Buying or Selling Latest 2025 NFL Training Camp Rumors and Buzz

Final roster decisions are weeks away from occurring. Even so, indications are present to see exactly where NFL teams stand regarding their rosters and how they want them to take shape.

Some, like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, are deciding how to move forward with a significant business decision, such as handing a new contract extension to their franchise quarterback.

Others, like the Indianapolis Colts, still wonder what they have behind center, with Anthony Richardson starting to show onlookers that he's capable of becoming an quality NFL starter.

Further additions may or may not be made depending on a particular set of circumstances, with the Cleveland Browns looking at their linebacker group and the New England Patriots evaluating their defensive line options.

All of these situations, plus more, are addressed coming out of Friday's training camp sessions.

New England Patriots To Pursue DL Christian Wilkins

AP Photo/Charles Krupa

New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel

Selling

Anytime a quality player hits the market, teams around the league will be interested. When asked about the possibility of the New England Patriots pursuing defensive tackle Christian Watkins, head coach Mike Vrabel told reporters, "I'm sure we'll have a conversation about it."

Vrabel added that he recruited Wilkins out of high school.

At this juncture, the biggest question about Wilkins' status and wherever he may sign centers on his health. The Las Vegas Raiders released the defensive lineman on Thursday and voided the remaining guarantees on his contract based on a disagreement over how he dealt with rehab after foot surgery. Anyone interested in signing Wilkins will likely need clarity on the situation and the defender's current health.

Once that's out of the way, Wilkins is a high-end starter who should be welcomed into most lineups. However, the Patriots are somewhat different based on the investments the team already has along their defensive front.

Earlier this offseason, the organization signed Milton Williams to a four-year, $104 million free-agent contract. A year ago, Christian Barmore inked a four-year, $92 million contract extension. While the Patriots currently have the most available salary-cap space, that number drops dramatically in 2026 based on current projections, which means the team will need to roll over a significant amount.

If Wilkins wants to sign a short-term, lower incentive deal, he'd be better served going to a squad with much higher expectations than the Patriots.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sign Baker Mayfield to Contract Extension Prior to 2025 Season

AP Photo/Chris O'Meara

Selling

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is operating under a three-year contract. He's in the second of year of said deal. Buccaneers brass want to keep the 30-year-old around for much longer.

"I love Baker. I love everything he's done for us," general manager Jason Licht told The Athletic's Jeff Howe. "The goal for us is for Baker to continue to be the player that he is, and at some point, we reach an extension when the time is right and he continues to be our quarterback for a long time. That's the goal."

Licht's comment about "when the time is right" is doing a lot of heavy lifting. He knows that the time isn't right now. There's no reason for the Buccaneers to renegotiate a deal with two years remaining, not when they can get something done next offseason before he officially enters the final year of the contract.

Currently, Mayfield ranks 15th among starting quarterbacks in salary-cap charge and 17th in actual cash spent, per Over The Cap. Both those numbers tick up a year from now where he's top 13 in both. The Buccaneers can rework the deal and massage the numbers a little bit to held toward the 2026 cap.

Mayfield has been fantastic since joining the Buccaneers. He set career-highs in completion percentage, passing yardage and passing touchdowns in each of the last two seasons. Of course, Tampa should do what it came to retain him. The timing is what matters most at this point.

Anthony Richardson Takes Lead in Indianapolis Colts' QB Battle

AP Photo/Michael Conroy

Selling

It's too early to call a training camp quarterback competition. However, it's not too early for the Indianapolis Colts to get excited about what they're seeing with Anthony Richardson during early practice sessions.

"Practice is about to wrap, and we finally had a QB outperform the other," Jake Arthur of Locked on Colts tweeted Friday. "This was Anthony Richardson's best day."

The Athletic's James Boyd added, "[Richardson] took the check-downs and delivered a few zingers for chunk gains. [He] connected a couple times with Tyler Warren, who also had his best day."

Richardson is recent top-four draft pick. He has all of the physical ability in the world to excel in the NFL. Of course, the Colts want him to shine and claim the job. The fact he's now taking some of the check-down options and showing some growth in seeing the entire field could prove to be a massive step in the right direction.

The only reason B/R is selling Richardson's edge over Daniel Jones is based on the 23-year-old's previous inconsistencies. He needs to stack multiple practices where he's clearly better than the competition by efficiently operating the offense during multiple practice sessions. Richardson always displayed highlight-reel capabilities. He has never been a consistent presence behind center. Until that day comes, Jones remains in the mix.

Jordan Hicks' Retirement Will Drastically Affect Cleveland Browns Defense

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The Cleveland Browns haven't been particularly strong at linebacker since Andrew Berry became the team's general manager, because the organization didn't seem to value the position highly.

Though the front office has made multiple investments along its second line of defense. Even so, the position group suffered two significant blows to personnel this offseason, with Jordan Hicks abrupt retirement being the latest.

Cleveland already placed Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah on the reserve/PUP list due a neck injury he suffered last season. He's not going to play this season. Hicks' decision leaves the Browns with depleted linebacker depth. However, the team remains in relatively good position based on one recent investment.

The Browns chose Carson Schwesinger with this year's 33rd overall pick.

"He could be…special right away: That's what I heard about Carson Schwesinger…The Browns believe he can start immediately at middle linebacker." Terry Pluto of Cleveland.com reported (h/t The Dawgs Podcast). "[The Browns] believe he is as advanced at this early stage as Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah during his rookie season."

As Browns Film Breakdown's Jake Burns noted, Schwesinger is already handling early play-calling duties.

Veteran Jerome Baker also signed a one-year deal in free agency and he brings 90 career starters to offset Hicks' departure. With Schwesinger and Baker, along with Mohamoud Diabate, the Browns are set among their top three linebackers.

Any injury and/or a forthcoming Devin Bush suspension, since he faces charges of charges of simple assault and a summary offense of harassment, will affect depth. Cleveland should bring in another linebacker. Until then, the Browns aren't completely depleted and should still be relatively good at the position.

Jalen Ramsey is Key Difference for Pittsburgh Steelers Defensive Resurgence

AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar

Buying

The Pittsburgh Steelers haven't fielded a top-10 defense since the 2020. For decades, the Steelers built their reputation on aggressive, hardnosed defense. Like the rest of the team, that side of the ball hasn't lived up to expectations recent years.

The Steelers plan to be far more unpredictable with their approach in 2025 and Jalen Ramsey is the key.

The NFL world was stunned when it found out the Steelers acquired Ramsey from the Miami Dolphins in what essentially became a player-swap for Minkah Fitzpatrick. It was easy to question the move considering that Ramsey is older and more expensive. However, his versatility as a pure coverage corner and ability to work from the slot can create huge difference.

"One clear trend in my decade-plus of attending Steelers training camp is the increase in versatility and flexibility," Alex Kozora of Steelers Depot wrote.

Pittsburgh's defensive staff already showed multiple blitzes from Ramsey after lining up in the slot. He very may well be a superior option compared to Fitzpatrick when used as a Swiss army knife similar to how he was used with the Los Angeles Rams and even dating back to this days with the Florida State Seminoles.

Granted, a healthy TJ Watt is a critical component to any Steelers defensive success. Beyond that, Payton Wilson is expected to take on a much bigger role this fall. The organization also drafted drafted Derrick Harmon in this year's first round as a perfect fit alongside Cameron Heyward and Keeanu Benton.

A defense-first approach may be exactly what the Steelers need to actually compete at high level again.

Seattle Seahawks Find Fifth and Final Piece to Offensive Line

AP Photo/John Froschauer

Seattle Seahawks offensive lineman Christian Haynes

Buying

The Seattle Seahawks offensive line was a mess during the 2024 campaign. The group has a chance to be significant better this fall.

Right tackle Abe Lucas missed 10 games due to injury. Center Connor Williams retired midseason. The guard situation needed upgrades.

As of now, the Seahawks coaching staff seems content where with the group stands. A healthy Lucas to go along with left tackle Charles Cross and the addition of a first-round selection of projected left guard Grey Zabel will make a massive difference. Olu Oluwatimi played well after replacing Williams in the lineup last year. Right guard was the lone concern area.

Christian Haynes has seemingly taken full advantage of playing in Klint Kubiak's new scheme. Haynes, whom the team drafted last year's third round, is getting all of the first-team reps at right guard and serving as the backup center.

“It's just something that I haven’t really done a lot of," Haynes told The News Tribune's Gregg Bell, "but it’s been really great for me so far."

Anthony Bradford will continue to compete for the starting spot, but Haynes clearly has the inside track early in the process.

Michael Gallup Gives Washington Commanders' Passing Attack An Extra Boost

AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein

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Michael Gallup stock is on the rise again, or so it seems.

Gallup hasn't been the same since he suffered a knee injury during the 2021 campaign. Over the subsequent three seasons, he never managed 40 catches or 450 receiving yards. He even retired last year before signing with the Washington Commanders in March.

Not much was expected of Gallup due to his recent history, but he could be the X-factor in the Commanders' revamped passing attack that now also includes Deebo Samuel.

"Michael Gallup has been impressive," tight end Zach Ertz told reporters. "... We're excited about that room [the WRs]."

Prior to tearing an ACL in his left tackle, Gallup had emerged as a 1,000-yard target. If the Commanders get that caliber of receiver in the lineup, Jayden Daniels and Co. will be even more deadly. However, it's a lot to ask after four years of disappointing or non-existent play.