We didn’t have to wait until tonight to get the Week 1 schedule.

Grant Gordon of NFL.com runs through all the Kickoff Weekend games, starting with America’s Team playing on Kickoff Thursday.  As a homer, we put the FOX games inBold.

A matchup of the highest profile — featuring the reigning world champions against perhaps the most popular team in the football world — will kick off the 2021 NFL season.

Tom Brady and the Super Bowl-champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers will commence their quest to repeat against the visiting Dallas Cowboys when they open up the 2021 season at Raymond James Stadium at 8:20 p.m. ET on Thursday, Sept. 9 on NBC, the NFL announced Wednesday. The complete 2021 regular-season schedule will be revealed tonight at 8 p.m. ET on NFL Network, NFL.com and the NFL app.

As the 2020 season reached its conclusion at Super Bowl LV in Tampa with the Buccaneers hoisting the Lombardi Trophy, the 2021 campaign will begin anew in the same place with those same Bucs taking centerstage.

The game’s also prognosticated to see the long-awaited return of Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott after he suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 5 of the 2020 campaign. After a 6-10 season, Dallas is no doubt ecstatic at the prospects of Prescott’s return.

Not since the 1977 Oakland Raiders has a Super Bowl-winning team returned all 22 starters as the Buccaneers are doing. With general manager Jason Licht and head coach Bruce Arians having carried out their offseason agenda to a tee, how it plays out on the field will begin to come to fruition on the second Thursday in September.

Brady has Chris Godwin, Mike Evans and Rob Gronkowski back and at his disposal along with a stellar offensive line, while the often-overlooked defense will once more be led by standouts Lavonte David, Shaquil Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul.

While the Bucs are on a quest for back-to-back titles, the Cowboys are coming off back-to-back playoff-less seasons, which seems like an eternity in Big D, especially with a star-laden roster.

This game might well feature the two best WR corps in all the NFL land as the Buccaneers are countered by the Cowboys’ Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup and CeeDee Lamb.

However, the looming question for the Cowboys is their defense and new defensive coordinator Dan Quinn will certainly have an arduous initial test game-planning to stop the G.O.A.T.

In his long and storied tenure with the New England Patriots, Brady was 5-0 against the Cowboys, though he has squared off opposite Prescott just once. That was a 2019 meeting in which Brady had the only touchdown pass in a 13-9 Patriots win. This Thursday night showcase portends to a much more high-scoring affair.

Brady’s offensive bunch was a mercurial entity for a good portion of the 2020 campaign before ironing out the wrinkles and finding its championship form amid their title run. With title belts around their waists, the Buccaneers are aiming for more and the Cowboys, led by the returning Prescott, will be their first test.

The stars will most assuredly shine on the NFL’s opening night.

Sunday afternoon games, Sept. 12

Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m. ET on CBS

AFC division titlists from a season ago, the Bills and Steelers clash with Buffalo aiming to carry its momentum from a run to the AFC Championship Game, while Pittsburgh is clinging tightly to the promise expunged by last season’s freefall. Bills QB Josh Allen emerged as one of the elite players in the NFL last season, but will he maintain that lofty status in 2021? He’ll certainly be tested on this opening Sunday against T.J. Watt and a vaunted Steelers defense. And will Ben Roethlisberger be starting a season-opener for the Steelers for the final time?

New York Jets at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m. ET on CBS

Schedule-makers offer up a much-ballyhooed “revenge game” right out of the gates, as Sam Darnold’s second act begins in Carolina against the team that once drafted him third overall, but traded him this offseason. Darnold is likely to match up against the player he was traded to make room for, BYU product Zach Wilson, who was taken second overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. The Wilson and Robert Saleh eras for the Jets get going, while Matt Rhule’s Carolina rebuild hits Year 2 and one of the most exciting players in the league, Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey, is set to return.

Seattle Seahawks at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m. ET on FOX

Just how good are things for Russell Wilson and the Seahawks and just how will the offense look under new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron? Just how will Carson Wentz fare now that he’s moved on from the Eagles to the Colts and the familiar guidance of Frank Reich? Two of the offseason’s most prevalent storylines will collide in this one with a pair of 2020 playoff squads seeking to start off return trips to the postseason on the right note.

Los Angeles Chargers at Washington Football Team, 1 p.m. ET on CBS

Rarely does a rookie electrify such as Chargers signal-caller Justin Herbert did last year. Following his record-breaking rookie campaign, Herbert will look to carry over his sensational play under new head coach Brandon Staley. But the Bolts and the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year are faced with the reigning AP Defensive Rookie of the Year in Chase Young and one of 2020’s top defenses in Washington. Ryan Fitzpatrick is set to make his debut for the Washington Football Team, Fitzmagic’s ninth team in just about the most exciting journeyman career there’s ever been.

San Francisco 49ers at Detroit Lions, 1 p.m. ET on FOX

Another new dawn is upon us in Motown with Dan Campbell making his head-coaching debut for the Lions. Meanwhile, Kyle Shanahan’s 49ers are looking for a fresh start after an injury-ravaged 2020 campaign. While the Trey Lance-Jimmy Garoppolo QB conundrum for the Niners will dominate interest and Jared Goff’s first Lions start will come against an old NFC West rival, Nick Bosa looks to be back for San Francisco and is likely to go head-up with offensive tackle Penei Sewell, the seventh overall pick of the 2021 draft, a time or two.

Arizona Cardinals at Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m. ET on CBS

The two-time reigning rushing king, Derrick Henry, is set to lead the Titans into 2021 along with quarterback Ryan Tannehill, but this will be the first look at a Tennessee squad that’s largely overhauled a struggling defense and lost some notable talent on offense. As for the Cardinals, they’re ready to welcome back one of the best defensive talents in the game in Chandler Jones, who was sidelined for most of 2020. Jones will team up with the newly acquired J.J. Watt, who will make his anticipated debut for the Cards. This is also the onset of a pivotal season for head coach Kliff Kingsbury, as he and dynamic quarterback Kyler Murray start their third seasons in the desert in what could be a playoffs-or-bust year for the head coach.

Philadelphia Eagles at Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m. ET on FOX

An NFC clash offers up the debuts of two new head coaches. Nick Sirianni is set for his head-coaching introduction with the Eagles and Jalen Hurts is likely to begin his run as Philadelphia’s QB1 with Heisman Trophy-winner and first-round pick DeVonta Smith to throw to. Arthur Smith will also begin his days as Falcons head coach. Along with the head coaches, this one offers up the first games of two of the 2021 draft class’ most exciting skill players, as Smith looks to take flight for the Eagles and Kyle Pitts, whose selection at fourth overall was the highest ever for a tight end, looks to shine for the Falcons.

Minnesota Vikings at Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m. ET on FOX

Fingers are crossed that the Bengals’ season opener will also mark the return of Joe Burrow, whose promising 2020 rookie campaign was cut short due to a horrendous knee injury. If Burrow’s back in the lineup, he’ll have a new and yet familiar option to throw to in Ja’Marr Chase, the No. 5 pick of the draft who previously played with Burrow at LSU. Minnesota will look to rebound from a subpar 2020 with head coach Mike Zimmer zeroed in on turning his defense around, while the offense boasts one of the league’s best backs, Dalvin Cook.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans, 1 p.m. ET on CBS

Trevor Lawrence, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, is poised to make his first NFL start in Houston. And just who will start the opener for the Texans at QB will be a question finally answered. David Culley is also set for his head-coaching debut across from another rookie head coach in Urban Meyer. These AFC South rivals will have two of the most changed rosters in the league and, who knows, maybe Tim Tebow will even make a cameo.

Cleveland Browns at Kansas City Chiefs, 4:25 p.m. ET on CBS

Offseason darlings once more, the Browns and quarterback Baker Mayfield have hopes on high and promise aplenty for the 2021 campaign, but they must start it off where it all ended in their 2020 campaign. The two-time reigning AFC-champion Chiefs will debut against the Cleveland squad they downed in memorable fashion in the AFC Divisional Round with Patrick Mahomes sidelined by an injury. Just how much of an AFC heavyweight the Browns can be will be glimpsed in Week 1, while Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Tyrann Mathieu will return to the field for the initial time since losing the Super Bowl. Will they begin a campaign hell-bent on reclaiming their title form or will their championship loss linger?

Green Bay Packers at New Orleans Saints, 4:25 p.m. ET on FOX

The start of the post-Drew Brees era gets underway for the Saints, while the Packers’ drama with franchise superstar QB Aaron Rodgers will have come to a head (probably). Intrigue reigns supreme at the QB spot with the Rodgers-Packers saga and the Saints’ competition between Taysom Hill and Jameis Winston. However, this one is also a battle between longtime NFC powerhouses who each won their divisions last year and are aiming to maintain their status — the Saints carrying on following Brees’ retirement and the Packers moving on however the Rodgers dramatics play out.

Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots, 4:25 p.m. on CBS

An AFC East rivalry reconvenes in Week 1 with Bill Belichick squaring off once again with former assistant Brian Flores. Just how the Patriots will look after an unprecedented offseason that featured a cavalcade of free-agent additions — Jonnu Smith, Hunter Henry and Matt Judon among them — will be displayed for the first time. The Dolphins also have some promising additions in rookie Jaylen Waddle and free agent Will Fuller, each of them called on to help Tua Tagovailoa as Miami goes all-in with the former Alabama star as its franchise QB. But will Tagovailoa start opposite his former ‘Bama teammate Mac Jones, the Patriots’ first-round pick, or Cam Newton?

Denver Broncos at New York Giants, 4:25 p.m. ET on FOX

A Super Bowl XXI rematch features two teams with promising defenses, but all eyes will be on the QBs in this one. For the Broncos, will it be Teddy Bridgewater or Drew Lock (or maybe even someone else) getting the start? And for the Giants, Daniel Jones begins his third season — a hugely crucial one at that as his and the team’s success are likely to determine if he remains as the franchise’s QB of the future. Superstar talents Von Miller of the Broncos and Saquon Barkley of the Giants are also likely to make long-awaited returns after lost 2020s due to injury.

Sunday Night Football, Sept. 12

Chicago Bears at Los Angeles Rams, 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC

The first Sunday night of the new season features two of the top defenses in the league, led by three of the NFL’s most highly-regarded defensive stars: Chicago’s Khalil Mack and Los Angeles’ Jalen Ramsey and Aaron Donald, the three-time AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year and perhaps the best player in the NFL. While the defenses are known commodities in this one, the game will see new starters at quarterback for both teams. Following a blockbuster trade to acquire him, Matthew Stafford will take to the field for the first time under the bright L.A. lights, while the Bears will have offseason signing Andy Dalton or No. 11 overall pick Justin Fields under center. Playoff teams from a season ago with franchise-altering changes at the most important position start new eras against one another.

Monday Night Football, Sept. 13

Baltimore Ravens at Las Vegas Raiders, 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN/ABC

Already one of the most electrifying talents to ever put his fleet feet to an NFL field, Lamar Jackson is set for his third season as the Ravens’ starting QB and looking to open up the aerial attack. With first-round rookie Rashod Bateman and free-agent acquisition Sammy Watkins added to the mix, Jackson and a potentially reworked Greg Roman offense will get to work against a Raiders defense that’s been a thorn in Jon Gruden’s side since he rejoined the Silver and Black. This is a momentous season for Gruden, whose return to the Raiders helm has yet to produce a playoff trip. And while the Raiders are synonymous with Monday night, this will also be Jackson’s first Monday night game since an all-time performance in Week 14 of last season when he emerged from the locker room late in the game to reignite the Ravens to a comeback victory over the Browns.

Is this the first time both networks get a Kickoff Weekend head-to-head doubleheader game?

FOX usually has the Week 1 doubleheader, just as it did in 2020 with Buccaneers at Saints.

The NFL also announced its trimmed back International schedule – two games in London, none in Mexico.  Both are in the exclusive early morning window:

The 2021 NFL schedule is trickling out ahead of Wednesday night’s full announcement on NFL Network at 8 p.m. (ET), and now we know which teams will be headed overseas for this year’s international matchups. As unveiled on NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football,” the Dolphins, Falcons, Jaguars and Jets will travel to London this fall for a pair of early-season showdowns.

Here are the details:

Week 5: Jets vs. Falcons (Sunday, Oct. 10, 9:30 a.m. ET, NFL Network)

Week 6: Jaguars vs. Dolphins (Sunday, Oct. 17, 9:30 a.m. ET, CBS)

The NFL has hosted 28 different regular-season games in London since 2007, though it did not travel overseas in 2020 because of COVID-19. This year’s games will again take place at Tottenham Football Club’s stadium in London.

Again?  They usually are at Wembley.  Two games were played at Tottenham in 2019, when two games were also played at Wembley.  None were played in the UK last year.

– – –

Get your Week 1 bets down now!  Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com:

The release of the schedule for the first weekend of the 2021 NFL season has led to sportsbooks releasing point spreads for the first 16 games of the year.

A pair of NFC West teams have been installed as the biggest early favorites. William Hill has the 49ers favored by seven points in their road game against the Lions and the Rams favored by seven points at home against the Bears.

The Rams-Bears game will take place on Sunday Night Football and is expected to be the first regular season game with fans at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. It’s also expected to be Matthew Stafford‘s Rams debut.

Week One’s smallest spread is in the Broncos-Giants game. The Giants are favored by one point at the moment. The Saints are 1.5-point favorites over the Packers at home.

The Buccaneers are favored by six points over the Cowboys in the Thursday night season opener. The Chiefs are the only other team favored by six points. They open the season at home against the Browns in a rerun of a playoff game Kansas City won by five points.

Jacksonville is currently favored by two points on the road against the Texans in what should be Trevor Lawrence‘s NFL debut. No. 2 pick Zach Wilson and the Jets are 3.5-point underdogs to the Panthers.

The rest of the lines are:

Steelers at Bills (-5.5).

Cardinals at Titans (-2.5).

Chargers (-2) at Washington Football Team.

Vikings (-2.5) at Bengals.

Eagles at Falcons (-4).

Seahawks at Colts (-2).

Dolphins at Patriots (-2.5).

Ravens (-5.5) at Raiders.

NFC EAST

DALLAS

Per @NFLScheduleLeaks, the Cowboys second game will be on the road after they open at Tampa Bay.  It could be someone’s doubleheader game when they play at the Chargers.

WASHINGTON

WTF?  Someone leaked the WTF schedule to Ryan Fowler:

WFT full 2021 schedule:

vs. LAC

vs. NYG (TNF)

@ BUF

@ ATL

vs NO

vs KC

@ GB

@ DEN

*BYE*

vs TB

@ CAR

vs SEA (MNF)

@ LV

vs DAL

@ PHI

@ DAL (SNF)

vs. PHI

@ NYG

Three primetime games for WFT.

– – –

The Bears’ trash is a key WFT signing.  John Keim of ESPN.com:

The Washington Football Team continues to strengthen its offensive line, signing veteran tackle Charles Leno Jr. on Wednesday, according to his agent Ron Slavin.

Leno signed a one-year deal worth $5 million. He started 93 consecutive games at left tackle for the Chicago Bears, who released him earlier this month after trading up in the second round to draft Oklahoma State offensive tackle Teven Jenkins. Leno, who played in the Pro Bowl in 2018, visited Washington on Monday.

Washington coach Ron Rivera has said repeatedly that he wanted to build a strong offensive line to pair with a defensive front that already is in that category. Rivera also has said he wants more depth and competition.

Leno is the third key player Washington has added to its line in recent weeks. It traded with the Miami Dolphins for guard Ereck Flowers, bolstering the interior depth, and drafted tackle Samuel Cosmi in the second round. Leno opted to negotiate with Washington rather than the Broncos because Denver wanted him at right tackle after Ja’Wuan James suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in an off-site workout. Leno wanted to stay on the left side.

Washington also has right tackle Morgan Moses, who has started every game since 2015. If Washington wants Cosmi to move to the right side, at least in his first year, it could release Moses and save $7.75 million vs. the salary cap. Or Cosmi could serve as a swing tackle or even play guard. Washington also has other backup tackles such as Cornelius Lucas and Geron Christian, who combined to start 14 games at left tackle in 2020.

NFC SOUTH

CAROLINA

They aren’t exactly shots at the Panthers, but QB TEDDY BRIDGEWATER has some pointed comments.  David Newton of ESPN.com:

Former Carolina quarterback Teddy Bridgewater on Wednesday questioned how the Panthers practiced in two critical areas that played a part in the organization moving on from him after the first year of a three-year contract.

“I’ll just say this, for Joe Brady’s growth they’ll have to practice different things in different ways,” Bridgewater said of Carolina’s offensive coordinator on the “All Things Covered” CBS Sports podcast with Patrick Peterson and Bryant McFadden.

“One of the things we didn’t do much of when I was there, we didn’t practice two-minute drills, we didn’t practice red zone. … We didn’t practice on Fridays, but you walked through the red zone stuff and then Saturday you came out and practiced red zone but you got only 15 live reps.”

Carolina’s schedule was different last year under first-year coach Matt Rhule in that Friday was a walk-through instead of a full practice and Saturday was a full practice. McFadden noted many teams devote an entire day of practice to red zone and two-minute drills.

Bridgewater, traded to Denver before the 2021 NFL draft after the Panthers acquired Sam Darnold from the New York Jets, ranked 25th among qualified quarterbacks in the red zone with a Total QBR of 41.7. He completed only 58.5% of his passes in the red zone compared to 69.1% overall.

Bridgewater ranked 26th in two-minute offense with a QBR of 62.6. He had three touchdowns and four interceptions in those situations.

Bridgewater led all quarterbacks with five red zone turnovers. He also was 0-8 in games in which the Panthers had a chance to win or tie on their final possession.

Bridgewater admitted he could have done better. He also reminded listeners that he didn’t have running back Christian McCaffrey for 13 games due to multiple injuries to the dual-threat Pro Bowler and didn’t have a tight end target he could depend on in the red zone.

Tight ends Ian Thomas and Chris Manhertz combined for 26 catches and one touchdown in 2020, leading Carolina to upgrade at that position in the draft and free agency.

The Panthers began exploring options at quarterback soon after the 2020 season in which they finished 5-11. They offered Bridgewater, the No. 8 pick and a fifth-rounder to the Detroit Lions for Matthew Stafford, who wound up being traded to the Los Angeles Rams.

“The whole deal with Carolina, it is what it is,” said Bridgewater, speaking publicly for the first time since the trade. “I told them once the season ended I wear big boy drawers and I understand the nature of this business, and it’s a performance-based business.

“I could sit out here and say, ‘OK, Christian got hurt. We didn’t have this. We didn’t have that.’ It doesn’t matter. I look in a mirror and say, ‘Hey, you’ve got to tighten up.’ “

McFadden, a former NFL cornerback, followed with “I’ll say what you won’t say,” and that was “You didn’t get treated fairly.”

McFadden noted that Bridgewater, 4-11 as Carolina’s starter, passed for 3,733 yards, throwing 15 touchdowns to 11 interceptions. He then noted Darnold with the Jets was 2-10, passing for 2,208 yards with nine touchdowns to 11 interceptions and a completion rate of 59.6%.

Darnold also ranked 31st in two-minute situations with a QBR of 51.8 and 33rd in the red zone with a QBR of 10.0.

The Panthers traded a sixth-rounder in 2020, as well as a second- and fourth-round pick in 2022, for Darnold, the third pick of the 2018 draft. They also opted not to take a quarterback with the eighth pick even though Ohio State’s Justin Fields and Alabama’s Mac Jones were available.

Rhule has said repeatedly he believes in Darnold. The Panthers exercised the fifth-year option in Darnold’s contract on April 30, guaranteeing the quarterback an $18.8 million salary in 2022.

“We brought Sam here for a reason,” Rhule said. “We’re excited to see what he can do. We’re excited to give him an opportunity. We traded for him because we believe in his potential.”

Bridgewater, who overcame a career-threatening knee injury with the Minnesota Vikings in their 2016 training camp, returned as a full-time starter with Carolina last season after signing a three-year, $63 million deal.

The Panthers restructured Bridgewater’s deal in order to trade him to the Broncos, agreeing to pay $7 million of the quarterback’s $10 million bonus that was fully guaranteed. They also took on $17 million in dead money.

Bridgewater said moving around a lot as a kid prepared him for everything he’s going through now.

“I’m a pro, man,” Bridgewater said. “I could sit up here and throw all of that out there, but at the end of the day that won’t get me nowhere, man.”

NEW ORLEANS

This from Nick Underhill:

@nick_underhill

Saints still a premium draw after Brees’ retirement. Five primetime games.

What is weird, apparently per a leaked schedule, is that four of those primetime games are clogged into five late-season weeks, starting at home on Thanksgiving night:

Mon Oct 25           at Seattle (ESPN)

Thurs Nov 25        Buffalo (NBC)

Thurs Dec 2          Dallas (FOX, etc)

Sun Dec 19           at Tampa Bay (NBC)

Mon Dec 27          Miami (ESPN)

TAMPA BAY

It won’t be six or seven more years until Bucs GM Jason Licht tells QB TOM BRADY its time to hang it up (although Brady could conceivably go out on his own terms before then).  Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com:

Tom Brady may remain in the NFL through the 2027 season, if Buccaneers General Manager Jason Licht is to be believed.

Licht told Rich Eisen that when the Buccaneers negotiated a contract extension with Brady this offseason, Brady didn’t tell the team whether he thinks it will be the last contract he ever signs. But in Licht’s opinion, the 43-year-old Brady could play seven more seasons.

“I want to keep all those conversations, most of them, private, but no inkling at all,” Licht said. “I told him if he wants to play until he’s 50, and he still feels like he can play, he can still play until he’s 50.”

Brady is already the oldest player ever to be his team’s primary starting quarterback, so seven more seasons seems unthinkable. The oldest player in NFL history was George Blanda, who was 48 years old when he played his last game in 1975, but Blanda had long since passed his time as the Raiders’ starting quarterback and was only a kicker at the end. The idea that Brady could still be playing at 50 sounds ridiculous, but then again it sounded ridiculous several years ago when Brady said he would play until he’s 45, and he’s now closing in on that. At this point, no one should bet against Brady.

AFC NORTH

CLEVELAND

Plenty of primetime love for the Browns, per a leak:

A few Browns primetime games

Week 7: DEN @ CLE TNF

Week 12: CLE @ BAL SNF

Week 15: LV @ CLE (Sat or Sun)

Week 16: CLE @ GB (Xmas)

Week 17: CLE @ PIT (MNF)

THIS AND THAT

VETERANS HELPED AND HURT BY THE DRAFT

Jeff Kerr of CBSSports.com:

Aaron Rodgers stole the show at the 2021 NFL Draft — and the Green Bay Packers quarterback didn’t even change teams. Rodgers wanting to get out of Green Bay changed the landscape of the draft, along with the plans of several teams in the 24 hours leading up to the No. 1 pick. The San Francisco 49ers — the team that traded to to No. 3 overall — checked in on the availability of Rodgers, who revealed the wish list of teams he wanted to play for in 2021.

At the end of the draft, Rodgers remains with the Packers — for now. While the league waits to see what happens with Rodgers, plenty of other veterans were impacted by several selections — or picks that weren’t made — during the draft. The draft always tells a story, even if the teams will never admit such in public press conferences.

Which veteran players had a smile on their face when the draft concluded? What players have to fight for their job this summer? Let’s take a look at the five veterans that benefited from the draft — and the five veterans whose jons aren’t exactly secure at the moment.

Five veterans the draft helped

Aaron Rodgers

GB • QB • 12

How can Rodgers benefit when he’s still on the Green Bay Packers? Just ask the Denver Broncos, the most likely destination for the NFL MVP in 2021. Denver didn’t even bother drafting a quarterback at No. 9, opting to instead select Patrick Surtain — addressing a major need on defense. The Broncos traded for Teddy Bridgewater prior to the draft and are only paying slightly over $4 million in salary for one year, a contract the franchise can easily part ways with if they were to acquire an elite talent like Rodgers.

Denver has the second-most cap space in the NFL and a first-round pick in every year, enough to take on Rodgers and his massive salary. The Broncos also have the offensive pieces in place to compete for the playoffs, starting with wide receivers Jerry Jeudy, KJ Hamler, Tim Patrick, and Courtland Sutton — who is returning from injury. Denver also has a solid offensive line, (even with the Ja’Wuan James injury), complemented with Melvin Gordon at running back and Noah Fant at tight end.

The deal may take a while to get done (if the Packers decide to trade Rodgers), but Denver is set to make him their next quarterback. Even if Rodgers remains in Green Bay, the Packers are still one of the best teams in the NFC. He’ll be a winner in 2021, no matter where he plays.

Sam Darnold

CAR • QB • 14

Carolina did something for Darnold the New York Jets never did, get him help on offense. The Panthers selected Terrace Marshall Jr. in the second round, adding him to a wide receiver unit that includes D.J. Moore and Robby Anderson, the latter Darnold had success with in New York. The Panthers actually decided to protect Darnold by selecting tackle Brady Christensen in the third round along with tight end Tommy Tremble, one of the best blocking tight ends in the draft. Let’s not forget Christian McCaffrey is back as well.

Carolina has an opportunity to select Justin Fields or Mac Jones at No. 8 overall. They passed on both, selecting Jaycee Horn instead. If that wasn’t a vote of confidence in Darnold, the Panthers exercised the fifth-year option on his rookie contract. Carolina never turned down the possibility of selecting a quarterback at No. 8, but the Panthers committed to Darnold for the 2021 season — giving him an excellent opportunity to succeed in this league. Helps Joe Brady is working with him instead of Adam Gase.

Allen Robinson

CHI • WR • 12

Robinson was one of the league’s best wide receivers with Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Foles throwing to him. The Bears actually traded up and selected Justin Fields at No. 11 overall, finally getting the franchise quarterback the organization hasn’t had since Jay Cutler.

Not only will Robinson take his game to the next level with Fields throwing him the ball, but Chicago has one of the league’s top young deep-ball receivers in Darnell Mooney lined up right next to him. Robinson won’t be double-teamed as much has he normally is, so expect his touchdown numbers to go up with a better quarterback in tow. The emergence of David Montgomery in the backfield will also help Robinson take his game to the next level.

Fields and Robinson could be the next great quarterback-receiver connection. A massive contract may be next.

Kyle Fuller

DEN • CB • 23

Fuller was already getting a golden opportunity to become one of the elite cornerbacks in the league again by reuniting with Vic Fangio and the Denver Broncos. He won’t be on an island in Denver, as the Broncos selected Patrick Surtain at No. 9 overall — giving Fuller an excellent rookie to pair with in the secondary.

With Surtain on the other side, more opportunities for turnovers will come Fuller’s way in 2021. Fuller has a strong chance to regain his All-Pro status and lead the league in interceptions again (just like he did in 2018). He also has Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson behind him at safety, making Denver’s secondary one of the best in the NFL.

Playing on a one-year deal, Fuller has an opportunity to make a lot of money after this season. In Fangio’s defense, don’t be surprised if Fuller becomes a Pro Bowler again.

Jalen Hurts

PHI • QB • 1

The Eagles made sure Hurts has every opportunity to become the next franchise quarterback. Not only did Philadelphia not draft a quarterback at No. 10 overall, the Eagles traded up to that spot and selected DeVonta Smith — Hurts’ college teammate and the No. 1 wide receiver the franchise hasn’t possessed in nearly two decades.

Philadelphia has one of the league’s top young running backs in Miles Sanders and added to the backfield by selecting Kenneth Gainwell in the fifth round, while claiming Kerryon Johnson from the Detroit Lions. The Eagles offensive line — the unit that allowed the most sacks in the NFL last season — have Brandon Brooks and Lane Johnson back healthy on the right side, and Jason Kelce decided to play another season. Philadelphia also selected Landon Dickerson in the second round, adding insurance at center and guard in case any interior lineman suffers a significant injury in 2021.

Having 2020 first-round pick Jalen Reagor under a wide receiver savant in Nick Sirianni will improve his game, giving Smith some help on the outside. Zach Ertz is still with the Eagles (for now). If Ertz remains, he and Dallas Goedert are one of the best tight end combinations in the league.

This season is Hurts’ chance to become the permanent starter. Hurts is under pressure in 2021, but the Eagles have made sure he has what he needs to succeed. Eagles fans are wondering where that was for the previous franchise quarterback.

Five veterans the draft hurt

Cam Newton

NE • QB • 1

Newton was already on thin ice in New England after the Patriots had their first losing season since 2000 — a year which he threw more interceptions than touchdown passes. The Patriots decided to bring Newton back on a one-year deal, but didn’t hand him the starting job for the 2021 season when they were fortunate enough to select Mac Jones at No. 15 overall.

New England was fortunate Jones even fell to No. 15, as the Patriots appeared to strike out on one of the top quarterbacks in the draft unless they traded up. Davis Mills and Kyle Trask wouldn’t move the needle in terms of Newton’s job, but Bill Belichick has never drafted a quarterback in the first round — ever. Jones wasn’t selected to sit the bench in New England for long.

Newton may open the season at quarterback. Unless he returns to his 2015 MVP form, he won’t be finishing as the starter.

Andy Dalton

CHI • QB • 14

So much for the Bears naming Dalton QB1. The Bears traded up nine spots in the draft to select Justin Fields, arguably one of the top three quarterbacks on the board. Chicago’s offense will be instantly better the moment Fields takes the field — and it should be in Week 1. There will be a competition for the starting quarterback job, even though this one is Fields’ to lose.

Dalton didn’t sign up for a competition — with Justin Fields at least — even though he’s getting a cool $10 million out of the deal. It will be much easier to win a job against Nick Foles than Fields. Chicago fans will certainly want the new franchise quarterback to start immediately. Dalton is just a placeholder at this point.

Give Chicago credit — they did tell Dalton they had plans to draft a quarterback.

James Robinson

JAC • RB • 30

Robinson was the first undrafted rookie in NFL history to average at least 100 scrimmage yards a game in a season and his 1,414 scrimmage yards were the most ever for an undrafted rookie. How do the Jaguars reward him for his efforts? Drafting Travis Etienne with their second first-round pick (No. 25 overall).

Robinson was one of the best running backs in the league last year and had excellent value with an undrafted free agent rookie contract. The Jaguars may view Etienne as a third-down back right now, but the carries and targets will be diminishing for Robinson with Etienne and Carlos Hyde in the backfield. Robinson may be the No. 2 back when it’s all said and done, even though he was the only reason to watch Jacksonville last year.

Leighton Vander Esch

DAL • OLB • 55

The Cowboys had the writing on the wall for Vander Esch the moment they selected Micah Parsons at No. 12 overall, making him the next linebacker in a revamped defense under Dan Quinn. To add insult to injury, the Cowboys passed on Vander Esch’s fifth-year option on his rookie contract — the beginning of the end of his tenure on Dallas.

Not only did the Cowboys select Parsons, they selected Jabril Cox in the fourth round. Two linebackers in the draft showcase the direction Quinn wants to go with his defense, one Vander Esch doesn’t appear to be part of after 2021. Injuries have tarnished an excellent start to Vander Esch’s career, one which he appeared to be the next dominant linebacker in Dallas.

Vander Esch just has to stay healthy in 2021. He’ll start again somewhere, but this is likely his final year with the Cowboys.

Kirk Cousins

MIN • QB • 8

The Vikings have gotten a lot out of Cousins since they signed him in 2018, but drafted his apparent successor in Kellen Mond. Minnesota never had a quarterback controversy with Cousins at the helm, even though they created one selecting Mond in the third round of the draft. Keep in mind the only game Cousins has missed over the last six years was a matchup where the Vikings had their playoff spot clinched and they could afford to rest him.

Over the last three years, Cousins is second in the NFL in completion percentage, fifth in touchdown passes, and seventh in passer rating. He’s a top-10 quarterback in the league, yet the Vikings felt it was important to address the future at the position by drafting Mond.

If Cousins happens to struggle in 2021 — or if the Vikings keep losing games — they may turn the page sooner than expected. Minnesota doesn’t owe Cousins any guaranteed money in 2022 and can save $45 million in salary cap space. Seems like Cousins’ future with the Vikings is all but decided.