Something was starting to happen last year in New York. Thanks to receiver Garrett Wilson and cornerback Sauce Gardner, respectively offensive rookie and defensive rookie of the 2022 season, the Jets have experienced sublime progress. The potential of this team was so great that one of the greatest quarterbacks in history, Aaron Rodgers, joined it. With the arrival of the 39-year-old quarterback, this squad became contenders not only for the playoffs, but also for the Super Bowl title. Along with Rodgers are also landed the excellent Allen Lazard and the immortal Randall Cobb, two prime targets when he was playing for the Green Bay Packers. More interestingly, the chemistry seems to operate within this group of star players. The only doubt remained the ground game. Lo and behold, the Jets announced on Monday that star running back Dalvin Cook was joining the squad.
With the Buffalo Bills already threatening, the Miami Dolphins maturing and the New York Jets reinvigorated, the New England Patriots saw their chances of making the playoffs dashed a few months ago. Without advancing to the extent that they will be details this winter, Bill Belichick has at least given himself more chances to achieve this by signing agreements with receiver Juju Smith-Schuster and tight end Mike Gesicki. To make matters worse, however, Gesicki dislocated a shoulder in training. It should, however, be the first game of the Pats. Otherwise, the Patriots brought in two-time Super Bowl champion Trey Flowers on defense and signed star running back Ezekiel Elliott for one year and six million dollars. If “Zeke” proves he’s still looking good, this signing could be a boon for the Pats.
Saquon Barkley, one of the best running backs of his generation, had trouble with the New York Giants. Barkley became a free agent this summer and everyone expected him to break the bank. However, the Giants refused to give in to his salary demands. The two parties entered into conflict. Barkley eventually signed a one-year, $11 million contract. Which is too little, compared to impact players in other positions. Historically, running backs have always been the lowest paid players, considering their job. Teams refuse to roll out the red carpet for players putting their careers at risk on every play. For example, Austin Ekeler of the Los Angeles Chargers hosted a Zoom meeting in July featuring Barkley, Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs, Jonathan Taylor, Christian McCaffrey, Tony Pollard, Nick Chubb, Najee Harris, Aaron Jones, Joe Mixon and JK Jobbins. Together, they formed, in a way, a new union.
Training camps have been devastating for many NFL teams this summer. Several players were injured and compromised their presence for the first game of their team. Starting with Joe Burrow. The Cincinnati Bengals are being taken more seriously than ever, and the quarterback is seen as a potential MVP winner. Burrow, however, suffered a calf injury and his presence is uncertain for the start of September. In the case of Jalen Ramsey, it’s official, he will miss a good part of the season. Injured and then operated on a meniscus, the new cornerback of the Miami Dolphins will miss several weeks, even a few months of activity. At the Los Angeles Rams, Cooper Kupp suffered a thigh injury just over two weeks ago. The NFL’s top receiver could be out for several weeks, but he’s already started training without equipment again.
Chris Jones and Nick Bosa are unhappy. The two want to pocket a lot of money. They will become free agents at the end of the next season and already, they let it be known that they will not intend to laugh during their negotiations. In fact, discussions have started on both sides. The two quarterback hunters want to stay with their team, but not at any price. Since the negotiations are not going as they would like, the two shun training camps. Jones has already racked up $3 million in fines for failing to meet various obligations with the Kansas City Chiefs. The colossus will earn $28.3 million this season. Same story at Bosa. Without a new deal, he won’t join the San Francisco 49ers.
