Cleveland Browns: Joe Flacco Is Focused on Playing More Than Mentoring at OTAs

Cleveland's crowded quarterback competition at OTAs featuring Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and rookies Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel is drawing plenty of offseason attention.

The 40-year-old Flacco is by far the oldest in the quarterback room, but the former Raven doesn't view his role as being a mentor for younger players in the room. Flacco has made it clear at OTAs that he's focused on playing his best and ultimately winning the job.

"If I say I don't want to be a mentor, I look bad," Flacco said via Pro Football Talk. "If I say I do want to be a mentor, then I look like an idiot that doesn't care about being good and playing football. So, it's one of those questions that no matter what I say, you guys can write what you want to write about it.

"I tend to try to be honest, and I've said I'm not a mentor. I play football… The best way to be a mentor, honestly, is show people how you go to work and like I said, hope that they pick up on that stuff, but not necessarily force them to pick up on the things that you do."

During last week's practice, Flacco split first-team reps with Pickett, while Gabriel and Sanders also got regular practice reps. Deshaun Watson, who is still on Cleveland's roster, is absent while recovering from a torn Achilles tendon, and his future with the team is uncertain.

Flacco said he's been receptive when the younger quarterbacks have asked him questions. Despite the competition, Flacco said the signal-callers are getting along as they compete to be Cleveland's starter.

"The first day we're out here throwing routes, like, Shedeur was asking me about steps and things like that," Flacco said. "Dillon was calling me up, trying to mimic my cadence, for whatever reason, he wants to get it similar.

"We spent a lot of time together, all the quarterbacks do. I think that's the nature of the beast... We're having a blast and having a lot of fun, talking football and then just laughing at things that come up on a daily basis."

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler believes the Browns are unlikely to keep all four quarterbacks on the roster and could consider trading one of them during training camp.

Cincinnati Bengals: Trey Hendrickson's Contract Dispute Lingers

Fowler and Ben Baby of ESPN reported that Trey Hendrickson is “extremely dug in” as his contract dispute with the Bengals lingers. There may not be a quick resolution, but teammates continue to support the 31-year-old defensive end who led the NFL in sacks (17.5) last season.

"We'll see what happens with that, you guys all know how I feel about Trey," quarterback Joe Burrow said via Ari Meirov of The 33^rd Team. "He' a great player, I love Trey as a guy. He goes out and plays well every single Sunday. He's very productive. He's a guy that deserves to get paid and get paid what he wants and what the market is. I love Trey and hope he's with us."

Pittsburgh Steelers: Jonnu Smith is Reportedly Part of Trade Discussions With Dolphins

The Steelers have had trade discussions with the Miami Dolphins about acquiring tight end Jonnu Smith, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The 29-year-old Smith had a career year with Miami last season with 88 catches, 884 yards, and eight touchdowns while making the Pro Bowl for the first time. He is seeking a new contract and played for Steelers Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith when he was Head Coach of the Atlanta Falcons.

Smith's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said Sunday that his client wants to remain with Miami.

"Here's what I will say on behalf of my client: Jonnu would definitely like to stay in Miami," Rosenhaus said on WSVN-7, via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. "That's his first choice. This is where he lives in the off-season. He had a record-breaking season last year. It was the best season ever for a Miami Dolphin tight end... He broke the team record for receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns for a tight end and was the team's single Pro Bowl player. He's an incredibly valuable part of this team... He went to college at FIU. His dream team is the Dolphins. Hopefully, everything works out where he can stay in Miami."