The final third of training camp is underway around the NFL, and there are plenty of storylines swirling around the NFC East as all four teams continue to gear up and prepare for the upcoming season. For two teams, there is some turmoil surrounding their star players, while rookies are turning heads in camp for the Eagles and Giants.
Terry McLaurin wants to be traded
The Washington Commanders are not only trying to focus on building off a wildly successful season making it to the NFC Championship game with rookie standout quarterback Jayden Daniels, but now they have to deal with their disgruntled star wide receiver in Terry McLaurin requesting a trade, according to reports.
After not finding a middle ground all offseason, McLuarin’s holdout, and then showing up to training camp placed on the PUP list dealing with an ankle injury, the two sides have not found a resolution to a contract extension, leading the wideout wanting to be traded.
McLaurin, who was fined $200,000 for missing the start of training camp ($50,000 per day), is looking for an extension with one year left on his current 3-year, $68.3 million contract. The former third-round pick certainly has ground to stand on. He eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark for a fifth consecutive season, marking only his rookie season as the lone season he had not hit the 1K mark (919 yards).
It’s worth noting McLaurin has put up productive seasons with quarterbacks like Taylor Heinicke, Sam Howell, Dwayne Haskins, Case Keenum, Alex Smith and Carson Wentz throwing him the ball. His connection with Daniels was electric and productive last season.
“Scary Terry” as he is affectionately called is making this a scary situation for second year General Manager Adam Peters who has done a nice job turning around the organization in his short tenure but will need to figure out a gameplan to make this work with the talented receiver.
Micah Parsons wants out of Jerry World
Similar to the McLaurin saga, Micah Parsons is also fed up with the gap between the team and him on a contract extension according to NFL Insider Dianna Russini.
More from Russini: “Among the key issues: Micah Parsons spoke directly with Jerry Jones over multiple days in the spring. The team believed those conversations were negotiations and that it had a deal, multiple league sources said. But Parsons believed the talks were just conversations and wanted his agent to handle the negotiations. When his agent attempted to start negotiations, the Cowboys declined to engage with him and told the pass rusher that they believed they already had a deal. Now, the team is refusing to engage with Parsons’ agent at all, creating a tense standoff amid increasing friction.”
This situation seems more precarious for the Cowboys than what Washington is dealing with McLaurin. Parsons is threatening to sever ties with the team. Jerry Jones seemingly took a jab at Parsons due to some of his recent injuries which surely did not help matters.
Last week, the star pass rusher took to his own social media and officially announced his request to be traded.
Parsons had 12 sacks in 13 games last season and has 52.5 career sacks in 63 games through his first four years in the league while racking up All-Pro honors and winning Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2021.
The links between Parsons and the Eagles need no introduction, but could we somehow see the brilliant defender suiting up in midnight green after all? Never say never…
Jihaad Campbell turning heads in South Philly
For a second straight draft, it seems a top tier talent fell into the laps of Howie Roseman and the Eagles when they selected Jihaad Campbell with the 31st pick in this year’s draft. It was a pleasant surprise to the Eagles and Defensive Coordinator Vic Fagnio that the rookie was out there during the first week of training camp. Since then, he has looked the part of a menacing linebacker.
Fangio said that Campbell still has plenty of work to do, but if he continues to make improvements, he can be a key player for the Eagles this season.
Campbell has been lining up primarily at inside linebacker to start training camp, but recently has lined up as an edge rusher. Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer described one of Campbell’s best moments on the edge.
“The rookie’s most vivid moment came at the expense of Ben VanSumeren, when Campbell steamrolled the fullback at the point of attack. VanSumeren bent back and got his leg rolled up on as a result. He limped off and eventually headed indoors.”
The Eagles play their first preseason game against the Bengals Thursday, and fans will more than likely get plenty of chances to see Campbell in game action.
Cam Skattebo gets good news on MRI
One of the biggest storylines in Giants’ camp has been how impressive rookie running back Cam Skattebo has looked so far this summer. The team received good news on a recent MRI the running back had while dealing with a hamstring injury. Head Coach Brian Daboll said the former Sacramento State and Arizona State product is “day-to-day”.
Selected by the Giants in the in the fourth round, he has turned heads with some of his big plays he has ripped off during camp.
The rookie is competing with Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary for snaps come the regular season, but he has gotten off to a strong start and will look to pick up where he left off once he gets back from the hamstring injury.
Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images
