K Justin Tucker Issued 10-Game Suspension
JUNE 27: During a Friday press conference, Michael Belsky – one of the attorneys representing 13 of the 16 accusers – said he is “still determining the next steps” for his clients (h/t ESPN’s Jamison Hensley). While Tucker’s situation with respect to his NFL outlook has thus been clarified, legal action stemming from his alleged misconduct could still be coming.
JUNE 26: Justin Tucker has already seen his Ravens tenure come to an end, and he will be unavailable to his next team for much of the season in 2025 if he is to line up a deal. The All-Pro kicker was issued a 10-game suspension on Thursday.
Mark Make of the Washington Post notes today’s news is not the result of an arbitrator’s ruling. This case never proceeded to a hearing in front of Sue Robinson (which did happen with Deshaun Watson, for instance). Instead, the length of this ban was agreed upon between the parties involved. 
The suspension will take effect on August 26, since that represents the roster cutdown deadline around the league. Tucker will first be eligible for reinstatement on November 11. A free agent at the moment, he is still allowed to sign with an interested team at any point (although today’s news certainly hinders the chances of that taking place).
In February, allegations of sexual misconduct during massage therapy sessions went public against Tucker. The 35-year-old has denied the claims on more than one occasion, but a league investigation was launched into the matter. Today’s findings conclude a violation of the league’s personal conduct policy took place, leading to the suspension.
Prior to the draft – with the NFL probe ongoing – the Ravens faced the possibility of moving on from Tucker. The team intended to wait until the investigation concluded to make a decision on that front, but once Tyler Loop was selected in the sixth round it appeared to be a guarantee a Tucker release would indeed take place. Early last month, Baltimore moved forward with a post-June 1 cut.
At the time of Tucker’s release, the Ravens insisted the move was strictly football related. The seven-time Pro Bowler posted an field goal rate no lower than 82.5% during his first 12 years in the league (all spent with Baltimore). Tucker experienced a notable downturn in accuracy midway through this past season, though, and his overall success rate on field goals dropped to 73.3%. Cutting ties with three years remaining on his contract was a move no doubt partially informed by the dip in performance, but Baltimore’s decision also implied news such as this could be coming.
Now that Tucker is set to miss much of the coming campaign, his chances of landing a new opportunity in the NFL have taken a hit. A free agent pact prior to the NFL’s investigation concluding was always unlikely, and today’s ban -which will not be appealed – could very well lead to a full season spent on the sidelines.
“We are disappointed with the NFL’s decision,” a statement from Tucker’s agent reads in part (via Mike Garafolo of NFL Network). “Justin has always strived to carry himself in a way that would make his family and community proud. He stands by his previous statements. In order to put this difficult episode behind him and get back on the field as soon as possible, we have advised Justin to accept this resolution and close this matter.”
A Super Bowl champion in 2012, Tucker owns a number of all-time records and has amassed over $51MM in career earnings. That figure could continue to climb at some point, but especially in the wake of today’s suspension his NFL future is unclear.
Raiders DE Maxx Crosby Fully Recovered From Ankle Surgery
2024 saw Maxx Crosby miss regular season action for the first time in his career. The Raiders All-Pro dealt with an ankle injury early in the campaign which ultimately required season-ending surgery. 
Crosby managed to recover in time for spring workouts, however, and The Athletic’s Tashan Reed notes he has returned to his normal summer routine (subscription required). That is of course a welcomed development for team and player as training camp approaches. Having Crosby back to full strength for the start of Year 1 of the franchise’s new regime will be key.
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Changes on the sidelines and in the front office have been a constant during Crosby’s time with the Raiders. The four-time Pro Bowler has expressed a desire to remain with the team throughout his career, and an extension was worked out in March would provided a new round of guaranteed money. That deal briefly gave him the title of the league’s highest-paid defender (and top earner for all non-quarterbacks) and ensured Crosby will be in place for the beginning of head coach Pete Carroll, general manager John Spytek and minority owner Tom Brady‘s time in Vegas.
“It’s an honor, obviously, having the Raiders with a new staff and new regime come in and show me that type of respect,” Crosby said when speaking about his new deal (via Reed). “It means the world. Like Spytek said, it’s not about what I’ve done, it’s about what I’m about to do.”
Now attached to an AAV of $35.5MM, Crosby – who drew trade interest from at least the Seahawks and Patriots this spring – will again be counted on to anchor Vegas’ defense in 2025. The 27-year-old has racked up 59.5 sacks and 105 tackles for loss to date, and high-end production will be required if the Raiders are to contend for a postseason spot this year. Malcolm Koonce re-signed on a one-year pact while the team also has Tyree Wilson in the fold. Those two could handle complementary roles in 2025, but a Raiders defense which has undergone a number of changes at other spots will of course depend greatly on Crosby’s level of play.
The Eastern Michigan product’s health will be central in determining how well he is able to perform in 2025. A full recovery from the ankle procedure should set him up for normal participation in training camp this summer and thus the regular season.
TE Dallas Goedert Addresses Decision To Remain With Eagles
Dallas Goedert was a trade candidate for much of the spring, and his future remained uncertain past the draft. With no agreement being made to send him to a new team, though, the veteran tight end wound up remaining with the Eagles on a restructured deal. 
Originally scheduled to earn $14.25MM in 2025, Goedert will instead collect $10MM in base pay with another $1MM available through incentives. He remains a pending free agent, meaning a Philadelphia departure could still be in store next spring. Goedert’s preference was to stay in place for 2025, however, something he recently spoke about.
“Yeah, so when I got drafted a year after [the Eagles] won the Super Bowl, I was able to experience the fun parts of a Super Bowl the year after winning the Super Bowl,” the 30-year-old said during an appearance on ESPN’s NFL Live (via NFL.com). “After we won and the opportunity to run it back again to see the banner drop, it just wouldn’t have felt — it would have felt I was missing on a lot not being there to see all that stuff.
“I got a lot of love for the city of Philadelphia… So, I figured for me it was best to work out a deal, so I could stay there and be with the people I find that are important and try to win another one.”
2024 saw Goedert limited to just 10 regular season games and 496 receiving yards (the second-lowest total of his career). The eighth-year veteran will nevertheless be counted on to operate as a full-time starting member of the Eagles’ lauded skill position group. Goedert, along with running back Saquon Barkley and wideouts A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, will return in 2025 as part of the team’s Super Bowl defense.
Given his age, Goedert’s market on a Philadelphia re-up or a deal sending him to a new team could be relatively limited next spring. The former second-rounder has, on the other hand, topped 700 yards twice in his career while proving to be a solid blocker in the run game. A trade would have likely accompanied a similar restructure to the one worked out with the Eagles, something which makes Goedert’s decision to stay in place a reasonable one. It will be interesting to see if he plays his way into a new Philadelphia agreement this season – something which will no doubt be influenced by the team’s success – as a number of other key roster decisions are contemplated moving forward.
Dolphins’ Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips Expected To Be Cleared For Regular Season
Expectations will be high in the pass rush department for the Dolphins in 2025 if they can see their top three options on the depth chart stay healthy. Bradley Chubb missed all of last season while Jaelan Phillips suffered an ACL tear which limited to just four games. 
In both cases, the past several months has seen considerable progress made in the rehab process. Chubb and Phillips were able to take part in individual work during OTAs and minicamp, although the latter was sidelined for team drills. With plenty of time remaining until Week 1, ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques writes both veterans are expected to be back at full strength in time for the regular season.
“Obviously, I went through a lot over the last couple of years, so I felt like I needed to take a little bit of time to regather myself,” Phillips said when addressing his recovery. “It allowed me to come back with a lot more clarity and focus and just motivation. I feel like right now I’m in a really good place. Feeling great obviously physically, but also from a mental standpoint just ready to get after it.”
Chubb accepted a pay cut this offseason, and with no guaranteed salary on his deal beyond 2025 this season will be key in determining his Miami future. The two-time Pro Bowler recorded just 2.5 sacks in eight games upon arrival from Denver when he was traded 2022. During his first full Dolphins campaign, though, Chubb posted 11 sacks and a league-leading six forced fumbles. His practice window was opened late in the 2024 season, but it was decided he would not be able to reach full strength while rehabbing the ACL tear which ended his 2023 run.
Phillips finds himself as a pending free agent given Miami’s decision to pick up his fifth-year option last spring. The UCLA product is thus one of nine players set to play on the option as things stand. A long-term investment on the part of the Dolphins would be risky given Phillips’ injury history – which dates back to his college days and includes an Achilles tear from 2023 – so his performance will be interesting to monitor this year. At 26, Phillips could form a strong tandem alongside Chop Robinson for the foreseeable future if things go according to plan in his case.
Miami’s first-round pick in 2024, Robinson had a slow start to his rookie campaign but flashed his potential toward the end of the season. He is on the books for at least another three years, but who he will be joined by on the edge past 2025 will depend on how well Chubb and Phillips manage to return to the previous form. In both instances, a clean bill of health in time for September remains the expectation.
Buccaneers Extend HC Todd Bowles, GM Jason Licht
The Buccaneers have enjoyed a run of success under head coach Todd Bowles and general manager Jason Licht, and the team will have continuity on the sidelines and in the front office moving forward. Both have received extensions, as first reported by NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. 
The move is now official, per a team announcement. Licht has been in place since 2014, and for the past three seasons he and Bowles have worked in their current capacities. The latter took over from Bruce Arians as Tampa Bay’s head coach after a three-year stint as the team’s defensive coordinator. Bowles’ extension is three years in length, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler adds. He is therefore in place through 2028.
“Jason and Todd’s excellent leadership and vision have been critical to our organizational success, and the winning culture they have established has us well positioned into the future,” a statement from owner Jay Glazer reads. “Jason has evolved into one of the top talent evaluators and general managers in the NFL, while Todd has led us to three consecutive division titles and is one of the league’s leading defensive minds. Under their guidance, we will continue building towards another championship.”
The past five seasons have marked the longest sustained run of success in franchise history, and the Buccaneers are the only NFC team to have reached the playoffs each year since 2020. That campaign produced a Super Bowl title and validated Tampa Bay’s Tom Brady acquisition. Questions were raised when the seven-time champion retired (for the second and final time) about how the team would proceed under center. The decision to take a flier on Baker Mayfield has certainly proven to be a fruitful one, though.
The former No. 1 pick’s future as a starter was in doubt coming off his 2022 campaign split between the Panthers and Rams. Mayfield was added on a one-year, $4MM deal and handled QB1 duties through his debut Tampa season. The Bucs won their division and advanced to the second round of the postseason. Mayfield was rewarded with a three-year, $100MM pact just before the start of free agency last March, keeping him in the fold.
The 30-year-old posted career bests in yards (4,500) and touchdowns (41) in 2024, production which helped Liam Coen continue the trend of offensive coordinators turning success with the Bucs into a head coaching gig. As Mayfield prepares to work with yet another OC, Bowles and his staff will aim to win the NFC South for the fifth consecutive season in 2025.
In four years with the Jets, Bowles managed a winning record only once and finished with an overall mark of 24-40. The 61-year-old joined Arians in Tampa Bay in 2019 to oversee the team’s defense. Since Bowles’ arrival, that unit has finished in the top 10 in points allowed on three occasions. Arians initially planned to stay on as head coach for the 2022 season, but Brady’s decision to unretire led to the reins being handed over to Bowles. A number of notable moves – including the dismissal of offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich – did not sit well with Arians, but Tampa Bay has managed a run of sustained success since the transition on the sidelines and under center took place.
Mayfield is one of many high-profile Buccaneers whom Licht and Co. have managed to retain in recent offseasons. Wideouts Mike Evans and Chris Godwin and linebacker Lavonte David are among the veterans who have elected to avoid joining a new team for the first time in their careers by re-upping in Tampa Bay recently. Licht is also responsible for market-resetting extensions in the case of left tackle Tristan Wirfs as well as safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (whose deal has since been slightly surpassed in annual average value).
With a veteran core in place, expectations for at least another home wild-card game are high in the case of the Buccaneers in 2025. Bowles and Licht were already set to continue in their respective roles for the coming campaign, but their futures beyond this season have now been assured as well.
Steelers Planning 2026 First-Round QB Investment
Earlier this offseason, Steelers owner Art Rooney II made it clear the team would prioritize selecting a quarterback early in the 2025 or ’26 draft. GM Omar Khan and Co. then waited until the sixth-round to add a passer (Will Howard) in April while awaiting a commitment on the part of Aaron Rodgers. 
In time for minicamp, Rodgers did indeed ink a one-year deal with the Steelers. The future Hall of Famer views the coming campaign as his last in the NFL, so the team will once again be on the lookout for a new starter next year. It would come as no surprise if the draft was used as a means of filling that vacancy.
Indeed, Mark Kaboly of the Pat McAfee Show notes the Steelers still plan on using their first-round pick in 2026 on a signal-caller. Plenty of time remains for things to change on that front, but a Rodgers retirement would leave Pittsburgh with Howard and Mason Rudolph in place. The latter has been viewed as a backup through much of his Steelers tenure, and upon reuniting with the team in March he was informed of Pittsburgh’s intentions regarding a starting-caliber addition.
Howard’s rookie contract runs through 2028, while Rudolph’s second Steelers stint came about as a result of the two-year deal he signed this spring. Both passers represent reasonable backup options for this season and the next, but free agency and/or the trade market will present opportunities for a veteran QB1 move. Pittsburgh was among the teams interested in Matthew Stafford earlier this offseason and – until it became clear a Rodgers deal was set to take place – Kirk Cousins.
A short-term veteran acquisition could certainly be feasible depending on how the quarterback landscape takes shape next spring. Still, adding a QB via the draft could set the Steelers up for long-term stability and thus provide them with a true Ben Roethlisberger successor. Rodgers is set to become the seventh different Pittsburgh starter since Roethlisberger’s retirement, and even raising the team’s floor on offense in a one-and-done campaign would still leave the need for an eighth in 2026.
Pittsburgh will host next year’s draft, and the possibility of a new starting quarterback being selected would certainly add intrigue regarding the Steelers’ approach to the event. Over the course of the coming campaign, it will be interesting to see if the team’s plans deviate.
Donovan Jackson Leading Vikings’ LG Battle
Vikings first-round pick Donovan Jackson “has the inside track to emerge from training camp” as the team’s starting left guard, according to ESPN’s Kevin Seifert.
Jackson, the No. 24 selection in April’s draft, made his first 31 college starts at left guard before moving to left tackle to replace injured then-Ohio State teammate Josh Simmons. Jackson performed admirably on the blind side, leading to some pre-draft chatter about his potential as a guard/tackle hybrid.
But with Christian Darrisaw firmly entrenched as the Vikings’ long-term left tackle, Jackson will play left guard in Minnesota. He took the majority of first-team reps during spring practices, per Seifert, though that is partially because starting right guard Will Fries is still sidelined by last season’s broken leg. Blake Brandel, who played every snap at left guard for the Vikings last year, has been working in Fries’ spot, but he will likely still compete with Jackson in training camp once Fries is back on the field.
Brendel struggled in 2024 with 46 quarterback pressures allowed, the second-most among starting guards, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). That gives Jackson a clear opening to seize the starting job by demonstrating better pass protection during the preseason.
The Vikings turned over their offensive line depth this offseason, so there are no other obvious candidates to push Jackson and Brendel for the starting left guard job.
Seahawks Holding Starting C, RG Battles; Grey Zabel A ‘Sure Thing’ At LG
Injuries forced the Seahawks to rotate through several different offensive line groupings in 2024. By the end of the season, they had surrendered the third-most sacks in the NFL while generating the fifth-fewest rushing yards.
Seattle will be hoping for a healthier, more consistent season from the unit in 2025, starting with stability at offensive tackle. Charles Cross is entering his fourth season as the team’s starting left tackle while Abraham Lucas seems to have put his knee issues behind him on the right side.
First-round pick Grey Zabel “appears a sure thing” at left guard, according to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. He took all the first-team reps next to Cross during spring practices, per ESPN’s Brady Henderson.
Selecting the North Dakota State standout with the 18th overall selection in April’s draft was a clear sign that the Seahawks envisioned him starting as a rookie. The only question was where after Zabel primarily lined up at offensive tackle in college with some time at guard and Senior Bowl reps at center. He has landed at left guard in Seattle with minimal competition for the starting gig, as 2024 sixth-rounder Sataoa Laumea has been working with the second-team.
The Seahawks’ starters at center and right guard remain up in the air. In spring practices, Olusegun Oluwatimi split first-team center reps with Jake Sundell, though the former should have a leg up on the latter. In 2024, Oluwatimi started Seattle’s last eight games at center, while Sundell only played 57 offensive snaps all year as an undrafted rookie.
New offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak called the right guard battle “wide open” (via team reporter John Boyle). First-team action in the spring was split between last year’s Week 1 starter Anthony Bradford and 2024 third-rounder Christian Haynes. However, head coach Mike Macdonald indicated that Sundell and Laumea could factor into the right guard competition depending on how other spots shake out.
“I wouldn’t say it’s a two-man race right now,” said Macdonald (via Condotta). “It’s more open.”
As always, OTAs and mandatory minicamp offer a strong idea of what a team is planning for the season, but as Macdonald noted, the real test will be when pads come on during training camp. That will give the several players competing for the center and right guard jobs a chance to separate themselves as starters heading into the season.
Minor NFL Transactions: 6/26/25
Here are today’s minor moves from around the league:
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: K Andre Szmyt
New England Patriots
- Released: DT Wilfried Pene
Szmyt signed with the Bears as an undrafted rookie in 2023, but did not make the 53-man roster. In 2024, he played for the UFL’s St. Louis Battlehawks, converting 19 of his 21 field goal attempts with a long of 61 yards. Szmyt then joined the Browns’ practice squad at the end of the 2024 season and signed a reserve/futures contracts for 2025. He was waived in early June to make room for wide receiver Jaelen Gill and now finds himself back on the roster after the team’s release of Ogbo Okoronkwo.
NFL No Longer Distributing Non-Player Salary Data To Teams
The NFL will no longer share non-player salary data with teams, according to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio.
In past years, the league shared the high, low, median, and average salary for “every job in every NFL team,” per Florio. The decision to end that practice comes on the heels of the collusion arbitration ruling regarding guaranteed money in player contracts and appears to be an effort by the league to avoid future collusion accusations by non-players.
Indeed, as Florio reports, “the official position is that the information is no longer being provided for legal reasons.” Non-player employees could argue that it limits their ability to push for higher salaries at their current or other teams contrary to existing antitrust law.
Florio claims that the practice is “per se coordination/collusion,” arguing that the NFL is implicitly encouraging teams to adhere to league-wide standards instead of offering higher salaries to attract talent in a competitive labor market. Eliminating the information-sharing can protect the league from future legal action by non-player employees, though the same policy in past years may still leave them exposed.
Non-player salaries are not officially released by teams, and even finding reliable data on more prominent staff like general managers, head coaches, and coordinators can be difficult.