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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:

Non-tendered:

ERFAs:

Tendered:

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.

[RELATED: 2025 NFL Top 50 Free Agents]

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.

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.

Bears To Re-Sign LB Amen Ogbongbemiga

March 6th, 2025 at 12:07pm CST by Adam La Rose

Amen Ogbongbemiga will not reach free agency. The linebacker and special teams ace has a new deal in place with the Bears, as first reported by Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune.

NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo adds this is a two-year, $5MM deal. That marks a slight raise from the value of his 2023 Chicago pact and ensures he will remain in place in lieu of a free agent departure. Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times reports the contract can max out at $7MM. Ogbongbemiga did not start on defense in any of his 17 Bears games in 2023, but he logged a career-high 366 snaps on special teams.

The 26-year-old spent his first three seasons with the Chargers, totaling 47 appearances. He only started two of those, cementing his role as a core special teamer along the way. Ogbongbemiga signed with the Bears last March, and in 2024 he recorded 13 tackles and one sack. He will be counted on to remain a valued third phase contributor capable of handling rotational defensive duties moving forward.

Chicago has Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards atop the LB depth chart for 2025 and beyond. The team recently decided not to tender restricted free agent Jack Sanborn, a move which leaves the door open to a departure next week. Especially if Sanborn were to head elsewhere, Ogbongbemiga could be in line as a top backup option to see defensive snaps if necessary.

The Bears have been active in terms of outside additions this offseason. The team has trade agreements in place to acquire guards Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney, and earlier today a deal was reached to add veteran tight end Durham Smythe. Those new additions will be counted on to improve Chicago’s offense, while Ogbongbemiga will be a familiar face for the team on defense and special teams.

Vikings Extend S Theo Jackson

March 6th, 2025 at 11:18am CST by Adam La Rose

The safety position has been a talking point for the Vikings this offseason. As free agency approaches, the long-term future of one contributor at the position has been assured.

Theo Jackson has agreed to a two-year extension, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. The pact – which has since been announced by his agency – is worth $12.62MM and ensures Jackson will be under contract through 2027. His next two years of compensation are guaranteed in full.

Jackson was waved by the Titans during roster cutdowns in 2022. He quickly joined the Vikings on their practice squad and has remained in the organization ever since. The 26-year-old has not had a notable role on defense to date, totaling only 222 snaps in that capacity. Jackson has, on the other hand, been a mainstay on special teams for Minnesota.

The former sixth-rounder has racked up 875 third phase snaps in three years, and he will no doubt be expected to handle a workload of some kind in that regard moving forward. Given the financial element of this Vikings commitment, though, a starting gig on defense may now be in store. Jackson has notched one interception in each of the past two seasons, adding four pass breakups over that span.

Harrison Smith is giving thought to retirement, and his absence would create a major safety void on and off the field. Camryn Bynum – who has been a full-time starter for each of the past three years – is on track for free agency, meanwhile, meaning significant changes could be coming at the safety spot this offseason. Keeping Jackson in the fold will allow for some continuity at the position regardless of what other moves are made.

Minnesota’s secondary could see further movement if cornerback Byron Murphy (also set to hit the market) departs in the near future, although the Vikings are near the top of the league in terms of cap space. While a number of new faces could be in place by the start of next season, Jackson will remain in the fold for 2025 and beyond.

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