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RB Jerome Ford Agrees To Browns Pay Cut

May 2nd, 2025 at 1:57pm CST by Adam La Rose

Jerome Ford saw the Browns make a pair of running back additions during the draft, something which may have opened the door to a trade taking place. Instead, the three-year veteran will remain in Cleveland for 2025.

Ford has agreed to a pay cut, Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reports. The 25-year-old was on track to collect $3.49MM next season, but that figure has now dropped to $1.75MM (which has been guaranteed). Ford remains on track for free agency in 2026.

The former fifth-rounder saw just eight carries during his rookie campaign, but his workload increased dramatically the following year. Nick Chubb‘s knee injury opened the door for Ford to take on a starting role, and he used it to total 1,132 scrimmage yards and nine total touchdowns. The passing game in particular saw Ford thrive with an average of 7.3 yards per reception.

The Browns did not bring back Kareem Hunt for the 2024 campaign, but Chubb returned midway through the season. That led to a drop in Ford’s workload (104 carries), although he saw his efficiency spike to 5.4 yards per carry. He will spend the offseason competing for snaps as part of a backfield which also includes Pierre Strong as well as the two rookies (Quinshon Judkins, Dylan Sampson) added via the draft.

Of course, one of the main takeaways from today’s move is the fact it represents another sign Chubb will be playing elsewhere in 2025. Not long after the draft took place, general manager Andrew Berry noted the team was evaluating its options in the backfield, something which hinted toward Chubb not being retained. A Ford trade could have allowed for a deal to be worked out on that front, but that will not be the case. Chubb’s free agent market will remain worth monitoring, while Ford will look to help his free agent stock with a strong showing in 2025.

Eagles Sign Nine UDFAs

May 2nd, 2025 at 1:04pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Eagles added 10 players during the draft, and their rookie class has expanded further today. Philadelphia has signed the following undrafted free agents:

The Super Bowl champions, like all other teams, made a few notable investments as part of the process of putting together their UDFA class. Pierce received $180K in guarantees, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reports. He will spend the offseason competing for a depth role behind one of the best O-lines in the NFL.

Brandon Johnson also landed a six-figure commitment from Philadelphia. Per Wilson, the 5-11, 180-pounder received $170K guaranteed. After three years at Duke, Johnson played out his senior season with the Ducks. He recorded one interception and a scored a touchdown on a fumble recovery in 2024. Johnson will aim to carve out a roster spot via a special teams role.

Hook will likewise aim to earn a spot as a third phase contributor while providing depth on defense. His five-year stint at Toledo included three consecutive campaigns with first-team All-MAC honors. Hook totaled seven interceptions over that span, and in 2024 he set a new career high with 107 tackles.

Cowboys Agree To Terms With Tyler Booker

May 2nd, 2025 at 12:19pm CST by Adam La Rose

The first Day 1 selection of the 2025 draft has agreed to terms with their new team. Guard Tyler Booker has a deal in place with the Cowboys, as first reported by ESPN’s Todd Archer.

[RELATED: Team-By-Team Draft Results]

Booker was selected 12th overall, a slot which contains plenty of upfront money as part of the fully guaranteed compensation first-round picks receive on their initial contracts. Archer notes the pact is worth a total of $22.55MM. Booker will collect a $13MM signing bonus.

Dallas was linked to other positions in the build-up to Day 1, but the team had Booker as its top remaining player when on the clock at No. 12. As a result, the Cowboys added the Alabama product and by doing so used a first-round pick on an offensive linemen for the third time in the past four years. Booker will aim to join Tyler Smith and Tyler Guyton as a starter up front in 2025 and for years to come.

As expected, future Hall of Famer Zack Martin retired this offseason, ending his decorated 11-year run in Dallas. That decision created a vacancy in the starting lineup at right guard, and Booker could step into it as a rookie. He is on the books for at least the next four years, but the team will be able to keep him in place through the 2029 campaign by means of the fifth-year option.

Arizona wideout Tetairoa McMillan would have been Dallas’ pick had he been available. Instead, the Panthers drafted him at No. 8, leading the Cowboys to pivot to Booker; that has left a need at the receiver spot deep into the offseason. As the Cowboys explore their options on that front with their rookie camp opening today, Booker will begin competing for a first-team gig.

Vikings, OLB Andrew Van Ginkel Agree On Extension

May 2nd, 2025 at 11:30am CST by Sam Robinson

MAY 2: Van Ginkel’s new guaranteed money includes a $10MM signing bonus, as detailed by Over the Cap. His cap charges now sit at $11.4MM for 2025 and $19.4MM the following season. $510K in per-game roster bonuses are included for both campaigns. Four void years are present in the deal.

APRIL 29: Andrew Van Ginkel impressed upon reuniting with Brian Flores, enjoying a productive season as a pass rusher to help the Vikings finish the season as a top-five defense. The team will reward the former Dolphins defender for his work.

The Vikings are giving Van Ginkel a one-year, $23MM extension, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The deal comes nearly fully guaranteed, with $22.4MM being locked in. Minnesota now has Van Ginkel signed through 2026. This will bring a significant bump for Van Ginkel, who was due a $10.78MM 2025 base salary that featured $4MM guaranteed.

Coming up earlier this offseason as an extension candidate, Van Ginkel drew interest from the Rams and Eagles last year. He has shown himself to be a viable starter on the edge — after previously working as a backup.

Reinserted into Miami’s starting lineup as a pass rusher due to Jaelan Phillips‘ 2023 injury, Van Ginkel upped his free agency stock in the weeks that followed. He signed a two-year, $20MM Vikings deal in 2024. That contract was to void if no extension occurred before the start of the 2026 league year. The Vikings have checked off that piece of business Tuesday.

Van Ginkel, 29, built on his 2023 pass-rushing production by registering 11.5 sacks last season. The former Dolphins fifth-rounder, who arrived during Flores’ first offseason in charge, accumulated an impressive 18 tackles for loss and 19 QB hits last season. Van Ginkel had previously never posted 10 TFLs in a season. In addition to his sack production, Van Ginkel also intercepted two passes and returned both for touchdowns in his Vikings debut. He now has three pick-sixes in two years.

Minnesota acquired a second first-round pick in 2024. While most assumed it was to become key ammo in the franchise’s quest to select a quarterback, the Vikings — after seeing the Patriots decline their trade-up offer for Drake Maye — then traded up from that spot (via the Jaguars) to take edge rusher Dallas Turner at No. 17. Despite the lofty investment, Turner played behind Van Ginkel and big-ticket free agent signee Jonathan Greenard. This extension certainly looks like that setup will continue in 2025.

This one-year bump resembles the Bengals’ 2023 move for Trey Hendrickson, though it comes after just one Van Ginkel season. Hendrickson signed a one-year, $21MM extension in 2023, doing so after he had outplayed his previous deal during his first two Bengals seasons. Van Ginkel’s profile does not check in on Hendrickson’s level, minimizing the chance he and the Vikings will later be at odds. Instead, a former Day 3 draftee collected a key payment during an offseason in which the Vikings both moved on from Sam Darnold and saw Kirk Cousins‘ $28.5MM dead money hit come off the books.

The Vikings have J.J. McCarthy signed through 2027, affording them opportunities to make payments previously unrealistic due to Cousins’ six-year tenure (and seven-year run on the payroll). They will bet on Van Ginkel, who has scheme familiarity but a thin record of consistent pass-rushing production. Also seeing early-career time as an off-ball linebacker, Van Ginkel had previously topped out at six sacks in a season (2023). But he has settled as an edge presence.

The Vikings, who lost Patrick Jones in free agency, will continue to send a Greenard-Van Ginkel-Turner pass rush at opponents, with this contract ensuring all three are signed for at least two more seasons.

49ers Invite K Kenneth Almendares To Rookie Minicamp

May 1st, 2025 at 11:10pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The 49ers have invited Louisiana Ragin’ Cajun kicker Kenneth Almendares to their rookie minicamp on a tryout basis, according to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle.

Almendares won the Lou Groza Award as the top kicker in college football after a stellar 2024 season. He made 28 of his 31 field goal attempts with a long of 53 yards with conversions on all but one of his 47 extra points. The 25-year-old also earned first-team All-American and first-team All-Sun Belt honors.

If Almendares impresses in his tryout, he could have an opportunity to push Jake Moody – himself a Lou Groza winner at Michigan in 2021 – for the 49ers’ kicking job.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan said in early April that the team would bring in competition for Moody after a disappointing 2024 season, per ESPN’s Nick Wagoner. The 2023 third-round pick missed time with an ankle injury and converted just 24 of his 34 field goal attempts after making 21 of his 25 tries as a rookie.

Moody especially struggled from distance last year. Six of his nine attempts from 40 or more yards in 2023 went through the uprights, but only 10 of his 20 such attempts in 2024 did the same. Almendares, meanwhile, led the FBS in made field goals in 2024 with a 90.3% conversion rate that ranked first among all kickers with at least 25 attempts.

Chargers To Decline Zion Johnson’s Fifth-Year Option

May 1st, 2025 at 9:16pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Chargers are declining offensive guard Zion Johnson‘s fifth-year option, according to Daniel Popper of The Athletic, setting up the 2022 No. 17 pick to hit free agency in 2026.

The decision is no surprise given the $17.56MM price tag. Johnson has started 49 of the Chargers’ 51 regular-season games since he was drafted – all at left guard – but he has struggled to live up to his first-round billing.

General manager Joe Hortiz said that the team would try Johnson at center this offseason, but he’ll have veteran competition in 2024 starter Bradley Bozeman and free agent signing Andre James.

Johnson could still factor into the picture at left guard after starting there for the last three years, including 2024 under new offensive coordinator Greg Roman. His competition would likely be Trey Pipkins and Jamaree Salyer, who both started multiple games at right guard in Los Angeles last year. (New Chargers signing Mekhi Becton is expected to take over at right guard in 2025 after his success in Philadelphia last season.)

Declining Johnson’s fifth-year option makes interior offensive line a significant need for the Chargers beyond 2025. Johnson, Salyer, Pipkins, and James will all be free agents after the season, and Bozeman and Becton only signed two-year deals this offseason. Despite that, the Chargers waited until the sixth round to draft an offensive lineman last weekend.

They used a sixth-round pick on Branson Taylor, who played both tackle spots at Pittsburgh but will likely be moved to guard in the NFL due to his sub-33-inch arms. His mass and power make him a strong fit in Roman’s scheme, but he will still need time to adjust to a new position and the jump in competition.

Johnson, meanwhile, will likely be seeking for a new home next offseason, as players whose fifth-year options are declined rarely stay with the team that drafted them. He may not have emerged as an elite guard worthy of a first-round pick, but he is still a capable start as a position whose value has skyrocketed over the last two seasons. If Johnson can keep a starting job in Los Angeles, either at guard or center, he could cash in next March.

Cowboys Passing On CB Kaiir Elam’s Fifth-Year Option

May 1st, 2025 at 2:47pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Bills effectively admitted a mistake on Kaiir Elam, trading the former first-rounder in a pick-swap deal that only produced a 2025 fifth. The Cowboys took a flier on the fourth-year cornerback, but they will not authorize an eight-figure guarantee to conduct an extended evaluation.

One of this year’s easier fifth-year option decisions to predict, Elam will see his declined, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler notes. Elam will move into a contract year. Although Elam’s lack of playing time would have tied him to the lowest number on the CB option ladder ($12.68MM), that still represents a tough ask based on his performance to date.

[RELATED: 2026 NFL Fifth-Year Option Tracker]

Buffalo traded up to No. 23 for Elam in 2022, though it is believed the team’s top CB target was Trent McDuffie. The future Chiefs standout is now a two-time All-Pro (though, his lack of a Pro Bowl nod left him eligible for a cheaper fifth-year option price), and Elam’s Bills swan song featured Kansas City targeting the backup after Christian Benford‘s latest ill-timed injury. Elam’s chance to rebound after the extended AFC championship game cameo will come in Dallas.

While Elam was ticketed to play opposite Tre’Davious White once the former All-Pro recovered from a 2021 ACL tear, Benford’s rise impeded that. Elam was given more chances to start, but the Florida alum could not capitalize on them. Following White’s Achilles tear in October 2023, the Bills traded for Rasul Douglas to play opposite Benford. That setup lasted 1 1/2 years, as Elam only played as a backup during Douglas’ time in Buffalo.

The Cowboys have some questions at corner, having seen Trevon Diggs go down with a second major knee injury. The former All-Pro is not viewed as a lock to begin the season on time, opening a door for Elam. But the Cowboys also used a second-round pick on East Carolina’s Shavon Revel. A first-round talent, Revel slipped to the second because of an ACL tear sustained last year. Revel is expected to be ready before the regular season. Elam, then, profiles as a backup and potential insurance option for a Cowboys team that returns All-Pro DaRon Bland.

The recoveries of Diggs and Revel will open the door to extensive offseason work, and potentially training camp first-string reps, for Elam. The soon-to-be 24-year-old defender has made 12 career starts. It will be interesting to see if Dallas adds another starter-level option as Diggs insurance, but as of now, Elam is that player heading into OTAs.

Packers To Decline LB Quay Walker’s Fifth-Year Option

May 1st, 2025 at 1:35pm CST by Sam Robinson

The run of teams declining fifth-year options on off-ball linebackers will continue via a Green Bay decision. The Packers have expressed interest in a Quay Walker second contract, but their Thursday decision will put him on track for free agency sooner.

Green Bay will decline Walker’s 2026 option, ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky reports. Picking up the option would have meant authorizing a $14.75MM guarantee for next season. Considering the trend teams have set at the position in recent springs, it is unsurprising the Packers will proceed this way with Walker’s rookie contract. This comes a day after the Pack exercised Devonte Wyatt‘s option. Though, Demovsky adds Walker remains in the team’s long-term plans.

[RELATED: Packers Sign LB Isaiah Simmons]

Over the past three offseasons, Patrick Queen, Kenneth Murray, Isaiah Simmons, Jordyn Brooks and Jamin Davis had seen their options declined. The Jaguars passed on Devin Lloyd‘s on Wednesday. While some of these players did not justify a notable Year 5 guarantee, teams are passing on these payments in large part because the option formula groups all linebackers together. Thus, the ILB numbers are being boosted by the edge rusher market.

No team has picked up an off-ball LB’s fifth-year option since the Buccaneers exercised Devin White‘s in 2022. That decision did not end up paying off, and teams have strictly capped first-round ILB contracts at four years since.

Early-career maturity issues aside, Walker has proven a valuable player for the Packers. One of five Georgia defenders chosen in the 2022 first round, Walker arrived via the pick (No. 22) the Packers obtained from the Raiders in the Davante Adams trade. While the Packers have largely kept Wyatt a rotational player, they plugged Walker into the starting lineup early. Walker has started 43 of his 44 career games.

Walker is 3-for-3 in career 100-tackle seasons, and he notched a career-high nine TFLs last year. Like White, Pro Football Focus has never taken to Walker’s game. The advanced metrics website has yet to rank Walker as a top-60 off-ball LB in a season, slotting him 63rd in 2024. The Packers have deployed Walker as a regular throughout his career, and they respectively used him on 91% and 89% of their defensive snaps in 2023 and ’24. Though, lower-cost options being acquired could impact Green Bay’s decision on an extension.

Brian Gutekunst said on multiple occasions this offseason the team was interested in a second contract, but the Packers also used second- and third-round picks on ILBs last year. Second-rounder Edgerrin Cooper impressed as a rookie, becoming the team’s other three-down ‘backer. Third-rounder Ty’Ron Hopper did not see much playing time (18 defensive snaps in 17 games), but he also would profile as a potential option in the event Walker leaves as a 2026 free agent.

Jets QB Jordan Travis To Retire

April 30th, 2025 at 11:05pm CST by Sam Robinson

Jordan Travis will not end up continuing as a Jets reserve quarterback into a second season. He has informed the team of an intention to retire.

The former Florida State quarterback, who suffered a gruesome ankle injury in November 2023, will land on the Jets’ reserve/retired list. Chosen in last year’s fifth round, Travis said medical personnel have advised he leave the game.

“On November 18, 2023, my life took an unexpected turn,” Travis said in a statement. “I gave everything I had to the rehab process but despite all my efforts, my leg never responded the way we hoped. After much prayer and consultation with the doctors, medical experts and my agent, I’ve been medically advised to retire from the game I love so deeply.”

Multiple updates coming out of New York indicated Travis’ rehab route had not advanced as the team hoped. Then-interim HC Jeff Ulbrich said Travis had endured multiple setbacks during his rehab, and a pre-draft offering added that the team’s former coaching staff may have played a role in the effort not going smoothly. Travis’ agent said the pressure on last year’s coaching staff led to the team rushing the rookie, and the former high-end college passer’s ankle did not respond well.

Regardless of the timeline, it certainly appears Travis suffered a career-ending injury nearly 18 months ago. That injury kept Florida State out of the 2023 College Football Playoff field, which remained a four-team bracket that year, and hurt the QB’s draft stock. While Hendon Hooker rebounded to become the Lions’ backup QB last year, after a November 2022 ACL tear affected his draft stock, Travis will not be as fortunate. Travis sustained a fractured and dislocated ankle early in a game against Division I-FCS North Alabama, and extensive fallout emerged.

Travis, who transferred from Louisville to Florida State during a six-year college stay, spent last season on the Jets’ reserve/NFI list. He ended his Seminoles career No. 1 in school history in total offense (10,655 yards) and touchdowns (99), breaking former Heisman winner Chris Weinke‘s career records. Florida State had started 10-0 on the back of its veteran starter. When Travis went down, he was sitting on a 20-2 TD:INT ratio. The Jets believed he could have been a Day 2 pick had the injury not occurred, SNY’s Connor Hughes tweets.

The Jets have Tyrod Taylor positioned as Justin Fields‘ backup. While rumors persisted the team could use a Day 2 or Day 3 pick on a passer, no move materialized. One season remains on Taylor’s contract. Second-year UDFA Adrian Martinez is also on the team’s roster at quarterback.

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