Media by Associated Press – Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson, left, laughs as he describes a late-night video call to general manager George Paton, right, during a news conference to announce that Wilson had signed a five-year contract extension worth $245 million, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022, at the NFL football team’s headquarters in Centennial, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
It’s the final Sunday before the regular season officially kicks off. Until then, and the injury reports get flowing, it’s a very vanilla news day.
Although, one piece of injury news before things get rolling. The Tennessee Titans have lost top pass rusher Harold Landry to a torn ACL.
It occurred during Wednesday’s practice, according to ESPN. Landry had a career-high 12 sacks a season ago and became the first Titan to do that since Brian Orakpo had 10.5 in 2015.
Landry has been pretty reliable for the Titans. He was on the field for 89.5% of snaps last season. In March, he re-signed a contract extension worth $52.5 million guaranteed, which can get up to $87.5 million over the five years of the deal.
Bears CEO to retire
It’s been four decades leading the Chicago Bears as president and chief executive officer, a role in which Ted Phillips will retire from at season’s end. He assumed the top role in 1999 as the fourth president and the first outside of the Halas-McCaskey family to serve in that role.
He’s played a major part in the Bears’ expected move outside of the city limits and into Arlington Heights, Illinois, following the$197.2 million purchase agreement for a racetrack site.
Phillips joined the Bears organization in 1983 and was director of finance from 1987 to 1993, then being elevated to vice president.
New Orleans arrest
Marcus Maye was arrested Thursday on a charge of aggravated assault with a firearm, according to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. ESPN reported the New Orleans Saints’ safety’s arrest was from an alleged road rage incident that occurred in Metairie, Louisiana, which is near New Orleans.
He was released after posting a $30,000 bond but reportedly was not at Saints practice on Thursday. His attorney said in a statement: “Marcus vehemently denies the allegation from a motor vehicle incident, and looks forward to defending himself when all the facts come out.”
The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office said in a news release, “Maye was identified as the driver of a black SUV that was involved in an incident in which he is accused of pointing a firearm at another vehicle that was occupied by several juvenile females.”
Wilson signs extension
Russell Wilson was traded from the Seattle Seahawks, which drafted him and he won a Super Bowl with, to the Denver Broncos this offseason. That franchise-altering trade reshapes the Broncos and the AFC West after he signed a five-year, $245 million extension which included $165 million in guaranteed money.
It increases the contention window for the Broncos, who have promising young receivers Jerry Jeudy, K.J. Hamler, and Courtland Sutton, and emerging star at running back in Javonte Williams, and a tremendous defense.
It was a necessary move to compete with the Kansas City Chiefs, who have Patrick Mahomes III, the Los Angeles Chargers with Justin Herbert, and Las Vegas Raiders with Derek Carr.
Thompson signs extension
The Arizona Cardinals gave safety Jalen Thompson a contract extension. Thompson was selected in the supplemental draft in 2019 and has now been given $24.5 million guaranteed in his new deal and included a $10 million signing bonus. He’s started 25 of 37 games played in the past three seasons.
Welcomed guests
The Houston Texans will be hosting the Uvalde High School football team for the September 11th season opener against the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium. The Texans, in partnership with supermarket chain H-E-B, will provide transportation and suites for the game.
Texans members attended Uvalde’s home football game Friday night, the community’s first since a mass shooting on May 24th at Robb Elementary School.
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