Been busy? Let’s get you caught up with a look back at some of the NFL’s biggest stories from the past week:
- Aaron Rodgers wants out, and he’s said to be eyeing the Broncos, Raiders and 49ers. Still, those familiar with Rodgers’ thinking are split on whether he’s heading for divorce with the Packers. Rodgers has reportedly refused to play for GM Brian Gutekunst, but even that notion has been challenged by old teammate James Jones. Meanwhile, the Browns won’t get into the Rodgers mix, preferring to stick with the younger Baker Mayfield instead.
- The Broncos are set to go another season without high-priced right tackle Ja’Wuan James. On Tuesday, James suffered a torn Achilles tendon, which puts his $10MM base salary in jeopardy and leaves the team with a major hole to fill on the offensive line. After passing on Rashawn Slater in the draft, the Broncos are scouring what’s left of the open market. For James, this may cap his Denver tenure at just 63 total snaps.
- The Lions inked center Frank Ragnow to a record extension, making him the highest-paid center in NFL history. Ragnow will receive $70MM in total with $25.5MM fully guaranteed, vaulting him ahead of Chargers center Corey Linsley for the richest contract at the position. Ragnow has started every game for the Lions ever since he was taken with the No. 20 overall pick in 2018, save for three missed games due to injury.
- Kerryon Johnson was cut by the Lions, but he didn’t make it to free agency. Instead, the Eagles swooped in to claim the once-promising Auburn product. As a rookie, Johnson averaged 5.4 yards per carry and scored four touchdowns in ten games. If he can put his history of knee trouble behind him, he could be a solid contributor alongside starter Miles Sanders.
- The Dolphins bounced Bobby McCain late last week, nixing the final two seasons of his four-year, $27MM deal. The 2015 fifth-rounder started in 55 of his 87 games for Miami, collecting seven interceptions and four sacks along the way. However, he ranked just 55th out of 94 qualified safeties last year, per Pro Football Focus. Now, he’ll hit the free agent circuit and meet with the Washington Football Team.
When guys want out they typically find a way
I dislike Rodgers but selecting Love when Rodgers needed help was a huge mistake. Wasn’t like Favre who was hinting at moving on. You take your number one pick and pick a predecessor who’s value is worth very little now. Not good business the way qbs are playing in their late 30s and early 40s. No surprise either. You can’t kill a qb like you once could. These guys aren’t running backs they don’t take the beating they once did
If Bill didn’t use all his cap space, we’d see Rodgers in New England. You think this is bad? We’d never hear the end of it. 2069 we’d still have articles about the genius of BB because of that time he snagged Rodgers.