Month: February 2025

The Washington Commanders have granted two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jonathan Allen permission to seek a trade in the offseason, following eight seasons with the team

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday morning that the two sides already started having trade conversations: “The #Commanders have had trade conversations centered around Pro Bowl DL Jonathan Allen, sources say. Washington plans to do right by the player & Allen’s camp is involved in helping him land at the right spot — either via trade or free agency. He has one year left at $15M.”

The two-time Pro Bowler has spent his entire eight-year career with the Commanders; he has one year left on his four-year deal where he is set to earn $15.5 million in base salary this upcoming season, however, this money is not guaranteed.

Allen, the team’s first-round pick in 2017, signed a four-year contract extension worth $72 million in 2021, which he followed up with two consecutive Pro Bowl seasons for Washington. The defensive tackle only played in eight games in 2024 as he tore his pectoral in October and missed half of the season. He was able to return to action for the last two regular season games (totaling 19 tackles and three sacks in 2024) and he competed in all three of the Commanders’ postseason games (the Commanders lost in the NFC championship game to Super Bowl LIX champion Philadelphia Eagles).

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The Buffalo Bills announced Tuesday that wide receiver Khalil Shakir has agreed to a four-year contract extension. His new deal will keep him under contract with the Bills through the 2029 season.

According to NFL Network‘s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero: “The #Bills and WR Khalil Shakir agreed to terms on a 4-year contract extension worth up to $60.2M, including $32M guaranteed at signing, per me and @TomPelissero. Deal negotiated by @EquitySports Co-Directors of Football Sam Mirza and Derek Hawkridge along with CEO Chris Cabott.”

Shakir, 25, was a fifth-round pick by the Bills in the 2022 NFL Draft. He totaled a career-high 76 catches for 821 yards and four scores over 15 appearances last season. Shakir totaled 125 catches for 1,593 yards and seven scores through 46 games over his first three seasons.

Shakir led the Bills with career highs of 76 catches and 821 receiving yards on 100 targets. He tied for second on the team with four receiving touchdowns, and his 597 yards after the catch ranked third in the NFL behind only Cincinnati Bengals star Ja’Marr Chase and Miami Dolphins speedster De’Von Achane.

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The Carolina Panthers announced on Monday that longtime Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson will not be re-signed, and will become a free agent for the first time in his career. Thompson is expected to pursue other options in free agency.

Panthers General Manager Dan Morgan said in a statement: “We appreciate Shaq’s leadership and dedication over the past 10 seasons. Always a source of passion and enthusiasm, he was committed to this organization on and off the field, poured into his teammates, and strived to bring out the best in them. We wish Shaq the best as he moves forward with his career.”

Thompson, 30, was Carolina’s No. 25 overall pick in the 2015 draft and has been with the Panthers for a decade, being named a team captain five times. He helped the club reach Super Bowl 50 as a rookie and had been a mainstay on the team’s defense, ranking fourth in team history with 752 tackles (behind only Thomas Davis, Luke Kuechly and Mike Minter). Over 10 seasons, Thompson appeared in 123 games with 112 starts for Carolina, recording 12.0 sacks, 54 tackles for loss, 32 quarterback hits, and three interceptions.

However, the veteran linebacker has been limited to just six games over the last two seasons due to injuries — he broke his ankle in Week 2 of 2023 and was sidelined for the remainder of that season; and later tore his Achilles tendon the following year (2024) in Week 4 , again ending his season prematurely.

NFL teams must designate franchise or transition players by March 4. The free agent negotiation period starts March 10, with players able to start signing on March 12.

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Denver Broncos linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite was arrested and booked on suspicion of second degree assault of a police officer Sunday, according to jail records obtained by 9News.

According to ESPN, Wilhoite, 38, was booked in the Denver jail Sunday on a no-bond hold. He has a court appearance Monday on a charge of second-degree assault of a peace officer. A Broncos spokesperson said in a statement: “we are aware of a situation involving Michael Wilhoite that occurred Sunday and are in the process of gathering more information.”

Wilhoite is a former linebacker who spent six seasons with the San Francisco 49ers (2011-16) and one season with the Seattle Seahawks (2017) before he transitioned to the coaching world in 2019 for the New Orleans Saints as a special teams assistant. He went on to work as a linebackers coach for the Los Angeles Chargers from 2021-22 before he was hired in 2023 to lead Denver’s OLB group.

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