PFR Originals: 6/29/20 – 7/5/20

Here’s a look back at some of our faves from the past week:

• Even in July, the free agent market is still packed with big names and impact players. The current crop of available pass rushers is especially impressive, as Rory Parks writes. Jadeveon Clowney tops the list, but there are many more accomplished edge players out there, including Everson Griffen, Ezekiel Ansah, and Michael Bennett.
• Four years ago, the Colts made Andrew Luck the highest-paid player in the history of the game. The deal was supposed to keep the former No. 1 overall pick to the club through 2021, but, of course, things did not go according to plan.
• When Rolando McClain was suspended for ten games, the Cowboys probably figured they’d have him back for their late-season playoff push. Today, it seems unlikely that the once-promising linebacker will ever play another down in the NFL.
• In his prime, Ed Reed was one of the most feared defenders in the league. In the middle of the 2006 summer, the Ravens rewarded their standout safety with a six-year, $40MM deal, making him the highest-paid safety in NFL history. The deal didn’t come without risk – Reed was coming off of an ankle injury, and it wasn’t a given that he would get back to his old form. The Ravens weren’t worried, however, and their investment paid off.