QB Justin Fields To Start Season For Jets
When the Jets made the move to sign free agent quarterback Justin Fields, two things were made clear based on the makeup of his contract. First, with only a two-year deal, it was clear that this is still a prove-it contract for the young passer. Second, the $30MM of guaranteed money at signing for the $40MM deal indicated an expectation that Fields will be the starter throughout the duration of the contract. 
This past weekend at the annual league meetings, new Jets general manager Darren Mougey confirmed that second point. According to ESPN’s Rich Cimini, Mougey made it clear that Fields is QB1 for the 2025 NFL season.
“We believe Justin is the starter,” Mougey told the media. “We believe in Justin. We believe we can win with Justin, so we’re excited about Justin.”
Fields, drafted 11th overall in 2021 by the Bears, had a rough start to his career in Chicago. The Ohio State product started his rookie season coming off the bench behind veteran Andy Dalton. A knee injury to Dalton forced Fields into action in Week 2. Fields led the team to a win in relief but went 2-6 in the first eight starts of his career. A rib injury led him to miss two games before losing his next two starts, and an ankle injury forced him out for the rest of the year. In his rookie season, Fields went 2-8 as a starter, throwing only seven touchdowns to 10 interceptions while adding two more scores on the ground.
In his sophomore campaign, as a full-time starter, Fields showed significant improvement statistically. While his team finished 3-12 in his 15 starts, Fields improved his passing numbers with 17 touchdowns to 11 interceptions. He broke out as a rusher, too, with 1,143 yards and eight touchdowns, but he led the NFL with 16 fumbles. In 2023, Fields once again worked as a full-time starter, though he missed four games with a dislocated shoulder and thumb. The Bears improved to 5-8 with Fields as the starter, and Fields was able to record career-high passing numbers despite playing two fewer games than 2022. He rushed much less as a result, though.
2024 saw Fields traded to Pittsburgh where he soon began competing with Russell Wilson for the starting job. It was announced prior to the start of the year that Wilson had won the starting job, but a calf injury forced Fields into the starting role for the first six weeks of the season. Fields played some of the best football of his career as a Steeler, completing 65.8 percent of his passes for 1,106 yards while throwing five touchdowns to only one interception in six games. He also rushed for 289 yards and five touchdowns during his time with the Steelers.
The Jets will hope to see Fields continue in his year-to-year improvement. In Year 5, Fields will be suiting up for his third NFL team. While the running backs group mostly looks the same, the Jets have lost some pieces in their passing and blocking game. With the draft and spring ball coming up, New York still has time to add bodies.
With Fields in place as the starter, and a reliable backup in place in Tyrod Taylor, the Jets should feel good about their quarterbacks roster. If there were any doubt in Fields being an effective starter, it would make sense to see New York go for a quarterback fairly early in the draft, in the hopes of developing him into the future leader of the offense should Fields falter. While it still makes sense for the team to take a flyer on a young passer, that draft pick would likely be coming on Day 2 or 3. With a fairly deep group of passing prospects, the Jets should have plenty of options.
Minor NFL Transactions: 4/4/25
The NFL minor moves as we head into the weekend:
Denver Broncos
- Signed ERFA tender: OLB Dondrea Tillman
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: DE Janarius Robinson
New York Jets
- Signed RFA tender: S Tony Adams
Courtland Sutton To Attend OTAs; Broncos GM Confirms Team Will Draft RB
The Broncos reached extension agreements with Patrick Surtain, Garett Bolles, Quinn Meinerz and Jonathon Cooper last year, but more payday candidates are on Denver’s 2025 docket. Among them: Courtland Sutton, who has graduated from trade-rumor fixture to surefire extension candidate.
After Sutton’s second 1,000-yard season helped Bo Nix finish with 29 touchdown passes — the second-most ever by a rookie — the Broncos will see him report to their offseason program earlier. Sutton had angled for a raise in 2024 but saw the Broncos only agree to an incentive package. Sutton triggered the incentives during a 1,081-yard year, and as the Broncos have 2025 pinpointed for extension talks, goodwill has emerged with their top wideout.
Sutton will report to OTAs in a sign of good faith, 9News’ Mike Klis notes. Even though extension talks will not start with any Broncos candidate until after the draft, Sutton reporting for voluntary work represents confidence a new deal will be struck. Broncos brass ensured Sutton’s camp at the Combine they will engage in good-faith negotiations this offseason, Klis adds.
The 29-year-old pass catcher will be expected to force the issue, not planning to play on his current contract for a final season, but the sides have a few months to hammer out a deal. Sutton, who is due a nonguaranteed $13.5MM (on a four-year, $60MM deal agreed to in November 2021), did not report to Broncos workouts until minicamp last year.
A Sutton extension would provide some clarity for the Broncos at receiver, though his age (30 in October) and the team’s lack of proven pass catchers behind him points to this being a need area. Thus far, however, Denver has stood down. The team showed minor interest in Cooper Kupp and Stefon Diggs, and while Keenan Allen was mentioned as a player who could fit, no Amari Cooper connections have emerged.
The Broncos have Marvin Mims positioned as their No. 2 receiver, but he has brought inconsistency — last year’s strong finish notwithstanding — on offense. Devaughn Vele and Troy Franklin are in place as tertiary targets whose roles would be reduced if Denver adds a veteran or uses an early-round choice on a receiver.
Denver already bolstered its skill-position group by outdueling the Chargers for Evan Engram, but a running back need appears ahead of the draft. The team had already been expected to add to its backfield in the draft, and George Paton took the interesting step of confirming that would happen. The fifth-year Broncos GM said (via the Denver Post’s Parker Gabriel) the team will draft a back.
The team scheduled a Quinshon Judkins “30” visit and has been mocked Omarion Hampton (North Carolina) at No. 20 overall by some. The Broncos hold their first-, second- and third-round picks for the first time since 2021, having seen the Wilson and Sean Payton trades deplete their capital previously. Kaleb Johnson (Iowa) and Judkins’ Ohio State teammate (TreVeyon Henderson) are other potential second-round options, though the Broncos’ No. 51 overall pick might be insufficient to nab the Big Ten standouts. Fortunately for Denver and other RB-needy teams, this class offers the most depth in many years at the position.
That appears to have influenced the team in free agency. Payton said (via Gabriel) the team viewed this year’s FA crop as thin. The Saints took an Alvin Kamara reunion off the table by completing an in-season extension, preventing him from being a 2025 cap casualty. Kamara peer Aaron Jones re-signed with the Vikings, and this year’s RB market did not move the needle like last year’s star-studded class did. The Patriots, Cardinals and Panthers depleted the group by respectively extending Rhamondre Stevenson, James Conner and Chuba Hubbard as well.
While Payton will observe holdovers Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime, it is certainly possible Denver’s primary RB1 is on the roster yet. The Broncos have not used a first-round pick on a back since Knowshon Moreno in 2009; Paton chose now-Cowboys RB Javonte Williams in the 2021 second round. Perhaps more applicable given Payton’s power in Denver, the Saints used two first-round picks on RBs (Reggie Bush, Mark Ingram) during Payton’s tenure.
NFC North Notes: Watson, Lions, Vikings
An ill-timed ACL tear could prove costly for Christian Watson. Not only is the Packers wide receiver entering a contract year, his injury occurring in January has been expected to keep him off the field into next season. A tentative timetable has emerged, with The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman pointing to a likelihood of at least a half-season absence taking place. Brian Gutekunst offered support for a potential return earlier but did not provide specifics, and the Packers are generally cautious with injury returns. Gutekunst had already confirmed Watson would miss time in 2025, which represents a key window for the injury-prone North Dakota State alum to impress ahead of a potential free agency run. His history of hamstring injuries preceding this ACL tear could well lead to a “prove it” deal taking place come 2026.
Here is the latest from the NFC North:
- The Lions lost Kevin Zeitler to the Titans, and GM Brad Holmes said (via Detroit Football’s Justin Rogers) a veteran guard addition and/or a rookie move is still in play. Graham Glasgow is set as a starter, while 2024 sixth-round pick Christian Mahogany appears the top internal option — barring a veteran addition or early-round draft choice. Holmes called Mahogany’s 2024 work (75 offensive snaps, one start) encourating.
- The Eagles stood down on Isaiah Rodgers, after aiming to re-sign their post-suspension flier, after the Vikings made him a two-year, $11.1MM deal that came with $7.99MM guaranteed. Rodgers will play a regular role defensively, as Kevin O’Connell referred to the 2024 Philly rotational CB as a player ticketed for an every-down role. This would point to Rodgers having a clear runway to earn the starting job opposite re-signed CB Byron Murphy. When Murphy shifts into the slot, Jeff Okudah would be set to come off the bench and man a perimeter post, O’Connell added (via the Minneapolis Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling).
- Minnesota lost Camryn Bynum to Indianapolis but reached an agreement to retain Harrison Smith for a 14th season, after the latter had considered retirement. Smith (192 career games) can move into third place for Vikings defender longevity with nine more games played; he is back on a one-year, $10.25MM deal that (per Goessling) comes with $8MM fully guaranteed. There are $750K in playing-time incentives, per Goessling, who adds Smith can collect additional $500K bonuses by reaching the four-INT and three-sack benchmarks. A $1MM bump would come if Smith lands a first-team All-Pro nod; that number drops to $500K for a second-team accolade. Smith, 36, last earned All-Pro honors in 2018. The Vikings are again using void years, meaning a Smith departure in 2026 would bring a $12MM dead money hit.
- Jonathan Allen‘s three-year, $51MM Minnesota deal includes snap- and sack-based incentives. The longtime Washington DT can earn $3MM if he plays 70% of Minnesota’s defensive snaps; that tiered structure begins with a $500K payout by reaching 50% usage. Allen played between 68-82% of Washington’s snaps from 2018-23 but came in at 59% during an injury-altered 2024. The soon-to-be 30-year-old lineman can earn $500K with five sacks, another $1MM with seven and another $1.5MM with 10, Goessling tweets.
- While Allen, Will Fries (tibia fracture) and Javon Hargrave (triceps tear) are expected to be ready for Vikes camp, O’Connell stopped short of guaranteeing Rondale Moore will be. Moore suffered an unspecified knee injury during Falcons camp last year, and O’Connell said he wants to see how the $2MM investment looks in his first weeks with the team before making a determination on camp.
- Jordan Addison‘s DUI case continues. The Vikings wideout took part in a pretrial hearing last month, and ESPN.com’s Kevin Seifert indicates a pretrial conference is set for April 10. This matter, stemming from an August 2024 arrest, puts the former first-round pick in play to serve a 2025 suspension.
- Lastly, the Vikes are hiring former QB Charlie Frye as a defensive assistant. This interesting role, for a 23-start QB, comes after a two-year run as Florida Atlantic’s OC. Frye, 43, was also the Dolphins’ QBs coach in 2021 under current Vikings DC Brian Flores. That represents the ex-Browns starter’s only previous NFL coaching work.
Cowboys Meet With Quinshon Judkins; Bengals, Browns, Giants, Texans Visits On RB’s Schedule
Not viewed as one of the better draft classes in recent NFL history, the 2025 crop does bring considerable running back depth. After a 2024 draft saw only one back chosen in Rounds 1 and 2 (Jonathon Brooks), this year should feature several going before Day 2’s second half starts.
Ashton Jeanty is a mortal lock to be a first-rounder, perhaps a top-10 pick, while North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton is on the first-round radar as well. Should those two be off the board after the first round, the second opens the door to three Big Ten options — Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson and Ohio State’s 1,000-1,000 pair (Quinshon Judkins, TreVeyon Henderson). Judkins’ pre-draft itinerary is forming fast.
The Cowboys have met with the three-year college RB, who posed for a photo with Jerry Jones (via SB Nation’s Brandon Loree) after his meeting this week. News of Judkins’ Broncos visit already surfaced, but the former Ole Miss recruit is also set to meet with the Bengals, Browns, Giants and Texans, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz tweets.
A three-time 1,000-yard rusher in college, Judkins scored an eye-popping 50 touchdowns despite declaring for the draft after his junior season. The 2024 transfer helped Ohio State to a national title, leading the team in rushing despite Henderson having played in Columbus for three seasons already. Although Henderson is viewed as a superior pass catcher, the one-year Buckeyes teammates may not be separated by too many picks. Daniel Jeremiah’s NFL.com big board lists Henderson 34th and Judkins 38th.
The Bengals turned to Chase Brown as their primary back last season, as Zack Moss went down midway through his Cincinnati debut. Moss remains on Cincy’s roster, despite being mentioned as a potential cut. As Nick Chubb has seen injuries sidetrack his career, the Browns did not re-sign the decorated RB, who remains in free agency. Holdovers Jerome Ford and Pierre Strong remain, as Cleveland appears to be eyeing an addition in the draft. Though, the Browns obviously have higher priorities entering the late-April event.
Saquon Barkley‘s transcendent Eagles debut came after the Giants did not make an offer in 2024, but the team did see some early promise from fifth-rounder Tyrone Tracy. Devin Singletary also remains on Big Blue’s roster, though the rookie usurped him on the team’s depth chart. The Texans made Barkley a lucrative offer, then pivoting to Joe Mixon. Although Mixon boosted Houston’s ground attack after Singletary’s exit, he is 174 carries away from 2,000 for his career. A younger option makes sense, as Dameon Pierce did not follow his promising rookie season with much of note.
The Cowboys lost Rico Dowdle but added Javonte Williams. Scheduling a Jeanty visit, Dallas should be expected — after passing on last year’s RB class — to make an addition during this year’s event. Williams has not looked quite the same since his 2022 ACL and LCL tears, and Dowdle had delivered a 1,000-yard season after Tony Pollard‘s exit.
Panthers Showed Interest In D.K. Metcalf, Eyeing Pass-Catching Help
The Panthers changed course at wide receiver midway through last season, trading both Diontae Johnson and Jonathan Mingo before the deadline. Although Adam Thielen is coming back, he is going into an age-35 season. It appears likely Carolina will go back to the receiver well in this draft.
This has been a trend for the post-D.J. Moore Panthers, who chose Mingo in the 2023 second round and Xavier Legette in last year’s first. This came after a miss on Terrace Marshall in the 2021 second. Legette will obviously still be given a chance to be a regular, though UDFA Jalen Coker showed a bit more promise as a rookie, but key supplementation is almost definitely coming.
[RELATED: Metcalf Eyed Chargers, Texans As Landing Spots]
Carolina made an understandable inquiry into the Seattle receiver situation recently. Seeing as Dave Canales was D.K. Metcalf‘s former position coach, he told Kay Adams (during an Up & Adams appearance) with Dan Morgan about a potential trade after the receiver’s request to be moved. Morgan also spent time in Seattle, operating as a scout and front office exec there for eight years. Though, that was before Metcalf’s arrival. Canales overlapped with Metcalf for four seasons; the big-bodied WR’s career began with Canales as his position coach.
While Carolina showed interest, The Athletic’s Joe Person indicates no offer was made. The Panthers join the Patriots and Packers among teams that did not make an offer. The Seahawks ended up letting Metcalf go for a second-round pick, and the Steelers have authorized a top-five extension. The Panthers do not have an eight-figure AAV at receiver, and that seems likely to continue in 2025. Giving Moore a lucrative deal in 2022, the team still needs help here. It should be expected to draft a pass-catching weapon early, Person adds, with Canales indicating he “would love” to draft another playmaker to boost Bryce Young‘s development. The team scheduled a Tetairoa McMillan meeting already.
The playmaker Carolina traded up for in last year’s second round, Jonathon Brooks, is expected to miss much of the season after a second ACL tear. The Panthers, though, have running back covered via their Chuba Hubbard extension and Rico Dowdle signing. Coker led all UDFAs in receptions, yards and TD grabs last season and still figures to have a role. But the Panthers figure to bring in either a starting wideout or tight end (or both) during this draft, with Person adding the team is doing due diligence on Tyler Warren — a Penn State product that has generated interest from several teams. The Panthers, who have not seen too much from the TE spot since Greg Olsen, could outflank much of this lot, as they hold the No. 8 overall pick.
Thielen agreed to stay on a revised deal, representing perhaps a slight surprise due to his 2024 injuries and the cap savings that would have come had Carolina moved on. Though, the terms of Thielen’s return do give the team flexibility.
The Panthers have the former Pro Bowler tied to a $6.25MM base salary, but only $1.5MM of that is guaranteed. Carrying a $10.11MM cap number, Thielen could be cut to produce $5.1MM in cap savings. The Panthers would eat some dead money due to the $1.5MM guarantee and the two void years on the contract in that scenario.
Thielen remained productive when available last year. Missing seven games, he still nearly matched his per-game average from a 1,000-yard 2023 by posting 58.1 yards per contest in ’24. A former tryout body who caught on with his home-state Vikings, Thielen has become one of the better UDFA receivers in NFL history. He is now aiming for a 13th season in 2025.
Cardinals Re-Sign T Kelvin Beachum
Kelvin Beachum will enjoy a rare opportunity to play an age-36 season as an offensive lineman. The veteran blocker will stay in Arizona to do so.
The Cardinals are keeping their swing tackle around, with ESPN’s Adam Schefter indicating the parties have agreed on another contract. Returning to a role behind Paris Johnson Jr. and Jonah Williams, Beachum will enter his sixth season with the Cards and 14th in the NFL. This is a one-year contract.
Despite joining the Cardinals in 2020, Beachum has now agreed to four contracts with the team. He signed a one-year deal in July 2020 and completed two-year re-ups to keep him in place through 2024. Although most members of the 2012 draft class have retired, the former seventh-round selection will continue his career. This comes after the Cardinals needed Beachum extensively last season.
Williams’ Week 1 knee injury kept him off the field for most of last season, while Johnson also missed three games. Beachum, who had come to Arizona as a starter opposite D.J. Humphries before being demoted, made 12 starts in 2024, playing 519 snaps at right tackle and 213 at LT. Beachum has started 62 games with the Cardinals and 161 for his career. He will continue to provide the Cards with some insurance, as Williams has dealt with knee trouble in recent years. Pro Football Focus graded Johnson 51st among 81 tackle regulars last season.
The Johnson draft choice moved Beachum out of the starting lineup, and while the team cut its veteran LT last year, Beachum stayed on the backup level thanks to Williams’ two-year, $30MM deal. The ex-Bengals first-rounder will attempt to justify the contract this season. He and Johnson represent the big-ticket investments along Arizona’s O-line, as midlevel contracts are present at two other spots (Hjalte Froholdt, Evan Brown) up front.
Beachum began his career with the Steelers, moving his way into a regular role as the team’s LT starter, before signing with the Jaguars as a free agent in 2016. He then played three Jets seasons, leading to an initial Cardinals signing in 2020. Beachum has spent more time in Arizona than anywhere else during his pro career, and he is now the team’s fourth-longest-tenured player — behind LS Aaron Brewer, Budda Baker and Kyler Murray. Although the team made HC and GM changes in 2023, it has continued to prioritize Beachum, who has signed two contracts during Monti Ossenfort‘s tenure.
Arthur Blank Addresses Falcons GM Terry Fontenot’s Status
Terry Fontenot has been in place as the Falcons’ general manager since 2021. The team’s record has remained consistent during his four years at the helm, but Atlanta has yet to post a winning campaign or reach the postseason during that span. 
As a result, questions have been raised about a potential front office change. When speaking about the subject, owner Arthur Blank did not give Fontenot, 44, a public vote of confidence. However, he also declined to term 2025 as a make-or-break season with respect to his job security.
“Every year for everybody is a crucial year,” Blank said (via ESPN’s Marc Raimondi). “So, I don’t want to say the NFL is ‘Not For Long.’ I don’t believe in that, because I fundamentally do believe – and I’ll make this point really clear – the most successful teams in the National Football League, you go back to the last 10 years, 20 years, 100 years… are teams that have long-term sustainability between their coaches and their general managers.”
Fontenot and head coach Arthur Smith were paired together in 2021, but their three-year run did not go according to plan. Atlanta went 7-10 every year during that stretch, and Smith’s firing led to a reunion with Raheem Morris. The latter took on head coaching duties in 2024, a season which saw the team post a 6-3 start. The Falcons ended the year on a 2-6 skid, again falling short of a postseason berth and replacing Kirk Cousins with Michael Penix Jr. at the quarterback depth chart along the way. A potential parting of ways with Cousins after only one year in Atlanta is now a central offseason storyline.
Blank cited stability under center as another pillar of long-term success. The Falcons obviously hope Penix, selected with the No. 8 pick last April, will given them a true Matt Ryan successor. Even if that proves to be the case, though, Fontenot will be tasked with building a strong roster during the remainder of his rookie contract. Atlanta has made several high-profile draft investments on offense recently, and making needed improvements on the other side of the ball will be critical moving forward.
The NFC South has not excatly been among the league’s strongest divisions over Fontenot’s tenure, and again falling short of at least a wild-card berth in 2025 would no doubt lead to increased pressure with respect to a firing. For now, at least, Blank’s preference to keep him in place with Morris – and avoid a repeat of last season’s second-half fallout – has him safe for Year 5 at the helm.
Raiders To Extend QB Geno Smith
APRIL 4: Smith’s 2025 compensation will jump from $31MM to $40MM, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports. The 2026 season includes a $26.5MM base salary; $18.5MM of that figure is already locked in. The remainder will shift from an injury to a full guarantee of the third day of the ’26 league year.
None of Smith’s salary for 2027 ($39.5MM) is locked in, a sign of the short-term nature of this commitment. $3.5MM in annual incentives bring the maximum value of the pact to $116.5MM, but with an out after the 2026 season (and perhaps earlier) it is highly unlikely Smith will approach that figure.
APRIL 3: The Raiders have a deal done with Geno Smith. They are giving the trade acquisition a two-year extension, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports. This will keep the ex-Seahawks starter under contract through 2027.
It appears initial reports, like when Smith signed his 2023 Seahawks contract, featured a slight inflation. Smith’s Raiders deal will be worth $75MM, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. Earlier reports indicated the deal checked in at $85.5MM, though Schefter indicates that represents the pact’s max value. Smith’s new contract will come with $66.5MM guaranteed, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reports.
This represents a bridge deal for both parties, though Smith’s age may well make this his final starter-level contract. Set to turn 35 in October, Smith had angled for a deal north of $40MM per year. That aim prompted the Seahawks to trade their three-year starter rather than agree to his price. The Raiders, after being prepared to give Matthew Stafford a big guarantee in a trade, pounced and reunited him with Pete Carroll.
This marks Carroll’s second time signing off on a Smith starter-level contract, as he was in place as the Seahawks’ top decision-maker when they gave him a three-year, $75MM deal in 2023. That turned out to bring good value for the Seahawks, who held Smith to the deal even as he pushed for a new one in 2024. Although Smith could not quite reach that $40MM-per-year point during his Raiders talks, the reclamation project did secure a significant raise.
At $37.5MM per year, Smith again will come in with a lower-middle-class contract on a skyrocketing QB market. When Smith signed his $25MM-AAV deal in March 2023, the league had not seen the $50MM-per-year club form. It has now, with 10 passers comprising it. Smith only moves up a few spots on the QB salary list, and it is certainly no coincidence his new AAV matches Derek Carr‘s Saints number.
Though, it is notable the Raiders were only comfortable matching that — as Carr secured those terms when the cap resided at barely $224MM. It is now at $279.2MM, inviting questions about the Raiders’ commitment level. The Raiders were ready to give Stafford a deal that included at least $90MM guaranteed. The Rams standing down and retaining their starter forced the Raiders and Giants to look elsewhere, and both teams approved cheaper contracts to address their QB voids.
Rather than dive into the free agent QB market and enter a draft chock full of maligned passing prospects, the Raiders traded a third-round pick for Smith. They are catching the former second-rounder going into his 13th NFL season, but these terms align with Carroll’s stopgap coaching contract. The Raiders gave Carroll a three-year deal, one aimed at bringing stability to an organization that has lacked it for many years. We now have a timeline on the latest Carroll-Smith partnership, as this contract buys the AFC West club some time to find a true long-term option.
It also should not be viewed as a random occurrence that Smith’s deal surpasses Sam Darnold‘s new Seattle AAV, which is $33.5MM. The Seahawks have been out of the franchise-QB payment game since trading Russell Wilson to the Broncos, and rather than reunite with Wilson, Carroll chose Smith and now has him tied to the NFL’s 16th-highest QB contract. This should give the Raiders some flexibility, though it will be interesting to learn what the guarantee at signing is.
The Raiders gave Carr two franchise-QB-level extensions, the first (in 2017) setting an NFL record and the second (in 2022) being a clear bridge deal while the Josh McDaniels-led regime evaluated the fit. As the fit proved poor, the Raiders soon lost their QB stability by cutting Carr. They have moved on from their past two Week 1 starters — Jimmy Garoppolo, Gardner Minshew — via post-June 1 cuts. Smith will enter 2025 — barring a surprise first-round QB draft choice — on steadier ground compared to his two veteran predecessors in Vegas, though this contract length does invite questions beyond 2025.
New Raiders GM John Spytek said recently the Raiders want Smith as their starter for “years to come.” Smith may well have the inside track to be the Silver and Black’s starter in 2026 as well, but the Raiders figure to do more QB homework ahead of next year’s draft; as of now, that crop looks better than what the 2025 draft presents. Smith, however, will have a chance to keep his post-30 momentum going.
Although Smith bettered his Comeback Player of the Year completion rate (69.8, a number that led the league in 2022) by connecting on 70.4% of his throws last season, he threw 15 interceptions. Smith’s yards-per-attempt number (7.5) matched his 2022 breakthrough, but he was also working with a skill-position group better than what he inherits in Las Vegas. Brock Bowers delivered a historic tight end rookie season, but questions about for the Raiders at the other spots. How Spytek, Carroll and Tom Brady address the receiver position will play a key role in how their QB trade asset fares.
Prior to acquiring Carr, the Raiders carried an extensive history of late-career QB projects — from Carson Palmer to Rich Gannon to Jeff George to Jeff Hostetler to Jim Plunkett. While the Garoppolo swing and miss highlighted an overmatched regime, Carroll’s familiarity with Smith should help the Raiders pick up the pieces after a rough period.
Bills Unlikely To Extend RB James Cook Before Draft
The Bills’ offseason has been defined in large part by their extension efforts with key in-house players. Quarterback Josh Allen‘s recent top-up has him near the top of the position’s pecking order, and a quartet of starters on their rookie contracts now have lucrative second deals in place. 
Receiver Khalil Shakir, linebacker Terrel Bernard, edge rusher Gregory Rousseau and cornerback Christian Benford have all had their long-term futures assured early in the 2025 offseason. Other extension candidates loom on the roster, including running back James Cook. Nothing on that front should be expected over the coming weeks, however.
When speaking to the media at the league meetings, Bills general manager Brandon Beane said (via Ryan O’Halloran of the Buffalo News) nothing is imminent regarding a Cook extension. The team has turned its attention to the upcoming draft. As a result, a Cook deal may very well not be in place until after it is over.
Buffalo’s primary back for the past two seasons, Cook has earned a Pro Bowl nod each time in that span. The former second-rounder topped 1,500 scrimmage yards in 2023 and upped his end zone production considerably this past year. Cook tied for the league lead with 16 scores on the ground, something which helped inform his asking price. $15MM per season represents the target for a long-term deal, something Cook doubled down on shortly after letting it be known he aims to be one of the best-compensated backs in the NFL.
The top of the RB market sat at $19MM in AAV (Christian McCaffrey) at the start of the offseason, but it has since moved. In the wake of his historic debut Eagles campaign, Saquon Barkley inked an extension averaging $20.6MM per year; to no surprise, though, that investment was not followed by a series of lucrative free agent pacts at the position. If Cook, 25, were to hit his stated asking price on a long-term accord, he would rank third in the financial pecking order behind Barkley and McCaffrey and just ahead of Jonathan Taylor.
2024 fourth-rounder Ray Davis, veteran Ty Johnson and journeyman Darrynton Evans are also in place on the Bills’ backfield depth chart. Cook – who has handled 444 regular season carries across the past two years – is in line to remain the team’s lead option at the position, but as things stand he is entering the final year of his deal. Buffalo would avoid a potential departure on the open market next spring with an extension, but efforts to work out a deal on this front appear to be on pause until the draft is in the books.