It is the second week of obligatory minicamps within the NFL, with nearly all of groups taking one other important step towards the beginning line of the 2024 season. Ten groups acquired the obligatory ball rolling final week.
ESPN’s NFL reporters will probably be discovered at every of the areas this week, offering data on place battles, notable appearances from new faces, compelling quotes from coaches and gamers and updates on accidents and holdout conditions.
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High NFL information of the day
Jets’ Robert Saleh on ‘very same web page’ with absent Aaron Rodgers
Sooner or later after Aaron Rodgers’ unexcused absence from minicamp sparked a media firestorm, New York Jets coach Robert Saleh downplayed the matter, insisting it hasn’t precipitated a distraction or unrest inside the group. “Aaron and I are on the very same web page,” Saleh stated Wednesday. “There is no subject between Aaron or his teammates, for that matter. We addressed it yesterday. It is extra of a difficulty for everybody exterior the constructing than it’s inside. That is about it.”
Lamar Jackson declines to deal with forfeiting $750K
Requested why he forfeited a $750,000 exercise bonus this spring, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson replied, “I by no means focus on my contract up right here. I am not about to begin at present.”
Jackson signed a five-year, $260 million deal final yr that included bonuses for collaborating in 80% of the staff’s offseason program. This yr, the reigning NFL Most Helpful Participant skipped 4 of Baltimore’s first 5 voluntary organized staff actions, which price him $750,000.
O’Connell confirms Sam Darnold will begin at Vikings coaching camp
Sam Darnold will proceed because the Minnesota Vikings’ lead quarterback when coaching camp opens subsequent month, coach Kevin O’Connell stated Wednesday because the staff wrapped up its closing OTA of the spring. O’Connell stopped in need of projecting something past that, saying he plans for a “aggressive” coaching camp at many positions. The Vikings have three different quarterbacks on their roster, together with rookie J.J. McCarthy in addition to veterans Nick Mullens and Jaren Corridor.
Commanders’ Jayden Daniels: ‘I ain’t a star quarterback but’
Quarterback Jayden Daniels’ new Washington Commanders teammates and coaches have shared, very often, how impressed they’re after his first offseason. The one one who is not shopping for into the hype: Daniels himself.
“I ain’t a star quarterback but,” he stated, responding to a query about getting some perks of a franchise quarterback. “I acquired lengthy approach to go. I am a rookie.”
Not like Kelce, Chiefs’ Jones not fascinated about retirement
Chris Jones heard his Kansas Metropolis Chiefs teammate Travis Kelce lately discuss concerning the finish of his taking part in profession being in sight and he cringed. Jones stated there aren’t any ideas of retirement for him.
“As soon as you start to consider issues like that, you are attending to feed the thoughts these varieties of ideas,” Jones stated. “I do not even need my thoughts to even go that far to the R phrase.”
What our NFL Nation reporters noticed at present
Exterior linebacker Khalil Mack instructed reporters on the finish of final season that he hadn’t had an opportunity to course of his record-breaking 2023 season, the place he completed with a career-high 17 sacks and eclipsed 100 sacks for his profession.
Mack, getting into his eleventh season within the NFL, talking to reporters for the primary time since then, stated Wednesday that he had time to understand his yr, however a few of his critics bothered him.
“I might look on Twitter, and folks would say, ‘Oh, 17 sacks, however he had six in a single sport.’ Like, rattling, is {that a} unhealthy factor?” Mack stated with a smile. “Possibly I should not have gotten six? Possibly I ought to’ve acquired three.
“… Finally it is a kind of issues that is like; I need to win, I need to win. And yeah, you may rejoice sure issues for just a little bit, however I really feel like a Tremendous Bowl will really feel so much higher than that.” — Kris Rhim
Cornerback Devon Witherspoon summed up the second and closing day of Seahawks minicamp when he crashed coach Mike Macdonald’s information convention and stated, “Simply inform them we acquired on the offense’s ass at present!”
Certainly the protection did, recording a minimum of 4 and presumably 5 interceptions relying on whether or not Riq Woolen acquired each toes in bounds after he got here down with a deep ball from quarterback Geno Smith meant for receiver DK Metcalf. The No. 1 protection picked off Smith on the primary play of 11-on-11 when linebacker Patrick O’Connell tipped a sideline throw that landed in security Rayshawn Jenkins’ arms. The second-team protection acquired three interceptions off backup QB Sam Howell.
After follow, Macdonald introduced that he is calling off the ultimate day of minicamp, which means the Seahawks’ offseason program is over. Macdonald stated he is proud of the progress they’ve made and famous the additional time they have been at it as a staff with a first-year head coach. He additionally cited the chance to complete the spring wholesome. — Brady Henderson
With Mike Evans not collaborating and Trey Palmer coping with an undisclosed harm, rookie large receiver Jalen McMillan, a third-round draft decide, acquired a variety of consideration from quarterback Baker Mayfield, catching three passes on three targets. Actually, he was Mayfield’s first goal throughout the staff interval and caught a landing away from Mayfield throughout crimson zone drills Tuesday.
“He is actually pleasant on the high of his routes, assaults the ball, catches along with his arms. Simply explosive, a easy route runner,” Mayfield stated. “So simply now, having him put all of it collectively within the offense … I feel for him, actually the following step is mastering the offense so he can use that bodily expertise that he has.” — Jenna Laine
One second on the clock. Final play of obligatory minicamp. Ball on the 5-yard line. Who will get the bragging rights — offense or protection — till the staff returns for the beginning of coaching camp in late July?
That was the scenario going through rookie QB Drake Maye on the ultimate day of obligatory minicamp.
Maye delivered an attractive back-shoulder fade to rookie WR Ja’Lynn Polk — with undrafted CB Mikey Victor in protection — and Polk crashed to the bottom close to the again right-hand nook of the tip zone. Officers from Adrian Hill’s crew, who have been readily available for follow, huddled to find out whether or not Polk had two toes in bounds, they usually in the end thrust their arms into the air to sign landing.
Offensive gamers celebrated. Defensive gamers, some shouting expletives, hit the deck for pushups.
“That is one thing to go house with,” Maye later stated, crediting Polk for making the play. “First OTAs, first minicamp, finish on a catch like that from a fellow rookie — first- and second-rounder. It is fairly cool.” — Mike Reiss
It was a giant large receiver day for the Jets. Of their closing minicamp follow, Garrett Wilson placed on a present, catching two deep passes from Tyrod Taylor. Wilson, coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, has improved in all areas, in response to cornerback D.J. Reed. “Only a nice soccer participant,” Reed stated.
Mike Williams did not take part in minicamp — he is nonetheless rehabbing from ACL surgical procedure final fall — however confirmed that he expects to be prepared for Week 1. A wholesome Williams ought to be a pleasant complement to Wilson. “I may be that huge, bodily receiver who could make performs downfield, catch slants or do no matter it takes,” the previous Chargers star stated.
Someplace, Aaron Rodgers is smiling. — Wealthy Cimini
The primary play of the final follow of the spring for the Giants was a slip-screen go to rookie large receiver Malik Nabers.
It goes to point out simply how a lot of an impression the first-round decide has made heading into coaching camp that the staff has performs designed only for him. It is as a result of Nabers, the No. 6 choice earlier this yr out of LSU, has confirmed out this spring. It has caught the eye of his coaches and teammates.
“I imply, he can do all the pieces,” quarterback Daniel Jones stated. “There’s not a lot that he cannot do from a route-running standpoint. He is dynamic with the ball in his arms and powerful, quick, explosive, catches the ball nicely. Yeah, he does so much nicely.”
That has been evident all spring, together with within the closing on-field exercise of the offseason when he had a pair of grabs throughout a light-weight follow at minicamp. — Jordan Raanan
Malik Nabers’ expertise is particular pic.twitter.com/q1aXrhKZWn
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) June 12, 2024
Browns defensive finish Myles Garrett, the reigning Defensive Participant of the Yr, nonetheless has Cleveland’s season-ending loss to the Houston Texans on his thoughts as he prepares for the 2024 season. Cleveland misplaced to Houston 45-14 within the wild-card spherical and the Browns’ protection had its worst efficiency of the yr within the defeat.
“It is undoubtedly on the forefront of my thoughts all the time,” Garrett stated. “That is the final style of soccer that all of us had. I am making an attempt to make that obvious to everybody and proceed to maintain it as motivation for myself.”
After profitable his first Defensive Participant of the Yr award, Garrett stated a Lombardi Trophy is the one factor he is fascinated about for an encore efficiency.
“God prepared, I can construct on the success that we had final yr, have everybody be wholesome and win a Tremendous Bowl,” he stated. “That is the place my eyes are solely.” — Daniel Oyefusi
The Packers might not have a longtime No. 1 receiver — they usually might not want one with all of the younger expertise at that spot — but when there is a most dependable amongst that group, it is perhaps third-year professional Romeo Doubs. If anybody had one foot out the door Wednesday earlier than the ultimate follow of the offseason, Doubs wasn’t one among them. The spotlight of his day got here when he snagged a deep cease route over the center, made a fast lower and turned up the sphere.
“We challenged him on a pair issues we thought he may actually do a greater job of with, and simply persevering with to emphasize the significance of opening up his stride and he is embraced that,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur stated. “And I feel you’ve got seen that and I feel he is had a variety of nice moments. Matter of truth, I can not consider a foul day that he is had on the market. He simply, he’s undoubtedly enhancing.” — Rob Demovsky
The Saints had quarterback Jake Haener working with the third staff for the primary time, permitting rookie Spencer Rattler to take second-team reps. Rattler was picked off in 11-on-11 drills by beginning cornerback Marshon Lattimore whereas concentrating on rookie Bub Means.
Haener additionally threw his first interception of practices open to the media this summer time when he was picked off by rookie security Millard Bradford. Saints coach Dennis Allen stated to not learn an excessive amount of into that.
“That factor goes to battle out all all through coaching camp,” Allen stated. “And I do not suppose that place is exclusive. There’s going to be a number of positions the place you will see just a few lineup adjustments alongside the best way.” — Katherine Terrell
Within the fairly giant shadow thrown by the staff’s three-man quarterback competitors is likely one of the Broncos’ different vital place battles — the beginning cornerback job reverse of all-everything cornerback Pat Surtain II. A job that may require not solely the expertise to do the job, however the psychological toughness to outlive the eye as quarterbacks keep away from Surtain. “It is wholesome,” stated defensive coordinator Vance Joseph of the competitors.
” … In case you’re taking part in reverse of Patrick you are going to get a lot of the targets. That is a part of it, so having a man who’s resilient and who can work by way of adversity in video games and sort of invite being attacked.”
Because the Broncos wrapped up their offseason program Wednesday, Riley Moss, Damarri Mathis, rookie Kris Abrams-Draine and Levi Wallace have been all poised to push for the job as soon as coaching camp begins, with Moss probably having made the a lot of the snaps in OTAs and two days of minicamp. — Jeff Legwold
Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt had one other good day in 7-on-7 drills. For the second time in two days, he registered a go deflection off QB Joe Burrow in drills.
Cornerback DJ Turner and Dax Hill, who’re combating for the skin cornerback place, every had an excellent day Wednesday. Turner and Hill every had a few go deflections throughout 7-on-7 drills. Turner broke up a go off back-up quarterback Jake Browning that popped up into the air and was intercepted. Hill additionally had a deflection on an in-breaking route that prompted Burrow to throw his towel as if it have been a flag.
Hill acquired an excellent snigger out of the bit but in addition believed he made the play cleanly. — Ben Child
Zay Flowers is trying like a No. 1 large receiver in obligatory minicamp. He’s solely 5-foot-9, however he made the play of the day when he elevated over cornerback Trayvon Mullen for a landing seize.
“I can not actually describe our chemistry — I imagine it is nice; I can say that,” quarterback Lamar Jackson stated. “It is higher than final yr. Simply being round him down in Florida, operating each route on the route tree and simply making an attempt to construct. It is figuring out for us.”
Flowers’ landing catch got here after a scary second. Flowers collided with security Marcus Williams whereas making an attempt to tug in a go over the center of the sphere. After getting up gingerly, Flowers lined up just a few performs later and made that leaping reception in the long run zone. Final season, Flowers set Ravens rookie information with 77 catches and 858 receiving yards. — Jamison Hensley
The thought behind bringing in velocity at large receiver within the individuals of Marquise Brown and Xavier Worthy was for the Chiefs to have the ability to get extra huge go performs. They acquired one towards the tip of follow when Patrick Mahomes beat the blitz and threw a protracted landing go to Brown. Worthy hasn’t practiced a lot since being drafted within the first spherical due to a sore hamstring. He did not work in Wednesday’s follow, as a substitute watching from the aspect. However it does not take a lot from the Chiefs to think about what the probabilities are when Brown and Worthy are within the lineup. “These guys are blazers,” large receiver Justin Watson stated. “They’re at a unique degree of velocity and defenses are going to need to again up.” — Adam Teicher
Whereas it is pure that the Raiders protection, taking part in in the identical scheme for the third straight yr with 10 starters returning, could be forward of the offense, there’s a rising concern over how a lot the protection is dominating and the way shaky the offense seems. Particularly with a brand new scheme being put in by new offensive coordinator Luke Getsy and a quarterback battle underway between Aidan O’Connell, who threw two interceptions Wednesday, and Gardner Minshew, who threw one among his personal to finish follow. Briefly, the offense wants coaching camp to kind itself out whereas the protection effective tunes itself.
“I imply, what’s it known as that we simply did on the market?” requested receiver Davante Adams, after a protracted post-practice discuss with new GM Tom Telesco. When instructed, “Observe,” Adams smiled. “That is it, proper?” he stated. “The chance to get all of that stuff ironed out. It should be a variety of errors … However this time of the yr provides us the chance to get forward of it and study the system.” — Paul Gutierrez
Kickers do not usually get mentions throughout obligatory camps, however Eddy Pineiro is noteworthy. After lacking all of voluntary OTAs as a result of, in response to a league supply, he needs a brand new contract, and never kicking on the primary day of the obligatory camp, Pineiro kicked Wednesday. He was solely 2-of-4.
However when requested why he hasn’t been at camp, Pineiro known as it a “non-public matter.” Requested if it was associated to his contract, he declined to remark. When he was instructed Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker makes $6 million a yr, Pineiro responded,”Oh, wow! That is superior … Hopefully, I can get there sooner or later.”
Pineiro makes $2 million a yr, however ranks third on the NFL’s all-time discipline aim proportion record at 89%, behind Tucker (90.18%) and Harrison Butker (89.14%) of the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs. Pineiro would not describe his “non-public matter” as confrontational, including he would report back to coaching camp on time “able to kick.” — David Newton
Second-year security Quan Martin made the play of the day, displaying why he could possibly be a giant assist in the secondary this season. Quarterback Marcus Mariota lofted a go down the left aspect to operating again Chris Rodriguez. However Martin tipped the ball within the air and caught it behind his again as he ran down the sidelines. Washington’s secondary faces quite a few questions after a subpar 2023 season, however Martin, a second-round decide final season, has been working so much alongside veteran Jeremy Chinn with the primary group.
One criticism the defensive backs confronted final season was poor communication, stemming partially from a protection that too usually left them confused. Their chatter up to now this spring has been a stark distinction. Martin is taken into account a heady, versatile participant who communicates nicely and who can play security or within the slot in varied packages. He may turn out to be a mainstay.– John Keim
George Pickens is getting again to his roots. The third-year receiver, who spent most of his first two seasons taking part in on the skin, stated Wednesday he is been mixing in work from the slot, one thing he hasn’t completed since he performed in school.
“It’s nice,” Pickens stated. “I am a complete receiver, so I like working within the slot simply as a lot as I like working at exterior receiver.”
Shifting Pickens to the slot is one other wrinkle in Arthur Smith’s versatile offense and matches Pickens up extra with safeties and linebackers, a problem the bodily large receiver likes tackling.
“Nicely, linebackers, it is simply being smarter than them,” Pickens stated. “They acquired just a few keys, they sort of crash dummies, so it is simply being smarter than them, catching the ball, get down whenever you’re alleged to, catching the ball, scoring whenever you’re alleged to.”
The key weapon to creating huge performs from the slot, he stated, is easy.
“Velocity,” he stated. “Break up defenders, that is a largest factor. Slot, if you happen to acquired tremendous, tremendous good velocity you may break up defenders. Simply sort of [makes it] straightforward to attain.” — Brooke Pryor
Head coach Doug Pederson stated on the final day of minicamp that the staff plans to exercise receiver Hakeem Butler, who was the United Soccer League’s Offensive Participant of the Yr in 2024 after main the league with 652 yards receiving and 14.5 yards per catch. The 28-year-old Butler can also be scheduled to exercise with the Carolina Panthers.
He spent 4 months of the 2023 offseason with the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier than being launched in late August and likewise has hung out on the Panthers’ follow squad and the Philadelphia Eagles’ lively roster and follow squad. That got here in 2020 when Pederson was the Eagles’ head coach. Arizona drafted him within the fourth spherical of the 2019 NFL draft out of Iowa State. If Butler indicators, he’ll be a part of a gaggle of six different receivers combating for the No. 6 receiver spot behind Gabe Davis, Christian Kirk, Brian Thomas Jr., Devin Duvernay and Parker Washington. — Michael DiRocco
Payments rookie large receiver Keon Coleman has gotten within the combine all through the staff’s offseason program, and that prolonged to Wednesday. The receiver was matched up in opposition to cornerback Rasul Douglas usually, and his spotlight catch of the follow was a leaping seize on a go from quarterback Josh Allen with Douglas in protection.
It was additionally a giant day for Coleman — taken thirty third general this spring — as he grew to become the ultimate member of the staff’s rookie class to signal his contract.
“I have not seen an excessive amount of of [Coleman]. He made some performs,” Douglas stated. “He is younger. He is nonetheless making an attempt to study. I feel that is the factor that helps him the perfect is simply be a learner. And he is a cool man off the sphere. He is a joker. He is humorous. He is chill.”
Douglas didn’t attend the staff’s voluntary a part of the offseason program, one thing that he stated he all the time does. He famous how athletes are additionally human beings and the significance for himself to have the ability to take a step away and “simply take a deep breath and to be glad about what God blessed you with, the household that you just with, and simply to spend time with them.” — Alaina Getzenberg