NFL Player News

Rather than getting $16.685 million guaranteed, Neal, who has started 14 games the last three years after being picked seventh overall in the draft, will become a free agent after the 2025 season. Neal had a career-best 61.2 PFF offensive grade in 2024, a season he spent mostly at right tackle, buoyed by some strong efforts as a run blocker. He’ll head into 2025 as a backup behind Jermaine Eluemunior and Andrew Thomas and isn’t guaranteed a roster spot.

ESPN’s Don Van Natta Jr. and Kalyn Kahler continue their reporting on Howell’s professional behaviors with a new story detailing Howell’s visits to what can generously be described as gentlemen’s clubs. Per the report, “a young union finance worker” noticed an exorbitant cost among Howell’s expenses, which prompted further investigation. Howell is said to have made multiple late-night visits to these businesses, including one trip in which Howell was “accompanied [by] two union employees.” Howell filed the visit under “Player Engagement Event to support & grow our Union.” Van Natta and Kahler add that “a former union employee said that there are no specific exclusions for venues,” but the individual reasonably concludes, “I don’t think anyone in their right mind would think that is an optically good scenario.” No players are currently known to have been involved in Howell’s activities.

Pelissero says Hendrickson wants a multi-year extension, and specifically does not want to have to revisit this issue next season. The Bengals “have not moved” meaningfully from their position, and apparently prefer to address Hendrickson’s contract one year at a time. Pelissero closes by saying, “eventually someone has to blink” and he does not anticipate it being Hendrickson.

Arroyo’s deal includes $6.872 million in guaranteed money. The former Miami Hurricane, who caught 35 passes for 590 yards and seven touchdowns last season, is expected to slot in behind Noah Fant in his rookie campaign, but could carve out an early role as an inline/slot tight end in 12 personnel groupings. It’s hard to imagine Arroyo having any kind of weekly fantasy upside in 2025, but he’s a player worth waiting on in dynasty formats.

It’s quite the indictment for the fifth-round rookie, who figured to be in a camp battle with Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders for the Cowboys’ RB1 role this summer. In an article published by Marcus Mosher, Mosher points out that there have been no reports of Blue working with the first team offense during OTAs or minicamp, which could be explained by this recent quote from Smith. Blue slipped to the fifth round of this year’s draft after rushing for 134-730-8 last season with the Longhorns. He’s a versatile back with a three-down skillset that would make him an intriguing fantasy option should he earn a significant role, but this story will be one to monitor once training camp officially opens for the Cowboys next week.

Wilkins continues to recover from a foot surgery that ended his 2024 campaign. It was reported in May by Raiders beat writer Vincent Bonsignore that the team hopes Wilkins will be able to return by August, and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports Wilkins has made “sound progress” in his recovery. Wilkins will be eligible to come off the PUP list whenever the team deems he is ready to do so. After signing a four-year, $110 million contract with the Raiders last offseason, it’s safe to say the team hopes to get more out of him than the five games he provided last season.

Taylor joins the flurry of second-round picks to sign just ahead of camp and now sets his sights on earning the Jets’ TE1 job in camp. The 21-year-old faces thin competition for the job from veterans Jeremy Ruckert and Stone Smartt and should play a key role as a blocker in what is expected to be a run-heavy offense in 2025. Taylor caught 55 passes for 546 yards and two touchdowns in his final season at LSU, but will likely be limited to TE2 upside as far as fantasy is concerned.

This doesn’t come as a surprise. Judkins is unsigned by the Browns, and the team is reportedly in “no rush” to sign him to his rookie deal as he now works through legal issues that stem from last week’s arrest on domestic battery charges. With no resolution to his legal situation in sight, it’s possible that Judkins’ absence from camp will extend into multiple weeks.

Howell’s part-time work as a consultant for The Carlyle Group was made known several weeks ago, which generated conversations around a potential conflict of interest between the two roles. Days after the NFLPA released a statement in support of Howell, he has now opted to resign from his role after further consideration. He served 749 days in his role.

Bech may have had a difficult time negotiating his guaranteed money, having spent the spring primarily running routes with the second-team offense while fourth-round pick WR Dont’e Thornton Jr. regularly takes first-team snaps. Bech still has time to work his way into the starting lineup before Week 1. It isn’t like Tre Tucker has been some sort of world-beater in his two seasons with the team to date.

Ratledge could soon be a household name. The Lions’ interior offensive line experienced turnover this offseason, with C Frank Ragnow retiring and RG Kevin Zeitler now a Tennessee Titan. Ratledge will compete for one of the two vacant starting roles in his first season with the team, and he has to be regarded as a favorite to start at this point.