You smell that, friends? That is the smell of the NFL Preseason just a week away. What essentially symbolizes the beginning of the NFL season, the new-look Jaguars and new-look Raiders will kick this thing off a week from today. Once that happens, there won’t be a week without football until after the Pro Bowl. So, stick with the Multiversers as we get you ready with this morning’s Morning After Huddle. We begin in the city of Brotherly Love, where all eyes are on QB Jalen Hurts and his second year in Head Coach Nick Sirriani’s offense.
- According to Ian Rapaport, the QB with the shiny new number one WR has looked very comfortable. Building off a strong spring, Hurts had a strong day at training camp as he continues to build rapport with newly-acquired WR AJ Brown, first-round pick from a year ago Devonta Smith, and a motivated Jalen Reagor. Mix in Dallas Goedert and RB Miles Sanders, and a stout offensive line, and this Eagles team has the chance to be very explosive on offense. If the defense holds up, the Eagles are a team to watch in the NFC East.
- Speaking of defenses, the San Francisco 49ers made a move by releasing EDGE Dee Ford. Injuries over the last two seasons have really prevented the pass rusher from replicating his production in Kansas City, and it will be interesting to see if a team takes a flyer on him as they enter training camp. One team to look out for? The New York Jets, whose head coach Robert Saleh was Ford’s defensive coordinator in San Francisco. And everyone knows Saleh loves him some defensive linemen.
- Continuing with the Jets, they officially announced that Mehki Becton will play RT this upcoming season. After the birth of his first son, the Big Ticket has been at the Jets facility for the last month getting in shape: this was made difficult after a freak injury last season cut his season short, but he appears to be in great spirits. Becton said that he doesn’t care where he plays so long as he’s out there with the starting five, and he seems committed to shutting up the naysayers who forgot just how dominant he was his rookie year. Defensive linemen, be warned.
- Sticking with defensive linemen, the Patriots resigned one of their better ones in DT Davon Godchaux. The interior defensive lineman received a two-year extension with $17.85 million guaranteed. For his career, Godchaux only has four sacks, but is a stout run defender and is able to occupy blockers to free EDGE Matthew Judon, who feasts on one on ones. This also created some cap space for the Patriots, who are in dire need of WR help: could this be where Odell Beckham, Jr. lands? Something to watch.
- Concluding with the pass catchers, we bring you a quick update on Deebo Samuel, Michael Thomas, and Julio Jones. Julio has joined the Tampa Bay Bucs on the same day that Chris Godwin came off the PUP list and, with the addition of Russell Gage this off-season, the Bucs now have some serious depth behind the aforementioned Godwin and WR Mike Evans. It was depth they had before Antonio Brown went off the rails, again. Deebo Samuel had a great conversation with Kyle Shanahan, according only to Kyle Shanahan, and is “holding in” for a new contract that would reward him for being one of the better WRs last year. He, also, has no interest in playing RB, which makes sense especially when you consider that any time Deebo isn’t spending at WR isn’t helping Trey Lance become a better QB. And Michael Thomas, who used to be in the discussion as one of the better WRs, is healthy and will join newly-drafted Chris Olave and newly-signed Jarvis Landry to create one of the better trios in the NFL for Saints QB Jameis Winston.
