Contract Squabbles Are The Top NFL Storyline As Teams Kick Off Training Camp
Contract issues: Micah Parsons is going to become the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history because Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys have waited to give the two-time All-Pro a contract extension. Last year Jones made Dak Prescott the league's first 60 million man. How long will it take to get the deal done? Will it impact Parsons' participation in practice? All-Pro edge rusher Trey Hendrickson wants a new contract from the Cincinnati Bengals, who also haven't signed first-round pick Shemar Stewart. The Bengals are holding their ground. Something has to give if they want to compete for a championship because their defense needs the help. Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin also is seeking an extension. Washington, which lost to the Eagles in the NFC title game, acquired Deebo Samuel and reworked his contract. They'll want McLaurin on board to make the offense even more dynamic.
Quarterback battles: The Cleveland Browns have used 40 starting quarterbacks since 1999. That number will increase by Week 1 unless veteran Joe Flacco wins a four-way competition against Kenny Pickett and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. Flacco, the Super Bowl 47 MVP, was the AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year when he led the Browns to the playoffs in 2023. He's the favorite going into camp. The Indianapolis Colts brought in veteran Daniel Jones to battle Anthony Richardson, the No. 4 overall pick in 2023, who has been injured often and has a lingering shoulder problem. Rookie Tyler Shough, second-year pro Spencer Rattler, and unproved Jake Haener will compete to replace Derek Carr, who retired after two seasons in New Orleans. The New York Giants signed Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston in free agency and then traded up to get Jaxson Dart in the first round. General manager Joe Schoen and coach Brian Daboll are in win-now mode, so whichever quarterback gives them the best chance to compete in a difficult NFC East will get the job.
Comeback kids: Prescott returns in Dallas after a serious hamstring injury forced him to miss nine games. After getting the richest contract in NFL history, Prescott has plenty to prove for the Cowboys, who haven't played in NFC championship game since the 1995 season. Christian McCaffrey, the 2023 AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year, is back for the San Francisco 49ers, who went 6-11 after losing the Super Bowl the previous season. McCaffrey missed 13 games last season, a year after finishing third in voting for the NFL MVP award. The Detroit Lions welcome back star edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson after going one-and-done in the playoffs following a 15-win season. Hutchinson had 7 1/2 sacks in five games before he broke his leg. QB J.J. McCarthy will make his NFL debut after sitting out his entire rookie season because of a knee injury. McCarthy replaces Sam Darnold, who led Minnesota to 14 wins. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers gave wide receiver Chris Godwin a 66 million three-year contract despite an ankle injury that ended his season after seven games. Godwin had 50 catches for 576 yards and five touchdowns before his injury. Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa missed six games last season, including the final two with a hip injury. He missed four games because of a concussion and his history of head injuries has been a concern.
Curtain call for Rodgers: Aaron Rodgers has teamed up with Mike Tomlin in Pittsburgh aiming to help the Steelers win another Lombardi trophy. The four-time NFL MVP couldn't get the New York Jets to end their playoff drought. Now he's looking to go out on top and bring Pittsburgh its seventh Super Bowl. Tomlin, the longest-tenured coach in the NFL, has never had a losing season, but the Steelers haven't won a playoff game since the 2016 season. Are the Eagles prepared for a repeat? Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, and the Eagles ended the Kansas City Chiefs bid for a three-peat with a dominant victory in the Super Bowl. Philadelphia lost Josh Sweat and Milton Sweat, who combined for 4 1/2 of the six sacks against Patrick Mahomes. But general manager Howie Roseman found ways to fill holes and kept a dynamic offense together.
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Reason for optimism: The 49ers still have star power with players like Fred Warner, George Kittle, Nick Bosa, Christian McCaffrey, and Trent Williams, and one of the top offensive coaches in the game in Kyle Shanahan. With the last-place schedule and a rotation that includes eight games against the weaker South divisions, the Niners are favored to win the NFC West. Reason for pessimism: San Francisco let several defensive starters leave in the offseason as part of a movement to get cheaper and younger. But if their rookie class can't step in and contribute immediately, the defense could have some holes even with the return of coordinator Robert Saleh. New England Patriots BetMGM odds to win division: +475. Reason for optimism: QB Drake Maye showed flashes as a rookie and should get a boost in Year 2 with a better coaching staff led by Mike Vrabel and coordinator Josh McDaniels. Reason for pessimism: Maye still has very little support even after the offseason acquisitions of rookie lineman Will Campbell and veteran receiver Stefon Diggs. Chicago Bears BetMGM odds to win division: +550. Reason for optimism: The Bears brought in the most highly sought after coaching candidate when Ben Johnson was hired after a strong run as offensive coordinator in Detroit. They also upgraded the interior of the offensive line by acquiring Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman, and Jonah Jackson in the offseason to help second-year QB Caleb Williams. Reason for pessimism: Chicago is in a division with three returning playoff teams and has one of the more difficult schedules in the NFL. If Williams struggles as a rookie – we're more about holding onto the ball too long instead of the surrounding environment – the upgrades might not be enough. Tennessee Titans BetMGM odds to win division: +800. Reason for optimism: Last year's struggles delivered Tennessee the No. 1 overall pick. QB Cam Ward brings his playmaking ability to Tennessee and should be helped by an improved offensive line following the additions of Dan Moore and Kevin Zeitler, and anticipated improvement from recent first-rounders JC Latham and Kevin Zeitler. Reason for pessimism: Ward doesn't have a strong group of pass catchers even after the signing of veteran Tyler Lockett and Tennessee hasn't done much to upgrade a defense that allowed 27.1 points per game last season. New Orleans Saints BetMGM odds to win division: +1300. Reason for optimism: The offense could get a boost if first-round tackle Kelvin Banks can step in immediately and receivers Chris Olave and Rasheed Shaheed are healthy. Reason for pessimism: New Orleans has uncertainty at quarterback after Derek Carr's retirement and is counting on either second-round rookie Tyler Shough or 2024 fifth-rounder Spencer Rattler to perform at a high enough level to compete. Las Vegas Raiders BetMGM odds to win division: +1500. Reason for optimism: Perhaps no team upgraded at quarterback and head coach as much as the Raiders with Pete Carroll replacing Antonio Pierce at coach and Geno Smith coming in at quarterback after a platoon of Gardner Minshew and Aidan O'Connell. The offense under new coordinator Chip Kelly could be intriguing with record-setting second-year tight end Brock Bowers and rookie running back Ashton Jeanty. Reason for pessimism: Las Vegas is in a division that had three playoff teams last season making it a difficult proposition to climb too high in the standings. There are major questions in the secondary that could prove fatal in a division with Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, and Bo Nix. New York Giants BetMGM odds to win division: +2800. Reason for optimism: The Giants should have one of the top defensive lines with No. 3 overall pick Abdul Carter joining Dexter Lawrence, Brian Burns, and Kayvon Thibodeaux. 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Veteran Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders are all in the mix but none provide immediate hope for success.
