Author: nfltalk

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Here are the top moves from the NFL’s 2025 offseason — spanning high-profile trades, crucial free-agent signings, coaching hirings and draft picks — as discussed on the “Football 301” podcast by Yahoo Sports’ Nate Tice, Matt Harmon and Charles McDonald:

Cowboys trade for WR George Pickens

Why it matters: Dallas needed a vertical X receiver to pair with CeeDee Lamb. Pickens is highly talented but brings risk due to maturity and engagement concerns. The Cowboys see this as a worthwhile gamble at a reasonable cost.

WR Davante Adams signs with Rams

Why it matters: This gives the Rams a true X receiver for the first time since Odell Beckham Jr., providing Matthew Stafford with another elite target and forming one of the NFL’s best receiving duos alongside Puka Nacua. Adams still shows elite skills against man coverage, and is expected to elevate the Rams’ passing game.

OG Joe Thuney to the Bears (and general o-line overhaul)

Why it matters: Thuney adds not just talent, but leadership and versatility (he can also play center if needed). Chicago also signed Drew Dalman and drafted Ozzy Trapilo, signaling a true commitment to protecting Caleb Williams and shifting from patchwork solutions to real upgrades. The Bears appear to be bolstering an o-line that has been a weak point since Olin Kreutz retired.

Liam Coen to the Jaguars as head coach

Why it matters: Coen is expected to bring a more diverse and aggressive run game, better schemes for their new weapons like Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter, and overall creative play design to boost Trevor Lawrence’s development.

Jacksonville’s Liam Coen is one of seven head coaches in their first year with a new team. (Photo by Logan Bowles/Getty Images)

(Logan Bowles via Getty Images)

Ravens draft safety Malaki Starks

Why it matters: Starks — paired…

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After 11 NFL seasons, New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr announced his retirement. Carr has been dealing with a shoulder injury throughout this offseason, and rather than getting surgery and missing the entire 2025 season, Carr chose to call it a career.

While rumors were already swirling regarding Carr’s 2025 status ahead of the NFL Draft, we now know for certain that he will not be in the picture. And that means it’s time to start considering what the Saints’ other options will be under center. 

There are several different directions in which the team can go, and we want to take a minute to examine each of them here. 

This is the option that makes the most sense. The Saints just selected Shough with a second-round pick — No. 40 overall. He was the second draft pick of the Kellen Moore era, and New Orleans clearly felt good enough about him to invest significant resources in acquiring him. Shough was also touted as being an NFL-ready prospect due to his age (he turns 26 years old in September) and extensive college experience (he appeared in 42 total games and made 32 starts across seven seasons at Oregon, Texas Tech and Louisville). The Saints would also benefit from getting a long look at Shough before deciding whether they need to invest in a first-round quarterback next offseason, with a draft class that is considered much more top-heavy than this year’s. If he plays well, great; they have their long-term answer. If he doesn’t, they’ll likely be in good position to draft someone in 2026. 

Neither of these options makes much sense. Both Rattler and Haener were drafted by a previous regime in New Orleans, and they were both Day 3 picks. The Saints do not have much invested in either of them. We’ve also seen them make starts, and the results were not good. If they’re going to start a player currently on the roster, it should without question be Shough.

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The Titans have another member of their draft class under contract.

Fourth-round pick Gunnar Helm is the latest to sign his four-year rookie deal. The tight end is the sixth of the team’s nine draft picks to finalize his contract. First-round quarterback Cam Ward, second-round linebacker Oluwafemi Oladejo, and fourth-round wide receiver Chimere Dike remain unsigned.

Helm caught 19 passes at Texas over the 2022 and 2023 seasons, but broke out with 60 receptions for 786 receiving yards and seven touchdowns during the 2024 campaign.

Chig Okonkwo, Josh Whyle, David Martin-Robinson, and Thomas Odukoya are the other tight ends on the 90-man roster in Tennessee.

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A former Pro Bowl linebacker will be taking part in the Las Vegas Raiders’ minicamp. Jaylon Smith, a former Dallas Cowboys second-round pick who hasn’t played in a regular season game since 2023, is participating in the Raiders’ minicamp on a tryout basis. 

Smith, 29, was drafted by the Cowboys back in 2016 with the understanding he would miss the entire season after he tore both his ACL and MCL during his final college game. 

In 2017, Smith made up for lost time by recording 81 tackles, two forced fumbles and a sack while being a part-time starter on Dallas’ defense. He became a full-time starter in 2018 and played an integral role in the Cowboys’ NFC East division title and divisional round playoff appearance. 

Smith then enjoyed two more highly productive seasons with the Cowboys that included his first Pro Bowl selection in 2019. That season, he filled the stat sheet with 142 tackles, 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception. 

In 2020, Smith recorded a career-high 154 tackles during what was his final full season with the Cowboys, who released him a month into the 2021 season after he declined to waive his 2022 injury guarantee contract clause. Smith then spent less than a month with the Packers before signing with the Giants. He remained in New York through the 2022 season, tallying 88 tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery during his only full season with the team. 

In 2023, Smith spent time with three different teams and appeared in one regular season game with the Raiders, who are now giving him another chance to jumpstart his career. 

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