NFL mandatory minicamps: Wrapping up biggest storylines of past couple weeks

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NFL mandatory minicamps have come and gone, and now all 32 teams break until meeting again for training camp in July. The news cycle will ratchet back up then, but it’s not like these past couple weeks were quiet. Here’s your guide to everything of significance that happened. Click on the storyline to jump to that section.

What do you get for the Ravens who have everything? Jaire Alexander

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Travis Kelce’s decision to return ‘wasn’t very tough’

Brian Daboll: ‘No’ concern Malik Nabers will be ready for training camp

Shedeur Sanders’ next Browns reps will come at training camp

Micah Parsons dishes on Cowboys waiting to sign him

Shemar Stewart brings messy Bengals negotiation public

Bengals, Trey Hendrickson are talking again

Aaron Rodgers practices with Steelers as T.J. Watt holds out

Anthony Richardson dealing with injury, uncertain Colts future

Terry McLaurin among high-profile minicamp holdouts

Will Dolphins trade Jalen Ramsey and/or Jonnu Smith?

NFL training camp schedule

Ravens add Jaire Alexander to stacked roster

There’s not a lot of significant player movement left to be done this offseason, but Baltimore pounced when the Packers released two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander. Lamar Jackson played with Alexander at Louisville and stumped for the team to sign him. There aren’t many weaknesses on this Ravens roster, and it’s one of the early favorites to win the Super Bowl. Adding Alexander to an already talented secondary only helped.

Travis Kelce: ‘I just felt like I failed my guys’

The Chiefs mostly went about their business at mandatory minicamp, but Travis Kelce did talk to the media about his decision to return for another season, which he said “wasn’t a very tough one.” Kelce is 35 and in his 13th season, and he’s coming off a down year. Almost every NFL tight end ever has had a significant dropoff when they enter the same career stage. “I just didn’t make the plays I feel like I should have made,” the future Hall of Famer said. “I didn’t get open in certain situations. … Motivating my guys to get the energy and the focus and the confidence we needed during that game. In that area, I just felt like I failed my guys.” Kelce decided to try to rectify it.

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Malik Nabers expected to be ready for Giants camp despite toe injury

A toe injury could seriously hinder a player, especially a speedy receiver like Malik Nabers, who burst onto the scene as a rookie last season. Giants head coach Brian Daboll, however, told the media there’s no concern over Nabers being ready for training camp with the toe injury, even though he didn’t participate on field at OTAs or mandatory minis. Good news for a budding star.

Shedeur Sanders, Browns QB battle will reconvene in July

“Everybody’s got to earn their keep,” Browns general manager Andrew Berry told Yahoo Sports’ Jori Epstein this month Berea. That includes all four quarterbacks competing for the starting job, from current favorite Joe Flacco to much-discussed fifth-round rookie Shedeur Sanders, from veteran presumptive backup Kenny Pickett to third-round pick Dillon Gabriel. The next look we’ll get here is at training camp, and while Sanders’ chances of starting Week 1 still seem very slim, the path does exist. Though they probably weren’t helped by a reported speeding ticket for driving over 100 miles an hour.

Micah Parsons: Waiting ‘is going to cost (Cowboys) more’

After participating in mandatory minicamp and speaking diplomatically about his quest for a mammoth contract extension, Cowboys pass rusher Micah Parsons said “it’s going to cost them more eventually,” according to Clarence Hill of DLLS. It’s not exactly a controversial comment, but it does mark a slight departure from how cordial both sides were being. Let’s see how it further unfolds, and when the Cowboys — who notoriously slow-play retaining in-house talent — finally get the extension done.

Bengals making mess of Shemar Stewart rookie contract

Cincinnati and its first-round pick are at an impasse, and Shemar Stewart decided he’s done letting it mostly play out in private. “I’m 100 percent right. I’m not asking for nothing y’all have never done before,” Stewart said. “But in y’all case, y’all just want to win arguments (more) than winning more games.” Stewart took other pointed shots at the Bengals before leaving minicamp early, and is reportedly asking for the same first-round rookie contract past Bengals picks have received. The team, for whatever reason, is unwilling to agree. Unless there’s something else going on, it’s time for the Bengals to stop this ridiculous haggling.

Bengals resume talks with Trey Hendrickson

After taking care of the Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins deals early in the offseason, the Bengals have let their next big contract situation linger. Pass rusher Trey Hendrickson is the reigning NFL sack king and one of the few reliable pieces on Cincinnati’s defense. Hendrickson sat out of mandatory minis, but he and the Bengals are at least talking again, according to reports, so there’s that. Will an extension get done?

Aaron Rodgers debuts with Steelers as T.J. Watt doesn’t report

Aaron Rodgers has officially practiced with the Steelers, and even revealed he’s a married man. And while T.J. Watt missed mandatory minicamp in search of a new contract, the Steelers that Yahoo Sports’ Jay Busbee talked to while in Pittsburgh didn’t sound too concerned. All’s well and good in Western PA. In mid-June, at least.

How bad is Anthony Richardson’s shoulder injury?

Richardson still has no clear timetable to return from a sore AC joint in his throwing shoulder. And then news broke that he visited renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles about it. ElAttrache operated on that same shoulder in 2023, which sidelined Richardson for most of his rookie season. Richardson needs to beat out Daniel Jones for the starting job and show progress this season, or his time with the Colts could come to an early end.

Terry McLaurin holds out of Commanders minicamp over contract

Washington’s top wide receiver is entering the final year of his deal and looking for a long-term extension. He caught 13 touchdowns last season and developed great chemistry with Jayden Daniels, and while McLaurin does turn 30 in September, there’s no reason to think he’ll slow down anytime soon. There doesn’t seem to be much that could derail the Commanders’ forward momentum, but if this contract situation doesn’t get resolved, it might.

Will Dolphins find trade partners for Jalen Ramsey, Jonnu Smith?

Both Ramsey and Smith missed minicamp, and Ramsey’s absence was excused, per head coach Mike McDaniel. Ramsey turns 31 this season but also a seven-time Pro Bowler who has the game and versatility to age well. Smith, meanwhile, turns 30 in August and made his first Pro Bowl last season after either tying or setting career highs with 88 catches for 884 yards and eight touchdowns. So far, there doesn’t seem to be much of a market for either player, at least at Miami’s asking price. Will that change this summer?

NFL training camp schedule

Rookies start reporting on July 12, and the first full-squad reports are the Chargers on Thursday, July 17 and Lions on Saturday, July 19. Most teams report on Tuesday, July 22. Check out the full schedule of NFL training camp report dates for rookies and veterans, plus team locations, right here.

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