Skip to Main Content

NFL Player News

  • Pat Freiermuth TE | PIT

    Steelers' Pat Freiermuth: Joined by Jonnu Smith

    Freiermuth will play alongside fellow tight end Jonnu Smith after the Steelers traded for Smith on Monday, Steelers Now reports.

    Coming off an 88-catch breakout campaign while playing in all 17 regular-season games, Smith represents a threat to Freiermuth's playing time in 11 personnel even if they can work together symbiotically in multi-TE formations. Freiermuth is entering the first season of a four-year, $48.4 million contract extension, while Smith just signed a one-year, $12 million extension through 2026. Both tight ends will find it difficult to approach their 2024 volume, competing against each other (and WR DK Metcalf) for targets from a 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers in Arthur Smith's run-first offense.

  • Jonnu Smith TE | PIT

    Steelers' Jonnu Smith: Traded to Pittsburgh

    The Dolphins are trading Smith, cornerback Jalen Ramsey and a 2027 seventh-round pick to the Steelers in exchange for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and a 2027 fifth-round pick, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

    Smith was said to be unhappy with his contract in Miami following last year's career highs for catches, yards and touchdowns. A move to Pittsburgh reunites him with Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, who was the head coach in Atlanta when Jonnu Smith played there. It isn't an especially promising move for Smith's fantasy value, as the Steelers likely will run the ball a lot and already have Pat Freiermuth at tight end.

  • Kevin Foelsch TE | PIT

    Kevin Foelsch: Let go by KC

    The Chiefs waived Foelsch on Friday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

    Foelsch signed with the Chiefs on June 11, but his tenure with the club didn't last long. Kansas City signed fellow tight end Geor'quarius Spivey on Thursday, which precipitated Foelsch's removal from the roster. Foelsch has spent time with the Panthers, Jets and Eagles but has yet to see action in a regular-season NFL game.

  • Titans' Chig Okonkwo: Displaying chemistry with Ward

    Okonkwo caught the most passes of any player during Tennessee's five open practices of OTAs and mandatory minicamp, and he already appears to have developed a rapport with rookie quarterback Cam Ward, Jim Wyatt of the team's official site reports.

    Okonkwo's three seasons in the league thus far have been similar, as he's now started slow, finished strong, played all 17 regular-season games and floated around the 500-yard range each year since joining the Titans in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Tennessee added TE Gunnar Helm in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, but even with more competition for snaps there's reason for optimism that improved quarterback play from Ward, the No. 1 overall pick, will pave the way for Okonkwo's production to finally take a step forward. The 6-foot-3, 238-pound tight end lacks prototypical size but boasts rare speed and YAC ability for his position. Tennessee doesn't have an entrenched No. 2 option in the passing game behind top wideout Calvin Ridley, as Tyler Lockett, Treylon Burks (ACL) and Van Jefferson plus a pair of rookie fourth-rounders in Chimere Dikeand Elic Ayomanor close out the wide receiver room. If he continues building momentum during training camp, it's not inconceivable that Okonkwo could secure that role.

  • Tre' McKitty TE | HOU

    Tre' McKitty: Gets waived

    Cleveland waived McKitty on Thursday, Kelsey Russo of the Browns' official site reports.

    In a corresponding transaction, Cleveland signed rookie tight end Sal Cannella. McKitty joined Cleveland's practice squad near the end of last season before signing a futures deal to stay with the team back in January, but he'll now have to look for his next opportunity elsewhere.

  • Sal Cannella TE | CLE

    Browns' Sal Cannella: Earns opportunity with Browns

    Cleveland agreed to terms Thursday on a contract with Cannella, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

    Cannella led all UFL tight ends with 470 receiving yards last season, and he now gets another chance to develop with an NFL club. He spent training camp in 2024 with the Buccaneers but didn't make the team's 53-man roster.

  • Jared Wiley TE | KC

    Chiefs' Jared Wiley: Working with knee brace

    Wiley (ACL) is participating in positional drills at mandatory minicamp Tuesday with a brace on his right knee, Sports Radio 810 WHB reports.

    Head coach Andy Reid said in April that Wiley, who tore his ACL last November, is doing well in his recovery. It's encouraging that he's already taking part in individual drills, but the 2024 fourth-round pick may not be fully cleared for training camp or Week 1. Noah Gray remains positioned as the No. 2 tight end behind Travis Kelce for Kansas City, so once fully recovered Wiley will likely find himself competing with Robert Tonyan for the No. 3 spot.

  • Vikings' Gavin Bartholomew: Rehabbing injury in offseason

    Bartholomew was off to the side rehabbing an undisclosed injury during the recent offseason program, Will Ragatz of Sports Illustrated reports.

    It's likely a minor injury, but it's something to watch at the start of training camp. Bartholomew is a 2025 sixth-round draft pick, so his roster spot isn't guaranteed and a slow start to training camp due to injury could hurt his chances.

  • Travis Kelce TE | KC

    Chiefs' Travis Kelce: Likely to be present at minicamp

    Kelce is expected to attend the Chiefs' mandatory minicamp during the coming week, Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com reports.

    Kelce shared in early February that he wasn't sure if he'd be returning for another season, but the star tight end stated later that month that he'd decided to play in 2025. With that in mind, it comes as no surprise that Kelce will be with the Chiefs during the team's mandatory minicamp, which runs Tuesday through Thursday during the coming week. Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com notes that Kelce, who didn't take part in Kansas City's voluntary OTAs last week, has slimmed down during the offseason as he approaches his 13th NFL campaign.

  • Browns' Harold Fannin: May have major role as rookie

    Fannin could be a big part of a Browns offense that is likely to run more two-tight-end sets in 2025, per ESPN.com.

    Cleveland invested significant stock in Fannin, taking him in the third round of April's NFL Draft. The Bowling Green product showed off serious pass-catching skills in college, tallying 117 receptions on 156 targets for 1,555 yards and 10 touchdowns in his final campaign. The reception and yardage totals were the most by a tight end in a single season in FBS history, though at 6-foot-3, 241 pounds, Fannin is a bit undersized for his position in the NFL. That said, Browns tight ends coach Christian Jones praised Fannin for his strong hands and ability to track the ball following a strong practice Thursday, and the incoming rookie could immediately get looks in the Browns' offense alongside veteran TE David Njoku, who is heading into the final season of a four-year contract.

Around the Web Promoted by Taboola