NFL Rumors: Who will back up Jordan Love for Packers?
The Green Bay Packers made a bold decision by releasing veteran backup Danny Etling, thus putting Jordan Love at risk. Love is in his first full season as a starting quarterback, so it would make a lot of sense to bring in a veteran backup just in case the Utah State product struggles mightily or is injured.
Instead, the Packers released Etling, who spent the 2022 season as the practice squad quarterback behind Aaron Rodgers. Etling does have some experience, but Green Bay isn't losing much in his services. Instead, cutting Etling loose also stresses the confidence Matt LaFleur and Co. have in the likes of rookie QB Sean Clifford out of Penn State, as well as USFL MVP Alex McGough.
Clifford would appear to have the edge to back up Love right now (assuming the Packers don't sign another quarterback). The rookie out of Penn State impressed LaFleur in pre-draft workouts, and has taken that momentum to mini camp and now training camp. He looks more than capable at running an offense built around love, as Clifford's mobility is a strength.
McGough is a 2018 NFL Draft pick who revived his career in the USFL. Thus far in camp, it appears from the untrained eye that McGough was beating out Etling for the No. 3 QB spot behind Love and Clifford. LaFleur did not want to head into the preseason games with four quarterbacks fighting for playing time, so he did Etling a favor and gave him the chance to find work elsewhere.
NFL Rumors: What to make of Justin Jefferson's contract?
As much as NFL pundits want to make Justin Jefferson's contract (or lack thereof) a talking point, the Vikings wide receiver is unwilling to oblige. Minnesota enters the NFL season being slept on yet again. Despite winning the NFC North and winning 13 games last year, Minnesota's over/under is just 8.5, and the up-and-coming Lions serve as a real threat, it would seem.
Jefferson's sole focus right now is on football, as it should be.
"I wouldn't really say it's an important aspect for me," Jefferson said, per Bleacher Report. "My parents always had money and I was blessed to be a part of a two-parent household that supported me and pretty much gave me anything I needed in the sports aspect and daily life. So money wasn't my main need. It's really all about playing the game that I love, playing the game that I've been playing since I was 7 years old. Now it's to the point of contract talks and being one of the highest paid. That's a dream that I would love to happen someday, but it's not my main priority."
Jefferson is in line to become the NFL's highest-paid wide receiver when he's due. For his part, Jefferson has said and done all the right things, rather than creating a media circus, as some of his fellow wide receivers have done over the last few years. That indicates a good relationship with the Vikings front office, and an expectation that a new deal is a matter of when, not if.
NFL Rumors: Would the Chiefs consider trading Chris Jones?
Kansas City general manager Brett Veach is unlikely to trade Chris Jones, even in the middle of a contract dispute. This is not Tyreek Hill 2.0, as the Chiefs don't have an obvious replacement for one of the best pass-rushers in football.
Jones is due his payday, as he's still in his prime. If recent reports are to be believed, Jones wants a long-term contract at about $30 million per season, which would make him the second-highest paid pass-rusher in football to only Aaron Donald. That seems about appropriate, and it will likely come to fruition once Veach and Jones' representatives work out the finer points of this contract. Unfortunately, that will only come after a fierce negotiation.
But what if said negotiations took a turn for the worse? If the Chiefs were to trade Jones, how much could they expect back in return? Arrowhead Addict's Greg Morse took a shot at that prognosis:
"What exactly could that return look like? I took my cue from the Tyreek Hill trade that Brett Veach pulled off last year where he netted five draft choices: one first, one second, two fourths, and a sixth-round selection over the next two draft classes…As I've said before, wide receivers are a hot commodity, but pass rushers are worth their weight in gold. Which is why I think the Chiefs could easily get at least two first-round picks for Chris Jones."
Along with several firsts, Morse also believes Jones could fetch some late-round draft capital. He's right in that pass rushers are more valuable than wide receivers in the modern NFL. They are the first line of defense against the most important position in football — the quarterback. Because of this Jones could land KC a solid return, even at the age of 30.
That trade — or any, for that matter — still seems unlikely from KC's perspective.
