The doldrums of the NFL calendar are right here. Twenty-eight groups are formally off for the summer time, with the frenzied nature of NFL transactions fading into the background in favor of Hawaii journeys or summer time camp automobile pool strains for high executives and coaches.
For the 4 groups nonetheless on the sphere — the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, Los Angeles Rams and New York Giants — that actuality units in after this week’s minicamp.
That is the perfect time to take inventory of the splash strikes across the league. This course of kicked off in earnest on the NFL scouting mix in February, the place staff decision-makers and participant brokers flooded lodge lobbies and shared data. And whereas just a few potential strikes stay on the radar, together with a possible Jalen Ramsey commerce from Miami and a doable Trey Hendrickson cope with Cincinnati, the chatter is successfully muted.
Consequently, ESPN talked to league scouts, executives and coaches about their favourite offseason strikes after the mud settled. Some solutions have been predictable, others shocking.
Fatalistic members of the fan base and a few members of the media tried to disgrace Pittsburgh into eschewing a nine- or 10-win season in favor of the 2025 tank job that would assist finesse a franchise quarterback out of subsequent 12 months’s draft class. The Steelers will lose within the postseason anyway, they mentioned.
Ask New York Giants followers how they felt about going 3-14 final 12 months and nonetheless not getting the No. 1 decide in a draft with one positive factor at quarterback (Cameron Ward). Pittsburgh mentioned no thanks, because it all the time does … and for good motive.
The Steelers went with the most suitable choice at quarterback: a 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers on a team-friendly contract that pays $13.65 million and pushes towards $20 million with incentives.
Whereas the skepticism is comprehensible, I’ve talked to a number of coaches who watched Rodgers intently final 12 months, together with members of the New York Jets employees. They imagine Pittsburgh simply obtained a steal.
“He is nonetheless throwing the s— out of the ball, actually,” a veteran NFL offensive coach mentioned. “He is one of the best quarterback they’ve had since (Ben Roethlisberger). We are going to see how the physique holds up, however I feel he’ll assist them immensely.”
Regardless of enjoying for a lame-duck employees in New York and missing chemistry along with his finest receiver, Garrett Wilson, Rodgers nonetheless threw for almost 4,000 yards and 28 touchdowns.
“Look, the mobility is a matter, there is not any doubt,” an AFC govt mentioned. “However the place he helps them is with the plus arm power and the sphere imaginative and prescient from the pocket. They have not had that. I am unsure that shall be sufficient, however the offense shall be at the least respectable.”
Staying with Pittsburgh-related issues, the Steelers moved on from George Pickens for just a few causes. His maturity points have been well-known inside Pittsburgh’s locker room and entrance workplace. So, the Steelers made the analysis that Pickens and Rodgers most likely wouldn’t hit it off.
However Dallas has leaned right into a sure technique greater than another staff. The Cowboys are prepared to relinquish draft capital for high-upside expertise on rookie contracts. The Cowboys executed three trades on this realm, buying Buffalo Payments cornerback Kaiir Elam, New England Patriots quarterback Joe Milton III and now Pickens, who has the expertise to turn into a top-10 receiver. the Pickens commerce may be a winner when folks within the NFC East point out, unprompted, that the acquisition may simply shift the dynamic of the Cowboys offense.
“Coping with CeeDee [Lamb] and him opens issues up for them,” a coach within the division mentioned.
Added an AFC personnel man: “He’ll be a giant piece there. When he is lined, he is actually open. I do know the issues are there, however I feel having an already established passing recreation with veterans to assist him alongside, and the actual fact he is in a contract 12 months, will assist maintain him in line. In the event you can faucet into what he can do absolutely, his main capacity will shine by means of.”
Seattle flips Geno Smith for Sam Darnold, Jalen Milroe and money, Vegas will get its QB of the longer term … and everybody wins
The Seattle Seahawks did not instantly “flip” Smith for Darnold and a third-round decide, however that was basically the play when Seattle despatched Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders in alternate for the No. 92 decide within the 2025 draft, which Seattle used to pick out Milroe, a developmental however explosive twin risk.
Earlier within the offseason, Smith and Seattle could not agree on a contract extension, prompting Smith to request a commerce. After the commerce went by means of, Vegas and Smith finalized a two-year, $75 million extension.
Seattle turned to Darnold in free company, signing the resurgent quarterback to a three-year, $100.5 million deal.
Smith’s deal included $58.5 million assured at signing in contrast with Darnold’s $37.5 million, however from a sensible standpoint, assuming each quarterbacks play two seasons with their respective groups, Seattle would owe Darnold $65 million throughout that span, whereas Smith would earn $66.5 million.
So, basically, Seattle obtained Darnold, Milroe and $1.5 million in money in alternate for Smith. The Seahawks additionally get a quarterback who’s six years youthful, plus the flexibleness to get out of Darnold’s deal faster if issues go poorly in 2025.
“Darnold and Geno to me are very related, solidified starters however not within the high finish,” an NFL personnel director mentioned. “Geno has extra of a observe file as a passer, however Darnold threw 35 touchdowns final 12 months, so if he can play near how he did final 12 months, that is an incredible state of affairs and alternative for him. And Milroe has a special ability set. If he develops and figures out the way to be a quarterback, he’ll turn into a extremely fascinating participant for them.”
This was a simple name for Vegas, which had maybe the league’s worst quarterback state of affairs a 12 months in the past.
“Geno provides them instantaneous credibility on the place, and Pete and Geno appear to have good chemistry collectively, so it is a great way for each of them to begin,” an NFL staff govt mentioned. “I determine they may look to draft a quarterback within the subsequent few years, however for now they’ve a solution.”
The Browns’ draft haul after shifting from No. 2 to No. 5
It will work out swimmingly if Cleveland Browns GM Andrew Berry performs it proper. The Browns’ cope with Jacksonville — buying and selling the No. 2, 104 and 200 alternatives for Nos. 5, 36, 126 and a 2026 first-rounder — units them up properly for the longer term.
As a number of scouts famous, the Browns obtained their working again of the longer term, Quinshon Judkins, at No. 36 and might assault a robust 2026 class with two first-round picks, each of which could possibly be early picks as a consequence of Cleveland’s and Jacksonville’s states of transition.
“It is onerous to move on Travis [Hunter] or Abdul [Carter] at 2, however you get a very good younger defensive sort out [in Mason Graham]. … That is a place that is actually costly now, so to get a rookie-scale participant there’s essential,” an AFC govt mentioned. “And that is actually about 2026. Can they get their quarterback of the longer term there? They will discover out.”
Whereas groups we spoke to had blended critiques on the Deebo Samuel Sr. commerce as a consequence of perceptions of a declining ability set, most have been all-in on Tunsil.
The Washington Commanders gave up 4 picks — together with third- and seventh-rounders this 12 months, together with second- and fourth-rounders subsequent 12 months — in alternate for Tunsil and a fourth-rounder. So, basically, Washington gave up two Day 2 picks and alter for Tunsil.
Whereas Tunsil is an imperfect participant — he struggles with penalties, and the Houston Texans’ offensive line struggled general in 2024 — he is on the brief record at a premier place.
“He is nonetheless a top-three sort out for me,” an AFC scout mentioned. “And something you are able to do to guard Jayden Daniels and cargo up whereas he is on his rookie deal is wise. They gave up a little bit greater than I might like however I belief AP [general manager Adam Peters] that he is aware of what he is doing right here.”
Added an NFL coordinator of Tunsil: “Dude’s nonetheless nearly as good as anybody. Truthfully, I feel he simply will get bored and loses focus generally however I am guessing he shall be extremely motivated in Washington, and when he’s he is among the many absolute best.”
Three issues can doom a veteran participant: age, harm historical past and declining ability.
Adams is 32, however he is nonetheless acting at a excessive stage and barely misses time due to harm. Many evaluators nonetheless contemplate him elite, whereas acknowledging that he might need misplaced half a step after 11 years within the league.
Whereas Cooper Kupp was a Los Angeles Rams nice, he was affected by all three classes above.
Groups we spoke to suppose Los Angeles obtained good worth in Adams at two years and $44 million. The staff can escape the deal after one 12 months and $20 million and nonetheless save $14 million on the cap.
“Sean [McVay] can get actually inventive with him, as a result of he is that basic outdoors receiver with dimension that you would be able to additionally slide inside,” an NFL personnel evaluator mentioned. “It is a danger as a result of Kupp was so good there for therefore lengthy. However I see this as a slight improve.”
Jets usher in tandem of Aaron Glenn, Justin Fields
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Clark taken with how Glenn places his imprint on Jets
Ryan Clark is intrigued to see if Aaron Glenn and Justin Fields could make their marks with the Jets.
A number of head teaching hires have been lauded in league circles — most notably Ben Johnson to the Bears and Mike Vrabel to the Patriots — however the collection of Glenn in New York resonates, too. And Fields is taken into account by some as an excellent match for Glenn’s efforts to instill toughness in Florham Park.
“A defensive head coach goes to run the ball with Breece Corridor and a harmful weapon to enhance the offense in Fields,” an NFL coordinator mentioned. “AG will assist the protection be even higher, too.”
Because the draft course of unfolded, Ward’s standing as QB1 solidified.
Tennessee took its time to decide with the No. 1 decide, but it surely finally was not a choice in any respect.
“Folks had some questions on (Ward) coming into the method, and I really feel like he did a very good job answering them,” an AFC govt mentioned. “The Titans had far much less doubts by the top of the method than they did to begin.”
Fast-hit draft strikes
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Patriots’ haul: “I did not love their [2024] draft, however I assumed they did nice this 12 months. Kyle Williams has an opportunity to be an actual participant. They have not had an influence receiver there shortly. Plenty of groups beloved (working again) TreVeyon Henderson. And we have been actually excessive on [No. 4 pick] Will Campbell. I do not suppose they’re that far-off.” — AFC scout
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Jets deciding on TE Mason Taylor at No. 42: “He is f—ing superior. He was my No. 2 tight finish (behind Chicago’s Colston Loveland). He is athletic, he is younger (21) and he is obtained upside within the passing recreation.” — Veteran NFL offensive coach
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Vikings deciding on OG Donovan Jackson with the twenty fourth decide: ” why I actually like this decide? He’ll be a stable 10-year starter. Undecided he is elite, however he’ll make just a few Professional Bowls and be a extremely good participant for a very long time.” — NFL coordinator
