With the first weekend of preseason games approaching and less than a month away from the first regular season game, NFL fans around the country are getting excited for the season.
While most of the excitement is focused on what is going on between the lines, there is plenty of news circulating off the field as well. From trades being requested to suspensions to injuries, this week has had a little bit of everything. Let’s look at some of the biggest stories of the week around the NFL.
Roquan Smith Wants Out
First-year general manager Ryan Poles has a newfound problem as arguably his best defensive player is requesting a trade. After saying that the Bears are not negotiating in good faith, 25-year-old linebacker Roquan Smith would like to be dealt from the Windy City.
Last season, Smith played in 17 games, amassing 163 tackles, one interception, and three sacks. While his stats may not equate to those of Shaquille Leonard and Fred Warner, he is certainly worth more than the approximate $9.75 million he would make as part of his fifth-year option.
Even with Smith in the fold last season, the Bears ranked 21st in scoring defense as they allowed 23.9 points per game to opponents. With the likes of Khalil Mack, Akiem Hicks, and Eddie Goldman all gone, only Smith and Robert Quinn remain as defensive stalwarts for the Bears.
An interesting side note on the failed extension talks is that Smith is representing himself, making the process a bit more complicated and always raises the potential for hurt feelings. While a higher offer from the Bears may soothe some of those problems, it is worth keeping an eye on as the 25-year-old would help boost any defense if he were to be traded.
The Bears currently have the worst odds of winning the NFC North at +1200, and they are +12000 to win the Super Bowl this season.
Running Back Kareem Hunt Requests Trade
Roquan Smith isn’t the only star player that requested a trade this week. Running back, Kareem Hunt of the Cleveland Browns has also requested a trade as he enters the last season of his contract.
CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones speculates that the Browns do not have any desire to trade the running back and that this will likely lead to a salary bump for Hunt.
Last season, limited to just eight games due to injuries and COVID-related issues, Hunt rushed 78 times for 386 yards and five touchdowns. He also had 22 receptions for another 174 yards.
Still, at just 27 years only, he and Nick Chubb make one of the best one-two punches in all of football and serve as a huge asset for the Browns.
Of course, there is a lot of uncertainty throughout the Browns’ organization as new quarterback DeShaun Watson was suspended for six games, but the NFL is appealing that decision and looking for a longer suspension.
The uncertainty of the Browns’ offense has them just +2400 to win the Super Bowl, while they have the third-best odds of winning a loaded AFC North at +300.
Browns Lose Another Weapon
If the Kareem Hunt and DeShaun Watson news weren’t bad enough for the Browns, they also lost a major weapon this week as wide receiver Jakeem Grant tore his Achilles during training camp.
Grant, who does most of his damage in the return game, was signed to a three-year worth as much as $14 million deal this offseason by the Browns after spending the first six years of his career with the Dolphins and the Bears.
Last season, spent with both the Dolphins and the Bears, he had 26 punt returns for 309 yards and a touchdown. He had 23 kickoff returns for 539 yards. As a wide receiver last season, he had 11 receptions for 132 yards and two touchdowns.
In his career, Grant has six combined return touchdowns and averages 10.3 yards per punt return and 24.5 yards per kickoff return.
With the 29-year-old Grant now done, the Browns will scurry to find a replacement as a returner, and as a slot receiver, a spot Grant was expected to start the season at.
