Issues began to quiet down a bit throughout the fourth day of the 2025 NFL free company season. However whereas Thursday did not generate the identical buzz because the earlier three days did, there was nonetheless loads of notable signings that may undoubtedly influence what occurs this season.
The Washington Commanders re-signed two of their veteran receivers a day after the Commanders re-signed veteran backup Marcus Mariota. The defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles signed a veteran rusher. The Las Vegas Raiders acquired former Professional Bowl working again Raheem Mostert, whereas the New England Patriots needed to say goodbye to a franchise icon. These have been only a few of the transactions that occurred on Thursday.
After all, we will not speak free company with out discussing Aaron Rodgers, who has but to decide on who he performs for this season. Whereas they (together with the New York Giants) proceed to attend for a solution, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed one other quarterback who may function a bridge possibility within the occasion that Rodgers would not come to Pittsburgh.
Here is a rundown of the Thursday’s winners and losers, beginning with one of many groups that’s nonetheless making an attempt to resolve its quarterback state of affairs.
Winners: Steelers and Mason Rudolph
It will be one of the crucial ironic conditions in current NFL historical past if Rudolph is now referred to as to steer the Steelers offense after Pittsburgh initially drafted him to presumably be Ben Roethlisberger’s successor again in 2018. The Steelers reportedly got here to phrases with Rudolph (who spent the 2024 season with the Titans) on a two-year, $8 million deal on Thursday.
The signing of Rudolph accomplishes two issues for the Steelers. It provides them a backup plan if the Rodgers’ deal falls by means of. The Steelers may then begin Rudolph in 2025 whereas drafting a quarterback subsequent month. If Rodgers does come to Pittsburgh, Rudolph can reprise his earlier function as a dependable backup who has an 8-4-1 file because the Steelers’ beginning quarterback.
Losers: Patriots and David Andrews
To be clear, the Patriots and Andrews are solely “losers” from the sense that their extremely profitable partnership is coming to an finish, an unlucky circumstance for each events.
Andrews, a 10-year veteran, eight-time captain and a starter on the Patriots’ two most up-to-date Super Bowl championship groups, was released on Thursday as he continues to recuperate from shoulder surgical procedure that restricted him to 4 video games in 2024. Andrews might resolve to proceed taking part in, but when he does elect to retire, the Patriots are anticipated to honor his profession and his quite a few contributions to the franchise over the previous decade.
Winners: Commanders
A day after bringing again Mariota, Washington re-signed offensive guard Trent Scott (who began in January’s NFC title recreation at proper guard), Noah Brown (the recipient of Jayden Daniels‘ game-winning Hail Mary final yr towards the Bears) and fellow receiver KJ Osborn, who caught 15 touchdowns throughout a three-year span throughout his time with the Minnesota Vikings.
These signings function proof that the Commanders are prioritizing Daniels’ consolation stage by retaining receivers he is conversant in whereas additionally bringing again a quarterback who has served as a constructive mentor for the younger quarterback. On prime of that, Mariota is a top quality backup who threw 4 touchdowns (and no interceptions) whereas finishing 77.3% of his 44 move makes an attempt throughout his first season in Washington.
Losers: Texans O-line
Whereas change generally is a good factor, it is not if it is finished solely only for the sake of doing one thing totally different. That seems to be the case with the Texans and the way they’re rebuilding an offensive line that wasn’t superb final yr and could possibly be even worse in 2025 given their current strikes.
After parting with Kenyon Green, the Texans acquired two guards who additionally wrestle to move shield in one-on-one conditions after signing Laken Tomlinson and buying and selling for former Vikings second-round decide Ed Ingram. Ingram and Tomlinson, respectively, owned the first- and third-worst success charges in these conditions in 2024 (via Yahoo Sports).
Tomlinson is 33, so the chances of him getting considerably higher subsequent yr will not be nice. And whereas Ingram is simply 26, Houston should not essentially financial institution on him making large strides, particularly not at C.J. Stroud’s expense.
Winner: Bears and Olamide Zaccheaus
Chicago’s robust offseason continued on Thursday with the reported signing of Zaccheaus, who will now catch passes from final yr’s No. 1 total decide (Caleb Williams) after having a profession yr in 2024 with the No. 2 total decide (Daniels) throwing him the ball. Zaccheaus, 27, caught a career-high 45 passes final yr whereas serving to the Commanders attain the NFC title recreation. He turned expendable after Washington’s signings of Brown and Osborn.
Losers: Eagles
It is arduous to name the defending champs “losers,” however the Eagles nonetheless made a questionable signing on Thursday. After dropping Josh Sweat to Arizona and with Brandon Graham’s future unsure, the Eagles signed veteran Josh Uche in an effort to bolster their move rush.
A five-year veteran, Uche has had only one productive season, when he tallied 11.5 sacks again in 2022 as a member of the Patriots. He had simply two sacks final yr and did not file any throughout his six video games in Kansas Metropolis after he was traded from New England.
Making this signing extra complicated was the truth that there are higher move rushers nonetheless on the market, together with Dante Fowler, who recorded 10.5 sacks final yr in Washington.
Winner: Gardner Minshew
It is arduous to search out jobs proper now in the event you’re a veteran quarterback, which is likely one of the the reason why Minshew was tabbed as a “winner.” Not solely is Minshew employed once more, he will Kansas Metropolis and can get the prospect to work with Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid. Not a foul spot to be in.
Minshew has additionally had playmaking skills, however in Kansas Metropolis, Reid will possible attempt to work with him on chopping again on turning the ball over, which has been his Achilles’ heel.
Losers: Russell Wilson
It was an extended shot that Wilson’s go to with the Browns on Thursday was going to finish with a brand new contract, however the truth that that is how issues went down absolutely did not really feel good for a 10-time Professional Bowl quarterback who remains to be searching for a job. Wilson will now meet with the Giants on Friday after New York reportedly met with Joe Flacco, one other former Super Bowl champion quarterback searching for work.
