Greetings from Indy!
Greetings from Indy!
We're at the NFL Combine where news always swirls.
Good morning, readers!
A quick note here that I’m in Indianapolis this week for the NFL Combine. It’s a chance to start examining draft prospects, of course, but this is also where high-end business gets done in the league. There’s quite a bit of business for franchises to handle, as well.
Where to even begin? Several teams have to figure out the most important position in sports.
GM Brian Gutekunst will publicly address the Packers’ quarterback situation. He’ll likely keep intentions close to the vest but a franchise-defining decision looms and he could gauge a potential trade haul for Aaron Rodgers here. And if the Packers do run it back (again) with the 39-year-old Aaron Rodgers, don’t be surprised if Jordan Love demands a trade. How does Gutekunst factor in this variable? I like what Bart Scott said this morning on TV, calling this “the most passive-aggressive relationship I've ever seen." Really feels like nobody wants to be the bad guy.
The Baltimore Ravens and Lamar Jackson have reached a stalemate. If they haven’t found common ground now, will they ever? Which tag will the Ravens place on him? Maybe Baltimore will take two first-rounders for their MVP quarterback and move on. If so, Jackson is the best QB available.
Derek Carr is reportedly meeting with teams in Indy. Will everyone wait to see if Rodgers is available or sign the longtime Raider?
So Daniel Jones (reportedly) wants $45 mill. Can’t blame him for aiming high. The Giants and Jones seem best together at the right price, but will they agree on that price? Who gets the franchise tag — Jones or Saquon Barkley?
The Buffalo Bills don’t have much salary-cap flexibility. How does Brandon Beane catch Cincinnati and Kansas City before both teams slip past Buffalo for good?
We’ll try to get answers to these questions, and more, all week.
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Miss any of the Packers coverage last week? Here’s where things stand in Green Bay…
Rodgers to the Colts would be a huge win for McAfee Tuesdays and I would be shocked if he (McAfee) is not campaigning heavily for this to happen behind the scenes, for what his opinion may be worth to the Colts and their fans. But how good of a fit would he be for the Colts compared to the other teams that are allegedly in the mix, and would any of those teams currently being mentioned be amenable if Rodgers insisted on them also signing his pals as part of any trade he would be willing to accept? Any such 2023 NFL team may resemble a 2023 Rolling Stones concert. Wondering out loud if Rodgers is trying to force the Packers to simply release him outright so that he can set his own terms with a team that's willing to accept his mandates?