HEADLINES

Bengals Likely To Release Germaine Pratt?

May 1st, 2025 at 10:35am CST by Adam La Rose

Throughout the offseason, Germaine Pratt has represented a cut candidate for the Bengals. The veteran linebacker remains in the fold for now, but that may soon change.

Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic writes it “shouldn’t be long until” Pratt is released by Cincinnati (subscription required). Cutting the six-year veteran (before or after June 1) would yield $5.85MM in cap savings while generating $2.33MM in dead money. One season remains on Pratt’s contract.

The NC State product made nine starts as a rookie and he has remained a fixture on defense ever since. Pratt – who turns 29 later this month – set a new career high with 143 tackles last season. The Bengals have Logan Wilson in place as the anchor of the LB unit for 2025 and beyond, though, and the draft brought about a pair of additions at the position. That includes Demetrius Knight Jr., who will likely find himself in a starting role if/when Cincinnati moves forward with a Pratt release.

The latter requested a trade in February, but to no surprise teams have proven to be unwilling to pursue a deal in his case. With Pratt on track to be released, suitors can of course wait for him to become a free agent in the post-draft market. Cincinnati has Wilson and Knight in place, along with Barrett Carter – selected in the fourth round of the draft – and free agent signing Oren Burks. It would come as no surprise if the team entered training camp with that core group not including Pratt.

If the former third-rounder is indeed let go, he will join a free agent linebacker group which also features Shaq Thompson, Kyzir White, Ja’Whaun Bentley and De’Vondre Campbell. As the Bengals sort through their depth chart in the wake of the draft, Pratt’s situation remains one to watch.

Bills Hoping To Extend RB James Cook

May 1st, 2025 at 9:42am CST by Ely Allen

MAY 1: During an interview with Go Long’s Tyler Dunne (subscription requred), Beane said Cook has “got to still show he’s… the guy we saw if he wants to get that pay day. Either from us or someone else.” A repeat of the production seen in 2023 and ’24 may therefore be needed for Buffalo to make a long-term commitment. Beane added he views the top tier of running backs as a small group; it will be interesting to see if Cook joins it this offseason or if the team continues to wait on an extension.

APRIL 29: A big topic of the offseason in Buffalo has been centered around the contract desires of running back James Cook, who has been vocal about wanting a contract extension to help him get out of his rookie deal. Cook made the decision to skip the team’s voluntary workouts this month, potentially marking the start of a hold out. General manager Brandon Beane, though, has confidence that Cook’s situation will be resolved with an extension eventually.

In an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show today, Beane told McAfee that Cook “will be here this year and hopefully beyond,” according to Michael David Smith of NBC Sports.

A second-round pick from 2022, the Georgia product has improved each season of his career. A rookie season behind Devin Singletary saw him rush for only 507 yards and two touchdowns, adding 180 yards and a score through the air. In 2023, Cook took over as the starter and turned in a 1,000-yard rushing season (1,122 yards, to be exact) but only scored two rushing touchdowns, though he added 445 yards and four scores in the air.

Last year, Cook put it all together. In 16 games, he rushed for 1,009 yard and led the NFL with 16 rushing touchdowns. He added 258 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns, as well. These efforts on an average salary of $1.46MM per year just aren’t adding up for Cook.

Cook is on record as seeking a salary of $15MM per year, which would make him the third highest-paid running back in the NFL, behind only Saquon Barkley and Christian McCaffrey. Given the amount of tread still left on his 25-year-old tires, a raise certainly makes sense, but apart from the league-leading rushing touchdowns last season, it’s hard to argue that Cook has contributed as much as Barkley or McCaffrey in his career.

Still, Beane seems to be willing to play ball on extension conversations. He seems willing to take his time, though, as well, considering Cook has another year on his contract (and a franchise tag has been a popular option for keeping running backs around), but it sounds like Beane has every intention of keeping his star rusher happy to keep him in the building.

Eagles Decline G Kenyon Green’s Fifth-Year Option

May 1st, 2025 at 8:57am CST by Adam La Rose

Kenyon Green has not developed as hoped in the NFL, as illustrated by the fact he has already been traded. The former Texans guard now finds himself on track for 2026 free agency, to no surprise.

The Eagles are declining Green’s fifth-year option, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Exercising it would have locked Philadelphia into a $16.69MM commitment for the 2026 season, which would not be feasible given his performances to date. The former No. 15 pick missed all of the 2023 season due to a shoulder injury and has not met expectations when on the field.

[RELATED: Fifth-Year Option Tracker]

Green made 14 starts during his rookie season, a year in which he was charged by PFF with four sacks and 47 pressures allowed. Upon returning from the injury in 2024, he remained a key figure on Houston’s offensive line (nine starts in 12 games). Once again, however, pass protection was an issue; Green was one of several interior blockers who struggled during the year and contributed to the Texans’ underwhelming offensive performance. Part of the team’s renovations up front included the decision to move on from Green.

The Texas A&M product was traded to the Eagles in March as part of a package which saw safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson head to Houston. Green will compete for a starting spot at right guard after seeing Mekhi Becton thrive in that role in 2024. The former Jets first-rounder parlayed his one-and-done Eagles campaign into a two-year, $20MM pact with the Chargers. It would certainly be notable if that feat were to be repeated in Green’s case during the coming campaign.

At a minimum, the 24-year-old will give the defending Super Bowl champions depth along the interior of the offensive line. Tyler Steen represents a candidate to win out the RG gig over Green, especially considering how late in the draft Philadelphia added rookies up front. Remaining healthy will be a key target for Green, and he could help his market value with a strong showing in Philadelphia.

In the event a first-team role proves to be elusive, though, free agency will no doubt be limited next spring. The Eagles now have four offensive linemen attached to lucrative deals, and another major commitment would come as a surprise if it were made in Green or another blocker.

Jets QB Jordan Travis To Retire

April 30th, 2025 at 11:05pm CST by Sam Robinson

Jordan Travis will not end up continuing as a Jets reserve quarterback into a second season. He has informed the team of an intention to retire.

The former Florida State quarterback, who suffered a gruesome ankle injury in November 2023, will land on the Jets’ reserve/retired list. Chosen in last year’s fifth round, Travis said medical personnel have advised he leave the game.

“On November 18, 2023, my life took an unexpected turn,” Travis said in a statement. “I gave everything I had to the rehab process but despite all my efforts, my leg never responded the way we hoped. After much prayer and consultation with the doctors, medical experts and my agent, I’ve been medically advised to retire from the game I love so deeply.”

Multiple updates coming out of New York indicated Travis’ rehab route had not advanced as the team hoped. Then-interim HC Jeff Ulbrich said Travis had endured multiple setbacks during his rehab, and a pre-draft offering added that the team’s former coaching staff may have played a role in the effort not going smoothly. Travis’ agent said the pressure on last year’s coaching staff led to the team rushing the rookie, and the former high-end college passer’s ankle did not respond well.

Regardless of the timeline, it certainly appears Travis suffered a career-ending injury nearly 18 months ago. That injury kept Florida State out of the 2023 College Football Playoff field, which remained a four-team bracket that year, and hurt the QB’s draft stock. While Hendon Hooker rebounded to become the Lions’ backup QB last year, after a November 2022 ACL tear affected his draft stock, Travis will not be as fortunate. Travis sustained a fractured and dislocated ankle early in a game against Division I-FCS North Alabama, and extensive fallout emerged.

Travis, who transferred from Louisville to Florida State during a six-year college stay, spent last season on the Jets’ reserve/NFI list. He ended his Seminoles career No. 1 in school history in total offense (10,655 yards) and touchdowns (99), breaking former Heisman winner Chris Weinke‘s career records. Florida State had started 10-0 on the back of its veteran starter. When Travis went down, he was sitting on a 20-2 TD:INT ratio. The Jets believed he could have been a Day 2 pick had the injury not occurred, SNY’s Connor Hughes tweets.

The Jets have Tyrod Taylor positioned as Justin Fields‘ backup. While rumors persisted the team could use a Day 2 or Day 3 pick on a passer, no move materialized. One season remains on Taylor’s contract. Second-year UDFA Adrian Martinez is also on the team’s roster at quarterback.

Matthew Stafford’s Rams Reworking Includes Guarantee Bumps

April 30th, 2025 at 11:01pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Rams and Matthew Stafford agreed on another reworked deal earlier this year, ending the trade storyline and ensuring the talented quarterback would return for a fifth season in Los Angeles. Some details on the QB’s contract adjustment have finally surfaced.

Stafford is still tied to a $40MM-per-year deal, but the Rams are boosting his guarantee total by a significant degree. Of the $80MM remaining on the contract, Stafford will see $56MM fully guaranteed, according to OverTheCap. This updated package includes $20MM guaranteed this year and, more significantly regarding the QB’s future, $16MM guaranteed in 2026.

It would now cost the Rams $35.37MM in 2026 dead money were they to trade Stafford before June 1 next year. The team also dropped Stafford’s cap number to $40.97MM via the use of void years. While Stafford’s contract still runs through 2026, eight void years are now included in the deal. They will spread out Stafford’s option bonuses through 2027, per OverTheCap. The QB’s 2025 cap hit was to be $49.67MM before this adjustment.

It took some doing to reach this point. The Rams allowed Stafford to explore trades, and the Giants and Raiders (among others) expressed interest to the point they had high-guarantee packages ready. New York and Las Vegas stayed in this race until the end, when the 37-year-old QB opted not to venture into an uncertain situation. After all, Sean McVay has played a big part in elevating the former No. 1 pick’s profile due to the team success the Rams have achieved since the January 2021 trade. Stafford leaving his L.A. setup to be part of less talented Giants or Raiders teams did not make that much sense, but the QB has sought a better deal in each of the past two offseasons. This included a $50MM-per-year ask this offseason. Rather than go there, the Rams will instead lock in much of the QB’s money remaining on his current contract.

Stafford landed here because he gave the Rams a discount upon signing a four-year, $160MM extension in 2022. The Super Bowl LVI winner could have pushed for more, given his status and where the market was headed at that time, but he left money on the table to help the Rams build a better roster around him. This soon led to the team rewarding Cooper Kupp and Aaron Donald. Stafford, however, likely grew to regret his decision — based on two years of angling for better arrangements.

The Giants were prepared to give Stafford a deal that included at least $50MM in per-year salary, while the Raiders’ Tom Brady-powered push was also believed to be high on guarantees. Both teams were viewed as willing to guarantee Stafford at least $90MM over two years. The Rams have not done that, but the QB opted for comfort over uncertainty.

Those teams’ pursuits make this year’s Stafford reworking a more player-friendly adjustment compared to 2024, when the Rams agreed to move $5MM from future years into his ’24 package. This adjustment also included a $4MM roster bonus. The 2025 redo brings a much bigger commitment, which Stafford has been seeking from the Rams. It would seem likely the sides will be at it again in 2025, though the experienced passer is not assured of playing beyond this season. The updated guarantee numbers would provide a better reason to do so, however.

No strong retirement rumors have emerged just yet, however, and Stafford has bounced back from his injury-plagued 2022 to reestablish his value. The Rams also did not draft a quarterback this year, continuing to delay their search for an heir apparent. That decision and this contract reworking illustrates the team remains a Stafford-centric operation.

Ravens Exercise Kyle Hamilton’s Fifth-Year Option, Decline Tyler Linderbaum’s

April 30th, 2025 at 11:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

One of the safest fifth-year option bets this year, the Ravens are indeed exercising Kyle Hamilton‘s. This will push the All-Pro safety’s contract through 2026.

Baltimore’s other 2022 first-round standout, however, will not see his deal extended beyond 2025. The Ravens declined center Tyler Linderbaum‘s option. The Ravens are interested in extensions with both, but the option decision may make a Linderbaum payday a front-burner matter for the defending AFC North champions, as he is now in a contract year.

Teams have until 3pm CT Thursday to decide on options for 2022 first-round picks. Hamilton becomes the 19th player in this class to see his option exercised. This marks an increase from 2021, when 15 players saw their options picked up. Though, teams were quicker to extend some of their 2021 first-rounders by last year’s option deadline. Thus far, only the Texans (Derek Stingley Jr.) have done so for a 2022 first-round pick.

Hamilton, 24, will see an $18.6MM fifth-year option number due to being named to two Pro Bowls on the original ballot. Although no safeties were franchise-tagged this year, that amount doubles as the tag number at the position. Hamilton has become one of the NFL’s best safeties, and his extension floor undoubtedly will be a record-setting deal. Linderbaum joins Hamilton in being a two-time Pro Bowler. That worked against the Ravens with the option, as it would have cost them $20.99MM. That matches Trey Smith‘s franchise tag value this year.

The Ravens landed Hamilton with their own draft choice (No. 14) three years ago; they picked up Linderbaum through a savvy trade. Although Baltimore’s draft-night wide receiver trade became overshadowed by Philadelphia’s A.J. Brown swap, the AFC North team managed to land a first-rounder in a deal involving Marquise Brown. The Cardinals sent the Ravens No. 23 overall as the headline asset in the Brown trade package, and Baltimore then moved down two spots (as Buffalo moved up for Kaiir Elam) to snag its next starting center at 25.

Excelling in myriad capacities for the Ravens, Hamilton has been as advertised for a Ravens team that just used another first-round pick on a safety (Georgia’s Malaki Starks). He will pair with Hamilton, whose role changed a bit because the Ravens were unable to rely on big-ticket free agent signing Marcus Williams and lower-end addition Eddie Jackson. Both are out of the picture, leaving Hamilton and Starks as the team’s back-line anchors.

Hamilton intercepted four passes, posted 10 tackles for loss and notched three sacks in 2023. This rocketed Mike Macdonald‘s defense to No. 1 overall, as the Notre Dame product soared to first-team All-Pro honors. Hamilton still secured second-team All-Pro accolades last season, but his INT and TFL counts (one, four) did not approach his lofty 2023 performance. Hamilton did force two fumbles last season, and the Ravens will count on him once again.

Another strong season will put Hamilton in line to perhaps approach $25MM per year, as a gap between he and the field — which is currently headlined by Kerby Joseph‘s $21.25MM AAV — may become warranted.

The only center chosen in the 2022 first round, Linderbaum has become a stalwart for a Ravens line that has seen changes persist around him. Although Baltimore has retained Ronnie Stanley, the team has seen its left tackle run into steady injury trouble. The LG, RG and RT positions have also fluctuated in Maryland, amplifying Linderbaum’s importance. The Iowa alum has started 49 games, earning Pro Bowl honors (on the original ballot, which triggered the first-tier option price) in each of the past two seasons.

ESPN’s pass block win rate metric slotted Linderbaum fourth among all O-linemen last season, while Pro Football Focus rated him third at the position. PFF highlighted Linderbaum’s run blocking, as Derrick Henry motored to a 1,900-yard season despite having turned 30. Linderbaum being instrumental in that effort stands to make him a candidate to eclipse Creed Humphrey‘s center-record $18MM-per-year extension.

The fourth-year Raven’s rising value likely made this a somewhat difficult call for Baltimore, which will need to work out a deal by next March. No center has been franchise-tagged in the past 15 years. The team has some breathing room with Hamilton, as a Linderbaum pact will be required earlier to keep him out of free agency. Barring a significant change, Hamilton has no realistic path to the market.

Bills To Sign WR Elijah Moore

April 30th, 2025 at 10:59pm CST by Sam Robinson

Elijah Moore‘s Buffalo visit will produce a deal. The Bills are bringing in the former Jets and Browns wide receiver, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reports.

The veteran slot receiver can earn up to $5MM on a one-year deal. Moore, who visited the Bills on Monday, will follow former Chargers starter Josh Palmer as Bills WR additions this offseason. While the Browns applied a UFA tender to Moore before Monday’s deadline (regarding the 2026 compensatory formula), he has a deal in place more than two months before that tender would have given Cleveland exclusive negotiating rights.

As Cleveland aims for a potential comp pick for Moore’s Buffalo defection, the Bills have added an intriguing piece to Josh Allen‘s weaponry cadre. Palmer has regularly played in the slot, though he has shown ability on the perimeter as well, while the team still employs ex-Carolina and Washington inside receiver Curtis Samuel. Moore joins a suddenly crowded position group, one headlined by recently extended slot anchor Khalil Shakir and 2024 second-rounder Keon Coleman.

A post-draft Brandon Beane radio interview (via ESPN.com’s Alaina Getzenberg) involved the Bills’ GM taking exception to hosts’ questioning of his receiver strategy. (The team waited until Round 7 to draft a wideout this year.) While no one among Buffalo’s receiving corps has proven to be on Stefon Diggs‘ level, Shakir has overachieved based on his fifth-round pedigree. Shakir has become Allen’s top target, while the Bills will be expecting Coleman to take a leap as an outside receiver this season. Though, Shakir, Palmer, Samuel and now Moore does create a bit of a logjam in the slot.

The Bills did not draft a receiver this year, helping explain this post-draft signing, and they have not re-signed Amari Cooper. While that was mentioned as a possibility months ago, the Palmer and Moore moves effectively point to Cooper being a 2024 rental. Cooper did not move the needle much in Buffalo, which will try younger options as Shakir complementary pieces.

Moore, 25, showed promise as a Jets rookie, despite playing in an offense featuring an erratic rookie-year Zach Wilson, but did not see eye-to-eye with OC Mike LaFleur by his second season. That brought a trade request. As the Jets moved toward their Aaron Rodgers-fronted roster, they traded Moore to the Browns in a pick-swap deal headlined by a second-rounder changing hands. Moore ran into more QB trouble in Cleveland, which saw its Deshaun Watson trade fail spectacularly. Last season later brought Jameis Winston‘s usual high-variance shtick and an overmatched Dorian Thompson-Robinson post-Watson. Moore finished his Browns tenure with 640- and 538-yard seasons. He totaled 538 with a career-high five TDs in 11 games as a rookie in New York.

There is reason to view Moore as having untapped potential, as he will not turn 26 until next year and has never played with an above-average quarterback (excepting perhaps Joe Flacco‘s Cleveland cameo). The Bills will hope so, and they have him at a low rate (compared to Palmer’s three-year, $30MM pact). Samuel’s three-year, $24MM deal a fully guaranteed $6.91MM 2025 salary, making it likely he is back. It will be interesting to see how this receiver situation shakes out this offseason, as Hollins played a regular role for the Bills despite Cooper’s addition.

Colts Notes: Warren, Leonard, Carlies, Wohler

April 30th, 2025 at 10:52pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Colts general manager Chris Ballard has established an affinity for trading back in the draft, particularly in the second round.

He moved back in the second round in the last three drafts, adding extra picks to select Bernhard Raimann and Andrew Ogletree in 2022, Adetomiwa Adebawore in 2023, and Anthony Gould in 2024.

This year, however, the Colts declined multiple opportunities to trade back in the first two days of the draft, per Joel Erickson of The Indianapolis Star.

“We were really convicted about who was on the board at the time,” said Ballard, explaining that the team felt they’d be risking a significant drop in talent by moving back. The Colts were enamored with their targets across the first three rounds, selecting Penn State tight end Tyler Warren at No. 14, Ohio State defensive end JT Tuimuoloau at No. 45, and Minnesota cornerback Justin Walley at No. 80.

Indianapolis later traded their fourth-round pick, moving back 10 slots to pick up an extra sixth-rounder that was used on Alabama defensive tackle Tim Smith.

Minor NFL Transactions: 4/30/25

April 30th, 2025 at 9:08pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Here are today’s minor moves from around the NFL:

Carolina Panthers

  • Signed: DE Mapalo Mwansa

Dallas Cowboys

Jacksonville Jaguars

Kansas City Chiefs

Minnesota Vikings

New York Jets

Pittsburgh Steelers

  • Released: LB Thomas Rush

Giants Notes: Manning, Carter, Nubin, Neal

April 30th, 2025 at 8:23pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Giants announced that they were looking to sell a “minority, non-controlling” ownership stake in the team in February. Now, a franchise legend is interested buying into his former team.

Eli Manning is putting together a bid for the available shares in the Giants, according to Gillian Tan and Randall Williams of Bloomberg, looking to become the next former NFL player to become part-owner of a franchise. Tom Brady, who famously lost Super Bowls to Manning’s Giants in 2008 and 2012, became a minority owner of the Raiders last year.

Previous reports have indicated that the Giants would sell as much as a 10% stake. Forbes valued the franchise at $7.3 billion last August, suggesting that a new investment group would need to raise at least $730MM.

Manning has $232.5MM in career earnings, per OverTheCap, plus millions more from endorsements and business ventures, but he will still need deeper pockets to afford that price tag. He has spoken to other NFL players, per Bloomberg, and could also look for interest at Brand Velocity Group, a private equity firm in which he is a partner.

  • New Giants edge rusher Abdul Carter is “ready to go” for rookie mini-camp and OTAs, per ESPN’s Jordan Raanan. The No. 3 pick was rehabbing injuries to his foot and shoulder during the pre-draft process, but will be able to participate in team activities this spring.
  • The Giants are planning to move 2022 first-rounder Evan Neal to guard, according to Paul Schwartz of the New York Post. This confirms a previous report from Raanan that the 24-year-old was “destined” to slide inside. New York declined to pick up his fifth-year option last week and are hoping the position switch will salvage the last year of his rookie contract. Neal last played guard as a true freshman at Alabama in 2019 and has since played exclusively tackle. His struggles blocking out in space in the NFL may be covered up on the interior, where his natural size and strength can play a bigger factor.
  • 2024 second-rounder Tyler Nubin underwent ankle surgery this offseason after an injury sidelined him for the last few games of the 2024 regular season, per Schwartz. His 98 tackles as a rookie ranked second on the Giants despite appearing in just 13 games.
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