As the preseason winds down around the NFL, key roster decisions loom. The past seven days have seen several key developments with numerous players landing contracts, extensions or clarity pertaining to where they will start the campaign on their respective teams’ depth chart. In case you missed any of the top stories from this week, here is a quick recap:
- Humphrey Agrees To Historic Chiefs Extension: Kansas City’s efforts to get extensions done with a few members of the team’s young core resulted in Creed Humphrey agreeing to a long-term deal. His four-year, $72MM pact represents by far the most lucrative commitment for a center in league history. The previous benchmark in terms of AAV was $13.5MM, so Humphrey’s $18MM figure will no doubt move the position’s market upward in the future. The 25-year-old will collect $50MM in guarantees on his new contract, which has him tied to the Chiefs through 2028. A Pro Bowler in each of the past two seasons, Humphrey has lived up to expectations so far and cemented himself as one of the top centers in the league; he will remain an anchor of the Chiefs’ offensive line for the foreseeable future.
- Falcons Extend Terrell: After making a pair of notable defensive additions last week, the Falcons checked an in-house piece of business off their to-do list. Atlanta inked cornerback A.J. Terrell to a four-year, $81MM extension which took the place of his fifth-year option. The 2021 second-team All-Pro secured $42.34MM fully guaranteed, and he will remain an staple of Atlanta’s secondary through 2028. Terrell, 25, now sits second in the league in terms of annual average compensation for corners ($20.25MM), and his deal is the largest one worked out this offseason at the position. Questions remain regarding the long-term future of the Falcons’ other CB spots, but the top of the depth chart is secure for years to come.
- Minshew Wins Raiders’ QB Competition: One of 2024’s true quarterback competitions saw Gardner Minshew vying for the Raiders’ starting gig against Aidan O’Connell. After evaluating both in training camp and the preseason, it was the veteran who got the nod for Week 1. Minshew landed $25MM on a two-year deal in free agency, but he had ground to make up on O’Connell upon arrival in Vegas. He has far more experience (37 career starts), though, and superior mobility helped him land atop the depth chart. Minshew mainly handled backup duties following his two seasons with the Jaguars, but in 2023 he took over as the Colts’ starter after Anthony Richardson was injured early in the season. That spell did not include high-end efficiency, but it kept Indianapolis in contention for a playoff spot. A repeat from the 28-year-old could produce similar results for the Raiders.
- Gilmore Joins Vikings: Another of the league’s top free agents came off the market when Stephon Gilmore took a one-year deal with the Vikings. The former Defensive Player of the Year received $7MM guaranteed, and he has the potential to earn $10MM in Minnesota. Gilmore, 33, received an offer from the Panthers but elected to head to the NFC North on his latest deal. Cornerback has been a position marked with questions for the Vikings stemming in large part from Khyree Jackson’s death and Mekhi Blackmon’s ACL tear. Gilmore will offer plenty of experience in the secondary, and his play with the Cowboys last season demonstrated his ability to remain a full-time starter. Minnesota represents his fifth different team in as many seasons, and Gilmore’s market will again be dictated by his play on a short-term accord.
- Broncos’ Nix Becomes Latest Rookie Starter: It came as no surprise when Caleb Williams (Bears) and Jayden Daniels (Commanders) were named as their teams’ Week 1 starters under center. Bo Nix faced a different path to the QB1 spot, but strong showings in training camp and the preseason earned him the gig. A veteran of a record-breaking 61 college starts, the Auburn and Oregon product was seen as being more pro-ready than many (if not all) of his draft classmates. Head coach Sean Payton was high on Nix during the pre-draft process, and Denver’s decision to select him at No. 12 confirmed he would take over as starter at some point relatively soon. Attention will now turn to how the Broncos proceed with returnee Jarrett Stidham and spring trade acquisition Zach Wilson at the other quarterback spots.