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Free Agent Stock Watch: Russell Wilson

December 3rd, 2024 at 10:02pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Steelers opted for a complete overhaul of the quarterback position this offseason, signing Russell Wilson and trading for Justin Fields. Both passers are pending free agents, and it remains to be seen if each member of the pair will be retained for 2025.

In Wilson’s case, though, his time in the lineup has certainly strengthened his case for a new Pittsburgh deal. The former Seahawks Super Bowl winner endured an underwhelming two-year tenure with the Broncos, leading to his release this offseason (during which Denver took on a dead money charge of $85MM). The Steelers added him on a veteran minimum pact, positioning him to operate as a low-cost Kenny Pickett replacement.

Fields started the Steelers’ first six games while Wilson recovered from a calf injury. Once the latter was healthy, head coach Mike Tomlin made the unilateral decision to insert him into the starting lineup. Pittsburgh went 4-2 with Fields at the helm, but Wilson was seen as having a higher ceiling in the passing game in particular. That has proven to be true to date, as highlighted most recently by his 414-yard outing against the Bengals in Week 13.

Overall, Wilson has led the Steelers to a 5-1 record as a starter, posting a 10:3 touchdown-to-interception ratio along the way. His 104.3 passer rating is his highest since 2020, and maintaining his current level of play would help his value on a new Pittsburgh deal this offseason or one sending him to a new team. Retaining Wilson is a priority for Pittsburgh, but an agreement on that front will only be reached after the campaign.

In the event the 36-year-old does get the opportunity to test the market, he could face a wide range of offers. Executives who communicated with CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones were split when polled about what a Wilson offer would look like this offseason. Projections in terms of annual average value ranged from roughly $10MM on the low end to $35MM on the high end. How he and the Steelers perform over the coming weeks will obviously be key in determining Wilson’s earning potential.

The top of the QB market has seen considerable growth in recent years, and Dak Prescott‘s latest Cowboys deal made him the first $60MM-per-year player in NFL history. Eight other passers are attached to a deal averaging at least $51MM per season, while six sit between $40MM and $46.1MM. Given his age, Wilson should be expected to check in at a tier below those markers, but the likes of Geno Smith (Seahawks) and Baker Mayfield (Buccaneers) have parlayed strong seasons into healthy veteran pacts in the middle class of established starters.

Mayfield played on a one-year, $4MM pact with Tampa Bay in 2023 before landing a three-year, $100MM contract this offseason. Wilson is not in an identical situation given his age and his Broncos compensation, but he too could turn an impressive showing on a new team into a medium-term commitment and a raise. With Wilson and Fields combining to account for only $4.44MM on Pittsburgh’s cap sheet this year, a notable spike in that figure should be in store if continuity is sought under center.

Sam Darnold took a one-year Vikings pact as a potential springboard to a lucrative deal elsewhere, and his success in Minnesota has him on track to be the top quarterback in the 2025 free agent market. Wilson could join him as an older option for teams not in position to add a first-round passer in the draft or those seeking a bridge starter to partner with a developmental QB. Fields could also represent an intriguing free agent candidate in the event he were to depart.

The Steelers have not managed to find a long-term Ben Roethlisberger replacement since his retirement, and Wilson will likely not serve in that capacity far beyond 2025 even if he is retained given where he is in his career. Still, he could be an intriguing free agent in the event the Steelers were to allow him to test the market.

2024 NFL Dead Money, By Team

November 27th, 2024 at 12:50pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Giants making the decision to waive Daniel Jones, rather than keep him around ahead of a potential 2025 post-June 1 cut designation, changed their dead money outlook for this year and next. Here is how their new total fits in with the rest of the teams’ numbers for dead money — cap space allocated to players no longer on the roster — entering the final third of the regular season. Numbers courtesy of OverTheCap.

  1. Denver Broncos: $85.21MM
  2. New York Giants: $79.57MM
  3. Minnesota Vikings: $69.83MM
  4. Buffalo Bills: $68.47MM
  5. Carolina Panthers: $68.28MM
  6. Green Bay Packers: $65.53MM
  7. Tennessee Titans: $62.89MM
  8. Philadelphia Eagles: $61.95MM
  9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $60.64MM
  10. New Orleans Saints: $59.44MM
  11. New York Jets: $59.24MM
  12. Los Angeles Chargers: $58.62MM
  13. New England Patriots: $53.37MM
  14. Miami Dolphins: $52.28MM
  15. Seattle Seahawks: $52MM
  16. Jacksonville Jaguars: $51.2MM
  17. Las Vegas Raiders: $49.37MM
  18. Washington Commanders: $42.81MM
  19. Houston Texans: $39.28MM
  20. Cleveland Browns: $38.79MM
  21. Los Angeles Rams: $34.63MM
  22. Detroit Lions: $33.71MM
  23. Pittsburgh Steelers: $30.18MM
  24. Chicago Bears: $29.65MM
  25. Arizona Cardinals: $29.35MM
  26. San Francisco 49ers: $26.91MM
  27. Dallas Cowboys: $26.79MM
  28. Baltimore Ravens: $21.35MM
  29. Kansas City Chiefs: $12.65MM
  30. Indianapolis Colts: $11.8MM
  31. Atlanta Falcons: $11.55MM
  32. Cincinnati Bengals: $9.11MM

The Jones release moved more than $13MM of dead cap onto the Giants’ 2024 payroll. More significantly, the Giants granting Jones an early exit — after a contract-driven benching — will prevent the team from designating him a post-June 1 cut next year. The Giants will take on $22.2MM in dead money in 2025, rather than being able to split that bill over two offseasons. The team also took on more than $10MM in dead money this year due to the 2023 Leonard Williams trade.

This year’s most egregious dead money offender has been known for months. The Broncos’ contract-driven Russell Wilson benching last year preceded a historic release, which saddled the team with more than $83MM in total dead money. A small cap credit is set to come in 2025 (via Wilson’s veteran-minimum Pittsburgh pact), but for this year, $53MM in dead cap hit Denver’s payroll as a result of the the quarterback’s release.

The Broncos more than doubled the previous single-player dead money record, which the Falcons held ($40.5MM) for trading Matt Ryan), and they will be on the hook for the final $30MM-plus in 2025. Beyond Wilson, no other ex-Bronco counts more than $7.5MM in dead money. In terms of total dead cap, however, the Broncos barely check in north of the Buccaneers and Rams’ 2023 totals. Denver is trying to follow those teams’ lead in rallying back to make the playoffs despite nearly a third of its 2024 payroll tied up in dead cap.

Twenty-two players represent dead money for the Saints, who have seen their total updated since the Marshon Lattimore trade. Rather than restructure-crazed GM Mickey Loomis using the Lattimore contract once again to create cap space next year, the Saints will take on the highest non-QB dead money hit in NFL history. Lattimore counts $14MM in that category this year before the contract shifts to a whopping $31.66MM in dead cap on New Orleans’ 2025 payroll. Considering the Saints are again in their own sector for cap trouble next year ($62MM-plus over), the Lattimore trade will create some issues as the team attempts to rebound post-Dennis Allen.

Two 2023 restructures ballooned the Vikings’ figure toward $70MM. Void years on Kirk Cousins and Danielle Hunter‘s deals combined for more than $43MM in dead money. Minnesota also ate nearly $7MM from the void years on Marcus Davenport‘s one-year contract, while the release of 2022 first-rounder Lewis Cine (currently on the Bills’ practice squad) accounted for more than $5MM.

Free from the Tom Brady dead money that comprised a chunk of their 2023 cap, the Bucs still have eight-figure hits from the Carlton Davis trade and Mike Evans‘ previous contract voiding not long before the sides agreed on a new deal. Elsewhere in the NFC South, three of the players given multiyear deals in 2023 — Vonn Bell, Hayden Hurst, Bradley Bozeman — being moved off the roster in GM Dan Morgan‘s first offseason represent nearly half of Carolina’s dead cap.

 

Updated 2025 NFL Draft Order

November 25th, 2024 at 10:10pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Week 12 slate of games is in the books. For many teams, attention is increasingly turning toward the offseason with a playoff berth no longer in reach.

Plenty of time remains for the draft order to change over the coming months, and it will be interesting to see which teams wind up in position to add at the quarterback spot in particular. The crop of prospects for 2025 is not held in high regard after Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward, meaning the demand for potential franchise passers is set to outweigh demand at the top of the board. Of course, players like Sanders’ Colorado teammate Travis Hunter will be among the ones worth watching closely as well.

The Jets have moved on from head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas, inviting questions about a reset under center as well. Aaron Rodgers wants to play in 2025, but it remains to be seen how his relationship with the organization will take shape down the stretch and if a new regime will prefer to move on at the position. The Giants, meanwhile, confirmed they will be in the market for a new signal-caller with Daniel Jones no longer in the fold.

Teams such as the Raiders have long been mentioned as a team to watch regarding a rookie QB pursuit. Jayden Daniels was a target for head coach Antonio Pierce last spring, and it would come as no surprise if Vegas were to make a push for a long-term starting option this time around. Other franchises not on track to qualify for the playoffs figure to give the Raiders plenty of competition in that department, though.

For non-playoff teams, the draft order will be determined by the inverted 2024 standings — plus a series of tiebreakers, starting with strength of schedule — with playoff squads being slotted by their postseason outcome and regular-season record. Here is an updated look at the current draft order:

  1. Jacksonville Jaguars: 2-9
  2. New York Giants: 2-9
  3. Las Vegas Raiders: 2-9
  4. New England Patriots: 3-9
  5. Carolina Panthers: 3-8
  6. Tennessee Titans: 3-8
  7. New York Jets: 3-8
  8. Cleveland Browns: 3-8
  9. New Orleans Saints: 4-7
  10. Cincinnati Bengals: 4-7
  11. Dallas Cowboys: 4-7
  12. Chicago Bears: 4-7
  13. Indianapolis Colts: 5-7
  14. Miami Dolphins: 5-6
  15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 5-6
  16. Los Angeles Rams: 5-6
  17. San Francisco 49ers: 5-6
  18. Arizona Cardinals: 6-5
  19. Atlanta Falcons: 6-5
  20. Seattle Seahawks: 6-5
  21. Washington Commanders: 7-5
  22. Houston Texans: 7-5
  23. Denver Broncos: 7-5
  24. Los Angeles Chargers: 7-4
  25. Baltimore Ravens: 8-4
  26. Pittsburgh Steelers: 8-3
  27. Green Bay Packers: 8-3
  28. Minnesota Vikings: 9-2
  29. Philadelphia Eagles: 9-2
  30. Buffalo Bills: 9-2
  31. Kansas City Chiefs: 10-1
  32. Detroit Lions: 10-1

Poll: Who Will Secure AFC’s Third Wild-Card Spot?

November 22nd, 2024 at 10:30pm CST by Sam Robinson

Late-season collapses certainly occur, with injuries obviously playing key roles in contenders’ blueprints. As it stands now, however, the AFC playoff picture is top-heavy. It is quite possible the stretch run will feature division leaders jockeying for seeding and two wild-card teams hovering over the race for the bottom bracket slot.

ESPN’s FPI gives the Chargers a 94.7% chance to make the playoffs, with the AFC North holding a strong likelihood of producing a wild-card squad as well. Both the Steelers and Ravens’ chances sit north of 95%. Although the volume of sub-.500 AFC teams could drain drama from this year’s fight to wear white in Round 1, the conference does have a handful of teams on the fringe who appear poised for a battle to claim the No. 7 seed.

Six AFC teams have eight or nine losses entering Week 12. While the 2008 Chargers started 5-8 and erased a three-game division deficit with three to play, the odds are stacked against the conference’s bottom tier (Patriots, Jets, Browns, Jaguars, Titans, Raiders). This leaves four teams in between.

The Broncos have not made a postseason appearance since winning Super Bowl 50. Considering the Russell Wilson release brought a two-offseason dead money number unlike anything the NFL has seen, Denver snapping that drought this year was not expected. Wilson counts for $53MM on Denver’s 2024 payroll, with the club taking on the larger portion of the dead money this year ($30MM-plus is on the books for next year, as a small cap credit from the QB’s Steelers pact awaits). But Sean Payton‘s team is 6-5 and holds a, per FPI, 50.3% chance of making the playoffs.

Although the Broncos kept costs low and also moved on from Justin Simmons and Jerry Jeudy, they resisted Courtland Sutton trade offers — including a third-rounder from the 49ers in August — and assembled an interesting roster around No. 12 overall pick Bo Nix. The Oregon alum’s progress defines Denver’s season, as the team appears close to identifying a surefire long-term quarterback. The franchise has not seen a QB start more than four seasons since John Elway, amplifying the interest in Nix’s sudden entrance into the Offensive Rookie of the Year race, but Vance Joseph‘s defense has proven better than expected.

Extending Patrick Surtain in September and paying Jonathon Cooper just before trading Baron Browning, Denver sits third in scoring defense and third in yardage. The team leads the NFL with 39 sacks. This has given Nix important support during his maiden NFL voyage.

Defense has conversely burned the 4-7 Bengals, who are squandering MVP-caliber work from Joe Burrow. Back from a season-ending wrist injury, Burrow has thrown an NFL-most 27 touchdown passes (compared to four interceptions) and has done so despite franchise-tagged wideout Tee Higgins missing five games. The Bengals are not expected to pay Higgins, with a 2025 tag-and-trade perhaps all that is left on the contract front between the parties after no substantial talks have taken place since early 2023, but Ja’Marr Chase‘s extension price — a matter tabled to 2025 — will rise coming out of this season.

Chase’s 1,056 yards pace the NFL by more than 100. A defense that had been solid during the team’s 2021 and ’22 seasons has fallen off. Cincinnati augmented its defense by adding Sheldon Rankins and Geno Stone while reacquiring Vonn Bell, but Lou Anarumo‘s unit ranks 28th. FPI gives the Bengals a 14.8% chance to make the playoffs. While this is almost definitely the highest-ceiling team left on the AFC’s fringe, a team that entered the year with Super Bowl aspirations in the expected Burrow-Chase-Higgins trio’s final act together runs the risk of missing the postseason entirely.

Sitting at 4-6, the Dolphins carry a 13.6% qualification chance, per FPI. Mike McDaniel‘s team is here largely due to Tua Tagovailoa‘s concussion-driven IR stay; the Dolphins went 1-3 without their recently extended starter. Tagovailoa’s absence reduced an offense that had led the NFL in yardage last season to one of the league’s worst.

Even as Tagovailoa has returned, neither Tyreek Hill nor Jaylen Waddle has taken off. The Dolphins paid both this offseason, reworking Hill’s contract and extending Waddle in a deal that delivered the younger WR a better guarantee than Hill received via his 2022 extension. Through 10 games, Waddle is at 404 yards. Hill, who topped 1,700 in each of his two full Dolphins slates, has accumulated just 523.

As Miami’s elite wideout tandem will need to heat up soon for the team to have a chance at a third straight playoff berth — something the club has not accomplished since a five-year run from 1997-2001 — its defense is again without Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb. Phillips suffered a season-ending knee injury, while Chubb has not recovered from the ACL tear that ended his 2023 season on New Year’s Eve. No Dolphin has more than four sacks or eight QB hits, with 38-year-old Calais Campbell — whom the Dolphins nearly traded back to the Ravens at the deadline — proving valuable in a four-sack start in his Miami return.

The Colts are 5-6, and FPI gives them the second-best odds (34.2%) of this bunch. Quarterback play, of course, has defined Indianapolis’ season. The team’s about-face with Anthony Richardson reminds came after a historically early benching involving a top-five pick, as the 2023 fourth overall choice had started only 10 games when benched.

Still, Richardson’s accuracy problems threaten to derail the Colts, who had gone to Joe Flacco in an attempt to better position themselves for a playoff push. After Flacco lost the ensuing two starts, Richardson is back. While the raw prospect looked better in his return start, he still carries a 48.5% completion rate. Only six QBs who have attempted at least 200 passes have finished south of 50% in a season this century.

GM Chris Ballard mostly just paid to keep his core together this offseason, though waiver claim Samuel Womack has helped a depleted boundary cornerback group. The Colts rank both 19th in scoring and points allowed, and while other components on this roster obviously matter, Richardson’s development still overshadows their season’s second half. That represents perhaps the biggest X-factor among this middle-class AFC glut.

Assuming the Chargers stay afloat and the Steelers and Ravens do not collapse, who do you think will claim the conference’s final spot in the seven-team field? Vote in PFR’s latest poll and weigh in with your thoughts on the race in the comments section.

Examining Cowboys’ 2025 Financial Outlook

November 17th, 2024 at 10:15pm CST by Adam La Rose

With Dak Prescott officially out for the remainder of the season, the chances of a turnaround on the Cowboys’ part are bleak. Sitting at 3-6 on the year, Dallas’ struggles with him in the lineup have left the goal of a playoff berth a rather difficult one for his replacement(s) under center to achieve.

Given the Cowboys’ distance from contention in the NFC East and the unlikeliness of a wild-card berth, attention has for many shifted to the coming offseason. Like every other team, the spring will require a number of critical decisions on Dallas’ part as owner and general manager Jerry Jones attempts to keep all three members of the Prescott-CeeDee Lamb–Micah Parsons trio intact. As 2024 has illustrated, though, changes at a number of positions will be needed for a return to postseason contention to be possible.

An examination of Dallas’ salary cap and free agency situation reveals the number of key contributors who will need a new deal to remain with the franchise beyond 2024. Finding the funds to retain them while also managing Prescott and Lamb’s monster extensions signed before the start of this season and – after team and player put talks aside for the campaign – work out a second Parsons contract will be central in determining the Cowboys’ path for years to come.

A pair of franchise pillars headline Dallas’ upcoming free agent class. DeMarcus Lawrence and Zack Martin have combined for 13 Pro Bowls in their Cowboys careers, both of which date back to 2014. Each has played out multiple contracts past their respective rookie deals, and they could be in line for at least a short-term accord this spring. It remains to be seen if that will come from Dallas or if an unprecedented departure on the open market becomes possible.

Lawrence will be 33 at the start of the 2025 season, and age will obviously be a factor taken into consideration on the Cowboys’ part regarding upcoming negotiations. The former second-rounder previously played on a five-year, $105MM extension after receiving the franchise tag for the second time. That pact was followed by the three-year, $40MM one which is set to expire after this season.

The Boise State product was limited to only seven games in 2021, but he remained fully healthy for each of the following two seasons. Lawrence has been a starter when on the field this year, although a Lisfranc injury has kept him out of the lineup since September. With three sacks in four games in 2024, a repeat of his early-year production would help his market value (something which, of course, is also driven by his play against the run). Making another commitment to Lawrence would ensure stability along the edge but it would complicate the Cowboys’ other efforts with respect to Parsons in particular and their front seven in general.

Martin has also played on multiple veteran contracts, including a six-year, $84MM pact. Last offseason, the future Hall of Famer engaged in a training camp holdout and ultimately worked out a new agreement including a raise and signficant guarantees. A first-team All-Pro showing (the seventh of his career) justified that commitment on Dallas’ part, but it remains to be seen if another one will be in the picture.

In June, Martin said retirement will be a consideration after the 2024 campaign. He will be 34 at the start of next year should he elect to continue playing, and expectations will still be high if that winds up being the case. If the 2010s All-Decade team member were to hang up his cleats, Dallas would be forced to reset at the right guard spot just as the team did this past offseason after left tackle Tyron Smith departed. That position became an immediate draft priority (with Tyler Guyton being selected in the first round), and the same would be true along the interior if Martin needed to be replaced.

Given the nature of their respective contracts, void years are present for both Lawrence and Martin. If neither were to be retained – with no adjustments being made to their deals – they would account for a dead cap charge of over $24MM. That figure would kick in at the start of the 2025 league year in March, so re-signing one or both of them before that point would go a long way in determining Dallas’ outlook for the rest of the offseason.

A number of other position groups could see notable turnover shortly in the Cowboys’ case. That includes the quarterback spot; Prescott is under contract through 2028, but Cooper Rush and Trey Lance are both on track for free agency. The veteran is currently set to finish the year atop the depth chart, something which would leave Lance sidelined after that was also the case in 2023.

Dallas acquired Lance last offseason for a fourth-round pick, capital much lower in value than that which was invested in him by the 49ers. The former No. 3 selection did not see the field during his first year with his new team as Prescott remained healthy, but the door is now open to an audition period. Lance could have upside remaining given his age (24) and lack of regular season starts (four), although little time remains in the year for him to help his market value down the stretch. An inexpensive backup – from inside or outside the organization – will be required on Dallas’ part.

The team’s backfield figures to once again be a talking point this spring. The Cowboys have relied on Rico Dowdle as their lead back for the first time in his career this season. The former UDFA has already set a new personal best with 374 rushing yards, and his 4.5 yards per attempt average suggests he could be effective in a notable role beyond this season. Dowdle could make himself a priority for the Cowboys’ front office this offseason even if multiple outside running backs are targeted.

Provided that takes place through free agency or (as was anticipated last spring) the draft, Ezekiel Elliott faces an uncertain future. The former rushing champion returned to Dallas this offseason, but his regression in terms of efficiency has continued in 2024. Elliott has spoken with the organization about his usage this year, and an internal disciplinary measure resulted in him remaining away from the team from a road game earlier this month. A parting of ways could be mutually beneficial and pave the way for new backfield options.

A number of role players are also on track to hit the market in March. That includes Brandin Cooks, who scored eight touchdowns in his debut Cowboys campaign but he is currently on IR after being injured in September. 31 at the start of next season, Cooks is joined by Lamb as the only Dallas receiver not attached to a rookie contract. The trade acquisition of Jonathan Mingo provided the team with another young wideout option on the books beyond the current season, something which could lessen the need to retain Cooks as a vertical option in the passing game.

In the front seven, the likes of linebacker Eric Kendricks along with defensive tackles Osa Odighizuwa and Chauncey Golston are on expiring deals. The Cowboys enter Week 11 ranked 31st against the run, so a number of changes should be prioritized in the spring to improve in that respect. Significant turnover could therefore be on tap.

Looming over all the retain/replace decisions Dallas is set to face is the fact that Parsons is in need of a long-term extension. The 2021 Defensive Rookie of the Year’s financial future was less urgent than that of Prescott and Lamb this past offseason, and he made it clear to the team no in-season extension talks would take place in 2024. Banking on a jump in the cap ceiling and the potential for the edge market to see a spike driven by new deals for the likes of Myles Garrett and T.J. Watt, Parsons could very well attempt to become the league’s highest-paid defender this spring.

That title currently belongs to Nick Bosa at an annual average value of $34MM. Parsons – whose resumé includes three Pro Bowls and a pair of first-team All-Pro nods – will be hard-pressed to continue his trend of incrementally upping his sack total in 2024 given his missed time through injury. The 25-year-old’s leverage should nevertheless be sufficient to command a massive second contract, something which could leave Dallas as one of the few teams with two big-ticket edge rush deals on the books simultaneously (if Lawrence is re-signed).

March 2025 will mark Year 2 of Lamb’s accord, which calls for a $34.45MM cap hit. A restructure may be in order to lower that figure, but that will all-but certainly be necessary in Prescott’s case since he is on track to count for $89.9MM against Dallas’ cap next year. Creating immediate space will be key in generating flexibility for the 2025 offseason, one which figures to be rather busy for the Cowboys.

As things stand, Dallas, a team with only 39 players under contract for next year, is set to have roughly $9MM in effective 2025 cap space (h/t Over the Cap). That number will change considerably as the new league year approaches and the team attempts to meet several offseason goals with respect to roster alterations. With nine draft picks – including three in the top 75 – the Cowboys are set to have a rookie class which plays a key role at a number of positions. Before the draft takes place, though, impactful decisions on several financial fronts will need to be made.

Interest In 2026-27 QB Prospects Outshining 2025 NFL Draft

November 15th, 2024 at 8:09pm CST by Ely Allen

There will inevitably be some teams at the end of the 2024 NFL season that will be aching for a new quarterback for 2025. Rumors abound concerning the job security of Daniel Jones in New York, no one seems to be taking firm control of the starting job in Las Vegas, and uncertainty surrounds the recent investments in the position made in Indianapolis, Cleveland, Carolina, and Tennessee. The 2025 NFL Draft class may not offer enough answers for all these teams, so many are doing their research on the next couple of draft classes.

That doesn’t mean there are no options in 2025. Two passers seem to top the list for the upcoming draft: Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders and Miami’s Cam Ward. Sanders and his father (head coach and NFL legend Deion Sanders) have worked hard over the past two seasons to put the Buffaloes on track for a berth in the Big 12 title game and a chance at the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff. Not quite elite with his arm or his legs, Sanders succeeds on technique utilizing good timing and ball placement to lead his offense. Having only played under his father in college, scouts have concerns about Sanders’ maturity and leadership abilities.

Ward, who formerly declared for the 2024 NFL Draft before withdrawing to transfer from Washington State to Coral Gables, has earned his place in the first-round conversation. Starting as a zero-star recruit at Incarnate Ward at the FCS level, Ward found a home in Pullman before joining the Hurricanes. The 22-year-old has led the Canes to a 9-1 record, throwing for 348 yards and three touchdowns in the team’s only loss. His composure in the pocket and elite arm talent make him an enticing prospect but can lead him into making some questionable decisions. He’s an obvious contender for the Heisman trophy, but his draft stock is still far from solidified.

Behind Sanders and Ward, there’s a pretty significant drop off to players like LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier, Alabama’s Jalen Milroe, Georgia’s Carson Beck, and Penn State’s Drew Allar. All four players hold mid-round intrigue, but there’s plenty of time for any of them to work their way into the first-round conversations late like we saw Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix do last year.

While a couple teams will be in a position to take a quarterback early in the 2025 draft, and some may decide that Sanders or Ward are a fit for their organization, others are already doing their homework on the next few classes of college passers. Two redshirt freshmen and one true freshman have scouts licking their chops before they’ve even reached draft eligibility.

In Austin, redshirt freshman Arch Manning has been quietly building a ton of anticipation from the bench. The grandson of former Saints quarterback Archie Manning and son of Peyton and Eli’s brother Cooper, Manning has waited patiently behind the Longhorns’ starting passer Quinn Ewers. Seeing time in six games in relief of Ewers in 2024, Manning has shined in spurts for Texas.

Another NFL legacy player, Dylan Raiola — son of long-time Lions center Dominic Raiola — started off his true freshman season for Nebraska hot before falling off in recent weeks. After drawing early comparisons to Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (mostly visually), Raiola came on strong in his collegiate start, throwing nine touchdowns to only two interceptions in his first five games. Since then, the Cornhuskers passer has cooled off quite a bit throwing only one touchdown to six picks.

Lastly, South Carolina has a redshirt freshman passer in LaNorris Sellers whose name is resounding in NFL scouting circles already. While his arm isn’t electric quite yet, Sellers has been effective en route to a 5-3 record as a starter. He also adds some dynamism with his legs averaging about 50 rushing yards per game on his way to four scores on the ground.

The talk for players like Manning, Raiola, and Sellers is obviously far too premature, as can be seen by Raiola’s midseason slump. The existence of such conversations, though, seems to underline the lack of excitement from the NFL in the 2025 draft class. Sanders and Ward are well on their way to hearing their names on the first night of the draft, but Nussmeier, Milroe, Beck, Allar, and others have some work ahead of them if they’re going to convince NFL squads to take a shot on them this offseason.

Examining Giants’ Daniel Jones Situation

November 12th, 2024 at 9:45pm CST by Sam Robinson

As you may have heard, the Giants pursued a quarterback upgrade this offseason. The team made Drake Maye its primary target, sending the Patriots a strong offer (Nos. 6 and 47, along with a 2025 first-round pick) for No. 3 overall. The Pats passed on Giants and Vikings offers for the pick and centered their rebuild around Maye. The Giants then passed on selecting J.J. McCarthy, Michael Penix Jr. or Bo Nix despite spending time with all three leading up to the draft.

This always left Daniel Jones in limbo, as he has underwhelmed — for the most part — since becoming Eli Manning‘s successor. Jones’ solid yet unspectacular 2022 notwithstanding, the Giants certainly have not seen him live up to the four-year, $160MM deal they authorized just before the March 2023 deadline to apply franchise tags — which led to Saquon Barkley‘s tag and eventual exit. The domino effect here both benefited the Eagles and likely has GM Joe Schoen on a hot seat — after the Jones-over-Barkley decision affected his 2024 plan as well — despite John Mara‘s reassurances.

[RELATED: GM Joe Schoen Expects To Be Back In 2025]

Mara gave Schoen and HC Brian Daboll endorsements for both the end of this season and into 2025, but with the Giants at 2-8 and having lost to a struggling Panthers team in Germany, it is fairly safe to assume both power brokers are far from assured to be back next year. Mara had expected a “big step forward” this season.

Mara has been a bit more patient with GMs compared to HCs, giving two-time Super Bowl winner Jerry Reese the chance to hire the head coach post-Tom Coughlin (Ben McAdoo) and allowing Dave Gettleman to select two HCs (Pat Shurmur, Joe Judge). Schoen being given a quick hook would be out of character, but Daboll receiving the boot after three years would not. Daboll is the only Giants HC to see a third season since Coughlin’s exit.

As it stands, the Giants have a decision to make on Jones; a benching is already on the table. Although no more fully guaranteed money remains on Jones’ contract following this season, sixth-year quarterback has a $23MM injury guarantee for 2025. That would kick in if Jones cannot pass a physical by the start of the 2025 league year in March. This has loomed over the Giants since their Maye trade effort failed. Daboll did not open up a competition this offseason, despite some comments from Seahawks GM John Schneider indicating that was on tap, and the New York Post’s Ryan Dunleavy notes no known first-team reps have gone to Drew Lock or Tommy DeVito this season. Jones’ contract situation points to that changing soon.

Since the 2011 draft changed NFL roster-building, Jones is an outlier. He is the only quarterback who remained a starter with the same team in a sixth season despite not averaging more than seven yards per attempt in any of his first five. The Giants passing on long-rumored target McCarthy at No. 6 gave Jones security, as Lock has not proven a threat. New York passing on McCarthy and other QBs at 6 led Malik Nabers to the Big Apple in hopes the LSU product would ignite Jones. While Nabers has certainly flashed, Jones has continued to struggle upon returning from his ACL tear. He exited a two-INT Carolina game ranked 27th in QBR and averaging just 6.1 yards per attempt.

It appears a 2025 Jones release — long viewed as likely — is close to a near-certainty. With Jones seeing his 2021 season end early due to a neck injury that required surgery and then suffering the ACL tear two years later (after missing 2023 games with more neck trouble), the Giants run the risk of another injury triggering those guarantees and hurting their ability to build a 2025 roster. A 2015 Robert Griffin III-style bubble-wrap scenario may be imminent.

If Jones is cut after passing a physical, it would cost the Giants $22.21MM in dead money — a figure that could be spread over two years, in a post-June 1 release scenario — to move on in 2025. A $23MM sum added to that would create more challenges for the team, which would then be responsible for the second-highest dead money figure — well, depending on what the Browns do with Deshaun Watson — in NFL history.

Lock stands as the more likely player to be given the reins in a Jarrett Stidham scenario, and a benching before the Giants’ Week 12 game would give the former Broncos starter and Seahawks backup a longer runway than each of Stidham’s contract-driven outings. Stidham owns this corner right now, having been promoted by both the Raiders and Broncos to protect injury guarantees in 2022 and ’23. Both AFC West teams cut their starters — Derek Carr, Russell Wilson — weeks after elevating Stidham. A Lock promotion would undoubtedly lead to the Jones book closing in New York by March.

The Giants gave Jones a much longer runway than similar passers have received, as recent years have shown it is not uncommon for top-10 QB picks to be benched by Year 2. The team pulling the plug during Year 6 appears all but certain, and a 2025 effort to acquire a replacement brings the Daboll-Schoen regime into focus. With Jones’ fate all but sealed, the more interesting component here will be whether Schoen will be allowed to acquire the QB’s replacement.

GMs rarely receive second chances, which would create a seminal “what if?” for the veteran exec due to him doubling down on Jones — whom Mara has strongly supported in past offseasons — rather than going all out to land a potential upgrade. Schoen is running out of time to make a sales pitch, and this Jones decision will certainly play into Mara’s long-term thinking as he determines if another housecleaning is necessary.

2024 NFL Trades

November 5th, 2024 at 10:06pm CST by Sam Robinson

We have reached the 2024 trade deadline, which came one week later than the league’s usual endpoint. An offseason measure to move the deadline back one week passed, sliding the deadline beyond Week 9 after it had resided the Tuesday following Week 8 since 2012. That opened the door to more activity this year.

The 2024 offseason also featured extensive work, as teams added starters and depth pieces. Here are the trades involving veteran players (or rookies already drafted) to take place this year:

March 4

Bears chose defensive end Austin Booker at No. 144

March 9

Broncos sent Seahawks No. 136, included 203 in trade with Jets for QB Zach Wilson

March 10

Patriots chose QB Joe Milton at 193

March 11

Bucs drafted WR Jalen McMillan at No. 92; Lions traded No. 201 to Eagles

Panthers traded down from No. 39, giving Rams access to DT Braden Fiske; team moved No. 141 in Bills deal that sent WR Xavier Legette to Carolina. Giants chose RB Tyrone Tracy at 166.

March 12

Bengals chose DB Daijahn Anthony at No. 224 

March 13

Texans traded No. 232 to Vikings

Ravens chose WR Devontez Walker at No. 113, QB Devin Leary at 218; Jets drafted RB Braelon Allen at 134

March 14

Commanders traded Nos. 78, 152 to Eagles in trade that sent CB Cooper DeJean to Philadelphia; Seahawks moved down from No. 102, drafted G Sataoa Laumea at 179

Bolts traded No. 110 to Patriots 

March 15

Steelers chose LB Payton Wilson at No. 98; Eagles traded No. 120 to Dolphins in package that brought back 2025 third-rounder

March 16

Fields must play in 51% of Steelers’ offensive snaps for pick to elevate from sixth to fourth round

March 22

Chiefs traded No. 221 to Bills; Titans chose OLB Jaylen Harrell at 252

March 29

Pick would have become second-rounder had Reddick played 67.5% of Jets’ 2024 defensive snaps and recorded at least 10 sacks. Reddick’s holdout ensured Philly’s pick will land in Round 3.

April 3

Texans dealt No. 189 to Lions for Nos. 205, 249

April 12

Browns chose CB Myles Harden at No. 227

April 22

In trade that gave Vikings J.J. McCarthy draft real estate at No. 10 overall, Jets sent No. 203 to Minnesota; Broncos chose C Nick Gargiulo at 256

April 27

May 9

August 9

August 11

August 14

Dallas carried Phillips on its active roster for two games, meeting minimum requirement for conditional sixth to transfer

August 22

Pick did not convey due to Commanders cutting York before he played in two games with team

August 23

August 24

August 26

August 27

August 28

October 14

October 15

Pick would upgrade to second-rounder if Adams earns first- or second-team All-Pro recognition or is on Jets’ active roster for 2024 AFC championship game or Super Bowl LIX

October 23

Pick would become fourth-rounder if Hopkins both plays 60% of Chiefs’ remaining offensive snaps and Kansas City advances to Super Bowl LIX

October 28

October 29

Robinson’s playing time will determine if Jags pick climbs to a fourth-rounder and whether Vikings will end up receiving 2026 seventh

November 4

November 5

Sixth-rounder going to New Orleans comes from pick Saints sent Commanders for John Ridgeway 

The NFL’s Interim Coaches Since 2000

November 4th, 2024 at 10:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

This century’s 25th season has already brought three firings. The Jets booted Robert Saleh after five games, closing a three-plus-season tenure, and the Saints ended Dennis Allen‘s third HC season after nine. Matt Eberflus has since been dismissed from his Bears post on Black Friday. Dozens of similar decisions have been made this century.

While interim coaches generally do not make it past partial seasons with their respective teams, a handful have done so in modern NFL history. Since 2000, 12 interim HCs have transitioned to a full-time role with their respective franchises. The Raiders ended a seven-year drought by elevating Antonio Pierce to the full-time HC post this year. Here are the league’s 21st-century interim coaches:

2000

  • Dick LeBeau, Cincinnati Bengals; replaced Bruce Coslet on Sept. 25, 2000
  • Dave McGinnis, Arizona Cardinals; replaced Vince Tobin on Oct. 23, 2000
  • Gary Moeller, Detroit Lions; replaced Bobby Ross on Nov. 6, 2000
  • Terry Robiskie, Washington; replaced Norv Turner on Dec. 4, 2000

LeBeau and McGinnis were promoted to head coaches. LeBeau coached the Bengals through the 2002 season; McGinnis was with the Cardinals through 2003.

2001

  • Mike Tice, Minnesota Vikings; replaced Dennis Green on Jan. 4, 2002

Minnesota named Tice, who took over with one game to play during the postponed 2001 season, its full-time head coach in 2002; he stayed in that post through the 2005 season.

2003

  • Wade Phillips, Atlanta Falcons; replaced Dan Reeves on Dec. 10, 2003

2004

  • Jim Bates, Miami Dolphins; replaced Dave Wannstedt on Nov. 9, 2004
  • Terry Robiskie, Cleveland Browns; replaced Butch Davis on Nov. 30, 2004

2005

  • Dick Jauron, Detroit Lions; replaced Steve Mariucci on Nov. 28, 2005

2007

  • Emmitt Thomas, Atlanta Falcons; replaced Bobby Petrino on Dec. 12, 2007

2008

  • Jim Haslett, St. Louis Rams; replaced Scott Linehan on Sept. 29, 2008
  • Tom Cable, Oakland Raiders; replaced Lane Kiffin on Sept. 30, 2008
  • Mike Singletary, San Francisco 49ers; replaced Mike Nolan on Oct. 20, 2008

The Raiders elevated Cable to full-time status; he coached the team through the 2010 season. Singletary rose to San Francisco’s full-time HC post and was in place through 2010, when he was fired in-season.

2009

  • Perry Fewell, Buffalo Bills; replaced Dick Jauron on Nov. 17, 2009

2010

  • Jason Garrett, Dallas Cowboys; replaced Wade Phillips on Nov. 8, 2010
  • Leslie Frazier, Minnesota Vikings; replaced Brad Childress on Nov. 22, 2010
  • Eric Studesville, Denver Broncos; replaced Josh McDaniels on Dec. 6, 2010
  • Jim Tomsula, San Francisco 49ers; replaced Mike Singletary on Dec. 26, 2010

Frazier landed the Vikings gig and held that role through the 2013 season. The Cowboys’ change marks the outlier on this list. Garrett remained Dallas’ head coach through the 2019 campaign. Tomsula technically counts toward the 12 interim HCs who became head coaches for that team, but he did not receive that opportunity for several years. Tomsula moved back to his 49ers D-line coach position and later took over as their head coach for one season in 2015.

2011

  • Mel Tucker, Jacksonville Jaguars; replaced Jack Del Rio on Nov. 29, 2011
  • Todd Bowles, Miami Dolphins; replaced Tony Sparano on Dec. 12, 2011
  • Romeo Crennel, Kansas City Chiefs; replaced Todd Haley on Dec. 12, 2011

Crennel received his second head-coaching opportunity in 2012 but was fired following that season, a 2-14 Chiefs campaign.

2012

  • Aaron Kromer, Joe Vitt, New Orleans Saints

Each served as a Saints interim HC during Sean Payton‘s suspension.

2013

  • Wade Phillips, Houston Texans; replaced Gary Kubiak on Dec. 6, 2013

2014

2015

The Titans handed the reins to Mularkey in 2016. Despite a 2017 playoff berth, Mularkey was axed after his second full-time season.

2016

Marrone moved up to the Jags’ full-time HC position and remained in that role through the 2020 season.

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

The Raiders hired Pierce to be their full-time head coach.

2024

Examining Final Stage Of WR Trade Market

October 31st, 2024 at 10:45pm CST by Sam Robinson

The top dominoes on the wide receiver trade market have likely fallen. Third-round picks changed hands in the Davante Adams and Amari Cooper swaps, and DeAndre Hopkins will join Adams as a Hall of Fame candidate — one who can now bolster his case by moving the needle for a Chiefs threepeat bid.

Diontae Johnson also wound up in a second trade this year, albeit for lower-than-expected compensation. This offseason also brought the likes of Stefon Diggs, Keenan Allen and Jerry Jeudy being traded, marking another busy year — both contractually and transactionally — at the position.

More pieces figure to be moved before the deadline. Here is where things stand with the remaining trade chips at the receiver position:

Likely departures

Darius Slayton, Giants

This Giants regime attempted to move on from Slayton two years ago, leaving the proven target out of the starting lineup into training camp and cutting his pay on a rookie contract. Slayton ended up mattering quite a bit in Brian Daboll‘s first year, which produced a surprise playoff berth despite Kadarius Toney and Kenny Golladay producing next to nothing and Sterling Shepard and Wan’Dale Robinson suffering season-ending injuries. Slayton, as he has throughout his career, remained a reliable albeit unspectacular Daniel Jones weapon. Slayton, 27, has led the Giants in receiving four times since being a 2019 fifth-round pick but has never eclipsed 800 yards, illustrating the long-running issues plaguing this aerial attack.

Malik Nabers arrived as a result of those issues (and the Patriots passing on the Giants’ trade-up bid for Drake Maye), but Slayton has not been marginalized. The sixth-year wideout, with 420 yards in eight games, is on pace for a career-high total. He continues to aid Jones, but with the Giants falling to 2-6 and having a Commanders matchup on tap, teams will call on Slayton. Linked to several big-name receivers this year, the Steelers are believed to be interested. The Texans may be lurking as well.

Just more than $1.3MM remains on Slayton’s through-2024 contract, and although a recent report pointed to a high asking price, this remains the best chance for the Giants to collect an asset for a player they did not extend — despite the veteran’s efforts to secure better terms — this offseason.

Mike Williams, Jets

Williams is 30, coming off an ACL tear and on a team that has rendered him to the periphery following the Adams acquisition. The free agency pickup combined for one reception since Adams’ Week 7 debut and has just 11 catches for 160 yards in eight games as a Jet. With Allen Lazard regaining steam with Aaron Rodgers healthy, it is unsurprising the Jets started shopping Williams in earnest immediately after the Adams trade. Just more than $2.3MM will remain on the former top-10 pick’s contract after tonight’s game; the Jets will wait until after their Week 9 matchup to see if a worthwhile offer emerges.

Considering the rumor volume here, enough smoke exists to predict a second Williams separation from a team this year. The Saints and Steelers have pursued him, though at 2-6, New Orleans no longer profiles as a buyer despite being in on Adams weeks ago. The Jets also are in a seller’s position, though GM Joe Douglas‘ job being on the line may keep the subtractions to a minimum. The Chargers are 4-3 and have inquired about bringing the 2017 draftee back, despite cutting him in March.

Lazard’s Thursday IR placement does throw a wrench in teams’ potential plans to trade for Williams. He was previously viewed as a near-certainty to be dealt. It would be interesting if that injury prompted the Jets to take Williams off the market due to the high-stakes circumstances tied to this season.

A to-be-determined Patriot

Three separate Pats wideouts — K.J. Osborn, Tyquan Thornton and trade-rumor fixture Kendrick Bourne — have been tied to potential moves. At 2-6, New England will need to aim for some moves before next week’s deadline. Bourne, 29, has indicated he would like to stay to help the team’s Drake Maye-fronted rebuild. In addition to Thornton being one of many highly drafted Bill Belichick wideouts who have failed to take off in Foxborough, second-year target Kayshon Boutte has griped about his role.

This fluid situation will almost definitely involve one trade. Osborn, Bourne’s rumor regularity notwithstanding, may be the more likely veteran piece New England deals. The Pats are believed to be shopping he and Bourne, despite the latter having re-signed (on a three-year, $19MM deal) in March. The 49ers, who wanted Bourne back during Brandon Aiyuk trade talks with the Patriots this summer, appear to be standing down at the position following Aiyuk’s injury. The Pats signed Osborn for one year and $4MM, but just $1.18MM consists of base salary, providing relative value for teams, as Osborn has two 600-plus-yard seasons as a Vikings slot on his resume.

Calls coming in

Tee Higgins, Bengals

Carson Palmer‘s quasi-retirement and a Jason Campbell injury producing a monster offer (first- and second-rounders) brought the Bengals to make a deadline trade; Carlos Dunlap becoming a malcontent before the 2020 deadline keyed another such move. Teams have asked about Higgins for a while, as the former second-rounder requested a trade in March. Despite a failure to complete an extension with Ja’Marr Chase this offseason, the Bengals have made it clear the younger WR is their long-term priority.

Higgins is tied to a $21.8MM franchise tag tender, being the only 2024 tag recipient not extended this offseason. Couple that $10MM-plus salary number, if traded after Week 9, and the Bengals’ past and it is a mortal lock the longtime Chase wingman finishes the season in Cincinnati. Higgins, 25, could be re-tagged in 2025, giving the Bengals another window to move on if/once they hold onto him at this year’s deadline.

Cooper Kupp, Rams

The Rams made news earlier this month by both confirming they had received calls on Kupp and a separate report suggesting the team was shopping him. The Chiefs, Bills and Steelers are among the teams to discuss Kupp with the Rams; Kansas City is believed to have preferred Kupp to the player ultimately acquired (Hopkins). But the Rams have won two straight, the second of which featuring Kupp and Puka Nacua back at work.

Sean McVay has all but confirmed Kupp is not going anywhere, and the Rams — who had wanted a return that surpassed the Adams price (conditional third-round pick) — have the former triple-crown winner signed through 2026.

D.K. Metcalf, Seahawks

At this season’s outset, Deebo Samuel appeared much less likely than Metcalf to play out a three-year contract inked during training camp in 2022. Now, Samuel is back as the 49ers’ No. 1 wideout (thanks to Aiyuk’s injury) and Metcalf is drawing trade interest. Calls have come in on the sixth-year pass catcher, who is tied to a three-year, $72MM extension that runs through 2025. The Seahawks, however, are not expected to move their top wideout.

Paired with Tyler Lockett for six seasons, Metcalf is a more appealing trade option due to his age (26). Lockett is 32, and while it is worth wondering the Seahawks would be more amenable to moving the older player, no rumors have swirled there. Seattle has hired a new coaching staff and would drop to 4-5 with a loss to Los Angeles this weekend, but it appears the Mike Macdonald-run team will stick with the big-bodied target throughout the season before potentially reassessing ahead of his contract year.

On trade radar

Jakobi Meyers, Raiders

The Raiders did extensive work on the past two quarterback classes, going elsewhere in 2023 and then seeing an effort to trade up for Jayden Daniels predictably fail this year. Las Vegas is between eras at quarterback, with a flood of rumors set to tie the team to the 2025 class undoubtedly coming soon.

The team already picked up a Jets 2025 third-rounder, but with Meyers initially signed to continue working under his three-year Patriots OC (Josh McDaniels), he makes sense as a trade chip as well. Although the Raiders were rumored to want to keep the sixth-year vet, teams are monitoring his status. The Texans, whose GM (Nick Caserio) was in place when the Pats signed Meyers as a UDFA, may be one of them. Meyers’ three-year, $33MM deal runs through 2025; no guarantees are on the accord post-2024.

Josh Palmer, Chargers

Drafted by current Raiders GM Tom Telesco, Palmer is not believed to be in the Jim Harbaugh-run Chargers’ plans much longer. The former third-round pick has been productive in recent years, as injuries to Mike Williams and Keenan Allen proved frequent in that span.

Capable of playing inside and outside, Palmer would be of interest to a team that misses on Slayton — if, in fact, the six-year Giant is moved. The Bolts are believed to be open trading Palmer, potentially wanting someone else to fill in alongside new top target Ladd McConkey. Palmer appears likely to leave as a free agent in March, so it is logical — even at 4-3 — for the Chargers to consider moving on now.

Courtland Sutton, Broncos

Never one to be excluded from rumors during one of the NFL’s trade windows, Sutton remains the Broncos’ top wideout. His purpose is now boosting Bo Nix‘s development, which is going better than most expected. As Nix won NFL Rookie of the Month honors for October, Sutton is still coming up as a candidate to be moved. The Steelers are interested, to the point they may have the ex-Russell Wilson weapon as their lead trade target. This is old hat for the seventh-year player, who has been coming up in trade rumors since the 2022 deadline. Sean Payton confirmed his WR1 drew more interest this year.

Sutton, 29, is tied to a four-year, $60MM deal — one that has become rather team-friendly, especially with no 2025 guarantees in place — that features just a $1.13MM base salary. Because the Broncos restructured the deal for cost-saving purposes, Sutton would tag them with more than $15MM in dead money — an amount that would be spread between this year and next in the event of a trade. The low salary would appeal to trade suitors, but with Wilson set to count more than $30MM against the Broncos’ 2025 cap, taking on another chunk of dead money now would be a curious strategy. Sutton’s exit would come as strange due to his importance to Nix’s growth and the Broncos having declined a third-round offer from the 49ers in August.

Jonathan Mingo, Adam Thielen, Panthers

Thielen is a 34-year-old receiver on a Panthers team early in a rebuild. No guarantees remain on the ex-Viking’s three-year, $25MM contract for 2025, making him a logical trade candidate. This topic came up recently, and despite the Panthers trading Johnson already, it is doubtful they would pass on offers to keep Thielen, who profiles as a 2025 cut candidate. The former Minnesota UDFA, who tacked on a third 1,000-yard season to his resume last season, remains in the IR-return window after a hamstring injury.

A 2023 second-round pick who has not thus far justified his draft slot, Mingo came up recently as a player who is probably not part of the Panthers’ long-term plans. Mingo may have more trade value, despite the accomplishment gap between these Carolina targets, due to his age and contract status. The Ole Miss alum’s rookie deal runs through 2026, though he is sitting on just 12 catches for 121 yards despite not missing a game this season.

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