In an interview with Sports Illustrated last weekend, free agent tight end Rob Gronkowski was asked about the potential for his return. In reality, the question and answer were played off a bit as a joke.
The reporter specifically asked Gronkowski if he would return should Tampa Bay sign retired wide receiver Julian Edelman. Gronkowski didn’t hesitate to commit to returning for a full season alongside Edelman were that to occur. Realistically, if Gronkowski is to return for another season with the Buccaneers, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones expects that decision to be made after minicamps.
Here are a few more rumors from around the NFC, starting with a rumor out of the Windy City:
- In the 2022 NFL Draft, the Bears heavily addressed their offensive line, drafting four offensive linemen and signing one more undrafted free agent lineman. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune expects the team to continue trying to add to the group, saying that they should be on the lookout specifically for “an experienced option to compete for the right guard job.” Biggs also expects Chicago to target veterans at defensive line and wide receiver over the next few weeks.
- New Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean was expected to be a first round pick during last month’s Draft. Dean was the victim of one of the least predictable slides of all time, falling down to the third round of the Draft due to concerns over his health. Well, according to EJ Smith of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Dean has been a full participant in the team’s rookie minicamp, making an effort to disprove the notion many teams held that he would potentially miss his entire rookie season with a pectoral injury.
- Two games into the 2021 NFL season, Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham suffered a season-ending tear of his Achilles tendon. Well, according to Eliot Shorr-Parks of 94WIP.com, Graham says he feels like the injury never even happened. He will return to the field with no restrictions this preseason. This wouldn’t be the first time Graham has made a full recovery from a long-term injury. He tore his ACL 13 games into his rookie season. Despite the serious injury, Graham has become the impact player he is today, the same player he is expecting to be this upcoming season.
- Two Thursdays ago, the Lions were more than happy to walk away from the 2022 Draft with the hometown defensive end from Michigan, Aidan Hutchinson. If things had not worked out so perfectly for Detroit, though, and Hutchinson had been told to pack his bags for Duval, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reports that the Lions would have selected the player Jacksonville actually did select, Georgia defensive lineman Travon Walker.
- Falcons wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson has always been a bit of a swiss army knife. He has made impressive plays in the kick and punt return games and, while performing mainly as a wide receiver for most of his career, Patterson has displayed the ability to run the ball when required, as well. After signing to join the Falcons last year, Patterson was asked to run the ball more than ever before, serving as Atlanta’s top rusher in terms of both attempts and yards. Well, Michael Fabiano of Sports Illustrated quoted ESPN’s Michael Rothstein stating his belief that Patterson will return to his primary position, expecting the 31-year old to spend more time at wide receiver than running back next year. Whether this would be a result of offseason additions like free agent signing Damien Williams or newly drafted Keaontay Ingram or if Patterson just requested a return to his natural role, Patterson is expected to take fewer snaps at running back next season.
Chicago should really push for another NFL franchise.
Why? So they can be like New York in its current form and have 2 dumpster fires at once except unlike NY (the Giants…not the Jets) those fires are permanent?
At least the NY Giants have won multiple championships the last 30 years.
Chicago is an incredible sports city with a huge population. The market can there can easily support another franchise. If they build a modern, world class indoor stadium downtown (once the Bears move their sorry R’ses to Arlington or wherever).
As far as names go, it wouldn’t matter. Call them the Banana Slugs… they’d win two Super Bowls their first 20 years in existence (more than the Bears have in 100 years).
I can’t decide if you’re really this stupid or just trolling. Probably both.
What is stupid about wanting a better product? You love dysfunction and systemic failure or something?
Oh wait, you’re a Cubs fan. My bad, carry on.
Well, according to….
Strangely a lot of use of the word Well in this article, not sure why it struck me as weird, but it definitely stood out
Well, I agree.
Well, according to me I also agree
Why haven’t the Eagles picked up Clowney? Would make sense.
True, but I think a CB or S would make more sense.
Like the safety from SF Tartt
Slow news day from desperate bloggers.
Bears should target any one of Julio, Landry, Hilton, OBJ, Beasley, Will Fuller…all of whom were considered good at least a year ago at this time, at worst 2 with injury issues. All of them are good enough to at least be the #2 on our WR corps if not automatically be the 1.
Yep, they need help. But Julio has become an injury waiting to happen. OBJ would be great but won’t play til mid-season due to ACL surgery. I think Landry has the highest upside but apparently he’s holding out for a big contract that I don’t think the Bears would commit to right now. Sure wish he’d go for a one year ‘prove it’ deal cause they’re gonna have a ton of cap space next year.
Those guys are clearly asking for more money than their recent performances can command.
This says the Falcons drafted running back Keaontay Ingram but that is incorrect. The running back the Falcons drafted was Tyler Allgeier.