With Week 1 of the NFL season kicking off in less than a week, fans around the nation are getting excited to see whether their team’s offseason moves will pay off or fall flat.
While all eyes are focused on the Week 1 matchups, there is plenty of news circulating about the NFL. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest stories from the week.
Wilson Signs Extension With Broncos
On Thursday, the Denver Broncos ensured that their new quarterback would be with them for the foreseeable future.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter was the first to report that the franchise and Russell Wilson agreed to a five-year extension that is worth $245 million. Of that amount, $165 million of it is guaranteed.
The 33-year-old Wilson was traded to the Broncos this offseason after ten seasons with the Seahawks. Last year, in his final season with Seattle, he threw for 3,113 yards in 14 games with 25 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also rushed for 183 yards and another two scores.
With the Chiefs, Chargers, and Raiders in the division, the AFC West is loaded this year. The Broncos have the third-best odds of winning the division at +260.
Denver has the eighth-best odds of winning the Super Bowl this season at +1700.
49ers and Garoppolo Agree To New Deal
The Denver Broncos weren’t the only team that agreed to a new deal with a quarterback this year, but the San Francisco 49ers’ deal with Jimmy Garoppolo was restructured a little differently. Instead of an extension, Garoppolo agreed to a one-year deal at a lesser amount, but it includes a no-trade clause, and the 49ers lose the ability to franchise tag the quarterback.
Long speculated to be traded out of San Francisco, Garoppolo is now set to start the season as a backup to Trey Lance. Still, with Lance struggling in the preseason, Garoppolo could be seen as a backup plan for a 49ers team ready to compete.
Instead of the $24.2 million that Garoppolo was originally supposed to be paid, he will instead just make $5 million. However, with the ability to control if and where he is moved in a potential deal, it is a win-win for both the 49ers and Garoppolo.
Coming off a shoulder surgery back in March, the 30-year-old is expected to be ready to contribute from Week 1 if necessary. Last season, in 15 regular season games, he threw for 3,810 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.
San Francisco has the second-best odds of winning the NFC West at +170, and they are +1600 to win Super Bowl LVII.
Eagles Make A Couple Deals
As the Philadelphia Eagles make final roster decisions, they made a couple of deals this week.
On Tuesday, the Eagles acquired defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson from the New Orleans Saints in exchange for a fifth and sixth-round pick.
Gardner-Johnson had a good season last year as the 24-year-old had 46 tackles, two sacks, and three interceptions in 12 games. He was aiming for a contract extension after his solid season, and while he reported to camp, he refused to participate as he tried to negotiate a deal.
Instead of giving in to the hold-in, the Saints instead opted to deal the talented defensive back.
On the flip side, the Eagles parted ways with a talented wide receiver in Jalen Reagor, trading him to the Minnesota Vikings on Wednesday. In exchange, the Eagles will receive a seventh-round pick and a conditional 2024 pick (believed to be either a fourth or fifth-rounder).
Reagor played in 17 games last season, hauling in 33 receptions for 299 yards and two touchdowns.
Now, with Minnesota, Reagor will fill in as a depth piece behind Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, and K.J. Osborn.
