MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK

Terry McLaurin: Jayden Daniels “humble, but confident” and really prepared

Wide receiver Terry McLaurin has played with a number of different quarterbacks during his time with the Commanders and he hopes that the revolving door has been removed this offseason.

Jayden Daniels joined the team as the second overall pick in the draft and the rookie quarterback’s development will have a lot to do with how successful McLaurin is in the coming years. The first couple of months as teammates has the wideout feeling good about where things are going in Washington.

McLaurin said on Tuesday that Daniels is “really prepared” and that “there’s an open door of communication” about what Daniels needs to do to get ready for the regular season. McLaurin said that it’s a first for him to work with a young quarterback who “knows who he is, but he’s also not afraid to say when he’s wrong.”

“He’s humble, but he’s confident in his ability,” McLaurin said, via the team’s website. “He’s played at the highest level. He’s played against really good competition, and he knows that he can make all the throws. He’s not putting the cart before the horse. He’s literally taking this thing day-by-day.”

McLaurin’s praise extended to Daniels’s “amazing” touch on deep balls and for his anticipation on timing patterns, so the good impressions have run the gamut in OTAs. The intensity will get turned up in training camp and preseason, but it sounds like McLaurin has little doubt that Daniels will be able to handle what’s coming his way.

PFT

 

Willie. You did it again. Wrong helmet!!

 

Good eye. Just seeing if anyone is paying attention.

 

If I were a Jets player, this would bother me. You've got a guy that missed the whole year for a team with guys that he doesn't know. Wouldn't being there show commitment and solidarity. Rodgers really struggles with that type of reasoning.

 

In his own words he condemned himself... "[a]nything that doesn’t have anything to do with winning needs to be assessed” . He's the epitome of wishy washy and the Jets will find out firsthand. Sometimes Saleh throws up some red flags of his own, maybe they were meant for each other. Glad its a Jets problem, they can have all the drama they want in NY.

 

Yeah he is one strange dude he was very good with the Packers BUT HE WAS WERID!

 

Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs aiming to push ball downfield with new weapons in 2024

Contrary to popular belief, the once-explosive Chiefs have steadily shortened their offense over the last few years.

It became rather apparent in 2022, Kansas City's first season without Tyreek Hill. And it was painfully obvious by the midway point of 2023, so much that folks wondered if the Chiefs could even flirt with Super Bowl contention while leaning on rookie Rashee Rice as their only semi-dependable pass catcher not named Travis Kelce.

Fast-forward to June 2024, and you'll find a Chiefs team that is attempting to turn back the clock with one goal in mind: Push the ball downfield.

"I think it's been cool that we've been trying -- coach (Andy) Reid has gone back to my old days, he's forcing me the push the ball down the field (and) if I don't, he throws little jabs at me like, 'Oh, you want to throw the checkdown here?''' quarterback Patrick Mahomes said Thursday. "I'm like, 'I got you, coach; we're going to push it.' It has been fun.''

In the last two years, Mahomes has had plenty of reason to take checkdowns in order to keep the chains moving. He lacked a true speed demon in his receiving corps, and as evidenced by Marquez Valdes-Scantling's struggles in 2023, he couldn't trust most of his pass catchers to make a play downfield.

This time around, though, the Chiefs appear to have restocked enough to open things up once again. Their addition of Marquise Brown and selection of Texas speedster Xavier Worthy -- new owner of the 40-yard dash record at the NFL Scouting Combine -- have supplied Mahomes with the horses necessary to stretch the field.

Does that mean we'll suddenly see the magic of Mahomes circa 2019-2020? It's not guaranteed, but at least the quarterback has options. Given it's June, Reid would be foolish to not test their limits, especially against a defense that ranked among the best in the NFL last season.

"Yeah, well, really in this camp -- and I always explain this to the quarterbacks -- is that this is the time to find out what you can get away with in the pass game," Reid explained Thursday. "So there are going to be interceptions that take place but that's OK. Right now, you're testing things and then as you go through camp, as camp goes on then you start refining it and hopefully you have the opportunity to do it on every route. Now is that possible? Probably not but at least the ones that you haven't done a lot of and so we're always feeding Patrick new things and that's to help challenge him because he likes that, and it also makes us better.

"So, he gets in there and he's trying to work with these new routes against all these different coverages that (defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo) Spags is throwing at you. So, it's a nice challenge there."

Minicamp is the perfect environment to experiment. Reid's reputation as a mastermind -- and perhaps, mad scientist -- makes this period a perfect fit for him to tinker. If he has his way, the Chiefs just might hit the field as a laboratory creation deserving to be feared by the other 31 teams.

NFL.com
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With Mahomes arm you gotta incorporate the bomb. Keep the defenses on their toes.

(and score me some damn fantasy points )

 

Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence agrees to terms on five-year, $275 million contract extension

Less than two weeks ago, Trevor Lawrence admitted he'd like to have his contract extension done before the start of training camp. His wish has been fulfilled.

Lawrence has agreed to a five-year, $275 million extension with the Jaguars, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Thursday, per sources, including $200 million in guaranteed money and $142 million fully guaranteed at signing

Lawrence's contract will pay him $55 million per year, matching Joe Burrow's league-leading contract in total value and average annual salary.

Unlike Burrow, Lawrence's outlook isn't quite as trustworthy, at least from a football perspective.

Lawrence's journey to this point hasn't been as smooth as most hoped when Jacksonville spent the No. 1 overall pick of the 2021 draft on him. His entire rookie season was essentially derailed by the dysfunction created by his first coach, Urban Meyer, whom the Jaguars fired after 13 games.

Doug Pederson helped Lawrence get back on track in 2022, and a second-half sprint -- including seven wins in the Jaguars' final nine games -- led to a 9-8 finish that earned Jacksonville a trip to the playoffs for the first time since the 2017 season. Lawrence became the face of the franchise during this run, completing 69.7 percent of his passes for 2,273 yards and a 15-2 TD-INT ratio, seemingly completing his coming-out party with a frantic comeback win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Super Wild Card Weekend.

The potential that followed Lawrence from Clemson to the NFL was finally being realized.

But 2023 wasn't the same story. Jacksonville consistently lost on the margins, and Lawrence's numbers suffered accordingly, finishing with fewer touchdowns, a lower passer rating and more interceptions in 2023 than he did in 2022. Instead of sprinting to the playoffs, the Jaguars collapsed down the backstretch of the campaign, leaving the door open for the new darling of the AFC South -- Houston's C.J. Stroud -- to steal their playoff spot.

The timing wasn't great, but Jacksonville also didn't need to get this deal done immediately. If the Jaguars truly lacked confidence in Lawrence, they could have let him play out 2024 with the protection of a fifth-year option for 2025.

Instead, they're locking him up now with a contract that might raise a few eyebrows when comparing Lawrence's résumé to Burrow. Burrow's list of accomplishments includes an AFC Championship Game victory and Super Bowl appearance, but both have their red flags, too. Burrow has missed 15 games over his career, while Lawrence didn't miss a single start until the 2023 season.

Cincinnati didn't think twice about opening its bank vault for Burrow. Jacksonville has acted similarly, handing Lawrence an extension that proves its commitment to him ahead of a 2024 season that could suddenly become pivotal for the franchise's future, at least as it pertains to the coaching staff.

One fact is certain: Lawrence isn't going anywhere. With his deal now done, all that is left is to prepare for a bounce-back campaign.

NFL.com/Shook

 

Lawrence, Goff all got signed with big bucks. When does Tua get signed and what will he want or deserve?

 

Commanders sign QB Jayden Daniels, No. 2 overall pick, to rookie contract

Daniels' four-year deal comes with $37.75 million guaranteed that includes a $24.3 million signing bonus, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported.

 

One fact is certain: Lawrence isn't going anywhere. With his deal now done, all that is left is to prepare for a bounce-back campaign.


Will........the AFC South is going to be tighter than a Nuns Who Who in /24

 

I could be. If the Colts get better with scoring defense and the Titans pick up the scoring offense, it might be a wild ride.

 

Andrew Berry on Deshaun Watson

“First and foremost, Deshaun has really worked his tail off during the rehabilitation process over the last several months,” Berry said. “He’s really actually ahead of schedule. He’s really champing at the bit to take the governor off so to speak, but really, he’s had a really nice spring. He’s thrown the ball well. Did a really nice job during our 7-on-7 and team periods during this veteran minicamp. So, we’re excited as he gets into training camp and gets the pads on.

“He’s making excellent progress. Honestly if you didn’t know he got hurt last year, you really wouldn’t be able to tell the difference. We’re very excited once camp starts.”

 

Commanders' Dan Quinn says QB Jayden Daniels is 'further along than you probably should be,' praises calmness

Last week, Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn declined to name No. 2 overall pick Jayden Daniels the team's starting quarterback coming out of the offseason program. However, just because Daniels hasn't officially won the job just yet, doesn't mean the Commanders aren't high on him, or pleased with his progress.

In fact, "he's further along than you probably should be," Quinn said, via ESPN. "There's no doubt that Jayden's making unbelievable progress here. It was really clear that he's put in the work. He's got a swagger to him. He really has a very firm handle on the things that we're doing, but he also has the humility of a young player ... knowing he has a lot to prove."

Daniels agrees that he has a lot to prove. "I'm still learning the playbook and trying to grasp everything," the quarterback said. "So just being comfortable for a day and being ready to go out there and go out and compete."

Quinn reiterated Daniels' ability to exhibit traits of both a rookie and a seasoned player, saying, "He has the humility and kind of the hunger of the young player — 'I've got a lot to prove, I've still got a lot to learn.' But he also has the swagger and calmness of a veteran player," Quinn said.

The head coach added that Daniels college experience has made an impact on his preparedness and that the QB has "worked really hard to learn the system."

But Quinn is not the only one impressed by what he's seen from Daniels so far this offseason. Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, who spent last season coaching No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams as a senior offensive analyst at USC after previously coaching the Arizona Cardinals, talked about Daniels' handling of the mental aspects of the position.

"His football IQ is really high," Kingsbury said. "[With] protections, I've been really impressed by that. A lot of guys coming into the league, that's not an area that they major in in college. They don't have a lot of time. But he's well-versed in protections and works at it."

And then there are Daniels' new teammates, who are marveling at his physical abilities. "Dude can sling it man," right tackle Andrew Wylie said. "He makes it look easy. Something about his game is just special."

"After the second or third crosser that he threw, I started telling receivers, 'Hey, you got to get your head around,'" presumptive No. 1 wide receiver Terry McLaurin said. "A lot of quarterbacks may like to see you cross the ball and get into that open zone. Or if it's man [coverage] they like to see you get open for him. He can make those throws and give you a chance to catch and run."

It's good for Daniels to be progressing quickly, and even better if he can live up to the lofty praise of his coaches and teammates. It's still quite early in the process and we shouldn't get ahead of ourselves, but it's certainly better to be hearing good things than more tepid praise at this stage of the offseason.

CBS
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They should be real fun to watch offensively, but they had better learn to play defense better. Commanders defense gave up 518 points last year, by far the worst in the NFL... no other team gave up even 500.

 

Lamar stays healthy he might sit on top of that list someday...

Jackson is on the verge of passing Vick's mark at just 27 years old. The Baltimore Ravens quarterback is just 852 yards away from passing Jackson despite being fourth on the all-time list. Jackson has never rushed for less for 695 yards in a season (including 821 last season), and is the only quarterback to have multiple 1,000-yard rushing seasons.

Based on Jackson's career rushing-yards-per-game average (61.1), he would be on pace to rush for 1,039 yards this season -- which would give him enough yards to pass Vick.

Wilson is also third on the all-time rushing list for quarterbacks, but is only 49 yards ahead of Jackson. Based on Wilson's career rushing-yards-per-game average (28.2), he could pass Newton this season. Both Jackson and Wilson could be in the top three on this list by the end of the 2024 season.

What about Allen? Based on his career rushing-yards-per-game average (38.4), Allen would be on pace for 653 yards rushing in 2024. That would put him sixth on the all-time rushing list.

Jalen Hurts (2,503 yards rushing) is 963 yards rushing away from catching Rodgers and entering the top 10. Keep in mind Rodgers is still active, so Hurts still has a ways to go.



Allen burst into second on the all-time rushing touchdown list by a quarterback, tying Hurts with a single-season record 15 rushing scores last season. Allen isn't likely to catch Newton in 2024, but the 28-year-old quarterback is just 22 away from matching Newton.

Hurts is the first quarterback in NFL history to have three consecutive seasons of 10+ rushing touchdowns, already fifth on the all-time list. Already having 38 rushing touchdowns in his three seasons as a starter, Hurts is averaging 12.7 rushing touchdowns in those seasons. Based on that average, Hurts would be in the top three on the all-time list by the end of the year.

The race would be on to catch Newton between Allen and Hurts, as both quarterbacks have positioned themselves to not only surpass Newton -- but become the first quarterbacks to rush for 100 career touchdowns. Reminder, Hurts will only be 26 years old this season.

Aaron Rodgers is only two touchdowns away from entering the top 10 (35 career rushing touchdowns), while Jackson and Wilson are eight away from joining (29 career rushing touchdowns). Rodgers is more likely to enter the top 10 this season.

Regardless, quarterback rushing records are set to be broken in the coming years -- thanks to the performances of Jackson, Allen and Hurts.

Mostly stolen from; CBS

 

Kyler Murray: With Marvin Harrison Jr., I expect our offense to be top of the league

Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray says the arrival of rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. takes Arizona’s offense to new heights.

“I think that takes us to another level,” Murray said, via ESPN. “When you got a guy out there that is capable of winning one-on-ones, obviously he’s got to go do it and he knows that. We all know it, but as far as manipulating coverage and stuff like that, you got a guy out there that can do that and even if he’s not open, he’s open. I’m excited to be able to build that with him, but when he does what he does, yeah, I fully expect our offense to be top of the league.”

Everyone on the team recognizes that the No. 4 overall pick is special: Harrison said at the beginning of the offseason he made a point of lining up behind the veteran wide receivers during drills, trying to show that he knows his place as a rookie, but it quickly became clear that he belongs at the front of the line.

“I didn’t want to come in here with a big head,” Harrison said. “I knew I had to earn everything, so just simple things like that. Let them go in front as they rightfully deserve. And then they kinda allow me to go in front now because they understand what I can bring to the team.”

If Murray is right, what Harrison brings to the team is a completely different offense, one that’s among the NFL’s best.

PFT
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Just lining up MHJ out there is going to free up Wilson and Jones and Connor from the backfield is going to lead to some nice play-action-fakes. They will be very fun to watch.

Stay healthy, Kyler!

 

Trevor Lawrence: This is the best team we’ve had since I’ve been here

The Jaguars signed quarterback Trevor Lawrence to a five-year, $275 million extension last week. The new money brings even bigger expectations for Lawrence, who made one Pro Bowl and one playoff appearance in his first three seasons.

Lawrence insists he doesn’t feel any added pressure, and perhaps he doesn’t considering he entered the league as the No. 1 overall pick and was billed as a generational talent.

“I’m not going to add any pressure to myself just based on getting this contract,” Lawrence told reporters Thursday. “It doesn’t really change what I expect of myself and what the team expects of me. Whether this got done or not, [Jaguars owner] Mr. [Shad] Khan, [General Manager] Trent [Baalke], [coach] Doug [Pederson], everyone, all the coaches expect me to play well and, like I said, to bring a championship here eventually. . . . Now that it’s done, it doesn’t really change that, but like I said, maybe from the outside it will a bit, but not for me.”

Lawrence is only 20-30 as a starter, but he lost his rookie season to a poor coaching hire by the Jaguars. Urban Meyer lasted only 13 games and is considered one of the worst hires in NFL history.

After a Pro Bowl season in 2022, Lawrence had a lingering knee injury late last season. The Jaguars started 8-3 and finished 1-5 and out of the playoffs as Lawrence missed one game and threw seven of his 14 interceptions in the final six games.

The Jaguars believe in Lawrence or they wouldn’t have committed the money they committed to him.

So, how quickly could they see their investment pay off?

Jacksonville had a good offseason, but so did the Texans, the Colts and the Titans.

“I think this is definitely the best team that we’ve had here in my eyes, just at this point in the year from what I’ve seen. I feel very confident in that,” Lawrence said.

PFT

 

Adam Thielen: You can tell by his demeanor that Bryce Young is more comfortable

It’s no secret that last year’s No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young had a tough rookie season.

But in the aftermath of the Panthers’ offseason program, veteran receiver Adam Thielen said this week that he’s optimistic about the young quarterback entering 2024.

“It’s been awesome. Not only him, just a lot of the young guys, a lot of the staff. It’s just been a great offseason to just see some of these guys who haven’t been in the league very long — just the way that they’ve come in with confidence,” Thielen said during an appearance on the Rich Eisen Show. “You can tell, Bryce’s demeanor in the building — he’s just more comfortable, right? And you don’t realize it when you start getting to be a veteran guy, just because you forget about those times.”

Thielen noted that last year, Young wasn’t even a part of the early offseason program because he hadn’t been drafted yet.

“I’m thinking back to that like, now he’s there,” Thielen said. “Now we’re getting routes on air, we’re around each other, we’re in the locker room together, we’re BSing, talking about how great the Timberwolves are — because I’m a Timberwolves fan. So, you have that time together that we didn’t have last year.”

Thielen added that just going through the process of entering the league can be a whirlwind for a young QB between learning the playbook and getting to know new teammates before the summer break. Then once training camp begins, everyone has to hit the ground running — and that’s not including some of the clear issues the Panthers had with their systems in 2023.

“So, it’s been a really cool offseason to see how he’s come back with, OK, I’ve got urgency, I’ve got confidence, I have comfortability in the system, in the facility, the locker room, and what that does for a player,” Thielen said. “I’m excited about what that looks like going into training camp.

“Again, like I said last year and I’ll never not talk about this — things are always great this time of year. There’s no wins, no losses, there’s no adversity. It’s all good right now, every single team thinks they can go to the playoffs and have a chance to win the Super Bowl. So we’ll see how it goes when the bullets start flying, but we’re in a good place.”

PFT
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Big thing to me is the maturation of Young. I hope he does well, but I dont see the all-in attitude by the front office. Not much has changed in regards to weapons Young can throw to. They have a legit WR1 and they moved up to grab, Leggete, but what else do they have? Johnson from the Steelers is good, drafting Legette is cool, but I see them as lacking in so many ways.

 

You think Minshew starts this year?