HEADLINES

Transactions News & Rumors

Falcons Won’t Cut Kirk Cousins Ahead Of Bonus Trigger

March 15th, 2025 at 10:12pm CST by Ben Levine

10:12pm: Cousins’ desire to play elsewhere in 2025 remains unchanged, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated confirms. As a result, this situation could very well remain in a stalemate for the foreseeable future as the rest of the quarterback market takes shape around the league.

12:51pm: Today was a key date in the Kirk Cousins saga, as a guaranteed bonus on the QB’s contract was set to kick in. The Falcons won’t be avoiding the extra financial commitment, as they’ll hang on to Cousins past the 4pm deadline today, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

[RELATED: Kirk Cousins Pushing For Falcons Release]

Specifically, keeping Cousins on the roster through today will trigger a guarantee on a $10MM roster bonus that is due in 2026. After collecting $62.5MM of his total contract in 2024, Cousins is due another $27.5MM in 2025. Combined with this guaranteed 2026 roster bonus, Atlanta’s total commitment to the quarterback is now at $100MM.

The Falcons have made it clear that they intend to roll with Michael Penix Jr. in 2025. Still, the organization hasn’t shown any urgency to bail on their previous blockbuster addition. Cousins will continue to be the subject of trade rumors, and today’s decision buys the Falcons as much time as they want to find a resolution.

According to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, the $10MM in guaranteed money for 2026 is subject to offset language. That means the Falcons could simply find a suitor who’s willing to pick up this portion of the bill. In other words, this temporary commitment could ultimately cost Atlanta no money if they find a willing trade partner.

Cousins was reportedly pushing for his release, and the veteran possesses some leverage with his no-trade clause. Still, GM Terry Fontenot has made it clear that he’s willing to proceed with Cousins on the roster, and NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero says the front office “has shown no motivation to move him.” This is surely some gamesmanship from the organization, as it’s hard to envision the Falcons rostering such a high-priced backup. Still, the team is clearly operating without any sense of urgency, whereas Cousins would surely like a resolution as soon as possible.

Cousins inked a four-year, $180MM deal with the Falcons last offseason, with $90MM guaranteed at signing. The organization shocked many when they used a first-round pick on Penix, but their bold decision proved to be worthwhile when Cousins showed signs of rust. In his return from a torn Achilles, Cousins guided his new squad to a 7-7 record while tossing 18 touchdowns vs. a league-leading 16 interceptions.

Vikings Acquire Jordan Mason From 49ers; RB Agrees To Minnesota Extension

March 15th, 2025 at 10:10pm CST by Adam La Rose

Despite receiving the second-round RFA tender from the 49ers this week, Jordan Mason will not play in San Francisco next year. The fourth-year running back has been traded to the Vikings, per his agency (via Ian Rapoport of NFL Network).

As part of the deal, Mason has agreed to a two-year Vikings contract, Rapoport notes. The pact has a maximum value of $12MM and includes $7MM guaranteed at signing. Per Rapoport and colleague Tom Pelissero, the trade consists of a 2026 sixth-round pick being sent from Minnesota to San Francisco. The teams will also swap picks No. 160 and 187 in this year’s draft.

Mason totaled only 83 carries during his first two seasons, but in 2024 he was a key member of the 49ers’ ground game. Christian McCaffrey‘s Achilles issues opened the door for the former UDFA to see notable usage, and he received 153 carries on the year. Mason’s success (880 scrimmage yards, three touchdowns, 5.2 yards per attempt average) made it clear San Francisco would look to keep him in the fold moving forward. The decision to apply the second-round tender appeared to lock him into a $5.3MM salary for 2025.

As a result, the 49ers would have been in line for a second-round pick as compensation in the event Mason signed an offer sheet with an outside team which they declined to match. Now, the 25-year-old will be on the move by means of a swap. San Francisco still has McCaffrey on the books, along with Isaac Guerendo and Patrick Taylor. An addition in the 2025 draft – which features several highly-regarded RB prospects – would come as no surprise given this deal.

For the Vikings, meanwhile, Mason will allow for more of a tandem in the backfield moving forward. Aaron Jones impressed while playing on a one-year contract in 2024, setting a new career high in rushing yards. That yielded a new agreement just before the negotiating period opened, and Jones is now attached to a two-year, $20MM pact. While the Vikings expressed a desire to keep the former Pro Bowler in the fold, they also made it clear they intended to reduce his workload after Jones handled 306 touches (the most of his career) in 2024. Mason will help achieve that goal.

The latter recorded double-digit carries seven times in his 12 appearances last year. Mason suffered an ankle sprain in Week 13, however, and the injury ended his campaign. His absence will be felt on a 49ers team which lost Elijah Mitchell to the Chiefs in free agency. Even if Guerendo takes on a larger role next season (after logging 84 carries as a rookie), at least one addition in the backfield can be expected.

Instead of hitting free agency in 2026 after playing on the tender, Mason has now secured more guaranteed than he would have received with San Francisco next season. The Georgia Tech product drew interest from other teams, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reports. Now, he will look to duplicate his 2024 success in a new environment as the Vikings aim to provide Jones with an effective complementary rusher.

Minor NFL Transactions: 3/15/25

March 15th, 2025 at 9:56pm CST by Adam La Rose

Saturday’s minor moves:

New Orleans Saints

Seattle Seahawks

Jones’ Bears tenure ended midway through the 2024 campaign when he was waived. The former third-rounder saw time on the Jaguars’ practice squad before making a pair of appearances with the Panthers at the end of the year. Jones, entering his age-28 season, will look to compete for a roster spot in New Orleans.

Jean-Charles is signing a one-year deal, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports. The 26-year-old has made 37 appearances across his time with the Packers, 49ers and Saints so far in his career. He has primarily worked on special team to date, and that will likely continue to be the case in Seattle.

Cowboys, WR Parris Campbell Agree To Deal

March 15th, 2025 at 7:31pm CST by Adam La Rose

Parris Campbell is set to play for a third career NFC East team. The veteran wideout has agreed to a one-year Cowboys deal, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.

Campbell struggled with injuries while playing out his rookie contract with the Colts. His final year with Indianapolis was a healthy one, however, and as a result the former second-rounder posted career highs across the board. That paved the way for a one-year Giants deal, but Campbell found himself being benched midway through the campaign.

To little surprise, a departure took place last offseason. Campbell landed an agreement with the Eagles, but he was among the team’s final roster cuts. The 27-year-old originally had no intention of signing to Philadelphia’s practice squad, but he wound up reversing course and did just that. In all, Campbell made five regular season appearances and played in three of the Eagles’ playoff games; he made a very small impact in the passing game, though.

As a result, expectations will be tempered upon arrival in Dallas. The Cowboys have been known to be in the market for a complementary receiver addition, particularly if free agent Brandin Cooks departs. Dallas was named as one of the teams interested in Cooper Kupp, but by the time he agreed to a Seahawks deal on Friday it was clear the Cowboys were not in the running to acquire him. This Campbell pact will of course check in at a much lower price tag than what Kupp landed in Seattle (three years, $45MM).

In 2021, Campbell showcased his potential as a deep threat, averaging 16.2 yards per reception. The Ohio State product has not managed to replicate that production since, and it will be interesting to see how large of an opportunity he receives with the Cowboys. CeeDee Lamb will lead the way at the WR position for years to come, but questions remain about the potential of the likes of Jonathan Mingo, Jalen Tolbert and recent re-signing KaVontae Turpin (who will primarily remain a returner moving forward, but could see his offensive usage continue to increase).

The Eagles still have A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith atop their receiver depth chart, along with 2024 trade acquisition Jahan Dotson. Campbell is the latest member of the Super Bowl champions to head elsewhere, and managing to carve out a regular role on offense with the Cowboys would help his free agent prospects for 2026.

WR JuJu Smith-Schuster Re-Signs With Chiefs

March 15th, 2025 at 3:24pm CST by Ely Allen

With some potential question marks in the receiving corps for 2025, the Chiefs seem to have opted to keep some familiar faces in the room for Patrick Mahomes to throw to. To that end, Kansas City will re-sign veteran wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster for the 2025 season, per Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports.

Since having a resurgent, Super Bowl-winning season in 2022 with the Chiefs, Smith-Schuster has struggled to make an impact in the past two seasons. Smith-Schuster’s rebound season came after he only played five games in his final year with Pittsburgh and saw him record his second-highest career receiving yards total (933), though he only registered three touchdowns.

Following his big year with Mahomes, Smith-Schuster cashed in, signing a three-year, $33MM deal with the Patriots. Unfortunately, Smith-Schuster’s rebounded success didn’t carry over in New England, as he only accumulated 260 receiving yards and one touchdown in 11 games. The team released him after only one season.

It didn’t take too long for the Chiefs to pick up their old receiver for a second stint with the team, joining free agent addition Marquise Brown and rookie first-round pick Xavier Worthy as new additions in the wake of some Rashee Rice uncertainty. Despite injuries to both Brown and Rice, Smith-Schuster was unable to take advantage of more playing time, only logging 231 yards and two touchdowns on the season.

More opportunities for targets could certainly be on the way for Smith-Schuster in 2025, though. The Chiefs have already seen DeAndre Hopkins depart for Baltimore, and Mecole Hardman‘s contract with the team expired, as well. With those two gone, Smith-Schuster presumably slots in as WR4 behind Rice, Worthy, and Brown.

The aforementioned Rice uncertainty could open up even more opportunities for Smith-Schuster. While Rice is recovering from a season-ending injury, the uncertainty actually comes from two separate legal incidents from the last offseason that could see suspensions levied on Rice. First, Rice was involved in a major accident that he was allegedly responsible for before leaving the scene, and second, Rice was under investigation for an alleged assault incident. The team was reportedly bracing for a suspension for Rice before it was made known that, if a suspension was coming, it wouldn’t occur in 2024. That could mean that a suspension is still imminent for the 2025 season, though.

The team also received a second scare when Worthy was arrested on a charge of assault against a family or household member by impeding their breathing or circulation. Luckily for Kansas City, Worthy was not charged after the case was declined following discussions with multiple witnesses and Worthy’s attorneys. The case was closed, and Worthy has seemingly avoided any punishment for the time being.

Still, amidst the legal troubles of their two top wide receivers, the Chiefs opted to re-sign Brown, giving him another chance to make an impact in Kansas City after missing all but two games recovering from shoulder surgery in 2024. Smith-Schuster, too, will return for the Chiefs in 2025 as the team pursues its third Super Bowl victory in four years and its fourth appearance in as many years in the big game.

Ravens Re-Signing G Ben Cleveland

March 15th, 2025 at 3:20pm CST by Ely Allen

The Ravens have made a move that could impact their view on needing to address the offensive line this offseason. According to Ravens editorial director Ryan Mink, the team has re-signed backup offensive guard Ben Cleveland, who could get another crack at a starting role with the departure of Patrick Mekari in free agency.

Since coming out of Georgia as a third-round pick in 2021, Cleveland has failed to live up to his Day 2 draft stock. While he appeared in every game for the Ravens in 2024, it was the first season in which he did not start a single game. He’s only started in seven contests over the four years of his rookie contract despite several opportunities to seize the job.

Cleveland saw his largest chunk of playing time as a rookie, when he started four of 12 game appearances. That rookie campaign also saw his lowest blocking grades, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required), which was mostly chalked up to being a rookie adjusting to the speed and physicality of the NFL game. In 2022, he opened training camp in a starting battle with Tyre Phillips for the left guard spot, which ultimately stayed with Ben Powers, the incumbent from the prior year for whom Cleveland started in the final games of the season.

When Powers departed for Denver, the battle once again opened, this time with four participants. Duking it out with Mekari, John Simpson, and Daniel Faalele, Cleveland once again became a nonfactor, falling out of a race that ended up being between Simpson and then-rookie Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, a battle Simpson would win and, like Powers, earn a big payday from.

In 2024, for the third year in a row, Cleveland was granted an opportunity to fight for two open guard spots after the departures of Simpson and Kevin Zeitler. He seemed to be in competition with Aumavae-Laulu and Andrew Vorhees as Faalele competed with second-round rookie Roger Rosengarten at right tackle and Mekari was seemingly reserved for any spot that may need a starter, if necessary. Vorhees ended up winning one of the jobs, and Faalele, unable to win a tackle spot, slid inside to start at the other with Mekari starting at right tackle. Early struggles from Vorhees could’ve offered a spot for Cleveland. Instead, the Ravens moved Mekari back inside and brought the rookie, Rosengarten, into the starting lineup at tackle.

At this point, it seemingly became clear that Cleveland didn’t have a future in Baltimore. Given starting opportunities time and again, Cleveland seemingly lacked the drive or talent to take over the role despite a menacing physical build. When Cleveland became the latest former Georgia Bulldog to be involved in some traffic situation, getting arrested as a result of a DUI incident, it seemed increasingly likely that his time in Baltimore had come to an end.

Instead, the team has brought Cleveland back to perhaps continue his role as a depth piece. He was third in line for the guard spot he lost last year, and with Mekari gone, Vorhees is next in line for the job opposite Faalele. Perhaps, with Josh Jones, the team’s oft-used sixth offensive lineman in jumbo packages, departing in free agency, and having seen Cleveland work reps at tackle in the preseason, Cleveland is being retained as an emergency option who could play at both positions. Regardless, one would expect that, between his inability to claim a starting role and his recent legal troubles, the Ravens got a good deal on the signing.

Titans Release CB Chidobe Awuzie

March 15th, 2025 at 3:15pm CST by Ely Allen

The Titans have announced that they will be releasing veteran cornerback Chidobe Awuzie, per Titans senior writer/editor Jim Wyatt. Unless it’s announced that the team is designating the move as one of its two post-June 1 releases, the team will eat $12.51MM in dead money and save $1.73MM in cap space.

Veteran Titans reporter Paul Kuharsky confirms this will not be a post-June 1 release, but the move obviously represents an underwhelming end to Awuzie’s time in Tennessee. The former Cowboy and Bengal inked a three-year, $36MM deal in free agency last offseason, but it did not pan out as expected. Awuzie was limited to eight games in 2024 by a groin injury, something which will no doubt hurt his market this spring.

The Titans are already on the hook for $7.51MM in 2025 compensation, but Over the Cap’s Jason Fitzgerald writes the timing of this release means another $3.98MM in salary for this year will not need to be paid out. Tennessee entered Saturday near the top of the NFL in terms of remaining cap space with roughly $55MM available anyway, but those additional funds could be used to add a starting replacement in the secondary. The team still has 2024 trade acquisition L’Jarius Sneed and 2022 second-rounder Roger McCreary on the books at the cornerback spot.

Despite Awuzie’s absence and the fact Sneed only played five games in his debut Titans campaign, the team finished second in the NFL in passing yards allowed. The latter will be counted on to play a notable role in repeating that success in 2025, but Awuzie will be on the move once again. His four-year run in Dallas was followed by three Cincinnati seasons, a span which included his starting role being lost at the end of the 2023 campaign. The Titans deal allowed for the 29-year-old to continue working with ex-Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan, but that has proven to be a short-lived arrangement.

When healthy, Awuzie handled a 77% snap share and recorded one interception and four pass breakups during his lone Titans campaign. The Colorado product’s coverage statistics (57.7% completion percentage, 89.7 passer rating allowed) were not the best of his career, but they could convince an interested team he is still capable of operating as a starter at this point in his career. Further removed from his 2022 ACL tear, it will be interesting to see how quickly Awuzie can land a new deal.

Tennessee, meanwhile, will look to address the cornerback spot in the remaining waves of free agency and/or the draft. The team’s secondary has already seen Quandre Diggs replaced by Xavier Woods at the safety spot, and further changes could be coming.

Adam La Rose contributed to this post.

Jets To Sign WR Tyler Johnson, CB Kris Boyd

March 15th, 2025 at 12:00pm CST by Ben Levine

The Jets have added some depth on both sides of the ball. Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston reported early this morning that the Jets were signing wide receiver Tyler Johnson. Wilson also reported that the team was adding cornerback Kris Boyd.

Johnson made a name for himself as Tom Brady‘s WR4 or WR5 in Tampa Bay. The former fifth-round pick spent two seasons with the Buccaneers, including a 2021 campaign where he hauled in 36 catches for 360 yards. Since getting cut at the end of the 2022 preseason, the wideout has bounced around a bit, spending time with the Texans, Buccaneers (second stint), Raiders, and Rams.

As the Rams dealt with injuries in 2024, Johnson had occasional opportunities to step up. He had a standout Week 1, hauling in five catches for 79 yards. He maintained a role in the offense through the first half of the season, but he saw a massive drop in snaps once Cooper Kupp got settled back into the offense. Johnson finished last season with 26 catches for 291 yards and a score.

There should be some snaps to soak up behind Garrett Wilson in New York, especially if the Jets are able to move on from Allen Lazard. Johnson is joining a depth chart that also includes the likes of Xavier Gipson, Irvin Charles, and Malachi Corley.

Boyd got an extended look on defense in Minnesota, including a 2020 campaign where he started five of 10 appearances while getting into about half of his team’s defensive snaps. Since then, the veteran has settled into more of a special teams role. He emerged as a key special teamer for the Texans in 2024, appearing in 365 ST snaps while finishing the year with eight total tackles.

Commanders To Re-Sign DL Clelin Ferrell

March 15th, 2025 at 9:47am CST by Ben Levine

The Commanders continue to retain many of their own free agents. The latest addition to the list is defensive lineman Clelin Ferrell, who is re-signing with the organization, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. It’s a new one-year contract for the veteran, per ESPN’s John Keim.

Ferrell joined Washington last offseason, inking a one-year deal with the organization. The veteran ended up appearing in 14 games (10 starts) for his new squad, collecting 26 tackles and 3.5 sacks while getting into more than 40 of the Commanders’ defensive snaps.

The 27-year-old only ranked 110th among 199 qualifying edge defenders on Pro Football Focus’ leader boards, but he was closer to league average in previous stops. The fourth-overall pick in 2019, Ferrell struggled to live up to his draft billing while playing with the Raiders, but he still finished his four-year tenure with 10 sacks. He spent the 2023 campaign with the 49ers, where he started all 17 games.

Following the Commanders’ surprising run to the NFC Championship Game, the team has put in an effort to re-sign many of their free agents. On defense, the team has retained cornerback Noah Igbinoghene, linebacker/special-teamer Nick Bellore, and D-line cog Sheldon Day.

Chargers Agree To Sign OL Mekhi Becton

March 15th, 2025 at 8:45am CST by Ely Allen

TODAY, 8:45am: Mekhi Becton‘s two-year deal is worth $20MM, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. This is a significant jump in AAV for the lineman, who settled for a one-year, $2.75MM deal with the Eagles last year.

FRIDAY, 10:05pm: After playing out a one-year, prove-it contract in Philadelphia, offensive lineman Mekhi Becton rehabilitated his image as a former first-round pick in the eyes of the NFL with a highly successful, Super Bowl-winning season. The success he found with his new team will result in a new contract with another team as the now free agent has agreed to a two-year deal with the Chargers, per Tim McManus of ESPN.

After getting drafted 11th overall out of Louisville in 2020, Becton was verging on bust status with the Jets. An impressive rookie season saw him battle back from an early injury to start 13 of 14 game appearances, ranking as the 31st-best offensive tackle out of 79 players graded at the position, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). After being carted off the field in Week 1 of his sophomore campaign, Becton missed the next 33 regular season games, including the entire 2022 NFL season after he suffered an avulsion fracture of his right kneecap in training camp.

With a disappointing start to his NFL career, the Jets opted to decline his fifth-year option. Before the injury prior to 2022, New York had moved Becton to right tackle, a move he didn’t agree with. At one point, it seemed like Becton might be fighting for a roster spot, but he eventually was awarded the starting right tackle job for 2023. When starting left tackle Duane Brown was placed on injured reserve early in the year, New York’s hand was forced, and they moved Becton back to the left side.

A rough season, in which Becton ranked 66th out of 81 offensive tackles, per PFF, failed to establish the young lineman as a long-term option for the team. As a result, the Jets did not seek to re-sign him. Instead, he signed with the Eagles. Just like with the Jets, Becton desired to earn a long-term deal with the Eagles and, as a result, was even willing to play some guard, eventually winning the starting right guard job.

A resurgent season saw Becton play the best football of his career. En route to a Super Bowl title, Becton ranked as the 20th-best guard in the league, per PFF. Near the opening of free agency, Becton reiterated his desire to remain in Philadelphia, but he began to draw a lot of interest in free agency. Now, Becton will have two years in Los Angeles to earn that long-term deal he so desires.

In Los Angeles, the Chargers are set at center (Bradley Bozeman), left guard (Zion Johnson), and both tackle spots (Joe Alt & Rashawn Slater). The team watched both Trey Pipkins and Jamaree Salyer struggle at the right guard spot throughout 2024, so it stands to reason that Becton will fit in as a perfect upgrade at that position. He’ll also provide the added benefit of having the ability to flex out to either tackle spot, in case of emergency.

As for the Eagles, they don’t immediately have an option to fill Becton’s spot at right guard. Third-year lineman Tyler Steen is who Becton beat out for the starting right guard job in camp, but after starting two games and appearing in all 17 last year, Steen ranked 75th of 77 guards in the NFL, per PFF. The other option would be recent trade acquisition Kenyon Green. Green started nine of 12 game appearances for the Texans in 2024 and 14 of 15 in 2022. The only issue there is that Green, another former first-rounder, was one of the two only players to grade out lower than Steen last season at 76th, per PFF.

Load More Posts