Pats shoot down possibility of quarterback controversy
Fitzpatrick, Jets agree new deal
NEW ENGLAND, July 28, (RTRS): New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick ended a quarterback controversy before one could even begin as he said on Wednesday that Tom Brady will be the team’s starter when he returns from a suspension.
Belichick said the Patriots are focused on getting backup Jimmy Garoppolo ready for the team’s Sept 11 season opener but that Brady, banned four games as a result of the “Deflategate” scandal, will not lose his starting role.
“We have finally some definition with Tom’s situation, so our priority now then is to get Jimmy ready for the start of the season, for the Arizona game, so that’ll be obviously a comprehensive process,” Belichick told a news conference at Gillette Stadium.
Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick agreed on a new one-year contract with the New York Jets on Wednesday, ending a long off-season standoff between the two sides.
Fitzpatrick will sign a new deal for $12 million with a chance to make $3 million in incentives, according to the NFL’s website which reported the deal.
With speculation that Fitzpatrick and the Jets were at odds this off-season, the franchise gave the quarterback a 7:00 pm EST deadline on Wednesday to reach an agreement on the contract.
The Los Angeles Rams released quarterback Nick Foles on Wednesday before veterans were due to report to training camp.
Foles, 27, had requested his release, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The Rams reportedly tried to trade Foles but were unsuccessful.
Safety Kurt Coleman signed a three-year contract extension with the Carolina Panthers.
Coleman spent his first five seasons primarily as a backup and special teams player for the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs. He was twice a part-time starter in four seasons with the Eagles (2011, 2012).
Veteran defensive tackle Kevin Williams signed a one-day contract with the Minnesota Vikings and is expected to formally announce his retirement the following day.
Williams started 171 games over 11 seasons with Minnesota, earning six Pro Bowl selections to tie him with John Randle for second in team history behind Alan Page.
Vikings signed offensive tackle Sean Hickey and rookie linebacker Jason Whittingham to contracts on Wednesday.
Terms of the deals were not disclosed by the team, which has filled all but one spot on its 90-man offseason roster.
The Patriots added to their depth by signing tight end Bear Pascoe and offensive guard Jon Halapio to contracts.
Terms of the deals were not disclosed by the Patriots, who also placed defensive back Nate Ebner on the reserve/did not report list. The 27-year-old is expected to participate in the 2016 Summer Olympics with the United States rugby team.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has been medically cleared by his doctor to fully practice when training camp begins Sunday.
Kaepernick received medical clearance on Tuesday from his Colorado doctor to fully take part in practice for the first time this season, the Sacramento Bee reported.
Rookie linebacker Darron Lee signed with the Jets, leaving only two first-round picks from the 2016 draft unsigned.
The Philadelphia Eagles placed running back Ryan Mathews on the non-football injury list with an ankle injury suffered last week, the team announced Wednesday.
The injury is not considered to be serious, according to a Philadelphia Inquirer report.