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Jets Add Incentives To Quincy Williams’ Deal

August 8th, 2025 at 8:15pm CST by Adam La Rose

Quincy Williams has thrived during his time with the Jets. One year remains on his contract, and the veteran linebacker is currently positioned to play out his walk year.

Williams will do so with the potential to increase his 2025 earnings, however. The Jets have added $1.5MM in incentives to the final year of his pact, ESPN’s Rich Cimini notes. Williams was already owed a base salary of $6.5MM, but his compensation for the year could see a slight bump as a result of this move.

Since being claimed off waivers from the Jaguars in 2021, Williams has operated as a full-time starter for New York. The former third-rounder has racked up between 106 and 139 tackles during his four Jets campaigns while adding nine sacks during that span. Quinnen Williams‘ older brother earned a first-team All-Pro nod in 2023 and remained a core member of the team’s defense last season.

That is expected to be the case once more in 2025. Another productive outing from Williams would help his free agent stock in the event he were to reach the open market next spring. The 28-year-old’s current pact averages $6MM per season at a time when 16 inside linebackers are now into eight figures in annual compensation. One of those, of course, is Jamien Sherwood. Just before free agency, Sherwood re-signed with the Jets on a three-year, $45MM pact containing $30MM guaranteed.

New York’s regime led by general manager Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn authorized a big-ticket deal in the form of Sherwood and has since worked out monster extensions with each of Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner. Especially with Sherwood set to lead the way in terms of linebacker compensation for years to come, it will be interesting to see if the team makes a new financial commitment to Williams next spring. For the time being, his attention will be focused on hitting his new incentives in advance of a potential free agent departure.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/8/25

August 8th, 2025 at 7:31pm CST by Adam La Rose

Friday’s minor moves around the NFL:

Buffalo Bills

Dallas Cowboys

Indianapolis Colts

Kansas City Chiefs

  • Released from IR via injury settlement: CB Darius Rush

San Francisco 49ers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

Bills kicker Tyler Bass is currently dealing with pelvic area soreness, ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg notes. As a result, the team recently worked out a number of free agents to handle kicking duties during tomorrow’s preseason game. Davis – an undrafted rookie – was recently waived by the Jets, but he will get at least one opportunity to audition for a roster spot.

Ahmed was recently taken down in a Colts practice by a hip-drop tackle. As a result, ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Stephen Holder report the veteran suffered an ankle injury. Ahmed’s attention will turn to rehabbing the ailment; unless he is released by way of an injury settlement, he will not play in 2025.

Texans’ C.J. Gardner-Johnson Avoids ACL Tear

August 7th, 2025 at 7:17pm CST by Sam Robinson

A cart transported C.J. Gardner-Johnson off the practice field Thursday, and the Texans expressed a fear the trade acquisition suffered a serious injury. That said, conflicting reports surfaced regarding Gardner-Johnson’s 2025 status.

One report (via KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson) indicated the recently acquired safety suffered an ACL tear. Another (from Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz) pointed to the team fearing a tear. Minutes later, however, a source told Wilson the new Houston safety did not suffer a tear. While Schultz indicated tests were ongoing, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport confirmed more encouraging news by indicating tests are showing Gardner-Johnson, in fact, did not suffer a tear. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the Texans are no longer concerned about Gardner-Johnson’s ACL, as tests are now being conducted to determine what the lesser injury is.

While “team fears” reports can occasionally lead to sighs of relief — as the Cowboys’ Tyler Guyton situation recently showed — they regularly lead to full-season absences. The Texans appear to have dodged a bullet.

Houston acquired Gardner-Johnson in a trade with Philadelphia in March, sending disappointing first-round guard Kenyon Green to the defending Super Bowl champions for a player who started in both the Eagles’ past two Super Bowl seasons. The Texans threw in a fifth-round pick in a swap that brought back a sixth, but they were landing the more established (by far) player in this trade.

Two seasons remain on the contract Gardner-Johnson signed with the Eagles last year, but a major injury would stand to reshape his Texans outlook. Gardner-Johnson, 27, has a history with season-reshaping injuries, having sustained a torn pectoral muscle in September 2023. That kept him off the field for most of his Lions tenure. If Gardner-Johnson avoided an ACL tear this time around, it will be interesting to learn how long he will be out.

This offseason brought a fourth straight relocation for the trash-talking ace. The Eagles obtained him from the Saints via trade in August 2022, and he joined the Lions as a free agent the following March. The Eagles prioritized CJGJ in 2024, bringing him back to start in Vic Fangio‘s defense, but changed their thinking as raises elsewhere on the roster came due. Gardner-Johnson. who intercepted six passes as an Eagle in 2022 and ’24, joined a safety corps housing Jimmie Ward and Calen Bullock.

That duo would have provided cover for the Texans, and it may still be necessary if Gardner-Johnson is to miss regular-season time, but Ward was arrested on a family violence charge this summer. Ward has an August 13 court date set, and the longtime 49ers DB is still on the Texans’ active/PUP list.

No PUP-list stay would come for Gardner-Johnson, who could only be shifted to IR in the event the Texans were worried about a long-term regular-season absence. The team could carry CJGJ over to its 53-man roster and hold an IR activation for him or use one of its two summer IR-return moves on him, burning one of its eight in-season activations in preparation of a return.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/7/25

August 7th, 2025 at 7:10pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Thursday’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Buffalo Bills

Dallas Cowboys

Detroit Lions

  • Signed: TE Steven Stilianos

Los Angeles Chargers

  • Signed: TE Thomas Yassmin
  • Waived/injured: TE Jordan Petaia

New York Giants

  • Released from IR via injury settlement: LB Ty Summers

San Francisco 49ers

Tennessee Titans

Hernandez received full clearance after an October 2024 ACL tear, but his Cardinals return will not come with immediate full-time practice duty. The former Giants second-round pick should be considered a strong candidate to start again for the Cards, but for now, the team is easing him back into action.

Summer expects to be running again soon after suffering a groin injury, according to ESPN.com’s Jordan Raanan, who indicates a return to the Giants is not off the radar. Summers played 16 games for the Giants last season, starting two.

A former Giants first-rounder who has bounced around the league in recent years, Apple will see his 49ers stint last barely a week. The 49ers were Apple’s seventh NFL team. He spent last season with the Chargers, playing four games.

Lions Place CB Ennis Rakestraw On IR

August 7th, 2025 at 3:15pm CST by Adam La Rose

Ennis Rakestraw will not play in 2025. The second-year corner was already known to be a candidate to miss time, but the Lions placed him on injured reserve Thursday.

Only players released via an injury settlement are eligible to play after being moved to IR at this point in the offseason. Given his status as a 2024 second-round pick, that will obviously not be the case for Rakestraw. After what was essentially a redshirt rookie season, this news is a major blow for team and player.

Lions head coach Dan Campbell recently said Rakestraw was going to miss time due to a shoulder injury. Surgery took place today, and NFL insider Jordan Schultz notes the procedure was a success. That is of course only a small consolation considering the fact Rakestraw’s rehab process will cost him the entire campaign.

The 23-year-old logged just 141 total snaps across eight games last season. A starting cornerback role was not in play since Detroit still has Terrion Arnold and Amik Robertson in the fold and replaced Carlton Davis with D.J. Reed via free agency. Still, Rakestraw was in position to occupy a backup spot on the perimeter, so an injury to Arnold or Reed could have elevated him to first-team action. Now, the Lions’ secondary depth will be tested after the unit dealt with numerous injuries last season. Luq Barcoo and D.J. Miller were signed earlier this week.

Veteran Avonte Maddox represents an experienced option amongst the team’s remaining backups, although he is best suited for slot and/or safety duties. Rock Ya-Sin has spent his entire career as a corner, but the Lions have tried him at safety this offseason. In the wake of Rakestraw’s injury, it will be interesting to see that plan changes and Ya-Sin’s attention turns back to the cornerback position.

With nearly $48MM in cap space, Detroit can easily afford a one-year deal amongst the remaining free agents at the CB spot. Asante Samuel Jr., Rasul Douglas and Kendall Fuller are some of the veterans still looking for a gig at this point in the offseason. With a vacancy in the secondary, it will be interesting to see if the Lions pursue a contract with any member of that trio or another cover man on the market.

Cardinals, G Will Hernandez Agree To Deal

August 7th, 2025 at 2:02pm CST by Adam La Rose

Will Hernandez is set to continue his career in the desert. The veteran guard’s recent Cardinals visit has produced a one-year agreement, he announced on Instagram Thursday. The team has since confirmed the move.

Late in July, Hernandez received full clearance upon completing the rehab process for his 2024 ACL tear. That made him one of the top free agent blockers on the market, and in short order the 29-year-old met with Arizona to discuss a new pact. Things have clearly gone well in that regard.

After playing out his rookie deal with the Giants, Hernandez has spent the past three years with the Cardinals. The former second-rounder initially took a one-year pact but was retained on a raise after his debut Arizona season. Hernandez has started each of his 35 games with his second career team, and he could reprise his first-team gig in 2025.

The Cardinals re-signed Evan Brown and he is in position to handle left guard duties. The other guard position is currently unsettled, however. As a result, Hernandez could fill that spot upon returning to the team. It will be interesting to see how large his workload is in training camp practices and preseason contests now that he is officially back in the fold.

Hernandez played on a $4.5MM-per-year pact when he re-signed with the Cardinals for the first time. Given his missed time last year, the UTEP product will no doubt be attached to a less lucrative deal this time around. Arizona entered Thursday with over $35MM in cap space, so this move will not affect any other roster moves planned for the near future.

2024 third-round pick Isaiah Adams started five games at right guard last season in Hernandez’s absence. He was the top option to handle that role on a full-time basis this season for much of the offseason, but things have now changed. With Hernandez in place once more, Adams will likely find himself as a backup option once again.

Steelers Sign Andrus Peat, Logan Woodside

August 7th, 2025 at 12:45pm CST by Adam La Rose

In advance of their first preseason game, the Steelers have made a pair of additions. Offensive lineman Andrus Peat and quarterback Logan Woodside were signed on Thursday, per a team announcement.

Peat played for the Saints from 2015-23. During that span, the former first-rounder largely split his time between left tackle and left guard. Toward the end of his New Orleans tenure, Peat was exclusively used on the interior. That resulted in a stretch including three consecutive Pro Bowl nods (2018-20), but last offseason a fresh start was sought out.

On the open market, Peat took a one-year, $2MM pact with the Raiders. Doing so appeared to set him up to compete for a starting gig, but despite playing 15 games last season the 31-year-old logged only 57 snaps. After a lengthy stay in free agency this offseason, Peat will look to earn a roster spot with Pittsburgh as a veteran depth option.

Woodside has only 13 regular season appearances and no starts to his name. The former seventh-rounder is, however, a familiar face to Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. The two worked together in Tennessee and again in Atlanta. With Aaron Rodgers and other starters not playing against the Jaguars on Saturday (per head coach Mike Tomlin), Woodside could find himself in the quarterback rotation.

That is especially true since sixth-round rookie Will Howard is currently dealing with an injury in his throwing hand. Tomlin said (via Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) this is a short-term issue, adding Howard could be available to play later in the preseason. A broken finger is the issue in this case, as noted by ESPN’s Brooke Pryor; surgery will not be needed. In Rodgers’ absence and with Howard on the mend, Mason Rudolph should be in position to handle starting duties for Pittsburgh’s preseason opener.

To make from for the additions of Peat and Woodside, long snapper Tucker Addington and guard Nick Broeker have been waived. Provided both of them go unclaimed, they will become free agents and seek out a new opportunity during the closing weeks of the offseason.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/6/25

August 6th, 2025 at 7:54pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Buffalo Bills

Chicago Bears

  • Waived/injured: TE Jordan Murray

Cleveland Browns

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Los Angeles Chargers

  • Waived: TE McCallan Castles

New Orleans Saints

New York Jets

Seattle Seahawks

Bills LB Baylon Spector suffered a calf injury earlier this week that ultimately cost him his roster spot, but he seems destined to ultimately land on the team’s injured reserve. Buffalo was quick to add Jimmy Ciarlo as the replacement. The former West Point captain spent most of his rookie campaign with the Jets, and he garnered auditions with the Giants and Patriots after getting let go by Gang Green in May.

The Texans added some depth at wide receiver in Quintez Cephus, although it came at the expense of Johnny Johnson III. The former Lions draft pick lasted three seasons in Detroit, where he hauled in 37 receptions for 568 yards and four touchdowns. Cephus was banned for the 2023 campaign for violating the league’s gambling policy, and he’s since had stints with the Bills, Texans, Rams, and 49ers. Following his first gig in Houston, he had a brief stint playing under Nick Caley in Los Angeles.

Chargers Bring Back WR Keenan Allen

August 5th, 2025 at 10:05pm CST by Ely Allen

After only a year away from Los Angeles, veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen has indeed returned to the Chargers. After much speculation in the past few days, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero broke the news of Allen’s new one-year, $8.52MM deal.

After finishing his lone season in Chicago, in which he had a modest yet still impressive 70 receptions for 744 yards and seven touchdowns, Allen expressed interest in playing in only one of two cities in 2025: Chicago or Los Angeles. In the weeks leading up to free agency, though, the Bears seemed all but willing to let Allen walk in free agency. The Chargers, on the other hand, expressed some openness to a reunion with their long-time leading receiver.

Los Angeles had already reunited with Allen’s long-time teammate Mike Williams in March, and the idea of getting the band back together after only a one-year hiatus was looking like a decent possibility. Unfortunately for that possibility, Williams opted to announce his retirement just two and half weeks ago, perhaps opening the door for another veteran leader to take his slot on the roster.

Four days ago, the 33-year-old pass catcher visited the team that drafted him in the third round all those years ago out of Cal, and a day after head coach Jim Harbaugh finally expressed some interest in bringing Allen back to the locker room, the deal gets done.

Allen joins a young group of receivers in Los Angeles for the 2025 season. The Chargers’ top talent at the position is a second-year Ladd McConkey, a third-year Quentin Johnston, a rookie second-round Tre Harris, and a third-year Derius Davis. The TCU alums, Johnston and Davis, are familiar to Allen from his last season with the team, but the SEC pair are new faces in Allen’s return to the room.

With McConkey expected to be a mainstay in the slot after a phenomenal rookie season (82 catches, 1,149 yards, seven touchdowns), Allen can’t easily slip into that inside role, despite the tendency for players of his age to transition from an outside role. Johnston and Harris have plenty of size to work on the outsides, while Davis works as the primary return man.

Roles seem to be pretty clearly defined, so Allen could end up as the first man off the bench at any position or he may still be able to work effectively as an outside starter over either Johnston or Harris. Whatever role he plays, he shouldn’t have to work hard to reestablish the existing chemistry with quarterback Justin Herbert. We’ll see how he fits in with the new group in the weeks to come, but in the end his most valuable asset may be the leadership jersey No. 13 provides to the room in Year 13.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/5/25

August 5th, 2025 at 6:32pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are Tuesday’s minor moves:

Buffalo Bills

Chicago Bears

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

  • Claimed off waivers (from 49ers): TE Mason Pline
  • Waived: TE Seth Green

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Dial, the Patriots second-year cornerback and special teamer, will miss his second year in the NFL after suffering a torn ACL. In cheerier news, Opeta returns to a practice field for the first time in over a year. The former Eagles backup lineman was hoping to compete for a starting left guard spot last year before tearing his ACL in the first week of camp.

Campbell makes his way off the Cowboys roster after being placed on injured reserve with a knee injury. Injuries continue to be an issue for the Ohio State alum, who has missed 51 of a possible 100 regular season games over his first six years in the league and is set to miss even more this year.

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