5 Key NFL Stories: 6/30/19-7/7/19

NFL, NFLPA hope to sign new CBA soon. Things appear to be going surprisingly smoothly in negotiations between the two sides. Earlier this week, we heard that they were hoping to have a deal done before the start of the 2019 season. For the past year-plus, there’s been constant worrying about a potential work stoppage, but that doesn’t seem too likely at the moment. That being said, there are still some potential hiccups, which we outlined here. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is also reportedly taking on a prominent role in the negotiations. We’ll likely be hearing a lot more about this situation as the summer progresses, and we’ll make sure to keep you posted.

No suspension for Ezekiel Elliott. The Cowboys’ star running back won’t be suspended for an incident with a security guard in Las Vegas that took place back in May. The whole ordeal always seemed minor, but the league took it quite seriously. Zeke was summoned to meet with Roger Goodell, and the league investigators even interviewed his girlfriend. Elliott is under team control for two more years, and we heard recently that the team was hoping to extend him soon. That’s good news for the Ohio State product, since earlier reports had indicated Dallas was going to hold off on extending him.

Randy Gregory to apply for reinstatement. The embattled Cowboys pass-rusher is looking to get reinstated yet again. Gregory has always been high on talent, but has been unable to stay out of trouble with the commissioner’s office. Since entering the league in 2015 he’s already been suspended a handful of times, including for the entire 2017 season. He was conditionally reinstated prior to last year, and racked up six sacks in 14 games before another failed drug test saw him slapped with an indefinite ban. Jones thinks that he’ll be able to play this season, and the team recently signed him to an extension.

Tedy Bruschi suffers stroke. We got some unfortunate news on Friday when word broke that Bruschi had suffered another stroke. Bruschi’s family released a statement that read in part “Tedy is recovering well, and would like to thank the nurses, doctors and staff at Sturdy Memorial Hospital for all they have done. Tedy and his family thank you for your ongoing encouragement, and kindly ask for privacy at this time.” The former Patriots linebacker suffered a stroke in 2005 during his playing days with New England, and returned to the field later that same year. All of us here at PFR are hoping for a full and speedy recovery, and send our best wishes.

Josh Rosen unlikely to start Week 1. The Dolphins traded a second-round pick for Rosen back in April, but they aren’t going to just hand him the starting job. Earlier this week, we heard that Rosen is a “clear underdog” to start Week 1. One Dolphins player reportedly said that Ryan Fitzpatrick “impressed everyone as a leader and that he was clearly the best quarterback in the offseason program.” Fitzpatrick seems to have a solid leg up in what will be one of the few open quarterback battles in camps this year. While Fitz is capable of playing very well for stretches, ultimately the Dolphins are planning for the future and not looking to win in 2019, so it would be a shock if we don’t see Rosen at some point.

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