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New York Times
a day ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Packers training camp: Elgton Jenkins returns and doesn't care about the money
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Elgton Jenkins acknowledged Monday that at one point this offseason, he 'for sure' thought about the financial implications of switching from left guard to center. Over the Cap's lists of the 10 highest-paid players by position show that the average annual salary for the top left guards is $14.7 million, while it's $11.25 million for centers. Advertisement According to Over The Cap, the average annual salary among the NFL's 10 highest-paid left guards is $14.7 million. The average annual salary among the 10 highest-paid centers is $11.25 million. ESPN reported amid Jenkins' voluntary OTA absence in May that he sought a reworked contract that would protect him against a potential future loss of earnings because of his position switch. Jenkins said he skipped OTAs because of a family matter. He was present at mandatory minicamp in June but didn't participate while the Packers listed him with a back injury. Jenkins said his agent discussed a revised contract with the Packers at length but that he doesn't expect the team to touch his deal before the regular season. He practiced in a limited capacity on Monday after coming off the non-football injury list, his first participation of any kind since last season. Jenkins said he hurt his back lifting weights early this offseason and 'felt good' in his first practice since, which also happened to be his first time snapping to quarterback Jordan Love since switching positions for good. 'Right now, I'm just focused on the season going forward, just being able to perform for the team and just getting our O-line right, our offense right, so we can be better this year than we were last year,' Jenkins said when asked about potential reservations moving to a less lucrative position. 'Right now, I'm not even thinking about that. … Been playing this game for 20-some years, seven years in the league. I'm very confident in my ability and what I can do. The financial side, I know that's going to come.' Elgton Jenkins said he 'for sure' thought about financial implications of moving from LG to C at one point but isn't anymore. Focused on 'being able to perform for the team.' Jenkins said he missed OTAs because of a family matter, not because of his contract. — Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) July 28, 2025 Jenkins moved to center because the Packers signed former 49ers left guard Aaron Banks to a four-year, $77 million deal in free agency. Jenkins, a 2019 second-round pick, played center at Mississippi State but has played the position sparingly for the Packers. He said Monday that he actually told the Packers last season that he eventually wanted to play center full-time in the NFL to essentially help the team field its best starting five up front. Advertisement General manager Brian Gutekunst asked Jenkins at his postseason exit meeting if he wanted to make the switch. Jenkins asked for time to make his decision and eventually agreed after 'a little while.' 'I just go with life, let it flow, honestly, but I don't feel like I just thought about it a lot, a lot,' Jenkins said. 'It was just more, he called, asked, I was like, 'Yeah, I'll do it,' and go from there.' Gutekunst said at March's annual league meeting that Jenkins can be an All-Pro center. The two-time Pro Bowl left guard agreed. 'I feel like the sky's the limit, honestly,' Jenkins said. 'I can be an All-Pro, Pro Bowl, same guy, probably even better, honestly. We're just going to see.' 1. Let's run through what we'll call the Nate Hobbs Physicality Timeline. Friday: Hobbs twice gets a little too physical for a non-padded practice (for head coach Matt LaFleur's liking) while guarding wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks. Sunday before practice: LaFleur tells reporters he spoke with Hobbs about toning it down to protect his teammates while adding that Hobbs' physicality is part of his game the Packers liked before signing him to a four-year, $48 million deal in free agency. Sunday after practice: Hobbs says he spoke to the wide receivers and assured them his physicality is nothing personal, saying, 'It ain't no hard feelings. That's just how I get down. … Obviously, you need everybody on the team, but I'm a football player, man. I'm not gonna stop being a football player.' Monday during practice: MarShawn Lloyd, the second-year running back drafted in the third round who played in only one game his rookie year because of multiple injuries, limps off after Hobbs hits him low with the Packers wearing only shoulder pads. Lloyd doesn't return to practice. Monday after practice: Hobbs tells reporters that LaFleur disciplined him after the hit on Lloyd and that he agreed with LaFleur's decision. Advertisement 'He had all the right to do what he did. … He sat me for a second, put me in timeout, let me think about my decisions and I thought about it real good.' Hobbs added of the hit, 'I do feel horrible … it wasn't an intentional decision like, 'Oh, I'm going to tackle him.' It was like I was behind a blocker. Once I popped back in and got my vision on the ball carrier, he was as close as we are and his shoulder pads go a little down, so by nature, I got low just to protect myself so I wouldn't look crazy and get run over. You know what I'm saying? And I got low, I kind of dropped my knee on the ground and I kind of shot and I didn't try to tackle him. I just got too low. … I take full accountability for that accident.' 2. Brandon McManus is now 23-for-23 on kicks during team periods over his three kicking practices. His makes have come from 33, 33, 33, 36, 38, 38, 39, 40, 41, 41, 43, 43, 44, 45, 46, 46, 46, 47, 48, 49, 51, 51 and 56 yards. Unlike last summer, there is no kicking competition at Ray Nitschke Field. 3. Jenkins (back) was limited and did no 11-on-11 work in his first practice, while linebacker Quay Walker (ankle) also sat out 11-on-11s but continued ramping up to full participation after offseason surgery. Wide receiver Savion Williams cleared concussion protocol and participated in 11-on-11s, including some with the No. 1 offense. Banks (back) appeared to be limited because Jordan Morgan began the first 11-on-11 period as the starting left guard, but Banks then took his spot later in practice. Wide receiver Christian Watson (knee), defensive lineman Collin Oliver (hamstring) and offensive lineman John Williams (back) remained sidelined. Quay Walker hitting the sled after offseason ankle surgery. Not entirely back yet, but he appears to be making progress. — Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) July 28, 2025 4. Love got Hobbs to jump with his hard count last week. On Monday, Love got another Packers newcomer to jump on the hard count. The only problem for Love is that it was his own left guard. Banks flinched right before defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt and was booted from the drill for Jacob Monk. 5. Rookie first-round receiver Matthew Golden made the catch of practice. Love, with ample time behind a sturdy offensive line, hit Golden near the right sideline for about 25 yards with cornerback Keisean Nixon draped on him. Nixon's hand appeared to be on the ball in between Golden's hands, but the 21-year-old held on and touched both feet inbounds while tumbling over the boundary. Gutekunst said during the draft that Golden had arguably the best hands in the class, and they were certainly on display there. 6. Golden giveth and Golden taketh away, though his drop wasn't entirely his fault. Love threw high of Golden over the middle and the ball tipped off his hands before falling to Hobbs for an interception. Coaches will count that as a drop, but Love's ball placement didn't do the rookie any favors. Advertisement 7. Safety Evan Williams made a couple of nice plays against Green Bay's top two tight ends. He broke up a low pass to the left flat for Luke Musgrave and later forced a fumble on a Tucker Kraft bootleg, though the ball fell out of bounds after popping loose. 8. The Packers continue having issues snapping the ball. In recent days, the culprit has been reserve center Trey Hill. On Monday, one Sean Rhyan snap hit Kraft in motion before falling to the ground and another drifted left of Love before hitting the grass. On that play, Love recovered and launched a prayer down the left sideline to Golden, who did well to cut in front of Hobbs and make sure the pass fell incomplete. Elgton Jenkins practicing for the first time since last season, featuring a photobomb from the GM and head coach. — Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) July 28, 2025 9. The No. 1 and No. 2 offense both won their two-minute drills. Kind of. The score was 30-28 with the offense starting on its own 30-yard line and no timeouts with 1:45 on the clock. Defensive end Brenton Cox likely would've sacked Malik Willis on second-and-10 from the offense's 40, but the play continued with no contact on quarterbacks permitted and Willis hit wideout Malik Heath for a spiffy back-shoulder grab on cornerback Bo Melton for about 25 yards down the left sideline. After a slant for 7 yards to receiver Savion Williams and a couple of Emanuel Wilson runs up the middle, McManus hit a 36-yarder for the win. The starting unit didn't get as big a lifeline as the backups, with Love throwing incomplete behind receiver Jayden Reed on a first-and-10 slant before hitting Golden once and Reed three consecutive times, including up the seam for about 23 yards. One Josh Jacobs run up the middle set up McManus' 43-yarder for the win. 10. Today's quote of the day once again comes from Hobbs. 'I don't really know how to cool it. 'OK, on this play, I'm going to protect myself.' Because then let's say I do that. Let's say Derrick Henry comes around the corner and I let up, he stiff-arms my ass and goes for 80. Now I'm going to be a bozo. The Pack's going to hate me. The fans are going to be like, 'Oh, he's soft,' you know what I'm saying? So I don't really know how to play any way else.'
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Dallas Cowboys make Jake Ferguson highest-paid tight end in franchise history
Dallas Cowboys training camp kicked off just one day ago in southern California. As the team prepares for its first year under head coach Brian Schottenheimer, the franchise signed one of its top young players for the future. Tight end Jake Ferguson and the Cowboys agreed to a four-year, $52 million extension with $30 million guaranteed. This deal makes Ferguson the highest-paid tight end in Cowboys history. Dallas drafted Ferguson in the fourth round, No. 129 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. He started eight games as a rookie and took on a larger role in his second season. In 2023, Ferguson set career-highs in catches (71), receiving yards (761) and receiving touchdowns (five) and made his first Pro Bowl. He was held scoreless in 2024 as the Cowboys offense struggled without franchise quarterback Dak Prescott in the lineup for much of the season. Ferguson may be the highest-paid tight end in Cowboys history, but this deal makes him the seventh-highest-paid tight end in the league by average annual value (AAV). Per OverTheCap, Ferguson slots in behind Cleveland's David Njoku ($13.68 million AAV) and ahead of Chicago's Cole Kmet ($12.5 million). Ferguson was entering the final year of his rookie deal prior to this extension. The Cowboys state this extension will free up $1.8 million in salary cap space for 2025. Jake Ferguson stats Ferguson assumed a larger role in the Cowboys' offense in 2023 following Dalton Schultz's departure. Here's a look at his stats year-over-year: Micah Parsons contract latest Cowboys fans are hoping the team's top young star gets an extension done soon as well in edge rusher Micah Parsons. They voiced their displeasure during Dallas' "Opening Day Ceremony" at training camp, shouting "Pay Micah!" to owner Jerry Jones as he took the stage to address the crowd. Like Ferguson before his extension, Parsons is entering the final year of his rookie deal. He's been one of the best defenders in the league since his rookie season in 2021 and has been at least a second-team All-Pro in three of his first four seasons. Parsons has reported to training camp but previously spoke about his frustration with the negotiations. He stated his representation tried to get an extension done last offseason but the franchise said they were focusing on deals for Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb instead. Dallas hasn't come together on a deal since the end of the 2024 season. This comes while other top edge rushers like Maxx Crosby, Myles Garrett and T.J. Watt all signed long-term deals. "I will never understand it," Parsons said on former WWE wrestler The Undertaker's podcast, Six Feet Under. "We wanted to do the contract last year – then you go out there and perform again. You would think, 'Alright, we'll get it done early, we know some guys are about to get re-paid.' There's Myles [Garrett], Maxx [Crosby] is going, so you would think, 'Hey, let's get ahead of that.' "You can't want us to take less (now) because you're the one that decided to wait."
USA Today
5 days ago
- Business
- USA Today
Where do the Eagles rank in spending at each position entering training camp?
Where are the Eagles spending their money this season? Here's a look at how Philadelphia's salary cap breaks down by position entering training camp The NFL season is upon us, as Philadelphia and 31 other teams around the league have reported for the start of an urgent training camp. The Eagles lost several key starters and contributors in free agency but bounced back and made several efficient signings to complete the first wave. On offense, the backup running back and starting right guard departed, leaving an explosive offense with two holes that need to be filled. All wasn't lost, as the Eagles added a running back, three pass-rushing linebackers, two tight ends, a cornerback, and a new long snapper. The Eagles added ten talented rookies on NFL draft weekend, and their first-round pick looked like the best athlete on the field through the first two days of practice. The defense has undergone an overhaul after defensive tackle Milton Williams (New England), Josh Sweat (Arizona), cornerback Darius Slay (Pittsburgh), cornerback Isaiah Rodgers (Minnesota), and linebacker Oren Burks (Cincinnati) all departed via free agency. Philadelphia currently has about $30,522,977 in cap space per Over The Cap, and they're spending about $146,676,032 on offense, while only spending $65,557,783 on defense after those free agent departures and the Bryce Huff trade. After years of the offensive and defensive lines carrying the financial load, the Eagles have several skill players who are among the highest-paid at their positions. The Eagles will again be a Super Bowl favorite in the NFC and have one of the most talented rosters despite having one of the lowest average positional spending. Here's where Philadelphia sits in positional spending on both sides of the ball, thanks to Over The Cap. Offense Total spending:$147,516,032 NFL rank: 14th After years of having both sides of the football hover around $80+ million, the offense has ballooned with Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Lane Johnson, Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, and Dallas Goedert all among the highest paid at their positions. QB Total spending: $24,881,738 NFL rank: 17th Biggest cap hit: Jalen Hurts ($21,869,800) Howie Roseman's wizardry is in the numbers, and despite Jalen Hurts being due $42,000,000 guaranteed, his cap hit in 2025 is half that number. RB Total spending: $13,758,074 NFL rank: 12th Biggest cap hit: Saquon Barkley ($6,661,000) Even with the highest paid salary to a running back in NFL history, Barkley only counts $6 million in cap space. WR Total spending: $34,033,908 NFL rank: 11th Biggest cap hit: A.J. Brown ($17,591,894) Philadelphia has two players making over $25 million a season, yet they are 11th in total spending at the position. TE Total spending: $17,357,998 NFL rank: 13th Biggest cap hit: Dallas Goedert $10,714,463 The Eagles reworked Goedert's contract, dropping his cap hit from $11,810,583 to $10,714,463 for 2025. Last season, Goedert played in 10 games, logging 42 receptions for 496 yards, averaging 11.8 yards per catch, and two scores. Goedert has missed 15 games since the start of the 2022 season and has only played a full slate of games once. OL Total spending: $57,484,314 NFL rank: 10th Biggest cap hits: Lane Johnson ($18,412,000) and Jordan Mailata ($15,235,233) Defense Total spending: $66,397,783 NFL rank: 32nd After seeing several big-name defenders exit and trading Bryce Huff, the Eagles' top-ranked defense is 32nd in spending at just over $66 million. DT Total spending: $18,310,628 NFL rank: 26th Biggest cap hit: Jalen Carter ($5,947,141), Jordan Davis ($5,399,786) The Eagles picked up Jordan Davis' fifth-year option, and his salary will balloon to a projected $12,900,000—the second-cheapest fifth-year option of the 32 players selected in the first round of the 2022 draft. Davis has recorded just 3.5 sacks in his three years with the team. Edge Rusher Total spending: $10,591,464 NFL rank: 32nd Biggest cap hit: Nolan Smith ($3,270,659) In March, Philadelphia saw $16 million in salary cap departures with Josh Sweat joining the Cardinals and Brandon Graham announcing his retirement. The Eagles gained more relief after trading Bryce Huff to the 49ers. Nolan Smith will enter year three of his rookie deal, while Jalyx Hunt will enter year two. Josh Uche and Azeez Ojulari will also have low cap hits. LB Total spending: $13,473,579 NFL rank: 25th The Eagles are 25th in the NFL after signing Zack Baun to a three-year, $51 million deal with an average annual salary of $17 million. The $17 million-per-year deal kept Baun off the free-agent market and makes him the fourth-highest-paid in the NFL, behind Fred Warner ($21 million per year), Roquan Smith ($20 million per year), and Tremaine Edmunds ($18 million). CB Total spending: $15,747,258 NFL rank: 29th Biggest cap hit: Quinyon Mitchell ($3,367,749) Darius Slay and James Bradberry were released, but their presence still hovered on the roster. Slay was a post-June 1 cut, meaning his $13.7 million salary cap hit was the fifth highest on the team. Bradberry counted $5,195,000. Second-year cornerback Quinyon Mitchell has the highest cap hit for a player on the roster at $3,367,749. S Total spending:$8,274,854 NFL rank: 32nd Biggest cap hit: Reed Blankenship ($1,845,000)
USA Today
5 days ago
- Business
- USA Today
Where do the Ravens rank in spending at each key position entering training camp?
Where are the Ravens spending their money this season? Here's a look at how Baltimore's salary cap breaks down by position entering training camp After a five-week break, the Baltimore Ravens have returned to the Under Armour Performance Center to kick off an urgent and critical 2025 training camp. This is a loaded roster, and Todd Monken's group can stake a claim to having the most explosive offensive unit in the NFL with star power at every position. Baltimore wasn't overly active during the first few days of NFL free agency. Still, the team added a future Hall of Fame wide receiver to the passing game and a versatile linebacker to the special teams, and Jaire Alexander at cornerback on the final day of minicamp. The Ravens retained Ronnie Stanley, Patrick Ricard, and Tylan Wallace, while the restructuring of Marlon Humphrey created $13 million in salary cap space. Even with the inactivity and loss of five key contributors or starters, the team remains amid a Super Bowl window and has restocked the roster with 11 draft picks in April. The Ravens landed Malaki Starks in the first round and secured Mike Green after he slipped to Round 2. Baltimore currently has about $15,006,137 in cap space per Over The Cap, and they're spending about $133,490,752 on offense and $131,175,554 on defense. Here's where the Ravens sit in positional spending on both sides of the ball, thanks to Over The Cap. Offense Total spending: $132,068,252 NFL rank: 21st Baltimore has Lamar Jackson, Roquan Smith, Ronnie Stanley, Mark Andrews, and Derrick Henry among the highest-paid at their positions. Rashod Bateman's salary rose to about $13 million per season after his contract extension. QB Total spending: $47,204,000 NFL rank: 6th Biggest cap hit: Lamar Jackson ($43,500,000) Jackson is a candidate for a restructuring or contract extension. RB Total spending: $13,824,133 NFL rank: 11th Biggest cap hit: Derrick Henry ($8,499,000) Henry's salary cap decreased after he signed his two-year, $30 million extension. WR Total spending: $18,623,632 NFL rank: 31st Biggest cap hit: Rashod Bateman ($4,798,333) Bateman carries the biggest salary cap hit after signing a three-year, $36 million extension. TE Total spending: $23,396,252 NFL rank: 5th Mark Andrews is on the books for a $16,907,615 cap hit and just had a $4 million bonus paid out. OL Total spending: $29,020,235 NFL rank: 31st Biggest cap hits: Ronnie Stanley ($5,804,000) Defense Total spending: $132,015,554 NFL rank: 11th Nnamdi Madubuike, Roquan Smith, Odafe Oweh, and Marlon Humphrey lead the charge. DT Total spending:$29,996,749 NFL rank: 17th Biggest cap hit: Nnamdi Madubuike ($16,475,000) Edge Rusher Total spending:$29,935,976 NFL rank: 17th Biggest cap hit: Odafe Oweh ($13,251,000) Oweh will play 2025 on his fifth-year option, while Kyle Van Noy counts $6,125,000. LB Total spending: $30,111,761 NFL rank: 1st Roquan Smith carries a $23,718,750 cap hit and his the highest-paid linebacker in the NFL behind Fred Warner. CB Total spending: $26,889,613 NFL rank: 12th Biggest cap hit: Marlon Humphrey ($11,981,80), while Jaire Alexander is on the books for just $4 million. S Total spending: $15,081,455 NFL rank: 18th Biggest cap hit: Kyle Hamilton ($5,172,074)
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
49ers linked to trio of best remaining NFL free agents
San Francisco training camp is officially underway from the SAP Performance Facility in Santa Clara, Calif. That means the 49ers' 2025 NFL season is finally getting close. As San Francisco ramps up for the campaign ahead during training camp, there could still be a move or two left by the front office before the season arrives. Pro Football Network likes three of the best remaining NFL free agents as potential fits with the 49ers. PFN included free agent wide receivers Amari Cooper and Gabe Davis and free agent running back Jeff Wilson Jr. as players that would make sense in San Francisco. Cooper reeled in 44 catches for 547 yards and four scores a season ago across 14 games with the Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills. The five-time Pro Bowler would make sense for a 49ers squad that doesn't have a timetable for Brandon Aiyuk's return and that has another top receiver in Jauan Jennings angling for a contract extension. Here's what PFN said about Cooper and a possible with with the 49ers: Arguably the top free agent still available, Amari Cooper has a tremendous track record and was a Pro Bowl just two seasons ago. Though he had 1,250 receiving yards in 2023, he dipped down to 547 yards between stints in Cleveland and Buffalo in 2024. Neither team used him as the top target he had previously been. Cooper deserves a chance at a starting role to prove he still has a lot left in the tank. The five-time Pro Bowl could make sense for WR-needy teams pushing for a deep playoff run like the Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49ers. - PFN Another option at wide receiver could be Davis. Still just 26 years old, Davis was released by the Jacksonville Jaguars just one season into a three-year, $39 million contract after a disappointing 2024 campaign where he caught just 20 passes for 239 yards and a pair of touchdowns. It was easily the least productive season of Davis' career to this point and it concluded with a season-ending torn meniscus after just 10 games played. Maybe that sets the 49ers up to land Davis at a discount, though. Davis is only 26 years old, so he should have plenty of football left in him, even after his injury. He would be best suited in an offense that allows him to maximize his vertical capabilities. That said, keep an eye on some playoff contenders to consider him on a discounted one-year deal before he signs another contract next offseason. - PFN Lastly, PFN linked San Francisco to Wilson. The 29-year-old began his career as an undrafted free agent with the 49ers where he was San Francisco's leading rusher during the 2020 season with 126 carries for 600 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. Wilson had just 16 carries last season with the Dolphins and a return to San Francisco is a fit that might make sense for all parties. The 49ers still have $45.3 million in effective cap space according to Over The Cap.
