Schultz: Packers hope to extend Tucker Kraft

Walker has been working hard to improve his receiving skills and pass protection this offseason. As long as he refines this area of his game, he has a chance to operate as the Chiefs’ clear-cut featured running back, though the position group is full of capable receiving backs. What does not seem to be in question is that Walker will handle an immense rushing workload. Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said in May that the team hopes to establish the run early on this season. An ESPN report from June revealed that the Chiefs were beginning to tailor the run game around Walker’s strengths. Super Bowl LX’s MVP is a locked-in RB1 with enticing upside.

Seahawks general manager John Schneider drafted Vannett with a third-round pick back in 2016 before trading him to the Steelers for a 2020 fifth-round pick in September 2019. Vannett has since played for eight more teams, including the Rams in 2025. He will compete for a roster spot in Seattle this summer. The Seahawks correspondingly waived CB Tyrone Broden, who was placed on the physically unable to perform list earlier this week. He could be re-signed by Seattle if he makes it through waivers.

It appears as though Rice’s 30-day jail stay did not negatively impact his recovery from the cleanup procedure he underwent in May. The 26-year-old wide receiver is immensely talented, yet off-field concerns have kept the Chiefs’ front office from signing him to an extension this offseason. If he can stay healthy and focused this summer and turn in a highly productive season, he could end up earning a substantial payday in Kansas City or in free agency next offseason. Chiefs veterans report for training camp on July 28th.

Mahomes kept the good news under wraps. He was apparently cleared to practice two days ago. A recent report from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler indicated Mahomes was hoping to participate in 11-on-11 drills when veterans report for training camp on July 28th with the goal of ultimately suiting up in the preseason before playing in Week 1. The Chiefs’ superstar quarterback is seemingly on track to do so. As far as his playing style goes, Mahomes said he plans to do “everything” that he did before, while acknowledging that he ran the ball more often that he would prefer to last year.

Partway through the segment, Fowler said that “Hill’s camp” tells him multiple teams have “shown some interest.” Fowler did not say whether that is his only source, but if so, there may be less to this than one imagines. Regardless, Hill is said to be “fond” of the Chiefs and Fowler opines that a reunion could make sense if the Chiefs find themselves in need of a wide receiver mid-season. In a video Hill posted earlier this week, the 32-year-old free agent did some “short running, which he said he wasn’t supposed to be doing,” but did so anyway because he likes to challenge himself “a little bit.” Alrighty then. Hill is perhaps best viewed as a potential waiver wire target down the road.

Fowler notes that Mahomes was mostly limited to 7-on-7 work during spring practices, as he recovers from two ligament tears in his left knee. The Chiefs will be “cautious” with Mahomes’ reps, and he has not yet been cleared to participate in 11-on-11 drills. Mahomes always prefers to take live reps in preseason play. If he can do so, one assumes he would be a near-lock to play in Week 1 against the Broncos, and Fowler says that the Chiefs “have been leaning into this Week 1 possibility.” Check back in the coming days to find out if Mahomes is indeed cleared for team drills next week. Chiefs veterans report for training camp on July 28th.

Grier retired on July 15th, after a brief offseason stint on the Panthers’ roster. According to ESPN’s Todd Archer, Grier considered joining the Cowboys’ coaching staff earlier this offseason. He spent times on the Cowboys’ roster from 2021-22 and 2024-25. The 31-year-old former quarterback joins with a sharp offensive coaching staff to begin his new career.

Fowler goes so far as to say there are “shades” of former Giants WR Plaxico Burress “as far as style.” This is, perhaps, technically a true statement, but almost assuredly hyperbolic. Fields, a third-round rookie, landed on a depth chart chock-full of speedy role players. He brings a unique skill set with his 6'4/218 frame and jump-ball abilities. Carving out a role this season is possible, but not a given.

Earlier this week, Front Office Sports’ Mark Maske reported that NFL owners expect to finalize a contract extension with Roger Goodell “in the coming months.” The current CBA runs through March 2031, but the NFL is negotiating new broadcast deals and is apparently hoping to install an 18-game schedule during the current CBA. Keeping the commissioner in place makes sense in that regard.

This deal comes just as the Steelers are gearing up to begin training camp. Allar was selected with the No. 76 pick in this year’s draft and, if all goes to plan for the Steelers in their first year under Mike McCarthy, is expected to redshirt his rookie season. The Penn State product who threw for 7,402-61-13 in his career will spend plenty of time developing behind the scenes with his sights set on possibly earning the QB1 job for the Steelers next season. Allar has reportedly already undergone some serious overhauling, as it was reported in May that the team was “uninstalling everything” he learned about the position at Penn State. It sounds like Allar has a ways to go before being NFL ready, but it will be interesting to hear how he progresses throughout training camp and he’ll be a player to watch when the preseason starts up.