Minor NFL Transactions: 8/6/25
Today’s minor moves:
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: LB Jimmy Ciarlo
- Waived/injured: LB Baylon Spector
Chicago Bears
- Waived/injured: TE Jordan Murray
Cleveland Browns
- Reverted to IR: CB Anthony Kendall
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: WR Isaiah Neyor
- Placed on IR: G Travis Glover
- Reverted to IR: WR Sam Brown
Houston Texans
- Signed: WR Quintez Cephus
- Waived/injured: WR Johnny Johnson III
Los Angeles Chargers
- Waived: TE McCallan Castles
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: QB Hunter Dekkers
- Waived: P Matthew Hayball
New York Jets
- Released from IR: S Jaylin Simpson
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: DL Seth Coleman
- Waived/injured: WR Montorie Foster
Bills LB Baylon Spector suffered a calf injury earlier this week that ultimately cost him his roster spot, but he seems destined to ultimately land on the team’s injured reserve. Buffalo was quick to add Jimmy Ciarlo as the replacement. The former West Point captain spent most of his rookie campaign with the Jets, and he garnered auditions with the Giants and Patriots after getting let go by Gang Green in May.
The Texans added some depth at wide receiver in Quintez Cephus, although it came at the expense of Johnny Johnson III. The former Lions draft pick lasted three seasons in Detroit, where he hauled in 37 receptions for 568 yards and four touchdowns. Cephus was banned for the 2023 campaign for violating the league’s gambling policy, and he’s since had stints with the Bills, Texans, Rams, and 49ers. Following his first gig in Houston, he had a brief stint playing under Nick Caley in Los Angeles.
Chargers Bring Back WR Keenan Allen
After only a year away from Los Angeles, veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen has indeed returned to the Chargers. After much speculation in the past few days, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero broke the news of Allen’s new one-year, $8.52MM deal. 
After finishing his lone season in Chicago, in which he had a modest yet still impressive 70 receptions for 744 yards and seven touchdowns, Allen expressed interest in playing in only one of two cities in 2025: Chicago or Los Angeles. In the weeks leading up to free agency, though, the Bears seemed all but willing to let Allen walk in free agency. The Chargers, on the other hand, expressed some openness to a reunion with their long-time leading receiver.
Los Angeles had already reunited with Allen’s long-time teammate Mike Williams in March, and the idea of getting the band back together after only a one-year hiatus was looking like a decent possibility. Unfortunately for that possibility, Williams opted to announce his retirement just two and half weeks ago, perhaps opening the door for another veteran leader to take his slot on the roster.
Four days ago, the 33-year-old pass catcher visited the team that drafted him in the third round all those years ago out of Cal, and a day after head coach Jim Harbaugh finally expressed some interest in bringing Allen back to the locker room, the deal gets done.
Allen joins a young group of receivers in Los Angeles for the 2025 season. The Chargers’ top talent at the position is a second-year Ladd McConkey, a third-year Quentin Johnston, a rookie second-round Tre Harris, and a third-year Derius Davis. The TCU alums, Johnston and Davis, are familiar to Allen from his last season with the team, but the SEC pair are new faces in Allen’s return to the room.
With McConkey expected to be a mainstay in the slot after a phenomenal rookie season (82 catches, 1,149 yards, seven touchdowns), Allen can’t easily slip into that inside role, despite the tendency for players of his age to transition from an outside role. Johnston and Harris have plenty of size to work on the outsides, while Davis works as the primary return man.
Roles seem to be pretty clearly defined, so Allen could end up as the first man off the bench at any position or he may still be able to work effectively as an outside starter over either Johnston or Harris. Whatever role he plays, he shouldn’t have to work hard to reestablish the existing chemistry with quarterback Justin Herbert. We’ll see how he fits in with the new group in the weeks to come, but in the end his most valuable asset may be the leadership jersey No. 13 provides to the room in Year 13.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/4/25
NFL teams are continuing to adjust their rosters to weather injuries and add depth with preseason games kicking off later this week. Here are the latest minor moves from around the league:
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: OL Dan Feeney
- Waived: DE Kameron Cline, OL Rush Reimer
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: TE Mitch Van Vooren, RB Trayveon Williams
- Waived: OT Julian Pearl
Detroit Lions
- Signed: CB Luq Barcoo, CB D.J. Miller
- Waived/injured: RB Kye Robichaux
- Placed on IR: S Dan Jackson
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: CB Corey Ballentine
- Released: CB Gregory Junior
Houston Texans
- Activated from active/PUP list: RB Dameon Pierce
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: OL Tremayne Anchrum, DL Austin Johnson
- Waived: WR J.J. Jones
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: DL Nesta Jade Silvera
- Waived/injured: DL Josh Fuga
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: TE Chris Myarick
- Placed on IR: TE Jalin Conyers
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: TE Nick Vannett
- Waived: OT Marcellus Johnson
New England Patriots
- Activated from active/PUP list: OL Vederian Lowe
New York Giants
- Signed: LB K.J. Cloyd, RB Jonathan Ward
- Waived/injured: RB Rushawn Baker
- Placed on IR: LB Ty Summers
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: LB Michael Dowell, LS Zach Triner
- Placed on IR: S AJ Finley
- Waived: LB Seth Coleman
The Lions’ additions were likely a result of a shoulder injury to second-year cornerback Ennis Rakestraw. Head coach Dan Campbell said (via team writer Tim Twentyman) that “it’s going to be a while, at best” until Rakestraw returns to the field.
Ballentine returns to Green Bay, where he spent the last three seasons, after a brief stint in Indianapolis this offseason. He started six games and played 488 snaps for the Packers in 2023, but primarily contributed on special teams in 2022 and 2024.
The Giants are dealing with a number of injuries in their running back room, per The Athletic’s Dan Duggan. Only Tyrone Tracy, Devin Singletary, and Darius Miller are healthy, and the first two may not play much in the preseason. New York worked out a number of running backs on Monday, including Myles Gaskin and Isaiah Spiller (via KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson), but Ward impressed enough to join the squad moving forward.
Finley went down with a knee injury at training camp that is believed to be serious, pending additional tests, per ESPN’s Brady Henderson. Triner, meanwhile, will fill in for Seahawks third-year long snapper Chris Stoll, who is dealing with a back issue, according to Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times.
Jim Harbaugh Hopes Chargers Bring Back WR Keenan Allen
Keenan Allen worked out with the Chargers last week as the sides contemplate a reunion. No deal has been signed yet, but that will be the case if head coach Jim Harbaugh has his way. 
When speaking to the media on Monday, Harbaugh said (via ESPN’s Kris Rhim) Allen’s workout went well. He also noted his desire for a contract to be worked out in this case. Attention will thus turn to the efforts of Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz – who traded Allen away last spring – to finalize a pact.
The Bolts attempted to work out a pay cut with Allen in 2024 while the Harbaugh-Hortiz regime looked to make needed salary cap adjustments. In the end, Allen was dealt to the Bears while Mike Williams was released. Williams returned to Los Angeles but then elected to retire, leaving the door open to a veteran addition this summer. Harbaugh made it clear back in April he would welcome a second Allen tenure with the Chargers, so today’s comments come as little surprise.
Through the 2024 campaign and beyond, Allen has expressed a willingness to remain in Chicago or to return to Los Angeles. The Bears still have D.J. Moore and Rome Odunze, and the team added Luther Burden in the second round of the draft as a slot option for the present and future. Another Bears campaign is thus not expected, and little interest has been shown so far from other teams. With roughly $31.5MM in cap space, the Chargers could easily afford to bring Allen, 33, back into the fold.
Ladd McConkey enjoyed a stellar rookie season in 2024, and he figures to be a mainstay (particularly in the slot) for years to come. Allen is best suited to operate on the inside at this stage of his career, but the six-time Pro Bowler could of course also provide Justin Herbert with an experienced option on the perimeter. Especially given Williams’ decision to retire, the Chargers could stand to add a veteran presence at the WR spot.
Allen topped 1,000 yards six times during his Bolts tenure, including a career-best 1,243 in 2023. A repeat of that production would not be expected in the event a new Chargers deal were to be worked out, but one could still prove to be beneficial for both parties. It will be interesting to see if Harbaugh’s desire comes to pass in this situation.
Chargers LB Denzel Perryman Arrested On Felony Weapons Charges
Veteran Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman was arrested last night after a traffic stop for vehicle code violations resulted in the discovery of five firearms, including two assault-style rifles. According to a statement by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (via ESPN’s Kris Rhim), Perryman was cooperative with the deputies, booked on felony weapons violation charges, and is being held without bail. TMZ was first to report. 
An early statement from the Chargers (via Daniel Popper of The Athletic) told the media they “are aware of a matter involving Denzel and are gathering information.” While a statement from Perryman’s agent (via NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport) divulged that they “are still gathering facts…will fully cooperate with the process…do not take this situation lightly… (and) remain confident that the matter will be resolved fairly and in accordance with the law.”
Described by his agent as “a respected veteran” on the Chargers defense, Perryman’s career in the NFL has been one of ups and downs. Getting drafted to San Diego in the second round out of Miami (FL), Perryman showed talent early, earning a starting role six games into his 2015 rookie year, but injuries quickly became a point of issue. After only missing two games in Year 1, Perryman wouldn’t play in 14 games in a single season again until 2019, missing 20 games in the three seasons between.
Despite his frequent absences, Los Angeles extended him for two years after his rookie contract, but after first-round rookie Kenneth Murray and a third-year Kyzir White began to blossom, they allowed him to walk in free agency after six years with the franchise. In free agency, Perryman signed with a Panthers team a year removed from Luke Kuechly‘s sudden retirement. Ultimately, though, Carolina traded Perryman just before the start of the regular season to the Raiders.
In Las Vegas, Perryman had a career year at 29 years old. He started 15 games, finished sixth in the league with 154 total tackles (fifth in the NFL with 102 solo tackles), and earned his first and only Pro Bowl bid. A second strong season in Vegas saw his tackles decrease as he missed five games, but he still showed a renewed level of competition with two interceptions and 14 tackles for loss. He joined the Texans in free agency the next year, missing two games due to suspension and three to injury, and landed back with the team that drafted him last year, starting 11 games for his old squad.
Once a promising young, injury-prone, linebacker who lost his starting role in Los Angeles, Perryman went on to be a full-time starter for two other franchises, playing the best ball of his career, before coming back and securing a similar role with his old team last year. At 32 years old, Perryman is playing year-to-year on contracts at this point, but he was still expected to be a starter and a leader for a young group of up-and-coming backers in Daiyan Henley, Troy Dye, and Junior Colson.
With so many youthful options in the room, though, Perryman’s hold on a roster spot may be weakened by the events of last night. It’s unclear if last night’s arrest will lead to any discipline from the league or team, but details are sure to follow in the coming days.
Chargers, Keenan Allen Discussing Reunion
The second-leading receiver in Chargers history is discussing a reunion with his initial NFL team. Keenan Allen said in January he would aim for either a Bears re-signing or a return to California. The latter option appears in play.
Allen is meeting with the Chargers today, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport report. Mutual interest exists here, as Jim Harbaugh did not slam the door on an Allen comeback in April. After longtime Allen sidekick Mike Williams retired before his second Bolts stint was to begin, a veteran opening exists here.
Although Allen is more of a slot player at this point in his career, the Chargers are determining if he and Ladd McConkey can coexist. McConkey seized command of the Bolts’ receiving corps last year, being drafted weeks after the team traded Allen to the Bears. After Chicago used a 2025 second-round pick on Luther Burden, Allen’s path back to the team looked to be blocked. A recent report indicated Allen was drawing interest, and the Chargers appear to be one of the teams open to a signing.
The Chargers have a locked-in top target in McConkey, but they do not have much certainty beyond him. The team has not seen 2023 first-rounder Quentin Johnston justify his draft slot, and rookies — post-Williams — are otherwise being asked to step in. Los Angeles added another second-round wideout, Tre Harris, and used a fifth-round selection on KeAndre Lambert-Smith. While Allen is 33 and nearing the end of his career, he could still probably provide a solid supporting-cast option. The Bolts are undoubtedly seeing what such a move will cost.
Allen’s 10,530 receiving yards trail only 2025 Hall of Fame inductee Antonio Gates (11,841) in Bolts history. Allen also trails Gates in terms of years of service with the franchise (16-11). Not certain to join Gates or Charlie Joiner in Canton, Allen is an all-time Chargers great who provided an important No. 1 presence during Philip Rivers‘ later years and Justin Herbert‘s rookie contract. Allen posted six 1,000-yard seasons with the Bolts, his most recent producing a career-high 95.6 yards per game.
After Allen’s 1,243-yard season, hard feelings emerged after the Chargers attempted to give him a pay cut. This came as the Bolts made four major moves to reach cap compliance in Joe Hortiz‘s first year as GM. The team gave Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack pay cuts and released Mike Williams. Allen was then traded to the Bears for a fourth-round pick. It proved interesting that Allen was willing to return to the Chargers under this regime, but it being in the city where he lived for 11 years upon becoming a pro obviously matters a great deal.
Last season, Allen became a regular Caleb Williams target. At 32, he caught 70 passes for 744 yards and seven touchdowns. The Bears did not adjust Allen’s $20MM-per-year deal upon acquiring him, letting it expire in March. Allen’s Chicago-or-L.A.-or-retirement pledge has not produced a known update yet, even as a recent report indicated multiple teams were interested. Allen has not been closely linked to another team, making these rather important Chargers talks.
A six-time Pro Bowler, Allen is running out of time to submit a Hall of Fame case. The Chargers giving him a chance to add important contributions to a playoff-caliber team would help in that regard. Allen joins Amari Cooper as accomplished unsigned 30-somethings at the position, as DeAndre Hopkins, Stefon Diggs and Tyler Lockett found homes months ago.
Chargers, Rashawn Slater Agree To Extension
10:25pm: Mike Florio of NBC Sports delivered some details on Slater’s new record-setting contract. Of the $92MM in guaranteed money, $29MM comes in the form of his signing bonus. His base salaries in 2025 ($2MM) and 2026 ($11MM) are fully guaranteed, as are the $7MM roster bonuses in each year. His base salaries for the remaining years are $26MM in 2027 (guaranteed for injury at signing and fully guaranteed in March 2026), $23.29MM in 2028 ($10MM guaranteed for injury at signing and fully guaranteed in March 2027), and $20.75MM in 2029. He can also receive a $7MM roster bonus in 2029, giving Los Angeles incentive to let him play out the final year of the deal.
The deal is structured in a way that rewards Slater with the largest one-year, two-year, and four-year cash flows for an offensive lineman in NFL history. Daniel Popper of The Athletic adds that Slater’s cap hits as a result of the new contract will be $14.8MM in 2025, $23.8MM in 2026, $31.8MM in 2027, $29.09MM in 2028, and $33.55MM in 2029.
1:03pm: Rashawn Slater will not enter the 2025 campaign as a pending free agent. Talks on a Chargers extension produced an agreement Sunday. 
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports team and player have agreed to a four-year, $114MM extension. This monster pact – which is now official – includes $92MM guaranteed and makes Slater the highest-paid offensive linemen in NFL history. As a result of this pact, he is on the books with Los Angeles through 2029.
Given the Chargers’ decision to pick up Slater’s fifth-year option last spring, he was on track to collect $19.04MM in 2025. A mutual interest has long existed for a multi-year pact to be worked out, however, and after skipping OTAs the former No. 13 pick attended mandatory minicamp. Expecting to land an extension in time for Week 1, Slater was also present for the start of training camp this month. Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Slater sat out early practices while the agreement was finalized.
When Penei Sewell inked his Lions extension last offseason, he moved the bar to $28MM in average annual value. Tristan Wirfs narrowly surpassed that mark on his second Buccaneers contract, and Slater has now moved to the top of the pecking order. The 26-year-old’s AAV of $28.5MM is a new watermark for offensive linemen, and his guarantee figure – which will come into greater focus when the full structure of this pact is known, of course – far outpaces the other top earners along the O-line.
Slater has started all 51 of his regular season games with the Bolts, putting to rest questions about his arm length potentially preventing him from operating as a left tackle at the NFL level. The Northwestern product earned a Pro Bowl nod as a rookie and has rebounded from a health perspective since being limited to three games the following year. Slater finished a career-worst 17th in terms of PFF grade in 2023, but he landed a far better evaluation last season.
In 2024 – with No. 5 pick Joe Alt handling right tackle duties – Slater received a 90.9 PFF grade, good for second amongst qualifying tackles. The Chargers will be counting on that level of play continuing for the foreseeable future. Alt loomed as a potential candidate to replace Slater on the blindside starting in 2026, but today’s move ensures that tandem will remain in place for years to come.
Strength up front was, to no surprise, a key target for the Jim Harbaugh-Joe Hortiz regime when it took over last year. The Chargers now have Slater under contract long term while Alt has plenty of runway on his rookie pact. Mekhi Becton was signed in free agency after his stellar one-and-done Eagles campaign, and he will occupy the right guard spot. A rotation between left guard and center is ongoing with respect to Zion Johnson and Bradley Bozeman, but regardless of how that plays out the offensive line will again be expected to be among the league’s best in 2025.
The Bolts made the postseason in Harbaugh’s first year in charge, but a turnover-filled performance on the part of quarterback Justin Herbert resulted in a wild-card exit. If the team is to take a step forward this year, Slater will no doubt play a major role. His performance will now be measured with a record-breaking commitment on the part of the team in mind.
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/25/25
Friday’s minor moves as we head into the weekend:
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: CB Mello Dotson, OLB J.J. Weaver
- Waived (with injury designation): CB M.J. Devonshire
- Waived: OLB Amare Barno
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: WR Winston Wright
Green Bay Packers
- Claimed off waivers (from 49ers): RB Israel Abanikanda
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: WR JaQuae Jackson
- Waived: T Elijah Ellis
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Reverted to reserve/PUP list: T Silas Dzansi
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: WR Matt Landers
- Waived: WR Colton Dowell
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/23/25
With several training camps underway, here are today’s minor NFL transactions:
Baltimore Ravend
- Placed on active/NFI list: LB Jake Hummel
Buffalo Bills
- Placed on active/NFI list: WR Laviska Shenault
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: CB Tre Swilling
- Waived: QB Ethan Garbers
Chicago Bears
- Released: S Tarvarius Moore
Cleveland Browns
- Claimed off waivers (from Eagles): DE K.J. Henry
Green Bay Packers
- Activated from active/PUP list: CB Micah Robinson, LB Quay Walker
Houston Texans
- Placed on active/PUP list: DE Denico Autry, DE Derek Barnett, C Eli Cox, DT Foley Fatukasi, DT Kurt Hinish, LB K.C. Ossai, RB Dameon Pierce, RB J.J. Taylor
- Placed on active/NFI list: CB Alijah Huzzie, RB Joe Mixon
- Waived: CB Keydrain Calligan
Los Angeles Chargers
- Reverted to reserve/PUP list: T Savion Washington
Los Angeles Rams
- Placed on active/PUP list: WR Tru Edwards, TE Mark Redman
New England Patriots
- Activated from active/PUP list: LB Jahlani Tavai
- Activated from active/NFI list: CB Carlton Davis, WR Jeremiah Webb
New York Giants
- Reverted to reserve/PUP list: S Anthony Johnson
New York Jets
- Signed: OL Samuel Jackson
- Activated from active/NFI list: LB Aaron Smith
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: DT Joe Evans
- Placed on active/PUP list: LB Nakobe Dean
- Waived (with injury designation): OL Marcus Tate
Seattle Seahawks
- Placed on active/NFI list: DT Johnathan Hankins
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: DT Timmy Horne, RB Jermar Jefferson
- Place on IR: QB Will Levis (story)
- Placed on reserve/retired list: OLB Lorenzo Carter (story)
Washington Commanders
- Signed: WR Tay Martin
- Placed on active/PUP list: G Sam Cosmi (story)
- Placed on reserve/did not report list: WR Terry McLaurin (story)
Houston fans may be discouraged to see a few big names on injured lists, but all is not lost. Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 tells us that Mixon’s “medical outlook is positive” as the team plans to gradually increase his activity throughout camp. Likewise, Autry is expected to ease his way back into camp workouts, as well. Pierce, on the other hand, is expected to be ready to come off the list at the start of camp.
Per ESPN’s John Keim, Cosmi likely won’t see much time on the field in camp, but he appears to be hitting all the mile markers en route to being healthy for the start of the regular season. With McLaurin officially beginning his holdout yesterday, the team has made the corresponding roster move. McLaurin will rack up fines of $50K per each day missed, but if the team can come to terms on an extension, they can make sure those fines are nullified.
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/22/25
With training camps kicking off around the NFL, teams continue to make adjustments to their rosters. Here are today’s minor moves:
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: TE Matt Sokol, WR David White
- Waived: WR Kelly Akharaiyi, P Jake Camarda
- Placed on active/PUP: OT Spencer Brown, C Sedrick Van Pran-Granger
- Placed on active/NFI: TE Dawson Knox
- Activated from active/PUP: DE Landon Jackson
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: TE Tyler Mabry
- Released/failed physical: LB Josey Jewell (story)
- Placed on active/NFI: DT Bobby Brown
Cincinnati Bengals
- Waived: DT Dante Barnett
- Placed on active/NFI: RB Zack Moss
Cleveland Browns
- Waived (with injury designation): WR Jaelen Gill
- Placed on active/PUP: DT Mike Hall Jr., QB Deshaun Watson
- Placed on active/NFI: WR David Bell
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: K Mark McNamee
Houston Texans
- Waived: CB Keydrain Calligan
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Placed on active/PUP: DT Maason Smith
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: WR Phillip Dorsett, G Atonio Mafi, WR Seth Williams
- Waived: CB Mello Dotson, WR Zakhair Franklin, WR Key’Shawn Smith, LB Jailin Walker
Los Angeles Chargers
- Waived: OT Savion Washington
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: OL Daniel Brunskill
- Waived: QB Brett Gabbert
- Placed on active/PUP: OL Liam Eichenberg, TE Darren Waller
- Placed on active/NFI: S Ifeatu Melifonwu
New Orleans Saints
- Placed on active/PUP: TE Taysom Hill, TE Foster Moreau
- Placed on reserve/retired: TE Dallin Holker, S Tyrann Mathieu (story)
New York Giants
- Signed: S K’Von Wallace
- Waived/failed physical: S Anthony Johnson Jr.
- Placed on active/PUP: RB Eric Gray, LT Andrew Thomas
- Placed on active/NFI: LB Victor Dimukeje
New York Jets
- Waived: OT Obinna Eze
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: WR Equanimeous St. Brown
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Placed on active/PUP: OT Silas Dzansi, WR Chris Godwin, G Sua Opeta, QB Michael Pratt, OT Tristan Wirfs
- Placed on active/NFI: LB Anthony Walker
- Placed on active/non-football illness: DL Desmond Watson
Tennessee Titans
- Placed on active/PUP: C Lloyd Cushenberry, CB L’Jarius Sneed
Washington Commanders
- Waived/NFI: RB Michael Wiley