Broncos Extend GM George Paton
As expected, George Paton has landed a new agreement in Denver. The Broncos’ general manager signed a five-year deal on Friday, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports.
Before the 2025 season had ended, a Paton extension emerged as a likely goal for the Broncos. The veteran had one year remaining on his contract prior to today’s news. Now, though, Paton is on the books through 2030 on a deal which has since been confirmed via a team announcement.
Head coach Sean Payton has of course wielded considerable power since arriving in 2023. The ex-Saints Super Bowl winner has formed a strong tandem with Paton, and in February he expressed confidence an agreement would be worked out. The Paton-Payton pairing will continue for years to come as the Broncos look to build off their recent success. That includes earning the AFC’s No. 1 seed this past year.
“As our general manager, George has demonstrated a strong commitment toward building a winning roster while forming a collaborative and supportive partnership with Sean Payton,” a statement from owner Greg Penner reads. “I’ve enjoyed working with George over the last four seasons and appreciate the alignment we share in positioning the Broncos for sustained success.”
After time with the Bears and Dolphins, Paton joined the Vikings in 2007. He worked his way up to assistant general manager, serving in that capacity from 2007-20. Paton also held the title of VP of player personnel during his Minnesota stint. A return to the Vikings was floated as a possibility after Kwesi Adofo-Mensah‘s firing, but the Broncos’ desire for a long-term agreement remained. Minnesota’s GM spot is still vacant at this point and Paton, 56, will be staying put.
Denver’s post-Peyton Manning cold spell continued upon Paton’s arrival. The team posted a losing record in each of his first three years at the helm, and moves such as the Nathaniel Hackett hire and the Russell Wilson trade certainly did not pay off. Despite carrying a massive dead money charge in the wake of Wilson’s release, though, the Broncos have managed to rebound thanks to Paton’s roster-building moves. Denver reached the playoffs as a No. 7 seed in 2024, and this past campaign saw the team host the AFC title game.
Quarterback Bo Nix‘s ankle injury kept him out of that contest, but expectations will be high in his case individually and that of the Broncos in general for years to come. Paton has managed to retain a strong core on defense and along the offensive line, and he recently swung a deal for receiver Jaylen Waddle. That move should help shore up the receiver position as the Broncos look for more consistent play in the passing game for 2026 and beyond. Attaining that goal should set the team up for another playoff run.
The Broncos’ original long-term investment in Paton provided a strong return. Penner and Co. will hope this second one continues a run of productive moves in the front office. With Payton’s job security certainly not an issue at this point, organizational stability for the foreseeable future can be expected in Denver’s case.
Packers To Release K Brandon McManus
In the wake of Green Bay’s decision to select Trey Smack late in the draft, a kicker competition between he and veteran Brandon McManus seemed to be in store. That will not be the case, however.
The Packers are releasing McManus, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. This move certainly increases the chances of Smack winning the kicker job during training camp. Green Bay does still have Lucas Havrisik in the fold at this time as well, though.
McManus missed only one kick during 11 games with Green Bay in 2024. That strong showing landed him a three-year, $15.3MM deal last offseason. McManus enjoyed another strong showing during the regular season last year, but his outing in the wild-card round left plenty to be desired. Two missed field goals and one wayward extra point attempt loomed large in a four-point Packers loss to the Bears.
That performance led to questions about Green Bay potentially making a change at the position. With Smack now in the fold, the team will indeed move on. Today’s release comes well after McManus had already been paid a $1MM roster bonus. The other guaranteed money remaining on his deal means this cut will produce a dead money charge of $4.33MM and just $945K in cap savings.
McManus served as the Broncos’ kicker from 2014-22. His Denver release resulted in a free agent deal with the Jaguars, but he only wound up spending one year with Jacksonville. An agreement with the Commanders was reached in 2025, but allegations of sexual assault dating back to his Jags tenure resulted in Washington moving on. McManus was not suspended, and he managed to find a new home in Green Bay. Now, though, the 34-year-old will find himself on the move once again.
Most teams have an established kicker in place or at least multiple options this late in the offseason. That could result in a lengthy spell on the open market for McManus. In any case, he will aim to parlay his experience into a new opportunity no later than the start of training camp this summer.
Titans’ First-Round WR Carnell Tate Signs Rookie Deal
Having wrapped up the signings of their late-round picks, the Titans turned their attention to their top overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Tennessee has reached an agreement with Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate on his rookie four-year deal worth $51.13MM. The No. 4 overall pick reportedly received a $33.65MM signing bonus on his fully guaranteed agreement.
Tate started his career with the Buckeyes coming off the bench as a true freshman, earning his first start in the team’s bowl game. As a full-time starter in Year 2, Tate finished third in all three major receiving stats, behind then-freshman phenom Jeremiah Smith and future first-rounder Emeka Egbuka, en route to a national championship title. In his final year of collegiate play, Tate finished second behind Smith with career highs in receiving yards (875) and touchdowns (9).
It was thought that the Titans would grab a pass rusher, if one of the top two slipped past Arizona, but when the Cardinals took the running back many predicted would end up in Tennessee, the team surprised by taking Tate. Opting to secure another new weapon for their No. 1 overall pick from last year’s draft, the Titans landed an athlete proficient in multiple areas.
With deceptive speed, Tate showed deep ball potential with nine catches of 40+ yards. Despite the fact that he routinely found the end zone from far out — his nine touchdown catches averaged 32.5 yards per reception — Tate’s size and length also make him a formidable redzone target. In 14 contested targets, Tate came down with 12 catches. He’s a savvy route runner, too. The only questions following him to the NFL have to do with his ability to play across the middle of the defense — something he was not asked to do much in Columbus — and whether he can produce as a main target as he finally steps out from Smith’s shadow.
Tate joins an impressively re-tooled passing attack in Tennessee. The Titans signed wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson and tight end Daniel Bellinger in free agency to team up with last year’s impressive rookie pass catchers Elic Ayomanor, Chimere Dike, and tight end Gunnar Helm. Quarterback Cam Ward has a much-improved group that expects to see Tate starting alongside Robinson and a healthy Calvin Ridley.
After inking Tate, the Titans have two more high draft picks to sign before they wrap a bow on this year’s rookie class:
- Round 1, No. 4: Carnell Tate (WR, Ohio State) (signed)
- Round 1, No. 31 (from Patriots via Bills): Keldric Faulk (DE, Auburn)
- Round 2, No. 60 (from Bills via Titans): Anthony Hill Jr. (LB, Texas)
- Round 5, No. 142 (from Jets via Ravens): Fernando Carmona (G, Arkansas) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 165 (from Bears via Bills): Nicholas Singleton (RB, Penn State) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 184: Jackie Marshall (DT, Baylor) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 194 (from Ravens via Jets): Pat Coogan, C (Indiana) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 225 (from Chiefs via Cowboys): Jaren Kanak (TE, Oklahoma) (signed)
Bills Sign Second-Round CB Davison Igbinosun
The Bills took a big step towards completing the signing of their entire rookie class today, inking second-round Ohio State cornerback Davison Igbinosun to his four-year rookie deal.
After starting 10 of 13 game appearances at Ole Miss and earning Freshman All-American honors, Igbinosun entered the transfer portal when the Rebels chose not to bring back defensive coordinator Chris Partridge. After weighing his options, Igbinosun chose the Buckeyes over Michigan, Tennessee, and Rutgers. He would go on to become a three-year starter in Columbus, notching four interceptions and 19 passes defensed over his last two seasons.
At 6-foot-2 with length and a 4.45-second 40-yard dash, Igbinosun looks the part of an NFL cornerback, though he’s a bit on the lighter side. Even with a slight frame, he’s a physical defender who isn’t afraid to tackle. He has a tendency to make a little too much contact at times and will need to continue to develop some discipline at the next level of the game.
After rookie sixth-rounder Dorian Strong missed most of last season with a neck injury, the Bills relied on just three cornerbacks for most of their defensive snaps all last year. Only Christian Benford, Tre’Davious White, and rookie first-round pick Maxwell Hairston saw more than 20 snaps at outside cornerback for the rest of the season. Buffalo signed C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Dee Alford in free agency, but neither player adds much depth at the outside position after White’s contract expired. Igbinosun will team up with Benford, Hairston, and Strong to bolster that outside cornerback spot, and he could have an outside shot at starting in Year 1.
Here’s how the Bills’ rookie class signings are looking after securing the signatures of their top two picks:
- Round 2, No. 35 (from Titans): T.J. Parker (EDGE, Clemson) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 62: Davison Igbinosun (CB, Ohio State) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 102 (from Raiders): Jude Bowry (T, Boston College)
- Round 4, No. 125 (from Bears via Chiefs and Patriots): Skylar Bell (WR, UConn)
- Round 4, No. 126: Kaleb Elarms-Orr (LB, TCU)
- Round 5, No. 167 (from Texans): Jalon Kilgore (S, South Carolina) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 181 (from Lions)*: Zane Durant (DT, Penn State) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 220 (from Jets): Toriano Pride Jr. (CB, Missouri) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 239 (from Eagles via Jaguars, Browns and Bears): Tommy Doman (P, Florida) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 241 (from Bears): Ar’maj Reed-Adams (G, Texas A&M) (signed)
NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/8/26
Today’s rookie signings from around the NFL:
Chicago Bears
- WR Zavion Thomas (third round, LSU)
- CB Malik Muhammad (fourth round, Texas)
- LB Keyshaun Elliott (fifth round, Arizona State)
- DT Jordan van den Berg (sixth round, Georgia Tech)
Cincinnati Bengals
- C Connor Lew (fourth round, Auburn)
- WR Colbie Young (fourth round, Georgia)
- T Brian Parker II (sixth round, Duke)
- TE Jack Endries (seventh round, Texas)
- DT Landon Robinson (seventh round, Navy)
Los Angeles Chargers
- T Travis Burke (fourth round, Memphis)
- S Genesis Smith (fourth round, Arizona)
- DT Nick Barrett (fifth round, South Carolina)
- G Logan Taylor (sixth round, Boston College)
- G Alex Harkey (sixth round, Oregon)
New England Patriots
- T Dametrious Crownover (sixth round, Texas A&M)
- LB Namdi Obiazor (sixth round, TCU)
- QB Behren Morton (seventh round, Texas Tech)
- RB Jam Miller (seventh round, Alabama)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- WR Kaden Wetjen (fourth round, Iowa)
- DE Gabriel Rubio (sixth round, Notre Dame)
- S Robert Spears-Jennings (seventh round, Oklahoma)
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 Transaction: 5/8/26
Friday’s minor NFL transactions:
Cincinnati Bengals
- Claimed off waivers (from Giants): LB Swayze Bozeman
- Signed: S Isaiah Nwokobia
Cleveland Browns
- Claimed off waivers (from Giants): DT Elijah Chatman
- Received international exemption: P Nik Constantinou
Denver Broncos
- Waived: T Marques Cox, OLB Garrett Nelson
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: DT Smith Vilbert
New York Giants
- Signed: RB Damon Bankston
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Claimed off waivers (from Colts): LB John Bullock
Tennessee Titans
- Claimed off waivers (from Giants): WR Courtney Jackson
- Waived: WR Hal Presley
After the Giants waived Bozeman, Chatman, and Jackson yesterday, all three found new homes today on the waiver wire. Constantinou qualifies for the international exemption that allows him not to count against the team’s 90-man roster as one of several Australians who have found their way to the NFL as specialists. Lastly, Cincinnati, Minnesota, and New York all added to their UDFA classes today after Nwokobia, Vilbert, and Bankston went undrafted out of SMU, North Carolina, and New Mexico, respectively.
49ers Sign 33rd Overall Pick De’Zhaun Stribling To Fully Guaranteed Deal
The 49ers got the majority of their eight-player draft class under contract on Friday. The team announced six signings, including second-round wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling. The 33rd overall pick secured a fully guaranteed deal worth $13.376MM over four years, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 reports. Stribling’s pact includes a $6.188MM signing bonus.
San Francisco entered the draft with the 27th selection, but general manager John Lynch chose to trade out of the first round. After making two deals to move down to No. 33, the first pick on Day 2, the Lynch-led 49ers chose Stribling. It surprised many that Stribling came off the board that high, especially when more hyped receivers like Denzel Boston and Germie Bernard were still available, but Lynch said that “our entire building had conviction” on the pick.
The 6-foot-2, 202-pound Stribling possesses a good mix of size and speed, having run a 4.36-second 40-yard dash at the Combine. Stribling was also productive in a five-year college career divided among Washington State (2021-22), Okahoma State (2023-24) and Mississippi (’25). He totaled 216 catches, 2,964 yards and 23 touchdowns in 56 games. Stribling played 15 games last year and hauled in 55 passes for 811 yards and six scores. As Stribling begins his pro career, the 49ers will count on him as an auxiliary receiver behind starters Mike Evans and Ricky Pearsall.
As mentioned, five other 49ers draftees joined Stribling in signing their rookie deals. Here is the rest of the group:
- Round 3, No. 90: Kaelon Black (RB, Indiana)
- Round 4, No. 127: Carver Willis (T, Washington)
- Round 4, No. 139: Ephesians Prysock (CB, Washington)
- Round 5, No. 154: Jaden Dugger (LB, Louisiana)
- Round 5, No. 179: Enrique Cruz Jr. (T, Kansas)
The 49ers have two more picks to sign: third-round edge defender Romello Height (No. 70) and fourth-round defensive tackle Gracen Halton (No. 107).
Browns Sign First-Round T Spencer Fano, Seven Other Draftees
Friday has expectedly been busy with respect to teams working out rookie contracts. The Browns are among those which have finalized a number of deals with draftees.
Cleveland announced today that eight draft picks have been signed. First-rounder Spencer Fano is among them. The Utah offensive lineman was taken ninth overall after the Browns executed a long-anticipated trade down the board. That swap with Kansas City allowed Cleveland to move to the No. 9 slot.
Eyeing an offensive addition in the top 10, the Browns were comfortable with the trade upon finding out the Chiefs would be taking cornerback Mansoor Delane. That left Cleveland with three targets at the time of the swap: Fano, Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa and Arizona State receiver Jordyn Tyson. Tyson was drafted at No. 8, and the Browns went with Fano one pick later to make him the top blocker of the 2026 draft.
After one year at left tackle with Utah, Fano moved to the right side to accommodate Caleb Lomu. Fano thrived in that new role, but his arm length led to questions about the possibility of holding up on the blindside at the NFL level. Nevertheless, he will at least begin his Browns tenure at left tackle. Fano succeeding in that spot or finding another in short order would be critical for a Cleveland O-line which will field five new starters compared to last season.
Denzel Boston is the next highest-drafted rookie to sign with the Browns today. The Browns gave him a fully guaranteed contract worth $12.385MM over four years, including a $5.467MM signing bonus, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. The Washington receiver was on the radar of plenty of teams leading up to the draft, and Cleveland considered trading back into the Day 1 order to acquire him. Instead, Boston remained on the board through to pick No. 39. He will look to contribute right away for a Browns team desperate for improved production and efficiency in the passing game.
Given today’s news, only first-round receiver KC Concepcion and second-round safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren have yet to sign their rookie deals. That comes as little surprise, with many other players selected in the same range as them still unsigned at this point. In any event, the Browns will begin their rookie minicamp with most of necessary work already done on the contract front.
Here is an updated look at where things stand with the Browns’ draft class:
- Round 1, No. 9 (from Chiefs): Spencer Fano (T, Utah) (signed)
- Round 1, No. 24 (from Jaguars): KC Concepcion (WR, Texas A&M)
- Round 2, No. 39: Denzel Boston (WR, Washington) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 58 (from 49ers): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (S, Toledo)
- Round 3, No. 86 (from Chargers): Austin Barber (T, Florida) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 146: Parker Brailsford (C, Alabama) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 149 (from Bengals): Justin Jefferson (LB, Alabama) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 170 (from Broncos): Joe Royer (TE, Cincinnati) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 182 (from Jets via Browns, Jaguars, Raiders, Bills and Broncos): Taylen Green (QB, Arkansas) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 248 (from Seahawks): Carsen Ryan (TE, BYU) (signed)
Cardinals Sign No. 3 Pick Jeremiyah Love
Cardinals first-round running back Jeremiyah Love has signed his four-year rookie contract, the team announced. The third overall pick will earn a fully guaranteed $53.9MM, a record for his position.
Although he has yet to play an NFL game, the 20-year-old Love also ranks first among running backs in total contract value. The former Notre Dame star’s $13.25MM average annual salary checks in at seventh overall.
While Love does not play a premium position, many considered him the most talented prospect available in this year’s draft class. The Cardinals had more glaring needs at other spots (right tackle and edge defender, to name a couple), but they could not pass on the home run-hitting dual threat. They made Love the highest-drafted RB since the Giants took Saquon Barkley second overall in 2018.
Love is moving to the desert after winning the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s best back in 2025. He ended his three-year college career with a jaw-dropping 6.7 yards per carry on 433 attempts and 42 touchdowns (36 rushing, six receiving) in 41 games.
The Cardinals were not expected to draft Love in early March, when they made multiple moves to address their backfield. They kept James Conner around on a revised contract and picked up former Falcon Tyler Allgeier on a two-year, $12.25MM deal in free agency. Love is now the unquestioned top dog at the position, though, which will leave Allgeier to once again sit behind one of the most talented backs in the sport.
Allgeier surpassed the 1,000-yard mark as a fifth-round rookie in 2022, but it did not stop the Falcons from spending the eighth overall pick on Bijan Robinson in the ensuing draft. Robinson has been the Falcons’ starter since then. While Allgeier likely signed with the Cardinals expecting to take over as their lead back, he will instead play second fiddle to Love.
Commanders Complete Draft Signings
Friday saw the Commanders sign first-round linebacker Sonny Styles to his rookie contract. Washington has since worked out an agreement with the rest of its 2026 class.
All six Commanders draftees are now on the books, as noted by ESPN’s John Keim. Friday marks the beginning of Washington’s rookie minicamp, so it comes as no surprise each of these deals have been sorted out in time. Styles is one of only two players Washington added prior to Day 3 of last month’s draft.
The other is wideout Antonio Williams, who came off the board at pick No. 71. The Clemson product will look to carve out a depth role on offense right away with the Commanders looking to replace Deebo Samuel‘s 2025 production. Samuel is unsigned at this point, and a return to the nation’s capital is not expected.
Washington remains heavily linked to a Brandon Aiyuk acquisition. The team is not looking to swing a trade with the 49ers to bring him into the fold, though, so a lengthy wait for a potential release could be in store. In the meantime, Williams will aim to establish himself during spring work leading into training camp. A strong showing in that regard could result in a depth role even if Aiyuk winds up in Washington to pair with Terry McLaurin.
Joshua Josephs will join a pass rush room which has undergone plenty of changes this spring. He, too could occupy a rotational role right away before taking on a larger workload. Washington’s other Day 3 picks will aim to provide young depth to a team which has fielded one of the league’s oldest rosters in recent years. Contributions from new arrivals would be key in helping the Commanders return to the playoffs in 2026.
Here is a final look at Washington’s draft class:
- Round 1, No. 7: Sonny Styles (LB, Ohio State) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 71: Antonio Williams (WR, Clemson) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 147: Joshua Josephs (EDGE, Tennessee) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 187: Kaytron Allen (RB, Penn State) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 209 (from 49ers): Matt Gulbin (C, Michigan State) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 223: Athan Kaliakmanis (QB, Rutgers) (signed)