Transactions - Pro Football Rumors

RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/6/25

March 6th, 2025 at 8:38pm CST by Sam Robinson

More teams made tender/non-tender decisions on restricted and exclusive rights free agents today. Here are the latest updates:

RFAs

Tendered:

Patriots: LB Christian Elliss

Non-tendered:

Patriots: OL Lester Cotton

ERFAs:

Tendered:

Giants: QB Tommy DeVito

One of four Luther Elliss sons who has made it to the NFL, Christian joins Kaden and Jonah in being active players. Christian Elliss turned in his best season in 2024, making 80 tackles — after his previous career high was 23 — to go with 1.5 sacks and an interception for the Patriots. New England used him as a five-game starter.

DeVito’s Giants return had been known for a bit. The Giants have no plans to let the former UDFA compete for the starting job — at least, it would be a surprise if that happened — but once he signs the tender, he will be the only QB under contract with the team. New York is targeting veterans and rookies, being connected to several big names and moving up to No. 1 overall. After receiving the initial call (over UFA-to-be Drew Lock) to replace Daniel Jones, DeVito has now made eight career starts. A forearm injury led DeVito out of the Giants’ lineup, but the local product returned to make a second start against the Buccaneers weeks later.

Falcons Re-Sign LS Liam McCullough; Team Will Not Tender RFAs Dee Alford, Nathan Landman

March 6th, 2025 at 8:22pm CST by Sam Robinson

This year’s salary cap spike left the low-end RFA tender north of $3MM. Some teams are passing on paying role players that salary. The Falcons are among them.

Atlanta is not tendering RFAs Dee Alford and Nathan Landman, according to Fox Sports’ Greg Auman. The low-end tender will cost $3.26MM, and the Falcons are passing on keeping Alford and Landman at that rate. These decisions will send the cornerback and linebacker into unrestricted free agency.

Alford has been Atlanta’s primary slot cornerback for the past two seasons. He played a career-high 69% of the Falcons’ defensive snaps last season, which came after the team used him on 53% of its defensive plays in 2023. One of the team’s AJ Terrell complementary pieces, Alford saw his coverage numbers worsen.

A UDFA out of Tusculum, Alford allowed a 72% completion rate as the closest defender in 2024, working out to a passer rating of 117.9. The Falcons fired their defensive coordinator (Jimmy Lake) after one season, and replacement Jeff Ulbrich may be ready to make significant changes. Alford’s 724 snaps last season trailed only Terrell among Atlanta corners.

Landman stepped in as a replacement for starter Troy Andersen in 2023. He started 23 games over the past two seasons and delivered steady production, forcing six fumbles in that span. The former UDFA out of Colorado made 110 tackles in 2023; seven of those were behind the line of scrimmage. Landman did not record any TFLs last season, missing time due to a quad injury, but Pro Football Focus slotted him as the No. 39 off-ball linebacker. He stands to generate some interest as a UFA soon, though Auman adds a return at a lower rate could be in play. Landman also could potentially draw a higher salary on the open market.

While separations could loom on Atlanta’s defense, the team is keeping one of its specialists. Long snapper Liam McCullough re-signed with the team Thursday. It is a four-year deal, likely putting the ex-Ohio State UDFA at or near the top of the long snapper market.

McCullough was eligible for restricted free agency but was not a realistic candidate to be tendered, as not even the highest-paid deep snappers barely earns $1.5MM on average. This deal will keep McCullough in the fold; he has been the Falcons’ long snapper since 2022, playing in every Atlanta game during that stretch.

Commanders To Re-Sign Bobby Wagner

March 6th, 2025 at 5:34pm CST by Sam Robinson

Bobby Wagner‘s reunion with Dan Quinn will last another year. After being on three teams from 2022-24, Wagner is staying in Washington.

The Commanders have a deal in place with the future Hall of Fame linebacker, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero report. The contract includes $8MM guaranteed and can max out at $9.5MM. Wagner continued his run of durability and production, helping the Commanders to one of the most surprising conference championship journeys in NFL history.

This marks Wagner’s fourth contract in four years. After the Seahawks cut him in 2022, the Rams did the same a year later. Wagner returned to Seattle on a one-year deal in 2023 but left to rejoin Quinn — his defensive coordinator from 2013-14 in Seattle — in Washington. The Commanders benefited from Wagner’s production and leadership, as he played 17 games and continued an astonishing streak.

Last season marked Wagner’s 11th straight earning an All-Pro nod. The former Super Bowl starter collected a second-team accolade for his work in Washington, making him an 11-time All-Pro (six first teams, five second teams). Only Hall of Famers Joe Schmidt, Ray Lewis and Mike Singletary have earned more first-team All-Pro honors among off-ball ‘backers than Wagner’s six. On his way to join them in Canton, Wagner will play a 14th NFL season. He will turn 35 in June.

Wagner, who has missed one game over the past six seasons, made 132 tackles (10 for loss) and added two sacks and two fumble recoveries. Long admirers of Wagner’s work, Pro Football Focus ranked the veteran as last season’s third-best off-ball linebacker. PFF has ranked Wagner as a top-10 ILB 12 times. Author of one of the modern game’s steadiest careers, Wagner will earn a raise on his 2024 contract (one year, $6.5MM).

Formerly in place as the front-seven anchor during the Seahawks’ Legion of Boom teams, Wagner hung on much longer than those DB pillars. His first Seahawks stint lasted 10 seasons, and his second brought an NFL-leading 183 tackles in 2023. Wagner, who ran his sack count to 35 last season, still playing at a high level helped the Commanders as they went from rebuilding team to the NFC runner-up.

Quinn brought in Wagner and Frankie Luvu to lead his linebacking corps. Both signings worked out splendidly, as Luvu continued his hybrid work by delivering a 99-tackle, eight-sack season. Luvu, who is on a three-year deal, will have another chance to play alongside one of the best to ever do it. The Commanders, who ranked 18th defensively and gave up 55 points in the NFC championship game, intend to do more to bolster the unit. But Wagner staying represents an important piece.

Jaguars To Release TE Evan Engram, WR Devin Duvernay

March 6th, 2025 at 4:55pm CST by Sam Robinson

A Jacksonville skill-position purge will continue with two more veterans. Following the team’s intra-division Christian Kirk trade, Evan Engram and Devin Duvernay are also out.

The Jags are releasing the veteran tight end and All-Pro return man, ESPN.com’s Michael DiRocco and NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero respectively report. One season remained on Engram’s extension, which was signed after the Jags franchise-tagged him in 2023.

Count Josh Reynolds among the skill-player cap casualties as well, per the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson. The Jags had claimed Reynolds off waivers from the Broncos late last season. This release will save the Jags $4.26MM, as they had taken Reynolds’ two-year, $9MM contract from the Broncos.

If the Jaguars are moving on from Engram via a standard release, they would take on $13.5MM in dead money. If they wait to officially cut the former first-rounder on March 12 and give him a post-June 1 release designation, the team would be tagged with just $4MM in 2025 dead cap and would save $15.5MM in cap room. Engram, 30, was due to count $19.49MM on Jacksonville’s 2025 cap — the second-highest total on the team’s payroll.

The Duvernay release will save the Jags $2.7MM this year. Jacksonville added Duvernay last March, doing so as it signed Gabe Davis as well. Davis did not live up to his $13MM-per-year contract in his first season, but he is the only veteran skill player left standing after this week’s moves. While the team is prepared to build around Brian Thomas Jr., it will need to fill out some spots alongside the blossoming first-rounder.

Given the tag over Jawaan Taylor in 2023, Engram signed a three-year, $41.25MM extension. That deal called for a $14.75MM 2025 base salary. Three void years tacked onto the end of it will bring the dead money, which would stretch to 2026 if the Jags make Engram a post-June cut. This could certainly make Engram the top tight end on the market, one that includes the likes of Mike Gesicki, Juwan Johnson and Tyler Conklin.

A 2017 Giants first-round pick, Engram has a Pro Bowl (2020) on his resume but became more consistent with the Jags. He twice set the franchise record for receiving yards by a tight end, accumulating 766 in 2022 and then 963 in ’23. Engram was not a strong red zone option for Trevor Lawrence, but the now-well-paid QB peppered him with targets. Engram caught 114 passes in 2023; only Jimmy Smith‘s 1999 featured more receptions (116) by a Jaguar.

Even as Engram scored only nine touchdowns in three seasons and is heading into his age-31 season, he should be in line for a starting job elsewhere soon. The Jags have given him a few days to beat the market. This release does come after Engram closed last season on IR with a labrum tear; he totaled 365 receiving yards in nine games.

Duvernay, 27, arrived during an offseason that saw the departures of Calvin Ridley and Zay Jones. The Jags had attempted to re-sign Ridley, being outbid by the Titans, before releasing Jones. In 2023, the team had deployed four veteran skill-player contracts around Lawrence’s rookie deal. They are now down to one (Davis’), and the ex-Bills WR2 totaled just 239 receiving yards last season.

Known more for his return-game skills than at receiver, Duvernay caught 11 passes for 79 yards in 2024. The two-time Ravens Pro Bowler served as the Jags’ kickoff and punt returner, leaving more jobs open amid this transition. Reynolds, 29, caught just one pass in four games as a Jaguar. He does have two 600-plus-yard seasons on his resume — including the 2023 season in Detroit — but has now been cut twice since December.

Kirk and Engram both had signed with the Jags in 2022, with each helping Lawrence after a woeful rookie season. Kirk is Houston-bound, while Engram — who has five seasons of at least 575 yards on his resume — should find a new home soon. The Jags have moved past $40MM in cap space with these moves and will be on the lookout for new Thomas supporting-casters soon.

Colts Release DT Raekwon Davis

March 6th, 2025 at 4:01pm CST by Adam La Rose

Instead of playing out the final year of his Colts contract, Raekwon Davis will immediately reach free agency. The veteran defensive tackle was released on Thursday, per a team announcement.

The move comes as little surprise. Davis was due $6.49MM in 2025, but none of his base salary for the season was guaranteed. Instead of carrying him at a cap it of $8.96MM, Indianapolis will move on. This release will generate $6.46MM in savings while creating a dead money charge of $2.5MM.

Davis played out his rookie contract with the Dolphins from 2020-22. Over that span, the former second-rounder logged 48 starts, but he was unable to cement himself as a mainstay along the defensive line. After showing limited upside against the pass during his Miami tenure, Davis took a deal with an average of $7MM during his first foray into free agency. That marked a notable raise compared to his initial contract, but it illustrated a degree of hesitance on the Colts’ part.

During his debut Indy campaign, the Alabama product played in all 17 games. Davis did not register any starts, however, and his 30% snap share marked the lowest of his career. With the team set to rely on other options along the interior, this release will allow for a brief period to gauge the market prior to the start of the new league. Interest could be limited in Davis’ case, although at the age of 27 he will be among the younger options to choose from in free agency.

As a result of this move, the Colts have more than $40MM in cap space. General manager Chris Ballard made it clear this offseason he and the team will opt for a philosophical shift in roster building, with a greater emphasis being placed on outside additions. That route did not go as planned in Davis’ case last spring, but the resources to try again in 2025 are available.

Jaguars, Texans Agree To Christian Kirk Trade

March 6th, 2025 at 3:24pm CST by Adam La Rose

Christian Kirk will not be released after all. The Jaguars are moving on from the veteran wideout, but they will do so via trade instead.

Kirk is heading to the Texans, as first reported by Dianna Russini of The Athletic. Houston will send Jacksonville a 2026 seventh-round pick, she adds. Kirk will not hit the market as a result, and he will continue his career on a new AFC South team.

One year remains on the 28-year-old’s contract, a factor which helped inform the Jags’ decision to move on. This swap will generate $10.44MM in cap savings while incurring a dead money charge of $13.65MM. Kirk is owed a $15.5MM salary for 2025, but he could work out a new deal upon arrival in Houston.

The Texans entered 2024 with high expectations at the receiver position. Nico Collins, Tank Dell and trade acquisition Stefon Diggs figured to give the team one of the league’s top WR trios. Diggs suffered an ACL tear midway through the season and Dell later did the same, however. The latter’s availability for 2025 is in question.

Diggs is a pending free agent, so the chance of a departure on his part along with Dell’s injury status made the Texans a team to watch regarding a notable wideout addition. Prior to the Combine, it became clear Houston would be open to re-signing Diggs, but this move increasingly points toward him at least testing the market next week. In any case, Kirk will be tasked with operating as a strong complementary option to Collins in 2025.

After playing out his rookie contract with the Cardinals, Kirk inked a four-year pact to head to Jacksonville. The $18MM AAV of that deal raised many eyebrows at the time, but the receiver market has since seen two major spikes as the NFL’s salary cap continues to grow rapidly. If the former second-rounder aims to secure a raise with his new team, though, he could be hard-pressed in that effort.

Kirk logged a full season in 2022, but his Jaguars follow-up was limited to only 12 games. This past season, the Texas A&M product suffered a broken collarbone which sidelined him after eight contests. That injury left him off the midseason trade market, which was notable since the Steelers reportedly reached agreement on a swap prior to the injury. In the wake of the missed time, the Jags’ new regime will move in a different direction while looking to build a receiving corps around Trevor Lawrence.

That process will no doubt lean heavily on Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist Brian Thomas Jr., but WR will be a position to watch for Jacksonville this offseason. A number of high-profile wideouts are on track to reach the market, including some veterans (Davante Adams, Tyler Lockett) who have recently been cut. Kirk will not be on that list, as his 2025 situation has already been determined.

Bears Re-Sign CB Josh Blackwell

March 6th, 2025 at 2:02pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Bears’ special teams units will include a number of familiar faces in 2025. Linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga has a deal in place to remain with the team, and the same is also true of cornerback Josh Blackwell.

The latter was a restricted free agent, but the team announced on Thursday he has inked a two-year deal. Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times reports Blackwell can earn up to $6MM. That represents a notable raise for the 25-year-old.

Blackwell entered the league with the Eagles as a UDFA in 2022, but he was unable to make the team’s initial roster during cutdowns. Chicago claimed him off waivers just before the start of the campaign, and he has been in the organization since then. The Bears tendered him as an exclusive rights free agent in 2023, then did so again the following year.

This latest pact will provide a degree of security for Blackwell as he looks to remain a key third phase figure for Chicago. The Duke product has only made two starts on defense in his career, but his 42 games played have seen him handle a regular role on special teams. Blackwell has logged 709 snaps in that capacity to date, and he will no doubt be expected to remain a notable contributor on coverage and return units moving forward.

The Bears have Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon and Tyrique Stevenson in place as cornerback starters. Barring injury, Blackwell does not have a path to a first-team defensive role as a result, but he will once again be available next season in a valuable third phase capacity.

Bills Release P Sam Martin

March 6th, 2025 at 1:26pm CST by Adam La Rose

Sam Martin‘s time with the Bills has come to an end. The veteran punter was released on Thursday, per a team announcement.

One year remained on Martin’s contract, but none of his $1.89MM in scheduled compensation for 2025 was guaranteed. Buffalo will save that amount in cap space while generating just $400K in dead money and avoiding a $500K roster bonus which was due shortly after the start of the new league year. Martin, 35, will immediately be free to join a new team.

Over the course of his 12-year career, Martin has spent time with three teams. His first seven campaigns came in Detroit and saw relatively steady production. The former fifth-rounder then punted for the Broncos over a three-year stretch, but he was not retained once his pact expired. The 2022 offseason – in which Matt Araiza was drafted and subsequently released by the Bills – opened the door for another new opportunity.

Martin inked a one-year Buffalo deal that offseason, and his 47.7 yards per punt average was the second-highest mark of his career. It thus came as little surprise when he remained in place the following spring on a three-year pact. After playing out only two campaigns on that deal, though, the Appalachian State product is no longer in the fold.

Buffalo signed Jake Camarda to a reserve deal in January, and as a result of today’s move he is the only punter in the organization. The Bills could certainly look to add competition this offseason, while Martin will attempt to catch on with a new team over the coming days.

Seahawks Re-Sign CB Josh Jobe

March 6th, 2025 at 1:01pm CST by Adam La Rose

Josh Jobe handled a considerable jump in workload with the Seahawks in 2024, and it has landed the cornerback a new Seattle agreement. Jobe re-signed on Thursday, his agency announced.

The 26-year-old was a restricted free agent, but instead of being tendered he has a new agreement in place. Jobe was a special teams mainstay during his first two NFL seasons, which came in Philadelphia. When he was waived during roster cutdowns this August, though, he quickly joined the Seahawks.

That move paved the way for a notable role on defense. Jobe handled a 65% snap share in 2024, logging six starts in his 10 appearances. During that time, the former UDFA notched the first interception of his career along with 37 tackles and seven pass deflections. In coverage, Jobe allowed a completion percentage of 56% and only one touchdown as the nearest defender.

Those figures point to a future as at least a valuable rotational member of the secondary for the Alabama product moving forward. Seattle’s cap situation has changed considerably in recent days, with a number of releases – including that of Tyler Lockett – taking place. The team is cap compliant as a result with the room to make at least some free agent additions next week. Some of the available funds will go toward keeping Jobe in place.

Seattle has Devon Witherspoon and Riq Woolen attached to their rookie contracts, and they are set to remain starters at the cornerback spot moving forward. Jobe will figure into the position’s rotation once again in 2025 as a candidate to take on a notable defensive workload if needed.

Commanders Re-Sign K Zane Gonzalez

March 6th, 2025 at 12:34pm CST by Adam La Rose

Zane Gonzalez closed out the campaign with the Commanders, and his performance during that period has earned him an extended stay in the nation’s capital. The veteran kicker was re-signed on Thursday, per a team announcement.

Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post reports this will be a one-year deal worth the veteran minimum. As a result, Gonzalez will collect $1.17MM in 2025 to remain Washington’s kicker. The 29-year-old was added in November, and he made a combined nine regular and postseason appearances with his latest team.

An injury to Austin Seibert left the Commanders in need of a midseason addition, and Gonzalez filled in well enough to land a new deal. The latter connected on five of his seven field goal tries in the regular season, and went seven-for-eight during the playoffs. Gonzalez also made all of his extra point kicks. His FG accuracy has seen numerous swings over the course of his career, but overall it stands at 80%.

The Arizona state product was drafted by the Browns in 2017, but he made only 18 appearances with the team. Gonzalez then had a run of two-plus years with the Cardinals before enjoying his most accurate season in 2021 with Carolina. He did not see any regular season game action in 2022 or ’23, but his return to the fold in Washington will allow him to continue his career.

Seibert is a pending free agent, and today’s news is obviously a strong sign he will be heading elsewhere on the open market. Given the low-cost nature of this pact, though, the Commanders could certainly look to add training camp competition at the kicker spot sometime this offseason.

Transactions News & Rumors

RFAs

ERFAs: