HEADLINES

Transactions News & Rumors

Cardinals Sign Round 3 RB Trey Benson, Wrap Draft Class Deals

July 18th, 2024 at 2:26pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Cardinals have completed rookie-deal negotiations with third-round pick Trey Benson. With Arizona announcing the running back’s signing Thursday, all non-first-round picks have agreed to their four-year rookie pacts.

Only three players remain unsigned. The Vikings have not signed either of their two first-rounders — J.J. McCarthy, Dallas Turner — and the Bengals have not yet come to terms with tackle Amarius Mims. Of course, modern rookie deals do not feature the kind of complications they brought before the 2011 CBA introduced the slot system. It should be expected Minnesota and Cincinnati will wrap these processes soon, as rookies are now in training camp.

Benson’s contract comes shortly after the Jets agreed to terms with their third-round pick, wide receiver Malachi Corley. Considering Corley was chosen one spot in front of the Florida State alum, who went 66th overall, the Cardinals’ final unsigned draftee appeared on track to finish off this process. After all, every other third-rounder — including the Cardinals’ other three Round 3 choices — had been signed for weeks now.

Arizona has not featured too much in the way of James Conner insurance during the ex-Steeler’s time in the desert. Benson stands to provide some and could well become Conner’s successor. The starter’s three-year, $21MM deal expires after the 2024 season. Entering this campaign, however, Benson should mix in as a backup. Conner has missed time in each of his three Cardinals seasons, however, clearing a path for the rookie and 2023 waiver claim Michael Carter.

This year’s draft did not feature the level of RB prospects the 2023 class brought. No back came off the board until the Panthers traded up for Jonathon Brooks at No. 46. Benson became the second RB selected. Benson put together 990- and 906-yard showings over the past two seasons with the Seminoles. The Oregon transfer caught 20 passes for 227 yards in 2023, completing a 15-touchdown college finale. Accumulating only 316 college carries, Benson soon clocked a 4.39-second 40-yard dash time at the Combine to present an intriguing profile for NFL teams.

Here is how the Cardinals’ 2024 draft class looks as first-year players get to work:

Minor NFL Transactions: 7/17/24

July 17th, 2024 at 6:47pm CST by Ely Allen

Some roster movement today in minor transactions as several teams are starting to add players to early injured lists:

Chicago Bears

  • Placed on active/NFI list: T Kiran Amegadjie
  • Placed on active/PUP list: DT Jamree Kromah

Denver Broncos

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Chargers

Seattle Seahawks

There was good news on the Horton front back in May as it was announced that the Texans defender had completed his final treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma. As a rookie out of TCU, Horton sat out the final seven games of the 2023 season on the non-football illness list. As he continues to work his way back to the field, it appears he’ll start the summer on the list, as well.

Thompson’s situation in Kansas City also received some good news of late. After suffering a seizure that caused him to go into cardiac arrest in early-June, the Chiefs defender continues to make progress towards a return. He’ll start the summer on the non-football injury list but will continue to work his way back as he continues with medical procedures, per Nate Taylor of The Athletic.

Steelers Bring Back LB Tyler Matakevich

July 17th, 2024 at 4:11pm CST by Sam Robinson

After four seasons in Buffalo, Tyler Matakevich is coming back to where his NFL journey began. The Steelers announced a reunion with the veteran linebacker Wednesday. It is a one-year deal.

Role players regularly land deals with teams around the time training camps start, and Matakevich having played four seasons in Pittsburgh stands to help his cause when it comes to landing on the team’s 53-man roster (or 16-man practice squad). The Steelers drafted Matakevich in the 2016 seventh round. This marks the second straight year he has signed a one-year contract.

Matakevich, 31, returns to a team that has made major changes at linebacker since he was last in town. The team’s GM (Omar Khan) and DC (Teryl Austin) have changed as well, though Mike Tomlin is going into his 18th season as the team’s head coach. Pittsburgh signed Patrick Queen this offseason and returns 2023 free agency pickup Elandon Roberts. Cole Holcomb, however, is still recovering from the serious knee injury he suffered last November. The Steelers have not re-signed 2023 starter Kwon Alexander, either, though they did draft NC State’s Payton Wilson in Round 3.

A starting role should not be considered likely for Matakevich, who has made his NFL living on special teams. The Temple alum has started one game in eight seasons, but he has missed just two career contests and lined up as an ST regular throughout. Matakevich has hit the 80% snap rate on special teams three times, including in 2021 and 2023 with the Bills.

In 17 games last season, Matakevich played just 16 defensive snaps. But he has not dipped below the 75% ST snap rate since 2018. The ninth-year vet seems a good bet to avoid the practice squad, having been an active-roster player throughout his career. The Steelers would have that option, however, though they could also have a roster spot due to a Holcomb placement on the reserve/PUP list. With the 2023 UFA’s availability for the season in doubt, a spot does appear open. To make room on their 90-man roster, the Steelers waived safety Jalen Elliott.

Bears Sign No. 1 Pick Caleb Williams

July 17th, 2024 at 2:45pm CST by Sam Robinson

JULY 17, 2:45pm: Once again, we have a report Williams has agreed to terms with the Bears. This latest offering, from NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero, comes after a report the highly touted passer attempted to become the first rookie to receive a no-tag clause in his first NFL deal. The Bears balked, potentially putting this issue to bed for other No. 1 picks for a while, and have their new starter under contract. The team have since announced the signing.

11:58am: While Williams’ deal is expected to be completed soon, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio notes some minor issues remain unresolved. The lawyer representing Williams is not especially experienced with NFL contracts, per Florio, complicating this process to a degree. Though, the No. 1 pick is on track to collect his full signing bonus not long after the deal is finalized. It does not appear like that has happened just yet.

JULY 16: Hours after Rome Odunze‘s signature on his rookie contract, Caleb Williams is putting pen to paper as well. The Bears are also signing their No. 1 overall pick to his rookie deal Tuesday, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter tweets.

This will be a fully guaranteed four-year deal worth $39.49MM. While this is a fraction of what No. 1 picks commanded before the 2011 CBA reshaped rookie pacts, Williams’ slot price sits higher than anyone drafted since. The Bears, who traded Justin Fields to make room for the 2022 Heisman winner, now have this year’s top draftee signed through 2027.

[RELATED: Five 2024 Draft Choices Remain Unsigned]

Williams marks the latest QB swing from a Bears team that has been unable to find a true franchise-level option. Fields showed some improvement last season, but Williams’ ceiling is viewed as considerably higher. Chicago’s whiff on Mitch Trubisky remains one of the modern draft era’s most infamous transactions, seeing as Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson were drafted soon after. The team’s Jay Cutler trade, which cost two first-round picks and change, produced one playoff berth in eight seasons. A 2023 Panthers trade, however, changed Chicago’s fortunes and led to a rare opportunity.

The Bears did pass on C.J. Stroud by sending the Panthers the 2023 top pick, leading to Carolina choosing Bryce Young. Although GM Ryan Poles attempted to give Fields a shot at making a case to be the team’s long-term option, the Panthers finishing 2-15 changed the Bears’ plans. Few expected Chicago to seriously entertain trading out of No. 1 for a second straight year, and the team did not. The Bears instead unloaded Fields — for a price (a conditional sixth-round pick) much lower than most anticipated — to clear the decks for Williams. With no notable backup in place, the former Lincoln Riley pupil will move into Chicago’s starting lineup soon.

The Bears already named Williams their starter, though that status was never in doubt. The former Oklahoma recruit-turned-USC superstar had established himself as the clear-cut top option in this year’s class during his 2022 Heisman-winning season. Williams did not fare as well as a junior, but he did not do enough to fall in the draft. This year’s spree of draft rumors centered around five quarterbacks, not six, as Williams-to-Chicago was an open secret for weeks.

Although some evaluators referred to Williams’ Combine interviews as “not great,” the dynamic talent was never closely connected to any team but the Bears. That set him apart from Young last year, as the Panthers were also tied to Stroud and Anthony Richardson, and placed Williams closer to the Trevor Lawrence and Joe Burrow levels. Williams’ supporting cast looks better than both those talents coming in.

Williams totaled 4,537 passing yards, with a 42-5 TD-INT ratio, during his Heisman season. Although the Trojans took a step back in 2023 by losing five of their final six regular-season games, Williams still closed with a 30-5 TD-INT ratio and improved his completion percentage from 66.6% to 68.6%. Williams’ yards per attempt number (9.4) also bettered his Heisman average (9.1). Williams averaged at least nine yards per pass in each of his three college seasons.

The 6-foot-1, 214-pound passer will now team with one of the top receiver groups in Bears history, with Chicago adding Keenan Allen and Odunze to a group fronted by D.J. Moore. The Bears also have Cole Kmet and ex-Shane Waldron charge Gerald Everett rostered at tight end. After Trubisky and Fields struggled with limited pass-catching help, Williams will begin an attempt to reverse this franchise’s miserable modern QB history with a deep array of weaponry.

Going into training camp, here is how the Bears’ 2024 draft class looks:

Jets Sign Round 3 WR Malachi Corley, Complete Draft Class Deals

July 17th, 2024 at 9:22am CST by Sam Robinson

We are now down to four unsigned rookies. Entering Wednesday morning, two third-round draftees had not provided signatures on their rookie deals; that list is trimmed to one.

The Jets now have Malachi Corley under contract, according to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. The team agreed to terms with the No. 65 overall pick on a four-year rookie deal. The terms of the wide receiver’s pact will likely precede a near-future Cardinals agreement with the final unsigned third-rounder, running back Trey Benson.

Corley will compete for the Jets’ slot receiver post, with Xavier Gipson representing the Western Kentucky alum’s main competition during training camp. The Jets have notable plans for Corley, however, as their Day 2 investment showed. The team began making calls on potentially trading up for the mid-major product at No. 45.

Ranked in Daniel Jeremiah’s final NFL.com top 50, Corley joins Garrett Wilson and Mike Williams as the top Jets receiver investments. Corley contributed to Bailey Zappe‘s record-setting 2021 season but became a bigger part of the Hilltoppers’ offense over the past two years. He totaled 101 receptions for 1,295 yards in 2022 and added 79 grabs for 984 yards last season. Snaring 11 touchdown passes in each of those seasons, Corley earned first-team All-Conference USA in 2022 and ’23.

At 5-foot-11, 215 pounds, Corley brings a big-bodied slot profile for the Jets, who will not be nearly as dependent on ex-Aaron Rodgers Packers targets as they were in 2023. The Jets have not re-signed Randall Cobb, and after underwhelming in his debut with the team, Allen Lazard is essentially only still around due to a $22MM guarantee the team authorized. A Wilson-Williams-Corley setup may be where the Jets end up at receiver before too long, though Gipson will have a say in that trio forming.

Here is how the Jets’ 2024 draft class looks ahead of training camp:

Minor NFL Transactions: 7/16/24

July 16th, 2024 at 6:59pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Tuesday’s minor moves:

Miami Dolphins

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

San Francisco 49ers

The active versions of these injury lists only impact players’ availability for practices before the regular season. Players can be moved off the active/PUP or active/NFI lists at any point over the next month-plus. Should a player be left on a PUP or NFI list when a team finalizes a 53-man roster — as the Ravens are expected to with running back Keaton Mitchell — he must miss at least four games.

Pearsall’s undisclosed injury is not viewed as a malady that should keep the first-rounder out long term, per The Athletic’s Matt Barrows. The Florida alum is expected to join Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, the latter’s trade request notwithstanding, this season and profiles as a long-term replacement for one of the two players — depending on how San Francisco handles its receiver contract glut — come 2025. Pearsall participated in the 49ers’ offseason program; it would be a surprise if he became a candidate for the reserve/PUP list.

Texans To Sign G Chris Reed, WR Quintez Cephus

July 16th, 2024 at 5:42pm CST by Sam Robinson

Chris Reed has secured a chance at a 10th NFL season, while Quintez Cephus has landed another opportunity with a team following his 2023 gambling suspension. The Texans will greenlight these depth signings.

After Reed played two seasons with the Vikings, KSTP’s Darren Wolfson notes he will land in Houston. Cephus reached an agreement to join a crowded Texans receiving corps, according to his agency. Cephus spent last season out of football but was among the gambling policy violators reinstated earlier this offseason. The Bills initially added Cephus following his reinstatement but cut him soon after.

[RELATED: Texans Sign UFL DE Malik Fisher]

This will mark team No. 6 for Reed, who is now a Titans agreement away from the AFC South cycle. Reed primarily operated as a Vikings backup but has made 30 career starts. He figures to mix in as a competitor for a swing role in Houston, which is returning multiple interior O-linemen after season-ending injuries.

The Panthers used Reed as a 14-game starter in 2020, when he played exclusively at left guard. Reed started six games for the Colts in 2021. He lined up at both guard spots, replacing Quenton Nelson and Mark Glowinski, that year. Reed also made eight starts for the Jaguars from 2016-18; a nomadic path followed.

Reed, who will turn 32 next week, spent most of last season on Minnesota’s reserve/NFI list. He logged all of two offensive snaps in 2023. The Vikings had turned to Reed as an emergency center late in the 2022 season, as Garrett Bradbury rehabbed an injury. The sides reached an agreement on a pay cut to keep the Minnesota State alum in the Twin Cities, but last season brought a clear step back for the ex-UDFA.

The Texans lost Josh Jones (to the Ravens) in free agency but have Kenyon Green and Kendrick Green returning from season-ending maladies. The former, a 2022 first-rounder, may have the inside track to start at left guard opposite the durable Shaq Mason. Kendrick Green, a former Steelers center starter who has not played much since that 2021 season, is in a contract year. Jarrett Patterson, whom Juice Scruggs is expected to supplant at center, also factors into Houston’s LG competition. Reed, who could certainly loom as a potential practice squad insurance option, figures to vie for an interior swing role.

Cephus, 26, was part of 2023’s first wave of players suspended for violating the gambling policy. The ex-Lion was found to have made NFL bets, leading to a full-season suspension. The Bills cut the former Lions role player after a few weeks. Cephus did amass 553 receiving yards between the 2020 and ’21 seasons, but the backup/special-teamer’s career has skidded off track.

The Texans will not have spots for all their notable names at receiver, making this a somewhat interesting addition. In addition to projected starters Stefon Diggs, Nico Collins and Tank Dell, Houston rosters Robert Woods, Noah Brown, 2022 second-rounder John Metchie and trade acquisition Ben Skowronek. Cephus stands to have an uphill battle to make the team’s 53-man roster, and trade rumors figure to impact one or more of the Texans’ backup options.

Bears Sign Round 1 WR Rome Odunze

July 16th, 2024 at 1:15pm CST by Sam Robinson

As training camps approach, only six 2024 draftees remain unsigned. The Bears entered the week with their two first-round choices out of contract, but they narrowed that number to one Tuesday by signing Rome Odunze to his rookie deal.

Odunze, the Bears’ first Round 1 wideout pick since Kevin White in 2015, will be tied to a four-year pact that could be pushed to 2028 via the fifth-year option. Chicago did considerable work at wide receiver this offseason, adding Keenan Allen as well. But Odunze will be tied to Caleb Williams for the foreseeable future. The Bears will hope their Nos. 1 and 9 overall picks form a long-term partnership.

The team targeted the Washington prospect with the ninth pick to the point it explored trading up. GM Ryan Poles called Falcons counterpart Terry Fontenot about moving up one spot. The Falcons passed and chose Odunze’s college QB, Michael Penix Jr., but other teams eyed the multiyear Huskies standout. The Jets were in the mix, while the Colts made offers to move up for a pass catcher. Ultimately, Odunze ended up with a Bears team that may well be set to sport one of the most promising receiving cadres in its history.

Odunze’s contract will come fully guaranteed, as all first-round deals are now. Rookie deals are no longer especially complicated, and holdouts are exceedingly rare since the 2011 CBA introduced the slot system. The Williams matter may not be resolved for a bit, but the USC prospect is not expected to hold out. Williams is not using an NFLPA-certified agent, adding a complication to the former Heisman winner’s negotiations.

The Bears have clear intentions to make Odunze a Week 1 starter, teaming him with Allen and 2023 trade pickup D.J. Moore. Although Chicago rostered Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery together, this franchise does not have an extensive history with high-end receiving tandems or trios. Moore immediately became Chicago’s top target, displacing Darnell Mooney, and Allen comes over after accumulating the second-most receiving yards in Chargers history. WR3 expectations should give Odunze a smoother onramp to the NFL.

Odunze played a lead role in Washington zooming to the CFP national championship game, leading Division I-FBS in receiving (1,640 yards) and catching 13 touchdown passes. The Penix-Odunze combo produced 10 100-yard games for the 6-foot-3, 212-pound target, who amassed 125 yards in the Huskies’ CFP semifinal victory over Texas. Odunze starred at Washington for the past two seasons, posting two 1,100-yard campaigns while elevating his stock. He also clocked a 4.45-second 40-yard dash at the Combine.

With Allen signed for just one more season and Moore still tied to his Panthers pact, Odunze has a route to becoming the Bears’ top wideout. Moore may well loom as an extension candidate, and Allen is open to a new deal. But the Bears will look to have the Williams-Odunze pair aligned for many years.

Texans Sign DE Malik Fisher

July 16th, 2024 at 8:58am CST by Adam La Rose

One day before the start of their training camp, the Texans have added depth in the front seven. UFL defensive end Malik Fisher has signed with Houston, per an announcement from the spring league.

Fisher went undrafted in the NFL following the 2021 campaign. The Villanova product played with the D.C. Defenders in 2022 and remained with the team last year for the inaugural season of the UFL. Fisher’s rights remain with the Defenders in the event he is unable to land a roster spot with the Texans or another NFL team come the fall.

The 25-year-old was tied for second in the UFL in sacks last season with seven. Fisher added 33 tackles (including seven for loss), one forced fumble and one fumble recovery during the campaign. He will look to translate that success into a strong performance during training camp practices and Houston’s preseason schedule.

The Texans saw Jonathan Greenard depart in free agency when he took a deal with the Vikings. The team did bring in another first-team contributor, though, in the form of Danielle Hunter on a two-year contract including $48MM guaranteed. Last week, Houston retained Jerry Hughes on a one-year deal, providing depth along the edge. Hunter will be joined by Will Anderson as a starter for the Texans, with Hughes and fellow veteran Derek Barnett set to log a rotational role.

Houston also has 2023 fourth-rounder Dylan Horton and seventh-round rookie Solomon Byrd in the fold at the defensive end spot. Fisher will therefore have plenty of competition for reps and a roster spot this summer as he looks to become the latest player to use spring league success as a springboard to an NFL gig. The Texans entered Tuesday with over $20MM in cap space, so they will easily be able to afford what will no doubt be a league minimum flier on Fisher.

Commanders To Hire Scott Fitterer

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

Scott Fitterer‘s tenure as general manager of the Panthers came to an end this winter, but the veteran executive has lined up a new gig for the 2024 campaign. Fitterer is being hired by the Commanders as a personnel executive, as first reported by Ben Standig of The Athletic.

Fitterer began his NFL front office career with the Giants before a lengthy tenure in Seattle’s organization. He joined the Seahawks in 2001 as an area scout and spent the next two decades working his way up the ladder while spending time in the personnel department. After a single season as the team’s VP of football operations, Fitterer was hired as general manager of the Panthers.

The 50-year-old held that position for three years, but Carolina was unable to put together a run of success during that time. The team went 5-12 in 2021, and the following season saw Christian McCaffrey traded away as a sign of a rebuild. Fitterer’s most impactful decision was of course the trade with the Bears which allowed for the acquisition of the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft. That selection was used on Bryce Young, whom the franchise is banking on becoming a true franchise quarterback.

Young’s rookie campaign did not go according to plan, and head coach Frank Reich did not make it through his debut Panthers season. The latter was fired after a 1-10 start to the campaign, and increasing pressure emerged with respect to Fitterer’s job security. After Carolina finished out the season 2-15 (a record which did not yield the first overall pick in 2024, per the terms of the Young blockbuster) and failed to work out a long-term extension with edge rusher Brian Burns, it came as little surprise that Fitterer was dismissed.

The Panthers promoted from within by tapping Dan Morgan as Fitterer’s successor, and Dave Canales is in place as a first-time head coach. That pair will be tasked with overseeing Young’s development moving forward as Carolina attempts to rebound from the 14-37 record posted during Fitterer’s time at the helm. The latter will now turn his attention to the Commanders’ rebuilding efforts.

As expected, new Washington owner Josh Harris used his first campaign in charge to evaluate the team’s front office and coaching staff. Ron Rivera was fired after the end of the regular season and Martin Mayhew was replaced by Adam Peters as general manager. Mayhew is still in the organization, one which has undergone considerable turnover at a number of positions since Peters’ hire. Fitterer will have a voice in Commanders decisions – including those affecting the scouting department, ESPN’s John Keim adds – moving forward as he aims to rebuild his GM stock.

Load More Posts