Lions Holding Competition At Left Guard
Lions third-year offensive lineman Christian Mahogany may be the frontrunner to start at left guard, but he will have to battle for the job. Mahogany will face “real competition” from Ben Bartch and Miles Frazier, per Colton Pouncy of The Athletic.
Despite earning first-team All-ACC honors as a senior at Boston College in 2023, Mahogany lasted until the sixth round of the ensuing draft. A torn ACL cost Mahogany his entire junior season at BC, and injuries have continued troubling him in Detroit.
Mahogany began his career on the non-football injury list and played just seven games (one start) as a rookie. In the wake of Frank Ragnow‘s retirement, Graham Glasgow moved to center last year. That opened up left guard for Mahogany, who became a full-time starter when healthy. However, a fractured fibula held him to 11 games. The results weren’t great when Mahogany took the field, as Pro Football Focus ranked his performance 47th among 79 guards. Mahogany’s pass-blocking grade (40.7) was PFF’s sixth-worst at his position.
Entering free agency in search of guard depth, the Lions added Bartch on a low-cost deal (one year, $1.22MM) in March. The former Jaguar and 49er has started in just 24 of 55 games during his career. As is the case with Mahogany, injuries have been a problem for Bartch. The 27-year-old has missed between two and 14 games in each of his seven seasons. He opened last year as the 49ers’ starting left guard, but he never got the job back after going down with a high ankle sprain in Week 2. While Bartch returned from injured reserve in November, a foot sprain ended his season a few weeks later.
A three-year starter at LSU, Frazier joined the Lions as a fifth-rounder in the 2025 draft. Like Mahogany, he was unavailable at the beginning of his career. Frazier began the season on the reserve/PUP list as a result of a knee injury and did not debut until Week 13. The 6-foot-6, 325-pounder came off the bench in five games and was on the field for just 46 offensive snaps, but he could take on a much larger role if he impresses over the summer.
The Lions have a few months to figure out left guard, whereas the rest of their offensive line looks set. Elite tackle Penei Sewell is on track to switch from the right to the left side, replacing released 10-year starter Taylor Decker. Sewell’s presence on the left should benefit whichever guard lines up next to him. On the other side of the line, first-round rookie Blake Miller is the favorite to start at right tackle. Second-year man Tate Ratledge has right guard locked down, and former Panther Cade Mays will start at center in the first season of a three-year, $25MM contract.
Vikings Request Second Interviews With Five GM Candidates
The Vikings are making progress in their search for a general manager. The team has requested in-person, second-round interviews with interim GM Rob Brzezinski and four assistant GMs from other teams, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reports. The list includes Reed Burckhardt (Broncos), Terrance Gray (Bills), John McKay (Rams) and Nolan Teasley (Seahawks).
The Vikings have been without a full-time GM since they fired Kwesi Adofo-Mensah in late January, which occurred three weeks after the end of a disappointing 9-8 season. Brzezinski, who has been with the Vikings in various roles dating back to 1999, has since guided them through the heart of the offseason. As the Vikings’ executive vice president of football operations since 2014, Brzezinski is a serious candidate for a full-time promotion. Perhaps Brzezinski’s familiarity with Vikings ownership and head coach Kevin O’Connell will tip the scale in his favor.
With help from search firm TurnKeyZRG, the Vikings began their search for Adofo-Mensah’s replacement after last month’s draft. In addition to the names mentioned above, they requested initial interviews with Lions assistant GM Ray Agnew, Dolphins AGM Kyle Smith, Titans AGM Dave Ziegler, 49ers AGM R.J. Gillen and Chargers AGM Chad Alexander. After Alexander withdrew from the race on his own last week, it appears the Vikings have now crossed off Agnew, Smith, Ziegler and Gillen as possibilities.
As for the contenders still competing with Brzezinski, a couple have notable Vikings connections. Before becoming the Broncos’ director of player personnel in 2022, Burckhardt worked in various scouting and personnel roles with the Vikings for 13 years. Gray, who has been with the Bills since 2017, was a college scout for the Vikings from 2006-16.
While McKay and Teasley do not carry past Vikings experience, both are important members of two of the NFL’s best front offices. McKay, now in his 10th year with the Rams, has worked with the Super Bowl-winning tandem of GM Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay. He is also familiar with O’Connell, who was the Rams’ offensive coordinator from 2020-21. Teasley has served under Seahawks GM John Schneider, a two-time Super Bowl champion, since 2013.
DeMario Douglas’ Roster Spot In Jeopardy?
Patriots slot receiver DeMario Douglas saw his playing time and production drop in 2025, which could go down as his last season in New England. Douglas is still a member of the Patriots, but the three-year veteran’s roster spot appears to be in jeopardy, according to Chad Graff of The Athletic.
As the 210th overall pick in 2023, the former sixth-rounder from Liberty has outplayed his draft position since he entered the NFL. Douglas started seven of 14 games as a rookie and caught 49 passes for 561 yards, though he did not find the end zone. He showed even more promise in 2024, quarterback Drake Maye‘s rookie campaign. Playing a career-high 62% of offensive snaps (up from 55% in 2023), the 5-foot-8, 192-pounder set personal bests in receptions (66), yards (621) and TDs (three) over 17 games and seven starts.
Maye took massive steps forward in 2025, a year in which he finished second in MVP voting and helped the Patriots to an AFC title. Surprisingly, Douglas was not much of a factor in Maye’s breakout. Although Douglas played a full season for the second year in a row, he logged a meager 26% offensive snap share, went without a start, and managed just 31 catches, 447 yards and three scores. Four Patriots wideouts (Stefon Diggs, Mack Hollins, Kayshon Boutte and Kyle Williams) received more playing time than Douglas.
Diggs is now off the Patriots’ roster, and Boutte may be on his way out via trade, but they added Romeo Doubs on a four-year, $68MM pact in free agency and are expected to swing a deal for the Eagles’ A.J. Brown sometime after June 1. Brown and Doubs would be the Patriots’ top two receivers in that scenario, leaving Douglas, Hollins, Boutte (unless the Pats move him), Williams and Efton Chism to round out the group. Chism had just three catches in eight games as an undrafted rookie in 2025, but if he becomes the Patriots’ kick returner, he could edge out Douglas for a roster spot, per Graff. He averaged 23.9 yards on 16 kick returns last season.
Douglas collected salaries ranging from $750K to $1.03MM in his first three seasons, but thanks to a Level 1 Proven Performance Escalator, that number will jump to $3.67MM this year. The Patriots will save almost all of that money if they trade or cut Douglas before next season. Parting with him would leave the team with a mere $33,333K in dead cap.
Kyle Van Noy Plans To Play In 2026
Over two months since free agency opened, edge defender Kyle Van Noy remains among the NFL’s class of notable unsigned veterans. That could change soon. The 35-year-old told Mike Garafolo of NFL Network that he plans to continue his career in 2026.
“I’m going to play next year,” declared Van Noy, who revealed “a lot of teams” have shown interest during his latest trip to free agency. The 12-year vet added that he could make his decision closer to training camp.
Since going in the second round (40th overall) of the 2014 draft, Van Noy has combined for 115 starts in 173 games in stints with the Lions, Patriots, Dolphins, Chargers and Ravens. The former BYU Cougar has piled up 57 sacks, 39 pass deflections and 14 forced fumbles along the way. He also won a pair of Super Bowls as a key cog in the Patriots’ defense from 2016-19.
Van Noy is now coming off a three-year run in Baltimore, where he posted the most sacks of his career (23.5). After setting a career high with nine in 2023, he totaled 12.5 (and a personal-best 21 QB hits) the next season en route to his lone Pro Bowl nod.
Van Noy was a 13-game starter for the second straight year in 2025, but his production declined as part of a defense that fell short of expectations. Over 15 games, Van Noy notched 20 tackles, nine QB hit, four pass deflections, two sacks and an interception – the fourth of his career. Pro Football Focus ranked Van Noy’s performance an underwhelming 73rd among 119 qualified edge defenders, down from 25th the previous year.
While Van Noy told Garafolo he “didn’t like how last year went,” it does not appear retirement is on the table yet. Van Noy expressed interest in eventually working in the media and/or in a front office, but that will have to wait if he catches on with one of the league’s 32 teams before next season. For now, he is one of the most established edge defenders available on a market that also includes Cameron Jordan, Joey Bosa, Jadeveon Clowney, Leonard Floyd and Haason Reddick, among others.
Chiefs WR Rashee Rice Ordered To Serve 30 Days In Jail For Violating Probation
Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice is once again in legal trouble. Rice violated his probation after testing positive for THC, Matt Foster of KSHB 41 News reports. He has been ordered to serve 30 days in jail.
Rice is on probation for five years as a result of a 2004 hit-and-run crash that led to eight felony charges. After pleading guilty to felony collision involving serious bodily injury and racing on a highway causing bodily injury, Rice was sentenced to 30 days in jail and ordered to pay $115K to the injured victims.
[RELATED: Rice Facing Multi-Month Rehab After Knee Surgery]
Rice’s jail sentence is the same one he was originally ordered to serve, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Had he not violated probation, Rice would have been able to choose when to serve his time over the next five years, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports relays. He will now have to go through with it immediately, which will prevent him from participating in the Chiefs’ upcoming OTAs and mandatory minicamp.
The NFL suspended Rice for the first six games of last season as a result of his street-racing crash. However, it is unlikely this violation will lead to another ban, according to Jones, who notes the league does not suspend players for positive marijuana tests. It is nonetheless another unwelcome off-field development for Rice, who was accused of domestic violence in a civil lawsuit filed in February. Dacoda Jones, Rice’s ex-girlfriend, claimed he repeatedly assaulted her from December 2023 to July 2025. He was not charged with a crime, and the league chose not to suspend him after reviewing the matter.
On the field, Rice is entering the pivotal final season of the four-year rookie contract he signed in 2023. During the pre-draft process, NFL teams became aware of an alleged incident in which Rice or a member of his party fired multiple shots into an empty car belonging to a member of SMU’s basketball team. The Chiefs nonetheless selected Rice in the second round (No. 55 overall), a move that has paid dividends when he has taken the field. Rice was a standout during a 16-game rookie year in which he caught 79 passes for 938 yards and seven touchdowns. He added another 26 receptions in a four-game playoff run, including six in a Super Bowl LVIII win over the 49ers.
Thanks to a Week 4 LCL tear in 2024, last year’s suspension and a concussion, Rice played a mere 12 games over the previous two seasons. Despite suiting up just eight times in 2025, the 26-year-old piled up 53 catches, 571 yards and five scores. Barring punishment from the league, the Chiefs will count on Rice to continue serving as a key weapon when the upcoming season starts. Rice will be the top receiver in a corps that also includes Xavier Worthy, Tyquan Thornton, Jalen Royals and fifth-round rookie Cyrus Allen.
QB Brendan Sorsby Files Injunction For 2026 NCAA Eligibility
With the deadline for entry into the NFL’s supplemental draft approaching, Brendan Sorsby‘s efforts to resolve the matter of his college eligibility continue. The latest development in this saga is a legal one.
Sorsby’s legal team has filed an injunction in Lubbock County, Texas, as detailed by ESPN’s Pete Thamel. A hearing for June 15 has been requested so that a ruling can be made in time for June 22. The latter date represents the deadline for players (most notably Sorsby) to enter the supplemental draft.
Given that short timeframe, an expedited resolution on the matter of Sorsby’s 2026 eligibility is being sought out. His legal team has long expected a rejection on that front, leading to the injunction as an anticipated next step. A statement from Texas Tech said the school plans to “quickly initiate the reinstatement process” for Sorsby, who included a signed affidavit in the court filing and worked out an “agreed-upon stipulation of facts” between himself, Texas Tech and the NCAA.
“The relief [being sought] is narrow: one student-athlete and one senior season,” the court filing reads in part. “The NCAA will suffer no cognizable harm from letting Mr. Sorsby play football while this case proceeds. But if this Court does not act, no future judgment can give Mr. Sorsby what the NCAA will have taken from him.”
The filing also states that Sorsby – who transferred to the Red Raiders and signed a lucrative NIL deal along the way – offered to accept a two-game suspension to begin the 2026 campaign provided he was reinstated for his senior campaign. The highly-touted quarterback is likely to face a far steeper punishment given the NCAA’s rules related to gambling. Sorsby admitted to placing small wagers on Indiana to win games during his redshirt freshman season. The wagers were not placed on any contests in which Sorsby played, and the filing claims the betting stopped in 2022.
Sorsby stipulated to making several other bets in recent years on non-football events, leading to the expectation he will not be reinstated by the NCAA. In that event, attention will turn to the matter of the supplemental draft. The low-profile event occurs on an as-needed basis for players no longer eligible to play in college, and Sorsby would represent the most noteworthy player taking part in the event in several years.
The 2027 QB draft class is expected to be led by Texas’ Arch Manning and Oregon’s Dante Moore, but several other passers are viewed as having a strong chance of being selected in the first round. On that note, Jeff Howe of The Athletic reports Sorsby is widely seen as a top-50 prospect ahead of the 2026 season. Multiple evaluators Howe spoke with indicated Sorsby may have been drafted higher than Ty Simpson – who went 13th overall last month – had he been in the 2026 class.
Recent editions of the supplemental draft have come and gone without players being taken. Teams often prefer to retain their draft capital for the main event in April rather than losing it in the summer through the auction-style supplemental version. Sorsby could of course represent an exception, though, if teams view him as a starting-caliber passer at the pro level. The timeline along which clarity emerges in this case will be worth watching closely.
Deshaun Watson Open To Staying With Browns Beyond 2026; Team Showed Malik Willis Interest
Lacking an answer at the game’s most important position, the Browns stood out as potential suitors for quarterback Malik Willis before free agency opened. The former Tennessee and Green Bay backup ultimately landed in Miami on a three-year, $67.5MM deal. Cleveland had interest, but not at that price, Daniel Oyefusi and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN report.
For the Browns, signing the unproven Willis would have meant adding another expensive QB contract, albeit a far more affordable one than they gave Deshaun Watson in 2022. The fully guaranteed five-year, $230MM pact they handed Watson after acquiring him from the Texans has been a crippling mistake, as has the decision to part with a package headlined by three first-round picks. Watson has started just 19 games as a member of the Browns, who have restructured his onerous deal on a handful of occasions.
Watson’s contract is down to its final season, but he will continue to significantly impact their books for two more years after that. He will count a combined $86.2MM in dead money against their cap from 2027-28. There is a strong chance Watson will be off the Browns’ roster a year from now, though a source close to the three-time Pro Bowler told Oyefusi and Fowler “he would be open to” staying in Cleveland if the upcoming season goes well.
It is very much up in the air if the Browns will get anything from the soon-to-be 31-year-old Watson in 2026. He will first have to outperform second-year man Shedeur Sanders in the Browns’ starting competition this summer. That may not be an especially tall order, as Sanders is far from a lock to develop into a legitimate No. 1 option, but Watson is coming off a severe injury. Watson last took the field on Oct. 20, 2024, when he ruptured his right Achilles. While rehabbing in January 2025, Watson ruptured it again. He spent all of last season on the PUP list as a result, leaving the Browns to divide 17 starts among Sanders, Joe Flacco (traded to the Bengals in October) and Dillon Gabriel during a 5-12 campaign.
The Browns spent a third-rounder on Gabriel last year and used a sixth-rounder on Taylen Green last month, but those two do not appear to be in the running for the No. 1 job in 2026. New head coach Todd Monken will decide between Watson and Sanders. The hope is Watson will perform better in Monken’s system than he did under previous head coach Kevin Stefanski.
“The way [Stefanski] wanted him to play didn’t fit his style,” the source close to Watson told Oyefusi and Fowler.
As Oyefusi and Fowler note, Monken runs more of a spread-oriented scheme. Maybe the coaching change and a return to health will revive Watson, but skepticism is warranted for a QB whose stock has plummeted over the past few years.
NFL Owners Vote To Expand International Schedule
MAY 19: The owners have voted to expand the international schedule from eight to 10 games in 2027, NFL executive vice president Peter O’Reilly announced (via Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports).
MAY 18: The NFL’s owners will meet this week in Orlando. Among the items on the agenda is a potential expansion of the league’s international schedule.
Owners will have the option of increasing the number of overseas games to 10 for 2027, as noted by Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. That figure would not include the Jaguars’ ability to schedule a London contest separate from the NFL’s slate. The team’s home games are set to be played in Orlando in 2027 while stadium renovations in Jacksonville take place.
As a result, a maximum of 11 international games could be played that season. 2026 will see a new record set in that regard, and continued expansion of the overseas slate has long been a priority for the NFL’s owners. That is not expected to end (or even see a reduction) any time soon with new markets consistently being sought out.
In 2026, three games will be played in London; the Jags will play there in consecutive weeks. One game in each of Paris, Madrid and Munich will also be taking place. Melbourne and Rio de Janeiro will serve as host cities for NFL contests as well, with a return to Mexico City also forthcoming. Nine of the league’s first 11 weeks during the regular season will include an overseas game.
The NFL is aiming to eventually have every team play once internationally on an annual basis, something which has become increasingly clear over time. A 16-game slate would of course become more feasible with an overall expansion of the schedule from 17 games to 18. Nothing seems to be imminent on that front, but the widespread expectation remains that an 18-game setup will be in place relatively soon. Especially if/when that is the case, further expansion of markets outside the United States can be anticipated.
Lions Attempted To Acquire No. 14 Pick From Ravens
Not long after the draft was finished, it was reported the Ravens nearly worked out a trade which would have seen them move down the first-round order. Further details on the offer Baltimore considered have emerged.
The latest edition of Ravens Wired (video link) showcases the discussions held by general manager Eric DeCosta and Co. leading up to the 14th overall pick. The Lions attempted to move up from No. 17, offering pick No. 118 and a third-round selection in 2027 to do so. Teams were largely hesitant to part with capital in next year’s draft, one believed to be much stronger than the 2026 edition.
That makes Detroit’s offer a notable one, although it comes as little surprise GM Brad Holmes showed interest in moving up the board. The Lions had long been connected to Kadyn Proctor, and drafting him would have helped stabilize an offensive line which has been in flux this year. Based on the timing of Baltimore’s conversations with Detroit, it appears as though Holmes’ offer was rescinded shortly before the Ravens made their selection.
The Dolphins wound up selecting Proctor at No. 12, taking the Alabama product out of consideration for any Lions deal moving them up the board. As a result, the Ravens remained in place and went the expected route of drafting Penn State guard Vega Ioane. The Lions, meanwhile, still managed to add an offensive tackle by drafting Clemson’s Blake Miller at No. 17. All three O-linemen will be expected to contribute early and often in their careers.
Proctor flashed considerable potential with his combination of size and athleticism during his college career. Concerns related to his playing weight and overall consistency were raised leading up to the draft, but it came as little surprise when he was selected early on Day 1 (albeit to play guard in Miami). Miller’s stock nevertheless rose considerably during the pre-draft process, and his success as a rookie will play a key role in determining the Lions’ play up front as they seek to return to the playoffs in 2026.
Dolphins LB Jordyn Brooks Uncertain If He’ll Receive Extension
The Dolphins handed running back De’Von Achane a lucrative four-year extension last week, leaving linebacker Jordyn Brooks as the clear next candidate to get a new deal. While the veteran is reportedly seeking a raise, he’s uncertain if Miami will dish out the money to keep him around for the long haul.
[RELATED: Dolphins LB Jordyn Brooks Seeking Raise]
While speaking with reporters today, Brooks admitted that he’s unsure if he’ll receive an extension offer from the organization.
“I don’t know,” Brooks said when asked about his extension candidacy (via C. Isaiah Smalls II of the Miami Herald). “It could go either way, obviously. I’m just controlling what I can control — play football. I’m blessed to do it. So I’m just going to keep approaching it that way.”
The former Seahawks first-round pick joined the Dolphins via a three-year deal in 2024. He’s emerged as one of Miami’s defensive leaders over the past two years, culminating in a 2025 campaign when he earned a first-team All-Pro nod after finishing with a league-leading 183 tackles. Pro Football Focus ranked Brooks 11th among 88 qualifying linebackers, including the third-best positional grade for his run defense.
Brooks is now entering the final season of his contract and has no guaranteed money left on his deal. While there was some skepticism that he’d show up for OTAs as he pursued a new deal, Brooks made it clear that a holdout was never under consideration.
“I need to get better as a player so that’s why I show up,” Brooks said. “Obviously, I never want to send the wrong message to the team or to my teammates. I play with these guys. Go to battle with them. I want them to know that I’m here no matter what [and that I’m] playing the game for the right reasons.”
For what it’s worth, the Dolphins haven’t given any indication that they’re against extending the linebacker. Back in March, GM Jon-Eric Sullivan said he wants Brooks “to be part of this” and “to be a pillar on the defensive side.” Coach Jeff Hafley was equally complimentary of his defensive leader today.
“Great leader, loves football, works really, really hard,” Hafley said (via Smalls). “He’s made the right way. I’ve really enjoyed him. You see the film, you see the type of player that he is; but once you get to know him you kind of understand why. I think his work ethic is elite and he loves football. He absolutely loves the game and he wants to meet. He wants to go over stuff. He wants to learn. He’s a fun guy to coach.”
As Smalls notes, Azeez Al-Shaair‘s recent extension could provide a basis for a future Brooks contract. The Texans linebacker got a three-year, $54MM extension, and that $18MM average annual value would represent a significant leap from Brooks’ current $8.76MM AAV. As the Dolphins navigate a significant rebuild, the team may decide it’s worth it to retain one of their few veteran leaders.