Just mere weeks away from the start of the regular season, teams around the NFL are preparing for the season with one final weekend of preseason games to go. While most of the focus is on the field as teams prepare for their Week 1 opponents, there is plenty of news off the field as well. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest stories from the week.
Brady Ready To Suit Up For Final Preseason Game
After taking an 11-day break from training camp, Tom Brady is back with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and ready to start the third and final preseason game for Todd Bowles’ squad. While his time on the field will likely be limited, it is still noteworthy to see him on the field with many of the starters as they look to reclaim a Super Bowl championship this season.
Last year, Brady threw for 5,316 yards, 43 touchdowns, and just 12 interceptions over 17 games during the regular season. Despite a solid season, the Buccaneers lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams 30-27 in the divisional round of the playoffs.
After a mini-retirement this offseason, the 45-year-old Brady is back and ready to lead the Buccaneers once again. Tampa Bay has the second-best odds of winning this year’s Super Bowl at +750.
Cowboys Lose Big Piece Of Offensive Line
In a devastating blow for the Dallas Cowboys’ offense, left tackle Tyron Smith suffered a fracture in his knee, which will keep him out through at least December, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
With Smith out, the Cowboys will have some decisions to make, but one option is to move Tyler Smith, their first-round draft pick, to the same left tackle position he played in college.
For Dallas, they are currently the favorites to win the NFC East at +145, and they are +2000 to win the Super Bowl.
Cleveland Expected To Hold Onto Kareem Hunt
According to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Cleveland Browns intend to hold onto running back Kareem Hunt despite his request for a trade.
Entering the final season of his two-year extension, Hunt has wanted another extension and asked for a trade when things did not seem to be progressing.
Last year, the 27-year-old Hunt rushed for 386 yards and five touchdowns in eight games. He also had 22 receptions for 174 yards. Unfortunately, his season was limited due to injuries.
Now, he and Nick Chubb will be asked to be the focal points of an offense that will be without their starting quarterback, Deshaun Watson, for at least 11 games as he serves his suspension.
Cleveland has the third-best odds of winning the AFC North at +370, and they are +3000 to win the Super Bowl this season.
Mims Wants Out Of New York
Upset with his role with the New York Jets, former second-round wide receiver Denzel Mims has requested a trade from the Jets. With Corey Davis, Elijah Moore, and Garrett Wilson seemingly ahead of him in the competition for receptions, Mims wants the opportunity to establish himself elsewhere.
Last season, the 24-year-old Mims played in 11 games, amassing just eight receptions for 133 yards. In his rookie season in 2020, he had 23 receptions for 357 yards.
As teams deal with injuries during the preseason, it will be interesting to see if there is a match in a trade for Mims. For the time being, he remains a part of the New York Jets, but it remains to be seen for how much longer that lasts.
