Around the League: Gronk Retires, Cam's Flex, Lions Upgrade Secondary, More

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Around the League: Gronk Retires, Cam’s Flex, Lions Upgrade Secondary, More

Chicago Bears

With the NFL’s league meetings underway in Arizona, I suppose this makes for a good time to check in what’s happening elsewhere in the football world.

  • It’s not the largest sample to work with because injuries shortened his career, but Gronkowski played his way into consideration of being the best tight end of his era. And should enough writers agree with that sentiment, his next stop will be in Canton.
  • But first, one last look at his final catch:

  • The top of the Patriots hierarchy weighs in on Gronkowski’s announcement:

  • So what’s next for Gronk? Well, how’s this for timing:

  • With this nice of a stat, why would he consider coming out of retirement?

  • Because I know you’re curious, Gronkowski posted the following stat line against the Bears (2 games): 14 catches, 192 yards, 4 touchdowns. Extrapolate those stats over a 16-game season and we’d be looking at a tight end who went for 112 catches, 1,536 yards, and 32 touchdowns. LOL. Those are video game stats and I’m thankful the Bears didn’t have to play him twice per season during the course of his career.
  • Oh gosh, he’s coming back for the inevitable Bears-Patriots Super Bowl, isn’t he?

  • Elsewhere in the world of the defending Super Bowl champs:

  • For the record: there are things that aren’t related to the Patriots going on in the NFL.
  • Oh hey, potential rules changes could be on the way:

  • One of our hopes when it came to the Alliance of American Football was that it would spark the NFL to spice things up a little from a rules perspective. Nothing like a little competition or inspiration from an up-start league to get things moving in the right direction. Eliminating onside kicks and replacing it with an actual play from scrimmage is something the NFL should seriously consider.
  • Still no word if our #bankickers proposal has been taken seriously by anyone in the league offices, but we’ll hold out hope until further notice.
  • Can you find your favorite general manager?

  • Guh! The Lions signed one of my favorite cornerbacks on the market as they turn what was a weakness into a strength:

  • ESPN’s Adam Schefter has it as a one-year deal worth $3.5 million. It’s a prove-it deal that has a ton of upside for the team (which continues to upgrade what was a woeful secondary) and player (if Rashaan Melvin plays to his potential, he can cash in with a big contract next year). Melvin has been a standout defender in my eyes since he was providing NIU with blanket coverage of the MAC’s best receivers. Starting outside opposite of Darius Slay and alongside slot cornerback Justin Coleman gives Melvin an opportunity to shine with some pretty solid defenders. Hopefully, the Bears’ passing offense realizes this group is much improved (at least, on paper) than what it was when they faced the Lions twice last season.
  • This is a painful list to read:

  • Let the record show that I had nothing to with any delays in Vegas, but the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports the completion of the Raiders’ new home in Sin City has been pushed back by about a week, in part due to delayed steel delivery. The project is expected to be completed and hosting events in the first week of August 2020. By then, the Raiders figure to be playing in their new place. Luckily, construction season never slows down in Vegas because the weather almost always cooperates year-round, so it’s possible they make up time at some point down the line. But keep in mind that their new lease with Oakland has a second year option, just in case the project isn’t ready.
  • One of my favorite receivers has also called it a career:

  • Maclin was a treat to watch throughout his NFL career, but he first caught my eye when he was catching everything thrown by Chase Daniel at Missouri:

  • Ummm, OK:

  • GOT HEEEEM:

Filed to: Chicago Bears
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Author: Luis Medina

Luis Medina is a Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at@lcm1986.