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Cowboys To Extend FB Hunter Luepke

September 3rd, 2025 at 8:44am CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Cowboys are signing fullback Hunter Luepke to a two-year contract extension, according to Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.

The deal is worth a maximum value of $7.5MM and includes more than $5MM in fully guaranteed money, per Garafolo, representing a significant raise over the three-year, $2.715MM contract Luepke signed as an undrafted free agent in 2023 (via OverTheCap). He made the 53-man roster as a rookie and appeared in all 17 regular-season games, primarily on special teams. He expanded his role in 2024, more than doubling his snap count as a key blocker for the Cowboys offense.

While the base value of Luepke’s extension has yet to be reported, it should place him among the top five fullbacks in terms of APY. He was headed into a contract year with the potential for a RFA tag next offseason. The lowest tag number is projected to be a non-guaranteed $3.453MM (via OTC), so the Cowboys gave Luepke some extra guarantees in exchange for two years of team control at a reasonable cost.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones justified the Micah Parsons trade by saying that he could sign several other players with the money that Parsons would have otherwise received.

“That’s a good trade when you need numbers,” said Jones on Good Morning America on Wednesday (via Jon Machota of The Athletic). “I’ll take the numbers every time.”

Jones has started to follow through on his plans, signing DaRon Bland and Luepke to new contracts in the week since the Parsons trade and engaging Pro Bowl guard Tyler Smith in extension talks as well. While none of those players have the individual impact that Parsons does, the Cowboys are at least using the money they saved to build a well-rounded roster for the future.

Buccaneers To Extend RT Luke Goedeke

September 2nd, 2025 at 10:10pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Buccaneers are signing right tackle Luke Goedeke to a four-year contract extension, per Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times.

The deal is worth $90MM with $50MM guaranteed, per Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. Goedeke’s $22.5MM APY is a slight increase on the deal signed by the Packers’ Zach Tom last month, making him the third-highest-paid right tackle and the 11th-highest-paid offensive lineman in the NFL.

Goedeke was a two-year starter at right tackle for Central Michigan before the Buccaneers made him a second-round pick in 2022. He earned the starting left guard job out of training camp as a rookie, but struggled to adapt to the new position and was benched after Week 7. He then started in Week 18 at right tackle before moving back to left guard for the playoffs.

Tampa Bay moved Goedeke back to his natural position in 2023. He started every game during the regular season with significantly-improved results, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). A concussion sidelined him for four games in 2024, but he put up a strong performance across the season and entrenched himself as the Buccaneers’ long-term right tackle. The team’s decision-makers have now formalized that role with a deal that will keep Goedeke in Tampa Bay through the 2029 season.

Goedeke was set to head into the final year of his rookie contract before today’s deal. With the improvement the 26-year-old has shown each year, it was prudent for the Buccaneers to lock him down now, as opposed to letting him show another level of play in a contract year that might price himself out of Tampa Bay. While Goedeke is getting a strong deal to stay with the team that drafted him, the open market after a strong 2025 campaign could’ve made Goedeke a truly expensive commodity.

Right guard Cody Mauch will be in a similar situation as Goedeke next offseason, after having finished his third year of play, then it will be center Graham Barton the year after that. Barton, a first-rounder last year, would technically have a fifth-year option available to push back any possible deadline on extensions, but with the way offensive linemen are priced the same regardless of position in fifth-year option formulas, centers hardly see those options exercised.

With left tackle Tristan Wirfs under contract through 2030 following his extension last year, the Buccaneers now have the bookends to their offensive line secured for the foreseeable future. If the team works to extend Mauch and Barton in the future, as well, it will have done quick work to secure 80 percent of their offensive line long term. With the way the league has been won in the trenches in recent years, this focus on offensive line building could be a recipe for success.

Ely Allen contributed to this post.

Bills To Bring Back WR Gabe Davis

September 2nd, 2025 at 10:07pm CST by Adam La Rose

After one season out of Buffalo, Gabe Davis is on his way back. The veteran receiver has agreed to a Bills reunion, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.

Davis played out his rookie contract in Buffalo, establishing himself as a standout deep threat along the way. It came as no surprise when he departed on the open market, however. The 26-year-old landed a $13MM-per-year deal with the Jaguars in free agency. After one injury-filled campaign in Jacksonville, Davis was one of several receivers the team’s new regime elected to move on from.

That decision led to a long-running free agent process. Davis met with the 49ers, Giants and Saints once each this offseason, while also firmly remaining on the Steelers’ radar. A second visit with Pittsburgh took place last month, but no agreement was worked out. Shortly after that follow-up with the Steelers, Davis lined up a summit with the Bills. A familiar face to general manager Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott, the former third-rounder did enough to land a new opportunity with his original team. Other offers were in play as well, Schefter’s colleague ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler adds.

A meniscus tear limited Davis to 10 games last year, and medical evaluations were a key focus of his visits. To no surprise, Schefter notes this will be a practice squad agreement. Veterans often take the taxi squad route upon joining teams once roster cuts have taken place. Davis will continue working toward full strength with an eye on moving to the active roster in short order.

Buffalo extended Khalil Shakir this offseason, making him one of many players to receive a long-term commitment on a second contract. The team also added Josh Palmer and Elijah Moore in free agency after seeing Amari Cooper and Mack Hollins depart. 2024 second-rounder Keon Coleman is positioned to take a step forward this season, with Palmer and Shakir handling notable roles along the way.

When he finds himself on the active roster, Davis will look to carve out a spot as well. The UCF product averaged 16.7 yards per catch and scored 27 touchdowns with the Bills. A strong second stint in Buffalo would help rebuild his value on another commitment from the team or a pact sending him elsewhere next spring.

Minor NFL Transactions: 9/2/25

September 2nd, 2025 at 7:55pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are today’s minor moves as we inch a day closer to the start of the regular season:

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Cleveland Browns

New Orleans Saints

San Francisco 49ers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

  • Waived (with injury settlement): CB JayVian Farr, CB Roman Parodie

The 49ers are doing a bit of shuffling in their receiving corps, calling up Valdes-Scantling from the practice squad and cutting Gage. According to multiple sources, it’s believed that Gage will be immediately signed back to the team’s practice squad to remain with the team.

Haener was brought back to the active roster in New Orleans after being waived at the roster cut deadline. The Saints had three quarterbacks, with Iowa Western rookie practice squad passer Hunter Dekkers, but adding Haener gives the team a bit more experienced depth, if only barely, in what may be the league’s youngest quarterbacks room.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/2/25

September 2nd, 2025 at 7:17pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are Tuesday’s practice squad moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Denver Broncos

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

Pittsburgh Steelers

Seattle Seahawks

Washington Commanders

The 12-year veteran wide receiver, Woods, had been signed to the Steelers’ practice squad after failing to make the 53-man roster. Per ESPN’s Brooke Pryor, Woods requested to be released from his practice squad contract but told Pittsburgh that he would be open to returning if a spot on the active roster opened up for him. The team granted his request.

The Cardinals are able to add two players while only releasing one because Daxon is part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program, having been born in the Bahamas. Teams can have one more than the 16-player limit for their practice squad, as long as the 17th players is in the IPPP.

Per Brady Henderson of ESPN, it’s believed that the Seahawks have made this transaction as a courtesy to Campbell, Gaines, and Laumea, who’ve all spent most of the offseason in Seattle with the team. This week on the practice squad will potentially get each player a minimum check for $13K, but the Seahawks are expected to bring Martinez and Jean-Charles back to the p-squad. The same has yet to be confirmed for Kight.

Texans To Extend QB Davis Mills

September 2nd, 2025 at 5:19pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Last September, the Texans signed backup quarterback Davis Mills to an extension as he entered a contract year.

Almost exactly a year later, Houston is tacking on another year to Mills’ deal, per Dianna Russini of The Athletic. Mills’ extension is worth a fully guaranteed $7MM, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, securing his services through the 2026 season as the No. 2 quarterback behind C.J. Stroud.

Mills, a 2021 third-round pick, wrested the starting job away from Tyrod Taylor as a rookie and carried it into 2022. However, it quickly became clear that he was not a long-term option under center after throwing a league-high 15 interceptions in 15 games. His struggles led the Texans to a 3-13-1 record in 2022, allowing them to draft Stroud with the No. 2 pick in the 2023 draft. Over his two years as a starter, Mills completed 62.8% of his passes for 5,955 yards for 35 touchdowns and 25 interceptions.

Since then, Mills has served as Stroud’s backup with six games played and zero starts. Virtually all of his appearances have come at the end of blowouts with one true relief showing in 2023.

Mills’ 2024 extension was worth $5MM, so his new deal includes a solid raise as well as some security for another year. However, Stroud will become eligible for an extension next offseason, so Houston may not be able to spend premium backup money on Mills for the rest of the decade. The Texans drafted former Wisconsin and Florida quarterback Graham Mertz in the sixth round of April’s draft and may look to groom him as a successor to Mills in their quarterback room.

Titans, LB Kyzir White Agree To Deal

September 2nd, 2025 at 12:51pm CST by Adam La Rose

Kyzir White drew interest from a few teams on the market without striking a deal. No connections had emerged with Tennessee, but that is where the veteran linebacker is headed.

[RELATED: Recapping Titans’ Offseason]

White and the Titans have agreed to a deal, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports. Nothing is official yet on this front, but TitansInsider’s Terry McCormick confirms White is set to join the fold. The eighth-year defender will offer plenty of experience and a starting-caliber option to his latest team. To no surprise, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler notes this will be a practice squad agreement.

White has logged 73 starts across his time with the Chargers, Eagles and Cardinals. The 29-year-old has surpassed 100 tackles in three of the past four seasons, and he set a new career high with 2.5 sacks in 2024. Expectations for similar production with Tennessee could be unrealistic based on the timing of this arrangement. Still, White could step into a prominent role right away.

The linebacker spot has seen plenty of turnover this offseason in the case of the Titans. Kenneth Murray was traded away, while Jerome Baker, Jack Gibbens and Luke Gifford departed in free agency. Cody Barton was added on a three-year deal, and he will be counted on to operate as a starter. 2024 fourth-rounder Cedric Gray could join him as a first-team presence.

Even in that event, White will offer Tennessee with a productive option to be elevated at some point. The West Virginia product took visits with the Lions and Colts this summer, but neither resulted in an agreement. Instead, White will spend this season with the Titans in a bid to earn his next contract much sooner in the 2026 offseason.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/1/25

September 1st, 2025 at 9:30pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Here are the latest practice squad transactions from around the NFL:

Chicago Bears

  • Signed: LB Cale Jones Jr.
  • Released: LB Power Echols

Indianapolis Colts

Las Vegas Raiders

Miami Dolphins

New Orleans Saints

  • Signed: QB/WR Tommy Mellott, DT Coziah Izzard

New York Jets

Seattle Seahawks

Tennessee Titans

With backup quarterback Aidan O’Connell starting the season on injured reserve, the Raiders – who already traded for Kenny Pickett – added some more veteran depth by signing Driskel. The 32-year-old has spent the last seven years in the NFL but only took one snap for the Commanders last season. Now, Driskel will join rookie QB Cam Miller on the practice squad in Las Vegas.

Minor NFL Transactions: 9/1/25

September 1st, 2025 at 8:43pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

NFL teams are continuing to make minor roster moves as the regular season approaches. On Monday, four clubs released players from their injured reserve lists with an injury settlement. Players who land on the IR without a return designation have to remain there for the entire season, but those with a chance to recover often seek injury settlements so they can return to the field that season. The settlements pay a portion of the player’s salary, typically based on the amount of time the player is expected to miss, while freeing up cap space for the team during the season.

Houston Texans

Los Angeles Chargers

  • Removed from IR with injury settlement: S Jaylen Jones

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

  • Removed from IR with injury settlement: LB Wesley Steiner

Saints Release S J.T. Gray

September 1st, 2025 at 1:35pm CST by Adam La Rose

J.T. Gray has operated as a core special teams presence throughout his Saint tenure, but his time with the team could be coming to an end. The eighth-year safety is being released, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports. Head coach Kellen Moore has since confirmed the news.

[RELATED: Recapping Saints’ Offseason]

Gray survived roster cuts last week, something which appeared to set him up for another campaign serving as a central figure on special teams in 2025. The former UDFA has played 98 NFL games, all of which have been with the Saints. Barring a practice squad return, though, he will now test the open market.

One year remained on Gray’s contract, and he was owed $3.1MM this season. Today’s move will generate $2.6MM in cap savings since that was his scheduled base salary. The 29-year-old has already been paid a roster bonus in March, and that will contribute to the $980K in dead money charges incurred by this release.

During his New Orleans tenure, Gray has totaled only 153 snaps on defense. His impact in the third phase has been substantial, however; Gray has amassed 2,065 snaps on special teams, logging a workload of 83% or higher in three of the past four seasons. In 2021, the Mississippi State product received a Pro Bowl invitation along with a first-team All-Pro nod for his special teams work. Gray has also landed on the second All-Pro team twice, including last year.

Moore deemed (via team reporter Erin Summers) the decision to cut Gray the most challenging to date of his tenure. That suggests a return by means of the taxi squad is not immediately forthcoming. With plenty of roster moves still likely to be made before Week 1, however, it will be interesting to see if the team attempts to keep him in the fold at some point.

For now, the Saints will move forward with a safety room which lost Tyrann Mathieu to retirement this offseason. Free agent signing Justin Reid will be counted on to help replace him, while later addition Julian Blackmon and third-round rookie Jonas Sanker will be tasked with contributing defensively as well. New Orleans’ depth in the secondary will be thinner based on the Gray release, and special teams could suffer a notable loss with him no longer in the fold.

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