NFL Player News

Donald Lee will be Green Bay’s starter. Clark Harris and Zac Alcorn haven’t stepped up and made Franks expendable, so he’ll likely be second string.

No surprise here as Gibbs already took over this role in the second half of last season, which necessitated the offseason trade of David Montgomery to the Texans. The 12th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Gibbs is coming off the board within the first two picks of fantasy drafts this year. He’s set to break the bank this offseason with a massive contract extension from the Lions coming.

Campbell made an off-hand comment during an answer about RB Jahmyr Gibbs, saying the team will be asking a lot of their skill position players and included LaPorta in the list. While the 25-year-old tight end still isn’t practicing after undergoing back surgery in November, Campbell isn’t forgetting about him. His tone was a stark contrast to how he spoke about other injured players and that alone is a good sign for LaPorta’s recovery.

The extension was first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The deal includes a $31 million signing bonus. The Packers have stocked their receiver room for years now. Green Bay let Romeo Doubs walk in free agency this offseason, but signed Watson and Jayden Reed to extensions this offseason after drafting Matthew Golden last year. Watson appeared in only 48 games in four seasons with the Packers. He appeared in just 10 games last year, but arguably had his best season and that was enough for Green Bay to lock him in as their top wideout for years to come.

Joseph was named a first-team All-Pro in 2024, but played only six games last year with what’s turned into a debilitating knee injury. Campbell noted at Thursday’s press conference that Joseph continues to build strength in his knee and receive treatment, but the team isn’t going to push him until they absolutely have to. Detroit acquired veteran safeties Chuck Clark and Christian Izien this offseason while retaining Avonte Maddox and Thomas Harper to give themselves options with Joseph and Brain Branch (Achilles) on the mend.

Law was a fifth-round pick by the Lions in the 2026 NFL Draft. He spent three years as a backup at Alabama before transferring to Kentucky, where he specialized in the short areas of the field. Law had 505 of his 540 receiving yards with Kentucky come after the catch with most of his targets coming behind the line of scrimmage. The torn ACL he suffered in practice on Tuesday is a devastating injury, particularly for a rookie who’s in need of development.

Sweat joined the Cardinals last season, but is now staying away from the offseason program and letting it be known he’s unhappy, according to Graziano. If traded, the Cardinals would have to eat a significant dead cap charge and the trade compensation will likely reflect that. Graziano mentions the Patriots and Cowboys as teams with potential interest.

Pitts is set to play on the franchise tag worth $15.045 million if he and the Falcons don’t agree to an extension by July 15. With Drake London signing a $141 million extension and Bijan Robinson also set to cash in this offseason, it’s unclear if the Falcons will also extend Pitts. The 25-year-old tight end had an excellent season in 2025, but was inconsistent in the previous four seasons. Graziano writes that if no extension is agreed upon and the Falcons struggle early in the season, he could become a trade candidate. He mentions the Raves as a team that would likely have interest.

Graziano could only be referring to James Conner and Trey Benson. He noted that Conner took a pay cut this offseason, which could signal that he’s still in the Cardinals’ plans, making a Benson deal potentially more likely. That seems unlikely, though, considering Arizona brought in Tyler Allgeier and Jeremiyah Love this offseason. Conner is still working off to the side with trainers at practice as he recovers from ankle surgery, but if he can return to the practice field soon then a trade could be in his future. Graziano mentioned the Bengals and Giants as teams that could be looking for running back help.

Washington’s contract includes $21 million in guaranteed money. A third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft from Georgia, he’s been as advertised so far in his pro career. Washington has only 57 catches, 625 yards and two touchdowns in three seasons, but is a tremendous blocker and extremely difficult to tackle when he has the ball. Listed at 6-foot-7 and 264 pounds, he’s one of the most physically imposing players in the NFL. With a $10.5 million average annual value, Washington is 12th in AAV among tight ends. That level of commitment could be a sign the Steelers plan to use a good amount of two tight end sets with Washington and Pat Freiermuth in head coach Mike McCarthy’s first season.

Boutte remains away from the team and is interested in being traded, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The 24-year-old former sixth-round pick is in the last year of his contract and with the Patriots adding A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs this offseason, the writing is on the wall. Graziano mentions the Commanders and Raiders as teams that could be looking for receiver help.