Nick Shook of NFL.com on the state of vaccination:

After a fairly busy run of news on the COVID-19 vaccine front in the NFL last week, an update on progress seems to have the league’s members near a milestone of sorts.

Sixteen of the NFL’s 32 teams have 51 or more players vaccinated, while the other 16 teams have 50 or fewer players vaccinated, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported.

The magic number of 53 on an active roster is fair to consider alongside these numbers, but not entirely accurate at this time. Teams are currently carrying rosters that allow a maximum of 90 players on them, so the median of 50 isn’t nearly as close to full vaccination as one might think as of mid-June.

Coaching staffs and team personnel are much closer to full vaccination. Thirty of the league’s teams have Tier 1 and 2 personnel at vaccination rates of 95% or higher, while the other remaining two teams are between 90 and 95 percent vaccinated.

The league mandated all Tier 1 and 2 employees get vaccinated unless they had “bona fide” exemptions with the goal of relaxing COVID-19 protocols and allowing these employees to enter restricted areas. Tier 1 includes the coaching staff, so it’s fairly encouraging to see the vast majority of these personnel have received their vaccination.

Last week, both Washington coach Ron Rivera and Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians spoke on the matter following team efforts to either inform or provide vaccines for their players, staff and family members. Arians was rather blunt on the matter, saying “if you want to go back to normal, get vaccinated.”

Even if it hasn’t happened as quickly as expected, it seems the league is headed in that direction.

More from Mark Maske of the Washington Post – with the name of four teams that are not doing their duty/knuckling under:

Three teams have 70 or more players vaccinated.

The teams not doing as well with their player-vaccination rates include the Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Chargers, according to that person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the league and NFLPA have not released player-vaccination rates.

“We’ve urged players to get the vaccine,” DeMaurice Smith, the executive director of the NFLPA, said last week. “We’ve urged them to just make sure that they just make a decision that’s informed.”

The league has all but required that coaches get vaccinated, mandating that they do so to maintain the Tier 1 protocol status that enables them to work in proximity to players. But the NFL and NFLPA have stopped short of mandating vaccinations for players, even with significant potential competitive implications of teams having unvaccinated players looming.

“We’re a microcosm of our country, right? … There’s wide disparities in our country between where some people are getting vaccinated and why some people haven’t,” Smith said in a video conference with reporters. “Look, I think the only thing that we can do is make sure that all of our players have all of the information. … Nobody should not have all the information that they want. … I don’t think the country is in a place right now where we lack the information. I think the country is in a place right now where people are asking whether they trust the information and whether the information is sufficient to deal with any other issue they may have.”

NFC NORTH

GREEN BAY

Is the first choice of Packers management the retirement of QB AARON RODGERS, rather than a trade or him coming back to the team a beaten man?

On the June 11 episode of The Bill Simmons podcast, NFL insider Peter Schrager spoke to Simmons about the situation with Rodgers and the Packers, and Schrager, who has several sources throughout the league, doesn’t think there’s much of a market for Rodgers.

The Las Vegas Raiders, San Francisco 49ers and Denver Broncos have been among the teams rumored to be interested in a possible trade, with the 49ers being the only one admitting to inquiring about the reigning MVP. According to Schrager, the majority of teams around the league are good at quarterback, thank you very much.

“Draft weekend, I’m thinking he’s gonna be a Raider, no problem,” Schrager said about the idea of Rodgers heading to Vegas. “I got stuff back from people around the league, one source who’s really tied into the Raiders. Look — they’re sold out in that new stadium. They are doing very well. They don’t need his face on a billboard. It’s not like they need anything to add to their bottom line.”

Schrager also says the Raiders are quite happy with Derek Carr. “The final piece to it is, now you’re getting a little later in the season, it’s gonna be July soon, it’s gonna be August, I’m not sure if (Raiders coach Jon) Gruden just rips it all up and says: ‘Here’s three first-round picks.’ And as good as Aaron Rodgers is, I don’t know if part of them is like: ‘We’re 10 toes down on Derek Carr.’”

Does he think there are any teams who could be waiting in the wings?

“I think Denver makes more sense than Las Vegas at the moment,” he said, adding: “I don’t know many teams other than Denver.”

“I think they’d rather see him retire or just not play then suit up for the Denver Broncos and take them to the Super Bowl,” Schrager said about where he thinks the Packers are with the the Rodgers trade rumors.

“I don’t think they’re going to do anything based on what Aaron Rodgers wants,” Schrager added. “After this whole thing, I don’t think the Packers are going to say: ‘Well, where would Aaron be happy?’ That’s not their concern at the moment.”

Unless something major happens, Rodgers sitting out the 2021 season is looking more and more like a reality, with the trade market likely opening back up in 2022.

Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com thinks that Rodgers is using former GB receiver James Jones to try to see a path to peace:

Former Packers receiver James Jones has been talking to current Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and also talking on TV about their conversations. Jones appeared Monday on NFL Network to discuss the latest development in the dysfunctional relationship between Rodgers and the Green Bay front office — CEO Mark Murphy’s public remark that Rodgers is a “complicated fella.”

Quick background: Last week, Jones said the situation is “fixable.” Now, Jones agrees that it’s “complicated.”

“I have a very good relationship with Mark Murphy,” Jones said. “Mark Murphy has a very good relationship with all of his players. . . . If you have a relationship with Aaron Rodgers, no, he’s not a complicated fella. And that’s with anything. You are talking about the future of a Hall of Fame quarterback’s career. Yeah, it’s gonna be complicated. He wants some things, you want some things. So it’s gonna be complicated. But listening to Mark Murphy talk, I am not reading into it too much. I’m pumping my brakes . . . I am relaxing. Don’t read too much into it. I know Mark personally, Mark loves all his players. And, yes, this situation is complicated because you’re dealing with a guy who wants certain things, you’re dealing with an organization who wants some things and you’re trying to come together as one to get this thing fixed. So it’s gonna be a little complicated. . . . So when you do have a relationship with him . . . no, it is not complicated. So get together, get a relationship with Aaron Rodgers like I have one, and get together and get it fixed.”

Lurking in the various inconsistencies from Jones is an important piece of logic. It’s not complicated with Rodgers when you have a good relationship with him. If it’s complicated, then you must not have a good relationship with him. Thus, if Murphy views Rodgers as “complicated,” Murphy and Rodgers do not have a good relationship.

That’s hardly breaking news. Of course the relationship is fractured. Jones, frankly, could end up being a viable go-between in this one, if his relationship with Murphy is as good as Jones claims it is and if his relationship with Rodgers is as good as Jones claims it is.

Actually, that could be the goal here by Rodgers, to get the Packers to reach out to Jones in an effort to broker peace. Jones has been saying it’s fixable. Jones provides a path to making things not complicated. And if things can become not complicated, then they can be fixed.

Bottom line? If Murphy truly wants to fix it (and frankly I don’t think he does), he just needs to call Jones and get him to be the one to rebuild the currently burned-out bridge between Murphy and Rodgers. That may be exactly what Rodgers is hoping to accomplish based on his relationship with a former teammate with a media platform.

Some people have tried to find an insult in the use of the word “complicated” but we are not sure that Rodgers didn’t take it as a compliment.  Certainly, the cerebral Packers QB would find the antonym “simple” to be an insult.

Meanwhile, Rodgers speaks to promote his teaming with Bryson DeChambeau on July 6.  Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com:

Through everything that has happened surrounding Aaron Rodgers this offseason, one thing is clear: He still understands sarcasm.

The reigning MVP, who has dominated the NFL headlines this spring because of his dissatisfaction with the Green Bay Packers, showed his sense of humor Tuesday during a promotional video in advance of the July 6 golf match featuring Rodgers and PGA Tour star Bryson DeChambeau against Tom Brady and Phil Mickelson.

TNT’s Brian Anderson, who hosted the video conference, set up Rodgers with this: “You’ve really kept a low profile this offseason, I’ve hardly seen your name at all and you haven’t hosted any TV shows or been involved in any kind of controversy or anything. It’s been a nice, peaceful offseason for you, it sounds like.”

Rodgers’ reply was both deadpan and dripping with irony.

“It’s been one of those quiet offseasons you dream about, where you can kind of just go through your process on your own, quietly,” Rodgers said. “And that’s all you can ask for as an older player in the league and someone who’s been around for a long time and just enjoys that time to yourself, just relax, to not be bothered, to not have any obligations or anything going on.

“I think that’s what this offseason has been about. It’s been about really enjoying my time and spending it where I want to spend it, not feeling like I have to go anywhere but still be an NFL player at the same time. It’s been great.”

It’s unclear whether the T-shirt Rodgers wore for Tuesday’s videoconference, which read “I’m offended,” was in response to Murphy’s comment.

MINNESOTA

The Vikings have a new deal with DE DANIELLE HUNTER.  Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer-Press:

Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter will report to mandatory minicamp Tuesday under a reworked contract, according to a source.

Hunter, who had been displeased with his contract, missed each of the three previous weeks of voluntary organized team activities. NFL Media had reported earlier Monday that Hunter would be attending minicamp.

NFL Media later was the first report that Hunter would be at minicamp under a reworked deal, and provided details. NFL Media reported that Hunter will get up front $5.6 million of this year’s $12.15 million salary that he is due as a signing bonus. And added to his contract has been an $18 million roster bonus that is due on the fifth day of the league year next March, which would potentially bring his 2022 salary to be about $20 million that season. He could either play on that deal, be released or a new contract could be worked out.

Hunter, a two-time Pro Bowl selection who missed all of last season due to a neck injury, had three years left on his contract with an average value of $14.4 million. That average salary ranked him 17th in the NFL by OvertheCap.com for 4-3 scheme defensive ends.

Hunter is now believed to be fully healthy after he underwent surgery last October to repair a herniated disc.

And this positive news.  Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com:

He’s back, and the Vikings Defense is instantly better.

Defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson, cut by the Browns earlier this year after two seasons in Cleveland, has returned to Minnesota. Richardson spent the 2018 season with the Vikings.

The Vikings announced the move on Tuesday morning.

Richardson, the 2013 NFL defensive rookie of the year and a first-round pick of the Jets, gives the Vikings a potent defensive tackle rotation, joining Michael Pierce and Dalvin Tomlinson. Minnesota also has beefed up the cornerback position this year, signing Patrick Peterson and Bashaud Breeland, and bringing back Mackensie Alexander.

Throw in the resolution of the Danielle Hunter impasse, and the Vikings will be much improved on that side of the ball. Add to that an actual home-field advantage and the Vikings should be able to maintain their rollercoaster of playoffs in odd-numbers years, non-playoffs in even-numbered years.

NFC SOUTH

CAROLINA

WR ROBBY ANDERSON sees a “glow” to QB SAM DARNOLD, his former Jets teammate.

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Robby Anderson sees something in quarterback Sam Darnold that he didn’t in their two years together with the New York Jets.

“When I walked in the building I could see a new energy out of him, like a glow, charisma that I didn’t really see in New York,” Anderson, who played with Darnold in 2018-19, said on Tuesday. “I can definitely see the difference in him so far.”

Anderson was the only Carolina player not seen by media for any of the voluntary portions of on-the-field offseason workouts.

So Tuesday, the first of a three-day mandatory camp, was the first time Anderson had a chance to work with Darnold since the Jets’ 2019 finale against Buffalo when they connected three times for 18 yards.

“You know when a person can see like a glow, energy, their aura?” Anderson said. “I could kind of see that when I walked in the building.”

Anderson was Darnold’s favorite target with the Jets. He had 102 catches for 1,431 yards and 11 touchdowns during their time together.

Stopping short of making a prediction, Anderson expects better things for them in Joe Brady’s system at Carolina, where in 2020 Anderson had a career-best 95 catches for 1,096 yards and three touchdowns.

“The New York system was a little more complex, had a lot of nuances that was more difficult for everybody, not just him, not just me,” Anderson said. “This system is a little more graspable.”

AFC NORTH

CLEVELAND

CB DENZEL WARD signals he is receptive to an extension.  Michael David Smith ofProFootballTalk.com:

Browns cornerback Denzel Ward is heading into the fourth year of his rookie contract, and the Browns have said they see Ward as a big part of their future. Ward hopes that proves to be the case.

Ward said today that his agent and the team have talked about a contract extension, but that he’s not letting that become a distraction for him and he’s focusing on the field while seeing if his agent can get a long-term deal done. Ideally, Ward said, he’d stay in Cleveland for life.

“In a perfect world, I’d definitely want to be a Brown for my entire career,” Ward said, via Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

The Browns have Ward under contract for a $9.45 million salary cap this year, and his fifth year option pays him $13.29 million in 2022. He can hit free agency in March of 2023, but it’s likely that he and the Browns will come to an agreement well before then.

The same with RB NICK CHUBB.  Jake Trotter of ESPN.com:

Heading into the final season of his rookie contract, Browns Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb said Tuesday that his desire is to remain in Cleveland long-term.

“It would mean a lot,” said Chubb, who said that his agent and the team have already discussed a potential extension this offseason. “Cleveland drafted me and trusted me and put their faith in me to help build this culture and this team I’m a part of. Cleveland is where I want to be. Hopefully everything can work out in that direction.”

Chubb, a second-round pick in 2018, has been the backbone of the Browns’ offense the past two seasons, averaging 5.25 yards per carry during that span.

In 2019, he came within 47 yards of besting Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry for the rushing title. Last season, Chubb missed four games because of a knee injury but still finished seventh in the league with 1,070 yards on the ground, as Cleveland made the playoffs for the first time since 2002.

Chubb has been especially efficient late in games. Last season, he led the NFL with an average of more than 10 yards per carry in the fourth quarter.

Chubb said that his supporting cast — which includes one of the top offensive lines in the league — as well as coach Kevin Stefanski’s run-heavy offense are among the reasons he prefers to stay in Cleveland.

“I don’t like uncertainty,” Chubb said. “I know here in Cleveland what I have, the players and coaches and the city of Cleveland. Cleveland is where I want to be. That’s my main focus.”

AFC SOUTH

HOUSTON

GM Nick Cesario knows that the situation surrounding recalcitrant and much-accused QB DESHAUN WATSON can’t linger forever.  Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com:

The Texans haven’t said much about quarterback Deshaun Watson in recent weeks. On Monday, G.M. Nick Caserio said more than anyone from the team has said, in a while

“We’re taking it one day at a time and really control the things we can control,” Caserio said in an appearance on Sports Radio 610, via John McClain of the Houston Chronicle, when asked whether the organization has addressed the Watson situation with the other players on the team. “The players have been focused on their attitude and their approach in the building, and they’ve handled everything very well.”

Caserio tried to repeat the team’s non-talking talking points about Watson, but Caserio made a potentially telling remark.

“I don’t have any additional comments about anything,” Caserio said. “I think we’re respectful of what’s happening, respectful of the process and everybody that’s involved. The most important thing is for all of us, the coaches and players and myself included, is to focus on the things we can control. As we get more information, as we get closer to training camp, we’ll try to make the best decision for the Houston Texans, whatever that entails.”

The only decision the Texans could make is to trade Watson or to not trade him. If the 22 lawsuits pending against him are resolved, that’s an easy question. If they’re not resolved, it becomes considerably more complicated.

At that point, the Texans have to choose between taking whatever they can get given the possibility that Watson will be placed on paid leave and risking that he’ll show up, be placed on paid leave, and they’ll have to pay him more than $10 million to not play for the team in 2021.

Caserio’s comments suggest that they’ll make a decision based on whatever information they have in July, and that it remains possible he’ll be traded even if the litigation has not been settled.

Who would you rather have if you were the Denver Broncos?  The current duo of Lock and Bridgewater, complicated Aaron Rodgers with a shelf life of maybe three years or Watson who could be a franchise QB for a decade if he can get his complicated legal situation behind him?  And know that the price for Rodgers will probably be higher than the compromised Watson.

Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com wants, no, demands, clarity from the NFL prior to the start of training camp:

It’s been nearly three months since the first of 22 lawsuits was filed against Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson alleging misconduct during massage therapy sessions. The NFL has had a full and fair chance to conduct a preliminary investigation. Soon, the NFL should decide whether Watson will be placed on paid leave pending the resolution of those cases.

As explained a few weeks back, the league has broad discretion to decide whether to utilize the Commissioner Exempt list for Watson, even in the absence of formal criminal charges. If the investigation causes Roger Goodell “to believe” that Watson “may have violated” the Personal Conduct Policy by engaging in a “felony offense,” a “crime of violence,” or a “sexual assault by force,” Goodell can place Watson on paid leave.

Whether Goodell already has or hasn’t come to that conclusion, it’s only fair that Goodell come to some conclusion before training camp starts. Goodell will have had more than four months to make a decision as to whether Watson “may have violated” the policy in one of the various ways that justify placement on paid leave. For the Texans and Watson, it shouldn’t be a guessing game when the time comes for Watson to show up for training camp.

If Watson believes he’ll be placed on paid leave, he’ll definitely report for training camp. That would result in Watson receiving his full $10 million salary for 2021. If the Texans believe Watson will be placed on paid leave, the Texans possibly will trade him for whatever they can get, shifting the $10 million obligation to his new team.

Conversely, if the Texans and Watson know he won’t be placed on paid leave, the Texans could trade Watson for considerably more, since his new team (possibly the Broncos, Dolphins, or Eagles) would know that he’ll be playing this season.

The league still could suspend Watson without pay for his behavior, but the league would be more likely to wait for the final resolution of the civil cases before reaching a final decision. Absent a settlement, that won’t happen until 2022.

In 2019, the league played coy with teams interested in signing receiver Antonio Brown on the question of whether he’d be placed on paid leave based on the filing of a lawsuit alleging that he committed sexual assault and rape, along with an allegation that he retaliated against another person who had made allegations about Brown to SI.com. The league’s unwillingness to commit one way or the other operated as a de facto unpaid suspension, with Brown missing 14 games (and 14 game checks) as teams hesitated to sign him for fear of paying him to not play.

That was unfair to Brown. It would be unfair to the Texans, to Watson, and to any team that wants to trade for him to force a guessing game here. Watson is getting $10 million this year from someone, whether he’s on paid leave or not. Before the Texans can make the best decision for the franchise before camp (as G.M. Nick Caserio said they will do on Monday), the Texans need to know the answer to the simple question of whether, based on whatever the Commissioner has learned since mid-March, Watson will or won’t land on the Commissioner Exempt list.

It’s a complicated situation. There are nuances. There are sharply disputed questions of fact. And maybe the league will decide from a P.R. standpoint that the sheer number of allegations mandates paid leave — even if none on them standing alone would require the league to stray from the notion that Watson is entitled to the presumption that he’s innocent until proven guilty.

Whatever the league decides, the league owes it to the Texans, Watson, and his potential next team to make that decision by late July. Frankly, there should be no reason not to make a decision right now.

The DB has never understood why the solution for these situations, starting as we remember it with Carolina LB Greg Hardy, is to make the team pay the player in full for doing nothing to earn it.  Either suspend him without pay or let him play.

AFC EAST

NEW ENGLAND

QB CAM NEWTON understood why the Patriots drafted QB MAC JONES.  Mark Daniels of the Providence Journal:

When the Patriots selected Mac Jones with the 15th overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft, it spoke volumes about the team’s thoughts on its quarterback position. The Pats offense was abysmal in 2020.

The quarterback play from starter Cam Newton and backups Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer left much to be desired.

But the 31-year-old Newton was re-signed to a one-year “prove-it” deal to return to New England. The former MVP wants to regain his Pro Bowl form. He wants to make it work with the Patriots. Newton also knows he’ll have to be a lot better than he was last year. As for Jones — the first quarterback to be drafted in the first round by New England since 1993 — Newton understood the decision by Bill Belichick.

On Tuesday, Newton said the selection didn’t bother him. In fact, he supported it — both then and now.

“It didn’t make me feel any type of way because he was the right pick. In my opinion, he was the best player available and that’s what the NFL draft is for,” Newton said. “As far as you know, having any chip on the shoulder, like I mean, you’re stating the obvious. I don’t need too much to get myself going, let alone, you know, that happening and there’s no disrespect to Mac. It’s no disrespect to Bill and his decision. I supported 110% because you still have to do what’s right for the organization for the long haul.”

Belichick has already stated that Newton’s his starting quarterback, but added on draft night that it’ll be up to Jones or Stidham to beat out the veteran. This week’s Patriots minicamp has been somewhat of a struggle for Newton as Jones has looked like the best quarterback over the last two practices.

Newton is saying all the right things, but can he hold Jones off?

How Newton hopes to improve

Newton has a note to remind himself. It reads, “Pre-snap comfort will help post-snap results.”

Last season, the veteran signed with the Patriots in late June. There were no OTAs or minicamp due to COVID-19, but he missed all the earlier offseason meetings. When training camp began, Newton entered with a blank slate. Then there were no preseason games to help him learn Josh McDaniels’ offense.

Those issues were part of Newton’s problems in 2020, he says. He finished with his worst career statistical output, tossing just eight touchdowns with 10 interceptions. Newton said he needed a better grasp of the Patriots’ offensive system.

“I’m so grateful to have another opportunity to learn it as much as I possibly can,” Newton said. ”In the latter part of the season, it just caught up to me. I was thinking too much. I was trying to be something when it just wasn’t enough hours in a day. … We were putting in hours and hours. You can’t simulate real live bullets, and that’s what it came down to. So it wasn’t anything as far as mechanics; it was more or less just overthinking and the comfort level.”

Newton acknowledged that he was disappointed with his performance last season. He certainly didn’t want his career to end with a season like the one he had in 2020. He said there’s no question that he enters this season with a giant chip on his shoulder.

“There are only 32 guys in the world that could say that they’re a starting quarterback in this league and, you know, I’m not going to get too personal, but I have a job and responsibility to myself to hold myself to a standard that I know I have to play at,” Newton said. “And it’s going to come with proper preparation and that’s what it’s coming down to.

“It’s going to come down to the comfort of understanding this system. ‘My faults, my bads, I’m going to get them next time’ — those are slowly but surely being flushed out of my vernacular.”

How the Patriots QB competition looks this spring

Newton suffered a setback two weeks ago when he bruised his hand in OTAs. After missing three practices, he returned late last week and has been present for minicamp. Through two days, however, Jones has been the story.

On Tuesday, Newton struggled with the kind of accuracy issues we saw a year ago. He acknowledges he’s still learning and says the competition among all four quarterbacks has been good for everyone.

“As a competitor, I’d be a fool if I didn’t think Brian Hoyer wants to be a starter. I’d be a fool not to think Mac didn’t want to be a starter,” Newton said. “I’d be a fool if Jarrett Stidham didn’t want to be a starter, and you’ll be a fool not thinking that I don’t want to be a starter. But those things happen with the comfort of understanding this system.”

Newton, says Jones, has bestowed a nickname on the rookie – “Mac n’ Cheese.”

THIS AND THAT

2022 DRAFT

QB SAM HOWELL is a name we are going to be hearing a lot about in the months to come.  Daniel Jeremiah has watched him and thinks “Baker Mayfield.”

After watching quarterbacks come off the board at Picks No. 1, 2 and 3 in the 2021 NFL Draft, I thought there would be no better way to start my annual look at the next wave of prospects than with one of the nation’s most buzzed-about college QBs.

North Carolina’s Sam Howell has been a starter since Day 1 of his Tar Heel career, earning ACC Rookie of the Year honors in 2019 and following that up with an even more impressive campaign in 2020. His 68 touchdown passes are a conference record for a QB through his sophomore season. While I don’t view the current top tier of collegiate signal-callers to be on the same level as the previous bunch, I came away very impressed with Howell after watching three of his game tapes from last season. Here’s my initial scouting report:

Height, weight: 6-foot-1 1/4, 225 pounds (school measurements).

2020 statistics: 237 of 348 (68.1%) for 3,586 yards, 30 TDs and 7 INTs; 92 carries for 146 yards (1.6 average), 5 TDs (12 games played).

Game tape watched: Syracuse (Sept. 12, 2020), Virginia Tech (Oct. 10, 2020), Florida State (Oct. 17, 2020).

What I liked: There’s a lot to like about Howell’s game. He has very quick hands (which show up in the RPO plays the Tar Heels feature heavily) and a live arm. The ball jumps out of his hand and he throws a firm, catchable ball. His placement is outstanding on the deep ball. He also excels on the seam ball in the middle of the field, showing the ability to get the ball over linebackers and underneath safeties. He isn’t a dynamic athlete, but he displays the agility to escape and extend plays. He takes the free yards the defense gives him in the run game, and he fights for extra yards after contact. He operates in a simple offensive system, but he does have quick eyes to work from one side of the field to the other.

Where he needs to improve: I like the aggressive playing style, but there are times when Howell needs to rein it in a little bit. Occasionally, he will lock onto his initial read and force the ball into traffic. He also needs to calm his feet at the top of his drop. He bounces too often and fails to set his base, which can affect his ball placement. His lack of height does lead to some tipped balls at the line of scrimmage. He can help limit the problem by maneuvering laterally in the pocket or climbing up to find clear throwing lanes.

Biggest takeaway: I believe a lot of what Howell does well will translate to the NFL. He can make every type of throw, and he isn’t a stationary player. He can move around and create plays. I’m excited to see more of the offense put on his plate in 2021. He was blessed with two outstanding running backs last season (2021 draft picks Javonte Williams and Michael Carter), and the offense relied heavily upon them. He also had two wide receivers that heard their names called on draft weekend (Dyami Brown and Dazz Newsome). That is a lot of offense to replace. Will he be able to elevate the play of others around him? That’s something I can’t wait to find out.

He reminds me of: Baker Mayfield. I wrote Mayfield’s name down in my notes after watching about 15 plays by Howell. They have the same build, similar arm strength (Howell’s is slightly stronger) and athletic ability (again, slight edge to Howell in this department). They both are ultra-competitive when they carry the football, and they bring juice/energy to their teams. Howell is a better deep-ball thrower, while Mayfield was a better decision-maker and didn’t force as many balls into coverage back when he was a prospect.

I can’t wait to watch him play: at Notre Dame on Oct. 30. This will be a huge test for Howell and the UNC offense. Last year, Howell was held to a season-low 211 passing yards against the Fighting Irish, and their defense should be excellent again this fall. I haven’t studied him yet, but my friends in NFL circles are already raving about Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton. That will be a fun battle to watch!

Some bio stuff on Howell – he went to Sun Valley High School (not the one in Idaho, but the one in North Carolina).  In fact, he is from a town that is still called Indian Trail, North Carolina which is a fast-growing southeast exurb of Charlotte.  He accounted for an astonishing 205 TDs in his career with the Sun Valley Spartans (who have the Michigan State fight song, as does Oak Hills High School in Cincinnati).

After initially spurning the in-state options, he decommitted from Florida State to go to UNC.  His father is named Duke (although no signs the Blue Devils were in the mix) and had some health concerns that led to Sam’s change of mind when Mac Brown came calling three days after being named Tar Heels coach.

He has accounted for 75 TDs in two seasons with the Tar Heels.

Here is some stuff on his character and discipline:

Brown has dealt with some big-time quarterbacks in his career, from Major Applewhite and Chris Simms to Vince Young and Colt McCoy, and to him, none have risen above Howell in his preparation.

“He works so hard,” Brown said. “He’s in the office every day, he’s watching video by himself every day and I don’t know that I’ve seen a guy work harder than Sam Howell has just to get himself ready.”

There’s no doubt in Howell’s mind where that originates.

“Definitely my dad,” he said. “There were times my dad was working three jobs just so I could play baseball that summer or something. He’d wake up early in the morning and sometimes he’d work all through the night … he was willing to do anything for us.”

A longtime probation officer, Duke said he also ran his own landscaping business and picked up a part-time job at the airport when Sam was younger, but brushed off his son’s praise, instead crediting his wife, Amy, with instilling discipline in all three of the Howell children.