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Bills Sign LB Shaq Thompson

June 10th, 2025 at 9:36pm CST by Adam La Rose

Shaq Thompson has lined up his next NFL gig. The veteran linebacker signed a one-year deal with the Bills on Tuesday, per a team announcement.

Thompson was informed by the Panthers in February he would not be re-signed. That decision ended his 10-year run with the franchise and left him in need of joining a new team for the first time in his career. The 31-year-old will now spend the summer looking to carve out a role in Buffalo.

Immediately after learning his time in Carolina was over, Thompson made it clear he had no intention of retiring. Since that point, no clear links had emerged to known suitors until today’s news. It comes as no surprise, however, that the Bills have elected to bring the former first-rounder into the fold.

During the first two years of Thompson’s career (2015-16), he worked under then-Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott. The latter has been Buffalo’s head coach since 2017, so this deal represents a reunion between the two. Thompson will look to return to his previous form by avoiding the injuries he has dealt with over the past two years. Over that span, he has played just six total games.

Thompson produced a stretch of four consecutive seasons with 104 tackles or more prior to his injury-shortened campaigns, and he if can manage to remain healthy he could offer Buffalo a first-team option at the linebacker spot. More realistically, the 112-game starter could provide experienced depth at the second level of the team’s defense. The Bills have Terrel Bernard, who inked a $42MM extension this offseason, in place as their highest-paid linebacker.

Matt Milano and Dorian Williams will also return from last year’s team, and they will be expected to handle key roles in 2025. Nonetheless, Thompson could carve out a spot on the depth chart during training camp. His acclimation to his new team will begin this week during Buffalo’s minicamp.

The Bills entered Tuesday with a league-low $1.69MM in cap space, leaving them short on finances to make free agent additions. Thompson was on track for a pact at or near the veteran minimum from any suitor, though, and that will no doubt be the case with this Buffalo agreement.

Patriots Place OL Wes Schweitzer On Reserve/Retired List

June 10th, 2025 at 4:32pm CST by Sam Robinson

Not long after Ronald Darby went from offseason free agent signing to retiree, Wes Schweitzer is traveling the same path. The Patriots placed the offseason pickup on their reserve/retired list Tuesday.

Assuming this is it for the veteran offensive lineman, he will close his NFL service with nine seasons of work spent in Atlanta, Washington and New York. Following his two Jets seasons, Schweitzer signed a one-year deal worth $1.56MM in mid-March. The Patriots pact included just $150K guaranteed.

A 62-game starter, Schweitzer played in only 10 contests with the Jets (on a two-year, $5MM deal) over the past two seasons. The 2025 season would have been an age-32 campaign for Schweitzer, who managed to become an NFL regular as a sixth-round Falcons draftee out of a mid-major program. He had been competing for a guard spot during the Pats’ offseason program, as the team signed Garrett Bradbury to take over at center.

Schweitzer brought experience at center but spent most of his NFL days at guard. The San Jose State alum surpassed the 300-snap mark at both center (2021) and right guard (’22) with Washington, doing so after splitting time (nearly 1,000 snaps) at left and right guard for the 2020 Washington squad that made the playoffs at 7-9. Schweitzer had signed a three-year, $13.5MM Washington contract in 2020; that became his most notable NFL agreement, one he played out.

The Falcons, however, served as the most notable stop for Schweitzer. Drafting him 195th overall in 2016, Atlanta did not use him in a game during its Super Bowl LI season but deployed him as a full-time starter in Year 2. Schweitzer started 16 games at right guard during the Falcons’ most recent playoff season (2017) and made 33 more starts with Atlanta until his rookie contract expired. Pro Football Focus graded Schweitzer as a top-20 guard in 2020, as the Falcons paired him with first-rounder Chris Lindstrom, helping to command that free agency accord.

Schweitzer landed on IR in both Jets seasons, with the 2023 season featuring two such placements (and two return designations). This came after a concussion keyed a 2022 IR trip in Washington. A hand injury sent Schweitzer to IR before Week 1 last year, and he missed three months. A late-season activation from IR commenced. For his career, Schweitzer will retire having earned more than $21MM.

Cardinals Sign First-Round DT Walter Nolen

June 10th, 2025 at 1:42pm CST by Adam La Rose

Walter Nolen is the latest member of the 2025 draft class to sign his rookie deal. The Cardinals’ top choice is officially on the books, per a team announcement.

Nolen’s four-year deal is worth $19.3MM (h/t ESPN’s Adam Schefter). That figure includes a $10.7MM signing bonus and is guaranteed in full. If the Cardinals pick up his fifth-year option, Nolen will be under team control through 2029.

The top recruit amongst defensive linemen in 2022 (and second nationally to only Travis Hunter), Nolen faced massive expectations in college. During his two years at Texas A&M, however, things did entirely go according to plan. He totaled five sacks and 11 tackles for loss with the Aggies before deciding to transfer within the SEC for his junior campaign. Nolen spent 2024 at Ole Miss, and he enjoyed a strong campaign there.

Nolen racked up 6.5 sacks, 14 tackles for loss and three pass deflections with the Rebels. Those totals helped earn him first-team All-SEC and All-American honors and cement his status as one of the top options in a deep defensive line class. While questions were raised early in the pre-draft process about his range, it was clear just before the opening round Nolen would likely not need to wait long to hear his name called.

Indeed, it came as little surprise when the Cardinals selected him at No. 16. Nolen joins an Arizona team which has been in need of improved play along the defensive front. Plenty of departures have taken place along the D-line this offseason, but the Cardinals reunited with Calais Campbell in free agency. The team also made notable splashes on the open market in the form of Dalvin Tomlinson and edge rusher Josh Sweat. Expectations will be high for a step forward from that unit in 2025.

Nolen will have at least a rotational role during his rookie season as part of the D-tackle group. Beyond that, he will be seen as a key figure along the interior for years to come if he develops as planned. Given today’s news, second-round corner Will Johnson is now the only unsigned member of the Cardinals’ draft class.

Packers Release CB Jaire Alexander

June 10th, 2025 at 1:14pm CST by Adam La Rose

JUNE 10: The Packers had the option of splitting the dead money charge from the Alexander release across the next two years. Instead, Schneidman reports the team will take that hit in full in 2025. As a result, Alexander will account for $17.04MM this year before coming off the books entirely in 2026.

JUNE 9: Jaire Alexander‘s time in Green Bay has come to an end. After talks regarding both a trade and a restructure took place this offseason, the Pro Bowl corner will hit free agency. Alexander is being released today, as first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The move is now official.

The team spoke with Alexander’s camp yesterday, Dianna Russini and Matt Schneidman of The Athletic add. It was during that meeting that the 28-year-old learned he would be let go. Instead of continuing to pursue a trade or a pact keeping Alexander in Green Bay at a reduced rate, team and player will now go their separate ways. Despite the financial impasse the parties arrived at, ESPN’s Rob Demovsky notes Alexander was planning to attend this week’s mandatory minicamp.

[RELATED: Alexander’s Contract Impeded Packers’ Trade Efforts]

Two years remained on the former first-rounder’s contract, one which included nonguaranteed base salaries for the remainder of the pact. Alexander was due to carry cap charges of $24.64MM and $27.02MM, figures which were not feasible from the team’s perspective given his inability to remain healthy in recent years. By making this move after June 1, the Packers will see $17.12MM in cap savings while generating a dead money charge of $7.52MM.

Alexander has spent each of his seven NFL seasons in Green Bay, operating as a full-time starter throughout his time with the team. The Louisville product has been one of the league’s top corners when healthy, and he collected a second-team All-Pro nod in 2020 and ’22. During the latter campaign, Alexander set a new career high with five interceptions while recording double-digit pass deflections (14) for the fourth time. Both years since then, however, he has played only seven games.

That lack of availability has made Alexander’s Packers future a talking point for some time now. A trade was not only explored in this case, but the team shopped him prior to free agency. No agreement was worked out on that front, and shortly after the new league year began Green Bay inked Nate Hobbs to a four-year, $48MM pact. The former Raider will be a key member of the Packers’ new-look secondary this season as the team looks to move forward without a defensive mainstay in the fold any longer.

In the meantime, it will be interesting to see how much of a market develops for Alexander late in the offseason. Suitors were understandably hesitant about parting ways with draft capital given his injury issues and the possibility of a release taking place. Now that Alexander is indeed set to become a free agent, any number of teams have the financial wherewithal to pursue what will no doubt be a short-term deal. Alexander was the league’s highest-paid corner at the time he inked his Packers extension, but his earning power will of course be greatly reduced this time around.

Jalen Ramsey looms as another high-profile corner available to interested teams, although the Dolphins All-Pro will (in all likelihood) be acquired via trade. Alexander, by contrast, can begin lining up visits with suitors once his release is processed later today.

Vikings, TE Josh Oliver Agree To Extension

June 10th, 2025 at 11:19am CST by Adam La Rose

Josh Oliver will be remaining with the Vikings for years to come. The veteran tight end agreed to an extension on Tuesday, as first reported by Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

This will be a three-year pact with a base value of $23.25MM, Oliver’s agent informed ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The deal contains $11.9MM in new guarantees and can reach a maximum of $27.5MM. Oliver is under contract through 2028, and his latest pact is now official.

A third-round pick of the Jaguars in 2019, Oliver faced high expectations upon arrival in the NFL. His Jacksonville tenure began with only four games played during his rookie season, however. Foot surgery then led to an absence spanning the entire 2020 campaign. When Oliver was traded to the Ravens in March 2021, the move allowed him a change of scenery and the opportunity to increase his market value.

The San Jose State product managed to remain mostly healthy during his two Baltimore seasons, although he did not factor much into the team’s passing attack. Nevertheless, Oliver spent the second half of his rookie contract showcasing his value as a strong run blocker. Success in that regard landed him a three-year, $21MM free agent deal with the Vikings in 2023. So far in Minnesota, Oliver has totaled 471 yards and five touchdowns on 44 catches.

While that represents an uptick in usage compared to his previous stops, the 28-year-old has primarily been used as a run blocker in Minnesota. Oliver’s success in that regard has made him an effective complement to T.J. Hockenson, who has three years remaining on his $16.5MM-per-year contract. The Vikings will have an even more expensive TE room moving forward.

Minnesota has finished no worse than sixth in passing yards during each of head coach Kevin O’Connell‘s three years at the helm. With wideouts Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison still in place, expectations will remain high in that regard for 2025. Oliver will play a depth role in the passing attack, but he will also still be counted on to operate as one of the league’s top blockers at his position.

Seahawks Extend P Michael Dickson

June 10th, 2025 at 7:28am CST by Nikhil Mehta

The punter market continues to rise with the Seahawks signing Michael Dickson to a four-year, $16.2MM extension, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.

Seattle made Dickson the NFL’s highest-paid punter in 2021 with a $3.625MM AAV deal that was set to expire after the 2025 season. In May, the Raiders surpassed that number with $3.95MM per year for A.J. Cole, and the Jaguars gave Logan Cooke an even $4MM AAV yesterday. That gave Dickson enough leverage to reclaim the top spot after another solid year for the Seahawks in 2024.

The 29-year-old has spent each of his seven seasons in Seattle, and he delivered a strong showing during his rookie campaign. Dickson earned a Pro Bowl nod in addition to first-team All-Pro honors in 2018, raising expectations and cementing his status as a key special teams contributor for the Seahawks. Since then, he has remained among the league’s most consistent punters.

On three occasions, Dickson has recorded a net punting average of 44 yards or more; in 2023, his gross average of 50 yards marked a career best. The former fifth-rounder was unable to duplicate either of those figures in 2024, but his totals still bested his career averages. As a result, today’s news comes as little surprise.

Seattle has kicker Jason Myers attached to one of the league’s most lucrative contracts at his position. He is on the books through 2026. Long snapper Chris Stoll is under contract for 2025, so he will spend at least one more year with the team. The coming season will therefore bring continuity on special teams for the Seahawks, and Dickson will remain in place for years to come.

Adam La Rose contributed to this post.

Bengals Release LB Germaine Pratt

June 9th, 2025 at 10:00pm CST by Adam La Rose

As expected, Germaine Pratt will not be with the Bengals in 2025. The veteran linebacker will be released today, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. The team has since confirmed the move.

Throughout the offseason, signs have pointed to a parting of ways in this case. Pratt has loomed as a release candidate for months, and today’s move will allow him to hit the open market ahead of training camp. The 29-year-old requested a trade in February, but no agreement was worked out with an interested team. Now, the sides will move on after six years together.

One season remained on Pratt’s contract, but none of his scheduled base salary was guaranteed. Instead of keeping the former third-rounder in place at a cap hit of $8.18MM, the Bengals will take the financial benefits of this move. Cutting Pratt after June 1 will generate $5.85MM in savings while incurring a dead money charge of $2.33MM.

Since the start of last month, a release has been seen as an inevitability. Cincinnati will continue to rely heavily on Logan Wilson as a productive contributor at the second level of the defense in 2025. That marks the first season with Al Golden in place as defensive coordinator, and he will have a pair of rookies in place at the linebacker spot. Second-rounder Demetrius Knight Jr. is in position to replace Pratt as a starter.

Golden’s predecessor, Lou Anarumo, now finds himself in charge of the Colts’ defense. To little surprise, Sports Illustrated’s Jay Morrison notes Indianapolis is a logical landing spot for Pratt. The team lost E.J. Speed in free agency, and with more than $20MM in cap space a low-cost Pratt signing aimed at inserting him into the starting lineup should not be a challenge.

After taking on a first-team role midway through his rookie campaign, Pratt remained a mainstay on defense through the remainder of his Bengals career. The NC State product has increased his tackle total every year, and he hit double-digits in that respect over each of the past two campaigns. With seven interceptions and 23 pass deflections to his name, production against the pass will also be expected once he lands with a new team.

The Bengals entered Monday mid-pack in the NFL in terms of cap space, but once the Pratt move is processed they will have additional funds available. It will be interesting to see if a linebacker addition winds up being made from outside the organization or if Cincinnati’s in-house options will be relied on to fill the vacancy.

Minor NFL Transactions: 6/9/25

June 9th, 2025 at 9:24pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Here are the latest minor moves from around the league:

Cleveland Browns

New Orleans Saints

Barton started two games at right tackle for the Cardinals in 2024, but ended the season on injured reserve. He will join a crowded OT room in Cleveland with Dawand Jones and Jack Conklin as the expected starters at left and right tackle, respectively.

Texans Officially Sign RB Nick Chubb

June 9th, 2025 at 5:17pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Texans’ Nick Chubb agreement is now finalized. The parties agreed to terms, with a passed physical greenlighting a one-year deal with a base value of $2.5MM (per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport).

Chubb’s contract can reach a maximum value of $5MM with incentives, according to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, but it remains a far cry from the three-year, $36.6MM deal he signed with the Browns in 2021.

The four-time Pro Bowler took a significant pay cut to remain in Cleveland last year after his season-ending ACL tear in September 2023. (Chubb played for $2.28MM in 2024.) He returned to the field a little over a year after his ACL injury but was not the same prolific runner, posting a career-low 3.3 yards per carry in eight games before ending the season on injured reserve due to a broken foot.

Health will no doubt be a factor in Chubb’s ability to compete for touches in Houston, both for him and the rest of the Texans’ backfield. Joe Mixon ranked ninth in the NFL with 72.6 rushing yards per game in 2024, but missed three games due to injury. His backup, Dameon Pierce, was sidelined for the same three weeks, plus three more, and finished the season with just 111 offensive snaps. Pierce was efficient when healthy; even discounting his season-long of 92 yards, he averaged 5.15 yards across his 39 regular-season carries. No other Texans running back had more than 40 attempts or 150 rushing yards on the year.

Chubb passed his physical on Monday, but his ability to return to his pre-injury form remains to be seen. It’s not surprising that the 29-year-old struggled to hit the ground running last year, but he’ll be just shy of two years removed from his knee injury when the 2025 season starts. Provided that his foot is no longer an issue, Chubb will have plenty of time across the next three months to learn the Texans’ playbook and carve out a role in the offense.

That process will start at Houston’s mandatory minicamp this week.

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