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San Francisco Chronicle
22-07-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Contract squabbles are the top NFL storyline as teams kick off training camp
Contract squabbles. Quarterback competitions. Comeback quests. Those will be just a few of the storylines to watch during NFL training camp. When the Pittsburgh Steelers and Atlanta Falcons report on Wednesday, all 32 teams will be ready to go. Each one is 0-0 and can dream about winning the Super Bowl. It's a much more realistic thought for some teams than others. Still, it's a long road that requires key players staying healthy, plenty of luck and exceptional performances in the biggest moments. Here are five of the most compelling storylines to watch: 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. ___
Winnipeg Free Press
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Contract squabbles are the top NFL storyline as teams kick off training camp
Contract squabbles. Quarterback competitions. Comeback quests. Those will be just a few of the storylines to watch during NFL training camp. When the Pittsburgh Steelers and Atlanta Falcons report on Wednesday, all 32 teams will be ready to go. Each one is 0-0 and can dream about winning the Super Bowl. It's a much more realistic thought for some teams than others. Still, it's a long road that requires key players staying healthy, plenty of luck and exceptional performances in the biggest moments. FILE - Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (11) rushes against Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Luke Goedeke (67) and tight end Payne Durham (87) during the second half of a football game Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter, File) Here are five of the most compelling storylines to watch: 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. Winnipeg Free Press | Newsletter Mike McIntyre | On Sports Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. 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. ___ AP NFL:
Hamilton Spectator
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Contract squabbles are the top NFL storyline as teams kick off training camp
Contract squabbles. Quarterback competitions. Comeback quests. Those will be just a few of the storylines to watch during NFL training camp. When the Pittsburgh Steelers and Atlanta Falcons report on Wednesday, all 32 teams will be ready to go. Each one is 0-0 and can dream about winning the Super Bowl. It's a much more realistic thought for some teams than others. Still, it's a long road that requires key players staying healthy, plenty of luck and exceptional performances in the biggest moments. Here are five of the most compelling storylines to watch: 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. ___ AP NFL:
Fox Sports
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Joe Flacco happy to be back with Browns and ready to compete for starting QB job
Associated Press BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Joe Flacco didn't think coming back to Cleveland was going to be a possibility at the start of free agency. Perhaps that is why Flacco has learned during his 17 years in the NFL to not expect anything until a contact is signed. 'That's why I kind of joked to my family a little bit, my agent was talking to me about the places I may end up, and I kind of joked about it, that whatever he's saying right now, it's probably going to be whatever is the opposite of that. Just because you never know,' Flacco said on Wednesday. 'I mean, you never know how the talks materialize and all those things happen. and I think I've learned over the last few years to not really get my hopes and going one way or the other until something actually happens because it's kind of unpredictable in that way.' Flacco signed his one-year contract on Tuesday as the Browns began offseason workouts. The 40-year old signal caller won the AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year award in 2023 after going 4-1 as a starter with the Browns and averaging more than 300 passing yards per game as Cleveland made the playoffs for only the third time since its return in 1999. The late-season heroics by Flacco endeared him to Browns fans after being despised for many seasons as the quarterback of the Baltimore Ravens. Flacco was the 18th overall selection by Baltimore in 2008 and played 11 seasons for the Ravens, including leading them to a Super Bowl title during the 2012 season. Since then, he spent a year in Denver, three with the New York Jets, one in Cleveland and one in Indianapolis. 'It's definitely a little, you wouldn't anticipate it,' Flacco said about his level of surprise about being a cult hero among Browns fans. 'I think it just says a little bit about this town and their hunger for some winning football and what it can be like when you get to that point.' Both parties did not do well in their season apart last year. Flacco played eight games for the Colts and went 2-4 as a starter. The Browns went 3-14 as Deshaun Watson struggled and then suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon injury in the seventh game against Cincinnati. Watson could potentially miss the entire 2025 season as he ruptured his Achilles tendon a second time in January. That means Flacco and Kenny Pickett along with at least one other possible addition will vie for the starting spot. Pickett, a former Steelers first-round pick, was acquired in a trade with Philadelphia. Cleveland is expected to add another quarterback during this week's NFL draft. It has the second overall pick on Thursday as well as the first pick in Friday's second round. Flacco said the only guarantee he got from coach Kevin Stefanski was that there would be a full-fledged quarterback competition during training camp. 'I don't really have any expectations besides to go out there, be myself and kind of put my head down, work hard and kind of just do things the way I know how to,' Flacco said. 'And the exciting part about it this time around is that I get to be a part of the team from the get-go and kind of make those relationships even better than they are. And I think there's a lot of fun in that.' Even though Stefanski has had 11 quarterbacks start at least one game during his first five seasons in Cleveland, this will be the first time the starting spot isn't settled going into the season. 'Whoever is in the room is going to be competing for the job,' Stefanski said. 'I think it's a really good thing, especially when you like the guys who are competing for the job that we do. I think it only elevates everybody.' ___ AP NFL: recommended
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Joe Flacco happy to be back with Browns and ready to compete for starting QB job
FILE - Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco throws in the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, on Dec. 10, 2023, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File) FILE - Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco (15) exits the field at the end of the first half against the Houston Texans during an NFL wild-card playoff football game, on Jan 13, 2024 in Houston. (AP Photo/Maria Lysaker, File) FILE - Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco (15) exits the field at the end of the first half against the Houston Texans during an NFL wild-card playoff football game, on Jan 13, 2024 in Houston. (AP Photo/Maria Lysaker, File) FILE - Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco throws in the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, on Dec. 10, 2023, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File) FILE - Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco (15) exits the field at the end of the first half against the Houston Texans during an NFL wild-card playoff football game, on Jan 13, 2024 in Houston. (AP Photo/Maria Lysaker, File) BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Joe Flacco didn't think coming back to Cleveland was going to be a possibility at the start of free agency. Perhaps that is why Flacco has learned during his 17 years in the NFL to not expect anything until a contact is signed. Advertisement 'That's why I kind of joked to my family a little bit, my agent was talking to me about the places I may end up, and I kind of joked about it, that whatever he's saying right now, it's probably going to be whatever is the opposite of that. Just because you never know,' Flacco said on Wednesday. 'I mean, you never know how the talks materialize and all those things happen. and I think I've learned over the last few years to not really get my hopes and going one way or the other until something actually happens because it's kind of unpredictable in that way.' Flacco signed his one-year contract on Tuesday as the Browns began offseason workouts. The 40-year old signal caller won the AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year award in 2023 after going 4-1 as a starter with the Browns and averaging more than 300 passing yards per game as Cleveland made the playoffs for only the third time since its return in 1999. The late-season heroics by Flacco endeared him to Browns fans after being despised for many seasons as the quarterback of the Baltimore Ravens. Advertisement Flacco was the 18th overall selection by Baltimore in 2008 and played 11 seasons for the Ravens, including leading them to a Super Bowl title during the 2012 season. Since then, he spent a year in Denver, three with the New York Jets, one in Cleveland and one in Indianapolis. 'It's definitely a little, you wouldn't anticipate it,' Flacco said about his level of surprise about being a cult hero among Browns fans. 'I think it just says a little bit about this town and their hunger for some winning football and what it can be like when you get to that point.' Both parties did not do well in their season apart last year. Flacco played eight games for the Colts and went 2-4 as a starter. The Browns went 3-14 as Deshaun Watson struggled and then suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon injury in the seventh game against Cincinnati. Advertisement Watson could potentially miss the entire 2025 season as he ruptured his Achilles tendon a second time in January. That means Flacco and Kenny Pickett along with at least one other possible addition will vie for the starting spot. Pickett, a former Steelers first-round pick, was acquired in a trade with Philadelphia. Cleveland is expected to add another quarterback during this week's NFL draft. It has the second overall pick on Thursday as well as the first pick in Friday's second round. Flacco said the only guarantee he got from coach Kevin Stefanski was that there would be a full-fledged quarterback competition during training camp. 'I don't really have any expectations besides to go out there, be myself and kind of put my head down, work hard and kind of just do things the way I know how to,' Flacco said. 'And the exciting part about it this time around is that I get to be a part of the team from the get-go and kind of make those relationships even better than they are. And I think there's a lot of fun in that.' Advertisement Even though Stefanski has had 11 quarterbacks start at least one game during his first five seasons in Cleveland, this will be the first time the starting spot isn't settled going into the season. 'Whoever is in the room is going to be competing for the job,' Stefanski said. 'I think it's a really good thing, especially when you like the guys who are competing for the job that we do. I think it only elevates everybody.' ___ AP NFL:
