NFL Player News

Loveland (shoulder) said last week that his rehab is going well but he'll still need to test things during training camp, MLive.com's Aaron McMann reports.

The 10th overall pick in the 2025 Draft didn't participate in offseason practices after undergoing shoulder surgery in January. He said in June that he expected to be ready for the start of training camp, but Bears coach Ben Johnson sounded less confident about the matter. Chicago's rookies report Saturday, with veterans then joining Tuesday, so Loveland's progress some become clear at some point next week, although contact work and full-team drills may not start in earnest until the end of the month. Once healthy, Loveland will compete with returning starter Cole Kmet for playing time and targets.

As training camp approaches, Andrews is slated to reprise his key role in a tight-end corps that also includes Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

Jamison Hensley of ESPN noted ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft that there was some speculation the Ravens might consider dealing Andrews, who is entering the final year of a four-year, $56 million contract. However, the team will return its top three tight ends after all, led by Andrews -- who logged a 55/673/11 receiving line (on 69 targets) in 17 regular-season games in 2024 -- and Likely, who recorded a 42/477/6 mark in 16 contests. Considering the continued presence of Likely and the addition of veteran wideout DeAndre Hopkins, Andrews isn't likely to reach the level of volume (113 targets) he enjoyed as recently as 2022, but the 29-year-old maintains fantasy utility nonetheless, even if he's no longer viewed as a top-tier option at his position.

Whyle is facing increased pressure to keep his roster spot heading into his third NFL season, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Chig Okonkwo is locked in as the Titans' top tight end, but the depth chart is uncertain thereafter. The team selected Gunnar Helm in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, who earned strong reviews during offseason workouts and is almost certainly locked into a roster spot. That sets Whyle up to battle David Martin-Robinson for third on the depth chart. Whyle took a step forward in 2024, but he's still managed only 37 receptions for 344 yards and two touchdowns across his first two seasons as a pro combined.

Johnson said he wants to play in all 17 of the Giants' regular-season games during the upcoming season, Bobby Kownack of NFL.com reports. "I've been taking my recovery and my health, what I'm putting in my body and everything, more serious than I ever have. I think that's the biggest goal for me is prioritizing my health and wellness and making sure that I'm available and consistent throughout 17 games," the tight end stated.

Johnson missed New York's final five contests last year due to a foot injury, but he is back to full health and has participated in the team's OTAs this offseason. Though he got off to somewhat of a rocky start as a rookie, Johnson had been coming on strong prior to getting hurt, averaging 3.6 catches for 43.2 yards over his final five contests. He'll look to build upon that production as the Giants' top tight end in 2025, and there is potential for more opportunities now that Johnson is working with a revamped QB room that features Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston and promising rookie Jaxson Dart.

Waller is coming out of retirement and was acquired by the Dolphins in a trade with the Giants on Tuesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

The two teams are swapping late-round picks, with the Giants acquiring a conditional sixth-rounder in 2026 and Miami also getting a 2027 seventh-rounder. Waller will sign an adjusted, incentive-laden deal to facilitate the trade to Miami, according to Pelissero. Waller turns 33 years old in September and retired ahead of training camp last summer. However, he recently informed the Giants of his desire to return to football, but only if it could be in Miami. With Jonnu Smith traded by the Dolphins to the Steelers on Monday, Miami had a massive hole at tight end. Waller is getting up there in age and hasn't been particularly effective or healthy since 2020 with the Raiders. It's still a worthwhile flier for a Dolphins offense that was lacking established pass catchers behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

Freiermuth will play alongside fellow tight end Jonnu Smith after the Steelers traded for Smith on Monday, Steelers Now reports.

Coming off an 88-catch breakout campaign while playing in all 17 regular-season games, Smith represents a threat to Freiermuth's playing time in 11 personnel even if they can work together symbiotically in multi-TE formations. Freiermuth is entering the first season of a four-year, $48.4 million contract extension, while Smith just signed a one-year, $12 million extension through 2026. Both tight ends will find it difficult to approach their 2024 volume, competing against each other (and WR DK Metcalf) for targets from a 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers in Arthur Smith's run-first offense.

The Dolphins are trading Smith, cornerback Jalen Ramsey and a 2027 seventh-round pick to the Steelers in exchange for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and a 2027 fifth-round pick, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Smith was said to be unhappy with his contract in Miami following last year's career highs for catches, yards and touchdowns. A move to Pittsburgh reunites him with Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, who was the head coach in Atlanta when Jonnu Smith played there. It isn't an especially promising move for Smith's fantasy value, as the Steelers likely will run the ball a lot and already have Pat Freiermuth at tight end.

The Chiefs waived Foelsch on Friday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Foelsch signed with the Chiefs on June 11, but his tenure with the club didn't last long. Kansas City signed fellow tight end Geor'quarius Spivey on Thursday, which precipitated Foelsch's removal from the roster. Foelsch has spent time with the Panthers, Jets and Eagles but has yet to see action in a regular-season NFL game.

Okonkwo caught the most passes of any player during Tennessee's five open practices of OTAs and mandatory minicamp, and he already appears to have developed a rapport with rookie quarterback Cam Ward, Jim Wyatt of the team's official site reports.

Okonkwo's three seasons in the league thus far have been similar, as he's now started slow, finished strong, played all 17 regular-season games and floated around the 500-yard range each year since joining the Titans in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Tennessee added TE Gunnar Helm in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, but even with more competition for snaps there's reason for optimism that improved quarterback play from Ward, the No. 1 overall pick, will pave the way for Okonkwo's production to finally take a step forward. The 6-foot-3, 238-pound tight end lacks prototypical size but boasts rare speed and YAC ability for his position. Tennessee doesn't have an entrenched No. 2 option in the passing game behind top wideout Calvin Ridley, as Tyler Lockett, Treylon Burks (ACL) and Van Jefferson plus a pair of rookie fourth-rounders in Chimere Dikeand Elic Ayomanor close out the wide receiver room. If he continues building momentum during training camp, it's not inconceivable that Okonkwo could secure that role.

Cleveland waived McKitty on Thursday, Kelsey Russo of the Browns' official site reports.

In a corresponding transaction, Cleveland signed rookie tight end Sal Cannella. McKitty joined Cleveland's practice squad near the end of last season before signing a futures deal to stay with the team back in January, but he'll now have to look for his next opportunity elsewhere.