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NFLPA won't discuss 18-game season until 'at least early 2026'

Tue Jul 1 10:54pm ET
Field Level Media

The NFL and commissioner Roger Goodell have made many overtures about the league having an expanded 18-game regular-season schedule in its future, but according to sources, the NFL Players Association has not been willing to discuss it just yet.

According to a Washington Post report Tuesday, the NFLPA is not expected to formally negotiate with the NFL and team owners on a potential 18-game schedule and other issues regarding the labor agreement until "at least early next year."

Per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, the "reason for the delay isn't clear."

Goodell and the team owners have been pushing for the expanded schedule to improve the league's position from a media rights perspective, particularly in preparation for a new media package being on the line. Goodell has also made it known the league would like to expand the number of international games to at least 16.

From an NFLPA perspective, the added game and additional travel bring obvious player safety concerns up for discussion.

Still, it's believed the expanded schedule is an inevitability. It's just a matter of when the NFLPA will be willing to discuss and negotiate. The current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) expires after the 2030 season.

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Player Notes
Maxwell Hairston Jul 2 2:20pm CT
Maxwell Hairston

Buffalo Bills rookie cornerback Maxwell Hairston has been named in a civil lawsuit related to an alleged incident that happened in 2021, according to WKBW.com. Bryant Law Center and Meyers & Flowers filed the Lawsuit on Tuesday, and a woman is accusing Hairston of sexual assault while he was a student at the University of Kentucky. Hairston was selected by the Bills in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft (No. 30 overall) after a stellar career for the Wildcats. In 32 games, he compiled 87 tackles, six interceptions, and 10 pass deflections. This is a situation worth monitoring as he heads into his first NFL training camp.

From RotoBaller

Tai Felton Jul 2 2:10pm CT
Tai Felton

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Tai Felton was a third-round selection by the organization in the 2025 NFL Draft. Needless to say, he joined a crowded pass-catching group consisting of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson. The Maryland product would have trouble earning targets even as the WR3, but Jalen Nailor remains the favorite to win that job. "It might take some time. Felton may play offensive snaps if Addison is suspended, but expect his rookie campaign to be spent mostly on special teams," Alec Lewis of The Athletic wrote. "Felton must limit his drop rate and improve as a route runner." The 22-year-old is fresh off a 96-catch, 1,224-yard, nine-touchdown campaign in 2024, but it sounds like he'll have a limited role on offense to begin his career. He can continue to be stashed in dynasty leagues, but barring injury, he likely won't be worth rostering in redraft setups.

From RotoBaller

LeQuint Allen Jul 2 1:50pm CT
LeQuint Allen

Jacksonville Jaguars running back LeQuint Allen landed in a crowded backfield after being selected by the team in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft out of Syracuse. The Jags also selected Virginia Tech running back Bhayshul Tuten and already have Travis Etienne Jr. and Tank Bigsby on the roster. Conventional wisdom would suggest Allen will face an uphill battle to make the roster, but team reporter John Shipley said he could have an early role in the offense. "Both Tuten and Allen make sense as potential fill ins on third downs thanks both to their abilities as pass-catchers out of the backfield and the success each had pass-blocking in college," Shipley wrote. "Allen might be the most versatile receiver of the duo, which could lead to a key role early on." Most teams do not carry four running backs on gameday, so if Allen does make the roster, it could point toward the organization shipping one of the veteran ball carriers. It's still early in the offseason, and training camp will give fantasy managers a better idea of how rosters will shake up, but the buzz around Allen puts him higher on the fantasy football radar. Allen caught 119 passes in three collegiate seasons, including 64 in 2024.

From RotoBaller

Justin Walley Jul 2 12:00pm CT
Justin Walley

Indianapolis Colts rookie third-round cornerback Justin Walley has been turning heads throughout the offseason program with his aggressiveness and impressive instincts, giving him a chance to have a significant role on defense in his first year in the NFL, according to ESPN's Stephen Holder. Walley has shown potential in dime packages during offseason workouts, and the Colts are expected to play a greater variety of coverages in 2025. Head coach Shane Steichen said the 22-year-old defensive back is "really sticky in coverage." "Has been making a ton of plays through OTAs. So, very pleased with where he is at." It was an interesting fit when Indy took Walley in the third round, as they already have Charvarius Ward and Jaylon Jones as starters on the outside, with Kenny Moore playing the slot. If Walley continues his rise, the Colts secondary could be nasty in 2025.

From RotoBaller

Jamari Thrash Jul 2 11:40am CT
Jamari Thrash

ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi writes that Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jamari Thrash, who caught only three passes as a rookie in 2024 after being taken in the fifth round, took advantage of opportunities in an unproven receiver room during offseason workouts and established himself as a reliable option in the passing game. "He's had a really strong spring," head coach Kevin Stefanski said. "He is here all the time working on his body. Very intelligent player, can line up in multiple positions which I think is valuable. And then he showed up, he's caught the ball well and you know the quarterbacks like how he gets open. He finds a way to get open versus zone, versus man." Since the 24-year-old isn't really an option on special teams, he's going to need to continue standing out in training camp and the preseason to win a spot on the 53-man roster heading into the regular season.

From RotoBaller

Joe Andreessen Jul 2 11:30am CT
Joe Andreessen

Buffalo Bills linebacker Joe Andreessen has put himself in a good position to compete for the backup middle linebacker job in training camp this summer, according to ESPN's Alaina Getzenberg. Andreessen was mostly a special-teams player as a rookie in 2024 after being signed following a minicamp tryout. The 25-year-old saw increased time during minicamp due to Baylon Spector's injury and made multiple plys, including picking off quarterback Josh Allen. Andreessen saw action in 13 regular-season games (one start) for Buffalo in his rookie season and recorded 26 tackles (12 solo) with one tackle for loss and a QB hit. He saw extended run in Week 17 in a 40-14 win over the New York Jets and led the team with eight tackles.

From RotoBaller

Chop Robinson Jul 2 11:30am CT
Chop Robinson

Miami Dolphins linebacker Grayson Murphy could provide situational or rotational pass-rush depth if he continues his production from offseason workouts into training camp this summer, writes ESPN's Marcel Louis-Jacques. Murphy made splash plays during spring practices on a team that features pass-rushers Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips and Chop Robinson. It's been difficult for Chubb, Phillips and Robinson to stay healthy, and Murphy also landed on Injured Reserve with a knee injury in August after signing as an undrafted free agent last year. The 24-year-old is healthy now, though, and appears primed to serve in a backup role at outside linebacker for Miami's defense in 2025.

From RotoBaller

Bhayshul Tuten Jul 2 11:20am CT
Bhayshul Tuten

Jacksonville Jaguars rookie running back Bhayshul Tuten was one of the fastest players in the 2025 NFL draft and ran a 4.32-second 40-yard dash at the scouting combine, which was the fastest among RBs. Tuten has often been compared to Miami's De'Von Achane for his home run ability. However, he's on the small side at 5-foot-9 and 209 pounds, and head coach Liam Coen said that Tuten needs to improve in pass protection as he heads into his first year in the NFL. Barring a significant change in training camp and the preseason, Travis Etienne Jr. is expected to remain the team's starting back. The 23-year-old had 1,159 yards and 15 touchdowns in 183 rushing yards last year at Virginia Tech. He's raw and needs to improve his ball security and pass protection, but his elite speed could get him on the field sooner than later in Jacksonville.

From RotoBaller

Darren Waller Jul 2 1:03am CT
Darren Waller

Updating an earlier report, the Miami Dolphins acquired TE Darren Waller and a conditional 2027 seventh-round pick from the New York Giants in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick. Waller will come out of retirement to join the Dolphins.

Fantasy Spin: Waller had a pair of big seasons with the Raiders (90-1,145-3 in 2019, and 107-1,196-9 in 2020), but he battled injuries on either side of those standout campaigns, which included appearing in 32 of a possible 51 games in 2021-23 leading up to his retirement. Now 32 and a year removed from the NFL grind, Waller is a true wild card. His best years came under current Dolphins OC Frank Smith, who was TEs coach with the Raiders when Waller was there, and Miami had a void to fill after moving on from Jonnu Smith (88-884-8 last year). That's the good news. The bad news is he's on the wrong side of 30 and has averaged a 45-535-2 line over his last three seasons. If your league is deep enough to carry two TEs, Waller would be a high-upside gamble. In standard leagues, though, you're better off putting him on your watch list than spending a draft pick on him.

From TheHuddle

T.J. Watt Jul 1 9:20pm CT
T.J. Watt

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Gerry Dulac said on the Rich Eisen Show that Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro pass-rusher T.J. Watt is in a stalemate with the team regarding a contract extension because he "wants to be the highest-paid non-quarterback" in the league. Watt will turn 31 years old in October, so the Steelers don't want to do an extension for anything less than five years in order to spread the money out in terms of guarantees and a signing bonus. The Steelers want to bring Watt, one of the most disruptive defenders in the league, but they know it's not a smart business decision after they noticed a decline in his performance last year when he dropped from a league-leading 19 sacks in 2023 to 11.5 last year in 17 regular-season starts. The Steelers usually don't play hard ball with their stars, but this is something that could stretch well into training camp and the preseason.

From RotoBaller

Laviska Shenault Jr. Jul 1 8:50pm CT
Laviska Shenault Jr.

The Athletic's Joe Buscaglia lists Buffalo Bills wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. on the bubble watch heading into training camp. Shenault is likely best suited for the X receiver role behind Keon Coleman, and his run-after-the-catch skills and speed give him a real shot to with the kickoff-return job. The Bills made a low-cost investment in Shenault after liking him in the pre-draft process before his draft year. Despite all those things that Buscaglia mentions, he also writes that the odds are that Shenault doesn't make the team beyond training camp because they'll have answers elsewhere to the value he'd provide. If the 26-year-old doesn't make the 53-man roster, he'll be a prime candidate to be stashed on the practice squad for depth. Shenault caught just five passes for 36 yards as mostly a kickoff returner in 2024 with the Seahawks and Chargers.

From RotoBaller

Josh Palmer Jul 1 8:50pm CT
Josh Palmer

The Athletic's Joe Buscaglia has Buffalo Bills wide receiver Joshua Palmer listed as a sleeper after signing a three-year deal with the team in the offseason. Buscaglia writes that Palmer's potential role and impact in this year's passing offense "are being slept on a bit." He's exactly what the Bills offense lacked last year -- a precise route-runner that specializes in separation who has enough speed to push down the field for deeper targets. The 25-year-old should be a nice fit for the Z receiver role after Buffalo tried to force Amari Cooper and Mack Hollins into the role in 2024. Buscaglia writes that Palmer could win the Hollins award for unexpected player who will play a lot more than most people think. Ultimately, Palmer probably won't see enough volume in this offense to warrant anything more than WR4/5 value in fantasy unless Khalil Shakir or Keon Coleman miss time with injury.

From RotoBaller

Raheem Blackshear Jul 1 8:40pm CT
Raheem Blackshear

Carolina Panthers running back Raheem Blackshear will "almost exclusively be a special teams player" in 2025 if the team elects to keep a fourth RB around beyond training camp, writes The Charlotte Observer's Alex Zietlow. The Panthers only kept three RBs a year ago. Even with rookie Jonathon Brooks (knee) out for most of last season, Blackshear didn't have a single rushing attempt until Week 16. The 27-year-old will primarily be competing with David Moore, Jimmy Horn Jr. and Hunter Renfrow for a spot on the team's 53-man roster as a return option. The former undrafted free agent in 2022 has had 68 touches for 341 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns on offense for the Panthers in the last three years while adding 66 kickoff returns for 1,734 yards and 23 punt returns for 200 yards. He's off the fantasy radar in the vast majority of leagues.

From RotoBaller

Trevor Etienne Jul 1 8:30pm CT
Trevor Etienne

The Charlotte Observer's Alex Zietlow writes that Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle will split carries with rookie Trevor Etienne as the backups to lead back Chuba Hubbard in 2025. Dowdle is coming of a 1,000-yard season with the Dallas Cowboys in his first year as a lead back, but he'll be working behind Hubbard. As the RB2 last year in Carolina, Miles Sanders only had 55 carries, although he was mostly injured and ineffective. Zietlow adds that the Panthers will want to find out what they have in Etienne before Jonathon Brooks (knee) returns in 2026. If anything, the 27-year-old Dowdle will take away valuable pass-catching opportunities from Hubbard on third downs in his first year in Carolina, but it's going to be hard to justify him as an every-week fantasy starter as long as Hubbard stays healthy. Dowdle is ranked as RotoBaller's RB50 going into the 2025 season.

From RotoBaller

Chuba Hubbard Jul 1 8:20pm CT
Chuba Hubbard

The Charlotte Observer's Alex Zietlow writes that Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard "will still get the overwhelming majority of the touches" this year. Hubbard was the team's bell-cow back in 2024 with 712 snaps. He carried the ball 250 times, which ranked 11th in the NFL and second among all RBs who played 15 games or fewer. Zietlow thinks that number will drop a bit this year as the Panthers look to keep Hubbard fresh, with Rico Dowdle and rookie Trevor Etienne splitting change-of-pace carries. The 26-year-old had his first 1,000-yard rushing season with a career-high 10 touchdowns in 15 starts, adding a carer-high 43 catches for 171 yards and a score through the air. There's a good chance 2024 ends up being Hubbard's career year, as Dowdle should be much more effective than Miles Sanders was behind Hubbard last year. Fantasy managers should target Hubbard as an RB2.

From RotoBaller

Deshaun Watson Jul 1 3:33pm CT
Deshaun Watson

Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson (Achilles) could be ready to practice sometime in October, according to a source via Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Fantasy Spin: It remains highly unlikely that Watson will ever take another snap in a Browns' uniform again, but Cabot suggests the team has been "thrilled with his participation and mentorship" this offseason in addition to being an "awesome teammate inside the quarterback room and meeting rooms." Watson's fall from grace was so swift that it seems possible he will return to prominence at some point, but fantasy managers need more than hope and reports of being a great teammate. He is not worth holding in any format.

From TheHuddle

Breece Hall Jul 1 1:00pm CT
Breece Hall

New York Jets running back Breece Hall has had a turbulent start to his NFL career. The first ball carrier selected in the 2022 NFL Draft (No. 36 overall) suffered a torn ACL in Week 7 of his rookie campaign after an excellent start. He averaged 5.8 yards per carry and 11.5 yards per reception on 99 total touches. He has flashed upside in his last two campaigns, but New York's offensive environment with Zach Wilson or Aaron Rodgers was not conducive to high-level production, and he's averaged fewer than 4.6 yards per carry since the start of his sophomore campaign. Heading into Year 4, Hall is determined to put his name back in the "high-end" running back discussion. "Just proving that I'm still the guy and still one of the best in the league," Hall said. "Just trying to go out there every weekend and prove that I deserve to be out there." While quarterback Justin Fields has plenty of question marks as a passer, his rushing skill set could open running lanes for Hall behind a potentially improved Jets offensive line. New York's coaching staff has hinted at a split backfield with second-year pro Braelon Allen, but Hall should continue to be viewed as the starter for Gang Green. That said, Fields likely won't target running backs often in the passing game based on his previous trends.

From RotoBaller

T.J. Watt Jul 1 12:50pm CT
T.J. Watt

Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt has been in the thick of trade rumors this offseason, and the team's activity on the trade market on Monday has only fanned the flames of those rumors. However, NFL.com's Bobby Kownack reports that the Steelers have no intention of trading Watt and remain focused on agreeing to a deal with the former NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Watt is heading into the final season of his four-year, $112 million contract extension that he signed ahead of the 2021 campaign, and the Wisconsin product has tallied at least 11.5 sacks in each of the three full seasons he has played in since. Watt is one of the premier defensive players in the NFL, so it would be a surprise if the Steelers did not eventually come to an agreement with their 2017 first-round selection. In 121 career games, Watt has tallied 462 tackles (331 solo), 108 sacks, 33 forced fumbles, 12 fumble recoveries, seven interceptions, 50 pass deflections, and 75.5 run stuffs.

From RotoBaller

Darren Waller Jul 1 11:20am CT
Darren Waller

The Miami Dolphins are finalizing a trade with the New York Giants on Tuesday for former Pro Bowl tight end Darren Waller, who is coming out of retirement, sources tell NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Waller retired last summer after catching 52 of his 74 targets for 552 yards and just one touchdown in 12 games (11 starts) with the G-Men in 2023. Miami was desperate for an addition at tight end after trading Jonnu Smith and cornerback Jalen Ramsey to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. The Dolphins and Giants are also swapping late-round draft picks in the Waller trade. Waller will turn 33 in September and hasn't played more than 12 games since his Pro Bowl season in 2020, but he should automatically become Miami's top pass-catching tight end. The volume alone should make him at least a TE2 target with upside in fantasy, but don't expect him to replicate Smith's numbers from last year in Miami.

From RotoBaller

Tyler Boyd Jul 1 11:20am CT
Tyler Boyd

Pittsburgh Steelers reporter Mark Kaboly said on 93.7 The Fan that the team has had talks with free-agent wide receiver Tyler Boyd. It comes a day after Boyd said he's "absolutely" be interested in playing for the Steelers. It's unclear if a formal offer was made to Boyd, but the money that he's been offered around the league this offseason hasn't been in the neighborhood of what he's looking for. The Steelers acquired tight end Jonnu Smith in a trade on Monday with the Miami Dolphins, but they could still use additional receiver depth behind DK Metcalf. As things currently stand, Calvin Austin III is set for WR2 duties with Roman Wilson, Robert Woods, Scotty Miller and Ben Skowronek also on the roster. After eight seasons with the Bengals, Boyd caught 39 passes for 390 yards and no touchdowns in 16 games (eight starts) for Tennessee in 2024.

From RotoBaller