NFL Player News

Edelman’s contract was terminated following a failed physical. Although there likely isn’t a market for a veteran slot guy who turns 35 in May and underwent knee surgery in October, there’s a terrific chance Tom Brady rallies the front office to make room for his old teammate in Tampa Bay; the Buccaneers still have a need there with Antonio Brown reportedly holding out for more money. It’s also possible this move is a precursor to Edelman simply walking away after winning three rings and one Super Bowl MVP award in 11 seasons with New England. The transaction frees up $3.4 million in cap space for the Pats.

McVay told NFL Network that the Rams’ “first priority” was to re-sign Matthew Stafford, which they did in early May when Stafford inked a two-year extension worth $84 million. With Rodgers in Pittsburgh, McVay admitted that the team considered bringing in the 41-year-old QB as a Plan B if they couldn’t secure Stafford for another year or two. Stafford will be 37 this season and is coming off a year in which he threw for 3,762-20-7 while completing 65.8 percent of his passes. His 7.5 adjusted yards per attempt in 2024 was above his career average, as was his 50 percent drop back success rate. Stafford threw an interception on a lowly 1.5 percent of his attempts last season. He should continue in a game manager role as the head of McVay’s offense.

Dealing with a shoulder issue, Loveland was seen in a red non-contact jersey during Bears minicamp. The rookie has reportedly run routes and lifted weights, but hasn’t been given the green light to participate fully in Bears practices. “I think he’s going to fit in really well once we start getting him to go full speed,” Johnson said when asked about Loveland’s availability, adding that the rookie has taken mental reps in offseason practice sessions. Johnson is expected to use Loveland — the tenth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft — along with Cole Kmet as key red zone targets for Caleb Williams. It remains to be seen if Loveland will have a full-time route-running role in 2025.

It’s hard to imagine Tagovailoa being any quicker than he was in 2024, when he got the ball out an average of 2.3 seconds after taking the snap — the lowest mark in the NFL. That naturally led to a bunch of short throws; no QB had a lower air yards per attempt (5.8) than Tua in 2024. Wolfe said the renewed focus on quick passes was meant to guard the injury-marred Tagovailoa against big hits in the pocket. Last year he struggled with a hip injury that lingered into the offseason, and he has a long history of brain injuries. Tua shapes up as a potential top-12 fantasy QB with a sturdy floor and not much upside. Continued quick passing should benefit De’Von Achane and Jonnu Smith, if Smith remains in Miami amid a protracted contract dispute.

Rodgers, who signed a one-year deal with the Steelers last week, said he joined the team for 2025 because it was “best for my soul.” He’ll take over under center for the run-centric Arthur Smith offense that last season ranked 20th in EPA per play. “Rodgers, who still has some juice left in his right arm and displayed a quick release at practice, also is in a more stable and supportive environment for a QB than in New York,” DeFabo said. “Theoretically, he won’t have as much pressure to win games only with his right arm on a team that employs the NFL’s highest-paid defense and features a run-heavy offense that will limit his exposure.” Look for Smith and the Steelers to use plenty of play action — which Rodgers does not prefer — and ask Rodgers to make easy throws while leaning hard on the run. He’ll have precious little fantasy upside in 2025.

Though he missed OTAs, Slater was a full participant in the Chargers’ first practice of mandatory minicamp. The 26-year-old franchise left tackle is looking for a contract extension as he enters his fifth season. He is on his fifth-year option, worth $19.05 million on the season. The Chargers will extend Justin Herbert’s blindside protector soon, and Slater should join the ranks of the league’s highest-paid tackles.

NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco reports that Shanahan said Jennings (calf) and Pearsall (hamstring) will be out for minicamp, but should be ready for training camp. Jennings ascended to the team’s WR1 option with Brandon Aiyuk out, totaling a career-best 77/975/6. Meanwhile, Pearsall dealt with injuries as a first-round rookie last season, tallying a 31/400/3 line in 11 games. With Aiyuk (ACL/MCL) out for at least the beginning of the season, the 49ers will need production from these next two wideouts on the depth chart. Shanahan also mentioned rookie EDGE Mykel Williams (hamstring) will miss minicamp and return for training camp.

Aiyuk is still rehabbing a torn ACL and MCL he suffered in Week 7 last season. He was not expected to be ready until midseason, so it is not a surprise Shanahan indicated the 27-year-old wideout would start the season on the physically unable to perform list. Safety Malik Mustapha and rookie quarterback Kurtis Rourke are also expected to land on the PUP list. Meanwhile, Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall are expected to be ready for training camp and will see bigger roles without Aiyuk to start the season.

Sanders was last in the quarterback rotation behind Kenny Pickett, Joe Flacco, and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel during OTAs. Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot reports Sanders “served once again as the fourth-team quarterback” to begin mandatory minicamp. Cabot added, “he’s not getting work with the starters yet like the other three, but he did get the second set of 11-of-11s on Tuesday after Gabriel.” As the rookie with the lower draft pedigree, Sanders has an uphill climb for starting snaps despite his prolific image. He will need to work his way up the roster to compete with Gabriel and the two veterans, Flacco and Pickett.

Young is a former fourth-round pick of the Seahawks, playing in 17 games over two seasons. He tallied 18 tackles, a tackle for loss, and a pass defended as a rookie but did not register anything of note in his second season. The Seahawks cut the 25-year-old in April and he now joins the Packers as defensive line depth heading into minicamp.

Williams missed the second half of 2024 with ankle and heel injuries and enters the 2025 season with “some left in the tank.” He turns 37 years old before the start of the season and retirement questions have been circulating around the All-Pro tackle. With two years left on his deal, Williams could look to play it out, saying “it’s one of them things to where I’m gonna do everything possible to play as long [as I can].” For now, the 49ers have the franchise left tackle to protect the newly-paid Brock Purdy heading into the season.