NFL Player News

Due a $500,000 roster bonus on Sunday, McKinnie had been a candidate for release. McKinnie had a poor 2011, but is due a manageable $3.2 million. A lack of compelling alternatives on the open market likely helped his cause.

Rapoport parsed Parsons’ comments from earlier today, saying, “it sounds like the term was just as much of an issue as the money.” Parsons’ agent, David Mulugheta, “generally pushes for shorter deals,” while the Cowboys “like longer deals.” Rapoport closed the segment by joking with NFL Insiders co-host Tom Pelissero about the deal likely being signed “two hours before kickoff” in Week 1, as they did when the Cowboys signed Dak Prescott to an extension last season.

The current lease is set to expire after the 2025 NFL season and the two sides are very far apart, with their respective demands. Paycor Stadium needs renovations, and Hamilton County has offered to pay $270 million of the proposed $830 million required for the job. The county asks for $350 million from the state and $210 million from the Bengals. Per PFT, “the team has proposed spending $200 million of its own money, but with $45 million of that coming from money spent “years ago” on renovations.” The county is also asking the Bengals to sign a lease lasting 20 years, but the Bengals are instead angling for a five-year agreement.

Akers’ audition at the Saints’ June 10-12 mandatory minicamp was a success. The development is bad news for Kendre Miller, Devin Neal and Clyde Edwards-Helaire. The trio was competing for the No. 2 spot behind the soon-to-be 30-year-old Alvin Kamara, who could use a reliable rushing complement. Akers ran well last year, playing for both the Texans and Vikings. Active for Weeks 9-Wild Card Weekend with the latter team, Akers averaged 4.9 yards per carry and 3.0 yards after contact. The depth chart is not yet set in stone, but Akers is best treated as the presumed No. 2 at this time.

It’s an unfortunate development for a once-promising, yet troubled player. The 2022 sixth-round pick broke out in 2023, ranking second on the team with eight forced incompletions. He was arrested on firearms-related charges that same year. Kendrick suffered a season-ending ACL tear during the Rams’ 2024 training camp, when he could not afford another negative development. Perhaps another team will invite him for a training camp tryout this summer.

Loveland recently told reporters that “the plan” is for him to be ready for the start of training camp, citing “strength and mobility” as the two key factors that will determine his readiness to participate fully as he recovers from offseason shoulder surgery. Regarding the “mental side of things,” Loveland “has received rave reviews.” He also told reporters that he plans to host his own walkthroughs in order to further learn the playbook installations, in addition to (seemingly) participating in the live walkthroughs with the team. Bair thinks No. 2 TE “Cole Kmet will be heavily involved in this offense,” but clearly states that Loveland is the top receiving threat in this position group, and that he should contribute meaningfully to the Bears’ passing game productivity.

After engaging in unsuccessful trade talks involving Mayer three-plus months ago, the Raiders have seemingly worked things out with their No. 2 tight end. Raiders head coach Pete Carroll told Bonsignore that Mayer “had a great camp” after embracing “the challenge” offered to him, when he and Carroll had a “heart to heart” conversation some time to go. Bonsignore previously reported that Mayer showed up in “tremendous shape and has been a standout” at voluntary organized team activities. Brock Bowers serves as a TE1-road block for Mayer in fantasy, but given Mayer’s reported progress, he can be considered as a contrarian, late-round best ball option at this time. He has a chance to operate as the Raiders’ No. 4 pass catcher behind Bowers, Jakobi Meyers and Ashton Jeanty.

Hairston has been dealing with a hamstring injury that has sidelined him for mandatory minicamp, but GM Brandon Beane said he expects Hairston to be good to go come training camp. The rookie corner is expected to play a key role early in his career in what looks to be a much-improved Bills secondary this season. Hairston’s deal is worth a guaranteed $15.2 million.

According to Bien-Aime, Higgins has been impressive in minicamp, connecting with C.J. Stroud on multiple plays while also hauling in some one-handed catches. It wouldn’t be completely surprising to see Higgins win a prominent role out of camp. With Tank Dell (leg) sidelined for the foreseeable future and John Metchie posting a career line of 40-412-1 through the first 29 games of his career, it’s safe to assume the WR2 role is wide open in Houston.

Cook is currently seeking an extension from the Bills, but reported for mandatory minicamp on time after sitting out OTAs. His decision to report to minicamp gives the appearance of goodwill between player and team, but the fact he was a full participant should serve as a good sign for his 2025 outlook. Cook added that he is planning to report to training camp, but didn’t specify what his involvement would be without a new deal, and GM Brandon Beane hinted that negotations are ongoing but would be kept between Cook and the team. Last season, Cook finished as the RB16 in PPR points per game and was the RB19 in per game scoring in 2023. Assuming he’s available for a full slate of games, he should once again profile as a strong RB2 candidate for fantasy players.

Perhaps more notable is that McFadden also adds that rookie fourth-rounder Dont’e Thornton “has spent a good amount of time with the first-team offense.” Bech was drafted 58th overall by the Raiders this offseason after finally breaking out in his fourth collegiate season, and second with TCU. Thornton, who was selected 108th overall, brings tremendous size (6-foot-5) to the offense, and per McFadden, is expected “to provide vertical juice to the offense.” It’s only minicamp, but Thornton playing ahead of Bech is still notable given the draft capital between the two. While Bech could eventually earn more first team reps, his late college breakout that was precluded by three forgettable seasons may have foreshadowed a player who will need some time to acclimate to the pro game.