Transactions News & Rumors

Texans To Cut G Shaq Mason

March 7th, 2025 at 11:17am CST by Adam La Rose

Movement is coming at the guard position for the Texans. Part of the team’s plans at the position will involve cutting Shaq Mason.

The veteran has been informed he will be released, as first reported by Aaron Wilson of KPRC2. Two years remained on Mason’s contract, with just over $1MM in guaranteed salary in place for 2025. If it does not include a post-June 1 designation, this move will create $2.12MM in cap space but generate $12.48MM in dead money.

Mason was dealt from the Patriots to the Buccaneers in 2022, and he occupied a starting role with Tampa Bay that year. He once again found himself on the move the following offseason, though, with a swap sending him to the Texans. The 31-year-old started each of Houston appearances, missing only two contests along the way.

Since his rookie campaign, Mason has exclusively worked at right guard. The interior of Houston’s offensive line was a major sore spot during the year, and to no surprise Wilson notes renovating at that spot is a clear goal for the team. As free agency approaches, making at least one notable addition at guard is something to watch for in the Texans’ case. The team entered Friday with roughly $5MM in cap space.

PFF gave Mason a string of highly impressive evaluations for much of his Patriots tenures. The Georgia Tech product has seen his overall grades decline recently, however, and it checked in at 62.3 in 2024 after allowing eight sacks and 34 pressures. Pass protection was a clear issue for Houston this past season, and finding an upgrade from Mason will go a long way in improving in that regard.

Trey Smith was set to be the best option available at the guard position (or any others along the O-line) in free agency, but the Chiefs kept him off the market by applying the franchise tag. As a result, the free agent group does not include a long list of attractive blockers, particularly along the interior. That could help Mason’s bid to land a new deal in the near future, but his Texans performances could steer suitors elsewhere.

Commanders To Release Jonathan Allen

March 7th, 2025 at 10:48am CST by Adam La Rose

Efforts to trade Jonathan Allen came up short. As a result, the veteran defensive tackle is now set to become a free agent.

The Commanders have informed Allen he will be released, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. This move will give him a small window of opportunity to test his market before the start of the new league year next week. After eight years in Washington, a change of scenery will now take place.

Allen recently emerged as a cut candidate given the fact one year remained on his contract. None of his base salary ($15.5MM) was guaranteed, and the two-time Pro Bowler was set to carry a cap hit of $22.47MM. This release will free up $16.47MM for the Commanders while generating a dead money charge of $6MM. Washington will have roughly $80MM in available funds once the move is processed.

The Commanders granted Allen permission to seek a trade during last week’s Combine, a clear indication that a parting of ways would be coming in the near future. The 30-year-old was discussed in the negotiations between Washington and San Francisco on the Deebo Samuel trade, but he was ultimately not included. Now, Allen will get a head start on free agency while Washington moves forward with a DT group which still features Daron Payne on one of the position’s most lucrative contracts.

Washington supplemented the Payne-Allen tandem by drafting Johnny Newton in the second round last year. The Illinois product wound up making 11 starts during his rookie season (thanks to the pectoral tear which sidelined Allen for a notable stretch), registering 44 tackles and a pair of sacks. Newton will be counted on to handle a first-team role moving forward now that Allen is out of the picture.

Selected in the first round in 2017, Allen has started all but one of his 113 career games. The Alabama product has reached 5.5 sacks or more on five occasions, with his personal best in that regard coming in 2021 with nine. Expectations on his next team will not include a repeat of that feat, but he can still be counted on to provide starting-caliber play during the next phase of his career. It will be interesting to see how strong of a market Allen can generate before free agency officially opens.

Lions To Re-Sign LB Derrick Barnes

March 7th, 2025 at 8:27am CST by Adam La Rose

Derrick Barnes was on track for free agency but that will no longer be the case. The fourth-year linebacker has agreed to remain in Detroit for the foreseeable future.

Barnes and the Lions have a three-year deal in place, as first reported by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. The pact is worth $25.5MM and includes $16MM fully guaranteed at signing. Barnes will eschew a trip to the open market in exchange for considerable security on his second career contract.

During his first two seasons in Detroit, the Purdue product served in a rotational role on defense while also chipping in on special teams. Barnes took on an increased workload in 2023, making 13 starts and setting a new career high in tackles (81). Expectations were high for a strong follow-up campaign this past year, but things did not go according to plan.

A knee injury limited Barnes to just three games in 2024. A return deep into the postseason was considered a possibility at times, but as the Lions navigated a multitude of injuries on defense in particular it eventually became clear that would not be possible. That missed time threatened to hinder the 25-year-old’s market had he reached free agency, but he has nevertheless managed to secure a notable commitment from the Lions.

Detroit has Jack Campbell attached to his rookie contract, while veteran Alex Anzalone is on the books for 2025 (albeit without any guaranteed salary remaining on his deal). The team’s linebacker depth chart was recently thinned out to an extent by the decision to release Jalen Reeves-Maybin. Today’s news ensures Barnes will remain a key figure at the second level for 2025 and beyond, though.

The pending free agent class includes a few notable linebacker options, although one of the most attractive ones (Zack Baun) has already re-signed with the Eagles. Barnes coming off the market represents an unwelcomed development for his potential suitors, a group which may well have included the Jets. It will be interesting to see if any other deals at the position are worked out prior to the start of the new league year next week. In any case, Barnes is set to continue his career in the Motor City.

Bills, LB Terrel Bernard Agree To Extension

March 7th, 2025 at 8:06am CST by Adam La Rose

Another major piece of business has been taken care of by the Bills in the lead-in to free agency. Terrel Bernard is the latest in-house player on the team to land a lucrative new deal.

The third-year linebacker and the Bills have agreed to terms on a four-year extension, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo report. The pact – which is now official – is worth $50MM and includes $25.2MM in guarantees. Bernard is now under contract through 2029.

Selected in the third round of the 2022 draft, Bernard was used sparingly on defense during his rookie season while handling a regular role on special teams. Over the past two campaigns, however, he has been a full-time starter and a key figure in Buffalo’s front seven. In 2023, the Baylor product broke out with 143 tackles, 6.5 sacks and three interceptions.

Bernard was unable to match that production this past campaign, one in which he was limited to 13 games. Buffalo was hit hard by injuries at the linebacker spot for much of the season, but when in the lineup the 25-year-old was invaluable. Bernard reached triple digits in tackles once again, adding another pair of interceptions and a fumble recovery along the way. As one of several impactful members of Buffalo’s 2022 draft class, he represented a prime extension candidate this offseason.

Now, an agreement has been reached before the start of free agency. The $12.5MM annual average value of Bernard’s deal places him in a tie for sixth at the position, slightly below the AAV of Matt Milano‘s pact. Questions have been raised about the latter’s future based on the absence of guarantees in the final two years of his contract and his missed time due to injuries in recent seasons. Whereas the Bills have allowed high-end linebackers depart in free agency in the recent past (like Tremaine Edmunds), the team has worked early on this occasion to keep an ascending contributor in place for the foreseeable future.

Buffalo’s 2025 offseason has also, of course, included an extension for wideout Khalil Shakir. Two key members of the team’s 2022 draft class are now on the books for years to come, and more work on that front could be coming. Running back James Cook is angling for a new deal which will move him near the top of the position’s market, while corner Christian Benford is also eligible for a payday.

The Bills entered Friday as one of five teams in the NFL currently over the 2025 cap ceiling. Further cost-shedding moves – like yesterday’s release of punter Sam Martin – will be needed as a result to achieve compliance and free up funds for outside additions. Buffalo’s attention can increasingly turn in that direction now that Bernard’s long-term future has been worked out.

Jaguars, Texans Agree To Christian Kirk Trade

March 6th, 2025 at 11:01pm 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.

Commanders To Re-Sign Bobby Wagner

March 6th, 2025 at 11:00pm 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.

Texans To Re-Sign Kurt Hinish; Latest On Team’s DL Plans

March 6th, 2025 at 10:27pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Texans’ defensive line could feature a number of different faces in the near future. At least one in-house option will be back for 2025, however.

Kurt Hinish has agreed to a one-year deal to remain in Houston, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reports. The contract has a base value of $1.8MM, but it can max out at $2.35MM. Hinish was on course for restricted free agency, but today’s move ensures he will remain in place without a tender being issued.

The 25-year-old has remained a regular rotational contributor along the defensive front over each of his three years with the Texans. Overall, Hinish has started four of his 42 appearances, totaling 57 tackles and 1.5 sacks along the way. He was unavailable for Houston during the playoffs this past campaign, but in 2023 he notched a pair of sacks as part of the team’s run to the divisional round.

Hinish will be counted on to remain a depth option along the D-line next season, but changes to that unit could be coming soon. Wilson reports both Foley Fatukasi and Mario Edwards can be expected to reach free agency. The former is dealing with a shoulder injury which requires surgery, Wilson notes. That could hinder Fatukasi’s market, although he is expected to recover in time for the 2025 campaign.

Edwards was hit with a four-game PED suspension in October. The former second-round pick has now played 10 seasons. Exiting his age-31 season, Edwards has already played for seven teams. His 12 Texans starts last year, however, were his most in a season since 2017. Edwards notched three sacks and tallied eight QB hits, recovering two fumbles and batting down two passes. With the nomadic DT’s status uncertain, another well-traveled interior rusher is back on Houston’s radar.

The Texans are interested in bringing back Sheldon Rankins, Wilson adds. A Houston starter in 2023, Rankins opted for a Bengals deal over a Texans effort to re-sign him. He did not impress in Cincinnati and has already been cut. The Texans are expected to explore a reunion before free agency, Wilson adds. Rankins, 32 in April, started all 15 games he played in DeMeco Ryans‘ system that year and registered six sacks — his most since 2018.

The down Cincinnati season will hurt Rankins’ market, after he had signed a two-year, $24.5MM deal last year. The Texans had Rankins on a one-year, $9.75MM pact in 2023. Ryans’ team had made a $12MM-per-year offer in March 2024; it is safe to say Houston’s 2025 proposal will probably check in south of that range.

Sam Robinson contributed to this post.

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.

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.

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