NFL Player News

McVay did confirm that Perkins got the starter’s reps in practice this week, which pretty much settles the question. Matthew Stafford has already been ruled out while John Wolford was limited in practice throughout the week because of a neck issue. Assuming Perkins starts, he should be good for a substantial workload as a runner, though that will only put him in the QB2 conversation.

Araiza was an exclusive rights free agent heading into this offseason, meaning this offer was all the Chiefs needed to do to retain him for the upcoming season. In his first season with the Chiefs, Araiza booted 62 punts, averaging 41.5 net yards per punt while landing 40.3 percent of his attempts inside opponent’s 20-yard lines. The man known as the “Punt God” didn’t quite live up to his nickname in 2024, but played well enough to earn another year with the Chiefs.

Barnes was set to be an unrestricted free agent at the start of the new league year. Now, the former fourth-round pick will be under contract through 2027, as the Lions return a key player who totaled 81 tackles and five TFLs during the 2023 season. Barnes was one of several Lions defenders who fell victim to the injury bug in 2024. He took a block to his knee during a Week 3 game against the Cardinals, which resulted in a torn MCL and PCL that ended his season. Although, it’s worth noting he avoided any damage to his ACL. Barnes reported in November that he was no longer on crutches, and is fully healthy heading into the offseason, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

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.

The Raiders are doing everything they can to improve their quarterback room ahead of next season. They were in on the idea of trading for Matthew Stafford before he decided to remain with the Rams, but are still willing to explore the trade market for another veteran starter if the price is right. It’s not too often teams are willing to part with their QB1, especially if said QB gives them a chance to compete, but a handful of quarterbacks could be of interest here. One player to watch could be Geno Smith, who is in the final year of his current deal with the Seahawks and spent four seasons with Pete Carroll in Seattle. The Raiders are expected to be players for Sam Darnold, so it’s possible they don’t pursue a trade until Darnold finds a new home. Either way, it’s clear they hope to take a massive leap at quarterback in hopes of keeping pace with a division that already features Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, and Bo Nix.

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.

“At a manageable number,” that is. 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. 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 sign elsewhere 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 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.