Chiefs' Ring Typo 💍

Good morning. This is the Opening Drive, the weekly newsletter that brings you the best of the NFL so you’re always the smartest one at the water cooler.

The Jags backed up the Brinks truck for Trevor Lawrence, Dak reportedly wants $60M per year, the Chiefs' new Super Bowl ring has a typo, the Patriots retired no. 12, Netflix's 'Receiver' drops release date and trailer, and we've got a deep dive on why star NFL running backs have been devalued.

Let’s dive in.

QUICK HITS

• Jaguars sign QB Trevor Lawrence to five year extension worth $275 million, including $200 million guaranteed - $142 million at signing (Yahoo Sports)

• Commanders sign QB Jayden Daniels, No. 2 overall pick, to rookie contract (NFL.com)

• Miami Dolphins sign former Falcons DE Calais Campbell (ESPN)

• Dallas QB Dak Prescott is reportedly seeking a record-breaking, $60 million per year in a new deal (SI.com)

• Bengals’ WR Tee Higgins signs franchise tender (ESPN)

• Marcedes Lewis, 40, re-signs with Bears ahead of 19th season in NFL (NFL.com)

• Jets signing former first-round edge rusher with Haason Reddick holding out (CBS Sports)

• Lions signing UFL kicker Jake Bates to 2-year deal (ESPN)

• Steelers sign head coach Mike Tomlin to 3-year extension (Fox Sports)

• Tom Brady enshrined into Patriots Hall of Fame, has No. 12 retired (NFL.com)

• NFL docks Falcons 2025 fifth-round pick, fines club $250K for violating anti-tampering policy (CBS Sports)

• NFL concludes Eagles did not violate anti-tampering policy in signing Saquon Barkley (NFL.com)

• Netflix reveals 'Receiver' series trailer; 'Quarterback' sequel drops July 10 (Fox Sports)

• Chiefs’ latest ring might have a typo (PFT)

OPENING DRIVE REQUIRED READING

• A recent piece from Kalyn Kahler takes a look at widespread morale issues among officials. It's a symptom. The disease is that the NFL remains far too cheap when it comes to officiating. Read it here.

WHO’S UP? WHO’S DOWN?

Who’s up?
Jake Bates. The Detroit Lions have signed kicker Jake Bates to a two-year contract, adding a talented and intriguing young leg to their special teams unit. Bates, who previously impressed playing for the Michigan Panthers in the United Football League (UFL), brings a powerful and accurate kicking game that could be the solution to the Lions' kicking woes.

During his 2023 UFL campaign, Bates showcased his impressive range, hitting field goals of 64 and 62 yards - feats matched by only a few NFL kickers last season. The 24-year-old also demonstrated his reliability, converting 17 of his 22 field goal attempts (77%) for the Panthers, with all five of his misses coming from beyond 50 yards.

Bates' journey to the NFL has been anything but conventional. After going undrafted out of the University of Arkansas, he signed with the Houston Texans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers last year before finding his big break in the UFL. It was on that smaller stage that Bates honed his skills and caught the eye of Lions scouts, leading to his opportunity with the NFC North contenders.

As the Lions look to shore up their kicking game after a crucial missed field goal cost them a chance at the Super Bowl last season, Bates' powerful leg and potential for long-range accuracy could be the solution they've been seeking. The young kicker's determination and resilience make him an intriguing addition to Detroit's roster, and his story serves as an inspiration to undrafted prospects everywhere.

Who’s down?
The Chicago Bears and Caleb Williams. The Chicago Bears' handling of their prized first-round draft pick, quarterback Caleb Williams, has come under intense scrutiny as the young signal-caller continues to delay signing his rookie contract. While Williams has been busy launching his own investment firm, 888 Midas, the Bears find themselves in a precarious position, unable to get their potential franchise-altering player under contract.

It's a baffling situation, to say the least. As the top overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, Williams was expected to quickly put pen to paper and join the Bears' offseason program, eager to begin his professional career. Instead, he has chosen to focus his attention on business ventures, leaving the Bears in limbo as they wait for their new quarterback to commit to the team.

To make matters worse, Williams' decision to represent himself in contract negotiations, rather than employ a licensed agent, has further complicated the process. While the Bears have been in preliminary talks with the young quarterback's "lawyers and attorneys," the lack of a seasoned negotiator at the table has only served to prolong the impasse.

As the calendar inches closer to the start of training camp, the pressure is mounting on both sides to reach an agreement. The Bears cannot afford to have their prized rookie miss valuable practice time, as he will be tasked with leading a team that is desperate to return to the postseason. And for Williams, the opportunity to prove his worth on the field should be his top priority, not building his investment portfolio.

The longer this standoff continues, the more it will raise questions about Williams' commitment to the Bears and his willingness to put in the necessary work to become a successful NFL quarterback. The Bears, meanwhile, must find a way to break the deadlock and get their first-round pick under contract.

NUMBERS YOU SHOULD KNOW
A deep dive on why star NFL running backs have been devalued

The once-vaunted running back position in the NFL has undergone a profound devaluation in recent years, with teams increasingly relegating these players to a secondary role in their offensive schemes.

The data paints a clear picture of this trend. In 2014, the average annual value (AAV) of the top-10 running back contracts was $7.7 million. Fast forward a decade, and that figure has plummeted to just $5.4 million, a 30% decline.

Furthermore, the number of running backs selected in the first round of the NFL Draft has steadily decreased, from an average of 3.4 per year in the 2000s to just 1.8 in the 2020s. This shift reflects the league's growing reluctance to invest premium draft capital in a position that has become increasingly devalued.

The primary driver behind this trend is the rise of the passing game and the diminishing importance of the running game in today's NFL. With quarterbacks and wide receivers commanding the lion's share of offensive production, teams have become increasingly reluctant to allocate significant resources to their ground attack.

Additionally, the short-lived nature of a running back's peak performance has further exacerbated the position's devaluation. The average career span of an NFL running back is just 2.57 years, significantly shorter than the league average. This heightened risk of a rapid decline has led teams to adopt a more cautious approach when it comes to investing in the position.

The implications of this trend are far-reaching, as it has forced running backs to adapt their strategies and seek alternative sources of income. Many have turned to endorsements and venture capital investments to supplement their relatively modest salaries, while others have embraced the role of change-of-pace or third-down backs to prolong their careers.

As the NFL continues to evolve, the running back position may continue to occupy a less prominent role in the league's offensive landscape. Teams will likely continue to prioritize the passing game and seek to maximize their return on investment, leaving the once-dominant running back to navigate an increasingly challenging landscape.

Did you know?

🏈 The average annual value (AAV) of the top-10 running back contracts has plummeted from $7.7 million in 2014 to just $5.4 million in 2024 - a 30% decline.
🏈 The number of running backs selected in the first round of the NFL Draft has steadily decreased, from an average of 3.4 per year in the 2000s to just 1.8 in the 2020s.
🏈 The average career span of an NFL running back is just 2.57 years, significantly shorter than the league average, heightening the risk of a rapid decline and leading teams to adopt a more cautious approach to investing in the position.

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