Cornerback Stephon Gilmore has a reunion in store with his former team and, according to the latest NFL rumors, the former First-Team All-Pro isn’t thrilled with how the Patriots handled his injury. In other news, Aaron Rodgers could be subject to disciplinary action for violating COVID protocols, while Von Miller spoke up about joining the Los Angeles Rams.
NFL Rumors: Stephon Gilmore, Aaron Rodgers, Von Miller
Stephon Gilmore didn’t have to wait long to play his former team. After starting the year on the Physically Unable to Perform list, the New England Patriots traded Gilmore to the Carolina Panthers for a sixth-round pick. This trade was largely the product of a contract standoff and Gilmore’s 2020 season-ending quad injury.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Gilmore said that he “just didn’t like how they handled my situation, my injury. Now that I’m here, I’m able to do the things I have to do to get me back ready to where I need to be. I learned a lot there. I have a lot of friends there. A lot of great coaches. I just didn’t like how they handled my situation with my injury.”
Gilmore will need to have a big game to give Carolina a shot. The Patriots appear to be on the rise after taking down the Los Angeles Chargers last week, and the Panthers will have to start a banged-up Sam Darnold or P.J. Walker.
Stephon Gilmore is back like he never left 😎
pic.twitter.com/ctJkEn4cgI— PFF (@PFF) October 31, 2021
Aaron Rodgers Unvaccinated, Could Face Discipline
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers recently tested positive for COVID-19, leading to the revelation that he is unvaccinated. This could put Rodgers and the Packers organization in some hot water, as it appears as though Rodgers has not been following protocol for unvaccinated players.
Specifically, Rodgers has conducted in-person press conferences within Green Bay’s facility without wearing a mask. Per league rules, Rodgers needs to wear a mask whenever he’s inside the club facility. Some teams have worked around this by conducting outdoor press conferences for some of their unvaccinated players, but Green Bay did no such thing for Rodgers.
Rodgers blatantly violated the rules, and the Green Bay Packers organization could be in trouble if they were not fining him for his infraction. According to NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy, “the primary responsibility is on the club, which can discipline a player or personnel.”
The NFL has been notoriously inconsistent with punishment over the past few years, so it’s anyone’s guess as to what the league will do about this clear infraction.
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Von Miller: “Starting to Feel Real Good” To Be With Rams
Von Miller was the highlight of an otherwise-quiet trade deadline. After spending a decade with the Denver Broncos, the Los Angeles Rams acquired his services in exchange for a second- and third-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Following a heartfelt farewell to Denver, the future Hall of Famer is now focused on bringing a championship to Los Angeles.
Speaking to Grant Gordon of NFL.com, Miller said that “[i]t’s starting to feel real good. You look at all the talent that we have. I went to sleep 4-4 and woke up 7-1. In the back end of things, it’s not really that bad…The Denver Broncos are still building. They’re still a family and stuff, but this team was ready to win it right now, ready to win championships right now. And I’m excited to be a part of it.”
The Los Angeles Rams went all-in on 2021 after they acquired quarterback Matthew Stafford from the Detroit Lions. That move obviously paid off, and now they’re doubling down with the Von Miller acquisition.
Miller is not the player he once was, but he is still more than capable of being a starting-caliber pass rusher on a great defense. Now teamed with the game’s best player in Aaron Donald, Miller might just be the final piece needed for the Rams to get out of a congested NFC.
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