Thu May 15 1:53pm ET
Field Level Media
Caleb Williams and his father looked into circumventing the 2024 NFL Draft to avoid going to the Chicago Bears as the No. 1 pick, according to details from a forthcoming book.
"Chicago is the place quarterbacks go to die," Williams' father, Carl Williams, said to ESPN writer Seth Wickersham, author of "American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback," prior to the draft.
Concerned about the Bears' first-round misfires with quarterbacks Justin Fields (2021) and Mitchell Trubisky (2017), Carl Williams explored ways to avoid the draft and also get around the league's collective bargaining agreement.
"The rookie cap is just unconstitutional," Carl Williams told Wickersham, adding that the CBA is the "worst piece of s--- I've ever read. It's the worst in sports history."
Caleb Williams would have preferred going to Minnesota after hitting it off with Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell at the combine, according to the book that is due to hit shelves in September.
Despite the concerns of the Williams family, Bears general manager Ryan Poles told the former Southern California signal-caller: "We're drafting you no matter what."
The Bears declined to comment to ESPN on the revelations made in Wickersham's book.
Williams, 23, wound up starting all 17 games for Chicago as a rookie last year, completing 62.5 percent of his passes for 3,541 yards, 20 touchdowns and six interceptions.
The Bears finished 5-12 and parted ways with head coach Matt Eberflus and offensive coordinator Shane Waldron along the way.
Under new head coach Ben Johnson and new coordinator Declan Doyle, Williams and the Bears kick off the 2025 regular season on "Monday Night Football" on Sept. 8 against the Vikings at Soldier Field.
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Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison has a jury trial set for June 16 following his 2024 citation for DUI. The trial is set to take place in the Superior Court of California. A pre-trial hearing was held on Monday. In December, Addison pleaded not guilty to two misdemeanor DUI charges. He is accused of driving under the influence with at least a .08% alcohol level near the Los Angeles International Airport after a police officer found him asleep at the wheel and blocking a lane of traffic. The 23-year-old's status and situation should be monitored. While the NFL has not been quick to act in many cases like these, he could face punishment from the league depending on the results of the trial.
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New England Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore (illness) has been cleared for football activity and expects to play in Week 1, according to NFL.com. The 2021 second-round pick out of Alabama played in just four games due to a blood clot issue, so this is great news for the team and the 25-year-old. Barmore has appeared in 48 games over the last four years, totaling 139 tackles, 13.5 sacks, 15.5 run stuffs, one forced fumble, and nine deflections. He'll play opposite newly signed free agent Milton Williams in 2025, and the duo could be an underrated unit in the NFL.
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The Jacksonville Jaguars released tight end Patrick Murtagh on Thursday, according to NFL.com. The 25-year-old Australian joined the NFL International Player Pathway in 2023 and was assigned to the Detroit Lions before stepping down due to a medical issue. He then spent time with the Jaguars in 2024 and this offseason before being cut. The organization recently signed former Buffalo Bills tight end Quintin Morris, and has Brenton Strange, Johnny Mundt, and Hunter Long already on the roster. Based on development thus far, it would be a surprise if Murtagh ever appears in an NFL game.
From RotoBaller
According to details from a forthcoming book reveal, quarterback Caleb Williams and his family consulted with lawyers to find potential ways around being drafted first overall by the Chicago Bears in 2024. "Chicago is the place quarterbacks go to die," Carl Williams, Caleb's father, told Seth Wickersham, author of "American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback," in the months before the 2024 draft. Caleb Williams ultimately decided he could make it work in Chicago before struggling to a QB16 finish in a rookie season that saw Bears head coach Matt Eberflus and offensive coordinator Shane Waldron both fired. The 23-year-old threw for 20 touchdowns and six interceptions while taking a league-high 68 sacks. The good news is that the Bears did everything they could to give Williams help heading into his sophomore season, so the former first overall pick is set up to succeed in Year 2.
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The Tennessee Titans claimed linebacker Anfernee Orji off waivers from the New Orleans Saints on Wednesday and waived running back Jabari Small in a corresponding move, according to Paul Kuharsky. Orji went undrafted out of Vanderbilt before joining the Saints for his rookie season in 2024, where he accumulated 30 tackles (16 solo) and two tackles for loss in 16 games (two starts) in his first year in the league. The 24-year-old will now look to earn a 53-man roster spot in Tennessee in training camp this summer. Small, 23, also went undrafted out of Tennessee before joining the Titans. The 5-foot-9, 198-pounder spent time last year on the Titans' practice squad and did not get into an NFL game. He's unlikely to be claimed off waivers, at which point he'll be free to sign with any NFL team before training camp this summer.
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The New England Patriots announced that they released defensive tackle Eric Johnson II on Wednesday after signing free-agent running back Trayveon Williams. The Patriots claimed Johnson off waivers from the Indianapolis Colts on Aug. 28 of last year. The 26-year-old played in 11 games with New England last year and finished with 17 total tackles (two solo) in his third NFL campaign. Johnson was originally a fifth-round selection (159th overall) by the Colts in 2022 out of Missouri State. The 6-foot-4, 320-pounder had only 18 tackles (seven solo), one sack, a tackle for loss and one fumble recovery in 28 games (no starts) in his first two years in the league in Indy. Johnson will be looking to find a new team before training camp starts this summer.
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Green Bay Packers passing-game coordinator Jason Vrable said that wide receiver Jayden Reed is up to 199 pounds (up from 185 as a rookie) and has been one of the leaders of the receiver group this offseason. Vrable said that Reed has been "helping Matthew Golden with every single play." The 25-year-old was on pace for his first 1,000-yard season in 2024 in his sophomore campaign in the first half before fading down the stretch and then suffering a dislocated shoulder in the wild-card playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Despite the team adding Golden and Savion Williams in this year's draft, the Packers still view Reed as their "top receiver." However, until we see it, the slot wideout's volume could be volatile, even with Christian Watson (knee) potentially miss half the season. Reed has the potential for a breakout, but he should be viewed as a boom/bust WR3/flex.
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New Orleans Saints executive vice president/general manager Mickey Loomis announced earlier this week that the team signed free-agent wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones and safety Terrell Burgess to undisclosed one-year deals and waived safety Millard Bradford and running back Jordan Mims in corresponding moves. Both Peoples-Jones and Burgess took part in the team's rookie minicamp last weekend on a tryout basis. Peoples-Jones, 26, was a sixth-round pick by the Cleveland Browns in 2020 out of Michigan. He was on the Detroit Lions' practice squad last year but last played in an NFL game in 2023, when he caught 13 of 25 targets for 155 yards and no touchdowns in 15 games (six starts) with the Browns and Lions. DPJ will face an uphill battle for a starting role in New Orleans as receiver depth behind Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, Brandin Cooks and Bub Means in 2025.
From RotoBaller
Per the team, the New England Patriots have signed running back Trayveon Williams to an undisclosed contract. New England also released defensive lineman Eric Johnson II. The veteran back spent the first six seasons of his career with the Cincinnati Bengals after linking up with the team in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. The 27-year-old will join a running back room consisting of Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson, and second-round rookie TreVeyon Henderson. Williams is likely to have little impact regarding the ground game, considering he has 62 career carries in 69 games. However, he did appear in all 17 contests last season for Cincinnati on special teams, so he could occupy a role there for New England.
From RotoBaller
The Green Bay Packers have agreed to terms with rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden on a four-year, $17.57 million contract. Green Bay spent the No. 23 overall pick on the Texas alum, making him the first first-round wideout since the franchise selected Javon Walker in the first round of 2002. With the contract, he becomes the highest-paid Packers WR. The depth of Green Bay's wide receiver room is one of the most noteworthy knocks against him, but Golden brings something to the table that the other pass-catchers don't, and that's his blazing speed. The 21-year-old makes for an intriguing addition to the team's roster as a deep threat and should get an opportunity to play right away. However, it isn't easy to project significant volume coming his way. Even if he works to the top of the pecking order in the WR corps, the Packers have made it clear they'd like to establish the run -- bolstering the third-lowest pass rate in the NFL in 2024. Golden could prove to be an effective weapon for Jordan Love in the passing game, but the spread-it-around ways of the Packers' offense won't do him any favors.
From RotoBaller
According to the NFL transaction log, the San Francisco 49ers have signed defensive end Mykel Williams to a four-year, $24.94 million deal. The team selected the former Georgia Bulldog with the No. 11 overall pick in April's draft. Williams is a rawer prospect than you'd expect to be a top-15 pick, but with more time and reps, he could become a force off the edge. If he continues evolving his game and picks up a thing or two while working across from teammate Nick Bosa, the two could form a formidable duo and give offensive lines fits with blocking assignments. It's a best-case scenario for him, but it's possible given his length and traits. He recorded at least seven tackles for loss in each of his three seasons at Georgia.
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Fourth-round rookie wide receiver Jalen Royals officially signed his rookie contract with the Kansas City Chiefs on Tuesday, according to Charles Goldman of AtoZ Sports. The Utah State product was viewed by many as a potential Day 2 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, but he ultimately fell to the defending AFC Champions in Round 4. In 20 games over the last two seasons, Royals collected 126 receptions for 1,914 yards and 21 touchdowns. His landing spot with Patrick Mahomes is exciting, but he's not likely to make a significant fantasy football impact in Year 1 while sharing an offense with Travis Kelce, Xavier Worthy, Rashee Rice, and Marquise Brown. He's worth a late-round flyer in dynasty setups, but redraft expectations should be tempered.
From RotoBaller
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker missed nearly his entire rookie campaign in 2023 while recovering from a torn ACL, and he appeared in just three games last year. Overall, he completed three of his six passing attempts for 62 yards. The former third-round pick out of Tennessee is competing with Kyle Allen for the backup job behind Jared Goff this offseason, and quarterbacks coach Mark Brunell said Hooker is "off to a good start." The 27-year-old hasn't been able to take command of the backup role, which isn't a promising sign, but he remains an intriguing deep-league superflex stash in the event of a Goff injury. Hooker tallied 2,079 yards and 25 touchdowns in 49 collegiate games and would have a fantastic supporting cast to work with if he is ever called into action.
From RotoBaller
The Jacksonville Jaguars are signing former Buffalo Bills tight end Quintin Morris to a one-year contract, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz. The former undrafted free agent out of Bowling Green in 2021 spent each of the last four years with Buffalo before hitting free agency this offseason. As primarily a third-stringer, Morris hauled in 15 receptions for 146 yards and three touchdowns in 45 games over the last three seasons. However, he is known for his blocking skills, which is something the new staff in Jacksonville prioritizes for the position, according to Schultz. Don't expect Morris to be on the fantasy football radar in 2024, but this could be a sneaky solid signing for Jacksonville's rushing attack led by Travis Etienne, Tank Bigsby, and Bhashul Tuten.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs enjoyed a productive first season with the organization in 2024, rushing 301 times for 1,329 yards and 15 touchdowns to go along with 36 receptions for 342 yards and one score through the air. The former first-round pick out of Alabama looked like he could be headed for a decline in his last of five seasons with the Raiders in 2023, but his improved offensive environment proved to be significant. Packers running back coach Ben Sirmans gave Jacobs praise in a media availability on Wednesday. "He looks even better this year than he did last year at this point," Sirmans said. "His quickness right now, cutting ability going through the drills, he looks better than he did last year at this time." Jacobs finished as the RB5 in half-PPR setups last year, so the positive report is promising heading into next season. He should be firmly in the RB1 mix again for fantasy football purposes.
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Running back Derrick Henry and the Baltimore Ravens reached an agreement on Wednesday on a two-year, $30 million contract extension that includes $25 million fully guaranteed over the next two seasons, according to Todd France of Athletes First. It is the largest deal in NFL history for a RB over 30 years old. The Ravens have rewarded the 31-year-old five-time Pro Bowler and former Offensive Player of the Year after he recorded 1,921 rushing yards and a league-high 16 rushing touchdowns on 325 carries in 17 regular-season games in 2024 in his first year in Baltimore. He added 19 catches for 193 yards and two more TDs. While some were expecting physical decline from King Henry last year, he was as dominant as ever in the Ravens' run-first offense, finishing as the RB1 in fantasy. Henry has limitations as a pass-catcher, but until he proves otherwise, he's a high-end RB1 target in fantasy.
From RotoBaller
The New York Giants were scheduled to host free-agent wide receiver Gabe Davis (knee) for a visit after he met with the San Francisco 49ers on Monday, a source told FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz. Davis was previously coached by Brian Daboll with the Buffalo Bills, which would make this a potential reunion. The 26-year-old was released by the Jacksonville Jaguars on May 7 with a failed-physical designation after he suffered a meniscus tear in his knee in Week 11 of 2024. The former fourth-round pick is expected to be fully healthy for the start of 2025, though, and will sign with another team before the start of training camp at the end of July. If he were to land with the G-Men, Davis would join a wideout room that already includes Malik Nabers, Wan'Dale Robinson and Darius Slayton. He's been a boom/bust pass-catcher in fantasy in his five NFL seasons and would likely struggle for targets in New York.
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Quarterback Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers will open the 2025 regular season at home at Lambeau Field against NFC North rival Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sept. 7, sources told FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz. Believe it or not, this will be the first time in head coach Matt LaFleur's tenure that the Packers have had a home game in Week 1. They haven't opened the season at Lambeau since 2018. The two division rivals will square off for a second time in 2025 at Ford Field on Thanksgiving Day. The Lions are the two-time defending NFC North champions and went 15-2 last year before suffering a shocking upset loss to the Washington Commanders in the Divisional Round. From 1992-2014, the Packers won 24 straight home games against Detroit, including a playoff victory. However, the Lions have won the last three games in Green Bay.
From RotoBaller
Retired quarterback Derek Carr (shoulder) is "extremely unlikely" to make a comeback in 2026, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. The 34-year-old is already making other professional plans. Carr will eventually land on the New Orleans Saints' reserve/retired list, and an unretirement in 2026 would likely trigger an immediate release of his rights given that his 2025 salary of $30 million would immediately hit the salary cap. Anything could happen after Carr is away from the game for a year and his shoulder heals up, but for now he is done playing professional football. With Carr now out of the picture, the Saints plan to have an open competition this summer between rookie second-rounder Tyler Shough, second-year QB Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener. Shough is the current favorite to win the job, but Rattler has the most experience in the NFL.
From RotoBaller
Per the team, the Las Vegas Raiders have signed third-round rookie defensive back Darien Porter to an undisclosed contract. The Iowa State alum played six seasons with the team, but put up his best numbers in 2024 -- notching 18 tackles and three interceptions in 12 games. Although Porter was a one-year starter, he possesses elite athleticism and is a savvy special-teams player, positioning him to make an immediate impact on the field. While some seasoning on the defensive side of the ball is still required, his innate physical gifts should help to mitigate some of his faults. If everything breaks right for the 6-foot-3 DB, he could settle in nicely as a second or third cornerback. For now, look for him to get his start on special teams. Porter is listed second on the team's unofficial depth chart behind defensive back Eric Stokes.
From RotoBaller