Biggest NFL Rumors Hanging Over Each Division Ahead of 2025 Training Camp
NFL teams have several weeks before players reconvene for training camp, but the rumor mill never stops churning out storylines.
Some front offices have unfinished business with contracts, trade discussions and visits with free agents to fill roster needs.
While it's business as usual for club executives following voluntary organized team activities and mandatory minicamp, we'll help you catch up on the biggest rumors and buzz within each division ahead of training camp.
Which players are most likely to sign new deals in the coming weeks? Who might be traded? How has a playoff contender dealt with a key injury? What's the early buzz on a notable quarterback battle?
Let's start with the AFC East.
AFC East: Dolphins Eye Free-Agent CBs amid Jalen Ramsey Trade Buzz
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The Miami Dolphins are expected to make a blockbuster trade that involves Jalen Ramsey. The star cornerback made a public post in May that indicates he's ready to start a new chapter elsewhere.
According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the Dolphins are targeting a couple of potential free-agent replacements.
"The Dolphins have maintained contact with Bills free agent cornerback Rasul Douglas, who rejected a Miami offer in May," he wrote. "He remains a possibility.
"They have also inquired about former Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas standout and ex-Chargers free agent cornerback Asante Samuel Jr., a free agent who's recovering from neck surgery. He expects to be able to play this season."
Currently, the Dolphins have an open cornerback competition for the lead roles, though if Samuel or Douglas signs, they will have one sure-fire starter on the boundary.
Miami has $13.7 million in cap space and will have more resources to invest in its cornerback room once it trades Ramsey.
Unless someone stands out at training camp, the Dolphins will likely add a cornerback to shore up the secondary before their season opener.
AFC North: Bengals Have Reopened Communication with Disgruntled Edge Trey Hendrickson
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The Cincinnati Bengals have contract disputes with Trey Hendrickson and rookie first-rounder Shemar Stewart. For now, though, they seem willing to negotiate with the star pass-rusher.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Cincinnati has resumed talks with Hendrickson about a new deal.
The 30-year-old has shared his candid thoughts about the business side of this contract standoff and told reporters: "It's become personal." ESPN's Jeremy Fowler talked to people around the league who believe he could hold out into the regular season if Cincinnati doesn't satisfy his demands.
The Bengals can avert that scenario with a strong offer that would make Hendrickson one of the highest-paid pass-rushers following his standout season.
With fellow pass-rushers Micah Parsons, T.J. Watt, Travon Walker and Aidan Hutchinson eligible for or seeking new contracts, Cincinnati should look to make a deal with Hendrickson sooner rather than later. He could command north of $30 million annually.
AFC South: Colts QB Anthony Richardson Won't Need Surgery, Return Time Uncertain
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When training camps open this summer, the Indianapolis Colts will have one of the few quarterback battles around the league, though one of the competitors may fall behind because of injury.
Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones split first-team reps at OTAs until the former suffered a shoulder injury.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Richardson won't need surgery, and he's expected to be ready for training camp.
Colts head coach Shane Steichen told reporters that the 2023 No. 4 overall pick will not need a procedure, but he shared a more conservative update on his timeline for recovery.
"We'll see when he comes back," he said. "Not going to put a timetable for training camp on it, but when he does come back, we'll ease him into throwing, and we'll go from there. The good thing is, he's not going to need a procedure right now."
Regardless of the Florida product's status, he won't beat Jones for the job with mental reps. In two seasons, Richardson has missed 19 games, mostly because of injuries. In 2023, he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury that sidelined him for most of his rookie campaign.
Aside from poor accuracy (50.6 percent for his career), Richardson's durability issues could be the most significant impediment in a battle to retain the starting job. If he opens training camp on the physically unable to perform list, Jones will be the clear front-runner for the open position.
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AFC West: Chiefs Might Demote Jawaan Taylor in Offensive-Line Overhaul
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The Kansas City Chiefs must protect Patrick Mahomes at all costs, and to do that, they could turn over multiple spots along the offensive line.
In March, Kansas City traded two-time All-Pro Joe Thuney to the Chicago Bears, and Michael Silver of The Athletic believes the club will make more changes:
"There could be three full-fledged position battles on the Kansas City line this summer, with only Humphrey and Pro Bowl guard Trey Smith (who skipped OTAs while seeking a contract extension) considered locks to retain their starting jobs. Two returning Super Bowl starters, left guard Mike Caliendo and right tackle Jawaan Taylor, could be backups when the Chiefs open their season against the Los Angeles Chargers on Friday, Sept. 5 in São Paolo, Brazil."
Taylor is entering the third year of his contract with a $27.4 million cap number this year. He would be an expensive backup right tackle.
Nonetheless, Silver points out that rookie first-rounder Josh Simmons, who's recovering from a torn patellar tendon, could replace Taylor on the right side.
Many expect Simmons to have a shot to start on Mahomes' blind side, so it would be a shocker to see the Chiefs bench Taylor and leave a major question mark at left tackle. Backup Jaylon Moore has limited starting experience, and Kingsley Suamataia struggled at left tackle last season.
According to Pro Football Focus, Taylor allowed seven sacks and committed 17 penalties last season. Perhaps the Chiefs will attempt to move him in a trade as they figure out the best spot for Simmons.
NFC East: Commanders WR Terry McLaurin Seeking $30 Million Annually
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Dallas Cowboys star defender Micah Parsons will get the biggest extension in the NFC East, but Terry McLaurin put pressure on the Washington Commanders when he skipped mandatory minicamp, which made him an official holdout.
During an interview with 106.7 The Fan, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated said contract negotiations with McLaurin's camp will realistically start with $30 million per year.
McLaurin is the Commanders' best offensive skill player and one of the league's most consistent receivers. He's eclipsed 1,001 receiving yards in five consecutive seasons despite Washington's instability at quarterback before the franchise drafted Jayden Daniels with the No. 2 pick last year.
According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Commanders want McLaurin around for the long term. Most people around the league expect the two sides to work out a new deal.
If Breer is correct on the negotiated estimate, the two-time Pro Bowler will be one of the league's top eight highest-paid receivers.
NFC North: Rookie Colston Loveland Will Be Primary Tight End in Bears Passing Game
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When a team uses a top-10 pick on a tight end, it should be a no-brainer that he takes on a prominent role, but Colston Loveland's rookie outlook seems a bit blurry with sixth-year veteran Cole Kmet on the roster.
Kmet is a proven playmaker in the passing game, registering at least 50 catches in three of his five seasons.
Nonetheless, Marquee Sports Network's Scott Bair believes this year's No. 10 overall pick will play a significant role in the Chicago Bears' aerial attack:
"Loveland said the plan is for him to be ready to start camp, which would be ideal. That affords plenty of time to get ready for the regular season. I do think Cole Kmet will be heavily involved in this offense, but Loveland should be the primary tight end in the passing game and a real weapon over the course of the season."
In January, the Michigan product underwent shoulder surgery, so he has to work his way back into top shape. Fantasy football enthusiasts may be skeptical about taking Loveland in drafts with Kmet in the mix, though Bears fans can look forward to the rookie's potential breakout at some point in the upcoming season.
NFC South: Is Kirk Cousins Stuck In Atlanta as a Backup?
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Aaron Rodgers took the last open seat in the 2025 offseason quarterback carousel when he agreed to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Every team around the league either has a projected starter or early competitors for an open position.
Where does this leave Kirk Cousins, who wants to be a starter?
NFL.com's Jeffri Chadiha believes the 36-year-old has one option right now: Serve as a supportive backup to second-year signal-caller Michael Penix Jr.:
"Unless we're missing something here, this is the only option for Cousins at this stage. There could've been some smoke around Pittsburgh if Rodgers had decided to retire, but that didn't happen. Every other team that needed a veteran quarterback earlier this offseason found one, leaving Cousins with no other choice than to make it work in Atlanta a little while longer.
"There's also the real possibility of Cousins being traded later in the year if another team suffers through injury problems at quarterback."
Based on reports and buzz around the league, Cousins' market has dried up. Then again, with Penix's injury history, it may be best for the Falcons to retain the four-time Pro Bowler for at least another year.
Even if desperate teams inquire about Cousins, he has a no-trade clause. So, he has control of his future. If he isn't fond of his options this year, he may look forward to free agency in 2026.
NFC West: Rams LT Alaric Jackson's 2025 Season Is in Jeopardy
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The Los Angeles Rams have the playmakers to field a dynamic offense, but they could head into the regular season with a question mark at left tackle.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, left tackle Alaric Jackson is dealing with blood clots for the second time in his NFL career, and his status for the 2025 campaign is uncertain.
Rapoport noted the "belief" Jackson will play this year, but the Rams signed D.J. Humphries in case they need someone to fill in on quarterback Matthew Stafford's blind side.
In 2022, Jackson missed nine games because of blood clots. The following year, he earned a starting role and signed a three-year extension this offseason. Only 26, Jackson could be a building block along the offensive line. Humphries is a Band-Aid addition at a premium position.
Stafford could rack up gaudy passing numbers with wide receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, but he may be looking over to his left side to see if a backup tackle holds up in pass protection.
Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.
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