One game is in the books as the Green Bay Packers beat the Chicago Bears 10-3 in the Week 1 opener, but there is still an entire slate of games to be played Sunday and Monday. Despite most teams’ attention being turned to the field for Week 1, there has still been plenty of news over the last week around the league. Let’s take a look at some of the stories.
Elliott Signs Massive Extension
At long last, Ezekiel Elliott will be returning to the Dallas Cowboys. After a lengthy holdout, the Cowboys and Elliott agreed to a new extension worth $90 million over six years. At $15 million per year, it puts him and Todd Gurley atop the list of the highest-paid running backs in the game. Last season, in 15 games, Elliott rushed 304 times for 1,434 yards and six touchdowns. He also hauled in 77 receptions for 567 yards and an additional three scores. Needless to say, Elliott is such a large part of the equation for the Cowboys’ offense that this was a deal that had to get done one way or another.
Now that this deal is done, the focus will shift to Sunday’s game against the New York Giants. There is a lot of speculation and debate on whether Elliott will be good to go for the game or not, but the common belief is that he will be on the field. Dallas may provide some more news over the weekend as reports suggest they are trying to also tie up Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper and would love to get those deals done before their first game, too.
Hill Inks Extension With The Chiefs
Elliott is not the only player to get an extension this week. Tyreek Hill, the Kansas City Chiefs’ star wide receiver, is also taking home a new contract that adds three years and $54 million. Last season, Hill played in 16 games, making 87 catches for 1,479 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also had 22 rushes for 151 yards and an additional score.
It is hard denying his talent on the field, but it is his actions off the field that have caught the headlines recently. Hill has a past that has included allegations of domestic abuse, and he was even investigated for child abuse over the offseason after it was reported that his 3-year-old son broke his arm. Hill was cleared of those allegations, though, and not only remains with the Chiefs but does so with a new contract.
Goff Signs Extension With The Rams
To add to the list, the Los Angeles Rams’ Jared Goff also signed an extension this week. His extension is for four years and is worth $134 million (with a record $110 million guaranteed). With his current contract, this will keep him in L.A. for the next six years. Goff proved last year that he has the skill to be a franchise quarterback, especially after he led them to a Super Bowl (even though they were beaten by the New England Patriots).
Still, last season Goff was exceptional. He was 364 for 561 (.649 completion percentage) for 4,688 yards, 32 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He also rushed 43 times for 108 yards and an additional two scores. With Goff locked up long term, the Rams hope that they have the quarterback to keep them competitive for years to come.
Updates On Gordon
With the regular season about to get underway for the Los Angeles Chargers, there is still no resolution in sight when it comes to Melvin Gordon. It does look like the Chargers are increasingly likely to trade him, and, according to Albert Breer of The MMQB, the Philadelphia Eagles may be a team that has interest in getting him. While no deal is exceedingly close, it does appear that there have been discussions and possibly even proposals already exchanged.
One proposal supposedly included Jordan Howard and draft picks, but it does not appear that it was quite to the Chargers’ liking. For Los Angeles, it would prefer to have its star running back on the field for it. After all, last season Gordon rushed for 885 yards on 175 carries in just 12 games. He also had 10 touchdowns as well as 50 receptions, 490 yards and four touchdowns through the air.
However, with only one year left on the deal and extension talks going nowhere, it may be better for the Chargers to try to at least get something in return for the disgruntled running back.
