2025 February - Pro Football Rumors

Month: March 2025

Top Michigan Prospects Won’t Work Out At Combine

February 27th, 2025 at 12:58pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Two top prospects from Michigan – cornerback Will Johnson and defensive tackle Kenneth Grant – will not work out at the Combine, per ESPN’s Jordan Reid and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Fellow Wolverine Mason Graham will only participate in the bench press, according to Rapoport.

Graham opted out of his workout, while Grant was diagnosed with a hamstring strain during Combine medical evaluations. Johnson missed the second half of the season with turf toe and is waiting until Michigan’s pro day to return to the field. He will be joined by Graham and Grant, and all three are expected to go in the first-round of April’s draft.

Johnson, Graham, and Grant join a growing list of players who are not working out at the Combine. Some, including Michigan teammate Colston Loveland, cannot participate due to medical reasons. Other top prospects like Travis Hunter are simply opting out.

Graham is the fourth-ranked prospect on Daniel Jeremiah’s pre-combine big board after three excellent seasons at Michigan. He is projected to be the first defensive tackle taken in the draft, with Grant battling for DT2 with a few other players. Johnson is among the top cornerbacks in the draft, but will need to prove that he’s healthy after last year’s absence.

The three Wolverines were major contributors to Michigan’s top-ranked defense in 2023 en route to a national championship. The team took a step back in 2024, but all three players still showed that they’re ready for the NFL.

2025 Salary Cap Set At $279.2MM

February 27th, 2025 at 12:38pm CST by Adam La Rose

With the new league year not far away, teams have found out exactly what the cap ceiling is for the coming campaign. The NFL and NFLPA have arrived at a 2025 cap of $279.2MM, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. The league has since confirmed the news.

In December, clubs were planning on seeing a jump to the $265MM-$275MM range. More recently, a league memo made it clear a larger increase was coming. The 2025 cap was known to be checking in between $277.5MM and $281.5MM as of last week, and now a final figure has emerged. This represents another new water mark in spending limits as the NFL’s revenue continues to soar.

Last year saw a record jump in the salary cap, as it spiked by $30.6MM to $255.4MM. This time around, a $23.8MM increase will give teams more spending power on the open market and a stronger chance of retaining pending free agents. For the top players set to become available next month in particular, today’s news confirms that lucrative new deals await them.

The 2011 CBA brought about gradual growth in the cap compared to the spikes seen since the ratification of a new collective bargaining agreement in 2020. The pandemic led to a temporary drop in the cap ceiling, but since then the league has seen considerable jumps on an annual basis. The expansion of the regular season to 17 games and adding two contests to wild-card weekend have played key roles, of course. The same is also true for the NFL’s new media rights deals and the revenue brought in from gambling.

The quarterback, receiver and defensive tackle markets have surged recently in response to the regular jumps in the cap. As things stand, Justin Jefferson is the league’s top earner for non-quarterbacks at $35MM per year, but Ja’Marr Chase could overtake him soon. The edge rush position will be worth watching as the 2025 offseason unfolds; Micah Parsons is set to ink a monster Cowboys extension, while the likes of Myles Garrett (with the Browns or an acquiring team), T.J. Watt (Steelers) and Trey Hendrickson (Bengals) are in line to receive notable raises on their next pacts.

Now that the 2025 figure is known, here is a look at how the cap has risen since 2011:

2011: $120.4MM
2012: $120.6MM
2013: $123.6MM
2014: $133MM
2015: $143.3MM
2016: $155.3MM
2017: $167MM
2018: $177.2MM
2019: $188.2MM
2020: $198.2MM
2021: $182.5MM
2022: $208.2MM
2023: $224.8MM
2024: $255.4MM
2025: $279.2MM

Travis Hunter Will Not Work Out At Combine

February 27th, 2025 at 12:02pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Travis Hunter was listed with the wide receivers and the defensive backs on the NFL’s Combine invite list, but he won’t be participating in drills for either position this week, per the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson.

His decision continues a trend of Combine opt-outs in recent years, a list that includes Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers in 2024. Players that are already projected to go in the top 10 have less to gain and more to lose by working out alongside their peers. A slow 40-yard dash or even worse, an injury, could tank their stock and cost them millions of dollars. Instead, Hunter will wait until Colorado’s pro day (date TBD) to showcase his athletic skills and technique on both sides of the ball.

Teams are split on Hunter’s position in the NFL. Some see him primarily as a receiver, while others see him as a cornerback who can play in certain packages on offense. Hunter has met with teams in both camps, per CBS Sports’ Aditi Kinkhabwala, but he does not have a preference for either position. He wants to continue playing both ways full-time as he did in college, something he reiterated at his podium session.

Positional drills and athletic testing for receivers and defensive backs take place on back-to-back days at the Combine. They’re not physically taxing compared to a live game, but the visual of Hunter participating in both sets of workouts could emphasize his potential as a two-way player, especially to front offices who are not yet sold on the concept.

However, flipping from receiver to cornerback within the span of a few hours at Colorado’s pro day could have an even more pronounced effect. Hunter will also be able to catch passes from longtime teammate Shedur Sanders as opposed to a rotation of quarterbacks throwing at the Combine.

Giants Speak With Matthew Stafford’s Camp; Raiders Will Not Face Tampering Charges

February 27th, 2025 at 11:22am CST by Adam La Rose

A quartet of teams was recently mentioned as suitors to watch for on the Matthew Stafford trade front. The Giants and Raiders in particular have shown strong interest, and a bidding war could ensue as a result.

The Giants met with Stafford’s representatives at the Combine on Tuesday night, Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post reports. That comes as no surprise given the interest the team has shown dating back to at least the 2024 trade deadline. General manager Joe Schoen has made it clear adding multiple quarterbacks (including, quite possibly, acquiring a veteran and then selecting a rookie early in the draft) is a priority this offseason.

Dealing the No. 3 pick in April’s draft is not on the table, but the Giants could look to put together a package built around other compensation. Confirming the Giants-Stafford meeting, a report from Dianna Russini, Tashan Reed, Jourdan Rodrigue and Vic Tafur of The Athletic notes Los Angeles would likely ask for a second-round selection and more if a Day 1 pick becomes unattainable (subscription required). The Giants are on track to own seven other 2025 picks, including No. 34.

Stafford is known to be seeking a new Rams pact averaging $50MM per year, but the team is not prepared to meet that asking price. Head coach Sean McVay has made it clear the team’s preference would be for the Super Bowl winner to play a fifth season in Los Angeles. While his camp has permission to seek out a trade partner, Stafford has not asked to be dealt to a new team.

The Raiders have of course already been in contact with Stafford himself speaking with minority owner Tom Brady. The details on the encounter have been disputed, but concerns about tampering can be put to rest. A league spokesperson informed Outkick’s Armando Salguero the NFL is satisfied tampering did not occur when Brady and Stafford met. Especially since the Rams have allowed conversations to take place regarding a trade deal as well as a contract from a (hypothetical) acquiring team, similar discussions can be expected over the coming days.

Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer predicts this situation will be resolved one way or another relatively soon. The Rans will of course need to know if their 37-year-old passer will remain in place for another year or if a successor will need to be acquired this offseason. Suitors like the Giants and Raiders (along with the previously-mentioned Browns and Steelers) will also build their offseason plans on whether or not a Stafford swap can be worked out. As the Combine continues, traction on a potential deal could continue to be gained with respect to New York and/or Las Vegas in particular.

Buccaneers Meet With Lavonte David; LB Drawing Outside Interest

February 27th, 2025 at 10:01am CST by Adam La Rose

Retirement was on the table last year for Lavonte David, but he ultimately signed a one-year deal to continue his decorated Buccaneers career. It remains to be seen if he will play in 2025.

A report from last month indicated David is likely to hang up his cleats. No final decision has been made yet, though, and the door is still open for another Tampa Bay campaign in his case. Bovada’s Josina Anderson reports the Bucs met with David’s agent yesterday at the Combine, adding the team is prepared to give him time to weigh his options.

The 13-year veteran has been a mainstay on the Buccaneers’ defense since his arrival, and David remained productive in 2024 (122 tackles, 5.5 sacks, three forced fumbles). He could very well find himself in the team’s plans as a result; Anderson notes the talks were “positive.” Given David’s age (35), though, Tampa Bay will need to find a long-term linebacker successor in the near future, especially since Devin White did not develop as hoped prior to his 2024 free agent departure.

Losing David to retirement would deal a blow to the second level of Tampa Bay’s defense, but the possibility of a departure on the open market exists as well. Per Anderson, other teams are gauging the former Pro Bowler’s interest in playing elsewhere in 2025. Prior to signing his most recent Bucs pact, David gave thought no only to retiring but also to joining a different team for the first time in his career. It will be interesting to see how things play out in the near future.

No timeline is in place for the Super Bowl LV winner to make a call on his 2025 intentions, but the Buccaneers will no doubt want to know his plans before the start of the new league year next month. Tampa Bay is currently projected to have roughly $8.4MM in cap space once free agency begins, and a portion of that figure will be needed to retain David once again or add a veteran tasked with filling a starting role in the event he is no longer with the team next year.

Ravens K Justin Tucker Addresses Latest Sexual Misconduct Allegations

February 27th, 2025 at 9:15am CST by Adam La Rose

A second wave of accusations against Justin Tucker has brought the total number of women alleging sexual misconduct at massage therapy sessions to 16. The Ravens’ kicker has denied any wrongdoing already, and his second set of public remarks on the matter repeat that stance.

“I maintain I did not act inappropriately at any point before, during, or after a professional bodywork treatment session, nor have I ever been told I am unwelcome at any massage therapy provider,” Tucker’s most recent statement reads in part (via Outkick.com). “Throughout the last four weeks, I have spent countless hours replaying every interaction I have had with bodywork professionals over the last thirteen years. I can assure whoever is reading this that I have never intended to disrespect anyone, cross any boundary, or make anyone feel uncomfortable in any way whatsoever.”

Earlier this month, a report from the Baltimore Banner publicized allegations of inappropriate conduct on Tucker’s part during message sessions from 2012-16. Tucker unequivocally denied the claims, doing so again when another three therapists made similar accusations. No criminal investigation has been opened, and no civil claims have been filed.

Tucker’s attorneys have pushed back against the claims he was banned from a number of Baltimore-are spas in response to the alleged misconduct. A reply from the law firm representing many of the accusers says: “We do not represent the spa owners, only the affected therapists. Whether the owners acted appropriately and in protection of their respective employees when faced with complaints is a question better directed to the them”

In recent days, the NFL opened its own probe to investigate a potential personal conduct policy violation; interviews with the accusers have begun and will continue in the near future. When addressing the subject at the Combine earlier this week, general manager Eric DeCosta said the Ravens will wait for that process to unfold before making a decision on Tucker’s future with the team. The five-time All-Pro has spent his entire 13-year career in Baltimore.

Head coach John Harbaugh said at the Combine (via NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo) the Ravens are evaluating kicker prospects, noting the team intended to do so before the Tucker allegations went public. Given the 2010s All-Decade Team member’s age (35) and struggles early in the campaign (resulting in a field goal accuracy rate of 73.3%, by far the lowest of his career) it would not come as a shock if the Ravens elected to move on this offseason. Three years remain on Tucker’s contract; releasing him with a post-June 1 designation would yield $4.2MM in cap savings while generating $2.87MM in dead money.

Abdul Carter Has Stress Reaction In Foot, Will Not Undergo Surgery

February 27th, 2025 at 8:25am CST by Ben Levine

FEBRUARY 27: Further testing has revealed that surgery is not advised, Schefter notes in an update. As a result, Carter will indeed work out at his Pro Day in advance of hearing his name called early on Day 1 of the draft.

FEBRUARY 26: Abdul Carter won’t participate at this week’s NFL Scouting Combine, and it was assumed the blue-chip prospect was simply saving his energy for Penn State’s Pro Day. Instead, the projected first-overall pick may skip all workouts as he deals with a foot injury that could require surgery.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Carter underwent tests today that revealed a stress reaction in his right foot. The prospect is considering “pre-emptive surgery” that would result in a screw being inserted in the foot. That route would require about eight weeks of recovery, which at the very least would put Carter’s availability for the start of rookie minicamp in doubt.

Alternatively, Carter could skip the surgery. Schefter hints that the edge rusher could still participate at Penn State’s Pro Day later this week and “prove to NFL teams that he doesn’t need [surgery].” Carter, his family, and his agents consulted with doctors today to “gather more information,” and there’s an expectation that the player’s camp will make a decision later this week (per Schefter).

“There are mixed opinions on whether he needs surgery, and we will figure that out in the near future,” Carter’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told Schefter.

Carter already entered the pre-draft process with an injury, as the defending Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year was nursing a shoulder injury he suffered in Penn State’s playoff game versus Boise State. Carter recently stated that he’s back to around 90 percent health, and Rosenhaus recently sent a memo to NFL teams stating that the player has been cleared to resume training.

Even with the growing list of injury concerns, Carter isn’t expected to see a hit to his draft stock. Along with Travis Hunter, Carter was considered one of the draft’s two elite prospects, and teams will gamble on the pass-rushing upside despite any injury concerns. Rosenhaus said as much when speaking with reporters.

“Either way, worst case scnario, we don’t expect this to impact where he is drafted,” Rosenhaus said. “After visiting with teams this week, I believe he’s going to be the No. 1 overall pick. “

Tom Brady Ramps Up Raiders’ Pursuit Of Matthew Stafford

February 26th, 2025 at 11:01pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Matthew Stafford saga is growing more complicated by the hour, with multiple (and conflicting) reports of Tom Brady meeting with Stafford on a recent ski trip in Montana.

It was originally reported that Brady had reached out to Stafford about joining the Raiders, but subsequent reporting has provided more clarity on the situation.

Brady hosted Stafford in Montana as part of his ongoing efforts to recruit the veteran quarterback to Las Vegas, who are expected to be “the most aggressive suitor,” per FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz. That report was disputed by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, who said that Brady and Stafford “ran into each other” in an unplanned meeting. Schultz followed up on his original report, adding that “Brady has been leading the charge to get him to the Raiders if the Rams decide to trade him.”

Since Stafford has been given permission to speak with other teams, it’s unlikely that Brady’s actions would run afoul of the NFL’s anti-tampering rules. If Brady’s contact came before the Rams granted that permission, though, the Raiders could face an investigation and potential discipline for the infraction. The Falcons forfeited a fifth-round pick and paid a $250K fine for tampering with multiple free agents last year. Chief among them was another veteran quarterback: Kirk Cousins.

Stafford’s agent, Jimmy Sexton, has also been meeting with interested teams at the Combine this week, including the Giants, according to Schultz and The Athletic’s Dan Duggan. The Giants have been repeatedly linked to Stafford, even dating back to the 2024 trade deadline. While they may not be willing to deal the No. 3 overall pick to acquire the veteran quarterback, general manager Joe Schoen has made it clear that finding a new quarterback is his priority this offseason.

The Stafford situation remains fluid. Sean McVay expressed his desire to retain his Super Bowl-winning quarterback, but other teams are clearly circling. After assessing his market, Stafford will likely give the Rams a chance to meet his financial demands. If they refuse, he seems poised to force his way out of Los Angeles, with Las Vegas and New York leading the list of potential destinations.

Aaron Rodgers Eyeing Rams, Aiming To Continue Playing With Davante Adams?

February 26th, 2025 at 11:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

Set to be released from his Jets contract soon, Aaron Rodgers must wait until March 12 before becoming a free agent. Because the Jets are planning to designate him as a post-June 1 cut, no official release can take place until the start of the 2025 league year. In the meantime, however, the future Hall of Fame quarterback can survey the landscape.

One place that would understandably generate interest: Los Angeles. Rodgers indeed is believed to be eyeing a Rams fit, according to the New York Daily News’ Pat Leonard. This is contingent upon the Rams following through with a Matthew Stafford trade. While Stafford and the Rams look to find a solution on his contract, a handful of teams have come up as destinations for the 37-year-old passer.

Rodgers is now 41 and not in the same form Stafford is. That said, he still played 17 games for the Jets and finished with 28 touchdown passes compared to 11 interceptions (albeit at just 6.7 yards per attempt). The former Packers superstar has not closely reminded fans of his MVP form, but he would be an upgrade for teams in need at the position. While teams like the Steelers, Browns and Raiders would come to mind as potential fits — particularly Pittsburgh and Cleveland due to the AFC North teams’ roster talent — the Rams have presented an optimal fit for quarterbacks since Sean McVay arrived in 2017.

Rodgers led the way to the Jets acquiring several of his ex-Green Bay teammates, with OC Nathaniel Hackett also owing his status in New York to his former Packers pupil. If Rodgers commits to playing a 21st season (a direction he is leaning), Leonard writes he would want to bring Davante Adams with him once again. The Jets gave up a third-round pick for Adams, and while that did not reignite last season’s edition, the former All-Pro did outperform Amari Cooper and DeAndre Hopkins; he just did so for a 5-12 team.

The four-time MVP has a home in Los Angeles, and Adams has been tied to seeking a West Coast fit. The Rams came up as a potential destination, adding some intrigue here. It is not certain the Rams would want Rodgers, who does bring some baggage at this point in his career. A scenario in which the Rams move off Stafford and add Rodgers on the cheap could appeal to the NFC West club, but counting on a 40-something passer who suffered an Achilles tear in September 2023 would not be for everyone. If the Rams do pull the trigger on moving Stafford, though, they would obviously want a path to a starter-caliber quarterback to help sustain their playoff status.

Jets GM Darren Mougey did not indicate which way the team was leaning with Adams, only saying he is still at Jet at this time. But the team will not pay the accomplished wideout a $35.6MM base salary. The Jets are expected to move on soon, and they would not need to wait until June 1 with Adams. Cutting the 32-year-old performer would save the team $29.9MM.

The Rams signing off on the same Rodgers-Adams package the Jets are jettisoning would be interesting, given the team’s status as a perennial (save for an injury-ravaged 2022 season) contender. After all, the team is preparing to move on from its own 30-something receiver — Cooper Kupp. But it would appear Rodgers is closely monitoring the Stafford situation just in case the Rams would be interested in being his third NFL employer.

49ers Begin Extension Talks With Brock Purdy, George Kittle

February 26th, 2025 at 10:58pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

49ers general manager John Lynch said that the team has started negotiating a long-term extension with Brock Purdy, per The Athletic’s Matt Barrows.

“We want Brock to be our quarterback as long as we’re here,” said Lynch at the Combine.

Purdy is entering the final year of his contract as one of the best stories in the NFL in recent history. He was the last pick in the 2022 NFL draft and shocked the league by taking over the 49ers’ starting quarterback job in as a rookie.

San Francisco won his first seven starts – five in the regular season and two in the playoffs – before losing in the NFC championship game, and Purdy finished third in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting. In 2023, Purdy led the league with a 113.0 passer rating on his way to a Pro Bowl selection and a fourth-place finish in MVP voting. His play took a step back in 2024, though most of his supporting cast dealt with injuries throughout the season.

Purdy has done all of that on one of the cheapest contracts in the NFL, earning just $2.6MM over the last three seasons, per OverTheCap. Player performance escalators will allow him to double that in 2024 with a $5.2MM base salary, which is still far below the market rate for a starting quarterback. He could be looking for upwards of $50MM per year on an extension to join the upper echelon of quarterback contracts.

The 49ers have repeatedly stated their intention to secure Purdy as their long-term signal-caller, though previous reports indicate that they may not be willing to reset the market for the former Mr. Irrelevant.

“He’s played really well. We know that,” continued Lynch (via ESPN’s Nick Wagoner). “We have every intention of making him our guy.”

Lynch also said that the team has discussed an extension with tight end George Kittle, per Wagoner. Kittle is entering the final season of his contract with a $22MM cap hit. The 49ers have plenty of cap space, so extending Kittle to free up money isn’t an immediate priority, but the team would like to keep him past 2025 — his age-32 season.

Kittle is putting together a Hall of Fame resume, becoming one of the best all-around tight ends in modern NFL history. His five-year, $75MM extension set the market in 2020, and the position has not moved far past that by 2025. T.J. Hockenson had the bar only at $16.5MM per year exiting the 2023 season, and the Chiefs’ raise for Travis Kelce (up to $17.13MM AAV) illustrates how little growth the TE market has made — especially when compared to the booming WR landscape. Kittle has stayed mostly healthy over his second contract as well, putting himself in good position to cash in on a big-ticket third contract as well.

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