Kyler Murray Locks In 2026 Guarantees
The early portion of the new league year often represents a key checkpoint with respect to future guarantees vesting. In the case of Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, much of his 2026 compensation has now been locked in. 
[RELATED: Cardinals Add QB Jacoby Brissett]
By virtue of remaining on Arizona’s roster past Saturday, Murray’s base salary for the 2026 season ($22.84MM) has shifted to a full guarantee. In addition, $10MM of his $17MM roster bonus – to be paid out next March – is now guaranteed (h/t Tom Pelissero of NFL Network). Of the $42.54MM Murray is scheduled to make in 2026, all but roughly $10MM is now locked in as a result.
The 2019 No. 1 pick has faced questions about his Cardinals future following the ACL tear which ended his 2022 campaign. Murray’s rehab kept him sidelined until Week 10 of the following season, but he did not encounter any setbacks and logged a full slate in 2024. The Cardinals will look for that run of health to continue into 2025 and beyond while aiming to take another step forward under head coach Jonathan Gannon and general manager Monti Ossenfort.
Gannon has been vocal on more than one occasion about his support for Murray as Arizona’s starter over the short- and long-term future. The first year of the Gannon-Ossenfort regime saw the team only post four wins, but three of them came after Murray returned to the lineup. The Cardinals progressed to 8-9 in 2024, with a poor run after the bye week ending their chances of topping the NFC West. Continued development will of course require high-end play on Murray’s part.
The 27-year-old’s completion percentage (68.8%) and passing yards (3,851) from 2024 were the second-highest of his career. Murray added 572 yards and five touchdowns on the ground, so mobility will not be a question mark moving forward. Overall, Arizona finished 12th in scoring and 11th in total offense last year; improvement in the passing game would go a long way in ensuring development on that side of the ball and giving the Cardinals a chance to at least qualify for a wild-card berth in 2025.
Murray’s 2022 extension has him on the books for four more years. As things stand, none of his salaries for 2027 or ’28 are locked in, but that will change one year from now if things go according to plan. His $19.5MM salary for the 2027 season will vest next March provided he remains in the fold. Of course, a strong campaign this coming season could also open the door to a new pact being worked out.
Eagles Extend T Lane Johnson Through 2027
Lane Johnson is now on the Eagles’ books through the 2027 season. The team announced that they’ve signed their long-time lineman to a one-year extension.
The one-year extension is worth $25MM, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Johnson still had two years remaining on his previous pact. Schefter notes that the Eagles will be paying the lineman an extra $8MM over that span, increasing his 2025 and 2026 totals to $48MM ($40MM guaranteed). When today’s reworked deal was completed, Johnson ultimately saw an additional $30MM in guaranteed money. Today’s move should also provide the Eagles with some extra breathing room under the 2025 cap.
This isn’t the first time that Johnson’s added a year (and some guaranteed money) to his contract. After inking his then-record-breaking extension in 2019, he added a year to the deal in 2023. On the other side, the Eagles have traditionally been aggressive in extending stars early. Just over a week ago, the team added two years (and more guaranteed money) to Saquon Barkley‘s existing contract.
The fourth-overall pick in the 2013 draft, Johnson has established himself as one of the franchise’s all-time greats. The veteran has earned five-straight All-Pro nods, and he won his second Super Bowl ring this past season. Despite the 2024 campaign representing his age-34 season, Johnson still finished fifth on Pro Football Focus’ positional rankings.
When Jason Kelce and Fletcher Cox retired following the 2023 season, Johnson hinted that he wanted to try playing into his 40s. At the same time, the lineman estimated that he may only “realistically” have two or three more seasons left in him. Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer previously predicted today’s extension, and the reporter noted that Johnson may not finish his existing deal.
While Johnson’s future plans may be a bit murky, the Eagles can at least count on having their lineman signed for the next three seasons.
Bears To Re-Sign RB Travis Homer
Travis Homer is sticking in Chicago. The running back is re-signing with the Bears, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Homer is inking a one-year, $2MM deal.
The 26-year-old has spent the past two seasons in Chicago, appearing in 26 total games. He’s emerged as a key special teamer for the Bears, compiling 13 tackles across the two campaigns while appearing in more than 60 percent of his squad’s special teams snaps.
After getting into 16 games during his debut season in Chicago, Homer was limited to 10 appearances in 2024. He got his first offensive look with the Bears this past season, collecting 34 yards from scrimmage on nine touches. The majority of his offensive looks came when Roschon Johnson was out of the lineup.
He had much more offensive responsibility during his first four years in Seattle, where he collected 917 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns on 135 touches. The Bears are expected to return the same D’Andre Swift-led backfield in 2025, but with only Ian Wheeler providing current competition at RB3, Homer could see a greater uptick in offensive playing time.
Falcons Re-Sign DL Kentavius Street
Kentavius Street is set to spend at least another season in Atlanta. The Falcons announced that they re-signed the free agent defensive lineman.
Street was traded from the Eagles to the Falcons during the 2023 campaign. At the time, he was expected to be a temporary replacement for Grady Jarrett, who had suffered a season-ending injury. Street ended up playing himself into a gig for the 2024 campaign, as the team re-signed him last offseason.
The 28-year-old ended up having a significant rotational role for the Falcons last year. He collected 15 tackles and one sack in 13 games, appearing in one third of his team’s defensive snaps. A former fourth-round pick by the 49ers, the lineman’s best season came with the Saints in 2022, when he finished with 3.5 sacks and eight QB hits.
With Jarrett now out the door, there could be more opportunities for Street in 2025. The team’s current defensive line grouping features the likes of David Onyemata, Ruke Orhorhoro, Brandon Dorlus, and free agent acquisition Morgan Fox.
The Falcons officially announced a handful of additional moves today. Among the signings, the team revealed that cornerback/special teamer Mike Ford inked a two-year deal with the organization.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/17/25
Today’s minor moves:
Chicago Bears
- Re-signed: LS Scott Daly
Detroit Lions
- Re-signed: LB Mitchell Agude
Houston Texans
- Signed: FB Jakob Johnson
- Released: CB Anthony Averett
- Waived: S Brandon Hill (failed physical), WR Kearis Jackson
Indianapolis Colts
- Re-signed: CB David Long Jr.
Las Vegas Raiders
- Re-signed: CB Darnay Holmes
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: DL Jonah Williams
New York Jets
- Signed: DT Jay Tufele
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Re-signed: DL Isaiahh Loudermilk
The Raiders are retaining a key rotational cornerback in Darnay Holmes. After spending the first four seasons of his career with the Giants, the former fourth-round pick joined Las Vegas at the end of the 2024 preseason. He ended up getting into 16 games for his new squad, collecting 30 tackles and three passes defended while appearing in about 28 percent of his team’s defensive snaps.
With Nick Caley now installed as Houston’s new offensive coordinator, the former TE/FB coach was obviously going to bring in a player at the position. He landed on a familiar face, as Caley coached Jakob Johnson when the two were together in New England. The veteran fullback has appeared in 70 career games, although he was limited to only three appearances in 2024 while bouncing on and off the Giants’ roster.
Commanders’ Laremy Tunsil: Texans Prioritized Other Players For Extensions
One of the more notable moves during the opening stages of free agency was the trade sending Laremy Tunsil from the Texans to the Commanders. The move came as a bit of a surprise, especially as Tunsil represented one of Houston’s only reliable lineman following a 2024 campaign where C.J. Stroud finished second in sacks.
While speaking with reporters today, the lineman revealed that the Texans’ decision was financially motivated. Tunsil said the Texans were prioritizing extensions for younger players, making his lucrative contract untenable.
“Pretty much, they’re just trying to keep the young guys together,” Tunsil said (via NFL.com’s Nick Shook). “It’s as simple as that … They drafted some young guys, and they hit on every draft pick. They’re trying to keep those guys together, so I fully understand … It’s no hard feelings. At the end of the day, it’s a business. I don’t take anything personal. It’s no hard feelings against the Houston Texans.”
Tunsil is plenty familiar with switching teams, as the lineman was once traded from Miami for a pair of first-round picks. Still attached to a three-year, $75MM deal, the lineman’s trade package in 2025 was highlighted by a second- and third-round pick. Tunsil was still productive during his age-30 season. He continued his three-year run as a top-20 offensive tackle via Pro Football Focus, and he finished this past year ranked 10th in pass rush win rate.
While Houston couldn’t budget for his impending cap hits, the Commanders were more than happy to take him on to their squad. With no remaining guaranteed money on his contract, the Commanders will still likely have to budget for some kind of extension with the veteran, although the team was surely preparing for that when they made the trade.
Ben Levine contributed to this post.
Steelers, S Juan Thornhill Agree To Deal
Juan Thornhill will remain in the AFC North for 2025. The former Browns safety has agreed to a one-year deal with the Steelers, Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network report.
Thornhill recently visited the 49ers, as noted by Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz. Instead of taking a deal with San Francisco, though, the 29-year-old has elected to join a more familiar team. After a four-year run in Kansas City, he landed a three-year Browns pact in free agency.
He ended up completing two of those three seasons, with the defensive back starting 11 games in both 2023 and 2024. A calf injury was the culprit in both campaigns, although he managed to return from injury this past season and appear in 10 of Cleveland’s final 11 games. He was getting into about half of the Browns’ defensive snaps down the stretch, and he ultimately finished the campaign with 49 tackles, his lowest total since 2020.
Thornhill was released last month, ending his Cleveland tenure and leaving him free to join a new team prior to the start of the new league year. He found a home with a division foe, as the 29-year-old will now join Pittsburgh’s secondary. Minkah Fitzpatrick and DeShon Elliott soaked up the majority of the snaps in 2024 and will continue to lead the depth chart in 2025. This means Thornhill will be stepping into more of a backup role, and it’s notable that Damontae Kazee, the team’s third safety in 2024, remains unsigned.
Ben Levine contributed to this post.
Vikings Release C Garrett Bradbury
MARCH 17: As expected, no trade partner was found in Bradbury’s case. As a result, Pelissero and Rapoport report he has been released with a post-June 1 designation. This move will create $5.25MM in cap space (which will not be available until after that date) while generating a dead money charge of just $814K.
MARCH 13: With Ryan Kelly now in place, the Vikings will be moving on from their previous starting center. If a trade partner cannot be found for Garrett Bradbury, he will released, Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network report. 
The Vikings were aggressive in pursuing additions on both sides of the line of scrimmage early in free agency. In addition to the Kelly deal, fellow former Colts O-lineman Will Fries received a Minnesota pact. The latter’s signing helped inform today’s Ed Ingram trade. Once Bradbury is no longer in the fold, the Vikings will look noticeably different up front next season.
One year remains on Bradbury’s contract; he is owed a $4.9MM base salary but none of that figure is guaranteed. A trade or release (presuming it does not carry a post-June 1 designation) would result in $3.62MM in cap savings for the Vikings while generating a dead money charge of $2.44MM. Bradbury was set to carry a cap charge of just over $6MM in 2025, but the Kelly deal (two years, $18MM) will lead to a fresh start.
Selected in the first round in 2019, Bradbury started all 88 of his Vikings games. The North Carolina State product remained mostly durable during his tenure with the team, but his PFF evaluations left plenty to be desired. Bradbury ranked 11th amongst qualifying centers in 2022, but in each of his other campaigns he slotted in between 23rd and 29th at the position.
Kelly, along with Drew Dalman and Josh Myers, have already lined up new deals in the early portion of free agency. Few experienced centers are left on the market as a result, a factor which could help Bradbury find a new home in short order. It would come as a surprise if teams showed much interest in trading for the 29-year-old, but he could line up a deal as a free agent shortly after his (likely) release takes place.
After playing out his rookie contract, Bradbury inked a three-year, $15.75MM deal. He will no doubt have to settle for lesser terms on his next pact, but it will be interesting to see where he lands for 2025.
Eagles Sign Azeez Ojulari
The Eagles will look to a former Giant to help fill their edge rush void. Azeez Ojulari is heading to Philadelphia, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports. 
This will be a one-year deal worth $4MM, Fowler adds. Ojulari played out his rookie contract with the Giants, who held onto him despite interest at the trade deadline. New York has unsurprisingly allowed him to depart as a free agent, but he will remain in the NFC East for 2025. The move is now official.
The Giants have former trade acquisition Brian Burns attached to $28.2MM-per-year deal. Kayvon Thibodeaux – selected fifth overall in 2022 – is on his rookie contract for at least one more season (or two, if his fifth-year option is picked up this spring). The presence of those two starters seemed to leave Ojulari on track to find a first-team role elsewhere as a free agent. Fowler notes, though, that New York attempted to keep the 24-year-old. Instead, the Eagles’ strong push has resulted in a deal.
Ojulari flashed considerable potential during his rookie season, posting eight sacks. Injuries limited him to only 18 games across the next two years, however, and his production dropped off as a result. The former second-rounder was again sidelined in 2024, missing six games. In spite of that, he notched six sacks and recorded double-digit QB pressures for the fourth consecutive year.
With Burns and Thibodeaux on the books, the Giants were prepared to lose Ojulari (something which raised eyebrows given the fact he was not traded midway through the season despite the fact New York was not in contention). The 24-year-old drew interest from the Bengals, but they instead elected to re-sign Joseph Ossai. That move helped pave the way for Ojulari to join the Super Bowl champions.
The Eagles lost Josh Sweat in free agency, and Brandon Graham could very well retire. Their absences will be felt in an edge rush group which has Nolan Smith and Bryce Huff. The latter did not pan out upon arrival as a high-priced free agent pickup, and he is now a trade candidate. Philadelphia recently added Josh Uche along the edge, but today’s move will come with higher expectations.
As a Georgia product, Ojulari is the latest in a long line of former Bulldogs to join the Eagles. If he manages to remain healthy in 2025, he could command a notable free agent market next spring on a second Philadelphia pact or one with a new team.
Texans, CB Ronald Darby Agree To Deal
Another Texans cornerback move has been worked out, this time in the case of an outside free agent addition. Ronald Darby has agreed to a one-year Houston deal, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. 
The pact is worth $2.5MM, Schefter adds. Darby joined the Jaguars on a two-year contract last offseason, but he was cut on Friday. The veteran has not needed to wait long to find his next opportunity, though.
Darby has been a journeyman during his 10-year career, spending time with the Bills, Eagles, Commanders, Broncos and Ravens prior to his single Jaguars campaign. The 31-year-old will nevertheless bring considerable experience to Houston’s secondary; Darby has 118 appearances and 107 starts to his name. That includes 12 starts last season in Jacksonville.
During that span, Darby posted 46 tackles and nine pass deflections. His coverage statistics (including a 120 passer rating and four touchdowns allowed as the nearest defender) left plenty to be desired, though. That helps explain the Jaguars’ decision to move on and the financial terms of his latest pact. Darby collected $5.5MM guaranteed last spring on the open market, but this time around he has essentially agreed to a ‘prove-it’ deal in advance of free agency in 2026.
The Texans fielded one of the NFL’s best cornerback tandems in 2024 with Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter. The former agreed to a three-year, $90MM extension earlier today; that pact makes him the highest-paid defensive back in league history on an annual basis. Stingley is under contract through 2029 as a result of his new deal, while Lassiter’s rookie contract still has three years remaining on it. That pairing should remain in place for years to come as a result.
Darby will be able to serve as a veteran backup behind those on the CB depth chart. Two of Stingley’s three NFL seasons to date have included missed time due to injury, and a repeat of that in 2025 could open the door to Darby seeing notable a notable defensive role. The Florida State product has limited experience on special teams, but that could provide him with an avenue to additional playing time in Houston next season.