By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Deshaun Watson temporarily lit the league on fire with his play in 2017 before a knee injury cut his season short.

That’s just a small bump in the road Watson envisions for himself — which includes surpassing the achievements of one Tom Brady.

“If Tom wins, it’s going to six, right? I want to be at seven,” Watson said during his Friday appearance on Good Morning Football. “Whatever it takes to be the best, the greatest, and not just for me, but for any athlete, especially quarterback … if you don’t want to chase Tom Brady and [be] above him, you’re selling yourself short. I always put my mentality with [being] the best, and Tom Brady is the best right now, so whatever I have to do to get to that level at age 40, that’s what I’m going to do.” Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Kansas City’s agreement to trade Alex Smith ensured one theory: Kirk Cousins will soon be on the move.

But in a league in which nearly a third of its teams are in need of a signal-caller, where might the quarterback be headed?

Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller wasn’t bashful about his desire to welcome Cousins to the franchise earlier this week. Neither was running back C.J. Anderson, who said “it would be huge having Kirk.” Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Once upon a time, a pre-planned parade route inspired an underdog New England Patriots team to pull off a stunning upset in the Super Bowl.

Apparently, at least one member of the NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles doesn’t care much for history lessons.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero spoke to Eagles receiver Alshon Jeffery this week, ahead of Philadelphia’s meeting with New England in Super Bowl LII. Jeffery provided some piping-hot bulletin-board material when Pelissero began a question with “If you win this game on Sunday…” Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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As we approach an intriguing offseason for the Jacksonville Jaguars, a new wrinkle has been added into the situation surrounding the franchise’s starting quarterback.

Blake Bortles underwent wrist surgery last week to fix an issue he dealt with during the entire 2017 season, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per a source informed of the quarterback’s situation.

The injury was in his right wrist, serving as part of his throwing hand. Bortles is expected to make a full recovery, Rapoport added. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Super Bowl LII brings New England, football’s most dominant franchise in this millennium, to the game’s biggest stage yet again.

It’s the eighth time it has happened for the Tom Brady-led Patriots. For this group of coaches, it very well could be their last time together.

Bill Belichick’s coaching tree has been picked many times over the last two-and-a-half decades, and it’s borne some quality fruit over that time (Nick Saban, Kirk Ferentz). But it’s also had its share of excellent coordinators who didn’t end up sticking as head coaches (Romeo Crennel, Charlie Weis). Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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The Eagles have landed.

Philadelphia’s team plane touched down at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport on Sunday ahead of Super Bowl LII. The championship game will be played between the Eagles and New England Patriots on Feb. 4 at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Super Bowl LII will be the first Super Bowl in Minneapolis since Super Bowl XXVI, played between the Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins on Jan. 26, 1992, at the since-demolished Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. It is Philadelphia’s first appearance in the game since the Eagles fell to the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXIX on Feb. 6, 2005, in Jacksonville, Florida. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Football’s most scrutinized hand is now stitch-free.

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady had his 12 stitches removed from his right hand earlier this week, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported. Brady had played against Jacksonville with the stitches in his hand, protected by a bandage that received plenty of pre- and in-game attention. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Fresh off a 5-11 campaign, John Elway is entering a pivotal offseason for his Denver Broncos.

First and foremost for the executive VP is the quarterback position, which desperately needs addressing. Denver owns the fifth pick in a draft touted as being rich at the position. He also could make another big splash via free agency or trade, pursuing, say, Kirk Cousins or Alex Smith.

“Any time you draft that high you have to make ’em count,” Elway said, via KUSA-TV. “We’ve got a lot of picks so we have the ammo also [to trade], so we’ve got to make sure we make them all count.” Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Carolina’s search for its next general manager is set to start this week.

The Panthers will begin interviews for the vacant permanent position, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero and NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Saturday. The Panthers are interviewing Texans assistant general manager Jimmy Raye III on Thursday and Bills assistant college scouting director Lake Dawson on Friday, per Rapoport. Interim GM Marty Hurney will interview this week, as well.

Carolina also plans to interview Bills assistant director of college scouting Lake Dawson and is expected to reach out to Titans director of player personnel Ryan Cowden, who spent 16 years with the Panthers, Pelissero and Rapoport added. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Rob Gronkowski was back at Patriots practice on Saturday, six days after suffering a concussion in the AFC Championship Game.

The tight end took part in the portion of New England’s practice open to the media, NFL Network’s Omar Ruiz reported. Despite participating in at least some capacity, Gronkowski hasn’t officially cleared concussion protocol, Ruiz added. Continue reading →