NFL Player News

Long is slated to sign with the Jaguars on a two-year, $5 million contract, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Long handled a reserve role while suiting up for all 17 regular-season games with the Rams in 2024, securing seven of nine targets for 60 yards. He also played a notable role on special teams. The release of Evan Engram (shoulder) leaves ample opportunities up for grabs in Jacksonville's tight end room, but Brenton Strange seems the current favorite to benefit most. New Jaguars GM James Gladstone boasts familiarity with Long's skill set, having spent nine seasons with the Rams from 2016-24, so he may have personal reasons to be optimistic that the tight end still has untapped potential for development.

Mundt is slated to sign a two-year, $5.5 million contract with the Jaguars, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Mundt spent the last three seasons in Minnesota, most recently tying a career best with 19 receptions, which came on 27 targets, 142 yards and two touchdowns. He'll have an opportunity to earn a larger role with the Jaguars, who cut No. 1 tight end Evan Engram (shoulder) on Thursday.

Engram (shoulder) is visiting the Broncos on Monday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Released by the Jaguars last week, Engram is seeking a new home for what will be his age-31 season. He underwent surgery in December to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder, which may lead to limitations this offseason but shouldn't impact his Week 1 availability. The Broncos have a glaring need at tight end, where a committee approach yielded only 51 cumulative receptions for 483 yards and five TDs last season. Denver's tight ends accounted for 13.1 percent of the team target total -- the second-lowest rate in the league (Giants - 11.6 percent).

Bates and the Commanders agreed on a three-year contract Sunday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Bates will remain in Washington ahead of the 2025 campaign. The tight end caught eight of 13 targets for 84 yards in 2024, his lowest totals in both categories over his four seasons in the NFL. Bates will compete with Ben Sinnott for the No. 2 spot at tight end behind Zach Ertz on the depth chart in 2025.

Hooper and the Patriots agreed on a one-year, $5 million contract with a maximum value of $7 million Sunday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Hooper will stick around New England after catching 45 of 59 targets for 476 yards and three touchdowns over 17 regular-season games in 2024. The tight end will continue to provide quarterback Drake Maye with a reliable option in the passing game while working in tandem with fellow tight end Hunter Henry.

The Commanders agreed to terms with Ertz on a one-year, $6.25 million contract Saturday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Ertz can earn up to $9 million with incentives. Returning to Washington always made the most sense for the 34-year-old tight end after he appeared in all 17 regular-season games for the Commanders last season, reeling in 66 of 91 targets for 654 yards and seven touchdowns as one of Jayden Daniels' safety blankets in the middle of the field and red zone. Ertz's seven scores were his most since back-to-back eight-TD seasons in 2017 and 2018 with the Eagles. He also had a productive postseason, securing 18 passes for 155 yards and one touchdown, including an 11-104-0 effort in the NFC Championship Game loss to Philadelphia. Ertz should once again lead Washington's tight end room in 2025.

The Panthers re-signed Tremble to a two-year contract Saturday, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Tremble is coming off a solid 2024 campaign in which he logged 23 catches (on 32 targets) for 234 yards and two touchdowns across 12 regular-season games. The 2021 third-round pick has registered at least 20 catches in three of the first four seasons of his NFL career. Tremble and Ja'Tavion Sanders will likely serve as the Panthers' top two tight ends for the 2025 season.

Manhertz (finger) and the Giants agreed to a one-year contract Saturday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Manhertz played in all 17 regular-season games in 2024 and finished with three catches (on four targets) for 30 yards and one touchdown. He suffered ligament ruptures to his finger in Week 18 against the Eagles, but he is expected to be available for offseason programs after undergoing surgery to repair the issue.

The Bengals signed Gesicki to a three-year, $25.5 million extension Saturday, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports.

Gesicki joined the Bengals on a one-year, $2.5 million contract in March of 2024 after spending the 2023 season with the Patriots and the first five years of his NFL career with the Dolphins. After logging 61 catches in the two seasons prior to 2024, Gesicki had a nice bounce-back campaign in Cincinnati, where he registered 65 catches (on 83 targets) for 665 yards and two touchdowns across 17 regular-season games. Gesicki had six games in which he tallied at least 50 receiving yards, and the 2018 second-round pick out of Penn State will continue to serve as Joe Burrow's security blanket in the passing game.

Seattle tendered Russell on Friday, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Russell was a regular fixture on Seattle's special-teams units in 2024, leading the team in special-teams tackles (10) despite missing the last four games of the season due to a nagging foot injury. He figures to play a similar role in 2025.