NFL

The fifth-year option and franchise tag grouping of positions strikes again. Campbell would have received $21.9 million if Detroit picked up the option due to the amount of pure EDGE players that are factored into the equation — it’s essentially the same reason why the Packers declined Quay Walker’s fifth-year option last year and lost him in free agency. The Lions reportedly were trying to strike a long-term extension with Campbell — this doesn’t seem like a true signal on that so much as the natural outcome of not wanting to head into negotiations with that figure over Brad Holmes’ head.

Gibbs will be under contract for $14.23 million in 2027 per OverTheCap’s projections. Gibbs and the Lions will undoubtedly continue to discuss a long-term extension over the summer and perhaps in to training camp, with Gibbs and Bijan Robinson expected to reset the market at the running back position. Gibbs and Robinson, coincidentally, are the two most obvious 1.1 candidates in most fantasy football leagues.

“Neither side is committed to it, but both I believe are expected to make it happen ... It’s not going to be hard to get done. The Eagles are open to moving him, the Patriots want him, and I believe in the end it will involve a future first-round draft pick. My guess is 2028,” Schefter told the man who only wears tank tops. It makes sense that the 2027 first-round pick would be off limits as it’s expected to be a much better and deeper draft class. The Athletic’s Chad Graff filed a post-draft 53-man roster projection in which Kayshon Boutte is a “substitution for ... Brown” and believes Boutte is the “most likely receiver to head to Philadelphia in a trade.” We still have another month before this can finally just happen.

Gonzalez will get a one-year, $18.1 million deal for 2027. The Patriots have reportedly been in extension talks with him at various points this offseason, so while nothing has gotten done yet, it’s certainly likely to be a point of discussion ahead of the season. New England’s No. 1 corner has developed into one of the best in the NFL in his first three seasons with the club.

Johnston will make a fully-guaranteed $18 million in 2027. It’s probably a bit rich given his production so far, but not a drastic overpay. GM Joe Hortiz shot down trade rumors about Johnston ahead of the draft and this transaction clearly signals some confidence in him developing further under new OC Mike McDaniel. With very little new in the wideout room, Johnston could be on the WR3/WR4 radar in fantasy in 2026.

The Jets were tied to other team’s backup quarterbacks for a lot of the offseason, as well as Carson Wentz before Wentz re-signed with the Vikings. This is the resignation stage. Wilson threw for 450 yards and three touchdowns against the Cowboys in Week 2 last year. That actually happened. Also he played some other games that weren’t as good before being benched for Jaxson Dart. On a talent level, there are probably teams with worse backups, but a 37-year-old Russell Wilson probably isn’t anything more than a bar for fourth-rounder Cade Klubnik to try to clear.

So it was a good visit today. The Saints needed veteran help, having never filled the void of Alontae Taylor after Taylor signed with the Titans this offseason. Quincy Riley and Isaac Yiadom are also candidates to start for the Saints this year.

It was almost a three-month stay on New England’s offseason roster. Seventh-rounder Jam Miller appears to have taken Mitchell’s spot on the depth chart, though Terrell Jennings is likely the third back in the pecking order behind Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson.

The Saints, who were rumored to be interested in Thibodeaux before instead pivoting to a deal for Raiders EDGE Tyree Wilson, were only offering a fourth-round pick. The Giants truly have an embarrassment of pass-rushing riches right now, but we agree with them that there’s probably little reason for them to deal Thibodeaux for a Day 3 pick. Thibodeaux enters his fifth-year option offseason as a likely deadline trade candidate if the right value can be found.

The Athletic’s Dan Duggan reports that the Giants are aware surgery “could eventually be necessary, but they don’t believe it’s a certainty.” He cites Tyler Linderbaum’s 2024 training camp — he missed most of camp but was able to play all 17 games in the regular season. Reading between the lines, we’re expecting Mauigoa’s offseason to be truncated in some way, and Duggan adds it’s possible Mauigoa gets surgery after the season if his back bothers him during his rookie year.