Who Should I Start? James Mitchell or Jake Tonges

Tuesday, January 21, 10:17 PM

The Carolina Panthers announced on Tuesday that they signed free-agent tight end James Mitchell and outside linebacker Boogie Basham to Reserve/Futures deals. Mitchell was a former fifth-round selection by the Detroit Lions in 2022 out of Virginia Tech. He was with the Lions on their practice squad in 2024 and will now try to make Carolina's active 53-man roster for the 2025 season. In 30 games over three seasons in the NFL, he has only recorded 13 catches for 141 yards and one touchdown in Detroit. Basham, meanwhile, was a second-round selection by the Buffalo Bills in 2021 out of Wake Forest. He'll reunite with general manager Dan Morgan, who was in Buffalo's front office when he was drafted. In 40 games over his four years in the NFL, Basham has 4.5 sacks. He was traded to the New York Giants in 2023.

Friday, April 18, 12:00 AM

The San Francisco 49ers announced on Thursday that tight end Jake Tonges and offensive lineman Austen Pleasants signed their one-year, exclusive-rights tenders. Both players will return to the Bay Area for the 2025 season. Tonges, 25, began his career with the Chicago Bears in 2022 and appeared in 16 games with the Niners in 2024 but was not used at all on offense on just 34 snaps. He'll make $1.03 million this year after re-signing. Instead, he played 232 snaps on special teams and had two solo tackles. The former undrafted free agent out of California will most likely serve in a similar role as a special-teams ace for San Fran in 2025. Pleasants, 27, started his career in 2021 with the Carolina Panthers and then played for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2023 and with the Niners last year. He has appeared in just five NFL games over three seasons.