Do contract holdouts even work? + Future of the Jets

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Jason Fitz is joined by Senior NFL Reporter Charles Robinson to pull back the curtain on the latest news around the NFL. The Crew begins with the Chris Jones contract and what this season’s failed holdouts mean for the future of the franchise tag. Next, they address some key injuries in the AFC North, including JK Dobbins, Diontae Johnson and Jack Conklin. Finally, the duo addresses Aaron Rodgers’ injury and the New York Jets’ next plans. Fitz and Charles conclude the show with a new segment in which they decide what’s news and what’s sensational in the last week.

4:55 – Chris Jones’ holdout is over as he has a new 1-year, $25 million contract. All three of this offseason’s major holdouts ended positively for the teams, and there is debate about whether the franchise tag issue can ever be resolved since it affects so few players each season.

11:20 – There are some key injuries in the AFC North, including Baltimore Ravens RB JK Dobbins, Pittsburgh Steelers WR Diontae Johnson and Cleveland Browns RT Jack Conklin. The duo discuss whether each of these teams needs to add more talent and how the dynamics in the AFC North have changed after just one week.

30:00 – The Jets’ Super Bowl hopes suffered a major blow on Monday night with the injury to Aaron Rodgers, and Charles points out how important it was that general manager Joe Douglas fought to get the first-round pick to the Green Bay Packers to keep conditional. Both agree that the Jets will look to acquire a veteran who is familiar with OC Nathaniel Hackett’s offense and discuss some possible options (no, Tom Brady is not a realistic option).

50:35 – News or noise? The duo react to more news surrounding the NFL and decide if it’s something to pay attention to or if it’s just noise. The NFLPA has called for an end to turf fields, but Charles needs to see more evidence that turf fields actually cause injuries before this becomes news. Colin Kaepernick’s agent has reached out to the Jets, but after seven years out of football, both agree it’s not realistic to think he’ll get another chance in the league. Arthur Smith said as long as his team – the Atlanta Falcons – is winning, his skill players aren’t worried about their effort, but both agree that won’t last forever. The pressure is growing on Smith to make the most of Drake London and Kyle Pitts.

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