Many tributes will emerge in the aftermath of the stunning passing of Colts owner Jim Irsay at the age of 65. His most important draft pick, quarterback Peyton Manning, has issued a statement remembering the man who made him the first overall pick in 1998.
“I am heartbroken to hear about Jim Irsay’s passing,” Manning said on Instagram. “He was an incredibly generous and passionate owner and I will always be indebted to him for giving me my start in the NFL. His love for the Colts and the city of Indy was unmatched.
“His impact on the players who played for him will not be forgotten. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and everyone in the Colts community. He will be missed. Jim, rest in peace my friend.”
Manning spent 14 seasons with the Colts. The Colts were high-level contenders for most of his time with the team. They won the Super Bowl to cap the 2006 season.
Commissioner Roger Goodell has issued a statement regarding the passing of Colts owner Jim Irsay at the age of 65.
“We were deeply saddened to learn of Jim Irsay’s passing today. Jim was a friend, and a man deeply committed to his family, the game, the Colts, and the Indianapolis community,” Goodell said. “He spent his life and career in the National Football League. Starting as a teenager as a Colts’ ballboy, he learned every position in the organization before assuming leadership of the Colts approximately 30 years ago. Jim’s Colts won the Super Bowl, hosted another and built Lucas Oil Stadium.
“Within the league, Jim was an active Chairman of the Legislative Committee and member of the Finance Committee. He led with integrity, passion, and care for the Colts’ players, coaches and staff, and his courageous work in support of mental health will be a lasting legacy. Outside of football, he was a talented musician and built an extraordinary collection of historical and musical artifacts that he shared with people across the country.
“On behalf of the entire NFL, I extend my heartfelt condolences to Jim’s daughters and their families, and to his many friends throughout the NFL.”
From ballboy to G.M. to owner, Irsay devoted 50 years to his team and the NFL. Unlike many other team owners, the Colts were his primary business — and he was fully and completely committed to it.
Colts owner Jim Irsay has died. He was 65.
An announcement from the team explains that Irsay “passed away peacefully in his sleep this afternoon.”
Irsay assumed day-to-day management of the team in 1995, when his father, Robert, suffered a stroke. When the elder Irsay died in 1997, Jim became the owner of the team.
“Jim’s dedication and passion for the Indianapolis Colts in addition to his generosity, commitment to the community, and most importantly, his love for his family were unsurpassed,” Colts COO Pete Ward said in a statement. “Our deepest sympathies go to his daughters, Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt, Kalen Jackson, and his entire family as we grieve with them.
“Some of Jim’s fondest memories came from his youth working training camps in Baltimore and growing relationships with players, coaches, and staff whom he considered his extended family. He worked in every department before he was named the youngest general manager in team history in 1984 when the Colts arrived in Indianapolis. After he took sole ownership in 1997, he led the Colts to a long series of division titles and brought the city its first Super Bowl Championship. Jim’s love and appreciation for the NFL in addition to its history, tradition, and principles influenced him to become a steward of the game throughout his 50-plus years in the League.
“Jim’s generosity can be felt all over Indianapolis, the state of Indiana and the country. He made philanthropy a daily endeavor. He never hesitated to help countless organizations and individuals live better lives. Music was one of Jim’s passions and the ability to share his band and collection with millions of people across the world brought him tremendous joy. Simply put, he wanted to make the world a better place and that philosophy never wavered. Jim will be deeply missed by his family, the Colts organization, and fans everywhere, but we remain inspired by his caring and unique spirit.”
With the drafting of quarterback Peyton Manning in 1998, the Colts became an elite team for more than a decade. They won Super Bowl XLI.
Irsay is survived by his three daughters and 10 grandchildren.
We extend our condolences to Irsay’s family, friends, and the entire Colts organization.
Brock Purdy signed his five-year, $256 million extension on Wednesday.
It was a relief to the 49ers quarterback to get the deal done in the offseason.
“I have so much respect for everybody in this organization from the top down,” Purdy said, via David Bonilla of 49erswebzone.com. “I think they know who I am and what I’m about. And I don’t know if there was a narrative of Brock’s going to take a pay cut because he’s a nice guy or this or that, but for me, it’s I play in the NFL. There’s 32 starting quarterbacks, and those guys, it’s not the easiest job in the world.
“And for me, with what I’ve done and everything, I could hang my hat on the fact that I’ve had success in this league, and I’m capable of leading an organization all the way to the end—the Super Bowl. I proved that.”
Purdy’s deal has a new-money average of $53 million per year, and the six-year deal, from signing, has an annual value of $45.057 million.
Purdy said in January he wanted a deal completed sooner than later. While it didn’t get done before the start of the offseason program as hoped, it is signed before organized team activities begin.
“Obviously, I was hopeful to get something done early,” Purdy said. “It would have been nice to have it done going into the offseason program as a whole, but obviously, there’s a process to it, and both sides have their views, and that’s the whole point of negotiating. But, at the end of the day, I didn’t want to lose sight of the main goal here, knowing that I’m going to be the quarterback of this team this year.”
The 49ers went 6-11 last season after Purdy was 17-4 as a starter his first two seasons. So, the team and its quarterback are looking for a rebound in 2025.
The Steelers have agreed to terms with first-round pick Derrick Harmon, Tom Pelissero of NFL Media reports. Harmon will sign a four-year, $17.974 million contract that is fully guaranteed.
His signing will complete the Steelers’ draft class, with all seven rookies under contract.
Third-round running back Kaleb Johnson, fourth-round edge rusher Jack Sawyer, fifth-round defensive tackle Yahya Black, sixth-round quarterback Will Howard, seventh-round linebacker Carson Bruener and seventh-round cornerback Donte Kent previously signed their four-year rookie deals.
The Steelers made Harmon the 21st overall selection.
Harmon spent three seasons as a defensive lineman at Michigan State before transferring to Oregon. He totaled 45 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, five sacks and four passes defensed in 14 games of his senior season.
The Titans signed quarterback Cam Ward to his rookie contract, the team announced Wednesday.
Ward, the No. 1 overall pick, becomes the seventh player from the team’s nine-player draft class to sign with the team.
The Titans previously reached deals with safety Kevin Winston Jr. (3rd round), tight end Gunnar Helm (fourth round), receiver Elic Ayomanor (4th round), guard Jackson Slater (5th round), cornerback Marcus Harris (6th round) and running back Kalel Mullings (6th round).
Outside linebacker Oluwafemi Oladejo (second round) and receiver Chimere Dike (fourth round) are the team’s only remaining unsigned draft picks.
Ward is participating in the team’s offseason program after taking part in the team’s rookie minicamp earlier this month.
He takes over in Tennessee after playing 57 college games at Incarnate Word (2020-21), Washington State (2022-23) and the University of Miami (2024).
Last season at Miami, Ward was named first-team All-American and was a Heisman finalist after throwing for 4,313 yards and 39 touchdowns. He led the Hurricanes to their first 10-win season since 2017.
Five days after the initial, best-case numbers were leaked at five o’clock on a Friday, the details are out.
The Brock Purdy contract has been signed. The contract has been filed with the league and the NFL Players Association. Which means that the truth is now available.
We’ve obtained the full details, from a source with knowledge of the terms. Here’s the full breakdown:
1. Signing bonus: $40 million.
2. 2025 base salary: $1.1 million.
3. 2026 option bonus: $37.75 million, fully guaranteed.
4. 2026 workout bonus: $100,000, fully guaranteed but must be earned.
5. 2026 base salary: $8.296 million, fully guaranteed.
6. 2026 per-game roster bonus: $850,000, fully guaranteed but must be earned.
7. 2027 option bonus: $15 million (guarantee details below).
8. 2027 workout bonus: $100,000 (guarantee details below).
9. 2027 base salary: $11.3 million (guarantee details below).
10. 2027 per-game roster bonus: $850,000 (guarantee details below).
11. 2028 option bonus: $20 million, guaranteed for injury and becomes fully guaranteed on April 1, 2027.
12. 2028 workout bonus: $100,000, guaranteed for injury and becomes fully guaranteed on April 1, 2027, but must be earned.
13. 2028 base salary: $34.1 million, guaranteed for injury and becomes fully guaranteed on April 1, 2027.
14. 2028 per-game roster bonus: $850,000, guaranteed for injury and becomes fully guaranteed on April 1, 2027, but must be earned.
15. 2029 workout bonus: $100,000 (guarantee details below, but must be earned).
16. 2029 base salary: $49 million (guarantee details below).
17. 2029 per-game roster bonus: $850,000 (guarantee details below, but must be earned).
18. 2030 workout bonus: $100,000.
19. 2030 base salary: $49.05 million.
20. 2030 per-game roster bonus: $850,000.
2027 guarantees: The full 2027 pay of $27.25 million is guaranteed for injury. Of that amount, $11.904 million is fully guaranteed at signing. The remaining $15.346 million becomes fully guaranteed on April 1, 2026.
2029 guarantees: Of the 2029 compensation, $12.154 million is guaranteed for injury at signing. Of that amount, $7.154 million becomes fully guaranteed on April 1, 2028. The remaining $5 million becomes fully guaranteed on April 1, 2029.
Of the $55.05 million injury guarantee in 2028, $5 million becomes fully guaranteed before 2027 if Purdy has at least 50-percent playing time and wins a Super Bowl in 2025 or 2026.
The deal has $100 million fully guaranteed at signing and $182.55 million is guaranteed for injury.
In addition to the $100 million that is fully guaranteed at signing, $15.346 million becomes fully guaranteed on April 1, 2026. Another $55.05 million becomes fully guaranteed on April 1, 2027. And another $12.154 million becomes fully guaranteed on April 1, 2028.
The deal pays out $41.1 million in 2025, $46.996 million in 2026, $27.25 million in 2027, $55.05 million in 2028, $49.95 million in 2029, and $50 million in 2030.
As a practical matter, the first three years ($115.346 million) are fully guaranteed at signing. The first real decision point for the 49ers comes after the first two seasons.
After the 2026 season, the 49ers will have until April 1, 2027 to avoid $55.05 million in full guarantees for 2028. They would owe Purdy $27.25 million for 2027, subject to offset.
Purdy is guaranteed to earn, as a practical matter, $115.346 million through 2027. The 49ers can avoid his $55.05 million compensation in 2028 by cutting him on or before April 1, 2027.
The new-money average is $53 million per year. The six-year deal, from signing, has an annual value of $45.057 million.
The Packers signed free agent cornerback Gregory Junior on Wednesday, the team announced.
They waived cornerback Kaleb Hayes in a corresponding move.
The Texans released Junior on May 13.
Junior, 25, was a sixth-round pick of the Jaguars in 2022. He joined the Texans’ practice squad last season and signed a futures contract to remain with the club in January.
He has appeared in 10 career games, all with Jacksonville, totaling 17 tackles, two tackles for loss and a pass defensed.
He also has spent time with the Colts.
Falcons defensive coordinator’s Jeff Ulbrich return to Atlanta has been a bumpy one, but he hasn’t sensed any misgivings from the team about bringing him back.
Ulbrich’s son Jax made a prank call to Shedeur Sanders during the draft after getting the quarterback’s number — which was distributed by the NFL to teams — off of his father’s iPad. The younger Ulbrich apologized to Sanders, who was eventual drafted by the Browns in the fifth round, and the NFL fined the Falcons $250,000 and Ulbrich $100,000 for failing to secure the information.
On Wednesday, Ulbrich said at a press conference that he never felt like the Falcons considered parting ways with him in the wake of the revelation.
“In all honesty, I never went there, but I felt nothing but support from the organization in every single way -- from the people that worked the line in the cafeteria to [team owner Arthur Blank] himself, all of them,” Ulbrich said, via Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com. “I felt great support from him. It was one of the biggest reasons, in all honesty, that I came back here, because of the organization and what I think of this building.”
Ulbrich was the linebackers coach in Atlanta from 2015 to 2020 and worked as the interim defensive coordinator under interim head coach Raheem Morris to close out the 2020 season. Morris is heading into his second season as the Falcons’ head coach and he hired Ulbrich to replace the fired Jimmy Lake.
The Raiders reunited head coach Pete Carroll with Geno Smith by acquiring the quarterback via trade earlier this offseason.
Now that Las Vegas’ offseason program has advanced to OTA practices, Carroll has gotten to see plenty of Smith in the building in the last two months. On Wednesday, the 73-year-old coach was effusive in his praise of the quarterback.
“I really feel so fortunate that we were able to get that [trade] done — [G.M.] John Spytek got it done for us — because of all that he brings,” Carroll said in his press conference. “To me, he’s been emblematic of what a leader should be by his habits and by the way he brings himself every day. He’s the first guy out here. He’s the last guy to leave. It’s really important to him that he stands for what leadership is all about. And he’s a good football player, too, he’s looked great in practice so far. So, we’re really excited about what he’s bringing.”
Have Carroll and Smith been able to pick up where they left off with the Seahawks?
“We ain’t getting along at all, I mean listen,” Carroll joked, tongue firmly in cheek. “It’s been a natural transition. From the time we first contacted him and let him know we were in on this deal, and we were trying to see if we could make some sense of it, we were both excited about it. And so I feel, really, like we’re connected at the hip.
“And we have so much background. It’s not just the couple of seasons that he played, it’s all of the years that he was there. Because to me, coaching the next quarterback up is really, really crucial. So, we spent a lot of time — communicating, setting our priorities straight, staying on course, and he’s just been a champion at that. And now, he comes out the other end of that time frame, and he’s an elite quarterback in the league. So, what he brings to us is great confidence. He brings to me — I know we’re going to get great play out of his spot. So, it’s real easy to work that out.”
Smith represents a clear upgrade at QB from the club’s performance at that spot over the last few seasons. We’ll see if Carroll and Smith can boost the Raiders to a winning record in 2025 starting in the fall.
