NFL Player News

Gonzalez was listed with a hip injury and limited in practice Tuesday, but practiced fully Wednesday. The Commanders still tried out Matthew Wright, Aldrick Rosas, and Tucker McCann at kicker. They are presumably looking for depth on the slim chance Gonzalez is not ready for Saturday’s Divisional Round matchup against the Lions. He kicked the game-winner in the Commanders’ Wild Card win over the Buccaneers and made 5-of-7 field goals in six regular season games. Expect Gonzalez to play; one of Wright, Rosas, or McCann could get the call if he does not.

The release of Thornhill means he’s free to sign with any team before free agency officially kicks off. Thornhill started 11 games for the Browns in each of the last two seasons, totaling 103 tackles and four pass breakups. The six-year vet had one year left on his current contract and will likely be listed as a post-June 1 cut, which will free up $3.4 million in cap space while creating a dead cap hit of just over $2.2 million. Thornhill has started 74 of the 87 games he’s appeared in during his career, but his days as a starter could be coming to an end after an underwhelming stint with the Browns.

Thompson suffered a torn Achilles in Week 4 and has played in just six games over the last two years. The soon-to-be 31-year-old linebacker has spent his entire 10-year career with the Panthers, racking up 752 tackles and 12 sacks while also forcing seven turnovers. His recent injury history is concerning, but when healthy, Thompson can still be a serviceable inside linebacker who is capable of filling gaps and stopping the run. He will likely land elsewhere on a one-year deal this offseason in hopes of competing for a meaningful role while proving he’s fully-recovered from his latest injury.

This would come one year after the NFL moved touchbacks up from the 25-yard-line to the 30. The league reported a 57 percent increase in returns in 2024; which was the main goal of the drastic change to the kickoff rules last year. Another five yards could incentivize more potential kick returns in 2025, as well.

Neal made the announcement on Instagram. The 29-year-old was released by the Steelers in March of 2024 and didn’t play during the previous season. A 2016 first-round selection, Neal was a Pro Bowler in 2017, but injuries caused him to miss the majority of the 2018 and 2019 seasons. The product of Florida was able to put together a couple decent campaigns after, but never quite at the same level. He ends his career with 361 tackles, four interceptions and eight forced fumbles.

Rapoport notes that Sanders plans to focus on the interview process in Indianapolis rather than throwing, and then will participate in a pro day that features “four draftable wide receivers.” The 23-year-old should be one of — if not the — first quarterbacks off the board in 2025, and the tape he put together at Colorado and Jackson State likely should be enough to carry him to a high first-round selection.

As Pompei writes in a recent article, the decision to push back the void date on Godwin’s current deal is “an indication both sides are hopeful a deal can be reached, and that talks are in the works.” Godwin turns 29 later this month and is still recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in Week 7 last season. Before that injury, Godwin was on pace to have one of the best years of his career and should have plenty left to offer a Bucs receiving corps that still has Mike Evans in tow. Godwin’s deal won’t expire until the day before the start of the new league year, giving both sides until March 11th before Godwin would officially become a free agent.

Bitonio said back in December that he would take some time this offseason to consider retirement. Not much as changed here as the 33-year-old guard told reporters that retirement is “definitely within the realm of possibilities.” The seven-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro also mentioned that he was leaning one way but wasn’t ready to share it. The tentative timeline for his decision is the start of free agency. Bitonio has one year left on his contract with the Browns and also mentioned in December that he doesn’t envision himself joining another team. Cleveland could be looking at a massive rebuild given its quarterback issues, Myles Garrett asking out and potentially Bitonio’s retirement.

Pelissero said during Friday’s appearance on the Rich Eisen Show that the priority remains for the Rams to keep Stafford in Los Angeles. However, that won’t happen without a new contract for the 37-year-old quarterback. By letting Stafford’s representation speak to other teams the Rams are essentially letting his market set itself. Negotiations between Stafford and the Rams were drawn out last offseason and ended with the gunslinger giving up guaranteed money in 2025, which would make it easier for the Rams to trade him this offseason. While several teams including the New York Giants have been linked to Stafford this offseason and trade speculation will only increase until a new contract is finalized, the most likely scenario remains another run with Sean McVay and the Rams.

The second-year first-round pick out of Georgia evidently played through the injury in the second half. He went under the knife Wednesday and is expected to be ready for Week 1. More than likely, he will be good to go for training camp. 2024 was a nice leap for Smith after he made zero rookie starts. He played roughly 70 percent of the Eagles’ snaps and tallied 6.5 sacks. That does not include the four QB takedowns he logged during the postseason. Heading into his age-24 campaign, Smith could make another big leap.

Gladstone was one of several candidates to replace Trent Baalke, but the Jaguars finally were able to come a decision Friday. Gladstone has been with the Rams for the last eight seasons — the last four as a director of scouting strategy — and is widely respected around the industry. It’s been proven time and again that if you need to go outside your org to make a hire, the Rams are the best place to start. 34-year-old Gladstone inherits a Jacksonville roster that is not bereft of talent, but needs a quality offseason or two to become a true competitor in the AFC.