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Omar Khan Addresses Steelers’ Decision To Trade George Pickens

May 9th, 2025 at 10:57pm CST by Adam La Rose

Questions about George Pickens‘ future (at least for 2025) were put to rest earlier this week with the trade sending him to the Cowboys. Production was not an issue during his time in Pittsburgh, but it still came as little surprise when the team elected to move on.

Pickens was the subject of trade calls before and during the draft, although with no deal being worked out it appeared the Steelers would retain him for 2025. Doing so likely would have set them up for the 24-year-old to depart in free agency next spring, and instead of waiting on a 2027 compensatory pick Pittsburgh took a trade package including a third-round selection in next year’s draft. On Friday, general manager Omar Khan confirmed Pickens did not ask to be moved while shedding light on the timing of the agreement.

“The trade sort of happened quickly. We had some people inquire during the draft. Nothing that really made sense. The Cowboys reached out earlier this week,” Khan said (via The Athletic’s Jon Machota). “They proposed something for us to think about. We had conversations internally.

“We also had some conversations with George’s agent… We discussed where things have been with George, where they are and where things could go with George. And this trade made sense for everyone… We just felt that a fresh start for both sides was the right thing.”

Issues related to attendance for practices and games in Pickens’ case “sucked some of the life out of the locker room” for Pittsburgh, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero noted during a Rich Eisen Show appearance (video link). Head coach Mike Tomlin‘s public admission the Georgia product needed to “grow up” was certainly an indication the Steelers were not on board with extending him. With trade acquisition D.K. Metcalf attached to a monster deal, retaining Pickens on a long-term pact would have proven to be challenging.

Pelissero adds Pickens – who clashed with Pittsburgh’s quarterbacks at times – strongly preferred Russell Wilson remain in place as starter over Justin Fields. Neither passer is in the fold anymore, of course, with Aaron Rodgers looming as the Steelers’ presumed starter (in the event he signs with the team). The four-time MVP (who has already worked out with Metcalf this spring) was not made aware of the Pickens trade in advance, Pelissero adds to no surprise.

During an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, ESPN’s Peter Schrager painted a different picture of Pickens’ locker room presence (video link). The former second-rounder was not disliked by the team, per Schrager, an indication finances were the driving factor in the deal. Pittsburgh has a long history of making only one lucrative commitment at the WR spot at any given time, and that will remain the case in 2025.

Pickens, meanwhile, intends to play out the coming season as a pending free agent. His market value will depend in large part on his performance on the field but also his actions off of it as Dallas contemplates retaining him while also carrying CeeDee Lamb‘s pact for years to come.

Cowboys Pursued Ravens’ Rashod Bateman In Trade

May 9th, 2025 at 10:27pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Cowboys’ long-running search for an upper-crust No. 2 wide receiver appears to have ended with the George Pickens trade. Although Dallas does not have assurances Pickens will be more than a one-year rental, the team has an intriguing CeeDee Lamb complementary piece for 2025.

Dallas and Pittsburgh had begun discussing Pickens before the draft, and the NFC East team upped its offer — to one headlined by a 2026 third-round pick, as opposed to a fourth — to seal the deal. Prior to that agreement, however, the Cowboys are believed to have called the Ravens about one of their Zay Flowers supporting-casters.

[RELATED: Omar Khan Addresses Pickens Trade Decision]

Rashod Bateman drew Dallas interest, according to Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz. The Cowboys and Ravens discussed Bateman, though Schultz adds the conversation did not progress too far. Bateman has not delivered Pickens-level production yet, but the Ravens have shown faith in the 2021 first-round pick.

The sides agreed on an extension last year, after Baltimore let Odell Beckham Jr. walk in free agency, and Bateman’s second contract likely led to a higher asking price coming from the AFC North team. The former first-round pick is signed through 2026 at just $6.4MM per year.

Bateman’s production would not warrant a lofty asking price; Pickens has the Minnesota alum lapped there. At 25, Bateman is also more than a year older and carries a notable injury history that Pickens does not. But the Ravens expressed confidence in the former No. 27 overall pick’s trajectory by extending him. The Ravens saw Bateman help Lamar Jackson to a third first-team All-Pro season by posting a career-high 756 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. The latter number smashed Bateman’s career-best mark, as he had not previously surpassed two TDs in a season.

Not bringing the maturity concerns Pickens does, Bateman also carrying a through-2026 contract — with base salaries of just $3.75 (guaranteed) and $6.5MM (nonguaranteed) — would make him a player that would command a reasonable asking price in a trade. The Ravens also did not add a wide receiver until Round 6 in this year’s draft, which came after the team replaced Nelson Agholor with DeAndre Hopkins in free agency.

Not missing a game due to injury over the past two seasons, Bateman has created some distance from the concerns that developed after an injury-marred 2022 campaign. With Hopkins not delivering too much for a Chiefs team in need at receiver last season, the Ravens will again count on Bateman as their top Flowers sidekick.

As we covered in our latest Trade Rumors Front Office piece, the Steelers have established a decades-long trend of not having two wideouts tied to lucrative contracts. Despite having no franchise-QB salary on their books, the Steelers agreed to part with Pickens for a package headlined by only a third-round pick. Pickens follows Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, Martavis Bryant and Santonio Holmes as Mike Tomlin-era receivers traded in a contract year. (Pittsburgh also traded Antonio Brown, but he was not in a walk year in 2019.)

Pittsburgh had effectively determined it would not extend Pickens, a player Dallas brass will now evaluate. Rather than having Bateman for two more seasons, the Cowboys have Pickens contracted for one and hold exclusive negotiating rights with him until March.

Andrew Berry: Unlikely Browns Re-Sign RB Nick Chubb

May 9th, 2025 at 10:10pm CST by Adam La Rose

As the offseason has unfolded, Nick Chubb‘s time in Cleveland has increasingly looked as though it is coming to an end. Another indication emerged on Friday pointing to the Pro Bowl back needing to change teams shortly.

“I wouldn’t rule anything out, but I would say it’s probably increasingly unlikely,” general manager Andrew Berry said of a Chubb deal taking place during an appearance on 92.3 The Fan. “I’d say maybe a return is less likely, at least in the short term, with us right now.”

Entering the draft, it was unclear if Chubb would secure another Browns commitment based on his play upon returning to action in 2024. The 29-year-old played in eight games last season, but he was unable to duplicate his production or efficiency from the time preceding his massive 2023 knee injury. That ailment required multiple surgeries and led to questions about Chubb’s ability to return to the NFL in any capacity. While he managed to do so, the Browns very much appear to have moved on.

Cleveland added a pair of rookies to the backfield during the draft. With second-rounder Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson in the fold, two spots on the depth chart are accounted for in 2025 and beyond. A Chubb deal would have become more feasible in the event Jerome Ford had been released or traded this offseason. Instead, he agreed to a pay cut last week, ensuring his spot for next season. Those moves have pointed strongly to Chubb no longer being in Cleveland’s plans.

Berry acknowledged the Browns “haven’t necessarily been in strong communication” with Chubb’s camp since the draft. A lack of contract talks of course represents another signal the team has moved on. Chubb’s attention will turn to finding a suitor ahead of training camp, although by this point of the offseason teams have done much of their roster-building work. It will be interesting to see how much of a market develops over the coming weeks in his case.

Cleveland, meanwhile, will aim to develop a strong backfield duo of Judkins and Sampson over the coming years with Ford (who took on starting duties in Chubb’s absence in 2023) looking to boost his free agent stock for next spring. Barring an unforeseen development, Chubb will not figure into that group.

Browns Sign LB Carson Schwesinger, RB Dylan Sampson To Rookie Deals

May 9th, 2025 at 10:08pm CST by Ely Allen

Like many other teams in the NFL, the Browns got started with signing some of their 2025 NFL Draft picks today. The team announced this evening that second-round linebacker Carson Schwesinger and fourth-round running back Dylan Sampson have signed their four-year rookie contracts. Per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2, Schwesinger’s rookie deal will be fully guaranteed, making him only the second second-round pick to sign such a deal in NFL history, after Houston’s Jayden Higgins.

Starting his collegiate career as a walk-on at UCLA, Schwesinger didn’t become a starter for the Bruins until this past year. After only logging 27 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and one sack in his first two years in Los Angeles, Schwesinger exploded onto the scene in 2024. In 10 starts, he tallied 136 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, two interceptions, three passes defensed, and a forced fumble.

Though Devin Bush is dealing with an assault and harassment charge, he, Jordan Hicks, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, and Mohamoud Diabate are all set to return as main contributors at the position in 2024. While Owusu-Koramoah (7th), Bush (9th), and Hicks (11th) all graded out extremely well out of 84 players graded at the position in 2023, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Diabate (74th) could easily be improved upon this year.

Owusu-Koramoah is currently working his way back from a neck injury that held him out of the team’s final nine games of the season. According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, though, even if Owusu-Koramoah were healthy, Schwesinger still would’ve been the pick in the second round. Cleveland will now count on Schwesinger to push Diabate for that role as a fourth linebacker, fill in should Bush miss any time because of his legal issues, or fill in should Owusu-Koramoah not get back to full health in time to start the season.

Like Schwesinger, Sampson didn’t become a starter until this past season. Despite only starting zero games as a true freshman, he logged 397 yards and six touchdowns on just 58 carries. The next year, he only started one game but toted the ball 106 times for 604 yards and seven touchdowns. Finally a full-time starter in 2024, Sampson ran the ball 258 times for 1,491 yards and 22 touchdowns in 13 games.

After a year in which the Browns ranked 29th in rushing and failed to see a running back eclipse 600 yards on the ground, Sampson enters a wide-open situation. Jerome Ford returns as the lead back from last year with Nick Chubb unlikely to return, as does Pierre Strong, who will play on the final year of his rookie deal. Sampson will compete with fellow rookies Quinshon Judkins (second round) and Ahmani Marshall (undrafted) to push Ford and Strong for big roles in 2024.

Here’s a look at the Browns’ draft class including the two new signees:

NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/9/25

May 9th, 2025 at 9:10pm CST by Ely Allen

We saw a busy day of 2025 NFL Draft pick signings today. Here are the mid- to late-round picks who inked their four-year rookie deals:

Arizona Cardinals

Buffalo Bills

Cincinnati Bengals

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Jacksonville Jaguars

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New York Giants

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

Falcons Sign First-Round OLB Jalon Walker

May 9th, 2025 at 7:30pm CST by Ely Allen

The Falcons have one of the NFL’s smaller classes to sign after taking only five rookies in the 2025 NFL Draft, and they’ll open up their signings with their top draft selection, outside linebacker Jalon Walker. The versatile defender’s first NFL contract will be a four-year, $20.56MM deal.

For much of the pre-draft process Walker was considered a top prospect at both off-ball linebacker and pass rusher. The 21-year-old spent time all over the defense throughout his time at Georgia. His first two seasons in Athens saw him spend more time on the edge than in the box. His final year with the Bulldogs, though, saw him shift to more of an off-ball role, though he still spent about 40 percent of his time on the edge.

When Atlanta announced his selection two weeks ago, they intentionally labeled him as a “defensive end,” giving some insight into how he could be used at the next level. He and fellow first-round, former-SEC pass rusher James Pearce should push Leonard Floyd and Arnold Ebiketie for some starting snaps on the edge. Even if they can’t unseat the veterans, their presence still provides a significant improvement in the depth of the position for the Falcons.

While lacking ideal size, Walker has good length and speed to rush on the outside, and his eye for the ball and change of direction ability make him much more useful than just a pure pass rusher in the backfield. He works well through the mesh of blocks along the line, but when in a one-on-one matchup, he can often get erased. Still, his tenacity and room for growth make for a strong potential future in Atlanta.

With this being the team’s first draft pick signing of the class, here’s a look at the work they still have to do:

  • Round 1, No. 15: Jalon Walker (LB, Georgia) (signed)
  • Round 1, No. 26 (from Rams): James Pearce (DE, Tennessee)
  • Round 3, No. 96 (from Eagles): Xavier Watts (S, Notre Dame)
  • Round 4, No. 118: Billy Bowman (S, Oklahoma)
  • Round 7, No. 218 (from Browns through Chargers): Jack Nelson (T, Wisconsin)

Minor NFL Transactions: 5/9/25

May 9th, 2025 at 6:41pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are the minor NFL transactions to close out the week:

Arizona Cardinals

  • Received roster exemption (international player): OL Valentin Senn

Atlanta Falcons

  • Received roster exemption (international player): K Lenny Krieg
  • Waived: DT Junior Aho

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Cincinnati Bengals

  • Received roster exemption (international player): S Dante Barnett

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Las Vegas Raiders

  • Waived (with failed physical designation): WR Jeff Foreman

Los Angeles Chargers

Minnesota Vikings

  • Received roster exemption (international player): P Oscar Chapman

New York Jets

  • Received roster exemption (international player): G Leander Wiegand

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Dyson was cut from the team after news that running back Jonathon Brooks‘ placement on the physically unable to perform list would, in fact, still count him against the 90-man roster limit. They initially were told by the league that he would not count, but the updated guidance today necessitated that they lose a man.

Jackson joins Seattle’s undrafted free agent rookie class after they announced their 17 signees almost a week ago. A successful rookie minicamp tryout led to him securing a contract.

Similarly, Bentley, for whatever reason was also announced separately from the Colts’ UDFA class, even though the class was announced only a few hours before his signing. The 24-year-old hasn’t been a lead back since his 2020 season at SMU, but in three years apiece at SMU and Ole Miss, Bentley never averaged below five yards per carry in a season.

Saints Sign Round 1 T Kelvin Banks Jr., Five Other Draftees

May 9th, 2025 at 5:57pm CST by Sam Robinson

With rookie minicamp season upon us, a flood of draft signings has naturally followed. In its 15th year, the rookie-scale contract system has removed most of the drama — save for maybe some offset language buffs — associated with signing first-round picks. Many have put pen to paper over the past two days, and the Saints now have their top draftee under contract.

Kelvin Banks Jr. signed his rookie deal Friday, the team announced. Chosen ninth overall, Banks will be tied to a fully guaranteed deal worth $27.7MM. Banks will be expected to start immediately in New Orleans, which has used first-round picks on tackles in each of the past two years, having added Taliese Fuaga in 2024.

Making that could be interpreted as a late rise during the pre-draft process, Banks appeared to command a bit more respect from within the league compared to outside draft experts. The Saints made the Texas product the third tackle taken. The Raiders and Jets had been linked to Banks, with Las Vegas appearing ready to pull the trigger in the event Ashton Jeanty had gone in the top five. Instead, Banks will make his way to Louisiana to block for a team that features a muddled quarterback situation.

The Saints have made premium investments to update their tackle situation, having also used a first-round pick (in 2022) on Trevor Penning. The contract-year blocker, thanks to the Saints declining his fifth-year option, appears set for a demotion from his right tackle spot.

As most high-end tackle prospects do, Banks operated as a left tackle in college. The Longhorns used the first-team All-American as a three-year LT starter. This could make for an interesting New Orleans O-line configuration, as the team had moved Fuaga — a college RT — to the left side before his rookie season.

Banks will step as the team’s highest-drafted lineman since Kyle Turley (No. 7 overall, 1998). New Orleans, however, has regularly gone to this well in Round 1 under Mickey Loomis. Dating back to their Andrus Peat pick in 2015, the Saints have used six first-round picks on O-linemen. Their 2025 roster will house four of them, with Cesar Ruiz still manning the team’s right guard post. While Derek Carr‘s 2025 status remains murky, he or Tyler Shough (or Spencer Rattler, perhaps) will take snaps behind a reloaded O-line.

The Saints also signed linebacker Danny Stutsman (Round 4, No. 112), cornerback Quincy Riley (Round 4, No. 131), running back Devin Neal (Round 6, No. 184), tight end Moliki Matavao (Round 7, No. 248) and defensive end Fadil Diggs (Round 7, No. 254) to rookie deals. Only the team’s three Day 2 draftees — Shough, Vernon Broughton, Jonas Sanker — remain unsigned from this draft class.

Broncos To Release P Matt Haack

May 9th, 2025 at 4:56pm CST by Sam Robinson

No punting competition appears on tap in Denver. If one does eventually form this offseason, it does not appear it will involve Matt Haack. The Broncos released the veteran punter Friday, per the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson.

This move comes shortly after the Broncos drafted Florida punter Jeremy Crawshaw in the sixth round. Crawshaw is now the only punter on Denver’s roster. A journeyman specialist, Haack had joined the team as a free agent before the draft.

Teams who select a punter in a draft generally plan for that player to land the job. The Broncos, as of now, do not look to be making any secret of their plans to install Crawshaw as their punter in 2025 and beyond. Crawshaw’s rookie contract will run through 2028. Haack’s job status certainly changed near the end of the draft, as he would have at least been in line to compete for the gig had Denver not been the first team to draft a punter this year.

Denver made two interesting picks to close the draft, trading down to draft Crawshaw at No. 216 and then using its final choice (No. 241) on seldom-used Utah tight end Caleb Lohner, a converted basketball player. Lohner figures to be competing for a roster spot, while Crawshaw will not. The Broncos have drafted two punters over the past decade, adding Riley Dixon in the 2016 seventh round. Dixon returned to Denver in 2023, but as recent Saints interim HC Darren Rizzi takes the reins as Broncos special teams coordinator, Crawshaw will replace him.

Haack, 30, has punted for five teams over the past four seasons. The former multiyear Dolphins option punted for the Bills, Colts, Browns and Giants from 2021-24. He punted in only five games over the past two seasons, serving as a fill-in option for the past three; the Colts had added Haack as a late-summer replacement for the injured Rigoberto Sanchez.

The Broncos also cut long snapper Zach Triner, Tomasson notes. Triner came in as a temporary option while regular snapper Mitchell Fraboni recovered from back surgery. Fraboni, who became the Denver deep snapper in 2022, was expected to be ready for training camp. It is possible Triner returns, per Tomasson, as the Broncos needed to clear two roster spots by this weekend’s rookie minicamp. Triner spent five-plus seasons in Tampa before a 2024 Miami cameo.

Texans, Second-Round WR Jayden Higgins Reach Fully Guaranteed Deal

May 9th, 2025 at 4:36pm CST by Sam Robinson

In a move that will force the hands of at least one other team, the Texans will make draft history. Houston is fully guaranteeing Jayden Higgins‘ second-round contract, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports.

The first part of the Texans’ all-Iowa State receiver mission on Day 2 will bring an important distinction into the NFL. Higgins will become the first second-round pick to see his contract fully guaranteed.

The Texans have been known to provide friendly guarantee structures to their second-round picks, thus moving the NFL forward on this front, and their move for a player chosen 34th overall effectively boxes the Browns in while likely complicating negotiations for teams that made mid-30s selections in last month’s draft. The Texans added Higgins after trading down from No. 25 (via the Giants).

Cleveland chose Carson Schwesinger at No. 33; Houston’s decision will lead to the former UCLA linebacker’s camp mandating a fully guaranteed contract. Higgins’ will be worth $11.7MM over four years. This draft slot brought a near-full guarantee in 2024, with $9.19MM of Ladd McConkey‘s $9.99MM rookie deal locked in at signing. Even last year’s No. 33 overall choice (Bills wideout Keon Coleman) did not quite secure fully guaranteed terms, but second-rounders have been making inroads on this front for years.

It took until the 2022 draft for all first-round contracts to become guaranteed, so it makes sense the NFL has seen its second-rounders land locked-in deals. The league has come a long way in terms of guaranteed percentage for second-rounders. When the rookie scale debuted in 2011, that year’s No. 33 overall pick (the Patriots’ Ras-I Dowling) saw just $2.36MM of his $5.3MM rookie contract guaranteed. It will be interesting to see if the Seahawks (Nick Emmanwori) and Browns (Quinshon Judkins) move the full guarantee line beyond No. 34 this year.

Higgins and third-rounder Jaylin Noel, who also signed his rookie contract (per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson), will become the rare college receiver duo to each join the same NFL team in a draft. The Cyclones relied on their Jayden-Jaylin tandem last season, and after the Texans could not swing a trade-up to reunite C.J. Stroud and Emeka Egbuka in Round 1, they focused on the Big 12 program’s passing attack the following night.

The No. 46 player on Daniel Jeremiah’s NFL.com big board, Higgins broke through for 87 receptions, 1,183 yards and nine touchdowns last season. Standing 6-foot-4 and 214 pounds, Higgins will complement Noel’s slot skillset in Houston just as he did in Ames. The No. 79 overall pick, Noel (No. 50 on Jeremiah’s board) narrowly topped Higgins’ 2024 production by accumulating 1,194 yards last season — to go with eight TDs. Noel played four seasons at Iowa State, while Higgins transferred from Eastern Kentucky in 2023.

The Texans invested heavily at the receiver position after seeing Tank Dell suffer another major injury — this one threatening to sideline him throughout the 2025 season — and allowing Stefon Diggs to defect (to the Patriots) in free agency. Houston also lost complementary cog Robert Woods (to Pittsburgh). Even though it used a 2022 second-round pick on John Metchie, the team has not seen the Alabama product become a dependable piece yet. The ex-Cyclones will aim to become Nico Collins‘ top sidekicks this year.

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