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Biggest stories going into NFL training camp

Football is back! Here are our biggest stories going into NFL training camp.

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Today is the unofficial start of the 2021 NFL season. Veterans reported to training camp, which means the season is right around the corner. One storyline I'm glad is over was whether Aaron Rodgers would play for the Packers this year. After the reports we got yesterday, the bad man will suit up for at least one more season in Green Bay.

There are a few storylines that caught my attention as training camp gets underway. Everything from position battles, COVID vaccinations, and more. Let's get started.

NFL Vaccination Policy

The NFL sent out a memo to all 32 clubs discussing some of the protocols teams will go through if they don't get a certain number of players vaccinated. Some players discussed their beliefs on vaccinations on social media. The poster child of the NFL anti-vaxxer club has been Cole Beasley.

Everyone has to make their own decision about getting vaccinated. Some players refuse to get the vaccine because they don't know how it's going to affect their bodies. Fine. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. What's funny is they are playing a game that is possibly taking years off their life. If they are willing to put their life at risk, a safe vaccine should be the least of their worries.

In typical NFL fashion, they're giving the players the "my way or the highway" approach. Would it be the National Football League if they didn't have a stranglehold on the players? Unvaccinated players will have much tighter restrictions, like wearing masks, daily testing, not being able to join teammates for dinners, and more. It's going to be interesting to see how players and teams handle this. Will a team cut a player because he's not vaccinated?

Patriots QB Battle

Out of all the QB battles, this one intrigues me the most. I think Jimmy G will end up beating out Trey Lance in San Francisco, with Shanahan easing Lance into the starting spot mid-season. I have no idea who's going to come out as the starter in New England.

As of now, Cam Newton is in the driver's seat. After having an interesting season last year, Newton didn't give New England any boost of confidence that he's back being Superman.

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Instead, he needs to fight off a doughy white kid, who looks like he's the President of Alpha Delta Kappa. Will Belichick put his trust into a rookie QB? When was the last time that happened? Although Mac Jones had a sensational season at Alabama last year, it's hard to see the Patriots put him in week one.

Will Jones put enough pressure on Cam Newton to take that starting job? With the way Newton played last year, he might force Belichick to play him. Also, it's diabolical and hilarious that Belichick gave Jones #50. Everyone needs to earn their stripes in New England.

Deshaun Watson Status

We were able to put one QB story away yesterday, but one major one still looms. What happens with Deshaun Watson?

It's crazy to me that the NFL still hasn't suspended him or put him on the commissioner exempt list. With the Texans putting him on the trade block, how much are teams willing to give up for him? Also, once you trade for him, what's his status going to be? How many games will he be suspended for? There are still so many questions that need to be answered.

I'm sure the Texans will want to trade him in the next few weeks. Are they going to get an offer they like? If they don't get the offer they want, are they going to keep him? I feel like no one knows what's going to happen to him, from a legal and football standpoint.

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