NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/8/26

Today’s rookie signings from around the NFL:

Chicago Bears

Cincinnati Bengals

Los Angeles Chargers

New England Patriots

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Bears, Bengals, Chargers, and Steelers all broke the seals on signing their rookie classes today. Chicago only has to sign its three first-, second-, and third-round picks to complete the class, Los Angeles still has its three first-, second-, and fourth-rounders remaining, and Cincinnati has only two unsigned rookies from the second and third round.

Minor NFL Transactions: 5/7/26

Today’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Jacksonville Jaguars

  • Waived: OL Sal Wormley

Los Angeles Chargers

  • Waived: DL Josh Fuga, CB Jordan Oladokun

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

New York Jets

  • Waived: C Gus Hartwig (failed physical)
  • Waived/injured: S Chris Smith

The Bears surprised many today when they moved on from 2025 fifth-round pick Zah Frazier. The six-foot-three cornerback sat out his entire rookie campaign for what the team described as a “personal reason,” leading to his placement on the non-football injury list. As Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun Times notes, GM Ryan Poles recently acknowledged that the player had a “mountain to climb” if he hoped to contribute in 2026, with the executive adding that Frazier “needed to play” last year. Now, the defensive back will have to make his NFL debut elsewhere.

Meanwhile, the Cardinals received a roster exemption today for international player Valentin Senn. The former Austrian prospect will be auditioning for a spot on Arizona’s offensive line. The Jets also got a roster exemption for Paschal Ekeji. The former rugby player will be competing for a spot on the Jets defensive line.

Chad Alexander, John McKay, Dave Ziegler, Others Receive Vikings GM Interview Requests

2:38pm: It is certainly possible more candidates emerge, but the Minneapolis Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling notes Gray and the five candidates to emerge today represent the full list of external options in the Vikings’ search.

12:59pm: The Vikings’ mid-offseason GM interview search is forming. After Bills assistant GM Terrance Gray received the first known request Wednesday, the Vikes have sent out a host of interview slips.

Minnesota is focusing on the assistant GM level; five more execs with that title join Gray among the NFC North franchise’s list of hopeful meetings. A second-chance candidate — a rarity in the modern NFL — is on Minnesota’s list, with NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero noting the team sent Titans assistant GM Dave Ziegler a request.

Rams assistant GM John McKay, 49ers AGM R.J. Gillen, Chargers AGM Chad Alexander and Seahawks AGM Nolan Teasley also received interview slips from the Vikings, according to Pelissero, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones and ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Alexander, Gillen and McKay have been part of GM interview processes before; this is a first for Teasley. Gray joins this quintet among candidates, with the Vikes’ current top front office decisionmaker — interim GM Rob Brzezinskilikely to receive an interview as well.

Ziegler teamed with Josh McDaniels with the Raiders, but Mark Davis short-circuited this regime’s plans by firing both less than two years in. Ziegler, who established himself as a GM candidate by working with the Patriots and Broncos, landed as the Titans’ assistant GM in January 2025. Considering Ziegler’s abrupt Las Vegas ouster and the Titans’ 2025 performance, it is a bit surprising the Vikings are interested.

That said, Ziegler did work closely with Bill Belichick and now-Texans GM Nick Caserio in New England, which won three Super Bowls during Ziegler’s time in the front office. This is Ziegler’s first interview request since his Vegas dismissal. After both Tom Telesco and Trent Baalke received pink slips in 2025, the NFL does not have any second-chance GMs in place presently.

Gillen and McKay each interviewed for the Dolphins’ GM post this year. That marked the first such meetings for both NFC West execs. Gillen climbed to the AGM level in San Francisco in 2025, coming up through the scouting ranks to become the team’s player personnel director in 2023. Gillen has been with the 49ers since before John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan’s arrivals, being hired during Trent Baalke‘s GM tenure.

McKay joined the Rams a year before Sean McVay, joining Les Snead‘s front office as a scouting assistant. The McVay-era Rams have certainly represented a launching pad for HC and GM candidates. Ex-Ram staffers Brad Holmes (Lions) and James Gladstone (Jaguars) are currently in GM roles.

Alexander has more interview experience than his California AGM counterparts. The Chargers exec joined Gillen and McKay in the Dolphins’ search and competed with Gladstone for the Jags’ gig last year. The Raiders also brought in Alexander for a meeting in 2025. Alexander has been with the Chargers since shortly after Joe Hortiz‘s 2024 GM hire, coming over from the Jets.

Teasley’s name may be the most interesting here, seeing as the Seahawks won Super Bowl LX. Teasley climbed to the AGM level in 2023 but has been with the Seahawks under John Schneider since 2013. Schneider having won Super Bowls 12 years apart, with two completely different rosters, sets him apart in NFL history. Considering how impressive the Seahawks’ post-Russell Wilson retooling effort has been, it is unsurprising Teasley is on the GM radar. If the Vikings do not end up hiring him, the longtime Seattle staffer figures to be a prime candidate for roles come winter 2027.

The Vikings fired Kwesi Adofo-Mensah in late January and went through the draft with Brzezinski in place in the interim. The team held off on conducting a search until after the draft. With that point having arrived on the NFL calendar, Minnesota’s next FO boss figures to emerge this month.

Chargers’ Jake Slaughter To Vie For LG Job

The guard position stood out as one of the Chargers’ few glaring needs entering the draft. Despite that, they did not use one of their early picks on a traditional guard. Rather, the Bolts are counting on second-round center Jake Slaughter to successfully transition to left guard as a rookie. They expect Slaughter to compete for the starting job, according to general manager Joe Hortiz (via Kris Rhim of ESPN).

Zion Johnson, the 17th overall pick in the 2022 draft, was the Chargers’ starting left guard in three of his first four seasons (he was their right guard as a rookie). Although Johnson was remarkably durable in Los Angeles, where he missed just two games and started in 65 of 66, he has not turned into a great lineman at the NFL level. The Chargers let him walk in free agency as a result.

After Johnson accepted the Browns’ three-year, $49.5MM offer in free agency, the Bolts responded by re-signing Trevor Penning to a one-year, $4.5MM pact and adding Kayode Awosika on a modest deal. Both players are likely better off as depth, which could clear the way for Slaughter to step in as a Day 1 starter. There may be growing pains, however, considering Slaughter did not play a single snap at guard in college.

A former Florida Gator, Slaughter was one of the nation’s best centers over the past couple of years. Slaughter earned first-team All-SEC honors in each of the previous two seasons. He was also a first-team All-American in 2024. The Chargers scooped him up at pick 63. They later selected guards Logan Jones and Alex Harkey in the sixth round, but they will likely vie for backup roles as rookies.

While Slaughter may eventually move back to center for the Chargers, the position is spoken for as of now. Earlier this offseason, the Chargers replaced the retired Bradley Bozeman with Tyler Biadasz, whom they brought in on a three-year, $30MM accord. Biadasz will man the pivot, free agent pickup Cole Strange will take over at right guard for the released Mekhi Becton, and the excellent Rashawn SlaterJoe Alt duo will handle the tackle spots. Slater missed all of last season with a torn patellar tendon, and ankle issues held Alt to six games, but both blockers are ahead of schedule in their recoveries.

If Slater and Alt return to full strength, left guard will be the biggest question on the Chargers’ line heading into next season. In a best-case scenario for them, Slaughter will quickly adapt to a new position and help make life easier on franchise quarterback Justin Herbert. Thanks to a combination of injuries and subpar blocking, Herbert suffered the third-most sacks in the league last year (54). While the Chargers still managed 11 wins and a playoff berth, they were unable to get out of the wild-card round. The Patriots sacked Herbert six times in a lifeless offensive showing for the Chargers, who fell 16-3.

TE David Njoku Arranges Chargers Visit

David Njoku‘s free agent spell has lasted well into the offseason. With the draft now complete, though, he is among the veterans positioned to find a new home shortly.

Njoku has arranged a visit with the Chargers, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. He adds it will take place on Monday. Njoku is among the most accomplished tight ends still on the market as teams around the league begin their spring practice programs.

A first-round pick of the Browns in 2017, Njoku was held in high regard by the team throughout his Cleveland tenure. Expectations did not always match production in his case, but he surpassed 500 yards on four occasions. Njoku was a focal point on offense for much of his Browns stint, receiving 123 targets in 2023. The play of Harold Fannin Jr. as a rookie this past season set him up to operate as the Browns’ top tight end for years to come, however.

That made it little surprise when Cleveland elected not to retain Njoku in free agency. The 29-year-old is a veteran of 118 games, and he will offer a pass-catching presence to his next team. Njoku lined up a visit with the Ravens in March, but that did not result in a Baltimore deal. Other potential suitors waited until the draft took place to consider circling back to this situation.

The Chargers have already made a number of decisions at the tight end spot this offseason. Will Dissly and Tucker Fisk are unsigned at this point, while Tyler Conklin departed in free agency. Charlie Kolar was added on the open market, and the former Raven could be in store for an uptick in offensive usage on his new team. The Bolts did not add a tight end during the draft, leaving potential room for a late-spring signing.

The Chargers remain near the top of the league in terms of cap space with over $45MM available. A deal in Njoku’s case will no doubt consist of a short-term agreement and one worth less than the $13.69MM AAV of his second Browns contract. Finances will certainly not be an issue if the Chargers eye a deal following his visit.

2027 NFL Fifth-Year Option Tracker

May 1 marked the deadline for teams to decide on fifth-year options on 2023 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 top 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

PFR’s Offseason Outlook series examined each of these decisions in-depth. Twenty-two options were exercised this year. Here is how each team with an option decision proceeded with 2023 first-round contracts:

  1. QB Bryce Young, Panthers ($25.9MM): Exercised
  2. QB C.J. Stroud, Texans ($25.9MM): Exercised
  3. DE Will Anderson Jr., Texans ($21.51MM): Exercised
  4. QB Anthony Richardson, Colts ($22.48MM): Declined
  5. CB Devon Witherspoon, Seahawks ($21.16MM): Exercised
  6. LT Paris Johnson Jr., Cardinals ($19.07MM): Exercised
  7. DE Tyree Wilson, Saints ($14.48MM): Declined
  8. RB Bijan Robinson, Falcons ($11.32MM): Exercised
  9. DT Jalen Carter, Eagles ($27.13MM): Exercised
  10. RT Darnell Wright, Bears ($19.07MM): Exercised
  11. G Peter Skoronski, Titans ($19.07MM): Exercised
  12. RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions ($14.29MM): Exercised
  13. LB Lukas Van Ness, Packers ($13.75MM): Exercised
  14. LT Broderick Jones, Steelers ($19.07MM): Declined
  15. DE Will McDonald, Jets ($13.75MM): Exercised
  16. CB Emmanuel Forbes, Rams ($12.63MM): Declined
  17. CB Christian Gonzalez, Patriots ($18.12MM): Exercised
  18. LB Jack Campbell, Lions ($21.93MM): Declined
  19. DL Calijah Kancey, Buccaneers ($14.48MM): Exercised
  20. WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks ($23.85MM): Exercised
  21. WR Quentin Johnston, Chargers ($18MM): Exercised
  22. WR Zay Flowers, Ravens ($27.3MM): Exercised
  23. WR Jordan Addison, Vikings ($18MM): Exercised
  24. CB Deonte Banks, Giants ($12.63MM): Declined
  25. TE Dalton Kincaid, Bills ($8.16MM): Exercised
  26. DT Mazi Smith, Jets ($13.93MM): Declined
  27. RT Anton Harrison, Jaguars ($19.07MM): Exercised
  28. DE Myles Murphy, Bengals ($14.48MM): Declined
  29. DT Bryan Bresee, Saints ($13.93MM): Exercised
  30. LB Nolan Smith, Eagles ($13.75MM): Exercised
  31. DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Chiefs ($14.48MM): Declined

Minor NFL Transactions: 4/29/26

Wednesday’s midweek minor moves:

Buffalo Bills

Dallas Cowboys

Detroit Lions

Kansas City Chiefs

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Minnesota Vikings

Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks are adding some depth in their tight ends room by bringing in the former Mackey Award winner out of FAU. Seattle relied heavily on a two-man crew featuring AJ Barner and Elijah Arroyo until a knee injury placed the second-round rookie, Arroyo, on injured reserve for most of the rest of the team’s Super Bowl run. When Arroyo went down, veteran Eric Saubert came in to supplement Barner with minimal contributions from undrafted Minnesota rookie Nick Kallerup.

In his rookie year, Bryant looked like he might displace David Njoku as TE2 behind Austin Hooper in Cleveland. He found himself third in the pecking order in Year 2, but returned to TE2 duties, this time behind Njoku, after Hooper was no longer on the team.

Chargers To Pick Up Quentin Johnston’s Fifth-Year Option

With the May 1 deadline for fifth-year option decisions looming, the Chargers have made their choice on wide receiver Quentin Johnston. They are picking up his option, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports. Johnston is now in line to earn $18.1MM in 2027.

[RELATED: Fifth-Year Option Tracker]

Johnston entered the offseason as a potential trade candidate, but general manager Joe Hortiz revealed in mid-April that he had neither received nor made calls on the 6-foot-2, 208-pounder. Hortiz and head coach Jim Harbaugh were not in place when the Chargers selected Johnston 21st overall in 2023, but they have seen enough positives to keep the TCU product around through his fifth season.

Johnston’s career got off to a disappointing start in 2023, a 38-catch, 431-yard, two-touchdown effort in which he struggled with drops. The Chargers fired head coach Brandon Staley during what wound up as a 5-12 campaign. They brought in their current regime in the ensuing offseason, and Johnston has offered much better production since then.

Although Johnston missed two games in his second year, he still easily eclipsed the numbers he put up during a full rookie season. He hauled in 55 passes for 711 yards and eight touchdowns, giving quarterback Justin Herbert a quality complement to then-rookie sensation Ladd McConkey. Despite logging three more absences in 2025, Johnston managed his second straight eight-TD season. He racked up 51 receptions for a career-high 735 yards along the way.

Johnston finished closely behind McConkey and Keenan Allen in yards last season. Allen is still unsigned almost two months into free agency, and it is unclear whether the Chargers will bring back the franchise icon. Even if Allen goes elsewhere or retires, the Chargers appear to have a strong group of receivers entering Mike McDaniel‘s first season as their offensive coordinator. Along with Johnston and McConkey, the Bolts count 2025 second-rounder Tre Harris, 2025 fifth-rounder KeAndre Lambert-Smith and 2026 fourth-rounder Brenen Thompson among their options. All of those players are under team control for at least two more seasons.

Chargers Add 18 Undrafted Free Agents

The Chargers put the finishing touches on an eight-player draft class on Saturday. After quickly getting to work in the undrafted market, the Chargers announced 18 new rookie additions Sunday. Here is the list:

Dane Brugler of The Athletic ranked four of these players among his 300 best prospects entering the draft. At No. 181, Smith was highest on the pre-draft list. The 5-foot-10, 185-pound Smith played four years at Toledo, where he was in the same secondary as Eagles 2024 first-round cornerback Quinyon Mitchell and Browns 2026 second-round safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren for various periods. Smith made second-team All-MAC in each of his final two seasons with the Rockets. He combined for 100 tackles, 25 passes defensed and three interceptions in that 26-game span. While Smith mostly lined up on the outside in college, Brugler expects him to work as a nickel corner if he makes it to the NFL.

The Chargers can take their time with World (No. 199), a four-year college starter who is recovering from a serious injury. After spending four years at Nevada, World transferred to Oregon ahead of the 2025 campaign. He went on to earn second-team All-Big Ten honors as the Ducks’ left tackle, but the 6-8, 318-pounder’s season ended in brutal fashion. World tore his left ACL in a loss to Indiana in the College Football Playoff in January. The injury took a sledgehammer to World’s draft stock, but he now in position to develop behind the Chargers’ elite tackle duo of Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt.

Tucker (No. 236) is reuniting with new Chargers defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary, who held the same position at Western Michigan in 2025. Their one-year partnership at the college level could not have gone any better. Tucker posted jaw-dropping numbers (21 tackles for loss, 14.5 sacks) en route to MAC Defensive Player of the Year honors. While Tucker was excellent at WMU, he mustered just 1.5 tackles for loss and went without a sack at Houston in 13 games from 2022-24. Also a former junior college player, Tucker will already be 26 when the season starts. Nevertheless, “his high-effort pass rush can earn him a subpackage role” in the pros, Brugler writes. Tucker will earn a guaranteed $287,500 on his undrafted deal, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2.

Barton, 286th in Brugler’s rankings, joined the Chargers on a $264,500 guarantee (via Wilson). The former Pac-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year (2022) recorded 208 tackles, 17 TFL, eight sacks and five INTs over 46 games and 34 starts at Utah. Some teams regard the 6-4, 233-pound as a potential tight end convert, per Brugler, but the Chargers announced him as a linebacker. He is the brother of Titans linebacker Cody Barton and free agent offensive tackle Jackson Barton.

2026 NFL Draft Results: Team By Team

Here is every team’s haul from the 2026 NFL Draft:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

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