Baron Browning

Cardinals Release Xavier Thomas; Baron Browning To Return In Week 13

November 28th, 2025 at 6:46pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Cardinals will have outside linebackers Baron Browning and BJ Ojulari on the field together for the first time this season in Week 13.

Browning is returning from a two-game absence due to a concussion, while Ojulari missed Arizona’s first nine games as he recovered from last year’s knee injury. With both players back in the fold, the Cardinals waived 2024 fifth-rounder Xavier Thomas, per team reporter Darren Urban.

Despite playing 54% of the team’s defensive snaps in his nine appearances, Browning has just 26 tackles, two sacks, and three tackles for loss on the season. However, he has been credited with 22 pressures and a 12.5% pass rush win rate, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required), which both rank third among the Cardinals’ pass rushers. Based on those numbers, he is due for some better production for the rest of the season.

Thomas only appeared in four games this season with 15 snaps on defense and 42 on special teams. As a rookie, Thomas played 208 snaps with 2.5 sacks and two tackles for loss, but the addition of Josh Sweat this offseason and the return of Ojulari in Week 11 pushed him out of the rotation. Thomas will hit waivers and leave a dead cap hit of $93k in 2025 and $186k in 2026.

Cardinals Activate EDGE BJ Ojulari From PUP, Place LB Mack Wilson On IR

November 15th, 2025 at 5:27pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Cardinals activated edge rusher BJ Ojulari from the reserve/physically unable to perform list and placed linebacker Mack Wilson on injured reserve, per team reporter Darren Urban.

Ojulari, a 2023 second-round pick, is coming off a major knee injury suffered during training camp last year. He tore his ACL, LCL, and lateral meniscus; during rehab, he also dealt with a subluxation of his kneecap that required another procedure in June, according to ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss.

The 23-year-old started the 2025 season on the PUP list and was designated to return on October 28. He has only been a limited participant in practice, which might not be enough to take the field for Sunday’s matchup with the 49ers. Even if Ojulari does play, he would likely have a limited workload. That still could be a boost to a Cardinals pass rush that ranks among the bottom 10 defenses in sacks and quarterback hits, especially with Baron Browning sidelined this week by a concussion.

Ojulari appeared in every game as a rookie with a 37% snap share and recorded 40 tackles, five tackles for loss, and four sacks. His 8.1 pass rush productivity and 13.4% pass rush win rate ranked fourth among rookie edge rushers (min. 100 snaps), per Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

Though the Cardinals defense is adding Ojulari, they will be losing a key player in Wilson. He signed with the team in 2024 on a three-year, $12.75MM deal and immediately took over as a starting linebacker. He put together a solid stat line during his debut season in Arizona – 75 tackles, four tackles for loss, three sacks, and five passes defended – but was on pace to crush those numbers this year. Though he has yet to record a sack, he racked up 60 tackles, three tackles for loss, and six passes defended through the first eight games of the season.

Instead of putting up his best production since his rookie year in 2019, Wilson will be on the shelf for at least four games. He suffered a rib injury against the Cowboys and missed last week’s game against the Seahawks. His earliest return would come in Week 15 against the Texans. Until then, fourth-round rookie Cody Simon will start alongside six-year veteran Akeem Davis-Gaither in the middle of the Cardinals defense.

The Cardinals made a few other roster moves to prepare for Sunday’s game, including the promotion of linebacker Jared Bartlett from the practice squad to the active roster. The undrafted rookie was elevated last week for special teams duties and linebacker depth with Wilson sidelined; he should take up the same role against the 49ers.

Cornerback Darren Hall and tight end Pharaoh Brown were elevated from the practice squad. Hall will contribute on special teams and potentially in the secondary with cornerback Will Johnson and safety Dadrion Tayler-Demerson ruled out. Brown, a 31-year-old journeyman, will make his 2025 debut playing for his sixth NFL team, primarily as a run blocker with some run on special teams, too.

NFC Contract Details: Golston, Giants, Bucs, Cowboys, Cards, Panthers, Seahawks, Eagles

March 25th, 2025 at 2:37pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are more contract details from some recently agreed-upon contracts around the NFC in free agency:

Poona Ford, DT (Rams). Three years, $27.6MM. While not quite as high as the $30MM initial report, Ford’s contract includes $15.6MM guaranteed at signing, via OverTheCap. This comes after Ford played the 2024 season for $1.79MM in total. The Rams guaranteed $3.75MM of Ford’s $5MM 2026 base salary at signing. If on Los Angeles’ roster by Day 5 of the ’26 league year, Ford will see the other $1.5MM lock in. If the 29-year-old DT is still on L.A.’s roster on Day 3 of the 2027 league year, a $2.25MM roster bonus is due.
Chauncey Golston, DE (Giants). Three years, $18MM. This is slightly less than initially reported, but The Athletic’s Dan Duggan indicates it comes with $12MM fully guaranteed. The Giants guaranteed Golston’s 2025 and ’26 money.
Baron Browning, LB (Cardinals). Two years, $15MM. Receiving $10MM guaranteed at signing, Browning will see part of his 2026 base salary guaranteed. $2MM of the trade pickup’s $4.39MM 2026 base is locked in at signing, per Cards Wire’s Howard Balzer, who adds a $2MM roster bonus is due on Day 5 of the 2026 league year. The bonus is not guaranteed at signing. If Browning reaches eight sacks in 2025, his 2026 base salary increases by $2MM. Five sacks represents Browning’s highwater mark thus far.
Patrick Jones, LB (Panthers). Two years, $15MM. This is down from the initial report as well, but the ex-Vikings rotational rusher will see $10.25MM guaranteed, The Athletic’s Joe Person tweets. Another $4MM is available via performance-based incentives, per OverTheCap.
Evan Brown, G (Cardinals). Two years, $11.44MM. The Cardinals are guaranteeing Brown $6MM at signing, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets. If the veteran interior O-lineman is on Arizona’s roster by Day 5 of the 2026 league year, he is due a $500K roster bonus.
Akeem Davis-Gaither, LB (Cardinals). Two years, $10MM. Arizona is guaranteeing Davis-Gaither $5MM at signing, Wilson tweets. The veteran linebacker’s $4.39MM 2026 base salary is nonguaranteed, giving the Cardinals an out after one year.
Anthony Nelson, LB (Buccaneers). Two years, $10MM. The Bucs guaranteed Nelson $5.5MM to re-sign, Wilson tweets. Tampa Bay included a $500K roster bonus due on Day 5 of the 2026 league year.
Markquese Bell, S/LB (Cowboys). Three years, $9MM. Bell will be guaranteed $6.2MM at signing, Wilson adds; this covers the young defender’s signing bonus and 2025 and ’26 base salaries.
Jamie Gillan, P (Giants). Three years, $9MM. Down a bit from initial reports, Gillan’s deal includes $4MM guaranteed, Duggan adds. The deal includes $1.2MM via incentives.
Solomon Thomas, DL (Cowboys). Two years, $6MM. The Cowboys guaranteed the former No. 3 overall pick $3MM, Wilson tweets. That covers a signing bonus and his 2025 base salary. An additional $2MM is available through playing time- and sack-based incentives.
Josh Jones, OL (Seahawks). One year, $4MM. Jones will see $3MM guaranteed at signing, per OverTheCap. This is up from his $665K guarantee with the Ravens last year.
Jimmy Garoppolo, QB (Rams). One year, $3MM. The Rams secured Garoppolo for a second season, doing so despite authorizing a pay cut. Garoppolo played out a one-year, $3.19MM deal in 2024. Like in 2024, Garoppolo’s deal is fully guaranteed.
Josh Uche, DE (Eagles). One year, $1.92MM. The Eagles guaranteed Uche $1.25MM, the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane tweets. $500K in sack-based incentives are available. Uche played for $3MM in 2024. Despite this low-value deal, Philly included four void years.

Cardinals Re-Sign OLB Baron Browning

March 9th, 2025 at 12:58pm CST by Ely Allen

The Cardinals didn’t get to see a ton from outside linebacker Baron Browning after trading for him last year. Regardless, they brought him in for a reason and, with that in mind, they will reportedly bring him back in 2025, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The new contract is a two-year, $15MM deal that can be worth up to $19MM. The team has since announced the news.

Howard Balzer of CardsWire commented on an interesting note that the early reports of the deal fail to mention any guaranteed money. While the numbers will eventually come out, the guaranteed numbers may not be super favorable for Browning as he still has plenty to prove after a relatively down 2024 season.

Browning originally came to the NFL as a third-round pick out of Ohio State. The former five-star recruit earned plenty of starts over his first three seasons, logging 26 starts in 38 appearances. As a rookie, the Broncos played Browning exclusively as an off-ball linebacker. He was fairly average in the position, totaling 58 tackles, two tackles for loss, and a quarterback hit.

A year later, Denver moved Browning to an edge rushing role. With eight starts in 14 games at his new position, Browning tallied five sacks, eight tackles for loss, and 12 quarterback hits. In his second year at the new spot, Browning started nine of 10 game appearances, logging 4.5 sacks, four tackles for loss, and nine quarterback hits. Despite slightly lesser stats, albeit in four fewer games, Browning’s analytical evaluation improved greatly in that second year as a pass rusher, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

Despite the early promise Browning showed, Denver seemed to move on from Browning last year in favor of players like Nik Bonitto, Jonathon Cooper, Jonah Elliss, and Dondrea Tillman. Browning had reportedly been seeking a role as a starter that he wasn’t getting in Denver, and the Broncos were not likely to re-sign him. They opted, instead, to trade Browning midseason to the Arizona in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round pick.

The Cardinals followed Denver’s lead, keeping Browning as an edge rusher. Playing in the rotation, the fourth-year player logged two sacks, four tackles for loss, and three quarterback hits in eight games with Arizona. The team was intrigued by what he brought to the table and expressed interest in bringing him back. They’ve now done so, and they’ll see what he has to offer over the next two seasons.

Cardinals To Meet With Roy Robertson-Harris, Want To Re-Sign Baron Browning

March 7th, 2025 at 1:28pm CST by Sam Robinson

One of several Seahawks contributors cut this week, Roy Robertson-Harris is generating some interest within the NFC West. The Cardinals will see about a fit.

The veteran interior defensive lineman is heading to Arizona for a free agency visit Friday, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweets. Robertson-Harris is an eight-year vet who has played with three teams. The Cardinals are still seeking answers along their front seven, with free agency likely to be a key avenue for them to retool there.

The Seahawks cut Robertson-Harris months after acquiring him from the Jaguars via trade. The former Bears UDFA did not see a big role in Seattle, seeing his snap share drop from 50% as a Jaguar to 25% as a Seahawk. Robertson-Harris, 31, tallied two sacks (both with the Jags) last season. Pro Football Focus graded him 81st among interior D-linemen in 2024. For his career, the career-long 3-4 defensive end has 19 to go with 27 tackles for loss and 67 QB hits.

Robertson-Harris (62 career starts) signed two Jags contracts, the second a three-year deal worth $23.4MM. The Cardinals do not have much allocated to their D-linemen, contract-wise, but they did draft Darius Robinson in last year’s first round. L.J. Collier and nose tackle Roy Lopez are due for free agency.

Also carrying questions at outside linebacker, Arizona sent a sixth-round pick to Denver for Baron Browning at the 2024 deadline. The former Broncos third-rounder totaled two sacks in eight Cardinals games last season, and USA Today’s Howard Balzer indicates the Cards do want him back. Browning, 26, will be free to speak with other teams beginning Monday.

Showing intermittent promise in Denver, Browning moved from ILB starter to OLB rotational presence during his Broncos run. While he did end up starting 28 games in Denver — 19 of those at OLB from 2022-24 — injuries played a regular role in limiting the Ohio State alum. Browning missed three games in 2022, seven in 2023 and four in ’24. An offseason knee injury sidelined Browning into the ’23 season, and a foot issue led him to short-term IR last year. The Broncos had just paid Jonathon Cooper, and with Nik Bonitto midway through a breakout year, the team did not plan to re-sign Browning.

Broncos Were Unlikely To Re-Sign Baron Browning; OLB Eyeing Starter’s Role

November 7th, 2024 at 10:04am CST by Adam La Rose

The Broncos’ only deal ahead of the trade deadline saw Baron Browning moved out. The fourth-year edge rusher was sent to the Cardinals as a rental for the second half of the campaign.

Browning yielded only a sixth-round pick in return given his status as a pending free agent. Denver already has Nik Bonitto in place as a starter along the edge along with Jonathan Cooper. The latter was recently extended on a four-year deal with a base value of $54MM, a commitment which suggested Browning would not be in line for a second Broncos contract during the offseason. In addition, the 25-year-old’s playing time had him positioned to remain a backup to close out the 2024 season.

“We had a long talk,” head coach Sean Payton said when reflecting on a conversation involving himself, general manager George Paton and Browning (via Parker Gabriel of the Denver Post). “Contract year, the amount of snaps – he can get more snaps – it’s the puzzle of trying to look outward, too. Certainly, he’s been a part of what we’ve been doing, so it’s never easy to trade someone. I thought just in our visit… [Browning] totally understood and he was looking forward to getting more snaps in a year for him that’s important.”

The Ohio State product transitioned from inside to outside linebacker following his rookie season, and he logged snap shares of 60% and 68% in 2022 and ’23. This season – one which has been limited to five contests due to a foot injury – Browning has been on the field for only 46% of Denver’s defensive plays. With Cooper and Bonitto in the fold, a change of scenery was going to be necessary for Browning to regain a regular first-team role. The opportunity to do so in Arizona is a welcomed one from his perspective.

“I didn’t want to be a distraction to my teammates, be a distraction to my unit back in Denver,” Browning said (Pro Football Talk’s Michael David Smith). “I was just ready for it to be done just to get this fresh start and show what I can do. I know I’m a starter in this league and I know I can play at a high level, so I’m just really excited about this opportunity to do that here.”

Edge rush was known to be an area Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort was targeting, and as such it came as no surprise Browning was acquired. That deal preceded the ones which saw Za’Darius Smith join the Lions and Preston Smith have his trade request granted en route to the Steelers. An effective showing in Arizona will be key for Browning ahead of his first trip to free agency. With no sacks so far this season, an uptick in production would help his chances of landing an extended stay with the Cardinals or strengthen his market amongst other suitors.

Broncos Trade Baron Browning To Cardinals

November 4th, 2024 at 10:14pm CST by Sam Robinson

Although the Broncos are still an AFC playoff contender despite their one-sided loss to the Ravens, Baron Browning‘s name came up as a player the team was willing to move. Those rumors turned out to be prescient.

Browning is indeed being dealt, with NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reporting Denver is sending the outside linebacker to Arizona. The Cardinals will take on the remainder of Browning’s third-round contract, which expires at season’s end. Browning, who had fallen to a reserve role in ex-Cardinal DC Vance Joseph‘s unit, will attempt to help another playoff contender. The Broncos will receive a sixth-round pick for Browning, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Also sitting 5-4, the Cardinals are coming off an impressive defensive performance against the Bears. Arizona dropped Caleb Williams six times, but Jonathan Gannon‘s team entered the season with a limited edge-rushing situation. The Cards lost BJ Ojulari for the season in August, and Dennis Gardeck joined him in being lost for the campaign’s remainder weeks later. Gardeck suffered a torn ACL in October, further stripping pieces from the Cardinals’ OLB corps.

This is an interesting move for both teams. The Cardinals started a multiyear rebuild in 2023, hiring Monti Ossenfort after Steve Keim served in the GM role for 10 years. Ossenfort’s operation remains a work in progress, but it is starting to bear fruit. Gannon’s team has won three straight, and the defense-oriented HC has managed to improve on what was one of the NFL’s worst pass rushes (33 total sacks) in 2023. The Cardinals’ 21 sacks rank in the middle of the pack this season, though Gardeck contributed three to that cause. Only Dante Stills, a 2023 sixth-round pick, has that topped (3.5).

For Denver, this looks like a move to add draft capital without sacrificing a starter to do so. Browning, however, had worked as a starter in 2022 and ’23. He also entered this season as a first-stringer under Joseph, starting two games before going down with a foot injury. Upon return, Browning played behind ex-Ohio State teammate Jonathon Cooper and Nik Bonitto. This trade ensures Bonitto’s starting spot is secure, and even as the Broncos have used rookie third-round pick Jonah Elliss a regular, the Browning trade strips away an experienced piece that has flashed in spurts.

Browning arrived in Denver before Sean Payton, being part of GM George Paton‘s quality 2021 draft class. The Broncos used Browning as an off-ball linebacker as a rookie before moving him to the edge in 2022. Browning replaced Randy Gregory as a starter early that season, teaming with Bradley Chubb. Browning became the team’s lead OLB following the in-season Chubb trade. Browning totaled five sacks in 2022 and 4.5 in ’23, though he missed 10 games due to injury in that span — seven because of an offseason knee injury that kept him out months last year — and then was down for four more this season. Browning has played in each of Denver’s past three games, and the Broncos will cash out. Cooper signed an extension over the weekend, following fellow 2021 draftees Patrick Surtain and Quinn Meinerz in doing so.

The Broncos have made many memorable seller’s trades in recent years. The first wave of moves — those involving Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders and Von Miller — broke up the team’s Super Bowl 50 core. The team has since parted with pieces acquired following that game, trading Chubb to the Dolphins in 2022, Gregory to the 49ers last year and now Browning.

Although this trade may not qualify as a true seller’s move, it comes months after the Broncos dealt trade-rumor mainstay Jerry Jeudy to the Browns. Courtland Sutton has once again appeared in trade rumors, but Denver’s top receiver figures to be hard to pry given the top-heavy makeup of Denver’s current receiving corps.

The Cardinals will deploy Browning in a pass rush group that consists of Stills, converted ILB Zaven Collins, former Seahawks first-rounder L.J. Collier and 2021 sixth-rounder Victor Dimukeje, whose six QB hits lead the team despite the fourth-year player yet to produce a sack this season. He joins Browning in that regard, but with a regular role on tap, the latter will aim to secure a solid second contract while helping a suddenly competitive Arizona club.

Trade Notes: Lions, Ojulari, Browning, Raiders, Neal

November 3rd, 2024 at 10:38pm CST by Adam La Rose

A report from Sunday afternoon indicated the Lions are close to completing a trade for Za’Darius Smith. The veteran Browns edge rusher has long been linked to Detroit, a team which has been on the lookout for help in that area since losing Aidan Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport to major injuries.

Of course, the Lions have explored other options as well. Their process of seeking out suitable targets has included interest in Maxx Crosby, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports. To no surprise, though, the Lions have been told Crosby is unavailable. Raiders owner Mark Davis has made it clear on multiple occasions the three-time Pro Bowler will not be dealt, recently adding that sentiment also applies beyond this year’s deadline.

Detroit could show interest in the likes of Jadeveon Clowney and/or Chase Young, and the Titans’ Arden Key is the most recent name to emerge as a potential target. The members of that group would likely no longer be on the Lions’ radar provided a Smith agreement came to fruition, but they could be in play if that does not turn out to be the case. Detroit’s willingness to aim big by inquiring about Crosby is another indication of the team’s intention of making another deep playoff run in 2024.

Here are some more trade-related notes from around the league:

Neither Darius Slayton nor Azeez Ojulari are believed to have been the subject of any Giants extension talks, pointing further in the direction of one or both being traded. After New York’s Week 9 loss, Ojulari confirmed to Ryan Novozinsky of NJ.com no talks have taken place on the contract front. While that has made him the trade target of multiple teams, the 24-year-old said he prefers to remain with the Giants. Slayton has similarly made public his desire to stay in place despite the team’s 2-7 record, although he has been the subject of trade speculation on multiple occasions over the years. Ojulari could offer a notable rental boost to many teams, but it remains to be seen if the Giants will entertain offers including minimal draft capital.
The Broncos sit at 5-4 on the year after Sunday’s loss. The team might not adopt a firm buyer’s or seller’s stance in advance of the trade deadline, but that could still result in a move being made. Edge rusher Baron Browning has previously been floated as a trade candidate, and his name continues to be mentioned in rumors. Both Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports and Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk report the 25-year-old is a name to watch over the coming days. Browning, who is nearing the end of his rookie contract, wants to remain in Denver, although he recently acknowledged an extension does not seem to be around the corner.
Crosby is off limits, but the Raiders could be open to selling off at other positions with a 2-7 record. Jakobi Meyers is among the receivers who could still be on the move, and plenty of teams who have yet to add in the pass-catching department could be active before the deadline. With that said, Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal writes the Raiders are not actively shopping Meyers or any other players. SI’s Albert Breer corroborates that, adding Crosby is set to remain in place. The team will, of course, take calls from potential suitors while looking ahead to at least one QB addition ahead of 2025. Adding draft capital could aid Vegas’ attempts to acquire a franchise passer.
Evan Neal‘s time with the Giants so far has – to put it lightly – not gone according to plan. The 2022 No. 7 pick has found himself out of the starting lineup at guard and tackle, although with injuries up front that could change somewhat soon. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler writes Neal is a “nonstarter” on the trade front from New York’s perspective. That comes as little surprise since the Alabama product’s value in a swap would fall well short of the capital invested in him two years ago. Neal is attached to his rookie contract through 2025, leaving him some runway to bounce back from his earlier struggles in time for free agency.

Broncos’ Baron Browning Does Not Wish To Be Traded; No Extension Talks Ongoing?

October 31st, 2024 at 8:21pm CST by Adam La Rose

Sitting at 5-3 on the year, the Broncos could be in position to add ahead of the trade deadline but a few players have been mentioned as targets for other teams. Among those is outside linebacker Baron Browning.

As a pending free agent, Browning could draw interest from teams looking to add depth in the pass-rush department for the stretch run. The 25-year-old worked as an inside linebacker during his rookie season, but since then has has been a key figure along the edge. With respect to the 2024 season in particular, Browning’s playing time has taken a dip but he did miss four games with a foot injury.

Now healthy, the Ohio State product is competing for playing time alongside the likes of Nik Bonitto and fellow 2021 draftee Jonathon Cooper. The latter could find himself as Denver’s priority in terms of an extension, and in that case Browning could be worth dealing away before a free agent departure. If the former third-rounder has his way, though, he will remain in the Mile High City beyond the coming deadline.

“I really don’t try to stress myself with stuff I can’t control,” Browning said when asked about a potential trade (via Parker Gabriel of the Denver Post). “Worrying about that won’t do me no good. I just try to stay in the moment and stay where my feet are. I love it here. I love my teammates. This is where I was drafted. And I hate moving.”

Near the bottom of the league in terms of cap space, the Broncos could stand to move out a signficant contract or two. The financial benefits of dealing Browning would be minimal, however, as he is on his rookie contract. Veteran receiver Courtland Sutton – who once again finds himself on another team’s trade radar – would, by contrast, yield more breathing room.

Browning also noted that he is not aware of any extension talks taking place between his representation and the Broncos. Cooper is in need of a new deal during the offseason, while Bonitto will be eligible for an extension this spring. Retaining one or both members of that pairing for the long term would come as no surprise, but Browning could very well find himself in that situation as well. With the November 5 deadline approaching, Denver will need to at least decide on whether or not he remains in the team’s 2024 plans over the coming days.

Trade Rumors: Smith, Broncos, Johnson

October 30th, 2024 at 10:30pm CST by Sam Robinson

Za’Darius Smith continues to come up in trade rumors, despite the Browns snapping their losing skid in Week 8. While Cleveland is not prepared to deal Myles Garrett due to the reigning Defensive Player of the Year remaining a cornerstone presence, Smith looms as a player likely to be dealt as the team regroups midway through Deshaun Watson‘s catastrophic contract. The Browns are still hearing from teams, according to ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano, with the former indicating a reasonable Day 3 pick would likely complete a trade. The Lions figure to be a team in on Smith, who addressed a potential Detroit deal recently, while the Ravens — who nearly re-signed Smith in 2022 — are believed to be eyeing defensive help.

In 2023, Smith moved from Minneapolis to Cleveland in a pick-swap trade that featured two fifth-rounders going to the Vikings along with sixth- and seventh-rounders being sent to the Browns. The veteran pass rusher is now 32 and tied to a two-year, $23MM deal that features both a veteran-minimum 2024 base salary — thanks to the Browns’ penchant for void years lowering cap hits — and a $2MM roster bonus due in 2025. The Browns would take on a hefty dead money bill if/when they move Smith, with $14MM-plus set to hit their 2025 books as a result of a deal. That would be an interesting development for a team that has Watson tied to a $72.9MM 2025 cap number.

Here is the latest from the trade market:

While the Browns will not need to cover any of Smith’s salary to move him, the Bears certainly will if they want to trade benched guard Nate Davis. Chicago is interested in dealing Davis, who has disappointed on his three-year, $30MM contract. Davis is due just more than $5MM in remaining 2024 salary, and Fowler notes the Bears are prepared to pay some of that tab to extract an asset from an O-line-needy team. Davis, 28, may see his path back to the Bears’ lineup further impeded by Ryan Bates‘ re-emergence; the 2024 trade pickup is in the IR-return window. Davis has not played since Week 5, and the four-year Titans starter has not started since Week 2.
John Lynch confirmed during a KNBR appearance (h/t Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News) the 49ers were not in on Diontae Johnson. The eighth-year GM has said the 49ers are confident in their receiving group even with Brandon Aiyuk out for the season. San Francisco defeated Dallas without Jauan Jennings but expects to have the WR3 back after their Week 9 bye. As for the Panthers‘ effort to move Johnson, 1340 AM’s Sheena Quick notes two teams were negotiating with the NFC South team prior to the Ravens‘ entrance into the derby. Baltimore came in last, per Quick, but is believed to have made the best offer. The Ravens checked in with a pick-swap proposal involving fifth- and sixth-rounders, and the Panthers are also paying part of Johnson’s salary in what became a wildly underwhelming return for Carolina. The Panthers had initially targeted a mid-round pick for the contract-year wideout.
Teams are wondering if the Broncos will still consider selling despite their best eight-game start (5-3) since 2016. In addition to Zach Wilson, previously believed to be available, Fowler adds teams view outside linebacker Baron Browning and cornerback Damarri Mathis as potentially available pieces. A starter to open the season, Browning just returned from IR. Teams looking at the contract-year edge defender points to a potential belief the Broncos will view fellow 2021 draftee Jonathon Cooper as the more likely extension candidate. Browning has played as a backup to Nik Bonitto upon returning, though a trade would strip an option away from a strong Denver defense. A starter to open last season, Mathis has been buried on Denver’s depth chart — one including Riley Moss as Patrick Surtain‘s boundary CB complement — since being activated from IR. Mathis generated summer trade buzz as well.

Load More Posts