Vikings Sign CB Stephon Gilmore
AUGUST 21: Gilmore’s Minnesota deal comes with $7MM in base value, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets. The Vikings included void years in 2025 and ’26 to spread out Gilmore’s $3.5MM signing bonus. Gilmore’s 2024 cap number will check in at $4.67MM, per the Minneapolis Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling. The Vikings would incur $2.33MM in dead money by letting Gilmore walk in 2025.
AUGUST 18: The Vikings have agreed to terms with veteran cornerback Stephon Gilmore, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. It will be a one-year deal worth up to $10MM, with $7MM of that total guaranteed. 
Although Minnesota had not been publicly connected to Gilmore for much of this offseason, the club brought him in for a visit earlier this month, at which point we learned that the Vikes had maintained interest in the well-traveled defender for some time. He will immediately slot in atop a CB depth chart that has some question marks.
Fourth-round rookie Khyree Jackson died tragically in a car accident back in July, and second-year contributor Mekhi Blackmon suffered a torn ACL early in training camp. The Vikings still roster Byron Murphy and slot CB Josh Metellus, and players like Shaquill Griffin, Fabian Moreau, and Nahshon Wright have been added to the mix this offseason.
Griffin, who signed a three-year, $40MM deal with the Jaguars in advance of the 2021 season following a successful stint with the Seahawks, saw his Jacksonville contract terminated after two years, thanks largely to a back injury that he sustained during the 2022 campaign. In 2023, he inked a one-year, $3.5MM contract with the Texans, but after he started six of Houston’s first nine games, he was demoted to a special teams-only role and subsequently waived. He was claimed by the Panthers, though he appeared in just two games (one start) in Charlotte. Griffin finished the year as Pro Football Focus’ 53rd-best CB out of 127 qualifiers, while Murphy graded out as the 87th-best. Clearly, then, there was room for a quality addition, and even though Gilmore is going into his age-34 season, he should provide the Vikings’ secondary a considerable boost.
Gilmore, a five-time Pro Bowler, two-time First Team All-Pro, and the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year, finished as PFF’s 35th-best CB in 2023 as a full-time starter for the Cowboys. Per Pro Football Reference, Gilmore yielded an 82.7 QB rating on passes thrown in his direction, which was his highest mark since the site began tracking that statistic in 2018 but which is still a solid number. Plus, his presence will allow DC Brian Flores a little more flexibility with matchups, as Flores could move Murphy to nickel on occasion while Gilmore and Griffin — with support from Evans and Moreau — man the outside.
Despite his many accolades, Gilmore has become a bit of a nomad since he turned 30. A first-round pick of the Bills in 2012, the South Carolina product spent the first five years of his pro career in Buffalo before signing a lucrative contract with the Patriots during the 2017 offseason. After four productive years in Foxborough, he was dealt to the Panthers in October 2021, signed with the Colts during the 2022 offseason, and was traded to the Cowboys last March. He authored strong performances at each stop, however, including a top-10 finish in PFF’s rankings for his full season of work in Indianapolis in 2022. Plus, he should have some familiarity with Flores’ scheme, as Flores was New England’s de facto defensive coordinator in 2018.
The Panthers had plenty of interest in a reunion with Gilmore this offseason, and at one point, a return to Carolina appeared to be inevitable. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Panthers did make an offer to Gilmore, though Minnesota’s offer was obviously more compelling.
The Vikings finished in the bottom-10 in passing yards allowed in 2023, and the addition of Gilmore on a notable contract shows that they plan to improve upon that showing and compete for a playoff spot this season.
Eagles Release TE C.J. Uzomah
The Eagles signed C.J. Uzomah in early April. After four months to make an impression, the veteran tight end is returning to free agency. Philadelphia cut Uzomah on Wednesday to make room for offensive lineman Jason Poe.
This marks the second time this year a team cut Uzomah. The Jets released the former Bengals starter in March. The Eagles doing so nearly a a week before cutdown day stands to give Uzomah a better chance to catch on elsewhere, but his chances of making a notable contribution to a team in 2024 are trending in the wrong direction.
Uzomah, 31, entered the offseason attached to the three-year, $24MM Jets deal he signed shortly after he started in Super Bowl LVI. As Zach Wilson‘s struggles persisted, Uzomah did not make an impact with the Jets. Gang Green had signed both Uzomah and Tyler Conklin during the 2022 offseason; the latter remains with the team ahead of what is poised to be Aaron Rodgers‘ first starter season in New York.
Philly guaranteed Uzomah $718K at signing; that will turn into dead money. The 10th-year veteran is coming off a season-ending knee injury. Uzomah’s Jets run halted when he sustained MCL and meniscus damage in December; that setback also involved a tibial plateau fracture. Uzomah described his rehab from this injury as “way worse” than recovering from the Achilles tear that ended his 2020 season two games in.
While Conklin excelled last season, Uzomah totaled just 58 receiving yards in 12 games (eight starts). He compiled 232 receiving yards in 2022. The Bengals had given Uzomah an extension back in 2019, as Tyler Eifert continued to battle injuries, and they received a 493-yard, five-touchdown season from the former fifth-rounder in 2021. Uzomah sustained an MCL injury during that season’s AFC championship game but rehabbed in time to start in the Super Bowl.
In addition to Dallas Goedert, the Eagles have 2023 trade pickup Albert Okwuegbunam, 2022 sixth-round pick Grant Calcaterra and ex-Commanders option Armani Rogers. The team claimed rookie UDFA Kevin Foelsch off waivers earlier this month. The team is light on proven options behind its starter, however. Calcaterra and Okwuegbunam combined for just 175 offensive snaps last season.
Raiders LT Kolton Miller Returns To Practice
The Raiders’ quarterbacks group took a collective sigh of relief today as the team announced that starting left tackle Kolton Miller would be activated from the active/PUP list. The six-year starter passed his physical today, allowing the team to remove him from his physically unable to perform status and return him to practice. 
While Miller missed two games in 2020 and one in 2022, last year was the first in which we saw him truly struggle with injuries. Miller only made 11 starts in 2023, adding two games off the bench as an emergency option late in the year. The veteran blindside blocker played through a shoulder injury that would eventually require him to undergo offseason surgery.
As Miller reportedly made good progress through his rehabilitation, Las Vegas made plans to “manage” him throughout the season to keep him healthy. Even with the soft handling of their top lineman, the Raiders still held expectations that they may see Miller ready to start in Week 1. Almost a week ago, rumors started surfacing that Miller would be back on the practice field soon, and it turned out to be this afternoon.
Miller’s return is crucial for an offensive line that’s relatively light on experience. Veterans Andre James and Cody Whitehair provide the team with two likely experienced starters. The team expected 2022 seventh-round pick Thayer Munford to return and start at right tackle, but a hand injury put him in a position battle with third-round rookie DJ Glaze out of Maryland. Third-year starter Dylan Parham should return to the other starting spot.
The team also rosters veteran Andrus Peat, who has been filling in for Miller throughout his absence. Las Vegas was hoping to see second-round Oregon rookie Jackson Powers-Johnson compete for one of the interior line spots, but he spent a concerning amount of time on the active/PUP list himself before returning last week. His chances of nabbing a starting gig, though, have likely been damaged by the extended absence.
Steelers Release CB Anthony Averett
The Steelers were one of several teams who made adjustments to their roster today with cut day looming on the horizon. The past two days saw the team put center Nate Herbig on injured reserve followed by his roster spot being taken up by linebacker Kyahva Tezino. The latest roster adjustment saw Pittsburgh release veteran cornerback Anthony Averett, per ESPN’s Brooke Pryor. 
Averett is a former fourth-round pick out of Alabama who was originally drafted by the Steelers’ division-rival in Baltimore. He spent the duration of his rookie contract with the Ravens, gradually increasing his role until he became a full-time starter at cornerback in 2021. Injuries often hampered his availability, limiting him to just 44 of a possible 65 games in Baltimore, but in his contract year, Averett started all 14 games he appeared in, recording career-highs in tackles (54), interceptions (3), and passes defensed (11).
Those efforts earned him a one-year, $4MM deal with the Raiders. In Las Vegas, Averett would make six more starts in seven appearances, but injuries would limit him to only that in 2022. Last year, Averett signed with the 49ers late in the offseason but was released two weeks later. He signed to the Lions’ practice squad in early October but would only remain there for five weeks before being released again. The Steelers signed him back in May, hoping he would add some experienced depth behind Joey Porter Jr. and Donte Jackson.
Quickly filling up Averett’s roster spot, the Steelers signed defensive end Marcus Haynes, who was waived by the Browns a week ago. Additionally, another defensive back hit the free agent market as the team released cornerback Grayland Arnold from IR with an injury settlement, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/20/24
Here are today’s minor transactions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: DT T.J. Carter, LB Chris Garrett
- Waived: LS Joe Shimko
Baltimore Ravens
- Waived (with injury settlement): TE Scotty Washington
Buffalo Bills
- Waived (with injury designation): WR Lawrence Keys
Carolina Panthers
- Reverted to IR: CB Lamar Jackson, WR Tayvion Robinson
Dallas Cowboys
- Released: CB Sheldrick Redwine
Detroit Lions
- Placed on IR: LB Malik Jefferson, WR Tre’Quan Smith
- Waived (with injury settlement): LB DaRon Gilbert, S Morice Norris Jr.
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: FB Henry Pearson
- Waived (with injury designation): RB Jarveon Howard
Houston Texans
- Signed: FB Nick Bawden
Indianapolis Colts
- Reverted to IR: G Josh Sills
- Waived (with injury settlement): WR Ethan Fernea
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: QB E.J. Perry
- Waived: WR Brevin Easton
Kansas City Chiefs
- Reverted to IR: G McKade Mettauer
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: LB DaShaun White
Los Angeles Rams
- Waived (with injury settlement): CB Jerry Jacobs
Miami Dolphins
- Reverted to IR: LB Zeke Vandenburgh
New England Patriots
- Signed: LB Kobe Jones, LB Christian McCarroll
- Claimed off waivers (from Browns): WR Matt Landers
- Placed on IR: WR JaQuae Jackson
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: CB Joejuan Williams
- Activated from active/PUP: TE Juwan Johnson
- Waived (with injury designation): C Sincere Haynesworth
New York Giants
- Signed: S Clayton Isbell
- Reverted to IR: DT Ryder Anderson
- Waived (with injury designation): WR Dennis Houston
San Francisco 49ers
- Waived (with injury settlement): WR Frank Darby
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: LB Mikel Jones
- Placed on IR: LB Garret Wallow (story)
Washington Commanders
- Signed: S Kendell Brooks, LB Chapelle Russell
- Waived (with injury designation): S Ben Nikkel
- Released (with injury designation): LB Keandre Jones
Free Agent
- Suspended: DT Kevin Strong
Strong was a surprising release by the Cardinals during the regular season last year. At the time, Strong was coming off of his strongest NFL campaign, but head coach Jonathan Gannon claimed that the release was what was “best for the team.” While we still don’t know the nature of the suspension, or whether or not it’s even related to his January release, we are aware that he will miss three games.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/19/24
Here are Monday’s minor moves:
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: QB Anthony Brown
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: CB Willie Drew, CB Quandre Mosely, WR Sam Pinckney, RB Jaden Shirden, CB Chris Wilcox
- Placed on IR: CB Anthony Brown, QB Jake Luton
- Waived: RB Dillon Johnson
- Waived/injured: CB Lamar Jackson, WR Tayvion Robinson
Cincinnati Bengals
- Placed on IR: RB Chris Evans, T D’Ante Smith
- Waived: DT Devonnsha Maxwell
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: LB Brandon Bouyer-Randle, T Chim Okorafor
- Placed on IR: T Hakeem Adeniji
- Waived: WR Matt Landers
Dallas Cowboys
- Placed on IR: T Earl Bostick
Detroit Lions
- Signed: LB Joel Iyiegbuniwe
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: C Mike Panasiuk, LB Mike Smith Jr.
- Placed on IR: C Ryan Coll
- Waived/injured: G Josh Sills
- Released via injury settlement: RB Trent Pennix
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: LS Randen Plattner
- Waived: OL McKade Mettauer
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: WR Justin Hall
- Waived: WR Ty James, P Seth Vernon
New York Giants
- Signed: DL Kyler Baugh, LB Trey Kiser
- Waived/injured: DL Ryder Anderson
- Placed on IR: OL Yodny Cajuste
New York Jets
- Signed: CB Nehemiah Shelton
- Waived: TE Neal Johnson
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: LB Kyahva Tezino
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: TE Michael Ezeike, TE Devon Garrison
- Waived: LB Devin Richardson, CB Willie Roberts
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: DL Brandon Matterson
Washington Commanders
- Signed: DE Justin Hollins
- Cut via injury settlement: LB Bo Bauer
Smith sustained a torn patellar tendon during a Bengals joint practice with the Bears, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler reports. He joins Evans in sustaining a season-ending injury during that workout. A 2021 fourth-round pick, Smith was believed to have earned the Bengals’ swing tackle role early last year. But he did not see any game action in Year 3. Having played in just three career games, Smith has seen his career hit a crossroads after this injury. His rookie contract expires after the season. This further depletes a Bengals O-line that will be without first-rounder Amarius Mims for a bit due to a strained pec.
A former Bengals starter, Adeniji joined the Browns in March. A knee injury sidelined Adeniji recently, and while Kevin Stefanski said the veteran O-lineman will miss “a little bit of time,” this transaction will likely lead to an injury settlement that sends him back to free agency for a stretch. The Bengals used Adeniji as a starter in each of their four 2021 playoff games, before spending to upgrade their O-line the following year. Adeniji, a 2020 sixth-rounder, played in one Vikings game last season.
Brown and Lamar Jackson sustained injuries during the Panthers’ most recent preseason game, adding to Carolina’s issues — headlined by Dane Jackson‘s significant hamstring setback — at corner. Formerly a Cowboys regular, Brown has struggled to stick with a team as of late. He spent 2023 with three teams — the Steelers, 49ers and Jets — and played in just two games. This came after Brown was with Dallas for six seasons, starting 69 games.
A five-game starter for the 2021 Super Bowl champion Rams, Hollins played for three teams last season. The former Broncos draftee was with the Packers, Giants and Chargers. He has 10.5 career sacks, one coming last season.
Justin Herbert Returns To Practice; Chargers Waive QB Max Duggan
Justin Herbert returned to practice Monday, putting to rest any concerns about his availability for Week 1. While the standout Chargers quarterback sustained a plantar fascia injury July 31, he participated fully (via The Athletic’s Daniel Popper) with the Bolts’ first-team offense during practice.
Although that workload did not include 11-on-11 work, Herbert appears in no danger of missing any regular-season time. The Chargers have now made the move to waive Max Duggan, the QB they made last year’s Mr. Irrelevant selection.
The Bolts have Herbert going into his fifth season. Throughout that time, Easton Stick has been part of Los Angeles’ roster. Stick moved from third-stringer to backup in 2023, with Chase Daniel‘s contract expiring and the longtime backup transitioning to a media role, and the North Dakota State QB1 between Carson Wentz and Trey Lance replaced Herbert following his season-ending finger injury last season. Stick re-signed with the Chargers this offseason on a one-year, $2.67MM deal, but Popper notes the team needs to consider shopping for another QB2.
Viewing the fifth-year reserve as having regressed this offseason, Popper points to Stick’s fumbled snap and two interceptions in Rams territory — coming after a pick in the Bolts’ preseason opener — as evidence this situation needs to be reexamined. Stick has also looked shaky in Bolts practices on the whole, though he started both preseason games in front of Duggan and recent addition Luis Perez. A veteran of the AAF, XFL and UFL, Perez remains on L.A.’s 90-man roster following the Duggan cut.
The Chargers re-signed Stick despite Jim Harbaugh having no ties to him, moving on from Duggan — whose TCU team eliminated Harbaugh’s Michigan squad in the 2022 CFP semifinals — weeks into camp. Duggan did not play in the Chargers’ second preseason game, seeing Perez replace Stick. The longtime Bolts backup will start the team’s preseason finale, per Harbaugh.
Los Angeles could certainly look into options following next week’s wave of cuts — teams must pare their rosters from 90 to 53 before 3pm CT on August 27 — or look into a trade. If the Bolts release Stick, they would take on $1.4MM in dead money.
As for Herbert, Popper adds he ditched his walking boot late last week. The Pro Bowl QB did not miss any time due to the rib injury he suffered in Week 2 of the 2022 season, powering the Bolts to the playoffs. Though, it took weeks for the strong-armed signal-caller to return to top form that season. The Chargers having Herbert back at work nearly three weeks before the season obviously represents a good sign, and it will be interesting to view the Bolts’ depth chart behind him once waiver claims come in next week.
In addition to waiving Duggan, the Chargers signed safety Jalyn Phillips and waived wide receiver Leon Johnson. Duggan bounced between the team’s active roster and practice squad last year, being signed to a reserve/futures contract in January.
Cardinals Release OL Dennis Daley
The Cardinals added Dennis Daley on a two-year deal last offseason, but after an injury-shortened campaign he will be on the move. Arizona is expected to release the veteran offensive lineman, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Head coach Jonathan Gannon has since confirmed the move. 
Daley spent his first three seasons with the Panthers, logging 21 starts across 34 appearances. The 28-year-old saw time at left tackle in addition to both guard spots during that span before being traded to the Titans in 2022. That move was seen as a depth acquisition on Tennessee’s part, but Daley wound up logging a notable workload.
While filling in for the injured Taylor Lewan, the former sixth-rounder made 15 starts on the blindside. That season did not result in a strong PFF evaluation, but Daley still managed to land a two-year contract in free agency from former Titans exec Monti Ossenfort in his first offseason as GM of the Cardinals. He survived roster cuts upon arrival in Arizona, but he was placed on IR to begin the campaign. Once healthy, the South Carolina product made three appearances and one start for the Cardinals.
Arizona moved on from D.J. Humphries this offseason, one in which Jonah Williams was added on the open market. The latter will man the right tackle spot, allowing 2023 sixth overall pick Paris Johnson Jr. to move to the blindside. Daley could have served as a backup option at both spots, and his guard experience could have helped him land a roster spot with a depth role in mind.
Instead, he will hit free agency deep into the summer. Daley may manage to catch on with a new team relatively quickly given his experience, but he will likely need to wait until roster cutdowns at the end of the month to draw interest as teams sort out their offensive line depth. This release will create $1.6MM in cap space while incurring a dead cap charge of $175K.
Texans, S Jimmie Ward Agree To Extension
Jimmie Ward is set to remain in Houston beyond the coming campaign. The veteran safety has a one-year extension in place, as first reported by ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime. 
Ward will now be under contract through the 2025 season. The 33-year-old made his Texans debut last season, the first of DeMeco Ryans’ tenure as head coach. Now, the pair will continue their relationship in Houston after several years together in San Francisco.
Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 details this agreement will include up to $5.25MM in new money. Ward’s guaranteed compensation across the 2024 and ’25 seasons now sits at $8.75MM.
Since entering the league in 2014, Ward has been a mainstay on defense. His nine-year 49ers tenure included 79 starts in 116 appearances. The former first-rounder struggled with injuries in 2022, a year which he figured would be his final one in the Bay Area. Ryans invited him to sign with whichever team hired him as head coach, though, and that came to fruition in Houston. Team and player agreed to a two-year, $13MM pact and – after seeing some time in the slot – Ward returned to safety upon arrival with the Texans.
The Northern Illinois product was limited to 10 games last season, but when on the field he served as a starter. Ward logged a 73% defensive snap share, a figure short of his usage during many of his 49er years but a step up from the 2022 campaign. He recorded one interception and three pass deflections while not allowing a touchdown as the nearest defender in coverage. That level of play has earned him another short-term commitment.
Ward will continue handling a starter’s workload in a safety room which also includes fellow veteran Eric Murray in addition to third-round rookie Calen Bullock. 2022 second-rounder Jalen Pitre has previously played at safety, but Houston is using him at slot corner this offseason. Regardless of how that move works out, Ward will continue to be counted on for at least the next two years.
Cowboys Sign DE Carl Lawson
AUGUST 19: Lawson’s pact has a base value of $1.13MM, but incentives can increase that total, as detailed by ESPN’s Todd Archer. Reaching each of the five- or seven-sack thresholds would yield $125K in additional compensation; the same amount is available for logging a 55% or 65% defensive snap share. Hitting all of those marks in addition to the Cowboys reaching the playoffs would result in another $500K for Lawson.
AUGUST 15: Carl Lawson has been busy recently with respect to free agent visits, and one of his workouts has led to a deal. The veteran edge rusher is signing with the Cowboys, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. 
[RELATED: Cowboys Acquire Jordan Phillips From Giants]
Lawson has long remained one of the top edge rush options on the market following the end of his Jets tenure. The 29-year-old was one of four pass rushers the Cowboys hosted earlier this month, although no deal was immediately worked out. Both Al-Quadin Muhammad and Shaka Toney landed Dallas deals in the aftermath of their visits, but the latter was waived/injured yesterday.
In the wake of that development, the Cowboys have circled back to Lawson. The former Bengals fourth-rounder racked up 20 sacks in four seasons with Cincinnati, and he joined the Jets in 2021 with major expectations. An Achilles tear kept him sidelined for the entire season, but he returned to action the following year. Lawson recorded seven sacks in his debut Jets campaign. In 2023, however, things took a notably different turn.
The Auburn alum only suited up for six games last season, and he was held without a sack or QB hit. It thus came as little surprise Lawson endured a lengthy spell on the open market after his April visit with the Dolphins. More recently, he worked out with the Panthers and Cardinals in addition to auditioning for the Cowboys. Looking for depth on the edge, Dallas will add Lawson for the rest of training camp on a deal which will be worth far less than the three-year, $15MM one he previously landed with the Jets.
Dallas is set atop the depth chart with Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence. Muhammad and second-round rookie Marshawn Kneeland are set to handle rotational roles in the wake of Sam Williams‘ ACL tear. Lawson will now spend the coming weeks looking to carve out a role as part of that group ahead of roster cutdowns. A return to regular usage could set up an earlier free agent deal being worked out next offseason.