Giants Host Jameis Winston, Zach Pascal
MAR 18: Winston becomes the third quarterback to visit New York and leave without a deal, following Wilson and Flacco. Everyone continues to be in a sort of holding pattern with the decision of Rodgers holding sway over the decisions of several others. A series of secondary decisions seems increasingly likely to be made in the wake of an eventual Rodgers’ choice.
MAR 17: As the Giants continue to wait out the remaining veteran quarterback market, another potential target has emerged. Jameis Winston will visit New York tomorrow, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. 
The Giants are among the teams whose plans under center depend in large part on what Aaron Rodgers decides to do in 2025. Provided the 41-year-old suits up for next season, he could do so by following his two-year Jets run with MetLife Stadium’s other team. The Giants are believed to have the best Rodgers offer on the table, but the Steelers have also made their pitch while the Vikings loom as a landing spot as well.
In need of contingencies, therefore, New York has checked in on other veteran passers. The team hosted Russell Wilson on a visit last week, repeating the process which preceded his 2024 Pittsburgh agreement. A weekend report indicated Wilson is ready to sign at any time, but that is unlikely to take place until Rodgers makes his decision. Another Steelers pact could be in play, while the Browns also hosted Wilson. Joe Flacco has already met with the Giants, but is is under consideration for other QB-needy teams as well.
Winston made it clear in the build-up to the Super Bowl that he would be open to joining the Giants, who currently only have Tommy DeVito under contract. Adding a passer on Day 1 of the draft is certainly in play, as New York owns pick No. 3 and could be willing to trade up and select Cam Ward. Bringing in Winston, 31, would give the team a veteran of 87 starts capable of handling (or at least competing for) QB1 duties in 2025.
Winston signed with the Browns to serve as their backup last offseason, but Deshaun Watson‘s Achilles tear allowed him to start seven games. Winston said last month he hoped to remain in Cleveland, but the team has since swung a trade for Kenny Pickett. A deal with the Chargers or 49ers (with whom the former No. 1 pick has spoken) could be more feasible as a result. The Giants will now find themselves in the mix if tomorrow’s visit goes well.
Before Winston meets with the Giants, the team will bring in Zach Pascal. The veteran wideout is visiting today, Pelissero’s colleague Mike Garafolo reports. Pascal has worked with Giants receivers coach Mike Groh in Indianapolis, and the former Eagle and Cardinal would provide depth at the position if he were to sign.
Saints DE Cameron Jordan Returning On Restructured Deal
MARCH 18: The Saints will have Jordan back on a one-year deal worth $6.1MM, according to OverTheCap. This pay cut will see Jordan’s base salary dropped to the league minimum, but that is for cap purposes, as the Saints — in an on-brand move — have four void years included in the new deal. Jordan’s cap number checks in at $9.78MM.
While Jordan joins Tyrann Mathieu in accepting a redone deal to stay in New Orleans, the all-time Saints great leaving in 2026 will be costly. If Jordan does not re-sign before the 2026 league year, the Saints will be tagged with $18.76MM in dead money.
MARCH 12: After making it known that he intended to continue playing in 2025, Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan is making it happen. Though Jordan profiled as a release candidate, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football confirms that the team and Jordan have reached an agreement that will keep him in New Orleans for his 15th season. 
It is believed that Jordan, who was due $12.5MM in 2025, is accepting a pay cut. After all, despite again starting a full slate of games last season, Jordan finished the year with a 47% snap share, which was by far the lowest mark of his career (he had never appeared in less than 70% of the Saints’ defensive snaps).
Along with the reduced playing time came a corresponding downturn in overall performance. For the first time since his rookie season all the way back in 2011, Jordan finished with a below-average Pro Football Focus grade; his 57.4 overall mark placed him 87th out of 119 qualified edge defenders, and his 54.3 pass rush grade was especially jarring in light of the sack artist’s history of production in that regard.
Jordan, who will be 36 by the time Week 1 rolls around, has just six sacks across the past two seasons after never posting fewer than 7.5 from 2012-22. At this stage of his career, the potential Hall of Famer and eight-time Pro Bowler is clearly a rotational piece.
Clearly, however, the Saints’ new regime and new DC Brandon Staley have prioritized continuity on the edge; New Orleans recently restructured the contract of defensive end Carl Granderson and agreed to re-sign Chase Young. The club also acquired Davon Godchaux via trade in an effort to fortify the interior of the D-line.
Jordan, who has reportedly become accustomed to treating the Saints’ final home game each year as if it could be his last in the Superdome, will have at least one more last hurrah.
Ely Allen contributed to this post.
Broncos, Seahawks Pursued TE Juwan Johnson; Latest On Evan Engram’s Free Agency Call
In what may be the least surprising free agency what-if in this year’s cycle, the Broncos were one of the teams in on Juwan Johnson. The veteran tight end confirmed (via ESPN.com’s Katherine Terrell) a Sean Payton reunion was on the table.
The Broncos already employ two former Saints tight ends, in Adam Trautman and Lucas Krull, and their roster and coaching staff includes other ex-Saints. Denver, though, looked to serve as the lead driver of a market that ended with a three-year, $30.75MM deal for one of Payton’s more successful UDFAs.
New Orleans carved out enough cap room, primarily using Derek Carr‘s contract as a tool, to re-sign Johnson and Chase Young and add Justin Reid. Johnson will stay with the team with which he has spent his entire career, remaining paired up with Foster Moreau and Taysom Hill. Johnson, 28, will be the lead target among this trio thanks to this contract.
The Seahawks also pursued Johnson, which represents a less predictable push due to the team having re-signed Noah Fant during last year’s legal tampering period. Fant is on a two-year, $21.5MM deal, but Johnson carries a season of experience with Klint Kubiak, who did not overlap with Fant in Denver. The former first-round pick does not have any guaranteed salary on the books for 2026, though he is a year younger than Johnson.
Prior to agreeing to return in a new Saints offense, Johnson said (via NewOrleans.football’s Nick Underhill) he met with new HC Kellen Moore. Johnson called the new Saints HC the night before he signed to go over his vision for himself in the offense. Evidently, this conversation went well, as Johnson will be a key piece of Moore’s first Saints operation.
Although we included Johnson as the only tight end in the PFR Top 50, the list emerged before the Jaguars cut Evan Engram. A more accomplished player, Engram also looks to have benefited from where the Saints went for Johnson. A day after the Johnson pact, the Broncos gave Engram a two-year, $23MM accord. That narrowly topped Johnson’s AAV number, as Engram has two Pro Bowls on a resume that includes five 575-plus-yard seasons (to Johnson’s zero).
Engram, though, is two years older than Johnson. The 30-year-old TE also received an offer from the Chargers, 9News’ Mike Klis adds, noting the Bolts’ proposal checked in around where the Broncos’ offer came in. Engram visited both teams, meeting with the Broncos before Johnson recommitted to the Saints. The Broncos may have passed on beating the Saints’ offer to reunite Payton and Johnson, but they received news of Engram’s commitment barely a day later. This stands to help a team that saw Trautman’s 188 yards lead its TE contingent last season.
Of Engram’s $16MM guarantee at signing, $5MM comes as part of his 2026 base salary ($10.99MM), KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson notes. Though he gave the Saints a three-year commitment, Johnson did better at signing; New Orleans gave its TE find $21.25MM fully guaranteed.
Although they have signed half of last year’s AFC West starting centers (Bradley Bozeman, Andre James), the Chargers have thus far stood down at tight end. Their offer to Engram, of course, shows an interest in upgrading. Hayden Hurst hit free agency last week, while the team lost Stone Smartt to the Jets. Will Dissly, last season’s Bolts TE yardage leader, remains under contract.
NFC Contract Details: Mason, Vikings, Wharton, Panthers, Pack, Bears, Cowboys, Giants, Bucs, Brissett
Here are the details on a few of the more notable NFC contracts agreed to in recent days:
- Tershawn Wharton, DT (Panthers). Three years, $45.1MM. The former Chris Jones Chiefs sidekick will see $30.25MM fully guaranteed, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets. Wharton’s 2025 and ’26 base salaries ($1.17MM, $13.45MM) are locked in. While the $45.1MM base value is less than initially reported, sack-, playoff- and Pro Bowl-based incentives make up a $9MM incentive package.
- Grady Jarrett, DT (Bears). Three years, $42.75MM. While $27.25MM is guaranteed at signing, the Bears are guaranteeing almost all of the ex-Falcon’s 2026 base salary ahead of time. $13MM of Jarrett’s $14.25MM 2026 paragraph 5 pay is locked in, with Wilson adding the other $1.25MM shifts from an injury guarantee to a full guarantee of Day 3 of the ’26 league year. Jarrett is due a $1MM roster bonus on Day 5 of the 2027 league year, representing the Bears’ first true out on this contract.
- Ben Bredeson, G (Buccaneers). Three years, $22MM. The Bucs are guaranteeing their 2024 O-line signee $12.5MM at signing. A $5.5MM roster bonus is due on Day 5 of the 2026 league year, per Wilson, who adds a $500K roster bonus is due on Day 5 of the ’27 league year.
- Bobby Brown, DT (Panthers). Three years, $21MM. Of this total, only $6.8MM is guaranteed at signing, per OverTheCap. Brown will see $9.58MM guaranteed in total, with $2.77MM of Brown’s $5.55MM 2026 base salary shifting from an injury guarantee to a full guarantee on Day 3 of the ’26 league year, Wilson adds. A $6MM incentive package is present in the Panthers’ other notable DT deal.
- Brandon McManus, K (Packers). Three years, $15MM. The veteran kicker’s $5MM signing bonus represents his only at-signing guarantee, though the deal includes what amounts to a guaranteed $1.4MM 2025 base salary as well. ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky also indicates a $1MM roster bonus is in place for 2026. Nothing is guaranteed beyond 2025, however.
- KaVontae Turpin, WR (Cowboys). Three years, $13.5MM. This is $4.5MM south of the initially reported value. The Cowboys have guaranteed the All-Pro returner $5MM at signing; that comes from a $3.6MM signing bonus and a $1.4MM 2025 base salary, ESPN.com’s Todd Archer tweets. Nothing is guaranteed beyond 2025. After Turpin totaled 420 receiving yards last season, Dallas included a $250K yearly incentive for a 500-yard season, Archer adds. That jumps to $500K for a 700-yard season.
- Jacoby Brissett, QB (Cardinals). Two years, $12.5MM. This is a nice bump for Brissett, who has played on one-year deals in each of the past four seasons. The nomadic backup/fill-in starter will see $8MM guaranteed, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweets.
- James Hudson, OL (Giants). Two years, $11MM. Hudson will see $5.8MM guaranteed at signing, per OverTheCap. That comes from a signing bonus and a guaranteed 2025 salary; no 2026 Hudson money is locked in.
- Jordan Mason, RB (Vikings). Two years, $10.5MM. Minnesota is guaranteeing Mason $7.23MM at signing, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio notes. The former Christian McCaffrey backup will see $2MM of his $4.73MM 2026 base salary fully guaranteed. Incentives on Mason’s deal start at 800 rushing yards in a season, with a $200K bump coming if the former sixth-round pick reaches that number.
- Roy Robertson-Harris, DL (Giants). Two years, $9MM. Robertson-Harris will see $5.3MM guaranteed at signing, Wilson tweets. The Giants guaranteed the veteran interior D-lineman $1MM of his $3.5MM 2026 base at signing. It would cost the Giants $2.4MM in dead money to move on after one season, The Athletic’s Dan Duggan adds.
Chargers Sign C Andre James
Andre James was among the players cut at the start of the new league year last week, but he has not needed to wait long to find a new deal. The veteran center signed with the Chargers on Tuesday, per a team announcement. 
James spent the first six years of his career with the Raiders. That span included serving as the team’s full-time starting center from 2021 onwards. The former UDFA re-signed on a three-year deal last offseason, but just one year into the pact he was let go.
Today’s move keep James in the AFC West, and it could allow him to continue operating as a starter. The Chargers re-signed Bradley Bozeman just before free agency began, putting him on track to carry on as Los Angeles’ first-team option in the middle. James represents experienced competition for the role, though.
The 27-year-old has mostly drawn consistent PFF reviews during his career, with his best overall grade (74.6) coming in 2023. James’ evaluation took a step back last season, one in which the Raiders struggled in general up front. A bounce-back campaign in 2025 would help James rebuild his value, though, something which could be feasible if he earns the starting gig on a strong Chargers O-line.
The Bolts have tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, along with guard Zion Johnson, set to return next season. The team added another starter along the interior in the form of Mekhi Becton, who thrived in his one-and-done Eagles campaign. Becton found himself as one of the top blockers in free agency this year, and he landed a two-year Chargers pact worth up to $20MM. Expectations will be high for the former Jets draftee in particular and Los Angeles’ play up front in general.
Bozeman spent the 2022 and ’23 seasons in Carolina, but when playing out his rookie deal with the Ravens before that he worked under Greg Roman. The latter took on OC duties in Los Angeles when reuniting with head coach Jim Harbaugh last offseason, a factor in Bozeman’s first Chargers deal and his recent re-signing. The latter started all 17 games in 2024, but that may not be the case moving forward.
Rams Sign LB Nathan Landman
Earlier this month, it was learned the Falcons would not issue an RFA tender to Nathan Landman. That left the linebacker free to depart on the open market, and he has done just that. 
Landman agreed to a one-year deal with the Rams on Tuesday, per a team announcement. During his three seasons in Atlanta, the former undrafted free agent made 36 appearances and 23 starts. He could take on a notable defensive role with Los Angeles as a result.
During his debut season, Landman played seven games but saw only sparse usage on defense while handling special teams duties. His workload changed dramatically in 2023, however, with 805 defensive snaps resulting in notable production. Landman posted 110 tackles, three forced fumbles and a pair of sacks that season while filling in for the injured Troy Andersen.
Landman remained a key defender this past season, although a quad injury forced him to miss four games. A deal allowing him to remain in Atlanta was floated as a possibility once the decision was made to non-tender him (something which would have cost as little as $3.26MM). Instead of returning at a lower rate, Landman has elected to join a new team for the first time in his career.
The 26-year-old now joins a LB room which saw Christian Rozeboom depart in free agency by taking a deal with the Panthers. The Rams have also lost special teamer Jake Hummel to the Ravens while Troy Reeder remains unsigned. Landman could again find himself occupying a heavy workload on defense as a result; failing that, he should have plenty of special teams snaps available.
The Colorado product collected roughly $2.5MM during his time with the Falcons. Deals signed this deep into free agency are not particularly lucrative in most cases, but it will be interesting to see if this Rams pact checks in at a higher rate than the value of the low tender. In any case, Landman can help his 2026 earning potential with a strong season in Los Angeles.
Dolphins Have Submitted Offer To Calais Campbell
It was recently learned the Dolphins have made an offer to keep Emmanuel Ogbah in the fold. He is not the only veteran who could find himself remaining on Miami’s defensive front next season, though. 
A standing offer is also in place for Calais Campbell, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald writes. It remains to be seen if Campbell will play in 2025, but he said after the regular season ended he would contemplate doing so. The Dolphins inked the Hurricanes product to a one-year deal last offseason, and that signing proved to be worthwhile.
Campbell logged a 58% snap share in 2024 and he operated as a key figure along the D-line. The 2010s All-Decade Team member posted five sacks and 12 tackles for loss, showcasing his disruptive abilities against the run and pass even this deep into his career. Campbell will turn 39 in September, but he could still provide value to Miami or an interested team if he chooses to play next year.
Midway through the 2024 campaign, a trade agreement was in place to send Campbell back to the Ravens (after he played there from 2020-22). Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel vetoed the deal, though, and Campbell helped Miami remain in postseason contention through to Week 18. A scenario in which the six-time Pro Bowler was waived to allow him to join a playoff team was floated, although that did not take place. Now, the Dolphins await a decision from Campbell while making other free agent moves.
Miami ranked ninth against the run last season, and retaining Campbell could set the team up to repeat that success in 2025. In the event he were to turn down the Dolphins’ offer and depart in free agency, though, finding a replacement (likely through the draft) would become a key priority. With work still to be done to keep Ogbah in place as a veteran edge rush presence, it will be interesting to see if negotiations will take place in the near future in Campbell’s case.
Panthers Re-Sign WR David Moore
David Moore will remain in Carolina for 2025. The veteran receiver has agreed to a one-year Panthers deal, the team announced on Tuesday. 
Moore began his career with the Seahawks, and he spent time with Panthers head coach Dave Canales during that time. The pair also worked together in 2023, when Canales operated as the Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator. Moore followed Canales to Carolina last offseason, giving him a familiar face during his rookie head coaching campaign.
As the Panthers looked to field their best combination of receivers during the year, Moore wound up logging five starts and a 55% snap share. That represented the second-largest workload of his career, and 30-year-old produced 351 yards and three touchdowns on 32 receptions. For his career, Moore sports a 14.0 yards-per-catch average.
The former seventh-rounder has experience on special teams, and he will likely spend more time handling third phase duties if Carolina’s other wideouts take on a larger offensive role. Adam Thielen – who has been a focal point in the passing game during his two Panthers seasons – will play in 2025 on a restructured deal. 2024 first-rounder Xavier Legette also figures to see plenty of usage next season.
The Panthers also have veteran special teamer Dan Chisena in place after he re-signed last week, along with Jalen Coker (who flashed potential as an undrafted rookie last year). Carolina could very well look to the draft to add at the receiver position, but Moore will again have a role with the team in 2025.
S Nick Emmanwori Lines Up Pre-Draft Visits
The 2025 draft is not viewed as being deep at the safety spot, but two standouts are firmly in contention to be selected in the first round. One of them is Nick Emmanwori, who has lined up several pre-draft visits. 
The South Carolina product will meet with the Falcons in the near future, he announced on Tuesday (h/t Josh Kendall of The Athletic). Atlanta still has 2023 free agent addition Jessie Bates on the books, but Justin Simmons is a free agent. The latter (who did not match his previous level of play with the Broncos during his debut Falcons season) hopes to re-sign, but as expected he has reached the open market.
In the event Simmons departs, adding a starting-caliber safety would become a draft priority. The Falcons (who are set to select 15th overall) are far from the only team line up an Emmanwori visit, though. As Kendall notes, he is also set to meet with the Panthers, Seahawks, Bengals and Dolphins.
Carolina made several splashy additions on defense last week, including a three-year deal for Tre’von Moehrig. The former Raider will look to replace Xavier Woods, who joined the Titans in free agency. Jordan Fuller and Nick Scott are unsigned at this point, and losing both could leave the Panthers in the market for a draft addition at the position (although doing so at No. 8 would come as a surprise).
Cincinnati and Seattle are slated to pick 17th and 18th, respectively. Both teams could stand to improve in the secondary in 2025, and the Bengals in particular will need to emphasize defensive additions via the draft with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins attached to lucrative new deals. Adding Emmanwori in that range could very well be on the table; the latest mock draft from ESPN’s Mel Kiper has Seattle selecting him at No. 18.
Miami has frequently been linked to drafting a safety this spring with Jevon Holland departing on the open market and Jordan Poyer unlikely to be re-signed. Many have pointed to Georgia’s Malaki Starks (the other Day 1 safety prospect in the class) as a logical target as a result. Indeed, NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah mocks Starks to the Dolphins at No. 13 with Emmanwori going 24th.
The latter spent three years with the Gamecocks, operating as a full-time starter during that spell. Emmanwori earned all-conference honors in 2024 along with a first-team All-American nod after posting 88 tackles and four interceptions (two of which were returned for touchdowns). He will face high expectations upon arrival in the NFL, and the coming weeks will no doubt include visits with other interested teams.
Vikings, CB Jeff Okudah Agree To Deal
Jeff Okudah is set to play for a fourth career team in 2025. The former third overall pick has agreed to a one-year deal with the Vikings, per his agent (via ESPN’s Adam Schefter). 
Okudah had other options on the table, per Schefter, but this move will allow him to return to the NFC North after starting his career with the Lions. The 26-year-old visited the Vikings yesterday, so this news comes as little surprise. Okudah will now look to compete for a depth role on defense with Minnesota.
Expectations were high for the Ohio State product upon entering the NFL. Things did not go according to plan for much of his Lions tenure, however, with injuries limiting him to only 10 games across his first two seasons. Okudah managed to suit up for 15 contests in 2022, but during the subsequent offseason he was traded to the Falcons. Playing out the final year of his rookie contract, he made nine Atlanta starts.
During his first foray into free agency, Okudah took a one-year with the Texans worth $4.75MM. The Grand Prairie, Texas, native suffered an injury in Week 1 and spent much of the campaign on injured reserve as a result. Okudah was thus limited to just six games for Houston, a team which has newly-extended Derek Stingley Jr. and 2024 second-rounder Kamari Lassiter atop the CB depth chart. It comes as no surprise Okudah is on the move once more, again taking a one-year pact in the process.
The secondary was a key talking point for the Vikings in the lead-in to free agency. Byron Murphy was on track to be on the of the top corners to reach the market, but he wound up re-signing on a three-year, $54MM pact. That contract (which can max out at $66MM via incentives) will keep Murphy in place as Minnesota’s top cover man, and the team has also added Isaiah Rodgers on a two-year deal. Tavierre Thomas – who has starting experience but also a long track record of special teams contributions – is in the fold as well.
Meanwhile, the likes of Stephon Gilmore, Shaquill Griffin and Fabian Moreau are all free agents at this point. The Vikings could retain one or more of those veterans, and doing so would add further to Okudah’s competition for a 2025 roster spot.