Bengals Receiving Calls On Tee Higgins
In a rather complex position as the 2024 league year winds down, the Bengals appear to have established their priority regarding their extension candidates. Tee Higgins, who had previously been expected to depart in 2025, has taken the spot behind Ja’Marr Chase. Trey Hendrickson is now talking to other teams about a trade.
But it would not be an NFL trade window if Higgins wasn’t generating trade calls. The re-tagged wide receiver is indeed drawing more trade interest, with The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reporting multiple teams have reached out to the Bengals. Evidently seeing if the Bengals would be open to resolving their Chase-Higgins-Hendrickson quagmire by trading the older of their two receiver standouts, teams continue to monitor the player who may well have outflanked Sam Darnold on our latest free agent top 50. Again, however, Higgins will not see the market.
As this refrain goes, Cincy is not budging. The Bengals are informing teams Higgins is unavailable, Russini adds. Even after the five-year veteran missed five games for a second straight season, the Bengals remain committed to working out a deal. Higgins no longer appears a high-end rental.
Higgins trade talk began at the 2023 Combine, when Duke Tobin‘s “go find your own” comment set the trend here. The Bengals then rebuffed trade interest at the 2023 trade deadline, franchise-tagged the former second-rounder in 2024 and again brushed aside Higgins trade interest at the 2024 deadline. A second tag has since come out, as the Bengals were one of only two teams to use a tag this year. As Courtland Sutton appears to have vacated his spot as an oft-rumored trade chip, Higgins stands front and center as teams attempt to determine the Bengals’ path.
It is understandable that teams would call, seeing as everything was pointing to a Higgins 2025 exit — either via free agency or a tag-and-trade transaction. As Joe Burrow has continually stumped for the organization to retain his WR2, it appears the Bengals have gotten the message. After Tobin said he wanted Higgins back at the “right number,” earlier this offseason, Burrow’s media tour continued. While Hendrickson may be the odd man out, the Bengals are moving toward following the Eagles and Dolphins’ lead in having two high-priced receivers and a franchise quarterback on the books.
Not big on restructures or void years, the Bengals do hold $51.7MM in cap space. Some of that will need to be allocated to receiver deals, though backloading them would allow the team room to make shorter-term augmentations in free agency. Chase and the Bengals are not believed to be close on terms, as the superstar’s fifth-year option season looms. Chase is tied to a $21.8MM option number, while Higgins’ second tag is worth $26.2MM. Extensions would reduce those 2025 figures.
Higgins has been tied to a $30MM-per-year asking price, as he likely would have commanded it on the open market. Going into his age-26 season, Higgins has been fine staying in Cincinnati. Will this be the offseason his payday finally comes?
Seahawks Would Want D.K. Metcalf Trade Done By Draft
If the Seahawks are to move D.K. Metcalf, they may not be too interested in 2026 draft choices. John Schneider said Thursday he would want a trade done by the draft.
Stopping short of saying the team will honor Metcalf’s trade request, the 16th-year Seattle GM said during an appearance on Seattle Sports 710 (via The Athletic’s Michael-Shawn Dugar) they want a deal done by the draft. That still gives the team roughly seven weeks to complete a swap, and Schneider added (via the Seattle Times’ Bob Condotta) he has spoken with “a ton” of teams on the six-year veteran.
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The Chargers have been mentioned as a suitor, as they pursued him in trades last year, and the Raiders would make for a fit due to Pete Carroll‘s hire. It does not appear teams are, however, in agreement on the Seahawks’ valuation of Metcalf. Thus far, teams view the reported asking price (first- and third-rounders) as extreme, Bovada’s Josina Anderson notes. The Seahawks are taking offers right now, per Schneider, and Anderson adds at least one team has included a third-round pick.
Balking at moving first- and third-round picks is logical here, as Metcalf also wants to be paid north of the $30MM-per-year range. Five receivers joined Tyreek Hill in that club last year, and more will soon. While Deebo Samuel going for a fifth-rounder and Metcalf being tied to a trade ask nowhere near that ballpark would be strange on the surface, Samuel was more salary dump — even though he has a first-team All-Pro season Metcalf’s resume lacks — whereas the Seahawks want Metcalf back. Metcalf also does not bring the injury concerns Samuel does.
Last offseason featured the Bills collecting a 2025 second-rounder for Stefon Diggs, who did not need to be extended; the Texans actually removed three years of the All-Pro’s deal. Metcalf, though, is four years younger than Diggs. The Seahawks are unlikely to obtain first- and third-rounders in a swap, but teams are certainly free to set high bars in trade talks early.
Mike Macdonald was believed to have included Metcalf maximization a priority during his OC search, so it would be interesting to see the Seahawks pivot and make a trade. Even as the team saw Jaxon Smith-Njigba emerge with a breakthrough 2024 season, it just released Tyler Lockett. Schneider also said the Seahawks were displeased the Metcalf news leaked minutes after the Lockett release/tribute surfaced, though the veteran front office boss viewed the timing as a coincidence.
Metcalf is 3-for-6 in 1,000-yard seasons, having not been as consistent in terms of production compared to his availability, but he would be a candidate for a $30MM-plus AAV if traded. It remains to be seen if the Seahawks would entertain that, but they have two more seasons of Smith-Njigba rookie-deal eligibility at minimum — potentially three, if/once they pick up the Ohio State alum’s fifth-year option — and a mid-market QB salary on their books. Either way, the team will need to make a decision on Metcalf soon, as his contract expires after the 2025 season.
Noting the Seahawks do not have to move Metcalf, Schneider did use interesting language when asked about a scenario in which he stays. The team may either have an overhauled WR group for next season, as many veteran complementary pieces are available now, or will make a slight adjustment post-Lockett. The decision will be expected by April’s end.
“Worst-case scenario we have an amazing, explosive, powerful athlete playing receiver for us again in 2025, so we’ll see where this goes,” Schneider said (via Condotta).
Colts Release DT Raekwon Davis
Instead of playing out the final year of his Colts contract, Raekwon Davis will immediately reach free agency. The veteran defensive tackle was released on Thursday, per a team announcement. 
The move comes as little surprise. Davis was due $6.49MM in 2025, but none of his base salary for the season was guaranteed. Instead of carrying him at a cap it of $8.96MM, Indianapolis will move on. This release will generate $6.46MM in savings while creating a dead money charge of $2.5MM.
Davis played out his rookie contract with the Dolphins from 2020-22. Over that span, the former second-rounder logged 48 starts, but he was unable to cement himself as a mainstay along the defensive line. After showing limited upside against the pass during his Miami tenure, Davis took a deal with an average of $7MM during his first foray into free agency. That marked a notable raise compared to his initial contract, but it illustrated a degree of hesitance on the Colts’ part.
During his debut Indy campaign, the Alabama product played in all 17 games. Davis did not register any starts, however, and his 30% snap share marked the lowest of his career. With the team set to rely on other options along the interior, this release will allow for a brief period to gauge the market prior to the start of the new league. Interest could be limited in Davis’ case, although at the age of 27 he will be among the younger options to choose from in free agency.
As a result of this move, the Colts have more than $40MM in cap space. General manager Chris Ballard made it clear this offseason he and the team will opt for a philosophical shift in roster building, with a greater emphasis being placed on outside additions. That route did not go as planned in Davis’ case last spring, but the resources to try again in 2025 are available.
Bears Re-Sign CB Josh Blackwell
The Bears’ special teams units will include a number of familiar faces in 2025. Linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga has a deal in place to remain with the team, and the same is also true of cornerback Josh Blackwell. 
The latter was a restricted free agent, but the team announced on Thursday he has inked a two-year deal. Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times reports Blackwell can earn up to $6MM. That represents a notable raise for the 25-year-old.
Blackwell entered the league with the Eagles as a UDFA in 2022, but he was unable to make the team’s initial roster during cutdowns. Chicago claimed him off waivers just before the start of the campaign, and he has been in the organization since then. The Bears tendered him as an exclusive rights free agent in 2023, then did so again the following year.
This latest pact will provide a degree of security for Blackwell as he looks to remain a key third phase figure for Chicago. The Duke product has only made two starts on defense in his career, but his 42 games played have seen him handle a regular role on special teams. Blackwell has logged 709 snaps in that capacity to date, and he will no doubt be expected to remain a notable contributor on coverage and return units moving forward.
The Bears have Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon and Tyrique Stevenson in place as cornerback starters. Barring injury, Blackwell does not have a path to a first-team defensive role as a result, but he will once again be available next season in a valuable third phase capacity.
Bills Release P Sam Martin
Sam Martin‘s time with the Bills has come to an end. The veteran punter was released on Thursday, per a team announcement. 
One year remained on Martin’s contract, but none of his $1.89MM in scheduled compensation for 2025 was guaranteed. Buffalo will save that amount in cap space while generating just $400K in dead money and avoiding a $500K roster bonus which was due shortly after the start of the new league year. Martin, 35, will immediately be free to join a new team.
Over the course of his 12-year career, Martin has spent time with three teams. His first seven campaigns came in Detroit and saw relatively steady production. The former fifth-rounder then punted for the Broncos over a three-year stretch, but he was not retained once his pact expired. The 2022 offseason – in which Matt Araiza was drafted and subsequently released by the Bills – opened the door for another new opportunity.
Martin inked a one-year Buffalo deal that offseason, and his 47.7 yards per punt average was the second-highest mark of his career. It thus came as little surprise when he remained in place the following spring on a three-year pact. After playing out only two campaigns on that deal, though, the Appalachian State product is no longer in the fold.
Buffalo signed Jake Camarda to a reserve deal in January, and as a result of today’s move he is the only punter in the organization. The Bills could certainly look to add competition this offseason, while Martin will attempt to catch on with a new team over the coming days.
Seahawks Re-Sign CB Josh Jobe
Josh Jobe handled a considerable jump in workload with the Seahawks in 2024, and it has landed the cornerback a new Seattle agreement. Jobe re-signed on Thursday, his agency announced.
The 26-year-old was a restricted free agent, but instead of being tendered he has a new agreement in place. Jobe was a special teams mainstay during his first two NFL seasons, which came in Philadelphia. When he was waived during roster cutdowns this August, though, he quickly joined the Seahawks.
That move paved the way for a notable role on defense. Jobe handled a 65% snap share in 2024, logging six starts in his 10 appearances. During that time, the former UDFA notched the first interception of his career along with 37 tackles and seven pass deflections. In coverage, Jobe allowed a completion percentage of 56% and only one touchdown as the nearest defender.
Those figures point to a future as at least a valuable rotational member of the secondary for the Alabama product moving forward. Seattle’s cap situation has changed considerably in recent days, with a number of releases – including that of Tyler Lockett – taking place. The team is cap compliant as a result with the room to make at least some free agent additions next week. Some of the available funds will go toward keeping Jobe in place.
Seattle has Devon Witherspoon and Riq Woolen attached to their rookie contracts, and they are set to remain starters at the cornerback spot moving forward. Jobe will figure into the position’s rotation once again in 2025 as a candidate to take on a notable defensive workload if needed.
Commanders Re-Sign K Zane Gonzalez
Zane Gonzalez closed out the campaign with the Commanders, and his performance during that period has earned him an extended stay in the nation’s capital. The veteran kicker was re-signed on Thursday, per a team announcement.
Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post reports this will be a one-year deal worth the veteran minimum. As a result, Gonzalez will collect $1.17MM in 2025 to remain Washington’s kicker. The 29-year-old was added in November, and he made a combined nine regular and postseason appearances with his latest team.
An injury to Austin Seibert left the Commanders in need of a midseason addition, and Gonzalez filled in well enough to land a new deal. The latter connected on five of his seven field goal tries in the regular season, and went seven-for-eight during the playoffs. Gonzalez also made all of his extra point kicks. His FG accuracy has seen numerous swings over the course of his career, but overall it stands at 80%.
The Arizona state product was drafted by the Browns in 2017, but he made only 18 appearances with the team. Gonzalez then had a run of two-plus years with the Cardinals before enjoying his most accurate season in 2021 with Carolina. He did not see any regular season game action in 2022 or ’23, but his return to the fold in Washington will allow him to continue his career.
Seibert is a pending free agent, and today’s news is obviously a strong sign he will be heading elsewhere on the open market. Given the low-cost nature of this pact, though, the Commanders could certainly look to add training camp competition at the kicker spot sometime this offseason.
Bears To Re-Sign LB Amen Ogbongbemiga
Amen Ogbongbemiga will not reach free agency. The linebacker and special teams ace has a new deal in place with the Bears, as first reported by Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune. 
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo adds this is a two-year, $5MM deal. That marks a slight raise from the value of his 2023 Chicago pact and ensures he will remain in place in lieu of a free agent departure. Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times reports the contract can max out at $7MM. Ogbongbemiga did not start on defense in any of his 17 Bears games in 2023, but he logged a career-high 366 snaps on special teams.
The 26-year-old spent his first three seasons with the Chargers, totaling 47 appearances. He only started two of those, cementing his role as a core special teamer along the way. Ogbongbemiga signed with the Bears last March, and in 2024 he recorded 13 tackles and one sack. He will be counted on to remain a valued third phase contributor capable of handling rotational defensive duties moving forward.
Chicago has Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards atop the LB depth chart for 2025 and beyond. The team recently decided not to tender restricted free agent Jack Sanborn, a move which leaves the door open to a departure next week. Especially if Sanborn were to head elsewhere, Ogbongbemiga could be in line as a top backup option to see defensive snaps if necessary.
The Bears have been active in terms of outside additions this offseason. The team has trade agreements in place to acquire guards Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney, and earlier today a deal was reached to add veteran tight end Durham Smythe. Those new additions will be counted on to improve Chicago’s offense, while Ogbongbemiga will be a familiar face for the team on defense and special teams.
Vikings Extend S Theo Jackson
The safety position has been a talking point for the Vikings this offseason. As free agency approaches, the long-term future of one contributor at the position has been assured. 
Theo Jackson has agreed to a two-year extension, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. The pact – which has since been announced by his agency – is worth $12.62MM and ensures Jackson will be under contract through 2027. His next two years of compensation are guaranteed in full.
Jackson was waved by the Titans during roster cutdowns in 2022. He quickly joined the Vikings on their practice squad and has remained in the organization ever since. The 26-year-old has not had a notable role on defense to date, totaling only 222 snaps in that capacity. Jackson has, on the other hand, been a mainstay on special teams for Minnesota.
The former sixth-rounder has racked up 875 third phase snaps in three years, and he will no doubt be expected to handle a workload of some kind in that regard moving forward. Given the financial element of this Vikings commitment, though, a starting gig on defense may now be in store. Jackson has notched one interception in each of the past two seasons, adding four pass breakups over that span.
Harrison Smith is giving thought to retirement, and his absence would create a major safety void on and off the field. Camryn Bynum – who has been a full-time starter for each of the past three years – is on track for free agency, meanwhile, meaning significant changes could be coming at the safety spot this offseason. Keeping Jackson in the fold will allow for some continuity at the position regardless of what other moves are made.
Minnesota’s secondary could see further movement if cornerback Byron Murphy (also set to hit the market) departs in the near future, although the Vikings are near the top of the league in terms of cap space. While a number of new faces could be in place by the start of next season, Jackson will remain in the fold for 2025 and beyond.
Rams, WR Tutu Atwell Agree To Deal
It remains to be seen how the Rams will handle the Cooper Kupp situation. As one wideout remains on course to depart Los Angeles, though, another is staying put. 
Tutu Atwell has agreed to a one-year deal which will allow him to remain with the Rams, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. This will be a $10MM pact, and Schefter adds it is guaranteed in full. The former trade candidate will now face high expectations for 2025.
Providing further details on the agreement, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports Atwell will collect a $5MM signing bonus. His $5MM in base salary is locked in at signing. The 25-year-old was on course for free agency with his rookie contract set to expire, but now he will log at least one more campaign in Los Angeles in the hopes of continuing to develop.
Atwell played in eight games during his rookie season, but he was not targeted. His role grew in Year 2, and his 16.6 yards per catch average (albeit with limited volume) offered a glimpse into his potential. Playing behind both Kupp and Puka Nacua in 2023, the Louisville product took another step forward in terms of production (39 catches, 483 yards, three touchdowns). Still, his output did not match expectations, and questions loomed over Atwell’s future. Last summer, it became clear the Rams did not intend to trade him, however.
Missed time at the top of the WR depth chart created an increase in opportunities for Atwell to begin the 2024 campaign. As a result, the former second-rounder’s reception (42) and yardage (562) totals again reached a new personal high. Toward the end of the season (when both Nacua and Kupp were available), though, Atwell saw his workload drop considerably. With a complementary role likely on tap for 2025, this commitment therefore comes as something of a surprise.
Nacua has two years remaining on his rookie contract, and he will be the focal point of Los Angeles’ passing attack moving forward. Kupp is on the trade block, however, and the team is willing to eat some of his salary to work out a deal. Moving on from the former ‘Triple Crown’ winner will create a starting vacancy for the Rams, but Atwell – who has handled a snap share above 40% only once to date – will face questions if he steps into one. Given the short-term nature of this arrangement, the Rams are clearly still unsure of his ability to produce on a regular basis.
Demarcus Robinson is a pending free agent, and his departure would increasingly leave Atwell in position to serve as a familiar option to quarterback Matthew Stafford, who will remain with the team for 2025. Left tackle Alaric Jackson also has a new deal in place, so the Rams will have a high degree of continuity on offense moving forward even with Kupp on his way out.