Myles Garrett sped 100 mph in a 60 mph zone hours after Cleveland's preseason opener with the Panthers, marking at least eight speeding offenses since 2017. In his first media session after the citation, he deflected questions and pivoted to focusing on football, signaling a shot across the bow to the headlines. The incident adds to a lengthy off‑field history that includes a 2022 Porsche crash and prior reckless operation charges, but it sits beside a career arc defined by overwhelming on-field dominance. Garrett remains one of the league’s most disruptive defenders, posting 14 sacks and a league‑best 22 tackles for loss last season, and he just signed a four‑year, $160 million extension that makes him the NFL’s highest‑paid non‑quarterback. The Browns are banking on performance and leadership to outweigh the recurring headlines, a stance that complicates fantasy and betting judgments about risk versus ceiling.

Garrett’s wake‑up moment from the 2022 crash—when he and a passenger were injured and he missed one game—frames the current discussion about smart off‑field choices. He acknowledged the need to drive smarter and stay grateful for his opportunity, even as the current speeding ticket surfaces again. For fantasy managers, the dynamic remains simple on the field: Garrett can deliver game‑changing pressure and tackles, but the off‑field narrative introduces uncertainty that can color projections and risk assessments as the season approaches.

Tyson Bagent locked in a two-year, $10 million extension with the Chicago Bears, the first Bears quarterback to land a contract extension since Jay Cutler in 2014. The Shepherd standout rose from Division II to four starting opportunities in his rookie season, delivering a 2-2 record with 65.1% completions, 776 yards, three touchdowns and five interceptions, including a primetime win over Bryce Young and the Panthers. The deal signals Chicago’s belief in his development and creates clear quarterback stability in a room that has battled inconsistency.

For fantasy managers, the move matters. It hints at a more defined path to conventional starter reps in 2025 and suggests a Bears offense that could lean into a balanced approach rather than a pure plan built around a revolving QB carousel. Bagent’s narrative— Shepherd to NFL starter, his father’s resilience, and a momentous press conference—adds a layer of intrigue to his fantasy outlook. While Chicago’s weapons will influence his ceiling, the extension cements him as a true young asset worth monitoring through the preseason and into the regular season, especially if the offense shows modest, sustainable passing work alongside a capable rushing component.

Joe Flacco is the Week 1 starter for Cleveland, but the Browns’ quarterback depth chart is anything but settled. Behind him, Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel and Kenny Pickett are all jockeying for the primary backup role as Week 1 approaches. Sanders and Gabriel have dealt with injuries in the preseason, while Pickett has been sidelined with a hamstring issue, complicating the evaluation. Cleveland could even carry four QBs on the 53-man roster, a rare move that would impact roster construction and practice reps. The upcoming home game against the Rams will be a key final preseason checkpoint to gauge who can best support Flacco when needed, which matters for fantasy managers watching Browns’ pass-game volatility and backup usage.

Bears backup Tyson Bagent secured a two-year, $10 million extension, keeping him in Chicago through 2027. The undrafted rookie spoke emotionally about what the deal means for his family, highlighting how the extension lifts a weight off their shoulders. Chicago officials publicly lauded his work ethic and potential, underscoring the organization’s faith in him as Caleb Williams’ backup for the foreseeable future.

The contract signals stability in a QB room that has featured P.J. Walker and Nathan Peterman as veterans-in-waiting. Poles called Bagent one of the hardest workers on the roster, and Johnson suggested there’s no question about his ceiling as a future starter. For fantasy managers, the extension cements Bagent as a high-character depth piece with a plausible path to opportunity should Williams’ development stall or unforeseen circumstances arise.

The Minnesota Vikings’ 2025 outlook hinges on J.J. McCarthy’s first crack at the starting job and how a depleted pass-catching corps can support him. Jefferson’s hamstring, Addison’s three-game absence, and Nailor’s hand injury thrust Minnesota into trade talks for veteran help, with five names circulating the rumor mill. Alec Pierce could give the Vikings a true vertical threat, Jauan Jennings would add versatility and blocking, Adam Thielen brings veteran reliability, Donovan Peoples-Jones offers a solid floor, and Skyy Moore provides gadget upside. Minnesota’s front office is weighing immediate help against long-term fit, knowing the question isn’t just about a rookie quarterback but who lines up around him.

Fantasy managers should monitor how these options align with McCarthy’s early learning curve. Pierce’s speed, Jennings’ multi-use profile, Thielen’s route craft in a likely No. 3 role, Peoples-Jones’ 2022-like volume upside, and Moore’s return potential all carry distinct floor-ceiling blends. If Minnesota can flip one of these veterans in time to stabilize McCarthy’s first weeks, the Vikings’ pass game could still support a competitive early-season floor, especially in deeper leagues where depth at wideout matters more than ever.