Here's a look at some of the top rumors for Monday, July 27:
Contract negotiations between Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks are expected to conclude -- deal or no deal -- by the start of the team's training camp this Friday. That being said, expect plenty of Wilson-related rumors this week. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, Wilson and the Seahawks have plenty of ground to make up as the deadline for a deal draws closer. Under the team's latest offer, Wilson would make below $20 million cash up front, Rapoport reports, citing sources familiar with the situation. Seeing that Cam Newton's recent extension with the Carolina Panthers gave him $30 million cash up front, Wilson may not be satisfied with what's currently being offered to him. Rapoport writes that negotiations are ongoing, but the cash up front and contract guarantees remain unresolved issues, along with yearly salary.
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Sammy Watkins is feeling great after using this offseason to focus on healing his surgically repaired hip, according to Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News. “My body feels great. I feel like I’m 17," Watkins told Carucci. The 22-year-old Watkins is entering his second season in the NFL after being selected fourth overall by Buffalo in the 2014 draft. Despite battling multiple injuries as a rookie, Watkins played in all 16 games last year and had 982 receiving yards to go with six touchdowns. The hip injury was the most severe for Watkins, who had surgery to address it earlier this offseason. "In this offseason, I just rested," Watkins said. "I had to rest."
New York Giants tight end Larry Donnell is out of his walking boot and is expected to participate in training camp practices this week, according to Jordan Raanan of New Jersey Advanced Media. Donnell had an old Achilles injury from college flare up in the spring and missed time during organized team activities in June as a result. Although he may be out of the boot, concern will likely linger for the Giants that the injury could resurface at any point. Donnell caught six touchdowns for New York last season.
The New York Jets will not remove Geno Smith as the team's starting quarterback early in the season, writes CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora. Smith will get a "solid half-season" to show what he can or can't do before the Jets make a change, according to La Canfora. Smith was recently ranked as the NFL's worst starting quarterback for the second straight year by ESPN's Mike Sando, who based the rankings on information he received from league insiders. One unnamed coach quoted in Sando's rankings said that Marty Mornhinweg's offensive system was too complicated for Smith. Under new offensive coordinator Chan Gailey, expect a quick, easy-read system that should allow Smith to make faster decisions, writes ESPN Jets reporter Rich Cimini.
The Indianapolis Colts are in discussions with agent Drew Rosenhaus concerning a long-term contract for T.Y. Hilton, Rosenhaus tells Bleacher Report's Jason Cole. Hilton is reportedly seeking a salary of $14 million per year, the same amount Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas currently earn. Rosenhaus said it's unlikely that the deal will be done before training camp. On July 15, Hilton referenced the contracts of Bryant and Thomas in a tweet. Hilton, who enters the final year of his rookie contract, is coming off a career-high 1,345 yards and his first Pro Bowl appearance. Hilton is bound to get a raise, but the Colts also have to commit to quarterback Andrew Luck with a new deal.
Cleveland Browns head coach Mike Pettine met informally with reporters on Monday and discussed his team's quarterback situation. ESPN's Pat McManamon reports that Johnny Manziel will open camp as the team's No. 2 quarterback, but Pettine is not guaranteeing that Josh McCown will be the opening day starter. Manziel has recently been working with former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Oakland Raiders coach Jon Gruden in Tampa, concentrating on film work and mechanics. Reports of Manziel's state of mind this offseason have been "positive," said McManamon in the Spain & Prim podcast. The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Mary Kay Cabot tweeted that Pettine won't eliminate Terrelle Pryor as a quarterback down the road, but he wants him "to focus 1,000 percent on receiver" right now.