| The Packers finances provide a peephole into the rest of the NFL’s. Rob Demovsky ofESPN.com: Eighteen years ago, when Mark Murphy gave his first financial report after taking over as president of the Packers, the NFL’s revenue sharing was $138 million per team. On Wednesday, just days before Murphy retires and hands over control to incoming president Ed Policy, the Packers revealed that their national revenue sharing from the previous fiscal year was $432.6 million — a year after national revenue topped $400 million per team (at $402.3 million) for the first time. “I continue to be amazed by the popularity of the NFL and by the league office’s ability to generate revenue,” Murphy said. “It’s impressive.” Green Bay’s finances are the only window into the NFL’s revenue-sharing numbers because, as the only publicly owned team, the Packers are required to reveal their financial statement on an annual basis. With $432.6 million distributed to each of the 32 NFL teams, it means the league shared more than $13 billion in revenue from the previous fiscal year. Murphy, along with Maureen Smith (Packers chief financial officer) and Karl Schmidt (treasurer of the team’s executive committee), shared the numbers that they will present to their stockholders during the annual shareholder meeting Friday at Lambeau Field. Murphy said national revenue accounts for about 60% of the Packers’ total revenue. “That’s mostly the growth in the national TV deals,” Murphy said. “The league has it so they’re trying to grow at about a 7% growth rate annually. And then the other thing I think the league’s done a good job of is moving more towards streaming, but still a vast majority of our national revenue is coming from broadcast television.” That helped the Packers’ profit from operations increase from $60.1 million to $83.7 million over the previous year. Local revenue, boosted by hosting a ninth regular-season home game since the league went to a 17-game schedule, increased from $251.8 million to $286.4 million. The Packers’ corporate reserve fund grew to $579 million, up from $536 million the previous year. Because the Packers are publicly owned by more than a half-million shareholders, they are unable to accept private equity investments the way some teams have done to raise money. According to the team, there are approximately 5,204,615 shares of stock owned by 539,029 stockholders — none of whom receive any dividends. To protect against someone taking control of the team, no single person can own more than 200,000 shares. |
| NFC NORTH |
| DETROITThe Lions are plenty spirited in early practices – and they aren’t even wearing pads. Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com: The Lions are getting feisty. For two straight days, coach Dan Campbell had to end practice early due to excessive on-field exuberance. Thursday’s practice ended early. Via Colton Pouncy of TheAthletic.com, Campbell pulled the plug after “several scuffles” broke out. Safety Brian Branch and receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, per Pouncy, “went at it multiple times.” Tuesday’s practice ended prematurely because the Lions were tackling while practicing in shorts. They’ll be back on Friday. For the first time this year, they’ll be wearing pads. |
| GREEN BAYNathaniel Hackett is bringing his expertise to Green Bay’s defense. Rob Demovsky ofESPN.com: There’s another new-old coach on the Green Bay Packers’ staff. Nathaniel Hackett, who spent three seasons (2019-21) as the team’s offensive coordinator before he became the Denver Broncos’ coach for one year and New York Jets offensive coordinator tor the previous two seasons, has been rehired by the Packers as a consultant/analyst. Coach Matt LaFleur said Hackett will work with the defense but will bring an offensive perspective to the other side of the ball. It’s similar to what former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh did for the Packers late last season when he worked with the offense but brought a defensive coach’s perspective. Saleh worked for the Packers part time after he was fired by the Jets. “We’ve got kind of a history of this with guys that are kind out there and certainly, he’s a guy that I really respect, and we’ve had a lot of great times together,” LaFleur said Thursday. “And he’s kind of coming in and doing an analyst role for our defense.” LaFleur said Hackett has been spending time with the linebackers early on. “I just think it’s a fresh perspective,” LaFleur said. “You kind of, especially when you take a defensive guy and put them on offense and vice versa, and offensive guy and defense, it gives you a little different lens to see it through and talk through. And so, he’s sitting in with all our, with our defensive staff, and he’s been in the linebacker room and kind of just going through the film and, you know, gives them a good offensive perspective.” It has been a rocky couple of seasons for Hackett. Last season after Saleh was fired, Hackett was demoted by interim coach Jeff Ulbrich when New York dipped to 27th in total offense (286.6 yards per game) and 25th in scoring (18.6 points). Todd Downing took over as the playcaller at that time. The Broncos fired Hackett after 15 games and a 4-11 record in 2022. |
| MINNESOTAAlternative uniform news from the Vikings: The Vikings announced they will wear their “Vikings Classic” throwback uniforms in Week 2’s home opener versus the Falcons and again in the regular-season finale versus the Packers. Minnesota also announced it will wear their all-white “Winter Warrior” uniforms when they host the Lions on Christmas Day in Week 17. |
| NFC EAST |
| WASHINGTONThe Commanders, as the Commanders, appear on the verge of a stadium deal. Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com: The deal could soon be done. Apparently without anyone squeezing the Commanders to change their name. Via NBCWashington.com, D.C. Council chairperson Phil Mendelson reached an agreement with the team to adjust the financial terms of the deal struck between the Commanders and Mayor Muriel Bowser. The revised agreement opens the door for D.C. Council to vote on the stadium proposal in “a matter of days.” The vote is expected to happen after public hearings set for July 29 and 30. Bowser separately said she has no problem with the changes to the deal. Having a vote and having a successful vote are two different things. But implicit in the new reports is the notion that the changes to the deal are more likely to get it done. The goal is to get the stadium open by 2030. If the deal is approved by the end of the month, that timetable likely remains very realistic. Coincidentally or not, progress has been made in the aftermath of President Trump insisting that the team change its name, and then suggesting that he may refrain from helping the team get a deal done if it doesn’t. Through it all, the Commanders have remained quiet. And with it a Super Bowl, according to Mayor Muriel Bowser. Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com: The new stadium means many things. One thing it means in particular is that D.C. will host a Super Bowl. Appearing on 106.7 The Fan in D.C., Bowser called a Super Bowl in the new stadium a “lock.” That’s how it usually goes with most publicly-funded stadiums. It’s the loose quid pro quo. If you build it, the Super Bowl will come. In most cold-weather cities, a dome is a necessity. MetLife Stadium in early 2014 was the lone exception. But from Minneapolis (twice), to Detroit (twice), to Indianapolis, a covered venue constructed with taxpayer money gets a Super Bowl. And the new Commanders stadium will have a dome. Which means it will have a Super Bowl. Donald Trump already gets to host a World Cup (2027) and a Summer Olympics (2028). Will he get the Washington Super Bowl? Only three Super Bowls are currently assigned. Super Bowl LX: Feb. 8, 2026 — Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, CA)Super Bowl LXI: Feb. 14, 2027 — SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA)Super Bowl LXII: 2028 — Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA) So two SBs still to be assigned within Trump’s expected term – but the new stadium is not supposed to be ready until 2030. So that game would be a few days after Trump’s successor is sworn in – February 2031. The NFL usually doesn’t award Super Bowls to stadiums in their first season. So look for Washington in February, 2023, SB 61. The leading contenders for SBs 58 and 59 appear to be a quick return to Las Vegas and the new stadium in Nashville. |
| NFC SOUTH |
| TAMPA BAYRookie DT DESMOND WATSON has cut too big a figure at Buccaneers camp. Jordan Dajani of CBSSports.com: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed one of the most intriguing undrafted free agents this offseason in former Florida defensive tackle Desmond Watson. However, it was understood he would need to lose weight if he wanted to play at the next level. Watson played football for the Gators at 6-foot-5, 464 pounds, and he has worked hard to get down to around 450 pounds. Despite the progress Watson has made, he opened up training camp on the non-football injury list due to his weight. “It’s just about trying to get him better, to be a healthier player and getting him on the field a little more,” Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said, via Fox 13. “That’s kind of where I’m at right now. He’s working at it and we’re working with him and that’s all you can ask right now.” It remains to be seen how much more weight the Buccaneers would like to see Watson lose. His chances of making the final 53-man roster appear relatively slim, but Watson could make NFL history as the heaviest player to play in a game. In four seasons at Florida, Watson recorded 63 combined tackles, four tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. The potential “tush-push killer” is not just a big body along the defensive front. He’s a legitimate athlete. At Florida’s pro day, Watson registered a 25-inch vertical, repped 225 pounds 36 times on the bench press and ran the 40-yard dash in 5.86 seconds, per USA Today. Watson has the potential to be a formidable run-stuffer for the Bucs, but he’s going to have to lose more weight first. |
| NFC WEST |
| LOS ANGELES RAMSCharles Robinson of YahooSports.com has a sense that the Rams have their eye on QB ARCH MANNING as QB MATTHEW STAFFORD’s imminent replacement. Day 2 of an unanticipated Matthew Stafford watch brought a slight perception regression for the Los Angeles Rams. The sun was shining at Loyola Marymount University and practice was running at a brisk pace. But in a twist, quarterback Matthew Stafford was neither working to the side on Wednesday, nor surveying drills and aiding the other quarterbacks who were taking all of the Day 2 snaps. In fact, he wasn’t on hand at all. To the alarmists, who continue to be haunted by the elbow soreness that scuttled Stafford’s season in 2022 and rolled over the Rams with it, it’s hard not to wonder if his unforeseen back soreness is being underplayed by the franchise. Or if it might be something that’s getting worse rather than better, with Stafford’s absence being a flag that speaks more authoritatively than the franchise’s brain trust’s assurance that this is all ok … all part of the plan … all just a measurement in the larger vantage. “He was working with the training staff,” Rams head coach Sean McVay said Wednesday. “To be out here on his feet — could he be out here? Yeah, but what’s more beneficial for him? I probably should have been a little bit more specific as to [what] working on the side [meant] — maybe working in the tents, things like that. So that was according to plan. I kind of misspoke [Tuesday] as far as ‘working out onto the side.’” Speaking to Yahoo Sports, McVay reiterated that there has always been a plan in place to work Stafford in slowly in 2025, keeping an eye on later in the season rather than overburdening him with early work that isn’t necessary at this point in his career. “This isn’t anything new,” McVay told Yahoo Sports. “It’s just one of those things that at the early parts of camp we were going to monitor and restrict his workload anyway — really for the mental and physical aspects of it. That made it easy to say, ‘F—k that, the first five-day acclimation period we’re not even in pads, it’s not even real football right now.’ It’s the right thing to do for him, No. 1, and for our team.” Contrary to any anxieties, it doesn’t resonate as damage control by McVay. Instead, it screams an element of management by the Rams brass, trying to deal with back soreness from Stafford that wasn’t anticipated. A development that, as one team source told Yahoo Sports, happened when Stafford was traveling on vacation in recent weeks with his family prior to the opening of camp. The kind of thing that can develop when you have a 37-year old quarterback who already has a history of different health issues, including concerns with his back. Realistically, everyone believes — including inside the Rams — that Stafford is deeply into the sunset portion of his NFL career. So much so, there’s a feeling inside the franchise that if the Rams win a Super Bowl title this season, Stafford is going to use that opportunity to retire, a la John Elway with the Denver Broncos in 1999, after he’d secured the second Super Bowl title that would ensure he was a first-ballot Hall of Famer. According to a team source, even Stafford himself has joked with staff that the Rams acquiring a second first-round pick in the 2026 draft from the Atlanta Falcons is a sign that the Los Angeles brass expect him to hang it up after the 2025 season. But does that mean that the Rams are also exploring Stafford replacements? It’s a question that is at least a little complicated. First and foremost, Stafford is still operating inside a Super Bowl window open for the Rams. The leadership both in the coaching staff and front office is steadfast in his ability — if fully healthy — to lead Los Angeles to one more title in the next two seasons. That said, it’s clear there is a fixed vantage on the horizon, with Rams decision-makers knowing the next offseason is where they have to start moving toward a succession plan. Most likely toward a very young player who can grow with McVay and spend an elongated period attached at the hip. One prominent name that surfaces inside this ideology is Texas quarterback Arch Manning, who some believe will end up being the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft following his 2025 season — if he actually chooses to leave college before his senior year in 2026. Manning is tied to the Rams for a very obvious reason: Les Snead’s stepson Tate is known to be a close friend of Arch Manning, and Snead himself was seen chatting up Arch Manning at the Texas pro day prior to the 2025 NFL Draft. But it goes deeper than that. Speaking to a handful of Rams personnel sources, Manning is — at this moment — considered by the staff to be the lone Tier 1 quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft, regardless of who else could potentially enter into the selection process. Why? The Rams covet Manning’s prototypical size (6-foot-4, 219 pounds) and throwing acumen … but also believe it’s his level of athleticism that sets him apart from from every other college football quarterback. So much so, the comparison for Manning inside the franchise is that his ceiling after the 2025 college football season could be a Josh Allen-type of prospect who is actually stronger physically and a faster running athlete than Allen was when he entered the draft in 2018. That’s some pretty significant praise from a team that’s going to need a quarterback sooner rather than later. Could it change with Manning’s performance in the 2025 college football season? Certainly. But his No. 1 perch atop the college football ranks of quarterbacks is absolutely where the Rams evaluate him right now. And they may have the ammunition to make a run at Manning in the 2026 class if he declares, thanks to a boatload of draft picks that include two first-rounders next spring. Interestingly, a high-ranking Rams source told Yahoo Sports that even if Stafford were to choose to return to the team in 2026, the Rams would — at this point — still lean into drafting Manning (if he were gettable) and then put him on ice for his rookie season, similar to the Kansas City Chiefs keeping Patrick Mahomes on the bench behind Alex Smith in 2017. The source added that the franchise believes Stafford would be open to such a scenario, knowing that 2026 will almost certainly be his last season in the NFL, regardless of what transpires during the course of the regular season and playoffs. For now, there are more moving parts than a Swiss watch when it comes to the Rams’ succession plan. But the reality remains that they’re thinking about it in a very real and tangible way. And maybe moreso than ever, with Stafford once again sidelined with health issues. We realize that it is more complicated than this but – the projected first overall pick has spent two years in college with two total starts, playing behind a QB in QUINN EWERS who lasted until the 7th round in the draft. So a lot of projection going on, but maybe Manning will prove worthy of such a lofty rank come the end of the season. |
| AFC NORTH |
| BALTIMORESix years ago, Donald Trump commented about part of Baltimore, the 7th district of his critic Rep Elijah Cummings, calling it “a rat and rodent-infested mess.” The media, at the time, decided that the word “denigrate” was what Trump had done to the district (and that such a thing was bad) – and that, as opposed to a specific part of the city, he was doing it to all of Baltimore and environs. So, a Ravens reporter seemed to feel it was disappointing that Ravens coach John Harbaugh would visit Trump’s 2025 White House after such denigration. Drew Lerner of Awful Announcing on the question and Harbaugh’s answer: Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh was not pleased with how a reporter framed a question about his recent visit with President Donald Trump. According to co-host of the Ravens Vault podcast, Sarah Ellison, Harbaugh was asked about his visit by a reporter who mentioned some of Trump’s “denigrating” comments about the city of Baltimore in the past. During his first term as president, Trump referred to Baltimore as a “disgusting, rat and rodent infested mess.” Harbaugh took exception with the reporter’s framing. “Why would you frame the question – I would’ve framed that question like, ‘You got a chance to go visit with the president, man. What was that experience like?’ “It was amazing. It was awesome. And I promise you, I root for our president. I want our president to be successful just like I want my quarterback to be successful and I want my team to be successful. “It was an amazing experience. It’s not often you get invited to do something like that as a family. We were there, my daughter was there, Jim’s daughters were there. My mom and dad were there. My mom and President Trump – just seeing how he treated her was really meaningful. That’s the fourth president [I’ve met]. Jim has met seven presidents so he’s got the lead on me. “I had the chance to meet President Obama twice. Incredible experience. Had a chance to meet President Biden, when he was vice president, in Iraq. I spent a lot of time with him in Iraq, which was amazing. “Those are moments that I definitely cherish and it means a lot.” Given President Trump’s prior comments about the city, it feels pretty valid for a reporter to frame their question around those remarks. However, John Harbaugh was well within his right to answer in a way that wouldn’t stir the pot. Though, for residents of the city of Baltimore, they probably would’ve preferred a bit of a stronger rebuke. We wondered a bit about the idea of “denigrate”. It turns out that in its purest dictionary sense it covers any negative reference to something, and that truth or falsity is not an element. To denigrate is to say bad things — true or false — about a person or thing. |
| CINCINNATIFormer agent Joel Corry, writing at CBSSports.com, tries to solve the impasse between EDGE TREY HENDRICKSON and the Bengals. The contract dispute between the Cincinnati Bengals and Trey Hendrickson took a wrong turn on Tuesday when the All-Pro edge rusher didn’t report to training camp with the rest of the team’s veteran players. Instead, Hendrickson left Cincinnati to return to his home in Jacksonville, Florida. Bengals president Mike Brown had expressed confidence that an agreement could be reached at the team’s annual media luncheon on Monday. “I think we’re in a good spot. I hope this thing comes together soon, and I’m going to leave it at that,” Brown said. Hendrickson painted a different picture about negotiations on Tuesday. According to NFL Network analyst Manti Te’o, who spoke to Hendrickson, his former teammate with the New Orleans Saints called the Bengals’ latest offers, especially the guarantees, “atrociously, atrociously low.” Dianna Russini of The Athletic got from Hendrickson that he had been willing to take less in some ways in an effort to get a deal done. Hendrickson has been adamant that he won’t play for the Bengals in 2025 under his current contract. The 2024 NFL Defensive Player of the Year runner-up is in a contract year. Hendrickson is scheduled to make $16 million in 2025 on an $18,666,668 cap number. The $16 million consists of a $15.8 million base salary and $200,000 of per-game roster bonuses ($11,764.70 for each game active). Hendrickson didn’t attend Cincinnati’s voluntary offseason workouts because of dissatisfaction with his contract. He subjected himself to a $104,768 fine by skipping the three-day mandatory minicamp held in June. Hendrickson will be fined $50,000 for each day of training camp he misses. As a player on a veteran contract, this daily fine is mandatory and can’t be reduced or waived by the Bengals. It shouldn’t be too difficult to break the contract impasse after T.J. Watt became the latest data point in an escalating pass rusher market. The Pittsburgh Steelers just made Watt the NFL’s highest-paid non-quarterback at $41 million per year ahead of Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, who signed a four-year, $161 million contract extension, averaging $40.25 million per year, in March. Watt’s three-year, $123 million extension has a non-quarterback record $108 million fully guaranteed at signing. Although Hendrickson isn’t looking to replace Watt as the NFL’s highest-paid edge rusher, it would be a justifiable position for him to take given he has been more productive than Watt over the last two years. Hendrickson’s 35 sacks since the start of the 2023 regular season are the NFL’s most. Watt’s 30.5 sacks during this span are second. In addition to a league-high 17.5 sacks in 2024, Hendrickson’s 83 quarterback pressures (combined quarterback sacks, quarterback hits and quarterback hurries) tied for the NFL lead with Cleveland Browns perennial All-Pro edge rusher Myles Garrett, according to Pro Football Focus. Hendrickson also accounted for 48.6% of Cincinnati’s sacks last season while Watt was responsible for 28.8% of Pittsburgh’s. Hendrickson’s 162 quarterback pressures over the last two seasons are 23 more than Watt’s 139. The Bengals shouldn’t have any issue doing a three-year extension to match Watt’s contract length. Hendrickson, who turns 31 in December, is about two months younger than Watt. The current non-QB salary leader will be 31 in October. Hendrickson isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. His most productive NFL seasons have been his last two. This year’s escalation of the edge rusher market can be used as a guide for Hendrickson’s new deal. The first data point was the Las Vegas Raiders signing Maxx Crosby to a three-year, $106.5 million extension, averaging $35.5 million per year, in March. The ink was barely dry on Crosby’s deal when Garrett became the NFL’s first $40 million-per-year non-quarterback less than a week later. The 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year signed a four-year, $160 million extension. Garrett’s deal has a non-quarterback record of $123,596,125 in overall guarantees where $88.8 million is fully guaranteed at signing. Shortly thereafter, Danielle Hunter also benefitted from the changing edge rusher salary landscape. The Houston Texans extended the two-year, $49 million contract (worth to $51 million through incentives) he signed in 2024 free agency by one year for $35.6 million to keep him in the fold through the 2026 season. Collectively, Crosby, Garrett, Hunter and Watt have signed extensions with $425.1 million of new money for 11 new contract years. These deals average $38,645,455 per year. Approximating this number would be a fair value for a three-year Hendrickson extension. Salary guarantees are a big sticking point for Hendrickson, according to multiple reports. The Bengals aren’t willing to guarantee money beyond the first contract year. Watt’s first three contract years (2025 through 2027) are fully guaranteed. Garrett’s first two years are fully guaranteed with a majority of the money in the third year (2027) completely secure upon execution. Excluding Crosby’s per-game roster bonuses, his first two years are fully guaranteed. Crosby’s contract guarantees run out after the third year. Hendrickson wanting his contract structured in a similar manner isn’t an unreasonable request. A complicating factor is the Bengals hadn’t given traditional salary guarantees to a non-quarterback until Chase. He has $73.9 million fully guaranteed at signing, which is his first two years minus his per-game roster bonuses. There are $109.8 million in total guarantees that extend into 2028, the fourth year of Chase’s deal. The Bengals also made a small exception this year with salary guarantees for Tee Higgins, Chase’s counterpart at wide receiver. The four-year, $115 million deal (worth to up $121.8 million through incentives) that made Higgins the NFL’s highest-paid No. 2 wide receiver at $28.75 million per year has a small amount guaranteed in Higgins’ second year. Higgins’ $10 million fifth day of the 2026 league year roster bonus due next March 15 became fully guaranteed five days after he signed his deal. Higgins’ contract has a total of $30 million in guarantees. Chase in particular seemingly made a cash-flow tradeoff to get traditional salary guarantees. His cash-flow percentages after each contract year pale in comparison to Justin Jefferson’s and CeeDee Lamb’s percentages in their respective four-year extensions with the Minnesota Vikings and Dallas Cowboys. Jefferson and Lamb are second and third on the wide receiver pay scale. Chase’s deal averages $38.728 million after his third new contract year because there’s $44.816 million in 2029, the final year of his extension. By contrast, the average after the third new contract year with both Jefferson and Lamb is more than the average of their deals. Presumably, the Bengals would insist on Hendrickson’s contract being somewhat backloaded with underwhelming cash flow if willing to make the second year of 2026 fully guaranteed. Typically, the only guaranteed money in Cincinnati veteran contracts is a signing bonus and/or a roster bonus payable within a few days of signing. The bigger deals contain an unsecured third or fifth day of the league year roster bonus in the second and third years. These roster bonuses are supposed to be substitutes for additional contract guarantees. The overall guarantees in Cincinnati contracts are less than comparable deals on other teams. Going this route could make sense for Hendrickson provided the Bengals give him the same type of player-friendly cash as in their most lucrative three-year deals or extensions. The Bengals have done three such contracts, averaging over $10 million per year. The first was with linebacker Vontaze Burfict ($11.078 million average per year) in 2017. Edge rusher Carlos Dunlap ($13.5 million average per year) got a three-year extension, like Burfict in 2018. Cornerback Trae Waynes ($14 million average per year) was signed in 2020 free agency. Based on Chase’s deal, Hendrickson would likely have in the neighborhood of 15%, 35% and 65%, respectively, after the existing year (2025), the first new year (2026) and the second new year (2027) with him getting the type of guarantees he desires. By comparison, Watt is at 18.66%, 44.67% and 70.69%, respectively. This is very strong cash flow when taking into account the amount of Watt’s guarantees. Establishing a new record in upfront money for a non-quarterback would be a necessity. San Francisco 49ers edge rusher Nick Bosa’s $50 million signing bonus is the current benchmark. A significant option bonus or fifth day of the league year roster bonus in 2026 would be required. Cincinnati has been structuring contracts with option bonuses recently. There would be a substantial fifth day of the league year roster bonus in 2027 as well. The option bonus would be better for Hendrickson because it’s prorated, just like the signing bonus or the first-year roster bonus in this case, beginning in the year the option is exercised, which would be 2026. The additional proration from the option bonus would help act as a deterrent against Hendrickson getting released early. Taking all of the factors discussed into consideration, a fair Hendrickson contract would be as follows: Length: Three-year extensionAverage yearly salary: $38.5 millionNew money total: $115.5 million ($131.5 million over four Years)Overall contract guarantees: $51 millionFully guaranteed at signing: $51 million New money in existing year (2025): $36.5 million (31.6%)New money through first new year (2026): $59 million (51.08%)New money through first two new years (2027): $84 million (72.73%) The Bengals wouldn’t be asked to set any new team contractual precedents with this type of deal for Hendrickson. The cash-flow percentages are consistent with the Burfict, Dunlap and Waynes deals. – – The first time Hendrickson would realistically be in jeopardy is 2027. The Bengals would be forced to make an early decision on him because of the $15 million March roster bonus. Getting released after the 2026 season would be the equivalent of signing a one-year extension for $59 million. Hendrickson would be $8.5 million ahead of Watt’s $44 million of cash in the first year. Watt would have Hendrickson by $1 million with $76 million through 2026, the second year. The gap would widen in 2027 with Watt having $8 million more in cumulative cash. Anything under this average yearly salary for fewer than three new contract years should be considered as a negotiation win by the Bengals given Hendrickson’s productivity and the existing deals at the top of the edge rusher market. Hopefully, the situation doesn’t become any more acrimonious than it already is and the two sides can quickly bridge their differences. Allowing for additional changes to the pass rusher market with Micah Parsons and possibly Aidan Hutchinson getting contract extensions from the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions would only compound the problem and likely further convince Hendrickson that he is being extremely reasonable in his contract demands. |
| CLEVELANDQB DESHAUN WATSON goes on PUP. Zac Jackson of The Athletic on the terrible toll Watson takes on Cleveland’s salary cap: The Cleveland Browns have placed quarterback Deshaun Watson on the active/physically unable to perform (PUP) list for the start of training camp. The expected designation came Tuesday as the full squad reported for the start of camp. Watson suffered a second Achilles tear in January while rehabbing from the Achilles injury he suffered last October in a game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Though an exact timetable for medical clearance is unknown, the Browns have long known that Watson would not be ready for the start of camp or for the start of the 2025 season. Players on the active-PUP list count against the 90-man roster during training camp and can be activated any time, but Watson’s expected rehab schedule extends beyond this summer. It’s unknown if the Browns would activate Watson at any point during this season. In March, team owner Jimmy Haslam acknowledged the franchise’s disastrous 2022 trade for Watson by saying the Browns “took a big swing and miss” on acquiring Watson in a package that included three first-round picks. “We thought we had a quarterback and we didn’t,” Haslam said. The Browns still have a huge financial commitment to Watson, who counts for just less than $36 million on the team’s 2025 salary cap and is scheduled to count for just more than $80 million in 2026. The Browns have reworked Watson’s contract multiple times to lower his cap numbers and could do so again after this season. The team could also work on a formal release ahead of 2026, though it’s too early to know how things might play out. Watson is signed through 2026 and, under the current contract structure, is set to count on the team’s cap through 2029. For now, he’s almost certain to start the regular season on the PUP list and the Browns can make further determinations around midseason. This: @JohnHillberyThe chance of being born a Cleveland Browns fan is roughly: 0.0000000000000000154%. 1 in 400 trillion of specifically existing1 in 23.5 of being born in the USA1 in 29 of of being born in Ohio1 in 2.38 of being a Browns fan Congrats, you won the saddest Powerball. The Browns new brown helmet made a splash with its debut: https://twitter.com/i/status/1948174421866545574 |
| AFC SOUTH |
| HOUSTONWe missed that S JIMMIE WARD is in legal trouble in Texas. Myles Simmons ofProFootballTalk.com: In June, Texans safety Jimmie Ward was arrested and booked on charges of assault family violence impeding breath/circulation, which is a third-degree felony under Texas law. For the first time since the arrest, both General Manager Nick Caserio and head coach DeMeco Ryans addressed Ward’s situation in their respective press conferences this week at the start of training camp. “Yeah, working through that,” Caserio said, via transcript from the team. “Kind of let the legal process take care of itself. We have been in contact with the league. We will work with the league. We will be compliant on our end, do the best we can. So I think it’s day-to-day, but kind of let that process take care of itself. Whatever the outcome is we’ll handle it accordingly.” “Yeah, with Jimmie, yeah, it’s unfortunate any time something like that happens and comes out in the news and that happens to one of your players,” Ryans said. “Jimmie is a guy that I’ve known the longest. Since I first started in the NFL I’ve worked with Jimmie. I know the type of guy he is, and we’ll just let the legal situation play itself out.” While Ward is in the building after reporting for camp, he is not currently practicing as he’s on the physically unable to perform list after undergoing foot surgery. On June 12, Ward was arrested in Magnolia, Texas after his fiancée called and said she had been assaulted, strangled and threatened by Ward. |
| JACKSONVILLEHow are the Jaguars going about making CB TRAVIS HUNTER a two-way star? Jeff Howe of The Athletic: Trevor Lawrence thought he had plenty of time. As the first round of the NFL Draft began in April, the face of the Jacksonville Jaguars was wholly unaware his team was preparing to steal the spotlight from the rest of the league. So Lawrence handled his daughter’s bath-time routine, assuming the Jaguars wouldn’t be on the clock until they were up at No. 5. And then Lawrence’s phone blew up with the news. The Jags traded a haul of picks to the Cleveland Browns to move up to No. 2 for two-way sensation Travis Hunter, effectively dotting the exclamation point on the new regime’s bold offseason. “I’m like, dammit, I missed it,” Lawrence told The Athletic on Wednesday after the Jaguars’ first practice of training camp. “Everybody was calling me. It was awesome. We got a special player.” General manager James Gladstone and head coach Liam Coen were among the many who fell in love with Hunter during the pre-draft evaluation. They didn’t want to feel regret over any wasted opportunities during their initial draft together in Jacksonville, so they reached out to the Browns and New York Giants, who were picking third. The Giants were still sorting through their plans at quarterback, so they weren’t wholly ready to engage, but the Browns were receptive from the start. The Jags and Browns had the framework of the deal in place with less than two weeks to go before the draft. So long as quarterback Cam Ward went to the Tennessee Titans at No. 1, the Browns would flip the pick to Jacksonville. They just needed to stifle the news. No nonsense. No leaks, not even internally to the quarterback. They accomplished that mission, of course, dishing out a package that included two first-round picks and a second-rounder to secure Hunter, the Heisman Trophy winner who dazzled at Colorado as a wide receiver and a cornerback. Now, the more important mission involves Hunter’s integration. His first practice of training camp mirrored much of his spring workload. Hunter lined up with the receivers during each offensive period, but he spent special teams periods with defensive coaches to go over various fundamentals. Of the Jaguars’ first five practices of camp, Coen estimated Hunter would have three offensive days and two defensive days, pending any necessary adjustments. Hunter’s routine will flip during defensive days, as he’ll spend special teams periods with the offensive staff. Eventually — and soon, by all indications — Hunter will practice at wide receiver and cornerback during the same sessions, even switching from his green offensive jersey to the white defensive jersey. It only happened once before, the final day of minicamp, but the Jags know the ramp-up is likely imminent. “It’s more about us trying to make sure he’s prepared for that moment,” Coen told The Athletic. “He’s one of the most crazy in-shape players I’ve ever seen. His stamina is crazy. He can just go … forever. I think he’s itching to do it more, and we’re trying to make sure we do the teaching progression (correctly), so he can go play fast. Ultimately, how do we deploy him on both sides of the ball? We’ve still got to kind of figure that out. What’s he truly best at?” The simple question comes with a complex answer. While the majority of teams polled by The Athletic prior to the draft believed Hunter would be best suited as a full-time corner who could be a difference maker with 10-15 snaps per game at receiver, the Jaguars had a different outlook. (Coincidentally, so did the Browns, who were almost certainly going to take Hunter at No. 2 if the Jaguars didn’t make such a strong offer, according to league sources.) Hunter has game-breaking ability at wideout, and the Jaguars thought he was at his best on offense when he could get into the rhythm of the game. And since Hunter won’t be playing full time at both spots, they envision a scenario where he could play high-leverage defensive situations where he could attack the ball. “He can handle it,” Lawrence said. “That’s what’s unique and special about him. He’s the best-conditioned guy I think I’ve ever seen. He can run all day up and down the field. I haven’t seen him tired one time. He’s fresh when he goes into the locker room after practice. Everybody else is gassed, and he’s like, ‘I feel great.’ It’s unique. I don’t know what he does, or if he’s just born that way. I know he works really hard, but it’s impressive to see him (in action).” At this moment in time, Hunter is a better corner than receiver simply because he’s got more experience on defense. Plus, Colorado managed his practice workload to keep him fresh for games, so he didn’t have the time to refine his fundamentals. That’s partly why teams — not just the Jaguars — were salivating over Hunter’s untapped potential. They truly don’t know how great of a player he can become until he gets more consistent exposure to NFL coaching over a longer period. “That’s why we’re (starting with) more offense, not necessarily to say that he’s going to play more offense this fall,” Coen said. “It’s because that’s where he needs the most development right now. There’s so much more fundamentals, technique, detail, timing, being at the right spot at the right time, a lot more verbiage.” Still, the possibilities are tantalizing. There were numerous occasions Wednesday when Hunter lined up at receiver alongside 2024 first-rounder Brian Thomas Jr., certainly leading Lawrence to dream about the matchups they could create in Coen’s system. But conversely, Hunter and cornerback Tyson Campbell could also become an elite tandem. Oh, and the plan is always pending. Hunter could play 75 percent of the offensive snaps in one game and 75 percent of the defensive snaps in the next if the matchups are more advantageous. At minimum, it’ll give the opponents something to think about. They surely won’t be able to make assumptions about where he’ll be. As Lawrence has already seen firsthand, the Jaguars aren’t afraid to be bold when it comes to Hunter. |
| AFC EAST |
| MIAMIAn update on OL BAYRON MATOS, who left Wednesday’s practice in a helicopter: OL Bayron Matos stayed at Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital overnight for evaluation and testing after suffering an injury in Wednesday’s practice, the Dolphins announced. Matos has movement in all extremities and is in stable condition. He will remain at the hospital for continued observation. But CB ARTIE BURNS is done for the year. Myles Simmons of ProFootballTalk.com: Miami’s fear regarding cornerback Artie Burns’ injury has been confirmed. Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, an MRI has confirmed that Burns suffered a torn ACL and will be out for the 2025 season. Burns, 30, signed a one-year deal with the Dolphins in March. The veteran corner has 90 games of experience with 39 starts for Pittsburgh, Chicago, and Seattle. He appeared in just four games for the Seahawks last year. He went down during a drill in Wednesday’s practice. Photos from the session depict Burns slamming his helmet in frustration after suffering the injury. Miami added cornerback Cornell Armstrong on Thursday to help offset Burns’ loss. |
| NEW YORK JETSQB JUSTIN FIELDS was taken off the field Thursday at Jets camp. The initial diagnosis, while potentially not good, is not season-ending severe. Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com: News that Jets quarterback Justin Fields had to be carted off the field during Thursday’s practice led to thoughts of season-ending injuries, but the first updates on his condition have calmed some nerves around the team. Head coach Aaron Glenn said that Fields suffered a right toe injury. Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that the initial diagnosis is a dislocated toe and that tests showed Fields did not suffer a fracture. Glenn said that he did not know which toe Fields injured when his foot was stepped on during practice and Rapoport reports that it is not the big toe. Fields is still being evaluated and there’s no word on whether he’ll miss any time, but the initial updates have likely soothed some of the bad feelings that Jets fans had when they first heard that Fields went down. As we go to press – Fields is listed as a promising day-to-day. |
