Raiders
- Re-signed: CB Sam Webb
New England Patriots
- Waived: LB Curtis Jacobs, T Caleb Jones, LB Andrew Parker Jr., G Lecitus Smith
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: WR River Cracraft
Washington Commanders
- Signed: G Trenton Scott