A fun fact – the NFC East is the only current NFL division in which every team has won at least one Super Bowl.

NFC North – not Detroit

NFC South – not Carolina or Atlanta

NFC West – not Arizona

AFC East – not Buffalo

AFC North – not Cincinnati, not Cleveland

AFC West – not the Chargers.

As for the AFC South – the Colts are the only team in that division ever to have won the Super Bowl.

NFC NORTH

GREEN BAY

Matt Johnson of Sportnaut thinks a multi-million dollar “tweak” to the contract of QB AARON RODGERS will bring the complicated and prideful star back to Green Bay for one-more year:

The first step in convincing Rodgers to return for one last run, adjusting his contract. There are three years left on the current deal, but Green Bay can alter the structure. In addition to Rodgers receiving more money in 2021, the Packers can also include a clause and promise that he will be traded before the 2022 NFL Draft to one of seven teams on a preferred trade list.

Admitting mistakes isn’t easy, but it’s evident the Packers messed up a situation countless NFL franchises dream of having. Green Bay had one of the most talented quarterbacks in NFL history willing to finish his career with a franchise few free agents want to sign with. Yet, it seems like this organization understood Rodgers even less than most NFL fans.

Rodgers doesn’t forget the actions or comments made by others. He always remembered the San Francisco 49ers, his hometown team, passed on him in the 2005 NFL Draft. As described by NFL writer Mike Freeman, Rodgers is a world-class grudge-holder.

That’s what makes Gutekunst’s approach to the 2020 NFL Draft so jarring. Not once did he even hint to Rodgers, neither in the weeks before the draft nor shortly before the pick, that Green Bay would be drafting a quarterback. A simple gesture to the most impactful person in a franchise was overlooked and that’s not common.

It’s clear that Gutekunst and Murphy are going to outlast Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay. But both executives need to recognize that for an organization that can’t attract star talent in free agency, players take notice of what is said. If Rodgers is treated this way, that speaks volumes about how any other player will be treated.

Admitting mistakes to Rodgers, the fans and the public is just a small step toward this organization starting to repair a reputation that has taken a deserved hit.

But maybe Rodgers will show up for camp even with his same old contract.  Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com:

Current teammates of Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers haven’t said much about his actual or potential plans for 2021. Recently, veteran tight end Marcedes Lewis opened up to TMZ.com. A little.

Lewis said the “thinks” Rodgers will report to training camp.

“I think so,” Lewis said at LAX. “I hope so. I hope to see my guy there.”

And then Lewis borrowed a phrase that Rodgers uttered nearly two weeks ago: “We’ll see.”

The fact that Lewis, a 16-year veteran who has immense respect throughout the locker room, doesn’t know what’s happening underscores the most awkward aspect of this standoff. His teammates don’t know what’s happening, and presumably won’t know, until everyone else does. And so they’ve had to wonder, like the rest of us, whether the most important employee of Green Bay Packers, Incorporated will be present when preparations for the season officially begin.

It’s possible, but not likely, that teammates know Rodgers will show up, and that they are being discreet and careful with the information. The more people know, the easier it becomes for one to say something to someone who eventually says something to a reporter under a promise of anonymity, and that’s the end of it.

Regardless, the beautiful mystery reaches a potential conclusion in nine days, regardless of whether Rodgers does or doesn’t show up.

MINNESOTA

DT MICHAEL PIERCE has a calf injury.  Myles Simmons of ProFootballTalk.com:

After signing with the Vikings during free agency, defensive tackle Michael Pierce opted out of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now, his 2021 comeback may be a bit delayed.

NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reports Pierce suffered a calf injury while training, putting his availability for the start of training camp in doubt. But, Rapoport adds, the injury should not keep him sidelined for the start of the regular season in September.

Pierce is one piece of a revamped Minnesota defense that should be much improved in 2021. Last year, the club finished 27th in yards allowed and 29th in points allowed.

With Danielle Hunter, Anthony Barr, and Eric Kendricks healthy, plus additions like Patrick Peterson, Bashaud Breeland, Dalvin Thompson, and Sheldon Richardson, the Vikings have a chance to get back to being a top-10 defense — as they’ve been for the majority of head coach Mike Zimmer’s tenure.

NFC EAST

PHILADELPHIA

For all the talk about having to respect a player’s decision to opt out of 2020, the DB must confess to not having a favorable gut reaction to QB JAMIE NEWMAN, a touted transfer, opting late to abandon Georgia and sit out last season for vague reasons.

Despite not playing in 2020, he garnered an invite to the Senior Bowl and failed to pass the eyeball test.

And now, the Eagles have waived him before he even gets to camp.

Evan Crowell of ESPN.com:

ESPN insider Field Yates reported on Wednesday that quarterback Jamie Newman was waived by the Philadelphia Eagles. Newman signed with the Eagles after being undrafted this year.

Newman transferred to Georgia from Wake Forest at the start of the 2020 season. He decided to opt out during fall practices in order to focus on the NFL Draft.

Newman expressed concern about the coronavirus pandemic. He said his family was experiencing issues with the virus and that it was a major factor in his decision.

Heading into the season, Newman was projected in the first round in multiple mock drafts. NFL scouts liked the dual-threat ability that Newman offers and many thought he could improve his mechanics under offensive coordinator Todd Monken.

His opt-out came as a shock to many. The Bulldogs were left without a starting quarterback and had to improvise before the season even started.

The Bulldogs had to figure out who their starting quarterback was on the fly. D’Wan Mathis opened the season as the starter, but was benched after one half of play.

Stetson Bennett IV got the next five starts before being benched in the second half vs. Florida. Georgia lost the game against the Gators and subsequently were knocked out of the race for the College Football Playoff.

The rest is history. Quarterback JT Daniels got the start against Mississippi State and Georgia rattled off four straight wins.

EJ Smith of the Philadelphia Inquirer has some info from his time with the Eagles:

The decision to move on from Newman came as a bit of a surprise. The 6-foot-4, 230-pound QB has a similar playing style and build to Jalen Hurts. He played in 19 games at Wake Forest over three seasons, throwing for 3,959 yards and 35 touchdowns while completing 60.5% of his passes. He also ran for 826 yards and 10 scores. He transferred to Georgia last season but opted out because of coronavirus concerns.

Joe Flacco has the backup spot firmly in his reach for this season, but Newman’s ability to eventually step in as a backup capable of running an offense built for Hurts seemed enticing. Eagles coach Nick Sirianni praised the quarterback last month after the first day of rookie camp.

“Jamie is an impressive — he’s got great stature,” Sirianni said. “He’s a big man. As we watch tape on him, too, he’s hard to bring down. He’s a really good athlete. … He’s really sharp in the classroom. You can see why he was successful at Wake Forest when he was there. You know, he’s got qualities that you want to be able to develop, and so good first day for Jamie.”

Whether the Eagles go into training camp late next month with just Hurts and Flacco remains to be seen, but there’s a good chance they’ll add another camp arm.

NFC SOUTH

ATLANTA

The 2021 crime wave has struck PK YOUNGHOE KOO.

Younghoe Koo just wants his cleats back.

The Atlanta Falcons kicker took to social media Sunday morning to share that his Jeep was stolen overnight. His main ask was for the person to return all of his cleats.

Koo shared a photo of an empty parking spot in front of a hedge on his Instagram story with the text, “Mfs stole my Jeep smh. Can you just bring my cleats back tho.” It included a neutral-faced emoji.

“I won’t even be mad bro just bring all my cleats back so I can go kick,” he wrote on a blank slide. He included the license plate and tagged ATL Scoop, an account that has a handful of missing car post shares on its Instagram Story as of Sunday.

Atlanta Police said in January there was a 40 percent increase in car thefts over the past year. They said of those thefts, 67 percent were because the vehicle was left running or there was an extra set of keys in the vehicle, via Fox 5 News Atlanta.

The Falcons held mandatory minicamp early last month. Players are to report to training camp on July 27, 10 days from Koo reporting his car and cleats were missing.

Koo re-signed with the Falcons in March after the first Pro Bowl honors of his career. He was 37-for-39 (94.9%) on field goals in 2020, leading the league in makes and surpassing Matt Bryant for most field goals in a single Falcons season. He became the first player in team history to make at least eight field-goal attempts of at least 50 yards without a miss. Along with 33 made extra points he scored a career-high 144 points in 15 games.

NEW ORLEANS

Drew Brees on his successors – and it is apparent he thinks both will play:

On Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill:

“Both guys have such a love for the game … and you can see it in the way they play. Taysom has an infectious love for the game. There is not a guy who is more respected for that and for what he brings to the team. Jameis was such a joy to be around. He also loves the game and loves to work at it. You can tell that football consumes his thoughts. He wants to be a great player and continue to improve. Whatever happens, in terms of whoever is the starter, I do think there is a scenario where both of them are playing. If Jameis is the starter I think Taysom is seeing a lot of action at quarterback, maybe even moreso than he did with me.”

TAMPA BAY

John Breech of CBSSports.com thinks the Buccaneers should be hammered for not mentioning an injury to a player who did not miss a minute in all of 2020.

It’s not easy to upstage yourself after six Super Bowl wins, but Tom Brady definitely managed to do that during the 2020 season and that’s because not only did he end up winning his seventh Lombardi Trophy, but he did it in a year where he played the entire season with a torn MCL.

The man won a Super Bowl playing on one leg!

Although this will look legendary on Brady’s résumé, it’s not necessarily a good thing for the Buccaneers that this injury news leaked out on Thursday and that’s because it could put them in hot water with the NFL.

The problem for the Buccaneers is that if Brady played the entire season with an MCL tear, then he should have been listed on the team’s injury report each week during the season. The NFL has a specific rule that covers this exact situation and the rule is pretty clear.

From the league’s handbook:

“All players who have reportable injuries must be listed on the practice report, even if the player takes all the reps in practice, and even if the team is certain that he will play in the upcoming game. This is especially true of key players.”

The italicized portion of the above quote is literally UNDERLINED in the league’s operations manual. The fact that the NFL also mentions specifically that all “key” players should be on the report is something that will make this difficult for the Buccaneers to argue their way out of.

If a team violates the NFL’s policy on reporting injuries, the commissioner has the power to hand down multiple different punishments, including the suspension of anyone involved.

“A violation of the policy may result in Commissioner discipline, which may include a fine on the involved club, fines or suspensions of involved individuals, as well as the possible forfeiture of draft choices by the involved club,” the league’s rulebook states.

Imagine how crazy things would get if Roger Goodell decided to suspend Brady for the second time in five years.

When asked if the Buccaneers would be punished over the Brady situation, the NFL gave a “no comment” to Pro Football Talk. The “no comment” doesn’t mean the Buccaneers won’t be punished. What it most likely means is that the NFL is going to look into the situation. For the Buccaneers, it’s going to be nearly impossible to deny that Brady played injured, especially because he admitted it last month.

Brady was actually asked about his knee injury during minicamp in June and although he never admitted how serious it was, he did admit that it had been bothering him since April 2020. 

“It was an injury I dealt with really since last April, May,” Brady said. “I knew I’d have to do something at the end of the [2020 season], and happy I did it. It was probably something that certainly needed to be done and there was a great outcome, so I’m very happy about that. I feel I’ll be able to do some different things this year than I was able to do last year.”

The NFL has proven it will punish teams that hide injuries, especially in high profile situations. After hiding a Brett Favre injury during the 2008 season, the Jets were hit with a $125,000 fine.

NFC WEST

LOS ANGELES RAMS

The conventional wisdom is that 33-year-old QB MATTHEW STAFFORD will suddenly flourish under the spell of elite offensive coach Sean McVay.  S JIMMIE WARD of the 49ers takes a contrarian view as reported by Grant Cohn of SI.com:

This might have been the best moment of my hourlong interview with Jimmie Ward, and I didn’t even ask the question that led to it.

Tommy Huxley, a 49ers fan watching live on YouTube, asked Ward if he thinks he will continue to play well against the Rams now that Matthew Stafford is their quarterback instead of Jared Goff.

I expected Ward would give a generic answer and sidestep the question, offending no one. He did not. He launched into his true feeling about Stafford, Goff and the Rams, God love him.

Here’s what Ward said.

WARD: “I like Stafford, but they still will have the same players that he’ll be throwing the ball to. He’s the same quarterback who was on the Detroit Lions and they still didn’t go to the playoffs, and they had Megatron (Calvin Johnson). What was the problem over there in Detroit? Are you going to blame the city? What was the problem? Was it the money? If they city didn’t have enough money to bring players over there, why even have an NFL team? That’s a big question mark.

“They went and traded Jared Goff, who went to the playoffs several times and went to the Super Bowl. Yeah, he lost. He went to the Super Bowl, though. I’ve yet to see that with Matt Stafford. And I’m saying, he’s still great. I believe he’s a top 10 quarterback, maybe top 5. I don’t know. We’ll see. I’m just going off of what I see. And I see Jared Goff got those boys to the Super Bowl.”

AFC WEST

LAS VEGAS

GM Mike Mayock offers an explanation for the apparent madness of breaking up a top offensive line.  The Sports Daily:

The Raiders fielded one of the top offensive lines in the NFL last season, but even they know that it’s a position group that must be retooled every few years, or it could all fall apart.

Just look at the Steelers and Eagles, who ranked in the top five — in nearly all metrics — just one year ago, yet fared in the bottom-third of the league in 2020. The Eagles’ offensive line often resembled a turnstile, just ask Carson Wentz.

The Raiders are well aware of the fact that building a stout offensive line is vital to a team’s success, and must be done by utilizing the perfect mix of youth and veteran talent. That’s probably why they traded away three of their five starters — most notably, stud right tackle Trent Brown. Right guard Gabe Jackson and center Rodney Hudson were moved as well.

General manager Mike Mayock is aware of the criticism, and he explained the rationale behind the moves.

“I know a lot of people were like, ‘Wow, why’d they do that?’” Mayock said, via the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “But I don’t feel like we took a step back and we wouldn’t have made the moves if we felt that. . . . You can criticize all you want, and I’m talking about the world in general, but I can’t tell you how excited I am to watch our new group play next year. We’re committed to what we’re doing and we believe in them. We really believe we got younger, we got more athletic and we saved a bunch of money.”

It’s a business, first and foremost. Mayock is right. The unit will inevitably take a step back this season, but the Raiders will be better off in the future.

AFC NORTH

PITTSBURGH

The Steelers have a looming contract issue with EDGE T.J. WATT.  Joe Rutter of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:

When he reported to mandatory minicamp after skipping all of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ optional organized team activities, T.J. Watt said he wasn’t going to talk about his contract situation.

No long-term deal has been struck since the Steelers broke for their summer hiatus in mid-June, meaning Watt’s contract uncertainty will be the most pressing off-field issue of training camp.

The Steelers cease contract negotiations once the regular season commences, meaning they have until Sept. 12 to sign the NFL’s defensive player of the year runner-up to a second contract.

The deal could be the largest given to a non-quarterback in franchise history. Watt’s play in his first four NFL seasons could land him a deal comparable to the five-year, $135 million contract that the Los Angeles Chargers gave edge rusher Joey Bosa. Cleveland’s Myles Garrett, like Watt a member of the 2017 draft class, is averaging $25 million a year under his new contract.

By comparison, Watt’s $10.089 million salary for 2021 represents a bargain. His salary is based on the fifth-year option the Steelers exercised in the spring of 2020.

Unlike 2021 when the Steelers had to release players in order to get under the salary cap, they will face no such financial obstacles next year. According to salary-tracking website, overthecap.com, the Steelers have $75 million in cap space available for 2022. Only the Indianapolis Colts, with $83 million, are targeted to have more money to spend. Spotrac.com pegs the Steelers’ cap spending at $76 million, putting them behind the Colts and New York Jets.

Thanks to the influx of money provided by the national television contracts that recently were negotiated, owners will have plenty of cash to spend next offseason. The Steelers would prefer to get business done with Watt prior to the offseason when they likely would have to use the franchise tag on him for 2022.

The Steelers have no other impending business with members of the 2018 draft class who could become free agents in 2022, although they could try to lock up tackle Chuks Okorafor, who is entering his first full NFL season as a starter.

AFC SOUTH

HOUSTON

Will QB DESHAUN WATSON be allowed to go to camp with so many complaints from his massage therapists still unresolved?  Grey Papke of Larry Brown Sports:

Deshaun Watson’s legal situation isn’t getting any clearer, and with training camp right around the corner, it may force the NFL into making some sort of decision on his status.

In a recent appearance on “The Dan Patrick Show,” Albert Breer of The MMQB suggested that the league may consider placing Watson on the commissioner’s exempt list at the start of training camp. Placement on the exempt list would mean Watson is paid his salary, but is not counted as a member of the active roster and cannot practice or play in games.

The situation is somewhat complicated by Watson’s stated desire to leave the Houston Texans, meaning the quarterback might not show up anyway. However, teams cannot forgive training camp fines under the new CBA, so putting Watson on the exempt list might be a way to placate both the team and the player.

“My sense is the league would probably try to kick the can down the road as long as the legal situation’s still playing out, and the way they kick the can down the road is that exempt clause. They put the player on paid leave and they basically push pause on the whole thing,” Breer said. “With the training camp reporting date being a week and a half, two weeks away, you would think that they would have to make a decision whether or not to put him on the exempt list unless Watson’s lawyers can find a way to reach a settlement between now and July 27.”

Breer added that league discipline of some sort is still expected for Watson, and the quarterback is unlikely to play to start the season no matter what. However, he did suggest that Watson had at least a decent chance of playing at some point in 2021.

“I think there’s a possibility and a good chance he plays in 2021,” Breer said. “I do not think he’ll be playing for any team in Week 1.”

Watson has been accused of sexual assault by multiple women. The NFL investigation is proceeding slowly, as Watson had yet to be interviewed about the allegations as of last month. There is still some talk that Watson could be traded, perhaps to this team, despite him facing multiple lawsuits and the likelihood of league discipline.

AFC EAST

BUFFALO

Mike Tirico, subbing for Peter King, notes the odd and daunting nature of the primetime schedule provided the Bills:

I think the Bills have a really tough prime-time slate.

Week 5: SNF at Kansas City

Week 6: MNF at Tennessee

That is back-to-back prime time road games against two of the other three AFC teams who, like the Bills, have made it to the playoffs each of the last two years (Baltimore is the other and the Bills miss the Ravens this season).

Then another rough back-to-back prime time stretch:

Week 12: Thanksgiving Night on NBC at New Orleans

Week 13: MNF home versus New England

Especially given the home field advantage they enjoy at home; those three road prime-time games will go a long way to determine how good the Bills are this season.

Unmentioned by Tirico is the fact that after the Patriots home game on a Monday, the Bills have their most daunting test of the season – at Tampa Bay on short rest late on Sunday in Week 14.

MIAMI

Frank Schwab of YahooSports.com looks at the Dolphins, #13 as he climbs up his previews.  He has them that high despite reservations about QB TUA TAGAVIALOA:

Quarterbacks used to get four or five years before teams made a decision on whether they were a long-term answer.

Tua Tagovailoa, coming off a serious hip injury his final college season, got nine starts in many observers’ eyes.

The narrative around the Miami Dolphins quarterback has been mostly negative. It’s assumed that at best he’ll never be as good as Justin Herbert, the 2020 NFL offensive rookie of the year taken one pick behind Tagovailoa, and at worst he’ll be a bust. Tagovailoa wasn’t terrible as a rookie. He threw for 11 touchdowns, five interceptions and had a reasonable 87.1 passer rating. But this is the NFL now. Some have called the evaluation of young quarterbacks a microwave, but most microwaves don’t cook this fast.

In another era, Tagovailoa’s up-and-down rookie season would be no reason for panic (in another era Tagovailoa probably would have sat all season). When the ever-popular Ryan Fitzpatrick played well in relief of Tagovailoa in games the rookie struggled, it looked bad for Tagovailoa. With the season on the line in Week 17, Tagovailoa didn’t play well in a loss to the Bills. With social media takes needing to be watered 365 days a year, Tagovailoa wasn’t going to escape the harsh criticism for what wasn’t a disastrous rookie season. He just wasn’t as good as Herbert or Joe Burrow.

Some of the criticism is warranted, and Tagovailoa’s development is paramount. The Dolphins enter 2021 with a roster that has been built with a ton of extra draft picks and free agency due to a mound of salary-cap space. The Dolphins took a big step in their rebuild last season, going 10-6, and they want to keep moving forward. However, a lot depends on their quarterback taking a second-year jump.

Tagovailoa was way too safe most of the season. He was unwilling or unable — remember, he wasn’t too far removed from a massive hip injury at Alabama and said it feels “10 times better” this year — to push the ball downfield. He didn’t throw many interceptions, but he didn’t make a ton of plays either. Given the Dolphins’ talent around him, that needs to change.

The team has good receivers in DeVante Parker, Will Fuller V and rookie Jaylen Waddle, the sixth pick of the draft. The offensive line is improving and the defense, with coach Brian Flores’ fingerprints all over it, is a strength. In a perfect world, the Dolphins would use last season’s near miss as motivation and grab a playoff spot this time around.

Much of it depends on Tagovailoa. Many have already made up their minds. If Tagovailoa struggles again, the criticism is going to be even worse next offseason.

OFFSEASON GRADE

The biggest contract the Dolphins signed this offseason was former Texans receiver Will Fuller V on a one-year, $10.6M deal. Then the Dolphins used the sixth overall draft pick on Alabama receiver Jaylen Waddle. If nothing else, Miami has invested in weapons for Tua Tagovailoa. Most of Miami’s free agency was spent adding role players like defensive tackle Adam Butler and cornerback Justin Coleman. Defensive tackle Davon Godchaux and linebacker Kyle Van Noy both signed with New England, and while that’s not ideal Miami should be able to make up for those losses. Miami had four draft picks in the top 42 — Waddle, linebacker Jaelan Phillips, safety Jevon Holland and offensive tackle Liam Eichenberg — and all of them could contribute right away. Trading a 2022 first-round pick in March to move up from No. 12 to No. 6 seemed unwise (the Dolphins had to be assuming they’d land tight end Kyle Pitts or receiver Ja’Marr Chase, right?) but Miami has added a lot of young talent through its extra draft picks.

Grade: B-

QUARTERBACK REPORT

Tagovailoa hasn’t hid from criticism of his rookie season. He might have added some fodder with one quote in May.

“Actually, what I’m saying is that I didn’t actually know the playbook necessarily really, really good; and that’s on no one else’s fault but my fault,” Tagovailoa said, according to the Dolphins’ transcripts. “Our play calls were simple when I was in. I didn’t have alerts and checks whereas now, feeling more comfortable, I can kind of maneuver my way through these things now.”

Remember that Tagovailoa had a lost offseason due to COVID-19. The whole rookie season was hard. But when other rookie quarterbacks thrived, it looked worse for him. He admits everything was a struggle, from cadence to pre- and post-snap reads.

“I felt I wasn’t comfortable during my rookie year,” Tagovailoa said.

That’s not unusual for a rookie QB. It’s hard to play quarterback in the NFL, especially coming off a very serious injury. Offseason words mean little, but Tagovailoa has talked about how he’s improving physically and mentally. That’s a good place to start. It’s too early to make a judgment on him one way or another. 

ODDS BREAKDOWN

The Dolphins’ win total at BetMGM is 9.5. It was a young team that went 10-6 last season and presumably should be better this season. The reason there’s not more confidence in the Dolphins is presumably tied to Tagovailoa. That’s not necessarily unfair. I’ll assume Tagovailoa is a little bit better with more experience and a year to get healthier. The rest of the roster is good and I think Brian Flores is a good coach. The over seems like the right play.

FANTASY TAKE

From Yahoo’s Scott Pianowski: “No one views Myles Gaskin as a sure thing, but he’s Miami’s best back and there’s ability here, especially in the passing game. Gaskin averaged 8.3 yards per target last year, tops among qualified backs, and secured 41-of-47 targets. This all came in 10 games; if his 200-pound frame can handle something close to a full season, we’re looking at a profit pick.

“Be mindful that Miami’s backfield depth behind Gaskin is especially thin. Add it all up and Gaskin is worth consideration in the fourth or fifth round of PPR-based leagues.”

STAT TO REMEMBER

Jaylen Waddle, in his six games for Alabama last season, averaged 21.1 yards per catch. Will Fuller V averaged 16.6 yards per catch with the Texans last season, ranking sixth in the NFL. In 2019 DeVante Parker averaged 16.7 yards per catch in his breakout season. Even Mike Gesicki’s 13.3 yards per catch was fifth among tight ends. Basically, the Dolphins have a ton of big-play receivers and a quarterback whose biggest problem as a rookie was taking chances downfield. Either this is very poor roster construction or the many vertical threats will help Tagovailoa become more confident and effective in his deep passing.

BURNING QUESTION

What will happen with All-Pro CB Xavien Howard?

One year into a five-year, $75.25 million extension, Howard wants more. He held out of a mandatory minicamp over a contract dispute. Having teammate Byron Jones sign a five-year, $82.5 million deal last offseason probably plays into Howard’s unhappiness. A trade is possible, but that won’t make the Dolphins better this season. Brian Flores comes from the Patriots, and their organizational philosophy doesn’t align with renegotiating a deal that has four years left on it. Howard has developed into an exceptional cornerback, and one of the strengths of the Dolphins is how good they are at such an important position. Getting Howard’s situation figured out is big for the team’s 20201 outlook.

BEST CASE SCENARIO

If Tagovailoa had Herbert’s rookie season (or, cynically, had the Dolphins drafted Herbert), we’d be touting this team as a Super Bowl contender. Is it that crazy to think Tagovailoa can’t take a major jump another year removed from that hip injury? Just because Tagovailoa wasn’t an instant star doesn’t make him a bad quarterback. He didn’t look great as a rookie, but he wasn’t a disaster either. If Tagovailoa gets better — 23-year-old players are allowed to do that, after all — the Dolphins are set up very well around him. Buffalo is an exceptional team, and in a best-case scenario, the Dolphins are even better this year and win the division.

NIGHTMARE SCENARIO

The decision to take Tagovailoa, who was coming off a rough injury, over Herbert with the fifth overall pick might be discussed forever. In hindsight, it seems crazy the Dolphins didn’t play it safer and take Herbert. If the two quarterbacks remain as far apart as they were last season, we’ll wonder if Miami made a franchise-changing mistake. With Miami’s talent and a good coach in Flores, it’s hard to see the Dolphins being that bad this season. A decent season with another near-miss of the playoffs, and Tagovailoa looking like a limited quarterback again, would put Miami at a difficult crossroads going into 2022.

THE CRYSTAL BALL SAYS

Nobody would take Tagovailoa over Herbert if we redid the 2020 NFL draft. That doesn’t mean Tagovailoa can’t be a very good NFL quarterback. It’s not entirely crazy to believe a year from now we might believe Tagovailoa has the brighter future. He is being short-changed based on the lack of patience QBs are given. Tagovailoa should be better, and there’s a lot around him. I like the Dolphins, but have them just out of the playoffs. Hopefully for them, there won’t be more buyer’s remorse over the 2020 draft.

NEW YORK JETS

Albert Breer of SI.com tracks down new coach Robert Saleh on the driving range to get his thoughts about his first season as the head man:

I talked to Robert Saleh between swings on Friday—the new Jets coach was using the quickly passing free time he has left, and a rare quiet moment, to hit balls at the range and clear his head a little. And you can bet, since he’s a father of seven(!) on the cusp of his first training camp in charge, there’s a lot going on up there.

But where you might think, for the 42-year-old, that would add up to nerves or butterflies over how it’ll go, Saleh was just more anxious under New Jersey’s July humidity than anything.

Anxious to get in the meeting room. Anxious to get on the grass. Anxious to gather his staff back together. Anxious to see what he thinks was a good spring manifest into something else, one way or the other, in the summer. He’s anxious, really, just to go.

“I’m excited for those team meetings, to be able to sit and talk to the guys,” Saleh said. “You think about those meetings; it’s your only chance as a head coach. If you’re a position coach, you’re with them all the time, it’s great. As a coordinator, it scales back some. As a head coach, that’s it. So to be able to get back and go through it and watch these guys grow.

“It’s all of it. It’s the first team meeting. Going on the practice field. The first night before the game. The whole thing is gonna be exciting. We’ve got a super, super young group of guys, and it’s going to be exciting to see them grow because they’re all made of the right stuff, they have a tremendous mindset and their growth is gonna happen. It’s a matter of coaching our tails off and giving them every opportunity to compete.”

Now, here’s the twist—more than anything else, he’s excited to see his Jets fail.

Saleh’s one of the more straightforward, straight-shooting people you’ll come across in the NFL, and he was honest as could be about that. And while it sounds funny to say it that way, it’s also a recognition, covered in self-awareness, of where his Jets program is right now.

Yes, he’ll tell you, his Jets had a wonderful spring. He loves the locker room. The young quarterback fit in nicely. The coaching and scouting staffs, more or less part of a marriage arranged by ownership, have coalesced as both he and GM Joe Douglas hoped they would, and there’s a great feeling in the building.

But as for what they really accomplished the last six months? That, as Saleh sees it, was, and should be, the easy part—and he’s not going to celebrate a proverbial hole-in-one on a mini-golf course. Which is why, more than anything, ahead of his first camp, he’s fired up to see what happens when things get hard.

“Everything’s been awesome,” Saleh said. “Call it the greatest honeymoon in the world, if you want. It’s been great. But I’m genuinely excited for adversity. Because a lot of different things are going to pop up. There are coaches that are going to find out about themselves. There’s the scouts and the GM, there’s myself, the players, the training staff. Everybody’s going to find out a little more about themselves when adversity hits.

“I think that’s when teams have their greatest amount of growth—it’s through adversity. And so with training camp, , that’s what I’m most excited for. I wanna see how people respond.”

Listening to Saleh talk the other day really was a reminder to me. For all the noise over the last six months, the first hint of real football, with pads on and teams locked in, is just a few days away. And Saleh knows his Jets, like the other 31 teams, are only going to be undefeated so much longer.

THIS AND THAT

MEDALS FROM NFL.COM

Twenty-five “experts” gave out their medals among the NFL’s elite QBs via vote.  We haven’t looked – but we would probably vote Mahomes, Rodgers, Brady.  Let’s find out:

In honor of the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, we’re highlighting the best of the best across the NFL. Heading into the 2021 season, who are the premium players in five marquee areas: quarterback, running back, wide receiver, pass rusher and cornerback? Twenty-five analysts individually ranked their top three in each category, and then we tallied all of the votes via this simple formula:

Each first-place vote: 3 points

Each second-place vote: 2 points

Each third-place vote: 1 point

Below, you’ll find the quarterback podium — highlighting the gold, silver and bronze medalists from our accumulated ballots — as well as additional intel on the position. Check back all week as this series continues.

Which NFL rookie QBs will be most productive in 2021? My analytics-based top-five rankings

2021 NFL season: Quinnen Williams, Daniel Jones among top 10 candidates to make the leap

Scouting Spencer Rattler: Can Lincoln Riley’s latest quarterback live up to Oklahoma predecessors?

THE QUARTERBACK PODIUM

GOLD

Patrick Mahomes

Kansas City Chiefs · QB

Total points: 63 (1st: 16; 2nd: 7; 3rd: 1)

Jeffri Chadiha: Mahomes already has won everything imaginable. He’s got a Super Bowl victory, a Super Bowl MVP, a regular-season MVP and three Pro Bowl nods. He’s also revolutionized the position. Whether he’s utilizing that cannon right arm or dashing around the field to extend plays, Mahomes mesmerizes every time he takes the field. Now for the really unfair part: The dude doesn’t turn 26 until September. In other words, he’s only going to get better.

SILVER

Aaron Rodgers

Green Bay Packers · QB

Total points: 45 (1st: 4; 2nd: 15; 3rd: 3)

Gil Brandt: I thought long and hard about Rodgers and Mahomes, who I see as almost interchangeable, and while I ultimately put Rodgers over Mahomes on my ballot (with both slotting behind a certain immortal in Tampa), I absolutely understand giving Mahomes the edge as the (barely) more complete quarterback. That said, Rodgers was as good as he’s ever been in his MVP campaign of 2020. I’ve known Rodgers since 2004, when he was dazzling at Cal. I had an up-close view of his dramatic draft freefall; I told John Dorsey, who was working with the Packers at the time, to be ready for Rodgers to drop, and, over dinner at Carmine’s, I told Rodgers I’d be happy to send him home if he didn’t want to sit in the green room waiting. He declined — and became one of the best in the NFL. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he’s still putting up numbers at age 45, wherever he’s playing.

BRONZE

Tom Brady

Tampa Bay Buccaneers · QB

Total points: 30 (1st: 4; 2nd: 3; 3rd: 12)

David Carr: Turning 44 years old in August, Brady has more physical limitations than most of the league’s starting quarterbacks. How does he overcome this in such spectacular fashion? His knowledge, discipline, pursuit of perfection and transcendence on the biggest stages are second to none. These traits just allowed Brady to finish third in passing yards (4,633) and tied for second in passing touchdowns (40). In his 21st NFL season. With a torn MCL. Oh, and he also snagged a seventh ring. With Brady surrounded by the same supporting cast in 2021, expect the ageless wonder to be just as brilliant.

Also receiving votes: Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks (4 total points); Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (3); Derek Carr, Las Vegas Raiders (3); Deshaun Watson, Houston Texans (2).

INSIGHTS INTO THE QB VOTING

Seven passers received at least one vote this year — the same number as in the 2016 edition of this exercise.

The average QB age on each voter’s ballot this year: 33.8 years old.

Fifteen of the 25 voters had some combination of Mahomes, Rodgers and Brady on the ballot.

Derek Carr – 3 points?  We looked at the table of voters and found that it came from a first-place vote from his brother David Carr.