NFL Trade Rumors, Injury & Training Camp Updates
While some of the league's best teams (Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs) have already reported to camp, the rest of the league will be back on the field by the end of this week.
Over the next couple of weeks, teams will prepare for the 2024 season by getting their rookies up to speed, implementing new schemes on both sides of the ball and making last-minute roster additions to bolster their squad.
With trade rumors swirling, injury updates trickling in and potential holdouts threatening to impact a few teams’ seasons before they even start, there’s plenty of news to watch as training camp gets underway. Let’s get into the top stories we’re tracking from training camp.
NFL Trade Rumors: Where will Aiyuk end up?
Brandon Aiyuk's status can change the entire power balance of the league, particularly if he gets traded before the start of the season. After contract talks had stalled between the San Francisco 49ers and their star wideout, Aiyuk formally requested a trade on July 16, as the two sides haven’t had any extensive conversations about a new contract since May.
According to multiple reports, several teams have contacted the 49ers regarding Aiyuk, including the New England Patriots, who were told that Aiyuk was not moving this offseason. Additional reports have indicated that while San Francisco is interested in bringing back Aiyuk on a long-term deal, the 26-year-old thinks of himself as an elite wide receiver and wants to be paid accordingly in line with the market.
Aiyuk appeared in 16 games for the 49ers in 2023, racking up over 1,300 receiving yards and hauling in seven touchdowns in the second straight 1,000-yard receiving season of his career.
NFL Training Camp Updates: For Love or money at Lambeau
After a season in which he threw for over 4,100 yards and 32 touchdowns while leading the Packers to the NFL Divisional Round in his first full season as a starter, big things are expected for Jordan Love and this Green Bay offense. However, we likely won’t see Love on the field until he receives a new contract that will almost surely make him one of the highest-paid players in the game.
In speaking with reporters on July 22, Packers GM Brian Gutekunst revealed that Love will not practice until a long-term contract extension has been finalized between the young quarterback and the organization. Previous reports had indicated that Green Bay wanted to get a deal done before training camp, but that process could be expedited now that Love is absent from practice.
NFL Trade Rumors: Reddick is in search of a new contract
A holdout that could impact an AFC contender comes from Florham Park, New Jersey, as Jets defensive end Haason Reddick is holding out of training camp until he receives a new contract.
New York acquired Reddick in a deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, who traded the productive pass-rusher for a conditional third-round draft pick. The Jets front office was almost certainly aware that Reddick wanted a new contract, but the situation has not been resolved yet.
Reddick has already fortified over $350 million from missing mandatory minicamp and skipping OTAs earlier in the summer. The 29-year-old played in all 17 games a season ago, racking up 38 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss and 11 sacks in Philadelphia.
NFL Injury Updates: Burrow back from injury
2023 was an extremely difficult season for the Bengals, but the arrow appears to be pointing up for Cincinnati, given the talent on the roster and how its schedule looks compared to some of its division rivals.
However, Bengals fans and players alike know that their season starts and ends with the health of quarterback Joe Burrow.
When Burrow was healthy over a full season, Cincinnati made the Super Bowl and AFC Championship Game in consecutive seasons. When the 27-year-old got hurt, things went downhill quickly, and the Bengals missed the playoffs.
The good news for Bengals fans is Burrow has been fully cleared for contact as he appears to have recovered fully from the wrist injury that ended his season last November. Burrow has missed significant time in two of his four seasons, so it's imperative for Cincinnati that its franchise quarterback is fully healthy and ready for the long season ahead.
The NFL betting odds at most outlets indicate that the Chiefs are still the (deserved) favorites in the AFC, but the Bengals are certainly worth consideration if Burrow is ready to return to his 2022 form.
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