HEADLINES

George Pickens Unlikely To Be With Steelers In 2026

May 5th, 2025 at 9:45am CST by Rory Parks

MAY 5: During a Sunday SportsCenter appearance, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported (via Bleacher Report) Pickens’ desire is to remain in Pittsburgh, adding negotiations on the trade front have “really cooled.” Pickens should be expected to at least start the 2025 campaign as a Steeler, but his future beyond that period will no doubt remain a talking point.

MAY 4: Steelers wide receiver George Pickens’ time with the club is limited, according to senior NFL reporter James Palmer in a piece for Bleacher Report (video link). Palmer expects Pickens to be out of Pittsburgh at some point before the 2026 season, either as a result of a pre-deadline trade in 2025 or simply because the Steelers allow the contract-year player to depart in free agency next March.

In light of recent trade reports regarding Pickens – reports in which Pittsburgh was said to be both making and receiving calls on the Georgia product – Palmer’s report does not come as a surprise. Questions about Pickens’ maturity have dogged him before and after he turned pro, and Palmer says “it has not gone well behind the scenes at all” between Pickens and the team. 

Aside from any off-field issues the Steelers might have with the 24-year-old deep threat, moving on from him would be consistent with their standard operating procedure. As our Sam Robinson noted as part of the pre-draft trade chatter surrounding Pickens, Pittsburgh tends to authorize one notable contract for its WR corps while filling out the rest of the depth chart with cost-controlled talent. Since the Steelers invested both significant draft capital and a high-end contract into recent trade acquisition D.K. Metcalf, it stands to reason that they would move on from Pickens before he gets his second NFL deal.

Still, the team does plan to compete for a postseason berth in 2025, and whatever headaches Pickens might bring to the locker room, he has performed as well as could be expected with less-than-stellar quarterback play during his first three years in the NFL. He led the league with an 18.1 yards-per-catch rate in 2023 as part of a 63/1,140/5 performance, and he likely would have approached or eclipsed the 1,100-yard mark again in 2024 if he had not missed three games due to injury (the only three contests he has missed in his career).

Plus, although Palmer confirms the Steelers did a great deal of research on the 2025 class of college wideouts, they did not use any of their seven selections on a pass catcher. Last week’s addition of Robert Woods notwithstanding, Pittsburgh’s WR corps would be dealt a notable blow if Pickens were to be traded now.

Palmer does not expect a trade to happen in the immediate future, instead suggesting that the November deadline would be a more likely timeframe for such a deal to take place. If they keep him in the fold through the start of the 2025 campaign, the Steelers would presumably only move Pickens before the deadline if they are out of playoff contention. Otherwise, it would seem as if the team would retain him through the end of the year and perhaps position itself for a compensatory pick if he indeed signs elsewhere in 2026. 

Tush Push Ban On Verge Of Passing?

May 4th, 2025 at 10:11pm CST by Ely Allen

A little over a month ago, efforts toward a league-wide rule that would essentially ban the short-yardage play that has, affectionately, come to be known as the “tush push” fell short — the Packers’ proposal reportedly failed 16-16 in a 32-team vote, and three-fourths (or 28) teams are required to pass a vote. According to Mark Maske of The Washington Post, we could see a new motion pass later this month that would effectively ban the play.

It’s believed that the Packers’ proposal was “narrowly configured and written,” aiming too directly at the Eagles (and Bills, who have also frequently utilized the play). It attempted to prohibit “an offensive player from pushing a teammate who was lined up directly behind the snapper and receives the snap, immediately at the snap,” making the action worthy of a 10-yard penalty.

The new version of the proposal is currently unwritten, as it has not yet formally been modified, but it will move its focus towards pushing or pulling ball carriers anywhere on the field. While no injury data has really shown any direct harm from the play, NFL health and safety officials have repeatedly expressed injury-related concerns about it. This would potentially act as a reversal of a rule-change in 2006 that made it legal to push or pull players as part of a football play.

Obviously, this doesn’t apply to blocking and tackling situations, in which pushing and pulling are natural parts of the game. What this new wording could affect is plays in which a ball-carrier gets stood up by a defender but remains upright and another offensive player begins to push the two players up the field, sometimes resulting in a scrum that can surge forwards or backwards several yards. Plays like this have often been viewed as hustle plays, in which offensive linemen are lauded for churning out some extra yards, so it would be interesting to see such a play potentially become a penalty.

The play could also be linked to another league concern, and a play that has also seen several rule adjustments: field goal rushing. Some coaches have connected the new proposal to a previous rule-change that prohibits defensive players from pushing teammates to aid in attempting to block a field goal attempt. There’s a chance the new wording of the rule would prevent defenders from pushing or pulling any players they haven’t engaged with in either a block attempt or tackle attempt, meaning an offensive player couldn’t push a teammate into a defender to block them or a defensive player couldn’t push a teammate into a blocker or ball-carrier.

Such intricacies of a proposal like this are likely why it has not yet been formally changed, but there’s an expectation that it will be ready in time for the owners meeting in Minneapolis on May 20-21. Confidence that the proposal will pass this time around stems from a belief that the league office is in support of the rule-change, per Mike Florio of NBC Sports. Florio states that, if his sense that the league office wants to get rid of the maneuver is accurate, they might twist some arms in order to acquire the eight additional votes they need to pass the proposal.

Bengals Still Working On Extension For DE Trey Hendrickson

May 4th, 2025 at 10:06pm CST by Rory Parks

The Bengals selected edge rusher Shemar Stewart with their first-round choice (No. 17 overall) in last month’s draft. The pick created speculation that fellow EDGE Trey Hendrickson – who has been looking for a new contract from Cincinnati for several years and who was given permission to seek a trade in March – may indeed be on his way out.

As The Athletic’s Dianna Russini noted in a recent Scoop City podcast, however, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor shot down that notion (video link). Of course, it is difficult to imagine Taylor saying anything that would reveal the club’s plans or weaken its negotiating position with teams interested in Hendrickson, but according to Russini, Taylor’s remarks were not mere coach-speak. She is still getting “good vibes” from the team with respect to this situation and believes Cincy is still working hard to hammer out an extension.

Per Russini, the Bengals are trying to “get creative” and “move money” to bridge the gap with Hendrickson. As it stands, the Bengals have $25MM of cap space and are projected to have over $72MM of room in 2026 – this despite the massive deals authorized for both Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins this offseason – so the resources do appear to be available.

Hendrickson, 30, signed a one-year extension in July 2023 that took the free agent contract he signed with the Bengals in 2021 through the upcoming 2025 campaign. As part of that contractual update, the four-time Pro Bowler received $21MM in new money, though the $15.8MM base salary he is scheduled to earn this year pales in comparison to the figures at the top of the exploding pass rusher market, which now features seven players enjoying AAVs of at least $28MM.

Having posted 17.5 sacks for the second consecutive year in 2024 en route to his first First Team All-Pro nod, Hendrickson understandably wants a contract commensurate with his market value. Despite the Bengals allowing him to look for a trade partner that would also greenlight a new mega-deal, they have set a lofty asking price in a trade and have rejected multiple offers from interested teams. The lack of movement in trade discussions could accelerate Cincinnati-Hendrickson talks, though traction in those negotiations has also been difficult to come by.

Since the Bengals seem unwilling to let Hendrickson go unless another team comes through with the type of trade package that presently appears unrealistic, Hendrickson may have to accept something of a discount if he wants to land a new multiyear pact in the near future. Russini acknowledges as much, and she believes he wants to stay in Cincinnati while confirming the team wants to retain him, so there may yet be a way for the parties to find common ground.

The Bengals ranked near the bottom of the league in terms of total defense, scoring defense, and sacks in 2024, so despite the Stewart addition, a Hendrickson departure (coupled with Sam Hubbard’s retirement) would certainly undermine the team’s attempts to return to the playoffs in 2025. 

Chiefs Sign First-Round T Josh Simmons

May 4th, 2025 at 9:58pm CST by Ely Allen

Following closely on the tails of the Cowboys and offensive guard Tyler Booker, the Chiefs have come to terms with Ohio State offensive tackle Josh Simmons on his first-round rookie contract. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the four-year contract (with a fifth-year option) for the 32nd overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft is worth $14.68MM.

Simmons could end up being a bit of a project in the NFL. After a redshirt season at San Diego State, Simmons started a season at right tackle for the Aztecs before transferring to Columbus and switching to left tackle. As a redshirt junior, Simmons returned to start on the left side for another year before suffering a season-ending knee injury.

In his time with the Buckeyes, the 22-year-old displayed quickness off the line of scrimmage and impressive balance. While he isn’t much of a bulldozer in the run game, his quickness can help him be effective on pulls. What really shines for Simmons is his pass blocking abilities, which were good enough to put him in serious consideration for OT1 honors in the draft class, before he experienced his injury setback.

He won’t be a project because he needs to develop, he’ll potentially be a project because his road back to 100 full health may be a bit of a journey. The injury led him to be the fifth tackle taken in the draft and the eighth offensive lineman taken. If it was poor play that led to his slide, he may have slipped out of the first round altogether. Because of his injury, though, any team that drafted him was likely going to want to use a first-round pick on him so that the fifth-year option would give them a bit of additional time to evaluate his prospects for a second NFL contract.

In Kansas City last year, starting tackles Jawaan Taylor and Wanya Morris were anything but impressive. For competition, the team has last year’s second-round pick, Kingsley Suamataia, and free agent signing Jaylon Moore to work with, as well. Suamataia started the first two games for the Chiefs at right tackle last year before being benched for Morris, while Moore finished the last portion of 2024 filling in for Trent Williams as the 49ers’ starting left tackle.

In an ideal situation, it would be asking a lot of Simmons to jump into a competition that could see any combination of two of Taylor, Morris, Suamataia, and Moore bookending the line. He falls into a perfect situation, though, where, sure, plenty of question marks remain on the depth chart, but there are plenty of options who can man the spots effectively until Simmons is recovered and ready to compete and contribute. His fifth-year option gives him a bit of breathing room to show his worth before his rookie deal expires.

Simmons is just the first Chiefs rookie to sign their contract. The team has six more players from their draft class that still need to ink their deals.

Ravens Sign 17 UDFAs

May 4th, 2025 at 6:36pm CST by Ely Allen

Going stride-for-stride with the Seahawks in competition for the league’s largest rookie crop, the Ravens, much like Seattle, have signed 17 undrafted free agent rookies to join their 11-man draft class. The newest additions to Baltimore’s 28-man rookie class are:

The Ravens are notorious for finding undrafted free agents who have potential to make the 53-man roster. That will be a tall task for this year’s group as 17 of them compete with the 11 draft picks. That goes double for the several small school signees like Hutchinson, Jackson, Lowery, Ntoh, Penning, and Pitz, who will have to show what they can do in camp after playing inferior competition in college.

Christian-Lichtenhan certainly stands out as a possible contender for a roster spot. After the Ravens entered the draft needing to add bodies at tackle, Christian-Lichtenhan has volunteered his 6-foot-8, 315-pound frame for the job. After graduating from Colorado with a degree and 19 starts at left tackle to his name, Christian-Lichtenhan transferred to Corvallis, where he started all 12 games as the blindside blocker for the Beavers.

In Higgins and Martin, the team brings in two inside linebackers, a position at which Baltimore usually harbors hard-working UDFAs for their special teams value. Higgins was projected to be a late-Day 3 pick but just slipped out of the draft. In his two years as a starter (out of five total with the Hawkeyes), Higgins notched 295 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, three forced fumbles, 14 passes defensed, and five interceptions. After his only season as a starter at East Tennessee State, Martin leveraged a strong year into a transfer to Memphis. For the Tigers, Martin started two seasons, tallying 206 tackles, 33.0 tackles for loss, 10.0 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, nine passes defensed, and three interceptions. Both are undersized backers who display sideline-to-sideline ability and strong coverage abilities.

Jackson stands, perhaps, the strongest chance to make the roster from the small schools. Jackson started three of his five seasons in Normal. His final two years (172 tackles, 11.0 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, 11 passes defensed, and four interceptions) were his strongest. His versatility earned him first-team All-MVFC honors, and he was recognized at the Senior Bowl as the National team’s Top DB. His versatility gives him a strong chance to compete for a roster spot.

Minor NFL Transactions: 5/4/25

May 4th, 2025 at 5:42pm CST by Ely Allen

Today’s only minor NFL transactions to close out the week:

Philadelphia Eagles

After announcing their initial undrafted free agent signing class earlier this week, Philadelphia has tacked on a late addition in Jackson. After five years of finding his footing (two seasons at Michigan and three at Washington), Jackson finally broke out as an impact player in his sixth year of college (his fourth with the Huskies). He reeled in 85 passes for 893 yards and seven touchdowns, adding a score on the ground, as well, in 2024.

Davis-Price, a former third-round pick out of LSU, will now have a chance to join his third team in as many years. If he clears waivers, he could have his choice of where he signs.

Fred Warner Will Not Hold Out Amidst 49ers Extension Talks

May 4th, 2025 at 4:52pm CST by Adam La Rose

Like quarterback Brock Purdy, linebacker Fred Warner has been in attendance for the opening stages of the 49ers’ offseason program. Both players represent priorities on the extension front, although plenty of progress is still required in the latter’s case.

Prior to the draft, it was reported San Francisco had not yet engaged in significant contract talks with Warner. Team and player were not close with respect to tight end George Kittle at that point, but things changed rather quickly on that front. While Kittle drew trade interest prior to signing his pact, it would certainly come as a surprise if San Francisco fielded calls for Warner.

The 28-year-old said (via ESPN’s Nick Wagoner) he does not plan on skipping any portion of the 49ers’ offseason by way of holding out. That is certainly a positive sign traction could be gained on the extension front relatively soon, although of course Purdy’s incoming raise needs to be finalized as well. Warner is confident at this point his camp and the 49ers will “figure out the right move” regarding a new deal.

As things stand, the four-time All-Pro is attached to his $19.05MM-per-year accord. That is the second most lucrative deal for off-ball linebackers, behind only Roquan Smith. Warner is on the books for another two years, but his $17.65MM base salaries for 2025 and ’26 are not guaranteed. An extension would provide him with a new round of locked-in money while also reducing scheduled cap charges of $29.17MM and $26.71MM.

Warner has remained durable and productive throughout his seven-year career. The former third-rounder filled the statsheet with 131 tackles, four forced fumbles and a pair of interceptions in 2024. He earned his third consecutive Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro nod as a result while helping his leverage in contract talks. A new agreement moving him to the top of the position’s market will likely be in store if progress is made during negotiations.

San Francisco’s roster has undergone plenty of changes this year (including at the LB spot and others on defense), but an offensive nucleus including notable contracts for Kittle, left tackle Trent Williams, receiver Brandon Aiyuk and Christian McCaffrey is still in place. Purdy’s second contract will bring with it a massive raise and no doubt tie him to the franchise for years to come. As talks continue in that case, it will be interesting to see if Warner’s long-term future also gets worked out sometime this summer.

No Timetable For Investigation Into Ravens K Justin Tucker To Conclude

May 4th, 2025 at 3:22pm CST by Adam La Rose

The NFL’s investigation into Justin Tucker‘s alleged sexual misconduct is ongoing. As the Ravens await its findings, they have another kicker in the fold.

The possibility loomed throughout the pre-draft process that Baltimore would draft a kicker for the first time in franchise history. That proved to be the case with Arizona’s Tyler Loop coming off the board in the sixth round. Now, he and Tucker are in position to compete with one another during training camp. That could change in the wake of the NFL’s investigation coming to an end, but it remains to be seen when that will be the case.

“I think that right now they’re both on the roster,” general manager Eric DeCosta said of Tucker and Loop when speaking to the media after the draft (via ESPN’s Jamison Hensley). “It was a situation for us where we’re just trying to find the best football players, so we’re excited to see what [Loop] can do. He’ll be here… [and we will] get a chance to see his leg and that will help us address what our decision-making is going to be moving forward.”

Tucker has been accused of inappropriate conduct during message sessions by a total of 16 Baltimore-area therapists. The 35-year-old has denied any wrongdoing on two occasions, but his future with the Ravens was already a talking point during the 2024 campaign based on his play. Tucker’s 73.3% accuracy rate on field goals was by far the worst of his 13-year career. A strong return to form took place toward the end of the campaign and through the playoffs after a mid-season slump, but there is an argument to be made a change at the position is in order based strictly on football reasons.

DeCosta noted in his post-draft press conference there is no timetable in place for the league’s investigation to conclude. Amidst the uncertainty surrounding Tucker’s situation, head coach John Harbaugh noted (via Hensley) the seven-time Pro Bowler was informed by the team a kicker could be drafted this spring. Especially now that Loop is in place, a Tucker release could very well be something to watch for.

Three years remain on the five-time All-Pro’s contract, with scheduled salaries ranging from $4.2MM to $5.15MM during that span. None of Tucker’s outstanding base salaries are guaranteed, though, and cutting him after June 1 would free up funds for Baltimore. Proceeding with a release past that date would generate $4.2MM in cap savings while incurring a dead money charge of $2.87MM.

Loop’s field goal percentage declined each season in college, but his leg strength – illustrated by a school-record 62-yarder in 2024 – made him a target for the Ravens. Harbaugh reiterated on Sunday (video link via Hensley) the commitment to retaining Tucker or replacing him with Loop will be be a football matter. That remains the case for now, but as Harbaugh noted the NFL has not informed the team about any developments in its investigation. Until that probe is closed, Baltimore’s kicker situation will be unclear.

Chiefs Add 16 UDFAs

May 4th, 2025 at 2:31pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Chiefs made a total of seven selections during the draft, and they will be joined by 16 undrafted free agents at rookie minicamp. Here is a look at Kansas City’s 2025 UDFA class:

Of the names on this list, at least six have received a six-figure commitment from Kansas City. The most lucrative pact – in terms of guarantees – is the one for Briningstool, with Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reporting he received a total of $264K locked in. Watson, meanwhile, landed $249K in guarantees (per Wilson). They will both look to earn a roster spot as a depth tight end option.

Wilson reports Cooper secured a $20K signing bonus as part of his $259K in total guarantees. The 24-year-old spent the first four seasons of his college career at Texas State before playing pair of seasons with the Cowboys. At 6-6 and 326 pounds, he could look to earn a place on the roster as a swing tackle or compete for playing time at guard.

Izzard landed $225K in guarantees, Wilson adds. His 4.85 40-yard dash time from Penn State’s Pro Day is an indication of his athleticism, something which could earn him a spot on the D-tackle depth chart. According to Wilson, meanwhile, Knowles received a $20K signing bonus along with $200K in guaranteed salary.

Czaplicki’s base salary for 2025 includes $95K locked in; Wilson adds his pact also contains a $5K signing bonus. Matt Araiza operated as the Chiefs’ punter last season, producing a net average of 41.5 net yards per punt. 25 this season, Araiza will have competition during training camp.

Seahawks HC: Jalen Milroe Is A QB “Through And Through”

May 4th, 2025 at 12:41pm CST by Rory Parks

While one of their West division counterparts, the Raiders, envision a Taysom Hill-like trajectory for college quarterback and 2025 draftee Tommy Mellott, the Seahawks do not have the same plan for Jalen Milroe, whom Seattle selected in the third round of last month’s draft. As Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic writes, the ‘Hawks see Milroe as a true quarterback at the professional level (subscription required).

“The way [the Saints] used [Hill] was more in a tight end-fullback hybrid role, sometimes taking snaps; [Milroe] is a quarterback through and through,” head coach Mike Macdonald said. “He’s going to be trained to play quarterback for us. When he’s in there, he’s going to be playing quarterback. But the athleticism is going to come to life when he’s on the field.”

As opposed to Mellott, an FCS product, Milroe made a name for himself at blue-blood Alabama, so it stands to reason that he would be given every opportunity to succeed as a passer despite his rawness in that regard and his athletic gifts that could make him a dynamic, Swiss Army-type weapon. His arm strength, coupled with his attitude and intelligence, give the Seahawks reason to believe they can develop him into a quality NFL quarterback.

That does not mean the ‘Hawks will eschew Milroe’s athleticism while he is learning the professional game and honing his mechanics. GM John Schneider said his club has “added an explosive weapon while [Milroe] develops as a quarterback,” and Macdonald also implied the team would deploy Milroe in “certain situations” early on.

If Milroe shows notable progress in his rookie campaign, the Seahawks will be put to a fascinating decision in 2026. Free agent signee Sam Darnold joined the club on a three-year, $100.5MM contract on the heels of his belated breakout season with the Vikings, but he is not due any fully-guaranteed money on that deal after the 2025 season. Drew Lock, meanwhile, was brought back to Seattle on a modest two-year pact that is easily escapable next year. So Milroe has a real opportunity to ascend the depth chart in short order should he demonstrate an ability to live up to his vast potential.

In each of his last two seasons with the Crimson Tide, Milroe threw for more than 2,800 yards. During that timeframe, the now 22-year-old passer tallied 39 touchdowns through the air and another 32 scores on the ground.

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