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Everything right now is hyperbole.
The bad is not as bad as they make it out to be:
Christian Hackenberg passes hit defenders and reporters at Jets OTAs | ProFootballTalk
Jets quarterback Christian Hackenberg has had some hilariously bad throws at Organized Team Activities. As documented by Connor Hughes of NJ.com, Hackenberg has been missing his target repeatedly, often hitting the defense in the hands, and twice overthrowing his target so badly that...
The good is not as good as they make it out to be:
Patrick Mahomes “exactly” where he should be in development | ProFootballTalk
Patrick Mahomes’ head is spinning as the Chiefs’ offseason winds down. Everything is new for the first-round pick who ran the spread system at Texas Tech. But Mahomes has time to remake himself as the Chiefs’ plan for him is to sit, watch and learn behind Alex Smith and Tyler Bray.
What there is though, is signs that we can look at.
Who is healthy after an injury?
Who is not anywhere to be found?
Who gets cut?
Those are things that actually matter during offseason workouts.
That is why, hearing about how good Justin Bethel is playing is not exactly the most important statement that can be made. What is important though is that Bethel is showing the athleticism that he is known for, and it is translating to workouts. Something that didn’t happen last year when Bethel was out with a foot injury and was slowed from the jump of the season.
It is important because the biggest question mark that the Arizona Cardinals have for 2017 has nothing to do with the future quarterback, but it has everything to do with finding an answer across from Patrick Peterson.
Alas, there is one, small problem if Bethel does make that jump, he is no longer under contract for the 2018 season.
You see, earlier this offseason, Justin Bethel took a straight paycut, from $4.5 million to $2 million, but in return, he is a free agent after 2017.
Bethel gambled on himself, and as he turns 27 this year, for good reason.
A big season for Bethel as a cornerback can have massive salary repercussions.
A player like Marcus Cooper signed a three year $16 million contract off of one season with Arizona, Brandon Carr, who has not been great and is 31 signed a four year $23.5 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens.
If Bethel is as good as Cooper, with his athleticism and only at 27, he could see a deal in between Cooper and Carr’s, that could also set him up to get paid again when he is 30 or 31.
He knows what is on the line, through the beginning of the offseason, he has done his part.