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Jordan Weaver

NFL contract chaos: 30 of 32 second-round picks still unsigned

We’re looking at the biggest rookie contract standoff in NFL history and it’s happening RIGHT NOW as teams report to training camp. So here’s what went down. The Texans broke precedent by giving Jayden Higgins a fully guaranteed rookie deal as the 34th overall pick. Never happened before for a second rounder. Then the Browns had no choice but to match it for Carson Schwesinger at pick 33 because how do you explain to your guy that the player drafted after him got better terms? Now we have 30 players saying “hold up, why don’t I get the same deal?” And honestly they have a point. If you’re pick 35 versus pick 34, what’s the real difference in value? These agents are smart and they’re not backing down. The problem is teams never budgeted for fully guaranteed second round contracts. That’s millions more in guaranteed money they weren’t planning to spend. But these players aren’t going to show up to camp and risk injury without getting paid like their peers. This could get ugly fast. Imagine your team’s second rounder missing weeks of crucial development time because of a contract standoff. Some of these guys like Will Johnson and Luther Burden were expected to contribute immediately. Now they might miss critical reps with their teams. The league created this mess by allowing the precedent to be set. Once that first domino fell with Higgins getting full guarantees, this was inevitable. You can’t expect players and agents to just accept less when comparable picks got more. My prediction? Teams are going to have to cave eventually. Missing training camp hurts everyone but rookies missing development time hurts them most. The NFLPA probably told these guys to hold strong because this could reshape the entire rookie wage scale going forward. What do you think happens here? Do teams cave and give out 30 more fully guaranteed deals? Or do these players miss significant time holding out? This is about to get very interesting very quickly. #NFL #RookieContracts #TrainingCamp

NFL contract chaos: 30 of 32 second-round picks still unsigned
Debra Small

Sewell got SCREWED in these ESPN rankings

ESPN just dropped their tackle rankings and somehow Penei Sewell is sitting at NUMBER TWO behind Tristan Wirfs? This is straight up disrespectful to the best left tackle in football. I’m not taking anything away from Wirfs because he’s obviously elite but come on. Sewell has been dominant since the day he stepped on the field. The man is a physical specimen who destroys pass rushers week after week. His technique is flawless and he makes protecting Jared Goff look like child’s play. The ESPN evaluators are talking about Wirfs having better “ease” in his game but have they watched Sewell pancake defensive ends? The dude is an absolute mauler who can also slide protect with the best of them. His run blocking alone should put him at number one. When we’re pounding the rock behind him our rushing attack becomes unstoppable. This ranking is going to age terribly when Sewell continues beasting in 2025. He’s only getting better and he’s already playing at a Hall of Fame level. The disrespect from national media never stops but we know what we have in Detroit. By the end of next season everyone will realize Sewell should have been number one all along. The Lions have the best left tackle in football and these rankings won’t change that reality. #OnePride #DetroitLions #PeneiSewell #NFL

Sewell got SCREWED in these ESPN rankings
Jacob Robinson

Wirfs is officially the #1 tackle in the NFL

Just saw the ESPN rankings and our boy Tristan Wirfs finally got the respect he deserves. Number one tackle in the entire league! From 4th last year straight to the top! I’ve been saying this for years - Wirfs has been the most underrated player on our team. Now the whole league knows what we’ve known since day one. This man is an absolute beast. A 95.9% pass block win rate leading all tackles? Only gave up TWO sacks the entire season? Are you kidding me right now? He is the first player EVER to make first-team All-Pro at both left and right tackle. The flexibility this gives our coaching staff is insane. Need to move him around based on matchups? No problem. Wirfs handles it like he’s been playing that side his whole career. The executives know what’s up too. That’s our guy! Size and athleticism that you just can’t teach. Meanwhile he’s getting paid like the elite player he is at $28.125 million per year. Worth every penny when you see what he does for our offense. #TampaBayBuccaneers #NFL

Wirfs is officially the #1 tackle in the NFL
BrownsNewsNow

Browns potentially being linked to a Terry McLaurin trade

Just saw this article about the Browns potentially being linked to a Terry McLaurin trade. Gotta be honest, the headline screams “BLOCKBUSTER” but the actual content is pretty thin - basically just one reporter saying “they should consider it.” But it got me thinking… should the Browns actually make this move? McLaurin is legitimately elite (82/1096/13 last season) Jerry Jeudy needs a legitimate #1 to take pressure off him They completely whiffed on WR in the draft Could be the missing piece for whoever wins the QB battle If you’re Kevin Stefanski and you think you can get production from your QB room, McLaurin instantly makes your offense way more dangerous. Browns fans - do you want this trade? #NFL #Browns

Browns potentially being linked to a Terry McLaurin trade
Patrick Boyd

SB Nation has Jalen Hurts OUTSIDE the top 10 QBs

Just saw SB Nation’s QB rankings and they somehow have Jalen Hurts ranked outside the top 10. 1 . Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs 2. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens 3. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills 4. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals 5. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers 6. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams 7. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys 8. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers 9. Geno Smith, Las Vegas Raiders 10. CJ Stroud, Houston Texans Let me get this straight - a QB who: Led his team to the Super Bowl just two seasons ago Has one of the most unique dual-threat skill sets in the league Carried the Eagles through the playoffs with his arm AND legs Is still only 25 years old …somehow isn’t even a top 13 QB in the NFL? I’m genuinely confused about the logic here. They say QB4-12 is “incredibly fluid” but then rank Hurts so low he’s not even in the conversation? What 13 QBs are definitively better than Jalen Hurts right now? #NFL

SB Nation has Jalen Hurts OUTSIDE the top 10 QBs
Patrick Boyd

Justin Simmons still unsigned - which contender should pull the trigger?

Can’t believe we’re in mid-July and Justin Simmons is still sitting there unsigned. Dude’s a 2x Pro Bowler, 4x All-Pro, and has been rock solid for nearly a decade. Yeah he’s 31 but it’s not like safety is a position where you fall off a cliff at that age. What’s really getting to me is his quotes about prioritizing a contender. Man’s played 9 seasons and never seen a playoff game - that’s actually heartbreaking for a player of his caliber. You know he’s gonna take a team-friendly deal just for a shot at January football. Teams that make sense: Eagles: Fangio reunion + they just traded CJ Gardner-Johnson. This feels like a no-brainer Panthers: They’ve shown interest but are they really “contenders”? Bills: Always looking for veteran depth, could be a sneaky good fit 49ers: If they want to go all-in, adding Simmons would be nasty Hot take: Whatever team signs him is getting incredible value. A proven vet willing to take less money for a ring? That’s exactly the type of signing that puts teams over the top. The fact that he’s STILL available while training camps are starting feels like malpractice by some of these GMs. Someone’s gonna get a steal here. Which team do you think should/will sign Simmons? #NFL

Justin Simmons still unsigned - which contender should pull the trigger?
Patty Mendoza

Aiyuk’s potential week 1 return could be HUGE for NFC West dominance

Just saw Maiocco’s latest update on BA’s recovery being ahead of schedule and there’s actually a chance he could suit up Week 1 vs Seattle. Got me thinking - having Aiyuk back for division games could be the difference maker in what’s shaping up to be another brutal NFC West race. Seahawks still have that secondary that gave us trouble last year Rams are retooling but still dangerous with their passing attack Cardinals are young and hungry with a full offseason under their belt Without Aiyuk, we’re looking at Deebo, Jennings, and whoever else steps up. That’s decent but not scary. WITH a healthy Aiyuk? Now defenses have to pick their poison - do you double Deebo and let Aiyuk work in single coverage? Vice versa? The West is going to come down to divisional games again. Every single one matters. Having our full offensive arsenal available, especially against Seattle Week 1, could set the tone for the entire season. What do you all think - how much does Aiyuk’s availability impact our NFC West chances? #NFL #49ers

Aiyuk’s potential week 1 return could be HUGE for NFC West dominance