Retired quarterback and future Hall of Famer Drew Brees took in the Los Angeles Chargers minicamp practice on Wednesday and was very impressed with second-year signal-caller Justin Herbert. “I think his physical tools are as good as anybody I’ve ever seen,” Brees said. “By all accounts, he’s a great worker. He’s got great leadership qualities, he’s got a lot of intangibles. So I think the

Chicago Bears wide receiver Allen Robinson II said he doesn’t have any contract-extension updates and sounded resigned to possibly playing the 2021 season on his one-year franchise tag. The deadline to sign franchise-tagged players to long-term deals is on July 15. Robinson will make $17.98 million if he plays on the franchise tag after leading the team with 102 catches for 1,250 yards last year.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is learning new offensive coordinator Matt Canada’s scheme in his 18th NFL season. Canada intends to build off the strengths of Roethlisberger while also placing a renewed emphasis on a running game that is expected to feature rookie first-round running back Najee Harris after the team finished last in rushing in 2020. “We are going to do what Ben wants

Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer said that defensive end Danielle Hunter (neck) “looks fantastic” after having surgery on a herniated disc in his neck last October and missing all of the 2020 season. The Vikings are hoping that Hunter can return to his Pro Bowl form and stay healthy after a disappointing year on defense last season. The 26-year-old had 14.5 sacks apiece in

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Robby Anderson, who spent two seasons with quarterback Sam Darnold with the New York Jets, said that Darnold has a different “aura” about him with his new squad. “I saw like a new energy out of him, a glowing charisma that I didn’t really see in New York,” said Anderson. Darnold is trying to resurrect his career in Carolina after they

Baltimore Ravens defensive end Calais Campbell, who will turn 35 on Sept. 1, is contemplating retirement after the 2021 season, which will be his 14th NFL season. The six-time Pro Bowler is taking things year-to-year at this juncture. Campbell was traded to the Ravens from the Jacksonville Jaguars last year, and he managed 28 tackles (five for loss), 10 QB hits, six passes defensed and

Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb, who is heading into the final season of his rookie contract, said that he wants to remain in Cleveland long-term. “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,”

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, who was once again the subject of trade rumors this offseason, reasserted his desire to remain with the team on Tuesday. “I’d probably quit football if I had to play for somebody else,” Carr said. He was briefly the highest-paid player in the history of football when he signed a five-year, $125 million extension with the Raiders in 2017.

The Minnesota Vikings signed third-round quarterback Kellen Mond to his four-year rookie deal on Tuesday. The four-year deal is worth $5.2 million. Mond was taken with the 66th overall pick of this year’s draft and is expected to back up starter Kirk Cousins in 2021. The dual-threat signal-caller will strictly be a dynasty/keeper league asset in his rookie season, as the Vikings plan is to

Seattle Seahawks offensive tackle Duane Brown was present for the start of the team’s mandatory minicamp this week, but he wants a new deal as he enters the final year of his contract in 2021. Brown is set to make $10 million this year, and his contract situation is one to monitor this summer. The 35-year-old former first-rounder in 2008 by the Houston Texans missed

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw five interceptions at the first day of mandatory minicamp on Tuesday, albeit in monsoon-like weather, according to some beat reporters. Tagovailoa said the interceptions stemmed from an emphasis on being aggressive with his throws downfield. Some may raise their eyebrows, especially after his disappointing rookie season, but fantasy managers should take this performance with a grain of salt in

New York Jets left tackle Mekhi Becton (foot) will not take part in minicamp this week, but head coach Robert Saleh said that the team is “very confident he’ll be ready to go (by training camp). He’s just got a little nagging foot injury. It’s not worth it to put him out there and make something so small a lot worse.” Becton is dealing with

Baltimore Ravens defensive end Derek Wolfe won’t practice this week after recently dealing with a bout of pneumonia, according to head coach John Harbaugh. Wolfe also skipped voluntary workouts recently after signing a three-year, $12 million contract extension in March. In his first season with Baltimore after eight seasons with the Denver Broncos to begin his career, Wolfe recorded 51 tackles (six for loss), four

Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy said that there is no possible scenario where rookie quarterback Justin Fields is the starting quarterback in Week 1 on the road against the Los Angeles Rams. “Andy Dalton is our starter. Justin is our No. 2 and we are going to stick with this plan. You just got to trust the plan,” Nagy said. Chicago traded up in

The Minnesota Vikings agreed to an undisclosed deal with free-agent defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson on Tuesday. Richardson returns to Minnesota after playing for them in 2018, recording 49 tackles (six for loss) and 4.5 sacks in 16 games. The 30-year-old played the last two seasons with the Cleveland Browns but was released to clear salary cap space. Originally a first-round pick (13th overall) by the

The Carolina Panthers agreed to terms with first-round cornerback Jaycee Horn on a four-year contract on Tuesday. The deal is fully guaranteed for $21.1 million. Horn came off the board at No. 8 overall as the first defensive player picked in this year’s draft out of South Carolina. The 21-year-old should start immediately for the Panthers rebuilt secondary that includes Donte Jackson and A.J. Bouye.

The Minnesota Vikings and defensive end Danielle Hunter agreed to a restructured deal on Tuesday, according to sources informed of the situation. He will receive $5.6 million of the money due to him this year as a signing bonus, giving him a significant portion of the money due to him much sooner. A new $18 million roster bonus will also trigger on the fifth day

Miami Dolphins star cornerback Xavien Howard isn’t on the field for the first practice of mandatory minicamp on Tuesday and is officially holding out, according to a source. The Dolphins gave Howard a new deal prior to the 2020 season, but he’s reportedly already upset with his contract and wants to renegotiate. He has three years left on the five-year deal he signed but is

The Seattle Seahawks have excused safety Jamal Adams from this week’s mandatory minicamp for personal reasons, according to a source. The 25-year-old All-Pro is seeking a new contract, but his absence isn’t related to any kind of holdout. Seattle traded multiple high-end draft picks to acquire Adams’ services from the New York Jets last offseason, and he finished with 83 tackles (11 for loss), 14

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said that quarterback Cam Newton is “way ahead of where he was last year at this time. There’s no question about that.” Newton recently suffered a bruised hand, but he’s expected to receive a full complement of repetitions at minicamp this week. The injury was minor to begin with, so fantasy managers won’t need to worry about it.