From large contract extensions to NFL games being possibly moved to Saturday, here are your NFL storylines of the week!
Sunday, Aug. 9
The NFL could reportedly move their games to Saturday’s if the CFB cancels their season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mike Florio states that the NFL would move a few games to Saturday each week, but due to the broadcast antitrust exemption, it can’t be done as of yet. If the college football season is canceled, the NFL could ask to alter the rule just for this year alone.
The news comes as of queries of uncertainty about the season in general. Examples include BIG 10 presidents meeting Saturday and stating that there is a “momentum for canceling the fall football season” along with the MAC conference postponing all of their sports to the spring. It’s worrying to see as of late as many fans are desperate for football to start back up both professionally and collegiately.
In signing news, the Bengals hosted former pro-bowl defensive tackle, Mike Daniels, for a visit today. The Bengals are looking for another interior defensive lineman since one of theirs, Josh Tupou, opted out this upcoming season. He would be complimenting former All-Pro and Pro-Bowl defensive tackle Geno Atkins which could help create a monstrous defensive front.
Monday, Aug. 10
The Chiefs and general manager Brett Veach has restructured yet another contract and this time it’s with defensive end Alex Okafor. His new contract could give him a max of $4.96 million, which includes $2 million in incentives and $860K in per-game roster bonuses. This restructure frees up $2 million in cap and that would give the Chiefs around $15 million in cap space.
Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver describes his as he “felt like I was guilty until proven innocent and not innocent until proven guilty” according to Micheal Giardi. Oliver was arrested and charged in May with driving while intoxicated and unlawfully carrying a weapon. In July, his charges were dropped once blood tests came back negative for intoxication. It was odd that he was charged with intoxication in the first place as he did blow a 0.0 on the breathalyzer test.
Tuesday, Aug. 11
NFL teams are highly thinking about quarantining one quarterback in case the QB room is hit with an outbreak of Covid-19. According to SI’s Albert Breer, he spoke to veteran agent Mike McCartney who explained that the quarterback would attend remote team meetings, stay up to date with the offense and their schemes, and would be trusted to stay in shape by themselves.
The players would make $12,000 a week. McCartney goes more into it by stating that “($12,000 is) an extremely inexpensive insurance policy at the most important position, and it gives you a guy who not just knows the offense, but is keeping up with the intricacies of the game plan every week.”
Former Pro-Bowl defensive tackle Mike Daniels has officially signed a one-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals that is worth up to $2.7 million. He probably will be playing alongside Geno Atkins next season which would be exciting to look out for in Cincinnati.
The NFL has lifted the prohibitions of tryouts, which had been in effect since March. Now free agents like Jadeveon Clowney and Dez Bryant are looking forward and hoping for teams to call to get their shot for a roster spot. Even though it has been lifted, all free agent signings “still must undergo COVID-19 entry screening” before joining in on team activities (per Tom Pelissero).
The Denver Broncos signed right tackle Demar Dotson to a one-year deal early today. He has been signed due to the fact that former starting right tackle Ja’Waun James opted out of the 2020-21 season. Dotson will be providing insight and experience to Wilkerson and left tackle Garrett Boles and along with the other players making up that offensive line.
Wednesday, Aug. 12
The Washington Football Team is going to play games without fans in their stadium for the 2020-21 season. Dan Snyder has said in a statement that, “We are fortunate to host the best fans in the NFL year after year, but the wellbeing of those supporters, along with that of our players, coaches and each and every member of our gameday staff is simply too important, and the current knowledge of COVID-19 too unpredictable, to welcome our fan base to FedExField to start the season”. The team will look over the decision again if the cases begin to dwindle down.
According to Ian Rapoport, the Browns have brought in free agent guard Ronald Leary for a visit in hopes of signing him to the roster. This would bring much needed veteran support on that offensive line.
ESPN has asked Rams coach Sean McVay to join the Monday Night Football (MNF) crew. ESPN executives thought he would be able to stand out among the other announcers from other crews/networks. Of course, McVay declined the offer and will still coach the Rams for many seasons to come. It looks like McVay has a future career once he puts down the playbook.
The Dallas Cowboys have just signed former Vikings defensive end Everson Griffin. After both the Seahawks and the Vikings were going back and forth with negotiations, the Cowboys swooped in and signed him in a heartbeat. This would be a much-needed addition to their defensive line and it would be a solid boost to their defense in the long run.
The NFL released their Covid-19 testing numbers today and among the 109,075 tests of players, staff members, and coaches, only .46 percent of them tested positive for the virus. Of all the players tested for the virus, only .81 percent tested positive.
A rumor has been squandered today about 49ers tight end George Kittle receiving a contract extension of 6-years that has a max worth of $94.6 million. After hearing and seeing it all around the internet, Kittle stated on Twitter that “y’all really believe everything you see on the internet huh” which alluded to the fact that the contract rumor was indeed false.
Thursday, Aug. 13
The Miami Dolphins will wear a “Shula 347” patch on their jerseys to commemorate the life of Hall of Fame head coach Don Shula. The 347 honors and shows his all-time career wins, which is the highest in the NFL.
George Kittle has just been signed to 5-year, $75 million extension with more than half of it is completely guaranteed. The language/writing of the contract is still in the works, but the numbers have been agreed upon. This deal will blow up the tight end market as this was a huge signing for the 49ers.
Patriots 7th-round pick center Dustin Woodard retired earlier today. He states that he no longer wants to play football and that this is not COVID related in any way, shape, or form.
Ian Rapoport reports that the Lions had a workout with former Seahawks running back C.J Prosise and cornerback Cordrea Tankersley had a tryout from the Colts.
Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce signed a major extension today as he had his contract extended for four years, worth a max of $57 million. The deal will give him between $14 to $15 million per year in new money.
This means that Kelce will be spending six more illustrious years with the Chiefs, which will be spectacular to see. The Mahomes and Kelce duo is one of the most lethal QB-TE duos in the league, so fans from all over are excited to see them dominate for a good while.
Bills left tackle Dion Dawkins has signed a four-year, $60 million extension early today as well with $34 million being guaranteed. Dawkins has started 43 games in his three years of being in Buffalo and Bills believe he’ll continue to grow into one of the best-left tackles/offensive linemen in the game.
Dawkins says that the multi-year extension, “…gives me that much more respect and it just shows the respect they had for myself that, listen, this is our franchise left tackle and Dion Dawkins is a piece that we can build around and we can continue to win games with.”
The Seahawks waived rookie Kemah Siverand for trying to sneak a female visitor into the hotel the team was staying at. The woman herself was trying to disguise herself as a Seahawks player to try to get in with Siverand. Siverand and his agent have yet to comment on this incident.
Minority owners of the Washington Football Team are pressing Dan Snyder to sell off the team. The news comes “amid a growing fight (within)” the team according to Andrew Beaton and Cara Lombardo of the Wall Street Journal. Snyder has no intention to sell the team.
Friday, Aug. 14
Wide receivers Tavon Austin and J.J Nelson have been signed by the 49ers according to Adam Schefter. These signings would add depth to the 49ers receiving core after the loss of Emmanuel Sanders.
Matthew Stafford has teamed up with three other UGA sports alums to donate $500,000 to support a social justice cause for the student-athletes at the campus. The program itself is “an ambitious program that seeks to implement strategic initiatives in the areas of diversity, inclusion, equity, and social justice” according to the immediate release article that was posted.
In workout and visit news, the Buccaneers hosted defensive tackle Kyle Love for a visit today, the Cardinals are working out wide receiver River Cracraft, and the Lions have brought in wide receiver Chris Hogan and quarterback Trevor Siemian for workouts.
Finally, two Dolphins players were claimed off waivers this afternoon. The Bengals claimed defensive end Bruce Sterk and the Vikings claimed defensive back Steven Parker.
