JETS’ HAASON REDDICK DOESN’T REPORT TO TRAINING CAMP WHILE SEEKING A NEW DEAL, AP SOURCE SAYS
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — New York Jets defensive end Haason Reddick did not report to training camp with the rest of his teammates Tuesday as he looks for a new contract, a person with knowledge of the situation said.
Reddick, acquired from Philadelphia during the offseason, is scheduled to make $14.25 million in base salary in the final year of his deal.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because contract negotiations are private. The team didn’t announce Reddick’s absence. Jets players reported to the facility Tuesday and the team’s first practice of training camp is scheduled for Wednesday.
ESPN first reported that Reddick would not report to the team Tuesday.
According to the league’s collective bargaining agreement, Reddick would be fined $50,000 for each practice missed during his holdout. He didn’t attend the Jets’ mandatory minicamp last month, and didn’t participate in the team’s voluntary offseason workouts.
The 29-year-old Reddick, looking for a new contract, was given permission during the offseason by the Eagles to seek a trade. None of Reddick’s salary for this season is guaranteed. He forfeited a $250,000 workout bonus for not attending the Jets’ offseason workouts.
Jets coach Robert Saleh, who wasn’t scheduled to speak to reporters until Wednesday, said last month he wasn’t concerned by Reddick’s absence at minicamp.
“I understand everything that’s happening,” Saleh said. “But at the same time, I know that when it comes time to play football, like I’ve said before, he’s going to be ready to play football.”
The Jets acquired Reddick, a two-time Pro Bowl edge rusher with 58 career sacks in seven NFL seasons, from the Eagles in March for a conditional third-round pick in 2026. The pick would become a second-rounder if Reddick plays 67.5% of the defensive snaps and gets 10 sacks this season.
“When you deal with contracts and things like that, it doesn’t really get to the locker room because we don’t control that,” linebacker C.J. Mosley said. “So when he does get here, then we’ll be able to have our 2 cents’ (worth) to say, but we know he’s a pro. He’s been at the highest level of competition.
“So, I’m sure whenever that gets worked out, he’ll be here ready to roll. When he gets here, it’ll just be another great player to add to our to our defensive line.”
Reddick was a first-round pick by Arizona in 2017 who has double-digit sacks in four straight seasons, including 27 over the past two years with the Eagles.
“He’s a phenomenal football player, man,” defensive lineman Quinnen Williams said. “When he steps on this field, he changes the whole thing, the whole aura just because he’s a guy that can put up 15-plus sacks a year, 10-plus sacks a year, different things like that.
“So I’m just blessed to have him on my side.”
Williams added he understood Reddick’s situation because he also didn’t attend voluntary workouts last year before agreeing to a four-year, $96 million contract extension a week before training camp began.
“I know how the organization works,” Williams said. I know how (GM) Joe Douglas and Coach Saleh and all those guys work. And knowing him personally as a great competitor and a great person who wants to be here, who wants to win championships, man, I know they’re going to get everything ironed out.”
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS CAMP OPENS WITH PLENTY OF NEW FACES ON AND OFF THE FIELD
ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — Nearly everything about the Washington Commanders is new.
The old turf field with the old logo is being torn up and replaced, and their practice facility is abuzz with construction projects all over.
Josh Harris’ ownership group has been in charge for just over a year now, and the organization’s transformation is now fully on display. When training camp opens Wednesday, new coach Dan Quinn will oversee a team almost totally remade by new general manager Adam Peters.
Only a third of the camp roster was around last summer, and the fresh faces from rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels to veteran linebacker Bobby Wagner give the franchise a much-needed clean slate.
“I love each of the years because not every year is exactly the same,” Quinn said at a camp-opening news conference Tuesday. “But you only get one first shot with a whole new group, and we’re not going to miss that shot.”
Not missing starts with Daniels, the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner and No. 2 pick in the draft who has become the centerpiece of this latest rebuilding effort. Unlike Chicago with top selection Caleb Williams, the Commanders are not yet anointing Daniels their Week 1 starter, with Quinn said, “When he’s ready, we’ll know.”
They are ready to let that process play out in the coming weeks, with Daniels sharing snaps on the practice field and in preseason games with Marcus Mariota.
“It’s not one-size-fits-all,” Peters said. “You don’t want to fast-track it. You don’t want to slow it down. You just want to let it happen naturally.”
What Peters also hopes comes naturally is teamwide competition, the result of signing more than a dozen free agents with no prior connection to the organization and making nine draft picks to fill holes well beyond quarterback. He was looking for a certain type of player throughout the offseason of change, and more roster turnover could happen before Washington opens the season Sept. 8 at Tampa Bay.
“We’re thrilled about the 90 guys we have here,” said Peters who is in his first role as an NFL GM after a decorated front office career with stops in Denver, New England and most recently working under John Lynch with San Francisco. “(Quinn) preaches competition every day, so we’re always going to look at ways to improve the roster. But as it sits now, we feel great about the guys we have.”
Some of the holdovers are foundational pieces, such as top wide receiver Terry McLaurin, running back Brian Robinson Jr. and defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne. But after going 43-71-1 over the past seven seasons with one playoff berth — also a loss — to show for it, there was reason to start almost from scratch in Washington.
The offensive line could have three new starters. Austin Ekeler is now part of the backfield mix. And Wagner and Frankie Luvu are at the forefront of a defense that behind Allen and Payne is virtually unrecognizable from the unit that last season was ranked last in the league.
That kind of change should be good after the Commanders bottomed out at 4-13 in Ron Rivera’s fourth and final season as coach and head of football operations. Their win total over/under is 6.5 on BetMGM Sportsbook, which is setting a low external expectation.
As for what team brass thinks a successful season might be, neither Quinn nor Peters was willing to show his hand, deferring instead to the idea that it begins with forming an identity and good habits that they hope will eventually show in victories when it matters.
“How fast or slow that goes, there’s so many different things that are variables in all that,” Peters said. “But I can tell you that you’re going to see a great effort team, a competitive team playing fast and physical.”
PATRICK MAHOMES IS A UNANIMOUS CHOICE FOR THE TOP SPOT IN THE AP’S QUARTERBACK RANKINGS
Patrick Mahomes has separated himself from all the other quarterbacks.
The three-time Super Bowl MVP was a unanimous choice by The Associated Press for the NFL’s No. 1 quarterback in a preseason survey.
A panel of eight AP Pro Football Writers ranked the top five players at QB, basing selections on current status entering the 2024 season. First-place votes were worth 10 points. Second through fifth-place votes were worth 5, 3, 2 and 1 points.
Despite a subpar regular season — by his lofty standards — Mahomes had another exceptional postseason, leading the Kansas City Chiefs to a repeat Super Bowl victory and their third title in five seasons.
Josh Allen, reigning NFL MVP Lamar Jackson, C.J. Stroud, and Brock Purdy each received second-place votes.
Aaron Rodgers, Jalen Hurts, Dak Prescott, Tua Tagovailoa, Matthew Stafford, and Justin Herbert also received votes.
1. PATRICK MAHOMES, Kansas City Chiefs
Mahomes posted the lowest passer rating (92.6) of his career last season, throwing for 4,183 yards, 27 touchdowns and a career-high 14 interceptions. But he stepped up in the playoffs, leading the Chiefs to a rout over Miami, road wins in Buffalo and Baltimore and an overtime victory in the Super Bowl against San Francisco.
Mahomes only turns 29 in September and already has a chance to become only the fourth quarterback to win four Super Bowls.
2. JOSH ALLEN, Buffalo Bills
Despite being plagued by playoff frustrations, Allen earned the No. 2 spot in the AP rankings with four second-place votes and appearing on seven of eight ballots. Allen threw for 4,306 yards with 29 TDs and a career-high 18 picks last season while also rushing for 15 scores.
The Bills have won four straight AFC East titles but have lost in the divisional round of the playoffs in three consecutive seasons.
3. LAMAR JACKSON, Baltimore Ravens
Jackson was a near-unanimous choice for his second NFL MVP award following an outstanding regular season in which he threw for 3,678 yards and 24 touchdowns and ran for 821 yards and five scores while leading Baltimore to 10 wins over teams that finished with a winning record.
But Jackson and the Ravens lost to Mahomes and the Chiefs in the AFC championship game, a bitter ending to a fantastic season. The Ravens fell to 2-4 in the playoffs under Jackson, who was left off two ballots.
4. JOE BURROW, Cincinnati Bengals
Burrow was slowed by a calf injury at the start of the season before wrist surgery ended his year in November. Still, he earned the No. 4 spot with two third-place votes and three fourth-place selections.
Burrow had 2,309 yards passing, 15 TDs, and nine interceptions in 10 games. He had regained his Pro Bowl form before his injury, posting a 106.5 passer rating in his final six starts.
When healthy, Burrow led the Bengals to consecutive AFC title games and a Super Bowl loss.
5. C.J. STROUD, Houston Texans
The No. 2 pick in the 2023 draft turned into the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year. Stroud threw for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns, five interceptions and had a passer rating of 100.8, third best by a rookie. He helped the Texans go from worst to first place in the AFC South and led them to a playoff win in the wild-card round.
CHIEFS’ ANDY REID LANDS THE LEAD SPOT IN AP’S NFL TOP 5 HEAD COACH RANKINGS
Andy Reid has three Super Bowl rings, leads two different franchises in victories and he’s still going strong after a quarter-century as a head coach.
Those impressive credentials made Reid a unanimous choice by The Associated Press for the NFL’s No. 1 coach in a preseason survey.
A panel of eight AP Pro Football Writers ranked the top five coaches, basing selections on current status entering the 2024 season. First-place votes were worth 10 points. Second through fifth-place votes were worth 5, 3, 2 and 1 points.
Reid has led the Kansas City Chiefs to consecutive Super Bowl victories and three titles in five seasons.
John Harbaugh, Sean McVay, Mike Tomlin and Kyle Shanahan each received two second-place votes.
Doug Pederson, Dan Campbell, Matt LaFleur, Sean McDermott and DeMeco Ryans also received votes.
1. ANDY REID, Kansas City Chiefs
Reid and Mahomes are halfway to the six Super Bowls Bill Belichick and Tom Brady won together. Reid was the most successful coach in the history of the Philadelphia Eagles before going to Kansas City and turning the Chiefs into a dynasty. Under Reid, the Chiefs have had 11 straight winning seasons, made 10 playoff appearances, won eight consecutive AFC West titles and reached four Super Bowls in the past five years.
2. JOHN HARBAUGH, Baltimore Ravens
Harbaugh led the Ravens to the NFL’s best record, 13-4, and has 14 winning seasons in 16 years. Harbaugh beat his brother to earn his only Super Bowl ring following the 2012 season. But Baltimore is 3-6 in the playoffs since that victory and twice couldn’t advance to the Super Bowl despite earning the AFC’s No. 1 seed.
3. KYLE SHANAHAN, San Francisco 49ers
Shanahan has led the 49ers to NFC championship victories with Jimmy Garoppolo and Brock Purdy and a pair of losses in the conference title game with both QBs. He’s 0-2 in the Super Bowl — the only coach in the top five without a ring — but has taken Purdy from “Mr. Irrelevant” to franchise QB and the 49ers again are favorites to win the NFC.
4. MIKE TOMLIN, Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers haven’t had a losing season in Tomlin’s 17 seasons. They finished 10-7 last season and made the playoffs despite using three starting quarterbacks. Tomlin won a Super Bowl in his second year and lost one in his fourth but his team is 0-4 in the playoffs since 2016.
5. SEAN MCVAY, Los Angeles Rams
Coming off perhaps his best all-around coaching season, McVay claimed the No. 5 spot. He guided a rebuilding team to 10 wins and a playoff appearance last season, getting the most out of his younger players. McVay has five double-digit win seasons in seven years and has won and lost a Super Bowl.
FRED WARNER PICKED AS THE TOP LINEBACKER IN THE AP’S NFL TOP 5 RANKINGS
Fred Warner excels at just about every aspect of playing linebacker in the NFL, from stopping the run, covering receivers and tight ends downfield and even the occasional blitz.
The fiery leader of the San Francisco 49ers defense was voted the overwhelming choice as the top linebacker in the league by The Associated Press.
A panel of eight AP Pro Football Writers ranked the top five players at linebacker, basing selections on current status entering the 2024 season. First-place votes were worth 10 points. Second through fifth-place votes were worth 5, 3, 2 and 1 points.
Warner got seven of the eight first-place votes and one second-place vote. Roquan Smith was the only other player named on all eight ballots and received one first-place vote and six seconds.
Demario Davis got the remaining second-place vote and came in third, followed by C.J. Mosley and Matt Milano.
Patrick Queen, Quincy Williams, Lavonte David, Bobby Wagner and Azeez Al-Shaair also got votes.
1. FRED WARNER, San Francisco 49ers
The Niners are on their fourth defensive coordinator in five seasons but the major factor that makes the San Francisco defense consistently one of the league’s best is the versatility of Warner, who has been a first-team All-Pro in three of the past four seasons.
He keys the run defense for San Francisco but truly shines when it comes to the pass game. In an era where opposing offenses often try to target slower linebackers in coverage, Warner is able to stick close in coverage downfield against both tight ends and speedier wide receivers. He set career highs last season with four interceptions, four forced fumbles and 11 passes defensed.
2. ROQUAN SMITH, Baltimore Ravens
Smith helped elevate the Baltimore defense after being acquired from Chicago before the 2022 trade deadline and is close to Warner in his versatility and ability to thrive in any role.
He has the speed to cover sideline to sideline and is a sure tackler with only 11 missed tackles last season.
3. DEMARIO DAVIS, New Orleans Saints
The 35-year-old Davis has shown few signs of slowing down and is still one of the top linebackers in the game. He is coming off his 11th straight season with at least 90 tackles and has had a career-high 6 1/2 sacks in each of the past two seasons.
The only other player since 2000 with back-to-back seasons with at least 100 tackles and six sacks is Hall of Famer Brian Urlacher.
4. C.J. MOSLEY, New York Jets
After playing only two games in 2019-20 because of injuries and the pandemic, the 32-year-old Mosley has had a late-career revival with the Jets.
He ranks fourth in the NFL with 478 tackles the past three seasons and is one of six players since 2000 to post at least 150 tackles in three straight seasons.
5. MATT MILANO, Buffalo Bills
Milano’s season-ending leg injury in Week 5 last season dealt a major blow to Buffalo’s defense. When healthy, few linebackers are as versatile as Milano.
He had two interceptions in his limited time last season after picking off three passes in 2022 when he was a first-team All-Pro.
CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY PICKED AS THE TOP RUNNING BACK IN THE AP’S NFL TOP 5 RANKINGS
On a San Francisco offense filled with playmakers, Christian McCaffrey was the most productive by far last season when he became the 12th player ever to top 2,000 yards from scrimmage and 20 TDs in the same season.
That performance has helped the 49ers star score the honor of being voted the top running back in the league by The Associated Press.
A panel of eight AP Pro Football Writers ranked the top five players at running back, basing selections on current status entering the 2024 season. First-place votes were worth 10 points. Second through fifth-place votes were worth 5, 3, 2 and 1 points.
McCaffrey got seven first-place votes and one second to be the only player named on all eight ballots.
Derrick Henry got one first-place vote, five second-place votes and one third-place vote and came in second. Saquon Barkley came in third with one second-place vote. Jonathan Taylor and Bijan Robinson tied for fourth place.
Breece Hall of the New York Jets got the remaining second-place vote but finished out of the top five. Nick Chubb, Josh Jacobs, Raheem Mostert, Jahmyr Gibbs, Aaron Jones and Kyren Williams also got votes.
1. CHRISTIAN McCAFFREY, San Francisco 49ers
McCaffrey led the NFL last season with 1,459 yards rushing, 2,023 yards from scrimmage and 21 total touchdowns on the way to winning the AP Offensive Player of the Year.
McCaffrey has transformed the 49ers offense from good to great since being acquired midway through the 2022 season. He has gained 3,233 yards and scored 31 TDs in 27 games with San Francisco as the top dual-threat back in the league.
McCaffrey’s 115.4 yards from scrimmage per game rank third best all-time among players with at least 70 games played, trailing only Hall of Famers Jim Brown (125.5) and Barry Sanders (118.9).
2. DERRICK HENRY, Tennessee Titans
As pure runners go, few have done it better than Henry over the years. He has 9,502 yards rushing and 90 TDs on the ground, joining Hall of Famers Emmitt Smith and LaDainian Tomlinson as the only players to reach both those marks through eight seasons. Henry ran for 1,167 yards and 12 TDs last year on Tennessee’s struggling offense and should get a big boost this season at age 30 after signing with Baltimore, where he will team with dual-threat QB Lamar Jackson.
3. SAQUON BARKLEY, Philadelphia Eagles
After spending his first six seasons with the New York Giants, Barkley moved down the turnpike this offseason to sign with rival Philadelphia to provide a spark for an offense that got stale for the Eagles. Barkley is a dynamic threat in the run and pass game, averaging 98.8 yards per game from scrimmage in his career. He should thrive behind the Eagles’ stellar offensive line after ranking 36th last season in yards before contact per carry on the Giants.
4. JONATHAN TAYLOR, Indianapolis Colts
Injuries have slowed Taylor the past two seasons as he has missed 13 games over that span and failed to reach even 900 yards rushing in either season. But voters were still impressed by what he can do when healthy as he showed when he rushed for 2,980 yards and 29 TDs over his first two seasons in 2020-21. The Colts are hoping a healthy Taylor can return to that form in an offense that also features a running threat at QB in Anthony Richardson.
5. BIJAN ROBINSON, Atlanta Falcons
The eighth pick in the 2023 draft had a strong rookie season for Atlanta and showed flashes of becoming one of the top backs in the league while playing for an offense that lacked consistent quarterback play. Robinson had many highlight-reel plays on the way to rushing for 976 yards and catching 58 passes for 487 yards. Robinson scored eight total touchdowns and ranked 10th in the league in yards from scrimmage.
REPORT: AIYUK PLANS TO ATTEND 49ERS CAMP DESPITE TRADE REQUEST
Disgruntled star wideout Brandon Aiyuk is reporting to San Francisco 49ers training camp, sources told NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport.
Aiyuk reportedly requested a trade amid stalled discussions regarding a contract extension. Teams have contacted the 49ers, but the front office remains steadfast in its desire to keep him.
“We fully intend on Brandon being a Niner,” general manager John Lynch said, according to Garafolo.
The 26-year-old will earn $14.1 million in the final year of his rookie deal, according to Over the Cap. Aiyuk has been adamant about his desire for a lucrative extension on social media and in interviews over the offseason.
It’s unclear if Aiyuk will participate in any on-field workouts when the Niners practice this week. Lynch said he expects all his players to participate in on-field work, according to The Athletic’s Matt Barrows.
The Arizona State product skipped voluntary OTA sessions and mandatory minicamp last month. Aiyuk would’ve been subject to fines of $50,000 per day for training camp absences under the league’s collective bargaining agreement.
Aiyuk posted a career-high 1,342 yards on 75 catches and recorded seven touchdowns in 2023 on his way to a second-team All-Pro nod.
The 2020 first-round pick has recorded 269 receptions, 3,931 yards, and 25 scores ahead of his fifth season.
NFL, UNION BEGIN DISCUSSIONS ON 18-GAME SCHEDULE
The NFL Players Association has engaged in “high-level” discussions with the NFL about the potential implementation of an 18-game schedule, said union executive director Lloyd Howell, per the Washington Post’s Mark Maske.
Discussions have not progressed toward formal negotiations, but Howell will speak with players about the topic in the near future.
“We have talked at a very, very, very high level superficially, with a recognition … about, ‘Yeah, this is something that we should be talking about. And we should really kick the tires and understand what else goes into that decision-making process,'” Howell said. “Where does the 18th game come from? I think the foregone conclusion is well, you just grab it, like, in what would otherwise be (preseason games) in August.”
Howell added the NFLPA would be open to possibly adding an 18th game before the league’s current collective bargaining agreement expires in 2030. Any change to the length of the season would have to be collectively bargained.
The NFLPA narrowly approved expanding the regular season from 16 to 17 games in 2021, with the voting passing with 51.5% of players in favor.
The addition of another game is expected to be contentious among players, and Howell insisted their interests will need to be satisfied before changes are made.
“Our membership is interested in a myriad of things before we even get to the number of games: health and safety, field surface, OTA makeup, compensation, what percent of their annual compensation is guaranteed,” Howell said. “So there are many things before we get to (the) 18th game.”
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in April he was in favor of moving to an 18-game regular-season schedule, hypothesizing that Super Bowl Sunday could fall on President’s Day weekend and the number of preseason games could be reduced from three to two.
JAGUARS’ CAMPBELL INKS EXTENSION REPORTEDLY WORTH $76.5M
The Jacksonville Jaguars announced they’ve signed cornerback Tyson Campbell to an extension Tuesday.
The four-year deal is worth $76.5 million and includes $53.4 million guaranteed, sources told NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Campbell, 24, becomes the highest-paid non-Pro Bowl cornerback in league history, per Rapoport.
The Georgia product was a second-round selection of the Jaguars in the 2021 NFL Draft. He’s made 42 starts across 43 games.
Campbell’s best season came during his 2022 campaign where he recorded 70 tackles, 15 passes defended, three interceptions, and two tackles for loss. He recorded six tackles during Jacksonville’s run to the AFC divisional round.
The 6-foot-1, 195-pound defensive back had a down year in 2023 due to a hamstring and quadriceps injury.
Considered one of the top corners in the Jaguars’ secondary, Campbell is expected to be a crucial piece for new defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen.
Campbell has compiled 203 tackles, six picks, six TFLs, and two forced fumbles in three seasons.
Jacksonville has been proactive in re-signing its key contributors. The Jags extended quarterback Trevor Lawrence for five years and $275 million in June and inked pass-rusher Josh Hines-Allen to a five-year, $141.25-million deal in April.
PACKERS ADD QB JACOB EASON WITH JORDAN LOVE NOT PARTICIPATING
Jacob Eason signed to the 90-man training camp roster of the Green Bay Packers as an extra arm until starter Jordan Love wraps contract negotiations.
Eason was on the field for Tuesday’s practice and replaced long snapper Peter Bowden, who was released, on the roster.
Eason is the third quarterback available for practices without Love and is familiar with the club after a tryout during rookie minicamp in May.
Love and Packers general manager Rob Gutekunst are on the same page with Love’s current status as a “hold in,” meaning he’s present for meetings and practices but not participating in on-field workouts while contract talks geared toward a long-term deal move forward.
“We both want the same thing. We want Jordan here for a very long time,” Gutekunst said of Love’s agents informing the team Saturday of his position to remain idle until a contract becomes official.
Sean Clifford, a fifth-round pick in 2023, and Michael Pratt, a seventh-round rookie, are the other quarterbacks on the current roster.
A fourth-round pick in 2020 out of Washington — by way of Georgia — Eason has played in two career games with five completions in 10 attempts.
He last appeared in a game in 2022 with the Panthers in a 24-10 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Eason was 3-of-5 passing for 59 yards with an interception.
Eason also spent time with the San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks and New York Giants.
COMMANDERS ‘WILL KNOW’ WHEN QB JAYDEN DANIELS’ TIME ARRIVES
Not everything is new in Washington, but the Commanders kick off training camp with a roster comprised of a majority of players in their first season with the team.
“When you’re starting anything, there’s a freshness and a newness that goes with that,” Commanders coach Dan Quinn said Tuesday. “Knowing that there’s new people here, new relationships. What you’re also missing is those relationships get stronger, deeper in Year 2, Year 3. But you only get one shot with the first year — and we’re not going to miss that shot.”
One of those players in the spotlight is quarterback Jayden Daniels, the No. 2 pick in the draft. The expected starter to open the season, the Commanders are not naming Daniels the No. 1 quarterback to begin camp. One of six quarterbacks drafted in the first round in April, Daniels had a breakout season at LSU and was chosen between Caleb Williams (Bears) and Drake Maye (Patriots).
Williams was anointed the starter in Chicago before minicamp. Maye was informed Jacoby Brissett enters training camp as the starter in New England.
“My experience with young quarterbacks, like (Quinn) said, it’s not one size fits all,” general manager Adam Peters said. “I think everybody can see when that’s happening. When they’re ready, the team knows. The coaches know. You don’t want to fast-track it.”
Quinn denied the rationale for not naming Daniels the first-team quarterback over Marcus Mariota and Jeff Driskel was to keep the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner motivated. Quinn said he’s not naming any player a starter in July.
“At every position this is the case: As we’re going through this process, we’re not going to miss one step in their development,” Quinn said. “We want to make sure we’re using all that time.”
Peters said he’s constantly trying to see the big picture but balancing the reality of the situation.
“It’s a Not for Long league, right? We’re all focused on winning right now but also building for sustained success,” Peters said.
DOLPHINS RE-SIGN DE EMMANUEL OGBAH
Pass rusher Emmanuel Ogbah is returning to the Dolphins, agreeing on Tuesday to a one-year deal to stay in Miami for a fifth consecutive season.
Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel welcomed Ogbah back in a social media post, one day after an open workout that included free agent Yannick Ngakoue.
Ogbah’s contract can be worth up to $5 million, according to ESPN, and comes exactly four months after he was released by the Dolphins in a cap-clearing move.
The Dolphins had a need at the position given Shaquil Barrett’s decision to retire. Barrett signed in March but said Saturday he was stepping away from the game.
Ogbah returned from a triceps injury in 2022 to play 15 games in 2023, posting 5.0 sacks and 20 total tackles.
Miami was devastated by injuries at the edge positions last season. Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips, and Cameron Goode are all starting training camp on the physically unable-to-perform list.
Ogbah has 42.5 career sacks since entering the league as a second-round pick of the Cleveland Browns in 2016.
The Dolphins drafted Penn State pass rusher Chop Robinson with the 21st overall pick in April.
PATRIOTS’ MAYO: BRISSETT QB1 FRONT-RUNNER, DOOR STILL OPEN FOR MAYE
New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo labeled quarterback Jacoby Brissett as the front-runner for the starting signal-caller job but left the door open for rookie Drake Maye to pass him in camp.
“Coming out of the spring, I don’t think there is any doubt Jacoby is the starting quarterback at this point in time,” Mayo told reporters Tuesday. “I think it’s clear Jacoby is the most pro-ready guy.”
When asked if there’s a world where Maye wins the starting gig, Mayo added: “If (Maye) comes out here and lights it up … it could absolutely happen.”
New England signed Brissett to a one-year, $8-million deal in March. The 31-year-old spent last season in Washington, completing 18 of 23 passes for 224 yards and three touchdowns in three contests. Brissett started 11 games with the Browns in 2022, totaling a 4-7 record with 2,608 passing yards and ranking 10th in EPA/play among quarterbacks who played 300 snaps.
Maye was selected third overall by the Patriots in April’s draft. The North Carolina product started 26 games from 2022-23, racking up 7,929 passing yards with 62 touchdowns and 16 interceptions.
“The goal for Drake is to get better each and every day,” Mayo said. “And it’s not a straight line up to the top; there will be ups and downs. … If he comes out here, takes full advantage, and lights it up, he could be the Day 1 quarterback.”
New England is transitioning as Mayo replaces longtime head coach Bill Belichick. The club has the most cap space in the league and is projected to have the second highest in 2025, per Over The Cap.
“It would be great to get up here and say ‘We’re gonna win a Super Bowl,’ but once again, it’s about the process,” Mayo said.
TYREEK HILL EYES EXTENSION, WANTS TO STAY WITH DOLPHINS
Reporting on the first day of Dolphins training camp, star wide receiver Tyreek Hill wants to be paid like his contemporaries but also expressed his desire to remain in Miami.
“Obviously, I let (agent) Drew (Rosenhaus) and the team handle that situation,” said the 30-year-old Hill, who still has three years remaining on his contract. “The only thing I told Drew was, ‘Do not get me traded, bro.’ Last time you did this, you got me traded. That’s been my only thing to him. I want to stay here in Miami.
“Obviously, this is where my family is now. Everybody loves it here. Family loves it, wife loves it, kids love it. Obviously, I love playing for coach (Mike McDaniel), and my teammates are awesome. I wouldn’t want to leave.”
When he signed a four-year, $120 million deal with the Dolphins before the 2023 season, Hill — who will make $19.665 million in 2024 — was the highest-paid wideout in the NFL. This offseason, three wide receivers have eclipsed him in terms of average annual earnings.
The Vikings’ Justin Jefferson reset the market with a four-year, $140 million contract ($35 million per season) that eclipsed the $32 million per year Eagles wideout A.J. Brown receives. Amon-Ra St. Brown signed a four-year deal worth $30.002 million per year with the Lions.
Hill’s teammate, Jaylen Waddle, signed a three-year, $84.75 million extension in May that keeps him under contract through 2028 at a total value of $104.6 million. Waddle will make slightly more ($19.928M) than Hill in 2024.
An eight-time Pro Bowl selection, Hill posted a career-high, NFL-leading and franchise-record 1,799 receiving yards in 2023 to become the first player in NFL history to record 1,700-plus receiving yards in multiple seasons.
DOLPHINS QB TUA TAGOVAILOA AT CAMP WITH CONTRACT IN FLUX
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa reported to training camp with the Miami Dolphins and teammates expect him to practice, putting the business side of the game on the backburner for the moment.
“He’s very excited to be back in the building with the rest of the guys,” Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill said Tuesday. “Still going through his business here even without a contract.”
Tagovailoa played through the four base years in his rookie contract and is currently on an expiring deal — the fifth-year team option worth $23.1 million. But the going rate for plus starters in the NFL is more than double that rate annually.
The player drafted behind Tagovailoa in 2020, Justin Herbert, signed a five-year, $265 million contract last summer and the No. 1 pick in 2020, Joe Burrow, signed a similar pact.
At the outset of camp, Packers 2020 first-rounder Jordan Love was present in Green Bay for workouts but not participating while his contract is completed by his camp and the front office.
Running back Raheem Mostert said teammates wouldn’t question Tagovailoa if his representatives decided to follow Love’s path to a “hold in,” as opposed to skipping camp in a holdout.
“I think it could be the right move and guys in the locker room definitely understand that. And Tua is Tua, he’s always putting the team first. That’s how I see it and that’s how everybody in the locker room sees it,” Mostert said Tuesday.
Mostert said Tagovailoa has everything the franchise wants in a quarterback.
“I think Tua is very well deserving of the opportunity to get a contract extension,” Mostert said. “He’s worked his tail off, especially since I’ve started playing with him. I’ve seen nothing but growth. And the leadership he portrays, not only for the team, but for the organization, is definitely top notch. One of the best — if not the best — leaders in the locker room and for the organization. So, with that being said, I truly believe that he deserves everything that he has coming his way — plus more. I’m just excited for him. It’s going to be a great opportunity.”
The Dolphins drafted Tagovailoa fifth overall in 2020 and he led the NFL with 4,624 passing yards in 2023. He also tallied 29 touchdown passes and largely stayed healthy. For the first time in his pro career, he played all 17 games in the regular season after concussions impacted his 2022 season.
BENGALS’ JOE BURROW, JA’MARR CHASE FEATURE NEW LOOKS
New season, new style.
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow arrived at training camp in Cincinnati on Tuesday sporting a new bleached-blond buzz cut.
The Bengals posted a photo of their “new-look” quarterback to social media and added the caption of “guess who’s back” — a lyric from Eminem’s 2002 hit “Without Me.” Burrow now looks a bit like the famous rapper after shedding the thicker brown hair he’s had since entering the league as the top overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft.
And the Bengals are happy to have back Burrow, whose 2023 season ended prematurely after 10 games because of a torn ligament in his right wrist.
Burrow, 27, wasn’t the only Bengals superstar with a different look, however.
Wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, 24, also featured a short haircut after sporting longer hair since entering the league as the fifth overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Chase and the Bengals have yet to come to terms on a long-term contract extension, but he could still afford that haircut. He will play the 2024 season on a $21.8 million fifth-year option.