They say Christmas is in December and it’s 12 days long. Codswallop, say I. Christmas starts in July, is four weeks long and comes with a present nearly every single day: That your favorite third-string receiver made a tough snag over the middle in double coverage; that the undersized, small-school undrafted pass rusher is once again terrorizing the backup offensive line; that everybody — and I mean everybody — is in the best shape of his life.
It’s NFL training camp, folks. And it’s right around the corner, with veteran players for the Chargers and Lions reporting to camp later this week, ahead of the Hall of Fame Game on July 31.
There’s little I look forward to more than the first video to hit my timeline of a few star players jogging out onto the practice field. Perhaps the only thing I cherish more are answers to the following questions, winners of the following positional battles, health for the following injuries and updates on the following rookies. Let’s get into it.
Jump to:
Questions | Battles
Injuries | Rookies
Five unanswered questions that could be answered
What will the second act of Dan Campbell look like?
Campbell is one of the best coaches in the league. There is no question about this, none at all. Two of his best acts with the Lions have been as follows: hiring Aaron Glenn as defensive coordinator, and promoting Ben Johnson to offensive coordinator after his first hiring (Anthony Lynn) didn’t work out.
Those are the only moves Campbell has needed to make at coordinator over his four years in Detroit — a rare thing for a team as successful as the Lions have been. After years of interest, both Glenn and Johnson have finally taken head coaching jobs elsewhere, which raises a few questions. The first: Just how good is Campbell’s eye for coaching talent? New DC Kelvin Sheppard was promoted from the linebackers coaching job, but Campbell first worked with him back in 2014-15, when Sheppard was still a player on the Dolphins. He’s been the defensive coordinator-in-waiting for a while now. What does Campbell see in him? And will that vision be realized?
On the offensive side of the ball, where plenty of candidates for internal promotion were available (Hank Fraley, Tanner Engstrand, Antwan Randel El), Campbell went for an external hire in John Morton. There is some familiarity there, as Morton spent the 2022 season as the Lions’ senior offensive assistant. Does he have a particularly strong relationship with Jared Goff, who will need to shoulder a greater load now that Johnson has left the building? Can Morton bring the same creativity, the same situational excellence that powered the Lions’ fourth-down approach of seasons past?
The Lions are transitioning from a rebuilt upstart to a bona fide force, and that means they must combat brain drain. This is Campbell’s first crack at replacing key staff departures, and getting it right is critical to completing the total team turnaround.
What does Justin Fields do with this (last) chance?
When Fields finally got out of Chicago last season, I was thrilled for him. Few franchises have been worse at QB development over the past several seasons than the Bears. The Steelers are another such candidate, as they have struggled to modernize their offensive approach or flood their roster with pass catchers for a young quarterback. Of course, Fields joined Pittsburgh as a backup behind Russell Wilson, and he started only six games while Wilson recovered from a calf injury.
Rather surprisingly, the Jets gave him a starter’s deal and an unimpeded path to the QB1 job. The Jets are another candidate for our “even worse than the Bears at quarterback development” list, but it’s a new staff in New York — namely, head coach Aaron Glenn and offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand. Both came from Detroit, and Glenn in particular watched his defenses get ravaged by Fields’ legs twice a season. Fields’ last three games as a Bear against Glenn’s defense: 12 carries for 58 yards and a touchdown; 10 carries for 132 yards; 13 carries for 147 yards and two touchdowns.
Now, the Jets have few pass catchers behind Garrett Wilson, but they have a pretty solid offensive line. I don’t think they’ll tip their hand (and put Fields in harm’s way) too much during training camp, but I’ll be watching the reports closely. And I won’t be surprised if we see a 2022-like season for Fields. Back then, he posted 160 carries for 1,143 yards, the second most all time for a quarterback. If he can replicate that season with his legs, while getting more passing game help from Engstrand and Wilson than he ever got in Chicago, there just might be something there.
What is J.J. McCarthy ready for?
There isn’t a training camp question with a bigger range of outcomes than the McCarthy question in Minnesota. I can draw two parallel universes for you. In the first, a year of rehab gave McCarthy the opportunity to prepare mentally, and he is accordingly as sharp as a tack under center — no rookie mistakes. Fully physically recovered, he offers more on the boot than Darnold ever did, creating a new layer in the already dangerous Vikings offense. Minnesota hits the ground running.
In the other, Minnesota really does hit the ground running because McCarthy isn’t ready. He is uncertain on the knee and still adjusting to NFL speed, and it’s not like he was a pass-heavy maven in college either. The Vikings heavily rely on a retooled offensive line, as well as a running back by committee with Jordan Mason joining Aaron Jones. They keep as much off their young passer’s shoulders as possible as he works his way to NFL ball.
Harry Douglas, Kimberley A. Martin and Damien Woody discuss what will make a successful season for J.J. McCarthy and the Minnesota Vikings.
These two worlds, and every world in between, feel possible for the Vikings. We shouldn’t overreact to anything we get in training camp, especially negative. The McCarthy we get in August won’t be the McCarthy we see in December, as a season’s worth of NFL action teaches some big lessons. But the Vikings are in a competitive division and harbor deep playoff aspirations. They only have so much leash to give a rookie, especially when you consider how easily Kevin O’Connell has made veteran quarterbacks shine in this offense. McCarthy’s health and confidence are about as big of a July storyline as you get in the NFL.
What happens with Trey Hendrickson and Shemar Stewart?
I remain confident that the two most obvious things will happen in Cincinnati: The Bengals will reach an extension with Hendrickson that makes him a top-three highest-paid defensive player in football, and they will give Stewart the rookie contract language he seeks so he can start practicing.
However, there’s a not-insubstantial (excellent writing there; I’m a professional) chance at least one of these takes a left turn. Hendrickson seems to have more internal locker room support for a prolonged holdout than any other player I can remember. Everyone in a Bengals uniform knows he has carried that defense for a long time, and in no season was that more obvious than last year. If Hendrickson flatly rejects every offer the Bengals give him and tries to reinvigorate trade markets as other teams reevaluate their rosters during training camp, I will be surprised. But not shocked.
The Stewart situation feels tied to the Hendrickson situation. If Hendrickson is holding out (or holding in, as that’s the method these days), then the Bengals will swiftly revert their rookie contract language and get Stewart practicing — they need him even more than they thought. But what if the Hendrickson deal gets done before camp? I can see the Bengals “losing” the Hendrickson negotiation (i.e., paying him a bajillion dollars), and digging their heels in on the Stewart contract as a result.
Again: I still strongly believe we’re going to get the expected outcome on both of these deals, but I’m not counting my chickens just yet.
Can Nick Caley get it going? And can Josh Grizzard keep it going?
With every offseason, it feels like new offensive coordinators have bigger and bigger leverage in surprising team outcomes. Compare the 2024 Eagles to the 2023 Eagles if you don’t believe me — a playcaller can just as easily tank a humming offense as he can resurrect a fallen one.
In the latter case this season, we have new Texans offensive coordinator Nick Caley, who inherits a Texans offense that fell from lofty expectations in 2024. Houston’s approach to pass protection proved far too rudimentary, and opposing defenses easily found pressure schematically. They found it against personnel as well, so the Texans retooled their offensive line accordingly.
It’s easy to poke holes in the 2025 Texans’ offensive personnel. Rookie receivers fill the depth chart behind Nico Collins. Christian Kirk is returning from a collarbone injury; Tank Dell might not be back this season at all. The offensive line is young and shuffled. But I remember how explosive this offense was in 2023 when the playcalling was sharp, and the core of that success — C.J. Stroud and Collins — remains. I’m bullish on a Texans offensive bounce-back, so long as Caley is as billed.
On the other hand, Josh Grizzard isn’t looking to rebound, but sustain. The new offensive coordinator in Tampa Bay, Grizzard steps into Liam Coen’s shoes as the playcaller for Baker Mayfield and a Bucs offense that returns every single starter from last season (and adds Emeka Egbuka, a first-round wide receiver from Ohio State). But Grizzard has never called plays before, and he was a fast riser through the Dolphins’ offensive ranks before his one season as the Buccaneers’ passing game coordinator last season. What’s his DNA?
The Bucs were one bounce away from a wild-card win over the Commanders last season, and that was with an injury-riddled defense. If they are healthier on that side of the ball, they look like a bona fide NFC contender … so long as you assume the offense doesn’t take a step back with Coen’s departure. A huge responsibility is on Grizzard’s shoulders.
Training camp battles to watch
Colts quarterback
The key fulcrum of this battle could have been in a later section, as the fight between Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson for the starting quarterback job in Indianapolis is complicated by Richardson’s lingering shoulder injury. Richardson initially injured his throwing shoulder in 2023 on a scramble and aggravated that AC joint during practice in May. Coach Shane Steichen put no timetable on a return, but reports indicate he’ll be ready for training camp.
If Richardson can throw unimpeded during training camp, we have ourselves a real battle. Jones, who signed a one-year deal in March, is a known commodity — a low-end starting quarterback with some rushing ability but little arm talent to elevate a passing game. Richardson, who has missed 17 games with injuries in his first two seasons, still has the requisite physical talent to not just win the starting job but also become a highly dangerous NFL QB. Since he’s younger (23) and far more naturally skilled, the Colts want him to win the job.
Kevin Clark says that even if Dak Prescott has a “vintage Dak year,” it might not matter for the Cowboys.
But the Colts’ commitment to Richardson is clearly thin, especially following the peculiar tap-out/benching fiasco last season. And if the oft-injured passer misses time in August, Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard can easily hand the starting job to Jones in an argument for continuity and stability.
Jones did play under a strong offensive mind in Brian Daboll while starting in New York, but he never enjoyed such a talented cadre of pass catchers as he does now: Josh Downs, Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce, Adonai Mitchell and rookie tight end Tyler Warren. While it’s unlikely Jones suddenly becomes a top-tier quarterback, he can be a capable point guard for such a dangerous group.
Chiefs left tackle
Poor left tackle play seemed like it was going to sink the Chiefs’ offensive ship for months of the 2024 season, but nevertheless, that stubborn and incremental offense made it all the way to Super Bowl LIX before the bill finally came due.
With 2024 second-round pick Kingsley Suamataia kicked into the left guard spot vacated by Joe Thuney, the Chiefs redoubled their investment at the key spot. They grabbed Jaylon Moore in free agency and Ohio State’s Josh Simmons in April’s draft.
Both options come with risk — Moore was only ever a spot starter with the 49ers, and Simmons is coming off a patella injury and still recovering from surgery. Simmons is expected to be full-go at training camp, which opens the job up to a true battle.
Chiefs fans will be familiar with the uncertainty, as the left tackle job was up for grabs last season, too. The hope is that Simmons proves healthy and capable, such that Moore can serve as a swing tackle. I imagine Simmons will take the first snaps at left tackle accordingly — but he needs to be (and stay) healthy to actually win that job.
Cowboys running back
What, precisely, are the Cowboys up to at running back? It’s unclear. After producing a 1,000-yard season, Rico Dowdle left in free agency for a mere one-year, $2.75 million deal with the Panthers. Dallas gave more to former Bronco Javonte Williams, who hasn’t looked explosive since a major knee injury in 2022. The team also signed Miles Sanders to a one-year deal and drafted Jaydon Blue out of Texas in the fifth round.
This is a worryingly weak room. The ideal outcome is that Williams suddenly returns to his pre-injury form, though it’s worth remarking that even his career-best season (2021, rookie year) was only 4.4 yards per attempt and a 46.3% success rate. But Blue is a speedy change-of-pace back, so steady production from Williams — an excellent pass catcher — could be complemented by some big Blue plays. That is still two big “ifs” just to get to a functional committee. Lotta squeeze for not a lotta juice.
This camp battle is one to watch less for the touch distribution — all three backs will inevitably get usage this season — and more for the overall quality. The Cowboys feel like a prime candidate for a running back trade acquisition, especially if their rushing game lags again behind an improved passing game with George Pickens at receiver. Which brings us to our other backfield to watch.
Courtney Cronin lays out her expectations for the Chicago Bears and Caleb Williams this season.
Jaguars running back
A three-headed battle is underway in Jacksonville. The presumed starter is Travis Etienne Jr., a 2021 first-round pick who has started 46 of a possible 53 games since entering the league. But last season, he lost touches to Tank Bigsby, a 2023 second-rounder who shined when Etienne missed time with a shoulder injury. From Week 5 on in 2024, Bigsby outrushed Etienne 147 to 103 and was statistically superior by almost all measures: 0.01 EPA per rush to Etienne’s minus-0.13, 38.8% success rate to Etienne’s 35.9% and 2.33 yards after contact per rush to Etienne’s 1.36.
Now, the offensive staff in Jacksonville has been overhauled, and new coach Liam Coen used a two-headed backfield well when he was coordinating the Buccaneers’ offense last season. So why not just play Etienne and Bigsby in a committee? Because a third back has entered the fray in fourth-rounder Bhayshul Tuten, whom the Jaguars drafted in April.
I’m fairly certain Tuten will play a solid role in the backfield, as he is the recent acquisition relative to the two veterans this new staff is inheriting. But there aren’t enough touches to feed three backs, which means Etienne and Bigsby will contend for the 1A role.
Given what we saw last season, I think Bigsby will win that battle in a fair fight — the decision might come down to which back returns more capital in a trade.
Patriots wide receiver
In this pass-loving era of the NFL, it’s quite rare to find a team with a receiver room in which every single role, from X to Z to slot, is up for grabs. But that feels like the case in New England, where new coach Mike Vrabel must field a functional group of pass catchers around second-year quarterback Drake Maye.
The leading candidate for a WR1 role is Stefon Diggs, signed to a three-year, $69 million deal this spring. On paper, he is the most talented wide receiver in New England. But he’s 31 years old, coming off an ACL tear and has already enjoyed some off-field shenanigans this offseason. Last year’s leading receiver was DeMario Douglas, who put up 621 yards on 66 catches as a primary slot receiver. (Technically, tight end Hunter Henry led the Patriots with 674 yards, but that’s rather depressing, and we’re only talking about the receiver room right now.)
Douglas is just OK at slot receiver. Among 27 players who ran at least 60% of their routes from the slot last season, he ranked 17th in yards per route run and 19th in first downs per target. That’s not prolific enough to have a stranglehold on that role, and any smart usage of Diggs includes a decent diet of slot routes. There’s also the wrinkle of rookie third-round pick Kyle Williams, a 5-foot-11, 190-pound speedster who — you guessed it — deserves some snaps in the slot.
Diggs and Williams can play on the outside, and probably should to some degree. How much will be decided by Kayshon Boutte — who got the lion’s share of snaps at X receiver last season but failed to impress (he’ll have another shot with a new coaching staff) — and second-year man Ja’Lynn Polk, who fell out of favor with last year’s offense but was a top-40 pick in 2024.
There are hundreds of targets up for grabs in the Patriots offense, no exaggeration. Someone needs to emerge in August if this offense is going to take a step in the right direction.
Five injuries to monitor
Brandon Aiyuk, WR, San Francisco 49ers
Against the Chiefs last October, Aiyuk tore both the ACL and MCL in his right knee. That’s a major injury and a tight turnaround for a Week 1 return this season. In May, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on his podcast that he “would think [Aiyuk’s] ready to play by midseason” even with his recovery going well.
While Aiyuk was present for minicamp in San Francisco, no reports out of the building indicate any change to that timeline. General manager John Lynch echoed that rehab is going well, but he “wouldn’t put a timeline” on Aiyuk’s return. Coach Kyle Shanahan indicated that Aiyuk would likely start training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.
Critically, inclusion on the PUP list during training camp does not force Aiyuk to miss any regular-season games. If he remains on that list after the 53-man roster cut deadline in late August, then he’ll be required to miss at least the first four games of the season.
We almost certainly will not see Aiyuk in pads running routes and taking hits this summer, but how much work he does on side fields could help predict his availability for that first month of the season — and maybe beyond.
Colston Loveland, TE, Chicago Bears
When the Bears took Loveland with the 10th overall pick in April, they made him the earliest-drafted tight end since Kyle Pitts (fourth) in 2021. But they also knew he was rehabbing from AC joint surgery after playing through the injury for much of his final season at Michigan.
According to new coach Ben Johnson, Loveland is doing well to stay engaged in walkthroughs and meetings. But it’s tough for rookies to hit the ground running when they miss time during their first offseason. He needs reps on the field.
His status for training camp is still uncertain, as Johnson said Loveland will be cleared “at some point” during camp. With such significant draft capital spent on the tight end, it’s reasonable to expect that Johnson plans to feature Loveland in the offense. Remember, Johnson is inheriting DJ Moore, Rome Odunze and Cole Kmet, but he hand-selected Loveland. Expect to see plenty of 12 personnel sets — and even Loveland on the field instead of Kmet in 11 personnel — once Loveland proves he’s ready for NFL action during padded practices.
Jihaad Campbell, LB, Philadelphia Eagles
Another rookie, another shoulder injury. After his breakout season at Alabama, Campbell had offseason labrum surgery, and concerns surrounding that shoulder contributed to a small draft day to fall. The Eagles, ever the risk-takers in the NFL draft, snagged Campbell anyway at No. 31 overall.
Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio revealed that the Eagles don’t expect Campbell to hit the practice field until August. This is doubly tricky for Campbell, who is a hybrid edge/LB, and will need to learn how to play on- and off-ball at the NFL level. Fangio and the Eagles would also benefit from seeing the rookie play multiple roles in camp, so they can determine where his best NFL future may be.
The good news for the Eagles is that they went through a similar issue last year. Rookie defensive back Cooper DeJean, another highly versatile player drafted at No. 40 overall, missed much of training camp with a hamstring injury and only saw game action in Week 6. DeJean immediately elevated the Eagles’ defense to Super Bowl levels. It’s unreasonable to expect the same from Campbell, of course, but the staff has proven their ability to handle a rookie’s limited onboarding.
DeMarvion Overshown, LB, Dallas Cowboys
One of the breakout stars of the 2024 season, Overshown started 12 games and collected 90 tackles along with five sacks, three pass breakups, an interception and a forced fumble. Then, in Week 14, he tore the ACL, PCL and MCL in his right knee — less than two years after an ACL tear in his left knee robbed him of his rookie season.
Overshown should be one of two starting linebackers under new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, but when exactly he gets back on the field is something to monitor. He gave a bullish update on his health to the Cowboys team site in May: “I think it really couldn’t be any better. If it was better, I’d probably be out there playing right now. Where I’m at in my rehab, in my process, it’s where I’m supposed to be plus some.”
That sounds rosy, but expect the Cowboys to be cautious with Overshown (as one should be with a player who tore three ligaments in one knee). Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said in April the team does not expect Overshown to start the season, and local reporters have tagged November as a likely window to return. I’d be stunned if we see him do much during camp, but if he really is ahead on his rehab, we could see the rumblings in August of an early return to action.
Jermaine Johnson, Edge, New York Jets
Johnson played his way into the Pro Bowl with a breakout 2023 season, and expectations were sky high for 2024. Instead, a torn Achilles in Week 2 ended the encore before it could begin, and the Jets defense crumbled in his absence. Only Will McDonald IV offered much of a pass rush off the edge.
Johnson is expected to return in Week 1 (against his old teammate, quarterback Aaron Rodgers), but could start training camp on the PUP list, according to new coach Aaron Glenn. Because of the scheme switch from Robert Saleh to Glenn, it’s important that Johnson gets at least some time to knock the rust off in August.
Athletes returning from Achilles tears can also struggle for months to reclaim their old explosiveness. To accurately gauge how he might impact the game in September, if and when he’s back in Week 1, it’s important to get a good look at him on the move during camp.
Five rookies to watch
Terrance Ferguson, TE, Los Angeles Rams
Let’s connect some dots. There was heavy reporting during the 2024 draft that the Rams were interested in moving up for a playmaker on offense, specifically tight end Brock Bowers. There was heavy reporting during the 2025 draft that the Rams were interested in moving up for a playmaker on offense, specifically wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan. This was after signing Davante Adams to a solid deal in free agency to replace Cooper Kupp.
So Rams coach Sean McVay has been sniffing around for a young, impactful pass catcher for the past couple of drafts. He finally got one in the second round, using a pick they acquired as part of their enormous first-round trade with the Falcons. Ferguson was clearly an important target for the team, and that job is wide open as 32-year-old veteran Tyler Higbee deals with substantial injury. Don’t be surprised to see early first-team snaps for Ferguson come August.
Tate Ratledge, OL, Detroit Lions
The retirement of Frank Ragnow is a huge blow to the Lions’ offensive identity and locker room — no two ways about it. Even if they took a generational center with their top pick, there would still be concerns about losing a franchise cornerstone like that. But the position is now doubly tenuous with Ratledge as the expected replacement.
A high school tackle who played guard at Georgia, Ratledge only ever practiced at center in college — he never saw game action there. There’s a substantial increase in the mental ask for a center relative to guard, not to mention the mental leap from collegiate to professional play. The Lions desperately need their second-round rookie to get up to speed, fast.
Pat Bryant, WR, Denver Broncos
After a strong debut season for Bo Nix and a well-earned playoff berth, the Broncos had one big objective this offseason: Get more dangerous on offense. Their lack of playmakers in the backfield and at pass catcher hurt them down the stretch, as manufacturing touches for Marvin Mims Jr. and Javonte Williams can only take a team so far. Many are focused on second-round running back RJ Harvey, but I’m more interested in Bryant, who was picked in Round 3.
Bryant is a big, physical pass catcher who landed with a perfect playcaller — Sean Payton — for his skill set. Expect Bryant to split his time between the slot and out wide. If he wins balls in traffic as easily as he did in college, he’ll quickly vault Mims as the WR2 and add another layer to this offense in need of more viable options.
Benjamin Morrison, CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
A likely first-rounder if not for a series of hip injuries at Notre Dame, Morrison has the talent to beat out Jamel Dean for the CB2 job in Tampa Bay. He would have to stay healthier than Dean, who missed four and five games in each of the past two seasons, and tapped out mid-game in other contests, including the Buccaneers’ playoff loss to the Commanders.
Dean became a bit of a mark for opposing quarterbacks as he played at less than 100% last season, so the Buccaneers double-dipped at corner with Morrison and third-rounder Jacob Parrish (Kansas State). With the length and ball skills to produce turnovers in the Buccaneers’ blitz-heavy scheme, Morrison will have the first crack at winning the job from Dean in camp. I’d expect him to rotate in for first-team reps over the first couple of weeks.
Shavon Revel Jr., CB, Dallas Cowboys
A big opportunity awaits the third-round rookie, who will almost certainly see starting reps when the season begins, as Trevon Diggs is still recovering from a January knee surgery and could start the season on the PUP list. Only DaRon Bland is emphatically above Revel on the depth chart, but Bland might be destined for the slot position vacated by Jourdan Lewis. Beyond Bland, Revel is fighting with trade acquisition Kaiir Elam and 2024 fifth-rounder Caelen Carson for outside snaps.
Like Morrison, Revel fell in the draft for injury concerns. But before his 2024 season was cut short by an ACL tear, Revel was a dominant small-school corner with 16 pass breakups and three interceptions over 15 games. If Revel looks healthy in camp, expect to see him starting against A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith in the first game of the 2025 season.
2025 NFL offseason grades: Draft, trades, more moves by team
Freddie Coleman says Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs will be motivated after falling short of a historic Super Bowl three-peat. (0:59)
Let’s grade the offseason.
With the NFL draft behind us, free agency (mostly) in the books and the trade market cooling down, it’s time to look at how each team has positioned itself for success in 2025 and beyond with moves since the conclusion of Super Bowl LIX.
I’m grading teams on their decision-making — which is important to do somewhat in the moment — as opposed to simply tallying the quantity of talent added. I’m evaluating their choices in free agency, the draft, trades, coaching hires and anything else that has come up since mid-February. I consider the context of each move, from player evaluation to contracts to value to contention time horizon to positional supply and demand.
Let’s get grading, starting with the team that had my favorite offseason — the Rams — and ending with the only “D” grade of 2025:
Los Angeles Rams: A
Biggest move: Retaining QB Matthew Stafford
Move I liked: Receiving a future first-round pick in a draft-day trade with Atlanta
Move I disliked: Re-signing WR Tutu Atwell
The Rams’ offseason was great because it involved moves that will help the team win now and later.
The offseason began with rumors that Stafford could be leaving, and the Rams granted him permission to talk to other teams to discuss his value. Though Stafford had conversations with the Giants and Raiders, he ended up re-signing with Los Angeles on a reworked deal that pays him a fully guaranteed $40 million in 2025 and a non-guaranteed $40 million in 2026. That’s a good value for the team, considering Stafford’s ability.
This seemed well-played by the Rams, who to some degree called Stafford’s bluff. Stafford got more money from them than he previously was slated for, but they were able to keep a top quarterback at an affordable price.
The team also made two other high-priced moves to support its QB. Most notably, the Rams signed wide receiver Davante Adams to a two-year deal that averages $22 million per season (and includes $26 million fully guaranteed). At 32, Adams is not the player he once was, though he managed 2.1 yards per route run last season and his open score in ESPN’s receiving metrics was a more-than-respectable 77.
There are no guarantees, but I like this move, especially coupled with the team’s decision to release Cooper Kupp. He is also 32 but is three years removed from his latest 1,000-yard season. The Rams were right to move on.
L.A. also re-signed left tackle Alaric Jackson to a three-year deal that averages under $18.8 million per year with $35.4 million fully guaranteed, per Roster Management System. Jackson has become a plus starter at tackle and was above average last season in pass block win rate and run block win rate.
The Rams also scored big in the trade market. Most notably, they traded down with Atlanta on draft night in a deal that netted Los Angeles picks 46 and 242 and a 2026 first-rounder for Nos. 26 and 101. This was a big score, as the Rams came away in great shape in terms of average value but with upside for much more. If the Falcons fail this season — which is squarely in the range of outcomes — the Rams will have netted themselves a very high pick. And with Stafford being 37 years old, that pick could help bring them his successor.
They also pulled a coup in trading guard Jonah Jackson to the Bears. The Rams were on the hook for $8.5 million in guaranteed money out of a total $17.5 million owed to Jackson — whom the Rams tried to move to center before he suffered an injury and was later benched. At that price, Jackson was a potential cut candidate, and if he was going to be traded, I figured the Rams would have to eat a portion of the contract.
I figured wrong. The Bears came in and gave the Rams a sixth-round pick to take Jackson and the full contract off their hands.
Not everything was perfect, though. The Rams signed Atwell to a one-year, $10 million deal that had me wondering: Who was clamoring to pay him $9 million?
San Francisco 49ers: A-
Biggest move: Signing QB Brock Purdy to an extension
Move I liked: Hiring Robert Saleh as defensive coordinator
Move I disliked: None
After a disappointing 6-11 campaign, the 49ers opened their offseason by bringing back Saleh, their defensive coordinator from 2017 to 2020. Though his head coaching tenure with the Jets was shaky, his defenses ranked in the top five in expected points added per play in 2022, 2023 and the first five weeks of 2024, before he was fired. After the firing, the Jets’ defense plummeted to 30th in EPA per play.
But San Francisco’s biggest move came when Purdy’s long-awaited extension finally happened, as the 49ers gave their quarterback a deal worth $53 million per year, with $100 million fully guaranteed. There are mixed opinions about Purdy’s exact level of responsibility for the 49ers’ passing success, but he’s a perfect fit for what they want to do.
San Francisco reached elite levels of passing efficiency with Purdy in 2023, performing at a higher level than it managed with Jimmy Garoppolo. The deal was also cheaper than I expected. If it had been $60 million per year, it would have been in line with Trevor Lawrence‘s and Jordan Love‘s 2024 deals when adjusting for salary cap inflation, and I wouldn’t have blinked.
Before free agency, the 49ers traded Deebo Samuel Sr. to the Commanders for a fifth-round pick. It was a year too late, though that’s easy to say with the benefit of hindsight. Samuel’s production has declined — he recorded only 670 receiving yards and 1.8 yards per route run in 2024. He has always scored poorly in open and catch scores in ESPN’s receiver tracking metrics, which didn’t matter at his peak because he essentially broke the yards-after-catch score scale.
But his YAC score has steadily declined, and with him 29, I doubt it will ever reach its previous highs. The 49ers did well to get a Day 3 pick to avoid paying Samuel $17.6 million in 2025. They also have options to replace his production.
San Francisco also doled out big-money extensions to two more core players: linebacker Fred Warner and tight end George Kittle. The Niners paid Warner $21 million per year, but without a ton of risk — the deal features only $21 million fully guaranteed, per OverTheCap.com (there are rolling guarantees, however). Warner is worth it, and the extension comes in much lower in terms of average per year than his 2021 deal if we adjust for cap inflation.
Kittle also got a raise. He had been scheduled to earn $15 million in the final year of his contract, per OverTheCap.com, but instead the 49ers and Kittle agreed to an extension that averages $19 million per year with $35 million fully guaranteed. It would not have been outlandish to have traded the 31-year-old, but if things break right San Francisco will be back in the title hunt, and keeping Kittle — coming off a great season — would be my choice, too.
The 49ers suffered significant losses in free agency — Aaron Banks, Charvarius Ward, Jaylon Moore, Talanoa Hufanga and Dre Greenlaw — but I thought most of these departures made sense for the team.
San Francisco also made a win-win trade for Bryce Huff, giving up a Day 3 pick for the former Jets and Eagles pass rusher. The 49ers are paying Huff a little under $8 million to find out whether they can recapture some of his New York magic.
Arizona Cardinals: A-
Biggest move: Signing Edge Josh Sweat
Move I liked: Extending TE Trey McBride
Move I disliked: Not re-signing G Will Hernandez
The Cardinals entered the offseason looking to improve their defense. Ultimately, the team brought in only one marquee free agent — Sweat — but did so at a position of serious need.
Sweat, who got a four-year deal averaging $19.1 million, was coming off an incredible Super Bowl in which he recorded 2.5 sacks and was a contender for game MVP. In some ways I was surprised he didn’t get more money, but there are reasons to be skeptical.
In 2024, Sweat’s pass rush get-off (time to cross the line of scrimmage) slowed from 0.73 seconds to 0.85. And his pass rush win rate at edge fell substantially, too, from 20% in 2023 (above average) to 11% (below average). Before 2024, Sweat had had three consecutive seasons of 20%-plus pass rush win rates at edge, topping out at 26% in 2021. Though he had a great finish, I’d have been more bullish on Sweat a year ago. He has also had only one season with double-digit sacks.
But Sweat was the best free agent edge and has shown an ability to win on a down-to-down basis in previous seasons. So, I’m on board with the four-year deal averaging $19.1 million, especially considering how much Arizona needed an edge rusher.
Arizona also signed McBride to an extension — similarly averaging $19 million per year — that I’m in favor of. McBride had a very efficient 2.32 yards per route run (and totaled 1,146 receiving yards) in 2024, performing as one of the league’s best tight ends. The money puts him near the top of the tight end market but is slightly cheaper per year, after adjusting for salary cap inflation, than what the Patriots gave Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry in 2021.
I also liked some of Arizona’s smaller deals. At $6.25 million per year for two years, Jacoby Brissett‘s contract is a steal, and I wonder why teams with shakier quarterback situations didn’t top that. Also, bringing defensive tackle Calais Campbell back on a one-year, $5.5 million deal isn’t just a feel-good story. Campbell led all players in run stop win rate in 2024, along with a 12% pass rush win rate that ranked ninth among defensive tackles.
One quibble might be the Cardinals not bringing back Hernandez or finding a cheaper guard. Hernandez tore his left ACL early last season but put up a very solid 94.6% pass block win rate or higher before the injury and in each of the previous two seasons.
Denver Broncos: A-
Biggest move: Re-signing DT D.J. Jones
Move I liked: Re-signing Jones
Move I disliked: Not adding more at wide receiver
The Broncos ended last season as the best defense in the league by EPA per play and decided to get even better. They signed linebacker Dre Greenlaw and safety Talanoa Hufanga, re-signed Jones, and used their first-round pick on cornerback Jahdae Barron. This defense could be outrageous, and I like that Denver went this route.
We often talk about teams pushing their chips in when their quarterback is on a rookie contract, but there’s no requirement to use those chips on offense. Bo Nix was fine (perhaps a little overrated) in his first season, ranking 18th in QBR with quite a bit of that value coming from his legs (he ranked 27th in yards per passing attempt and 28% in completion percentage over expectation). He could show growth in Year 2, but a team with a quarterback like Nix needs a stacked roster. Denver has that.
The move I liked best was bringing back Jones at $13 million per year in an offseason when defensive tackles were highly paid. Jones ranked second in run stop win rate as an interior defender last season and sixth in run stop push — distance pushed on run plays — as a nose tackle, helping shut down the run and forcing opponents to test a secondary that features Defensive Player of the Year Pat Surtain II.
I can get on board with the Hufanga and Greenlaw moves, in part because both players represent high (injury) risk and high upside. If the Broncos are going to contend in 2025, they’ll need some gambles to pay off — so it makes sense to take a few. Greenlaw’s contract is particularly appealing because only $11.5 million is fully guaranteed.
The big offensive addition was tight end Evan Engram, giving Sean Payton and Nix another playmaking receiving threat. Engram, who will turn 31 before the season, is no sure bet considering his age and the hamstring and labrum injuries that limited him to nine games in 2024. Denver didn’t get Engram for cheap ($11.5 million per year and $16.5 million fully guaranteed), but he represents a huge upgrade.
I wanted to see the Broncos do more at receiver. Besides counting on Courtland Sutton and Engram, they are likely hoping for Marvin Mims Jr. or Troy Franklin to break out. Perhaps they’ll end up making a move for another veteran — maybe Keenan Allen or Amari Cooper?
Baltimore Ravens: B+
Biggest move: Re-signing LT Ronnie Stanley
Move I liked: Signing CB Chidobe Awuzie
Move I disliked: Drafting Edge Mike Green in the second round
Baltimore’s best and most significant move, re-signing Stanley to a three-year, $60 million contract, came before the 2025 league year began. It was hardly a risk-free choice. Though he played all 17 games in 2024, the 31-year-old Stanley has missed 36 games over the past five seasons because of ankle, shoulder and knee injuries.
But re-signing Stanley was critical because of the lack of alternatives. The next best available free agent tackle was probably Dan Moore Jr., who offers a bit less certainty than Stanley (and I’m a Moore fan!). Moore signed with the Titans for basically the same terms as Stanley. The Chiefs had to resort to a combination of Jaylon Moore and first-rounder Josh Simmons to fill their tackle hole.
Given the Ravens’ status as a leading Super Bowl contender, left tackle was no place to take a risk. And they didn’t have to pay a premium! Stanley’s $20 million per year ($44 million fully guaranteed) is a long way from the top of the tackle market. In the past five years Trent Williams, David Bakhtiari, Laremy Tunsil, Tristan Wirfs and Penei Sewell signed deals that averaged over $30 million per year in 2025 money when adjusted for salary cap inflation, per OverTheCap.com.
Beyond Stanley, the Ravens did their typically helpful roster-augmenting moves at the margins. Veterans DeAndre Hopkins, Jaire Alexander and Chidobe Awuzie were signed to cheap contracts. After picking up Alexander and Awuzie and drafting safety Malaki Starks in the first round, Baltimore’s secondary looks incredibly deep despite losing Brandon Stephens. And the Ravens project to receive four compensatory picks in next year’s draft, per OverTheCap.com.
Kimberley A. Martin surmises what will define success or failure for the Baltimore Ravens and Lamar Jackson next season.
Last month, Baltimore gave receiver Rashod Bateman a three-year, $36.75 million extension. He showed major improvement in 2024, posting an 81 open score — a big jump from his previous figures — though he still averaged only 1.9 yards per route run. There’s some reason to be skeptical considering Bateman’s struggles prior to 2024 (he hasn’t hit 800 receiving yards in a season and never had 600 before last season), but that’s hardly a concern considering what they paid to extend him.
The Ravens also released long-time kicker Justin Tucker this offseason. Tucker was the subject of an NFL investigation into sexual misconduct following a report by the Baltimore Banner earlier this year that Tucker had been accused of misconduct by 16 massage therapists. The alleged misconduct reportedly occurred between 2012 and 2016.
Tucker, who denied the allegations, was later suspended for 10 games by the NFL after the league found he had violated its personal conduct policy.
The Ravens also selected pass rusher Mike Green in the second round despite multiple teams having him off their draft boards because of multiple sexual assault allegations.
Tennessee Titans: B+
Biggest move: Drafting QB Cameron Ward
Move I liked: Signing G Kevin Zeitler
Move I disliked: Signing Edge Dre’Mont Jones
The most important decision the Titans made wasn’t much of one at all. The QB-needy Titans had the No. 1 pick in a draft with one quarterback viewed substantially above the rest. The result of this offseason will swing more on Ward’s performance than anything else, but it was the choices made around the rookie that involved real decisions.
I liked what the Titans did with their offensive line. The best part was bringing in Zeitler on a one-year, $9 million deal. Yes, he’s 35, but he’s still a great pass protector (he ranked sixth in pass block win rate last season) and is better than free agents such as Aaron Banks and Will Fries, who made so much money.
I’m a fan of the Dan Moore Jr. signing, too, though I realize that’s a contrarian take. Moore’s deal, with an average annual value of $20.5 million, doesn’t look great in comparison to Ronnie Stanley’s three-year, $60 million deal with the Ravens, but I think that’s because Stanley’s deal was cheaper than expected and the alternatives to Moore were rough. And Moore improved significantly in 2024, posting a 93% pass block win rate at tackle, 11th best at the position.
Starting-level tackles are hard to find in free agency, and the Titans need to protect their rookie QB. An offensive line of Moore, Peter Skoronski, Lloyd Cushenberry III, Zeitler and JC Latham will have to break right, but there’s tremendous upside.
One free agency move I did not like was signing Jones at one year, $10 million. It’s a substantial pay cut from his previous contract with the Seahawks, but for good reason — he never lived up to that deal. In fact, with more seasons of data, Jones’ 2022 contract season with Denver seems to be an outlier.
The Titans cut edge rusher Harold Landry III in a cost-saving move that made sense given Tennessee’s timeline to success and Landry’s age (29). The Titans got the best of the Cowboys in dealing linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr., getting the Cowboys to pick up Murray’s contract (he’s due $7.5 million in 2025) and a seventh-round pick to Dallas in exchange for a sixth-round pick, despite Murray coming off a poor season. Tennessee also made a good value trade with the Seahawks early in the second round of the draft.
Buffalo Bills: B+
Biggest move: Extending QB Josh Allen
Move I liked: Extending WR Khalil Shakir
Move I disliked: Signing WR Joshua Palmer
The Bills’ offseason wasn’t flashy because its big moves were extensions for key players who will make up the future core of this team. Buffalo doled out new deals to Allen, Shakir, Greg Rousseau, Christian Benford and Terrel Bernard. These were logical moves, and it made sense to get ahead on young players who could have commanded more money had they been closer to free agency.
I particularly liked the Shakir move. In a world where Dyami Brown and Tutu Atwell are earning $10 million, landing Shakir on an extension that starts after this season for $13.25 million per year through 2029 is a bargain. Though Shakir recorded “only” 821 receiving yards last season, his 2.4 yards per route run suggests there’s a higher ceiling.
The Bills took a couple of swings along the defensive line in free agency, adding Michael Hoecht and Larry Ogunjobi — who both face six-game suspensions for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs — and the oft-injured Joey Bosa, whose deal would be a total bargain if he could stay on the field (a massive “if”).
Buffalo’s “big” move at receiver was signing Palmer in free agency. Palmer is an uninspiring choice given his 1.6 yards per route run last season (and failure to ever reach 1.9 yards per route run in a season) despite playing with Justin Herbert in Los Angeles. When the Bills didn’t draft a wide receiver until the seventh round, GM Brandon Beane took issue with the criticism.
The reality is that wide receiver is a weakness, but the Bills are also basically capped out — they have almost no room in 2025 and are well over the 2026 cap — so it was going to be tough to bring aboard a better veteran. Given the Bills’ status as a Super Bowl contender, I don’t think it was wrong to critique their decision to not select a wide receiver in the first three rounds of the draft. That means Keon Coleman, the No. 33 pick in 2024, will have to take a big step in Year 2.
The Bills selected cornerback Maxwell Hairston in the first round in April. Hairston was accused of sexual assault in 2021 while at Kentucky, and GM Brandon Beane said the team “fully investigated” the allegation before drafting him. Earlier this month, Hairston was sued by the woman who accused him of sexual assault.
Philadelphia Eagles: B+
Biggest move: Re-signing LB Zack Baun
Move I liked: Re-signing Baun
Move I disliked: Trading S C.J. Gardner-Johnson for G Kenyon Green and light draft capital
The Eagles started their Super Bowl defense with a banger, re-signing Defensive Player of the Year candidate Baun to a three-year deal worth $17 million per year with $34 million fully guaranteed. Not only is Baun critical to Philadelphia’s defense, but the contract is a bit of a bargain — even after just one breakout elite season.
At $17 million per year, Baun’s deal is expensive but far from top of the linebacker market: Fred Warner and Shaquille Leonard‘s 2021 contracts were worth $29 million and $30 million, respectively, in 2025 money when adjusting for cap inflation. Plus, Jamien Sherwood and Nick Bolton each signed for $15 million per year this offseason. They’re good linebackers, but I’d pay $2 million more per season to sign Baun any day of the week.
The Eagles also worked out extensions with Lane Johnson, Saquon Barkley and Cam Jurgens. Johnson’s deal added $8 million over the next two years and a 2027 year at $25 million. Though he’s 35, Johnson is also arguably the NFL’s best tackle, so he is well worth a new deal that averages $25 million over three years — below the top of the market.
Barkley’s deal put him near the top of the running back market (after adjusting for cap inflation) and added more than $20 million in new fully guaranteed money. Neither Johnson nor Barkley’s deals were necessary on paper, but the Eagles rewarded their stars and kept them happy (while showing the locker room that they’re willing to reward top performance). The degree to which they upped Barkley’s contract seemed unnecessary and could backfire, given how quickly running backs can fall off late in their careers.
Jurgens’ extension was more typical as a young player who can be a future building block. He ranked seventh in pass block win rate at center in 2024. It was by no means cheap, but the deal comes with plenty of upside.
The Eagles lost some big names in free agency — Milton Williams, Josh Sweat and Mekhi Becton. In all three cases, it made sense for Philadelphia to not pay market price. Williams was overpaid, the team has other (arguably lesser) options at edge rusher, and the Eagles probably believe they can develop other guards like they did Becton.
The Eagles made several trades. I was not a fan of flipping Gardner-Johnson and a sixth-round pick to the Texans for Green and a 2026 fifth-round pick. On the other hand, they did very well to get a fifth-round pick and backup quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson from the Browns in exchange for fellow QB Kenny Pickett. And I thought the deal sending Bryce Huff to the 49ers was a win-win considering Huff clearly didn’t fit in Philadelphia.
The Eagles made a few low-key, solid free agent additions in edge rushers Joshua Uche (whose 19% pressure rate in 2022 was the highest in a season since ESPN began tracking the stat in 2017) and Azeez Ojulari, and cornerback Adoree’ Jackson.
Cleveland Browns: B+
Biggest move: Trading down from No. 2 to No. 5 in the draft
Move I liked: Trading down in the draft
Move I disliked: Signing Edge Myles Garrett to an extension
The Deshaun Watson era in Cleveland is almost certainly over, and the Browns entered this offseason as a rebuilding team in need of a quarterback.
Their moves reflected that. Most notably, they traded down on draft night, earning a quarterback haul from the Jaguars (who selected Travis Hunter), which gave the Browns an additional first-round pick in 2026, when they likely will be looking to draft a QB. They also took two midround QBs in Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, giving them multiple chances at hitting a lottery ticket (Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett are also in the Browns’ quarterbacks room).
Those are good moves for a team in their position that will help build capital and regroup for 2026 and beyond. The Browns also took cheap swings at a couple of offensive linemen — Teven Jenkins and Cornelius Lucas — who have posted decent pass block win rates in the past. Defensive tackle Maliek Collins, who signed a two-year, $20 million deal, has a pass rush win rate of an above-average pass-rushing defensive tackle.
Not every move fit into the rebuilding thesis — most notably, the Garrett extension. I criticized the move at the time and feel the same now. This was a missed opportunity for Cleveland to turn Garrett — a Browns legend but also heading into the latter half of his career — into future assets. Instead, they handed Garrett a huge contract, burning his value in 2025 (and perhaps beyond) when the Browns aren’t contenders. The Browns are not in a good cap position and could have used the financial savings, too.
I would have liked to have seen the Browns trade down again from the No. 5 spot to earn even more 2026 or 2027 draft capital, though it’s unclear whether that was an option. Had they traded Garrett and made another first-round trade down, the Browns could have been in an incredible position to jump-start their rebuild next offseason.
The Pickett trade was also a head-scratcher. The Browns didn’t know they were going to draft two quarterbacks when they dealt for him, but they still gave up more for him than the Eagles did a year ago, even though Pickett didn’t show anything to improve his value during the 2024 season.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: B+
Biggest move: Re-signing WR Chris Godwin
Move I liked: Signing Edge Haason Reddick
Move I disliked: None
The biggest move was keeping Godwin. The 29-year-old was scorching hot in the seven games he played in 2024 — averaging 2.5 yards per route run — before a dislocated left ankle knocked him out for the season.
I think it’s important to not overweight that seven-game sample (we have a much larger sample of Godwin being good but not elite), but the Bucs didn’t pay him elite money. His three-year deal cost $22 million per year (with $44 million fully guaranteed), which is a fair amount but a bit off the pace of the game’s best No. 2 receivers. It made sense to bring him back at that price.
The team later drafted wide receiver Emeka Egbuka at pick No. 19, which should help if Godwin isn’t ready for the start of the season. Egbuka also offers long-term promise with Godwin and Mike Evans in the back halves of their careers.
Field Yates and Dan Graziano explain why the Buccaneers could contend in the NFC with Baker Mayfield’s continuity at QB.
Tampa Bay also took what I thought was a worthwhile gamble on Reddick at one year, $14 million. Reddick is coming off a lost season that featured a long contract standoff, 10 games played and only one sack. But Reddick has been an elite pass rusher (he posted double-digit sacks every year from 2020 to 2023) and could help Todd Bowles’ defense if he bounces back.
The Buccaneers also brought back stalwart linebacker Lavonte David on a one-year, $9 million deal and guard Ben Bredeson on a three-year deal averaging $7.33 million. They lost their offensive coordinator for a second straight year, with Liam Coen departing to be the Jaguars’ head coach.
Houston Texans: B+
Biggest move: Trading away OT Laremy Tunsil
Move I liked: Trading down from No. 25 to No. 34 in the draft
Move I disliked: Trading for G Ed Ingram
Offensive line play sunk the Texans’ offense last season. So naturally, they dealt their best lineman away. It’s a move I struggled to assess at the time and still do, given its unorthodox nature. As wild as it seems, I didn’t hate it, because the return was strong — a late third-round pick, a seventh-round pick, a future second-round pick and a swap of fourths.
Houston must have believed the haul was worth more than Tunsil (perhaps they were worried he’d want a new contract soon), who is still a great pass blocker but isn’t on the same level in the run game and generated a league-high 19 penalties last season.
It leaves Houston with questions on the offensive line, though. It signed Cam Robinson and Trent Brown and drafted Aireontae Ersery. All three of those players — along with Blake Fisher — could be options at tackle. Tytus Howard is likely to play guard along with another free agent signing, Laken Tomlinson, though the team traded for Ingram and still has Juice Scruggs, who could also compete at center with Jarrett Patterson and Jake Andrews.
I liked the Robinson and Brown signings. I’ve long believed Robinson was overrated, but on a reasonable one-year, $12 million deal, he raises the floor at a tackle spot. Brown has battled durability issues but is worth bringing in on a one-year, $2.35 million deal.
The Texans made a good draft trade — dealing No. 25 to the Giants for Nos. 34 and 99 and a 2026 third-round pick — though it might have looked better if Josh Conerly Jr. or Josh Simmons fell to them at 34. The Texans took Ersery later in the second round to give them some youth and upside at tackle.
I did not like the Ingram trade. The Texans surrendered a future sixth-round pick for the former Viking, who was benched last season. If Ingram ends up being only a depth player, giving up a sixth-round pick and paying him the $3.3 million he’s owed this year will be a steep price.
A solid lower-key move was signing Darrell Taylor for one year, $4.75 million. Taylor has put up almost average pass rush win rates for an edge rusher the past couple of seasons and recorded 9.5 sacks in 2022. He’s a solid rotational player to play behind Houston’s stacked edge rusher duo of Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter.
New York Jets: B
Biggest move: Hiring head coach Aaron Glenn
Move I liked: Signing QB Justin Fields
Move I disliked: Not extending WR Garrett Wilson and CB Sauce Gardner
The most important part of the Jets’ offseason was them recognizing they needed to reset. It started with a full regime change — Glenn as coach and Darren Mougey as general manager — a given after Woody Johnson rashly fired Robert Saleh after five games in 2024 and followed up by firing GM Joe Douglas shortly after.
But the wise part came when the Jets took a long shot on Fields, giving them a quarterback who is probably a one-year fill-in but with the upside to be more. This was preferable to trying to hang on to mediocrity with Aaron Rodgers, Kirk Cousins or Matthew Stafford — who are all at the end of their careers and, in Stafford’s case, would have cost more than Fields.
Elsewhere in free agency, the Jets made a fine deal to re-sign breakout linebacker Jamien Sherwood and brought in safety Andre Cisco on a reasonable one-year deal. But the $12 million per year and $23 million fully guaranteed they gave to cornerback Brandon Stephens, a downgrade from the departed D.J. Reed, felt too costly.
New York used its first draft pick on offensive tackle Armand Membou, helping build what could turn into a very strong offensive line to presumably support Fields or another QB.
Two major questions remain: Will the Jets sign Wilson and/or Gardner to extensions? Since both are coming off down seasons after previously demonstrating elite ability, this is when the Jets should work out a deal — hoping to get a slight discount on what they might pay a year from now. But as with all contracts, it takes two to tango.
Las Vegas Raiders: B
Biggest move: Trading for QB Geno Smith
Move I liked: Re-signing DT Adam Butler
Move I disliked: Drafting RB Ashton Jeanty at No. 6
It’s an all-new Raiders team. Pete Carroll is in, with offensive coordinator Chip Kelly and general manager John Spytek in tow. And Smith, for whom the Raiders made a shocking trade for in early March, as the new QB. Carroll and Smith are both in the latter stages of their careers. But the Raiders believe the duo can right the ship. They each ought to be an upgrade.
It’s in that vein that I think the Smith trade was worthwhile. Yes, he’s 34. And yes, he’s coming off a weaker statistical season in which he ranked just 21st in QBR (albeit having to work behind a suspect Seattle offensive line and with a lackluster running game). But the Raiders surrendered only a third-round pick, and his contract averages $37.5 million and would be even less if the Raiders move on before a non-guaranteed 2027 season. That’s worth it.
The Raiders also extended Maxx Crosby with two years left on his contract. Crosby was underpaid on his old deal, and his 2025 and 2026 salaries were increased to $32.5 million and $30 million, more commensurate with his ability as a top-flight edge rusher. But the Raiders didn’t dole out a new signing bonus and retain Crosby at non-guaranteed salaries in 2027, 2028 and 2029 of $29 million, $26.5 million and $27.4 million. The new contract upped Crosby’s short-term pay but also retained upside for the Raiders. It was a good move.
I liked the Raiders’ defensive moves in free agency, bringing in safety Jeremy Chinn and retaining Butler and edge rusher Malcolm Koonce. I particularly liked the re-signings — Koonce showed pass-rushing promise when he posted a 17% pass rush win rate in 2023 and Butler is coming off a year in which he ranked sixth and 16th in run stop win rate and pass rush win rate at defensive tackle, respectively. Koonce signed a one-year, $11 million deal and Butler returned on a three-year deal averaging $5.5 million per year.
I was not a fan of paying Alex Cappa $5 million considering he ranked last among 64 guards in pass block win rate last season. I also take issue with the drafting of Jeanty at No. 6.
Jeanty is a thrilling player, don’t get me wrong. But it’s bad to take a running back that early considering he’ll only provide surplus value if he is elite because his contract is already expensive compared to the position. The opportunity cost of taking a player at a premium position (it’s much harder to find an elite tackle, wide receiver or edge rusher in free agency) is so high. For a more extensive look at this question, I recommend my colleague Bill Barnwell’s article on the subject from 2023.
Later in the draft, the Raiders made a couple of nice Day 2 value trades.
Indianapolis Colts: B
Biggest move: Signing QB Daniel Jones to a one-year, $14 million deal
Move I liked: Signing CB Charvarius Ward
Move I disliked: None
The Colts again signaled their lack of belief in quarterback Anthony Richardson by signing Jones to compete for the starting job. Jones became the likely Week 1 starter when Richardson was sidelined in June because of an aggravation of the shoulder injury first sustained in 2023 — though Jones might have already been the favorite.
Jones was not the most exciting addition but was a somewhat logical one. By pairing Jones and Richardson, they get two long shots — with Jones providing a higher floor. It’s better to take two swings at quarterback than one, but the most likely result is that the Colts’ 2026 starter is neither player.
Whomever is playing quarterback will get to throw to new playmaking tight end Tyler Warren, whom Indianapolis drafted in the first round. He joins a pretty decent receiving group alongside Josh Downs, Michael Pittman Jr. and Adonai Mitchell (whose 82 open score as a rookie shows promise).
The Colts made major free agent additions in the secondary, signing Ward and safety Camryn Bynum to play in new defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo’s scheme. The Bynum signing was fine, but the Ward deal (three years at $18 million per year) was strong. Ward has allowed 1.0 yards per coverage snap (better than average) or better in five of the past six seasons, per NFL Next Gen Stats.
The Colts lost a major free agent in guard Will Fries, but he signed an overpriced deal with the Vikings, so it was perfectly reasonable to let him walk. They are now expected to slide tackle Matt Goncalves inside.
I couldn’t find a single move I strongly disliked. It doesn’t mean I love their offseason, but I didn’t have a major issue with any part of it.
New York Giants: B
Biggest move: Trading up for QB Jaxson Dart
Move I liked: Signing QB Jameis Winston
Move I disliked: Signing CB Paulson Adebo
The Giants entered the offseason needing a quarterback. They acquired three. In free agency, they brought in both Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston for a combined $14 million in cap space. It was a good bargain.
At the time, they didn’t know whether they’d be able to draft a first-round QB. Wilson raises the floor and Winston the ceiling. Even though neither is the team’s future quarterback, why not try both at that cost?
The real investment was made in the draft by trading back into the first round to select Dart at No. 25 (after picking edge rusher Abdul Carter at No. 3). To move up from No. 34 to No. 25, the Giants dealt the Texans No. 99 and a 2026 third-round pick.
It was a no-brainer for Houston, but that doesn’t mean New York was wrong to make the deal. The math for draft trades completely changes when quarterbacks are involved because the upside is so much higher than for any other position. This was a risk well worth taking. Dart might not work out, but the Giants gave themselves a chance to find a franchise quarterback.
The “First Take” crew analyzes whether quarterback Russell Wilson will succeed with the Giants this season.
Their most expensive free agent acquisition was Adebo. I was not a fan of the move. Adebo, who suffered a broken femur in Week 7 last season, had strong on-ball numbers over the previous two seasons combined, with minus-49 EPA allowed as the nearest defender, per NFL Next Gen Stats. But on-ball production isn’t stable from year to year, and metrics that I would consider more important — such as target rate and yards per coverage snap — are more worrying. In his limited sample last season, Adebo was targeted 21% of the time (most by any outside corner with at least 250 coverage snaps) and had a high 1.6 yards per coverage snap allowed.
New York’s other major secondary signing, safety Jevon Holland, was better. That the Giants landed Holland for $15 million per year — roughly the same as Camryn Bynum and less than Tre’von Moehrig — despite his being considered by some to be the best safety in the free agent class, was encouraging.
They re-signed receiver Darius Slayton at $12 million per year — slightly surprising considering he has seemingly fallen out of favor multiple times during his New York tenure. Slayton is coming off a down season in which he recorded only 1.2 yards per route run, but I think it’s a fine move to bring him back at this cost, considering the team’s need at outside receiver.
Los Angeles Chargers: B
Biggest move: Drafting RB Omarion Hampton in the first round
Move I liked: Signing G Mekhi Becton
Move I disliked: Not adding more at edge rusher
The Chargers brought in some talent while retaining significant flexibility going forward — no team has more 2026 cap space.
Their biggest free agency move was one I really liked, signing Becton to a two-year deal at $10 million per year. Last season, the Chargers ranked 25th in yards before contact on running back carries (2.2) and 26th in yards per contact on interior runs (2.0). That’s where Becton, who successfully rehabilitated his career with the Eagles last season, can help. His 72% run block win rate was above average for a guard while his 92% pass block win rate was average.
That doesn’t make him elite, but some teams paid elite prices for far-from-elite guards this offseason (looking at you, Green Bay). Becton’s cost is plenty reasonable and gives the Chargers a significant upgrade over last year’s right guard, Trey Pipkins III.
The Chargers also brought in center Andre James to compete with Bradley Bozeman, whom they re-signed. Both moves were cheap, and I like the potentially strong pass protection James can bring.
Edge rusher Khalil Mack is back on a one-year, $18 million deal. Even as a 33-year-old, Mack got the job done last season and earned a Pro Bowl berth. His pass rush win rate was down to a below average 13%, though he has a long history of outproducing his win rate. It’s a fine cost for one more season of Mack.
If anything, I wish the Chargers invested more in this area — after Mack they have Bud Dupree, Tuli Tuipulotu and fourth-round pick Kyle Kennard after releasing Joey Bosa in early March. I’d have liked to have seen them pursue a better option in free agency or the draft.
The Chargers drafted Hampton in the first round, and I’ll levy the same critique as I did for the Raiders selecting Ashton Jeanty at No. 6 — it’s poor value. But it’s significantly more palatable at No. 22 than in the top 10. The Chargers also added Najee Harris in free agency.
Chicago Bears: B-
Biggest move: Hiring Ben Johnson
Move I liked: Hiring Johnson
Move I disliked: Signing DT Grady Jarrett to a deal that includes significant 2026 guarantees
The Bears’ biggest offseason was luring Johnson out of Detroit to become Chicago’s new head coach. Predicting the efficacy of a first-time head coach is very hard — and maybe I’m making the same old mistake — but I think Johnson is about the best first-time head coaching candidate you can imagine. He has multiple years of getting the most out of his players and should provide the Bears with an offensive schematic advantage for years if he works out. There are no guarantees, but there’s a huge chance Chicago upgraded its coach.
Chicago spent the offseason trying to make the team in Johnson’s image. It happened when the Bears selected tight end Colston Loveland at No. 10 in the draft, but it was most notable along the offensive line, where they got a whole new interior by trading for guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson and signing center Drew Dalman.
I was fine with the Thuney trade. The Bears got an elite guard with an exceptional track record for a fourth-round pick, though I might have been tempted to not sign Thuney to a new contract (retaining the flexibility of potentially receiving a compensatory pick if he walked because the Bears don’t have much cap space next year). Dalman’s deal was also fine, even if it was a shade higher than I might have wanted to spend.
Courtney Cronin lays out her expectations for the Chicago Bears and Caleb Williams this season.
But the Jackson trade was one of the most inexplicable moves of the offseason. A year ago, Jackson signed a three-year, $51 million free agent deal with the Rams and then had a wildly disappointing 2024. The Rams tried him at center, then he was placed on IR after Week 2, returned to action in Week 10 and was benched before playing again in Week 18. In short, he couldn’t get on the field at center or guard.
So, one would think his value would be depressed from this time last year. The Bears believed differently. Despite the Rams owing him a guaranteed $8.5 million on the $17.5 million he was owed in 2025, Chicago gave away draft capital to take on Jackson’s contract. To make it even wackier, the Bears made $7 million of Jackson’s 2026 salary fully guaranteed and added a year to the deal.
Chicago’s biggest free agent signing was edge rusher Dayo Odeyingbo on a deal that averages $16 million per year with $32 million guaranteed. This was solid, because the Bears need edge help opposite Montez Sweat but also because Odeyingbo has shown he can rush from inside — he has an impressive 14% pass rush win rate when doing so over the past two seasons.
On the flip side, the Jarrett deal was awful value. They gave him a three-year contract averaging $14.25 million with $28.5 million fully guaranteed, per Roster Management System. That includes a full guarantee on his 2026 base salary when Jarrett, who has been steadily declining, will be 33. Jarrett’s pass rush win rate at defensive tackle has dropped every season from 2019 (22%) to 2024 (9%), and he suffered a torn ACL in 2023.
Chicago also signed slot cornerback Kyler Gordon and linebacker T.J. Edwards to extensions that seemed reasonable and made a solid Day 2 trade down in the draft.
Detroit Lions: B-
Biggest move: Extending S Kerby Joseph
Move I liked: Signing CB D.J. Reed
Move I disliked: Reaching for DT Tyleik Williams and WR Isaac TeSlaa
The Lions are dealing with the challenge of their previous success, which resulted in the departure of both of their coordinators for head coaching jobs. Did Dan Campbell hire well again when he made former Broncos passing game coordinator John Morton his offensive coordinator and promoted linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard to defensive coordinator? Those answers could define Detroit’s 2025 season.
Not too much is changing for Detroit player-wise. In free agency, the Lions lost cornerback Carlton Davis III to the Patriots and guard Kevin Zeitler to the Titans. But they replaced Davis with D.J. Reed — an upgrade, and on a contract that’s $2 million per year cheaper, too. Reed has been remarkably consistent, averaging 1.1 yards per coverage snap (average for an outside corner) in each of the past five seasons and was under 1.0 in three of them, per NFL Next Gen Stats.
Detroit’s biggest expenditure came via an extension for Joseph that averages $21.25 million per year but included only $23.1 million fully guaranteed, per OverTheCap.com. Joseph is coming off an incredible season in which he recorded a league-high nine interceptions and was named first-team All-Pro. However, when I asked for feedback from league sources for my 100-player MVP article, most believed box score numbers overstated his value. I do think this is an overly steep contract, even if the guarantees aren’t bad.
My biggest qualm came during the draft. At least according to ESPN’s Draft Day Predictor, the Lions reached in the first round when they selected Williams. They then traded up to make a severe reach in Round 3 for TeSlaa at pick 70. While we don’t always know how the league perceives a player, the Lions have made a habit of this inefficient behavior. It has worked for thus far for this regime, but it’s still bad process.
In smaller moves, Detroit brought back linebacker Derrick Barnes on a deal worth $8 million per year and defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike on a one-year, $4 million contract.
Seattle Seahawks: B-
Biggest move: Trading QB Geno Smith
Move I liked: Guaranteeing only $37.5 million to QB Sam Darnold
Move I disliked: Not signing a free agent guard
The Seahawks opened with a bang, trading Smith to the Raiders in exchange for a third-round pick. At the time of the trade, I was critical and wrote, “If the Seahawks follow up by signing free agent Sam Darnold to a big contract, that would be a poor swap.” That’s what happened.
In a vacuum, I still prefer Smith to Darnold, but having seen how it shook out and the costs associated with each player, I’m changing my tune. The biggest factor is the contract Darnold received as a free agent — a three-year deal averaging $33.5 million per year and, most critically, only $37.5 million fully guaranteed, per OverTheCap.com. That number is crucial because while it’s worthwhile for Seattle to see what it can get out of Darnold, there’s a decent possibility this is a one-year arrangement. If so, the cost is reasonable.
Smith received more from the Raiders — $37.5 million per year with $58.5 million fully guaranteed. Given his age, he wasn’t going to be a long-term solution, so while I prefer Smith to Darnold for 2025, the real question becomes Smith vs. Darnold with $21 million less in guarantees and a third-round pick attached. I can get on board with that.
The Seahawks also took a third-round flier on quarterback Jalen Milroe. For teams without a franchise quarterback, the best thing to do is throw multiple darts at the position until one sticks. Perhaps no one knows this better than the Seahawks, who signed Matt Flynn in free agency the same year they drafted Russell Wilson in Round 3.
Smith was not the only major player the Seahawks dealt, also trading receiver DK Metcalf to the Steelers for a second-round pick and a late-round pick swap. The upside was the compensation — a second-round pick is not nothing — and not having to hand Metcalf a new contract. With rising star receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba coming into his own and Metcalf coming off a slightly down year in which he averaged 1.9 yards per route run, I can see Seattle’s logic. But I would have preferred to pay Metcalf the deal the Steelers gave him. Metcalf is only 27, the contract doesn’t contain any 2027 guarantees, and I’m not sure the Seahawks are going to find a more efficient use for their cap space than extending Metcalf.
Plus, losing Metcalf (and Tyler Lockett) meant they needed another receiver. That ended up being 32-year-old Cooper Kupp on a deal worth $15 million per year (with $17.5 million fully guaranteed, which is particularly relevant because it could be just a one-year arrangement). I believe the drop-off from Metcalf to Kupp will be significant.
At the time of the Metcalf trade, I was confident Seattle was going to use some of its newfound found cap space on a free agent guard. I was wrong. While the Seahawks spent their first-round pick on guard Grey Zabel, they did not sign a free agent at the position (they did add tackle Josh Jones, who has played guard in the past).
Instead, they appear poised to start Anthony Bradford or Christian Haynes at guard, which was a missed opportunity considering players such as Teven Jenkins, James Daniels and Mekhi Becton signed for relatively cheap and Will Hernandez is still available.
Seattle made a few more moves in free agency, bringing in edge DeMarcus Lawrence on a three-year deal averaging $10.8 million, re-signing edge Uchenna Nwosu on a $9.8 million-per-year deal and linebacker Ernest Jones IV at $9.5 million per year. I’m particularly interested to see Jones return to Mike Macdonald’s defense, where the linebacker could thrive as a blitz threat.
Miami Dolphins: B-
Biggest move: Trading CB Jalen Ramsey and TE Jonnu Smith for S Minkah Fitzpatrick
Move I liked: Trading Ramsey and Smith for Fitzpatrick
Move I disliked: Signing QB Zach Wilson
Miami’s biggest addition didn’t occur until June 30. That’s when the Dolphins traded Ramsey and Smith for Fitzpatrick and a late-round pick swap. It was a good move.
Ramsey backed the Dolphins into a corner with more than $20 million remaining in guaranteed 2025 money. And the Dolphins weren’t even pretending he was going to be on the team this season. I thought Miami would barely get any return in which the acquiring team paid the large bulk of Ramsey’s outstanding money. The Dolphins did better than I thought.
Fitzpatrick might not be as elite as he was in 2022, but he’s a good safety on a favorable contract with two years left and no guaranteed money. And somehow the pick swap favored Miami, too. Considering the cards the Dolphins held, this was a win. Fitzpatrick also helps replace the loss of Jevon Holland, who left in free agency.
That said, Miami was left with a barren cornerback group. As of this writing, ESPN currently lists Storm Duck (three career starts) and Jason Marshall Jr. (fifth-round rookie) as the team’s starting outside corners, with Kader Kohou at nickel. The roster suffered another blow when left tackle Terron Armstead retired this offseason. Patrick Paul, last year’s second-round pick, figures to be the replacement.
Miami’s next largest free agency acquisition was guard James Daniels on a three-year deal averaging $8 million per year. I thought it was a nice signing. Daniels suffered an Achilles injury last September but ranked 25th in pass block win rate at guard and 35th in run block win rate in 2023.
They also brought in Wilson at one year and $6 million, which I thought was a little rich considering Jameis Winston, Andy Dalton and Drew Lock went for cheaper.
Miami made a surprising trade July 1, dealing a late-round pick swap for tight end Darren Waller, who decided to come out of retirement. While I wouldn’t expect much from Waller, he’s worth a shot — Miami had very little left at receiving tight end after trading Smith.
Ultimately, the Dolphins are in a strange place after a disappointing 8-9 season. There are weak points on the roster, but Miami has only $15 million left in cap space and minus-$9 million in 2026.
Kansas City Chiefs: B-
Biggest move: Trading G Joe Thuney to the Bears for a fourth-round pick
Move I liked: Signing QB Gardner Minshew
Move I disliked: Signing OT Jaylon Moore
Fresh off losing a Super Bowl in part because the offensive line struggled, Kansas City made the surprising choice to deal Thuney, one of its very best offensive linemen. It did make some sense, though. Thuney is 32 — not necessarily old given offensive linemen can play longer than other positions, but not young — and was in the last year of his deal.
The Chiefs needed to make some tough choices and opted to keep 26-year-old Trey Smith, a good guard (though not quite good as Thuney), instead. It was a long-term decision. The Chiefs opted to franchise tag Smith, though they had to overpay him because the tag price is based on all offensive linemen rather than only guards. In other words, Smith was paid at a tackle price. Kansas City could still work out a long-term deal with Smith before the Tuesday deadline.
Even without Thuney, the more serious question was at left tackle. Last year’s mish-mash of Wanya Morris, Kingsley Suamataia, D.J. Humphries and an out-of-position Thuney wasn’t good enough, and the Chiefs had to address the spot.
The best option was Ronnie Stanley, but he flew off the board before free agency. Instead, the Chiefs opted for former 49ers backup Jaylon Moore for $15 million per year (and $21 million fully guaranteed), a risky move. Not only was Moore not a starter (to be fair, he was behind 11-time Pro Bowler Trent Williams), but when he played, our metrics were not a fan. Moore has a career 83% pass block win rate at tackle and was at 81% last season, which would have ranked third worst at the position had he qualified.
But the Chiefs didn’t just rely on Moore. They used the No. 32 pick on Josh Simmons, who could compete for the starting job. On one hand, one of Moore, Simmons or Suamataia could win the job and step up. On the other, it’s more likely that tackle will be a weakness again, as most first-year tackles struggle. Elsewhere, Kansas City added cornerback Kristian Fulton on a $10 million-per-year deal. Signing Fulton to support Trent McDuffie is a good idea, as cornerback play varies significantly from year to year and Fulton performed at a high level with the Titans in 2022.
Perhaps the Chiefs’ best value move was signing Minshew to a one-year, $1.2 million contract. Considering how valuable a backup quarterback can be, getting Minshew — who earned $15 million last season with the Raiders – at that contract was a total bargain.
Green Bay Packers: C+
Biggest move: Signing G Aaron Banks
Move I liked: Drafting WR Matthew Golden at No. 23
Move I disliked: Signing Banks
The Packers’ offseason featured two headlines — they finally drafted a first-round wide receiver, and they spent big on Banks. Let’s take those in reverse.
Banks, a former 49ers guard, signed a four-year deal that averages $19.25 million per year with $27 million fully guaranteed. The issue I have is that we don’t have evidence that Banks is anywhere near that caliber of player. Banks is coming off his best season according to win rates, but he ranked only 38th out of 64 guards in pass block win rate (92%) and 46th in run block win rate (69%).
The top of the guard market was frothy, but the Packers paid for not having patience, as Mekhi Becton, Kevin Zeitler and James Daniels all signed for $10 million or less. I would much rather have those players at their price than Banks at his.
Golden gives the team No. 1 WR upside it could use and helps make up for Christian Watson — who tore his ACL in the regular-season finale — possibly not being available for much of this season. Green Bay already had a group of solid receivers in Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks (I’m still a believer) and Watson, though entering the offseason running back Josh Jacobs said he believed the team needed a “guy that’s proven to be a No. 1 already.” Golden is not that, but first-round receivers offer that kind of potential.
The Packers were one of the most run-heavy teams in the league last season (even when excluding the Malik Willis games) but were much more efficient on dropbacks. If they have the confidence to throw more, that would help substantially.
Green Bay made one other sizable addition in free agency — former Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs. Hobbs signed a four-year deal averaging $12 million per year with $16 million fully guaranteed. The Packers needed a corner (they cut Jaire Alexander and lost Eric Stokes in free agency), though Hobbs has mostly played in the slot. His numbers were solid in a 2024 season abridged by injury and illness — he allowed 0.9 yards per coverage snap and minus-16 EPA when targeted, per NFL Next Gen Stats. However, in 2022 and 2023 he allowed 1.5 and 1.3 yards per coverage snap, respectively, well more than average. This price felt a bit rich.
If a pass rusher is available late in the offseason or during the season, the Packers could be interested.
New England Patriots: C+
Biggest move: Hiring head coach Mike Vrabel
Move I liked: Hiring Vrabel
Move I disliked: Signing DT Milton Williams
New England’s offseason began with the firing of Jerod Mayo and subsequent hiring of Vrabel. While Mayo got a quick hook, it was the right call: There’s no time for sunk cost fallacy, and there’s strong reason to believe that Vrabel is an upgrade. Vrabel has demonstrated success getting the most of his past rosters.
There’s no question that the Patriots significantly improved their roster, spending big in free agency to bring in Williams, Stefon Diggs, Harold Landry III, Robert Spillane, Carlton Davis III and Morgan Moses. The Patriots needed this upgrade — there’s no sense in waiting when you have a good QB under a rookie contract. At the same time, I disliked the value on almost every deal.
Williams earned a contract that, after adjusting for cap inflation, is comparable in fully guaranteed money ($51 million) to what Chris Jones received in 2020, Jonathan Allen in 2021 and Javon Hargrave in 2023. Although he’s a nice player, Williams also played only 47% of Philadelphia’s snaps in 2024 while playing next to other stout defensive linemen.
Diggs gives quarterback Drake Maye a badly needed playmaker, but he is 31 and coming off a torn ACL. Landry has a history of consistent sack production but is 29 and received $26 million fully guaranteed. I believe Davis is a worse player than the man who replaced him in Detroit (D.J. Reed), yet he still cost $18 million per year.
These inefficiencies could cost New England in the future — money not spent in 2025 can be saved for 2026 and beyond — but the additions also unquestionably made the team better.
Minnesota Vikings: C+
Biggest move: Sticking with QB J.J. McCarthy as their starter
Move I liked: Sticking with McCarthy
Move I disliked: Signing DT Jonathan Allen
What to do at quarterback was the biggest, most important decision the Vikings had to make. There were essentially three options — retain Sam Darnold, sign Aaron Rodgers or start McCarthy, their 2024 first-round pick.
They chose the last option, which I feel is correct. Darnold was coming off a career season, but his performance was overrated by the win-loss record. Despite having an elite playcaller as head coach and the league’s best wide receiver, Darnold ranked 14th in QBR last season — a number that includes his disastrous Week 18 game against the Lions but doesn’t factor in his similarly dreadful wild-card game against the Rams.
Ultimately, Darnold’s collapse made the choice easy. And the Vikings were correct to parry interest from Rodgers, who has not played well since 2021. Minnesota is in a far different position than the Steelers thanks to McCarthy.
The Vikings are also projected to gain a third-round compensatory pick for losing Darnold and a fourth for losing Daniel Jones, per OverTheCap.com, draft additions that are not trivial. But while I approve of the team’s biggest choice this offseason, I was less fond of many of Minnesota’s other decisions.
Will Fries is a promising guard, but handing him a five-year deal that averages over $17.5 million per season with $44 million fully guaranteed, per Roster Management System, seems incredibly rich for a player who has recorded average-ish pass block win rates in each of the last two seasons. Guards were hot, but, as has been mentioned earlier, several quality guards signed for $10 million per year or less.
Allen is 30 and declining; he had a below-average 8% pass rush win rate as a defensive tackle last season after being a top-10 player in the category a few seasons ago. Yet Minnesota paid him $17 million per year on a three-year deal (albeit with only $23.3 million fully guaranteed, per OverTheCap.com). That is pricier than the deal the Commanders cut Allen on and makes me think the Vikings should have traded a conditional seventh-round pick to Washington and taken Allen’s old contract.
Andrew Van Ginkel is coming off a great season and clearly fits well in Brian Flores’ defense, but he never exceeded six sacks before 2024. But Minnesota rewarded him with a one-year extension (through 2026) that added $23 million — almost all fully guaranteed. Extending Van Ginkel is fine, but it was a bit rich and didn’t come with more upside for Minnesota (such as non-guaranteed years after 2026).
Aaron Jones Sr. was long underrated because of his receiving skills but is now a 30-year-old running back, yet the team re-signed him to a multiyear deal with $11.5 million fully guaranteed.
Some of Minnesota’s moves were fine, though. The Vikings re-signed cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. at three years and $18 million per year and traded essentially a fifth-round pick for running Jordan Mason, who recorded 1.4 yards over expectation per carry with the 49ers last season, per NFL Next Gen Stats. Both moves seemed reasonable.
I wasn’t a fan of their draft, though. No team needed to trade down more, given Minnesota’s dearth of picks, yet they picked guard Donovan Jackson in Round 1 even though they had a good deal available from the Giants and a great one from the Falcons, who traded up for each of the next two picks behind Minnesota. That was a major squandered opportunity.
Cincinnati Bengals: C+
Biggest move: Extending WR Ja’Marr Chase
Move I liked: Extending Chase
Move I disliked: Not working out a new deal with Edge Trey Hendrickson
The Bengals’ offseason is defined by the two stars they paid — Chase and Tee Higgins — and the one they haven’t, Hendrickson.
Let’s address the receivers first. Coming off a season in which he led the league with 1,708 receiving yards on 127 receptions, Chase was certainly going to get the raise he deserved. But he really got paid. Sometimes when players receive record-breaking contracts it’s a product of natural progression, moving in line with the cap’s rise. This was not that. Chase’s $40.25 million APY extension is the highest in OverTheCap.com’s historical wide receiver contract list even if we adjust for salary cap inflation.
Higgins did well from an APY standpoint, too, earning $28.75 million per year — just a shade above Keenan Allen’s and Amari Cooper’s deals in 2020 when adjusting for cap inflation. It’s perhaps a shade more than I’d pay Higgins, but it made sense to bring these two players back. The combination of quarterback Joe Burrow, Chase and Higgins resulted in the seventh-highest EPA per dropback last season even though the Bengals ranked last in pass block win rate and had a middling run game. Passing success is their recipe for winning.
Cincinnati’s season cratered because of its defense despite the best efforts of Hendrickson, who led the league with 17.5 sacks. But Hendrickson is in a contract dispute and was granted permission to seek a trade.
Sure, one could argue that the Bengals shouldn’t jump to pay a huge amount to a 30-year-old pass rusher. But they’re contenders, and he’s a critical piece of that puzzle. And Cincinnati easily has the cap space to do it! It has $33 million available this year and $56 million in 2026. The Bengals ought to be locking Hendrickson in to try to make a title run.
I don’t know the exact circumstances, but if this is a cash-flow issue, I have little sympathy: Ownership’s job is to try to field a winning team. In the hard-capped, revenue-sharing NFL, teams must be able to pay to the cap.
Cincinnati also fired Lou Anarumo and brought in Al Golden as defensive coordinator. A shake-up was necessary, and any defensive regression to the mean would be a positive.
Hendrickson was not the Bengals’ only contract dispute. First-round edge Shemar Stewart has yet to practice and left minicamp due to a contract dispute based on language the team wants to use on his deal. The situation does not reflect well on Cincinnati.
The Bengals also re-signed defensive tackle B.J. Hill at $11 million per year and brought back tight end Mike Gesicki on an $8.5 million per year deal.
Washington Commanders: C
Biggest move: Trading for OT Laremy Tunsil
Move I liked: Releasing DT Jonathan Allen
Move I disliked: Signing DT Javon Kinlaw
Even if Washington overachieved in the playoffs, it still is in the enviable situation of having a franchise quarterback on a rookie deal, so it makes sense to push the chips in. Which is what it did.
Their biggest move was a bold trade of third- and seventh-round picks, a future second-round pick and a swap of fourth-round picks for Tunsil. The irony of the trade was that Houston badly needs offensive line help, and the Commanders didn’t have to upgrade — Brandon Coleman posted above average pass block and run block win rates as a rookie last season. But Tunsil is a high-end pass blocker despite leading all players in penalties last season.
At 30 years old, Tunsil could have plenty left. His current contract is a good value as it requires the Commanders to pay him $21.35 million in each of the next two seasons.
After also adding tackle Josh Conerly Jr. in the first round of the draft, the Commanders have options. Coleman, Conerly or Andrew Wylie — last season’s right tackle — could all feasibly start. Guard could be an option for whomever doesn’t start at tackle. Washington ranked ninth in pass block win rate last season, and should expect it to be better in 2025.
The trade for Deebo Samuel Sr. was a move that I was less a fan of the more I thought about it. The Commanders dealt a fifth-round pick and will pay $17.5 million for Samuel, who is 29 and coming off a rough 2024 in which he recorded 670 receiving yards and a career-low 37 overall score in ESPN’s player-tracking based receiver scores.
Chris Canty argues that if Jayden Daniels breaks into the top five QBs it will be at Joe Burrow’s expense.
When grading the deal, I wrote that I was working under the assumption that Washington would add another wideout later in the offseason because Samuel would be a weakness as a No. 2 receiver. But there was no other major wide receiver addition.
Signing Kinlaw to a three-year deal averaging $15 million per year with $30 million fully guaranteed was a head-scratcher. Kinlaw has largely disappointed since being drafted in the first round in 2020; even with Kinlaw having a career season in 2024 this is a clear overpay. I was good with the Commanders cutting Allen, but paying Kinlaw this much to replace him doesn’t make sense.
The Commanders made a slew of smaller deals with older veterans, including bringing back linebacker Bobby Wagner and bringing in Jonathan Jones and Deatrich Wise Jr. Wagner, who is back on a one-year deal for $9 million, is a future Hall of Famer, but I worry the Commanders are pushing their luck relying on him again at age 35.
Jacksonville Jaguars: C
Biggest move: Trading up to draft WR/CB Travis Hunter
Move I liked: Signing OL Patrick Mekari
Move I disliked: Signing WR Dyami Brown for one year, $10 million
Jacksonville bungled its regime change to start the offseason, firing Doug Pederson but originally retaining general manager Trent Baalke. The latter seemed to be an impediment for finding a new head coach, but once Jacksonville fired Baalke, it was able to land Liam Coen, who shined as the Buccaneers offensive coordinator in 2024 and is a coach who could potentially provide a schematic advantage.
New Jaguars general manager James Gladstone wasted little time making a big move, dealing picks Nos. 5, 36, 126 and a 2026 first-rounder for the No. 2 selection, along with picks Nos. 104 and 200. They used the pick on Hunter. The trade was an overpay, with Jacksonville giving up a quarterback-level premium to make the move.
Hunter is the most justifiable non-QB to prompt such a move because of his potential to be a high-end wide receiver and cornerback. But I would not have made this move, which demonstrated a level of overconfidence in the evaluation process that usually does not pay off. The Jaguars mitigated the value damage of the Hunter trade with a nice trade down with the Lions on Day 2.
The Jaguars made several other moves I did not love. Before drafting Hunter, they traded Christian Kirk to the Texans, then signed Brown to a one-year, $10 million deal. I’m very skeptical of Brown, who recorded 229 receiving yards in three playoff games last season but has amassed only 784 receiving yards total over his four-year career. There’s a big chance that the playoffs were an outlier. Jacksonville later cut Gabe Davis.
The Jaguars also gave Jourdan Lewis a three-year deal that averages $10 million per year. Lewis is coming off a nice season, but that’s quite costly for a 30-year-old slot cornerback who has an average 1.0 yards per coverage snap over the past four seasons, per NFL Next Gen Stats. The Jaguars also signed Robert Hainsey to replace retiring center Mitch Morse, and signed safety Eric Murray to replace Andre Cisco.
One move I was a big fan of was signing Patrick Mekari to a three-year deal that averages $12.5 million per year. Mekari is a versatile lineman with experience at center, guard and tackle and had a 95% pass block win rate at guard last season, which ranked fifth best at the position.
Pittsburgh Steelers: C
Biggest move: Signing QB Aaron Rodgers
Move I liked: Earning four projected compensatory picks
Move I disliked: Trading Minkah Fitzpatrick for Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith
Pittsburgh’s offseason was dominated by its quarterback decisions. Russell Wilson and Justin Fields moved to New Jersey and Matthew Stafford ended up staying in Los Angeles, prompting the Steelers to turn to Rodgers, a 41-year-old future Hall of Famer coming off multiple seasons of poor play.
The most likely outcome of the Rodgers signing by far is disappointment and a wasted season. But the upside remains — and there’s more of it with Rodgers than with any of the Steelers’ other realistic QB options, which is why the signing made some sense, especially at the extremely cheap cost Rodgers commanded. But Pittsburgh could have coupled the Rodgers signing with a stronger investment than sixth-rounder Will Howard in the draft, especially considering how far Shedeur Sanders fell.
The Steelers also decided to cut ties with George Pickens. Before trading him to Dallas, the Steelers secured his successor, DK Metcalf, in a trade with the Seahawks. The trade compensation they sent for Metcalf was close to what they got back for Pickens, but the move necessitated paying Metcalf (who is three years older than Pickens) $33 million per year. The team evidently felt Metcalf was a safer bet than Pickens (who also would have eventually required a contract), which isn’t unreasonable. But the Steelers still lack receivers beyond Metcalf for Rodgers to throw to.
Pittsburgh sent shock waves when it traded Fitzpatrick and a late-round pick swap to the Dolphins for Ramsey and Smith in late June. I did not think it was a great move. The Dolphins were struggling to find someone to take Ramsey’s contract, yet the Steelers not only took on most of the money but also sent back a high-end safety with two years and no guaranteed money left on his contract.
Yes, Pittsburgh got an Arthur Smith favorite in Jonnu Smith, but I’d caution overrating that part. Jonnu Smith is a good YAC player coming off a career-best season in which he recorded 884 receiving yards, but we shouldn’t ignore the previous seven seasons of his career (including some with Coach Smith) that were not on that level.
Ramsey is an interesting fit with the Steelers, who already have an outside corner. He figures to play nickel and mix in some at safety, perhaps. There’s a chance it’ll work. Ramsey is savvy, even if he is getting older, and it’s not unreasonable to think he could be key to making the secondary click.
If the defense breaks right, it has a chance to be exceptional (with a particularly elite pass rush). Pittsburgh brought in Darius Slay on a one-year, $10 million deal to play opposite Joey Porter Jr. Slay is no longer an elite corner, but the Steelers didn’t have to pay him like one, either.
Pittsburgh’s entire offseason has resulted in an old team trying to take one last swing. It probably won’t work, and next year likely will be time for a true rebuild. If so, one piece of good news: The Steelers’ offseason resulted in projected compensatory picks in the third, fourth, fifth and sixth rounds, per OverTheCap.com.
Carolina Panthers: C
Biggest move: Signing CB Jaycee Horn to an extension
Move I liked: Signing RB Rico Dowdle
Move I disliked: Signing DT Tershawn Wharton
The Panthers’ biggest spending came hours before the free agency negotiating window opened, when they agreed to terms with Horn to a four-year extension averaging $25 million per year with $46.7 million fully guaranteed, per OverTheCap.com.
It was a great deal for Horn. He has averaged 0.9 yards per coverage snap –better than the 1.1 average for an outside corner — over his career and 0.8 last season. His 14% career target rate is also better than average. But he also has played in only 37 games in four seasons.
He might be an ideal player to sign for the long term. But $25 million per year? That’s currently second (behind only Derek Stingley Jr.) in the NFL, and even if we adjust past contracts for salary cap inflation, Horn is still right near the top. I don’t think it was necessary to pay him this much and I’m not the only one who thinks so — my colleague Dan Graziano recently highlighted Horn’s contract as a “player-friendly deal.”
It wasn’t Carolina’s only overpay. I also thought it overspent on Wharton, handing him a three-year deal worth $15 million per year with a little more than $30 million fully guaranteed. Wharton recorded 8.5 sacks for the Chiefs between the regular season and playoffs last season, but his below average 7% pass rush win rate at defensive tackle makes me awfully wary about that sack production continuing — especially since he won’t have Chris Jones drawing double-teams and causing disruption. There are also questions about Wharton’s run-stopping ability. I don’t think his contract was worth the cost.
I’m not down on all of the Panthers’ moves. Signing former Raiders safety Tre’Von Moehrig on a $17 million per year deal (with $34.5 million fully guaranteed) was in line with the top of the safety market. Moehrig was well-regarded heading into free agency after moving closer to the line of scrimmage last season. And Carolina had to find a way to boost a defense that finished last in defensive EPA in 2024.
The Panthers got a bargain in signing Dowdle to a one-year deal for $2.75 million. It’s surprising that Dowdle got so little considering he recorded 61 rush yards over expectation last season. I also feel he is better than the veterans Dallas brought in to replace him (Miles Sanders and Javonte Williams).
The Panthers drafted wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan with the No. 8 pick, hoping he’ll fill a need and help quarterback Bryce Young‘s development.
Dallas Cowboys: C
Biggest move: Trading for WR George Pickens
Move I liked: Drafting Edge Donovan Ezeiruaku in Round 2
Move I disliked: Letting RB Rico Dowdle walk in exchange for Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders
Eight days after the Cowboys’ final game of 2024, they announced that head coach Mike McCarthy, whose contract had expired, would not be back. Dallas underwent an abridged search, interviewing only four candidates before hiring offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, who hadn’t been considered a major contender in the 2025 head coach market.
True to typical form, the Cowboys didn’t make any major free agent splashes. Their big move came when they acquired Pickens and a 2027 sixth-round pick from the Steelers for a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick.
On paper, it’s a perfect move. Pickens not only fills a major need (a second wide receiver) but fits perfectly with CeeDee Lamb. Pickens is an outside, downfield threat who has been superb in contest-catch situations, which pairs nicely with Lamb, who can play inside and out. What’s scarier is that Steelers coach Mike Tomlin — who has a history of being able to manage all sorts of personalities — was evidently done with Pickens.
This could be a reasonable one-year play for the Cowboys (which could result in a compensatory pick if Pickens walks in free agency next year), but I would be wary of signing him to a long-term deal. In the meantime, Pickens is a big add for the 2025 Cowboys.
Dallas’ big-money move was re-signing defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa, who agreed to a four-year deal averaging $20 million per year with $39 million fully guaranteed, per OverTheCap.com. That’s not unreasonable in a hot defensive tackle market. Odighizuwa ranked fourth in pass rush win rate at defensive tackle in 2023, though he dropped to 11th in 2024.
The Cowboys drafted guard Tyler Booker at No. 12 — poor positional value for that spot. There’s no way to know, but I hope the Cowboys exhausted trade-down options before settling for Booker, who was projected to go later. I was a big fan of Ezeiruaku in the second round at No. 44. He was considered a fringe first-round pick entering the draft and fared well in my sack forecast for prospects.
Dallas’ running back situation is uninspiring. Dowdle left for Carolina for under $3 million despite a very good 2024 season. In his stead, the Cowboys brought in Williams (who had minus-84 rush yards over expectation in 2024, per NFL Next Gen Stats) and Sanders (minus-44). Dallas also drafted Jaydon Blue in Round 5.
The Cowboys also made an ill-advised trade for linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. The trade was merely a sixth- and seventh-round pick swap, but it involves the Cowboys picking up a $7.5 million cash bill in 2025 (unless they get him to agree to a pay cut — tough to do after a trade) despite Murray coming off a poor season in which he ranked fifth worst in run stop win rate among off-ball linebackers with at least 300 snaps played.
Atlanta Falcons: C-
Biggest move: Trading up to draft Edge James Pearce Jr.
Move I liked: Letting C Drew Dalman walk and making C Ryan Neuzil the starter
Move I disliked: Trading up to select Pearce
Atlanta’s biggest move came during the first night of the draft — and it was a shocker. After making a perfectly fine selection of Jalon Walker at No. 15, the Falcons inexplicably dealt picks Nos. 46, 242 and a future first-round pick for Nos. 26 and 101.
The Falcons’ target? Pearce, another pass rusher. There’s nothing wrong with taking two edge rushers to fill a need. But there is everything wrong with dealing a future first to move up into the back end of the first round for a non-quarterback. Pearce was also off multiple teams’ draft boards due to maturity concerns, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported.
The value was bad, but it’s potentially disastrous if the Falcons end up picking early in next year’s draft. That is fully within the range of outcomes — quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is a mostly unknown quantity and FPI considers Atlanta the 26th-best team in the league entering this season. This was an unforced error and a bad one.
The Falcons are moving forward with Penix at quarterback but opted to keep Kirk Cousins on the roster past the fifth day of the league year, which triggered a full guarantee for his $10 million 2026 roster bonus. It might have created an awkward situation, but it was the right call. All the other money owed Cousins is a sunk cost, so the $10 million is what matters. If Atlanta decides to trade Cousins before or during the season, I think they’ll get a little more than $10 million of value. If not, he’s worth more than $10 million as a high-end backup.
Atlanta secured left tackle Jake Matthews for two more years with an extension for $22.5 million per year that guarantees Matthews’ salary through 2026 and keeps him under team control through 2028. Matthews’ win rates have never been as good as his reputation, but he’s widely considered a good tackle, and this seems like a reasonable move to maintain stability at a key position.
The Falcons’ biggest free agent addition was another edge rusher, Leonard Floyd, on a one-year, $10 million deal. It’s a move that didn’t look great at the time and looks worse now after the first-round double-dip. Floyd, who will turn 33 in September, is coming off a season in which his pass rush win rate was 13% — below average for the position.
The Falcons released defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, which I endorse. They would have had to pay Jarrett $16.25 million in cash in 2025 to keep him, per OverTheCap.com, and he wasn’t worth that after declining for years.
The Falcons also let Dalman walk in free agency, opting to stick with Neuzil. Neuzil started eight games while Dalman was injured last season and ranked 12th and ninth in pass block win rate and run block win rate, respectively. Staying with Neuzil — who was a restricted free agent and signed a two-year, $9.5 million deal — instead of Dalman is a good move.
New Orleans Saints: D
Biggest move: Lucking into QB Derek Carr‘s retirement
Move I liked: Drafting QB Tyler Shough at No. 40
Move I disliked: Trying to pay Carr before he retired
The Saints’ offseason was odd. It started with the retention of general manager Mickey Loomis and the hiring of coach Kellen Moore, then a decision to keep Carr. Let’s evaluate that choice in the moment.
At the time, Carr had a fully guaranteed $10 million roster bonus and a non-guaranteed $30 million in salary that became guaranteed if he remained on the roster in March, per OverTheCap.com. Even if the $10 million was a sunk cost (it wasn’t quite), was Carr worth $30 million to the Saints in 2025? He shouldn’t have been. This is a team in a dire cap situation and in need of a rebuild: Saving every penny is what should have mattered. Keeping Carr was a play to pay for mediocrity.
Plus, the $10 million roster bonus was subject to offsets, so if Carr had been released and signed to another team for, say, $15 million, then New Orleans would have been off the hook, which was a possible scenario.
Of course, he ended up retiring because of a shoulder injury. In doing so, he bailed the Saints out of the $30 million they put themselves on the hook for. So the Saints got the result they needed but through sheer luck — their process was flawed. In the grade above, I’m judging them by the decision they tried to make; the result was better, given the surprise retirement.
With Carr retired, second-round pick Shough suddenly became an immediate contender to start. Shough joins a room that includes Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener, and he gives New Orleans hope for a chance at a long-term quarterback solution. That’s what the Saints — who rank last in ESPN’s preseason FPI rankings — ought to be spending their resources on, players who can help them for years to come.
Many of their moves did not fit that mold. The Saints signed edge rusher Chase Young to a $17 million per year deal that I fear was partially made to avoid a dead cap bill if Young wasn’t on the team. I consider myself to be a Young defender (he has posted an above-average 19% pass rush win rate twice in the past four seasons), but that’s a hearty amount of money for a bad team with no money to pay a decent pass rusher.
Safety Justin Reid is sort of a similar story, though signing Reid to a $10.5 million per year deal is totally fine in a vacuum — probably even good. But the Saints aren’t in a vacuum. Paying tight end Juwan Johnson more than $10 million per year and more than $21 million fully guaranteed feels like too much.
Before drafting Shough, the Saints selected tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. at No. 9. He allows New Orleans to move Trevor Penning inside. And while young tackles are usually below-average players (even when they’re first-rounders), having Banks and Taliese Fuaga at tackle gives the Saints a chance to put together a nice line in time — one that could help develop a young quarterback.
Bills linebacker Von Miller secures a $1.5 million bonus after his sack of Drake Maye meets his contract incentive. (0:21)
The Washington Commanders are signing veteran defensive end Von Miller, a move designed to bolster their pass rush and increase their ability to close out games on defense.
Miller, who posted two pictures of himself in a Washington jersey on his Instagram account Wednesday night, has recorded 129.5 career sacks to rank 16th on the all-time list. Miller, who still must pass his physical, will sign a one-year deal, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Miller, 36, played the past three seasons with the Buffalo Bills, recording 14 sacks — eight in his first season and six last year. Washington hopes he can do what he did for the Los Angeles Rams in the 2021 season: serve as a final piece in a Super Bowl title run. The Rams acquired him in a midseason trade, and he then posted five sacks in eight regular-season games and four more in the playoffs en route to a Super Bowl win.
In his first 10 years, with the Denver Broncos, Miller had 110.5 sacks and made seven All-Pro teams, including three first teams, and was named to the Pro Bowl eight times — the last of which occurred after the 2019 season. He was the MVP of Super Bowl 50.
Washington general manager Adam Peters was with Denver when the Broncos selected Miller in the first round of the 2011 draft. Peters left after the 2016 season to join the San Francisco 49ers.
The Commanders’ pass rush recorded 43 sacks, 11th best in the NFL last season. However, there were holes in their pass rush: In the four-man rush, Washington ranked 26th with 22 sacks; and in the fourth quarter, the Commanders were 30th with five sacks.
That’s partly why quarterbacks posted a fourth-quarter QBR of 74.8 against Washington, fourth highest in the league.
The Commanders had looked at multiple ends in free agency, including DeMarcus Lawrence and Joey Bosa. They had looked at pass rushers in the early rounds of the draft but opted to take offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. in the first round and corner Trey Amos in the second.
Washington signed a number of veteran linemen in free agency, including ends Deatrich Wise Jr. and Jacob Martin. It also has linebacker Frankie Luvu, who was named second-team All-Pro after finishing with a career-best eight sacks last season.
The Bills released Miller on March 9, freeing up $8.4 million in salary cap space. Miller had been set to account for the second-most cap space ($23.9 million) on the roster behind only quarterback Josh Allen.
Miller’s time with the Bills was anything but smooth. He signed a six-year deal worth $120 million in the 2022 offseason. After a good start that included eight sacks in 11 games, he suffered a major right ACL injury on Nov. 24, 2022. Miller said during training camp in 2024 that he “probably should not have played” in 2023 because of the injury. He finished the 2023 season playing in 12 games and recording zero sacks and three tackles.
Miller was then suspended for four games (Weeks 5-8) in 2024 for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy, stemming from allegations that he assaulted his pregnant girlfriend in suburban Dallas during the Bills’ bye week in 2023. He turned himself in to the police and soon after was released on bond. The case was later closed, and charges were never filed. The NFL conducted a separate investigation.
ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg contributed to this report.
“I didn’t do what I needed to do at important times,” said Schauffele, who put the blame on his putter after posting a closing 70. “When you’re trying to win on Sunday, you need to put the screws down and put some pressure on the guys leading, and I didn’t do that.”
(When Schauffele was asked if Clark’s win was a good reason for not reducing fields next year, he managed to fight through his disappointment to make a joke: “I mean, I wouldn’t have minded because I would have won the tournament by three if he wasn’t here, so you might be asking the wrong person.”)
Far below Clark, Harris English and Tyrrell Hatton tied for third place at 12 under, and a shot beneath them, Tommy Fleetwood and Adam Scott tied for fifth. Max Homa was among a crowd of six at nine under, while a resurgent Rickie Fowler finished T-14 at eight under.
As the sky grew overcast, Clark navigated Quail Hollow’s difficult “Green Mile” closing stretch, benefiting from good fortune on 16 when a slice-adjacent drive bounced off a tree and back into a safe bunker, and finishing with a safe bogey on 18 to slip back to 19 under. Striding down the last fairway, Clark smiled, secure in the knowledge that the hard work was over, and he had secured the greatest triumph of his career.
Clark’s journey in golf to date has been one of significant struggles. In 2013, shortly after starting his college golf career at Oklahoma State, his mother, Lisa, died at age 55 from breast cancer. It sent Wyndham into a spiral that led him to transfer to the University of Oregon and coach Casey Martin, but not before he contemplated quitting the game entirely.
“There’s many times when I stormed off the golf course in qualifying or in tournaments and just drove as fast as I could, I didn’t know where I was going,” Clark said. “Just the pressure of golf and then not having my mom there and someone that I could call was really tough for me. And then professionally I’ve had multiple moments like that where you just, you miss multiple cuts in a row or you feel like your game is good and you’re not getting much out of it and you just contemplate doing it.”
Clark healed as a person and recovered his game at Oregon, but despite making the PGA Tour in 2018, he struggled to win and often failed to deliver under pressure. His closest call came at the Bermuda Championship in 2020, when he lost to Brian Gay in a playoff, and in the past three years his raw talent has repeatedly come up against a variable mental game.
“When I lost in the Dominican [Corales Puntacana Championship] this year, I was beginning to think that maybe I’ll never win,” he said. “I know that sounds crazy because I’ve only been out here five years, but I had a lot of chances to where I was within two or three shots either going into the back nine or starting on a Sunday and I always seem to fall short, and not only that, but seem like I fell back in positions. There was multiple texts and calls and times when I was so frustrated with people in my camp where I didn’t think I would ever win and I was like, ‘let’s just stop talking about it,’ because I didn’t want to think about it. I said maybe that’s just not in the cards for me. So being in the position this time, I was like, well … we know what not to do.”
Realizing that he was being too hard on himself—and with some not-so-gentle encouragement from his team, including caddie John Ellis—Clark undertook a change in perspective starting in 2023, facilitated by self-help books and a willingness to examine his own psychological shortcomings. Even before the Wells Fargo, he began to see more and more success, with a T-10 at the WM Phoenix Open, a solo fifth at the Valspar Championship and a sixth the next week in the Dominican. In just four months, his World Ranking shot up from 159th to 80th, and the idea of winning became more realistic. When he finally stood on the precipice Sunday, he made sure to soak it in.
“You only can win your first tournament once,” said Clark, the victory coming with exemptions into the Open Championship this summer and the Masters next April. “My caddie, John, and I didn’t talk about it until basically I got the ball on the green.”
At that point, with the last doubts erased, the two men embraced—one long journey had come to an end, and the path was clear for another.