Owners To Vote On Revised Playoff Seeding
MAY 21: The Lions withdrew their proposal to change the NFL’s playoff seeding, per NFL Network’s Judy Battista. It will likely resurface in the future, potentially as part of an effort to expand the regular season to 18 games, according to Mark Maske of The Washington Post.
MAY 20: This measure is unlikely to pass, but ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said during a SportsCenter appearance it should not be expected to venture off the radar. A change should be expected — one that would introduce the possibility of a division winner beginning its playoff slate on the road for the first time since 1989 — down the line, as Fowler offers the increasingly inevitable move to 18 games could be what pushes this change past the goal line.
Indeed, Breer adds the proposal was not close to passing in March. Owners did, however, discuss language that would have included a winning record being required for any non-division winner to host a game. That component did not make its way into the Lions’ final proposal, however.
MAY 16: Olympic participation will be one of the key items on the agenda for the upcoming owners meeting in Minneapolis. Another one will pertain to a potential tweak in the way playoff teams are seeded moving forward. 
In January, it was learned the NFL would look into changing the playoff format. In particular, seeding the postseason-bound teams from each conference based solely on record has received consideration. Such an arrangement would still see division winners assured of a playoff spot but not necessarily home field during the wild-card round.
Owners will have the opportunity to vote on a proposal from the Lions which would seed the playoff teams from 1-7 next week, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated writes. Questions were raised earlier this offseason about removing the guaranteed home game from division winners and thus the likelihood of such an alteration receiving sufficient support for it to be passed. Breer adds a change has since been made to the proposal which would see teams reseeded after the opening round of the postseason.
Division winners would also receive the tiebreaker over wild-card teams under this proposal (regardless of the outcome of head-to-head matchups), per Breer. While that would lend even further credence to the significance of topping a division, passing the resolution – or at least some form of it – would constitute a notable departure from the status quo in how the playoff bracket is arranged. A strong possibility therefore exists less than the required 24 yes votes from owners will exist in the coming days.
On that note, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones reports it is considered unlikely the current proposal will pass if it is brought to a vote. He adds, however, that opinions on the matter could begin to shift once an 18-game regular season schedule (long seen as an inevitability) is put in place. As both Breer and Jones note, the changes being floated would create more opportunities for teams to move up and down the playoff order through to the end of the campaign even after clinching their division. That, in turn, would presumably lead to more starters remaining on the field for otherwise meaningless (or at least less meaningful) matchups in the closing weeks of the year.
Of course, the fact a proposal is set for discussion and potentially a vote illustrates the support it has among some in the league. Jones writes that commissioner Roger Goodell is among the advocates for altering the playoff seeding. Whether or not that helps sway the view of enough owners next week will be worth monitoring.
Perception Exists Giants’ Front Office Preferred Shedeur Sanders Over Jaxson Dart
After three seasons attempting to make an inherited quarterback work, the Joe Schoen–Brian Daboll regime will attempt to move their way off hot seats via the passer they drafted. Jaxson Dart is now in place after Daniel Jones did not come close to living up to his $40MM-per-year contract.
Dart-Giants connections began to emerge shortly before the draft, as Shedeur Sanders‘ freefall commenced. Coaches become involved in the process as the winter progresses, and Daboll was believed to be convicted in his belief Dart would be Big Blue’s best available option (after the Titans repeatedly rebuffed the Giants’ efforts to trade up to No. 1). Schoen has attempted to push back on the notion he gave in to his coaches’ preference.
“It was an organizational decision,” Schoen said during an appearance on Up & Adams (h/t the New York Post’s Ryan Dunleavy). “Any player that we take, it’s a collaborative process and it’s very detailed, and we believe in it. … Three coaches on staff (Daboll, OC Mike Kafka and QBs coach Shea Tierney) that have been part of the development of two pretty good quarterbacks in the league right now (Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen), and when they are convicted on a player and the scouting staff is convicted on a player, typically you have the best chance for success in those situations.”
Schoen told Kay Adams that Dart was on the Giants’ radar “throughout the fall,” though a post-draft report indicated the Giants did more in-person work on Sanders compared to the Ole Miss starter. Schoen is believed to have scouted just one Dart game in-person, while a previous report indicated the GM had “lived in Boulder” as Sanders hype increased. A pre-draft report also indicated the Giants were split on Sanders, potentially placing the divide between the front office and coaching staff. Enough information has come out pointing to Daboll playing the lead role in ensuring the Giants did not draft the Colorado QB.
A perception exists within personnel departments the Giants’ front office preferred Sanders, Dunleavy notes, before Daboll and his staff came to hold Dart in higher regard. The Giants spent more time with Sanders than any team spent with any prospect, Dunleavy adds. That would paint the picture of a mid-process pivot, as Dart certainly appeared to gain steam late. A pre-draft report tabbed Sanders as being the No. 2 QB on the Giants’ big board (behind Cam Ward), but that could certainly have been a smokescreen effort considering the Dart trade-up, which helped key Sanders’ freefall.
Some Daboll-Sanders friction is believed to have taken place during an install session. While Dart impressed Giants decision-makers during his install, Sanders not being as prepared became a point of contention. The Giants are, of course, not the only team to come away unimpressed with Sanders’ approach during the pre-draft process, as multiple teams took the QB off their boards.
Sanders having taken the strange step — for a player with his prospect profile, at least — of approaching team meetings like a recruit, rather than as a job interview, certainly rubbed teams the wrong way. His slide from potential top-10 pick to No. 144 represents perhaps the most notable tumble in draft history. Sanders’ actions may well have determined the Giants’ QB future; that said, pre-draft offerings also had some teams ranking Dart ahead of the two-year Colorado standout.
Daboll and Schoen have worked together since 2018, when the former arrived as the Bills’ OC. A report of tension between the two emerged earlier this offseason, and it appears Daboll’s QB pick will hold the current regime’s future in his hands.
Joe Burrow Endorses Potential Trey Hendrickson Extension
Joe Burrow‘s influence on the Bengals organization was clearly highlighted this offseason, as the QB got his wish when Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins were both signed to long-term extensions. Burrow also made it clear that he wanted star defender Trey Hendrickson to receive a new deal, although a lack of progress on that front has already led to public frustration and a potential holdout.
[RELATED: Bengals In Contract Squabble With DE Shemar Stewart]
While speaking with reporters today, Burrow once again stated that he wanted the Bengals defensive leader to stick in Cincy for the long haul. The QB also said he supports Hendrickson’s decision to not participate in team activities while extension talks are ongoing.
“Yeah, we’ll see what happens with that,” Burrow said (via Myles Simmons of ProFootballTalk.com). “You guys all know how I feel about Trey. He’s a great player. I love Trey as a guy. He goes out and plays well every single Sunday. He’s very productive. He’s a guy that deserves to get paid and get paid what he wants and what the market is. So, like I said, we’ll see what happens with that. But, I love Trey and hope he’s with us.
“I think he’s doing what he thinks is best for his career and I support him in that,” Burrow added. “Trey’s a smart guy. Just like anybody, I’m sure there’s things that he’d like to have back. But he’s very well thought out in his process and what he’s trying to do. And so, if he thinks that’s the way to go, then that’s the way to go.”
As part of a one-year, $21MM extension he signed in 2023, Hendrickson is due a $15.8MM base salary this season. After finishing second in Defensive Player of the Year voting in 2024, the pass rusher is naturally seeking more long-term security and a top-of-position average annual value. While the Bengals were willing to break from tradition with Burrow, Chase, and Higgins, the organization isn’t willing to commit significant guarantees beyond the 2025 season to Hendrickson.
The 30-year-old showed up for the second phase of offseason workouts last week in street clothes, and he reiterated his stance that negotiations have gotten “personal” and he won’t be playing for the Bengals under his current pact. Hendrickson noted to reporters that Zac Taylor threatened fines for eventually missing mandatory practices, and the coach did acknowledge today that he’s since spoken with his defensive star.
“I put a lot of time into thinking — those situations, there’s real money at stake,” Taylor said (via Simmons). “So I put a lot of time and energy into thinking about how to communicate, when to communicate. And so, that’s just how I handled that one. And, yeah, Trey and I have spoken.
“I think every situation is unique,” Taylor added. “Every personality is different, every player is different. The timing of everything is different. So, you just adapt as you go with that stuff.”
Owners Greenlight Player Flag Football Participation In 2028 Olympics
The NFL will go forward with permitting players to participate in the 2028 Summer Olympics’ flag football event. Owners have approved a previously reported measure involving the new Olympic sport, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reports.
In a development that will certainly make other countries’ efforts to claim gold in flag football more difficult, the NFL voted unanimously to approve the measure (via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). Although this will not greenlight unlimited participation among players, a formidable collection will be in line to take part in July 2028.
As referenced recently, the proposal will allow only one player per NFL team to participate for his country. A separate player in the league’s international pathway program could participate for his home nation, however. Seeing as the majority of NFL players are Americans, Tuesday’s approval vote primarily impacts the host country’s approach to the new noncontact event at the Los Angeles Games.
This will not exactly rival the NBA’s famed Dream Team from the 1992 Games. Football is not a global game (the NFL’s increased international forays notwithstanding) and no restrictions on who could participate existed involving the NBA in 1992. The Bulls (Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen) and Jazz (Karl Malone, John Stockton) each sent multiple players as part of Team USA.
Though, the flag format will present a five-on-five event. Six men’s and women’s teams will be part of the new discipline. Rosters will include 10 players in total, limiting the spots available to a flood of qualified performers. Games will take place on a 70-yard field, 9News’ Mike Klis notes.
The L.A. Games are set to run from July 14-30, which is on the earlier side for a Summer Olympics. That will help NFL players return on time — or soon after — to training camps. Marquise Goodwin was on rosters while he made bids to make Olympic teams, but his efforts never conflicted with training camp. A 2012 Olympian in the long jump while he was still at Texas, Goodwin did not qualify for the 2016 or 2021 Games. Sprinter Jeff Demps joined Goodwin as a London Olympian, being part of the 4×100-meter team. But the 2012 UDFA did not sign with a team — the Patriots — until after the Games concluded.
Teams will see some players arrive late to camp come 2028. Though, padded 11-on-11 work will not be slated to commence — for teams not involved in the Hall of Fame Game, that is — while the flag football event is being contested. That said, players will need to be present for tryouts; it will be interesting to when those will take place ahead of the ’28 Games.
A salary cap credit will be put into place for any injured player, according to ESPN; this would presumably cover teams in the event of missed games only. A leaguewide insurance policy providing injury protection for players is also expected to be included in this agreement, a buildup our Adam La Rose has covered for over a year here.
Generations of NFL players, barring select track and field standouts (and brief bobsledder Herschel Walker), have been unable to do compete in the Olympics. Jockeying for spots at tryouts will be interesting when that time comes.
Justin Jefferson will be one of the players, in all likelihood, in play to represent Team USA. The Vikings wideout has not decided if he will do so (via ESPN.com’s Brooke Pryor), though he has called it “a dream” to represent his nation in the Olympics. Patrick Mahomes, Mike Evans and Tyreek Hill have also expressed interest, though the two wideouts may have an uphill battle due to their respective ages. How this approval impacts NFL secondaries will also be something to watch. Considering Travis Hunter‘s skillset, he would stand to be an obvious choice — assuming the Jaguars draftee stays on his present course.
How other countries’ rosters look will be an interesting storyline to monitor, though with NFL players likely to comprise all of Team USA’s 10-man squad, the host nation will undoubtedly enter as the gold-medal favorite. Flag football, on the men’s and women’s side, has made notable inroads into the world’s sports lexicon in recent years; the revamped Pro Bowl Games provide perhaps the most notable example. Although this team is three years away from being assembled, the flag football event will be a regular talking point within the league until those Summer Games commence.
49ers QB Notes: Purdy, Jones, Rourke
The 49ers have made Brock Purdy‘s extension official, as the team announced the new five-year deal earlier this evening.
“Brock is a tremendous leader and a fantastic representative for the 49ers organization, and we are ecstatic to get this deal done,” said GM John Lynch. “When we took him with the last pick in the Draft, we knew he had potential to succeed in this league, but we had no idea how special of a player he would become. He has played at an exceptionally high level since taking over the starting job, and we look forward to seeing him continue to lead this team for years to come.”
Purdy’s five-year, $265MM deal includes $181MM in guaranteed money, including $100MM locked in up front. With the deal settling in at a $53MM average annual value, Purdy wasn’t able to crack the top five AAVs at his position. Still, the contract includes a favorable short-term cash structure and a no-trade clause, reinforcing the franchise’s belief in the former Mr. Irrelevant.
Elsewhere on the depth chart, Mac Jones was added this offseason to serve as Purdy’s primary backup. The 2021 first-round pick has struggled to live up to a promising rookie campaign. He was ditched by the Patriots after only three seasons, and he had to settle for a backup gig in Jacksonville for the 2024 campaign. He ended up getting seven starts while filling in for Trevor Lawrence, and that performance earned him another chance as a QB2 in San Francisco.
While the 49ers obviously don’t have much of a long-term opening for Jones, offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak still believes his quarterback has enough to be a starter again in the NFL.
“Going back to college, we obviously studied Mac coming out, and we thought very highly of him and his skillset as a thrower and the things he did in college,” Kubiak said last week (via Joel Soria of NBC Sports Bay Area). “… And then, obviously, as a rookie, what he did in the NFL was very impressive. Mac’s a really good thrower. He stands in the pocket, he’s a strong guy and he’s really smart. And so he’s got a lot of traits that we like for a starting quarterback.”
On the bottom of the depth chart, the 49ers are considering a pair of inexperienced players. Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle expects rookie seventh-round pick Kurtis Rourke to have a redshirt rookie season. The QB could be stashed on IR as he continues to recover from offseason surgery on a partially torn ACL. In that scenario, former UDFA Tanner Mordecai would likely make the roster as the third quarterback.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/20/25
Today’s minor moves:
Buffalo Bills
- Waived: WR Hal Presley
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: WR T.J. Luther
- Waived/injured: WR Moose Muhammad III
Houston Texans
- Signed: DB Keydrain Calligan
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Waived: G Lecitus Smith
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: WR Nate McCollum
- Waived: G Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu
Moose Muhammad III was a notable UDFA signing by the Panthers considering his connection to the organization. The wide receiver’s father is Muhsin Muhammad, who is in the franchise’s Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, the younger Muhammad suffered an undisclosed injury that cost him his roster spot, although he’ll likely pass through waivers and land on the team’s IR.
NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/20/25
Today’s draft pick signings:
Detroit Lions
- WR Isaac TeSlaa (third round, Arkansas)
Kansas City Chiefs
- CB Nohl Williams (third round, California)
The Lions continue to chip away at their draft class, with only their first-round pick (DT Tyleik Williams) and second-round pick (G Tate Ratledge) remaining unsigned. The Lions clearly have high hopes for the latest signing, as the team used the 70th-overall pick on Isaac TeSlaa. The wideout had his most productive collegiate season in 2024, finishing with 545 receiving yards and three touchdowns. The rookie may have a tough time carving out a role on a deep depth chart in 2025, but he could eventually work his way into the starting lineup next to Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams.
Nohl Williams led all of college football with seven interceptions last season, and the Chiefs were quick to scoop him up with the 85th pick in this year’s draft. The Chiefs added Kristian Fulton in free agency this year, so the rookie will likely be eyeing a backup role to begin the 2025 campaign. With the signing, the Chiefs’ only remaining unsigned draft pick is second-round DT Omarr Norman-Lott.
Cam Ward, Will Levis Splitting Reps At Titans Practices
The Titans are clearly committed to Cam Ward as their long-term quarterback, but head coach Brian Callahan isn’t rushing into naming his Week 1 starter. As ESPN’s Turron Davenport writes, Ward evenly split reps with Will Levis as the Titans opened Phase 2 of their offseason activities.
Callahan acknowledged that we’ll likely see a change in the snap distribution when the offense begins participating in seven-on-seven drills. At that time, the number-one overall pick will presumably find himself atop the depth chart, but even that major indication may not be enough for Callahan to name a definitive starter.
The coach told reporters that it’s premature to name a Week 1 starter considering all the progress that needs to be made over the next three months. Instead, Callahan made it clear that he wants his quarterbacks to simply focus on what’s ahead of them at practices vs. focusing on the season opener.
As Davenport notes, Callahan may be a bit gun-shy from last year, when the first-year head coach quickly named Levis as his starter. A midseason injury helped the Titans temporarily pivot to Mason Rudolph, but the coach understood he didn’t do anyone any favors by proclaiming Levis his QB1 before practices even started.
So, while Ward is all but guaranteed to be the starter for the 2025 campaign, Callahan won’t make any declarations before he has a full understanding of his depth. While Davenport notes that a QB competition between the number-one pick and the incumbent starter could lead to a “contentious situation,” Callahan praised both of his signal callers for their approach to early practices.
“They’ve both handled it really well,” Callahan said. “I’ve been pleased with their demeanor and approach. Will has done a really nice job getting better at the things he needs to get better at. Cam has done a really nice job of integrating himself. … They’ve both done a really nice job getting up to speed where they needed to.”
Patriots Rejected Two Trade Offers For Second-Round Pick
The Patriots have been linked to showing interest in the player the Dolphins chose in Round 2, guard Jonah Savaiinaea, but after the Arizona product went off the board, multiple teams eyed the Patriots’ No. 38 choice.
An episode of Forged in Foxborough details a Bears offer for No. 38; the NFC North team proposed No. 39 and a seventh-round pick to move up a spot. It is believed (via ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss) Chicago wanted TreVeyon Henderson, whom New England ended up taking. A previous report indeed indicated Chicago was eyeing Henderson.
This appears a lower-stakes example of last year, when the Pats rejected two quality trade offers (from the Giants and Vikings) aimed at Drake Maye. The Pats ended up staying at No. 3 and taking Maye for themselves.
The Bears were not the only team to propose a deal for No. 38, however, as the Forged in Foxborough episode also revealed a more notable trade offer. The Patriots received a proposal for No. 38 that included Nos. 58, 79 and a 2026 third-round pick. This would have netted the Pats three Day 2 picks in exchange for one, though it is not known if New England would have needed to throw in another pick as part of a swap.
It is fairly safe to assume the Texans made this offer, as they held No. 58 at the time the Pats made their Henderson choice. Houston had already moved out of Round 1, and Nick Caserio — a Bill Belichick lieutenant during Mike Vrabel‘s New England linebacker years — was active in trades throughout draft weekend. This later included a move up in Round 2, as the Texans climbed to No. 48 (via the Raiders) and chose Minnesota tackle Aireontae Ersery. The Texans gave up Nos. 58 and 99 for the Raiders’ No. 48 slot.
Houston may have been targeting Ersery that high, as the team has launched a near-full-scale O-line overhaul this offseason. The Texans were connected to also moving up in Round 1 for ex-C.J. Stroud Ohio State weapon Emeka Egbuka, but the Buccaneers made a surprise play for the all-time Buckeyes receiving leader at No. 19. The Texans then slid out of Round 1, collecting three Day 2 choices from the Giants to do so. Houston had already chosen Iowa State receiver Jayden Higgins at No. 34, pointing to its New England offer being a non-WR play.
The Texans could have been in play for Henderson as well, as only one running back on a current roster (Derrick Henry) has Joe Mixon beat for career carries (1,816). The Texans circled back to their RB need in Round 4, trading up for USC’s Woody Marks; the future third they offered to the Patriots ended up going to the Dolphins in that exchange.
Henderson was fairly popular during the draft, as the Broncos are also believed to have targeted the Ohio State standout in a trade-down move. Denver discussed terms with the Giants, which would have allowed New York to move ahead of Pittsburgh and draft Jaxson Dart. But Big Blue believing the Steelers would pass on Dart at 21 prompted the team to stand down, eventually dealing with the Texans (for No. 25). The Broncos then bolstered their secondary with cornerback Jahdae Barron.
Another interesting nugget from the Patriots’ Henderson selection process came when Vrabel mentioned a potential wide receiver move with the team’s No. 69 overall pick. Moving out of the No. 38 slot for either offer would have cost the Patriots Henderson; a wideout would have likely been considered in Round 2, in that case. The Pats deciding to stay at 38 and choose Henderson preceded the team using No. 69 on Washington State wideout Kyle Williams. Both skill-position cogs will be expected to boost Maye’s development this season.
Dolphins Interested In CB Asante Samuel Jr.; Rasul Douglas, James Bradberry On Radar
Jalen Ramsey is still a member of the Dolphins, but a trade remains the expectation in that case. Moving on from the All-Pro will create a notable cornerback vacancy, and to no surprise a few free agent options are on the team’s radar.
The Dolphins have made contact with Asante Samuel Jr., Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports. He adds no formal visit is on the books at this point with no offer being made yet. Samuel is recovering from neck surgery, but the Dolphins are among the teams which will watch his situation closely over the coming weeks.
As Jackson confirms, Samuel is scheduled for a checkup in early July. Provided that goes well, the 25-year-old will likely not need to wait long to land a deal. He visited the Saints last week, and a Cardinals meeting also took place prior to the surgery. If a bidding war is to ensue, Miami will likely be involved (especially if Ramsey is on another team by that point).
Samuel is one of two corners to land among PFR’s top 50 free agents who remain unsigned. Rasul Douglas joins him, and the Dolphins had placed themselves in that market as well. Miami met with Douglas as well, extending an offer. No deal emerged, and Douglas then visited the Seahawks. The Dolphins, however, remain in touch with Douglas, Jackson adds.
James Bradberry also came up as a potential solution earlier this offseason, with Jackson indicating the Dolphins engaged in dialogue with the free agent. Bradberry will be unlikely to convince a team to spend much, as he is north of 30 (32 in August) and coming off a missed season. Prior to Bradberry’s summer Achilles tear, he had attempted to convert to safety. Eyeing a return to corner, Bradberry will attempt to recapture the form he displayed with the 2022 Eagles, as it catapulted him to a three-year, $38MM Philly deal in March 2023. The Bills also spoke with Bradberry, whom the Eagles designated a post-June 1 cut, this offseason.
These connections point both to a Ramsey separation coming to fruition — presumably after June 1 due to the extension the nine-year veteran signed last September — and the Dolphins being ready to supplement his unproven supporting cast. Miami has not seen much to indicate its second-round Cam Smith selection will pan out (153 career snaps), and the team did not draft a corner until Round 5 (Jason Marshall) this year. Former UDFAs Kader Kohou and Storm Duck remain in the mix. The Dolphins also signed former first-rounder Artie Burns as a depth piece, but if Ramsey is out of the picture, this looks like one of the more vulnerable position groups in the NFL.
Bradberry has made 124 starts during a nine-year career. Samuel has made 47, and while his injury-plagued 2024 has impacted his market, the second-generation NFL corner joins Douglas among the top free agents left. Douglas, 29, has made 80 career starts. Twenty-three of those came with the Bills since a 2023 deadline trade sent him to Buffalo, where the ex-Philadelphia draftee complemented Christian Benford for a Bills team that has continued to see its top corner unavailable in its biggest games. The Bills extended Benford, however, and used a first-round pick on Kentucky’s Maxwell Hairston to signal Douglas will need to find a new home.
The Dolphins released Kendall Fuller, but the CB market also houses Shaquill Griffin, Jack Jones, Cameron Sutton and Michael Davis as potential boundary options. Stephon Gilmore remains available as well, but the former Defensive Player of the Year is entering what would be his age-35 season. It is fairly clear Miami will make a move here, and it appears likely to happen before training camp.
Adam La Rose contributed to this post.