Reports: Bears, LB T.J. Edwards agree to 2-year, $20M contract extension

The contract includes $16.6 million guaranteed and extends through the 2027 season, per reports. Edwards, a native of Lake Villa, Ill., signed with the Bears in March 2023 to a three-year, $19.5 million deal that pays him $5.4 million in base salary this coming season.

Edwards, 28, has started all 34 games in his two seasons for the Bears, recording 155 tackles in 2023 and 129 last season. Edwards has a combined 6.5 sacks, 20 tackles for loss, 14 quarterback hits, four interceptions, two forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries for Chicago.

An undrafted free agent out of Wisconsin, Edwards spent the first four seasons of his career with the Philadelphia Eagles. For his career, he has 673 tackles, 11.5 sacks, 40 tackles for loss, 23 QB hits, six interceptions, four forced fumbles and six fumble recoveries.

Raiders’ Kolton Miller skips voluntary workouts in search of new deal

Las Vegas Raiders left tackle Kolton Miller has opted not to participate in the team’s voluntary workouts in hopes of landing a better contract, according to reports on Wedensday.

Miller, 29, has served as the Raiders’ starting left tackle since he was selected 15th overall in the 2018 NFL Draft out of UCLA. The 6-foot-8, 325-pound lineman has started 107 of 109 games over the last seven seasons and, per Pro Football Focus, ranked as the league’s 14th-best tackle in the 2024 season.

Under new coach Pete Carroll, the Raiders began voluntary workouts April 8. Per NFL rules, veterans are not required to participate in such offseason work. However, with the Raiders slated to host a voluntary minicamp April 21-23, Miller’s absence becomes more noticeable as new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, new quarterback Geno Smith and the rest of the offensive unit prepares for the upcoming season.

The team has a mandatory minicamp from June 10-12.

Per Spotrac, Miller signed a three-year, $54 million deal prior to the 2023 season. He’s slated to earn $12,255,998 in the final year of his deal with a $50,000 workout bonus. If Miller does not sign a new contract before the 2025 season ends, he will become an unrestricted free agent.

Lawyers for NFL draft prospect Isaiah Bond file lawsuit against woman

Less than a week after turning himself into authorities on a sexual assault warrant, NFL draft prospect Isaiah Bond has filed a lawsuit against the woman who made the initial claims.

Lawyers for Bond filed the suit in United States District Court in Northern Texas on Tuesday, saying the woman made false statements to police in Frisco, Texas.

Bond, a standout wide receiver for the Texas Longhorns last season, turned himself into police on April 10, although he denied the allegations on Instagram after posting a $25,000 bond.

“Regarding the accusation made against me, I would appreciate the time and opportunity to defend myself and prove the claims made, patently false,” Bond wrote. “I am in full cooperation with the authorities and will remain a willing and active participant in the investigation. Unfortunately, claims like these prove to be harmful to all involved, absent full review. I kindly request that all reserve judgement until the authorities provide a complete report based on truth and evidence.”

Bond’s lawyers say that the wideout did engage in a sexual encounter with the unnamed woman, calling the affair consensual. The lawsuit, which includes a defamation claim, asks for economic damages and a civil trial.

After spending two years at Alabama, Bond transferred to Texas for the 2024 season, during which he recorded 34 receptions for 540 yards and five touchdowns. He also had four carries for 98 yards and a score. For his career, Bond had 99 catches for 1,428 yards and 10 TDs, leading some NFL draft experts to slot him as a second- or third-round pick in next week’s draft.

Giants GM says Travis Hunter can play both ways if he falls to No. 3

Travis Hunter has emphasized his desire to play both wide receiver and cornerback in the NFL, and it appears the New York Giants are willing to make that wish a reality if the Heisman Trophy winner falls to them at No. 3 in next week’s NFL draft.

Speaking during his annual pre-draft news conference Wednesday, New York general manager Joe Schoen said that the Giants “would not be afraid” to line up Hunter on both sides of the ball.

Schoen said that “I wouldn’t doubt the kid. He’s that type of athlete. He’s had that type of production, the number of snaps he plays in a game, doesn’t sit down, goes over, gets a drink of water and gets back out on the field.

“So, he’s got that type of athleticism, he’s got the right mindset, he’s a great kid. So, I wouldn’t doubt him.”

While NFL executives have said that Hunter could develop into a Pro Bowl player at either position, Hunter made headlines earlier in the week when he said he would never play football again if a team told him he could not play both wide receiver and cornerback.

“Because I’ve been doing it my whole life,” Hunter told CBS Sports, “and I love being on the football field. I feel like I could dominate on each side of the ball, so I really enjoy doing it.”

Of course, much of the concern regarding Hunter playing both ways stems from the higher workload. With the Colorado Buffaloes last year, Hunter played in over 84 percent of the team’s snaps. For perspective, according to ESPN, cornerback Dane Jackson played 48% of the Carolina Panthers’ total snaps last season that stood as the most in the NFL.

“We’re looking at the workloads and the yardage each day,” Schoen said, “and then to me what we will have to be settled is the mental part of it, because offense is very hard to learn and then the defense on a weekly basis, it’s not college anymore where, ‘Hey, these are our basic plays, this is our basic defense and we’re going to go play Cover 3 against Kansas, we’re going to play Cover 3 against Nebraska.’

“There’s a lot more week-to-week matchup-type stuff that our coaches are doing. So just how much can you handle mentally where you can go out there and execute and they can trust you to do your job.”

If Hunter is even available at No. 3 remains to be seen. Many experts believe he is a must-have option for the Cleveland Browns at No. 2 after Tennessee is presumed to select quarterback Cam Ward with the first overall pick. What’s more, New York will also need to decide if Hunter is the better choice of a top available quarterback. Schoen, though, said that the Giants “don’t think it’s mandatory” to select a QB at No. 3 after adding Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston to the roster alongside Tommy DeVito.

Jaguars 2025 draft needs, picks, best fits, history

Another year, another top five draft pick for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Owner Shad Khan reversed his initial decision to retain general manager Trent Baalke when he fired head coach Doug Pederson after a 4-13 season in 2024. But when head coach candidate Liam Coen pulled out of the running for the job, Khan ejected Baalke, hired 34-year-old James Gladstone and landed Coen, 39, to replace Pederson.

With quarterback Trevor Lawrence recovering from left shoulder surgery and some mystery about the overall direction of the team’s schemes, Gladstone rides into his first draft in the big chair with plentiful options and 10 total picks.

The show begins at No. 5. History indicates a top talent will be available, but which direction will Gladstone steer the Jaguars?

As the draft approaches, the rumor mill has consistently connected the team to a pass rusher or running back Ashton Jeanty.

Here’s a closer look at the hand Gladstone holds.

–Team needs

Cornerback: Travis Hunter would be the ideal steal and if Gladstone was paying attention during his nine years with the Rams (spoiler alert: he was), swinging for the fences won’t be a problem. With 10 selections there’s room to gamble and the Jaguars offer Hunter a CB1 role with a chance to be heavily incorporated on offense. If they aren’t willing to trade with Cleveland or the New York Giants to get Hunter, a move down for Will Johnson (Michigan) or targeting a mid-round developmental type could work, too.

Running back: It’s not that the position is a need so much as it’s likely Gladstone will be sitting on the clock with the option to select Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty. Mentor Les Snead of the Rams had a similar decision in 2015, one year before Gladstone joined the franchise, when he opted to drafted Georgia running back Todd Gurley. More recently in Rams’ lore and as part of Gladstone’s tenure, the Rams found Pro Bowl RB Kyren Williams with the 164th overall pick in 2022.

Defensive line: Michigan’s Mason Graham appears to be an ideal fit for the Jaguars based on need and the team’s stated approach to the draft class.

Not to dwell on his nine-year run with the Rams, but has anyone benefited more from a strong interior defensive line than Los Angeles under Snead? They were questioned for the “risk” of drafting a smaller three-technique out of Pitt in 2014, and Aaron Donald, the No. 13 overall pick that year, is a few years shy of being fitted for a gold jacket. Last year, the Rams snagged Braden Fiske (second round) after already addressing their pass rush with Jared Verse in the first round.

–Best prospect fits

OLB Abdul Carter, Penn State

DT Mason Graham, Michigan

CB-WR Travis Hunter, Colorado

RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State

DE Mykel Williams, Georgia

TE Tyler Warren, Penn State

OT Will Campbell, LSU

OT-OG Armand Membou, Missouri

OLB Jalon Walker, Georgia

–2025 draft picks by round

Total picks: 10

By round (pick in round, overall pick)

1: 5, 5

2: 4, 36

3: 6, 70

3: 24, 88 (from Minnesota Vikings)

4: 5, 107

4: 24, 126 (from Minnesota Vikings)

5: 4, 142

6: 6, 182

6: 18, 194 (from Seattle Seahawks)

7: 5, 221

–History Lesson

–This is the 15th time since 2008 the Jaguars are drafting in the top 10.

–With the No. 5 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, the Jaguars drafted cornerback Jalen Ramsey. They previously selected Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon fifth overall in 2012.

Cam Ward panders to Titans’ fanbase while playing Fortnite

Former Miami quarterback Cam Ward is the presumptive top overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft next week.

Now, the Tennessee Titans hold that pick, and Ward appeared to be pandering to the team’s fanbase with several tongue-in-cheek responses while participating in a Fortnite session Tuesday night.

On one clip from the YouTube livestream, Ward was asked for his thoughts on some of the top players in the league by position.

“My top four running backs in the league right now? I would say Tony Pollard (and Tyjae) Spears,” Ward said of the Titans running backs.

Apparently Philadelphia Eagles star Saquon Barkley, ye of 2,005 rushing yards last season, couldn’t crack Ward’s list.

Ward also offered his thoughts on the NFL’s top wide receivers. He named current Titans wideouts Calvin Ridley and Treylon Burks to go along with superstars Ja’Marr Chase (Cincinnati Bengals) and Justin Jefferson (Minnesota Vikings).

Ward also appeared to curry favor with the fanbase by referencing current Eagles wideout A.J. Brown, who was a former Titan.

“AJ Brown’s a dawg, but he’s not Calvin Ridley,” Ward said.

Ward, who is listed at 6-foot-2 and 223 pounds, threw an NCAA-record 158 touchdown passes. He had a total of 18,184 yards in five seasons at three different schools. He started his career at FCS program Incarnate Word (2020-21), transferred to Washington State (2022-23), then headed to Miami (2024).

2025 NFL Draft position series: Wide receivers

Projecting the right position for Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter might not have a wrong answer.

Consider the Titans at No. 1 and Cleveland Browns right behind in the 2025 NFL Draft order disagree on which position best suits Hunter. At No. 3? That’s the New York Giants, and general manager Joe Schoen publicly split the difference with his own draft assessment of Hunter on Wednesday.

“It would be hard to keep him off the field and he’s motivated to play both ways,” Schoen said, adding the concern of playing 100-plus snaps in a game would be injury, but, “he’s a unique athlete who I think will be able to do both.”

There’s nothing traditional about Hunter or the No. 2 receiver in our rankings, a human highlight reel with a catch radius every quarterback would appreciate. But at 6-feet-4, Tetairoa McMillan is more than just another huge target.

1. Travis Hunter, Colorado

Is he a wide receiver, cornerback or can he do both? The answer is up to the team willing to draft Hunter, the Heisman Trophy winner insisting to continue his unheard of act of playing both ways in the NFL.

Arguably the closest to a unicorn prospect the league has scouted since Bo Jackson, Hunter’s playmaking ability and ball skills rate at the top of his draft class.

He’s not built to take a hit, but good luck squaring him up in the open field. Hunter processes action in front of him rapidly and is just as instinctive and creative with the ball in his hands.

Rare body control, balance on the move and at the contact point, and strong, powerful hands to secure the ball before anyone else gets a chance are winning assets no matter which position he calls home in the NFL. His wide receiver ceiling is a notch above former Alabama Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith and their body types are similar.

2. Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona

Three seasons at Arizona was ample time for McMillan to put together a one-of-a-kind mix tape of highlight-reel catches. He caught 174 passes the past two seasons with 18 of his 26 career TD grabs, and entered the draft with a 16.1-yard average (213 receptions in 37 games). An All-American as a junior, McMillan was tops in the Big 12 with 1,319 receiving yards last season.

The pass-fail question from evaluators: How much of his college success and overall skill set translates to the NFL?

McMillan’s athletic profile isn’t prototypical. He’s 6-4, 215 and ran a 4.53 40-yard dash. His narrow frame lacks bulk and mass to be a physically dominant presence, and he’s not fast enough to run away from defensive backs and linebackers with elite speed.

Media comparisons for McMillan have included Ed McCaffrey (Broncos) and Drake London (Falcons). He’s not a precise match to many predecessors but has ability and size similar to Bengals WR Tee Higgins, even if their body types aren’t carbon copies.

Where McMillan wins is attacking the ball in the air, using his frame to wall off a defender and secure the ball with his hands. He’s faster on the field than the stopwatch and better than a zero threat after the catch because of his footwork and long strides, prompting missed tackles and poor angles from smaller defenders in the secondary.

3. Matthew Golden, Texas

Golden fits as an “X” or “Z” receiver depending on the scheme. With easy acceleration and pure speed, he can be featured at some point in his career and is an option in the return game.

Golden compares to Stefon Diggs (Patriots) because of their on-the-move flexibility and run-after-catch skills. Dynamic athletes with movement skills and

fluid hips to be elusive in the open, Golden has similar proven playmaking ability. But he also shares issues with play strength and needed time to refine his routes. Golden can eventually grow into a role as a WR1 — as Diggs did for the Minnesota Vikings and later Buffalo Bills.

4. Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State

Not every program can relate to Ohio State’s problems. Consider Egbuka posted two 1,000-yard receiving seasons for the Buckeyes, with 24 career TD

catches, all without ever being viewed as the No. 1 option. Of course, Ohio State has produced elite talent at the position in recent seasons with Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Marvin Harrison Jr. — who are all catching TDs for cash in the NFL.

Egbuka was overshadowed in 2024 by freshman phenom Jeremiah Smith, and in this class by bigger, stronger and faster prospects.

As one of the top-rated route runners in this draft, Egbuka might be off the board earlier than anticipated. His bust factor is minimal. Because he can separate in a variety of manners, play the slot and challenge defensive backs with pace and speed, he’s an out-of-the-box starter with scheme versatility from a program known for turning out solid pros.

5. Luther Burden III, Missouri

There are segments of Anquan Boldin, Julian Edelman and Deebo Samuel in Burden’s game and the similarities are greater than their running back or safety build. He’s five inches shorter than Tetairoa McMillan but nearly the same weight.

With great explosiveness and twitch on a sturdy frame, Burden excels at generating YAC and breaking tackles. Unlike other gadget players who lack the refinement to be a true wide receiver, Burden has impressive ball skills, an evolved route tree and strong position blocking to be a full-time starter in the NFL.

6. Jaylin Noel, Iowa State

At 5-10, 194, the wrap on Noel is not unlike the knock on Tyler Lockett coming out of Kansas State. We’re banking on similar consistency and production as a pro from Noel, too.

Quick and elusive, he’s dangerous after the reception and can return punts. He scampers down the field in a hurry and can take the top off of a defense as a vertical threat. There were days when he looked uncheckable at the Senior Bowl, where teammates voted him the top wide receiver.

He also plays with the headiness of a veteran, exploits zone coverage well and has a good feel for splitting the safeties and giving himself room to work.

7. Jayden Higgins, Iowa State

Raw with immense upside potential, Higgins plays the position like an college basketball forward. His track (jumping events) and hoops background show through on film and he carries his 6-4, 215 pounds with ease. The natural size advantage becomes a greater mismatch concern for defensive backs because Higgins doesn’t move like a big-framed target. He had a 1.54 10-yard split and 4.4 40 to go with his 80-inch wingspan and 39-inch vertical.

An unfinished product who said he models his game after former Chargers and Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen — renowned for his disciplined, technical route-running acumen — Higgins has natural playmaking skills and athletic traits as a baseline. His ceiling is off the charts, but brings a significant level of trust in the player and program (coach, scheme, position coach) to ensure he becomes the sum of his parts.

8. Jalen Royals, Utah State

By proving he’s recovered from the foot injury that shortened his senior season, Royals placed himself in the thick of the second tier of the 2025 WR class.

There’s still a projection with Royals coming from the FBS level, but scouts who trust what he has put on tape won’t hesitate to endorse him as an option in the top 75. His compact build (6-0, 200, nearly identical to Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown), speed (4.4 40) and jitterbug quickness with the ball running routes and with the ball in his hands are NFL-caliber.

9. Tory Horton, Colorado State

Slap a Michigan or Georgia jersey on Horton and he’s a demigod in cleats. A slick route-runner with multiple gears to uncover from man coverage and a vertical of almost 38 inches, Horton’s production is called into question because it came against Mountain West competition.

Note in 2023 he saw a lot of a cornerback scouts seem to like — Heisman winner Hunter — and put up 16 receptions for 133 yards and a TD. In the 2024 rematch, Horton had two catches before exiting with a right knee injury that limited him to five games last season. One of those grabs was a horizontal pattern crossing from the left side of the formation to the right in front of Hunter.

There’s no arguing his thin frame will cause concern. But the fifth-year senior topped out faster than Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill’s peak straight-line speed in 2024 (22.23 on a 73-yard TD in Week 13) at 22.5 mph. With experience and production as a return man, Horton has a spot on the radar of NFL teams starting in the second round.

10. Tre Harris, Ole Miss

A tick faster than his official 4.54 40 time and Harris would be knocking on the door of the first round. Because he’s 6-2 3/8, he’ll be labeled a big receiver. But he’s on the light side and is more dangerous than most defensive backs expect coming out of his breaks. Minus the sudden first step off the line to rock elite cover cornerbacks to their heels, evaluators are more than likely to peg him as a strong No. 2 wideout and red-zone demon because of a 38.5-inch vertical. The potential is there for Harris to put up elite numbers with a quarterback willing to pump the ball his direction.

Jalen Hurts one of TIME’s 100 most influential people

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts was named one of TIME’s 100 most influential people of 2025.

The Super Bowl LIX MVP guided the Eagles to a lopsided 40-22 win against the Kansas City Chiefs on Feb. 9.

Baseball Hall of Famer Derek Jeter, a five-time World Series champion with the New York Yankees, wrote the introductory piece on Hurts for the publication.

“We connected shortly after (the Super Bowl), and the only thing he asked about was insight on going back and winning again,” Jeter wrote. “Sometimes people win, then exhale. Jalen is not exhaling. He’s embracing the next challenge. Win or lose, Jalen’s resilience and determination offer all of us something to admire.”

Hurts, 26, whose Eagles lost a heartbreaker to Kansas City in Super Bowl LVII, threw for 221 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 72 yards and a score in February’s rematch in New Orleans.

The NFL MVP runner-up in 2022, Hurts has compiled a 46-20 record as a starter in the regular season with 140 total touchdowns (85 passing, 55 rushing TDs) in 77 games.

Report: Packers CB Jaire Alexander not close to being dealt

It’s becoming clear that cornerback Jaire Alexander won’t be on the Green Bay Packers in the 2025 season.

But whether Alexander is traded or released is still in question.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Tuesday that Alexander isn’t close to being dealt, although Green Bay nearly traded the seven-year veteran at the start of the league year.

However, there were two problems with the trade. First, the Packers were asking too much in return. Second, Alexander wasn’t willing to take a cut in salary.

Alexander has two years left on the four-year extension he signed in 2022. His base salary for 2025 is $16.15 million, and in 2026 it’s $18.15 million.

If Green Bay cuts or trades Alexander with a post-June 1 designation it would cost more than $7.5 million in dead money but with around $17.1 million in cap savings, according to Over The Cap. A pre-June 1 cut or trade would mean more than $17 million in dead money and roughly $7.6 million in savings.

Alexander was a second-team All-Pro and made the Pro Bowl in both 2020 and 2022 but injuries have forced him to miss most of three of the previous four seasons. He appeared in only four games in 2021 and seven in both 2023 and ‘24.

Alexander has 12 career interceptions with a high of five in 2022. He also has three picks in seven playoff appearances.

GM non-committal on Mark Andrews’ future with Ravens

Although Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta spoke glowingly about Mark Andrews on Tuesday, he wasn’t ready to commit to having the veteran tight end on the roster this season.

Andrews, 29, is entering the final season of his four-year, $56 million contract, however the Ravens could save $11 million against the cap by releasing or trading him.

“I never know what’s going to happen, and I would never want to say this or that, but I can tell you this: Mark Andrews is a warrior, and he’s played his butt off for us, and his competitiveness, his talent, his attitude, his leadership is so valued here,” DeCosta said. “He’s a great player, and we’re in the business of keeping as many great players as we can, so there’s always a lot of unpredictability with the draft. You just never know.”

Andrews has spent his entire career with the Ravens, however his last game was a crushing one. He dropped a pass on a two-point conversion with 1:33 remaining in the fourth quarter that would have tied the AFC divisional round game against the Buffalo Bills.

Andrews, an All-Pro who has spent seven seasons with the Ravens, finished the game with five receptions on seven targets for 61 yards. He also lost a fumble in the fourth quarter that the Bills recovered and turned into three points. That was just his second career lost fumble.

Andrews recorded 55 catches for 673 yards with a team-high 11 touchdowns in 17 games last season.

Fellow tight end Isaiah Likely, 24, set career highs last season in receptions (42), receiving yards (477) and touchdowns (six).