Bills Not Ruling Out Keeping Von Miller; Myles Garrett On Buffalo Radar?
The Chiefs’ Joe Thuney-at-left tackle solution looked passable in the team’s latest playoff win over the Bills, the AFC champions’ lone game with more than 30 points this season. Buffalo has seen improvement from Gregory Rousseau, but its pass rush has not seen enough from Von Miller‘s six-year $120MM contract.
Year 4 of that deal brings the first genuine release opportunity, and that is a legitimate consideration for the five-time reigning AFC East champions. Miller’s guarantees have been paid out. Were the Bills to move on from their highest-paid defender via a post-June 1 release designation, they would save $17.44MM. It is not certain that is how the team proceeds.
Miller is not a lock to be cut, with ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler classifying it as an iffy proposition. Miller could come back as an auxiliary rusher, though a reworked contract — most likely via a pay cut — would be necessary. The future Hall of Fame edge rusher is due to carry a $23.8MM cap number in 2025.
Rousseau and Miller remain under contract, as does former second-rounder A.J. Epenesa. Both Miller and Epenesa tallied six sacks last season; Rousseau led the way with eight. Neither Miller nor Epenesa recorded a postseason sack, while Rousseau notched each of his before the Chiefs rematch.
Rousseau remains one of the players the Bills want to extend, per ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano. Rousseau joins 2022 draftees Christian Benford and Terrel Bernard on Buffalo’s radar. We heard that was the case previously, and all are in contract years. The Bills have already started on their 2025 re-ups, giving Khalil Shakir a four-year extension. James Cook wants in, too, as he joins Rousseau, Benford and Bernard in a contract year.
The Bills also are likely to have an eye on another future Hall of Fame edge defender, one with more left in the tank. As the Browns reiterate they want no part of a Myles Garrett trade, the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year keeps coming up. That is understandable, as Cleveland could collect a big trade package for its disgruntled superstar, who is not believed to be interested in a second Browns extension. As Browns brass would be ready to pay Garrett despite two seasons remaining on his contract, he is holding firm on his trade request.
The Eagles have been linked to Garrett at multiple points this offseason, and Graziano adds the Bills should be viewed as an interested party as well. Buffalo took a big swing on Miller in 2022, and it was going well before the two-time Super Bowl winner’s second ACL tear — sustained on Thanksgiving that year. Miller then failed to record a sack in 2023, as he barely resembled his pre-injury version. Miller returned to better form in his age-35 season but obviously pales in comparison to Garrett’s mid-2020s form. Garrett will turn 30 in December.
As the Browns keep fending off Garrett trade calls, Fowler adds they are believed to be dug in and willing to wait him out. It would stand to reason the Browns would hold on both due to Garrett’s importance to the team and his contract. If the Browns deal Garrett before June 1, they would be hit with a $36.2MM dead money bill. That would set the non-QB record. If Cleveland decides to move on after that date, it could split that amount over two years.
That said, the Browns would presumably be making Garrett’s next team better by trading him. Waiting until after the draft to make a trade would leave them with a package fronted by 2026 draft assets, whereas a deal now would arm the Browns with better picks. Though, a Bills or Eagles package now would not exactly do so due to the teams holding the Nos. 30 and 32 first-round picks. A first-rounder would be required to enter any Garrett trade sweepstakes, with other assets likely necessary for the Browns to have serious conversations about relenting on their long-held stance.
Not too many calls have come Cleveland’s way, however, according to Fowler. Teams do believe the Browns are “dug in” here. That remaining the case come training camp would put Garrett to a test in terms of accruing fines for missing camp workouts and then moving on to game checks. Though, the Browns have restructured Garrett’s contract; he would not be missing much in terms of paragraph 5 money, as his salary is $1.26MM.
Some around the league are skeptical the Browns will truly hang on here, per Fowler, even as Andrew Berry continues to insist they will. The prospect of collecting a trade package that could include multiple first-round picks may be too much to turn down. Garrett has themed his trade ask around landing with a Super Bowl contender, and if the Browns hold their ground beyond the draft, camp will be the next stage of this impasse.
Jets Receiving Calls On Davante Adams
Davante Adams‘ time with the Jets is set to come to an end. Like any number of players set to depart their current teams in the near future, the All-Pro wideout faces the prospect of being released shortly.
Of course, a trade could also be worked out to avoid such a scenario. To little surprise, interest on that front is picking up as the start of free agency approaches. The Jets are receiving calls about Adams, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. 
As part of their effort to make the Aaron Rodgers addition pay off, the Jets traded for the six-time Pro Bowler ahead of the 2024 deadline. That move allowed the former Packers teammates to reunite, and statistical success was found. Adams racked up 854 yards and seven touchdowns in just 11 games with New York, allowing him to top 1,000 yards overall for the sixth time in the past seven seasons.
As a result of his contract status, though, Adams was seen upon arrival as a rental. Two years remain on his pact, but none of his scheduled salaries are guaranteed. A release would thus lead to nearly $30MM in cap savings for the Jets with only $8.36MM in dead money being accrued. The Jets’ new decision-makers (general manager Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn) are not the ones which acquired Adams, a factor which helps explain why a parting of ways is expected.
Rapoport confirms a release will take place if no trade partner is found. Adams is currently on track to carry a cap hit of $38.25MM in 2025, so a new arrangement will need to be worked out with an acquiring team if a swap is to take place. A Packers reunion has been floated as something the 32-year-old would welcome, and he has been connected to again playing with Rodgers as a member of the latter’s next team. The Jets are prepared to make Rodgers a post-June 1 cut, meaning he will not be a free agent until March 12. Adams could know his future before that point.
Especially if the Bengals use the franchise tag on Tee Higgins, the free agent market at the receiver position will not feature many attractive options. The 2025 draft class, meanwhile, is not held in high regard compared to those of recent years. That could steer teams toward a trade in the hopes of upgrading their 2025 pass-catching corps. A deal on that front has already been arranged; the 49ers and Commanders agreed to a Deebo Samuel swap yesterday.
The Rams have informed Cooper Kupp they intend to trade him, so he represents another high-profile veteran teams could target this offseason. Adams faced concerns related to declining production before the deal which sent him from the Raiders to the Jets, but a market could still exist based on a lack of younger alternatives with as strong of a track record. Knowing a release is coming otherwise, it will be interesting to see if suitors prepare an offer of note for Adams.
The Jets are expected to release Allen Lazard as they move on from the Rodgers era. Adams will likewise be on the move soon, but a strong trade market could allow New York to recoup some draft capital for 2025.
NFC North Notes: Garrett, Lions, Pack, Vikes
Before the Lions zeroed in on Za’Darius Smith at the 2024 deadline, they asked the Browns about their other starting defensive end. As calls came in for Myles Garrett months before his trade request, ESPN’s Kimberley Martin notes the Lions showed the most interest. At the time (as is the case now), the Browns were not interested in moving Garrett. It is interesting that the Lions pursued Garrett and then completed a deal with the same team for Smith, acquiring the two-year Garrett sidekick in a pick-swap deal. Smith is on the radar to stay in Detroit, at a lower rate compared to his two-year, $23MM deal agreed to in 2023. The Lions needed a D-end, having lost Aidan Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport for the season, but the Browns did not budge. It would be tough for the Lions to swing a Garrett deal now, as Hutchinson moves toward a market-setting extension.
Here is the latest from the NFC North:
- While Hutchinson will be on the Lions’ extension radar, the team will have two years of rookie-deal control after it exercises the standout pass rusher’s fifth-year option. That did not delay the Lions on Penei Sewell, which will make Hutchinson a player to monitor in an explosive edge defender offseason. The Lions, however, have only this year left on Kerby Joseph‘s rookie deal. The All-Pro safety is targeting an extension, indicating (during an appearance on The Jim Rome Show) he wants to be a “life-long Lion.” Joseph could be a 2026 franchise tag candidate, if nothing transpires on that front before the 2026 free agency period, as the team also has Brian Branch likely in its future extension queue. Branch has two years remaining on his rookie deal.
- Staying on the subject of extensions, Quay Walker is a candidate for a 2025 Packers payday. Because rush and non-rush linebackers are grouped together on the fifth-year option formula, Walker’s option will check in at $14.75MM. No team has picked up an ILB fifth-year option since 2022 (Devin White), and Brian Gutekunst (via The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman) did not make it sound like Walker would be an exception. “The linebacker for the fifth-year option is a little wonky because there’s so many edge guys that are part of that, which drives up that number, which probably isn’t great,” Gutekunst said. “But yeah, we’d like to find a way to keep Quay around here long-term, whether that be an extension or something.” The three-year starter will be in a contract year if/when the Pack decline his option.
- Josh Myers should have a nice free agency market, per ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler, who adds the four-year starter did not suffer an injury during the Packers’ wild-card loss to the Eagles. Healthy heading into free agency, Myers may check in as the second-best center option (behind the Falcons’ Drew Dalman) on this year’s market. Gutekunst praised Myers after the season, and the former second-rounder wants to stay. The Packers, who let center Corey Linsley walk before drafting Myers, also have a potential Zach Tom extension to prepare for this year.
- If the Vikings are to re-sign Aaron Jones, something Kevin O’Connell would be in favor of, they would plan to reduce his workload, via ESPN.com’s Kevin Seifert. Compiling a career-high 306 touches, the 30-year-old RB totaled 1,546 scrimmage yards — also the second-most in his career. The ex-Packer said he wants to stay in Minnesota, and his void date has been pushed back to March 11, giving the Vikes more time on a re-signing. Jones’ workload came in part because the Vikings lost faith in Ty Chandler, Seifert adds, leading to their second Cam Akers trade.
- Neither Ed Ingram nor Blake Brandel are locks to be blocking for whichever running back the Vikings start in 2025. Brandel will see $1.65MM of his $2.6MM base salary become guaranteed on March 14, while the Minneapolis Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling notes Ingram — who lost his RG job last season — is “highly unlikely” to be brought back at a $5.2MM base salary (thanks to the NFL’s proven performance escalator program) in the final year of his second-round deal.
Saints Interested In Re-Signing Chase Young, Paulson Adebo
As usual, the Saints exited a Combine with plenty of work to do in order to reach cap compliance. Mickey Loomis‘ latest round of moves will also need to give his team — one armed with a new coaching staff — some spending room, which will take considerable maneuvering.
The Saints are more than $47MM over the cap. This is the same franchise that once hovered more than $75MM over and carved out enough room to franchise tag Marcus Williams in 2021, so Loomis’ talents here should not be underestimated. As the Saints are planning to keep Derek Carr (and thus delay a rebuild further), they also have some defensive players in mind they would like to retain.
Both Paulson Adebo and Chase Young are set to hit free agency March 10. Both players (spoilers) will be included on PFR’s Top 50 Free Agents list following Tuesday’s franchise tag deadline, as each carries interesting appeal. Young stayed healthy after neck surgery. Adebo did not, but his age (26 in July) makes him an interesting free agent, as the market will include a host of older corners aiming to cash in on a third contract.
The Saints are believed to be interested in re-signing both players, per ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler. This will take some doing on Loomis’ part, as he begins his 24th offseason as Saints GM, as both starters will draw extensive interest.
This market is light on proven edge rusher types, as could be expected due to the position’s place in the NFL hierarchy, but Young has an interesting case to make. The severe knee injury (ACL tear, patellar tendon rupture) sustained in November 2021 threw Young’s Washington path off track, and a neck injury both impacted his value at the 2023 trade deadline and again in free agency. After signing a contract containing much of its value in per-game roster bonuses, Young was rewarded upon playing all 17 Saints games.
The former Defensive Rookie of the Year (quietly) put together a decent season. While only registering 5.5 sacks, Young topped his career high with 21 QB hits. Young’s 34 pressures were tied for 13th. The Saints have Cameron Jordan going into an age-36 season, as the popular New Orleans staple is nearing the end of the line. They also missed on their 2021 Payton Turner first-round pick. This opens a door for Young to stay, but as he searches for a bigger-money deal than he landed in 2024, it will not be easy to keep the former Heisman finalist off the market.
Marshon Lattimore‘s injury struggles both rankled some in the Saints’ building and gave Adebo an extended run as the team’s No. 1 corner. The 2021 third-round pick held his own, yielding just one touchdown pass (as the closest defender) and holding QBs to a collective 62.7 passer rating. Adebo intercepted four passes and notched 18 breakups that season.
He had started off well in 2024, picking off three passes and defending 10 more in seven games. But a broken femur sustained in a Week 7 loss to the Broncos complicates Adebo’s free agency, though Fowler adds the four-year veteran’s height (6-foot-1) has helped provide intrigue as free agency nears. Broken femurs are not nearly as common in the NFL as ACL and Achilles tears, adding a high hurdle for Adebo to clear before the 2025 season.
As the Stanford alum determines his future, Fowler adds he is believed to be recovering well from the significant injury. While Adebo indicated an interest in staying, he stopped short of saying he would not thoroughly explore the market.
Titans Schedule Visits With Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter, Abdul Carter
Earning the No. 1 overall pick in a year without a surefire franchise quarterback in the draft pool, the Titans have a decision to make. And they will go to work on an important part of the pre-draft process early.
Information about “30” visits generally run from late March to mid-April, but the Titans are going early with the draft’s four highest-profile prospects. Top QBs Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders will join Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter in meeting with the Titans before the new league year begins (March 12), veteran Titans reporter Paul Kuharsky notes.
[RELATED: Giants, Jets Interested In No. 1 Pick?]
Sanders and Ward will make their way to Nashville this week, per Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz. This will be an early trip for the top arms in a draft; the timing might be important to note here. The Titans bringing in both QBs before free agency would help shape their decision on how to proceed at the position. Veterans will become available beginning March 10, with the legal tampering period. While teams’ draft preparation continues beyond free agency, the Titans have made an interesting call to schedule their most important visits early.
While the Titans basing their free agency call at QB on the early visits may be too simplistic, teams have a pretty good idea about these prospects from their game tape. Sanders and Ward, however, will not work out until their pro days; those will not occur prior to the main free agency period. The Titans have a clear path to drafting a quarterback to replace Will Levis, a Ran Carthon selection who has not panned out just yet. A veteran could also be sought to take over for Levis — or at least push the 2023 second-rounder — early in free agency.
The Titans have received calls about moving down from No. 1, and some buzz about them trading back emerged before the Combine. The Titans traded down from No. 2 overall in 2016, sticking with Marcus Mariota. They have made a few top-10 picks in recent years, but their only two top-three selections since moving to Tennessee have come at QB (Mariota, Vince Young). Doubts have emerged about these two QBs being worth a No. 1 pick, but as could be expected, teams have shown interest. Beyond the New York franchises, the Raiders have been linked to potentially trading up for Ward, who is viewed as a higher-upside play compared to the more polished Sanders.
If the Titans trade back, they may lose access to all four of these players — depending on how far back they go, of course. (Other Titans visits will be with slightly lesser-regarded first-rounders, covering trade-down scenarios, Kuharsky adds.) If they stay at 1, a quarterback may also be eschewed. Hunter and Carter have been mocked to Tennessee early, with a fascinating situation surrounding the Colorado talent. After a historic season in which Hunter regularly played both wide receiver and cornerback, the Titans and Browns are split on the Heisman winner’s position. Tennessee views Hunter as a corner, while Cleveland has him tabbed as a wide receiver.
Hunter’s two-way season aside, NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah slots Carter as this draft’s top prospect (with Hunter at 2); ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. also has Carter going first to Tennessee in his latest mock. QB needs could push one of these defenders down to Nos. 3 or 4, however, depending on where the Sanders consensus lands.
Carter and Hunter did not work out at the Combine, either, and the Penn State edge rusher is dealing with a foot injury. Carter, however, is not expected to need surgery and should be ready to work out at his pro day. The Titans will take an early look at the high-end edge defender, with his medical evaluation set to be critical regarding a potential landing at No. 1 overall.
Cowboys, Micah Parsons Begin Negotiations; Latest On Osa Odighizuwa’s Asking Price
After taking their time on CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott extensions last year — to the point the ultra-rare game-day deal came to pass before Week 1 (with Prescott) — the Cowboys are at least starting the Micah Parsons process.
As of last week, the sides were not talking. They are now, per the Dallas Morning News’ Calvin Watkins, who describes these as general discussions. They will pertain to a monster extension, as Parsons joins a few edge rushers in the running to alter the position’s financial landscape this offseason.
Parsons has said he hopes an extension will be in place by training camp, later communicating there is a plan in place between he and the team regarding his second contract. This came after Parsons indicated in December he wanted a deal before free agency. That seems almost certain not to happen, as the Cowboys regularly hammer out their top extensions — save for the first Prescott re-up, which featured a franchise tag deadline — late in the summer.
Parsons joins T.J. Watt and Trey Hendrickson in contract years, with Myles Garrett squarely on the extension radar — with the Browns or another team, depending on how his trade saga ends — despite two seasons remaining on his deal. Parsons has said he expects to the NFL’s highest-paid non-quarterback. Other edge rushers will be in the mix for that title, as will Ja’Marr Chase.
Trade rumblings have come out on Parsons, who would fetch more than Garrett would due to his age (26 in May). Jerry Jones did his best to refute those, but a report last month had the Cowboys at least discussing the matter internally. As the Cowboys have Prescott and Lamb tied to top-market deals, a third landmark payday would restrict their ability to round out a roster. Dallas deciding to trade the youngest of their top trio would be an interesting move, as Parsons is probably the team’s best player. For now, the conversation will center on an extension, rather than a seismic swap.
Beginning his career with three All-Pro nods, Parsons is one of the NFL’s premier players. He will command a deal north of Nick Bosa‘s $34MM-per-year accord. The cap has climbed by $55MM since the Bosa deal came to pass. With Garrett, Watt and Hendrickson also in play for new contracts, this market being topped by a $40MM-AAV pact will not be out of the question come Week 1. The Cowboys are currently low on cap space, holding barely $3MM. They also will face a $26.4MM Zack Martin dead money bill from his retirement, though the future Hall of Fame guard could work with the team — as Jason Kelce and Fletcher Cox did the Eagles — to help save money via a post-June 1 transaction.
The Cowboys have a while on Parsons, but they are running out of time with Osa Odighizuwa. The ascending D-tackle has been in talks with the team on a second contract for weeks, and he is poised to be one of this year’s top free agents. As such, Watkins views $20MM per year as a floor for the four-year starter. Odighizuwa and Milton Williams are expected to fetch big contracts on this year’s DT market, but the Cowboys could buy more time by franchise-tagging their free agent-to-be. Of course, that would require maneuvering to create cap space, as it would cost $25.12MM for the team to tag Odighizuwa. The Cowboys have used the tag in six of the past seven years.
Unable to break through to snap their NFC championship game drought — now the NFC’s longest — with Parsons and Odighizuwa on rookie contracts, the Cowboys will now see their roster become more expensive. They have until 3pm CT March 4 to tag Odighizuwa and until 11am March 10 to conduct exclusive negotiations.
RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/2/25
Teams will navigate their restricted free agents and exclusive rights free agents over the next several days. Here are the latest decisions on the tender front:
RFAs
Non-tendered:
- Bills: TE Quintin Morris
- Panthers: RB Raheem Blackshear
Even the low-end tender is now past $3MM, checking in at $3.26MM. The Bills look to be eyeing a reunion with Morris at a lower rate, with NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport indicating the team wants to re-sign him. A backup behind Dawson Knox and Dalton Kincaid, Morris has played 45 games over the past three seasons. The 2022 UDFA has 15 career receptions for 146 yards and three touchdowns.
Blackshear served as Carolina’s regular return man on kickoffs and punts. He has also logged 203 career carries, scoring three TDs. Blackshear and Morris will become unrestricted free agents once officially nontendered.
WR Allen Robinson Mulling Retirement
The 2024 season saw Allen Robinson receive the opportunity to play for his hometown team. The veteran receiver could again find himself with the Lions this offseason, but he is giving thought to retirement. 
“For me it’s more so about figuring out what my future in this game and in this league looks like,” Robinson said of his outlook (via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press). “So for me it’s now just taking time to evaluate what next year looks like for me in general. That’s kind of where I’m at with it. So I’m taking some time to make this decision with my family.”
Robinson’s career began with a four-year Jaguars spell which included a Pro Bowl nod followed by four seasons with the Bears. During his Chicago time, the former second-rounder topped 1,100 yards twice, but he has been unable to duplicate that success since. A three-year Rams pact resulted in only one season with Los Angeles, and in 2023 a trade sent him to the Steelers.
The Penn State product was released last offseason, leaving him on the move once again. Robinson joined the Giants but he failed to make their roster, leading him to pivot to the Lions just before the start of the regular season. In all, he made 12 appearances during the campaign but registered only three receptions while logging a snap share of only 11%.
Birkett notes the Lions are open to bringing Robinson back, but a decision will first need to be made regarding his playing future. Detroit has Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams and Kalif Raymond atop the WR depth chart entering 2025. Tim Patrick – who provided complementary production this past season – is a pending free agent but he could remain in place on a new Detroit deal. That would stand to limit Robinson’s upside even if he were to continue playing and re-sign with the Lions.
Robinson (who made it clear he intends to shift to a career in media once he hangs up his cleats) is a veteran of 142 combined regular and postseason games. His career earnings currently stands at just over $95MM.
Falcons Meet With Drew Dalman; Grady Jarrett Available In Trade?
MARCH 2: It remains to be seen how the recent conversations between team and player went, but ESPN’s Dan Graziano writes the Falcons are bracing for Dalman to depart by taking a more lucrative offer than the one they are prepared to make. Ryan Neuzil is in place as a potential successor atop the center depth chart who will require a much smaller cap commitment on Atlanta’s part.
FEBRUARY 25: Poised to be one of the top free agent offensive linemen available, Drew Dalman expressed interest in staying with the Falcons. The team will now take a look at what it will take to make that happen.
The Falcons will meet with their starting center’s camp at the Combine, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s D. Orlando Ledbetter notes. Terry Fontenot stopped short of calling Dalman a player the franchise wants to keep, but the upcoming conversations point to the organization at least determining a price point.
Dalman, 26, replaced Matt Hennessy at center and started for most of the past three seasons. An ankle injury tripped up the former fourth-round pick last year, but Pro Football Focus has graded him as a top-five pivot in each of the past two years. After Lloyd Cushenberry parlayed a good contract year in Denver into $26MM guaranteed at signing — then the second-most among centers — Dalman will probably be angling for a similar number, especially after the news of the salary cap’s latest $20MM-plus spike.
The Falcons, however, have three veteran contracts along their O-line already, rostering Jake Matthews, Chris Lindstrom and Kaleb McGary. Atlanta’s right tackle is, however, in a contract year. The Falcons have until 11am CT on March 10 to conduct exclusive negotiations with Dalman and their other UFAs-to-be.
One of their other unsigned starters, Matt Judon is set to hit the market for the second time. The Falcons have not contacted Judon’s camp about a re-signing yet, Ledbetter adds. That could take place in Indianapolis, but Judon did not reprise his pre-injury form after being acquired for a third-round pick last summer. Despite pursuing better Patriots terms in 2024, Judon did not seek a Falcons extension upon arrival.
The former Division II success story, after suffering a season-ending biceps tear in 2023, posted 5.5 sacks and nine QB hits. Both totals pale in comparison to his peak Patriots and Ravens work, not providing much momentum for a free agency payday. Judon’s age (33 in August) will not help his cause, either. But he should at least attract interest from teams considering a midlevel contract to help their edge-rushing units.
The other veteran added on defense shortly before the season, Justin Simmons is expected to reach the market, according Channel 2 Action News’ Zach Klein. Simmons started 16 games for the Falcons last season, intercepting two passes. Like Judon, however, the four-time All-Pro did not deliver on the level he had with his previous team. The former Broncos defensive centerpiece played out a one-year, $7.5MM deal. At 31, Simmons may need to settle for another short-term pact after waiting for a notable deal to materialize for months last year. The nine-year veteran wants to stay in Atlanta, however.
Simmons and Grady Jarrett share an agent, Todd France, who informed Klein he will likely speak with the Falcons about the status of the veteran defensive lineman. “Grady is an Atlanta Falcon right now, so we’ll see where that goes,” France said. Fontenot (via Ledbetter) did not call Jarrett an untouchable player in trades.
GMs rarely make anyone truly untouchable, though votes of confidence about players’ futures with teams often come out of the Combine. The longest-tenured Falcon defender, Jarrett has played nine seasons with the team. The interior D-lineman is on contract No. 3 with Atlanta, having signed a three-year, $49.5MM deal in 2022. Jarrett’s pact runs through the 2025 season; none of his $15.25MM base salary is guaranteed.
Jarrett, 32 in April, has resided as Atlanta’s top D-lineman for most of his career. He returned from an October 2023 ACL tear last season, notching just 2.5 sacks and finishing with 12 QB hits. The latter total tied for sixth in Jarrett’s career. He would still seemingly garner trade interest, but with a team likely needing to work out a new deal that goes beyond 2025, expecting a major return might be overly optimistic.
As the Falcons attempt to end a seven-year playoff drought, Jarrett’s status will be one of the questions Fontenot’s staff will need to answer in the coming weeks.
Chiefs Could Be In Veteran RB Market, Will Not Extend Isiah Pacheco Before Season
With Kareem Hunt and Samaje Perine eligible for free agency this month, Isiah Pacheco and Carson Steele are the only running backs the Chiefs have under contract for 2025 (excepting futures deal signee Keaontay Ingram). As such, it would come as no surprise if Kansas City were to explore the veteran RB market, as Dianna Russini of The Athletic writes (subscription required).
The free agent class of running backs is not as robust as it was in 2024, when Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry changed teams and had tremendous impacts on the fortunes of their new clubs. The Vikings’ Aaron Jones is perhaps the top option that could be available, though he and Minnesota may come to terms on a new deal before free agency opens. Other high-profile targets include Nick Chubb, who (understandably) struggled a bit in 2024 after suffering a devastating knee injury early in the 2023 slate, and Najee Harris, who is durable and steady but who lacks explosiveness.
Of course, if Pacheco can recapture the form he displayed over his first two years in the league from 2022-23, the Chiefs would be more than happy to have him atop their depth chart while simply seeking a complementary talent this offseason. Unfortunately, Pacheco suffered a fractured fibula in Week 2 of the 2024 season, and though he was ultimately able to make it back on the field, he failed to hit the 4.0-yards-per-carry mark in any of his final seven games of the campaign (including playoffs).
Hunt and Perine also failed to impress, so KC is interested in looking elsewhere for an established back to provide some insurance at the RB spot. And, while Pacheco is eligible for an extension for the first time, Sportskeeda’s Tony Pauline says the Chiefs will not enter into contract talks until after the season gets underway and they can see if Pachecho looks like his old self.
Such a development would certainly go a long way towards the Chiefs’ aim of winning the AFC Championship for the fourth consecutive year. The Rutgers product averaged 4.7 yards per carry over his first 375 regular season totes from 2022-23, and he recorded a 4.3-YPC average across 118 rushes during Kansas City’s Super Bowl runs at the end of both of those seasons.
This year’s draft class of RBs is said to be one of the deepest in years, and after GM Brett Veach & Co. struck gold on Pacheco in the seventh round of the 2022 draft, they could certainly consider reinforcing the depth chart with a rookie even if they add a veteran before then.