Rob Gronkowski, TE, New England Patriots: The smoke behind Gronkowski's disenchantment with the Patriots and life as an NFL player only grew in recent days, with a report that Gronk considered walking away from football before training camp last year. That makes NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport's report Wednesday that Gronk is expected to play in 2018 even more notable. Gronk's status appears to be a year-to-year proposition already.
Lamarcus Joyner, S, and Aaron Donald, DT, Los Angeles Rams: Sean McVay said that bringing back Joyner was a "huge priority," furthering speculation that the team could use the franchise tag on him.
"He kind of represents a lot of the things that are right about your locker room and what you want guys to embody from a football-character standpoint, the way they attack every single day. Lamarcus is someone who is very important," McVay said.
While McVay also stated he wanted to bring back wide receiver Sammy Watkins, it will be difficult to sign both Joyner and Watkins. McVay believed Watkins was crucial to how the Rams' offensive pieces "fit together," but his salary demands figure to go beyond just being a piece to the puzzle.
The Rams have to make priorities, and getting Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald a new contract must be higher on the list than paying Watkins. McVay said the Rams will meet with Donald's representatives in Indianapolis to talk about a new deal.
Allen Robinson, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars: Jaguars coach Doug Marrone volunteered the franchise tag as a potential resource in keeping Robinson in town. General manager David Caldwell said that Jacksonville has enough cap space to keep him. Free agent Marqise Lee, on the other hand, sounded like an afterthought in the team's plans. I expect Lee to reach free agency.
Michael Crabtree, WR, Marshawn Lynch, RB, and Bruce Irvin, OLB, Oakland Raiders: Raiderscoach Jon Gruden's endlessly entertaining press conference Wednesday contained more news than most. He was rather definitive on the futures of Crabtree, Lynch and Irvin being important members of the team. (There was speculation the team could move on from any one of them.)
"One of the reasons I'm excited to be with the Raiders is to join forces with Lynch," Gruden said. "I'm counting on him. I'm counting on him being a big part of our football team."
Jason Peters, OT, Philadelphia Eagles: In what will be a month of difficult decisions for the Eagles, general manager Howie Roseman made it clear that his highly accomplished left tackle will not be a candidate for a trade or release.
"Jason Peters is a Hall of Fame player," Roseman said. "When you go back and look at our season and look at his reps, he was dominant. He wasn't just good, he was dominant."
Roseman sent a message to Eagles fans -- and possibly his players -- by letting them know the team's salary cap situation can be managed.
"We're not on short sale, we're comfortable with our roster, our flexibility to make moves we have to make," Roseman said. "We are not going to make decisions, get rid of good players because of our cap situation."
With all that said, it wouldn't be a surprise if the Eagles listen to trade offers for veterans like defensive end Vinny Curry and linebacker Mychal Kendricks.
"It's not like we can bring the band back together and expect the same results," Roseman said, on the risk of getting too sentimental.
Martavis Bryant, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers: GM Kevin Colbert said he has fielded trade inquiries about Bryant, but the team isn't interested in dealing him. While that could be public posturing to drive up Bryant's price, Colbert is generally a straight shooter with the media. If he says the team wants to keep Bryant, I believe him.
Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, WR, Denver Broncos: John Elway said that the team "planned" to bring back both veteran wideouts despite high price tags and will pick up the option in Thomas' contract.
Lamarcus Joyner, S, and Aaron Donald, DT, Los Angeles Rams: Sean McVay said that bringing back Joyner was a "huge priority," furthering speculation that the team could use the franchise tag on him.
"He kind of represents a lot of the things that are right about your locker room and what you want guys to embody from a football-character standpoint, the way they attack every single day. Lamarcus is someone who is very important," McVay said.
While McVay also stated he wanted to bring back wide receiver Sammy Watkins, it will be difficult to sign both Joyner and Watkins. McVay believed Watkins was crucial to how the Rams' offensive pieces "fit together," but his salary demands figure to go beyond just being a piece to the puzzle.
The Rams have to make priorities, and getting Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald a new contract must be higher on the list than paying Watkins. McVay said the Rams will meet with Donald's representatives in Indianapolis to talk about a new deal.
Allen Robinson, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars: Jaguars coach Doug Marrone volunteered the franchise tag as a potential resource in keeping Robinson in town. General manager David Caldwell said that Jacksonville has enough cap space to keep him. Free agent Marqise Lee, on the other hand, sounded like an afterthought in the team's plans. I expect Lee to reach free agency.
Michael Crabtree, WR, Marshawn Lynch, RB, and Bruce Irvin, OLB, Oakland Raiders: Raiderscoach Jon Gruden's endlessly entertaining press conference Wednesday contained more news than most. He was rather definitive on the futures of Crabtree, Lynch and Irvin being important members of the team. (There was speculation the team could move on from any one of them.)
"One of the reasons I'm excited to be with the Raiders is to join forces with Lynch," Gruden said. "I'm counting on him. I'm counting on him being a big part of our football team."
Jason Peters, OT, Philadelphia Eagles: In what will be a month of difficult decisions for the Eagles, general manager Howie Roseman made it clear that his highly accomplished left tackle will not be a candidate for a trade or release.
"Jason Peters is a Hall of Fame player," Roseman said. "When you go back and look at our season and look at his reps, he was dominant. He wasn't just good, he was dominant."
Roseman sent a message to Eagles fans -- and possibly his players -- by letting them know the team's salary cap situation can be managed.
"We're not on short sale, we're comfortable with our roster, our flexibility to make moves we have to make," Roseman said. "We are not going to make decisions, get rid of good players because of our cap situation."
With all that said, it wouldn't be a surprise if the Eagles listen to trade offers for veterans like defensive end Vinny Curry and linebacker Mychal Kendricks.
"It's not like we can bring the band back together and expect the same results," Roseman said, on the risk of getting too sentimental.
Martavis Bryant, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers: GM Kevin Colbert said he has fielded trade inquiries about Bryant, but the team isn't interested in dealing him. While that could be public posturing to drive up Bryant's price, Colbert is generally a straight shooter with the media. If he says the team wants to keep Bryant, I believe him.
Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, WR, Denver Broncos: John Elway said that the team "planned" to bring back both veteran wideouts despite high price tags and will pick up the option in Thomas' contract.
