NFL Player News

The Jets are only calling it a “leg” injury, but Teague is out for this minicamp and possibly much longer. Rookie first-rounder Nick Mangold may have the edge for the starting job now.

That’s “at a manageable number.” We suppose stranger things have happened, but as the only available proven starting quarterback under the age of 30, a “manageable number” probably isn’t going to happen on the open market. There’s also the matter of, even if the sides do somehow manage to find the right number, all things being equal, Darnold would probably prefer a situation without J.J. McCarthy breathing down his neck. We still strongly expect Darnold to have signed elsewhere by this time next week.

Schneider also said “everything is in a very cordial, professional place” with the wideout, and that he understands a deal might not come to fruition. “Obviously DK has requested a trade and we are entertaining that,” Schneider continued. “We are talking to a ton of teams, taking offers, seeing what that looks like.’' It’s a level of candor you don’t usually get from an executive regarding a potential trade, making it easier to take Schneider at his word that basically everything is on the table with the star wideout. It would seem both sides prefer a fresh start at this point, and with the free agent receiver market typically weak, Seattle could be able to approach its rumored first- and third-round pick asking price.

The Falcons’ long triggerman since 2022, McCullough was a restricted free agent. Three months shy of his 28th birthday, McCullough would be nearing post-peak at a “regular position,” but he is just settling in at the distance pivot.

The deal is worth “up to” $9.5 million and includes a strong $8 million guaranteed. We would assume those $1.5 million in incentives are somewhat easily attainable for the 34-year-old ‘backer. Although he’s no longer quite the All-Pro of his prime, Wagner remains well above average in the middle of the field/defense. That is to say nothing of his leadership abilities and “veteran savvy.” Also extremely durable, Wagner is a decent bet to keep Father Time at bay for 2025.

Now on the wrong side of 30, Reynolds had two decent years in Detroit from 2022-23 but couldn’t get established with either the Broncos or Jaguars last season. His size and experience will likely keep him in the league another year or two, but it’s obviously a bad sign he’s longer automatically sticking on 53-man rosters.

The 31-year-old veteran’s release clears $2.4 million in cap space and leaves behind slightly more in dead money. He was halfway into a two-year deal. Darby mostly struggled for the lottery-bound Jags last season and was made a healthy scratch for the final few games. Now officially a journeyman, Darby’s next squad will be his fourth in as many seasons. He could have a hard time landing guaranteed money this time around.

The release of Duvernay, who signed a two-year, $8.5 million contract, will clear just over $2.7 million in cap space for the Jaguars. Duvernay returned 19 punts for 167 yards and 14 kicks for 351 yards last season. Duvernay has never totaled more than 37 receptions in his five professional seasons, and won’t be viewed as anything more than a special teamer on the open market. The 2021 First-Team All-Pro returner will be 27 at the start of next season and should draw plenty of interest from special teams coaches.

Engram is on the wrong side of 30 and finished 2024-25 on injured reserve with a serious shoulder injury, but it’s a bit surprising for a team suddenly running low on depth behind dazzling young gun Brian Thomas Jr. Engram, of course, is only one season removed from catching a whopping 114 passes. The move saves “just” $5.98 million against the cap, leaving behind a sizable dead cap charge of $13.5 million. $6 million is not nothing, however, while new GM James Gladstone recently praised Brenton Strange. The Jags clearly think they are getting out ahead of any potential Engram decline, and are more than fine featuring Strange, who could now offer 2025 TE1 appeal. For his part, Engram rockets to the top of a sorry free agent tight end class. He will probably find a new home before the “legal tampering” period even begins on Monday. Cut players are free to sign immediately.

Lombardi points out the fact that Aiyuk’s contract has a $20 million guarantee that kicks in April 1, that would give the Niners some time to deal the star receiver if they desired to do so. The main issue in trading Aiyuk is his uncertain timeline to return in 2025 after his Week 7 ACL tear. It’s hard to imagine any team wanting to take on Aiyuk given his injury and the money still remaining on his deal. While Lombardi doesn’t think a deal is unlikely, he did point out that the 49ers are not giving “a firm no” to teams who may inquire about a trade.

Landman becomes the second RFA who won’t receive a tender from the Falcons. The former 2022 UDFA has started 23 of the 36 games he’s appeared in for the Falcons and has racked up 191 tackles, seven TFLs, and six forced fumbles since 2023. The decision to risk losing Landman comes as a bit of a surprise after he played the second-most snaps of any linebacker on the team last season.