All articles tagged with #linebacker
The Panthers reportedly agreed to terms with veteran linebacker Bobby Okereke, who previously started 46 games for the Giants after four seasons with the Colts. In the same move, Carolina waived seven players (Kyon Barrs, Elijah Cooks, Miles Davis, Ryan Hayes, Tywone Malone, Caden Prieskorn, Roc Taylor) and released wide receiver Dan Chisena from injured reserve, as they pare the roster to 53.
The Carolina Panthers reportedly signed veteran inside linebacker Bobby Okereke to a one-year contract, adding a steady, production-driven presence to a young defense after preseason competition. Okereke, 30, has started 95 of 110 career games with 805 tackles, 7.5 sacks, seven interceptions, and 11 forced fumbles across his stints with the Colts and Giants, and his addition comes as Carolina trims to a 53-man roster.
After a 24-21 preseason win over the Eagles, coach Mike Vrabel acknowledged New England isn’t a particularly deep team and signaled the club will pursue depth ahead of Aug. 30 cuts, via street free agents, waivers, or trades. Three key need areas are thin offensive-line backups (injuries to Bryant, Brown, Rupcich; Greg Van Roten added), an unsettled off-ball linebacker group behind Spillane and Elliss, and defensive-tackle depth to improve run defense, with Leonard Taylor III showing promise while other reserves need development. The Patriots have one more tune-up against the Browns before final roster decisions.
San Francisco trades Zamir White to acquire veteran linebacker Deion Jones, reconnecting with coaches who know his playmaking and special-teams value; Jones brings pass-rush ability to the 49ers' linebacker corps and could impact roster battles as injuries and competition tighten the depth chart.
Texas dismissed starting linebacker Ty'Anthony Smith just weeks before its Week 2 game with Ohio State, leaving a thinner defense as OL Trevor Goosby deals with a knee injury. Smith had 59 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 2 interceptions last season, and his sparse recent practice makes the move unsurprising; without him, Texas faces a tougher test against an Ohio State offense that has moved the ball against the Longhorns in recent matchups, aided by a defense that ranked 97th in passing yards allowed last season (234.9 ypg).
In the Giants’ first padded practice, first-round pick Arvell Reese stood out with run-stuffing at the line, solid coverage plays, and a sack of Jaxson Dart, prompting Ravens coach John Harbaugh to say he’s “very encouraged” by the rookie’s strong start to training camp.
Kelvin Sheppard praised Derrick Moore’s veteran presence and athleticism, noted Hassanein’s transition to big end benefiting him, applauded Jimmy Rolder’s trajectory post-injury, said Devin White adds veteran depth, suggested Hutchinson could benefit from more rest after heavy snap totals, highlighted Terrion Arnold’s potential at CB1 as still untapped, emphasized Ennis Rakestraw’s significant mental strides, confirmed Christian Izien will practice today, and acknowledged last year’s run defense was average with plans to improve in 2026.
Detroit signs 28-year-old linebacker Devin White to a one-year deal; White started all 17 games for the Raiders in 2025 with 174 tackles and 2.5 sacks, bringing Pro Bowl and playoff experience from his Buccaneers tenure.
Detroit Lions sign Devin White to bolster linebacker depth after rookie Jimmy Rolder’s injury. White, a former top-five pick who started strong with the Buccaneers but has had uneven seasons and modest PFF grades, will compete for a primary reserve role behind starters Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, and Malcolm Rodriguez. His 174 tackles in 2025 show upside, and this is the Lions’ second LB addition in a week after signing Troy Reeder.
Cowboys' 3rd-round pick Jaishawn Barham is already turning heads at training camp, showing a heavy-handed ability to shed blocks and the versatility to rush the edge or play off-ball linebacker. Coach Brian Schottenheimer praised his feel for getting off blocks, while defensive coordinator Christian Parker envisions him in multiple roles, underscoring why Dallas drafted him.
The Miami Dolphins signed linebacker Jordyn Brooks to a three-year, $51.3 million extension with $35 million guaranteed, keeping him under contract through 2029 after he led the NFL with 183 tackles and earned All-Pro/Pro Bowl honors last season; the deal adds to the team's core-extension strategy that has already included De’Von Achane and Aaron Brewer, bringing total guaranteed money to about $104 million for those players.
Green Bay signed linebacker Isaiah McDuffie to a one-year extension through 2027, worth $8.8 million over the next two seasons with up to $1 million in play-time incentives. A sixth-round pick in 2021, McDuffie has appeared in 80 games with 38 starts, and in 2025 he posted 92 tackles, a sack and an interception while contributing on both defense and special teams.
The Green Bay Packers quietly extended veteran linebacker Isaiah McDuffie on a one-year deal that keeps him with the team through the 2027 season, reshaping his compensation with a signing bonus and adjusted salaries to bolster depth on a defense transitioning to a 3-4 under new coordinator Jonathan Gannon. The move preserves McDuffie’s productive, durable role in tackling and special teams, while sidestepping potential trades as Tucker Kraft and Devonte Wyatt were not extended.
The Steelers announced a five-year contract extension for linebacker Nick Herbig, who joined Pittsburgh as a 2023 fourth-round pick and has appeared in 45 games with 11 starts over three seasons, posting 74 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, 16 sacks, and multiple forced fumbles; he made a pivotal strip-sack of Geno Smith in Week 17 against Seattle and was a Wisconsin standout in college.
The Detroit Lions signed linebacker Jack Campbell to a four-year, $81 million extension with $51.5 million guaranteed, keeping him under contract through 2030; the deal averages $20.25 million per year and comes after the team declined the 2027 fifth-year option, with Campbell having earned All-Pro honors in 2025.