Happy Thursday. As the week winds down, developments within the NFL continue to pour out at a surprisingly rapid clip.
One has to wonder what the volume of stories will be like once the season is actually underway. For now, we've got all the drama a fan could possibly want: injuries, trades, contract extensions, shakeups.
These are all stories that this week's activities have generated. Today, we've got more league news to cover. Let's get into it, shall we?
Preseason Buzz
Here’s the word on the street.
One of the fun things about the preseason is that it gives you a sense of what to look out for once regulation play officially begins. At least that's the thought and hope. Obviously, true results will vary as the league and the team rosters within it are constantly in flux. That said, there have been some genuinely interesting developments.
For example, Deshaun Watson is slated to start this Saturday in a preseason game against the Bills. This is his first game in front of Cleveland fans since he ruptured his Achilles back in October of 2024. It's been a long wait.
Baker Mayfield, meanwhile, made headlines for boldly declaring that the Buccaneers were going to shock fans this year. While a little bluster is to be expected, the statement will be of some interest if it proves correct. The Buccaneers' sub-.500 season from last year was not precisely disastrous, but it did keep them from generating much serious attention.
We've also got cuts coming in the near future. The active roster deadline will come up on August 30th. This means that teams must trim their rosters down to the 53-player limit by 3 p.m. on August 30th.
High-Profile Trades and Signings
Vita Vea of the Buccaneers has agreed to a one-year, $30 million extension. The new deal adds $6 million to his existing salary.
Trevon Diggs, meanwhile, of the Seahawks, has signed with Seattle as the team continues to retool its secondary unit.
We've also got Najee Harris signing on for a one-year deal with New York, and Za'Darius Smith signing a $6 million contract to shore up the absences of James Pierce Jr. and Jalen Walker.
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