{"id":110956,"date":"2024-10-06T06:30:08","date_gmt":"2024-10-05T23:30:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/?p=110956"},"modified":"2024-10-06T06:30:08","modified_gmt":"2024-10-05T23:30:08","slug":"russinis-what-im-hearing-davante-adams-trade-race-why-cowboys-are-out-adams-worries-about-jets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/?p=110956","title":{"rendered":"Russini\u2019s what I\u2019m hearing: Davante Adams trade race, why Cowboys are out, Adams\u2019 worries about Jets"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"fluid\"\r\n     data-ad-layout-key=\"-fb+5w+4e-db+86\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"7910942971\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Avoid the HOV lanes, and get yourself a Jer-Force One. That\u2019s what I learned this week.<\/p>\n<p>Jerry Jones, the <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"39\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/cowboys\/\">Dallas Cowboys<\/a> owner who\u2019s turning 82 in a few days, made quite an entrance by landing his chopper right on the field during practice.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">But hey how about a helicopter at practice\u2026 (fanbase triggered) <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/mYNV10CwN0\">pic.twitter.com\/mYNV10CwN0<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SlaterNFL\/status\/1841549678225072431?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">October 2, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>If only the Cowboys could avoid injuries to their key players as well as their owner avoids traffic. <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"RWlSVWRKTM8kckap\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/micah-parsons-RWlSVWRKTM8kckap\/\">Micah Parsons<\/a> is out with a sprained ankle, a significant blow to the defense. Wide receiver <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"zayEeCuBqVNweSqF\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/brandin-cooks-zayEeCuBqVNweSqF\/\">Brandin Cooks<\/a> is battling a knee infection that could keep him sidelined for a few games, and <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"jaHAZ9PRobBy6lf1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/demarcus-lawrence-jaHAZ9PRobBy6lf1\/\">DeMarcus Lawrence<\/a> is out for at least four weeks due to a foot injury.<\/p>\n<p>The <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"55\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/steelers\/\">Pittsburgh Steelers<\/a> know Dallas struggles running the football, and they have only one dynamic weapon outside, in wide receiver <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"Zk5GgVex9l3q9BqS\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/ceedee-lamb-Zk5GgVex9l3q9BqS\/\">CeeDee Lamb<\/a>. If only an All-Pro receiver was looking for a new team to help lift an offense and its $60 million quarterback.<\/p>\n<p>The Cowboys have told the world they are passing on a trade for 31-year-old <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"FBJF4NEJQGDVUpnC\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/davante-adams-FBJF4NEJQGDVUpnC\/\">Davante Adams<\/a>, with EVP Stephen Jones calling it \u201ca long putt to sink\u201d despite the receiver\u2019s interest in playing for Dallas. (You can add the rest of the NFC East to teams that are out on the Adams sweepstakes as well.)<\/p>\n<p>The reason? I\u2019m told it\u2019s the same reason Dallas passed on running back <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"oJQx7e7sJBwSTdBo\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/derrick-henry-oJQx7e7sJBwSTdBo\/\">Derrick Henry<\/a> last offseason: money.<\/p>\n<p>Adams is owed $13.5 million for the rest of this season. (That drops by $970K per week.) Tough timing for a chopper landing, as far as Dallas fans are concerned. The Cowboys\u2019 2024 motto is \u201call-in,\u201d but I still don\u2019t know what that means.<\/p>\n<p>Now, the <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"52\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/jets\/\">Jets<\/a> are the team working like they\u2019re all-in. New York has been eyeing Adams since last year, and now it\u2019s getting a real shot. Trade talks could heat up next week as <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"jcxErAcw3SOmBLdo\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/aaron-rodgers-jcxErAcw3SOmBLdo\/\">Aaron Rodgers<\/a> has been clear with owner Woody Johnson, general manager Joe Douglas and coach Robert Saleh that he wants his former teammate in green. The Jets have been in touch with the <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"53\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/raiders\/\">Las Vegas Raiders<\/a> all week, and while I don\u2019t sense the Jets are anxious to get this done as soon as possible, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/5820998\/2024\/10\/05\/maxx-crosby-raiders-broncos-injury-update\/\">Raiders<\/a> and Adams want to get a move on.<\/p>\n<p>While Adams would like to be reunited with his former QB, I was told he has some concerns about Rodgers\u2019 plans to stay in New York past this season. Adams doesn\u2019t have a no-trade clause in his current deal, so he has no choice in where he lands. It\u2019s all about the best deal for the Raiders, who are looking for a future second-round pick. However, the sense around the league is Las Vegas will probably get a third-rounder when the trade is complete. (The value is similar to the <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"34\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/bills\/\">Bills<\/a>-Texans <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"lPTtUiEJUgmoQukD\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/stefon-diggs-lPTtUiEJUgmoQukD\/\">Stefon Diggs<\/a> trade, which was the value of a third-rounder.)<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"50\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/saints\/\">New Orleans<\/a> is another team in the mix for Adams. Saints quarterback <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"linudLDO0YoIWthi\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/derek-carr-linudLDO0YoIWthi\/\">Derek Carr<\/a> has a close relationship with Adams from their time with the Raiders and at Fresno State \u2014 Carr is why the receiver landed in Vegas in the first place \u2014 plus, Adams is close with Saints wide receivers coach Keith Williams, a family friend. Adams is open to a few teams, but he prefers the Jets and Saints.<\/p>\n<p>The Pittsburgh Steelers, who you may recall were interested in trading for <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"53v7fOffjiSNI8Y9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/brandon-aiyuk-53v7fOffjiSNI8Y9\/\">Brandon Aiyuk<\/a> before he signed an extension with <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"58\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/niners\/\">San Francisco<\/a> this summer, are also in touch with the Raiders\u2019 front office. I\u2019m told Pittsburgh is making an aggressive offer.<\/p>\n<p>Teams like the Bills and <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"46\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/chiefs\/\">Kansas City Chiefs<\/a> are monitoring the situation and willing to jump in if the Raiders are willing to pay some of Adams\u2019 contract. They see him as a one-year rental.<\/p>\n<p>Raiders fans reading this might be telling themselves there\u2019s no chance Vegas would trade within its division. I was reminded this week by <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/\">NFL<\/a> decision-makers that the best organizations get the best deals \u2014 they don\u2019t worry about who gets the player. However, I still think the Chiefs are a long shot to land Adams.<\/p>\n<p><strong>This is what else I\u2019m hearing this week:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Chiefs\u2019 next steps with <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"zDqikSUJpSdjzoC1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/rashee-rice-zDqikSUJpSdjzoC1\/\">Rashee Rice<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Diggs\u2019 feelings about the Bills as he prepares to face his former team<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"OJpdI7yWMuUU3PfE\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/maxx-crosby-OJpdI7yWMuUU3PfE\/\">Maxx Crosby<\/a>\u2019s status for Sunday<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 The rising coaching star helping spark <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"40\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/broncos\/\">Denver<\/a>\u2019s defense<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 A players-only meeting in Cleveland \u2014 <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"38\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/browns\/\">Browns\u2019<\/a> woes beyond Watson<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Why the Browns, and quite a few other teams, didn\u2019t want <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"0lQDEpnpDyZhA4BO\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/joe-flacco-0lQDEpnpDyZhA4BO\/\">Joe Flacco<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2022 \u201cIt\u2019s only a matter of time before <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"96rkbb4LZYnhODLD\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/mason-rudolph-96rkbb4LZYnhODLD\/\">Mason Rudolph<\/a> takes over\u201d<\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<h2>So what <em>will<\/em> the Chiefs do at wide receiver?<\/h2>\n<p>I\u2019m told it could be six weeks or six-plus months for Rice; it all comes down to this upcoming arthroscopic surgery. Rice was placed on injured reserve and will be out for four weeks, but next week he will have his knee scoped so they can decide if surgery is needed. The Chiefs are holding out hope, and once they get more answers they\u2019ll determine if they have to replace their top target.<\/p>\n<p>In the past two seasons, Kansas City has acquired wide receivers at the deadline: <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"BSKlIouLvUAvaGy7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/kadarius-toney-BSKlIouLvUAvaGy7\/\">Kadarius Toney<\/a> in 2022 and <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"YKcOdr6O8IJQQST1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/mecole-hardman-YKcOdr6O8IJQQST1\/\">Mecole Hardman<\/a> in \u201923. Those trades paid off, too \u2014 each receiver played critical roles in Super Bowl victories a few months after being acquired.<\/p>\n<p>The question now: Will the Chiefs roll the dice again as they chase a three-peat? Names I\u2019m keeping an eye on before the NFL trade deadline:<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"8skQnSg23GLuojrg\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/amari-cooper-8skQnSg23GLuojrg\/\">Amari Cooper<\/a>, Browns<br \/>\u2022 <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"TbtHrFRp7Lrr9gRR\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/tee-higgins-TbtHrFRp7Lrr9gRR\/\">Tee Higgins<\/a>, <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"37\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/bengals\/\">Bengals<\/a><br \/>\u2022 <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"qZ3H42PDGITKnjdb\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/george-pickens-qZ3H42PDGITKnjdb\/\">George Pickens<\/a>, Steelers<br \/>\u2022 <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"Z9KYMKpIMeLotYTX\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/christian-kirk-Z9KYMKpIMeLotYTX\/\">Christian Kirk<\/a>, <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"45\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/jaguars\/\">Jaguars<\/a><br \/>\u2022 <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"ROxXg6t8iu9WEEHu\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/deandre-hopkins-ROxXg6t8iu9WEEHu\/\">DeAndre Hopkins<\/a>, <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"61\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/titans\/\">Titans<\/a><\/p>\n<p>As more teams start to consider selling off assets, this list could get longer. Speaking of big wide receiver trades \u2026<\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<div id=\"attachment_5819862\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\">\n<div class=\"wp-caption-image-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-5819862 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2024\/10\/04233021\/GettyImages-2175489443-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Stefon Diggs of the Houston Texans talks with teammates prior to a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium on September 29, 2024 in Houston, Texas.\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2024\/10\/04233021\/GettyImages-2175489443-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2024\/10\/04233021\/GettyImages-2175489443-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2024\/10\/04233021\/GettyImages-2175489443-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2024\/10\/04233021\/GettyImages-2175489443-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2024\/10\/04233021\/GettyImages-2175489443-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"inline-credits\">\n<div class=\"inline-credits-container\">\n      <span class=\"table-cell-span\"\/><br \/>\n      <span class=\"credits-text\">Stefon Diggs will face the Bills this week in his fifth game as a Texan. (Tim Warner \/ Getty Images)<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2>On the Stefon Diggs trade and bad blood \u2014 or not<\/h2>\n<p>Sometimes you just gotta go.<\/p>\n<p>And sometimes you just gotta ask. That\u2019s what <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"43\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/texans\/\">Texans<\/a> GM Nick Caserio did when he saw Bills GM Brandon Beane at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis eight months ago. The Texans viewed the offseason as an opportunity to upgrade the roster of a team that advanced to the divisional round for the first team since 2019.<\/p>\n<p>Caserio asked Beane about their openness to moving Diggs, who caught 445 passes for 5,372 yards and 37 touchdowns over four years for Buffalo. Beane didn\u2019t give an enthusiastic yes but also didn\u2019t say no, so Houston stayed on it. Over the next few weeks, multiple teams, including Houston, contacted Diggs\u2019 camp or the Bills about the possibility of a trade. Diggs knew what was going on. (Buffalo even received calls from teams two offseasons ago.) Diggs never demanded a trade or even requested one. However, both sides felt it was time for a change.<\/p>\n<p>While there wasn\u2019t some strong push from Diggs to get out, if he was out in Buffalo it was going to be for a team with Super Bowl aspirations and a QB to build around. The Texans have a promising young roster led by a respected recent player-turned-head coach DeMeco Ryans and rising star QB <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"OiILdmCU0Ie4L8vg\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/cj-stroud-OiILdmCU0Ie4L8vg\/\">C.J. Stroud<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>When I spoke to the soon-to-be 31-year-old Diggs over the summer about his new team, he was beaming with excitement. He talked about enjoying helping the young receiver room and sharing some mistakes he had made on and off the field. He was reflective and self-aware. His words were filled with vigor, not bitterness.<\/p>\n<p>Is there bad blood between Diggs and the Bills? Nah. Sometimes, you just gotta go.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/5791131\/2024\/10\/02\/nfl-player-polls-josh-allen-tyreek-hill-justin-jefferson\/\" class=\"go-deeper\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"go-deeper\">\n<div class=\"go-deeper-img\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2024\/10\/01164122\/1001_NFL_PlayerPolls.png?width=128&amp;height=128&amp;fit=cover&amp;auto=webp\" class=\"go-deeper\" alt=\"go-deeper\"\/><\/div>\n<div>\n<p class=\"go-deeper-label\">GO DEEPER<\/p>\n<p class=\"go-deeper-title\">NFL player poll: Josh Allen for MVP; Tyreek Hill, Justin Jefferson as building blocks<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<h2>Mighty Maxx<\/h2>\n<p>While the Raiders were beating the Browns last week, Crosby was on his couch. He was forced to get treatment for his high ankle sprain, so he watched the game on TV and live-tweeted. It was the first time Crosby had ever missed a game as a Raider, and it wasn\u2019t easy; he says he was screaming at his television while he kept his leg elevated.<\/p>\n<p>This week, he\u2019s trying to get back in the lineup as the Raiders prepare for the Denver Broncos and their rookie QB, <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"wgAV0x6fsMAcpuy1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/bo-nix-wgAV0x6fsMAcpuy1\/\">Bo Nix<\/a>. I have a hard time believing Crosby will miss a division game, but ultimately it might not be up to him.<\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<h2>The men behind the blitz-happy Broncos<\/h2>\n<p>The Broncos made a daring move against the Jets last week, sending a bold statement by all-out blitzing Rodgers on the first play of the game. This aggression set the tone for the upset and showcased the Broncos\u2019 fearless approach this season.<\/p>\n<p>Denver spent most of its summer showing off Nix, and while Sean Payton works to get his young QB playing at a higher level, the team is grateful for Vance Joseph\u2019s group. The Broncos\u2019 secondary, led by cornerbacks <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/pat-surtain-ii-SP0XxsKTEsFkqEOl\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Patrick Surtain<\/a> and <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"YNef0BwNmXFsA3yO\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/riley-moss-YNef0BwNmXFsA3yO\/\">Riley Moss<\/a>, has been able to shut down opponents\u2019 top pass catchers, including <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"MVKA2Tjc5jrKX2Eo\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/garrett-wilson-MVKA2Tjc5jrKX2Eo\/\">Garrett Wilson<\/a>, <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"9cy2RC8JyNrBYaLj\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/dk-metcalf-9cy2RC8JyNrBYaLj\/\">DK Metcalf<\/a>, Pickens and <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"zEpIAizdGk76yimT\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/mike-evans-zEpIAizdGk76yimT\/\">Mike Evans<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Secondary coach Jim Leonhard, a former Broncos player and defensive coordinator at Wisconsin, has been getting rave reviews from his players and the staff. Payton actually coached Leonhard as a player and cut him in New Orleans \u2014 something Leonhard likes to remind his boss. So as we get closer to discussing the new batch of future NFL coordinators in the coming months, remember you read about Leonhard right here.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/5810877\/2024\/10\/03\/trevor-lawrence-jaguars-doug-pederson\/\" class=\"go-deeper\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"go-deeper\">\n<div class=\"go-deeper-img\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2024\/10\/02234756\/1002-jaguars-sando-1024x683.jpg?width=128&amp;height=128&amp;fit=cover&amp;auto=webp\" class=\"go-deeper\" alt=\"go-deeper\"\/><\/div>\n<div>\n<p class=\"go-deeper-label\">GO DEEPER<\/p>\n<p class=\"go-deeper-title\">The Jaguars overestimated themselves. Did they overestimate Trevor Lawrence, too?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<h2>The Browns\u2019 woes go beyond Watson<\/h2>\n<p>The intentions are always good, but it\u2019s never a great sign when a team has a players-only meeting \u2014 as the Browns did earlier this week as they search for a spark after losing to a Raiders team without Crosby and Adams. This is the same week <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"NW1Jv9Ej3oDBk3yr\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/nick-chubb-NW1Jv9Ej3oDBk3yr\/\">Nick Chubb<\/a>, who won\u2019t be playing against the <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"62\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/commanders\/\">Washington Commanders<\/a> on Sunday, practiced for the first time since tearing an ACL last September. The star running back said it \u201cfelt like a dream.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Cleveland\u2019s season, however, has had more nightmarish overtones so far. Much of that has to do with franchise quarterback <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"2FClGss4NbY7sgLY\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/deshaun-watson-2FClGss4NbY7sgLY\/\">Deshaun Watson<\/a>\u2019s inability to come close to recapturing the form he once had for the Texans. However, many around the league said last week\u2019s game against the Raiders was his best of this season. One Cleveland player told me over text: \u201cHe really gives us the best chance.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The Browns\u2019 struggles aren\u2019t all on Watson; the defense has fallen off, too. Ranked No. 1 last season, that unit is now swimming in the 20s. They don\u2019t have an easy task either, trying to slow a red-hot Commanders offense led by rookie sensation <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"1jl1WJMb0rLnuGbu\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/jayden-daniels-1jl1WJMb0rLnuGbu\/\">Jayden Daniels<\/a>. Kevin Stefanski won his second NFL Coach of the Year award in 2023, but he has a situation on his hands.<\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<div id=\"attachment_5819869\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\">\n<div class=\"wp-caption-image-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-5819869 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2024\/10\/04233342\/GettyImages-2175515191-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Joe Flacco of the Indianapolis Colts passes against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana.\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1899\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2024\/10\/04233342\/GettyImages-2175515191-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2024\/10\/04233342\/GettyImages-2175515191-300x223.jpg 300w, https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2024\/10\/04233342\/GettyImages-2175515191-1024x759.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2024\/10\/04233342\/GettyImages-2175515191-1536x1139.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2024\/10\/04233342\/GettyImages-2175515191-2048x1519.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"inline-credits\">\n<div class=\"inline-credits-container\">\n      <span class=\"table-cell-span\"\/><br \/>\n      <span class=\"credits-text\">Joe Flacco picked up where he left off last season. (Andy Lyons \/ Getty Images)<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2>The good and bad of Flacco being good<\/h2>\n<p>It\u2019s hard to discuss the Browns\u2019 quarterback situation without mentioning Flacco, who stepped in last season for an injured Watson and led the Browns to the playoffs. The organization has received a lot of criticism for not even offering a new deal to the veteran quarterback. Flacco\u2019s agent spoke with several teams during the free-agency period, including the Browns, Jets and <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"47\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/dolphins\/\">Miami Dolphins<\/a> (who could use a Super Bowl-winning QB right about now), and they all said no thanks.<\/p>\n<p>While the Browns have never said publicly that the reason they passed on Flacco was related to Watson, there is an understanding around the league that the Browns had to give Watson a chance to succeed without any obstacles. While winning is the priority, the team has a massive investment in the quarterback and believes it\u2019s giving him the best environment to be his best.<\/p>\n<p>Once Cleveland (and others) passed, the <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"44\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/colts\/\">Indianapolis Colts<\/a> signed Flacco. He stepped in after an <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"FjC3SnpekrKYntTs\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/anthony-richardson-FjC3SnpekrKYntTs\/\">Anthony Richardson<\/a> injury last week and led the Colts over the Steelers. Flacco prepared all week as the starter while Richardson is expected to be a game-time decision. In the meantime, if Flacco continues to win, Indy might be in the same position this offseason as Cleveland was: Do you want Flacco casting a shadow over your starter while he\u2019s trying to find his footing?<\/p>\n<link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https:\/\/theathletic.com\/app\/themes\/athletic\/assets\/css\/in-content-modules.css?1727450981\"\/>\n<div class=\"in-content-module\" data-module-type=\"book\" data-module-id=\"scoop-city-newsletter\" data-module-category=\"editorial\" data-module-type-id=\"4\">\n<div class=\"in-content-module-book\"><a class=\"in-content-module-img\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/newsletters\/scoop-city\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.theathletic.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=400,height=400,fit=contain,format=auto\/app\/in-content-modules-images\/in-content-module-scoop-city-newsletter.png\" alt=\"Scoop City Newsletter\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"in-content-module-contents\">\n<div class=\"in-content-copy-container\"><a class=\"in-content-module-headline\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/newsletters\/scoop-city\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Scoop City Newsletter<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"in-content-module-intro-copy long\">Free, daily NFL updates direct to your inbox.\n<\/p>\n<p class=\"in-content-module-intro-copy short\">Free, daily NFL updates direct to your inbox.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a class=\"in-content-module-cta\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/newsletters\/scoop-city\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sign Up<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/theathletic.com\/app\/themes\/athletic\/assets\/img\/icon-arrow-right.svg\" alt=\"Buy Scoop City Newsletter\"\/><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<hr\/>\n<h2>No QB controversy in Tennessee \u2014 yet<\/h2>\n<p>The Titans have a bye this weekend, and maybe a little time off will be good for them. It\u2019s been a rough start, their offensive line is still struggling and, despite spending the most money of any team this offseason to construct a stellar roster, they\u2019re 1-3.<\/p>\n<p>First-year head coach Brian Callahan cleared up any chatter about a potential QB controversy after Mason Rudolph stepped in for an injured <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"I44N6gv94oPHvF3a\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/will-levis-I44N6gv94oPHvF3a\/\">Will Levis<\/a> and seemed to run Callahan\u2019s offense effectively against Miami. Callahan says it\u2019s Levis\u2019 job, but a coach in their division shared: \u201cIt\u2019s only a matter of time before Mason Rudolph takes over.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Callahan may be facing his first hard decision as a head coach before we even get to Halloween.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><em>(Top photo: Quinn Harris \/ Getty Images)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"fluid\"\r\n     data-ad-layout-key=\"-fb+5w+4e-db+86\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"7910942971\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><div data-type=\"_mgwidget\" data-widget-id=\"1660802\">\r\n<\/div>\r\n<script>(function(w,q){w[q]=w[q]||[];w[q].push([\"_mgc.load\"])})(window,\"_mgq\");\r\n<\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/5819826\/2024\/10\/05\/davante-adams-trade-jets-saints-steelers-chiefs\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Avoid the HOV lanes, and get yourself a Jer-Force One. That\u2019s what I learned this week. Jerry Jones, the Dallas Cowboys owner who\u2019s turning 82 in a few days, made &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/?p=110956\" class=\"more-link\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-110956","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sports","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/110956","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=110956"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/110956\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=110956"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=110956"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=110956"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}