NFL 2022 - Off-Season Player News and Updates

The Athletic's Chad Graff writes "the point of concern is nearing" for the Patriots offense after it has struggled badly throughout training camp.​

"The running game struggled," Graff writes. "The receivers didn’t get open. The incompletions mounted." And the quarterbacks have been under constant pressure. With longtime OC Josh McDaniels gone, coach Bill Belichick has handed offensive coaching duties to ex-DC Matt Patricia and former special teams coach Joe Judge. Patricia is coaching the offensive line and calling the plays while Judge is handling Mac Jones and the quarterbacks. Just an utter nightmare. It's a big concern for Jones' development. This offense is completely devoid of playmakers, and the coaching sounds even worse.
 

SI's Albert Breer believes the Patriots could entertain the idea of trading contract-year RB Damien Harris.​

As Breer notes, Rhamondre Stevenson has established himself worthy of being the starter, and the Patriots have a stable of running backs behind both Stevenson and Harris. They signed Ty Montgomery, James White and J.J. Taylor remain on the roster, and New England drafted Pierre Strong and Kevin Harris. There's zero chance all these guys make the 53-man roster. Harris is likely to walk as a free agent in 2023, so if the Patriots feel comfortable enough with the younger guys, flipping Harris to an RB-needy team could make some sense. A Harris trade would absolutely skyrocket Stevenson's fantasy stock.
 

Buccaneers C Robert Hainsey was carted off the field Wednesday due to "bad cramps," not a leg injury as originally reported.​

It's a huge sigh of relief for Buccaneers players, coaches, and fans. Hainsey is in line to start at center, following Ryan Jensen's knee injury, and reportedly looks up to the challenge. As decades of television commentary have taught us, Tom Brady is susceptible to pressure up the middle. Having a reliable starter at center will be critical to the Buccaneers' offensive success this season.
 
Sep 6, 2005
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The St. Paul Pioneer Press' Chris Tomasson doesn't expect the Vikings to extend contract-year RB Alexander Mattison.​

Mattison is headed into the final year of his rookie deal and is "not aware" of any contract talks between Minnesota and his agent. The 24-year-old will almost certainly be looking for a lead-back job on the open market next spring after showing he's more than capable of carrying the load anytime Dalvin Cook has missed games. He's still one of the most valuable true backup running backs in fantasy.
SOURCE: Chris Tomasson on Twitter
Aug 10, 2022, 8:07 PM ET
 

The St. Paul Pioneer Press' Chris Tomasson doesn't expect the Vikings to extend contract-year RB Alexander Mattison.​

Mattison is headed into the final year of his rookie deal and is "not aware" of any contract talks between Minnesota and his agent. The 24-year-old will almost certainly be looking for a lead-back job on the open market next spring after showing he's more than capable of carrying the load anytime Dalvin Cook has missed games. He's still one of the most valuable true backup running backs in fantasy.
SOURCE: Chris Tomasson on Twitter
Aug 10, 2022, 8:07 PM ET

This is someone who teams should be lining up to trade for, low wear on the tyres being behind Cook, been a gun when hes got his opportunities to start
 
Bears WR N'Keal Harry to have tightrope surgery on his high ankle sprain and is expected to miss eight weeks.

St.Brown up to WR2 now with Pringle and Harry out, what a shambles of a WR room.

That Velus Jones surely has to be some sort of chance to make an impact this year if hes any good.
 
Sep 6, 2005
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St.Brown up to WR2 now with Pringle and Harry out, what a shambles of a WR room.

That Velus Jones surely has to be some sort of chance to make an impact this year if hes any good.
He'll wanna make an immediate impact as a 25 yo, probably only has 5 years to cash in on a big contract
 
I didn't think they do it but got a solid replacement for Becton. Might even be an improvement.

I know hes old but I reckon a 2 year contract instead of a 1 was smart also, Fant is out of contract next offseason, one less headache to worry about down the road if it comes to him wanting a shitload.
 
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