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K Justin Tucker Issued 10-Game Suspension

June 27th, 2025 at 12:40pm CST by Adam La Rose

JUNE 27: During a Friday press conference, Michael Belsky – one of the attorneys representing 13 of the 16 accusers – said he is “still determining the next steps” for his clients (h/t ESPN’s Jamison Hensley). While Tucker’s situation with respect to his NFL outlook has thus been clarified, legal action stemming from his alleged misconduct could still be coming.

JUNE 26: Justin Tucker has already seen his Ravens tenure come to an end, and he will be unavailable to his next team for much of the season in 2025 if he is to line up a deal. The All-Pro kicker was issued a 10-game suspension on Thursday.

Mark Make of the Washington Post notes today’s news is not the result of an arbitrator’s ruling. This case never proceeded to a hearing in front of Sue Robinson (which did happen with Deshaun Watson, for instance). Instead, the length of this ban was agreed upon between the parties involved.

The suspension will take effect on August 26, since that represents the roster cutdown deadline around the league. Tucker will first be eligible for reinstatement on November 11. A free agent at the moment, he is still allowed to sign with an interested team at any point (although today’s news certainly hinders the chances of that taking place).

In February, allegations of sexual misconduct during massage therapy sessions went public against Tucker. The 35-year-old has denied the claims on more than one occasion, but a league investigation was launched into the matter. Today’s findings conclude a violation of the league’s personal conduct policy took place, leading to the suspension.

Prior to the draft – with the NFL probe ongoing – the Ravens faced the possibility of moving on from Tucker. The team intended to wait until the investigation concluded to make a decision on that front, but once Tyler Loop was selected in the sixth round it appeared to be a guarantee a Tucker release would indeed take place. Early last month, Baltimore moved forward with a post-June 1 cut.

At the time of Tucker’s release, the Ravens insisted the move was strictly football related. The seven-time Pro Bowler posted an field goal rate no lower than 82.5% during his first 12 years in the league (all spent with Baltimore). Tucker experienced a notable downturn in accuracy midway through this past season, though, and his overall success rate on field goals dropped to 73.3%. Cutting ties with three years remaining on his contract was a move no doubt partially informed by the dip in performance, but Baltimore’s decision also implied news such as this could be coming.

Now that Tucker is set to miss much of the coming campaign, his chances of landing a new opportunity in the NFL have taken a hit. A free agent pact prior to the NFL’s investigation concluding was always unlikely, and today’s ban -which will not be appealed – could very well lead to a full season spent on the sidelines.

“We are disappointed with the NFL’s decision,” a statement from Tucker’s agent reads in part (via Mike Garafolo of NFL Network). “Justin has always strived to carry himself in a way that would make his family and community proud. He stands by his previous statements. In order to put this difficult episode behind him and get back on the field as soon as possible, we have advised Justin to accept this resolution and close this matter.”

A Super Bowl champion in 2012, Tucker owns a number of all-time records and has amassed over $51MM in career earnings. That figure could continue to climb at some point, but especially in the wake of today’s suspension his NFL future is unclear.

Buccaneers Extend HC Todd Bowles, GM Jason Licht

June 26th, 2025 at 10:33pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Buccaneers have enjoyed a run of success under head coach Todd Bowles and general manager Jason Licht, and the team will have continuity on the sidelines and in the front office moving forward. Both have received extensions, as first reported by NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.

The move is now official, per a team announcement. Licht has been in place since 2014, and for the past three seasons he and Bowles have worked in their current capacities. The latter took over from Bruce Arians as Tampa Bay’s head coach after a three-year stint as the team’s defensive coordinator. Bowles’ extension is three years in length, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler adds. He is therefore in place through 2028.

“Jason and Todd’s excellent leadership and vision have been critical to our organizational success, and the winning culture they have established has us well positioned into the future,” a statement from owner Jay Glazer reads. “Jason has evolved into one of the top talent evaluators and general managers in the NFL, while Todd has led us to three consecutive division titles and is one of the league’s leading defensive minds. Under their guidance, we will continue building towards another championship.”

The past five seasons have marked the longest sustained run of success in franchise history, and the Buccaneers are the only NFC team to have reached the playoffs each year since 2020. That campaign produced a Super Bowl title and validated Tampa Bay’s Tom Brady acquisition. Questions were raised when the seven-time champion retired (for the second and final time) about how the team would proceed under center. The decision to take a flier on Baker Mayfield has certainly proven to be a fruitful one, though.

The former No. 1 pick’s future as a starter was in doubt coming off his 2022 campaign split between the Panthers and Rams. Mayfield was added on a one-year, $4MM deal and handled QB1 duties through his debut Tampa season. The Bucs won their division and advanced to the second round of the postseason. Mayfield was rewarded with a three-year, $100MM pact just before the start of free agency last March, keeping him in the fold.

The 30-year-old posted career bests in yards (4,500) and touchdowns (41) in 2024, production which helped Liam Coen continue the trend of offensive coordinators turning success with the Bucs into a head coaching gig. As Mayfield prepares to work with yet another OC, Bowles and his staff will aim to win the NFC South for the fifth consecutive season in 2025.

In four years with the Jets, Bowles managed a winning record only once and finished with an overall mark of 24-40. The 61-year-old joined Arians in Tampa Bay in 2019 to oversee the team’s defense. Since Bowles’ arrival, that unit has finished in the top 10 in points allowed on three occasions. Arians initially planned to stay on as head coach for the 2022 season, but Brady’s decision to unretire led to the reins being handed over to Bowles. A number of notable moves – including the dismissal of offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich – did not sit well with Arians, but Tampa Bay has managed a run of sustained success since the transition on the sidelines and under center took place.

Mayfield is one of many high-profile Buccaneers whom Licht and Co. have managed to retain in recent offseasons. Wideouts Mike Evans and Chris Godwin and linebacker Lavonte David are among the veterans who have elected to avoid joining a new team for the first time in their careers by re-upping in Tampa Bay recently. Licht is also responsible for market-resetting extensions in the case of left tackle Tristan Wirfs as well as safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (whose deal has since been slightly surpassed in annual average value).

With a veteran core in place, expectations for at least another home wild-card game are high in the case of the Buccaneers in 2025. Bowles and Licht were already set to continue in their respective roles for the coming campaign, but their futures beyond this season have now been assured as well.

Minor NFL Transactions: 6/26/25

June 26th, 2025 at 8:15pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Here are today’s minor moves from around the league:

Cleveland Browns

New England Patriots

  • Released: DT Wilfried Pene

Szmyt signed with the Bears as an undrafted rookie in 2023, but did not make the 53-man roster. In 2024, he played for the UFL’s St. Louis Battlehawks, converting 19 of his 21 field goal attempts with a long of 61 yards. Szmyt then joined the Browns’ practice squad at the end of the 2024 season and signed a reserve/futures contracts for 2025. He was waived in early June to make room for wide receiver Jaelen Gill and now finds himself back on the roster after the team’s release of Ogbo Okoronkwo.

Browns Release DE Ogbo Okoronkwo

June 26th, 2025 at 9:18am CST by Adam La Rose

Ogbo Okoronkwo recently emerged as a cut candidate, and he is indeed on the open market. The veteran edge rusher was released by the Browns on Thursday, per a team announcement.

Okoronkwo had been in Cleveland since signing as a free agent in 2022. The former Texan operated as a part-time defender during his first three seasons in the league, but during his walk year he made eight starts and recorded five sacks. That uptick in usage and production resulted in a three-year, $19MM Browns pact being worked out.

While Okoronkwo, 30, managed to remain mostly healthy during his Cleveland tenure, he did not emerge as a starter capable of complementing Myles Garrett‘s production. Only after Za’Darius Smith was traded away midway through the 2024 season did Okoronkwo receive starts along the edge. In all, he managed just 7.5 sacks across 30 games with the Browns.

None of Okoronkwo’s base salary for this season ($2.24MM) was guaranteed. The former fifth-rounder was due a $1.5MM option bonus on August 30, so it comes as no surprise he has been let go before that date. Today’s move will generate $3.67MM in cap savings for Cleveland while incurring a dead money charge of $1.95MM.

Cleveland still has Garrett in the fold thanks to his $40MM-per-year extension signed this offseason. The team will move forward with Alex Wright and Isaiah McGuire as inexpensive rotational contributors in the pass rush department. Okoronkwo, meanwhile, will now hit the market as part of a free agent EDGE group including Smith and the likes of Matt Judon, Von Miller and Jadeveon Clowney.

It would come as little surprise if some or all members of that contingent waited until the start of training camps around the league to sign with their next team. As a result, Okoronkwo’s next opportunity may not be in place for several weeks. Given the nature of his Browns stint, he can be expected to take a low-cost deal covering 2025 in a bid to help his market value for next spring.

NFL Minor Transactions: 6/25/25

June 25th, 2025 at 8:28pm CST by Ely Allen

Today’s only minor move:

Los Angeles Rams

Cephus’ return to the NFL will have to continue waiting. The former Lions receiver showed decent promise with noticeable improvement in Year 2 of his NFL career before a should injury ended his sophomore campaign after only five games. An attempted comeback season in 2022 resulted in another season-ending injury after only four games. An indefinite suspension for violating the league’s gambling policy kept him off the field in 2023, and though he signed deals with the Bills, Texans, and most recently the Rams, he failed to appear in games for any of the three in 2024. A return in 2025 will likely have to come in another city.

Seahawks To Bring Back CB Shaquill Griffin

June 25th, 2025 at 1:18pm CST by Sam Robinson

After four seasons away, Shaquill Griffin has reached an agreement to return to Seattle. The Seahawks brought the veteran cornerback in for a visit earlier this offseason, and Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reports the sides will huddle up again on a deal weeks before training camp.

Midway through Pete Carroll‘s lengthy time as HC, the Seahawks drafted Griffin in the third round to work alongside Richard Sherman. The duo’s time together turned out to be brief, as Sherman suffered a season-ending injury in 2017 before being released in 2018. Griffin became the team’s highest-profile corner for a stretch, playing his way into a lucrative Jaguars free agency offer in 2021. He played for the Texans, Panthers and Vikings from 2023-24. Although twin brother (and ex-Seahawk teammate) Shaquem Griffin has retired, Shaquill will return to his first NFL home.

Griffin agreed to a one-year deal worth $3MM, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. This will bring a slight pay cut from a $4.55MM Vikings deal in 2024, but the 82-game starter can earn up to $4MM on the contract. This deal looks to end Seattle’s search for veteran CB help — or at least pause it — after the team had not addressed the position in an 11-player draft class. The Seahawks looked into other corners, also meeting with Rasul Douglas, but had Griffin on their pre- and post-draft radars. He will join a CB group featuring some other contract-year talent.

Losing part-time starter Tre Brown in free agency, the Seahawks have Riq Woolen and Josh Jobe in platform years. Corner-turned-safety Coby Bryant joins them. The Seahawks will have big-picture decisions to make at the position in the not-too-distant future, but for now, Griffin will add a familiar presence — albeit one who contributed in Carroll’s scheme. John Schneider remains in place from Griffin’s rookie-contract years.

The Seahawks worked out Griffin in April and discussed terms with him in May. Teams regularly add veterans between minicamp and training camp, after assessing position groups during offseason programs, and the Seahawks made the move to bring in an eight-year veteran entering his age-30 season. Although Carroll also brought in Griffin for a potential reunion (via a Las Vegas visit), Schneider will instead sign off on one. Chosen 90th overall, Griffin was the earliest Carroll/Schneider-era Seahawks CB draftee before Devon Witherspoon.

Griffin (30 in July) played in 17 Vikings games last season, starting three for Brian Flores‘ top-five defense. He intercepted two passes and broke up six in his one Minnesota season. A year prior, the 6-foot cover man split time between the Texans and Panthers. Griffin filled in as a Houston starter in 2023, catching on elsewhere in the AFC South after the Jaguars released him from a three-year, $40MM contract. Griffin started six games in Houston and played in three more with a 2-15 Carolina squad, being claimed on waivers.

Pro Football Focus has viewed Griffin as a mid-pack corner for a few years now. The advanced metrics site ranked the boundary corner 63rd last season and 53rd in 2023. Griffin’s first Jaguars season brought a No. 19 overall grade, but the Urban Meyer signee lost momentum when a back injury stopped his 2022 season after five games.

Named a Pro Bowl alternate in 2019, Griffin started 53 games for the Seahawks and helped Carroll’s team to three straight playoff berths (2018-20). Sherman’s extension notwithstanding, the Seahawks have a history of not paying for CB talent. They let both Griffin and D.J. Reed walk after they respectively played out their rookie contracts. The next several months will help paint a picture of how the Seahawks treat the position under Mike Macdonald.

NFL Minor Transactions: 6/24/25

June 24th, 2025 at 8:41pm CST by Ben Levine

One minor move to pass along…

New England Patriots

The Patriots added some offensive line depth today in Yasir Durant. The Missouri product has bounced around the NFL since going undrafted in 2020, including a previous stint with New England in 2021. In total, the 27-year-old has appeared in 19 regular season games, with 11 of those coming with the Chiefs in 2020. Durant hasn’t appeared in an NFL game since the 2022 campaign.

NFL Draft Pick Signings: 6/24/25

June 24th, 2025 at 7:40pm CST by Ben Levine

One draft pick signing from today:

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars got one step closer to completing their draft pick signings today, as the team finally inked fourth-round RB Bhayshul Tuten to his rookie deal. After spending two seasons at North Carolina A&T, Tuten spent the 2023 and 2024 seasons with the Hokies, collecting 2,342 yards from scrimmage and 29 touchdowns in 24 games. The rookie doesn’t have an instant path to playing time behind Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby, but he should be solidly in the team’s future plans at the RB position.

With today’s signing, fourth-round linebacker Jack Kiser is Jacksonville’s only unsigned draft pick.

NFL Minor Transactions: 6/23/25

June 23rd, 2025 at 8:04pm CST by Ben Levine

One minor move to pass along:

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers are adding a veteran long snapper to their roster in Tucker Addington, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston. This will represent the 27-year-old’s seventh NFL stop (not including multiple stints with one team), and he’s managed to get into 10 regular-season contests since 2022. This includes a 2024 campaign when he got into four total games with the Patriots and Dolphins.

Addington inked a reserve/futures deal with the Texans this offseason, but now he’ll have a chance to compete for a roster spot in Pittsburgh. The team still has Christian Kuntz atop the depth chart, but the team’s recent auditions at the position indicate they may be pursuing a preseason battle.

Jaguars Sign WR/CB Travis Hunter

June 22nd, 2025 at 9:15pm CST by Adam La Rose

Earlier this month, Travis Hunter and the Jaguars were not close to an agreement regarding his rookie contract. Team and player have now finalized the deal, however.

The 2024 Heisman winner signed his four-year pact on Sunday, per a team announcement. Hunter will collect $46.65MM as this year’s second overall selection, and that figure includes a $30.57MM signing bonus. ESPN’s Adam Schefter notes Hunter has received his entire signing bonus up front (as opposed to in installments as usual). There is limited precedent for such a move (h/t Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk), but it nevertheless marks a departure from standard practice.

Many presumed Hunter would hear his name called just after Cam Ward, and that did indeed wind up happening. The fact the Jaguars – not the Browns – selected him came as a surprise, though. Cleveland and Jacksonville pulled off a swap negotiated well in advance which allowed the Jags to move up to No. 2 and draft the two-way Colorado product.

Once of the most intriguing storylines leading up to this year’s draft was the matter of how Hunter would be used in the NFL. The Jaguars opened the offseason by having him acclimate to the receiver spot, but by the onset of OTAs he was also taking reps as a cornerback. It is expected that will continue through training camp as the team evaluates how to manage his workload as a rookie. That could very well shift on a week-to-week basis, especially depending on how Jacksonville’s WR and CB depth charts shake out over the coming months.

First-year general manager James Gladstone has made no secret about how highly he thinks of Hunter since the opening night of the draft. The All-American was an impact player on both sides of the ball in college, averaging well over 100 total snaps per game last season. He will take on the challenge of replicating that workload over the course of his rookie deal (which could run through 2029 in the event his fifth-year option is picked up).

The Jags have two remaining unsigned members of their draft class given today’s news. Needless to say, though, the team’s most lucrative pact on that front has now been taken care of.

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