NFL roundup: Josh McCown comfortable being a ‘bridge’ quarterback
By Brad Weiss
The 2017 NFL season may be a rough one for the New York Jets, who head into their campaign without a true No. 1 at the quarterback position.
The New York Jets do not figure to be too competitive during the 2017 NFL season, as they said goodbye to most of their veterans this past offseason. However, they did sign veteran quarterback Josh McCown to battle with youngsters Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty, though McCown should win the job. On Wednesday, McCown told ESPNs Mike and Mike that he plans to be a “dang good bridge quarterback,” reiterating that the team is going to be better than expected in 2017.
Staying with the quarterbacks, the Kansas City Chiefs signed first round signal-caller Patrick Mahomes to his rookie deal on Thursday. Mahomes was the last first round quarterback not be signed, as he inked his deal right before training camp. The team is expected to roll with Alex Smith under center in 2017, but it should be Mahomes’ show in 2018, if he can grasp the offense in time to be given the reins.
The Carolina Panthers signed offensive guard Trai Turner to a four-year extension on Thursday, locking up one of the anchors of their offensive line. Turner’s new deal will include $20.5 million in guaranteed money, with the guard earning $45 million overall. Locking up Turner was a big deal for interim general manager Marty Hurley, who recently took over for the fired Dave Gettleman earlier this week.
Keenan Allen tore his ACL during a Week 1 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs last season, and had to miss the rest of the year. Philip Rivers told The Rich Eisen Show last week that Allen looks as good as he did back in 2015, when he had a breakout season for the then-San Diego Chargers. With first round wide receiver Mike Williams expected to miss some time with a back injury, having Allen at 100 percent is more of a necessity than ever.
Next: Kansas City Chiefs finally sign Patrick Mahomes
Finally, former NFL running back O.J. Simpson was granted parole on Thursday, and will be released from Lovelock Correctional Center on October 1, 2017. Originally sentenced to 33 years in prison, Simpson will serve only a little under nine years, and has been a model inmate during his time in jail. Simpson was convicted of armed robbery stemming from an incident in a hotel room where he was trying to recover some of his memorabilia.