Even though much of the heavy lifting has been done in the NFL season, general managers around the league are still working on free-agent acquisitions, extensions, and other routes to help improve their teams.
With another week of headlines, let’s look at some of the biggest stories of the week.
Could Aaron Donald Retire?
Without a doubt, Aaron Donald is one of, if not the most intimidating defense presences in all of football. Still, the option of him calling it a career still appears to be on the table.
Currently, in the midst of a six-year deal with the Los Angeles Rams, the 31-year-old defensive tackle is unhappy with his current deal. Expected to be paid just over $14 million this upcoming season, Donald would like to rework his deal.
If he can’t, Donald has indicated that he might be willing to hang up the cleats after just eight seasons.
Head coach Sean McVay told USA Today’s Cameron DaSilva that there is optimism that something can be worked out, although he also acknowledged that Donald has “…earned the right” to make that choice if he so chooses.
Last season, in 17 games, Donald had 84 tackles, 12.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles on the season.
The defending Super Bowl champion Rams currently have the fourth-best odds of winning it again this season at +1100.
Akiem Hicks Finds New Home
After six seasons with the Chicago Bears, 32-year-old defensive linemen Akiem Hicks has found a new home. Earlier this week, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Hicks had agreed to a deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The deal is for just one year and will pay Hicks as much as $10 million. Last season, with the Bears, Hicks was limited to just nine games due to injury. In those nine games, he had 25 tackles and 3.5 sacks.
Hicks broke into the league back in 2012 with the New Orleans Saints. His best season to date was arguably in 2018 when he finished the season with 55 tackles, 7.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles.
Interestingly, the signing of Hicks might indicate that the tenure of Ndamukong Suh has come to an end with the Buccaneers. If that is the case, Tampa Bay has certainly found a suitable replacement.
Tampa Bay currently has the second-best odds of winning the Super Bowl at +750, trailing only the Buffalo Bills (+650).
Vikings Bring In Wide Receiver Depth
On Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that the Minnesota Vikings added some more depth to their wide receiver room as they added Albert Wilson on a one-year deal for the veteran minimum of just over one million dollars.
The 29-year-old Wilson has been in the league for seven years, spending four with the Kansas City Chiefs and the last three with the Miami Dolphins.
Wilson’s best season was in 2017 with the Chiefs. That year, he had 42 receptions for 554 yards and three touchdowns.
Last season, with Miami, he played in 14 games and hauled in 25 receptions for 213 yards and no touchdowns.
Currently a depth piece, Wilson will find himself behind Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, and K.J. Osborn on the depth chart.
Especially with the departure of Davante Adams in Green Bay, Minnesota is looking to dethrone the Packers for NFC North dominance. They currently have the second-best odds of winning the division at +280, trailing the Packers at -170.
Gladney Dies In Vehicle Accident
In a bit of tragic news, Jeff Gladney, a cornerback with the Arizona Cardinals, died in a car accident along with his girlfriend in Dallas on Memorial Day.
Gladney did not play last year due to pending assault charges, but after being acquitted, he had signed a two-year deal with Arizona.
In his rookie season in 2021, Gladney had 81 tackles and a forced fumble for Minnesota.
