Patriots lose Julian Edelman for the year. On track to stand head-and-shoulders above the rest of the AFC, the Patriots will have to defend the Super Bowl title without the help of Edelman, who will miss the 2017 campaign after tearing his ACL in New England’s third preseason contest. Edelman, who posted 98 receptions and 1,106 yards a year ago, signed an extension this spring that will keep him with the Patriots though 2019. While Edelman is clearly a loss, most executives seem to believe New England will get by without him.
Quarterback battles take shape. The Broncos will use Trevor Siemian as their starting quarterback for the second consecutive season after he beat out 2016 first-round pick Paxton Lynch for the gig, but other clubs around the NFL are still deciding who will be under center come Week 1. The Jaguars have officially named Blake Bortles as their starter after opening their quarterback competition to a battle that included veteran Chad Henne. And with the Browns going with rookie DeShone Kizer, Cleveland is attempting to trade Brock Osweiler.
Le’Veon Bell to report to Steelers. Pittsburgh should have its full complement of weapons in 2017, as Bell announced his intention to report to the Steelers on Friday, September 1, one day after the club’s final preseason game and nine days prior to Pittsburgh’s regular season opener. Bell, 25, will earn north of $12MM on the franchise tag (which he’ll presumably sign when he reports), meaning he’ll be the league’s highest-paid running back by a wide margin. One of the more dynamic backs in the NFL, Bell has topped 1,200 total yards in three of his four professional seasons.
Surprise personnel moves in the AFC East. Fewer than two weeks after signing with the Bills, veteran wide receiver Anquan Boldin announced his retirement from the NFL, leaving Buffalo with Zay Jones and Jordan Matthews as its starting wideouts. While Boldin claimed he would’ve signed with the Bills with or without the now-traded Sammy Watkins on the roster, Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane admitted it’s a “fair question” as to whether the Bills would’ve dealt Watkins had they known Boldin would hang up his cleats. The Patriots, too, will be without a notable player in 2017, but that’s of their own choosing — New England waived defensive end Kony Ealy Saturday after acquiring him from Carolina earlier this year.
Jaguars owner open to Colin Kaepernick. While some clubs may shy away from Kaepernick due to his social activism, the Jaguars aren’t one of the teams, as owner Shad Kahn said he’d give his front office approval to sign the former 49ers quarterback. However, Jacksonville decision-makers Tom Coughlin and David Caldwell haven’t given any indication they want to add Kaepernick (or any other external quarterback option).