Browns GM Andrew Berry Not Ruling Out New Deshaun Watson Deal
Between the nature of his Cleveland tenure and the status of his contract, 2026 has long been viewed as Deshaun Watson‘s final Browns season. He would welcome a second contract with the team, though, and the door could be open to such an arrangement.
“I think everything is on the table,” general manager Andrew Berry during an appearance on 92.3 The Fan (video link). “I think it would be silly to go into a season saying, ‘Something absolutely can or cannot happen.’ And I think particularly at the quarterback position, we’ve seen it with guys whether it’s Sam Darnold, or Daniel Jones, or Geno Smith, even Baker [Mayfield] after he left us and Carolina.
“So I think you have to be open-minded and flexible. But I wouldn’t rule out anything. We’re looking for guys who can perform and who can lead.”
Watson, 30, has one year remaining on the fully guaranteed, $230MM contract he signed upon arrival following the blockbuster trade which sent him to Cleveland. That swap saw the Browns part with three first-round picks in addition to the team’s massive financial commitment. Due to the suspension which opened his Cleveland tenure and injuries including two Achilles tears, however, Watson has totaled only 19 starts over the past four years.
The three-time Pro Bowler has not been able to regain his previous form when on the field during that span. Many have therefore anticipated a post-June 1 release taking place next spring, something which would allow the Browns to spread out a hefty dead cap charge across two seasons. An alternative to that plan would of course be a new contract being signed altogether.
The performance of Shedeur Sanders through training camp and beyond in 2026 will be critical in shaping the decision from Berry and Co. The 2024 fifth-rounder has been taking part in a competition with Watson for the QB1 gig. Head coach Todd Monken initially wanted to have clarity atop the depth chart by the end of this week’s minicamp, but the competition will continue through the summer. Sanders doing enough to earn a lengthy first-team opportunity could result in Cleveland parting ways with Watson next year.
On the other hand, Watson winning and retaining the starting spot in 2026 could pave the way for at least the exploration of a new Browns deal. A agreement on that front would no doubt cover a shorter term than his current pact and come at a lower cost, but it would give Cleveland the opportunity to generate value (up to a certain extent) from an investment which has certainly not gone according to plan.
Falcons, Drake London Agree To Extension
JUNE 12: London’s deal is now official, and it includes $83.2MM in new guarantees (h/t Over the Cap). Of that figure, $52.87MM is fully locked in at signing. London will collect a signing bonus of $33.65MM, and his salaries for this season and next are guaranteed in full.
If London remains on Atlanta’s roster for the fourth day of the 2027 league year, his 2028 salary ($36MM) will vest. That rolling guarantee applies to the following year as well. This deal contains multiple option bonuses as well as escalators totaling the $9MM difference between its base and maximum value. London will collect a $2MM roster bonus if he is still in the fold by the third day of the 2030 league year.
JUNE 2: The Falcons have locked in their top receiver for the foreseeable future. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the team has signed Drake London to a four-year extension.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter has the numbers. London’s four-year deal is worth $141MM and could reach $150MM via incentives. London will also earn $100MM in guaranteed money. That $35.25MM average annual salary is the highest in Falcons franchise history.
From a positional standpoint, London’s AAV will rank third behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba ($42.15MM) and Ja’Marr Chase ($40.25MM) and just ahead of Justin Jefferson ($35MM). The $141MM in total value also trails JSN and Chase and barely tops Jefferson’s $140MM. The $100MM in guaranteed money will rank behind all three of those aforementioned WRs and ties CeeDee Lamb for fourth at the position.
The eighth-overall pick in the 2022 draft, it took London a bit to emerge as a top-tier WR. Through his first two seasons, he averaged 70 catches for 885 yards and three touchdowns per season. However, he took his play to another level while receiving passes from Kirk Cousins in 2024. London finished that campaign with 100 catches for 1,271 yards and nine touchdowns. Despite that standout campaign, he didn’t agree to an extension with the Falcons last offseason, even as his fellow 2022 draftee Garrett Wilson received a lucrative new contract from the Jets.
London increase his yards-per-game mark to a career-high 76.6 in 2025. Since he was limited to only 12 games, his counting stats suffered as a result, with the 24-year-old finishing with 68 catches for 919 yards and seven touchdowns. Pro Football Focus still graded London as the league’s fifth-best WR.
This extension means the Falcons can count on some offensive continuity in the coming seasons. The team is currently navigating a QB competition between Michael Penix and Tua Tagovailoa, and that duo will be throwing to a revamped WR depth chart that includes new addition Jahan Dotson and old friend Olamide Zaccheaus. This extension assures London will be present throughout crucial offseason practices.
The Falcons will now turn their attention their other offensive star, as running back Bijan Robinson is also eligible for an extension. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo notes that it was a goal of the front office to extend their two main offensive weapons, and all focus will now turn to the first-team RB. The team could also look to extend tight end Kyle Pitts, who is currently attached to the franchise tag for the 2026 season.
Bills Sign T Jude Bowry, Complete Draft Class Deals
Jude Bowry signed his rookie contract with the Bills on Friday, per a team announcement. As a result, every member of Buffalo’s 2026 draft class is now on the books.
Bowry spent his entire four-year NCAA career at Boston College. That span included 23 starts across 31 games. He spent most of his time on the left side of the offensive line but saw work at both left and right tackle along the way. A role as Buffalo’s swing tackle could be in store upon entry into the NFL for the fourth-rounder.
Longtime blindside blocker Dion Dawkins remains under contract with the Bills for the next two seasons. Right tackle Spencer Brown, meanwhile, has three years remaining on his current deal. A path to a starting role may not open in Bowry’s case for the foreseeable future barring a move to the inside as a result. In any case, he will aim to offer low-cost depth along the offensive line over the course of his four-year rookie pact.
The Bills entered Friday with $9.81MM in cap space. This Bowry signing will not make a considerable impact on that figure, however. As a result, further roster moves – such as the ones worked out yesterday – will still be possible during the period leading up to training camp.
Here is the full breakdown of Buffalo’s 2026 draft class:
- Round 2, No. 35 (from Titans): T.J. Parker (EDGE, Clemson) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 62: Davison Igbinosun (CB, Ohio State) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 102 (from Raiders): Jude Bowry (T, Boston College) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 125 (from Bears via Chiefs and Patriots): Skyler Bell (WR, UConn) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 126: Kaleb Elarms-Orr (LB, TCU) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 167 (from Texans): Jalon Kilgore (S, South Carolina) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 181 (from Lions)*: Zane Durant (DT, Penn State) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 220 (from Jets): Toriano Pride Jr. (CB, Missouri) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 239 (from Eagles via Jaguars, Browns and Bears): Tommy Doman (P, Florida) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 241 (from Bears): Ar’maj Reed-Adams (G, Texas A&M) (signed)
Jonathon Cooper Arrested; Broncos OLB Facing Four New Charges
Jonathon Cooper has been arrested once more. The Broncos edge rusher is now back in Douglas County jail, as detailed by 9News’ Mike Klis.
Cooper was arrested and then booked at 10:07pm Thursday night. Per an earlier 9News report, court documents showed an additional two charges being laid in this case: second-degree assault by strangulation along with third-degree assault – knowingly or recklessly causing bodily injury. As Klis notes, however, Cooper has now also been charged with harassment and with violating a protective order which was issued in the aftermath of his initial arrest. He is due to appear in court today.
“We are disappointed to learn of Jonathon Cooper’s arrest on Thursday and continue to review this matter,” a statement from the Broncos reads (h/t Klis).
An alleged incident involving Cooper and his girlfriend on June 4 resulted in both parties being arrested and facing misdemeanor domestic violence and criminal mischief charges. The second-degree assault charge Cooper now faces is a felony. According to Klis, the officers who arrived on scene decided “there was no probable cause for assault charges” based on the conflicting statements which were given and a lack of physical evidence.
The new charges come after Cooper’s girlfriend gave an account which recalled the confrontation over Cooper’s phone and subsequent events. She alleges Cooper “grabbed [her] by her neck with one hand and lifted her feet off the ground and up against the wall” and kept her there for approximately one minute. It was at that point, per her statement, that Cooper grabbed his phone back. The girlfriend alleges Cooper then “proceeded to pick her up and throw her back on the ground approximately three times” while also punching a wall next to her face.
On Monday, Cooper entered a not guilty plea to the three charges he was facing at the time. The 28-year-old also took to Instagram to apologize for his actions. “This situation is not who I am,” the post reads in part. Cooper has been with the Broncos since 2021, and he has served as a full-time starter for the past three seasons. His extension runs through the 2028 campaign and includes $12MM in scheduled compensation for the coming year.
A motion hearing has been scheduled for July 6, with a trial set to begin on July 22. As is standard practice with domestic violence cases, an investigation by the NFL in advance of any potential supplemental discipline under the personal conduct policy will wait until the legal proceedings have run their course.
Broncos Extend HC Sean Payton
The Broncos have locked up their brain trust for the long haul. After signing general manager George Paton to a five-year extension last month, the team has agreed to a new contract with head coach Sean Payton. He will join Paton in landing a five-year deal, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Paton and Payton are under wraps through 2030.
“Sean Payton has led an impressive turnaround over the past three seasons, instilling a winning culture with high expectations,” Broncos owner and CEO Greg Penner said in a statement announcing the agreement. “I appreciate the close partnership he shares with George Paton along with the alignment and stability across our football operations.”
The offensive-minded Payton has been one of the NFL’s most successful head coaches since he got his first opportunity with the Saints in 2006. Payton held the post in New Orleans for 15 years, during which the Saints went 152-89 in the regular season and earned nine playoff berths. In the greatest achievement of his career, Payton led the Saints to a Super Bowl XLIV victory over the Colts to cap off the 2009 season.
Three years after he hoisted the Lombardi Trophy, Payton served a season-long suspension in 2012 for the Saints’ Bounty scandal. That marred his tenure in New Orleans, but he stuck around for nine more years and guided the team to four seasons of double-digit wins along the way.
Payton stepped away after the Saints went 9-8 and missed the playoffs in 2021, though it was a short-lived exit from the sidelines. The Dolphins pursued a Payton-quarterback Tom Brady package in the subsequent offseason, but Brian Flores’ racial discrimination lawsuit (which is still ongoing) foiled their plans. A year later, Payton interviewed for head coaching jobs with the Broncos, Cardinals, Panthers and Texans. With the Saints still holding his rights, hiring Payton would have meant giving up compensation for his services. Denver ultimately ponied up for Payton, whom it acquired from New Orleans for a first- and second-round pick.
The Broncos were stuck in a seven-year playoff drought when they brought in Payton, who was unable to lead them to an immediate turnaround. Payton did not form a connection with former star quarterback Russell Wilson during an 8-9 showing in 2023. The Broncos were so down on Wilson that they released him in March 2024 at the cost of a whopping $85MM in dead money, which they spread over two seasons.
With Wilson out of the picture, the Broncos experienced a revival under rookie quarterback Bo Nix in 2024. Taken 12th overall in the draft, Nix teamed with a ferocious defense to help the Broncos go 10-7 and reach the playoffs for the first time 2015. The Bills knocked the Broncos out of the wild-card round, but Payton, Nix and the defense went on to make even more progress last season.
Not only did the Broncos end the Chiefs’ nine-year run atop the AFC West in 2025, but they earned the top seed in the conference on the strength of a 14-3 record. After a first-round bye, the Broncos got revenge on the Bills in a 33-30 overtime win in the divisional round. However, it was a Pyrrhic victory for the Broncos, who lost Nix to a season-ending ankle injury on the second-last play of the game. They hosted the AFC championship game a week later, but with backup QB Jarrett Stidham at the helm, their offense struggled on a snowy afternoon in a 10-7 loss to the Patriots.
Although last season did not end on a high note, the Broncos will enter 2026 on the shortlist of Super Bowl contenders. For the first time, though, Payton will not serve as his team’s primary offensive play caller. The 62-year-old handed off those duties to offensive coordinator Davis Webb, who is considered one of the league’s top up-and-coming assistants. With Webb’s help, Payton will continue to climb the all-time wins list this season. He will head into 2026 with 184, which ranks 13th. Payton will eventually become the ninth head coach to reach 200.
Rams Offered First-Round Pick For A.J. Brown; Latest On WR’s Issues With Jalen Hurts
The Patriots’ trade for A.J. Brown was more than a year in the making.
New England checked in on the star wide receiver multiple times in 2025, per Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, including during the offseason and around the trade deadline. The Eagles initially lacked interest in a deal, but by the end of the season, Brown wanted out of Philadelphia.
His frustrations with the offense had mounted over the past two years. In that span, the unit averaged just 206.3 passing yards per game, the third-fewest in the NFL. Of particular concern was Jalen Hurts‘ “perceived reluctance to target Brown on tight-window throws against zone coverage,” according to ESPN.
Former Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin once said that he wants “volunteers, not hostages,” in response to a question about All-Pro running Le’Veon Bell‘s holdout. The phrase tends to hold true around the NFL, especially for players like Brown who are unafraid to cryptically or explicitly express their feelings about their situations. After he decided he no longer wanted to be an Eagle, the team was more open to a trade when the Patriots re-engaged at the Combine.
Philadelphia still demanded a hefty asking price – “a first-rounder plus another high-end pick,” per Breer – though the team did not seek a second first-round selection in the deal. A soft trade market drove down the price. Brown listed New England among his four preferred landing spots in the AFC. Neither the Chiefs nor the Chargers made headway towards a deal, and the Bills filled their wide receiver need by acquiring D.J. Moore from the Bears.
The Eagles considered sending Brown to an NFC team – and not just any NFC team, but one already seen as an early Super Bowl favorite. The Rams offered a 2028 first-rounder, but the deal failed to materialize due to medical concerns about Brown’s degenerative knee condition. Los Angeles also intended to move Davante Adams to open up more targets in their offense, but that trade was scuttled, too.
Philadelphia’s willingness to take a 2028 first opened a door with the Patriots, who wanted to hang onto their first-round pick in what is expected to be a strong 2027 draft. Both sides were confident enough in a deal by the 2026 draft in April that they acted as though the trade was already done. The Eagles added a trio of veteran receivers (Elijah Moore, Marquise Brown, and Dontayvion Wicks) and traded up for USC’s Makai Lemon in the first round. The Patriots declined to select a wideout at all.
Completing the trade after June 1 had long been a financial requirement for the Eagles. Once that date came, the two sides got together to hammer out the final terms of the deal, which included a 2027 fifth-rounder heading from New England to Philly.
The Patriots will be hoping that Brown can quickly build (and maintain) a rapport with quarterback Drake Maye to avoid similar issues to those he had with Hurts. The Eagles, meanwhile, seem to intend to replace Brown in the aggregate, at least right away. No single one of the receivers they added this offseason can replace his production and impact right away – though they likely expect Lemon to get there eventually – but combined, they offer significantly more depth than Philadelphia previously had at the position.
Panthers, Jalen Coker Agree To Extension
Jalen Coker will remain a key part of the Panthers offense for the foreseeable future. The organization agreed to terms with the wide receiver on an extension today, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Coker’s new contract will be worth $35MM over three seasons, per Rapoport. The contract could reach $41MM via incentives. Coker was set to be an exclusive rights free agent following the 2026 season and a restricted free agent following the 2027 campaign.
Despite a prolific showing in the Patriot League, the Holy Cross product went undrafted in the 2024 draft. He quickly caught on with the Panthers as a UDFA but wasn’t part of the team’s initial 2024 53-man roster. He earned a promotion to the active roster in late September, and he’s played a significant role in Carolina’s offense ever since.
Coker emerged as one of Bryce Young‘s preferred targets as a rookie, when he finished with 32 catches for 478 yards and two touchdowns. The start of his sophomore season was delayed by a quad injury, but he returned in October and proceeded to haul in another 33 catches for 394 yards and three touchdowns. Coker also had a standout showing in the Panthers’ playoff loss, hauling in nine catches for 134 yards and a touchdown.
While his counting stats took a step back in 2025, Coker improved his success rate from 58.7 percent to 67.4 percent. Pro Football Focus was fond of his performance, ranking him 32nd among 128 qualifying wideouts. The website also lauded the receiver for his pass-blocking ability.
This extension means the Panthers will have the top of their WR depth chart locked in through at least through the 2028 campaign. The organization used first-round picks at the position in both 2024 (Xavier Legette) and 2025 (Tetairoa McMillan), and they spent this offseason adding veteran John Metchie and rookie third-round pick Chris Brazzell II to their receivers room.
Falcons To Acquire T Wanya Morris From Chiefs
11:20pm: The Falcons have placed Norton on the reserve/PUP list. While they did not disclose a reason for the move, it may have something to do with the ankle injury that kept Norton out for all of 2025. The Falcons designated Norton to return from IR in late October, but they did not activate him during his 21-day window.
1:00pm: The Chiefs are trading offensive tackle Wanya Morris to the Falcons, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports. Along with Morris, the Chiefs will send a 2027 seventh-round pick to the Falcons for a ’27 sixth-rounder, according to veteran insider Jordan Schultz.
This deal comes just two days after Fowler reported the Chiefs and Morris agreed to pursue trade options. The Chiefs spent a third-round pick on Morris in 2023, but the 6-foot-6, 307-pounder did not develop as hoped in his three years with the team. He made just 16 starts in 43 games, including only one in 12 appearances in 2025. The Chiefs will move on with Josh Simmons at left tackle and a right tackle competition that includes Jaylon Moore, Esa Pole, Matt Waletzko and undrafted rookie Kahlil Benson.
While Morris has professional experience at both tackle spots, the majority of his work has come on the left side. He started a career-high 11 times on the blindside in 2024, his lone 17-game season, though Pro Football Focus ranked his performance a lowly 70th among 81 qualifiers.
Barring an injury to stalwart left tackle Jake Matthews, who has missed just one game in his 12-year career, Morris will not see much action there in Atlanta. His best path to playing time is on the right, where the Falcons unexpectedly lost Kaleb McGary to retirement in April. They immediately brought in former Chief Jawaan Taylor, whom Morris has been teammates with for his entire career, on a one-year, $5MM pact to replace McGary.
As a full-time starter since he entered the NFL in 2019, the 28-year-old Taylor is the obvious favorite to serve as the Falcons’ No. 1 right tackle this season. Morris will join Storm Norton, Michael Jerrell and Jack Nelson to give the Falcons more experienced depth behind Matthews and Taylor.
NFC Front Office Moves: Bucs, Bears, Cards, Saints, Commanders
The Buccaneers made a number of promotions in their front office this week, per a team announcement, including a title bump for former linebacker and longtime executive Shelton Quarles.
Quarles, 54, played in Tampa Bay from 1997 to 2006 with a Pro Bowl campaign as part of the Bucs’ 2002 Super Bowl run. He was released after a failed physical in 2007 and moved to the front office. He rose through the pro scouting department and was named director in 2012 with a promotion to director of football operations in 2014. He remained in that role for a decade and added ‘senior’ to his title last year. This latest promotion makes Quarles the vice president of the team’s football operations department.
Andy Speyer is entering his 14th season as a national scout with the Buccaneers, and he will now do so with ‘senior’ affixed to the start of his title. He came up in the Eagles’ organization, starting as a pro personnel intern in 2002 and spending the following 11 years in various scouting roles. In Tampa Bay, he has focused on prospects west of the Mississippi River; among his hits in recent draft classes are offensive linemen Cody Mauch, tight end Cade Otton, running back Bucky Irving, and cornerback Zyon McCollum This year, the Bucs drafted Arizona State wide receiver Ted Hurst, Missouri linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, and LSU tight end Bauer Sharp out of Speyer’s region.
The Buccaneers have also promoted Adam Pinkoski from assistant director of performance science to director of data science and innovation. He arrived in Tampa Bay in 2023 to help build the sports science department and will now expand his analytics work beyond player health and performance into football operations. The team is also promoting Peighton Roth, who started as a team operations intern in 2021 and earned a full-time scouting coordinator job the following year. She will now serve as the manager of football administration and scouting operations.
- The Bears promoted Nick Papagno from NFS scout to Midlands area scout, per his LinkedIn. Prior to his arrival in Chicago, he spent three years in the Raiders’ front office.
- The Cardinals promoted Tyler Haskins from scouting assistant to pro scout, per InsideTheLeague’s Neil Stratton. Haskins’ previous role will be filled by former Alabama recruiting specialist Colton Hill, Stratton adds.
- The Saints scouting department has grown by two. Kai Saunders and Will Whisenhunt, another ex-Alabama recruiter, have come aboard as assistants (via Stratton)
- The Commanders are retaining 2025 Nunn-Wooten fellow and former Saints linebacker Andrew Dowell as a full-time scouting assistant, per ESPN’s John Keim. Joining the team in similar roles are John Waters, who was most recently the director of scouting at the University of New Mexico, and Keenan Guthrie, a former University of Northern Colorado linebacker.
Vikings Make Front Office Changes
With Nolan Teasley in place as the new Vikings general manager, the front office is undergoing some significant changes. Most notably, the organization has parted ways with assistant general manager Demitrius Washington, according to Alec Lewis of The Athletic. ESPN’s Kevin Seifert clarifies that Washington requested and received permission to pursue opportunities elsewhere.
[RELATED: Vikings Hire Nolan Teasley As GM]
Washington made a name for himself as a member of the 49ers front office, where he worked his way up to the role of Manager of Football Research and Development. Coincidently, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah previously held that same role in San Francisco, and the executive brought his successor to Minnesota after being named GM in 2022. Washington spent the past four years with the Vikings, and there’s a chance he lands back with the 49ers, especially after Adofo-Mensah returned to San Francisco following his Minnesota ouster.
The Vikings moved on from a handful of other front office executives, per Lewis: senior personnel executive Jamaal Stephenson, assistant director of college scouting Pat Roberts, and pro scout Salli Clavelle. Stephenson had been in Minnesota since 2002, serving as the director of college scouting before earning a promotion to co-director of player personnel. Roberts also had a lengthy tenure with the organization, where he climbed the ladder to become the assistant director of college scouting in 2022.
Clavelle followed a similar path as Washington, as she was brought over from San Francisco following Adofo-Mensah’s hire. She was previously a college scout with the 49ers before taking on a similar role in Minnesota.
As Lewis points out, Teasley’s approach is significantly different than when Adofo-Mensah took over as GM in 2022. The previous GM wanted to “maintain the structure of the previous staff,” leading to few departures and only a handful of thoughtful additions. The new GM did laud the Vikings’ “strong football evaluation” team during his introductory press conference, so perhaps this is the extent of notable subtractions from the staff.