In this Monday’s NFL news: Cole Beasley would rather retire than get the COVID vaccine, Tom Brady talks about playing to age 50, Buffalo plans to build a new stadium, and more. Don’t miss the NFL news.
Cole Beasley would rather retire than get vaccinated against COVID
Last week the NFL and the NFLPA reached several agreements to specify the protocols against COVID-19 that must be followed by those players who are and are not vaccinated for the 2021 campaign, however, not all agree with the regulations imposed. A clear example of this is Cole Beasley, WR of Buffalo, who this Friday attacked with a statement via Twitter stating that he would rather withdraw than be vaccinated.
“Everyone: Hi, I’m Cole Beasley and I’m not vaccinated. I’ll be outside doing what I do. I’ll be outside with the public. If you are afraid of me, stay away or get vaccinated. (…) I may die of Covid, but I prefer to really die living. I have relatives whose days are numbered. If they want to come see me and stay at my house, they will come regardless of protocol. I no longer play for money. My family has been cared for. Fine me if you want. My way of life and my values are more important to me than a dollar ”.
“I am not going to take medicine for a leg that is not broken. I’d rather take a chance on Covid and strengthen my immunity that way. (…) I will play for free this year to live life as I have lived it from day one. If I am forced to retire, so be it (…) Many other NFL players also hold my position, but they are not in the right place in their careers to be so frank. I feel sorry for you and I hope I am doing my part to represent you well, ”concluded Beasley.
Beasley, who will enter his third season with the Bills, closed 2020 with 82 receptions for 967 yards and 4 TDs, and he also has two years remaining on his contract worth $ 11.941 million.
What do you think about Beasley’s statements?
Cole Beasley, anti-NFLPA, anti-vaccine, anti-science, anti-NFL COVID protocols, pro-I’ll do what I want. https://t.co/yMphQulG2t
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) June 18, 2021
Tom Brady talks about the possibility of playing until age 50
Last March Tampa Bay extended Tom Brady’s contract until the 2022 season, when he will be 45 years old. Tampa Bay GM Jason Licht commented to Brady that he believes he could play until his fifties if he so wishes and the one who for many is the best quarterback in the history of the game was given the opportunity to discuss that possibility via Jori Epstein. from USA Today.
First, Brady is not in a delusion of grandeur. He himself knows the dimension of the challenge against time, as he began by pointing out “50? That is a long time. Even for me, that’s a long time. ” He continued: “I have always said that 45 was the age I wanted to reach and that was my goal. This year I’ll be 44, so next year I’ll be 45. I got a two-year contract. Obviously, I’m going to be able to play this year (…) next year and then see what happens after that. If I still want to continue playing, I may be able to. And if that’s enough, then it will be enough, ”concluded Brady.
Brady will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2022 season and would still have to play several more seasons to become the oldest player ever to have played in the league, a record currently held by QB / K George Blanda, who played. his last game playing for the Oakland Raiders at 48 years, 3 months and 18 days.
Can Brady become the first player in history to play an NFL game in his 50s?
Tom Brady on playing until he’s 50: “Even for me, that’s a long time”https://t.co/D8qoJ5QOun pic.twitter.com/YaCCNwN3eZ
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) June 18, 2021
Buffalo in plans to build a new stadium
The Bills’ current lease at Highmark Stadium will expire in 2023, so according to Thad Brown of WROC, the team is planning to build a new stadium with a partial roof for fans in Orchard Park, New York. Construction of this enclosure would take 3 to 5 years and would open its doors by 2026 or 2027, however, Buffalo still needs government approval, including funding, which could delay the opening date.
While this is happening, the team is considering extending the current lease with Erie County, New York, although they are also evaluating other options for their home games, including Toronto and Penn State. Additionally, Buffalo hired Legends Global Sales to sell sponsorships and seats premium for the new stadium.
The Bills have played at their current stadium since 1973, however this could come to an end soon.
What do you think about the future plans of this franchise?
Reports: Bills plan new stadium in Orchard Park. https://t.co/TbNapKUdxC
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) June 18, 2021
Ryan Fitzpatrick could be the long-term WFT QB
In more NFL news, even though Ryan Fitzpatrick is 38 years old now, he could be the answer as a long-term quarterback for Washington, or so HC Ron Rivera said in an interview with Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post: “There’s nothing to say that Ryan Fitzpatrick can’t be the man for a while. If this guy continues to play at the level he has and with Brady showing everyone that these veteran guys can do it, (…) then why not? ”Said Rivera.
In addition, Rivera also added that the team’s QB position is in “a good place”: “At the same time, we have a guy that we have confidence in Taylor. [Heinicke], we have confidence in Kyle [Allen], and we have a very young player in Steven Montez. So we are in an interesting position right now. If things are going well with Ryan, why wouldn’t we want to bring that guy back? Or if Taylor ends up being the man, why wouldn’t we want that man to be the man for a while? ” WFT HC concluded.
Rivera hasn’t officially named Fitzpatrick as the starter, noting that he wants there to be competition to improve the team, but unless something unexpected happens, Fitzpatrick will be the one to see action in Week 1 of the following season, and he may try to get to Playoffs for the first time in his 16-year career.
How many seasons can Fitzpatrick last as a starter in Washington?
Ron Rivera: “There’s nothing that says Ryan Fitzpatrick can’t be the guy for a while.” https://t.co/iCHo46AvBR
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) June 18, 2021
Robert Griffin III, with offers to be an ESPN and FOX analyst
Robert Griffin III has yet to announce his retirement from the NFL, however, since he was named Rookie Offensive Player of the Year in 2012 his career has plummeted to the point where his future may lie as a television analyst. According to Andrew Marchand of The New York Post, Fox and ESPN executives were “blown away” by Griffin at his recent auditions, noting that “they were among the best they have ever seen.”
The above, according to Marchand, has ESPN and Fox in a bidding war for Griffin, with ESPN ramping up theirs after Fox first contacted him. ESPN would use Griffin as a college football analyst, in addition to featuring him on their NFL shows as Get Up!
The 31-year-old Griffin spent the past three seasons with the Ravens, but he’s only started two games, and he’s still a free agent today.
Will we have more of Griffin III in the NFL or is his future on some television network?
Report: Fox, ESPN in bidding war for Robert Griffin III. https://t.co/iG60DUUrpQ
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) June 18, 2021
This is today’s NFL news.
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