Mike Kafka Expected to Reclaim Play-Calling Duties
Russell Wilson set to open the year as the starter. New York had its best offense under Daboll with Kafka calling the plays in 2022, when they finished 19th overall in offense and fourth in rushing.Source: The Athletic - Dan Duggan
New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka has been the team's offensive play-caller for every offseason practice open to the media, according to The Athletic's Dan Duggan. Head coach Brian Daboll has stuck with the same play-caller throughout the offseason in each of his first three years as the head coach, so all signs are pointing toward Kafka reclaiming the play-calling duties after Daboll took over in 2024. Kafka called the plays in Daboll's first two years as the head coach but was stripped of those duties when he was promoted to assistant head coach last year. The Giants offense finished worse in 2024 in most major statistical categories, so it looks like they will go back to Kafka with veteran quarterback Jon Runyan Limited During Minicamp
Source: The Athletic - Dan Duggan
New York Giants starting left guard Jon Runyan (ankle, shoulder) was limited to individual drills at last week's mandatory minicamp, according to The Athletic's Dan Duggan. Runyan is believed to have undergone surgery to fix a separate shoulder after last season, although he's making progress and could be ready to rejoin the team in workouts at training camp at the end of July. After his cameo at practice last week, Evan Neal took over as the team's first-team left guard. In addition to having surgery on his shoulder, Runyan apparently had surgery on his right ankle to fix a torn ligament. The 27-year-old's injuries caused him to be sidelined for the final four games of the 2024 season. Runyan started all 13 games he appeared in last year and also started all 34 regular-season games in his final two years in Green Bay in 2022 and 2023.Saquon Barkley Feels Great Physically
Saquon Barkley said he hasn't felt the effects of setting a career-high with 345 carries during the regular season last year while adding 91 more rushing attempts during the team's Super Bowl run. "I feel really good," Barkley said. "I feel like I'm entering my prime." The 28-year-old led the NFL in carries, rushing yards (2,005) and yards per game (125.3) in 16 regular-season starts in 2024 in his first year in Philly. Not much has changed with the Eagles offense, meaning Barkley could have another outstanding campaign in his second year with the team in 2025 if he can stay healthy all year. Barkley's phenomenal 2024 season makes him the consensus No. 1 overall pick in fantasy drafts going into this fall. He also added 33 receptions for 278 yards and two more touchdowns on 43 targets.Source: ESPN.com - Tim McManus
Philadelphia Eagles running back Panthers Have Talked With Justin Simmons
Source: The Athletic - Joe Person
The Carolina Panthers have talked with free-agent safety Justin Simmons' representation, but no deal is imminent as of now, a league source told The Athletic's Joe Person. Simmons remains available this offseason despite recording 62 tackles (36 solo), two interceptions and seven pass breakups in 16 starts in 2024 in his first season with the Atlanta Falcons. The 31-year-old veteran was a two-time Pro Bowler in his eight seasons with the Denver Broncos after they took him in the third round in 2016 out of Boston College. Simmons is no longer in his prime, but he's had at least two interceptions in all nine of his NFL seasons and would certainly be an upgrade for Carolina's secondary going into the 2025 campaign. The Panthers had one of the worst defensive units in the league last year.Jordan Addison's Trial Date Set for July 15
Jordan
Addison's
trial
date
in
connection
to
his
2024
DUI
citation
is
now
set
for
July
15
in
the
Superior
Court
of
California.
Addison
pleaded
not
guilty
in
December.
Even
if
Addisonread more...
Minnesota
Vikings
wide
receiver
Jets Sign Kingsley Jonathan, Marquis Hayes
Source: New York Jets
Per the team, the New York Jets have signed defensive end Kingsley Jonathan (undisclosed) and offensive lineman Marquis Hayes (one-year, $840,000) to contracts. Guard Zack Bailey and defensive back Tre Swilling were waived in corresponding moves. Jonathan signed with the Buffalo Bills in 2022 as an undrafted free agent and was with the team for the better part of three seasons, but also had stints with the Bears and Texans. Hayes was a seventh-round pick out of Oklahoma by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2022 NFL Draft, though he did not appear in a game for the team over his three campaigns there. He also spent time on the Commanders' and Packers' practice squads in 2024. Both athletes are set for depth roles with New York.Vikings Ink Undrafted Offensive Lineman Vershon Lee
Source: Rob Kleifield
Rob Kleifield of the team reports that the Minnesota Vikings have signed undrafted free agent offensive lineman Vershon Lee to a three-year, $2.965 million deal. Defensive back Bubba Bolden was released in a corresponding move. Lee appeared in 51 games (40 starts) over five seasons at South Carolina and is one of the more versatile linemen in this year's class. During his time as a Gamecock, the 24-year-old drew 18 starts at center, 16 at left guard, and six at right tackle. He's buried on the team's depth chart at center, but there's no guarantee he doesn't help out elsewhere if he shows enough to make the 53-man roster. Lee joins rookie first-round pick Donovan Jackson, and veterans Justin Skule, Ryan Kelly, and Will Fries as new additions to Minnesota's offensive front.C.J. West Signs Rookie Deal with San Fran
Source: San Francisco 49ers
Per the team, the San Francisco 49ers have agreed to terms with fourth-round rookie defensive lineman C.J. West on a four-year, $5.2 million contract. The 23-year-old was a three-year collegiate starter who culminated his time in the NCAA with the Indiana Hoosiers in 2024 after four campaigns with Kent State. West is a three-technique defensive tackle with good athleticism for his size (6-foot-1, 316 pounds), though he lacks length for the position. Currently, he's listed second (unofficially) on the team's depth chart behind teammate Kevin Givens, and figures to play a rotational role behind him if he displays confidence in camp. While his numbers in college were nothing to write home about, his blend of agility and strength could make him a sneaky standout on the team's defensive front, considering the presence of superstar pass-rusher Nick Bosa.Jaylen Warren Training to Handle Larger Workload
Jaylen
Warren
recently
noted
via
the
team's
website
that
he
adjusted
his
training
this
offseason
in
anticipation
of
handling
a
larger
workload
in
2025.
"I
approached
this
offseason
differently,"
said
Warren.
"Iread more...
Pittsburgh
Steelers
running
back
Will Campbell Ends Minicamp as Top Left Tackle
Drake Maye. With short arms, Campbell is going to have to overcome that against elite pass-rushers with his technique and athleticism.Source: ESPN Boston - Mike Reiss
ESPN's Mike Reiss writes that the New England Patriots concluded their mandatory minicamp last week with rookie offensive tackle Will Campbell, who was the fourth overall pick in April's NFL draft, working as the top left tackle. "I definitely would say I've gotten more comfortable as the days have gone on, with the playbook and the scheme. It's only going to keep getting better," Campbell said, adding that he plans a brief break to get away before the official start of training camp on July 23. The 21-year-old was a three-year starter at LSU and figures to start right away at left tackle in 2025 to protect the blind side of second-year quarterback Sam Cosmi Making Good Progress From Torn ACL
Source: ESPN.com - John Keim
Washington Commanders right guard Sam Cosmi (knee) was on the field last week working with athletic trainers, performing agility work and doing light 40-yard jogs after suffering a torn ACL in the Divisional playoff victory over the Detroit Lions. There's no timetable for Cosmi's return, but Washington is optimistic about his recovery. "He's hitting all the benchmarks but when does he get there? I don't know...we're not going to miss one step with him," head coach Dan Quinn said. Nick Allegretti, who started at left guard last year, is currently being tasked with filling in for Cosmi on the right side of the offensive line. Brandon Coleman is now filling in at left guard. Cosmi, the team's former second-round pick (51st overall) in 2021 out of Texas started all 17 regular-season games each of the last two years, but he probably won't be able to play until midseason in 2025.Adonai Mitchell Impresses at Minicamp
Adonai Mitchell had one of the most impressive performances at last week's mandatory minicamp. The 22-year-old second-round pick (52nd overall) in 2024 had an uneven and frustrating rookie campaign and finished with 23 catches on 55 targets for 312 yards and no touchdowns in 17 games (seven starts). Mitchell also looked good in training camp last summer, so now it's a matter of him taking his practice reps into the regular season. "I think last offseason, same thing. Did some really good things. He's had a hell of an offseason so far through OTAs. [I] expect that to continue through training camp. But getting to those game situations, [it's] just continuing to get those game reps and really taking that next step," head coach Shane Steichen said. Mitchell has the talent to take the next step, but target volume could be an issue again.Source: ESPN.com - Stephen Holder
The Athletic's Stephen Holder writes that Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Bradley Chubb Fully Healed, Looking Disruptive
Source: ESPN.com - Marcel Louis-Jacques
Miami Dolphins linebacker Bradley Chubb (knee) said he is fully healed from the knee injuries that forced him to miss all of last season. He has been a disruptive force from the moment he return to the field for voluntary organized team activities, and that continued into mandatory minicamp, according to ESPN's Marcel Louis-Jacques. If he can stay healthy in 2025 alongside pass-rushers Chop Robinson and Jaelan Phillips, Chubb could have a nice bounce-back season. Chubb tore his ACL, meniscus and patellar tendon in Week 17 of the 2023 season, but it's promising to see that he's already looking back to his pre-injury form. The 28-year-old former fifth overall pick by the Denver Broncos in 2018 out of North Carolina State had a career-high 73 tackles (45 solo), 11 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, 22 QB hits and a league-high six forced fumbles in 16 starts before his injury in 2023.Jonnu Smith's Contract Talks "Still Fluid"
Jonnu Smith's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said that contract talks were "still fluid." "Nothing has been resolved yet. It's still an ongoing situation." After a career year in 2024 in which Smith set franchise records for the tight end position, he's angling for an extension heading into the final year of his deal in 2025 and was a no-show at mandatory minicamp as a result. Miami would like to retain the 29-year-old, but if the two sides can't get something done before the start of the regular season this fall, it's possible that he'll be traded. Smith finished last year with 88 receptions for 884 yards and eight touchdowns, ironically with Miami's offense taking a step back overall. If he remains in South Beach this year, Smith should remain a big part of the offense, but fantasy managers should probably expect a step back as a midrange TE1.Source: Miami Herald - C. Isaiah Smalls II
Miami Dolphins tight end J.J. McCarthy Looking "a Lot Stronger"
J.J. McCarthy (knee) looked "a lot stronger" in the ninth day of offseason workouts compared to the beginning. "They like the way he's throwing the ball," said Fowler. "They feel very comfortable with where he's at going into training camp." The 22-year-old suffered a meniscus tear last summer, preventing him from suiting up for his rookie campaign. Fortunately, it appears that the injury is behind him. With receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison at McCarthy's disposal, he should have some quality showings this season. Naturally, there could be some growing pains. Still, the young signal-caller definitely has a higher ceiling than most around his age, making him a perfect addition to any dynasty roster. His redraft outlook might also improve, assuming he continues to impress in the next few months.Source: Jeremy Fowler
According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Minnesota Vikings quarterback