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USA Today
3 days ago
- Business
- USA Today
Lamar Jackson contract: Ravens, QB in 'introductory stage' of extension talks
Lamar Jackson contract: Ravens, QB in 'introductory stage' of extension talks Show Caption Hide Caption Greg Olsen expresses excitement for upcoming Olympic flag football Former TE Greg Olsen is excited for some NFL players to showcase their skills in the upcoming 2028 Summer Olympics and the debut of flag football. Sports Seriously The Baltimore Ravens have already signed two of their key offensive players – running back Derrick Henry and wide receiver Rashod Bateman – to contract extensions during the 2025 NFL offseason. Could quarterback Lamar Jackson be next? Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta detailed in an appearance on the "BMore Baseball Podcast" the team has been discussing a new deal with the two-time MVP. "We've had some conversations before the draft, after the draft, in person last week," DeCosta said. "I think we're in the introductory sort of stage of looking at what an extension might look like." Jackson signed his first lucrative extension with the Ravens during the 2023 NFL offseason. The five-year, $260 million deal concluded a two-year negotiation process that DeCosta described as "arduous at best" and "challenging at times." At the time of Jackson's deal, he was the highest-paid quarterback in terms of average annual value (AAV). In the years since, his AAV has dropped to 10th league-wide, per while his total value ranks seventh overall. RASHOD BATEMAN CONTRACT: Ravens extend WR after career-best season So, while Jackson has three years remaining on his initial extension, he may desire a longer-term raise. Meanwhile, Baltimore may be happy to lock him up longer-term to ensure it can continue to be one of the AFC's top contenders. "We've got a lot of business that we're conducting with different players. We're in a situation where we're blessed to have most of the team coming back," DeCosta said. "But as we look out over the next two, three, four, five years, we're trying to keep as many good players as we can." Jackson would undoubtedly qualify after his stellar 2024 season. The 2024 MVP runner-up completed 66.7% of his passes for 4,172 yards, 41 touchdowns and just four interceptions while adding 915 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.
USA Today
5 days ago
- Business
- USA Today
10 notable NFL free agents still available for Broncos
10 notable NFL free agents still available for Broncos The Denver Broncos have roughly $16 million in available salary cap space (according to so will they look to bring in any more free agents? Let's take a quick look at five positions. The Broncos have Jarrett Stidham as their returning veteran backup quarterback, so there's no need to look for a QB. A few of the team's old friends -- including Teddy Bridgewater, Jeff Driskel and Ben DiNucci -- are still available. Denver's also pretty set at running back with RJ Harvey, Audric Estime and Jaleel McLaughlin, but it's notable that J.K. Dobbins, Nick Chubb and Gus Edwards remain on the market. They are RBs to keep an eye on. After drafting Pat Bryant, the Broncos seem unlikely to target wide receivers, but Keenan Allen, Amari Cooper, Gabe Davis and Tyler Boyd are also still on the market. Denver is deep at pass rusher, so the team seems unlikely to bring back Von Miller or Shaq Barrett. The same could be said at safety, so a Justin Simmons return appears to be a long shot. Overall, the Broncos' roster seems to be pretty set. Denver is always looking for more depth, but general manager George Paton probably isn't going to make any more splash signings this offseason. NFL free agents still available RB J.K. Dobbins RB Nick Chubb RB Gus Edwards WR Keenan Allen WR Amari Cooper WR Gabe Davis WR Tyler Boyd OLB Von Miller OLB Shaq Barrett DB Justin Simmons The Broncos are continuing organized team activities this week, followed by a mandatory minicamp next week. After that, players will get a summer break leading up to training camp, which usually begins in late July. Related: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
USA Today
7 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Kyle Pitts landing spots: Chargers, Titans best fits if Falcons trade TE
Kyle Pitts landing spots: Chargers, Titans best fits if Falcons trade TE Show Caption Hide Caption Greg Olsen believes Travis Kelce 'controls how he leaves the game' Former NFL tight end Greg Olsen has high praise for Travis Kelce and shares when he believes Travis Kelce will eventually retire from the NFL. Sports Seriously Kyle Pitts is entering the final year of his rookie contract with the Atlanta Falcons. Will the No. 4 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft remain in Atlanta for the entirety of the 2025 NFL season? Multiple teams have reached out to the Falcons about the possibility of trading for Pitts, per Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz. Atlanta would prefer to keep Pitts but would consider moving the 24-year-old for a Day 2 pick. Pitts' production hasn't quite lived up to his top-five status. He recorded a 1,000-yard season as a rookie but hasn't eclipsed 667 yards in three seasons since. He has just 10 career receiving touchdowns, though he logged a career-high four in 2024, a season during which he logged 47 catches for 602 yards and graded as Pro Football Focus' 44th tight end among 74 qualifiers. Given Pitts' youth – he won't turn 25 until October – and with his hyper-athletic 6-6 frame, several teams around the NFL could consider bringing the Florida product into the fold in hopes of tapping into his potential. Here's a look at the top landing spots if Atlanta decides to move Pitts. Justin Herbert loves throwing to his tight ends, as 23% of the Chargers' 491 total targets last season went to players at the position. The Chargers have a couple of solid, veteran tight ends on the roster in Will Dissly and Tyler Conklin, but they could use a higher-ceiling player like Pitts to add upside to the room. Cam Ward thrived throwing to Elijah Arroyo – a 6-5, mismatch weapon – during his lone season at Miami. The Titans have similarly sized threats in Josh Whyle (6-6) and rookie Gunnar Helm (6-5) on the roster, but Pitts is more athletic than the duo of recent mid-round picks. It's also worth noting new general manager Mike Borgonzi was not a part of the front office that selected Whyle or current starter Chig Okonkwo (6-3, 238 pounds). That could lead Tennessee to search for a veteran upgrade as it looks to support Ward during his rookie season. The Patriots are building around Drake Maye but don't have many proven weapons at the position. One way to mitigate those issues would be to run a lot of two-tight-end sets, something new offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has done successfully throughout his career. Pairing Pitts with Hunter Henry would give New England a dynamic tight end duo. The Patriots still have a league-high $67.3 million in cap space, per so they could afford to absorb Pitts' deal and sign him to an extension. STEFON DIGGS: Mike Vrabel says Patriots 'aware of' boat video Here's another AFC East option for Pitts. The Pittsburgh Steelers reportedly had trade discussions with the Dolphins surrounding veteran tight end Jonnu Smith. If Miami moves Smith, that would leave Pharaoh Brown and Julian Hill as the team's top options at the position. Pitts would provide a suitable replacement for Smith and would add much-needed size to a receiving corps that features the smaller-stature duo of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Sean Payton is always looking for players to operate in the "Joker" position on his offense. The role is designated for hybrid players who can create mismatches across the defense by lining up in various formations. The Broncos already acquired one "Joker" in the offseason by signing tight end Evan Engram. Why not make it two by adding Pitts? It's easy to imagine him unlocking his full potential given how Payton was able to develop Jimmy Graham – perhaps Payton's most notable "Joker" – into an All-Pro talent. The Eagles were able to keep Dallas Goedert for the 2025 NFL season despite rumors he could be traded. That said, he is set to turn 31 in January and will be a free agent following the season. Pitts' contract will expire after the season as well, but Howie Roseman could still target younger tight end as a potential successor for Goedert.
USA Today
26-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
AJ Cole contract details: Raiders punter becomes highest-paid at position
AJ Cole contract details: Raiders punter becomes highest-paid at position Show Caption Hide Caption Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty excited to play for Pete Carroll Ashton Jeanty is getting ready to start his NFL career with the Las Vegas Raiders. He hopes he can recreate the magic Pete Carroll had with Marshawn Lynch in Seattle. AJ Cole has developed into one of the NFL's best punters since signing with the Las Vegas Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2019. The Raiders are rewarding his performance by making him the league's highest-paid punter, per Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz. Cole, 29, has been a First Team All-Pro twice in the last four seasons. He logged a career-best 50.8 yards per punt in 2024 – good for the second-best mark league-wide – and has averaged at least 42.4 in net punting over the last four seasons. Cole was entering the final year of his contract in 2025. His new four-year extension will tether him to the Raiders through the 2029 NFL season, giving him another potential chance to cash in ahead of his age-35 season in 2030. Here's what to know about Cole's contract as the Raiders lock up one of their key specialists. AJ Cole contract details Below are the full details of Cole's four-year contract extension with the Raiders, per Schultz: Term : 4 years : 4 years Total value : $15.8 million : $15.8 million Average annual value (AAV) : $3.95 million : $3.95 million Guaranteed money: $11 million Before Cole inked his extension, Seattle Seahawks punter Michael Dickson was the highest-paid at his position league-wide. He was playing on a four-year deal worth just under $14.7 million with an AAV of about $3.67 million. The most striking disparity between Cole's deal and Dickson's is the guaranteed money. Dickson received $7.5 million in guarantees, per Cole is getting $11 million more over the same period, and is the first punter to ever receive an eight-figure guarantee. ASHTON JEANTY: Why new Raiders rookie 'wasn't willing' to give up No. 2 jersey NFL's highest-paid punters Cole's previous deal was worth $12 million over four years. He remains one of just five current punters to be playing on a contract worth more than $10 million in total value. Below is a look at the full list.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Detroit Lions sign Day 3 draft picks Frazier, Hassanein, Jackson, Lovett
The Detroit Lions signed all four of their Day 3 draft picks before the start of rookie minicamp. The Lions announced the signing of fifth-round pick Miles Frazier, sixth-rounder Ahmed Hassanein and seventh-rounders Dan Jackson and Dominic Lovett. Advertisement First-round pick Tyleik Williams, second-rounder Tate Ratledge and third-rounder Issac TeSlaa remain unsigned for now. All rookie draft picks receive slotted four-year contracts under the NFL's collective bargaining agreement, and the Lions' will have a fifth-year team option on Williams once his deal is finalized later this spring. Lions general manager and executive vice president Brad Holmes, new first-round defensive lineman Tyleik Williams and coach Dan Campbell on Friday, April 25, 2025 at the Lions' headquarters in Allen Park. Frazier's four-year deal is worth a total of $4.52 million and includes a signing bonus of $320,216, according to Hassanein's deal is worth $4.429 million and includes a signing bonus of $229,892. Jackson's deal is worth $4.332 million with a singing bonus of $131,624. And Lovett's deal is worth $4.037 million and has a signing bonus of $106,772. Advertisement More: Boise State coach breaks down what Detroit Lions are getting in DE Ahmed Hassanein All four are expected to compete for backup jobs this fall. The Lions also announced their 10-man undrafted free agent class that includes three Michigan-born players, Grand Valley State safety Ian Kennelly (Macomb), Ohio running back Anthony Tyus (Portage) and Ole Miss tight end Caden Prieskorn (Lake Orion), and have four first-year players and 19 tryout players in rookie camp this weekend. First-year players safety Erick Hallett, linebacker DaRon Gilbert, edge rusher Isaac Ukwu and center Kingsley Eguakun spent time on the Lions practice squad last season. Ex-Michigan cornerback Aamir Hall, former Michigan State defensive lineman Raequan Williams, ex-Eastern Michigan quarterback Cole Snyder and former Ferris State receiver Malik Taylor are among the tryout players in camp. Advertisement Rookie camp runs Friday-Sunday at the Lions' Allen Park practice facility. Dave Birkett is the author of the book, "Detroit Lions: An Illustrated Timeline." Order your copy here. Contact him at dbirkett@ Follow him on Bluesky, X and Instagram at @davebirkett. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions sign 4 draft picks, kick off rookie minicamp
