Cleveland Browns: Will the Joe Flacco Baltimore Reunion Not Happen?
The Browns have five quarterbacks and even more questions about who will be under center to start the year.
Cleveland's quarterbacks are injured Deshaun Watson, Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett and Day 3 rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders.
It seemed that the 40-year-old Flacco, who was signed this offseason and started five games for the Browns in 2023, would likely be the early starter based on his experience. That would put him on track for a Week 2 reunion in Baltimore.
However, Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reports that it's Pickett who is considered the favorite to be the Week 1 starter.
"It's a tough call before we've even seen the first practice of organized team activities, but I know Kenny Pickett heads in as the frontrunner to win the starting job at the outset," Cabot wrote Sunday. "He'll take the initial first-team reps in OTAs and probably the mandatory minicamp, and it seems like it's his job to try to keep for now."
Pickett, a 2022 first-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers, spent last season as a backup with the Philadelphia Eagles. He made one start and completed 25 of 42 passes for 291 yards and two touchdowns, with one interception.
Pickett holds a 15-10 career record and 79.3 career quarterback rating with 13 touchdowns to 13 interceptions. He has started three games against the Ravens. He was injured after one pass in their first meeting, then beat the Ravens in his two other starts.
Steelers: Reportedly Interested in Trading for WR Chris Olave
The Steelers traded for D.K. Metcalf earlier this offseason and there's buzz that they might not be done dealing for big-name wideouts.
Adam Crowley of 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh started the chatter and others have picked up on the reports.
Nick Farabaugh of Penn Live reported that the Steelers inquired about Olave, but that the Saints don't want to trade the 2022 first-round pick.
A trade for the former first-round pick who posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons to open his career would likely cost a second-round pick or more, according to Farabaugh's sources.
"A trade is unlikely despite the Steelers' interest," Farabaugh reports.
Even if an Olave trade doesn't materialize, it is notable that the Steelers are reportedly shopping for another wide receiver after trading away George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys.
Cincinnati Bengals: Would Trey Hendrickson Truly Sit Out the Year?
Bengals star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson drew a clear line in the sand when venting to reporters last week about the lack of an extension, or even progress towards one.
Asked whether he's willing to play on his current deal, Hendrickson bluntly said, "No."
However, Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio believes Hendrickson doesn't have much leverage in his contract situation.
"Hendrickson is due to make $16 million this year," Florio wrote. "The Bengals, we've heard, have offered roughly $28 million per year. Whatever the amount [and, as importantly, the structure], he wants more."
Browns defensive end Myles Garrett got a deal averaging $40 million, the Texans' Danielle Hunter got $35.6 million, and Raiders' Maxx Crosby landed $35.5 million. Hendrickson had more sacks (17.5) last year than all of them.
"Hendrickson has real value, but he doesn't have much leverage," Florio wrote. "His options are simple, and few. One, take the team's best offer on a new deal. Two, play for $16 million and become a free agent in 2026 (unless they tag him). Three, hold out and hope the Bengals will cave."
