PFR Originals News & Rumors

May marks the beginning of voluntary practices around the NFL, with rookie minicamps kicking things off. Plenty of unanswered questions remain with respect to veterans, but the past few days have seen a number of interesting developments. In case you missed this week’s top stories, here is a quick recap:

• Hall, Jets Agree To Extension: To help ensure outside teams would not submit an offer sheet this offseason, the Jets placed the franchise tag on Breece Hall. GM Darren Mougey pointed to the post-draft period of the spring as a target for an extension to be worked out, though, and a deal is now in place. Hall agreed to a three-year, $45.75MM contract which will take the place of his tag. The pact contains $29MM in guarantees, all of which will be paid out across 2026 and ’27. The final year of the pact is thus far from assured, but Hall is in line to receive roughly the same as he would have by playing on two straight tags. His effective average annual value of $14.5MM ranks fourth among all running backs and marks a sharp rise from his rookie contract. Hall, 25 later this month, is coming off his first 1,000-yard rushing campaign and he will be counted on as an offensive focal point moving forward.
• Broncos Extend Paton: 2026 represented the final year of Broncos general manager George Paton‘s deal, and an extension loomed as a distinct possibility during the offseason. As expected, a new agreement has been reached. Paton finalized a five-year contract to remain in Denver, where he has been leading the front office since 2021. The Broncos’ run of losing seasons continued during Paton’s first three years, but the team has steadily improved recently. Denver reached the playoffs in 2024 and topped the AFC’s regular-season standings last year. A strong tandem between Paton and head coach Sean Payton has yielded success, and those two will continue working together well into the future.
• Colts Follow Through With Moore Release: Earlier this offseason, Kenny Moore requested a trade. No swap took place, setting up the Colts to proceed with a release in his case. The nine-year veteran asked to be cut following the draft, and the team has granted the request. Moore, 30, saw his role diminish during Lou Anarumo‘s first year in place as defensive coordinator. A new scheme fit will be sought out deep into the offseason. Moore earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2021 and has been a regular in the slot throughout his career. Teams eyeing cornerback depth could show interest at least around the time when training camps begin.
• Jennings Signs With Vikings: One player who did not wind up staying on the market through to July is Jauan Jennings. The veteran wideout has taken a one-year deal with the Vikings. Minnesota authorized $8MM in base pay for Jennings, who can earn up to $13MM in 2026. It became clear this spring a return to the 49ers would not be taking place in this case, and the five-year San Francisco contributor remained unsigned thanks to a tepid market. The Vikings already have Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison in place at the WR spot, but Jennings will look to serve as a productive complementary option in the passing game. Minnesota’s offense currently faces uncertainty at the quarterback position, of course. Nevertheless, strong play under center could set Jennings up for a robust free agent spell in 2027.
• New NFLRA CBA Agreement Reached: The threat of replacement officials handling NFL games has been removed. The league and the NFL Referees Association have finalized a new collective bargaining agreement. Recent progress resulted in a deal being struck; an increase in pay to officials will be taking place over the course of the seven-year pact. The league managed to secure several objectives, such as increases in access to officials during the offseason, a bench of new referees and larger sway in giving playoff assignments based on performance over seniority. The two sides traded public barbs earlier this offseason in a sign a deal was not imminent, with plans being laid for replacements to be called upon. That will no longer be necessary, however.

With the draft in the books, teams around the NFL have turned their attention to spring practices. Plenty of roster and front office movement has already taken place, with more still to come. In case you missed any of the top stories from this past weekend, here is a quick recap:

• Texans, Al-Shaair Reach Extension Agreement: Not long after the Texans worked out a market-setting extension with edge rusher Will Anderson Jr., they secured a long-term deal with linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair. The latter agreed to a three-year deal with a base value of $54MM. Al-Shaair landed $34.2MM in new guarantees, so in terms of average annual value and locked-in compensation, he now ranks third among inside linebackers. The 2025 Pro Bowler has been a starter during his two Houston seasons to date, filling the statsheet during that time. Al-Shaair will be expected to remain a key figure on the Texans’ elite defense for the foreseeable future.
• Campbell Reunites With Ravens: Calais Campbell has elected to play a 19th NFL season, and he will do so on a familiar team. A deal with the Ravens has been worked out, meaning Campbell will return to Baltimore after playing there from 2020-22. A coaching change has taken place since then, but a notable workload would come as little surprise upon return from the 2010s All-Decade Team member. Campbell has remained a starter deep into his storied career, and he could play a key role on the Ravens’ defensive interior. Even if Nnamdi Madubuike returns to full health in 2026, improved play along the D-line will be key for Baltimore. Campbell should figure heavily in the team’s efforts to rebound in that regard.
• Steelers’ Rodgers Uncertainty Remains: Once again, the Steelers find themselves uncertain of their starting quarterback situation with Aaron Rodgers yet to sign. A deal allowing the future Hall of Famer to play a second Pittsburgh campaign remains the expectation, but the team has taken the rare route of applying the UFA tender in this case. The Steelers will be eligible for draft compensation in the unlikely event Rodgers signs with another team shortly, while they will have exclusive negotiating rights beyond July 22 if he is still a free agent by that time. This procedural move could set Rodgers up further for a decision on retirement or playing his age-42 season under new Pittsburgh head coach Mike McCarthy, and no changes in stance from team or player are believed to have taken place since it was made.
• Brinker Departs Titans: After a three-year run with the Titans, Chad Brinker has elected to step down from his role as president of football operations. Brinker served as a key figure amidst ongoing front office changes during his time in Tennessee, but he was among the staffers around the league whose tenures came to an end following the draft. The Titans have 2025 hire Mike Borgonzi in place as their general manager at this time. He and Brinker played leading roles in the recent search which resulted in the hiring of head coach Robert Saleh. Borgonzi’s influence in the organization figures to grow moving forward, while Brinker intends to seek out a new personnel role elsewhere in the NFL.
• Commanders Not Eyeing Aiyuk Trade With 49ers: The fate of 49ers wideout Brandon Aiyuk remains uncertain aside from a parting of ways still being anticipated. San Francisco’s preference would be to work out a trade, while suitors continue to wait for an Aiyuk release. Critically, the Commanders are among the teams which are not prepared to part with draft capital and take on the remainder of his through-2028 contract. Washington is instead positioned to sign Aiyuk following his release to a short-term, incentive-laden deal. An arrangement allowing Aiyuk to reunite with quarterback Jayden Daniels and general manager Adam Peters is still something to watch for, but a long wait could be in store if neither team wavers over the coming weeks.

As always, the NFL draft produced a number of interesting developments with rookie selections as well as veteran player movement. In case you missed some of the top stories from around the league this past week, here is a quick recap:

• Draft Produces Rams’ Simpson Pick, Other Surprises: It did not take long for the second quarterback to come off the board on Thursday night, with the Rams taking Ty Simpson 13th overall. Many were surprised by Los Angeles’ decision, one which will provide the team with a Matthew Stafford successor if things pan out. Connections with the Alabama passer persisted through the lead-in to the draft, but the Rams were expected to target more immediate help for an attempted Super Bowl run in 2026. Instead, general manager Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay agreed to proceed with the Simpson selection. Other notable draft developments included highly-rated cornerback Jermod McCoy dropping to the Raiders in the fourth round due to medical concerns along with several teams making depth QB investments (such as the Steelers with Drew Allar and the Chiefs with Garrett Nussmeier).
• Eagles, Vikings Finalize Greenard Trade: The Eagles were known to be seeking a pass rush addition well before the draft started. During the event’s second day, to little surprise, a trade agreement was reached with the Vikings to acquire the former Pro Bowler. Greenard and a 2026 seventh-round pick went to Philadelphia for a pair of third-rounders (this year and next). Upon arrival with the Eagles, Greenard – who had been seeking a raise in Minnesota – agreed to a four-year, $100MM extension. The 28-year-old is in line to collect $50MM guaranteed as a result of the new deal. Greenard (who totaled 24.5 sacks between the 2023 and ’24 seasons) will be tasked with helping replace the edge rush production lost when Jaelan Phillips departed in free agency.
• No Cowboys Extension, Trade Expected For Pickens: Shortly before the first round began, it was learned the Cowboys will not negotiate with wideout George Pickens on a long-term deal. The franchise tag recipient has until mid-July to sign an extension, but none will be forthcoming unless talks resume. Pickens, 25, is set to sign his tender and thus become eligible for a trade. However, Dallas does not intend to move on in this case. The Cowboys are scheduled to pay Pickens $27.3MM in 2026, making him an expensive partner for CeeDee Lamb next season. Keeping that tandem in place for the long term would cost even more, and it remains to be seen if the team is prepared to do so. Meanwhile, Pickens signing the tag will obligate him to attend events like mandatory minicamp in June and training camp the following month.
• Williams Agrees To New 49ers Deal: The 49ers managed to accomplish their goal of settling the Trent Williams situation in time for the draft. Team and player agreed to a two-year, $50MM extension. The new deal contains $37MM in guarantees and will set up Williams to continue serving as San Francisco’s left tackle through at least 2027. The 12-time Pro Bowler was in line to carry an untenable cap charge for this season without a new agreement, and he managed to secure a notable figure in terms of locked-in compensation once more. Williams is entering his age-38 campaign, but he will be expected to remain one of the league’s top blockers deep into his career. Doing so would go a long way in helping the 49ers return to the playoffs in 2026.
• Reed Lands Packers Extension: Jayden Reed was set to enter 2026 as the final year of his rookie contract. A potential free agent departure will not be taking place, though, with the fourth-year wideout agreeing to a Packers extension. Green Bay authorized $50.25MM in new money on a three-year contract, including $20MM guaranteed. Reed, 26, later this month, is thus under team control through 2029. He was limited to just seven games last season, but a return to full health could see Reed reprise his role as a focal point in Green Bay’s passing game. The Packers traded away Dontayvion Wicks, whereas Reed is joined by Christian Watson as a member of the team’s young receiving corps who has landed a deal beyond his rookie pact.

The lead-up to the draft often sees a number of high-profile developments (through player movement or contract extensions) around the league. 2026 has proven to be no different. In case you missed any of this week’s top stories, here’s a quick recap:

• Bengals Acquire, Extend Lawrence: Dexter Lawrence‘s desire for a change of scenery has resulted in a trade. The Pro Bowl defensive tackle has been dealt from the Giants to the Bengals in a swap sending the 10th overall pick to New York. Upon arrival in Cincinnati, Lawrence has agreed to a one-year, $28MM extension; he is therefore on the books through 2028. The Giants were unable to work out a new deal in this case for the second offseason in a row, leading to a breakdown between team and player. Observers have expressed surprise over the value New York managed to receive, and the team will now enter the draft with two top-10 selections. The Bengals, meanwhile, have continued to substantially reshape their defense in 2026. Lawrence will be counted on occupy a major role for the foreseeable future.
• Anderson Signs Market-Setting Texans Extension: Recent reporting suggested Will Anderson Jr. could reset the pass rush market with his Texans extension and reach the $50MM-per-year mark. He has managed to do just that by agreeing to a three-year, $150MM deal. Anderson expectedly had his fifth-year option picked up earlier this spring, meaning this monster extension will keep him under team control through 2030. The former Defensive Rookie of the Year secured $100MM fully guaranteed on his new contract, and his AAV is comfortably the most in the NFL among edge rushers. Anderson, 24, set a new career high with 12 sacks en route to first-team All-Pro honors in 2025. He will be expected to anchor Houston’s defense for years to come while holding the title of the league’s top earner for non-quarterbacks.
• Brissett Seeking New Cardinals Deal: The Cardinals finished 2025 with Jacoby Brissett atop the quarterback depth chart. That is set to remain the case for next season, with Kyler Murray having been traded and Gardner Minshew in place as a backup. Brissett is currently absent from voluntary offseason work while seeking a deal worth that of a QB1. The 33-year-old is owed $5.44MM for 2026 as things stand, nowhere near the market for mid-level starters. On the other hand, Arizona is seen as a prime landing spot for Ty Simpson, who could be viewed as a candidate to develop as a rookie before taking the reins in 2027. That setup would limit the team’s need to make a new investment in Brissett or its urgency to provide short-term incentives.
• Eagles Still Expected To Trade Brown: An A.J. Brown trade has long been a talking point this offseason, even with the Eagles repeatedly trying to downplay speculation in his case. A swap would be far more feasible after June 1 for cap purposes, and a widespread expectation still exists that Philadelphia will move forward with a trade beyond that date. Philadelphia has added Marquise Brown and Elijah Moore in free agency in addition to acquiring Dontayvion Wicks via trade. Those moves have been seen as precursors to a deal sending A.J. Brown elsewhere, something which would end his decorated (but not scandal-free) tenure as an Eagle. A notable WR investment early in the upcoming draft would certainly point further in the direction of Philadelphia eventually dealing Brown.
• Chargers Likely To Retain Johnston: Quentin Johnston has previously been the subject of trade rumors, but he remains on course to play for the Chargers next season. GM Joe Hortiz stated no calls with outside teams have taken place regarding the wideout’s availability, reducing the chances of any swap being worked out. Johnston has drawn criticism early in his career, though the former first-rounder has increased his yardage and efficiency in each of his three Los Angeles seasons while totaling 16 touchdowns over the past two years. Notably, Hortiz added no final decision has been made on Johnston’s fifth-year option covering 2027. Picking up the option would cost $18.1MM for that season, a sharp raise but something the Bolts may be willing to commit to if they keep him in the fold for now.