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Lewis Cine

Vikings Trade QB Sam Howell To Eagles; Minnesota Signs Carson Wentz

August 24th, 2025 at 11:27pm CST by Rory Parks

The Vikings are trading quarterback Sam Howell and a 2026 sixth-round pick to the Eagles, per Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. In exchange, Minnesota will receive a fifth- and seventh-round choice in 2026, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter was the first to report that the team is also signing veteran passer Carson Wentz to replace Howell and to serve as the backup for J.J. McCarthy.

Wentz, 32, visited the Vikings yesterday, and the summit clearly went well. McCarthy, of course, missed his entire rookie season in 2024 due to injury, though the club’s faith in his ability to operate as the starting QB in 2025 never wavered. Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones were therefore allowed to leave in free agency, and Minnesota acquired Howell during April’s draft with the expectation that he would slot in behind McCarthy on the depth chart.

Howell played well in the club’s first preseason contest this summer, but he struggled in his second outing, completing one of five passes for 13 yards and an interception. He sat out the preseason finale on Friday as Brett Rypien and 2025 UDFA Max Brosmer shared the snaps under center.

In addition to adding a more experienced and accomplished voice in Wentz — who is familiar with HC Kevin O’Connell‘s offensive system — today’s transaction adds a bit more draft capital to the Vikings’ stockpile (just as the recent Harrison Phillips swap did). As multiple pundits, including ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, were quick to point out in the immediate aftermath of the Howell report, Minnesota is in the market for a wide receiver, and the Phillips and Howell trades could help facilitate a WR addition. Longtime Viking and current Panther Adam Thielen remains a target, but Fowler notes the club has multiple lines of inquiry open. Plus, according to Alec Lewis of The Athletic, Minnesota has been pleased with Brosmer and appears perfectly content to have him as the No. 3 QB.

Howell, meanwhile, continues a nomadic journey that is uncommon for such a young player. The Commanders’ 2022 draftee, who will turn 25 next month, started all 17 games for Washington in 2023, and he finished with a 4-13 record. The club was unafraid to let him air it out, as he led the NFL with 612 pass attempts, which led to a league-worst 21 interceptions. He was traded to Seattle in April 2024, but he saw limited action as the backup to Geno Smith. Including today’s deal, the UNC product has been traded three times in the span of 18 months.

Still, the Eagles needed some cover for their own QB room, as Jalen Hurts‘ presumptive backup, Tanner McKee, is dealing with a finger injury that has jeopardized his Week 1 availability. Albert Breer of SI.com notes Philadelphia remains high on McKee, and it does not sound as if his ailment is a long-term one. Nonetheless, Howell will offer an upgrade over sixth-round rookie Kyle McCord, both as the QB2 in the event McKee is not ready to go at the start of the season and as the QB3 over the course of the campaign (or, the Eagles could theoretically try to trade McKee; per Breer, there has been outside interest in the 25-year-old signal-caller, which echoes his recent report on the matter).

Assuming a McKee trade does not come to fruition, Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer believes McCord will be waived, though the Eagles could try to stash him on the practice squad if he clears waivers. Offseason trade acquisition Dorian Thompson-Robinson is also on the Eagles’ roster for the time being, but today’s news obviously does not bode well for his future in Philly.

McLane adds that the team has waived/injured DB Lewis Cine, who, according Zach Berman of The Athletic, was on crutches following Friday’s preseason game, when he recorded a diving interception.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/24/25

August 24th, 2025 at 8:14pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are today’s minor transactions that may have slipped through the cracks with a day full of mass cuts:

Buffalo Bills

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

New England Patriots

New York Giants

Philadelphia Eagles

San Francisco 49ers

Thompson-Robinson continues to struggle to find his place in the NFL. A fifth-round pick for the Browns out of UCLA, Thompson-Robinson was asked to make a number of spot starts in Cleveland. In five starts, he went 1-4, averaging about 150 passing yards per game. Over those two seasons, he scored only one touchdown while throwing 10 interceptions. He was sent to Philadelphia along with a 2025 fifth-round pick in exchange for Kenny Pickett, but the Eagles seemingly do not have a place for him.

Moore was hospitalized with a leg injury suffered in the Giants’ final preseason game but has been discharged following a successful surgery. Barring an injury settlement, he’ll spend the 2025 season on New York’s injured reserve.

Webb received a large signing bonus to sign with the Broncos as an undrafted free agent. While other teams will get their chance to claim him, the Broncos will hope to be able to bring him back to their practice squad.

2026 NFL Fifth-Year Option Tracker

May 1st, 2025 at 11:19pm CST by Sam Robinson

NFL teams have until May 1 to officially pick up fifth-year options on 2022 first-rounders. The 2020 CBA revamped the option structure and made them fully guaranteed, rather than guaranteed for injury only. Meanwhile, fifth-year option salaries are now determined by a blend of performance- and usage-based benchmarks:

  • Two-time Pro Bowlers (excluding alternates) will earn the same as their position’s franchise tag
  • One-time Pro Bowlers will earn the equivalent of the transition tag
  • Players who achieve any of the following will receive the average of the third-20th-highest salaries at their position:
    • At least a 75% snap rate in two of their first three seasons
    • A 75% snap average across all three seasons
    • At least 50% in each of first three seasons
  • Players who do not hit any of those benchmarks will receive the average of the third-25th top salaries at their position

We covered how last year’s Pro Bowl invites affected the 2022 first-round class. With the deadline looming, we will use the space below to track all the 2026 option decisions from around the league:

  1. DE/OLB Travon Walker, Jaguars ($14.75MM): Exercised
  2. DE/OLB Aidan Hutchinson, Lions ($19.87MM): Exercised
  3. CB Derek Stingley Jr., Texans ($17.6MM): Extended through 2029
  4. CB Sauce Gardner, Jets ($20.19MM): Exercised
  5. OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux, Giants ($14.75MM): Exercised
  6. T Ikem Ekwonu, Panthers ($17.56MM): Exercised
  7. T Evan Neal, Giants ($16.69MM): Declined
  8. WR Drake London, Falcons ($16.82MM): Exercised
  9. T Charles Cross, Seahawks ($17.56MM): Exercised
  10. WR Garrett Wilson, Jets ($16.82MM): Exercised
  11. WR Chris Olave, Saints ($15.49MM): Exercised
  12. WR Jameson Williams, Lions ($15.49MM): Exercised
  13. DT Jordan Davis, Eagles ($12.94MM): Exercised
  14. S Kyle Hamilton, Ravens ($18.6MM): Exercised
  15. G Kenyon Green, Eagles* ($16.69MM): Declined
  16. WR Jahan Dotson, Eagles** ($16.82MM): Declined
  17. G Zion Johnson, Chargers ($17.56MM): Declined
  18. WR Treylon Burks, Titans ($15.49MM): Declined
  19. T Trevor Penning, Saints ($16.69MM): Declined
  20. QB Kenny Pickett, Browns*** ($22.12MM): Declined
  21. CB Trent McDuffie, Chiefs ($17.6MM): Exercised
  22. LB Quay Walker, Packers ($14.75MM): Declined
  23. CB Kaiir Elam, Cowboys**** ($12.68MM): Declined
  24. G Tyler Smith, Cowboys ($20.99MM): Exercised
  25. C Tyler Linderbaum, Ravens ($20.99MM): Declined
  26. DE Jermaine Johnson, Jets ($13.92MM): Exercised
  27. LB Devin Lloyd, Jaguars ($14.75MM): Exercised
  28. DT Devonte Wyatt, Packers ($12.94MM): Exercised
  29. G Cole Strange, Patriots ($16.69MM): Declined
  30. DE George Karlaftis, Chiefs ($15.12MM): Exercised
  31. DB Dax Hill, Bengals ($12.68MM): Exercised
  32. S Lewis Cine, Vikings: N/A

* = traded from Texans on March 11, 2025
** = traded from Commanders on August 22, 2024
*** = traded from Eagles on March 15, 2024; traded from Steelers on March 10, 2025
**** = traded from Bills to Cowboys on March 12, 2025

Minor NFL Transactions: 1/8/25

January 8th, 2025 at 10:04pm CST by Ely Allen

Today’s minor transactions:

Los Angeles Chargers

  • Designated to return from IR: CB Eli Apple

Philadelphia Eagles

  • Signed off Bills’ practice squad: S Lewis Cine

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

  • Designated to return from IR: CB Troy Hill

Washington Commanders

  • Designated to return from IR: TE Colson Yankoff
  • Placed on IR: DT Haggai Ndubuisi

A former first-round pick, Cine will get a third chance in Philadelphia. The Georgia-product has failed to gain much traction at his first two stops with the Vikings and Bills, but he’ll open the postseason on the active roster with the Eagles.

Once a ball-hawking cornerback for the Rams, Hill’s role has reduced quite a bit in his age-33 season. With the playoffs coming up, though, Hill has the potential to provide some experienced depth in the Buccaneers secondary.

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/28/24

December 28th, 2024 at 8:03pm CST by Adam La Rose

Saturday’s minor moves, including gameday elevations for Week 17:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Dallas Cowboys

Green Bay Packers

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

New York Jets

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

It was already known Lamb would be out for the remainder of the year, but the same will now be true of Oruwariye. The latter made seven appearances in 2024, his debut Cowboys season. That included four starts and a defensive snap share of 62%, making him a notable contributor on a Dallas defense which has dealt with a number of injuries. Oruwariye, 28, is a pending free agent.

McCoy and Patrick suffered injuries during the Saints’ Week 16 loss, and today’s move confirms they will both miss the remainder of the season. New Orleans’ offensive line has been dealt a number of blows in 2024, and that will continue through the final two games of the season. McCoy appeared in just seven games this year, but plenty of term remains on his pact. Patrick, by contrast, is set to hit the open market this spring.

Whitehead returned to practice earlier this week, so it comes as no surprise he will be available to the Buccaneers tomorrow. He will be expected to reprise his role as a defensive starter as Tampa Bay looks to seal the NFC South over the final two games of the campaign. Bringing back Whitehead and Johnson will leave the team with two IR activations.

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/7/24

December 7th, 2024 at 8:17pm CST by Ely Allen

Saturday’s minor transactions, including gameday practice squad elevations:

Atlanta Falcons

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Jacksonville Jaguars

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Eagles starting tight end Dallas Goedert has been placed on injured reserve, so Jenkins will come up from the practice squad for a little added depth.

Lewis Cine Backs Out Of Jets Deal; S To Join Bills’ Practice Squad

August 29th, 2024 at 8:09am CST by Adam La Rose

Lewis Cine was available on waivers after the Vikings moved on from him. The third-year safety went unclaimed, but in short order he appeared to line up a Jets agreement. Instead, he will be joining the Bills.

Cine is set to sign with Buffalo, Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network report. As was the case with yesterday’s development, this will be a practice squad deal at first. Cine will attempt to rebuild his value while providing safety depth to the Bills, a team which has seen plenty of turnover in the secondary this offseason.

Buffalo no longer has either member of the Jordan Poyer–Micah Hyde tandem at the safety spot, although the latter could rejoin the team if he elected to avoid retirement. The Bills re-signed Taylor Rapp, added Mike Edwards in free agency and kept special teamer Damar Hamlin on the 53-man roster. Those three offer plenty of experience on the backend, and they are positioned to handle notable roles in 2024.

The Bills also invested in the safety position during this year’s draft, adding Cole Bishop in the second round. The Utah product was unable to remain healthy throughout his first training camp, but he has the upside to take on starting duties relatively early in his career. While the top of the depth chart gets sorted out in the fall, Cine will look to earn a promotion to the Bills’ active roster in short order.

The 24-year-old was unable to live up to expectations during his brief Vikings tenure. Cine, the final pick in the first round of the 2022 draft, has played just 10 regular season games to date. He will join veteran Kareem Jackson on the taxi squad to begin the campaign as he hopes to find a long-term opportunity. If one does not arise, Cine will be free to sign to the active roster of another team during the year if he draws interest.

Jets To Sign S Lewis Cine

August 28th, 2024 at 12:24pm CST by Sam Robinson

No team claimed Lewis Cine‘s rookie contract, leaving the Vikings with a notable dead money bill after the team cut its losses on the 2022 first-round pick. But the Georgia alum will land another opportunity.

The Jets are bringing in Cine, per ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler. Cine will join Chuck Clark and Tony Adams among New York’s safety contingent. This is a practice squad agreement, NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo tweets.

Although Cine is starting on the Jets’ P-squad, ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini adds he will be elevated once he is sufficiently comfortable with the team’s playbook. Chosen 32nd overall, Cine sustained a severe knee injury that derailed his rookie season. The Georgia product needed to stay in London after his teammates had departed, undergoing more surgeries overseas. Cine managed to return in time for the Vikings’ 2023 opener, but he was a nonfactor in Brian Flores’ defense.

The Vikings took calls on Cine, and while teams showed interest, they wanted no part of his first-round contract. Minnesota has now moved on from the first and second draft choices of the Kwesi Adofo-Mensah era, trading 2022 second-rounder Andrew Booth as well. The Vikings cut the player obtained for Booth (Cowboys CB Nahshon Wright) but brought him back on their practice squad today.

It would be interesting if the Jets acted early with Cine, as he may need more development given his track record (10 career games played). Former third-round pick Ashtyn Davis remains with New York as a backup, and the team kept Isaiah Oliver as well. Still, Cine profiles as an interesting piece for Robert Saleh and Co. to mold. First-rounders regularly receive second chances, and this one will join a defense that has been one of the NFL’s best for the past two seasons.

Vikings Waive S Lewis Cine

August 27th, 2024 at 3:24pm CST by Adam La Rose

Known throughout the offseason to be on the Vikings’ roster bubble, Lewis Cine has indeed been let go. The third-year safety was released on Tuesday, as noted by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

Minnesota held trade talks regarding Cine, Fowler adds. To little surprise, however, no suitor was found and as a result the Georgia alum will hit the waiver wire. It will be interesting to see if any teams put in a claim knowing it is now no longer necessary to acquire him using draft capital.

Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that “several teams” showed interest in Cine earlier today. That could lead to a number of potential suitors submitting a waiver claim. The priority for waiver moves is determined by 2023 regular season standings for cutdowns through the first three weeks of the regular season. In the event Cine, 24, were to go unclaimed, he would become a free agent.

After a strong college career, expectations were high for Cine entering the NFL. The final first-round pick of the 2022 draft class was limited to just three games during his rookie season due to a broken leg, though. Last season, he only made seven appearances and logged just eight defensive snaps while playing a special teams role. Minnesota has a number of other safeties ahead of Cine on the depth chart, and instead of another campaign in a minor capacity he will turn his attention to a fresh start.

Harrison Smith, Josh Metellus and Camryn Bynum are among the players set to log a heavy workload on the backend for the Vikings this season. Cine will be in a new setting by Week 1 as he attempts to carve out a defensive role and live up to his draft stock.

S Lewis Cine On Vikings’ Roster Bubble?

June 22nd, 2024 at 8:16pm CST by Adam La Rose

Lewis Cine has two years remaining on his rookie contract, but this summer could prove to be a pivotal point in his young NFL career. The Vikings safety is buried on the depth chart ahead of next month’s training camp.

Minnesota pulled off a first-round swap with Detroit during the first round of the 2022 draft. Cine was selected with the No. 32 pick, and he faced high expectations after enjoying a successful tenure at Georgia. Ahead of his rookie season, however, it was clear he faced a steep path to a starting workload. Cine’s debut campaign was cut short by a leg fracture which required two surgeries.

The 2023 season saw the 24-year-old log only seven games and eight defensive snaps, and an uptick in usage does not appear likely at this point. As ESPN’s Kevin Seifert notes, Cine found himself behind not only starters Harrison Smith and Camryn Bynum, but also backups Theo Jackson and Jay Ward on the depth chart this spring. Keeping in mind Josh Metellus‘ ability to wear many hats in the secondary, Cine faces plenty of competition for a roster spot. That is especially true given the team’s other moves in the secondary.

Minnesota signed Shaquill Griffin in free agency before adding Khyree Jackson in the fourth round of the draft. Those new cornerbacks will take up roster spots in addition to the aforementioned safeties, something which could leave Cine on the outside looking in during cutdowns. Training camp and the preseason will no doubt play a large role in how the team evaluates him.

As a former first-round pick, Cine’s base salaries for 2024 ($1.75MM) and ’25 ($2.27MM) are fully guaranteed. That could provide incentive for the Vikings to keep him in the fold, and a surprisingly involved and productive 2024 campaign could even give Minnesota reason to consider picking up his fifth-year option. Doing so would tie him to the team through 2026, but quite a bit would need to change over the coming weeks for Cine to receive any sustained looks on defense in the fall. His performances during camp will be worth monitoring.

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