NFL Player News

Bland was sensational for the Cowboys and fantasy managers who play in IDP leagues with nine interceptions in 2023; five of those returned for touchdowns. The 6-foot, 197-pound corner will be out through at least September and most of October. Andrew Booth Jr. and Caelon Carson will likely be the internal options to replace Bland while he recovers.

The release of saves the Lions just over $5.7 million against the cap for this upcoming season. Smith, who was acquired in a trade with the Browns around last year’s trade deadline, totaled nine sacks and 35 tackles while splitting time with the two teams, and also posted nine TFLs. He’s totaled nine or more sacks in two of his last three seasons, and his 63 pressures tied for 10th-most amongst EDGE rushers, per PFF. Smith will be 33 at the start of next season. His best days are likely behind him, but he’s still providing enough to help defenses as a situational pass rusher. Given the exploding market for pass rushers, he’ll almost certainly have a new home next season, even if it’s on a one-year deal.

Instead of hitting free agency, Bolton, 25, is back with the Chiefs on a three-year deal that includes $30 million in guaranteed money. The former second-round pick was reportedly generating “significant interest” from the Broncos and Raiders, but will now be under contract through the 2027 season. Bolton has totaled 100-plus tackles in three of his four seasons as a pro, and put up a career-high three sacks last season. With Bolton and guard Trey Smith now under contract, the Chiefs have retained two of their top impending free agents just days before the new league year kicks off.

Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Reed can earn up to $25 million on his new deal. Reed’s deal comes just days before he was set to hit free agency following a 45 tackle, 4.5 sack season. Reed is a former second-round pick of the Seahawks and first joined the team in 2016. After stints with the Chiefs (2021) and Packers (2022), he returned to the Seahawks in 2023 on a two-year deal and will now be under contract through the 2027 season.

Just days after being released by the Chargers, Bosa could soon find a new home in the Bay Area. According to Kawakami, the conversation between the two sides “feels like it’s headed toward a deal,” but nothing is imminent at this time. Bosa appeared in 14 games for the Chargers last season while recording five sacks and five TFLs. The veteran pass rusher has appeared in just 28 games over the last three seasons due to a multitude of injuries, but could still bounce back in 2025 as he enters his age 30 season. Bosa signing with the 49ers would pair him with his brother, Nick Bosa, who is entering his seventh season with the team and coming off a nine sack season.

As Raanan accurately points out, the Giants “are not the most desirable situation.” Outside of a stud second-year receiver in Malik Nabers and a reliable slot option in Wan’Dale Robinson, the Giants are short on offensive talent in more ways than one and also ranked outside the bottom half in the league defensively. Rodgers going to the Giants would be little more than a move to extend his career while head coach Brian Daboll would hope it could keep his team competitive enough to buy him another season with Big Blue. With other teams like the Seahawks and Vikings possibly in need of a stop gap quarterback, Rodgers may have stronger options available to him on the open market.

It’s a deal that Garrett evidently decided was worth the pain to remain with the lowly Browns. Going from ring chaser to bag chaser will net Garrett $123 million in guaranteed money on his new deal, which will ultimately result in the star pass rusher earning $40 million AAV. It’s a record deal for Garrett, who becomes the highest-paid non-QB in league history, and will now be under contract with the Browns through the 2030 season. Garrett, a four-time All-Pro and future hall of famer who has amassed 102.5 sacks in 117 career games, appeared entrenched in his desire to be traded to a contender after the Browns went 3-14 last season, but the Browns went above and beyond to appease him with this new deal, including a no-trade clause. Garrett’s new deal will be music to the ears of players like Ja’Marr Chase and Micah Parsons, who are both younger than Garrett and also in search of top-of-the-market contracts that may now have a chance to surpass the one the Browns dished out.

Browning was traded to the Cardinals in exchange for a sixth-round pick at last year’s trade deadline. Last season, Browning totaled 21 tackles, two sacks, and five TFLs while splitting time between the Broncos and Cardinals, and has never totaled more than five sacks in a season. Now under contract through 2026, Browning will hope to provide more production next season to a Cardinals defense that jumped from 31st to 15th in points allowed from 2023 to 2024.

This is the second time the Commanders have been mentioned as a potential landing spot for Hendrickson, who was given permission by the Bengals to seek a trade last week. Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reported earlier that the Falcons and Commanders were both “monitoring” Hendrickson’s trade market, and on Friday, Johnny Venerable of PHNX Sports reported that the Cardinals had inquired about the star pass rusher. Russini reports the Bengals want “significant compensation” for Hendrickson, which doesn’t come as a surprise, but how much they could get for him remains in question. Hendrickson is one of three Bengals players in search of a new deal, and he’ll likely be seeking a new deal from whatever team acquires him. How much the Bengals’ asking price complicates a trade will be something to watch, but at just 30 years old, the production Hendrickson could provide should be well-worth the cost to acquire.

Miller was due to make $17.5 million in 2025, but after recording 14 sacks in three seasons, the soon-to-be 36-year-old pass rusher simply wasn’t worth the money he was due. That said, both sides are reportedly open to a return, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, so this may not be the last we see of Miller in a Bills uniform. After winning the Super Bowl with the Rams in 2021, Miller joined the Bills on a six-year, $120 million deal during the 2022 offseason. Injuries limited him to just 36 regular season games with the Bills during his tenure, while the 14 sacks he amassed were his fewest in any three years during his career. In 2023, Miller failed to record a sack despite appearing in 12 games. Miller is in the twilight of his career. Currently ranked 16th in all-time sacks, Miller totaled six sacks and 32 pressures last season, per PFF. He could still find work as a situational pass rusher in 2025, but he may have to wait to see how free agency and the draft unfold before signing a deal. His release will save the Bills $8.4 million against their 2025 cap number.