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The final touches are being applied to the second week of the NFL exhibition matches this evening, with contests featuring teams navigating significant roster predicaments.
The Bengals are on the road to clash with the Commanders in ESPN’s Monday Night Football showcase, a preseason exhibition, yet neither standout Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson nor elite receiver Terry McLaurin will participate.
Hendrickson joined camp on July 30, and has engaged in a hold-in since then, as the NFL’s leading sack generator is seeking a restructured contract. McLaurin similarly entered camp on July 27, also engaged in a hold-in, also seeking a revised contract.
Negotiations for the contracts have hit a standstill, and the Bengals are, it is believed, entertaining proposals to trade Hendrickson. The requested compensation is a youthful defensive talent combined with a 2026 first-round draft choice, based on reports. The Bengals and their star sack artist are said to be at odds regarding the assured component of his deal, with Cincinnati being hesitant to guarantee more than a year into the contract. Hendrickson is 30 years of age, and the Bengals have supposedly tendered a yearly salary exceeding $30 million.
McLaurin and the Commanders appear to be separated by a considerable gap in their respective valuations, according to Yahoo Sports’ veteran NFL correspondent Charles Robinson, though he anticipates a compromise can be achieved.
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“My sense is that an annual average value of $27 million to $28 million could be the number,” Robinson remarked, “with guaranteed funds in the $50 million to $60 million range; neither side will be elated, but it may be the common ground they both can accept.”
Which of these players, Hendrickson or McLaurin, will be the first to sign? Or could either (or both) be traded away? It is impossible to predict how these contract disputes might be resolved. The only sure thing is that the headline events of Monday’s Commanders-Bengals duel won’t be about the individuals who will actually be playing.
NFL premier narratives
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Browns secure WR Isaiah Bond, administer polygraph examination: The Cleveland Browns reportedly formalized an agreement with wide receiver Isaiah Bond, a three-year pact worth $3 million Monday after he was cleared from a recent inquiry. Bond, 21, was projected as an early round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft before his name become embroiled in an unfortunate incident weeks earlier. After a grand jury reviewed the case and did not see enough evidence to charge Bond with a crime, the Browns quickly signed the wide receiver. The team did, however, have Bond take a polygraph test before signing him, a sign of the organization’s due diligence.
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Caleb Williams demonstrates prowess on initial drive as Bears exhibit vitality: The Chicago Bears’ offensive unit has generated conflicting assessments throughout the training period, yet it performed admirably as it commenced Sunday night’s exhibition match against the Buffalo Bills. Caleb Williams displayed immediate composure, releasing accurate throws and successfully connecting on 5 of 6 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown during the initial drive. The following drive resulted in a quick punt, though that may not have been entirely his fault. The Bears’ offense showed cohesion when he was on the field. It’s an encouraging omen given the input of new coach Ben Johnson, who is expected to help Williams reach his full potential.
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Browns poised to declare starting QB imminently: Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski intends to name a starting quarterback for Week 1 before the team’s final preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday, the team announced on Sunday. While it’s not yet clear exactly when the announcement will be, Stefanski suggested the team is using this week as a dress rehearsal for the regular season. Joe Flacco is the favorite to win the job, though rookie third-round pick Dillon Gabriel had a solid preseason debut on Saturday, pick 6 and confusing postgame comments aside. Shedeur Sanders and Kenny Pickett have recently battled with unfortunate issues, and it remains to be seen where they will ultimately fit on the depth chart.
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Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler encounter fluctuations for Saints: Tyler Shough was afforded his inaugural exhibition start in the NFL on Sunday. In his first set of plays, the New Orleans Saints were confronted with a third-and-30 situation against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The first half mirrored this situation for Shough, who completed 9 of 12 passes for 66 yards. Though he wasn’t overwhelmingly ineffective, it also wasn’t an outing compelling enough for Saints head coach Kellen Moore to proclaim him the Week 1 starter. Spencer Rattler, concurrently, completed 18 of 24 passes for 199 yards, a touchdown and an interception, against the Jaguars’ reserves. Could that be sufficient for him to prevail in the competition?
NFL squad updates
AFC East: Buffalo Bills | Miami Dolphins | New England Patriots | New York Jets
AFC North: Baltimore Ravens | Cincinnati Bengals | Cleveland Browns | Pittsburgh Steelers
AFC South: Houston Texans | Indianapolis Colts | Jacksonville Jaguars | Tennessee Titans
AFC West: Denver Broncos | Kansas City Chiefs Las Vegas Raiders | Los Angeles Chargers
NFC East: Dallas Cowboys | New York Giants | Philadelphia Eagles | Washington Commanders
NFC North: Chicago Bears | Detroit Lions | Green Bay Packers | Minnesota Vikings
NFC South: Atlanta Falcons | Carolina Panthers | New Orleans Saints | Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NFC West: Arizona Cardinals | Los Angeles Rams | San Francisco 49ers | Seattle Seahawks
NFL preseason live blog
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