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Offseason In Review: Las Vegas Raiders

July 2nd, 2025 at 10:02pm CST by Sam Robinson

With owners delaying Tom Brady‘s approval as a Raiders minority owner for over a year, Mark Davis‘ plan to install the all-time QB great/FOX lead analyst as his top football exec was on hold. This delay brought both good and bad news for the Raiders’ 2024 power structure. Davis removed Antonio Pierce‘s interim tag and arranged a shotgun marriage with ex-Chargers GM Tom Telesco. Brady’s first months in charge, however, led to both being fired and yet another batch of new Raider leaders being brought in.

The Raiders’ latest reboot soon brought a full-on Seattle feel, as new HC Pete Carroll added three-year Seahawks starting quarterback Geno Smith in a trade. As the Raiders attempt to raise their floor with Carroll and Smith, Brady and new GM John Spytek created some long-term questions with their decisions this offseason.

 Coaching/Front Office:

We covered in last year’s Raiders Offseason In Review effort how unusual the Pierce promotion was, as the former Super Bowl-winning linebacker’s experience level was unlike just about any modern HC hire’s. That turned out to be an issue for the Raiders, who trudged through a 4-13 season, losing the momentum their Pierce-led 2023 stretch created. Pierce, who drew HC interest from other teams last year, fired his OC hire (Luke Getsy) halfway through the season and could not stave off an ouster himself. No team has hired the former Arizona State DC this offseason.

Pierce and Telesco did not see eye to eye at quarterback; an eventful (for the wrong reasons) season transpired. Pierce was closely linked to preferring a blockbuster trade-up to reunite with Jayden Daniels, but Telesco was believed to be unready to part with the draft capital that would have been necessary to make that happen. Both power brokers paid the price, and while the Raiders were likely the one team that made the Commanders an offer for No. 2 overall, it never sounded like Washington would have made that trade.

The Raiders finding themselves shut out after not making any move up the board (from No. 13) created a predictable QB issue. Even as Brock Bowers dominated, Telesco paid for not addressing the QB situation last year.

Not wanting Pierce’s replacement tied to a holdover GM, Brady orchestrated Telesco’s ouster. Davis was not exactly displeased with Telesco’s draft, as it produced a record-setting tight end season and two O-linemen (Jackson Powers-Johnson, DJ Glaze) poised to start this year, but the Christian Wilkins signing — and the deal given to stopgap Gardner Minshew — worked against the longtime AFC West exec. The Raiders fired Telesco less than 13 months after a Pierce-led 63-21 demolition led to Telesco’s Chargers ouster. No team has hired since hired Telesco.

Connections to Bill Belichick and Deion Sanders emerged, but no real traction came regarding either college coach. Mike Vrabel also turned down a meeting with his former Patriots teammate due to being set on returning to New England. These were not the most notable “what if?” regarding this Raiders coaching search.

Brady’s presence convinced Ben Johnson to give the Raiders serious consideration, whereas the high-demand candidate was otherwise prepared to pass on an interview. The optics of Brady calling Lions games, including their playoff loss to the Commanders, for FOX and simultaneously eyeing him for the Raiders created an obvious conflict of interest. Brady is not leaving the booth, however, and he used the time to scout Johnson for a Vegas pitch.

While the Raiders prepared a big offer for Johnson, a later report indicated they never actually made it. Johnson ended up backing out of the Raiders and Jaguars’ searches, informing the Bears he would mentor Caleb Williams. The Raiders’ lack of a surefire quarterback option at that time hurt their cause, and Brady and Co. soon completed about as drastic a pivot as possible. They have gone from attempting to hire a 39-year-old to choosing Carroll, who will become the oldest HC in NFL history after turning 74 in September.

Carroll did not advance as far on last year’s HC carousel but rocketed back for what will be his fourth NFL HC opportunity. The former Jets, Patriots and Seahawks leader did not overlap with Brady in Foxborough, being fired as Robert Kraft engineered the 2000 Belichick hire/trade, but faced him with the Seahawks. Carroll said Brady’s part-owner status became a draw for him. While other teams had interviewed Carroll since his Seahawks ouster, it is also fair to say the Super Bowl-winning HC was not an in-demand candidate.

Few coaches receive fourth chances, separating Carroll from most of his peers. His four AFC East seasons notwithstanding, the veteran leader will obviously be best remembered for his Seattle stay. The ex-USC national champion HC held final personnel say with the Seahawks, and while John Schneider has seen more credit for the team’s draft finds (Kam Chancellor, Richard Sherman, Bobby Wagner, Russell Wilson), Carroll held the hammer.

The Seahawks went 170-120-1 under Carroll. That regular-season win total sits 17th all time; he can move to 14th with a four-win season. The Raiders will expect more, as the defense-oriented coach never posted fewer than seven wins in a season in 14 Seattle years.

Wilson’s prime and the Legion of Boom’s presences raised the Seahawks’ ceiling, and the organization capitalized on the former’s rookie contract to supplement the Sherman, Chancellor and Earl Thomas extensions. That formula produced one of the NFL’s best 21st-century teams, as the 2013 Seahawks demolished the Broncos — who had Spytek on staff at the time — in Super Bowl XLVIII before a banged-up successor fell just short to Brady’s Patriots a year later.

The Seahawks became the first team since the mid-1950s Browns to lead the NFL in scoring defense in four straight seasons, running that streak from 2012-15. But Carroll’s unit gradually declined to the point it became a weakness during the Smith years. The Seahawks ranked 25th in points allowed in 2022 and ’23, and they Ken Norton Jr.– and Clint Hurtt-run units were 26th or worse four times from 2019-23.

While Carroll deserves some credit for providing key input to tailor an offense around Wilson’s skillset, the Seahawks hovered around the .500 mark during the coach’s final three seasons. Carroll lobbied to keep his job in 2024, but ownership disagreed and moved on with Schneider at the controls (and the NFL’s youngest HC — Mike Macdonald — on the sideline).

Marv Levy and George Halas were both 72 when they coached their final seasons; Romeo Crennel was an interim Texans HC at 73. This season, Carroll will be two years older than any other full-time HC in NFL history. That invites obvious questions about the Raiders’ plan, as it features a shorter coaching contract (three years) compared to standard deals. Kelly and Graham would make unusual successors, and it is fair to wonder if the Raiders have Carroll’s replacement on staff. A rumor indicating Brennan Carroll could be in that mix certainly proved interesting. How the Raiders plan to transition after this short-term Pete Carroll run will be a central storyline for as long as this partnership lasts.

The third pillar in the Raiders’ power trio carries by far the lowest Q rating, but Spytek has a unique relationship with Brady. The two were teammates at Michigan, more than two decades before Spytek resided in a Buccaneers front office that wooed the QB legend to Tampa. Spytek, 44, moved from national Broncos scout to Bucs player personnel director after Denver’s Super Bowl 50 win. The Bucs assembled pieces that eventually attracted Brady as a free agent, and Spytek was integral to that combination delivering the franchise’s second Super Bowl championship.

The veteran exec also helped the Bucs establish a four-year NFC South title streak — albeit in a rather down period for that division — despite Brady’s retirement creating a $35MM dead money bill in 2023. Tampa Bay still managed to re-sign and extend its key players, producing winning records both with Brady’s dead cap bill on the books (2023) and after Baker Mayfield received a major pay raise (2024).

Carroll does not hold full personnel control in Vegas; it is unclear who is making the final calls. Brady has described himself as a sounding board — a good nominee for undersell of the year — while Carroll has said he, Spytek and Brady are involved in the decision-making.

Kelly became a borderline reviled presence in Philly by 2015, when his power grab nearly led Howie Roseman out of town. Kelly’s 2016 49ers stop led to the 49ers cleaning house a year later. Both teams became NFC powers after firing Kelly. Still, the former UCLA HC-turned-Ohio State OC received interest in another try. This included Raiders OC interest in 2024, making it interesting they circled back — after another regime change — this year.

The Raiders interviewed Kelly twice in 2024, and it undoubtedly cost more to hire him a year later due to the Buckeyes’ national championship season. Kelly, 61, made the unusual transition from HC to OC at the college level. Ohio State’s ascent to a title — 14 years after Kelly’s Oregon squad fell short to Cam Newton‘s Auburn team — after losing Marvin Harrison Jr. led to interest from a few teams.

The Raiders’ $6MM salary — believed to be the highest for an active coordinator — brought in Kelly, as Brady and his ownership group partners are helping deliver funding into a traditionally cash-poor franchise.

Graham, 46, has been on the HC carousel for a bit. This year did not produce as much attention, even with the Jaguars having Graham as an option behind top choice Liam Coen. The Jags and Bengals, though, did consider Graham for DC. This came after a Graham-led bounce-back gave the Raiders their first top-16 scoring defense (ninth) since the Super Bowl XXXVII year.

Dating back to Al Davis‘ final decade in charge, the Raiders have been unable to rely on their defenses. This included last year, when Graham’s unit regressed to 25th in points allowed. Graham has no history with Carroll, but he was on the Patriots’ staff during seven Brady years.

Signaling their latest fresh start, the Raiders rehired both Olson and Woods. Olson had been the Silver and Black’s OC for six seasons across a two-stint stretch (from 2013-14 and again from 2018-21). Olson took over after Raiders play-calling after Jon Gruden‘s forced resignation. The Raiders’ DBs coach in 2014, Woods joined Spytek in collecting a ring with the 2015 Broncos — before three DC opportunities (in Denver, Cleveland and New Orleans) followed.

Trades:

One of many teams to enter the offseason with a QB need, the Raiders passed on free agency and a lowly regarded draft class at the position. While Las Vegas was linked to both a Wilson-Carroll reunion and being in on Sam Darnold and Justin Fields, the team made a preemptive strike.

As it turned out, Brady did not want the Raiders to bring in Darnold. But they joined the Giants in making a strong push for Matthew Stafford. Both teams had agreed to provide the aging signal-caller with a sizable guarantee package — from $90-$100MM. (The Raiders, however, were not going to trade their No. 6 overall pick even as the Rams sought a first-rounder for their centerpiece player.) Brady and Stafford met at a ski resort in Montana, after the Rams had given their starter permission to discuss trades, as Davis’ new ownership weapon appeared to give the team a boost in QB recruitment.

Reminding of Brady’s Ben Johnson pursuit, the mission brought intrigue from the courtship’s object but ultimately failed when Stafford — as could be expected given his importance to the Rams and fit with Sean McVay — regrouped and stayed in L.A. Stafford heading from the friendly confines McVay has created in L.A. for Vegas uncertainty at 37 would have been a big gamble.

Smith’s value had sunk so low the Seahawks had cut him while they rearranged their roster in August 2019. That began a three-year stint as Wilson’s backup, but when Carroll signed off on the March 2022 Wilson blockbuster trade, Smith beat out Drew Lock for the ’22 Seattle gig.

Smith’s stunning turnaround captured attention and brought a substantial raise. But the Seahawks paused on committing true franchise money to their Wilson replacement. That pattern persisting in 2024 and into this offseason opened the door for the Raiders, who obtained Smith for a modest trade price.

They also acquired the QB’s Seahawks-designed three-year, $75MM contract. Agreed to in Carroll’s final Seattle offseason, the deal’s true numbers had placed Smith in no-man’s land at the position. Hovering a couple tiers south of the new franchise-QB market and well above backup money, Smith had pursued a Seahawks extension in 2024. Talks about a deal this year led to the trade, as the Seahawks and Smith’s camp did not see eye-to-eye on value.

The outcome of the Raiders’ subsequent Smith negotiations proved interesting, as the 13th-year passer’s AAV sits 17th at the position. Smith did pass Derek Carr‘s Saints contract — still active at the time the Raiders extended Smith — and Baker Mayfield‘s midlevel Buccaneers accord, but he did not clear the $40MM-per-year bar he hoped to in Seahawks talks. The NFC West team had proposed Smith numbers similar to the Darnold contract (three years, $100.5MM); he declined. Darnold’s deal carries a year-to-year structure; the team offering that to Smith illustrates hesitancy despite a solid three-year starter tenure.

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Trade Candidate: Darnell Washington

July 2nd, 2025 at 8:32pm CST by Ben Levine

While the Jalen Ramsey–Minkah Fitzpatrick swap stole headlines earlier this week, the Steelers also added some major tight end depth in Jonnu Smith. It’s not hard to understand Pittsburgh’s thinking. As the team looks to load up around Aaron Rodgers, they added a savvy veteran who’s coming off a career year in Miami.

[RELATED: Steelers Acquire, Extend TE Jonnu Smith]

When paired with incumbent Pat Freiermuth, the Steelers now have one of the strongest TE tandems in the entire NFL. However, the Smith acquisition pushed another notable tight end down the depth chart…and potentially off the roster altogether.

Darnell Washington is known more for his measurables than his actual NFL production, and for very good reason. At six-foot-seven, the Steelers tight end is one of the most physically intimidating individuals in the entire league. He doesn’t lead his position in height; that achievement belongs to teammate Donald Parham Jr., who is out for the upcoming season thanks to a torn Achilles. Unlike Parham and similar to fellow 6’7″ tight ends like Colby Parkinson and Tyree Jackson, Washington stands out on the scale, where he weighs in at 264 pounds.

Also unlike those other physical behemoths, Washington has actually shown some major athleticism. During the 2023 combine, the tight end recorded a 4.64-second 40-yard dash time. For comparison’s sake, Steelers rookie RB Kaleb Johnson recorded a 40-yard time of 4.57 seconds, and while 2025 first-round tight ends Colston Loveland and Tyler Warren didn’t participate in the dash, their estimated times came in lower than the Steelers TE (4.70 for Loveland, 4.68 for Warren).

Washington won a pair of National Championships during his time with the Bulldogs, and despite topping out at 454 receiving yards, the Steelers still snagged him with the 93rd-overall pick in the 2023 draft. Now known affectionally as “Mount Washington” in Pittsburgh, the tight end still hasn’t truly clicked on offense through his first two NFL seasons. After hauling in only seven catches as a rookie, the 23-year-old took a mini leap this past season, finishing with 19 receptions for 200 yards and one touchdown. Understandably, the Steelers have clearly been looking for a bit more.

That lack of production probably explains why the Steelers anxiously inked Smith to an extension following yesterday’s trade, and with Freiermuth also signed to a long-term deal, Washington appears destined to play out his rookie contract as the Steelers’ third tight end. Considering his draft status, Washington’s contract hardly breaks the bank ($1.46MM cap hit in 2025, $1.70MM cap hit in 2026), so the Steelers certainly won’t feel any urgency to trade him.

However, that also doesn’t mean other teams won’t come knocking. Washington’s incredible size and skills certainly makes him a worthy gamble, especially if a team is looking for a giant red zone target. If he doesn’t end up working out, a suitor could also consider moving him to the offensive line. There were rumblings that Washington may be destined for an offensive tackle role in the NFL, and Pro Football Focus handed him the sixth-highest run blocking score among TEs in 2024 (he finished 25th for pass blocking).

Sure, Washington isn’t the biggest name, and there will probably be bigger-name tight ends who shake loose over the next few months. Still, not every trade candidate is intended to drive jersey sales. For squads seeking some high-upside tight end depth, Washington certainly warrants consideration.

Largest 2025 Cap Hits: Offense

July 1st, 2025 at 10:05pm CST by Adam La Rose

Last offseason brought about a record-breaking jump in the salary cap. This year, the ceiling rose to $279.2MM, another notable spike. The market at a number of positions will benefit from the ongoing surge in spending power available to teams, with quarterbacks obviously the largest standout in that respect.

In 2024, a pair of signal-callers surpassed the $50MM mark in terms of cap charges for the season. That will not be the case this time around, but to little surprise quarterbacks once again lead the way in terms of representing the largest share of many teams’ financial commitments for 2025. Positions such as receiver and offensive tackle have also generally not reached the same peak in terms of cap commitments as last year.

Leading up to training camp, are the NFL’s top 25 cap charges for offensive players:

  1. Dak Prescott, QB (Cowboys): $50.52MM
  2. Matthew Stafford, QB (Rams): $47.47MM
  3. Joe Burrow, QB (Bengals): $46MM
  4. Lamar Jackson, QB (Ravens): $43.5MM
  5. Kyler Murray, QB (Cardinals): $43.33MM
  6. Kirk Cousins, QB (Falcons): $40MM
  7. Geno Smith, QB (Raiders): $40MM
  8. Tua Tagovailoa, QB (Dolphins): $39.18MM
  9. Justin Herbert, QB (Chargers): $37.35MM
  10. Josh Allen, QB (Bills): $36.34MM
  11. Deshaun Watson, QB (Browns): $35.97MM
  12. Jared Goff, QB (Lions): $32.6MM
  13. Taylor Moton, RT (Panthers): $31.35MM
  14. Jordan Love, QB (Packers): $29.69MM
  15. Patrick Mahomes, QB (Chiefs): $28.06MM
  16. Calvin Ridley, WR (Titans): $28MM
  17. Tyreek Hill, WR (Dolphins): $27.7MM
  18. Jawaan Taylor, RT (Chiefs): $27.39MM
  19. Baker Mayfield, QB (Buccaneers): $26.48MM
  20. Terry McLaurin, WR (Commanders): $25.5MM
  21. Mike Evans, WR (Buccaneers): $25.36MM
  22. D.J. Moore, WR (Bears): $24.9MM
  23. Tee Higgins, WR (Bengals): $24.06MM
  24. Ja’Marr Chase, WR (Bengals): $23.57MM
  25. Trey Smith, RG (Chiefs): $23.4MM

Prescott’s last-minute 2024 Cowboys extension made him the first player in NFL history to carry an AAV of $60MM. That pact will have lasting impacts well beyond the coming campaign, as the team looks to also fit in the big-ticket extension CeeDee Lamb inked last summer and the one Micah Parsons is in position to sign at some point before Week 1.

Once again, Stafford and the Rams entered the spring with plenty of uncertainty. Retirement was a consideration quickly done away with in the case of the 37-year-old, but it remained to be seen if he would remain in Los Angeles. Trade offers came in from numerous suitors, and the chance existed for Stafford to land a more lucrative deal elsewhere. In the end, though, team and player reached agreement on another reworked pact. Stafford is now in line to receive $84MM over the next two years, including guaranteed money in 2026. A bit of continuity will thus be in place under center for the Rams.

2020 draft classmates Burrow, Tagovailoa and Herbert are understandable top-10 players on this list given their respective deals. All three are on the books for years to come as they look to unseat the Chiefs atop the AFC. Burrow spoke about restructuring his pact to create the cap space necessary for the Bengals to retain or extend each of their key in-house players this offseason. That has yet to take place, and it will be interesting to see if a reworking is explored while talks on the Trey Hendrickson front continue.

The Ravens have worked out a few extensions on offense already (Derrick Henry, Rashod Bateman) but Jackson looms as a candidate for a new deal. Three years remain on his pact, but starting in 2026 his cap charge is scheduled so spike well past its current figure. The two-time MVP has discussed a new arrangement this offseason, and a bump in guarantees and overall compensation similar to what the Bills did with Allen would come as no surprise.

Cousins’ figure stands out, of course, given the fact he is slated to operate as Atlanta’s backup this season. With no release coming and no trade imminent, the four-time Pro Bowler is set to stay in place behind Michael Penix Jr. Cousins has made progress in his rehab from shoulder and ankle injuries suffered prior to his benching midway through his debut Atlanta season. With $10MM already guaranteed for next year, it will be interesting to see if a trade market develops in the coming months in his case.

With the exception of Watson – whose second Achilles tear is set to sideline him for most or all of the coming campaign – the remaining quarterbacks on the list are positioned to serve as starters for their respective teams. Only Geno Smith will be suiting up for a new organization after he was traded from the Seahawks to the Raiders. That swap was followed up by a two-year, $75MM extension and allowed him to reunite with head coach Pete Carroll. A short-term upgrade under center will be key as Vegas looks to find stability on the sidelines and in the front office.

Moton’s cap figure was a talking point earlier this offseason, but the Panthers are content to avoid a fourth restructure in his case. The pending free agent hopes to finish his career in Carolina, but an extension would have helped ensure that while lowering his immediate cap charge. In the absence of such an agreement, it will be interesting to see if Moton, 30, can deliver another strong showing in 2025.

Ridley is perhaps a surprising figure to lead the way in terms of cap charges at the receiver spot. He will operate as a key member of the Titans’ offense, a unit whose success will of course depend in large part on the play of rookie Cam Ward. Ridley has two more years left on his deal beyond 2025, but with limited guarantees owed over that span his Tennessee future could be greatly impacted by who this season plays out.

The likes of Hill, Evans and Moore are not currently the subject of speculation regarding their future. McLaurin, however, was absent from much of the Commanders’ spring practices with little progress being made at the negotiating table. Plenty of work is still required at this point to avoid a potential free agent departure next spring. Coming off a career-high in touchdowns while thriving alongside Jayden Daniels, the two-time Pro Bowler is in line for a raise which will likely lower his cap hit this season.

Chase and Higgins inked their deals simultaneously, putting an end to questions regarding where the latter in particular would play on his second contract. Those two, together with Burrow, will serve as foundational players for years to come in Cincinnati. It will be interesting to see how long Chase (with an AAV of $40.25MM) remains the league’s top earner in that respect for non-quarterbacks.

Kansas City’s offensive line faces questions entering the season. Despite his big-ticket contract, Taylor is not a lock to remain a starter at this point. With no guaranteed left on the final year of his deal (2026), a parting of ways could be in store next spring if a backup gig ensues. Trey Smith, meanwhile, remains attached to the franchise tag although an extension is among the team’s remaining offseason priorities.

5 Key Stories: 6/22/25 – 6/28/25

June 28th, 2025 at 10:17pm CST by Adam La Rose

The past week has seen developments take place on a wide range of fronts around the NFL. In case you missed any of the top stories from recent days, here is a quick recap:

  • Bucs Extend Bowles, Licht: The Buccaneers have been the class of the NFC South for several years now, and the regime overseeing the team will remain in place moving forward. Head coach Todd Bowles and general manager Jason Licht have each received extensions, with Bowles’ deal running through 2028. Licht has been in his position since 2014, and Bowles took over from Bruce Arians in 2022 after three years as Tampa Bay’s defensive coordinator. The two have handled the transition from Tom Brady to Baker Mayfield at quarterback while helping to keep several core players in place through re-signings and extensions. The Buccaneers will seek their fourth straight division title in 2025 and expectations will remain high this year and beyond for the team’s top decision-makers.
  • Rodgers Likely To Retire After 2025: Aaron Rodgers is, as expected, in position to handle starting quarterback duties for the Steelers this season. Retirement this spring loomed as a possibility, though, and to no surprise the future Hall of Famer sees 2025 as his final NFL campaign. Rodgers, 41, never represented a long-term answer under center for Pittsburgh but he could raise the team’s offensive floor. A strong season would also mark a rebound from his largely underwhelming Jets tenure over the past two years. The Steelers, meanwhile, remain on track to target a first-round passer in next year’s draft with Rodgers likely to hang up his cleats.
  • Jones Leading Colts’ QB Competition: The Colts entered the offseason targeting a veteran signal-caller capable of winning the starter’s job in 2025. Incumbent Anthony Richardson missed minicamp as a result of his latest shoulder issue, but he is in line to return ahead of training camp. Nevertheless, the former No. 4 pick’s struggles and inability to stay healthy have opened the door to Daniel Jones taking the lead in the competition. Jones holds a “significant” edge as things stand. After signing a one-year deal containing $14MM in base pay, the former Giants starter could help his market value with a strong 2025 showing. For now, at least, he is in position to begin the season atop Indianapolis’ depth chart.
  • Ruling On Collusion Case Revealed: An arbitrator’s 61-page decision regarding a grievance filed by the NFLPA against the league over fully guaranteed contracts became public after it was originally concealed by both parties. Among the findings was the conclusion the NFL “encouraged” its clubs to reduce the locked in compensation on player contracts at the 2022 league meeting. The union’s case did not fully result in its collusion allegation being proven, per the ruling, but it illuminated details on several fronts (including direct communication between the Cardinals’ and Chargers’ owners on the subject of QB extensions and specifics of the Ravens-Lamar Jackson negotiations). 594 unnamed players were reportedly involved in the case, leaving them (and others) with an unclear path regarding future legal action.
  • Tucker Receives 10-Game Suspension: Shortly after the draft, Justin Tucker‘s decorated stint with the Ravens came to an end. The All-Pro kicker was released in a decision which was framed by the team as a football-related move, but it came against the backdrop of sexual misconduct allegations from a total of 16 massage therapists. Tucker was the subject of an NFL investigation, and it concluded with a 10-game suspension being issued. Unsigned at the moment, he will serve his suspension regardless of if he signs with a team in the interim. Tucker, 35, is coming off the least accurate season of his career and this ban has added further uncertainty to his NFL future.

Offseason In Review: New York Giants

June 25th, 2025 at 10:30pm CST by Sam Robinson

Admitting defeat on Daniel Jones may have come too late for the regime that inherited Dave Gettleman‘s handpicked Eli Manning successor. After three seasons tied to the inconsistent quarterback, Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll may be battling uphill to keep their jobs before their preferred Jones replacement takes the reins. Jones being the Giants’ primary starter for the first three Daboll-Schoen seasons runs the risk of, given the direction of the team since its 2022 divisional-round cameo, the QB effectively dragging the decision-making duo out of town.

More elements, of course, are mixed into the buildup to Schoen and Daboll’s fourth Giants season; none, however, approach the quarterback matter. The team’s 2024 decisions at the position bled into 2025, where a worse draft class awaited. The Giants’ QB woes did move them into position for Abdul Carter, after one seminal Drew Lock showing took them out of Cam Ward territory, and their pass rush certainly has the personnel to be among the NFL’s best. But how the team’s Russell Wilson–Jaxson Dart (feat. Jameis Winston) QB depth chart performs will determine if John Mara will need to make another regime change.

Free agency additions:

This offseason produced undesirable endings for a few parties on the quarterback carousel. Aaron Rodgers preferred the Vikings; he ended up a Steeler. The Steelers aimed to either re-sign Justin Fields or manage a trade for Matthew Stafford, and they were then subjected to a three-month wait by their third choice. The Raiders did not end up with the piece they wanted, as the Rams retained Stafford via another reworked contract. Tom Brady‘s aim to avoid Sam Darnold led the Raiders to acquire Geno Smith from the Seahawks, who then landed this year’s top QB free agent.

As Seattle appeared the most satisfied from the veteran passer it acquired, New York did not double as a desirable destination. The Giants were in on Darnold and Stafford, making an aggressive contract offer — in the $90MM guarantee neighborhood — to the 37-year-old passer after asking about him at the 2024 deadline. But the Giants’ Stafford interest hinged on the Rams being OK starting over, which never made much sense considering their place as a top NFC contender, and the Super Bowl-winning QB being fine heading to a team in much worse shape.

The Giants then entered the Rodgers race, but as it looked like the future Hall of Famer viewed “relocating” to New York’s NFC team his clear third choice, an April report indicated Mara placed age and durability concerns as too great. That merely could have been a way for the struggling owner to attempt to save face after Rodgers made it clear he was not joining the Giants, as he did receive an offer that was deemed better than the Steelers’ proposal. This not working out led the Giants to Wilson.

A marriage of convenience will commence. Wilson had placed the Giants on his wish list back in 2021, when the Seahawks ended up not moving him, and showed interest in New York early during the 2025 offseason. Though, even Wilson can be labeled unsatisfied by this offseason’s carousel. The 2024 Steelers starter is believed to have wanted to stay in Pittsburgh. But the Steelers had prepared to make Wilson a one-and-done, even after re-signing rumors persisted before a five-game season-ending losing streak, eyeing Fields above the player that replaced him. All these developments brought a late-March Wilson Giants signing, after Rodgers — even at 41 — stalled the QB market.

Wilson is past his prime, and the 14th-year veteran’s post-Seattle seasons have left his Hall of Fame standing in question. But Wilson’s work over the past two seasons has revealed his shocking 2022 showing was more Nathaniel Hackett-driven. In over his head as a head coach, Hackett empowered Wilson and his team in Denver — to poor results.

Wilson deserves blame for how that disastrous 5-12 season unfolded, as his perception of his abilities differed from reality. The NFL’s fourth-leading all-time QB rusher’s attempt to minimize rushing attempts after gaining weight to protect a pocket-passing version of himself from hits backfired spectacularly. But Wilson rebounded in 2023 and enjoyed moments during a Steelers playoff season last year.

On one hand, it says plenty about Wilson’s stock that the Broncos took a record-smashing dead money hit to move on a year before the Steelers showed little interest in re-signing him. Wilson clashed with both Sean Payton and Arthur Smith, not fitting in the former’s offense and arguing to have more line-of-scrimmage freedom in Pittsburgh. While QBR did not view Wilson as an especially effective passer, ranking the potential Hall of Famer 21st in 2023 and 22nd last year, he did post a 26-8 TD:INT ratio in his second Broncos season and a 16-5 mark — even as the Steelers lacked much firepower beyond George Pickens — in an 11-game 2024. The Giants will (or perhaps forced themselves to) bet on this post-prime period lasting at least one more year.

A nine-time Pro Bowler (six original-ballot nods), Wilson tops Manning in that department. But the latter delivered remarkable durability, not missing any games due to injury. Wilson’s ironman streak was moving into Manning territory in Seattle, but he has missed time due to injury in three of his past four seasons. Last year, a calf injury and an aggravation cost Wilson six games. By the time he returned, the Steelers did not have unanimous agreement on reinserting Wilson into the lineup. Mike Tomlin benching Fields without too much internal support played into the younger passer’s future in Pittsburgh, and Wilson will now try to hold off another young arm.

As Wilson attempts to stave off a younger challenger for the second straight year, he again received assurances (from Daboll) the starting job was his. The Steelers made that their party line last year, but Fields closed the gap to the point it took Tomlin until barely a week before the regular season to officially announce the decision.

For all the sack troubles Wilson has encountered — especially as his athleticism wanes — he has remained a viable starter. (Wilson sits 11 behind Rodgers for most sacks taken in NFL history, reaching this point despite playing in 49 fewer games.) How long will be be able to hold off a handpicked Daboll rookie?

Winston’s increasing popularity as one of the NFL’s most colorful characters aside, his turnover penchant — and perhaps Browns increased interest in protecting high draft real estate — led to a benching for an overmatched Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Winston’s two-year deal, though, gives him a better chance to be a Giant in 2026 compared to Wilson. Winston, 31, being a third-string option does not align with his present profile. Once Dart ascends to first-string duty, which will almost definitely happen this season, trade rumors involving Winston and/or Wilson — should the transition be made before the deadline — figure to emerge out of the Giants’ remade QB room.

The Giants’ plan to draft a QB early turned off some potential targets, and Winston signed before Wilson. It will be interesting to see if the former No. 1 overall pick would stand by as an emergency QB3.

Winston threw 13 TD passes and 12 INTs in 2024. A signature high-variance performance came in a Monday-night Broncos loss that featured 497 passing yards, four TD throws and three INTs (including two pick-sixes). That encapsulates Winston’s career, as he would be a higher-octane option compared to Wilson at this stage of their respective careers. The former Buccaneers, Saints and Browns starter’s status in training camp will be interesting to monitor.

Adebo suffered a broken femur midway through last season. Despite the former Marshon Lattimore sidekick’s contract year ending this way, he did not need to accept much of a discount. Not proving as much as the top healthy CBs on the market (Charvarius Ward, D.J. Reed, Byron Murphy, Carlton Davis), Adebo matched the Ward-Davis-Murphy AAV of $18MM. Adebo bested Ward, Davis and Reed in fully guaranteed money.

The former third-round pick’s age (26) had plenty to do with this, and this represents a new swing for this regime. Gettleman handed eight-figure AAVs to James Bradberry (2020) and Adoree’ Jackson (2021), while Schoen has kept costs lower since arriving. Adebo’s contract thrusts him into a CB1 role. This was initially viewed as a way to take some pressure off 2023 first-rounder Deonte Banks, who has not lived up to the investment. But Cor’Dale Flott mixing in with Banks as the other outside starter in minicamp will make this position one to follow closely.

Adebo’s last healthy season produced notable improvements in coverage. The 6-foot-1 corner was charged with yielding only 6.7 yards per target and allowing a 55% completion rate as the closest defender in 2023. He allowed one touchdown pass that year and yielded merely a 62.7 passer rating. Even when slot corners are included, Adebo ranked ninth among CBs in the NFL in passer rating allowed that year. He was off to a nice start in ’24, seeing that number vault only to 71.9.

With Lattimore off the field during much of that stretch, the Saints asked Adebo to anchor their CB corps. The Giants, who intercepted all of five passes last season and saw no player record more than one, are also paying for Adebo’s playmaking. He intercepted seven passes and broke up 28 since 2023.

Two of PFR’s top 17 free agents joined Big Blue’s secondary, as Holland (No. 6) followed Adebo (17) a day later. Holland’s market was rumored to push $20MM per year, but it did not quite reach that range. Holland’s deal fell short of Tre’von Moehrig‘s Panthers terms (three years, $51MM) and where the Packers went for Xavier McKinney (4/67) last year. Holland still scored a top-10 safety pact.

This is effectively an admission recent safety decisions were incorrect, as the Giants let Julian Love — who has since been extended in Seattle — walk for a $7MM-per-year deal and observed McKinney zoom to first-team All-Pro honors a year later. The Hard Knocks: Offseason series proved so damning for the Giants no NFL team could be convinced to do it this year. While much of the attention went to Saquon Barkley‘s Eagles defection, the team appeared to underestimate McKinney’s market. New York will need to hope a slight discount on Holland can make up for it.

A former second-round Dolphins draftee, Holland notched five career INTs, five career forced fumbles and four recoveries on his rookie contract. The effective blitzer also has five career sacks. He has managed this production as the Dolphins cycled through three defensive coordinators in his four seasons. Pro Football Focus viewed Holland as playing better under Vic Fangio, grading him third among safeties in 2023, than Anthony Weaver (56th). Holland and Adebo give the Giants quality talent they lacked in the secondary last year. Considering the Carter addition’s presumptive impact on the Dexter Lawrence–Brian Burns–Kayvon Thibodeaux pass rush, how this front-seven crew could benefit from two plus coverage players (and vice versa) is being slept on a bit.

The Carter pick came after the Giants added Golston as a rotational presence. Used as a D-end more often in 2024, Golston has more experience inside. Golston appears the fifth wheel in New York’s pass rush, but the talent and depth here makes it certainly the team’s best since its Super Bowl-era NASCAR package. Golston, 27, made some money on a contract year that included 5.5 sacks (he recorded 3.5 from 2021-23). The Cowboys deployed Golston as their DeMarcus Lawrence replacement; it will be interesting if the Giants take advantage of his inside-rushing past in an attempt to get all four of their OLBs on the field.

Andrew Thomas has missed 18 games since 2023, gutting the Giants’ O-line. He is expected back from Lisfranc surgery in training camp, but the Giants slow-playing their high-priced left tackle’s return leaves some questions. Hudson took the first-team LT snaps during OTAs and minicamp.

A 17-start player in four Browns seasons, Hudson capitalized on the Giants’ issues at the position to become the NFL’s highest-paid swing tackle. Among players with no path to the lineup in a full-strength scenario, no deal checks in higher than Hudson’s. PFF has not viewed Hudson’s work well, but he logged 200-plus snaps at right tackle each year from 2021-23 and tallied 207 on the left side last year.

Re-signings:

Slayton’s New York arc remains unusual. The Giants took the rare step to cut his rookie-contract pay in 2022, as a demotion was planned when the team still held out hope for Kadarius Toney and Kenny Golladay. Slayton delivered his usual, leading that playoff team in receiving yards. He did that four times from 2019-23. Slayton circled back to re-sign (on a two-year, $12MM deal) in 2023 but saw the Giants rebuff his efforts to secure a raise last year.

Even as a cratering Giants QB situation affected the passing attack — a trend during Slayton’s career — the reliable vet entered 2025 as one of the top wideouts available. Even as the Giants drafted Malik Nabers sixth overall and added Wan’Dale Robinson and Jalin Hyatt, Slayton — a Gettleman draftee — remains a core player. He finally has a contract to show for it, as reasonable WR2 money comes his way.

Slayton had aimed to join a contender; the Giants — facing a vicious schedule that obviously became known weeks after Slayton’s recommitment — appear outside that realm in 2025. It is certainly possible no team offered a comparable guarantee, one that protects Slayton for his age-29 season in 2026. Four times a 700-yard receiver and zero an 800-yard cog, Slayton did well to score what he did. Inking a two-year deal preserved his value for a third contract. Now, Nabers’ sidekick will hope the Giants can turn their operation around while he is on this deal.

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Release Candidate: Kendrick Bourne

June 25th, 2025 at 7:40pm CST by Ely Allen

It wasn’t too long ago that Kendrick Bourne was one of the top-performing receivers on the Patriots in his first season in New England for a rookie Pro Bowl quarterback in Mac Jones helping the team reach the playoffs for the first time since Tom Brady left. Things have gotten a bit darker in New England since those days, and there’s a chance things could get even darker for Bourne.

Bourne arrived in New England coming off of an average first four years in San Francisco, though for an undrafted player, those four years were pretty impressive. He averaged about 44 catches for 442 yards and 3 touchdowns over that time. After losing veteran Julian Edelman to retirement and Damiere Byrd to free agency, the Patriots were looking to free agent signings like Bourne and Nelson Agholor to work with Jakobi Meyers and a struggling N’Keal Harry.

Coming off then-career highs in catches (49) and receiving yards (667), Bourne had a true breakout season in New England, setting new career highs in catches (55) and receiving yards (800) while matching his career high in touchdowns (5). Despite Aghlolor’s average annual salary ($13MM) more than doubling his ($5MM), Bourne proved to be a clear WR2 behind Meyers that year.

Unfortunately, as the production of Jones and the team’s other passers fell, Bourne’s did, too. It didn’t help that a veteran addition in DeVante Parker arrived and surpassed him and Agholor on the depth chart, demoting him to WR3. What’s worse, a promising contract year in 2023, one that saw him emerging as WR1 over Parker, a rookie Demario Douglas, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and others, came to a premature end when Bourne tore his ACL in Week 8.

The Patriots made a respectable move in the following offseason, re-signing Bourne to a new three-year deal with a slight raise despite the fact that he was going to be coming back from the season-ending injury. On his new deal, he missed the first four games of the season and took a couple of weeks to get going, but when he finally got back to the field, it had become clear that he had fallen behind youngsters Douglas and Kayshon Boutte on the depth chart.

In fact, the writing on the wall that Bourne might not have a place in New England anymore was so clear that a number of teams had discussions before the trade deadline of acquiring Bourne. The Patriots, though, held onto the veteran for the remainder of the season. Then, in the offseason, the team signed a huge free agent in veteran wideout Stefon Diggs and another veteran in Mack Hollins. Additionally, the Patriots drafted Kyle Williams in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

At this point, Bourne is sitting at WR5, maybe WR6. Diggs, Douglas, and Boutte are likely comfortably ahead of him on the depth chart, while Williams could easily be, as well, if he lives up to his draft stock. That leaves Bourne competing with Hollins for the honors of being the fifth or sixth receiver on the depth chart.

While that’s not disqualifying by itself, the fact that Bourne carries cap hits of $7.7MM and $7.9MM over the next two years makes it a lot harder to keep him on the roster if he’s not going to be contributing as a starter. Luckily for New England, Bourne’s second contract with the team included a potential out after the 2024 season. With this escape hatch, the Patriots can release Bourne with only $2.8MM of dead cap split evenly over the next two years, while giving the team $12.8MM of cap savings over that time.

It’s a little late to try and trade him at this point in time, and there’s always a chance that Bourne proves himself by moving up the depth chart. In reality, though, the amount of new competition for snaps coupled with the significant cap impact he holds over the rest of his contract puts Bourne in an unenviable position. He many need to have the camp of his life in order to keep from being a cap casualty in the next few months.

PFR Originals: Steelers, Wilson, WRs, Linderbaum, Browns

June 23rd, 2025 at 9:55am CST by Adam La Rose

Here is a rundown of PFR’s recent originals:

  • Reviewing Steelers’ QB Moves: The post-Ben Roethlisberger era has not gone according to plan for the Steelers. I looked back at each of the six quarterbacks who have started games for them between Roethlisberger’s retirement and the expected Aaron Rodgers signing. The latter is only in place for 2025, and regardless of how he fares Pittsburgh will be tasked with finding a long-term solution next offseason.
  • Previewing Fifth–Year Option Seasons: A number of high-profile members of the 2021 draft class have established themselves as stars and have received lucrative extensions as a result. Others are still in place with their respective teams but face an uncertain future beyond the coming season. Sam Robinson broke down each of the nine players currently set to play on their fifth-year option in 2025. That list includes the likes of Micah Parsons (Cowboys) and Rashawn Slater (Chargers) who have discussed big-ticket deals this spring and could wind up at or near the top of their respective markets.
  • Looking Into Wilson Extension: The new Jets regime has a number of notable decisions to make regarding extensions for the team’s young core. One of those pertains to wideout Garrett Wilson, who is eligible for a long-term deal for the first time in his career. Nikhil Mehta took a look into a potential Wilson contract, one which could carry an annual average value of $30MM or more. The Jets also have a massive Sauce Gardner extension to work out, but locking up Wilson for the foreseeable future would represent a key feat as well.
  • Evaluating WR Trades: Four veteran receivers have been traded this offseason, with three of those moves marking the first time in the player’s career they joined a new team. I polled PFR’s readers about which of the swaps – Deebo Samuel to the Commanders, Christian Kirk to the Texans, D.K. Metcalf to the Steelers and George Pickens to the Cowboys – will prove most beneficial. In each case but Metcalf’s, this year’s trades represented a rental agreement. Opinions were split, with three different options receiving at least 26% of the vote.
  • Tracking Traded 2026 Picks: On the topic of trades, several swaps affecting picks in next year’s draft have already taken place. Sam listed each selection which has changed hands with several months remaining before the April 2026 event. That includes the Jaguars’ and Falcons’ first-rounders, which now respectively belong to the Browns and Rams.
  • Detailing Linderbaum’s Extension Candidacy: The Ravens made the expected move of picking up safety Kyle Hamilton‘s 2026 fifth-year option, but they declined to do the same with center Tyler Linderbaum. The latter is thus a pending free agent at the moment, and Nikhil investigated an extension in his case. Linderbaum, 25, is already a two-time Pro Bowler and a long-term deal can be expected to bring him to (or at least near) the top of the position’s financial pecking order.
  • Exploring Harris, Okoronkwo Cuts: With training camp not far away, roster cuts will become a main talking point around the league relatively soon. In the case of the Browns, that could see one or both of defensive tackle Shelby Harris or edge rusher Ogbo Okoronkw fail to make the team. I broke down the financial impact of a release in both cases, something which Cleveland will of course take into account when evaluating the final year of both veterans’ deals.

Examining Steelers’ Post-Ben Roethlisberger Quarterbacks

June 22nd, 2025 at 10:19pm CST by Adam La Rose

For 18 years, the Steelers enjoyed stability at the quarterback spot with Ben Roethlisberger in place. The Super Bowl winner’s retirement after the 2021 campaign came as no surprise at the time, but it left the team in need of a long-term successor.

That still represents a notable vacancy beyond 2025 given Aaron Rodgers’ age. The 41-year-old expectedly took a one-year deal to head to Pittsburgh, and he will aim to provide the team with a high floor under center compared to his predecessors. As of next offseason, though, another effort will need to be made to find a signal-caller capable of holding down the starter’s role over an extended period and competing with the AFC’s top offenses.

Prior to the Rodgers signing, the Steelers took a number of paths in their attempts to find a genuine Roethlisberger successor. An examination of the quarterbacks who have been used since 2022 and their success (or, to an extent, lack thereof) in Pittsburgh helps explain the team’s willingness to bring in Rodgers under unusual circumstances.

Mason Rudolph (2018-23; 2025)

After not seeing the field as a rookie, Rudolph took part in a sustained run of action in place of an injured Roethlisberger in 2019. The Oklahoma State product won five of his eight starts, but he put up pedestrian numbers along the way. Backup duties were again his purview through the next three years.

Playing on a pair of short-term deals, Rudolph became a familiar face on offense during his time in Pittsburgh. He only managed 13 starts across his first stint with the franchise, however, and the team’s moves following Roethlisberger’s retirement have illustrated the extent to which Rudolph is not viewed as a long-term QB1 option. The 29-year-old departed in free agency last spring.

Taking a one-year deal with the Titans, Rudolph found himself in and out of the lineup in 2024. Will Levis struggled to develop as the team hoped, and poor play along with injuries opened the door for Rudolph to see time atop the depth chart. The latter posted a new career high in passing yards per game (191) but he threw as many interceptions (nine) as touchdowns.

With Tennessee looking to find a new franchise passer via the No. 1 pick in April’s draft, Rudolph found himself on the move again. His return to Pittsburgh came with a warning of sorts from the team regarding the pursuit of a more established starter for 2025. A long wait ensued with the Rodgers deal taking until just before minicamp, but through the spring Rudolph sat atop the depth chart. Head coach Mike Tomlin publicly endorsed him as a starting option, but any first-team action in 2025 will come as an injury replacement.

Under contract for the next two years, Rudolph’s second Steelers stint will cover not only the Rodgers experiment but also the early development of sixth-round rookie Will Howard. He will operate as a familiar face (albeit not for offensive coordinator Arthur Smith) if and when given the opportunity to play this season before likely seeing another high draft investment made in the 2026 draft.

Devlin Hodges (2019)

A former undrafted free agent, Hodges wound up seeing a somewhat notable run during his one and only year of regular season NFL game action. The Samford product made a total of six starts, including each of the final five that year. The Steelers went .500 during his time at the helm, and Hodges avoided many turnovers in games Pittsburgh won. A three-game losing streak ensued to close out the campaign, however, and he threw six interceptions during that spell.

Hodges did not play his way into an extended tenure in Pittsburgh. He did manage to remain in the organization through the 2020 season, but that spell came about on the Steelers’ practice squad. The 29-year-old then landed a futures deal with the Rams in 2021, but he did not survive roster cuts.

Upon seeing his time in the NFL come to an end, Hodges made a brief attempt to continue his career north of the border. The 2022 campaign saw him make a total of four appearances in the CFL, but things did not go as planned on that front. Hodges retired in April of that year.

Mitch Trubisky (2022-23)

After his Bears tenure came to an end, the former No. 2 pick spent a single season handling backup duties with the Bills. Trubisky then joined the Steelers as their short-term starter (in anticipation of a more permanent option being drafted). Indeed, the first four weeks saw him occupy the top of the depth chart before the decision was made to move in another direction. Trubisky made another two starts but totaled just four touchdown passes on the year while putting up other numbers similar with his career averages.

Upon signing a two-year extension, Trubisky remained in the fold but was less involved in Pittsburgh’s QB setup. The 30-year-old started two of his five appearances and was again unable to deliver a strong statistical impact. To no surprise, then, questions were raised about his tenure with the Steelers.

Last offseason, Pittsburgh proceeded with a full housecleaning under center. That effort included moving on from Trubisky with one year left on his deal. The North Carolina product finalized his next deal in short order by returning to the familiar role of QB2 in Buffalo. Options such as Trubisky are of course available every offseason, but especially with Rudolph back in place for 2025 and ’26 (along with Howard for the next four years) other high-floor, low-ceiling signings should not be expected in the near future.

Kenny Pickett (2022-23)

The 2022 draft class was widely considered an underwhelming one, but Pickett was long seen as the most pro-ready option for interested teams. The Steelers – more familiar with the Pitt product than most – were certainly among them, and it came as no surprise when they selected him 20th overall. 24 at the time his rookie campaign began, Pickett entered the league with high expectations in terms of being able to contribute right away and guide a team featuring a top-10 scoring defense to success.

Upon taking over QB1 duties from Trubisky, Pickett led three fourth quarter comebacks. A four-game winning streak to close out season was not enough for a playoff berth, however, and a 76.7 passer rating was one of several underwhelming individual statistics. Still, Pickett showed enough potential to begin the following season atop the depth chart.

In 2023, though, things did not develop as hoped. Pickett averaged just 173 passing yards per game while posting a 6:4 touchdown-to-interception ratio in 12 games. Limitations within Matt Canada’s offense were partially to blame, but after returning to full health from a sprained ankle Pickett found himself benched in favor of Rudolph. The latter handled starting duties down the stretch and during Pittsburgh’s wild-card loss.

With the Steelers eyeing competition for Pickett (at first) last offseason, the free agent signing of Russell Wilson made it clear the team was heading in another direction at the QB spot. Pickett requested to be dealt, and that did wind up taking place with his trade to the Eagles. Following one year as Jalen Hurts’ backup, the Super Bowl winner is now in a four-way QB competition in Cleveland.

A pending 2026 free agent, Pickett’s future remains highly uncertain. His career has certainly not gone as planned so far, and the Steelers’ decision to move on from him after only two years illustrates the risk associated with high draft investments (particularly in quarterback classes such as his).

Russell Wilson (2024)

Through the 2023 campaign, signs pointed to a parting of ways between Wilson and the Broncos. Denver did indeed proceed with a release despite the move generating an $85MM dead money hit. Before Wilson officially became a free agent, he was free to speak with interested teams. The Steelers were among them, and a one-year deal taking advantage of the offset money from his Broncos pact was arranged.

Wilson spent the offseason in pole position for the starting gig, but a calf injury suffered late in training camp left him sidelined through the first six weeks of the campaign. Immediately upon returning to full health, though, Tomlin installed him as the team’s No. 1 in a move which was not unanimous. At first, the decision proved to be a sound one with the Steelers reaching a mark of 10-3.

That positive start to the season was met with a four-game losing streak followed by a lopsided wild-card loss. Wilson and the offense were not exclusively responsible for the struggles late in the year, but changes were seen as necessary to improve for 2025. At 36, Wilson would not have represented a long-term investment under center even if he had been retained.

As Pittsburgh looked elsewhere to find an internal or external starter, Wilson turned his attention to a few potential destinations. One of those was New York, and after visiting the Giants last offseason the Super Bowl winner joined them this time around. First-round rookie Jaxson Dart looms as a replacement as early as this season, but for now Wilson is set to operate as the starter on his fourth career team.

Justin Fields (2024)

Shortly after the Wilson signing, Fields found himself on the move from Chicago to Pittsburgh. The former No. 20 pick’s time with the Bears was known to be coming to an end once the team committed to selecting Caleb Williams first overall in the 2024 draft. As intended, general manager Ryan Poles sent Fields to the Steelers based on the chance that move provided for him to earn a starting spot.

Wilson’s calf issue opened the door to Fields leading the offense through the first six games of the campaign. Pittsburgh went 4-2 over that span, and his accuracy when at the helm (65.8% completion percentage) was by far the highest of his career. A 5:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio indicated at least incremental progress had been made compared to his Bears tenure. Fields added five rushing touchdowns in a demonstration of his dual-threat skillset.

Wilson’s return to health prevented Fields from being able to regain an opportunity in the QB1 spot. The latter being benched by Tomlin was a factor in his free agent decision. A number of suitors emerged for Fields, who wound up taking a two-year deal with the Jets containing $30MM in guarantees. Pittsburgh was interested in retaining the Ohio State product, even reportedly preferring him to a short-term Rodgers signing.

In the end, Fields will look to find long-term stability with the Jets. The 26-year-old would have represented a far younger option to most others available to Pittsburgh this year, but the team will count (for the immediate future at least) on Rodgers managing to remain healthy and return to an extent to his previous form. Fields’ $20MM AAV ranks 20th in the NFL amongst signal-callers, so it will be interesting to see if a similar investment on the Steelers’ part will prove to have been worthwhile in the long run.

Altogether, the sextet of Steelers passers between Roethlisberger and Rodgers posted a record of 37-31-1 between the regular and postseason. As the team looks to end its drought regarding playoff wins – which dates back to 2016 – even an incremental upgrade in play under center could be key. Provided Rodgers takes the field in Week 1, he will become Pittsburgh’s sixth different starter in a span of only 24 games dating back to December 2023 (h/t Chris Adamski of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review).

Regardless of how things play out this season, selecting another new quarterback high in next year’s draft (as hosts) will be a Steelers priority. The outcome of the team’s most recent moves at the position demonstrate the consequences of being unable to find a long-term answer.

Checking In On 2025 Fifth-Year Option Performers

June 21st, 2025 at 10:15pm CST by Sam Robinson

The 2021 draft class has produced some of the NFL’s best players. Patrick Surtain claimed Defensive Player of the Year acclaim, after signing a monster extension that reset the cornerback market, and Ja’Marr Chase posted a triple-crown campaign that ended up pushing the wide receiver market past $40MM per year. Penei Sewell remains the NFL’s highest-paid tackle, and the DeVonta Smith/Jaylen Waddle deals helped shape other WR contracts over the past year.

Several players from that first round also did not pan out, with the quarterback crop being the most notable underachievers. Only Trevor Lawrence received an extension among the five 2021 first-round passers, though Justin Fields did do fairly well as a free agent this offseason. The 2021 first-round class did see 15 options exercised (and three players extended; Rashod Bateman has already been extended twice), marking a bump from the 2020 first-round contingent.

Nine players from that first round, however, exited this year’s offseason programs still tied to their rookie deals. Even though the 2020 CBA helped players on this front by making fifth-year options fully guaranteed, it can still be argued the options do first-rounders a disservice due to teams having five years of player control compared to four on deals ranging from Round 2 to Round 7. But the option system — now in its 15th year — is not going anywhere. And more than a fourth of the NFL’s franchises are moving toward training camp with big decisions to make.

Here is a look at where things stand between those teams and the batch of 2021 first-rounders on fifth-year options:

Kyle Pitts, TE (Falcons); option salary: $10.88MM

Flashes of upper-crust tight end play have emerged for Pitts, but Terry Fontenot leaving Chase on the board — months before the Falcons traded Julio Jones — was obviously a mistake. Pitts joined Mike Ditka (and now Brock Bowers) as the only rookie-year tight ends to clear 1,000 yards; the Florida product has not approached that range since. While Pitts has played 17 games in each of the past two seasons, the MCL injury he sustained in 2022 brought a hurdle that became difficult to negotiate. QB play has hurt Pitts, but the Falcons have not seen him justify the No. 4 overall investment. A contract-year uptick certainly could provide a gateway to a big 2026 free agency payday, however.

No Falcons extension rumors have surfaced this offseason, but Pitts has been the subject of trade talk. The Falcons are believed to have listened on Pitts earlier this offseason. A Day 2 pick was believed to be the desired asking price for the 24-year-old pass catcher. Barring a trade, Pitts will be counted on to help Michael Penix Jr.‘s development, alongside fellow Fontenot top-10 skill-position draftees Drake London and Bijan Robinson. Pitts’ age still points to a big-ticket 2026 deal being a reasonable outcome; he can remove notions of a “prove it” contract being necessary with a quality contract year.

Micah Parsons, DE (Cowboys); option salary: $24MM

In NFC East drama, the Cowboys traded the No. 10 overall pick to the Eagles, as Philly’s plan to outflank the Giants on Smith worked. Dallas won the prize here, landing Parsons at 12. Although Surtain has received the top honor among this draft class and Chase has become the highest-paid player, Parsons is also one of the NFL’s best players. He will be paid like it, and the Cowboys are operating on an eerily similar timeline compared to their slow-playing of other recent extensions.

A three-time All-Pro, Parsons is the best player still attached to a fifth-year option. And the EDGE market has changed significantly this offseason. Parsons, 26, confirmed the Cowboys’ latest delay will prove costly. A strange subplot between Jerry Jones and Parsons’ agent (David Mulugheta) also became known during these drawn-out negotiations. The former No. 12 overall pick has expected to become the NFL’s highest-paid defender, and it seems likely he will eclipse Chase’s $40.25MM-per-year deal as well. The Cowboys, whose slow-paced dealings with Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb defined their 2024 offseason, have been in talks with Parsons.

Even after a value gap was revealed, a report of common ground surfaced. A franchise that accustomed to — prior to the Lamb and Prescott deals, that is — long-term contracts also looks to have hit a term-length snag here. Trade rumors came out here months ago, but nothing on that front has surfaced in a while.

After Maxx Crosby eclipsed Nick Bosa‘s defender AAV record, Danielle Hunter cleared $35MM (albeit on a one-year bump) as well. Myles Garrett‘s $40MM-per-year accord now sets the market, and T.J. Watt and Aidan Hutchinson should benefit. Parsons having waited boosts his prospects as well, and being nearly four years younger than Garrett will present a clear case for the Penn State alum’s second contract to come in noticeably higher. When will the Cowboys complete their latest arduous contractual journey?

Rashawn Slater, LT (Chargers); option salary: $19MM

The Bolts did well to add Slater at No. 13. Like Parsons, not much doubt appears to exist about Slater’s prospects for a mega-deal. The Northwestern alum, who joined Parsons and Sewell in opting out of the 2020 COVID-19-marred college season, has started every game he has played with the Chargers. After missing 14 games due to injury in 2022, Slater bounced back and earned his second Pro Bowl nod (in 2024).

Last year brought extensions for Sewell, Christian Darrisaw (chosen 10 spots after Slater) and 2020 first-rounder Tristan Wirfs. Slater’s market will check in at a similar place. Extension talks began early this offseason, as the Jim Harbaugh–Joe Hortiz regime has now observed him for a season. Slater skipped OTAs but expects his second contract to come from the Chargers.

The period between minicamp and Week 1 regularly brings extensions, and this will be the most likely window for the Chargers to come to terms with their O-line anchor. Slater signing a second contract soon would allow it to overlap with at least two Joe Alt rookie-deal years, providing a benefit to an L.A. team with a $53MM-per-year Justin Herbert deal on the books.

Alijah Vera-Tucker, G (Jets); option salary: $15.31MM

After bouncing between guard and tackle, Vera-Tucker has settled at his natural position. The USC product, whom the Jets chose 14th overall in 2021, worked exclusively at right guard last year. Although the Jets faceplanted in Aaron Rodgers‘ only full season leading the charge, Vera-Tucker stayed healthy after suffering season-ending injuries in 2022 and ’23. Vera-Tucker started 15 games last year; Pro Football Focus graded him as the NFL’s ninth-best guard.

The Jets are believed to be eyeing the post-draft period to discuss a second contract with Vera-Tucker, though the team — its struggles notwithstanding — has several extension candidates. Even if Breece Hall may not be one of them, the Jets have 2022 first-rounders Sauce Gardner, Garrett Wilson and Jermaine Johnson extension-eligible now.

Vera-Tucker, who turned 26 this week, could take precedence due to being in a contract year. It is also possible a new Jets regime would want to see more given the guard’s injury struggles. Another quality year would make Vera-Tucker one of the top 2026 free agents, but the Jets hold exclusive negotiating rights until March 2026.

Jaelan Phillips, OLB (Dolphins); option salary: $13.25MM

While Vera-Tucker created some distance from his injury issues last season, Phillips sank deeper into that abyss by suffering an ACL tear after a November 2023 Achilles tear sent him off course. Chosen 18th overall in 2021, Phillips already carried injury baggage based on his UCLA past. He rocketed onto the first-round radar following a transfer to Miami, and the ex-Hurricane showed promise during the early years of his rookie contract. Phillips posted 25 QB hits and seven sacks in 2022 and was on pace to clear that career-high sack mark by a comfy margin in ’23, but the Dolphins soon saw injuries derail their edge rusher plan.

Phillips and Bradley Chubb‘s returns from malady-marred stretches represent a central Dolphins storyline. Their returns, which are nearly complete, will be paramount for a regime suddenly in some hot water. The GM who selected Phillips (Chris Grier) 18th overall remains in place, potentially helping the 26-year-old OLB in the event he can shake the injury trouble. But no extension rumors have emerged. This season will be about Phillips reestablishing his old form. If he does, a 2026 franchise tag or a lucrative deal coming in just south of that rate may await.

Kwity Paye, DE (Colts); option salary: $13.39MM

Paye’s value checks in below the Parsons-Slater tier, but he may also not be in “prove it” territory like Phillips. The former No. 21 overall pick has not battled major injury trouble nor has he delivered A-list production. Settling in as an upper-middle-class edge rusher thus far, the Michigan alum has recorded 16.5 sacks since 2023.

Paye, 26, played a big role in the Colts setting an Indianapolis-era record for sacks in a season (51) in 2023 and has certainly not been a bust for Chris Ballard‘s team. A decision will need to be made soon, though, even as the Colts have bigger issues to sort out. The Colts have done well to extend or re-sign their core players, but Ballard backtracked on an inward-focused approach this offseason by paying Charvarius Ward and Camryn Bynum. Will those deals affect Paye’s standing?

Indianapolis also has two veteran D-tackle contracts on the books (for DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart), and the team used a first-round pick on D-end Laiatu Latu last year. A Paye payday would complement Latu’s rookie-deal years, and the Colts acting early could create a discount opportunity due to Paye never eclipsing nine sacks or 12 QB hits in a season. Those numbers also could give the team pause about Paye’s long-term viability. Paye was not interested in a 2024 extension, but it would stand to reason he would be prepared to talk terms now. No extension rumors have followed, though.

Travis Etienne, RB (Jaguars); option salary: $6.14MM

An Urban Meyer draftee, Etienne has now been a Lawrence teammate for eight years. The Clemson-developed running back delivered quality work for the 2022 and ’23 Jaguars teams, becoming a high-usage player under Doug Pederson in that span. Meyer had telegraphed a hope the Jags could draft Kadarius Toney in 2021, but Etienne proved the far better pick by posting back-to-back seasons of 1,400-plus yards from scrimmage after missing his rookie year with a foot injury. However, Etienne’s stock mirrored that of the team last year. Tank Bigsby cut into his RB1 role, and career-worst marks followed.

Etienne does not appear an extension candidate in Jacksonville, and trade rumors emerged before the draft. Linked to Ashton Jeanty at No. 5, the Jags pulled off a smokescreen operation centered around Travis Hunter. Even with Jacksonville going with Hunter over Jeanty, the team drafted two running backs (Bhayshul Tuten, LeQuint Allen) ahead of Liam Coen‘s first year in charge. Coen did throw cold water on an Etienne trade, but the 26-year-old RB appears set to play out his rookie contract and test free agency in 2026. It will be interesting to see if Coen, who coaxed a promising rookie-year season from Bucky Irving, can move Etienne back on track. But a post-draft report also indicated the new Jags HC is not especially high on the former No. 25 overall pick.

Greg Newsome, CB (Browns); option salary: $13.38MM

As Hunter headed to Jacksonville instead of Cleveland, Newsome saw his status receive an 11th-hour update ahead of the draft. Rather than see Hunter’s two-way role impact him, Newsome enters 2025 in a similar spot. The Browns traded down from No. 2 and took Mason Graham — in a draft that did not see Cleveland draft a cornerback — but Newsome still may not be long for Cleveland.

The Browns dangled the 25-year-old corner in trades before the draft; that followed a pre-deadline trade rumor. In April, it looked like Hunter’s part-time CB role would affect Newsome. But the Browns and Jags had been working on a trade for more than two weeks before the draft. Those trade talks may have been merely a reflection of the organization’s view of Newsome, the 2021 No. 26 overall pick.

Former third-rounder Martin Emerson has operated as Denzel Ward‘s perimeter complementary performer during his career, relegating Newsome to a slot role in sub-packages. Last season, that meant only three starts for Newsome, who described some frustration with his role during the winter. A trade may still be something to monitor ahead of the November deadline, especially if the Browns want to keep stockpiling ammo for a 2026 QB move.

Odafe Oweh, OLB (Ravens); option salary: $13.25MM

Like Paye, Oweh has submitted an extended sample of quality production. Neither had revealed themselves to be difference-making presences going into 2024, but after the Ravens moved on from Jadeveon Clowney, Oweh took a long-awaited step forward. The former No. 31 overall pick broke through for 10 sacks and 23 QB hits. Oweh had never previously surpassed five sacks or 15 hits in a season, with 2024 representing a significant development for a Ravens team that has otherwise relied on veteran stopgaps since Matt Judon‘s 2021 free agency departure.

With David Ojabo not yet panning out, Oweh still has a clear runway in Baltimore. An extension is in play for the ex-Parsons Penn State teammate. Not too much has come out on this front just yet, and the Ravens may also be interested in seeing if Oweh can replicate his 2024 production. Then again, the team has four years of intel on the 26-year-old pass rusher.

Waiting until 2026 to make a play here would run the risk of Oweh’s price rising beyond Baltimore’s comfort zone. No stranger to letting pass-rushing talent walk in free agency and recouping compensatory picks, the Ravens have also not been able to rely on a homegrown pass rusher since Judon. That would stand to make Oweh a reasonable priority in his contract year.

5 Key Stories: 6/15/25 – 6/21/25

June 21st, 2025 at 9:01pm CST by Adam La Rose

As the wait for the opening of training camps around the league begins, a number of high-profile situations remain unresolved. That will likely remain the case for several weeks, but one major free agent move defined the past few days. In case you missed any of the top developments from this week, here is a quick recap:

  • Alexander Chooses Ravens: With no trade or pay cut agreement being reached with the Packers, Jaire Alexander hit the open market upon being released. The two-time Pro Bowler drew immediate interest to no surprise, and in short order he decided on his second career team. Alexander had not been heavily linked to the Ravens upon becoming a free agent, but not long after former Louisville teammate Lamar Jackson publicly endorsed adding him, Baltimore did just that. Alexander will play on a one-year, $4MM pact with another $2MM available via incentives – a far cry from what he was originally owed but a deal which allows him to test the market next spring. The oft-injured cover man’s preference appeared to be a reworked Packers agreement, but in the absence of guarantees on a pay cut he elected to start over on a new team.
  • Ramsey Landing Spots Becoming Clearer? Jalen Ramsey is still with the Dolphins at this point, but nothing has changed with respect to a trade being expected. The list of teams not pursuing him continues to grow, something which is bringing his potential landing spots into greater focus. The Rams have long been known as an interested party in this situation, and they are joined by the Chargers as a team to watch. A Friday report stated Ramsey would prefer being dealt to the West Coast, with the two Los Angeles franchise being listed as destinations. The Bolts had not previously been linked to the 30-year-old, but it will be interesting to see if they partake in a bidding war with the Rams during trade talks with the Dolphins.
  • Guarantees Holding Up Steelers’ Watt Negotiations? Along with a number of other notable edge rushers, T.J. Watt is in talks for a new deal. He and the Steelers have a mutual desire to remain together past 2025, but a raise is in store on a third contract. To little surprise, it appears the matter of guarantees are a sticking point in negotiations. Making another massive investment regarding locked in compensation for Watt, 30, could be a trickier decision on Pittsburgh’s part now compared to when the team made him the league’s highest-paid pass rusher in 2021. That negotiation process took well into the summer, whereas this time around an agreement in time for training camp is the goal.
  • Mosley Retires: On his 33rd birthday, C.J. Mosley announced his retirement from the NFL. A Butkis Award winner and two-time national champion at Alabama, the linebacker entered the league with high expectations. Mosley enjoyed a productive five-year stint with the Ravens, collecting four Pro Bowl nods. He then reset the LB market with an $85MM Jets deal, a pact which did originally yield the desired results (with only two games played from 2019-20). Mosley was a productive starter when healthy in New York, but few were surprised when he was released this offseason. The five-time second-team All-Pro intended to continue his career, but his attention will now turn to his post-playing days.
  • Second-Round Rookies Seeking Fully Guaranteed Deals: Players selected in the first round of the NFL draft have long seen their four-year pacts guaranteed in full. A new precedent was set this offseason when the No. 33 (Carson Schwesinger, Browns) and 34 (Jayden Higgins, Texans) selections received full guarantees for every year of their respective deals. Fellow round two draftees are understandably waiting to sign in the hopes of receiving the same terms. That includes Saints quarterback Tyler Shough, who came off the board 40th overall. Locking in all of his contract would mark a notable jump compared to last year’s selection in that slot. Nearly every other member of the 2025 draft class is on the books by now, but it could take until training camp (or longer) for agreements covering the remaining rookies to be worked out. A resolution to the second-round stalemates will be key in that regard.
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