NFL Player News

GM John Lynch said Monday that the 49ers are having "good talks" with Aiyuk, who hasn't been at the team facility for the offseason program, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

Aiyuk is unlikely to show up for voluntary workouts without a new contract in hand, but that doesn't necessarily mean he'll hold out from mandatory minicamp in June if the two sides haven't reached an agreement by then. The 26-year-old's agent denied reports of a trade request last weekend, and it sounds like there's still hope for a long-term contract heading into the fifth and final year of Aiyuk's rookie deal. He's scheduled to make $14.12 million under the fifth-year option, whereas a multi-year deal likely would entail a large signing bonus and an annual average value well north of $20 million. Making it work for the 2024 season isn't an issue, but the Niners may be hesitant to pay Aiyuk at market value long term when they already have six players scheduled for cap hits north of $20 million in 2025, including WR Deebo Samuel and TE George Kittle. Even then, it's a workable situation, as they've got a starting QB on a late-round-rookie contract and don't owe large sums of guaranteed money beyond the current year to anyone besides DE Nick Bosa.

Rice is likely facing a multi-game suspension for his involvement in a car crash in late March, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Rice left the scene of a six-car accident on a Dallas highway and now faces charges for aggravated assault, collision involving serious bodily injury and collision involving injury. While he figures to be suspended at some point, the NFL typically allows legal processes to play out before doling out league punishment, which means it's possible Rice is on the field come Week 1.

Chark visited the Chargers on Thursday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Few teams are more in need of wide receivers, with the Chargers having released Mike Williams and traded Keenan Allen earlier this offseason. Chark has never come close to matching his 1,008-yard, eight-TD performance in 2019 for Jacksonville, but he did top 500 yards both of the past two seasons in Detroit and Carolina, starting 21 of 26 games along the way. Chark will turn 28 in September and doesn't figure to command a large contract.

Broncos GM George Paton suggested Thursday that he isn't worried about Sutton's absence from voluntary offseason workouts, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports. "It's 100 percent voluntary," Paton said. "It's the first week of the offseason program. I've talked to Courtland. He's in a good place, and I'll just leave it at that."

Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported Tuesday that Sutton's absence from voluntary OTAs is related to wanting a new contract. The wideout has two years and approximately $27.6 million remaining on his current deal, with only $2 million of that guaranteed. It's not the type of situation with especially high risk for a holdout, and Sutton looks to be especially important for Denver's offense after the team traded WR Jerry Jeudy to Cleveland in the offseason. It's not yet clear who will start across from Sutton at wide receiver, nor is it clear who will get the nod under center Week 1. The Broncos still have a lot to work out this spring and summer, with the upcoming NFL Draft presumably being a piece of that puzzle.

The NFL reinstated Cephus from suspension Thursday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

The 2020 fifth-round pick was one of five players reinstated Thursday, out of the seven suspended indefinitely last offseason for violations of the league's gambling policy. The Lions released Cephus shortly thereafter but may now have some interest in bringing him back to compete for a depth role. He showed some promise his first two seasons while totaling 553 receiving yards and four TDs in 18 games (five starts), with a foot injury then limiting him to four appearances and 15 yards in 2022. He recently turned 26 years old and should get a tryout somewhere even if Detroit isn't interested in a reunion.

Slayton (thumb) hasn't reported to the Giants' voluntary workouts while he seeks a contract extension, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Slayton, who led the team with 770 receiving yards in 17 games in 2023, has attended the Giants' voluntary offseason program in the past. The 27-year-old wideout is in line to earn $6.2 million in the final year of his contract in 2024, but Slayton is evidently looking to amend those terms. At this stage, Slayton -- who is recovering from an offseason procedure on his right thumb -- is poised to retain a key role in a Giants wideout corps that currently includes Wan'Dale Robinson and Jalin Hyatt.

Taylor signed a one-year contract with the 49ers on Tuesday, Lindsey Pallares of the team's official site reports.

Taylor started his career in San Francisco before a two-year stay with the Bengals, and he spent the 2023 campaign with the Bears. The 29-year-old will have the opportunity to earn a role in the return game with the Niners after the departure of Ray-Ray McCloud in free agency this offseason.

Taylor has talked to the 49ers about a potential return to the team, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Taylor was selected by San Francisco in the fifth round of the 2017 Draft and spent three seasons there before stops in Cincinnati and Chicago. The 49ers do currently have a void in their return game, with Ray-Ray McCloud now in Atlanta, which is likely where the interest in Taylor lies.

Dolphins general manager Chris Grier said Tuesday that there's "nothing imminent" on a deal between Beckham and the team, Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN.com reports.

Beckham was reportedly extended a contract offer by Miami after visiting with the team back in March, but it doesn't appear that a signing is around the corner. The 31-year-old is coming off a forgettable 14-game season with the Ravens in which he put up a 35-565-3 receiving line, but he could find more success as a No. 3 option behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. It could be that Beckham will need to wait until after the dust of the 2024 NFL Draft has settled to find a landing spot.

General manager Chris Grier said Tuesday that he expects the Dolphins to pick up Waddle's fifth-year option, Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports.

The Dolphins have consistently stated a desire to come to terms with Waddle on a long-term contract, and Grier specifically dismissed trade rumors earlier this offseason. The third-year pro has recorded three straight 1,000-yard seasons to begin his career, becoming the first wideout to do so in franchise history, and there's little question of his value as a No. 2 read behind Tyreek Hill. Picking up Waddle's fifth-year option will keep him under contract with the Dolphins for two more seasons.