‘Soft’ Market For Seahawks Sale
The Seahawks appear to be one of the best-positioned teams in the NFL.
They have a young, proven head coach in Mike Macdonald, an apparent franchise quarterback in Sam Darnold, one of the league’s best wide receivers in Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and a deep, diverse well of talent on defense.
Despite that, the pending sale of the club has a weaker-than-expected market, per ESPN’s Seth Wickersham, with one NFL owner describing it as “soft.” Wickersham adds that there is less interest in the Seahawks than there was in the Broncos and the Commanders, the last two franchises to change hands.
The Walton-Penner family paid $4.65 billion for the Broncos in 2022, and a Josh Harris-led group purchased the Commanders for $6.05 billion in 2023. A commensurate increase three years later would price the Seahawks at $10.25 billion.
The team’s price tag was initially expected to match or exceed that number, but projections have since dropped closer to $9 billion. That would still be the highest sale price of an NFL team, though it falls substantially below the Dolphins’ recent $12.5 billion valuation.
There are a limited number of potential buyers with known interest in the team with tech billionaires Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, and Tim Cook already ruled out. Wyc Grousbeck and Vinod Khosla are leading ownership groups preparing for bids, and Canadian billionaire Steve Apostolopoulos has also been mentioned, per Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. Apostolopoulos was interested in purchasing the Commanders in 2023, though he told Wickersham that he is “not pursuing the Seahawks.” If there are only two ownership groups vying for the Seahawks, that will limit the potential for a bidding war that could push the sale price into eight digits.
The lack of interest is multifaceted. The number of individuals with enough wealth to lead an ownership group is already small, and league rules mandate a 30% down payment – ranging from $2.7 to upwards of $3 billion – from the new majority owner.
The circumstances of the sale give potential buyers “significant leverage,” Wickersham adds. Longtime Seahawks owner Paul Allen passed away in 2018, leaving behind instructions for the team to be sold with the proceeds donated to charity. His sister, Jody Allen, has initiated that process after eight years. Selling to fulfill a mandate rather than by choice will push down the price. Allen’s estate had the same directive for the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers, who were sold for $4.2 billion in 2025, significantly lower than the sales of the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers in the same year. (The Celtics and the Lakers are substantially more successful franchises with storied histories, but that is still a depreciated price for an asset that is always increasing in value.)
Other local concerns include the potential for an NBA franchise to return to Seattle almost 20 years after the Supersonics departed for Oklahoma City. The city’s MLS team, the Sounders, who share Lumen Field with the Seahawks, are also exploring a new, soccer-specific stadium, according to ESPN’s Jeff Carlisle. Potential Seahawks buyers could be more interested in bringing basketball back to Seattle, and hammering out stadium situations for all three teams could get complicated both politically and financially.
Bears To Sign WR Scotty Miller
Veteran wide receiver Scotty Miller accepted an invitation to the Bears’ rookie minicamp. It proved to be a wise decision. The Bears are now signing Miller, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Miller previously booked a late-April visit to Detroit (via Schefter), but he is heading to one of its NFC North rivals over a week later. The Bears are the fourth team for the 28-year-old Miller, a 2019 sixth-round pick who has played for the Buccaneers (2019-22), Falcons (2023) and Steelers (2024-25). He has totaled 99 catches and six touchdowns over 93 games.
Miller’s most productive campaign came with Tampa Bay in 2020, a Super Bowl-winning season for the club. With quarterback Tom Brady at the helm, Miller set career highs in targets (53), receptions (33), yards (501) and TDs (three). The 5-foot-9, 174-pounder has not reached those heights since then. Miller put up just one 20-catch season over the past half-decade (with the Buccaneers in 2022), and he amassed fewer than 100 yards in both of his his years in Pittsburgh. He combined for just 14 catches in 26 games as a Steeler.
Miller’s deal with Chicago will lead to a reunion with Bears receivers coach Antwaan Randle El, who was a Buccaneers offensive assistant from 2019-20. He will attempt to earn a depth role in a receiving corps led by Rome Odunze and Luther Burden. The Bears, who said goodbye to D.J. Moore and Olamide Zaccheaus earlier in the offseason, have brought in Miller, Kalif Raymond and third-round pick Zavion Thomas over the past couple of months.
Dolphins Notes: Rodriguez, Johnson, Savaiinaea, Free Agency
The rebuilding Dolphins entered the draft with a roster in serious need of upgrades all over the field. After making a league-high 13 picks, they emerged from the proceedings with at least a few players who could start right away. That includes second-round linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, who is “likely” to compete with Tyrel Dodson for a starting job, per Omar Kelly of the Miami Herald.
Rodriguez, whom the Dolphins chose 43rd overall, came off the board early after a stellar couple of years at Texas Tech. The 6-foot-1, 231-pounder had a breakout 2024 in which he racked up 127 tackles, five sacks and three forced fumbles in 14 games. He was even more productive last season, during which he recorded 128 tackles, a whopping seven forced fumbles and four interceptions. Rodriguez earned major accolades as a result. Along with finishing fifth in Heisman Trophy voting, he was a unanimous All-American who won Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (nation’s best defender) and the Butkus Award (nation’s top LB), among other honors.
Already set to turn 24 on Sept. 2, it would not be a surprise if Rodriguez immediately steps in next to Jordyn Brooks to comprise the Dolphins’ top linebacker duo. That would mean a contract-year demotion for Dodson, who had his best statistical showing in 2025. Playing 84.97% of the Dolphins’ defensive snaps, the six-year veteran logged career highs in starts (16), tackles (129), TFL (10) and sacks (five). Although his traditional numbers were solid, Pro Football Focus was not enamored of Dodson’s performance. PFF ranked Dodson 61st among 88 off-ball LBs.
Shifting to Miami’s secondary, first-round cornerback Chris Johnson looks like a lock to earn significant playing time from the get-go. The Dolphins traded up from 30 to 27 to draft the former San Diego State standout, who primarily lined up on the outside during his four college seasons. Johnson could be in for a role change in Miami, which is likely to deploy the 6-foot, 195-pounder as its nickel corner, according to Kelly. It is unclear who will start on the outside, but Storm Duck, JuJu Brents and free agent pickups Darrell Baker Jr. and Marco Wilson are among the Dolphins’ experienced options. Duck and Brents did not factor in much during injury-ruined years in 2025. Jack Jones and Rasul Douglas ended up leading Miami’s corners in snaps by a wide margin, but both players are now out of the organization.
Turning to the offensive side of the ball, the Dolphins are planning an open competition at both guard spots, Kelly reports. Rookie Kadyn Proctor, the Dolphins’ first pick (12th overall), is expected to win the left guard battle. There are still questions on the right side, where the Dolphins lost Cole Strange to the Chargers in free agency.
As a second-round rookie last year, left guard Jonah Savaiinaea was the only Dolphins lineman to take the field for every offensive snap. However, PFF rated his play dead last among 79 qualifiers. His pass-blocking grade (14.1) was easily the worst at his position. The Dolphins do not want a repeat of that, especially after they brought in new starting quarterback Malik Willis on a three-year, $67.5MM deal in free agency. Savaiiinea will need to show obvious improvement this summer to claim the No. 1 right guard spot.
With the draft in the books, it appears the Dolphins’ offseason roster building is all but done. The team stayed in contact with some “top” available free agents before the draft, per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, but first-year general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan said afterward he is not anticipating any “big-ticket” signings (via Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN). That is not a surprise, as the Dolphins are last in the league in cap space. Sullivan and rookie head coach Jeff Hafley only have around $1.8MM at their disposal.
Bills Add 12 Undrafted Free Agents
The Bills made 10 picks in last month’s draft, and they announced 12 more rookie additions on Friday. Here is their undrafted free agent class:
- Jackson Acker, FB (Wisconsin)
- Gabriel Benyari, WR (Kennesaw State)
- Cade Denhoff, OLB (Clemson)
- Jordan Dunbar, CB (Missouri State)
- Bruno Fina, G (Duke)
- Theron Gaines, ILB (Tennessee Tech)
- Ja’Mori Maclin, WR (Kentucky)
- Desmond Reid, RB (Pittsburgh)
- Max Tomczak, WR (Youngstown State)
- Kani Walker, CB (Arkansas)
- Da’Metrius Weatherspoon, G (Syracuse)
There are a few interesting NFL connections in this group. Fina is the son of former offensive tackle John Fina, who played 10 of his 11 seasons in Buffalo during a career that spanned from 1992-2002. Maclin’s cousin, former Eagles, Chiefs and Ravens receiver Jeremy Maclin, played from 2009-17 and caught 514 passes and 49 touchdowns. Tomczak is the nephew of Mike Tomczak, who had stints as a quarterback with the Bears, Packers, Browns and Steelers from 1985-99.
Denhoff is rejoining former Clemson teammate and fellow outside linebacker T.J. Parker, whom the Bills drafted 35th overall. Unlike Parker, Denhoff was not especially productive in college. He totaled 51 tackles, five TFL and two sacks in 47 games with the Tigers.
While odds are against rookie UDFAs earning roster spots, Acker stands out as someone who may have a shot. Fullback Reggie Gilliam carved out an offensive and special teams role with the Bills from 2020-25, but they lost him to the Patriots in free agency. The Bills signed ex-Eagle Ben VanSumeren after the draft, though the converted linebacker has minimal experience as an NFL fullback. He is also coming off back-to-back injury-wrecked years. As of now, VanSumeren is the only player standing between Acker and a roster spot.
Giants To Sign DT D.J. Reader
MAY 9: Reader’s contract includes $5.25MM in guaranteed money, comprised of a $3.5MM signing bonus and his $1.75MM salary this season, per OverTheCap. He can also receive up to $1MM in per game roster bonuses in 2026, creating a cap hit of $4.5MM. That will set up what is essentially a team option for 2027, in which Reader will be owed $5.15MM in base salary and $1MM in per game roster bonuses with a $1.75MM dead cap hit if release.
MAY 5: The Giants-D.J. Reader buzz is expected to produce a deal. The sides are finalizing an agreement that will move the veteran to a fourth NFL team, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo report.
Reader visited with the Giants days before they decided to trade Dexter Lawrence, and the parties stayed in contact in the period after the blockbuster swap. With Lawrence sent to Cincinnati for the No. 10 overall pick, Reader will have an opportunity to play a big role in New York.
Although we are past the draft — when the bulk of the signings are one-year pacts — Reader will fetch another multiyear agreement. He is signing a two-year, $12.5MM accord, veteran insider Jordan Schultz tweets. Incentives could push the value higher as well. Reader’s incentive package covers $3MM, Rapoport adds.
John Harbaugh spent four seasons coaching against Reader in the AFC North, as the Bengals rostered the run-stuffing D-lineman from 2020-23. Reader, 31, spent the past two years with the Lions. The Giants have now added Reader and fellow ex-AFC North 30-something Shelby Harris to their post-Lawrence D-tackle group since the draft. Harris, 34, signed a one-year deal worth $3MM. His contract brings $2.66MM guaranteed, per OverTheCap.
Reader (128 career starts) will be expected to be the Giants’ first-string nose tackle, the New York Post’s Paul Schwartz notes. The contract certainly points to such a role being commandeered, as does the 10-year veteran’s body of work. This year’s D-tackle class was considered weak behind John Franklin-Myers, who benefited from both a shallow DT veteran crop and a draft not flooded with high-level options either. This landscape led to Vikings 30-something cap casualties Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave landing on their feet — with two-year deals worth $25MM and $23MM, respectively — soon after releases. The Giants’ changing DT complexion undoubtedly boosted Reader’s value.
Lawrence requested a trade and, despite a Giants attempt to keep him on a revised contract, received one days before the draft. The Giants then focused on other areas in the draft, adding a linebacker, offensive lineman, cornerback and wide receiver in the first three rounds. New York did not address its suddenly glaring DT need until Round 5, when Bobby Jamison-Travis arrived. The team used a third-round pick on DT Darius Alexander last year. He will now see vets Reader, Harris and Leki Fotu represent a quantity-based approach to replacing an All-Pro.
Tied to a two-year, $22MM Lions deal previously, Reader started all 32 games he played with the NFC North club. Pro Football Focus graded Reader 36th and 32nd, respectively, among interior D-linemen in those seasons. He logged a 53% defensive snap rate in each Detroit campaign. Although Reader displayed durability in New York, he suffered two quadricep tears while with Cincinnati. The second one came during his contract year, though it speaks to how Reader is viewed around the league he scored an $11MM-AAV deal coming off that injury.
Reader, whose first quad tear sidelined him five games into the 2020 slate, also missed seven games during the 2022 season. An MCL issue sidelined Reader that year, coming after his key contributions during Cincy’s Super Bowl LVI season. The former Texans draftee played out a four-year, $53MM Bengals contract before heading to Detroit.
The Ravens met with Reader in free agency, before they added Calais Campbell, but the veteran nose will meet up with a host of ex-Ravens under Harbaugh soon. The Giants will hope the 330-pound defender has enough gas in the tank to make an impact on a defense that ranked 31st against the run with Lawrence playing 17 games. This situation may not inspire confidence, given Lawrence’s talent level, but the Giants are bringing in some proven vets after using the Lawrence-generated pick to bolster their O-line (via Francis Mauigoa).
Vikings’ Kyler Murray, J.J. McCarthy Will Have ‘True Competition’ For Starting Job
The Vikings entered the 2025 season hoping to smoothly transition to J.J. McCarthy as their long-term starting quarterback.
That never came to pass. The former No. 10 pick completed just 57.6% of his passes with more interceptions (12) than touchdowns (11). He also missed time due to three different injuries and, overall, did not show signs of being a franchise QB.
Minnesota then brought in Kyler Murray after he was released by the Cardinals, adding another, more proven passer to their quarterback room. Since Arizona is still paying him $36.8MM this year, the former No. 1 pick was available for a veteran minimum salary, making him a hot commodity on the free agent market. He quickly agreed to a deal with the Vikings, indicating that he would have a chance at their starting quarterback job. But the question remained: would Murray have to take the job from McCarthy, or would the two begin offseason practices on equal footing?
An initial answer has come via NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, who said on the Rich Eisen Show that the Vikings “envision it being a true competition: Kyler Murray vs. J.J. McCarthy.”
On paper, Murray should have a substantial advantage. He has 87 career starts to McCarthy’s 10 with a significantly better completion percentage and passer rating in 2025. But Murray will be learning a new offense in Minnesota, while McCarthy will be entering his third year in Kevin O’Connell‘s system.
It is worth noting that Pelissero specifically mentioned those two quarterbacks as part of the competition and not Carson Wentz or Max Brosmer, who are also in the team’s quarterback room. Brosmer was abysmal in his two starts last year, but Wentz statistically outperformed McCarthy nearly across the board. In theory, that would make him a worthy competitor for the starting job, but Minnesota moved in Murray’s direction and seems more inclined to keep Wentz as a third-stringer.
Jets, RB Breece Hall Agree To Extension
Breece Hall‘s Jets tenure will continue beyond 2026. The franchise-tagged running back has worked out an extension agreement with New York.
Team and player have struck a three-year deal, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports. He adds this extension is worth up to $45.75MM. Instead of only being in place for one more season due to the tag, Hall will now be on the books through 2028.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network notes $45.75MM represents the base value of this deal. As such, Hall’s average annual value checks in at $15.25MM. That figure ranks third in the NFL among running backs, behind only Saquon Barkley and Christian McCaffrey. The position’s landscape could change soon with Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson each eligible for extensions of their own this offseason. In any case, Hall’s outlook has now become much clearer.
The transition tag loomed as an option for New York to keep Hall in the fold for 2026. However, interest in offer sheets would have emerged had the Jets used the less-expensive one-year tender. Indeed, the Broncos were among the teams which would have pursed Hall in that scenario. As such, New York wound up applying the non-exclusive franchise tag. That set Hall up for $14.29MM in guaranteed 2026 earnings, but a long-term arrangement has now taken the place of the tag. The upfront payments in this new deal will be interesting to see.
On that note, ESPN’s Rich Cimini reports Hall will receive $29MM guaranteed. That figure essentially matches what he would have collected by playing on two straight franchise tags. Connor Hughes of SNY adds that locked-in money will be paid out over the next two years, with no guarantees present for 2028. This agreement is therefore a $14.5MM-per-year pact for now with incentives present in Year 3 which could increase Hall’s overall earnings.
Hall, who will turn 25 later this month, expressed a desire to remain in place with the Jets and a general confidence that he would eventually land a deal near the top of the running back market. Both goals have now been achieved. After the tag was applied, a period following the draft emerged as a target for a multiyear extension to be finalized. GM Darren Mougey expressed optimism a deal would be reached, and that has proven to be the case in time for spring practices.
As a rookie, Hall flashed plenty of potential before suffering an ACL tear. Since returning to action, the former second-rounder has handled a heavy workload and been a regular presence in the passing game along the way. Hall topped 1,000 rushing yards for the first time in 2025, but he recorded more than 1,300 scrimmage yards for the third year in a row while doing so. The Iowa State product will once again be joined by Braelon Allen in the backfield next season, although another large offensive role for Hall can be expected.
The Jets will have Garrett Wilson in place once again for 2026, and he too is under contract for the future. Mougey has been busy adding at the skill positions, selecting tight end Mason Taylor in last year’s draft and trading for receiver Adonai Mitchell as part of the Sauce Gardner blockbuster. Last month, New York used two of three first-round selections on another tight end (Kenyon Sadiq) and an additional wideout (Omar Cooper Jr.). Those players, led in large part by Hall, will serve as an offensive nucleus moving forward.
Broncos Extend GM George Paton
As expected, George Paton has landed a new agreement in Denver. The Broncos’ general manager signed a five-year deal on Friday, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports.
Before the 2025 season had ended, a Paton extension emerged as a likely goal for the Broncos. The veteran had one year remaining on his contract prior to today’s news. Now, though, Paton is on the books through 2030 on a deal which has since been confirmed via a team announcement.
Head coach Sean Payton has of course wielded considerable power since arriving in 2023. The ex-Saints Super Bowl winner has formed a strong tandem with Paton, and in February he expressed confidence an agreement would be worked out. The Paton-Payton pairing will continue for years to come as the Broncos look to build off their recent success. That includes earning the AFC’s No. 1 seed this past year.
“As our general manager, George has demonstrated a strong commitment toward building a winning roster while forming a collaborative and supportive partnership with Sean Payton,” a statement from owner Greg Penner reads. “I’ve enjoyed working with George over the last four seasons and appreciate the alignment we share in positioning the Broncos for sustained success.”
After time with the Bears and Dolphins, Paton joined the Vikings in 2007. He worked his way up to assistant general manager, serving in that capacity from 2007-20. Paton also held the title of VP of player personnel during his Minnesota stint. A return to the Vikings was floated as a possibility after Kwesi Adofo-Mensah‘s firing, but the Broncos’ desire for a long-term agreement remained. Minnesota’s GM spot is still vacant at this point and Paton, 56, will be staying put.
Denver’s post-Peyton Manning cold spell continued upon Paton’s arrival. The team posted a losing record in each of his first three years at the helm, and moves such as the Nathaniel Hackett hire and the Russell Wilson trade certainly did not pay off. Despite carrying a massive dead money charge in the wake of Wilson’s release, though, the Broncos have managed to rebound thanks to Paton’s roster-building moves. Denver reached the playoffs as a No. 7 seed in 2024, and this past campaign saw the team host the AFC title game.
Quarterback Bo Nix‘s ankle injury kept him out of that contest, but expectations will be high in his case individually and that of the Broncos in general for years to come. Paton has managed to retain a strong core on defense and along the offensive line, and he recently swung a deal for receiver Jaylen Waddle. That move should help shore up the receiver position as the Broncos look for more consistent play in the passing game for 2026 and beyond. Attaining that goal should set the team up for another playoff run.
The Broncos’ original long-term investment in Paton provided a strong return. Penner and Co. will hope this second one continues a run of productive moves in the front office. With Payton’s job security certainly not an issue at this point, organizational stability for the foreseeable future can be expected in Denver’s case.
Packers To Release K Brandon McManus
In the wake of Green Bay’s decision to select Trey Smack late in the draft, a kicker competition between he and veteran Brandon McManus seemed to be in store. That will not be the case, however.
The Packers are releasing McManus, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. This move certainly increases the chances of Smack winning the kicker job during training camp. Green Bay does still have Lucas Havrisik in the fold at this time as well, though.
McManus missed only one kick during 11 games with Green Bay in 2024. That strong showing landed him a three-year, $15.3MM deal last offseason. McManus enjoyed another strong showing during the regular season last year, but his outing in the wild-card round left plenty to be desired. Two missed field goals and one wayward extra point attempt loomed large in a four-point Packers loss to the Bears.
That performance led to questions about Green Bay potentially making a change at the position. With Smack now in the fold, the team will indeed move on. Today’s release comes well after McManus had already been paid a $1MM roster bonus. The other guaranteed money remaining on his deal means this cut will produce a dead money charge of $4.33MM and just $945K in cap savings.
McManus served as the Broncos’ kicker from 2014-22. His Denver release resulted in a free agent deal with the Jaguars, but he only wound up spending one year with Jacksonville. An agreement with the Commanders was reached in 2025, but allegations of sexual assault dating back to his Jags tenure resulted in Washington moving on. McManus was not suspended, and he managed to find a new home in Green Bay. Now, though, the 34-year-old will find himself on the move once again.
Most teams have an established kicker in place or at least multiple options this late in the offseason. That could result in a lengthy spell on the open market for McManus. In any case, he will aim to parlay his experience into a new opportunity no later than the start of training camp this summer.
NFL, NFLRA Agree To Seven-Year CBA
10:55pm: As part of the deal, the NFL will have more access to officials during the offseason, Kevin Seifert and Kalyn Kahler of ESPN report. That will enable the NFL to put together “a formal training program during minicamps, training camps and joint practices,” per Seifert and Kahler. The league will also have a bench of officials and “greater latitude” to base postseason assignments on performance instead of seniority. In return, the refs will receive large raises over their 2025 salaries.
12:28pm: The NFL will not turn to replacement officials in 2026. The labor standoff between the league and the NFL Referees Association has come to an end. The sides have reached an agreement on a seven-year CBA that will run through 2032. The league previously proposed a six-year arrangement.
“This agreement is a testament to the joint commitment of the league and union to invest in and improve officiating,” NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent stated. “It also speaks to the game officials’ relentless pursuit of improvement and officiating excellence. We look forward to working together for the betterment of the game.”
Full details on the agreement are not yet available, but the NFL noted that it “covers a wide range of issues including economics, performance, and accountability.” As the league negotiated with the refs, it sought ways to hold “low-performing officials more accountable,” according to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports. Meanwhile, the refs wanted more money in return.
The officials’ vote to approve the deal was nearly unanimous. Just four of 120 refs voted against it, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. Their previous CBA had been set to expire May 31, leaving just three more weeks for the parties to hammer something out. The league had planned to begin hiring replacements in the event it could not find common ground with the NFLRA. It did not come to that, though, and NFLRA president Carl Cheffers is satisfied with the results.
“We’ll see this new CBA as a partnership with the league that benefits our membership but also seeks to make the game better,” Cheffers said. “It is good to get these negotiations behind us so we can focus on preparing for the 2026 season.”
The league most recently employed replacement officials during a referee lockout in 2012. It did not go well, as the game-ending “Fail Mary” play between the Packers and Seahawks remains a punchline 14 years later. They agreed to a new CBA less than a week later.