NFL Player News

“I’m going to spend my summer visiting places and getting to know people,” Eze said. He added that once his 2016 season at Davidson Academy is in the books, he will “speed [the recruiting process] up three times faster than it is.” The 6-foot-8, 283-pounder has received offers from Alabama, Auburn and Florida (among others), with 247Sports’ Crystal Ball forecasting an eventual landing with the Crimson Tide. “I just feel honored to have such a program [as Alabama] recognize me [with an offer],” Eze said, “and feel that I’m valuable enough to come to their program. It’s just an honor.”

Bernard becomes the second Bills player to get a long-term extension after the team gave Khalil Shakir a four-year, extension worth up to $60.2 million just over a week ago. Bernard, who was a third-round pick back in 2022, totaled 104 tackles, five TFLs, and one sack in 13 games last season, and has totaled 100-plus tackles in back-to-back seasons. A staple for a defense that ranked 11th in points allowed and 17th in total yards, Bernard is now under contract through the 2029 season.

Things are getting good, here. Garrett reportedly discussed a meeting with Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, only for Haslam to decline to speak with the All-Pro pass rusher. Garrett is dug in on his desire to be traded, while the Browns “from ownership to GM to coach,” per Pelissero, are dug in on not trading him. The Browns have floated the possibility of extending Garrett with a big contract to satisfy him for the foreseeable future, but Garrett’s focus seems to be solely on winning a championship that doesn’t appear to be anywhere in the Browns’ near future. How this ultimately plays out is anybody’s guess, but a split between the two sides feels increasingly likely.

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.