Rumor: Creed & Butker getting new deals

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by Dante84

If Karloftis' ascent to superstar happens this year (like I think it will) that 5th year option is so, so huge. Same w/ McDuffie (who is already elite).

Thuney's money/age combo doesn't make sense to Veach after this year, so he's likely gone.

Big questions are obviously going to be Smith & Bolton. If either of Nourzad or Hanson look like a stud in camp & preseason, that would make the Smith decision very easy on paper, despite the nostalgia factor.

Bolton is the tougher one for me. I don't see how we let him walk if he has another healthy/elite year. I do bet he tests the market as DJLN suggests, but I'd really like to find a way to keep him for that second deal. Could he be a tag candidate? I imagine the LB tag is affordable....

Other 2025 notable names:

- Justin Reid
- Charles Omenihu
- Hollywood Brown
- Noah Gray

It isn't. There's no tag category for off-ball 'backers. It's all linebackers, including the OLB edge rushers that get $30 million/season.

The tag is cost prohibitive for Bolton.