The NFL regular season is finally here, as the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos will get things started on Thursday night. As a result, there is plenty of buzz going around the league ahead of opening weekend. Check out the latest NFL news and rumors below:
Shaun Hill to start over Sam Bradford?
The Minnesota Vikings traded for Sam Bradford with the intention of him being their starting quarterback this quarterback. That will be the case from Week 2 on, but there is a question as to if he'll have enough grasp of the playbook to be ready to start Week 1. Head coach Mike Zimmer has said they won't name a starter until Sunday, but there are several signs pointing to them starting Hill instead of Bradford this weekend.
First off, Hill is slotted ahead of Bradford on the depth chart. While that's subject to change, it certainly gives you the current pecking order in the eyes of the coaching staff. Guard Alex Boone may have also leaked more information, saying the team as "total faith in Shaun" when discussing Sunday's game against the Titans:
“I think all the pressure is on us,” Boone said, via Mark Craig of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. “We have total faith in Shaun. But given the circumstances, we know the pressure comes down on the line. So we have to kick [Tennessee’s] butt in the run game and let Adrian do his thing.”
Hill spent last season as Minnesota's backup, where he played in three games with minimal working, going a combined 2/7 passing for 15 yards. Bradford passed for 3,725 yards, 19 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in 14 games with the Philadelphia Eagles last year.
Brees, Saints nearing extension
The New Orleans Saints are close to signing quarterback Drew Brees to a lucrative contract extension, and that deal should be done today, according to ESPN's Ed Werder:
Saints and Drew Brees are expected to agree on extension by end of day. (via @Edwerderespn) https://t.co/fNpQYsY0nA pic.twitter.com/wHmQV2gPw1
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) September 7, 2016
I would expect Drew Brees extension to be for two years of guaranteed salaries, and likely to include no-trade clause on below-market deal.
— Ed Werder (@Edwerderespn) September 7, 2016
Drew Brees' $30M cap number highest in NFL history. But dead money from bad deals like Junior Galette more damaging impact on building team
— Ed Werder (@Edwerderespn) September 7, 2016
Brees passed for 4,870 yards and 32 touchdowns to just 11 interceptions last season. It was his 10th straight year with over 4,000 yards and eighth straight with more than 30 touchdown passes.
Henderson appealing suspension
Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Seantrel Henderson is facing a four-game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy, but he is appealing the suspension, saying the positive test was caused by treatment for his Crohn's disease:
Bills' OT Seantrel Henderson is facing a four-game suspension for violating substance abuse policy, per NFL source. Under appeal.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 7, 2016
Bills' OT Seantrel Henderson's pending substance-abuse suspension is related to a treatment he received for his Crohn's disease.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 7, 2016
Henderson is entering his third year in the league, and has started all 26 games he has played in for the Bills in his career.
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