July 21 Training Camp Notes: Kyler Murray's contract extension, Jessie Bates trade buzz and more

It’s a five-year, $230.5M contract extension that includes $160M in total guarantees.
The deal makes Murray the second-highest paid QB in the NFL in terms of average annual value ($46.1M), coming in behind Aaron Rodgers ($50.3M).
Murray's 86.7 passing grade ranked fifth among quarterbacks last season. He led the league in big-time throw rate (7.9%) and finished fifth in turnover-worthy play rate (2.3%).
The two-time Pro Bowler is now under contract through 2028.

Opening up camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list means the player is currently unable to practice. The team can activate the player off the list at any time.
Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football says Thomas’ stay on the PUP list should not be long.
Thomas is still rehabbing from a severe ankle injury that originally occured in September of 2020. He missed all of last season after undergoing offseason surgery.
Thomas has been posting videos running at the team facility — a sign that he’s close to returning. Reports out of New Orleans throughout the offseason have been generally positive.
In his last full season in 2019, Thomas posted a record-setting season, recording 149 receptions (most in NFL history) for 1,725 yards and nine touchdowns. He earned a 90.7 receiving grade, the best mark among wide receivers.

Cleveland worked out several free agent quarterbacks, including A.J. McCarron and Josh Rosen.
The Browns currently only have Deshaun Watson, Jacoby Brissett and Joshua Dobbs on their roster – and Watson is likely to miss regular season games with a suspension. Teams usually like to carry at least four quarterbacks on the roster during camp.
McCarron missed all of last season after tearing his ACL in the preseason with the Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta replaced him with Rosen, and he spent the entire season as their third-string quarterback.

Rudolph spent last season with the New York Giants after spending the first 10 years of his career with the Minnesota Vikings.
Rudolph recorded 26 receptions for 257 yards and one touchdown in his only year with the Giants and earned a 63.5 PFF grade, second lowest in his career.
The Buccaneers lost Rob Gronkowski to retirement this offseason, and he’s been adamant that he will stay retired, despite other people close to him saying the opposite.
Rudolph will join a tight end room with Cameron Brate, Codey McElroy, fourth-round rookie Cade Otton and sixth-round rookie Ko Kieft.

There’s been some buzz floating around social media that the Cincinnati Bengals might look to trade their star safety after both sides couldn’t reach an agreement on a contract extension before the July 15 franchise tag deadline.
Appearing on the Ari Meirov NFL Show, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said he would be surprised if it ever got to that point.
“The time to do it would’ve been before the deadline,” Fowler said. “Talking to people involved, I think the player would be very surprised, too. The Bengals haven’t shown a willingness to move him.”
Bates is yet to sign his franchise tag tender, so he doesn’t have to show up for training camp since he’s technically not under contract. He only starts losing money if he misses regular season games.
Bates’ 90.0 postseason grade from this past year is the best from any safety through the conference championship round over the last five seasons.

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