NFL Player News

Fellow offensive linemen Ezra Cleveland and Brandon Scherff were cleared from the injury report. Linebacker Ventrell Miller, questionable with an ankle injury, is the only other player on their report this week.

The Vikings’ punter since 2022, Wright was a restricted free agent, though this isn’t an RFA tender. The 24-year-old was just 23rd in net punting average last season, so he’s not a difference-making weapon on the third unit.

A 2021 fourth-round pick, 27-year-old Bates just concluded his rookie contract with 61 catches in four years. That included just eight under new QB Jayden Daniels and OC Kliff Kingsbury last season. Pass-catching, of course, is not what Bates is paid to do. He’s a blocker, and will remain so after Zach Ertz re-upped for 2025 on Saturday evening.

The deal includes $11 million guaranteed. Although it was his first season on the wrong side of 30, Butler became a weekly starter for the first time in his career last year. He was more than just a two-down run stuffer, though that was his primary objective. Butler has nevertheless managed five sacks each of the past two seasons. He’s a dependable interior option for new coach Pete Carroll even if he ultimately doesn’t match last year’s 856 snaps.

The Chiefs franchise-tagged Smith in an effort to work out a long-term deal. The tag pays him $23.4 million fully guaranteed, effectively making Smith the NFL’s highest-paid guard. With Joe Thuney gone and the free agent offensive line market drying up, the Chiefs are trying to hang on to their best lineman. Signing the tag means Smith will likely play this season as he tries to get a top-of-the-market contract from Kansas City.

NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports the extension includes $38 million fully guaranteed over the next two seasons. Matthews was selected No. 6 overall in the 2014 draft by the Falcons and has been with the team ever since, starting all 179 games he has played in. Atlanta now locks him in for two more seasons to protect the left-handed Michael Penix Jr.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports Bell’s contract has a max value of $12 million. He has been a key reserve defender and special teamer for the Cowboys over the last few seasons, with the ability to play both safety and linebacker. Dallas rewards him with a three-year deal to keep him on as reliable rotational player and high-end special teamer.

Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the deal also includes a Day 3 pick swap with an exchange of sixth- and seventh-rounders. Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the trade includes a new five-year, $150 million contract for the disgruntled wideout. It’s not the warm weather location Metcalf sought, while the Steelers are also questionable as a contender at this point. There’s also the enormous question of who will be at quarterback. A Metcalf reunion with Russell Wilson wouldn’t exactly be the most exciting fantasy development, though he did have his best season with Russ in 2020. Metcalf is also similar to George Pickens in that he primarily excels down-field. Regardless of who is under center, the Steelers are going to be lethal deep, and more questionable underneath. For now in fantasy, Metcalf remains in the volatile WR2 range where he finished in 2024.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Allen’s contract includes a record-setting $250 million guaranteed. With four years still on his deal, the Bills choose to get ahead of the curve and give Allen the highest-paying guaranteed contract in the league, exceeding Deshaun Watson’s guarantees by a total of $20 million. The reigning NFL MVP is now signed through 2030, with his annual average of $55 million exceeding his rivals Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson, while meeting Joe Burrow’s. Allen is tied for second-highest annual average in the league, while having the highest total value and guaranteed money on his deal. His contract will almost certainly change the way total guarantees are viewed for top quarterback contracts.

The Broncos’ No. 2 quarterback the past two seasons, Stidham was one of the first players coach Sean Payton signed in 2023. The job has become lower stakes following Bo Nix’s excellent 2024 rookie campaign, but Stidham still lacks the experience you would typically like in a clipboard holder. He has made only four career starts since arriving in the league in 2019. That being said, Payton clearly highly values Stidham’s input in the quarterback room. Just don’t expect him to save the season if Nix ever goes down.

Hooper’s deal is worth up to $7 million. He finished last season with 45 receptions for 476 yards and three touchdowns, sharing the tight end room with Hunter Henry while the Patriots transitioned to Drake Maye at quarterback. New England decided to bring the 30-year-old back into the fold as a dependable pass-catcher for Maye. Though he is not likely to be a consistent fantasy player, Hooper adds valuable in-line reps to a Pats team still needing to build out their receiver room.