NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 1/14/25
Once the regular season ends, teams that are eliminated from the playoffs can sign players – typically young members of their practice squads – to reserve/futures contracts. Teams that lose in the playoffs are also eligible to sign such deals. Here are the latest reserve/futures contracts from around the NFL:
Cleveland Browns
- G Brady Latham, DT Ralph Holley
Green Bay Packers
- CB Isaiah Dunn, WR Lediatrick Griffin, CB Kaleb Hayes, C Trey Hill, TE Johnny Lumpkin, DL Keith Randolph, DL Nesta Jade Silvera
Los Angeles Chargers
Minnesota Vikings
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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S Marcus Banks, WR Marquez Callaway, CB Dallis Flowers, DL Mike Greene, OL Garret Greenfield, LB Antonio Grier Jr., LB Daniel Grzesiak, OL Luke Haggard, WR Dennis Houston, LB Deion Jones, WR Tanner Knue, OL Lorenz Metz, OL Raiqwon O’Neal, QB Michael Pratt, TE Tanner Taula, RB D.J. Williams, S Rashad Wisdom
Holley is a former Western Michigan Bronco who started his professional career with the Philadelphia Stars of the USFL in 2022. He then signed with the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts for the 2023 season and played a key role in their 2024 Grey Cup championship. Holley led all CFL interior defensive linemen with 8.0 sacks, drawing attention from multiple NFL teams before signing with the Browns, per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson.
Steward was an undrafted rookie out of Troy in 2024 who spent the year on the Bears’ practice squad. He was pursued by multiple teams once the regular season ended, per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, but ultimately chose to stay within the NFC North with the Vikings.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/24/24
Here are Tuesday’s taxi squad moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Released: LB Joe Evans
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: S Alex Cook, Justin Hardee
- Released: OLB Eku Leota
Chicago Bears
- Signed: TE Teagan Quitoriano
Detroit Lions
- Signed: DB Morice Norris
Green Bay Packers
- Released: TE Johnny Lumpkin
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: DT Josiah Bronson, DE Derek Rivers
- Placed on IR: QB Jason Bean
- Released: CB Kelvin Joseph
Los Angeles Chargers
- Released: TE Luke Benson, CB Nehemiah Shelton
New England Patriots
- Signed: WR John Jiles
New York Giants
- Signed: TE Joel Wilson
- Placed on IR: TE Lawrence Cager
New York Jets
- Signed: LB Brandon Smith
- Released: S Jaylen Key
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: WR John Ross
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: LB Marcus Haynes
- Released: TE Matt Sokol
San Francisco 49ers
- Released: S Tracy Walker
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: CB Ty Hall, DT Matt Gotel
- Placed on IR: RB George Holani
- Released: S Marquise Blair
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: P Trenton Gill, CB Keenan Isaac
- Released: P Seth Vernon
This year’s ‘Mr. Irrelevant,’ Key did not make the Jets’ initial 53-man roster. The 24-year-old was retained via the practice squad, but he did not see any regular season action. Now a free agent, Key will look to latch on with another organization.
Ross signed with the Eagles in May as part of his bid to return to the NFL. The former Combine 40-yard dash record holder was released during roster cutdowns, however, after he was unable to carve out a depth role on offense. Ross will rejoin the team in a bid to provide Philadelphia with a complementary receiving option as the team deals with a number of injuries at the WR spot.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/10/24
Today’s practice squad transactions from around the NFL:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: DT Angelo Blackson
- Released: DT Tyler Manoa
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: CB Azizi Hearn, DE DeShawn Williams
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: TE Geoff Swaim
- Released: WR Lideatrick Griffin, CB Justin Hardee
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: TE Johnny Lumpkin, WR T.J. Luther
- Released: RB La’Mical Perine, WR Jalen Wayne
Houston Texans
- Signed: CB Desmond King, CB Troy Pride Jr.
- Released: S Mark Perry
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: CB Kelvin Joseph
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: CB Zech McPhearson
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: WR Jeshaun Jones
- Released: CB Jaylin Williams
New England Patriots
- Signed: DT Jaquelin Roy
- Released: G Jerome Carvin
New York Giants
- Signed: G Cade Mays
- Released: T Marcellus Johnson
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: WR Danny Gray, CB AJ Woods
- Released: WR Griffin Hebert, LB Brandon Smith
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: WR Shaquan Davis
- Released: LB Marcus Haynes
San Francisco 49ers
- Released: DE Jonathan Garvin
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: WR Ty Scott
- Released: LB Michael Barrett
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: WR Tay Martin
Washington Commanders
- Signed: T Anim Dankwah
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 1/2/24
Here are Tuesday’s practice squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Released: LB Caleb Johnson
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: S Jeremy Lucien
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: RB Mike Boone, K Matthew Wright
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: DE Sam Kamara
- Released: G Joey Fisher, P Matt Haack
Denver Broncos
- Signed: TE Johnny Lumpkin
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: CB Anthony Johnson
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: TE Eric Tomlinson
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: DT Matt Dickerson
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: TE E.J. Jenkins
- Placed on practice squad injured list: TE Cole Fotheringham
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: QB Dresser Winn
- Released: LS Alex Matheson
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: LB Abraham Beauplan
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: G Colby Gossett
- Released: WR Jontre Kirklin
New York Jets
- Released: G Rodger Saffold
Washington Commanders
- Signed: WR Davion Davis, CB D’Angelo Mandell, CB Jace Whittaker
Teams can begin signing players to reserve/futures contracts Jan. 8. P-squad contracts expire seven days after the regular season concludes, and NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reminds teams are not limited regarding the number of times they can elevate a player from a taxi squad during the playoffs. In the regular season, players are capped at three gameday elevations.
The Panthers are expected to sign Boone to a futures deal next week, per the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson. After three years with the Vikings and two with the Broncos, Boone played in nine games with the Texans this season. As for Wright, this marks a reunion. While Wright’s first Panthers stay did not last long (Aug. 26-30), Carolina may need him due to Eddy Pineiro‘s hamstring injury.
Amid the Jets’ wave of O-line injuries, they signed Saffold. While the former Rams, Titans and Bills starter was with the Jets for several weeks, he did not see any game action in his 14th NFL season.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/12/23
Today’s practice squad transactions:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: OL Kyle Fuller
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: CB Lamar Jackson
- Released: WR Dezmon Patmon
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: OL Michael Jordan
- Released: TE Austin Allen
Houston Texans
- Signed: RB Gerrid Doaks, WR Jared Wayne
- Released: RB Larry Rountree
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: OL Jack Anderson, RB Tyler Goodson, TE Jordan Murray
- Released: RB Jason Huntley, TE Johnny Lumpkin, WR Mike Strachan
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: LB Ty Shelby
- Released: OT Austen Pleasants
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: TE Miller Forristall, P Brandon Wright
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: WR Lucky Jackson
New Orleans Saints
- Released: WR Jontre Kirklin
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: WR Jacob Copeland
- Released: DB Luq Barcoo, RB Greg Bell
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: OL Greg Eiland, OT Jason Peters (story)
- Released: QB Holton Ahlers, S Brady Breeze
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/27/23
With the preseason over for 30 of the NFL’s 32 teams, many have begun the process of working their rosters down to the eventual 53-man rosters they will open the season with:
Indianapolis Colts
- Waived: WR Tyler Adams, WR Kody Case, G Emil Ekiyor, TE Nick Eubanks, K Lucas Havrisik, TE Michael Jacobson, T Matthew Vanderslice
- Released: CB Teez Tabor
Las Vegas Raiders
- Placed on IR: RB Brittain Brown, TE Jacob Hollister, WR Isaiah Zuber
- Waived/injured: WR Chris Lacy
- Waived: CB Isiah Brown, CB Bryce Cosby, DT Doug Costin, LB Isaac Darkangelo, QB Chase Garbers, G Vitaliy Gurman, RB Darwin Thompson
Los Angeles Chargers
- Waived: OLB Carlo Kemp, CB Cam Brown
Minnesota Vikings
- Waived: LB Wilson Huber, T Jarrid Williams
- Released: LB Tanner Vallejo
New England Patriots
- Released: DT Carl Davis, CB Rodney Randle
- Waived: LB Diego Fagot, S Brad Hawkins, TE Johnny Lumpkin, RB C.J. Marable, CB Quandre Mosely, DT Justus Tavai, OL Micah Vanterpool, TE Scotty Washington, LB Carson Wells
New York Jets
- Released: LB Nick Vigil
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Waived: WR Aron Cruickshank
San Francisco 49ers
- Waived: CB Nate Brooks, OLB LaDarius Hamilton, DE Breeland Speaks, LB Kyahva Tezino, DL Spencer Waege
Seattle Seahawks
- Waived: TE Sal Cannella, DE Jordan Ferguson, WR Malik Flowers, CB Benjie Franklin, WR Justin Marshall, CB Chris Steele, RB Wayne Taulapapa
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Waived from IR with injury settlement: CB Don Gardner
- Waived: OLB Hamilcar Rashed
- Released: LB Ulysees Gilbert
Although never quite reaching the heights of his tenure with the Bengals, Vigil has a history as a strong contributor and potential starter at linebacker. Coming off a season that saw him only play in four games for the Cardinals before getting put on injured reserve, Vigil failed to stick in New York and will need to find his next opportunity elsewhere.
Vallejo’s tenure in Minnesota lasted a short two weeks. The special teams specialist will have to keep searching for his 2023 home.
Patriots Sign Three Undrafted Free Agents
After selecting 12 rookies in the 2023 draft, the Patriots didn’t have much roster room to spare, leading them to signing a meager three undrafted free agent rookies. Here are the three who will attempt to defy odds for a roster spot:
- QB Malik Cunningham (Louisville) (story)
- LB Jourdan Heilig (Appalachian State)
- TE Johnny Lumpkin (Louisiana)
Cunningham was a four-year starter for the Cardinals, helping Louisville to find its identity following the Lamar Jackson-era. After Jawon Pass failed to inspire much optimism in Cunningham’s freshman season, Cunningham took the reins and never looked back. Over five years, Cunningham threw for 9,664 yards and 70 touchdowns, adding 3,184 yards and 50 touchdowns on the ground. He can compete with Bailey Zappe and Trace McSorley for backup duties behind Mac Jones and potentially provide as a scout team quarterback, especially for games against quarterbacks like Jackson, Jalen Hurts, and Kyler Murray.
Lumpkin will be entering the NFL at 25 years old after spending two years at Hutchinson Community College and five years at Louisiana. He has ideal size at the tight end position and utilized it well for the Ragin’ Cajuns. While he didn’t light up the stat sheet, four of his 16 catches last year were for touchdowns.
Heilig is a surprising signing, even for New England. Drafted mostly off of potential, Heilig only had 34 total tackles in four seasons with the Mountaineers. He had actually entered his name in the transfer portal and was, reportedly, willing to move down to the FCS level, if necessary, to find more playing time. After not receiving any scholarship interest, Heilig took a job at Zaxby’s to make ends meet. Then, the Patriots called.
The presumption is that the Patriots intend to utilize Heilig as a dedicated special teams player. Yes, the Patriots do have plenty of those in players like Matthew Slater, Brenden Schooler, Cody Davis, and perhaps Chris Board, but after one of their worst special teams seasons in recent memory, New England was willing to take a flyer on Heilig. It’s really the perfect landing place for him as the Patriots lend more opportunities to specialists than any other NFL franchise.