NFL Player News

Bates was considered “as good as gone” from the Bengals by The Athletic’s Jay Morrison back in February. Now, that speculation has been confirmed, as Bates inks a four-year deal with the Falcons, who will give him $23 million in the first year of his deal. Bates reluctantly played under the franchise tag last season but was due a big payday after performing at a high level for his first five years in the league. Bates was named a Second-team All-Pro in 2020 and has totaled 14 interceptions and 479 tackles in his career. He will immediately improve a Falcons pass defense that allowed the eighth-most passing yards (231.9) last season.

As serious as it sounds, Pelissero says that Nussmeier “has been asymptomatic since just prior to the Senior Bowl,” but if any complications persist, Nussmeier could undergo a minimally invasive procedure to remove the cyst, which would sideline him for 2-3 weeks. Nussmeier is believed to be a Day 2 prospect in this year’s upcoming draft and struggled during his final season at LSU due to his injuries. Hopefully, this explanation as to the cause of his injury/discomfort will mitigate any concerns teams may have about his health ahead of this week’s draft.

The last we heard about Greenard was at the league’s winter meetings, when head coach Kevin O’Connell said he expected Greenard to be part of the team in 2026. Greenard broke out for a 12-sack season in 2024 but was held to just three sacks over 12 games last season while totaling 38 tackles and 10 TFLs. He remains under contract through 2027, and the Vikings are reportedly looking for a high-end Day 2 draft pick in exchange for his services. After losing EDGE Jaelan Phillips to the Panthers in free agency earlier this offseason, the Eagles have a need to add another pass-rusher to a defense that totaled 42 sacks last season. Schefter reports trade discussions between the two sides “have lost steam in recent weeks,” but that the two sides could revisit those discussions during this week’s draft.

ESPN’s Jordan Raanan said last month that “multiple league sources” expected Thibodeaux to be dealt by the Giants, but the recent trade of Lawrence likely means Thibodeaux will be staying put. The former No. 5 overall pick has totaled just 53 tackles and eight sacks over the last two seasons, with injuries limiting him to 22 games over that span. Thibodeaux is in the final year of his rookie deal and seems unlikely to sign an extension before the start of next season. He will need a strong season in 2026 if he hopes to ink a long-term deal next offseason.

Williams and the Niners appeared to be at an impasse earlier this offseason after the team opted not to pick up his $10 million option bonus and reporters noted that the 38-year-old was said to be available in trade. Williams had one year left on his old deal, but with his new contract extension, he will be under contract through 2027. Of the $50 million Williams is set to receive, $34 million will be guaranteed. He allowed just four sacks on 32 pressures last season, per PFF, earning a 79.9 PFF pass-blocking grade.

According to Schefter, the Cardinals would like to deal their No. 3 pick in exchange for more draft picks. There’s some hope that a team would be interested in moving up to the 1.03 round to take Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love, who is widely regarded as the best player in the draft and a lock to go in the top-10. Schefter writes in his most recent article that Love going to the Commanders at No. 7 overall “would seem to be his floor.” After going 3-14 last season and releasing Kyler Murray earlier this offseason, the Cardinals are in rebuild mode. They currently hold just seven draft picks, but with multiple positions to address and a potentially strong 2027 QB class incoming, it’s no surprise they want to acquire extra picks as they look to build a contender.

Jones played in just 11 games last season due to his injury and underwent fusion surgery in March. The team was already reporting that the former first-round pick may not be ready in time for training camp, but this latest setback raises his availability into further question. Schefter reports Jones will be examined later this week to determine where things stand, but it wouldn’t be surprising if Jones isn’t ready for the start of camp. Jones allowed 23 pressures and six sacks on 380 pass-blocking snaps last season, earning a PFF pass-blocking grade of 59.0.

With the Steelers opening minicamp on Monday, 2025 fifth-rounder Will Howard will serve as the team’s QB1. Rodgers continues to drag out a decision on returning to the Steelers for another season, but we know he has been in communication with Mike McCarthy, who said, “It would be a great story” to reunite with the quarterback he coached for 13 years in Green Bay. Rodgers will be 42 at the start of the season and threw for 3,322-24-7 in his first season with the Steelers. While he was able to lead the Steelers to a playoff berth, Rodgers threw for a pedestrian 146-0-1 in a 30-6 Wild Card loss to the Texans. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Steelers take a shot on a quarterback at some point in the draft, but it was reported earlier this offseason by beat writer Gerry Dulac that it’s unlikely they would take a QB before the third round.

The Eagles begin their offseason workout program on Monday, but Brown is not expected to report to the team, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. Brown has long been rumored to be a player on the move this offseason, with the Patriots viewed as the most likely landing spot over the last few months. While talks have stalled between the two sides as of late, Schefter reports that “conversations are expected to resume shortly on or before June 1,” which would allow the Eagles to split the $40 million cap hit between 2026 and 2027 rather than taking it all on in one season. While another suitor could still emerge for Brown’s services, the Patriots are the clear-cut leader in the clubhouse to land the star receiver.

Tyson’s stock continues to tick upward following his private workout on April 17. The Saints pick at No. 8 overall. The Saints hosted Tyson for a visit on April 10. Underhill described Tyson as being “by far, the most talented wide receiver in this whole entire class,” and he believes Tyson would be “enticing” for the Saints. Underhill also identified the Giants, via pick No. 5, as a potential landing spot. Tyson would assume a fantasy-friendly role on either team. Nothing is guaranteed, and things change quickly during draft week, but Tyson seemingly has a shot to be drafted in the top 10.